Best of Both Worlds
By: lol925
Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical or Sleepover.
Dedicated: To my readers, reviewers, friends, family, and Rachael for her continued support for my writing.
A/n: I'm sorry that I couldn't get it up before Christmas! At least it didn't take like three months though. I know this chapter should be a Gabriella chapter, but I couldn't resist doing the Melody one first. Also, this chapter seems super long, but it really isn't. The emails just take up a lot of space. I checked and the website doesn't actually exist. I am not going to make a website for her, but just use your imagination. I hope you enjoy this.
March 2, Gabriella's House, 4:15
Flashback
"Gabriella, hurry up! We're going to be late," my mom yelled impatiently from downstairs.
"I'm coming mom, just give me a second," I shouted back. I finished putting my earrings on.
"It's only a meeting. You don't need to get dressed up" she said in an exasperated tone.
"I'm done mom," I announced as I walked down the stairs.
"Finally, I'm so glad you're an only child. I don't think I would have been able to handle two teenagers," she muttered. She grabbed her car keys and we got into the car. We're going to a meeting about Melody's marketing and merchandise.
We had a pleasant conversation in the car, because my mom isn't one to hold grudges. Not even little ones. The car pulled up into the parking lot and we walked into the building. We reached the meeting room promptly. Ms Roberts, Mr. Forden, Mr. Bortega, and many other people were there.
"Now that we have Gabriella and Anna here, we are ready to begin," Mr. Forden announced as we sat down next to each other. Everyone discussed CD sales, concert profits, various Melody merchandise etc. I was only half listening, but I could see my mom was listening attentively.
I tuned in when I heard a mention of They had created an official Melody Brooks website. There was information on me, concerts, merchandise etc. There were even a few games.
"Now Gabriella, we were thinking of adding a fan mail section where fans could email you. Naturally, there would be a lot of mail, so we could have and automated response and you could reply to some personally if you wanted. Did you have anything else you wanted to add?" Mr. Bortega asked.
I hesitated for a moment. I did have an idea, but it was a bit strange. I didn't want my idea to be thought of as childish. "Yes, I have an idea. When I was in junior high, I wrote an advice column in the school newspaper. I think it would be cool if fans could email me questions and ask for advice. It's a little out there, but," I explained.
"It's perfect. It is original. It would also add a boost to your reputation. With stars like Brittney, Jamie Lynn, and Lindsey running around you need to set a good example," Mr. Bortega announced.
"I'll add it to the website right away," one of the website designers responded.
"Well, I think that's all we need to discuss. I'll see you two in a few weeks," Mr. Forden said. Together my mom and I exited.
"That was certainly and interesting meeting," my mom commented.
End Flashback
March 14, Gabriella's house, 8:30
Now that my homework is done, I'm excited about checking my advice email. Since it's a new feature to the website, I didn't have too many questions yet. The first few were a bit boring. I noticed I had another eight to go.
To: advice
From: ehwildcat426
Re: Baking
Dear Melody,
Hey, I'm a huge fan! I was perusing your website when I found this. I thought I'd give it a shot. I love playing basketball, but I love baking as well. According to our school "Status Quo," I shouldn't. I want my friends to know, but I don't want them to look at me differently. What should I do?
Zeke Baylor
Albuquerque, NM
That was interesting. A baking basketball player. I quickly clicked reply.
To: ehwildcat426
From: advice
Re: Baking
Dear Zeke,
Wow, it's cool that you bake! I can't cook anything at all, my mom is very disappointed in me. P I think if your friends are true friends, they'll accept you for who you are and what your interests are. Who cares what anyone else thinks? The "Status Quo" is stupid. Do what your heart tells you. I say, bake on Zeke!
Melody Brooks
I hoped that my reply wasn't too cheesy. I opened the next email.
To: advice
From: composerkelsi819
Re: Secret Crush
Dear Melody,
It's so cool that you have an advice column! I hope you can help me out. I like this boy named Jason Cross. He's really sweet and nice, but he's popular. I mean he is friends with The Troy Bolton! I'm just a nobody, how can I get him to notice me?
Kelsi Nielson
Albuquerque, NM
To: composerkelsi819
From: advice
Re: Secret Crush
Dear Kelsi,
Thanks for asking me for advice. I don't have much boy experience, but I'll do my best. You never know, Jason might like you and be too shy to admit it. You know how boys can be. Just show him your great and sparkling personality and hope for the best. I wish you the best of luck.
Melody Brooks
I opened the next email.
To: advice
From: getaclue101
Re: Clueless Suck Up
Dear Melody,
Hey, I need some advice as you might have guessed. My friends are great people, but they make fun of me a lot. I'm kind of slow understanding jokes and simple things. They also say that I'm a huge suck up to teachers and adults in general. What can I do to get them off my back?
Jason Cross
Albuquerque, NM
Wow, this is Kelsi's crush! We live in a small world.
To: getaclue101
From: advice
Re: Clueless Suck Up
Dear Jason,
I'm sorry about your friends ragging on you all the time. It must be hard. I would just say when people say stuff, really thing it through. You don't sound dumb; you just jump to the wrong conclusions too fast. If you still don't understand, ask someone later. About being a suck up, be nice to adults, but don't say stuff you don't mean or put it on too thick. I hope things get better!
Melody Brooks
That one was a little tough. I hope I actually helped him. I opened another email, five more to go.
To: advice
From: jazzsquare930
Re: Sister's Shadow
Dear Melody,
It's nice that you started an advice column. Most celebrities don't care about other people's problems. Here is my problem. My twin sister Sharpay is very domineering. She is a sweet person, but she likes to be in control and she often turns me into her accomplice. I want to be able to shine, but I'm constantly stuck in her shadow. People laugh at me, because they say I follow her around like a dog. Please help me out!
Ryan Evans
Albuquerque, NM
I felt bad for Ryan. I would hate being stuck in someone else's shadow. People would never see my true potential then.
To: jazzsquare930
From: advice
Re: Sister's Shadow
Dear Ryan,
It must stink always being forced into someone else's shadow! I think you should talk to Sharpay about it, if she is your twin, I doubt that she wants to belittle you. Next, join some activities she isn't in and talk to people that she doesn't talk to, so that people can meet the real Ryan Evans. I'm sure he's a worthwhile person to know. I hope your situation gets better!
Melody Brooks
I'm glad Ryan came to me for help. I'm actually interested in meeting him.
To: advice
From: goldenthroat930
Re: Nice at Heart
Dear Melody,
Hi, my name is Sharpay Evans. I need some advice on what I should do. At school, people always call me the "Ice Princess" because they think I'm mean. It's not true. I am a good person. My parents call me a "Social Butterfly." It's just around other people I don't know how to act, so I put up an icy exterior. I want everyone to see the real, good-hearted part of me, but I don't know how to show it. I definitely need some help.
Sharpay Evans
Albuquerque, NM
Another coincidence, both the Evans twins had come to me asking for advice. What also seemed suspicious was all five of these people lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What are the chances of that happening?
To: goldenthroat930
From: advice
Re: Nice at Heart
Dear Sharpay,
You do genuinely seem like a nice person. Sometimes being around certain people makes us act a certain way. If this icy exterior isn't, actually you just throw it away. I know it's easier said than done. Just make an effort to be especially nice to people. Don't make stuff all about you, but make it about other people too. Just be yourself and I'm sure you'll show people the real Sharpay Evans. The side of you that is worth knowing.
Melody Brooks
To: advice
From: longlivedafro8
Re: Best Friend's Shadow
Dear Melody,
Hi, your number one fan has come seeking advice. My best friend Troy Bolton and I love playing basketball. We're both on the team and one day we hope to play in the NBA. Troy's dad is the coach and he's always been better than me. He has girls swooning all over him and the school chanting his name. I'm a good player myself, but the team and I don't even get recognition. It's like everyone thinks that Troy wins games all by himself, but boy are the wrong! How do I get to shine?
Chad Danforth
Albuquerque, NM
People seemed to be stuck in other people's shadows lately. Where had I heard the name Troy Bolton? Oh yeah, Kelsi said that Jason was friends with him. All these people are like one big puzzle.
To: longlivedafro8
From: advice
Re: Best Friend's Shadow
Dear Chad,
Being stuck in another person's shadow is awful. It is hard to get out of it. I'm sure you're a great player too. I think you should talk to Troy about this, so that he can tell other people how hard you work too. There isn't a lot you can do though. Just practice a lot. Maybe your skills will trump Troy's skills! About the swooning girls, consider yourself lucky. I have been a swooning girl on several occasions and I know we can get annoying, just pick one special girl. Good luck Chad.
Melody Brooks
To: advice
From: decathalonqueen1
Re: History Help
Dear Melody,
I need some advice. I've always been labeled as a bit of a nerd in school. This really doesn't bother me, because I am proud to be smart. My best subjects are Math and Science. Lately, I have had some trouble in history. I just can't seem to understand or remember it. I'm too scared to ask for help, because everyone assumes I'm good at everything. I really can't fail this class though. What should I do?
Taylor McKessie
Albuquerque, NM
She seemed like a nice girl. I'd always been embarrassed of being smart. I should probably use her example and be proud of my smarts.
To: decathalonqueen1
From: advice
Re: History Help
Dear Taylor,
I think it's great that you're proud of your smarts. I think you should go in for help. Ask the teacher to personally help you instead of giving you a tutor. No one will ever find out. It's important to keep up your grades. Even if people did find out they probably wouldn't think less of you. They would probably feel that they could relate to you more, because you had a weakness in school just like them. I hope that you can get some help!
Melody Brooks
To: advice
From: bballboy14
Re: Not Just a Basketball Boy
Dear Melody,
Wow, I can't believe I'm actually asking a famous pop star for advice. I didn't actually see this coming. I hope you can help with my dilemma. I am the captain of the junior varsity basketball team. The whole school idolizes me. They even made a giant poster with my head on it. It is a tad scary. I feel like I just want to be a guy, not a basketball guy. As much as I love the sport, I feel like there is another side of me waiting to come out. Maybe I'm an amazing scuba diver, stuntman, or hey maybe I can sing better than you. Well, that isn't too likely, but you never know. Got any advice on how I can show everyone the real me?
Troy Bolton
Albuquerque, NM
Wow, the famous Troy Bolton came to me for advice as well.
To: bballboy14
From: advice
Re: Not Just a Basketball Boy
Dear Troy,
I guess you're looking for some deep advice. My advice would be to join other clubs or do some other activities. Maybe you should try scuba diving. I don't think the stuntman would be a good idea. As for the singing, who knows? Just be yourself and show the whole school that you can do something besides play basketball. Shake their world up a little bit! Troy Bolton the guy is probably way cooler than Troy Bolton the basketball guy. I hope you can convince the school of who you really are!
Melody Brooks
Finally, my inbox is empty. These problems were intriguing. I'm glad that people didn't use this advice section to ask about stupid things. So out of those people Troy, Chad, Taylor, Sharpay, Ryan, Jason, Kelsi, and Zeke I know at least Troy, Chad, Jason, and Kelsi go to school together. Ryan and Sharpay are twins. Zeke also plays basketball, is there a chance that he is on the same team as Troy and Chad? Albuquerque is a big city, so who knows how many high schools there are. I guess those eight people will remain a mystery to me forever.
I hope you enjoyed it. When I tried to put email addresses it didn't actually work, so I just did their id without a website. The likeliness of this happening is small, but I thought it was cute. I know a lot of people wanted the gang to be in it more, so I thought I'd add this. My next chapter will be a Gabriella chapter. My goal is to get it up before February. I would really appreciate it if you left me a review to tell me what you thought of it!