Author's Note: Okay, this one is more of a filler chapter as we move on to the events of Sharpay's fundraiser. You don't even have to read it really, seeing as it doesn't impact the actual course of the story. Just needed to get it out of the way.

Disclaimer: I don't own it…

Chapter 15

The Talks

Sharpay

"But there has to be some other way out of this!"

"Lower your voice, Sharpay, you are approaching hysterical."

"Oh, I'm not just approaching it, Ms. Darbus. I am hysterical! This is me hysterical!"

Sharpay as Gabriella watched Ms. Darbus massage her temples wearily while she huffed. As her teacher had refused to talk to her during lesson time, Shar was now spending her free period in homeroom, glaring at the revealed culprit across the desk.

She could not believe she was in this mess because of her. The woman always seemed to be so level-headed, so straightforward, so shrewd, so…all right. She wasn't any of those things. But as an adult, wasn't it her job to know better?

Who cared what her freaking intentions were? Ever since the life swap Sharpay had been subjected to nothing but suffering. Well…all right. She had gotten to be with Troy, which probably never would have happened otherwise. And she did get to live with a mother that wasn't always drinking. Not to mention the exceptional grades…

"Sharpay? Sharpay. Are you still with me, dear?"

Sharpay blinked. "What? Oh. Yeah. Listen, Ms. Darbus," she clasped her hands on the desk, "I'm over being angry. Seriously. I know you were only trying to help us. So…thanks I guess!"

Ms. Darbus shook her head slowly. "Sharpay…have you ever considered the possibility that you may be bipolar?"

Sharpay smirked and stood. "I'd love to stick around and chat, Ms. Darbus, but I've got a free period to enjoy. Not that…studying is ever enjoyable."

The teacher smiled wryly. "The whole point of this escapade was to reconcile you and Gabriella. I still believe it is possible…"

Sharpay hesitated before shrugging. "Stranger things have happened."

And with that she strolled out of the classroom, only to be caught by Taylor, who looked particularly fetching in a yellow dress Sharpay had picked out for her.

Sharpay had dramatically changed the state of Gabbie and Taylor's relationship. She knew the deal was to not alter each other's lives but in all fairness, what else was she supposed to do? She didn't know a thing about La Vie Einsteinette and no amount of crammed knowledge would help her effectively fake it. Besides, she had never really experienced having a best friend that was not her brother and felt she had no choice but to exploit it.

For the past few weeks the two had shopped together, watched lame soap operas together and divulged sensitive details on relationships while painting each other's toenails (an overrated pastime, as Sharpay had discovered). It was weird, in a nice way. And it kept them off the topic of Science, Algebra and Decathlons.

Today, however, Taylor looked unusually PO'd.

"Gabriella Montez, what the hell is up with you?" she demanded, strutting along side her.

She shrugged. "Sharpay was getting on my nerves."

"And you resolved that by ramming her into the ground in front of half the student body?"

"What can I say? I had to beat the biatch down eventually."

Taylor grabbed Sharpay's arm and spun her round so that they were face-to-face. She took her by the shoulders.

"Okay. Don't be offended, Gabbie," she said slowly, "but you've been weird lately."

"You mean different."

"Right. And different is fine. I like New Gabriella. I like all the girly stuff I do with New Gabriella. But that doesn't mean I want Old Gabriella to disappear. Do you understand?"

She nodded contritely. "She won't, Taylor. It is my solemn vow that Old Gabriella will be back soon."

She pursed her lips into a smile and nodded. They began to walk together again.

After a pensive moment's silence, Sharpay spoke. "You're a good best friend, Taylor. Sometimes, you act superior. But then I do, too. So I guess I'm trying to…thank you? Maybe? For being my friend." She felt embarrassed suddenly. "But I've told you all this before, haven't I?"

"No," said Taylor quietly. "Not really. Thank you for saying it." She put a companionable arm around Sharpay's shoulder. "You're a good best friend, too. I wouldn't trade you for anybody else."

Sharpay was puzzled at her own sad smile.

"Of course, you wouldn't."

Gabriella

"No, Gabriella, there is nothing I can do."

"But you started this. Fix it!"

Gabriella was in for her own Darbus consultation and as with Sharpay, it was proving as productive as…asking Ms. Darbus for help.

Gabriella was severely ticked off, and felt entitled to it, seeing as she had had to suffer while Sharpay enjoyed her life.

Admittedly, it wasn't all bad. While marooned on Evans' island, she had Ryan. He kept her somewhat sane through everything. She smiled fondly. Ryan was a good guy. He would make a very good boyfriend to a very lucky girl…

Hang on a second. Gabriella flushed at a sudden revelation. A very lucky girl? A very lucky girl that wasn't her? Oh crap. What if Ryan actually found someone?

She bit her lip anxiously. Well, she would just have to deal, wouldn't she? It was unfair to keep him dangling when she had no interest in him whatsoever, right? Right. He deserved someone. But was it selfish to hope he didn't find anyone?

Yes, because she had a boyfriend. Troy. She liked Troy. She liked him deeply. And Ryan…she liked Ryan, too. Maybe a little part of her even-

"Gabriella?"

"Yes!" she found herself yelling and it caused Darbus to jump a little.

She flushed. "Sorry. You were saying something important?"

"Obviously not important at all," said Darbus wryly. "You seem a million miles away, dear."

"Oh. Well…I was just…thinking. I think I have a lot of thinking…to do. Thank you for your time, Ms. Darbus."

She stood slowly and Ms. Darbus hastened to add, "With some re-assessment, you may find that you and Sharpay are not so different."

"Maybe," she said vaguely. "Maybe?"

Gabriella wandered the halls of East High, feeling dejected. He deserved to be happy. Even if it didn't involve her.

She was so lost in thought that she did not notice Troy walking past her until he called her (and by that I mean Sharpay's) name.

She turned swiftly on her heel, her cheeks flushing with guilt at the thoughts that had been plaguing her.

"Hey," he said, somewhat bashfully.

"What's up?" she murmured.

He tucked his hands into his jean pockets and hunched his shoulders.

"I uh…just wanted to apologize. About Gabriella. I heard about what happened today."

"Who didn't? You need to find a good leash for your girlfriend, Bolton," she intoned, eagerly awaiting his valiant rush to her defense.

"I don't think a leash could hold her. Steal cage maybe, but not a leash. I don't know…" he stared at the floor as he continued, oblivious to Gabriella as Sharpay's gaping expression. "She's just been so different lately."

"Uh-huh," she said weakly. Steal cage?! "Good different or…"

"Good and bad different? It's like…the Gabbie I knew before was just…perfect. Sweet and supportive…docile. It's like she got all her relationship skills from an instruction manual. But now…"

Gabriella could barely get her voice above a croak. "Now?"

"Now…" he smiled ever so slightly, "she kind of reminds me of you. Ironically."

Gabbie resisted a grimace. Irony? He didn't know the half of it.

Unable to hear anymore, Gabbie gave some weak excuse about needing to use the bathroom.

She barely made it into the stall before tears rose. She sobbed silently, not knowing why.

Author's Note: Quite a sour note to end the chappie on but oh well! Thought I should add a bit of Sharpay as Gabriella/Taylor interaction. That's all we're really going to have. I realize I've kind of put a lot of characters in the background, but they weren't really valuable to this story. I can't leave them out completely, though!

So R&R if you please! I'll understand if you don't. There isn't much to say!