Hello world of Fan Fiction! Thanks for the votes of confidence for my grades. They haven't come yet, I think it'll be another week before they do, although I probably won't be home to receive them.
Before we get to the story, I'd like to answer a couple questions that came up in my reviews.
King Philip, you wanted to know what Ryan was thinking when Sharpay demanded control over the popcorn distribution in chapter 2. Well, Ryan was shocked by her request because the old Sharpay never ate popcorn. In fact, the smell of it usually made her sick. The snack of choice for the old Sharpay was carrot sticks and ranch dressing. All this was running through his head because it was the first time the thought crossed Ryan's mind that this Sharpay is not who she was before the amnesia.
King Philip also wanted to know why Sharpay didn't have a clothing reference book when she did have a hair and make-up reference book. She actually does have a clothing reference book, but it is in a large hat box on the top shelf of her closet. And her closet is so vast that she didn't have a chance to look through everything. She just hasn't found it yet.
King Philip (goodness you're a curious one) – Gabriella was that excited to receive Sharpay's approval because, even though Sharpay is mean, she's also popular. And it is common in high school to want the popular girls' approval even if you aren't much of a fan of her. You especially crave this validation if you are a member of the second string populars – like Gabriella seems to be.
I also wanted to give a shout-out to NiteAngel. You are very close, but there are quite a few more twists along the way . . .
Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical or its characters. And the homage to LonelyGirl15 is just that, an homage. If anybody has the youtube account username of LonesomeGirl16, I apologize. I did not mean to steal it.
Quest for Self Discovery
Sharpay was sitting in the darkened living area. She had a bowl of theatre-style buttered popcorn in her lap and she was sitting cross legged on the couch. She was thinking. She'd been doing that a lot lately. Thinking. Trying to figure out who she is. And who she was. 'Are they the same thing?' she wondered. Judging by her peer's reactions to her, it seems she created quite a reputation at school. But she didn't think that reputation was an accurate representation of her true self. Did the amnesia change her? Or is she just overreacting to a few unpleasant looks sent in her direction?
Sharpay decided that the best way to figure out who she really is, is to figure out who she really was. And so, with this bowl of popcorn, she is officially embarking on her quest for self discovery.
Gabriella and Troy were heading back to his house after a relaxing picnic in the park. School requires so many extra time commitments, they sometimes have difficulty finding time to spend together. Troy had planned this picnic all week and was pleased to see that it was executed flawlessly. Now they were going back to Troy's empty house to enjoy a few more minutes of alone time.
The couple slowly approached the front door, Troy bogged down with the picnic basket and everything that was inside of it, Gabriella bouncing along next to him carrying a left over sandwich. She was really looking forward to the church retreat that she'll be going on next weekend. She'd spent most of the afternoon describing her plans to Troy.
"And there is this girl who, I can just tell, hasn't completely accepted Jesus Christ into her heart. I think this weekend will be the perfect opportunity to Save her, don't you think?"
Troy, on the other hand, was very good at giving canned responses at appropriate intervals.
"Mmhmm."
He managed to juggle the picnic accessories as he unlocked the door, but as soon as it swung open he dropped everything onto the floor. Hearing something other than Gabriella's prattling, he looked over and saw that he'd left the TV on that morning. 'Good thing we beat the 'rents home,' he thought. Leaving the TV on when nobody was home is one of their major pet peeves.
Sharpay had been sitting on that couch for a good hour. At first in contemplation, but after ten minutes she'd gotten bored and decided to watch television. Access Hollywood was her new favorite program. The next fifty minutes were whiled away in lazy revere of those lucky enough to make the show.
As the commercial break started she noticed her popcorn bowl was running low, so she went into the kitchen in search of another microwave bag. While she was in there, she heard the front door open followed by a loud thump as the house-members entered. 'Finally! He's home,' She thought excitedly. Somebody else to entertain her, as well as help her on her quest for self discovery!
But those plans were quickly pushed to the side of her mind when she heard the TV shut off.
"Hey!" She called. "I was watching that!"
"And you're out of popcorn. You might want to buy some more the next time you're at the grocery store." Sharpay said as she walked back into the living area.
"Oh my goodness, Troy. What was that?" Gabriella whispered in a near panic, oblivious to the other girl who was just walking out from the shadows.
"Sharpay! What are you doing here? In my house? In the dark?" Troy asked, having difficulty comprehending this entire situation.
"Uh, watching TV. Duh." She replied, as if that were normal.
"I can see that, but how'd you get in?"
"That's not important. What is important is that I talk to you. Except..." She trailed off as she glanced over to Gabriella whose mouth had yet to close since she first noticed Sharpay's presence. Realizing that Sharpay didn't want to speak in front of her, Gabriella finally came out of her stupor in order to reply.
"Dont. Worry. Sharpay." She said very loudly and very slowly. "Troy. Told. Me. About. The. Am.Ne.Sia."
Sharpay was unsure as to why this girl, who she recognized from the tape of Twinkle Town, was speaking to her as if she were an idiot, so she simply decided to respond in the same manner. For all she knew, the idiot was this girl.
"O.K. I'm. Going. To. Talk. To. Troy. Now." Turning to Troy, she shot him a questioning look before asking in her normal voice, "Who am I?"
"Huh?"
"I'm trying to figure out who I am."
"Well, currently, you are illegally inside my home. And in a couple minutes you will be legally outside my home." He responded matter of factly, while grabbing her elbow and leading her to the door.
"Oh, I get it." She stage whispered as she voluntarily took the final step out onto the porch. "You and miss pretty-hair here want to be alone. Ok, we'll talk later."
"Good. Bye. Shar.Pay." Gabriella called from inside the house.
"What's wrong with her, anyway?"
Chuckling and shaking his head, Troy closed the door without bothering to answer the question. Mostly because, at the moment, he wouldn't know where to begin.
The next day came and Sharpay had not made a single advancement on figuring out who she was. She was sitting in her European History class trying to pay attention to her teacher, Mr. Gaudé ("Go-Day. Go-Day. Never call me Mr. Gode."). Unfortunately, starting in the middle of history without any recollection of learning the beginning part poses a major problem when it comes to comprehension.
Sharpay glanced over to Ryan and saw that he was furiously taking notes. Good, she can just copy his notes later. Right now she is going to re-read her own notes in an attempt to catch up. Back to page one:
9/4
King Philip II Augustus. King of France starting in 1180
Successfully Reorganized government. Financial Stability.
Second wife named Ingeborg – well, that's unfortunate
Incest? EW!
Incest? Ew! Moving forward...
9/18
King Philip II of Spain. This is a different King Philip than King Philip II of France
Son of Charles V
-Ryan, are you doing anything after school today?
Philip II is a Habsburg
-Besides Drama Club? I don't think so, why?
-I had an idea for my next weblog episode and I wanted to stage it.
Controls Spain, New world AND the Netherlands. Mmm, powerful.
-Can I at least be in it this time? I hate being the camera man.
He's catholic, the Netherlands are Calvinist
-Don't be stupid, Ryan. If you aren't the camera man, then who will be?
Tries to make Netherlands Catholic
-Fine, but we're changing the camera man situation soon
-Yay, I have such a good idea for this one!
Philip exterminates whoever won't convert. Ugh, harsh?
"Ryan," Sharpay hissed after reading this. "Pst. Ryan."
"What?" He whispered back without pausing from his note-taking.
"I have a weblog!" she hissed enthusiastically.
"Ms. Evans! Is there something you'd like to share with the rest of us?" Mr. Gaudé said, breaking from his lecture for the first time that day.
"I have a weblog, sir!" She said with the same amount of enthusiasm and a huge smile on her face.
"Oh. Yes, well, that's very good for you, Sharpay, but unless you discuss history in it, I would prefer if you continue your conversation after class." Mr. Gaudé said, irritated with the interruption.
"Of course, sir," she replied as sweetly as ever.
"What was my username?" They were back at home after school that day. Sharpay was sitting at her computer trying to figure out where her weblogs were located and Ryan was lying on her bed reading a magazine and pretending he couldn't hear her.
"Ryan!"
Looking up, he finally responded, "I don't think you'll really find anything interesting on those. Wow, did you know that Vanessa Hudgens took nude photos? What a skank." He said, referring back to his magazine in an attempt to change the topic.
"Vanessa who? Oh, who really cares? I want to see these weblogs!" She insisted.
"Ugh, fine. Its LonesomeGirl16. But I really wish you wouldn't watch it."
Turning back to the computer, Sharpay typed 'LonesomeGirl16' into the search engine and was delighted to see many links for her blogs. Finding the first episode, entitled "First Blog/Hello Real Me", she clicked play and nervously sat back, ready to discover her real self. ' I wish I had some popcorn for this'.
"First Blog/Hello Real Me"
Sharpay is in front of her computer. Hair and make-up done casual
Sharpay: Hi Guys! This is my first video blog. I've watched a couple of blogs out there. Most of you are, well, boring. But that is why I am making my own!
Cut to shot of her fabulously dressed, posing and smiling for the camera. The sound of applause and whistling is cut in
Back to Sharpay talking in front of the computer
Sharpay: Well, I guess this is supposed to be about me, so I'll give you a little run-down. My name is Sharpay. I'm sixteen. And, well, I'm not going to tell you where I live because you'll probably come stalk me and, trust me, I have enough of those.
Cut to picture of a hooded man carrying an ax, with the sound of screaming
Back to Sharpay talking in front of the computer
Sharpay: All you need to know about my town is that it is full of really boring people.
CUT
Sharpay: Like, really boring.
CUT
Sharpay: Really boring people.
CUT
Sharpay: That's probably why I spend so much time pretending to be other people. (Contemplatively) Actually, that's probably why I sometimes forget who I really am.
She sighs and then gives the camera a sad smile.
Sharpay: Well, I finally have a place to be myself, right? All of you will see the real Sharpay.
Goes through a speeded up sequence of her dancing around her room to the song "The Real Me" by W.A.S.P.
Back to Sharpay sitting on front of her computer, music stops
Sharpay: Well guys, that's all for now. Bye!
Scene
Just as Sharpay had suspected, she had a reputation at school but it wasn't the real Sharpay. She wasn't very thrilled about how this video blog turned out, though. She seemed really sad and it wasn't fun watching herself that way.
Unable to stop herself, Sharpay continued watching the blogs. Some were happier than others. Mostly they were of her and Ryan goofing off in her bedroom. Though she had been reluctant to divulge personal information on the internet, Sharpay was able to gather a few new facts about herself:
1. She and Ryan are not actually twins.
2. Their dad once worked for the CIA
3. Sharpay was a member of what she thought was a secret religion until she had realized it was a sacrificial cult. She and Ryan tried to run away because the cult leaders were after Sharpay for her abandonment.
Before she could move on to the last episode, Sharpay's attention was caught by a comment authored by her most consistent reviewer:
King Philip: Oh, poor you! I can't believe the cult leaders are still after you! Why won't they just let it go? You already promised you wouldn't tell anybody their secret!
There seems to be some friction between you and Ryan. Are you two ok? Spending too much time together is never a good thing, and you guys need each other more than ever right now. And, seriously girl, how long are you going to go on hiding from these people. The only way to stop them is to confront them!
King Philip had made a very good point about the tension between Ryan and Sharpay, that was evident in the web videos. And did he seriously suggest that she confront the cult leaders? What if she had followed his advice and that is how she actually ended up in the hospital with amnesia? No, Ryan wouldn't have lied about that. Although, it's not like he told her anything else she'd discovered through these weblogs.
This all gave Sharpay a very bad feeling about what was to come but she'd watched too much to stop now. There was just one episode left and she had to know if she still needed to worry about these cult leaders.
"On The Run"
Ryan and Sharpay are in a seedy motel room. The blinds are closed and it is very dark. Ryan is lying on the bed reading as Sharpay talks to the camera
Sharpay: Hey guys. Ryan and I are in a motel right now. We've been moving around a LOT but I really needed a place to wash my hair, so we decided one night in a motel wouldn't be too dangerous. At least we can lock the doors, right Ryan?
Ryan: Mmm
Sharpay: (Whispering) Ryan is mad at me for –
Ryan: I said I wasn't mad at you.
Sharpay nods into the camera to silently insist that Ryan actually is mad
Sharpay: We used fake names, so they can't track us. I'm Ashley and he's Lucas. It is really boring being on the run . Coming up with those names was the most excitement we've had in two weeks. We have nothing to do!
The camera is set on the bed still running as they go about their business. It is played in fast forward as the not-twins-anymore are seen lying around reading and talking
The picture cuts back in, a close-up of Sharpay's scared face. She is standing by the window peaking through the crack in the blinds, revealing that they are on the second floor
Sharpay: (Whispering) We think they found us. There's been a car sitting right below our window with a man sitting in it for the past three hours. Ryan is going down to investigate. If it turns out that he's one of the cult leaders, we're going to have to make a really fast get-away.
She points the camera through the blinds and onto the car. Everything is quiet except for her heavy breathing. Suddenly, there is a loud smashing sound
Sharpay screams
Sharpay: WHO ARE YOU?! Get away from me!
A hooded man is attacking her. She gets away from the man and runs down the hall with him close behind. The camera, clutched backwards in her hand, is faced toward the hooded figure. The attacker's hood slips down just before the picture cuts out
Cut back in to Sharpay and Ryan in their car, speeding down an industrial street
Sharpay: (out of breath) Oh my gosh. That was close. The guy was chasing me. Good thing Ryan was ready at the end of the hallway with a bat. He knocked the guy down long enough for us to get into the car.
Points the camera on Ryan, who is driving
Sharpay: Ryan, I'm really scared.
Ryan grabs her hand as he gives the camera and Sharpay a reassuring nod.
Scene
"Oh my God, Ryan what happened to us?" She asked, still staring shocked at the paused computer screen. There was no response. Sharpay turned around ready to yell at Ryan for ignoring her again but she saw that her room was empty. 'When did Ryan leave?' She wondered. Looking at her clock, she realized she'd been watching these videos for hours. He probably left long ago, out of sheer boredom since he could still remember what had happened. Sharpay wondered why Ryan never mentioned any of this to her before this point but she decided that he was probably just trying to protect her. But this was not something she could keep to herself. There had to be somebody else she could discuss it with.
Troy looked at his watch. Who would be ringing the doorbell at this hour?
He slowly opened the front door and was not surprised to find Sharpay standing there. He was starting to expect her at random moments in his life. This time she stood there looking very agitated as she shifted from side to side and kept glancing behind her.
Troy stared at her, "Why do you keep coming here, Sharpay?"
"Oh, for goodness sake, you're going to stop asking me that question one of these days." She responded quickly while shoving her way through the door. "Troy, I just found out something awful about myself."
"Oh. Who finally told you?" He asked, figuring she had found out about her nick-name.
"Ryan did. And you knew about it too?" She asked, her voice rising in panic. Had she dragged him into her deadly life too? How could she do that to him? And how had he ever forgiven her? Maybe he hadn't forgiven her.
"Well, yeah, everybody knows."
"Everybody? Then how come there weren't more casualties?" She asked, control over her volume level completely lost.
"Casualties? You aren't talking about the 'Ice-Queen' nick-name, are you?"
"Ice-what? No, you must be talking about somebody else's blog. I'm–" Sharpay leaned in close to Troy and lowered her voice to a whisper as if somebody dangerous might overhear her, "LonesomeGirl16."
"You're who?" Troy whispered back, mimicking her leaning stance.
"Let me just show you. Where's your computer?" Her volume level was back up again as her agitation returned in full force.
Troy showed her to the computer room, more out of fear of bodily harm if he didn't follow her directions than anything else. Sharpay proceeded to play her Weblogs for him and he dutifully watched them all, though not as intensely as she had. An hour and a half later they finally came to the episode that had left Sharpay so troubled. As Troy watched, he was trying desperately not to be as drawn into the narrative as he already was. These episodes looked as though they were authentic, but he remained skeptical. There just wasn't a stretch time where this all could have taken place. Ryan and Sharpay had never missed an extended period of school and how can anybody honestly believe that they aren't twins?
The episode finished and Sharpay turned to Troy with a crazed look in her eyes.
"See? See what happened? Ryan wasn't there to tell me if this was ever resolved. What if the cult leaders are still after me? How do we know that this is all over?"
Troy didn't respond. Instead, he rewound the episode and started it again from the point where Sharpay was attacked. Not knowing why he was watching again, Sharpay quieted down and allowed him to view it again. He was focusing on the screen very intensely and she didn't want to disrupt his concentration. At the point where Sharpay was being chased down the hall Troy started to laugh hysterically.
"Why are you laughing? Stop it! That's not very nice. I was almost killed here!" She yelled indignantly, while putting her hands on her hips and adopting a defensive pose.
"I'm sorry, Sharpay, I don't mean to be rude. It's just, you and Ryan are still twins, your dad did not work for the CIA and you were not in a sacrificial cult that tried to kill you once you quit." He said, sobering is laughter when he saw how upset she really was.
"What are you talking about? You saw the same videos that I did!"
"Alright, watch your attacker very closely," he said, while replaying the chase down the hall for the third time.
Sharpay leaned in close to the computer and focused on the hooded figure. Just when the man's hood fell off, Troy paused the episode so that Sharpay could get a good clear look at who her attacker was.
"Ryan?" Sharpay gasped. "This whole thing was staged?"
So, there's a super long chapter for you. I promise this is as long as they'll get. I know some people don't like crazy long chapters, so I apologize.
In case you're wondering, which you probably aren't, I opened the letter from my parents. And it was not good news. Definitely, definitely not good news. I find that when I have stresses and worries in life, I tend to escape into fantasy land a lot more. I already have some great ideas as to where this story is going because of that letter.
As you could probably tell, this chapter was a tribute to all the King Philip's of the world!
I hope you enjoyed and, as always, REVIEW!
