Ad-run-aline. DIclaimer: I do not own anything HSM. Except merchandise I've bought. but no characters or names belong to me,, except the ones I've made up.
I woke up to the sound of the ocean, I was on a boat. I couldn't remember anything. I woke up, and I saw people standing on the shore. And suddenly, I knew it couldn't be real. Troy, Gabriella, Chad, Kelsi, Taylor, Zeke, and even Ryan, stood on the shore with grave looks on their faces. I screamed, and waved for help. None of them moved. No one would help me, even though the boat was just drifting out to sea, and suddenly I was very alone.
"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"
I slammed the snooze button, gasping for breath and sitting up in bed in shock. Waking from my dream, rather nightmare, my breathing was hitched and a new coat of sweat covered my body. I shook myself awake, and wiped my forehead. First Day. Well, orientation actually. It felt nice to be on my own mattress, which last night I slept so well, despite my nightmare. I didn't want to get up. But… I did. I got up showered, and decided. Maybe I should gradually come out of the big Sharpay role. So I put on pink chucks, not heels; a pink mini skirt, no glitter, and a white button up shirt. I looked pretty good. Not TOO Ice Queenie. I grabbed my notebook, thinking I better take notes. I heard the professors like to give assignments due 1st day, kind of as an initiation to the class.
Well, I got to my first period. English. My second favorite subject, to musical theater and voice class. I noticed someone familiar in my class. Chad Danforth. Great. Of all the wildcats to come to the same college it had to be Chad Danforth.
"Hello students. Welcome to English 101. Hopefully, your favorite class this semester." The professor spoke. She was pretty, probably in her late 30's. Her name is Mrs. Chantra, she seemed to be entertaining enough, and I think I really will enjoy this class. If Chad doesn't cause trouble that is. I really, just, didn't want him around.
"As several of you have probably heard, this class requires a pre-course assignment due one week from today, the first day of class. It will be an essay-format, typed paper. On what you may ask? You. All about you and why you are here. It must have proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and will count as your first assessment grade." She went on. I wrote down the assignment in my journal, nervous about the assignment.
"And NO late assignment will be collected. So be punctual with your time." she smiled and wagged her index finger at the class.
A bell rang, and we were sent to our next class room. Mine was Dance, and even though we were going directly to our next class for the informationals, I knew that these classes were spread out. When school started up, I would Have English, then a few hours to go back to the dorm, THEN Dance, then directly to Math, and the last class of the day was Voice. Which was a blessing AND a curse. A blessing because I had all day to warm up my voice, but also a curse, because if I over use my voice that day, my voice could be tired. Still, I was beginning to feel that anxious anticipation for next week again. The day was finally over, after visiting my other classes of Musical Theater, Art, Science, and History; classes I chose, despite the fact I didn't need them for a theater major.
I made my way to the dorms, which were in walking distance of the music hall, where my voice lesson would be held all year. When, Chad Danforth, once again bumped into me.
"Oh hey Shar…pay?" he said, raising one eyebrow.
"Hi, Chad, just going back to the dorm." I responded not making eye contact as I tried to keep walking. He grabbed my arm as I passed, "How was orientation for you?" he asked.
"It was great, you?" I replied. He looked surprised; I guess it was because I'd actually not used that sarcastic wit that was suppressed in the back of my head.
"Good, not looking forward to English I guess, she's the only teacher that I got an assignment from." he put hand on his head, scratching at his hair.
"I got an Art one too, but yeah, I think we'll be okay." I really just wanted to go home. Too many memories came back just talking to Chad Danforth. Memories I worked hard in San Diego to forget.
"Yeah," he started "I know I was never nice to you at East High, but I hope you forgive me. It's nice to know someone familiar in a place so different." he tried not to smile, but I could see it.
"Thanks, that means a lot coming from you." I wasn't happy, so I didn't need to hide a smile, the moment was more bitter than sweet.
"I can see you're not the Ice Queen I once thought you were." he looked uncomfortable now. I was uncomfortable enough for the both of us.
"Thanks Chad, but I really gotta rocket. See you next week. Good luck with that paper." I moved my feet, fast, got to my building and made my way to the room. When I got there, someone had taped a poster to the front of it. Kale and Katie wrote their names at the bottom of the bright green "Open Mic Night" flier. Ooh, this sounded interesting. I took it off the door, and headed in my room. I plopped down on the bed, and sighed. I smiled to myself; it was nice to be 'home'. Though, the bitter feeling in the pit of my stomach that had been there since the end of trip. I decided to take a bath.
I couldn't, stop, thinking about everything! Bad. I thought about Troy, missing him. I don't know why. I've long accepted his choice to choose Gabi. But, still, I couldn't help but think about that email. It seems as if everything I've convinced myself of this new start, I wasn't so ready after all. Even if no one knew the real me at East High, no one could hurt me. No one would dare. I was safe, protected behind that façade, that shell that shielded me from the vulnerability of school.
Though, I know deep down, this is right. Being here, though I might be scared now. Would be where I could grow up, and be myself. No matter how scary it may be. I could do this. Easy. Hopefully.
I got out of the bath, and once getting comfy, got my laptop, and started to work on my essay.
Who is Sharpay Evans? That was the topic, and I didn't have an answer. I was too many people. Where could I even begin? The girl everyone hated, who "got everything she wanted". Except, in reality, I didn't get anything I wanted. Ever since the 3rd grade I've had my heart set on Julliard and only Julliard. Where am I? The University of Albuquerque. I've grown up with huge dreams of Broadway and stardom, and who is in New York getting all of that? My Brother. I really, have never got what I wanted. Yes, my parents are rich, but there is a price to pay for happiness. And you can't BUY happiness, and you especially can't buy love. So, yes, my parents bought me whatever I wanted, but really, all I really wanted couldn't be bought. Their love, their attention. Ever since I was 5 all I can remember is having babysitters and nannies to watch over me while my parents ruled the world with their company business. I wanted nothing but affection, and when I though I'd finally found that; It was just ripped away from me.
Who was the giver of that affection you may ask? My best friend. Troy Alexander Bolton. The boy next door, who had been my best friend since kindergarten. His whole family- though I didn't see it until it was too late – was my family. Dinner at their house every Friday, family game night; in which I was often invited to. And then, middle school came, and I fell head over heels for that boy who'd never looked at me that way in his life. I pursued him. I chased him. I wanted to be more than just friends; and when middle school came to an end I though he was finally seeing it. And, when he hadn't I never gave up, because, you don't give up on love. Especially when you need it! When Troy came back to school that year, he didn't look at me at all. Not even as a friend. A lifetime of friendship, or inseparable, BEST friend's forever-type friendship. And he didn't look at me AT all. And then Gabriella Montez showed up the next year, and that was the beginning of the end.
And here I am, not in my dream school, not with my dream boy, not with a dream family. But, you know what? I'm doing my best. I'm not trampling around on people's feelings, but I'm not walking on eggshells either. I'm just me. The me no one wanted to see, the me no one took the time to get to know. And, though I may not be in the best place for the future I will NEVER give up on. I know I'll get there. Because, people weren't born, to dream of something there whole life and then not get it. Everyone has a purpose. And though my dreams were once too big for my own good, now, they're just in reach. Like a star on the horizon. It feels as if you run far enough. Reach far enough. You can catch it. And I will catch my dream.
Of course, I couldn't put all of that in my paper. But knowing now, what I could. I titled my essay… " Adrena-run", because, just like before my trip. Before all my bitter memories overcame my happy go lucky perspective on this new start, my blood started pumping and adrenaline ran through my body.