Vespa

Gabriella fluttered her eyes open only to be startled by the sight of a shrine of Sharpay - literally. Gabriella quickly learned that Sharpay had her grandparents wrapped around her fingers. The room was only occupied during the summers when Sharpay visited but it was adorned with pictures of Sharpay throughout stages of her life, trophies and certificates of hers, as well as photographs of her with friends.

To top it all off, there was a life-sized sculpted statue of her placed at the center of the room. Gabriella chuckled at the subtle metaphor since it was obvious that Sharpay seemed to be center of their world.

Glancing at the Grandfather Clock on the wall, Gabriella's eyes bulged when she spotted that it was 2 o'clock in the afternoon. She slept for nearly eleven hours. Turning over to her other side, Gabriella peeked at Sharpay's bed, expecting to find it empty but surprised when she discovered that the blonde was still asleep.

Mustering up the will to climb out of bed, Gabriella found herself disoriented as she stood up and stretched her arms. Rubbing her temple, she finally came to the realization that the jetlag really messed up her sleeping schedule.

Gabriella was about to toss a pillow at Sharpay's head before her eyes caught the sight of an old photo that hung on the wall of her shrine. Gabriella felt herself smile as she recognized a familiar picture of two five-year olds in graduation attire, hugging while flashing their toothy smiles. Sharpay's natural unbleached blonde hair was slightly darker and her hair was styled in two neat pigtails in the picture; her hot-pink scrunchies stood out, and seemed to foreshadow an obsession with that color in the nearby future. Gabriella's hair was medium-length and curled into smooth ringlets that framed her chubby heart-shaped face.

Tracing her finger over the frame of picture, she brushed off the dust that seemed to accumulate over time. Scanning the picture, Gabriella was amused at the extent to which they both changed over time.

Scanning Sharpay's wall for more picture, Gabriella cringed when she caught a picture of the two during their awkward preteen years. Laughing, she took note of both her and Sharpay's flat hair from an insanely horrific hair-dying experience that left Sharpay's hair practically white and Gabriella's hair orange-tinted. The braces only seemed to add onto the awkwardness of the picture. For some reason, Gabriella still found the picture to be endearing. Maybe it was the fact that although the two both looked horrid in that particular picture (Thank Heavens they got over that awkward stage after Middle School), the picture seemed to express their friendship in ways words would never be able suffice. The crazy stuff they used to do together as children would forever be immortalized in these photographs.

Gabriella smiled as she came across photos of them with their other schoolmates. The wall was full of pictures of the Brearley girls in their homecoming dresses, sharing milkshakes, posing during Spirit Week, and smacking each other with pillows during Sleepovers.

One photo in particular stood out - it was a picture of baby Sharpay with a curly-haired blond-haired blue-eyed boy. Catching her breath hitch, Gabriella wondered if it could possibly be a picture of her and Troy. Memories of last night flooded back into her mind and she found herself grow uneasy. If they did not seem to get along, then why was this picture hanging on her wall?

"Enjoying stalking my wall, you creep?"

Gabriella jumped at the sound of Sharpay's voice and swiftly turned around. "I didn't realize you were awake."

Sharpay stifled a yawn. "I sort of woke up awhile ago. I just didn't wanna get out of bed."

"I can't believe your mom didn't wake us up," Gabriella remarked, finding it odd indeed considering Mrs. Evans was an early riser.

"Well, she knows we're jet lagged, so she probably let us sleep in for that reason. Don't get used to it."

Gabriella laughed, recalling the countless times Mrs. Evans woke up the girls at 9 AM during sleepovers and encouraged them to join her for an early morning yoga session.

Focusing her attention back on the photo of young Troy and Sharpay, Gabriella wondered to herself aloud, "I didn't know Troy had curly blond hair as a child."

She almost would have mistaken him for Ryan if his eyes weren't such a distinctive blue.

That certainly made Sharpay rise out of her bed.

"What the hell are you taking about?"

Gabriella pointed at the picture framed on the wall and Sharpay squinted her eyes to examine the photo.

"Wow, that's like ages old," Sharpay muttered. "We were like five, I think. His hair darkened and straightened as he got older. He's a weird kid, I tell ya."

Gabriella forced a slight smile, deciding to remain silent. It was only a matter of time before Sharpay recalled the events of last night and burst into a tantrum.

"Speaking of weird, have you heard anything from Ryan?"

Sharpay smirked. "Speaking of stalkers, have you heard anything from Milton?"

Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "No, I have not. And no one said anything about stalkers. I would also prefer it if you did not mention him, thank you very much."

"Didja know his great great grandfather's name was Dick? Can you imagine the displeasure his great great grandmother had at stating she was Mrs. Dick Heindick?"

Gabriella blew air out of her mouth in a loud sigh. "No, Sharpay, I cannot possibly fathom the immense displeasure his great great grandmother felt having to deal with that name."

Sharpay's smirk never left her face. "Someone told me he plans to buff up for you this summer while you're away. I bet he's pumpin' iron at the gym right this minute-"

Gabriella couldn't contain her groan. "Sharpay, please stop."

Sharpay fell into a fit of laughter at the sight of Gabriella's horrified expression. After stifling her laughter, she finally answered Gabriella's original question. "I haven't heard from Ryan since he landed in Japan. We barely hear from him while he's at camp, it's like he disappears from the face of the earth for a month and a half."

"Gee, it makes you wonder what he does at camp."

"Don'tcha wish you knew?"

Alessandra Lombardi greeted the blonde and the brunette with wide smiles as they descended down the stairs for breakfast at 2:30 in the afternoon.

"Buongiorno (Good morning)!" The bright-eyed woman greeted mirthfully as she cooked lunch in the saucepan. "Hai dormito bene (Did you sleep well)?"

Both girls nodded even though it was apparent that they were still drowsy. Alessandra placed the contents in the suacepan into two plates and set them on the table in front of her grand daughter and friend.

"Buon divertimento (Enjoy)!" Alessandra smiled at the girls, ruffling her grand daughter's hair much to Sharpay's annoyance.

"This looks good," Gabriella commented, reaching for her fork.

"It is Tortiglioni with three cheeses instead of four," Alessandra leaned down to whisper. "But don't tell your nonno that. He would be upset. We ran out of Gorgonzola and I cannot do my food shopping until tomorrow."

Gabriella tasted a piece, her mood instantly lightening as she enjoyed the exquisite taste.

"Alessandra, it tastes fabulous even without Gorgonzola."

Sharpay rolled her eyes as Gabriella sucked up to her grandma.

"Grazie, Gabriella, " Alessandra smiled graciously. "Do you remember my friend Loretta from yesterday?"

Gabriella frowned as she tried to recall the name in her foggy memory.

"She wants for you to meet her grandson," Alessandra stated, "Very much so."

Sharpay snorted. "Oh, she's quite aquainted with him already."

Gabriella shot Sharpay a dangerous glare as if ordering her to quiet down.

Alessandra tilted her head in confusion but continued. "He was supposed to be there to greet you two yesterday, but that crazy friend of his forced him and his cousin to visit the beach instead."

Gabriella giggled at Alessandra's apparent distaste for Chad.

"Oi, his hair!" Alessandra shuddered. "Gives me nightmares!"

Gabriella grinned from ear-to-ear as she felt the sunlight shine down upon her olive skin. Stepping aside, she found herself enjoying the feeling of the sun's rays upon her. The beauty of the scenery and her surroundings simply pleasured her even more, and she couldn't wait to spend her first full day in Italy.

"Ciao bella," A familiar voice with a Sicilian accent charmingly greeted her. Twirling around, she came face to face with Antonio, the buff and very shirtless Italian.

"Ciao! Antonio, right?" Gabriella hoped she didn't mix up his name with someone else's. Seeing him nod, she grinned in relief.

"Are you heading out to ze beach?" Antonio inquired, nearing towards her. Gabriella's eyes widened at his proximity towards her as her eyes were glued to the abs that could give The Situation a run for his money.

Gabriella gulped, "Oh, I'm not really sure. I'm sorta just waiting for Sharpay to be done with her hair and then we're doing whatever she feels like. But, uh, her hair is being very uncooperative today, so I don't even know how long it would take."

Antonio simpered at her rambling before making his way to the front door and slipping a piece of paper under the door. Gabriella's eyes followed his figure as she frowned in confusion.

"I had something to drop off for Alessandra," Antonio explained, walking towards her again and resting his hand on her shoulder. "Tell me, Miss Gabriella, have you had a tour of this town yet?"

"N-Not really," Gabriella managed to mumble. She was sure her face was flushed by now.

Antonio smiled, gesturing her to follow him. "Perfect. I will show you around, then."

He grabbed her hand, pulling her towards his Vespa, which was parked right outside the Lombardi Estate. Gabriella's mouth opened to protest but for some reason, she found no words coming out.

"You have seen these before, correct?" Antonio asked her before pulling out two helmets and handing her the second helmet. Gabriella nodded meekly. Should she really do this? Hop onto a motorcycle and let a complete stranger show her around the town?

Then again, she always dreamed of riding a Vespa ever since she was a little girl and saw the Lizzie McGuire Movie. Plus the hunk that would be showing her around was ten times better looking than the hearthrob in that movie.

This isn't New York, Gabriella reminded herself. I'm in Italia, why not do something spontaneous and crazy? After all, I did promise Sharpay to live a little...

With that, she made up her mind and answered Antonio with a confident smile. "I have seen these before. And sure, I would love to see a quick tour of Lido di Jesolo."

Antonio smirked in satisfaction as he replied, "Perfect. Hop on, then!"

Gabriella stared at the Vespa, her heartbeat racing at the thought of speeding through the streets on this motorcycle. Oh, it was just so exciting.

Antonio sat himself down in the front and gestured Gabriella to sit behind him, ordering her to place the helmet atop her head.

"Number one rule when riding a Vespa... you must hold onto me very tightly," Antonio stated, winking suggestively.

Gabriella laughed, "So, I don't fall off, right?"

Antonio hesitated before answering, "Yes, exactly."

Once Gabriella firmly adjusted her helmet, she wrapped her arms around Antonio's waist and leaned her cheek on his back as his hands gripped the handles.

"No, don't sit like I am sitting. Swing your legs around completely to the other side and sit in...how you say... sideways position-"

"Err, okay," Gabriella said, slightly confused before turning on her side. "This is a little awkward."

Antonio laughed melodically, "It is how the girl usually rides on the Vespas in the ole movies."

"Oh! Right, right. The ones in dresses and high heels in those 60s movies."

"Mhmm," Antonio turned on the ignition as the Vespa emitted a loud noise, startling Gabriella.

"Just relax yourself, bella."

With that, Antonio pressed on the ignition and sped off.

"Do you see that?"

Chad yawned lazily, biting into his sandwich and chewing, "Yah, Ahnonio jhust shped off wish Gabriella on his shcooter."

Troy sighed heavily. Why did he even care? Truthfully, he had no idea why he was becoming such a jealous freak. Fortunately, he rarely had to deal with jealousy in his life because he had (for the most part) anything a guy could ever want. Jealousy was a new feeling for him, one he had never quite felt to its true extent.

Now that he had been aquainted with jealousy he could safely say that jealousy was a bitch.

"How- how does she even know him? I mean... d-does she even know him?"

"Pwobably noht," Chad replied, still chewing as he took another bite. "You know dhose Shiccilians. They're always up to no good."

Troy groaned.

"Hey man, stop it! You went all ape shit on me last night for a dare you told me to do. Now you're going all ape shit on a Sicilian. Y'know Antonio, he flirts with every girl in town. That's just how he rolls."

"I'm quite aware of how he rolls," Troy muttered, his hands playing with an unwrapped sandwich; unlike Chad, the last thing on his mind at the moment was food. "And that's exactly why I'm worried."

AN: Unfortunately, I will not be able to update as frequently from now on.