Chapter 3 is here! Woot! Thanks to all my reviewers, old and new, don't forget to review for this chapter! This story cannot continue without reviews! Ok, enough of me chatting, Chapter 3 awaits!

Chapter Three

(Sharpay)

I knew it was wrong and intrusive of me to follow Ryan and Troy on their date, but c'mon; when has it ever stopped me before?

What I thought would be a cool, spy-like experience filled with climbing trees, and jumping off buildings (while looking stylish, of course,) turned out to be filled with walking in high heels which hurt, and ducking behind bushes, which hurt even more. I was surprised when Troy even asked my brother out on a second date, but what I saw them do on their date was even more surprising.

They kissed. And not just a regular peck on the lips, we're talking about a full on lip lock, the perfect definition of the book entitled Full Frontal Snogging. On one hand, I was upset that Ryan got to kiss Troy before I did, but on the other hand, I was happy that Ryan was happy, happier than I had ever seen him be. And on the other hand, wait—there is no other hand…

…Anyway, after the two shared in their public display of affection, I decided to head home, and give them their privacy. It wasn't long after when Ryan came sauntering into the house, humming to himself.

"Well, you're humming to yourself and smiling," I said, approaching Ryan in the kitchen. "Was it because I was right, that Troy likes you, or was it that you two totally kissed passionately like two cats in heat." Ryan looked at me, as if he were to say something, but he stopped himself, and smiled.

"It was both," he said giggling. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but you were totally right, Sharpay. I think Troy really does like me, and I couldn't be happier that were shared our first kiss, so I guess your love predictions were right for once." Ryan shrugged and headed out of the kitchen. I smiled and nodded to myself, I knew it! He was happy! What was that other thing he said though…?

"Hey, wait a minute!" I called after Ryan. "My love predictions are always right!"

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"There aren't any bushes in school, Sharpay," Troy saw me ducking behind a garbage can near his locker. "In other words, I can see you." He turned to face me. I rose to meet his gaze, straightening out my skirt and brushing it off as if nothing had happened.

"Hello Troy," I said calmly. "I wasn't spying on you, I was just making sure your---vision is good! And it is so…yea…"

"Sharpay, can I help you with something?" Troy finally asked.

"So, you're a guy who like answers, I like that about you," I said. "I think Ryan likes that about you, too." Troy rolled his eyes, like he knew I was going to say this to him, but I continued, I wasn't finished yet. "Let me put this simply, Troy. Ryan really likes you. I mean to say, he's head over friggin' heels for you. I, of course, am happy that he's happy."

"So, then what's the problem?" Troy asked.

"Well, personally, I can't believe this is real," I said. "So let me get to the point. I'm so happy that you chose to kiss my brother, I really am. But if you ever make him unhappy, I will personally make every day of your life a living hell." Troy blinked, as if he was calling my bluff. "You think I'm joking?" I laughed. "Troy, when I say that I'm gonna do something, I always follow through."

"It's not that, it's just that I can't believe you think I would actually hurt Ryan," Troy smiled at me. "Sharpay, I love him. I wanna be with him everyday of my life. I would never ever intentionally hurt him, and if I ever did, I would make it right again even until my last breath." I seemed to be softened by Troy's words. He turned to walk away, and I then realized that I might have been a little too harsh in my judgment.

"Troy," I said as Troy turned around. I sighed and smiled. "I know you and Ryan will be very happy together." Troy nodded and smiled before heading off to class. I walked to my locker and opened it, sighing and feeling relieved that all the tension was off my mind.

"Was that really you? Being---nice?" Kelsi came out from behind a trashcan.

"Kelsi!"

"Before you lecture me about not eavesdropping, I saw you behind the can near Troy's locker." I let the matter go, and continued to get my materials for my next class. "Don't act like you're ignoring me," Kelsi continued. "I know what's going on."

"Oh, well maybe you can enlighten me." I said.

"I know about Troy and Ryan," I froze and faced Kelsi. "Everyone does. And I came to tell you that Ryan and Troy are walking into a ring of jocks ready to tear them apart right outside the gym."

"Forget what I ever said about eavesdropping, keep doing it. You're doing a great job." I ran as fast as I could in heels to the gym, Ryan, I hope you remember all these times that I come to save your ass!

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I shoved my way through the circle of jocks, each one taunting and spitting out insults at my little blond brother in the middle. Before I could say anything though, another voice rang through the air, causing everyone to quiet down.

"Hey!" Troy ran to Ryan's side. "Leave him alone!"

"Oh, if it isn't the little pansy's new boyfriend!" one jock taunted, grabbing Ryan's arm and pulling him away from Troy.

"Let's see how you two look after some personal swirlies!" another one grabbed Troy by the collar of his shirt.

"Hey!" I shouted, once again silencing the mob, and making my way towards the center. "Hands off the brother and his sexy boyfriend."

"And who's gonna make us, you?" taunted the jock, laughing in my face.

"Ya know, I've been in a lot of shows, and stepped on a lot of people in order to get there," I glared at the jock, who seemed to shrink away from me. "But that's all nothing compared to where and how much I'll step all over you and your friends if you don't leave Troy and Ryan alone."

"Yea, what she said." A voice cam from the circle, and Troy's friend Chad emerged with Taylor, and Kelsi. Most of Troy's basketball buddies also came to our aid. Chad looked at the circle before him. "Look," he said. "I don't necessarily agree with Troy and Ryan's decision, but all I know is that Troy is my best friend. And I wouldn't be able to call myself his best friend if I brought him down, when I should have been lifting him up. Okay, so he likes guys. So what? Don't you like to tap-dance?" he addressed the jock holding Ryan. "And don't you play the oboe?" The other jock began to blush, as other people started to giggle. "The point is, we all like different things, that doesn't mean we should be laughed at." Some murmurs of agreement wafted through the group, which began to slowly disband. The two jocks let go of Ryan and Troy.

"Thanks Chad," Troy and Chad shared a quick handshake.

"Yea, no problem man," Chad smiled. "Just promise me you two won't have sex during lunch."

"I don't know if Troy and I can last that long," Ryan giggled and everyone laughed, including Chad.

"Yea well, I kinda knew that you two would have something for each other," Chad smiled. "Guess I just was afraid that you would change, Troy."

"I wouldn't change for the world," Troy said comfortingly. "For Ryan maybe," he added quickly. "But I don't think he wants me to change…"

"Not one thing." Ryan and Troy hugged. And although I knew this was their moment, I had to ruin it.

"Group hug!" I said, and we all shared in our first hug that included everybody. "Okay," I breathed as everybody let go. "I promised I wouldn't cry, but this is just so sweet! My Ryan, all grown up, and scoring himself a boyfriend! Oh!" I clapped my hands together. "There's so much to plan for!"

"For what, exactly?" Taylor asked.

"For the wedding you silly-head!" I fluttered my eyelashes. "There's the priest, the organist, the caterer, the florist, and the other people who I can't think of right now!"

"Whoa there, sis," Ryan said. "One step at a time!"

"What? I'm not getting to far ahead of myself am I?"

"Well, it might be that we're just still behind you." Troy said.

"Then take bigger steps!" I ordered, smiling. "I won't stop until my brother is walking down the aisle!" I smiled brightly. "I can't wait!"

"Well you might hafta wait at least five or six years." Ryan said.

"Why so long?" Troy asked, kissing Ryan's ear.

"Can we please not talk about wedding plans now!" Chad smiled. "Can't we just let love take it's natural pace?"

"Amen to that!" Ryan acknowledged. We all laughed and headed off to lunch.

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The rest of the day went by way to slowly, and I anxiously awaited Ryan at his locker, prepared to talk about the whole day again on our drive home. But after fifteen minutes, I began to worry a little bit.

"Sharpay!" Kelsi ran up to me, a piece of paper in her hands. "Ryan told me to give you this!'

"What is it?" I asked, unfolding the paper to reveal Ryan's handwriting.

"Well, to sum up what he wrote in four paragraphs, he got a ride home with Troy." Kelsi responded.

"Oh," I began. "I guess I'll just see him at home then…" I began to walk towards my car.

"Hey," Kelsi grabbed my arm and turned me around. "It's not like he's abandoning you, it's just that he and Troy are finally starting to get accepted by their friends. Don't take it too personally…"

"No," I smiled, almost forcing. "No, I'm happy that Ryan likes Troy. I don't have a problem with it. I just like to talk to him is all…" Kelsi nodded and left.

Why was I so upset that Ryan had left with Troy? After all, they were officially dating now, so why was it that I couldn't help but be a little upset now…

…no, I had to let Ryan and Troy have their space. I forced another smile and walked to my car. I got in, and sighed heavily. I reminded myself that I had to be there for Ryan, he needed this now more than ever. I had to remain calm, and above all, make sure that Ryan knew that his sister was there for him, no matter what.

"Yea…that's it…" I whispered to no one in particular. I started the car and drove home.

I arrived and went inside my house.

"Ryan!" I called out. No answer…. I continued to call his name, until I came into the kitchen.. a small not was on the counter. Picking it up, it read:

Hey Sis!

Troy and I went out for the evening, don't wait up for us!

Love,

Ryan.

Next to Ryan's note, I found another, this one from my parents. It read:

Hey kids!

Your father and I were called away on business today, we will be gone all week most likely, sorry this is so short notice! When we get back, we'll all go out for ice cream!

Love

Mom and Dad

"Ice cream…" I said, quite randomly. The silence in the house only made me more aware that no one was here, I was all alone… "That's just what I need…"

I grabbed a tub of chocolate ice cream, a good romance movie. I needed to relax.

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Well, how'd you guys like it? See? Chad and Sharpay aren't that bad! Please review, remember the above stated: this story can't survive on hits alone! See ya in Chapter 4!

ShadowAngel26