A/N: It's Paige. Hi. I love you reviewers. You make my day wonderful : ). Here's the chapter. Oh, and the italics in the beginning are Sharpay's dream.

Chapter Six

Sharpay walked along a path, leaves crumpling beneath her feet, her brother standing right next to her. It seemed to be the perfect day. Ryan pulled his baby sister into a hug and grinned. "I love you, Shar," he said as he loosened his grasp.

"Love you too, Ry," Sharpay said with a smile. All of a sudden, she felt alone. Ryan's arms had let go of her and he was slowly disappearing into thin air. "Ryan! Ryan!" Sharpay called. She tried to reach out for him, but he was gone. Gone forever. Sharpay stopped for a moment and listened to the wind. She could almost hear him.

"Sharpay... Sharpay..."

"Sharpay," Troy called softly, shaking the petite blond gently.

"What?" Sharpay called, sitting up quickly. She brought a hand to her face and knew she had been crying. Her cheeks were wet and sticky. Noticing Troy sitting beside her on the floor, Sharpay burst back out into tears. Through chocked sobs she asked, "What happened?"

"Shh... sh... it's okay..." Troy said, rubbing her back, soothingly. "You had a nightmare. But it's all better now. You're awake. I'm here."

"Ryan's not," Sharpay said, tears stopping suddenly. Troy frowned.

"That's what your nightmare was about. Wasn't it?" he asked, looking into her eyes. Sharpay simply nodded.

"It's just that... he's gone, Troy. Gone forever. I'll never see him again. I miss him." That was the first time Sharpay had told someone how she really felt. She hadn't been able to face it. Until now.

"I know, Pay. But we'll work though this. I promise," Troy said, leaning in to rub her back again. Sharpay hastily pushed him away. Troy removed his arms with a confused look on his face.

"You don't understand!" Sharpay said, voice raising. "I've been trying to work through this for quite some time now. Nothing helps! I need him!" She ran up the stairs closest to her and into the room she guessed was Troy's. Sharpay threw herself into his bed and buried her head into his pillow. She loved the way it smelled like Troy, and that calmed her tears a little.

Troy had followed her up the stairs and into his room. He watched her in his bed and couldn't help but let tears fall down his face. He couldn't stand to see anyone like this. Especially Sharpay. He wanted so badly to just hold her. To make all her fears go away with one simple kiss, but he knew it was out of his power. He knew he should probably let her be, but he couldn't help he. Slowly, he walked over to his bed and sat down on the edge. "Pay?" he asked cautiously.

"Oh, Troy," Sharpay said, shaking her head. She buried her head into his neck and sighed. Her tears had stopped and only sadness was left. "I just don't want to let him go." Troy nodded and wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't worry, he'll never leave you." Troy whispered, hugging her tight, "He'll always be with you and look out for you, Sharpay. I know Ryan loved you very much, don't doubt that." he kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes. He could see tears around her eyelashes, but she looked so beautiful, "I'm so about all this. If I had known, I would have been there in a heartbeat."

"Thanks, Troy…" Sharpay said, "You're so sweet to me. I love you."

"I love you too." Troy replied, pulling her to him again, in for a hug. But Sharpay had other plans, she placed a soft kiss on his lips, before moving her head to the crook of his neck, sniffing in the sweet scent of his cologne mixed with is natural scent. "What do you say I take you out tonight?" Troy whispered, burying his nose in her blonde locks, "For dinner?"

"I'd love that."

--

Sharpay had dressed up the best she could. She was wearing the dress from the reunion, since she hadn't brought more than one fancy dress with her, but she knew she looked good in it, so it didn't really matter. Her hair was in a side ponytail, which was resting gently on her right shoulder. She had a little makeup on, and she believed she looked good. She went downstairs to find Troy waiting in his living room. She smiled at him, and he smiled back, taking in the way she looked. He couldn't help but gulp. She looked amazing.

They drove to a fancy Italian restaurant, where they had some special spaghetti, while they talked and had fun. Sharpay was in a much better mood than when she woke up after that dream about Ryan. Troy really helped cheer her up, and she was grateful for that. She really did love him, and she suspected that maybe they could be something more, but until now he hadn't questioned the kiss earlier. She knew it would come later, though.

After dinner they took a walk in the park. Sharpay remembered how she and Ryan used to ran around and play on the playground when they were kids. It wasn't a bad memory, it was very nice to think about the good times.

She remembered when Ryan broke his arm at the age of 7. They had been playing on the swings, and they jumped off, to see who could jump the furthest. Ryan landed on the ground first, but two seconds later, Sharpay herself had come flying his way and landed with a thump on top of his arm. It broke in two places. Sharpay smiled sadly at the memory. Ryan hadn't even been mad at her, he said it was an accident, and that it wasn't her fault. She was guilty though, but she helped him home, and they dad drove Ryan to the hospital, while Sharpay stayed home with their mom, even though she wanted to go with him and make sure she was okay.

"Are you okay?" Troy asked, "I mean.. I know it is a dumb question, but do you feel better now?"

"Yeah," Sharpay said, slipping her hand into his, "You make me feel better. I can forget Ryan for a couple of hours when I'm with you. I can forget the pain. I'll always remember him, but I guess you make it all better somehow. Thanks, Troy."

"My pleasure." Troy replied, "I hate to see you sad. I'll do anything to make you feel alright."

"Walking here with you now is just fine." Sharpay told him, smiling brightly up at him, love shining in her eyes. Troy stopped up, and turned to her, taking her head in his hands, his fingers stroking her cheek. He smiled softly at her, and leaned down, their lips touching. But this time it didn't end immediately like earlier, their lips kept brushing against each other, and Sharpay eventually slid her arms around his neck. All other things were forgotten. Sharpay forgot all the pain about Ryan's death, she forgot the college she didn't even want to be at anymore, because Ryan wasn't there, she forget her freakishly happy roommate, May. She didn't want to perform any longer, she just wanted to stay here in Albuquerque and be with Troy if that was possible. Troy forgot about his college too. He did want to play basketball, but you could do that anywhere. He forgot about his million different girlfriends, and his new friends. Her forget about his latest catch Andrea, he didn't even like her that much to begin with. He just wanted to have Sharpay, and make her feel better. Even if that meant he had to give up on college too.

Sharpay pulled away with a smile on her face, "Thanks Troy… You make it all worth it."

"I love you, Sharpay," Troy said, "Will you be my girlfriend?" "I'd love to!"

A/N – Stessa here! I love your reviews as well. We hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter should be up as soon as possible! Remember to review again, it means the world to us authors. Side note from Paige: Who has heard the song "I Don't Dance" from HSM2? I ADORE IT! If you haven't listened to it, you should. Plus, 20 second clips of each song on the soundtrack are available. I'm practically jumping out of my seat because I can't wait for it! Kay. I'm done. : )