I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been spending a lot of time outdoors. I run my school's track for an hour every morning and just walk around and bike in the afternoon. So I haven't been on the computer to update a lot.

This has got to be my favorite story that I'm writing right now. And I have a feeling that it could go on for about another 10-15 chapters. I don't know if it would make a lot of you happy or not. LOL. I'm even thinking of including the honeymoon along with this story. Maybe...if any of you object to that, leave a note in a review, but I'm really considering it.

Some HSM2 new, Radio Disney says that they're going to air another song from it. It will be Troy's "Bet on It" with the rest of the Wildcats (I believe). Anyway, I'll try to get a high quality radio rip of it for you guys to download.

Now that I'm finished babbling, let's get on to the story. What has Sharpay been up to? Let's find out...

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CHAPTER TWENTY

Sharpay looked up and met the two pairs of eyes that were glaring at her. "Guys, calm down...and back up off me. I feel nervous when you are breathing down my throat."

Taylor took a seat on the edge of the row while Gabriella hopped on the stage. Ryan decided to include himself in the discussion because he had nothing better to do at the moment so he hopped on stage next to Gabriella.

"Okay, while you guys were looking that the sketches, I went over to the coffee shop over the street and grabbed myself a cappuccino...

Flashback
Sharpay strutted over to the counter and placed her purse on the glass surface. "I'd like a French Vanilla Cappuccino, hold the cream."

"Okay, coming right up," the cashier answered.

While waiting, Sharpay pulled out a mirror and looked at her reflection, pulling back a flyaway, tucking it behind her ear. Suddenly, someone was knocked into her, causing her to drop her purse and all the contents to scatter across the floor. Without mumbling a rude comment under her breath, Sharpay bend down and started collecting everything.

"I'm so sorry about that!" a male voice cried. Sharpay watched as another pair of hands started gathering her scattered items.

"That's okay," Sharpay said with a smile on her face, "At least nothing broke and I had my mirror in my hand."

In silence, they collected all of Sharpay's belongings and placed them in her pink purse. The only thing remaining on the floor was her cell phone. As she reached out to pluck up the pink rhinestone-covered cell phone, her hand brushed against the stranger's. They glanced up and made eye-contact for a brief second and looked back down at their feet. Sharpay pulled back her hand, letting the handsome stranger pick up her phone and hand it to her.

He got up to his feet and held out his hand. "Here, let me help you up."

Blushing, Sharpay took a hold of his hand and he swiftly pulled her up on her feet.

"I am so sorry about what I did to you," he said, "How about I make it up to you by paying for your drink?"

"That's really not necessary," Sharpay argued.

"Of course it is," he retorted, paying for Sharpay's cappuccino, "Here. I hope that you're okay."

Taking the drink from his hands, Sharpay found it difficult to form her words. "Yeah, thanks..." she stared at him in awe, "I'm Sharpay Evans."

"The Sharpay Evans? From Broadway?" he asked, an excited grin on his face, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You've heard of me?"

"Of course. I saw your Broadway show a couple months back...oh, my name is Jared Winfield. I loved your performance."

"Well, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the show," Sharpay took a seat by the window, forgetting about Taylor and Gabriella across the street.

"What was your most recent show about? I missed it," Jared asked, taking a seat opposite to her.

He was of average height, which meant that he was slightly shorter than Sharpay when she was in her heels, and he had the deepest aqua eyes and the most charming smile. Sharpay found her words slipping away as he smiled at her.

Sharpay was sucked into the conversation and she didn't want to leave it. They rambled on about Broadway shows they had seen when they were young and recent ones (other than the ones Sharpay had been in), then they started talking about the weather, and eventually they got on the topic of how they ended up in New York.

"Really? Is that the only reason you moved to New York? To join Broadway?" Sharpay asked, drawing circles on the tabletop.

"Yeah, so far I've had no luck. I haven't had an audition yet and it's going to be another three till I finally get one," Jared sighed, looking out the window.

"What are you doing in the meantime to keep yourself here?" Sharpay asked eagerly.

"Doing little shows for parties here and there."

"What do you do? Play music and sing?"

"Yeah. I write my own songs and strum out a little tune on my guitar," Jared answered.

"You can write your own music? I wish I could do that, but I don't now how to put the words together. My friend Gabriella is good at doing that...and Kelsi too."

"Gabriella Montez and Kelsi Neilson? Those two?"

Sharpay nodded. "Yeah, they're amazing writers, so they get taken a little more seriously than I do."

"Well, I could help you get your thoughts together on paper," Jared suggested.

"Can you? I would love to one day compose my own musical."

"Yeah. So is it a date?"

Sharpay smiled to herself and giggled. She had taken a liking to Jared and couldn't wait to tell Gabriella and Taylor about him. Gabriella and Taylor! She looked at the time, it had been an hour and half later!

"I've got to go! My friends are waiting for me!"

"Wait, when and where will we meet?" Jared pulled at her arm.

"The theater. Come by later tonight and we'll talk about an official date," Sharpay said.

"Alright. Bye Sharpay!" Jared called as Sharpay walked out the door.
End Flashback

"And so that's what happened. I'm sorry, but I got caught up with Jared that I kinda lost track of time," Sharpay apologized.

"Aww...Sharpay that is so great!" Taylor exclaimed, "Is he coming tonight?"

"That's what I told him. Hopefully, he does come by," Sharpay mumbled.

"He sounds great, Shar," Gabriella replied, "I'm sure he'll come by."

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"Thanks for droppin' me off, Chad, and thanks for helping me," Troy said, leaning on the door through the open window of Chad's car.

"No prob. It was a whole lot better than shopping with Taylor, I can tell you that," Chad stated, laughing.

"Hope to see you sometime," Troy shouted as Chad drove away. He turned around and walked into the house, with his purchase in hand. He opened the door, put the tux away, and ran back downstairs.

"Time to set-up..." Troy shifted things around in the closet and pulled out a bag.

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"Gabriella, how do I look?" Sharpay asked anxiously, looking at herself in the mirror in her dressing room. She was extremely nervous about Jared coming over, plus she didn't know when he was coming, which made it more of a stressful situation.

"Shar, you look fine," Gabriella put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulders.

"Are you sure? Should I put my hair entirely up? Put it in a messy bun?" Sharpay started fidgeting with her hair.

"Sharpay, you look fine," Gabriella stated, taking her friend's hand and putting them down, "Don't worry. Jared sounds like a nice guy and I think he'll think that you'll look fine."

"Thanks Gabi. I feel so much better right now, thanks to you," Sharpay hugged Gabriella, "I see why Troy picked you over me."

"Sharpay, someone's asking for you," Taylor announced, poking her head into the dressing room.

"That's him! It's Jared!" Sharpay jumped out of the chair and turned to Gabriella, "Do I look okay?"

"Sharpay, you look fine," Gabriella repeated again, "Go out there and don't keep Jared waiting."

"Thanks Gabriella. You're the best." Sharpay gave Gabriella one quick hug and ran out the dressing room, her hair bouncing on her shoulders as she slowed down in her stride.

Taylor watched as Sharpay rushed out the door and onto the stage. She walked into the dressing room and stood beside Gabriella.

"You have some special power, Gabi. Do you know that?"

"What do you mean?" Gabriella turned to Taylor, a questioning look on her face.

"You can just calm anyone down Gabi. It's just like your music," Taylor stated, "It comes naturally."

"Taylor, you don't know what you're talking about," Gabriella said modestly.

"Come on, let's drop you off at home. Chad and Troy have got to be home by now."

"Okay."

They walked out the theater, passing a happy Sharpay, and hopped into Taylor's car.

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"Thanks for droppin' me off, Tay," Gabriella said, hugging her friend before unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Anytime."

"See you around sometime."

"Will do."

"Bye Tay!" Gabriella called as she watched her friend drive off. She looked at her wristwatch, 9:00 p.m. Walking toward the house, Gabriella opened the door and walked into her home, which was dark.

"Troy? Are you home yet?" No response. "Why is it so dark in here?" Her hand searched the wall for the light switch. Gabriella could hear something quietly that sounded like it was coming from the dining room. Her search for the switch ended as she ventured into the house, toward the dining area.

"Troy, are you home?"

Starting to feel a little worried, Gabriella grabbed something off the table and held it over her chest in defense. As she approached, the sound grew louder with every step.

"Troy, is that you?"

She entered the dining room and the sound started to resemble piano music. Gabriella was starting to get freaked out. She was in complete silence and there was something that sounded like piano music quietly playing. Could it be Troy playing a trick on her? One of her friends? Or some complete stranger trying to freak her out?

"Troy? Is that you? You better not be playing games with me!"

No response.

"Chad? Ryan? Trevor? Who's there?"

Suddenly the lights turned on. Gabriella screamed.

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No! A cliffie! Why? Why?! Wait, I'm the one writing it...oh well. I guess we'll never find out why Gabriella screamed. That is unless I write another chapter...which I will. Sharpay's found someone. Isn't that great?! Well, why did Gabriella scream? Who is behind it? Find out in the next chapter! (don't you guys love how I've been doing this to you? Mwah-hah-hah-hah!)

With much love,
KAT