Hey everybody! Here is my first chapter of UP IN LIGHTS. I hope you enjoy it and please R&R by hitting that little button at the bottom. Toodles!
-Haleigh-
Chapter 1
Tonight was the night. Tonight was the annual Grammy awards. Tonight was Sharpay Evans' night. She had been waiting for this for months now and the anticipation was literally making her shake in her boots. Ever since her debut album That's What He Said came out earlier in the year, everybody knew she was a shoo in to win at least the Album of the Year award. The album had stayed on the Billboard Top 10 for six months and was number one on iTunes for two and a half.
Walking down the street, the petite 23-year-old blonde superstar luckily didn't get recognized with all of the hustle and bustle of shoppers trying to get out of the cold. She, however, loved the cold. Sharpay Evans grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The epitome of boring. Awful hot summers and uneventful mild winters, plus her drive to be famous, pushed her to attend Julliard School of the Arts in New York City. She loved the way the crisp air blew through her silky blonde locks. It was the perfect city.
Most people would say that New York is dangerous for a young girl living on her own. Umm.. not really. Sharpay Evans, coming from money since her parents owned most of the southwest, lived in a penthouse apartment overlooking central park with a beautiful skyline. She was waited upon hand and foot 24/7. Anyway...
When reaching her destination, she smiled when she saw a sign hanging outside the famous hair salon that read: Donny's Votes Sharpay Evans for Artist of the Year! She walked inside and was automatically engulfed in a hug by her gay cousin, Donny, who owned the hair salon. "Oh my god, Sharpay! Can you believe this? In less than four hours you will be walking up to accept your Artist of the Year award!" Donny said excitedly.
"Donny, slow down. There's no way to know if I won or not until tonight, so let's not get our hopes up." Sharpay said as she sat down in Donny's styling chair and fluffed her hair.
"Fine, fine. But just you wait girl! You'll see." He paused to tousle her hair gently. "Now, how can I make you look fabulous tonight? Up-do, straight, curly, bob?"
"I was thinking beachy waves and maybe some light blonde highlights to accent."
"Alright, let's get started."
The New York Knicks were the number one team in America right now, thanks to their rookie star, Troy Bolton. He was currently dribbling up and down the court doing lay-ups after practice. He heard someone clear their throat behind him. Turning around, he saw his assistant, Angelina, looking at him expectantly. "Mr. Bolton, you must get ready for the Grammy's tonight."
"Angelina, I've told you a million times. Please, call me Troy." he said as he walked off to where his gym bag was sitting.
She paused for a second and then said, "Mr. Bolton, I've told you a million times. I only call people I like by their first names." She smirked and then walked out the door, leaving Troy by himself to roll his eyes and run after her.
After the car had dropped him off at his house, Troy ran upstairs and began to get ready. He didn't have a stylist or a beautician, but he really didn't need one. He showered and shaved his face, then he threw on a pair of dark ripped jeans with a white v-neck, black pinstripe blazer, black dress shoes, and a cross necklace his mom had given him for Christmas a few years back. He decided to slick back his hair and then he was ready with an hour to spare.
On her way to the awards, Sharpay's nerves began acting up and she almost passed out from the anxiety attack she was having. Since she didn't have an official boyfriend, she was going with some guy that her good friend had set her up with. They were supposed to meet at the awards but Sharpay figured he probably wouldn't show.
It only took about five more minutes until the limo pulled up to a crowd of people, which was now being separated by a massive red carpet that was being rolled out as other people started to arrive. She took in a big breath, put on her best happy-go-lucky smile and waited for the driver to open the door. Once he did, the cameras started flashing like mad. Sharpay could barely see to step out and a bodyguard had to help her keep her balance.
She looked absolutely stunning. She was wearing a white strapless dress that cut about mid-thigh, white Christian Louboutin's with turquoise stones and turquoise jewelry. Her make-up was natural and her hair was down and beachy. She smiled a big toothy grin and everyone went crazy. She made her way down the carpet slowly but productively, stopping every once in a while to give an interview or sign an occasional note or picture. She even stopped to take a picture with a little girl that was obviously one of her biggest fans.
Once inside the huge theatre, Sharpay made her way down to where her table was and found her friend talking to some other people. "Kaley, did my date ditch or what?"
"No, he's right over there." She pointed to a guy, but his back was turned to them. "Come on, I'll introduce you." She took her hand and maneuvered through the people. Sharpay kept staring at the guy. The back of his head seemed wildly familiar. Trying not to interrupt, Kaley tapped the guy on the shoulder as Sharpay stuck out her hand.
"Hi, I'm..." but when he turned around, she couldn't finish her sentence from the shock and the possible heart attack she was having.
"Sharpay Evans?" he said with a tone of disbelief and a bit of insanity.
"Troy Bolton?" Sharpay was in utter confusion. She turned to Kaley, who also had a confused look plastered on her face. "You're setting me up with Troy Bolton?"
"I wasn't aware you two knew each other. How long have you been friends?" This really set something off inside Sharpay.
"Friends? Never. Acquaintances? Twenty-three years give-or-take." She was now smirking at Troy, but he was just looking at her. The lights began to dim and the host for the evening came on stage. Troy looked on stage and back at her.
"We should probably sit. Looks like the show is starting."
"Wow, how long did it take you to figure that one out, genius?" She walked to her seat and sat down with Troy to her right and slightly behind her.
Sure, Troy was a celebrity, but he didn't really care about all of these awards shows and stuff. He was getting a nice view of Sharpay's long, tanned legs as she sat with her legs crossed. Sharpay felt him staring at her and whipped around.
"Can I help you?" she whispered rudely, not wanting to disturb the other guests.
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "You look really pretty tonight, Shar." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but smile back. The old nickname still seemed to fit right into place.
"Thank you. You too." she stopped to think about what she was saying. "I mean... you look very handsome."
He laughed to himself and smiled back at her. "Thanks."
About an hour later, it was intermission and the lights came up as the crowds started chattering. Sharpay was playing with her nails awkwardly and she could still feel Troy staring at her with that goofy smile on his face like he had been all night. She turned around in her chair and looked at him. "Why do you keep staring at me Bolton? And why are you being so nice?" She asked with one eyebrow raised in wonder.
Troy thought for a minute and then responded, "You look exactly the same, but something seems completely different about you."
"Is it the new hair?" she asked quizzically.
"No, I don't know what it is. It seems like you are exactly the same but in some way are more beautiful that ever. If that's even possible." he had thought he said the last part to himself but it turned out that it had been just as loud as the rest of the phrase. Sharpay blushed a deep red and then so did Troy a moment later. "Awkward." he said embarrassed.
"You never answered my second question. Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Sharpay, have I ever really been mean to you?"
Sharpay thought for a second and then stated, "Touche... So what do you do now? Job-wise, I mean."
"Oh, I'm a Chippendale's dancer." he said it with a serious face but smiled when he saw the confused look on her face. "I'm kidding. I play for the Knicks."
"How shocking. You play basketball." she joked and he pretended to be offended with a comeback.
"How shocking. You sing." Owned. Sharpay admitted defeat and raised her glass of champagne to that. After a moment of silence, Troy looked t her and thought for a moment. "What are you doing after this?"
"I'm supposed to go to an after party at Kaley's house." No one said anything and then she continued timidly. "You could come if you wanted. Be my plus one." Troy smiled and replied,
"I would love to." The lights dimmed and the second part of the show started.
The last award was being announced. Sharpay had already won two Grammy's for Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year and was absolutely ecstatic. The last award was for Artist of the Year and Sharpay and two others were nominated. He stomach was doing flips as the presenter talked.
"And the winner of this year's Artist of the Year award is... Sharpay Evans!"
Sharpay was so stunned that she didn't even move a muscle until Troy wrapped his arms around her to congratulate her. She stood up and, still stunned, walked on stage and took the award. She stood at the podium for the third time that night and, with tears rolling down her cheeks, presented her acceptance speech.
"I, first of all would like to thank all of my friends and family. I want to thank everybody at Warner Brothers and all of the fans out there. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. Thank you so much!" You could barely hear her toward the end because of the tears but you could tell she was completely genuine.
When she walked back down to her table as the show ended, Troy stood there with an adorable smile on his face and embraced her in a huge hug. "Congratulations Shar! That is so amazing." He put her back down on the ground but didn't let go of her. He looked into her eyes and it felt like the end of the world. He moved closer and just about the time that he was going to kiss her, she heard her name being called.
"Sharpay! Come here!" It was Donny. She smiled up at Troy and then ran off to hug her cousin. "I knew you would win! I am so happy for you girl!"
"Oh Donny, I am so excited." she looked like a little girl jumping up and down. Donny looked over her shoulder at the man Sharpay had previously been very comfortable with.
"Sharpay, is that Troy Bolton? Like Wildcat-star basketball player Troy Bolton?" She nodded and then replied.
"It's kind of a long story, but we have to head off to an after-party so I will call you tomorrow and catch you up." She blew him a kiss and went back to where Troy was standing. "Are you ready to go?" she asked grabbing her purse.
"Yeah."