From AK-tutti; Hi there :). Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews, they mean the world to us. Also, we hope you won't be too disappointed with us, but this chapter won't be about Sharpay, like we said, it will be about Troy. Don't blame us, blame the person who asked us a very intelligent question in a review, she made us realize, that you guys also has to know, what happened to Troy in that year. So yeah, give it up for chapter 13.

From Stessa; So here we are, once again. This time with chapter 13! Ooh, is that a bad number? Gosh, I hope it won't cause this chapter bad luck, lolz. And oh, I know we said we were gonna do Sharpay's kinda-POV in this chapter, but ah… slight change of plans. It's all Troy's point of view for now. I hope you enjoy. … and thanks for the reviews, btw!

Disclaimer; We don't own High School Musical.

Twist of Love

Chapter 13.

Troy sighed, as he rested his head in his hands, closing his eyes. He was so tired. He really didn't have energy to finish this tonight, but he had to. It was very important that he figured out how many money he had left. He felt like he had no money, but that couldn't be true. He couldn't have spent them all. He earned okay money at his new job, so he should be able to pay the rent and still buy food.

He couldn't concentrate though, because for some reason, a certain blonde girl had been haunting him all day. He didn't know why, but some days the memories hurt more than other days. Today had been one of the bad days. He'd seen her face every time he saw a blonde girl on the street, but of course it was never her. She didn't go around in Albuquerque like that.

He regretted everything so much now. There was so many thing he wished he could go back and change. He wished he had never asked Gabriella out in the first place. He didn't understand either, why he had liked her so much at first. Why hadn't he seen Sharpay for the wonderful person she was in the beginning? He admitted, he had thought she was a bit weird, and Gabriella used to tell him, that a lot of guys thought that, and that it was the reason, Sharpay hadn't had many boyfriends.

He just wanted to be with her. Even a year after, he wished he could hold her. He'd tried to move on, but that was very hard. He really believed she was the one. If he could just have her, all the other stuff didn't matter. She was like, the person who could make him happy. If he just looked at one of the old pictures of them, or read an article about her, he'd immediately feel happier. He didn't understand why that was, after a whole year, and the only somewhat good explanation he could come up with, was that he still loved her like crazy.

He remembered everything like it was yesterday. How Sharpay had broken up with him, only to go home and tell Gabriella about their affair, causing her to break up with him as well. It didn't really hurt that much, because he had seen it coming, but really… when Sharpay broke up with him, it had felt like his whole world was ending. After she left that day, he was just… he was just crying. And he was never one to cry. Never.

Flashback

Troy stared blankly at the door that closed behind the potential love of his life. He didn't know how to react. She wanted to stay friends!? Seriously, did she really believe he could be only friends with her after what they'd experienced? The love he had felt when the two of them were together, was nothing like he'd ever had before, how could he just forget that, and move on?

He knew that having her as a friend would hurt even more than never seeing her again. Sure, if he had her as a friend, he could make sure she was alright, and be able to watch her beauty from after. But he'd also have to watch her, when she found someone else to be with, and marry and be happy with. He wouldn't be able to do that, he knew it, so it would be far better to never see her again.

And really, how could he ever be happy with Gabriella after this? He'd have to break up with her. It wasn't working. And if she ever found out about it, she'd throw him out anyway. It wasn't just a one night stand… It had been four months already! He hated himself for not being weak enough to end it with Sharpay. Sure, he loved her like crazy, but he really loved Gabriella as well. He didn't quite know how to make a difference between the two kind of loves.

With Sharpay, he felt like he was missing a huge part of his heart, when he wasn't with her. And with Gabriella, he hated it when she got hurt, and he hated it even more when he was the one hurting her.

He stood up from his seat, and went into the hallway. He took on his sneakers and his jacket, before hurrying outside. He needed to see his father. Not that he could really talk to him about all this, it would just be nice to get home to his childhood house. It was always so calming.

It was a bit cold, but not too much. He kept his pace, and hurried along the sidewalk. Luckily enough, the house wasn't that far away. It was always a great thing.

He couldn't help but think about Sharpay, and what could have been if things had been different. If they hadn't been a dirty affair, he could have asked her to marry him. But now… He would never see her again. He didn't want to anymore. It was stupid to try and talk to her. She had made up her mind.

End of flashback.

Troy digged into his bottom drawer, and took out the old picture of him and Sharpay. They had never had that many pictures taken with just the two of them, but this one was really good. It had been one night, he and Sharpay had been together at her house, and she had taken a picture of them both.

They were lying on the couch, and just snuggled together. Her hair was messy, and her make-up was smudged, but she looked perfect. And he just looked so happy, and so in love. It was shining through his eyes, and it made him love the picture even more. It was just so perfect. So, so perfect.

He placed the frame on the table, and closed the drawer, before standing up to go fix himself some coffee in the kitchen. On the way there, he turned on the radio, just as a song was ending.

"And that was 'Less Than Jake', and the next one, is from the old Sweetheart Gabriella Montez. She just released a single, all for her boyfriend Cole. It's called 'Make You Mine', and apparently she wrote it right after they met each other." One of the speakers announced.

"Oh really?" the other questioned, "Whatever happened to Troy Bolton?"

"I don't know." the first one said, "Haven't heard much about him since The Sweethearts broke up."

"Sad, isn't it? …anyway, here it is: 'Make You Mine'."

(All I want to do is stand close to you)
(All I want to do is stand close to you)

I'll be the one to tell everyone I'm gone
I've fallen in
To a place I can begin to understand.
I'm just happy you're here to hold my hand-

Troy quickly turned off the radio again, not wanting to listen to her. Her songs were everywhere. Sharpay's songs were everywhere as well. They hurt even more to listen to, than Gabriella's did. And even though it had been a year, people still talked about the break up.

But at least she sounded happy. If she had a boyfriend now. And she always seemed happy when he saw her on TV or read about her in magazines. Sharpay was another story. Sure, she seemed very happy as well, but there was just something different about her…

He poured himself another cup of coffee, and went into the living room again, as he remembered the day his father found out about The Sweethearts breaking up. He hadn't been happy…

Flashback

Troy stood outside his father's place, oh how it brought back memories of his mom, he almost couldn't bare looking at the house, but like he'd once been told; you can't avoid the ghosts of the past forever. He had to face the house sooner or later, and apparently he had chosen much sooner than later.

It had been five hours, since Sharpay had broken up with him, it had been three and a half, since Gabriella had. It was dark outside already, it usually didn't turn dark that early in may month, but it had been a rainy and stormy day, so that explained it. He stood in front of the door, debating with himself whether or not he should knock on the door, chances were that he had already found out about the Sweethearts, and in that case he wouldn't be happy, and Troy would be in so much trouble. It was so annoying, that he could still be in trouble with his dad, even after he'd just turned 18, but obviously that came with the territory of screwing up.

He decided to knock on the door, he was gonna have to do it some day, so why not rip the bandage right off? Quick and painless, even though that never worked, it was always painful! But hadn't ripping it off been the best since forever? His mom had used to say, that it was much more healthier to let the wound breathe, than to cover it up with bandages, and like daddy used to say; mommy knows best.

After his signature knock, three knocks, he awaited his dad's arrival in the door, wondering if he knew about his son's huge screw-up. He could any given day pull a Sharpay and call it 'creative freedom', whenever he'd screw up, but that wouldn't be so grown-up. Oh, my God, now he was thinking about her again, he'd have to learn to forget about her soon, he couldn't keep this up. She'd chosen to let him go, he should let her go as well. End of discussion, with himself?

"Troy!" He got pulled out of his thoughts by his dad, who'd just opened his front door. He didn't look happy, ergo Sharpay or Gabby must have told him about it. "Get it in, we need to have a serious talk!"

Mr. B. lead his son into the living room, even though Troy already knew the way into it perfectly himself, but he sensed right now, it would be best not to talk! He would let his dad calm down, and then he'd talk back. He had to defend himself, even though there wasn't much to defend.

When they entered the living room, Troy was surprised to find Sharpay sitting there, but he quickly figured out, that she must have told him. Wow, she was a busy bee today, she didn't waste any time at all. She went from his 'girlfriend' to his personal 'backstabber', he'd always wanted one of those. She had occupied the chair, obviously she didn't wanna risk having to sit next to him, and he sorta understood her, he wouldn't want to sit next to him either, but then again if she could run around and blab their business to everybody, she could survive sitting next to him for a bit.

Troy sat down on the sofa in the far end from Sharpay, and his father sat down in the near end to Sharpay. Troy could feel this was gonna be uncomfortable, that they were gonna gang up on him or something, of course he couldn't be sure about that, before this whole thing was over. If Troy was lucky, his dad blamed Sharpay as much as he blamed him, but he wasn't that lucky, today had proven that.

"Dad.." Troy tried, with his little boy voice, to soften his dad a little bit up. "Dad, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? You think sorry cuts it?" His father asked, unable to hold back a laughter of mockery. Troy looked down, ashamed, he knew sorry would be a long shot, but he had to try all his opportunities, before he went down with that flag. Mr. B seemed very disappointed in him, more than he seemed upset, so he'd have to be a lot disappointed.

"Sorry doesn't cut it, Troy. You're 18 now, you're suppose to be a grown-up, you're suppose to take responsibility for your actions." He stopped for a moment, to check if his son was paying attention, and he was. "Sharpay has. Not once did she try to use the apology 'creative freedom', she hurt her best friend and she took her part of the responsibility, at least when she talked to me. She saw all the perspectives of the case, instead of just her own, like she did when she told Gabriella about it."

Troy sent his father a questioning look, but Mr. B brushed it off. "Don't give me that look, I hope you realize, Sharpay had a mouth, she told me about it, I hoped you could go that far in your brain. And I also hope you realize, that Sharpay is a human with true feelings, not just some girl you can continue to nail, because you feel upset over your mom. Sharpay has realized, that it was all wrong, even if you said you needed her, still when she couldn't say no, she knew it was wrong, but obviously you didn't, because you wanted to keep going. Sharpay broke up with you, because she knew it was wrong, and it deep down hurt Gabriella, though she didn't know at that point, and after that she stepped up and told Gabriella the truth about everything, and as expected it wasn't received very well, but she still did the right thing. I'm sure, though, had you had it your way, you'd still be galloping around in Teen Troy Land."

Troy was really upset with his father at that time, he wanted to say something really hurtful, but what? "Hey dad? You do realize Sharpay has a mouth to use? Why won't you let her talk for herself?" Ok, not what he had in mind, but he wasn't good at these things. And really, who was expected to be?

"I'm speaking for her, because she doesn't wanna speak with you." Mr. B explained, rather harshly, but he didn't care. "You should praise yourself lucky, that Sharpay wants to go for a solo career, where she still wants me to manage her, and she's gonna be signed with Bolton records."

It was hard to be mad now, because he was happy, that Sharpay might get her big break as a solo artist as well, but it was his fault, The Sweethearts didn't exist anymore, and he knew that very well. Why couldn't he just take some responsibility, like his dad wanted him to?

"What are you barking about then?" Troy just said, not wanting to show any sign of weakness. "You still have one of your trophies, so why are you so upset with me?"

"Because what you did was below belt point, ok? Do you understand that, Troy?" His dad tried to explain, he didn't know if he got through though. "A real guy wouldn't jump into bed with his girlfriend's best friend and business partner, just because he's upset over something, and if that mistake should occur, a real guy would tell his girlfriend straight away with the bigger possibility of being forgiven. Do you see, Troy?"

"I see, what you're saying, dad. But I fell in love with Sharpay, I couldn't help it." Troy said, not wanting to take eye contact with neither his dad nor Sharpay. "I was in love with two girls, and I couldn't chose, and when I was finally able to, it got blown with both of them. So stop screaming at me, dad, I've taken my punishment. And when the day comes, when I should be mature enough, I'll take my part of the blame, but I don't wanna discuss it right now, and I don't wanna see you again either. You're my dad, you should have my back always, not be behind Sharpay's at all times, or Gabriella when that chance occurs. Goodbye."

And with that being said, he got up from his seat in the couch without waiting for an answer from his dad, and since that day he never saw Jack Bolton again.

End of Flashback

At this day he realized, that maybe he should have stayed and talked it out a bit more, but he'd been really angry and didn't see reason, so he rushed the whole thing and ran out without finishing the conversation, like a real adult would have.

Today he still wondered, what Sharpay had told his dad of things, and if she'd really taken responsibility for her actions, like he hadn't yet achieved, but she must have, because like his dad said, she hadn't used the 'creative freedom' apology like she used to. Unless his dad had told him lies, but he would never know. He hadn't seen either of them for over a year.

That day a little over a year ago, when he'd left his dad's house so urgent, a part of him had hoped, that Sharpay would run after him, and they'd find a way through it all. He'd hoped, she'd realized right there and then, that they were it for each other, and that they were meant to be together, but she hadn't and he had been miserable ever since. According to the magazines and papers, she'd been miserable too, at least boyfriend wise, because she hadn't had any guy in her life since him, but Gabriella had told him the reason for Sharpay's lack of boyfriends before; they found her weird. He, on the other hand, found her charming.

He sighed and sat down in front of his laptop, once again, trying to solve his money problems. It just wasn't useful. He wasn't good at stuff like that. And when he had a night like this, and went into Sharpay-land, he knew he wouldn't get any further. It was useless. He couldn't stop thinking about her, when he'd started. It was so wrong of him, he knew that, but could he help himself? No, of course he couldn't.

He pushed his papers aside, and digged into his desk drawer again. He shouldn't do this, but he was in need of some good ole Sharpay-ness. He pulled out countless of magazine cuttings, and full magazines. His favourite was on top. There was a five page interview with her, from right after her CD was released. He loved to read through it. It gave him some weird feeling of knowing how she was. But of course it wasn't usable any longer, because it was so old. Surely, her life had changed since then.

There was also other magazines. There was one that just made him laugh. A paparazzi had caught her on a really bad time, and she looked horrible (though he found her cute)! She didn't look too happy though, he had to admit. He knew how those paparazzi could be. They were always digging into people's private lives. Not that he was very familiar with that kind of stuff, but a front page had been dedicated to him one time, after he knocked a 'journalist' down. It was right after The Sweethearts broke up, and every journalist in town had been waiting outside his front door, to get a statement from him. He'd gotten so angry, he hadn't been able to control himself.

It hadn't been one of his best days…

Flashback

Troy stared through his almost shut drapes, clutching his keys tightly. He had no idea, how he was gonna get out of there. There were so many people out there, waiting just for him. How would he survive all their questions? He had no idea of what to say. He didn't know what he felt, and he didn't want to give them any details. Why didn't they just get lost? They were really annoying.

So far, it had been four days, and he was starting to get in the need of some food. Why exactly, was it that he didn't have emergency stocks in his apartment, for situations just like this one?

He sighed, and let the drapes fall in place. He had to get out of there. He needed fresh air and he needed food. He'd have to make a run for it. He'd have to take a chance. He'd have to open his door, go outside, quickly smack it close, then run to his car, jump into it, and drive the hell outta there. That was his plan.

…but just how exactly, would it work in real life?

He had no idea.

He carefully slid on his sneakers, and took his jacket on. He'd have to do it real fast, and take them by surprise. He didn't know how many people, who were out there, but there were more than twenty. There were journalists with papers, pens, recorders and video cameras. There were all kind of paparazzi photographers, with all kind of cameras. They'd definitely be able to snap some pictures of him, but he wouldn't make a sound. He was determined to keep his mouth shut, he wouldn't even tell them to move. It would do him no good.

They could juggle his words around, and completely change what he said. Sharpay had warned him about that a long time ago. She'd told him that, being the boyfriend of Sweetheart Gabriella Montez, would eventually bring him into the lights, and people would want to talk to him. But she said he shouldn't talk to just anyone. He'd have to make sure it was from a trustworthy magazine, and a good journalist. So far, he hadn't been in the lights, but now was the time. He'd just have to remember Sharpay's words, so he didn't screw up.

He took a deep breath, and debated his situation a bit more. It was now or never. He'd die of hunger if he didn't get out. He went down the stairs, until he was at the front door, and paused again, to get calm. When he was ready, he took in another sharp breath, grabbed the door handle, and went outside.

When he was locking the door, the paparazzi seemed to get over their shocks, because they started taking picture after picture. Troy tried to hide his face, as he hurried across the parking lot, and towards his car. He ignored the million dollar questions, the journalists kept shooing at him.

"Troy? Troy!? How do you feel? You broke apart one of the greatest pop sensations of our time! How does that make you feel?"

"Did you take responsibility for your actions? You broke a million of girls' dreams. You broke their hearts!"

"Troy Bolton, why did you do what you did? Was it your plan from the very begging to date Gabriella Montez, and then seduce Sharpay Evans?"

Troy's jaw tightened, when he got to his car, but they were a load of people in front of it. They didn't seem to want to move, even when he motioned for them to do so. He shot them all death-glares, but it didn't help. They were tough people, otherwise they wouldn't have survived in the world they worked in.

"Move." He said, his voice hard, "Move right now, or I'll call the police."

When no one seemed to move, he took his cell out of his pocket, and provocatively started pressing the numbers. That got a few of them to move, but the most hard ones kept standing there. He swallowed loudly.

"Move!" he told them, as he tried to push past them. He heard cameras snapping, and immediately regretted it. He calmed down, and locked eyes with one of the men, "Please move?"

"Was Sharpay Evans the catch of the day?" the man asked, instead, "Was she a great hook up? Your little comfort whore? I heard your mother just died, did you need her 'nursing'?"

Troy didn't know what happened to him, but he saw red. He couldn't take the fact, that someone would speak about Sharpay that way. Their relationship had been nothing like that, and when people thought it had, it really hurt him. But when they talked that way about it, he lost his mind.

He couldn't recognize his own actions, because he launched forward, and hit the guy square across the face. A loud breaking noise was heard, and the cameras snapped like crazy, when Troy stopped, and stared at his hand. It was hurting like hell. He stared up, and locked eyes with the journalist, who was clutching his nose.

Before Troy managed to register anything, he'd turned around on his heel, and was running down the sidewalk, just getting away. He had to get away, he couldn't stay…

End of Flashback

He stared at his picture, on the front page of another magazine. He couldn't recognize himself on that front page, and he was really disappointed. He'd been really angry, but also, very, very guilty about the incident. Even though the journalist got a lot of money for the pictures and the story, he'd sent him wine and chocolate, and an 'I'm sorry'-card. He just couldn't have lived with himself if he hadn't done that.

He threw the magazine down on the table, and turned to his laptop again. He needed some news about Sharpay. He needed some pictures. He was in such a Sharpay-mood, and when he was that, he was beyond help. He needed a fix of her, he was like a drug addict. He was addicted, and he couldn't help himself.

He went onto Google, and typed her name in, in the search bar. Immediately, a whole bunch of links came up, and he clicked on the first one. It was an article. There was a picture of her on the top, and beneath that, he started reading the newest story.

Sharpay Evans is headed for the annual festival in Albuquerque.

Sharpay Evans, former member of The Sweethearts, is going back to her old roots, after getting a gig at the local festival in Albuquerque. Her CD, Headstrong, has done really well, and it seems like her hometown can't wait to have one of their stars back.

"I'm very excited to be going home after being on the road for awhile," Sharpay revealed, two months ago, after her concert in Boston, "It's gonna be great to grab a mocha at my favourite coffee place."

What other stars are going to be at the festival, is not revealed yet, though rumours are flying around that a certain Jesse McCartney is going to be there. Carrie Underwood will most likely make an appearance as well, and that statement really made Sharpay nervous.

"I know I've got success right now, but it's nothing compared to them," Sharpay smiled, after getting the news, "It's gonna be great to get on a stage which has held Jesse McCartney. I'm so excited to meet all the other artists too. Who knows, maybe I'll even meet an old friend? I've met so many people the last two years."

Troy leaned back in his chair, and looked thoughtful for awhile. The Albuquerque festival? Oh wow, it was right here in town, and he didn't know his old love was coming? How could he not? But it wasn't like they had huge posters hanging around town, with the faces of the artists going there. He should have known, right? Some thing was so not-right about the fact that he didn't know.

He bit his lip for awhile, thinking things over in his head. Okay, so yeah. He'd have to get a ticket to that festival, that was for sure. He just hoped everything wasn't sold out yet. He should be damned if Sharpay was finally getting home from her touring, and he couldn't see her because he didn't have a ticket.

He quickly went onto the homepage for the festival, and bought a ticket immediately. He had no idea how he was gonna pay for it, with the financial trouble he was in already, but there was no question. He had to get in. If he didn't get to see her soon, he'd lose his mind.

When he'd bought it, a happy sigh escaped his lips. It wouldn't be long before he saw her for real again. Sure, she'd be onstage, and she wouldn't know of his presence, but he'd see her. He'd see her there, right before him. He knew it'd hurt, not to be able to touch her, and kiss her, but it'd be better than nothing. That was for sure.

He decided to check some of the other bands out, now when he was at it. They had the whole program on the homepage, with all the names of the artists and bands playing there. There was exceptions of course, because some of them weren't revealed yet. They were there as surprises. He didn't care about that though, he cared about Sharpay.

But to occupy himself, he scrolled down, his eyes moving over the screen. He froze however, when a certain name caught his eye. It was the name of a person he'd never thought he should see again. Someone he'd never wished to see again. And yet, there, a couple of names before Sharpay's, her names was.

Gabriella Montez.

From Stessa; Oh wow. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I'm feeling really bad about my parts of it. I just don't think they're very good, but there you have it. We'd really appreciate reviews, and next chapter will be all about our dear Sharpay Evans. I love you all, you guys are great reviewers, so keep on doing your things (:

From AK-tutti; There you have it, my luvs. Did you enjoy it? I hope so. Next chapter, about our dear Sharpay, should be here soon, hopefully. We really are writing as fast as we can, though it may not seem like it, because of the insanely long delay, but we do. I hope it was worth the wait, this chapter. Oh, and the next chapter of my store 'I'd Rather Be Special' will be posted this weekend, monday the latest.

Stessa and AK-tutti were here :)