From AK-tutti; Hey :). Sorry that it took so long to come with an update, but we're here now, so we hope you'll enjoy this chapter. And I promise next chapter should be here sooner, and if we don't keep it... Well, it's all Stessa's fault! Kidding ;b. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews, we love them :).
From Stessa; Hi there! Sorry for the long delay, but we've both been busy. I hope it's okay. Thank you so much for the awesome reviews, I hope you know we love them ;b
Disclaimer; We do not own High School Musical, or any song mentioned in this chapter.
Twist of Love
Chapter 17.
"So where do you wanna go?" Troy asked Sharpay, as he held on strongly to her hand. He had no intensions of letting go. Now when he had her back, he was going to make sure she didn't leave him again; he was going to make sure that the two of them grew old together because he loved her that much.
Sharpay turned her head to the side and gave him a big grin, "I dunno!" she cheered, squeezing his hand tightly, "Somewhere that serves good breakfast. Oh!" she winked at him, "I want a muffin!"
"Then you're gonna get a muffin." Troy promised her, as he stopped for a second to give her a kiss on the lips, before they continued down the busy morning street.
Sharpay was wearing her huge sunglasses, just to try and keep the fans and the paparazzi away. The sun was shining, but not that much. The minute they found a place to eat, she'd take them off, since she didn't particularly like wearing them. And she couldn't contain her happiness that morning. She felt all bubbly on the inside, like she was about to burst if she wasn't careful. She was so happy that her and Troy were back together. She had been a little hesitant, knowing how much it hurt Gabriella back then, but when Troy had explained everything, she had found it okay. But where he really won her over was the song… God, his beautiful, amazing voice… She felt like her heart was beating a thousand miles an hour just thinking about it.
It was only around a month ago, and now he was taking her out for breakfast. He said it was about time they went somewhere, after keeping in his or her apartment. He said that someday the world would know about them, since he didn't intend on leaving her, so she might as well get it over with. She was just nervous about what people would say, since it was Gabriella's ex-boyfriend and this was the second time they were together. And right after The Sweethearts got back together too! It'd cause trouble, Sharpay knew that.
"This should be a really good place." Troy told Sharpay, as he stopped in front of a cute looking little restaurant, that seemed cosy and just perfect for the two of them, "I uh… I brought Gabriella breakfast from here one time."
Sharpay turned to him and arched a perfectly plugged eyebrow, "Really?" she said, and then made her decision; it looked really good, and she was tired of walking around – they might as well go in there. She gave his hand a light squeeze before she went for the door and tugged him inside.
The door made a slight sound when they stepped inside, but no one looked at them. The place was not even half full and that was perfect in Sharpay's opinion. Troy nodded towards a free table in the corner, right by the big window, and Sharpay smiled and followed him there, sitting down on the pillowed bench, as Troy sat down opposite from her.
"This is nice." Sharpay softly voiced as she looked around the room. Already, there was a redheaded waitress coming their way, ready to jot down their orders on the pad in her hands.
"Yeah." Troy softly grinned and reached across the table, taking off her sunglasses, "We're inside now, Shar." He said, before he looked at the waitress, who was smiling down at them, "Uhm, you have something else than coffee, right? I have a girlfriend here who can't stand it."
"We have hot chocolate?" the waitress suggested, a questioning look on her face.
"That sounds good." Troy agreed, nodding his head up and down.
The redhead nodded, "Chocolate for both of you then?" she questioned, as she turned to Sharpay, and her face froze, "Hey!" she exclaimed, "You're Sharpay Evans." She chewed her gum in a very unattractive way, "That chick from The Sweethearts."
Sharpay didn't really reply, she simply just nodded; she hoped she wouldn't have to ask a million questions this morning. She just wanted to have breakfast with her boyfriend. Because she had one. Finally. "Yes, yes," she said, and giggled to the young girl, "I am, no Gabriella's not here."
The redhead laughed too, and shook her head, her red curls bouncing, "That's cool, I guess. So, chocolate for two?" she turned to look at Troy, "What do you want to eat?"
"Can I have a muffin?" Sharpay asked her, happy that she wasn't one of those types who fainted when they saw celebrities and who just didn't want to leave them alone – she experienced them more often than enough.
"Sure, sure." She smiled, and turned back to Troy, "What about you, sir?"
Troy sat up straight, not believing that someone actually called him 'sir', "Well… I need real food, not just cake." He said, with a funny glance in Sharpay's direction, "Don't you have a breakfast menu or something? I'm starving."
"That we do." The young girl smiled, and wrote it onto her pad. She then gave Troy a funny look and whispered, "Should I write down one of those for her too? She looks a little skinny to me. Can't be healthy."
Sharpay laughed, because that girl definitely wasn't skinny herself, and she was actually pretty funny. It was great to laugh so early in the morning, "If you insist." Sharpay just told her, with a smile.
"Great," she said, and took a step back, "I'll be back with it as soon as possible." She turned around and left the two of them alone by the table.
Sharpay smiled widely at Troy when the two of them were left alone again and reached a hand across the table, grabbing his, which was resting there. He locked his blue eyes with hers and couldn't help the feeling of complete adoration he got, whenever she was there. He had no idea how all this had happened. When he first met them, he was sure Gabriella would be the one and only for him. But with a blink of an eye things had just changed. And he knew what Sharpay expected from him, because this wasn't something that happened to her a lot – and he wanted to give her everything she expected. He just wanted to love her and be loved by her.
"Well, at least she doesn't seem like the type who's gonna go to the tabloids." Troy smirked, referring to the waitress. It felt nice to know that there was still kind people out there; people who understood why privacy – even for celebrities – was important.
Sharpay giggled lightly, "Yeah, there's still nice people in this world." She leaned back on the bench, and brought up another subject, "So anyway? What do you think of Cole and Gabby? Aren't they just the cutest couple?"
"They're cute," Troy nodded, but couldn't help but add, "but hey wait a minute! Not the cutest. We're still here, aren't we?"
Sharpay couldn't hide the huge grin that came to her lips because of that comment, "You're adorable." She told him, "You know exactly what to say, don't you?"
Troy smirked, "Well, I do try."
Sharpay sighed happily and got lost in him for a few seconds. She could spend a long time just looking at him, thinking about what she had, and how lucky she felt. It was an amazing feeling, and she definitely didn't grow tired of it. She was brought out of her 'daydream' though, when their waitress came back with their food, placing two plates on their table along with two cups.
"Here you go, you two." She told them, with a wink in her eye, "Enjoy alright."
"Thank you." Troy said, and watched her leave for a second, before he turned back to Sharpay, who was eyeing everything on her plate. And there was a lot. This was a real breakfast menu and even if she could eat, she couldn't eat that much. She had honestly just wanted a muffin. "I hope you're hungry." Troy just said, before he digged his fork into some scrambled eggs.
"I'm hungry yeah," Sharpay said and looked up at him with wide eyes, "but not that hungry." She didn't know where to start, so she immediately went for what she had wanted in the first place – a chocolate muffin.
"Hey!" Troy said, and couldn't believe his eyes. Did she just eat that first?, "That's the last thing you eat on this plate. There's scrambled eggs, toast, peanut butter and sausages, and what you eat is the muffin?"
Sharpay gave him a look as if she thought he was crazy, "I just wanted a muffin." She simply said, before she started eating again.
Troy chuckled to himself as he begun eating too. He wanted to save his banana muffin for last, because he thought of it as a dessert. He wouldn't eat it first – he'd eat the real food.
Fifteen minutes later and Sharpay was bored. Troy was still eating his real food, while she was nibbling to some of the different stuff on her plate. She'd tasted a bit of each, but so far the only thing she had really consumed was the muffin. She hated just sitting there watching Troy eat when she could be out in the world; having fun. The first five minutes it had been kind of cute, watching him eat, the way his mouth worked and the sounds he made when he chewed, but one can only do that for a little amount of time.
"I think they'll end up getting married." She told him, as she pushed a small bite of sausage around on her huge plate.
Troy looked up at her, questions floating through his blue pools, "Who?" he asked her, small pieces of bread flying everywhere, as he opened his mouth.
Sharpay gave him a funny look, "Gabriella and Cole of course." She informed him with a little shrug, "They're so happy. I think they'll end up with kids and the whole thing."
Troy swallowed the rest of the food in his mouth slowly, before looking up at her again, "Sure, they do seem happy." he said, and then he figured he might as well ask her what he had wanted to, for so long now. He wasn't sure where Sharpay wanted this to go; he knew they'd be together, but what more did she expect? Did she want kids? He was up to anything, as long as it was with her, "But what about you?"
"What about me?" Sharpay wondered aloud, a cheesy grin on her face.
"Do you want kids?" Troy asked, just getting it out there. He watched as her face made a funny little thing, but then she didn't look surprised or angry or anything – he took that as a good sign.
"Yes." she just replied, and then he could hear that he shouldn't ask further questions. It was good enough for him anyway. She had said yes… what more did he want?
"Hey…" Sharpay said, and fidgeted with her hands in her lap, "I was thinking about something…" she looked up at him, to see him nodding for her to go on, "I kinda thought… Since Jack's my manager and everything, that maybe you should go talk to him?"
Troy was about to open his mouth and object, but Sharpay schussed him and continued.
"I know, I know." she said, with an understanding look in her eyes, "I know he said some stupid things, and I know you said some stupid things, and none of you probably meant it, so…" she paused, "I'm gonna see a lot of him, and I intend to keep you too." He chuckled lightly and she couldn't help but smile, "Therefore I thought… before we have kids, you should go talk to him. Make up. I sort of want my kids to have a grandfather."
Troy didn't know what to say. Why did she keep mentioning the kids? It was just a silly question he had asked her because he wanted to know where she stood. Now she kept on talking about them. Not that it mattered or anything, it was just… weird.
"So… Is that something you'd think about doing?" Sharpay finally questioned; wanting to have an answer.
Troy nodded softly, knowing how important this was for her. And it meant a lot to him too. She was right. Everything had turned out alright now, so maybe his father would consider talking to him. He knew he had screwed up back then, but things were good now, so he hoped they could work it out, "Yeah," He said with a slight smile, "yeah, I want to do."
Sharpay broke into a huge smile – it reached all the way to her eyes, "Great." She said, and leaned across the table, placing a deep, long kiss on his lips, before pulling away from a smiling Troy; sitting back on the bench, "You should do it as soon as possible."
--
Cole had never thought it was possibly to be this happy. He was truly happy for the first time in a very long time. He had a great job, a great apartment and a great girlfriend. And it was particularly that girlfriend that did the trick.
The minute he had laid eyes on Gabriella on the front-cover of a magazine, he felt she had something. Where many people spoke of Sharpay because she was blonde and she was the crazy one who always goofed off, he immediately liked Gabriella. When he heard he was going to meet with them about shooting that documentary he felt quite nervous. He hadn't known why, but he did.
When she stepped into the room that faithful morning, he knew why he had felt nervous. He had a crush on a celebrity. It was something a lot of people had; they felt attracted to celebrities because they were unattainable and very beautiful. But when he met her and really got to look at her and talk to her, he knew it wasn't just a crush. How someone can like someone they don't know that much, he would never get. But it was like the nerdy guy in high school, liking the school's princess. He felt like that nerdy guy, and Gabriella… Gabriella she was truly the princess.
When the documentary didn't work out, he hadn't thought much more about it. He still liked to follow her stories in the magazines and see how things worked out for his favourite celebrity. He had wished to be Troy Bolton – the guy who held her hand in public, but then when they broke up, he had wished to kill Troy Bolton for hurting her. He had really felt her pain, in some weird way. His friends thought he was crazy; having this obsession, but no matter what he did, he just couldn't let go of it. It was nice to have something to hold on to like that.
But that day when he saw her again… He had decided to take a chance. He had decided that he would do anything to get her to go on a date with him. And if he ever was lucky enough to actually date her, he swore he wouldn't hurt her like a certain brown haired-blue eyed boy. And he was that lucky. She did want to date him and he did treat her right. Never would he hurt her. That was for sure.
And he never had. He had gotten to know her instead. Learned everything about her; met her family and come to love them. But mostly he just loved her. She was perfect in his eyes. She had the perfect smile. Her eyes were the most amazing brown he had ever seen. He loved the way her hair curled and the way she smiled. Even all her imperfections were perfect and he loved her for them. He often told her so too, and she knew it. She loved him too, she told him that.
But there was always something wrong. She never really seemed truly happy. She reassured him that it wasn't him and that he shouldn't be worried. She told him that there was nothing he could do, and that it was something she had to work out herself. He knew what was up though. It was the loss of her lifetime best friend. Cole knew she must have felt awful, losing a best friend like that. It's something you can never get back.
Eventually she did tell him. He listened to the entire story from her point of view. He hated Sharpay and Troy for hurting her, but he could also tell that she was over it. She wasn't hurt by that; she was over it, she was happy now. She was only hurt because she didn't have her best friend and she didn't sing in a duo anymore – it was only her. And she was sad about that.
And now when The Sweethearts were back together she was happy. He could tell, the day they met Sharpay again, that a lot of emotions were going through her body, but mostly it was happiness, when the two of them sang together after so long. And when she had made that call to Troy to get him and Sharpay back together, Cole knew that everything was falling into place. He was totally sure she was over Troy; he was sure that she was truly happy. She was smiling more than she ever had before, and her eyes had a certain light in them he hadn't experienced. He should be offended that it wasn't him who brought it back, but he also knew that no matter how much he loved her and cared for her, he couldn't be her best friend.
But she was truly happy now, and it was moments like these that he knew that there was only one thing that could make it more perfect. There was one thing that would make her happiness bigger than ever before and his own too.
She was sitting across from him on a barstool, her left hand wrapped around a steaming cup of black coffee, while she held up the paper with her other hand, as it rested against his own box of coco pops. Her hair was thrown back in a lazy bun and she was wearing his boxer shorts and one of her own white tees. She looked beautiful, and it was a perfect morning for the two of them. The only thing that missed was that ring…
He wanted her to have a ring on her left hand soon. He wanted to see it from where she was sitting. With her hand around that cup, he would be able to. He only had to find the perfect ring and then ask her. It was pretty easy, except… He would never know which ring to buy. He wanted it to be the perfect one – a ring that Gabriella would love with all her heart. He knew her well, but he wasn't sure exactly what she would love. He had a feeling who did though…
He was going to have to ask Sharpay to go with him. She would know. And she would be a nice distraction for the paparazzi too. He would be able to look at rings without them bothering him; it was a very clever plan, if he did say so himself. He just had to ask Sharpay when she could come. He was sure she would never miss it.
"What are you staring at me like that for?" Gabriella lowly asked him, and therefore broke him out of his train of thoughts. He didn't realize he had been staring at her goofily while thinking of his proposing plans.
He chuckled, "Can't help it," he replied, "you're so beautiful."
A smile formed on Gabriella's beautiful face, and he mentally patted himself on the shoulder for being so smooth, "You're too much, you know that right?" she asked him.
Cole nodded happily as he munched on his coco pops. He had no idea why he liked eating those so much, but Gabriella found it so cute, "What are you doing today. Got any plans?" he then wondered. If she had plans, all he had to do was call Sharpay and they could find that perfect engagement ring.
"I kinda of wanted to go to the gym all day for a work-out." Gabriella said, as she closed her paper, and placed it on the table, "I was thinking of asking Sharpay – work-out used to be so fun together."
Cole was alarmed; if Gabriella asked Sharpay before he talked to her, his plan would be ruined. He had to make an excuse and do something about that, "That sounds like a great idea." He mumbled, while the wheel started going in his head. What could he do?
"You think so?" Gabriella questioned. It seemed though, that it was more for herself than him, because she answered it right after the words had left her mouth, "I think I'm just gonna call her." She reached for her cell phone, which was lying on the table too, but Cole jumped off of his chair.
"Hey, no quick decisions!" he warned her, and grabbed her cell phone from her, "I want you to think it through completely. You never know, you might regret asking her."
Gabriella looked at him, very confused, "What is there to regret?" she wondered.
"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom." Cole said, and went for the living room door; he had to go through that to get to the bathroom, "You should…" he stopped by the open bathroom door, "…think about it while, okay?" he didn't wait for her to answer, but closed the door and locked it, even if Gabriella had looked very confused out there.
He flipped her cell phone, which he still held in his hands, open and scrolled through the phone book. When he found Sharpay's number he pressed the green button and placed the phone next to his ear; hoping she'd pick up quickly, so Gabriella didn't get suspicious out there.
"Hi Gab, what's up?"
"Sharpay?" Cole said, and sat down on the closed toilet seat, "This is Cole, I have a favor to ask you…"
--
Troy didn't know that 'as soon as possible' meant in the same afternoon. But apparently in Sharpay-land it did, because he was standing in front of his father's house two hours later, ready to go inside. He felt very nervous about it, but he knew Sharpay was right; it was time to make up. All that talk about kids this morning made him realize that none of them were getting any younger (even if they were far from old), and that he wouldn't want his kids to grow up without their grandfather. If Jack wasn't there, they'd only have Sharpay's parents, and she honestly didn't spend that much time with them.
Sharpay stuck her head out of his car and gave him a funny look, "Go." She said, and nodded towards the house. She was borrowing the car this afternoon for some reason. She hadn't wanted to tell him exactly what she was doing, and he didn't want to push her; she'd just get all Sharpay-ish on him if he did, "When you call I'll come pick you up."
Troy nodded and bent down to give her a short peck on the lips, "Alright." He said, and stood up too, ready to get this done. He was determined as he took a step closer to the house. When he was halfway up there, Sharpay's yell made him turn around.
"I love you!" she told him, her smile warm and sincere.
Troy couldn't help but feel good about that comment on the inside. It was just the right thing to say to him right now, "I love you too." He reassured her.
Sharpay blew him a kiss, as she turned on the car, feeling confident and happy about herself. She was glad that Troy was finally doing this now – it'd be so much better for all of them once he and Jack worked out their differences. And she was happy he agreed to do it today, because Gabriella was alone at the gym (after Sharpay had delicately shot her down), so that meant she and Cole had time enough to find the perfect ring for Gabriella.
She waved bye to Troy as she went down the street, checking her watch. She had to meet Cole in ten minutes, but that was just enough time too. She turned on the music, and was there before she knew it. Cole was already waiting, leaning up against his car, as she snatched the spot next to him.
She was about to turn off the engine and get out of the car, when she heard it on the radio. The Sweethearts' next single 'Girl Overboard', and it sounded amazing. She had completely frozen out, that the song would air on various radio stations that day. She'd had her hands so full, all she had remembered was, that the single would have its physical release October 3rd.
Instead of getting out of the car, she turned up the volume on the radio and rolled down the window to call Cole over. "Hey, C. Austin get over here!" She hollered, waving him over to the car. He knelt down beside it and rested his arms in the window, giving Sharpay his full attention. "Listen to this, it's gonna be October's biggest hit. Girl Overboard by The Sweethearts, now what do you say?"
"It's very good, definitely catchy and a sure hit." He told her, though he wasn't a music expert, but it made her smile anyways. "But whatever happened to Sexy! No No No? Wasn't that set to be your next single?"
"Cole, Cole, Cole.." Sharpay shook her head at him, like he was so clueless to say such a thing. "Sexy! No No No is so last year. Anyway, Gabriella and I have scheduled the next three singles after Girl Overboard off our comeback album, and Sexy is not one of them."
That caught Cole's attention. Ever since The Sweethearts got back together, Gabriella hadn't shared any part of her professional life with him, because she wanted it all, their comeback, to be a surprise, but what if he could get some out of Sharpay? "So what about those next three singles?" He dared to ask, knowing if anyone was gonna spill the beans, it would probably be Sharpay.
She smirked at him, but nevertheless she lowered her voice and told him; "Our second single off our comeback album is Always Be My Baby, the next one should be titled A Never and lastly we have Forever and a Night. The album should be titled Back For Good, it's not a song on the album, but it's to say that we're The Sweethearts, and we're back for good." She explained, and then she turned off the radio and the engine, as the song was over, and then she changed the subject to what she was really there for. "So what about that engagement ring for Gabs? Had anything in mind?"
Cole got up from the ground, and got out of the way, so Sharpay would have room to get out of her car. "No, I've got no clue." He said, as Sharpay opened the car door and gracefully got out of the car, and then she not so gracefully slammed the door shut and locked the car. "That's where I need your help, y'know. You are the perfect candidate to know exactly what Gabby will like. I want it all to be perfect."
"Here I was and thought I was supposed to be your distraction." Sharpay said, as they walked over to the sidewalk, where she put on her sunglasses. "I had really been looking forward to doing that, and now you're just gonna take it away from me? It hurts, Cole, it seriously hurts."
Sharpay faked some sobs, but Cole had learned by now to know when it was fake and when it was real, and it was clearly fake now. She was just trying to mess with him, but he didn't have time for that. "That's just part of your job, Shar." He told the blonde, as he let them both to the jeweller, which everybody knew to be The Sweethearts' favourite, so why should he buy Gabriella's engagement ring elsewhere? "I want everything to perfect. I want her to have the perfect ring, the perfect proposal, the perfect... just the perfect everything, okay?"
"Gabriella thought, she had a perfect everything, and it was a huge letdown, so don't aim after that." Sharpay said with a sigh, she had seen it coming. Cole was too good and too nice to be true, but he was as true as he was walking next to her right now, his only problem was that he needed to lay off once in awhile. He shouldn't spent every living hour to make everything perfect for Gabriella and make her as happy as possible, because everything couldn't be perfect, and you couldn't be happy all the time, though it was very sweet of him. "Not to bum any of us out right now, Cole, but she did think she had found the one in Troy, and she thought she was going to marry him, and then... you know what happened, so don't try and make it all perfect, because I honestly don't think she'd want that." She paused, when they reached the jeweller, and she gazed into the window, and then she tried to imagine what kind of ring Gabriella would want. She was going to help Cole after all. "And don't worry about how, when and where you're going to propose to her, because I can promise you one thing; she's gonna think it's perfect no matter what. You're the one proposing, and you're the guy for her, Cole, so she's gonna find it perfect, regardless of how you propose." She paused again, this time to point at a ring in the window. It was a diamond engagement ring, and the diamond had this blue gleam upon it. "If it's possible, I think you should get her a blue diamond. Her favourite colour is blue, but you know that, don't you?"
"So a blue diamond?" Cole questioned just to be sure, he didn't wanna mess this proposal up. He knew Sharpay had told him off before, but he was still nervous as hell about the whole thing, and nothing Sharpay could say, no matter how right she was, could change that fact. Sharpay nodded, and he offered her a smile of gratitude, a nervous one of that. His emotions were on his sleeves, and then again why wouldn't they be? "Thanks, that just narrows it down to about every diamond ring there is."
"Am I detecting a bit of negativity from Mr. Cole Austin?" Sharpay teased the nervous wreck standing next to her. She knew it was mean, because he was anxious, but she couldn't help herself. She smiled at him, so he knew it was for fun, and acknowledged it with a nod. "Sorry about that, but y'know, whatever makes you think about Gabby. If you go in there, and you search around for a bit, and then you suddenly notice a ring, and it makes your mind go to Gabs immediately, then you know that's the one. Y'know, a ring that reminds you of Gabriella in some way."
Cole stood and thought it over in silence, trying to imagine the 'Gabriella ring' in his head. "She's one of a kind, there's no-one like her." He then said, knowing it would be difficult to find a one of a kind ring in there, it was all rings that looked alike all over the place. "But I honestly don't think, that I'm gonna find a ring there's one of a kind in there."
"Well, you never know if you don't go in there and look, they might just have the ring for you." Sharpay said in that d'uh tone, that teenagers so often used, after all she was only 19, and she was entitled to use that tone. She took off her sunglasses and folded them together, so she could carry them in her hand, because they were a huge part of her distraction plan, then she turned herself so her eyes were on Cole and not the window, and she put her hands on his shoulders, making him face her. She had a huge smile on her face because this was it, her best friend was getting her happily ever after early in life with the greatest guy. "Here's my plan, you go in there in look at a bunch of rings, if you see any that reminds you of Gabs, ask about it. It needs to be one of a kind, like you said. Now listen to me, and listen to me good, because this is important; before you go in there, look over both your shoulders and really squint your eyes, and if it's clear, you enter. With you in there, it's Sharpay time." She looked him straight into the eyes, to see if he understood her, and it seemed like it, because he very discreetly and suspiciously looked over his shoulders, and as he did, Sharpay added; "Ok, so to sum up; you, ring shopping, me, Sharpay time. We good?"
Cole, who was done checking for paparazzi, gave Sharpay a nod to let her know that he was ready to get on with it. He entered the jeweller, and Sharpay proceeded down the street with her sunglasses in her hand. They hadn't agreed on when Sharpay should be back at the jeweller, but she had guessed it would be when he was standing outside again, and Cole had probably known, she would have figured that out, otherwise he would have said something. Sharpay stopped at a really crowded place; it was time to get her distraction plan into the world.
"Listen up!" She yelled at the top of her lungs to get everybody's attention on her. She hadn't needed to, because people had already noticed her in the crowd, she was Sharpay Evans after all, but even though she hadn't needed to say anything, she was still Sharpay, and she always grabbed every given chance to talk. "Anyone interested in a pair of sunglasses, currently belonging of Sharpay Evans?" Everybody cheered the words 'I do, I do', as they raised their hands high into the air, much like in class. "Then let's start the bidding at ten dollars! Do I hear ten dollars?"
"Ten dollars!" Screamed a guy way back in the crowd, he looked like he was in his 30s, and why a guy like him would want a pair of female sunglasses, Sharpay would never know. She almost didn't have time to get the first bid into her system, before a woman standing much closer to Sharpay had bid 20, and then someone bid 30, closely followed by 40 and 50, and then the first guy bid again; "100 dollars."
100 dollars? And people kept on bidding, what the hell was she gonna do, when Cole was ready to get out of there, she couldn't take that many money from a fan. Well, many money for them, pocket money for her, but she could still remember back when she had just turned 16 and got a record deal with Gabriella, and it used to be many money to her as well. She was just gonna have to wing it then, she was known to be very good at that.
Her only concern was when the paparazzi got there, because they would get there - a popstar auctioning off her sunglasses in the middle of town was juicy stuff. Where she was standing right now, there was still a view of the jeweller, and if the paparazzi snapped a shot of her in a certain angle, they might get the jeweller into the shot as well, and then there was the possibility that they would find out that Cole Austin, popstar Gabriella Montez's boyfriend, was in there, and that wouldn't be too good. She had to take her auction elsewhere, it would be horrible if Gabriella got news of the engagement before Cole actually proposed.
She headed for the tree in the middle of the square, which was basically the centre of midtown, and she knew no paparazzi could spot him from there, so when they snapped shots of her, it would only be of her. When she reached the tree, she noticed that everybody had followed her to keep bidding on her sunglasses, and they weren't even worth as much as people were bidding, but if wanted to bid that crazy, she couldn't stop them.
Word quickly spread about what was going on, Sharpay was auctioning off her sunglasses in the middle of town, and new people came to the square to place a bid, but what surprised Sharpay the most was, that they were actually keeping a respectable distance from her, and she was very grateful for that. It wasn't long either, before the paparazzi in hiding came out into the open to get their stories and pictures, and everything was going according to plan, though she would really appreciate it, if Cole could hurry up. She knew he was picking out an engagement ring for her best friend, and things like that took time, and she respected that, but at the same time she knew that she couldn't keep this up for long, and people wouldn't keep their respectable distance from her forever.
The bids had just past 200 dollars, and were slowly nearing 300 with all the new bidders, and Sharpay couldn't even keep track on them anymore. People were also getting closer and closer to her, and she was beginning to get scared of the distance between her and the crowd, so she was gonna have to think quick exit and fast. She spotted a couple of bushes about six feet behind the tree, and she looked down at the sunglasses in her hand and got an idea. She threw the sunglasses into the bushes and fled from the scenery, as fast as she possibly could.
Luckily for her the paparazzi were too busy taking pictures of the crowd going wild, that they didn't even notice Sharpay's absence, and some of them had even been bidding themselves, and they had now their heads in the bushes, searching for the sunglasses. Because of that Sharpay felt that it was safe to run back to the jeweller, since it would probably be a couple of hours, before the crowd would notice that Sharpay Evans was missing from the square, and by then she and Cole would probably be on their way out of there. Sharpay sat down on bench outside and waited on Cole to come out.
15 minutes later Cole finally came out from the jeweller with a huge smile on his face, and Sharpay guessed the trip into town had been a success, so she jumped and threw her arms around him, hugging the dear life out him, because she was so happy for her best friend getting engaged to a great guy. When she finally let go, she remembered the trouble she had caused not far from there, so she grabbed a hold of Cole's arm and made a run for their cars. They would never know Cole had been there, and what he'd been doing, sometimes Sharpay was just too good.
When they reached their cars at the parking lot, Cole got into his car and rolled down his window to have a last conversation with his girlfriend's best friend. He still had a smile on his face, he hadn't been able to contain it ever since he had left the jeweller, and that was because he had gotten the perfect ring for Gabriella, and he wanted to show it to Sharpay, before he took off and get her opinion, he just wanted some reassurance, that he had bought the right ring. He noticed that Sharpay couldn't stop smiling either, and he really liked it because then he knew she approved.
Sharpay got down on her knees and leaned inside the window, giving Cole a look-over to try and spot the ring. "So what did ya get?" She asked with the cutest voice, she could possibly muster, which she used very often when she was curious and tried to fish out information of someone, and she also used the puppy dog eyes on him. Cole didn't fall for it though, because he'd gotten a Sharpay 411 from Gabriella, so he was sure he wouldn't fall into her traps where she always got her way, but he was gonna show her the ring, because that had been his original plan from when he stepped out of the jeweller. Sharpay didn't know that, so that was probably why she was trying to butter him up.
"Who says I got anything?" Cole said, trying to be all mysterious, and it wasn't much appreciated by Sharpay, she reached in an arm and smacked the back of his head. "Auch, okay, okay. But when I show you, try to keep down." He digged his hand into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a velvet box, and Sharpay eagerly reached out both her hands to grab it, but Cole got his own arm in the way, he wanted to make sure they were clear on the whole staying quiet thing. "Remember what I told you, Sharpay? Keep it down!"
Sharpay nodded immediately, but knew it would be somewhat of a challenge, because she was never really quiet. "Yeah, I'll keep it down." She agreed, as Cole let his arm down, so she could grab the velvet box from him. "This is so exciting." She said, before opening the box, and it revealed the most beautiful ring, she had ever seen. She knew it was the right ring for her best friend, because she thought of the Latina at the first glance of the ring, and obviously so had Cole. It had a thin silver band with not one, but five diamonds, one big one in the middle and then two small ones on each side of it, and they had that blue gleam upon it they had been discussing outside the jeweller. When Sharpay looked at the big diamond she imagined a butterfly in her head, graceful like Gabriella, because it kinda looked like a butterfly, if you really looked at it. The little diamonds were small and round, at least as round as a diamond could be, and how Cole could afford it, she would never know. All she knew was that it was absolutely perfect for Gabriella. "It's beautiful, Cole. Is it really an engagement ring?"
"Yep, and one of a kind too. I asked about it." He confirmed, as Sharpay closed the small velvet box and handed it back to him. He took it back into his own hands with much care, and then he put it back in his pocket, and looked up at Sharpay, giving her a smile as thanks. He turned off the engine and got ready to drive off, and Sharpay took it as her cue to get up from the ground and step away from the car, and that's what she did. Before Cole pulled out of the parking lot, he looked at Sharpay one last time. "I really appreciate, what you did for me today, Sharpay. You're really a great friend, not just to Gabriella but to me as well." He paused, good friend or not, this needed to be added. "Now don't you dare tell her anything about." The blonde threw her hands up in the air in defence, as if to say she would never do such a thing, and Cole just chuckled at that, even though he trusted it. "Goodbye Shar, I'll see you around."
Sharpay waved after him as he drove off, she had the biggest smile on her face, thinking about the fact, that her best friend would soon be an engaged young lady. Sharpay was so gonna throw the best engagement party the world had ever seen! When she stopped feeling weird, that was, but damn it Gabriella was getting an engagement party. Not a 'let's drink our heads off and have a scandal in the magazines', but a nice little get together to show how much they cared about Gabriella and would care for Cole. Other than Cole and Gabs, she was thinking of inviting Jack, of course, he was their manager and a very good friend, and then there was Troy, who also had to be there. Taylor and Mr. McK as well, they had also been a big part in their lives, and they would probably also have a part in the next chapter of Gabriella and Cole's life together. Gabriella and Cole's parents, and probably also Sharpay's parents, because they had been there since Gabby was a tiny baby. Not there was any rush about it, she would have loads of time to think about it, once she started to feel better.
She walked over to her own car, as she thought about how weird she felt. She couldn't explain, because she hadn't felt like this ever before, but something wasn't right with her, she just knew it. She would have to go see a doctor soon, and make up some cover story for the press, so they wouldn't get all up in her business. On top of that weird feeling she had, she also felt like she was being watched, and she couldn't explain that either, but it wasn't a good feeling at all. Not that Sharpay had ever minded being watched, but this was in an entirely different way, one she didn't like one bit. Of course she had bodyguards, but she had convinced them, that they weren't needed today, because her original plan was to be with Troy all day. They rarely listened though, they just said ok and they would stay away, but all they did was become invisible to the public, and they were still there, and to Sharpay's surprise they had really listened that day.
She opened the door to her car and got in, closing the door after her. She placed the key in the ignition and started the car, she backed out of her parking space and turned the car around, and then she drove out of the parking lot to be on her way to pick up Troy at his dad. She was in such a hurry, she didn't notice a blue car driving right behind her own pink one.
--
Troy stared at his father. It was so surreal to sit in this living room again, to talk to him again. It felt weird, and Troy couldn't believe it was happening. He was grateful towards Sharpay for convincing him to do this. She was right; it was about time they patched things up again. It was about time they forgave and forgot. Everything had turned out okay – The Sweethearts were back together and Jack was their manager again. It had worked out great, so it was time to do this too.
He had been scared though. What would his father say? Would he just smack the door in his face? Would he even listen to him when he tried to tell him what he thought? He had wondered about a lot of things, and it had taken him a good while before he got it together and knocked on the door to his old house, but when he finally did, he realized he had nothing to worry about. His father seemed really happy to see him. And he asked him inside. He did. He was probably curious as to what Troy was doing there, and he figured that maybe it would be cool to talk to his son again. He had lost his wife and his son around the same time and he had been pretty much alone since then, except clients and stuff.
Troy had barely managed to open his mouth and tell his father why he was there, before Jack had nodded slowly and said, 'I know, I know, son. I think we should forgive and forget too'. It was like he read his mind, but that made it so much easier for Troy. He was happy that his father was so understanding and he believed that everything would be good from now on. They had talked it through though. Maybe it was over and all that jazz, but Jack had found it was better to talk it through so it wouldn't come back as a problem later on.
Troy had found out his father was not that angry with him about The Sweethearts' break-up, but mostly he was just disappointed in his son for cheating on his girlfriend. Troy could understand that and he promised his father it would never happen again. He also told him that he felt like he wasn't being real supportive since he chose to get angry with him instead of supporting him. Jack could see his perspective and they ended up like old times.
Now Troy was just watching his father. They didn't even talk or anything; Jack stared at his son too. It was comfortable and Troy believed that this was what they both needed. They needed to feel save again. They had known each other since Troy was born and nothing felt more secure than the other person. So they just sat there and felt good about each other again.
Suddenly Troy's phone beeped and he got it out, seeing Sharpay's picture across the screen. He smiled to his dad before he opened the text.
Be there in a minute.
it said. Troy quickly typed back, okay, and stood up from the couch where he had been sitting, "Shar's here soon." He explained his father, and the old man got up too, to follow his son to the door, "Listen Dad…" Troy said, when they were both in the hallway. He had one hand on the doorknob, but he needed to say this, "I'm really glad you wanted to listen to me. I hope everything is cool between us for good now."
Jack patted his son on the back, "It is, Troy." He reassured him, "No worries. It's all in the past. You're happy now. I'm happy now. So are both the girls." He paused, "Everything's good."
A car honked outside and Troy opened the door.
"Say hi to her from me." Jack smiled, and Troy nodded, before he stepped outside and closed the door behind him. Sharpay smiled at him when he came down the front yard and she greeted him with a kiss when he got into the car.
"Hi baby." She smiled, and turned to the wheel again. The engine was still running, so she shifted gear and started driving, "You two looked happy?" she hopefully asked, one eye on the road.
Troy leaned back in the seat. They definitely were. It had turned out for the best; he should have done this a long time ago, "Thank you, Sharpay," he mumbled, "for convincing me of this. The old man says hi by the way."
Sharpay aw'ed, "That's so awesome!" she cheered, and turned a corner on the road, "I'm so happy now Troy. Everything's perfect."
Troy then shot her a confused look, an eyebrow raised, "What were you doing today anyway?"
She stuck her tongue out at him, "That's one secret I'll never tell." She whispered, in her best Gossip Girl voice.
Troy hit her lightly on the thigh, "Seriously!" he demanded.
She laughed, and he enjoyed her laugh. He could tell that she had had a good day, "I am. I am being serious." She said, before she shrugged slightly, and gazed quickly at him, "I can't tell you. You'll find out eventually though." She paused, "I promise."
Troy sighed. He had a feeling that it would be hopeless to get something out of her. She was probably determined to keep this to herself. Sure, she easily spilled the beans, but when she was really set on hiding something, she could. It couldn't be worse than back when they were hiding their affair. He groaned. No, he wouldn't think about that; everything was perfect now. He shouldn't dig into old lies and secrets. That was just stupid.
"Alright…" he whispered, and leaned back in his seat; he could live with that promise. When she promised that meant she would tell him sometime. He just wasn't sure when. But whatever, he had her, he'd made up with his father… everything was good, "I can live with a promise."
"Good." Sharpay smiled as the car came to a stop, right outside the city's only park, "'Cuz you and I are going for a walk, and I don't know if I could've hold your hand, knowing you don't trust a promise."
Troy laughed at her silly comment and opened the door. Right now he couldn't explain why, but he seriously loved this girl.
--
In a blue car that came to a stop right behind Sharpay's pink one, sat David Hesterbey, 48 years old. He had a hat thrown a good deal over his hair and eyes; he could just watch the road beneath it. But it didn't matter – the road, what mattered was Sharpay Evans and her boyfriend, Troy Bolton.
David was not ashamed to admit it; he probably knew more about Sharpay Evans than any other fan did. He was proud of himself. He was sure she would be his in no time. She was so beautiful and delicate, and she was going to be his wife. It didn't matter about the age different, because when people really loved each other, there was no problem. Age was just a number, and they wouldn't have to hide their love for each other. There was no doubt in David's mind. The two of them belonged together. She would see it soon too, David knew that. She just had a little distraction right now. She would grow tired of Troy Bolton in no time like the last time they were together. It wouldn't last. And even if it came closer, and everyone thought it would last, David would make sure that it didn't. He didn't have a plan yet, because he was sure it wouldn't go that far. But if it did… he'd figure something out.
He watched the 'happy' couple as they went into the park hand in hand. Sharpay had pulled the hut of her jacket over her hair; probably to get a little privacy. But David knew it was her from far away. He would recognize her baby toe if he saw it. He studied them for awhile. They did seem happy, but he was sure it was just an act. She couldn't be happy with Troy Bolton. She would only be happy with him.
He opened the magazine he'd bought earlier when Sharpay for some reason had decided to auction her sunglasses in public. He had wanted to get them of course, but he had to watch out for her. And it was a good thing that he did, when she threw them in the bushes, for she left right there – to escape it all. But he'd seen her, and he had had time for a lot of things. He knew about that engagement ring her friend bought. He wasn't going to tell though, because he didn't care about Gabriella Montez. He cared about Sharpay Evans and what she was to him.
He hated this magazine though. On the front cover of it was a picture of Sharpay and Troy kissing. It was out in the public now. David thought they were slow – he'd known for weeks and they only found out today!? How could they call themselves journalists!? He'd no idea why they didn't do their job properly, but right now he felt himself grow angrier and angrier by the front picture.
He couldn't believe she would even let that stupid Troy Bolton kiss her! He hated him and all he was worth. He was going to get rid of him in some way. He would have to plan this… he would have to plan this good. He didn't know how yet, but it would happen.
He watched them as they walked out of his eyesight. He'd just wait here. They would come back to her car eventually. When they got there he could follow them home. He smiled at the picture of Sharpay on the front cover. He had cut out Troy's earlier on. Now there was just a hole in the cover. He would put his own picture in there once he got home tonight. Sharpay seemed happy though, and in a few hours she would be kissing him right there.
"Soon, my love," David whispered and raised the magazine to his mouth, and let his rough lips kiss Sharpay, "soon we will be together."
From Stessa; So yeah! I hope that was okay. Again, I know it's been too long since we updated, but I hope it was worth the wait. Hopefully my writing wasn't horrible, and I hope to see a review from all of you. I hope we will be able to update soon, but you probably know by now, that when we say soon it secretly means a couple of months. I don't even know how it can take us so long to write a chapter, but ah… it does. And I couldn't resist the part about her using a Gossip Girl voice. I've been obsessed with that show recently and I am now contemplating which of my four ideas I am going to write first – it's very tough, you would never know, haha ;b and oh! One more thing… David Hesterbey was a real celebrity stalker. If anyone can tell me who he stalked I'll get you a cookie. Let's just say… it's one of my favourite actresses, but that could be anyone. Rofl xD Please leave your thoughts?
From AK-tutti; Chapter 17 done, and we have only two more to go! It was two, right Stessa? Well, as far as I can remember, it is. Anyway, this took a long time to write, but blame it on me. Stessa is probably the fastest writer I know, and I'm like a slowpoke (you can see that on I'd Rather Be Special, which is also a Troypay ;b), seriously if she had written my stories, they would have been done by now, but sadly she doesn't, and they have become like neverending stories. And like Stessa I promise, that next chapter of Twist of Love should be here soon, hopefully, no more a couple of months. Soon means soon. Oh, and I have a guess for you, Stessa, to your question that is. I'm think either Ashley Tisdale or Jennifer Aniston, but I don't really know. I'm too wrapped up in my own favorite actresses, who are practically scandal free, except for one of them who was kind of a wildchild in her younger days. Ok, I'll stop talking now, if you review. Deal?Stessa & AK-tutti were here :)