Disclaimer: Right now, I currently have a dog barking in my ear, I just had a deja vous, and I'm really freaked out right now! I do not own Lucas Grabeel, if that's what you were wondering. (Which you know it was) I still don't own High School Musical (no matter how much I really wish I did). I'm sad now…(sob).
Chapter 26: Out Of The Dark
Sharpay turned onto her side in her sleep. Unsatisfied with her position, she rolled over again and briefly woke up to find herself at the edge of her bed. She shifted rather suddenly and screamed as she lost balance and fell off the bed in a bundle of blankets. She sat up on the floor.
Sharpay glanced around her dark room rather grumpily. She didn't normally get up so early and figured she'd check on the current condition of her skin. After standing up and turning on her lamp, Sharpay noticed it was about one in the morning.
She let out a groan and walked over to her new full body mirror. She looked at her reflection and almost smiled when she saw her skin was it's natural tanned color. This made her stop and think. Where were her parents? Her father was on a business trip in Peru. She supposed her mother was out trying to find their grandfather in Magicath. But where was Magicath?
Sharpay shoved those thoughts out of her head. She heard little squeals coming from the hallway…or one of the rooms. "Sounds like someone's having a good time." Sharpay muttered, "How can anyone enjoy themselves after what's happened over the past few weeks?"
She walked over to her walk-in closet and grabbed her pink housecoat from one of the hangers. She pulled it on over her pink nightgown and slipped out of her room, forgetting to turn out the light. As she walked by Ryan's room, she noticed he wasn't in it.
"Figures." Sharpay muttered under her breath. She knew exactly where he was. Why did he have to bother with that girl she'd helped to set him up with? The only reason she's sent him after Cloe on her first day was because she'd noticed how lonely Ryan was. Sharpay had told him to go through the usual routine of talking to the new kids as an excuse for him to talk to her. Plus, she'd caught Ryan watching Cloe eagerly all throughout class.
Sharpay shook her head at that and pushed the memories away. She continued walking through the dark hallway. Passing Rachael's room, she paused and listened to what was happening. "Zac, what do you think is going to happen with Sharpay?" Rachael was asking. "Well, she's definitely improving with her problem." Zac answered.
"No, I mean she's the only one here who doesn't have a date." Rachael stated concerned. Sharpay's heart sunk at that. Rachael was right; she didn't have a boyfriend. Even Ryan had managed to get a date with Cloe, not thanks to herself. And that was really saying something.
"I'm just worried that she might get upset and try to hurt herself again." Rachael explained. "Sharpay would be fine." Zac reassured, "She'll find a guy who's right for her." "If she had a choice, she'd make Troy like her." Rachael pouted.
Sharpay felt a nit upset about this. Sure, she wanted Troy to like her and she had overheard him saying that he thought she was cute. That didn't mean she'd have to force him to like her…yet. "Well, whoever she finds, he'll make her truly happy." Zac stated. "The way you make me happy?" Rachael giggled. "Maybe." Zac said and then they were silent.
'Eew.' Sharpay thought. There was no way she'd get into a serious relationship. They were too difficult to handle. She sighed and continued walking down the hallway. At least they were concerned about her. That made things a bit better in her mind.
As she neared the last occupied guest room, Sharpay debated whether or not to check in on her brother and his girlfriend. She didn't hear anything from the room. When she reached it, she stopped in front of it. She listened carefully, but there was dead silence.
After debating whether to open the door or not, Sharpay gently opened it a crack and peered inside. It was quiet and still. Sharpay opened the door a bit more and looked around the quiet room. She saw two figures in the bed asleep.
The two were on their sides under the blankets. Cloe was closest to the door on the bed. She was sleeping facing the door. Ryan was also facing the door asleep. He was pressed against her back and had his arm around her waist. They looked a total couple.
Sharpay sighed at how peaceful they looked. For a moment, she feared what might have happened while they were alone. Then, she pushed the thought away. She knew Ryan was too nice to hurt Cloe…or anyone. 'Unless it was in some kind of self defense.' Sharpay thought to herself, remembering what Ryan did to Troy.
Sharpay descended the stairs and continued to head into the kitchen, not bothering to turn on the lights. When she reached the table, she sat down in one of the chairs. What did all of this mean? Everything had happened too quickly. Why had her parents hid the secret from her? They must have had a pretty good reason not to tell her because they always told her everything.
Nothing made sense. Her life was a mess and she knew it. A noise by the window lifted her from her thoughts. Sharpay straightened in her seat and her body stiffened. There was a sudden pitter patter as she realized it was raining.
"That's weird." Sharpay said, "The weather man said it would be clear skies. I guess that proves they are always wrong." She relaxed again and looked towards the refrigerator with desire. She really badly wanted the chocolate cake from the refrigerator, but remembered her diet. She wasn't supposed to eat any sweets.
It wasn't like she needed to diet, but she really wanted to lose a few extra pounds. "I really wish we had some sugar free chocolate cake." Sharpay moaned trying to tear her eyes away. She froze and stiffened, as she smelled the slightest scent of…chocolate!
She must have been dreaming because, as she turned to look at the table in front of her, there was a sugar free chocolate cake set in the center. "We didn't go shopping and I don't remember this being here before." Sharpay said in shock, indicating the cake.
She pulled it closer to her, grabbed a fork and knife, and cut off a piece of the cake. Shrugging, she said, "It's real. I guess Ryan and the others must have sneaked out and got this for me." She took a little bite, closed her eyes, and allowed the overwhelming sensation to take over her body. As she kept eating, she was wondering whether anyone had picked up a carton of Low fat milk.
Sure enough, when she opened her eyes, there it was. A carton of Low fat milk and a glass were sitting on the table, waiting for her. "That wasn't there before." Sharpay realized, but quickly shrugged it off and poured herself a glass.
When she'd had her fill of both, she returned them to the refrigerator. "At least, I know someone's worrying about me." Sharpay said aloud as she headed for the sink. She placed the fork, knife, and empty glass in the sink and remembered it was early Saturday morning.
There was a sudden movement in the doorway of the dark kitchen. Sharpay turned around quickly to see who it was. There was a dark figure in the doorway coming closer into the room. Sharpay screamed and the light was turned on. Sharpay stopped immediately after seeing an unfazed, and slightly angered, Ryan standing in the kitchen with her.
For a minute, the twins just stared at each other. Ryan's slightly irritated blue eyes stared into Sharpay's terrified brown eyes. "Ryan! What are you doing scaring me like that?" Sharpay squealed. Seeing his sister's terrified expression, Ryan eased up a bit.
"I saw you were missing from your room, so I came down to check for you. Then, you scream at me? Gosh, Shar!" Ryan said as he rubbed his neck, easing up to the fact his sister was okay, "You scared me." "And you didn't just scare me?" Sharpay shot back at him, but then remembered the cake and milk, "Thanks for the snack. When did you get it?"
Ryan gave her a questioning glance and returned his hand to his side. "What snack?" he questioned only more confused than he'd been when he'd found Sharpay missing from her room. "Don't pretend you don't know." Sharpay laughed, "When did you buy the sugar free cake and the Low fat milk?"
Ryan's face was a mix of confusion and amusement. "I don't remember getting any of that." He told his twin. He watched her expression change from confusion to frustration, then finally to fear. "Then, where did it come from?" she asked hopefully.
Ryan just shrugged. Then there was a crash from in the family room. "What…" Sharpay's voice trailed off into silent fear. Ryan moved across the kitchen. If anything happened to make Sharpay attempt suicide, he'd never forgive himself. Sharpay had progressed a lot since he first found her gagging on a marble at age 2.
Ryan always knew he had to stick around his sister in order to protect her. He was the only one she listened to when things got really bad. The only reason he always listened to her was because she needed someone to yell at or talk to. If he didn't, who would?
There was another crash and Sharpay whispered, "Ryan!" He shot her a reassuring look. Then, he walked slowly towards the table to glance through the arched doorway and into the family room. Before he had a chance to get even halfway, a pair of glowing red eyes peered out at them from the darkness.
The twins froze. Slowly, the creature moved into the kitchen. As it came closer, Ryan held his breath. As far as he could tell, so had Sharpay. Ryan grabbed a knife and thrust it in front of him as the creature walked into the light.
He dropped the knife in shock as Sharpay squealed in disgust. There, standing in front of them was a monkey. Ryan's jaw hung in shock. He leaned against the kitchen table for support. "Ryan, why is there a monkey in out house?" Sharpay asked expectantly.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Shar." Ryan breathed, "But that is a good question. Maybe, it escaped from the circus." Suddenly, more glowing red eyes appeared. "And brought friends!" he exclaimed, fear spreading across both twins' faces.
(A/N) Like the cliffy? I do. Can you guess what happens next? I bet it will take you a while. You can prove me wrong by reviewing now. Or you can prove me right by not reviewing. You have those two choices and they both have consequences attached to them. If you review, I will update soon. If you don't, I will not update until you do. If you take too long, I will forget to finish my story until you do. I might also delete it…or I might not. It all depends. So, for the sake of all those who want to keep reading this, R&R!