Chapter 8:

Nana Burgendorf was well known through out the New Mexico area. Of course the most important title she had ever received was mother and grandmother, or Nana. She was proud of her business but defined herself by the family she kept. She loved her daughter more than life itself and her world was shattered by the death of her precious baby. Staring at a family picture of the Evan's she felt special to still have her grandchildren in her life even as her husband and daughter have left this world.

She was simple yet glamorous. She made being the wife of one of the state of New Mexico's wealthiest car dealership owners look easy and she missed every minute that she had shared with Steven Burgendorf. He was the love of her life and she didn't need the things that his money bought her, which was why she demanded that he left everything to their grandchildren for their future in college and whatever endeavors they chose to follow.

She was happy with the few friends or family that visited her so when her doorbell rang even though it was in the middle of a new Law &Order she jumped for joy before walking to see who came to visit her this time. It had been awhile since she had seen her dear grandchildren and she played cribbage with her dearest friend Rosemary over lunch and coffee earlier in the day.

Mr. Evans was the last person she expected to see at her door and by the panicked look on his face something was terribly wrong. She wrinkled her brows in curious horror as she waited for him to ask what was obviously weighing his mind.

"I haven't seen Sharpay all day," Mr. Evans stated frantically. Pretending to be a worried parent was his biggest skill. He knew how to put on a show for everyone who didn't need to know the truth about his relationship with his daughter. He was worried because the woman with whom his sexual fantasies craved most was not in his house, not in the bed where he wanted her. He couldn't fathom losing his precious jewel. He was ready to do anything to anyone who stood in his way.

"She hasn't been here in months. Ryan said it was because I remind her too much of her mother. Unfortunately I can not help you are this moment. If you would like we can call the police and search the community." Nana said patiently motioning for Mr. Evans to follow her into the living room.

"In her journal," Mr. Evans whispered trying to look concerned. "she talks about a man who hurts her. Someone who she is ashamed to see everyday because it hurts her soul.. She always says that she never wants to go to school because she can't face this horrific man."

"Oh my," Nana said put her hands on her cheeks in shock. She never suspected her precious grandchild would ever be a victim of such a heartless attack. She didn't know what to say or do. "I will go grab some tea to have as we figure out our options..." she quickly said before exiting the room.

"If he hurt her," Mr. Evans screamed slamming his fist on the table as emphasis. He knew the truth. He knew that he daughter would be a runaway. She was running away from him. He had to cover all the bases of where his daughter would go.

The few things he cared to pay attention about his daughter were: she didn't have many friends, if she had friends at all... She was a smart woman who knew how to put on a good show if she needed to. The most important fact about Sharpay that he paid attention to was that she would be 18 next week and would probably have an eye on her inheritance.

With knowing those few things, there was only one possible place that she would be, one possible person that she would confide in. While he believed that Sharpay would seek out her grandmother, he also knew that she wouldn't be able to stomach telling Nana the truth. If Nana lied to him about Sharpay's whereabouts then she would have to pay the price. He wouldn't be able to control his anger if Nana lied to him tonight!

"I can't do this...." Sharpay stated flatly. Her master-plan was nothing more than walking into her Nana's living room demanding that she receive her inheritance because she was going to marry Troy. Which would be almost believable: if they were dating already, if they were amazing actors, or if they could actually stand one another for more than five minutes.

Troy sat in the passenger seat completely silent. Sharpay hasn't said a single word since they did the u-turn in the middle of the country. He couldn't convince her to do anything, when he didn't know what she planned to do. The only thing he knew was that she was in pain and that no one ever deserved to go through what she was dealing with. Parent's are supposed to love and support their children, not abuse and manipulate them.

"She's wouldn't believe me; she wouldn't believe us!" She panicked. "The truth is: I had every intention of driving over here barging into that mansion, and telling my grandmother that you, and I are getting married, and that I would need my inheritance to start our life together."

"Now breathe," Troy joked with a smile on his face... Who would have thought that the great Sharpay Evans, Ice Princess, would ramble under pressure?

"It would have been a good plan if I thought it through or came over here with anyone else!" Sharpay exclaimed trying to defend her erratic decision. She wanted out of her father's death grip more than anything in this world, but she would not bring Troy Bolton into her web of lies.

"Well once you move out and get yourself situated in an apartment," Troy started suggesting. "I mean we can pretend for now. Say that we fell in love instantly and that we can't live without each other. Then once we get you all settled into an apartment of your own.... You can tell her that we rushed into things and that our tragic relationship was doomed from the start."

"Oh Troy," Sharpay cried leaning the small distance between them in the car and hugging him tightly. No one had ever tried to help her. No one had ever paid any attention to her silent cries for help. No one bothered to believe that the girl on top of the world could be the girl with the darkest secrets to bare. But Troy did everything that no one did... He listened, he cared, and most importantly he tried to make everything better!

"It isn't the best game plan I was ever a part of.." Troy whispered in her ear. "But I will do anything it takes to help you."

"We can't just barge in there and tell her we are engaged!" Sharpay said jumping back to sitting straight up. The idea of pretending she was married to Troy sounded like it could be fun, despite the fact that he was the one man she could never get. She always had a crush on Troy and he never gave her a second glance. She couldn't pretend to be married to him, because she would like the lie more than the truth and she didn't want to lose herself in that specific lie.

"Why not?" Troy asked, "It is not like I am dating Gabriella anymore. You don't have a boyfriend. There is nothing that is really holding us back."

"except the fact that you hate me," Sharpay stated blankly staring out the front window of the car.

"I don't hate you Sharpay," Troy whispered softly. "I don't really know how I feel about you. I had this misconception of who you were and now I see things clearly. You are strong and independent. You're passionate yet so tender. You need a friend Sharpay... And I want to be that friend for you... Let me help, let me do this for you."

Looking over at him, She couldn't stop the smile that widened her lips, or the tears that wet her eyes. She was genuinely happy and she hadn't felt that way in awhile. She didn't know what to say. She wanted to think of something that could be a deal breaker, a problem that didn't have a simple solution. But her heart wouldn't agree with her brain and nothing came to mind.

"I guess." Troy continued looking back over at Sharpay. "if we are going to do this, you are going to need a ring of some sort. I don't have an engagement ring in my pocket, but I am wearing my class ring. We can say it is the temporary engagement ring until I can save up and buy you a new one... I hope it fits your finger."

Troy's hand shook a little as he reached across the car and grabbed Sharpay's hand. He was as nervous as if he was actually proposing to the woman of his dreams. He couldn't explain why his heart skipped a beat when he looked at her smiling, but he knew that everything happened for a reason.

After he put the ring on her finger, the two sat there silently for a moment. Neither one knew what to say, and they clearly didn't know what to do next. It was a brave new step to walk into that house and start a lie that they knew would change their lives forever. As they sat there contemplating their next move, a piercing scream broke their trances.

Leaping out of the driver side, Sharpay ran as fast as she could towards the house just as a gunshot shattered the night's silence. Troy brushed past her just as she was about to open the door. Putting a finger to his lips she motioned for her to stay silent and follow his lead. Just as they were about to enter the house She saw the last thing she ever wanted to see in the driveway... Her father's car.