Summary: Zeke didn't know Sharpay was back, and was not prepared to hear that she had a boyfriend.

A/N: couldn't wait until i finished "Figuring Our a Date" so here's the first chapter! and expect reoccurring horrible attempts of angst because i've been thinking about doing a story like this for YEARS! and finally, gay ryan insert (will be more visible later in the story, plus there's no cheating)

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Baking was a family thing for the Baylors, and their son gladly inherited the trait from his parents. But after high school, Zeke Baylor thought he'd be playing basketball for the rest of his life. However, things change…and so do people. He decided to put his hands in baking for the family business, reviving it within a year after graduation. Even if he's a pro at college basketball, his love for baking might be equal to the sport (maybe even higher).

After Zeke finished his shift and clocked out one usual Monday, he decided to drive to the nearest park and walk. He hasn't been able to have his alone time since the bakery has been awfully busy recently, getting mixed up with his basketball practices. The cold fall air hit his face once he parked and got out of his car, thankful he was wearing a matching hoodie and sweatpants set in the color dark blue from Nike. He connected his earbuds to his MP3 player, then put the buds into his ears before shuffling his R playlist.

Zeke pulled his hood over and shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to keep warm as he progressed through his walk. But through the corner of his eye, he saw…her. East High's former icy queen, a blonde primadonna, and his old high school sweetheart: Sharpay Evans. He hadn't seen her in a year and did forget about her a bit. However, he thought she didn't even remember him so he kept pushing and didn't look her way completely.

However, when Zeke heard heels click against the pavement—that surrounded the park—and could hear the sound getting closer, he knew Sharpay might've caught her eye on his presence and maybe remembered him.

The blonde did her signature squeal of his name, "Zeke!"

He slowly turned around, holding his MP3 player as he paused his music. The tall man noticed Sharpay's appearance, taking in her trademark smile with no grains of salt while her bedazzled dress shined right with her. Boi sat next to her heeled feet, giving Zeke puppy dog eyes as a greeting.

Zeke gave Boi a small hello before giving his full attention to the blonde right in front of him, "…Sharpay? Where've you been? And why are you out here when it's dark?"

"Because Boi needs a walk, even if it's dark. And I've been in New York, had to prove myself to Daddy after all by going on Broadway."

Zeke was impressed but always knew Sharpay was gonna achieve her dreams one way or another; "That's amazing, Sharpay! I'm happy for you, congrats. And no wonder I haven't been seeing you on campus…"

Sharpay gave Zeke a whimsical laugh and thanked him before she remembered something so important that she had to spit it out, "But guess what I also got? A boyfriend finally!"

Zeke's demeanor shifted, keeping it hidden from the blonde since she was too happy to even care; "...Oh. That's great, Sharpay."

Even though it's been a long year with an additional few months, Zeke still had feelings for Sharpay. But it seemed that she had moved on, so good for her. Zeke was about to straight-up leave and lie to Sharpay about having to do something when she suddenly started to ramble about what she had goin' on, giving Zeke a look inside her hectic schedule.

"...But besides East High, what have you been up to? Basketball and baking cakes?"

Zeke's interest in being happy suddenly peaked a bit, "Yes, exactly that. I picked up the family bakery and helped out before it was supposed to shut down."

Sharpay seemed interested, smiling at Zeke; "Where is it located? I'd love to drop by sometime for some cookies!"

He had a feeling the diva was gonna ask that but couldn't give her the address straight away since Chad called. Immediately, Zeke could feel the irritation radiating through the curly-haired man's voice once the call connected.

"Zeke, where are you?! Practice started ten minutes ago and coach's been wondering where you are!"

The tall man's right ear rung from the loud soundwaves emanating from his phone, pulling it away from his ear for a second before responding; "Goddamn, Chad! No need to be yelling through my phone! But I'll be there in a bit, dude. Had to handle some business."

"Well hurry your ass up before he tells us to do somethin' dumb!"

Zeke quickly hung up, letting his deep breath evaporate into the air around him as he looked at Sharpay with an embarrassed look; "Gotta go, Sharpay. Practice is callin' me and I can't miss it."

"Alright, Zeke. I'll see you later, toodles!"

Sharpay turned around, strutting away dramatically with Boi before going inside her car and letting her driver take her home. Zeke stood still, letting nearby streetlights illuminate the dark as he got a literal blast from the past. He felt happy she still wanted to visit him—no, visit for just some cookies.

— — — — — —

The primadonna's penthouse was nothing short of luxurious. It was in the expensive part of Alberquerque, near her parents. It had impressive views of the city, especially when it was dark. But anyway, Sharpay stepped inside her penthouse elevator and went up, being greeted by Tiara.

"Evening, Sharpay. The usual for dinner?"

"Simple spaghetti with sparkling juice on the rocks? Yes, please!"

"Coming right up, miss."

Tiara rushed to the kitchen, getting Sharpay's dinner plate ready. She set her small high table with a pink placemat, then put a champagne glass of ice on the table. A plate of spaghetti was placed near the glass, followed by Tiara filling the glass with sparkling grape juice. Sharpay—on the other hand—was taking her coat off, putting her heels aside, and sitting down so she could be ready to eat.

"Tiara, you won't guess who I ran into today."

Her interest was apparent, leaning forward as she poured more juice for Sharpay; "Who, Sharpay?"

"Zeke, that hunky basketball player who was like…totes obsessed with me back then."

Tiara's face flushed at the thought of him, imagining if she was with the tall man; "…Your old prom date?"

Sharpay noticed the faint blush on her assistant's face but ignored it as she took a sip from her glass and a bite from her plate, "Yes, him."

"Wasn't he kind of cute, Sharpay?"

Sharpay was annoyed at her assistant's comment. She didn't like Tiara—out of all people—calling Zeke cute but couldn't get mad since she wasn't with him anymore. Instead, she faked a small smile and agreed with her; "He was, and…"

"And what?"

"…Nevermind."

Sharpay quietly ate her spaghetti while Tiara tended to Boi, taking his leash off and changing him into some doggy pajamas before giving him a treat. Boi skipped to his doggy bed, laying down to eat his treat as Tiara returned to Sharpay's side, ready for anything she might say or ask.

"Need anything, Sharpay?"

"No, nothing that I know of."

"Well, I'll be preparing your tub. Warm with bubbles?"

"Just how I like it."

Tiara walked away, going to Sharpay's bathroom and getting her tub filled with soapy water. As she tended to that, Sharpay sat at her table, picking at her food like she lost her appetite. She didn't even know why, but it felt like she was missing something. She already achieved Broadway and had a boyfriend…so what was the issue? But before she had enough time to process that mental question and answer it herself, Tiara came back.

"Your water is ready, Sharpay."

Tiara noticed Sharpay picking with the corner of food left on her plate, "Is everything alright? Are you not hungry anymore?"

Sharpay nodded, sighing before she handed her assistant the plate. She stood up from her chair and went to her bathroom, closing the door behind her.

— — — — — —

After a soothing bath and getting dressed, Sharpay was in her bedroom with a blanket and her iPhone 4. She scrolled through her Instagram feed, then switched apps to Twitter so she could post about herself. But then, she realized something: she needed to text Zeke about his bakery! Before Sharpay went to sleep and forgot about it, she checked through her contacts to see if she still had Zeke's number saved. Luckily, all the numbers from her last phone were transferred over without any issues.

Sharpay scrolled through her numbers and saw his contact, glossing over it with her finger before pressing the "messages" option. Immediately, she was hit with all of their old texts. From when they first started talking to when they…stopped. If she was being honest, the diva truly missed what she had with Zeke. Comparing him to Peyton—wait, why's she doing that?! She thought she liked him truthfully, but…back to comparing.

Zeke was a sweetheart, kind enough to not record people without their consent when they just met. He knew what made Sharpay's heart beat, especially when he made her custom sweets. With Peyton, he understood and appreciated the blonde's confident side better than Zeke ever could. He helped her off the streets and lent her a hand when needed, which did help at the time—oh no, Sharpay felt a bit conflicted. However, she pushed all that aside and sent Zeke a simple text regarding some possible plans for tomorrow.

"hi, zeke! remember this number, the one that's owned by the dazzling sharpay evans? well…she'd like to invite you to lunch tomorrow if ur not busy so pls respond when you see this, now gn! xoxo, sharpay ;)"