Chapter Three: All About the End

Monday

Ryan and Sharpay hadn't been in Ms. Darbus' class that morning. Which was fine as far as Gabriella was concerned. So, needless to say, she was unpleasantly surprised when she walked into second period, fully expecting to ace her project, to see them sitting near the back, talking. She tried to walk to her seat unnoticed, but was spotted by Ryan, who said something to Sharpay. They both glared.

This was too awkward. Gabriella still couldn't believe Troy asked them that! Was he insane? Let's just say, they didn't respond well.

Sharpay had just stood there, waiting for Troy to say, "Ha Ha, just kidding." He didn't. She stormed off, leaving us alone with Ryan. "Do you guys really think that?" he asked uncomfortably.

"What! No!" Taylor lied badly. Even Ryan could tell she was being untruthful. "I think we should go." Chad said. I was pretty grateful; you could cut the air with a knife.

"I'll call you a cab. I'm going to check to see if Sharpay's alright. She doesn't like having rumors spread about her." Ryan explained.

As we got into the cab, the only thing I could think about was that I was glad we had a safe driver.

As convincing as they had been, I can't help but think they had been acting. Everything was a little overdone. Drama Queen Evans would have shrieked, and left. But the real Sharpay, the one who was my good friend, would have given me a look that says, "Eww. No." and have been done with it.

It's possible, that when faced with a question she didn't feel comfortable answering, she reverted back to her icy facade. And all of this leaves me thinking, "Maybe I should take Psychology next semester."

But right now, I had to figure out how to explain the customs and religions of Mexico without running from the room in embarrassment.

"Gabriella Montez." Mr. Steel, our sociology teacher, called out. I walked to the front of the room, and stood beside my poster about Mexico. "So, this is Mexico, and... um...It's big...and, um...uh...so, does anyone have questions?"

To make matters worse, Sharpay raised her hand. "Do the people of Mexico talk behind their friends' back, too?" "Oh,..um...yes." I said, racing back to my seat. "Good, you'd fit right in." I heard her say.

"James Alton." James did overhead slides and sound clips on the different dialects of the western U.S.

"Ryan and Sharpay Evans" What! They got to do a group project! No fair. "Ryan and me did a video explaining our project. Since we had so long to work on this, we didn't think a simple poster was enough." Sharpay said as Ryan wheeled in the tv. She placed the dvd in the player while Ryan turned off the lights.

Sharpay's voice was heard on the blank screen. "We were given a project to show how your body language can show people what you're really thinking. We took this simple project, and took it a step further." The screen showed an image of them in that very class. Sharpay was sitting on Ryan's desk, picking something out of his hair, laughing.

Now Ryan's voice was heard. "What if we could change how we were perceived simply by our actions." Now it showed some video from Thursday in the auditorium when the twins were gone. "Haven't you noticed how lately they've been standing a little too close for comfort?" I heard Taylor say again.

Then another Sharpay voice over, "But not everyone was convinced." This time the screen showed Chad. "They've always been like that." Now Troy, "You two are out of you minds."

"We decided to see see how far we would have to go to convince them that we were more than brother and sister." Ryan's amused voice was heard. Different clips were shown. First was Ryan's hat being knocked off. Next was the two of them eating out of the same plate with a bit of commentary by Sharpay, "I think we should leave the baking to Zeke. That was the nastiest meal I've ever eaten."

Then it showed that fateful game of truth or dare, thankfully omitting Taylor's answer, which could have gotten her in a lot of trouble. "I dare you to... kiss your sister!" It showed Ryan leaning in, but the class was spared the kiss.

"Finally Sharpay and I could end the act. Troy gave up and asked the question we had been waiting all night to hear." I then got to relive the nightmare all over again. "Are you and Ryan dating?" The video ended.

Ryan turned the lights back on. The real Sharpay stood in front of the tv. "I believe we showed how easily someone can be influenced by body language. Though what this has to do with sociology is beyond me. It seems more like psychology. Maybe we should take that next semester. Anyway, I would like to tell Gabriella, that I forgive you guys for your rude assumption about us." She smiled and sat down next to Ryan

"Gregg Total."

Lunch

I still can't believe you two set us up like that!" Chad said. Word had gotten around school about the sleepover incident. "You two do realize that this will only cause more rumors. And Sharpay, I know you don't like rumors being spread about you." Taylor said, biting into an apple.

"When did I ever say that?" "Ryan did" "Oh, I lied. I did that an awful lot this weekend in case you didn't notice." Ryan said, cheekily. Troy spoke up,"So why did you do it. You've never cared that much about your grades before."

"Well, that is one question I can answer easily." Sharpay said. "Daddy said he'd buy us a new recording studio if we got an A on our project."

The End