Unanswered Prayers

Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical, Disney does. I don't even own my own house, the bank does.

A/N: I feel a made a big boo-boo. I assumed that you were all as familiar with Evita as I was, so here's a short summary to help with following the story. It starts with the death announcement of Eva Peron, where the first song has an off-stage Evita singing part of the famous "Don't Cry for Me Argentina", but the audience still hasn't seen her yet. This is when Devon becomes so intrigued with her voice. Then the play flashes back and starts telling the story of her life starting in 1934 when she was 15. I decided to use two 'actresses' for this part, which will become clear later. I don't think anyone has actually ever done it that way. They usually just try to make her look really young with long brown hair since that's her natural color. The play traces her life where she eventually rises to be first, the mistress and then, the wife of the dictator, Carlos Peron. Finally, she dies from I think cancer(?) at the tender age of 33 (I think, if I did my math right). Hope this helps.

"Last time on Unanswered Prayers..." deep announcer's voice... (think Geico commercial)

"Oh my God! I can't believe it!", whispered Gabriella, "Quick! Sandra, go find a program for this stupid production."

Sandra hesitated because she was so absorbed in the show. "Move! Sandra! Now!", shouted Gabs.Sandra quickly ran out of the theater to the box office as her boss instructed. "What's going on, Gabs? You recognize her or something?", asked Devon. "Yeah, I think I do. That's Sharpay Evans. She was the high school drama queen, not me. I can't believe this. Sharpay Evans, the Sharpay Evans, in 'community theatre'", she said with disdain. "And look at her --- she's fat!", shrilled Gabs. "Well, I'd hardly call her fat. I personally like a little meat on my women, if I liked women, that is. She's not a bean-pole like you, but she probably doesn't drink most of her meals at a bar either", commented Devon. "Oh, shut up, Devon! And where's Sandra?", she complained.

Chapter 3: Reunion with Old Friends

"I couldn't find one, ma'am, they're all out. It seems they have a bigger audience than they anticipated tonight", Sandra says breathlessly as she rushes up to Ms. Montez.

"Well, get one from someone else! Offer them cash for it, but get it!, says Gabs, in barely controlled anger.

Sandra spotted a program at the table next to them. An obese, sloppy man was holding the program in one hand while eating ribs with the other. He quickly agreed to let her have the program in exchange for her dessert.

Devon quickly snatches the program away from Sandra and starts to read it.

"Let's see 'cast in order of appearance...' Oh, how plebeian can you get? Evita..., Evita..., Evita...", he mumbles as he searches through the cast, "oh, here she is, ... Katie Bolton."

"Let me see that, you imbecile, that can't be right", Gabriella says as she snatches the program away from Devon. Now she starts tracing her finger down the page through the cast list, mumbling Evita.

"Here it is. You dolt, Katie Bolton, played the 'Young Evita'. Evita is played by 'Sharpay ...'. Ugg, I can't read it. It's got barbecue sauce all over it. Anyway, it's got to be her. Who's ever heard of a name like 'Sharpay' anyway? There can't be more than one of them."

"Will you please be quiet? I'm trying to watch the play. She's really good --- better than Madonna", says Devon to Gabs, without looking at her.

The play continues with Devon and Sandra paying rapt attention and Gabriella feigning boredom, but secretly being quite impressed. As the final curtain falls and the lights come up, the only dry eye in the house is Gabriella's. The final scene with Evita's death is quiet moving.

Devon, getting himself under control, says, "Come on Gabs, you've got the connections, let's go meet her. Please", he adds as an afterthought.

"Sure, why not? She may still be able to sing, but I look better", replies 'Gabs'.

They proceed to backstage to find Gabriella's old 'friend'. They find Sharpay walking tiredly towards the changing rooms. Gabriella quickly changes her demeanor and breaks out in a huge grin as she rushes forward to greet Sharpay.

"Sharpay! I can't believe it's really you!", squeals Gabriella in a high-pitched, girly voice.

Sharpay turns with confusion, clearly not recognizing her. "I'm sorry, but I don't ...", she trials off as she takes a really good look at her.

"Gabi?", asked Sharpay, with trepidation, "Is that really you?"

"Yes!!! Isn't it wonderful? You seeing me, uh, I mean us seeing each other again?", says Gabriella still squealing.

"Yyyes, this is incredible...", Sharpay replies as a young girl runs up and nearly bowls Gabriella over to get to Sharpay where she wraps her in a tight hug.

"Mom, you were fantastic!", squeals the girl (a genuine squeal, I might add).

"Oh baby, you were wonderful too! See, I told you you didn't have anything to worry about. You didn't seem nervous at all."

"Oh, I wasn't. You were absolutely right. Once I was out there in front of audience, it all fell into place. It's the most wonderful feeling in the world."

"Oh, I'm sorry. How rude of me", Sharpay says, turning towards Gabriella and company. "Gabi this is my oldest, Katie, she played the young Evita in the play", she said proudly. "Katie, this is ...", Sharpay starts.

"Gabriella Montez??", Katie squeals. "Oh, wow. I love your work. I have all your CDs, DVDs, everything. I can't believe this. Wow. Wow. What are you doing here?"

"Well, your mother and I are old friends from high school. Sharpay, I never pictured you as the 'mother' type. This really surprises me", says Gabriella coolly.

"Well, lots changed after you left, but I've never regretted any of my life. You have a child, don't you? I thought I read something about that once, at the supermarket check-out", she added.

"Oh yes, Jordan. Well, he lives most of the year with his father in New York. I see him every other Christmas and two weeks in the summer, if our schedules mesh. He's nine now and he had a summer camp he wanted to go to last year, so I didn't get to see him then", she trails off as her fake smile falls from her face. "You know how kids are", she adds numbly.

"Mom? You know Gabriella Montez and you never said anything?", asked Katie incredibly.

Gabriella perks back up as she hears Katie's adoring voice and her smile is back.

"Well... I...", stammers Sharpay.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere a small streak flies by, once again almost knocking Gabriella over, and attaches itself to Sharpay's legs.

"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! I was so afraid! I thought you had died!", wailed the little boy with sandy hair and bright blue eyes. (A/N: Remember, Evita dies at the end of the play. That could be really devastating for a young child).

"Oh no, Drew. I'm fine, see? I thought Daddy and I explained that it was all just make believe", she says soothingly, while bending down to scoop the four year old into her arms.

"I kknnow", he sniffled, "but it was scary."

"I'm sorry, baby", Sharpay said as she readjusted Drew to her left hip and looked back at Gabriella. "Sorry again, Gabi. This is Andrew, my youngest. Drew, can you say 'hello' to Ms Montez?"

Drew just turned away and burrowed his head into his mother's neck.

"He's our shy one", explained Sharpay.

Then, before Gabriella can reply with a snarky comment, an angry male voice starts yelling at Sharpay.

"What do you think you're doing, Sharpay? Put him down!"

A tall man rushes up and takes the boy out of Sharpay's arms.

"It's OK, Troy", she said, trying to calm him, "He wasn't hurting me; he's not that heavy. And besides he's still my baby boy. At least he is for the next four and half months", she added.

"Four and a half months? What happens in four and a half months? You're not dying, are you?", asked Devon, worriedly, speaking for the first time in this conversation.

"Dying? What are you people, idiots? She's not dying. She's obviously pregnant", stated Sandra, to the still confused Devon and Gabriella.

"Oh, Troy", says Sharpay, remembering their 'guests', "you remember Gabi Montez, of course."

"Oh, of...of course", stammers Troy, obviously feeling uncomfortable.

"Hi, Troy", says Gabriella, smiling shyly, "it's been a long time."

And then,

"Wait! You married her! But you HATED her", screamed Gabriella.

"Well, things changed... after, after you left", stated Troy quietly.

"And, and, you have two children with one on the way?", asked Gabriella.

At this very predictable point in our story, a young girl about eight or nine runs up breathlessly. "Dad, I'm sorry, but Drew got away from me, but I see you found him. You little creep", addressing her brother, "don't scare me like that again", she finished.

"Amanda, don't talk to your brother like that", admonished Sharpay.

"Wait, wait, wait! You have three children with one on the way?", asked Gabriella, clarifying.

"Yes, we do", stated Troy proudly, while reaching his arm around Sharpay and pulling her closer.

"What are you, anyway, a broodmare?", asked Gabriella, wickedly.

"Gabriella", started Troy, slowly, trying to control his anger, "I think this reunion is over. You should leave now."

At that moment, Sandra's cell phone rings and she quietly answers it. "Ms. Montez, ex-excuse me? That was the airport. Your flight will be ready to leave in thirty minutes."

"Well, it's time we were leave anyway", Gabriella states with finality as she turns to Katie. "Katie, was it? Yes, Katie. Well, just give Sandra your address and I'll be sure to send you a personally autographed picture, not one of those photocopied ones."

"That's OK, ma'am. I think I've changed my mind about who my heroes are", states Katie coolly.

Gabriella and entourage exit without even understanding the meaning behind the exchange.

"Oh, Gabs, why do you have to be such a bitch, anyway? She could have been my greatest find", seethed Devon at Gabriella.

"I don't think she'd ever give up the life she has here for the life you two think you have", stated Sandra.

"What are you talking about, honey? I don't understand", asked Devon.

"And you never will", said Sandra, as she silently resolved to find herself a new job.

Meanwhile, back in the theater...

"Katie, why don't you help get everybody loaded into the van and we'll go have a celebration dinner at Denny's", said Troy, breaking the silence.

"Yea!!!", shouted three voices at once.

"Come on, you two, let's go", says Katie.

"Hey, you OK, Shar?", asked Troy quietly, when they're alone.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine", Sharpay replies.

"You sure. I mean, she's living your dream. Isn't she?", he asked nervously.

"Absolutely, not! I can't believe you'd say that. It...it might have been my dream at one point in my life, but not anymore. And besides, did you see her? Her lips are so large it looks like she fell in a bee hive and her breasts... well, let's not even go there. She hasn't even seen her own son in over a year. That's not the kind of life I want, not anymore, not ever. I love you, Troy Bolton. And I have never regretted my decision to stay here with you."

"How 'bout you?", Sharpay continues, after catching her breath. "It's been an awfully long time since you've seen her. She may be living what was once my dream, but she was your dream, wasn't she?" Now it was Sharpay's turn to be nervous.

"Maybe once, but thank heavens, for unanswered prayers", says Troy as he guides Sharpay out the door and towards the awaiting van. "Let's get to Denny's before the rest of cast eats all the food."

"Good, because you're last child, here", she says as she pats her stomach, "has a craving for Pecan pancakes."

The End

A/N: Anybody interested in knowing how they got to this point in their lives? How did Troy and Sharpay get together? How did Gabriella become such a bitch? Maybe I'll write a prequel, if you want.

Thanks for reading my very first story. I appreciate any comments, constructive or otherwise.

Oh, and the title was from an old Garth Brooks song. Lyrics follow.

Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks

Just the other night a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be.

She was the one that Id wanted for all times
And each night Id spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
Id never ask for anything again.

(chorus)
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because He doesn't answer doesn't mean He don't care
Some of gods greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
Inn her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the lord knows what hes doin' after all.

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good lord
For the gifts in my life.

chorus
Some of gods greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of gods greatest gifts are unanswered prayers