A LOT LIKE LOVE

Chapter One

We're Family

Jack Bolton hurried down the hall, sweat pounding off his forehead. His heart was beating like crazy, and he really felt like crying. He needed to cry, he needed to get it out. But he needed to find his son too. It was a matter of life and death. That was why he was almost running in the hallway, even though he was one of the teachers who always told the students not to.

He was always happy, and usually, when the students greeted him with a "Hi Coach Bolton!", he stopped to chat for a few seconds, but today he was in a hurry, and he came off kinda sombre. He didn't even have the heart to make fun of Mrs. Darbus, when he brushed past her in the hallway, he just continued with his huge steps, and his pounding heart, down the hallway.

He had to get to Troy. To Troy, to Troy, to Troy.

He found him talking to a lot of his team-mates, leaning against his locker, even though there was only about a minute until the break was over. He stopped in front of his son, and Troy could immediately tell that something was wrong.

"Dad?" he questioned, pushing Jason aside, to stand in front of his father.

"Troy…" Jack said, swallowing hard, "There's been an accident."

"An accident?" Troy asked, his eyes getting wide, "What do you mean, by accident, dad?"

"It's Tessa." Jack blurted out, "She was hit by a car."

Troy froze for a second, as he thought of the last words he said to his little sister. Or rather yelled at her. He told her to leave him the fuck alone when he was changing, and the 11 year old just found it funnier to annoy him when he didn't want her to. He couldn't imagine, right there, ever living without their arguments. And he knew so many people who'd cry their eyes out because of these horrible news.

"Is… is she okay?" Troy asked, as Chad padded him reassuringly on the back.

"She's in the hospital, getting surgery right now, or something." Jack said, "Your mom called, she wants us to come down there. She told me to bring the family…" he paused and breathed out, "So, I'll go start the car, and you get Sharpay, okay?"

"Of course!" Troy nodded, pushing his father away from him, and starting down the hallway towards the classroom where he knew Sharpay had French next. Chad followed close behind him, looking confused.

"The Ice Queen? Why do you need to get the Ice Queen?"

"I just do, okay!" Troy snapped, turning the corner, and brushing right through a sea of people, and into the classroom, which Sharpay also shared with Gabriella. Her face immediately lit up when she saw him, expecting him to come see her, but he walked past her, and stopped in front of Sharpay, breathing heavily.

She looked up at him, arching her well-shaped eyebrow, though affections were seen in her eyes, "What do you want Bolton?"

"Cut the act, Sharpay!" Troy quickly said, while starting to grab her stuff, and pull her from her chair, all the while ignoring the looks he got, "Tess was hit by a car."

"What!?" Sharpay shrieked, as she stood up, and her face fell, "Oh my God, Troy! Is she okay? Are you? What about your mom? Where's your dad? Are-are we leaving?" she questioned, as he grabbed her hand, and dragged her towards the door.

"We're going to the hospital, yes." Troy told her, but was stopped by Chad, who blocked the door.

"What do I tell Mrs. Darbus?" he asked, looking at Troy.

"Tell her I had a family emergency!" Troy said, using his 'I don't know, don't care'-tone.

"And what about the Ice Queen?" Chad asked, nodding his head towards Sharpay, who was standing close up against Troy, small tears in her eyes.

"Just…" Troy trailed off for a second, before getting his voice back, "Just tell her that the Ice Queen-" he stopped by the look Sharpay gave him, "…I mean Sharpay had a family emergency too."

"And tell Ry I'll be home later!" Sharpay quickly added, before Troy pulled her out of the room, and through the hallways, where they got some pretty odd stares, because it was unusual. Seeing the Ice Queen and the Basketball King walking through the hallway, hands linked together. It was weird.

Jack was waiting right outside, and Sharpay and Troy jumped into the back of the car, and he drove off towards the hospital immediately. The three of them felt like their world had just ended. They couldn't imagine, young fragile Tessa being in the hospital, they just wanted everything to be okay.

Troy and Sharpay had a weird friendship. They had been neighbours forever, and when they were 7 years old, they made the 'Messenger', as they called it, between their bedroom windows, which were right in front of each other. They started by sending messages to each other, and they still did it, because those kind of things just caught on. They also used to share a lot of basketball games together before Sharpay became too girly to want to engage in them, which caused Troy to be quite unhappy. But they made it work, though.

Their parents were old college friends, so it was natural for their kids to grow up together. And it was funny, because Troy, Ryan and Sharpay were the same age, while Tessa and Ashlee (Ryan and Sharpay's little sister) were the same age, and went to the same grade. Troy also had a big sister named Tatiana, who was currently not doing anything, except living home, saving money for an apartment.

Though Troy and Sharpay didn't spend much time together in school, they were best friends. It wasn't because they wanted to hide their friendship or anything, it was because it just went that way. When they started high school, the cliques immediately took over, and they parted ways. They spoke frequently, but Troy was busy with basketball, while Sharpay had enough on her hands during a musical production. But they were best friends, beside anything else, and they spent every Friday night together, during whatever they wanted to. It was implicit, but one of them always showed up at the other's front step.

And they were all so close, their families joined for dinner a lot, celebrated Christmases together and such, so this was a really big deal for the Evans family also. Plus, Sharpay had always been like a big sister for Tessa. She'd helped her when she needed advises for girly stuff, and Tessa was always so proud to brag about Sharpay to the other 11 year olds. Sharpay was like a famous person for the middle schoolers. They were in awe whenever they saw her at the mall, or went to visit Ashlee, and Sharpay walked by.

So, this, was for Sharpay a huge thing. She just wanted for Tessa to be okay. She wanted to get to the hospital, so they could hear about her condition, and she'd be able to go see her as soon as possible. She hoped she wouldn't have permanent injuries after this accident, but it was hard to tell, since they didn't know how bad it was.

Jack dropped Sharpay and Troy off by the entrance, to find a parking spot, so the two teens made their way into the hospital, hand in hand. They were greeted immediately by Troy's mother, Lucy Bolton. She enveloped them both in a huge hug, and that did it for Sharpay. She'd been trying to hold back tears, but the waterworks started as soon as Lucy wrapped her arms around her.

"How is she, mom?" Troy questioned, as he pulled back, and looked at his mother, worry across his face.

"She's almost done with surgery. It's not as bad as it sounds, it was something in her ankle, they needed to place something in it, I don't know the details yet, but I will soon."

"So, she will be okay, right?" Sharpay asked, arching her eyebrow slightly.

"She will, yes." Lucy nodded, stroking Sharpay reassuringly on her bare arm.

"What happened, anyway?" Troy questioned, unintentionally letting his fingers play with Sharpay's, since their hands were still linked together.

"She was crossing the parking lot at school." Lucy explained, as they made their way towards a group of free plastic chairs, very hospital-y, "And one of the parents, who'd just dropped a child off, didn't see her, and drove right into her. It sounds bad, but apparently, she was very lucky."

"God, I can't believe this…" Sharpay whispered, as she let tears stream down her pale cheeks, "This stuff is not supposed to happen! Well… not to family anyway. It always happen to other people, right?"

"I know what you mean." Troy said, putting an arm around her, "But don't worry Paypay, it'll work out, I promise. She'll be okay."

"Thanks Troy," Sharpay sniffed, placing her head on his shoulder, "You're trying to make me feel better, and I appreciate that, though there's no way you can possibly know that."

"Ah… I do try." Troy laughed, affectionately stroking her across the cheek, while planting a kiss on her forehead.

Lucy smiled at the two teens, because even though her daughter was just hit by a car, the look of her son being so gentle with a girl, was a sight she'd always love to see. And especially it being Sharpay. Not that she didn't like Gabriella at all. She loved having her son's girlfriend over, but nothing could top Sharpay. Gabriella was always trying to be too nice, and too perfect, while Sharpay would just be herself. But that was probably because they'd known each other for so long. Gabriella had only been Troy's girlfriend for three months. Since right after Twinkle Town.

Her smile got even bigger when she saw her husband come through the doors, and she ran towards him and hugged him tightly. He kissed her affectionately, and they sat down by Troy and Sharpay, who had comfort in each other, while resting their eyes.

Lucy looked up when three other members of their family came through the doors. Tatiana came in, and right behind her was Ryan and Ashlee. Apparently, they'd decided that being in school wasn't necessary. And Lucy appreciated that, especially for Tatiana to be there, because she was the older sister. And though Sharpay was much closer to the whole Bolton family, because she spent so many nights there, it was great to see Ryan too. And Ashlee of course, she was practically Tessa's best friend anyway.

Lucy sighed in defeat when she realized that Richard and Viola Evans wouldn't come. She hadn't expected them to, because ever since Sharpay and Ryan became old enough of to take care of themselves and Ashlee, they were never home. Right now they were away on business. They earned a lot of money, but were never home. So whenever the Evans children needed some family-time, they always stopped by for dinner at the Boltons. Which of course, they didn't mind.

They waited in the hospital for what seemed like hours, and when a doctor covered in white finally approached them, all 7 stood up, expecting the worst news ever. But they were all happily surprised, when he looked at them with a smile on his face.

"We were able to implant a screw on the left side of her right leg, and it will help her walk. If not, she mightn't have ever walked again. She has a few broken ribs, a huge concussion, and her left arm is broken in three places. But all in all, she got lucky. No permanent damage."

They all breathed a sigh of relief, and hugged each other, happy tears streaming down their cheeks. It was those moments a doctor lived for. When he got to bring happy news, and watch the family cry tears of joy.

"So… when can we visit her?" Tatiana asked, placing a comforting arm around Ashlee, as to protect the younger girl.

"Well… She is awake, but… I don't know if she's up for visits right now. Though she did ask for a Sharpay, if she was here. Is that one of you?"

"That's me." Sharpay said, taking a step forwards, "I don't know why she wants to see me, but I better go talk to her…" she turned to the rest of her family, "I'll be back in a few guys, and you can go talk to her."

Lucy nodded, smiling. She was a bit disappointed that her daughter wanted to see Sharpay first, but on the other hand, she knew the two girls shared a deep bond. Tatiana wasn't much home in the age where Tessa really 'grew up', of course she was only 11 years old, so she had a lot of growing up left, but in the beginning of school, Sharpay was really there for her, because she had some problems. And Tessa had always looked up to Sharpay, because she was a girly girl. Tatiana was a sports girl. Almost all her friends were guys, she didn't wear makeup, she had never worn a skirt, and she played basketball 24/7, much like her dad a little brother.

Sharpay hurried down the hall, and softly knocked on the door to Tessa's room. She hoped to make it quick, since she wanted Lucy to say hi to her daughter as well. She knew it had to be important for Tessa to ask for her first. It was probably a hair emergency or something. Sharpay always helped her with those.

By the weak sound of Tessa's voice, Sharpay creaked the door open, and peeked inside, her face curious. She was met by Tessa's expectant smile, and opened the door fully, with her approval. She closed the door behind her, and went to sit on the side of her bed. She tried hard not to stare too much at the scrapes and wounds across Tessa's face, but it was hard, because she looked horrible.

"Hey Paypay…" Tessa said, reaching her not broken arm out for a hug, which Sharpay returned, "I'm so glad you came."

"Of course I came." Sharpay said, smiling sweetly, "You're family."

Tessa's face got covered with a huge smile, as she leaned back in the bed again, "Who's here?"

Sharpay giggled slightly, and lay down beside her, their heads touching, "I'm here, you're here…" she paused, as she got a slap from the younger girl, "No, seriously, Ry's here, so is Ash, T, Troy and your mom and dad, of course. We're all here for you. Why do you ask?"

"Just wanted to make sure…" Tessa whispered, smiling at Sharpay, "…you want to know why I asked you to come in first?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, I do." Sharpay said, turning her head, to lock eyes with the small, fragile girl, "I was wondering about it, all the way down here from the waiting area."

"Yeah, 'cause that's such a long walk." Tessa sarcastically replied, arching her eyebrow.

Sharpay rolled her eyes, and shot her the 'I'm serious!'-look.

"Fine!" Tessa said, laughing, "I wanted to see you first… Because I had a – don't laugh – a small problem! And I didn't want to ask my mom or T for help this morning, so I was planning on asking you later when you went to visit Troy-"

"How did you-"

"Please, Sharpay!" Tessa cut her off, giggling, "You always visit Troy! And it's not the point… I kinda… I kinda got my period this morning, or you know.. I had it when I woke up!"

"WHAT!?" Sharpay shrieked, falling off the bed, "Your period! But you're only 11!"

"Apparently I'm developed early." Tessa said, her smile fading, "But I need help with all that feminine stuff now. I can't ask mom."

"Of course I'll help you…" Sharpay said, standing up from her position on the floor, "But you'll have to tell her eventually."

"I know," Tessa said, nodding her head, "But I want to get all this… hit by a car stuff out of the way, before I worry her more. You understand that, right?"

"Sure," Sharpay said, walking towards the door, "But I'll let your mom and dad in now, I'll be here tomorrow though, after school, I promise."

"Great," Tessa said, "I love you, Paypay."

"Love you too, Tess…" Sharpay whispered, before softly singing, "Easy living, killed the young dudes, in the high boots…"

"Teenage, in the pace age, that's when love burns, now it's your turn!" Tessa finished giggling slightly, as Sharpay made her way out of the door, and Tessa continued humming 'their' song, waiting for her mom and dad to get there.

--

Troy looked out of his window, as the familiar sound of the Messenger was heard. He stood up and approached the window, opening it, as he saw Sharpay waving from the other side of the hence. He took the little piece of paper out of the Messenger, slowly unfolding it, as Sharpay left her window, a smile playing on her lips.

He smiled at the words, neatly scribbled across the paper:

Pick up your phone.

And the minute he folded the piece of paper in his hands, his phone started ringing, with Sharpay's name flashing across it. He chuckled slightly at his dorky best friend, and flipped his phone open, wandering towards his window, "Could you be more dorky, Paypay?"

"Yes, I believe I could." Sharpay answered, waving at him, as she was once again back at her window.

He chuckled, as he watched her make a funny face, "Ah… I picked up my phone, what do you want?"

"Talk to you," she pouted, as she sat down by her table, turning on her computer, to start her homework, "Is that a crime now, or what?"

"No…" Troy quickly said, lying down on his bed. There was no use staying in front of the window, when she left too, "So, how are you feeling?" he questioned, throwing his basketball into the air, while his phone was caught between his shoulder and ear, "After everything that happened?"

"Honestly, I don't know." Sharpay replied, as she opened Word, and wrote her name on top of the paper – it was a science paper, "I'm glad she's okay, but Ashlee is crushed. I understand her, Tess is her best friends, had it been you, I would have stayed in the hospital during the night."

"Aw, you really love me that much, huh?" Troy teased.

"Shut up, Troy." Sharpay replied, giggling though, "Anyway… I wanted to get Tess something nice, so I figured.. Since she practically stole my Alphabeat CD, I went out and bought her one. Now she can listen to our song anytime she wants to!"

"That's great, Paypay…" Troy trailed off, smiling at his best fried, "She'll love it, I know."

"Ah, I hope so." Sharpay said, scanning through the assignment she was given. It had to be finished tomorrow, and she hadn't even started it. It was no surprise really – she hated science, "Troy?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you done the science thingy?"

"Yeah, why?" Troy questioned, letting basketball be basketball, and turning on his computer, because he knew Sharpay would be asking for pointers in a second, "You've done yours?" he asked – just for good measure.

"What do you think?" she sarcastically replied, cocking her eyebrow, though he couldn't see her, "Did Gabriella help you?"

"What do you think?" Troy mocked her, but then chuckled, "Of course she did. She's a genius at this. Do you want some help?"

"Do you think Gabriella would mind?" Sharpay asked, trying to be polite. It wasn't that she didn't like Gabriella, and visa versa, but she had some small adjusting problems. She didn't like the fact she wasn't the only girl in Troy's life anymore. She had to share him with Gabriella. Because their relationship was really close, and now he had that with Gabriella too.

Gabriella hadn't liked the fact that Troy was so close to Sharpay. It came as quite as shock to her after everything that went on during the winter musical. Sharpay had also really hurt Troy feelings, because she knew how much he liked singing, because he often did with her. She was just hurt – and really mad – that he didn't do it with her. She'd begged him so many times to audition with her, so Ryan didn't have to, but he always said he didn't want to sing public. And then he went on and did it with the new girl, that really ticked Sharpay off for quite awhile, and it took a lot of begging from Troy's side to make her forgive him.

And then when she did, she apologised to Gabriella, who had just been on her first date with Troy, and she was kinda taken aback by Sharpay's nice personality. And now they were friends – sorta. They got along, also because they had to. But Sharpay knew that Gabriella was uncomfortable with Troy and Sharpay's close friendship. So Sharpay had tried to tone it down for their relationship's sake, but it was hard, because she loved Troy so much, and she needed him.

"No, of course she wouldn't." Troy assured her, "She's your friend, Paypay."

"Ah, yeah, alright…" Sharpay whispered, "But do you think you can tell me just some of it, and I'll edit and add, so it looks like my own? I'm just not up for writing tonight.. with everything that's been going on."

"Sure," Troy said, "I'll just mail it to you, that's easier."

"Thanks, T.B." Sharpay smiled, as an email popped up on her screen and she clicked on it, opening Troy's paper. She scrolled through it, loving the comfortable silence they had between them. She could only hear Troy's breathing, and it was so calming. She loved everything about him.

The way they could just sit on the phone, listening to each other, not saying anything. Or when they sat on one of their beds, just staring at each other, just being together. She just loved him, it was as simple as that.

Right now she was ready to kill him though, because he did that weird thing with his breath again. She hated when he did that, it was so annoying, and it always freaked her out.

"Would you stop doing that!?" she snapped, as always.

"What?" Troy asked, as always.

"That thing with your breath. You're doing it again."

"I'm doing what?"

"You're taking a breath in, and then you don't let it out again, it's annoying. I think you're dead." Sharpay said, her voice shrieking.

"I'm sorry, but I do that when I concentrate!" Troy argued back, chuckling on the inside, because of her weird ways.

"Just… stop it, okay?"

"Stop breathing?" Troy questioned, "Gee, I didn't know you wanted me dead."

Sharpay scoffed, as she read through a line of his paper, "Just shut up Troy!"

The other end immediately got silent, and Sharpay was still for awhile, listening intensely to Troy's breathing. She was positive that he was annoying her, because he didn't let his breaths out again. He did it on purpose because he knew how much it annoyed her! She was ready to kill him now!

"Well…" Troy finally trailed off, giving in to her, after a good two minutes, where he had turned off his computer, and taken off his clothes, to be in his boxers, "I don't have a paper to write – or add and edit – so I'm going to bed. Are you up for a run tomorrow before school?"

"Yeah, of course." Sharpay said, forgetting the breathing-incident, since she knew she wouldn't win it, as she stood up to approach the window again, smiling as she saw him standing there, in the Tom and Jerry boxers she bought for him two weeks ago, and nothing else, "I'll see you tomorrow, Troy Bolton."

"Can't wait, Sharpay Evans."

She giggled slightly, and finished off with; "I love you, Troy."

"I love you too."

And I have absolutely no idea to where I'm going with this fic. Normally I have it planned out, but this is just for when I have time, and just for fun… so I'll see what happens. And feel free to give me suggestions and stuff, because I can be in need of ideas.

Tatiana is the name of my very annoying little sister, though her name is spelled with a 'j' and not an 'i', but I thought I'd give her some credit. She deserves it, though she's pounding on my door right now, wanting me to play a game with her, which I don't have time for. Alphabeat is one of my favourite bands, as some of you might have figured, since I use them in a lot of my fics. Their songs are hilarious. Listen to them. And also, that weird breathing thing? Yeah, I do that. One of my friends get so annoyed at me when it happens. It's like… when I concentrate really hard, I forget to breathe, and she always mock me with it, and tells me to stop, so I figured it'd be a fun thing to add to Troy's character.

I don't own High School Musical or 'Fascination' by Alphabeat – I just borrowed them.