Chapter 2
Troy watched as he saw Sharpay walk into the moon holding some other guy's hand, and felt a pang of jealousy, but it stopped when he realized that it was just a play. The curtains went down and the audience roared with applause. Now it was time for curtain call. First came all of the back up dancers, then Sophie's friends, Donna's friends, Sophie's fathers, Donna, and then, finally, Sophie. Sharpay looked so beautiful up on the stage, simply wearing khaki shorts and a white t-shirt. Troy saw her look out into the audience and motion for him to come up on stage with her. At first he was reluctant, but then he saw her smile. He was up there in a matter of seconds, standing there next to her, while she introduced him to all of the other cast members, including the director.
"Troy, this is Bill. He's the director here at the theatre." She turned to the older man standing in front of her. "This is Troy Bolton, he's the one that stole my lead in Twinkle Towne." She paused. "But, I've mostly forgiven him…he has a wonderful voice. Maybe he would be interested in performing with us?" she turned her head to Troy who shot her a smile and she winked back at him.
"Well, Mr. Bolton, since Sharpay believes that you have a great voice, you must, and you're welcome anytime, but right now, Sharpay has a solo to perform!" Troy looked at Sharpay with questions in his eyes.
"I always do a solo after every show. That's why no one has left yet." She motioned out to the audience who were all sitting there attempting to talk over the soundtrack music that was still playing. "Go sit back down, while I get ready." She kissed him on the cheek and then walked off stage right, back to her dressing room.
Troy sat back down and eagerly awaited Sharpay's big solo. He knew it was big, because everyone around him was talking about it. A few minutes later, the lights went down and music began playing. He automatically recognized the song as "Suddenly" by Ashley Tisdale. Then she started singing,
Suddenly I am in front of the lights
Everything, I'm feeling, is scary and beautiful at the same time
And everyday, I try just to breathe
I want to show, the whole world, the truth inside of me
Suddenly people know my name
Suddenly everything has changed
Suddenly I feel so alive
In the blink of eye…
My dreams begin to rain
Suddenly time, it feels like the wind
It changes everywhere I go
I'm just trying to fit in
Now here I stand
And I'm still just that girl
I'm following my heart
In this amazing, crazy world
Suddenly people know my name
Suddenly everything has changed
Suddenly I feel so alive
In the blink of eye…
Suddenly I am center stage
Suddenly I am not afraid
Suddenly I believe again
In the blink of an eye, it's happening now
As my dreams begin to rain
I want to say: Love Me For Me …What's inside
And I'll be Positive (Positivity), not runaway, So Much for You
This Is Life (It's Life)
(Instrumental)
Suddenly I am center stage
Suddenly I am not afraid
Suddenly I believe again
In the blink of an eye…
My dreams,
Begin to rain…
The crowd began applause as soon as the music was over. Sharpay just stood there, smiling, until everyone calmed down. Then she walked back up to the microphone. "Hello, my name is Sharpay Evans, and I am the President of Theatrical Performances here at Albuquerque Theatre of the Arts. I would like to welcome Bill Sanders out to the stage." She stepped back and let Bill take the stage.
"Hello, my name is Bill Sanders and I am the Director here at ATA. I have directed every show here for almost thirteen years, and I am proud to say that I have had this young lady right by my side the entire time. Ms. Evans has been in every show with me since I began and she was given the title of President at the age of thirteen, which is a very young age for a title like that." He motioned to Sharpay to come join him at the front of the stage, as she did. "Here at ATA, we put on four shows a year, tell us how many of those you have been the lead in Sharpay."
"I would say about fifty, Bill." She smiled and laughed at this whole thing he was doing on stage. Normally, he would say goodnight, and have a safe trip home. All of this was definitely not scripted at all.
"That's the most plays and musicals that anyone has ever been in here at ATA. Alongside this, Sharpay is also the President of the East High Drama Department, and we have a special guest here tonight to congratulate this young lady. Say hello to Ms. Darbus, everybody!" Sharpay turned and looked towards stage left and smiled at her beloved drama teacher. As soon as she reached center stage, Ms. Darbus enveloped Sharpay in a big hug and then took over the microphone.
"Back in January, we produced a show named TWINKLE TOWNE. This was the first show at East High that Ms. Evans was not the lead in. I know for a fact that the boy that stole her part is here tonight. Mr. Bolton, would you please come up here?" Within a matter of seconds, Troy was up on the stage and gave Ms. Darbus a hug, and then proceeded to hold hands with Sharpay, which made their teacher smile.
"Back in January, these two teens could not stand each other, but as you see now, they very much can. If you didn't already know, today is July 2, Ms. Evans seventeenth birthday. So, as a birthday present to you, Sharpay, I would like to present you and Mr. Bolton with the privilege of automatically being selected for the leads in this year's three musicals and plays." Sharpay screamed, and ran up to Ms. Darbus, giving her an excited hug. "Sharpay, would you like to say something?"
"Oh my god! You are the best mentor ever Ms. Darbus! Oh, and goodnight, and have a safe drive home, thank you!" She walked back up to Ms. Darbus and started to ask her what shows they were doing that year, but she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and looked into Troy's deep blue eyes.
"What? I don't get a hug?" he smiled at her.
"You didn't even know it was my birthday, mister. Why should you get a hug?"
"Because I'm so adorable. But, if I can't have a hug, then I guess I'll have to do this…" he leaned down and kissed her.
"I guess that works!" Sharpay had broken the kiss when she saw Troy's parents coming up on stage. Troy turned around to talk to his parents while Sharpay was talking to Ms. Darbus.
"You finally got him, didn't you Sharpay?"
"Yeah, I did." Ms. Darbus laughed when she saw Sharpay blush and smile.
"I am so happy for you, and I wish you two the best of luck." She smiled and walked away, but before walking completely out the door she turned around and yelled, "And great show tonight, Sharpay! The best I've ever seen."
Sharpay walked towards the edge of the stage and just stood there, looking out into the empty seats, until she was taken back into the real world with a tap on her leg. She looked down and saw a little girl standing there, smiling up at her. She bent down and spoke to her. "Well, hey. What can I do for you?"
"Are you Sharpay Evans?"
"Why, yes, I am."
"Can I have your autograph?" Sharpay was a little taken aback when the little girl held out the show's program with a picture of her on the front.
"Of course, what's your name?"
"Fiona."
"What a pretty name!" Sharpay signed her name on the program and then did her signature kiss. Good thing for lip gloss! She handed it back to the little girl and looked up to see her run off to her parents. She stood up and walked back over to Troy and his parents, who were all smiling at her. "What?"
"That was so sweet of you, Pay." Troy took her hand and kissed her on the cheek. "Just wait; someday there will be millions of people asking for your autograph."
"We'll see. You never know I could give up this whole dream, settle down, get married, and raise a few kids." She laid her head down on Troy's shoulder. "That would really piss my mother off after all the money my parents have spent."
"Have you never thought about doing both?" Lisa cut in. She figured that Troy and Sharpay would get married one day and she definitely wanted grandkids, but she wanted Sharpay to be happy also.
"I have but I don't think I would want to raise my kids around all of the hustle and bustle of LA or New York."
"Well, what about staying in Albuquerque and just commuting to the sets?" Sharpay could really tell that Lisa was going to make this happen.
"I also have to take into consideration that if, and when, I get married, it won't just be my decision anymore." She looked up at Troy and winked. Troy smiled back and began talking.
"Just speaking in general, I would want my wife to follow her dreams and do what makes her happy." He pulled Sharpay closer to him and kissed her on the cheek. "Just as I know that my wife would want me to be happy also. Oh, and just telling you now, I don't want to be one of those husbands who just sits around and does nothing because my wife is some famous actress/singer."
"I'll put you to work, don't worry." She smiled up at him until she noticed Jack clearing his throat.
"We better be going. It's getting late. Great job, Sharpay!" Jack said as he and Lisa walked out the door. Troy turned to Sharpay.
"So, what now?"
"First, I need to get out of these clothes. You can come back to my dressing room with me if you want." As they walked there, Sharpay just kept talking. "Do you want to go out to dinner or something after I change? I know a great place."
"Sure, sounds great… Wow, this is your dressing room? It's so you."
Sharpay placed her hands on her hips: "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you have great taste and I can't believe that we were ever not together." He leaned down and kissed her softly and leaned his forehead against hers.
"I love you, Pay."
"I love you too, Troy."
"I'm just going to change really fast and then I'll be ready." Sharpay said in between their current make-out session.
"Okay, I'll wait in the hall." Troy walked out into the hall and shut the door. About ten minutes later, the door opened and Sharpay walked out. "Ready?"
"Yeah." Just as they were walking out of the theatre, Sharpay heard her name being called. She whirled around and frowned at what she saw.
"Sharpay, I'm so sorry. I want you back." Chris yelled as he ran up to her. Troy subconsciously grabbed Sharpay's hand and pulled her closer to him.
"Chris, what are you doing here?"
"My family had tickets and I came with them. I was about to leave when I saw you onstage with this punk. It made me really mad." Chris crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Troy, but it didn't phase him any because he was used to Sharpay's glares and they were a lot worse.
"What's your point, Chris?"
"I want you back. And I'll fight this guy if I have to." He reached over and shoved Troy.
"I'm not going to fight you. And did you ever think that maybe she doesn't want you back?" The guys looked at each other and then Chris stepped forward and started kissing Sharpay. When she pushed him away, he was dumbstruck just long enough for Troy's fist to come in contact with his jaw.
Once Chris was on the ground, Troy and Sharpay left and got in the car. "Troy, you said you weren't going to fight him." Sharpay laughed a bit at the situation. Troy smiled at her.
"I never said I wouldn't punch him once if I needed to. No one messes with you or me." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Now, where is this super-duper restaurant that you would like to go to?"
"It's called 'Little Rivers' and it's at the corner of Main Street and Belt Line."
"Okay." Troy drove to the restaurant; they walked in and were seated. "What do you usually get here, Pay?"
"Umm… I usually get the fettuccini alfredo. It's really good." She set her menu down matter-of-factly and smiled up at him.
"That sounds awesome." He set his down too just as their waiter came to take their orders. Once the waiter had gone, Troy looked up at Sharpay. "Pay, I'm not necessarily asking you yet, but if I did ask you… would you marry me?"