The Aftermath {open for all}

[Sharpay Evans]

After the Mid-Summer Night's Talent Show, the Wildcats decided to celebrate the success of the performance and the start of a now drama-free summer at the golf course. And it was fun alright, even the sudden shower from the sprinklers wasn't able to ruin the night. In fact, it made the night more special.

For a while, Sharpay had forgotten the feeling that had bothered her earlier that night. That unusal spark she felt when her hands brushed against his after handling him the trophy; the flipping of her stomach when they hugged tightly; they were all forgotten as she enjoyed the night with her date for the night and that night only, Zeke.

But once everyone had calmed down and decided to sit on a sufficiently large blanket, care of Mr. Fulton, the memories of the earlier event came running back in Sharpay's head. When she took a glance at him, she felt her cheeks suddenly warming up. She was unusually quiet, nodding and laughing when necessary, but never talking that much, at least not as much as before.

She sat there and payed as much attention as she could to the conversations between her new real friends, and stealing glances once in a while at her brother.

[Gabriella Montez]

Gabriella was glad that's she'd have her first real summer after all. She sat, tucked in the arms of lover Troy Bolton, and closed her eyes. She remembered it all. The Albuquerque sunshine, the pool, the sprinklers, and the talent show.

But then, she couldn't help but notice that Sharpay was acting a little strange that night, considering the fact that her Sharpettes were just on the other side of the blanket. Gabriella had a knack for those things. Not only was she sensitive to herself, she was sensitive to other's emotions.

"Sharpay, are you okay? You look like you're scared or something." Gabriella asked, touching Sharpay's shoulder, which stopped Sharpay from looking around nervously. Gabriella gave her an assuring smile.

[Sharpay Evans]

Jumping slightly at the sudden touch on her shoulder, Sharpay quickly turned her head to that person, which is none other than Gabriella Montez. She quickly masked her shocked face with a smile, and shook her head at the question.

"Why should I not be okay, Gabriella? I've found new friends. And this time, for real." She said, smiling her genuine smile at the girl who was once her rival. "And as for the scared or something part, I'm just quite...shocked. You know, I've never had friends like these." She suddenly thanked her acting and ad-libbing skills for making her prepared for these kind of questions.

[Gabriella Montez]

Convinced by Sharpay's acting, Gabriella backed off gently, smiled warmly at Sharpay, and resumed her earlier position with Troy. She kissed Troy on the cheek gently. But then, she couldn't help but notice Ryan who was looking, no, staring down. He looked so solemn and sad. She gestured Sharpay to look at her brother, not knowing that one look at her brother made her heart break.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay caught Gabriella's look and she followed her gaze. As she saw her brother's face, she couldn't help but wonder why. He was happy, right? She was sure he was much happier than her, because he was actually the star of the night, for the first time. She suddenly felt something like a tugging on her heartstrings.

But then again, they're twins. Is he feeling the same thing as I'm feeling right now? She wondered. Or maybe he's just feeling lonely, because I'm feeling lonely as well...twin thing?. She sighed, not knowing that it will catch everyone's attention, which was the last thing she needed right now.

[Gabriella Montez]

"Are you sure you're really okay, Sharpay?" Gabriella asked, worried for her new friend. Gabriella faced Sharpay, with her feet under her as she shifted her position on the blanket. "Come on, Sharpay. You know you can tell me anything". She looked in Sharpay's eyes, exuding her sincerity.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay looked at Gabriella with her eyes wide, as if telling her "Not now, everybody's listening!" with her eyes. Then she suddenly smiled at everyone else. "No, I swear I'm okay." She said loud enough for everyone around them to hear, waving her hand for emphasis.

After she thought everyone else shrugged and resumed their conversations, she looked at Gabriella and mouthed "Tell you later" to her.

Even if in everyone's eyes, Gabriella was her enemy before, she knew she could trust the girl. After all, she seemed really sincere and really nice. And she really needed someone to share this thing with.

[Gabriella Montez]

Gabriella whispered something in Troy's ear, kissed him on the lips as if they've done it so many times, stood up, and dragged Sharpay to the poolside,not minding the Sharpettes who insisted on asking where she was taking Sharpay, where they were safe as 50 meters out of earshot.

Gabriella exhaled. "Sharpay, I've been really worried about you tonight. I mean, after everything you've been through. I know we were again off to a rough start, but times change, and should, starting now. Will you please tell me what's on your mind tonight?" She held Sharpay's hand and smiled at her again, as if to tell Sharpay, it's okay, you can trust me, everything's going to be alright.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay looked Gabriella over, as if deciding if she should really trust her but after some good 20 seconds, she sighed and let her mask fall down for the first time, in front of someone besides Ryan.

She sat on her pink chaise, motioning for Gabriella to take the one beside hers, Ryan's chaise. She looked at Gabriella and sighed for the third time that night.

"Gabriella Montez, if I tell this to you, you have to swear to not tell this to anyone...and I do mean anyone, not even Troy," She pointed, "or you'll regret it."

[Gabriella Montez]

"Gabriella Montez, if I tell this to you, you have to swear to not tell this to anyone...and I do mean anyone, not even Troy," She pointed, "or you'll regret it."

Sharpay must be really serious, Gabriella thought. Gabriella took a deep breath and exhaled.

She looked around. The pool was quiet, but little ripples from the summer wind had formed. Mr. Fulton's office was lit from the window, meaning he was doing some papers, or he fell asleep doing so. The surrounding was so quiet, rustling of leaves was even audible. No one seemed to be in sight eavesdropping on them.

She faced Sharpay and breathed again. It was a habit of hers to do so, ever since she was young, which kept her from being nervous, at least for the time being.

"Okay Sharpay. What do you want to tell me?"

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay looked Gabriella in the eye, and as she found sincerity in them, she took a deep breath. She thought of ways as to how to start telling her about the situation. She had thought of many ways, even creative ways, to tell Gabriella, without freaking the girl out.

And then she was ready to tell her. But as she opened her mouth, the only thing she was able to say was, "Ryan..."

[Gabriella Montez]

Gabriella looked at Sharpay, her eyebrows furrowed, as if to say, "What?" What could be taking Sharpay long to tell me what this is?, she thought.

She held Sharpay's hands again, and asked, "Ryan what?"

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay was confused, as to why Gabriella is confused. "Isn't it clear enough?" She asked her with an arched eyebrow, not realizing what she had said earlier.

Then she thought about it. "Wait, what did I say again?" She asked her.

[Gabriella Montez]

Gabriella looked at Sharpay again, still confused.

"What are you talking about, Sharpay? All you said was Ryan, and what isn't clear enough? I'm not getting the message. Sharpay, just tell me, you know I'll understand."

Gabriella looked at the night sky. It was dark, and it showed confusion, not knowing that it was the same thing that was happening in Sharpay's mind.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay suddenly felt embarassed at the realization. "Well, I'm sorry but I'm really confused as well...not with you but with myself." She said, furrowing her eyebrows. She placed a hand on her forehead and started rubbing on it.

"Alright, Montez. The truth is," she looked at Gabriella, making sure that she has her attention, "I think...I might have feelings for...Ry..." her voice suddenly cracked as she was starting to mention her brother's name.