Changed (Em and Bebe)

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma almost started to cry herself as she Bebe's eyes fill with tears. Emma smiled at her dear friend. She knew that Bebe was strong would make it through the pain. Emma watched as her attitude changed while she wiped away her tears. She became her normal quirky self that Emma loved. She laughed at Bebe's questions.

"Actually yeah, there are a few stories going around. One is that you got knocked up by Chad, another is you were busted by the cops with drugs, and my personal favorite, you decided to become a tough lesbian and had to drop out of East High because you were too in love with Darbus, and knew she would never return your desperate feelings." Emma tried to say this with as much comedic timing she had. She was never one to make people laugh, but she hoped Bebe would find it amusing.

"It's pretty ridiculous. Kids can make up some crazy things. But don't worry, Chad has been setting all the stories straight. He's been a class act guy." Emma giggled, remembering the first time she encouraged Bebe to talk to Chad.

"Oh and by the way...I made up the Darbus rumor. That's not really going around school." Emma winked.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe laughed hysterically as Emma told her some of the crazy rumors. Knocked up by Chad? Suddenly she was Juno MacGuff? Bebe didn't know if that was even a timely reference anymore... but on to being busted with drugs. How stupid. The school always said something when someone was busted for having drugs. There was a huge to-do. And since Bebe would never do drugs, there went that idea.

The Darbus thing was way too funny. Bebe laughed so hard that she began coughing and wincing in pain. She smiled through it, so as not to make Emma feel bad.

"That's a great one," Bebe admitted. "And I know Chad would do anything for me. ...Come to think of it, you're the one who encouraged me to talk to him. Back when I was a total freak with no friends."

Bebe thought wistfully of those days. The days with no Marco, but no Chad and no nobody. She'd thought Emma was stuck-up and rude. And she beat up Zeke.

Ah, memories.

"Well, I guess I had you," Bebe corrected herself. "And that's all I could ever want." Bebe looked at the flowers in the vase again. "How much homework I'm missing... God, there goes my GPA, but whatever. I like this much better."

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma laughed as Bebe was suddenly on the same page as her when thinking about Chad. "Yeah, I totally remember that day! I told you to go for it and talk to him. You were so nervous, it was adorable! That was after you helped me get that paint off of my costume...." Emma shook her head, while smiling. "Oh those lazy summer days...."

Emma glanced at the flowers she brought Bebe, when she saw her friend look at them. Emma kept her eyes on the flowers, as she listened to Bebe ask about homework. "To be honest, we haven't gotten a whole lot of homework. And honestly Bebe, I think the teachers would understand if you needed some time out of school. I mean you were freaking stabbed! I think that excuse will work." Emma nodded.

"Has anyone else from school dropped by?" Emma looked around the room, hoping to see some signs of wilted flowers or Get Well cards.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe winced at the idea of people stopping by. Emma wouldn't know, of course, that her parents tried to dissuade visitors as much as possible. I mean, to her, yakuza was probably code for "anime plot device" or "Daniel Dae Kim's character on LOST". Not something to be ashamed of, or something that required a whole different set of moral codes. Bebe could tell Emma was looking for signs of cards or other things - Bebe had gotten some of those. She jerked her head towards a desk by her television, where a great number of cards lay in a pile.

"My dad has no sense of setting things up," Bebe explained. "But Chad sends me all kinds of weird cards. Miss Gabriella has sent me a few... Ryan and Miss Sharpay have too. One of those cards is from the whole Drama department... don't worry, Miss Emma, people like me now." Bebe laughed. People! Liking her! What a thrill.

"They're all very nice," Bebe said. "I can't really talk on the phone - I mean, you're watching me right now, half the time I can't even talk without losing my voice or coughing or being in excruciating pain - so can you thank everyone for me at school?" Bebe paused for a few seconds, suddenly pensive. "I hope I'm all right enough for Prom."

What a stupid concern to have. But Bebe was concerned. And there was another thing Bebe was frightened about.

"Miss Emma? Are the people at the design studio mad that I cancelled on them?" Bebe inquired.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma glanced to the good sized stack of cards that were sent to Bebe. She smiled and was suddenly grateful for all the caring Wildcats. As she heard Bebe mention Sharpay and Ryan, Emma could feel her smile fade, as her anger boiled slightly in her. A flush came over her cheeks, as pictures of what had happened in the theater flashed in her mind. Emma still couldn't believe...Sharpay and Ryan....together. Eugh! Emma cringed slightly before returning her attention to her true friend in front of her.

"Don't worry Bebe. I'm sure you'll be up and back on your feet long before Prom. I mean, I'll be expecting to dance together and living up our Senior Prom!" Emma laughed. She was truly excited for Prom now, with her and Zeke on great terms again, and now with Bebe too. "I'll bet it will be an amazing night."

Emma suddenly remembered the other reason she wanted to come over, as Bebe questioned about the design studio interview. Emma shook her head. "No, they aren't mad at all. In fact, they send you their best regards. They told my mother that whenever you were feeling up to it, to set up another appointment. I guess they are really interested in you, Bebe!" Emma smiled, as she clapped excitedly.