Gossip (Bebe and Shar at first)

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe threw her legs over the drama club lunch table, her purple platforms making a case for bringing back disco. She had ABBA coming out of one earbud of her Zune - her philosophy was 'screw Apple' - at ten decibles, it seemed. She had a pained look on her face before rolling her eyes.

"It's seriously rumored that Darbus wants to do 'Mamma Mia' for our musical," she muttered to herself. "Seriously. Oh for the love of all that's holy."

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay walked in the cafeteria, immediately resulting to the sudden quietness of the place. When she looked around, the heads turned quickly away from her. She rolled her eyes and shrugged. She was already trying her best to be nice, but if they don't want it, then they won't get it.

She walked over to the drama club table, hoping to find Ryan there, but then again he has a new clique now. That's okay with her though, after all he promised to devote all his time after school to her, and he keeps his promises, unlike that someone she used to like. When she saw Bebe alone on the table, she smiled. At least this someone is not afraid of her, she could actually enjoy a real conversation this time.

"Hey Bebe!" She heard what she was muttering to herself, and she couldn't help but smirk. "Oh yeah, you heard Darbus' idea too, I guess." She sat beside her, not really wanting to eat. She just wanted to gossip for a while.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe rolled her eyes angrily. "It wouldn't be an issue if half of your stupid club had even heard of ABBA. They're asking me what 'Dancing Queen' is."

Bebe frowned. "At least I have Saturday to look forward to. There's no glitter in movies that aren't musicals. Or 'Blades of Glory', for that matter, but I digress." She smiled at Sharpay. "How's it going? Having a good first day?" She hoped her puffy eyes weren't visible. Jacob and Zeke and Chad and Zeke and Chad and Jacob and Chad... her head was reeling.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay rolled her eyes, knowing the feeling all too well. "Yeah, sad to say, half of my club I think just wanted to join out of fear. They were never interested in musicals." She shook her head, rubbing her temples slightly. "But I have to say, my club isn't stupid, just most of the members are." She said, slightly being defensive of her beloved drama team.

She looked at Bebe though, and notice that her eyes were red and puffy. She moved closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, you want to talk about it? You know I'm a great listener, even if I don't look it." She smiled at her reassuringly.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe sighed. "Remember my sister? How I was in love with her fiance? Well, Jacob called. Guess who wants out of the arranged marriage?"

Bebe realized that, to most people, this would be irrelevant news without the tidbit after it. "...He wants out because he's in love with me. And it helps that Zeke confessed his love for me THIS MORNING. God, Sharpay, why is it always ME?!"

Bebe slumped her head on the table. "And I want to try out for Mamma Mia, but I won't get a part, because I'm pathetic... too pathetic to even try out for one of the supporting roles. And my AP Physics for Engineering book broke. And I can't stop wondering about what would happen if I ditched school and ran to Jacob's house. And what I'm gonna do for my date with Chad."

Bebe was just... having an off day, obviously.

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay almost laughed out loud when Bebe mentioned about Zeke professing his love to her. "Zeke Baylor?! Wow, that boy bounces back fast." She shook her head, trying to keep the laughter in. She suddenly turned serious when she remembered what she said earlier.

"Wait...your sister's fiance wants to back out?" She asked her, her jaw dropping, "And wait...is it because of you? Oh my gosh, Bebe." She placed her arm gently around the girl's shoulder. She had always thought that having so many admirers would be so cool, but now, seeing Bebe in this state, she was glad she had scared all the other guys away.

"Well...I guess you will have to choose..." she said slowly, hoping this statement won't aggravate the situation more. "I mean, you would really have to think about it, I guess. How about we talk all about those guys one by one. Maybe I can help you decide." She offered, patting her shoulder lightly. She really wanted to help Bebe, it just isn't so like her to be in this state. She used to be the happy-go-lucky girl, and Sharpay wanted to see that girl back again.

[Bebe Tenko]

"Well... let's start with Jacob Cervantes." Bebe buried her face in her hands. "He's my age and it's safe to say that he's hot. I mean, seriously, if you had to choose between him and Johnny Depp, he'd win. His hair alone... God, the softest brown. And his eyes are so gorgeous..." Bebe blinked and her face soured. "Which makes it even worse that he wants me. Now! It's been years. Eighth grade! He's been engaged to my sister because of my parents and his parents' arrangements for five years, but he told me he's been wanting to break it off for two years... and didn't have the guts to tell me, because of all the trouble I got into because of Tamaran and him..."

Bebe shook her head and turned off the Zune. "To make a long story short, he's in love with me. I never got over him. Every night I dream about him." She paused. "Mostly cleanly. But I can't pretend that I haven't... never mind.

"I never dream about Chad, or anyone else - just Jacob. I don't want to go out with him, or ruin my parents' trust, or my sister's future... but something tells me she wants out, too. She won't say anything, but I sense it. She's been moody on this trip, and she's been talking a bit too much about her friend Eric for my parents' liking..."

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay has been listening intently. The story got more and more interesting. She couldn't help it, she loves juicy stories, but she made sure this one, she'll keep to herself. Or maybe she'd share it with Ryan, they never kept secrets from each other, anyway.

She nodded in agreement about her feelings, she understood them oh so well. She is in a complicated relationship herself, after all. But a smirked formed on her lips at the mention of her dreaming about Jacob, mostly cleanly. She shook her head lightly, as she was reminded of her own dreams about her own man.

She turned her attention back to Bebe when she heard Chad's name. "So, you mean to say, you still love Jacob, and your sister seemed like she doesn't like him? So what's the problem now?" She asked her with a smile. "All you need to do is talk it out, both with Jacob and your sister. The parents...you can all tell them together once everything is settled, right?"

[Bebe Tenko]

"You don't understand. I'm yakuza. He's banker. This could bring our families unending prosperity. It's not like Tony Montana marrying a coke mule. It's a matter of familial survival. Although... if he marries me, it doesn't make much of a difference," Bebe realized. "I'm still part of the Tenko empire. Hah. I just figured it out.

"But no... it wouldn't go over well. Jacob was supposed to move in with Tamaran when he turned eighteen, unless he declines to marry her. Thing is, he can't go for me without committing to living with me. You know how many questions - how many things - what my parents' answer will be? Arranged marriages are really complex. It's like heightened incest to mess with one."

Bebe rolled her eyes. "It also doesn't help that I can't WAIT to go out with Chad..."

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay couldn't help but shift uncomfortably on her seat when Bebe mentioned incest, and it also caused her to cough uncontrollably. She patted her chest as she tried to calm herself down. "So," her voice broke lightly due to the coughing, so she cleared her throat before she continued speaking, "it is complicated." She said simply, nodding. "I guess...I don't know anything about arranged marriages, so yeah." She shrugged her shoulders.

She suddenly chuckled at her next statement. "You know, maybe you should use Danforth for a while, as your distraction." She said, grinning. "Who knows? Maybe the afro guy can make you change your mind...although I highly doubt it. No offense." She said, shaking her head.

[Bebe Tenko]

"Maybe I should look at it as... putting off my destiny. Because I'm going to end up in an arranged marriage anyway," Bebe recalled angrily. "And if Jacob splits with Tamaran, the obvious choice for me would be him. My parents aren't Mensa-level. But I would give anything for Jacob... for a life, a year, a day... a night." Bebe blushed and coughed. "The hard thing now is gonna be not running over there and throwing myself onto him. I have to pretend I don't care... until he figures out what to do with himself."

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay simply nodded, knowing how hard that feeling is, to pretend that you don't care about a person, when in reality you just want to kiss him, hold him, and never let go. She didn't realize she was starting to daydream about her own situation, propping her chin on her hand and looking off.

She sighed, and suddenly missed Ryan's presence around her. Somehow, she could connect her own love story with Bebe's. Maybe because they both couldn't express their love freely, openly.

[Bebe Tenko]

"You're a really good listener, Miss Sharpay," Bebe realized. "A really good one. I didn't think you'd understand, but for some reason... I get the feeling you're going through the same thing."

Bebe fiddled with her shoes. "You and Ryan are definitely going to try out for Mamma Mia together, right? You guys are pretty good... but you have a nasal problem with your voice sometimes. But for this play, that isn't a big issue." Bebe was babbling and she realized it. "God... sorry, I'm just... everywhere today."

[Sharpay Evans]

Sharpay snapped out of her trance and looked over at Bebe when she heard her voice again. "Well, I try." She said, grinning nervously when she mentioned about her going through the same thing. She shook her head gently. "Not really...I just watch too many soaps on TV, so yeah." She quickly made up that excuse, glad that her brain was able to function fast enough.

She nodded, kind of excitedly when asked about the auditions. "Oh yeah, definitely. We're gonna be partners 'till our last musical in East High." She said, smiling. Though, her jaw dropped suddenly when she mentioned about a nasal problem. "I do not!" She protested, crossing her arms over her chest, the old Sharpay slightly resurfacing in her. But when she heard her apologize, she softened up in an instant. "It's okay. We all have those days." She said, nodding her head gently, and patting Bebe's shoulder.

[Bebe Tenko]

"I was just hoping it wouldn't be my first day of school, y'know?" Bebe laughed. She grinned at Sharpay. "Although... I'm really excited about my date. I know you don't... really like Chad."

Understatement of the year, Bebe thought sarcastically.

"But I think I need your help to look my best for this date. I really mean it," Bebe nodded, almost begging. "I want Jacob out of my mind, and I can't do it on my own. Can you help me look my best?" Bebe's eyes glittered with hope. "Please?"