Catching Up! (Emma and Bebe)

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe hoped that Emma remembered that they were supposed to eat lunch together today. Crossing her legs blankly, she smoothed out the folds on her Union Jack dress (yes, so nineties), wondering how Chad felt about Bebe ditching him today. He seemed to understand that friendship never ends, and if you wanna be my lover you gotta get with my friends and why was Bebe in a Spice Girls mood today?!

Bebe calmed herself down, breathing deeply and munching on a stale French fry. Cafeteria food was so DISGUSTING. She thought about just dumping the whole thing in the trash, but then she saw the brownie on her plate. The ONLY good cafeteria food - brownies. Bebe sank her teeth into the brownie, doodling a prop design for Mamma Mia and waiting.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma walked slowly through the cafeteria, seeing if she could remember which table Bebe said she would be at. Emma finally spotted Bebe and walked briskly over to her. Emma set down her lunch, an apple and a small turkey sandwich, and then clanked her purse down on the table. She pulled down the hem of her long sleeve green and blue striped shirt as she sat down. She crossed her legs, smoothing out her jeans, and then smiled at Bebe.

"Hey! Sorry it took me so long. I wasn't sure what I wanted for lunch." Emma grinned, as she opened her sandwich. "By the way, you look super cute today!" She loved complimenting Bebe because Bebe didn't have the ego that most people did that Emma knew. Emma didn't mind the ego of others, obviously she had one herself, but it was more fun telling those like Bebe. "So what are you drawing there?" Emma turned her head so she could see the picture better, as she slowly bit into her sandwich.

[Bebe Tenko]

"Oh! Hey Miss Emma," Bebe responded. At first it sounded like Gabriella was talking to her... Bebe was a bit spaced-out at the moment. "I'm designing a stage for Mamma Mia. See, there's a lot of numbers where the three main women perform on a stage... like Dancing Queen, and Mamma Mia itself. I'm trying to dream up a good stage." Bebe scooted the half-finished drawing over to Emma, taking another bite of her delectable brownie.

"Thanks for the compliment, by the way," Bebe smiled uneasily. "Earlier that Marco jackass was making fun of it... God I hate being in Homeroom with him."

Bebe made a face, a cross between utter hatred and homicidal mania. But, just as soon as it'd started, she was back to normal. "So, how's life going? I mean, you seem so happy, like you're your own person now... not living in shadows, like you told me in the laundry room." Bebe laughed as she remembered how ridiculously stereotypical each of them had been: Emma was the giggly prep, Bebe was the gangster. Things were different now, obviously.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

"Wow! That's really good, Bebe!" Emma said, looking at Bebe's drawing. Bebe really had a talent for this sort of thing. Emma was impressed. She quickly took aother bit of her sandwich, when Bebe mentioned Marco. She didn't feel like expressing her still romantic, or lustful, feelings towards Marco. Emma nodded and laughed slightly at Bebe's statement. "Yeah, life is different out of the shadows these days. I will still say I'm always going to be in a part of Sharpay's shadow, but I really don't mind. Her and I have been bonding recently, and it's been nice. And then of course, Zeke." Emma blushed slightly thinking happily of her boyfriend.

"I would have never guessed in a million years that Zeke and I would be a couple." Emma said. "But sometimes the unexpected happens, right? But life is pretty good right now." Emma laughed. She took another small bite of her sandwich and nodded slightly to Bebe. "How about you? How are things for you?" She was glad her and Bebe finally got this time together. They hadn't had any real bonding time since that night at Lava Springs.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe's brownie fell out of her hand and into her plate. She couldn't BELIEVE what she was hearing. Zeke... and... EMMA?! No WONDER Zeke wouldn't tell her about it in Home Ec - the idea of Bebe's two best friends seeing each other wasn't an easy one to stomach.

Bebe coughed a little. "Sorry... a little... surprised. You and Zeke? That's GREAT, but... kind of weird at the same time, seeing as I consider you two to be... my best friends." Bebe was smiling, though. She really wasn't mad about it. Just... a little taken aback.

"Although I can definitely see it. You two are skin-tone compatible. You both look good in yellows and reds," Bebe rattled off. One of the most important skills she'd ever learned from set design - color coordination and skin-tone compatibility.

"Thanks, I'm doing pretty good myself," Bebe noted. "Chad and I are doing really well... no drama at all! I'm shocked, myself..." Bebe laughed, scratching her head. "I mean, I say the weirdest things sometimes, but Chad loves me for it... which is weird."

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma laughed at Bebe's response. She knew it would be weird for people to hear it, but she was happy, and was glad Bebe could support her in it. "Yeah, I would definitely say we are skin toned compatible. It's justa gift we both possess." Emma winked at Bebe, and laughed. It was so nice being able to talk openly and have a good time with her friend. Emma rarely had friends like this. It was mostly just Sharpay and the other two Sharpettes. She actually had a real friend. Emma smiled sweetly at Bebe as she listened about her and Chad.

"Oh, no drama, that's a great thing!" Emma said nodding. "Of course he loves you for your sayings and your personality. Bebe, you are so one in a million. How could Chad not love you?" Emma said. "So tell me about this guy you were starting to talk about in detention? This guy is chasing you or wants you back or something?" Emma asked leaning back in her chair. She grabbed her apple, and took a large bite out of it, waiting to hear this story.

[Bebe Tenko]

"Ugh... God," Bebe scowled. "Don't EVEN get me started on him..." Bebe sighed before looking at Emma. "Well, before I went to East High, I was in love with a family business partner, Jacob Cervantes. He was my age. Smart, handsome, really sympathetic. I thought he cared about me...

"And to some degree, he did. But the company meant more to him, and he let his parents arrange a marriage for him. It would have been better for me if it wasn't to my older sister Tamaran." Bebe muttered something angrily before continuing. "Well... unfortunately, one day... I snapped. Remember at the sleepover, when I was telling you about the one time I beat my sister? The reason I did was Jacob. She stopped talking to me and my parents shipped me away from my private school and dropped me here."

Bebe bit her lip, unsure if she wanted to continue. But it was Miss Emma - Emma, who'd never let any of her secrets be known. So she continued. "I didn't talk to anyone because I was afraid they'd hurt me like Jacob and Tamaran. But this summer... things really looked up. I met you and Zeke and Sharpay and... I finally got the nerve to forget Jacob and go with Chad. And I'm so much happier for it!"

Bebe's face darkened.

"But two weeks ago Jacob called me. Said he moved into his old house, that the engagement was off, and that he wanted me. ME. Well... that kind of threw me for a loop. So I'd been kind of... avoiding people... until I got it sorted out. Which was a bad move, because Zeke started to hate me. But I talked to him, and everything seems cool now..."

Bebe poked at some quivering gelatinous blob on her plate, afraid of what it actually was. She finally looked up to Emma, hoping that she didn't laugh out loud. It sounded so ridiculous, now that Bebe thought of it.

"I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid, like come here, to the school," Bebe whimpered. It became clear that this was her worst fear - seeing him again. It would send her over the edge, as it seemed. Her hands shook nervously as she proposed the hypothetical. "Because... if he did... I don't know how I'd react... and I could ruin everything I fixed at Lava Springs, all for a few hours' bliss."

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma's jaw dropped slightly as she listened to Bebe's story. It was just so sad. She had truly gone through so much heartache at such a young age. Emma suddenly felt bad for always worrying about the petty things in her life, when people like Bebe were going through so much more. No wonder Bebe didn't want to open up to people, she must have been emotionally drained after all of that! Emma was just glad she was here to let Bebe talk to someone about it. It was never good to keep anything bottled up.

Emma reached her hand across the table, and placed it on Bebe's arm. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Bebe. I can tell this has been a really challenging time for you. I just wish there was more I could do for you. I mean, being in love with Jacob, and then having him arranged to marry your sister? I would go crazy too. And then having him want you back now after you seem to get your life back on track? It's just so confusing." Emma said shaking her head slightly, and taking another large bite from her apple.

"I definitely know the feeling of not knowing how to react to people or situations. I know this isn't the same as you and Jacob and Chad, but..." Emma stopped. She felt foolish for admitting this to Bebe, but hey, they were being open with each other right now. "I know I love Zeke, but I can't help but feel feelings for someone else." Emma did not want to admit that it was Marco. She knew how Bebe felt about him, so she would just keep him nameless. "I don't know the guy too well, but I'm really attracted to him. I just feel bad because I have Zeke, and I don't want to mess things up." Emma said, taking another bite from her apple.

At least, I think I don't want to mess things up.....or do I?

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe smiled weakly through a mask of tears. Emma was such a great friend, Bebe wondered how she ever did without her. Then Bebe recalled that she didn't do without her. She just ambled about, punching annoying freshmen.

"I know this is gonna sound so bad, Miss Emma, but..." Bebe swallowed her spit. "Sometimes it's better to stick to the status quo. Troy and Gabi can sing all they want, but it doesn't change the fact that some things are better left unchanged. Like relationships. You don't give up for the what ifs."

Bebe realized she'd answered her own issue with a grin but a guilty conscience. She'd broken the status quo to get her boyfriend. She'd have to break it to keep him. Status quo was a strange thing, indeed.

"Status quo is a weird concept," Bebe murmured. "Isn't it? And don't worry about liking another guy while dating Zeke. Your feelings for Zeke will win out... because you two are perfect for each other."

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma nodded as Bebe gave her the advice. She knew she didn't want to break things off with Zeke, but she felt that he was getting the short end of the stick if she couldn't only keep her eyes on him. She smiled in appreciation to Bebe, determined to not let Marco sink his claws into her, and take her away from Zeke. No matter how good looking, charming, muscular, confident, or sexy he seemed. No, it was just Zeke from now on. Emma suddenly seemed just as confused as before. She shook her head trying to rid her thoughts of Marco.

"Yeah, status quo is weird. It makes sense but it...doesn't." Emma said shrugging. "And thanks for saying that about me and Zeke. We are just a fun loving couple. The other day we went to his house and we ended up having a food fight. It was crazy." Emma laughed, as she thought about that. Zeke was so fun and sweet, and he obviously loved her. Emma blushed slightly thinking of all the times she and Zeke kissed and more. It was so innocent but enjoyable. She knew now that she did really love Zeke.

[Bebe Tenko]

"A food fight." Bebe rolled her eyes before laughing hysterically. "Man, a FOOD FIGHT? THAT sounds like a relationship worth pursuing, eh?" Bebe flipped to another page of her notebook and started scribbling. "I'm just kidding... I think that's great, that you can be so innocent. Cuz too often relationships are just a guy trying to stick his hand up a girl's shirt as many times as he can before getting bored with it. I know it sounds cynical, but... well, I have no real reason to trust boys. Obviously."

Bebe winced as she said this. It was true... sometimes she didn't even trust Chad. She was naturally suspicious, and felt so alone so often that suspicion was just a part of life. If Bebe let it get to her, she'd be nothing but a worrywart. It was a what's worse situation.

"You know, Miss Emma, I'm only the set designer, but I'm gonna submit a costume design to Darbus," Bebe admitted. "Do you want to see it?" She tapped her pencil against her notebook.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma nodded. She knew too well how the male mind worked. She was often persued because of her looks and her status with Sharpay for just one thing. She sighed as she remembered all the crazy boys calling her and chasing her because she was cute. Emma placed her chin in her hand as her mind began to process this. Boys. Chasing her. Definitely hot boys. Chasing.....her. Because they thought she was....cute. Wait, why was this a bad thing again? Emma furrowed her brow as she tried to remember why hot guys chasing after her was so bad. She shook her head before she got too confused and carried away with that thought.

She shrugged, as she suddenly heard what Bebe said. "Of course I want to see it!" Emma was definitely a sucker for costumes. She LOVED anything with costumes from different time periods and different classes of people. It was so interesting how to tell someone just by the way they dress. She eagerly waited for Bebe to pull out her sketch, also because she loved Mamma Mia and wanted to see what Bebe had envisioned for costumes.

[Bebe Tenko]

Bebe turned a slight shade of pink. "Well... this costume is special to me, you see. Please don't laugh at it..." Bebe hesitated before turning the design to Emma.

It was a cocktail dress, with only one sleeve. The strap fell from the left shoulder to rest above the faceless model's breast. The sleeve was pinned with a diamond-faceted flower brooch, and the dress itself appeared to be shiny, made with a silvery, light blue material. It hugged the model's thighs and cut off right above the knees. It was obviously designed for a tall girl, so that it could show off lanky limbs. Bebe shyly tapped the model's neck with her pencil, where a small silver chain was evident.

"Miss Emma... I designed this for you to wear. I don't know what character you'll end up being, but all I know is that you'd look amazing in a dress like this," Bebe finally spat out, almost afraid of what she was saying.

[Emma the Loyal Sharpette]

Emma gazed down at the beautiful dress Bebe was showing her. It was one of the best costumes Emma had ever seen. She traced a finger on it slightly, longing to be able to wear a costume like that. The beautiful color of the material she had drawn for it, the flower brooch connected with the single sleeve, and the the cut and style of the dress just made it so classy, but still fun at the same time. Emma tilted her head, knowing Sharpay would be the lucky girl to wear this dress for the show. She sighed sadly knowing it would never be her's.

Emma's head shot up and looked at Bebe when she said it was her! Emma's face broke into a huge grin, as she practically threw herself on the table to reach Bebe and hug her tightly. "Oh Bebe, really? Did you really design this for me? It's the most beautiful, gorgeous, just absolutely stunning dress I have ever seen! I was going green with envy of the girl who got to wear this, but knowing it's me? Wow." Emma plopped back down in her chair, just imagining herself on the stage in that beautiful dress, singing her heart out. Suddenly, it didn't matter to Emma what part she got, she just knew she loved this dress. "Thank you Bebe. I don't think anyone has ever designed such a perfect costume for me. It's absolutely wonderful." Emma said, once again looking down at the sketch of the dress.

[Bebe Tenko]

"Every year..." Bebe began before cutting off. But then she regained her voice. "Every year I design one costume for every person who ends up in the play. Most of the time they don't get chosen, because the costume designer is always some happy preppy girl who hates me based on principle." Bebe muttered to herself angrily for a few seconds.

"But this year will be different!" Bebe assured herself. "I KNOW the costume designer will be a good person. I can just feel it in my gut!"

Bebe smiled widely before flipping the page. "See, I designed THIS one for Sharpay."

It was pastel-pink, with small blue rhinestones going up the dress' hemline. It was strapless, with a bunched skirt at the bottom that reached the knees. Rhinestones peppered the heart-shaped neckline, and a gigantic black heart pendant was hung around the model's neck.

"I think the necklace kind of works for Sharpay," Bebe mused. "But Ms. Darbus didn't really like it."