Fic: Not Enough (Gabriella/Sharpay) Part One
Title: Not Enough
Author: maria1229
Fandom: High School Musical
Pairing: Gabriella/Sharpay
Category: Angst, Femmeslash
Rating: PG13
Word Count: Part One 3,827
Summary: For the first time in days, Sharpay wasn’t yelling at her, but Gabriella wish she was. She’d rather have Sharpay yell than listen to the words that were coming out of her mouth right now. She knew what was coming.
Notes: Thanks to frances_veritas for the beta. She's the best. :-D
Disclaimer: High School Musical is a property of Disney. I do not own any of these characters, I just like playing with them. :-)
Part One
Gabriella keeled over trying to catch her breath. Her leg muscles were burning and her heart rate was rapid. She felt like her lungs were on fire. So this is what dying feels like, she thought, gulping for air. When Troy had asked her to hang out today, Gabriella actually thought they’d go to lunch or maybe head to the mall. She should’ve known better because Troy’s definition of hanging out varied from the rest of the world. He wanted to work out and run laps around the entire state.
Gabriella started to see spots when she heard Troy jog back to her. He was already half way across the park before he realized that he no longer had a running buddy.
“Come on, Montez, only a few more laps. Suck it up!”
She looked up and gave him her best “I’m going to rip your balls off” death glare. “You know if I wasn’t dying right now, I’d wring your pretty little neck.” She took another deep breath, trying desperately not to pass out.
Troy laughed still jogging in place. “Yeah, you’d have to catch me first. Come on, loser. I didn’t think you were this out of shape.”
Gabriella couldn’t take it anymore. Her legs gave out and she fell down on the grass. She mustered up the strength to kick Troy in the shin.
“Ow! That hurt!” He clutched his shin, jumping up and down in pain.
“I am in shape! No normal person jogs a gazillion laps for fun!” She sat up and pulled Troy down to sit next to her. “And plus, I told Sharpay I’d meet her later. I can’t very well do that if I’m dead from all this running.”
Troy wasn’t listening but instead was looking at the spot where she kicked him. “Aw man, that’s going to leave a huge bruise.”
Gabriella shook her head and shoved him. “You’re the biggest baby I know. Put ice on it or something. And plus that doesn’t make up for all the oxygen that I lost during this ‘small jog.’” She put her fingers up in air quotes and glared at him again.
“Twenty laps is a small jog for a Wildcat!”
“Oh don’t give me the Wildcat bullshit speech again. I have to get home and shower.” Gabriella tried get up but realized her legs had cramped. “Son of a bitch, I can’t move my legs.”
Troy stood up and held out his hands to help her. “Who’s the baby now?”
Gabriella took them and heaved herself up to stand. “You still are. Now carry me home.”
He shook his head and turned around to let Gabriella climb on his back. He piggyback rode her all the way to her house. “Wait, did you say you’re going to hang out with Sharpay later?”
She wrapped her legs around his midsection so she wouldn’t slip. “Yeah, why?”
“I thought she was working on the musical today.”
She looked at him confused. “Why would she be working on the musical on a Saturday? I thought only the directors and producers work on the weekends.”
Troy shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, but that’s where Ryan is right now. See, he was the one who originally was supposed to work out with me. When he said he was busy with the play, I called Chad. But he was hanging out Taylor, so I called you.” He waited for the smack, kick, or pinch he knew would come.
“I’m glad to know that I was your last resort.” And as expected, Gabriella smacked him on his head.
“Hey now, I can easily drop you and make you walk home.” Troy let go of her legs so she was only hanging on to his neck.
“And I can easily choke you if you don’t.” He laughed and he held on her legs again. “So, want to drive me to the school later?” She asked him innocently.
“What am I? Your chauffer?”
Gabriella thought for a second. “No, you’re my bitch.”
“Well since you put it that way, then sure. But won’t Sharpay be really busy with the play and everything? Why don’t you just hang out with me for the rest of the day?” He turned his face and showed her his best puppy look.
“And run more laps? No thanks, plus I feel like I haven’t hung out with Sharpay in weeks. Ever since the play started up again, we barely see each other.”
“Aw, does Gabriella miss her girlfriend?” Troy teased her using an annoying baby voice.
“You know, Troy. You shouldn’t insult me when my foot is this close to your balls.” Gabriella moved her foot making Troy drop her. She landed, thankfully, on her feet.
“Geez, woman! Watch where you aim those things!” He protectively covered himself.
”Calm down, I was just joking.” She jumped back on his back. “Now onward, slave.”
Gabriella did miss Sharpay. She hadn’t really thought about it, but she couldn’t remember the last time the two of them were alone. They were always at school or hanging out with a group of people. As much as Gabriella loved hanging out with her friends, Sharpay always acted different around them. She hated public displays of affection and often got annoyed when Gabriella tried to hold her hand or put an arm around her. It didn’t really bother her because Sharpay would make up for it when they were alone. But now since the musical started again, Gabriella knew that Sharpay would be in rehearsals until late every weekday. That meant she wouldn’t ever see her.
Gabriella didn’t know why Sharpay had to be at the school now. She was really looking forward to spending time with her.
Troy drove Gabriella to the school complaining the entire way how he had nothing to do for the rest of the day. Gabriella ignored him when they entered the auditorium and a smile immediately crept on her face seeing Sharpay on stage. It was in a way Gabriella had never seen before. It looked like a small tornado had hit it. There were props and set pieces scattered everywhere. Sharpay was in the middle, holding a megaphone to her mouth, and barking out orders to everyone.
“No! I want this piece over here so the shadow from this piece won’t cover it!” The poor soul that Sharpay yelled at immediately did what he was told, but apparently did something wrong as she yelled again. “No! Do you not understand simple English? Over there! Oh, my God, everyone take five!” There was a sound of exhales and everyone scurried off the stage away from her. Sharpay went to the edge and sat down pinching the bridge of her nose.
Gabriella’s smile continued to grow as she walked down the aisle towards her. “Rough day?”
Sharpay looked up in surprise. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. I thought we had plans today.”
Sharpay stood up and got off the stage. “I thought I told you I had to be here.” She sounded frustrated.
Gabriella followed her. “No. And what are you doing here anyways? I thought you only had rehearsals on weekdays.”
“Um, the director has to be here everyday.” Sharpay pointed out sardonically crossing Gabriella to get to her bag.
She stood there a bit confused and wracked her brain, trying to remember if Sharpay ever told her about this. She couldn’t recall a time they ever even talked about the musical other than the fact that Sharpay was going to be in it. “Director? Since when did you become the director? You never told me this.” She wasn’t accusing her but asked it out of pure curiosity.
Sharpay took a water bottle out from her bag and took a sip from it. “Do I have to tell you everything?” She muttered but Gabriella heard her.
Gabriella was a little surprised at her behavior. She knew Sharpay was frustrated with everyone on the set but she hardly ever took it out on her. In fact, Gabriella was always the one person Sharpay was never mad at when she got annoyed with everyone else. She treaded carefully because a mad Sharpay was like a ticking time bomb. She remembered when they went to a restaurant and they didn’t have their reservation. Sharpay bitched out the maître’d and almost brought him to tears. She made Medusa look like Miss America when she was mad.
“No, but being the director is a big deal. I know how much you wanted it, so I thought you’d tell me.” She put her hands in her pockets and shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, I made director.” Sharpay walked back on the set. “And I did not expect to work with this team of incompetent idiots!” She yelled around the empty stage but she could see people scurrying from behind the curtains. Gabriella heard someone clear his throat from somewhere in the auditorium. “Except for you, Ryan!”
“Thanks, sis!” Ryan’s voice came from backstage.
Sharpay turned and brought her attention back to Gabriella. “I actually have to get back to work, so I’ll talk you some other time, okay?” She started to walk back to the center, calling people back to work.
“Wait, can’t we hang out once you’re done here?”
“I’m going to be here until very late.”
Gabriella looked around trying to assess how much work actually had to be done today. “Well, I’ll just wait here then.”
Sharpay let out a frustrated sigh walking back to edge of the stage. “Why don’t you just hang out with Troy for the rest of the day?” She looked over at Troy who was climbing over the seats trying to appease his boredom.
She stared at Sharpay wondering why she was trying to get rid of her. If she didn’t know any better, it seemed like Sharpay was mad at her.
“Do you not want me to be here?” she finally asked.
Sharpay groaned a little. “No, it’s not that. Gabriella, I’m really busy and…” She bit her lip. “Fine, you can stay here if you want, but you’re going to be really bored.” With that Sharpay left Gabriella and returned to work.
She just stood there bewildered on why Sharpay acted the way she did. She knew she was stressed but she couldn’t think of a good reason why Sharpay just treated her like one of her little workers in the play. Did she miss something?
“So are you going to stick around, because I really don’t want to stay here?” Troy came up behind her breaking her from her thoughts. He took a piece of wood that was laying on stage and started playing with it.
Gabriella scratched her head still trying to figure out Sharpay’s behavior. “Yeah, you can leave. I’m staying until Sharpay’s done.” She took the wood away from him because he was now using it like a sword.
“Okay, well I’ll see you later, then.” Troy started to walk out of the auditorium but turned around and yelled, “Hey, Ryan! Meet me at Chad’s later tonight when you’re done. Guys’ night!”
“Alright! I’ll see you later!” Ryan’s voice boomed from the still unknown part of backstage. Gabriella shook her head in amusement and took a seat in the middle aisle watching Sharpay and the rest of the drama club work on the set. She absolutely admired Sharpay’s devotion to the theatre. She was a true Thespian as well as a stagehand. Although Sharpay never really lifted a finger during the actual set up, the drama club would be absolutely lost without her direction.
Sharpay was right. Gabriella started to get extremely bored just sitting there with nothing to do. She actually dozed off making three seats a make shift bed. She woke up when she heard someone yell Sharpay’s name. Gabriella watched a brunette girl she’s never met before run up the stage carrying an armload of various things.
“So sorry I’m late. There was a long line at the fabric store but I got you the material that you wanted.” The girl handed Sharpay a large bag filled with what Gabriella could only assume was the fabric.
Sharpay’s face lit up when she saw her. “Oh my God, thank you so much. I swear you’re the only one reliable here, Christine.” Christine smiled, putting the rest of the things she was holding on the ground.
“I also got you some coffee.” She pulled out a Starbucks cup from what appeared like nowhere and gave it to Sharpay.
Sharpay’s eyes brightened when she saw the coffee and gave Christine a huge hug. “You are my savior. I’ve been craving caffeine all day. Seriously, what the hell would I do without you here?”
Christine put her finger to her chin in thought. “Oh suffer endlessly, no doubt.”
Gabriella felt a twinge of jealously watching the two converse. She had no idea who the hell this Christine girl was and why Sharpay was acting all nice to her. She knew Sharpay hated tardiness and she seemed like she was really late. Gabriella had been there for almost two hours and she had just gotten there. If it were any other person, Gabriella knew Sharpay would have yelled until she lost her voice.
Gabriella noticed how Sharpay suddenly became happy and less frustrated when Christine arrived. She was smiling and actually laughing. Gabriella became increasingly annoyed with Christine and how she giggled hysterically at everything Sharpay said. She felt a strong urge to rip Christine’s arm off and beat her with it when she kept touching Sharpay every chance she got.
Who the hell is this bubbly little princess and why does she keep touching Sharpay? Seriously little girl, stop touching my girlfriend!
“Alright everyone take ten!” Sharpay called another break before she disappeared backstage. Christine followed her.
Gabriella almost yelled out but stopped herself. Thankfully, Ryan finally came out from wherever the hell he was and kept her company.
“Hey, I can’t believe you’re staying here until we’re done.” He climbed the seats just as Troy did earlier and plopped himself down right next to her.
“Yeah, well I really wanted to hang out with Sharpay.” Gabriella’s eyes were glued to the stage waiting for Sharpay and Christine to come back out. “Who’s that girl?”
Ryan followed her gaze. “What girl?”
“The girl who followed Sharpay backstage. I’ve never seen her before.” She tried to sound as casual as she could.
“Oh, you mean Christine? Yeah, she just joined the drama club. She’s one of Sharpay’s many slaves,” he cleared his throat. “I mean P.A.s”
Gabriella laughed. “P.A.?”
“Production Assistant,” he clarified. “I’m the A.D. Assistant Director.” He stuck out his chest and smiled proudly.
She smiled as well. “That’s awesome.” Gabriella was extremely happy for him but her newfound interest in Christine stopped her from congratulating her friend. “So how come I’ve never seen this girl around?”
Ryan looked at her suspiciously. “She’s actually a Junior-”
“A Junior?!” She asked incredulously. “Sharpay’s actually being nice to a Junior?”
He chuckled. “Yeah I know, but apparently she’s really good at what she does. I mean she’s the only one that doesn’t bug the crap out of Sharpay.” He looked at his watch realizing that the ten minute break was almost done. “Alright I should get back before Sharpay flips a bitch. Here,” Ryan reached in his back pocket and handed Gabriella his iPod. “So you have something to do while you wait.”
Gabriella took it and smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Ryan.” He smiled at her before he went back to the stage. She watched everyone get back to work and Sharpay and Christine coming out laughing. Gabriella gritted her teeth. She really didn’t like this girl.
She didn’t think she could stand to watch Sharpay and Christine laugh for another second. Time seemed to go extra slow when Christine showed up. It was nearly eleven when Sharpay was satisfied with what was accomplished and dismissed everybody. Gabriella got up from her seat and walked towards the stage and waited for everyone else to leave. Christine hung around for a bit helping Sharpay clean up some space.
“Go home, Christine. I can clean this up myself.” Sharpay took some paintbrushes from her and shoved her towards the edge of stage. “Seriously, you’ve done enough.”
Christine smiled and put the rest of things she was cleaning to the side. “You sure? Because I really don’t need to be home for a while.”
Yes, go home, Gabriella thought.
“Yes. I’ll see you later.”
She smiled again. “Alright, night.” Christine turned to walk down the stage when she saw Gabriella standing there. “Oh hi.”
“Hi,” Gabriella said through gritted teeth. Christine looked extremely uncomfortable walking pass her. Gabriella glared at her retreating form before walking up to Sharpay.
She had her back towards her, cleaning up a few more things on the set. Gabriella didn’t know if Sharpay realized she was standing there. “So, that was long.”
Sharpay jumped, dropping what she was holding and turned around. Her annoyed expression returned. “I told you I had to be here ‘til late. You didn’t have to stay.” She bent down and picked up the paintbrushes she dropped and chucked them to the side.
Gabriella started to get a little irked at Sharpay’s short temper with her. “I wasn’t complaining. I was just saying.” Sharpay didn’t say anything but walked away appearing not to have heard anything Gabriella just said. “Um, yeah I was talking to you.” She knew Sharpay didn’t hear her, but she followed her anyways. Sharpay was in her dressing room gathering up all her things.
Gabriella leaned against the doorframe watching Sharpay check her reflection in the mirror. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked after a few seconds of watching Sharpay fix her hair.
She turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Gabriella resisted the urge to scream out the obvious. “You’ve been snapping at me ever since I got here. Did I make you mad somehow?”
Sharpay sighed. Picking up her bag, she walked over to Gabriella. “No, sorry. I just been really tired and stressed about the musical. I’ve been snapping at everyone.”
Not at Christine. Gabriella wanted to point that out but decided against it. “Well, the day is over. No need to stress anymore, let’s get out here.” Gabriella held out her hand. Sharpay waited a beat before taking it. They walked out of the auditorium and to the parking lot where they ran into Ryan getting into his car.
“Oh, Sharpay, tell mom that I’m going to Chad’s tonight and hanging out with him and Troy.”
Sharpay unlocked the doors to her car and put her stuff in the back. Gabriella got in the passenger side. “What time are you going to be home?”
Ryan eyes looked to the sky thinking. “I have no idea, I might be too tired and just crash on the couch or something.”
Sharpay walked over to him and pulled his hat over his eyes and smiled when he had difficulty trying to take it off. “Okay, but get home early tomorrow. Mom wants us to go with her to that breakfast.”
He groaned and banged his head on the roof of his car. “You mean with the Jenkins? I hate them.”
Sharpay laughed. “Well, I hate them too but they’re the ones who are friends with almost every theatre school in New Mexico so we have to play nice.”
“Good thing we’re actors, right? Alright, I’m going to go. You girls have a good night. Bye, Gabriella.” He waved at her before giving his sister a hug.
“Bye, Ryan.” Gabriella smiled watching the siblings embraced. Sharpay was always so much more sensitive when it was just her and Ryan. She wished she showed that side more often.
The ride to Gabriella’s house was filled with awkward silence. Sharpay hadn’t said a word since they left the school. Gabriella felt like she was walking eggshells around her because she had no idea if Sharpay would snap at her again if she spoke. She really wanted to ask her about Christine but feared that the conversation would probably end really badly. They were almost home when Gabriella finally took a leap of faith and asked her.
“So, who was that girl who stayed to clean up?” She tried to make her voice sound nonchalant.
Sharpay didn’t even glance at her. “Christine? She’s a P.A.”
Yes, I know. Why were you so nice to her and snapping at me?. “I haven’t seen her around. She new?”
“Yes.”
Gabriella waited to see if she would say more. “She’s not a Senior right?”
“No.”
She stopped asking her questions because she knew that Sharpay’s monosyllabic answers were as much as she was going to get. Sharpay finally pulled up to her driveway and put the car in the park. Gabriella unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face her.
Sharpay just stared ahead waiting for her to leave the car. Gabriella wrung out her hands and took a deep breath. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt uncomfortable. “Um, my mom’s out of town, want to spend the night?” She had no idea why she asked. The way the night was going, Gabriella already knew the answer.
Sharpay rubbed her eyes. “Actually, I’m really tired. I just want to go home and sleep. Plus, I have that breakfast tomorrow.”
She tried again. “How about lunch? Want to meet me at Shay’s tomorrow?” Shay’s was a restaurant they always went to for pretty much every meal.
Sharpay took a deep breath and finally looked at Gabriella. “Yeah sure,” she said half-heartedly.
She smiled. A positive answer. “Okay, say around one?”
“Yeah okay.”
Gabriella leaned in to kiss her goodnight but Sharpay turned her face so she kissed her cheek instead. She looked at her for a second trying to figure out what was going on in her head. Defeated, she opened the door and got out of the car. “Goodnight.”
“Night.” Sharpay pulled out the driveway the second she step foot on the pavement.
Gabriella watched Sharpay’s taillights disappear from view. She thought about the events of the day and wondered why everything went the way it did. Gabriella knew that there was more to Sharpay’s bad mood than just the stress of the musical. She tried not to worry, but Christine really bothered her. The way Sharpay treated her and how flirty she was. Gabriella always knew that she was a naturally flirtatious person but this time seemed different.
She tried not to think about it as she went to bed. Maybe she could talk to Sharpay at lunch tomorrow and clarify everything. A terrible feeling buried itself in Gabriella’s heart. She knew something wasn’t right. Gabriella closed her eyes as she went to sleep and prayed she was wrong.
Part Two
Author: maria1229
Fandom: High School Musical
Pairing: Gabriella/Sharpay
Category: Angst, Femmeslash
Rating: PG13
Word Count: Part One 3,827
Summary: For the first time in days, Sharpay wasn’t yelling at her, but Gabriella wish she was. She’d rather have Sharpay yell than listen to the words that were coming out of her mouth right now. She knew what was coming.
Notes: Thanks to frances_veritas for the beta. She's the best. :-D
Disclaimer: High School Musical is a property of Disney. I do not own any of these characters, I just like playing with them. :-)
Part One
Gabriella keeled over trying to catch her breath. Her leg muscles were burning and her heart rate was rapid. She felt like her lungs were on fire. So this is what dying feels like, she thought, gulping for air. When Troy had asked her to hang out today, Gabriella actually thought they’d go to lunch or maybe head to the mall. She should’ve known better because Troy’s definition of hanging out varied from the rest of the world. He wanted to work out and run laps around the entire state.
Gabriella started to see spots when she heard Troy jog back to her. He was already half way across the park before he realized that he no longer had a running buddy.
“Come on, Montez, only a few more laps. Suck it up!”
She looked up and gave him her best “I’m going to rip your balls off” death glare. “You know if I wasn’t dying right now, I’d wring your pretty little neck.” She took another deep breath, trying desperately not to pass out.
Troy laughed still jogging in place. “Yeah, you’d have to catch me first. Come on, loser. I didn’t think you were this out of shape.”
Gabriella couldn’t take it anymore. Her legs gave out and she fell down on the grass. She mustered up the strength to kick Troy in the shin.
“Ow! That hurt!” He clutched his shin, jumping up and down in pain.
“I am in shape! No normal person jogs a gazillion laps for fun!” She sat up and pulled Troy down to sit next to her. “And plus, I told Sharpay I’d meet her later. I can’t very well do that if I’m dead from all this running.”
Troy wasn’t listening but instead was looking at the spot where she kicked him. “Aw man, that’s going to leave a huge bruise.”
Gabriella shook her head and shoved him. “You’re the biggest baby I know. Put ice on it or something. And plus that doesn’t make up for all the oxygen that I lost during this ‘small jog.’” She put her fingers up in air quotes and glared at him again.
“Twenty laps is a small jog for a Wildcat!”
“Oh don’t give me the Wildcat bullshit speech again. I have to get home and shower.” Gabriella tried get up but realized her legs had cramped. “Son of a bitch, I can’t move my legs.”
Troy stood up and held out his hands to help her. “Who’s the baby now?”
Gabriella took them and heaved herself up to stand. “You still are. Now carry me home.”
He shook his head and turned around to let Gabriella climb on his back. He piggyback rode her all the way to her house. “Wait, did you say you’re going to hang out with Sharpay later?”
She wrapped her legs around his midsection so she wouldn’t slip. “Yeah, why?”
“I thought she was working on the musical today.”
She looked at him confused. “Why would she be working on the musical on a Saturday? I thought only the directors and producers work on the weekends.”
Troy shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, but that’s where Ryan is right now. See, he was the one who originally was supposed to work out with me. When he said he was busy with the play, I called Chad. But he was hanging out Taylor, so I called you.” He waited for the smack, kick, or pinch he knew would come.
“I’m glad to know that I was your last resort.” And as expected, Gabriella smacked him on his head.
“Hey now, I can easily drop you and make you walk home.” Troy let go of her legs so she was only hanging on to his neck.
“And I can easily choke you if you don’t.” He laughed and he held on her legs again. “So, want to drive me to the school later?” She asked him innocently.
“What am I? Your chauffer?”
Gabriella thought for a second. “No, you’re my bitch.”
“Well since you put it that way, then sure. But won’t Sharpay be really busy with the play and everything? Why don’t you just hang out with me for the rest of the day?” He turned his face and showed her his best puppy look.
“And run more laps? No thanks, plus I feel like I haven’t hung out with Sharpay in weeks. Ever since the play started up again, we barely see each other.”
“Aw, does Gabriella miss her girlfriend?” Troy teased her using an annoying baby voice.
“You know, Troy. You shouldn’t insult me when my foot is this close to your balls.” Gabriella moved her foot making Troy drop her. She landed, thankfully, on her feet.
“Geez, woman! Watch where you aim those things!” He protectively covered himself.
”Calm down, I was just joking.” She jumped back on his back. “Now onward, slave.”
Gabriella did miss Sharpay. She hadn’t really thought about it, but she couldn’t remember the last time the two of them were alone. They were always at school or hanging out with a group of people. As much as Gabriella loved hanging out with her friends, Sharpay always acted different around them. She hated public displays of affection and often got annoyed when Gabriella tried to hold her hand or put an arm around her. It didn’t really bother her because Sharpay would make up for it when they were alone. But now since the musical started again, Gabriella knew that Sharpay would be in rehearsals until late every weekday. That meant she wouldn’t ever see her.
Gabriella didn’t know why Sharpay had to be at the school now. She was really looking forward to spending time with her.
Troy drove Gabriella to the school complaining the entire way how he had nothing to do for the rest of the day. Gabriella ignored him when they entered the auditorium and a smile immediately crept on her face seeing Sharpay on stage. It was in a way Gabriella had never seen before. It looked like a small tornado had hit it. There were props and set pieces scattered everywhere. Sharpay was in the middle, holding a megaphone to her mouth, and barking out orders to everyone.
“No! I want this piece over here so the shadow from this piece won’t cover it!” The poor soul that Sharpay yelled at immediately did what he was told, but apparently did something wrong as she yelled again. “No! Do you not understand simple English? Over there! Oh, my God, everyone take five!” There was a sound of exhales and everyone scurried off the stage away from her. Sharpay went to the edge and sat down pinching the bridge of her nose.
Gabriella’s smile continued to grow as she walked down the aisle towards her. “Rough day?”
Sharpay looked up in surprise. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. I thought we had plans today.”
Sharpay stood up and got off the stage. “I thought I told you I had to be here.” She sounded frustrated.
Gabriella followed her. “No. And what are you doing here anyways? I thought you only had rehearsals on weekdays.”
“Um, the director has to be here everyday.” Sharpay pointed out sardonically crossing Gabriella to get to her bag.
She stood there a bit confused and wracked her brain, trying to remember if Sharpay ever told her about this. She couldn’t recall a time they ever even talked about the musical other than the fact that Sharpay was going to be in it. “Director? Since when did you become the director? You never told me this.” She wasn’t accusing her but asked it out of pure curiosity.
Sharpay took a water bottle out from her bag and took a sip from it. “Do I have to tell you everything?” She muttered but Gabriella heard her.
Gabriella was a little surprised at her behavior. She knew Sharpay was frustrated with everyone on the set but she hardly ever took it out on her. In fact, Gabriella was always the one person Sharpay was never mad at when she got annoyed with everyone else. She treaded carefully because a mad Sharpay was like a ticking time bomb. She remembered when they went to a restaurant and they didn’t have their reservation. Sharpay bitched out the maître’d and almost brought him to tears. She made Medusa look like Miss America when she was mad.
“No, but being the director is a big deal. I know how much you wanted it, so I thought you’d tell me.” She put her hands in her pockets and shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, I made director.” Sharpay walked back on the set. “And I did not expect to work with this team of incompetent idiots!” She yelled around the empty stage but she could see people scurrying from behind the curtains. Gabriella heard someone clear his throat from somewhere in the auditorium. “Except for you, Ryan!”
“Thanks, sis!” Ryan’s voice came from backstage.
Sharpay turned and brought her attention back to Gabriella. “I actually have to get back to work, so I’ll talk you some other time, okay?” She started to walk back to the center, calling people back to work.
“Wait, can’t we hang out once you’re done here?”
“I’m going to be here until very late.”
Gabriella looked around trying to assess how much work actually had to be done today. “Well, I’ll just wait here then.”
Sharpay let out a frustrated sigh walking back to edge of the stage. “Why don’t you just hang out with Troy for the rest of the day?” She looked over at Troy who was climbing over the seats trying to appease his boredom.
She stared at Sharpay wondering why she was trying to get rid of her. If she didn’t know any better, it seemed like Sharpay was mad at her.
“Do you not want me to be here?” she finally asked.
Sharpay groaned a little. “No, it’s not that. Gabriella, I’m really busy and…” She bit her lip. “Fine, you can stay here if you want, but you’re going to be really bored.” With that Sharpay left Gabriella and returned to work.
She just stood there bewildered on why Sharpay acted the way she did. She knew she was stressed but she couldn’t think of a good reason why Sharpay just treated her like one of her little workers in the play. Did she miss something?
“So are you going to stick around, because I really don’t want to stay here?” Troy came up behind her breaking her from her thoughts. He took a piece of wood that was laying on stage and started playing with it.
Gabriella scratched her head still trying to figure out Sharpay’s behavior. “Yeah, you can leave. I’m staying until Sharpay’s done.” She took the wood away from him because he was now using it like a sword.
“Okay, well I’ll see you later, then.” Troy started to walk out of the auditorium but turned around and yelled, “Hey, Ryan! Meet me at Chad’s later tonight when you’re done. Guys’ night!”
“Alright! I’ll see you later!” Ryan’s voice boomed from the still unknown part of backstage. Gabriella shook her head in amusement and took a seat in the middle aisle watching Sharpay and the rest of the drama club work on the set. She absolutely admired Sharpay’s devotion to the theatre. She was a true Thespian as well as a stagehand. Although Sharpay never really lifted a finger during the actual set up, the drama club would be absolutely lost without her direction.
Sharpay was right. Gabriella started to get extremely bored just sitting there with nothing to do. She actually dozed off making three seats a make shift bed. She woke up when she heard someone yell Sharpay’s name. Gabriella watched a brunette girl she’s never met before run up the stage carrying an armload of various things.
“So sorry I’m late. There was a long line at the fabric store but I got you the material that you wanted.” The girl handed Sharpay a large bag filled with what Gabriella could only assume was the fabric.
Sharpay’s face lit up when she saw her. “Oh my God, thank you so much. I swear you’re the only one reliable here, Christine.” Christine smiled, putting the rest of the things she was holding on the ground.
“I also got you some coffee.” She pulled out a Starbucks cup from what appeared like nowhere and gave it to Sharpay.
Sharpay’s eyes brightened when she saw the coffee and gave Christine a huge hug. “You are my savior. I’ve been craving caffeine all day. Seriously, what the hell would I do without you here?”
Christine put her finger to her chin in thought. “Oh suffer endlessly, no doubt.”
Gabriella felt a twinge of jealously watching the two converse. She had no idea who the hell this Christine girl was and why Sharpay was acting all nice to her. She knew Sharpay hated tardiness and she seemed like she was really late. Gabriella had been there for almost two hours and she had just gotten there. If it were any other person, Gabriella knew Sharpay would have yelled until she lost her voice.
Gabriella noticed how Sharpay suddenly became happy and less frustrated when Christine arrived. She was smiling and actually laughing. Gabriella became increasingly annoyed with Christine and how she giggled hysterically at everything Sharpay said. She felt a strong urge to rip Christine’s arm off and beat her with it when she kept touching Sharpay every chance she got.
Who the hell is this bubbly little princess and why does she keep touching Sharpay? Seriously little girl, stop touching my girlfriend!
“Alright everyone take ten!” Sharpay called another break before she disappeared backstage. Christine followed her.
Gabriella almost yelled out but stopped herself. Thankfully, Ryan finally came out from wherever the hell he was and kept her company.
“Hey, I can’t believe you’re staying here until we’re done.” He climbed the seats just as Troy did earlier and plopped himself down right next to her.
“Yeah, well I really wanted to hang out with Sharpay.” Gabriella’s eyes were glued to the stage waiting for Sharpay and Christine to come back out. “Who’s that girl?”
Ryan followed her gaze. “What girl?”
“The girl who followed Sharpay backstage. I’ve never seen her before.” She tried to sound as casual as she could.
“Oh, you mean Christine? Yeah, she just joined the drama club. She’s one of Sharpay’s many slaves,” he cleared his throat. “I mean P.A.s”
Gabriella laughed. “P.A.?”
“Production Assistant,” he clarified. “I’m the A.D. Assistant Director.” He stuck out his chest and smiled proudly.
She smiled as well. “That’s awesome.” Gabriella was extremely happy for him but her newfound interest in Christine stopped her from congratulating her friend. “So how come I’ve never seen this girl around?”
Ryan looked at her suspiciously. “She’s actually a Junior-”
“A Junior?!” She asked incredulously. “Sharpay’s actually being nice to a Junior?”
He chuckled. “Yeah I know, but apparently she’s really good at what she does. I mean she’s the only one that doesn’t bug the crap out of Sharpay.” He looked at his watch realizing that the ten minute break was almost done. “Alright I should get back before Sharpay flips a bitch. Here,” Ryan reached in his back pocket and handed Gabriella his iPod. “So you have something to do while you wait.”
Gabriella took it and smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Ryan.” He smiled at her before he went back to the stage. She watched everyone get back to work and Sharpay and Christine coming out laughing. Gabriella gritted her teeth. She really didn’t like this girl.
She didn’t think she could stand to watch Sharpay and Christine laugh for another second. Time seemed to go extra slow when Christine showed up. It was nearly eleven when Sharpay was satisfied with what was accomplished and dismissed everybody. Gabriella got up from her seat and walked towards the stage and waited for everyone else to leave. Christine hung around for a bit helping Sharpay clean up some space.
“Go home, Christine. I can clean this up myself.” Sharpay took some paintbrushes from her and shoved her towards the edge of stage. “Seriously, you’ve done enough.”
Christine smiled and put the rest of things she was cleaning to the side. “You sure? Because I really don’t need to be home for a while.”
Yes, go home, Gabriella thought.
“Yes. I’ll see you later.”
She smiled again. “Alright, night.” Christine turned to walk down the stage when she saw Gabriella standing there. “Oh hi.”
“Hi,” Gabriella said through gritted teeth. Christine looked extremely uncomfortable walking pass her. Gabriella glared at her retreating form before walking up to Sharpay.
She had her back towards her, cleaning up a few more things on the set. Gabriella didn’t know if Sharpay realized she was standing there. “So, that was long.”
Sharpay jumped, dropping what she was holding and turned around. Her annoyed expression returned. “I told you I had to be here ‘til late. You didn’t have to stay.” She bent down and picked up the paintbrushes she dropped and chucked them to the side.
Gabriella started to get a little irked at Sharpay’s short temper with her. “I wasn’t complaining. I was just saying.” Sharpay didn’t say anything but walked away appearing not to have heard anything Gabriella just said. “Um, yeah I was talking to you.” She knew Sharpay didn’t hear her, but she followed her anyways. Sharpay was in her dressing room gathering up all her things.
Gabriella leaned against the doorframe watching Sharpay check her reflection in the mirror. “What’s wrong with you?” She asked after a few seconds of watching Sharpay fix her hair.
She turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Gabriella resisted the urge to scream out the obvious. “You’ve been snapping at me ever since I got here. Did I make you mad somehow?”
Sharpay sighed. Picking up her bag, she walked over to Gabriella. “No, sorry. I just been really tired and stressed about the musical. I’ve been snapping at everyone.”
Not at Christine. Gabriella wanted to point that out but decided against it. “Well, the day is over. No need to stress anymore, let’s get out here.” Gabriella held out her hand. Sharpay waited a beat before taking it. They walked out of the auditorium and to the parking lot where they ran into Ryan getting into his car.
“Oh, Sharpay, tell mom that I’m going to Chad’s tonight and hanging out with him and Troy.”
Sharpay unlocked the doors to her car and put her stuff in the back. Gabriella got in the passenger side. “What time are you going to be home?”
Ryan eyes looked to the sky thinking. “I have no idea, I might be too tired and just crash on the couch or something.”
Sharpay walked over to him and pulled his hat over his eyes and smiled when he had difficulty trying to take it off. “Okay, but get home early tomorrow. Mom wants us to go with her to that breakfast.”
He groaned and banged his head on the roof of his car. “You mean with the Jenkins? I hate them.”
Sharpay laughed. “Well, I hate them too but they’re the ones who are friends with almost every theatre school in New Mexico so we have to play nice.”
“Good thing we’re actors, right? Alright, I’m going to go. You girls have a good night. Bye, Gabriella.” He waved at her before giving his sister a hug.
“Bye, Ryan.” Gabriella smiled watching the siblings embraced. Sharpay was always so much more sensitive when it was just her and Ryan. She wished she showed that side more often.
The ride to Gabriella’s house was filled with awkward silence. Sharpay hadn’t said a word since they left the school. Gabriella felt like she was walking eggshells around her because she had no idea if Sharpay would snap at her again if she spoke. She really wanted to ask her about Christine but feared that the conversation would probably end really badly. They were almost home when Gabriella finally took a leap of faith and asked her.
“So, who was that girl who stayed to clean up?” She tried to make her voice sound nonchalant.
Sharpay didn’t even glance at her. “Christine? She’s a P.A.”
Yes, I know. Why were you so nice to her and snapping at me?. “I haven’t seen her around. She new?”
“Yes.”
Gabriella waited to see if she would say more. “She’s not a Senior right?”
“No.”
She stopped asking her questions because she knew that Sharpay’s monosyllabic answers were as much as she was going to get. Sharpay finally pulled up to her driveway and put the car in the park. Gabriella unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face her.
Sharpay just stared ahead waiting for her to leave the car. Gabriella wrung out her hands and took a deep breath. She didn’t know why she suddenly felt uncomfortable. “Um, my mom’s out of town, want to spend the night?” She had no idea why she asked. The way the night was going, Gabriella already knew the answer.
Sharpay rubbed her eyes. “Actually, I’m really tired. I just want to go home and sleep. Plus, I have that breakfast tomorrow.”
She tried again. “How about lunch? Want to meet me at Shay’s tomorrow?” Shay’s was a restaurant they always went to for pretty much every meal.
Sharpay took a deep breath and finally looked at Gabriella. “Yeah sure,” she said half-heartedly.
She smiled. A positive answer. “Okay, say around one?”
“Yeah okay.”
Gabriella leaned in to kiss her goodnight but Sharpay turned her face so she kissed her cheek instead. She looked at her for a second trying to figure out what was going on in her head. Defeated, she opened the door and got out of the car. “Goodnight.”
“Night.” Sharpay pulled out the driveway the second she step foot on the pavement.
Gabriella watched Sharpay’s taillights disappear from view. She thought about the events of the day and wondered why everything went the way it did. Gabriella knew that there was more to Sharpay’s bad mood than just the stress of the musical. She tried not to worry, but Christine really bothered her. The way Sharpay treated her and how flirty she was. Gabriella always knew that she was a naturally flirtatious person but this time seemed different.
She tried not to think about it as she went to bed. Maybe she could talk to Sharpay at lunch tomorrow and clarify everything. A terrible feeling buried itself in Gabriella’s heart. She knew something wasn’t right. Gabriella closed her eyes as she went to sleep and prayed she was wrong.
Part Two