Back to School

"Senior year it is hard to believe…" said Sharpay. As Sharpay stared up at the high school, a hand clapped on her shoulder and she jumped. "Hey, what's with you?" asked Keith. "Huh?" said Sharpay. "Exactly." said Keith. He gave Sharpay a playful shove. "You were staring at the school like it was putting you in a trance." said Keith. "It's our senior year!" said Sharpay. "What? Senior year?" asked Keith. He staggered backward in imaginary shock. "This is too much for me to take!" said Keith. Sharpay shoved him. "Come on, you do feel any nostalgia or anything?" asked Sharpay. This is the last year we'll ever walk through those doors!" said Sharpay. "You never know. We could always fail our final exams!" said Keith. "Oh, stop" said Sharpay. "Are you going to do this every morning until we graduate?" asked Keith. "It's our senior year!" said Sharpay. "You keep reminding me." said Keith. "Let's go inside and stare at the classrooms for a while." said Keith. Keith and Sharpay walked together to the empty desks in the far corner. "Ooh, here come the lovebirds!" said Derek. Sharpay rolled her eyes. "Just because we spent a lot of time together…" mumbled Sharpay. "Hey we are just friend and you know it" said Keith. "Uh-huh." said Derek. "Don't worry about it." said Sharpay. "But…" said Keith. He fell silent and sat down. Sharpay took the seat next to him and raised her eyebrows. "What classes do we have together this year?" asked Keith. "Hmm…" thought Sharpay. They compared schedules. "Not much. Look like just literature and film studies." said Sharpay. "You signed up for film studies course?" asked Keith. "Its sound interesting." replied Sharpay. "We'll make a film buff out of you yet!" said Keith. "Keep telling yourself that." said Sharpay. "And of course we'll see each other at lunch and practice, too." said Keith. "Do you know when our first practice is?" asked Sharpay. "Tomorrow." said Keith. "Always an early start" said Sharpay. "That's what makes our track team one of the best." said Keith. "One of?" asked Sharpay. "Wow, you have high hopes for us." said Keith. "I can't help it. It's- -"said Sharpay. "Our senior year. I know." said Keith. Any further discussion was cut off as the teacher stepped in front of the class. "I'd like to welcome you all back for a new year at Raven's Peak High School." said Teacher Wynne. "For many of you, this will be your last year." said Teacher Wynne. "There are few announcements I want to make before you begin your day." said Teacher WYNNE. "First, club sign-ups are being held this afternoon after classes." said Teacher Wynne. "Secondly the long librarian has taken a leave of absence so the will be a new librarian." said Wynne. "I ask that you treat her temporary replacement with respect." said Wynne. "And finally, the auditorium is undergoing renovations this year." said Wynne. "As a result, it's currently off-limits." said Wynne. "Any presentations will be held in the cafeteria or gymnasium." said Wynne. Keith leaned towards Sharpay. "Renovating? Isn't the auditorium pretty new?" asked Keith. "That's right. They built it when we were freshmen." mumbled Sharpay. "Maybe they're adding something special." said Sharpay. "Aw, and we'll graduate and never get to see it…" said Keith. "We could always fail our final exams!" said Sharpay. "Hah." laughed Keith. The bell rang. "Well, see you around." said Keith. As Sharpay headed down the hall toward her first class, something made her pause. She turned around but no one looked at her. "Strange…" mumbled Sharpay. " Probably just Keith before he left for class." mumbled Sharpay. She glanced at the library. She hurried on her way. "Greetings, Sharpay." said Tobias. He bowed. "Are you excited for our senior year?" asked Sharpay. "I expect it to be very fruitful and informative." said Tobias. "I will take that as a yes." mumbled Sharpay. "Will you be signing up for the chess club again?" asked Tobias. "Of course. How could I pass up a chance to beat you at chess?" said Sharpay. "I thought perhaps you wanted to avoid another crushing defeat." said Tobias. "Uh-uh you are going to beat me that badly?" asked Sharpay. "It is inevitable." said Tobias. "Aw, leave her alone, Tobias." said Erica. Tobias and Sharpay met gazes and smiled. "Did your home room teacher tell you about Ms. Parker?" asked Tobias. "Her leave of absence? Yeah." said Sharpay. "After class, would you like to meet the temporary librarian?" asked Tobias. "All right!" replied Sharpay. "I hope Ms. Parker is all right…" said Tobias. Tobias leaned forward in his seat as though he could barely contain himself. His eyes sparkled. As class ended, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "Phew." said Tobias. "Weirdo" said Sharpay. "I am only as bad as the company I keep." said Tobias. "Ha-ha. Ready to go to the library?" asked Sharpay. "Always." replied Tobias.