Author's Note: Hey everybody! I'm baaack! So, I have to admit, this story probably won't be as long as the first one. I'm in the middle of another fanfic right now (Sonny with a Chance one called Just Enemies! Go check it out and I'll love you forever!). But, I knew a lot of you really wanted me to do a sequel, and because I'm so grateful for all the support I've gotten on here, I decided to do it! This one is Christmas-themed cause I L-O-V-E Christmas and I'm already in the Christmas mood, so I figured some of you out there must be too. Hope you guys enjoy this! Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Highschool Musical. I also don't own the song lyrics posted in this section. Its a song by Taylor Swift called Christmases When You Were Mine.
"Oh my gosh..." I trailed off, too excited to say anything else.
"You like it?" Gabriella spun around in a circle, showing off the shimmering white gown she was wearing.
"Uh, yeah!" Michelle answered for me. "It's crazy beautiful!"
"Perfect for you!" Aunt Taylor added, clasping her hands.
"Gorgeous!" Kelsi chimed in.
"And it will go perfect with this veil." Sharpay said, smiling as she held up the delicate veil, with a small hairpiece encrusted with jewels holding it together at the top.
"Shar! It's beautiful." Gabriella delicately picked it up and gently inserted it into her hair.
"Wow." I smiled, feeling a lump form in my throat. "This makes it so real doesn't it?"
Gabriella smiled back at me and pulled me into a hug. "Most definitely."
The bridal store lady smiled at all of us. "So Miss Montez... have we found your dress?"
Gabriella took a deep breath and stared at her reflection in the mirror for a few more seconds. Then she grinned. "Yes!"
"Perfect! I'll put it in a garment bag for you as soon as you can change." Gabriella nodded as she stepped down off the modeling platform and walked back to the changing rooms. After she had stepped inside, Michelle turned toward me.
"Can you believe this? Gabriella's actually going to get married in that dress! To your dad! In just a month!"
"I know. It's so insane. Who would have thought two years ago all this would happen?" I gestured to Aunt Taylor and Sharpay laughing over something together, with Kelsi smiling along. "I definitely did not see this coming."
"Yeah. And now with all of us 'kids' in our senior year of highschool now..." Michelle sighed. "It just feels like everything is moving so fast."
I nodded, feeling a little sad, in spite of how happy I was. A lot had changed in the two years since my dad and Gabriella had been reunited. Alex was twenty-one now, in his junior year of medical school, having worked double-time in order to make up for the year he had missed. He and his pretty girlfriend Sophia were still going strong, and at this point she had become more like a sister to me than anything else. I wasn't certain, but I was pretty sure that Alex was planning to marry her eventually. I smiled at that thought. "It's too bad Sophia couldn't come today."
Michelle nodded. "Yeah, but she has so many classes going on right now. And she promised she'd come to the bridesmaid dress fitting next week. She'll be on Christmas break soon, so that will lower her stress level a little bit."
I laughed. "I am so looking forward to college... not."
Michelle laughed too. "I know right? I used to be so excited for it, and now I'm just petrified."
"Well, at least you know where you're going." I said wistfully.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Amazing scholarship program doing what I love, science. But that's still stressful. It makes me feel like I have to live up to the privilege or something." She sighed and tucked a piece of hair behind one ear. "And I'll be going so far away to go to Hillsboro."
"Yeah, that is one sad thing. I'll miss you." I smiled sadly. Since Sharpay, Zeke, Michelle, and Stephen had moved to Albuquerque last year, I had gotten used to having her close by. We had grown to become best friends since sophomore year, and I knew I could tell her anything.
She hugged me. "Hey, I'll only be a phone call away. And you seem to be forgetting that you might be going away too."
"Yeah." I sighed. "I guess I might." Which would kinda suck to leave all these people that only became a part of my life two years ago.
Michelle's ring tone suddenly started up and she grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket. Instantly, a huge smile popped out on her face. "It's Michael. He's probably calling to complain about how horrible the tux fitting was."
I laughed as she opened her phone and started to move away. "Yeah, probably." As Michelle started chattering to her boyfriend of more than a year and a half, and my fake-cousin of forever, I sighed again. I couldn't help it. Cause that was another big thing that had changed in the two years of my life since sophomore year. No more Nate and I.
Michelle ran back to me, giggling like a little girl. "He said that Troy said to tell Gabriella that we should all go out to eat after this. He'll pay."
I laughed. "He better. Being an assistant acting coach doesn't exactly make me a millionaire."
Michelle rolled her eyes. "Oh you poor destitute girl."
I put a look of fake hurt on my face. "Ouch. I think I'll just go cry in a corner now."
Michelle laughed. "You're such a dork."
"True." I hesitated a second, wondering whether or not to ask the question that was on my mind. "Hey, Michelle, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Um, well, do you or Michael know exactly what happened between Nate and I?"
Michelle stopped examining the dresses on the rack and turned back to me. "I don't know in-depth details, no. But I do know you guys had a fight."
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. A fight? Is that what he calls it? "Oh."
Michelle studied me. "If that's not what happened, feel free to set the record straight. I'll believe you."
I laughed, a little sadly. "No, that's what happened. I just kind of wondered if-if-"
"If Nate talks about it? Or you?"
I nodded silently.
Michelle took a deep breath. "Before I answer that question, I need to ask you a personal question."
"Okay." I said slowly.
"What are you really asking? Are you asking what Nate's reaction is when you come up in conversation? Or do you really mean to ask if I think he still has feelings for you?"
I bit my lip. "Um, both."
She raised her eyebrows but didn't comment. "Well, Nate's pretty closed-mouth about you since the break-up. I just think he's kind of embarrassed about the whole thing. I've never says anything bad about you or anything like that, but when you do come up in conversation, he changes the subject. And considering the fact that he hasn't dated anyone at all in the year since you guys broke up, I'm thinking that he probably does still have feelings for you." She paused a moment, then finished quietly. "Just like you still have feelings for him."
"Uh, wait a minute." I said quickly. "What was the last part?"
"You still have feelings for him. Come on, just admit it. Nate meant everything to you. And ever since you two broke up your relationship has been so strained and weird. You can't tell me you don't miss the days when he would say hello with a kiss instead of the most awkward friendly hug on the face of the planet!"
I laughed in spite of myself, then rolled my eyes. "I do hate things being awkward, but I don't think that means I still have feelings for him."
Michelle sighed. "Alright, fine. Whatever. I'm done."
"Michelle-" I started but was cut off by Gabriella.
"Girls! We're ready to go when you are. Troy texted me and said we should all meet at the Golden Buffet for lunch. Hope you're hungry!"
"We are!" I answered, glad for the distraction. "Be there in a minute!" ...
...
I sat on my bed that evening, and sighed. Lunch had been awkward at best. By some fluke, I had ended up in the seat across from Nate. Which meant lots of awkward silences, mumbled sentences, and nervous eye contact. Goood times. Not.
I picked up my pencil again and wrote a couple of lines of a song I was working on. Since sophomore year I had written tons of songs. A couple of times Nate had collaborated with me. We had actually turned out some pretty good ones. I sighed, trying to distract myself from Nate. I sang aloud what I had written so far.
Please take down the misletoe
Cause I don't wanna think about that right now
Cause everything I want is miles away
In a snow covered little town
My daddy's in the kitchen, worrying about me
Season's greetings, hope you're well
Well I'm doing alright
If you were wondering
Lately I can never tell
I know this shouldn't be a lonely time
But there were Christmases when you were mine
I've been doing fine without you, really
Up until the nights got cold
And everybody's here, except you, baby
Seems like everyone's got someone to hold
But for me it's just a lonely time
Cause there were Christmases when you were mine
Merry Christmas everybody
That'll have to be something I just say this year
I'll bet you got your mom another sweater
And were your cousins late again
When you were putting up the lights this year
Did you notice one less pair of hands
I know this shouldn't be a lonely time
But there were Christmases when I didn't wonder how you are tonight
Cause there were Christmases when you were mine
You were mine
I sighed. The music still needed a little work. My songs with Nate were probably better. No, scratch that. Were definitely better.
I shut my notebook quickly and stuck it under my pillow where I always kept it. Just then I saw a message request flicker on my computer.
Message Request from Derekstheman:
I raised an eyebrow. Derek? Did I know a guy named Derek? Then suddenly I nodded in understanding. Derek was Sophia's younger brother. I had only talked to him a couple of times. I wondered why he wanted to chat with me now. I guess there's only one way to find out.
Message request accepted.
Derekstheman:
Hey!
Musicgirl4ever:
Hi:)
Derekstheman:
Sooo I have to be honest. This isn't Derek.
Musicgirl4ever:
….
Derekstheman:
Wow. That sounded so creepy. What I meant is that this is Derek's friend.
Musicgirl4ever:
Um. Okay?
Derekstheman:
I'm still sounding creepy aren't I? Yeah maybe I should start over. I'm Warren. Derek is letting me use his computer and I saw you were on his buddy list and online. Are you friends?
Musicgirl4ever:
Well, yeah. I mean his sister is dating my brother.
Derekstheman:
Ohhh so your Alex's sister?
Musicgirl4ever:
Yep. Have you met him?
Derekstheman:
Yeah. He seems like a pretty cool guy.
Musicgirl4ever:
He is:)
Derekstheman:
Sophia has talked about you before too.
Musicgirl4ever:
Good things I hope:D
Derekstheman:
Yeah, definitely. She says your really funny and nice.
Musicgirl4ever:
Aw. That's sweet.
Derekstheman:
So what's up with you?
Musicgirl4ever:
Um, nothing much. Supposed to be studying for my history test, but I'm not.
Derekstheman:
I hear you. Instead of goofing off on my friends computer, I should be really be studying Spanish verbs.
Musicgirl4ever:
Wellll why don't you?
Derekstheman:
Why don't you study your history?:p
Musicgirl4ever:
Okay, okay, you win.
Derekstheman:
So Derek wants to know when Alex is going to get his nerve up and ask Soph to marry him?
Musicgirl4ever:
Woah. I don't know. When he thinks he should I guess?
Derekstheman:
Nope. Not good enough of an answer.
Musicgirl4ever:
Uhhh, okay I'll just use my amazing mind-reading skills to probe my brothers brain and figure out when he's going to propose to his girlfriend because her brothers friend asked me to over a "stolen" computer. That makes sense, right?
Derekstheman:
Yep. Totally.
Musicgirl4ever:
Smart aleck.
Derekstheman:
I'M the smart aleck? You totally are a smart... alice.
Musicgirl4ever:
… that was pretty lame.
Derekstheman:
Okay so now you know something about me. I suck at flirting with girls over the internet.
Musicgirl4ever:
Flirting?
Derekstheman:
I just creeped you out again didn't I?
Musicgirl4ever:
Haha little bit.
Derekstheman:
Okay, this is not going well. But I've got to do something to avoid those Spanish verbs. Maybe that something shouldn't be creeping on my best friends friends on the internet though. Sorry... I should probably just stop talking.
Musicgirl4ever:
Actually, your unsure babbling is pretty entertaining. ;)
Derekstheman:
Awesome. So my insecurity is attracting you? Well thats just how I roll baby!
Musicgirl4ever:
And now we're back to pretty lame.
Derekstheman:
Yeah... that was pretty bad. I admit it.
Musicgirl4ever:
Good. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery! :D
Derekstheman:
Okay, Doctor Ella, what exactly do you think my problem is?
Musicgirl4ever:
Hmmmm. Well it's hard to tell without a full diagnosis (which would take face to face interaction) but I'm thinking your suffering from a bad case of cheesy pick up lines, which is worsened by a total inability to flirt. But that's just my opinion. :p
Derekstheman:
Ouch. Okay, now that my ego has been sufficiently trampled by your sarcasm, lets get back to the first part of that comment.
Musicgirl4ever:
What first part?
Derekstheman:
The face to face interaction part.
Musicgirl4ever:
Oh, right.
Derekstheman:
You want to meet at the mall sometime for a coffee or a smoothie or something?
Musicgirl4ever:
Uh, well...
Derekstheman:
You want to check me out first? Feel free to call Sophia and make sure I'm a real person and not some creepy pedophile who knows everything about you by compulsively stalking you in his free time.
Musicgirl4ever:
That was pretty much exactly what was in my head. I'll do that.
Derekstheman:
Great. But operating under the assumption that I'm NOT a creepy pedophile, what do you say to the meeting up thing?
Musicgirl4ever:
Sure:)
Derekstheman:
Seriously? Great! Where do you want to meet?
Musicgirl4ever:
The food court? Would that work?
Derekstheman:
For sure. When?
Musicgirl4ever:
Would tomorrow at two-ish work?
Derekstheman:
Definitely. See you then.
Musicgirl4ever:
Probably.
Derekstheman:
Wait, what?
Musicgirl4ever:
:D
Derekstheman:
Playing head games?
Musicgirl4ever:
Mayyyybe...
Musicgirl4ever has signed off.
Derekstheman has signed off.
I smiled as I shut my computer. Slowly I climbed off my bed and walked to my window, pulling up the blinds. It was already dark outside, but I could still easily make out the hundreds of snowflakes falling from the heavens, piling in heaps on the ground. On some of the houses on my block Christmas lights twinkled in the frosty air. I leaned my forehead against the chilly glass of the window and took a deep breath. Maybe this Christmas won't be so lonely after all, I thought, thinking of Warren and what I could only assume was our date tomorrow. But then I sighed in spite of myself. Because deep down, I knew this Christmas couldn't be the same. Not with Nate and I so distant. But there were Christmases when you were mine...
AN: What'd you think? I hope you liked it! Sorry if you think its moving a little fast but like I said, this is going to be a shorter story. Also, I did edit "Christmases When You Were Mine" a tiny bit to fit in more with Ella's perspective. (I changed the original lyric "my momma's in the kitchen" to "my daddy's in the kitchen" just to make that clear.) I think this is going to be fun to write, but please review and let me know if you liked it so I know whether or not to keep going. Thanks for reading!