The Sweetest Sin

Chapter Two

Meeting Again

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Gabriella took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. She fixed herself up a little, a bit nervous. The door opened and revealed a teenage Caucasian about her height.

"Hello is Taylor here?" she asked, a bit confused.

"Wrong house," he shut the door and Gabriella was left stunned. She nodded slowly and walked away. I guess she moved. Well, duh Gabriella!! It has been 7 years. Maybe Chad is still there. She got in her car and drove about 6 blocks until she reached a two-story house in a suburban street. Hopefully he's here. She rang the doorbell and took a deep breath.

"I'll get it!" yelled a voice; she was sort of familiarized with it. It just sounded a bit deeper. She held her breath as the door opened. There stood a tall African-American with enormous hair. He was wearing jeans and a simple T-shirt. Gabriella grinned from ear to ear.

"Chad?" she said, she was so happy that she was getting nervous. What if they don't remember me? She shook it off. He looked up at her and gasped. Chad Danfort's smile formed and called Taylor Mckessie, err Taylor Danfort.

"Gabriella?" Gabriella nodded excitedly, a tear forming. She jumped up and hugged him tightly. She had missed him so much. Chad was like an older brother to her.

"What now Ch-Gabriella?!" Taylor came from what was apparently the kitchen. She had the same look that Chad had. Gabriella let go of Chad and grinned at Taylor. They squealed and ran up to hug each other.

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"I can't believe you still live here, Chad!" said Gabriella. They were sitting in the Danfort living room, drinking coffee and chatting.

"I can't believe you're getting married!" said Chad. Gabriella laughed and gave him a look. "Not like that! It's just that...I thought- It's just a surprise." Gabriella nodded.

"So you're living with this guy named Jared?" asked Taylor, taking a sip of her coffee. Gabriella shrugged.

"Kind of, well, not really," said Gabriella, "He works in Colorado. He lives there, but I guess after the wedding, which I don't know when still, he'll be moving here. He hasn't moved his stuff yet because he has to go back there and ask his boss for a transfer." Taylor and Chad nodded.

"Wow," said Taylor, "Now everyone in the gang is married or at least getting married." Gabriella almost chocked on her coffee.

"Everyone?" she asked ridiculously, "Sharpay? Zeke? Kelsi? Ryan? ….. Troy?" She didn't know why the thought of Troy getting married to someone else was heart-wrenching. Chad noticed this, but Taylor continued.

"Ryan and Kelsi are married of course. Ryan's full filling his dream as a stage director and Kelsi composes all the plays for him. Together they make a great team. Zeke is in LA doing a show-"

"Baylor's Restaurant!" Gabriella said, excitement in her voice. She never missed an episode of it. Thanks to Zeke, she's a decent cook.

"Yeah," nodded Taylor as she smiled, "I heard he has a fiancé named Natasha there. And as for Sharpay and Troy, they're married."

"To each other?!" asked Gabriella in disbelief. She suddenly realized what she did and played it cool. "That's so….cute! They are so…perfect for… each other." Was that a lie? Why?! What is wrong with me?

"I know!" said Taylor, "Actually though, I thought it was the weirdest couple at first, but I got used to it."

"So Gabriella," said Chad, sipping the rest of his coffee, "Do you want to come to dinner with us? We're celebrating Troy and Sharpay's…. wedding. They just got married a few days ago."

"No honeymoon?" asked Gabriella.

"Nah," he said, "I guess they're just too busy. But that's fine with them apparently. So yeah? Can you come?"

"Can I bring Jared? I'm sure he'd love to meet you guys." Taylor laughed and nodded.

"Duh, girl," said Taylor, making them laugh, "You have been away for way too long." Gabriella nodded.

"Okay, meet us at this restaurant," Chad scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to her, "7 o'clock. Don't be late."

"Make it semi-formal," said Taylor, "Sharpay would freak if you wear jeans." They laughed. Sharpay would always go insane if things didn't go as planned.

"Okay then," smiled Gabriella, "We'll be there."

"Great," said Chad, "You can be their wedding present."

--

"How do I look?" Gabriella asked as she dramatically stepped out of the room. Jared laughed. She was wearing a strapless blue dress that hugged her body and went down above her knees.

"Hot!" he said as he licked his index finger and touched her, making a sizzling sound. She laughed and pushed his arm away.

"Are you sure it's not too much?" she asked. She didn't want to take Sharpay's spotlight. He shook his head. Jared was wearing a simple tuxedo. He grabbed a jacket for Gabriella. She shook her head. Not that."

"What's wrong with it?" She smiled and shook her head. Men and color coordination.

"It's pink. I'm wearing blue. Get a black one, please," she said. She punched him lightly as he rolled his eyes playfully. He grabbed a jacket thick enough to keep her warm in the cold January night.

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"Why are there two extra seats?" fumed Sharpay. "I specifically asked for a six seat table." Troy rolled his eyes and sat his wife back down, kissing her head.

"Calm down, it's alright," he mumbled.

"No it's not," she said, sitting down, "I'll feel like two people didn't show up." Ryan shook his head at his sister and began chatting with Kelsi next to him. Chad and Taylor whispered in secret.

"Sharpay, Troy," started Chad, "Me and Taylor have a wedding present for you." He got up and held a finger up, telling them to wait a moment. He ran outside and ran into Gabriella and Jared.

"Finally, Chad," said Gabriella, she had been waiting outside for the past 20 minutes. Chad mumbled an apology and looked up and saw a man just about his height, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a face with sharp features. Gabriella saw this and smiled. "Chad this is Jared, Jared this is Chad."

"Oh," said Chad, "You're the Jared." Jared laughed.

"Yes I am," he said and shook Chad's hand, "You must be the infamous Chad Danfort."

"You like basketball?" he asked. Jared shrugged.

"I watch you play on television," he said, "and Gabriella wouldn't stop talking about you and your wife, Taylor, yesterday." Chad chuckled.

"That's me," he said, just before turning to Gabriella, "Okay. You may come in now." Just before they walked in the door, Chad stopped them. "Okay, wait here and wait for the signal." He walked back to the table. Gabriella sighed in exasperation.

"Wait, what's the-" She was cut off by Chad's distant voice.

"I present you your wedding gift. Come on guys." Jared shrugged.

"I'm guessing that's the signal," he said sarcastically. Gabriella smiled and punched him. They began to walk up to the table.

"Gabriella!" squealed a blonde in a pink dress.

"Sharpay?" whispered Jared.

"Sharpay," Gabriella whispered back, just before turning to the short blonde running towards her. "Sharpay!" No one was paying attention, busy with their own lives, but it did get the attention of the gang. They all turned around, surprise and shock apparent in their face. Jared stood there awkwardly until Chad motioned him to come over and meet the guys.

"Gabriella!" squealed a second voice. She saw Kelsi running towards her. The three shared a hug.

"I missed you guys so much." Gabriella swore a tear escaped her eyes. She wiped it away as they walked over to their table. Gabriella caught sight of Ryan, wearing a hat as always. She gasped.

"Ryan!" she said. There was a lot of squealing going on. Ryan grinned as the petite brunette jumped up and hugged him tightly.

"Hey Gabs," he said, grinning, "I can't believe you're here. It's just wow." Ryan fixed his hat and motioned for her to sit next to him, where the two empty seats were.

"Let me just go get Jared." She turned around and found herself gazing at a familiar pair of blue eyes.

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