Chapter 2

I felt my eyes form in slits. I couldn't believe my dad! Any way to lose money, he bet it. So, that means someone out there has our money. And we have nothing.

"How much did you bet?" I spat, glaring at him.

He sighed. "Don't worry about that, Gabriella. All you and your sister need to think about is what you're gonna wear to your new school you start on Monday."

"A new school?!" I asked, shocked. I went to one of the most elite private schools, with the some of the richest kids around here. Oh, please don't let be a public school. I might puke.

"Yes, we won't be able to afford the private school. You and your sister will be enrolled in a public high school. With average students your age. You're gonna need to deal with it, Gabriella."

"How much is gone, what did we lose?" I asked, wanting to know what was going to change.

"The hotel is bankrupt. There's nothing, it's worthless. And..." his voice trailed off, as his eyes made their way to the floor.

"And what?" I was impatient. I deserved to know what wasn't ours anymore.

"We lost the house. But, I think it's for the best. We need-"

"We're homeless now?! Are you kidding me! We can't be homeless. How could-"

"Calm down!" My father yelled over me. "We are not homeless, Gabriella. We'll be moving though. To... a somewhat smaller house. Actually a lot smaller," he mumbled the last sentence.

"Where, dad? Are we staying in California? Where are we going to live?" I complained, wanting all my questions answered this second.

"New Mexico. With your aunt."

I felt my lip turn up slightly. My aunt Josie was a complete physco. We never really bothered with her. She lived in a weird, old house with about thirty six cats. And the whole house was their litter box. I rather be homeless than live in a cat's restroom.

"Great, we can bathe in cat pee."

"Gabriella, you are not here to be pampered by everyone. Grow up," Dakota spoke to me, letting out an angry breath of air.

"Well, you have nothing to loose here, do you? Where are all your friends? Better call 'em up."

"And you and your sister will need to start getting along. This is hard on all of us. Just not one person. We're a family, we-" my mother began.

"Oh don't start on the whole 'We're a family' speech, mom. We just live together, we act nothing like a family," Dakota complained.

"Wow, she has a point to something for once," I mumbled.

Sharpay then caught my eye. Great. My best friend, my rich best friend at that, heard what was going on. And she's my best friend and all, but she won't be able to keep her mouth shut about this. Without warning, I grabbed Sharpay's arm, dragging her into the kitchen.

"Shar," I begged, "you can't tell anyone about this. I mean, I know people are gonna find out, but please, don't go blabbing your mouth."

"Gabs," she began. "You are my best friend, okay? I don't care about your money. But, since your family is going trough this crap, we are gonna go get our nails done, our hair, facials, and put on our new dresses, and go to my mom's party. My treat. So, go tell your parents that you're going out, but you're not spending a dime."

I smiled at my best friend. She's amazing. I did what she said. My parents were a little hesitant, but they finally gave in. I grabbed my purse, and out the door we went.

--

Walking on the Hollywood Boulevard, I took in as much as California as I could. I had no idea when I would return from living in a cat's kingdom. I was not looking forward to New Mexico at all. I thought it was a horrible idea. Couldn't we just get loans or something from the bank? And the school! I couldn't believe I was going to a public school. Where kids were things from the mall. And I could puke just thinking about the lunches I would be forced to eat. Or worse. Carry a brown paper bag with my lunch in it. Could we get any more cheap?

I felt Sharpay grip her manicured fingers around my arm, and pull me into the salon. I guess I wasn't paying attention. We sat down in one of the chairs, greeting the workers. I picked up a magazine sitting there, frowning. I now know that I won't be able to afford clothes like these anymore. So, my can't-wear-anything-more-than-once rule wouldn't go over so well. Sure, I had some clothes with tags on them in my closet, but with my luck, we'd probably have to sell them for money. Or, I wouldn't be allowed to wear them when we move, because my mother will want me to 'fit in'. What a cliche saying.

"Hmm, hot guy to the right," Sharpay mumbled, staring into a magazine she was holding.

I twisted my head around, looking for the hot guy. Oh, she was right. He was standing outside, in front of one of the windows, staring at a mannequin dressed in a shirt and jeans.

I, then, gasped seeing who came up to the cute guy. The familiar person snaked their arm around his waist, and kissed his cheek, whispering something in his ear.

And that familiar person was no one other than Luc Senn. Oh my gosh! Was he...? I couldn't even form the word in my mind. I can't believe the male model I've liked since I was little didn't even like girls! I hit Sharpay's arm, my eyes not leaving the window.

"Jeez, what!?" Her eyes followed mine, as hers grew wide and her jaw dropped. "You can't be serious. Ew! I am so disgusted right now."

We stared at the two men-you could say- as they turned around walking down the sidewalk, holding hands and swinging their arms. Luc reached over and pinched the other guy's butt. This was so gross.

"Who cares," Sharpay said next to me. "We're still going tonight. And we'll find an even cuter guy. Who's not gay."

--

Making our way through the paparazzi, we finally made it to the party. I was happy, but also sad. This was going to be the last glamours thing I did for a while, and I knew I was going to miss it. So, I'll be sure to have a good time tonight before I'm ordered to live with some weird lady and a million cats. The most glamorous thing I'll do after this party, maybe paint my own nails. Can't wait.

"I think we found our new guy, or guys," Sharpay whispered next to me, pointing to a group of cute guys all in tuxes. Sharpay bit her lip, waving shyly at them. Dragging me with her, we walked over to the group.

"Are you Sharpay?" One of them asked. He had short brown hair, and the greenest eyes.

"If you're asking, yes, I am," she smiled.

Hearing my phone buzz in my clutch, I took it out. But, before I could answer the call, my phone was whisked out of my hands. I was met with hazel eyes, and a very attractive smile.

"I'm more interesting than this phone call," the guy said, holding my Blackberry in his hands.

I scrunched my eyebrows together. Great. Another cute guy with a wild running ego. Nothing the world has ever seen before.

"What's your name?" he asked, showing off a toothy smile.

"Gabriella," I smiled politely. "Can I please have my phone back? So I can put your number in it."

I saw a smirk appear on his face. "Sure." He handed my phone back to me. "It's six-seven-"

"Like, I care," I interrupted, taking my phone, and walking out to one of the balconies that wasn't crowded. I looked at missed calls and saw that it was my dad. I sighed, and decided to call him back.

"Hello? Gabriella?" His voice rang through on the other end.

"Yes, dad. What did you need?" I asked, trying not to show my annoyance.

"Come home, now. There's been a change of plans."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews last chapter! I'm glad to be back, haha. Review, please?