A/N: I didn't get alerts for your reviews :S I don't know. I'm back at school on Monday :( PE first thing. Oh, the joys. It's the one lesson I can't pretend to be doing work while I write fanfics :P Shhh...don't tell people. Don't own HSM x

Chapter 2 – Pete Montez

I first met my dad when I was ten years old. When I was ten years old, my mom told me their story. They were high school sweethearts. My mom told me that she honestly believed that they would've been together forever, but it just didn't work out the way she planned. In the summer between their high school graduation and the beginning of their college education, they were married. They both attended New York University. My mom found out she was pregnant four months into their marriage. My dad was okay with it…at first. I beg you, don't think he was a jerk and left my mom.

It was the opposite.

My mom left him. He was studying to be an architect and she knew that he'd wanted it since before he was born. Ever since she'd known him, he was constantly designing imaginary houses or re-designing his current house or even his school. And she knew it meant the world to him. She thought it meant more to him than she – and I – ever did. So, she said that she couldn't do it. She couldn't be the reason that he blew everything off.

He didn't fight for her stay.

They got a divorce.

My mom moved back to the town of New Bern in North Carolina where my grandparents lived at the time. During her pregnancy, she would surf the internet, read newspapers and did everything she could to find a job for when she could work after I was born. She found her company, a carpet manufacturer which had many branches in every state, and she was just a girl who photocopied memos and got 'important people' cups of coffee when she first started off. But, she got enough money to get us through the first year.

On my first birthday, she contacted one of her friends from New York and found out that my dad was still there. She sent him a letter, telling him how they had created a beautiful baby girl. She told him that I had his eyes. She told him that she was sorry for what she did and that she wished him the very best. She sent some of my ultrasound scan pictures and pictures from throughout my first year, too.

After that first contact in over a year, my dad rang her. He told her that he understood her reasons for leaving and said that maybe she was better off without him. He was happy as long as the both of us were well. They kept calling each other regularly and he sent Christmas and birthday presents in the mail but wanted my mom to act like she bought them.

But, on my tenth birthday, my dad's present was that we met. My mom told me their entire story as I stared at my dad. I did have his eyes. It was pretty obvious I was their child. I was literally a mix of the both of them. And from my tenth birthday onwards, I spent every Easter and Christmas vacation with my dad in New York as long as I spent Thanksgiving with my mom. It wasn't so bad – I got two mini Christmases instead of one big one. I'd have stayed with him during summer vacation, too, but that was difficult when that was when we usually moved. But, in the four years I've been in Albuquerque, I spent summer vacation there as well. Troy went with me, of course. He went during Easter, too, but Christmas was when he needed to be with his family.

The first time Troy went with me to New York was the Easter vacation of my freshman year – two months since my dad's marriage. Since it had been in the middle of the semester, I hadn't been able to make it – or meet my step-mom, Shelby. My dad met us at the airport and I jumped into his arms in a bone-crushing hug. We pulled apart and I noticed a blonde, tanned, slim woman standing just behind him. She was twenty-two. But, surprisingly, we instantly clicked and formed a sisterly bond. Whilst Shelby and I were 'bonding', Troy and my dad were 'bonding' by sitting in front of the flatscreen TV and watching a basketball or baseball or somethingball game.

Basically, everything worked out. Even my mom and Shelby got along. And everything was cool. My mom still called him and as we went long periods of time without seeing each other, we still called each other, too – quite often with my mom, Shelby and even Troy joining in sometimes.

After the church service with Troy, I dreamt for the first time of my wedding. I'd never thought of boys and so why did it matter? But, I dreamt of my wedding.

Before my dad walked me down the aisle, he whispered three sweet words, "He loves you."

As we began walking slowly towards the Reverend Michaels, I pondered his words. They comforted me. Call me old-fashioned but I want to marry one guy and make love to one guy. So, he had to love me and I had to love him in return. Something seemed out of place, though. I had promised Troy that no matter who I married, he would be the best man. It was Chad. That didn't make sense. I swore that he wouldn't be anywhere near the best men on the day of my wedding – when it happened – because he would somehow lose the rings. Whilst discussing our weddings, Troy had promised me that I'd be the maid of honour, no matter who the bride was. But, he also said that-

"Oh, my god." I whispered as the tall groom – dressed in an expensive black tux – turned to face me.

My dad and I reached the front of the church and he kissed my forehead. "Take care of my daughter, Troy."

* * *

I leant up on my left elbow as I studied her. With the early morning sun slanting in through the gap in the curtains, she looked even more perfect than the day before. Her dark hair was splayed out above her head and it shined magically in the light. Her face was turned towards me and I traced her features with my eyes: her smooth forehead, her almond shaped eyes which would flutter open when she would wake, the small crinkles at the corner of each of her eyes from giving me the privilege to see her beautiful smile, her petite nose, her high cheekbones and her small but pretty lips which almost taunted me because I never had the pleasure of kissing them.

My fingers lightly traced up and down her exposed thigh as I smiled softly. She was dressed in some very short shorts – ones so small that I wouldn't allow her in public with them on even though she was way too self-conscious to do that – and one of my shirts. That's what her pyjamas consisted of whether she slept at her house or my dorm. That's when she looked so beautiful. When she slept. With her wearing the shirt I wore the day before, it's a miracle that I'm not having a cold shower right this second. If I wanted, I could kiss her. If she liked it, I could make love to her. But, what would happen?

She smiles slightly in her sleep and snuggles closer to me, her hand brushing against my bare chest. So beautiful. A soft pink coloured her cheeks and I smiled. I loved it when she blushed. She looked even more like a little girl than she did already. I loved it even more if I made her blush.

"I do," she muttered, her smile widening.

I chuckled. She always mumbled in her sleep and quite often said my name. The way she mumbled 'I do' made me cut my laugh short. It was like she was happy. And, of course, her happiness is everything to me. But, who could she be dreaming about marrying for her to sound like that. Of course, even if she's dreaming about getting married. It's probably my 'jealous boyfriend' head going into overdrive as Sharpay so very kindly put it.

Her phone started vibrating on the bedside cabinet and I reached over her to grab it. "Hello?" I slid off of the bed and headed through to the kitchen.

"What are you doing with my daughter's phone, Troy?" Pete asked.

I rolled my eyes as I switched on the kettle. "Your daughter's asleep."

"Why?"

"We were watching a movie and she fell asleep. I carried her to my bed," I explained as I rummaged through the cupboards for two cups.

"And spent the rest of the night watching her sleep?" He asked and I could see his smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up. You tell her that and I will kill you when you come down here for her graduation." There was a silence on the other end and I slowly shut the cupboard door. "You're still coming, right?"

"Of course we are. Should we not?" I heard Shelby's voice now.

"Shelby? Where did Pete go?" I asked.

I heard a sigh. "It's nothing."

"Nothing-nothing or something-nothing?" I asked.

"We'll be down for graduation." She promised but I frowned. She just avoided my question.

"Shelby," I said seriously, "tell me what's going on."

"It's nothing bad. Pete and I are telling everyone when we come down for graduation. I promise." She whispered.

"You know, if Ella finds out you're keeping something from her, she'll kill you." I joked.

"You mean, like how she doesn't know how you're in love with her?" She teased.

"That's different." I muttered.

"Of course it is." She said, sarcasm evident.

"It is!" I pressed. "You tell each other everything."

"And you don't?"

I sighed and began making the two cups of coffee, the phone positioned between my shoulder and ear. "Well, obviously not because otherwise she'd know I'm in love with her and she doesn't…does she?"

"Hell no. You know how she is. She's a hopeless romantic. So, if she thought you were in love with her – being her best friend and all – she'd be in your and you'd be riding into the sunset arms right about now." She said softly.

"Maybe." I whispered. "So, you sure I shouldn't worry?"

"Positive. Don't worry about me or Pete just tell Gabby how you feel."

"Why?" I asked indignantly. "So she can tell me how it's sweet but she wants to be just friends?"

"No." Shelby sighed. "So you guys can be together before she goes to college. You do know she's going to college, right?"

"I've gotta go. See ya, Shelby." I hung up the phone and placed it on the counter.

College.

When I applied to only one college – U of A – I wasn't scared even though my future started. That was because Ella would still be in Albuquerque and I was happy. But, now that Ella was going to college, I was terrified. She wanted to go to Stanford in Silicon Valley in California. That's over a thousand miles away from Albuquerque…The other side of the country. I couldn't simply drive down the street and pick her up from school or climb her tree after she's gone to sleep. God, that sounded stalker-ish.

College!

My Ella was going to college. She can't. She's not old enough. Okay, so maybe she is. But, she can't even drive. If she needs to get around town, she just rides her bike or gets Eva or me to drive her. She can't do that in California! My Ella can't survive that. She's so fragile and helpless. She can't grow up. If she grows up, she'll find her Edward. And then I – the stupid cowardly Jacob – am stuck watching from the sidelines as my Bella lives happily ever after.

Who would play one-on-one with me and then I let them win? I mean, to be fair, Eva was right four years ago. Ella can play basketball…just not well. And who would blatantly ignore me because she refuses to put a book down?

Who's going to be oblivious to the fact that I'm in love with her?

I leaned against the counter, forgetting about the coffee, and buried my face into my hands. I can't lose her.

"Troy?" A voice grumbled.

I lifted my head and saw Gabriella leaning against the doorframe of my bedroom, her eyes closed and a hand covering her mouth while she yawned. I crossed the room to her and brought her into my arms. "What are you doing awake, Ella?"

"Heard you talking." She mumbled into my chest.

I ran my hands through her hair and kissed her head. "It's okay. Your dad called and I tried not to wake you. I guess that didn't work."

She giggled tiredly as she pulled back and leaned back against the doorframe. God, I could just lean down and kiss her and the bedroom is right there- "What did my dad want?"

Troy shrugged. "I don't even know. But, he's still coming down for graduation."

She smiled slightly. "Good."

"You okay?" I asked worriedly, stepping forward.

* * *

I nodded at him. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

He stepped closer still and rested his right hand on the wall beside my head. "What do you want for breakfast?"

I rolled my eyes. "I think the question is: what do you want for breakfast?"

He chuckled and kissed my cheek. "Chocolate chip pancakes?"

"If that's what you want, of course." I smiled up at him and memories of my dream flashed in front of my eyes. He looked good in that tux. But…why would marry him? He's my best friend. Besides, he's got a girlfriend. Needless to say, she doesn't like me. Not that she shows it around Troy, of course. She's the perfect girlfriend. You know the type: blonde, beautiful, seductive – oh, my god, she was seducing while was in the room – and, oh, she isn't obsessed with books.

I'm not marrying Troy.

He grinned at me. "So, what do you want to do today?"

I headed over towards the kitchen and finished making the cups of coffee Troy had started. "Oh, I have this English assignment I need to do. I'll be at the library all day."

"There's a shocker." Troy muttered as he sat down on the couch and turned the TV on.

"Shut up." I exclaimed. "I'm going to Stanford, Troy. I need good grades."

"And you'll get in." He said absent-mindedly.

I froze as I was about to stir the coffee. "Yeah, about that," I started as I continued stirring, "Troy, um, listen, I heard from them."

"What?" Troy exclaimed as I heard hurried footsteps and a moment later he was beside me, his hand resting on my back. "What did they say?"

I sighed as I turned to him. "They said I'm in." I whispered.

He grinned. "That's amazing, Ella." He was about to hug me but I stepped away. "What?" He asked looking down-heartened.

I sighed and looked away. "Next week will be the last Redhawk game I ever see." I whispered.

Troy stroked my cheek but I moved my head away. "Ella…"

I shook my head slightly. "I'll miss you."

"I know. I know." Troy whispered and rested one hand on the cupboard behind my head – much like he had while we were by the doorway to his bedroom. "I'll miss you, too. In fact, I'm missing you right now because I can't imagine not simply jumping into my truck and driving to your house to see you."

I cracked a small smile. "I'll miss waking up to you. Who is going to sneak into my room in the middle of the nights?"

He kissed my forehead and then rested his own forehead against mine. "But, nothing's going to change."

"Yes, it will, actually. It'll change a lot." I whimpered. "I'll be in Cali and you'll be here."

"Shhh…" He whispered. "Just think about what time we have left. We've got two months before you graduate. And then summer. Remember? I'm going with to help you settle in. Just like I promised."

"And then you leave." I muttered. "But, the thing is…" I trailed off when I heard ringing. I turned to the left where Troy's cell phone was dancing around on the counter from the vibrations. I turned back to Troy to find him still looking at me intently. "Your phone's ringing." I offered weakly.

He nodded. "I know that."

"Then pick it up."

"I'm more interested in what you have to say." He said strongly, tapping his fingers against the cupboard he was still leaning on.

"It could be important." I mumbled.

"Nothing's more important than you." He whispered.

"What if it's your mom?"

"I'll call her back." He replied.

"Your dad?"

"My dad would only talk to me on the phone if my mom forced him to." Troy pointed out.

I rolled my eyes. "What if it's Lisa?"

Troy shrugged. "If it's Lisa, it's Lisa. Like I said, I'll call her back."

"Pick it up!" I exclaimed through gritted teeth.

Troy pushed himself from the cupboard, away from me, and reached for his phone, his gaze locked on me. He flipped his phone up and held it to his ear. "I'm busy." He snapped it shut and raised his eyebrows. "I answered."

"I forgot what I was going to say." I mumbled. "Call her back. Go!" I pushed past him, forgetting my coffee, and went back to the bedroom, slamming the door behind me.

I burst into silent tears and slid down until I was sitting on the floor. I should've told him. I'm not leaving after summer. I'm not leaving after summer because I'm leaving a month before graduation. For a three week honour programme at Stanford. I should've told him. I should've gotten it over with.

But I didn't.

* * *

I stared at the closed bedroom door and sighed as the ringtone continued. "Hello?" A voice finally asked.

"Hey, Liz," I said absently, "sorry about that."

"It doesn't matter. What were you doing?" She asked.

"Complications." I muttered.

"Like…" She prodded.

I sighed. "Does it matter? I'm here now. What's up?"

"Can I come around?" She asked flirtatiously.

I breathed out deeply as I rubbed my forehead. Ella was in the bedroom. She was wearing my shirt and a pair of very revealing shorts. I was in only my boxers. Knowing Lisa, she'd think something happened no matter how many times I've told her Ella and I are just friends…even though I'm in love with her.

I moved my hand from my face and stared at my bedroom door again. "Not right now."

"Why not?" She whined. She sometimes reminded me of Sharpay. "I thought we could spend all day together…"

"That sounds nice and all but I'm with my parents today." I mumbled.

"Well, I could join you." She offered.

"It's kind of a family thing. I mean, Ella and Eva are going to be there, too. We haven't had a real get-together in ages." I explained. "I'm sorry."

"Oh. Well, how about tomorrow?" She asked brightly.

"I've got a report to do for health class. In a couple of weeks I have to do a health class at East High and I have to report on what I'm teaching them." I explained tiredly.

"What are you teaching them?" Lisa asked.

"My dad says that they've covered pretty much everything – regulations, legislations, health and safety et cetera. So, by the time I actually teach them, they'll have started their sex ed so it all depends how far they get through the block." I explained as I lifted one of the coffee cups and took a sip. It was lukewarm. Horrible. But, while I was talking to Lisa, Gabriella was upset for some unknown reason.

"Really?" She asked, seduction evident in her voice. "I hear that's better learnt from practice."

"Liz, I'm really not in the mood, okay? Look, I'll call you later, I promise." I hung up and threw my phone onto the counter.

I sipped my coffee and stared at my bedroom door. Gabriella got into Stanford. Oh, my god. I'm so proud. She got into Stanford! My Ella's already been accepted into her dream college. She's going to California. She'll graduate, find a guy, settle down, have kids – without me being the father – and be the best lawyer in the country. I'll be…what? I don't even know what I'll be doing with my degree. I could be a teacher like my dad…

I suddenly smiled slightly. If I was a Laker, I wouldn't be far from Gabriella.

The door suddenly opened and Gabriella walked towards me. I placed my cup on the counter just as she hugged me. "I'm sorry." She muttered.

"Have you told anyone?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Only you."

"Your dad would be over the moon." I whispered. "You're going to Stanford."