disclaimer: i don't own hsm or any of the characters. i do, however, own the character 'callie,' her aunt, and any other characters i put into the story.


Chapter 6: Folie à Deux

PREVIOUSLY...

The guys finally decided to knock on the door. Chad did, and they heard "Coming." The door was opened by Gabriella, who ushered the five guys in.

"So, what do you guys want to do today?" Chad asked.


It was the morning the gang had been dreading in some way or another. It was the day they were leaving the Telluride Ski Resort, and heading back home to Albuquerque. But they were glad that they would get to see their parents again.

Each couple were in their rooms, packing their suitcases. They would then meet in the lobby, and get something for breakfast, before heading to the aiport, where they would board the plane back to Albuquerque.

After everything was packed, the group of 10 friends met in the lobby, suitcases and all.

They went to a small restaurant at the resort, and managed to find a table nearer to the back that would hold all of them, and also a place for their suitcases.

"I'm a little sad to go home," Sharpay said.

"So am I," Callie spoke up. Everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.

"By the way, Sharpay," Gabriella began. "When will you find out about the tickets?" The rest of the girls looked at her.

"I'll find out by the time that we get back to Albuquerque," she replied.

The rest of the meal was filled with light conversation. After the bill was paid, the group gathered up the suitcases, and headed out towards the waiting car that would take them to the Telluride Airport, where they would then catch the private plane back to Albuquerque.


The plane was in the air, and headed back towards Albuquerque. Troy and Callie decided to toss notes back-and-forth, so that was what they were currently doing.

The piece of paper landed in Callie's lap, and she unfolded it, before reading what Troy had written.

Man, I'm so bored! I can't wait till we get back home!

Callie laughed, before writing a response, and tossing the paper back to him.

Neither can I! I just hope that Chad doesn't try to repeat what he did on the way to Telluride. I'm gonna have nightmares about that for the rest of my life! lol

Same here! That's why I told him that the rest of us are gonna be scarred for life. It was the most disturbing thing that I've seen so far in my life! Why the heck would he ever do something like that?

Because it's Chad we're talking about, here! Think about it a minute. He acts like a child. There's your explanation for why he would ever do something like that. lol

You're right! Did I ever tell you what he did once just to get some food?

No. What did he do?

There were some leftovers from a dessert that were being thrown into the trash. He was horrified. So, of course, Chad being Chad, he did the only thing he could think of doing. He dug through the trash just to find the food! And the most disgusting part: he actually ate it!

After reading Troy's most recent note, Callie looked up at him. They looked at each other, before laughing. The rest of the group looked at them.

"I still can't believe that he did that! That's just downright disgusting!" Callie exclaimed.

"I agree!" Troy said.

"Are you guys talking about me?" Chad whined. Troy and Callie just looked at him.

"Yep!" they replied, at the same time. Callie then wrote a response, before tossing the note back to Troy.

At least that story doesn't have anything scarring in it! lol I think everyone was terribly frightened--not to mention scarred--with what happened on the plane to Telluride. I'm gonna have to go home and cleanse my mind...I think the others will too, and so will you! lol

I agree! We'll just have to figure out some way to cleanse ourselves of such a mentally--and emotionally--scarring memory! lol

Not even five minutes later, Sharpay got a call on her cell phone. The conversation was over in about a minute, with a lot of squealing on her part.

"Guess what?!" she exclaimed, excited.

"What?" Gabriella asked.

"He got the tickets!" she said, before squealing. The other girls joined in the excitement.

"Now I can't wait for Friday!" Callie exclaimed.

I don't care what you think as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
I said I don't care what you think as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery

The girls laughed as they sang along to the very end of I Don't Care.


The plane finally arrived back in Albuquerque a while later. The group sighed. It had been a good trip, but they were also glad to be back home.

Getting off the plane, they got their suitcases, before heading out of the airport.

"Hello, Albuquerque!" Chad exclaimed, looking around. The others just laughed.

They quickly put their things into the back of Troy's SUV, before all piling in, and heading off.


That evening, Callie was sitting on her bed, thinking of what else she still needed to get done before Christmas. Christmas was in a week, and she knew that she still had some last-minute shopping to do.

Quickly getting onto Gmail, she saw that she had a new e-mail message from Troy. She opened it, and began to read.

From: Troy (anberlinnewsurrender)
To: Callie (allthetimesicried)
Subject: Christmas Dinner

Callie,

For Christmas dinner, we're going to do a buffet-style meal. My mom wants everyone to bring two dishes. One of them should be a main dish, side dish, or salad. The other should be a dessert. Choose them from one of the nationalities that you are. (German, Irish, Italian, etc.) That way, we can have a little taste of each.

Troy

Writing a note on her to-do list, Callie began to think of what possible dishes that she and her mom could take on Christmas. Pulling up , she typed in what she wanted, and clicked 'Google Search.' Soon, she found two recipies that weren't too hard to make, but were full of flavor.


The next few days were very busy for the entire group. Shopping, baking, and decorating filled most of the days. Soon, it was December 23. Callie was going to make the dessert that day, then make the main dish Christmas morning, so it would still be warm when they arrived to celebrate at the Bolton's house.

After the dessert was made, she slipped it into the fridge, so that it would be nice and cool for Christmas. After cleaning up the dishes and putting everything away, she quickly headed to he room.

After wrapping the last of the presents, Callie quickly put them into her closet, and cleaned up. By the end of the day, she was exhausted.


Christmas Day
7:30am

An alarm began to ring throughout the Jacob's house. Callie quickly turned it off, before hopping out of bed, and heading to take a shower. Once she was dressed, she headed downstairs to make the main dish that she and her mom would take to the Bolton's later that day.

Quickly getting everything out, she set to work. She changed the amount of each item so that there would be enough for everyone who would be celebrating Christmas at the Bolton's house that day.

First, she peeled the potatoes, then thinly sliced them. Next, she took care of the meat and onions. Following the recipe, she finally began to gently simmer the stew for about 2 to 2-and-a-half hours. When it was done, she put it in the container that they would use that day. Just then, her mom walked down, and into the kitchen.

"Did you just finish the soup?" her mom asked.

"Yeah," Callie replied. The two ate some cereal for breakfast, then made sure everything was ready to go. After making sure that everything was ready, they went into the living room, sat down, and began to share some of their favorite Christmas memories.

Only a couple minutes later, the living room was filled with the sounds of Your Guardian Angel by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Callie looked at the Caller ID on her cell phone, and it said that Troy was calling. She quickly answered.

(Callie/Troy)

Hello?

Hey, Callie! Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas to you, too!

Listen, my mom was wondering if you and your mom could come over right now.

Sure. Why?

Well, we need help getting everything ready and set up. Just bring the two dishes with you when you come.

Ok. We'll be there in a couple of minutes.

After hanging up, Callie explained to her mom why Troy called. Gathering the gifts and food, they carefully made their way out to Callie's Lexus IS350, before getting everything put in, and heading off to the Bolton's house.


15 minutes later, they pulled into the driveway at the Bolton's house. Callie's mom got the presents and the dessert, while Callie got the stew. Heading up to the door, Callie's mom rang the doorbell. Just a minute later, Troy's mom Lucille answered.

"Callie, Beth, come on in. Merry Christmas." They carefully walked inside, before Lucille shut the door behind them. After putting the presents under the tree in the living room, they headed into the kitchen to put the food down.

Callie went to talk to Troy, while her mom stayed behind in the kitchen to talk to his mom.

with Troy and Callie

"So, how's your mom doing?" Troy asked Callie, as the two sat down in the living room, by the Christmas tree.

"She's not doing to well," Callie replied, and sighed. "The last doctor's visit, they gave her only the chance of living for about a month."

"What have you been doing to help her out around the house?" he asked, curious.

"Well, I go get anything that she might need from the store. I also fill and pick up her medicine, and I make the meals, so she won't work too hard. I also do a lot of the cleaning, mostly the laundry and dusting. She still does vacuuming, though."

"Is it hard doing most of the work?" Troy asked.

"It is, but I do it because I love my mom, and she tires so easily, especially the condition she's in right now." They talked for several more minutes, before going and joining the adults in the kitchen.


The Bolton's house was now filled with talk and laughter. Everyone else had arrived, and they were just talking right then. In a couple minutes, they would eat, then open the gifts.

"Food is ready!" Lucille called, walking out of the dining room. The teenagers got up, and went to join their parents in the dining room. After everyone was seated, the plates were passed around. Everyone had some of each food on their plate. The women had small portions, while the men had their plates heaping with the delicious looking food for the Christmas meal.

Sitting down, each person at the table began to eat the food. Everyone was enjoying the food, so there wasn't too much talking. Except for commenting on the flavor of a certain item.

"Who made the soup that also has potatoes and lamb in it?" Chad asked. "It's absolutely delicious."

"I made it just this morning," Callie replied. "And I'm glad that you like it." After finishing the meal, everyone helped to clean up.


Everyone entered the living room, and began to sit down. Chad, however, was already sitting in a chair and bouncing up and down like a little kid. Everyone else just started at him.

"What?" he asked, pouting. Everyone else just rolled their eyes at him. After everyone had found someplace to sit, the passing out of the gifts began. When each present was opened, a comment soon followed. Callie looked over, and saw Gabriella opening the box which had the necklace in it that she'd helped Troy pick out the day they'd gone to the mall together. A gasp soon escaped Gabriella's lips.

"What is it?" Troy asked, turning to his girlfriend. She held up the necklace.

"It's absolutely beautiful," she replied. "How did you pick out something this beautiful?"

"I didn't do it by myself," Troy responded. "Callie helped me with the selecting of which piece of jewelry to get you." Then he remembered the inscription that he'd gotten on the back of the necklace. "Turn the necklace over," he told Gabriella. "There's a special inscription on it." A smile formed on Gabriella's lips when she read the message.

"What does it say?" Chad asked, curious.

"To the love of my life, you are the music in me. Love, Troy"

"That's so cute!" Kelsi exclaimed, and the other girls nodded as well. Troy helped Gabriella get the necklace fastened around her neck. Just then, Chad realized something.

"How was the Fall Out Boy concert that you went to on Friday?" he asked Gabriella, Taylor, Sharpay, Kelsi, and Callie. The girls shared their flashback from that afternoon and evening.

Friday afternoon
Gabriella's house...with the girls

The girls were currently in Gabriella's bedroom, getting ready for the Fall Out Boy concert that they were going to that evening. Sharpay was helping Kelsi with her hair, while Callie and Taylor were helping Gabriella with her make-up. Soon, each girl had their hair, make-up, and nails done, and their outfits were on.

"Are you guys excited?" Sharpay asked.

"Yeah!" the other girls said, cheering.

A few minutes later, they decided to go get something to eat before they headed to the concert. Putting their cell phones and tickets in their pockets, they said goodbye to Gabriella's mom, before leaving in Sharpay's car.

Not too long afterwards, they arrived at Flying Star Café, one of the many popular places to eat at in Albuquerque.

After being seated, they ordered their drinks, then began to look over the menu. Once their orders were taken, they decided to talk.

"I just can't wait to get to the concert!" Gabriella exclaimed. "It's gonna be so much fun!"

"I agree," Callie said. "This is definitely going to be a great night!" About 10 minutes later, their food arrived. They mostly ate their food, but there was also some small talk. When they were finished, they paid the bill, and headed back out to Sharpay's car. Within minutes, they were on their way to the Sandina Casino Ampitheater, where the concert was going to be.

--

The girls quickly headed inside when they got to the ampitheater. After having their tickets checked, they headed towards where their seats were. They thanked the employee who helped them find where they were exactly going to sit, then they sat down. There were chairs set-up on the floor level, right near the stage. That was where their tickets placed them. They were definitely excited about it.

Soon, the ampitheater was filled with the screams from all the fans. The five looked around where they were sitting, and saw a lot of people that went to East High with them. Greetings were exchanged, and small talk was made.

Soon, a countdown clock began on the two giant screens on either side of the stage. Everyone began to scream and cheer, and some counted down with the clock. The sound was deafening. When the countdown reached 10 seconds, everyone counted down together. And when it reached 0, screams and cheers erupted from everyone in the crowd.

She says she's no good with words but I'm worse
Barely stuttered out
"A joke of a romantic" or stuck to my tongue
Weighed down with words too over-dramatic
Tonight it's "it can't get much worse"
Vs. "no one should ever feel like.."

Everyone began to sing along to Dance, Dance.

I'm two quarters and a heart down
And I don't want to forget how your voice sounds
These words are all I have so I'll write them
So you need them just to get by

Dance, Dance
We're falling apart to half time
Dance, Dance
And these are the lives you'd love to lead
Dance, this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

You always fold just before you're found out
Drink up its last call
Last resort
But only the first mistake and I...

I'm two quarters and a heart down
And I don't want to forget how your voice sounds
These words are all I have so I'll write them
So you need them just to get by

Why don't you show me the little bit of spine
You've been saving for his mattress, love

Dance, Dance
We're falling apart to half time
Dance, Dance
And these are the lives you'd love to lead
Dance, this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

Why don't you show me the ltitle bit of spine
You've been saving for his mattress (mattress, mattress)
I only want sympathy in the form of you crawling into bed with me

Dance, Dance
We're falling apart to half time
Dance, Dance
And these are the lives you'd love to leadDance this is the way they'd love (way they'd love)
Dance this is the way they'd love (way they'd love)
Dance this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

Dance, Dance
Dance, Dance
Dance, Dance
Dance, Dance

The crowd cheered as they finished performing the first song of the concert, Dance, Dance.

They then went on to perform Calm Before The Storm, A Little Less Sixteen Candles A Little More Touch Me, Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet, Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of The Year, Sugar We're Going Down, Thnks fr th Mmrs, Carpal Tunnel Of Love, The Take Over The Breaks Over, This Ain't A Scene It's An Arms Race, and What A Catch Donnie.

Finally, it was time for the group to perform their last song.

"We just want to thank everyone who came to see us perform tonight," Patrick said into his mike. "And now we want to end the night with a song from our album Folie à Deux. That song is I Don't Care." Everyone cheered, and they began.

Say my name and his in the same breath
I dare you to say they taste the same
Let the leaves fall off in the summer
And let December glow in flames

Brace myself and let go
Start it over again in Mexico
These friends they don't love you
They just love the hotel suites, now

I don't care what you think
Just as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery

(I saida) I (I) don't (don't) care what you think
Just as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery

Oh take a chance
Let your body get a tolerance
I'm not a chance
But a heat wave in your pants

Pull a breath
Like another cigarette
Pawn shop I'm tradin' up (tradin' up)

I'm the oracle in my chest
Let the guitar scream like a fascist
Sweat it out
Shut your mouth
Free love in the streets but,
In the alley and I ain't that cheap now,

I don't care what you think
Just as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery

(I saida) I (I) don't (don't) care what you think
Just as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery

I saida I don't care justa what you think
As long as it's about me
You saida I don't care justa what you think
As long as it's about me
You saida I don't care (I don't care)
You saida I don't care (I don't care)
Saida I (I) don't (don't) care (care)

I don't care what you think
Just as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery
I don't care what you think
Just as long as it's about me
The best of us can find happiness in misery

As the last notes faded, cheers erupted from the crowd. The group waved, thanked everyone once again, then left the stage. A while later, the girls were back in Sharpay's car, leaving the ampitheater. Each one of them was still very excited about the concert they'd just seen.

"So I take it you girls had fun?" Chad asked.

"Yep!" they chorused at the same time, and laughed. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with everyone, before it was time to go home.


New Year's Eve
The Evans' mansion...with everyone, 9:53 pm

Everyone was once again together, this time to celebrate New Year's Eve, and to watch the ball drop in Times Square. The teens were in the lounge room, talking, laughing, and just having fun.

"Remember that huge food fight that Chad started in the cafeteria one day last year when we were sophomores?" Jason asked, and everyone nodded. They then had a flashback of that day.

It was almost time for lunch, and the students at East High School were restless. Most just wanted to get out of class, because they were bored out of their minds. Soon, the bell rang, and the students quickly headed to the cafeteria.

The gang sat at their normal table, lunches in front of them. But they knew that something was going to happen, juding by the smirk that Chad had on his face.

"What are you going to do, Chad?" Troy asked his best friend.

"Oh, you'll see," Chad replied, trying to act mysterious. Everyone else at the table just rolled their eyes, then continued eating their lunches. But soon, the atmosphere in the cafeteria at East High School quickly changed.

Chad chucked something across the cafeteria, and it hit a football player, Christian Ashford in the head. Christian then chucked something back at Chad. Pretty soon, a bunch of guys caught on, and were throwing whatever food they could at each other. And not too long after that, the rest of the gang got into the food fight as well.

Grapes, meatballs, slices of pizza, JellO, pudding, M&M's, and a bunch of other foods were being chucked all over the cafeteria. But then, Principal Matsui walked in. Everything seemed to freeze. People had been getting ready to throw something, but their arms were just hanging in midair. They thought that he would stop the food fight. But they were surprised by his actual reaction.

"You guys may continue the food fight for the remainder of the lunch period," he started, and everyone cheered. "BUT! This will be the only time that I will let you guys continue a food fight, without you yourselves having to clean up the mess afterwards." He left, and the fight continued.

At the end of the lunch period, everyone who had been eating in the cafeteria had some type of food on their clothes somewhere.

"That was awesome!" Chad exclaimed, and the rest of the group nodded. They continued to share stories and talk.

11:58 pm

Everyone gathered in the theater room, watching a New Year's Eve special. The ball would begin dropping soon, and they didn't want to miss the moment when it happened. Soon, everyone in Times Square began to count down, and everyone in the room counted down with them as well.

"TEN!"

"NINE!"

"EIGHT!"

"SEVEN!"

"SIX!"

Each one moved next to their signficant other.

"FIVE!"

"FOUR!"

"THREE!"

Each one turned to their significant other.

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

At that time, everyone in the room was kissing someone. After breaking away, they all yelled something together.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

It was definitely going to be an interesting year.


okay, so that was the next chapter! hope you guys enjoyed it!

hey, guys! i just wanna apologize for it being over a month since i've updated this story. but i've been really busy, dealing with shit happening at home and with my boyfriend, and also battling with some health issues.

first, i've been working to make sure that my grades are good. and also, i was in the OMEA solo & ensemble contest held in hilliard, ohio at hilliard darby high school, not too terribly far from where i live. it was on february 7. preparing for that just had me really stressed, and i wanted to try & do as best i could.

second, there's been a lot of stuff happening at home that i'm trying to deal with as well. but writing and music are my escape from all that, so i've tried to find time to work on my stories when i have the chance.

third, the thing with my boyfriend. we've just been going through a rough time, and it's been difficult. but we're trying to work through it.

lastly, the health issues. on february 4, i started to get some bad stomach pain near the end of the day. i was picked up from school by my grandma, and the pain continued. it continued while i was at her house. the pain then was so bad, i was bending over. then, after that day, the pain seemed to go away. but then on the 9th, it came back, so i went home early from school. the next day, the 10th, i didn't go to school at all because i was still having some pain. so i was in the urgent care most of the morning (most of it was spent waiting), and trying to figure out what was wrong. the doctor i saw said if the pain was still coming & going in 3 days, to schedule an ultrasound of my gallbladder. the ultrasound ended up getting scheduled. so yesterday (2/17), i was at the hospital at 7:00am for the ultrasound. i got the results back today (2/18), and there was nothing wrong with my gallbladder, but something about one of my kidneys (not exactly sure what, but it's not bad). so that was the whole health issue thing.

thanks so much for your patience, guys! it means a lot to me. :) also, sorry about that huge author's note right above. i just needed to let you guys know what's been going on, and also, i needed to vent about it. lol anyways, please review. :)

-caitlin (softangelwings)