"Morning sunshine!" Ryan jumped and rolled off the couch, landing with a thud on the floor. Giggling from above him made him stand quickly, and his face flushed as he realized all four girls were standing there in their pajamas laughing, though Kelsi seemed to be avoiding his eyes.
"That's a good look for you Ry," Gabriella reached up and mussed with his hair, and Ryan realized he'd fallen asleep with his beanie on. Moving around had dislodged the hat and given him a really bad case of bed head. He scowled good-naturedly at them and stalked off to the bathroom as the girls went to the kitchen for breakfast. When he came back out he was more presentable, but they were still shocked to see the normally well-groomed, fashion-conscious boy in simple torn jeans and a faded coca-cola t-shirt. He sat down at the table between Kelsi and Martha and laid his head down on his arms.
"What time is it?" he asked through a yawn.
"Just after eleven," Taylor answered nonchalantly. "What's for breakfast?"
Gabriella opened the fridge searching for something to eat. She pulled out a gallon of milk and set it on the table. She then grabbed five bowls and five spoons, depositing those before retrieving three different types of breakfast cereal from the pantry.
"Cereal," she said finally, and the five of them were quiet as they ate. Kelsi didn't bring up last night, so no one else was going to mention it.
"What are everyone's plans today?" Ryan asked finally, drinking the rest of his milk from the bowl.
"The boys are doing double practice today," Taylor answered, "So I thought we'd get caught up on our homework then go meet them at the mall."
"I have cheer practice later," Martha said. "We're running through some new routines for the championship game."
"Sounds like fun. What about you Kelsi?" The girl shrugged as she stared down her Cheerios.
"Morning kids!" Leticia entered the kitchen happily, earning chipper good mornings from some and grumbles from others. "I see you've found the cereal," she said slyly. "Oh Ryan, your father called and said that you, me and Kelsi are meeting him at your house at noon." Ryan shot a look over at his friend and nodded.
"Of course." Kelsi stood and put her empty bowl in the sink before walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
"How is she holding up?" Mrs. Montez asked, and the teens shared a look before Ryan answered.
"As well as can be expected, I guess."
"Do you know what this meeting is about?" Ryan shrugged.
"My guess is legal stuff. Kelsi won't be eighteen until May so…"
"Well she's more than welcome to stay with us until college. But we should get going."
"I'll go get Kelsi," Gabriella offered, standing up from the table. Ten minutes later the two girls returned fully dressed. Taylor and Martha had disappeared upstairs moments before, and Ryan could hear them giggling about something from the front door. Gabriella hugged Kelsi goodbye and joined her friends as they got ready for the day.
"I'll follow you, Ryan," Mrs. Montez said, getting into her van. Kelsi looked at the van, then at Ryan's car. "Go ahead, sweetie," Leticia pushed, and Kelsi walked slowly over to the passenger side of the Honda Acura. Ryan opened the door for her and she shot him a questioning look as she climbed in.
"Hey, chivalry isn't dead you know," he winked at her as he shut the door and jogged around to the driver's side. Neither said anything on the trip to the Evans estate, but the silence was not as uncomfortable as she expected. Kelsi just stared at the window as Ryan sang along to the radio; a few times he tried to get her sing with him, but she didn't really feel like singing.
When they pulled up Kelsi couldn't help the look of astonishment that crossed her features. She had been asleep the last time she'd arrived here, and at night you couldn't really see just how expansive the manor really was. A doorman opened her door for her and held out a hand, but she ignored him and stood on her own. Mrs. Montez was also escorted from her van to the door, and she shot a look at Ryan.
"My my, Ryan, your house is beautiful."
"Thanks," he replied. In truth, he'd been nervous when she'd told him that his father wanted to meet here. It's not that he didn't appreciate his wealth, he just didn't like flaunting it quite as much as Sharpay did. The front door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Evans stepped out. Mrs. Evans immediately pulled Kelsi into a hug, crooning her condolences before Ryan could pull her away. Mr. Evans shook hands with Mrs. Montez as they all entered the foyer.
"Everyone's set to go in my office. This way." Neither of them mentioned Ryan's abrupt departure last night or the reason, and Ryan was grateful for small favors. When they entered the office Ryan was unsurprised to see Jules there, as well as Judge Nolan. But Detective Casey and the police chief were also in attendance, as well as a very stern looking woman in a brown business suit. Introductions were made and Ryan found out she was Anita Blair, the social worker assigned to Kelsi's case. The teens were settled in chairs near the wall as the adults situated themselves around the desk.
"The papers are all ready for Mrs. Montez to take legal custody of Kelsi," Jules started off. "All that is required are signatures from you, Judge Nolan, and Ms. Blair." The stern woman cleared her throat and shuffled through some papers, though it was clear she knew exactly what she wanted to say.
"Are we sure this is what's best for the minor in question? My background check of Mrs. Montez shows that she's has not retained the same residence more than two years in the last thirteen."
"What would be best for Kelsi," Jules emphasized her name, "would be not pulling her away from her classes four months before graduation."
"Not to mention her friends," Mrs. Montez added.
"I'm just not sure how you plan to support another teenager financially, Mrs. Montez. What of her college education?" Ms. Blair seemed determined to send Kelsi to a group home.
"Her father set up a trust fund for her that she will have access to upon turning eighteen. She doesn't have to worry about college."
"I didn't know that," Kelsi whispered quietly to Ryan, and he smiled at her.
"There is another option. She can be emancipated…she is almost eighteen after all, and she would have immediate access to her trust fund," Judge Nolan offered. "The only question we need to consider is what's best for Kelsi, and I think she's the only one qualified to answer that question. Kelsi?" Ryan pushed her forward, and she stepped toward the circle of adults.
"Uh…" she looked at each one in turn and took a deep breath. "I want to stay at East High and finish my senior year. I want to write and compose for the Spring Musical, and I want to go to my prom. I don't want to leave." Everyone but Ms. Blair was smiling at the girl, and Judge Nolan nodded.
"Well then, I think that answers that question. I'll put through the motion that you be legally emancipated, giving you full access to your trust fund, and you can stay with Mrs. Montez until you head off to college." Everyone let out a sigh of relief, and Ms. Blair pursed her lips as she signed the court order just above Judge Nolan's name. Finally, Kelsi signed her name under the two and stepped back toward Ryan as the adults finalized the plans.
"I'm glad you get to stay," he told her sincerely as he pulled her into a hug.
"Kelsi," the judge called, and she turned from Ryan toward them. "Could you stay a moment after? We have some things we have to discuss." She nodded, and the Evans - including Ryan - saw Ms. Blair and Mrs. Montez out to their cars. Kelsi was left alone with Jules and the judge, and the elderly man laid a hand on her shoulder.
"We have to finalize funeral arrangements," he said carefully, and Kelsi nodded.
"I believe the easiest thing would be next Saturday so that you and your friends don't have to miss school," Jules suggested. Kelsi thought of her friends and how supportive they had been, and then of the state championships scheduled for Thursday. She didn't want Chad and Troy and the others worried about her during their big game. And, if she admitted the truth to herself, she wanted the whole ordeal over as soon as possible. She had finally allowed herself to grieve last night, and she had vaguely recalled someone coming in and holding her. When she woke the next morning Gabriella had explained everything to her, and she had been so embarrassed that she couldn't even talk to Ryan the next morning. But in allowing herself to finally let go, she felt she for the first time that she could move on from this.
"Sooner," she said. "What about Wednesday?" She knew they had a math quiz Monday, and a history test Friday, and they obviously couldn't miss Thursday.
"Wednesday morning?" Jules looked at the judge, and he nodded. "Good, I'll call the proper people and get it set up."
"But…" Kelsi bit her lip anxiously. "I can't really…pay for a funeral," she said finally.
"Don't worry about that, love," the judge answered. "Your dad's life insurance takes care of that sort of thing," he explained. "And the rest will be added to your trust fund."
"I never even knew he'd set up a trust fund for me," she told them, and Jules pulled out an envelope.
"I contacted some people and put together the figures. It seems that he and your mother started it when she was pregnant with you, and a portion of his paycheck had been going in every two weeks. Add in interest, and you have approximately $120,000 in the bank right now." Kelsi sank down into a nearby chair and put her head in her hands. "After funeral costs and the like, you'll probably have to double that from his life insurance policy." Kelsi felt tears welling up in her eyes, and she hid her face as the emotions overcame her. She felt someone place a heavy hand on her back.
"There there, love," the judge deep voice spoke. "Vance, Jules and I will take care of the arrangements. My advice to you is to let your friends be there for you, and know that your dad wouldn't want you to be miserable for too long." Kelsi nodded but didn't lift her head, and she heard the two men pack up their things and leave her alone in the office. A few moments later the door opened again, and she heard two sets of footfalls. A pair of pink converse sneaks entered her vision, and she smiled as she looked up into Sharpay's grinning face.
"Come on," she said, reaching out for Kelsi's hand. "Ryan and I are taking you to lunch." Kelsi allowed herself to be pulled from her chair, but she was more than surprised when Sharpay pulled her in for a hug. When she pulled away neither girl said anything, but Kelsi smiled her thanks anyway. Sharpay wrapped an arm around her shoulder and Ryan stepped up to her other side. She noticed he'd changed from his extremely casual look to one she was more accustomed to, though his father had obviously gotten to his hat. Kelsi reached up and pulled it slightly to the left like he liked it and he slung his arm over Sharpay's, sandwiching her between the Evans twins.
Look I did it! She didn't fall asleep on him! Huzzah!!