Shout out! I want to say Thank You to all of you who are reading and reviewing my story! It really means a lot to me that you enjoy it. Your comments are very much appreciated, so please keep them coming.
Here's the next part in A New Beginning, read on and enjoy, while thinking of the little twists embedded within...what do you think will happen next? What do you want to happen to our four main characters? It's a pretty long chapter, giving A LOT of information to pave the way for future events. Enjoy!
Chapter 5 Revealing Truths
(No POV)
Previously
His eyes widened in surprise, practically popping out of his head, and his mouth formed into in 'o' as he said slowly, a bit embarrassingly, and guiltily,
"Oooh…you-you're not…Emily…"
The four teens looked at each other in shock not knowing what to make of the situation at hand. Zack was looking at Cody with a bit of anger in his eyes, for he was mad that his brother had just kissed his dream girl whereas Emily had a look of hurt but also a little flattery since she could see that Cody had wanted to kiss her, but made a mistake…right?
Maddie's brown eyes were as wide as they possibly could be as her brain was having a hard time making sense of what had happened. All of her feelings were confused as it felt as if she was working in overtime just to try and figure everything out from just one kiss.
Zack, breaking the silence, rushed over to Cody and smacked him upside the head, "Why'd you do that?" he asked with a hint of anger and a little jealousy, "Don't try to steal Maddie from me!"
"What? … Huh? I'm not," Cody started, rubbing the back of his head where Zack hit him, at a loss for words. "Oh no! I…just…kissed…Maddie. It was supposed to be Emily! Why do they have to look similar from the back? How am I going to face Maddie now? We were such good friends and now I bet I ruined it…although I do think it was a really good kiss… I felt sparks or something…almost like we connected…No Cody! Maddie probably didn't feel anything and probably thinks you're an idiot, but on the other hand, maybe she did like it…oh this is confusing." (A/N: seem familiar?)
As Cody was thinking this Maddie was having some internal battles with herself as well. She had a blank stare across her face like she always has when she's thinking and didn't come back until Emily waved a hand in front of her face to get her attention.
"Maddie…Ma-a—diee-e," Emily asked giggling as she elongated her sister's name, waving a hand in front of Maddie's face.
Blinking a few times, Maddie made eye contact and asked quickly, "Yes, Em?"
"Um…you didn't actually feel…anything from that…did you? ...Mads?" Emily asked hoping albeit nervously, that nothing will come of this. What none of them knew, however, is that something like this can not just be overlooked forever. It may seem like it's not bothering them, but slowly each day, it will get harder to bare and truths will be revealed.
Maddie, looking apprehensively at the three standing around her, answered, "W-well, it happened so fast," she hesitated for a second, "I wasn't really able to get into it that much…so not really, I guess."
"Liar!" Maddie's insides screamed at her, "You know you felt something and you know it! Stop lying to yourself, and stop lying to your sister! You never lie to your little sister, what's so different now?!"
"I don't know!" Maddie answered her own thoughts, "Everything has been happening so fast since Emily got here; as soon as she started liking Cody I just…ugh! Why did he have to kiss me? I can't get the feel of his lips against mine out of my head! No! I can't like Cody, I don't...Oh there you go, Mads, lying again, why can't you just admit it! It's not that hard…I just have to say, I like––But he's three years younger and his brother has the biggest on me!...That shouldn't make a difference, stop making excuses…and stop having conversations with yourself…it's weird…get back to reality; you've probably been staring into space for good while now."
In actuality, Maddie was only staring into space for about a minute, which was basically unnoticed by the other three since Cody had been apologizing to Emily, taking about thirty seconds, and then the other half of the minute was spent trying to calm Zack down, for he was still in a bit of a jealous rage from this whole situation.
The convincing did not bode too well for Zack still had a little more resentment of his brother left in him. His hands were in fists at his sides, not clenched, but held his hands there, fingernails just touching his palms hard enough to feel a slight uncomfortable pinch.
He took a deep breath to calm himself down further and moved closer to Maddie by pushing Cody out of the way,
"We all know that both of us will end up together, right, sweet thang?" Zack said lightheartedly, placing his arm around Maddie who was pushing it off unsuccessfully only to have him put it back on her shoulders again.
Maddie gave Zack a we've-been-through-this-so-many-times look. "Not even in your dreams, Zack," Maddie said shaking her head and giving a small laugh.
"Why don't we all just head back to the Tipton, I think we've had enough fun for one day," Maddie suggested.
"Yeah, I guess that's a good idea," Cody agreed. "No hard feelings right?" He added, now facing Maddie. "No hard feelings? What kind of question is that? I didn't hurt her in anyway; I just kissed her…by accident… but maybe this was meant to happen?…No, how real could that be, this isn't the movies…sigh"
"I guess we're good…we can just forget it ever happened," Maddie answered with a small smile. "What am I saying? How can I forget this ever happened?! It was so warm and nice…not as passionate and heated as when I made out with Trevor…but this was different…it felt very loving…but I know it wasn't really meant for me so I have to put on a smile and go along with it, it's for the best."
The two of them opened their arms for a hug, but as soon as they got close enough, it got a bit awkward. Both feeling their faces heat up, they quickly stuck their right arms out and shook the other's hand with a sort of half-hearted, half of a smile, trying their best to show nothing will be different between them when they get back to the hotel. Everything is not what it seems. (A/N: last sentence is sung hehe …that sentence is sort of random but the WoWP theme song popped into my head).
--
"So London really paid people to be her friends on her first day of a public high school?" Emily asked the twins incredulously as they walked through the revolving door of the hotel, letting some of the still falling snow float into the lobby. She had been hearing stories of the high school she would be going to tomorrow since they left the park.
"Yeah, and she also thought that she could build a walk-in locker," laughed Zack as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"London's not exactly what you would call, smart," Maddie added, laughing as well.
"It seems like your high school never has an ordinary day," Emily said trying to contain her laughter. She was starting to get really excited for her first day at a new school tomorrow so she had momentarily forgotten what happened just minutes before.
(Emily's POV)
This London Tipton sounds like she will be fun to be around. I bet we'll all have a lot of laughs when she's around...probably, according to Maddie and the twins, laughing at her most of the time. hehe it will be in good fun.
I wonder if Cheever's High School will be anything like the private school in New York City. I hope they have a good drama program...I really liked the participating in the drama club at my old school especially when the other schools came. Thinking of which, I wonder how Sharpay and Ryan Evans are doing. I want to see them again so they can meet Maddie. It would be so amazing if Maddie can see that she looks identical to Sharpay...I have to remember to go on their school website to try and find a picture.
Right now the four of us are just standing around by the central table in the lobby. What an event filled day. It's almost 6 o-clock now...hmm...I wonder what Maddie and I will have for dinner? Last night it was pretty late when we got home so we didn't eat with our parents. So far, it's been a very...eventful experience being home again.
"Hey, Emily," Cody said and I looked over at him, "Do you...ah...want to...um go to the movies with me after school tomorrow? I mean, it doesn't have to be a date if you don't want it to, but since...at the park...and the snowball...and yeah..." He finished nervously, blushing a little and casted his eyes down.
"Sure! I would love to go!" I answered excitedly. I really did want to go too; I have never really had a boyfriend before so I do not really know what it's like to go to the movies as a couple. Do you even watch the movie? What if it's a movie I actually want to see? Then what? I don't want to make Cody feel bad if I don't make out with him because I want to see the movie. What do I do?! ...I know! I'll ask Maddie!...She'll know what to do...I know she's been on movie dates before.
I smiled back at Cody as he did the same to me. I don't think I have ever been more excited to go back to school before. I'll be starting a new school with a...boyfriend? Can I actually call him that now or is it too soon? Note to self: Ask Maddie about that too after dinner. Thinking of dinner again, I really want to catch up with my whole family...I've missed everyone...except Liam...how are we even related? Maybe he was adopted...that would explain why he's a booger.
"Emily! Cody and I were thinking of heading up to the arcade to play some games, you want to come?" Zack jogged over to me since he had gone over to the candy counter to buy a chocolate bar, and staged whispered close to my ear, "I have a trick coin attached to a piece of string. We can play all of the games with it and no one will know."
I giggled at this comment; that was so Zack. I've only known the twins a day and I already seem to understand what they are like on a daily basis and what kind of personalities they have. Zack's always looking for the easy way out...the road most traveled...with less work, whereas Cody likes to work things out and try new things. He seems sweeter and more sensitive, but can be spontaneous at times too as he demonstrated today. About what happened today, where did Maddie go? She was here a minute ago…
(No POV)
Maddie had left the three others to themselves as soon as they entered the hotel when she got phone call. Since her cell phone was in her jeans pocket, she jumped when it started vibrating and surprisingly caused no suspicious glances from any bystanders since she let out a short squeal. "No one probably heard since it's so loud in here," thought Maddie.
"Hello?" Maddie answered calmly and kept walking, moving towards the bathroom in order to get some privacy. She opened the oak-wood door, walked across the tile floor and sat down on top of the marble countertop between the sinks.
"Maddie, honey, it's your mother," the voice on the other end answered a calmly, but Maddie's mom was anything but calm; her heart was beating faster than normal for she had something very important to tell her daughter.
"Hi mom. What's up? We, Emily, Zack, Cody and I, just got back from the park. It was so much fun skating and playing in the snow–" Maddie began animatedly into her cell phone but was cut short by her mother interrupting her.
"Maddie, that's great, I'm glad you had fun, but we have a problem." Maddie's mom paused.
Feeling her face drop, her smile now faded away, anticipating what her mom will say. "Why? What's wrong?" Maddie asked.
"Well, honey, the college you got accepted into, NYU, called today asking for your birth certificate since they're starting to collect all of your forms in preparation for next year. Unfortunately, your birth certificate, and Emily's for that matter, are no where to be found. I know I had them when you were younger, but I do not know where they are now. Fortunately, we had never needed them since they got misplaced; when you took driver's education, we were able to use your passport for identification. Now, Maddie, I don't need you freaking out…I know that–"
She didn't get to finish her sentence for Maddie was freaking out…I mean what teenager wouldn't if they knew they're birth certificate went missing.
"Don't freak out, Mom? Don't freak out?!" Maddie retorted loud and sarcastically. She heard her mom let out an exasperated sigh which only made Maddie become more agitated.
"YOU LOST MY FRICKEN BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! That could possibly prevent me from going to college! What kind of mother are you?" Maddie screamed into the phone hopping off of the counter in the process. Fortunately, no one else was in the bathroom, had they been, they would have run out faster than you could even get a word out your mouth at the sound of her screeching.
"Listen, Maddie…calm down…there is a way we can handle this," her mom responded slowly and carefully to make sure she does not go deaf from all of the screaming Maddie was doing into her ear.
Maddie inhaled and filled her lungs with the heated, Tipton air, warming her insides from the cold air outside, she then exhaled it out slowly. The redness decreasing from her previously angered face, she responded into her cell phone in a much calmer tone of voice.
"Alright," Maddie sighed and then asked while sitting back on the countertop, "What are we going to do? Can't you just call the hospital so that they can send us another one?"
"Yes, the hospital where you were born can send another one, however…" Mrs. Fitzpatrick trailed off, thinking of how to tell her daughter the hospital she was born is practically on the other side of the country. She switched her land-line phone to her other ear, "…you know what? I think it would be better if I explained all of this to you later and Emily as well, when you get home. It will be much easier if we are all sitting down…and in person. So it would be great if you two would come home as soon as possible."
"Okay…" Maddie replied contorting her face in confusion. "Why would it be easier to talk in person? If we talk now, then as soon as we get off the phone she can call the hospital and ask for the birth certificate. I need to know what's up and I need to know now. As soon as I get home I'm getting some answers," she thought.
After saying goodbye to each other, Maddie flipped her phone closed and hopped off of the marble counter just as a hotel guest walked into the bathroom. Quickly scurrying out of the bathroom she saw Emily talking to Zack and Cody, just starting to walk away towards the elevators.
"Em!" Maddie exclaimed coming over to her in half-walking, half-skipping steps, "I just got off the phone with mom; she needs to tell us something important, we should probably leave right now."
Emily's face changed to one of disappointment, "Aww, do we have to go now?" She whined, "I was just going to play some arcade games with Zack and Cody," Emily finished trying to convince her sister to stay longer with a puppy-dog pout.
"I'm sorry, Em, but this is essential to our futures…at this moment more mine than yours, but that's not the issue here…we really have to go," Maddie answered apologetically and Emily nodded solemnly. Maddie turned her head to the twins, "So we'll see you guys tomorrow, today was...fun." Maddie hesitated before saying 'fun' for she did not know how to describe all that had happened at the park just yet.
Emily gave Zack and Cody a quick hug goodbye. After hugging Cody, he gave her the kiss that was meant for her at the park.
(Cody's POV)
I want to give Emily the kiss I planted on Maddie at the park...just to show how nothing has changed because of it. I can feel Emily radiating happiness as I kiss her and I can't help but feel guilty that I don't feel as strongly as she does as I'm kissing her, but I'm not sure why. When I kissed Maddie, even though it was purely by accident, I felt connected with her somehow, like a huge bolt of electricity started to travel though my lips and to the rest of my body, even for as quick a kiss as it was. This kiss with Emily...it's great...but it just doesn't measure up. Is it because it's not as spontaneous as it was with Maddie; it's just sort of..there...or am I uncovering the verity that I should be with Maddie instead and the spontaneity has nothing to do with any of this? Oh, who am I kidding? Like I thought earlier, Maddie probably thinks I'm an idiot now and I've probably ruined our entire friendship...great this is just great.
We pull away and both Emily and I are both smiling. Zack and I watch the two blond girls walk out of the hotel and turn the corner on the street before we began to retreat to the elevator to up to our suite. The enthusiasm to play the arcade games has worn off since Emily said she had to go, we are hungry anyway, hopefully mom didn't burn dinner tonight.
(No POV) 15 minutes later
Maddie slid the key into the door and opened it so she and Emily can go inside. While walking home, they were greeted with a heavier snow than what they had when they had left the park so when they got inside they brushed their hands over their clothes to get rid of any stray snow that had yet to melt.
"Mom?! We're home!" Maddie exclaimed as they walked inside taking off their coats and hanging them in the hall closet.
"I'm in the kitchen!," Mrs. Fitzpatrick's voice rang out through the hallway, "You're dad had to work late again tonight so he won't be back until late." Irving Fitzpatrick was a consultant for a newspaper company for many years and did not receive a very high salary. He was constantly working late to increase his hourly pay in order to give his family what few luxuries they could afford. He loved his family more than anything and wanted nothing but the best for all of them, but since he rarely came home before 10-o-clock pm, his children did not get to see him very often; they lived at home with most of the guidance coming from their mother, which was not a bad thing, but sometimes they wanted a second opinion if in an small argument.
"So Mads, you think Mom will be able to find our birth certificates?" Emily whispered to Maddie before they reached the entry to the kitchen. On the walk home, Maddie had been telling her of her conversation with their mom and how their birth certificates are lost. Emily had started get really scared when she learned of this. She began having thoughts about being taken away from their mother because she didn't have proof that her and Maddie were her daughters...but then quickly shooed those negative thoughts away.
"I don't know Em, I'm just as confused about this whole situation as you are. I really hope we find them, because I need it to go to college next year." Maddie answered, trying to ease both of their nervous feelings.
"This sucks!" Emily exclaimed as they entered the kitchen where their mother was sitting on a chair at the head of the table, "Why couldn't it be Liam's birth certificate that you lost? Then we would have excuse for putting him up for adoption and getting rid of him for good!" She finished dramatically causing an amused chuckle from her mom.
"This isn't funny, Mom! We need our birth certificates! Especially now since we need to send a copy of mine to NYU!" Maddie cut in stopping the laughing immediately. She wanted answers and she was going to get them no matter what.
"You're right, this is no time to joke. We have a very serious matter on our hands, but there is a solution and I think it's time that you two learn the truth. Sit down, please, it's a long story and you need to listen to everything in order to understand," Mrs. Fitzpatrick said calmly and paused, giving Maddie and Emily a chance to pull two chairs from under the table to sit in front of their mother without the obstruction of the table between them.
Nodding their heads in agreement, Maddie and Emily looked intently at their mother to begin the explanation.
"Well...first of all, we don't necessarily have to go to the hospital to get you birth certificates. First, because the hospital where you were born is all the way in Albuquerque and is inconvenient, and 2nd, when I got off the phone with you, Maddie, I made a phone call and it turns out that your birth mother has the originals of both of your birth certificates stored at her house," explained Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
"Wait, you mean...we're..a-adop—adopted?" Maddie asked incredulously, "You're not our real mother?"
"Yes, your father and I adopted you when you were one and almost three years old. I'm afraid I'm not your real mother, but you have to know that I love each of you as if you were my very own flesh and blood and will always love you no matter what happens," replied their adopted mother.
At this time, Emily's eyes were stuck as wide as possible. She had not even considered the possibility that she or Maddie were adopted! But, then again, who would, if you've grown up in a family and always assumed that they were the ones to give you life.
Emily blinked a few times to moisten her eyes. "So I'm...and she's...and you're...but how?...us..not from you...huh?" asked Emily a little incoherently while pointing to herself and Maddie, for she did not fully understand how this was possible; Maddie didn't either, but being two years older, was able to digest the information a little better...but just a little, tiny bit better.
"Very smooth Em," Maddie said sarcastically but then added, "But seriously, mom, if I still may call you that, when were you planning on telling us that we were adopted?! Would we have gone through our entire lives not knowing the entire thing is a lie?"
"No, no, not necessarily. I hadn't actually planned on when I would tell you, but now is as good a time as any." Eileen (Mrs. Fitzpatrick) responded, gesturing with her hand to show that they needed to listen to the whole story before jumping to any rash conclusions.
"Very good, 'Mom,'" Maddie stated melodramatically using air quotes when saying mom, "So how exactly did you decide to adopt us? Will be so kind as to tell us about our birth parents?" She finished in a very sarcastic sounding sweetness, but still had a truthful sincerity to it; this was one of the Maddie-isms, no one else that they knew of can be sincere while still getting the point across that they did not like how the other person was approaching the situation.
"As I was starting to say before, you two were both born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at Albuquerque Hill Hospital to be exact," Eileen started looking at Maddie and Emily who were intently focused on her story, "In July 1990, Maddie, you were born...a few minutes after your sister and brother, and then in February 1992, Emily, you were born. Your parents--" (A/N: I think Zack and Cody were born in 1992 in the show, but for my story purposes they're going to be born in 1993)
"Wait a minute," Maddie interrupted, "I'm a triplet?" she asked curiously but with a hint of excitement.
"Yes," Eileen answered with a little annoyed sigh because at this rate she'll never get to finish explaining, "You were born five minutes after your sister, who was born ten minutes after your brother. Their names are Sharpay and Ryan. May I finish the story now? You still have much to understand about your past."
After they heard the names of their new-found siblings, Maddie and Emily did not listen to anything after that. They looked at each other with wide eyes, too shocked to say anything at first. "Could it be possible?" Emily thought simultaneously with Maddie.
"Sharpay and Ryan?...Their last name...it wouldn't happen to be Evans, would it?" asked Emily hesitantly. "I can't believe I met my own brother and sister and none of us knew we were actually related!" she thought, "They must be the same people...I don't think many people have the name, Sharpay."
"Yes, yes it is. Have you met them?"asked Eileen Fitzpatrick.
"I met them last year during a drama talent competition at school," Emily answered.
"Very interesting, then I supposed Louise didn't tell the twins anything either..." Eileen said more to herself than to anyone else.
"Who's Louise?" Emily asked
"Is that our real mom?" Maddie added in after Emily.
"Oh, yes, Louise Evans, she did give birth to you, but as I was saying before...Your birth parents, Louise and Vance Evans, were delighted to have four kids, but they soon ran into a bit of trouble...it began 16 years ago..."
A/N: 1) a) The longest chapter I have written..ever! holy crap LOL
1) b) The next chapter will begin with a flashback. And don't worry, this story is not entirely focused on Maddie's family...Zack and Cody will have a large part in the story as well, but it won't be until after some of the past is revealed. There will be more drama coming up...I need to set the stage...so to speak.
2) The events that happen in this story are for the story purposes only and may not actually happen in real life. If something seems a bit, for lack of a better word, extraordinary, just remember that it is meant for the story to progress further. :D
3) When Maddie screamed when her cell phone vibrated, that was based off of what actually happened to me. My cell phone was in the front pocket of my jean shorts one day and I got a phone call. Since I had set the phone to vibrate and ring, it scared the crap out of me when it started vibrating. I jumped and made a short, but pretty loud, high-pitched squeal and then my friends were all looking at me like I was crazy. It was very amusing actually. LOL
and 4) Be on the look out for the next chapter! It may take a while longer because I have so much work for school.
If you would like to contribute to the plot/drama, please leave suggestions in a review or message.
Remember to Comment/Review. It is very much appreciated. I read all of them and if there are any criticisms, I will take them into account to make the story better.
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