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January 3rd, 2028 11:00 am Albuquerque
I slept in a little later than I had these past few days. I picked my head up and looked at the time, shocking myself to see that it was 10:30. I shook my head before getting up and throwing on some clothes. I ran a brush quickly through my dark brown hair before throwing it up into a pony tail. I tied my New Balance tennis shoes before grabbing my hotel key and leaving the room.
I walked downstairs and stopped at the front counter. The girl smiled at me before coming over.
"I was wondering where a good place to run would be?" I asked what looked to be an 18 year old girl.
"Memorial park has some great trails. It's just down the street a little." She said pointing in the general direction.
"Thanks. I'll check that out." I told her before walking out of the hotel. I walked down the street until I saw the park sign.
Running had always been a favorite of mine. It gave me time to think without having someone always on my case. I never listened to music while I ran because I loved hearing my feet pound on the pavement as I ran.
I did a couple of laps around the little pond there. I saw a couple of people sitting around and didn't think anything of it until I saw a blonde headed lady sitting there looking at me. I slowed my pace as I got near her.
"Do I know you?" I asked her as she continued to stare at me.
"You met me, yes. But I know more about you than you know about me." She said as she pointed at the bench for me to have a seat.
"Kristin Evans; we met 2 days ago at the restaurant." She said holding out her hand and smiling.
"Oh I remember you know. I'm sorry; it's just that I've met so many people in the past few days." I told her shaking your hand.
"This group is like that. They tend to give too much support at one time. Or in your case, not enough." Kristin said looking at her hands.
"So something is on your mind." I started as she smiled a little more.
"I know what you're going through." She said simply as I continued to look at her.
"What do you mean I know what you're going through?" I asked her looking for more information.
"I'm an outsider just like you are. I didn't come into the picture until after Troy was gone. Troy died in January and I didn't meet Ryan until March. It took Ryan a long time to open up and tell me what was up. He had to completely trust me before he opened the wounds again." Kristin told me.
"So how was the group when you first met them?" I asked her as she shook her head.
"They were bitter to tell you the truth. They were angry, pissed off, and mad that they didn't spend more time with their friend. Chad was the worse in the group. He turned to alcohol right after Troy died. Jack and Carly finally stepped in and gave Chad an ultimate decision. Either he stopped drinking or they were taking him to rehab against his will." Kristin told me.
"I never knew." I whispered as she took my hand in hers.
"You were never supposed to. But I think it would help you to understand this group a little better if you do know. Ryan sat me down one night after we were dating for about 4 weeks. He took my hand in his and explained everything. He started from high school up until the day in January. He told me that Troy and Gabi had a daughter and they put her up for adoption. He couldn't understand it though because any one of their friends would have taken you in and raised you." Kristin told me.
"So why did none of the friends take me in?" I asked her as she smiled a little.
"At the time, they were all going through college still. If they would have adopted you, then their dreams went down the tube. Another thing was that Troy and Gabi decided that they did not want you growing up around the drama. You would be forever known as Troy Bolton's daughter. And Troy and Gabi couldn't put you through the heartache of being called that yet you never knew who they were." Kristin explained.
"Thank you for telling me all of this." I told her as she smiled at me.
"I've been wanting to talk to you but never got the chance. Ryan told me that you played basketball with them yesterday. Did you enjoy it?" Kristin asked me as I smiled.
"It was surreal being in the same gym that my father had played in. But it was cool to play basketball with the friends my father had years ago." I told her.
"All the guys have old video tapes of Troy playing basketball. If you ask, I bet the guys will let you borrow them." Kristin told me.
"Thanks I'll have to ask them about that." I said falling quieter by the minute.
"So I heard you were scouted by 5 NCAA teams to play basketball for them. Have you figured out where you're going?" Kristin asked as I shook my head.
"I've got it narrowed down to two but I don't know which I'm going to pick." I told her trailing off.
"Can I ask which two schools?" She asked looking at me.
"University of New Mexico or Duke. They've both got the program I want to study." I told her smiling.
"Duke because Troy went there and UNM why?" She asked me as I smiled.
"One it closer to all of you and two I've heard it's a great school." I told her.
"You'll decide. And you'll decide which school is great for you and no one else." Kristin told me.
"Thanks for the advice. I've got to go but I'll see you later." I told her standing up.
I started running as my mind was filled with more information. I decided to go back to the hotel, take a shower before heading over to the restaurant.
2:00 pm
I found myself in the same position I did two days ago. I was standing outside of the bar suddenly really nervous. I coached myself to push the door open and walk inside. I felt my hand on the cold metal and pushed open the door.
"Hey Tess! How's life treating you today?" Ryan asked as I walked in and saw down at the bar.
"It's going pretty well. How about you?" I asked the guy everyone had referred to the drama geek.
"I can't complain. You looked trouble a little bit." Ryan said pointing out the obvious.
"It is that obvious?" I asked looking at him with a grin.
"Of course it is. Troy and Gabi could never hide the fact that they were worried or trouble by something well." Ryan told me.
"I've got a lot on my mind. I've got to take some time to sort through it." I told him pushing forward a smile.
"We're here to talk if you need it. So what can I do for you?" Ryan asked me.
"Um . . . what's the house special?" I asked picking up the menu and looking at it.
"We have an East High burger that's really good." Ryan told me.
"Sounds good; I'll have that." I told him putting down the menu.
"And what to drink?" Ryan asked as I looked behind the bar.
"Um . . . Sprite." I told him picking my absolutely favorite drink in the world.
I twirled in my chair as Ryan got my drink for me. I looked around the restaurant and a photo stopped me dead in my tracks. I got off the seat and walked over to the wall where the photo was hung. I stood on my tiptoes to get a better view.
"What do you see there?" Another voice asked which caught my attention.
"I'm just looking at this photo here." I said turning around and seeing Sharpay standing behind me.
"I forgot we put that photo up." Sharpay said reaching over and taking the photo down.
It was me when I was 5 in a basketball uniform. It was Halloween and my parents dressed me up in that and took me trick or treating.
"Did they send it to you guys?" I asked her as she nodded her head.
"I think Gabi made copies and gave us one. We framed it and hung it up here. It got lost in all the photos when we added more and more." Sharpay admitted to me.
My eyes trailed around the room as I picked out more photos that looked interesting. I found another one of me; this time it was much more recent.
"I see my parents kept you guys up to date on what I was doing." I said stating the obvious.
"All the photos in this restaurant are from Gabi. Every time she comes, she brings a new photo of you to show us. The one of you holding the trophy for basketball is an exact copy of the one we have of Troy holding the trophy. We decided to put them side by side." Sharpay told me.
"And my senior picture?" I asked pointing to another one on the wall.
"That came just a few days ago. Do you want to know what I thought when I first saw that photo, Tess?" Sharpay asked me.
"What did you think?" I asked her as she titled my head up to meet her eyes.
"How much you looked like your mother and father. That was the first thought that struck me. None of us could get over how much you looked like Gabi and Troy. That's why when you first came into here your first night, we all knew you were Troy and Gabi's daughter." Sharpay told me.
"Thank you. I'm just shocked to see photos of me in here." I told her.
"I never stopped thinking about you. On your birthdays, I would wonder what you were going to achieve that year. On certain days, I would wonder what you did that day. Or how you were doing in school, in basketball, or in live. I was anxious to see how you grew up. I even called your parents a couple of times just to check up on you." Sharpay told me.
"You did?" I asked in complete shock.
"I sure did. The most of the time, you were in school or out playing basketball when I called. Your mom and dad were secretive about it because we all asked them to. We didn't want you to find out until your 18th birthday and your parents made sure you never did." Sharpay told me.
"You mean everyone called to check up on me?" I asked her looking around the restaurant.
"We sure did. Troy made us all promise him that we would keep tabs on you. He told us that he would be watching from up above but we were suppose to be keeping an eye out on you. When your parents moved from New Mexico to Chicago, they left us their phone number to keep in touch." Sharpay told me.
"Wow I never knew." I said shaking my head.
"A couple of years ago, when you were a sophomore, your parents invited us to come watch you play in your championship. We had our parents watch our kids and we flew in for the weekend and saw you play. It was like I was watching Troy again on that court. You ruled the court and you were amazing to watch." Sharpay told me.
"So you were the one my mom was talking to at the beginning of the game?" I asked putting two and two together.
"You've got it. We all went over and talked to them but made sure you weren't suspicious of anything." Sharpay told me grinning.
"After the game I asked her who that was and she just said an old friend. I never asked her anymore questions about it." I told her.
"We've been a part of your life but you never knew it. We were very secretive about it." Sharpay told me as Ryan called my name.
"Your food's ready." Ryan said as I walked over to the bar.
"So did you guys take anymore trips out to Chicago?" I asked looking between the brother and sister pair.
"You were in a ballet recital and we came out to see you then. I think you were 6 at that time. A couple more trips for basketball games." Ryan said nodding his head.
"I never knew you guys were there at any of those events." I said shaking my head.
"That was the key. You weren't supposed to know anything about those trips that we came and indirectly saw you. Your parents knew but you weren't supposed to." Sharpay said picking up from where her brother stopped.
"I'm just in amazement." I said truly surprised by it.
"That's got to be a first; Tess Alexis Bolton-DeVries is officially speechless." Ryan said laughing.
"Why is that amazing to you guys?" I asked them laughing.
"Whenever we would call your mom, we would hear you in the background chatting away or singing. Your mom said you would never shut up. She said you would find anything to talk about." Sharpay told me.
"Hahahaha you're funny." I said laughing a little.
"The fact that you have a knack for talking is just like Troy. When he was nervous he would ramble on and on until someone put a stop to it. He always was a big talker unless something was bothering him; then he would clam up and not say a word." Ryan told me.
"I saw Kristin at the park when I went for a run and she mentioned that you guys still have videos that someone took of you guys goofing off and playing basketball. Do you think there's a chance I could see those?" I asked the brother and sister.
"I've got to think who's got those. I think Chad and Jason still have all of them. And Jack and Carly got some videos too. You could ask them to borrow them." Sharpay told me.
"I think I will. You've both been a big help to me and my search." I told them.
"You could always contact Gabi and she might help you out some." Ryan suggested as I smiled.
"Chad's going to give me her mail address as well as her phone number. I'm going to contact her when I get back home." I told them.
"Will you stay in contact with us?" Sharpay asked me as I smiled at her.
"If you want me to, then yes I will. Chad is going to get me your email addresses so we can stay in contact. You've all ready got my phone number and address." I told them smiling.
"You'll have to tell us if anything important happens in these upcoming months." Ryan told me.
"A big event is happening next month." I told the two of them as their eyes went wide.
"And what big event is that?" Sharpay asked me as I laughed a little.
"It's signing day at East Evanston High on February 7th. That's where all the athletes' sign with the college they've chosen." I explained to them.
"Where are you going to sign?" Ryan asked me as my eyes went wide.
"I've got it narrowed down to two colleges. I've just got to pick one and let them know by the end of January." I told them.
"What two did you pick?" Sharpay asked me as I rolled my eyes a little.
"Duke and University of New Mexico." I told them smiling a little.
"Both are great schools. Your parents attended Duke. What do you want to major in?" Ryan asked me.
"I want to do something in the medical field. I'm debating between a physician and a nurse." I told the two of them laughing.
"That's a big difference. If you chose physician, what do you want to study?" Sharpay asked me as I smiled.
"It's a toss up between Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, or Family Medicine." I told the two of them.
"I think you'll be a wonderful doctor or nurse what ever you chose to be." Ryan told me.
"It's a lot of work and I don't know if I have it in me to complete almost 14 more years of schooling." I told them smiling.
"That scared your dad too. He was worried about taking 14 more years to start practicing. Your mom was in there for the long haul and she loved thinking that your dad was going to be a doctor." Sharpay told us smiling.
"You guys miss the two of them together, don't you?" I asked looking between the two.
"When anyone was around the two of them, they gave you hope for true love. They made you believe your soul mate was out there somewhere and you had to go search for them. They were Gabi and Troy and everyone knew their names. They were voted most likely to get married and most likely to make it through hard times." Sharpay told me.
"Well they almost made it through hard times." I said quietly as we all fell silent.
I sat there and listened to Sharpay and Ryan tell me more stories about my parents. I laughed at a couple and smiled at others. While they were telling me those, I felt a pain at my heart that I would never physically met my father; the one I was compared to in basketball and the one I got my eyes, smile, and determination from.
Now which school will Tess pick?? Feedback is a very good thing; please take the time and let me know what you thought of the story!!! Thank you to everyone who has submitted feedback for this story!!!
