I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS OF HSM! Also some locations and characters are the works of fiction. Any similarities in names, locations, and establishments are purely coincidental. Thank You!

I know Chapter 5 and 6 were not very long, but that was because I wanted to dedicate A LOT to the reunion itself. We have FINALLY reached that point. I want to THANK EVERYONE for sticking with me. You have no idea what it means to me, again this is my first story (YES non believers it's true)! So thanks! I hope this Chapter will not disappoint. Please stick with me. I think you will like how this story continues.

-M

Chapter Seven – A Wildcat Reunion

Taylor looked down again at her watch as she looked at herself once more in the mirror. Standing in the middle of her old bathroom, in her old bedroom at her parent's home, she could help but feel 18 again. As she looked at her self in the mirror she barely recognized her reflection. This is definitely not the Taylor her friends and colleagues in Florida were use to seeing.

"I wonder what the guys at the lab would think if they saw me in this", she thought as she twirled around looking at herself at all different angles.

She had decided to show her East High spirit and wore a white halter dress which was accented by a black beaded trim that glimmered when it caught the light. The front was cut relatively low and showed an ample amount of cleavage. The dress was fitted and seemed to hug every curve of her waist and hips. The back was completely open and was cut dangerously low right above her where her booty began. It was a short dress that showed off her toned legs and stopped right above her knee. It showed enough but not too much, she didn't want her mother commenting on how she looked like a streetwalker. She paired the dress with black patent leather peep toe platforms pumps, large gold hoop earrings, and several gold bangle bracelets. She straightens her jet black hair which fell down mid-back as it reflected the light above her head. Her recent angled to the front hair cut and high-gloss treatment that Kelly Jo insisted she do seemed to accentuate her facial features. Taylor decided to keep the make up simple with a faint smoky eye and nude lip. She was applying lotion to her legs when she heard the doorbell ring.

"Damn that must be Sharpay and Zeke she thought as she finished rubbing the lotion into her skin."

Taylor could her excited voices and laughter down below, which was then followed by someone running up the steps. Two seconds later she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in", she yelled still in the bathroom.

Sharpay Evans walked into the room closing the door behind her as she called out, "Tay".

"I'm right here Pay", Taylor said coming out of the bathroom stopping in her tracks. She stood their in front of her best friend and all she could do is shriek and smile. Both woman ran to another and hugged as they jumped up and down.

"Taylor MY GOD look at you, you look INCREDIABLE", Sharpay screeched with tears forming in her eyes.

"So do you Sharpay. Look at you. You look like a movie star", Taylor said getting choked up as well.

It had been so long since the good friends had seen one another and the changes that took place during that time were evident. Sharpay who was known as the "Ice Queen" or the "Drama Diva" seem to have let go of the cold exterior that she once projected and all you could feel is warmth as well as the softness and pure happiness in her face. Still wearing her trademark pink, but not in an adolescent way her dress matched the vibe that she was now giving off. The dress was A-line in style but stopped right below the knee. It was a strapless light pink almost peach dress with a fitted bodice in the waist. The chiffon material loosened at the hip and cascaded at different lengths as it moved along with her body. She wrapped a matching shawl around her tanned narrow shoulders. Her golden blonde hair was pulled back in a low knotted chignon. Her make-up was simple, natural, and classy. Her skin looked like it was kissed by the sun. She wore simple princess cut diamond earrings in her ear, that seem to match the large princess cut diamond on her left hand. To finish her elegant look she wore gold strappy platform heels. Once the women finished embracing and complimenting each other, they began to talk about the night ahead.

"So are you ready for this Tay", Sharpay asked as she sat on Taylor's bed.

"As ready as I will ever be", Taylor replied with a little hesitation.

"Well don't worry about not getting noticed tonight, because I have a feeling you will be the talk of the evening" Sharpay said with a smirk on her face.

"I don't want to be the talk of the evening. I just want to see the old crew again. Catch up on some good times and maybe dance a little" Taylor replied as sprayed on Goddess perfume by Baby Phat on her neck, wrist, and behind her knees.

"Then you should have worn a different dress", Sharpay replied as she got up from the bed and opened the door.

"Come on let's go. Zeke is downstairs probably wondering what has happened to us" she said as she looked back at her friend.

Taylor nodded and grabbed black clutch from the night table and said, "Here goes nothing" as she followed her best friend out of her bedroom downstairs to be reunited with Zeke.

As they walked up the steps into East High School Taylor could hear faint music playing in a distance. Once checking in at the desk and getting their little name tags Zeke returned to his position as escort for Taylor and Sharpay.

He looked down at both women as they made their way to the gymnasium saying, "I am the luckiest son of gun tonight. I have my beautiful fiancée on my left arm" as he looked down at Sharpay and gave her a quick kiss and smile.

Zeke continued, "And a beautiful dear friend on my right" as he looked down at Taylor.

Taylor smiled widely and stood on her toes to kiss Zeke's cheek.

"Thanks Zeke" she said with a giggle. He nodded and laughed as they entered the East High gymnasium.

"Wow" Taylor whispered as she looked around the unrecognizable large room.

The alumni had turned this gym where in the past she would have watched her boyfriend practice and win championships into a lavish setting. White soft fabric hung from the rafters giving it an intimate feeling. Soft red drapery hung down covering all the walls and the bleachers that was pushed into the building. Clear crystal chandeliers hung throughout with different shades and tones of the red roses in the base with gold accents around the trim. The room was highlighted by candles more than the eye could see which where safely covered around by tall glass covers. Taylor was broken out of her amazement and appreciation of the great effort and detail that was placed in the room, when Sharpay grabbed Zeke arm and pulled them both in direction of the bar area.

Taylor was still looking around the room when she heard Sharpay yell.

"Kelsi, Jason, over here", waving her arms frantically.

Kelsi ran over to Sharpay and placed a big hug around her. Taylor watched with a smile as she saw that the once soft spoken and reserved Kelsi had turned into a beautiful attention catching woman. She was talking a mile a minute with Sharpay about a song she penned while inspired by seeing a homeless woman when she looked out the corner of her eye and saw Taylor.

"Taylor" she said stuttering as looked closely at Taylor squinting her eyes as if they were playing tricks on her.

"Yeah playmaker it's me" Taylor replied as she stepped forward to give Kelsi a hug.

"OH MY GOD" Kelsi yelled as she jumped into Taylor's arms.

"It is so good to see you" she said with teary eyed.

She quickly wiped her tears away and looked Taylor up and down and said, "When did you get so hot".

Taylor smiled and laughed while she responded to Kelsi, "Kels I have ALWAYS been hot. Just no one noticed" Taylor answered.

"I noticed" Jason piped in as Kelsi hit him upside the back of his head.

"Ow" he replied as he rubbed the back of his head and gave Kelsi a "You Hurt Me" look.

"Same 'ole Jason" Taylor chuckled as she gave him a hug.

Just then a voice piped up and said, "Alright now what did I miss".

Taylor turned around to see Ryan Evans, Sharpay's twin brother standing in front of them with Martha Cox standing to the right of him beaming.

Everyone yelled and hollered as the old friends hugged one another and commented on how they all looked so grown up. It was just like old times, the girls where talking about clothes and their hair. While guys were talking about sports (including Ryan talking about baseball) and what was going on in the business world. Everyone was so wrapped up in the conversation no one saw Chad and Gabriella Danforth approaching them.

"How's it going Wildcats" Chad's voice boomed and Taylor felt her heart stop. She had been dreading this moment the minute she got her invitation and it was now finally here. Everyone yelled and went up to hug Chad and Gabriella. All Taylor could do was stand still. She felt her palms begin to sweat and just could not bring her eyes up off the floor.

Suddenly everyone around her became silent and she knew it was because they were looking at her. She finally sighed and looked up into Chad Danforth's rich brown eyes.

She smiled as she exhaled and said, "Hello Chad".

His face which seemed to be very tense before she spoke to him soften a little bit as he replied, "Hey Taylor, it is so good to see you".

Taylor began to relax as she noticed Chad's eyes were full of remorse for all that had happened between the two of them. She stepped forward and opened her arms in a hug as tears began to fill her eyes as she choked, "It is good to see you too".

Chad quickly walked to her picked her up in a huge hug and swinging her around. Everyone around them laughed, yelled, hugged and cried as they saw the bond that was once irreconcilably broken slowly come together again. Once Chad put her down he wiped her tears that fallen down her face and she did the same to him. He looked down at Taylor and smiled and then looked behind him as he steps to the side and guided Gabriella to the front.

Gabriella timidly walked up to Taylor with her tears flowing steadily down her face.

"Hey Tay" she said barely in a whisper.

Taylor looks at the beautiful young woman standing before her, with her long black wavy hair sprawling down her back and shoulders. She was simply glowing in a long red satin empire dress that had a little bump protruding from her stomach.

"She's pregnant" Taylor thought to herself, as she stepped closer to Gabi.

The two women just stood across from one another without saying a word for what felt like an eternity. It seems that everything they were saying was unspoken as the stood there looking into one another's eyes. Finally Gabi spoke again a little louder and clearer this time.

"Please forgive me Taylor. I…I miss you" she stammered.

Taylor looked at the woman and finally replied, "I do forgive you Gabi and I miss you too".

"Come here girl" she said as she took a step forward and embraced Gabriella in her arms.

Gabriella seemed to crumble as she held on Taylor as she cried.

Taylor just held her in her arms and rocked her as she tried to sooth her ex-best friend. Their was not a single dry eye as the women pulled back and looked at each before they began to laugh.

At this point everyone seemed to be confused by this sudden change of emotion and began to look around nervously. Chad came forward wiping his eyes as he watched the emotional exchange from his wife and ex-girlfriend.

"What's so funny" he asked with concern on his face.

"Us" Taylor replied and continued, "We both look like raccoons".

She then turned and grabbed Gabriella's hand while looking at the other women, "Come on girls let's freshen up and you guys go get us a table we will be back in a little".

The men nodded as they turned to find a table, as the five women linked arms and headed straight to the ladies room. Once in the ladies room they all laughed at their red eyes and tear streaked cheeks. While touching up their make-up and fixing their dresses they began to ask Gabi about the baby.

"So when are you due?" Sharpay asked as she re-applied some bronzer to her cheeks staring in the mirror.

"In five months" Gabi replied with a smile.

"We found out yesterday it is a girl" she said as all the girls squealed in delight and hugged her.

"Did you pick any names out yet?" Taylor asked as glanced over herself one last time in the mirror.

Gabi nervously turned to her with her eyes down, "Actually we did, but I want to know how you feel about it".

Taylor tilted her head as she looked at Gabi with a confused look on her face.

Gabi looked up at her as she continued, "We were thinking of Melanie Taylor Danforth".

Gabi stood their looking directly at Taylor, while the other women froze and looked tensely in Taylor's direction.

"Is their reason Gabi you want your daughter to have my name?" Taylor asked with a shock expression on her face.

"Yes there is Taylor. Both Chad and I agreed that we love the name Taylor first and foremost, but that you are everything we want our daughter to be" she continued never looking away from Taylor.

"You are beautiful, intelligent, strong, and you have a big heart. It would be an honor if you let us name our child after you" she finished standing firmly in her place.

Taylor looked over to Sharpay who gave her a smile and nodded.

Taylor sighed, and looked at the rest of woman before she turned her attention to Gabi, "Yes I agree with you I am all those things but I didn't find my strength until after what happened with you and Chad".

She continued as she walked over to Gabi, "I am letting go Gabi and I am moving on because I need to and if naming your daughter will help you do the same thing then so be it. But just know she will never be as cute as me" Taylor replied with a smirk.

Gabriella laughed and lightly hit Taylor's arm as she nodded and with that they knew that past was in the past as the walked out of the restroom and into the future.

Once they entered the gymnasium the woman began to look around for the guys.

"Oh I see them, they got the table in the middle" Sharpay said as she pointed to the middle of the room.

"Well I will meet you guys over there; I am going to head to the bar real quick. I need drink after all of this emotional unloading" Taylor said as she began to walk over to the bar.

"If I wasn't knocked-up I would be joining you", Gabi replied with a wink.

Taylor laughed as she rolled her eyes and headed to the bar. While waiting in line she ran into some of her Decathlon team members. They introduced her to their significant others and remarked on how wonderful she looked. She smiled and nodded politely but was so grateful when she was up to order at the bar.

"I better not do red tonight" she thought as placed an order for a glass of Pinot Grigio.

As she began to turn around to walk away someone gently bumped into her hand.

"Shit" she cried as little bit of the wine spilled in her hand, but thankfully not her dress.

"Why Taylor McKessie, I don't believe I ever heard you use profanity" she heard a voice reply with a hint of sarcasm in it.

Taylor knew she heard that voice before, but she was so annoyed that her $550 dollar dress could have been ruined she didn't bother to look up as she wiped her hand off with napkin the bartender gave her.

"You almost heard more than that if, this wine would have gotten on my dress" she said annoyed.

"Well then I am glad THAT didn't happen and even if it did, I could buy 20 more of those dresses, which you look amazing in by the way" voice continued now whispering in her ear seductively.

Taylor completely irritated that this asshole could believe he could insult her then try to seduce at the same time. She was about to give him a piece of her mind when she looked up and was rendered speechless. All she could see was those piercing blue eyes that seem to go right through her. She felt her pulse quicken and her mouth suddenly became dry as she looked into the tan and chiseled face of one Troy Bolton.

Troy looked at her smiled before bending down in front of her face, "NOW Taylor McKessie is SPEECHLESS, I do believe hell has frozen over" he said grinning.

That got Taylor attention real quick as she squint her eyes and used her other hand to smack Troy playfully in the arm.

He laughed as he pulled her into a hug, "It is so good to see you Taylor".

All Taylor could do is hug Troy back as she mumbled, "It is good to see you too Troy."

Once they pulled away she could do is smell him on her, "And oh did he smell so good she" thought to herself.

Regaining her composure she grabbed Troy's hand to lead him over to the table where all their friends were sitting.

Completely amused by her reaction to him, Troy happily obliged as the sexiest woman he had ever seen pulled him around like a child. He purposefully was dragging his feet along since he was enjoying the view of Taylor from behind.

"My God what an ASS", he thought as he tilted his head to right checking out Taylor's prominent posterior.

Troy had to shake his head once they reached the table where all their friends were sitting to try to remove the images of Taylor's butt from his mind.

"Looked who bumped into me LITERALLY", Taylor said with a hint of an attitude as she pulled Troy up beside her.

Everyone jumped up and surrounded Troy. The guys we shaking his hand as the girls were hugging him and giving him a kiss.

Taylor sat down at the table and observed the commotion around her. "Troy looked SO DAMN GOOD", she thought as she brought the glass of wine to her lips.

He had grown since high school, standing at 6'1. He still had that shaggy haircut, but had evolved to a more male model, grown up look as it was cut closer to his head and had blonde highlights throughout it. His side swept bangs constantly kept falling into his eye which he would nonchalantly sweep out of his face. He wore a black Armani suit that was well fitted and a crisp white shirt underneath that clung closely to his body revealing a hint of his muscle definition that lied underneath. His matching black pants hung low on his narrow hips and he topped off his stylish and sleek look with some nice black leather shoes. As Taylor continued to look Troy up and down she couldn't help but wonder what he looked like WITHOUT any clothes. Her eyes slowly made their way back up to his face, which lost that baby face that once surrounded it and became more jagged and defined.

"Man he could be a stand in for Brad Pitt", she thought as her eyes met his.

Quickly embarrassed by her staring she looked down and drank another sip of her wine praying that she was not intensely blushing.

Troy suggested that they have a seat since dinner would be served soon. Taylor closed her eyes and prayed he would not sit by her.

Just then her nose latched onto that delicious scent she had smelled just a few minutes earlier and knew her prayers were not answered. As Troy pulled out the seat to the right of Taylor's he bent down and whispered in her ear, "Where you praying for me to sit next to you" he asked with a hint of cockiness throughout his voice.

Taylor turned and glared at him as she replied, "NO the OPPOSITE actually" as she turned away and directed her attention to Sharpay on her left.

This caused Troy to laugh out loud as he looked her over one more time and thought, "This woman is a pistol, but one I am willing to try" as he turned to talk to his best friend who was asking him a question as he was contemplating in his mind what the rest of the night held in store for him.

I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY MISTAKES IT WAS SUPER LATE AS I FINISHED THIS. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!

M