Chapter 7- Surprise of a Birthday

I looked at the pizza place in front of me; I needed to talk to somebody that knew Troy. As it was Thursday I knew Cody was working and the boys probably wouldn't be here. I took a deep breath. I thought back to the last four days of school I had to go through.

Troy was completely ignoring me no matter what I did. If I tried to talk to him in the hallway he would just walk off and in class he would move his desk so much that he didn't have to look at me. It always left a pang of hurt in my chest. I chewed on my lip as I threw the door open. My soft Ugg boots hitting the wet pavement as it rained all day today. My sweats were baggy on my hips and my New York hoodie overflowing my body. My hair was up in a sloppy messy bun saying I didn't care anymore.

I slammed my car door shut; I looked around making sure Troy's car wasn't here. Once I was sure I didn't see it I went running for the door. I pulled it open as I got there and the first person I saw was Cody. He looked up as the bell rang over the door. Once he saw me he sighed, "He doesn't want me talking to you." He said

I groaned, "I didn't do anything." I told him, "From what I heard you lied to him," I closed my eyes and slide my hand backwards on my face, "It's not how it sounds." I told him, he looked down at the map then back up at me. "It sounds like you knew he was looking for her or you and you knew." He said confused trying to figure out if he said it right.

"Cody, you don't understand just like he doesn't. My dad plays in the major leagues. He has since I was basically born being drafted out of high school. That's how I grew up playing baseball, we moved a lot when I was younger to the point I really don't remember. Then we moved to Kansas City-"

"Newman you can have your break," some guy said coming up to him, "Thanks," he said and he lead me back to a table in the back. "Continue," he said

"Then we moved to Kansas City where I stayed for quiet a few years. I loved it there and it was one of the most amazing places I have lived, my best friend is George Brett's son." Cody looked at me if I was joking, "I'm not joking, and his dad and my dad became good friends when he played down there." I told him

"That's pretty cool," Cody said

"Yea and he is my only best friend. That's it and it's because he isn't fan obsessed with my dad. He isn't some crazy stalker trying to get the next best picture or something of ours to sell on the internet." Cody looked at me closely, "Then he got traded, they uplifted me from my life in Kansas City to go to New York where I made the biggest mistake by telling people who my dad was."

I pursed my lips together as I tried to stop the tears, "Guys would hit on me and ask me to dances so they could meet my dad. Girls would follow me home to catch a glimpse of him; people would never leave me alone. I hated it so much out there sometimes; I just wanted to go back to Kansas City." I wiped at my eyes

"Then we came here, I needed a change from all of that. Troy was the first to talk to me so that's where it began. It began with him and then I find out but not days before I tell him I wasn't moved because of my dad. I was moved because of my mom being pregnant." Cody raised an eyebrow

"Is this shocking?" I laughed a bitter laugh as he asked this, "Not so much that she is pregnant but more of the fact that they lied about two miscarriages she had. Those are the real reasons we have moved, because of that." I looked across the restaurant as tears flowed from my eyes.

"Now at school everyday nobody talks to me. I can't do anything right anymore. I am just so done with everything." I told him rubbing my temple. He got up and came over to sit next to me, giving me a hug.

"You had the right to lie. They way you explained it I would have done the same thing. You should try to tell Troy."

"I have hundreds of times but he either walks off or completely ignores me." I told him, "He just won't listen to me and all of you guys are ignoring me every time I call or text. Taylor and Sharpay won't talk to me and you know everybody at school knows." Cody sighed and looked at his watch.

"The guys are all coming in tonight in about thirty minutes when I get off work. They will probably all start trickling in about fifteen minutes so you might want to get out of here."

"Do they all hate me?" I asked him

"Nah, they just know not to piss Troy off when he is pissed. I kind of have some leeway since I am his best friend and all." I gave him a small smile, "Me and my dad got into a huge fight after I came home from the after party. We went twenty four hours without speaking and I thought I was going to die."

I chewed on my lip and Cody waited for me to continue, "And then I had a fight with Troy, it's been four days and I feel like complete shit. I don't want to get up in the morning and my birthday is in two days. My dad is leaving me in two days and I am stuck."

"I'll be there for your party tomorrow after I do some stuff at Swings." I nodded my head and Cody slide out of the booth and I followed.

"Thanks for listening." I said as I stood on my own two feet, "I knew Troy was probably stretching the truth but I didn't know."

"He wasn't stretching the truth, I was lying but I had a right to lie."

He nodded his head and then brought me into a hug, "You look like you need on of these." He murmured

"I really do." I told him, we let go and I waved goodbye as I started walking to my car.


Troy's POV

"Don't you think you are just being a little hard on her?" Cody asked me as he sat down my drink, "Why? Did you talk to her?" I asked him, "And what if I did Troy? Are you going to hurt me?"

I looked at him, "She came here."

"And it's my job to talk to her so if you wouldn't mind." Cody rolled his eyes as he started to walk away, "Did she throw you some real BS?" I asked him

"No, she came here looking hurt. She looked tired and hurt; she didn't look like she was giving me bullshit." He said as he turned to leave. "What do you mean she looked hurt?" I asked getting up from my chair to follow him. He walked behide the counter and I followed him down.

"I mean she came in and cried. She cried Troy, she isn't some freak. She yes lied to you because she needed to. She told me about everything that's happened to her. If I was her I would too lie to everybody."

"So she did feed you-"

"How would you know Troy?" he asked me, I bit on my cheek, "she could have been honest when I spent half a basketball game looking for her."

"She was honest with you…just not right in the beginning." He said starting to ring a check up, "So go ahead be mad at her but I'm not. Your right the girl needs a friend and since you don't want to be there. I will." He started to walk away from me. "So you are giving up your best friend for her?"

I looked at him closely to see his reaction, "I'm not giving up either of you. I am being a friend." He said to be as he walked back into the kitchen. I felt stumped; I knew I was right on this one. I didn't have to like her any longer yet when I went to pitch my fastball wasn't as good. My change up sucked and my curveball barley curved. When I hit I couldn't get my timing down. I shook my head I had to focus.

"So Troy since we don't have a party tomorrow night what are we doing?" Brett asked as he texted somebody on his cell phone, "I don't know," I told them, "I will be at the batting cages all night since I can't hit to save my life."

"You were sucking ass the other day brother," Brandon told me, "Wow, thanks guys!" I said sarcastically, "It's probably because you can't stop thinking about Gabi." I rolled my eyes, "I can stop thinking about her because I personally don't care."

"You would too care if she came crying to you." Cody said dropping pizzas on the table then collapsing in a chair. "Whoa, Hottie McGabi came crying to you?" Brett asked grabbing a slice of pizza from the tray. I wasn't hungry.

"Oh yea since Bolton over there wont talk to her." Cody smirked at me as I rolled my eyes once more. "I don't need her in my life if she is going to be a lair."

"Have you even listened to her whole story?" He questioned me, "She tries to tell me over and over about this and that happening."

"Her life is hard Bolton! Get that through your head!" Cody snapped at me, the baseball team looked at one another before backing up there chairs and casually hanging around.

"How could her life be hard? Getting to drive expensive cars and meeting these awesome players?" I asked him, "Oh lets think, moving all the damn time, never having consistent friends through her life, and to top it all off her dad is basically gone half the year." I bit on my lip as he made good points.

"Now tell me Troy, you have moved once in your life. You have always had us and Chad behide your back as friends and your dad is always around for you, she might just be jealous of you."

"Whatever, I am going home." I told the team, I scooted back my chair and Cody shook his head. "I don't want to be like this but she makes points. Since you arent going to listen to her I am." Cody told me as I headed for the front door of the building.


Gabi's POV

"Dylan it has been five days since he has talked to me. I cant even bare to return his jacket. I try to call the baseball team and all of there phones go to voicemail. I went to the pizza place yesterday night to talk to Cody and he did. So I have Cody back on my side but Taylor and Sharpay have shunned me out completely and I am alone." I was curled up in my bed with the blankets pulled up to my chin. I havent slept decent in the past week.

"I told you not to lie." He said into the phone, I sighed, "My parents are letting me skip school today since my birthday is tomorrow and my dad leaves tomorrow." I said playing with the strings on my blanket.

"So how was Valentines Day?" he asked me, "Sucked ass" I said pulling on a piece of string from my bed. "Mine too but anyways, I gotta go love."

"Well thanks, I talk to you later." I mumbled, he said a goodbye and I tossed my phone onto my pillow. I chewed on my lip nervously as I looked at his jacket that was lying on the chair across from me. I needed to return it to him but I didn't really want to talk to him and he didn't really want to talk to me.

That's when the idea sparked in my head. I went back to thinking of the last week of my life. Troy passing me in the hallway and turning away or in class where we were seated next to each other he would turn so far so he didn't have to look at me. It hurt everyday. It hurt so much. I was going to write a note. Telling him everything in the note, telling him and maybe this time he would listen.

I searched for notebook paper and a pen of some sort. I got comfortable in the bed and I pulled my knees up so I could write on them. "Hey Gabs," my mom said walking into the room.

"Hey mom," I told her, "So we have party decorates coming over today to decorate the house." I groaned a little as I looked at her. "How many guests did dad invite?" I asked her, "Plenty." She told me as she sat down next to me. "So is there anything you want to do today?"

"Just hang out with dad." I told her

She gave me a soft smile, "Gabi, I know we already talked about this but I am truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you like that but I did it once instead of twice. I know I was hurt both times and I can't bear to see you like that." She said smoothing some of my hair back from my face.

"I know mom, I got karma for acting like I did. Since I lied to Troy he won't talk to me. I am going to write a note, take his jacket back to his house, and see what happens after that."

My mom sniffled and she gave me a hug, "You are so grown up! I can not believe you are going to be seventeen tomorrow!" she cried, "Okay mom no crying." I told her, she dapped at her eyes. "Sorry so many emotions."

I looked down at her swollen belly that was beginning to stick out. She patted my back before standing up. "I am going to go downstairs and talk to your dad, see what we can do today." I nodded my head and I started working on the note.

I began to explain everything to him. Anything and everything, why I did this and why I did that. When I told him that I had yes lied and I regretted it but knew I should have because now he knows the real me. Once I was done I signed my name at the bottom of the paper and folded it up. It was almost ten thirty by the time I was done.

I got up and I went over to my closet to slip on a pair of skinny jeans, a grey V-neck, and a pair of Toms. I walked down the stairs with Troy's jacket in hand.

"There's my superstar!" my dad said, he was dressed in a pair of jeans, cleanly shaven, which I did not see often, and a plain white tshirt.

"Hey you shaved," I said nudging his side, "Uh yea! Just for my princess" he said kissing my forehead, "What happens if you have another girl?" I asked him

"You will still be my princess because you will always be my baby." He said giving me a hug; I smiled knowing I would be the baby forever. There was going to be such an age difference between us two. I looked over at my mom who had her hand protectively over her stomach.

"I am going to run to my friend's house to return this. Do we just want to meet up for some lunch?" I asked looking at the two, "Sure! Where would you like to go?" my mom asked, "Uhm how about the Mexican restaurant down the street from that pizza place. I went there with Troy once and they have some of the best food ever!" I told them, "Sure we will meet you there in thirty minutes."

I nodded my head, "Alright, see you guys soon." I said picking up my car keys and escaping from the house.

I started my car and drove away from our house and closer to Troys. Once I got there I saw a car parked in the driveway. I quietly went up to the door and knocked on it. I heard pitter patter of feet and then the door unlock as what looked just like Emily but older appear behide the door. Luke was by the door and his blue eyes shined with excitement, "Gabi!" he cried through the door, I smiled softly and Lucille smiled back.

She opened the door, "Well you seem to be pretty famous around here without me knowing!" she said opening the door, "Uhm, I met Luke and Emily once when I helped Troy babysit last week." I said shrugging my shoulder, "Oh you're that Gabi." She said a frown growing over her face.

I shifted onto my other foot, "Yea, that would be me but I just came over to return his jacket he loaned me. Since he won't give me a second look I thought I might as well return the jacket." I said handing it over to her, she grabbed it from my hands and looked at it.

"Can I ask…?"

"Ask away." I told her as I looked at my watch, "You can come in, and I feel very rude." She said opening the door wider. I nodded and stepped through for Luke to attach to my leg. I gently bent over to pick him up and he played with my hair.

"Why did you do it?" I sighed, "I am guessing Troy told you I lied for no reason." She nodded her head, "If I come out straight with the truth, I can't decide who really my friend is or who is not. I was going to tell him, I can't keep the secret forever but I wanted him to become my friend before he became my dad's best friend."

"So something happened." She questioned, "Yea, in New York, I was more open to who my dad was because his name was huge around town there. I mean they got the Alex Montez and when I showed up with Montez plastered on my uniform they asked. I told and I had people being mean because I wouldn't let them near my dad. Kids would ask to be my dates to dances just so they could come over to my house. Girls would follow me home everyday. It was bad." I told her, "I had my reasons. I don't like liars. My parents just told me the real reasons why we moved these last three times."

Lucille pursed her lips together, "It sounds like you did have your reasons, and did you tell Troy this."

"No because he won't listen to me, I have tried countless times to tell him but him either walks away or completely ignores me while I talk. I get so frustrated with it." Telling her this I felt a whole lot better, "So in the pocket of his jacket is a note for him explaining the reasons and why. If he reads it and still hates me all I can say is I tried."

She gave me a weak smile and then held onto the jacket. "I'll make sure he reads it." I nodded my head, "And by the way, Happy Birthday tomorrow." I nodded my head, "Thank you."

I put Luke back down on the ground, "Gabi no leave!" he said to me, "Awh buddy, how about you tell Troy Gabi is no liar?" I asked him, he smiled and nodded his head. He then put his hands on his cheeks just like we did when we took pictures. I started laughing which sent Lucille to wonder why.

"Little inside joke we both have running," I said winking at Luke, he giggled and went running towards the living room. "Once again thank you." I told her as I glanced at my watch.

She nodded her head, "I will make sure Troy gets this." I nodded my head and then I started for the door. I opened it and shut it taking off for my running car. I quickly got in to race to the Mexican Restaurant.

I pulled in ten minutes later and popped open my door. I was ten minutes late I went scrabbling for the door as I tossed it open smelling the food through my nose. I quickly spotted my dad who was talking to a waiter. I rushed over and slide into the booth next to him.

"Hey sorry I'm late, I got hung up at his house talking to his mom." I told them reaching for the menu, "That's okay," my dad said, "We just got her about five minutes ago. We were hoping you weren't waiting on us." My dad scanning over the menu, "Mmm…it all sounds so good."

"I know it's delish." I told him as I knew I was going to get the nachos. I set my menu down and I looked at my mom who was contemplating which meal to get. "Go for the bean burrito." I told her, "I had a bite of Troy's, it was fantastic." I told her, she nodded her head and then I looked at my dads.

"What are you deciding between?" I asked him, "Nachos or the Taco platter,"

"I am getting the Nachos so you can have some of mine and get the Tacos." I told him, "Sounds good to me,"

"What do you suggest I get?" A voice behide me said and I knew that voice probably better than any voice here. I jumped out of my seat to see Dylan standing there with an amused smile on his face. "Happy Birthday." He said grinning, "Oh my!" I cried as I jumped into his arms. I haven't seen Dylan for almost six months. He hugged me tight and close to his body, I smelled the famous smell of Dylan. Sweat and Gatorade, "How the hell did you get here?" I asked him as he set me down on the ground.

"By plane silly," he said tapping my nose, I rolled my eyes, "No, I mean how did you get here today? Like how are you here right now!"

He chuckled and looked at me, "When I talked to you this morning I was basically on the plane, they told me to shut my phone off since we were on the runway basically. Its only and hour and a half flight." He said shrugging

"How long are you staying?" I asked him

"Until tomorrow morning, I leave around six." My stomach dropped as that was the same time my dad was leaving. "He is riding to the airport with me to catch an earlier flight to Surprise Arizona to be with his dad" My dad said filling me in, my smile dropped as I looked at my dad.

"Oh,"

"Hey but I am here now so lets make the best of it." He said nudging me in the shoulder, I giggled and I leaned against his shoulder. "Thanks for showing up." I told him as the waiter left with our order.

"Hey, I had to lie to you so you wouldn't know when you asked if I was coming down." He winked at me and I playfully slapped his shoulder. "Be nice."


I looked down at the Navy dress I had slipped on from Delia's. It was all sequined at the top of it and the rest flowed down to my knees. I had fallen in love with it the first time I saw it. I slipped on a pair of flats with it and I spun around in a circle. "Are you ready Gabs?" Dylan yelled through the door, the music beating the floor with its bass.

"Yea!" I called as I smoothed out my dress some more before I stepped closer to the door. I opened the door to see Dylan on the other side in a pair of jeans with a buttoned up Blue shirt. I reached for his hand, "So you ready to get this party started?" he asked leaning closer to me. The music seemed louder now that the door was open. People had been showing up for the last thirty minutes.

"Oh yea, I am so excited." I murmured, "Well you should be," he tapped my nose and went off walking down the long staircase. I started for it and I looked at all the decorations lying around. The pink and orange streamers flying through the house, a happy 17th birthday Gabi sign hanging up as you walked into the door. A bunch of balloons lay around with a DJ set up in the backyard with lots of room to mingle. We had a bunch of food laid out and the furniture all-able to sit on. People were mingling through the house already. I saw a lot of family and a few other people here and there.

"Gabi do you want to do present here?" my mom asked as I hit the bottom of the stairs, "It depends a lot of people or not a lot?"

"You might just wait until tomorrow then!" she said waving her hand, I groaned softly as I knew this was going to get out of control. The DJ started playing another song and the door bell rang. I walked over to the door and opened it to see Alex my other dad on the other side.

"Alex!" I said throwing open the door, "Happy birthday!" Alex or Arod as he was also known as could have been my other dad. My dad and he were friends even before they played on the same team. I grew up around him and I babysat his kids all the time in New York.

"I can not believe you are 17! I feel like you were just two!" I bit on my lip and gave him a smile as I looked around. "I think my dad is out back doing something. I havent seen him since I went up to change."

"Well you look mighty beautiful." He said giving me a wink, "How are the kids?" I asked him, "Fantastic, they miss you."

"I miss them!"

He smiled then filtered into the house, "Hey so you want to hit the backyard with me? A bunch of people are out there." Dylan said coming up behide me. "Sure, why not." I said, he reached for my hand and dragged me through the house going towards the backdoor. Once we escaped I saw some of the Yankees players, old friends, and way more than I expected.

"Gabi!" I turned around and I screeched, "Cat!" I yelled tossing my arms around her. She grinned laughing as we hugged each other. "Did you come in with Dylan?"

"Nah, I had a later flight." She said pulling back from me, "There is Gabi," I turned to see Derek Jeter behide me, "Derek," I said reaching forward to give him a quick hug. "How the hell are you seventeen? What were you fourteen when you moved to New York?"

"Fifteen," I told him, "But I met you when I was 14." I said to him giving him a small smile, "Well, you are getting all grown up on us Yankees." He teased, "Yea, getting ready for college."

"Well I am going to stop thinking about that and go find A-rod," he said pointing towards the kitchen. I turned back to my two best friends. "How are you?" I asked Cat, "Wonderful, I like it here better than Kansas City!"

"So when do you leave?" I asked her as a small pout came over my lips, "Tomorrow morning, my mom wants me home ASAP." She said sighing; I let my eyes fall over to them both, "So I get less than twenty four hours with you both?"

"I'm sorry, it's the only way I could come Gabs." I nodded my head, "I know I am glad you are both here." I said giving them both a hug. We stayed like this for a minute before we all pulled back, "Come on! Let's go hit the dance floor!" Cat said

She dragged me in the door and we headed for the dance floor where a bunch of people were. Wives and girlfriends from the Yankees were here on the floor. The song Party Rock Anthem echoed through the speakers.

Staying out on the dance floor for three songs was enough before we hit the food table. "So I am guessing No Bolton?" Dylan asked me, "Bolton? Who's Bolton?" Cat asked me, I sighed and I picked up a cookie that was sitting out.

"Just a guy," I told her, she raised an eyebrow, "Just a guy?" I nodded my head at her, "Yes, just a guy."

"So why is Dylan saying he is not coming?"

"I lied to him about who my dad was." Cat gasped in horror, "You lied to him?" I nodded my head, "Don't you think I deserve the right too?" I asked her, "After everything that happened in New York?"

"Well duh, but still I can't believe you lied!"

"Well he never really asked me who my dad was but I knew he was looking for me." I said shrugging my shoulders, "No biggie, moving on with my life." I looked at my watch to see it was past seven thirty. "I am going to go talk to a few people standing in that corner." She said winking at me; I looked over to see a bunch of guys talking drinking something.

"I am going to follow her to make sure she stays responsible, you coming?" a smile shifted onto my face, "Nah, ill stay here for right now." He nodded and followed after Cat. I reached for a chip that was sitting in a bowl as my dad came up to me.

"You have fun sweetie?" I nodded my head, "Sure," I told him, and he smiled at me and smoothed some of my hair back. "I know you arent happy about it but I promise it will all be fine."

I looked sideways at the people lingering in the kitchen, "I know." I told him, "I have done it for the past sixteen years." I mumbled he wrapped his arm around me while giving me a tight hug.

Once I pulled back from him I looked around the room looking for an escape. "I am going to go check on Dylan and Cat." I told him as I began to walk away grabbing another cookie. I stuffed it in my mouth and I took quick bites before swallowing it. Our house was officially full. I squeezed though a row of people before I saw a few family waves. "Happy Birthday Gabi!" my little cousin called, I smiled and nodded a thanks.

Once I got closer to the stairs I thought about escaping, leaving the party. I then saw Dylan and Cat laughing at something then Dylan catching my eye. He began to leave Cat's side coming closer to me. "Hey are you okay?" he asked me, I shrugged my shoulders. "As good as I am going to be,"

"You seemed fine a little while ago."

"My dad came up to talk to me about it and I didn't want to." I said as I reached over for an unopened bottle of water. I cracked the lid and I slowly let the fresh water glide down my throat. "Well you should come over to talk to these guys there-" he stopped short and he looked a little shocked.

"Uhm," he began to say and I gave him a weird look. I turned my head and I was shocked just like he was, Troy Bolton and Cody stood in the doorway of my house. "Hey," Troy said giving a weak smile, "Do you think we could talk for a moment?" I nodded my head and I looked back at Dylan. "I will be back down in a few minutes," I told him

"Alright, I'll have my cell phone on vibrate if you need me." I nodded my head and Troy looked at me a little closer, "Lets go upstairs." I said as I took the first step, "Hey Gabs," Cody said, "Hi Cody," I waved to him as we both disappeared upstairs. I opened my bedroom door and Troy followed me in shutting the door. "I'm sorry" we both said it at the same time.

"No, Gabi I was a jerk to you. I should have listened to you from the beginning. You did have a right to lie after all of that." He ran his fingers through his hair, "I was just so…"

"Shocked?" I offered for him, "Yes, I didn't know how to react to it. I thought that I was going to be searching for longer but you were there the entire time. I mean I heard your last name but it just never clicked in my head." I gave him a small smile, "Usually pick up on it really quick, like your dad did."

"Yea, sorry about that." He blushed a little and I walked closer to him, "I never meant to hurt you, I was going to tell you the truth sooner or later, before the party. You pissed me off that day and I told you." I said sighing; Troy had a gift bag in his hand. "You need to open this." He said

"You didn't have to get me anything."

"I really didn't," Troy said, I grabbed the bag from him and I threw the tissue paper out to see the jacket lying underneath. "I thought I might just want to give that back as it's your only East High wear." He joked, I gave him a smile and I dropped the bag before I gave him a hug. "So are we good?" I mumbled to him as he held me.

"Friends."

"Friends." I repeated to him, I pulled back and I looked across the room. "So are you joining us this Sunday?" I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know my dad is leaving tomorrow and…"

"Oh damn, that's right." He slapped his forehead with his hand, "Cody told me that and I completely forgot." He said, "No, it might be just what I need to get everything off my mind." I told him, he smiled back at me and the songs started to shake my floor. "Think we should go back downstairs?" I asked him

"Yea but I have one question…"

"Yea?"

"Can I please meet him after all of this?" he asked me, I nodded my head, "Totally, you arent going through this night without seeing him." I reached for his hand and we both went down the stairs. "He is probably in the backyard; do you want to get Cody for this too?"

"Mhm," he said as we both searched the crowd. Troy had an advantage being as tall as he was; he had to be over 6'5. "He is over by the food." Troy said as he guided me through the sea of people, "Do you really know all of these people?" Troy asked

"Uhm, no." Troy laughed and we made it to Cody. "Cody we are going to meet her dad, you coming?" You could hear the excitement in Troy's voice.

"Hell yea!" I rolled my eyes at the two boys before we all headed out to the backyard. "Oh my, there he is!" Troy said looking over, "Is he standing next to Derek Jeter?" Cody asked squinting his eyes, "And A-Rod?" Troy asked, "Oh man, I am going to pass out" Troy mumbled

"Would you two stop gawking and come on?" I said tugging at Troy's arm, "What if he hates me because I know you must have told him."

"Oh relax!" I said as I got closer to my dad he smiled at me then looked up, he cocked his head. "Hey daddy," I said coming up to him. "Baby girl, who are these two boys?" he asked, I turned my head to see Troy and Cody standing nervously.

"Dad, Alex, and Derek this is Troy Bolton and Cody Newman, all-star baseball players." All of the guys eyes lite up at the name of baseball, "Well nice to meet you finally Troy Bolton," my dad said reaching out to shake his hand. Troy put his hand out there to shake and he gave a stunning smile.

"Nice to meet you to Mr. Montez,"

"Makes me sound old, its Alex." He said, I giggled softly as Cody was star struck, "And Cody my daughter has talked about you too." Cody gave a cheesy smile before nodding his head. He also shook my dad's hand, "So what do you guy's player?" Alex asked, "First base and pitcher," Troy said as crossed his arms over his chest. "Catcher,"

"Pretty awesome,"

"I have to say I am the biggest fan of you guys," Troy said looking at them all, "My little brother who is two would like die if he met you all."

"Well bring him over!"

"I would if he wasn't in bed already," Troy said giving a half smile, "but one of these times since I'm not going anywhere and hopefully Gabi isn't going anywhere." He said winking at me, I giggled and all three guys shared a look. "Well if you guys need any tips don't be afraid to have Gabi ask us." Both of them nodded there heads.

"Will do,"


Three people were leaving me today. Three. After the party last night that lasted till one in the morning I was tired and not ready to let go. Troy and Cody hung around my dad for an hour or so at the party then stayed for another hour before leaving having an early workout.

I stood there next to my dad who was checking the flight board. My mom was sitting down in a chair looking over a magazine. Dylan and Cat were fighting over something as there flight was going to be boarding soon.

"Gabi we both have to get to our gate," Dylan said walking closer to me, tears was already sitting in my eyes waiting to drip down my face. "Are you sure you guys have to leave?" I asked wiping at the corner of my eye. I couldn't cry yet.

"Yea, my dad would possible kill me if I didn't show up at the airport when he is supposed to land." He said as he walked in to give me a big hug. "I am going to miss you. When is the next time you will be down here?" I asked him as my chin began to quiver. "I don't know, maybe I can sneak down during Spring Break."

"I'll probably be with my dad," I said as I wiped at my eyes some more, "Damn, that's right. I don't know then, possibly sometime in the summer when I don't have baseball going on."

"I'll try to make it up for your big day," I teased him, "Oh that's right, I'm a senior." I gave him another hug before I moved onto Cat. "I'll be back than him since I am not as busy but still…" she said giving me a hug. "I know you will be back soon." I told her as she hugged me a little tighter.

"Gate 121 is now boarding," echoed through the airport, "That's me," Dylan said looking at his ticket, "I'm right behide him," Cat said as we pulled back from one another. I wiped at the corner of my eyes and I gave them each one more hug. "I'll see ya soon Gabs," Dylan said winking at me.

"See ya soon," I said as I wiped away the tears from my face for the last time at least for a little while. My dad didn't have to leave for an hour. "See ya later," I said to them both as they walked away. My dad came up behide letting his arm around my shoulder. I turned and let my head bury into his chest.

"I promise you sweetheart, I will see you so soon." He squeezed me tighter to his chest while I hugged him. I felt my moms hand on my back. "So honey what do you want to do today?" I pulled back from my dad and I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know mom,"

"Kylie, don't push it." My dad murmured, "I didn't know if she wanted to see a movie or…"

"A movie is fine mom," I said quickly before the two got into an argument. "Well there is the,"

"Mom, we can work this out later." I told her as we all took a seat on a bench. "Alright honey," she said smoothing out my back, I leaned into my dads shoulder. "So I'll see both of you at the home opener right?" he asked, he kissed my forehead. "Yes," my mom said, "We will be there front and center."

We lay like this for over thirty minutes when they called that there flight was about to board. Tears sprung in my eyes and I looked at him. "Don't cry," he instructed me as he stood up, he brought me up and then I buried my head into his shoulder. "How come this keeps getting harder?" I cried

"Because we keep getting closer," he whispered into my ear as he rubbed my back. Tears slipped down my face as he pulled back kissing my forehead. "You better take care of you mom okay?" he said as he smoothed my hair back, I rubbed my eyes with my hand while he went over to my mom for a minute. I held myself together and he pulled back from my mom.

"You two better keep it together and you…" he said pointing to me, "Better have a fantastic birthday today okay?" I nodded my head at him as I crossed my arms around him once more. Taking in a scent I wouldn't smell for over two months. "We will see other soon enough."

Once he kissed my forehead I knew it was time for him to leave. He kissed my mom on the lips and let go of my hand. "Well I will see my two perfect ladies in a few months alright?" he said, we both nodded and both wiped away tears. He started to slowly walk away and I felt him slipping from my fingers.


After lunch, a movie, and some shopping I was tired. My dad had called as soon as he landed in Tampa. He asked how I was doing and my mom, to be honest the whole day sucked. My mom was trying her best but it wasn't like the years past.

I collapsed on the couch to see it was past ten that night. Tears filled my eyes thinking about this night and how my dad would be with me; we would be curled up on the couch watching some movie that I picked out. Instead I was alone; my mom had drifted off to her room.

I needed to be with somebody and here wasn't it, I went up the stairs two at a time before I reached my bedroom. I grabbed Troy's jacket that was sitting on my chair. I slipped it over my shoulders and grabbed my car keys. I had changed into a pair of yoga pants from Pink as soon as I got home and into a tank top. I shut off all my lights and left a note saying I was going out.

I opened the front door and shut it quietly as I creped out of the house. I opened my car door and I tried to start the car quietly but I couldn't. Once it was started I quickly backed out of the driveway.

My mind went into auto drive and straight to Troy's house. Tears were washing in my eyes but I blinked them back hard. Once I pulled into Troy's driveway I looked at the house that had a few lights on. I didn't want to wake the little ones up so I quietly went up to the door.

I knocked on it a few times, I heard footsteps and then the door unlocked beginning to open. Troy stood there behide the door with no shirt on and a pair of blue basketball shorts. His eyes popped out of his head a little as he saw the state I was in. He quickly opened the door between us. "Gabi? Are you okay?" he asked, I shook my head.

"My dad left, my best friends left and it's my birthday…" my speech blurred together as Troy reached a hand out, "Hey, come here." He said trying to bring me closer to him, I walked into his arms and he held me to his chest. "Can I stay here for a little while?" I asked him as my tears fell down my cheek.

"Yea, let's go up to my room." He whispered, I fell against him and he picked me up to carry me up the stairs. Once we got to his room he laid me on the bed. "I am going to go downstairs to turn the TV off and the lights. I'll be right back." He said as he looked me over. I nodded my head and I curled up into Troy's bed.

He was gone for about a minute before he returned up to his bedroom. "So how was your day?" he asked grabbing a shirt from his closet. He had some serious abs and he didn't need to put that shirt on but he did. "It sucked," I said trying to wipe away a few tears.

"When did your dad leave?"

"Early this morning," I told him, Troy turned off the light in the room and then the bedside lamp he had on. Sitting down on his bed I leaned on his shoulder. "That sucks, I am sorry. I hope I can be your best friend right now."

"You are the closets thing I have to one," I sniffled as I did when I cried, "So if your dad was home what would you be doing right now?" he asked me, "Watching the Titanic." I told him, "Give me one second." He got up and left the room coming back a few minutes later. Once he came into the room he went to his DVD player popping in a movie before shutting off the lights completely. The screen popped on and popped up the Titanic.

"You are the best." I told him as he pressed play, "Yea well…" he shrugged his shoulders and Troy let me crawl under his blankets. I cuddled up to him like he was my dad. Letting one arm drap around my waist the movie began to play.

I let a small yawn escape my mouth and I cuddled into Troy some more. He didn't move away from me but gave me comfort. I listen to the movie talk while my eyes drifted from close to open. Once I stopped fighting the sleep it overcame me quickly, ending a birthday I'd rather forget.


There you go! Your weekly update! Everything should be back on track now…next week I do have another volleyball thing all day but you should have an update late in the US. Volleyball is over in two weeks, I promise you after that everything should happen on Sunday's no matter what. So, I hope you all enjoyed it! Troy and Gabi are friends again. Romance isnt going to happen so fast in this story, but it will be coming.

My Laker Baby should be updated later today. I am pretty close to being finished with the chapter. It will all depend on if I get all the reviewing over with quickly! Woo…I hope so!

Also…just for fun. GO ISNER! ….Tennis fan. Sorry. ;)

PLEASE REVIEW!