I extremely dislike leaving things unfinished. And, since life has dealt me crippling blows recently, I was given the time to sit down, and come back to what I've left. The goal is to finish the three stories I've left behind.

Ch. 8: When I Say Espionage, You Say…

Gabriella

"It's not like this is some kind of arms race!" Sharpay seethed around the cafeteria, an empty metal can in her right hand, "We are trying to raise money for the poor and unfortunate who attend religious services at Mary Madgeline's across the street."

"Well, why not ask your father for extra funds?" The student she was panhandling chuckled, "Oh wait, he's dead. Why not attempt to fuck someone for the cash? How much did Bolton pay for your virginity?"

This is going to be hell back at her dorm; Sharpay sighed softly, "It's not about me-"

"It's always been about you." Another student from the next table chimed in, "And we're sick of that."

Her eyes darted around the room; the same face visualizing on ever person they landed on, "Sorry, excuse me…" Following her back to her dorm, Dan and I hung in the back of the fledgling group. Once he knew it was safe, he asked:

"How's Jenny?"

"Adjusting," I stated, "This isn't the easiest thing for her. And considering she feels like you abandoned her? Conclusions are most likely being drawn in her head."

"Dammit…" Dan sighed, ruffling his hair about in frustration, "I hate not speaking with her."

"Well, if it bothers you so much, then talk to her."
"You know I can't."

"I'm not sure if you've noticed," I sighed, "But the general public isn't responding well to the High Queen Bee here. That cafeteria run was pitiful, and the comments have been schlepped at her non-stop since we left. Everyone seems to have something to say to her now."

"As long as she has that letter," Dan motioned to her disappearing frame as he held the dorm door open for me, "I'm completely powerless Gabs."

"So you've said," I sighed softly, "How about I do you a favor? Sharpay called for a few group members back for a rant session: off hours at Bangel's. Something tells me it's a cover up for her doctors, and she won't be in this evening. I can sneak in? Look for the letter?"

"You'll put yourself in danger for me?"

I shrugged, "You're a friend; a real one. And, you honestly shouldn't be caught in Sharpay's clutches. I'll report my findings later today?"

..:….:..

These are the points in time when I really wish Jenny were still here. After sneaking my way back into Ancient Oaks, I walked the thousand steps it took to enter the French Rivera. Sharpay was gone to her Bangel's duty (I was unavailable due to a 'looming English term paper deadline). Ryan was AWOL as usual, and with no new roommate? This place is now a ghost town.

Moving about the room, I realized that I have zero aptitude for snooping. I don't even know where to begin… I pulled out my phone, and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?"
"Hey—Jenny?"
"This is her sister Cassie; hold on."

I stared oddly at my phone before I heard the voice I knew.

"Hey—what's up?"
"Okay, so, if you were Sharpay? Where would you hide the dirt you have on someone?"
"Hmmm…what do you see in the room?"

I looked about the room, "Two beds on the far wall, one window on the wall in front of me, door to the bathroom and closet to my left. A dresser's on that wall; vanity's on the wall by the window."

"Hmmm…what's on the dresser?"

I got off the spare bed, and walked over to sit, "Not much: couple of perfume bottles and makeup palettes…old magazines. Wait-"

"Let me guess, sterling silver metal painted music box?"
"Yeah."
"Bingo."

I jiggled the top of it," It's locked."

"Of course it is; she wouldn't leave her evidence in plain sight if it wasn't reinforced in some way."

"Well," I started opening drawers after wedging my phone between my ear and shoulder, "Where does she keep the key?"

"Ever notice one hanging around her neck?"
"No…"
"Yup."

I groaned, and leaned against the dresser, "I'll have to get creative."

"Why do you need this info anyway?"

"She's closing ranks on someone who really doesn't deserve it—" I gasped, hearing voices in the lounge portion of the dorm, "Someone's coming in-I have to go!" I immediately clicked off my phone, and managed to stuff myself into Sharpay's closet before the voices entered the bedroom.

Luckily, the door was left slightly ajar so I could see and hear. Ryan came barging in, followed by a bemused yet aggravated Chad. "So," Chad started off with his usual iced demeanor, "You dragged me out of my midterm study session for…?"

"I'm getting really fucking tired of this Chad." Ryan sighed dramatically-second only to his twin, "Just tell me what you know."

"What I know?" Chad rolled his eyes, leaning against the wall frame shaped near the beds, "How many times are we going to have this fucking conversation Ryan?"

"Look," Ryan fired back, standing up from his sister's bed, "Don't treat me like some Neanderthal who can't get a clue. I know you know something about my father's death."

"What? Two days after your week long depression bender, and suddenly you're Nancy Drew?"

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out the no-so-subtle cues you're dropping." Ryan pursed his lips, "Every time I even mention my father's name? You're guarded, and angry…and you try to cut off any type of communication—"

"Stop!" Chad yelled over him, "Just Christ Ry! I don't know anything! You're fucking losing it—get a grip. It was a freak accident, I'm sorry that you lost your father. But I had nothing to do with it."

"Right," Ryan shook his head, and crossed his arms in defiance, "I'm going to figure out what really happened to him, Chad. And when I find your name plastered all over it? I'll be coming for you next."

"Whatever." Chad sighed angrily, "I'm so done with all this bullshit. And you." He got up off the wall, and stalked out. Ryan attempted to follow him, stopping at the bedroom doorway only to shout:

"You'll never leave this group! Not till Shar says so!"

Vrrmph
Vrrmph
Vrrmph

Oh hell—

"What the-" The door to the closet swung up, I locked eyes with a bewildered, yet amused Ryan. "Alright," He started laughing, "This is something I thought I'd never see—little Gabriella Montez snooping in the closet."

I grumbled while finally getting out of my squat position. When I attempted to leave, Ryan grabbed my shoulder, "Not so fast—let me guess. You're the mole, aren't you? The one that let Jenny come in, and ruin Shar's life, that was you!"

"It wasn't just me Ryan." I snorted, "You'd be surprised how many people in your inner circle actually want her gone."

Ryan rolled his eyes, "Yeah, probably. But, once Sharpay finds out about this, she'll end you."

"You can't let her do that."
"Why?"
"Because you need me."

He laughed, "Really? Come on now Gabi. What do you possibly have on me to make me reconsider?"

"You want to figure out the truth about your father, no?" I challenged, "You'll need two things: for Sharpay to stay in this twisted, off state. And you'll need Jenny back on campus. And, to get those two things, you'll need me."

He sat down on Shar's bed, "Go on."

"Because Sharpay has lost a considerable amount of power," I continued my claim, "She's getting sloppy; too emotional to run meetings, forgetting about them, and in turn forgetting to keep tabs on us. If you tell her I had any part in this? It'll push her into a rage that'll make her figure out a way to fix her social standings at West Acres. As for Jenny? We need someone who's cunning, amazingly perceptive, and has a knack for uncovering the truth. My guess is that Sharpay is too wrapped up in her own head to even consider what's really going on with you to help."

"Fine," Ryan stated tritely, "You're smarter than you look. What's the plan?"

"You becoming roommates with Sharpay." I pointed to the music box on her dresser, "I need what's in that box."

"And why do you need that?"

"You need to get Jenny to trust you." I stated pure fact, "And, what better way to do that, then to free Dan in order for him to talk to her again?"


Jenny

"This place is huge." I mused as Cassie and the Step Monster led the way through a giant shopping complex. The time had come for mutual Step Mother-Daughter bonding. Luckily, Cassie had come along to play the role of a much-needed buffer.

"Biggest shopping center we got." Step Monster sighed happily, "I know that there's a Macy's on the otha side; should we start there?"

"Sounds great," I said before pulling my phone out of my back skinnies pocket. I start the necessary app checkage before hearing a cough from Cassie's direction. She shook her head; holding out her hand, I placed my phone in it. When she motioned to Step Monster, I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes. Walking closer to her, I attempted to start a conversation.

"So, how did you end up meeting my Dad?"

"Well," She began musing, "There was a business meetin' that my caterin' company was hosting for your father's office. We were short staffed, so I ended up havin' to serve the food after cookin' it all. We bonded over the surprisin' liking to my shrimp puffs."

"You cook?"

"Yes," She replied warmly, "Studied in France for three years. Started my caterin' business a year later, and the rest?" She slowly spun around, "Is as they say…"

I smiled softly, "That's kinda cool."

"This is her sister, Cassie."

I looked oddly behind me; Cassie was on my phone, "Hold on." She handed it to me.

"Hey," I motioned to a nearby boutique I wanted to look in; mouthed to them, 'One minute', and headed inside alone, "What's up?"

"Okay, so if you were Sharpay, where would you hide the dirt you have on someone?"

I began looking at different items on the racks. At least this place has good taste; honestly, I just ran into the first store I saw, "What do you see in the room?" As Gabi described the setting of a room I knew blindfolded, I moved to another rack, "Hmmm…" I felt the fabric of a sleek silk dress I found on a back rack, "What's on the dresser?"

"Not much: couple of perfume bottles and make palettes…old magazines. Wait-"

"Let me guess, sterling metal painted music box?'
"Yeah."
"Bingo."

As I went through the store, I realized that I should probably purchase something for the two waiting on me. I heard an audible sigh on the other end of the line, "It's locked."

"Of course it is." My eyes fell on a nice white laced dress with a cream lining towards the back. I made my way to it, "She wouldn't leave her evidence in plain sight if it wasn't reinforced in some way."

"Well," A few scratches went through the line, she must be searching through something, "Where does she keep the key?"

After finding the dress in my size, my eyes fell to a table display of jewelry, "Ever notice one hanging around her neck?"

"No…"
"Yup."

I walked over to the jewelry and picked a few brass pieces: bracelets and an old fashioned key, "Why do you need this info anyway?"

"She's closing in on someone who really doesn't deserve it-" She gasped, "Someone's coming in-I have to go!" Click

"Oookay…" I hung up my phone, and pocketed it. Going up to the register, I rung out my items, "Do you mind if I use your dressing room to change?" I asked the sales rep behind the counter, "My step-mother and sister are waiting on me, and I'd like to show it to them on."

"Sure." She smiled, "Follow me." As she lead the way back, I started questioning what Gabi could possibly be up to. "Here you go." The sales rep smiled again after opening a dressing room up for me. I smiled, entered, and closed the door. As soon as I heard her footsteps leave, I pulled out my phone, and dialed.

"Hey this is Gabi, can't come to the phone right now-" Click

After pulling off price tags and changing, I stuffed my previous outfit into the shopping bag. Thanking the sales rep as I passed her, I walked back outside to my step family.

"Wow," Step Monster mused, circling me, "You are so good at pickin' clothes and things."

"I've always had a thing for fashion." I shrugged, "I saw some of the dresses in the window, and couldn't resist. So, on to Macy's?"

..:….:..

"Home sweet home," Step Monster sighed happily as she pulled into the long driveway to their house. She had 'graciously' given their driver the weekend off. "As soon as the bed frame and furniture arrive, we'll start redecoratin'!"

"Sounds perfect." I smiled politely as Cassie led the way out of the car. She led the way into the house, and up to our rooms.

Before I made a clean break into mine, she asked, "So, who's Gabriella?"

"My roommate at East Acres."
"What did she want?"
"Oh nothing, just tips for upcoming midterm studies."

"It was just weird," She ended up following me into my room, "You had to go into a store so we couldn't hear your conversation?"

She's more perceptive than I thought. I leveled with her, "Look, something's going on up there right now. That's all you really need to know."

"Is it about that Sharpay girl?"
"How do you know about her?"

"Uh, well," She looked sheepish, like she had said too much, "Just…that…uh—"

"Cassie.""
"W-What?"
"What are you not telling me?"

She sighed, "Well, I promised Dad I wouldn't saying anything. But…over the summer? When he said you were visiting relatives?"

I internally rolled my eyes at his deflection of the truth, "Uh huh? What about it?"

"Dan came here. He was adamant about something that Dad knew."

"What," I stared her incredulously, "No, Dan was…" He said he was going to spend time with friends in California. He…lied to me, "What was he doing here?"

"That I don't know." Cassie sighed, weaving her dark locks through her fingers. Come to think of it…her skin tone's much more olive-like compared to her parents, "All of their conversations were behind closed doors."

I breathed slowly, evaluating the situation, "Okay, before I leave, I need to know why Dan was here. Think you can help me with that?"

"Sure!" Cassie smiled. I smiled in return, albeit a lot more cunningly than she did.

Hopefully, if my thinking is correct, my deducing will take me to Dad's intentions. And, as soon as he sees me finding out the truth? I can finally corner him in his lie.

..:….:..

I coughed violently as Cassie shook out the curtains in Dan's room. She shrugged simply, "Sorry."

"Look, I just don't know how I feel about hosting this year."
"Darlin', we always host your company's Halloween Bash! It's one of my best paid gigs of the season."

The two of us eyed the air vent in the corner of the room. My brother's room hovered on the second floor somewhere near my father's study. Interesting…

Cassie fidgeted whilst looking through Dan's dresser drawers. I opted to rifle through his closet. When I noticed her thoroughly chewing on her lower lip; I had to ask, "What's up?"

She sighed, closing the current drawer she was on, "I don't know. I feel weird about all this. If Dan wanted you to know why he was here, wouldn't he just tell you?"

"It's not that easy." I paused my search, taking time to really look at her, "You're only thirteen, you wouldn't understand."

"You're three years older than me."

"Yeah," I sighed, "In those three years I mingled with the wrong crowd who ruined me, learned that my closest ally my entire life lied to me, and no matter how hard I try? I can't find my birth mother."

"You don't know your real mom?" Cassie sighed, "Dad never-"

"Talks about it?" I nodded solemnly, "Yeah, I can't remember her. Dan was four, and I was three—Dad had us stay with our grandmother. Said something about Mom being really sick; Grandma kept us long enough until she could ship us off to boarding schools. I wrote letters, called her-she never responded; I didn't know why. One summer, when I was seven, I surprised my parents and came home from boarding school with Dan. Caught Dad off-guard; he didn't know what to do. It was evening; the full moon had just risen. Dan and I went to my mother's room, excited to finally see her after four years of not having a Mom. I walk in, and she's sitting up in her bed; her brown eyes hallow, her complexion paled, her long hair stained with gray. When I tried talking to her, she didn't register anything. She just…stared. Couple years later, I heard my dad talking to someone on the phone. Said that she was suffering from post-mortem depression."

Cassie made her way to Dan's bed; sitting down, she almost shivered, "What happened to her?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, "I came back home one summer when I was ten. When I called out for her, all he said was 'She's not here'. When I asked where she went? He simply said 'Away'. Said that after she left him, he hadn't heard from her; I saw a glint in his eyes when he went to hug me. It was the first time that I knew he lied. I don't know how or why, but I know he locked her away somewhere."

Cassie's demeanor had crushed; the first time an innocent learns the truth. She looked to me, "How are you going to find her?"

"I haven't figured that part out yet." I went back to searching his closet, "But, I do know that if Dan came up here? It had to be related to our Mom in some format. We've been searching for her for years now. So, if I find out why he was here—"

"You're one step closer to the truth." Cassie nodded, and walked back over to the dresser. I smiled softly, hoping that I didn't ruin her for good.

Innocence should remain for as long as it possibly can.


Sharpay

Everything I have worked for is destroyed.

One moment;
one damnable moment of weakness,
and I'm suddenly the social pariahs I used to hunt.

I've become the hunted.

"I-It's over…" The metal can fell limp in my hands, clanking to the cafeteria ground. The few students who dropped a few coins in stood, and re-gathered them. Their faces registered in my mind so quick: apathy, pity. Pity. Me.

As I stormed out of the cafeteria, the rest of the group followed. Kelsi caught up to me first; offering me a handkerchief. She asked, "Are you okay?"

"Okay?" I almost shrieked before taking the hankie to attempt to clean up my face, "It didn't hit me at the fall. It's over Kels; everything we worked for? For three years: all the conniving, back stabbing business we caused to get us to the top. Gone. Because of one stupid, bleached ass blonde."

"Any plans on how to take her down for good?" Kelsi pondered…a little too ecstatic for her own good.

"Well," I shrugged off Kelsi's insanity with a little smile, "You know that lovely little info I have on Dan? I'm thinking of asking our resident calligrapher for a little favor. She owes me one."

"Really?" She seemed skeptical, "Does this have to do with that letter you found?"

I eyed her, "Hmmm…I don't remember sharing the exact details of our recent addition with you. Want to share your bevy of information, snitch?"

She shrank back to her 'Door Mouse' status, "I-I just talk to Dan is all."

I rolled my eyes, "Well stop. I need you to sniff around for me." I motioned to Dan and Skankriella in the back of the pack, "It's like Prince William traded in Kate Middleton for Courtney Love."

"You have major damage with Gabi, huh?"
"She keeps entrenching herself in territory she doesn't belong."

..:….:..

"Why is she still here?" I collectively rolled my eyes so hard-I saw my brain, "I thought she said that she was leaving after Headmistress Ather's arrest."

"I don't know," Ryan sighed as he hauled the last of his luggage into the sleeping quarters of my dorm room, "She's been acting so odd since the arrest."

"Mother!" I called out to the lounge, "What are you doing?"

She came into the bedroom, carrying an array of mismatched clothes I edited through earlier, "Just grabbing the last of my things. I think it's great that you're moving in here, Ryan. I'm pretty sure Sharpay's been getting lonely ever since Emmy—"

"Mother," I eyed her in accusation, "Let's not mention that horrible sub-human's name. She was a key factor in ruining my social standings here."

"But the two of you were the closet of friends," She continued, "You all shared so many secrets, and such."

"The people who know the most about you are the most liable." I looked to her, "Never keep them too far from your view. The only good thing you ever taught me."

"But," She freed a hand from my clothes to slink it along my dresser top, "You let her slip."

"Like you and Athers?"

She turned form my dresser; giving me the oddest expression, "You make the strangest connections Sharpay."

"You've been acting off ever since she's gotten into that cop car." Cross-examining your own mother? Priceless, "From the looks of that photo, you'd think you'd be relieved."

"You're so much like your friends, dear." She sighed wistfully, dropping my clothes by the closet door, "Sticking your slightly skewed nose in business that isn't fully yours."

"You made it mine." I looked to her, "When you showed me that photo. Not to mention is the crime of the century centered on Father."

"What are you hiding Mom?" Ryan asked like a dejected sigh.

Her phone buzzed; she pulled it out of her jean pocket, "Hello? I'll be down momentarily, thank you." She sighed softly, "Cab's here. I'll see you two for winter break."

After she left the dorm, Ryan began to unpack, "Don't you think it's really odd how she doesn't seem fazed emotionally by what happened to Dad?"

"Mother hasn't shown emotion on her fact since right after we were born." I rolled my eyes, "And she was bored."

"Yeah," Ryan sighed, "She seems awfully smug though."

"I guess," I rolled my eyes again, clearly dissatisfied with this conversation, "Anyway! I'm so glad you decided to finally let that skeeze of a boyfriend go." I smiled softly, "And that you're my new roomie."

"Yeah," Ryan went to the closet to hang up a few pieces of clothing, "I guess something's just happen to work out."

I stared at his back, feeling an odd sense of energy, "Yeah…I guess."

..:….:..

"So," Dean Rivers eyed me expectantly, "Due to your…stress over the Founder's Day debacle, you're advocating all your group's responsibilities to the clubs and groups at the school?"

I nodded softly, knowing that this office meeting would be the worst part of my week, "My grip here has lessened since the unfortunate act of my private life being leaked. I feel that getting the groups involved will make East Acres feel more like a community."

"Really?" He questioned, "One blow to your self-esteem, and you quit? Seems like another girl entered into my office since the last time you were here."

"Jenny was a different story."
"You were very adamant about her punishment."
"She was behind the entire video."

"She was an accomplice." Rivers sighed angrily, "And, since we were able to get those photos onto a flash drive, someone remotely locked out access to 'Revenge's laptop. So, explain to me why you want to take all of your power away? When you tried so hard to kick out someone who claimed to take it from you?"

"Because, Dean Rivers, I'm tired." I sighed out what I thought I'd never want to say, "I walk around this campus with everyone treating me like I'm a joke. So, if they want me knocked off my pedestal then so be it. My group will handle the preparation and execution of the Halloween Bash next weekend. After that, consider us dissolved. If you don't have any questions, I'll take my leave."

"We'll move your duties to the clubs and activities groups' for the month of November on." Dean Rivers gestured to the door, "You're free to leave if you wish."

"I stood, and blandly thanked him for meeting with me. As I headed out of the main office building, my phone buzzed n my purse. Digging it out, I read the incoming text:

New Message
Unknown

Meet me in the old library, we need to talk.

..:….:..

"Listen, Troy this is a bad idea. We've already talked about it."
"It doesn't matter anymore, Gabi. She's powerless."

After making my way to the old library, I hid myself behind a shelf row as I heard familiar voices across the way. Of course, these two would have to find a way to meet in secret. The only thing that makes my day worse…

"Troy," Gabi, apparently ahs the most sense in this situation, "It doesn't matter that Sharpay is no longer the Almighty. She's crazy, so she'll find a way to keep her talons dug into you till you bleed out."

So, I'm a harpy now.

"Look," Troy sighed his passion out, "I don't want her; I don't even love her. I want and love you."

"Love?" Gabi blocked an incoming kiss, "Troy, I-I really like you. But love? We've barely been…together."

"And whose fault is that?" Troy kissed her cheek softly, "You've been ignoring me since Founder's Day."

"You're ignoringly persistent." She sighed, "And I wish something could happen to where we could explore a relationship."

I'm so fucking sick of all of this.

"She doesn't have power here anymore." Toy receded his previous argument, "Especially over me."

"She just loves that this whole conversation's about her." I decided to turn from my place to face them in the open.

"Oh God!" Gabi nearly jumped out of her skin, "Sharpay…"

"Sharpay." Troy grumbled.

"Me." I smiled wickedly, "I've really enjoyed this cat you've had. But, if I can be frank? Troy is correct in that I have zero power here. I actually just came from Dean River's office; consider our group officially dissolved after we put together the Halloween Bash."

"So," Gabi eyed me oddly, "What are you saying?"

I looked to the two of them, "I'm saying that: after three years of being a spotless, helpful angel? I'm fucking exhausted. So, if you two really want to explore some newfound romance? Go ahead. You have my blessing." Another wicked smile dripped across my lips. Before I gave them a chance to answer, I let the library.

If my entire world falls apart now, so fucking be it.