Disclaimer: I own nothing

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 9: Apartment Hunting

The next day the gang rose bright and early for breakfast in the dining room before apartment hunting. None of them really knew what it took to find an apartment. Sharpay, Ryan, Taylor, Kelsi, and Gabriella knew how to sell property, but not buy it. So they went to the concierge for help.

Chad, deciding he wanted to bother the nice lady, went to ask about real estate people around the campus. The lady groaned when she saw Chad approach, his Afro bouncing as he walked. When he made his request she swiftly gave him a list of 5 real estate agents and shooed him away from her desk. The gang decided to just make rounds to each of them. The first three places they went to were not close to the UCLA campus at all, so they didn't even bother going in. The fourth was very run down, but the fifth, was close to the campus and nice looking. The 10 went in and were soon ushered into the office of Mrs. Marie Smith. She appraised the group and realized very quickly from the way they dressed and presented themselves that they were from well to do families, and would bring in a nice income.

"We're looking for four apartments" Troy began, "in the same building near the UCLA campus." The lady looked through her books and made a list of apartment buildings, then she scheduled an appointment to meet with them in two days at 1 o'clock to visit each of the buildings.

As the exited the building Miley suddenly stopped short. "Oh my g-d!"

"WHAT!?" Everyone chorused

"Our parents have no idea that we're currently apartment hunting, let alone that we're in L.A.! We have to tell them that we're going to spend their money to buy apartments!"

"Holy shit!' Chad exclaimed running his hands through his enormous Afro. "We so need to call them cause we're in trouble!!"

The gang made their way back to the hotel and went and sat in Gabby and Sharpay's room. "Who's first?" Gabby asked

" I will." Troy volunteered. He picked up his cell phone and slowly dialed his dad's cell phone number. After the phone rang a few times a deep voice came on the line.

"Jack Bolton."

"Hey dad. It's Troy."

"Hey son, what are you up to?"

"Ummm, well, the gang, we umm, we're in L.A., apartment hunting, for college." Troy managed to stutter out.

"Okay! How about this son, I'll transfer money to your account and then send our attorney out to L.A. to make sure you get a good deal. Whatever you need, just let me know." Troy was completely dumbfounded by his dad's response

"Thanks dad. I'll call you later. Love you guys, bye." With that Troy hung up. Troy quickly accounted what his dad had said to his friends who couldn't believe how well that had gone.

As it turned out, everyone was surprised by the positive reactions of their parents. Since they all shared the same attorney, the same man: Richard Wright, would be down in two days for the meeting with the real estate agent.

TWO DAYS LATER

The group of friends met at 1 p.m. at the apartment complex. The place was nice looking on the outside, so they hoped that the same would be said of the inside. When they got out of their cabs the saw that Mrs. Smith and Mr. Wright were already outside making small talk. The quickly joined in and made their way up to the four apartments. The complex was a block away from the beach and two blocks away from the UCLA campus. In all earnestness, it was the ideal location. Plus, a huge thing for the guys, there was a basketball court right next to the building!

After talking and thoroughly inspecting the four apartments the teens knew that this was where they wanted to live. They made their ways back to the real estate office where everything was settled for the signing. They decided that they would buy the apartments because the deal was good. A few hours later the 8 teens were proud to own apartments.

They went out to lunch to celebrate their purchase and realized that they really wanted to move in, and stop paying at the hotel. "Well, I vote that we go back to Jacksonville and begin packing!" Gabby cried enthusiastically.

"Oh!" Miley squealed. "What if we go back to Jacksonville with you and help you pack. Then ya'll can maybe come help us pack in Albuquerque!" Everyone loved the idea and decided to see when was the next plane they could catch to Jacksonville.

When they arrived at the hotel they were immediately ambushed by the receptionist who had two letters for Gabby. She took one look at the handwriting and knew who they were from. She stuck the letters in her purse and decided to just give them to the police, she really had no interest in reading them.

When Sharpay entered the room she noticed that the light on the phone was blinking, indicating that they had a message. As it turned out, there were three messages for Gabby from her "boyfriend". Aggrevated, Gabby called the police and asked them to come straight up to the room.

When the police arrived they taped the messages and took the notes. When they left everyone else came to the girl's room to see what was up with dinner. "What do you guys think we should do?" Kelsi asked

Chad pulled the piece of paper out of his pocket with all of the food places and began to look down the list. After a moment of thought, were he fought with himself, he chose a nicer restaurant where there was dancing, thinking the girls would have a good time. "So dinner and dancing?" He asked, all the girls agreed enthusiastically except Gabby who stood up and strode out to the balcony were she leaned over the edge looking out to the sea.

Troy immediately followed Gabby outside and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, "What's up Ella?"

"He just won't leave me alone Troy. He's everywhere, constantly watching me. Why me? Why is he so…obsessed with me?"

Troy sighed, feeling her pain, "I don't know baby girl, but I do know one thing, you're stuck with me now, and he's not going to hurt you."

Gabby looked up at Troy and placed a small kiss on his lips as her way of saying thank you and contentedly leaned into him as the couple continued staring out at the sea.

At 7:30 the group met in the lobby to catch cabs to the beachside restaurant. They all piled in and went up to the hostess. "Reservations for McKessie." Taylor politely told the lady behind the desk. They were led to a table outside next to the dance floor. After they ordered their drinks Troy turned to Gabby, "Would you like to dance?" He asked her in an English accent.

"Why I'd love to." She answered happily in the same accent. They two got up and began to slowly dance to the jazz music and soon all five couples were dancing the night away. After they ate they decided to take a small stroll down the beach, all of them holding their shoes so they could walk in the water.

By the time they got back to the hotel it was after midnight. The gang had a flight out of L.A. the next evening at 5, so they could pack in the morning before they headed out for Jacksonville.

AN: I hope ya'll liked this chapter! There should be some drama next chapter!

Mollie XOXO