AN: So first my hard drive fried and I had to get it repaired. Then my sister was in the hospital with an extremely rare blood disease (called Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, or more pronounceably TTP ), I saw my dad for the first time in a long time, and my other sister had to move back into college, and it's just been a very eventful summer. Oh- the songs I used in this chapter were "It Was You" by Dana Glover, and "Live to Party" by the Jonas Brothers.
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Strength
Chapter Ten
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Elizabeth woke up early the next day. She slipped out of bed and down to the garage. She could hear her dad inside, dribbling down the court.
She opened the door, watching him run towards the basket.
"Bolton steals the ball," she cried. "He shoots, he scores! A victory to go down in history!"
Troy turned and flashed her a grin. "Did you expect anything less?"
"How about a little humility?" Beth replied. "By the way, good morning."
"Morning," he said. "So, yesterday was fun."
"It was," Elizabeth agreed. She decided to just come out and ask her dad something that had been bothering her since the day before. "Dad, Grandma told us about the time after mom's accident. New York, the custody arrangement, musicals . . . why didn't you ever tell me?"
Troy sighed. After a thoughtful moment he said, "I guess I was ashamed of myself. I wanted to make your mother proud- to take care of you and be strong. But for those two years I blew it."
"But I'm proud of you," Beth offered. "I mean, my dad sang on Broadway. None of my friends can say that."
"Speaking of your friends, I guess you should go get ready for your party. Unless, of course, you plan on wearing that?"
"Definitely not," she said, glancing down at her grungy East High t-shirt and red flannel shorts. Elizabeth made her way towards the door. At the last moment she turned back around. Her dad was dribbling the ball towards the basket again.
"Hey Dad?" Elizabeth said.
"Yeah?" Troy asked.
"I have a feeling that this is going to be a very big year for me. I just want to tell you that no matter what changes come our way, you'll always be my favorite on-on-one opponent," she said. Troy dropped the ball and stretched out his arms to hug her.
"Thanks, sweetheart," he said. "Happy birthday."
"Love you, Dad," Elizabeth said, and slipped into the house.
…..
Gabriella's stomach churned as she watched Troy load her wheelchair into the back of his car. She dreaded the drive to Elizabeth's party, but she didn't want to miss the event. Her mother-in-law's words rang through her head: Don't be afraid to live now. Get to know your daughter. She's a pretty fantastic young woman. That was exactly what Gabriella planned to do. So as she sat on the porch steps among the party supplies, she took slow, deep breaths.
Troy sank down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Are you sure you want to go? I could get Chad to take her to the party," he offered.
"I can't miss this; it's her first birthday that I've been conscious for," Gabriella responded. "Besides, I keep thinking about something that your mom said last night."
"What was that?"
"That we can't change what happened, and 'Don't be afraid to live now.'" Gabriella said softly. "It's going to be rough Troy, but I'll be okay."
"Would you feel more comfortable sitting in the back with the girls?" Troy asked. "Beth might be quiet most of the time, but Brooke could talk the ears off a corn stalk. And together… well, if anyone can distract you, it's them."
"Hi Mr. B!" called a voice. Troy and Gabriella glanced across the yard. Brooke was walking towards them. She carried a box and two bags.
"Speak of the devil," Troy said as Elizabeth ran out of the door.
"Be nice, Dad," she said, stepping around him to hug her best friend.
"Elizabeth, darling! Happy birthday!" Brooke cried, dropping her packages in Troy's lap and flinging her arms around Beth. When Elizabeth was finally freed, she turned to her parents.
"Mom, I want you to meet my best friend, Liana Brooklyn Lewis, or as the rest of the world calls her, Brooke. Brooke, this is my mother."
"That's quite a name, young lady," Gabriella said, shaking the offered hand and noticing that each fingernail was painted in a different color.
"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Bolton," Brooke said. "I've been a regular guest in your home since I was five. Beth and I met in kindergarten and have been simply inseparable."
"It's nice to meet you too, Brooke," Gabriella returned. "Elizabeth tells me that you do a lot of singing."
"Oh, tons. I've been singing practically since before I was born. I want to do it professionally someday," Brooke said. "I've been in several school productions, and now we're doing my favorite play ever 'The Phantom of the Opera.' It's always been my dream to play Christine. If I don't get the part I'll just die. I'm so excited to-"
"Now you did it," Troy said to Gabriella, interrupting. "If you start her talking on music, she never stops."
Brooke stuck her tongue out at him. "We'll talk later, Mrs. B." She turned to Elizabeth. "Is that what you're wearing?"
Beth looked down at her clothes. She wore a bright pink shirt under a black zip-up hoodie, and a pair of jeans. Her shoes were pink to match the shirt. She thought she looked decent for a party.
"What's wrong with my outfit?" Elizabeth asked.
"Nothing, except everything," Brooke said, snatching the box off of Troy's lap and pushing it into her friend's arms. "Here, open my present. You need it."
Elizabeth opened the box and pushed back the tissue paper. A long-sleeve dress patterned in a dozen shades of blue lay inside. When she lifted the skirt out, she saw a pair of blue flat shoes with black bows on them.
"It's perfect, Brooke!" she exclaimed, going back inside the house. "Come on- help me change."
"By the time we get to your party you'll be sixteen," Troy called after them.
"So bring an extra candle," Brooke retorted from the top of the stairs. "We'll be right down, Mr. B."
"How did you survive this for the last nine years?" Gabriella asked.
"I'm the dad," Troy said.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
"I just shut up and carry the bags," Troy said, still shaking his head.
…..
Elizabeth and Brooke were an effective distraction on the long ride to Lava Springs. The weather was too cold for an outdoor party, so Sharpay had reserved a very large recreational room. There was plenty of room to dance and move, and area to sit and eat. While she rested her aching feet on a plush stool, Sharpay had done an excellent job directing the people who hung the decorations. Violet, blue, and pink balloons and streamers were arranged elegantly throughout the hall. The snack table was arranged in the center of the room. The cake was on a raised plate, surrounded by food, flowers, and gifts.
Troy bustled around at first, trying to make sure that everything was settled. Then he spotted Chad and Zeke. Before he walked off to see the guys, Troy settled Gabriella's chair in the sun near the window. She wasn't sitting there more than two minutes before Kelsi sat down next to her.
"Hey," she said with a grin. "How's the proud mother?"
"Wishing this was the fifteenth birthday party she'd been to," Gabriella replied, sipping on her drink.
"Hey Gabby," Jason said, kissing her on the cheek as he passed on towards the other guys.
"How's work, Kels?" Gabriella asked.
"You know, I love it. The kids I've been working with are awesome. And they're so excited about the show."
"Beth told me about the auditions. Her friend Brooke will probably be harassing you at some point during the party."
"Mmm," Kelsi said in agreement; her mouth was too full for speech. They talked lightly for awhile, watching the party. Most of the kids knew Kelsi, and a few wandered by to say hello. Kelsi ended up telling Gabriella about her students.
"And Oliver is such a character. I don't know what I'm going to do with the boy," Kelsi said. As she spoke, Gabriella was engulfed by two arms in a white sports jacket.
"Hi, Gabby!" cried Ryan Evans.
Kelsi smiled thinly. "I'll come back later, Gabriella," she said, picking up her drink. Ryan watched her wander away, face blank. Then he turned back to Gabriella and grinned.
"So, there you are, back from the dead," he said. His smile was contagious. Gabriella put aside the questions she had for Kelsi.
"Wow, Ryan! How are you?"
"I'm excellent," he said, sitting down in the vacated chair. "Very busy, but excellent."
"Sharpay told me that your new show opened Friday night. Congratulations."
"'s called Mirror. So far we've had a very good opening weekend."
"I'd love to see the show sometime," Gabriella said. Ryan told her about the plot, and the cast.
"My fiancé, Amy, is the star. Obviously, she had to stay in the Big Apple, but I'll bring her around soon."
"I'll look forward to that as well," Gabriella told him.
"Uncle Ryan!" Beth said, coming over. She leaned over the back of his chair to give him a hug. "I didn't think you'd be in town this weekend."
"Well I had planned to stay in New York, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the Bolton ladies together," Ryan said teasingly. He held out a small box with a silk ribbon tied around it. "I brought you something."
"Thanks," Elizabeth said, taking the box. Dangling from a silver chain was an eighth note. A sparkly garnet was set in the base of the note. "Oh, it's beautiful! Thank you!" Elizabeth exclaimed, giving out another hug.
"Garnets are your birthstone, aren't they?" Gabriella asked. Nodding, Elizabeth got down so her mother could fasten the chain around her neck.
"I love it, Uncle Ryan. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," he said. Then he turned to Gabriella. "I just wanted to see you Gabriella. I'm going to settle into my room. I'd like to give you a call later and catch up a little more."
"Sounds like a plan," Gabriella agreed. As he left the room, he passed a young man who was just arriving. Dressed in a maroon hoodie and jeans, this boy was tall, blond, and handsome. Gabriella noticed her daughter noticing the boy. "Who is that?"
"Danny. He's new at school, and we have a lot of the same classes. I've been showing him around, and I thought he might like to meet some people at my party," Elizabeth explained, her eyes never leaving the boy.
Just then, Brooke ran up to them.
"Look who's he-re," she said in a sing-song voice.
"Go say hello," Gabriella said. Beth grinned.
"Okay," she said, brushing past her mother. She turned briefly and kissed Gabriella's cheek.
"I'm glad you're here, Mom," she whispered.
…..
When he arrived at the party, Danny made his way over to the first familiar face he saw.
"Hola, Cunningham," Jeremy said easily.
"Hey," he replied as Elizabeth approached.
"So you made it," she said with a smile.
"Yeah," Danny said. His face was round and wide-ish; perfect for easy grins. There was an awkward pause, then Danny held out a small gift tote. "This is for you."
"Thanks. You didn't have to get me anything."
"Yes I did. You've made my first week at East High a lot easier than it could have been."
"Well, it was my pleasure," she said. The conversation waned. Jeremy coughed softly.
"So, Danny, do you plan on playing basketball next season?" he asked. Brooke shot him a look that clearly said she thought that was a stupid question.
"Yeah, man. I was on the team up north, but then we moved. I miss it."
"Well, with the way you played at the practice game the other da-"
"Jeremy, would you come with me to pick some new music?" Brooke interrupted.
"S-sure," he said, giving Brooke an odd look. He glanced back at Elizabeth and Danny. "Later."
"What was that about?" Danny asked, following them with his eyes. Elizabeth bit her lip, hesitating.
"Brooke- well Brooke does whatever she wants to really. She's not shy in the least bit. And she has no shame, even if she's budding into business that is everyone's but her own."
"I'm not sure I follow," Danny said. Elizabeth looked into his very green eyes.
"Brooke thinks that you and I should date," she said.
"Oh," Danny said. He gave Elizabeth another of his easy grins. "And what do you think?" Now Elizabeth stared at the carpet, following the flowery pattern.
"The idea isn't completely ridiculous," Elizabeth said. "I like you a lot, Danny, but I don't really know you very well. I don't think my dad would go for us dating yet."
"I agree," Danny said. "I would love to ask you out, but I think we should get to know each other better at school first."
"You, know, musical audition results come out tomorrow. If Brooke doesn't get the part she wants, she'll be in mourning, and if she does get the part, well let's just say either way there will be no living with her. I wouldn't be opposed to snaking off and having lunch in the gym."
"A courtside picnic? That sound perfect," Danny agreed. As he agreed, Brooke's new song started to play over the speakers.
"There is something that I see
In the way you look at me
There's a smile, there's a truth in your eyes
But an unexpected way
On this unexpected day
Could it mean this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along"
"Another subtle hint from the mind of Brooke Lewis?" Danny asked.
"Definitely," Elizabeth confirmed. "Tactless, right?" Danny chuckled.
"She's just being Brooke; can't fault her for that." Both of them looked over towards Brooke. Jeremy had brushed past her to the computer system and was scrolling through a list of songs. A new, more upbeat tune began to play.
"Ooh, Connect 3!" Elizabeth said.
"Live to party, bust your move.
Everybody's in the groove.
Tell the d.j. to play our song.
Are you ready to rock and roll?"
"This is a great song," Danny said.
"Yeah, I love Connect 3. Wanna dance?" Elizabeth asked. Danny grinned and they joined Brooke and Jeremy on the dance floor.
…..
Brooke, Zeke, and Sharpay all stopped by Gabriella's chair to talk, but it was awhile before Kelsi came back. When she did, and they were alone again, Gabriella brought up something that had been troubling her for awhile.
"You know, Kelsi, last I remember you were engaged to Ryan, not hiding from him. What happened?"
"Well, we broke up about two years after your accident," Kelsi said with a sigh, studying her fingernails. The nail polish on one finger was chipped. She picked at it, causing it to flake off.
"You two were so close," Gabriella said. "What could have come between you?" When Kelsi looked up, her eyes were glistening.
"I lost a baby," she said, sniffling. "Then Ryan started being in shows. He was never home, and when he was, I had my own stuff going on. We just grew apart. Finally, I came home to Albuquerque. I lived with my dad for a couple of years, until I got hired at East High."
"I'm so sorry, Kels," Gabriella offered, holding out a napkin for her friend. Kelsi smiled gratefully, wiping her eyes.
"Well, what's done is done," she said. "I mean, Jason and I are reasonably happy, but-"
"But what?"
"Well, sometimes it feels like I'm settling for him, since I can't be with Ryan. I miss what we had. I'd hoped we could work it out, but now that he's seeing that Amy-girl, well I just let it go."
"Kelsi, someone really smart once said that anything worth having is worth fighting for. Those really smart guys that get quoted all the time, they usually know what they're talking about."
"I'll keep that in mind," Kelsi said with a faint smile. They watched the party for in silence for a time.
"You know, it feels like everyday I'm finding out some big secret from the years I missed," Gabriella reflected eventually. "It feels like everyone has changed except for me."
"Well, over the years we all had our personal dramas, but they didn't all happen at the same time; you're just finding out about them all at once. You'll catch up."
"Thanks Kels," Gabby said as a commotion broke out in the center of the room. A redheaded boy passed nearby, chanting the word cake.
"I think it's time for cake," Kelsi said, as Troy approached Gabriella's chair to bring her closer to their daughter.
…..
Late that night, after her parents gone off to bed, Elizabeth put on her nightgown and sat cross-legged on her bed. As Bradley settled down beside her, she pulled a small tote bag out of her purse. It was the gift from Danny. She wasn't sure why she had waited to open this present, but it had just felt right.
Reaching through the tissue paper, Elizabeth's hand closed on a small box. Inside this box there was a silver bracelet. As she lifted this bracelet, she noticed six glittering charms dangling from the chain. They included first was a tiny basketball, a tiny cat, a cluster of music notes, a red "E," a small theater mask, and a beaver. Smiling, Elizabeth fastened the bracelet around her wrist. As she picked up the now-empty gift wrappings, she spotted a folded piece of paper in the bottom of the box. She picked it up, to see Danny's boxy handwriting.
Elizabeth,
What I've learned about you so far:
1- You love basketball
2- You have a black cat named Bradley
3- You have an amazing voice
4- "Go Wildcats!"
5- You're a great friend
Thanks again for this week.
-Danny
His words left Elizabeth even more confused than before. She really liked Danny, but she was feeling an emotional overload for the weekend. She decided to go forth with their plan to get to know each other better, and see what came of the relationship. Bradley stood up and shoved his body between Beth and her note, waking her from her thoughts. She giggled softly as the cat's warm body rubbed against her.
"Right. You're the most important boy in my life," she told him, hugging the cat to her chest. He began to purr, kneading his paws up and down on her arm. Elizabeth settled back into her bed, checking to make sure that her alarm clock was set. Bradley lay down beside her, still purring. Beth reached over to shut off her lamp, her new bracelet shimmering on her wrist.