Author's Note: Hey everybody! Couple quick shout outs: Sophbells: I know I already gave you a shout out in another chapter, but I have to say, your reviews are GREAT! I always smile when I read them. Thanks for the compliment, I try to be a good writer. GuardGirl16: I don't think you've ever reviewed before, so thanks for doing it! I'm glad you picked up on my subtle hints throughout the story that Alex was Troy's son, you're really perceptive! And to everyone: Thanks so much for all the support, I am totally serious when I say I love you guys for doing it, without you guys there wouldn't be a story. Keep reviewing and check out the AN at the bottom for some special information about a BONUS CHAPTER! Enjoy chapter eleven!
"Dad are you nervous?" I asked, trying to hide my smile.
"Nervous? More like petrified." He answered honestly.
I laughed. "Dad, I promise, it's going to be fine. Alex is a great guy."
My dad smiled at me. "He'd have to be. Gabriella raised him. But... it's still nervewracking. I mean, this is my son. My son. I never even knew he existed till yesterday evening. It's almost impossible."
I nodded, remembering Nate's words from last night. "It's a miracle." As my dad stopped pacing and sat down on the couch with a sigh I glanced out the window. Truthfully I was almost as nervous as my dad. I have a half-brother. A real, live half-brother. And my dad's about to meet him for the first time in just a few minutes. I shook my head in disbelief. Who would have thought?
I remembered my dad's shocked face after Gabriella had told him Alex was his child as well last night. I remembered the stammered questions, asked by everyone, Gabriella's hesitant answers, her eyes fixed on my dad's face to see how he was taking this gigantic piece of news. Finally she had said, "Troy, I know this is a lot to handle in one night. Maybe... maybe I shouldn't have told you now but I couldn't help it."
My dad had been silent for a minute or two, then he said, "Is this why you left? Because you were going to have Alex?"
Gabriella had bent her head, her cheeks flushing. "Yes. I didn't want you weighed down by having to start a family. We were both so sure your career was going to take off and... and... I didn't want to be the one who held you back. That's why I had to cut myself off from Taylor and Chad too. I knew if they saw me pregnant they would tell you."
My father had gently pulled her head up so he could look in her eyes. "Ella, why didn't you tell me? It would have been a lot to handle, but we could have done it together. Why didn't you believe in me?"
Gabriella had ducked her again, tears forming in her eyes. "I was afraid you wouldn't stay."
My dad had nodded and sighed. "Who knows? Maybe you were completely right to do what you did. We might not ever know. But now... now I want to meet my son. I want to be his father. I need to make up for lost time."
Her head had snapped up. "Troy! Are you serious?"
My dad had smiled. "I am. Completely."
I smiled myself as I remembered both Gabriella's and my dad's startled faces when I told them I thought I knew Alex. Gabriella had asked me to describe him. When I was finished she had nodded. "I can't believe it, that's him! It's incredible, you two already being friendly, and never even knowing you were half-brother and sister!"
The sound of the doorbell brought me out of my thoughts. My dad sprang up, and in two steps was across the room and opening the door. I barely had time to stand up before Alex and Gabriella were in the room.
"Hi!" I said, not sure what else to do.
Gabriella smiled at me. "Hey Ella." She opened her arms and I grinned and gave her a hug. When I let go I glanced nervously at my dad and Alex.
Alex was staring at my dad, his eyes moving over his whole face as if committing every detail to memory. Finally he cleared his throat and stuck out his hand. "Mr. Bolton."
My dad's eyes were misted over as he grabbed Alex's hand and shook it hard. "Call me Troy. It's great to meet you Alex. I can't believe you're here... I've never been so nervous in my life."
Alex laughed, his own eyes looking a little shiny. "I know the feeling."
For a moment they stood that way, still grasping eachother's hands. Then my dad pulled Alex into a firm hug. Alex looked surprised then hugged back, squeezing his eyes shut. When he pulled away he blinked hard. "Sorry, I think I got something in my eyes."
Gabriella moved over and touched his arm. "Why don't we all sit down and we can talk?"
Alex and my dad both nodded. As we walked over to sit down Alex glanced my way uncertainly and I smiled. He looked relieved and smiled back, looking a little more like his usual self.
When we sat down my dad said, "So Alex, Ella tells me you like skateboarding?"
Alex chuckled. "Yeah she should know about that." When both Gabriella and my dad looked confused, Alex continued, "We first met when I ran into her on my skateboard." He looked over at me. "How's the elbow doing."
I grinned. "Better. But we wouldn't have had that problem at all if you would just learn to stay on your side of the sidewalk."
Alex laughed. "Don't you remember? I own that sidewalk." Turning to my dad he continued, "I do like skateboarding. It's my favorite hobby. There's no better feeling than mastering a new move. It's incredible."
My dad smiled. "Do you think maybe some time you could show me your best moves?"
Alex nodded, looking pleased. "But only if you show your moves on the court. My mom says you were really good."
"Well," my dad laughed, "a little less good now, you might not want to get your hopes up." He patted his slightly gimpy leg.
Alex's face turned serious. "Yeah, Mom told me about that too. I'm sorry sir."
Dad looked impressed by his serious tone. "It's alright, but thanks for your concern. I'm happy where I am now. So," he said, moving on to another topic, "what are you majoring in?"
I cringed as I saw Alex's face darken. Probably should have warned Dad about that... oops.
"I'm not going to college." Alex said shortly.
My dad looked surprised. "Oh. I'm sorry."
Gabriella said softly, "Alex was working a lot while I was sick and during my recovery just so we could stay afloat. There was no extra money for anything... even college."
"Oh..." Dad looked sad. "I'm sorry, son. Where would you like to go? If you got the chance?"
"Medical school. I want to become a doctor." Alex's face brightened. "Like I said, skateboarding is my favorite hobby, but I guess medicine is my passion. It's my dream to get my degree and then go to Africa or somplace like that to doctor those who normally wouldn't have good care taken of them. I want to go help people who really need it."
"Wow. That's a pretty awesome ambition." My dad paused thoughtfully. "Alex, I'd like to help you achieve that dream of yours."
Alex looked suddenly wary. "What do you mean?"
Dad leaned forward. "I'd be honored to put you through medical school."
Alex's face registered complete and total shock. "Mr. Bolton, I mean, uh, Troy, I can't let you do that. You don't even know me. It's too much to even think about, let alone do."
"Oh come on Alex." I smiled eagerly. "We can afford it. And it's your dream."
Alex shook his head stubbornly. "I can't let you do that sir. I'm sorry, but I have to do this on my own."
My dad nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. But you're my son Alex. And I can see this is something you really want. And I'm sure you'd excel at it. So how about this, I'll loan you the money and you can pay be back later."
Alex rubbed his forehead. "I can't believe this. Sir, that's a lot of money, are you sure you want to make that kind of commitment?"
Dad smiled. "Does that mean you'd be willing to accept my offer?"
Alex grinned slowly. "Yes, I mean YES thank you!" He stood up and grabbed his hand to shake it.
I looked over at Gabriella and saw a happy smile on her face, but tears in her eyes. "I can't believe this," she said softly, "I've dreamed so long of this moment, and now it's here. We're all together."
My dad pulled her to her feet and gently pecked her on the lips. "Yes we are. And I hope we stay that way for a long long time."
Alex walked over to me. "Hey Ella."
I smiled. "Hey Alex."
He glanced behind him at my dad and Gabriella, who were still in eachother's arms, talking quietly. "Are you okay with," he gestured to them, "all of this."
I reached out and hugged him. "I'm more than okay with it. I always wanted a brother."
Alex smiled. "Even the rude kid who injured you?"
I grinned. "Isn't that kind of the definition of older brothers? A rude guy who injures you?"
Alex laughed. "I hope everything works out."
"Me too." I glanced at my dad and Gabriella who had just now pulled away from eachother. "Alex, do you think they'll ever-"
Suddenly the front door swung open with a bang and someone stumbled into our living room.
I gasped as I recognized Sharpay, with Michelle hanging onto her arm, trying desperately to pull her to her feet.
"What the-"
My dad was cut off by Sharpay who stumbled to her feet and smiled at him. "HEEEYYY TROY!"
Alex and Gabriella both looked at me. I blinked, completely confused.
Michelle blushed. "Mother don't-"
"Be quiet Shelly." Sharpay rudely pushed her daughter away. "You never want to have any fun."
Michelle tried to catch hold of her again but Sharpay dodged, stumbled over to my dad and threw her arms around his neck. "Troy, baby, I've missed you!"
Gabriella tensed. "Sharpay, what-?"
Sharpay turned to Gabriella and squinted at her. "Oh... it's you again." She glared at her. "Honey, when are you gonna learn?" She pushed her hair out of her eyes with a sloppy gesture and walked towards her. "Troy Bolton is MINE."
Alex lunged towards her just in time to catch her arm before she slapped Gabriella. "What the heck?"
She sighed and wrenched her arm free of Alex's grasp and walked back to my dad. "What?... I'm just fighting for my mannnnnn..."
Michelle's eyes were filled with tears. "Mother. Please."
"Shut up!" Sharpay turned back to my dad, who was hopelessly trying to get her off him. "I love him." With that she pasted her lips on his, in a feverish kiss.
Gabriella gasped. "Alex, we need to go."
Troy jerked away from Sharpay. "What is wrong with you?"
He grabbed Gabriella's arm. "Ella, I have no idea what's going on right now. Please don't leave."
"Let. Go. Of. My. Mother." Alex's voice had knives in it.
My dad stared hopelessly at him then released her arm. Gabriella stared at him for a second, tears filling her eyes. Then she opened the door and walked out without a word.
"Alex!" I called.
He glanced at me. "Just skip it Ella." I winced as the door slammed.
My dad stared at the door, in shock at what had just happened. Then he whirled around. "Sharpay! What was that all about?"
Sharpay smiled flirtly at him. "It's jussst so we c-can be allone babbbby.." Her words slurred together hopelessly.
Michelle swiped at the tears falling down her face. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I tried to stop her but- I didn't mean to- I thought..." Dad walked past her as if he didn't hear her. I heard the slam of his study door.
I stood, as if frozen to the ground. Michelle collapsed into an easy chair, sobbing into her hands. Sharpay fell back on the couch.
I glanced back and forth between them, then headed over to Michelle. "Michelle... what's going on?"
"I'll tell ya what's going on!" Sharpay lurched to her feet again. "My husband left me. Sent the divorce papers here today. I'm dead broke and my kids ha-hate me."
"Oh my gosh." I glanced at Michelle. She stared back at me, looking like a shell of the beautiful girl I had seen the other day with Nate.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. "She's drunk."
"I know." I stared at Sharpay who had collapsed back on the sofa again.
"She went to the bar right after the papers came." Michelle said, still whispering. "I've seen her drink before, I've seen her drunk before, but she really did herself in this time. She kept telling me that if she drank enough it'd make it go away. But-but, it never does. After she was finished she told me she wanted to come here, to talk to your dad. I shouldn't have let her, but she wouldn't stop. I had to grab the wheel from her a couple of times on the way here just to make sure we didn't wreck."
"Michelle..." I sat down beside her. "How long has this been going on?"
She stared at me. "Years. Since I was just nine years old. That's when her and dad started having marital problems." She closed her eyes and shivered. "Their arguments are... horrible."
"I'm sorry." I said. I guess the Leveretts aren't as picture perfect as I thought. I can't believe it... I never would have guessed...
I heard Sharpay mumble something under her breath and looked over to see her face turning green. "Michelle!" I sprang to my feet. "Help me get her to the bathroom!"
AN: This chapter was probably a surprise to some people, but more is coming soon and all will be explained. (Well, not ALL. But a lot.) I already have the next chapter written so I may or may not post that right after this one or wait a while to see what you guys think. If I haven't posted it and you want me to, let me know and I will ASAP. Now... about the BONUS CHAPTER! At the end of this story (in however many more chapters that will be) I was thinking of posting a bonus chapter. It will be full of some interesting trivia like how I thought of the characters, some parallels between my life and the story, the original plot lines of some of the chapters so you can see how the story was going to look originally, and even the story behind the title of the story. But, in that bonus chapter I was also thinking of posting one or two scenes from the story, written from a different character's perspective. Like, just for instance, how was Nate feeling during his and Ella's first kiss? What did Gabriella think when she found Ella walking around in the dark? But here's the thing. If I'm going to do that I need some help picking the scenes of the story and which characters perspectives I should write on. That's where you guys come in. When you review just take a little time to put a character and a scene from the story. You can continue to do this as the story goes on, until the last chapter. You can put down one every time you review or a bunch once and then never again. Whatever you want to do. I will pick a few (my limit is seven) of them to write for the bonus chapter based on popularity and which ones sound the most interesting to write. Thanks for your help guys and let me know what you think of this idea and the bonus chapter in general in your reviews!
