disclaimer: i don't own hsm or any of the characters. i do, however, own the character 'callie,' her aunt, and any other characters i put into the story.

Chapter 10: 'If You Want To Cry'

PREVIOUSLY...

"Callie..."

"No, Troy! I just can't deal with this shit right now! I'm going to be with my real friends who I know will be there for me, no matter what!"

With that, I slammed my phone shut, and chucked it across the room. It hit the floor with a soft thud. The only one who didn't seem surprised by the conversation was Chase. Ben, Alex, Claire, and Chelsea all looked shocked.

"What was that all about?" Chelsea asked. I then explained the whole story, so that they would understand.

"What do you have to say about them?" Alex asked.

"Everyone is a friend, until they prove otherwise."

Three weeks later
Callie's p.o.v.

It had been three weeks since I had talked to Troy on the phone. I hadn't talked to any of them since then. There had been a lot that had happened in the past three weeks, including my close relationship with my friends. School was tough, but I was managing to get everything done on time, and my grades reflected that.

As I sat down on my bed, I pulled out my copy of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. We had begun talking about the book in class. Looking at my planner, I read the homework for English. Read chapters 1-3 of 'ATOTC' for class tomorrow (Tuesday)

Sighing, I opened up the book and began to read.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

A little while later...

I sighed, and closed the book before putting it back into my bag. My homework was finally complete, and I could relax, even if it was just for a little bit.

I thought back to earlier that day, when there had been a rumor going around the school of an exchange student program.

Flashback

I was sitting with Alex, Chelsea, Claire, and Chase when Ben walked up.

"Did you guys hear the latest rumor to go around?" He asked.

"No," Chelsea replied. "What is it?"

"There's a rumor that there's gonna be some exchange student program happening here at Suncoast High," Ben said.

"Is there anything about what students may be coming if this is true?" I asked.

"Not that I've heard of," Ben replied. "But I'm sure we'll find out some more about this rumored program a little later this week."

End flashback

The next day
Callie's p.o.v.

As I pulled into the student parking lot, I noticed Chase standing by his black two-door Mustang GT. Getting my things, I quickly got out of my own car before going over to join him.

"Morning," I said.

"Morning," he replied, pulling me close and leaning his head down, before giving me a kiss. "What did you think of the homework for Reynard's class?"

"It wasn't too bad," I replied. "Three chapters wasn't that big of a deal. But I'm sure he'll find a way to pile the work on us."

A few minutes later, the bell rang, so Chase and I headed inside for yet another boring day of classes.

Lunch time
No one's p.o.v.

Callie walked into the lunchroom, and headed over to the usual table. The others were already there.

"Hey, guys," she said, sitting down with her tray. Just then, Alex looked over at her, and gave a nod. Callie understood what he meant. A piece of paper soon landed in front of her.

(alex/callie)

a diputs s'nam troper fo tahw a revelc nam syas si reven etarucca esuaceb eh ylsuoicsnocnu setalsnart tahw eh sraeh otni gnihtemos eh nac dnatsrednu.

tahw eht kceh?

tahw?

erehw did taht modnar etouq emoc morf?

swobniar ezigolopa rof yrgna seiks.

After Callie finished reading what Alex had written, she looked at him, and they burst into laughter. Ben, Claire, Chelsea, and Chase just looked at the two with confused expressions on their faces.

"What was that about?" Ben asked. Callie and Alex just shook their heads, before continuing to pass notes.

taht saw yletinifed gnitseretni, ot yas eht tsael.

i eerga.

All too soon, the bell rang, making the group groan.

"Time for more torture," Alex said, and the others agreed.

After school

The group of friends stood near the front of the school, telling what had happened for the remainder of their classes that day.

"Did you see the paper about the exchange students that are coming?" Ben asked Callie.

"No, why?" He took a piece of paper and handed it to her. Her blue eyes quickly scanned the piece of paper Ben had just handed to her.

Suncoast High has the chance to welcome some exchange students. The students come from East High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Toluca Lake High School in Toluca Lake, California. The students will be here for two weeks.

East High School: Zeke Baylor, Troy Bolton, Jason Cross, Chad Danforth, Ryan Evans, Sharpay Evans, Taylor McKessie, Natalie McKibben, Gabriella Montez, Kelsi Nielsen

Toluca Lake High School: Andrea Aldaine, Christian Ashford, Jayla Christiensen, Jacob Crestford, Cayla Hillel, Tyler James, Raven Lyens, Jeff McDaniel, Annabelle Reid, Jackson Reid

The students will arrive next Monday. If you are selected to show the students around, you will be notified by Friday.

After reading the paper, Callie ccrumpled it up before bursting out with some anger.

"I can't believe it! I'm going to have to deal with them for two weeks?" She was really upset. Chase took the paper from his girlfriend's hands before scanning the paper with his own blue eyes.

"I can't believe it either!" He exclaimed. "But as a group, we can get through anything. And we can most certainly get through this."

Callie agreed. Just then, her phone beeped letting her know that she'd received a text. Looking at the screen, her eyes knitted together in confusion when she saw who the text was from.

From: Natalie

Flipping her phone open, she read the text that Natalie had sent.

From: Natalie

Hey, Callie! Listen, I know you won't want to talk to the gang when we arrive in Palm Beach to be at Suncoast High for two weeks, but will you be ignoring me as well? I wasn't sure and just wondered. They were talking about you at lunch.

Callie's mouth dropped open when she read the text. Instead of typing and sending a reply back, she decided to call Natalie instead. Her friends looked at her with weird glances as she walked a little ways from the group.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Natalie. It's Callie. I just finished reading your text."

"Ok. So why'd you call?"

"Well, I figured it'd be easier than to try and type out a response through a text."

"Yeah, I would think. Anyways, what did you want to talk about?"

"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I won't be ignoring you when you guys come to be at Suncoast High for two weeks. You were never involved with whatever caused the gang to stop talking to me, so why should I punish you too? Anyways, what were they saying about me at lunch?"

"They were pretty much calling you names, like bitch and stuff like that. Then Troy was all like, 'When I talked to her on the phone three weeks ago, she was just acting like a bitch. She was accusing us of ignoring her for no reason. She was just cussing me out like freakin shit without giving a fuck that she was lying.' I had a feeling he was lying about it all."

"What he said is complete bullshit! I was mad because he had claimed in a text earlier that day that my 'friends' needed to know why I left without telling them. Why should I? They just began ignoring me for no reason. Don't listen to Troy's fucking blatant lies and bullshit."

"Yeah, I had a really strong feeling he'd just made it seem like you were the bad person, and not them. I'm glad that you'll actually be talking to me while we're at Suncoast."

"Well, like I said, you had nothing to do with the whole fucking drama situation, so I didn't think it would be right to ignore you as well."

"Well, I gotta go. Hopefully I'll get a chance to text you or something later. Bye."

"Bye." Callie shut her phone, and put it in her purse before walking back over to her friends.

"What was that about?" Chase asked. Callie just shook her head and sighed.

"I'd rather not talk about it. It's kinda complicated." Her friends nodded in understanding before they all headed out to their cars in the student parking lot.

Friday morning
Callie's p.o.v.

I got ready for the day, dreading what was to come. I had gotten a note in homeroom the day before, saying I needed to speak to Principal O'Connor before leaving after band class on Friday. I had a feeling that he was going to talk to me about the exchange students program that would be happening.

I knew that even if I got stuck with some of the gang, I would try to make the best out of the experience and not let some past drama ruin the two weeks they'd be at Suncoast High.

At school

As I pulled into the student parking lot at school, I noticed that Ben, Alex, Claire, and Chelsea were waiting near the front doors of the school. I grabbed my things and headed over to where they were standing and talking.

"Morning, guys," I replied.

"Morning," Alex replied. Soon, we were talking about how we were glad that it was finally Friday, and how, in a few short hours, it would finally be the weekend. Soon, the bell rang, and we headed inside.

During A.P. Drawing

I was working on a project when all of a sudden, I felt my phone buzz. I quietly pulled out my phone.

New TXT Message

From: Chase

I opened the message, wondering what Chase wanted. Luckily, our teachers weren't too strict on cell phones, and we could text if we weren't texting constantly during class.

From: Chase

Hey, Callie. Sorry I'm not at school today. Woke up feelin' like crap, so Mom called me in sick today. Hope to see you when I'm feeling better. Love Chase

I was a little sad that Chase was sick, but the "Love Chase" at the end of the text made me smile.

To: Chase

Sorry to hear that you're sick. :( Hope you feel better soon. Love Callie

After hitting 'send', I went back to working on my art project.

At lunch
No one's p.o.v.

The group of friends sat at their usual table, eating their lunches and engaging in some interesting conversation.

Currently, Alex was trying to get the group to laugh by telling some really weird-and bad-jokes about bananas.

"What is yellow and goes bzzzzzz?" Alex asked the group.

"Gee, I don't know," Ben replied in a sarcastic tone.

"An electric banana!" Alex exclaimed. The group just rolled their eyes at him.

"Oooh! I have another one!" The group mentally groaned. "What is yellow on the inside and green on the outside?" Alex asked.

"Gee, I don't know. Why don't you tell us," Chelsea said, rolling her eyes.

"A banana dressed up as a cucumber!"

The rest of the group didn't think that the end of the lunch period could come quickly enough.

After band class
Callie's p.o.v.

When the bell rang at the end of sixth period, I groaned to myself. I had to head down to the office to speak with Principal O'Connor. I had pretty much figured out what he wanted to talk to me about, but I knew I need to go whether I wanted to or not.

As I walked in, the secretary looked up and smiled at me.

"If you want, you may sit in one of the chairs outside Principal O'Connor's office. He's currently with another student right now."

"Alright," I said, heading over to sit in the little "lounge" area right outside the principal's office.

Just five minutes later, Principal O'Connor walked out of his office with a student. "Callie, come on in to my office," he said. I stood up and followed him in, and he shut the door.

Sitting behind his desk, he began. "The reason why I called you in here is because of the exchange students that we're having come to Suncoast High for two weeks. I know you used to attend East High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, so I would like you to take those students and show them around the school and also make them feel welcome when they come," he said. "Any questions you have for me before you leave?"

I said no, and soon I was out at my car.

I can't believe I have to help out my ex-friends when they come to Suncoast High for two weeks. But I at least know that Natalie and I are friends.

Monday morning

As my alarm clock rang, I groaned because I realized that it was Monday. Today was the day that the exchange students would begin their two weeks at Suncoast High. Turning my alarm clock off, I went to get ready.

I decided to wear a pair of black skinny jeans, a black one-sleeved top with some butterflies on the front, and a pair of sheer lace peep-toe black booties. I added a pair of pale pink candelier earrings, along with a beautiful necklace, ring, and bracelet Chase had given me as a surprise gift. I also grabbed my black lace-inset ruffle bag before heading out the door.

At school

As soon as I walked into Suncoast High, I saw them. I hadn't seen them since I had left East High School and moved from Albuquerque to Palm Beach. Natalie saw me, and came over to give me a hug.

"How do you think you'll do with us around?" she asked me.

"I think I'll be ok around you, but it'll be a whole different story when I'm around the others," I replied.

Just then, Principal O'Connor walked out of the office, and had the group from Albuquerque and I follow him to his office.

"Welcome to Suncoast High," he told the group.

"Thank you," they replied.

"For the two weeks you are here," he said, "You will attend the same classes as your guide, and get a feel for the academic standards here at Suncoast. You will also be doing some of the work for the classes as well. Callie over there will be your guide. She'll be showing you around the school and will try to answer questions that you may have about Suncoast High while you are here."

Troy's p.o.v.

As the group and I walked out of Principal O'Connors office, Callie was there with us.

I can't believe she's going to be our guide while we're here at Suncoast High. I haven't talked to her since we got into that huge argument over the phone three weeks ago.

"What class do we have first, Callie?" I asked her.

"AP English," she replied. "But first I need to stop by my locker and get some books for class." As we stood near Callie at her locker, when five people walked up to her.

"Mattina brava ragazza calda," one of the two guys said to her.

"Alex, chiudere quella cazzo di bocca!" she replied. The other guy smacked the back of his head, and Chad laughed.

"Guys," Callie said, turning to the group of 5, "I'd like to introduce you to the group from East High School. Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez, Taylor McKessie, Chad Danforth, Sharpay Evans, Zeke Baylor, Jason Cross, Kelsi Nielsen, Ryan Evans, and Natalie McKibben."

The group near Callie just smiled at us. "And guys, these are my friends Chelsea Ryan, Ben Andersen, Alex Johnson, and Claire Andrews."

There was one guy there that she hadn't introduced us to, and I wondered if he might be her boyfriend. "And this is my boyfriend, Chase Kinsley." She gave him a quick kiss, and Chad being Chad, went "Ewwww!" Taylor smacked him on the back of the head, and we all laughed while Chad just pouted like a baby.

After 6th period
Callie's p.o.v.

Band class was finally over, and the group from Albuquerque and I were heading out towards the student parking lot. Troy came up to me, and asked if he could speak with me alone. I reluctantly agreed, and we headed over to where my Mustang was parked.

"Listen, Callie, I feel bad for the way our conversation on the phone turned out a few weeks ago," he said. "I realize now that I shouldn't have been so nasty towards you, and I'm sorry for that."

I sighed. "I think all of us need to work things out between us, and put the past drama behind us. You guys can follow me to where I live with my aunt and we can have a long conversation and hopefully put some of this behind us and move on with our lives."

"I hope so too," Troy replied. "I think we all have things that need to be said, and the tension between all of us is getting extremely unbearable."

I gave Troy my address, and he agreed to wait there until I got there to let them in.

After they left, I heard someone walking up to me. When I turned around, I paled.

"Well hello, Callie."

sorry if this chapter sucks :( it's been a long time since i've written a chapter for this story, and it was hard to get the ideas out. hopefully the next one will be better. :)

i decided to end with a cliffhanger. i'll be putting up a poll so you guys can guess who the person is that came up to callie at the end of the chapter.

i'll be working hard to make the next chapter better, and hopefully it will be psoted within a few weeks. :)

~caitlin (softangelwings)

p.s.: down below is what alex and callie were saying in the notes that they were passing to each other at lunch. also included is what callie said to alex in a different language when she was with the group from east high at her locker. (it's in italian...used google translate, so i apologize if the translation isn't exactly correct)

notes at lunch:

a diputs s'nam troper fo tahw a revelc nam syas si reven etarucca esuaceb eh ylsuoicsnocnu setalsnart tahw eh sraeh otni gnihtemos eh nac dnatsrednu. - a stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.
tahw eht kceh? - what the heck?
tahw? - what?
erehw did taht modnar etouq emoc morf? - where did that random quote come from?
swobniar ezigolopa rof yrgna seiks. - rainbows apologize for angry skies.
taht saw yletinifed gnitseretni, ot yas eht tsael. - that was definitely interesting, to say the least.
i eerga. - i agree.

what callie and alex said at her locker:

Mattina brava ragazza calda - Good morning hot girl
Alex, chiudere quella cazza di bocca! - Alex, shut the fuck up!