"I hate modeling." Michelle sighed. I pulled some marshmallow's out of the cupboard to add to the cocoa I was making.

"If you hate it why do you do it?" I said hesitantly, not wanting to upset her.
Michelle sighed and studied the table. "My mom wants me too. She says I'm so beautiful, it must be my calling. But you know what? I hate it." She looked up at me as I set her mug full of hot chocolate down in front of her. "I've never admitted that to anyone else. But I do. And you know what I love?"

I shook my head, stirring my cocoa slowly.

"Science." Michelle smiled. "I know it sounds kind of nerdy. Really, it is. But I love it. And I'm good at it. Really good. I already got a scholarship scholarship offer for Columbia University."

"Wow." I smiled. "You must be really smart."

Michelle smiled too, a little sadly. "I hope so. But Mom won't let me accept it. It's the greatest honor I've ever been given, and she won't let me accept it. I told them I needed time, so they don't know I'm not taking it yet. I couldn't do it."

"I'm sorry." I said again, honestly meaning it. "That's really tough."

Michelle nodded and sipped her cocoa before glancing at her mother. She was sprawled out on the couch, asleep where we had left her. Her blonde hair was stringy and her make up was running.

"She wasn't always like this you know." Michelle blinked away tears that had formed in her eyes and looked at me. "She used to be great. When I was little we'd play all the time. We'd dance and dress up and sing and play and laugh together. Stephen and I used to watch movies with her. We'd watch Hercules and the Lion King for him and we'd watch The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast for me." She smiled. "Mom's favorite Disney movie was Sleeping Beauty, so we'd all watch that in our pajamas on her birthday, even though neither Stephen or me really liked it."

"Sounds fun." I smiled at her. "You know Michelle, you're not really the girl I thought you were."

"Yeah I know." Michelle sighed. "I was a jerk to you. But it's hard sometimes. To be the great Sharpay Leverett's daughter and be nice at the same time. Not that that's any excuse."

"I get it. And it's alright." I lowered my eyes to my drink, then raised them again, determined to get the question that was in my head out into the air. "How was your date with Nate?"

Her eyes widened for a minute, then she laughed. "Oh that? He just saw me that day walking around town and came over to ask if I was lost. We started talking about things we were interested in and I told him about my science dreams. When we walked past the restaurant where you and Stephen were he saw you and asked if I'd pretend to be his date to make you jealous."

"Oh..." I said, feeling silly. "So you don't like him?"

"Well.." she blushed, "honestly at first I kinda did. But I saw the way he looks at you. He's all yours."

I laughed. "You know we're really not together right?"

She nodded, serious. "But you probably will be someday."

"You think so?"

"Yeah." She looked towards her mom again and sighed. "Do your think your dad is okay? He's been in his study a long time."

"He's fine." I said, not wanting her to worry. "He'll be alright. I'm sure he and Gabriella will work it out."

"I'm SO sorry about that. I don't know what got into her."

"Alcohol." I clapped a hand over my mouth. "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry that was horrible!"

Michelle laughed. "It's okay. I understand."

I laughed, relieved. "Thanks."

Suddenly I heard a knock at the door. "Excuse me a second, I just need to run answer that."

I opened the door and was relieved to see Nate standing there. "Nate! Thank goodness."

He looked concerned. "I got your text. Is everything alright?"

"Well... not really." I let him inside.

His eyes widened. "Why is Sharpay passed out on your couch?"

"Shhh Michelle's in the next room!" I hissed.

"Why is Michelle here? I thought you hated her?" Nate looked hopelessly lost.

"Yeah... a lot of things have changed in the past two hours." I laughed, a little ruefully. "I'm just glad you're here."

He pulled me into a hug. "Me too." I held onto him tight, feeling safe in his arms.

I felt him kiss my cheek gently, then he pulled away reluctantly. I smiled up at him and pecked him quickly on the lips.

He looked surprised then happy. "You know... I'm kind of liking this whole riding in to save the day thing."

I laughed. "I thought you would."

Suddenly I heard a polite cough behind us. I turned to find Michelle standing there, grinning.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

Nate laughed. "Sadly, no."

I rolled my eyes. "Michelle I thought we could use some back up so I texted Nate."

"Cool." Michelle smiled.

"You know..." I said, looking at Sharpay's sleeping form, "eventually when she wakes we're going to have to get her home."

Michelle's smile faded. "I know. And I don't know what to do. I don't think I should bother you Dad anymore and none of us have our licenses."

"Yeah..." Nate said, then continued, "not to be rude, but would either of you girls mind filling me in on just what happened here?"

I glanced at Michelle. "Is that okay?"

Michelle sighed then nodded. "Might as well."

Just then there was a second knock on the door. "Why don't you guys go in the kitchen and talk while I answer the door?" I said.

Michelle and Nate nodded and headed for the kitchen. I turned and opened the door, hoping it was a delivery man and not a neighbor.

"Hi! My name's Zeke Baylor. I'm looking for Troy Bolton? We used to go to school together." The man smiled at me warmly.

I swallowed hard. Well this is awkward. "Uhhh, well you found the right place. I'm Ella Bolton, Troy's daughter. But-"

Mr. Baylor cut me off. "I knew it! I recognize you from the photo Troy sent to everyone last Christmas. Your eyes are just the same as his."

"Really? That's so nice of you to say." I smiled, feeling slightly desperate. "Listen, under normal circumstances I'd totally let you in but..."

"But these aren't normal circumstances?" He looked worried. "Is something wrong? Can I help?"

"Well uhh..." I bit my lip. "Alright, maybe you should come in. We may need your drivers license."

"My drivers licen-" He stopped abruptly as he stepped inside and saw Sharpay on the couch. "Sharpay!"

"Yeah..." I gulped. "Um, she had a little, um, moment and she can't drive. We need to get her back home eventually and my dad is, well, busy, and so I thought..."

Mr. Baylor walked over and pushed some of the hair out Sharpay's eyes. He stared down at her for a minute, his mouth open. Then he turned around and stared at me. "She's been drinking?"

"Well, yeah." I shifted awkwardly. "A lot."

Just then Michelle and Nate walked back in the room.
Mr. Baylor's jaw dropped once more when he saw Michelle. "Sharpay? But I-I thought-" He glanced back and forth between Sharpay and Michelle, confused.

"Hi, I'm Sharpay's daughter, Michelle." Michelle came forward uncertainly, her hand extended.

"Oh. I see. Well I'm Zeke. Zeke Baylor. I was just offering to, uh, help escort your mother home."

"Zeke Baylor, Zeke Baylor... OH!" Michelle smiled. "I knew you looked familiar. You were my mom's boyfriend in highschool weren't you?"

Mr. Baylor blushed. "I don't know if you'd say boyfriend..."

"That's what she calls you. She says you made crème brule that was to die for." Michelle laughed.

"Well... it is pretty good, if I do say so myself."

Nate smiled. "Hey, I'm Nate, Ella's friend."

"Good to meet you." Mr. Baylor smiled and nodded.

"Well..." I looked down at Sharpay. "Should we do this now, or wait till she wakes up?"

"Might as well do it now." Mr. Baylor carefully lifted Sharpay bridal style in his arms, and carried her out to his car, Michelle, Nate and I following.

"Ella?" He called, stopping at his car. "My keys are in my pocket. Grab them and unlock the car will you?"

"Sure." I grabbed his keys and opened up the doors.
He gently laid Sharpay in the back seat and smoothed her hair out her eyes once more. He smiled and shut the door. "She's beautiful. Just the way I remember."

"Thanks, I'll tell her you said that." Michelle smiled at him approvingly.

Mr. Baylor looked startled. "Maybe you better not. I'm not sure your dad would like that."

Michelle dropped her eyes. "I'm pretty sure he won't care. She just signed the papers today. They're officially divorced now."

"Oh. I'm so sorry." Mr. Baylor patted her shoulder. "I'll be keeping your family in my prayers."

"Thanks." Michelle smiled at him.

"Well, we better go." He climbed into his side of the car. As Michelle was about to slide in however, I grabbed her arm.

"Michelle, are you going to be okay with him?" I whispered. "After all, we don't know anything about him."

"Don't worry Ella." Michelle smiled. "My mom told him all about him. She said he was the best boyfriend he ever had. A real gentleman. And plus," she grinned, "I'm a black belt in Tai Kwon Do."

I laughed, releasing her arm. "Okay, I get it. You've got this."

"Yeah, don't let all this pink fool you." Michelle laughed again and then squeezed my hand. "Thanks for all your help today Ella. Maybe we can hang out sometime before I leave?"

I smiled. "Definitely. We should. I'm surrounded my men over here, I need some girl time too."

"Okay." She smiled. "Talk to you guys later okay?"

Nate and I nodded. "Bye!"

As Nate and I walked inside I saw my dad sitting on the couch. I smiled hesitantly at him.

He sighed. "Was that Zeke?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

He sat back in relief. "Good, then she's in good hands." He glanced at me then stood up and pulled me into a hug. "Sorry I left you to handle that sweetheart. That was stupid of me. But I just couldn't... think."

"I know." I hugged back, then pulled away. "Dad, it's going to be okay. Just call Gabriella and explain."

He sighed. "I already tried. She's not picking up."

"I'm sure she'll talk to you eventually. Just give her some time to cool down." Nate said.

He laughed. "When did you two become such experts on relationships?"

"I don't know... when we got in one?" I said, without thinking.

Nate froze. "What?"

I gasped. "Uh, I mean, when we became a part of many relationships, whether platonic or romantic, in which we uhhh observe human nature and, uh, live daily within our human realm! Excuse me, I have to, uh, water the flowers." I made a break for it, rushing toward the door.

As I hurriedly stepped outside I heard my dad's puzzled voice saying, "We don't have any flowers..."

I blushed as I hurried down my porch steps. When we become a part of many relationships, whether plationic or romantic! Live daily within our human realm! Ella what the heck were you thinking? I thought, feeling like slamming my head up against a wall.

I heard my front door open and close and Nate's voice behind me. "Ella! Wait up! Ella, where are you going?"

I stopped mid-stride. "Ummmm to the grocery store?"

He caught up with me and turned me towards him. "Really Ella? The grocery store?"

I stared down at my feet. "It was the best I could come up with. Don't judge."

Nate laughed. "Hey Ella?"

"What?" I said looking up into his face.

He kissed me softly then pulled back. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

I blushed. My heart was pounding and my head felt light. I could barely breathe. Are my feet even touching the ground right now? "Yes." I said quietly.

"Good." He kissed me again.

I pulled away, laughing breathlessly. He laughed with me, then spun me around.

We walked back to the house, holding hands. My dad was waiting for us, shaking his head, but laughing. "It's about time."

I grinned, but behind all my happiness, a single thought was nagging at me. What am I going to do about Stephen?

Author's Note: Sooo the reason that there was no author's note at the beginning of this chapter is that I don't really have much to say this time. Only two people reviewed on the last chapter, so no shout outs. :/ On the upside, NATELLA IS NOW OFFICIAL! Took me long enough, right? Please continue to review, and continue to let me know what you think of the bonus chapter idea. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the author's note on the bottom of chapter 11). Hope you enjoyed this chapter and more should be coming soon. Thanks for reading!