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No Sleep Tonight

Chapter 13.

Sharpay placed the black hat on top of her curls, once again adjusting her looks. Her makeup kept running and nothing wanted to go smoothly. It had to, though. Today was an important day, even though it was all very, very sad.

Bridget was sitting on the little couch behind her, looking with sad eyes at her mom. The little girl didn't understand exactly what was going on. Only that she had to behave today, and that she had to wear all black.

They were in the restroom, and Benjamin was waiting right outside, clinging on to Ryan's hand. Ryan had even come all the long way from New York to see them today – to show them his support. Troy and Gabriella was there too, with Juna clinging on in the middle of them.

They hadn't told her about everything yet. She knew her father was moving out, he was already half on his way. She didn't know why, and Gabriella would only tell her once all Troy's stuff was out of the house. He had placed them all in Sharpay's big house. Just for now.

Mr. McKenzie had called Troy up two days ago. He finally knew where the firm was moving to. It was the Big Apple. New York. And Troy had to go with them. He was heading out soon, and Sharpay was confused as to what she should do. She wanted to go there and be with Troy, but she felt like she belonged here now. With all the memories. In her own house, and not in some small apartment.

But she had also always wanted to go to New York. Maybe she could take up acting again instead of directing. Maybe, just maybe.

Sharpay reapplied her makeup, looking at herself in the mirror. Her face was pale, but that was to be expected. She turned around with a sigh, and took Bridget's hand, helping her off the couch. They went outside, and met up with Ryan and Benjamin, getting ready to face the many people.

Sharpay and the kids were set for a meeting alone with Zeke, though. So they went into the big room, and walked what felt like a thousand miles, before they were able to see him. The kids started crying immediately, but Sharpay just stood there, looking down at his face. He was dressed in his favourite suit, and a tie Bridget made for him in school.

Sharpay let the tears roll, as she remembered that fateful day, around two weeks ago…

Sharpay stormed into the hospital, tears streaming down her face. Gabriella and Troy were right behind her, as she moved to the front desk, demanding to see Zeke or speak to his doctor. The nurse told her to calm down and gave her a whole bunch of papers she needed to sign. She did it immediately, and was let into the room.

Troy and Gabriella followed, but when they entered, there was dead silent between all the doctors in there. They turned to look at Sharpay, and must have somehow guessed it was her, because of the truly scared look she had on her face. She stepped closer to the bed, rubbing her arm softly.

She let out a breath, because he somehow looked okay. He was completely still, he wasn't breathing or moving around. Her eyes lingered on his lips for a minute. Just 6 hours ago they had been kissing away on her lips, while they were rolling around in their soft bed.

Her eyes continued to his chest, which was covered in a duvet, but she knew it had to be hurt a lot. Then she moved her gaze to his hands, where a few IV's were in. She followed them to the big machine next to him, and just then realized that nothing was beeping or moving. Not even the heart monitor. Did that mean he was well enough to breathe himself?

She turned to look at the doctors, questions floating through her brown pools.

"I'm sorry," the doctor told her, his face sad, "We lost him 10 minutes ago."

It took two seconds for the news to sink in. But when they did, they watched her face fall, and then her sad smile turned into a frown, and lastly, her eyes welled up with tears. Then she started sobbing.

Troy gave Gabriella a questionable look, wanting to know if she would be okay with him hugging Sharpay in front of her. Gabriella gave him a slight nod, and Troy brushed across the room, enveloping her in a big hug. She placed her head on his chest, crying uncontrollably, while he awkwardly padded her back, wanting to let her know that he was there for her.

She kept on crying, while the doctors left the room, to give them some privacy.

The best day of her life, had suddenly turned into the worst one.

"Is he never coming back, mom?" Benjamin's voice cut through, his brown eyes full with tears.

Sharpay placed an arm around his small form, looking at the casket, "No," she said, "He's not coming back, sweetie."

"But why did he want to leave us?" Bridget questioned, wrapping her arms around Sharpay's middle, while tears were streaming down her face, "Didn't he want us anymore? Were we bad?"

"No, honey," Sharpay shook her head, brushing a strand of Bridget's golden locks out of her eyes, "Not at all. You've always been good. It was just… the angels needed him now. It was his turn to go. You'll always have memories though, and he'll always be in your heart."

"Okay, mommy…" Bridget said, squeezing her tighter.

"Is it just gonna be the three of us now, then?" Benjamin asked.

"No honey…" Sharpay said, "We're gonna have to talk about this later, but we can't right now. Can you wait until later?"

Both Bridget and Benjamin nodded, and Sharpay kissed both their foreheads. Then they made their way out of the church to greet all the people who had showed up to show their respect.

--

The ceremony was very beautiful, and Sharpay cried all through it, holding on to the twins' hands. They didn't really cry, because they didn't understand the concept of a funeral. Troy, Gabriella and Juna was sitting right behind them, while Zeke's parents were next to them, crying too. Sharpay's parents and Ryan were someway in the back of the church. They'd never really believed that Zeke was the right choice for Sharpay, so they were only there out of respect.

Ryan, Troy, Sharpay's father, Zeke's father, Jason and Chad was the people who lifted the casket out and into the car. It had surprised Sharpay that so many of the old East High people showed up, but she was glad they did. Taylor and Kelsi was there too, but of course, they were married to Chad and Jason, so why not?

They watched the black car drive off, Benjamin and Bridget waved their hands sadly as a last goodbye. People couldn't help but let a tear slip because of the sight, and as Sharpay bend down the hug both of her kids tightly, letting them cry together, several people found themselves with tears streaming down their faces.

After a couple of minutes, Sharpay stood up, and started saying goodbye to most of the people there. It was only a few who was coming with her home to get something to eat and drink. Actually, it was only the East High gang.

Sharpay hugged her former mother-in-law goodbye, "Thanks for coming," she whispered, "I'll call about the kids sometime. They're still gonna have to see their grandparents."

"Take good care of them, Sharpay." Mrs. Baylor said, looking at the beautiful young woman, who had just become husband-less, "But I know you will, anyway."

Sharpay nodded and hugged Mr. Baylor too. They hugged Benjamin and Bridget too, and Sharpay watched them drive off, glad they didn't know how she had treated their son the last couple of months. She wouldn't have been able to handle it if they'd seen less of her.

All the other people drove off, and eventually, the only people left was Troy, Gabriella, Juna, Kelsi, Jason, Ryan, Chad, Taylor, Bridget, Benjamin and Sharpay herself.

She turned to look at them, whipping a tear away, "Are you ready to go get something to eat?"

"Yeah," Taylor said, "Just lead the way and we'll follow in our own cars."

"Okay…" Sharpay said, but just then another bash of tears started flowing down her cheeks. She turned around from her old 'friends', not wanting them to see her like this. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and she knew it was Troy, so she turned around and buried her head in his chest, sobbing once again.

The other's shot Gabriella a questionable look, but she just shrugged, not wanting them to hate Sharpay on this sad day. This was in respect and memory of Zeke, no need to tell them that she had been the way to him that she had, and that Troy was leaving Gabriella for Sharpay, and that they were expecting a baby. They would know soon anyway, because she could tell Troy and Sharpay loved each other, as much as she hated to realize it, and they would probably end up getting married before their child was born. Which would result in the gang being invited, and they'd all see each other again. Except Gabriella herself. She wasn't gonna see more to Troy or Sharpay after this day – unless it had something to do with the divorce.

Sharpay eventually pulled away from Troy, and shot Gabriella a thankful smile. She grabbed her kids' hands again, and turned towards their cars, "Let's go." She whispered, and then they all headed home.

--

Sharpay sat next to Troy, holding his hand underneath the table. She didn't want to tell about the whole affair with Troy and how she had acted before Zeke died. She felt really bad, she had just left him and now she would never be able to see him ever again. She had lost the man she had loved the most of life.

None of them really talked. They were all sad to lose their sweet basketball guy. He had always been there for them all in high school. He was caring for everybody. Maybe that was why he took his job so seriously. He wanted to give all a fair chance in life.

Chad reached out for the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. The last drops fell into his cup.

"Should I make some more coffee?" Sharpay asked.

Taylor nodded and said: "Thank you. I really want one more cup, if that's okay?"

"Sure." Sharpay took the coffee pot and went into the kitchen. Two minutes after she was back. She poured the cup for Taylor. "Anybody else?" she asked, referring to the coffee.

Kelsi nodded and gave her cup to Sharpay. She placed herself back on her chair. Nobody really knew what to say. The whole house was silent as the grave. Sharpay really wanted to say something, but nothing, not even a single subject would reach her mind. She was almost completely mindless. She decided to get Bridget and Benjamin into their beds.

"Well, Bridget and Benjy it is bedtime. Come with me." She said and forced a little smile onto her lips. Bridget and Benjamin quickly got up.

"Let me help you." Troy said, and followed them upstairs.

Taylor quickly looked at Gabriella, giving her yet another questionable look. "Is there something wrong? You haven't said a word to Troy, you don't even sit next to him."

"Nothing is wrong. I just can't take it, I mean he died almost in front of me. GOD! Everything is so screwed up." Gabriella started to cry. "I'm gonna go home. Say goodbye to Troy and Sharpay for me, will you?" She got up and gave everybody a hug. Taylor wonder why she wasn't going with Troy. But she just didn't ask 'cause she could tell Gabriella wasn't feeling good.

"Why don't you sleep at our place? I don't want you to be alone in the house." Taylor said, while hugging her.

"Sure. That sounds good. I miss you anyway. Juna isn't home. She is at a friend's today." Gabriella smiled, as well as she could. She hugged Taylor one more time.

"Well, Chad should we go home too?" Taylor asked.

Just then Sharpay and Troy re-entered the room, "Are you going home?" Sharpay asked.

"Yeah, I have to get to work tomorrow. It has been lovely, but sad. I know he loved you so much and that he was a good friend to us all. I am really sorry that it had to happen to him, the most loveable man in the world. My condolence Sharpay." Chad said getting tears in his eyes.

Sharpay swallowed hard, without making him notice. She gave him a hug and thanked him for coming. The rest of the gang left the house, leaving Troy and Sharpay alone. They cleaned up in silence.

Troy couldn't handle it anymore. "What do you want to do now?"

"Go away. Away from everything that reminds me of him." Sharpay started crying again. Chad's word had hit her hard and she knew he was right. Zeke had loved her so much, that he could forgive her for being with another man. He truly loved her. "I just want to get away."

Okay so this was a really sad chapter. The second last chapter. We really hate to stop this story, but it has to end somewhere. Anyway I hope you like the chapter and don't hate us for making Zeke die. Please review, will you?

Toodles, Stessa and Noukka

Peace out!