Disclaimer: I do not own the High School Musical franchise.

Chapter Fourteen: You're Not Sorry

So you don't have to call anymore

I won't pick up the phone

This is the last straw

There's nothing left to beg for

And you can tell me that you're sorry

But I don't believe you baby

Like I did before

You're not sorry

- "You're Not Sorry" Taylor Swift

Gabriella stood staring straight at Kelsi, who was wearing one of Ryan's white t-shirts. Gabriella waited patiently for her friend to speak first. After a moment of silence Kelsi finally said, "Gabriella."

"Hello, Kelsi." Gabriella heard the cold formality in her voice she'd never once used with Kelsi. Even before they were friends when they'd just met Gabriella had always felt instantly at ease with the quiet girl, appreciating the comfortable silence that could exist around them. Something that was impossible for both Taylor and Miley. Now she felt like she was looking at a stranger.

"I was wondering when you'd tell us you knew." Kelsi admitted.

"I was wondering when you'd tell me at all. Or when Ryan would check on me when I vanished." She crossed her arms.

Kelsi shrugged and the small gesture infuriated Gabriella. Why wasn't she sorry? Why wasn't she remorseful? "We knew where you went and he knew you were safe."

"Safe, yes. Hurt, angry and alone, yes. He should've had the decency to check on me after all of these years and I am done discussing what he should've done with you. I'm going to speak to Ryan. Now." Gabriella pushed past her.

"We figured Troy knew how to make it all better." Kelsi snapped. Gabriella stopped, with her hand on the doorknob that led into the bedroom and turned.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't worry, we haven't told Sharpay. Yet." Kelsi's voice warned.

"For your information, Troy and I are not having an affair or any sort of relationship outside of a friendship."

"You had lunch with him."

"To set up tickets and passes for Scott and his son." Gabriella snapped. "Troy and I are not having an affair. I respect Ryan and Sharpay far too much for that." She paused, "It's nice to know that you and Ryan do not respect me, though." She pushed the door opened and found Ryan standing by the window talking on the phone with his back to her. What a surprise. Ryan was working. Walking up behind him, Gabriella snatched the phone out of his hand, "I'm sorry, but Ryan's going to have to call you back." She sang out sweetly before hitting the off button.

"Gabriella?" Ryan stared wide-eyed at her.

"Yes, surprised to see me? What did you think I'd stay in Texas forever? No I just stayed long enough to ensure Daddy bought a gun especially for you."

"You do not get to talk to him like that." Kelsi yelled in the doorway.

"You do not get to be a part of this conversation." Gabriella took Kelsi's arm and led her out into the living room area, locking the bedroom door behind her.

"Hey, now there's no nee to treat,"

"Treat your little whore like she's worth something?" Gabriella yelled.

"She's your friend."

"And you're fucking her. Tell me, Ry, did you ever do her in our bed? How long has this been going on? How many ways have you had her? When did I stop being good enough for you? And if I wasn't, why didn't you just dump me? I'm a big girl I can handle a little heartbreak. You seem to forget I'm a Southern girl. I get scorned and I will burn you to the damn ground." She threatened.

"Are you quite through being on your high horse? Tell me, how long has your affair with Troy been going on?" Ryan crossed his arms.

Gabriella wanted to scream, "I am not having an affair with Troy Bolton; however, if I had been I'd wager to say it was long after your affair with Kelsi started because I only just met Bolton a few weeks ago. I'd bet that the moment I hit a tough patch you started this thing up with Kelsi. That was nearly four months ago. Nearly half a damn year." She screeched. Taking three yoga fire breaths, Gabriella calmed herself before she spoke again, "I expect your stuff to be out of our apartment by tomorrow night. I'll be staying with Taylor. I also expect Kelsi to steer clear until I am out of there." Turning she walked back into the living room area, picked up her purse and left without another word.

HSMHSMHSM

Knocking on Taylor's apartment door, she entered to find Troy, Jason, Chad, Miley and Taylor all sitting around the coffee table. "You okay?" Taylor asked her.

"Well it's over." Gabriella sighed as she sat on the floor between Miley and Taylor.

Both girls reached over simultaneously and pulled her into a hug, "It's going to be alright." Taylor whispered in her ear.

Gabriella nodded and brushed a tear away, "I know, oh I did tell Kelsi she wasn't welcome here tonight. Sorry. I gave Ryan until tomorrow morning to clear out of our apartment. What does it matter, Kelsi would rather be with him anyhow."

Miley shook her head, "I can't believe Kels would do that."

Taylor sighed, "I kind of can." At everyone's look she said, "Come on, she's been in love with Ryan for like ever."

"Well she can have him. I don't want anyone who doesn't want me. And we've been so bad for so long now, that's probably why they started sleeping together."

"That is no excuse." Miley snapped. "He should've broken up with you, not started an affair with one of your best friends."

"I don't disagree, but I'd like to not burn my bridges with them. I just want to move past this. Being single will be good for me I think. I haven't been single in a long time and hell, I'm going to be single in New York City." Her eyes twinkled, "It'll all be fine."

Troy looked away from her at her words. He didn't want her to be single. He wanted her to be with him. But there was no way he could do anything that would hurt Sharpay. If he did that would just drive Gabriella far away from him. And that was the last thing he wanted. For the moment he would have to settle for friends.

He stood up, "So I should head out. I told Shar I'd be home for dinner. So that means I'm cooking." He reached down and hugged Gabriella, "Call me if you need anything." He whispered.

When Gabriella was sure he was down the stairs and away from the door she burst into tears, "What the fuck am I supposed to do now? Everything is upside down!"

"Whoa," Jason looked at her, "you were like fine a minute ago."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Gabriella glared at him, "How can I be fine? The man I've been with for like three years cheated on me with one of my closest friends and it's not like I can be with the man I want to be with because he's with my now ex-boyfriend's twin sister. How fucked up is this? How did this become my life? What the fuck do I do now?" She screeched.

Taylor looked knowingly at Miley before pulling Gabriella into a hug, "I know it's going to be tough, but we'll get through it together. And if all else fails you can make fun of Chad and Jason for being idiots."

"Hey!" They both chorused. At least it made Gabriella laugh for a moment though.

How in the world everything was going to be alright was beyond her. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. And what was worse was that Ryan and Kelsi did not seem at all sorry for what they'd done. How could you hurt someone you care about like that?

Maybe she wouldn't be sorry for cutting them off for a little while.

XOXO

MAS