Unlove You
Disclaimer: See Prologue.
Chapter 19: Found!
It's early Tuesday morning and Sharpay is awakened from a deep sleep when she hears a low groan coming from the other bed.
"You okay?", she asks sleepily as she sees Jada slowly walk across the floor, heading towards the door.
"Yeah, I'm fine", Jada replies thought gritted teeth, "just go back to sle... uggh --- oh no, Sharpay, I think I need help. My water just broke."
"What?!", Sharpay exclaims, now fully awake, "but it's too early."
"Tell that to junior, here", Jada says as she starts to slowly walk towards the door again.
"Where are you going?", Sharpay says as she hops out of bed and flips on the light.
"To the bathroom; I need to clean up this mess", Jada announces calmly as she indicates the puddle of fluid on the floor.
"No you don't; you go lie down and I'll go get help", she orders her roommate.
Jada starts to walk back to her bed when she stops suddenly and grips the foot board of Sharpay's bed.
"Will you be okay until I get back?", Sharpay asks with concern.
"Yeah...yeah", Jada says through a heavy breath, "just hurry."
The next half hour goes by in a blur. Years of experience with situations like this have made the nuns operate with military precision. Sharpay holds Jada's hand as they walk out to the van that Sister Mary Elizabeth is waiting beside. With Sharpay's help, Jada settles herself into the van's seat.
"You'll be just fine", reassures Sharpay, "I just wish I could go with you."
"Yeah, but if you did, you'd probably end up with your other hand in a cast too", Jada jokes as she notices Sharpay trying to inconspicuously get the circulation back into her hand after Jada let go.
Sharpay blushes slightly. "Well, your mom's on her way and she'll meet you at the hospital", she says awkwardly as Jada nods, "so I guess this is it."
"I'll call you when there's news. Mama Mike says it's okay and you have my mom's address, so we'll write and I'll send pictures."
"Kay", Sharpay whispers as her throat tightens up, "it's just hard, you know. I thought we had three more weeks."
"Guess little Emma Sharpay, here, didn't read the medical books", Jada says as she pats her rock-hard stomach.
"Yeah, I gu...what did you say?"
"I've decided to name her Emma after my mama and Sharpay after my best friend", Jada says as she reaches for Sharpay hand. "And besides it'll make my grandma happy since she'll think I'm naming her after my cousin", she finishes with a wry smile.
"I...I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll quit being so damn stubborn and you'll call Troy and talk to him", Jada stops talking as she closes her eyes and appears to be concentrating. After about twenty seconds, she takes a deep breath and continues, "At the very least, he deserves to know he's going to be a daddy."
They're interrupted by Sister Mary Elizabeth who announces that it's time to go. After one more tight hug, Sharpay steps back and closes the van door. She weakly waves goodbye and then, wipes away a tear.
The Mother Superior quietly walks up beside her and places a comforting hand on Sharpay's shoulder.
"Things will work out, Sarah. Be assured that the Lord is watching out for all of His sheep."
"I know Mother. I'm just going to miss her so much. It's not easy for me to make friends and she's my best friend. I don't know what I'm going to do when I can't see her anymore."
Because Jada is keeping her baby, once she delivers and is discharged from the hospital, she is subsequently discharged from the Home. She will not be allowed to return to the Home to say goodbye to her friends. The original theory behind this is that they don't want a pregnant girl who has decided to release her baby for adoption to feel pressured by seeing a young mother who has decided to keep her child.
"Come back inside now, child. The sun will be rising soon and it promises to be a glorious day."
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Summer...summer...summer...summer. The word is whispered everywhere. Every eye in the school is on the clock as it counts down to 3:10 p.m. Suddenly, papers fly in the air and everyone shouts in glorious proclamation to summer. School's out ... for the summer!
Chad pulls up in front of Troy's house at 8:05 a.m. the next morning. He is driving his mom's minivan and Taylor, Gabriella, and Ryan are already inside.
Ryan has claimed the entire third row for himself. He has a large pillow and looks like he's settling down to take a nap.
Taylor has her laptop on and is consulting the downloaded road map as she sits up front next to Chad. She'll be the navigator during this trip.
Gabriella is moping in the seat directly behind Taylor. She feels like she's a fifth wheel because she's not contributing to the search as much as she wishes she could. Maybe she'll be able to help more when they get to Colorado.
Troy is standing at the curb when Chad pulls up and he quickly throws his bag in the back and jumps in behind Chad and beside Gabriella.
"You're late", Troy says briskly.
"Good morning, Chad. Gosh, it sure is nice of you to drive me all the way to Colorado to find my missing girl friend", Chad says sarcastically as he pulls out onto the road.
"Um yeah, thanks, Chad", Troy mumbles.
"I can't believe you talked your mom into letting you borrow her van", Taylor comments.
"Well, she was so impressed with how clean the house was when I had the after party that she trusts me", Chad explains, "It's a shame Zeke doesn't get to come with us since he was the one who did all the work."
"Sharpay's going to have enough problems dealing with you being part of her rescue party, I don't think you should drag Zeke into this too", comments Ryan as he lifts his head up from his pillow.
"Let's just stay focused and get there, okay?", says the ever anxious Troy.
Six hours and fifteen minutes later, Chad pulls into the parking lot of Colorado Springs Memorial Hospital. Taylor's door-to-door directions are impeccable and they make the entire trip without incident.
Troy hops out immediately and stands there impatiently waiting for everyone else to get out. When they're ready to go he announces to the group, "Alright, let's go!"
"Wait a minute, Troy. Exactly how do you expect to find her?", asks Ryan.
"Simple, I'm going to start by just going in there and asking for her."
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This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, thinks Jada. A burly orderly, named Marvin, pushes Jada's wheelchair down the hall towards the administration office. I can walk perfectly well on my own, but I don't plan on trying it again anytime soon. Earlier, she tried to get up out of the wheelchair and just walk down to the office to complete the discharge papers herself. Well, that didn't work too well. Before she knew it, she had five huge nurses trying to make sure she didn't hurt herself by deciding to do the hurting themselves. It seems that hospital policy says all patients must remain sitting in their assigned wheelchairs until they are completely discharged and getting into their vehicles that will take them away from here. Hell, there's only one part of me that still hurts and that's where I'm currently sitting.
Her mother is already in the car waiting with her baby. Her baby...she didn't know it was possible to love someone so deeply whom she had just met. As Marvin wheels her through the lobby, Jada is brought out of her reverie by a disturbance happening at the information desk. An angry young white man is currently arguing intently with the older woman behind the desk.
"Look, I understand that she probably isn't here now, but she definitely was here on April 26th, so just check, one more time, please. Her name is Sharpay Evans."
"You look, young man, I have checked, five times already. I shan't be checking again."
At that moment, two hospital security guards arrive and make their way toward the angry young man.
Sharpay Evans, oh my God, he's found her, well almost, but he's about to be hauled off to jail if I don't do something about it, Jada thinks to herself. She notices he is accompanied by four other teenagers --- a pale, blond boy with an odd fashion sense, a geeky brunette girl, a preppy African American girl and an African American boy with a retro hair thing happening. Suddenly, Jada has an inspiration.
"Marvin", Jada says to her orderly, "stop the chair a minute. I promise I won't get up."
Marvin stops and watches as the security cops start to escort the unruly group of kids towards the doors.
Taking a deep breath, Jada shouts in her best 'home girl' voice, "Cousin Tyra! There you are, girl!" At the same time she wheels her chair towards Taylor as she continues. "I was just about to be discharged; I didn't think you were gonna to make it, Cousin Tyra", Jada says, emphasizing the Cousin title.
The security guards stop a few yards away from the information desk when they hear a woman yelling in their direction.
Taylor sees this strange African American woman wheeling towards her. She is looking directly at Taylor and appears to be calling her 'Tyra'. Taylor automatically turns and looks over her own shoulder to see if this Tyra person is standing behind her. There is no one there.
Jada continues, loudly, "Don't you recognize me, Cousin Tyra, it's me, Sharpay. I know...I know...I've changed a lot since the family reunion last year. Remember, I was going through my blond stage", she says with a sassy attitude.
The security guard who is holding Troy's arm relaxes his grip as he watches this strange drama play out.
By now Jada has wheeled herself right up next to a stunned Taylor. Jada says in a voice only Taylor can hear, "I can help you find Sharpay Evans, just play along, okay?
Taylor understands immediately and says in a loud voice, "Oh! Cousin Sharpay! I didn't think we'd ever find you. The hospital said you weren't a patient here."
"Oh girlfriend, you know I never use Sharpay 'cept around family", Jada turns to the confused desk worker and explains, "Sharpay's my middle name, but Granny always calls me that and I guess it kind of stuck with the rest of the family."
The guard releases Troy and approaches Jada. "So you're willing to vouch for these people?", he asks.
"Oh absolutely. Cousin Tyra's boyfriend, Edgar there", Jada says, indicating Troy, "he's sort of headstrong, but his heart's in the right place. Otherwise, he wouldn't put up with my cousin for so long, ya know?"
"Well, tell him to keep it down. This is a hospital."
"I'll do just that, officer."
Then turning to the orderly, Jada says, "Hey, Marvin", Jada says, "we're going over to the surgery waiting room where we can talk in quiet, okay?"
"Um sure, as long as you don't get up."
"I promise."
Everyone follows Jada meekly down the hall into a small room.
"Okay, what's going on? Do you know her, Taylor", Troy asks.
"No, but she said she would help us find Sharpay", Taylor explains.
"Hold on a minute. First, I think introductions are in order", Jada says in her normal voice as she pivots towards Taylor, "You're not really my cousin Tyra, so you are..."
"I'm Taylor", Taylor smiles as she offers Jada her hand.
"Hi Taylor, you caught on quick out there", Taylor beams proudly as Jada says this.
Then, Gabriella steps up and offers, "Hi, I'm Gabriella."
"Gabriella", Jada echoes darkly as she takes a quick glance over to Troy, "oh, I've heard of you, girlfriend."
"Really?", she chirps happily.
"It's not something to be happy about."
Gabriella's face falls and she shrinks down into a chair.
"Let's see, let me guess about the rest of you... You", Jada says, looking at Ryan, "You look just like her, so you must be Sharpay's brother, Ryan."
"Yeah, that's right. Is she okay?", Ryan asks.
"First things first. Now which one of you two is Sharpay's man?... Mmmm, you're kind of cute, "Jada says as she gazes to Chad, "but with that hair --- not happening --- you should have high maintenance stamped across your forehead."
"Hey!", Chad says indignantly as Taylor guffaws in agreement.
Ignoring Chad, Jada continues, "So that leaves this hunky guy here --- hi, Troy, I'm Jada, Sharpay's roommate."
"Um...hi...Wait! Her roommate?", Troy is still confused, "Here at the hospital? What room is she in?"
"Yeah", adds Ryan, "We know she saw a doctor here on April 21st."
"What?...Oh that. She was just here for a follow-up on her broken wrist", Jada says, and then in a lower voice adds, "and some other routine stuff." This is not Jada's story to tell, so she has no intention of dropping the baby bomb any time soon.
"Broken wrist!", Taylor says excitedly, "I knew it!"
She shares a look with Ryan and they give each other a celebratory high-five.
Confused by their reaction, Jada says simply, "Oookay..."
"So where is she now?", Troy asks impatiently.
"She's at the ... are you ready for this?, 'cause it's a mouthful, ... The Saint Mary Magdalene's Home for At Risk Youths."
Everyone, but Troy, has a confused look on their faces.
Troy just says excitedly, "Great! How do we get there?"
"Whoa, slow down, cowboy. You can't just rush up there, knock on the door and say 'Hi, we're here to bust out one of your residents, could we see her please?' Now, I wouldn't call it a prison exactly, but it's not like one of the residents can just walk out, either. Those nuns are tougher than they look. Sharpay already tried sneaking out; that's how she broke her wrist."
"But she's better now, right?", asks Ryan with true brotherly concern.
"Much better; she was having the pins removed when she was here for that hospital visit."
"Pins?...", Chad moans in undisguised terror.
Ignoring Chad once again, "I'd help, but I've been discharged and I'm not allowed back there either. In fact, my mom is waiting for me out front, so I don't have much time."
"So, how do we get her out?", Toy asks, more calmly than before.
"With just the five of you? I don't think you can", Jada explains frankly, "You three", she continues, pointing to Chad, Troy and Ryan, "won't even be allowed within a mile of the place."
At their confused looks she explains, "No males period. And the two of you", looking at the girls, "won't get in without an adult --- like a social worker or a parent."
"Well, what do we do now?", Chad asks.
Troy calmly takes his cell phone out of his pocket, flips it open and dials. A few seconds later his party answers, "Hi Mom? I really need your help."
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Jada spends the next fifteen minutes giving them detailed directions on how to get to the house. She also explains that only social workers, parents, and the girls themselves, are allowed in. She suggests that the boys wait down at the bottom of the mountain when the girls go up.
They exchange cell phone numbers with Jada and promise to let her know their progress.
At 10:30 p.m. that night there is an anxious knock on the door of the motel room where the gang has been waiting for Troy's mom.
"Troy!", Lisa exclaims as she rushes into the room, "What's going on? You were quite cryptic on the phone."
"We've found Sharpay, Mom, and we need your help in rescuing her."
"Rescuing her?"
"Yeah, it's like this..."
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The next morning Lisa and Gabriella pull up in front of a large Victorian house and prepare to go inside.
"I don't think I can do this, Mrs. Bolton. Why couldn't Taylor have come instead?", Gabriella says nervously.
"Gabriella, we've already been over this before", Lisa says with an exasperated sigh, "Without proper ID, I could never pull off being a licensed social worker, so we're pretending to be mother and daughter. Now, I understand that we don't look that similar, but it's even less believable with Taylor. Just treat it like it's a part in one of Mrs. Darbus' school productions."
"But I throw up after every production. Mrs. Darbus even made sure to put a special bucket in my dressing room last time", Gabriella explains, referencing the latest school production of Bye, Bye Birdie, "and besides, I'm not 'At Risk'. I don't belong here."
"Neither does Sharpay."
"Ah, you must be Mrs. Bolton, I'm Mother Michel. We spoke on the phone earlier this morning. And this must be your daughter, Gabriella", Mother Michel is waiting for them at the bottom of the steps leading up to the wrap-around porch.
"Yes, it's so nice to meet you in person", Lisa says graciously.
"Hi", Gabriella says shyly.
"Please come in where we can be more comfortable and we'll have a nice talk", the Mother Superior says as she leads them up the steps and into the house.
Mother Michel's office is located next to the foyer and they all enter to find an older nun standing there waiting for them.
"Oh good", says Mother Michel, "Mrs. Bolton, this is Sister Mary Elizabeth. She's one of our most experienced sisters and has been here at the Home for over fifteen years. Before that, she taught advanced mathematics at Catholic High School in Chicago. She continues in that field here also."
"Really?", Gabriella asks disbelievingly, "And just how do you define advanced mathematics, Sister."
"Gabriella", Lisa chastises.
"That's quite alright, Mrs. Bolton, many of the girls here don't have a lot of respect for the institution of learning. At least, that's how they feel when they arrive; they've usually changed their minds by the time they're discharged", the Sister explains.
"But that's not what I...", Gabriella starts.
"To answer your question, Gabriella", Mother Michel injects, "If you are willing to work for it, we will take you as far as you can go. We teach curriculum-approved AP English, AP Calculus and three different AP History courses. Many of our girls complete the required testing and are able to obtain college credit for these classes."
"Wow, I had no idea a place like this existed", exclaims Lisa who is genuinely impressed.
"Yes and as long as there is a need, I hope we will continue to provide what our girls require", says the Mother Superior, "Now, Gabriella, I'd like you to go with Sister Mary Elizabeth and she'll show you around the home while your mother and I have a chat."
"Oh, I don't think...", Gabriella starts worriedly.
"You'll be fine, Gabi", Lisa assures her.
"Thanks...Mom", she says awkwardly.
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"Now dear, I know you must be a bit nervous, but there's nothing to worry about. Every other girl here is in the same situation as you", Sister Mary Elizabeth notes to Gabriella as she shows her into a small sitting room off the main foyer.
Gabriella just nervously chews on her lower lip to stop from saying anything.
"I thought you would be more comfortable talking with someone you own age. You'll like Sarah, she's only been here a couple of months. Wait here, please, and I'll go get her for you", she says as she whisks out of the room.
Once she is alone, Gabriella quietly steps out of the sitting room and creeps down the hallway. It's not like they're going to just bring Sharpay to her. She hears voices coming from down the hall and walks in that direction.
Several girls are sitting around the recreation room. They are taking a long deserved rest after final exams finished yesterday. Just like in public school, they get the summer off from academic studies. However, they still are required to continue their prenatal health class. But today is Saturday, so they're relaxing and talking excitedly about Jada's baby. Even if they don't get to see her again, any birth is a cause for celebration. She called two days ago to tell them the good news. Emma Sharpay (no one understood why she picked that middle name) was born Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 11:53 p.m. after an astounding eighteen and a half hours of labor. She weighed 5 pounds and 3 ounces, which is also astounding, considering that she was three weeks early. Jada was discharged from the hospital yesterday, on Friday, and is probably back home with her mom now. She promised to send pictures.
"I'm worried about Sarah", says Justine, "She's hardly been out of her room since Jada left."
"Well, I think she's a nut job and you'd better just stay away from her", says Jessica, the girl who tormented Sister Mary Ignatius in health class last week.
"I don't know; I think she's kinda nice."
"Justine, did you know the word gullible is not in the dictionary?", Jessica remarks.
Justine wrinkles her forehead and asks, "Really?"
"Your Honor, I rest my case", Jessica announces dramatically.
Just then, a Hispanic girl slowly enters the room, her eyes darting about nervously.
"Oooh, looks like we got a newbie", Jessica says evilly.
"Be nice, Jessica", Maddie says.
"Ain't I always?", quips Jessica, as she slinks up to the new girl, as well as a twenty-two week pregnant teenager can slink. Jessica has always been overweight, so her pregnancy just makes her look like she has a pot belly.
"Come on", Maddie says to Justine, "we can't just throw that poor girl to the wolves."
Justine is still pondering whether or not she should actually try to look up the word gullible and does not hear Maddie, at first. "What? Oh sure, I'll help."
Gabriella sees about ten teenage girls sitting around a large room. Some are reading books; some are playing cards; a few are just talking amongst themselves. As her eyes sweep through the room searching for any sign of Sharpay, a short, heavy-set girl with long, straight dark hair, walks up to her followed by two others.
I'm just acting a part --- playing a role, Gabriella thinks to herself, It's not real-life; just act like I'm at-risk; that's it, yeah. I can do this. Oh, I'm starting to feel nauseous.
"Hi", says Jessica in a too-sweet voice, "Are you going to be staying here with us?"
"Who, me?", Gabriella squeaks in an unnaturally high voice, "No, I'm not,... well, maybe...I guess. My mom's talking to the Mother Superior now." Deep breath...I can do this...now, this isn't so bad, is it?
The three girls give each other strange looks.
"Oh, you should definitely meet Sarah. I think you two would get along fab", Jessica says sarcastically.
Justine steps forward.
"Hi, I'm Justine", she says as she waves to Gabriella shyly, "How far along are you?"
"How, what?", Gabriella asks with a confused expression on her face. Then, thinking she understands the question, answers quickly, "I just finished my Junior year."
"Uh huh, that's nice; but she's asking, how many weeks pregnant are you?", Maddie tries to clarify.
"Pregnant?!", exclaims Gabriella, a little more loudest than she intended. This catches the attention of the other girls in the room and they all turn to look at Gabriella. "I...I...I'm not pregnant", she says as her voice drops to a whisper, "What kind of girl do you think I am? I've never...you know...with a guy."
"Okay sister, cut the act", Jessica says, "This place may be run by a bunch of Catholic nuns, but you don't really expect us to believe in another immaculate conception, do you?"
Gabriella's face goes pale as she looks about the room at the other girls there. Reality hits her like a basketball being shoved up her shirt as it dawns on her that every girl in the room is ... gasp ... pregnant. She covers her mouth with her hand as she turns a sickly shade of green. Gabriella turns and runs frantically from the room.
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"Now that we're alone, what questions do you have, Mrs. Bolton?", Mother Michel asks as she indicates for Lisa to have a seat on the comfortable, yet worn, sofa. The Mother Superior joins her there as she offers her tea.
"Please,... call me, Lisa", Mother Michel nods her head in acknowledgment.
"Well, I must say I think your Home, here is something that will definitely help Gabriella. She's become quite unmanageable recently and I'm at my wit's end..."
"Yes, Lisa, it can be an extremely difficult time for the entire family."
"Yes, but from what I've seen here, I think your program is just what she needs. We couldn't find anything suitable back home in New Mexico. That's where we're from", she adds. "Just being curious... do you get many girls here from New Mexico?", as she fishes for information.
"Well, no. All of our girls are residences of Colorado. Most, unfortunately, are wards of the state, poor dears."
Lisa wrinkles her forehead in confusion. Wouldn't they know where Sharpay came from?
"Oh, I must be confused. A friend of mine recommended your program because she enrolled her daughter here. The daughter's name is Sharpay, Sharpay Evans."
"I'm sorry, but we don't have anyone by that name here."
"Well, maybe she's already left. How long does it take to complete your program?"
Now it was Mother Michel's turn to look confused.
"Um, well, it depends how far along the girl is when she arrives here. For health concerns, we prefer to get them as early as possible, of course."
"Oh, of course, I agree completely. Early intervention is the key. I sometimes wonder if a program like yours wouldn't be beneficial for boys too. Oh not my son, mind you, but my sister's boy...well, that's a different story."
"Your...your nephew?", the Mother Superior asks, totally perplexed.
"Yes, I mean I understand you only allow girls into your program here, but wouldn't it be helpful to open it up to both genders? I'm sure boys would benefit from it too."
"Mrs. Bolton!", Mother Michel says indignantly, "If you are trying to make a mockery of the good work the sisters are doing here..."
Before Lisa can reply, they both turn in surprise as Gabriella bursts into the office with her hand covering her mouth. Years of experience dealing with pregnant teenagers causes the Mother Superior to react quickly. She grabs the trash can sitting on the floor near her desk and brings it towards Gabriella. She takes it gratefully as she sinks to the floor and empties her the contents of her stomach into it.
Mother Michel gently runs Gabriella's back with one hand as her other hand holds Gabriella's hair out of the way. "Now, now dear, there's nothing to worry about", she says soothingly, "It's not the first time a young girl has thrown up in here."
Lisa Bolton is too stunned to say anything at first and has just now regained her voice. "Gabriella, what's going on?", she asks as Gabriella straightens up and Mother Michel hands her a tissue to wipe off her mouth.
"Oh, Mrs. Bolton, this place isn't what we think it is!", Gabriella proclaims. "The girls here,... the girls here, they're not at risk. They're pregnant", she hisses out in whisper and she says the word pregnant as if it's a disgusting word.
"Oh", Lisa says simply, and then the confusion of the conversation with the Mother Superior becomes clear and she says again, "Oh." Her mind shifts into high gear and everything becomes abundantly clear. Oh my God, then that means Sharpay is...and Troy is...oh my God.
"What did you think we did here, Mrs. Bolton?", asks the Mother Superior, indignantly.
"I...I", Lisa stumbles over her words and before she can finish, Sister Mary Elizabeth enters the room followed by someone else.
"Oh, there you are, my dear", the sister says, cheerfully, to Gabriella. "This is Sarah Everett and she'll be showing you around our home and will answer all of your questions", she says as she motions for the girl behind her to come forward.
Sharpay has been feeling miserable since Jada left and Sister Mary Elizabeth found her moping in her room ten minutes ago. She explained that there is a new girl here and the girl seemed particularly apprehensive. The sister wanted Sharpay to talk to her. Since she has just barely started her second trimester, Sister Mary Elizabeth felt that Sharpay wouldn't be as intimidating as one of the other girls. Sharpay agreed, reluctantly, to help. Maybe it would help her get out of her funk.
Sister Mary Elizabeth steps aside to allow Sharpay to completely enter the room. Gabriella sees her first and lets out a loud gasp. Sharpay is wearing short, pale pink wraparound dress which definitely fails to hide her condition; in fact, it accentuates it.
"Sharpay", Gabriella finally says, as her eyes drifts unconsciously to her belly.
"Gabriella?", Sharpay asks in confusion. If Gabriella's here, does that means that she's...
Before Sharpay can finish that thought, Lisa Bolton steps forward and tightly embraces Sharpay as she says, sincerely, "Oh Sharpay, dear, I'm so happy we found you."
Sharpay is speechless and stands there with her arms by her side as Mrs. Bolton hugs her.
"Um...Mrs. Bolton...you do realize why she's here, don't you?", Gabriella asks, smugly.
Lisa pulls back from Sharpay and looks at Gabriella with disdain. Then, softening her expression she turns to Sharpay and says, "Of course I do, that's why she coming home...with me."
Sharpay's eyes fill with tears and she melts into Lisa's waiting embrace.
TBC
A/N 1: The countdown to summer for the last day of school came from a youtube video which was filmed at the Disney Channel Games Concert. It looks like that's how the 2nd movie will start.
A/N 2: Please remember that the gang only knows it's a home for at-risk youths since Jada decided not to share the info about Sharpay's pregnancy when she met them. Hence, the confusion at the home.
A/N 3: Research girl here. When I was in middle school, between 7th & 8th grade (so I was, like, 13), my dad was in the hospital and we were up there a lot. Anyway, one of my mom's best friends was the director of the local Florence Crittenton Home, which my St Mary Magdalene Home is based off. It's a real place, Florence Crittenton, not St Mary's, check it out on google, if you want. I decided to use Catholic nuns because I wanted some place where Sharpay couldn't just walk out the front door and go home. I thought the nuns would be stern enough to keep her in check.
Anyway, this place was across the street from the hospital, so one day, my mom & I went over to the home to have lunch with my mom's friend and we ate in the dining hall with the residents. This director lady told me all about the home and how the girls continued going to school and how it was their choice whether or not to keep their babies or put them up for adoption. If they went the adoption route, they came back to the home and packed up their stuff after the baby was born and got to say goodbye to their friends. If they kept their babies, they didn't go back because they didn't want to let new mommy influence not-yet-mommy into keeping her baby. That was their policy.
Oh, and while I was there, my mom and her friend wandered off and left me standing alone. A group of pregnant girls approached me and asked if I was going to be moving in soon. It scared me to death. I said no and practically ran away to find my mom. To be honest, some of those girls weren't much older than I was. I'm not trying to pass judgment here. I don't think it's a growing up thing; I think it's a self-esteem thing and these girls didn't have much. Now, I'll get off my soapbox.
I'm going camping this weekend. It's Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., a time to have cookouts, go camping in the great outdoors and collect lots of bug bites. I'm not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to coming back and reading all the lovely reviews that you will undoubtedly leave for me. Thanks and wish me luck.