A/N: i know, i know. i completely suck at getting chapters out on time. you guys are the best for sticking with me through this! anyways, i hope this chapter makes up for the lack of updates! enjoy this beast :)
Troy couldn't remember the last time he'd felt on top the world. He'd racked his brains yet nothing appeared to immediately spring to mind – possibly a basketball match in high school would fill the criteria – yet now, sitting in the kitchen surrounded by his best friends and who he now knew was the love of his life, he definitely knew what that feeling felt like. He glanced over at Gabriella who was practically glowing; there was no other word to describe how beautiful she was. She giggled at something Chad said before turning towards him and smiled before mouthing a quick 'I love you'. He shook his head, grinning and mouthing it back. He looked around the three faces once more, he didn't think life could get any better or, he thought, any worse right now with Ryan on their side. That was, until the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Chad called, nearly tripping over his own feet as he left the kitchen. Troy, Gabriella and Taylor laughing before continuing their conversation.
"NO! Danforth, I WANT to see my brother!" Troy's eyes flickered over to the hallway where the all too familiar voice had come from.
"And I'm telling you Sharpay, he's not here! Honestly, he just left!" Chad's voice got nearer and nearer before the two of them appeared within the kitchen doorway.
"Well isn't this just the cutest thing ever!" Troy raised his eyebrows at Sharpay's sarcastic greeting.
"Troy, Gabrielle, Kayla."
"It's Taylor actually. And my best friend's name isn't Gabrielle, it's Gabriella."
"Whatever."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I say you could be rude to me?" Troy almost grinned as Taylor got up from the table and went to go stand by Chad. Sharpay looked shocked for a moment before turning back to his best friend.
"Danforth. Who does this woman think she is?"
"She," Troy began, standing up from the table and glancing once at Gabriella's fearful face before offering a reassuring smile, "is called Taylor McKessie and happens to be one of my best friends along with being Chad's girlfriend so watch what you're saying Sharpay."
"Troysie, c'mon let's not do this. Not here, not now. Just come home and everything will be fine – you'll see!" He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Sharpay, what part of this whole thing are you not understanding? The moving out? The divorce papers? The part where I'm with Gabriella now? Seriously, just leave me alone!"
"Troy please, you know I love you, when are you going to wake up from this nightmare you're in and just admit that you were wrong."
"I'm not wrong, Sharpay, you are."
"Troy?" He glanced to his left as Gabriella came to stand next to him, one hand placed on her lower stomach as though to protect it from Sharpay's wrath. He couldn't help a small smile appear on his face as he placed an arm round her. He knew she hated confrontations and this most certainly was one. He glanced back to Sharpay who was looking at them with a look of pure malice etched onto her face.
"Yeah baby?" He answered.
"Oh my God, you guys are just so sweet aren't you?"
"Excuse me?" Troy frowned as Gabriella suddenly changed her stance, sensing that this was either going to go really well or really, really bad.
"You heard me, you little whore, taking my husband away from me and then rubbing it in my face when I come and visit. I bet you've done this before and as soon as the next one comes along you'll move onto him."
"Sharpay-" He began but was interrupted by Gabriella.
"No, it's okay Troy, I've got this. I'm sorry Sharpay but one, you most definitely didn't come and 'visit' you just walked in unannounced. Two, I'm not a whore nor will I ever be. I have one relationship at one time thank you very much. Three, I'm sorry that I 'stole' Troy away from you or whatever but maybe if you'd been more truthful and willing to hear his side of the story and act like an actual human being then this wouldn't have happened. Four, I'm not rubbing it in your face; I was simply going to ask him a question. Five, I haven't done this before nor will I ever do it again. Six, I believe that Troy's the one for me so I don't believe that there will be a 'next one'. Oh, and seven, get out of this house. Ryan is not here, he went to find you about half an hour ago, okay?" Troy smirked as Sharpay looked completely shocked at Gabriella's outburst before huffing and glancing back at him, Chad and Taylor.
"Yeah," Chad suddenly added once Gabriella's words had sunk in, causing Troy to roll his eyes, "So get out of my house now, woman!"
Troy watched carefully as Sharpay shifted, frowning and glancing between them all.
"Where's my brother?" Troy shook his head.
"He's not here, Sharpay. He just left, we told you."
"How do I know I can trust you?"
"You don't but you're gonna have to. Now please leave!" She huffed one more time before turning on her heel and stomping out, slamming the front door behind her. No one spoke until the sound of her car had completely disappeared, leaving it quiet once more.
"Woah." Chad was the first to break the silence, "Now that was fuckin' awesome Gabs!"
Troy smiled as Gabriella giggled but she looked slightly shaken.
"Are you okay?" He asked, leading her away into the family room, away from the hollers of Chad and the shushing of Taylor.
"Yeah," She smiled, sinking into the couch and looking up at him, "Geez, it's only eleven in the morning and so much has happened already!"
"I'm sorry." Troy added, sitting down next too her, feeling extremely guilty, "If I'd have known all that shit was gonna kick off I would have dealt with it, just me and Chad."
"It's okay Troy," She smiled, leaning over and placing her head on his shoulder, "I had to face her sometime, turns out it was sooner rather than later."
He nodded, slotting their hands together and kissing each one of her fingers in turn as she sighed. Thank God she's made of strong stuff, he thought as the feeling of being on top of the world began to slowly return.
Xxx
Never in her whole life had Sharpay Evans ever been spoken to as she just was. She huffed as she slammed the accelerator down, determined to reach her house as soon as she possibly could and find her brother. She was humiliated. There was no other word for it. Slamming the car door shut and only briefly taking note of her brother's car parked on the driveway, she stormed inside.
"RYAN!" She yelled, not caring if the neighbours, or anyone else for that matter, heard.
"Yeah sis?" He appeared around the kitchen doorway as though he didn't have a care in the world, drying some sort of bowl.
"Why did you stay at Danforth's last night?" He looked shifty for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and replying.
"Erm, 'cos I wanted too." His face lit up into a grin, "We played Mario Kart. I haven't played that since I was like, three." If she wasn't so annoyed at the fact that he'd been with the 'enemy' she might have found it cute.
"Ryan, do you not understand?" She frowned, pushing past him and sitting down on one of her barstools, "You slept over at the Danforth's, he's Troy's best friend who's going out with that Gabriella's best friend who all think it's great that Troy's no longer with me! They're the freakin' ENEMY!"
Sharpay noted that she was screaming again but she couldn't seem to stop.
"It's like a full blown war now Ryan, I want, no, need Troy back. He was the only thing that seemed too keep me going through everything and now… now, he's over there playing happy families with some other girl who I don't like. I don't think I would have minded so much if it was Minnie or someone."
"Shar, I don't think that's true, do –"
"Shush Ryan, I'm not finished yet! Do you know what else happened whilst I was over there? All I did was ask where you were right? And instead they all started being really horrible. I have never, in my whole entire life, been spoken too as I was then. It was awful! No wonder he's with her, she's probably brainwashed him or something… and do you know what the other weird thing was, she was holding her belly all the time like she wanted to protect it or something, I mean- OH!" She gasped as the pieces clicked into place; her eyes flickered to her brother who frowned.
"What Shar?"
"She's pregnant isn't she?" She noted that Ryan suddenly looked really uncomfortable and out of place. She sighed, her anger draining and being replaced by curiosity. "How long have you known?"
"Since this morning, I swear no longer than that! Shar, I'm sorry but I think this little games' up. Troy's moved on and I think you're going to have too as well. I know you don't want to but you're just going to end up looking like a fool if you carry on and you don't want that now, do you?"
She shrugged, the image of Gabriella this morning filling her brain. She had looked so peaceful and happy like nothing could ever go wrong. Sharpay sighed, that could have been her if she hadn't have been so selfish and not wanted to have children, wasn't marriage supposed to be about give and take? Gabriella hadn't looked uncomfortable or old or ugly or anything that she had associated with pregnancy so why had she come up with that idea in her head?
And Troy, God, he'd looked so happy as well. Happier than she'd ever seen him even taking their wedding day and the days before everything started to go wrong into account. She noted the phone ringing in the distance but waved at Ryan to get it. Was this what they called an epiphany, where everything suddenly started to make sense?
"Shar, the phone's for you." She shook her head, coming out of her day dreaming state.
"Thanks Ry." She smiled gratefully, taking the receiver out of his hand.
"Hello? Sharpay Evans speaking."
"Hi there Ms Evans. It's Frieda Howard here. I'm a producer for the E! Channel Network and we were wondering if you would like to come into the studio and give an interview over the news that you and Mr Bolton are officially separating. Your agent is yet to give a statement unlike his so I thought it would be good if you could do one yourself. What do you think?"
Sharpay paused for a moment. Her brain telling her to do two different things at once – to not take the interview and to move on, they were happy now, why couldn't she be? But then the memories of Gabriella and Taylor speaking to her that morning flashed in her mind. Sharpay Evans had never been humiliated – ever. This interview could be the last chance she got to convince Troy to come back home.
"I'd love too Miss Howard. Where and when do you need me?"
"Well we'll film it two weeks from now and then air it about two or three weeks after that. If that's okay?"
"Yes, that's fine. Can you give me directions please?" Sharpay smiled as she noted down the details the other woman was giving her. Directions, place, time, date etc.
"Thank you very much Miss Howard. See you in two weeks."
"Goodbye Ms Evans." She hung up, shaking that slightly guilty feeling from her brain.
"Shar?" Ryan's voice broke her trail of thought,
"Yeah?"
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, now Gabriella's pregnant, if things go wrong then there's Troy's kid that's involved too."
"I know Ryan, don't worry. When Troy decides to come back, I'm more than willing to become Stepmom or even Mom to that thing."
"Sharpay-"
"No Ryan. I'm having to do things myself now being as you can no longer be trusted. I hope you understand that." She watched as he nodded mutely before leaving the room and placing the phone back in its holder. The humiliated feeling she once had disappearing completely now that she was back in control.
Xxx
It was hours later that Gabriella's insides finally stopped turning and a sense of pride and accomplishment took over. She had stood up to the Sharpay Evans and in front of other people at that. God only knew how, she'd always hated confrontations and today she'd thrown herself right into the middle of one, eventually coming out on top.
"I'm proud of you Gabs!" She smiled as Taylor came to sit next too her, offering a cup of coffee that she badly needed. "Seriously, not many people would be able to do what you did today!"
"Thanks Tay, I honestly don't know what came over me. I just acted on impulse I think. She's really pissing me off at the moment!"
"Hon, I think that's something you're gonna have to get used to. This is Sharpay Evans we're talking about here!" Gabriella giggled along with Taylor before Chad bounded in, phone in hand.
"It's the hospital for you Gabs. Something about scans…"
"Chad, why did you answer my cell?"
"'Cos it was buzzing and it was really annoying! Besides, you should be thanking me, you would have missed the call otherwise!" Gabriella rolled her eyes as she took her phone off him, giggling again as Taylor shooed him out the room and disappearing behind him.
"Hello?"
"Miss Montez. It's St. David's Hospital here. Doctor Lewis transferred you over to us as you live nearer and wanted a scan here, is that correct?"
"Yes it is. I'm sorry I didn't call you. I've been a bit busy lately!"
"That's fine. We suggest a scan just after you finish your first trimester, which is why we're ringing, as you're about to enter your thirteenth week. Would you be able to come in sometime next week if I offer you a few dates?"
"Yes. Oh, actually, let me just go get my boyfriend to make sure he's free as well."
"Of course. I'll just get the dates up on the computer." Gabriella smiled as she made her way to the back of the house where Troy had gone too shoot some hoops, watching the way his body moved gracefully for a moment before calling his name.
"Troy!" She smiled at him as he glanced over, shielding his eyes from the sun that was reflecting off the windows of the house.
"Yeah babe?"
"Are you free anytime next week?" He frowned as he walked over to her, picking his shirt up on the way.
"Erm, yeah. I don't have training on Wednesday or Thursday morning. Why?"
"It's the hospital on the phone." She smiled, as he looked worried for a moment. "Don't panic. They're ringing about a baby scan and I was hoping you could come with me."
He nodded, his eyes lighting up. "Sure thing, I'd love to come with you."
He wrapped his arms round her as she spoke once again into the phone.
"Hello again. Would Wednesday be any good? Or Thursday morning?"
She heard the nurse hum for a moment before speaking. "Is Wednesday afternoon okay? 3pm?"
Gabriella repeated the time and day to Troy who nodded enthusiastically back.
"Yeah, that's fine. Book me in."
"Okay. Miss Montez, 3pm. You'll need to take the elevator to the third floor and check into the main desk once you arrive. How many guests will you be bringing with you?"
"Just one." The consequences of bringing Taylor and especially Chad would be awful she reminded herself, preventing herself from laughing at the images her brain brought up of Chad in the hospital.
"Okay, see you Wednesday Miss Montez. Thank you."
"No, thank you. See you then, bye." She hung up, leaning back into Troy's chest and closing her eyes.
"Y'know I'm excited about Wednesday now. It'll be the highlight of my week." She giggled as Troy broke their comfortable silence.
"Nice to know I'm helpful in your oh so boring life!"
She giggled again as Troy poked her ribs slightly. "Oi Missy. Be nice."
She turned round so she could see his face properly, her laughter subsiding.
"Okay, I'm sorry. But just so you know, I'm excited too!" She didn't think his grin could get any wider.
"I love you Gabs."
"I love you too, Troy." She sighed, smiling as his arms enveloped her into a hug. This, she decided, is the exact feeling of warmth and security I want for the rest of my life and one glance at Troy's face told her that he was feeling the exact same thing.