Chapter 26
Senior Weekend - Day 1
When Coach and Mrs. Bolton pulled their black GMC Denali into East High's main parking lot at 7:00 a.m., both were surprised to see that many of the kids going on the senior trip had already arrived, their luggage practically covering the school's entire front lawn. At last count, there were approxmately 110 students signed up for the weekend, with 15 chaperones in attendance, bringing the total number of participants to 125.
Steering the giant SUV into his designated parking space, Coach Bolton came to a stop and cut the engine.
"Wow Jack!" Lucy Bolton exclaimed, her eyes scanning the crowd of excited teenagers that would be in their care for the next three days. "Looks like we've got a full house on our hands."
"Yep, it does," Coach nodded, leaning over to retrieve something from the glove compartment. "And to think this isn't the whole 200 in the graduating class. Some of the kids weren't able to make it for various reasons."
"Really? Well 100 plus is still a large number to keep under supervision by anyone's standards," Mrs. Bolton replied, reaching under the seat to retrieve her bag. "I suppose we better go check in with the other chaperones and let them know we've arrived."
Smiling at his wife whom he could see was already going over a mental task list in her head, Coach Bolton turned around in his seat to address the happy foursome in back.
"You guys ready to get the show on the road?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"And then some," Troy replied, his arm around Gabriella in the seats just behind.
"It's definitely party time here coach," added Chad, seated next to Taylor, who was staring wide-eyed out the window at their fellow classmates.
"Then let's roll," Jack Bolton said, as he as his wife opened their car doors and climbed out.
Following his parent's lead, Troy, Gabriella, Chad and Taylor all piled out as well and proceeded around to the back of the Denali to unload their things.
"I still can't believe senior weekend is finally here after all this time," Gabriella gushed, taking hold of her suitcase.
"I know," Taylor replied, snagging her backpack as Chad placed her other bag on the ground. "I barely slept at all last night just thinking about today."
"Well don't expect to get any sleep now Tay," Troy laughed grabbing his own gear from in back. "Or you either Brie. Danforth and I have got major plans to keep you girls up for the duration."
"That's right bro, school'em," Chad said with a grin, the last one to retrieve his bags. "These ladies have no idea what we've got in store for them."
Taylor and Gabriella looked at each other and smiled.
"Is that right? We'll don't forget gentlemen that we too have some plans of our own so just make sure you are ready to handle them," Gabriella announced, loving the expression of unexpected surprise that her remark brought to their boyfriend's faces.
"You know it Brie," Taylor confirmed with a sly little smile.
Just then, through the sea of chattering people that surrounded them, the two couples spotted Sharpay, Zeke, Ryan, Kelsi and Jason heading in their direction. Jason had been out of town on a student exchange program since the start of school, and was lucky enough to have made it back just in time for the first big event of senior year.
"What's up party people!" Zeke shouted as he, Jason and Ryan came up to Chad and Troy giving hi-fives all around. "Are we Wildcats ready to take our game to the next level?"
Sharpay and Kelsi walked past the guys who had instantly gone into male bonding mode, and made a beeline straight for Gabriella and Taylor.
"Thank goodness you all made it here on time," Sharpay said dressed in her usual flamboyant style, a clipboard filled with papers in hand. "I'm still missing 25 seniors and three chaperones off my final list, and he we are set to go in just under an hour."
"And good morning to you too Seargent Evans. I see you have yet to throw back your day starting latte," Gabriella joked, not the least bit surprised by the greeting they received, as Kelsi went over to Taylor and pulled her aside.
"I hope you aren't still mad at me for telling Brie about what happened the other day. I only wanted to do what I could to help," she apologized nervously.
Taylor smiled and gave her friend a hug.
"It's okay Kel. Everything's cool. I was mad for a second but it passed and now all I want is for all of us to have a great time this weekend."
"Really? Thanks Taylor," Kelsi said with a sigh of relief that her burden had been lifted. "You're the best."
Having cleared the air between them, both girls turned their attention back to their other two friends who, as usual, were amusing themselves with comical banter. Behind them, the guys were still huddled together in their little macho pow wow.
"Listen Gabriella, the last thing I need right now is you giving me sass," Sharpay was saying, her eyes continuously on the look out for problems among the crowd of seniors milling about. "I've got a lot on my plate today, this whole weekend really, and a little support for my efforts from you in particular would be greatly appreciated."
"I'm all for giving you support Shar, just as long as you remember this is senior weekend and not Marine boot camp," Gabriella quipped at being chastised. "We're supposed to be enjoying a fun outing and I intend to see that it stays that way."
"Okay you two play nice," Taylor laughed. "We've got three days together and bickering them away is not an option."
"Whose bickering?" Gabriella asked, throwing her hands up innocently. "I'm just letting Shar know that she needs to chill or she'll end up missing out on all the fun she helped to organize."
"There is plenty of time for me to have fun once I get this group of rowdies accounted for and on the buses," Sharpay informed as she remembered to check their names off the arrivals list. "I've been here for almost two hours and none of you would believe some of the drama moi has encountered. I already had to read the riot act to at least 7 different seniors who decided now was the time to change their names to Budweiser, Jack Daniels and Kahlua."
Taylor, Gabriella and Kelsi started cracking up.
"Wow! That many people tried to sneak alcohol on the trip?" Taylor asked, not totally shocked by the revelation.
"Yes, and God only knows what else," Sharpay replied noticing several more cars pulling into the parking lot. "If we survive this weekend without making the front page of some newspaper I'll be totally surprised. Some of this motley crew are definitely going to need a lot of supervision."
"Well that's what we have chaperones for," Kelsi pointed out. "Nobody expects you to take on every problem by yourself Shar."
"Maybe not, but this is my baby for the most part and I don't want anyone pointing the guilty finger in my direction when all is said and done. And speaking of chaperones...where are Troy's parents? I need to sign them in as well."
"I think I saw them talking to Mrs. Darbus and Principal Matthews over by the fountain," Gabriella answered, pointing out into the crowd.
"Great. I better get over there and give them the current head count before things get any more hectic. We're all assigned to bus number one so make sure the guys know where to take their luggage. I'll be back when it's time to leave," Sharpay stated, marching off to attend to her next mission.
"That girl's gonna bust a blood vessel if she doesn't slow down," Gabriella remarked with the shake of her head. "I swear I hope she remembered to pack some Prozac in her Gucci."
Zeke saw Sharpay disappear into the crowd and walked over to the girls with a sigh.
"Now where is she going?" He asked, sounding a bit frustrated. "I haven't been able to pin her down for five minutes since we got here."
"She's probably off to remind the adults of who's really running things around here," Troy laughed, as he, Chad, Jason and Ryan came to join them.
"Yep, Darbus better watch her step or she might find herself pushing one of the buses there and back," Chad joked, ribbing Jason in the side.
"Well it looks like our little group at least is all here and accounted for," Gabriella said, taking Troy's hand. "And Jason...it's really good to have you back. We missed you."
Jason smiled. "Thanks Gabriella. It's good to be back."
"Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?"
"Yeah. As a matter of fact I did. How about all of you? Did anything special happen?" he asked in turn.
Troy and Gabriella looked at each other and then over at Chad and Taylor who were standing arm-in-arm.
"Nope. Nothing special. Just your run of the mill turkey day," Chad stated, giving his girlfriend a little squeeze. "The best part was that Troy and I got to spend it with Brie and Tay."
"You all got to spend Thanksgiving together? That's nice," Kelsi said, briefly thinking back on the day with her own family.
"Did you and Sharpay have a good time in San Francisco?" Gabriella directed at Ryan.
"For the most part. My sister was pretty happy that at the last minute Zeke was able to join us too. He and our Aunt Fergie really hit it off."
"Wait...Zeke was hanging with the upper crust in the City by the Bay? Way to go man," Troy applauded, turning to pat his friend on the back.
"Well you know...what can I say," Zeke posed with a grin. "When Shar and Ryan's folks offered up the invitation this Wildcat just couldn't say no. And Aunt Fergie is the best. Let me whip up my special creme brulee in her awesome five star kitchen, no problem. I got to wear a chef's hat and everything."
"Guess you can now just write out your last will and testament and go straight to heaven huh?" Chad teased, making everyone in the group laugh.
Then out of nowhere...
"Attention people! Attention! I have a few announcements to make!"
Every head in the parking lot turned around to see Sharpay situated slightly above the crowd as she stood on a chair, now accessorized with a bullhorn.
"Thank you! First up...welcome graduating Wildcats to senior weekend 2007!"
A roar of cheering applause exploded among everyone present.
"This my fellow classmates promises to be the best senior trip yet. And to make sure we start our journey off on the right foot and most importantly, on time, I need to ask everyone who is not an attendee of the event or a chaperone to say their good-byes now. The buses will be arriving in a few minutes and we'll need all remaining time devoted to getting everyone seated and luggage stored.
Second, if you don't already have your bus assignment number please see Mrs. Darbus or Mrs. Bolton over by the flag pole and they will ensure that you do. If you have your number please line up in the marked areas at the far end of the parking lot with your bags. Our wonderful chaperones will also be standing in these areas to give assistance where needed. Finally, for now, any items listed on the prohibited list you all received that are not discarded prior to boarding will be cause to have your participation in senior weekend revoked. Thank you."
There were more loud cheers and even a few boos. Sharpay stepped down from her platform, handed Principal Matthews the bullhorn, and then headed back to her friends. The crowd of seniors began shifting about as they grabbed their luggage and moved off to their assigned waiting areas.
"Does anyone know what bus we're supposed to be on?" Chad asked, slinging his backpack over his shoulder while grabbing his suitcase in one hand and Taylor's in the other.
"Sharpay said we were assigned to bus number one," Kelsi stated, as Ryan followed Chad's lead by taking his bag as well as her own.
"Then let's get ourselves over to the number one spot pronto," Troy said as their little group began falling out.
They were just approaching their pick-up point, when a dark green Jaguar pulled up and out stepped Marissa looking anything but happy. She caught sight of Chad and Taylor and gave both a glare full of venom. A few of her friends excitedly rushed over and started helping her take her bags out of the trunk.
"Oh goody, the pom-pom dragon has arrived," Zeke joked, but only Kelsi, Ryan and Jason laughed. Troy, Chad, Taylor and Gabriella did not.
"God I wish she had decided not to come," Taylor leaned over and whispered in Chad's ear.
"I know baby. But just be glad we at least got rid of that creep cousin of hers. As long as he's no where near you this weekend or anywhere else, everything will be fine. No worries," Chad whispered back, kissing the temple of her forehead.
Just then Sharpay walked up and took Zeke's hand, much to his pleasant surprise.
"Okay, I'm yours for the time being so make the most of it," she announced, happy to finally have a minute to herself. "Principal Matthews, Mrs. Darbus, Troy's parents and the rest of the chaperones who, thank goodness finally showed up, are taking things over until we arrive at our destination."
"Did you just say all the chaperones are here?" Taylor asked, a stab of panic in her heart.
"Yes," Sharpay answered. "All except for Julian. Seems he caught a bug or something and called Principal Matthews up last night to say that he wouldn't be able to attend. I'm sure that bit of news just makes your day doesn't it Danforth?"
"No. Actually it makes my whole year," Chad said, smiling over at a relieved Taylor.
Shortly thereafter, a string of luxury buses with tinted windows began driving up to the school amid more thunderous cheering and applause, each one with a banner on the outside that read: "East High Senior Class Weekend".
Troy let out an impressed whistle. "Man Sharpay. Those are some pretty smooth rides you have us rolling in. Are you sure the senior bank account can afford it?"
"Luckily for us, my father is close friends with the man who owns this particular transportation company. He donated the buses to us as a favor, free of charge. Trust Bolton that it never hurts to have people in high places in your debt. Or in this case, my daddy's debt."
"Well whatever the arrangement, it looks like we Wildcats are definitely going to be leaving here in style," Chad stated, equally as impressed as his best friend.
"Is there any other way to go?" Sharpay asked with an as if tone.
20 Minutes Later, 7:55 a.m.
Once all the buses had been filled and the luggage stored there was nothing left to do but head out. The level of excitement was at a fever pitch when finally the signal to take off was given between the first and last bus by Principal Matthews. As the caravan slowly began pulling out of the parking lot and onto the street, the rousing cheers started up again as the mood grew even more festive.
Sitting toward the front of their bus, the close knit group of friends laughed and talked non-stop. It had taken a lot to get here but here they were. All were more than ready for the time of their lives, a weekend to remember. None of them had a clue as to just how much their worlds were truly about to change now and forever more in the next three days...but they would.