Gabriella walked down the stairs and saw Zeke holding Shar as he and Chad were talking about something serious. Gabriella listened intently as she caught the last of their conversation.
"Do you know where he is?" Chad whispered, but not good enough as Gabriella knew that he was straining his voice to keep from yelling in frustration. Gabriella saw the etch of seriousness in his forehead as he crinkled into the face her brother made when he was in a serious debate.
"He came over at my house at 2 in the morning and my parents like freaked out." Zeke whispered back as Shar just stayed in his arms with her back to Gabriella and her head buried in Zeke's chest as Zeke rubbed Shar's back for comfort.
"What the hell was he doing over at your house?" Chad asked.
Zeke shrugged with his one shoulder which wasn't occupied by Shar. "I don't know, but my parents freaked out since they caught him climbing into our living room window and he just looked so--" Taylor came over and elbowed him in the gut once she saw Gabriella was on the stairs listening.
Taylor gave her a small smile to tell her to not worry and Gabriella nodded slightly as she saw that not only was her parents here, Chad, Taylor, Shar, and Zeke, but also Clair, Kala, Jason, and V. Gabriella looked at V who looked up at her sheepishly.
Gabriella made her way down the stairs as her parents looked at her. "You have one hour." Anna reminded her as they both left the room to finish going through the rooms to make sure they didn't forget anything they wanted to bring.
Gabriella smiled at her mom and looked at all of her waiting friends. Gabriella smiled as she walked over to Kala and Clair first. They both held out their arms and pulled Gabriella into a huge hug. Gabriella squeezed her eyes shut, promising herself that she wouldn't cry or else people might start doubting that she didn't want to leave, and then they would confront her on it and she would break down and admit how hurt she was.
She wasn't hurt from Troy and the V thing, she was past that, or as much past that as you could get in a week which was far, it was the sleep with a guy and then up and leave you while you were in HIS bedroom.
Gabriella smiled at Clair and Kala and Clair reached over the couch and handed Gabriella and big round orange basketball which was signed by people. Gabriella took it with a smile on her face. "Thank you guys so much." Gabriella exclaimed. "You guys didn't have to get me anything."
"Of course we did. We've been playing basketball with you since we were in third grade." Kala said.
"And we got everyone on the team this year to sign it along with some of the freshman girls who wanted to say thank you because of…well just problems you helped them with." Clair said.
Gabriella looked over the basketball and saw that Clair and Kala both put their names in hearts and some of the freshman girls put 'thanks,' under their names.
"At least we won one game this year." Kala said with a sad smile on her face.
Gabriella nodded her head as she looked at every signature on the ball and then one caught her attention, Troy's mom, Coach Bolton signed it with a note that made Gabriella snort and a small smile.
"What is it Gabs?" Clair asked with worry that Gabriella didn't like it.
"Nothing, just what Coach Bolton put on here." Gabriella said holding it out so that they could see. "You're one hell of a player on and off the court."
"Wow, who knew that Coach Bolton had a weak side." Kala said as Gabriella rolled the basketball over by her luggage by the door.
"Thanks. This means a lot." Gabriella said as she hugged them again and moved onto the next people…Jason and V.
Gabriella stood in front of V first and looked down at her stomach which was showing. They hadn't spoken since last Wednesday when Gabriella stormed out of the lunch room. Gabriella looked back up at V who was looking around nervously and shyly, so unlike her.
"You're gonna make a good mother V." Gabriella said softly as she touched V's stomach and V cracked a thankful smile that Gabriella wasn't angry anymore.
V had tears come to her eyes and she wiped at them furiously. "Damn hormones." V cursed as Gabriella chuckled along with everyone else.
"Take care of my godchild." Gabriella said. "When I come back I want him slash her to be in perfect health." Gabriella warned playfully as she hugged her cousin.
"It's a her." V whispered in her ear and Gabriella pulled back with a huge smile on her face.
"Oh my God, really?!" Gabriella squealed as everyone looked around confused.
"Yeah, we found out on Saturday." V confirmed. "We're having a girl."
"Take care V." Gabriella said after everyone was done congratulating her.
"You too cus." V said with a smile. Gabriella smiled and bit her lip to keep the tears from showing in her eyes.
Gabriella stood in front of Jason now and they hugged. "Thanks MD." Jason said. "You've helped us out a lot this year."
"Just take care of them." Gabriella said. "Or else I'll come back and hunt you down." Gabriella said seriously as V hit her in the arm playfully.
"Gabs!" V scolded with a laugh as Jason looked at her seriously.
"I will. I will." Jason said. "Have a good time, okay?"
"…okay." Gabriella said as she stood in front of Zeke now.
Before Gabriella could say anything Zeke engulfed her in a huge bear hug, lifting her off the ground like he did when she first came back from England at the end of the summer.
"God Zeke, have you been working out?" Gabriella joked as he put her down and their two set of brown eyes met.
"I have to if I want to keep lifting you up." Zeke joked back as Gabriella playfully hit him and they both turned silent as she stood in front of him a good head shorter.
"I'm gonna miss you." Gabriella said. "Just keep my brother in line, okay?" Gabriella asked.
"Wish me luck, if he's anything like his sister then no one will be able to control him." Zeke said with a small laugh as Gabriella wiped at her eyes furiously.
"God, I said I wasn't going to cry." Gabriella muttered.
"Am I just that bad to look at?" Zeke feigned hurt.
"Come here." Gabriella motioned for him to give her another hug and she wrapped her arms around him again, but this time he didn't lift her up as she whispered into his ear, "Make sure you take Shar shopping on her birthday for me." Gabriella said knowing that she was going to miss Shar's birthday coming up in a couple of months and it was their thing between Gabriella and Shar to go shopping.
"Will do, or else I get stuck with a pissed off Shar." Zeke said pulling away and Shar smacked him on the arm.
"I do not get pissed off about…whatever you guys said." Shar exclaimed as everyone chuckled and Gabriella gave Zeke and kiss on the cheek and stood before Sharpay now.
Gabriella took Sharpay by her two shoulders and looked her directly in the eye and smirked as she saw how nervous Shar was getting with her already watery eyes. "Now…" Gabriella stated in a very serious tone. "Don't go over you spending limit on your credit card." Gabriella said and then laughed as she saw and heard Shar sigh.
"God, you scared me. I thought that you were going to like yell at me or something Gabs." Shar said as she hugged Gabriella tightly.
Gabriella started gagging. "Shar, I can't breathe." Gabriella said and Shar let go.
"Sorry, but I'm going to miss you." Shar said. "You have to call everyday." Shar warned while pointing a finger at Gabriella.
"I think you'd hunt me down if I didn't." Gabriella said with a weak smile and looked at Sharpay with more tears in her eyes and she wiped them away. "I'm gonna miss you so much, who else am I gonna have someone to go shopping with?" Gabriella asked.
"No one because if I find out that you replaced me I swear to God they better watch their backs." Shar warned as they gave one last hug.
Gabriella stood in front of her best friend now. Taylor had tears going down her face as Gabriella wiped her eyes with the back of her hands again. "I thought we promised each other we wouldn't cry?" Gabriella asked shakily as she tried to control the sound of her voice so that it wouldn't squeak.
Taylor sniffled. "You did, I didn't. I crossed my fingers." Taylor admitted.
Gabriella chuckled and pulled Taylor into a huge hug. "You know, you helped me out a lot this year so far." Gabriella said.
"Good thing I wore water proof mascara today." Taylor said as the two best friends didn't let go of each other as they both had wobbly knees and their backs started to ache from leaning into the same position for minutes at a time.
"We're gonna see each other over the summer. I was talking to my mom before and she said that you guys can come out for the summer." Gabriella said into Taylor's ear.
Taylor smiled brightly into Gabriella's hair. "I would really like that." Taylor said. "Now promise me that you'll call if you need anything, anything at all because I don't want things to get awkward between us like they did last time." Taylor whispered so that only Gabriella could hear.
Gabriella nodded as she rubbed Taylor's back up and down once she felt her shoulder get damp from the tears sliding down her best friends cheeks. "Pinky swear." Gabriella whispered as they both pulled back and linked their pinkies together.
"Do I even want to know what you two promised each other?" Chad asked sarcastically.
"No." They both said simultaneously and laughed at Chad's confused and shocked face.
"Hey, maybe over the summer I'll finally learn how to swim." Gabriella said.
"Just make sure you're not by yourself when you try, God only knows what would happen with you Gabs." Taylor said.
"Yes mother." Gabriella said as she gave Taylor's hand one last squeeze and stood in front of her brother and found it hard to even try to wipe away the tears forming in her eyes. Gabriella didn't care anymore because her older brother was worth it.
"Come here lil sis." Chad said as he engulfed her in a bone crushing hug and swayed with her.
"I'm gonna miss you." Gabriella said in a raspy voice.
"I would hope so." Chad chuckled as Gabriella looked up and saw the glossiness in his eyes.
"I want to say thank you." Gabriella said quietly. Before Chad could ask for what, Gabriella continued. "Thank you for letting me go. It's just, you might not understand it, but I've been messing up lately it seems. With the whole Derek thing and the leg thing and I missed almost all of the season and I think it was because I started playing too early and then the whole secret thing." Gabriella whispered in a very rasping voice as tears gathered in her eyes again, threatening to fall as they hung on tightly to her eye lashes. "And then with the fighting and I've just been messing up, I just need a new start." Gabriella said.
Chad pulled her into another hug. "I do understand." Chad whispered into her hair as he kissed the top of her head.
Before the brother and sister let go of each other, Gabriella whispered into his ear, "He's not coming is he?" Gabriella asked.
Chad shifted his eye sight and looked at Zeke who was talking to Shar quietly about something and then looked back down at Gabriella as they both pulled back. Chad knew instantly who she was talking about,…Troy. Gabriella saw Chad and how nervous he was to answer this as he fidgeted in his spot. "Um…maybe you still have…" Chad was interrupted.
"Sweet pea, we got to go." Eric said holding three suitcases and starting for the front door.
Gabriella sighed. "…right now." Chad finished as Gabriella sniffled and wiped her eyes again.
"I love you big brother." Gabriella said. "I'll see you over spring break, okay?" Gabriella asked giving him one last hug.
"Of course Ella. And if you want, I can give him a message?" Chad offered. "I think he said he was…" Chad tried to think of some lie to comfort his sister. "busy? Maybe with his mom or something?" Chad said and Gabriella thought about it.
"Gabs, we have to leave now." Anna said from the doorway holding two more suit cases as she smiled at Chad and Gabriella saying good bye.
"Okay." Gabriella called to her mother. "Um…" Gabriella turned back to Chad who was waiting for an answer. "…thanks, but…no thanks. I'm sure I'll just catch him on his cell later when we land." Gabriella said even though she doubted it. If he didn't want to talk to her now, what would make him want to pick up his cell phone and talk like that.
"Okay." Chad said. "Now be safe." Chad warned.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Yes dad." Gabriella said sarcastically as she walked over to her one suit case and basketball. "I'm gonna miss you all." Gabriella called to them. She looked at them and decided it would just be easier to leave right now than say a final goodbye word and start really crying. "I'll stay in touch." Gabriella called and tentatively walked to the car behind her parents as her parents gave Chad one last goodbye hug.
"Call us when you land!" Tay called with a wave before Gabriella shut the car door.
Gabriella smiled and held out her pink finger through the window. She found this action a lot easier than talking as her dad started up the engine and they made their way to the airport.
After Jason, V, Clair, and Kala left Chad turned to what was left of the gang excluding Gabriella and Troy.
"This isn't right." Chad stated.
"Chad, we can't stop her." Taylor said thinking Chad was thinking about Gabriella leaving.
"No." Chad said quickly not meaning Gabriella leaving exactly. "Well, yes about Ella, but Troy should've been here. No matter if they were fighting or not, Troy should've been here." Chad declared.
"He looked horrible this morning." Zeke said. "Like he didn't sleep at all last night and when I left him this morning he said that he would try to come over and meet us here." Zeke said.
"Maybe traffic?" Shar offered pathetically.
"Traffic in Albuquerque that lasts over an hour?" Chad asked. "I don't think so…" Chad said storming over to the door. "I'll be back." Chad said and before anyone could ask where he was going Chad was halfway to his car already.
Chad stormed into Zeke's bedroom thanking the lord that there was no traffic getting to his house, but even if his plan worked Zeke's house was a lot further from the air port than his was, and Chad blinked in surprise at the sight he saw. Troy was laying on Zeke's bed with the lights turned off and cardboard over the windows so that no light was coming in. The TV was on some cartoon channel for little kids with the volume turned all the way down and Troy was laying in only his boxers as his jeans and shirt was over by Zeke's bedroom door.
"Get up!" Chad demanded in a strong sturdy voice as Troy rolled over onto his stomach and put a pillow over his ears. Chad rolled his eyes as he looked to see that the clock read 12:47. "Get up, it's almost 1 p.m." Chad said ripping the cardboard down furiously, letting the light pore in.
"You're crazy." Troy moaned as Chad took the pillow from him and beat him with it for a good morning until Troy finally snapped his head up.
"Get up and out of bed!" Chad demanded tossing him his shirt and Troy looked around confused as if he was lost. "God, she left…almost an hour ago!" Chad exclaimed. "Why are you so lazy?! You couldn't come and at least say goodbye! I know that you two have been fighting lately, but God, what is wrong with you?!" Chad demanded. "Why waste your time sleeping when you could've been with her?!"
Troy looked at Chad and finally realized that he didn't know about Troy's night with Gabriella. "Because I'm tired." Troy said sleepily with a yawn as he put on his cotton t-shirt.
"You can still make it though." Chad said frantically.
"What?" Troy asked.
"Look, she left at 12 and it's barely 1 now, and from here it takes about two hours to get to the air port and that's if you're lucky and there's no traffic." Chad said hurriedly as he threw Troy his faded blue jeans and something fell out of the back pocket and landed on the bed by Troy, but neither boy noticed as they continued having a stare down. "And then you could get there around 3 to 3:30, and the plane leaves at 4, so she can start boarding around 3:45, that gives you around thirty minutes if you're lucky to find her in the HUGE" Chad used his arms and flailed them around. "HUGE airport and find her and just talk to her." Chad said frantically as Troy slid on his jeans.
Troy shut his eyes as his mind started thinking about Gabriella and their night together. Troy looked down at the ground knowing how hurt Gabriella was probably feeling that he just up and left her, especially on their last night together, but he couldn't think like that. It hurt just too much.
"What would I say to her?" Troy asked not fully liking Chad's idea of just going in there and not knowing what to do.
Chad shrugged. "You have to say something, or else you'll always regret this." Chad said. "I know it, and you will regret this stupid mistake you're making." Chad said.
Troy looked down at the bed and then noticed the shiny 'T' necklace that was by him. His hand wrapped around it and he looked at it in the palm of his hand not fully understanding how it got there and decided that Gabriella probably slipped it in his jeans last night.
"Damn it!" Troy cursed as he clutched the necklace and raced out of the Baylor's home and Chad smiled triumphantly.
