The sun shone brightly through the curtains. The smell of pancakes and bacon made me stir. I rolled over and stretched, my arm instantly landing on the comforter. Immediately my eyes popped open. I sat up and looked around the empty bedroom. The time on the clock read 8:27 am.

I jumped out of bed and slipped on Troy's shorts before making my way downstairs. I followed the low chatter and the sizzling sounds of the frying pan to the sunny kitchen.

"Morning sleepyhead," Troy greeted and flipped a pancake to the other side.

"Morning," I muttered and looked around for my daughter.

"Morning mama!" I heard behind me. I turned around to see Jack walking in with Lena on his back. He placed her on the chair and gave my shoulder a squeeze before going to the refrigerator.

"Hey baby," I said as I hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

"How'd you sleep?" Jack asked as he took out the orange juice.

"Like the dead," I joked. I hardly ever sleep anymore. I always wake up in the middle of the night, making sure that Lena is breathing.

"Yeah, I can tell… you were snoring pretty loudly," Troy said and winked at me. He turned off the stove and carried a large plate of pancakes and bacon with eggs to the island.

I blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yeah well…" I trailed off and turned to Jack. "I hope you don't mind us crashing the night."

Jack scoffed. "Nonsense! You're family! You guys are welcomed anytime. Now, coffee or juice?" Jack asked holding up both options.

I smiled. "Coffee, please."

"Do you still drink it black?" I nodded and watched him pour me a nice cup before giving it to me.

I graciously took a whiff of the fresh brew before taking a small sip. "Mmm…Where's Lucille?"

"She's working today. She has to work at least one weekend a month," Jack informed me. "But she left you some clothes that'll fit better than Troy's hand-me-downs."

"She's too sweet."

"Alright guys… dig in," Troy said as he handed me and Jack a plate. Troy went all out for breakfast. There was a fruit salad, pancakes, bacon, eggs two ways, and potatoes.

"Whoa… didn't know you can cook now," I teased as I grabbed pancakes and two slices of bacon.

Troy rolled his eyes as he made a small plate for Lena. "You're hilarious… I know how to work a kitchen." He paused as he placed some fruit on Lena's small plate. "She's not allergic to anything is she?"

I shook my head. "So, you guys have anything planned for today?" Jack asked just as the doorbell rang. We all looked at each other, wondering who that could be this early. Again, the bell rang. "I'll get it."

We watched Jack leave and continued with our breakfast. "So, I was thinking we can go to the Albuquerque Zoo later if you guys are up for it… maybe after lunch?" Troy suggested as he sliced up Lena's pancake into smaller bites.

"That would be nice," I commented and ate a piece of bacon. Just then Jack came back with an unreadable look on his face.

"It's for you Troy," he said. We both looked at him confused as he mouthed who it was - Sharpay.

Troy sighed and I rolled my eyes. He wiped his hands and got up. "I'll be right back… Dad, maybe you can take the girls out back for breakfast? It seems nice out today."

Jack didn't even question it. He grabbed Lena's plate with one hand and her small one with his other. Together they went out to the back patio. I, however, lingered in the kitchen. I was curious - so sue me.

"What the fuck Troy!" I heard Sharpay shriek. Troy shushed her and I imagined Sharpay staring at him in disbelief. "Don't you dare hush me! You got a lot of explaining to do!"

"About what?" Troy asked.

She screeched. "Where were you last night, hmm? You made me look like an ass at Jasper's party! Everybody was asking for you! You didn't answer your phone! I left you like a MILLION messages!"

"I'm sorry Pay, but my phone died." Which is true… his phone did die. He probably left it in his room last night after getting the ball for Lena and totally forgot about it.

"Un-be-lievable!"

"What? You know I didn't want to go to that party last night." This was new information.

"Puh-leaseeeee… you always say that, and then you show up anyways!" I heard the clicking of Sharpay's heels; she must be pacing. The clicking stopped. "Just tell me this… were you with her?"

"Who's her?"

"That Montez chick." Interesting.

"What makes you think that I was with her?"

"Oh, c'mon Troy. Don't play dumb. You weren't at the party last night. She wasn't either - and trust me, I know… she wasn't around her little… friends," she let out a breath. "It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. You talk to her all the time! Like, every. Single. Day - whispering, huddled together. I may be blonde Troy, but I'm not stupid!"

"Wow… seriously Pay? She's just a friend."

Sharpay laughed in disbelief. "She is not just a friend!"

"So what? I can't have friends that are female? Should I tell Martha and Taylor that we can't be friends anymore?"

"You can have female friends… just not her." I knew she was threatened by me!

"Wow… okay. Well, you know what Pay… if you can't trust me, maybe we shouldn't even be together."

"Bite your tongue!" Sharpay spat. "We're over when I say we're over." Troy really wasn't lying about that. Sharpay huffed and her tone became serious, "We are going to spend the day together because I feel like you have been distant… You can pick me up at one o'clock. Don't be late."

"Yeah no-"

"Don't you dare say you have plans! I swear to God, that if you say you have plans - with Chad - I will call him right now. And he's probably still drunk or too hungover to even lie for you."

"Alright, fine whatever… I'll see you at one."

"Great… tootles!"

I heard Sharpay leave and Troy close the door behind her. "That chick is wild," I said as Troy came back into the kitchen. He stole the bacon from my plate, took one bite, and put it back. Normally I would be disgusted by that, but after that whole thing, he can do whatever he wants.

"Yeah… tell me about it," he mumbled and took a sip of juice.

I watched him for a minute. He looked defeated, and yet mildly pissed off. His shoulders were tense, and his face was tight. I sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll go to the zoo some other time Troy," I said softly, "it's not like it's going anywhere."

"I know. It's just… I'm sorry," he said and straightened up as if to shake off his mood.

I gave him a small smile. "Don't be. I feel like I should be the sorry one. You gotta put up with that."

Troy chuckled lightly and gave me a light punch in the arm. "C'mon… this morning can still be salvaged." He grabbed my half-eaten plate and his own as we went to join Jack and our baby girl. The sound of her laughter automatically lifting his spirits.

The girls giggled as I refreshed their wine glasses. Kelsi surprised me when I got home that Taylor was coming over for a sleepover. It honestly shouldn't have shocked me since they knew that I didn't come home last night. But nothing happened! Not that they're going to believe me anyway.

Aiden was no help either. After Troy dropped me and Lena off, he was standing on the porch with his arms crossed and a huge smile on his face. At first, I thought he was happy to see Lena. But just like Kelsi and Taylor, he thought something happened. It took me about twenty minutes and putting him in a headlock for him to come around. He even offered to watch Lena for the night so I can have some girl time. But that's all bullshit. He's hoping that Kelsi and Taylor would get something out of me, and they can all gossip about it when I'm not around.

Once again - nothing happened.

The girls and I set up shop in the basement. We put on a cheesy rom-com but weren't paying much attention to it. Taylor and Kelsi sat on the couches in their pajamas quietly judging me.

"So let me get this straight… You guys had a fun-filled night with Lena," Taylor started and I agreed, "and as he's putting her to bed, you just got naked?" She thanked me for the wine and took a sip.

"No! Ugh! I did not get 'naked'. I was getting ready for bed," I argued and tried not to whine.

"But like… you did get undressed in front of him," Kelsi pointed out as I handed her wineglass.

I rolled my eyes. This was getting annoying. "Mmm! Yes! Like, why didn't you change in the bathroom?" Taylor asked.

"Because I was tired. It took me like two seconds to get changed. Stop making it a big deal," I said and slumped onto the couch.

The two girls looked at each other with a smirk on their faces. "She totally wanted to fuck him," Kelsi teased. I groaned and threw a pillow at her. "Hey!"

"I did not. We're trying to be friends… co-parent. Why can't you guys just see that?"

Maybe it was the desperation and aggravation in my voice, but the girls finally decided to drop it. I huffed and grabbed a slice of pizza. "So how long have you known Troy?" Taylor asked.

I felt Kelsi glance sideways at me. "For like…ever," I said truthfully, "I've known him since we were babes."

"Wow… you guys must have a lot of history then."

"You have no idea," Kelsi muttered and took a sip of her glass. I looked at Kelsi deadpanned as Taylor tilted her head, hoping one of us would elaborate. "Let's play a game!" Kelsi blurted out. She put her wine glass down and leaned over to where we stacked a bunch of board games. Without looking, Kelsi grabbed a small orange box. "Ooo this should be fun."

It was {The And} - Friends Edition, and it looked like Taylor just bought it. The plastic wrap was still attached. "Yeah, I figured it would be a nice way to get to know you guys a bit more," Taylor commented.

Kelsi opened the box and shuffled the cards before reading the directions on the back of the box. "I think this is meant to be a two-person game."

"How about, if the question seems person-specific, then direct it at that person. Otherwise, feel free to answer," I suggested. The girls nodded in agreement.

"Sounds good… but let's make this interesting." Kelsi poured three shot glasses of tequila. We did a quick 'cheers' before down the hatch it went. "Whoo! Okay… so it says here that you can pass on a question, but let's take a shot if you can't answer it. Alright Taylor, you go first."

Taylor reached over and grabbed an orange card. "Oooo okay. Guys, 'How do you feel about the relationship I'm in?'"

Kelsi and I giggled. "Honestly, I don't think I know Chad well enough to really say anything?" I said.

"Yeah… but you guys are like the most adorable couple I know," Kelsi added. "You guys seem happy, so I'm team Chaylor."

Taylor blushed but had a small, dreamy smile on her face. She placed the card in the box and took a sip of her wine. "Your turn Kels."

Kelsi ran a hand through her brown waves before grabbing a card. "This one is for Gabs… 'What is the best gift you've given me?'."

I bit the inside of my cheek. "Man… I'm not sure because I'm a pretty awesome gift giver," I started with a smirk making Kelsi roll her eyes, "but I'm gonna go with… the trip to New York?"

Kelsi's eyes lit up. "Yes!" She turned to Taylor, "Okay, Gab knows I am obsessed with Broadway. So, for my birthday, she planned this whole trip. We saw Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King - she even pulled some strings and we got to meet the cast. It was amazing."

"Wow…it sounds incredible! How did you pull that off!" Taylor pondered.

"I have my ways," I said vaguely. Truth be told, Aiden's father Julian got us the connections. He was my guardian for a while until Aiden graduated from college. Julian is currently the CEO of Montez Enterprises. There is nothing that man will do for me. "Okay, my turn!"

I grabbed a card and smiled. "This is for either one of you. 'What do you think I value the most?'."

"I would say… family," Kelsi answered and Taylor agreed. They both took sips of their wine, and Taylor grabbed a card.

"'Who takes more responsibility in our relationship?'," she read aloud. We all looked at each other not sure how to answer. Kelsi and I know that in our relationship, I am the more responsible one. But I don't hang out with Taylor often enough to really know. "Pass?"

"Pass," Kelsi and I chimed in. Kelsi poured us shots and it was gone in a gulp.

"Okay!" Kelsi placed her glass down and grabbed a card. "Ooo a fun one! 'How many people do you think I've slept with?'." I couldn't help but laugh. Taylor was studying Kelsi like she could visibly tell how many guys our tiny friend as slept with.

"Umm two?" Taylor questioned and we giggled.

"Five," I answered for her.

"Six," Kelsi corrected. I looked back at her gobsmacked. Was there someone I missed? "Jason Cross… last night." Taylor and I shrieked and adjusted our positions to face her completely. She blushed and hid her face in a pillow.

"Oh my god."

"What! Wait - you were with me the whole night. When did you wander off with Cross?"

"You weren't with me the whole night," Kelsi said with a smirk. She ruffled her brown waves. "After I dropped you off, he hit me up. One thing led to another… and yeah."

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Please tell me, you didn't have sex in my brand-new car."

"Puh-lease, Gabs… I'm a little classier than that," Kels said and sipped more wine. "We hooked up at his place. His parents weren't home."

Taylor shook her head. "You and Cross… never would've seen that coming."

Kelsi shrugged her small shoulders. "It was just a one-night stand. Besides, he hasn't texted me."

I let out a breath as silence washed over us. I'd like to think that I know Kelsi pretty well. After all, I did help raise her. But something about her and Jason was different. I've known all of her hookups, crushes, and exes. But not one of them has ever left Kelsi with this longing look on her face. Maybe it's the alcohol. Or maybe, just maybe, she has actual feelings for him. But that brings me to my next question - when did they start talking? She's been nonstop about this musical and he's always with Troy and his basketball boys. Maybe they have a class together?

"Gabs… your turn," Taylor said trying to distract the both of us.

I gave her a small smile as I picked the top card and read it aloud, "'What would make you end our friendship?'."

"I don't think our friendship would ever end. You're like my sister Gabs, "Kelsi said.

"Mmm I don't know," Taylor answered, "I guess if you were being… sneaky? Or diabolically manipulative?"

Kelsi and I exchanged a look. I wouldn't say that I'm being 'diabolically manipulative', but sneaky - probably. Troy and I had a talk earlier about possibly letting Taylor in on our family secret. He surprisingly wasn't against the idea - just as long as she doesn't tell Chad or anyone else. It's hard to have someone wrap their minds around it. For example, Kelsi and Jo. Kelsi was young and concluded that I'm a princess living a fairytale. Joanne, on the other hand, made me do all these medical tests - especially when I fell pregnant with Lena. There's no logical explanation for any of it. No matter who I've told in the past, I always came off as possibly being clinically insane. But in the end, they somehow believed me.

"Did I say something?"

"No… umm-" Kelsi looked at me unsure.

I sighed and put my glass down. "Taylor… there's something that I have to tell you, but you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone."

"Okay…" she said cautiously, looking from me to Kelsi.

"Seriously Tay… like, you can't even tell Chad," Kelsi added.

"I promise I won't tell anyone… not even Chad," Taylor said, realizing how serious we got.

I let out another breath and grabbed Kelsi's hand for support. "Oh my god… I don't even know where to start," I muttered to my best friend.

Kelsi smiled softly. "Why don't you start from the beginning?" She suggested.

"Whew… okay," I turned towards Taylor, "umm… so you know how I've said that I've moved around a lot?" She nods. "Well, there's a reason for that." I paused and looked at Kelsi. I took a sharp breath and turned towards the curious dark-skinned beauty. "God, this is gonna sound crazy… okay… so Troy and I move around a lot because we're cursed for eternity. And for some reason…we haven't been able to break it."

We watched as Taylor blinked at us in disbelief. She chuckled. "What? Are you guys messing with me?"

"No…" Kelsi whispers.

"Taylor-"

She started laughing; like full-blown, holding her stomach laughter. She wiped a tear and let out a few chuckles before sighing. "Man… you guys are good. Next, you're gonna tell me ghosts and vampires are real."

"Well-" Kelsi began, but I shook my head.

"You guys can't be serious… cursed? Really?"

"It's the truth!" Kelsi defended for me. "I know it sounds-"

"Insane?"

"I know," I grumbled.

"We'll prove it to you," Kelsi said and stood up. I'm always so grateful that Kelsi has my back no matter what. Life can get pretty lonely when you live forever and have no one to share it with. I wish that I can say, "At least I have Troy" but that's not always the case. Kelsi came back pushing the trunk I swore I left in storage somewhere.

She opened the trunk and moved the cover sheets away. Inside the trunk was a whole lifetime of memories. I had pictures dating back as far as 1841. There were journals, pamphlets, jewelry, and videotapes. I had a doll from my childhood days. I had my veil and shoes from 1941 when Troy and I were supposed to get married. Some of these things really felt like ages ago, while others felt like yesterday.

"Wow…" I heard behind me.

I looked up at my new friend with a smile. I scooted over so she can get a good look inside. "Be careful… some of these things are over 500 years old."

Her brown eyes widened in fear as she gingerly picked up an old tin. She popped the top and inside was a stack of yellowing photos. I watched as the dark-skinned beauty took out the top photo. She snickered as she examined the photo. It was a photo of me in cyan hot pants and a matching bandeau top. The top had a large ring in the center and was held up by a white string around my neck. I carried the matching cotton button-up over my shoulder. I had bangs and my hair was cut so short I looked like I had a curly afro. I watched as she flipped the photo over. In my wonderful penmanship, I scribbled in the corner 'VH - Venice Beach 1973'.

"Hot pants… really Gabs?" Taylor said amused. "And what is that on your head?"

I snatched the photo out of her hands and looked at it. I looked so carefree. "Shut up… it was the fashion."

Kelsi took the photo from me and examined how I looked. "Who's VH?" she asked.

"Well, occasionally, I used an alias. I believe I used the name Vanessa… but I don't remember what last name I chose." I took a sip of wine and watched as the girls gushed over my photos. I got up to add more wine to my glass when I heard one of them gasp.

"Shut up! You and Troy are married?!" Taylor exclaimed as she held our supposed wedding photo in her hands.

"Technically no…" I said and came back over. "We were supposed to, but then Troy joined the armed forces. That was our rehearsal dinner. He got shipped off the same night."

Taylor looked at me sympathetically. She turned the photo around 'GM & TB - San Diego 1941'. I watched as she went through some more photos. Most of them were of me, but there were a few of me and the crystal blue-eyed man. Regardless of the time and how we were dressed, the photos all displayed us - no older than seventeen.

"This is so crazy," Taylor commented as she placed the photos back in the tin. Her dark hands gingerly picked up the veil and grabbed a small leather-bound journal. Curiously, she opened the journal to a random entry and read silently. "Why - err how are you guys cursed?" she asked after a while. "Like what did you do?"

I looked between the girls, their eyes sparkling with interest. I placed my glass on the coffee table and got comfy. "It was nothing either one of us did," I began, "but it all started in 1482, on the eve of my sixteenth birthday…"

Hey guys! I was debating for the longest time, whether or not to include a flashback of the day Troy and Gabriella were cursed. I can add it in the next chapter, but definitely let me know what you think in a review:)