On Monday morning, Gabriella got ready for school, ready to catch the bus as Troy was already at school for basketball practice. As her and Lilliana walked down the stairs, they found Lucille and Jacob ready for the twins to go to school. Lilliana stopped, tugging on her sister's hand, causing Gabriella to pause, leaning down to the little girl. "Do I have to go with Lucille? Can't I go on the bus with you?"
"I'm afraid so, only high school kids can go on the bus and I don't think Jack and Lucille would like you going on the bus with me especially when Jakie has to be dropped off too." Lilliana looked down, making Gabriella sigh. "I know you're having trouble trusting them after Saturday but they love you so much Baby and they're just trying their best. You have nothing to worry about."
"I know and I know I need to go to school with Lucille, I was just preparing myself."
Gabriella smiled slightly. "Come on." They walked the rest of the way down the stairs. The junior hugged Jacob, saying goodbye before turning back to her sister, pulling her into a hug, whispering. "I love you Liv, have a good day and I'll see you this afternoon."
"I love you Bria, have fun."
When she got to school, she went to her locker before going to find Sharpay, the girl about to leave to join their group of friends. "Hey Shar, I just wanted to apologise for what happened on Saturday, the whole Troy and Ryan thing."
Sharpay waved it off. "Don't apologise, you didn't do anything besides I was waiting for something to happen. I love my brother but he's been an ass to you and it was only a matter of time before Troy decked him. After that, you still can't say there's nothing going on between you two."
Gabriella shook her head. "You're never gonna let this go, are you?" Sharpay shook her head. "Nothing's going on between us, he's just protective of me and Ryan hasn't exactly been my favourite person to be around, no offence but he makes me uncomfortable and Troy knows that."
"None taken, I'm still not buying it but I'll drop it, let's go meet the gang."
They met up with the girls plus the basketball team and chatted until the bell rang for them to go to homeroom. Halfway through, an announcement rang out on the speaker: Gabriella Montez, please report to the principal's office. Gabriella Montez to the principal's office. The class responded with 'oohs' and her friends looked at her curiously, she only shrugged in response and walked up to the principal's office. She knocked on the door and was granted entrance, only to be faced with Principal Matsui, Jack and a man and woman she'd never seen before. "You wanted to see me Principal Matsui."
"Yes Gabriella, please have a seat."
She looked around at the occupants of the room. "What's going on, have I done something?"
Principal Matsui laughed. "No Miss Montez, of course not. You're not in any trouble. According to your record, you're currently being fostered by the Boltons, am I correct?" She nodded. "Well Mr and Mrs Johns here were in contact with the Denver and Albuquerque police departments looking for you and they sent them here, I'll let them explain."
The man took over. "Hi Gabriella, it's been a while. I know you wouldn't remember me but we're cousins. I'm Scott and this is my wife Blaire."
"Umm it's nice to meet you, I guess."
"We've been looking for you for a long time Gabriella and I'm glad we've found you, we all are. The whole family has missed you." The man turned to Jack. "I understand she's in school at the moment but could we organise a time to meet so we can properly have a discussion about the next steps?"
Jack immediately agreed. "Of course, how about you come to our house this afternoon to have this conversation?" The man nodded. "Very well, it's settled. Gabriella, I'll talk to your cousins about the details, you can head back to class."
Gabriella nodded slowly before looking at Principal Matsui. "Thank you Sir." She walked back to homeroom for the last few minutes and everyone hounded her as she sat down. "It was nothing important, just seeing how I was settling in." The group dropped the topic but Troy looked at her curiously, questioning her silently. She only shook her head in response, her head was spinning and she wasn't ready to talk about it.
Troy drove himself and Gabriella home that afternoon. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it but what was up with your meeting with Matsui today?"
Gabriella sighed, turning to look out the window as she spoke. "My cousins found me apparently." She could see the curious look Troy directed her. "It doesn't feel right, I have so many questions. Why were they still looking after so long? Why did they talk to Denver police and Albuquerque police? Why did they wait so long? Why is it all happening now?"
Troy pulled the car over and turned to Gabriella, placing his hand on her thigh. "Hey, they can explain all that stuff to you Baby, but the important thing is that you have your family back, sure it isn't exactly what you expected but it's something right?"
"Yeah I guess." Gabriella shook her head. "I'm sorry, I think I'm just nervous, your dad invited them over this afternoon and I don't know what's gonna happen and I'm scared."
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "It's gonna be ok Brie." She nodded and he continued driving back to his house.