Thank you to everybody who has read or reviewed the story. Thank you so much for being on this journey with me to re-discover my first story and make it what I always wanted it to be. Strangely, book one is longer than the entire original series. There was a lot I wanted to do, especially with my original characters. I'm glad I had this moment to go back and tell a richer story. At least, I hope that's what I accomplish. Here is the final chapter of book one.
The title comes from the Semi Sonic song Closing time. See another non-Linkin Park song title. I'm getting better. Although I really do regret that I don't have the character soundtracks I created for the first story. They were lost several computers ago. This was long before I had everything on Apple music. Although I'm thinking about re-creating them for the next story.
Content warnings: discussions of past child abuse and death by suicide of a sibling.
Chapter 77: Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
Late morning December 26, 2008, outside another airport in the San Francisco metro.
"You know you didn't have to come. Nobody has seen Lucy since she crashed breakfast yesterday." Troy said as he placed his father's suitcase in the back of the Escalade.
"I know that's not true. I may have read some of your text messages to Chad. I know that you're still very shaken up by what happened." Jack remarked.
"He let you read them?" Troy asked, slightly concerned. There are some things he doesn't want his father to know about. Although if Chad was sharing, he was worried.
"More like he was texting you next to me during yesterday evening's Christmas movie marathon. I'm a high school teacher. I'm a professional when it comes to reading text messages on other people's phones." That doesn't surprise Troy.
"You were always nicer than Ms. D about texting during class."
"Because I could see that sometimes those conversations really needed to happen." His father replied.
"Although I feel so bad, Carolyn, that I'm taking you from Chad," Troy told her as they all got in the car.
"It's okay. I'm going to see Chad again in January. I am also trying to move things around to come up during late February. Tiffany wants me to see the babies. Although, please don't tell Chad that yet. I don't want to get his hopes up if I can't get the time off." Carolyn explained.
"I won't say anything," Troy said as he started the car. He really hopes to get out of the airport faster than they did Tuesday.
"So, where are we staying?" His father asked after a few minutes.
"The gigantic Beijing Gardens hotel downtown. Kim is planning for us to really explore the city over the next couple of days. Although tomorrow we have to check out a potential house in the morning." Troy explained.
"Do you think you found something?" Carolyn asked
"Madison did. It's her old house, and it's going up on the market on January 2. But the realtor is willing to show us early. She's a friend of Madison's. Madison considers Trista her personal savior last summer because she got her out of the Roach apartment."
"Good to know," Carolyn commented.
"Although, is Madison really okay with living in that house again? Didn't her sister…" His dad trailed off, not sure how to actually ask that question.
"In the guesthouse, not the house itself. That's already been bulldozed. And turned into a Zen garden. Madison hates it," Troy explained.
"So technically, the realtor doesn't have to disclose that somebody died there. Well played on their part." Carolyn remarked.
"Madison is the one who told us about it. She doesn't want her childhood home going to strangers just because her parents are divorcing."
"We are definitely going with you tomorrow to look at the new place." His father answered.
"I knew you would want to. Kim's parents are coming too. That's why we're waiting until tomorrow." Troy explained.
"Good. Before we get to the hotel, can we please pick up food?" His father asked. "Because it was a short flight, we only got a baby bag of pretzels and half a can of Sprite."
"Daniel could only get us in coach even though Vince offered to pay for first-class," Carolyn added.
"If he can't, no one can," Troy remarked.
"Exactly."
"I promise we will pick up snacks and a milkshake for Kim. She's been craving salted Carmel with marshmallows for like days. The concierge at our new hotel told me where I could find it. I'm also supposed to pick up one for Vanessa but with peanut butter too." Troy made a disgusted face.
"Pregnancy cravings can be interesting," his father remarked as he looked back at Carolyn.
XXXX
Girlfriend Carolyn: She is so pregnant.
Jack: Definitely pregnant. Although I wonder how long it will take this time for Kim to figure it out. She was nearly four months along with Alex before she figured it out and the only happened because she passed out. I do not want that to happen again.
Girlfriend Carolyn: Because she was still having spotting
Girlfriend Carolyn: Which you don't want to know about.
Jack: That's what I figured happened. Honey, I am a High school health teacher. I've seen things. Well, former high school health teacher, but I still feel like I'm going to be the one they go to.
Girlfriend Carolyn: Probably.
Jack: In a way, it was a good thing it took her so long. It saved Alex's life because the wicked witch thought she was only about six months pregnant, not nearly full term when she arranged the accident. She assumed Troy got her pregnant right before she left for New York.
Girlfriend Carolyn: If they don't figure it out by the inauguration, I'll convince Sharpay to give her a pregnancy test.
Jack: I hope it doesn't come to that. At least they can afford another kid, and Teresa is an excellent nanny.
Girlfriend Carolyn: Very true.
XXXX
Morning December 27, 2008
"I can't believe this is the last time we're going to see this place," Sharpay said in her childhood home's now utterly empty living room.
"I know they've been planning to sell it for a while, but…" Ryan trailed off. He didn't know how to articulate what he was feeling right now.
"Selling is different, though. We assumed it would still be here, and we could pester the new owners to let us see what they did to the place." Sharpay finished his thought.
"But now it's going to be gone."
"Part of me is glad this place will be destroyed. A lot of bad stuff happened here. Darby broke my wrist in this room when I was seven." Sharpay confessed, surprising Ryan.
"So it didn't just happen at the club?" Ryan asked.
"We had a rehearsal room here as well. Thankfully dad put cameras here too." Sharpay explained.
"Now I know how he knew about what happened with Jason." He always wondered how his dad knew that. After discovering how Vince knew about Chad, he should've realized that was the case.
"Cross?" Sharpay practically yelled the name. Fuck! He didn't mean to tell her that. "Seriously, Cross? Even Chad knew not to fuck around with him. He's so deep in the closet he needs a tunnel to get out."
"My taste is improving. But that being said, I've had some bad moments here that weren't Darby related like the world's worst blowjob."
"Although I'm sure you have some better moments. Probably whatever you guys did less night that completely traumatized Jason M." His sister joked.
"I really thought the door was locked. Also, we were done by that point." And it was glorious. Zack is 100 times better. Also, it turns out Taylor has a voyeurism kink.
"So, at least you have one good first time here." Sharpay joked. Ryan blushed and refused to give her any details.
"Yes. You had your first Christmas as a couple with Chad here." It did not hurt at all to see Chad and Sharpay exchange rings in front of the Christmas tree.
"But that was special because of Chad, not where we were. I may have complained about the apartment, but it wasn't horrible because I had him. It's not buildings that make a home. It's people. I'm still gonna have you even if you're going to be in the house next door that you'll probably only use for holidays."
"Who knows, I might come back here and start my own dance studio." He told his sister.
"Anything's possible. I could start a nonprofit acting program for underprivileged youth." Sharpay suggested.
"I think it's more likely to be a writing workshop at this point. Although I definitely expect you and Kim to take over Ms. D's summer program this year."
"We are. Penelope is helping us since she's been her assistant for the last few years." Ryan was happy to know that.
"Despite all the things that happened here, we're going to go on to do good things. We have each other." Ryan said, placing an arm around his sister.
"Always."
XXXXX
A few hours later, in a slightly pretentious neighborhood between Berkeley and Stanford.
"This house is beautiful," Kim said as Madison arrived with the mysterious Trista. Kim and the parents have been looking around the outside for the last 15 minutes as they wait for the others.
"I like the stonework," Carolyn remarked.
"You should check out the back. It's better there. Although my sister would have hated the Zen garden they added." Madison commented. "It's so pretentious."
"We saw. It's where we left our dads." They behaved better than Vegas, but she would rather have the moms with her. Maria was also invited but had a job interview and couldn't be there.
"Alex ran back there while we were waiting for you," Vanessa added.
"Alex threw a rock at me when I tried to bring him back here," Troy explained.
"Would you hate if we took it out and put in a playground or at least something else that is toddler-proof?" Kim asked Madison. "I wouldn't mind having a new regular flower garden. But Alex is at the throwing rocks stage."
"Please do." Madison smiled softly. "She would have liked that better."
"The backyard has lots of potential. Unfortunately, there is no pool, but there's space to add one later. It wouldn't be hard to convince the homeowners association to allow it." Trista told them.
"Which we will consider only after Alex is old enough to swim. Honestly, the lack of pool is a selling point right now." Kim explained.
"Exactly," Troy added.
"Now, before you plan out how you are going to completely renovate the backyard over the next 10 years, maybe we should look inside," Trista said, leading them all to the house's front door.
"Good point."
They love the inside of the house just as much as the outside. It had hardwood floors and an open-concept kitchen that seemed straight out of the Food Network. Kim may not get much use out of it, but Carolyn would whenever she came to visit. So would Jack, for that matter. Vanessa and Carolyn talked about everything they could do for Thanksgiving next year. It looks like a very Tahiti Thanksgiving won't be happening, but at least they won't be in Albuquerque. She wouldn't mind hosting next year, and she could do that here.
"I thought you said this place was smaller than the Evans house," Kim said, remembering their conversation from black Friday weeks earlier. "This house seems very big." They were currently in the finished basement, which might as well be a separate apartment. It looks like they were trying to turn it into the new guest house.
"It is. We only have 6 bedrooms, not the 12 there. Also, isn't there like a giant rehearsal room?" Madison asked.
"Yes, completely soundproof, so it was easier for Darby to beat the shit out of Sharpay there," Kim said bitterly. That caused Trista to give her a very strange look.
"I'm really glad that place is getting bulldozed," Troy said out loud. That caused Kim to turn to her fiancé and raise an eyebrow at him. She didn't even know about that yet.
"Chad told me on Christmas. They can't get a buyer for the property, especially now that everybody knows what Darby did there, so it's being redeveloped." Troy explained.
"That might be the best option. Being the site of high-profile, long-term child abuse might be a turnoff to most people that can afford a place like that. Part of me thinks the real reason they turned the guesthouse into the Zen garden is they can now say nobody died here." Trista told them.
"As much as my parents went to pretend otherwise, my sister did die here. I don't want that to be forgotten." Madison stated. Kim could hear the tears in her voice.
"We won't forget," Troy said, wrapping an arm around Madison.
"Will you be okay here living again?" Kim asked, still concerned about that. She could always buy it and not live there. She sure her people could find another use for it.
"It doesn't hurt being back here. Actually, it feels cathartic in a way. I'll also be here with my friends. Although I want sissy's room. Is that okay? I don't want anyone else there right now. Not yet." Kim could understand that.
"That's fine. It's yours." Troy told her, and Kim nodded her head in agreement.
"Which is good 'cause there's a door that connects it to the room next door AKA my childhood room."
"Which is obviously where Alex is going." It makes perfect sense with Madison being their nanny. Especially because the master bedroom was also nearby. Gabriella can go in the basement bedroom once they finish the renovation unless Yolanda wants it.
"We will have to take down all the Backstreet Boys posters," Troy commented.
"I'm surprised they didn't take that down for the showing," Madison remarked.
"Your dad didn't want me to. He didn't want anything changed in either room." Trista explained.
"The posters can stay. Alex really loves AJ and Nick because Sharpay plays their music whenever she babysits. Actually, he loves everybody but Brian." Kim commented.
"Alex has good taste. You're just the best boy." Madison said as she grabbed Alex from Kim. Honestly, Kim appreciated it because holding the toddler to keep them from breaking things was exhausting. He was getting heavy.
"This really is a nice house," Jack commented.
"Although I will arrange for a home inspection. You can never be too careful. I wish you would've let me do that before you bought your current house." Kim expects nothing else from her father.
"Living there for two months was the ultimate home inspection. I let you inspect Jack's new house before I bought it." Kim pointed out.
"The air conditioning was completely replaced two years ago. Also, the wiring has been redone recently." Madison explained.
"Are there any other issues? They are asking for almost 10% less than any comparable house. In my professional experience, that's usually a red flag." Of course, Jay was concerned.
"My sister killed herself on Thanksgiving last year in the former guesthouse." Of course, he didn't know that like the others because he was in the back with Jack when they discussed that earlier.
"They made it a Zen Garden. We're going to make it a playground." Kim explained.
"Which my sister would appreciate so much more," Madison remarked.
"That explains the lower price," Jay commented. "Trista, do you mind giving us a little privacy as we discuss this."
"That's not necessary. I'm on Madison's side in this. Besides, I feel like you will take it no matter what." She hates that it's so obvious. "You're already deciding who is getting which bedroom."
"We were being too enthusiastic," Troy remarked.
"It's because we have been looking for a while and haven't found anywhere remotely as nice as this," Kim answered.
"If you really want this place, I think we should offer market value. That way, they're more likely to sell to us now instead of taking their chances on the open market." Their own realtor Jennifer suggested.
"That's an extra $400,000." Her father remarked.
"I'm fine with that. But let's offer that only on the condition that they give Madison her college fund back."
"You don't have to do that. Can you even do that?" Madison asked both of the realtors with them.
"I've seen worse conditions added to a sales agreement. Trista and I will deal with it." Jennifer told them.
"That's fine. I trust you to do what you have to do to get the house. Jennifer, does your boss have to be involved?" Kim asked. She really doesn't want to give the guy any money for this.
"No, you found this house on your own without our services. Also, I quit. There has to be a less horrible place for me to work. Your dad has agreed to be your realtor on this. He does have a license. That way, my former boss doesn't get a penny." Jennifer explained.
"However, please make sure Jennifer still gets her commission," Kim instructed, turning to her father.
"What?" Jennifer asked, surprised as her father just nodded his head in agreement.
"I will take care of it. I'm actually looking for another associate. We can talk about it later." Trista explained.
"Trista, you are the best," Madison said as she hugged the realtor. At that point, Troy and Kim wandered out the back to the garden.
"So, we're buying a house?" Troy asked her as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"We have to. You love it." Kim tilted her head up to kiss her fiancé on the lips.
"I really do. I can see us here together. It's the first place I've actually see that happening."
"I'm glad." This is where they need to be right now.
XXXX
Meanwhile, back in Albuquerque
"This place definitely looks a lot nicer than where Chad and Sharpay are," Taylor said as she helped Zack bring in his belongings. Taylor spent yesterday with Zack packing up his previous apartment, so this is the first time she saw the new place.
"That is because this unit just finished renovations. This was originally a one-bedroom with a studio next door. They turned it into a two-bedroom 2 bath apartment. That might be what will happen with the studio where Chad and Sharpay are." Ryan explained.
"Is that an open concept kitchen?" Taylor asked.
"Yes," Ryan responded.
"Yeah, I don't know how I will afford this after my free year is up. Kimberly didn't have to do this." Zack commented.
"Never tell Kim not to do something. My dad promises you'll get a decent rate for next year." Sharpay promised as she actually brought in a box. It's weird seeing his sister doing manual labor.
"And I can be your roommate and help with rent next year. I only have to live in the dorms next semester, and then I'll be free." Penelope offered.
"You would definitely be a better roommate than the old ones. At least you won't leave your underwear in the middle of the apartment." Zack joked.
"BTW, they are in the building next door, not this one," Sharpay explained. "We are planning to put Tiffany in the apartment next door after the babies are about a month old. Hopefully, the renovation should be done by that point. They're gonna have to gut the entire place."
"That completely explains why Tiffany started crying when we opened gifts," Penelope commented.
"I think she was just happy to have an option. I don't think she wants to live with her aunt forever. Dad is even trying to see if he can get her a spot in the premed program here, so she doesn't have to return to Case Western Reserve for her last year." Sharpay told the group.
"She mentioned that to me yesterday," Zack interjected. Although if that's not possible, I might stay with her for the summer to help out. I'll be able to do more with her being next door. Chad can crash here too if he's pulling babysitting duty."
"That works for me."
"Although, unfortunately, you'll be sleeping on a futon. I definitely am going to have to get more furniture."
"So don't get mad, but we're bringing a lot of the furniture from my old house here. Most of it is currently all sitting in the guest bedroom, so you can decide where you want to put it." Ryan explained.
"I appreciated. Please tell me I'm getting your bed?"
"Yes."
"Good, that's one thing I wanted." Zack said as he reached over to kiss Ryan.
"I did not want to know that." Sharpay sighed.
"Your bed is going in the guest room." Ryan supplied.
"Please tell me the couch will be a convertible? Because I'm not sleeping on that." Penelope asked.
"Yes, brand new. I'm ordering that as my personal housewarming present." Ryan told his boyfriend
"You already got me a new laptop. You didn't have to do that." Zack told his boyfriend.
"Okay, the first rule about dating and Evans is just don't turn down presents," Chad told his brother. "They won't take them back, so it's just easier not to argue."
"Actually, this also applies to friendship with an Evans. Ryan gave me an expensive trip to New York when we were still just friends." Taylor added.
"It's how they say I love you. The best you can do is work with them to get them to do it the normal way eventually." Chad backed her up.
"I will try," Zack answered.
"So will I," Taylor Affirmed.
XXXX
Afternoon December 28, 2008
"Wow, this room is double the size you had at the old place. Is that a plasma television?" As she walked into Jackie's giant new bedroom at her aunt's house, Kerri commented. It was even painted in Jackie's favorite color, purple.
"Yep. Although it's not new. Aunt Carolyn pilfered Sharpay's old house. Everything was going to charity, so she grabbed a few things for me. I think that's where the dresser came from as well." Jackie explained.
"I did the same thing the day after Christmas when we did the last-minute packing. I got the mini-fridge and bed from the pink guest room. Although I left the linens behind because they were awful." Kerri explained.
"I'm sure Darby chose them. It was for the best." Jackie commented.
"It really was."
"But she is gone, good riddance."
"So, Speaking of horrible parents, have you heard from yours?" Maybe Kerri should've waited a little longer to ask the important questions, but she's been worried for days about this.
"No, because they're not supposed to have contact with me anymore. I'm not going back. I'm done with them permanently." Jackie explained. Kerri wanted to hug her at that moment but wasn't quite sure if they were back to being hugging friends yet.
"Well, of course, you're not. Sharpay wouldn't let that happen. She would send you somewhere without an extradition treaty first." Kerri wasn't actually joking about that. Sharpay really would.
"So, I probably should've mentioned it when you text about my Christmas present, but Teresa and Mariah are now my permanent guardians. My biological parents have terminated their rights regarding me. So, it's over for good, and I prefer it that way."
"Oh my God, that's so great, and you didn't even have to go to court. That's wonderful." Okay, she couldn't help but hug Jackie. Thankfully she didn't pull away.
"Kim paid them off," Jackie confessed. She wasn't surprised at all.
"How much?" Kerri asked, pulling out of the hug.
"At least enough so Kelsi doesn't have to leave Juilliard even if we all wish she would just leave Ryan alone." Kerri realized that was a lot of money.
"She might since he's no longer connected to her ability to stay at school. It's better this way." Kerri said she as moved them both to the bed.
"It's just hard to realize that your parents rather have money than you. That no one really wants you." Those words broke Kerri's heart.
"Teresa and Mariah want you," Kerri tells her.
"I know, but…" Jackie started but stopped abruptly.
"Is this about Jimmie?" Kerri asked. They really haven't talked about that particular elephant yet, not really.
"Maybe a little."
"You know, if you want me to, I would break up with him because you're more important." She completely meant that.
"I don't want that. I want you to be happy." Jackie said sincerely.
"I feel happy or at least comfortable in myself with him," Kerri explained.
"Which is definitely more than I can say for your last relationship."
"Yep, that was a mistake."
"Such a mistake."
"I think I'm just sad you're in a relationship, and I'm not. I think Jimmie may have been a safety crush because, at the time, I thought he was really gay and totally interested in someone else." Kerri is sure Jimmie still has feelings for Marc. However, since Marc is an idiot, Kerri will enjoy it while she can.
"I think he may have been that way for me too, but it turns out we were wrong. Maybe we shouldn't be so focused on dating in high school. We are young and have time. There are other things we should be doing first." She already feels that she and Jimmie are in a relationship for the moment, not Chad and Sharpay forever. Honestly, that's what she needs right now.
"You say that because you have a boyfriend."
"Maybe, but you are so much more important than he is. I'm always going to be here for you no matter what." Kerri tells Jackie.
"I'm glad you figured that out this time around."
"Oh, I was an idiot with the boyfriend before." Kerri fully acknowledges that.
"You were, but you've improved. I'm glad you're here." Jackie said, placing an arm around her.
"Me too."
Xxxx
BFF Troy: We have a house.
Chad: They accepted your offer even with Kim's special conditions?
BFF Troy: Yes. Per Trista, Madison's mom was upset about it, but her dad pushed for it.
Chad: That's good. So at least you won't have to live out of a hotel for a while.
BFF Troy: We managed to get a short closing, but it's still going to be two weeks before we can move in. Plus we need furniture. We'll pick up some stuff over the next few days.
Chad: At least that's before we go to DC. And you will be in Albuquerque for a lot of that.
Chad: Especially with the game coming up.
BFF Troy: That is true. I can't believe we have a house.
Chad: You already had a house.
BFF Troy: But that was Kim's house. This is our house. We picked this one out together, and we're going to decorate it together. It's ours.
Chad: I completely get that. Even though I hated this little exercise, I'm glad Sharpay and I got to do this together. We might be allowed to get an apartment together this summer. A nice one.
BFF Troy: At least you now know you need serious cooking lessons.
Chad: Your dad volunteered. We agreed I would be the one to learn to cook, and Sharpay would be the one to fix things. She's built enough sets that she's actually really good at it.
BFF Troy: See, you will figure this marriage thing out.
Xxx
Mid-morning December 29, 2008
"Are you packed? I would really like to get you to the airport on time." Ryan called from the front door.
"Yes, and I really regret not bringing a swimsuit. Although I can pick one up from the hotel." Because of the restriction on what they could bring, Sharpay opted not to bring her swimsuit. It was December, after all.
"Or you can use whatever is in this suitcase," Ryan said, bringing in the larger piece from her luggage collection.
"Where did you get my other suitcase?" She asked, surprised.
"Amanda gave it to me when we met for brunch. Dad had her packet for you after you left." Ryan explained. "Chad has swimwear as well."
"He and Kim have been planning this for weeks, haven't they?" Chad asked.
"Yep," Ryan answered simply.
"I'm looking forward to this. Although I feel kind of sad we won't be spending our birthday together. It's the first time."
"It's okay. You really can use a break. Besides, we will do something when you get back. I don't have to return to New York for another week."
"True. Although, I hate that your school starts later than us." It was so unfair.
"Your school year ends before mine does."
"We have a short winter break and barely any spring break." Sharpay really hates that.
"But it makes us competitive for internships," Chad added. He found it as annoying as she did.
"I guess that's what really matters."
"Are you driving us to the airport?" Chad asked.
"Taylor is, but I'm tagging along. That way, Sharpay can spend some quality time with Lorenzo."
"I miss my baby."
"I'm sure you do. I'm going to go take these down to the car." Ryan said, grabbing her bag and taking them down to the car.
"So, are we just leaving everything else here?" Sharpay asked once Ryan was gone.
"Zack is coming later to grab all our cookware. And the microwave because it's better than his." Chad explained.
"Why didn't he take the one from the house?" Sharpay asked.
"Because it was a built-in microwave," Chad answered.
"Not the ones in the guest rooms."
"I think others grabbed those earlier. Actually, I think this is one of the guestroom microwaves." That makes sense.
"I'm kind of going to miss this place. It was our first apartment together. It's not going to be here much longer either." Sharpay said sadly.
"I'm sure Tiffany will love it when it's part of a 3 bedroom apartment with giant walk-in closets."
"It's our first place together."
"We will have more. With proper bedrooms." Chad joked.
"Being here taught me that it doesn't matter where I live. I just need you."
"No, you don't. You're stronger than you think you are, but I'm happy to be by your side." Chad leaned over to give her one last kiss in their first apartment.
"I'll be by your side too. Always." Whatever comes next, they will deal with it together.
The end.
To be continued in Scenes From Freshman Year: Spring Into Chaos.
Our former Bobcats have managed to survive their first semester of college with minimal psychological damage and only a few arrests. Okay, somebody spent a few weeks in the hospital, but it's fine. Let's not talk about all the surprise siblings and horrible parents. The spring semester has to be better, right? Maybe not.
Welcome to the second semester of freshman year.
Coming winter 2023.
I originally wanted to start book two immediately after finishing book one. Unfortunately, I am going to have to have surgery in November. So I cannot start new projects until after I deal with my health issues. However, I hope to start on this as soon as I feel a little better. Please subscribe to the series. Once again, thank you for being on this journey with me.