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All I have to say is if you don't like it, don't read it. Not everyone likes the same thing, and as long as I have my loyal fans I'll post because this is something they like.

Chapter 2

"Troy! Gabriella!"

Troy looked around to see Mack running toward him. He let go of Gabriella's hand and opened his arms up. She jumped into his arms and he hugged her tight. "How are you," he asked.

"I'm good," she said. When she finally let go, Troy took a good look at her.

"You're growing up too fast," he told her. She smiled and turned to Gabriella. The two girls hugged.

"Gabriella, we so need to talk," Mack said.

"Don't worry, I'm here all break."

The three turned and walked to their parents before grabbing Troy and Gabriella's luggage and going home. The first thing Troy did was lay down on the couch. He had never been able to sleep on planes.

But no sooner than he put his head on the pillow did the phone ring. He moaned and picked up the home phone that was directly in front of him. "Hello?"

"Troy, man, how you doing?"

"Chad," he said sitting up. "I'm good. How are you?"

"Good, but I have a problem."

"Does this involve me?"

There was a pause. "Sort of, see I didn't buy any presents yet."

Troy blinked. "None? Chad! Christmas is this week!"

"I know man! That's why you and Cam are going to help me." Troy rolled his eyes. "Don't you roll your eyes at me!"

"Chad...fine. Does Cam know?"

"No." Troy laughed. "You don't think he'll be mad do you?"

"It's hard to tell with Cam," Troy said sarcastically, knowing Cam wouldn't be happy. "Why don't you call him and find out."

"Okay. I call you and tell you when we're going. Bye."

Troy shook his head and hung up the phone. Trust Chad to not buy presents until the week of. He laid his head back down on the pillow and shut his eyes. He was barely asleep when the phone rang. He press the talk button and didn't even say anything before the person on the other line started talking.

"Can you believe him! I mean, seriously! What fool waits until last minute to do his shopping? He may have time to, but I have a life and a girlfriend that I can only see in Albuquerque and now I have to go shopping with...bonehead!"

"Good to hear from you Cam, how's North Carolina?"

"Sorry about that Troy, I'm kind of ticked. But, yeah its great. What about Cali?"

"Good, good. So, when are we shopping with bonehead?"

"Oh, well Chad said he'd pick us up in an hour to give you sometime to rest, but I told him that an hour isn't enough time so he'll be there in five."

"Thanks," Troy said. "You guys know I can't sleep on planes. You're going to be walking with the living dead."

"Awesome. Oh, wait, he's here. See you soon Troy."

"Yeah, bye."

Troy stood up and walked to the door, grabbing his jean jacket, the same one he wore in his junior year when he apologized to Gabriella. He loved it and it still fit him.

The phone rang again and he picked it up. "Hey Zeke. I can't talk, Chad's being a bonehead and he's bringing me shopping."

"He forget again?"

"Yes, so I'll call you later."

"Alright. Have fun."

"Hardly." He heard Chad beep his horn and walked in the kitchen. "I'll be back," he told his parents.

"Where are you going," Jack asked.

"Chad forgot presents. Again."

"Ah," Jack laughed. "See you later."

Troy walked to the door and jumped in Chad's car. He laid down in the back seat and slept until they got to the mall.

hsmhsmhsmhsmhsm

Calum and Mack fell down to the ground panting from playing basketball on the court in the Bolton's backyard. It was nine o'clock, but the two didn't care and the neighbors had gotten used to the sound of basketballs hitting the cement.

They looked up at the stars and Mack sighed. "Do you think Mikaela's up there?"

Calum took a deep breath and looked at her. Mikaela had been a hard subject for the group and they rarely talked about her. She had been Mack's non-related twin and was the wisest fourteen year old Calum had ever met.

But, Mikaela had died leaving a hole in each of their hearts. Mikaela had cancer and had succumbed to it. This was the first time in several years that they had said her name out loud.

"Yeah," Calum said. "She has to be."

Mack laid her head on Calum's chest and shut her eyes. Calum held her close and stared up at the sky. "She has to be," he whispered.

"Hey Cal, you want a ride," Cam yelled from the fence. He and Chad had stayed with Troy after they had helped Chad do his shopping. Mack rolled over and Calum stood.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

She nodded. "I'll call you."

"Okay," he said before running to Cam so he didn't have to walk home.

She smiled and walked into the house and sat the kitchen table across from Troy and Chad, who were immersed in their conversation.

Mack thought back to eighth grade and wondered what would have happened if she and Calum had never made amends. Calum would have gone to West High, Cam and Troy wouldn't be friends, Adam and Bailey wouldn't have gotten to know each other as well as they did.

That made her laugh, Adam and Bailey. Out of the group they had hated each other the most and then they started to have feelings for the other. They were also the most successful relationship out of the group, go figure. They had been dating for about three years and were happy together. Adam never flirted with anyone other than Bailey and she didn't look at anyone other than Adam. They were the perfect couple.

Mack wanted that with Calum, but she didn't want to ruin the friendship that she and he had made over the past three years. They were the best of friends and she didn't think her heart could take it if they lost that.

"You never know, maybe it will strengthen it," came a voice from the door. She looked around. Troy and Chad had left and Elaine was standing in the doorway, looking at her daughter.

"How did you?"

"I'm your mother Mack, I know these things. And believe me," she said, grabbing a drink from the refrigerator. "You're ready and Calum was worth the wait."

Even with her mother's advice Mack wasn't sure. Elaine smiled sympathetically. "You'll make the right choice. You always do." Then she walked out of the room, leaving Mack to think about what had been said.

For the high school names, I can't decide so get your name in and next chapter I'll pick the ones I like and you all can vote on them.

A couple people have asked me so I'll say it here, yes (as you can see above) Troy and his gang will be in this story!

Tell me what you think!

Review!