Title: A Chaotic Mess of Pastels

Author: Me!

Rating: I'm not too sure about the new rating system but I would say this is about…PG-13.

Feedback: I'd love me some it!

Summary: Troy Bolton finally has life all figured out as his junior year wanes. However, his perfect world is in jeopardy as he discovers his past.

Disclaimer: I own not High School Musical or the songs or Zac…but if I did…heheheh. Wow! I don't own much. Wait! I do own Adele Carson! And the title of this play…and the song parts from Chpt 14!

Thank you and shout-outs on next chapter. Yes, two chapters in one day to commemorate my leaving early tomorrow for George Mason University! Go Patriots!

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Chapter Twenty

Shadows in the dark began to form shapes as he stared out into the darkness around him. Lying in bed, sheets twisted around him and half hanging from the mattress, he had forgone sleep. Too many things were rolling around in his mind. He thought things were all sorted out.

How wrong was he.

Logically, once someone broke up with a person, that person became the past. No longer was that person real but a dream his mind wandered over when time lagged. Logically, once that someone found a new person to invest their care into, all focus goes onto them. No matter the difficulty, that person began the focal in life.

Yet, that's not how it was for Troy. After the conversation with Adele, he was unable to focus. He acted as if he were present with Gabriella but behind that mask his was stuck on Adele. She had given up on him. She no longer thought of him as Troy or as friend or as ex-boyfriend. He was now only a boy in Albuquerque that she wouldn't cast a second thought towards.

That hurt him the most. For all the harsh words, harsh manipulating games, and harsher truths she presented him with last Saturday, the knowledge of him no longer mattering killed. It killed whatever dream of control he thought he had over the matter.

How wrong was he.

Riding home with Gabriella was the hardest thing he had ever done in his life. Pretending like he was interested in what she was saying was a lie. Though tired of lying to her, he was even more tired of losing perspective on his life. He thought his life was all lined up, ready for success. Even with the whole conflict with his returning ex, life always had a clear-cut view. Things were that way and only such. He knew what was in his control and what was not. He understood that he loved to wrap his arms around Gabi and just wanted to be there.

He understood so many things so why couldn't he understand why he no longer had his second best friend? When did that happen? And when did he realize that he no longer knew the depth of his feelings towards the situation?

Denial. That was the best answer for it all. It was hard to realize that it was okay to harbor some remaining affection of Adele. Chad was right. You would always love your first love because she's his first. She crossed him over so many 'first' thresholds. How can one not have some sort of admiration for someone like her?

And then there was Gabriella when there was no need for such an ominous statement as 'and then there was…'. She opened his eyes to the true potential he had. No one could stake the claim in getting Troy Bolton, basketball star, to sing in front of an audience for a callback. Only Gabriella could. He loved her.

Perhaps, if he could just make peace with Adele, lay everything out on the line, and bury it peacefully with her, it would be settled.

How wrong was he.

Deciding that the best course of action, Troy rolled over onto his stomach, and succumbed to the veil of sleep.

Troy woke up early; the anticipation of settling things once and for all kept him from trying to put it off. The earlier, the better. Once it was all said and done, he could go to school and enjoy his last day as a junior.

In a blue T-shirt, olive-green shorts, and trademark sneakers, Troy quickly headed downstairs. He made for the front door but his mom was right behind him.

"Troy, why did you leave out of here so quickly? We didn't even see you come in."

"I know, mom. Sorry." It came back to him. Zeke and the fight…he barely registered his bruise in the mirror this morning or the slight ache in his shoulder and back. His mind was elsewhere. Thinking it best to get it over and done with, Troy turned to face his mother.

"It's all ri – Troy! Sweetheart, what happened?" She was by him immediately, fussing over the small injury.

"No worries. I'm fine. I got into a small fight but it's okay."

"With who?"

He groaned as his father came down the stairs. He certainly didn't want his dad to know about the fight with a teammate.

"Tell us." His mother gently urged him.

"Zeke." He confessed. Before his parents could erupt into a frenzy of questions, Troy tried to diffuse the situation. "But I'm okay and he's okay. We got into a fight over something I said. It'll be okay. I'm going to apologize."

Jack looked him square in the eye. "You better. And so should he. Team meeting at the end of the day. I'm not having my team leave for the summer on the outs."

"Okay. I have to go. I need to do something. Bye." He squeezed through the door.

He turned the car on, revving it up smoothly. He found Adele's house like second nature. Checking the driveway, Troy felt a renewal of strength; Mr. Carson had already left for work.

He parked behind the car Adele was using. Slowly, he made his way up to the front door and rang the bell. When the door opened, Troy sorely wished it was Mr. Carson.

Mrs. Carson was dressed ready for work. Shame flooded through his body, curling into his chest. He felt sick with the disappointment that was in her eyes and the disgrace he felt settle inside him.

"Hello, Troy."

"Good morning, Mrs. Carson. I'm here to see Adele. I don't know if she's awake but I just was to say I'm sorry for what I said to her."

A miniscule smile formed on Adele's mother's lips. "You can go check if you like." She stepped aside, allowing him entrance into the household.

"Thank you." He knew the way to her room. Taking the steps two at a time, Troy was on the second floor. He walked down the hallway to Addie's room.

A door opened. Looking over his shoulder, he locked eyes with Nyia.

"Can you please just stop? Leave her alone." Her voice was groggy.

"I'm going to. I just have to apologize first."

"She's still asleep, you know."

"I know. I'll wake her up and make her listen."

"Good." She headed downstairs.

Taking a deep breath, Troy prayed that this was the best thing to do. It seemed stupid suddenly. To go to Adele, tell her he was sorry for the way he acted, and explain a feel realities just seem to plain and ridiculous and plainly ridiculous. He knocked on the door but let himself in before she spoke up.

Storage containers were piled into a corner while a suitcase was beginning its process of being packed full. Just last week this room reminded him of the past while now it reminded him of the future. No longer would she be here. Before her return, he never thought of this room. Yet, now that he'd been in it, with her, it was weird having it become empty.

On the bed, Adele was sprawled, resting deeply and peacefully. He knew that he must wake her but she seemed serene. Why should he ruin that for her?

Not ready to leave for he would end up at school (and since coming to school this early on the last day seemed sacrilegious), Troy took a seat at the window. He checked pulled his phone out, turning it out. He wanted the small electronic noise to wake her but it didn't. She must really be tired.

Resigning to the inability to bury it all, Troy was going to have to leave. He cast at look towards her slumbering form; he observed her. Her warm, brown skin was a-glow in the beam of sunlight that settled across her arms. Her jet black silken strands of hair were French braided. For the first time in a while, he wanted to lay beside her.

"Shit," He rushed out of the room, down the stairs, passed Nyia, and out of the door.

That was enough.

He pulled into the school parking lot. Sitting in his car, Troy waiting for others to show. His head leaned against the steering wheel, his breathing labored, Troy was going insane. Was this his punishment for not accepting the known fact of holding some admiration for his ex? Because he tired to ignore, deny, and blame, Troy was forced to feel things that he shouldn't. Was that it? What was it?

Just avoid it. Just avoid it all.

After a half-hour of self-questioning, Troy got out of his Jeep. Taking a deep breath, he went into the sprawling building of East High. Many students were dressed in summery clothes and flip-flops, forgoing the dress code.

"What's up? How are you feeling?" Chad greeted him.

Troy rubbed his lower back. "Sore in some places…the bruise isn't too bad. It could have been worse."

"I didn't think he had it in him!" Chad led them down the hall, to the last homeroom of their junior year.

"Neither did I."

"Are you going to come after school today?"

Troy stared vaguely at his best friend.

"And I thought I had a memory problem."

He entered Mrs. Darbus's class. "It's not a problem if you chose to be."

Chad laughed. "Thanks, man. The picnic at the park. Are you going?"

"Who's going to be there?"

"Taylor, Gabi, Jason, Kelsi, Ryan, and Zeke. That won't be a problem, will it?"

"No. I'm going to apologize to him. Which reminds me. Team meeting at the end of the day."

"What! Why?" Chad stared incredulously.

Troy sank into his seat. "Coach doesn't want the team to leave school rocky."

"At the end of the day?"

"I guess there won't be time in the day to do it at any other time."

"Why not? We're not learning anything. Maybe we can do it during free period?"

Troy shrugged his shoulders. "I doubt it. Break's only going to be ten minutes."

"That'll have to be enough. Your dad's just going to have to cut the long winded speech this time around."

Jason entered after kissing Kelsi goodbye.

"Yo! Jace! Team meeting during free period. Spread it." Chad called.

Jason came up to his friends and fellow players. "Can do. So, how are you doing, Troy?"

"Okay," He stayed in seat.

"So's Zeke."

Speaking of the devil, Zeke limped into the classroom. His eyes quickly settled onto Troy who was in no mood to play any sort of games. He hoisted himself onto his feet. Standing in front of Zeke, Troy looked his good friend in the eye. "I'm sorry for hitting you and saying those things about Sharpay. They were wrong and I was angry at what she did to Gabriella. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

"I'm sorry for clocking you. I didn't know what Sharpay did – the guys filled me in once you left. I still care about her…flaws and all. I just don't want hear stuff like that coming from you, a friend."

An odd sort of silence overcame the group of boys. What was a person to do at the moment? Troy wasn't going to chat up a storm with Zeke right now since a touch bitterness still resided inside him. However, he wasn't going to let the bitterness overwhelm him.

Troy watched Gabriella enter the classroom. Inside he had mixed emotions. The saga that was dealing with Adele and her role in his life was supposed to be over. But this morning she had to be asleep. He had to watch her. He had to leave her to her dreams. If only he had the courage to…he didn't know what he needed the courage for. He just knew he needed it.

Going through school that day was a sweet feeling. The school days were over and all that he had to look forward to was the lazy days of summer. Each class was shortened and the free period team pow-wow was uncomfortable. Listening to his father go on and on about the importance of unity was annoying since the Wildcats had that. Yesterday's row was brief and Troy had already apologized privately to Zeke. Doing in again in front of his team was embarrassing.

"At least that's over with." Chad muttered as the exited the gymnasium. "About ninety minutes from now, we will be free!"

Troy agreed happily with his best friend. "I can't wait until this afternoon. Just all of us hanging out. We haven't done that in such a while."

"Yes, indeed." The bell rang for the next period. "One more bell down!"

Troy headed towards his classes with a new vigor. He may not have accomplished what he had set out to do this morning but to be outside in the fresh air with his friends would be a welcomed change of pace. After the afternoon with the gang, perhaps Troy would go over to the Carson household.

Troy rode to the grocery store alone since Gabriella would be helping Taylor and Chad set things up. She asked him to go get a fruit salad, plates, and napkins; no problem on his part seeing as how he never thought of what he was to bring.

Thirty minutes later, Troy was parked, searching the rolling lawns of the city park for his friends. "Hey!" He shouted once he spotted Gabriella. Carefully, he balanced the fruit bowl in one hand while the other held onto the bag handles.

Taylor was overseeing Chad and Gabi lay out two huge blankets, situating them perfectly under the shade near a man-made lake.

"Troy, once they get this all straightened out, just set it out in the middle. The others will be here – hey, Kels!" She waved to the young composer over his shoulder.

Cautiously, he set the huge plastic container on the ground. He greeted Kelsi, Jason, and Ryan.

"Hey, man. You're Sharpay-less." said Chad.

Ryan had thankfully kept the hat at home. "We're twins…not conjoined twins." He replied smartly as he hugged Taylor.

Chad cut Troy the evil eye, causing Troy to stop his sniggering.

"What? It was funny."

"Whatever." Chad plopped down on the blanket. "I'm not going to greet anyone else. It's cutting down on eat time."

Troy and Jason chatted for a while. It was obvious to see that the Kelsi and Taylor still were angry with him since they spent most of their time huddled around Gabriella. When her eyes looked away from the two girls, Troy stared at her, trying his hardest to use telepathy to command her to see him.

Her eyes caught his and she looked away, blushing a tinge. Her smile illuminated the area brighter than the sun. It was nice knowing that he meant something to Gabriella no matter what had happened.

Sitting down on with the boys, Troy took a deep breath, enjoying the peace he was finally offered in his life. Things would be easy in less than sixteen days. If the contentment he felt now could just last him the rest of his life…

"Hey, guys."

He knew today couldn't stay so positive.

Chad stood up. "I guess I have to greet you. Didn't think you'd show, Addie."

Adele hugged Chad. "Me neither. I decided last minute. Just put this in the middle?"

She set the container of what looked to be pasta salad by the other foods that were brought. Adele said hello to everyone there, not letting the inconvenience of tension that settled into the air ruin her day. Troy wished that he could be like that – without a care as to the situation he was in.

All eyes were darting between Adele and Troy. He could feel their stare boring into him. He wasn't sure how he was able to keep from going stir-crazy but the minutes ticked by and the others went back to their perspective conversations.

"I can't believe it. This is it. Senior year." Jason said.

"I know. I'm looking forward to our senior prom. I think this year we'll be doing a masquerade. I'm really excited for that." Adele sipped on her soda.

"Only a girl could look forward to that."

"So, you're telling me that you don't look forward to Senior Skip Day which is in direct correlation with prom."

"Well…yeah…that's true."

Chad, Jason, and Adele shared in a laugh. Troy wanted to laugh but his resolution to bury the past for good with Adele crept into his mind. He had to do it. He needed to face it head on.

"Adele, we need to talk." Troy stood, walking over to a private area not too far away from the group.

The expression on Adele's face gave Troy a moment of worry. It was apparent that she was starting to become fed up with him. However, she followed behind him without protest.

"Troy, give it a rest. Please. Stop making something out of nothing."

"That's just it. I don't want to make this into anything else. I want to end this. I want to just bury it all."

"And how do you propose that?" Her arms were crossed.

"Let's just forget it. Let's just get over it. Make amends to each other and…"

"Walk away? You want to just walk away from our friendship? From the wonderful memories we had?"

Troy watched as Adele stood rigid, jaw clenched.

"What else can we do?"

"If you really wanted to forget about me, then why did you come to my house this morning? Nyia told me you came by to apologize but you didn't. What were you doing in my room? Watching me?" grumbled Adele.

He refrained from answering the question.

"You know, I'm sick to death of you and your drama. I'm okay with you…that is until you made it clear you weren't okay with me. I'm going back to the picnic to enjoy the company I'm in since I'll probably never see any of you again." She stomped away, joining Ryan who was now seated by the lake.

"Just great." He sighed as he made his way back.

"Troy, you may want to just go home." Chad said, looking over the horizon.

"What now, man? Nothing could be any worse than what's going on in my life right now."

"So, a touch of the mountain lion wouldn't hurt?"

Troy cursed to himself as he spotted Sharpay primly strutting over to the picnic area. A collective groan emerged from the seven teens. Behind the female Evans came Zeke, carrying a load of fresh-baked cookies.

"Hi everyone." Zeke smiled at the gang. They all muttered their greeting, not attempting to conceal the malcontent they had for Sharpay. Zeke remain cheerful as he joined the boys. Sharpay, with her huge sunglasses hiding most of her face, remained on the outskirts of the gathering.

To his left Troy observed Adele. She was walking towards the group, hands fisted attempting to restraint her boiling rage. He would not try to keep her from attacking the Drama Queen. And to think that no less than two months ago he was beginning to like Sharpay's company.

Sharpay tilted her shades down, resting them on the low on the bridge of her nose. "Adele. What a surprise to see you?"

"As it is a surprise to see you. Enjoying your half day out of school?" The smile on her face was strained…cold and bitter.

"I would be if I knew you weren't here trying to stir trouble."

Troy heard Chad's sharp intake of breath. This was not going to be pretty.

"What are you talking about? You must be confused. I have not gone behind people's backs to insinuate to other people of something that is no longer a threat." Adele voice was unnaturally kind. "I haven't placed tiny seeds of guilt or suspicion into people's mind."

"I was telling the truth. You're not wanted here." Sharpay innocently shrugged her shoulders.

"And neither are you."

Gabriella was suddenly by him, watching with morbid fascination at the two girls.

"Why wouldn't I be welcomed here? This is for friends."

"So, why are you here?"

"I'm dating Zeke. I'm allowed to come. What's your reason to be here?"

"I am fr-" Adele was cut off.

"No you are not."

Troy knew that Sharpay was referring to Gabriella and himself.

"And you're considered a friend? Do you know what you did? You made people here worry about what they have when there's nothing to worry about. I'm no threat here. All of that was a long time ago. But obviously you haven't forgotten. So sad, really."

This was going nowhere good fast.

"What's sad is how you didn't tell Gabriella the truth. 'A summer fling'? Let's be honest. Am I really at fault for telling the truth?"

"When there was no need to? When it hurt other people and their relationships? You idiot. No one cares about you here. Stop living off of dead memories. He never wanted you. You were a distraction from me."

"Oh, shit." Chad groaned.

"Oh yeah." Troy could not tear his eyes from the feuding girls.

Zeke appeared to be going towards them to break them up. Troy gave him the signal 'stop'. Though Troy knew he would possibly be burned from this row indirectly, Sharpay deserved every bit of what she was going to get.

The sunglasses were off now. Sharpay glare maliciously at Adele who was now but two feet away from the blonde. "Really? How do you figure that?"

"Sweetie, I get it now. I stole your little sad story. The summer fling was you, whereas I was the one who had it all. You must have been enraged to know that I was using your scenario to get what I needed. Yet again, I stole what was 'rightfully;' yours. Troy dated you a few weeks during the summer before high school. But – as you know – the day I came back from theatre camp, he called it quits with you." She circled Sharpay once very slowly before stopping in front of her.

"There's no need to make theatrics!"

"That's rich coming from you. I'm not making theatrics…I'm taking in the look of a pathetic bitch."

The group gasped.

"I'm not pathetic!" Red began to splotch over Sharpay's face.

"It's okay to be. I mean, when you're in love with a guy for years at a time – I know all about that. I crushed on him for two years! But back to what I was saying, when you have that crush and he notices you, well, good for you! Then again, not so good for you. The boy you were dating was only dating you for a distraction."

Troy licked his lips. "Just say it." He whispered.

"Distraction?"

"Don't sound so shocked." Adele smiled even wider. "Like I said, when I came back, he broke up with you just to be with me. Everyone knows he liked me so much more than he could ever love you."

A beat of silence passed by as the smile on Sharpay's face twisted in a sneer. "You're right. He did love you more…seeing as how he made sure that when you left Albuquerque without your virginity."

Mentally, a string of curses echoed. He knew there was going to be some way that he would get into trouble.

"I thought you were waiting for marriage?" Gabriella's face conveyed nothing but the feeling of betrayal.

"I am…did – was but I always said that if it were the right person…"

"I assumed since I was waiting, you were too."

"I didn't. Sorry."

Adele's mocking laughter echoed throughout the park. "You're jealous I had sex with him? You're so pathetic. You probably wish you were me. I stole your place at the Institute. Me! Adele, an athlete who's never acted a day in her life stole the prestigious spot at the Jones Magnet Institute. I got the man and the man." She added suggestively. "It's okay to be jealous and spiteful and…trying to keep Troy from anyone he's truly happy with. You never had a shot." She shrugged her shoulders.

Sharpay stuttered.

"Yeah, you can't get me." Adele turned around. "I'm leaving guys. I don't want to be around such a toxic person. Goodbye."

The way she strutted away, not caring about what had happened pulled at Troy. He had no strength to fight the confidence that was radiating from Addie.

Not caring if Gabriella would object or not, Troy followed Adele out to her car, which she passed right by, ducking into the children's playground that was boxed in by trees.

"Thought you would rather shout at me in seclusion."

"How do you always know it's me?"

Quietly, she went to the slide and leaned against the ladder. "I just know you."

"I can't believe you said all of that." Troy faced her; a few feet separated them.

"You really can't believe that?"

Troy chuckled. "I do. I wished you would have hit her."

"So we can sport twin bruises." Her smile was wistful.

"Definitely. I just want to say-"

She placed a finger to her lips. "Don't say anything at all." Sighing, Adele lowered her chocolate brown eyes to the sand beneath her sneakers. "I realized back there that I'm no longer one of the gang. I'm not in the loop anymore. I don't belong here. I wish I were in back in NYC."

"Don't say that. Things happen for a reason. You always told me that and I believe in that."

Adele gazed into his eyes. "I'm not like you. I know that you're trying to deny us and I won't do it. I've made my peace. Why can't you? You never stop loving your first."

His chest constricted with something that he hadn't felt in a long time. "I heard that before."

"You should go back with your friends, Troy. I'm not going to stand in your way anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"You know. Things were going so well for you: captaincy, leading roles, starting varsity, falling in love again…I messed that up for you."

"Yeah, you did. But that's nothing you can help. We never found closure." Troy kicked the dirt around, being mindful not the get Adele dusty.

"Have we now?"

"I have no clue."

Adele took a step towards him. And then another. She stopped mere inches from him. "I have to do this. Hate me forever. I could care less. Here's my closure."

Her palm rubbed against his jaw, up to brush his bruise, and ended at his hairline where her fingers threaded into his hair. His breathing was labored and his heart raced. She wasn't going to…was she?

As she leaned closer, he closed his eyes. The sensation of her lips on his was invigorating. Her plump lips were plush against his slightly dry lips.

So many thoughts raced through his mind. Gabriella – he still had feelings for her. He was cheating. He was enjoying himself again. He wanted to further the kiss.

His hands found themselves on her hips, steadying himself as he took control. Gently suckling her bottom lip, Troy forgot every worry he had. Living in the moment that shuttled him back to the past was all he was able to do.

She pulled him nearer to her, squashing her chest to his. He moaned into the kiss, giving Adele the chance to slip inside his mouth. She was aggressive all the while remaining soft. Nothing that was in either teen's best interest was coming from this. Adele broke apart for air.

"Would that be considered closure?"

Troy was shaking, literally. He's nerves were on fire. "I don't think so." He raced back to the picnic where he hoped his body wouldn't betray any evidence of that kiss.

It had been days – weeks since Troy had seen Adele. In fact it had been fourteen days since that kiss. A fortnight had passed by so quickly. The only time that happens is when a person pushes the true issue back, deep, in his mind. When there's nothing to get in the way, time speeds up. Yet, the problem always seeps into life.

That kiss was mind-blowing, exactly how every kiss they shared felt to him. And to know that she was battling the same sort of questions and second-guessing that he was dealing with gave Troy a peace of mind. He wasn't a horrible person to wonder 'what if?' nor was he alone in that thought. Adele was as troubled as he…desired as much closure as he did. However, the closure she exerted hadn't helped them out much.

It was Friday afternoon and Troy's day was spent mostly on the couch. He hadn't talked to Chad about any of that Friday picnic. When he emerged from the children's park area, he refused to acknowledge any of the words exchanged between the two feuding girls. He wanted to enjoy as much time with his friends as he could, seeing as how most were either visiting family or going off to camp for one last hoorah this summer.

Gabriella was strange towards him. She wasn't ashamed of him for not waiting to have sexual intercourse and she didn't look down upon him. She, however, thought that they had to slow down. Almost everyday for five days straight they talked…and talked…and talked some more about as many issues he was having with Adele. It was highly uncomfortable but definitely necessary. If they never became a solid couple again, at least at the end of the relationship they were civil and friendly.

Everything in his life was disconnected yet put in its place. If only he could put it all together to make sense of it, then he would be in business.

He turned the power off of the television using the remote. The sun shone brightly, the air conditioning was on high, and the house was quiet. His mother was at work and his father was off working part-time at Mr. Danforth's car dealership. Finally, a chance for his dad to use his motivating, aggressive coach skills on others that weren't the Wildcats basketball team.

Taking in the silence, cramming it into his head, Troy made a feeble attempt to make a decision about Adele. Friend, acquaintance, or someone he used to know? What to do? Were those his choices? They couldn't be…right?

He slipped on his flip-flops that were tossed carelessly in the corner. Heading outside the door, Troy made the trek to the person he should have talked to so long ago.

His feet knew the way just fine, leaving him to his thoughts about what do when he arrived there. Knocking on the kitchen door, Troy waited patiently. It opened and there was the person he had to speak with.

"Took you long enough to come see me. Come in." Adele was in a pair of grey shorts and black T-shirt. They both fit her quite nicely. He mutely trailed behind her, wending his way through the kitchen and dining room, entering into the living room.

She flopped onto the floor where she had piles of clothes. "Had to bring all these and get them cleaned before leaving. It's free here."

"Having fun with all that folding?"

"Want to help?"

Not seeing why not, Troy settled onto the floor. Shirts, shorts, skirts, socks, and other pieces of clothing were piled up high. He half-heartedly dug through the clothes until find a yellow top.

"Why did you kiss me?" He began to fold the shirt.

"Why not?"

"You did it just because?"

"I did it because I had to have one last kiss. You still kiss wonderfully, if I may so add."

He smiled. "You're still on point with your skill."

"It was getting passionate. I had to leave."

"I wanted you to. I don't think making out at the children's playground would have went over well with the other mothers taking their kids to the park."

Adele pushed aside her stack of pants and moved on to any button-up blouses she had. "Who cares what they think? Is Zeke really dating Sharpie?"

"Unfortunately."

"What does he see in her?"

"She was starting to come around before you came into town." He finally figured out how to fold the yellow top and went to a band tee.

"I don't believe you."

"Yeah. After the winter musical, Sharpay began to melt as Ice Queen. She was really maturing. I was even starting to like her again."

"Troy, that's just creepy."

"Things have changed."

"Even more reason for me to leave."

It got quiet as the two folded laundry. "I must be really bored. I'm folding your laundry."

Adele laughter filled the room. "You know, I never really told you how much I loved 'Twinkle Towne'."

"Yes, you have. But thanks again. You should tell Kelsi that."

"I have. It's really good and I hate to admit to that. I told you that you could sing."

"I know. I thought you were lying."

"I couldn't lie to you." She whispered as she put the denim skirt that she was folding onto a pile. The way she was looking at Troy through her lashes made him feel warm inside.

"Have you gotten over the past?"

"No. I hadn't the closure."

"Ever since I saw you again, things have been stirring in my head. I hated you. You annoyed. You confused me."

"Do you still feel that way?"

"No…though I am still confused."

"About what? There's nothing to be confused over."

Troy had long since stopped folding. "What if I wasn't so insecure about us? I wasn't like that but distance does crazy things to your psyche. If I had taken up your offer and been in New York, would we still be together?"

"The universe only knows."

"But, I want to know."

"You know it. You just don't want to talk about it…consider it…accept it."

"Are you and Ryan dating?"

"We went out on one date but he's too much of a friend to me. He's like a brother. But, maybe we should. It would kill Sharpie!"

Troy sputtered. So there was something going on at the party. Inside, he was ecstatic that nothing came of them. "She would die. I can't believe would put our business out there. How did she even know we had sex? Did you - ?"

"Hell no! It was a bluff – a last ditch effort. Unfortunately, she was correct. I never told anyone about those times we shared."

"Neither did I. Chad kept asking me after you left about why I never told him."

"You never mentioned it?"

"No."

Adele rummaged through the pile. "And how do you respond to his inquires?"

"I never told him a word."

Her arms were around him suddenly. "Thank you."

"No problem." He embraced her back.

"Come with me."

"What?"

"Come with me on tour – over the summer. I can bring a guest. I want it to be you."

She was insane, right? She had to be. Why would he, Troy Bolton, want to go on tour with her? That musical was brilliant, true, but being on the road or flying or sleeping in the same room as her was a completely different thing.

"Think about it but don't waste time. I leave tomorrow at nine."

She went back to folding clothes into separate stacks according to type of clothing or color. Troy wrestled over the question. Should he go or should he not?

"Bye," He left and headed in the opposite direction of Addie house. He needed his best friend's advice.

Speed walking to the Danforth residence, Troy was at his best friend's house in no time. He rang the doorbell repeatedly until someone finally answered the door.

"What is going on? Troy? What's wrong?"

"I need to talk, Chad." He walked passed Chad and went straight to the living room. Taylor was there. Right, she was leaving this Sunday for here aunt's house. "I can come back at another time." There was no need of pissing Taylor off now.

"No. You can stay. I've talked to Adele and she's explained some things."

"I'm sorry for treating her like that."

"I'm not Adele."

"I apologized to her."

Chad went by him and sat next to his girlfriend. "Why do you need to talk?"

Troy felt awkward standing up but he knew he'd feel even more so once he sat. Was he willing to tell Taylor what Adele said? Should he really discuss this? He felt weak having to come to some else for advice. However, from where he was standing, he knew that he could no longer carry the burden of this alone.

"Adele just invited me to stay with her over the summer while she's on tour. She said she could bring a guest and she wants it to be me. What do I do?"

Chad stared blankly at Troy. "She asked you that?"

"Yeah. And I don't know what to do."

"Yes you do. You wouldn't have come here if you didn't already have some knowledge as to what you wanted to do."

Troy gazed at Taylor with the look of utmost bewilderment.

"Troy, why do you need to ask Chad what to do? You've never truly depended on what other's said to sway you. If you really wanted to stay, then you would. If you didn't care about any thing having to do with her, then you wouldn't "

"It's not that easy. None of this is easy."

"Why not? If she's an ex that you believed wanted to dump you because she was cheating, why would you care about what she said? Why aren't you enraged? Why would you continue to talk to her, encourage a friendship, and show faith in rebuilding what you had?" Taylor looked him dead in the eye as she spoke matter-of-factly.

Chad spoke. "She's right. You know what to do. There's no need to make it into anything. If you want to think she's a horrible person, then don't go with Adele. But if you think there's more…"

Troy was fighting hard but finally, that small voice in the back of his head spoke to him. He knew what was being said to him. It was like an epiphany.

"I understand. Thanks."

Not too sure what they had done to help, Troy meant the giving of thanks regardless. So, this was it. He knew. Troy knew what to do but not what he was feeling. That could be figured out later. This chance would pass him by if he didn't do the right thing.

Still amazed at the rapidity he came to a conclusion with, he went to the house that he had to visit. Twenty minutes had elapsed once he reached the doorstep. He knocked. The movement behind the door alerted him; his stomach did flips as the butterflies emerged from their cocoon.

"Hey, Troy."

He stepped towards Gabriella, crossing over her threshold into her house, unannounced. He took her in his arms, holding her to his chest. Her arms wrapped around his back and the two just existed.

"What's going on, Troy?"