Thanks for all of the reviews for my my newest fic!

Rated T- For language, alcohol references, and family abuse.

Disclaimer- Now, if I honestly owned High School Musical, I would be on the set right now, helping with the sequel.

I grimaced, backing against the wall as he stepped forward. "Dad? What are you doing here? You need to leave. Like, right now." I fingered the button on the wall and the nurse came in, but a little slower.

Dad looked a little hurt that he was being thrown out. I looked over his shoulder to see Gabriella nervously chewing on her lip, throwing silent sorrys in my direction with her eyes. Dad reeked. Of alcohol and dirt and trash from always being on the streets. "Is everything alright?" the nurse sighed. "I'm sorry, I don't remember you being here. Did you sign-in in the lobby?" she asked, crinkling her eyebrows.

"Psht, this is my wife." he rolled his eyes and stumbled toward the bed. He licked his thumb and wiped small hairs away from Mom's hairline. "I don't gotta sign in nowhere."

The nurse looked to me for approval. I vigorously shook my head. My dad caught the movement. "What, Tay Tay, you don't want me here? I came from all the way downtown to see my wife in the hospital. It was on the news and everything." I wondered how he could actually watch the TV, his eyes were so unfocused.

"Dad, she's not your wife." I shook my head. This was so embarrassing. And in front of Gabriella? "Please, just leave." I pointed to the door. "All you're gonna do is cause trouble."

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave too, sir." the nurse nervously wrung her hands. "Before I have to call security."

Dad put his dirty hands up in surrender. "Fine then." he rolled his eyes, stepping out the door. "But you my baby, Tay. Always remember that. You even look like me." he grinned, noticing how I shuddered at the fact of being related to that man.

"Oh, gosh, what is he doing here?" I slammed my forehead against the window of Gabriella's 2004 Saturn. She came to a stop in front of her driveway.

Chad stood up from a porch chair, coming over to the car. "Hey, what's going on?" he opened the car door for me. I helped myself out and leaned against the door. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah." I nodded and continued my lie. "My mom just needed me... for something." I could feel Gabriella burning a hole in my back. "But no worries."

"Then why did Gabriella go with you?" he questioned.

"I... um..." I panicked, not knowing where to go next with my big lie. "You never answered my question." I quickly changed the subject. "You know, about the Science homework... from yesterday..." it was all in the toilet.

Chad zipped up his Wildcats sweatshirt. "I skipped basketball practice and went out of my way to meet you here at Gabriella's house. Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" he knit his brows together in confusion.

There was no way... in hell that I was going to tell him. About Dad. About Mom. And about the rest of my crappy life. Because a woman who had always given me the best was lying in a hospital bed. And I don't know why. But I had a strong feeling that it wasn't her fault. I shook my head. "Everything is perfect. I swear."

Chad licked his lips and suspiciously looked me over once more before turning around and heading out in his Honda Accord.

I dug my spoon into the carton of Moose Tracks between Gabriella and me, turning my attention back to "Friends". "Tay..." Gabriella started.

"Don't call me that." I snapped, mindlessly staring at the screen. "Please." I added.

"Why did you lie to Chad like that?" she asked, turning off the set. "He would understand."

"No, he wouldn't. You don't even understand, Gabriella. Please... can we just drop it? In fact, I'm sort of tired. We've still got school tomorrow, you know."

Gabriella's eyes found mine. She looked sort of fed up with the way I was shutting everyone out. But you would too, if your mother was in a hospital over something you have no clue about. I wished that I could've stayed with her, instead of being interrogated by my supposed best friend. "Okay. But remember... I'm here for you. And so's Chad. He cares. If he didn't he wouldn't have gone out of his way just to see if you're okay. You know that, right?"

I shook my head and rolled my eyes as if to say, 'Duh!'. "Goodnight, Gabriella." I told her.

But I knew. And it made the situation and the pure drama about to be released a little bit easier to handle.

Another chapter! Please tell me what you think!