Thank you to everyone who read or gave kudos for the last chapter.
I did some major reworking of the Taylor comes back to New Mexico arc. It's now five chapters instead of two. (I tried for four, and it was just too much). Everything is going in chronological order this time around. Also, some of the creative choices I made then are not the ones I would make now. I try not to engage in character bashing to make my ship happen anymore. Also, I want things to flow better with decisions made later in the story.
All titles for this arc will be coming from the Linkin Park song Waiting for the End. I wish I could use the song during this arc, but it doesn't come out for two more years in the story's universe. However, it was my mood music for rewriting this entire arc. Mad Men used contemporary songs all the time. I feel like I'm entitled to do the same.
Chapter 13: Waiting for the End to Come (Living at the Mercy of the pain and the fear)
October 7, 2008, 9:15 AM
Chad should be paying attention to his instructor in his film class; instead, he's texting Ryan. This probably happens in more than it should. It's not his fault this class lines up with Ryan's lunchtime.
The good twin: Are you sure you don't want me to come down this weekend? I'm allowed one emergency homesick trip a semester. I can be there for moral support.
The good twin: And to bail you and Sharpay out of jail if it goes exceptionally terrible.
The good twin: Or Taylor. I'm actually not sure who would get arrested, but I feel like someone would.
Chad: You don't have to do that. We will be OK. Besides, I don't want to risk Taylor giving you a black eye when she finds out about the ill-advised baseball seduction incident.
The good twin: Comments like that cause me to start looking up flights to Albuquerque. You're actually going to tell her about that? She's probably going to hit me anyway when she finds out this all started because I told my dad you two were dating.
Chad: I'm going to tell her I am bisexual-ish and about Jamie. I'm debating telling her about you because I want to avoid incest jokes.
The good twin: You would definitely be opening yourself up to polyamorous twin jokes. Does Ginger still want to have a threesome with you?
Chad: I think Blaise talked her out of it. Which is why I forgave him for leaving his bottle of KY in the middle of the room last night.
The good twin: I feel like I should try to talk my dad into letting you and Sharpay live in an apartment next semester. Or at least pay for a single dorm room. You have the worst roommates.
Chad: Unless we magically become foster parents, that's not going to happen. My scholarship doesn't cover a single, and I don't want to take money from your dad. So that's also off the table.
"Pay attention," Sharpay told him as she actually took his phone away. Now that they were almost dating, Sharpay's concept of personal boundaries has eroded almost completely.
"For the last seven weeks, we have examined how film can show us the true nature of humankind and society in general. We have explored the various concepts of this class by watching excerpts from films, read essays, and watching documentaries on the subject." Their professor Antonio Stark-Rogers said from the front of the class.
"Nothing like being in a class where your homework consists of watching excerpts from Four Little Girls, Jackie Brown, and Letters from Iwo Jima. I wish I could have taken this class in high school." Chad commented quietly to Kim and Sharpay. If he can't text Ryan, then at least he can make snarky comments to his friends.
"Now it is your turn to be behind the camera. I want to see how you interpret the world through a lens. For your midterm project, you will create your own short film. I want everybody to break off into groups of three."
"That makes this easy. We already have a group," Sharpay said to the other two.
"Like you would have it any other way," Chad said, smirking at her as he secretly grabbed her hand under the table.
"Now, I could let you choose your subject, but what's the fun than that." The professor said as he picked up a hat from his desk. "In this hat is a vast variety of films, everything from Star Wars to Hotel Rwanda. Your project must somehow relate to whatever your representative picks out. Please send one person from your group to pick." The professor said to the class.
"I will go pick out our film. You two continue starring at the other in your 'I want to be with you but can't because of the technical girlfriend' way. I cannot wait until this week is over and you two can finally be together. " Kim said to the other two.
"We don't stare at each other," Sharpay said defensively, despite it being somewhat accurate. He can't help but stare at Sharpay.
"Said the woman clutching Chad's hand for dear life under the table. Now that we all know you two are in love, please stop the denial routine."
"I swear I'm going to smack you, Kim," Sharpay said under her breath.
"I'm your only friend; you would never hurt me."
"I have Chad now. I don't need you anymore." Sharpay said with an evil smile.
"He's not your friend. He's the guy you make out with."
"No matter what, I will always be your friend," Chad said in a whisper to Sharpay so Kim can't hear him. "Kim, just go, before she gets more annoyed with you. At the rate you're going, I'm not going to be able to calm her down."
"At least not without resorting to a quickie in the bathroom," Kim said, leaving the two behind. They were so annoyed by Kim's comments both he and Sharpay forgot to pay attention to the rest of the instructions for the assignment. The only thing Chad remembered was it was due on the 21st, and who it could not be more than 20 minutes. He'll check the class website later.
"Are all college midterms like this?" Sharpay asked Chad moments later.
"No, these are the fun projects. Other than English class, this will be the only exam that will not involve a blue book this entire year. Last year all my exams were multiple choice."Chad answered Sharpay as Kim return to the table. Suddenly they both noticed the malicious smile on Kim's face.
"Why do I have a feeling that we just got a terrible midterm project?" Sharpay whispered to Chad.
"I doubt that she would be that happy if we got something as serious as Hotel Rwanda," Chad whispered back to his almost girlfriend.
"This is Kim we're talking about. Her sense of humor is skewed."
"You know it's not nice to talk about me when I'm standing in front of you. I'm grinning because I already have the perfect idea for this project. It was made for you two. Also, we have a lot of footage already on my laptop if you will let me use the stuff from the party and my project for my education class." Kim said, handing the slip of paper over to the other two.
"I can't even believe this is an option. This must be the most fluffy film in the hat." Sharpay told him, annoyed.
"It can't be that hard. Besides, you did recreate the scene in the deli in a dressing room a few weeks ago." Chad smirked at Sharpay.
"You're so sleeping in your own room tonight." Chad knew it was an empty threat. Sharpay hated being without him. He felt the same way.
xxxxxx
October 9, 2008, 7:49 PM
"You know this weekend is going to suck. I've really think you should have told Taylor over the phone. This is going to go really badly. We're talking about the same person who ran Gabriella's English essay through a paper shredder when Gabriella did better on an assignment. " Troy warned his best friend over the telephone.
Chad didn't need the warning; he remembered what happened at prom when he accidentally brought the wrong color flowers. Of course, that reaction was light compared to when he didn't want to have sex after the prom. Apparently, that was some significant violation of the boy code. Chad understood why she was hurt because he ran out of the room so fast that he fell into a door. Although he doesn't think it warranted getting a corsage thrown at his head. Chad really should have realized then that this relationship wasn't what he needed.
"There are somethings you don't tell someone over the telephone. How do I start that conversation? 'Hi Taylor, how are classes going? So I recently discovered that I was only with you because my first boyfriend fucked me over, and I wasn't ready to deal with a real relationship yet. I think I'm ready now but not with you but Sharpay. Yes, I'm in love with that girl I hated in high school.'"
"At least you're smart enough not to mention Ryan. You don't have to tell her that way, but you should still tell her sooner rather than later."
"There is no easy way to have this conversation. There is no way I am doing that over the telephone. I barely want to do this in person, but Sharpay is scarier than Taylor. This is like telling someone they got you pregnant over the telephone." Chad remarked.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" Troy asked Chad calmly. For a second, Chad wondered if Troy knew about Alex. Not wanting to have that conversation, he decided to assume the other meaning.
"The prerequisite events for that have not occurred. Neither Sharpay nor I do casual."
"Not after Jamie, anyway," Troy mumbled under breath, but Chad still heard him.
"Jamie wasn't casual for me. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was just his summer fling. My life goal is not to be an asshole like Jamie or Zeke, for that matter. We are definitely not going to do anything while I am still dating someone else. If we did, you would know. Unlike some people, I don't keep secrets from my best friend. Like I told you about Jamie even though I thought you would hate me for being not straight."
Troy finally told Chad all about his relationship with Kim the weekend after the big epiphany. Chad was almost sure Troy was unaware of the lasting consequences of that relationship. In recent days, Troy has been asking many questions about Alex that Chad avoids by any means necessary.
"You mean other than sleep in the same bed, hugging, and kissing each other every time you get a chance," Amanda called from her desk as she listened to her textbook. It was true that he has spent almost every night of the last three weeks with Sharpay. Although most of it was on the cheek, there was some kissing, except where one of them would "accidentally" move their head. There was also that one make-out session last night, but that was it. Did that really count as cheating on Taylor?
"I said I was sorry about the Kim situation. Was that Amanda shouting in the background? " Troy asked his friend on the other side of the line.
"Yes. Aren't you supposed to be listening to your reading for English class?" Chad yelled back to Amanda.
"I'm multitasking," Amanda said, pulling off her headphones and walking over to Chad. Grabbing his phone, she quickly switched it over to speaker mode.
"Hi, this is Amanda. I think we only talked to each other by text message before or via Ryan. I had to deal with these two lovesick fools for weeks. At least they have finally stopped saying they were just friends."
"It really was exhausting. Also, it's nice to put a voice with the name and all of your text messages. So do you think Chad should break up with Taylor now before she arrives for her parents' anniversary party?"
"I think he should have gotten this break up over with three weeks ago when he and Sharpay stopped denying their feelings for one another. Chad, you should have told Taylor six weeks ago when you started spending the night with Sharpay, even though you were in your friend's only sleepovers stage. You should have broken up with Taylor seven weeks ago when Sharpay came out of your bedroom in Nothing but a T-shirt. Actually, per Ryan, you should have done it a year ago after he made out with you after a baseball game."
"Not all of us are Marc and can accept or sexual orientation immediately," Chad remarked. "It didn't help that everything was going down in the middle of my parents' divorce."
"Maybe you should've explained that to Taylor last year. At this point, no matter what you do, it's too late."
"It doesn't matter anymore. Taylor will be here in the morning. By tomorrow night, it will all be over." Chad said to both of them.
"You're planning on telling her tomorrow after she gets to know the real Sharpay. What if someone tells her about your "friendship" with Sharpay? Even I have a dozen pictures on my phone of the two of you making out. You cannot use the 'we were just pretending to freak out Penelope' line. We all know that you two like making out with each other too much." Amanda said pointedly.
"Were you listening to this entire conversation?" Chad asked the very nosy girl.
"You're in my room. I have a right to eavesdrop. Being dependent on learning things via audio has turned it into a bit of a superpower. Besides, I've been conspiring with Kim on this since two days after I became Sharpay's roommate."
"No wonder you two are getting along so well," Chad muttered under his breath.
"Why are you in Sharpay's room when she is at her Chem lab?" Troy asked.
"Ginger and Blaze," Amanda and Chad answered simultaneously.
"I swear she puts Viagra in his food," Amanda told Troy, annoyed. "She still trying to get Chad to join in."
"No, she scared of Shar now. I thought it was Blaise that talked her out of it, but it was Sharpay. We're currently researching to see if there's a way that we can get him kicked out of the building," Chad said to Troy.
"I agree with Sharpay junior over there that you should tell Taylor right away. It would be better than her finding out accidentally."
"I just think it will be easier for her to take the news if she saw Sharpay for who she really is and not the girl she pretended to be in high school," Chad explained his reasoning.
"I'm telling you this as your best friend; there are some things you don't want to find out accidentally. Finding out your boyfriend is in love with someone else is one of those things. You know, like accidentally finding out you got someone pregnant." The way Troy said that the last sentence made Chad very worried. Using Sharpay's imaginary presence as an excuse, Chad ended the phone call quickly.
"I think Sharpay is back. I got to go." Chad said, hitting the end button as soon as humanly possible.
"Why do I have the feeling that you two are deliberately not talking about something?" Amanda asked Chad skeptically.
"I'll tell you the day after Thanksgiving," Chad said cryptically.
XXXX
October 10, 2008, 7:43 AM
"I can't believe you're making me pick up your girlfriend from the Airport," Sharpay said, sitting in the cafeteria eating her fruit salad. Despite not having any classes on Friday other than volunteer work at EHS, she still woke up extra early so they could eat breakfast together. It was part of their routine.
"You know I have my chemistry lab today. Besides, Taylor is only technically my girlfriend. In my heart, that relationship is over. Honestly, I'm not sure it even actually started."
"Please don't tell her that you chose her over my brother because you were terrified of actually having a real relationship with somebody. I'm only not annoyed with Troy because I now have you, sort of."
"Taylor is never going to find out about that. I'm going to tell her about Jamie, though. I just think maybe things would go better if she had a chance to actually see what a good person you are." Chad gave her hand a gentle squeeze, which is about as much contact Sharpay is still allowing public right now.
After acknowledging the truth three weeks ago, they have been in this weird space between a platonic friendship and a romantic relationship. Sharpay felt like she was holding back out of respect for someone who never respected her. Sharpay is well aware of all the snide remarks Taylor has made about her to Ryan, and that's before she stole her boyfriend.
"Find, I am only doing this because I care about you. You do you feel the same?" Sharpay asked, needing to hear the words. She needed him to reassure her that Taylor being here wouldn't make him change his mind. She could not lose him. He meant too much to her already.
"I really care about you," Chad said as he kissed her on the cheek. "That's not going to change because Taylor is back."
"You chose Taylor over Ryan."
"No, I chose the closet and stability during the middle of my parents divorced along with a deep stabilizing friendship. In the end, it was for the best because I would've felt horrible for dumping Ryan for his own sister."
Why did he have to put it that way? She couldn't help but feel like the Penelope in this situation. Chad was breaking up with Taylor because of her, and she couldn't help but feel guilty. Adding in Ryan just makes it feel worse because she actually cared about Ryan's opinion of her. Thankfully Sharpay self-loathing this morning was interrupted by her cell phone.
"Hello," Sharpay said into the phone.
"Do you have any classes today?" Kim asked.
"No, which is why I get to pick Taylor up from the Airport in two hours." Sharpay lamented. The thing she does for that idiot.
"I need a favor. Besides, you owe me for so many reasons."
"What do I need to do?" Sharpay asked with a sigh.
XXXXX
A few hours later, Sharpay found herself picking up Chad's almost ex-girlfriend from the airport, with Alex in the backseat. Kim's nanny was unable to come in today because she had the flu. Sharpay was sure it was the 'my boyfriend is in town, and I want to have my brains fucked out' flu. However, she did not point that out to Kim. Instead, she became the designated baby sitter.
Now Sharpay was trying to entertain Alex in the car's back seat, in the cell phone waiting area. The only thing that seemed to keep Alex quiet was watching a DVD of Twinkle Towne. Her favorite thing was every time Gabriella showed up on the screen, Alex would throw a toy at the portable DVD player. The kid already had good taste.
Finely 20 minutes after Taylor's plane was supposed to arrive, she finally received a call.
"Why are you here?" Taylor asked when she saw Sharpay pull up. They haven't seen each other since graduation. Sharpay made herself scarce whenever Taylor came over to hang out with Ryan this summer before leaving for school. Also, Taylor was doing orientation during Gabriella's community theater debut this summer.
"Good morning Taylor," Sharpay said in the sweetest voice possible as she helped Taylor put her bags in the trunk.
"I thought Chad was coming to pick me up. What happened to the convertible?" Taylor asked as she looked for the person who she assumed would be there.
"Sorry, I thought it was explained to you that I was coming to get you. Chad has his chemistry lab on Friday mornings, and he couldn't get out of it. That's why he asked me to help out." Sharpay explained. "As for the car, this is my late graduation present. Ryan got one just like it. This car has more trunk space than the convertible. Besides, Chad has that car today."
"My boyfriend is taking chemistry? That is a first. I didn't see him take one class in high school." Sharpay wanted to say that Chad was taking the senior chemistry class when we were in the ninth grade general science class. However, she promised Chad that she would let him tell Taylor all of his secrets. That included him being a super genius.
"He's taking Chemistry 153 this semester." Although Sharpay will be happy to lay some groundwork.
"The numbers must be different here. At my school, that's the final class in the harder chemistry series."
"It is here too. I have 151 this semester," Sharpay remarked as they got into the car. Although Taylor probably didn't hear her because that's when she noticed Alex in the backseat.
"I know your reputation preceded you, but I don't remember you being pregnant in high school. Where did you get the kid from?" At Taylor's remark, Sharpay took a deep breath before she accidentally taught Alex several new curse words. (Not that he didn't know a few in Mandarin already.)
"This is my friend Kim's son, Alex. Her nanny has the flu, so I volunteered to take care of him this morning since I don't have classes. Do you remember Kimberly Kim? She was the vice president of the drama club during our first two years at East high."
"I didn't really pay attention to the drama club before Gabriella joined. Although I heard Jason is now vice president. How did a 12-year-old become vice president of the drama club?" Taylor asked.
"He found a loophole in the bylaws that made it impossible for Tiara to become president." Just as Sharpay put her seatbelt on, Alex started screaming for his juice box.
"You know I can drive so you can take care of Alex in the back." Taylor offered, probably to get the crying to stop.
"Thank you for offering, but you're not on the insurance. Alex will calm down once I put the DVD on. Can you give him his juice out of the baby bag on the floor?" Sharpay instructed.
"Yet, you let Chad drive your car?" Taylor asked as she passed the juice box to the little boy.
"Yes, but he's on the insurance," Sharpay explained.
"Why is my boyfriend on your car insurance?" Taylor asked.
"Daddy likes Chad." The answer was slightly true. "Alex, please be a good boy for Aunt Sharpay. We have to meet Chad at Ruby Friday's at noon. I have to be at EHS by 1:45 for my volunteer work." Sharpay explained.
"You are a volunteer?" Taylor asked with shock in her voice.
"I get class credit for it, but yeah. I am working with one of the freshmen drama classes at EHS. Too bad your brother is taking English this semester. He is doing fabulous preparing for auditions next week in the drama club. He's going to try out for one of the major parts."
"You know my brother?" Taylor asked, still sounding surprised.
"I know you know he's the vice president of the drama club. I am the adult supervision this semester." Sharpay rolled her eyes at Taylor. And people thought she was conceded. "Jason is in Kim's English class. Also, he comes over sometimes to hang out with Chad after school. Your parents had been a little obsessed with the anniversary party lately. I drive him home occasionally, so the 12th graders don't put him in a locker again." Sharpay said as they go on to the freeway.
XXXX
October 10, 2008 12:30 PM
Taylor was 99% sure her plane landed in the twilight zone. If Taylor thought the car ride was awkward with Sharpay being super pseudo-mommy, lunch was a thousand times worse. Taylor assumed that Sharpay would just drop her off so she could have lunch with her boyfriend. Instead, Sharpay was tagging along with baby Alex.
What made it worse was Chad was paying more attention to Sharpay and his pseudo-nephew than her. Chad apparently adored that kid. He insisted that Alex call him Uncle Chad. She doubted that Chad was the child's actual uncle. Although Alex's eyes did look a lot like Troy's.
Taylor was frustrated. She hasn't seen Chad in almost 3 months, and she wanted some alone time. Yet he was more engaged with Sharpay. The thought alone made her want to stab somebody with a fork. Unfortunately, she can't decide if that person should be Chad or Sharpay.
She knew Chad considered Sharpay to be a friend, much to her surprise. When they do actually talk, she's the only person he mentions. That surprised Taylor because Chad absolutely hated Sharpay in high school. Nobody laughed harder than Chad at the spring musical when Sharpay was humiliated. Now several months later, they are suddenly best friends forever. They finished each other's sentences and made references to things that Taylor knows nothing about.
"Who is Blaise, and why do you hate him so much?"
"Blaise is Chad's oversexed second roommate. Sometimes I think he snorts Viagra." Sharpay explained.
"More like watches way too much porn. Yet Blaise is more tolerable than the last one. At least Blaise hasn't thrown out my sporting equipment yet." Chad shivered.
"You had two roommates already?" Taylor asked, confused. She doesn't remember Chad mentioning anything about that.
"I guess I didn't tell you about the drama the first weekend here?"
"You didn't," Taylor responded. Although to be fair, Ryan knows more about Taylor's hell roommate Tatiana than Chad did. She keeps eating all of Taylor's snacks and going through her things.
"The first roommate only lasted about two days because he was a racist asshole who…"
"Played opera all the time and felt like musicals were the lowest form of theater." Sharpay finished for Chad. "In addition to repeatedly throwing away Chad's sporting equipment and smashing his iPod. He stabbed one of the basketballs."
"Don't forget Bryce was biphobic as well. Apparently, we are all just in the closet and only dating Women for the social acceptance. What a condescending prick."
"I can understand being irritated about the iPod and the basketball. However, why are you so upset that he's biphobic? Unless he said something about Ryan?" Chad and Sharpay shared a look that Taylor couldn't quite decipher. At that moment, she realized Chad said 'we' not 'they.' She is obviously missing something.
"It's the principle of the thing. Bigots give me hives." Taylor could understand that. "Blaise, for all his faults, is neither homophobic nor biphobic. Actually, I think he might be bi-curious. Although I'm staying away from that because I am not going to repeat the mistakes of basketball camp 2006. His girlfriend reminds me a little too much of Jamie." Taylor had no idea what basketball camp 2006 meant. Also, who the hell was Jamie? This person had to mean something by the way Chad said the name. Sharpay knew, but Taylor did not, and that hurt.
But Chad's lack of affection wasn't the only thing bothering Taylor. She didn't recognize the Sharpay Evans that she was having lunch with. Sharpay did not even have the same color hair. Gone were the trademark gold locks, replaced with auburn Curls. Her style of dress was a bit more casual than what she wore in high school. This Sharpay was nice, at least compared to her high school personality. She only made one snide comment about Taylor's shoes.
This Sharpay was currently cutting chicken fingers and carrot sticks for Alex without complaining about doing manual laborer. Not just that, Alex got honey mustard sauce on Sharpay shirt, and she just wiped it off without reacting. The Sharpay Evans she knew from high school would never volunteer to take care of her friend's child. Though Taylor was sure high school Sharpay did not have any friends. Apparently, she was wrong.
"Kim and I have been friends since we met at Lava Springs when we were little kids. It helped that both me and Kim love the theater. Besides, I know she will reimburse me for all clothing that was ruined by Alex." OK, maybe the old Sharpay wasn't completely gone.
"So, is she a theater major like you?" Taylor asked, trying to start an actual conversation instead of just listening to Chad and Sharpay pretend she's not there.
"She is an education major, actually. Kim says you can't be a dreamer when you have a two-year-old. She still believes that even though her stepmom Vanessa managed to get her trust fund back."
"Yet, you're still a dreamer, trust fund and all," Taylor remarked.
"Shar is a practical dreamer. She's double majoring in business too. Also, she got a 98 on her pre-calculus quiz yesterday. I'm so proud." Chad bragged, which bothered Taylor. He never did that regarding her grades. Not that there was anything to brag about right now.
Thankfully Sharpay started talking about her work at EHS, which still made Sharpay sound like a saint. She drove Taylor's brother home every night so he wouldn't be picked on by bullies on the school bus. She also saved the best friend of Kelsi's little sister from getting raped at a school dance. Who was this woman masquerading as the perfect person who could do no wrong? She couldn't be Sharpay Evans from high school. Taylor was definitely missing something.
"How are classes going? Are you doing anything fun this semester? Or are you stuck doing all the general education stuff like me?" Sharpay asked.
If she was going to ask questions like that, Sharpay could just go back to ignoring her. The last thing Taylor wants to talk about is her classes. For the first time in her academic career, Taylor's GPA was in shambles. At the moment, she had a D in her calculus class, a C minus in American history, and a C plus in chemistry. In her other two classes, she was just barely pulling off a B. For Taylor McKessie, this was as bad as failing.
In comparison, Sharpay had no problem with this type of academic challenge because she didn't have a single grade below a B minus. Sharpay was adjusting to college, while Taylor felt like she was drowning and wished she could go back to high school. Sharpay had tons of friends in college. Taylor barely knew anyone on campus. Sharpay had an actual life outside of classes. Taylor might as well put a cot in the library.
"The ivy league doesn't allow for fun classes. I'm doing wonderful despite the challenge." Taylor lied. Chad was paying too much attention to Sharpay to realize that. Honestly, at this point, Taylor didn't trust him enough to know the truth. What did that say about the relationship? Nothing good, that was for sure.
Thankfully at that moment, Alex managed to remove the lid from his cup and spill fruit punch all over himself. Taylor was almost relieved when Chad and Sharpay went to change Alex together. Taylor needed a break from their happiness.
She also needed to talk to somebody about this weirdness. Since Gabriella was ignoring her, there was only really one person she could talk to about this.
Taylor: So your sister picked me up from the airport this morning. With her best friend's two-year-old. Alex threw a toy at me.
Ryan: Kim says he does that a lot. That's probably why she's having nanny problems. I think she's on her third one, and it's barely October.
Taylor: He also likes to throw food. I'm currently having lunch with Alex, your sister, and my boyfriend. A boyfriend that is not even comfortable kissing me right now. There are so many things wrong right now; I don't even know where to start.
Ryan: I'm sorry my sister and best friend are idiots.
Ryan: I told you you should've broken up with him already. You know the long-distance thing wasn't going to work. I know more about what's going on in your life than Chad does right now.
Taylor: Just because things are rocky between you and Kelsi doesn't mean all of our relationships are falling apart. Let me guess, is date night canceled again for bonding with Natasha time?
Ryan: Yes, actually. I kind of wish I would have come to Albuquerque this weekend. We could hang out. Also, at least I will dance with you at your parents' anniversary party. It's hit or miss with Chad.
Taylor: This is true. Also, I feel like you would pay more attention to me than my actual boyfriend. Chad obviously is not. It feels like the entire lunch Chad was trying to sell me on your sister. Why would he be doing that?
Ryan: They've gotten really close over the last couple of months.
Taylor: Are you and Troy going to lose your best friend spots?
Ryan: That's a possibility. I'm OK with it because maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.
Taylor: I do not know how I feel about my boyfriend being best Friends with somebody who they could start making out with at any moment.
Ryan: That's something you're going to have to talk about with Chad. But he could say the same thing about you and me. Or me and him. You know I'm bisexual— mostly. There are other options as well, like pansexual or even Demisexual. For all you know, Chad could be Demi without a gender preference.
Taylor: He's not. I think I would know that.
Taylor: I would know, right? He wouldn't just come out to me by using "we" instead of "they" when talking about his biphobic roommate that he never even mentioned to me until today? Maybe your sister is here for moral support.
Ryan: Tomorrow is national coming out Day.
Ryan: I think there are things going on that you may not be completely aware of. Just keep an open mind, OK. Also, you'll have an expensive wine gift basket when you get back to the dorms. Consider it an early birthday present.
Taylor: Should I be concerned that you're gifting me alcohol? How are you even able to give me alcohol since we're both under 21?
Ryan: My dad's assistant is not, and Daniel adores me. Besides, I feel like you're going to need a lot of alcohol after spending the weekend with my sister and Chad.
Taylor: You may have a point there. Is there any way you can get that deliver to me here?
Ryan: I heard my friend's stepmom, Vanessa Kim, is invited to your parents' anniversary party. I might be able to convince her to drop off some of the good stuff, but I'm not sure how OK she is with corrupting minors.
Taylor: There's no way she's going to give me alcohol. Aunt Vanessa still calls me Taylor Tot even though I hate it.
Ryan: That's adorable.
Ryan: I had a feeling she would be that way. No matter how weird this weekend gets, remember I am your friend as much as I am Chad's friend. I'll be here no matter what the weekend brings.
Taylor: This feels ominous. I plan to send you snarky text messages from my parents' anniversary party.
Ryan: I look forward to it.
Taylor: This weekend has already been too weird, and it's still technically Friday. By the way, your sister has better grades than me.
Ryan: Shar has always gotten better grades than me. Darby would be furious if Sharpay did anything less than honor roll.
Taylor: I feel like I didn't know your sister at all in high school.
Ryan: No one really knew Sharpay in high school. Sometimes I don't think I knew everything that was going on back then. She's a woman of 1000 masks.
Ryan: But once you get past that, there's a good person there. She wouldn't hurt someone on purpose. Sometimes things are just out of your control.
Ryan: In a lot of ways, Chad is similar. I think the only one until recently who truly knew him was Troy. I'm starting to get there.
Taylor: What about me?
Ryan: I think by the end of this weekend, you will be a lot closer to knowing who Chad Danforth really is.
XXXX
Sharpay was currently standing outside the family restroom's stall, waiting for Chad to finish up with Alex.
"I don't know why I have to be the one to take him to the bathroom," Chad said, exiting the stall with Alex, who now had a fresh diaper and T-shirt on.
"Because you're both guys," Sharpay answered simply.
"My mom always took me to the bathroom when I was little," Chad said as they walked to the sink to wash their hands.
"That's because your dad probably had issues about diapers and potty training. I can tell you right now if I ever let you get me pregnant, we are splitting dirty diaper duty and potty training. I'll even utilize a breast pump just so you can do 3:00 AM feedings." Sharpay smirked at him.
"You're already thinking about our future children. That is so cute. Do you think they'll look like me?" Chad said sarcastically as he touched her very flat stomach.
"You know the prerequisite events haven't happened yet, and they will never happen if you don't break up with your girlfriend. How hard is it to say 'Honey, I think we should see other people? By the way, I'm already seeing Sharpay.'" She said in exasperation.
"We're not exactly dating right now," Chad said, getting ready to take Alex back outside.
"We're not exactly not dating. As soon as you break up with Taylor, I will let you see my latest purchase from Lady Alexandra custom lingerie." Sharpay said with a wicked smile.
"Will I get to take it off?" He said in true Chad style, ignoring the two-year-old in the room.
"Not any time soon, especially if you keep delaying this breakup. I don't know why you just don't do it now."
"Maybe because she just invited herself over to study for the midterms she has soon in hopes of avoiding the anniversary insanity. Can she stay in your room? I think it would be cruel to leave her with Blaise and Ginger for any significant amount of time. They may try to make her their new third." Chad joked.
"Sure, why not. This whole exercise is to prove to Taylor that I'm not the heartless ice queen everybody thought I was in high school."
"Thank you," he said, kissing her on the forehead.
"You better just be glad I didn't leave your T-shirt lying on my bed this morning." She said quickly, just as her cell phone beeped. Sharpay promptly looked down at her phone to see a text message from Ryan.
Ryan: You two are fucking idiots. Seriously pull the Band-Aid off and tell Taylor what the fuck is going on. She's already suspicious. Chad used the wrong pronoun or rather the right one when talking about Bryce the biphobic.
Sharpay: Shit, he did. I didn't even catch it. Taylor probably didn't pick up on it either at first because she asked why Chad was so upset.
Ryan: I knew I should've come home this weekend. You 2 can't even do a breakup without me.
Sharpay: Is Kelsi blowing you off again? Chad has an excellent basketball player to introduce you to. I'll text you shirtless pictures when I get to the car. I swear he could be Chad's twin. Like if this was a TV show, they would be played by the same actor.
Ryan: Fuck you. This is going to blow up in both your faces.
Sharpay: Trust me, Chad is going to end things with Taylor this afternoon no matter what.
Ryan: Good.
Sharpay: Although whenever you're ready to let go of Kelsi, I'll be there. We will bring Zach with us.
Ryan: OK, just for that, I'm getting really drunk this weekend and not returning any of your calls. You're on your own Pay Pay. Do not Fuck this up.
Ryan: Any more than you already have.
Sharpay: Love you too, Ryan. A shirtless picture is attached. Enjoy it since you're obviously not getting any from Kelsi. That's why you're so cranky.
Ryan: Oh, God, he really does look like Chad. Also, at least you remember to send pictures, unlike your almost-boyfriend.
To be continued...
If this chapter was set three years later, Ryan would be blasting Beyoncé's The Best Thing I Never Had right now. He definitely dodged a bullet, or at least he feels that way at the moment.
Why does Zach look like Chad, except he is three years older? That's a question that will only be answered in the new version. I said I would be doing more with Zach this time around.
I'm currently working on the first draft of rewriting chapter 37. This corresponds to chapter 20 in the original version of the story. Because of that, I am considering doing more frequent updates for the breakup arc if anybody's interested. Please let me know.