Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. You are so fabulous. So I started the original rewrite of this chapter on Thanksgiving. Isn't that fun. This was supposed to be the last full chapter on Thanksgiving, but I decided to split it into two parts.
The original title of this chapter was the stuffing has hit the fan. But then I just had to listen to more Linkin Park while rewriting, and we ended up with a new title. This title and the next chapter comes from the Linkin Park song Invisible.
Chapter 44: If I cannot break your fall…
"My phone is missing." along with Jason, but Troy didn't need to know that.
"Vanessa said she would look for it and will call you when she finds it." It was at this moment that Jack realized Troy was not okay.
"What happened with the lawyers?" Jack asked, concerned. Troy crying was not a good sign.
"I didn't actually get to Jen's email. I think someone, possibly Jason has your phone. Because I received a bunch of emails from you," Troy said, passing his phone to Jack as he tried to compose himself again.
"I didn't send you anything, especially not that." It probably was Jason because he is graded enough of his assignments to recognize how he writes.
"I'm grateful for whoever did. I should know that my mom orchestrated my relationship with Gabriella."
"What?" Jack asked, surprised.
"I guess you never read Maria's email from last night."
"Unfortunately, no. I stopped checking my account after Amanda taught me how to block people last night." Apparently, he threw his ring at Lucy because he wanted to fuck Carolyn and not because she was screwing around with a 26-year-old. After that, he wasn't checking his emails. It hurt too much.
"My entire relationship with Gabriella was built on lies orchestrated by Lucy." Oh shit.
"Even our first meeting at the ski lodge was a setup. Which I should've realized after watching you talk about how you met mom. It was the exact same way." Troy started to cry again. This is why he didn't want Troy to know what Lucy did. Although there was nothing specifically about Gabriella being manipulated in the letter he received, he wouldn't put it past his soon-to-be ex-wife. It seemed like something she would do.
"Let's just go pick up Kim and go home. I'll ask Carolyn to get your grandmother." Because Troy was not ready to deal with Lucy anymore than he was.
"No, Lucy needs to answer for what she did," Troy said darkly. Jack felt this was going to go as well as yesterday with him throwing his ring at Lucy. However, Troy needed to do this. Even if he probably shouldn't be there, he would because Troy needed him.
XXXX
November 27, 2008 3:11 PM MST
Madison is sure that her own therapist would have a lot to say about her standing outside of the arrival gate of an inbound Chicago flight. But she really doesn't care. Madison just hopes that maybe the universe will be good to her this year, and Gabriella will be on that flight. The universe owes her just this once. Madison will worry about her therapist's assertions that she is using Gabriella to work out her dead sister issues Monday.
Yet somehow, the universe was nice to her, and this was the flight Gabriella was on. Madison was so thankful for that. She was talking to an older woman who kinda looked familiar. Then Madison Remember seeing her face on a journal article she read on the plane ride this morning. Madison is 95% sure she is Troy's grandmother, Dr. Katrina Bolton. She's made quite a name for herself in the psychological community in the last decade.
Troy talked about her a lot since Dr. Bolton was a psychologist, and that's what Madison wanted to be when she gets through the hell that is college. Troy was supposed to give her Dr. Bolton's contact information so she can help Madison on her finals project. Unfortunately, Troy never got around to it. However, she has seen pictures, and she sure that's her. It makes sense because she practices in Chicago now and works with a University there. Apparently, Dr. Bolton was hurt that Troy didn't consider her school when he decided to go somewhere other than the University of Albuquerque.
Maybe just maybe, the forces of the universe are trying to keep this day from becoming a complete shit show. At least that's what she was hoping. It had to be a good sign that Gabriella was talking to a professional.
"Madison, what are you doing here?" Madison was broken out of her thoughts by Gabriella running over to her.
"If you're going to confront Troy, I'm not going to let you do it alone." Madison is not picking a dead body off the floor again.
"You really flew all the way down here just for me?" Gabriella asked, surprised.
"Yes. You need support, and I am here for you." Because Troy is dealing with his evil, manipulative mom, and your mom's flight doesn't get here for 40 more minutes.
"Thank you." Gabriella reached over to hug her.
"It's what sorority sisters are here for," Madison whispered as she pulled out of the hug.
"I'm gonna run into the restroom, but I'll be right back. Then we can go get my bags. Lucy texted me a few minutes ago, and she's on her way. I'm sure she'll have space for you too." Gabriella babbled.
"She should, but she probably won't." Dr. Bolton mumbled under her breath. Of course, she knew Lucy, and if Madison remembered correctly, Troy's grandmother hated her. Dr. Bolton didn't even know about her most recent transgressions.
"It's OK if she's not expecting me. I could always take a cab." And I'll make you go with me straight to Kim's house. We can wait for Troy at his home instead of going headfirst into the Lucy lion's den. Thankfully Ryan gave her credit card access for this mission.
"Of course you're coming with me. Besides, I need you to deal with Lucy." Finally, it seems like Gabriella is having a moment of clarity. Madison was grateful.
"From what you told me about your ex-boyfriend's mom, I think you need backup to confront her. It's obvious from what you said to me that she asked you to come here just to screw up his relationship with Kim." You have no idea how right you are.
"I think you're right, Katrina, but I still need to do this. I have a lot of questions, and Troy is the only one who can answer them. I have a few questions for his mom as well. I think I deserve answers from her too." Madison is so grateful for this moment of clarity on Gabriella's part.
"You may not like the answers that you get from her." The doctor gave Gabriella a sad smile.
"I still want them. It was great meeting you, Katrina, but I really need to go to the restroom. I can't go on airplanes." Gabriella said, making her way towards the airport restroom.
"Go on, dear." The doctor pushed Gabriella towards the restroom.
"I'll be waiting, Gabby. I promise I'm really here. You're not alone." She reassured Gabriella.
Xxx
It actually felt good for Kim to have a grown-up conversation with someone her own age. She couldn't talk about parenting or what her biological mother put her through with her friends like Sharpay. They had no idea what it was like, and Kim hoped it stayed that way for a while. But Tiffany got it.
"I still have no idea what to do beyond not going back to Charles. He moved in with me in Cleveland, so that makes things even more complicated." Tiffany said as she took one last drink of her Lemonade. "I'm not even sure where to stay tonight."
"For now, you're going to come with my boyfriend and me to Thanksgiving at his house as we tell his entire family that he has a two-year-old son. Then I will call the hotel that you're staying at and get you a separate room. Because I am now a major shareholder in the company that owns that hotel, I'm sure I can get you another room." Kim told her with a smile.
"Actually, I think I already knew about that. Your picture is in the hotel lobby. Although it didn't use the last name Kim but Bolton." Okay, her grandfather is really going all out with his acceptance. She also hopes none of Troy's out-of-town relatives were staying at a Garden property.
"I changed my last name after the family drama," Kim explained.
"I don't blame you."
"You can figure out what to do about the babies' daddy later. I personally feel you should just sue him for child support and set up a joint custody arrangement in addition to kicking him out of your house. I'll give you my lawyer's contact information. We are using Rodriguez and Associates."
"That sounds like a good idea," Tiffany said quietly just as Kim noticed Troy pull into the parking lot.
"It looks like my boyfriend is right on time." It also looked like Troy just finished crying. That's not surprising, considering the conversation he probably had with Jack. Jack was even driving. That was not a good sign.
"You did not tell me your boyfriend was Troy Bolton. So you got pregnant by golden boy Troy Bolton in high school?" Tiffany said in shock. "That explains why your new last name is Bolton."
"Yes, although I had no idea, my grandfather was shouting it from the hotel lobby. This is apparently his way of saying he takes my side over the mom who tried to kill me." She appreciates the gesture, but she has this feeling that it's going to bite her on the butt at some point.
"Okay, you win for most sordid pregnancy situation," Tiffany said as Kim helped her get up from the booth and walked outside.
"Troy, this is my friend Tiffany Jackson from high school. She's going to be coming with us since she just broke up with her stupid boyfriend." Kim explained to her boyfriend and his father.
"You broke up with Charles?" Kim heard Jack asked as he got out of the front seat of the car.
"I don't want my children raised by a lying homophobic bastard," Tiffany said as she got in the front seat. "He did not handle Chad coming out well at all."
"Chad came out to his father? Why didn't he call? I assume you are the Tiffany that Taylor mentioned yesterday?" Kim would be mad that Troy left out some details from his Taylor phone call yesterday. However, they might've got a little too distracted to actually have a conversation. Especially because they were trying to avoid conversations about their mothers. Sex was easier.
"Yes, Chad came out yesterday. Amanda emailed me about that. And to let me know that things went bad enough that both Chad and Sharpay's phones are now broken. Sorry, I forgot to tell you that this morning, but you forgot to tell me Charles's girlfriend's name. Although in my defense, you kind of distracted me." The best way to calm her down after finding out about the new future sibling involved orgasms. She kind of forgets important things when Troy was making her come.
"At least you wised up a lot faster than Carolyn," Jack mumbled under his breath.
"Well, I had her telling me that I can do better, so that helps," Tiffany remarked. Okay, now Kim was 100% okay with Carolyn becoming her future mother-in-law. The biological mothers have been horrible, but the stepmoms have been a great improvement. She's probably going to have to text Vanessa an apology very soon for ruining Thanksgiving.
"So apparently, your idiot ex-boyfriend was Charles Danforth?" Kim asked, surprised.
"Yes, unfortunately. Now I remember that you were best friends with Sharpay in high school. So, of course, you know Chad. So you're still friends with Sharpay?" Tiffany asked.
"Yep, we are still best friends." Although obviously, she forgot to send some really important text messages yesterday. But she knows Sharpay, and she has a tendency to keep secrets to protect people. Apparently, Kim was in the protective group this time, probably because of Lucy shenanigans.
"You forgot to tell Kim you are having Chad's half-siblings?" Jack asked Tiffany. Kim was shocked because she was just putting all the pieces together, but Troy wasn't.
"Taylor told me about some of what happened at the airport, including the new siblings but gave no last names," Troy explained. He definitely didn't tell her about the pregnancy yesterday. Kim just assumed earlier that Taylor didn't say anything.
"This is what happens when I just refer to him as the asshole," Tiffany said as she put on her seatbelt. "Although the Taylor in question was the 17-year-old that my boyfriend propositioned for oral sex last year. That was definitely a bridge too far for me."
"Okay, you win for most sordid pregnancy situation," Kim said. Note to self, ask Taylor about that because she's not asking Chad.
"My stepmom has yet to hire somebody to kill me to induce a miscarriage, so I think you're still ahead," Tiffany said as she got in the front seat. Troy got in the back with her. At least they could talk this way.
"How did your conversation go with your dad?" Kim whispered. Hopefully, Jack wouldn't hear her because he was asking Tiffany about her classes in the front. "Not well if you are crying."
"That went okay, but I got an email from I'm not sure. So now I'm looking forward to having a better stepmom." Troy said quietly as he passed her his cell phone. As she read the PDF, she understood why Troy was crying.
xx
"So you are Dr. Katrina Bolton? Troy's grandmother?" Madison asked as soon as Gabriella was safely in the ladies' room.
"Yes. How do you know who I am when my own grandson's ex-girlfriend didn't?" The doctor asked.
"Troy is friends with my boyfriend. They are on the Berkeley basketball team together. I'm also a psychology major. Troy was supposed to give me your contact information for my final project. He didn't do that, but I did get a bunch of your journal articles, and your picture is right there." Of course, it helped that she was reading one less than half an hour ago.
"That explains how you know who I am. Why are you really here?" The doctor asked.
"It's a long dysfunctional story. Short version, Lucy is a bitch who has manipulated an off meds Gabriella into coming here to break Troy and his new girlfriend up. I'm here to mitigate the fallout." And help Gabriella in any way that she can.
"Who is a billionaire hotel heiress and already has his same last name. Did my grandson get married without telling me?" What exactly did Gabriella tell Troy's grandmother on the flight from Chicago? Unfortunately, she does not have the energy to deal with this today.
"Technically, no." They are engaged, but I'm not telling you that. "There are probably a lot of questions you want me to answer, but I am not able to answer them at the moment. You're going to need to ask your son and grandson those questions."
"Oh, I'm definitely planning to call my son and grandson as soon as I get in the cab."
"Good idea, although Troy had to change his phone number Tuesday because of Lucy, so don't try the old who one," Madison explained.
"What the hell is going on?" Dr. Bolton asked.
"Again, short version, your soon-to-be former daughter-in-law's a bitch."
"Soon to be former daughter-in-law?" Dr. Bolton asked.
"Ask your son." Madison is staying out of it. "Right now, my first priority is keeping Gabriella as stable as possible. I want to keep her away from the Bolton house, but I doubt I'm going to be successful." Gabriella was determined to see Troy and have this out today.
"She wants to talk to Troy. At a minimum, Gabriella wants to know why he didn't tell her about Kim." Because she's been a drunk mess for weeks and threw a lamp at him. "I really want the answer to that question myself."
"I am sure you do. I just can't give it." Because somehow, in all this mess, Gabriella became my friend too, and someone needs to protect her. Thankfully at that minute, Gabriella walked out of the restroom.
"I feel so much better now. OK, let's get our luggage and get out of here. Katrina, it was so nice meeting you. I hope we get to meet again." Gabriella waved at the woman.
"I am sure we will, honey." Dr. Bolton will probably be waiting for them at the Bolton house, which is good because they will need professional help.
XXXX
Elsewhere in Albuquerque
"Did you know that Taylor's not my sister?" Jason asked both her and Chad with sadness in his voice.
"What are you talking about, Jason?" Sharpay asked as she slid in the back seat next to Jason as she threw her keys to Carolyn. Aunt Teresa let Amanda get into the good wine, and she's slightly drunk, which is why the keys went to Carolyn. But, unfortunately, neither her father nor Carolyn would let her drink anything, so she and Chad are way too sober right now.
"Taylor is adopted. It turns out Aunt Vanessa is Taylor's mom." Sharpay was in complete shock at Jason's revelation.
"Kim's stepmom is Taylor's biological mom?" Chad asked as he sat down next to Jason. "That explains why they looked so much alike," Chad mumbled under his breath. That just made Jason cry even more. Sharpay quickly wrapped one arm around the crying boy. That is when Jason noticed her engagement ring.
"You finally proposed?" Jason asked Chad.
"Actually, I did," Sharpay told Jason. "He was a good little boyfriend and said yes," Sharpay said as she showed her ring to Jason. By this point, Chad's mother was already driving to the Bolton house.
"Although if you were the one who proposed, shouldn't I be the one wearing the ring?" At Chad's joke, Jason started to cry less.
"When did this happen?" Jason asked as Sharpay passed him a tissue from her purse. It pays to always be prepared.
"About an hour ago," Chad said in answer.
"Yes, I won the engagement pool," Jason said as he finally stopped crying completely. Which was good because she hates seeing people cry.
"Great, Marc and Nikki are taking bets from the underaged," Amanda said from the front seat.
"No, I had Taylor make it for me," Jason told the group.
"That doesn't make it better. If I still had my cell phone, I would be sending the evil duo a strongly worded text message right now." Amanda turned around in her seat just so she could glare at Sharpay.
"You're getting a new one tomorrow, and I'm sure they'll be able to salvage your sim card." She's going to have to get Amanda the best cell phone ever.
"You and Sharpay are actually engaged?" Carolyn asked from the front seat. "I thought you were just playing with your mother."
"If I was playing with my mother's head, I would get one of those fake pregnancy bellies," Sharpay mumbled to the others.
"Don't even joke about doing something like that," Chad told her. "No pregnancy jokes right now."
"I agree with my son. I realize that you two are serious but do you think an engagement is a little fast? Chad, you're still 17. Technically you have only been dating since last month. You've only been actual friends since August." Carolyn said from the front of the car. "You almost dated Sharpay's brother. You guys used to get detention for arguing with each other."
"I think that was their version of foreplay," Amanda mumbled.
"In hindsight, I may have turned Ryan down because I subconsciously already had feelings for Sharpay. I was more worried about making Sharpay mad by kissing Ryan than Taylor."
"I promise to never tell my sister that," Jason remarked.
"It's going to be a long engagement," Sharpay said, trying to reassure her future mother-in-law. "I have no desire to get married before graduating from college."
"Which is good, but I was hoping that you guys would at least make it to spring break or at least to Chad's birthday. This is fast. You actually have discussed getting married before today, right?" Carolyn asked.
"Yes. A few times even before we were officially dating." Sharpay answered. "Chad told me he wouldn't even have sex with me unless he saw a future with us together," Sharpay argued. She hoped that Carolyn got how serious they were yesterday, but maybe she needs to be a little bit more direct.
"Why are you upset? You were already married at my age. You didn't know dad as well as I know Sharpay. I've known Sharpay since she was five. You and dad were just a quick fu - hook up after a game that went horribly wrong. I've made it my life mission not to repeat that mistake." Chad said, practically screaming at his mother.
"Yes, and I ended up married to an absolute pri-idiot because I married too young." Carolyn corrected herself when she remembered there was a child in the backseat. "I know it's not the same situation, but it's still a little triggering for me. I wish I could text Jack right now." Sharpay was sure that Carolyn really wants to text her boyfriend. "You know he's your main cheerleader and talks me down every time I overreact. I'm doing that right now, right?"
"A little bit. I get how this could trigger you. But I'm not Charles. First of all, I actually know how to use a condom. I also don't see Sharpay as a glorified blow-up doll." Chad shot back.
"Please remember there is a child in the backseat." Carolyn chastised her son. "Even if I agree with your point." That part was mumbled under her breath.
"According to credit hours, I'm already a high school sophomore. I've heard worse. We're actually going over the sexual health chapter next week in health class. I'm personally looking forward to making Mr. Bolton squirmed during the chapter." Jason smirked evilly. That kid had a devious streak.
"Just mention the fact he has a two-year-old grandchild.". Chad muttered quietly.
"I'm sorry, you look small for a sophomore," Carolyn said in apology.
"That's because he's 12. This is Taylor's gifted little brother." Chad said to his mother in explanation. "I think I've texted you a few pictures of him from the play."
"Yes, but you never label. I didn't even realize that Amanda was Sharpay's roommate until we were in the car together yesterday. You still hang out with Taylor's little brother?" Carolyn asked in surprise.
"Chad got custody of me in the breakup with Ryan going to her," Jason said with a tiny little smile. Sharpay felt it best not to tell Jason exactly how Taylor had custody of Ryan at the moment. She will have to send Ryan an email later asking if he used her gift basket yet.
"Chad is currently sharing his wisdom with me on the best ways to torture the faculty of EHS," Jason remarked.
"I'm his college student mentor," Chad explained.
"My personal suggestion for health class is to ask your teacher what is the best way to sneak out after you just had a comfort/revenge hook up with your BFF after finding out your wife is screwing her coworker," Amanda said with a snicker from the front of the car. They should have never left Amanda alone with Aunt Teresa.
Sharpay notice Chad's mother froze up when Amanda said this. This was not the time for Chad to find out his mother was doing something with his good father figure.
"That question would probably get me suspended even if it is true," Jason muttered under his breath.
"What are you talking about, Amanda?" Her boyfriend asked. Sharpay quickly grabbed his hand, knowing what was about to happen next.
"Amanda is talking about the fact that your mom is sleeping with Coach Bolton." Sharpay was pretty sure Chad stopped breathing when Jason said this. Chad's mother accidentally ran a stop sign.
"How did you know?" Carolyn said in a way that was almost an admission of guilt.
"I was in charge of the cell phones this afternoon, and all of your passwords suck. So I should probably give Coach Bolton his back?" Jason said, pulling a shiny new iPhone out of his backpack.
"Sharpay grabbed the phone," Carolyn said using her best mom voice. "Jason, you do not break into other people's cell phones. You do not read the text messages."
"Sorry. Aren't you glad you didn't have text message sex this morning?" Jason shot back.
"Extremely. I will be calling your mother when I get to the Bolton house." Carolyn was pissed.
"You had sex with Jack last night? Lucy had an affair?" Chad asked as he blinked rapidly.
"Lucy also took $1 million to break Troy and Kim up." Jason also told the group. Everybody but Carolyn was shocked. Jack obviously already told her.
"How did you know about that?"Carolyn asked.
"Jack had a digital copy of the letter on his phone. Kim's mom is like the world's worst person, and Troy's mother is not much better." Jason answered.
"Now, I know why Taylor did what she did when you read her diary," Amanda said from the front of the car. "It was totally justified." Sharpay was already thinking of ways to punish Jason. He wasn't so much trouble.
"Yes to the affair. But no to actually having sex with Jack last night. You were with us for a good portion of the evening." Carolyn argued.
"And then he went off to spend the night with you in the guesthouse. You know, even though Sharpay has eight guest rooms." Chad pointed out.
"And you went off to Sharpay's room despite other guest rooms being available."
"But we only slept." Carolyn glared at Chad via the rearview mirror.
"There may have been some kissing, but that's it."
"And that's about as far as things went with Jack." By Chad's expression alone, Sharpay knew he didn't believe that.
"So should I also mentioned that Kim's email password on her phone is horrible and I read Amanda's email to Kim from yesterday." Jason had a devious smirk on his face.
"You're grounded. I may not be your mom, but I'm friends with your mom, and you're grounded." Sharpay said angrily.
"They lied to me for 12 years, so I really don't feel like taking any punishments from them right now." There's definitely some stuff going on there, but that doesn't excuse Jason being a brat right now.
"What did you see, Amanda?" Chad asked.
"I don't want to answer that question. But I will confirm no actual sex was had."
"Only because you interrupted them," Jason remarked.
"OK, I'm going to ground you. You're not allowed to write any of the scenes for the talent show. Keep it up, and you won't be my writing assistant on the spring musical. I will also tell Ryan to take back that PS3 he was getting you. Don't mess with me, Jason." Sharpay said icily.
"Sorry." Jason only looked sorry now because he was losing a videogame console.
"Again, we didn't actually have sex. Yesterday was just a lot, and sometimes friendships have multiple dimensions. And when you're going through something, you need physical contact." Carolyn explained.
"I get that. Was yesterday the first time? Because you know Charles thinks that you and Jack have been fucking around for years. It was his excuse for being with Tiffany." Chad explained.
"I didn't even kiss Jack until after I caught him with Tiffany," Carolyn confessed. Sharpay isn't even surprised.
"So this has been going on for the last year?" Chad asked angrily. "Before Uncle Jorge died?"
"No. I kiss Jack after I caught your dad with Tiffany, and then we didn't talk about it. We went back to just being friends." Carolyn confessed.
"Best friend to stay by your side the entire week after uncle Jorge died." Chad supplied.
"Yes, because we have that deep type of relationship. Jack says that you and Sharpay have the same type of relationship. But like you two, we also had some restraint. Although there were some slip-ups. We were with other people, and now we're not because of choices they made." Carolyn explained.
Chad didn't say anything else for the rest of the car ride. Sharpay was hoping for screaming, but it didn't happen. The moment that Carolyn park the car Chad fled to Troy's room.
xxxxx"
Berkeley Madison: Hey, I found Gabriella. We just got her luggage, and we are making our way towards the cell phone pick-up area. Lucy is coming to pick us up personally. She doesn't know I'm coming because Gabriella didn't tell her.
Berkeley Madison: Good news, Gabriella realizes that she's being played.
Berkeley Madison: The universe has decided to work in our favor, and Gabriella ended up sitting on the plane with Troy's psychologist grandmother. She also has no idea it's her. Apparently, they never met before. How did that happen? However, Dr. Bolton figured it out. She's kind of furious at her son and grandson for keeping her out of the loop.
Berkeley Madison: She's also completely convinced Troy got married without telling her. I don't think she believed me when I said they're not actually married.
Berkeley Madison: I don't know how Gabby didn't recognize her. I recognized her from psychological journal articles alone. OK, maybe I read a lot.
Berkeley Madison: Bad news, Gabriella still wants to confront Troy. I was unsuccessful in my attempt to move this confrontation to Kim's house. So off to the Bolton house we go.
Berkeley Madison: In other bad news, Troy's grandmother has no idea what she's about to walk into. Although she does seem intrigued by the possibility of Jack getting a divorce. She probably saw Lucy for the monster she always was before anyone else.
Berkeley Madison: On the bright side, we probably can use a professional therapist. This is going to be a disaster.
Berkeley Madison: Dr. Bolton is probably also going to get there at least 15 minutes before us because that's how long we've been waiting for Lucy. She just got here.
Berkeley Madison: Lucy is not happy to see me. Thankfully she just thinks I am a friend of Gabriella's that she neglected to tell Lucy was traveling with her. I am half tempted to play the new girlfriend.
Berkeley Madison: Lucy hates me, which I feel is a badge of honor. If she hates me, I'm doing something right.
Berkeley Madison: She is spending the entire car ride talking shit about Kim. Gabriella is not amused.
Berkeley Madison: Troy forgot to warn me his mom is racist as fuck.
Berkeley Madison: Or maybe she doesn't like Asians or biracial children, I don't know. I really don't care. Thankfully I look as Indonesian as Mark-Paul Gosselaar, so she has no idea she's insulting me directly.
Berkeley Madison: Gabriella looks ready to cry. I'm trying to decide if that's a good or a bad thing. She's sober. I wouldn't get her any alcohol even though she knows I'm over 21. At least not until after. I am a little worried about withdrawal symptoms being added to everything else.
Berkeley Madison: This why I don't want to do an addiction specialization.
Ryan: Hey, the plane just arrived. How far out are you from the Bolton House?
Berkeley Madison: I think 15 or 20 minutes. If it takes you as long as it took us to get your luggage, you're probably 40 minutes behind.
Ryan: We did carry-on bags only. We might make up some time, depending on how fast Zack drives. Do you think maybe you can stall and keep her away from Troy once you get there?
Berkeley Madison: I could also punch Troy out myself. All of this could've been avoided if he gave us his new cell phone number.
Berkeley Madison: I'm pretty sure Katrina's going to call Jack. Maybe she will pass a warning on to him.
Ryan: One could hope. Taylor just tried to call Amanda; unfortunately, it keeps going to voicemail. She also called the Bolton landline and got Troy's baby second cousin. I told Taylor to send some emails, but who knows when those will be checked.
Berkeley Madison: Probably after the stuffing hits the fan.
Ryan: You just had to do a Thanksgiving pun?
Berkeley Madison: It was necessary. I'll keep you posted. Text messaging you is keeping me from hurting Lucy right now. How did Troy turn out so well adjusted? Yes, he was a dad at 16, but it could've been so much worse.
Ryan: I asked the same question about myself and Sharpay all the time now that I know Darby was an abusive monster. Maria says she's glad you're there at least. She also wants you to punch Lucy out.
Berkeley Madison: Unfortunately, she's driving. I'm not risking myself or Gabriella to take her down.
Ryan: Lucy was paid $1 million by Kim's biological mom to keep her and Troy apart. It just gets worse from there. Essentially Lucy used her decade-long friendship with Maria to trick her into bringing Gabriella to Albuquerque to function as a Kim placebo. I'm sending you a screenshot of the letter.
Ryan: [image one attached]
Berkeley Madison: I'm glad there's no way Gabriella can read this message since I'm in the backseat. That letter would definitely be a trigger.
Berkeley Madison: I really thought this would be a drama-free Thanksgiving this year.
Ryan: There's no such thing as a drama-free Thanksgiving. I needed to text our ride. I'll let you know when we get near the house.
Xxx
Hot boy Ryan: Maria just got out of the ladies' room, and we are making our way toward you. We should be out in 10.
Zack: I'm here. Thanksgiving was a disaster as always, and I enjoyed an excuse to get out of there. My grandmother never forgave my mom for getting pregnant by that basketball player who threw a $100 bill at her for an abortion. Along with the mom who tried to arrange for a shotgun wedding.
Hot boy Ryan: Glad I could be of help. Even if I'm going to be leading you to another disaster.
Zack: It's fun when it's not your family imploding. Besides, I kind of want to meet Troy's father. I think he may have known my dad. From what I've gathered from my mom, I think they were Red Hawks at the same time.
Hot boy Ryan: You're still searching?
Zack: I want to know for health reasons, even if he wants nothing to do with me. Besides, maybe they'll be other family members that will actually be tolerable. You never know.
Hot boy Ryan: This is true.
Hot boy Ryan: I probably should give you a heads up. So remember when I told you that Taylor was pretending to be my girlfriend to get Gabriella to back off?
Zack: I told you you were an idiot, and this would probably end up like Chad and your sister. So are you dating Taylor now?
Hot boy Ryan: I think we agreed on friends with make-out privileges.
Zach: OK. Although are you still allowed to talk to me?
Hot boy Ryan: Yes, actually. We're also allowed to be friends with make-out privileges.
Hot boy Ryan: If that's what you want. Taylor wants pictures.
Zack: I think I will have to meet Taylor first before I agree to that, but I'm open-minded. An open relationship might work better with you in New York.
Hot boy Ryan: That is true.
Zack: Wasn't Taylor the one who destroyed Evans hall when she found out Chad kind of fell in love with Shar? Penelope sent me pictures.
Hot boy Ryan: I think Chad not telling her ahead of time is what caused that reaction. Along with some other things that would not be a factor this time around. She said if Chad had told her about hot boy lava springs, she would have suggested a threesome.
Zack: Chad's an idiot with no interpersonal skills.
Hot boy Ryan: I know. Although it makes things less complicated now since he's with my sister. He's the best boyfriend she's ever had, so I'm happy in that regard.
Zach: Does Taylor know that your hot boy Lava Springs?
Hot boy Ryan: Yes, and her reaction was to kiss me again, but then I had to tell her about Gabriella being MIA. Therefore beginning this entire mess.
Zach: I'm not complaining because this means I get to see you a few weeks earlier. I really want to meet in person.
Hot boy Ryan: I do too. I just wanted a little more time before dealing with Sharpay.
Zack: Are you going to be OK seeing them together? Your sister did end up with your almost ex-boyfriend.
Hot boy Ryan: Actually, yes. Chad is 95% in the future brother-in-law category at this point. Also, I'll have you and Taylor with me. Will you be staying for the fireworks?
Zack: Yes. This is the weirdest first date I've ever had, but I'm looking forward to it.
Hot boy Ryan: It's about to get weirder. We just ran into my father. He never got any of Maria's messages about us coming to Albuquerque instead. Apparently, that was his work cell phone, and this is the year he decides not to check his work cell phone on Thanksgiving.
Zack: Is this your way of asking me if I have space for four people? Which fortunately for you, I do.
Hot boy Ryan: Yes. Although silver lining, if my dad meets you, maybe he will no longer think I'm also sleeping with my sister's boyfriend. I regret running with that assumption.
Zack: I'm sorry I contributed to that misconception by sending you slightly pornographic text messages on Chad's phone.
Hot boy Ryan: No, you're not. Those pictures really helped with the breakup.
Zach: Glad I could help. Silver lining, if he's OK with your boyfriend sharing with your sister, he won't be that freaked out about you possibly dating Taylor and me simultaneously.
Hot boy Ryan: This is true. I think we see you, and I see you brought an SUV.
Zack: It pays to be prepared.
Xxx
Now that he saw Zack close by, Ryan put his phone in his pocket.
"You have excellent taste, Evans," Taylor remarked at the side of the large SUV in front of them.
"Actually, Chad has excellent taste and is relentless when he's playing matchmaker. Whom I to resist." Ryan remarked.
"Guilt?" Taylor whispered.
"Yep," Ryan whispered back as they approached the car. Zack got out to help get their bags. But first, he hugged Ryan. Ryan definitely likes Zack hugs. They felt very similar to Taylor's hugs, which is a good sign.
"If your father wasn't here, I might be tempted to try kissing you, but I don't want to be that forward," Zack whispered in his ear. That made his entire body shiver.
"This is OK because I can really use a hug right now," Ryan whispered back.
"I'm sure you can," Zack said, pulling away.
"Hi, I'm Taylor." Taylor extended her hand for Zack to shake, but she ended up getting a hug as well.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard things from Penelope." Zack said in greeting.
"None of which were good and probably involved property damage," Taylor remarked.
"I've heard worse. I've heard better things from Ryan though we probably will need to have a long conversation later. I'm open to your proposal." Ryan raised an eyebrow at that and really wish they did not run into his father at the airport.
Maria would be cool with it. Maria actually knows what's going on because he told her things. It's easier that she's not actually his parent. Thankfully Vince was a bit further away.
"Hey, dad, this is my friend Zack." Ryan introduced Zack to his father. Maria giggles at the use of the word friend. Why did he tell her about the text message sex?
"I don't think friend is the right word," Vince said, shaking his hand.
"It's not," Maria remarked from behind as she put their luggage in the back.
"He's actually the one you've been getting shirtless selfies from?" Vince asked.
"Yes," Ryan replied sheepishly.
"So you're not actually also dating your sister's boyfriend?" Vince asked.
"No." Ryan, Taylor, and Zack all answered simultaneously.
"We can have this conversation in the car. I would like to get to the Bolton house before my daughter tries to throw another lamp at Troy." Maria said impatiently as she slid into the back of the SUV.
"Good point," Taylor remarked as she got in the backseat beside Maria. "Ryan, you are upfront with Zack since he is your friend. So let's get Operation Rescue Gabby on its way."
To be continued…
As I mentioned before, I have big plans for Zack in the rewrite.