Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last conversation. You're all wonderful. Again, more new material, but this is a mix of about 50-50. Although some scenes had to be rewritten because Thanksgiving went very differently this time around.

Chapter 57: Exercises in Moving Forward

Midafternoon December 1, 2008

Kim pulled up to EHS 15 minutes earlier than usual, alone. Sharpay opted to bring her own car today. Although that might be so, she wouldn't have to run the paparazzi gauntlet. Kim knew at least three members of the media were following behind her. There were four more waiting on the steps of the school. She was definitely going to have to do the interview with Maria this week. Kim was just thankful they couldn't come inside the school.

She snuck into the school through the secret gym entrance that Jack showed her earlier in the school year. She saw Jack's backpack in his office, so he wasn't hiding with Liz and Teresa at her house. Sometime this weekend, it was decided that Liz and Teresa would take turns taking care of Alex. This was because her child is the nanny slayer. Also, Teresa would not be able to leave her current part-time nanny job until the beginning of next month. Regardless Kim really wishes she was with said child right now.

During her post-lunch class, Kim received text messages from Yolanda and Chad B. The press was following Troy around too. The scandal finally hit the national media yesterday, just in time for Troy's return to Berkeley. Fuck the New York Times for giving a now wanted international fugitive airtime. Per Yolanda and Chad B, Troy is getting very good at hiding, and they're getting good at running interference and saying no comment.

She also had a few messages from Madison. As predicted, Mercedes doesn't give a shit that Gabriella is in the hospital. Actually, she used it as an excuse to send Troy condolence flowers to his acting class. Yolanda sent her pictures of Troy literally stomping on them. Honestly, that's the only time Kim smiled on this dreary December day.

Kim Walked into Ms. Ortega's classroom as slowly as possible and took her usual seat at the table in the back. She really hoped none of the students would take cell phone videos of her today.

"Are you okay? I wasn't expecting you to be here today, considering what happened." Ms. Ortega gave her the same look that everybody who wasn't a close friend gave her today. She hated that look. They were all trying to apologize for something that they didn't do. It's why she left the cafeteria early. Once Chad, Sharpay, and Amanda left, people started approaching her, and Marc was nowhere near as scary as Sharpay. Although he was good at getting her the hell out of there.

"I'm fine." Ms. Ortega was now giving her the are you fucking kidding me look. "I need to be here if I want to get the credit."

"You need a day off. I saw the fight between you and Lucy Tuesday. I know that things are worse than what the media is reporting." But that's only because they're not reporting the fact that Lucy conspired with her mom to kill Alex. The team is still investigating that accusation, and even the New York Times doesn't want to deal with a libel lawsuit if they don't have to.

"Jack is here. Things were a lot worse for him then it was for me. I always knew my mom was a power-hungry megalomaniac with no regard for anyone else whatsoever. Why should I be surprised that she embezzled money from my trust fund, conspired with Troy's mom to keep us apart, or that she really did try to kill her own grandson? Why should I be surprised that Lucy's meddling put Troy's ex-girlfriend in the mental hospital? I'm not even surprised that Lucy actually helped her try to kill Alex. An attempt that nearly killed me. I've accepted that. I'm not going to let them keep me from doing my job." Kim responded resolutely.

"I think anybody would have trouble accepting all of that. It's okay if you need a minute. If you need to leave early today, you can." Ms. Ortega said just before the first student walked into the room.

10 minutes later, Kim was deeply regretting not leaving. Inquisitive teenagers are worse than reporters. She had to answer several questions about her relationship with Troy and why her new last name is Bolton. Kim was ready to leave. Then she noticed that Jason wasn't there. Kim knew that Sharpay dropped him off this morning. She also knew that Jason was mad at her for shattering his perfect family image.

"Kerri, where is Jason?" She asked the girl who would most likely know.

"He is probably on the roof again. Jackie said he went up there during his first period. Mr. Bolton went and got him. However, he let him stay in the library instead of going to class." Probably so he wouldn't ask embarrassing questions.

"I'll go get him." Kim volunteered just so she could get out of there. She knew that she had no hope of getting Jason off the roof. This is going to take reinforcements.

xxxxx

Today was a truly miserable day. It started off well with waking up next to Carolyn. Unfortunately, he quickly remembered that she would be leaving that morning. After his heart-to-heart with Chad, he ran into Julie when he dropped off his things at Kim's house. He would probably still be arguing with her on the front lawn in front of the various paparazzi camped out there if Teresa didn't show up. He's not very happy with his soon-to-be former sister-in-law going to the papers this weekend. How could she still defend Lucy after seeing the video from Jackie? Jack didn't know.

Things only got worse when he showed up to work. Jack did not enjoy his morning cup of coffee in the teachers' lounge because everybody was gossiping about him there. After fleeing quickly, Jack was called into Dave's office. He truly hated his boss. Dave spent 30 minutes ranting about the Lucy situation. Dave was upset about DHS perfect statistic involving no teen pregnancies being completely ruined by Troy and Kim. Jack wanted to point out that statistic only existed because Dave usually pressured students to transfer to the alternative school for teen parents. No wonder the Vice Principal was leaving for a job at Xavier at the end of the school year.

Because of the Principle, Jack arrived late to his first class only to discover that Jason was missing. He knew the 12-year-old was there today because Sharpay sent him a text message. Thankfully he had a similar taste in hiding spots to Troy, and he found Jason crying on the roof. He didn't have the heart to force Jason to come back to class. Instead, Jack allowed Jason to hide in the library for the rest of class to work on his assignment alone.

Jack was probably the only faculty member that knew what happened this weekend. Jack could understand not wanting to be around people. He personally wanted to hide on the roof too.

By that point, Jack really wished he could text Carolyn. Unfortunately, she was on a plane making her way back to DC. He could have really used her for most of his morning classes. Students kept asking him inappropriate questions about the situation with his future ex-wife and the Romeo and Juliet of Albuquerque Kim and Troy.

Thank god, he didn't have to deal with any of the seniors who were here when Troy and Kim were together. The two were a lot less discreet than they thought they were. Jack heard more rumors about his son doing inappropriate things with Kim during his sophomore year than ever before.

Also, thanks to Julie, everybody knew that he was now dating his best friend. She gave some additional soundbites after Teresa rescued him this morning. Of course, they think he cheated on his wife, not the other way around. At least they don't know that his wife tried to kill his grandchild. He's definitely not ready to deal with people asking him questions about that.

Thankfully nearing the end of his last class of the day, Carolyn finally text messaged him.

Girlfriend Carolyn: Hey, I am in DC at national.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I think somebody stepped on my suitcase. There's a giant footprint on it. I don't even want to know how that happened.

Jack: It's probably best to let that stay a mystery. Although I am happy to know that you're safe and home.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I'm not quite at my apartment yet. I'm in the town car with Vince. He refuses to let me take the metro home. He is dropping me off before going to his hotel. Even though my apartment is in the opposite direction.

Girlfriend Carolyn: Also, it's not home without you and Chad there.

Jack: Because you really have to get off at Crystal City or the Pentagon and then take another bus back. Just be thankful for the ride.

Girlfriend Carolyn: Actually, going back to Braddock might be better. I can't wait until they build the new metro station.

Jack: Do you think you'll still be there by the time it actually opens? You just mentioned that you don't think of DC as home. Which is adorable, BTW.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I don't know. Do you think you'll still be in Albuquerque? You could move here. I may not have responded to any of your text messages from this morning, but I read them all. There were a lot that included the phrase "fuck Dave." You are obviously not happy.

Jack: My boss is a dick. Instead of asking me how I was handling the situation with Lucy, he yelled at me because of how it would make the school look. He was also mad at Troy for being a teen father because that just ruined his no teen pregnancies at East high statistic.

Girlfriend Carolyn: Isn't the school district getting sued right now because Dave keeps forcing pregnant students to transfer to the alternative school?

Jack: Yes. Vanessa is actually handling the case pro bono. That's part of the reason why she left her old job.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I am not surprised. I hope she wins big.

Jack: Darbus is out sick again. I'm being forced to watch her class when all I really want to do is sneak home early and eat cookies with Alex.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I got pictures from Teresa. That kid loves getting flour everywhere. Apparently, your grandchild needs two nannies. Which after spending time with him this weekend, that seems about right.

Jack: One aunt is there to watch Alex. The other one is to keep Julie the hell away. I'm sure you probably didn't have time to look at the local news before getting on your plane. Unfortunately, Julie did another interview where she gave out false details of our torrid affair. Karen is furious and actually asked Kim if she can stay at her house.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I never liked Julie.

Jack: I think she's trying to distract everybody from what Lucy actually did. Or at least that's Matt's current theory. BTW Zack has a DNA test scheduled for Thursday.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I'm glad Matt could help.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I read The article. Vince grabbed a copy before we got on the plane. He was still shocked I didn't throw it at anybody. It's a little hard to distract from conspiracy to commit murder with tales of adultery.

Jack: I don't even wanna think about it. I am hoping that the investigators will prove that Lucy wasn't involved with that part. That's just too much for me to bear.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I get it.

Girlfriend Carolyn: OK, let's talk about something else. Why are you watching another teacher's class?

Jack: Darbus had another last-minute doctor's appointment, and apparently, substitute teachers are terrified of the drama department. During her extended absence for cancer treatments a few years ago, the drama kids managed to get two separate teachers to stop teaching. Another one started smoking again.

Girlfriend Carolyn: I think I remember this story.

Jack: Another student just asked if it's true I'm fucking Chad's mom. Yes, they did use that expletive. Apparently, I'm not running across the building to Darbus's classroom fast enough. I'm too annoyed to give detention.

Girlfriend Carolyn: How sad. Unfortunately, you can't tell them to fuck off either.

Jack: I could but staying employed is really important right now. I definitely need to start looking for an apartment.

Girlfriend Carolyn: Your future daughter-in-law is a billionaire. At a minimum, she could put you in charge of one of the foundations she wants to create.

Jack: That might be Teresa in between Tag Team babysitting duty. Or possibly Zach, the brother-in-law, since he already runs a nonprofit. There have been some discussions.

Girlfriend Carolyn: Silver lining Sharpay is the teaching assistant in the last-period drama class. So you can let her take over. Actually, that's what she told me they've been doing a lot this semester.

Jack: Nice to know your text message friends with your future daughter-in-law.

Girlfriend Carolyn: We're musical theater friends. Chad just tells me everything.

Jack: Your daughter-in-law just arrived, so I have to go.

xxx

"What are you doing here?" Sharpay asked as she walked into the classroom to see Jack at Ms. Darbus's desk.

"Ms. Darbus is out sick today." Everybody was aware that Ms. Darbus was out sick a lot this semester.

"It's not like it's the first time she's been sick, and there hasn't been a substitute teacher. Usually, they leave me here by myself. After that incident two years ago, when we cause a substitute to start smoking again, they usually don't get substitutes for Ms. Darbus."

Sharpay explained.

"I'm aware. I think the Principal is mad at both of us. He yelled at me for the Lucy situation."

"Prick," Sharpay mumbled under her breath, but Jack still heard her.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. It's fine. This cannot be worse than when I used to teach freshman English."

"Yes, it can be. This is drama 1."

10 minutes after fielding several questions about her engagement to Chad, Sharpay divided the students into groups to go over various scenes. Sharpay was currently working with Jackie, a.k.a. Teresa's niece. Who is apparently now living with them. Jack is supposed to drive her to the house after class today.

Jack was surprised nobody asked him or Sharpay about Troy and Kim. Although Jackie had her own problems. Just then, Kim actually walked into the room.

"What are you doing here?" Jack asked Kim.

"Jason is missing again."

"He's probably back on the roof." Jack supplied. That's where he found him hiding earlier.

"That's where I think he is as well," Kim remarked. "We both know he is not going to leave with me. I came to get Sharpay to get him and possibly take him home."

"I can do that." Sharpay walked over to the two. "I'm still on the pre-approved list of people who can check him out."

"Thank you," Kim said just as Sharpay grabbed her bag and jacket.

"You're not leaving me by myself with the drama students," Jack said in a near panic.

"I'll stay," Kim responded as Sharpay left the room. "I'm sure these students will ask me less invasive questions."

"I doubt that. " Jack said to himself. "Sharpay just got 10 different questions about her engagement."

"But did she get any about the monster?" Kim asked in a whisper that only Jack could hear. At that moment, Jack realized nobody asked about Darby despite the YouTube video and the interview from Sharpay's former dance instructor now making the rounds.

"No, actually."

"It's because drama kids respect boundaries," Kim said just before walking to the middle of the classroom.

"Attention, everyone. Ms. Evans needs to leave early for a family emergency. So, I'm going to be taking over. You already have your assigned parts. Please work on your lines with your current partner for the next 35 minutes. Then you are going to switch. Now before we break off, I have a few questions."

"Yes, Ms. Bolton." Everyone answered in unison.

"I see you all knew to use the right name. How many of you knew that Alex is Troy's son before the newspaper article this morning?" Every student in the classroom raised their hand.

"Is anyone going to ask questions I'm not going to answer?" Not one student raised their hand.

"If we do anything stupid, you won't let Alex be in the spring musical," Jackie said from behind her. Of course, they already have his grandson poised to be a thespian. "Besides, I have my own hateful parents to deal with." Note to self, text message Teresa and figure out what really happened to Jackie. Probably nothing good.

"They're much easier to handle than sophomore English." I'll take care of the class, and you go back to sending inappropriate text messages to you know who." The last part was said low enough that only he could hear it.

"They're not inappropriate. I was just making sure Carolyn got home safely."

"I'm sure." Kim rolled her eyes at her future father-in-law.

"We are not you and Troy." Jack shot back.

"Thank God because otherwise, that would be traumatizing."

Xxx

When Taylor arrived at her therapist's office Monday afternoon, she really wondered why she didn't cancel and go to sleep. She felt like she was going to collapse at any minute. Although maybe it had something to do with Ryan's six encouraging messages for her to see Dr. Makayla. Her keeping her session today was probably the only reason why neither Ryan nor Sharpay called her doctor Friday after the great revelation. Although just because she was there didn't mean she wouldn't start yawning three minutes into their session.

"You know you could've rescheduled if you were still wiped out from Thanksgiving. The holidays can be exhausting." Mikayla said in understanding after witnessing Taylor yawn three times in a row.

"Especially when your original plan to hang out with your friend in New York completely goes to hell. Instead, somehow you end up flying halfway across the country to keep your estranged friend from going off the deep end. Only to spend your weekend at the hospital after she was checked in for a psych evaluation. Apparently, I was too wrapped up in myself to realize that Gabriella was bipolar," Taylor is going to blame the sleep deprivation on telling her therapist that. "I think I need to be hereafter this weekend."

"I think you do too. We definitely have a lot to work through today. Also, I feel like this is the time to remind you that you can call me in an emergency. That's with the service number is for. Even if it's Thanksgiving and you're in another state, call me."

"I felt like it didn't meet the emergency threshold. I'm okay." Liar. Considering Michaela was writing something down in her notebook, she may agree with Taylor there. "It wasn't all horrible. Some good things happened. I'm dating Ryan now."

"Good, although I thought you were encouraging him to be with Zack?" Mikayla asked.

"I still am. We're sort of both dating Ryan. Although we are calling it friends with make-out privileges." Taylor explained.

"And how do you feel about that?" Mikayla asked.

"Honestly, I am surprised that so many of my friends are completely OK with that. I'm even shocked that I am completely OK with that. Especially after the baseball bat to the plasma incident." Taylor confessed.

"Even though we've only been working together for about a month, you've grown in that time."

"That's true. I probably would have completely wrecked Vince's house if I found out Vanessa was my biological mother back in October."

"You found out that you were adopted over Thanksgiving break?" Wait, what did she just say out loud?

"Shit, I wasn't planning to mention that just yet."

"That just tells me you're starting to get more comfortable with our sessions," Mikayla remarked.

"Maybe. I found out Friday that my Aunt Vanessa is my biological mom. Also, just so you know, she's not my biological aunt. Well, that's obvious since she's my mom, but…" Taylor babbled.

"I understand what you mean."

"She is best friends with my mom and dad, which makes very little sense because she was dating my dad when he fucked my mom. I'm glad I found out that story back in October because anything else this weekend would've been too much."

"How much do you want to go over today? We can also schedule another session for tomorrow." She's going to take it even though she will have to reschedule her physics tutor. She doesn't even know why she's taking that class because she doesn't need that specific class for her science requirement. She realized that half of her problems could be traced to bad scheduling and pushing herself too hard. But that was a discussion for another time.

"I honestly don't know where to start. My best friend is in the hospital because she is bipolar, and I didn't know. She didn't trust me enough to tell me. I was too self-absorbed to notice. She stopped taking her meds because she hated her doctor. Also, one of her sorority sisters convinced her that she was not "defective" and therefore didn't need her meds."

"You're not defective if you have a mental illness or you need psychiatric treatment or medication. There's nothing wrong with you."

"I am starting to believe that. But Gabby began to self-medicate with alcohol, and…" Taylor trailed off, beginning to cry.

"We will only talk about what you're ready to talk about." Dr. Makayla reassured her.

"I don't think I'm ready to talk about Gabriella yet. I just feel like I'm the world's worst friend. You know how mad I've been at her, and I feel like I made things worse."

"It's OK to feel angry. You just have to make sure you don't let those emotions overwhelm you."

"I've felt overwhelmed for days." Taylor acknowledged.

"That's understandable. Do you want to talk about Vanessa?"

"Not yet. Maybe not ever because everybody lied to me for 19 years, and I really don't want to take a baseball bat to any of your furniture right now." Taylor confessed.

"But you really want to?"

"Yes. Actually, I took a baseball back to the belongings of Ryan's mom Saturday evening. If you watch YouTube, you'll know all about her abusing her daughter. BTW my ex-boyfriend is engaged to my sort-of boyfriend's sister."

"You really should've called me this weekend. Any one of these things meets the emergency threshold." Dr. Makayla repeated.

"I realize that now. But I'm happy for Chad." Because Ryan was definitely hers now with Zack, but she rather share him with Zack.

"I believe you. So what topic do you want to discuss first outside of the adoption?"

"I have no fucking idea."

"That's OK. We have time."

Xxxxx

Like everybody predicted, Jason was on the roof. He was reading his current assignment for English. Only Jason McKessie would skip class to come up here and do homework.

"I was almost expecting you to be on your phone," Sharpay remarked.

"Taylor's phone is off because she's in therapy right now. So, she lied about always being available."

"I'm sure she will text you when she's out of her session; besides, I think you both agreed that she needs it."

"This is true," Jason said, going back to his assignment.

"Put your book in your bag. I think we both need to get out of here. You and I are going to take a drive." Thankfully Jason followed behind her.

15 minutes later, after filling out the necessary forms Jason and Sharpay drove out of the parking lot.

"Where are we going? Are we going to my house? Because I really don't feel like going to the house of lies right now?" It took Sharpay a few seconds to realize the real reason why Jason wasn't ready to deal with his parents yet.

"I'm not entirely sure yet. I just realized we need to get out of school." Sharpay answered.

"As long as I don't have to talk to my parents just yet. Can we go to Toys "R" Us?" Sharpay sighed at his question.

"Not yet. I just realized this entire weekend we have been focusing on convincing you that Taylor still sees you as her baby brother even though she's biologically Vanessa's daughter. I think we keep missing the real problem."

"What's the real problem?" Jason said to her.

"Your parents lied to you. You had this perfect family, and now it is not perfect anymore. You don't know what to do because things are not the way they were before." Sharpay understood that feeling completely.

"How can you understand? Your family was always a hot mess." Jason asked her with a touch of anger in his voice.

"You're right. My mom is abusive, and you know that."

"Everybody with an Internet connection knows that. Did she really sleep with Chad's cousin? I overheard people asking Carmen about it at lunch." Sharpay was repressing the urge to put her head in her hands. That's dangerous while driving. Poor Carmen.

"Technically, he's a step-cousin, and it was dubious consent at best. Carmen is Chad's cousin." Sharpay explained.

"Okay, that's bad."

"When I was five, I did believe my family was perfect. I believe my father would protect me from everything. But then he didn't protect me from the monster that lived in my own house. I stopped trusting him." Sharpay confessed.

"You're not gonna tell me I shouldn't be mad because I didn't have it as bad as you because at least my parents never hit me?" Jason asked.

"I'm not mostly because Olivia says comparing trauma is bad."

"Thank you."

"The lying to you was bad. But at least they lied to protect you. Darby always lied to protect herself." Sharpay couldn't help the bitterness in her voice.

"I just feel like they thought I was too much of a baby to know the truth. And I hate that feeling."

"I don't think your parents ever felt that you were too young to know the truth. Quick question, how old were you when parents started letting you sit on your IEP meetings?" Sharpay asked.

"I've always been allowed to sit on my IEP meetings. What does that have to do with anything?" Jason asked.

"Chad and Amanda were not allowed to sit on their meetings until they were your age. Even then, Amanda's parents didn't give her much of a say even after her dad ended up in a long-term care facility. Your parents thought you were mature enough to have a say in your home educational planning."

"Yet, not enough to know that Taylor isn't my biological sister." Jason spat out bitterly.

"I don't know what their reasoning was behind that decision. I could say it's because your parents wanted to protect you, but I don't know for sure. The only way you're going to get any answers to your questions is to actually talk to your parents."

"I don't know if I want to know the answers," Jason confessed.

"But I think you need them. I am not saying you have to forgive your parents for lying to you and Taylor the entire time. But you need to have a conversation about why you're upset. You haven't spent more than 5 minutes with the two of them since you found out Thursday."

"I hate that you sound so reasonable right now." Jason acknowledged begrudgingly.

"It happens occasionally."

"Fine, I will go talk to them, but if things go badly, do I have to stay? Jackie now lives with her Aunt Teresa because apparently, her parents were really homophobic."

"And were conspiring with Darby to make Ryan Kelsi's beard because they couldn't deal with a lesbian daughter. At least Ryan is still into some women. Although not Kelsi anymore because she's awful." Sharpay is ready to go on a two-hour Kelsi ran at any moment, but Jason does not need that.

"My parents lying about Taylor's adoption almost seems benign in comparison."

"Remember no comparing trauma."

"I'll try."

Xxx

Madison: Hey, I want to see how things are going?

Maria M: As well as can be expected under the circumstances. I did get to see Gabriella for half an hour. She is more responsive than she was yesterday. She's going to be starting group therapy soon. I'm on my way to Kim's house for dinner now. Teresa said she was cooking, but I feel like we are probably getting take out again.

Madison: Probably. Although Troy says that Teresa can cook. I'm glad that you got to see Gabriella and that she's getting better.

Maria M: Madison: I am too. How was your first day back?

Madison: Exhausting. Mercedes doesn't give a fuck that Gabriella is in the hospital right now. Although she is planning to send Troy another condolence gift basket. Apparently, she's unaware of what happened to her first gift. I'm not telling her.

Maria M: I thought she wanted both.

Madison: Only Mercedes knows what she actually wants. Cassandra and I are currently working on a revenge plan. When Kim does that interview announcing her engagement to Troy, please make sure I get a video of it. Let me know when it's going to drop so that we can have a sorority viewing party.

Maria M: I think they need an official engagement first.

Madison: When Troy helped Chad pick out Sharpay's ring, he may have picked something out for Kim. I think that proposal is going to happen soon.

Maria M: I'm not surprised. Part of the reason I'm going over to dinner is that Kim's ready to do an interview. Sharpay may even do one too.

Madison: You got the okay from Jen?

Maria M: I think Kim just wants the press to stop following her around. She also doesn't want Julie and the egg donor to be the only voices being heard.

Madison: Per Yolanda, she barely kept Troy from breaking his cell phone when he read today's Julie interview.

Maria M: I'm not surprised. How bad is the press there?

Madison: Bad, but they are terrified of his RA already, along with his coach.

Maria M: That's good.

Maria M: Anyway, I'm off to leave articles about the Romeo and Juliet of Albuquerque in Mercedes' bedroom.

Madison: I see you're going the psychological torture route.

Maria M: I'm just following Sharpay's instructions.

XXXX

"Somebody finally showed up," Chad said as Sharpay arrived back to their dorm room nearly 3 hours later than normal.

"Sorry, I ended up playing mediator for Jason and his parents," Sharpay said as she kissed Chad on the cheek.

"How did that go?" Chad asked.

"I didn't have to ask Kim if she would house Jason for the rest of the week so as well as can be expected."

"That's good. Although do you think Jason would agree to stay with Kim?"

"Yes, because he feels like she owes him. Although he's channeling that anger into a guilt Xbox."

"That seems like something any 12-year-old would do."

"I'm expecting lots of guilt presents. Do we still have time to go to the cafeteria for food?" Sharpay asked.

"Per Amand's handy-dandy chart, we should probably order something." Amanda knew when the cafeteria became inedible.

"That's probably for the best. The cafeteria means people, and lunch was hard enough." Sharpay sighed. "Do you know that Jackie is now living with your aunts Teresa and Mariah? More fallout from the Darby debacle. Actually, did you know that Teresa is Jackie's aunt?" He knew Sharpay wouldn't say the K-word.

"Not until this weekend. Teresa doesn't talk about her family much beyond the fact that they kicked her out. Although Kim knew for some reason." Chad explained.

"Great, you're making me feel almost sympathetic for my brother's ex-girlfriend."

"I'm sorry." Chad kiss Sharpay on the four head.

"It's okay. How was your day?

"Practice sucked. Zack was distracted hopefully with thoughts of Ryan. Also, everybody kept making snide comments about me getting married at 18. At least nobody knows I'm queer and practically got disowned this weekend."

"Per dinner yesterday, you are still part of the family, but Charles has been pretty much kicked out by your aunt Claudia."

"Nana Danforth thinks differently," Chad replied.

"Nana Danforth can go fuck herself. We all know Claudia is the real matriarch of the family. She ordered us to bring Zack over for dinner the next Sunday we are all free." For reasons known only to Aunt Claudia. The fact that Zack's mom was friends with Chad's Aunt Amy raised all sorts of red flags in Chad's mind. But he doesn't have the emotional energy to examine them.

"I'll let him know at the game tomorrow."

"Perfect. Order something good, and I will just cuddle next to you as I work on my English project." Sharpay said as she pulled out her copy of Nelson Mandela's biography.

"I like that idea."

XXXX

Sister Taylor: I'm sorry I didn't text you back earlier, but I'm available now.

Sister Taylor: Sorry, Olivia has a no cell phone rule, but I'll ask her to make an exception tomorrow if need be.

Sister Taylor: Technically, I'm in a study group, but you are more important. It sucked that Thanksgiving was so late this year. We are going headfirst into finals right now.

Jason: Good to know. It's okay. Sharpay grabbed me from the roof and took me to get ice cream.

Sister Taylor: You skip class, and you got ice cream? That is so unfair.

Jason: I was doing my homework on the roof. Therefore I wasn't skipping class; I was avoiding my classmates. Somehow they even know about Gabriella being in the hospital. Apparently, one of the Candy stripers doesn't understand patient confidentiality.

Sister Taylor: I can understand wanting to avoid people like that. I don't even know why they are talking about it because it's none of their business.

Jason: Because they are awful. How was therapy?

Sister Taylor: Useful. I'm going back every day this week. Some of that is to keep me from freaking out about finals. The other half is to help me work through Gabriella. I have a lot of guilt for not seeing what was happening.

Jason: What about the adoption?

Sister Taylor: I'm not quite ready to deal with that yet. Mikayla says it's fine that I want to focus on one problem at a time.

Jason: That's good. I'm glad you have somebody to talk to. I have Sharpay giving me secondhand quotes from her therapist.

Sister Taylor: You could see someone. Gabriella's doctor is actually a child/youth psychologist. Her specialization is teenagers. She works in the same office complex as mom.

Jason: I'll think about it. Also glad to know you're still calling mother mom.

Sister Taylor: That might've been the only part of this mess I worked on with Mikayla.

Jason: Progress is progress.

Sister Taylor: This is true. How did your conversation go with mom and dad?

Jason: There was a lot of crying.

Sister Taylor: That's to be expected.

.

Jason: Mostly from dad.

Sister Taylor: That doesn't surprise me at all. So do you now know why they didn't tell us?

Jason: Part of it was they signed an NDA with your sperm donor. Dad called him a piece of shit when he already thought I was upstairs and out of listening distance.

Sister Taylor: That doesn't make me feel better. Although it does make me feel less angry at mom and dad.

Jason: They were thinking about telling you soon anyway despite the NDA.

Sister Taylor: But Kim figured it out first.

Jason: Exactly. And then she freaked out at Thanksgiving. She's not handling losing her only child status very well.

Sister Taylor: Or really at all.

Sister Taylor: She had a bad couple of days, so I forgive her.

Jason: I'm still milking the situation to get an Xbox out of it.

Sister Taylor: You are such a brat sometimes.

Jason: I'm your brat, though.

Sister Taylor: You are.

To be continued…

Sorry, I just had to bring more of the other characters into this. It's necessary for the story I want to tell in part two.

I'm much more of an ensemble writer now than a shipper writer.