Thank you to everyone who left kudos. You are wonderful. Again, we have a lot of new material mixed in with the old version.
Also, there will be some fantasy sequences in this chapter. They are once again italicized.
Warning: sexual content. It's a small miracle I didn't delete it. I don't like writing sex scenes, and trying to fix ones that I wrote a decade ago feels like an exercise in torture. Now that I've been writing for over a decade, I just don't do them anymore. However, I kept this one in for plot reasons.
I also checked out the word count for the story on ff dot net this morning. I realize this is now longer than the original story. This is remarkable, considering we're not even halfway through the original material. I blame the Thanksgiving arc. Although I do think the second half will be significantly shorter. Mostly because I will be avoiding anything like the Thanksgiving arc again.
Chapter 59: Figuring out how to move forward
Afternoon December 5, 2008
Kim B: You know I didn't think I would prefer spending Friday morning with Maria and your ex-girlfriend, yet somehow I do.
Troy: Because the alternative is Julie and Grandma Karen.
Kim B: Actually, Julie hasn't been around since Teresa cursed her out Wednesday. At least not when I'm around.
Troy: Thank God. I really wish she would go back to Seattle. She managed to get my phone number again.
Kim B: Because she broke into your grandmother's phone. This is honestly the reason why she wants Julie back in Seattle too. However, Karen is difficult on her own. She realizes that your mom fucked up. But she's not very happy about your dad already dating someone else.
Troy: Even I wish they would've waited a couple of months.
Kim B: How many days were there between when you dumped Gabby and started dating me?
Troy: Okay, I see your point. I am willing to acknowledge I am being a total hypocrite.
Kim B: As long as you're self-aware.
Troy: How's Maria doing?
Kim B: As well as can be expected under the circumstances. Although I'm trying to convince her to use the goodwill from her interviews with Sharpay and me to get herself relocated to San Francisco. I think she wants to be closer to you and the grandbaby. But she doesn't want to leave Ryan alone in New York. But he has friends now, so maybe she'll be more receptive to moving.
Troy: Nobody trusses me with Alex.
Kim B: More like she remembers what it's like to take care of an energetic child. Also, maybe it would be good for Maria to be at least on the same coast as her daughter.
Troy: Also, a good point. How is Gabriella?
Kim B: Good-ish. She hates the food. She asked me to smuggle her in a cheeseburger Sunday.
Troy: Is it a good sign she has opinions about the food?
Kim B: Madison says that it is. Gabriella also apologized for defacing a poster of me at the garden Midtown. So she doesn't hate me. Although she is really happy she punched out your mom.
Troy: I also want to punch out my mom. So really, I have no room to talk.
Kim B: I'm pretty sure the only person who doesn't want to punch your mom is Julie. Again even grandma Karen is tired of her bull shit.
Troy: Has Gabby apologized yet for breaking into my computer and uploading a private video of my friends to YouTube? So far, it's just mostly been a confession.
Kim: Yes, to Ryan, multiple times on the phone. Not to Sharpay because that would actually require her coming, and that has yet to happen. I'm going to try to talk her into it today.
Troy: Good luck with that. I think it's going to go as well as Mercedes's attempts at seduction.
Kim B: More flowers?
Troy: Cookie basket. I thought about putting it in the common room, but Yolanda reminded me that she could've drugged it.
Kim B: That seems like a possibility.
Kim B: Hey, we just pulled into the school. I'll talk to you later.
Troy: I love you. May the kids not drive you crazy.
Kim B: Fingers crossed. Love you too
xxxxx
Sharpay was having a very frustrating day. Although she was able to get a good portion of her English project done, she has yet to produce a suitable rough draft for her creative writing audition piece. The only thing that came out almost good was a piece about Amanda becoming the new head of the Evans group. Although Amanda enjoyed it when Sharpay texted it to her, it really wasn't about Sharpay's future. Except in the sense that it meant she wasn't stuck in charge of the family business when she didn't want to be
She planned to talk to Kim today about how she decided to become an education major, but Kim spent most of the ride to school texting Troy. Once they got in school, they were accosted by the principal. He has not been happy with Kim. How could he not realize before that Alex was conceived while Kim was still a student at the school? Or is he just upset that that's now public knowledge? Regardless he was being a Dick.
"I can't believe he forced you to sign up to be a chaperone for the winter dance. But, more importantly, I can't believe you said yes." Sharpay remarked.
"I'll do anything not to spend time at my house with grandma Karen. I even went with Maria today to see Gabriella."
"You are way too good of a person. I'm a little worried about your masochistic tendencies. If Jamie was in the hospital, I definitely wouldn't go visit him." Sharpay remarked.
"But you would visit Taylor."
"Well, she's dating my brother, so of course I would have to go visit her. Then, Zack and I can take turns reminding Ryan to eat."
"So for me, this is more of a Taylor situation than a Jamie situation. Especially because it's kind of my fault that she ended up part of this mess in the first place." Kim lamented.
"You are not responsible for Lucy and your egg donor being complete psychopaths."
"I still feel guilty, though. Gabriella wants to see you to apologize for what she did. I really think you should go see her. It might help with her recovery." Kim told her.
"Nope. How will me yelling at her about the almost-sex tape incident help her recovery? I don't want to talk to her right now or ever again, for that matter. Can we talk about something else?" Sharpay said as they walked into Ms. Darbus's classroom.
"How's your audition piece going?" Of course, Kim would bring up the other thing she doesn't want to talk about.
"How do you even know about that?"
"I have my sources. Apparently, your advisor feels like you should consider careers you actually like instead of doing what everyone else expects you to do. I think that's a good suggestion. Better than what most of my advisors have told me."
"So you also feel that I should stop being a performing arts major?" Sharpay asked, annoyed.
"I want you to do something that makes you happy or at least not miserable. I saw the footage of the senior musical rehearsals and production. You were miserable. According to Troy, this summer at the community theater production, you were only happy if you were helping to direct the show or if you were rewriting the script. Troy told me the director gave you a smaller part just so you had more time to do the things that you actually liked doing. The love you once had for performing is gone." That was also done so she would kiss Troy instead of the other guy. However, Kim did not need to know that.
"Okay, I'm willing to acknowledge that I was miserable during the senior production. However, after talking to my brother and Chad, I am willing to acknowledge that maybe my current major was about pleasing Darby and dad." Sharpay admitted begrudgingly.
"Which you don't need to do because Darby can go …" Kim trailed off when she realized that her future father-in-law was now looking directly at her. He was walking behind them.
"How do I figure out what I want to be now? How did you decide to be an education major?" Sharpay asked.
"I want to hear this answer." Coach Bolton said as he unlocked Ms. Darbus's room. The fact that he now had a key to her room made Sharpay worry. Now Sharpay was convinced Ms. Darbus was sicker than she told Sharpay she was yesterday. Sharpay hoped this was not a repeat of ninth grade when Ms. Darbus missed a good portion of the first part of the school year because she was going through chemotherapy. Sharpay was one of the few students who knew Ms. Darbus was a breast cancer survivor.
"She's out sick again?" Kim asked with a hint of worry. Apparently, her father-in-law didn't tell her about substituting today.
"Yes. I am the only teacher at East High that can actually work with you." Jack said to her. "I'm covering Monday as well. I just found out." That's not good at all. However, Sharpay is not going to cry right now.
"We have to get along. There is a good chance you're going to be my future husband's stepfather. At least you didn't turn this into a study hall like Mr. Winter with Carmen's class. Final exam performances start in about a week. Plus, the winter talent show is in two weeks, and several of my students are performing. We need to rehearse."
"You're getting way too into this," Kim said to her friend.
"I want a good grade." Sharpay retorted.
"You already have one. To answer your question from earlier, I figured out I needed a new major when the doctor told me I was pregnant. I don't think my realization will help you." Kim told both of them.
"Many life choices have been determined by that statement. There's a reason why I taught high school English for several years even though it was my minor." Jack said to the two of them. At that moment, the bell signaled the beginning of the last period.
"I got to go. I'm riding back to the house with Jack again, so you don't have to wait for me." Kim said as she left for Ms. Ortega's class.
20 minutes later, after Sharpay had everybody working on their various assignments, she walked back to Jack. He was grading quizzes for his health class.
"You know you're actually good at teaching," Jack said as he looked up from his quizzes.
"This is not teaching. This is directing. I'm great at telling people what to do." Sharpay replied.
"You're also great at showing students how to perform their scenes better. You know how to explain things in a way that students understand. I know that you're looking for a new career path."
"Carolyn told you?"
"Yes. Also, you and Kim were really loud in the hallway." Of course, Chad told his mom.
"I am not surprised." Because, of course, Carolyn is going to tell Jack everything.
"Have you ever considered being a teacher? Teaching is not the most well-paid profession. But, considering you have a trust fund just like Kim, I don't think you will care about that too much."
"Can you seriously see me as a teacher?" Sharpay asked Jack in all sincerity.
"Yes, I can," Jack answered. "The more important question is, can you?"
XXXX
Sharpay sat on her bed with her laptop in hand as she started to review her third-period Sophomore English class exams. She had 20 essays to get through tonight. She was just glad students now typed everything in class instead of writing things out by hand.
She felt a headache coming on as she finished reading essay number 12. Some of the essays were good. A few were dreadful. This one came straight from spark notes. Sharpay saved the file she was working on as she heard her husband walk into the bedroom.
The best part of Chad's job as a software developer was he got to work from home. This meant a clean house and edible food that wasn't take out. Of the two of them, Chad was the one who could actually clean and knew how to cook.
"How are the exams coming?" Her husband asked as he sat on the bed next to her.
"12 down, eight more to go. I'm going to have to send Kevin to Principal Bolton's office for plagiarism. Kim may just suspend him, and I'm going to have to give him a zero for the project." As she was telling him this, he started massaging her shoulders.
"Poor baby," Chad said as he placed his mouth on her neck and began to suck gently as his hands began to move down to her waist. "I know what will make you feel so much better," Chad said as his hands began to undo her pants, and his mouth continued kissing her heated skin.
"If I let you do that, I'm never going to get done," Sharpay told Chad but didn't do anything to stop him as he started lowering her jeans down her hips as he placed a kiss on her navel.
"I can be quick," Chad said as he began to remove her top.
"Chad, your idea of quick is anything under an hour. Not that I don't enjoy that." Sharpay responded as she removed Chad's T-shirt and threw it next to her discarded clothing. But, of course, she wasn't going to stop this from happening. If she did, she would be too distracted to continue grading papers.
She let out a breathy moan as he took one of her lace-covered nipples into his mouth. She always loved when he did that. Then, as his hands and mouth explored her body, she continued to undress him. It was only fair. Eventually, his hand went to the nightstand where they kept the condoms.
A few months ago, she started having problems with her birth control pill and had to go off them. Ever since then, they have been going through about three or four packs a week. Tonight, however, Sharpay stopped him.
"I'm ready," Sharpay said as she took the condom out of his hand and threw it across the room.
"That's why I'm trying to get a condom." Her husband said to her.
"I mean, I am ready to have a baby with you," Sharpay said as she began kissing him once more. They've been talking about this for a while, but Sharpay was always a little hesitant. She was terrified of ending up like Darby. Now she knew that wasn't going to happen.
"You really want to do this?" Chad asked as he positioned himself at her entrance. She nodded yes, and with that, he was inside of her. Since they first made love all those years ago, she always felt this sense of peace and completeness when he was in her. Even if they were going at it on the kitchen table or handcuffs were involved, she was most happy when they were connected like this. She loved everything they did together.
Chad had her so distracted she forgot to remove her computer from the bed. Then, as she and Chad approached their orgasm, she heard a crash. So caught up with the sensation of Chad coming inside her during her orgasm, Sharpay didn't realize she had just lost 2 hours of work. In the morning, she would have to come up with a very good excuse for why the exams would be late. That didn't involve her telling her 10th graders that she broke her computer while having sex with her husband.
XXXX
"You cannot turn that one in," Chad said as he placed a kiss on her shoulder. He showed up a few minutes ago after practice. They were supposed to go out tonight with Amanda and company. However, Sharpay was too into writing to get ready. Sharpay didn't realize he was standing behind her. After reading her essay, he started to come up with better things to do than go out to dinner with friends.
"How much of that did you just read?" Sharpay asked as she went slightly red.
"You're not allowed to blush because you wrote that. I read enough to know you have a potentially lucrative future in the erotic literature industry. That paper is going in the private collection right next to the DVD. How did a story about you being a teacher become a porno?" Chad asked his girlfriend as he kissed her.
"It wasn't that graphic. I don't write graphic sex scenes. Even if I did, it is not pornography; it is art. I started writing a story about me being a teacher. It ended up becoming a story about us trying to conceive our first child. We were married for nine years in this story before we began trying to have a baby." His girlfriend knew he was easily freaked out over the idea of an unplanned pregnancy.
"That part I find kind of sweet. This piece is just for me and you to enjoy." Chad said as he leaned over and kissed her once more.
"I completely agree. That means I'm going to have to write something else." Sharpay said as she powered down her laptop and moved over to their bed.
"Maybe you can just edit out the sexual stuff." Sharpay gave him a "you're absolutely crazy" look.
"There won't be anything left. That whole thing was sexual."
"You'll just have to write something else and hope it doesn't become a porno again," Chad said with a laugh as he wrapped his arms around her on the bed.
"This is so unfair. I had no problem coming up with a story about my possible future last year. I was going to be this big Star with tons of fans and lots of awards. I would have the best parts on stage and onscreen. My fantasy was complete with Oscar nominations, penthouse apartments, and dancing girls." Sharpay said as she leaned back into him.
"Where was I during this fantasy?" Chad asked her as he kissed her once more. He noticed her cheeks go very red. "I was actually there?"
"Everyone was there. Jason Cross and Zeke were my bodyguards. Taylor was a flight attendant. Kelsi was a cab driver. Troy was a crazy fan begging for my attention. Gabriella was my maid." Sharpay explained.
"I bet that was your favorite part." He said as he started peppering her neck and back with soft kisses.
"No, my favorite part was Officer Chad." He heard Sharpay whisper. He remembered exactly who Officer Chad was from that drunken night months ago when they had their first kiss.
"Tell me what happened with you in Officer Chad?" Chad said in a breathy whisper.
"In this fantasy, you as Officer Chad were knocking on my apartment door to yell at me for my numerous traffic violations. I answered the door in a bathroom and white lingerie. Suddenly you realize it's me and follow me into the apartment."
"I'm starting to like this fantasy," Chad said as he started to remove her top.
"I thought we were going to go out?" Sharpay asked but didn't stop him as he continued to undress her.
"We can order pizza later. I want to play with you now. What did we do in this naughty fantasy of yours?"
"You have me up against the wall, and your mouth was covering mine as you start undressing me. Your hands are touching me in all the right places. Your tongue was doing very wicked things to me. I destroy the police uniform because I literally ripped it off you. I did not think about it because within seconds, you're inside of me. I cannot think at that point." The last time she told him about Officer Chad, she wasn't this graphic.
"Last year, you had a sex dream about me?" He asked her in surprise. Even their subconscious knew that they had feelings for each other last year.
"I was conscious when I came up with this little fantasy," Sharpay admitted sheepishly. Chad's mouth dropped open in complete shock.
"You were fantasizing about having sex with me, and yet you freaked out at the thought of the senior play being about me? You passed out in class."
"Even though Kelsi wrote all the songs, I wrote everything else. If the senior musical was going to be about you, that meant we would have to work together. That's what had me so freaked out." He didn't believe that.
"Are you sure you were not flashing back to your little fantasy?" He said, teasing her.
"No, I came up with that fantasy after I passed out," Sharpay said, blushing.
"What do you think about that fantasy now?" Chad asked as he pulled away from her. If he kept kissing her, he wouldn't get a straight answer.
"Well, I doubt you would be a police officer because I'm pretty sure you're trying to convince your aunt Mariah to quit her job."
"Because she surrounded by egotistical homophobic assholes, and she hates it there. Although with Teresa now working for Kim, she might be able to leave soon." Except they now have a brand-new kid because Jackie is never speaking to her parents again. "Also, don't try to distract me. Answer the question.
"The only part I still want is where you and I make love against the wall of our apartment."
"I'm looking forward to that."
"I'm sure you would. The only good thing that came out of the almost-sex tape incident is I found out I don't want to be famous. I do not want people running up to me in the grocery store as I pick out cereal. I don't want people making nasty comments about my personal life. Last year I would have loved to have the press follow me like they have been this week. But, instead, the thought of getting interviewed by someone other than Maria makes me nauseous. Also, now I have the sudden urge to punch out a photographer."
"Maybe it's a good thing you're considering alternative career options?" Chad remarked.
"I don't necessarily need to be famous to be an actor. I'm willing to acknowledge I have more fun writing plays than actually acting in them." Sharpay acknowledged reluctantly.
"Spike Lee and Tyler Perry put themselves in all their films. So you can always do the same thing." Chad said, kissing her.
"I know all about Spike Lee. I have to analyze three of his films for our film class final project. You're the lucky bastard that drew George Lucas."
"Especially since I already have Anakin/Vader for the other project."
"Truthfully, I always preferred to write. That's why I was so mad about the Twinkle Towne fiasco. Kelsi wrote the entire play without me. Honestly, I only wanted to do a one-woman show senior year because I would get to write it all by myself. Kelsi signed everybody up for the play to purposely keep me from writing it. Probably because Darby was paying her to." Sharpay said that last part with a hint of anger. "I still think she was putting on a show for Natasha."
"Probably. You don't have to finish this right now. You have all weekend to come up with something as you work on your other projects. How about I get your mind off of everything by acting out some of the things from your story?" He asked her as he started kissing her body again.
"Just because I can write about us having sex doesn't mean I'm ready. I'm not afraid of being with you. I am more afraid of that act in general. Writing has always been a way for me to work out some of my issues." Sharpay explained.
"I was personally thinking of the massage, but if you have other ideas, I am all for it. So, you're adventurous in erotic writing are a way for you to process everything and move forward?"
"Yes."
"Good. Do you have any other pieces like the teacher fantasy? If so, can I read the stories?" That statement got him a pillow in the head.
xxxxx
After Chad left for his away game at 9:00 AM that morning, Sharpay started working on her many projects for the end of this semester. First, she managed to analyze two Spike Lee films and prepare her outline for her Mandela paper. She would start drafting that tonight.
Around noon, she tried to go back to the audition piece. Unfortunately, she was out of ideas, so she had Ryan text her random careers that he found on the Internet. All the stories came out horrible, although Ryan thinks she would make a great veterinarian someday. By that point, Sharpay was so frustrated she agreed to go shopping with Tiffany and Kerri when they called her around 2 PM. Apparently, Tiffany arrived back in Albuquerque last night.
Sharpay spent a good half an hour telling Kerri and Tiffany what happened earlier in the week as they looked for baby things.
"In high school, I wanted to be an engineer. Then I had to take care of my sick grandmother and decided I wanted to help people. So I changed my major to premed and did wonderfully." Tiffany explained as they left the Baby Boutique with the starter wardrobe for the twins.
"How have the twins affected that?" Sharpay asked Tiffany. Even though she and Chad weren't doing anything yet, Sharpay knew she could just as easily end up in Tiffany's position. Although Sharpay told Carolyn they would have a long engagement, Sharpay is 90% sure they will be married long before graduation.
"I'm taking the next two quarters off until the babies are born. Then, I will start classes again in the summer back in Cleveland. I'll be done with undergrad by the end of December 2009. After that, I hope to get into the medical program at Albuquerque Medical center or in nearby Santa Fe, so I will have a support system. After that, I'm going to finish med school." Tiffany looked very determined. Sharpay is sure that Tiffany will make good on her promise.
"I think I would be absolutely terrified in your shoes," Sharpay said quietly.
"I'm terrified. The fact that I'm going to be doing this all on my own makes it worse."
"Have you heard from Charles? Well, since he wrecked your house anyway." Sharpay asked Tiffany. Per aunt Claudia, Charles has been essentially silent since he went skulking back to Cleveland Friday morning.
"My lawyer has not been able to get a hold of his lawyer yet. He's not returning my calls. It made me realize that I am completely on my own now." Tiffany said as she sat down, almost in tears.
"No, you're not," Sharpay said as she sat down next to her. "I think I just spent $3000 on baby close alone today. You're carrying my future sister-in-law and brother-in-law right now. That makes us family. Chad and I'll be there even though the daddy is most likely ditching all of us." And depending on a certain DNA test, Zack will be there too, but Sharpay keeps that to herself.
"Welcome to our dysfunctional family," Sharpay said as she hugged her.
She and Chad had been having many conversations about what to do regarding his new sibling and his absentee father. Finally, they both decided they would be there for Tiffany as much as possible.
"That's good to know. I might take you up on that offer."
"We will be there when you need us," Sharpay responded.
"That is enough resting. We still need to pick out Karri's dress for the winter ball." Tiffany said as she got up from the bench.
"No, we don't. I am not going." Kerri told them. Considering what happened at the last dance, Sharpay understood why Kerri didn't want to go.
"Why don't you want to go? The Winter Ball is always so much fun." Tiffany asked her cousin.
"The welcome back dance was supposed to be fun. Instead, because my then-boyfriend was a prick, I ended up in the ICU because he drugged me to have sex with him against my will." Kerri spat out angrily. Honestly, Sharpay was proud of Kerri for being able to talk about the incident so freely. Sharpay can't even tell Zack about what happened to her so he can get his best friend the hell away from Malick.
"I seriously doubt that's going to happen again," Tiffany said to her.
"Probably not, considering the principal has doubled the number of chaperones and is most likely going to be strip searching everybody." Sharpay wasn't even being that sarcastic.
"I don't remember him being this bad," Tiffany said in confusion.
"He wasn't. The real reason I don't want to go to the dance is there are only three boys in the entire school that I actually trust. One has a girlfriend, the other may have a secret boyfriend, and the third hasn't gone through puberty yet. Of the three, the only one that likes me more than a friend is Jason. Jason is sweet, but he's also 12." Kerri said with a sigh of annoyance.
"You could still go with Jimmy. I doubt he's going to be able to bring Marc." Sharpay said, pointing out the obvious. This is the first she heard about Marc and Jimmy actually dating. However, she shouldn't be surprised because she hadn't talked to Marc since Monday.
"The captain of your basketball team is gay?" Tiffany asked in surprise.
"First of all, Chad was co-captain of the basketball team last year, so this is not new," Sharpay remarked.
"Jimmie is just keeping the tradition alive. Also, like Chad, only a handful of people actually know. He's going to the dance with Jackie as a friend." Kerri explained.
"Does she know that he's going with her just as a friend?" Sharpay asked Kerri.
"No, because she's so freaked out about having to divorce her parents that we decided not to tell her. Can we please talk about something else right now?" Kerri asked, not wanting to go any further into the conversation.
"You can always suggest possible careers for me," Sharpay said as she led them to another baby store. But, she wasn't going to force the dance issue with Kerri.
"Rape counselor," Kerri called out without thinking. "I don't think I would've been able to get through everything without you. You're really great at listening, and you understand what's going on with me. I'm doing much better talking to you than I was with the therapist at the hospital." Kerri said as they walked into Baby Land.
"I really wish you would have gone to the person I suggested. Also, not everybody clicks with their first therapist. It takes time to find someone you trust." Sharpay lamented.
"My mom is proud and refuses to take handouts. Also, you're just the person I click with. You have skills that my last therapist did not have."
"She is right. You are great at listening. Maybe you and Kim could put your own nonprofit together." Tiffany suggested.
XXXX
Olivia Evans and her Aunt Michaela Jackson walked through the Eastside mall with her mom and dad, looking for the perfect prom dress. Michaela was going dress shopping with her because her mom was on call at the hospital and wouldn't have the time before the dance.
Because she is a super genius like her father, she is in the same grade as her aunt and uncle even though she's a year younger. Many people found it odd that Olivia was in the same year as her aunt and uncle. Their mouths were on the floor when she told them about her aunt from Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Jack in the ninth grade.
Neither her nor Michaela carried the last name Danforth because her Grandfather Charles was an ass. Olivia only met the person once at her great-great Aunt Esther's funeral two years ago. Her Aunt Michaela and Uncle William really didn't care about their absentee father because they had two big brothers instead. Even though Zack lived in New York with Ryan, he always made time for his younger brother and sister. He also adored Olivia to pieces. It was a little weird that her uncle was married to her other uncle but not as strange as the fact that her dad once kissed her uncle Ryan. That was a really "fun" conversation.
Her parents were currently making out behind her as they walked through the mall. Even though they have been married for almost 18 years, they still act like newlyweds. Her dad was really famous for creating voice recognition software that actually works. Thanks to him, everybody talks to their computers now. Her mom and her best friend ran a nonprofit organization focused on sexual assault prevention and survivor services.
"Can you please stop that? We are in public. Do you have to make out all the time?" Olivia practically yelled at her parents.
"If your special friend Jordan was here, you probably would be attached at the lips." Michaela pointed out to her niece. As soon as Michaela said Jordan's name, her father started to tense up.
"You don't find their behavior creepy?" Olivia asked Michaela as she ignored her father's reaction.
"He is my brother. I view things differently than you do."
"Sometimes, I forget you're my aunt and not my sister."
"It's probably worse with Little Teresa because she is three years younger than you."
"Did I thank you guys for giving me aunts and uncles that are my own age?" Olivia said to her father sarcastically.
"That was not my fault. I thought I was an only child until the year before you were born. Remember to mention that to Grandpa Jack next time you see him." That earned her father a smack from her mom.
"Let's go in the store and pick out your dresses," Sharpay said, ushering everyone into the dress shop.
"You're such a bossy sister-in-law," Michaela said as they walked into the store. "Come on, Olivia; let's see if we can find you something that's easy access for Jordan." But, of course, she said that loud enough for her parents to hear.
"Just because everybody supposedly loses their virginity on prom night doesn't mean it's a good idea. Just ask your Uncle Ryan." Uncle Ryan, Uncle Zack, and Aunt Taylor were the only aunts and uncles that really felt like aunts and uncles. Even though Uncle Zack was a double uncle. Yes, her Uncle Ryan was still with Zack and Taylor. No, Olivia doesn't care what you think about that. Troy should go into the uncle category, but he refuses the honorific on principle for reasons unknown. Although technically, he is her step-uncle, so it's not really in honorific.
"How do you know Olivia is still a virgin? I'm not." Michaela said to her brother.
"What do you mean you're not a virgin? It had better not be that Matt boy that you're always with. I hate that boy." At that moment, her dad and Aunt Michaela got into a huge argument in the middle of the store. Olivia and her mom retreated to the dressing rooms.
"Sometimes I think dad forgets that Michaela is his sister, not his daughter," Olivia said as she grabbed a pink dress from the rack to try it on.
"Their relationship is probably closer to father/daughter than brother/sister. Michaela and William didn't get to have a mom and dad like you and your brother. Michaela and William have a mom and two big brothers. You don't know how lucky you are. I would have loved to have a family like this growing up." Her mom said to her.
"I thought that Grandfather Evans didn't divorce your mom until right before you and dad got married." Olivia knew hardly anything about her maternal grandmother except that her first name was Darby. Darby was not talked about in their house. There was not even a picture of her. Grandma Maria was better anyway. Although she doesn't claim Gabriella as an aunt by mutual agreement.
"Just because both my parents were married to each other didn't mean we had the perfect family. It wasn't until your uncle and I were in college that my dad realized being a workaholic was a bad thing. Your father and I have always put you and your brother first before our careers. We don't talk about the woman who gave birth to me because she was abusive." Her mom's body language told Olivia not to ask a follow-up question.
"Do you think they have the dress in blue? I am not a pink person".
"Neither am I."
XXXX
For once, Chad was actually having fun at an away game. After losing the last two games, they won tonight by 15 points. Best of all, Penelope did not hit on him today. Actually, she's been avoiding him since Monday's incident in the cafeteria. Penelope was also quiet on the plane and wouldn't even make eye contact with him. Even Amanda picked up on it. He really didn't care as long as she stayed away from him.
Chad was sitting in his hotel room, re-watching American Graffiti as he worked on his film analysis for class. Halfway through the film, Sharpay called him.
"Aren't you supposed to be asleep right now?" Chad asked as he answered the phone.
"Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Sharpay asked instead of answering his question.
"I haven't come down from the game yet, and Zack is too busy probably having late-night/early morning text message sex with your brother."
"I don't want to think about that, and you shouldn't either. Especially in that way."
"I have moved Ryan safely to the family category." And Zack too. As soon as he's done freaking out about the twins, he's going to ask his friend to get a DNA test. It can't just be a coincidence that his dad dated Zack's mom about when he was conceived. That's a panicky thought for another day.
"If I stay up and quietly do my homework, nobody says anything to me. I'll sleep on the plane tomorrow. So why are you up at one in the morning when I'm not there to keep you up?" Chad asked.
"I had a weird nightmare. I can't go back to sleep. So I figured if I talk to you, I could go to sleep again." Sharpay explained.
"Was it another Malick nightmare?" Chad asked.
"No, it was Penelope this time. I had this dream where you were an NBA superstar, and I was the basketball player's wife. I ran a charity specializing in giving inner-city children a chance to spend the summer at a drama camp in New Mexico. I was giving an interview on some Oprah-like talk show with you when Penelope showed up pregnant. She said that you were the father, and then five other girls along with three guys show up claiming that they had slept with you." He would find the situation funny if Sharpay wasn't so unsettled by the dream.
"You do realize that is never going to happen," Chad said, wishing he could hold her right now. He was really starting to hate away games. "Remember, I am Demi. Despite all the good qualities that Zack claims Penelope has, I'm never going to find her sexually attractive ever." Chad reassured.
"I know. I Trust you. It's this stupid project. I have written all these different short stories, and nothing is good enough. I still have no idea what I want to be." Sharpay lamented.
"How many stories have you written?" he asked her.
"Between today and yesterday, I've started on 15 different ideas. I have drafted 8 short stories, and I hate all of them except the one that ended up being about Amanda. I won't even let Ryan see the rest of the rough drafts even though he keeps asking." Sharpay explained.
"Email me everything you have. We're going to figure this out tonight." Chad told his girlfriend.
"You don't have to do that. You should work on your own projects."
"If I don't help, you will not go back to sleep," Chad remarked.
"Fine, I will email you everything. Then, call after you review my drafts. I love you for doing this." Sharpay said as she hung up the phone.
Within seconds all of the rough drafts were in his email, and he started reading. Then, 45 minutes later (and one accidentally overheard conversation between Zack and Penelope that completely took him out of denial mode), he called his girlfriend back.
He particularly loved the one where she was the CEO of the Evans Corporation, and they were having sex on her desk in the middle of the day. There was no way he would let her turn that one in.
Also, even Sharpay is 100% sure Zack is his half-brother. It's mentioned in multiple stories. Also, one of the stories contained what most likely was a text message conversation Friday between Zack and Sharpay about a DNA test Thursday. Sharpay probably forgot she had the computer microphone on when she was dictating her text messages. Good thing he heard the Zack and Penelope conversation first. Penelope is apparently avoiding him because she doesn't want to accidentally tell him about Zack getting a DNA test Thursday.
"So, what am I doing wrong? Please help me?" Sharpay asked him after he called her back.
"Sharpay, you don't need my help. You know exactly what you want. I am kind of happy about that because I want the same thing." He told her honestly.
"No, I don't. I have no idea what career I want to have." Sharpay lamented.
"Sharpay, that's the only thing you're not sure about. In every single one of these stories, we are married. In most of them, we have children. In your fantasy stories, we have the type of family life that we didn't have growing up. In most of these stories, you are working in careers that help other people." Chad explained.
"I didn't realize any of the stories have common themes," Sharpay told him.
"It's okay that you don't know what career you want," Chad reassured.
"Ryan said the same thing Thursday."
"Your brother's right. I remember reading somewhere that the average person changes careers five times during their life. Most people end up working in a career that has nothing to do with their major. Do you really think Charles went to college to be a CPA?" Chad asked.
"I don't think your father wants to do anything. Apparently, I know exactly what I want in the future. How do I declare that major?"
"Since you asked, I have a plan, or rather Ryan and I came up with a plan," Chad explained.
"You know I'm not even surprised that you were conspiring with my brother."
"We are the best co-conspirators," Chad said to Sharpay as he outlined his strategy.
XXXX
December 8, 2008, 11:50 AM.
Chad stood outside Sharpay's class, holding her lunch that she wouldn't get to eat until she was on her way to EHS. Sharpay kissed him on the cheek and grabbed the bag from him when she finally made it to the classroom. "Thank you for making sure I don't starve again," Sharpay said as she kissed him on the mouth.
"So, how did everything go at the registrar's office?" Chad asked.
"I'm officially no longer a drama major. I also signed up for my minor in women's studies. So you better keep your part of the deal and declare your extra minor tomorrow."
They came to an agreement early Sunday morning that for now, Sharpay would only major in business. That will allow her to decide if she wants to switch to the writing program or do both like Ryan suggested. They agreed to take a similar minor, so they could have some classes together. By Chad taking an extra minor and her no longer being a double major, they would graduate at the same time. As long as she doesn't decide to double major again. But that's something to worry about later.
"I promise. I'm going to be the only guy in all your women's studies classes." Chad smirked at her.
"That's not going to happen. There is at least one man who takes the class to try to get a date." She wasn't even joking.
"What about the essay?" Chad asked.
"Sarah emailed me back and told me that she really liked it. So she is going to send it off to Professor Rollins today. I will know by the end of the week if I'd get to take the class." Sharpay explained.
"I'm sure you'll get into the class. Which story did you turn in?" Chad asked.
"I wrote a different one yesterday when I was waiting for you to get home. I chose to write about our 25th wedding anniversary. I decided to have Ms. Darbus proofread it because Ryan would just email it to you." Sharpay explained.
"Probably."
"I emailed you a special version of the essay," Sharpay said as she kissed him. Afterward, they walked together to her final chemistry class of the semester and took her usual seat next to Amanda.
When Chad got home from basketball practice that afternoon, he read Sharpay's paper. He absolutely loved it and hoped that she didn't accidentally send the professor this version. Or Ms. Darbus, for that matter. That would've been mortifying.
To be continued…