Thank you to everyone who read the last chapter. Looking back at the original A/N for this chapter, I realize I wrote it during the huge 2010 snowstorm. I live in the DC area, and I ended up being snowed in that weekend.
Also, apparently, this is the point I tried to impose word count limits. This is something I'm only now starting to become successful with.
Welcome to finals week. In the original version of the story, this was the final arc of part one. However, we have a lot more threads that are not resolved yet. Because of that, I decided that part one will continue until the end of the calendar year instead of the school year.
I made some stupid mistakes in the original version of the story. One, I completely messed up the calendar. Two, I don't think I consulted an actual school calendar. Which would've probably kept me from having this ridiculously long basketball season that I created for plot purposes. In the original version, I did not specify what school Tiffany went to in the Cleveland Metro. I went back and decided it was Case Western as part of her character development. Then I remembered that I had Tiffany going to a quarter system school for plot reasons. So much like the basketball season schedule in the story, we are just going to forget about realism and do whatever works best for the story I'm trying to tell.
Basically, I've decided to just leave some of the original sins of the story in. I'm better at researching stuff now, but there are some things I'm just not going to fix. It's okay to fudge things a little. This is also why I mostly write science fiction now. You don't have to consult calendars when you're writing Star Trek. (although I do have memory alpha bookmarked for other reasons.)
Warning: Discussions of domestic violence and sexual assault. Honestly, at this point, I should just flag the chapters that don't have that.
Chapter 60: Final exams and OB/GYN appointments oh my
Afternoon December 9, 2008
Tiffany: Hey, are you able to talk? I know it's finals week for you right now. I'm so glad I go to a quarter system school. I was done with everything before things blew up.
Sharpay: I am available. Chad is just helping me review for my calculus exam in the morning. I'm happy to take a break so he can study for his exam. I'm so lucky most of my classes are projects—only two actual exams.
Tiffany: Is he actually going over formulas with you or doing things that could get you into my current situation?
Sharpay: Mostly formulas. Occasional kisses and maybe a little more but not that.
Tiffany: Just be safe.
Sharpay: We are. I'm not allowed within 50 feet of edible charcoal.
Tiffany: LOL, Smart. Although I don't think Chad would ghost you like his father has.
Sharpay: You still haven't heard from him?
Tiffany: Not Charles, personally. This is for the best because I want to smack him upside the head for what he did to my house. He is the one fucking someone who's barely legal, and he had the nerve to call me a ho. In writing, on my hardwood floors.
Sharpay: I still think you should press charges for the vandalism.
Tiffany: Things are already going to be messy. I don't want to make them worse. Right now, I have Aunt Claudia on my side, at least. I just want to talk about child support and child custody arrangements through our lawyers. Honestly, I don't want him to have more than supervised visits after that little stunt.
Sharpay: Does Charles have a lawyer?
Tiffany: Nana Danforth is apparently paying for one on his behalf. They have a call with my lawyers tomorrow when I'm supposed to be making my way to the gynecologist's office. Because of course, we have to do things on Nana Danforth's timetable.
Sharpay: So, you're rescheduling?
Tiffany: No. My attorney said I didn't need to be there, nor did she want me there. She feels my doctors' appointment is more important. Jen is so sweet.
Sharpay: So you're using the same attorney as Kim and Troy? I've heard only good things about her.
Tiffany: I would go with Matt, but apparently, the Bolton divorce is getting ugly.
Sharpay: So ugly. Lucy is trying to force Troy to meet with her when he comes in later this week. She even asked him to bring Alex.
Tiffany: Evil bitch. Now I am not upset that I hit on her husband the moment I turned 18. I'm deeply still embarrassed and glad that he has more morality than Charles.
Sharpay: I understand. I knew that woman gave me a Darby vibe for a reason. However, Troy is still having trouble reconciling the mom in his head to who she really is. Certain family members that will remain nameless thinks he should meet with Lucy just for the sake of closure. I think you should stay the fuck away.
Tiffany: That is because you are good at reading people.
Sharpay: It's a survival skill.
Tiffany: I am still thankful for it. You saved my cousin.
Sharpay: I'm glad I could do it. Due to Charles, we are practically family. From what I've been told, functional families take care of one another. I'm just getting used to that concept, but I'm grateful to be trying it out. That means I am definitely here for you during all of this. So is Chad.
Tiffany: So does that mean you're available at 3:30 PM tomorrow to go with me to the gynecologist? They're going to probably do an ultrasound which means you'll get to see the twins.
Tiffany: It's okay if you're too busy with classes. I understand; I just really would prefer someone to be there with me. But, as usual, my aunt is working and can't take time off. I don't want to take Kerri with me. One, she'll have to leave classes early. Two, I know she has been helping Jackie with her talent show performance.
Sharpay: Which I will be overseeing. But I don't mind missing a day of classes. And I could even bring Kerri with me.
Tiffany: No, that's okay. I shouldn't have asked. I can do this by myself.
Sharpay: You don't have to. Let me see how Chad's schedule is. But regardless, I will be there.
XXXX.
"Hey, do you have practice or anything else tomorrow afternoon?" Sharpay asked her boyfriend, looking up from her phone.
"No, the coach is being nice because it's finals week. Why do you ask?"
"Tiffany has an OB/GYN appointment at 3:30 PM tomorrow. She invited us to come with her because she doesn't want to be there alone. So I said I would go, but do you want to come with me?
"What about her aunt? Or Kerri? I'm not going to suggest Kim because she's already way too stressed." That is an understatement. Julie has been staying at her house since yesterday. Like, seriously, her husband is supposed to be a tech millionaire. She can pay for a dam hotel or at least sleep on her sister's couch. Or, at a minimum, keep letting Kim pay for the hotel but nope. She's probably jealous of Liz getting to spend so much more time with the baby. She's taking advantage of Liz leaving soon to return to Santa Fe to do some work stuff for a few days.
"Her aunt is working and is unable to take her." Sharpay explained.
"More like unwilling." She heard Chad mumble under his breath.
"Kerri has class. I don't want to pull her out of rehearsals for the talent show. Technically, I do too, but I think Jack would be okay if I miss tomorrow to help Tiffany. Besides, I'll see if Liz would be willing to visit her big brother and bring Alex along. I don't think she has to leave until that evening."
"Aunt Liz never misses an opportunity for big brother embarrassment. Although I think she has to leave earlier in the day, possibly to avoid strangling Julie. However, Aunt Teresa would be happy to stop by. Jackie could use a visit from her aunt at school. Ms. Darbus is still out sick?"
"Yes. That doesn't have to be a bad thing. Her daughter is in town. So maybe she took off time to be with her. It doesn't mean anything bad like her cancers back." Sharpay doesn't want to think about that right now.
"You're right. There is probably nothing to worry about. Besides, just because somebody's going to the doctor a lot, it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad." Chad replied a little too quickly.
"You're right. Look, Tiffany needs us. And since there's no schedule conflict, we should go." She suggested.
"Okay, technically, I don't have practice, but I do have a chemistry exam to study for, and so do you." Sharpay rolled her eyes at that excuse.
"You don't really need to study. You know all this. You're helping me study. Besides, we can go over notes in the waiting room. I think this is a good chance for us to start bonding with the babies." Sharpay argued.
"I'm not quite there for baby bonding yet. Forcing Zack to go to Aunt Claudia's this weekend is enough family bonding for the week." Chad mumbled that part under his breath, but Sharpay heard him. So they're kind of in this weird place where they're not denying the potential of Zack being Chad's half-brother, but they're not saying it out loud. In some of her writing this weekend, Sharpay may have screwed up and accidentally kept some allusions to Zack being Chad's brother.
"Did we not agree that we would help Tiffany out any way we could?" Sharpay asked.
"Yes, but I was thinking more like Toys "R" Us diaper gift cards, not emotional support at the doctor's office. An ultrasound will make this all real, and…" Chad trailed off.
"I know it's been rough, but you can't stay in denial mode. Eventually, you're going to have to approach this like a fucking adult. No more hiding." His girlfriend told him sharply.
"I don't hide from things."
"How long did it take for you to acknowledge you weren't straight after Jamie?" Sharpay asked poignantly. She knew better than to mention the fact that they're both not mentioning Zack.
"Okay, point."
"Seeing the evidence isn't going to change the truth of the situation. Charles couldn't keep his dick to himself. You are not an only child anymore." And you probably never were but one crisis at a time. "Barring some extreme tragedy, you will have a new brother and sister by Valentine's Day. Your daddy is most likely ditching both you and your new siblings." And potential new older sibling, but again they're not talking about Zack. Not until the DNA test results arrived, which won't be for a few more days per her most recent text from Zack.
"You haven't spoken to Charles since Thanksgiving, and Tiffany has decided it's best to only approach him through their attorney. So you're both on your own." Sharpay pointed out.
"Thank the Lord. In my case, he doesn't have my new phone number. Considering what he did to Tiffany's house, it's best to go through the lawyers. He shouldn't be contacting us."
"You have a point. But Tiffany and the babies are going to need their big brother. For the moment, that's just you. So, you have to step up and be there." She doesn't know what role Zack wants to play just yet. Nothing will probably be decided until the DNA test.
"I'm not ready to deal with this yet." She knew he wasn't.
"I know. This is a lot of change in just a few weeks. But you won't have to do it alone. I'll be with you the entire time." Sharpay leaned over to place a gentle kiss on his lips.
"You're right. I will meet you at the doctor's office at 3:30 PM on the dot tomorrow."
Of course, their kisses didn't stay gentle, which led to three hours of not studying. Chad brought up a study about how over-studying can actually be detrimental. Sharpay hopes that he is right.
XXXX
December 10, 2008 3:45 PM
Chad sat in Dr. McKessie's office going over his notes for his Chemistry exam tomorrow morning, reflecting on his life choices that led to this moment. Sharpay did the same. The going over chemistry notes, not the reassessing of her life choices part. She did that last week when she switched majors.
His mind was still recovering from this morning's calculus exam. Tiffany was already inside the room, getting ready for the examination. He may have made peace with Tiffany, but he didn't want to see her undress. The only woman he wanted to see in that way was in the seat next to him, trying to memorize all her chemistry formulas.
Sharpay was mad at him because he kept her too distracted last night to study for her calculus exam this morning. Maybe there was more kissing than studying going on last night, but Sharpay knew what she was doing. She had this.
Chad really did not want to be here right now. He was still adjusting to the fact that he would no longer be an only child in less than three months. Or acknowledge the fact he may have never been an only child because Zack was there first. He wasn't ready to see the evidence of the twins' existence on an ultrasound monitor. (Or have Zack show him the DNA test results.) That would just make things real, and he wasn't ready for things to be real.
He knew because he overheard Penelope and Zack talking about it when they thought he was asleep after a recent away game. Because Zack kept ending up his half-brother in half of the short stories she worked on for her audition piece, Chad knows that Sharpay knows. But he wasn't going to discuss the situation with Sharpay because he wasn't ready just yet. Ryan was out because Zack was his boyfriend, and he didn't even know if Ryan knew yet. Chad didn't want to be the one to tell him. Chad was going to deal with one crisis at a time. Today's crisis is Tiffany's doctor's visit because Sharpay was very persuasive last night.
Chad and Sharpay were pulled away from their frantic studying when nurse Barbie came to get them. Yes, her first name is Barbie.
"I don't know if I could go with my boyfriend to the doctor's appointment of the other girl he knocked up." Nurse Barbie said as she noticed Chad and Sharpay holding hands.
Chad shouldn't be surprised, but he was annoyed. Given that he was less than four years younger than Tiffany, it seems more likely that he was the father than the big brother. Zack was less than a year younger than Tiffany which made Chad want to throw up. This gives him another reason to hate Charles. This whole situation was uncomfortable.
"I don't think I could do that either. But, fortunately, for me, I'm here for the checkup appointment of my fiancé's half-siblings." Sharpay said in the tone of voice that she normally reserved for people she wanted to stab with a blunt object. Usually Gabriella or Penelope. Sharpay also flashed her engagement ring in the woman's face. Nurse Barbie stopped speaking after that.
They sat together in the room, waiting for the doctor to arrive. The only conversation going on was between Tiffany and Sharpay. They were talking about doing more shopping this weekend. Sharpay referred to it as her thank God finals were over shopping spree. Thankfully, Dr. McKessie arrived before they could drag Chad into baby shopping.
"Chad and Sharpay, what are you doing here?" Dr. McKessie asked them. "You better not be the father. Ms. Jackson is seven months along. That means that you would have had to sleep with her when you were dating my daughter. I can forgive you for the Sharpay thing because I know that you love her. But, if you did anything with Ms. Jackson, I swear I will cut off your dick."
Suddenly Chad was reminded of his conversation almost a month ago with Sharpay's father. He wondered if Ryan would be getting similar threats. He knew Alexa knew that Ryan was dating both Zack and Taylor. Chad also reminded himself to tell Tiffany not to tell her gynecologist what her ex-boyfriend asked Taylor to do last year. That would just end in tears and possibly castration.
"Chad's the big brother only. Since the prick in question decided to sign away his parental rights, my babies don't have a father. His lawyer just notified me." Tiffany said in irritation. That explains why it took Tiffany so long to get dressed and why she looked halfway on the verge of tears before Sharpay mentioned baby shopping. "My children's big brother is actually more mature than his father."
"Fucking ass hole," Sharpay mumbled under breath. Chad was equally angry, but he felt relieved. Charles shouldn't be there at all. Maybe the twins won't be as damaged as he is. Zack is a hell of a lot more well-adjusted than he is. Zack didn't spend an entire year in denial about his orientation. Chad didn't need Charles and would be better off without him. Zack didn't need Charles, and the twins sure as hell do not need Charles Danforth in their life.
"Why does everybody assume I am the father?" Chad said instead of voicing his real thoughts out loud. "Although Charles doesn't give a fuck about the children he produced with Ms. Jackson," or anybody else, "he is in fact responsible. I haven't done anything that could get anyone pregnant, not even Sharpay or your daughter." Due to incompatible orientation. Although Ryan may or may not be another story. There are just some conversations you don't have with your ex, even if they're one of your best friends. Especially when the significant others are siblings on possibly both sides.
"I'm aware. I am grateful for that. Although I'm still sending you back with one of the starter kits." The doctor joked.
"I promise that when Sharpay and I do get to that point in our relationship, I will be smart enough to use a condom correctly. I will also take responsibility for my actions. Because Charles is deficient in that area, I'm losing my status as an only child at almost 18." Yes, he was almost ranting, but it's been a lot— three siblings in two weeks. He does not deserve this bull shit.
"You have to ignore him. He's not adjusting very well to no longer being an only child." Sharpay said, grabbing his hand.
"That's okay." Alexa gave them all a soft smile. "Taylor went through the same thing when Jason was born. She placed pictures of herself in my bag for the hospital so I wouldn't forget about her." Okay, that made Chad laugh a little. That seems like such a Taylor thing to do. With that, Dr. McKessie began her exam of Tiffany. He learned a lot of things about his father's ex-girlfriend that he did not want to know.
"Now, let's move on to the sonogram. I'm sure that's what big brother came here for anyway." Dr. McKessie said as she prepared to do the examination.
Big brother personally did not want to see the ultrasound. However, he knew Sharpay would make him sleep alone tonight if he ran away. He did not like sleeping alone.
"Have you talked to Taylor?" Sharpay asked her. "I've tried to talk to her, but she keeps changing the subject. I know way more about the classes she's taking this semester than I ever wanted to."
"Only a little bit in a conference call with her therapist." That's not a good sign. "She is still upset about what happened. I think Jason is taking it worse than her. He has been moping around the house for days. Maybe that also has something to do with him not going to the Winter Ball. It's hard to get a date in high school when you're 12. I'm thinking about seeing if Dr. Suarez has any openings." Jason probably could use therapy right now. So could Chad which is why he's keeping all such suggestions to himself for the moment.
"Kerri is doing the same thing. She says she doesn't want to go to the dance, but I know she does. She's pissed off that Jimmie decided to take Jackie to the dance as just a friend instead of her." Tiffany said as the doctor placed the jelly-like substance on her stomach.
"Considering what happened in September, I don't blame her for not wanting to go to another dance," Sharpay said very quietly.
"She shouldn't let what happened keep her from enjoying high school or finding someone else. That's exactly what she is doing." Tiffany argued back.
"Don't worry. I have a secret plan to deal with both sulky teenagers." Chad said, mysteriously hoping to end the argument between his girlfriend and the mother of his siblings. He may have neglected to fill Sharpay in on his plan yet, but he knows she'll go along with it.
"As interesting as this little argument is, please turn your attention to the screen." Dr. McKessie said to the three of them.
"They don't look like squiggles anymore," Tiffany said as she looked at the screen. Chad looked on with wonder as he watched his brother and sister. For the first time since hearing about their existence two weeks ago, Chad finally accepted that this was real. Soon he was going to have two people who will look up to him for everything. Zack was an adult already, but this was so different. He was absolutely petrified.
"Did you already choose names? I'm kind of tired of referring to the twins as blob one and blob two. They're very cute and no longer look like blobs." Sharpay asked as she continued to watch the screen in fascination.
"I picked out the names a couple weeks ago when I first agreed to marry Charles. I was planning to name both after my deceased grandparents. However, I'm going to need a new boy's name. Olivia Jackson sounds just as good as Olivia Danforth. I can't name my son after Grandpa Michael if he has the last name Jackson. The kids at school would eat him alive." Chad remembered that Olivia was the name Sharpay gave their daughter in one of her short stories. Probably in honor of her therapist.
"Maybe you can use Miguel instead or as a middle name. We'll go through the baby book on the ride home to consider some options." Sharpay said, squeezing Tiffany's hand.
"Speaking of changes in plans, have you had a chance to put together the birthing plan we emailed to you a few days ago. Now that you've relocated to Albuquerque, I assume you will definitely need a different birthing coach." Dr. McKessie asked Tiffany.
"I have most of the plan ready. I already found two new birthing coaches." Tiffany smiled. That smile worried Chad.
"Who are you going with, Kim?" Chad asked her just as Sharpay made an X hand motion.
"Your mother hasn't told you yet?" Tiffany asked in shock.
"What hasn't my mom told me yet?"
"She volunteered us to be Tiffany's birthing coach. But it's a good thing." Chad was already looking up his mother's number on his cell phone.
XXXX
A few hours later
"I can't believe she's doing this," Chad said as they got on the elevator in Evans hall. Chad spent the entire ride back from the doctor's office yelling at his mom on his cell phone. It was not a very pretty argument except for the fact that it ended with I love you. Which is better than any argument she ever had with her mom.
"I thought things were better after our conversation post meet Alex party. She even went ring shopping with me."
"It is," Sharpay reassured. "She told me that herself when she told me about her and my dad's plan." However, Sharpay refused to be the one to tell Chad. Unfortunately, with finals in full swing, Carolyn did not have time to explain things to her son before Tiffany's doctor's appointment.
"I believe my dad probably told her some more stuff about the trust fund that I may not even know about. I think she wants us to be prepared for the worst-case scenario." The worst-case scenario is Vince suddenly dying and Darby burning Sharpay's trust fun down to the ground for the sake of spite. Sharpay doesn't see that happening, but apparently, Carolyn did. Considering Chad's Aunt Teresa got disowned from her family, maybe they should be prepared. Because Darby would totally screw her over if she could.
"So, they're making us do marriage Boot Camp?" Carolyn, Vince, and probably Jack have decided that they're going to get a taste of what married life is like for the average college student without a trust fund over winter break.
"Yes. I know you're upset, but if it helps ease your mother's mind, then I'm fine doing it. It's not going to be that bad. This is going to be just like that health class assignment in ninth grade. The only difference is we are going to have an actual apartment, real money, and we get to sleep in the same bed." Sharpay said as the elevator doors opened.
"You forget my mom is turning this into her own version of scared celibate. She volunteered us to be Tiffany's birthing coach." Chad said with a touch of annoyance as Sharpay turned to her dorm room.
"If she didn't volunteer us, I was going to do it myself. Kim can't do it because she'll be in San Francisco for most of December. Lamaze class can't be that bad." Sharpay hates that Kim will be gone for most of the break, but if Alex is spending time with Troy in San Francisco during the school year, they need a house.
"I'm fine going to Lamaze class. I'm worried about going through live childbirth. Where are we going?" Chad asked her once you realize that they were not going back to his room.
"To show off the baby pictures," Sharpay said with an extreme amount of enthusiasm. "I have to show everybody else here before I text Ryan."
"You know you're a lot happier about this than I am," Chad said to her as he pulled her in for a kiss.
"I always wanted to have a baby brother or sister. I never asked dad and Darby for one because I didn't want another sibling raised by that monster. Thanks to you, I get to have a baby sister-in-law and brother-in-law instead. I can't wait to buy them all the cutest things. This weekend I picked up some matching outfits like Ryan, and I used to wear when we were little." Sharpay said with bounciness that she thought she left behind in high school.
"What do you mean when you were little? You and Ryan dressed in matching outfits until you both started college. Now you use me as your own personal Ken doll to play couples dress up." Chad said, pointing to his own outfit that matched hers perfectly down to the shoes.
"I don't know why you're complaining; you think it's cute," Sharpay said as she walked into her dorm room.
"Do you have pictures of that?" Amanda asked. "I feel like Zack could use some cheering up. He had another fight with Penelope this afternoon. It was bad." Things were not going well between Zack and his best friend. Zack told Sharpay that Penelope is supportive of his potential familial relationship with Chad. But they keep fighting about Malick. It's gotten worse since Sharpay practically confirmed his suspicions.
"I'm not even surprised. Of course, I have to send Zack pictures. I am completely neglecting my sisterly duties of embarrassing Ryan like hell with his new boyfriend and girlfriend. I have to remedy that." Since she hated Kelsi, she never bothered to do this last time, but Zack and Taylor are a completely different story.
"I also want to see these pictures. I need to be cheered up. Finals week sucks." Nikki added.
"Well, you did stop all bets on us, so I'll think about it. Why do you have an overnight bag in my room, Nikki?" Sharpay asked, realizing that Nikki looked like she was prepared to stay in the room for a while. Nikki and Sharpay have been getting along better over the last week since she came to Sharpay about the DNA test. She's not telling Chad, but Sharpay knows that Chad knows. They're just mutually not talking about it because Chad cannot deal with one more thing right now. She's actually glad Tiffany told him in the middle of the appointment about Charles signing over parental rights. Chad hasn't even had time to react yet.
"I can't deal with my room anymore," Nikki said as she sat down on the bed that was technically Sharpay's.
"I can understand. If I had Penelope for a roommate, I would probably be in jail by now for physical assault." Sharpay said as she sat down on Amanda's bed. "I don't know how you've made it this long without seeking refuge here."
"I think by now you're aware Penelope isn't as evil as we thought she was. I can deal with Penelope. She is too distracted with studying for finals to cause any problems. Also, it's not like I have a boyfriend for her to steal." Nikki said that last part quietly.
"That doesn't matter. If it wasn't so obvious, Penelope would probably hit on Marc." Sharpay said as Chad sat next to her.
"Penelope wouldn't, but that doesn't stop Malick from thinking that she is. You know he hates Zack because he thinks they're screwing. The guy is a complete bastard, and he is so nasty to her. After he tried to grab my ass last night when Penelope was in the restroom, I decided to spend the rest of finals week here." Nikki said with a shudder.
"I knew he reminded me of my father for a reason," Chad mumbled under breath, probably remembering what his father did to Taylor while they were dating. "Did you tell Penelope?"
"I don't think she's ready to hear the truth yet. Marc is just now accepting that his mom is abusive. You can't make someone leave before they are ready, as much as you wish you could," Nikki said bluntly. It's nice to know she sees the writing on the wall.
"It would probably be best if you stay here. You shouldn't be alone with that guy anyway. You can never trust any guy that Penelope would date." Sharpay said cryptically, not wanting to give away the real reason why she didn't trust Penelope's boyfriend.
"So, why exactly are you visiting your own dorm room? Did you run out of closet space again? I thought you and Chad were avoiding me after I walked in on the one thing I specifically asked not to see." Amanda said sarcastically, referring to last Friday night when she accidentally walked in to see Chad's overly fluffy head between a very naked Sharpay's legs.
"That was so not my fault. I had no idea Chad forgot to lock the door. Most normal people knock. I brought baby pictures." Sharpay said as she pulled out the ultrasound photos and pushed all thoughts of Malick out of her mind.
"I did. You were too busy calling Chad god at the time to actually hear me knocking." Amanda quipped as she grabbed the ultrasound pictures from Sharpay.
"What are you guys talking about?" Nikki asked in confusion.
"No comment," all three yelled out simultaneously.
"Look at the pretty baby pictures," Sharpay said, walking over to Nikki.
"You are more excited about this than I was about getting a new sister in high school," Nikki remarked.
"It's important to find the little joys in life. I need to text Ryan."
"Of course you do." Amanda just rolled her eyes. "Your boyfriend can help me go over the study guide for chemistry class."
"I can do that. I've already gone through mine for tomorrow." Chad said, leaving Sharpay to talk to Ryan.
Xx
Hot boyfriend: I hate finals week.
Ryan: I thought it got better after the first year. I'm exhausted, and I want to collapse. Maybe I should've waited until the end of the semester to move into Maria's apartment.
Hot boyfriend: Yes, but this way, you don't have to be around Kelsi. It has to be easier to deal with finals when you don't have to worry about accidentally running into your evil ex-girlfriend.
Ryan: Natasha and I have mutually agreed that Kelsi is not our ex-girlfriend, just a tragic mistake.
Hot boyfriend: We've all had a few of those. Thankfully most of my exes are deep in the closet and in other states.
Ryan: Is it wrong that I hope by my mom pulling funding, Kelsi will have to go to a different school next year?
Hot boyfriend: No. Although with Jackie divorcing her parents, they only have one child to support now.
Ryan: Do I want to know how you know about that?
Hot boyfriend: Study night in Evans hall. I heard all the good gossip. Apparently, the reason why you're moving into Maria's apartment is she's looking for a job in the San Francisco Metro to be closer to Gabriella.
Ryan: She does wants to be closer to Gabriella. This way, I'll help her out. Now she doesn't have to pay rent on an apartment she's not living in, and I get to be really far away from Kelsi.
Hot boyfriend: You are the good kid.
Hot boyfriend: When will you get here? Am I picking you up from the airport?
Ryan: You don't have to. Sharpay will. Chad may have even talked her into letting me borrow one of the cars, making it easier for me to see you.
Hot Boyfriend: That would be nice.
Ryan: We're going to come Monday. I think Taylor wants a couple of days to recover before stepping foot back in Albuquerque. The last two visits have gone badly.
Hot boyfriend: Finding out about surprise family members can freak anybody out.
Ryan: Are you still waiting for the results?
Hot boyfriend: They'll be ready soon, but my lawyer will not give them to me until Tuesday. I think Jen doesn't want to bother me during finals week. Since you're going to be here, will you go with me?
Ryan: Of course. I'll even bite my tongue and not say hateful things to Penelope for you.
Hot boyfriend: Thank you for being so considerate. But I am not sure we will be speaking to each other by next Tuesday. We had a bad fight earlier.
Ryan: What happened?
Hot boyfriend: Penelope has a giant bruise about the size of Malick's hand on her arm. I called her out on it. She told me to go fuck myself. I still haven't got an apology text message. She's definitely not going to get one from me because I won't apologize for giving a fuck about her.
Ryan: Shit!
Hot boyfriend: Penelope lied to me. She told me that it was an injury from cheerleading practice, but I know her practice schedule. She didn't have a single practice between then and the last time I saw her, so it was him.
Ryan: As I learned from personal experience when someone tells you they got hurt during other activities, it's probably a lie.
Hot boyfriend: I'm sorry your mom was an evil witch. I know it was Malick that gave her that bruise. This is because I am 900% sure Penelope isn't the first girlfriend that he's been abusive towards.
Ryan: Did Sharpay tell you?
Hot boyfriend: Not in words. But she told me by what she couldn't tell me. He obviously traumatized her to the point she can't talk about what he did to her. There are only that many things someone can do that have you that traumatized, especially when you've already dealt with abuse.
Ryan: In the form of a mother who beats the hell out of you and controls every moment of your life.
Hot boyfriend: Maybe that can make it even more traumatizing.
Ryan: I'm not ready for this conversation to get any deeper, so I'm changing the subject to something happier. Sharpay just sent me images from the baby sonogram from today. She wants to know if you want her to send them to you. She's currently showing them off to everybody.
Hot boyfriend: It's okay. I'll just keep thinking of them as Chad's new brother and sister and not possibly my brother and sister.
Ryan: At least not until Tuesday.
Ryan: It will be okay. Chad is the best. He'll make an excellent little brother.
Hot boyfriend: Except I can't get over the fact that I may have had a crush on my own half-brother for weeks.
Ryan: Maybe it wasn't a real crush? Maybe you had a sibling connection, and you just misinterpreted it. Half of our high school thought Sharpay and I had something going on.
Hot boyfriend: You do have a mutual ex-boyfriend. Chad apparently started the incest rumor in the first place. This may have been wishful thinking on his part.
Ryan: Nobody knows about that, and Chad is really shit at showing his emotions.
Hot boyfriend: That seems obvious.
Xxx
Zack: Hey, it is perfectly okay to send me pictures of the twins. I want to know if things are going well.
Sharpay: Even if you're still mentally freaking out about the possibility of also being their big brother. Although Charles is signing over all parental rights so make of that what you will.
Zack: It's for the best. I get the impression from Chad that I dodged a bullet.
Sharpay: Your mom definitely did.
Zack: Someday, I have to tell you about my stepdad. Put it this way, my step-sister chose to keep living with my mom after the divorce. I think the idea that I am almost the same age as their mom makes me want to throw up, but that's not their fault.
Sharpay: Chad's ex is actually older than Tiffany. I think it's part of Chad's desire to be the exact opposite of his father in every way imaginable.
Zac: Going after older guys definitely seems to do that.
Sharpay: Technically, Ryan is the youngest Chad has been with. Ryan's exactly a year older than Chad. Did you get the ultrasound pictures?
Zack: Yes. They kind of look cute in a blobby way. Are they still coming on Valentine's Day?
Sharpay: Yes, although twins tend to come early sometimes. They're starting to actually look like babies. I have to do so much baby shopping over the break. Tiffany and I are going to make a day of it. The twins are going to need four of everything.
Zac: You are way too into this.
Sharpay: I'm trying to distract myself.
Zack: From finals madness or your mom talking shit about you in the local papers?
Sharpay: A little bit of both. Thank God it's only the local papers, thanks to Romeo and Juliet of Albuquerque.
Zac: Oh, I bet they hate being called that.
Sharpay: They do. Especially because they keep casting Kim as Juliet when she's Romeo.
Sharpay: So you should know that Nikki is camping out in my room because Malick tried to grab her ass.
Zack: Fuck! I am not even surprised.
Sharpay: Nikki won't tell her because she knows Penelope is not ready to leave.
Zack: She's not. No matter what I say, she doesn't want to break up with him. I don't know if she's afraid of being alone or what, but she doesn't want to leave.
Sharpay: Nikki said you guys were fighting.
Zack: Because I can't stand her with him, and he's going to hurt her. Maybe he already has. And she won't leave. I don't know why she won't leave.
Sharpay: He probably is. In hindsight, there were signs that Malick was a piece of shit before the point of no return at the spring dance. But I didn't heed the warning signs. Maybe because I grew up with Darby, I didn't know to expect better. It's not like I knew what a healthy relationship looks like. My parents have had separate bedrooms since I was in kindergarten.
Zack: I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry. I don't even know what to do.
Sharpay: You should talk to Kim. She can tell you about all the time she wanted me to tell people about Darby and Malick. I never did until recently. I'm sure she probably wanted to shake me by the end of it.
Sharpay: You could also talk to Carolyn about this. I know she's helping you with the Charles stuff. Maybe she can help you with this too. I only know the situation from Penelope's perspective. I don't know if I can help you.
Zac: But you left. What made you finally leave Malick?
Sharpay: I felt he went too far, and no amount of apology presence would make up for it. However, I think it was the fact that my father and Kim supported me and wouldn't let me go back. That is what kept me from accepting the apology flowers. My therapist thinks that Darby groomed me to expect abuse.
Zack: I wouldn't be surprised. What made you finally tell your father the truth about Darby?
Sharpay: Technically, it was Chad that told him. My support system, especially Chad, is what made me tell Darby to go fuck herself once and for all. Again, it had to be my decision. They couldn't make me leave. I had to come to that point completely on my own.
Zack: Do you think Penelope will without him crossing the line?
Sharpay: I hope she does.
Zack: I do too.
Sharpay: I'm getting another call. I'll talk to you later.
To be continued.