Thank you to everyone who read or left kudos for the last chapter. I adore you all. This is probably the chapter I've done the least amount of edits to since the beginning of the Thanksgiving arc some 30 chapters ago. However, the changes I made were important.

Chapter 63: One More Test I

December 12, 2008, 3:17 PM

"Do you really think this plan is going to work?" Sharpay asked her boyfriend as she placed two garment bags in the back of her Lexis along with her makeup kit.

"It's been doing a good job so far. You have been too distracted today to worry about the Penelope situation or think about Ms. Darbus." Chad said as he kissed Sharpay on the mouth.

"You also have me too distracted to work on my Spike Lee paper," Sharpay said with a slight pout.

"A paper that is not due until 11:59 PM Tuesday. You've already watched all the movies and have a rough draft. You need to take a break. Besides, you were not working on your paper. You were researching various types of cancer this morning."

That was not entirely true. In addition to the Zack text messages, Sharpay also wrote a very nasty e-mail to an ex-boyfriend who never informed her that she was in an open relationship. However, she opted not to send it because it probably would violate the restraining order. If she ever saw Zeke again, he would think the fight at Specialty Foods was a slap. She may be engaged to Chad, but no one makes a fool of Sharpay Evans.

"You are right. I need to forget about everything for a couple of hours and do my good deed for the year." Sharpay said as she let go of her boyfriend and got into her car.

Xxxxx

At 3:35 PM, Kerri Jackson was happy to be out of school for the week. She was tired of every girl on campus talking about their dresses and who they were going with to the ball tonight. Kerri didn't want their boyfriends. She just wanted their happiness.

She was really tired of Jackie talking about her date with Jimmie. She wanted to tell Jackie the real reason why nothing would ever happen with her and Jimmie, but she couldn't. First of all, it would betray Jimmie's trust in her. Second, the divorce from her parents is going horrible. Jackie doesn't need more stress.

Maybe Jimmie is bisexual, and this isn't him trying to be heteronormative. She could hope so anyway, for Jackie's sake, of course. Not her own. Jackie doesn't need Jimmie to be her sister all over again.

Even though Kerri said she didn't want to go to the dance, a part of her did. That was the same part that was worried about Jackie and Jimmie for entirely different reasons. Yes, she had a crush on her gay friend. He was essentially a safety crush because there's no way he would ever have feelings for her. Unless he actually was bisexual, but then Jackie would have first dibs per the BFF handbook.

Kerri scanned the parking lot for her Cousin Tiffany, but she didn't see her. Then she noticed Sharpay's Lexis waiting there. Maybe Sharpay was taking them out for another round of baby shopping before her credit card turned into a pumpkin Monday. The guest room at the house was already half full with baby paraphernalia.

"Where's Tiffany?" Kerri asked as she approached the car.

"Being very pregnant at your mom's house. Her feet are currently way too swollen to join us. Get in the car. You have a 4:00 PM appointment at Monique's House of Hair. Vanessa recommended it." Even though she was confused, Kerri got in.

"Why exactly do I have a hair appointment?" Kerri asked in confusion.

"You have to be ready for the Winter Ball in 3 hours," Sharpay said, pulling out before Kerri even fastened her seatbelt.

"Didn't we have this conversation Saturday? I'm not going to the dance. I don't want to go." Kerri said, raising her voice just a little bit.

"Just because you don't want to go doesn't mean you don't need to. Sometimes you need closure, and I think you need to go tonight to get that. Let me tell you a story." Sharpay said to her with a sigh.

"Is this going to be the spring dance story again? You already told me what happened. I don't think that story is going to help. Actually, I think that story has traumatized me so much that I won't even consider going to prom." Kerri said with a shudder.

"Actually, this is my story about prom. I used what Malick did to me as an excuse to push everyone away. I never let anyone get close to me. Not even my boyfriend at the time. Considering what I learned over the last few days, that was for the best. I don't want you to do the same thing I did."

"How is this story going to help me?" Kerri asked with a touch of annoyance.

"On the day of my senior prom, I had everything ready to go from the dress to the limo. As I walked to the limo with Zeke and my brother, I started panicking about what could happen that night. I had a flashback to what Malick did. I got so scared that I threw up in the driveway. I ended up missing my senior prom because I was terrified of a repeat of the Malick fiasco." Sharpay said quietly.

"This is not a persuasive speech. You should really consider taking public speaking next semester." Kerri said sarcastically.

"Let me finish. Taylor told me that I was actually crowned prom queen during Thanksgiving weekend. She ended up taking my place because I wasn't there. Chad won prom king."

"Didn't you two hate each other last year?" She remembered the two getting into arguments in the cafeteria all the time. Although thinking about it now, it was probably their version of foreplay.

"No, I wanted to drag him into the janitor's closet. It just came out as hatred." Kerri was not going to touch that statement.

"Why didn't the golden couple win?" Kerri asked, avoiding the purple elephant in the car.

"If you remember, the juniors choose prom king and queen. Apparently, they were more aware of Kim and Troy's history than the senior class was. They also saw what was going on between Chad and me. In hindsight, I regret not getting to do that with Chad because I let the fear take over. I just don't want you to have the same regrets I have now."

"This conversation would've been useful Saturday. It's too late at this point. I don't even have a dress or a date." Kerri said, trying to take a different approach.

"When you were arguing that you didn't want to go to the ball Saturday, you kept looking at a strapless ball gown at Forever Fashionable. That dress is currently in the trunk with the matching shoes and purse. I spent today picking everything up. I also brought a few pieces from my jewelry collection that you can borrow." Kerri was completely shocked by this statement. Trust Sharpay to think of everything.

"Okay, fairy godmother, what are you going to do about the date situation? Are you going to use your magic credit card to turn a pumpkin into a boyfriend?" Kerri said sarcastically.

"I'm too young to be anybody's mother, fairy or otherwise. Think of me as your fairy godsister. No, I can't do the Pumpkin thing. I think the principal would faint if I got you an escort. I made other arrangements mostly because you won't even go with Jason as a friend. Don't worry, he will be well behaved. Otherwise, he'll be sleeping by himself tonight."

"I'm not taking your college boyfriend to the Winter Ball," Kerri said, realizing who Sharpay was talking about.

"I don't see why not. Chad is six months younger than your last boyfriend. What, is he too young for you?" Sharpay asked sarcastically. Kerri forgot that Chad was still 17 and should actually be a senior right now.

"I'm not going to win this argument?"

"No. What is it with you and your cousin with older guys?" Sharpay asked.

"I think with Rickey, it was the cheerleader basketball player thing. I didn't really like him that much. I just thought I had to date him. I'm not answering for Tiffany. I think she's absolutely crazy for what she did." Kerri responded.

"I have to agree with you on that point, but not on the cheerleader/basketball player thing. Technically, the only cheerleader my boyfriend considers an ex is my brother. Everyone else he dated qualified for honor roll, including Jamie. He's currently engaged to a dra—business major."

"Are you still getting used to the new major?" Kerri said, picking up on the fact that Sharpay almost said drama.

"I'm still getting used to a lot of things," Sharpay said quietly. Kerri wondered what that statement meant.

"Chad doesn't count because he's an anomaly. He's like a super genius and does not represent the normal dumb hyper heterosexual jocks that populate East High. He's also queer." Kerri retorted.

"Troy dated drama queen Kim and freaky math girl Gabriella in high school. The current basketball captain is dating a political science major who has the goal of being the first openly gay president." Sharpay answered.

"Just so you know, Jimmie says he's not dating Marc. They just occasionally make out because Marc is not in a place for a monogamous relationship right now. I'm not 100% sure what that means."

"I don't think Marc knows what it means either. But he is dealing with a lot of bull shit with his mom." Sharpay responded.

"I give up. I'm willing to acknowledge that I was only dating Ricky because it was easier than being alone." Kerri confessed.

"Sometimes, I think that's why I was with Zeke. Just because everybody's doing something doesn't mean you should. My new motto is you should be yourself." Sharpay said to her as she turned the corner to the salon.

"This is coming from a girl getting married at 18."

"I'm not getting married at 18. I am engaged at 18. There is a difference. Besides, when you know, you know. Come on, we have to get you ready for the ball, Cinderella." Sharpay said as they finally pulled into the salon parking lot.

Xxx

At 3:45, Troy picked up his girlfriend from the library, where she spent most of the day hiding from Julie.

"So, how did the visit with Darth Mommy go this morning?" Kim asked as she slid into the seat next to him and gave him one of her classic kisses that always left him breathless.

"Do you have to call Lucy that?" Troy said as he pulled away from her and turned the car back on.

"Yes, I refer to my mom as Sidious 2.0. Zhēn was the mastermind behind this entire thing. Lucy was merely one of her tools that she is already abandoned. Zhēn is probably hiding out somewhere in China. Lucy will probably spend the next 10 to 20 in prison. Possibly longer because she most likely conspired to kill our child. The DA thinks she will be able to make the link." Kim said as she put on her seatbelt.

"Let's not talk about Lucy at all. Tonight is going to be about you and me." Troy said, kissing her quickly.

"I thought it was going to be about you and me keeping the freshmen and sophomores from drinking spike punch or fornicating on the roof of the school?" Kim asked sarcastically as they started the short drive to their house.

"I have other plans. Your best friend pointed out to me how bad things had been these last two weeks. Most girlfriends wouldn't be so understanding about the entire Gabriella situation. They also wouldn't open up their home to their boyfriend's psychotic family."

"I like your dad, Liz, and Kevin. It's the rest of them that I want to kick out of my house. I keep sending them to hotels, but they keep coming back. Now Teresa and Mariah aren't even around to help me. I had to call in Chad's family for reinforcements." Kim said in irritation.

"I understand. I even called my wayward uncle to convince his wife to come back to Seattle."

Unfortunately, Troy is 90% sure his new girlfriend answered. Regardless, his uncle doesn't want to talk to Julie except through the divorce attorneys. Troy is now certain that is the real reason why Aunt Julie is not going home. She might even be projecting what her husband did on Jack. However, Troy will deal with that tomorrow. Today is Kim's day.

"That is why I love you."

"You will love me even more after I tell you the plan. In the back is your very early Christmas present from your best friend." As soon as he said this, Kim turned around and grabbed the packages from the back.

"Let's see what we have, an elegant but understated red dress. We even have the matching handbag and shoes. This is definitely a gift chosen by Sharpay. The goodies from Alexandria Lingerie must be from you." Kim raised an eyebrow at her fiancé.

"I couldn't remember if you had a strapless bra or not," Troy said as an excuse.

"So, you decided to buy me a matching corset instead?" Kim said, holding up the garment.

"You can never have too much nice underwear," Troy smirked at her.

"How can I keep good underwear with you around? You have been here less than 24 hours, and you have already destroyed one bra and two pairs of panties." He had so much fun doing that.

"I haven't seen you for two weeks, and I was eager," Troy said as an excuse.

"Is there another part to this evening other than you ripping me out of that dress?" Kim asked.

"As much as I am looking forward to that part of the evening, other things will be involved. I was talking to your best friend when I realized we never went on a real date. We just kind of jumped into things pretty quickly. So, I thought we would correct that tonight." Troy explained.

"I doubt I'm going to be able to get out of chaperoning the dance. Thank you for trying." Kim leaned over and kissed Troy on the cheek.

"I already thought of that. That's why we have reservations at Rose at 5:30 PM with a preselected menu. This should give us just enough time to get through dinner and arrive on time to keep the punch from being spiked." Troy joked.

"I like the way you think. I would kiss you if you weren't driving."

XXXX

A few minutes later, they arrived back at their house to find Julie arguing with his father again. Even the arrival of Alex did not stop the arguing. Troy wondered how long this fight had been going on. Grandma Karen was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a very large glass of wine. Troy couldn't blame her at all. Troy was also done.

"Aunt Julie, can you please stop taking out your anger on your future ex-husband on my father. He's not responsible for the choices of the idiot you married. Don't take it out on him." That comment made Julie stop yelling and look directly at Troy.

"What? How do you even know about that?" Julie asked, shocked. Grandma Karen seemed equally surprised. Obviously, she was unaware of the trouble in Seattle.

"I know that you're in the middle of your own divorce. This is probably the real reason why you don't want to go back to Seattle. And considering you're so quick to believe what Lucy says, I am going to assume that he left you for someone else." His aunt's expression told Troy that his hypothesis was right.

"He didn't leave. I did after I caught him fucking his 27-year-old coworker." Nobody had the heart to mention the swear jar at Julie's outburst.

"Apparently, everybody loves a nice 27-year-old," Kim commented from the side.

"How did you know? Did Jen say something to you?" Julie asked.

"Regardless of what Jen knows, she wouldn't say anything to me because she's that good of an attorney. However, I am very tired of your snide comments to my fiancé, especially because I know most of them are talking points from Lucy. So I called your husband up to ask him to ask you to come home. I'm glad you came to help, but the arguing is exhausting. Unfortunately, his new girlfriend Kimberly picked up, and then he told me about the divorce." Troy explained.

"So many things now make sense," Kim mumbled from beside him.

"Fucking asshole," Troy heard his father remarked. He may not like Julie, but they all hate her soon-to-be ex-husband more at this moment.

"Of course, he did. I'm not surprised Kimberly is answering his phone now. Don't worry; I won't be speaking with Lucy anymore, at least without an attorney present. She shouldn't have said what she did about Alex. It got worse after you left. I should've believed you. I'm sorry." Troy was completely shocked at the apology. Although he wasn't shocked by his mom's words.

"What happened before you got back to the car?" Because it had to be something big. It had to be more than harsh words.

"She showed her true self. You're right. I need to leave; I just didn't wanna go back to Seattle and be alone. At least I have Alex here. But he'll be in San Francisco Monday." With that, Julie was out the door, and Karen followed behind her.

XXXX

About 10 minutes later

Grandma Karen: I found Julie. At the second bar I checked.

Grandma Karen: You have a lot of bars in your neighborhood.

Kim: It's what happens when you live within walking distance from a college campus.

Grandma Karen: I assume we shouldn't come back to the house.

Kim: I'm less inclined to take what Julie said seriously after finding out she was probably taking her anger for the mistress out on me. But we are all tired. I don't think you want to be in the house alone with Jack once we all leave Monday.

Grandma Karen: You're right. Would you be willing to put us back up in a hotel until Monday? Then I'll see if I can go to Santa Fe for a little while. I don't want to send Julie back to Seattle alone, but I think we need to get out of Albuquerque.

Kim: Of course. Same one as before. I'll text you when I have a confirmation number.

Grandma Karen: Thank you.

XXXX

"Good news is your aunt is now safe at a bar. Although our designated babysitter is now too drunk to babysit." Or she will be in the next 15 minutes. Julie has definitely been doing a lot of drinking lately.

"I shouldn't have told everybody. I was just tired of Julie taking out her anger regarding her future ex-husband on us." Troy remarked as he sat down on the couch. Alex was sitting next to him.

"Probably not, but at least I am a little less angry about your aunt's horrible behavior over the last couple of weeks. She was in pain and probably projecting." Kim said, being understanding.

"Definitely projecting. That doesn't make it right, though." Jack added.

"No, it doesn't. The good news is at least they're now back at the hotel. And possibly Santa Fe once we are in San Francisco. It depends on if Dave or Chris wants quality time with Julie and Karen. Although I think I'll be nice and make reservations at one of the Garden hotels there. So at least they won't be in their house." Kim really likes all of Troy's uncles that she's met. Therefore she doesn't want to throw them completely under the bus.

"I'll call Zach and Chris when you're putting your dress on. Zach can actually keep Julie calm. It's his special skill. Although the hotel will be appreciated." Troy remarked.

"And I am going to ask Jen for divorce attorney recommendations for the Seattle area. It will be her Christmas present." It's a small price to pay to get Julie out for good. As well as show the woman she's not that Kimberly. At least Julie has acknowledged that Lucy has been lying to her. That progress deserves a reward.

"You don't have to keep paying for everybody's divorce attorneys. I know you're covering Tiffany and me." Jack remarked.

"Yes, I do because this way Julie won't end up moving in with her nephew because the ex took her to the cleaners. This is pure pragmatism on my part," Kim responded.

"Smart," Jack smirked at her.

"However, now we have to deal with the babysitter problem. Julie and Karen are obviously going to be too drunk. Vanessa is at a business meeting out of town, and my dad went with her." Kim explained.

"And I'm babysitting high school students with you guys. I have to leave in 30 minutes to help set up. So I actually need to get dressed now. Also, I have pictures of Troy jumping into a bag of balloons as a child. So it's probably best not to bring Alex with me." Jack explained. "Although I can have Alex with me during the dance. All the kids adore him."

"Point," Kim said as Jack left to get dressed.

"Aunt Teresa?" Troy suggested.

"Working, and Mariah is going into work as soon as she takes pictures of Jackie in her dress. Abuela Sanchez is also working tonight." Kim explained.

"Okay, not good. Also, I think Fridays are Aunt Claudia's bingo night, so she's not an option either. She's also mad that dad and I aren't going to Sunday dinner this week."

"And don't you dare say Maria. She's stressed out enough looking for a new job and apartment," Kim pointed out to her boyfriend.

"Do you think Rose will accept children?" Troy asked. "I think we have to bring Alex on our date."

"If we leave a big enough tip, they will accept anything," Kim commented.

XXXX

Sharpay was standing in Kerri's bathroom, putting on her makeup. She was already dressed in her cream gown that accentuated her newly acquired curves. Thankfully it was still appropriate for a high school dance. It almost looked like a wedding dress without a veil. The stuff underneath was not. That was for Chad to play with after the dance. She was sure he would have fun getting her out of the corset and garter belt later.

"Kerri and Sharpay, your dates are here," Tiffany called from the living room. Mrs. Jackson was on call tonight, which was very common for her job at Albuquerque Medical Center.

"Why are you dressed for the dance?" Kerri asked as soon as she saw Sharpay's outfit.

"Since you won't take Jason to the dance, I am. At the rate things are going between my brother and his sister, we will be in-laws someday in a very poly way. They're probably doing inappropriate things in Maria's apartment as we speak. Zack is probably getting all the pictures." Sharpay said as she approached the stairs.

As she walked down to the living room, she could see Chad with his hands on Tiffany's stomach with a happy expression on his face. He must be feeling the babies kick. He was slowly getting used to the idea of having a new brother and sister. (He was also getting used to the idea of having a big brother.) Chad will make an excellent big brother in a couple of months. Sharpay knew he would be a fabulous father when the time was right.

"You looked absolutely stunning," Chad kissed her quickly.

"You're my date tonight, Chad. No more kissing Sharpay until the end of the dance." Kerri said, trying to get the two to pull apart.

"You do realize you're asking for a miracle?" Jason quipped as they walked to the waiting limo.

XXXX

As they walked into the school 25 minutes later, the principal was waiting for them at the door.

"I thought I specifically said that you and Chad were never to chaperone another school dance again?" The principal practically yelled at them.

"Yet you have no problem with the two people who actually conceived a child on school property serving as chaperones," Sharpay muttered under her breath.

"We're not chaperoning. We're dates. Since we're both under 21, that's allowed." Chad said as he led Kerri to the dance floor, and Sharpay found a table.

To be continued…