Thank you to everyone who is still reading this story. The next few chapters contain a lot of new material. I should have taken some sections from the epilogue of Ryan Taylor Gabriella Manhattan. However, I reviewed the scenes and decided it was better to start from scratch. I can do so much better now.
Warning: This chapter deals with the aftereffects of an attempted sexual assault and domestic violence. As well as how our criminal justice system fails people like Penelope all the time. I wrote this after a certain celebrity was freed on a technicality. I have feelings, and writing is how I process those feelings.
Chapter 65: I survived my first semester at college, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
"How exactly did you talk me into coming with you to visit your…." Penelope started to ask Zack, but she wasn't sure how much Chad actually knew yet. The last 48 hours have been the weirdest of her life, including spending most of yesterday at a police station and being saved by a lawyer paid for by her best friend's boyfriend. Malick had connections, so apparently, her almost rape was her fault. However, with support, she wasn't backing down.
Not even after she found out today that she was suspended from the cheerleading squad until the investigation is concluded because Malick's uncle is a dick. She also lost her university sponsor job. It helped that even if her current scholarships are pulled, she will get funding from the new Bolton foundation. She would be getting a stipend for her lost income anyway. 45 minutes ago, she found out from her lawyer that Malick was out on bail. This is why she found herself in a convertible with Chad, Sharpay, and Zack to have dinner with Zack's probably aunt. Which is perhaps the least surreal thing of the last 48 hours.
"Just say, possible aunt. At this point, there's no point in me staying in denial." Chad acknowledged.
"Thank God." Penelope and Zack mumbled under their breath simultaneously. She is also 99% sure Zack just sent Ryan a text message about it. He's always texting his boyfriend.
"Even Troy was starting to get worried, and he lived through Jamie," Sharpay remarked.
"I still don't know why I am here. Sharpay said she wanted to start over but inviting me to your aunt's house seems a little much." Penelope said as she finally got out of the car.
"I have to be here. I don't want to leave you alone at my apartment with Malick being out on bail. I know you're not going back to your mom's house." Zack said as he also got out of the car.
"No way in hell." Sharpay gave her a look but didn't ask for more. This is good. Penelope doesn't want to talk about the fact that her own mother called her for the first time in weeks just to convince her to not press charges. It's fine. She can stay at Zack's apartment over break since his roommates left yesterday.
"Aunt Claudia always cooks too much, so it's fine that you're here," Sharpay stated as she and Chad directed them towards the right house. "Besides, you deserve her macaroni and cheese for knocking Malick out with a paperweight," Sharpay said instead.
She definitely deserves something after dealing with all the bullshit from Malick. She hasn't even slept more than two hours in the last two days, even with Zack sleeping next to her at his apartment. She couldn't even go back into her dorm room. She actually threw up. Nikki had to pack her bags once it was no longer a crime scene.
Penelope doesn't know how she will live there again next year. Maybe you're allowed to switch dorm rooms after almost being raped by your boyfriend.
"At least it will just be the four of us. Aunt Claudia wanted Jack and Troy here, but thankfully they had other plans with the rest of the family." Chad explained.
"She wanted Alex here," Sharpay remarked.
"Everybody loves Alex. Even Aunt Julie loves Alex. Although, according to Troy, he was helping her get through her own divorce. Now that Kim is paying for her divorce attorney, they are getting along. It helps that she's leaving for Santa Fe tomorrow." Chad explained.
"That kid is cute. However, your extended family feels like something out of a soap opera. Nikki has told me some things." Like Charles Danforth being a complete piece of shit. As well as most of the family being homophobic as fuck.
"You're not wrong. At least you're not meeting Nana Danforth tonight." Chad said, trying to sound reassuring. Zack did not look reassured.
"Even Amanda hates her, and Amanda doesn't hate anybody," Sharpay added.
"I'm pretty sure she hated me for most of the semester," Penelope remarked.
"No, she just strongly disliked you. There are at least two other cheerleaders she tolerates even less."
"Probably the ones that are already siding with Malick. Let's get this over with. Why are we just standing here?" Penelope asked.
"We are waiting for you to ring the bell," Chad explained.
"Why?"
"Non-relatives are treated better. Zack is in the family category. She loves Amanda to pieces, and she would be here if she wasn't crashing on her English paper in an attempt to get it done before her flight to Arizona Tuesday. She needs to get it to the proofreader tonight."
"That can't be true," Penelope said as she rang the doorbell. Within 10 seconds, she was enveloped in a hug by Aunt Claudia. Penelope could really use a hug after the last two days.
XXXX
Hot boyfriend: Good news, Chad acknowledged the possibility that I might be his brother out loud. Sharpay and Penelope also managed to survive the entire car ride without sniping at each other.
Hot boyfriend: Plus, Aunt Claudia hugged Penelope as soon as we got there. I think Amanda told her what was happening. They are friends.
Ryan: Oh, thank God. I thought we would have to arrange for an intervention Tuesday. Nobody does denial like Chad.
Hot boyfriend: I'm aware.
Ryan: We're still on for Tuesday at the lawyer's office?
Hot boyfriend: Yes, although Penelope may not be with us. She might be meeting with her own lawyer at that time to help her get unsuspended from the cheerleading team. Thankfully Kim already dealt with the scholarship issue and Malick getting Penelope fired from her job.
Ryan: Wait, he tried to rape her, and she is suspended from cheerleading? And got fired from her job? Seriously, what the fuck?
Ryan: Scholarship issue?
Hot boyfriend: Penelope is on both academic and cheerleading scholarships. She worked part-time as a tutor because the scholarship doesn't cover everything. If she gets kicked off the team, she can't afford to go to school next semester. Of course, Malick didn't think about Kim stepping in to make sure that wouldn't happen.
Ryan: Kim may be indifferent regarding Penelope, but she sure as fuck hates Malick.
Hot boyfriend: If it wasn't for your sister getting Penelope a lawyer, they might have tried to arrest her. His uncle has friends in the mayor's office.
Ryan: I am not surprised at all. Despite owning half of Albuquerque, dad couldn't get Malick kicked out of East high after raping Sharpay. Not directly anyway; he just got Troy's dad to kick him off the basketball team. The Malicks, unfortunately, own the other half of Albuquerque. Malick was only at East high because he got kicked out of another private school.
Hot boyfriend: Shit! This is just the beginning, isn't it?
Ryan: Don't worry about it. Penelope is going to have the best lawyers in Albuquerque. Sharpay, Kim, and I are paying because we really hate Malick. We've already set up a legal defense fund.
Hot boyfriend: You really are rich?
Ryan: Compared to Kim, we're just wealthy.
Ryan: How is dinner so far? Are Penelope and Sharpay staying in their respective corners?
Hot boyfriend: So far, yes, but we're only halfway through dinner. Things have only been mildly awkward. But at least we got the good macaroni and cheese. There are at least seven different types of cheese in it.
Ryan: Taylor says it's the best. It was the only reason why she didn't leave Chad's graduation party early last year after Nana Danforth forced her into the kitchen. She also wants to know if you have been accosted by that woman yet?
Hot boyfriend: Thankfully, only Aunt Claudia is here.
Ryan: I'm sure she didn't want to expose you to the rest of the family just yet. Taylor has been telling me stories. She didn't text you any of them because she didn't want to scare you off.
Hot boyfriend: How kind. I think it might be Aunt Claudia doesn't want to expose Chad to the rest of the family again. Nana Danforth is still mad at him.
Ryan: For dating a white-ish girl or being queer?
Hot boyfriend: Probably both, which means she's really going to hate me. I'm dating a white-ish boy. Chad joked and said he hopes the test comes out negative just to spare me that.
Hot boyfriend: BTW, he doesn't actually mean that. He would like a good relative.
Ryan: Right now, Claudia is the good relative on Charles's side of the family. At least on the other side, he has Maria and Teresa. I think Troy's Uncles Zach and Chris have already claimed him. Something about the importance of found family.
Hot boyfriend: That is very true.
Ryan: So, how do you feel going into the results?
Hot boyfriend: I absolutely do not want to be related to Charles Danforth. He is a fucking ass hole.
Ryan: Completely understandable because neither does Chad.
Hot boyfriend: But I can see myself as Chad's big brother. I like that even if I was initially freaked out a little bit.
Ryan: I still say you felt a family connection but didn't know that was possible, so you went for the other thing. You didn't know. It's fine.
Hot boyfriend: Especially because I never actually kissed him.
Ryan: Which you are very grateful for. Although it's not the end of the world to kiss a sibling.
Hot boyfriend: Is there something you need to tell me?
Ryan: It was a stage kiss. I don't want to talk about it.
Ryan: How do you feel about the twins?
Hot boyfriend: If I was straight, they could actually be my kids. Which feels weird. Tiffany is less than a year older than me. It's just so creepy.
Ryan: But that's not the twins' fault.
Hot boyfriend: I know. It's like blaming you for Darby being an evil witch. It's not some thing that should be done.
Ryan: Exactly.
Hot boyfriend: Let's move on to better thoughts. I know I'm not picking you up tomorrow, but can I come over?
Ryan: Yes. We will order takeout. Is it okay if Taylor's there?
Hot boyfriend: Of course, we're friends. I do like her. I look forward to hanging out with both of you tomorrow.
xxxxx
Unknown number: Hey, it's Gabriella. Good news, I've been officially discharged from the hospital. Better news, I have my cell phone back.
Unknown number: Not my cell phone but the new iPhone that Kim got me as a "congratulations, you're out of the hospital" present. I feel like I'm going to get a lot of guilt presents. I already got a few in the hospital. I am pretty sure she got me a $500 bathrobe.
Taylor: With a brand new phone number. Also, the bathrobe was from Sharpay.
Gabby: Oh god! Now I feel even worse about the sex tape. The new phone number is to keep Mercedes from contacting me, not like she actually will. I didn't get a single voicemail or card from her. Not even after I didn't show up in Colorado.
Gabby: Although Troy has received about four gift baskets. I'm so done with her.
Taylor: Five and apparently a singing telegram.
Gabby: I am glad I will be rooming with Madison and Cassandra when I get back to the sorority house.
Taylor: You're staying there?
Gabby: For now.
Taylor: I'm just going to ask this. Do you think a sorority house is the best place to live while you're trying to be sober and stay on your medication? Madison mentioned there's a lot of drinking there.
Gabby: It's not. However, I would have the same problem in the dorms. Madison wouldn't be there with me. At least I'll have support at the sorority house until I can work something else out.
Taylor: True.
Gabby: Cassandra said she would stop drinking with me. Her mom ended up in rehab after the divorce. Actually, she ended up in rehab after every divorce. Cassandra doesn't want to go down that road after her own breakup. So we're going to not drink together.
Taylor: Good for both of you.
Gabby: Besides, I won't be at the sorority house all the time anyway. I'll probably be at Troy's new house whenever Alex is in because Madison will be there as Alex's nanny.
Gabby: The baby is so cute and cuddly. I love him to pieces.
Taylor: Alex is so adorable. I'm glad that he's kind of my nephew now. It is one good thing to come out of the Vanessa situation.
Taylor: Besides getting Kim as a stepsister. I always wanted a big sister.
Gabby:?
Taylor: There's something I should've told you but didn't because you were in the hospital. The day after we checked you in, I found out I am adopted. My biological mother is Kim's stepmom Vanessa. So, I have a stepsister and a nephew now.
Gabby: Wow. I am surprised you didn't need the room next to me.
Taylor: I've been seeing my therapist three times a week, and we have phone sessions scheduled for the entire time I'm in Albuquerque. Also, if something happens, I am supposed to call her this time. If I don't, Ryan will. I already told him he could.
Gabby: I feel like finding out you're adopted definitely meets the emergency threshold.
Taylor: Which I ignored.
Taylor: What time are you guys flying out?
Gabriella: 6 PM. It was originally earlier, but Katrina gets in late tonight, and she wants to spend the morning with us. Since she helped me see the Lucy truth, I agreed.
Taylor: That makes sense. Our plane is supposed to get there at 3:30 PM, but that will probably become 4 PM. Would you guys be willing to go through TSA early so we could have dinner at the airport? I would hate not seeing you guys until you come back for New Year's.
Gabby: I'm not even sure if we're coming back for Christmas or not. We might do something in San Francisco. It depends on how long the house search takes and how long it takes me to make up all my finals. Although mom was invited to a very Evans winter holiday spectacular. She is friends with Sharpay's father. She's been living in his guest house for the last two weeks.
Taylor: Friends or actual friends?
Gabby: I feel like it's best I don't know the answer to that question for my mental health. It's too early to have a relapse.
Taylor: Agree.
Gabby: Kim just said that they'll be happy to go through TSA early, and she'll make reservations at one of the better restaurants at the airport. She'll also make sure that your checked bags are picked up for you. Apparently, airports are different for rich people.
Taylor: You're with Kim right now?
Gabby: Yes, I'm with her and my mom. We went out for dinner while Jack, Troy, and Alex dealt with the family alone because I'm not ready for any of that right now.
Taylor: Good plan.
Gabby: Kim will text you restaurant information later. I can't wait to see you. I miss you.
Taylor: I miss you too.
Xxx
Early afternoon December 15, 2008
"Do you have everything?" Amanda asked from the front of their room as Sharpay moved her luggage to the hallway. "More importantly, do you have anything you're not supposed to have? Daniel asked me to ask." Sharpay is not even surprised.
"Sucking up to the new boss already?"
"I am being freed from cafeteria hell. Yes, I'm going to do what my new boss asks. Besides, it's good for you to get a little perspective. You heard what happened to Madison last summer after divorcing her parents." Thankfully one of the neighbors took pity on her and hired her as a nanny. But she still ended up in an apartment that was essentially a dorm room but in a worse neighborhood with more roaches.
"Those were very extenuating circumstances." Like Madison's parents trying to use their daughter's death to enhance their celebrity. "I'm good. I have everything I'm allowed to bring and nothing I'm not supposed to." She took care of it all before they left for Aunt Claudia's. Even though they had to bring Penelope with them to keep her the hell away from Malick, it still went well. Of course, their expectations for dinner at Aunt Claudia's house are low after the Thanksgiving fiasco. Even Penelope is preferable to Grandma Danforth. She will not stand for queer erosion.
"I'm inclined to believe you since the closet still looks mostly full." Amanda joked.
"This is the least amount of clothes I've ever brought with me anywhere." Sharpay quipped.
"It will be okay. A lot of the stuff in your closet you don't even wear anymore. You're borrowing Chad's T-shirts half the time."
"Which is why I made sure he brought my favorites."
"Even though it's going to be a tiny apartment, you're still going to get to live with Chad for winter break. I will be sharing a room with Nikki and possibly Marc for the next few weeks. Thankfully our school has a ridiculously short winter break." Amanda lamented.
"So we end early and can get the best summer internships." When Sharpay starts applying for different schools, she's definitely choosing a place with a long winter break. That will be the next box to check after the writing program.
"Exactly."
"Have you finished packing yet? I know you were panicking about your essay last night."
"I emailed it to Jack around 10 PM yesterday. He is using it as practice to get back into English teacher mode. He promises to have it back to me in time to send to the evil professor by 11:59 PM tomorrow. If I flunk, it's because he's an ass hole, and Professor Stark Rogers said he would pink slip me in. He'll also find me a reader for anything I can't get from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. I definitely took the wrong class this semester."
"Now you know."
"As for packing, I will do that after you leave. We don't leave until tomorrow afternoon. Nikki and I both have another exam this afternoon. Also, I'm actually having brunch with your brother in the morning. We will commiserate about ablest professors and horrible reasonable accommodations over mimosas. I think we're doing this at the club just so we can drink."
"Possibly. Do you need a ride to the airport? We're keeping the Lexus, so I will have space for everyone and their luggage. Although we might be at the lawyers with Zack at that time." Sharpay offered.
"You will be. Otherwise, I would've joined you. Your dad arranged for a car for both parts of the trip." Amanda explained. "I'm glad we will have a ride from the airport. Nikki's dad has a doctor's appointment, and we would've had to take a cab otherwise."
"My dad likes you. You know he would've let you start your internship early, and you could've stayed here in Albuquerque. You could've even ended up in the apartment next to ours." That would make the experience at least tolerable.
"I know, but I think Marc needs me. We have to get all his stuff out of the witch's house and into storage." That Kim is paying for. "And I'm not sure he's going to be able to go through with the parental divorce if we're not there for support. The woman is toxic, but she is still his mom." Amanda explained.
"Out of all of us, I probably understand this the best. No matter how much they hurt you, it's hard to leave."
"She already sent Marc six emails asking him to work a wedding this weekend. For no pay, of course. I already dictated the no response myself. Although her being at the wedding will give us the perfect opportunity to get all his stuff out. Kim arranged for movers." Amanda explained.
"She did because she's also familiar with this type of toxicity. I wish more people in my friend group didn't have toxic parents." Lucy is trying to contact Troy through her attorney because Julie won't be her messenger anymore. It's been ugly. Sharpay thinks it's the real reason Troy doesn't want to be here for Christmas. Lucy may guilt-trip him into going to the house for Christmas, and he can't deal with her.
"Maria is good," Amanda remarked. "She brought us study cookies." And they were the best cookies. Better than Zeke's.
"Maria is fabulous. However, Gabriella's father has not bothered to call his hospitalized child. Per Kim, she has no plans to call him now that she's out. Gabriella is not even planning to give him her new number." Sharpay explained.
"Are you being protective of Gabriella?"
"Of course not. I'm just sad Maria married such a horrible person."
"So you just are the patron saint of people with fucked up families? That's why you're upset?" Amanda asked.
"Yes," Sharpay answered simply.
"Good to know," Amanda said, looking down at her watch. "Daniel wants you to meet him at the apartment at 2 PM, which means you have to leave in the next 10 minutes. But I want a hug first." Amanda said, walking over to Sharpay and putting her arm around her.
"I'm gonna miss you. You're the best roommate ever I had."
"Because I stayed with my boyfriend most of the time." Sharpay joked as she pulled out of the embrace. "Although that doesn't feel like much of a compliment because your first roommate was just that awful. How many roommates did you have before?"
"My mom sent me to summer camp a couple of times so I wouldn't see what was happening. Those were not good experiences."
"We're definitely going to have to talk about that later. Text me when you get to Nikki's house?"
"I will, I promise." With those parting words, Sharpay left Amanda behind along with her first semester of college.
XXXX
December 15, 2008 2:24 PM
Sharpay was already missing her cozy dorm room. At least she had more clothes there. The apartment was a shoebox with a bathroom. Plus, the furniture was god-awful. It looked like something from the dumpster down the street. Knowing Chad's mother, it was possible. Nothing matched, and she doubted she would be given a budget to redecorate.
The only good thing going for the apartment was the floors were hardwood. They were covered under some dreadful cream color rug that needed vacuuming and scrubbing. Sharpay will actually have to do the cleaning herself for the first time. Sharpay had a cleaning person who cleaned her dorm room once a week.
"Couldn't we at least get a one-bedroom apartment?" Chad asked Daniel as he saw the bare mattress in the middle of the living room. They're going to have to make a trip to Target. Even on a budget, she's still not going to Walmart.
"Your father and Ms. Suarez want you to have the authentic experience of being a married couple in college. This is what my first apartment was like." Daniel said, suppressing an evil smirk. Sharpay was sure her dad's assistant was getting a kick out of this entire thing.
"No one's first apartment is this bad," Sharpay said, dragging her giant suitcase into the apartment.
"Other than Madison," Chad mumbled under breath.
"Extremely extenuating circumstances."
"My first apartment was worse than this. At least you have a fully functioning kitchen. I had a hot plate and a microwave." Daniel said as Chad brought in another bag from the outside. Sharpay wasn't even sure what a hot plate was. She'll ask Amanda later.
Adding to this exercise in parental torture, they were only allowed to bring one bag of clothing each. Chad caught her crying yesterday when she had to choose between her shoes. In the end, she was able to sneak four more pairs into her bag because she put all of her underwear in Chad's bag. It was not as if he needed the space himself. The black lace underwear was for his enjoyment anyway.
To get by for a month, her boyfriend needed his basketball gear, five T-shirts that said stupid things such as "My favorite number is 69", five pairs of jeans, some underwear, and a few pairs of socks. She actually had to sneak in a more dressy outfit just in case. She is sure they will have to visit Aunt Claudia again, especially if the DNA test is positive tomorrow.
Once she dragged the bag inside, Daniel opened both her and Chad's suitcases.
"What are you doing?" Sharpay asked in irritation.
"Making sure you and your boyfriend didn't sneak in any prohibited items," Daniel said as he kept inspecting the bags. They had a long list of things they couldn't bring. For example, They could only bring one laptop. They brought hers because it was bigger and had a Blue Ray player. Not that they could bring anything to play on it, DVDs of all kinds were prohibited. Daniel had Amanda confiscate her iPod nano before they even left the dorms. Daniel already adores Amanda. Thank God they were allowed to keep both of their cell phones.
They were only allowed to keep one of the cars. Sharpay will be handing the keys over to Taylor to use while she's staying at the mansion. Sharpay understood that Taylor wasn't ready to be with her parents right now. It made sense for her to stay with Ryan at the mansion. But it felt like such a double standard. Ryan and Taylor will get to play house in the mansion (with Zack dropping by all the time) while she and Chad are stuck in this dreadful apartment just blocks from campus. It wasn't fair.
Her father's company bought this complex a couple months ago and was in the process of renovating the units. They shoved her and Chad into one of the units still being fixed. Carolyn was obviously trying to make a point, and Sharpay didn't really like it.
"Did we pass?" Chad asked, annoyed.
"For now, although I seriously doubt the black lace underwear is yours, Mr. Danforth," Daniel remarked as he held up one of Sharpay's designer bras.
"It's not like I am hetero. Red lace is my thing," Chad said with an evil little smirk as he took the piece out of Daniel's hand. Daniel then grabbed the makeup kit out of the same bag.
"You were to only bring one basic makeup kit."
XXXX
Chad has always known his mom was very creative with punishments. Because Grandpa Sanchez was only slightly less abusive than Darby, his mom didn't believe in corporal punishment. However, with a child who always got into trouble, she needed to quickly develop creative ways to punish him.
In third grade, he and Sharpay got into a fight that resulted in a substitute teacher handing in their resignation. Neither remembered why anymore. His mom and Mr. Evans forced him and Sharpay to spend the day together at her office. They had to shred an entire box of papers. It was miserable.
In seventh grade, he and Sharpay got in a shouting match in the middle of the cafeteria that resulted in a food fight. His mom forced him and Sharpay to work together to clean up the mess. During the summer of 2007, he and Sharpay got in a fight at Lava Springs that resulted in high amounts of property damage. His car fund was utilized to pay for the damages. (The promise matching money to the car fund got taken up by the divorce, so it didn't matter.) Chad was starting to see a pattern here.
It makes sense that his mom would come up with a punishment for something she believes detrimental to the both of them. In this case, it was the two of them potentially getting married at a young age. It also makes sense that she would enlist Mr. Evans into helping because the two have been co punishing them for years. Chad forgot about how many times the two met at parent-teacher conferences.
As he and Sharpay sat in the living room/bedroom trying to complete the budget after unpacking everything, Chad thought about his mom's note.
Chad, I know you see this as a punishment. It's not. This isn't like when you and Sharpay would get in trouble at school. We probably should have just locked you two in a room together to work everything out. Although if we did that after the Lava Springs incident, we probably would have a grandbaby at this point.
I know you're aware that I am uncomfortable with you and Sharpay already being engaged. Not because I think Sharpay does not love you or because I believe you will fail miserably. I'm worried about the two of you getting married because of my personal experiences. Yes, Margarita suggested I see a therapist, and I'm looking into it.
I had no idea what I was getting into at 17. As your mom, I want to make sure you're both prepared. I heard about what happened to Madison, and I don't want that to happen to either of you. If it wasn't for her Chad, she probably wouldn't have survived last summer without having to go back to her parents.
Sharpay, I already think of you as a daughter and want to make sure you're okay. I realize that neither you nor Chad had the best examples of love and marriage. Sharpay, I know your mom was a lot like my dad. Probably more than I care to remember. Someday I want you to think of me as the mom you should have had. Chad and Sharpay, this is not a punishment. I just want to make sure you have the skills to survive no matter what happens. This is another way for me to say I love both of you.
As he read the letter aloud, Sharpay started crying. She started crying again when she saw that they would have exactly $1221 after rent, utilities, cable, and their imaginary car payment for everything else. To Chad, this is a lot of money. However, he knew Sharpay could drop that much at the mall in a single day.
"How are we going to live on $2800 a month?" Sharpay asked as she stared at the computer screen.
"Sharpay, she's being generous. That is a lot more money than most college students our age would have to work with. The stipend that Kim is giving Marc is nowhere near that much. Also, there not asking us to pay tuition out of that money."
"Neither is Marc. Thankfully the evil mommy can't touch his scholarship." And unlike Amanda, he's not in danger of losing it. Amanda is not either. Even if she fails the English class, her GPA won't go below what is needed for her scholarship. That is because they prepared her to be as strong as possible in her better subjects, and Sharpay's dad made sure she got all the required accommodations. No one's going to hurt his intern.
"We're just going to have to get used to a budget. So, you're only going to be able to buy two pairs of shoes a month instead of 20. It could be a lot worse." Chad told his girlfriend as he tried to calm her down.
"I'm aware. I know what Madison and Kim had to go through."
"In an emergency, Kim could have gone to you."
"She didn't." Sharpay still seemed upset about that.
"The only budget I ever had before was for the drama club, and I usually just supplemented it with daddy's credit card." Chad knew exactly how much money was allocated to the drama department. Considering the grand nature of the sets for the senior musical, Chad had a feeling that Mr. Evans supplemented the department budget beyond their regular donation.
"Daddy's credit card is not an option right now. In the real world, it's not going to be. Maybe my mom is right. We need to learn how to be self-sufficient." Especially if your dad really is sick. "You are never allowed to tell her that." Right after he said that, Sharpay gently kissed him.
"Your secret is safe with me. I thought the whole purpose of this experiment was to simulate what we would face as a married couple. In the real world, we are never going to be this poor. I know my trust fund is nowhere near as big as Kim's is; however, it is still an eight-digit amount. We should be given an amount of money and a place that would reflect that income."
"I'm sure that's what Kim thought before the entire Alex situation. I know Madison wasn't planning to be a nanny last summer. You know what happened to both of them after their parents took their money away. Madison survived because of Chad and a generous neighbor. Even with help from Jay and Vanessa, Kim still had to work part-time just to make ends meet. Remember, she qualified for food stamps."
"I know." Sharpay acknowledged.
"The economy is going to hell right now," Chad remarked. "The real estate market is a mess, and many houses are in foreclosure. Your father's company has slowed down on their development work as a result. Instead, the company is going into rentals like this place."
"That means that the Evans group is smart enough to weather the storm."
"Which is true. But you never know. There is the whole thing with your trust fund. You know your dad was unable to take Darby off as a trustee even though they are divorcing." Even with his mom intervening. It was a nightmare.
"I know. The whole firm is working overtime on it. She won't even take a large cash payment to give up control."
"Because control is more important than money to her. Right now, your dad can keep her from doing anything drastic. If something were to happen to him," like him dying of whatever illness is sending him to a cardiologist weekly in New York, "She could do the same thing that Kim's mom did to her." Considering how angry Darby was about the engagement, Chad knew she would hurt Sharpay if given a chance.
"Okay, you have a point. But did your mom have to make us this poor?" Sharpay lamented.
"Sharpay, this isn't poor for Albuquerque. This is middle class. I will agree that the apartment is a bit much. However, you know this is what a normal college student would have to deal with. You saw Zack's place last night. And he has three roommates."
"I concede you have a point. Unfortunately, this also means that I can't travel to the away games as planned." Chad was upset about that too. Because the cheerleaders didn't go to the games during winter break, Chad would have no one to talk to except for Zack. That might be really awkward if they turn out to be brothers tomorrow.
The second reason was he did not want Sharpay alone in this apartment. Even with a state-of-the-art computerized locking system, he just didn't feel comfortable with her being here by herself. Malick was out on bail after attempting to sexually assault Penelope. His team is already working double-time to get Penelope to drop the charges so he can come back to school. Like taking away her scholarship by suspending her. Or getting her fired from her student job. Thankfully the Evans legal team was working harder. It looked hopeful Malick would not be coming back next semester. The team is already uncovered a few skeletons, like attempting to blackmail the Stark-Rogers. Like the whole entire school didn't know they were a couple. They have the same last name.
"I do not want you to be here either. Do you think Ryan would be that upset if you crash his time with Taylor?" Chad asked as he kissed her on the forehead.
"He better be okay with it. I'm going to be letting his girlfriend have the convertible for the next three weeks. He owes me something." Sharpay said as she picked up the bag that Daniel had given them earlier. After finding the new debit cards and account numbers, they abandoned the bag to work on the budget. Now Sharpay was exploring the rest of the bag.
"It looks like your mom decided to send us a present. Maybe it's more money so I can actually shop." Sharpay said sarcastically as she began to rip off the paper. Chad's mouth fell open when he saw the present. Attach was a small card that read:
I am fully aware that putting horny teenagers who actually love each other together could lead to me becoming a grandmother prematurely. Alex is enough for now. I don't believe the "we're not having sex" line. Be safe, Chad and Sharpay, love your mother. Yes, you are both my children.
"Your mom just gave us a giant box of condoms. Why does everybody give us condoms? She was planning to do this at Thanksgiving too." Sharpay remarked, giggling.
"Until she ended up using them herself. Although I think that was Margarita. I just love the fact that she pushes my mom to actually deal with stuff."
"I'm sure you do."
"From the note, I think my mom nominated herself as Darby's replacement. Be prepared for a very overprotective mom who loves you no matter what. You will love and hate every moment of it." Chad said, kissing her on the lips this time.
"Is it wrong to actually look forward to that?" Sharpay asked.
"Not at all," Chad said to her as the kisses became more heated.
"As much as I enjoy this, I think we have to go pick up Ryan," Sharpay said to him.
"Not until like 6 PM because they're going to have a late lunch with Troy and Gabriella. I could always call Zack to pick up his boyfriend." Chad suggested.
"I like the way you think. I trust Zack to drive the convertible more than Ryan."
"I'll text him as soon as I make you feel better." With that, Chad pushed her back on the couch as his mouth covered hers once more.
To be continued…
I was going to have Ryan coming back from New York in this chapter, but it was already over 6000 words. So that got moved to the next section.