Chapter 2: Denial

It had been almost two months since that night at the club. Gabriella never answered Troy's call; she'll have sex with a guy and be done with him. She's not into the calling and texting thing. Gabriella shook her head annoyingly as Troy was calling her, again. She ignored the call and sent him a quick text.

I'm at work.

"Ms. Montez, Ms. Montez!" Gabriella looked up and saw one of her students and her mom approaching her. Gabriella taught fourth grade at East Elementary, this is her fourth-year teaching and she loves it. She did her field placement for third grade in her senior year and before she graduated, the principal offered her full-time job as a fourth-grade teacher.

"Hey Aria, Mrs. Layne, is everything okay?"

"My Mommy says she wants to talk to you." Tiffany playfully rolled her eyes

"I didn't mean today, but Aria was so persistent, baby why don't you go get your brother from his class."

"Yes, ma'am." Aria dashed off to get her little brother

"Is everything okay Mrs. Layne? Aria's not struggling in any of her subjects, she's actually the top student in my class."

"Oh, I'm not here to discuss Aria." Gabriella frowned slightly

"Oh, then what's up?"

"Ms. Montez, I have a twin brother, who just happens to be single." Gabriella let her head fall back dramatically before looking back at Tiffany. "I think you guys would make a great couple. He teaches like you, he's over at East High." Tiffany beamed

"Mrs. Layne, I appreciate the gesture, but I'm okay. I honestly enjoy being single."

"Ms. Montez, just one coffee date. Then after that, I'll leave you alone I promise." Gabriella thought about it for a while and before she could answer Aria came racing into the classroom with her little brother, Bryce, not too far behind.

"HA! I beat you!" Aria teased

"Not fair, you cheated, Mommy, Aria cheated!"

"First of all, both of you guys know you shouldn't even be running in the school, yes?"

"Yes." Both children mumbled

"Come on let's go home. Ms. Montez, you'll at least consider it?"

"I'll consider it, have a good evening. Bye Aria, bye Bryce."

"Bye Ms. Montez!" Aria and Logan followed Tiffany out of the room. As soon as they turned the corner Gabriella emptied her lunch into her trash can. Once she was done saw looked up and saw her TA, Danny Russ. Danny was a college senior assigned to Gabriella's class at the beginning of the school year. As soon as he stepped foot in the building, he was making all of the female and some of the male teachers' head turn. All of the young girls have a crush on him, especially the students in Gabriella class. Gabriella even caught herself looking at him a few times.

"Hey Gabriella, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I think it was something I ate."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Gabriella felt nauseous again and didn't want to get sick in front of her co-worker again.

"Uh, Danny you should head on home."

"Um, we have that meeting in a few."

"What?" Gabriella looked at Danny with confusion on her face

"The staff meeting Principal Spriggs announced yesterday?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah. I forgot all about it, these kids, make me forget everything." Gabriella forced a smile, hoping that Danny wouldn't pick up on it.

The one thing Gabriella hates more than anything in the world is a pointless staff meeting, especially a staff meeting that could've been an email. Gabriella was packing away her things when she got a text from Sharpay.

Can you pick up some tampons, thanks.

Gabriella's heart skipped a beat, she can't remember the last time she had her period. Actually, now that she thinks of it, she was about a month late and she gets her monthly visits like clockwork. She pushed the thought out of her mind and as she lives the school.

Gabriella stood in the aisle gazing upon the different brands. She nervously bites her lip as she reaches out to grab one, she stops herself. What if she takes a test and it comes out positive, her whole life would change, but what if it's negative and everything stays the same? She could always wait until her next check up on Friday. Gabriella couldn't risk it she'd rather know for sure than wait four days. She hastily grabbed a random one and then went to check out. When she reached the register, she felt someone staring at her. She looked behind her and saw an older woman frowning at the pregnancy test on the conveyor belt. Gabriella rolled her eyes and she greeted the cashier.

"You should throw in some condoms while you're at it." The woman mumbled loud enough for Gabriella to hear. Gabriella finished her transition before turning her attention to the woman,

"Maybe you should throw in some Depends you geriatric bitch." The woman looked her speechless and Gabriella smirked before storming off.

Gabriella pulled into the driveway, she made sure that she put the pregnancy test in her purse. She sighed heavily, she never thought she would be in this position, she always used protection when she had sex with someone. She got out of the car, when she opened the door she hoped that everyone would be in their rooms but she was met with Taylor, Sharpay, Ryan, Zeke, and Troy's roommate, she couldn't remember his name she only recognized him his hair.

"Oh hey Gabi, you remember Zeke right." Gabriella simply smiled softly, she threw the bag in Sharpay's direction and headed straight for her room, ignoring the confused looks of her friends. Gabriella closed her bedroom door behind and walked to her adjoining bathroom. She took the pregnancy test out and read the directions to herself. She took the test out of the box and let out a breath. She sat down on the toilet and waited until she felt the need to release herself. She peed on the stick and placed the covering on it. She did the same thing with the other two, that came in the box. The directions said she had to wait three minutes.

She was tired after the day she had, she decided to lie down while she was waiting for the results.

"Gabi? Can I borrow some toothpaste? Gabi, are you sleeping?" Ryan whispered through the door, he opened the door slightly so that only his head poked in. he saw her sleeping and smiled softly, he tipped toed into the room and went to the bathroom. He searched for the toothpaste, just as he was about to leave he spotted the pregnancy tests on the counter. He looked between Gabriella and the tests in confusion. She started to stir and Ryan quickly grabbed the toothpaste and ran out of the room remembering to gently shut the door behind him. Gabriella groaned as she sat up, she searched the room. She looked at her clock and saw that it had been way more than three minutes. She got up and slowly made her way to the bathroom, she grabbed the pregnancy test box.

"Two lines for pregnant and one line for not pregnant." Gabriela read aloud, she grabbed the first one and sure enough, there were two lines. She let out a shaky breath and she ran her hands through her hair. She picked up the next pregnancy test, and there were two more lines. She reached over for third and final test and she sank down to her knees when she saw the two lines. She held back tears as she came to terms with the fact that she's pregnant, she's going to be someone's mother in nine short months. Her life is going to change, whether for the worse or for the good is up to her. There was a knock at the door and she quickly wiped away her tears.

"Just a minute." Gabriella examined herself in the mirror before going to answer the door. She opened the door and saw Ryan standing before her with her tube of toothpaste.

"Uh, I came by to get your toothpaste, since we used the same kind. You were sleeping so I just grabbed it." Ryan said nervously.

"Uh, thanks." Gabriella took the toothpaste from Ryan and was confused as to why he was still standing there fidgeting. "So, goodnight?" Gabriella went to close the door but Ryan's foot stopped her.

"What Ryan, I'm really tired," Gabriella whined

"I saw the pregnancy tests." Gabriella opened the door wider and pulled Ryan into her room by his shirt.

"You went through my things?" She said accusingly

"No, it was on the counter and I saw them." They stood in an awkward silence before Gabriella stared him down.

"Did you see the…"

"Yeah," Ryan said sheepishly, Gabriella just looked at him, a part of her mad at him for peeping at her things and the other part was mad at herself for not hiding her tests. Someone was bound to see it if they came in her room. She knew it wasn't his fault but she didn't know if it was the hormones or her tiredness and irritability that made her even more upset.

"Why were you looking?!"

"I was trying to find the fucking toothpaste, and I happened to see it! I didn't think it was a crime!"

"You were snooping in my bathroom; you were violating my privacy."

"Maybe you should've bought a fucking condom and then you wouldn't have to take three pregnancy tests." As soon as the words came out of Ryan's mouth he regretted it. "I didn't mean to say that Gabi."

"Fuck you."

"Gabi, I'm sorry." Ryan pleaded as Gabriella gently pushed him out of her room and slammed the door in his face. He sighed heavily and then walked back to his room .

The next morning Gabriella felt absolutely horrible and decided to call out sick. On top of nausea, she was so conflicted about what to do with this baby. She has to tell her boss, her parents, the father, and her roommates. Where would she stay? There's only one spare bedroom and what if she has multiples? She doubts that her roommates would want to listen to a baby let alone two babies cry all night long. Her phone started to ring and she blindly reached for it. She groaned in irritation. Troy was calling her again, she whined as she ignored the call again. She didn't feel like talking and definitely not to him, she's not ready to face him yet and tell him that he's going to be a Dad.

There were a few gentle knocks on the door, pulling Gabriella out of her thoughts.

"Come in," Taylor opened the door with a bowl of soup and ginger ale. Gabriella was actually grateful Taylor had this whole week off. She had worked for three whole weeks at the hospital as a surgical intern and she has her first break.

"I figured I make you something to eat since I'm home."

"Why thank you Dr. McKessie." Taylor playfully rolled her eyes

"I'm not a doctor yet, just an intern. I can't do any surgeries by myself, I can barely remember how to get around the hospital."

"You're still a doctor to me." Taylor sat on the bed and placed the tray in front of Gabriella.

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay, I still can't really hold anything down. I don't know what's wrong with me," Lie. "I was fine yesterday." Lie "It's probably some stomach bug." Another lie.

"Gabriella," Taylor said seriously "I heard your conversation with Ryan yesterday." Gabriella sighed

"Does everybody sneak around like fucking ninjas? Damn."

"First of all, you were guys were pretty loud, I heard you when I was coming up the stairs." Gabriella folded her arms, still not convinced.

"Did Ryan tell you what he saw?"

"No, I wanted to ask you myself. Gabriella, are you pregnant?"

"I mean the tests were positive but it could be a false positive." Gabriella didn't know if she was trying to convince Taylor or herself.

"How many did you take?"

"Three, but I want to go to my doctor before I speak anything into existence." Taylor wanted to tell her that the tests were probably right but she could see it in her eyes that she was absolutely terrified. So she decided against it.

"I can make you an appointment for later on today. Just so you can be sure." Gabriella nodded her head anxiously and out of nowhere, she started to cry.

"Can you come with me? I don't want to be alone."

"Of course, honey we're gonna get through this together. No matter what the results are. Okay?"

"Okay."

Taylor and Gabriella sat in the examination room waiting for the doctor. The whole car ride here, Gabriella felt so anxious. Deep down, she knew that she was pregnant, her periods were never late and she was rarely sick, even growing up. Gabriella started at the white halls of the room, she never liked hospitals. They just gave her a sick feeling, she doesn't know how Gabriella does it. The door opened to reveal a short African American female. She had a stern face but there was still some kindness in there.

"Hello, sorry to keep you waiting, we've been backed up in the lab—Dr. McKessie? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here with my friend, for support. Gabriella, this is my resident, Dr. Stewart." Dr. Stewart smiled softly

"Hi, Ms. Montez, I am told you are here for a sonogram?"

"Yes," Gabriella whispered. Dr. Stewart and Taylor exchanged a look before Dr. Stewart continued the appointment.

"When was your last period, Ms. Montez?"

"It was October 5th." Dr. Stewart typed her answer in the computer

"And today is November 1st, alright, and have you taken an at home pregnancy test?"

"Yes, I took three and they were all positive."

"Alrighty, so when you first came in this morning. We took some blood, we find that the blood test is more precise than the urine tests. When we reviewed the test results and it showed that your hCG levels were elevated. Elevated hCG levels, typically mean that you are pregnant. I'll still do a sonogram so that you can see for yourself. Okay, I need to lie back and roll up your shirt please." Dr. Stewart started to prepare the sonogram and once she was ready she turned back to Gabriella.

"Alright, this is going to be cold." Dr. Stewart squeezed the jelly onto Gabriella's abdomen, she turned on the monitor and she started to move the wand around Gabriella's stomach.

"Alright, Ms. Montez here we go. There's the cervix, and the uterus and you see that dark sector that's the amniotic sac, and right there in the middle, is the embryo, and that flicker is the heartbeat. You are pregnant, about eight weeks. Your baby is the size of a kidney bean." Gabriella stared at the monitor in disbelief, she felt eyes start to tear up.

"I'm really pregnant like this is for real?" Gabriella asked

"Yes ma'am it is very real. Now, would like to know about your options?"

"Options?" Gabriella was still trying to digest that she was going to be a mother.

"Adoption or terminating the pregnancy," Gabriella looked up at Taylor who placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Um, yeah sure." Gabriella wiped away some of the stray tears that were falling down her face.

"Alright, I'll have some brochures for you when you leave today. Make sure you get yourself some prenatal vitamins Ms. Monetz, it was nice meeting you. Dr. McKessie I will be seeing you bright and early next week."

Gabriella looked over the brochures for almost the twentieth time since she's been home. She had so much uncertainty going through her. This was a new feeling for Gabriella she was so sure about everything, where she went to college, her career, her future goals. Right now, she has no clue what to do. She was pulled out of her thoughts when her phone went off, she looked at the caller ID and it was Troy…again. She stared at the phone she really wanted to ignore the call but she has to tell him that she's pregnant. She answered the phone call,

"Hello?"

"Hey Gabriella, I've been trying to reach you."

"Yeah, I've been busy these days."

I'm actually surprised you answered, you've uh, been ignoring for a while. I figured you weren't interested—"

"Can we meet up somewhere?" Gabriella said hurriedly, interrupting Troy

"Uh…Yeah, sure where do you want to meet?"

"How about that new Italian place at seven?"

"Cool, I'll be there."

"Ok. Bye."

"Bye."Gabriella sighed

Gabriella stared out the window of the restaurant while she waited for Troy to arrive. She was very nervous about his reaction to her being pregnant. She's been ignoring the man for the past month and now she has to drop this gigantic truth bomb on him. She munched her fifth breadstick, she will say her appetite changed drastically, one moment she can't keep anything down, and the next she can't stop herself from eating. She was about to grab another one when she saw Troy walking toward her.

"Sorry I'm late, I had to babysit my niece and nephew." Gabriella just smiled softly in return.

"Well…"

"Good evening, my name is Leslie and I'll be your server today. Can I start you two off with something to drink?"

"Sangria please," Troy answered

"How about you ma'am? Would you like Sangria as well?"

"No, I'll take water."

"I'll be right back."

"So, like I said on the phone I'm actually kind of surprised you answered…" Troy kept rambling on and on. Gabriella couldn't hold it in anymore, if she kept it in any longer she was going to explode, she had to tell him. She opned her mouth to get his attention but that's when the waitress came back woth their drinks.

"Here you guys are, are you ready for me to take your order?" Gabriella smiled apologetically at her

"No, we're not."

"No problem, I'll be back in a few." Troy picked up his glass and took a few sips before turning his attention to Gabriella

"So, how was—"

"I'm pregnant."