Author's Note: Hey guys. The last chapter was well recieved so I'm guessing your all gonna get a kick out of this one. R&R!
Chapter 16: Confessions
Kelsi was lying in her bed staring up at the ceiling. It was 6:45am. She had had a restless night, tossing and turning. Admitting defeat, she sat up and got out of bed. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was tangled and had bags under her eyes. Which then began to water. Irritated with herself for being such a baby, she wiped her eye, changed into her jeans and blue t-shirt, sweeped her hair into a messy ponytail and left her room, 40 minutes early.
Later on that day, Troy and Gabriella were rehearsing for the talent show in the dance studio, while Taylor and Chad watched.
Gabriella: So have we made a decision yet what we're singing?
Troy: (sigh) no, not yet. (Shuffling some music sheets) none of these songs look like they can test our vocal ability.
Gabriella: vocal ability? It's just singing, Troy.
Troy: yeah I know but I just wanted to do something new. Wish we had Kelsi here to help us.
Gabriella: Yeah me too. I called her but she said she was sick.
Troy: I would hate it if I was sick on holiday.
Gabriella: yeah...
Chad: (to Taylor) You ever wanted to do singing?
Taylor: No, I can't sing.
Chad: Yes you can, I've heard you.
Taylor: When have you heard me sing?
Chad: Randomly. I've heard you sing that song about all the elements in the periodic table.
Taylor: Oh my god... you actually know what the periodic table is!
Chad: "There's hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, helium,
potassium, magnesium, platinum and calcium,
There's chlorine, fluorine, bromine, iodine,
titanium, uranium, chromium, vanadium...
Taylor:(laughing) shut up!
The two of them laugh and then there's silence. Yet. Again.
Chad: I just want you to know Taylor, that ... I love you.
It was the fist time Chad had ever said that to Taylor and she was stunned. Especially when she had been having doubts about her feelings over Chad. Then she realised she hadn't replied and she should otherwise he was going to be upset. She said the only thing she could think of saying...
Taylor: I love you too.
Chad had a wide smile on his face.
Chad: cool
He kissed her and then gave her a hug. Taylor knowing that maybe this hadn't the best time to lie...
Zeke and Jason are walking along the corridor towards the dance studio. Zeke is unusually quiet.
Jason: You okay man?
Zeke: I've decided.
Jason: Decided what?
Zeke: I'm gonna tell Chad. I'm gonna tell him about my feelings for Taylor.
Jason: What? No! I won't let you do it!
Zeke: Why not?
Jason: Because he will be angry, that's why.
Zeke: Maybe he won't. Maybe he'll accept it.
Jason: Oh yeah right. Look, you'd be messing with his feelings. He and Taylor are happy...
Zeke: No. She isn't. Taylor isn't happy.
Jason: What?
Zeke: I can tell she isn't as happy as she used to be. Maybe they're relationship is on the rocks.
Jason: Okay, we don't know that and that is not a good reason to go mess up Chad and Taylor. And anyway, how do we know if Taylor would even want you?
Zeke: You said so yourself. You thought she had feelings for me.
Jason: Hey what do I know? That's nothing man. Look you would be wasting your time. She is not interested and Chad will kill you.
Zeke sighs.
Jason: I know it's not what you want but it's for the best.
Zeke: no, no it's not for the best. I'm gonna tell him.
Zeke starts to run down the corridor, Jason runs after to stop him but he had alwaysbeen a bit slower than Zeke. He reaches the studio first and opens the door to see Chad and Taylor in a hug...
Taylor and Chad break apart.
Chad: Oh hey Zeke (Jason runs in) Jason
Zeke: Hey
Jason: Hey, um Zeke? Can I talk to you for a second?
Zeke: No
Troy: Hey guys, what's up?
Zeke: The usual, Chad? I need to tell you something.
Jason: Don't man!
Taylor: What's going on?
Jason: Nothing (grabs Zeke) you can't do this!
Zeke:(pushes Jason off) Yes I can! Chad, I'm in love with Taylor.
There's silence among the group. Chad looks confused, Jason defeated, Taylor suddenly upset, Troy and Gabriella just plain shocked.
Chad: You're what?
Zeke looks at Taylor who refuses to look at anyone.
Zeke: I'm in love with Taylor.
Chad stands up.
Chad: You...how..how..how can you be in love with MY girlfriend?
Zeke: I don't know...I just am. And call me crazy, but I think she has feelings for me too.
All eyes fall on Taylor, who is now crying.
Chad: But... you just told me you loved me...
Taylor then gets up and runs away from them tears streaming down her face. She exits through the door on the other side of the studio.
Gabriella: I better go after her.
No one responds so Gabriella runs after Taylor. Chad's face is a mixture of anger and devastation. It's painful to look at.
Chad: But, you were my friend…
Zeke: I swear, nothing happened between me and Taylor. And I am still your friend…
Chad: No. Not anymore. You are no one to me.
Chad pushes past Zeke and opens the door.
Chad: From now on, I don't know a Zeke.
Chad leaves the studio. The remaining boys are silent.
Jason: I think you got off lightly.
Zeke: Shut up man.
Taylor is in her room, lying on her bed with her face buried into her pillow crying her eyes out. Gabriella comes in.
Gabriella: Taylor?
Taylor:(muffled) Oh Gabby I'm so messed up!
Gabriella: It's okay. You can tell me.
Taylor sits up.
Taylor: I'm so confused. I don't know what to do.
Gabriella sits beside her.
Taylor: I mean, I told Chad I loved him today when I don't think I do. For a while now I've been thinking that maybe me and Chad should split up...
Gabriella: Chad and I.
Taylor: See? I'm so screwed up.
Gabriella: No you're not!
Taylor: And now Zeke says that he loves me, which has confused me even more.
Gabriella: Do you like Zeke? In that way?
Taylor: No. Well maybe. I don't know... Chad probably hates me now...
Gabriella: No, he doesn't hate you. If he loves you, he won't hate you.
Taylor: See, that makes it worse. An absolutely great guy loves me and I don't feel the same way. What do I do, Gabriella? Tell me what to do.
Gabriella: I don't...
There's a knock at the door and Troy comes in.
Troy: Hey.
Gabriella: hey
Taylor blows her nose.
Taylor: Sorry. Is Chad mad at me?
Troy: Mad, I'm not sure, but he's hurt though.
Taylor throws herself down on the bed.
Gabriella: Where's Chad?
Troy: I don't know, he left almost immediately after you.
Just then Troy cell phone rings.
Taylor:(muffled again) is it Chad?
Troy looks at the number. He doesn't recognise the number.
Troy: No, hold on...
He answers the phone.
Troy: Hello?
Voice: Is this Mr Troy Bolton?
Troy: Yes it is.
Voice: I believe you know a Mr Chad Danforth?
Troy: Yes I do, who's this?
Gabriella:(to Taylor) you know everything's gonna be alright?
Taylor: No it's not, Chad is never going to want to see me ever again!
Troy: Oh my god!
Gabriella, Taylor: What?
Troy: We'll be there as soon as we can.
Troy hangs up.
Troy: That was the hospital. Chad's been in an accident...
To be continued...
A/N: ... Okay don't kill me just yet. I know that was one heck of a cliffhanger but if you did kill me, you would never find out what happened next now, would you? Hahaha etc. Anyway, I'll post the next chapter soon!