College Struggles
Summary: The gang go through tough times at university with family illnesses to secrets as to two members accused of cheating. They are all attending UCLA and all the girls will be sharing an apartment just as the boys will. Someone's dad gets ill and causes them to withdraw from the gang and hurt the ones they love the most. One person's mom is killed just days into starting. How will they cope? Two people are helping each other out but with the amount of time they are spending together their other half's start to question them. Will they all still be friends by the time they've finished? Who will suffer heartache and will the pressures of being so different finally get too much?
Sequel to School Trip & School ChaosA/N: Thanks for the awesome reviews. Are people still enjoying this fic because my review stats are going down with each chapter? Please review! I just want to say that the Chad – Gabriella relationship is strictly just brother sister and I have no plans for either of them to become romantically involved or have feelings for one another. Anyway here's the next chapter. Please review!
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except the plot, Annabelle and Aaron.
Chapter 12
"Sharpay I need your help." Chad started.
"Ok, what do you need?" she asked as Chad whispered his plan in her ear. When he finished she started squealing. Chad quickly shoved his hand over her mouth.
"Sharpay they will find out if you squeal like that." Chad whispered as Sharpay gave him an apologetic look.
"I'll help you but I have a question. Why did you come to me?" Sharpay asked.
"I would have gone to Gabi but with everything that is happening in her life right now I don't think it's the best time and Kelsi, Kelsi won't quite understand and Annabelle, well she's just Annabelle." Chad explained as Sharpay nodded.
"Ok first things first…" They got started on what they needed to do.
With the gang
"Do you think they've been in there an awful long time?" Taylor asked Zeke as they looked at Sharpay's closed door.
"Yeah. Come on let's go see if they have nearly finished." Zeke offered Taylor his hand after he stood up helping her up. They walked over to the door and could hear nothing so Taylor carefully opened the door and saw Chad and Sharpay whispering. Ok this is strange. They never have serious conversations both Zeke and Taylor thought.
"You two ok?" Zeke asked as Chad and Taylor looked at them.
"Yeah we were just coming." Sharpay said walking over to Zeke and pulling him into her room while pushing Chad out.
"Ok why did you just do that?" Zeke asked confused.
"Chad is doing a surprise for Taylor." Sharpay told Zeke before he looked at her baffled. Sharpay rolled her eyes and explained the full story to Zeke who smiled at the end.
"This is going to be interesting watching you and Chad." The two laughed as they shared a kiss before walking back to the others.
With Annabelle
"Well, well, well, look what the wind blew in." A voice said from behind Annabelle.
"What do you want?" Annabelle asked annoyed as Aaron smirked at her.
"I just thought I would see how it's going with your new little friends." Annabelle narrowed her eyes at him.
"Stay away from all of us otherwise we will call the police. We still have that injunction against you." Annabelle threatened trying not to show how scared she was feeling.
"I'll try but make sure they stay out my way otherwise I won't be a happy person." Aaron smiled at Annabelle making her feel sick as she rushed to the apartment.
With the gang
The gang were sitting around watching a movie just relaxing. Troy and Gabriella were cuddled up with each other just like all the other couples. Suddenly the door flung open making them all jump. Chad actually knocked Taylor on the floor.
"Belle what's the matter?" Sharpay asked noticing the worried look on her friends face. Ryan made his way over to her and pulled her into a hug.
"Aaron… he talked to me. He said to stay out his way otherwise he won't be very happy." Annabelle told them as Troy felt Gabriella tense up. He pulled her out the door and into the boy's apartment so that they could talk in private.
"Gabi you ok?" Troy asked noticing the blank expression on her face as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Why can't I just be left alone? First my mom dies then a guy who tried to rape me is threatening us again. Troy I hate my life." Troy smiled at her sympathetically thinking of something to say.
"Don't say that. Aaron is just an idiot and he won't do anything to you I promise. And I can't do anything about what happened to your mom all I can do is be there for you. You have an amazing life. You are living away from home with all your best friends, all your big brothers and of course your amazingly good looking boyfriend." Gabriella laughed.
"And where is this good looking boyfriend of mine because I don't think we've met." Troy put a hand to his chest.
"That hurt Gabi." Gabriella just laughed at him.
"Aww get over it." Troy kissed her before they went back to join the others.
Over the next few days, with the help of Troy's parents they arranged the date of Gabi's mom's funeral. It was going to be held in Albuquerque the following week. The whole gang had sorted it out and they would all be going with her. Gabriella had finally started college and they were all now getting into the routine of things. Normally they would all do their work together so that they were still working but getting to spend time together. Taylor was getting suspicious of all the secret talks Chad and Sharpay were having and how much time they were spending together. Gabriella was slowly accepting the fact that her mom had died. Troy was always round with her checking up on her. Ryan and Annabelle were always off doing their own thing while Zeke, Jason and Kelsi were all just hanging out. It was now Saturday and everyone was out apart from Troy and Gabriella. Gabriella was nervous about having to go home on Thursday for her mom's funeral, which was on the Friday.
Troy and Gabriella were just lying on her bed hugging each other because Gabriella didn't want to do anything.
"Hey Gabi, I know you don't want to talk about next week but I just want to check you understand something ok." Gabriella nodded her head on Troy's chest as he continued. "You are coming to stay with us for the few days aren't you?" Troy asked.
"I was planning on just staying at a hotel since your parents have already sorted out the house and put the furniture and my mom's stuff in storage and there is no way I can ever go in that house again." Gabriella told him.
"There is no way you are staying at a hotel. My parents have already agreed that you can stay with us." Gabriella nodded as Troy kissed her head. Gabriella had been very quiet all day and Troy was worried. "Gabi is there something else wrong?" Gabriella looked up at Troy.
"Erm…"
A/N: Is something else up with Gabi? Still not revealing Chad's secret. Taylor is getting suspicious. What will happen? Please Review! Thanks!