II.

Surprise, Surprise

In her new home, Sharpay Evans now took the time touring around when the maids were finished putting her things away. Her mind was still in someplace though doing this, so she didn't really try to register everything in the house.

There was a cozy living room with leather beige couches and pillows and an expensive, complete home entertainment system. Another room was already a kitchen made for a chef, and she knew that there will be a chef. Besides that, there was a dining room with a Windsor glass table and four chairs and then out at the back, was a swimming pool. When she arrived at the rooftop, there was a wide Jacuzzi and another entertainment system.

Sighing, she went back down, only to find Boi napping on her bed. She shook her head at that and then grabbed the college application, looking at it again.

Taking out the pen in the envelope and sitting down on the rather pink bed, she wrote down the details with big, easy strokes. After a few minutes of this, she returned everything on the envelope and stood up, grabbing her bag and sunglasses and walking her way down to her garage.

With the remote already at hand, she opened the garage and immediately went in her Mustang. She turned the ignition and looked at the rear mirror to admire her reflection, reapplying lip gloss again. Now ready, she sped off, already knowing where the school was.

At the same time, a mover truck was now visible on the neighbourhood.

When the second they arrived in Santa Fe, Gabriella's phone played a familiar tune impatiently, indicating there was a text message.

Hey Girl! In Santa Fe right now?

Gabriella smiled at Taylor's message.

Yeah, just right now actually, you?

Just a few hours ago and I'm all done packing. Just text me if you're done. Take care!

With that, Gabriella looked at her concentrating mother. They had just turned a right corner and Gabriella was so excited that if she knew the directions, she could jump out of the window and run to her new place right now, and then when her mother arrives second, she was going to have to jump on her next and hug her like there's no tomorrow.

The math-whiz inwardly giggled at that thought.

"Gabby, we're here," Maria said happily and parked the car on the street. Gabriella looked around in awe, never been in such a posh neighbourhood. At that, her eyes rested on a guy in front of a modest house, resting on a black, white-striped 1967 Chevrolet Camaro.

It was a grinning Troy Bolton in a navy blue tank top and khaki pants. Gabriella and Maria waved at him, who waved them back and then opened the door for his girlfriend. So it seemed that Maria told Troy that she was going to drop Gabriella here.

"Hey, I missed you."

"Troy, it's only been a couple of hours."

"I know." Gabriella playfully punched him in the arm.

"I hate to break the time between the two of you, but the bags…" Maria told them as she opened the trunk.

"Oh yeah! Right." The two lovebirds acted up and ran towards the trunk to get the bags.

After getting her bags, Gabriella then asked, "Where's the car and furniture?"

"The car's already in the garage," Troy pointed on the modest house, already paling because of the comparison between next door. He then looked at Gabriella's mother. "I'm still going to fix it. The side doors and the other parts are already provided, so not to worry Ms. Montez."

Maria Montez smiled at them and then hugged her daughter for God knows how many times. "Are you going to be alright in here?"

Gabriella nodded in the hug, and whispered, "I still can't believe you gave me a car and bought me a house. I love it. I love you and thank you so much. Thanks for everything."

Maria Montez pulled away and gave an uneasy smile. And Gabriella shot her a confused look. "What's wrong Mom?"

"I'm… finding that idea still a bit uncomfortable."

Gabriella, now understanding what she meant, she hugged her again. "Don't worry Mom. I'll be safe," Maria slowly nodded, still having uneasiness that was normal for a worried single mother. Sensing that, she continued, "I promise Mom, I'll be safe."

"Yeah, don't worry. She has a knight on a black horse around here." Troy joked.

Maria released a chuckle and Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "Black? Don't you mean white?"

He just shrugged, pointing his black car and she just shook her head, exasperated.

"I think I should go now," Maria said, kissing her daughter. "I love you, and be safe." Gabriella nodded. Maria Montez, honestly, couldn't stay away from her daughter and at the same time, couldn't believe that she was all grown up.

"Uh, Mom, can't breath." Gabriella choked out. Ms. Montez blinked and quickly pulled away, not really noticing that she was hugging her daughter again.

"Sorry Gabby." She gave her an apologetic smile.

"It's alright."

"Ok then, better get going. My job won't wait for me, and I'll visit you time to time if I can." She gave one last kiss of goodbye, went in her car, and then sped her way through the deserted road. Gabriella frowned a bit, already missing her.

"What's wrong?"

"Our goodbye was a little bit cold."

Troy rested his arm around her shoulder. Her head automatically rested on his. "Trust me, my mom got all crazy with taking pictures of me and even went overboard with cooking all of my twelve favorite meals. And my dad couldn't stop prying about me and basketball in college."

She looked at him. "I'll take my statement back." He chuckled and then took time to take her bags to the open garage. Gabriella followed.

"The food was great though. I couldn't stop eating."

"I know you can't. And besides, my mom thinks you're weird,"

"What? Why?" He asked, a bit shocked at that. I am not weird… Right?

Troy then placed her bags beside her broken car. The basketball jock then went outside and closed the garage for safety, and looked at Gabriella, already walking beside him to explore Santa Fe.

"You always climb our tree to stare at me like a piece of meat and then belt out Boyzone or Westlife songs."

He looked at her dumbly. "I only do that when we're fighting--"

"--And we fight all time,"

Troy was supposed to say something but quickly closed his mouth in a grim line. "Well, yeah, but you always push me away when we fight and let your mom lie to me that you're busy."

The perfect couple wasn't so perfect after all.

Well, they were supposed to be perfect, until almost all East High students-- except for their friends of course--were trying to sabotage their relationship. Like one time when Troy was kissed by a cheerleader and Gabriella saw that, she was all gloom-and-doom the next day with Troy following her every step, trying to explain everything. Or that time a jock was hitting on Gabriella for the whole day and Troy couldn't stop from being all jealous and it backfired when Troy confronted her about that, getting all mad. Gabriella, knowing that she couldn't do anything about Troy being like that, only nodded silently and went off, leaving Troy during mid-sentence.

Luckily though, that only happened during school years, and in summer, it was only Sharpay. And Sharpay wasn't in Santa Fe. Funny that all those fights only strengthened their relationship.

She smiled weakly. "Fine, you win. But I'm just happy that we're still together."

"Yeah, now how do I explain this to your mom…" He mock pondered.

"You should explain to her too about your stomach being like a bottomless pit."

Troy groaned. "What? She found that weird too?"

"Of course. You eat like a pig whenever you came,"

"Oh come on, I only eat like that when the food's delicious. And your mom's food is amazing, especially the brownies." Troy then took out one brownie at his hidden hand.

Gabriella stared at him. "Where did you get that?"

He shrugged. "I found the boxes when I opened the car for you. They're inside your bags now."

Exasperated, her mouth went wide open. "I can't believe you sometimes,"

"I only took three," Gabriella sighed.

He gave his pretty boy smile to her and ate the brownie in one bite. "You know you love me like that and, the brownies are good."

Looking at him, she remembered Taylor that she should text her. She then looked afar, the house already fading from view. Well, the bags will be taken care of later, she decided.

"Troy…"

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever wondered where Sharpay and Ryan are?" Gabriella asked before she could stop herself from asking.

He shook his head. "No, why?"

"Nothing." She was already regretting for saying it. Why was she so curious? It was reasonable for asking about Ryan, but Sharpay? No. Never. They had been fighting since the day Gabriella got in East High and now she wanted to know where the Ice Queen was?

Wanting to get Sharpay out of her head, Gabriella took out her phone to text Taylor where she was. The two now were in comfortable silence.

Taking off her sunglasses, Sharpay Evans looked at the school with no interest at all as she went inside and the people around her began to spread like the red sea. Some were checking her out, finding her cute and hot at the same time, while others minded their own business.

Looking at the bulletin board, she glanced at every important detail. It seemed that Vance and Derby had taken her here in Santa Fe exactly the day after when the entrance exams were held.

Lucky me.

She then looked at the map for the president's office, to get all the details and the entrance exam. Satisfied, she began to take the specified directions.

College of Santa Fe better be worth it.

When Taylor told them she was with Chad the other Wildcats at Joe's Diner having lunch, Troy and Gabriella felt a rush of memories like a floodgate had been opened. This was going to be fun.

"Let's go back and take my car. I know where it is," Troy said as they started walking where they had gone. Gabriella nodded, excited to see Taylor and the others.

After a few minutes, Troy's car was visible and still on the street. This was one of the many cars his father and him had fixed and made it look brand new. Troy then opened the car and unlocked the passenger door for her. With a start, he drove the car towards Joe's Diner with ease.

And as they arrived, all their friends, waved at them inside. Gabriella went inside with Troy following suit.

"Taylor!" She practically squealed as she hugged her best friend. Taylor only laughed before she pulled away.

"Gabriella! We're just ordering lunch. Sit with us." As she ushered the two of them to the table filled with familiar people. There was Zeke, Kelsi, Jason, Chad, and Martha.

"Hey Wildcats," Gabriella greeted them with a wave as she sat down on a vacant seat beside Taylor. Troy approached Chad and gave a manly greeting to him, which involved hand holding followed by a hitting on shoulders. The two then had a conversation of their own as they sat together.

Taylor grinned. "We're not Wildcats anymore. At least we technically aren't,"

Gabriella grinned back and looked at Zeke. "So, moving on?"

Zeke blew out a sigh and smiled. "Trying to,"

"What's so special about the Ice Queen anyway? She didn't even take you seriously." Chad intercepted. Taylor gave him a death glare, only to be returned with a shrug.

"You do know that was only a fling or something right Zeke?" Troy added. Gabriella also gave him a look.

Why did Chad and Troy be so alike when it comes to Sharpay?

Jason was going to add something but quickly shut his mouth when Taylor and Gabriella gave him the look as well.

Gabriella placed her hand on his shoulder. "Plenty of fish in the sea. Cheer up," Zeke nodded in understanding. She and Taylor sympathized. Knowing Zeke, he was so full of life and spunk, and this was so unlike him.

"So guys, can't believe we're in college huh?" Kelsi said out of the blue, trying hard to change the topic.

And before they could answer that, the food was served, and they all looked at each other and smiled.

"Let's eat!" Martha told them. Jason quickly grabbed one of the steaks and a burger with his fork and spoon and began to eat before they could take one. Everyone looked at him.

"What? You said that we can eat." Jason reasoned with food full on his mouth.

After a few seconds, all laughed at him, with Jason a bit upset being ridiculed with the feeling quickly passing, and the atmosphere was bright again.

It was now four in the afternoon, and Sharpay haven't even taken her lunch yet. It was a long day of the entrance exam, and she thanked God that it was still the beginning of summer.

"Ah, Miss Evans. I'm honored to have you here in our college, you're parents have contributed so much in here that we couldn't say no for having you to take a late entrance exam." The President said as he took out Sharpay's academic records.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." As she took a seat down, wanting to get down to business.

He cleared his throat with a cough as he sat down. President Stuart Kirk then looked at her, probing with an intense gaze. Sharpay returned it back, not intimidated by his stare at all.

Surprised by this, he looked down back at her records and talked. "I'm impressed by your records Miss Evans. Almost straight A's. Participated in more than ten school productions and led them all…" He began to count more.

Sharpay smirked at that. I know. She knew she was great, and she didn't need to be told by him.

"Looking at this, you'll breeze through your chosen course," He looked at her. "But that doesn't mean you won't take your entrance exam." He added with finality.

She inwardly rolled her eyes. Well, duh. That's why I'm here.

"Of course." She gave him a forced smile with a tone of too much sweetness, that if it was possible, he'd have a cavity. "And here's my college application Dr. Kirk."

"Thank you." He gave her a genuine smile and accepted it, even though it was a bit too late for the application. But he needed this for future references. "Your exam will take place across the hall. I'll escort you."

And the consequence of a late entrance exam was that it was longer than usual since she had been given instructions for more than an hour. That was the most excruciating time Sharpay had ever had there.

Putting on her sunglasses, she walked to her car and slid in so that she can go back to her home. She was hungry and needed to eat.

As the wind rushed in her golden tresses, her thoughts went back to Ryan, on what he was doing right now.

Probably taking his entrance exams. She decided as she turned a left corner. Sharpay was already missing her annoying twin brother and being alone without a familiar face in a new college seemed more depressing than declining the Juilliard scholarship.

She groaned inwardly, not wanting to think about that memory. It was hard just sending the letter to Juilliard that she won't be enrolling there and it was even harder when they understood. Stopped by a red light, she leaned back, tired but the caffeine she took at least helping her a bit. Concluding not to take summer classes, she knew that she needed the break, and besides, the swimming pool out back sounds really good right now as well.

Turning on the radio, Together by Ne-Yo played on, her speakers in medium volume.

At least Santa Fe has decent music. She thought as she changed the shift as the green light came on while listening. She looked at the almost setting sun, and sighed. She didn't tan today.

Passing by a posh restaurant, she might as well have take-out. She then parked the car and went inside, now thinking that she should just dine in.

"Well, we had fun today. Thanks for inviting us." Gabriella said as they went outside a clothing shop. After they had eaten their food in Joe's Diner--with Gabriella not touching food, since she was so full and Troy practically begging Gabriella that she should have brought her mom's cooking--they had killed time in a nearby mall, with their cars sitting idly in a parking lot.

They were about to go towards the mall exit now, wanting to go home. "It's no problem, oh and do I have a surprise for you Gabriella." Taylor said. The boys were behind the girls, in their own world again.

Taylor then looked at Kelsi, wanting to let her finish it. "We have summer jobs in Joe's Diner." With a modest smile.

"No way."

"Way." Martha interjected.

Taylor then nudged Gabriella. "See? I'm such a good friend that you don't have to find a job anymore. Plus we'll all be together. Like last time."

Gabriella giggled. In their last days of school as seniors, the two had talked about her getting jobs. "Thanks Tay." She hugged with one arm.

Taylor smiled. "Hey, don't just thank me. Thank them too, they helped me."

"Thanks a lot. All of you." Their conversation led idly then.

When they arrived at the parking lot, all of them said their goodbyes and then led their own separate ways--Taylor with Chad, Gabriella with Troy, and Martha, Jason, Zeke, and Kelsi on their own cars.

"Don't forget, we'll start working tomorrow!" Taylor called out from the SUV. Chad then added, "Yeah and Troy, let's do some basketball tomorrow. I'll meet you in your neighbourhood!"

Troy and Gabriella waved at them, said "Ok!" in unison, and then went inside.

"Wow, I feel left out." Gabriella said in amusement.

"Why's that?"

"You all know Santa Fe inside out."

"Aww. Poor little Gabby. It'll be ok since I'm here." He teased.

"Shut up," Before she slapped him on the arm.

"Where do you want to go Gabs?" Troy asked when the amusement died down.

"Home." Liking the word a lot.

Troy grinned. "Ok, let's get your bags too."

She nodded and then he kissed her on the cheek before they took off. And after ten minutes, they arrived at the house again. Gabriella then immediately went out and waited for Troy to open the garage.

With a grunt, Troy opened it and took her bags to put it in his small trunk in his Camaro. Gabriella was confused.

"Where are you taking my bags?" The math-whiz asked.

Troy scratched his head, bags still surrounding his body and hands. "In the trunk. You said home right?"

"Not home in Albuquerque. I mean home in Santa Fe." Dense. One word fitting Troy perfectly, Gabriella concluded.

"I know that." Troy replied as he stood still.

"So?"

"So what?"

She sighed. "Can we take the bags in this house now?" Pointing towards the beige house with an interconnecting garage room. The house where they had put the bags and Gabriella's car.

"Wait. What? This is your house?" Troy asked, very confused.

"Yes!" Gabriella's patience was already growing thinner. It was so obvious for God's sake!

He looked at her as if she grew three heads. "But this is mine Gabs."

Her eyebrows shot up. "…What?"

"This is my home." Troy said one more time. "So where's yours?"

She couldn't speak. This wasn't her home? Her mother dropped her here. This situation was unsettling.

"But… Why am I dropped here?" Finding the right words when she found her tongue.

"I really don't know now. " Troy said honestly.

She began to pace forward and backward. "I need to call Mom."

With speed dial, the phone rang. Once. Twice. Thrice. Then finally…

"Hi Gabby," Maria said through the phone. "Are you ok in there?"

"I'm fine Mom," She began uncertainly. "But can I ask something?"

"Sure. Anything."

"Why did you drop me in front of Troy's house?"

There was silence from the other line. She called out again. "Mom? Are you there?"

"Sweetheart, you might hate me for this but…" Ms. Montez trailed off.

"Yes?"

"You don't have a house. Nor an apartment."

"A dorm?"

"No…"

Incredulous, she was silent, wanting her mother to continue, and luckily she did.

"You'll be next door to Troy, renting a room. I'm sorry that I made you expect something like this. I can't afford a house right now…"

Sighing, Gabriella smiled. Did her mother think that was a big issue? "It's alright Mom. Thank you so much for your effort,"

"There's another thing Gabby."

"No need to explain yourself more Mom. I understand, alright? I love you."

"Uh, yes. Ok sweetheart. Love you too." She said, doubting.

Gabriella then ended the call with the indicated button and approached him.

"So how was the call?" Troy asked.

"My mom said that I'll be renting a room next door. And then…"

Troy was listening patiently to her girlfriend when a beep came, blocking Gabriella's words suddenly. He looked at the road, seeing a pink Mustang that had an S and E on the hood.

What the hell?

His eyes squinted, trying to make sure that he wasn't hallucinating that a very familiar blonde was driving. His mouth went wide open when it was Sharpay Evans parking next door to his.

Sharpay? Troy thought. At least he thought that he thought that. Sharpay looked at him before she fumbled with her keys. When Sharpay recognized him, her mouth hung wide open too.

"Troy?"

Gabriella froze, remembering that all too familiar voice. Looking at his point of view, she was very taken aback.

"Gabriella?" Sharpay couldn't believe her eyes. Trying to make sure as well, she took of her sunglasses and came to conclusion that the two lovers were here. "What the hell are you two doing here?"

"Us? What about you?" Gabriella asked, equally shocked.

Sharpay screamed inwardly. "I live here,"

"You mean here… there?" She still couldn't believe it. And she didn't want to believe it.

"Well duh."

"Holy shit. You're my neighbour?" The jock asked, even though it was obvious.

"This is your house?"

"Well, yeah."

At first her eyebrows shot up, but then smirked. "Troy Boy's my neighbour? This is delicious," Sharpay said, now becoming cat-like and winked at him. Troy groaned.

More Sharpay-drama. Whoop de doo.

"Wait that means…" Gabriella pondered and then she wanted to faint right now at her revelation. How she wished she was as dense as Troy at the situation. "Oh God no."

He then looked at his girlfriend, whose eyes went wide. "Gabs, I think you'll be renting the room in Sharpay's house."

She shot him an angry glare, knowing already and Troy instinctively stepped back. Sharpay looked at them back and forth and laughed.

"This is hilarious. Gabriella's going to rent a room at mine's? Unbelievable. This is my house." She then stopped laughing when she looked at the two again, still serious as ever. "Oh my God. Hell no. This is actually serious?"

Gabriella nodded and looked at her with hardness. "But this doesn't mean I'll get all chummy with you just 'cause I'm renting a room."

Sharpay gave her a disgusted look. "No, no, no, no, no. You possibly aren't going to rent a room here. This isn't a rental place. And Daddy didn't tell me that this is a pity shelter for homeless people."

"Hey!" Troy butted in, now mad.

"You step out of this," Gabriella said dangerously, clearly hurt and Troy immediately got quiet. There was nothing like an angry Gabriella Montez in the world.

The blonde gave a scoff. "No comeback Miss Goody Two-Shoes?" She challenged her.

She then approached Sharpay. Calm down. She repeated over and over again as she slowly began to smile. Sharpay raised an eyebrow.

"Well then, you'd just have to live with me and I'm sorry I don't have any comebacks Shar. I'm too good for that. Besides, you're such a bitch," Gabriella then poked her. Hard.

"Burn." Troy muttered and the two glanced at him. He quickly whistled.

Sharpay's smirk only grew wider at that, not affected. "Did Miss Perfect just swear? This is priceless. And I thought you're surrounded with good people."

And before they could backlash each other out, one of Sharpay's maids came out. She then gave Gabriella a smile. "You must be Miss Montez. Your furniture is already in your room," Finding her eyes on Troy carrying Gabriella's bags, she quickly approached him and grabbed all of it. Troy could only look at her.

Freakishly strong. He thought.

The maid then bowed at the three of them and went inside. Sharpay's brown eyes then bored like fire through Gabriella's own.

"I'm calling Daddy."

"And I'm calling Mom again."

The two then marched angrily inside, with Sharpay going to her room and Gabriella escorted by one of the maids again to her own room.

Then there was pure silence.

"That was weird." Troy said to particularly no one as he went to his own pad, taking out his keys already to go inside. He was going to have to talk to Gabriella later when she was not so cranky anymore. Or maybe tomorrow.

"Darling," Derby Evans began as she packed up her documents and important papers for their late night meetings.

"Yes?" Not looking at his wife, very much concentrated on closing his black case.

"Did you tell her?"

Vance then stopped dead tracked at what he was doing and at that, his phone began to ring. Derby could only sigh at her husband's forgetfulness, knowing already it was their daughter calling.

This is going to be one phone call.

Author's Note: Hey guys! Thanks a lot for the reviews. Hope you enjoy reading this. Take care and I hope you all review! - Monique -