I don't own anything.

A/N: Alright time for another update first off I want to thank my reviewers; AyaneC, beststoriesever95, Favor1234, Sciencefreak2007, baby2ludaris, Angel and Ani Thompson. I hope you guys enjoy this new update, I think you're going to like it. Um…please remember to Review so I know what you think of the story.

Baby S

Chapter Eight

Taylor stood outside of East High looking up at the massive building and for the first time she felt absolute dread. She didn't know what to do; all she knew was that Troy was right. She had to ask Chad if he was cheating on her. The thing she didn't tell Troy when they had last spoke was that she had always suspected. It wasn't because she was paranoid; however there were certain things that Chad did that had made her suspicious. Eventually she had just chalked up the feelings to insecurity. Especially since no one had ever even asked her out before until Chad did. Besides she had met his parents, and even spent a holiday with them all on a cruise. With a shake of her head she quickly went up the front steps promising herself that no matter what she would remain strong and get through this day.

Chad leaned against his locker looking down at his watch; Zeke slid some books up and looked over at him. "Yo man you alright."

"Yeah, I'm just wondering where my girl is."

"She isn't an object, Chad." Sharpay said as she walked over and hugged Zeke who gave her a kiss on the cheek. Chad narrowed his eyes at the blond in annoyance and sucked his teeth.

"No one asked you, Barbie."

"Barbie…oh you must have a death wish." Sharpay snapped her eyes flashing dangerously as she looked at him. Chad shrugged his shoulders and chuckled for a moment before shaking his head.

"A death wish, huh. Well you're welcome to come over here and try it." He shouted out angrily as he looked at her. Zeke wrapped his arms around a charging Sharpay and held her tightly.

"No baby…don't do it." He exclaimed as he picked her up and turned her away from Chad who was watching smugly. "Don't Sharpay."

"You better get your little friend in check…before I knock him the hell out." She said. Chad just chuckled but stopped as he received a quick glare from Zeke who had turned to glare at him. Sharpay shrugged off his arms and brushed her hands over her clothes. "I'm not going to do anything…I'm not going to waste my time with a piece of trash like him."

"Yo, what's your problem?" Chad exclaimed taking offense to being called a piece of trash. Sharpay glared at him for a moment before answering.

"I don't like…no I've never liked the way you've treated my friend, and I've never liked you." She shouted out. Chad looked at her for a moment before smirking.

"Whatever Taylor and I love one another…"

"You don't love her…otherwise you wouldn't treat her the way you do. I sincerely hope my best friend wakes up soon and realizes how much of an asshole you really are." Sharpay said as she headed down the hallway. Chad watched her go, and then looked at Zeke.

"Man you gotta learn how to control your girl."

"Control her…man what in the hell are you talking about. No one controls Sharpay." Chad looked at him for a moment and shook his head.

"Man whatever…every girl can be controlled." He said thinking about himself and Taylor. Zeke just looked at him before shaking his head and slinging his book bag over his shoulder and heading down the hallway after his girlfriend. Chad smirk slowly turned into a frown as his friend disappeared into the crowd of students.

"Let me guess…you and Sharpay got into another fight." Chad turned around and saw Taylor standing there with her book bag. Chad smiled and walked over to her while nodding his head.

"She's on one of her kicks about how we shouldn't be together."

"Oh really." Taylor said growing stiff as he wrapped his arms around her. Chad pulled back and looked down at her.

"What's wrong baby?"

"Nothing," Taylor murmured as she hugged him. "What did you say to her?"

"I told her that we love each other…right?" he asked looking down at her again. Taylor nodded her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Come on let's get to class alright." She barely nodded her head as he slung an arm around her waist and led her down the hallway.

"I really don't understand how you can deal with him." Sharpay said later on that day, Taylor looked up from her work and glanced over at her.

"Deal with who?"

"Your boyfriend that's who…he's such an ass." Taylor just sighed and looked back down at her work very much aware of the piercing eyes of her friend boring down on her. Looking back up she glanced at Sharpay and sighed.

"What?"

"What happened?" Sharpay asked knowingly. "Is everything okay?" Taylor looked back down at her work before shaking her head. When Taylor didn't answer, Sharpay's face took on an even more worried expression. "Taylor?"

"I just have something on my mind, Shar." Taylor said with a shake of her head as she looked at her.

"Taylor…what happened?" Sharpay asked again knowing something was seriously wrong with her best friend. Taylor looked at her and then looked around the room to see if anyone was listening before answering.

"My friends at the center…saw Chad…um he was cheating on me the night he canceled our date." Sharpay frowned at her words and shook her head. Taylor sighed and lowered her head in defeat while saying. "Good ahead and say it."

"Say what?"

"I told you so…I know you want too." Sharpay looked at her and shook her head.

"I don't know whether to smack you upside your head or leave. Taylor, you're my best friend what makes you think I would want to rub something like that in." Sharpay asked as she looked at her.

"I don't know…I've just been feeling pretty down ever since I was told."

"Did Troy tell you?"

"Would you please be quiet?" Taylor exclaimed as she looked around again to make sure no one heard Sharpay mention Troy's name. Sharpay looked at her for a moment and shook her head.

"Well did he?"

"He and the two that saw it. I think he came for support, and I snapped at them all because I didn't want to believe it." She said sadly as she looked down at her hands. "But after a crazy drive home…I really thought about everything. You know it's really isn't in Troy's nature to lie to me about it." She whispered as she looked at Sharpay. "He really cares about me, and I know he was telling the truth."

"I could have told you that." Sharpay said with a sad smile. "So what are you going to do, cause if I remember correctly you and Chad have been pretty close today." Taylor sighed and looked down.

"I'm thinking about asking him about it after seventh period."

"Oh."

"Shar, can you please be there…I don't know what's going to happen, but I would certainly feel safer if you are there for me." She whispered, Sharpay smiled at her and nodded her head.

"Of course I'll be there alright. Besides I've waited a long time to see this go down." Sharpay said with a chuckle as the teacher walked over towards them. Both girls quickly quieted down and waited till he headed back towards his desk.

"I know you have…but Sharpay don't come and make the situation worst alright. Just let me handle it."

"Fine…I'll be as quiet as I can be."

"Thank you." Taylor whispered as she looked at her best friend. Sharpay sent her a bright smile and reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder.

"No problem, now let's get to work before Mr. Lee blows a gasket." She said with a smile as she looked over at their teacher who was sitting behind his desk watching them with narrowed eyes. Sharpay grinned and waved at the man, while Taylor just giggled at her antics. As usual Sharpay usually knew how to brighten her mood.

His mind was certainly somewhere else and he'd be the first to admit it if asked. Troy sat down on the workout bench and looked up as a shadow fell over him. Looking up he frowned at the sight of Miguel standing over him. They both eyed one another silently for a moment, before Miguel broke the silence. "Hey man you need someone to spot you."

"I didn't know you would want to seeing as how you called me a traitor." Miguel looked at him for a moment before shaking his head and moving around the bench to weights.

"I never called you that."

"It was implied." Miguel leaned over him and smiled.

"Look I was just upset…you're my main man dog. You're the guy I've been looking up to since I started playing basketball I was just upset is all."

"Why?"

"Cause she's an East Sider man, not to mention Chad Danforth's girl. What if she was using you or was out to hurt you or something like that." Troy just shook his head for a moment and chuckled.

"Hurt me…I assure you that would never happen." Troy said with a chuckle. "Taylor's a better person than that. She wouldn't set out to hurt me or anyone else." Miguel looked at him and nodded his head.

"Alright man I'll take your word for it."

"I guess you're going to have take my word for it that is until you meet her." Troy said as he turned to look at Miguel. "You would be willing to meet her won't you?" Miguel just sent him a smile and nodded his head.

"Of course…besides I know for a fact once she sees me for the first time, I'll have her wrapped around my finger. You know how the ladies flock to get a piece of the Miggs." Troy rolled his eyes at his words and stood up.

"The Miggs…please she won't want nothing to do with you."

"Oh so you got that on lock."

"I like her." Troy admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. "I like her a lot. I mean for the first time I've met someone I truly care about. So no I don't have her on 'lock.' She actually has me on lock." Troy stated with a shrug.

"What…man are you telling me that you're whipped?"

"I'm not whipped I just…well she just…let me put it this way. If she ever asked me to be with her…I would."

"That's whipped man. Damn I never thought I'd see the day my best friend Troy Anthony Bolton was whipped. This is unbelievable." Troy looked at him and rolled his eyes.

"Well don't let the whole world know."

"I won't but seriously man, I never thought I see the day. Hey how about you bring her by on Friday night for my annual after party." Miguel said, Troy looked at him for a moment before shaking his head.

"I don't know man."

"Oh come on…I promise to be on my best behavior besides this would be the perfect time for me to meet her don't you think." Troy looked at him for moment before nodding his head and sighing.

"You're right."

"Good so bring her by if you can. I mean with the season opener you should probably bring her to the game. I mean it's not like we're playing East High so she won't be in that much of a hostile environment." Miguel reasoned. Troy nodded his head.

"I'll see but I'm not promising anything."

"Cool man…I'll see you later alright oh and tell Taylor hi for me." Troy just smirked as Miguel walked away. Shaking his head he started back on his workout silently wondering if Taylor had confronted Chad yet. As soon as the thought entered his mind he frowned. From what he had seen at the exhibition game, Chad was pretty unstable especially when he wasn't getting his way. He hoped that when Taylor told Chad what was up and that the fool didn't try to hurt her. Cause if that happened he didn't know what he would do.

Taylor clasped her hands together as the finally bell rang. It was after seventh period, and Taylor couldn't think. She was scared. She was scared of what would happen once she told Chad what was on her mind. Looking up she saw Sharpay coming towards her. With a sigh she stood up and packed her things up. "You ready?"

"No not really but I need to get through this." She said as she zipped her book bag up. Sharpay nodded and instantly became quiet, as they exited the classroom and saw Chad and Zeke leaning against the wall waiting on them. Taylor and Sharpay shared a look before they both hugged Chad and Zeke.

"Baby you okay?" Chad asked as he pulled away from Taylor and looked down at her. Taylor looked over at Sharpay who subtly nodded her head. Taking a deep breath, Taylor looked back up at Chad and shook her head.

"No."

"What's wrong did someone say something to you." She shook her head as she looked him. Chad looked down at her for a moment before shaking his head for a moment before sighing.

"Alright then what happened?"

"I heard some things and I wanted to ask you about it." Chad looked down at her suspiciously and then over at Zeke and Sharpay. "Chad?"

"Yo, Zeke me and Taylor need some alone time…we'll meet you outside." Chad said as he hooked his arm around Taylor's waist and led her back into the classroom she had just left. Taylor and Sharpay shared one last look before she disappeared inside the classroom with Chad. Once the door was closed, Taylor broke away from Chad while he sat down on the edge of a desk. "So what is all this about?"

"Chad…I'm going to come right out with this alright. Are you cheating on me?" she said as she looked at him. Chad mouth froze mid-way, and then slammed shut. He looked at her for a moment and sighed.

"Who told you that?"

"It doesn't matter…what matters is how you answer the question." Chad looked at her as if she had lost her mind. Shaking his head he crossed his arms over his chest and sighed.

"No."

"You cancelled our date last week, and I then I have two co-workers that saw you at some club dancing with some girls that certainly weren't me…so…" Pushing off the desk, Chad stared at her angrily before speaking.

"So what you're working with West Highers now?" he stated angrily as he looked at her for a moment. Taylor frowned at his words and looked at him for a moment.

"West Highers…um so you admit that you were on the West Side of town."

"I never said that."

"Then why did you automatically assume that I was working with West Highers, I certainly never told you that. So you are cheating on me…you're cheating on me. Oh my god, I can't believe this. I…I…" she trailed off as tears instantly started flowing from her eyes. Chad quickly moved towards her but she held up her hand to stop him. "No just stay where you are."

"No…that wasn't it…I just-."

"Chad just admit it." She exclaimed angrily as she looked at him. Chad looked at her for a moment and narrowed his eyes in anger.

"Fine…I was cheating on you. But I was doing it for you and me." She rolled her eyes and chuckled bitterly as she looked at him through tears.

"Oh that's rich; you claim that your cheating was for you and me. What's wrong with you." She cried.

"Taylor I love you so much."

"Yeah, well your actions say differently." Taylor said crossing her arms over her chest. "You know what we're through…I don't want to be with a guy like you anymore." She exclaimed as she started to move towards the door. Chad instantly blocked her from leaving and shook his head.

"You're not going anywhere not until we talk this out."

"There's nothing to discuss…you cheated on me and now I'm leaving you." Taylor said hotly as she glared at the man in front of her.

"You aren't going anywhere until we discuss this." He yelled grabbing her arms, "Now I did cheat on you, but you've got to understand those girls…they don't mean nothing to me. I love you…I…Taylor you've got to believe me," he exclaimed as he looked down at her face that was looking up at him as if he had grown two heads. "You're my number one…you're the type of girl I take home to my parents…you're the type of girl everyone would be happy with. I can't bring those girls home. I can't have a relationship with them."

"Oh so because you feel that way about me…because I'm your number one it's okay to cheat on me with a whole bunch of sluts."

"Well you've done some things that I didn't like, and I never jumped down your throat about it." He shouted as he looked at her. "Oh believe me…you've done some things."

"Oh that's rich…you're trying to turn everything back onto me, all the while knowing that I never cheated on you, never. So your argument fall shorts." Chad glared at her and shook his head vehemently while releasing her arms.

"Why does my argument fall short you're the one that keeps bringing Sharpay around especially when you know that I hate everything about her. She's constantly trying to fight me and talking bad about me. You knew how I felt about her but you never stopped her from doing it, and you never stopped bringing her around especially when I asked you too." He shouted feeling quite good about his point. Taylor looked up at him in shock for a moment before shaking her head and laughing bitterly.

"You have got to be joking." She said with a shake of her head. "I would never betray my best friend especially when she's been there for me since kindergarten. Besides no one tells her what to do, and I wasn't going to start just because you can't take some criticism."

"See there you go again not being on my side."

"If you wanted Sharpay out of your life so badly why didn't you just ask Zeke to break up with her…oh let me guess he wasn't going to listen to an ass like you either." She said. "If you will excuse me I have somewhere else to be." She pushed Chad to the side and headed for the door. However she instantly grabbed by him. Turning around she looked up at him and frowned. "Let me go."

"Hell no…I'm not going to let you break up with me. You must be insane. I'm not going to get dumped by some damn nerd that I made somewhat popular." He snapped out angrily. Taylor gasped at his words and reached out and slapped him hard. As soon as he released her arm she quickly ran it out of the room. Chad stood there stunned for a moment a hand on his reddening cheek. Once he shook off the initial shock he quickly followed behind Taylor.

Sharpay and Zeke were standing in the hallway when Taylor ran by, Sharpay and Zeke shared a look before taking off after her. Once they were outside, Taylor stopped and Sharpay called out her name. "Taylor, what's wrong what happened?"

"He was cheating on me, Shar." Taylor gasped out as tears ran down her face. They all turned around as the doors opened and Chad came out.

"Taylor!" he shouted as he stalked over to her, Taylor moved to jump away from him but Chad grabbed her arm.

"Damnit Chad let me go." She screamed.

"Not until we talk." He shouted back. Taylor struggled against him as Sharpay looked on in horror. When Zeke stepped forward to try and calm the situation down, Sharpay looked around for help and that's when she saw the van that usually picked Taylor up every afternoon. Without thinking about it, Sharpay took off towards the van.

Troy sat in the van, and glanced at his watch. "Man, what is taking Taylor so long?" he asked himself as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. As usual once his thoughts went Taylor he wondered if she had confronted Chad on his cheating. He jumped as a blond headed girl knocked on his window, looking out he frowned and rolled the window down. "Can I help you?"

"Troy, oh thank god it's you…look you have to come quick Chad is manhandling Taylor right now."

"Where are they?" Troy exclaimed opening the door and getting out of the car. Sharpay stepped back and Troy took that moment to really look her over. He could tell just by the expression on her face that she was absolutely worried. "Where are they?" he asked again as he slammed the door closed.

"They're on the school steps." Troy nodded and headed off, ignoring the stares of shock that appeared on several of the students faces as he marched through the East High parking lot. As he saw the stairs, he was shocked to see Chad grabbing onto a crying Taylor who was clearly struggling against him. His body immediately tensed up, as he looked on the scene for a quiet moment. Unable to take anymore he yelled out. "LET HER GO NOW." Chad and Taylor looked up at his voice. Chad let Taylor go as his eyes landed on Troy who was standing at the foot of the school steps glaring up at him. "Let her go now, you bastard." He shouted out as he walked up the stairs until he was standing directly in front of Chad. Taylor stood there in shock as Troy came to stand in front of her, while putting her protectively behind him.

"What the hell are you doing here, Bolton?"

"I'm protecting someone I care about…and you."

"Nothing much just having a conversation with my girlfriend."

"Ex-girlfriend." Taylor exclaimed angrily, Troy turned a little and gave her a fierce look before looking back at Chad who was watching their exchange silently in suspicion.

"So what brings you to East High?"
"That isn't any of your business."

"Well, you certainly made it my business when you came here and stuck your nose in my personal business with my girlfriend."

"I thought the lady just said ex-girlfriend."

"She doesn't know what's she talking about." Chad snapped out as he looked over Troy's shoulder at Taylor.

"Hey look at me alright." Troy exclaimed. Chad smiled and rubbed the bottom of his chin as he watched her for a moment. "Don't you dare look at her and while I'm on the subject don't you ever touch her again." Chad smiled down at him and chuckled as he slapped his thigh. Lifting his head up he pointed at both Troy and Taylor and shook his head.

"Oh this is rich…Troy Bolton telling me what to do."

"I don't have time for this," Troy mumbled as he turned away from Chad no longer wishing to entertain him anymore. Looking at Taylor who was watching him silently he gave her a small comforting smile and motioned his head towards the parking lot. "Let's go." He said as he headed down the steps. Chad frowned at them and quickly called out.

"Taylor…this isn't over. I'll talk to you when he isn't here and then we'll see just how strong you are." He said laughing at the end of his statement. Troy paused at the bottom of the steps and turned around to look up at Chad who was watching both him and Taylor smugly. Lowering his arm from Taylor's waist, he slowly headed back up the stairs once again ignoring the steadily growing crowd of East High students. Chad looked at him and smirked.

"What's wrong Bolton?" Troy didn't say anything; he just looked Chad up and down and then punched him in the face. Chad stumbled back and fell down on his back groaning out in pain. Troy smirked and looked him over, walking over to Chad who was still laying on the ground he looked down at him. Lowering his voice so that only Chad could hear, he spoke.

"If I ever hear that you did anything to Taylor I will personally beat your ass. Are we clear, Danforth." He said coldly as he patted Chad's shoulder before standing up. Pushing his way through the shocked crowd he walked back to Taylor. "You ready to go?" he asked all Taylor could do was nod her head.

"Then let's go." He said as they headed towards the van, as soon as they were gone, the crowd erupted in shock over seeing Taylor McKessie leaving the school with Troy Bolton.