I don't own anything.
A/N: Well I'm sorry but I have to tell you guys that this chapter is just more drama, so um…I want to thank my reviewers from last week; chaylorfan, kuropie, blueprincess972, chaylorlover101, AyaneC, Elli Mac08, baby2ludaris, CuteANDSexxxy17, toddntan, Angel, CHAYLORISAWESOME312, PhantomGroupie91, LunaSolTierra, Phelycia, jinidu93, and Favor1234. I hope everyone likes this week's chapter and please remember to Review.
Baby S
Chapter Thirteen
One week later…
Troy and Taylor quietly entered Miguel's hospital room and moved over to the seats by his bed. It had been nearly a week since the incident that had landed him in the hospital, while Landon King had taken full responsibility for the incident Taylor however was not really convinced that he had planned that all by himself. She knew that Chad was somehow involved in it. Rubbing her arms she looks at Miguel as Troy sits silently beside her. "I've never seen him like this before, Tay. I mean we've all had broken arms and legs before but this…this is just two much." He muttered as he glanced at his friend, because of the accident Miguel had broke his left arm in three different places and shattered the bones in his right foot. The doctors had all said the same thing. Miguel would never get to play basketball again. Taylor rubbed a hand over Troy's back as he looked over at his friend. "He didn't deserve this Taylor." He whispered brokenly as he looked at her. "He didn't deserve this."
"I know sweetie…I know." She whispered back. Troy sniffed and lifted his head up willing the tears not to fall. As he did this they heard a grunt from the bed. Glancing over at Miguel they were surprised to see him looking at them.
"I hate hospitals." He muttered.
"Yo man what's up…how you feeling." Troy said as he stood up and went over to his friend and grasped his free hand. Miguel looked at him and then over at Taylor.
"I'm feeling like shit…plus I feel like an exhibit at the zoo for the strange and weird reptiles or something. Everyone keeps coming in here and staring at me." He grumbled. Troy smirked, and shook his head. It was obvious that his friend hadn't lost his sense of humor.
"The doctors said I took a pretty nasty fall."
"I know man…and thanks, I can't believe you did that."
"Hey now what are friends for." Miguel said with a small smile. "Hey Taylor how you doing girl." He called out as he looked at Taylor who was silently watching the exchange between him and Troy.
"I'm doing fine…do you need anything, some water or-."
"I'm fine, Taylor…just fine." Miguel said before she could leave. "You mind telling me about what happened with that guy that pushed me." Taylor looked at Troy who just nodded his head, clearing her throat she walked over to his bedside and answered his question.
"He's facing charges." Taylor replied with a sigh. "This whole east against west thing has totally gotten out of hand." Miguel chuckled and sighed.
"No kidding."
"I'm so sorry that this happened to you." She said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. Miguel looked up at her and graced her with a smile.
"It's not your fault you don't control those kids at east high…they make their own decisions just like you alright." Troy rubbed Taylor's back.
"I've been trying to tell her that, but she just won't listen to me." He replied with a sigh. Taylor just looked at him and shook her head.
"I listen to you." She replied, Troy noticed how uncomfortable she was and brushed a hand over his face. It didn't take a genius to see that Taylor was blaming herself for what had happened to Miguel and no matter what he told her she still didn't seem to believe him.
"Baby, why don't you go and get you something to drink…me and Miguel will be fine." He said knowing that she needed to get out of the room. Taylor slowly nodded thankful for the out and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks, I'll be back…I've got to make some phone calls too."
"Alright." He said as she headed towards the door, she paused and looked back at Miguel and gave him a small smile.
"I'm really glad you're doing better, Miguel." Miguel just nodded as he and Troy watched as she left. Once the door was closed Miguel looked over at Troy and sighed.
"She's really tripping out over this isn't she." He asked, Troy just nodded his head as he pulled one of the chairs closer to the bedside.
"She blaming herself and I don't know what to do…I've told her over and over again that it isn't her fault. That what Landon did wasn't anyone's fault but his own, but she insists that if she hadn't been with me, if she hadn't gone against the rivalry that you wouldn't be in here."
"She's wrong?"
"The rivalry has nothing to do with her…Landon might have done it anyway since we won. That guy has been spiteful since the first time we played against him. It's not her fault. She can't control lunatics."
"I know I know…look man I'll try to talk to her about it again. I can't let her go around carrying that guilt, especially when she didn't do anything." Miguel nodded his head and sighed.
"You do that man…you do that." He said as he lifted his hand for Troy to grab. He did and smiled at his friend.
"I'll do that and you promise me that you'll get better."
"I will man." Troy smiled as he and Miguel shook on it. Outside the room Taylor paced back and forth her cell phone to her ear. A few moments later she sighed when she heard Sharpay finally pick up the phone.
"Taylor?"
"Shar, I really need to talk to you can you come by my house tonight." She asked as she continued to look in on the scene between Troy and Miguel. "I really need someone to talk to." She whispered her heart becoming heavy as her glaze lingered on Miguel.
"You don't sound too good, Taylor what's wrong?" Sharpay asked with concern. Taylor turned away from the scene and moved over to a chair and sat down.
"I just need to talk to you…can you make it." She asked again, not really wanting to talk about her feelings over the phone. There was a pause on the other end of the phone before Sharpay spoke up and said.
"Of course I'll be there sweetie." Sharpay said softly. "I'll meet you there and you can tell me everything alright."
"Alright thanks Sharpay."
"No problem sweetie." Taylor hung up the phone and was headed back towards the hospital room when the door opened and Troy stepped out. Taylor tucked her cell phone back into her purse and looked up at him.
"Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine…Miguel was just tired. You ready to go?" he asked stepping away from the door. Taylor peeped inside and sure enough, Miguel looked like he was asleep already. She looked back at Troy and slowly nodded her head.
"Yeah, let's go." She replied, as she reached out and grabbed Troy's hand. He squeezed and leaned down placing gentle kisses on her forehead before ending at her temple. Smiling he looked at her and whispered.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He kissed her one last time and then they headed out of the hospital. Troy helped Taylor into the van and then they started to go back to her house so he could drop her off for the night. Looking over at her he wondered if he should press the very obvious issue on what was bugging her. He didn't want her to walk away with unnecessary guilt weighing her down.
"You've been awfully quiet; baby…what's on your mind."
"Nothing much Troy." She whispered as she continued to look out the window, Troy groaned and Taylor looked over at him. "What's wrong?"
"Baby please don't blame yourself for what happened. Listen to me and Miguel. What happened wasn't your fault. You being with me had nothing to do with Landon pushing Miguel down those flight of stairs. It had nothing to do with that."
"Troy, I'm not blaming myself."
"Then what's wrong?" he asked, Taylor looked at him while she tried to come up with some excuse that would explain her attitude because Troy simply wasn't going to let things go.
"I'm just thinking that maybe Chad had something to do with it, and I'm wondering why Landon hasn't told anyone yet."
"Landon seemed a little bit off his rocker. Maybe he hasn't said anything because he has this sick type of loyalty to Chad and East High…hell I knew this rivalry would end up like this." He replied. Taylor just nodded her head silently, "And you have nothing to do with it."
"I know…I know you've told me that a million times."
"I mean Landon called out my name…I'm feeling pretty guilty right now especially since my best friend is laid up in some hospital bed because he protected me." He admitted. "If I could just get my hands on that fool I make him admit that Chad had something to do with it." He said harshly, looking over at Taylor he sighed. "However I do think that in the end Landon will tell…I still don't think he gets what's about to happen to him."
"I hope you're right." She said as they pulled up outside her house. Troy saw Sharpay sitting in her car and looked over at Taylor.
"You and Sharpay had plans."
"I needed to talk to her…about some things." Troy nodded his head and leaned over giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Alright then, I'll call you later alright." He said as Taylor hopped out of the car. Troy watched her as she paused at Sharpay's car who got out and waved at him before following Taylor into the house. He waved back before backing his car out of the driveway and heading home.
As Troy pulled off Sharpay looked at Taylor and sighed. "What's going on with you girl? I can already tell something is wrong?" Taylor looked at her as she opened her door and sighed.
"Let's talk about inside alright." Sharpay just nodded and followed her friend, once inside Sharpay began her questioning again, Taylor sighed and looked away for a moment before answering. "This is about what happened at the game a week ago." Sharpay looked at her for a brief moment and sighed.
"You mean about Landon and Miguel." She asked softly as she looked at her friend. Taylor nodded and headed into the living room with Sharpay following close behind. Now knowing what the talk was going to be about Sharpay continued. "What about that?"
"Do you think it's my fault?" she asked bluntly, Sharpay looked at her in shock for a moment before shaking her head.
"Absolutely not…Landon acted on his own, or at least I think he did, but Tay…seriously it isn't your fault." Taylor looked down as tears fell from her eyes.
"Then why do I feel so guilty." Sharpay moved over to her and wrapped her arms around Taylor's shoulders.
"You shouldn't feel guilty…Landon acted on his own."
"You don't think that by me being with Troy made him more of a target…I just can't shake the feeling that Miguel is in that hospital bed because of me, and now it sounds pretty self-absorbed but I wouldn't feel that way if I didn't think it was true. Miguel is in that hospital because of me…I know," she said breaking down into sobs. "I know it…and when I see Troy and how upset he is over his friend…I can't help but feel guilty about that…I just can't help it, because I know deep down if I hadn't been with him then none of this would have happened."
"Taylor stop it…just stop alright. What Landon did was horrible but it isn't your fault." She said as she forced Taylor to look at her. "It isn't your fault alright; Landon chose to do that out of some sick loyalty to east high. Don't let that fool mess up the wonderful relationship you have with Troy."
"He's not ruining it…I'm just saying that-."
"I know what you're saying, Taylor and that's not going to fly with me. So don't start blaming yourself for this okay."
"I'm trying not too, but like I said I can't shake the feeling." Sharpay watched as Taylor got up and started pacing up and down the living room floor. "I mean you saw Miguel after that push…you saw how broken he looked. I just can't stop thinking about how that could have been avoided. Ever since the accident I've been thinking about it, I haven't stopped thinking about it."
"Sometimes, Taylor you can't stop things from happening no matter how long you think about it. And you're going to make yourself crazy if you keep this up."
"Alright fine…I'll try to stop." Taylor admitted softly as she looked at her friend. Sharpay sighed and clasped her hands together in her lap while looking at Taylor.
"That's good…Taylor, cause if I hear you blame yourself one more time I might just knock you upside the head." Sharpay said with a bright smile as she stood up. Taylor looked at her friend and shook her head.
"I wish you would." She said as they both started laughing. Taylor walked over to Sharpay and hugged her tightly. "Thanks for listening to me, Shar…I don't know what I'd do without you."
"No problem girl and for the record I don't know what I'd do without you either, you're like the sister I always wanted but I got Ryan instead." She said with a giggle as Taylor leaned back and shook her head.
"Oh who are you kidding you love your baby brother."
"You're right I do…but I would still want you as a sister." She said sincerely. Taylor just smiled and hugged Sharpay again. Thankful that she had a friend like her who was always there for her.
"Baby we're going to be late if you take any longer to get ready." Troy said as he entered Taylor's bedroom. He saw her sitting on her bed; walking towards her he knelt down in front of her and grabbed her hands. "You alright?"
"You sure your school will want me there…especially after what happened with Miguel." Troy lowered his head and moved to sit next to her. Cupping her cheek in his hand, he lifted her head till he was able to look directly into her eyes.
"My school…they know you…and they know you had nothing to do with what took place, Taylor. They blame those that are responsible alright, now I want you there alright…I want to look into the stands and see you there cheering me on. I need that right now, alright." He whispered as he brushed her hair back with his hands. "I need you there tonight." Taylor nodded her head and gave him a small smile.
"I can do that." She whispered. He smiled and bent his head kissing her softly on the lips.
"Come, let's get going…Miguel is going to be there today." He said as he stood up, Taylor followed suit as he led her out of her bedroom and downstairs. Moments later they were in his van and heading towards West High. Taylor hoped what Troy had told her was true. Especially after all the taunting and name calling she had experience at her school lately. It seemed like everyone blamed her for what was happening to Landon, and it seemed that every time she was getting taunted Chad was somewhere in the background with a rather evil smirk on his face. It barely took them twenty minutes to make it to the school. Once they entered Taylor had mentally prepared herself for whatever reception she received from Troy's classmates. As they entered she noticed that no one yelled anything out at her which was a definite relief for her. Troy led her over to where Whitney, Kerry, Malcolm and Jandro were sitting.
"Hey girl I'm so glad you could make it." Kerry said as she hugged Taylor. "We were wondering if you would come."
"I wouldn't miss this." She replied softly as she looked at them. Whitney didn't say anything she just hugged Taylor as well while the guys greeted one another. Jandro and Malcolm all went over to Troy.
"How you holding up man?"
"I'm doing alright…just wish my boy Miggs was alright." He said just as the crowd of West high students started to boo loudly. Troy immediately looked towards Taylor who quickly mouthed that they weren't doing it at her. Troy then looked towards the entrance of the gym and saw several east high basketball players making their way into the gym. After taking a quick count he saw that it wasn't the entire team, and at the front was Zeke Baylor and Taylor's friend Sharpay. Zeke walked towards them with his head held high ignoring the yells and jeers from the hostile crowd as he made his way towards Troy and the rest of the Knights who had now gathered around Troy for protection. Zeke and Troy glazes met and Zeke cleared his throat as he spoke.
"On behalf of the wildcat players who have common sense…I would just like to say how sorry I am for what took place…our teammate was out of line and we do not support him at all." He replied softly as he looked at Troy. Zeke then extended his hand. Troy looked down at it and then offered his as well. The two guys shook hands, and the tension that had built up since the wildcats entrance died down. Zeke smiled as he and Troy finished shaking hands and called out. "Go Knights." His chant was followed by his teammates and Sharpay who had made her way over to Taylor.
"Shar, what's going on?"
"Zeke and Chad had a huge blowout over what happened. He thinks that Chad had something to do with it. He said that Landon and Chad were in the locker room talking before that game." Taylor's shook her head.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"I know when he told me I wasn't either…Chad is just so low…cause now I know for certain he had something to do with it." Taylor nodded her head in agreement as the crowd erupted in cheers glancing towards the entrance again they saw Miguel being pushed in a wheelchair by his parents. He smiled and waved at the crowd as his parents pushed him towards his teammates. Once he was middle of the crowd of players Zeke and the other wildcats apologize to him and then took their seats for the game. Troy watched as his friend wheeled himself over to him.
"You better win man…I came out the hospital for this." He said laughing; Troy smiled as well and nodded his head.
"We will man…we will." He said with a laugh as he stepped back to allow Miguel in their team huddle. Miguel looked up at his friends and held his arm up. They all placed theirs on top of his and began to chant. "Go knights…go knights…go Knights." As Taylor watched she knew she had to do something to make sure that what happened to Miguel never happened again and she knew exactly who she had to talk to in order to make that happen.
That Monday Taylor was on a mission she was going to make Chad stop whatever else he had planned. She was going to bring a stop to the madness. It was during her free period, that Taylor made her way down to the school's basketball gym. Entering the gym she saw Chad practicing by himself. He looked up as the door slammed closed behind her. Shooting again he chuckled. "Well, well and what do I owe for this pleasure." He said looking at her. Taylor stalked over to him and placed her hands on her hips.
"I know you had something to do with what Landon did." Chad smiled and at her and shook his head.
"I would never do something like that nor would I encourage it." He said with a smile that suggested the exact opposite of what he had just said. Taylor eyed him for a minute as he walked over to his basketball and picked it up.
"What you're doing is wrong?"
"Last time I checked playing basketball wasn't illegal." He replied as he dribbled his ball while walking over to her. "However I'll play your little game…alright what if I did encourage Landon to do something, and what if I decided to do something else later on this year there's nothing you can do about it."
"Chad, you have to stop this…Miguel should have never been hurt you've got to stop this. This stupid rivalry is getting out of hand and you know it."
"I do…I see that…but why do I have to stop it, there's nothing in it for me now is there. I mean really here you are begging me to stop whatever 'secret evil thing' I have planned next and yet you haven't offered me anything to make me see things your way."
"This isn't about you."
"Oh but it is…you're down here accusing me of having something to do with what happened to that Miguel kid. And then you think I can control my teammates that haven't betrayed me like that punk Zeke."
"Why are you acting like this, Chad? Why are you doing this?" Chad walked over to her dropping his basketball so that he could reach out and grab a hold of her arms. He yanked her to him so that his body was pressed against her.
"Because I can't stand the fact that he has you." He replied as reached one hand up to her chin so that he could yank her head around so that she was looking at him. "You are mine…and I can't stand the fact that you're with him like he's better or something."
"He is better." Taylor whispered scared of what Chad was going to do next. He looked down at her his eyes peering into hers.
"Is he?" he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I'll stop everything…I'll leave him and his friends alone if you break up with him and come back to me."
"What!" she exclaimed as she started to struggle against his hold.
"Or you can keep seeing him…and when things happen when things get out of hand, you will know that you had the power to stop it, but you were to selfish to do it." He said as he lifted his hand and looked down at her. Looking back down at her he grasped her chin firmly again in his palm holding her head still as she struggled against him. "Do you think you can live with yourself knowing that someone once again got hurt because you refused to stop seeing him." With a smile he kissed her while squeezing her tight. Taylor fought against the kiss as best as she could. She pounded against Chad's chest until he let her go, reaching out she slapped him across the face, and then stormed towards the door. "Think about what I said, Taylor the offer will only be on the table till the end of the week, either way I'm going to have my fun."
A/N: Oh and next week there's going to be more drama. Oh and before I forget make sure you go and check out the new one-shot "On Bended Knee"
Baby S