Just Coming of Age

Chapter 4

"I cannot believe you talked me into this," Taylor said, checking her appearance in her compact.

"You can't expect me to go alone to a play," Paulson said, glancing out the window of the town car. "And it's the hottest ticket in town. I was lucky to get seats."

Taylor frowned at him. How had he gotten seats? She was the one with the magic touch when it came to theater tickets and dinner reservations. She had no doubt that Paulson was capable of throwing his weight around if he had to, but he wasn't well known in Albuquerque yet. He was still the new guy. It had taken her influence with Mr. Fulton just to get him a tee time at Lava Springs, for Heaven's sake. There was no way the hottest tickets in town had just fallen into his lap.

Instead of pointing all this out Taylor said, "You're the one who's always saying I need to date, maybe you should take that advice yourself. Then you wouldn't need to bring your assistant to 'the hottest ticket in town.'"

Paulson just smiled as the town car pulled up to the front of the theater. He got out first and offered her his hand to help her over the curb in her high heels. She took it gratefully and looked around. Many other people were arriving just as they had, but most were coming from the parking structure across the way. She recognized many members of the former group from her days at Lava Springs and wondered if she'd see the Evans. It would be great to catch up with Sharpay and Ryan, and maybe even Kelsi.

"I'll go get the tickets," Paulson said.

"Oh, no," Taylor said quickly, "I'll do that."

"You will do no such thing. You're a guest tonight, not my assistant." He was gone before she could argue.

She sighed and ran a hand down the side of her knee-length dress, making sure it wasn't wrinkled.

"Taylor!"

"Gabriella!" Taylor gasped as her best friend ran up. She barely caught sight of Troy before she and Gabriella were hugging and laughing. "What are you doing here? I thought you two were in LA."

"We're here for the opening," Gabriella said as if it was obvious.

"You came all the way from Los Angeles for the reopening of the Regal?"

Troy and Gabriella exchanged a confused glance and Taylor knew she'd missed something. "Of course," Troy said.

Mr. Paulson returned then and Taylor quickly introduced him, wondering what was going on. Her concern melted away in the face of her friends' prideful expressions when she told them about her job. Troy and Gabriella led the way into the theater and the four of them ooed and ahed over the restored interior. The place glistened, the velvet of the seats a beautiful contrast to the shining golden color of the wood. The ushers were all busy and everyone else seemed more concerned with the building than with finding their seats so it took them several minutes of pushing through the crowd to find their places.

"I still can't believe we got seats so close together," Taylor said as they neared the stage but immediately realized how foolish that thought was. Troy was greeting Ryan and Jason while Gabriella had already begun talking to Martha and Kelsi.

Taylor grabbed Mr. Paulson's arm in a death grip. "How did you do this?" she asked.

He laughed, peeling her fingers away. "I didn't, I just followed orders."

"Wh--"

"Mine, Miss McKessie," Ms. Darbus said, in a tone of voice that was somehow both kind and disappointed that she hadn't figured it out for herself. Taylor turned and gave her former teacher the best smile she could manage at the moment, only to freeze in shock the next second.

"Chad," she breathed.

He was wearing a suit -- not the same one he'd worn to prom, she noted -- and had Ms. Darbus on his arm. His curls had been pulled back and he was looking at her with an expression that she knew was mirrored on her own face.

"Well," Ms. Darbus said, pulling her arm away from the shocked Chad, "Drake, I believe our seats are right here. Let's let the younger generation mingle, shall we?"

"Of course, Renee," Mr. Paulson said, and gallantly escorted Ms. Darbus down the row of seats.

"Renee?" Taylor and Chad echoed, watching them go. Their shock returned almost immediately and they faced each other once more. Taylor fidgeted with her clutch while Chad glanced awkwardly about at the building. They could hear their friends talking and laughing behind them and while both wanted to somehow escape to that safer world just a few feet away, neither knew quite how to do it.

Finally, Taylor forced out a laugh. "I wonder how this happened," she said, her smile inviting Chad to laugh with her.

"What?" Chad asked, clearly not understanding.

"This, all of us wildcats back together. Ms. D couldn't have afforded these tickets and Mr. Paulson only heard about the Regal a few weeks ago."

"Mr. Paulson?" Chad asked, some of the color draining from his face as his eyes darted over Taylor's shoulder.

"He's my boss," Taylor sighed. "He said he was forcing me to come because he couldn't find a date. I wondered how he got the tickets though. I would have thought this was sold out months ago."

"It was," Chad said slowly, "all our tickets were on hold."

Taylor frowned. "How do you know? Did Darbus tell you something?"

Chad stared at her for a moment before lifting his arms to encompass the room. "Ms. D and Sharpay own the Regal. They bought it last year. Sharpay invited the whole gang to opening night. She didn't tell you?"

"No," Taylor said slowly. "I mean, Sharpay called me about something a while ago but when she gave me the dates I thought the company would still be going through its transition and I didn't think I'd be able to come. She said she'd hold the tickets but --" Taylor glanced up at the ceiling. "I never thought it was this."

"I'll be right back," Chad said and his dark tone made Taylor look at him, but he was already rushing towards the exit doors at the sides of the room.

He couldn't believe this. He knew Sharpay was inviting all their old friends to the premiere, but he'd assumed she would tell him if Taylor was coming, give him a chance to get used to the idea instead of just springing it on him. He pushed his way backstage, dodging around moving scenery and actors preparing to go on. Sharpay was at the center of it all, calming the nervous, giving last minute instruction, and making sure that everything was in place before the curtain rose.

"Isn't it wonderful?" she asked when he finally reached her. She was quickly sewing a ripped seam on Jimmie's costume. Chad was momentarily impressed, he didn't know Sharpay could sew.

Not to be deterred from his ire he asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?" she asked, distracted as she tied off the string.

"That Taylor was coming."

Sharpay stilled for a moment, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. "Oh!" she exclaimed, letting Jimmie go. "So that's what Ms. D's been planning. I knew she was scheming something, but I had no idea it was this."

Her excited smile only deepened his frown. "How is this a good thing? It's bad enough that I have to see all of them again, but Taylor is never going to let this go. If I'm evasive with her she'll just keep hounding me until --"

Sharpay's finger poking his chest cut him off. "Now you listen here, Danforth. I've put up with your crap for years but no more. Those are your friends out there, your best friends at one time, and you need to start thinking about them. How do you think Troy feels, having his best friend since the sandbox just fall out of his life? And how do you think he will feel when he finds out why? I can promise you he's not going to think, 'poor Chad, how hard all this must have been for him.' He'll be wondering where he went wrong that you didn't think he could be counted on in the most difficult time of your life."

Chad opened his mouth to argue but Sharpay wasn't done yet.

"And I know your life has been hard, but that's no excuse. Everyone's life is hard, Chad, it's how we deal with the hard times that shows us how strong we are. And you dealt with the hard times by being a jerk to your friends."

"Did you take a philosophy class in college or something?" Chad asked, unable to think of anything else to say.

"No, I stole it from Ms. D, but it's still true. Now you get out there and watch the show with our friends. I can't make you tell them everything but you at least owe them this one -- Zeke!" Sharpay pushed past Chad to embrace both Zeke and the bouquet of pink roses he'd brought her. "They're beautiful!"

Chad politely looked away as the kissing began and excused himself, returning to his seat with only a few moments to spare before the show began. That was barely enough time for him to say quick hellos to Troy and the others. He stayed well away from Taylor until the lights started going down and he was forced to take his seat next to her. He didn't doubt for a second that Ms. D had put them next to each other on purpose.

As much as he wanted to focus on Sharpay's first real production, he couldn't. With Taylor next to him there was no way he could think of anything else. They hadn't spoken in years. They were both too practical to go through with an ultimately doomed long-term relationship. Just like all the wildcats they'd tried keeping in touch, but it was too hard to pretend at being friends and eventually they both just gave up.

When Chad cut himself off after his father's accident he'd been thankful that he and Taylor were no longer talking. If they had been there was no way she would have let him get away with something like that. She would have been at his door within the week, demanding to know what was wrong with him.

What she would do now, he had no idea. Did she know that he'd cut himself off from the others or was he an unapproachable topic around her the way she was with him? The look on her face when she'd seen him told him that she hadn't been expecting him and from the little he'd heard before she turned around it was clear she hadn't been expecting any of the others either. Hopefully she'd be too focused on the situation as a whole to worry too much about him. He wasn't sure he could handle her full powers of deduction right now. Especially while she was wearing that dress. It was a shade of purple that he'd always thought looked good on her, though with the way it hugged her curves it could have been baby poop green and she'd still look good.

Chad tried once more to focus on the play. It wouldn't do him any good to start mooning over Taylor now. Even if he was suddenly in a position where he could date, he and Taylor weren't happening. Taylor was always destined for great things -- and if she wasn't, destiny be damned, she'd claw her way to the top without fate's help. The two of them had drifted too far apart in the years since high school. It would never work between them now.

Taylor clapped as emphatically as everyone else when the cast came out for their final bows. It had been a spectacular show and Sharpay had outdone herself. She'd been a bit surprised when Kelsi told her that Sharpay owned the theater and had directed. It wasn't that Sharpay couldn't, it was more that she didn't think Sharpay would. She'd always craved the spotlight and Taylor wouldn't have thought she would give it up for a behind-the-scenes role. Clearly, Sharpay had grown since high school.

So had Chad, Taylor couldn't help but think. She'd avoided him at intermission, needlessly braving the line to the ladies' room just to keep away from him, but that didn't mean she was blind. He looked good in his tux. Better than she would have thought. She'd never considered him muscular, and he certainly wasn't bursting at the seams, but every move he made was graceful in a way that left any onlookers certain he was well-built.

He was hot. There was no other word for it. In the years since high school he'd grown -- not much since the big years were behind him -- but just enough. What that meant she wasn't sure, but the moment the thought entered her mind she knew it was true. He was just tall enough.

The curtain closed for the final time and the applause died down. People began heading for the exits and Taylor desperately wanted to join them. As glad as she was for the chance to talk to Gabby and the others, there was no way she was getting set up with her high school boyfriend. Unfortunately she was sandwiched between Gabriella and Chad, not to mention, Mr. Paulson and Ms. Darbus were sitting once more, blocking the way past Chad and forcing the both of them to stay with the others.

Chad met her eyes for a moment and she knew he could see the trepidation there. He quickly leaned over the seats in front of them so he could more easily see the others.

"Ryan!" he called over the sound of several hundred shuffling feet and voices talking about the show. "Where are your parents?"

Rather than try to be heard Ryan pointed up. When everyone looked the Evans waved from their box.

The rows around them were emptying quickly and Troy clapped his hands once to gain everyone's attention before they went back to their own conversations. "So, what are we up to now?"

"Dinner!" Gabriella said immediately.

"Denny's!" Jason added and was met with laughter.

After long days at Lava Springs the group had often stopped at the Denny's situated helpfully just before the freeway entrance. Once they got on the freeway they'd all gone different directions and it had been nice in those days -- especially when Fulton was still following Sharpay's orders to drive them crazy -- to have a non-work place to unwind before going home. They'd even driven far out of their way after prom to eat an early breakfast at that same Denny's for old time's sake.

Taylor glanced at Chad to see if he was as uncomfortable with Jason's idea as she was, but he was talking to Ms. Darbus while Mr. Paulson listened intently. Part of her was immediately angry. What was he saying to her boss? She was just about to butt into the conversation when Gabriella touched her arm, drawing her attention away from whatever Chad was doing.

"I'm sorry," Gabby said quietly, her eyes darting quickly to Chad. "I thought you weren't coming and if you were --"

"I would have known he was too," Taylor finished kindly. That her best friend still knew her so well was enough to take the edge off her mood. "It's okay. My boss got me to come here by claiming he couldn't get a date. I now see that he and Ms. D were in this together."

Gabby laughed. "Don't worry, we're not going to force the two of you together. We're more concerned with finding out just what's up with him."

Taylor frowned, suddenly wishing she hadn't been so willing to accept that none of her friends mentioned Chad around her. "What do you mean?"

Before Gabriella could answer Troy hugged her from behind. "Chad!" he called. Taylor refused to turn even though she could feel him standing mere inches behind her. "We're going to the old Denny's. Ryan says it's still there. No arguments!" he added sternly.

"I brought Darbus," Chad practically growled.

"Oh, don't worry about me," Ms. Darbus said in a sing-song voice. "Mr. Paulson has kindly offered to escort me home."

Taylor whirled, ignoring the fact that she was now nearly chest to chest with Chad Danforth.

"You have fun with your friends," Mr. Paulson said before Taylor could think of anything to say. "I'm sure one of them would be kind enough to get you home. Perhaps this nice young man."

When he turned his back and followed Ms. Darbus out, Taylor rolled her eyes at the obvious matchmaking. Chad had gone stiff and she quickly saved them both.

"I'll call a cab," she said. "I'm sure to be out of your way." There was no way for her to be sure of that but she didn't care.

"Nonsense," Gabby said tugging her towards the other end of the aisle, "we'll take you. Now come on, everyone's leaving."

Taylor glanced back at Chad while she was dragged along and was at once happy and sad to see that he was following.

There was no way he could handle eating with the others. They'd want to catch up on each other's lives and after what Sharpay had said he knew he couldn't tell them. Even if he wanted to tonight wasn't the time to bring them down with his belated news. Not to mention, seeing Taylor again had been enough of a shock that his nerves were shot, he wasn't nearly brave enough to do it now.

"Listen," he said as they escaped the crowd in the theater lobby and clustered on the sidewalk outside, "I have an early day tomorrow, you guys have fun without me."

His pronouncement was met with a chorus of disappointed exclamations from his friends, Taylor's not among them he noted. Not quite able to shake the sense of chivalry his parents had instilled in him he said, "I'm sorry I can't take you home -- unless you want to go now?"

"No," she said quickly, "I'll catch a ride with Troy and Gabby. Thanks though."

He didn't make the long goodbyes he wanted to but instead gave the group a nod and turned away. He could feel them watching him and picked up his pace in response.

"Hey!" Sharpay snapped, pulling him into the shelter of one of the building's many arches as he passed. "Where are you going?"

"Home," he said.

She let out annoyed groan and dropped her head back.

"What's going on?" Zeke asked from behind her.

"Chad's running away from the gang," Sharpay said.

"Shar!" Chad snapped.

"Why would you be running away from them?" Zeke asked.

Chad shoved his hands in his pockets and looked pointedly away.

"It's a secret," Sharpay said, "he's afraid of being pitied."

"I am not."

"Yes, you are. You're afraid that if you tell them they're going to pity you and try to help you out of obligation, when in reality they'll help you out of friendship. He's just being stupid," she added, angling her head back to Zeke.

Zeke rested a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, man. Whatever happened, we're still your friends."

"I know," Chad said, "but you don't --"

"Did you kill someone?"

"What?"

"Did you cheat on your SATs? Break any sort of law?"

"Well … no."

"Then you're in the clear. Though, I'm pretty sure we would have stood by you for those other things. Maybe not the killing or some of the worse crimes out there but --"

"Zeke?" Sharpay asked.

"Yeah?"

"I think he gets it."

"Oh."

Sharpay smiled. "Just think about it, okay? They all still love you. You can tell from the sad puppy-dog looks they had when you walked away. And they'd want to know what happened, not just for you, but for him too."

"Shar?" Chad asked.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"No problem. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to the cast party." She grabbed Zeke's tie and dragged him around the back of the theater to the cast and crew parking.

Chad couldn't help but chuckle. At least Sharpay and Zeke looked like they were getting back together, that should ease some of Ms. D's matchmaking bug. He followed behind the two, glad that he'd parked in the back instead of in the public lot. This way he wouldn't run the risk of meeting any of the others on the way to his car.

As he drove home he wondered over Sharpay's words. She was right. His dad had always been close to the other wildcats and their fathers. The transition into college had ended that relationship but it could have been salvaged with time if things had gone differently. His friends deserved to know what had happened. He would have to tell the others. Of course, most of them had probably come only for the reopening and would be going back to who knows where soon. It would be wrong to break this kind of news over the phone, especially since he owned them each an apology, and with that new contract from Paulson Stores breaking ground next week he couldn't exactly take time off to follow them -- not that he had the money for that anyway. It was hard enough keeping the business afloat and paying his dad's doctor bills. But he promised himself that the next time he saw one of his old friends he would find a way to tell them. They deserved that at least.

Even without Chad, Sharpay, and Zeke the late/early breakfast at Denny's was as fun as it had ever been. They were all having fun catching up and talking about old times.

"And then," Troy was saying, "Fulton comes in carrying a bucket of paint in each hand. It only took us a few seconds to realize that we'd spent all afternoon painting the yoga room the wrong color. We had to wait until the next day to fix it though. Fulton was furious. If this had happened before the talent show, he would have used it as an excuse to fire all of us."

"Not you," Ryan pointed out, "Sharpay was very adamant that you stay."

The girls giggled at that while Troy rolled his eyes.

"Fulton was nothing," Jason said, "don't you remember Chad? He could escape that Emma chick when he was working in the kitchen but if she knew he was working anywhere else she'd find some reason to hang around."

Taylor bit her lip as her friends laughed. She didn't so much remember Emma as she remembered hating Emma. The girl hadn't tried to hide that she had eyes for Chad and, while Sharpay's scheming had become the focus of the summer, Taylor was always acutely aware of the other girl's attempts to steal her boyfriend.

She shook herself quickly. She could feel old jealousy twisting in her gut and pushed it away. That was years ago and, even if Emma was still interested in Chad, she was welcome to him. Taylor had no claim. And anyway, there was something else on her mind.

"So, is anyone going to tell me what's going on with Chad?" she asked.

That put a damper on the mood. As everyone silently argued over who would talk to her she saw Martha ask, "Who told her?" only to be met with shrugs.

"Well, Gabby did say that you were all concerned about him."

"Oh, I did," Gabriella said quietly with a wince.

"But then when he left everyone just sort of accepted him leaving, it was kind of a give away."

"We don't know what happened," Troy said, eyes on his scrambled eggs. "He just … drifted away. We stopped talking and by the time any of us thought to bring it up with each other, it had been over a year."

"That's it?" Taylor asked.

"We tried," Kelsi said. "Everyone tried to call him, but he would never answer."

"We even dropped by his house once," Martha said with a glance at Jason, "but his family had moved."

"What about your dad?" Taylor asked, looking to Troy. "He must know something."

Troy shook his head. "If he does, he's not talking. Tonight was the first time I've had any contact with Chad in nearly four years. The last time I saw him was spring break of freshman year and he didn't even take the time to say hello to me tonight."

After a few moody seconds the waitress came by to ask if they'd have anything else and a discussion about dessert was begun. Taylor stayed out of it, knowing she didn't want anything sweet this late. Whatever happened to Chad, she wanted to know about it. Even if they weren't together anymore she still cared about him and she wanted to be sure that he was all right. She would get to the bottom of his, no matter what.

Review!