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Chapter Three

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Troy kicked his feet up on his desk and began to flip through the latest issue of Sports Illustrated.

The class had just scattered for the summer. No more homework, late nights of grading, or trying to squeeze in a months worth of work into a week.

He could sleep late, party with friends, and best of all, no moody teenagers to deal with.

" Troy!! "

He rocked back, tipping the chair over. The magazine shot into the air, and he hit the floor with a thump.

" You okay? "

Troy scowled up at Ryan. The guy had the worst timing of anyone he'd ever meet. Including Chad.

" I'm getting you a collar with a bell on it. "

The teacher clambered to his feet, retaking his seat properly this time.

" Did you need something? "

" Kelsi said yes!! We're getting married! "

" You're surprised? " Troy laughed. " She was on the verge of proposing for you. "

He was happy for the couple. They'd been together for ten years. At twenty-eight years old, they had a great relationship, and were like newly weds.

Ryan had turned down Julliard and Broadway for Kelsi. Just like Kelsi had rejected a music conservatory in London.

They'd graduated from UA instead. The two of them had been blissfully happy as a writing team ever since.

The couple could work from their home. Which meant they could remain local, and help Troy with East High's musicals.

Zeke had done something similar. Choosing UA before going on to open a nearby restaurant.

The International Cafe.

The cook had actually become very popular. The guy had been setting up booths food at every play, musical, and women's JV Basketball game.

Zeke had tried to get other Coaches to sponsor his booths, but so far Troy was the only one biting.

Not even his father was willing to have a booth. Then again his dad was afraid of what having that much food close to ravenous basketball players would do to their playing.

Nothing was to interfere with the sacred game, after all.

" When's the wedding? "

" Next month. We're hoping if it's soon enough Mom won't turn it into a circus. "

Mrs. Evans was a kind, nice, if somewhat dim woman. She was also obsessed with weddings. Big, enormous, Cathedral style weddings.

When Ryan's mom found out she was going to take complete control. By the end of the week there'd be hundreds of invitations in the mail, and a catering spread that could feed a third world country.

" Have you ever considered just telling her what you want? "

Ryan stared at him. Troy stared right back.

" Ingenious. This is why you're my best man. " Ryan beamed.

" Oh no! Leave me out of this madness. I'm quite happy on the side lines. " Troy protested.

" I already told mom. "

Damn.

He was good and trapped. Ryan's parents had developed an intense liking for Troy despite Sharpay's efforts.

" Is Zeke catering? "

" Yep. " Ryan hesitated a minute. " Kelsi has selected her maid of honor. "

" It's not Sharpay, is it? "

" No, thank god. She's been reduced to a brides maid. " Ryan shuffled his feet. " It's Gabriella. "

" Oh. "

Troy had lost track of his old group. He didn't know what happened to them, or where they were living.

The teacher had been consumed with getting his BA's. It had been a year of exhausting classes. From six in the morning until one at night he'd been going nonstop.

When he'd started working he'd hoped to check up on Gabriella, but things had been just as bad.

He was thrown into the deep end without a life jacket. Drama Classes, Drama Club, Gym Classes, and getting listed as a substitute teacher. That wasn't including the running of all the school plays and musicals.

If things hadn't been too much already, the principal had made him coach of the women's JV basketball team.

Not because of his abilities, but because no one else would take them on. They weren't considered worth the time.

Trying to keep everything running smoothly was a pain and a half. It was all he could do to remain sane.

In a way, Mrs. Montez had been right. He was making minimum wage, and greatly overworked. Living in a tiny apartment. Barely making it from week to week.

But she was also wrong. No matter how bad things got he was truly happy. He loved his job, and the students he worked with.

He enjoyed helping the teens develop an interest in the performing arts or sports. If just one student took up an art then he had accomplished more than most would in a lifetime.

That made it worth the sacrifices.

" She's taking time off from her job at Harvard for the wedding. " Ryan continued casually. " She's a research assistant. "

" Really? " He asked with feigned disinterest.

" Kelsi says she hasn't had a lot of luck with guys. Poor Gabriella will have to be paired with you for the wedding. "

" If it happens, it happens. In the mean time, stop meddling, Ry. "

" Fine, but you can't avoid her. " Ryan sighed in exasperation. " We're having dinner with the wedding party. "

" When? "

" Tomorrow night, at our usual spot. " Ryan started to leave. " And Troy? Try to be on time. "

He waved off his friend. It wasn't like he went out of his way to be late for their get togethers. It was just fate working against him.

Troy Bolton was the teacher the students liked the most. He was young, he made his classes fun, and he understood how cruel reality could be.

So naturally when a student had a problem, or they needed advice, he was their first choice.

It cut into his schedule, and made his hectic life more so. Yet, he couldn't turn them away. He wanted to help them, and if that meant five minutes out of his lonely life, so be it.

It was his job, and he loved it.

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" Shit..." Troy slammed the door of his ancient trunk shut and ran for the door of Zeke's restaurant. " Shit..."

He was late. Again.

He meant to be at their hangout. On time. Really he did. Fate simply kicked in again.

Bobby Low, a member of his team, had been hospitalized by her father. It was a well known secret that he beat his wife and daughter, but nothing could be done before.

The bastard had slipped up, a first, and Troy had to be there. With her mother in the ICU, and her father in handcuffs, the Coach had to step in.

He had spent all night at the hospital, going between the wife and daughter. Then he'd spent the rest of the day at the police station.

Ryan and Kelsi would understand. They always did, it was just the ribbing that he would have to suffer for his late streak.

Thirty one times and counting.

He charged through the crowded door, sliding around the people waiting to be seated, and headed for the usual table.

" Foul!! " A wrinkled man made a mark on a white board. " Another penalty against Coach Bolton. "

Troy shot a sheepish grin at the bartender.

The sixty year old was the proud grandfather of Terry Wilson, a point guard on the JV team. Ford also believed he had a sense of humor, calling him out whenever he was running late.

" Just get me my usual, old man!! " He shouted.

He pushed his way through the last of the crowd and came to a stop by an amused Ryan.

" You're late, Bolton, " Ryan smirked.

" You look like shit, Hoops. " Zeke input.

" Don't start with me. I got here the minute I could. "

Troy collapsed into an empty chair, draining the glass of water waiting for him. He was tired, hungry, and thirsty.

" Did you get any sleep? " Kelsi frowned in concern.

" Some. "

He dropped his empty glass back onto the table, and took the time to see who had shown.

Chad, Taylor, Martha, Jason, and Gabriella.

They were all sitting there having matured greatly, and watching him with confusion.

By the time Troy had graduated high school, he'd had his classmates believing that he was headed to Europe on a major scholarship. With no intention of returning.

Now they were confused, trying to figure out where the big shot ball player was. Where the sports cars, and fancy clothes were. He was driving the same beat up old clunker of a truck. Wearing faded jeans, an old shirt, and slightly scruffy running shoes.

Troy risked a glance at Gabe, her eyes were on his exposed left forearm and hand. Almost like she was memorizing the massive scarring.

" Here you go, Coach. " Tony appeared at his side. Putting down Troy's order.

He tore his eyes away and focused on the plate overflowing with chili cheese onion rings and a massive chili cheese burger. A even bigger triple chocolate milk shake completed the meal.

" Thanks, Tony. " He grinned at the waiter, glad that someone wasn't messing with him. " You've gotten faster. "

" Nope, when you're late, we just keep it warm. " Tony laughed.

He pouted at the cruelty of it. What was so hard about getting a break every once in a while?

" See, this is why I don't hang out with you guys more. " Troy sulked at Ryan and Zeke.

" Excuse me, but I thought Troy was gallivanting around England. " Taylor cut in pointedly.

" I got a better offer. " Troy answered easily. " You are looking at the proud graduate of CNM. "

" You went to community college? " Gabe whispered. " But... your scholarship."

" I'm a High school teacher. All I needed was a couple of BA's. " Troy replied with visible guilt.

When Ryan had demanded Troy attend the dinner he hadn't considered what he would tell them. How he would explain things.

" Nice try, Troy, pull the other one while you're at it. " Taylor narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to convince her that he was a teacher.

" It's true. " Kelsi gently confirmed. " He's been teaching at East High for nine years. "

" Nine years too long. " Troy joked weakly.

Across from him Gabe's eyes were narrowing with anger and recognition. She was putting the pieces together, rapidly moving toward an idea of what had happened so long ago.

" I don't get it. " Jason stated.

" He never had any intention of going to Notre Dame. " Gabriella answered dangerously. " There was no scholarship. "

Okay, more than an idea, she was putting together a whole theory. Unsurprisingly, she was right.

What worried him was the way she was eyeing him. Normally she was a good natured person with very little temper. The problem was that when her temper was triggered it sharp, quiet, and terrifying.

" Oh, okay. " Jason nodded. " But why would he lie? "

" Very good question. " Gabe bared her teeth. " Why would he? "

He shrunk at her attention boring into him. She was demanding an answer right now, and who knows what she would do if she didn't get it.

" Er...help? " He pleaded with Ryan.

" I'm not going near that. " Ryan refused.

" Oh, hell no. " Zeke scooted back.

" Sorry. " Kelsi shrugged in an apology.

" Troy? " Gabe sweetly asked.

' Uh-oh. '

His eyes darted around the cafe in desperation. He had to find someway out. A reason to get five minutes to himself.

Bathroom? No. She wasn't above following him in.

Fake emergency? Definitely not. She would see straight through it, and upgrade her interrogation technique.

A jaw popping yawn over took him. The strength of it making his eyes water violently. Lasting so long he was almost out of breath by the time it ended.

" You really haven't had much sleep, have you? " Kelsi became increasingly concerned.

" I'm fine. " He exhaled in relief that turned sheepish as he yawned a second time.

" Seriously, man, did you get any sleep last night? " Zeke frowned.

" Nah, had another student emergency. " He admitted. " I would have gone straight home, but I promised Ry I'd be here. "

" I'm bagging your food. " Zeke stood up. " You're going home. "

" I'll drive him. " Gabriella volunteered a little too smugly.

" Nonono, that's okay, I can manage. " Troy shook his head rapidly.

" Oh, I insist. "

" I don't want to be any trouble. Your car's here, and you probably have plans. "

" I took a taxi. " She smirked. " As for my plans, well there's nothing pressing. "

Troy was in major trouble. His ex had him right were she wanted him, and she wasn't going to let go until she wrung every last bit of info out of him.

" Keys. "

He reluctantly dropped his keys into her outstretched hand. If he hadn't she would have undoubtedly gotten them herself.

By any means necessary.

" Let's go, " Gabe commanded. " and on the way, we can have a little talk. "

Yep, big trouble.

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" Why? " Came the heartbreaking whisper.

The teacher found the tone more devastating than all the rage in the world. He hated hearing Gabe like that. He couldn't stand seeing her so defeated.

" Ask your mom. "

" I'm asking you. " She repeated. " Why? "

He stared unseeing out the passenger window. There was no reason to continue lying. Mrs. Montez couldn't move Gabe cross country, and Sharpay was staying in the background.

" Mrs. Montez... requested that I stay away from you. "

" She...? " Gabriella paused briefly as a flush of red appeared on her ears. " You listened to her?!! "

" I couldn't refuse. "

" Stop beating around the bush, Troy! Why did you listen?!! " She snapped.

" She said she would accept a transfer if I didn't. "

He flinched when Gabe's eyes closed and her mouth silently began counting to ten in Spanish. Then again in French.

His sweet understanding ex was considering homicide. Not just homicide, but premeditated homicide, with a side of torture.

" I don't know who the bigger moron is. My mom for making threats, or you for believing her. " She ground out.

" Hey!! "

" Shut up! " Her eyes flashed darkly. " If you'd just talked to me, you would have known that my mom signed a non-transference contract with the company on our last move!! "

Troy croaked pitifully, unable to get any words out of his mouth. He, Troy Bolton, champion basketball player, had been bluffed.

" Um, oops? "

" Oops? We've lost ten years, and all you can say is oops? " She snapped in disbelief.

" Eleven years. " He corrected automatically, promptly paling. " That is to say..."

" Be quiet. " Gabe said. " You're in enough trouble already. "

" Right. "

" Now, I'm going to drop you off so you can get some sleep. "

" Drop me off? Where are you going? " Troy reluctantly asked.

" To kill my mother. "

" Gabe...."

" Then I'll resurrect her, and kill her again. "

" Maybe I should go with you. "

Troy scrunched down as the truck made a U-turn across six lanes of traffic. He grabbed the handle of his door with white knuckles.

Maybe next time he should keep his mouth shut.

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Troy was not by any means considered a chicken. He had been rather easy going about dares in his younger years, and more than willing to get a few scraps in the name of a new trick.

But even he would admit that the Montez women could be scary.

The soft spoken Maria Montez was a lion when it came to the well being of her only daughter. Willing to rip a seven foot tall wrestler apart with bare hands.

The shy genius Gabriella Montez was also a fierce person when riled. She was independent and could give a tongue lashing that would make Sharpay cry with envy.

Right now the tongue lasher and the lion were tearing into each other. A fact that had Troy cowering in the entrance hall. Well away from the two women.

" You had no right!!! "

" Of course I had the right, I'm you mother!! "

" I was almost eighteen years old!! Legal age!! So news flash!! You didn't!! "

" I wasn't going to just stand back and watch you ruin your life!! "

" How is being with the man I love ruining it? "

" Be sensible. The man is a teacher! He's probably in debt! "

Troy poked his head around the corner. He was heavily offended by her accusation. Especially when he worked so hard to keep a perfect credit rating.

" I am not! My parents gave me a couple of interest baring CD's when I graduated. It doesn't bring in a lo..." He trailed off at the identical tempers being directed at him. " Never mind. "

He ducked back into the hallway. Forget his ego, it could take care of itself. There was no way he was going back into the line of fire.

" What would you have done? Given up what you'd worked so hard to get? Just to be with a minimum wage dunce? "

" Yes. "

" And now? Could you really walk away from your dream job? "

" What good is a dream if I have no one to share it with? I love him, and if that means adapting my dream, so be it. "

" But Harvard....? "

" Don't you get it? It isn't about working for Harvard. It's about curing people. "

" You said..."

" The reason I was set on Harvard was because of the facilities they have. I can do my work anywhere, it'll just take a little longer. "

Troy carefully peaked into the living room as silence fell. To his surprise Mrs. Montez had a death grip on her daughter.

" I'm so sorry. I just wanted to protect you. " The older woman cried.

" I know, mom, and I appreciate it. I just wish you'd talked to me before you started blackmailing people. "

" I will next time. "

The teacher let the tension leave his body. It was over. The two women were calm again, and it seemed like Mrs. Montez was going to back off.

Thank the God of Basketball.

Now, if he could just get some sleep.

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