Chapter 19:

On Our Way Back to LA

It was finally November 10th. The day of Selena Montez's birthday. But later on it will be marked one of the worse days ever. Gabriella, Leilani, Troy, Emil and Reva all sneaked up in Selena's room. Maxine and Sammy said that they would be over here in a few.

"Shhh," Gabriella said to Emil when he stepped on a piece of paper. She quickly brought out her can of whipped cream from her bag and sprayed the white foamy stuff on Selena's hand. Reva stifled a laugh and started tickling Selena's nose with a feather. Selena's nose scrunched up, but her hand didn't move. Reva tickled her again and Selena yawned. She wiped at the ticklish sensation and squeaked out loud when she felt the cold foam touch her face. Everyone started laughing at Selena's shocked face.

"Happy birthday!" they all yelled. Rosie, Maxine, Sammy, Julie and Steve came in. Selena laughed and licked her hand. Then she reached out and smeared it across Gabriella's flammable pajamas. Gabriella stepped back and looked down at the mess. Selena laughed and stood.

"Is this everyone?" Selena asked leaning to see out of the bedroom door.

Everyone shared a secret look. "Yup. Sorry, Sel. Were you expecting someone?"

Selena's face fell and she shook her head resignedly. "No."

"Well then get dressed," Reva said. "Look, I have the perfect outfit." Reva pulled a dress from behind her back and Selena smiled. It was a petty mocha cold-shoulder knit dress with sexy shoulder cut-outs and a shaping pleated neckline. The dress looked like it would stop short a few inches above Selena's knees. "Now go get ready," Reva demanded, flinging the dress at her. "We'll be waiting."

"I think we should tell her," Gabriella said when they were out of the room. "She looked completely broken when we told her that no one else was coming."

"Gabs, this is a surprise party. We want her to wait and see her incredulous reaction when mami comes."

Gabriella looked skeptical for a moment before nodding. "Okay. Look, I wanna show you our dresses." Gabriella ushered Maxine, Reva and Leilani into her room. "You have this one, Lei since you have nice boobs," Gabriella decided, handing Leilani a dress. Leilani laughed and looked down at it. It was a turquoise shirred shoulder dress with wide-neck design gathered through the bodice for sensuous shaping. Leilani smiled. "Hm, sexy. I am definitely going to get a boyfriend with this. Thanks, Gabs."

"No problem. Now go get dressed. Here, Rev. you wear this." Gabriella handed over a navy blue flutter-sleeve ruffle dress with sensuous ruching through the bodice finishing with a fabulous frill down one side. Reva's eyes sparkled when she saw it. "Where the hell did you get this dress?"

"That's confidential. And finally, last but certainly not least, Maxine." Gabriella gave Maxine a white sultry and sexy one-shoulder drape dress. The design loved you in all the right places with flattering ruching and a daring asymmetric vent. "And I saved these heels for you." Gabriella handed over a buckle ankle strappy sparkle sling black shines with rhinestones at the vamp. Maxine smiled. "This is so awesome! Thanks, Gabs."

"Don't mention it. Now go get changed." When Maxine left Gabriella pulled out her own outfit. It was a baby blue one-shoulder flutter dress. It was a beautifully flattering knit dress with cascading ruffles down one side. Gabriella started to pull her shirt off, but a weird chill swept up her spin. She quickly spun around and almost lost her breath when she saw Troy standing there. "Give me a heart attack, why don't you." Gabriella reached for the hem of her shirt again and pulled in off of her. Troy grinned and walked to her. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and pulled her flush against him.

"That dress is a new kind of sexy," he whispered in her ear. Gabriella felt shivers run down her spine. Gabriella nestled her head in the crook of his neck and licked and bit the soft flesh there. She smiled when her small assault to his neck made a moan vibrate from the back of his throat.

"You shouldn't be talking," Gabriella said and pulled back from him. She rested her hands against his chest and smiled adoringly up at him. "You're totally a new kind of sexy. You should just be called Sexy Boy."

Troy smirked. "You could call me that."

"All right, maybe I will, Sexy Boy." Gabriella smiled and tried to push him away. "Okay Sexy Boy, it's time for me to get dressed."

"Let me help." Before Gabriella could say anything, Troy had already swept her off of her feet and carried her to her bed. Gabriela squealed when her body unexpectedly fell onto the soft bed. Troy grabbed the bottom of her jeans and slowly shimmied then down her legs. Then he sat her up and kissed her softly while he unclasped her bra. Gabriella wrapped one arm around his broad shoulders and pushed herself up against him while her other hand helped her sit up. Troy pulled away from the kiss and then got the dress.

Gabriella helped Troy pull the dress over her head and then she fully slipped into the dress. Troy grinned, kissed her one last time and then pulled her up with him. "Thanks," Gabriella breathed. She walked over to her full-length mirror and fixed the dress. She slipped into her chain-strap rope wedges that stood 4 ½ inches high. After she checked herself once more she went for a little bit of make-up. Troy had said that she didn't need any make-up, but she insisted it.

"You look stunning," Troy complimented. Gabriella smiled and turned to him. She kissed him on the cheek before they exited her room and marched down stairs.

Gabriella walked up to Rosie. "Is my mom still going to make it?"

Rosie smiled and nodded. "Yup. She's at the airport right now actually."

"Good. And thanks, Rosie."

"No problem. Oh, and everything is set up at the park."

"Excellent." Sammy came down the steps in his cute little outfit. He wore a green polo shirt and green and white plaid shorts. He ran up to Gabriella while he ran his fingers through his hair. "Cassandra is coming. I have to look my best. Maxine even put make-up over my bruises."

Gabriella laughed and wiped at his cheek. The make-up wiped off on her thumb. "I don't even wear that much make-up, Sam."

"Well, I have to look pretty. Anyway, Yoda has his own suit too!" Sammy pulled Yoda out of his pocket and held him up. He was settled in Reva's fedora. Gabriella stifled a laugh when Reva came down the stairs. "Hey, my fedora is missing," she announced.

"I know where it is, Rev," Gabriella said. Reva looked at her and then she spotted Sammy and Yoda. "Uh…you can have it, Yoda. That thing got old anyway."

"But you just brought it yesterday," Selena insisted as she came down the steps. She looked stunning. Leilani had curled her short hair and pulled the curls back into a clip. Her tanned skin glowed with the light and the dress hugged her body greatly, showing off her every curve and detail. Reva took a picture. "Hi, birthday girl. Ready to par-tay?" Selena laughed and shook her head.

"Sure."

They blindfolded Selena and then drove off towards the park. Rosie guided Selena out of the Escalade. "One…two…three..."

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday my Selena. Happy birthday to you." When Selena heard the sweet sound of her mother's voice, she yanked the blindfold off and smiled when she saw Rayline standing there with a cake, her boyfriend Owen and his daughter Elena. "Mom," Selena whispered. "You made it."

"Of course I did." Rayline hugged her tightly. "I missed you. I can't believe you're already seventeen."

Selena smiled. "Well, be prepared. Gabriella is turning eighteen soon."

"And that reminds me. I want some hugs from my girls." Gabriella and Reva joined the hug. Reva pulled away and popped a streamer up into the air. "Now let's party!"

…

"Hold still!" Reyna hissed, tightening up Hunter's tie. "What I want you to do is kiss her in front of Troy, got it? Chad will blindfold Gabriella, bring her to you and she'll think you're Troy." Reyna smirked. "And I'll make sure Troy is watching."

"Why don't you just leave them alone, Reyna? You had your chance with Troy and you blew it big time."

"Why don't you say that to my daddy who is paying for your life and your family's life?" Reyna dared and Hunter shut up. "Good. Now, go knock 'em dead, Hunter." Reyna gave him a little push and Hunter was off, striding to the park. For safety reasons, there was a barrier where Selena's party was held and you had to be on the guest list to be invited in. Reyna would use her helicopter and Hunter would ask Gabriella for entrance.

"Name?" the bouncer said, eyeing Hunter. Hunter smiled. "Hunter Prince.'

The bouncer checked the list before shaking his head and looking up at Hunter. "You're not on the list."

"That's probably because I just met he girls yesterday, but Gabriella and I are pretty close to friends."

"Not on the list," he repeated.

"Why don't you tell Gabriella to come here and identify me?"

The bouncer sighed before telling someone else to take his place. He came back a minute later with Gabriella. "This boy says you two know each other?"

"Oh, yeah, we do," Gabriella said nervously. She didn't want to tell Hunter he couldn't come in, but she had a weird feeling that if she did something was bound to happen. Gabriella bit her lip and looked at the bouncer. "He can come in."

"Thank you, Gabriella," Hunter said, walking past the barriers. He spotted Reyna by the concession stand and nodded at her to begin their plan. Reyna smirked and started walking off to find Chad.

"Chad," Reyna said, patting his shoulder. Chad turned to her and smiled. "Hey." He lowered his voice. "Is hunter here?"

"Yup. Tell her you have a big surprise for her and that she needs to blindfolded."

Chad nodded before walking off. He bumped into Troy on the way and both of them narrowed their eyes. "Gabriella insisted on inviting you," Troy said. "Even when I told her what you said."

"Exactly and that's why I'm looking for her," Chad said. "To thank her."

Troy eyed Chad for a moment before turning and talking with Maxine again. Chad ducked away and started searching for Gabriella. He found her dancing and moving with her sisters. "Gabriella!"

Gabriella turned and put on a small smile. "Hey, Chad. Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yup. I have a surprise for you and your sisters, but I wanted to give them to you one by one. Care to go first?"

"Um…" Gabriella turned back to her sisters. Their eyebrows rose in confusion. She turned back to Chad and smiled. "Okay."

"Good. Just wear this." Chad pulled out the blindfold and tied it tightly around Gabriella. Then he grabbed her slender shoulders and started guiding her through the crowd. All the while he texted Reyna saying he had got Gabriella.

"Go, he got her," Reyna said to Hunter. Hunter sighed and walked into the crowd. "Almost there," Chad said. "Oh, hey Troy."

Gabriella went to lift her blindfold, but Hunter reached out to stop her. "Gabriella," he said trying to mimic Troy's voice. She seemed to have bought it. "Hm?"

"I want to kiss you before you get your surprise."

"You want to kiss me before I get my surprise? Why?"

"Just because." Hunter gathered her in his arms and pulled her close to him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders just as Reyna came with Troy and then they kissed. That was then when realization poured on Gabriella like cold water. This wansn't Troy's kiss. It was har and urgent. She gasped and jerked away from Hunter. She yanked off the blindfold and stared up at him in shock. "Hunter?"

"Just a friends my ass," Troy seethed. Gabriella looked at him in shock. Troy shook his head and stomped off. "No, Troy! Wait, I didn't know it was him." Gabriella's eyes landed on Reyna. Reyna smirked and waved at her.

"So you got what you want," Gabriella said lowly. Then she turned to Hunter and Chad. "And I can't believe you two. I trusted you Hunter. And you too, Chad." Tears pressed in Gabriella's eyes and that terrible dry and painful sensation got stuck in the back of her throat. "I hope you're happy now." Then she walked away.

"Chad, what is wrong with you?" Taylor pushed through the crowd and walked up to her boyfriend, her eyes full of rage. "I thought you and Troy were best friends."

"We are and that's why I did it," Chad said. "I did it to make him forget about Gabriella like he forgot about basketball. He can't have both."

"He can't but you can?"

"I—I mean, they're new at this so they're all too much in love and that's distracting him. We've been together since Jr. High.

"Well not anymore," Taylor said. She took off his class ring and threw it to the ground. "Have fun at the championships with no one to cheer you on." And with that said she marched off after Gabriella.

"Not the birthday bash I was expecting," Selena said and her, her sisters, Maxine, Leilani, Rosie and Rayline ran after Gabriella and Taylor.

…

"That was something," Emil said, coming up to Troy. Like presumed, Troy was shooting hoops, but he was missing every single shot. Not once did a basketball go in and Emil had a feeling that it wasn't because he hadn't been practicing enough.

"I can't believe she'd do that," Troy seethed. "I love her…I gave her things I have never given to Reyna."

"Troy, are you blind?"

"What?" Troy stopped shooting and turned to Emil.

"It was obvious that she was tricked into kissing hunter. She thought it was you and she couldn't tell because Chad and Reyna had put that blindfold on her," Emil explained. "It's simple. She thought it was you she was kissing. Not Hunter."

But Troy shook his head and continued shooting. "No body forced her to do anything. She was acting nervous when I asked about Hunter. For all I know, she might have even been in an affair with him."

"I wasn't." Troy and Emil turned to Gabriella. "I never liked Hunter, Troy. You have to believe me. And I can't believe you would think I would be in an affair with him."

"You sure did like that kiss."

"Because I thought he was you! It's kind of hard to tell when you're blindfolded, Troy." Gabriella started shaking when he continued shooting the baskets and then she asked quietly, "Don't you believe me?"

"I don't think I sound like a cocky poor guy, Gabriella," Troy said.

"The voice did sound a bit different, but I thought that maybe you ate something or something! I didn't know it would be Hunter, Troy. Please believe me."

Troy finally turned to look at her. Gabriella wanted to melt and cry when she saw the tears pressing into his eyes. "You don't understand how much it hurt seeing you kiss him. Seeing how the person you loved kiss someone else willingly."

"Yes I do," Gabriella said. "I understand completely. When I saw you and Reyna kiss and you didn't back away from her, I was completely heartbroken. But when Hunter kissed me I immediately pulled away because I knew he wasn't you, Troy." Troy sighed and bounced the ball against the pavement a few times. "Say something if you believe me, Troy," she pleaded. "Please."

Troy was silent. Emil looked at the two, trying to read what was going on in their mind. Sure he had seen something like this in movies, but never in real life. "Please," Gabriella whispered again. Troy stopped bouncing the ball and hope filled Gabriella. But it all vanished when Troy just walked away and out of sight.

"I didn't cheat on him," Gabriella said softly. Emil walked to her and put a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "I know, Gabriella." Gabriella pulled away from him and sat down on the pavement. She didn't acknowledge the fact that millions of rocks were bruising her tailbone.

"Gabriella," Leilani breathed coming up with everyone else. "Where's Troy?"

"Wherever he wants to be," Gabriella said. "But I don't really give a crap."

"What happened?"

"We're over."

"But you didn't do anything," Leilani said. "Because if you had kissed him on purpose, my foot would be up your ass. No offence by the way."

"None taken."

"I can't believe Chad would do this," Maxine said. "And I can't believe I actually liked him."

"You what?" Taylor came out of the shadows. "You liked him?"

"Taylor—no, I…uh. I liked him as a friend."

"No, you liked him as something more. Did he cheat on me?"

"No, no of course not. I just had this crush on him since I first met him. But I promise to God that I never wanted to take him from you. That's why I started talking with another guy."

"But why didn't you tell me? That's why I'm mad."

"Because I didn't want you to be mad, Taylor."

"Well, how's that working for you?" Taylor shook her head and then turned to Gabriella. "I'm sorry, Gabs. I didn't know Chad would do this." And then she left, but not without sending one last glare to Maxine.

"Not how I planned my visit," Rayline sighed and then walked over to Gabriella. Everyone else followed. "I don't get it," Gabriella said. "I gave him everything and he believes that I kissed Hunter on purpose?"

"Obviously." Reyna stepped forward. "And he's obviously mine."

Gabriella stood up and then smiled sullenly at her. "You really think that, Reyna? You really think that Troy would give a skank ass bitch another shot?"

"You better watch you mouth bitch," Reyna said, stepping closer to her.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Leilani said, stepping between them. "No fighting."

"You know, why not?" Gabriella said. "Why the fuck not? She'll just keep coming back and pulling her stupid little schemes on everyone even if it doesn't get her anywhere except on everyone's hate list. Be logical, Reyna. Do you really think people will like you after you've broken up the golden couple?"

"Don't be so full of yourself. You guys weren't even close to a great couple."

"What, and if you get with Troy you think you'd be a great couple?"

"Actually, yeah, I do."

Gabriella laughed cynically. "Okay, believe what you want. But I just have one question…what are you getting out of all of this? Troy certainly won't want you. No one will like you. You'll make the geeks and nerds look popular. So you know what, Reyna? I don't care about what you do anymore. Because you've already done enough to break me." Gabriella took a step back and sighed. "Happy now?"

"Not until I've driven you and your stupid family back to where they came from."

"I used to pity you, Reyna. Especially when someone told me about your mom being a drug addict and your little brother dying and your dad leaving you all. But now I don't care."

"I never pitied you when I heard about your father. I actually laughed. I have a suggestion for you." Reyna lifted her hands and pushed Gabriella sadistically, making her fall backwards. "Burn in hell, bitch. I'll be sure to see you there." Then she walked away. Rayline quickly helped Gabriella up. "Gabriella, are you okay? My god, high school was never this cruel back in the nineteen hundreds."

"I'm fine," Gabriella insisted. She wiped off the back of her dress and sighed. "But I'm ready to go home."

"I'll make some hot chocolate and we can all sit and watch a movie," Rosie said. But Gabriella looked at her forlornly and shook her head. "No, Rosie. I mean, I want to go home. Back in LA."

Dun, dun, dun!