Chapter 20:

On Our Way to LA

"Gabriella, did you hear what she said?" Selena said. "She wants you to make that decision. Going with it will only make her stronger."

"No, I mean you guys stay here and I'll go back."

"No, it's either all or none," Reva said. "Like you said when I wanted to leave, we're going with you. We're best sisters and sisters take care of each other."

"You don't have to."

Selena stepped up and grabbed her hand. She smiled at Gabriella through her tears. "We want to."

…

"There he is," Leilani said. Troy walked into the house two hours later. He looked sober but really, really heartbroken. Which nobody understood. Gabriella hadn't cheated on Troy. She was tricked into kissing Hunter. "They're leaving in tomorrow, Troy," Maxine said. "So you have until then to stop her."

"Why would I stop her," Troy said and Gabriella's heart fell. "She can do anything she wants. While she's in LA she's probably fucking the whole community and Hunter."

"Shut up, Troy!" Gabriella demanded, standing up. "I can't believe I actually believed you when you told me you loved me. When you're really just a selfish jerk underneath."

"I'm not going into this again," Troy said. "Goodnight."

"Fine, but don't expect to see me when you wake up in the morning." When he slammed his bedroom door shut it made Gabriella cry harder and get angrier. "Go to hell, Troy!"

…

The next day the trio's bags were packed and they were ready to go.

"Don't go, don't go, don't go!" Sammy cried, hanging onto Reva's leg.

"Sammy, let go of them," Maxine said, prying Sammy away. "They're leaving."

"No one else is coming to say goodbye?" Reva said. She looked over all her friends that she has made here in Albuquerque, but she didn't see Emil, Troy or Leilani. They had stayed home when they left and no one knew why.

"No one else is coming," Gabriella said. But then Emil and Leilani were in show. "Sorry, we're late," Leilani huffed. "Someone tried to keep us from going." She turned her head. Troy was slowly walking up to them, his hands in his pockets. Then Leilani turned back to the trio. "We're really going to miss you guys." After giving everyone one more hug, the trio and Rayline and Owen and Elena were off. Sammy hung onto Maxine and Rosie as the line to gate seven to California started moving onward and then finally departing into the plane. "Bye," he whispered and wiped at his eye.

"Come on, let's go home," Rosie said and every left the airport.

…

Two months later…

The trio walked out onto the stage of The Ellen DeGeneres's Show as the beat of Niki Minaj's Super Bass started playing and the audience roared into applause.

"Wow, you guys look wonderful," Ellen said as they gave each other's hugs and sat down in a seat.

"Thank you," they said at the same time. Ellen laughed. "Wow, robots and celebrities." The girls laughed and so did the crowd. Ellen smiled at them. "So, how is it being back in LA? Does it feel great?"

"Yeah. I mean we're really glad to see our friends and family," Selena answered.

"Well, everyone here wants to know why you guys went to New Mexico. Was it a vacation or something?"

"Yeah, it was sort of a vacation," Gabriella answered. "A little break from the fame world."

Ellen smiled. "And it seems that there was a bit of romance there as well?"

"Yeah, a bit," Reva said, glancing back at Gabriella and Gabriella smiled.

"How did you feel when you came back to Los Angeles and left your guys back?"

"It hurt," Reva answered. "But we still talk and we still talk with all of our other friends."

"Yeah, we met really great people," Selena put in. "They were there to show us clueless celebrities about the normal life."

Ellen laughed. "There could be a show about that. So, what were some flaws about being normal?"

"I got sour milk poured on me," Reva announced. "There was this girl and she pulled a little prank on me and that included pouring sour milk on me."

"Did it stink?"

"Well, yeah. It smelt like fungus or mold mixed with baby powder."

"Mixed with baby powder?" Reva nodded and Ellen shook her head. "Remind me never to use it again. Okay, so Selena your birthday passed. How was it? You're seventeen right?" The crowd went into applause and cheered as Selena nodded.

"Yup. The big one seven. Well, I mean, it's not big, but yeah."

"My god, the first time I had you three on my show was when you guys had no breast and stuff. It's so weird how you guys grew up so fast."

Selena laughed and moved a piece of hair out of her face. "I know."

"Let's talk about Reva's new movie. It's your first movie without your sisters, am I correct? And it's called the Raven Ring?"

Reva nodded. "Yes. And it's kind of weird because I'm used to being on set with my sisters every day and rehearsing with them everyday and now I'm not going to be. But it is exciting at the same time and it's a huge turning point for me and it's telling everyone that I'm finally growing up and that I can do stuff on my own." The crowd went into another applause.

"What is your movie about?"

"It's about a girl named Raven and she finds this ring. She puts it on unaware of the curse that's in it and how it will kill her family. The ring also gives off this power to her and she has to kind of fight it off of her. It's a bit f confusing if you explain it, but you can see it when it comes out to theater November 22nd." The crowd went into applause again. "Oh, and if you don't want to see me die, then you probably don't want to watch it," Reva added.

"You're going to die?"

"You have to wait and see."

"Oh, I thought we were friends. Are we?"

"I mean, yeah. Of course we are. You're just going to have to wait and see."

"No, I don't think we're friends," Ellen said and Reva along with the crowd and her sisters laughed. "Okay, we'll be right back after this break with Gabriella and Reva's love lives." Ellen wiggled her eyebrows and the girls laughed.

…

"Okay, so there is nothing better than love and I have experts here to explain why that is true," Ellen said as the commercials ended. "Gabriella, Reva what do your young minds have to say about love?"

"That it's good and you should cherish it while you can," Gabriella said and the crowd applauded. Ellen leaned in. "Gonna tell us more?"

Gabriella shook her head and smiled. "Nope."

"Well, you aren't my friend either." The crowd laughed again and Ellen smiled. "I'm just messing with you. Okay, so I have this game I want to play with you guys. A couple people who watch this show sent in pictures of other people who look like other celebrities. You have two minutes to identify each picture. Let's start."

On the big screen behind them a picture of someone showed up. "Johnny Depp?" Selena guessed and Ellen laughed.

"I'm pretty sure that's a girl."

"Oh. Then it's Julia Roberts."

"Sure. Okay, next one."

Another picture came onto the screen and Gabriella grinned. "That's easy. Niki Minaj."

"Did the purple and orange hair give her away or did the huge breast?"

Gabriella laughed and nodded. "Yeah. Kind of."

Another picture came up. The girls were quiet trying to identify the celebrity. "You guys seem stuck,' Ellen said.

"Yeah, I mean he kind of looks like Bradley Cooper, but somehow like Cee Lo Green too."

Ellen and the crowd laughed. "I can tell you so many differences that they share. Got any guesses?"

"I'm stuck…"

"How about Michael Myers?" Gabriella said and Ellen nodded.

"Good job."

"What, he doesn't even look like Michael Myers," Reva said.

"Megan Fox," Selena said when the next picture came up. Ellen nodded and the buzzer for time stopped. "Well, I'm not going to lie. You guys did horrible." The crowd and the girls laughed. "But I do have presents for you." Ellen handed them each cameras. "Use those to take some pictures of people and then you can practice your gaming skills."

"Thank you," they said together and Ellen and the crowd started laughing again.

"You guys never get old. Okay, so we'll be back after the commercial with Christine Perri singing Arms. Oh, and everyone in the audience is leaving home with the Montez Trio's hit new album Stars R Rated-X! " The crowd started applauding and cheering and then it went to commercial.

…

"I think those heels gave me blisters," Selena complained when they were home.

"Look, Leilani called. She watched out interview with Good Morning America," Gabriella announced.

"What's the news in Albuquerque?" Reva asked.

"Nothing much," Gabriella said quietly. "Only that Troy and Reyna are together."

"What?" Selena yanked her shoe off and rushed to Gabriella, Reva by her side. "What do you mean Troy and Reyna are together?"

"Exactly that. And I can't believe him. Troy Bolton is nothing but a big fake. He said that he hated Reyna. He's just doing this to make me mad."

"And he's a jerk for doing so," Reva spat. "I seriously want to beat him up now. When is he going to realize that you didn't cheat on him?"

"You know, I don't give a crap anymore," Gabriella said. "We're back in LA now. We don't have to worry about it. Let's just go to the beach or something."

"The best thing about now is that we don't have to go to school anymore," Reva said.

"When mom get's back she said she's hiring a tutor," Gabriella told her.

"How come we couldn't come with Mom?"

"Because the bus is full," Gabriella answered. "Now, come on. I wanna go to the beach while people are still at work and school."

…

"She didn't text me back," Leilani announced. It was free period and everyone excluding Troy and Chad were sat on campus. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that she's heartbroken," Acelyn said and Charlene nodded.

"I can't believe Troy," Maxine said, narrowing her eyes at him and Reyna as they exited the school. They snuck off to his truck and then drove out of the parking lot. "You aren't even allowed to leave school grounds. This is a new him."

"That no one likes," Kelsi put in quietly.

"Except the hag from hell. Does she even have friends anymore?" Charlene said. Leilani shook her head. "Not since she's driven the trio away."

"You guys still talkin' about them?" Sketcher asked as he came over with Emil.

"What do you want Sketcher?"

"I have several tickets to LA," he said. "First class, too."

"How much?" Maxine asked. Sketcher always had a price for his con side. A very pricey price.

"Free. But Leilani must go on a date with me."

"Deal," Maxine said and Leilani looked shocked at her.

"Deal? I am not going on a date with a freshman. Especially not him. You can forget it."

"Oh, come on, Lei. It's just one date. Do it for Troyella and Eva. Please?"

"Yup. Do it for Troyella and Eva," Sketcher prompted. Leilani groaned. "Fine, fine. Pick me up at six. And don't be late or it's over."

"You got it. I'll give you the tickets after the date." Sketcher started walking away.

"Wait, how do I know they are real?" Leilani said, stopping him. Sketcher turned to her and grinned. He pulled out five tickets from his jacket. "Proof. But they're on EBay if you don't give me this date."

"Fine, fine!" Sketcher smirked and kissed her cheek. Leilani quickly jerked back from him and her face creased with disgust. "See ya later, sweetheart." Then Sketcher walked away with a bit of swag going on.

"The trio better be glad that I love them."

"Hey guys."

Everyone looked up. Chad stood there with his basketball under his arm. The team had ditched him because he was in the plot to destroy Gabriella and Troy's relationship. And even though none of them were crazy with Troyella, they were mad that Chad had messed with Troy and Gabriella period.

"What do you want?" Taylor spat. Taylor had broken it off with Chad because of what he did. Chad only had himself, his family and his basketball Billie. "No one wants you here. Point blank."

Chad ignored her. "So, what are you guys doing?"

"Why are you here Chad?" Maxine asked as well and Chad shot her a bemused glance. He was sure Maxine had a crush on him. Did she hate him, too?

"Look, guys, I'm really sorry—"

"Sorry isn't going to cut it, Chad," Leilani said. "And it's not going to bring the girls back or bring our Troy back is it? Just go."

"All right, fine. I know when I'm not wanted," Chad said dejectedly. "But when you see Troy tell him I'm sorry. Oh, and when you talk to Gabriella, too. I know they probably won't forgive me, but can you just tell them?"

"We'll pass it on," Maxine said. Chad nodded a small thanks before walking away.

The bell rung and everyone made the journey going inside and to their next class. But Kelsi made a detour to the music room. She sighed and sat down on the soft leather bench in front of the grand piano. She placed her hands on the keys, but didn't move them.

"What's wrong?" Maxine entered the room and smiled. "You never cut class, Kels." Kelsi smiled at her. She beckoned her to sit next to her and Maxine did. 'This just doesn't feel right," Kelsi said. "Not without Gabriella. I mean, I know I've played before Gabriella came, but I think I need her voice or something close to it."

"What about me?" Maxine suggested. "I could sing a few bars."

Kelsi smiled. "Sure. Sing this one." Kelsi slid over a song and Maxine looked down at it.

"I can almost see it. That dream I'm dreaming but there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it. Every step I'm takin'. Every move I make feels lost with no direction. My faith is shaking. But I gotta keep trying'. Gotta keep my head held high." Maxine smiled. "There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle. Somehow I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waiting on the other side. It's the climb."

"My god," Kelsi breathed. "That is amazing. How come you've never told me about your voice? It's very, very good."

Maxine shrugged. "I wasn't really comfortable with singing yet."

"You can't hide this talent, Maxine. Sing at the fair."

"I don't know…"

"Please? It'll be really cool and fun and I'll be your pianist. Please?" Maxine sighed and then nodded. Kelsi grinned and hugged her. "Great! Now all we need to think about is what song we're going to sing. Oh! We can also practice at my house, lunch time, free period, anytime you'd like…" But Kelsi's voice became a dim flicker in the back of Maxine's mind as she thought. She really wanted to sing with the trio. With everyone. The trio, Troy, Leilani, Taylor, the twins, Kelsi, Chad, Sharpay, and Ryan. But how was she when Selena, Gabriella and Reva were more than a thousand miles away?

…

Later that day, everyone came over to Rosie's house. Leilani, Troy and Emil still lived there even though the trio had moved away. But Rosie was hardly home now and she worked late hours into the morning at the hospital.

"Look who's here," Leilani said, throwing daggers at Troy as he came into the house. But she was shocked to see Reyna coming after him. "And you brought her? Troy, how could you?"

"Listen, Leilani—"

"No, I won't listen, Troy. You know what you're doing and I can't believe you're doing it. You're only doing it to upset Gabriella."

"No, you're just mad that I've finally won," Reyna said. Leilani threw her daggers at her. "Won what, Reyna? Troy? Popularity? What's the point if you're only doing it to hurt other people and to alleviate your own pain away? What's the point?" Reyna breathed through her nose and didn't say anything. Leilani nodded and then look up at Troy. "And what's your point, Troy? To hurt Gabriella more? Don't you understand that she and Hunter had nothing together?"

"I want to believe that she didn't have anything with hunter, but I can't let myself to."

"Why not? What's there not to believe? Troy, Gabriella loves you. I've never seen love more true than yours."

Troy sighed and walked off and up the steps. Reyna started going after him, but Leilani pushed her back. "Go home," she demanded. "And never show your face in this house again."

"Fine. This house looks like garbage anyway," Reyna said and then stormed out. Leilani went after Troy. She opened the door to his and Emil's room. He was laid out on the bed looking up at his ceiling. "Tell me," Leilani pleaded, sitting down by his legs. "Why won't you believe it?"

"Because I don't want another broken heart. I know how gay and cheesy it sounds, but it's true. My breakup with Reyna was already painful and I don't want to go through with it again."

"You won't." Leilani assured him. "Because Gabriella loves you and I know for real that you love her to death." Leilani pinched his arm and grinned at him. "We're going to LA in a day or so and you're going to get your girl back. No if ands or buts."

"I don't know…"

"Seriously, Troy? Get your ass up and start packing. You're going."

…

The doorbell rang and Leilani sighed. She stretched and then got out of her seat and walked to the door. She opened it and her eyebrow rose. "Sketcher?"

"Hey, babe."

"You're like one hour and thirty minutes early. What are you doing here?"

"We have a date. You didn't forget about the tickets, did you?" He pulled out the tickets from his blazer and smiled at her.

Leilani sighed. "Okay, fine. Come in and let me get ready."

Sketcher grinned and walked into the house. Leilani went up stairs and Sketcher pulled out a bottle of perfume. He sprayed it all over him and grinned. "Ew, what is that? A toxic spill or a seriously messed up cologne spray?" Maxine asked.

"It's called Babe Magnet," Sketcher said.

"What kind of babes are you attracting?" Maxine scoffed before walking out of the room. Sketcher shrugged and sat down on the couch.

A few minutes later Leilani came down the steps in a simple tank top with a v-neck multi-colored cardigan covering her and Paris fit stretch knit-jeans. Sketcher gawked at her as he stood up. "Wow, you look beautiful."

Leilani smiled and put on a fake smile. "Thanks. You look…good too." Sketcher didn't find how she forced the words out of her mouth. Sketcher grinned and linked their arms before they walked out of the house. Leilani's eyes went wide when she found the horrendous smell of his cologne. "My god, Sketcher, what is that smell?"

"It's my new cologne that my brother got me," Sketcher answered. "Like it?"

"Uh, yeah. It's…totally in fashion right now. I hear even big celebrities like Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper and Jack Gilinhaul are wearing them."

"That is so awesome," Sketcher said. Leilani had to be nice to him and not make any bad comments that would not get her those tickets. "So Sketcher got a job or something?" Leilani asked when they got in his car. It was a Smart Car. Great.

"Well, yeah. I work at my dad's glue factory," he said. Leilani nodded, but her face creased in disgust. A glue factory? She loved horses! "Oh…that's, um, you know…cool."

"Yeah, I know. But when I grow older and get into college I want to be a photographer. My dad said it was stupid and that I should be working in a factory, but no one but yourself can decided who you're gonna be." Leilani looked at him in surprise. But then her creased face turned into a smile. "That's cool. Do you draw, too?"

"Man, do I. I love to draw. It's like a law for me to complete a master piece every week. Hey, who did all of that awesome art work in your house?"

"Oh, it's not really my house. It's my friend's aunt's house and I'm staying there while my parents are in Maine."

"Oh, wow. I wish I could get away from my parents. Get a break from their harassing and stuff."

"But it's always good to have parents around to have you in check," Leilani reminded him .Sketcher nodded. "I know. I do love them, but they can be a bit much, you know. Oh look, we're here." Sketcher pulled up into the parking lot of the movie theaters.

"What movie are we seeing?" Leilani asked as they started walking to the entrance. Sketcher held the door open for her. "Um, whatever you want."

"Friends With Benefits?"

"Huh?" Sketcher said. His eyes went wide and Leilani's eyes went wide as well when she figured out why he was so worked up. "No! No! Oh, God, no. I mean the movie Friends With Benefits. Clam down, Sketcher."

"Oh, yeah, I knew that," Sketcher lied. He walked up to the window and paid for the tickets. They got their tickets cut and then went to the counters for snacks. "Want some popcorn?" Sketcher asked.

Leilani nodded and Sketcher paid for a large bag of popcorn. Then they went into the movie theater.

After the movie Leilani came out with soda dripping on her outfit and popcorn stuck in her hair. Sketcher was busy getting yelled at by a huge guy. This is what happened. It was the end of the movie and Sketcher went to stand. He accidentally knocked the popcorn and soda out of a guys hand and the snacks went flying onto Leilani. The guy started yelling at Sketcher and Leilani left, wanting nothing more to get out.

This was kind of like a movie when the girl is surprisingly having a nice time and then the boy ruins it. Well, it wasn't Sketcher's fault…

Leilani sighed and walked back into the theater. "Hey!" The guy stopped yelling at Sketcher and looked up at Leilani startled. "Leave him alone. It's not like he meant it because if he did, I would never want to talk to him again and he wouldn't like that. Now go somewhere before I pour every single bag of popcorn and cup of soda onto you." The guy looked at Sketcher then back at Leilani and then he left. Sketcher fixed his outfit. "I taught him a lesson."

Leilani rolled her eyes and pulled him out of the theater. "Let's go, picture boy."

"So, between a one and a ten, how was this date?" Sketcher asked Leilani when they got into the car. Leilani smiled and looked at him. "Um…how about an eight? It would be a ten if I didn't have soda drenching my clothes and popcorn streaking my hair." Leilani laughed and ran a hand through her hair. A few popcorn kernels rained down out of her hair. "But other than that, it was actually nice and fun."

"Really?" Sketcher smiled. "So I could actually get another date with you? Or maybe something more?"

"Hold up there, Sketcher. I'm a junior and you're a freshman. But yeah, maybe we could go on a few other dates."

"Awesome." A few minutes later Sketcher pulled up at the house. Him and Leilani walked quietly to the porch. The light dinged on and Leilani smiled at Sketcher. "It was a really fun night. Kind of." Leilani laughed and so did Sketcher.

Sketcher nodded and put out his hand. Leilani looked at it then looked back up at Sketcher. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into her and then kissed him. Sketcher's eyes went wide, but he closed them the next second. Leilani pulled back. "That's just a first date kiss. We're not going exclusive or anything. So don't get mad if I get a boyfriend."

"I won't," Sketcher promised.

"Okay. Night, Sketcher."

"Goodnight. Oh and here's the tickets." Sketcher took the five tickets out of his blazer.

Leilani smiled and took them. "Thanks. See you on Monday." Sketcher grinned and walked back to his car. He touched his lips with his hands and did a happy dance. Leilani laughed and went to go back inside.

"How was it?" Maxine asked. Sammy was lying on her lap. She sprung out of her seat making Sammy fall off of the couch, but he didn't wake up. "It was surprisingly a good date," Leilani said. "I even gave him a little kiss."

"What?"

"Shocking, I know, but it was just a kiss to tell him I had a really good time."

"Wow. Look, I have the girls on Skype. They went to the beach." Maxine sat down on the couch and pulled her lap top on her lap. The trio was on the screen. "Leilani how was your date with Sketcher?" Reva asked teasingly. Leilani grinned. "It was actually good. I'm surprised."

'Then why are you drenched and have popcorn in your hair?" Selena asked. Leilani grinned. "Well, It was the end of the movie and Sketcher went to stand. He accidentally knocked the popcorn and soda out of a guys hand and the snacks went flying onto me."

"Wow, seems fun," Gabriella said.

"Not really. Hey, I'm gonna wash up but I'll see—I mean talk to you guys later." Maxine shot Leilani a look and Leilani quickly ran off.

"What was that about?" Reva asked.

"Just Leilani being stupid," Maxine said. "Hey, what are you guys doing tomorrow?"

"Um, we don't have an interview or anything. Maybe just lounge around the house."

"Oh, okay. Look, I gotta go," Maxine said.

"Bye," they said and signed out of Skype. Maxine closed her laptop and bent to pick up Sammy. She slowly carried him up stairs and placed him in his bed.

…

"I'm so excited!" Sharpay exclaimed. Maxine, Leilani, Emil, Troy and Sharpay were at the airport. Kelsi couldn't come because she had some compositions she needed to write. The twins could come because there was only one ticket left and they went everywhere together. Taylor couldn't go because her parents said no and Ryan stayed to help Kelsi. So, Sharpay had stepped up right away.

"Sharpay, I still don't get why you need those bags."

"One for each period of the day. Morning, noon, evening and night," Sharpay said. Maxine shook her head and picked up her one suitcase and one of Sharpay's bags. Sharpay bought three bags. One full of shoes, the other full of purses and the last one was full of her clothes. None of it made sense, but that's why everyone loved Sharpay.

…

"I like this style," Gabriella said. She had cut her bangs off finally and let them hang just above her eyes. Then Selena had straightened her hair out and she looked like a whole new other person. Yesterday after the beach they had also went to the mall and bought tons of stuff. Including a cute border-print boho dress. Gabriella had slipped into that wanting to show off her boho style to the world.

"I wonder what Emil is doing," Reva said, holding up a cute leather bomber jacket to her torso. She smiled and put it down and then turned to her sisters. "And everyone else."

"They're living their lives, Rev. Just like you should be doing," Gabriella said. She rubbed lip gloss onto her lips and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

"Are you wearing a push-up bra?" Reva asked Selena. Selena smiled and nodded. She cupped her breast with her hands. "Yup. Now my boobs look bigger."

"Your boobs look like Eva Longoria's," Gabriella said then she stood.

"Loco!" Reva exclaimed as her dog came trotting in the room with dirt scattered around his fur. He left brown paw-prints on the clean white carpet. "What have you been doing, Loco?" Reva bent and picked up Loco. "What has mommy's boy been up to? Huh? What has mommy's boy been up to?"

"Reva, all he sees is your gray and white face and doesn't know what the heck you're talking about," Selena said.

"She doesn't know what she's talking about," Reva said. Then she said in her annoying baby voice, "Isn't that right, Loco? Isn't Selena loco? I know." Reva kissed Loco's nose and then left. Selena shook hr head. She jumped slightly when she heard the ring of the doorbell.

"I'll get it," Gabriella said. She departed from the room and down the stairs. Selena followed her. "Who could it be?"

They found out their answer when Gabriella jerked the door open. She and Selena took in sharp gasps. "Guys?" Selena said.

"Troy?" Gabriella looked astonished at him.