Dinner

Gabriella sighed as she entered her new room, and laid down onto her Queen-sized bed, completely exhausted. Geez, shopping with Tiffany-Claire is so excruciating. Although, Gabriella couldn't lie, the woman had a nice taste in clothing. Maybe she was just a little too into expensive designer clothing and material with sparkles and sequins, but that definition described Sharpay back in Albuquerque perfectly. They would get along well… Gabriella noted. She was very sure that Tiffany-Claire was only being nice to her because of Roberto, and secretly, hated her guts.

She glanced over her shoulder to spot her Mac, smiling as she bounced over toward it and opened it up. She sighed heavily, knowing this would probably be her only chance to get into contact with her friends. Scanning through her emails, she spotted an unread email from Taylor. Clicking on it, Gabriella fixated her eyes upon the email.

Hey Gabs! Troy told me he was with you at the airport for your departure this morning! Tell me how it went, girl! How's NY? I just got home from our Decathlon Meetingl! (But with the time difference, I'm guessing its like…seven there or something) Anyway, I think today's meeting was one of the least productive meetings we've had all month. It felt so incomplete without you present. We need you SO badly right now. : ( Miss you lots. Email me back on all the delish stuff happening in NYC!

P.S. Troy was so completely bummed at school today without you. ; ) Just thought you should know.

P.S.S. DID YOU REALLY MEET ORLANDO BLOOM!?!?!?!?!?!

Gabriella laughed to herself; news around there sure spread fast. She quickly responded to her friend and told her all about her shopping spree, her father's home, Tiffany-Claire, Libby Belle, the coffee/frappuccino making machine, the Mac, the amazing room, and just…New York itself. Gabriella couldn't lie and say that she hated New York. She had fell in love with the city within a few hours. She almost felt guilty about forgetting all about Albuquerque

I'm sure I'll remember it tonight when I go up to the roof and see no stars…Gabriella thought to herself, before clicking on Google and downloading AIM 4.7 that was especially designed for a Macintosh. After signing onto her screen name, she quickly IMed Troy.

GaBIbaBe: hey

Bball_T-star: Hey! How's NY!?!? I miss you so much

GaBIbaBe: lol its awesome!!! I love it here!

Gabriella wondered if Troy was somewhat saddened by this, but realized that Troy probably would be happy that she's enjoying her stay in New York.

Bball_T-star: ahh. so i reckon u don't miss me? : ' (

GaBIbaBe: lol

Troy didn't respond after that. Gabriella knew that she should have at least added, 'I miss u 2' but at that moment she had so much to check, her mind already overflowing with things to do.

"Ella, dear!" Tiffany-Claire's nasally voice rang out from the hallway. Gabriella groaned, glancing down at the time on her watch, which was still in Albuquerque time. It read 5:55 P.M, meaning that it was 7:55 P.M. in New York. And that could only mean one thing, Roberto must have come home —to his newer and better family. Gabriella sighed, cringing at the new nickname as she quickly set up her away message.

"GABRIELLA!" She heard a man's voice call out. Gabriella sighedm knowing fully well that it was time to face the music.

Descending downstairs, attired in her new black sequin covered tank top, a red satin RL shrunken blazer, black ankle boots, and a silver H&M skirt, she gulped.

Gabriella peered down the hallway, her eyes falling on the same man that visited her home just a few weeks ago. Roberto stood in the living room, his mouth covered in red lipstick that was obviously from Tiffany's kisses, dressed in a formal black business suit.

Roberto's eyes widened as soon as he spotted Gabriella walking cautiously through the hallway. "Mija!" He exclaimed, dropping his vinyl briefcase on the floor before running towards her, embracing her in a tight hug.

"Ach hem…" Tiffany-Claire cleared her throat, her eyes narrowing as she watched the sickenly sweet father-daughter moment.

"I mean…daughter."

Gabriella blinked, confused. Why isn't he allowed to speak his own native language? He chastised ME for not using it!

Strike two.

"Robby-kins…dinner is, like, waiting…" Tiffany-Claire whined into his ear, tugging at his arm as she pulled him away from his daughter.

"Sorry, sugar…" Robby replied, not a hint of an accent penetrating his speech.

Gabriella, feeling like a complete stranger, followed the flirtatious Tiffany, the non-Spanish Roberto, and the bratty Libby Belle into the dining room. She took a seat next to Libby Belle on one of the uncomfortable glass chairs, trying to make the sheepskin form to her body.

"Your dinner is served…" A tall, suit-clad butler padded into the room with two large silver trays in each hand. He set the trays down on the reflective glass table and pulled off each lid. One tray contained eight perfect pieces of Filet Mignon garnished with mushrooms, onions, and red peppers. The second tray bore four bowls of French onion soup, and a large cheese grater on the side.

"What would you like for a refreshment, madame?" The butler politely asked Gabriella.

"Uh…can I have a Pepsi?"

"With or without lemon?"

"With."

"With or without ice?"

"Without."

"Merci. Your drinks will be here momentarily."

After the man disappeared, Gabriella shifted her body to face her father. "Do you get this service everyday? I mean…papi…if you're doing this just for me, I'm terribly sorry. I don't want to be a burden…"

"Daughter, this is my life. We eat this way every breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

Gabriella shook her head, her eyes staring down at the dishes in disbelief. Did they really hire a French butler/caterer for their own apartment? Granted, the apartment was most likely bigger than her house, but did they really need all these... accessories?

Gabriella then realized that she had never had every whim attended to her before. The closest she had gotten to that kind of service was when Troy's mom invited her to Troy's close-cousin's wedding! They had a huge catering and waitressing service.

She watched as Libby Belle's grubby hand shot out to grab the tongs for the Filet Mignon.

"Sweetie…" Tiffany-Claire said in a all-too-sugary-sweet tone, "You're on a diet remember? I'll just tell Elfred to bring you a nice chicken salad."

Gabriella shuddered at the sound of the Butler's name. It was way too close to Belfred, Sharpay's butler's name.

Kids on a diet? She thought. I mean…LB isn't even CLOSE to chubby, unless you count that little bit of baby weight. Tiffany-Claire freaks me out…

-----------------

That night, Gabriella sat in her bed, staring up at her blank ceiling. I miss my stars…She thought as she took one of her overstuffed goose-down pillows and threw it up into the air. It hit the ceiling before crashing back down.

"Stars…" She blurted out to the empty room.

Gabriella stood up and padded over to her large bay window slowly. Looking out, she saw nothing but navy blue sky and a plane passing by.

No stars…

No stars.