So I had already typed this chapter, well most of it anyway and then my computer decides to go to hibernation mode for life and never turn on. Technology doesn't like me…
Disclaimer: I don't own High School Musical.
And thank you to all my reviewers!! -cornique chaylor girl, rythem513, Matt the Batman Fan, xxMissCutiexx, Cat 2, Chaylorlovr58, xo-ChaylorGGQueen-xo, and Always-Here-Imani.-
Chad made his way back inside the house. Troy and Gabriella just looked at each other before following his lead. Troy bringing up the rear closed the door behind them.
" Well, we can still finish this movie, if you guys want to," Gabriella said, making light conversation. " But I know it's sorta a chick flick and seeing as I'm the only chick here…"
" Nah, it's alright Gabi, I'm sure Chad was enjoying the movie, wasn't he?" Troy asked to apparently no one as Chad stood in silence.
Gabriella walked up to him. " Chad, are you alright? Did something happen between you and Taylor?"
" What? Oh, um, everything is cool. Everything is great. I just think I should be getting home," Chad answered rubbing his head.
Troy questioned, "Are you sure man?"
" Yeah, yeah I think it's best."
" Oh, well, it was nice having you Chad, we should do this more often," Gabriella said.
" Sure, that'll be great," Chad mumbled as he turned and began to walk towards the door. But the door already opened before he reached it, revealing Gabriella's mom donning a smile from cheek to cheek.
" Gabriella, I have good news," she announced as she ran up and hugged her daughter.
Gabriella looked baffled. " What is it, Mom?"
" Ricardo got the position, he's gonna be filling in as a part time substitute at your school!"
" Oh that's wonderful. Is he coming over?" she asked.
" In a little while. He said he had to stop by his place and pick up a few things."
" I'm sorry guys, how rude of me, but Ricardo is my mom's boyfriend, practically my second father," Gabriella said.
" Oh, Gabriella, hush," her mother replied slightly waving her hand to her.
" He's been hoping to get a job at East High for a while now. If anyone deserved it, it's him."
Troy commented, " Well maybe he'll take over for Ms. Darbus. I'm telling you, she's not the greatest way to start your day."
Gabriella chuckled. "Troy, you have to admit she's grown on you."
" No comment."
"Hello Troy and Chad. Were you guys leaving? You're more than welcome to stay for dinner," Ms. Montez explained.
" No thanks, Ms. Montez, I should head home," Chad said.
Troy shrugged. " I can stay for a little while longer."
" Well, you're more than welcome to. I guess we'll see you later then, Chad."
" Ok, bye." Chad placed his hand in his pocket.
Gabriella could be heard bouncing up and down. " Maybe you'll get to meet Ricardo, you'll love him, he's so nice," Chad could hear her exclaimed, which only deepened his depression.
He never had a father figure after his father's untimely death. Him and his mom were always too busy moving, so his mom never had a chance to settle down with anyone. He guessed she figured this whole experience has been too dramatic for him, he couldn't handle having someone replace his dad.
He made it home at a reasonable time to see his mother on the couch watching television.
" Hey, sweetie, I thought you would be at Gabriella's," she said.
" Decided to come home early. I was going to head out anyway, but once she said her mother's boyfriend was due over, I wanted to get out there quickly." He sat down on the couch next to his mom. "I didn't want it to get to awkward."
" I understand."
" It seems that he's going to be working at the high school soon."
" Oh, that would be good. Maybe a bit unpleasant for Gabriella though," she commented.
Chad shifted his position, "Well, Troy seems to cope with it with Coach there. Guess it can't be too bad."
"Would you want me at your school?"
"Only if you promise to keep the baby pictures on hold."
"Aw, but you were such a cute baby. I can't make on promises I can't keep."
"Mom, can I talk to you about something?" Chad hesitated.
She looked concerned. " Sure, anything you want to talk about, I'm always here for you."
"There's this girl…"
"Aww, my baby likes someone, who is she sweetie?"
Chad groaned, "Mom, it's not like that. It's just, I'm afraid. I'm afraid for her."
His mother looked puzzled. "What is it then?"
" I'm just afraid we're getting too close. And I don't want to put her in any danger…"
" Son, what have I told you about that? The police assured us that we're perfectly safe here in Albuquerque and that we, that's including you, have nothing to worry about."
" I know that," Chad replied, "but still. I've been having these weird feelings that something's gonna happen. Like someone is watching me, waiting to get me. To get us. And even if it's not gonna happen, I don't wanna put her through this. Or any of my friends through this."
" You shouldn't be worrying about that. I assure you, everything will be all right. You are welcome to live your life as a normal teenager like you are."
" That's the only problem isn't it? We're not exactly normal are we?"
She patted Chad's back not being able to find words to say. " Well, I'm about to head upstairs. I have an early day tomorrow. There's some dinner in the fridge if you haven't eaten, as well as those microwave dinners in the freezer that you always seem to like. " She kissed Chad on his forehead as he hastily wiped it off.
" Mom, I'm getting a little old for that," he said.
" You're never too old for me. Good night."
" Night, mom."
Chad got up and made his way into the kitchen wondering how he was going to distance himself from Taylor. For her own sake.
Taylor shoved her English book into her locker then shut it to a close before a hand stopped the familiar slamming sound of her metal cabinet.
" Hello, Chad," she said.
Chad shifted uncomfortably. " Taylor, can we…you know, talk?"
" What about Chad?"
" About the, you know…"
" The kiss?" Taylor questioned.
" Yeah. It's not that I didn't want it, or that I take it back…"
Taylor sighed. "Then what are you saying then?"
" I'm saying that, we….we can't do that again," he confessed.
" We do you mean we can't do that again? You mean I can't kiss you again?"
Chad groaned as he tried to explain this to her. " No, yes, I mean, Taylor, we just have to stay like this."
" Chad, what are you getting on about? I'm not understanding."
" Taylor, yesterday, that kiss, didn't happen. I'm not looking for anyone to get close to right now. I don't want you to get the wrong impression about us."
" The impression that you could actually like me?"
" Taylor…"
" You know Chad, just when you actually begin to display some humanly emotions, you just have to take it all back, don't you?"
Chad swallowed hard, before replying, " I wish you would just heard me out."
" Oh, I've heard you crystal clear." She folded her arms and took a step away from him. "You don't like me and I have no attraction to you whatsoever. Yesterday never happened or will happen again. This conversation is over."
She walked off leaving Chad to close her locker and stand in sadness. Troy approached him.
" Hey man, what's up? Never mind, I've got some news for you, fourth period? It's gonna be a breeze. That dude Gabriella was talking about? Her mom's boyfriend? He's our new sub!"
" Seriously? That's great."
" Yeah, I'm actually going to pass. You should meet him."
" Really Troy?"
" I'm not joking. You know I never get serious about my teachers. You gotta know this dude is cool."
"Well, I have nothing else to do now." After sulking about Taylor, he followed Troy into their fourth period classroom, before Chad stopped in his tracks. From his beady eyes to his callous fingers, he knew his nightmare was true.
" Chad, meet Mr. Thomas," Troy said.
You could've probably see that coming. Sorry for the late update, but please review and be nice!