Disclaimer: I own nothing

AN: I'm dedicating this chapter to casstudies and peterpan27 because they review everything! Thanks!

Chapter 3: Thanksgiving Homework

School had been in session for a while now, Carl still followed them around. Unfortunately he made the basketball team, which practiced three times a week. The guys hated having him around since all he talked about was Gabi. One morning, as Gabi sat in her education class, she got the worst assignment of a lifetime.

"Thanksgiving break is next week, how many of you are able to go home next week." The professor asked.

"Able: yes, yearning: no." Gabi thought, but nonetheless raised her hand.

"Good so that's everyone, then your assignment over the break is to go to your old high school and talk to one of the teachers, of the subject you wish to teach. If you are majoring in special ed, then any teacher, and get a list of teaching tips from them. From there you will write a 1000 word paper on how those tips would help make you a better teacher. Any questions?" the bell sounded, "Good I'll see you next class."

The class began to file out as Gabi sat there, in shock. She finally got up and made her way to the cafeteria, where she was meeting her friends. She walked in and claimed their table. She was staring straight ahead when Troy, Chad, and Jason walked in.

"Hey Ella." Troy greeted her. No response, "El?"

"Yo Hot Stuff!" Chad waved his basketball in her face.

"Briella? Briella Bella?" Jason asked nudging her.

"Hey what's up guys?" Ryan asked as he, Miley, Sharpay, and Kelsi entered.

"What's up with Boo?" Shar asked pointing to me. Everyone shrugged as if to say, "hell if we know."

"SHAR!" Zeke called from across the cafeteria. She absently waved him over as she stared worriedly at Gabi.

Zeke and Taylor made their way over, "What's up?" Taylor asked. Everyone pointed at me.

Just then Carl came up, "Hey guys." Everyone groaned. "What's up with Gabi?" No one responded, "Well, I'll snap her out of it." Before anyone could respond he leaned down to kiss Gabi.

Gabi stood up, knocking the chair to the floor, she knew right away that it wasn't Troy that was kissing her. She slapped Carl and pushed him away, only then looking to see whom it was. "Carl?" She asked, "What the fuck? Why the hell were you kissing me?" She screamed.

The entire cafeteria turned to look at the scene in the far left corner. "What you were zoning out and I knew I could wake you up out of it." He explained, as if it were nothing.

"That is not an excuse. I do not need you kissing me. I do not want you kissing me. In fact, I don't want you near me. So just go away." Gabi screamed.

"Come on baby, you know you love it doll." Carl said in his creepy way.

"Go to hell." Gabi hissed before storming out of the cafeteria with her friends trailing behind her, laughing.

Carl stood in the middle of the cafeteria embarrassed and mad. No one talked to him like that. He was popular, on the basketball team, he got whatever he wanted, and he wanted Gabriella Montez, he didn't understand what she saw in Troy, he was nowhere near as good-looking as he was, or so Carl thought (UGH NO ONE IS BETTER LOOKING THAT ZAC EFRON! SORRY I KNOW IT'S A MATTER OF OPINION)

Gabi kept walking, she didn't know where she was going, but she knew she had to get away from the cafeteria. "Boo where are we going?" Pay panted as she tried to keep up with her best friend. Gabi didn't respond however.

"Come Hot Stuff, can we at least stop for food?" Chad whined.

Gabi turned around to face him, "Is that all you EVER think about? Food? It's always food this and food that." She screamed in his face before turning on her heel and storming off again.

"Look you guys go feed Chad and give her time to chill, I'll handle this." Troy said, running after his fleeing girlfriend. He found her sitting by the fountain that they always met Ryan and Miley at before classes began. He sat down next to her, "Okay El, what's up?"

"I can't believe I have to go back." She mumbled

"Back where?" Troy asked, slipping an arm around her waist.

"Jacksonville. Specifically Episcopal." She sighed and laid her head on Troy's shoulder.

"And why do we have to go back there?"

"Homework." At Troy's confused look, Gabi went on to explain her education assignment.

"Well, I'll go with you, and I'm sure the rest of the guys will go too. How about this: the day that classes get out we fly to Jacksonville. The next day we go to EHS and get what you need, and fly out that night. Then we can still spend Thanksgiving here and you don't have to spend that much time at EHS." She smiled up at him, "And you probably won't run into one of your 'friends'." Troy added, knowing that that was what was really bothering her.

"I'd like that." She said,

"Okay, now let's get some lunch before class starts, then you can come watch practice if you want." He said, kissing her forehead as he got up and held his hand out for her to take.

NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT

It was the night before their last day of school. Each member of the gang was in their rooms furiously packing up for their quick trip to Jacksonville. No one was excited about going, all of them were remembering their last visit there.

FLASHBACK

When they walked into the little deli they were shocked to find their friends there. Peter looked up and said, really loudly, "Gabriella?"

Gabby heard her name and cursed, "Shit! Pay, look who's here." She quickly plastered a smile on her face as the table of her friends turned to look at her. The table consisted of Peter, Tyler, Kevin, Carl (DIFFERENT CARL FROM THE ONE AT UCLA – DIDN'T REALIZE I USED THE SAME NAME SORRY), Christine, Cameron, Taylor, Alex, Tess, and Meghan. Kelsi looked at her new family and nodded. She then led them over to the table. She quickly led the introductions and the guys looked skeptically at Troy, Chad, Jason, and Zeke.

"So you go to L.A. and you bring back a bunch of beach bums?" Carl said sarcastically.

"What on earth do you know Carl?! Just back off. We're not going to be here much longer anyways." Troy gently wrapped his arm around Gabby's waist.

"Ella it's okay, we're not offended." Troy whispered

"Well I am." She responded and quickly headed towards the front of the deli to get in line.

"Look," Peter began, "there's no need to get bent out of shape. He only speaks the truth. Ya'll took off without a word."

"Yeah, so what is it to you?" Sharpay yelled, getting looks from the other clientele. "We're moving in a couple of days so you won't have to worry your pretty little head about us for much longer." With that she stomped off to Gabby and Troy.

"Sorry, stress…" Zeke lamely apologized, then followed Sharpay.

"You're moving now?" Meghan asked, "And where do you think you're going to live?"

"We have apartments in L.A." Kelsi answered sharply, it surprised everyone. The table got quiet for a few minutes then Taylor spoke.

"It's nice to know that ya'll are so supportive of our decisions after what we've been through. Instead of being nice, you're all just patronizing. Bye." With that Taylor, Chad, Kelsi, Jason, Ryan, and Miley went to stand in line with Gabby, Troy, Sharpay, and Zeke. They decided to order their food to-go and eat at home.

END OF FLASHBACK

The last thing they wanted was a repeat of that. Since they came to L.A. five months ago, their lives were all finally coming together, for the first time really. Everyone was happy, despite having to deal with Carl Griscom.

The next morning the gang was up bright and early for classes. Once that torture finally ended they packed up their bags in their cars and headed out to the airport. They checked their luggage in, and made their way to the boarding gate. They waited for forever, as Chad said.

"G-d you are so impatient." Taylor scolded him. He just nodded and grinned like a fool, making Taylor just shake her head in disbelief.

They finally boarded the plane for the long flight to Jacksonville. Once they landed, they picked up their bags and went to rent two large cars.

Troy walked into the car rental shop at the airport. "Yes I need to rent a car." He told the lady behind the counter.

She smiled flirtatiously, "And what kind of car would you like?" she giggled.

Troy sighed, "A car around the size of an Envoy." He replied.

"Well we have two Envoys. Would you like one of them?" She asked as she gently laid a hand on his arm.

Troy shook her hand off his arm and replied, "Yes that's fine." He quickly filled out the paper work and left the office with the keys in his hand. "Ryan, there's one more Envoy left in there, try and get it. Oh and be careful." He warned

"Why?" Ryan asked

"You'll see." Troy said as he went and got the car from the lot to pull up front.

15 minutes later Ryan left the rental office with the other set of Envoy keys in his hands. He looked, shocked, needless to say. "Hey baby, what's wrong?" Miley asked him, looking at his pale complexion.

"I've never met a bigger flirt in my life." He sighed

"Did you like Mary?" Troy asked sarcastically.

"Yeah, dude, I loved her." Ryan spat, they both shuddered as the gang laughed at them.

Once they had all the luggage loaded up they headed to the hotel. They checked into their five rooms and unpacked. "Oh my G-d." Gabi said with a sigh, as she plopped down on the bed.

"What baby?" Troy asked, laying down next to her, as he gently rubbed her arms and nipped at her neck.

"I'm so tired, it's 5 AM." She whined

"Let's get some sleep, we'll get a late breakfast and then head over to the school." He suggested, but Gabi was already asleep. Troy chuckled and grabbed his phone. He called up all his friends to tell them the plan, turned off the light, and curled up next to Gabi to catch some shut eye.

At 9 AM, the gang was rested and sitting in the lobby waiting on Chad and Taylor. Finally they came into the lobby. "Sorry," Chad apologized, "I couldn't find my basketball." He explained, everyone nodded and headed into the dinning room for some breakfast. At 9:45, they were piling in the cars to head off to EHS.

"Okay, we have to sign in and then I have to find Mr. Jevic." Gabi explained, referring to her A.P. Chem. teacher. The gang made their way to the front office. They quickly signed in, trying to avoid the annoying conversations about how they were doing.

"I'm want to talk to Mr. Crandall." Ryan said when they left the office.

"And I want to see Mrs. Black." Sharpay replied.

"I want to see how Mrs. Ed is." Taylor piped up

"Yeah, well I want to see Mr. Tippins." Kelsi replied.

"Okay so go see the teachers you want to see, then call me and we'll meet up." Troy suggested. Everyone agreed and went their separate ways. Gabi and Troy entered Mr. Jevic's classroom to find a new teacher, or a sub, there.

"Um, is Mr. Jevic not here today?" Gabi asked

"He's in the teacher's lounge this period." A student piped up. Gabi nodded her thanks and she and Troy headed that way.

Troy held the door open and Gabi walked into the teacher's lounge. She spotted Mr. Jevic and noticed that he was talking to a group of teachers, that were standing in a circle. She stopped when she heard one particular voice, "Great." She thought.

"What's up Ella?" Troy asked, when he saw her stop, "Is he not in here?" Troy asked. When Gabi didn't respond he tried again, "El?" he asked, louder as he waved a hand in front of her face. No one seemed to notice them.

"Shh." She demanded. Troy shut up as Gabi took a step closer to the circle.

A voice was speaking, "I saw her about a week after they left after graduation. They had bought apartments in L.A., and they met a group of beach bums that they were hanging with. I tell you, them packing up and heading off to L.A., was irrational and impulsive. They're probably having all sorts of problems, it's really sad." Gabi scoffed, loudly, causing the circle to turn around and face a young man they didn't know and Gabriella Montez.

Gabi stepped forward, "Hey Peter. How's tricks?" she asked sarcastically. Then she looked around at the teachers spitefully. "Good to see you practice what you teach." She looked directly at Mr. Levenson, "You know the whole don't talk about people behind their backs and don't judge situations you can't possibly understand." She spat.

"El, breathe." Troy whispered, putting his hand gently on her shoulder. Gabi took a breath.

"Hey Gabi." Peter said, trying to give her a hug, but she just took a step back and laughed as if to say, "you wish". Peter stopped and frowned.

"This is-" Gabi began to introduce Troy, but Mr. Nash interrupted.

"Troy Bolton." Mr. Nash said, "I've seen your pre-season practice games. You're amazing, better than some of the seniors, better than your captain that's for sure." He stuck his hand out.

"Nice to meet you-" Troy stuttered.

"Oh, Jake Nash."

"Mr. Nash, and thank you, but that's not true, I only hope I can be that good someday." Troy humbly replied.

"Troy plays basketball for UCLA, he was one of the five recruited players, guaranteed a spot on the team." Gabi proudly explained. "Now, as to why I'm here. I came to talk to Mr. Jevic, it's an assignment for my education course." Gabi turned to Peter, "And you can stop talking about how awful we're doing, because-"

"Chad Danforth?" Mr. Nash asked incredulously.

Gabi turned to look, "Yes Chad Danforth." She said in an exasperated voice, as Chad and Taylor walked in. She turned back to Peter, "You have no idea what our life was like now it's-"

"Jason Cross?" Mr. Nash stated in shock.

"Yes Jason Cross," Gabi said without even turning around, "and Zeke Baylor is on campus too, with Pay." She turned back to Peter AGAIN, "finally coming together, so just back off and don't judge us like you're better than us." She was now right in his face.

"Wow, Zeke Baylor." Mr. Nash said.

Gabi groaned, "Yes, they're all here! They're the 'beach bums' that Peter was telling you about, them and Miley Cole, their friend from high school who is around here somewhere with Ryan."

"Oh we're right here." Miley's southern accent echoed through the room.

"El, why don't we take Mr. Jevic outside and get what you came here for. You're getting way too upset here." Troy whispered as he protectively slipped an arm around her waist. Gabi nodded and asked Mr. Jevic if he had a few minutes. He nodded and she led him outside with Troy following, leaving Mr. Nash, a huge UCLA fan, to harass Zeke, Chad, and Jason.

Once Gabi got the information she needed she and Troy walked back into the teacher's lounge. "I got it."

"Thank G-d." Miley, Sharpay, Taylor, and Kelsi chorused. Gabi tossed one backwards glance at Peter and her teachers before leaving the lounge with her family following her all the way. The group went back to the hotel and made flight arrangements to be on a plane in 5 hours headed back to L.A. for Thanksgiving.

AN: Okay so this is kind of long for me, but I hope you like it. Can I please have 5 reviews before my next update??

Mollie XOXO