Summary: Things don't always work out the way they should. You live. You learn. But what about love? This is about love working in strange ways.
Disclaimer: I own not ONE thing from HSM!
Chapter Four.
Waking up without the worry of being late was fantastic. It was Friday and that meant no volunteer work for Chad to rush off to. Tousled and cocooned within his bed sheets, the East High student lavished in bed.
Sleeping in and staying up late was how summer was supposed to be spent. Though he had plans for the day, Chad desperately wanted to lie in bed. Last night he got a text from Ryan who wanted to gather the whole group together and go out. How could he say no to that? With a few more texts and a phone call from Taylor, who offered to pick him, Chad's afternoon was set.
Delaying the moment before he had to wash up, Chad retrieved his laptop which he had left on the floor. He checked his email, Twitter, Facebook, and surfed iTunes before settling on watching a few episodes of Iron Man on Netflix. Smiling to himself as to why he had chosen an old cartoon favorite, Chad settled back on a few pillows.
After two short episodes, he rolled out of bed – literally – and pulled himself towards his bathroom. He went about his daily rituals and was soon squeaky clean. Combing his fingers through his damp hair, Chad appraised his choice of clothes. He hadn't realized it but choosing outfits was a decent outlet for him to express the little creativity he possessed; what else was a graphic tee for? At the hospital he wore loose fitted jeans and a scrubs shirt. Although he missed his shirts with clever sayings, he had to admit: having a uniform made his life easier. It shaved off some time in the morning which allowed him that much longer to sleep.
Deciding on a black T-shirt with a large, distressed Run DMC logo, slim-fitting dark wash jeans, and a pair of forest green corduroy Converse, Chad finished getting ready.
A polyphonic beep went off, signaling an incoming text. It was Taylor.
I'm about 15 minutes away. We also need to get Jason and Gabriella.
No prob. Honk when you get here. Chad responded.
Heading downstairs, Chad shut off the air conditioning. His better judgment shouted for him to keep it on. It was July in New Mexico. It would be scorching outside and stifling in the house once he returned. But, he still turned it off. Though, he decided to at least pull his hair back into a ponytail while it was still wet. That would help…maybe?
Rummaging about the kitchen cabinets, he pulled out some water crackers, smearing peanut butter on a few. It wasn't long before he heard Taylor honking outside. Grabbing his keys, wallet, phone, and Ray-Ban sunglasses, Chad locked up the house and prepared for a day spent with friends.
A blast of heat sizzled on his skin has he hustled to Taylor's Toyota Camry. Living in New Mexico teaches one to handle the heat, dry as it is, and manage through summer. But leaving the house before the heat kicked in and coming home as the temperature was slowly lowering, Chad was spoiled during his work week.
"Long time no see." Said Taylor as she pulled out of the driveway.
"Oh shut it. You could easily call me to do something after I get back." He melted with satisfaction as the AC kicked in hard.
"Hm, got me there. So, how are you?"
"So glad that it's Friday!"
"Volunteering that hard?"
Rolling his eyes, Chad responded. "You know it's not."
Taylor was the first person he had told about the hospital position. She was his main and best friend. He loved having the others as companions but he'd known her the longest. They all knew that his parents were in the process of a divorce and knew that he thought it was for the best. Taylor, on the other hand, knew how it ate up his insides walking by his mother's room and realizing it was once his parents'.
He never kept a thing from her…except Troy. That was the one and only secret he ever wanted to keep from her.
"I'm still filing, cleaning, and helping whenever. I have, however, started processing the patients who come in for therapeutic purposes."
"Therapeutic? Oh my word. Such a big word!"
He lightly shoved her. Giggling, Taylor continued to poke fun at his vernacular. Turning left, the twosome drove up to Gabriella's house. Yet again honking, Taylor signaled her presence.
"You won't get out for you best girlfriend? Geez, you've become hard in your old age." Chad laughed; Taylor was the first to turn 18.
"It's too damn hot for my liking."
Gabriella was still fairly new to the group. She moved to Albuquerque from Miami with her mother at the beginning of this past semester. The Latina was super brainy – even giving Taylor a run for valedictorian every so often. Kind and shy, she was actually a perfect addition to the cast of random, outspoken personalities that consisted of Chad's core group of friends.
However…Kelsi had her fair share of quiet, timorous moments.
"Hey, guys. Jason just texted that he's walking over. He'll be here in second."
Taylor turned the key, effectively shutting off the engine. "He better hurry up. It is too hot to be sitting here. And it is too hot to be walking around."
From the backseat, Gabriella high-watt smile beamed in the rearview mirror.
"This is nothing compared to Florida! There's barely any humidity here. You people are so lucky here. Dry heat and no imminent threats of a hurricane? This is easy."
"Blah, blah, blah. Try surviving a desert then come talk to me!"
"You camped out in the desert?"
Taylor shoved Chad. "Don't fall for his lies, Gabi. The closest he's been to the desert is a sandbox."
Everyone erupted into laughter.
"There's Cross." Chad called over the din.
The power forward of the East High varsity basketball team came into view. He knew Jason lived nearby but not close enough to walk in this 100 degree heat. He liked his friend but sometimes wondered what went through his head.
"Sup?" He uttered as he got into the backseat behind Chad.
"Nothing…waiting for you. Why walk?" questioned Chad.
"Why waste gas?"
"Gotcha there, Danforth." Taylor giggled as she started up the car.
The banter in the car caused the 30 min drive to Jillian's to whirl by.
Jillian's was where arcades and restaurants went to make awesome babies…at least that's how Chad saw it. It was a newly constructed franchise that housed the largest arcade seen in New Mexico. From typical video games, pinball machines, virtual reality, and carnival games, Jillian's was a gamer's paradise. Then, to top it all off, there was a restaurant. The food was the best possible. Burgers, fries, wings, nachos were the standard fare the boys chowed down on while "real" foods such as salads, parfaits, and entrees appealed to the girls. But both sexes agreed that the bucket sundaes were the top notch.
Once the foursome arrived, Jason called Zeke, the center on the team, to check to see if the rest of the enormous group had made it.
"He told me that they'll be here in 5 minutes. Let's go in." Jason informed them.
"Fall out!" Taylor announced as she turned off the car.
The passengers followed her lead and enter the cool building. The lighting was a bit dim but the flashing lights from the games and prizes gave enough illumination to the room.
Since it was summer, the place was packed. Thankful for the plethora of machines, Chad did wonder if they should find a booth. There was going to be eight people and it looked like the seats were filling quickly.
"I think we should find some seats before we go off." Chad suggested.
Gabriella seemed to be appraising the place as well since she was the first to agree.
Scoping out the nearest booth, the four Wildcats took their seats.
The bit of money Chad had was burning a hole in his wallet. Everyone needed to arrive now so that he could load up his game card and begin to obliterate the guys at Nothing but Net and Dayton USA.
"Does this mean we're going to eat first? I've been craving their onion tower." Jason pulled out a small, spiral notebook-bound menu from the center holder on the table.
"Oh God, I forgot about those. We need to order one now!" said Chad.
"You mean order three. Ryan and myself can easily put away two between us." Taylor smiled as she loosed her hair from her hair tie.
"That's very true." Gabriella said as she pulled another menu to share with Taylor.
Taking one for himself, Chad mesmerized over the menu. Where to start?
"Can't wait 5 minutes for the rest of us?" huffed Sharpay. No one looked up from their menus; her voice was just distinctive.
"Nope." Jason responded. "Chad, I think I should try their burrito challenge."
"Boys," Sharpay sighed as she scooted into the booth next to Gabriella. Zeke followed behind her. Ryan and Kelsi brought up the rear, discreetly letting go of their entangled hands.
"Hey guys!" Chad greeted the newcomers.
Zeke slapped hands with his captain from across the table. "Not much. Didn't think we'd see you ever again."
"What the hell is with everyone thinking they can't see me? I get off at 3 o'clock Monday through Thursday. It's not like I'm off in another state."
The group erupted into laughter.
"We just miss your loud mouth." Kelsi said sweetly.
Only she could insult you and make you want to hug her tight.
"And I miss hearing all about you and Ryan. How's the lovely couple?" He sneered.
That quieted the composer.
And again did the table of friends erupt into noise, though this time it was 'oohs' at how Chad effectively turned the tables.
It was tradition to give whoever was dating a new person a rough time of it while the euphoria of new love lingered in the air. Jason was the first person to receive the friendly ribbing because he was disgusting to be around freshman year when he briefly dated Martha Cox. Since then everyone has been up to bat – except Gabriella – and the last good torture was when Sharpay and Zeke got together four months ago.
"Yes, Ryan, how is everything?" Taylor turned towards his direction at the end of the booth, chin resting in her right hand.
Chad winked at the academic decathlon captain. This was why she was his best friend; she always backed him up and he always jumped on her bandwagon.
"Taylor! I thought you were better than that." Ryan gasped dramatically while he snatched the last menu from the holder for added effect.
"I am. I plan on ordering two onion ring towers. Now, go. Is it love?" She bantered.
"Is there a china pattern set yet?" Gabriella added. She was fitting in all too well.
"That might be a bit too soon, Gabi. They first need to pick a place to live: the country club or the guest house on Mommy and Daddy's estate." Zeke stated.
"On the estate. I'm sure of it." Sharpay spoke.
"Okay. Okay." Ryan draped his arm around his girlfriend who was blushing violently. "We get it. You all are so funny."
Chad assumed that things had to be going well because with Ryan's touch, Kelsi seemed to calm down and gathered herself enough to speak. "Actually, this first month has been simply perfect. That's all you fools need to know."
The table of eight settled down again. Before long, the waiter came along. Taking the drink orders, the table was left again to themselves.
"Okay. So, let's catch up. How is everyone doing?" Chad asked once his glass of water was set in front of him.
"I've started working under the executive chef at Lava Springs." Zeke announced as he stole a sip of Sharpay's Shirley Temple.
"You work at Lava Springs?"
"Yeah, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the weekends."
"Me, too. I lifeguard every weekend, Monday, and Wednesday." Gabriella said.
Now that was a bit of a shock. "When did that happen?"
"Got the call that week you started at the hospital." Responded the "Einsteinette".
"Okay. So two others in this group are off working yet I'm getting all the flack? This is an injustice!"
"Not really. We never imagined you volunteering at the hospital. How is that going by the way?" Jason spoke up.
Chad chewed the side of his cheek. He knew the question would be asked. He knew that he wouldn't mention the wrestling captain being housed in the eating disorder clinic. And he knew what he was going to say…that was until he was placed in the situation. For a split second, he panicked. What if he let it slip about Troy?
"Um. It's good." He shrugged his shoulders.
"That's all?" Sharpay questioned, a perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched and smirk set in jest on her glossy lips.
Here goes nothing. Just be truthful but not all the way. He mentally prepared himself.
"Well, I thought I would be working in admittance or pushing outgoing patients in wheelchairs. However, that was not set in the cards. The day I was supposed to start was when my mom dropped a bomb; I was to actually help out in the eating disorder clinic."
Letting those words linger, Chad gulped down his water.
"In the eating disorder clinic?" Ryan asked, worry etched between his furrowed brows.
"Yeah. I do clerical stuff, help set out food…just help wherever I can, basically."
Looking over, Chad watched Gabriella shake her head minutely. "But you would think that they wouldn't allow a guy there with all those girls."
"That's what I thought. But there is a male physician. I barely spend any time with the girls. They needed the help a bit last minute so…here I am."
"Wow. Anything major happen?" Jason questioned to his left.
"No. Mercedes - Nurse Jimenez – typically works there. She told me that things tend to happen more on the weekends or evenings. The weekends have less structure to them and that's when visitors are typically able to come which stirs people up. And in the evenings is dinner which tends to be a bit heavier and the newer girls may or may not eat. Also some mornings are rough. I came in this past Tuesday and the newest girl (she's about 17) was up in arms. Apparently she has diabulimia."
The quizzical looks, and just plain bewilderment on Jason's face, confirmed Chad's intelligence. When he first heard the term, he thought the same thing: What?
"It's a newly recognized eating disorder in which insulin is purposefully withheld to lose weight. The patient at the hospital was refusing to get injected. Apparently she was a bit feistier than they anticipated. She shoved Dr. Larin."
That was a weird day. Although he never had to deal with the altercation, the tone for the day was set and that bar was low.
He went deeper into detail about the job but steered clear from Troy Bolton. Soon, their waiter returned and orders were placed.
It was odd sitting with his seven other friends. The conversation wasn't the deepest yet it was thought provoking. From school to jobs to colleges and majors – all topics were discussed. What really intrigued Chad was how simple eating could be. Everyone ordered what they wanted. Ryan and Taylor shared onion rings while guacamole and hummus was passed around the group.
His mouth watered over his BBQ Whiskey burger and steak fries. He ate with gusto and never obsessed about calories or how long he would be working out to burn off the grease. His mind didn't force his body to compulsively throw up or go use laxative. His life and friends were normal. Food was something that enhanced the moment.
Would Troy ever feel like that again?
The rest of the afternoon seemed a blur in hindsight. Bellies satiated, the group of Wildcats went about playing as many games as they could handle. The boys naturally went into competition mood with Chad crushing everyone at "Nothing but Net" then getting crushed by Ryan at Resident Evil.
Today was what he needed. He never thought about the divorce or his father. His mind barely worried about his mother, the needs of the house, or how many more hours before returning to the hospital. It was the best day. Just what he needed.
The hours welded together, solidifying his affection for his seven fantastic friends.
Back in Taylor's car, Chad sang terribly along to the radio while Gabriella and Jason were dropped off. Waving them off, Chad knew that it would be a matter of days before they would all get back together or at least hang out with some of them. Perhaps a game of two-on-two with Jason, Zeke, and Ryan would have to be arranged for the near future.
"Today was just right."
"Good. I'm glad we all hung out. This summer is almost over. Can you believe there's only one week left in July and…"
"Don't you dare." Chad groaned as they drove onto his street.
"I know you don't like to know school is coming back around but it is!"
"Nooooo!"
Taylor sighed at his over-the-top response. "Text me?"
"This weekend. Maybe you could come over and channel surf with me?"
"Most definitely. Goodnight."
Chad leaned over, hugging his oldest friend. He trudged to his front step, watching her car lights fade. Entering the house, Chad swiftly turned up the air conditioning to its highest setting. His mother wouldn't be home until late but he wanted to ensure that the house was comfortable for her.
Setting up downstairs, his mind wandered over to Troy. Now that the two seemed to be on solid footing, Chad liked to ponder about the athlete. With a smile on his lips, for once, he couldn't wait to see Troy again.