Chapter two
Same old people
I was done unpacking my clothes and needed a cigarette. I walked out on the balcony. So many things happened on this balcony. It's where troy asked me out, its where told each other we love you, it's where we danced, and it's where I told him the news that changed our relationship.
"Gabi?" Eva came in.
"Oh come in Eva" I said. She walked over.
"You still didn't give those things up did you" she laughed.
"What can I say I'm addicted" I laughed.
"So what's up…how's Hollywood and being the famous singer and actress Gabi!" she said.
"It's all goods Eva. What about you? When I left you wanted to be a writer"
"Yea…I got the degree and all but no won will take the book"
"Well give me a copy and I'll talk to Angie"
"Really?"
"Of course Eva! Angie would love to help you out!"
"I mean I don't have that much money…"
"Don't worry about it"
"Gabs we've really wanted you home. You don't know what it's like without you. The boys are always annoying and I and lettie always fight and Daniela is always in it! It gets hard without you around! And daddy might be getting out soon john gets out tomorrow mami is always with abeulo! I miss it when we were kids and we had Gabi to ourselves and didn't have to share her with the rest of the world!" Eva said.
I didn't know she felt that way. When I left she seemed happy for me.
"Gabs don't get me wrong I'm happy for you I'm proud of you I love telling people that im related to you that I used to share a room with you and hear you talk in your sleep! But I still want my sister"
"I know Eva it's just I felt like I had to leave everything and everyone behind that I couldn't look back."
"That even meant leaving the love of your life?" she said.
That, I wasn't prepared for. It felt like a big stab in my heart.
"How is he?"
"He still lives in the same house. His mom gave it to him when her and Mr. Bolton expanded there bank accounts so they moved to the rich part of town"
"Oh" was all I could say.
"He's not with anyone…he's single always has been" she said.
"I wasn't thinking that!" I said.
"Gab I'm your sister I know you better then anyone...you were thinking it" we laughed.
"Oh and um we're all going out you wanna come?" she asked.
"Yea sure give me some time to get ready" I said.
"Ok" and she walked out.
I decided to wear just simple jeans and a tank top. When I was done getting ready I went down the stairs that lead to the kitchen where I saw mami.
"Mami?" I said.
"Oh hi mija" she said. I finally got a good look of her, she looked tired and unhappy.
"Mami, I'm sorry for how I acted at dinner I was just really shocked about Bryan"
"Its ok baby I understand. I'm just so happy your home"
"So john gets out tomorrow?"
"Yea he always asks about you. He's always how Sissy is, I saw her on TV, she looks so different!" she laughed.
"I'm sorry for not coming home. I was just to scared to face everything"
Before I left my dad was put in jail for murder and drugs…which would've been normal for him to be in jail he was always in there more than here. But he killed someone!
"I know mija I know. Just can I ask you to please come back sometimes?"
"I will mami"
"So tell me how the famous life is?"
"It's good I love it there."
"Like all you dreamt of?"
"More mami a whole lot more"
"Do I have a son in law in the works?"
I sighed and stayed silent.
"I know that sigh, baby are you still hung up on troy?"
I looked down.
"Mija maybe this is your chance to rekindle that! Don't let what happened keep you from him still"
"I don't know mami it's like I want that back I want him back but I just can't stop thinking that I made the wrong choice"
"You did what you thought was right!"
"Have you talked to him?"
"Yes I have…he comes by some family nights…"
"That's nice"
"He misses you a lot…"
That made my heart flutter.
"What about daddy?"
"He's still in jail we all go see him…he asks about you too"
I looked away.
"Gabi he misses you. He's always like how's Gabi, is she ok, is she happy, have we talked to her"
"Oh"
"You should go see him"
"I might"
"Yes you will Gabriella Nicole Montez" she said in her stern mother tone
"Ok mami…I will" she smiled.
"Ok now let me get a good look at you" she said. I stood up and twirled around.
"Still my beautiful baby"
I smiled.
"Ok now you better go out there I think I hear the others" she said.
She was right the others were out in the living room.
"Ready chica?" Eva asked.
"Yea" I said.
Carlos and Jamie are coming, Lettie and Chris are coming, and Eva and Sean are coming.
"Hey Gabi" I hugged Jamie.
"Hey Jamie you look good after having 3 babies!"
"Ha-ha you're the only one who thinks that!"
"Carlos better tell you that every day!" I said hitting my brother.
"Oh thank god the bossy Gabi is still here!" Carlos said. I rolled my eyes.
"Ok well we're going to Sadie's" Lettie said. Sadie's is the local bar in town.
"Sweet" I said.
"We can all take our cars…" Chris said.
"Sean you want to ride with me?" I asked.
"Sure" he said.
"Ok I'm gonna ride with Chris and Lettie" Eva said.
We all agreed and we went to our cars.
"Oh my god Gabi! This car must cost a fortune!!" Sean gushed about my car. It's 2009 Bentley.
"Sean it's just a car!"
"Gabriella! I cannot believe you of all people said that!"
"Ok I admit it's awesome! All custom! It has the most horsepower known to man!" I gushed.
"I am proud to call you my hermana!"
"Well gee im glad my car helped you with that!"
We kept going on about the car the whole drive there.
"Ok look if you have no more then 3 beers tonight I will let you drive home" I said.
"Deal!" we shook hands. The others were already there waiting for us.
"Dude you have to check out her car!" Sean told Chris.
I laughed. We all walked in and it was still the same. When we were younger they used to have teen night which was teen only allowed!
It's a small little bar, has a juke box in the corner has the bar and a few tables. Pretty simple.
"OH MY GOD!" I heard a voice say. I knew that voice anywhere. Sharpay Evans.
"GABRIELLA!!!!" she squealed and ran over.
"SHARPAY!!!!" I squealed back. We hugged each other.
"I have missed you so much! And you do not know how much I love your line of clothes and perfume! I have anything and everything you make!" she said.
"Thanks Shar. I've missed you too" I said. Then I saw the others. It was the whole gang. Except one…
I walked over to them.
"GABI!!" Jordan yelled while hugging me.
Jordan and I were best friends since pre-k.
I hugged everyone else. This was a lot of people! There was Chad and a very pregnant Taylor.
"Oh my god Taylor!" I said.
"Yea I'm 7 months with a little girl" she said.
"Chad you knocked up my best friend!" I hit him.
"What? No? That's not mine! That's Ryan's!" he said.
"Oh Gabi don't listen to him! He's going to be on the sidewalk tonight if he doesn't shut up!" she said.
"Sorry baby" he came over kissing her head.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.
"Oh what Xavier you don't remember Gabi!?" Kelsi came up.
"Psh that's not Gabi! If it is then I want her to prove it" Xavier said.
"No Xavier I refuse!" I knew what he was talking about.
"Then your not the real Gabi!" he said.
"Ugh fine get me the shot" I said. He got me the shot only I can handle straight and then drink a soda with out it burning.
"Here you go" he said handing me the shot and a diet coke.
"To you dick wad!" I said. I took the shot and stood there for a few seconds then drank the soda without coming for air.
"GABI!" Xavier came around and hugged me.
"Grrrr" I growled everyone laughed.
"You want a beer?" he asked and I nodded.
We all partied for awhile. Then saw Chad talking on his phone. Taylor got a really worried look on her face. Oh god I know that face.
"Tay?" I said.
"Huh?"
"You ok?"
"Uh huh I'm fine just…a uh kick is all" she said. I nodded.
Then my phone started to ring. It read Lorenzo.
"Hello?"
"Hey Gabi where are you right now?" he said.
"Lorenzo I have an emergency in Maryland right now"
"Gabi did you forget the meeting tomorrow!"
"Can't we reschedule?"
"NO WE CAN'T RESCHDULE! WE'VE HAD THIS MEETING FOR 3 MONTHS YOU'RE THE ONE THAT CAME TO ME WANTING YOUR OWN JEWLRY! NOW IS THE CHANCE YOU CAN GET IT! ETHIER YOU GET BACK TO L.A BY 8 AM TOMORROW OR YOU CAN KISS THE JEWLRY GOODBYE!" he yelled. Lorenzo is my business man he handles all the business.
"Lorenzo I'll….I'll figure something out"
"Yea Gabi you better!" he said and hung up.
I can't believe this! I have wanted that jewelry line forever!
Then I saw someone walk in. he walked over to everyone else. He turned his head and saw the smile. I saw the eyes, I saw the hair.
I always wondered how I'd react seeing him again. He turned around and saw me. our eyes met.
Flashback
"Ugh I hate math!" Sharpay complained.
"Shar chill your sitting next to me!"
"Oh true!" she said. Right when I looked up from my paper I saw him.
"Hi I'm troy Bolton" he said to the teacher. He looked over at me. that's when our eyes met
End flashback
"Gabi…Hellooo" Carlos waved his hand in front of me.
"Uh yea?" I said. He looked over at troy.
"You wanna leave?" he asked.
"I'm gonna go, you guys…uh you guys stay" I said.
"You sure?" he asked. I nodded. Shit I have to walk over there and get my purse.
I walked over there trying not to make eye contact. Don't make eyes contact Gabi don't make eye contact! Then I looked at him. Shit you dummy you made I contact!
"I'm gonna go guys it was nice seeing you guys" I said and walked away.
When I got to my car that's when it broke loose. It was hard to breathe. After I got a hold of myself I began to drive home. But made a small detour before I went.
"GABRIELLA!!!" my abuela yelled when she saw me.
"Hola abuela" I said hugging her.
"Where's abeulo?" I asked.
"Up stairs in the library" she said. I walked up there and saw him in a nursing bed.
"Oh crap I'm dying aren't I?" he said when he saw me.
"Hello to you too abeulo" I joked.
"Come here my princess' he said. I went over and hugged him. He looked so sick and helpless. It almost brought me to tears.
"Abeulo I'm so sorry for not being here"
"Baby shhh its ok you were doing what I wanted you to. Follow your dreams"
"I should've been here to help you"
"You're here now"
We stayed and talked for what felt like hours.
"Gabi, should I set up the bed?" my abuela came in. I looked at the time.
"Oh no abuela I should be getting back to the house." I said.
"Ok sweetie" she said and walked out.
"I'll be back tomorrow abeulo" I promised.
"Gabriella bring john with you"
"I will abeulo" I said. I gave him a hug and kiss.
I walked downstairs.
"Abuela?" I walked into the kitchen. A true Montez woman.
"Oh Gabriella" she hugged me again.
"Is it ok if I come back tomorrow?"
"Of course baby anytime" she said.
"Ok tomorrow we'll bake!" I said. She smiled.
"It's a date" she said. I hugged and kissed her.
"Be careful!" she yelled back at me when I was walking out the door.