Disclaimer: I do not own the High School Musical franchise, all I own is this plot and the characters I have created.
"I don't know, Rach" I said into my cell phone as I entered my apartment.
"Oh, come on. When was the last time you were home? We miss you and the girls are always asking about you." My sister stated.
I sighed. She wants me to go 'home' for a holiday. "It just isn't that simple" I said, "I have commitments at work, it's not like I can just drop everything and leave."
She paused to think for a moment, "But they owe you some days off; you've never even taken sick leave." She spoke.
I am a curator at the Smithsonian. I absolutely love my job. It has been my dream to work there since I was seven and my mother took me to see it on a mother-daughter day. She had always supported me.
"You know I'm not going to take no for an answer." She said sternly.
A sigh escaped my mouth; unfortunately I did know that. "Fine" I spoke after a moment.
"Yay!" she squealed.
"You're late" I heard about two weeks later as I walked through the door of my sister's house… in Annapolis – that's right.
"I know, I know. Sorry." I said. "Hi Rachel" I smiled and hugged her.
"I missed you Sis" she said.
"Me too" I returned.
"Adam!" she yelled out. A few seconds later, I heard footsteps and then saw my brother-in-law enter the room.
"Gabby!" he exclaimed, he then proceeded to wrap his arms around me and spin me around.
I couldn't hold back the giggle that erupted from my mouth. "Hey Ads" I said, traces of laughter still evident in my tone. "Miss me much?" I asked playfully.
"Always" he responded in the same tone, "especially when you get here over half an hour late."
I rolled my eyes, "Sorry. There was traffic. I hope the girls weren't too disappointed."
"I am sure you can find a way to make it up to them." Rachel responded.
I nodded. "I can take them out tomorrow, maybe to Sandy Point? Get them out of your hair for the day, give you two some alone time." I smirked and raised an eyebrow.
Adam nodded eagerly. "Done deal"
Rachel and I laughed at him, "It would be nice" she said.
"It's the plan then" I smiled.
The next morning I woke to the smell of something yummy being cooked downstairs. I walked down the stairs and entered the kitchen. I was instantly bombarded.
"Aunty Gabby!" My nieces yelled simultaneously. Ouch. They then proceeded to run to me and hug me. Awww, how cute can they get?
"Hey Emily, Caitlyn; whatcha doing?" I asked.
"Well" Rachel spoke sternly, "They are supposed to be having their breakfast. Come on girls. Quick sticks." She pointed to the table where Adam was sitting and they obeyed by walking back to the table and reclaiming their seats.
I giggled, "You are such a mum, Sis."
"Maybe it's because I am a mum, now sit down and have your breakfast" Rachel said then proceeded point at the table.
I feigned fear then sat down at the table, laughing as I did so. Waffles, I was right – yummy. I served myself then started eating. "Hey Ads"
"Yo" he responded and did a lame action with his arms.
I couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah, never do that again"
"But I am cool; I'm hip" he said.
"Yeah…no." I shook my head "You really aren't, sorry to break it to you." I said with a smirk on my lips. He poked his tongue out at me. "Seriously? What are you, five?" I asked incredulously. "That is the best you can do?" I asked and he shrugged.
"I'm five!" Caitlyn said enthusiastically.
Adam smiled at her, "I know; you are such a big girl."
"And me?" Emily asked.
Adam let out a little chuckle, "You too sweetie."
"Daddy" Caitlyn asked, "Can we play makeover?"
Rachel spoke up, "Not now, Aunty Gabby is taking you to the beach!" They squealed in excitement, again, ouch! Break my ear drums why don't you?
"Aunty Gabby" I heard Emily say a few hours later.
I was lying on my back on my towel, tanning. I opened one eye saw them both standing near my head, looking down at me. "Yes?" I inquired.
"We're hungry" Caitlyn said.
"Oh" I sat up, "OK, so what do you want to eat? Want to go to the diner and get some hot chips and ice-cream?" I asked.
They both agreed and we made our way to the diner. As we entered, I saw a really hot guy looking at me. He had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I smiled at him, and he smiled back.
I was paying for the food when I heard somebody say my name. I handed the girls their food and turned around. I was not expecting to see Taylor McKessie standing there, smiling at me. "Taylor" I said in shock.
"It is you!" she hugged me. "How are you? It's been what? Six years. Wow." She shook her head.
"I know, too long." And I meant what I said. "I missed you."
She smiled, "I missed you too." She cleared her throat, "So, what brings you to town?" She asked.
"Well" I started, "I am taking a holiday and visiting Rachel, Adam and the kids." I smiled.
"That's nice" she said.
"Yeah…" And then there was an awkward silence.
"Hello Miss McKessie" Emily said, finally noticing her.
Taylor smiled, "Hello Emily how is your reading going?" She asked.
"Good." Emily shrugged.
"Great" Taylor smiled and then looked back at me, "Oh, I'm her teacher."
I nodded, "Yeah, I know, Rach told me. That is really great Taylor" I smiled.
"Thanks, what about you?" She inquired.
"I am a curator at the Smithsonian." I answered.
"Oh my gosh, that's amazing!" she said with a smile, and I could tell that she was genuinely happy for me.
I smiled, "You will have to bring the kids for a field trip." I said.
"That is actually a really great idea; I may take you up on that." She said excitedly.
"Just tell me the date." I paused for a few moments, "So, how is everyone?" I asked.
She nodded, "Everyone is doing great. Sharpay is finally together with Zeke, they are actually really serious. And Chad and I are engaged." She said and held up her left hand that proudly featured a beautiful sparkling ring. "Oh, and Ryan is currently dating a really great guy. Everyone is happy."
I took in all the information, "Wow, just…Wow. I am so happy for you all." I said. And I was, but there was this feeling in the pit of my stomach…guilt, or sadness, I don't know. I had missed out on so much; I never got to see who my friends turned out to be. I wasn't there for them and I hated it. "You must be so excited, when is the big day?" I asked.
"November 19th, and I really am so excited" She answered. "It is in five months and everything is so hectic."
"I can imagine. But knowing you, I bet you totally love every moment of it." I smiled.
She laughed, "You're right."
I was going to say something else, but the girls stated to complain about something. I sighed, typical. "Well, I have to go, but we absolutely have to catch up" I said.
"Well, how about tomorrow night?" She asked, "The whole gang is meeting at my place."
OK, I was not expecting that one. "I…I wouldn't want to intrude…" I said, still in shock.
"Don't be ridiculous" She said, "Of course you wouldn't be intruding. They'll all be so happy to see you."
Really? "Ummm, OK then. I would love to. Thanks Taylor." I said, almost certain that surprise was evident in my voice.
She smiled, "My pleasure. Rachel knows my address, be there at eight."
I nodded and we said our goodbyes before my nieces practically dragged me out of the Diner and back to the beach. As I lay in the sun, I couldn't help but feel that maybe it wasn't too late to rebuild the bridges I burned all those years ago.
Frustrated didn't even begin to describe my mood as I paced my sister's living room several hours later, my phone glued to my ear as my team at the Smithsonian told me about their screw-up. I mean, the instructions I left were simple enough for a monkey to follow; obviously too difficult for my team of 'trained professionals' to handle. Maybe I'll go find some monkeys to hire…
I heard the doorbell ring and walked over to the front door, opening it and not paying much attention to the person on the other side of it. "Adam! Someone's at the door!" I yelled.
"I clearly asked for the walls to be painted in daffodil tones, not dandelion ones!" I said into my phone.
Adam walked into the entrance "Ah, Troy there you are." He greeted the person at the door.
"What do you mean 'so what'?" I exclaimed into my phone, "The entire atmosphere is now ruined!" I began my walk upstairs, "And just because you can't read!"
Adam chuckled, "Don't mind her, some crisis at work. Come on in."
"OK, I'm off" I said, gathering my bag and my keys the next evening. I was on my way to Taylor's house to finally see everyone again. I was nervous.
"Have fun" Rachel said.
"I'll try. Remember, most of these people aren't my biggest fans." I said.
Rachel smiled, "It'll be fine" she reassured me.
I nodded, "Here's hoping."
Ten minutes later found me walking up the path to Taylor's house. It was a really cute cottage-style house, very 'Taylor'. I knocked on the door and didn't have to wait long for it to open.
"Gabriella!" Taylor exclaimed, "I am so glad you could make it." She said as she hugged me.
I couldn't help but smile. "Me too, thanks for the invite."
"Gabriella!" I heard and then felt the force of Sharpay's body colliding with mine in a hug. She then began her never ceasing line of questioning, "How are you? How have you been? When did you get to town? How long are you going to be here for? What's new with you?"
I blinked, her words flying over my head.
"Give the girl some time to adjust before you begin your interrogation Shar" Taylor said with humour in her tone.
Sharpay giggled, "Sorry G, I just missed you is all. It's been too long."
I smiled as I nodded, "I missed you too, all of you. Oh, and I hear you and Zeke are pretty steady, congrats."
Sharpay smiled proudly and nodded, "Yup, for two years and three months now." She said.
"I am honestly so happy for you Shar, you too Tay. I still can't believe you're getting married." I said.
"What about you, any guys?" Taylor asked.
I shook my head, "Nope, just me. There were some prospects, but nothing worked out."
"Oh well, maybe you'll find someone here…" Sharpay spoke.
We all laughed, "Maybe" I said with prominent sarcasm.
I have great friends, I really do. It's probably the only thing I did right in my adolescence. It was as if nothing had changed. They took me back with open arms and we all talked for a long time about our lives. There was no anger, resentment or hatred. Everything was at it should be and I will never let them go again, no matter what.
I was getting a can of coke out of Taylor and Chad's fridge (they lived together) when Chad walked in.
"Gabster!" He said cheerfully.
"Chadster" I laughed in return and then hugged him.
"It's so great to have you back" he smiled, "You'll have to come visit more often now."
"I will, don't you worry. I think you'll get sick of me." I smiled.
It was only then that I noticed the man standing next to him; he seemed really familiar for some reason. He had the most amazing blue eyes I had ever seen, light brown hair, a killer smile and a body worthy of worship. He was hot.
Chad laughed, "Oh, wow, how rude of me; Troy this is Gabriella, Gabs this is Troy – my best friend."
Troy grinned and shook my hand, "Hi." He said.
I smiled back, "Hi" I paused for a moment, "I'm sorry, but have I seen you before?" I asked.
"I- -", he began.
"You were at my sister's house last night talking to Adam!" I cut him off, suddenly remembering.
He nodded, "That would be me, yes."
I smiled, "I am really sorry that I was so rude, I had a work catastrophe." I said.
He tried to hold back a laugh, but failed "The wrong shade of yellow?"
"I know; it'll ruin the whole atmosphere. Don't worry though, I fixed it." I responded in all seriousness.
Troy burst out laughing, "Sorry, but I don't see the issue… yellow is yellow."
"What do you do Troy?" I asked him.
"I'm an architect" he responded.
"OK, so if I were to say an arch was the same thing as a dome, what would you say?" I asked.
"I would point out that you were mistaken" He said.
"Which is exactly what I am doing; yellow is never just yellow, do you have any idea how many shades of yellow there are?" I asked rhetorically, "Forty-four, which means I painstakingly, went through every single shade comparing and contrasting each one with the theme just so that I could find the perfect shade. And what happens? They screw it up!"
I looked at his face and could tell he was taken aback, and even a little bit impressed.
"My apologies, I was wrong." He said with a smile on his face. "I won't make that mistake again, especially in your presence."
I smiled, "Good, nice to meet you Troy."
He grinned, "Likewise Gabriella." He said.
A/N: Hey all, so, I admit that I have been super lazy in updating. I've had it written for a long time but I kept forgetting to update and life got in the way and yeah… I don't really have an excuse. Also, I can't make any promises as to how frequently I will update this story, my writing comes in bursts. I have to be in the mood, so sorry about that.
Feel free to criticise constructively. Overall, I'm not too thrilled with this chapter, but oh well… hope it wasn't too bad.