Alright, thanks again for all the love and support. Here's the next chapter in our story, to me it's very emotional. Let me know what you think!
Beside The Point
Taylor got into the car the next morning still a little annoyed that she was grounded. Chad was mad at her because she got in a fight with Troy and didn't come to seek him out to calm her down. Taylor rolled her eyes at the thought as she sat in the backseat, while Chad was in the front being quiet. Her television and anything that had the combination of being electronic and entertaining was taken away and she was now on a tight schedule thanks to Mr. Danforth. She was thankful that the Danforths cared so much about her, but she was still irritated that she allowed Troy to get the worst out of her all the time.
"Taylor you know you have to apologize to Troy and Jack today…right" said Mrs. Danforth.
"Yeah I know" she replied quietly.
"And you have practice with the girls team and the individual practice with Troy…not to mention you have to finish your homework and everything else" said Mrs. Danforth looking at Taylor in her rear view mirror. She saw the look of annoyance on her face but continued on, "You know Taylor you have no one to blame for this but yourself. You have to control that temper of yours around the Bolton men…if not, they're gonna put you on suspension and you are way to intelligent and beautiful for that…you hear me girl".
"Yes Mrs. Danforth…I hear you, I'm not happy about it but I hear you" said Taylor quietly.
Mrs. Danforth sighed heavily, and turned on the radio to the morning talk show. Chad rolled his eyes but remained quiet the rest of the way to school. They pulled behind one of the yellow school buses and Chad got out quickly, "Bye mom, thanks for the lift" he said shutting the door not waiting for a response. Taylor opened her door but Mrs. Danforth called her back, "Taylor sweetie, I talked to Principal Howard early this morning and he let me know that you and Troy have six sessions together with the school counselor, starting today".
"Today…what time" huffed Taylor, "and I thought these were supposed to be group sessions" she said.
"Principal Howard feels like you and Troy are group enough. You guys will meet during free period, instead of going to class. But first you two have to apologize and than you go to the counselors office" said Mrs. Danforth, "Taylor please try to stay out of trouble, it's only the second day of school" said Mrs. Danforth pleadingly.
"I'll try my best…but I'm not promising anything. You have me spending my whole day with someone I want to punch in the nuts continuously" said Taylor seriously.
Mrs. Danforth smiled in spite of the seriousness of the situation, "Somehow I feel as though you will do what you have to do to get off punishment and through these sessions unnerved" said Mrs. Danforth. She reached back and caressed Taylor's cheek tenderly, "Have a good day sweetie" she said softly.
"Thanks…for everything Mrs. Danforth" smiled Taylor getting out of the car and shutting the door. She walked through the halls, some people were giggling and pointing in her direction, 'I guess word got around about what happened yesterday' she thought to herself. She walked to her locker to put away some things, when she felt a presence behind her. Taylor turned around and saw Gabriella smirking at her, "Gabriella what the hell are you grinning about?" questioned Taylor as she turned back to her locker.
"You really hit him in the back of the head with a basketball" laughed out Gabriella.
Taylor closed her locker and turned around to face the small beauty, "its not funny Gabriella" smiled Taylor.
"It's hilarious" said Gabriella as she broke out into a laughing fit. Taylor started giggling, it was the first time she actually laughed at the situation, matter of fact it was the first time she laughed in weeks. The two laughing best friends walked to homeroom, "So Sharpay of course told everybody and anybody that had ears".
"Yeah I figured so…I kinda cursed at her too" said Taylor. She began recounting the details of what happened, filling in places that Sharpay definitely left out. The pair walked into homeroom and sat in their usual seats. Chad was already seated; he spoke to Gabriella but didn't say anything to Taylor.
"Aww man did you and Chad have an argument too?" asked Gabriella.
"No not really, he's just mad that Troy and I got into I again…he said he's had enough and that Troy and I are gonna have to work this out on our own. I told him whatever and he got mad and walked away from me" said Taylor hunching her shoulders. "I know I haven't been the easiest person to get along with but people keep telling me to keep my head up through all of this, and I should not let it get to me…but it is…I'm mad, and I think I have a right to feel this way".
"You do have a right Taylor, but the way you're expressing you're anger, is the same way Troy did…or is for that matter, and it's not healthy…you see where it's gotten the both of you already. Group sessions and girls basketball, I can't believe you're gonna be an East High athlete" laughed Gabriella.
"Not funny Gaby" smiled Taylor, "I'm gonna be embarrassed in front of the whole school, I can't play ball" she said shaking her head.
"Well I guess you better pay attention to Troy in your private lessons" smirked Gabriella.
Taylor squared her eyes at Gabriella, "very funny Gaby" she said rolling her eyes. Troy walked in the door looked at both Gabriella and Taylor and rolled his eyes. It was clear he was in a foul mood also; his dad grounded him until further notice. No television, no video games, no cell phone, no nothing…just school and basketball. Not to mention he had to tutor that deranged Taylor and do private sessions with her…could his life get any worse.
The rest of Mrs. Darbus homeroom filed into the classroom, Sharpay walked in 'fashionably late' as always, and sort of glared at Taylor also. Taylor realized she had some serious ass kissing to do today, if she was to ever get off the hook. Mrs. Darbus started in on her daily announcements and Troy inwardly groaned, he was sick of school already and it was only the second day.
Mrs. Darbus just finished her announcements on why the theater is important to the educational system when Principal Howard walked in, "Uh, excuse me Mrs. Darbus, but I need to see Taylor McKessie and Troy Bolton in my office immediately".
Taylor's mouth dropped as Troy stood up, "we haven't done anything" he said obviously as shocked as Taylor was.
"I know that Mr. Bolton but there is something that came up that was urgent and both of you are needed, so if you both don't mind grabbing your books and following me, it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry again Mrs. Darbus…chop, chop you two" he said.
Taylor and Troy got up reluctantly and followed behind one another quietly. Principal Howard was walking at an all to fast pace, and both teens were curious about what was going on. They walked into the office and heard as Principal Howard told the secretary to hold his phone calls, "Uh, Troy and Taylor, um this was kinda unexpected but…well you'll see when you get to my office" said Principal Howard quietly. He opened his door and ushered the teens in; Taylor gasped and Troy's mouth hung open.
"Dad?!" said Taylor shocked, "Mom?!" said Troy completely confused.
Right before their very eyes were the two people that had betrayed the both of them the worst. Principal Howard said he would give them some privacy and shut the door as he walked out. There was a tangible thickness of tension that suddenly overcame the entire room. Troy and Taylor continued to stare at both of their parents as if they had returned from the dead.
"I know this comes as a shock to the both of you" started Mr. McKessie. Troy felt his temper starting to rise as he stared at the man that took his mother away from him, "but I had to come…I mean we both had to come and see how you kids were doing...especially you Taylor, a social worker found me and informed me about what your mother had done to you, I just needed to know that you are alright" rushed out Mr. McKessie. He walked over to Taylor and tried to pull her into a hug, but she jerked back from him, almost falling in the process. She made her way to the other side of the room and looked at her father with such anger and hatred, that it almost sent a shiver through Kevin's body. Troy made his way over to Taylor and took a defensive stance in front of her to make sure nobody would touch her…it was almost instinct. He looked at his mother with such disgust, that she hung her head in shame. It was the first time he actually looked at her whole appearance and he noticed there was a small bump right in her mid-section.
"So that's why you left!" spat out Troy angrily, pointing at his mother stomach. "You were pregnant!"
Lucille looked up in shock, she was racking her brain for the right words to come out, but they never appeared.
"Yes Troy…that's part of the reason why the both of us left" stepped in Kevin.
"I wasn't talking to you! I was talking to her….ANSWER ME! Is that the reason you left!" screamed Troy.
"Yes Troy, that's part of the reason, Kevin and I are expecting our first child together…but that's not entirely the whole reason" she responded meekly.
Fresh tears appeared on Taylor's face as she looked between her father and his adulterer, she couldn't believe that her dad could be so disgusting and selfish. "So there's more…what other reason could you have than that" said Taylor nastily, from behind Troy. She was trying her best to control her tears but failing miserably.
"I love him" said Lucille, "And I love her" repeated Kevin.
Troy scoffed at them, and Taylor shook her head in disappointment, "After the social worker told me that your mother beat you Taylor I had to come and check up on you…she should have never done that" said Kevin getting emotional.
Troy turned around and looked Taylor in the eyes. He was searching to find out if what Mr. McKessie said was true. Taylor instinctively knew what he was doing and nodded her head slightly. Troy took a deep breath and flared his nostrils, 'How could Taylor have ended up with the worlds most fucked up parents' he thought to himself. He turned back around and looked at the two people he hated more than anything in the world at the current moment.
"She would have never done that if you wouldn't have left!" spat out Taylor.
"That's beside the point Taylor, your mother should have never hurt you that way" said Kevin.
"What you've done has hurt me more than anything she has ever done or could do. You're a coward, and a loser…I hope that everything you dish out will come back to you ten fold!" cried out Taylor.
"Taylor your father is not a coward, he tried his best to take care of you and your mother, but we fell in love and then I got pregnant…" said Lucille.
"Oh save it!" screamed Troy, "You both were being selfish and only thinking of yourselves! Who gives a damn if you fell in love, you both walked out on your responsibilities and your family…love is beside the point!" screamed Troy looking at Kevin.
"Troy I love you!" screamed out Lucille, "how can you believe other wise" she cried. Tears were also streaming down her eyes now.
"LOVE! Are you serious!" screamed out Taylor.
"Yes we're both serious, you're our first born and we always have and always will love the both of you!" shouted out Mr. McKessie.
"Bullshit! Love is an action word, it's shown…there's more love between a pimp and his hooker than the both of you have shown us!" screamed out Troy, "Why the fuck are you even here?!"
Lucille gasped at her son, never in her life had she seen him so angry. His nostrils were flared up, and he kept clenching and unclenching his fists as he stood in front of Taylor, like he was protecting her or something. His face was turning red as he looked between his mother and her lover. "We're here Troy because we care, believe or not we love you and we wanted to make sure that both of you were okay" said Kevin quietly. He noticed that Lucille was in no state to talk at the current moment, she was shocked by her son's behavior towards her.
"WE'RE FINE!" screamed Taylor and Troy simultaneously. "We don't want or need you here anymore; you lost out on the privileges of caring like a parent when you walked out on us that night. I hope you and your new bastard baby will do fine…get the fuck out and don't ever come back here again!" screamed Taylor.
"Taylor" her father said in shock, "Look I know I hurt you and haven't been a good parent but is all of this necessary" he said walking towards his daughter.
"Back the fuck up McKessie. Don't you come any further than that" growled Troy as he backed Taylor up some more to the wall.
"Yes its necessary…I don't want to see you again dad" cried Taylor, "I don't need you…I already have another father and his name is Stephen Danforth. He's been more of a father to me than you ever have…I don't want to see you ever again" she cried as tears streamed off her face.
Kevin McKessie looked at his daughter with sadness. He knew he had hurt her by leaving but he had no other choice…right. Sometimes you have to follow your heart. The woman he loved with all his being was finally giving him a child, and all he wanted was for his daughter, to not accept his decision but at least understand where he and Lucille was coming from.
"I just honestly wanted you to understand where we were coming from…" said Kevin.
"I don't think they will ever understand how a father and a mother could walk out on their only children" said Coach Bolton from the door.
Kevin turned around and saw Jack, his lover husband, scowling at him, "Jack" he heard Lucille say from behind him.
Coach Bolton looked at his wife with such hurt that she turned her eyes from him immediately. The two teens kept their stance in the corner as Troy looked at his dad's facial expression; tears fell immediately from his eyes. He hated seeing his dad hurt the way he was, he knew his father felt worst than he did but he was still somehow able to control his emotions.
"Taylor, Troy let's go" said Coach Bolton suddenly. The two teens walked out of the office where they were greeted by Principal Howard. He saw that both teens were clearly upset and he knew his decision was the right one, "Troy and Taylor, I want you two to start the counseling sessions right now. Ms. Peterson is already waiting for the both of you in her office" he said hurriedly.
"Principal Howard I don't think I can handle that right now" said Taylor crying. She was so upset that she was stuttering out her words as tears continued to fall down her face. Troy stood against the wall stone faced as tears were coming out his eyes also.
"Well I don't think either one of you are ready for school as of right now, and this would be a perfect time for you guys to start. Now come along" as he ushered the two down the hallway and to the other side of the office. Troy could feel the eyes of the other adults in the office eyeing them as they walked by, but he really didn't care at the moment. He was tired of all this drama; it was taking too much out of him emotionally.
Principal Howard opened the door to the counselor's office; he noted that Ms. Peterson was already seated waiting for them. Principle Howard ushered the two young teens in and closed the door behind him.
"Please be seated" Ms. Peterson said to Troy and Taylor.
Back at Principle Howard's office Coach Bolton stared at his wife and her new man with disgruntlement, "You two had no business coming here and messing with those kids" said Jack angrily.
"No business" said Lucille angrily, "they're our children".
"Incorrect!" screamed Jack, "Troy stopped being your child the day you walked out" he said starring his wife down, "that goes for the both of you" he said looking at Kevin, "Taylor is no longer yours. I'm pretty sure the social worker told you that…you want any contact with either one of them, talk to the Danforths or me" he said looking back at his wife.
"We'll see about that Bolton" said Kevin angrily.
"Whatever man, just take her and leave" he said opening the door and holding it, not looking at either one of them. Kevin reached his hand out for Lucille to take hold of, she grabbed her stomach instinctively as she grabbed hold of Kevin's hand, which didn't go unnoticed to Jack, "Don't come back" he said aggressively.
"And what if we do Jack…what if we do?" said Kevin irritably.
"Bring a pen…so you can sign the divorce papers. That's the only reason either one of you needs to come back" said Jack angrily as he stared down Kevin. Kevin sucked his teeth as he and Lucille walked out of the office. Jack watched as they walked out of the office, he knew he would have to do some serious work on Troy after he had seen his mother unexpectedly.
Ms. Peterson looked at the two broken teenagers in front of her. Taylor hadn't stop crying since she walked into the office and sat down, and Troy was trying his hardest not to cry but the tears were betraying him at the current moment. Ms. Peterson had read both Taylor and Troy's file, and she realized that both of these kids had been through too much this past summer, more than any child should go through…she concluded that these sessions might go more than six meetings and she was preparing herself to deal with these two for a long time.
"You know Troy and Taylor, I've read your file" Ms. Peterson started off, "and you guys have been through the ringer, not only today…but this entire summer" she said.
Troy rolled his eyes and wiped the tears off his face, while Taylor cried silently and shook her leg.
"You guys have spent a lot of time being angry, and you got a chance today to confront the people who you have every right to be upset with" said Ms. Peterson quietly.
"A lot of good that did" scoffed Troy, "they only came back to ease their guilt" he said angrily.
"That may be true Troy but at least you got to approach them today…right" said Ms. Peterson trying to make some head way.
"Approach them…they only came here to tell us that the reason they left was because she was pregnant" cried Taylor, "they basically picked an illegitimate baby over their kids who were already here…them coming here today had nothing to do with Troy or me…they were being selfish as usual".
"Exactly" said Troy quietly.
"So you're angry" said Ms. Peterson.
"Hell yeah I'm angry!" shouted Taylor.
"As you should be…you have every right to feel that way" said Ms. Peterson.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?! I know I can be angry…I am angry, alright!" shouted Taylor getting up. She started to pace around the room a little.
"Are you angry also Troy?" asked Ms. Peterson.
"What do you think lady…of course I'm angry" said Troy. Ms. Peterson noted something on her pad, "Do you think you should be angry at Taylor?" asked Ms. Peterson. Taylor stopped pacing and looked at the counselor as if she had just hit her with a ton of bricks, "Troy do you believe you should be angry at Taylor?" she asked again once Troy didn't respond.
"I don't know…sometimes I get really mad at her" said Troy hunching his shoulders.
"But do you believe you should be?" said Ms. Peterson.
"I guess not…I don't know why I get so angry at her, I just do" said Troy looking down at his feet.
"And Taylor do you believe you should be angry at Troy?" said Ms. Peterson turning her attention towards her.
"Yes!" she said assuredly, Troy dropped his mouth in shock.
"And why do you believe that you should be angry at Troy?" Ms. Peterson asked, not surprised by Taylor's answer.
"Because he's been a complete jerk to me" said Taylor. Her crying hadn't subsided at all, if anything it had gotten worse, "and not just because of this situation…we use to be best friends, but ever since we got in high school, he almost acts as if I don't exist, and I'm tired of it. I'm mad at you Troy!" she screamed at him.
"Well I'm mad at you too!" said Troy standing up.
"And why is that Troy?" asked Ms. Peterson.
"Because she…because she…look I don't know okay. I just am" he said walking away and rubbing the back of his head. Ms. Peterson jotted down another note, there was something deeper there, that Troy wasn't ready to admit, she was sure of it.
Ms. Peterson took a deep breath, "Don't you two think that you've spent enough energy being mad at one another?" she asked. She didn't receive a response from either broken teen. "Well…let me tell you what I've observed, look at me please" she said to the both of them. They both looked at her with the saddest eyes she had ever seen in her line of work.
"I see two young adults who have been hurt beyond belief. They've been hurt by people who are suppose to protect them from harm…not create it. You two have taken out your anger on each other instead of the people that deserve it, which is your dad Taylor, and your mom Troy. It's right to be completely pissed off at them…but not each other. Can't you guys see that you're hurting one another, it's obvious you still care about each other, that the old friendship you had is still there somewhere…I see it. But if the both of you don't stop this nonsense, you'll ruin the little friendship you have left" said Ms. Peterson closing her book.
"There has to be forgiveness if you guys will ever move on, and before you guys can forgive your parents, you have to forgive one another" said Ms. Peterson looking at the both of them. Troy grabbed the back of his neck and rubbed it slightly, he turned towards Taylor and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Taylor for being a jerk" said Troy quietly, "I never meant to hurt you…I just didn't know how to deal with a lot of stuff, and I took it out on you" said Troy.
Taylor sighed heavily, "It's just been so hard" she said quietly, while crying.
"What's been so hard Taylor? Talk to us…let it out" said Ms. Peterson.
"This whole situation" stuttered out Taylor, "I mean Troy at least you still have your dad, it feels like I don't have anybody…I feel so alone" she cried out, looking up at Troy brokenly.
Troy felt some tears come down his face, he saw his best friend for the first time in years. He hadn't seen her look like that since she was eight and she was mourning the loss of her dog. "You have me" said Troy almost inaudibly.
"What?" said Taylor confused.
"I said…you have me" Troy said louder. He walked over to Taylor and pulled her into his body. Taylor immediately broke down into massive tears, she was gasping slightly for air and she had clutched Troy's shirt with her hand. Finally…she was letting it all go, she finally felt like she had her best friend back, and Troy felt the same way. He kept apologizing softly in her ear as he held her tightly.
'This is progress' thought Ms. Peterson as she watched them holding one another. She knew they had a long way to go but at least they had a starting point, there was definitely something that Troy was holding back, but she knew they would get to the bottom of it soon.
Three weeks had passed since Troy and Taylor's emotional reunion. Nothing had really changed between them since then, very rarely did they speak to one another but they had an understanding, both of them were in pain, and both of them had to find a way to deal…without yelling or hurting each other. Chad had forgiven Taylor that day, once he heard about Mr. McKessie's unsuccessful return. She didn't tell him what happened between her and Troy, Ms. Peterson made it perfectly clear that what ever happened in therapy stayed in therapy. So Taylor and Troy went about their day as if nothing really changed between them, which it honestly hadn't.
Taylor had gotten use to her schedule of basketball and school, she now knew how to take her frustrations out on the game of basketball, which she wasn't that bad at. Her body had finally gotten use to being in constant pain, and she definitely was becoming more toned and had dropped a few pounds. Troy turned out to be an excellent teacher when it came to basketball. They found each other in the gym in the late afternoon working on Taylor's jump shot. They both had made an agreement that to prove they didn't need their wayward parents; they would devote themselves religiously on being better children than they were when their parents were around. That meant better students and better athletes. Troy helped Taylor with her game, Taylor helped Troy with his grades, and their conversations never really went beyond that, unless they were in therapy sessions.
"Taylor you want to be able to shot from anywhere on the courts, so you gotta learn the different angles to shoot from and how comfortable you feel shooting the ball from a certain spot" said Troy passing the ball back to a sweating Taylor.
"I know how to do that Troy already" said Taylor irritably.
"Yeah but you don't know how to do it with a defender in your face" said Troy smirking. "C'mon, first to fifteen" he said getting in her face, defending the ball.
"Fine" she huffed. She posted up Troy with the ball and worked her way to her left, she squared up and shot, swoosh, she heard from the net. She loved that sound now; it was like music to her ears.
"Alright Taylor!" she heard Mr. Danforth yell, he must have just walked in to pick her up from school, "Troy I know you ain't gonna let that girl post you up like that" he laughed. He walked over to Coach Bolton who started to chuckle as Mr. Danforth sat down, "What's up Jack?" he said shaking the older Bolton hand.
"Nothing man….she's gotten really good, in a short time too. I think she gonna be ready for the first game by time the season starts…hell she might be a starting guard" said Coach Bolton.
"Good" said Mr. Danforth, "this will give her something to let out all that frustration" said Mr. Danforth shaking his head in approval, "not just for her either but Troy too".
"You better believe it, by time Troy gets home, he eats and showers and than he's out like a light" laughed Mr. Bolton. "What's going on with Chad?" asked Coach Bolton, "I mean I see him in practice but he's not playing as hard as he use to" he said.
"I don't know man…this boy has really gotten into cooking. Can you believe that shit? I might have a chef for a son and a ball player for a daughter" smiled Mr. Danforth.
"Daughter huh" said Coach Bolton.
"Yeah daughter…Debra and I put in for adoption today" he said quietly, as Taylor faked Troy to the left, and spun to her right while throwing up another shot that went in.
"C'mon Troy, play some damn defense, would ya!" yelled Coach Bolton from the bleachers.
"I'm trying dad…she's too fast" yelled Troy back, clearly getting agitated.
"So adoption you say" said Coach Bolton quietly.
"Yep…believe it or not Sharon comes to us, late at night one evening, like three in the morning. Drunk as hell, talking about she didn't want Taylor anymore, and she would be better off with us. Taylor reminded her too much of Kevin and she didn't want to be bothered by anybody whose last name was McKessie, ever again…said she legally changed her last name back to her maiden name" said Mr. Danforth rushed.
"How the hell she managed to do that drunk as she is?" questioned Coach Bolton while scoffing.
"Same thing I thought" chuckled Mr. Danforth, "but I didn't question…Debra been wanting a daughter for years, and always considered Taylor as one of hers…my fear is telling Taylor that we're going through with this adoption. I mean she's just gotten her feet on solid ground, now this. It's gonna kill her" he said quietly but obviously pissed. Troy stole the ball from Taylor and went in for the dunk; "Now…you can't do that McKessie" he said smugly handing her back the ball.
"Naw, but I can do this" she speed pass Troy and went in for the lay up, which went in, "12-8 Bolton…won't you d-up this time" she said throwing the ball back to him.
"How the hell she end up with two parents like them, I will never understand" said Coach Bolton quietly, as Troy shoot a three, which went in.
"You and me both…how am I supposed to tell this girl, her mom doesn't want anything to do with her anymore" he said frustrated.
"I don't know man, somehow I think she already knows" said Coach Bolton.
"Yeah…I guess you're right" said Mr. Danforth, as Taylor shot a three ball, that hit the backboard in went in. "Game Bolton!" yelled Taylor excitedly.
"Oh yeah…that's my gurl!" yelled Mr. Danforth laughing. Taylor pointed back at him as she strutted off the court arrogantly to get her stuff.
"I want a rematch!" yelled Troy laughing.