Thank you so much for the reviews!!!! I actually really like this story and it's only the beginning. Keep up the reviews, hope you enjoy this chapter.
Unexpected
Taylor lowered herself back into her seat, with the still shocked expression on her face. Zeke also sat back in his seat and just looked at Taylor's face in slight amusement.
"You….Zeke Baylor…got Sharpay Evans pregnant?!" whispered Taylor.
"Yes….me….Zeke….got Sharpay pregnant" responded Zeke, smirking slightly at Taylor's behavior.
"You have to give me the details…" started Taylor.
"I really don't feel like getting into all of the details right now" said Zeke cutting her off.
"Being as though you know the most embarrassing things about me right now, I think it's only fair that you tell me all the details…immediately" said Taylor suddenly serious.
The odd pair had an awkward staring session at one another until Zeke finally gave in. "Alright McKessie but you have to promise to keep everything I'm about to tell you, to your self" said Zeke sharply.
"I promise…and we both know I can keep a secret" said Taylor.
Zeke took a deep breath while thinking about where he should start. "Look I'm just gonna make a long story as short as possible".
"Okay" replied Taylor, "Take your time" she said quietly.
"Well it sort of started freshman year….I saw her walking down the hall with her brother on the first day of school and I liked what I saw immediately. I really couldn't explain my attraction to her; I just knew that I was. I watched her for weeks and finally I got the courage to ask her out on a date. To my surprise she said yes, she also said she had noticed me watching her and she was just waiting for me to make the first move…so of course I was ecstatic out of my mind".
"Wait a minute…Sharpay Evans said yes to you…for a date. That doesn't make any sense Zeke, she has been turning you down for practically the past two years" said Taylor looking confused. "Matter of fact, you didn't start asking her out until two years ago, so how have you guys been involved that long without anybody noticing?"
"Well there are two answers to your question. Firstly, if you remember none of us started talking with one another until about two years ago…thanks to one of your current lovers, Gabriella" smiled Zeke. "And secondly, if you let me finish, I can answer all of your questions without you having to ask any of them" he said.
"So anyway, I took her out on our first date ever, and it was great. We both enjoyed each others company and I sealed the date with an innocent kiss on the lips. After a few more dates, the time came to meet her parents. Needless to say I was totally nervous, but Sharpay said it wasn't anything to worry about. So I showed up to her ridiculously large house, and met the parents. Her father immediately didn't like me, and said in so many words that I wasn't good enough for his daughter and he forbid me to ever see Sharpay again….then he slammed the door in my face".
Taylor gasped. "Oh my goodness Zeke, how could her father be such a prick?" whispered Taylor.
"Yeah that's what I thought, but he was nasty, I think he didn't expect me to be black honestly. Sharpay insists that it's not the reason he doesn't like me but my feelings have never been wrong when it truly mattered" said Zeke.
Taylor shook her head in understanding. They both knew that sometimes it could be a little hard being the minority in a place like this one, but the negativity never came from kids there own age, but unbelievably from the adults that was suppose to be shaping their minds.
"I didn't even get to talk to Sharpay for the rest of the week because she decided not to come to school she was so upset. When she did come to school the next week, we both hid in the auditorium projection room and talked for what felt like hours. We both decided to keep dating, but she said we had to be sneaky about it, because her dad had spies all over the school. So we decided to submerge ourselves in school activities that would be the cover for our dates and when we could hang out without anybody ever finding out….and they worked".
"Ah…you basketball, Sharpay drama club" said Taylor quietly.
"Guess they don't call you smart for anything" said Zeke laughing a little.
"Yeah that's me…the smart one" said Taylor sarcastically, more so to herself than Zeke. "What happened next?" she questioned.
"Well our covers worked. I worked really hard at basketball and eventually I made it to varsity with Troy and Chad, and we became friends. I put up a good wall, for the guys so they really thought I was all basketball and eventually baking" he said laughing. "No one knew that Sharpay and I were actually together, but everyone knew that I wanted to be with her…which was all Sharpay's idea. If everybody knew that I liked her than no one would suspect that we were actually together, especially since she continued to turn me down" he said adjusting himself in his chair. "Sharpay engrossed herself in the drama club, you know trying out for everything and getting it and eventually she ended up with her own dressing room, so we could meet there early in the morning or real late after my practices and her rehearsals"
Taylor suddenly gasped, "That's how you found out?"
"Yeah that's how I found out about you and Gabriella, Sharpay and I were in her dressing room, not really saying anything, we just wanted to be close to one another, and we both heard noises, so she sent me to go investigate and I saw the both of you making out in the corner of the stage. I stifled my amusement and went back in told Sharpay, and she burst into immediate giggles….actually I don't think I have ever seen her giggle so hard about something in my life" said Zeke hunching his shoulders.
"Great, great….the girl I can't stand the most knows. Can this day get any worse?" questioned Taylor, while looking up in the sky.
"Actually it can, Troy and Gabriella could find out, then where would you be" said Zeke quietly.
Taylor sighed heavily, "I guess you have a point". She felt some tears falling out of her eyes and she didn't bother to wipe them away. She felt Zeke's hand squeeze hers and somehow she knew that things would get better eventually. Zeke reached in his bag and handed her a napkin. "I guess there's no use in crying over spilled milk" said Taylor wiping the tears away.
"It's alright to cry, trust me I've done it enough this year to qualify as the biggest sissy in Wildcats history" said Zeke quietly.
"I don't think you're a sissy Zeke. I think you're a great guy, who just somehow found himself in a bad situation….which is something we both have in common at the moment" Taylor said, while giving Zeke his own arm squeeze. "How did your situation turn bad anyway?" asked Taylor.
"Well we just kept up appearances and snuck around to see one another as much as possible without anybody knowing, especially her dad. We both hated the summer, because we would always be apart, but last year we finally got the chance to see each during the summer, thanks to Troy".
"Ah, summer jobs at Lava Springs" said Taylor.
"Yeah, it was perfect. We kept up appearances, you know me the chef understudy, and Sharpay completely consumed with trying to get Troy and the Star Dazzle award, but it was all a fake, any spare time we had, we were with each other. That was some of our best moments together" said Zeke getting a glazed look in his eyes. "It was the first time we made love and took our relationship to the next level and we continued those feelings into senior year. Than one day she walks up to me with this serious expression in front of everyone saying we needed to talk. People started whispering saying that she was finally going to ask me to prom, but that definitely wasn't it" he said a little distant.
"What she say Zeke?" asked Taylor quietly.
"She told me she was pregnant. I felt a mix of emotions, I was happy, scared, and nervous all at once, but I didn't get a chance to respond. She turned and walked out of the school almost immediately after telling me. She didn't say anything to me, she just left. I called her cell phone but she wouldn't return my call, I even called Ryan's phone, but he lied and said she wasn't there. All weekend long I was trying to get in contact with her, when Monday rolled around I ran to the school extra early hoping that she would show up" said Zeke his voice wavering slightly.
"Did she?" asked Taylor leaning into Zeke, while looking at him with a serious expression.
"No….she sent Ryan instead. I saw him sitting on the front steps of the school, obviously waiting for me to arrive. Ryan walked up to me and said the worst and most unexpected thing ever, 'Sharpay sent me' he started off saying. 'She wanted me to tell you that she's not pregnant anymore and that she didn't have a choice she had to get rid of the baby'. Zeke's eyes started to water, but he continued. "I asked the obvious dumb question on what he meant by getting rid of, but I knew he meant that she got an abortion".
"Oh my gosh Zeke, I'm so sorry" said Taylor getting emotional herself.
"Thanks McKessie" he said while wiping the few tears that crept up on his face. "I was crushed….I still am crushed, and she didn't come back to school for a couple of days, but when she did we had a lot to discuss. We went into her dressing room, and tears started coming out of her eyes immediately. I had never seen her so upset, but she told me that her dad found out about us, and that he forced her to get rid of our baby. Which I told her was bullshit, because if she really wanted to keep the baby…my baby…our baby, we would have found a way to make it through. It was obvious that she didn't want our baby to begin with. She said that she was scared and she didn't know how she was gonna give birth to an illegitimate child, and she was afraid of being a parent…and the abortion seemed like the best decision for her, but I couldn't take it. I mean everything that we been through, all the secrets and lies so that we could be together, and at the first sign of some real adversity she didn't even discuss it with me, she just made the decision herself than told me about it afterwards. It was completely selfish." said Zeke.
Taylor just stared at him with disbelief written all over her face. She couldn't believe that all this stuff was happing right under there noses.
"Anyway I broke up with her right than and there. I mean how can I be with someone that I can't even trust. Someone who kept a secret about what she was gonna do with my seed…my baby, she just made the decision for herself…and didn't even consider my feelings" he said a little angrily. "I haven't talked to her since, and I honestly think I can talk to her while I'm still this angry".
"You know that would explain why she hasn't been looking her usual Sharpay self lately. Matter of fact she looks a little depressed" said Taylor, shaking her head.
"Well it serves her right; you get what you dish out. Don't get me wrong Taylor, I love Sharpay more than anything, but she cut me deep…and I don't know how to fix any of it because I'm still so angry. See Taylor….all the sneaky around, and lying got us no where. I just can't help but to think that if we were honest about our relationship from the beginning, we could have avoided all of this pain. If we had just dated, no matter what her father thought, or anybody else thought, when she got pregnant, we both would have been able to deal with it…if she would've got pregnant at all. I implore you to do the right thing, you have to make a choice between Troy and Gabriella, the better choice would be to dump them both and move on. I'm serious Taylor if you don't do something soon…you are gonna be hurt beyond belief" he said looking Taylor straight in the eyes.
"I hear you Zeke…and I promise I'm gonna do something about it. I'm just really scared right now" said Taylor looking at Zeke.
"Better to be scared and honest, than to be hurt and alone" said Zeke getting up, as the bell rang signaling next period.
What Zeke said ran through Taylor's head the entire day. She knew immediately what she had to do as soon as their talk was over, and it pained her tremendously but it had to be done. Taylor saw Gabriella in the hall after school and told her she would meet her at her place later on that evening. She rushed home and showered, than grabbed all of her books for their mock study session. Her mother wasn't home yet, so she decided to leave her a note saying that she would be over Gabriella's. She dropped the note on the table next to the door, not noticing the mail that was just under the note she dropped.
'Better to be scared and honest, than to be hurt and alone' thought Taylor as she drove over to Gabriella's house. It seemed like the ten thousandth time she heard Zeke's voice in her mind today. Tonight would be the night where she would actually try to do the right thing for once. Arriving at the Montez residence, she grabbed her books and headed for the door. After giving her greetings to Gabriella's mom, she headed straight upstairs to the bedroom. Upon opening the door she saw the surprise of her life.
There were lit candles every where, with soft music playing in the background. Taylor immediately noticed the song as one of her favorite slow R&B tunes. The lights were dimmed slightly and there was a blanket with a bowl of fruit laying on it.
"Gabriella?" called out Taylor. She felt a pair of soft hands cover her eyes, almost scaring the daylights out of her. "Hey beautiful" she heard Gabriella say, and then she felt her kiss the back of her neck.
Taylor pulled away suddenly, she couldn't be distracted from the reason she came here in the first place. "Ah, Gabriella this is gorgeous, but I thought we were here to get ready for the science fair" said Taylor apprehensively.
"Taylor we know that stuff as well as anybody. I figured we could just relax a little, especially since we really haven't had any personal time in the last couple of weeks" said Gabriella suddenly looking hurt. "Besides you were the one who said you were going to make this up to me, I just thought we could make it up to one another" she said quietly.
Taylor stood quietly, staring at the hurt look on Gabriella's face. Truthfully Taylor had forgotten about the fact that she was suppose to make up with Gabriella tonight, being caught by Zeke kinda erased everything from her mind, but she couldn't stand the look on her face right now, 'I guess I can wait until later' thought Taylor. "I'm sorry….I just…it's been a crazy day, and I guess I'm a little tensed".
"Well let me relax you love" said Gabriella as she closed and locked her bedroom door. She definitely didn't want her mom coming in unannounced tonight. She walked over to Taylor and pulled her close to her body, "You always fit so perfectly with me" moaned Gabriella, while nuzzling her face into Taylor's neck and placing small light kisses there. Taylor felt herself starting to lose control of the situation, she started to feel that tingling sensation down her back, and she knew she was about to be a lost cause if Gabriella continued. Her mind was telling her to stop, but her body was betraying her by the second. Before she knew it Gabriella had worked her way up to her lips, and they were kissing in the middle of the floor. 'Just enjoy it while it lasts Taylor, it will be over soon enough'.
Gabriella broke away and led Taylor to the blanket she had set up. She sat down first and beckoned Taylor to sit in between her legs. Once Taylor was seated comfortably, Gabriella wrapped her arm around Taylor's waist and with the other hand she pulled a strawberry from the bowl and started to feed Taylor the delicious treat. "So why was your day so crazy" she asked.
"I…rather…not talk…about it…right now" said Taylor in between bites. "Honestly I just want to be with you and relax, like you said" she said while she grabbed a piece of fruit, and started to feed Gabriella. Taylor lay back on Gabriella's chest and sighed heavily, 'I hope I'm making the right decision. How does something this wrong feel so right?' she thought to herself.
"Taylor there is something obviously bothering you" said Gabriella, picking up another strawberry and biting it first before feeding it to Taylor.
"Trust me, it's nothing important" said Taylor biting the fruit. She turned around suddenly and pulled Gabriella to her. "It's my turn to make you feel weak" she said. Taylor kissed Gabriella softly on the lips; they could both taste the strawberry on each others lips. Gabriella deepened the kiss, which totally set Taylor off and before they both knew what was happening, they were naked on the blanket, making love, while the music played softly in the background.
Taylor lay awake again with Gabriella curled up closely by her side. Gabriella had her eyes closed and was silently humming the song that was playing from her iPod, obviously in a state of contentment. The same thoughts were running through Taylor's mind like they always did after she made love with either Gabriella or Troy, and then the sudden wave of guilt started to eat at her insides. Taylor sat straight up and started looking around for her clothing.
"Taylor…what's wrong" asked Gabriella getting up slowly. She watched as Taylor started to put her clothing back on and she to went to her closet and put on her robe.
"We need to talk" said Taylor breathing heavily and sitting down on Gabriella's bed. She had put on her underclothes, skirt, and shoes but she was fidgeting with her shirt, which now was in a ball in her hands.
"I don't like the tone of your voice" said Gabriella crossing her hands over her chest, with worry lines appearing on her face.
"Well you're definitely not gonna like what I have to say next" said Taylor standing while finally putting on her shirt. Gabriella just looked at her from across the room, she had a nervous pit in her stomach, but it palled in comparison to the pit that was now in Taylor's.
Taylor kept her eyes on the ground. "Gabriella….tonight was really beautiful and totally unexpected. I appreciate everything that you've done for me tonight, but…..this….us….we can't continue" said Taylor barely above a whisper.
"What do you mean…we can't continue?" said Gabriella not taking her eyes off of the brown beauty.
"Just exactly that, we can't continue this type of relationship Gabriella. I mean we sneak around and we lie, just so we can be together, and it's not right. I can't live with the guilt of what I'm doing. I'm hurting people, and I 'm hurting you and it can't be anymore" said Taylor as tears started to fall.
"Taylor what are you talking about? How are you hurting me? We love each other…I mean I love you Taylor" said Gabriella walking over to Taylor and wiping the tears from her face.
It was the first time that Gabriella had ever said that to Taylor, and upon hearing it the water works started coming full force. She walked away from Gabriella and across the room.
"I love you too Gaby" said Taylor softly. "But that doesn't change the situation. Whether you realize it or not, we are both hurting people that we really care about. And I get why you haven't wanted to break up with Troy and define us…I really do, but this can't continue. We have to end this…and since you're not gonna do it…it has to be me. I have to take responsibility and deal" said Taylor.
It had been a long time since Taylor used Gabriella's nickname, and it was then that she realized how serious this was. "Look Tay…I'm not good at expressing myself…you and I both know this" said Gabriella stuttering, trying to control her emotions. "But I'm asking you not to do this…not to give up on us" she said walking over to Taylor and standing directly in front of her. "I know you're mad because I haven't defined us and I haven't broken up with Troy…but I just need time to figure out everything Taylor, my emotions and everything…I just need you to be patient for me".
"I can't anymore Gaby….don't you get it, our time has run out" said Taylor, while tears were still running down her face. "I'm sorry but I have to go" said Taylor trying to push past Gabriella.
"Please Taylor, don't do this, we can work this out…I promise" said Gabriella grabbing Taylor. Tears were flowing down her eyes as well, she tried to kiss Taylor but Taylor just pushed her away. "Why are you doing this?" questioned Gabriella softly.
"Because it should have been done a long time ago, it should have never started. I promise it's better to hurt now, than to hurt more later" cried Taylor. She was trying desperately to wipe the tears away from her eyes and gain composure.
"Oh I get it, I was the easy lay…you know to help you get over Chad" said Gabriella angrily. Taylor somehow remembered having this same conversation with Troy just the night before. She knew it was Gabriella's way of lashing out, because of the pain she was feeling. 'You have to be strong Taylor, don't let her tears or pleas break you. This has to be done and over with right now' she thought.
"Gabriella you know that's not true…you know how I feel about you, but until things are different we can't be together. I know this sounds cliché but it's really me and not you. I have some things that I need to work on…and I can't work on them and be in a secret relationship". There was silence between the two girls, until Gabriella walked over to Taylor and grabbed her, "I'm begging you not to do this Taylor, please don't do this to me" she cried. Gabriella looked so pitiful, all Taylor could do was grab her into a hug and cry along with her.
The two held each other and cried for quite sometime, until Taylor pulled away. She kissed Gabriella on the head, "I have to go…I gotta get home". Taylor didn't give Gabriella a chance to respond; she just ran to the door, unlocked it and ran down the stairs to her waiting car outside. Gabriella ran to the balcony that accompanied her room, she heard Taylor running to her car, the ignition starting, and Taylor driving off in a hurry. Never in her entire life had she felt so alone and abandoned. Gabriella fell to her knees and clutched herself. Trying to calm down her crying she tried to convince herself that this was the best thing, she didn't have to feel guilty for cheating on Troy anymore.
Taylor drove home in complete silence. Her heart ached so much she felt it physically within. 'One down and one more to go' she thought to herself. Taylor knew that picking one over the other wasn't the best way to go; she had to free herself of both Troy and Gabriella's hold, no matter how much it hurt them or her. Taylor arrived at her house and parked her car. She decided to get herself together before she walked in or her mother would be playing twenty questions with her. She straightened her clothes and hair and tried to clear her face of all evidence of crying, even though her eyes were very puffy.
Walking through the door she saw her mother still up waiting for her. "Mom I thought you would be sleep by now" said Taylor addressing Ms. McKessie.
"Yeah me too" she said a little aggressively. Taylor knew immediately by her mothers tone that something wasn't right. "Mom…what's wrong?"
"Did you bother to check the mail today, Taylor?" she asked.
"No mom, I just came home to grab my books that I needed for the study session with Gabriella. Than I wrote you a note to tell you where I would be" said Taylor a little nervously.
"Well…it's obvious you haven't been doing a lot of studying lately. There was a letter there from your doctor Taylor….it informed me that you are pregnant!" yelled her mother.
Taylor just stood looking at her mom in complete shock.