Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last chapter. I chose to use this particular format in this chapter to help move the story along and pick up the pace. Again, I would really like to get the story done before the end of the year. I now have great respect and sympathy for the writers of Castaway. It so much easier to write dialogue when there are two characters speaking. Chad and Sharpay will dominate the next part but this is necessary for plot development.

This chapter takes place close to two weeks after the last one.

Warning: Grab a tissue. I started crying when writing this.

Chapter 41: Conversations with people in comas: part one.

It was actually rainy and slushy outside as Kerri made her way to the Albuquerque Rehabilitation Center where her cousin was now staying in one of the more upscale rooms at the best rehab center in the state. Kerri thought it was absurd for any rehabilitation center to have 'upscale" rooms but Kerri also knew Sharpay. Sharpay shows she cares with gifts and making sure Tiffany had the best room in the center was part of that. This explains why the rehab center was in one of the better suburbs with very limited bus service. The great Valentine's Day baby coming out party a week and a half ago was an excellent example of that. It was extremely extravagant, complete with DJ, caviar encrusted hors d'oeuvres, filet Mignon sliders, and a very well stocked open bar that half the guests were too young to enjoy.

As she made her way from the bus stop three blocks away through the winter mix, Kerri wished she still had a boyfriend who had a car. Sharpay's gift of really expensive winter boots would be completely ruined by the time she gets to the center. The only person who knew she was coming here was Jackie because let's be honest her mom was too busy with her own life to care about her 15 year old daughter. At least she and Jackie were really friends again now that she was sans boyfriend. She lost her boyfriend but got her best friend back. It was probably an even trade.

When she made her way inside, Kerri wasn't surprised to see that her Cousin's room was completely redecorated from when they moved Tiffany to the center last week. The walls were now purple, which happened to be Tiffany's favorite color. There was also a plush couch where the other bed was before. The once their walls were now filled with art and pictures of Tiffany's life. On the bed stand was a picture of Chad and Tiffany from the day before everything fell apart. Chad had his hands on Tiffany's belly at the state championship semifinals. The site alone made Kerri want to cry.

This may be the last picture of her cousin alive. Tiffany may be still breathing but being in a coma is not living. Because Kerri is 15 they think that she is too young to deal with what's really going on but she has over heard enough in the last couple weeks to know how bleak the situation really is. A 22% chance now that Tiffany will wake up. Even if she did, the person coming back to life may not be Tiffany. Kerri's mom wanted to stop support and let Tiffany die gracefully, supposedly. Kim and Chad wanted to honor Tiffany's wishes as outlined in her durable power of attorney. It was enough to make her break down in tears.

Beside that image was a picture of Chad and Sharpay holding Isaac and Olivia at the baby coming out party. She can tell by the banner above and the pile of presence. If she remembered correctly seconds later Olivia throw up, completely ruining her designer baby dress. However, in that moment they looked like the perfect family. Such an image was bittersweet. Tiffany should be the one holding her babies instead she is in this place hooked up to various machines most likely never to regain consciousness. It wasn't fair, but nothing in life is.

Beside that picture, was one of her and Jimmy from a few weeks ago. As Kerri looks closely, she now realizes they do not look like two people in love but rather best friends. Why was it so easy for her to see that now?

No one other than Jackie and Marc knew about the breakup. Her mom wouldn't care at all and Sharpay was too busy with baby stuff. Kerri couldn't add one more burden. Considering she still ate lunch with Jimmy every day and they were still on mostly amicable terms, it was probably hard for most people to tell. Actually, the only thing that was different was the lack of making out. Jason M was completely clueless about the demise of their relationship. Jason C on the other hand probably blamed Jimmy for making his boyfriend disappear. Now that was a bad breakup. It was his own fault for being a closet case, Kerri thought as she almost took down the picture of her and Jimmy. She changed her mind at the last minute choosing to sit down in the extremely comfortable chair next to Tiffany's bed. It was probably best to have pictures of happy moments around since there were so few.

"Hey, Tiffany. Do you have any idea how much I miss you?" She asked her cousin as she ran a hand over Tiffany's hair trying to keep the tears from falling. Tiff looked great for someone in a coma. She had a feeling that Sharpay was making sure Tiffany was the best looking patient in rehab. The designer pajamas instead of the signature hospital gown, was an obvious sign that was the case.

"I'm sorry I haven't been to visit since they moved you in to the Sharpay Evans suite. We did not even have time to chat last time because everybody was around and I am trying to keep some of this stuff private. Yes, I know I've been a bad cousin. Things have been slightly schizophrenic for the last few days." That was putting it mildly, Kerri thought as she said the words.

"You have missed so much in the last couple weeks. First, the babies are getting bigger by the day. They no longer have to wear the preemie clothing. They have the best baby wardrobe ever. I swear Sharpay has spent a small fortune on baby things but you already knew that. Their nursery is fully loaded with two of the best of everything. You know how Sharpay is, nothing says I love you like pulling out the credit card." Kerri said with a slight chuckle before running a finger over Tiffany's still cheek.

"Your babies are safe and in good hands and I'm not talking about all the baby presents. She's a good mom, much better than the one I have. Sharpay really does love those babies. You can tell from her incredible baby bedtime stories alone. Actually, they both love Olivier and Isaac. Chad treats those babies more like his children then his bratty brother and sister. You'll be happy to know Chad's parenting skills were inherited mostly from Jack and Caroline."

How can a bastard, like Charles, produce someone as good as Chad? It was probably due to lack of personal involvement. Kerri was personally thankful for that.

"I have been spending a lot of time after school at Sharpay and Chad's condo spending quality time with the Cousins." Okay so she was spending vast amounts of time with the baby Cousins mostly to avoid a certain ex boyfriend and the possibility of seeing him making out with his most likely new boyfriend but she didn't need to burden Tiffany would that. I mean Tiff's last boyfriend tried to kill her. The worst Jimmy ever did to her was hold onto his feelings for Marc. That was pretty mild compared to the reason for Kerri's last break up.

"Their adorable when they're not pooping all the time. You'll be happy to know I can change a diaper in under a minute now." Kerri said with a genuine smile. "I have actually spent the night a couple of times because Sharpay didn't want me staying home alone with mom working the night shift. They have the space. Their new place is about three times bigger than my house with five bedrooms. I didn't even have to ask she just offered. You know how much I hate staying home alone especially after what happened in September period. It was nice having you there for the last few months." Kerri tried not to cry as she said this.

"I like it there. Sharpay and Chad's house is nice and the screaming has finally stopped. Don't worry they are not screaming at each other, just certain family members like Chad's mom and Coach Bolton. Chad and Sharpay are still as much in love as always. Things are just a little complicated right now." Kerri paused for a moment before figuring out how to continue.

"Okay, I guess first thing you should know is that Olivia and Isaac are going to have a couple of playmates in 6 to 9 months. No, Sharpay is not pregnant." She quickly clarified because even though Tiffany couldn't say anything, Kerri knew that would be her question otherwise.

"Kim's pregnant. According to a conversation I overheard outside the classroom, sometimes birth control doesn't work well with some people. Also sex in a hot tub can lead to a very, unplanned pregnancy." She laughed uncomfortably. It was enough to make Kerri glad that things never went beyond kissing and some inappropriate touching with Jimmy.

"Honestly, Mr. Bolton cannot be that mad at Troy because he did the same thing and technically, he is still married to someone else. Chad's mom is now very very pregnant." If Tiffany was not comatose her mouth would probably be a on the floor. Kerri knew that hers was when she heard the news. "Everyone found out during a very very awkward outburst at the baby coming out party. That also just happened to be the moment the dick responsible for the other half of my baby Cousins' genetic material showed up. Fortunately, he was promptly arrested." Which she didn't tell Tiffany, that he somehow made bail again and has not been seen since. Kerri personally hopes she never sees that man again.

"Chad was pissed. Part of the reason why I am helping out is because Chad and his mom really can't be in a room together right now without shouting and screaming. Considering the pregnancy hormones, you would think Caroline would be the one doing the shouting. Again, Chad is not very happy. The baby party was insane and not just because the news of the dead rabbits broke due to Chad hitting the open bar a little too much despite being underage."

Even though Tiffany was unconscious, Kerri did not want to trouble her with everything else yet. From what Kerri heard, it was almost as bad as the great Thanksgiving fiasco except the only people who ended up in police custody this time were Charles for violating his parole, crazy Lucy for the same thing, and one other jealous idiot. Also, Mr. Kim punched out Troy for getting his little girl pregnant again. He was not arrested only because the only person who wanted to press charges was his wife. Then there was Troy and Jack completely avoiding each other all weekend. Again, awkward.

Actually, the fact that everybody tried to act like they didn't know Kim and Caroline were pregnant was the most awkward part of the evening. That was probably worse than how everyone found out. No, her own personal drama was the most awkward, for her anyway. It involved a wonderful love square involving her, Jason C, Jimmy, and Marc. She would definitely be saving that for the end of this conversation.

"You probably should be glad that you are stuck sitting on those wonderful Egyptian cotton sheets that I know Sharpay got for you. It was a disaster. Also, I like your comforter." Kerri remarked uncomfortable as she played with the fringe of the comforter.

"I already told you about everybody finding out about the baby and you rack showing up unannounced at that very moment. Unfortunately, Troy wasn't the only one who had a very unwanted 'mother' show up. The woman who forced you to call her mom also arrived at the Garden with her lawyers. I don't know what happen. Sharpay will have to tell you when she comes by to visit. Maybe she already did."

Again, because she is 15 they are not telling her anything. Kerri is not stupid. She can put enough together from the mere fact Sharpay and Chad's legal team has been camped out in their brand new living room for days, that they are gearing up for a custody battle of epic proportions.

"You don't even want to know how much your babies made out with." Kerri started in hopes of a much happier topic of conversation. "Do know that they really do make gold crested rattles? Sharpay has some rich fake friends. They may not actually care but boy do they buy really good baby presents. I swear there was baby Prada in there. The best present came from Kim and Mr. Evans who combined their vast resources to give each baby a hefty trust fund. I don't know how much money was in there but Sharpay actually cried in public." Kerri said laughing.

"I figured it was best if I stop by now before auditions began for what we are currently referring to as That High School Musical. Once the play starts I'm going to be really busy and won't be coming by as much even though I really want to. Mom isn't home right now so it's not like I have anywhere else to be."

"Unfortunately, even the school musical is not free from complications. For the first time since the original Bush was vice president, East High will not be having a spring musical or drama department for that matter. I'm sure you're crushed." Kerri joked.

"Our favorite Puritan principal is essentially punishing the drama department for various crimes against his cozy little Disneyesque reality. It either has something to do with my almost sexual assault, Jimmy not being that heterosexual, or Kim and Troy obliterating his no teen pregnancies at East High reputation. Then again, he could just be doing this because of Chad and Sharpay's sexually charged epilogue to the fall production." Kerri said with a frown.

"Actually, I think Jack is the main recipient of his wrath in addition to the drama club. For all intensive purposes, principle stick up his ass fired Jack and hired one of his friends to take his place. Don't worry about the father to be again because every private school in the city wants him. The bad news is I probably won't be able to be on the basketball team next year because I'm pretty sure the new guy doesn't give a fuck about title IX. We'll have the last laugh still; Jimmy is transferring to St. Xavier next year on a full basketball scholarship. Apparently, they only care about his basketball skills. Because the transfer is motivated by certain idiots painting the F word on his car and being treated unfairly due to his sexual orientation at the state championship game, the state athletics board has ruled Jimmy is still eligible to play at the new school next year. Is it scary when a religious school is more tolerant than a secular one?" Kerri asked the unconscious body in front of her but received no reply.

"Xavier is trying to get Coach Bolton as well. I will be cheering the entire time no matter what. Actually, I may be a student there next year. Mr. Evans offered me an internship similar to what Amanda is doing this semester that includes full tuition to any private school in the County."

Kerri is sure Sharpay's responsible for this offer but it was probably just another way for the woman to show that she cares. It's nice to know someone does. She wasn't sure yet if she wanted to take the scholarship. Before the breakup she easily would have followed her boyfriend to the new school, especially considering how people were treating her at East high. She was still a pariah to certain parts of the student body. Actually, it was worse after east high lost the state championship. Apparently, the substitute coach's decision to not let Jimmy play was her fault. Despite being well hated, she was unsure if she wanted to leave Jackie behind when they were just getting their friendship back on track after everything. It was probably best for a subject change now. The situation was depressing enough already.

"If you were not completely unconscious you would probably be wondering how I'm going to be auditioning for a high school musical when it has been canceled by a certain principle who we all despised?" Kerri asked hypothetically with a sad smile half wishing for a response.

"Stupid rules and petty vendettas will not keep this production down. In revenge or maybe just in spite of principle you know who, we are still putting on the big high school musical at A of U. The best thing about that is we don't have to deal with the extreme censorship of a certain principal. Too bad we didn't do that last semester. I have to play you to the video of the play." She said as she moved a strand of hair from Tiffany's face.

"The auditions are a week from Monday at Evans hall. Hopefully, Jason M will have the scripts ready by then but I doubt it. Sharpay is being a little bit more hands off this time around because she has mommy duty. Everybody is shocked about that. Because of the incomplete script, we get to sing whatever song we want. I want to do something by Pink but I have no idea what yet." She actually paused for Tiffany to give a suggestion before she mentally reminded herself that none would be coming.

"I should probably do Don't Let Me Get Me or possibly Stupid Girls. I know all the lyrics anyway." She chuckled at that. "It's going to be so much harder this year. Penelope somehow successfully manage to make the musical open to all students in the county which means members of the West High drama club will be auditioning. God help us all." She chuckled before figuring out what to say next.

"I know I only tried out last year because Jackie made me so I would forget about the whole almost getting raped at the welcome back dance but I really do want to be in the musical now. Just so you know it doesn't have anything to do with Jimmy. Being on stage is the only time I feel free from everything going on right now. Things are especially fucked up presently. I need an escape. You are in a coma, your 'mom' is doing god knows what to make the situation even more miserable, my mom is never home, and I broke up with Jimmy." She said that last part in a rush.

"No, I didn't break up with him because he was a bastard like the last boyfriend. It was mostly mutual or at least that's what I'm trying to tell myself. No, he never pressured me into doing anything I didn't want to do. Actually, there were few things I wanted to do but he wouldn't let me." A nervous laugh followed that.

"I know he didn't cheat on me unless you count still having feelings for his-whatever the hell Marc was to him. I could see it, even if jimmy could not. I'm not stupid. I knew what was coming and it was better to end it now without losing a friend. It's a long story, but hey I know you have the time." Kerri joked before she began.

February 14 2009 7:33 PM

"Do you think this party could get any more chaotic? They've already call the cops twice." Jackie said from the seat next to her. They were not the best friends they were before but things were getting better. They had no trouble hiding out from the insanity in the lobby together. Jason was there essentially to play buffer along with Sharpay's old roommate Amanda, who was hiding out from the guy who was her not-a-boyfriend. There's been too much craziness today for Kerri to even analyze that. Apparently, they were trying to prevent another fight from breaking out at this party. Good thing Sharpay's fake friends were good at looking the other way.

"I don't think this has reached the level of Thanksgiving yet. Nobody's been hospitalized." Amanda pointed out with a snicker.

"Yet." Both she and Jackie said simultaneously.

"Gabriella is taking her medications so everything should be fine. She's too busy playing buffer to freak out." Amanda said with a snicker pointing to Gabriella who was trying to get father and son to actually talk to each other. Considering they could hear raised voices, over here it was not going so well.

"I don't know, for a moment I really did think Mr. Kim broke Troy's nose." Jason added.

"I really wish Marc was here right now or Nikki for that matter. You three are just not as good at the snide comments." Amanda said with a pout.

"You could always go talk to Zeke if we are such bad company." Kerri said with a snicker. Sharpay told her all the best gossip on the many drives to see Tiffany after school. According to Sharpay, Amanda likes her former boyfriend but she is worried that he will make the same mistakes again. Kerri can't blame her. Part of her is just waiting for Jimmy to screw her over just like every man that has ever been a part of her life.

"See those are the type of comments that I was talking about. Just try not to make them about me." Amanda shot back.

"I'm still reeling from the not so good side of my family showing up. I'm essentially at something that is supposed to be a baby shower for my cousin who probably will never wake up. I don't feel like being snappy." Kerri remarked darkly. Everyone just looked at their hands awkwardly for a moment.

"I don't have anything. In an effort to be sensitive, I'm not going to mention that your BFF is with her boyfriend." Jackie said snidely causing everyone on the couch to give her a dirty look.

"I didn't mean anything by it." Jackie said apologetically.

"Yes, you did." Jason M mumbled under his breath.

"I thought you were over the fact that I'm dating Jimmy?" Kerri questioned.

"I'm over it." Jason and Amanda gave her a dark look. "I'm over it, really. However, I am your friend and it is my job to point out that your boyfriend is spending a lot of time with his ex. Please explain to me how I missed that?" Jackie said that last part referring to her being oblivious of Jimmy's preferences. Then again, Jackie wasn't there to see her crush followed Troy around like a lost puppy the last school year. She wondered if Troy knew that half the school thought that he was sleeping with Chad and assumed Gabriella was his cover.

"We're all fools in love." Amanda mumbled almost to herself.

"They really were not dating," Kerri said quickly. "Just making out a lot." She was blushing at the thought.

"According to Marc he felt Jimmy was too young for a serious relationship. That makes no sense because they're actually closer in age than Chad and Sharpay." Amanda added. Of course, Jimmy never told her the real reason why things never became serious between the two.

After that, witnessing her Cousin's disasters relationship blow up she wondered if maybe Marc was right about that. In her case, Jimmy was ready for something more serious and she was not. He knew even though everyone thought they were going steady they were essentially friends would make out privileges. There were some people in the world who found the love of their life at 15 like Mr. Troy Bolton but she doubted she would be one of them.

"What?" Kerri asked blinking back frustration.

"Like Jason, Marc skipped a few years. It was for the best. Our school was a little intolerant. Arizona has issues. That is the reason why the three of us decided to go to school out of state. A of U was the only school that offered all of us scholarships." Amanda clarified but that wasn't what Kerri wanted to have explained. Just then, they started to hear more arguing. She instantly recognize that one of the voices belong to Marc. Surprisingly enough, Jimmy wasn't following behind him. Actually, she was more alarmed at the fact that she thought it was strange her boyfriend wasn't with Marc.

"Can we talk about this later?" Jason C said looking nervous. If nobody at East high figured out his preferences before she doubted they would figure it out now.

"HELL NO! You cannot ignore me the entire time we're here and then send me a nasty text message because I'm spending too much time talking to my friends." Marc was screaming and Jason C seemed to have the sudden urge to run away.

"This is going to be ugly." Amanda mumbled to herself as Jason M nodded in agreement.

"We both know Jimmy is not just a friend." Marc's mouth opened in annoyance at that comment. Jackie was holding onto her wrist to keep her from punching out the former basketball player. Thanks to the self defense classes she has been taking since her almost rape she could so kick his ass. Nobody accuses her friends of doing stuff like that. It was at that moment she realized that one, she considered Marc a friend. Two, she also considered her boyfriend a friend.

"Just so you know not all non-heterosexuals sleep with each other. That's just a myth that heterosexuals came up with to justify their own prejudice. Besides, Jimmy has a girlfriend right now and unlike my own mother, I don't sleep around with other peoples significant others." It looks like Marc was getting ready to walk away before he hurt someone.

"Everybody knows she is just as cover." Marc looked ready to kill and Kerri was now being held down by both Jackie and Amanda.

"Considering there still writing the F word all over his locker, if she was his cover, she is not doing a very good job of it. Trust me, he really cares about her and he is with her because of that. Not everybody lives in glass closets like you." People were looking at the two now.

"I'm not gay." Jason C said defensively in a way that pretty much told everybody around that he really was. Marc was already walking away but his now former 'special friend' grabbed his hand.

"No, you are just MSM." Marc said with venom pulling away.

"MSM?" Jackie whispered for clarification.

"Men who have sex with men, not gay, it's like the down low." Jason said quickly getting strange looks from all three of them. "What? My mom is a gynecologist. Sometimes, I read her medical journals when I'm bored." For some reason that actually seemed plausible.

"Why didn't they skip you into college?" Amanda asked bluntly in near shock.

"My parents want me to have a somewhat normal high school experience." Jason M said but Kerri was too busy paying attention to the fight in front of her.

"Fuck you! Oh wait, you're afraid you will actually like that. I'm not sorry that I'm too much of a flaming queer for you. Call me when you get tired of living in your closet." With that, Marc was now sitting in the chair next to Amanda as an extremely angry Jason C left the room.

"Drink this, it spiked." Amanda said handing over what Kerri thought was an innocent glass of cola.

"You are not going to say I told you so? Because I am fully aware that 'dating' the closet case was a very bad idea." Marc said as he drank the offered drink in one go.

"Why should I, you're already doing it for me. I'm just surprised the blow up happened in public."

"I'm surprise he was willing to stand next to me in public. I need more alcohol." Marc said in pure bitterness. "Although, I couldn't let this go by." Marc said just before handing his cell phone to Amanda.

Now common sense would have told Kerri that she should not have looked at the cell phone. However, she rarely had common sense otherwise she probably wouldn't have almost ended up getting raped last September. Unfortunately, she saw the message below.

Did you enjoy getting your hand job from your junior friend?

"He was talking about my boyfriend?" Kerri asked out loud already knowing the truth.

"This is why you should not read other people's text messages." Amanda mumbled. "This is going to be bad."

"Nothing happened. Jimmy is your boyfriend." Kerri saw this look in his eyes that she could not ignore.

"I know, I trust you." She didn't say much more because the fourth fight of the night broke out. This time Jason C pushed her boyfriend through a glass window.

"So much for nobody ending up in the hospital." Jason M mumbled from beside her.

"If you really want to stay in the closet this isn't the type of behavior you should engage in." Marc said as he jumps up with her to break up the fight.

XXXX

"So any way after the police showed up and arrested Jason C for assaulting a minor, Jimmy and I got to spend the night at your old home away from home, AMC. According to Amanda, Zeke was so furious that he refused to get his now former best friend out of jail. I personally think he's trying to get bonus points but I'm currently in an all men are asses phase." She said with a bitter laugh before continuing.

"Fortunately, Jimmy didn't break anything but he did end up with lots of stitches. The fact that Marc spent the entire ride to the hospital fussing over my boyfriend and apologizing pretty much told me it was time to end things." Kerri said honestly.

"So that's why you broke up with me in the ER?" Kerri heard a voice say from the doorway. She was shocked to hear.

"There were lots of reasons. Although jealousy was not one of those reasons. It was more like Marc saw you as a lover and I saw you as a friend. What are you doing here Jimmy?" She asked secretly glad that she was not alone anymore.

"Jackie told me where you were going. I thought you could use the support." He said pointing to the pile of tear stained tissues on Tiffany's bed. Kerri had no idea how much crying she has done in this room this afternoon. "You said you wanted us to still be friends. I would have driven you here if you asked." From his voice, she could tell he was being sincere.

"I just wanted to be alone for a moment. I'm not in a place where I can be with someone right now and that wasn't fair to you when you have other options. We are better at being friends. I think that I only kissed you back because I wanted to prove to myself that not all men are ass holes." Kerri said honestly, as she got up from the couch and threw away her tear stained tissues.

"Did I succeed?" Jimmy questioned.

"Mostly." She said grabbing her purse not making eye contact.

"You don't have to leave now." He said awkwardly.

"I think I need to." She said just before bending over and kissing Tiffany on the forehead. "I love you." She whispered as tears started to fall. By the time she actually stepped out of the room, she was moments from collapsing. Thankfully she was not alone.

"It's okay." He whispered to her as she continued crying.

"Nothing is okay. This is why I can't do our relationship right now. I'm too fucked up on the inside." She was sobbing harder with every word.

"Things will get better." He said kissing her on the forehead. She pulled away from him after that.

"See this is why nobody knows that we're not together anymore. We have to be the most amicable former couple in history." She said as they started to walk out the door.

"No, I think that title goes to Troy and Gabriella. She bought Troy's fiancée a congratulations you are pregnant card." Kerri actually laugh that that. At least, she wasn't crying anymore.

"There setting a new standard for former couples everywhere." Kerri said with a sad smile.

"So what's going on with you and Marc?" She was expecting Jim me to say nothing but instead she got something honest, even if she wasn't sure that she wanted to hear it.

"It's complicated." He said with a sigh as they walked out into the snowy mess that was Albuquerque winter. It was already dark outside making her grateful for a ride home.

"Isn't it always?" She said with a shrug. "Just don't figure it out before prom. You are still taking me."

"I could take both of you." Jimmy said with a smug look.

"That would give Principal Dave a heart attack." She replied almost laughing.

"That's the point."

To be continued.