By the time I pulled up to Troy's Gram Gram's place, I was starting to really question my decision. The last time I was here was over three years ago, before Troy and I broke up. Now it felt like I was stepping into the enemy-combatted territory.

My stomach flipped and tightened as I stepped out of the car. Moving at a snail's pace, I hesitantly approached the front door. Pausing momentarily, I gave myself a few seconds to change my mind. And for a split second, I did consider it but decided against it.

My hands were shaking as I reached for the doorbell. I could hear the noise behind the door while I waited for someone to answer. The second ticked away slowly before Troy's Gram Gram finally answered the door.

Her eyes grew twice their size when she saw me there. Opening her mouth, she closed it when nothing came out. "Gabby, what are you doing here," She asked with a confused look when she found her voice.

I gave her a small wave with an innocent smile. "Hi, I was hoping we could talk. May I come in?"

She eyed me for a moment like she was trying to figure me out. Sighing, she gave up and opened the door all the way. I cautiously stepped in when she waved me in.

A gasp of shock escaped me at the mess in front of me. Everything was spread out all over. There were boxes unpacked and packed. Some of the boxes were somewhat filled, and only some of the boxes were labeled. Some of the unlabeled boxes were packed, and some were empty.

My experience told me this was the moving frenzy. Everyone was probably on edge from the pressure to get everything packed.

Or figuring out what not to pack, I thought when my eyes landed on the giant sign that read: Yard Sale.

I nodded at the sign. "You're having a yard sale?"

"Yeah, you'd be surprised by the amount of junk one can accumulate in one lifetime," She commented as she maneuvered through the sea of stuff. "But I know you didn't come here to talk junk and yard sales. So my junk aside, let's talk about why you're here over a pot of tea."

I glanced around at the mess around us. Somehow I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't an ordinary yard sale. There was more going on.

I nodded and followed her into the kitchen. "So, does Troy or anyone in your family know you're selling the house? And it's content?"

"Course," Troy's Gram Gram answered while she put on a pot of tea. "In fact, Jack and Lucy are helping me."

We sat at the dining table as we waited for the tea. "And no one has any objections?"

"They can object all they want, but it's a done deal."

The sadness in her voice didn't go unnoticed. Clearly, this place still meant a lot to them, so why were they selling it? What was the end goal? Could it be money? But then why not ask The Evans for a loan? They would be able to loan them the money, no questions asked.

I felt so confused as more questions popped into my head. I was getting more questions than answers. Every time I thought of a question, two follow up seem to just fall into place. Trying to fit all the unknown together like a puzzle was mentally exhausting. The fact that I had so little information didn't help.


I decided to try another approach after working in silence with her.

"What are your plans after selling the house," I asked, giving her a hand with the biscuits and cups. "Do you have a place to go once this place sells?"

The kettle hissed, and Troy's Gram Gram went to get the tea. Troy's Gram Gram spoke as she poured me a cup. "Tommy and I will figure it out. Sweetener?"

I couldn't shake the feeling that something just didn't feel right. "No thanks. I'm good," I shook my head.

Troy's Gram Gram took a seat across from me. "Look, I know what you're thinking, but we're fine. When you've lived as long as we have, it's normal to rid some of the old stuff."

"OK, but if you ever do need a listening ear or hand with anything, I'm happy to help," I offered.

Troy's Gram Gram demeanor changed the second those words left my mouth. She narrowed her brow together at me, looking like I had just challenged her.

Anger and determination were flashing in her eyes. "You think we can't handle our own business just because we are old?

My mouth hung open in shock.

I had wanted to offer a helping hand. I hadn't realized in doing so; I would offend her or overstep my position. I started doubting myself and questioning whether stopping by was a great idea. It shouldn't have mattered that much to me. But it did.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't be so rude. You were only trying to show that you care," She apologized with a softer expression.

I shook my head. "No, Troy and I broke up years ago. What you guys do has nothing to do with me, and I shouldn't have overstepped. But if you ever do need someone to talk to or have something you need help with, I'm available, is all."

"I appreciate that. Tommy and I both do, but we're good."

I nodded my understanding. "Well, how about an extra hand with all the packing and sorting?"

"Only if you agree to stay for lunch afterward," Troy's Gram Gram replied. "It's the least we could do."

I held my hand out to close the deal. "Deal," We agreed with a giggle.


The following day I arrived at Sharpay and Zeke's residence early in the afternoon. I could feel my stomach doing flips and summersaults as I approached the front door. Ringing the doorbell, I questioned how far I would get with Sharpay.

It wouldn't be like talking to Zeke or even Troy's Gram Gram. This was a completely different ballpark. Sharpay and I'd barely said two words to each other since we ran back into each other. To say our exchanges have been unkind was putting it nicely. If anything, it was angrier and sometimes even downright hostile.

I wasn't betting anything that she would be even willing to let me in, much less talk about her problems.

Gripping my bag, I held my breath until Ryan finally opened the door. He stared at me like he was looking at a ghost for a good minute.

"Gabby, why are you here," He asked when he found his voice.

"I was hoping to talk to Sharpay."

Ryan refused to budge. I noticed the conflict in his eyes as he stared at me.

Did Ryan believe me? Was he still my friend like Jason and Zeke? Or is he still mad at me?

"Why, so you could rub her divorce in her face," Ryan huffed, folding his arms across his chest. "We're all living on the edge, wondering what you'll pull next, and my sister is getting a divorce. Haven't you don't enough damage?"

So much for Ryan being a friend and not being mad at me.

"I'm not trying to hurt anyone," I replied, not feeling so confident about my idea. "I only want to talk to Sharpay. Figure out what's going on with my friend."

"And why should I believe you," Ryan spat out in full anger. "If we were your friends, you wouldn't have turned your back on us. Nor would you still be hiding secrets from us. We never were your friends."

Ryan's words stung, but his anger didn't surprise me. It was pretty how I've been treated by Chad, Ryan, Sharpay, Taylor, and Kelsie since the day we ran back into each other. But I still had to try and help if I could.

Figuring I wouldn't get in, I pulled something out of my bag. "Here, I made these for you and Sharpay. I know how much you and Sharpay love my mom's brownies."

Ryan studied me for a moment before hesitantly reaching for the bags. "You really made these?"

I shrugged. "I know how much you both love sweets, especially when you're feeling upset. I thought you could both use a little pick me up now, Sharpay especially. My mom and Sharon helped if that makes you feel any better. Anyway, since I can't talk to Sharpay, I should probably go."

Ryan stared froze at the brownies until his expression softened. He chased after me out the driveway. "Wait, Gabby. You really want to help my sister?"

I narrowed my brow, curious as to what Ryan would do. "Yeah, but I need to know what's going on with her to be able to help her."

Ryan's eyes darted from me to the house. He let out a sigh and caved. "OK, you can try talking to her. But there's no guarantee that she will not want to bite your head off. And Zeke is not here to restrain her."

I chuckled a little but stopped when I saw the serious look on his face. "Don't worry. I've been through worse, and my parents taught me to handle myself."

I followed Ryan into the mansion. "She's in the kitchen with C.J.," He stated, closing the door behind me.

"Ry, who's…." Sharpay started calling out but stopped when she saw me. She paused in shock for a moment. Suddenly she jumped up at me and growled. "You!"

Ryan came rushing in as I jumped back, startled by her anger. He stepped between us and turned to Sharpay with his arms spread wide to separate us. "OK, calm down, or you'll have to explain to our friends why their son is having nightmares."

Sharpay finally noticed how scared C.J. was and backed off. But she still had a glare on me that sent chills down my spine. I was glad looks couldn't kill.

She turned to Ryan. "Ryan, why would you even let her in here," She asked through gridded teeth.

Ryan picked C.J. up and gave Sharpay a serious look as he left the room. "Because you need to talk to someone about whatever is bothering you. Since you won't talk to us, maybe you'll talk to the person you turned to for love advice in college."

Sharpay huffed and chucked a roll at her brother. Ryan quickly darted out back, but not before wishing me good luck.

Once Ryan was out of the room, I tried approaching Sharpay. Grabbing another nearby roll, she chucked it at me. I quickly shifted, dodging the roll as it flew right by my head.

Sharpay armed herself and was ready to throw again. "I have nothing to say to you. Leave, or the next one won't miss."

I let go of my purse and held my hand up in innocent. "Look, Sharpay, I know you're angry with me, but I'm really trying here. All I want is to hear you out and see if there's any way I can help you out."

The anger in her subsided, and I relaxed for the first time since I set foot in the house. Ever so slowly, I approached her when she disarmed herself and sat beside her at the kitchen island. We sat in silence until I finally prompted Sharpay.

"Sharpay, I can't figure out how to help you if I don't know what's going on. And I can't know what's going on until you're willing to talk to me."

Sharpay scoffed. "Just cause I stopped pelting you with rolls doesn't mean we're anywhere near OK. Three years ago, you turned your back on us. Now, you waltz back in three years later, and Zeke wants a divorce. Am I really supposed to believe this wasn't what you wanted all along? How stupid do you think I am?"

I opened my mouth and closed it, trying to find the right words. Drawing in a breath, I let it out before trying a new approach. "Sharpay, I was engaged before I ran back into Zeke, and I'm still engaged now. Plus, I'm here talking to you. What about any of that says I'm romantically interested in him?"

She eyed in as she picked at the roll in her hand. "Good point. Then why are you always meeting with him alone and in secret?"

I groaned. "If you or anyone else knew I was talking to Zeke or Jason, would any of you stand by and do nothing? The real question is, why are you threatening assault to every girl your husband comes across."

She scrunched her face. "He told you?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and he also told me you weren't always so paranoid. You two could be apart for days, and you wouldn't so much as ask about the woman he was with, much less threaten them. Why the sudden change?"


She shrugged, staring out at the yard. Silence lingered between us as I waited for her to explain. I noticed the sadness and longing in her eyes. I followed her gaze to see her staring at C.J.

Could their marriage issue have something to do with kids? Did Sharpay want kids, and Zeke didn't? Or maybe it was the other way around? But Zeke loves kids. If Sharpay didn't want kids, why was she sad looking at C.J.?

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to rid myself of the oncoming headache I felt. There were so many questions racing through my mind it was enough to make me dizzy. I wasn't sure if I should try asking her or just wait for her to talk to me. It didn't take Sharpay long to decide for me.

She dug into the brownies that I brought over. "Still as amazing as I remembered," She praised with a mouth full of chocolate brownies.

"Sharpay," I prompted, tired of the dancing around. "Are you going to let me help you or not?"

She stared me down for another moment before showing me a couple of pamphlets. I narrowed my eyes at her briefly before picking up the brochure closest to me. Looking at it, I grabbed another one. My eyes bugged out, and I grabbed the entire stack of brochures. Skimming them, I blew out a breath in shock when I dropped them back on the table.

"Zeke doesn't know," I asked when I found my voice.

Sharpay chuckled with a shake of her head. "Yeah, no. I tried telling him. But I keep losing my nerve when I feel like I'm ready."

It sounded like she was describing my life.

"Have you talked to anyone?"

"No," She cried with a shiver. "The last thing I want is for more people to know. That's not the kind of attention I want."

She was literally living my life. Or at least a good part of it and not the good parts, either. I can't even begin to count the number of times I felt the same way Sharpay had been feeling. I sympathized with her and knew she would need some major courage to face this. And even more so if things don't turn out too great.

I closed the brochure in my hand and handed it back to her. "I get it, Sharpay. I've always been different, and because I was always different, that's how people treat me."

"Because you're an Einstein-ette?"

I dropped my head. "That's part of it, but the point is I started shutting down because I was so focused on the negative that I completely missed the positive."

She raised her brow at me like I told her something crazy. "How could this kind of attention be a good thing?"

I sighed and shook my head. "It's not. But knowing your family is there to help you through this that's a positive. Having true friends who still see you as the same Sharpay Evens, they always knew another positive. Not living in fear or regret more positive. There are so many positives. Maybe even more than negatives if you're willing to look."

My speech slowed as I started realizing my mistake.

"Are you OK," Sharpay asked, waving a hand in front of my face.

I snapped out of my daze and nodded. "Yeah, I just realized everything I told you was what I should've been telling myself."

She looked thoughtfully at me. "Do you regret it…not really talking to someone?"

I smiled at her. "I have people I can trust and talk to. On the other hand, I've had the completely opposite situation, where I thought someone was my friend, and it turns out they weren't. But I bet you know a thing or two about that, given who your parents are."

She barely nodded her head. "Growing up, I've always questioned who my friends were, even with Emma, Jackie, and Lea. I sometimes wondered if we were friends because of my family's name."

I knew where she was going and finished for her. "Then, being part of the gang for the first time, you weren't questioning who your friends are."

Her gaze went back outside to Ryan. "For the first time, Ryan and I both felt like we had real friendship we didn't have to question."

Guilt hit me square in the chest. "I'm sorry," I apologized, watching Ryan chase C.J. around the yard. "As much as my decision hurt Troy. I really should have thought about how much my decision would hurt everyone and make you all question our friendship. Especially for Ryan and you."

She wiped a tear rolling down her cheek. "You really hurt us, Gabby. Not because you didn't trust us, but when you ghosted us, we all questioned if you were your friend, but Ryan and I wondered if you weren't our friends, then maybe the others weren't either."

My chin wobbled a little as I struggled to control my emotions. The realization of just how much I've hurt my friends hit me hard as guilt slammed at me even harder. I was no better than those people who I thought were my friends. I turned away, feeling shame that I could be so harsh.

"I really am sorry, Sharpay," I apologized, "I never for a second realized by protecting myself, I was being just like the same people who hurt us."

She smiled a little. "Thanks, so are we friends?"

"I wouldn't be here otherwise," I stated, writing something down on a piece of paper. "And I won't be giving you this either."

She narrowed her brows into a straight line, trying to figure me out. "Dr. Antonio Diaz-Monetez," She took the paper from me and read. "There's even a number."

"He's a really well-known OB and just happens to be my OB," I stood up and started gathering my stuff. "Try calling him; he'll be able to give you a second opinion when you're ready. Until then, your secret is safe with me."

I started to leave, but Sharpay stopped me. "Hey, Gabby, thanks for being my friend."

I smiled. "And thanks for being mine."

Good start. But I still have a lot to make up for. And the only way I can is to start focusing on the positive.