Mending the Broken {T. Bolton}

~Chapter 22~

Finally we were having some fun. All the staff were gathered together in the kitchen, banging on pots and all chanting "Go Martha, go Martha, go Martha!", while she danced around the room.

"May I have your attention please! Guys, I have an announcement!", Taylor came into the kitchen yelling, while holding a white paper.

The room quickly died down as we all listened intently, "All junior staff will be required to work on show night.", everyone's faces turned to shock as Taylor went on, "No staff participation will be allowed in the show, no exceptions."

I quickly pulled the paper from her hands and reread it myself. I couldn't believe what I was reading.

People talked and asked questions but my full attention was on the sheet in front of me. I knew exactly what was going.

"There's nothing we can do about it, Fulton's orders.", Taylor said.

"There's no way this is Fulton's idea.", Chad spoke up.

"Unless Fulton suddenly has blonde hair, and wears designer flip flops.", Kelsi said.

Sharpay. We all knew this was her doings and not Fulton's. "Excuse me guys.", I said as I walked through the crowd of people, knowing exactly wear I was going.

I walked out of the kitchen and toward the pool. When I got there, Sharpay and the rest of her barbie squad sat at a table and in chairs, laughing at whatever was just said.

"Sharpay.", I stopped in front of the table and looked at her. She sat down her drink and walked away from the table, following my lead to the side of the pool.

"Forget about the rest of us, how about the fact that your brother has worked extremely hard on the show.", I snapped, slightly raising my voice

"Oh boo-hoo. He'll be in the show. He'll do his celebrity impersonations.", I glared at her, my mouth slightly agape before she continued, "And don't lecture me about Ryan, giving the way you've been interfering with Troy's future."

I held back a laugh. I've now heard it all. "What?", was all I could say.

"You've got him written up by Fulton for sneaking around on the golf course, swimming after hours! I had to step in just to save Troy's job.", she looked at me like I was absolutely stupid.

"I'm not interested in what you think you're doing for Troy, that's between you and him, but you're messing with my friends, my summer, and that's not okay with me.", I said, glaring her right in the eyes.

Honestly at this point, Troy is the least of my worries. The way he's been acting, I've stopped even caring.

"You don't like the fact that I won.", Sharpay said, moving closer to my face.

"What's the prize? Troy? The star dazzle award? If you have to go through all of this, just to get one, no thanks Sharpay. You're very good at a game, that I don't want to play."

"So I'm done here. But you better step away from the mirror long enough to check the damage that will always be right behind you.", I pointed my finger at her and took a step back.

Sharpay looked shocked. "Girls!", she yelled before walking away with them right on her heals.

Shaking my head, I started to walk off to get my things before I felt a hand on my shoulder. Troy stepped in front of me, stopping me from walking off.

"Hey, what do you mean you're done here? I mean, you can't quit.", her asked, not removing his hand.

I shook my head before saying, "Us working together sounded great but, plans change and people change."

"The club talent show was a big deal for Sharpay and evidently your future, so it's cool, make it happen, wear your new Italian shoes.", I started to walk off but he stopped me again.

"Hey, I'm still me!", he said, worry in his voice.

"Blowing off your friends, missing dates, if that's you it's good to know.", I turned around to walk the other way but he pulled me back to him.

"No, no, I was only doing that because I was working on the scholarship thing, you know that.", he quickly rambled off.

"But along the way you begin to act like someone your not, pretty soon that's who you become."

"I meant what I said, about movies and summer and just being together."

"I'm sure you did, at the time. I also meant what I said, that I want to remember this summer, but not like this Troy.", I said.

[Verse 1: McKenna]
I gotta say what's on my mind
Something about us doesn't seem right these days
Life keeps getting in the way
Whenever we try, somehow the plan
Is always rearranged

Troy grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight as I sang, almost like if he held on, I wouldn't leave.

[Pre-Chorus: McKenna]
It's so hard to say
But I've gotta do what's best for me
You'll be okay

[Chorus: McKenna]
I've got to move on and be who I am
I just don't belong here
I hope you understand
We might find our place in this world someday
But at least for now
I gotta go my own way

I gently lowered his hand and let if go at his side, before walking off. I entered the locker room to grab my things before leaving.

[Verse 2: McKenna]
Don't wanna leave it all behind
But I get my hopes up
And I watch them fall everytime
Another color turns to gray
And it's just to hard to watch it all
Slowly fade away
I'm leaving today cause I gotta do whats best for me
You'll be okay

I leaned my head up against the row of lockers before opening up mine and pulling my bag out. I slipped it over my shoulder and walked back outside on the sidewalk heading to the parking lot.

[Chorus: McKenna]
I've got to move on and be who I am
I just don't belong here
I hope you understand
We might find our place in this world someday
But at least for now
I gotta go my own way

I got to the end of the bridge before I heard Troy's voice. I turned around and looked at him from across.

[Bridge: Troy & McKenna]
What about us
What about everything we've been through
What about trust?
You know I never wanted to hurt you
And what about me?
What am I supposed to do?
I gotta leave but
I'll miss you

We met in the middle and I placed my hand in his. He placed his free hand on my cheek and gently wiped away the stray tears that had fallen.

I couldn't look at him, not without crying anymore. I turned away and looked down at the water under the bridge. Troy hugged me from behind. I turned back around to face him as I took off the 'T' necklace and placed it in his palm.

[Chorus: McKenna & Troy]
So I've got to move on and be who I am
(Why do you have to go?)
I just don't belong here
I hope you understand
(I'm trying to understand)
We might find our place in this world someday
But at least for now
(I want you to stay)
I gotta go my own way

Fresh tears fell as I turned around and walked off the bridge. Wiping them away, I kept walking even though Troy was following.

[Chorus: McKenna & Troy]
I've got to move on and be who I am
(What about us?)
I just don't belong here
I hope you understand
(I'm trying to understand)
We might find our place in this world someday
But at least for now
I gotta go my own way

[Outro: McKenna]
I gotta go my own way
I gotta go my own way

I sat in my car with my head against the headrest. Tears spilled uncontrollably from my eyes, and there was no stopping them.

I sat there for a second before starting the car and driving home.