Author's Note: Hey everybody!!. Sorry for the long absence but I'm back now with a new chappie, and hopefully you all will like it. Thank you for your patience and loyalty.This chapter isn't a song-chappie, but it does have a reference. I'm gonna try and make this fic a song fic, if you have any suggestions, that would be great. This is the next morning with our favourite foursome!!. What will happen?. Find out now. Enjoy. I do not own HSM, I only own the plotline.

The next morning, Taylor woke up in a haze from the night before. As she slowly begun to open her eyes to the world, the sunlight blinding her for a brief moment, her whole body ached, some because of the hangover, and some from sleeping in an uncomfortable position for too long. Taylor held her head in pain as she let out a terrible groan, rolling over to try and get into a more comfortable position, when she came into contact with something warm. Confused, and a little frightened, Taylor wondered if she'd slept with anyone from the night before, and that's when it all came rushing back to her. The after party, the drinking, the dancing, her friends worrying about her, sleeping on the couch, and vaguely but surely, asking Chad to stay with her. Taylor's cheeks suddenly became very hot at the thought, and as she cracked an eye open, se partly hoped it was a dream.

However, sure enough, there was Chad, sleeping soundly, with a carefree expression and the smallest hint of a smirk playing on his lips. Taylor's heart couldn't help but flutter at the scene before her. She also took a moment to realize the position they were in on the couch; snuggled up in a blanket, Chad's arm loosely but protectively around her waist, her head rested in the crook of his neck, his cheek resting gently on her head, some of his curls fell over her. Taylor couldn't help but crack a small smile as she continued to watch him sleep, thinking back on his generous acts towards her safety the night before, even though her memories were still a bit hazy. Sighing softly, Taylor snuggled a bit closer as she thought about how fate works in mysterious ways, she never would have imagined things to turn out the way they did; how she and Gabriella had the two most popular guys in school!.

Taylor thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Chad suddenly stirring beside her. Taylor remained still as she felt Chad begin to stretch out his limbs and give a huge yawn, the arm he had around her waist tightened around her for a moment as he stretched, her cheeks beginning to glow once more. Finally settling, Chad rubbed his free hand over his face as if to brush of the sleep from his features and turned to Taylor. Seeing that she was already awake but somewhat trying to avoid his presence, Chad gave a smile. "Good morning" he greeted her, his voice hoarse from the sleeping. The heat rose a little in Taylor's cheeks, her earlier hopes that he had gone back to sleep were faltered. "Morning" she greeted back. "How's your head? Any better?" Chad asked as he slipped his arm from around Taylor and begun to stretch that arm. Taylor thought for a moment. She had been so distracted by Chad since she first cracked an eye that she forgot all about the throbbing in her head, which now that she thought on it, was somewhat less in pain at the moment.

"Yea, quite a lot better" she said, a hint of a smile now graced her lips, now wondering how Chad could have such an effect on her, including how much she loved it. Chad's smile widened at her comment, "I'm glad. You had quite the coming out last night" Chad commented, pushing himself up onto his elbow to be able to see Taylor clearer. "It was a night to go down in Wildcat history" he said, "One none of us will ever forget" he joked, causing Taylor to giggle and slap him playfully on the arm. There was a brief moment of silence between the two until Chad started to move again, this time trying to sit up. "I'm a little hungry, what about you?" Chad asked as he begun to shift himself into a sitting position. "Yea, I think I'm ready for some food" Taylor responded, also starting to get up. However, as she sat up, her headache from the night before suddenly hit her full force and she groaned as she held her head in pain. Seeing her pain, Chad turned to her worriedly, slipping an arm around her shoulders. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yea, just need a advil" said, holding her head, wishing the throbbing pain would go away. Taylor was so pre-occupied with her throbbing head that she hardly noticed Chad had stood her up, the movement causing her head to jolt violently, Taylor feeling herself begin to fall forward. "Whoa, there!" Chad said, catching her quickly, arm firmly around her shoulders as he slowly began to guide her towards the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, Chad directed her to the kitchen table, Taylor hardly noticing until she was firmly planted in he chair. Still holding her head, Taylor watched out of the corner of her eye as Chad moved skilfully around the kitchen, as if it was his own. Chad fixed her some coffee, grabbing two pills from the bottle he'd found in the cabinet, and headed back over to her, pills and cup in hand.

"Here, it will help with that nasty hangover" he said gently, placing the cup in front of her, the pills next to it. Glancing at him briefly, she muttered her thanks before taking the pills and cup in her hands, popping the advil in her mouth and slowly gulfing down the coffee. Chad watched her with a smile, "Be careful, that coffee's hot" he warned, turning back to the kitchen, "What do you want for breakfast?" he asked, grabbing two bowls from the cupboard. "We'll have whatever she's having!" Troy called from the doorway to the kitchen. Arm around a smiling Gabriella as the two walked towards the table where Taylor sat. "Good Morning, Tay!" Gabriella greeted her best friend cheerfully, coming to sit next to Troy, a bright smile on her face. Troy sat beside her groggily, obliviously his head throbbing in pain as well. "Morning" Taylor greeted back, replacing the cup on the table.

"Late night?" she gestured to Troy, who leaned sleepily and a bit painfully on his head. "Too many beers!" Troy responded. "All the sports teams at East High were offering me drinks all night!" Troy groaned, rubbing a tired hand over his face. Gabriella rubbed his back, sympathetically. "You'll be fine once we get some breakfast into you" she said. Taylor and Gabriella gave a chuckle, when Chad came from the kitchen, placing a bowl of cereal in front of Taylor and Gabriella. "And how was your night, Tay?" Gabriella turned a curious eye to the silent Taylor, her attention completely on her cereal. "How was your night?. Last time I saw you, you two were quite snuggled under the blanket" Gabriella teased, giggling as Taylor shot her an evil look. "That's all that happened" Chad butted in, placing a bowl of cereal, coffee and pills in front of Troy, before taking a seat next to Taylor with his own bowl of cereal, Taylor was thankful for his rebuttal. "It wasn't the best sleep I ever had, but I had to keep an eye on her" Chad said, glancing towards Taylor who rolled her eyes. "Right, like I could go anywhere's in my sleep!" Taylor said, causing the others to laugh.

"So it was Sharpay behind it all" Gabriella commented. Chad scoffed, "She doesn't know the meaning of giving up!". "Maybe this is part of getting revenge for losing Troy to you, Gabi" Taylor added. "By punishing you, Tay?" Chad commented. "She was probably bored and wanted some fun" Gabriella added, smiling in Chad's direction. "Yea well, she defiantly got me!" Taylor said, holding her head, the throbbing had gone almost completely, except for a slight pain. "If I ever see that blonde witch in designer heels again, I will kill her!" Taylor growled, causing the other three to chuckle in amusement, finding Taylor's anger amusing. Their laughter was suddenly interrupted as the front door was opened and Troy's parents called through the house.

All four pairs of eyes instantly went very wide and their faces pale as they knew that they would now have to face the reality of their parents. As expected, Mrs. Bolton appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, with a shocked expression on her face. The four teenagers greeted her with shy smiles. "Good morning, Mom" Troy greeted his mother with a smile. "Troy Alexander Bolton, you are in serious trouble!" her voice bellowed through the kitchen, shocking the four teens. There stood Troy's mom, pieces of her favourite vase in each hand. "I guess she found the vase" Troy said to himself in dread. "I think we should be going" Chad suddenly said, slowly getting to his feet, Taylor watched him in confusion.

"Your mother will be anxious to see you home, Tay" he said, once more trying to get the point across that they should leave. "Yeah, Tay. Your mom will want to see you" Gabriella said. Catching on, Taylor smiled sympathetically at Mrs. Bolton as she got to her feet. "That's right, I better be leaving" she said. Troy watched the three of them curiously. "Your leaving me?" he asked, a sad puppy-dog look in his eyes. Gabriella patted his hand gently, "I will still be here, babe" she said with a smile. "For support" she said, With a quick farewell to Mrs. Bolton, who was still steaming in the doorway, and Mr. Bolton, and shooting Troy another sympathetic smile, Chad and Taylor dashed out of the kitchen, and diverted towards the living room.

Taylor took a quick scan of the couch and floor to see if she forgot anything, before the two of them went to the door to gather their shoes. "Come on, I'll drive you home" Chad said, opening the door for Taylor, who looked at him in surprise. "You don't have to" she said shyly. "It's a beautiful day, and it's not that far" she advised. Chad gave a small chuckle. "I can't risk it" he said, "God only knows what you could do in your staete!" Chad teased. Taylor gave him a look. "It's much easier if I just drive you" he said, but she seemed unconvinced. "Please?" Chad asked, putting on his best puppy dog look at her. Taylor couldn't help but a light blush burn her cheeks and her anger suddenly melt away like ice cream.

"Fine" she gave up, walking past him, out the door, pretending to ignore the wide smile that was now on both their faces. Taylor's smile only brightened with amusement as she noticed Chad's car, which he had left at Troy's last night. It was a beat up old Chevrolet, the paint was maroon, the seats were of leather, with patches and some holes and an old pair of dice hanging from the rear view mirror. Taylor laughed, "You drive an old Chev?" she asked. "When is it from, the seventy's?" she teased. "Hey!. It was my dad's and the only one I could take yesterday" Chad shot back, also laughing. "Sure, Chad" Taylor continued, opening the door and getting inside. It felt strange being alone in a car with Chad as he started up the engine and carefully backed out of the driveway. There was a little bit of an awkward silence as they began down the road. Taylor fiddled with a string on her pants, Chad noticed this and decided to break the silence. "Did you have fun last night?" he asked suddenly. "You weren't as I expected" he chuckled.

"Excuse me?" Taylor said, rather offended. "I am not as stuck up as people think" she said, crossing her arms. "Apparently not" Chad chuckled again. "But you were a lot of fun" he continued. After going around a turn, he looked at her briefly, saying, "I'm glad I could hang out with you like we did". Taylor's earlier blush now came back in full as Chad's sincere words hit her like bricks. 'Does this mean he wants to be a couple?' she thought to herself. 'Am I ready for that?'. "Hey, why don't we listen to the radio!" Taylor said, breaking the uncomfortable silence between the two, hoping the music would distract her for a little while. Turning the knob on the stereo, the car was filled with the sounds of an old time favourite, Shook me All Night Long. Taylor's eyes widened, "I love this song!" she exclaimed.

Chad suddenly turned to her in surprise, "You like ACDC?" he asked, turning his attention back to the road when he realized they'd swerved a bit. "Yes, I do" Taylor said, a bit smugly. "Growing up, my parents always liked to play these kinds of songs, I think it was something to help them feel younger?" she laughed, Chad did as well. "Mine too, my dad would always talk about me getting this car someday" Chad said, "But not like this" Chad chuckled, Taylor did as well.

Chad took another quick moment to glance at Taylor, thinking how amazing she was, and how he had taken getting to know her for granted all these years. Taylor noticed this, a blush deepening on her cheeks. "Keep your eyes on the road, Danforth" she teased, causing him to snap back to attention. "My mom likes it when I get home alive!" she said, chuckling as now a blush was deepening on his own cheeks. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, they pulled up in the McKessie's driveway, slowing to a stop right in front of the garage. Turning off the engine, Chad took a moment to look at Taylor's house; a three story, brick home, satin white curtains hanging in the windows, a small balcony hung over the white front door, which held a small gold knocker. There were four stone steps, and a stone walk that led to it.

"You seemed surprised, Danforth" Taylor said, before climbing out of the old Chevrolet, her stuff in hand. Coming out of his musings, Chad got out as well. "No, your house is great!" Chad said, with a smile, clearly stunned by the beautiful old house before them. Taylor smiled, "Yeah, it's nice old thing" she said, as they walked up the stone path, leading to the front door together. Stepping onto the front steps, Taylor turned to face Chad as they stopped at the front door. "Thanks for everything" Taylor said, a small smile graced her lips. "For taking care of me last night, and hanging out at the party, it really was a lot of fun" she admitted. "All except for the hangover, and making a total dork of myself" she continued with a chuckle.

"Nah, it was fun" Chad admitted."We should do it again sometime" Chad continued, causing Taylor's blush to return, and her heart speed. "Yeah, I'd like that" she said, whole-heartedly, causing Chad's smile to grow wide across his face. There was a moment of silence, before Taylor spoke again, "Well, thanks. Bye" she began, turning to open the door and go inside, when Chad suddenly caught her wrist. Surprised, Taylor turned to him once more. "Taylor" he began, trapping her once more in his gaze. Before she could speak, Chad slowly moved closer to her, Taylor could hear her heart drum wildly in her ears, a tingling sensation fell over her as he got closer. Just as Chad was moments away from kissing Taylor, he turned and instead kissed her gently on the cheek before pulling away, leaving Taylor to look back at him, a little disappointedly.

"Your Welcome for everything" Chad said with a smile, winking at her. Taylor remained still, as if suddenly frozen by his actions. "Bye" he said, giving a little wave before skipping down the steps, and heading back towards his car. Taylor's gaze followed him, a playful smirk now on her lips, a hand raised to gently touch the spot on her cheek where he had kissed her, still hardly believing it. Taylor gave her own little wave as Chad pulled out of the drive and down the road, leaving Taylor to go inside the house, where her family was awaiting her. "Tay?. Is that you?" she heard her mother call, but she never responded, leaning against the door, still in her daze. Taylor finally came back to reality as her mother engulfed her in a huge hug. "How was your night?" her mother asked. "Are you alright?", watching Taylor curiously. Taylor just gave a smile, still not acknowledging her mother, saying, "I'm perfect".

Authour's Note: Back again, hope you enjoyed that!. Does this mean they are finally Chaylor?. Find out on the next chappie coming soon. I promise not to be too long. Hope you enjoyed, please review!. Thanks again