Alright, so this is my SECOND fanfiction. Well, the second one I've started. I haven't finished up my first one. But this is my first one for HSM. This is just a preface chapter, so it isn't very long. I haven't read any High School Musical fanfics, so I don't know if this one is as good as the others. But please review and let me know what you think, I would appreciate any advice on how to improve my writing since I want to be an author.
TPOV
I sat there at the car dealership, staring at the blank white wall. My eyes traced the outline where the wall met the ceiling. The ceiling wasn't very different from the wall. It was colored the same shade of off white. The room was shaped into four corners, only a single white door at the corner that led to the main dealership area. So here I sat waiting, with nothing to do but fiddle my fingers and try to ignore the drooling overweight bald guy sitting in the corner, snoring too loud for comfort. I sighed. After a few minutes of utter boredom, I whipped out my cell phone from my pocket and checked the time. 4:35, Mountain.
Mr. Jenks stepped out of the office with a single silver key dangling on an electronic lock remote like a keychain, smiling hugely at me. With his free hand, he scratched at the rough black stubble on his chin. But he was dressed fairly well, grey suit and blue tie. He reminded me a little of my dad, but a bit rounder in the middle with average features. His pale blue fishy eyes squinted at the sight of me, shimmering with delight. I stood up from the faded green plush chair to face him, jamming my cell in my front pocket where it belonged.
"Ah, Mr. Bolton," He spoke in his deep voice, "Your car is waiting."
He spoke the word car as if there was a sleek black Aston waiting for me out there in the lot. Not exactly.
I decided since I was going to Berkeley, I couldn't have my ancient white Chevey (or at least that's what I thought it was… right?) breaking down in the middle of the road on my way to California. I sold it for it's USABLE parts and gave the rest to the junkyard. Maybe someday some kids like Chad and I could discover the good use of it, and take advantage of the parts they offered there. Though I had to admit, the yard wasn't the best quality, it was definitely useful senior year.
No, the car waiting for me out there wasn't grand. Used, but it had good mileage. I could depend on it to take me places.
Mr. Jenks approached me and dropped the key into my waiting hand.
"Take good care of it," he sniffed.
"Thank you, Mr. Jenks. I will." I felt like rolling my eyes at him, but that would anger the man who had just sold me an Izuzu van. I would understand if it was his own he was giving away his own, but he wasn't. Well, it was mine now. I payed for it.
"Thank you," he grinned. I gave him a sharp, short nod in goodbye. I didn't want to linger any longer.
As I drove the red van home, I had to admit, I was proud. Maybe it was because I was prouder of this car than that wretched gas guzzler. It would take me to California and back. Hopefully.
I caught a giganturan building in my perhepial vision, and automatically felt my muscles tighten, my heartbeat speed. It was too large to be a home, but in a way, it still was.
I stopped the car and looked around me, to see if anyone was coming. Then I rolled the window down and stuck my head out into the sunlight.
East High looked so empty, so deceased.
It looked depressing. The red Wildcat banners were taken down for the summer. I saw no cars in the parking lot. Not even that pink corvette, that normally looked like a statue carved there instead of a car since it was there so much. But now there was nothing. It looked like a ghost town. A heard a bird cry from the top of the bulding.
My eyes scanned above the sign that bore the schools name, above that clock, up to where the plants were. So many memories. I leaned back on the car seat, closed my eyes, and willed myself to remember. I don't know how long I sat there, flooding my head with good memories.
A shiny silver Volvo honked from behind me, and I jumped. A little impatient blonde girl caught my eye, and started yelling at me, hands waving in the air. Agitated, I threw the car into drive and pushed the pedal forwards. I didn't stop until I reached the house. I couldn't allow the past to have such an effect on me. What's done is done. Now I would tell myself over and over. I do not go to East High, I do not go to East High…
"Troy!" My dad yelled from the door. It seemed like he got my text. He started walking towards me. I turned off the car, stepped out of it, and slammed the door with my elbow. I walked around the front until I got to the passenger window, and leaned back casually, key fiddling in between my fingers.
"You like?" I grinned. His answering smile was almost amusing.
"Jeez, kid. How did you pay for this? You couldn't of sold that much for the crapwagon."
"Some leftover college tuition I had saved up just in case I didn't get a scholarship," I explained. Dad stared at me for a second, and started cracking up. He threw his head back and laughed.
"And how many scholarship offerings did you get?"
"A few," I chuckled. I locked the van when I pressed my thumb against the little 'lock' button. How convienient.
"Cmon, kid. Let's get inside."
That night, I managed to stuff the remainder of my closet into my third suitcase. It's not like I would be heading back anytime soon. That thought made me sad, but it was true. I had to get to the University this week because I wanted to attend this Summer Workshop thing before the semester actually started. It would also be nice to explore the school also.
And there was another reason why I wanted to get to California a bit earlier…
In the morning I was practically set to go. Everything was packed and ready. All that was left were a couple of goodbyes. I was ready for those.
I jogged down to the kitchen and sat down on the stool. I put my head down and sighed. A few minutes later, I recognized my mom's footsteps clacking against the tile from the distance, heading closer and closer towards the kitchen. I made no movement to greet her.
"What will it be?" she called from the fridge. I kept my head down.
"Cereals fine," I mumbled. My appetite didn't require anything special today.
I looked up when I heard the bowl knock against the marble counter. I inhaled sharply.
Mom looked at me for a second, and hiccupped. The red rims around her watery eyes explained why.
"Mom," I breathed. I stood up from the stool and hugged her. She sniffed against my shoulder. I felt her tears run freely.
"Mom, It's okay," I soothed at an attempt to make her feel better. I patted her on the back. She sniffed once more and broke free from my embrace to meet my eyes.
"I'm being silly, aren't I?" she whispered painfully.
"No," I replied, "You're just being a good mom."
"I'll miss you so much, promise me you'll call every day."
"I will," I assured her.
That wasn't the end of it. After my mom left upstairs, I willed myself to eat some cereal before it got soggy. Any second now my dad would come downstairs to say his goodbye. I wanted to eat first.
After I was done, I placed the empty bowl and spoon into the sink. Now it was time to lug the suitcases into the van.
I rolled the first suitcase into the trunk, throwing it in with a heave. I handled two more I brought from the house. There was still plenty of room left, now that I had folded down the back seat. It's not like I was bringing anyone along or anything. I was the only graduate from East High going to Berkeley. Home of the Golden Bears.
Then I heard tires skitting along the pavement from the front door. I turned around to find my dad carrying the three remaining suitcases. He didn't look sad, or happy. His expression didn't hold anything in particular. I waited.
"You alright bud?" he asked when he finally got within earshot.
"Feeling great dad," I grinned. I helped him load up the suitcases into the back of the van. After we were done, he turned to look at me.
"Troy," he hesitated, then begun again."Troy, make sure you have fun out there. You only get to go to college once. After that, well…"
"I know dad. I'll be fine. And I will have fun. Remember I'm playing basketball."
"And your living in Bowles hall," he chuckled. "That guarantees some fun."
"I'll take care of myself. I'll do fine."
"Let's hope Gabriella keeps you in line," he mumbled under his breath.
"Huh?"
"No, nothing son. I know you'll do great. Just make sure you don't get expelled first semester."
"I'll try my best," I laughed.
There was a period of immesurable silence. The leaves rustled from the trees as the wind blew. His eyes grew serious.
"So, uh, I guess I have to go now," I said uncomfortably. Sadness touched his eyes.
"I guess you do," he sighed. "Bye kiddo."
I nodded at him. He helped me close the trunk. Before I started the car, he placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Good luck," he smiled. He let me go and I hopped into the drivers side. I started the car and rolled the window down before I left.
"I'll be back soon," I promised. He smiled again.
"I'm counting on that," he answered. With one last look at him, I rolled up the window and sped away. He was waving goodbye from the sidewalk until I was out of sight. I drove in silence for a while before it became unbearable. I cranked up the radio, another feature that came with a van from the 21st century.
It would be a long time till I got to California.
So… what did you think? Feel free to throw in any suggestions, I'm open to them. Oh yeah, and if anyone has read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer check out my fanfic on my profile. If you haven't read Twilight, you should, because it's a great book. Review! :D
