Summary: After returning from an unexplained absence, Troy Bolton had only one person in mind.. Gabriella Montez. They have been best friend since they were in diapers and troy, waking up one day, wasn't afraid to tell the brunette what he felt for her. The only problem was.. she was already taken.
THREE WORDS, EIGHT LETTERS
Chapter 1: Troy Bolton
" so ella.. " The similar looking brunette started, trying to get the attention of the 5'4 beauty; whose arm were locked with hers. " where were you saturday? " She obviously knowing the answer but wanted to see her reaction.
Saturday was the day where teens would throw parties, get wasted, have drunken one night stands and there were some minor incidents where a few have unintentionally done it with their siblings though it never stopped anyone from continuing. So to say that there were nothing new in the small town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where everyone knew everything, well almost everything, about everyone was just an understatement. It seemed almost like a tradition.
The brunette bit her lip, the events of Saturday night replaying in her mind. While her friends had gone to a party, she had declined at the last minute saying that she wasn't allowed to attend due to the chaos that broke out the week prior, she took it upon herself to start a party of her own.
His tongue slid in between her parted lips, instantly, both fought for dominance.
So there were some kissing involved..
With his hands taking a form grip of her waist, his mouth continued to work over hers hungrily but only allow himself to pull away for a quick second as he pulled her navy blue tank top over her head and tossed it away, leaving her in her off-white almost see through lingerie bra.
..along with a few clothing being thrown across the room.
He laid a trail of kisses from her lips, down her neck, going farther down, stopping at the hem of her skinny black jeans and back up.. making moan after moan elevate from her mouth till they become muffles as his lips join together with hers again.
Both teens now laid half-nakedly on the bed with a duvet entangled between the two as they continued in their fierce make-out session. The dark haired boy in only his polka dot boxers and the brunette left in her underwear and bra.
And you would assume that it would've gone even farther.. well, that was until..
The bedroom door burst open, revealing a middle aged woman who had just came into the house in hopes for quietness after her long day of work but only to hear peculiar sounds blaring from up the flight of stairs. Both teens, hearing the crash noise of the door banging against the wall, flew apart instantly. The brunette quickly pulling the duvet over the rest of her body in attempts to cover her almost sinful act. Her mouth slightly agape and her eyes grew in size of the moon.
Her cheeks burned almost immediately. " ..oh, uh.. " She shuttered, not knowing what to say as she found herself being overwhelmed with slight embarrassment.
" ..mhm, I think a certain someone did something with a certain someone else " The blonde girl, who was attached to her other arm, finally spoke in a teasing manner; making the brunette in the middle blush even more. A knowing grin appeared on her face.
It was almost like a game, her and her other friend would constantly tease her as she was the picture image of innocence. Shy, naive and gullible. That were the three top words anyone would describe her by just looking at her. Though she is shy at times and definitely naive, she wasn't at all gullible. You would have to really get to know her to see the bubbly fun side of her.
" something small? "
She shook her head lightly. " ..big " She grinned wider.
" nothing happened between us " The brunette blurted out but only in a whisper so the two girls could hear and no one else.
She rolled her eyes playfully. " ..and she automatically starts assuming that we're talking about her and her boy toy.. "
" guilty " The blonde giggled.
Letting out a sigh in defeat, the brunette resumed to being quiet as she knew it was no use in using all of her energy in trying to convince them otherwise. Though finally breaking out of her silence seconds later, she said. " you guys are so immature " Letting go of their arms, she grabbed the lock on her locker and started putting in the combination she knew by heart.
While ignoring her comment, Melissa Benvent, the other brunette, started telling her what had happen at the Saturday party though it seemed as if she was saying nothing what so ever as the brunette drowned out her voice.
Melissa Benvent was the third most popular girl at East High, with the blonde being second and the brunette beauty being first. Though she never wanted to admit out loud, she hated being in the shadow of the brunette, feeling as she was more beautiful than her. She can definitely have half of the male population back her up on that one. What does she have that I don't?, She would constantly wonder with no absolute answer.
The brunette herself isn't so fond of her as she found her snobby at times and hated her sluttish ways but, what could she do? She wasn't the arguing nor the fighting type and as much as she hates to admit it, she actually finds a friend in her. Not like one she could go to, to blurt out all her secrets too but one she could relate to despise their indifference.
Noticing the slight annoyance look on the brunettes' face, Sharpay Evans a.k.a Ice Queen, slightly nudge her on the side then moved her mouth to her ear and whispered something to her that made the brunette go into a fit of giggles.
Sharpay wasn't the slutty type as Melissa but she really lived up to everyones' expectation as being the schools Ice Queen and add her together with Ms. Get any guy she wants and Ms. Sweet and innocence and they made the perfect team as they walk down the halls each day, arms locked together and their hips swinging from side to side; not having a care in the world as the students gawk them and practically worshiping them.
The two girls turned to Melissa who was now describing her time with this boy she met at the party, not knowing that she was lying through her teeth. Either way, the two girl could careless as they really weren't listening and seeing the girl really get into her story, the two found this the perfect time to slip away like they always do when the story got interesting.
" can you go shopping with me? " Was the first thing the blonde said after the two left their other friend who by this time was upset about it but quickly got over it when a guy approached her. Note to self: Sharpay Evans is the fashion queen also a MAJOR gossipholic. Melissa, MAJOR SLUT.
" ..I don't know " The brunette said uneasy. It actually wasn't the idea of shopping as it usually was whenever she was with her but this time, she really couldn't. Did she forget to mention that she grounded for life because of the incident on Saturday? " I'm kinda on lock down "
" again? " She almost screamed.
" it isn't as easy as it looks "
" isn't as easy? it seems like every time you breathe, your grounded "
She simply shrugged her shoulder. " ..maybe next time " She looked around, noticing the familiar hallway. She picked up her pace, completely forgetting the blonde she was leaving behind.
Time flew as though it was of the snap of the finger. Four periods have passed and hungry teens were now happily getting their semi crappy lunches from the cafeteria. The brunette, though, let out another sigh in annoyance as she waited for the dark haired boy, the one she got caught with on Saturday, as she usual did though this time, he was a no show.
It wasn't much of a surprise as she hadn't seen him at his locker or in the two classes she has with him before lunch, which made her worry a bit. She wasn't good with emotions as she was overly sensitive, as some may call it. Her eyes glanced down at each side of the empty hall as she laid her back against her locker. There was no signs that he was even coming. Though trying to give him a few more minutes, the brunette continued to wait.
It hadn't even been a whole minute when she jumped in shock, a sudden vibration made her skin crawled. Realizing it was her phone that was resting in her back jean pocket, she steady her breathing while pulling it into her grip.
Being completely oblivious to the unknown number on the screen, she welcomed the newly found message. The words, I have a surprise wanting for you outside, made her grin. Thinking it was the dark haired boy, she hurried down the hall.
A tall muscular figure leaned against a black audi a5, awaiting a certain someone he hasn't seen in almost two years. He pushed his phone back into his jeans pocket after sending a text he knew wouldn't go unanswered. Now all that was left was the arrival.
Troy Bolton was his name. Short chestnut hair, well toned body, piercing blue eyes and a million dollar smile that would melt any heart. Too bad his heart was already taken.
Suddenly hearing his name being called, his head jerked up. A smile broke out on his face when he saw who it was.
Her name was Gabriella Montez. Long dark brown-raven hair, olive-tanned skin, chocolate brown eyes and with her smile, she knew how to stop a few hearts of her own. Though she never used it to her advantage. She was already taken by Neil Harris, captain of the lacrosse and handball team.
She grinned as her eyes wonder around his body. " well well well.. look who finally grew up " She said, almost not recognizing him. She was amazed at how much he had changed since she last saw him. She could still remember the scrawny dorky boy that use to always sneak into her room late at night.
" someone had to.. I hear your still breaking heart "
" oh you know.. I figured I would return the favor " She joked as she tried to keep her composure but burst out in laughter within seconds.
He laughed also. She was just as he remembered. " ..whoa " He almost lost his balance when he felt her throw her arms around him. He let out a few chuckles before wrapping an arm around her.
" what are you doing here? " She tried to hide her excitement but failed. She looked up at him with her big brown eyes, they glistened in a way that he loved and missed.
He grinned. " what? I can't come and visit my best friend? " He asked seeming as if offended as he pulled away from her.
She pushed him lightly as she let out a angelic giggle. " of course but.. " She paused, her face turning serious. " I haven't seen you in such a long time " She stated.
At this point, she was more sad than angry at the fact that he left unexpectedly two years ago, only leaving behind a small sticky note with the words 'I'm sorry' written on it. No mention of where he was going. Not even a single goodbye from him.
She had known the family issues that arose in his family and had constantly wonder if that was the reason for his disappearance, in the time apart from him.
He let out a heavy sigh. " I know, and I'm sorry for that.. I was hoping that maybe I could make it up to you "
" how? " She asked curiously yet suspicious as his grin returned to his face.
It wasn't a surprise that she, Gabriella Montez, had gotten in his car. She had practically shared baths with him as they were in their toddler years and as time had passed, they became inseparable. Always being there for each other through thick and thin, almost, as if it was engraved into their hearts.
Gabriella giggled in delight as he lightly pushed the swing she was on, enjoying the wind brushing against her skin and the body heat radiating off the male whenever they got close before he send her flying in the air yet again.
It seemed just like old times before he left and just being in his presence, the brunette had forgotten every person, thought and feeling that hadn't included him. And just like they had made up when they were little, a meteor had struck earth, wiping out all man kind but the two. Just them, no one else.
Not consciously but instantly, their lips spoke out all their newly secrets as if they were forbidden slaves to one another though Gabriella was mostly the one to talk while troy just listened. She told him everything that had happened to her during his absence, leaving no detail out—well, except the parts with her boyfriend as she felt it would be irrelevant.
It was dark out with only the moonlight as their source of light around the deserted playground. Silence had emerged between the two not too long ago as if there were nothing left to say as they basically spend the whole day scattering around the entire town, jumping from one activity to the next; just talking and having fun.
Troy still stood behind the swing the brunette was on. A million things flow through his mind but there was one that stuck out the most. " I'm sorry.. " He said for the second time that day, his voice was low yet soft. Almost inaudible to her ears.
She trudged her feet to the ground, stopping the swing from moving any farther. She turned her head to the guilty looking boy.
" I'm sorry about your dad.. " He spoke louder and clearer this time.
Robert Montez had passed a little over a year ago and although troy wasn't there, he could imagine how much she was hurting in discovering the news. He knew her. He knew how close they were.
" tr- "
He shook his head, making her fall into silence. " ..I should've been there when it happened, I should've been there with you when it happened.. but I wasn't.. and for that, I'm sorry "
She looked down, a hint of sadness was now showing in her features. She had remember the time after her fathers passing when people would walked up to her and say how sorry they were for her lost. She wasn't sad the moment she heard nor when people gave their condolences. She, infact, was actually angry. An emotion she wasn't known of possessing. Now a year later when it was all done with, here stood a guy she has known practically forever.. apologizing and instead of getting angry at him like she had done with the others, she actually felt sad for the first time. She felt like crying. Though before the tears could fall, they magically disappeared as if they were dust, with the gentle touch of her best friend's hand on her cheek, ready to wipe away her tears. She smiled softly as she notice him smiling himself, with his body kneeling right in front of her.
Closing the door behind herself, the brunette started walking to the stairs without a single thought in mind—well, that was until the light switch came on, revealing her mother with a scornful look on her face. She now remembering her house arrest, she breathed out. It was surely going to double in size, if that was even possible. She fling her head back and groaned. " ah, horse buckets " She screeched. Never had a curse word ever escape her lips.
'What you really value is what you miss, not what you have'
- Jorge Luis Borges