Where We Left Off.
"The way we say goodbye
is not the way that anyone would do.
And like a wave out on the ocean,
I will always come right back to you.
Like we blinked,
Not a moment is gone.
We'll pick up
Where we left off."
-Hunter Hayes.
Gabriella.
"So what did you want to talk to me about Troy?" I asked my boyfriend of five years. Troy had been avoiding me all week. He has been saying we need to talk but he hasn't found the time to talk to me, until now. We were out, sitting on the chairs on my balcony. I was nervous.
"You know how I always tell you stories about my grandpa? How he went to Vietnam?" I nodded, confused. "And my dad was in the army for a couple of years, before he decided to work for the government?" I nodded again. "I've decided I'm going to enlist… into the Army." I blinked at him. "It's a family tradition, Bolton men, before my grandfather were in the Army. It's something I have to do, I want to. I need to fight for our freedom and our country."
I pulled my knees up to my chest silently. I tried swallowing the lump that was forming in my throat. "So when are you leaving?" I asked quietly.
"Not soon. After New Years… I'm heading off to Oklahoma, then from there I will be in Virginia for a year. I will have a six month break before I leave for Iraq." He explained to me. "I leave on January 4th."
It was November now. We just graduated last spring. I was going to Stanford University. I was home for Thanksgiving break. I let out a breath. I knew how much this tradition means to him, we talked about it briefly Sophomore year when his grandpa died. "At least I'll get to say goodbye to you." I said. "Is that why you've been avoiding me?"
He nodded quietly. "I'm sorry. I just didn't know how to tell you Brie."
"I understand that you have to do this Troy. I guess I should have seen it coming." I got up from my chair and I walked over to him. He sat me in his lap and wrapped his arms around me. "Are we going to break up?"
"I don't want to. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I only signed up for five years, then I will be all yours. It will be like I never left, we'll pick up from right where we left off, each time." Troy said quietly. I turned to him and he kissed my lips softly. "I love you Gabriella Montez, Always and Forever."
"I love you too Solider, Always and Forever." I kissed his lips softly.
After Thanksgiving was over I went back to California. We were already in a long distance relationship, it wouldn't change much except he would be a little further. We always called. I sometimes wrote to him, if I was bored in class or something. Troy was not the kind of guy to do anything rash, so I know he thought long and hard before he did this. I did hate to see him go but I knew its where he had to be.
As Winter break rolled by I spend as much time with Troy as possible. I tried to not think about him leaving for boot camp. I wouldn't see him until next Christmas, maybe. Letting him get on the airplane was going to be hard and very emotional for me.
"Merry Christmas Gabriella" I heard Troy whisper against my shoulder as he crawled into my bed. We were sleeping at my house tonight. We alternated most of the time, between my house and his. Everybody knew that I only had a little over a week left with him.
I glanced at my alarm clock and 12:05 was flashing in red. I turned around to face him. I cupped his face and gave him a gentle kiss. "Merry Christmas Troy." I whispered quietly against his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too Brie." He wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I placed my head against his chest and listened to his heart beat pound in his chest. It was always so calming, listening to his heart beating. It was a sign that he was here with me and he was okay.
As his departure date got closer I felt myself clinging to him more. And God knows I hate being clingy. I always had to touch him where we were together in one shape or form. I understood his situation, I really did. I just wish he could stay here with me. I wanted to zip him up in my suitcase and tie him up in my dorm room but I know that was stupid and unrealistic.
"Gabriella, you can let go of my arm. I'm not going anywhere." Troy said, looking at me as we got settled in the car. "The doors are locked, there's not much I can do." He joked.
I frowned at him. "Sorry, I'm just…" I trailed off, letting go of his arm. I put my hands in my lap after I put on my seatbelt. I licked my lips slowly. "I think you should hang out with your family tomorrow. I have to go see my dad at least once that I'm here."
"Is your mom going to go with you?" He asked me and I shook my head. "Let me go with you I don't want you to go by yourself." I shook my head again. "Brie, come on."
"No. It's fine. I'll go by myself. They're will be nurses there, not just me." I said quietly. "Let's go, we're going to be late."
Troy sighed and started the car before heading off to the restaurant we were having dinner at. My dad was in a bad accident a couple years ago. He had severe brain damage and couldn't function normally in our house. So he lives in a care facility where there are people taking care of him 24/7. It was hard on my mom the most. He could still talk and recognize us but some days you could tell he was hurting and mom was hurting for him and I was hurting for the both of them.
Troy was always there for me, he was there when dad got in the accident. He went there to visit with me every time, just incase I couldn't handle it alone. He is an amazing boyfriend. I feel bad clinging onto him when I should support him, just like he has for me for the past five years. I felt lips press against my cheek. "What are you thinking about beautiful?" Troy asked me as we reached our destination.
I looked over at him. "The accident and stuff." I said quietly.
"Mmm, what kind of stuff?" Troy asked, moving the hair out of my face.
"You, as always." I said with a small smile. He gave me a small smile and leaned over to kiss my lips.
His lips lingered on top of mine. "You need to stop worrying so much, or else you'll have gray hair by the time I come back." He kissed my lips again. "Let's go beautiful. I'm hungry."
I nodded quietly and got out of the car, walking over to him. He reached down and put his fingers in between mine as we walked inside. We got seated at the table and ordered drinks. I played with the straw in my Coke and I felt his eyes on me. I looked up at him. "What?"
He licked his lips and shook his head. "Nothing Brie." I raised my eyebrows at him. "What?" He asked back.
"Nothing." I let out a sigh. "I'm just going to miss you, that's all." I put the straw in my mouth and took a sip.
He let out a sigh as well. "Ever since I told you I was leaving you haven't been yourself. It is like the accident all over again. Baby, I'm going to be fine. It'll just be like I'm going away for college and I wont be able to see you every day."
"College where you can get yourself killed." I mumbled to myself.
"I am not going to die Brie." He said looking at me. "I promise."
"You can't promise me that Troy. You could love it there and want to stay in there for the rest of your life. Or you could find somebody else that is on your base and fall in love with her. Or you could…" I swallowed the forming lump in my throat. I couldn't bring myself to say it. One word. Three little letters. Die.
He reached over the table. "I am not going to stay in there for the rest of my life because I have the most amazing girl to come home to." He kissed my hand gently. "I wont find anybody else because I already have everything I could possibly want. And you're right. I can't promise you that I won't get injured or worse. You just have to pray for me okay. Use your magical healing powers to keep me safe."
I smiled at the old joke. Ever since I've met Troy, he always thought I had magical healing powers. Every time he would get hurt when we were little I would help him bandage it up and he would miraculously feel better the next day. I didn't know if it's just the way he was or if he did it to make me happy, but he always brings it up if some body gets hurt. "I'll see what I can do." I said with a smile.
"That's my girl." He squeezed my hand gently. "I love you Doctor."
"I love you Soldier." I lifted our hand up to give his fingers a kiss.
The dreaded day was finally here. Troy was going off to boot camp. I couldn't even call him. I could only get letters. He was going to be there then go straight to Virginia after he graduates. I won't see him until Christmas, maybe. I sat in the back of the Bolton's car quietly. Troy's dad, Jack was driving, his mom Lucy in the front seat. Troy sat between his older sister Cheyenne and I.
The car ride was silent except for Cheyenne who was talking about U of A and all of her classes. I couldn't even look at Troy in his uniform. I stared out the windows at the passing cars. Troy kept poking me and rubbing my leg, obviously trying to get my attention. He leaned over and kissed behind my ear. "Brie." He whispered quietly.
I turned to look at him. He kissed my lips gently. "Troy." I said quietly as he pulled away from me. He put his hat in his lap. I reached up to touch his fuzzy head. He decided to shave his head before he actually got there- his dad's idea. It was definitely new, Troy has had long hair since he was a kid. The lack of hair made his head look bigger.
"It feels weird. I feel like my scalp can breathe now." Troy said looking at me. I gave him a small smile. "I think I look silly don't you think?"
I shook my head. "You look very handsome, soldier." I kissed his cheek gently, leaning my head against his arm. He lifted his arm up pulling me closer to him. I cuddled against him, closing my eyes. He kissed my forehead gently.
We got to the airport and we talked quietly as he checked his luggage in. I saw a whole bunch of other families in the same position as we were, sending their sons and daughters off to basic training and war. I watched some of the tearful wives hug their husbands. We sat and waited for a while before he absolutely had to go in.
"Time to go." Troy said, looking up at his parents. He let go of me and stood up. He hugged him mom tightly. She whispered in his ear something I couldn't hear. Troy nodded and kissed her cheek. He shook his fathers had who pulled him into a hug. I knew Jack was so proud of his son. Troy pulled away then scooped his big sister in a tight hug.
"I know you're going to miss me the most, but you can let go now." Cheyenne said, joking. He smiled at his sister as he pulled away. "Write me, okay?"
"I will." Troy said before turning back to me.
"Well start walking to the car." Jack said. "Bye Troy."
"Bye dad." Troy said, watching them as they walked away. He turned to me. "So when I come back we are going to go to that restaurant you like and we are going to lay in your bed and watch movies. Okay?" He said smiling at me.
"It's a date and I'm holding you to it." I said as he pulled me against him. I kissed his lips gently. "You better write me lots of sappy love notes that make me cry, okay?"
Troy chuckled. "Dear Brie, I miss you a lot. I can't wait to come home to touch your butt. Love Troy."
My jaw dropped and I giggled loudly. I smacked his chest. "That is not funny. But I will cry If you send me that." He squeezed me tightly, kissing the top of my head. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too baby, more than you understand." He leaned down and kissed my lips gently. "I'll be back before you know it. You can get though your smart people school and I'll get through boot camp." He kissed my lips slowly over and over again. "I love you so much."
"I love you too Soldier. Make me proud." I cupped his face and kissed him firmly.
He smiled into the kiss. He kissed my forehead. "Always, Be back soon." He whispered against my forehead.
"See you soon." I whispered back to him. He pulled away from me with tears in his eyes. Troy kissed my hands before turning to walk away. I bit my bottom lip to keep from crying. I promised myself I wouldn't cry until I got home. I watched him walk through. He turned to me and waved. I smiled at him and waved. I watched him until he disappeared. I took a deep breath before heading back to the car.
When I got back to California, I already had a letter waiting for me at my dorm. My roommate Taylor handed it to me. "Welcome back. This is for you." She said, before turning back to her book.
Taylor was an African-American girl from Maryland. We got along really well. She was understanding about my situation with Troy, she knew it was going to be hard for me. She parties a lot but she miraculously gets amazing grades. She literally is a genius.
"Um, thanks." I said, setting my suitcase down in front of my bed. I jumped on top of the bed and opened the envelope. I knew it was from Troy just by his handwriting. I pulled out the paper and opened it up. I sighed before I started reading.
"Dear Brie,
If you're reading this then you are back in California and I have left for Oklahoma. I know what you're thinking: Why the hell is this typed Troy Bolton? I'm taking advantage of technology while I still have it. I'm writing you now because I know that I'm in Oklahoma missing you badly. I'm wishing I was with you period. God, Gabi going into the army and leaving you is the hardest thing I'm ever going to have to do. I don't think you know how much you mean to me. We've been through so much together and I think we have never been stronger. I know going into the army is going to be a big test. I'm going to be gone for five years.
High school was tough for both of us. You were focused on school and I on basketball. We were stressed out a lot and when we made time for each other we always just ended up sleeping. Do you know what I love most about us? You are my best friend and my girlfriend. We are mature and responsible. You know most people called us the old virginal married couple? I don't really care what they have to say. We aren't ready to take our relationship to the next step. I trust you and you trust me. We don't need to have sex to have a strong relationship and that is a lot to say for being just 18 years old. I'm happy to wait. I will wait forever for you.
I know that you are going to have a hard time because I know I will have a hard time. I want you to send me as many letters as you want. Don't feel like you're sending me too many. There can never be too many from you. I'll right to you as much as I can. I'm not really sure what it's going to be like, or what I'm going to do but I will take the time to write you. On the back of the paper is a list of things you could send me if you want to send me a 'care package.' I added it because we talked about it the other day.
I know wherever I am right now as you're reading this, I'm thinking about the next time I'll get to see your beautiful face. I love you Gabriella, Always and Forever.
Love your soldier,
Troy"
I smiled to myself flipping over the paper. I got up and tacked the list to the wall. I put the envelope in the drawer in my desk.
"Is that from lover boy?" Taylor asked.
"Yes," I said letting out a breath. "What homework are you doing?" I said walking over to her.
"Physics." She said, scribbling on her paper.
"Ah, my favorite." I said sarcastically. She laughed quietly and continued writing.
"There's a party tonight in EPA." She said, flipping the page. "Do you wanna come with?"
I walked back over to my suitcase. "Nah, I have to unpack and finish my homework. I am too emotionally drained to party." I said, putting my clothes in my drawers.
"I figured. Did you get laid at least?" She asked. I turned my body toward her and she was staring at me.
I shook my head. "No. You know how I feel about that."
She shrugged. "I just figured. Beside you both have so much pent up sexual frustration, I thought you'd give him a little something something before he left."
I turned away from her and rolled my eyes. "No." It's not that we didn't want to have sex with each other, we thought it was best if we would wait. We talked about it sometimes but we didn't figure it was something we really HAD to do to make or break our relationship. He didn't pressure me and I didn't pressure him into anything we didn't want to do.
"Not even a finger?" She asked. My cheeks flushed and my face turned red. "Have you touched his penis?"
"Taylor!" I yelled. My cheeks were bright red and burning. "I do not want to talk about it okay?"
"Fine, fine. Sorry for bringing it up." She said getting up. "I have to go to work to get my check. I'll see you later."
"Okay." I said quietly. I finished putting my clothes away. I sat down at my desk and pulled out a piece of paper.
"Dear Troy,
I'm back in California now, and I got your letter. You are too sweet Troy. How did I ever get so lucky to have you? So I've been back in my dorm room for about 20 minutes and guess what Taylor was hounding me about? SEX, Troy. SEX! It's ridiculous. You just left and I'm not going to see you for over a year and she's worried about if we had sex or not. It just gets to me sometimes. Maybe we should have had sex before you left.
On a lighter note. I have some calculus homework I have to do after I finish this letter. I really don't want to do it. Honestly, I don't know when I'm even going to send this because I have no idea where you are. So I guess I'll write to you until you write me first. Maybe I'll call your mom, maybe she knows.
Troy, I miss you already. It feels weird that I wont be able to pick up the phone and call you. We have to communicate like the Amish. Well I guess that's not correct. Oh well, I don't feel like thinking yet. I'm still on vacation brain.
I think half of my letters are going to be 'Wah, I miss you.' I don't know why I feel so vulnerable without you. I guess it's because you were always just down the street or a phone call away and now you're not. It's going to suck so much. I'm already grumpy and it's only been a couple of days.
I saw my dad after you left. He told me to tell you that he says hi and that he is glad you're fighting for our country. He really loves you Troy. He told me he couldn't imagine me with anybody else. Daddy's doing okay. He has a couple of surgeries coming up soon, nothing too major. The nurses saying he's doing fine. You know they never really tell me anything, they still think I'm fifteen. It's really irritating.
Like I was telling you before you left, we are picking classes soon. I think I'm taking around 20 units this semester. It's going to be hard, but hopefully it will keep my mind from worrying about you. I highly doubt it though.
I wonder how everything is over there. I hope everything isn't as terrible as I imagined it to be. You know me, I always make everything seem worse than it is. I'm sorry for worrying all the time. I just don't know what I would do if I lost you Troy. You mean everything to me.
You know what I said before? About having sex before you left? I'm glad we didn't. It would have just made this harder. IF we have sex before we get married, it's going to be after you get out of the Army and you're home for good.
I love you Troy Bolton.
See you soon,
Your Brie."
Hello My Sparkly cupcakes! I miss you guys! I've been writting and going to school and doing nothing. It is getting closer to the end of my quarter so i don't know how often i'll be updating. This story is new, of course, it's going to be short. 5 or 6 chapters long. I'm still writing a sequel to Kissin in the Rain. I havent gone very far with it yet because these random ideas keep popping into my head and i HAVE to write them down before i forget about it. Anyways, enough about me. I hope yall are doing fabulous!
Don't forget to Review! :)