A/N: Yes, yes I know, bad, bad me. I have two other stories I haven't updated in a long time, and here I am starting a new one. This one is partially written already, so I update faster. I have just been having really bad writers block lately with the other two, and something inspired me to tweak this one and post it on here. Please review and let me know what you think and I'll try to update 10 Years and Starting Over again soon. Also, please take complete disregard to all typos or mispellings, its really late and i'm too tired to go proofread. :) tx
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these high school musical characters.
Darkness slowly crept up upon Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon Seventh Street. The sun barely visible looked as though it rested on the hard, dark pavement, or green, never brown grass. The joyous shrieks from little kids couldn't be heard, but was replaced by the rough sounds of dogs barking at helpless cats, running aimlessly around the neat neighborhood. Down the street, or maybe around the corner, a party at one of the many identical houses, filled with arrogant teenagers, could be heard by the non-stop thudding of the blaring music. To Troy Bolton, it was either a "parents-gone-for-the-weekend" party or just an overly long graduation party. The class of 2008 had recently graduated from East High School and most would be soon moving onto college, jobs or relationships. For Troy Bolton, it didn't mean a college basketball career or a cozy place at University of California at Berkley or University of Albuquerque. It mean being enlisted into the U.S. Army, all thanks to his grandfather.
Even though Jack Bolton had always dreamed to see his son grow up to play professional ball, Jack Bolton always set aside decisions for what his own father had to say. And John Bolton had said Troy should seriously consider enlisting. It was a done deal. Jack Bolton wouldn't argue with his own father. Troy's name was on the list of new recruits and he would be at a boot camp in a few days, somewhere miles away.
The overly loud music from the unknown party continuously disrupted Troy's thoughts.
"Ugh," he grunted, sitting up from his laying down position. Confused and angry was all Troy felt. And sad. Confused about his future and his feelings for a certain girl. Angry at his dad for making him enlist and angry at this certain girl. Sad about his future in the army. If you lived was uncertain. Death was uncertain. Sad for having to leave with the circumstances he was in with this certain girl. Basically, it all really came down to this certain girl.
Who was this person that his mind kept being consumed with? This person that was driving him crazy for hours, this person who was making him confused, angry, and sad all at the same time. She had a name. Everyone had a name. It was Sharpay Evans. Sharpay Evans. Troy repeated the name over and over in his head. It brought back a lot of memories going all the way to first day they met. August 10, 1997. Nearly ten years...
It was one of those hot, sticky weeks in August in Albuquerque. Scorchers were what they were called by weather forecasters. A seven year old Troy Bolton looked so cute in his Nike Hoops tank and cargo shorts. The "mansion," one of the biggest houses on the back, had just been sold and moving trucks had been coming and going on that hot, hot week. A couple, and their seven year old twins were moving in. Troy's mom insisted on bringing over something and just had to drag her adorable son along with her. The two moms immediately became absorbed into conversation about their families, lives and jobs. The three kids, however, stood there sheepishly, not knowing what to say.
"Um, hi, I'm Troy," he said, introducing himself.
"I'm Sharpay," the girl with blond hair said. Troy couldn't help but notice how pretty she was. "And this is Ryan. But even though he's a guy and I'm a girl, were still twins. It's called fraternal."
"Oh, wow, you're really smart."
Sharpay shrugged and smiled. From that day on, the three became good friends. But as the years flew by, the friendship between that blond haired girl and that dark haired boy grew, and soon they were in high school, like siblings. Everybody knew about their special bond and nobody dared to come in between it...
And it was just about two weeks ago when Troy started to realize all those years in the past built up to: He had fallen in love with her. Everyday he tried to desperately to second guess himself, like he was wrong or it was just a fleeting, one second thought. However, every time he tried to shake the thought, it wouldn't leave. After a long while, Troy was finally going to maybe hint at something to Sharpay, but then faced yet another problem.
Zeke Baylor. His fellow basketball team mate. He had asked her out months before. Of course, Troy had completely forgotten. He wanted to forget. Just about the entire school was shocked when Brad made such a bold move. They were even more shocked when Sharpay had agreed. Everyone at East High, knowing they weren't actually dating, always saw the two together. It didn't bother Troy for the first month and a half, but then the jealousy rush came and that's when Troy finally started falling head over heels for his best friend.
But why all of a sudden? And now, Sharpay was mad at him for being, in her words, "a jerk." Troy could clearly remember their fight, every word of it she had said, penetrating him, stabbing him like knives. But it was no use now, trying to think about it.
When I leave now, she'll completely forget about me, he thought. Troy didn't want that to happen by any means, and this was the next problem he faced.
There was something he had to, or he could leave behind. Along with a very detailed letter, possibly explaining his true feelings. Or not.
Troy glanced up at his clock. It read 8:47. The noise from the noisy party blared on.
How am I supposed to write a well thought out letter? He thought. Or maybe it didn't need to be well-A+ material.
Finally deciding to pick up a paper and pen off his desk, Troy simply sat there in front of the paper, pen tapping repetitively on the desk. There lay the lined notebook, college ruled paper, mocking him. What could he write, so it wouldn't sound stupid or mushy, or desperate. As the clock struck 9:00, the music was still heard, and Troy, finally knew what to write.
"TROY!" Jack Bolton shouted at his son, three days later. The sun just peaked into the nearly bare room. Boxes were stacked in every corner, clothes and possessions, almost piling over. A long duffel bag and a backpack were thrown by the door, ready to go.
"TROY ALEXANDER BOLTON, let's go, you're gonna be late for check in!"
Troy groaned and slowly sat up, yawning. Check in was at 5:00 to 6:00 pm, and if you were late, you got it. He looked at his desk and it was still there. The letter hadn't moved since he had finished writing it and sealed it in an envelope. But there was something else there too. It was his simple gold, class ring. He got up and turned it in his hand several times. On the inside, Troy had had three simple letter engraved: ily. Three simple, elegant letters engraved, just for her. That was the gift he was going to leave her with. Simple, yet casual.
"TROY!"
"Dad! I'm coming!" he shouted back at him, irritated. With one more look at the ring, he put it down and put some clothes on. He tried to take his time, but it was no use. No matter how slow Troy went, the time seemed to go faster.
"There you are," he said, when Troy came down the stairs. "Let's go, we need to be at the airport by 9:30 for your 9:50 flight."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," he said quietly, setting down his bag. Jack looked alarmed at what his son was doing. "Uh, where's mom and Kate?"
"Your mom and sister are meeting us there, we really need to go," he said impatiently.
"Dad, we have like an hour," Troy replied, grabbing the carton of orange juice out of the fridge.
"Yes, well, we don't want to miss your flight."
Troy rolled his eyes, drinking from the container, not bothering to pour it into a glass. He noticed his dad look at him, but it was more of a glare. There was something up with him, like he wanted Troy out of the house as soon as possible.
"Hey dad, before we go to the airport, do you think we could stop somewhere first?"
"Not unless we leave right now."
Troy sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning. He didn't bother to get anything else to eat. He brushed haughtily past his dad who had an eager, rushing expression plastered on his face.
"Okay, so where is it that you need to stop?" he asked, once they were in the car.
"Do you need to ask?" Troy shot coldly.
"Yes, it's a fair question."
"Well, you shouldn't have to." Troy stared out the passenger side window, waiting for his dad's response and gazing at his house he probably would never see again. It then hit him hard that he wouldn't be seeing anyone for a long time, maybe forever.
"If you don't answer me, we'll-"
"Just go to the Evans'."
"Alright, you should have just said something."
They backed out of the driveway and onto the road. One more look. The lawn was perfect, the house newly painted, landscape finally complete. That was what he would remember. Troy kept all attention on his house as they drove away and it slowly became nothing.
"I'll be right back," Troy told his dad once they had pulled into their driveway.
"You'd better."
He rolled his eyes again and walked the familiar path to the front door. Everyone was probably still sleeping except for Ryan who would always get up at 5:30 no matter what day it was. He knocked on the oak door.
"Troy, hey, what's up?" Ryan asked, answering the door. "Sharpay still sleeping, are you alright?"
"No, I'm leaving," Troy answered softly.
"Leaving? Like as in your family is moving?"
"No, I-"
"You're going on a vacation?"
"No, my dad enlisted me in the army, I leave today."
Ryan just stared at him and didn't say a word. Troy waited to see if he was going to say anything.
"Say that again, no don't. You're leaving today, okay, I need to wake up Sharpay."
"No, you don't have to, just please give her this," Troy said, handing Ryan the envelope and ring.
"But, hey, isn't this your class ring?"
Troy nodded. Jack honked the horn from the awaiting Lexus.
"HANG ON! Look, please just make sure she gets this?"
"But are you sure you don't me to get Shar? I mean that horn from your dad probably woke her up already."
"No, I better go before my dad wakes up the entire neighborhood."
"But-"
"See ya."
Troy turned around and didn't look back, knowing if he did, then there would be no point in going. He knew Ryan was shocked as hell and Sharpay would soon be awake. Saying good bye to Sharpay face-to-face would break him down.. Ryan just stared after him with a blank expression on his face, holding the letter and ring.
"Troy?" a voice came. Sharpay joined her brother in the doorway. Troy had heard her say his name, but didn't turn around. Nor did he look up when he took his place back in the passenger seat.
"Done?"
"Dad, I wasn't even up there for five minutes," Troy said defensively.
"Well five minutes is five minutes," Jack answered, backing out. Troy didn't bother arguing anything out, he was already stressed out enough. His mom and Kate were meeting them there at the airport for probably a tearful farewell.
"You know son, I'm real proud that you're doing this," Jack said. "And because you wanted to serve your country."
"But...I didn't want to do this, you made me."
"Well close enough."
Troy shook his head. He couldn't believe how stupid his dad was acting. He made it sound like Troy was doing this because he wanted to and that he couldn't wait to leave. Likely. Another thing that pained him deeply was him, leaving without a clear picture of Sharpay in his mind. Did she get a haircut? Did she have new clothes? Any new bruises, or bumps? In fact, the last time he did see or speak to her was during the fight. What was that fight really about? How big of a jerk was he? Because he cared? Or because he was jealous? Both? His dad interrupted his thoughts.
"We're here," Jack said, pulling into a parking space.
"Great," Troy mumbled. They got out without a word exchanged between them. The airport wasn't really to busy, so it wasn't to hard to find Kate and Lucille Bolton. Troy's mom already had tears welling up in her eyes and Kate looked quite sad to his surprise. As soon as Lucy saw her son, she broke down and threw her arms around him as soon as she ran up to him.
"It's alright mom," Troy said, patting her on the back. Lucy continued to sob on her son's shoulder.
"C'mon honey, Troy will be fine, won't you son?" Jack reassured, extremely confident in Troy's well being.
"Um, yeah, I'll be fine."
Kate couldn't but help suppress a small laugh. Troy glared at her behind their backs and she returned it with a shrug and grin. Lucy was still teary eyed, but had gained some self composure.
"I...I can't believe my baby's all grown up and off," she stuttered.
Troy looked around a little embarrassed. Well, a lot embarrassed.
"Well, yeah, and I won't actually be going on the front lines, I still have training, then they don't actually put you out there for at least a year."
"Still..."
"Oh, look," Jack exclaimed, trying to break up the sappy moment. "You're flight is boarding."
"Dad," Troy groaned.
"Jack, he has a few, you do know you won't be seeing your son for at least a year."
"Yes honey, I am aware of that."
Lucy rolled her eyes, seeing she wasn't getting anywhere with her stubborn husband. "Kate, do you have anything to say to your brother?"
"Uh, good luck, and I'll miss you," she said. Although she said it in a monotone voice, Troy knew she was really going to miss him. He smiled and pulled her into a hug.
"Jack?"
Troy looked at his dad who seemed to have found something interesting on the floor.
"Dad? Are you studying a scuff mark or something?" Kate asked.
"What? Oh, well," Jack looked at his son. "You'll go far...be careful." He stepped back with just a simple pat on the shoulder.
"Uh, thanks," Troy acknowledged. "I guess I better get going then."
Lucy hugged her son again, the tears already starting to come back.
"Good bye."
Troy walked backwards a few steps so he could wave to his family. Then, turning around, Troy realized he was on his own. As soon as he went through the gate, he knew he was on his own.
A/N: okay, so there you have it, a new story/idea. let me know what you think by REVIEWING!!! Thanks, its appreciated, and I'll try to reply to your reviews. :)
