Their Future Side By Side
Chapter 1
He was confused, torn between his friends and his love. Between the life he knew and the life he wanted.
He was deep in thought in the library – trying to study for the unknown future – when his busy haired friend plopped down next to him.
"Hey hoops,"
Troy jerked his head up and upon seeing his friend quickly gathered papers together.
"Dude you have to stop doing that," he said.
"Since when do you come into the library?" asked Chad.
"Since when do you know where it is?" asked Troy.
"Come on lets hit the hoops," said Chad.
"Dude I need to study!" said Troy.
"We're already in U of A," said Chad.
Troy just shook his head and groaned before gathering up his stuff and leaving to head to his favourite secret spot – the roof.
No one, including Chad, noticed the black haired girl who collected her belongings and headed out after the distressed basketball star.
He didn't notice her come up onto the roof until she spoke besides him her hand reaching to stroke his head.
"Why are you so stressed about studying?" she asked.
Her voice shook him out of his thoughts causing his body to jump and hers to start falling of the bench until he grabbed her.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"So?" she asked, softly.
"Gabriella just leave it," he grumbled.
"Hey I'm just trying to help," she said.
"It's always been me and Chad. Hoops and U of A. Now, now I don't know," he said.
"You don't have to change everything because of me," she said, curling into his side.
"I know I don't have to. It's because I don't have to that I want to," he said. "You're going to Stanford it's one thousand and fifty three miles from here. I can't, won't and don't want to not be in the same city as you. It's cliché I know but I can't be apart from you. Stanford as been your dream since you were a little girl. It was your mum and dad's alma mater."
"U of A was your dad's," said Gabriella. "What about Chad?"
"They'll both be crushed but they're not living my life Brie. My dad brought me up to make my own life choices. I need to start making my own, thinking about my future without them by my side every step of the way. I want you by my side in our future," said Troy.
"I'm used to moving but you this place it's all you know," said Gabriella.
"I need to spread my wings at some point Gabs it's not like I'm leaving forever I'll come back. Chad and Dad will get over it but if I stay here and don't come with you I'll regret it for the rest of our lives," said Troy.
"You seem pretty adamant about this," she whispered.
"I am. I've thought about this since summer sophomore year when we said we loved each other," said Troy.
"I still can't believe no one notice we've been together for three years," said Gabriella.
"We're good at hiding," said Troy.
"So it's not what you're going to do that you're stressed about it how you're going to tell Chad and your dad," said Gabriella.
"Yeah," said Troy.
"I could I mean I can stay here," said Gabriella.
"Brie Stanford has been your dream since you were a little girl and your bed time stories were your mum and dad meeting at Stanford. You need to go," said Troy.
"They meet there Troy but I meet you here," said Gabriella.
"You wanted to go in your dad's memory," said Troy. "I'll regret not going with you but you'll regret not going there."
"I know we'll figure it out," said Gabriella.
The bell rang and Troy stood up to offer his hand to Gabriella as he pulled her up he groaned.
"Hey I'm not that heavy," she protested.
"No it's not that I mean your as light as a feather I have the game later. I don't want to go," he groaned.
"Troy it's your last game at East High. You're last chance to wear a wildcat uniform as a wildcat. If you're going to regret not coming with me then your defiantly going to regret not playing in your last game," she said.
"You look beautiful today by the way," he called.
"Thank you but your going to that game," said she said.
The second bell rang.
"Shit!" she exclaimed, grabbing her things.
He grabbed her and kissed her.
"Go I'll be late and do not change out of that dress," he whispered.
"Troy I need to go," she said, trying to pull away.
"I'll come to the after party if you let me go," said Gabriella.
"You have free period," said Troy.
"Yea and I'm meant to studying with Taylor," said Gabriella.
"Ok, ok," said Troy, holding his hands up.
She giggled and started to walk off before running back to him.
"You forget something," he smirked.
She leaned up and kissed.
"I love you wildcat," she whispered.
"Love you too," he whispered back.
"If I don't see you before the game knock em dead I'll be watching!" she called.
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Gabriella Somerfield