I don't own High School Musical or the song, Drops of Jupiter by Train.
Gabriella Montez slipped onto the barstool at the table in front of her and set her beer down. It was her first night out with her friends since being back in the states after three months, and it was going exactly as she expected. Exactly one hour after arriving at her new apartment, Sharpay and Taylor had burst through the door and demanded they go out on Saturday to celebrate her return. The two females had invited their group of friends to participate in the festivities, and three days later, here she was.
During her time at Stanford, Gabriella had been offered a Product Manager internship with one of the leading technology companies based in Albuquerque. That internship had required her to board a plane to England with a promise of returning to the states in three months and, if everything turned out well, a full time job offer back in Albuquerque. She recognized an opportunity like this was one in a million and, after talking it over with her mom, she took it.
Looking back, she didn't regret it. She was now employed full time as a Product Manager with Monco Software. Her first day on the job was scheduled for Monday and she was ready for it.
Gabriella's eyes wandered around the bar that she was in as she took a sip of her beer and licked her lips when Taylor set a basket of loaded nachos in front of her. It wasn't that she didn't want to be here, it was that she was wired. The way things were left when she got on the plane hadn't sat well with her and she didn't know what to expect. She adjusted her dress in an attempt to pull the hem line down a little bit more. It was a tunic type dress with a deep v neck that fell mid-thigh. Her hair had been curled and her black wedges were strapped to her feet. Her style of dress had changed while she was in England when she felt it was necessary to splurge on a new wardrobe in celebration. Sharpay almost had a stroke when she unpacked Gabriella's suitcase, claiming it was the best thing to happen to her while she was gone.
"Gabriella!"
Gabriella turned toward the male voices that were cheering her name and let a smile stretch across her face.
"Damn girl, those legs!" That was Chad Danforth, one of her closest friends. The bushy haired man lunged forward and picked her up off the chair and proceeded to spin her around. The angelic laughter that bubbled out of her mingled with the shouts of happiness. She was home.
When her feet touched the ground again, Gabriella looked at the faces of her friends. She felt tears well up in her eyes. She was proud. It was the first time everyone was together since they had graduated.
Chad had gone off to University of Albuquerque to pursue a degree in Sports Medicine. He was working to become a physical therapist.
Taylor had gone to Harvard for pre-law and was recently employed by a small law firm just outside the city.
Ryan and Kelsi had gone to Juilliard for choreography and music production, respectively.
Sharpay had attended University of Albuquerque as well, and returned to East High to run the Drama Department alongside Darbus.
Troy had gone to the University of California, Berkley for a degree in secondary education and history and was now also employed at East High, as a history teacher.
Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of Troy. Troy was, what one might consider, a player. Had been during high school and college.
Before she left, Troy had hinted at having feelings towards Gabriella one drunken night, but she chalked it up to her leaving and left it at that. Troy wasn't capable of feelings. He hadn't contacted her the entire time she was gone, even though he had been in the same room with Chad when she had called. It wasn't like they were the best of friends before she left, but she did miss him and wondered if he did, too.
He must not have because as she looked around, the electric blue eyes she longed for, weren't there.
She pushed that thought out of her head as she caught up with her friends, learned about their time in college and just enjoyed being home.
"Miss Montez, did you miss me, while you were looking for yourself out there?"
His voice boomed over the speakers and she turned toward the stage. It was then, that she remembered Taylor mentioning Troy had joined a band when he returned home.
She loved him.
The thought slammed into her like a freight train as she fumbled to catch the beer that was falling out of her hands.
He was sexy.
He was looking right at her.
He was there.
Love? Troy Bolton? Like, maybe, but love? No.
His eyes stayed on her as he slid the guitar strap over his shoulder. His blue orbs worked themselves down her body and he licked his lips in appreciation.
Gabriella took another beer that was being passed to her and welcomed the icy liquid that slid down her throat. She swore the temperature had just gone up fifteen degrees. His hair was deliberately messy, his jeans hung off his hips and his arms tested the seams of the blue shirt he wore. Gabriella let a slur pass her lips as the first notes of the band's song rang out from the keyboard.
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time a to change, hey, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey, hey….
His voice commanded the room and Gabriella felt her breath catch in the back of her throat as the band continued into the chorus of the song, his fingers began to strum the guitar.
...Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol Jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the milky way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there….
What the hell? She knew Troy was attractive. She knew he could sing and she knew he could play the guitar. So, what the hell had happened while she was gone?
Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you... Even when I know you're wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone
Conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had... And me…
His eyes locked on hers as the word "me" fell from his lips. What did this mean? Did he miss her while she was gone? Gabriella Montez? Her heart rate quickened at the thought.
...Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
The song came to a close and Gabriella leaned against the bar top for support. Her legs were weak and her mouth was dry. She had to be over analyzing the situation. That was the only explanation. Gabriella Montez wasn't the type Troy liked. She was a good girl. A bookworm, brainiac, careful. She was innocent. Hadn't even been kissed before, even at the age of 22. So that look that Troy had in his eyes must have been meant for someone else, right? She looked around her, trying to find the person that held Troys attention during the song.
Upon finding many that could have been the one of interest, Gabriella excused herself and made her way to the bathroom. She needed to compose herself before he made his way over to their group. She needed to clear her head.
When she reached the bathroom, she turned and locked the door, thankful for the moment of calm before the storm.
Welcome to my newest story! This has been rolling around in my head for a while and I've just now gotten the chance to write it down. As always, please read and drop a comment, letting me know what you think! Xoxo