Title: To Love You
Author: xx shadowdreamer.
A/n:
HAY HAY! omg. okay so u guys do not know how much your reviews made me smilee. :) haaha. i loveee getting them. if it werent for them i honestly would not be updating right now. haha. Well, i hope this chapter doesnt look or sound too rushed or if its all over the place. again, thanks so much for the reviews. id appreciate if u reviewed this chapter. haha. maybe itll make me post the last chapter faster... who knows. -wink, wink-
Troy Bolton had always hated interviews.
Ever since he began his career and he was becoming bigger and bigger, he had always hated interviews. He hated how they put you on the spot all the time and how they just always had to ask questions about anything that's anything and pry until they get you to explain every little detail. Although interviews weren't always bad, just the thought of them in general, made Troy cringe. He wasn't nervous or anything, no, far from that. He was just… scared would be the more appropriate word. His manager was always saying how interviews could make or break a career. Everything you say either leads you halfway closer to stardom or two times backwards. So of course, when Troy stood backstage of the Ellen DeGeneres he was reviewing common answers to common questions that he knew were most likely going to be asked.
"We're rolling in five minutes." The backstage manager told him, yelling through Troy's dressing room door.
Troy took a deep breath and shook his head, hoping to clear some last minute jitters and then preceded out the door and into the little waiting place before the called him in.
"And now, I'd like to welcome the one and only, Troy Bolton!"
And he walked out, a smile plastered on his face. He heard the loud cheering from the crowd and smiled at them, waving his hand up and… smiling. There wasn't really much to do when you walk down towards the host… except wave and smile, which is exactly what Troy was doing. He had always thought this was the most awkward part of an interview because people are staring at you walking and clapping at you for it. Anyone can walk. Troy had finally reached Ellen and gave her a hug, before sitting down and slapping his hands on his lap, smiling at the crowd who he realized was on their feet. He smiled bashfully.
OH!
He had almost forgotten he promised to give Gabriella a wink. It had come up in a text message conversation she and he had the other day after an outing together. No, no, nothing was going on between them; they were just having a blast hanging out with each other. Of course because the whole singing together on the stage thing that happened the other week was so much fun, Troy and her decided that they should hang out sometime, just the two of them, and this time without time restrictions. But that day, it had started raining while they were out to lunch at Aroma Café and the two decided it would be so much easier if they rescheduled. Paparazzi had been following them anyway, so Troy wanted to restart so he could dodge them the next time they went out. Once Troy dropped Gabriella off at her house, they texted each other nonstop the whole day and he mentioned how he was going to be on Ellen the next day. He hadn't realized Gabriella was such a fan of her show and he promised he'd steal some 'souvenirs' and give her wink on the show.
He winked at the camera, hoping no one caught it.
But of course, someone had. It was even worse when he realized, it was Ellen herself who caught the wink.
"Whoa, whoa…" she said. Troy looked at her with a confused face. "Can we replay Troy's entrance again?"
A TV popped up in between Troy's and Ellen's chair and Troy watched in intently, wondering what he had done wrong. He saw Ellen introduce him again and then he walked across the floor, waving at smiling at the audience. Nothing bad so far. He still stared at the screen and it came to the part where he hugged Ellen and then he looked back at the audience and smiled slightly before sitting back down. Then it zoomed up on his face and you could see the wink.
"Pause!" she called out, and it paused on a zoom up of Troy's face and with one eye closed. "What's that?"
Troy didn't know what to say. "It was um… a blink?"
The audience laughed along with Ellen and she commented, "Right… a blink with one eye."
She looked at Troy expectantly and he blushed, "Okay, well it was um, a wink for a friend."
The audience erupted into 'ooh's and 'aww's. Troy blushed even more, imagining Gabriella's when she watched this episode (he realized this episode was going to be aired in a few days). He knew how she'd probably laugh at him and how he probably looked like a little tomato.
"Ahh…" Ellen said, smiling. "Could it be for this one girl?"
And then Troy could feel blood rushing to his cheeks even more. He knew where this was going. They were going to ask if they were dating, and then pry him for answers, and then probably get him spill out who she was, how he knew her, and blah blah blah. He just knew this was going to happen. He felt it right before he went into the set. Ellen placed a picture of him and Gabriella walking in the rain towards his car, the two of them giggling as they crossed the street hurriedly. She had his black leather jacket over her head and he wore only a red raglan t-shirt with a pair of jeans and his vans. He remembered how the two of them were laughing when the rain came and in a hurry they rushed to his car, wanting shelter. His shirt was almost see through, the water soaking through, Gabriella's cardigan and scarf was not enough to keep her dry so he offered her his jacket; his mom had taught him how to be a gentleman.
Ellen looked at Troy with a knowing look. She probably always gives that look to get information. Troy rubbed his neck nervously and then looked back at the picture. He didn't want to yes, but he couldn't lie on television, so he opted for something in the middle. "Maybe."
The crowd laughed, and Troy realized how obvious and misleading he sounded. He looked at Ellen who was smiling at the audience. "That's as good as a yes."
Troy blushed again. She turned to him. "The have been rumors that you and this girl are dating."
"No." Troy announced. "We're just good friends."
"How many times have I heard that before?" Ellen asked, particularly to no one, but the audience laughed anyway. "So, were you guys on a date in this picture?"
"Actually, we just went to go out for lunch."
"Okay, so they were on a date." She deadpanned.
The crowd burst into another 'ooh!' and "ah!". Troy waved his hands frantically and shook his head. "No, no, no! It was honestly just two friends hanging out."
She looked at him disbelievingly, "Yeah, yeah, right…. So…"
And the topic finally changed and Troy felt relieved. Happy he didn't have to explain anymore about the situation. He was happy that they didn't ask anything remotely close about him liking her (in that way) because in reality, he wasn't sure that if he said that he only liked her as a friend he'd be telling the truth entirely.
------
The two sat on his black leather couch inside the living room, him eating a slice of pizza and her eating from a an ice cream cup they had gotten from a Coldstone Creamery. They had finally gotten to re-do their lunch and it was almost seven at night. Troy invited Gabriella to come hang out at his house for a bit and then he'd drive her back to her apartment and they had gotten to his place at around four and three hours later (after a quick trip to Coldstones, of course), the two were laughing to the point of tears on Troy's leather couch and just enjoying each others presence. Troy couldn't believe how he could talk to a girl so much, their conversation ranging from how Gabriella and he were both only children to their shower routines to embarrassing moments in High School.
"So, Chad gave her my phone number instead of his because he said she was stalking him." Troy continued as Gabriella laughed, taking another bite from her ice cream. "And then I get this one weird phone call from her and I pretended to be Chad. And she told me about her dreams and how she saw Chad and her rolling on the sand in the beach!"
And Gabriella broke into fits of laughter, just imagining Troy's face when he heard that. Troy chuckled along with her, not so much because of the story but because of how Gabriella had the most infectious giggle and how she would clutch her stomach when she laughed and how her shoulders shook and the way her face scrunched up and how her mouth curved upwards; everything about her just made him smile. He didn't really notice the transition from him liking her as a friend to him wanting to be more and he couldn't help but not care. What's done is done and he couldn't undo it. Gabriella and Troy continued laughing for a few more minutes, Gabriella making sure she heard the story right several times, and laughed all over again when he repeated it. And then her laughter died down and she smiled at him.
"What?" Troy asked consciously, thinking that maybe he had something on his face. But Gabriella shook her head.
"Oh its nothing," Gabriella stated. "It's just, I had so much fun today and I really don't want to leave."
"Well you don't have to!" Troy announced quickly, getting up from the couch. "You can totally just crash here. I can totally just send Geoffrey or something to go get your stuff from your apartment or we could just buy you clothes from the mall right now, or I could ask Chad and Taylor to come over and Taylor can bring you clothes if you want…"
Gabriella giggled. "Nah, I wouldn't want to impose or anything. You're probably busy tomorrow anyway."
Troy shook his head. "Oh please, my day is completely free tomorrow."
"Ha, it's a hard offer to refuse, Troy, but I've got class tomorrow, and I have to catch the early bus—"
"BUS?" Troy exclaimed. "No friend of mine will take the bus. I'll drive you."
Gabriella raised her eyebrows. "Really?"
Troy nodded. "Of course. What time do you need me to pick you up?"
"I can just take the bus, it's fine really…"
"Time?"
She smiled at him. "Nine."
"I'll be there."
Troy took her hand and helped her off the couch. He followed her towards the front door and grabbed her coat off the rack. He held it open for her to slide in her arms and he grabbed her purse that hung from the rack also. She took it from him and slipped on her ballet flats slowly, not really wanting to even exit out of his house. She stood up and looked up him, "You know what?"
"Hmm?" he asked as he placed on a jacket himself and then slipped on his checkered Vans.
"During the time I spent with you, I completely forgot you were Troy Bolton, ultimate superstar of the world."
Troy stared at her oddly, as if he didn't know what she was talking about, but then he remembered. He was a celebrity. Never in his life had he ever forgotten that he was a best-selling artist until he met her. And honestly, he had forgotten that he was Troy Bolton ultimate superstar too, and God, how it felt good to be just Troy Bolton for a change.
"Hmm, me too." He answered honestly, smiling at her with a toothy grin. She blushed. God, how much she loved seeing him smile like that at her.
"Ready?" he asked. She nodded.
He opened the door.
Bright lights surrounded them and people yelled out his name.
And then Troy remembered exactly how much of a celebrity he was.
-----
"Nice shirt."
Troy looked down at his red t-shirt, a picture of Elmo in the front. He smiled sheepishly and chuckled softly at her. They were in the car and he was currently driving Gabriella to UCLA where she was majoring in Literature. He remembered how he had woken up at eight that morning and how he basically just grabbed the first pair of jeans and shirt that was in his closet. Of course he just had to pick up the shirt he had worn as a sleeping shirt two nights ago and it just so happened to be a joke birthday present from Chad after Troy had guest starred on Sesame Street with Elmo. Gabriella still giggled at him from the passenger seat.
"Hey, hey, Elmo is the coolest person in town. Don't ever mess with Elmo." Troy defended jokingly, only causing Gabriella to giggle even more.
"Right, because Elmo could totally hunt me down." She responded.
"He totally could. He could send cookie monster and that one vampire dude to like haunt you and eat your cookies." Troy warned with a smile.
"Hmm… I'm just glad you know your Sesame Street characters." Gabriella remarked, smiling at the thought.
"They're like my best-friends." Troy told her as he made a turn into a small drop off area. Gabriella giggled once more and he realized how much he loved making her laugh and realized how much he didn't want her to go.
"Thanks again for the ride, Troy. I really do appreciate the ride." Gabriella told him sincerely, opening the door of his Audi and stepping out. She noticed the gazes of the people outside, wondering who had dropped off Gabriella. Troy had been wearing his Ray Ban sunglasses and a black and white beanie so that nobody could really tell it was him unless they looked closely. Gabriella turned back to look at him, saying her goodbye.
"Are you sure you can't ditch?" Troy asked for what seemed like the twentieth time that day.
Gabriella shook her head, "I'm afraid not, superstar."
He felt like he could fly at the nickname.
"Fine, but I'm picking you up after you class."
She smiled. "Of course."
And he waved goodbye and she closed the door, smiling at him before he drove off slowly. She turned around once she no longer saw his car and she smiled to herself. She hadn't realized how much she enjoyed spending time with him and to think, she had once hated him. He was probably the nicest guy she had ever met, not to mention he was absolutely stunning. But he was the superstar of the world, and he didn't have time for someone like her. She walked towards the entrance of the large building, holding her bag close to her side.
"Gabriella!"
She turned around and saw a familiar friend racing towards her. "Hey Sharpay, what's up?"
"I think I should be the one asking you that." She squealed. "What's up with you and Troy Bolton?"
"Nothing, we're just hanging out."
Sharpay stopped in her tracks. "Hanging out? As in, you two are…friends?"
Gabriella turned around and stared at Sharpay, nodding her head.
"Oh my God, I HAVE A FAMOUS FRIEND!"
Gabriella shushed her, placing her hands over her mouth. "Jesus, Shar! It's not a big deal."
Sharpay gawked at her saying quite loud, "You are hanging out with the hottest man alive AND who has the most gorgeous voice in the world, and you say it's not a big deal?"
Gabriella shrugged again, but this time not wanting to hear Sharpay's rants so she walked way hastily, hoping to get inside the building before the blonde haired girl could recover. She couldn't exactly pinpoint why it was so special she was hanging out with Troy Bolton. He was just a person. He wasn't some God who performed miracles each day, but someone who was only different from a regular person because of his job. She walked towards her classroom, glad that Sharpay hadn't come to bother her anymore about the subject, but she knew she was probably just gossiping to other girls. But Gabriella didn't mind, just as long as they didn't bother her at all.
Gabriella sat down in a seat, her bag she placed under the table and she took out her large notebook and a pen. She bent down to retrieve her glasses (she only used them if she was far from the front), but was then startled at the soft vibrating coming from her jean pocket. She retrieved the phone and couldn't help but smile at the text message.
Hay, have fun at ur class while im stuck here bored. Ugh why couldn't u just ditch. –T.
She giggled, pressing her fingers onto her phone keyboard, texting back before her class officially started.
Sry, but edu. Comes frst! –G
She placed her phone on the table, but it started buzzing only seconds later.
Ya ya. Im watching the episode of me on Ellen. Looks like ull be a celebrity once everyone sees this episode. –T.
She smiled.
Im a little scared now. Haha. Srry, g2g. class is starting. C ya after. –G
She placed her phone back in her bag, turning it off before the teacher began speaking.
She couldn't wait until this class was done.
-----
"Gabriella! How'd you meet Troy Bolton?"
"Are you guys dating?"
"Have you ever been a model?"
Gabriella was blinded by flashes all around her as she exited the building once her class was done. She tried to maneuver her way out of the crowd, ignoring all the questions they asked her although some of there were quite hilarious. She felt her phone vibrate in her hand and looked at the caller I.D. Troy. And then she spotted his car coming closer toward her and waited impatiently, hoping to get out of this mess alive.
"LOOK IT'S TROY'S CAR!"
And then, a swarm of photographers almost pushed Gabriella into the car, but Troy had leaned over to open the door and motioned for her to get in quickly. She got up, almost falling over in the car and once they were away from al the paparazzi, troy chuckled at Gabriella's ragged breathing.
"God, how do you deal with that everyday?" Gabriella asked in disbelief.
Troy shrugged. "Welcome to my life."
