Author's Note--Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed. I didn't expect a lot of people to be happy and excited that I was starting another story; especially one where they could see the little plots in between with other characters. I hope you enjoy this one, and please review to let me know what you think. Good and bad, I want to hear it all.
"Courage is found in unlikely places." J.R.R. Tolkien
Gabriella felt sick to her stomach as she let her small hand enclose around the white sliding glass door's handle to the lower level of the house. She could have walked up the steps and entered the house that way, but going up the stairs meant passing her father and...Lauren. She didn't know if she could handle that, so instead she decided to go through the door that hardly anyone used to enter the furnished basement.
The moment she shut the door behind herself she momentarily thanked whoever it was that suggested to put blinds on the door so that she could have a moment to herself without everyone staring at her backside from the outside. The room was dark as she spotted a black leather couch to sit down on.
The cool leather collided with her exposed skin as she slouched down. A sigh escaped her mouth; the sound making Gabriella snap back into her senses and having realization wash over her. Her father was moving on, and for some reason he didn't tell her until after every one of their guests were present. But just that thought made Gabriella's anger boil deep within. Everyone else had to know if no one else had a reaction to this news.
Her fingers curled into fists as her breathing hardened just trying to control her emotions. She sat still as a statue on the couch as the cold air coated her body. It wasn't as if she expected her parents to magically get back together. She just didn't expect her father to move on before her mother actually moved on. Although her mother seemed happy with the divorce considering she was the one who wanted it; it was strange to see that her dad was making the first permanent step to expand their family. It didn't matter that her mother was dating also. Gabriella knew that her mother wasn't serious when it came to other men.
But it was in that moment that Gabriella decided that Lauren wouldn't be family. She wouldn't be her mother as they were totally different two people. Also, there was just something about this new woman which separated herself in Gabriella's mind. It was a natural instinct in Gabriella's mind to hate Lauren, she just didn't know to what extent this hatred would grow too.
After Gabriella took a couple of calming breaths and prepared herself to go back outside to face this new person and her father, she stood up. An anger was settling in her body towards her father as he could have told her any other way and it wouldn't have been as cowardly as this. He knew that Gabriella would have some issue with him springing this on her, and he took the safe way out to tell her by making sure there were other people around so that she wouldn't explode, scream, and shout her distaste.
"You look…" Gabriella turned around at Troy's voice. Her eyes widened a little in surprise to his entrance down the main staircase as he didn't come through the sliding glass door. "…not good," Troy chose his words carefully.
He fully stepped down to her level as Gabriella turned her back on going outside. For some reason, Troy felt the need to go to her in the basement before she showed herself to everyone again.
"And here I thought I was the prettiest one here," Gabriella said sarcastically. A smile ghosted onto her face as Troy held out a cup of soda to her.
"I know it's probably not your first choice of drink, but I brought this for you." He smiled with his teeth showing. His hair was swept across his forehead as his arm held out the cup; waiting for her to take it in acceptance.
She sighed while slowly taking the glass cup from his waiting arm. Gabriella sat down on the couch again while placing her feet on the coffee table in front of her. Troy took the seat next to her. He set down a plate with two hot dogs on it. Gabriella's eyes narrowed as she didn't see that before.
"You planning on staying down here?" She asked.
"One's for me, and one's for you. My mother raised me with good manners," he boasted proudly; wanting Gabriella to smile at least a little bit. He was rewarded a moment later with a crack of the lip.
"Well she taught you well Troy Bolton, but why?"
"Why would she teach me manners? Because she believes that all boys should respect pretty girls who look to be in need of help," he answered half jokingly as Gabriella finally succumbed to the giggle that wanted to makes it's way out of her mouth.
"I meant…why would you bring me food when I was ready to go back out there? Because now I have no reason to join everyone else again," she clarified as she looked Troy in the eye, and she knew just by the twinkle in his eye that he was just teasing her about his first response.
"Well…this whole situation sucks right now. It was kind of obvious Carlos just sprung this on you, and well…I know a thing or two about divorces," Troy's voice got quieter and quieter as he spoke. Gabriella looked at him as she leaned in just a little bit more; making it seem as if he was telling her a secret. "Lucille isn't really my mom. She's my step mom."
In Cannery, California, it was uncommon to have a family that wasn't blood related. Gabriella's parents at the time were the only known divorced couple around, and so Troy's confession made Gabriella wonder if others knew about this.
But she didn't ask Troy right away as she didn't want to seem rude. For some reason, it just didn't feel right being blunt with Troy right now as she felt a certain need to ease into the conversation.
"I'm sorry," Gabriella whispered back. "I want to say something other than 'I'm sorry', but I don't really know what to say."
Troy smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'm not as up-to-date like you, however, as this happened a while ago when I was around five years old. So you still win the 'Sucky Situation' award."
Troy grinned at her and she rolled her eyes. "You sure are making me feel better," she was sarcastic before a genuine smile overtook her face. "But thanks…I uh…don't usually say that, but you've taken my mind off of Lauren for a while at least."
"That's what friends are for. Now eat some food," he demanded in a motherly tone.
Gabriella laughed again before the two teenagers were submerged into their dinners while making light conversation to pass the time.
Gabriella was just hoping that they would be down in the basement long enough for the adults to just leave so that the kids could start the fire. Troy, on the other hand, was just hoping for some more alone time with Gabriella. There was just something about her that intrigued him, and he liked it. After all, it was summer time, and new things were bound to heat up.
"Hey Gabriella?" Troy asked after he got done eating his food.
Gabriella wiped at her mouth with a napkin before looking at him. "Yeah?"
"Before when I said that you didn't look good? I just meant that after what you learned tonight, you didn't look at your best," Troy explained as a light pink tint was coating his cheeks.
"You know what my best is?" Gabriella asked lightly.
"Well…no. But, I just meant given the circumstances--"
"I know Troy," she said softly as there was no need for him to go on.
Troy looked at Gabriella as she looked back at him. A smile settled it's way onto his face as his hand nudged her hand playfully.
"You're the most beautiful girl out there."
Gabriella pursed her lips together when they walked back to the fire pit. Eileen, Lucille, and Lauren were all gathering the plates and garbage from everyone. Eileen was holding open the bag while Lucille was gathering the adults garbage, and Lauren took it upon herself to go over to the kids and collect their empty plates.
Gabriella and Troy both momentarily noticed that Taylor was now sitting in Troy's old chair next to Chad; leaving the two chairs between Zeke and her open. Gabriella and Troy both sat down as Jason was busy getting the fire going.
Gabriella's eye s flicked over to Taylor and the two friends shared a silent conversation with one another. Gabriella was no longer mad at Taylor for keeping this information to herself as it helped that she had time to cool off with Troy in the basement. Taylor was silently examining Gabriella to make sure that she was relatively okay for the time being and Gabriella was silently telling Taylor not to worry just yet.
Right now things were okay. But concerning the future? Gabriella wasn't too sure how her relationship with her father was going to be now that Lauren was in the picture.
Gabriella was too transfixed on watching Jason starting the fire that it was Lauren's hand on her shoulder that brought Gabriella out of her trance.
Her eyes automatically went to narrow on the blonde woman who was crouching down to Gabriella's height in the chair, but she took a calming breath and mustered a smile.
"Hi Gabriella. I just wanted to introduce myself again. I also just wanted to make sure that you were okay? You kind of disappeared before," her smooth voice stated and Gabriella just wanted to roll her eyes at how nice she sounded.
"Yeah. I guess I'm still a little bit tired from the drive yesterday," she lied.
Lauren smiled at her. "I guess it's not very fair on you that your father just sprung the news. I kept telling him to call you up and at least warn you a little in advance."
Gabriella didn't know what game Lauren was playing at. It almost seemed as if the older woman was sounding guilty for putting Gabriella in this position. Gabriella's thoughts were pushed aside as she didn't want to like Lauren.
"You kids behave now. I think us old peopleare going to head over to the Danforths for drinks," Carlos announced as he came and stood behind Lauren, putting his arm around her in a caring way.
Gabriella nearly wanted to gag as Zeke spoke up. "The brownies were at their best tonight Lauren. I swear each time I try one, they just get better and better."
Sharpay rolled her eyes at her boyfriends remark.
"We won't be late Gabi. Call If you need anything." Carlos waved his goodbye with Lauren at his side before disappearing down the side of the house to go next door with the others.
"Do you have to flirt with a middle age woman?!" Sharpay screeched at Zeke before throwing an open water bottle at him and standing up. She looked intimidating as Gabriella wiped at her cheek which got wet when the blonde threw the bottle at the now damp Zeke. She put her thin hands on her waist as she sent daggers in Zeke's direction. "You're such an ass, you know that?! Can't you just grow up for a minute and stop trying to have eye sex with that bitch?!"
Everyone sat in silence as Sharpay stormed off towards the house, slamming the glass door behind her. Gabriella slowly turned her head to see Zeke shifting in his seat. He wasn't even making a move to go after her, but it wasn't Gabriella's place to tell him too. If anything, she was just disgusted at how Zeke wasn't denying being attracted to Lauren.
"You're an asshole Zeke," Jason spoke up as he poked at the fire with a five foot long stick. He took a sip of whatever he was drinking before smiling at everyone. "But we all know she's gonna cool off, so why worry about it?"
"Eh, I'm not really worried. She was right about some of the things she said," Zeke said with a shrug. "Let's change the subject. After all, tonight is not about relationship problems."
All eyes turned to Gabriella or Taylor as the two girls looked at each other; neither one knowing what to say.
"We should have alcohol. I think we all know that the parents aren't actually going to be back before midnight strikes," Jason declared breaking the silence.
The conversation revolved around the whole circle as each kid who had been living there the last couple of years voiced why they couldn't go back to their house for their own alcohol stash. Kelsi lived twenty minutes away, so the boys declared that too far away. Zeke didn't want to drive Sharpay's car to go to his house since he didn't currently have a car at his disposal. Jason's parents were home so they were sure to spot him coming back to his house and leaving with bottles of alcohol. Chad had the best reason as to not go to his alcohol stash since all the parents were at his house, and so that left one member currently around the fire.
"Uh…I guess I could go to my house. I might have a twenty-four pack under my bed so it won't be cold."
"Don't be a pussy Bolton," Jason exclaimed with a wide smile on his face. He looked to be ecstatic that they had found a person who could go and get them beer. "We can just add ice. We're not picky."
"You think Sharpay would want to come back out if she knew Troy was going to get drinks?" Taylor spoke up.
"Nah," Zeke answered before anyone else could. "She'll come out when she can smell the alcohol in the air. She has a great nose for illegal drinks."
Troy stood up as the fire crackled in the nighttime air. Chad followed suit. "I'll come with dude."
Gabriella smiled as her eye caught onto Troy's, but as the two guys disappeared to cross the street, she felt someone else staring at her. She looked straight across the fire to see Jason staring at her with a smirk on his face.
Her eyes narrowed, making herself think that she was seeing things as if the dark sky could play tricks on her mind. She shifted in her seat as her own little sly smile slid it's way onto her face. She didn't know Jason at all, so she could hardly say what he was thinking. But she did know that she wished Troy would hurry back. If she was going to have to put up with Jason staring at her all night, then she at least wanted a good drink; whether it was warm or cold.
"So uh…Gabriella and you…were gone for quite a while in the house. What was up with that?" Chad asked right when they entered Troy's bedroom and Troy went in search for his private alcohol stash.
He was kneeling on the ground near his bed with his head under it as he was reaching for the drinks. He quickly turned his head to look at Chad; his eyes wide with surprise. "Nothing. I just brought her dinner and we ate in the basement."
Chad quirked his eye brow. Troy and him had been friends ever since the summer before sixth grade. Chad went through a couple of weeks moping around the house in that summer as that was the summer that everything nearly changed in Cannery. Gabriella had left and so Chad was out of a best friend. It just so happened that Troy Bolton moved in across the street, and they created their friendship around their mutual love for basketball. Gabriella never really liked to play as she preferred to watch more than anything, so it was different for Chad to find a friend who actually liked to play against him.
The two guys had gone through their last childhood years, their pubescent years, and now they were finally halfway done with high school and were starting to plan their futures. They had been through their first girlfriends with one another. They had learned how to juggle sports, friendship, and families with one another. And if anything, their bond as friends grew stronger each day. Chad knew when something was different with Troy. He knew that Troy found Gabriella attractive; he would be crazy if he didn't. But there was just something different about the way Troy was acting around Gabriella. She wasn't some cheerleader that was hitting on Troy. So that left Troy nearly clueless on how to act around her.
When Troy had the pack of beer underneath his arm Chad started speaking again. "She's single you know? I was talking to Taylor when you two were inside and well…she's single."
Troy raised an eye brow. Inside, he was jumping for joy as he was wondering on ways to ask Gabriella if she was single or not, but now he didn't have too. That was one hurdle already overcome. Now he just had to somehow make sure that other guys knew that he was interested in her and that she was off limits. He never did like making girls sound like their were possessions, but with Gabriella, he knew that it would only be a matter of time before someone else stepped in.
"Well, that's pretty hard to believe," Troy said casually; locking his front door behind himself.
Chad shrugged. He sensed when Troy wanted to drop a subject, and now was the time to stop talking about Gabriella. He would just have to try some other time. "Yeah well…she's back. I think you're really gonna like her. She was the best friend before she moved."
As Kelsi, Taylor, and Jason were talking Gabriella resorted to talking with Zeke. So far the only impression she got from him was that his relationship with Sharpay sucked.
"So uh…what Shar said before?" Zeke mumbled so that the others could hear. "She's wrong. I don't have the hots for your soon to-be step mom. I'm a cook, and the brownies that Lauren makes are the best that I've ever tasted."
"Hey, it's cool." Something was bugging Gabriella though as even though her and Sharpay didn't start out on the right foot, she still felt sympathy towards the blonde as Gabriella knew what it felt like to have suspicion of your boyfriend cheating on you. "It's just, Zeke? How long have you and Sharpay been dating for?"
A small smile crawled it's way onto his face as at least he seemed a little bit happy to be talking about his girlfriend. "We're going on a year in three weeks."
"Well then, I wish you guys luck. Don't let this stupid argument get in the way tonight."
"Look Gabriella, you're practically new here. Our fights have been happening ever since a month ago. She'll get mad, storm off, and then she'll come back with a new attitude. It'll all work out," Zeke sounded confident.
"It's just," Gabriella didn't want to say that she knew what it felt like to be in Sharpay's spot, but she didn't want to butt her way into their problems anymore than she was now. "never mind. You're right Zeke. I haven't been here that long, so I'm just gonna say good luck."
"Thanks." He sounded a lot more chirpier when he wasn't talking about Sharpay. "You know you seem like a cool chick Gabriella. I think you'll fit in perfectly with our little group."
"And we have beer!" Chad yelled with excitement as Troy held the pack up above his head with the same excitement.
"Don't yell it Chad. There's neighbors around who can hear," Kelsi chided.
"Not to mention your guys' parents are just right next door," Taylor added.
"Whatever. My parents know exactly what I do," Chad declared as he sat down. The fire was still going strong as everyone got situated again. Troy and Chad took it upon themselves to pass out the cans of beer.
When Jason was tossed one, he held up his hand again. "Just one man?! Toss me another one. I think I deserve it after this week."
"What happened this week?" Taylor asked the question Gabriella was thinking.
Troy rolled his eyes while turning towards Gabriella to face her a little bit more. He mumbled so that no one else heard. "He lost his video camera down at his families restaurant, and he told Kelsi that he liked her, and she didn't return the same…eager feelings." Troy tried to pick out the best word to describe what feelings Jason was feeling, but when it came to Jason and Kelsi there were no right words. Especially since it was when Jason was too drunk to form coherent sentences that he declared his love for Kelsi, and when she said that she didn't think sleeping with each other was the right move, Jason moved on.
"That's…harsh," Gabriella said slowly while opening her can that Troy offered her.
"You know what we should all do this week?" Zeke asked as he leaned back in his chair.
Gabriella looked across the fire at Kelsi who was busying herself by opening up different food packages. Kelsi felt someone looking at her and looked up to see Gabriella staring at her.
"S'more?" Kelsi's quiet, timid voice floated over the fire.
"Yes please!" Gabriella put her hands up as Kelsi tossed the bag of marshmallows over the fire, then the sticks of chocolate, and then the box of graham crackers.
"I think we should all go boating!" Zeke looked around excitedly. Grins overtook everyone's face besides Taylor's and Gabriella's. The two girls were not used to boys just randomly saying they should go boating. In Albuquerque they had no big water sources to go boating or sailing so that was never an option for them. "I have work tomorrow, but then I'm free Tuesday."
"And who's boat are we taking?" Troy asked with an amused grin on his face.
"Jason's of course," Zeke answered smoothly.
"I work Tuesday. What about Wednesday?" Jason asked.
"Everyone's going?" Kelsi asked.
"Hell yeah!" Chad tipped his beer can back. "I work the early shift Wednesday, but we don't want to go until the afternoon when it's warmest. Plus, it's supposed to be actually nice out. That's also a bonus."
"What about you guys?" Troy asked as he looked from Taylor to Gabriella.
"We shouldn't have anything planned--" Taylor started but was interrupted by Gabriella.
"We'll go. My dad won't care. He'll be busy with Lauren."
Gabriella never saw herself as the jealous person; especially not a jealous person when it came to her parents. But just thinking of her dad spending time with Lauren was getting under her skin.
"Cool. We'll all go!"
"You weren't going to ask me Zeke?" Sharpay asked with a husk to her voice. Gabriella turned around to see Sharpay delicately wiping underneath her eyes.
"I just figured you'd go since you don't have a job. Do you have something planned for Wednesday that I don't know about?"
"Of course not," she snapped.
While Zeke and Sharpay went into another argument with one another, Troy looked down at Gabriella and for the first time noticed that she was eating something.
"So you'll eat junk food, but not all the hot dog I brought you?" He teased as she looked up at him as if she was a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
She bit into it, making sure that she didn't have any left on her mouth before swallowing. It was a very tricky thing to eat without being messy.
"Bolton, me eating a S'more over a hot dog should not offend you. Everyone loves S'more," Gabriella said with certainty.
"Oh really?" Troy asked with a raised eye brow. A smile was toying on his lips, but he was trying to remain as serious as possible.
Gabriella didn't sense that Troy was joking as her jaw nearly dropped. "You don't sound convinced?! Do you not like S'mores, Troy?"
"I haven't really ever tried one before." It was so amusing watching Gabriella's reactions that he was really undecided. He couldn't decided if he wanted to laugh about how easily fooled she could be, or if he thought that she was cuter looking shocked.
"Well then, I insist that you try some." Gabriella lifted up the half eaten S'more as crumbs were falling off onto the ground. Troy looked at the food and his mouth nearly went dry. He had never had this reaction before, where just one look at a piece of food that had been touched by a girls lips could make him the thirstiest guy there. "It's calling out to you Troy," Gabriella sang with a wide smile while waving it in his face.
He licked his lips as he already couldn't resist her smile and eyes. God, her eyes! He had seen brown eyes before. He had dated girls with brown eyes before. But not once had brown eyes affected his decision before. It wasn't because he didn't like S'mores. In fact, he loved them. But just the idea of being persuaded by Gabriella so easily freaked him out a little bit.
"Fine," Troy went to grab the food, but Gabriella started moving it closer to his mouth as if she wasn't going to hand it off to him.
"No way Bolton. I'm not going to hand it over," she slapped his hand away playfully. "Now open up because once you try it, you're gonna want to eat all of it."
Gabriella carefully put some of it in his mouth so he could take a bite. As she pulled back she noticed that there was only a little bit left so she popped it into her mouth as she narrowed her eyes on Troy. It was only a little dessert type sandwich, but he nearly ate the rest of it with how big he bit into it.
"I hope that was good," she grumbled good heartedly. "Because now I'm gonna have to make another one because of your gigantic mouth." When she looked back at him after getting another marshmallow out of the bag and putting it on the stick she laid down, she couldn't help but laugh a little at the smeared melted chocolate on the side of his mouth.
"What?" He asked completely clueless.
"Um…you have…uh…," her hand went for his mouth as his hand also went up to his face to scratch at the other side of where the chocolate is. It was a complete cliché movie moment as they both laughed awkwardly. "Here."
Gabriella's soft fingers wiped at the chocolate, and then continued to rub against her jean clad leg to rid of the substance.
"There." She looked at him. "Perfect."
"Tonight was fun, yeah?" Chad asked as Troy and him were busy walking down the slope on the side of Carlo's house, and then continued to walk across the street to Troy's empty house still.
"Yeah. Gabriella seems like a cool girl, and Taylor seems like she knows what she's talking about," Troy said casually. He unlocked the front door before dumping his keys on the side table.
"Are you sure you're up for boating Wednesday?" Chad asked as he plopped down onto the couch in the living room.
Troy flicked the TV on as he sat in the big arm chair with his feet resting on the footstool. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
Chad didn't like to purposely talk about feelings when he didn't have too, but when it came to his best friend for years, it was a whole different ball park.
"Well, it's just last time we went Zeke and Shar were actually happy together, Jason and Kelsi were like this," Chad held up his middle and index fingers and twisted them together to indicate how 'tight' of a friendship the two had, "and well…I was dating Cindy at the time."
"Chad, I remember everyone who went last time. I don't need an exact play-by-play," Troy snapped before changing the channel to a sports station.
"Well what I'm trying to get at is that you obviously felt like a seventh wheel, but--"
"But that was nearly two months ago, and you're no longer dating Cindy. Plus, I had just gotten out of a relationship," Troy grumbled as Chad snorted. Troy's previous relationship was hardly a relationship as he went out on a double date with this girl named Alex, and they stopped seeing each other a week after that.
"But as I was saying, there's now Gabriella." Chad distracted his eyes with the TV as an old basketball game was on. "And well, not that I was spying or anything, but you and Gabriella seemed kind of close tonight."
Troy shrugged his shoulders while putting the remote down; satisfied with the channel selection. "I guess."
"Dude, what the fuck was with the S'more?! You had her feeding you! And man, might I add, she's pretty hot and well…I know any regular guy would have jumped at the chance to be in your spot at the fire."
Troy picked up the remote again and pressed the 'mute' button. He looked over at Chad, his eyes drooping slightly from being tired. "Chad, I think Gabriella and I will be good friends." Troy saw that Chad was opening his mouth to say something, but he beat him to it. "No Chad. Don't say anything. Gabriella and I'll be friends, just like you're friends with her. There is no difference between you and me."
"Well I think she's hot," Chad declared with a smile. "So you must think she's hot."
Troy didn't say anything as he turned the sound back on the TV.
"Gabs?" Taylor asked hesitantly. She had a plan in mind on how she was going to approach the subject, but then again, she had plans in the past on how to approach certain topics with Gabriella and they never went to plan due to she could never exactly predict Gabriella's reaction.
Taylor knocked on Gabriella's bed room door and slowly pushed it open. She looked around the cream colored walls which were bear. It was obvious that when Anna moved with her daughter five years previous, she had taken everything that her daughter owned--even the tacks on the walls that used to hold up posters from movies.
"What's up?" Gabriella asked quietly. It was relatively late at night, or early in the morning--depending on your own personal opinion, but either way Gabriella was tired, and when Gabriella is tired, she is in her most vulnerable state. If anyone talked to her, they could basically see past her brave act that she puts on around people, and they would see that in reality that she was just as hurt, just as scared, and just as lost as a regular broken-hearted-teenage-girl.
Taylor smiled softly as she padded into Gabriella's room wearing her striped pajama pants and a tank top. She sat on Gabriella's bed with her legs crossed into a pretzel form; mirroring Gabriella's sitting position.
"Just thinking about how crazy the last two days have been. Saturday was basically all driving, and then we didn't get here until late night. Sunday was spent catching up on sleep and just walking around, and we met Chad and Troy, and...everyone else." Taylor couldn't find exact words to describe how that day went. Yes, she had fun conversing with the other kids Gabriella would become friends with. Yes, the plans they made to go sailing sounded nice. And yes, she was a little pissed off at Carlos for just springing news on his daughter like this.
"Don't worry about it Tay. I'm not." Gabriella picked at the blanket she had wrapped around her own small body. She was wearing shorts and a tank top, and was silently telling herself that she would have to go shopping for a lot warmer clothes.
Gabriella smiled at her friend as she realized she wasn't fooling Taylor for a second. "Seriously," Gabriella tried again, "it's all good. We have the clam festival to look forward to tomorrow, then sailing on Wednesday, and then in late August the wedding."
"Now try saying 'wedding' without gritting your teeth and clenching your fists," Taylor said lightly before turning serious again. "Gabi, I'm gonna ask you a question that has been on my mind for a while now, 'kay?"
The curly brunette nodded her head warily as her eyes scrunched up in thought. What would Taylor be thinking about that would sound so important concerning herself? It wasn't as if Gabriella had made too many slip ups here in Cannery yet.
Taylor paused for a moment before slowly asking, "Does your dad know about…Albuquerque?"
"I don't…Taylor…it's just…" Gabriella fell backwards so that she was now resting her head on her pillow. She closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She let out a big sigh as she just wished she could escape what happened. "I don't want to talk about Austin."
Austin Crooner. Just thinking about his name sent shivers up Gabriella's spine. He was going to be a senior this year as he was a whole year older than Taylor and Gabriella. Austin was the type of boy who had looks, money, and power. He held the respect from the townsmen as he lead the football team to victory for three straight years, and it was now going on four. He basically already had a scholarship locked up already.
His bright blonde hair was just the beginning of his good looks as his skin was tan--a tan color which girls only dreamed about getting at salons, his bright green eyes always seemed to shine when the sun was out, and his muscular body helped intimidate others who weren't so easily persuaded by a pretty face.
If his physical appearance wasn't enough to please the people of Albuquerque, Austin's personality that he presented was enough to win people over. He was a born leader as he always knew when to take charge, and when to let others do their own thing. He lead not just the football team to victory, but he inspired other teams to try harder by having school spirit. He was on the homecoming committee and prom committee. He was Junior Class President and he even had time to train 24/7 for football in the weight room.
He had everything anyone could ever want. He had the looks. He had the friends, or as most would say, he had the whole school. And he also had the family. His mother and father were both very supportive of their precious son who never seemed to disappoint others.
The only flaw in Austin's life was his relationships, and his commitment to the said relationship. He had a darker side than what everyone else saw. Sure, he was the perfect guy during the day, but when it was the weekend nights and he had nothing to do the next day, he was just like every other guy who loved a good drink and fuck. Whenever a party was hosted, Austin was always there. And where Austin was, his girlfriend came following.
Gabriella and him would both make an entrance together. Throughout her whole sophomore year and his junior year, they would enter a party with their heads held high, and his right arm slung around her shoulders or waist. They were the typical pair as she was a cheerleader--nearly head cheerleader as she had to take over for half of the season--and he was the captain of the football team.
When Austin let loose, he really let loose as he never came near tipsy. He surpassed tipsy and headed right into the near danger zone with his drinking. There was no in between for him. Gabriella had learned to put up with him, as sometimes she would even join him as she remembers a time or two where she had to go to the hospital to get her stomach pumped due to too much alcohol.
It wasn't until their last party of the school year--the party was thrown three weeks before finals so that the student body could celebrate a pre-summer party before school was actually out that Gabriella realized Austin was cheating on her. She had caught him red handed sleeping with her supposed friend from the cheer squad. The girls had been close, but it wasn't until Gabriella realized Emily only liked her because of her boyfriend.
The last week of May and the first two weeks of June held many fights and confrontations for Austin and Gabriella. The school basically picked sides, and if you picked one then you stuck up for that said person. But Gabriella couldn't care less since her life was basically going down the drain anyways. She was hurt, confused, and broken as she swore that she loved Austin. After all, the two had exchanged the three most monumental words, 'I love you', three months into their relationship. Why would he cheat?
Sure he seemed perfect to everyone, but there was always a dangerous edge to him. He always seemed to stay cool under the most awful situations. He talked with close friends, but in public he only talked when spoken to or else he would just hang back in the shadows waiting to make his next move. He led people around, as he silently had things all under control.
In ways, Gabriella saw him as a bad ass. He was 'Super Boy' during the day, and then at night he would take out his leather jacket and bring her around the town on his motorcycle. They would drink until the sun came up, and they would sometimes go down to this one creek and just stay there for the whole night. Gabriella went against her mother's word time and time again, and that is how she ended up in Cannery, California. She pushed her mother to the limits, and finally when Gabriella snapped and her final fight with Austin happened, she went straight to her mother and told her in the bluntest way possible that it was time that she left to get a new start.
Basically she told her mother that she wanted to move, but really she didn't. She wished that it was Austin who moved. She knew deep down that she didn't have to move, but in her eyes, she saw no other option. She was pushed into this decision as she no longer had control over her life in Albuquerque. She was just hoping Cannery, California held all the right answers for her now.
"Gabi?" Taylor asked.
Gabriella's eyes fluttered open as a yawn escaped her mouth. "Yeah Tay?" Gabriella nearly whispered her question as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"I think you fell asleep," Taylor murmured. Gabriella tried to sit up, but Taylor put her hand on Gabriella's to push her gently back down. "Don't get up. I think I know the answer already."
"m'kay."
Taylor quietly got off Gabriella's bed and brought the comforter up to Gabriella's shoulders to tuck her in. She smiled a little as Gabriella was still slowly rubbing at her eyes to see better.
"Tay?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you came to Cannery with me for the summer. I don't think I would have made it to my dad's front door without you. I probably would have drove someplace else to escape everything."
The smile slipped from Taylor's face momentarily, but she soon replaced it with another one that was fake. She was concerned for Gabriella, but nothing could ever replace the concern she felt for Gabriella the previous school year. Nothing could even compete with the concern and worry she felt for Gabriella before, as now Taylor knew that she could basically deal with anything her best friend threw at her. So worrying about Gabriella now felt pretty easy going as Gabriella only seemed scared this time.
"I'm your best friend. I'm always going to take care of you."
When Gabriella woke up the next morning, she noticed that for the first time in a while it was past eight o'clock. This was unusual for her as she should have still been on school time no matter what time she went to bed at. It was very weird of her to still be sleeping at this time.
She got up and made her way downstairs after putting her hair in a high pony tail. When she walked downstairs she remembered that it was clam festival day and that her dad was probably already downtown at his restaurant setting up for the day.
When Gabriella entered the kitchen she had to squint her eyes to adjust to the bright lights in the ceiling.
"Morning," Taylor said chirpily. "Coffee?"
"Yes please," Gabriella took the coffee from Taylor's outstretched hand before collapsing on one of the four bar stools set up at the counter. "Why does it feel as if I got no sleep at all?"
Taylor wanted to laugh at Gabriella's dramatics, but knew that Gabriella probably was feeling a little off beat due to drinking last night. She wasn't so wasted, but she was tipsy enough to receive a good size headache for the next day.
"Have some Advil," Taylor offered as she already located the medicine in Carlos' house.
"You are a lifesaver Tay"
"You know who else is a lifesaver?"
"You know I hate guessing games when I'm the guesser. Just tell me," Gabriella requested.
"Chad. He brought over donuts for us at seven this morning. He said that they're from your favorite bakery in town and that since it's clam festival day, everything was half priced."
Gabriella looked up and noticed for the first time a pink bakery box on the end of the counter. She looked into it and saw that at least five donuts were inside; all of different variety. "He was up this early?"
"Yeah. I guess a lot of the kids got called in to work today due to it being really busy downtown. He had the early shift and thought he'd do something nice," Taylor explained.
"You know, you two would look hot together." Gabriella looked at Taylor and saw the blush that coated her cheeks.
"Says the girl who was feeding Troy last night," Taylor shot back. She smirked instantly as Gabriella ducked her head and distracted herself by picking out her breakfast donut.
"Tay, I think it's too soon to be starting anything with anyone after my last relationship. It's just--"
"I know," Taylor cut in softly. "But in the mean time, it doesn't hurt to look at boys."
Gabriella smiled. "No. It definitely doesn't hurt to look at boys. Hey Tay? By any chance did you bring in the newspaper? Or did my dad do it before he left?"
"I haven't brought one in. I think I heard someone throw one at the door earlier this morning," Taylor answered.
Gabriella jumped out of her seat and looked at Taylor with a funny face. "How long have you been up?"
"Since five," Taylor answered cheekily before quickly taking the dish towel that was hanging up and snapping it at Gabriella's butt.
Gabriella just laughed before jogging towards the front door and throwing the door open. She stepped outside with a smile on her face. Gabriella looked around for a moment before finally spotting the newspaper on the front stoop in front of the porch's stairs. As she stood up from bending over to get it, she looked straight ahead and saw Troy Bolton doing the same thing that she was doing.
When she looked at him, he looked up for the first time and smiled at her. He waved his hand as he stepped a little closer to the sidewalk; although he was still across the street.
"Hey."
"Hey Troy," Gabriella greeted, walking to the street's curb.
"Hey…I already said that, didn't I?" He asked with a chuckle. He scratched the back of his neck before finally crossing the street to be closer to her.
"Doesn't matter," Gabriella dismissed before continuing. "You know, after last night and learning where everyone else works this summer, I never did ask where you worked."
"I actually work at your dad's restaurant. Chad and I both applied there when we were sixteen and started in the kitchen washing dishes. But now that some of the older kids have moved for college, we both got moved up to being waiters," Troy explained.
Gabriella smiled. "My dad didn't make you come in today? Even with the stupid festival?"
"Chad and I both usually do the noon to six o'clock shift, but Chad has to come in early today, and instead of me doing the same, I just stay later."
Gabriella didn't know why this worked out perfectly, but that's what she found herself saying. "Well then, I guess that's perfect since Tay and I were going to stop down there for lunch." Maybe it was the fact that both Troy and Chad were going to be working there when they stopped in. At least that's what Gabriella kept telling herself as she smiled at Troy who was just wearing fleece pajama pants with the top strip of his boxers and more showing.
Back in Albuquerque she had been to multiple pool parties. It was nearly hot out for the majority of the time, and so when summer came around the parties became more frequent. And if there was a pool party, then there was guys there, and then the guys would be shirtless. Gabriella could say that she saw more than a few guys without shirts on and some of them had been worthy to be models with their chests, but looking at Troy and his sculpted abs that looked perfect, it was almost overwhelming to Gabriella in the morning.
She couldn't but help let her eyes look down, but she caught herself after only a second and she snapped her eyes back up to Troy's smiling face.
"It's perfect?" He mused.
Gabriella started walking backwards to her house so that she could still see Troy standing there with the same exact newspaper in hand that she was holding, and a grin on his face as his tanned golden skin was nearly breathtaking in the actual sunlight.
"Yeah. Just incase the food sucks, we don't have to tip you guys because we know you!" She called back making him chuckle.
"And if the food's good?"
"Then you'll know when you see us leave extra money!" Gabriella called before saying, "Bye Troy."
He watched her disappear behind her house's door before he fully turned around to go back to his home which at the time was empty due to his parents' early rises and wanting to get into town as soon as possible. His dad was helping out at his mother's business of owning her own jewelry store. Lucille made her own necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and even earrings. If you wanted something unique or something 'fun'--as his mother called it--to wear, then Lucille's shop would be the one to go to. And if you didn't want just jewelry, but just little trinkets that were nearly all girly like, then you could also get those things too from Lucille. It was a nice little business for a small town to have.
When Troy entered his house he walked right into the kitchen and sat down at the small table they had in the kitchen for quick meals as they also had a dining room, but was rarely used at times.
"Where the fuck were you?" Jason asked out of no where.
Troy looked up startled. "What the fuck dude!?" He exclaimed as he looked at Jason entering the kitchen from the other way leading from the living room. "Why are you in my house?"
"I came through the back door like I always do when no one answers. I knew you were here though because your car was here. So where were you?"
"You never answered my question though, why are you in my house?" Troy narrowed his eyes as he wasn't mad, but he was a little irritated that Jason would choose to make his entrance like that and nearly scare him.
Jason shrugged as he poured himself a bowl of cereal. "I figured we could go into town this morning and bug the shit out of Zeke before I actually have to go into work."
Troy rolled his eyes before opening the newspaper. "Yeah. I have work at noon though."
"Cool," Jason said before smirking at Troy. "So where exactly were you?"
Troy looked up and saw the glimmer in Jason's eyes. He diverted his eyes down, not wanting to tell Jason that he was talking to Gabriella. It wasn't because he was embarrassed or anything of Gabriella, but he just didn't want to be teased about his new friendship with Gabriella. Because apparently to certain friends of his, guys and girls could rarely ever be just friends, and he did not need them saying anything to Gabriella about him potentially liking her more than a friend. Things would only get messy then.
"No where that you need to know about," he answered.
Jason rolled his eyes; already knowing where he was as he had looked out of the front window to see Troy talking to Gabriella across the street. "Whatever. Hurry up and get ready. We don't have all day man." Jason added as an after thought, "And Bolton?"
"Hmm?"
"Next time you meet Gabriella in the morning, maybe you should just go out in your boxers. I bet she would love that."
The next thing Jason did was duck from a flying plastic spoon aimed at his head.
Gabriella entered the house with a smile on her face. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't excited for lunch now.
"Don't orgasm on me now," Taylor chirped as Gabriella made her way into the kitchen again. "So did you find the newspaper?"
Gabriella nodded. "Yeah. It was very…interesting."
Taylor scrunched her eye brows together. "Interesting? How so?"
Gabriella opened up the paper and smiled into it; making sure that her face was blocked so that Taylor didn't see her cheeks that were heating up quickly. She couldn't get the picture of Troy without a shirt on out of her head. She usually wasn't an abs kind of girl as she usually noticed men if they had nice arms, but she was sure Troy had nice arm muscles too.
"Gabs?" Taylor asked.
"Hmm?"
"I asked you a question. How was it interesting?"
Gabriella took a silent deep breath to try to relieve her face of her flaming cheeks. "Uh…you know, I ran into someone I haven't seen in a while."
Taylor smirked as she looked at her best friend. She knew when Gabriella was lying a tiny white lie, and she knew when Gabriella was lying to cover for a certain ex-boyfriend. This time Gabriella's lying was a little white lie which Taylor really didn't care about at the time. So she let Gabriella slide instead of calling her out on the lie.
"Okay. You almost ready? I want to go into town."
Gabriella nearly laughed at Taylor's eagerness. "Tay, we have all day and plus the fireworks tonight. I think it will be okay."
Taylor smiled. "You're right. I just thought you would want to see Troy sooner rather than later is all."
Gabriella's lips pursed together as she thought of a comeback, but realized that she didn't have one. "After I read the paper, then I will go get dressed. Happy?"
"Oh yeah."
