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Mamihlapinatapei

Yaghan, noun: a look shared between two people with each wishing the other will initiate something that which both desire, but neither wants to start.

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Pulling up the gravel drive, Gabriella felt apprehensive. It wasn't too late to go turn around and go home, she told herself. They would understand, they would have to understand.

It had been two weeks since Chad had proposed that she come stay with he, Troy and the others, and her earlier hesitance and transformed into pure dread towards the idea. Her mother had worked hard, getting the house up for sale and dealing with real estate agents and offers, while Gabriella had been left to her own devices. She decided what she wanted to hold onto out of their collection of furniture, appliances and knickknacks, putting them away in storage. She had packed up her clothing and several other important belongings in her bags and she found herself so preoccupied with everything that went along with packing that she wasn't concerned with what was going on downstairs at all. Edward was still on her mind, on the edge of every thought, every second of everyday, however, and the idea of spending time in a habitat that she knew nothing about that he had lived in for so long was scary.

How was she supposed to heal in an environment that had Edward written all over it? She had sliced and decided, chopped and chipped up all of his belongings; why did she think staying in a place where all of his things still remained fully intact was going to help her?

Sitting in the driver's seat of her silver car, she looked up at the big house. It was two stories tall with red brick and white window frames. There were dark, leafy green plants in the garden and in several hanging pots on the porch. A small balcony faced the street from the second floor and Gabriella cringed, knowing that was Eddie's former room. She sighed heavily before popping the trunk of her car, and stepping out.

The driveway was crammed with vehicles. There was Chad's sleek red convertible, the blue 1960's VW bug belonging to one Jeff Bloomburg and a beat up old black Honda that no doubt belonged to Jason Cross. Lifting her bags out of the trunk, Gabriella noticed that one automobile was missing; a large, rusty white pick up truck. She shrugged before making her way to the front door.

Digging through her pocket, she fished out the brass key Chad had given her the week earlier, telling her to just walk in, that it was her home now, too. Still feeling awkward, she placed the key back in her pocket and rang the doorbell.

Chad answered the door, grinning brightly. "Gabriella!" he exclaimed as she walked in the house, dragging her bags behind her. He threw his arms around her in an excited hug, before pulling back to grab her bags. "I thought I told you just to walk in! Come in, come in!" Gabriella cocked an eyebrow at his overzealous actions, as if the idea of playing host to her greatly pleased him. "The others are in the living room. We actually cleaned to prepare for your coming."

Gabriella laughed slightly and smiled, thankful for Chad's happy demeanor. Despite her qualms, he was right; her being here was the best thing possible for her right now. There had been a reason Eddie was so close with the men under this roof. They were kind, funny and dedicated and she was thankful for their help.

Even if one of them liked to push her buttons.

Entering the living room, she found two men sitting on the sofa watching a basketball game. Upon her arrival, they glanced up before breaking into grins themselves.

"Gabster!" one of them yelled, his dark hair flopping his eyes. "How are you doing?" He stood up and gave her a hug which she returned. She smiled at him.

"I'm doing well, Jason," she said, trying to mean the words. "As well as I can be doing."

He nodded solemnly. Jason was the basketball couch at the local East High School and had the disposition of a teenager, still. He had dated her best friend, Kelsi Nielson, for a year, but his fear of commitment had stopped them from ever becoming truly serious. He was the go to guy if you needed a party companion, however, and was brilliant at pool. Many a night did he and Eddie go to a local pub to play and sometimes Gabriella would join them, watching and acting as cheerleader.

Stepping away from Jason, she hugged the man next to him. "Jeff, it's good to see you," she said softly and felt the man's arms wrap around her.

"You, too, Gabi!" he grinned at her. Jeff was the final member of their five-some and had known them since high school. He had curly brown hair and his lanky body was constantly dressed in graphic tees with wild patterns and prints on them. He worked at an ink cartridge refill kiosk at the mall and was constantly lamenting for the affections of his co-worker, a stunning red-head majoring in film named Annabel.

"How are things progressing with Annabel?" Gabriella asked with a coy smile and Jeff blushed furiously.

"Oh, you know, you win some, you lose some," Jeff said, rubbing the back of his neck and Chad laughed over his shoulder as he began to walk into the kitchen.

"He can't work up the courage to say more than three sentences a shift to her," Chad said mockingly. "I'm going to get drinks, any of you want anything?"

Jeff flushed deeper and Jason joined in on the laughter. "Get us a beer, Chad!" he called, before glancing at Gabriella. "Oh, did you want a beer? I think that's all we have, to be honest."

Gabriella shook her head. "I'm fine, thanks." Living with four men was going to be interesting, especially if the only beverage they had in the house was beer.

"We do not just have beer here, Jason," Jeff said pointedly. "There's milk and water and I think Troy even bought some orange juice the other day."

Jason waggled his eyebrows. "And the vodka to go along with it."

"Would you two shut up?" Chad said, returning to the room with three beers and a bottle of water for Gabriella. "You're going to make her want to pack up her things and leave."

Gabriella smiled. "Don't worry, Chad, I don't mind. I don't know if I can thank you enough for letting me stay here."

"You can cook dinner," Jeff suggested. "None of us can cook that well."

Just as Gabriella was about to agree, Chad jabbed his friend in the ribs. "Jeff, it is her first night here and we will cook her dinner!" He grinned. "Then she can gladly take over for us."

Gabriella laughed, feeling a small spark of affection for the three men in front of her. There was a reason they were so close with Edward. They were wonderful. Before she could respond, however, the front door opened and a loud voice boomed through the hallways.

"All of you had better not need to go out later," the voice said, and Troy came in from the foyer, his head bent down as he flipped through a portfolio in his hands. "Cause I just blocked you in with my truck and there's no way in hell I'm moving it."

He glanced up then, suddenly realizing the commotion going on in the living room. When his eyes fell on Gabriella, he swallowed visibly and looked over at Chad.

"I thought you said she was coming at four," he said blankly and Chad closed his eyes before answering.

"She got here early."

Gabriella hardly appreciated how they were discussing her like she wasn't even there, but was even more jostled when Troy nodded, snapped the portfolio shut and turned on his heel, walking over to a staircase and heading up stairs. Ten seconds later the click of a door was heard and the four remaining occupants stood in silence.

Chad laughed nervously. "Um, you know how Troy is, um..."

"Forget it," Gabriella said calmly, clenching a fist around one of the bags Chad had dragged in with him. "Wanna give me a tour?"

As she followed Chad through the house, only half listening as he pointed everything out, she thought about Troy's quick departure. He was really sticking to what he had said two weeks ago; he really was making every effort to stay out of her way. Gabriella didn't know whether she should be thankful, offended or ashamed.

"And here," Chad said, stopping at a door near the end of the upstairs hallway, "Is Ed's old room."

He pushed open the door and Gabriella gasped, feeling the wind knocked out of her. Everything was exactly as he had left it the last time he had stayed here, which had been five months ago after a wild night with them. He had been too drunk to drive and Jason was feeling particularly unsympathetic as the designated driver and had refused to drive him home to Gabriella. Stepping into the room gingerly, she felt her heart pound in her chest.

She had only been in the room a handful of times. When they began their relationship, they were spend time at her old apartment or out on the town; it was easier that way. Any time she did come around the house, she and Troy shot venomous words at each other and everyone found they were in the crossfire of a situation they could do without. As such, everything seemed like a mystery, like a museum. Like she had studied the subject in books and now she was seeing it displayed in front of her.

Sensing her distress, Chad stepped back and began to close the door. "I'll let you settle in," he said softly, setting her bags on the ground. She nodded mutely before walking further into the room.

Feeling her being break and her head spin she crawled on top of the bed and felt her eyelids grow heavy. It was too much to deal with. Why had she thought this was a good idea? She couldn't do this now, she couldn't do this ever. Squeezing her eyes shut, she blacked out then; dreaming disjointed dreams about Edward and the house and blue eyes. She woke up disoriented hours later when a knock at her door sounded.

"Gabi?" Chad's soft voice came. "The guys and I are going out to get some things for dinner. Make yourself at home, okay?"

She didn't respond, but rather sat up in bed, feeling dazed and confused. She glanced around the room and felt everything crash upon her again. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she felt her legs grow numb beneath her. The room held so much of him, even more than the home they shared together. The walls were lined with framed photographs depicting scenes of his life. Photos of he and Chad when they played little league baseball together, another of he and Troy in college. Another of her own face, smiling back at the camera. She squeezed her eyes shut and flopped down on the blue plaid comforter, unable to remain sitting. It smelt musky and stale; like it hadn't been cleaned or slept on in quite some time. She cringed, realizing that though his scent didn't linger on the fabric, his being haunted the room.

He had a collection of baseballs lining a shelf above the bed and a small book shelf crammed with classic novels. Eddie loved to read; 'The Kite Runner', 'The Great Gatsby', 'Grapes of Wrath' and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' all had a rightful spot on the wooden case. On top of his dresser there was a watch, a tray with spare change, a deodorant stick and a CD player. The floor was covered in loose leaf paper and random pieces of clothing. A sock here, a button down shirt there. Feeling her composure break, she crawled off the bed and took his shirt before pulling it over her camisole. She shuddered as it hit her skin and she curled into a ball on the bed, hoping desperately that the pain would filter away and that she could feel whole again.

She had once read a novel where the female protagonist was dealing with a broken heart and had described herself as feeling like swiss cheese. Filled with holes and gaps that could never be filled again. As stupid as the book had turned out to be, and as silly as the female protagonist was...there was no better description for how Gabriella was feeling at the moment.

She felt her body begin to shake as tears filled her eyes and she clutched the comforter with her fingers. She felt a gaping hole through her, felt empty and so, so numb. She had never felt anything like this since her father had died, but this, this was entirely different kind of pain. It was fresh and while her father's death had crumbled her heart, shattered it; Eddie's had ripped it right out of her.

Suddenly everything was hitting her all at once. She was plagued with memories. Dancing with Eddie at the wedding, picking out a Christmas tree with him. Their first date, the first and last times they had made love, the first time he told her I love you. Her eyes snapping open, she saw her own face staring back at her from the wall and she swung her legs over the bed, breathing heavily.

She had to get out of there.

Hastily exiting the room, she shut the door loudly behind her. She raced to the bathroom across the hall and yanked open the door. Locking it quickly behind her, she clutched the rim of the toilet before retching into it. She felt the hot tears run along her face and when she felt her stomach empty entirely, she leaned against the edge of the bathtub and took shallow breaths, catching the tears before they could hit the ground. Pulling herself up, she went over to the sink and pressed her palms into the surface, trying to still her beating heart. How could she stay here?

This was going to be a lot harder than she had expected. But things always go worse before they got better and maybe with that notion, she could get through her. Running the tap, she gathered cool water and rinsed it over her face. She took a tube of toothpaste and scrubbed a little bit over her teeth as her own tooth brush was still locked in the confines of her suitcase. Feeling considerably calmer, she stepped back out into the hallway.

Now what? She could watch television, she supposed. Or she could give herself a better, proper tour of the house. Either way, she could not go back into that room. Weighing her options, a tour seemed like the better one out of the two. Glancing about the hallway, she knew the room beside hers was Jason's and the one across from hers was Troy. She knew that on the floor downstairs was the kitchen, living room, Chad and Jeff's rooms and another bathroom. There was one door whose contents remained a mystery to her.

Curiosity was getting the better of her, and hell, she was home alone. Walking over to the door, she pulled it open slowly and peered inside. She had not expected to find it occupied. She had thought all the males were out for the day.

Naturally she hadn't taken one into account.

Troy was in the room with a woman, but despite what Gabriella would have assumed had she been told that information, it was anything but what the words insinuated. The woman, tall with curves in all the right places and long chocolate brown hair was sitting in an armchair, her legs flung over the side. Her lips were painted a shocking red and in her hand she held a multi-coloured fan. Coyly, she peaked over the lace edges of it, her eyes dancing as she watched Troy.

He was kneeling in front of her, a camera poised in his hands. He wore jeans, a grey v-neck t-shirt and a grey beanie that was several shades lighter. He snapped pictures rapidly; adjusting on his knees as he did so, getting different angles. Gabriella froze. She had stumbled upon Troy's studio.

She had known he had one; Edward had mentioned it time and time again in an attempt to get her to warm up to him. Gabriella enjoyed art plenty, and Eddie, being Eddie, had assumed that she would maybe be able to bond with Troy. Gabriella simply didn't care though, she didn't like Troy so there was no way she was going to like this work. It was like watching a film with an actress or actor you weren't particularly fond of; you can't focus cause all you can remember is how much you dislike them.

Just as she was trying to edge the door closed, however, the woman's eyes fell on her and she lowered her fan, uncomfortable with the intrusion. Seeing her body shift, Troy turned to look over his shoulder and stiffened when he saw Gabriella.

"Um, hi?" the brunette woman said quietly, awkwardly running over her hair. She glanced over at Troy. "Did um, you have another girl lined up for now? We have gone over time?"

Gabriella shook her head, "Um, no, I'm not..." she looked over at Troy who was fiddling with a dial on his camera and she fingered the hem of Edward's shirt. "I'm not...um, don't let me interrupt you."

The woman in the chair flushed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just assumed," she laughed nervously. "There's not a lot of women in this house often."

Gabriella smiled slightly and turned. "I'll let you get back to work." She turned to look at Troy, who had a hand pressed to his forehead.

"Forget it," he sighed loudly, standing slowly. His knee made a sharp cracking noise that filled the awkward silence that had fallen over the three. "My stride's broken now. Angie, you can go."

The brunette frowned as Troy set his camera down and made his way over to her. "Troy, are you sure? I don't have anything better to do this afternoon anyways."

Troy smiled at her as she swung her legs over the armchair and took the fan from her. "Yeah, don't sweat it. You've been here for nearly three hours anyways. I've gotten hundreds of shots." She rose and he gave a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Tell Rob I say hi."

She grinned brightly and grabbed her purse off the floor. "Will do. See you, Troy," she came to the door, where Gabriella was still standing. "Nice to um, meet you...um..."

"Gabriella," she filled in, smiling tightly. Angie smiled back weakly before stepping past her to leave. Once Gabriella heard the front door snap shut, she leaned against the doorframe and watched as Troy plugged his camera into the computer set up on the desk on the other side of the room.

"Sorry," she began softly. "I was just wandering and I was just wondering what this room was," she answered honestly. Troy glanced up at her before taking a seat at his desk chair. "Chad didn't mention it when he gave the tour earlier."

She glanced around the room. The walls were painted a deep charcoal and several lights were set up on either side along with a white drop screen. There was a small wooden box that was open, revealing several props. Fans, masks, costume jewelry and the like. In the far right corner of the room, across from the area where Angie had been posing was Troy's desk, where he was seated now. A silver iMac computer sat on top of the desk, along with an printer, two other cameras and a series of lenses. Black and white photos lined the walls, city scapes, flowers and landscapes; work she all assumed to be his.

Shaking his hair out of his eyes, Troy hit a few keys before replying. "It's not your house, Montez. You shouldn't go snooping around."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes, feeling the familiar sense of adrenaline past through her veins at his words. "Sorry I took away your opportunity to get her to pose nude," she snapped and he narrowed his own eyes, shaking his head.

"You're such a bitch, Montez," he said quickly, clicking his mouse. His eyes flew over her appearance and he grimaced. "What are you wearing?" He flicked the strands of hair poking out from underneath his beanie out of his eyes.

Gabriella flushed. "Oh, I just...you know, found it in Edward's room," she pulled the ends of the sleeves over her wrists and fingers, hiding her fists from him.

He didn't say anything for a moment, his eyes fixed on her trembling hands. "That's no way to heal," he said after several beats of silence. He smirked bitterly. "Are you going to rent a wood chipper and toss the rest of his stuff in there, too? Because this is our house and I think we have a say in it this time."

She scoffed, irritated. "Oh, what do you know?" she said angrily. "You didn't love him like I did. You couldn't possibly understand."

He chuckled darkly before turning in his desk chair. "Don't act so high and mighty, Montez," he said lowly. "You're not the only one whose dealt with a broken heart. So stop running your mouth before it gets you in trouble."

Glaring and propelled by an unknown force, Gabriella stepped into the room. She wanted to throttle him. How dare he insinuate that her feelings were not unique? Maybe hundreds, thousands upon millions had gone through similar things, but that didn't make her pain any less real. Stepping over to him, unsure why she felt the physical need to touch him, sock him in the jaw or dig her nails into his bicep, she restrained herself and glanced at his screen. On display where hundreds of images of Angie, all of them portraits. She raised her eyebrows, impressed, before Troy minimized the screen.

"First you open the door without knocking," he began, removing his beanie and ruffling his hair, "Then you read over my shoulder. Haven't you ever heard of privacy? Personal space?"

Gabriella didn't say anything, instead leaning over him and clicking the mouse. A particularly stunning image appeared on the screen and she felt her chest tighten. It was beautiful.

Suddenly, Troy snatched the mouse from underneath her palm. His fingers brushed hers and she felt a jolt run through her. She pulled back as if burned. She never wanted him to touch her. Ever.

Troy recoiled before sighing. "Why," he began tiredly, "Are you in here? Especially since I was the one who promised to keep my distance."

She wasn't expecting him to question her actions and she found herself faltering under his words. "I told you," she said cooly, "I was just wandering around the house."

"Fair enough," he responded, turning back to his work. "Since your lack of respect for personal property caused me to lose at least another hour of work, it'd be great if you could leave. I have editing to do and I don't need any distractions.

Gabriella laughed sardonically. "Like I was planning to stick around, Bolton." When he didn't respond, she began to walk towards the door. As her hand closed over the doorknob, she turned back and saw Troy hunched by his computer screen, scanning photo after photo and she stilled.

He looked so tired, the dark circles under his eyes prominent and his face pale. She knew that face, she knew that exhaustion. She saw it in the mirror everyday. For the second time in the three years she had known him, she found herself wishing things weren't the way they were between them.

Then he cast his eyes on her and furrowed his brows, raising a hand as if demanding to know why she was still there and the moment was gone.

---

Later that night, Gabriella had opted out of helping to prepare dinner. Troy was downstairs in the kitchen, drinking a beer and frying meat, and after their early encounter, she thought it best to try and keep her distance as well. Not only that, she felt she had to deal with being in Edward's room sooner or later.

So she had taken to wandering around the room, looking through his old books and belongings. She put on one of his old mix CDs and smiled as The Beatles filled the room. She had never been a huge fan, but Edward had, and she enjoyed remembering the things he loved.

The whole room was like a shrine to him and his younger years. She found old beer bottles stashed in a cupboard in his bureau and dozens upon dozens of old school assignments from college. He never wanted to part with them, saying that you never would know when you would need them again.

She stepped over to his closet and pulled open the doors, her eyes running over it's contents. She was still dressed in his old shirt and her pair of skinny jeans from earlier than day, not changing out of it despite Troy's words. In the closet hung dozens of button shirts, all similar to the one she wearing and she smiled. She would wear a different one to bed each night.

The top shelf of the closet was cluttered with objects. Books, shoeboxes, he box for his laptop and his beloved baseball glove. Eddie had loved baseball. She saw a single photograph sticking out and she pulled it from the top and glanced at it. Her heart stopped.

The photo was of she and Edward a year ago at Chad's birthday. He had his arm around her and she had her head resting on his shoulder. They looked happy.

She smiled, holding the photo in her hands, her fingers running over their faces. They had been so happy, so close. Her chest felt tight and her body began to tremble as she once again was hit with the full impact of his death. He had given her happiness, had held her heart and with him gone, it was impossible to get either back.

She took the photograph and tucked it in her back pocket, before stepping on her tiptoes and attempting to grab the baseball glove that was wedged between two shoeboxes and a clutter of books. It didn't seem to want to budge and she gave an extra hard tug. One that was too hard, sending the books and boxes flying to the ground.

She groaned as a shoe fell out, smacking her on the nose. Running the wound, she looked down at the mess that now surrounded her feet. Crouching, she sighed as she began stacking the books, putting the shoes back in her box and scooping up the photographs.

Wait. Photographs?

She stilled her movements and lifted one of them from the ground, turning it over slowly. Smiling back at her was a blonde woman; her grin wide and her brown eyes bright. Gabriella frowned. She had never seen this woman in her life; what was Edward doing with a photo of her? She flicked over another photo only to find the same woman, lying on the beach in a hot pink bikini, puckering her lips in a goofy kiss to whomever was taking the shot. Gabriella's frown deepened.

Something wasn't right. Her immediate thoughts went to this conclusion, but she found herself making up excuses as she continued to flip over photograph after photograph. Each and everyone had the blonde woman perched in some corner of it. Troy was a photographer; maybe these were his photos. But why would they be in Edward's room? Maybe they were Jeff's or Jason's; they could have significant others, too. But as she flipped over one more she felt her heart stop.

The picture was of the woman, her arm extended out, obviously holding the camera, and next to her, his lips pressed to her cheek...was Edward.

Heart pounding, she overturned every single photograph on the floor, dumping out the contents of the box. Dozens upon dozens of photos poured out, each one depicting the woman and quite a few of them showing Edward. Edward with his arms around her, Edward kissing her, Edward laughing with her. There were some single shots too; of him lounging in an unknown apartment, of him sitting on the beach.

Shaking, her eyes filling with tears, she discovered a stack of paper on top of the sea of images. A red elastic band was stretched around it and she snapped it off, ripping open the papers to read what words were written on the page.

In her hands she held e-mails that had been printed off, postcards and letters. They were written in loopy penmanship and smelled of floral perfume.

Gabriella's head was reeling. What was this shit? Why were there all these photos of Edward with this woman? Why were there all these photographs? Breathing quickly, she brought a hand to her mouth and pressed her fingertips against her jaw, willing away the tears.

He had kept all of these here, a place where she never ventured because of Troy. He knew there was so little chance of her seeing them. They had been in the second shoebox, one on top with actual shoes in it. It would seem so unsuspecting to someone who was just rummaging through.

Edward hadn't been faithful to her.

All signs where pointing to this conclusion, all of them. There was a chance, however, that she was a woman from his past, but looking at the photographs and his face, the one she knew by heart, she knew that was an impossibility. They were recent, maybe even very recent.

How could he do this to her? How could he keep it a secret? Suddenly feeling angry, she stumbled to her feet and snatched one of the photographs off of the floor and staggered over to the door. She made her way down to the hallway, over to the kitchen where loud music was playing and laughter could be heard from the four males.

"You're something beautiful, a contradiction," Chad was singing obnoxiously as his friends laughed while they prepared. They seemed like they were high spirits, laughing and sipping their Heinekens. Chad's eyes brightened upon seeing Gabriella, pleased that she had come out of her room. "You will be the death of meeee."

When Gabriella didn't crack a smile at his antics, at his off-key pitch, Chad stopped moving. He frowned slightly. "You okay, Gabi?" he asked slowly.

The mood in the kitchen was suddenly somber. Jeff, who was playing air guitar suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on the sole female in the house. Jason stopped chopping carrots and Troy, who had been laughing at something as he leaned against the counter frowned before bringing his beer to his mouth, taking a long sip.

Slowly, Gabriella raised her hand, the picture of the blonde woman grasped within her fingers. She showed it to the boys, waiting for some reaction.

They stared back at her.

"Are we supposed to know who that is, Gabi?" Jeff asked, hands nervously smoothing down his bright graphic tee. "Is that a friend of yours? Cause she's hot."

Gabriella's mouth was dry while she surveyed the men. "Who is she?"

Chad blinked. "I don't know. Who?"

"Why don't you tell me?" she all but hissed and the men flinched. Jason set his knife against the cutting board and raised his hands defensively.

"Gabi, we don't know," he said, a nervous smile on his face. "Stop playing games." He paused when he said that her hands were trembling. "Are you okay?"

"I found these in Edward's room," she said, her voice a harsh whisper. "There are dozens upon dozens of them. In some, he's with her. There's letters too. Who is she and what did she mean to Edward?"

Jason dropped his hands at the same time Chad's beer slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor.

"I...I don't know," Jeff stuttered. "I, um, do any of you guys...ah."

Jason shrugged helplessly. "I've never seen her in my life. Gabi, I don't think...Edward wouldn't...are you sure you found them in his room?"

"Of course I did!" Gabriella snapped. "You think I'm making this up? Who is she? Did Edward...was he...?"

Chad seemed frozen to the spot, not even aware that he had dropped his drink. "Are you implying what I think you are, Gabi?" he asked, but before Gabriella could answer, she was cut off by a low voice that had not yet spoken.

"She is and she's correct." Four pairs of eyes fell on Troy, who was turning his beer bottle in his hands which were now shaking slightly. Setting his bottle on the counter he took a deep breath before running his fingers through his hair.

The song on the CD switched, a soft, low melancholy tune filling the room. Gabriella's eyes locked with Troy's and he held her gaze for a moment, trying desperately to communicate that she wasn't supposed to know this for her own benefit. Suddenly exhausted, he cast a hand over his face and rubbed his eyes.

Gabriella opened her mouth to speak, feeling her heart shatter. "W-what?"

Troy sighed heavily. "Edward wasn't faithful to you. Her name's Sharpay. He met her on the trip we made to LA a year and a half ago."

Her heart breaking, Gabriella's fingertips went numb and the photo fluttered to the ground, floating on the surface of puddle of beer that was pooling across the floor, soaking her feet.

"And grace the game with a blindfold on, the cheaters came out to play," whispered the song as the liquid ran over the photo and distorted the image. Gabriella bit her lip, staring at Troy, waiting for him to continue.

Even though she knew it was going to kill her.

---

Kay, so it's important to note that I am not a fan of unnecessary drama. In fact, I hate it. I like slow pacing and necessary evils. That being said, the next couple of chapters are going to be drama filled, but it has to be done, even though it is early in the game. I have about a bazillion things planned for this baby and this is one of them. There is a method to my madness, I promise.

The response to this has been so amazing! You guys are so spectacular and wonderful! Thanks to all of you who dropped a line at my LJ! It was super sweet! Track number two is up underneath the banner now, so go steal it! I wont' tell. :)

I've also had several inquires to WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOUR TITLE? Well, the definition is right underneath it every chapter and I think it's the loveliest thing ever. Fun fact: I have no clue how to pronounce it. Also, in public, I refer to it as 'Mamihlalalala' or some variation. You should do the same.

OH AND NO, EDWARD IS IN NO WAY CONNECTED TO TWILIGHT. When I selected that name I was like, OH HELL NAH, PEOPLE ARE GONNA THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF TWILIGHT. It's not. I am no longer a fan even though I have written words for the fandom in the past. I considered changing his name but decided no, his name is Edward and Twilight shouldn't ruin that for me.