A/N: Well I hope you liked the first chapter. I hope this one starts to explain a little more. The first chapter was mainly just a glimpse into Gabriella's life. There will probably be a flashback in every chapter, but the story mainly focuses on the present. I hope you like this next installment! Also, the song at the end is Sober, by Kelly Clarkson.
Chapter 2
"Gabriella, look over here!"
"Is it true you're pregnant?"
"Who's the father?"
"Yeah, that's original," Gabriella mumbled sarcastically while rolling her eyes. She was only buying a pair of shoes! What could be interesting about that? The privacy invasion unleashed by the paparazzi was one out of many things she would never get used to. The truth was, even after 6 years in the business, Gabriella still had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The paps she could handle because as hard as it was for her to grasp the fact that she was famous, she knew she was living her dream.
After graduation from Hampton, one of her professors recommended Gabriella for a role in a major movie musical. Hampton was, after all, the most prestigious performing arts school in the country. And graduating from the school with high honors definitely opened up many doors. To say that Gabriella was in shock after getting the part would be an understatement. A movie musical combined everything she loved about performing and she would actually be starring in one. So she left Chicago for 4 months to film in Australia. Being that far away for a long period of time was difficult for Gabriella. But she was doing what she loved and she knew that sacrifices were necessary.
There was hardly time to breathe after the film came out. This unknown girl fascinated the public, and most of all the industry. Not only was she the most beautiful girl to hit the big screen in a long time, but she was also down-to-earth and her voice was mesmerizing. Gabriella was offered another role, and again she left those she loved and continued pursuing her dreams. Role after role was offered to her and soon Gabriella was America's sweetheart. By this point, she was living in Hollywood, taking very little breaks between films. In 6 years she had starred in 14 films and showed no sign of stopping.
When Gabriella received a script for a small, independent film she instantly fell in love with it. It was probably one of the sexier movies she would ever make and that's what drew her to it. She longed to make a movie that would challenge her even more than the previous ones had.
The store manager who was currently giving her the star treatment pulled Gabriella from her thoughts. So she got back to her shoe shopping and after picking out a gorgeous pair of Louboutins, Gabriella ran through the paparazzi to her car and sped away. A few followed her, but that was nothing new. She lived in a heavily guarded neighborhood, so none of them could get anywhere near her house.
As she entered through the kitchen door, Gabriella immediately spotted a note on the counter.
Gabriella-
After slaving away for hours on your floors, I decided to go buy some alcohol. Yes, you've finally driven me to the bottle. Don't worry, I'll get you that wine that you love so we can celebrate your new pair of shoes.
-Troy
Gabriella laughed softly and left to put her new shoes away. As she walked into her closet, a framed picture of Gabriella and Isabelle caught her eye. It was taken during one of their movie nights. They had just finished watching Pretty Woman and had decided to emulate the makeup and hairstyles Julia Roberts had sported throughout the film. It was one of her favorite memories with her aunt.
February 1999
"No it definitely has to be poofier. Hand me that comb," Isabelle managed to squeeze out through her laughter.
"Well how about you? You were a teenager in the 80's! You should know how to wear that bright pink blush," Gabriella scolded with a smile on her face.
"You're a smartass, Gabi, I hope you know," Isabelle joked.
"Oh I definitely know. It's one of my best qualities," Gabriella said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"There, it can't get much poofier than this. Hand me that hairspray," Isabella finished as the doorbell rang.
"Oh we definitely have to both answer this. I'm not going to face whoever is out there on my own," Gabriella said as she got up off the couch.
The two giggled as they walked to the door. They swung open the door to greet the boy gaping in front of them.
"Right… I'm just going to turn around and walk away now," Troy said as he slowly backed up.
"But Troy, you're going to miss the musical stylings of Bon Jovi!" Gabriella screamed after him as she burst out laughing, Isabelle already holding her stomach gasping for air, "Okay this is definitely better than Dazed and Confused night."
"Agreed. Now let's go work on your blue eye shadow," Isabelle said as she wrapped her arm around her niece's shoulders and the two walked back into the house.
Present
Gabriella sighed softly and walked into her music room. She sat down at her piano and shortly after her voice could be heard throughout the house singing a song she hadn't sung in 8 years.
And I don't know
This could break my heart or save me
Nothing's real
Until you let go completely
So here I go with all my thoughts I've been saving
So here I go with all my fears weighing on me
Three months and I'm still sober
Picked all my weeds but kept the flowers
But I know it's never really over
And I don't know
I could crash and burn but maybe
At the end of this road I might catch a glimpse of me
So I won't worry about my timing, I want to get it right
No comparing, second guessing, no not this time
Three months and I'm still breathing
Been a long road since those hands I left my tears in but I know
It's never really over, no
Wake up
Three months and I'm still standing here
Three months and I'm getting better yeah
Three months and I still am
Three months and it's still harder now
Three months I've been living here without you now
Three months yeah, three months
Three months and I'm still breathing
Three months and I still remember it
Three months and I wake up
Three months and I'm still sober
Picked all my weeds but kept the flowers
"I miss you," Gabriella whispered as her fingers slowed and then the music stopped.