SORRY that I took so long. But I hope you enjoy this. And I don't own HSM.
~ peace :)
Gabriella's order came up. She picked up the hot beverages and stepped out of Starbucks to get into her car. When she got inside, her phone buzzed. She placed Troy's drink on the cup holder, slipped her hand in her pocket and answered.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Babe, how was the audition? Are you done?"
"Yeah, I am. But I won't be home in awhile, I'm meeting up with a..friend." She lied, biting her lip hard.
Lying has never been her best talents to do.
"How long will you be gone?"
"Awhile. Don't wait for me. If you made plans then just go. Okay?"
"Alright. I love you."
She closed her eyes, releasing her lip that left a deep teeth mark. "I lo- I mean bye."
~ Gabriella arrived and parked her car in the nearest spot.
As her eyes looked out the window, she saw Troy standing outside waiting for her. Her jaw dropped and quickly ducked under her seat.
She cursed under her breath and fished her hand in her purse to find her phone. After much searching, she found it. She went to the contents and pressed call when she found a picture of Troy. The phone rang until he answered.
"Hey, you here yet?"
"Uh yeah. Okay, here me out right now. Go back inside and stand by the door."
"Why?"
"I'll explain why later. Just do as I say right now."
"Alright."
He hung up the phone. She watched as he did as she said. She sighed in relief. She picked up the drinks and got out of the car. By the time she got inside, there stood Troy by the door, leaning against the wall. He walked up to her and looked at one drink held in one of her hands, then the other.
"Which one's mine?"
Gabriella handed him his and he took it. "So is there a place we can talk?"
"Yeah, come with me. Thanks for the coffee by the way."
"You're welcome."
Troy led her down the hall and stopped at a different room where there are available tables with extra chairs. The two chose a small table and sat down on the given chairs. Gabriella nervously placed her purse down on the table and awkwardly blew on the small mouth of her cup to cool the temperature of her drink.
"So, mind telling me why you wanted me hidden? Or perhaps were you too greedy to have me all for yourself?"
Her head popped up after hearing this and responded. "No, of course not."
Troy laughed for she answered too quickly and the shock in her face was too priceless to resist from laughing.
"I was just kidding."
Gabriella assured herself with a smile. "Right. Sorry, I'm just a little jumpy today."
"Nervous, I see. Are you too overwhelmed to be seated with a handsome gentleman?" He asked by playfully rubbing his chin as if he has a fully grown beard on his clean chin.
She smiled, prepared to play his little game. "That was very straightforward for a guy I only met in one party. You're very proud of yourself so far..Now that ego is what I'll remember about you."
They both laughed, realizing she's saying the same thing that Troy said before the two parted ways.
"By the way you never answered my question. What part did you audition for?"
Gabriella took a careful sip of her drink, the sweet taste of cinnamon and pumpkin sizzling lightly on her tongue. "Mmm..That's good. About my audition? Well, I didn't know anything about the movie. Ms. Darbus was the one who suggested me to audition for the part of Heather. So I did and she dismissed me after like an hour or so later."
"Heather? Really? You do realize you'll be working with me..closely."
She blushed a little and forced a smile as he leaned closer after saying that one word in a long slur. "..Yes. But I'm glad I'm acquainted with you, it'll be too awkward to pretend to be in love with a complete stranger while a camera is filming every moment of the process."
Troy rested his forearms on the table, his back still leant in place to the point he has a nice clear view of her face.
"I agree. It'll be fantastic to you have you work for the film. This is the fifth movie I'm working on. The last four movies I never participated in actually working as an actor, I only made the songs for them. But apparently, this time I'm doing both. Yet, those experiences making those previous films have been a nightmare. I think there should be a golden warning for all singers whoever want to get involved in movies."
"What's that?"
"Stay away from the leading actors. God, they go after you, depending how long it's been since they've settled down. It happened to me every time I went to work. It was a nightmare, honestly. But with you having the part, it might change things a little."
"A little? Why a little?"
Troy groaned, his eyes lowered down to his drink. "The leading actress is not my favorite person."
"Oh? Do tell. How bad can she be?"
"Not exactly bad..Well, bad is too harsh. She's very good doing this kind of business. But the only thing that I - well, everyone - can't stand is just that mouth of hers. Believe me, her demands are extreme and must be done, no matter how impossible it maybe."
"She sounds fabulous." Gabriella sarcastically stated.
Troy winced from hearing that word. "Please don't say that word. She made an album on that song a few months ago and I had to be in her music video. Oh God, I don't want to go swimming with her again for the rest of my life."
Gabriella chuckled. "Let me guess, you were supposed to be the lifeguard?"
"You read my mind." He sipped his drink. His eyes suddenly widened from a thought. "Didn't you say you had something important to tell me?"
Her smile dropped. She almost smacked herself on the forehead for forgetting the whole purpose of meeting up with him like this.
"Thanks for reminding me, I completely forgot. I wanted to tell you um..Well, you probably know about everything by now."
"About what?"
"About that gossip that..about us."
"Oh. You heard of that?"
She nodded. "How can anyone miss it, Troy? It's all over the Internet and even in E News! - so what I've heard from my friend. I have to say I was pretty shocked when I read about it. I didn't think just one picture of me and you that night would make such a big deal."
Just tell him.
"When I told Dean about it he felt the same way as I did. He was very surprised and thankfully he didn't get mad at me for long." She said it in a fast pace, slipping easily out her tongue.
Discontent crushed Troy's hope of the future he sculpted when he told his dad he's looking forward to have a chance with Gabriella. As for Gabriella, she is uncertain of what Troy is feeling for the expression on his face is not fickle, instead extremely unpredictable to guess if he's upset or just emotionless.
"I'm in a relationship and it's..it's pretty serious. The last thing I want is for him to think that I'm cheating on him or at least for the public to think that."
I'm sorry..But there'll never be a real relationship when you're with me.
An apology was a more tempting thing to say other than this unfortunate confession. But she held her tongue.
"No I understand. Hell, if I had a girlfriend pretty as you it'll piss me off too."
Gabriella was prepared to correct him that Dean is actually her fiancé. But she gritted her teeth tightly after recalling Mr. Jameson firmly informing her to keep her engagement a secret.
"There is a good side to it, though. Because of the duet we did, some people posted a video online - probably YouTube - and I got a call for an audition. Dean agreed for me to do it, considering my involvement of the film will secure my relationship with you is only professional, nothing romantic. But whether all of this works out or not, I would really like for us to be friends. I don't know anyone here and you have a better experience of the whole process on this job, so I would need you as my rock."
"Of course, it'll be fun. In fact, we can practice right now."
"Practice?" She arched an eyebrow. "For what?"
He licked his lips, forming his lips into a heart with his eyes closed. "A kiss is a good practice. Remember, our characters are required to be madly in love."
She lightly pushed his face away. "Nice try. But I'm not Heather yet."
He opened his eyes, smiling deviously. "Damn, I was hoping for that to worked."
"Well it won't."
She giggled.
From afar stands Sharpay, a non-fat soy latte held in a tight grip of her manicured hand. Her jaw clenched as she saw Gabriella continue to laugh.
No one can have Troy, bitch. Whatever you got, then bring it on. I'll be ready.
~ "I got the part?"
"Yes." Dean responded.
The piece of raw salmon slipped from her chopsticks that landed straight in the small side of soy sauce.
"Why are you so surprised? You were bound to get the part anyway. The assistant who called me told me you were excellent."
"Wow I..I thought I was terrible at that audition. I mean my singing was alright but I never got into acting before."
"Well, prepare yourself to get into character. They already emailed the script for you. You should check it out after eating."
She excitingly dropped her chopsticks and ran for her laptop. Dean smiled as he saw his girl type down her email address and password fast on the keyboard.
"Read it after eating, babe."
"I'm too excited to eat. Sorry. Let me just read this."
"You're that happy?"
"It's about time I got myself busy. I don't remember the last time I ever worked."
It gives me the excuse to stay away from you.