Thank you for all of the reviews, not to mention the alerts and favorites! I got over 100 emails in the first day alone! Thanks so much!
I am glad you like the rewrite so far! To those who made suggestions I will do my best at incorporating them, promise!
SOOO I moved into college, but am all alone in my dorm since my roommate got here early in the week and went home for the weekend. Kinda freakin' creepy being here all by myself. I am very tired and lonely and got a bunch of shit going on within the next week or so...review, make me feel better, ha.
Well, keep reviewing please!
Named Look What You've Done by Jet because it seems fitting.
(Revised 6/4/13)
To wallow is the act of soaking in one's emotions, at least that is one way to define it. I suppose it's the way numerous girls would define it. After my break up with Troy, I definitely wallowed. I think I brought wallowing to a whole new level.
How does one get out of bed in the morning when you know you partially ruined your future? It's not an easy task.
The first few days after the break up I didn't go to class. Essentially, Shyanne took charge of my life. She called friends, told them to record my classes and copied notes. She went onto my teacher's websites and printed off all the material I needed. She brought me food and let me cry all over her. She literally helped me get through. Of course, my not leaving the dorm didn't last forever. It lasted four days to be honest. Shyanne had Adam drag me out of bed.
It took days of me crying and not sleeping and barely eating (I lost weight and looked anorexic for a little while) for me to realize I made my bed, now I had to lie in it, figuratively. I was the one who had to tell Troy what was going on, yet couldn't. I was the one who ignored him when he tried to get into contact with me. I was the one who made that life changing phone call, so why should I be the one to mope around like I was? I had caused the hurt. I deserved the pain I felt.
Of course, I know how I did everything wrong now. Now I know everything. Now I know that my thinking was wrong. Now I know that my actions weren't to blame. Now I know what the truth was. But I didn't when I had made the call. For me to come to all my realizations I needed outside help. Once I knew just how wrong I was it was too late.
It was then that I had another realization. After causing all the pain I did, I had no right to fix it. After everything, the ignoring, the break up, the heartbreak, I was done. I was done hurting Troy Bolton. If I never saw him again, he could move on, at least I hoped so.
Last night was when I realized just how much I hoped he didn't move on. I hoped he stayed hooked on me. I hoped he pined for me still to this day. Yes, it's selfish, but I hoped for it anyways.
As it turns out, while I was once the person who knew everything about the man called Troy Bolton, I now know nothing. The problem is that I now want to know everything.
I want to know how he decided to become a firefighter. I want to know how the job is working out for him. I want to know where he lives. I want to know what kind of friends he has. I want to know how he handled the break up. I want to know what he thinks, how he felt, how he feels now. Does he think we're friends? Acquaintances? Just exes? Nothing? Did he break down? Did he actually expect it? What does he think went wrong? Most of all, I want to know if he's with someone. I want to know if he's been with a girl after me, physically or emotionally.
The only person I could ask without seeming suspicious was Vince, or maybe Sharpay, but I don't know if Sharpay would know why. Would she know I'm still in love with him? Does she already know? Does anyone else know? Does anyone else hope that we get back together?
I stared at my alarm clock's changing numbers from 9:13 until 11:02. I couldn't stop thinking, wondering, biting my lips as I did so. It was then that I decided to get into the shower.
I didn't put much thought into my outfit even if I was going out today. I threw on comfy, holey, straight-legged jeans that rode low and a flowy white shirt that had a too wide neckline and had 'I love Rock & Roll' written in sketchy, black letters on the front. My hair was left down in a curly/sexy mess with light make up because I was too busy with my own thoughts to put much effort into it. The outfit was matched off with a pair of black sandals that tied around my ankles and a few beaded bracelets and a silver necklace.
When I got downstairs, I found the house almost empty. Belle and the kids had gone off somewhere. Richard, Ben, Vince, and Alex were working and Serena was still at her house, I'm guessing. When I got into the kitchen, Mami was making something while AJ ate some cereal.
"'Morning," I greeted towards my mother stiffly and squeezed AJ's shoulder as I walked by.
"How did you sleep, dear?" Mami asked curiously once I finished pouring a cup of coffee.
I shrugged silently, then took the plate she handed me. It had an assortment of breakfast foods on it, eggs, sausage, bacon, and some toast. "Thanks," I mumbled on my way back to the counter. I sat next to AJ. "Why are you eating cereal when Mami made breakfast?" I questioned him suspiciously.
"I ate at eight when I came downstairs. I had two helpings, actually. This is my before lunch snack," he admitted.
"What kind of teenager wakes up at eight?" I wondered, still suspicious as I put some eggs in my mouth.
AJ slurped on the milk. "Well, I went on a run with Troy-" I began to cough on my food. "Are you okay?" he questioned.
I nodded before sipping on my mug. "I- who?" I demanded to know.
"Troy Bolton, do you know him?" my brother replied.
My mom stifled a laugh. "Yes, I do," I confirmed with tight lips. "Why did you go running with him?" I asked. I remember when I used to go running with him.
"He's my friend," AJ shrugged. "He's easy to talk to, he helps me with basketball too, and... I don't know, he's just a good guy," he explained. "He really helped when your parents took me in with the transition and stuff. I had trouble because you guys seemed too good to be true, he helped me see that there are good families in the foster system."
I smiled at AJ. "He is a great guy, the best guy. We, uh, went to high school together," I told him.
"Mija, what are your plans for today?" our mom broke into our conversation.
I let out a long breath. "I'm going shopping with Sharpay for her new office, then I think just plain shopping, and Zeke is making dinner tonight so we can all catch up and stuff," I answered. "Seeing as they are the only friends who didn't abandon me..." I trailed off angrily.
My mom laughed. "I have some work to do, would you mind hanging out with AJ until you leave?" she wondered.
"Maria, she doesn't have to-"
"I'd love to," I cut in. "I need to catch up with my little brother too!" I insisted. AJ blushed as our mom laughed. "I'm meeting Shar around two," I said.
Mami nodded. "That's just enough time. Be good now!" she instructed as she went on her way.
"Is it true all your friends abandoned you?" AJ asked as I continued to eat my breakfast.
"Yeah," I mumbled. "It's totally unfair, I get that they all have lives, but they were supposed to come back here!" I began to whine. "Chad, Taylor, Sharpay, Zeke, Troy, and I were all best friends in high school. We all went away to different colleges, but said we'd come back. Two months ago, Chad and Taylor called and said Taylor got offered a job at a nearby hospital for as soon as she passes her nursing exam. She went to Yale for some kinda special nursing, I don't really know, she talked about it all the time but I zoned out. Anyways, they decided to stay because they're dating and Chad can't be without Taylor. Apparently, he really can't seeing as after sophomore year Chad transferred to a college up there to be with her. So, they aren't coming back. So that just leaves Sharpay, Zeke, and me," I explained to him like a complete girlie girl.
Indeed, Taylor already took her nursing exam and Chad got his teaching degree in physical education. He's now a gym teacher. He's looking for a job up there. Zeke received his culinary degree from U of A and Sharpay got a communications degree from NYU. Zeke is now a chef at a high class restaurant in town and Sharpay is opening up her own business as a wedding planner. Zeke and Sharpay broke up numerous times throughout college, but could never seem to let go and always got back together. They even dated other people, but no one compared.
I'm meeting Sharpay today to help begin decorating her office. She's so excited. I am too, but I'm also angry. She had to of known about Troy living here and didn't say anything.
"You have Troy too," AJ snapped me out of my trance. I gave him an odd look. "You said you only have Zeke and Sharpay, but you have Troy too," he informed me.
"Oh, yeah, I guess," I muttered, then finished up my breakfast. "Did he, like, I don't know, say anything today maybe about something?" I asked him.
"Was that a real question?" AJ wondered, obviously confused.
I sighed. "Uhm, no, it wasn't," I said then put my plate into the sink. "Come on, little bro, we have to pass some time," I stated, bringing him along to the living room.
We played Xbox for a while. He talked about the girl down the street, Mandy, he likes. I talked about college, my friends, parties, and dumb things I did over the years. Once I was sick of kicking his ass, we switched to TV. At first, we watched some guy thing he wanted to see then we changed it to VH1 as a compromise. They were playing Best of I love the 90s,a personal fave.
"So why are you shooting down this girl?" I questioned AJ once he returned from the bathroom.
"Why are you looking through my phone?" he countered.
"That is beside the point, why are you being a jerk?" I asked again.
He was quiet for a moment. "Because... I don't want to start something I won't be able to finish," he admitted.
"What do you mean?" I wondered.
AJ opened his mouth then closed it. He was quiet for another moment. "I- I'm never in one place for too long. I don't want to hurt her or anything," he muttered.
I grabbed his hand. "AJ, you're going to be here forever, with us, one way or another," I assured him. "You're not going anywhere, I promise you," I stated.
"I've heard that before," he whispered with sad eyes.
I pulled him into a hug. "AJ, you're ours now. We're never going to give you up. I swear, nothing and no one is taking you away. You can make roots here with us," I told him. "Ask that girl out on a date and have some fun."
We parted. "I- ok," he agreed with a slight blush and small smile.
"Go ahead and fall in love. Your first love, it's gonna be nothing like you've ever experienced, I can guarantee you that," I went on with my own smile.
"You've been in love, real love?" AJ questioned curiously.
I nodded. "Yeah," I confessed, thinking of Troy.
"What's it like?" he asked.
"I..." I trailed off. "It's hard to explain," I began. "At first, I was resistant, I didn't want to get hurt, but my boyfriend told me that was part of it. You have to give your all to fall in love. Sure, you'll get scared, but it's part of the thrill. It's amazing, AJ. Every emotion is magnified times, like, a hundred. And, the person you're with, they can make you feel better than you ever have before. On the flip side, they can make you feel so down you're not sure if there is an up," I told him the truth. "Throughout the entire relationship, it's a roller-coaster. You're up and then you're down. You feel like a complete and utter mess, but in a good way. Even when things are okay between you, you'll feel like a mess," I confessed. "In the end, it'll be one of the best things you've ever felt though."
AJ nodded. "That sounds... crazy," he stated. I laughed. "Seriously, it does," he laughed with me.
"It is crazy, but crazy-wonderful," I told him.
"How did it end?" he questioned. "You're single now, how did it end?"
I let out a breath as my thoughts strayed.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Shyanne wondered as she got her bag ready for her next class.
I nodded, leaning against the wall on my bed. "I'll be fine, Shy. The door will be locked, I have a paper to write and some studying to do," I reminded her. "You'll be back in two hours and you and Adam will walk me to class," I went on.
She smiled with a nod. "Exactly," she agreed. "Call or text if you need anything," she said before leaving our room, locking the door as she went.
I tried to concentrate on my paper, I really did. My thoughts just kept wondering to places I didn't want them to, what I've been thinking about doing for over a week now. I continued make an outline for my paper. I looked through flashcards for an upcoming test numerous times. I highlighted parts of a textbooks and recorded notes over and over again. None of it worked. I couldn't stay focused.
My thoughts kept going to that same conclusion they have for about a week. I have to do it. It's either this or tell him what is really going on and I can't do that. I can't see his face or how he reacts. I literally can't. And, if I can't, there is only one option left because it's an either or situation. It's either tell him and see how he reacts or don't tell him at all and do what I have to.
I hate it. I hate this. But, I can't change it even though I want to go back to that day more than anything in the world.
My hand acted on its own. I looked for the name in my phone I haven't in so long before pressing the green button below.
He was in class, I knew it, and was happy when I heard his voicemail kick on. It was nice hearing his voice for that two seconds to be honest. Once it beeped, I coughed awkwardly.
"Uh, hi, Troy," I greeted in a squeaky voice. "It's been a while, I know. Um, I called to say that..." I trailed off. "That, I can't-" I could barely get the words out. Tears formed in my eyes already. "I can't do this anymore, you and me," I told him, a silent tear falling. "I'm sorry, but its o-over," I stuttered as more tears fell down my cheeks. "I'm so, so sorry," I apologized again before hanging up.
A sob escaped my throat and came out sounding like some sort of animal noise. I would have laughed if I hadn't completely shattered my heart the moments before. It hurt before, my heart, and now it seemed like it had been sucked in by a black hole and was no longer there. It was gone and what was left hurt more than anything I had ever felt before.
The thought that I could easily end one of the most important things in my life through an awkward phone call astounded me. That was all it took? How could it break with just one stupid call?
Thoughts of studying and my paper were abandoned as I collapsed down to my bed and became lost in my tears and pain. It's easy to say I'm probably not going to class tonight.
I already regretted what I had done. I wanted to call back and fix everything, but didn't have enough will power.Troy and I, we were over and I've known it for a while now. But, saying it out loud and following through with it, it was more pain than I could have ever comprehended before.
"It just got too hard," I told AJ in a crack, blinking my eyes multiple times. "We were on opposite sides of the country and doing different things. It became... so hard," I went on. "Just to talk to him," I admitted. It wasn't the whole truth. I couldn't bear to talk to him, so I didn't. I distanced myself. We didn't speak after the day everything changed. It's still hard to talk about that day. Even if I wanted to tell Troy about it, it would be one of the hardest things I'll have to do.
AJ was quiet for a moment. "Who was it?" he wondered. "I mean, I probably don't know him…"
"Troy," I confessed quietly. AJ looked over at me quickly, half stunned. "It was Troy."
I leaned against my car around two fifteen, sipping my Starbucks frap as I looked up at Sharpay's new office. It was a space in her dad's newly built building. Oddly, he had given it to Sharpay as a grad present. It's not the most logical present, but then again they aren't a normal family. The building is hers to do with as she wants. She's just renting the spaces and keeping her own. It's a nice little income until she finishes decorating and is open for business.
"I'm sorry I'm late!" Sharpay insisted as she exited her brand new Audi with a scrapbook like text in her arms. "Carmen!" she squealed while coming over to me.
I put my drink down on the hood of my car before she practically leapt into my arms, her book dropping onto my hood as well. I don't mind. I love my car, but it's not exactly the best out there, an old Volkswagen Passat. "Penelope!" I squealed back just as excitedly. Yeah, Shar and I tend to call each other by our middle names. "I love you, I love you, I love you. I am so glad you came back, you have no idea," I said into her ear.
"I love you too! So much!" she exclaimed, finally pealing herself off of me. "Isn't it weird? We're college graduates! You're a teacher, Chad's a teacher, how the hell did that happen?" she questioned, talking a mile a minute. "Fuck him and Tay for not coming back. That was not the plan," she whined, then hugged me again. "Don't tell her, but I think I like you more now," she joked.
I hugged one of my best and oldest friends tight. "Never," I agreed in a laugh. "Not everything happened according to plan," I said in a breath as we parted. Sharpay looked away as if she knew I was talking about me and Troy. "Show me this building!" I changed the subject slightly.
"Omigosh, you have to see it!" Sharpay said excitedly while grabbing her book and led me to the doors.
All in all, Sharpay's office space is pretty amazing. It was modern and practically perfect for her. It opens to a wide reception area with windows to let the light in and there are four doors. One is a beautiful bathroom, the next a big storage-like room, the third lead to the side alley, and the last is her office, of course. The actual office is big and spacious with bay windows and another bathroom and closet in there. She is certainly jumping right on in.
"I was thinking that I should leave the walls white and have the theme be black, white, and red. I already have this black desk picked out, very chic. Also, I want to get pictures of all the weddings I've helped plan and put them up on the wall in black and white. I found these perfect clear frames to put them in. I asked Serena and she said I could use this beautiful picture of her and Kris walking up the aisle all smiling and happy with their hands linked. I have more people to call from when I interned with Clarissa Truesdale in New York. In the reception area I want to find red-"
"Shar," I broke into her very long ramble. "It all sounds amazing, very creative and very you," I assured her.
She smiled widely. "Thanks," she replied, her long wavy blond hair falling in front of her shoulders.
"While my life isn't as fast paced as this, I called East High this afternoon," I mentioned.
"You did! What happened?" she questioned.
"Well," I began. "I got Mr. Matsui's secretary. She said they're holding interviews mid next month but I should get a resume together and send it in within the next two weeks and she'll put it in the stack of hopefuls or whatever. Then, if they want to interview me, they'll give me a call early July."
Sharpay smiled at me. "You'll get it. I remember hearing you talk about your student teaching at Crest Hill and how much fun you had," she commented. "Those kids loved you," she stated. "They even offered you a position! You only turned it down because you wanted to work at East High."
"It's not about if the kids loved me, it's about my teaching skills," I reminded her.
"And, the principal of Crest Hill wrote you that letter of recommendation along with the teacher you worked with. He said you were the best student teacher he ever had, remember?" she questioned.
I nodded. "I know, I know, but I'm still nervous. I have to send all of that and then go in for numerous interviews and I might not even get the position," I mumbled.
"But, you will," Sharpay insisted. "You're too good at everything you do."
"Thanks, Penelope," I replied with a smile. "But, I'm mad at you."
She looked shocked. "Me? How? We just moved back!" she told me in a laugh.
"Yeah, but you didn't tell me who already lived here," I muttered in an accusing tone. "Do I have to give you the initials tattooed on my back or can you guess on your own?" I wondered.
"Oh," she mumbled, avoiding my eyes.
I ran a hand down my face. "Oh, Sharpay? Oh?" I exclaimed. "How could you not tell me?" I asked.
"How could I try?" she countered. "You didn't talk about him! Ever. He became taboo around you. Yes, we stayed friends with him, but once you two were done he became nothing to you," she insisted.
I scoffed. "Please, like he could ever be nothing," I whispered.
"Gabi, we all wanted to tell you, but couldn't find a way. And, I don't want to lie to you. He asked us not to tell you," she admitted.
I opened my mouth, bit nothing came out. "He... asked? What?" I questioned.
"I- he knows you too well!" she defended herself. "He said that if you knew you might do everything you could not to come back here because of him and that would be unfair to you. He wanted you to make your own decision and leave him out of it. This is your home, you shouldn't avoid it, he says."
"I wouldn't have not come home because of him!" I stated.
"Please!" Sharpay replied. "You've barely been home in two years. You're always off with that damn Southern Belle and her virgin boyfriend," she muttered.
"Shar, I know you hate Shyanne for some reason, but please try not to insult her in front of me. She's been there for me through so much, you don't even know," I told her.
Sharpay doesn't get along with other girls easily; usually it's just her, Taylor, and I. She made a few friends back in NY, but Sharpay does just fine on her own most of the time. She knows who she is and who her friends are.
Sharpay was quiet for a moment. "Yeah, whatever, listen," she tried to go on. "We all wanted you to come home, we missed you so much. You're still our best friend; of course, a break up wouldn't change that. It sucks that you two refuse to be around each other. Actually, it sucks yourefuse to be around him," she corrected herself.
"Like you enjoyed being around Zeke when you two were broken up?" I demanded to know.
"At least I knew when to admit when I was wrong and talk to him!" she replied. "When I missed him so much it hurt and I knew it was more than just me trying to move on, it was because I couldn't move on, I did something about it. You are just committed to living out the rest of your life a nun!" she accused. I gasped. "I mean, you must own a bunch of dildos-"
"Sharpay!" I cut her off with a shake of my head. "Do you really have to go there?" I asked.
She rolled her eyes. "The point is, I knew when I had had enough of being without the man I love. When will you get to the point of admitting you're wrong and try to fix everything?" she questioned me.
"Me? I- Shar," I tried to respond. "Troy and I are done, over, no more," I listed off. "There is no fixing anything."
"Is that what you tell yourself at night when you wish he was next to you?" she demanded to know. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. "Yeah, I know you're still in love with him. I'm one of your best friends, Gab, I know you like the back of my hand. You think I bought that bullshit about distance? Please! None of us did, not even Troy," she stated. I was still speechless. "We all know something went on. We all know you're still hopelessly in love with him. It's not some big secret to those of us who knew exactly how you and Troy were together."
I closed my eyes and a crack came out of my throat. Everything changed in so little of time it's too much for me to deal with in one barely twenty-four hour span. "C-can we stop talking about this?" I pleaded softly.
"For now, yes. But, it will come back up, Gabi. If you think the boy just let you go after everything you two felt, then guess again. He wants answers and I don't blame him," she informed me.
"Great," I whispered, running a hand through my hair. "I-I just, I saw him yesterday and he acted like nothing happened. I felt so much..." I trailed off. "It's too much."
Sharpay nodded. "I understand," she said. "But there comes a time when our past comes back to bite us on the ass," she sighed. "It's going to be okay, though, I promise," she stated, then pulled me into a hug.
I held onto my best friend. "Thanks, I think," I muttered, making her laugh. "So, are we going shopping or what?" I wondered, quickly changing the subject.
"Well," she went to the already built-in receptionist desk and grabbed her big scrapbook. "I have a whole bunch of ideas in here, plus magazines to order from. I thought we could order food to here, look through all these, then go shopping for clothes and stuff for us after. Catch up a little too. Once we're done, I'll take you back to my new place and Zeke will make dinner," she finished.
Zeke and Sharpay got their own place already. They searched over spring break and she came home to help look once in a while. It's a nice, spacey condo that has two bedrooms, two full baths, good kitchen, etc. With Zeke's job alone, they should be good on affording it, but Sharpay insists on paying everything fifty-fifty.
She's already getting money for renting out other spaces in the building and her father gave her a hefty sum for graduating college…along with the car and the building. However, he is done paying for her, which is why he gave her such lavish gifts. From now on she is on her own. And honestly, I don't think Shar would have it any other way.
"Good deal," I agreed, plopping down on the ground. Sharpay followed suit.
I have to say, Sharpay became less materialistic in NY, she really tried not to live off her parents as much. She wasn't known as an Evans like she was/is here. It was that that really made her grow up during college—learning to live on her own with less means than she did here. She's still the strong, driven, passionate person she was in high school, now she's a woman with a good head on her shoulders.
I, on the other hand, have way less in my savings than I would like, have no job, and my father still pays for my one and only credit card. But he said he'd only pay for it until I job a job then I am cut off. My dad did that to all of us unless we came to an agreement and borrowed money from him like Marc and Luke did. And my dad may be angry when he gets his bill this month. Shopping with Sharpay wasn't the best idea, I guess. Oops. I'll call him eventually and tell him, probably.
"We have got to go clubbing so you can wear that skirt!" Sharpay insisted as we walked into her home carrying her bags. I left mine in my car.
"This is the place?" I stated the obvious, following her through the condo. I've only heard about it over the phone and had a slightly crappy Skype tour.
"Yeah, I love it, but I'm not finished organizing it yet," she told me as we reached her bedroom. It had a king sized bed with black and white blankets on it, folded perfectly, and I saw the big screen TV, dressers, closets, and pictures throughout.
I set her bags down. "I love it," I assured her, walking around.
She smiled. "Yeah, it's a nice transition place," she agreed.
"Transition place?" I asked, bouncing on the bed a little.
"Yep," she confirmed. "Our transition place from living apart to getting married and getting a house," she explained. "I'm not ready for the kids and stuff, but engagement, hell yeah."
I chuckled at her. "You would," I breathed. I probably would have been ready for an engagement right now too...
"Alright, let's show you the rest!" Sharpay stated, grabbing my hand and began to drag me around the place. I saw both bathrooms, the spare room, the closets, the backyard (they live on the first floor), and everything in between. It's all perfectly decorated and organized, to me at least. Shar thinks it still isn't right.
We sat down on the cream colored carpet while leaning against the dark colored couch with beers in our hands once we finished the tour. "I have to say, S, this place is perfect for you," I informed her before taking a swig of my beer.
"Everything seems to be going pretty good for me right now," my best friend agreed in a smile.
Admittedly, I'm envious. This is where I wanted to be when I graduated. Moving in with Troy, getting a job, beginning to live happily ever after... but it's not in the cards for me anymore. If Sharpay's right and Troy wants the real answer to why we broke up then I am really fucking screwed. I can't lie my way out of that face to face, not for long anyway. I can't tell him I fell out of love with him or there was someone else, he'll see right through those lies. Distance? Yeah, that excuse was a joke, let's be honest now. I sighed as I took another long sip from my bottle.
"I'm sorry, Gabi," Sharpay apologized as if she knew what I was thinking again, or at least some of what I'm thinking.
I shook my head. "Don't, Sharpay, don't you dare. You are allowed to be perfectly content in your life right now. I'm so happy for you, I really am," I assured her, looking right into her eyes. "You deserve everything you're getting. You've done so much with your life in four years now is your time."
"Our time," Sharpay corrected. "You've done a lot too, you world traveler, you," she reminded me. "You've been places, done things you never have before. I mean, damn Gabriella, you made out with a girl!"
I groaned. Oh, God. "It was Shyanne, it was dark, we were drunk, and a lot of college girls do it! It's an experience," I defended myself. Yeah, so, what if I did? It wasn't intentional, or exactly welcomed for that matter. There was this party... it's a long story.
"I haven't had that experience!" Shar insisted. "Well, you did straddle me once for a while, but again we were drunk and neither of us noticed," she mentioned. I laughed as the door opened. "That must be Zeke!" my friend said happily as she got up off the floor. "Babe?" she went off to greet him.
I simply stayed where I was, sitting on the ground and drinking my beer. I miss being called babe. Geez, can I get any more depressing?
"Since when do you drink beer?" I heard behind me then began to choke on my latest sip as I jumped. I hate being surprised like that, hate it, hate it, hate it! "Oh, shit, are you okay?" Troy asked, coming to kneel down next to me.
My head dropped to the couch as I took in slow, even breaths to calm my speeding heart. "Don't scare me like that!" I ordered before smacking him harder than I would have if we were still dating.
"Alright, alright, I didn't mean to," he mumbled an apology before standing and held a hand out to help me get up.
I ignored it and stood on my own. He retracted it as he said something under his breath. "What are you doing here?" I demanded to know.
"What are you doing here?" he replied just as accusingly as I did. I looked at him strangely. "Yeah, it's a stupid question, isn't it?" he seemed to agree. Huh? "They're my friends too, Brie."
I bit my lip and crossed my arms. What do I do? "I have to go to the bathroom," I stated. I barely brushed by him on my way out of the room. Why is he here? Zeke knew I was coming over, so why is Troy here? This better not be some scam by Sharpay. I know eventually she'll try something eventually, but she has to know this is too soon.
"Gabriella?" Sharpay called in while knocking repeatedly on the door.
I unlocked the door and tugged her in. "What the hell is going on here, Shar?" I questioned.
"I did not do this, I promise. Zeke is an idiot, honestly, many people will attest to that," she told me. "He was hanging out with Troy today and mentioned you're coming over and Troy asked if he could join. He said that you two already saw each other and everything was okay between you guys. Zeke fell for it and did NOT call me to ask, obviously," she finished explaining. "I am so sorry."
I shook my head and just hugged her. "We can't be friends, S, me and him," I mumbled sadly. We never could be friends, it was all or nothing and he knows that. He's probably just trying to get closer so he can get his answers.
"Everyone knows that," she agreed. "But, please don't leave," she pleaded as we parted. "This is our Gabi and Sharpay day, don't let He Who Must Not Be Named ruin it," she said.
"Sharpay!" I began jumping up and down. "You made a Harry Potterreference!" I squealed happily. My blond friend stayed motionless in my arms. "I'm weird, I know, don't give me that look," I sighed, brushing hair away from my face. She was still quiet. "Don't judge me! I'm allowed to have a happy moment with my ex-boyfriend ruining my life day by day!"
"Bullshit. I am the queen of exaggerating and Troy Bolton is not ruining your life," she told me with a roll of the eyes.
I pointed at her in warning. "Be nice, or I'll leave," I insisted.
"No!" she exclaimed, upset. "Don't! You can't be together ever again, yada, yada, yada. I get it, but you have to find some way to be around each other. You're my best friend and I refuse to give you up because Zeke and Troy are weird man friends."
I laughed a little to myself. "I'm not leaving and I know that, but it's barely been a day, it's not like I've seen him since I was twenty, okay?" I reminded her. "Just, please try to run interference all night."
"Deal," Sharpay agreed, already leading me out of the bathroom.
We met Zeke before entering the living room again. "Gabi, I'm sorry I'm an idiot," he apologized then hugged me.
I hugged him back for a moment. "It's fine, Zeke, we're not kids anymore," I commented.
Troy was sitting on the living room couch with an arm thrown casually across the top. A beer was in his hands and mine was sitting on the coffee table where I left it. Zeke and Sharpay bickered quietly behind me as Troy scanned his eyes up my body to my eyes. I really want to fucking hate him, but I can't. Why can't he hate me? It'd make sense; I'd even go as far as saying it would make things easier.
"Take out!" Zeke said from behind me and I jumped at his unusually loud voice. "I think we should get take out, that way I won't be trapped in the kitchen all night," he went on, walking out in front of me. "We can all catch up together. Well, we could hang out in the kitchen, but it would get a bit crowded," he explained, then coughed. "So, what should we get? Pizza? Chinese?" he wondered, pulling out his cell phone.
"Chinese," Troy spoke up instantly, his eyes never leave me. "It's Gabriella's favorite," he added before taking a swig of his beer.
I crossed my arms. "You can get whatever you want, Zeke, I'll eat anything," I assured him as I went to sit in the arm chair.
"Chinese is good," Sharpay said, sitting down on the arm of the couch, right near where Zeke was standing. "It'll be just like old times. Gabriella always voted Chinese when we were going out," she laughed.
"Hey, The Spot was always high up on the list too!" I defended, ignoring Troy. I'm going to have fun tonight even if he is here.
Sharpay nodded as Zeke left the room to order. He already knows what we want, we always ordered the same thing in high school. "I can't believe I miss their greasy food," she mentioned.
"Please, I live off greasy food," I reminded her. "All last semester I waitressed for food under the table and I wasn't paid in money. I was literally paid in food," I admitted.
"You should have come and worked during the summers like Chad, Taylor, Zeke, and Kelsi did," Troy spoke up. "Fulton was promoted, there is a new boss, he paid so well I wish I would have worked there part time," he explained.
"Gabi was busy," Sharpay brought up. I silently thanked her. "You and your dumb trip across the country, plus your adventure across Europe," she accused.
I gasped. "Hey! Driving across the country was one of the best slash worst experiences of my life. Although, it was fun pretending to be Damien's girlfriend," I laughed. I can't say anything bad about Europe that was amazing.
"How was it the best and worst?" Troy wondered curiously, still drinking his beer.
I looked to him and away to Sharpay. "Going on the road with three of your closest college friends sounds like fun but in all honestly you practically live in one shitty car, stay in crappy hotel rooms, and meet the weirdest people. We were so broke at one point Shy and I had to enter this kareoke contest that had a thousand dollar cash prize. I was so scared I threw up twice beforehand, but we won," I rambled a bit.
"And you pretended to be who's girlfriend and why?" Troy pressed on.
Can he stop talking to me? "I- my gay friend, Damien. It was a joke. We did kind of make out once, but it was gross, like making out with Zeke or something, which should never happen," I stated with another laugh.
"Agreed," Zeke came back in. "It's all ordered. They'll be here in half an hour or so," he told us, sitting down on the couch. "So you looked into that teacher position today?" he asked, an arm around Sharpay.
I nodded. "Yeah, I called. I have to send in my resume and stuff."
"She's nervous," Sharpay told them. "I told her not to be, she's too good at everything she does."
"You're gonna be great," Zeke agreed with an arm around Sharpay. "East High is gonna be lucky to have you, I remember you tutoring Troy, and even me once in a while, and all those other kids, we always did so well. You're just what a teacher should be," he insisted.
Aw. "Thanks, Zeke, it means a lot," I replied. "Really, it does," I continued. "But, I'm a worrywart, so I will worry until I know if the job is mine or not."
"It's gonna be yours," Troy spoke up. "You should have more faith in yourself."
"Okay, everyone stop talking about me!" I laughed awkwardly. "I saw Sharpay's office today, that will be amazing," I changed the subject, making Sharpay smile wide.
The night went on without too many awkward moments. I tried not to talk to Troy as much as I could, but it was hard. He always inserted himself into what I was saying or something, it got very annoying. However, I loved spending time with Sharpay. We talked about college and stuff, it was great. I didn't realize how much I missed her until tonight. She's really one of my best friends and will be forever.
Troy and I left at about the same time, but he left first and all he got out of me was a wave goodbye. I stayed with Zeke and Sharpay for an extra fifteen minutes or so to help clean up and such. Sharpay and I set up plans to hang out again already and Zeke promised an actual dinner where he actually cooks soon.
When I thought I was free and clear I found I wasn't when Troy was leaning against his car out in the parking lot. Conveniently, he was parked next to me. When I parked it was not next to an empty spot so he must have moved his car next to mine. It was a new car, well it wasn't new, but it was new to me. It actually looked like an older, rebuilt car.
"I thought you left," I said as I unlocked it my car.
"You were supposed to," he replied, stepping in my way of the car door. "We need to talk, Brie," he told me.
I let out a big breath. "Troy, it's been a long day, I just wanna go home."
His eyes looked right into mine. "If we hadn't broken up in college, we would have come here together in the same car, we would be going home together because we'd have our own apartment, hell, there would probably be a ring on your finger right now," he told me.
"Really?" I replied. "This is what you wanted to talk about?" I questioned. I really can't deal with this right now, not ever.
"No," he denied with a shake of his head. "I want to tell you that your bullshit excuse about distance breaking us up is exactly that, bullshit," he said before stepping closer. "And, I am going to get to the bottom of this because I deserve to know what caused you to break my heart," he stated bluntly. "I want to know why I practically became a fucking drunk for months because it literally took me months to pull myself back together," he went on.
My insides coiled at hearing him talk about the break up. "Troy, I have to get home-"
"No," he repeated. "You aren't just going to come home and act like we were simply each other's first loves and we're both over it," he told me. "Honestly, I don't give a fuck if it hurts you to talk to me or listen to me talk about what we used to be," he admitted.
"And, I don't give a fuck if anything hurts you, but we're over, Troy. I thought my phone call ensured that," I spit out. Wow, I don't think I've ever been this mean to him.
Troy didn't react in any kind of way. "The only thing your phone call told me was that you were really fucking scared to tell me why you broke up with me. You could barely get the words out, Brie. We both know breaking up with me was about the last thing you wanted to do."
"You didn't know what I was going through then and you don't know who I am now, Troy," I replied. "So, I am going home," I stated, opening my car door.
Troy overpowered me and closed it. "I have no fucking clue what you went through, that's the truth, but you can bet your ass I will find out," he informed me, then moved out of the way so I could get to my car. "Brie," he spoke up again before I had time to even get in my car. He practically pressed me against the side of it. "Remember all of those times I said I could never hate you?" he asked, his head dipping close to me.
I held my ground. "What about it?"
"I still can't," he whispered and kissed my cheek. "Goodnight, drive safe," he said quietly.
I got in my car and was gone before Troy even got in his own car.
Well, fuck. This is not what I expected out of Troy Bolton. Plus, he is way too determined for my liking. Again, fuck!
A little different than the original. Whatcha think? Lemme know!
I personally like it!
Review!
- Kayleigh