Chapter playlist: Disarray-Lifehouse

Slipping through the sensors-Fruit Bats


"I can't." I sobbed, breathlessly, praying that Chad would just let me go.

I didn't want to speak of it anymore. I didn't want to remember the journey—it was tearing me apart, piece by piece. I hadn't forgotten, I hadn't mistaken any of the puzzle parts. I knew exactly what happened—from the beginning until the end. And it only broke my heart more.

I had to stop myself from crying, I kept shielding the tears from my eyes.

"Gabriella, please. You have to continue." Chad cooed, compassionately.

"It's just, I keep thinking this will help, but it won't." I sniffed, despairingly.

He squeezed my hand again, "It will make you feel better to talk about it."

I tried to trust in his words, believe that maybe spilling out everything would mend my cracked heart. Yet, nothing seemed to give me faith.

"I don't feel any better." I mumbled, tantalized tears waiting to flow.

"Talk about the airplane, talk about your ride to Vegas." Chad persuaded, a congenial smile on his lips.

"It was.. boring." I uttered, drearily. "Nothing had changed. I had to sneak out that weekend, and I was still worried about my mother's reaction."


"Gum, Gabs?" Sharpay's insolent smirk still didn't faze me.

I was immune to it.

"Thanks." She handed me a piece of Spearmint gum from across the aisle.

She was placed between Jim and Kelsi. Jim was staring out the window, inattentive towards anything but the cerulean skies in view. I couldn't help but notice how fascinating his golden eyes looked, how curious they appeared.

Kelsi looked bored, and timid as always. She was scribbling desirously on a notepad, as if she had thousands of ideas on what to write in her brain. She had a concentrated expression on her face, and I couldn't help but smile at her determination.

"How long do we have to stay in this stinky plane?" Sharpay complained, the most abhorrent grimace on her face.

She casually propped a leg on top of her other leg's knee, fixing her hair erratically.

"Three hours, approximately." Kelsi murmured, distractedly.

"Three hours of hell." Sharpay exaggerated, dramatically fanning herself.

"This will be a fun ride, eh?" Chad elbowed me playfully, in response to Sharpay's complaints.

I chuckled, "I'm not feeling so well."

"The plane will make your stomach drop, a lot." Taylor added, fraternally. "You'll get used to it, I promise."

I took her advice and sat back in my seat, trying to relax. Chad had a window seat and Taylor was in the middle, leaving me all the way at the end.

The plane ride to Vegas seemed dull and endless. I was getting hungry and restless, plus I had to use the restroom. I made a firm note to myself not to use the plane's restrooms, also.

Arriving wasn't much of a big deal since it was around noon. The sun was still soaking up the area, and the degrees was a blazing 90°. We got out, feeling the lack of fatigue and with our stomaches rumbling viciously.

"Wow, I am never going on a plane again." Sharpay confided with repugnance.

"Hmm, where's Troy, Chad?" Taylor inquired, giving Chad a suspicious sideways glance.

Chad sighed, tiredly, looking around the airport, "He's supposed to call."

"So what are we supposed to do, sit here like we have an encumbrance?" Taylor asked, obviously sick and fed-up with everyone and everything.

"Owch, someone's grumpy!" Chad taunted, wrapping a corpulent arm around Taylor's wide waist.

Taylor rolled her eyes, "Deprived of sleep and hunger, Taylor is not happy!" She snapped, crossly.

I looked over at Jim and Sharpay who were clinging to each other, as usual.

Jim had his arm around Sharpay's waist and Sharpay was hugging him tightly while admiring Vegas' famous airport, "I adore this place!" She squealed, ecstatically.

"You haven't seen anything yet." Chad warned.

"It's 12:30, what is taking Troy so long?" Taylor asked, looking up to her beau.

"Take it easy, babe, he'll be here." Chad assured her, rubbing her back, sentimentally.

I couldn't help but feel the envy, not having a man beside me to comfort me. I looked over to Kelsi, who was on her cell-phone arguing with her mother about the trip. Kelsi spoke in a hushed tone, but I could tell there was tension.

"Gabriella, did your mom understand?" Jim's husky voice had caught me off guard.

I looked over to him, as he held on protectively to his woman, "I... had to sneak out." I admitted, slightly embarrassed for my rebellious acts.

I was still in shock that he was speaking to me.

"I see, well at least you made it." He commented, considerately.

I only nodded in response to his bizarre interest in my life.

And then, Chad's cell-phone blared some hip-hop song I did not recognize. I noticed Sharpay covering her ears, aggravated, while Jim folded his arms as she departed from him, the same expression of irritation in his eyes.

"Oh, hey. Yeah, we're at the lobby, by the waiting rooms, and McDonald's." Chad said into the phone, scratching his head and taking in our surroundings.

"Man, you aren't, we don't see you." He argued, his eyes now wide and searching frantically.

His eyes landed on someone from across the area we were waiting at—someone extending his hand up in the air, as if to wave, a charming smile spread across his face. I felt my breathing stop for a mere second, before continuing.

"He'll take your breath away." Taylor mumbled to me, neutrally.

Even Kelsi had put her eyes to where Chad's cousin was approaching from. Sharpay was practically drooling, while Jim looked somewhat aggravated. Chad and Taylor both wore anxious, friendly expressions. I could only stare in wonder.

"Hey guys!" His voice, so angelic, so pure, and so sexy.

Him and Chad greeted each other first with some kind of handshake that they must have made up years ago. Troy froze up at the final step of the handshake.

Chad looked at him disbelievingly, "You didn't forget, man!"

"Wow, sorry, it's been so long!" Troy admitted, sorrowful.

I had to absorb his appearance. I could have simply said he was the most beautiful creature that has ever walked the planet, but that wouldn't be very vivid, now would it? He truly was though, he would make any girl breathless. I wondered if he secretively modeled. His muscles were flawless.

He had blue-green eyes that reminded me of a tidal wave, small but luscious lips that I couldn't imagine kissing in even my wildest dreams, a small nose that agreed with his face, defining eyebrows, the most gorgeous smile, and a body to die for. He had dark hair and wore a simple sky-blue shirt with a DC pattern in the middle and a pair of matching gray shorts.

I remember staring at him with such enchantment; I couldn't avert my eyes.

"Tay! What's up?" Before I knew it, he had his arms around Taylor, smiling widely.

"Wow, you look so different, Troy!" Taylor exclaimed, startled by his embrace.

"Hopefully that's a good thing." He commented, winking at her as he pulled out of the hug.

I think I actually seen her swoon after he winked at her.

"Troyyy!" I about gagged at the sound of Sharpay's avid screeching.

She wrapped her arms around him, and I think I seen him cringe a tad at the way that she squeezed him. Jim looked uncomfortable, rubbing his neck, irritably.

"Sharpay, how's it going? Wow it's been so long." Troy's cringing was instantly replaced by an adorable smile that made Sharpay uneasy.

"You look so... wow." She breathed, paralyzed by his beauty.

He chuckled, "Likewise."

He broke out of her embrace, looking to the rest of us.

He simply nodded at Jim in recognition, a half-smile on his lips, then he turned to Kelsi, "Kelsi! Miss me?" He inquired, a teasing grin playing on his lips.

She approached him, smiling bashfully. He ignored her shy nature and gave her a friendly embrace, as he had the others. I stood there, awkwardly, not really knowing what to do or say.

As he finished the hug, he moved out of her reach, and his eyes locked to mine.

He watched me carefully, as if debating on whether he should say something or not. He then thoroughly checked me out, from head to toe.

When he finished, he gave me a intimate smile, "Troy." He cooed, racily.

"G-Gabriella." I managed to stutter out, meekly.

I felt insignificant at that. I didn't know him like they did, and he was undeniably perfect-looking. How was I to stay in his mansion, how was I to deal with these overwhelming attractions? I couldn't ignore that he was so.. heart melting.

"Pleasure." He winked at me, the same wink that he winked at Taylor.

My breath had gotten caught in my throat, again. I felt so vulnerable under his eyes, so puny and weak.

"So, who's coming with me?" He asked, looking to Chad, inquisitively.

"Taylor, Gabriella, Kelsi, and I. Sharpay and Jim are renting a car." Chad retorted.

Sharpay and Jim went their own way, easily, heading towards the front of the airport. I looked at Taylor and Chad who were extremely involved with each other, giggling and flirting. Kelsi was standing alone, solemnly. And Troy was waiting, impatiently.

"All right, love birds. Save that for the ocean's sunset." Troy suggested, coolly. "We've gotta get a move on if you want to be at my house before sun down."

He flung his keys back and forth, entertaining himself, then turned to the couple.

"Did you hear, we get to see the sunset?" Chad whispered to Taylor, seductively.

Taylor giggled, giddily.

Troy rolled his eyes, "If the whole trip is going to be like this, we'll never make it out alive." His sarcasm is evident throughout his comment.

"Sorry man, let's head out." Chad mumbled, throwing him a look of expiatory.

Troy's car was magnificent—an Audi. I had never ridden in one before, and I couldn't be more excited. It was a gorgeous silver, and looked breathtaking in the sunlight. Others looked as astonished as I did.

"Dude.. no." Chad's voice resembled a robot, in so many ways.

"Yeah, you don't believe in me? Owch." Troy pretended to be hurt, getting in the driver's seat.

"Thanks for opening the doors for the ladies, real smooth, Sparky." Taylor taunted, sliding into the backseat.

"Well I knew Chad wasn't going to let any of you wonderful ladies in the front seat, so I couldn't break the rules." Troy snickered, while giving Chad a high-five.

"And this is the difficulty of putting two men together." Taylor muttered, faking frustration.

"See the beauty in it. Be optimistic." Chad suggested, presumptuously.

"Run a marathon, that's what I always do." Troy added, sardonically.

Taylor chuckled, "I'll pass on that miracle run, if that's all right with you."

"Aw, I don't know if I can deal with that." Troy retorted, playfully.

"See what you're doing here, you're hurting his feelings." Chad joked, going along with Troy.

"Yeah, autism is nothing to joke about." Troy faked a grimace from the rear view mirror, chuckling at his own seriousness.

"Oh, shove it, Troy." Taylor snorted, laughing. "You still haven't grown up. And if you turn my man into a little kid again, I'm going to slaughter you."

Troy and Chad looked at each other and chuckle.

"So when did you two decide to reproduce?" Troy joked, putting on a innocent smile.

"We first started going out a year ago." Chad responded, glaring at him.

"Oh, you poor thing. How do you keep up with that woman?" Troy asked, looking back at Taylor from his mirror with a smile.

"I have to strap her down. It's horrifying." Chad responded, laughing. "How else do you expect me to?"

"I figured it was something along those lines." Troy admitted, laughing along with him.

Taylor wasn't paying attention to them, her eyes were locked onto me, a concerned look on her face, "Gabby, you seem really quiet. You aren't worried about your mom, are you?"

"No, it's fine, I just don't know what to say." I answered, hesitantly.

"I'm sorry, Troy talks too much, won't let anyone get a word in edgewise." Taylor muttered, mordantly.

"I so heard that, woman." Troy warned, giving her death eyes.

"Gabriella, feel free to make a comment anytime." He gave me a warm, inviting glance, along with that heart-stopping smile. Wow, he was beautiful.

"Dude, you're almost off the road." Chad criticized, timorously, his voice rising.

Troy's eyes went back to the road, swiftly, "I've got this, Chad."

"You almost gave me a hernia there, man." Chad admitted, holding onto his heart.

"Ha, ha." Troy bit his bottom-lip, concentrated on the road.

I don't really remember much more of the conversation. I had dazed off into a deep slumber, uncomfortably sitting up. I remember being woken up by Taylor, who was yanking on my sleeve furiously, "Gabby, wake up, we're here."

I grabbed my things, still half-asleep, and as I got out of the luxurious vehicle, I lost my balance due to my lumpish feet, and fell to the dirt-ground, my baggage falling along with me. I sighed, annoyed by my awkwardness.

I was about to stand up, when I seen two hands grab my suitcases, "Need some help?"

He extended a helpful hand to me. I took advantage of it, allowing him to pull me up. I was greeted by two, beautiful aquamarine-colored eyes. He had a playful smile on his face, and I could tell that he was amused by my clumsiness.

"I-I'm so clumsy." I admitted, my face turning a dark ruby color.

He only chuckled at me, "It's all right, we're all a little clumsy sometimes." He grinned at me, that glorious grin that almost made me lose my balance again.

"I'll take these things in for you, okay? Gabriella right?" He inquired, his voice now serious.

"Yeah."

"Should I call you that or do they call you something else, like Gab, or Gabs, or Gabby, or Brie, or Ella, or-" He began rambling on.

I laughed, cutting him off, "Whatever you like." I regained my voice, finally.

He looked a tad embarrassed because of his rambling. Yet, he gave me a winning smile, and then headed towards the door, carrying my luggage as if it was his job. I watched him. And found myself checking out his backside. Sigh.

I followed in after him, slowly. It was gorgeous, and so huge! It was everything that I ever dreamed a Beverly Hills mansion would be. The ceilings were high, top-notch and I figured they were expensive. The windows were immense and caused the sunlight to shimmer through. The staircase was placed in the middle of the entrance, it was spiraled and made me a tad dizzy. The wooding floors looked expensive, high-dollar most-likely, along with the wallpaper that was fancy. I smiled, contented with the environment.

In front of me, Chad and Taylor were admiring the place by themselves, holding onto each other as usual. I figured Kelsi had already abandoned them in attempt to explore, while Jim and Sharpay were nowhere to be found. Troy had placed down my bags and was looking at us, as if perplexed on what to say or do.

"I, um.. you can chose your bedrooms." He explained, gawkily.

"Thanks for grabbing my bags." I was shocked that I was speaking in sentences now. I had to not look at him to speak correct.

"Hey, no problem, it was my pleasure." He responded, magically.

The rest of the night seemed to be a blur. Nothing much happened. I had found my room, which was on the second floor. It was voluminous and competent but I hadn't expected much else. The floors were wooden, still, reflecting from their tidiness. And the wallpaper looked freshly painted. The bed was old-fashioned but looked as though it may have cost more than my own house. I was allured to it, however, and I couldn't stop admiring it.

Most of the day I spent just walking around the place. Everyone else seemed busied by something or themselves. Kelsi had found the music room and was playing her favorite songs. The graceful melody echoed throughout the second floor.

When we arrived it was about five o'clock anyways, so we didn't have much time to go out and do things. Sharpay made the suggestion of going shopping tomorrow in Beverly Hills. Troy agreed to it, promising to by us some fancy clothes and some stunning shades.

I went back downstairs around eight o'clock, after unpacking all of my belongings, and stopped at the foot of the stairs. I heard voices talking lowly, subduedly as if they were hiding from the rest of the world. I peeked downstairs hastily to notice it was Troy and Sharpay. My heart tingled a bit. She had already beaten me to the race. But that wasn't much of a surprise. I went down a step, anxious to hear what they were talking about.

"I really missed hanging out here." Sharpay admitted with dalliance.

"Yeah, I missed having you guys around." Troy added in, and even though I could only see his profile, I could see a heedless smile on his face.

"So, how's the fame?" Sharpay teased, absorbed in his eyes.

"It's really cool." Troy answered, an authentic smile on his face. "It's crazy at the same time though."

"I heard you can sing and dance now too. What can't you do?" Sharpay inquired, a mused smile on her lips.

"I can't dribble." He laughed. "It took me so long to get that movie right."

Sharpay just watched him, lost in her thoughts.

She sighed, dramatically, "Well it made you into a heartthrob."

Troy only scratched his head, "I guess so."

"Girls faint at the sight of you. How's that?" She asked, looking straight at him.

He chuckled, "I'm still not used to it. And you sound like a reporter."

Sharpay giggled obnoxiously, "Oh please, Troy. I just wanted to know how you've been managing without me."

"It's been pretty difficult." Troy replied, sportively.

Sharpay looked away from him for a second, "I think Jim's jealous of you."

Troy's smile turned into a frown, "Why?"

"Because I think you're amazing. I can't help it though—you're a celebrity now." Sharpay gushed, obscurely.

"I'm sure he's not." Troy argued, yet his voice sounded calm.

"He just.. doesn't seem very interested in me, since the arrival, that is." Sharpay muttered, a fake glumness in her tone.

And then Troy did something that made me feel a tad nauseated. He placed a hand on her leg. I noticed that he had some kind of bracelet on. I never recognized it before. I was sinking in jealousy. Of course, Sharpay would win Mr. Gorgeous over, too.

"Don't worry about it, Shar. He'll come around." His voice was supportive and compassionate.

She looked to him, gratefully, "Thanks Troy. I don't know what I'd do without you."

With that, I noticed her heading towards the stairs. I swiftly picked up my legs and rushed back to my room, closing the door quietly. They had known each other since childhood, there was no doubt he was going to be extra friendly to her. Why was I getting so fidgety already? I didn't even know him.

I might have wanted to, but that didn't matter much. I was still the plain, boring girl from Chicago, who lived with her careless mother and spoiled-rotten sister. I had nothing on Sharpay—the rich, faultless daughter of a millionaire. She beat me by so much. I could never amount up to her.


The next day rolled around without much caesura. I woke up around ten o'clock, feeling well-rested for once in my life. California's blazing sun glared at me through the opulent window by my bed. I stretched, and headed for the nearest bathroom. The shower was excellent, and I could tell that it was just as expensive as the rest of Troy's furniture. I felt so much more awake and attentive after taking it. I hopped out, threw on some clothes, and fixed my hair as much as I could, before heading downstairs.

"We're going out for breakfast." Taylor greeted me, sheepishly.

She sat at Troy's glass dining-room table, Chad sitting across from her, sipping on some coffee, looking as languid as she did.

I wondered what had kept them up all night, but refrained from asking when Sharpay rolled down the stairs, a bright, cheery smirk on her face. Jim hesitantly walked behind her, not looking half as kindled as she did.

"Morning, guys!" She squealed, flashing each one of us a culminating smile.

"Morning." Chad and Taylor responded in a nonchalant unison.

Sharpay looked to me, "What's wrong with them?" She whispered as she came up from behind me, a baffled expression on her face.

"I have no clue." I retorted, honestly.

"Where's Troy?" She spoke up to everyone this time, her eyes looking all over for Troy.

Jim shuffled his feet, gauchely.

"He had a photo shoot—said he'd be back in thirty minutes." Chad muttered, colorlessly.

"What's up with you guys?" Sharpay finally questioned, as a fully-awake Kelsi descended the steps.

"Troy—his stupid pranks." Chad only mumbled, tediously looking to his girlfriend.

"Oh." Sharpay corresponded, as if that was enough to inform her.

I still felt left out in the dark though.

"You too, Taylor?" Sharpay asked, glancing towards Taylor, who had the same expression on her face as Chad did.

"We'll get him back one day." She murmured, a calamitous tone accompanying her.

"Oh, the joy of Troy's pranks." Kelsi seemed diverted by this.

"Fortunately, I've never had to experience them!" Sharpay exclaimed, vainly.

We sat there, silently, for what seemed like hours, instead of thirty minutes. I plopped down next to Chad and Taylor, who seemed to be extremely frustrated. I wondered what Troy had done to 'prank' them. He seemed a bit immature, but it was kind of cute at the same time.

Kelsi stood by the door, passably, while Sharpay and Jim raided his kitchen, in hunger deprivation.

And then, he arrived.

He looked magnificent, though I figured that was the idea since he had just gone to a photo shoot. He sparkled as he came through the door. His hair seemed to glisten in the window's sunlight, and I had lost my ability to breathe, again. He gave us all a quaint expression.

"Ready to go?" He asked, the look on his face not vanishing. "It's a long walk."

"We're walking?" Sharpay's enthusiastic behavior seemed to disappear. "Troy! I just got these new heels, I can't get them all filthy." She complained, monstrously.

I chuckled at the bewildered expression on Troy's face, "Uh, well I'm sure you can.. manage." He responded, idly.

"Troy!" She squealed again, stomping her foot with aggression.

Troy looked to the rest of us, raising an eyebrow, as if asking us what we think he should say.

"Well.. you have been around here, if you want you and Jim can drive there, but I'm not going to." He muttered, allusively.

"Dude, Shar, it's not that long of a walk." Chad argued, looking to her with annoyance.

"Yeah, we'll be fine on foot." Jim supported, looking to his woman.

Sharpay didn't look convinced, "Ugh! I'm taking the car. You fools can do what you want." She snapped, in vexation, stomping off towards the front door.

She slammed it, viciously, walking outside.

Jim watched her, exacerbated, then followed out behind her, giving us all apologetic expressions.

We stood there, just staring into space, trying to understand how Sharpay's attitude had changed so dramatically. She must have been bi-polar. It was insane, even Troy looked a bit frightened.

"Um, wow." Taylor finally breathed, horrified.

"Let's go." Troy muttered, heading towards the door.

"Man, we still haven't forgotten about this morning." Chad warned, pointing his finger critically at Troy.

Troy turned to face them, smiling guilelessly, "What are you talking about?"

"I think you know what we're talking about." Taylor snarled, sinisterly.

She took Chad by the arm, rolling her eyes, "We'll get you back, Troy."

Troy only grinned, as if he had just accomplished something triumphant.


END OF CHAPTER

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