Chapter 3
Although Gabriella could hear the phone ringing, she just couldn't find it in herself to tear her eyes away from Troy's and get up. She didn't want to leave his hold, the one place where she actually felt safe in a really long time.
'I guess I should get that' Gabriella finally found the courage to speak and end their moment.
'Uh, ya, here, let me help you.'
And with that Troy carefully removed his arm from around Gabriella's waist while making sure that he didn't hurt her. After picking himself up off of the floor, he placed his hands underneath her arms and lifted her up. Thankfully she's as light as a feather, so it was easy. He gave her a reassuring smile, and received one back as well. He couldn't hide the smile that formed on his face while witnessing her skip over to the phone seeing her all of a sudden in a very giddy mood.
'Hello?' asked Gabriella
'Gabriella dear, its mother! How are you? I wanted to call and make sure you made it home safely and see how the house is holding up in this weather.' Gabriella could sense the eagerness in her mom's voice to see how she was. It made her feel like she actually cared.
'Oh, Mom! Hi! Uh, the house is holding up well, I don't think this storm is going to settle down any time soon though. I made it home fine, thanks to one of our very nice neighbors. He offered me a ride home.' Gabriella replied sweetly while eyeing Troy moving towards the cake mix where he managed to salvage what was left of the mix and continue making it.
'Wow, well wasn't that nice of him. I look forward to meeting this nice young man. Don't forget Ella, its okay to actually let lose and open yourself up to a guy. Enjoying your time with a boy isn't a bad thing, as long as you're behaving and all that. But I trust you dear, with all my heart. I'm sure there's a small part of your heart that is secretly longing to be in the company of a nice young gentleman.'
'Um Mom, you can just stop now, really. Now's not really the right time for this type of a talk, especially over the phone.' During her Mother's embarrassing talk, Gabriella had looked away from Troy in hopes that he wouldn't see the blush that was slowly rising up her face. Too bad she wasn't quick enough, he did. He couldn't stop the blush that rose up his face either.
'So, moving on, when are you coming home Mom?'
'Oh hunnie, I wish I knew that myself. Ever since I got here they've put me to work and I can barely get a break in. That's why it's taken me forever to call you. I don't think I'll be able to make it home to you tonight, and I can't make it back tomorrow either. Evidently, the company is close to hitting a milestone and they need my undivided attention. They even started talking to me about sending me off on a business trip already. I'm so sorry dear, I promise I'll try to get home to you as soon as I can. But don't worry; I've put plenty of money into your account for food and anything else you will need.'
'A business trip?! Already?! Mom! We just moved into a brand new house in a brand new state that you forced me to move to, and you can't even stick around to help me through this torture?! How could you do this to me? I'm only 16, I don't want to have to live all by myself at this young of an age. All I want is to wake up everyday to a house with you in it. I just want to feel like a kid again Mom, is that too much to ask for?' Gabriella found herself whispering the last part while tears ran down her face. All she wanted to do was kick and scream and throw something really hard and far.
'Oh El, I know, trust me I do. I hate doing this to you. But this is the road that I chose. I know that it is completely unfair to you, but I can't change this, I really hope that someday you can accept this and forgive me for all of the mistakes I've made as a mother. I want to be there with you too dear, I just can't. I am so so sorry. But I promise that the second I'm allowed to leave, I'm coming straight home for you, I don't care if your in school, I'll come and get you, okay? Do you believe me on that?'
'I really want to believe you Mom, I do. But, sometimes it's just too hard. I can't just pretend that the past never happened, but I really do pray that you'll find a way to come home soon. I love you Mom.'
'Oh Baby, I love you too. I promise I'll try to get out of here as soon as I can. Really. But just because you're sad that I'm not home is no excuse at all for you to go sulking around. Understand? Enjoy yourself, please. And have fun with that young gentleman you mentioned. I know you haven't had the best of luck in that area, but I also know you still wish you did. Put yourself out there for once.'
'Whatever you say Mom. I guess I better let you go, I'm baking a cake and right now and Troy looks like he's having some issues. I love you, and I hope to see you soon. Bye Mom.'
Sadly, Gabriella listened to her mom say good bye and then hung up the phone, making sure to wipe away any remains of her tears. At that same time, not only did Troy see the tears, but he felt his heart ache slightly. A girl like her deserved complete happiness all of the time.
'So, mom's not coming home?' asked Troy.
'Nope, she's tied up at work. They might even be sending her off on a business trip. I don't even think she's slept in this house yet; they wouldn't even let her have a day to just relax before going straight to work. It's just not fair. I hate, hate, being home alone. It sucks, really bad. Especially on days like today when it's dark out and windy. I get so scared.'
Gabriella didn't want to sound like a whining baby, but it did feel good to get her feelings out, even if it was to a complete stranger.
'I'm sorry, I would say I know how you feel, but I don't. Even if I'm home for a while by myself, I always know that eventually my mom and dad will be home. You know, if your ever lonely, you can just call me and I'd be happy to keep you company. We could watch a movie, or bake a cake.' Troy paused to listen to Gabriella's laugh, it was just so enchanting. He's never heard something like that before. It made him want to go to her and pick her up and swing her around, and then he would hear her laughter even more. That's what he calls pure bliss. Wow, he was thinking all of this and he barely knew the girl. He was definitely going to have to work on that. 'Give me a ring any time. Here, I'll write my cell and house number down for you so you'll always have it.'
'Thanks Troy, really. I think I'm going to call you my new best friend. Is that okay with you?'
The smirk on Gabriella's face was growing rapidly. He made her happy, really happy. Moving to a new school, a new state even, was very nerve-racking. Gabriella would find herself with butterflies in her stomach for days. She never knew how she was going to be accepted. Thankfully, she didn't have to work too hard this time around, since for once a friend came to her, instead of her searching for one. She couldn't help but laugh though at the fact that this 'friend' just so happened to be an extremely hot guy. Man, did she get lucky.
'I'd be honored if you called me your 'new best friend'. So 'new best friend,' what do you say to helping out a guy in desperate need of cooking skills? This cake is going to suck if you don't step in and take things from here.'
The flirtation was not only in Troy's voice, but in his eyes, his smile, his entire body, but his heart too. And the crazy part was that these feelings that were suddenly surfacing were nothing of lust, but instead leaning towards something more; love.
'Well, if you're that desperate, I guess I could help my 'new best friend out.' Here let me take the spoon from you.'
Gabriella went to grab the spoon out from Troy's hand, but not before her hand grazed over his, enticing a spark of electricity through her entire soul. Wow. That was certainly a first for both of them.
AN: Hope you liked it. It was kind of a space filler to enable me to get from one chapter to the next. I have fluffy plans for them in the near future. Thanks to all of the reviews, I really do appreciate them. They make me want to keep writing. Don't stop now though, keep up the reviews!! Thanks so much for the support!!
FiFi xoxo
