Author's note: Again I'm sorry for making you wait, I really hate that. And thanks to everyone who reads my story. Still can't believe someone actually does it. Any way I just wanted to say something about my character- Keith. Just in this chapter and maybe some chapters later there will be one of "his" songs and probably something else- actually they are Jesse McCartney's. Well, that's all I wanted to say, so here we go.
Chapter 4
When Troy woke up the next morning, first he couldn't understand where he was. Then it hit him- Albuquerque, school: it wasn't a dream, he really came here. School!!! Troy jumped off the bed. After Ms Darbus's speech he really didn't want to be late. But unfortunately his adrenaline rush from this realization quickly faded away and Troy fell back in bed.
"Morning" he groaned. He hated this time of the day. Of course, he was used to getting up early, but he never liked that. Toy really didn't understand those people who were all that smiling and shining; personally Troy didn't feel himself until he took a shower and had a cup of coffee.
Collecting all his strength Troy got from the bed and went to the bathroom to start his morning routine- he took a cold shower, brushed his teeth, combed his hair, made his bed and got dressed. While he was doing that he kept thinking about school wondering what new day would bring to him. Would he still be the center of everyone's attention? What would he tell guys about the team? He really liked the game. While he played everything was so easy, he didn't think about anything- there was just him, the ball, the basket, his team and his opponents and nothing else. It was like the whole world stopped. He enjoyed adrenaline running through his veins, and the sound of the ball making a basket. It just felt so right. But … but Charley made it clear that he didn't want Troy to play. And what was he to do- to go against his step dad or to do what he likes?
And what about Gabriella? Her image was firmly imprinted in his mind: her brown hair, her chocolate eyes and the bright smile of hers. And the fact that she looked at him, at HIM- a simple guy not Troy Bolton or the person who looked just like him. Of course, she didn't know him and he didn't know her, but he felt somehow that in some way she understood him, that there was something in common between them. And she was clever and sweet and damn, she was HOT (he was a guy after all). Toy certainly wanted to talk to her, to know her better, but should he really do it? Or it would be better to leave it as it is now?
Troy really didn't know what to do with all this problems; he never had to think about such things before. But it was what he wanted. Other teenagers have similar problems, may be not really similar, as they don't usually hide their identity and not all of them are famous actors that's for sure, but they deal with this stuff and he can do that too.
When Troy got everything prepared for school he went downstairs. He quickly ate some cereal and drank his coffee and only after that he felt he was a human. However his mood quickly worsened when he heard the horn of the car which meant Charley was waiting to get him to school. Not that Troy didn't want to go to school, some part of him even longed for it, but still … Staying in one and the same place for God knows how long, listening to the things that you probably will never need again- that certainly doesn't make your day.
In about ten minutes Troy was standing in the parking lot just like the previous day. But this time it was much easier: he already got the idea of what was waiting for him here, he had friends, he knew where and what classrooms were and to his relief discussion over him became less obvious. He was still discussed pretty much by everyone; there were different rumors why he had moved to Albuquerque, he was the main topic of many people's conversations, but they were talking about Alex James, not Troy Bolton. And so he was considered just a normal student, which was great.
As Troy made his way to the homeroom, now and then he would catch girls' looks, smiles and waving hands addressed to him. It wasn't really some new experience for him, but this time girls saw in him not a famous actor, but a simple guy, and it made all this stuff so much more pleasant.
When Troy entered the homeroom his eyes landed on Gabriella. She was sitting in the back of the class surrounded by her friends. She didn't notice him as she was too deep in the conversation and Troy was contemplating whether he should come to her, however, before he could take decision, the choice was made for him.
"Hey, dude!" Chad exclaimed noticing his new friend.
"Hey, Chad." Then the other two guys who were sitting with their backs to him turned and nodded their hello. "Zeke, Jason."
"So what have you decided about the team?" Chad really didn't like wasting time walking around the problem.
"I don't know, Chad, really. And besides my uncle is not thrilled by that idea."
"He doesn't want you to play? Why?"
"It's complicated." Explanation that he had a photo shooting in the nearest future and he couldn't risk having a black eye really wasn't an easy one without telling the truth about his real identity, which wasn't an option.
Chad was about to ask something else, but the bell rang and Ms Darbus entered the room. So Chad had no other choice but to get to his seat.
What Troy loved most of all in school is that you can do whatever you want on the lesson not paying attention to the teacher. Just pretend to be interested in that stuff and no one questions you. You can't normally do that with private teachers. Yeah, try doing so while you are one-on-one. You can't even look the other side without teacher noticing that. And that really sucked! But now when he was in school Troy decided to use all its pros to his advantage.
The whole lesson he kept looking sideways at Gabriella. Troy never felt that way about a girl. He never felt that way at all. He couldn't even understand his emotions to her. The only thing Troy was sure about- he really wanted to get to know Gabriella better. After all, does it really matter why? He just wanted that so badly. At that point he set his mind. Troy realized that Chad and other guys, as well as Gabriella's friends, wouldn't give them an opportunity to talk peacefully, so he made a plan. He wrote a note asking Gabriella to come to the roof during free period, and then Troy "accidentally" dropped his pencil on the floor. So he went to get it and while doing so he put his note on Gabriella's desk. He waited for her to read it, when she finished, she looked at him and nodded. Troy wanted to jump and dance from happiness, but he seriously doubted Ms Darbus would share his excitement if he did so in the middle of her lesson.
The rest of the class as well as the others were just horrible. There was no end to them. Have you ever noticed when you wait for something it seems as if time goes in slow motion? Troy was getting crazy because of this expectation. He didn't know what to do. And why no one invented some sort of machine that helps to move time or do whatever you want with it? It certainly can be helpful.
When the final lesson before free period- which was sports finally finished, Troy ran out of the gym. He was sure it was a new record- as he managed to take shower and to change within two minutes. He was about to leave the room when he was called by the sport teacher.
"Alex, can you come for a minute to my office, I need to talk to you."
Troy was really confused- he didn't do anything, so why would the teacher ask him to his office? He had a meeting and he didn't want to lose time. Unfortunately free period isn't THAT long. And the same problem- when you wait for something- time stops, and when you don't have much of it- time goes faster. That's law of life. And there is another law- when you really hurry somewhere, there always will be people willing to talk to you. That's Murphy luck!
"So Alex, I've been watching you today. You were pretty good. If you don't know I'm also the coach of the Wildcats. One of our players transferred to another school and we need a new playmaker. Chad told me about you. And I really was impressed by your game today."
Now Troy remembered that Chad was discussing something with the teacher before the lesson. So he must be talking about him. And then when coach called Troy, Chad had this grin on his face… He really would kill this guy one day.
"So, Alex James, I saw what you can, and I must say- you are very talented. Well, may be you will think about joining the team? What do you say on that?"
Troy actually didn't know what to say. He's been thinking it over and over the whole day, but still didn't come to a decision. But again it wasn't a simple one after all. He wanted to join the team, but playing for four weeks and then leaving it behind… That would be difficult, but cutting out this chance to have some fun, it's not much easier either. So what was his actual choice? To join the team and to feel sorry that you can't play again, or not to join the team and regret about it all his life. Great choice! Suffering now or later. Tough decision, don't you think? But Troy finally decided: screw everything, at least he would enjoy these four weeks. And to hell with what Charley says.
"May be, it's what I need too. So, I'll be happy to join the team."
"That's great, Alex. And one more thing- I need an agreement from your parents. It's not gonna be a problem?"
"No, coach, of course not." Faking Charley's signature wasn't a problem.
"Ok then. Well we have practices almost every day. I'm sure Chad will be happy to feel you in on everything."
"I'm sure of that. Thanks for taking me in the team."
When Troy headed to the door, something caught his attention. It was a photo on the wall- a photo of his father.
"That's coach Bolton." The teacher said having followed his gaze. "He was a great coach."
"Did… did you know him?" Troy's heart was racing and suddenly he found it difficult to speak.
"Unfortunately, no. I didn't have the honour. He worked before me. But he was a good friend with principal Matsui."
Troy stood silently for couple seconds trying to realize everything. He couldn't really understand why the principal haven't told him anything. And why he referred to Charley as his father when he knew he wasn't? Why the heck he didn't tell he knew Troy's father? And what should he do now? Finally he can have some answers, but it was so scary. When you want something really badly and then you finally get it, you always have this fear of disappointment.
When Troy left coach's office, he had to leave all these thoughts behind, as he was surrounded by the whole team. Everyone looked at him expectedly waiting for him to announce his choice.
"Alex, spill it already, have you joined the team?" Chad finally exclaimed.
"First of all, Chad, I'm gonna kill you." But that statement only made the guy grin. "And second- I've joined the team."
The last sentence left everyone cheering and screaming all that "welcome to wildcats". But then happened something that Troy didn't expect at all, as Chad screamed "What team?" almost in his ear, he was about to shout at the guy, but instead he was deafened by the rest of the team as they screamed the answer- "Wildcats".
"Chad, next time you want me to become deaf- warn me." Troy groaned, but then he remembered about Gabriella. "Shirt, I need to run, someone's waiting for me."
"Oh, someone?" Chad teased. "Does this someone have something to do with Gabriella Montez?"
Troy didn't answer anything, after all what he could say. Chad knew he was right, and even if he wasn't there was no chance to convince him in that. So Troy just left his new teammates and ran to the roof. When he came to the door, he slowed down calming his breath. Then he quietly opened it hoping Gabriella was still waiting for him. Luckily she was. At the moment she was standing with her back turned to him, some music played in her cell phone. Gabriella listened to the song without her headphones letting the music spread around the roof. Then she started singing along with it.
I see something in you
Something nobody sees
I see yellow and blue
Yeah, the sunshine and the sea
When I think of love I think of you
Yeah it's my favorite thing to do
You're my missing puzzle piece
Yeah you are, perfect for me
You walk into a room
All eyes are on you
Everyone wants to know your name
Baby you make 'em swoon
Yeah baby you're so smooth
You take every breath I breathe away
I just wanna tell you baby
How much I am feelin' you
You, you, you, you, you
Yeah, you got your own rules
I don't mind playing your way
Baby take me to school
And I'll listen to every word you say
Troy stood silently listening to Gabriella's singing. He was fascinated by her voice. And then following some unknown impulse he joined her.
I'm right where I wanna be
Next to you standing next to me
Oh baby why don't you take my hand
And we'll walk to the other side
Where all we see is that love is blind
I think by now you understand
Just wanna tell you baby
How much I am feelin'...
For couple seconds Gabriella became silent, as she wasn't expecting to have any audience. But when she turned around and saw it was Alex, she immediately relaxed. And they ended the song together.
You walk into a room
All eyes are on you
Everyone wants to know your name
Baby you make 'em swoon
Yeah baby you're so smooth
You take every breath I breathe away
I just wanna tell you baby
How much I am feelin' you
When they finished, Gabriella and Troy stood silently letting enjoying the intimacy of the moment.
"You have an amazing voice." Troy broke the silence making Gabriella flush.
"I can say the same about you, Alex. Actually I'm really surprised, I didn't know guys listen to such music and even know the words."
In fact it was Keith's song and Troy was in the studio while the song was recorded, but that certainly isn't an explanation for Gabriella how he learnt the song.
"Well, I just heard it on the radio and it was easy to remember the words." Troy hoped he sounded quiet convincingly, and as Gabriella didn't ask him any further, he figured he was. "So, have you thought about signing up for the audition?"
"For school musical? God, of course not!" Gabriella exclaimed.
"Why not?"
"First of all, I don't want to give Sharpay a heart attack, second- I can't stand people staring at me and finally- I don't sing."
"It seemed like you DID sing couple minutes ago, you know it's a crime to hide such a voice from people."
"Yeah? And what about you?" She made a step forward. "Are you going to sign up?"
Before answering Troy made another step to Gabriella, now they were only several inches apart. He looked in her eyes and leaned even closer.
"If you join me, then- yes. Will you sing with me?"
"Yes." She said barely audible as she was hypnotized by his charm.
For a second she forgot to breathe, they were so close. The moment seemed so magical, it couldn't be ruined by anything… may be just by the stupid bell that rang making them jump away from each other. Both growled in frustration. Then Troy took Gabriella's hand and they ran to the classroom together.
Hope you still like it, tell me what you think, please.
Oh, yeah, and by the way, if you want me to include something in the story or if you want me to pay more attention to something- please tell me.
