Disclaimer: I do not own HSM or HSM characters, just the plot.
Chapter 6
It was Monday morning and he was actually thankful that it was time for school; he couldn't wait for the weekend to end. He didn't have to listen to his father drone on about basketball 24/7.
Of course basketball was something important in his life but he didn't want to base his life on it. He had other goals in life but he wouldn't tell that to anyone.
They would have probably laughed at his face if they knew that Troy Bolton- basketball god, thought that there was more to life than an orange ball and a hoop.
As Troy was leaving the student parking lot, he stopped when he heard loud music, looking over his shoulder he a saw a petite girl pulling up in a jeep.
'Gabriella…'
He still didn't get the chance to actually talk to her and he had a feeling that she was avoiding him for some reason. In the 4 months that she's been here, he still hadn't said anything to her since her first day when he accidentally bumped into her in the hall.
He only said a mere 'sorry' but he wanted to talk to her, more than anything, there was just something different about her. He didn't know if he liked her, he just really wanted to talk to her.
The problem was… he didn't know how.
He kept convincing himself that the only reason he wasn't able to talk to her yet was because of her friends and the clique she was in.
Sure, that was a good enough reason but he knew that it was more than that. He didn't want to admit it but maybe the real reason why he couldn't talk to her was because he was actually… shy?
'Nahh… it can't be…'
He would convince himself that it was impossible, I mean he was Troy Bolton but deep down inside he couldn't deny it.
Gabriella was now getting out of the jeep and Ryan was making his way over with a goofy smile on his face. Troy looked away when the two started laughing, it felt like he was spying on them or something and felt stupid for staring.
He couldn't help but feel a little jealous but he pushed his feelings aside and made his way towards the fountain in front of the school.
He could already see Chad, Jason and Zeke talking and joking around with the other jocks. It took him a while before he could reach his friends, people would stop him and talk to him, cheerleaders would try to get his attention and since Troy, being the nice guy that he is, decided to stop and chat for a while before meeting up with his friends.
Finally reaching his friends, he joined in on the conversation they were having.
"Hey guys."
He was immediately included, no one ever left Troy Bolton out. Listening to his friends, every once in a while his mind would drift off and would focus his attention on something else.
His eyes landed on Gabriella once again, he didn't know why he kept doing that.
She was now surrounded by her friends who were hugging her and rubbing her back.
'I hope she's okay…'
His attention was brought back to his friends, who were now laughing hysterically about something, Troy joined in pretending he knew what was going on. The bell rang and Troy and his friends made their way to homeroom class.
Just another day at school, but for some reason he had a feeling things were about to change.
Classes went by slowly for Troy; he thought the lunch bell would never ring. His friends decided to eat lunch outside today instead of the stuffy cafeteria but it looked like everyone else decided to so the same thing today.
Troy's friends were already outside the front of the school waiting for him, he saw Chad dribbling his basketball, and he managed to steal the ball from him as he approached his friends.
"Hey, what was that for?" said Chad, he tried to grab the ball back but Troy was too quick for him. This started the game, 'keep-the-basketball-away-from-Chad' who was annoyed by now.
"Come on guys, this isn't funny!" whined Chad
This caused Zeke, Jason and Troy to start laughing at how desperate Chad sounded.
"Pass it over here!" yelled Zeke while Jason threw the ball to him.
Some members from the basketball team noticed what they were doing and joined in, pissing off Chad even more. Troy knew that Chad wasn't really mad; he knew that Chad would get over it. The team played for a few more minutes but Troy eventually told them to stop, giving back the basketball to a grateful Chad.
Feeling like he was being watched, he looked around.
'Ha. That's an understatement.'
Of course he knew he was being watched, he was the most popular boy in school. He didn't know what or who he was looking for, he just had a feeling…
Looking ahead he saw Gabriella standing for a second but she started walked away.
'Maybe it was her?'
His eyes followed her until he noticed that she was making her way over to her friends.
'Nahhh… you wish it was.'
Even though she was in his homeroom and Phys. Ed. Class, he couldn't talk to her because of their friends and the fact that he was a bit nervous.
Troy shook his thoughts off Gabriella, he had to stop or at least try to stop…
"You guys wanna go now?" he asked Chad, Zeke and Jason
"Yeah." replied Zeke
"Okay." replied Jason
"Yes! Food!" said Chad
Troy chuckled at his friends' behaviour and led the way to the parking lot. The group of friends were not paying attention to what or who was in front of them until it was too late.
"Move out of the way, freak." said Jason
"No. You move." said Sharpay
'Shit… here we go again.'
Troy didn't know how it started but he found himself yelling as well and he had no idea why. He could feel Gabriella's eyes on him but for some reason he couldn't look at her.
Maybe it was because of everything he was thinking or feeling for her and he didn't know what to do about it.
Troy continued arguing but then noticed that someone else was yelling also.
"SHUT UP! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
Looking in the direction of the voice, he knew exactly who it was. It looked like Troy wasn't the only one who was shocked; everyone looked at Gabriella in shock and a little fear.
She never said anything when the groups were fighting, Troy knew and everyone else knew that she would always walk away but she didn't this time.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see Chad with his jaw hanging open. If this wasn't such a serious situation, Troy would probably laugh at how ridiculous Chad looked at the moment.
Turning to face her, Troy looked at her.
'Wow she's really mad.'
Looking at her face he noticed the annoyed look, she was clearly pissed off.
"Just shut up, all of you!"
He was still surprised at her outburst. This was the first time he heard her yell, yet alone say more than one word.
It was happening a little too fast leaving him speechless.
"Do you guys even know what you're fighting about?"
He just watched her while she continued to talk, she wasn't yelling anymore but she was still mad.
"Exactly. You guys are fighting over nothing! Do you know how stupid that is?!"
She made eye contact with each and every one of them, including him but for some reason Troy felt that Gabriella glared at him a little longer then the others.
'She still looks adorable though… even when she's mad.'
'In fact it's kinda… hot?'
Troy wanted to smack himself for sounding so ridiculous. Troy didn't know what to say and apparently he wasn't the only one, the others kept silent still in shock.
When no one said anything she scoffed and started to walk away, but not before turning around one more time.
"Oh, and by the way… I'm trying out for the cheerleading squad." she said confidently and loud enough for the rest of the students to hear, who were already surrounding the two groups.
'…'
'What?!'
'How…?'
'….huh?'
'Did she say what I think she said?'
'Wow…'
Gabriella paid no attention to the crowd and walked away, leaving everyone speechless. He had to admire her boldness, not a lot of people could do that without showing any fear.
Immediately the student body broke out into whispers all shocked at what Gabriella just announced.
"What just happened?" asked Sharpay, still in shock.
"I have no idea, but it looks like things are going to get a lot more crazier around here." said Taylor.
'That's for sure.'
Gabriella's day had been hectic so far and it was getting even worse as the day went by. Ever since her big announcement people were staring at her and talking about her. She could hear people whispering as she walked by, hoping that she wouldn't hear them but she did.
It was like the first day of school all over again.
Even though people were talking about her and probably judging her, she didn't regret telling everyone what she wanted to do.
Gabriella didn't plan to tell the whole student body, she just let it slip out in the heat of the argument, she was frustrated and who could blame her, this time she couldn't keep her mouth shut.
She didn't care that Troy and his friends heard her, if she had to do it again in front of Troy, Chad, Jason and Zeke she would have no problem.
She was fine at first but through out the day Gabriella was getting tired and weary of all the gossip. The whispers and stares didn't help and they were getting to her, she didn't know how much longer she could take it.
After her outburst she met up with her friends again to go to class but no one would talk about it and for that she was thankful, she still had to plan out what to do.
By the end of the day Gabriella just wanted to go home but it looked like she wouldn't be able to leave school without a little confrontation with someone or a group of 'someones'.
Gabriella was walking out of her last class of the day, which was music and waited for Ryan in the hall. Ryan saw the tired expression Gabriella had on her face and was worried about how well she was taking everything in.
"Your probably glad schools over." Ryan said, giving Gabriella a small smile.
"You have no idea." she replied, returning the small smile. She could see the sympathy in his eyes and it made her feel a little better.
"You know the celebration plans to go to the mall and then to dinner after?" she asked, taking her time trying to figure out how to tell him.
"Yeah, because of you staying here. What about them?" Ryan replied, wondering what Gabriella was getting to.
"I don't think I'm up for the mall and dinner, I just really want to go home and rest." she said, hoping Ryan and everyone else wouldn't be mad at her.
"Today's just been really tiring and I just want to get out of here. I hope you're not mad." she added
"Is it because of… today?" Ryan asked quietly, looking around making sure no one could hear him.
Gabriella meekly nodded her head, looking at the ground.
"Don't worry, I'm not mad. I understand why you just want to leave, I tell the others, I'm pretty sure they'll understand." Ryan replied. Gabriella looked up to him, giving him a small thankful smile.
"Thank you so much, tell the others that I'm really sorry. Maybe another time, just not today." she said.
Both said their goodbyes, leaving in the opposite directions to their lockers. Walking down the hallway, Gabriella looked straight ahead ignoring the whispering and comments behind her back.
She wouldn't let people see that this affected her, all she had to do was get to her locker, get her things and get the hell out of this school as soon as possible. Once she reached her locker, she quickly got her things and made her way to the closest door, but that required her to go through the main hallway.
Sighing, as she made her way through the crowded hallway but she was stopped by three blondes.
'Shit. Cheerleaders.'
"Hey, you." the tallest blonde called out.
Gabriella knew they were talking to her; she couldn't let them see she was afraid so she mustered up all the courage she had and looked the blonde in the eye. 'Okay, be calm. Don't let them see you're nervous.'
"Yes?" she said, politely.
"So you're the girl that's causing all this commotion." the blonde with the big boobs said, she looked over Gabriella with an unimpressed expression, trying to make the brunette girl uncomfortable.
"I don't know why everyone's getting worked over for, your nothing to get that excited over." she added
Gabriella didn't know what her problem was but she wasn't going to let her walk all over her. By know a crowd was surrounding the four girls, a few jocks behind the cheerleaders, smirking along with the girls.
"Excuse me?" Gabriella replied, shocking a few students including the cheerleaders and jocks.
"Did you not hear her?" the third short blonde, spoke up.
"Well, then let me repeat it." the blonde with the big boobs
"Listen carefully now." said the tall blonde, smirking
"What makes you think you can just come to our school and become 'somebody'. It might work from wherever the fuck you came from but it sure as hell won't work here." said the blonde with the big boobs stepping closer to Gabriella.
'What the hell is this bitch's problem?'
Gabriella didn't reply.
"Got nothing to say?" said the short blonde, eyeing Gabriella. Gabriella looked over to the short girl and looked her in the eye.
She didn't want to fight. Besides it was just a waste of energy and she didn't want to deal with right now. But before she could walk away, she said something that she knew she would later regret.
"Actually, I do. When can I try out?" asked Gabriella.
The crowed was pretty big now and people started spreading the word that Gabriella was standing up against the cheerleaders.
"Didn't you hear me? Who the hell do you think you are?" the blonde with big boobs said.
"You don't belong here. Why don't you just go back to your friends and run along. You don't know who you're messing with; you think you're great just because you're standing up to us? Well, be careful because we can make your life a living hell." said the tall blonde.
Gabriella didn't want to have to listen to them; she just wanted to go home. She could hear people laughing at her in the crowd, making rude comments about her, or pitying her and she didn't need that right now she had enough today.
She wanted just to cry but was trying her hardest not to, her confidence was slowly fading.She hated how she was just standing by herself while everyone was looking at her.
It made her self conscious and uncomfortable having all those judging eyes on her; she just wanted them to all go away.
She could have fought back, answered back but she couldn't, she didn't know what to say.
It felt like the laughing and comments were getting louder and the cheerleaders standing in front of her smirking just made things worse. She felt like she was suffocating.
Her eyes were slowly starting to water and she cursed herself when tears started to fall.
'Damn it, Damn it, Damn it, Damn it, Damn it, Damn it, Damn it…'
"Is she crying?" said the tall blonde loudly, enough for everyone to hear.
"Looks like she not so tough." said the short blonde.
"Like I said, your nothing." said the blonde with the big boobs, rudely and started laughing with her friends.
Gabriella tried to blink back her tears but for some reason she couldn't, looking at the crowd trying to look for a familiar face, her eyes landed on someone she really didn't want to see at the moment and he wasn't alone.
Looking on her right down the hallway she could see Troy Bolton with Kristen McCall; both were unaware of what was happening ahead. She could see them laughing and talking, which made her feel worse.
'Now is not the time to think about him.'
'I hate this; I need to get the fuck out of here, now.'
Gabriella looked around trying to find an exit but she couldn't, the only way out and to the door was to go through the crowd and she didn't know if she could do that.
Just when she thought there was no way out, the crowd started to make way but not for her, but for some one else. Making his way through, Gabriella saw Troy with Kristen right beside him.
He made eye contact with her, but her vision became blurry, she hated that he had to see her like this. She could feel his eyes on her but she couldn't see his face.
Now was her chance to get out, she pushed her way through Troy and Kristen and through the crowd ignoring the teasing coming from the cheerleaders and jocks.
Trying to ignore the pitying and rude comments coming from the crowd, she tried to look calm but she couldn't.
She tried not to look like she was running but her strides became longer and she broke out into a jog, another set of tears streaming down her face.
When she made her way past the crowd and there was no one around she stopped running and walked the rest of the way to the student parking lot.
'God, I'm such an idiot.'
'I looked like some pathetic loser.'
'I should have kept my mouth shut.'
'And I cried, I fucking cried. Worse, in front of everyone.'
"Hey! Wait up!"
Gabriella stopped walking when she heard someone calling her, breaking her from her thoughts. She assumed the voice was calling her because there was no one else around. Turning around, she was a little shocked to find Troy Bolton in front of her.
"Yeah?" she asked, quickly wiping her eyes looking up to him. Troy took another step towards Gabriella but when he didn't say anything for a second it made Gabriella a little nervous. Gabriella looked away, wondering what he was doing here. When he spoke up she brought her attention back to him.
"Uhm…are you-, ermm I mean…" he started, looking down at Gabriella a little flustered, not finishing what he meant to say.
If Gabriella wasn't imagining things it would look like he was little nervous and he was.
"Yes?" she asked again, a little amused at his weird behaviour.
"Uhmm, what I wanted to say is… are you-…you okay?" he finished lamely.
Gabriella could feel a small smile, tugging but she wouldn't let him see it. She thought that it was nice of him to ask but was wondering why he was talking to her now, it was so random.
"I could be better. You know, being publicly humiliated and all…" she replied, trying to make a light joke so he wouldn't see how shitty she felt. She looked up to him giving him a small smirk and a playful eye roll.
Troy amused, smiled at how adorable she looked.
"Well, don't let them get to you. They might seem like jerks but not all of them are like that." he said.
"I'll keep that in mind." she replied, for some reason he managed to make her feel a little better.
There was an awkward silence but Gabriella decided to break it.
"I guess I should get going." she said
"Yeah… I guess you should." he replied
"Bye."
Just as she turned away, he asked her another question.
"Are you actually going to try out for the cheerleading squad?" he asked
Gabriella turned back around, and gave him a small grin.
"You never know." she answered, turning back around and making her way to the direction of her jeep, leaving him guessing. Once she reached her jeep, she thought about what Troy said to her.
'Don't let them get to you…'
'Don't let them get to you…'
'Don't let them get to you…'
As she sat in her seat, she was starting to believe those words. She didn't know how or why but Troy's words managed to give her the confidence to go through with her plan.
'Screw them, I'm trying out and that's final.'