A/N: Here's chapter seven. I know these last chapters have come after a huge absence of updates. I've now mapped out the chapters that follow this one, and I shall be back on track with periodic updates around working on my other ongoing stories as well. Enjoy! R&R! Thanks! -Mac
Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or Spring Awakening and its related songs and characters.
Chapter Seven
"Had a sweetheart on his knees, so faithful and adoring. And he touched me, and I let him love me. So let that be my story..."
"Stop, stop," Darbus called out, waving her hands and stepping across the stage to where Gabriella was singing by the piano.
The drama club had been rehearsing for the last couple days and Gabriella was just getting used to the process. So far, they had mostly been learning the songs and the music cues. That was easy enough, or it would have been, if Darbus wasn't such a perfectionist. While Gabriella was on key and rarely pitchy, this was the third time she had been stopped mid-song that day. She took a deep breath and tried to ignore Troy's eyes on her from where he stood at stage right. Troy was waiting for his turn to work on one of his solos, and Gabriella sent up a silent prayer that she could be done for the day this time so she could move out of Troy's line of sight for a short time. Darbus came to stand directly in front of Gabriella, she had her clipboard and notes held against her chest, and she studied Gabriella closely. Although Gabriella wanted to ask what was wrong, she couldn't get the words out so she waited.
"Miss Montez," Darbus began, "While we are only rehearsing the songs, you must still embody the character through the lyrics. When you sing these songs, you are no longer Gabriella Montez; you are Wendla Bergmann. You need to make me feel what Wendla feels."
Gabriella nodded, "I understand."
"Do you, Miss Montez?" Darbus said. She looked down at Gabriella over her glasses. "This is your first time in a musical, is it not?"
"Yes," Gabriella said.
"You haven't had any experience with acting, correct?"
"Yes, that's correct," Gabriella answered. She tried to focus on the next questions Darbus asked, but her attention kept slipping to the feel of Troy's eyes on her and the quiet reactionary noises of the other gathered student actors.
"You're going to forget all that, Miss Montez. Effectively portraying emotions that are not necessarily your own can be difficult at times for even a well trained or seasoned actor," Darbus started to walk up and down the stage as she spoke. "As actors we must draw from experience; find a moment from our lives that brings tears to our eyes or a smile to our face, so our expressions feel genuine. When have you felt what Wendla feels here?"
"I...I haven't—"
"It doesn't have to be her exact emotion. A close approximation will serve well enough," Darbus said.
"I don't know," Gabriella said honestly after a moment of thought.
"Hmm," Darbus studied her closely again. "Have you ever been in love, Miss Montez?"
"No," Gabriella answered.
Darbus nodded, "Have you ever been in a serious, intimate relationship?"
Gabriella took a deep breath and, losing a battle with a blush, stammered out, "N-No."
There was a series of snickers from various people behind Gabriella and a chuckle she knew belonged to Chad. She fought the urge to turn around to see the reaction to the implications of her answer on the faces of those who had remained silent. She knew the reaction she wanted to see was Troy's and her desire to not give him exactly what he wanted was the only thing that kept her from looking. She was strong—she could resist and she would fight to—or so she kept telling herself. Each day that passed, Gabriella felt a little of her resolve slip away. She blamed his ability to flawlessly step into the introspective, emotive character of Melchior Gabor. It made her think there was a part of him that was like the character, or he wouldn't be able to play it so well, but it wasn't safe for her to think of him as anything other than the narcissistic, selfish player he was off the stage. All other considerations of the boy brought moments like this when she got so caught up in her thoughts everything else tuned out.
"Alright Miss Montez, that's enough for today," Darbus was saying. "Your task is to find something in your life that you can draw on to bring Wendla to life. Perhaps it is something you have yet to experience. Dig deep. Who's next? Yes, Mr. Bolton, come on forward."
Gabriella collected her script and lyric sheets from the top of the piano and turned to walk to the back of the sage. She passed by Troy and he moved to the front. He met her eyes for a moment, with his trademark smirk on his face. He probably expected her to duck her head and hide her face, but she kept her chin up and her gaze on his until he was past her. Gabriella took Troy's place beside Sharpay, Ryan and Chad, while Troy took hers by the piano.
"What are we working on, Mr. Bolton?" Darbus asked. "Shall we try 'Left Behind' today?"
Troy nodded, "But first, may I make a suggestion?"
"Of course, Mr. Bolton," Darbus smiled. "What do you have in mind?"
"I would like to help Gabriella with her problem. The chemistry between Melchior and Wendla is such an important facet of the show that I think it would be a benefit to everyone if she and I were to work together privately, perhaps on our own, separate from regular rehearsals."
"I believe that's a marvelous idea, Mr. Bolton," Darbus said. "That is if Miss Montez agrees."
Gabriella, still stunned by Troy's suggestion, stood silently as all eyes turned toward her. She didn't want to agree, because mandatory alone time with Troy Bolton was not on the top of her list of things that would keep her strong enough to resist him. Yet, she was being put in a corner by Troy's public request, because saying no would not reflect well on her. Her mind went back and forth, conflicted. Then, Sharpay nudged her with her elbow and Gabriella had to answer.
She locked her eyes on Troy's, hoping her directness would show she wasn't going to let him win despite what she said. "Of course. Anything for the show."
A slow smile appeared on Troy's lips, drawing her attention to his mouth. Gabriella's confidence wavered and the worry set in. It made her think that it was only a matter of time before all the walls and safe guards she put up came tumbling down.
OOO
When they were released from rehearsals for the day, Gabriella gathered her things and tried to slip out. She had been taking the bus to and from school, but since working on the musical kept her at school past the last bus, she had been walking home for the last couple days. Luck had been on her side on the previous days, and she had been able to get on her way without anyone stopping her. It was a pattern that wasn't meant to last for long. She made it to the sidewalk outside the building before Sharpay caught up with her—and she only made it that far because Sharpay was wearing heels.
"You're in for it now, " Sharpay said as she came up to Gabriella. "Troy has you right where he wants you. I give him ten minutes into the first private rehearsal before he makes a move."
"He won't make a move at a private rehearsal or anywhere for that matter," Gabriella responded.
"Now, I would commend you for being such an exemplary liar, but we both know you haven't quite shut off your proclivity for honesty," Sharpay said. "That can only mean you actually believe what you just said. I have to say, darling, enough it enough. You can only live in denial for so long, and I can't on good conscience allow you to another minute."
"Really? Because a few days ago it sounded like you were more than happy to help convince Troy that I wasn't interested," Gabriella said.
"You heard that?" Sharpay's smile wavered.
"I heard that," Gabriella nodded.
"Well, I underestimated you, Gabriella," Sharpay said. She put her hands up, "You caught me. Your best interest is not my top priority, but that should have been clear from day one. No one here is looking out for anyone but numero uno. I'm pretty sure I told you that, like, in those exact words; maybe not, but it was implied."
"I get it, Sharpay," Gabriella said. "I understand—"
"No, I don't think you do," Sharpay shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing as she did. "See, if you did, you would be doing what everyone else is. You need to learn how to look out for your own best interest, because, like I said, no one else is going to do that—especially not Troy Bolton."
"I'm trying to—"
"No, you're not," Sharpay cut her off again and Gabriella crossed her arms over her chest to wait and see what Sharpay had to say next. "If you were, you wouldn't be spouting off nonsense about Troy not trying to make a move on you, because that, Dear, is the one certainty you can look forward to during your time at East High."
"It's not nonsense," Gabriella said, and she spoke over Sharpay when the blonde tried to interrupt again. "It's not. It's guaranteed, from Troy's own mouth. He maintains that I'm going to initiate whatever happens between us, and I'm sure he has the necessary self control to keep him from proving himself wrong. And since I have no intention of ever initiating anything, I can say for a fact that Troy and I will never happen."
"Oh, Gabby," Sharpay tsked. "No girl ever has any intention to be a Troy Bolton one night stand, but that has never stopped it from happening."
"I'm not just any girl; I wish people would stop lumping me in with generalizations," Gabriella scowled.
"You obviously haven't been listening to a word I've said the entire time we've known each other. The only thing that sets you apart from all the other girls Troy has been with right now, is your refusal to see reason. Your fate has been sealed," Sharpay said. "If Troy says you'll make the first move, you will. I don't know how he'll persuade you to do it, but I'll be damned if he doesn't—not that I would need another reason to be damned, I've got enough notches on my bedpost to reserve myself a cozy little spot with all the other sinners in this place."
"Sharpay—"
"All there is left for you to do is to figure out how you can use this inevitability to your advantage," Sharpay continued. "I dispatched Ryan to stall Troy, but Troy will be out here in, like, five seconds. You have about that long to figure it out. So, I suggest you think real hard about what I've said."
Sharpay turned sharply and headed for the parking lot. Gabriella pressed her lips together as she held back the sound of frustration trying to bubble up. She made an attempt to count to ten, but Sharpay's timing had been on the dot and she only got halfway there before Troy stepped out of the building. He caught sight of Gabriella and sauntered over to her.
"I was hoping I would catch you before you left," Troy said.
"I'm leaving now," Gabriella started to shift her feet in the direction she meant to walk. "I'll see you tomorrow, Troy."
"Wait, wait," Troy reached out and put a halting hand on her arm. "Can I give you a ride?"
"No, thank you," Gabriella slid out of his grip. "I'd rather walk."
"Let me walk you then," Troy offered.
Gabriella sighed, "Can you just say whatever it is you want to say, so I can go home in peace?"
"Here I was, trying to be a gentleman—"
"We both know you're no such thing."
"True, but I'm generally praised for being an excellent actor."
"Well, your usual act isn't working very well on me," Gabriella said. "Cut to the chase."
"I wanted to discuss our private rehearsals," Troy replied. He held out a slip of paper to Gabriella and she took it without looking at it. "I figured we would start tomorrow evening. That's my address. You'll come over for dinner. Afterward, we will have complete privacy to work on the show."
"Tomorrow evening? A Friday? What if I have plans?" Gabriella raised an eyebrow as she put the address in her pocket.
Troy laughed lightly, "You don't have plans, Gabriella."
"How would you know?"
"I would know, believe me."
"Because nothing happens at East High without your explicit permission?" Gabriella mocked.
"Something like that." Troy smirked.
"I could have plans with my family," Gabriella said. "Maybe I'm supposed to have dinner with my mother."
"Are you?" Troy asked.
"Not that I know of," Gabriella answered. "I just don't like that you would assume—"
"So, you'll come?"
"I don't exactly have a choice. Darbus is just thrilled with your suggestion," Gabriella said. "I'll be there, but I want to go on record that I do so with great reluctance."
"I'll take it," Troy said. "I've enjoyed this. Now, I'm going to give you a lift home; I won't take no for an answer."
Troy started walking in the direction of the parking lot without another word. Gabriella considered running in the opposite direction, but that would just make her look foolish. If she couldn't handle a short car ride with Troy, there was no hope of making it through a secluded practice session at his house. Though she was not happy about it, Gabriella took a deep breath and followed Troy to his car.