May 1, 2010

I sighed walking over to the intercom and buzzed…Nikki in.

Why is she here? Troy isn't home. I thought as I moved to the fr0ont door to allow her in. Taylor is going to be here soon so I hope this is quick. I opened the door and glared at her as she stood there with her perfect self in sunglasses.

"Gabi-Ella," She said before brushing past me, did anyone invite this girl in? I thought before sighing and closing the door following her into the living room.

"What do you want?" I asked harshly crossing my arms over my chest. She looked at me in surprise as she took her glasses off and tossed her hair. Show off.

"My, my Gabi-Ella, awfully grumpy aren't we?" I rolled my eyes.

"Troy isn't here."

"Oh I know he isn't." She said before sitting down on a couch and smiling up at me.

"Then why are you here?" I asked looking at her still confused.

"Sit," She said gesturing to the couch I was on before she came working on stuff for finals. I sighed and sat down feeling self conscious I left my arms around myself.

"You do seem different." She said softly.

"What?" I asked glaring at her.

"I mean Troy said you looked different…but…you're not even here," She said looking at me like I was on display in a museum.

"Your point?" I snapped making her glare at me.

"Look I'm here to help."

"I don't see how you could do that." Well its true how could she help me when she's the last person I want to see?

"Listen you need to know something. I mean I know Taylor is helping you with that…thing but I think me coming clean may help. Sure I'm only doing this because the world's sexiest man barged into my house cussing me out about how…look Troy never cheated on you. He wouldn't do that…he loves you too much." She said straining to say the last part.

"He told you?" I asked looking alarmed, he just has to go and run his damn mouth about everything. Maybe if he was paying more attention to me last year this could have been stopped earlier. I thought bitterly.

"Well yea, if I would have know that was why you were such a defenseless little baby I wouldn't have lied to you. I mean what's the fun messing with a girl who can't really control how she's feeling. I mean when you were pregnant you were feisty I kind of wondered why you were so quick to believe everything I said. Anyways, me and Troy haven't done anything, honest. I wish all those times we met it was because he wanted to see me, but of course it was for you." She grumbled deciding that she said enough and standing up heading for the door. I jumped up and walked over to the door as she opened it.

"Why was he seeing you for me?" I ask with curiosity. She sighed turning back to me striking a pose.

"I was helping him find a setting. That's all I'm going to say since looking at you now I can tell he hasn't given it to you yet. I don't blame him either, you're a mess right now." She said with a laugh putting her big black sunglasses back on and heading for her convertible.

"Yea? Well he loves me, and he's still coming back to me even though I'm a mess!" I shouted after her, but that comeback was weak. She looked up at me with a smirk.

"Nice to see you're getting back to your old self. Oh and please tell Troysie I came by so he'll talk to me again, I miss him dearly."

I chuckled slightly watching her get in her car, like he wants you. I thought standing in the doorway of my house wearing sweats and my waist length hair in a loose ponytail. She pulled out towards the gate which opened automatically and she waved backwards towards me. I rolled my eyes giving a little wave.

"Come back never!!!" I yelled after her before laughing and closing and locking the door behind me just as Summer started to cry.

I walked towards the stairs before sprinting up and into her room. She was standing in her crib looking at me with big blue eyes and a pout on her lips causing me to pout also as I walked towards her.

"What's wrong pretty girl? Did you hear the bad lady downstairs? I asked teasingly and saw her tears coming to a stop as she smiled. I smiled and picked her up placing her on my hip.

"Goodness Summer you're getting so big soon you'll be walking," I gushed as we walked around the room.

"Gabriella I'm here!!!!" I looked towards the door when I heard Taylor call up.

"Ready to go see Taylor?"

"Hi," Summer said in her high pitched ways. I really hope she won't be a squealer like Shar.

I walked out of the room with Summer on my hip and her favorite bear in hand heading for the family room. I know Summer is talking, my baby is talking. Well not full sentences or very distinct words but she's talking! She can say hi, and daddy. Daddy was her first word but when she says it, it sounds like dad he. It's the most adorable thing I've ever heard in my life. Though I could just be saying that because she's mine but I still think it's the most adorable thing ever.

"Oh look at her!" Taylor gushed reaching for Summer who went to her happily. Taylor has been here a lot ever since I was diagnosed. I think she just wants to be sure I don't go into it again but I'm fine. I mean it's been 3 months I still take my meds and I go see the counselor every week. I'm fine.

"Has she walked yet? Taylor asked sitting down on the floor to play patty cake with Summer.

"No I mean she'll walk when she walks." I said sitting down next to her crossing my legs Indian style.

"That's true, but Corbin was walking at 10 months, Ashley was walking at 12 and Kelsey was walking at 11." Taylor pointed out as her and Summer clapped hands making Summer laugh and lean back a little but I put my hand on her back to make sure she didn't fall back.

"So maybe she'll walk at 13 months," I said with a smile teasing Taylor slightly. See Taylor didn't train in child care while in med school so when she was preggers with Corbin she read every book the doctor recommended and followed all of the timelines. It's just luck that Corbin fit in them.

"She'll be late then!" Taylor said looking worried at what I just said.

"Tay, chill I was only teasing; she'll walk when she has somewhere to go." Taylor rolled her eyes smiling though knowing I was right.

"You know, I'm glad you're okay now." She put her hands down as Summer crawled over to her bear and was fascinated with him now. I looked at Taylor and knew this was going to be a moment. She is on her period at the moment so I won't stop her this time. "I knew something was up with you but I… I was so busy with the hospital so many people needed to work I didn't have time to socialize or anything. That isn't an excuse I'm not using it but I'm your best friend and I didn't notice you were…really not yourself. I – I felt horrible Gabriella I just how am I a doctor and I couldn't see the signs?" She had tears in her eyes now which just caused some to come to mine.

"Don't feel bad…Troy didn't notice either…well eventually but that's because Ryan called him saying he hadn't talked to me in a while. I owe him." I said wiping my eyes.

"Yes, thank god for Ryan, if Troy hadn't gotten here I …I would never forgive myself." She said a sob escaping her lips as she covered her face with her hands. I closed my eyes as the memories flooded back and wrapped my arms around Taylor holding her.

Flashback – No One's POV – February 22, 2010

"GABRIELLA!!!?!!" Troy yelled running in the house concerned as to where his girlfriend was.

No one had heard from her in weeks and everyone was worried. Even he had to admit that even though he lived in the same home as her she stayed locked away in her room only coming out when their child cried or to go to classes.

He hopped up the stairs and rushed to their child's room only to see her sleeping sucking on her thumb slightly, oblivious that her father was home when he was supposed to be in Memphis. Troy smiled a little before cursing under his breath and moving toward their bedroom even though he doesn't sleep there.

Grabbing the knob her twisted it before it stopped signaling she had locked the door. He called her name a few times before banging on the door. Sighing he placed his ear to the door and listened hearing the faint sound of the shower going in the background. He released his breath figuring she was fine and Ryan was overreaction. He turned to head back towards the stairs so he could get a flight back to Memphis when there was a pang in his heart. Instantly he knew something wasn't right.

Turning back for the bedroom using shoulder he pushed the door and it popped open easily. He walked over to the bathroom and turned the knob slowly and poked his head in hopping not to invade to much privacy as he did so. Looking around he saw the shower going and once again decided to leave but then he caught a glimpse of the mirror. It was clear. There was another pang in his chest around his heart, he frowned walking back into the bathroom and walking over to their shower and saw no one inside. Instantly he was alarmed and was going to search the room again when he saw her.

She was on the floor of the shower curled in a ball shivering and looking white as a ghost. Throwing the door to the shower open in a panic, Troy quickly turned off the water cursing under his breath all the while and bent down and touched his girlfriend but pulled back a little at how cold she was. He pulled her into his arms kneeling next to her and felt tears in his eyes. She's the only one he's ever cried so much for. Kissing her head once or twice her reached up and turned the water on hot and held her as the hot water stung her skin. He didn't even think twice about his clothes all that mattered was her. He didn't want to know how it happened he just wanted to be sure he got there in time.

After 20 minutes of being under the still hot water Gabriella started opening her eyes.

"Tr-Troy wh-what happened? Wh-why am I naked?" She asked softly looking up at him with big brown eyes as cooling water landed on her slightly red skin. Troy just smiled and kissed her not caring if she wanted it or not.

End Flashback

Pulling away from each other Taylor smiled at me and I smiled back. God I am so thankful for Troy. I had been nothing but an ass to him ever since our fight all those months ago. I yelled at him for every little thing he did how he held Summer, when he took out the trash, when he paid the bills. Anything just to see him in pain but it killed me. I still haven't told him I love him though. This is like starting over for us we're best friends again and I'm trying to get back into routine but it's hard. It's not going to happen over night and he knows that. He tells me he loves me every night, and he calls everyday. He's too good to me.

"Well I didn't come over here to cry if that's what you're thinking. I actually wanted to know if maybe you could watch Corbin next month?" I frowned slightly looking at her.

"Next month? What's going on next month?" I asked smiling as a light blush cam on her brown skin.

"Well, me and Chad are going on a well deserved vacation together. We never really have time for each other during season with our schedules. So we were just talking in bed-" she stopped and looked at me as I raised my eyebrow at her, she laughed blushing harder saying this was after sex. "-we were talking in bed and he just said let's go somewhere. I didn't know where he wanted to go but he said an island let's get away and just be together, leave Corbin with his parents."

"You two are so horrible! But I love it! We'll be happy to watch him next month I mean who wouldn't want to spend their first summer as a 7 year old away from parents?" Taylor rolled her eyes before standing up.

"I really have to get to the school though, they have a book fair and I've been tagged to help out. I really hate these mothers who help out all they want to do is talk about how rich their husbands are," Taylor gabbed her bag and rolled her eyes at me heading for the door me following looking back at Summer.

"Well now you can tell them your husband is taking you away for a month," I said with a smile.

"Oh honey I know, I just wanted you to know first." I smiled shaking my head at her as she pulled me into a hug before leaving.

"Dad-he!!" Summer yelled from the family room making me smile.

"Yes daddy, " I said walking into the room to see one of Troy's endorsement commercials on.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey," I looked towards the doorway of the family room to see Troy standing there looking…gorgeous.

"hi," I replied softly before looking down at my advance biology book gearing up for exams. He dragged his feet as he came over to the couch and flopped down next to me and sighed before looking at me with that lopsided grin.

"Whatcha doing?" he asked looking at me with a sparkle in his eyes. I looked down hiding my blush sneaking a peak at him in his sweatshirt and ripped jeans and bare feet.

"Advanced bio," I said looking at him from under my bangs smirking at how he looking interested.

"Want some help?" he asked with this cute little smile.

"Uh no thanks I have it." I giggled as he sighed and grabbed the book from me along with my notes making me sit up looking at him.

"How hard can this be? I passed biology in 9th grade." He said looking at me before looking at the book as I crossed my arms over my chest with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh really? If I remember correctly you begged me to help you with that class and you barely pass."

"Come on I had a C+" he gave me a wink before looking back at the book a frown coming over his flawless face. God I'm dying over here.

"Uh…" he started biting his lip as he frowned more obviously thinking. Gosh I wish he'd kiss me already. "Yea you see, this just doesn't make any sense…you're like writing a new language. I'm a basketball player I don't need bio." He handed my stuff back to me before rubbing his temples.

"Too much thinking?" I teased.

"Nah I'm smart I just wanted you to think I wasn't,"

"Oh really?" I asked and he nodded "and why is that Bolton?"

"Oh I just wanted a reason to spend time with you," he winked at me before standing up and stretching allowing me to take in his toned chest and blush without him seeing.

"Did you take your pills?" he asked becoming serious. This instantly made my mood darken making me glare at him thinking of how Nikki came here earlier. He needs to be spoken too.

"You don't need to check on me like I'm some baby. Summer is the one at 10 going on 11 months."

"Yea well you are acting childish about this so I have to ask. Just say yes or no," he sighed looking at me with a tired face suddenly.

"Yea I took them-"

"Great,"

"Why'd you tell her?!" I asked as he walked away.

"Tell who what?"

"Tell Nikki of all people what happened?"

"I didn't tell her what happened!" he said frowning at me moving back in the room.

"Oh come on Troy! She came over here telling me you didn't cheat on me!!!" I yelled standing up though it didn't make a difference Troy has a foot on me.

"So!?!? Isn't that what you wanted?!?! She was telling you what I have been telling you for weeks!!"

"Oh yea but she was forced."

"Listen I know that you and Nikki can't stand each other so I don't think that she would be coming over here if I wasn't here to see you,"

"I guess you're right- hey!!" I yelled thinking about what he just said.

"Well Gabriella I didn't do anything doesn't this prove it?"

"Hell no Troy!!! This doesn't prove shit! All this proves is that…she…she KNOWS Troy!!!" I yelled feeling tears come to my eyes, "Why'd you have to tell her?" I asked softly.

"Well I was pissed with her okay. She told me what she was telling you and everything. She didn't know you have post partum okay none of us did. I mean we all knew you were acting weird but her doing that just made it worst. I figured she should say sorry or something…"

"Troy I don't want the fucking world to know I was fucking depressed after having my child!!!! Why don't you go to People and do an interview about it?!?!!!"

"It's a common thing Gabriella, you're getting better, you're on antidepressants-"

"I don't want to be on anything Troy, I want to be normal but everything is so damn stressful with you! Couldn't you realize that something was wrong? If you love me so much you should be able to-"

"Hey!!! Never question if I love you or not! I do, I always will, I had things going on in my life too Gabriella!"

"Oh really Troy!?! Like what? What could possibly go wrong in Troy fucking Bolton's world?!?!" I asked moving my arms around for emphasis. He stared at me with wide gray eyes and opened his mouth to speak but didn't.

"Listen a whole lot of shit has been going on, but you come first." I felt my face soften slightly at his words but this also made me curious. People are so scared to tell me things no a days like I'm going to start going down ward again. "I – I can't handle this I'm going to shoot hoops." He said before quickly moving from the room.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." I groaned closing my eyes.

I wouldn't want to be around me either. Something about this whole thing has me snapping at people but mainly Troy. When my mother came down after hearing my 'suicide attempt' she was watching everything I did. I cussed her out and made her cry; I'm nothing but moody and unpredictable. I hate it but I'm better than I was being depressed…I didn't say anything then. I sighed grabbing my books deciding to move upstairs and try and clear my mind.

When I reached the top step I checked on Summer before heading into our room. It's funny how this is our room but I tell Troy to leave every time we make progress of getting him in here. I want him here but I don't at the same time. I don't know if I should believe him or Nikki. What if he really did cheat on me? But then again what if he didn't? I don't think it's in Troy's character to cheat he's too loyal. I groaned laying on the bed closing my eyes listening to the sound of the ball being dribbled on the court outside.

I love him, really it may not seem like it from the display before but I really do. But I'm scared to be myself around him anymore I don't want to be hurt again. Really though thinking back, I knew I was depressed. I really knew when my 21st birthday came. Everyone wanted to take me out but I refused claiming to be sick but really all I did was lay in bed all day, staring at the clock. I wanted the day to be over as fast as it started, I knew I was depressed but I didn't have the energy to do anything about it.

I wiped a tear from my face opening my eyes as I heard…rain. I blinked a few times and looked at the clock, it'd been 30 minutes. Don't you hate it when you close your eyes and kind of daydream for what seems like seconds but it's really longer? I sat up running a hand through my hair and walked over to the balcony leaning against the door watching Troy as he played in the rain. He shouldn't be in the rain he's going to get a cold and after that whole swine flu thing I don't need to risk a sick basketball player. But I bit my lip knowing he wouldn't hear me over the rain anyways.

When I looked back up I caught him looking over here but he looked away quickly. Couldn't you realize that something was wrong? If you love me so much you should be able to. Gosh why'd I say that? I'm so stupid that's so cruel. Troy did know something was wrong, that's why he didn't let me leave but he didn't fix things either. Who cares what Nikki knows? I'm ten times better than her, I don't need to sink to her level . I sighed looking at Troy who was drenched with rain before closing the door making sure to lock it and closing the drapes.

I looked at the door to the bedroom. All I have to do is go out there and say sorry, but damn it I have a right to be pissed…right? I groaned crawling on the bed and grabbing Troy's pillow. The sad thing is I still spay this thing twice a month so it still smells like him. I want him here instead, I need him here but I just I can't I need time also I can't just jump back 3 months after almost freezing myself to death and be in a full swing relationship. I grabbed my phone and saw 3 missed calls all from Troy and 1 text.

I'm sorry. I l.o.v.e. you. Nvr doubt that.

I smiled a little knowing he means well and that he only wants me happy. But I need to figure some things out myself. I need to fix things with Cari and I most definitely need to fix things with Sharpay and I have some people to call too. Bristol, Troy's cousin, called the other day asking how things were and that we should catch up. She's going to be in L.A. in July with Bella so that should be fun. Brian called also asking if I wanted to go to a movie or something, I'll have to see but I hope I can go. I sighed again looking at the door. I shook my head pulling back the covers and getting under I pulled out my phone and replied to his text.

Hav sum hot cocoa. U need 2 warm up aftr plyin n the rain! Dn't think ur out of this cmpletely.

Placing my phone on the charger I turned off the lamp looking at the door, then the balcony. Is he still out there? Come on Troy just come through the door. I need you, even if I have too much pride to say so.


Grrr...did it suck? I liked it but that doesn't mean you will. Strange thing is these two chapters have opened my mind. Really I am thinking about this story clearly and have ideas to the max. I know the fights are a little...eh but who cares things are getting better people smile. lol.

Tell me what you think really. Be honest, it's fine if you hated both chapters.
I also discovered my favorite story by me is What Am I Going To Do With You it's adorable. Check it.

xoxo Zoe