Summary: Is it possible to have it all or does something get lost along the way? Can Troy live his dream and still keep his girl?
Disclaimer: High School Musical and all of its characters belong to Disney. I just have them on secondment.
A/N: Thanks to everyone that has linked my story as a favourite or alert. More reviews would be nice so I know how you all feel.
Thanks for your sympathy Troy. I thought you were my best buddy? Careful dude, payback can be a bitch and if I was to tell you what I know. No I don't think I will….
Have fun. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Chad
Payback is a…
Troy woke Simon up at 6 o'clock, reminding him they were eating in an hour. Simon muttered but dragged himself into the bathroom. Troy surfed the net while he was waiting for his roommate to get ready.
"C'mon man, I'm starving," shouted Troy trying to hurry Simon up. He checked his emails. Five new ones had come in.
"Yeah right Mom. I haven't even seen a burger, worst luck."
"Gabi what are you on about?" He muttered to himself. "Why can't you just fess up?"
"Cross has finally flipped. He's obviously been hit by a basketball today." Troy surmised as he read through his garbled message.
"Zeke! What the hell kind of mail is that? Oh come on man, you didn't even sign off."
"Chad you jerk! Spill the beans. Have they all been on Red Bull all day or taking lessons off Sharpay? Talk about melodramatic!" Troy shrugged, closing his laptop when he heard Simon come back into the room. He'd reply to them and find out what they were on about after dinner. If it were an early night, he'd have the time.
"Ready to roll, Bolton?" Simon queried with a raised eyebrow.
The team gathered in the bar area for a pre-dinner drink, talking about the anticipated practice tomorrow. Apart from the adults, all the others were drinking coke or fruit juice.
"Mr Bolton! I hope that is non-alcoholic?"
Troy choked on the mouthful he had just taken, some dribbling down his chin.
"Shit! No it couldn't be, could it?" He thought, as he slowly turned around, his mouth agape with shock.
There standing before him was Ms Darbus resplendent in a magenta silk flowing blouse, a black skirt and her customary long floating multicoloured scarf, thrown casually around her neck.
"Wha…what are you doing here?" Stuttered Troy. He couldn't stop himself from blushing madly, whether from embarrassment or frustration, he wasn't sure. Ms Darbus smiled.
"I've stepped in as your one on one tutor," she answered, "seems the appointed tutor had a family crisis and had to drop out at the last moment and Principal Matsui needed a replacement quickly. Our new teacher, Miss Buscombe offered to cover my classes in my absence so here I am." Ms Darbus explained.
"No way!" Thought Troy. "Those sneaky swine's knew it too. That's what those garbled emails were about."
"Oh right," he replied aloud with a fake smile. He shoved his drink into Simon's hand and went to the men's room. Once safely inside and after checking he was alone, he let out a blood-curdling scream and banged his hand against the condom dispenser in frustration.
"Why me Lord, why me?" Troy cried to himself. "I knew this was too good to be true."
The dispenser spewed out its contents like a flipped deck of cards and tilted on the wall, half hanging off.
"Now what the hell do I do with all these?" Muttered Troy and then started laughing hysterically.
"What more could go wrong?" Troy thought as he started picking up the condoms and stuffing them in the pockets of his jacket.
Dinner was a nightmare for Troy. The food was good but he felt hampered with the presence of Darbus. She chatted incessantly with the coach, Bill Taylor and Jack Stokes, the assistant coach. She even fluttered her eyelashes and flapped her hands when she spoke to Sam Connor, the physio, occasionally touching his sleeve to emphasise a point.
"Was she flirting? No she couldn't be, could she? Ugh! That's GROSS." Troy thought, disgustedly. Troy couldn't wait to get out of there but ready as he was for a speedy exit he was stopped in his tracks.
"Troy we will start catch up lessons tomorrow. I understand you have practice from 8am until 1pm? Allowing an hour for lunch, I will see you at 2pm sharp for our first tutorial. However, I prepared a work sheet for you to complete tonight to get you started." Ms Darbus instructed handing him a printout.
"We have been given one of the meeting rooms to use." She added pointing to a door through the lounge area.
"Don't be late." She ordered turning towards the lift.
Troy glanced around with a haunted expression on his face. He knew he couldn't get in a lift with her. He'd had enough already so he sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He darted into his room and flopped down on his bed.
"Oh man, beam me up Scotty!" he cried pulling his blanket over his head. Could this get any worse?
To: gabsalot
From: wildcat14
Subject: Help!!!
Hey Honey,
Thanks for the heads up, I don't think. How could you not warn me that Darbus was coming? You should have seen her last night. She was fluttering her eyelashes at the coach and physio. I mean it. It was embarrassing I tell you. Ok so laugh at my downfall why don't you? YUCK! And she gave me work to do last night!
This morning was a bit better. At least she wasn't down for breakfast. Yum! Waffles were delish. Man it was hard work at practice. Coach ran us ragged. This is going to be pure torture.
I know I only had her in homeroom but she is a slave driver in the classroom. She never let up until 6pm. Dinner tonight was no better. She was really laying the charm down to Sam Connor, the physio, and he was lapping it up too. Man! How worse can it get?
Next time you see me, I'll be a wreck.
Love you loads
Troy x
To: Jason8, Zekeliciouscookies
From: wildcat14
Subject: Dead Meat
Well thanks buddies,
You are so dead when I get my hands on you. Thanks for the garbled warnings. I thought you were my friends. Zeke, Sharpay will be the least of your worries when I see you again believe me.
I was going to tell you about Cal State Uni but I don't think I'll bother now. We're playing the Golden Eagles tomorrow so wish me luck. Not sure if I'll get to play. Coach hasn't filed the final team selection yet.
Your once friend,
Troy
To: basketcase
From: wildcat14
Subject: Dumbass!
Chad you are such a jerk! I thought you were watching my back? Where's the Wildcat spirit 'We're all in this together.' Remember that mate? You better be looking after Gabi better than you're looking after me. I was going to tell you about today's practice but I don't think I will now. No I'm not going to, no matter how much you beg me. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. It's our first game against the Golden Eagles.
You have to see Darbus in action to believe it man. It's totally gross!!!
I can't tell you 'cos I've just had dinner and I don't want to honk it all back.
Anyway, I have a few things you may be interested in when I get home. They were going to be free but I'm thinking of charging now.
Troy
Troy closed his laptop and flopped onto the bed. Simon was snoring already.
"God he was no fun." Thought Troy as he switched on the TV. Luckily, there was re-run of a Lakers game on. He wished Gabriella were here. He missed her so much. He just wanted to cuddle up with her and kiss her velvety lips. He fell asleep thinking about her.
"Yay! That was fantastic, Redhawks. Troy you played really well, sorry I had to take you off before the end but you'll maybe get a full game next time round." Said Coach Taylor, praising a flushed Troy. Troy beamed his kilowatt smile.
"Thanks Coach. That was a fantastic game. It was an honour to be a part of the Golden Eagles downfall." Said an ecstatic Troy, still high after his earlier slam-dunk.
"Well played Troy." Said each of the Redhawks, slapping him on the back as they passed on their way to the locker room. Troy followed them into the locker room, to grab a shower and get changed before going out to eat at Paty's, a restaurant the coach had chosen for a celebratory dinner. At least he was Darbus free for tonight, thank god.
To: gabsalot
From: wildcat14
Subject: Excited
Hi sweetheart,
Just ask me how I did today. It was sweet. I played in the game and managed to get a slam-dunk. It was awesome. The guys were happy with my performance and I got praise off the coach. He even took the team out for a meal at a restaurant called Paty's. The food was fabulous. Oh my god! I sound just like Sharpay. You don't think it's catching do you?
I'd love to take you there sometime. You'd love it.
Thank god I've had a Darbus free day. Yippee!
I really wish you were here with me. I miss you so much.
Love
Troy x
To: wildcat14
From: gabsalot
Subject: Re: Excited
Hey Wildcat,
I'm so happy for you Troy. You're my superstar so of course you played well and wowed them with your skills. I wish you were here wowing me with your skills!!
I'd love for you to take me there. It sounds awesome and it's where Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale hang out. Did you see them by any chance?
Not as much as I miss you Troy,
Love
Gabi x
To: basketcase
From: wildcat14
Subject: Slam-dunk
Yeah! Guess who whipped the Golden Eagles today. Man it was special. I managed to play for most of the match but I'm so knackered now. Coach said I might get a full game next time.
No I'm not still mad although Darbus is driving me nuts. Trust me, I swear she is the wicked witch of the west. Fortunately, I've had a Darbus free day today, which is a bonus. Back to the grind tomorrow with Darbus though, we don't play again until Saturday against the Bruins.
No way! After your dirty tricks, I'm not telling you anything and no I haven't seen any girls yet. Sheesh! Do you want me to forward your email to Taylor?
Troy
To: gabsalot
From: wildcat14
Subject: Re: Excited
Gabi.
Should I know this Vanessa and Ashley that you talk about? How would I know what they look like?
Thank you. I'm glad I'm your superstar and Wow! Thinking sexy thoughts, are we Ms Montez? Now you have me thinking of them too. What I wouldn't do to you if you were here with me. I'd sneak you up to my bedroom and have you in my bed so fast and then I'd smother you in kisses from top to toe, then I'd nibble your special places and then. Oh my god! I need a shower now.
I don't know whether I can last the distance without seeing you babe
Kisses and hugs
Troy x
Gabriella smiled tearfully when she received his email.
"I wish I was there too, Troy because you haven't a clue what I'd like to do to you"
Did you guess right? I have a lot more planned for Darbus and Troy will get a few jolts. That's for sure. Ha! Ha!
