Chapter Nine - Dealing With the Past

Gabriella's Point of View

I left the shelter early. My stomach felt like it was ready to explode. Nicole drove me home and gave me Advil to try and get rid of my headache. Once I had gotten home I went straight to my room and into my bed. I shoved the Advil in my mouth and took a drink of the water, on my bedside table. I laid my head on my pillow and closed my eyes, hoping the sleep would catch up on me quickly.

...

I shot up from my bed and tried to calm myself down. I looked to my clock and saw I was only asleep for an hour. There was a loud shattering. I jumped again and felt my heart re-starting. I waited a moment, until I heard another smash. I stood up from my bed and went towards my mother room to look out the front window.

I pulled the curtain over enough to look outside. There was another smash. I looked out on the street and finally found a group of boys. Like my first week here, a short boy with brown hair, threw a beer bottle in the air. Another boy, who was much taller and had jet black hair, swung the baseball bat in his hands and smashed the bottle.

The sound was ear piercing. I watched as the brunette threw another bottle in the air, setting the other boy up for a hit. The glass scattered across the street, right in front of my drive way. The tall boy smashed another bottle. I could feel another head ache coming. I closed the curtain and went back to my room, closing the door.

I laid in my bed and prayed that it would pass on. I closed my eyes and tried to picture myself back in New York, but once again there was another loud smash outside my mothers window. I tightened my eyes closed and pulled a pillow over my head.

I was in New York, walking down the stairs to get the mail. I slipped the key into the mailbox and opened it. There was five envelopes sitting inside of it. I reached my hand in the pick them up. I flipped through them, seeing if there was anything for me. Surprisingly, there was. I closed the mailbox and turned my key.

I went to walk back into the building I tripped on the carpet, of course I would. I started gathering the mail when I saw the buildings front doors open. Then, there was another hand next to mine, helping me gather the mail.

"Need help?" A familiar voice said. I looked up and saw the boy who stole all the girls' hearts. Landon Mathews. I nodded slowly, getting to my feet. A hand went under my arm and helped pull me to my feet. The touch was cool, was almost like a late fall wind.

"Here, I think these are yours." Landon said, handing me two envelopes. I stared at him and took them.

Landon had dirty blond hair and light highlights. He was normally jumping around in a football, volleyball, or basketball uniform. In grade nine, he was the best junior on the team. He was always on top of the class with grades and was known by everyone in the school. Landon was going to go far if he continued to do good in academics and his sports.

All the girls watched him pass by them or they would flip their hair when walking passed him. Landon had a girlfriend, of course, she was the captain of the volleyball team. He also dated a cheerleader, but her grades went down and her parents made her break it off. Landon took the break up hard, he seemed to really care about her. Then he met Marissa.

Marissa was, without a doubt, pretty and smart. She was athletic and had the brains to make it in life, however, she was cheating on him. I remember one day while I was walking through the soccer field, I had seen her and boy from the water polo team on the bleachers, trading spit. I felt bad for Landon, but what did he expect? She was a girl who had the looks. I never found out if he knew about Marissa and .. the other dude.

"Hey, aren't you in my English class?" Landon asked me. I nodded.

"History and Math too." I said, looking to my feet. Landon nodded.

"Yeah," He said, a smile forming. "Your Gabriella Montez." I stared up at him, confused of how he actually knew me. I wasn't the girl who came to his football games and basketball games. I would be the girl who sat at home and studied for a pop quiz. "My sister was on the math team, you took them to States, didn't you?" He asked.

I had forgotten that Landon's sister was on that team. I wasn't really friends with anyone except one girl, but she ended up moving away towards the end of the year. The math team didn't seem to accept how smart I was. I didn't really pay much attention to it, I worked better on my own anyways.

"That's really cool." Landon said. "I didn't realize you lived in this building."

"Yeah, I do." I continued to stare at my feet. Not wanting to fall for Landon's hazel eyes. "I have to .. " I said, pointing to the door. Landon nodded and opened it for me.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said, smiling. I nodded and looked into his eyes, for the first time. The hazel had a pinch of green in them, which surprised me. His smile was like it came from a magazines. Shinny white crystals glowing in the sun. "It was nice meeting you .. formally." Landon said, I forced a smile and turned to leave.

My eyes fluttered opened. At first I was confused. I was just in New York with Landon, now I was in a room full of boxes. I squeezed my eyes closed and looked at my clock. It was almost six o'clock. I threw my head back onto my pillow.

I found it weird having that random dream of Landon. After our first encounter Landon and I became fairly close friends. We became partners in History and we would study together at the library. He did end up finding out about Marissa. Once, while we were studying together, we decided to study right after school in the field. Landon always said that being outside always helped him think. It was that day Marissa and Water Polo decided to have a make-out session in the grass, just as Landon and I were arriving.

Landon took it hard and after that we became more distant. His grades started to go down and he didn't go to his football games. He didn't do many sports that brought him back to that field and those memories. I wouldn't blame him, he truly cared for her and for half a year she went behind his back.

What a random dream to have.

Troy's Point of View

I had to walk home from the shelter. My mom was going to pick up my dad from the airport and Violet was at our neighbors until I picked her up. My dad coming home should have been like waiting to watch a movie you have been dying to see. For me, it was like going to your grandparents barn for the summer, something I wasn't looking forward to.

Violet seemed happy that he was coming home. She was still young though and didn't understand why me and him fight all the time. I tried to tell her once, but I figured it might disappoint her to know that her father only cares for himself and basketball. I wasn't going to be the one to set Violet up for disappointment, although her father shouldn't be that person either.

I rushed across the street to my neighbors' house. I tapped on the door softly. When there wasn't an answer I knocked again and waited. The door opened slowly and a strawberry blond appeared.

"Hey Dana." I greeted. Dana and I had been neighbours since we were kids, but we had total opposite personalities.

"Hi Troy." She smiled. She opened the door wider for me to come in. "Vi, your brother is here." Dana called. There was a thud on the top floor and Violet appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Troy!" She chimed. She ran down the stairs and jumped into my arms. "Is daddy home yet?" She asked. I shook my head.

"Not yet," I said. "We need to get home and get you into the bath." Violet nodded and slid out of my arms. She sat on a stair and started pulling her shoes on. I turned to Dana. "Thanks for watching her." I said. Dana smiled.

"Anytime, she is such a sweetheart." I nodded.

"She is." Violet jumped to her feet and hugged Dana.

"Thanks Dana." She smiled, waving. I smiled to Dana and grabbed Violet's hand.

"See you later." I waved. Dana smiled and closed the door. Violet jumped down the porch steps and turned back to me.

"Do you think daddy will be happy to see me?" She asked. I smiled and lifted her up into my arms.

"I'm sure he will be .. delighted to see you." I wasn't sure what else to say. I knew he wasn't going to be delighted to see me. Maybe Violet, but very doubtful. Violet laughed as I ran her across the street and up the steps.

I dug in my pocket for the house key. When I finally found it I put it in the lock and turned it. Violet raced into the house to take off her shoes. She ran into the kitchen and ran back out to me.

"How much longer until daddy's home?" She asked. I glanced at the clock in the living room.

"I'm not sure." I said, setting mine and Violet's shoes on the shoe rack. Violet nodded and started to climb the stairs.

"If I have a bath, will I be done when he gets home?" She asked. I followed behind and nodded.

"Yeah," I said. "Dad will be home by then." Violet nodded to herself and started climbing faster. She went straight into the bathroom and stood next to the tub. I kneeled down next to the tap and turned it on warm. I waited until the temperature was right then I got to my feet and turned to Violet. "You get ready to get into the tub and I'll go get your clothes, alright?" Violet nodded.

I turned out of the bathroom and turned into Violet's room. I went to her dresser to get her underwear and a night gown. I brought it back to the bathroom and saw Violet standing next to the tub, waiting for me to help her get in. I set her clothes on the counter and lifted her into the tub.

"Is that warm enough?" I asked her. She nodded. "Do you want your toys?" Violet's face lit up and she nodded. I went under the sink and grabbed the small basket of bath toys. I brought it back to Violet and waited a while longer until I turned off the tap. I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. I looked to Violet. "I just have to make a quick call, call me if you need anything." Violet nodded and dipped her plastic mermaid into the soap water.

I got to my feet and left the bathroom, leaving the door opened in case she needed me. I checked the message Nick had sent me.

If u need a wing man call me

I held my phone tightly in my hands. I glanced back to the bathroom and heard Violet splashing her toys. I re-read the message then dialed Nick's number. I kept looking back to the bathroom. It rang five times before a voice came on the other end.

"Hello?" Nick said on the other end. I listened for Violet. She was splashing.

"Hey, midnight tonight, meet you at Sylvia Park." I said. I hung up the phone and went back to the bathroom. Violet was was on her knees, leaning over the tub. The basket of toys were on the floor. Violet looked up at me, her face looked worried.

"They fell." She said, trying to reach them. I sighed and went to help her.

Gabriella's Point of View

My mom was tight in bed. Her bags were at the bottom of the stairs, still zipped up. It was almost ten o'clock now. I had tried to finish unpacking. I was close to being done, I only had three boxes left. I had made myself a small dinner, watched t.v, and read for about a half hour. I wasn't tired anymore and I didn't have a head ache.

I decided to go on my laptop. My mother had bought it for me and her to share, but her work gave her one when she joined the union. I had only used it for my projects and research, I wasn't one to be sitting on the computer for hours, unless I had a project or speech to write. I figured I should check my email. It had been almost a week since I had checked it and I was hoping that Landon maybe sent me one.

I typed in my email address and my password and saw I had three new mail. Two were to update my hotmail and the other was from LMatt-. I opened the message quickly. The last two times I had talked to Landon were just before exams and a week before I moved. Neither encounters were very long. The message was only a paragraph long. I closed my eyes and started to read what he wrote.

Hi Gab's. I know I have been a little distant from you since the Marissa thing. It has been really hard for me to keep up my grades and my sports while dealing with people. I could only imagine how angry you are with me, especially since I never said good-bye or good luck with your move. I was just very angry with myself and I had personal things I had to deal with. I didn't want to risk our friendship over it. Your the one girl I had ever met that could help me through my problems and actually listened to them. I just wanted to say that I am sorry for ignoring you and not being there for you. You will always be my girl. I should have told you how I felt, but I didn't want to jeopardize anything. I know this isn't much better, but I needed you to know. I went by your apartment the day you left, but I was too late. I'm sorry I couldn't be the guy you always told me about. I will keep trying Gab's, I promise.

Love, Landon

My heart almost shrunk. Landon was confessing his love to me? What the hell. He didn't talk to me for months at a time and now that I'm gone he tells me he will keep fighting for me? I had never felt anything towards Landon. Maybe, at the beginning of our friendship, but it was only a friendship and nothing more. I knew it couldn't be anything more and I figured Landon did too.

It didn't even matter anymore. I was on the other side of the state now and there was no changing that. He had ditched me as a partner and as a friend, I couldn't just forgive him like that. I moved the mouse and clicked the reply. I typed in 'Dear Landon,'.

Twenty minutes later I sat with my head in my hands. All I had down was 'Dear Landon,'. It was impossible to write what I wanted to say. I don't know if I'm over him. Well I am over him in that way, but he was my best friend. It's hard to let go of something you don't have anymore.

...

I gave up writing back to Landon. It was too stressful. The only way to relieve stress, to my mother, was sitting back watching movies and eating chocolate ice cream. Lucky for me, my mom always keeps a big tub in the freezer for whenever her work gets too stressful. So now I was sitting on the couch, wearing old sweats and my a tank top with my hair in a messy bun, watching A Walk to Remember, and a silver spoon hanging out of my mouth. The ice cream helped a little, but when I realized the main characters name was Landon, I couldn't help but want to scream.

The ending credits scrolled down the screen and I was more than happy to get up and turn it off. I had finished the ice cream, I was going to have to run by the corner store and get some more tomorrow.

It was just about midnight now. I still wasn't tired. I decided to take the empty tub out to the recycling. I slipped on my mom's slippers and unlocked the door. I stepped outside and heard a loud smash. I jumped and dropped the tub down the porch steps. I stood where I was, not even breathing. I heard a husky voice talking. It sounded like it was coming from the street.

When I heard another smash I slowly walked down the steps and picked up the empty tub. I walked towards the outside of the garage. I stood against the bricks and leaned over slightly. There were four guys standing in a circle. There were three tall ones and short one. The short one was holding the bat. I tried to listen to what they were saying, but I wasn't close enough.

I leaned forward more, but retreated when I heard a car coming up the streets. I ducked around the corner and went up the porch steps. I was just about to go into the house when I saw inside the car. There were two guys. They both looked familiar. The car passed my house and stopped. I went to the corner of the house again and searched for the group of guys.

The car was stopped in front of the group. The two boys jumped out of the car, both with hoods on their heads. One of the tall boys walked up to the others. I thought about going back into the house, what if it was some drug deal or something? I was just about to leave when the tall boy said Nick. At least I thought that's what I heard.

I poked my head back around the corner and listened to their conversation. I could only hear the group of four, they were yelling and laughing. The boys who had just arrived talked softly and made it harder to hear them.

"Would you prefer to die!" The tallest boy said, shoving one of the other boys. The other boy shoved the taller one while the other three boys pulled him off of the other. They started punching and shoving harder. Then one of the four boys dug into their pockets and held something sharp in front of them, a knife. The two boys stepped backwards.

I continued to stare as the four boys started walking closer them. I dropped the tub and ran into the house. I went into the living room and dialed 911. A girl came on the phone and asked me if I wanted the Police. I said yes and was handed over to another girl. They asked me what the problem was. I didn't want to give my name or any of my information. So I just gave them my street name and said there was a group of boys fighting, some with weapons.

I wasn't sure what else to say, so I hung up. I locked the door and went into my mom's room. I pulled the curtain over and saw the two boys still retreating to the car. I bounced and watched up and down the street. There wasn't any sign of a police car.

Only moments later there was a siren.

Troy's Point of View

"Let's go, man!" One of James' friends said, trying to pull him back. "James!" He called. James glared at me then put his knife away and ran down the street. I turned to look at Nick. He was looking at me. We nodded at the same time and ran to the car. Nick started the engine and backed the car in reverse. The sirens were getting closer.

"Nick!" I said, watching James and his friends still run down the street. "Nick, get driving!"

"A little trust, Troy!" He called back. Nick backed he car into an empty driveway. He cut the engine and undid his seat belt.

"What the hell are you doing, man!" Nick just glared at me and shrugged down in his seat. I could hear the sirens getting closer.

"Just get down in you seat." Nick said, squeezing himself between the wheel and seat. I looked both ways and ducked down.

I heard the sirens fly past us and down the street towards James. My heart was pounding. I know were going to get caught. This can't work. The cops will lose James and come back to the scene. I'll be busted, again, thanks to Nick. I put my hand to my mouth, tasting something weird on my lip. Sure enough, I was bleeding.

After almost ten minutes of silence Nick propped himself up in his seat. He looked both ways down the street. He hit my arm and sat straight up, pulling on his seat belt. He started the engine and looked both ways again. I put on my seat belt and did the same. If my heart was pounding earlier I was having a heart attack now.

It was a silent drive back to my place. Nick kept his eyes on the road while my eyes wandered everywhere, expecting the police to turn up the street and start chasing us. Nick arrived on my street and stopped at the end of it. I looked around to make sure no one was up late or watching through their windows. I turned to Nick.

"Thanks for backing me up tonight." I said. I held out my fist to Nick. He looked at it then bumped it.

"Anytime man, maybe not so close next time." Nick joked. I smiled, hopefully there wont be a next time.

I opened the car door and jumped out, throwing my hood back over my head. I looked around the street then shut the car door and ran to my house. I opened the gate to the backyard and went to the side of the house. I jumped on the air conditioner and jumped to the roof that was over the kitchen dinning room. I threw my leg over top and rolled up.

I stood to my feet and went over to my bedroom window. I took out my screen and slowly slid it opened. When it was opened enough for me to climb in I put my legs threw and landed with a quiet thud. I put my screen back in and closed my window. I took off my jeans and my hoodie, leaving me with only my boxers and a white shirt, then jumped onto my bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

...

"Troy." Someone said, shaking me awake. I rolled over, throwing the covers over my head. "Troy!" My mother said more urgent. I sighed and rolled back over, keeping the covers over me. My mom tugged on them and threw them off my bed. "You need to get ready, your going to be working alone today, Gabriella still isn't feeling well."

My mother left my room. I groaned and rolled off my bed onto my feet. I put back on the jeans I wore the other night and a blue t-shirt over my white long sleeve. I grabbed a pair of socks then started down the stairs. I could hear Violet and my dad talking. When I got to the bottom of the stairs I went into the kitchen, sitting away from my father.

Our conversation last night didn't exactly go as planned. He came in, Violet went running and we hugged awkwardly. After that I went to my room only to be pulled back down by him, asking me if I had been training for basketball. I told him I had and tried to leave, but he wanted me to go outside and train more with him. I told him I had to do a summer reading list and went back upstairs.

Of course he didn't let it go. He marched up the stairs after me and started telling me how scouts will be at the games this year and I have to be on my game and blah blah blah. We had a fight and he stormed out of my room. Good to have him back.

"Would you like some toast, Troy?" My mother asked, holding out a plate. I nodded taking two. I drank all of my water and went for the door.

"I'm going to walk today, bye." I called from the door. I left in a hurry. I was only going to be an hour early, no big.

Gabriella's Point of View

"Are you sure Gab's?" My mother said. "I can stay home if you'd like." I shook my head.

"No," I said. "You better get going though, I'll be fine." My mom nodded and kissed the top of my head.

"I love you sweetie." She called, closing the door behind her.

My mom was asked to go back into work and lead the union meeting, however, that meant leaving the whole day and tomorrow she would be gone half of the day. My mom had me when she was still in collage. She and my dad were young. Somehow, even with a baby, my mom got offered a job that would start her career.

She left me with my grandmother while she work through the day, but when my grandmother died she had to stay home and take care of me. Just a couple years ago she got an offer with the union, ever since she has been running the roads every weekend and we have been moving every summer. Albuquerque is just another stop along my mother's career.

I went to sit down on the couch. I hardly got any sleep last night, stupid boys. I was up all night, curious if they were caught and in custody. Thanks to that, I was nowhere close to going into the shelter and volunteering. I was so tired and I had been getting off and on head aches. I had a plan to take one day off volunteering, then I'd be good for the rest of the summer.

I turned on the t.v and prayed for something good to be on, but my luck nothing was on. I turned it off and went to my room to get a book. I had read all of them at least once and I was just re-reading them now.

After five minutes of trying to read I was bored and put it down. I thought about replying to Landon, but I still wasn't sure what to say. I settled to watching a movie. I took my cell phone from my bag and went down stairs. I took an Advil and went to the case of movies. I searched around but the only thing that caught my mind was the 'Titanic'. I smiled at my memories and put it in the DVD player. I went back to the couch and hit play.

Jack had just been framed for stealing 'The Heart of the Ocean' and was being taken away when my phone began to vibrate on the table. I check who it was from. My stomach had butterflies when I saw Troy's name appear. I opened the message and read it quickly.

hey im not busy right now want some company?

I thought about it for a second. We would be all alone in the house, watching the same movie we watched when I slept over at his house. I clicked reply and told him I'd love some.

...

It was the longest five minutes of my life, but when the doorbell finally rang I jumped to my feet and ran to the door. I unlocked it and opened it wide to see Troy. He stood in the doorway. He had both hands in his jean pockets with a plastic bag around his wrist. I opened the door wider for him to come in.

"Hey." I said, smiling. He stood straighter and eyed me.

"Hi." He said simply. I closed the door behind him and watched him remove his shoes.

"What's with the bag?" I asked him. Troy looked down at his wrist.

"Oh," He said, holding it out to me. "I thought you'd like some lunch, my mom said you still weren't feeling well." I took the bag from him.

"Thanks." I said. "I actually just didn't get much sleep, you'll never believe the night I had." I shook my head and walked into the living room. I heard Troy stumbling behind me. I sat on the couch, putting the bag on the table. Troy sat on the other side of the couch, propping one of his legs up.

"Mine was pretty crazy too." He said, scratching the back of his neck. I nodded.

"Yeah, there was a group of guys outside, smashing bottles .. again. Then I went to take out recycling and another car showed up." I started saying. Troy froze how he was. His face looked like he was wandering outer space. "Then more guys got out and there was a small fight, and one of the guys pulled out a knife." I said in disbelief. Troy's head snapped to me.

"You just stood there?" He said, getting angry. "You didn't run inside and lock the door? You just stood there and watched some phys-co pull out a knife to other people and not worry about getting yourself safe?" Troy's eyes were pure fire. I waited a second until he calmed down.

"Actually, I did go inside." I said, matter-of-fact. "I called the cops." Troy's head flew back onto the couch. What was going on with him today?

"At least one of us are smart." Troy said under his breath. It was so quiet I wasn't sure if he really said it.

Troy's Point of View

I had a feeling that someone was watching us, I just didn't suspect it to be Gabriella. What if she recognized me? Wait, she couldn't had, I had my hood up the whole time. Or most of the time anyways, how mych did she see? She saw us arriving and James pulling the knife at us. Did she see us parked? She said she was the one who called the police, did they go back to her place and ask her questions?

I am so sick of James taking over my life! Making me think every second over and over again until it drives me crazy! Then there's the part where he is always outside of Brie's house. Like it couldn't be at the school or even behind a store? It just had to be her house?

At least she never got hurt. I'll get James to start meeting me someplace else, he's never going to even know Gabriella exists if I can help it. If she ever got hurt because of me .. I don't know what I would do with myself. I could feel my fists beginning to clench. A warm hand went over top of them.

"Hey," Gabriella's calming voice said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you. I just ruined your perfect visit. Let's just kick back and eat this food already, why let it go to waste."

I tried to get my anger under control. I couldn't be flipping out at Gabriella or anyone else, except James. He brought this on and it was my job to get it off. Yet I had this beautiful brunette wanting to eat lunch with me and all I could think about was James? I wasn't going to let him spoil this for me. Gabriella was an amazing girl and I'd do anything to make her mine.

Even if that means fighting off James.

Gabriella took out the Styrofoam boxes and handed me one. She set hers on the table and disappeared for ten seconds, coming back with to cans of Pepsi. We sat back, eating our chicken nuggets, and watched Titanic together.

...

Okay, I was just overwhelmed by all the reviews and favorites I had gotten. So, I decided to make an extra long chapter for you guys. You are honestly some of the best readers ever! Your reviews are what keep me writing and all you love and support. I couldn't have done any of this without you guys, thanks a tons. Love you guys and stay tuned !

Also, did anyone watch Degrassi's season finale? I love Eli, so weird reason, and they almost killed him. I was just about in tears. I actually hit my mom and she got mad at me. Hahaaha , funny times. Anyways I saw a promo for next season, woah. That's all I'm going to say. Thanks again guys, I'll try having the next chapter up by the end of the week.