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.
"I wish I was there too, Troy because you haven't a clue what I'd like to do to you"
Pizza and Skateboards
Gabriella awoke to the sun shining through her curtains. She groaned and went to turn over, pulling the duvet over her head. Unfortunately, her mother called her at that moment to get up and ready for school. She slipped from under the covers and into the bathroom. Feeling refreshed after her morning shower, she flicked through her closet looking for something to wear.
"Why bother Gabi. He won't be there to see what you wear." She muttered to herself. Only day 6 and it felt like a lifetime already. How was she going to survive the drought, she missed his beaming smile, his twinkling blue eyes and his goofy antics.
"Okay, so they weren't on a par with Chad. I mean come on! Nobody was as goofy as Chad." She thought but he still had his own special talents that he only showed to her. Her eyes lost their sparkle of a few moments ago, remembering that it would be sometime yet before they were reunited. She just wasn't sure if she wouldn't have shrivelled up and died before he returned. She dressed in the first thing she found not caring how she looked. She brushed her brunette stresses until they shone before pulling them back into a manageable ponytail. She flung her bag over her shoulder and made her way downstairs for her morning waffle. Ten minutes later a horn hooted outside reminding Gabriella of her ride. She quickly pecked her mom on the cheek and ran out the door.
"Morning Gabs. How are we this fine morning?" shouted Chad from the drivers' window, a big grin plastered on his face.
"Hi Chad. Okay I guess." Gabriella shrugged before sliding into the back seat of his car. Chad glanced across to Taylor, worry showing in his eyes. Taylor shrugged before turning sideways to talk to Gabriella.
"Hey girlfriend. Are you feeling alright?" Taylor asked, concern in her voice.
"Yeah. I'm fine Tay, just missing Troy like crazy." Gabriella said looking solemn.
"I know Gabs but just think it's only 5 weeks until you're together again." Taylor replied, throwing a positive spin on the situation. "You're still up for a trip to Pizza Heaven tonight?" She questioned, concerned that Gabriella would pull out of tonight's planned outing.
"I guess," shrugged Gabriella, not really looking forward to it but she didn't want to let her friends down and she had promised Troy that she wouldn't hide away.
"Troy was full of that game he had yesterday." Chad said, changing the subject slightly. He chuckled. "I'd love to have seen his face when Darbus showed up." He added gleefully. Gabriella and Taylor giggled, both imagining his face. They both agreed they'd love to have seen it too. The atmosphere lightened considerably after that and they arrived at school in high spirits.
"He gave me hell over it in his last email." Chad said worriedly then he started laughing again. "Darbus even gave him work to do the first night. Can you believe that? Oh boy it's not all roses for him. He'll just have to suck it up." The girls nodded and started laughing with him. They walked down the corridor towards their lockers, chatting as they went.
"Hey Gabriella. All set for tonight?" Sharpay asked as soon as they met at the lockers. Gabriella smiled and nodded. Sharpay squealed in her excitement. It was infectious as the others started smiling even planning what toppings they were going to have. The boys tried to outdo each other with an even more disgusting topping than the last.
"Yuck! Cross you are disgusting! Hot chilli beef, gherkin, anchovies and chocolate." Chad shouted as they walked into the homeroom. Jason smirked at him. Chad glared at Jason.
"Man! I'm going to order that for you and make you eat it while we sit and watch." Chad threatened. The gang giggled when they saw the horror on Jason's face. Miss Buscombe entered the classroom as the bell rang and everyone scurried into their given seat allocations, still giggling at the thought.
Chad and Taylor were picking her up in half an hour and Gabriella still hadn't decided what to wear, dress or jeans, casual or dressy? She called Taylor to ask what she was wearing.
"It's always best to check with the others then I won't look out of place." Gabriella thought worriedly. Finishing her conversation she pulled her best black canvas jeans off the rack and matched them with a red heart-shaped top with three quarter sleeves, slipping on her flat black pumps, she checked her Kate Spade purse for lip-gloss and cell phone. Nodding in satisfaction, she snatched up her long black cardigan and headed out the door. She bade her mother goodbye and left the house, skipping down the pathway to Chad's car that was idling on the kerb.
Pizza Heaven was located in the centre plaza of Albuquerque, surrounded by other restaurants and a variety of shops. A large circular fountain stood in the middle with trees dotted here and there offering shade in the hottest parts of the day for the benches strategically placed around the plaza. A number of elder citizens sat watching the world go by whilst talking to their neighbours and friends. Once the sun went down, the street lamps came on illuminating the plaza in a warm glow; small lamps at the base of the fountain threw the statue into silhouette.
Being a Friday, the plaza was humming with life. Small children played on the small climbing frame in the corner while their mothers sat talking to each other on the benches or stood watching their offspring play. After leaving the restaurant, the friends all linked as they walked through the plaza, laughing and joking together. Sharpay was giggling loudly at something Zeke had whispered in her ear. Chad put his arm around Taylor and squeezed her gently, leaning in to give her a sweet kiss. Gabriella sighed.
"Why couldn't Troy be here, holding me, kissing me, touching me? I miss him so much. It's like a knife in my heart." She thought longingly, wishing her man was here with her.
A group of young boys were skateboarding on the west walkway and Jason being the dork he was, ran over and asked to borrow one. Ryan ran over and asked if he could use one too. The boys glanced at each other, shrugged their shoulders and nodded. Jason weaved his way around the plaza, flipping the board when he reached the back of Chad, clipping the back of Chad's leg.
"Hey Cross! Watch where you're going." Shouted a startled Chad. Taylor giggled. Chad glared at her before turning round to Jason waving his arms.
"Right smarty pants, I'll show you how it's really done." Declared a furious Chad, knocking Jason off the board. Chad jumped on and set off at a furious pace, weaving in and out of the pedestrians who were casually strolling around the square. He flipped the board onto a low wall, ran it along the wall before setting it back down on the walkway. Gabriella and Taylor cheered. Kelsi clapped and Zeke gave him a wolf whistle in appreciation. He stopped and bowed to his appreciative audience. Ryan had by that time returned to the gang with his borrowed board. Jason, not to be outdone, jumped on his and set off after Chad. Doing kick flips and heel flips as he manoeuvred between the human obstacles. Chad realising there was a chase on picked up speed, rounding the flowerbeds and the fountain. Jason wasn't so lucky. He tried to do an Ollie on the edge of the fountain. The skateboard caught in a loose paving stone and came to a juddering halt. Jason bailed, flying though the air and landing in the fountain. They all burst out laughing when a bedraggled Jason appeared over the rim of the fountain, water cascading down his hair before he stood up, sopping wet.
"Oh man. Just stay there while I get my phone out. I've just got to get a picture of this. You look like the Little Mermaid" Guffawed Chad hysterically who was holding his sides, trying to help his breathing. Gabriella ran over to Jason.
"Are you okay Jason?" She asked concerned about him. Jason winced when he tried to move his hand. Taylor walked over and felt his wrist.
"Can you move your hand? Wave it about if you can." She ordered. Jason moved it back and forwards but winced each time. "I think it's badly sprained." Diagnosed Taylor, using her first aid experience. "It's not broken or you wouldn't be able to move it." She declared. "Come on, Chad can take you to hospital to get it checked out. You'll need it bandaged to support it." Chad looked concerned and guilty that he'd laughed so much before.
"Sorry Jase but man that was so funny. I wish I had a video camera running, we could have sent it to that funny moments show and got some cash for it." Chad stated, trying to cheer Jason up. Jason just glared at him.
"You're just Mister Sensitive aren't you Danforth?" He snarled. Chad looked chastened. Jason suddenly started laughing, seeing the funny side. "It would have been so much better if it had been you." Chad glared back at him and then started laughing too.
To: wildcat14
From: gabsalot
Subject: Jason
Hey Troy,
How is my hunky basketball guy? I hope everything is ok with you. We went to Pizza Heaven tonight and it is still my favourite place for a pizza. Can't wait for you to take me. It felt really strange going there without you. I felt that a piece of me was missing. I found it a bit awkward afterwards when they all coupled up to walk through the plaza though. I needed you so badly. It was so romantic with the sun setting and the lights glowing in the dusk and I just wanted you there with me.
Chad and Jason got into a contest with a couple of skateboards. Poor Jason ended head first in the fountain. Taylor, Chad and I took him to the hospital. He's got a badly sprained wrist, so the nurse packed it in ice to reduce the swelling and then put a bandage on to support the injury. She said he couldn't play basketball for ten days. I guess your dad won't be happy with that.
Good luck for your game tomorrow. I hope you get picked to play.
I love you
Gabi x
To: wildcat14
From: basketcase
Subject: Dunked #att
Hey dude.
You missed a good night tonight. Pizza was awesome. That is the best place to go for pizza hmm. Jason got a bit competitive with a skateboard and ended up head first in the fountain. Man you should have seen it. I wish I'd been filming it. We could have sent it to that funny home video show they show on TV. Anyway, just so you don't miss out entirely I've attached a pic of Jason afterwards. Haha!
The only thing is Coach Bolton is going to be furious, as he can't play BB for 10 days as he's sprained his wrist.
The Gabster is fine so don't worry. I think she had a good time tonight. Good luck for the game tomorrow.
Later Troy
Chad x
To: gabsalot
From: wildcat14
Subject: Re: Jason
Darling Gabi,
I miss you too. You don't know how much. Today has been study, study, study. Darbus has been cracking the whip like mad. My head hurts with all the algebra equations I've had to do. You know I hate algebra.
I'm glad you had a good night and I wish I had been there. You know I love their pizzas. I wish I'd seen Jason in that fountain Ha! Ha! Of course I'd have done that Ollie no problem and leapt the fountain easy.
Not sure if I'm playing tomorrow yet. Coach likes to make selection at the last minute.
I love and miss you
Troy x
To: basketcase
From: wildcat14
Subject: Re: Dunked
Hey Chad,
Loved that picture of Jason. Thanks man. I sure miss you guys. I'm having a blast here but it's not the same. I miss you guys a lot.
Is he okay? Dad will be pissed over that, being one man down already. You'll have to bring on a reserve. Chase was looking good before I left. How's he shaping up now?
Not sure if I'm playing yet. Will keep you posted.
Time out
Troy
Gabriella sighed as she read his email. It was getting harder not easier. Tonight was a prime example. She felt really odd tonight, hanging out with the gang but without Troy. She laughed when she read his comment.
"Sure you would Bolton! Broken your neck in the process more likely." She thought. Only 35 days left to go from tomorrow. She glanced at the clock, and quickly amended that to today.
I'm not entirely happy with this chapter but it's just a filler to move the time frame along.
