A Problem Shared
Summary: During a new year at East High, the gang are terrorised by a violent bully. They decide to take things into their own hands with disastrous consequences. An experience that will change them all. Forever. Packed with Troyella and Chaylor. See TRAILER for details. xx
Disclaimer: If you know it, I don't own it. Boo hoo.
9.
Tuesday. The beginning of the end. Unbeknown to anyone, this was the day that would change everything. But, for a day that ended with such drama, it started just as dull and depressing as any other. Maybe even more so.
It was one of those rare days in Albuquerque that the sky was grey and cloudy. Everything seemed darker and the almost black rain clouds looked as if they would burst any second. The bleak atmosphere was reflected tenfold in the moods of most of Albuquerque's inhabitants, including almost every student and teacher at East High. Even, bright and bubbly Sharpay Evans seemed to be lacking her usual dazzle as she walked; not strutted, into school.
Troy and Gabriella met up before school to relish in their moments of peace and bliss before having to put up with another days inevitable abuse. They both predicted that the day ahead would be a tough one; Frank would want revenge for being snitched on and Troy no longer had his best friend for support. Not to mention the fact that Taylor would probably still be upset by Chad's behaviour the day before, as they all were.
Troy still couldn't believe that his best friend since pre-school had acted so absurdly. He had never imagined Chad could be capable of such bitterness; he knew his friend sometimes had trouble controlling his temper but he had never lost it that bad before.
"What are we gonna do about Chad?" Gabriella asked as if knowing what Troy was thinking. They were walking together to school, dawdling to prolong their arrival.
Unable to hide the hint of sourness in his voice, Troy replied; "What about him?" He didn't think he could ever forgive Chad for disrespecting his girlfriend.
"He's your best friend, Troy." As much as Gabriella resented the way Chad had spoken to her, she knew he didn't really mean it. She understood that he was just as scared as the rest of them and shouting was his way of dealing with it. She didn't want Troy to throw away his and Chad's life-long relationship over her. "At least talk to him." She said when she got no reply for Troy. "Give him a chance to explain…."
"No way." Troy said without hesitation.
" Troy…"
"No, Gabriella. No way." He repeated. "I don't want to listen to anything he has to say. There's nothing he could do or say to redeem himself or change my opinion of him." Troy paused and then muttered; "He's so stubborn anyway; he probably won't even want to explain himself."
"Oh, come on Troy…" Gabriella encouraged. They could see the school now and would arrive in a matter of seconds. She wanted to finish this conversation while they could but Troy had made up his mind.
"No means no." Troy said, sounding like a toddler having a tantrum. "I am not talking to Chad Danforth."
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"I'm not talking to you." Taylor told Chad, contradicting herself. Chad looked devastated.
Since arriving at school and seeing no sign of Gabriella or Troy, Taylor had been working hard to avoid Chad. Unfortunately for her, he was a man on a mission and had set out to find her and make amends after a long night of thinking. Unfortunately for him, Taylor was having none of it.
"You don't have to talk," Chad explained softly. "Just listen."
Taylor shook her head furiously, determined not to let him butter her up. "No," She said noticing him bite his lip nervously. "No talking. No listening. Leave me alone."
"Come on baby-."
"Don't call me that!" Taylor snapped angrily, attracting unwanted attention from other students in the hallway. She noticed this and lowered her voice so it was almost a whisper. "You have… no right!"
She looked as if she was about to cry. Her eyes were brimming with tears and she was clearly struggling to keep her voice steady.
"Sorry…" Chad apologised sadly; the single word not saying nearly enough. There was a lump in his throat and he wasn't sure if he might be close to tears too. It was killing him to see how much pain he was causing Taylor.
Taylor's line of sight drifted to Chad's faintly bruised eyelid; slightly swollen from Troy's punch the day before. Even in all her anger, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. All she wanted was for him to take her in his arms and hold her close to him. But that couldn't happen. She wouldn't let it.
"Just, stay away from me." She said looking up to hold her tears back.
Chad nodded. He understood that she wanted to be left alone. He knew Taylor could be stubborn at times and thought it best to do what she asked. "I'll talk to you later though, right?" He said unsurely.
"No Chad!" Taylor hissed impatiently as if talking to a child. Chad was making this so hard. She wasn't sure if she could handle any more of his constant bothering. She took a deep breath and stared him right in the eyes to get her point across solidly. "Yesterday," She began. "You showed me a side of you that was… disgusting- to say the least. I- I couldn't believe that those words were coming out of your mouth, that you; my boyfriend, could act so cruel and bitter." She admitted. Her voice cracked and she coughed to regain her stronger tone. "But you did." She stated miserably. "So no, Chad, to answer your question; we will not talk later." Her bottom lip quivered but her voice stayed sure and powerful. "We will not talk… ever."
Chad felt his heart physically stop and his breath hitched in his throat. Left speechless, he could do nothing but watch helplessly as Taylor walked away from him, not turning back even once.
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The day only got worse from then on. Even with no sign of Frank, not one of the four teenagers could shake the feelings of uncertainty and fear that niggled at their brains.
Halfway through an unbelievably boring history lesson, a note landed on Gabriella's desk. Before opening it, she looked around cautiously to see where it came from. Her eyes met with Chad's who sat at the back of the class and nodded to signal that the note was from him and encourage her to open it. Reluctantly, Gabriella peered down and unfolded the paper in her lap.
The things I said yesterday were unforgivable and I understand if you want to tear this note up and throw it away but read it first. Please.
I get it if you hate me. I know I've been a complete ass, not just yesterday but this whole time. I was horrible yesterday and said a lot that I shouldn't have. I can't begin to say how sorry I am.
We need to talk properly. All of us. Meet at lunch?
C
Gabriella finished reading and thought for a moment about what the message said. Chad had really hurt her with his words the day before but it was obvious he was sorry and regretted his actions and she agreed with the fact that they needed to talk. She was far from forgiving him, and even further from ever calling him a friend again, but she was pleased that he had the decency to make an effort to set things right. She could feel Chad's anxious gaze on her and turned her head to face him again. She nodded to let him know that they would meet up at lunch and talk things through. A faint smile appeared on Chad's face and there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
When Gabriella turned back around to face the front of the class, she was shocked to find her view blocked by the sturdy form of Mr. Rosentharpe, who stood right in front of her with his hands on his hips. She looked up at his face which stared sternly back down at her.
"Passing notes are we Miss Montez?" He asked in his usual nasal monotone voice. The entire class were watching; each of them equally as stunned as Gabriella that she, the star pupil, had done wrong. Before she could deny it, Rosentharpe spoke again. "Well, seeing as you so much like to pass things around, I'd like you to do me a favour." His thick, black, untamed eyebrows wiggled as he spoke and Gabriella found she could not avert her attention from the clusters of hair that were trying to emerge from inside the man's nose and ears. Thankfully, he turned away and walked to the front of the class, leaving Gabriella free of the horrific sight of his face up close.
He beckoned Gabriella to the front with him and the class watched as she did a walk of shame to his desk.
"I'd like you to deliver this to Room 304." He said pushing a dusty box of old books towards her.
Gabriella gave him a look that said; 'Are you serious?' but he ignored it and got back to ranting about whatever it was that he was ranting about. Gabriella scowled at his back, grabbed the box's handles and stormed off like a child having a silent tantrum.
Walking the silent hallways with a box of books that weighed a ton, Gabriella couldn't help but feel exposed and a little unsafe. There was no-one about but something in her mind told her that, even though he hadn't been in any lessons or registration, Frank was around. It was never good news when you didn't know where he was. At least when you did you could go somewhere else to avoid him. But knowing he was in the school somewhere and not knowing where was more frightening than you could imagine.
She arrived at room 304 and heaved a heavy sigh. Her arms ached and she flung the box down on the nearest desk so hard that the dust that the ancient books had been collecting for what seemed like centuries flew up in her face.
Coughing and spluttering, she wiped at her face, her eyes were stinging and watering as she blinked vigorously and her nose tickled as if she was about to sneeze. What a nightmare.
She thought of the injustice; the fact that Chad had been the one passing notes; not her, and yet here she was getting covered in dust in a dark, empty classroom.
And then she realised. She was in a dark, empty classroom. Just the kind of place that Frank was known to wait in hiding, like a tiger in long grass stalking its prey. She backed out of the room, not wanting to turn her back to the darkness.
Once out in the light and spacious hallway, Gabriella allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief before making her way back to the classroom. While on her way, she passed the Girls Bathroom and decided to wash her still stinging eyes with water.
The bathroom door creaked as she entered. It was a small room, but bright. The forever damp floor, walls and ceiling were all covered in the same shiny white tiles. There were only five cubicles and three sinks. It was empty and the only sound was a distant dripping and the whir of the spinning ceiling fan.
Gabriella turned on the cold tap, whose water came out lukewarm. While she let the water run and cool down, she examined herself in the mirror. Her nose and eyes were red and her cheeks damp from where her eyes had been watering.
She bent over the sink and washed the cold water that she cupped in both hands over her face. It was refreshingly satisfying and Gabriella found herself immensely relieved. She did it once more and then stood upright.
She froze. Didn't even breathe. Her eyes were wide with fear, her mouth agape. In the reflection in front of her, which had once shown herself standing alone she now saw herself standing in the same place, same position. But now; she wasn't alone.
Behind her, with a wicked smile on his face, stood Frank who waved at her slowly in the reflection.
Gabriella tried to run but had no chance. She only managed to get a couple of feet away when Frank reached our and snatched her arm effortlessly. He pulled her by the upper arm towards him with great ease, despite her writhing and struggling in his grip. She made to scream but his reflexes were sharp and his free hand was clamped over her mouth in an instant.
"Shh." He whispered, taking great pleasure in watching her terror-filled eyes dart frantically around the room. She moaned against his hand and continued to try and wriggle free of his hold.
Then, fear turned to anger. She began to lash out, her feet kicking and free hand going for his face.
Frank still remained unfazed. He violently shoved Gabriella against the nearest tile wall, momentarily stunning her and allowing him to remove his grasp on her am and replace his hand on her neck.
If it were possible, Gabriella's eyes would have grown even wider. She had never felt such fear for her life.
Still smiling, Frank put pressure on her throat causing her to gasp. He removed his hand from her mouth, knowing that she could no longer scream with him crushing her windpipe.
"I… I can't," she tried to say, her voice coming in a raspy whimper "C-can't… breathe" She managed finally.
"You went to Matsui." He ignored her pleas.
""I'm... s-sorry!" She forced out. Her lips were starting to tingle and she was becoming increasingly light-headed. "Let g-g-."
Frank pursed his lips. "Sorry, what was that? I can't hear you."
"Let go!" Gabriella begged with her last ounce of strength. The room was spinning. She could feel herself getting weaker.
Frank loosened his grip but did not let go completely. Gabriella took in a hungry gulp of air, refilling her lungs and breathing as deeply as she could.
Before he could take another breath, Frank's hold tightened again.
"I could have been excluded." He continued. "Is that what you wanted?"
Gabriella tried to shake her head as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I've had enough of you and your friends. It's over…."
She was light-headed again and could no longer comprehend what Frank was saying. The corners of her vision were blurred and Frank's voice echoed in her ears. She was slowly losing consciousness and Frank showed no signs of letting her breathe again. She'd need a miracle to get out of this one.
Franks words merged into a mess of sounds as he continued to talk. Gabriella shut her eyes, exhausted.
Then came a sound like music to her ears. The bathroom door creaked open. And then a familiar but unrecognisable voice, not Frank's, yelled;
"Hey!"
Gabriella didn't know who it was and, to be honest, she didn't care. Whoever it was has distracted Frank. So much so in fact that he had let go of her completely.
She didn't need to think twice. Still a little dizzy, Gabriella sprinted to the door, past her unidentified saviour and out into the hall. She ran all the way back to her classroom without looking back, gasping for air and savouring every time she inhaled.
She didn't go into the room straight away. Instead she stayed outside for a few minutes to get her breathing back under control and come to terms with what had just happened. She paced quietly outside the room, her mind racing. The same thought was repeating in her head; I could have died. I nearly died. If someone hadn't come in that last minute, there was no doubt in her mind that she would have died.
So Frank was serious. Frank was mad. He would kill her just for telling! He was crazy. And dangerous. And Gabriella was terrified. She'd gotten away this time but whose to say she wouldn't the next. And what if he went after her friends? Troy? She could tell no-one because that clearly made things worse. She could do nothing because she was too weak. She was defenceless.
Drawing in a deep shaky breath, she decided she was ready to re-enter the classroom. Her teacher would definitely be wondering where she was and she didn't want to get into any trouble. It was mad to think that after nearly being killed she was going back to class but she was determined not to let her fear of Frank take over her life. She certainly wouldn't let him affect her grades.
Her hand hadn't even touched the doorknob when a piercing alarm began to ring. She felt a tingle of fear up her back as she realised it was the fire alarm. She knew for a fact that East High had drills every other month. This one had come a month early.
The door swung open almost hitting her. In a messy, not-quite-single file, her class came filing out whispering together, like they did every time, about how they 'don't think it's a drill this time'. Gabriella waited by the door for Troy and Taylor. Once they were together, they followed the rest of the class out onto the grass at the front of the school where the entire staff and students were assembled, just like any other drill.
Huddled on the grass so close together, it was very easy for rumours to spread quickly. Even though there was no smoke and, even more important; no flames, word still got around that the school was about to burn down. Troy, Taylor and Gabriella ignored all the things they heard and tried to figure out what was really going on.
"It's a drill right?" Troy asked. He got on his tip-toes and peered over the crowd at the school, looking for any sign of fire or danger. He saw nothing.
"What else?" Gabriella said. Her throat hurt a little to talk and she wondered if her neck was red or bruised. Since neither her friend nor her boyfriend had mentioned anything, she guessed not.
Taylor shrugged. "It's early though." She said, also peering at the school. "The last one was only a few weeks ago."
Gabriella nodded. "That's true, but I don't see any fire."
"Maybe it's a gas leak." Troy suggested. He sighed. "It's so humid out here."
Gabriella nodded with agreement. "Yeah. I wish they would get this over with and let us back in. I think it's gonna rain."
Just then, sirens began to wail in the distance. Silence fell amongst the chatting students on the grass as they strained their ears to hear if the sirens were coming closer. The sirens got louder and soon they could see fire truck speeding towards them, closely followed by another and an ambulance.
They screeched to a halt, not bothering to park properly and a couple of firemen and paramedics ran up the steps and into the school without even glancing at the students they passed that stood watching them with shock and confusion.
"Well, that doesn't usually happen." Troy said after the fire truck sirens were turned off. Taylor and Gabriella were still looking up at the school; Gabriella looking for flames and Taylor watching Mr. Matsui who paced back and forth at the top of the stairs. He looked worried and frighteningly unsure.
"I don't think this is a drill." Taylor said quietly.
Rumours were now spreading like the plague across the patch of grass where all the students and teachers stood. Strangely, everyone seemed to be thrilled at the prospect of danger and the possibility they could be sent home early.
"Guys, look." Taylor said, nudging Gabriella and pointing at Mr. Matsui who still stood at the top of the stairs. One of the two firemen that had run in to the school had now come out and was talking to the principal. His back was to the crowd so Troy, Taylor and Gabriella couldn't even attempt to lip-read. Instead they tried to read Matsui's facial expressions.
At first, he looked relieved. He nodded with a smile on his face and patted the fireman on the shoulder. Then, like a balloon filled with lead, his face dropped. He looked at the school and then out at his students gathered on the grass. He looked back at the fireman who was pointing at the road and took his hands up to his face with a look of horror.
"Looks bad." Troy said.
Taylor nodded. "What do you think they're saying?"
Gabriella was about to hazard a guess when Mr. Matsui took a megaphone from the fireman and started to talk to the crowd below him.
"Students…" he started gravely and, despite the megaphone, quietly. Troy, Gabriella and Taylor glanced at each other. The whispering and chatting stopped immediately. Everyone wanted to know what was going on. The excitement was bubbling up inside of them all and it continued to do so as Matsui began to talk again. "There has been… an incident…"
He continued as his students and teachers alike listened intently. He explained that, due to what he only described as 'an incident', they would all be allowed to go home early. A mixture of relief, joy and confusion washed over the crowd but no-one bothered to question the idea of a day off. They were dismissed immediately and were allowed to go home class by class.
Until the next day, that was the last they heard of it.
A/N: Mystery... Thanks so much to all the reviewers. My world lights up a little more with every message you leave so keep it up!
Happy Almost-Valentines Day!
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