Like I promised; here is a long chapter. Chapter 9 I believe. Or 10…I can't remember. Anyway whatever chapter it is, it's here.

She pressed her fingers to her pink lips, which had just been robbed of lip gloss by a single brilliant kiss. She begun to question whether or not that moment was real or if she had dreamed it, but the loud voices and slamming of lockers awakened her. The last thing that she had expected from him was a kiss.

Looking down at her schedule, she verified what her next class was and with difficulty made her way there. The school was very large and she hadn't really found someone to show her around. She thought that Troy would have helped her but he stormed off soon after he had kissed her. Carmella put her hand on the clean metal doorknob and closed her eyes before opening the door. With a deep breath, she turned the knob and found herself looking at a room crowded with adolescents her age and was glad that they didn't notice when she walked in for that would've been uncomfortably embarrassing.

Carmella took a lonely seat near the back of the classroom away from the smiling faces and interesting conversations. The teacher was busily writing notes on the board and hadn't seen her walk in. After carefully curving every letter and word on the board, he turned to the class and purposefully dropped his book on the desk so that with a loud noise he would silence that classroom. Sure enough, he was successful and they all turned around acknowledging the fact that it was time for class to begin.

Troy walked in and Carmella immediately sunk in her chair and hid her face. But he had inevitably noticed her. He had a few sheets of paper in his hands. "Hey, Mr. H. Here is that make-up work from when I was absent."

"Excellent. I am glad you have it back so soon." He responded and the class took this as a sign that it was okay to go on with their conversations.

"I also had a quick question on the homework last night." Troy stated and Mr. H gestured for him to go on. "I don't understand what the question is asking on number 9."

"Grab a book and show me." The books were in the back of the room. With their smooth green binding they sat so inconveniently on the blue bookshelf. Troy hesitated as he saw that Carmella was sitting next to the books; her backpack, in fact, was touching the shelf. He went to the back of the room and bent down next to her. He looked for the right copy and saw that it wasn't there.

"Mr. H? I don't see the 'Advanced Physics' book."

"Right here." A small voice said. Troy saw the book held in front of him by a fragile hand and he took it. He nodded thanking her and took the book in his hands.

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Her chemistry book along with several notebooks fell to the floor. She had been pushed by a blonde girl in an extremely pink outfit topped off with glitter and sequins. The girl didn't even seem to care that she had just made Carmella fall to the ground and continued down the hallway without even flinching or glancing at her. There was only one more class to go to. During lunch she had eaten in the bathroom and she had trouble finding her way all day. Nobody had introduced themselves to her and nobody even knew she was standing before them. It was just like before; she didn't mean anything. She didn't mean anything to that blonde girl, the kids in her classes, or the people in her grade. The only sign of affection she had received was from Troy after second period and she hadn't seen him again. Carmella sighed as she picked up her books and went towards her locker.

"You forgot this one," said a short, pale brunette. She looked somewhat scared and hugged her own books tightly to her chest.

"Thank you."

"I'm Kelsi." She managed to say. Carmella smiled; finally someone showed interest in her.

"Carmella. I'm new here." They shook hands and Kelsi welcomed her to East High. They conveniently had their next class together and for the first time that day she had arrived on time and somewhat secure into a classroom.

She left to use the restroom thirty minutes before school was out. A smile had found its way onto her face ever since last period. Even though she didn't know the girl very well, she felt accomplished. The one thing she found impossible to do but that she truly wanted to happen was for her to meet someone; a potential friend. And she had done just that. Carmella turned the corner and noticed a body hunched over a water fountain. It was obviously a boy. She ignored him while lost in her thoughts and made her way to turn into the bathroom when a hand tugged at her and she unexpectedly turned around.

A small scream escaped her lips as Troy's face appeared in her eyes. He was a handsome guy with pleasant features and gorgeously white teeth that fascinated her so. His floppy bangs only made him more attractive and his insecurity made him irresistible.

"Carmella, I-I don't know what I was thinking." He said not loosening his grip on her hand. She nodded. "I didn't mean to kiss you; I would never kiss you. Not that I wouldn't kiss you because I would but I don't want to. I mean I do want to but not that way."

"Troy."

"You're nice and all and you look just like her. I mean you are exactly alike except that beauty mark. Your little ears with silver studs and your smile it's like she's here." He said.

"Like who?" She asked.

"Ga-" He paused. "No one. It's no one."

"Why'd you do it?" Carmella asked him. He looked up at her and was speechless as he looked into her eyes. He himself had not known why he had done it. It was an urge that he had; to kiss her. It was unbearable to see such a beautiful person not being loved. Her breathtaking appearance deserved his attention.

"I don't know. I'm sorry." Troy sighed and before she could say another word he turned his back to her and headed back to class.

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He flung himself onto his bed and kicked off his shoes. Bending over a bit, he opened the first drawer in his nightdesk and pulled out a picture of her. It was the most recent of her. He had taken it one time at the park after Gabriella's brother had left for college.

(FLASHBACK)
Tears poured down her cheek the day after Vick left. He had always been her best friend and protective of her. Life with him was unimaginable but would soon become a reality once he was gone. Although she knew she would see him during holidays and breaks, she knew that things would never be the same. Vick helped her through anything whenever she needed it. She remembered that one time that Vick cancelled a job interview because he had gotten the news of Gabriella's broken leg. Like the good brother he was, he fled to be by her side and he along with her mom was the only one to stay by her side the whole night barely sleeping a wink.

"He's gone." Gabriella said hurt showing vividly in her eyes.

"Gabriella, it'll be fine. Vick will still love you no matter what." Troy comforted.

They sat at a stone bench in the middle of the park. It was nearly night time and the streetlights were slowly turning on and occasionally fading into darkness. The stars were also appearing as the night grew deeper and the air smelled of rain, for a few moments ago it had stopped raining. Troy had been with her since the moment Vick left at the airport. After all, Troy was Gabriella's friend and he was always there for her. The pair were back-to-back leaning on each other for support. Gabriella hugged her knees to her and Troy's voice slowly drowned away her tears.

Troy turned himself and Gabriella followed suit so that their were side by side, knee to knee, elbow to elbow. Gabriella's face was red but, illuminated with the night sky, it was as beautiful as he had ever seen it. He longed to kiss her and hold her in his arms so that she would stop crying but he wasn't sure if it was the right moment.

"I wish he could stay." She said after a few minutes of silence. Troy put his arm around her and rubbed her back. She consequently put her head on his shoulder and sobbed. "At least you're still here." Gabriella looked up at him.

"I'll always be here. Just as long as you promise me that you'll always be here." She simply nodded in agreement and he held her tighter to his body.

(END FLASHBACK)

She had broken her promise. Gabriella had left him in the cruel world with no one else to hold on to. All that was left was her memory and that was one thing Troy swore he would never forget. He brushed away the dust with his thumb and smiled as he saw her. Smiling like always.

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Carmella couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned and wasn't successful in finding a comfortable spot to stay in. She was thinking about Troy and the kiss. The kiss brought excitement to her every time she thought about it and trying to shake it away didn't help her sleepless state in any way possible. After several attempts at falling asleep she decided she could not. Carmella slipped out of bed quietly and went downstairs for a glass of milk which she thought would sooth her and relax her.

She poured the milk into the glass and then held it to her lips. She concentrated on every drop and the unique taste of the milk. As she reached to put the milk carton away she noticed a phosphorescent letter on the table and went over to it. Opening it carefully, she began to read the text.

Dear Miss Paula M. Ganelioni

We are very sorry to inform you that the possibilities of giving birth to a child are very low for you. You should not participate in child-birth and doing so can result in severe mental as well as physical problems with the child.

We suggest----

"Carmella, what are you doing up so late?" Paula's voice came from behind.

"Oh. Um, I couldn't sleep." She said and quickly put the letter down. Paula noticed it and just smiled ashamedly.

"Shouldn't read people's mail." Paula said.

"I'm sorry." Carmella started for the stairs.

"Wait. Come here, honey." Paula motioned for her to come towards her and she sat down on the living room couch with a flustered Carmella by her side. "I was once married. His name was Torino and he was a great man. I was very much in love with him. He used to go on trips to Italy very often because he had another company there. We were very wealthy and as happy as can be." A huge smile spread across her face and as fast as it had come on her face, it disappeared. "But apparently many people in Italy didn't like him. They were angry with him for whatever purposes and so they…" she tried to prevent the tears from escaping her eyes. "They shot him. I was pregnant at the time, too. We didn't know it, but I couldn't have children. So after his death, the baby died before I could give birth to it. And it broke my heart." Paula sobbed.

The two women were so much alike; they had both lost their family. Carmella had lost her sister and her parents and Paula had lost her husband and her child. They had to stick together for that was the only way they would come out strong. They must aid each other in whatever way possible. Carmella knew now where she belonged. This was where she had to stay; Paula needed her as much as she needed Paula.

She put her arms around Paula and comforted her. "I'm sorry."

"Carmella, I am so glad you're here." She whispered and Carmella felt, for once, appreciated.

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She saw his nike shoes as he turned the corner and she chased after him. Struggling with her books, she almost ran down the hallway in order to catch him. He walked slowly with his hands in his pockets like he was lost and did not know where to go. Carmella now slowed her pace and caught the tail of his shirt. Her view was consumed with his face and magical blue eyes.

"Carmella." He said.

"Troy, I didn't mean to talk to you like that the other day. Let's just forget this whole thing." Carmella took his hand and shook it firmly. She flashed him a quick smile and then turned around to go to her next class.

He remained where he was, watching her walk down the hallway. Her black ballet flats hit the floor so lightly and her hair bounced with every step. "But what if I don't want to forget it?" Troy said.

OOOOOOOOOHHHH! Next chapter will be up as soon as I get 5 more reviews. :) Make sure you tell me how you feel bout the Carmella/Troy thing. Boy, you guys are in for a surprise! i've gotten lots of story alerts and stuff for this story. glad to see you guys are interested.