Unlove You
Disclaimer:The Mouse owns High School Musical and the characters within. I'm just borrowing them for awhile. I promise I'll put them back when I'm finished.
Summary: It was just supposed to be a practical joke, but something happens on the night of the Twinkle Town cast party that changes two lives forever. Not a songfic, but inspired by Ashley Tisdale's Unlove You on the Headstrong CD.
Pairing: TroyPay, of course.
Time frame: Same year as the movie, their junior year, right? Starts the final night of the musicale, say mid February.
Chapter 9: I Can't Unlove You
"Hellooo?", mumbles Chad into his cell.
"Okay, what's going on Chad?", asks Troy sternly. He is pacing anxiously back and forth across his bedroom floor.
"Whaaa? Troy, is that you, man? What time is it?", he asks sleepily. Chad is lying sprawled over his bed, tied up in his sheets.
"It's time you started telling me the truth, Chad. You set me up with Gabriella, didn't you?"
"Come on, Troy. It's for your own good. You want...no...you need to forget about 'you know who'."
"Oh, for crying out loud, Chad, she's not Lord Vordemort. It's okay to say her name, you know."
"Okay, okay, but it's over, right? She hates you; you hate her, right?"
"I never said..."
"But it is over, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Then it's time to move on. You know, like the saying goes: when you fall off a horse, the best thing to do is to get right back on --- even if it's a different, ah, horse, if you know what I mean."
"That's the stupidest thing you've ever said and that's saying a lot."
"Come on man, you're miserable, right? And she's a nice girl, right? So give it a chance, okay?"
"Alright and you're right, I am miserable and you're right again, Gabriella is a nice girl." I'm just not sure she's the girl for me.
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"So, how did it go last night? Did you two have fun, all alone? Did he ask you, yet?", asks Taylor as she slides into her seat next to Gabriella in homeroom.
"What do you mean by all alone and did he ask me what?, Gabriella asks suspiciously.
"Well...", Taylor says awkwardly. "Chad and I thought you two needed a little time by yourselves."
"So you two are playing matchmakers or something?" Gabriella asks confusedly.
"Yeah, sort of. Chad thinks Troy needs to get out of this rut he's in and I think he's a nice guy who'd be perfect for you. So, did he ask you?
"Ask me what, Taylor? You're talking in riddles today?"
"To the prom, of course."
"The prom?? We've only been on one date and that was an accident or at least we thought it was."
"Well, the prom is less than two weeks away and I really do think you're perfect for each other."
"I don't know, Taylor,... I mean I reeeally like Troy, but I don't think he likes me. It seems like he's having a good time, but then he backs off."
"Maybe he's just shy."
"But he's the most popular guy in school. He must've had tons of girlfriends before I moved here, right?"
"I've never seen him with anyone. All he ever does is play basketball and well, he did the play with you... I know...", Taylor says excitedly, "get him to audition in the next play with you."
"I guess I could...that's a good idea. Auditions are only two weeks away, but I'll give it my best shot. Thanks, Taylor."
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"So...how was everyone's weekend?", Taylor starts off the conversation to her unusually quiet friends.
Taylor, Chad, Troy and Gabriella are just sitting down to eat lunch in the school cafeteria.
"Good", "Fine", "Okay" is echoed back to her in flat, unenthusiastic tones.
"I hear the prom is going to be cool this year", Taylor continues with her agenda. "The theme is Mardi Gras."
"Mardi Gras? That sounds like a lot of fun", adds Gabriella with a smile.
"Yeah, it should be a blast", puts in Chad, "Taylor and I are going together. Maybe the two of you could come with us. We're going out to eat at la Placita in Old Town before the prom."
"Yeah, you two should join us. It's a fun place. They have pretty good Mexican food and the best part is there's a live tree right in the middle of the dining room and growing out through the roof."
"Well, I don't really like Mexican food all that much, but I'm sure I could find something to eat there", Gabriella says with a disdainful look on her face.
"How can you not like Mexican food?", asks Chad.
"What do you mean by that?", Gabriella retorts.
"Well, aren't you Mexican?", Chad suggests, as he slowly starts to think he's starting a conversation he can't win.
"No, my family is from the Dominican Republic."
"Well, isn't it the same sort of food?"
"No, it isn't and even if it was, you shouldn't assume that everyone likes the same kind of food, just because they're from a certain ethnic class. What would you think if I thought all you liked was fried chicken and watermelon?", Gabriella finishes in a raised voice.
"Hey, what do you mean by that?", Chad asks, matching the volume in his voice to hers.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys! Chill, alright? Nobody means anything by anything, right? Chad? Gabi?", Taylor says as she tries to play peacemaker. This conversation just went way south and she needs to get it back on track.
"Yeah", "Sure", they both grumble.
"Okaaay, goood", Taylor says slowly. "So what do you think, Troy? Want to join us on prom night?"
All three of his friends are staring at Troy, who is completely oblivious to them and their recent argument. He is absentmindedly scratching his right bicep as he intently watches a small blond sitting at a table on the balcony with her back to him. She is awkwardly scratching the back of her right shoulder as she talks with friends at her table. Troy can't help but smile sadly as he watches her. It itches like the devil, just like mine.
"Troy, hey man!", Chad reaches over and shakes his shoulder. "Where were you?"
"What?", Troy looks around confused.
"You were zoning out, Troy", Taylor explains, "we've been talking to you for awhile."
"Oh, really, what about?"
"You're kidding? You haven't heard any of this conversation?"
"No, did I miss something?"
Just then, some of the cheerleaders walk up to join them.
"Hey guys, we're planning on getting together next Sunday to help paint the props for the prom. We're trying to get the whole basketball team to help. Can you guys come?", Mitzi asks the whole table.
"Well sure, I suppose. I'm not doing anything then. How 'bout you, Troy, Tay, Gabriella?", says Chad.
"I'm going to out-of-town with my family", says Taylor.
"I could help, if someone could pick me up?", Gabriella puts in.
"Yeah, I guess I could help and I can swing by to pick you up", says Troy to Gabriella and then to Chad says, "We learned all about painting props and scenery with Mrs. Darbus, remember Chad?"
"Oh yeah, how could I forget?", laments Chad.
"Good, meet in the gym at two", finishes Mitzi as the cheerleaders leave to enlist more help.
"Speaking of Mrs. Darbus? Are you going to try out for the new play, Troy?", asks Gabriella.
"I don't think I'm up to it this time", states Troy.
"Oh you should definitely try out Troy. It's 'Bye, Bye, Birdie'. It'll be a lot of fun."
"And besides, we don't want those Evans twins to just rule the day again, do we?", adds Taylor, completely unmindful that she is saying anything wrong. Chad has remained true to his word and hasn't told anyone about what happened between Troy and Sharpay.
Chad's eyes widen in surprise just as Troy's narrow in anger.
"What do you mean by that, Taylor?", asks Troy in a low voice.
"What?", Taylor asks innocently.
"Oh, I don't think she meant anything serious", Chad says quickly. It's his turn to play peacemaker.
"And besides there's loads of great parts in the play. You should really think about it, Troy. You're very talented", finishes Gabriella. She doesn't understand why he became upset, but she needs to redirect the conversation back to try-outs.
"Well, okay,...I mean...I'll think about it."
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After lunch, Chad is standing with Taylor as she gets books from her locker.
"Well, that certainly could have gone better", remarks Taylor.
"I can't believe you brought up Sharpay Evans", Chad scolds.
"I can't believe you nearly got into a fist fight with Gabi and what are you talking about? I didn't say anything about Sharpay directly, I was talking about the Evans twins."
"Well Troy's real sensitive about her right now, okay? So, let's try to not bring her up."
"Are you telling me what to do again? And why is Troy so sensitive about Sharpay? They barely know each other."
Realizing that he has just stuck his foot in his mouth, again. Chad decides the only way to get out of this is to distract Taylor with a full frontal assault.
"So what if I'm telling you what to do? You're my woman, right?", Chad says with all the false bravado he can muster.
"What did you say?", Taylor says very slowly and directly.
"I said, you are my woman."
"Your woman!? Just who do you think you are? Wait, don't answer that; I don't want to know. Answer this instead: have you paid for your tux for the prom, yet?"
"No, why?", Chad asks nervously.
"Good, then don't bother", Taylor says as she slams her locker door and storms off.
"Man, I hope Troy appreciates what a good friend I am", he mumbles to himself as he heads off in the opposite direction.
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It's Wednesday afternoon and Troy is standing in front of the sign-up board staring at Sharpay's outrageously pink signature. He can't help but chuckle.
Gabriella walks up behind him. "What's so funny?", she asks.
"Oh, I'm just looking at Sharpay's signature. It's so,...you know...Sharpay."
"Not much room for anyone else to sign up, is there?", comments Gabriella.
"Are you going to audition?"
"Yeah, I think I will", Gabriella says as she writes her name under Sharpay's. "How about you? Have you decided?"
There are no couples auditions this time; everyone auditions individually.
"Yeah, I think I have. May I?", he asks as he indicates the pen. He takes it and writes his name directly under Gabriella's. Even if she doesn't like him anymore, at least he can be close to her by working on the play.
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One sure way to forget your grief is to stay so busy that you're too exhausted to be sad. And it seems to be working for Sharpay. What with planning for the prom in less than one week, preparing for the audition in two weeks, plus her incredibly busy schedule, there has been little time left to even think about Troy Bolton. If only her dreams would leave her alone.
Sharpay is sitting on one of the bleachers in the gymnasium rubbing her tired eyes. She hasn't slept well in over a week. She hasn't slept well since 'the night', if she is being honest with herself.
"They should be here anytime now, Shar", Ryan comments as he sits down beside her, "it's almost two o'clock."
"Yeah, Jake has all the cutouts made. All that's left is to paint them. The cheerleaders should have a ball."
"You, okay? You look tired", Ryan comments.
"I'm fine; I'm always fine. You know that Ryan", replies the Ice Princess.
"Yeah, I know more than you think, Sharpay."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means this whole Troy Bolton thing is eating you up inside. You don't eat anymore. You don't sleep anymore. You hardly ever smile anymore. You don't have to be a superwoman, Sharpay."
"That's where you're wrong, Ryan. That's exactly who I have to be. I have to stay focused on the Plan and forget about Troy Bolton. Don't you understand that, Ry?"
Before they can discuss further, cheerleaders and basketball players start streaming into the gymnasium.
"Hi, guys!", Lydia says brightly, "we brought lots of help!"
You can almost hear the mask click into place, "Great!", Sharpay chirps back just as brightly as she jumps up from the bleacher seat. "Come right on over here everyone and we'll get started."
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Two hours later and the painting is still going strong. Everyone is working hard and seems to be having a good time. Sharpay is sitting back looking at the harlequin cut-out she is painting as she casually scratches that darn spot on her shoulder. She is painting over in a corner of the gymnasium and is not easily observed by the rest of the workers. Suddenly, strong fingers start to gently massage the tattoo through her shirt.
"Aaaah, thanks Ryan, that's feels great. I never knew these things could itch so much", she says in a whisper.
"I agree, it's a bitch, isn't it?", Troy says quietly.
"Ohhh!", Sharpay shouts as she jumps back from him. "What...what are you doing?"
"Just trying to help. You looked like you were having trouble reaching it. I know just how you feel."
Misinterpreting what he said, she responds harshly, "You have no idea how I feel, Bolton."
Ignoring her outburst, he continues, "Well, you look tired. You look like you haven't slept well in over a week and you look how I feel, so I think I do know how you're feeling."
She starts to feel the ice surrounding her heart begin to melt. Then, as she is about to respond, Sharpay looks up and sees Gabriella walk up.
"Hey Troy, I've been looking everywhere for you. Chad's going to make a run down to the Quickie Mart and wants to know if you want a soda or something?"
Whispering so Gabriella can't hear, Sharpay says, "I am tired, Bolton, tired of you bothering me, so why don't you head off with your little girlfriend there and leave me alone."
Hurt at her harsh words, Troy leaves with Gabriella without saying a word.
Sharpay quickly gets up and runs off towards the girl's locker room.
Ryan is standing quietly to the side observing the entire scene.
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Troy and Gabriella are sitting outside on the curb, taking a break from the stifling paint fumes in the gymnasium and waiting for Chad to come back with the snacks.
Just then, Ryan walks up.
"Hey, Troy? Can I talk to you for a minute?", Ryan asks seriously.
"Sure."
"Let's go for a walk", Ryan says as he walks away from the others and Troy follows him.
"So, what's up?", asks Troy as soon as they're out of earshot of the other students.
"That's exactly what I want to know."
"I don't understand."
"Of course, you do. She doesn't want anything to do with you anymore, Bolton. Don't you get it?", Ryan states with conviction.
"She said that?", Troy asks unbelievingly.
"Yes, she did. She said she wants to forget about you, so why don't you help the both of you and forget about her, too", as he finishes, Ryan turns around and walks off.
Troy is stunned and he slowly walks back toward the other students.
"Here you go, Troy. Dr. Pepper, right?", Chad says as he hands Troy a can of soda and a bag of chips.
"Thanks, man", Chad says quietly.
Chad sits down next to him. Gabriella is sitting with some of the cheerleaders a little further down from them.
"Okay, what's with you? I thought you were doing better", comments Chad, "but you look like crap."
"I really don't know, Chad. I...I thought I would be able to talk to her today...maybe gets things sorted out."
"Talk to who --- Sharpay? What are you talking about? I thought you said she used you, so what is there to sort out?"
"I...I don't completely understand it myself, but it looks like she doesn't want anything to do with me, but I can't unlove her, man."
"Oh, you've got it bad."
"Yep."
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Taylor and Gabriella are talking in the girl's bathroom between classes.
"I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong, Taylor", complains Gabriella.
"He still hasn't asked you yet? Chad asked me three or four times already", comments Taylor.
"I thought you told him you wouldn't go with him?"
"Oh, I did, but I'll go with him. I'm going tell him I changed my mind the next time he asks. You just have to know how to play them. I'll let him think I've finally forgiven him when I really wasn't all that mad in the first place."
"Well, I don't know how to play Troy", Gabriella states flatly.
"Yeah, the direct approach doesn't seem to be working. I mean we practically asked him for you last week."
"It's like there's something holding him back; like he's waiting for something to happen."
"Well, if nothing happens by Friday, you can tag along with us."
"I can't do that. It's your prom for goodness sake."
"It's your prom too, you know?"
"Yeah, I know", Gabriella says as they both head out of the bathroom.
Sharpay slowly opens the door on the last stall and peers out to make sure she is alone. As she's washing her hands, she looks up into the mirror and sees something she hasn't seen in over two weeks --- hope.
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"Come on man, it's already Friday and the prom is tomorrow. Why don't you go ahead and ask Gabriella? She's a nice girl. Trust me, she really wants to go with you. So what's the hold up?", Chad says as he and Troy are walking between buildings on their way to class.
"I suppose you're right. I should just ask her, right?", asks Troy hesitantly.
"Absolutely, man. Today, in fact. Don't wait any longer."
"Alright, I'll try and talk to her during free period. I'll meet me on the roof."
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As the bell rang signaling the start of free period, Sharpay starts to frantically look for Troy. She has her whole speech rehearsed. Nothing is going to stop her, if she can only find him.
Troy makes his way up to the roof to meet with Gabriella. He's still hesitant about asking her to the prom, but with pressuring from Chad and Taylor, he's finally been worn down. She is a nice girl and he supposes he'll have a good time.
Gabriella is waiting on the wooden bench staring out into the sky. Chad told her that Troy wanted to meet her up here, but he wouldn't tell her why.
"Uh, hi", Troy says shyly as he joins her and sits down.
"Hi there", Gabriella echoes his shyness.
"Um well, pretty day, isn't it?", comments Troy casually.
"Yeah, did you ask me to meet you here to discuss the weather?"
"Well, no. Actually, I wanted to ask if you were doing anything tomorrow night?"
"You mean, prom night?", she asks as she let's a small smile come to her lips.
"Um, yeah, prom night."
"Troy, are you asking me to go with you to the prom?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Oh, yes", Gabriella squeals as she reaches over excitedly and hugs him to her.
Sharpay hears voices as she starts up the stairs. Troy, he's up here. As she reaches the top, Sharpay sees Gabriella grab Troy and hug her to him.
As Gabriella pulls back, she says, "I'm so excited. This is going to be a perfect night", then glancing up and seeing Sharpay at the entrance, she hugs him again and pulls him in for a wet, sloppy kiss.
Sharpay isn't going to run away this time. Troy is sitting with his back to her and so she can't see the shocked expression on his face when Gabriella attacks him with her sloppy kiss.
"What the hell is going on here?", Sharpay demands.
Gabriella seems oblivious to Sharpay's angry tone. "Oh. Hi, Sharpay", she chirps happily, "Troy just asked me to the prom. Isn't that great?"
"Oh yeah, great", Sharpay retorts sarcastically.
"Sharpay, what are you doing here?", asks Troy as he turns around awkwardly to see Sharpay standing there with her hands on her hips.
Sharpay shifts stiffly as she says, "Well, I...I wanted to talk to you, Troy."
"That's nice Sharpay, but we're a little busy here. Aren't we, Troy?", Gabriella says irritatedly.
"Um, well", says Troy, lamely.
"We need to plan our date night, coordinate our cloths, all that sort of thing."
"All that sort of thing?", echoes Sharpay, "Is that right, Troy?"
"Well, yeah. I guess so. I did just ask her and all."
"Yes, he did", says Gabriella, suddenly sounding possessive. "Who are you going with, Sharpay? Oh that's right. I forgot what Ryan told me. He's taking you, right? Since you aren't allowed to date. Isn't that right? So even if someone actually asked you to go, you wouldn't be allowed, would you? Not that anyone has asked, anyway." She finishes as she twists the knife.
"Um yeah, that's right", Sharpay says in a quiet voice. All her bravado has just flown away. "Um, I gotta go now. Bye, Troy." And she turns to leave.
"Sharpay, wait", Troy calls as he starts to follow her.
"Troy, wait. Let her go. We really do have a lot to plan", Gabriella reassures him.
"Uh, yeah,...I suppose you're right."
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Earlier that same morning...
"Pssst, Gabriella?", Ryan whispers to Gabriella from the doorway of a classroom. It is still early and first bell hasn't even rang yet. Gabriella is just on her way to the chemistry lab, when she hears Ryan calling her.
"Ryan? What's going on?", she says as she cautiously approaches the room.
"I need to talk to you. It's really important", he adds.
"Sure...okay", she says as she follows him into the empty classroom.
"It's about Sharpay and Troy...", Ryan begins.
"What about them?", Gabriella asks confusedly.
"I think it would be in our best interests if we keep them apart."
"What are you talking about? I wasn't aware that they were together."
"Well, they're not...at least, not anymore."
"Look, I didn't know there was anything going on between them and if there is, then I'll back off. I'm not interested in stepping on anyone's toes, here. I'm not a boyfriend stealer."
"There's nothing to steal. They aren't together, never have been...not really. It's just...well, it's complicated. Let's just say that 'requited' 'attraction' is causing troubles for them both."
"And why should I care about this?"
"Because it's affecting Troy too. Look, it's no secret that you like him. Everyone can see it. So you must have noticed how miserable he's been lately."
"Well, yeah...now that you mention it...But why are you suddenly so concerned about Troy? What do you care?"
"I don't. I don't care anything about Troy, that is. But I do care for my sister. Sharpay is becoming unfocused and getting sloppy. We're a team and when she's not performing up to standards, then it affects me too", Ryan saying with a sigh. "You don't need to know the details. Just believe me when I say they'll both be better off if they forget about each other."
"Okay, so what do you want me to do?", Gabriella asks curiously.
TBC
A/N 1: Please, please don't hate me. I know it seems like I'm really dragging this thing, but there is a very good reason. You have to hang in there for about two more chapters and it will all become as clear as crystal.
A/N 2: Special thanks to Enarra for the suggestion of the restaurant 'la Placita'. Probably not where you'd take a prom date, but it was Chad's idea. He is so much fun to write, except sometimes he doesn't know when to stop. Enarra's a part-time Albuquerquian who I hope will continue to keep me honest on my take on locales.