Closed Book
Disclaimer: I do not own HSM
AN: Chapter ten! WOOT! Okay, I know you might be confused because I updated like nine chapters over the course of four days and then I just stopped… well, simple answer… school started again! And in our return to school we were faced with some really tragic news to what happened to a fellow classmate over the break and it was just really hard to write, and still is so this chapter might now be the best as I am questioning some things in my own life right now, but it's the best I can do under the circumstances. Fear not fair readers I will not stop updating, it just won't be as often. I might also take a few days break whilst I deal with this really, really hard news. Bear with me please.
Gabriella Montez
"We are here." I tear my eyes off Troy's face for the first time since we got in the car to look at where we are. I notice a small trail leader into the forest. Umm, okay?
"Oh Troy…" How do I say this nicely? "You aren't planning on taking me in there to kill me are you?" I'm actually worried about this.
He laughed. "No, the place is just a little ways up the trail. Less than 5 minutes."
"Okay… but wait. What made you get out of your car and follow a trail when you were driving around?" Seriously, I would have stayed in my car.
"My curiosity often gets the best of me." He never uses slang or normal teenage type language. I think that's one reason I enjoy talking to him so much.
"Well, now I'm curious. Let's go." I get out of the car and he meets me at the head of the trail where he takes me hand and we start walking. Yes, walking whilst holding hands!!! We walk in silence for a few minutes and it's very comfortable.
"You know, normally forests scare me more than anything? I mean how are you supposed to know what's in the trees? Something or someone could be watching your every move. It's frightening."
"You don't look frightened."
"I'm not. Not with you."
"Good." He pushes some branches out of the way and reveals his place.
It's a gorgeous meadow with flowers and just gorgeous everything! I've been in meadows before but this one is just breathtaking!
"Troy! It's gorgeous!"
"I know. Now, there isn't really anywhere to sit but the meadow floor is rather comfortable if you don't mind getting your clothes a little grassy."
"Oh the horror!" I say in mock terror.
"Come on. Let's go sit." He guides me to the centre of the meadow where he sits down on the grass. I soon follow.
We talked for a bit about nothing of importance before I lied back in the grass. He soon followed and took hold of my hand once again. Ahhh, this is the life.
Where am I? I gasp and sit up looking for some clue. I turn to my left and notice Troy sleeping peacefully in the grass. Memories flood back. The meadow. Me and Troy fell asleep in the meadow. Phone, I need my phone. My mom is probably freaking out.
And my pockets are empty. I left my phone in his car. Time to wake up Troy.
"Troy. Troy come on, wake up." I shake him lightly before he groans and rolls over. I get right up to his ear and whisper. "Troy, it's Gabriella" His eyes open slowly.
"Morning Gabriella." I smile at the sound of that.
"Morning Troy. Look we have to leave." He sits up.
"Why? I'm having such a nice time."
"So am I but we fell asleep in the middle of no-where. We are lucky to be alive! And my mom is probably just flipping out. Your parents too no doubt. I can't believe this!" I hope I didn't hurt his feelings.
"Chill Gabi. Come on, let's get you home." No harm done apparently. Good.
Once we reach the car I check my phone.
15 missed calls
35 text messages
Most of which are from my mother but it appears she dragged Taylor and Sharpay into it as well. Sharpay's texts all say "Gabriella, if you were planning on spending the night him you should have gotten me to cover" Just in less words and using IM slang.
"Oh God. Did you parents call you a million times too?" He pulls out his phone.
"Actually no. My parents go to bed ridiculously early so probably haven't noticed I didn't come home yet. It is only 5am." Strange. My mom probably didn't go to bed.
"Really? Well I gotta call my mom back. I'll just be a second." He signalled for me to go ahead.
"GABRIELLA MONTEZ!" She obviously checked the caller ID first.
"Yes mom it's me."
"Thank goodness your okay. Don't ever do that to me again!"
"I won't mom. I'm sorry."
"WHERE ARE YOU? WHY DIDN'T YOU COME HOME? WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL?" Okay, now that she knows I'm alright she's pissed.
"I'm sorry mom. I went to Kelsi's and forgot my phone in my jacket and didn't realize you were calling." Kelsi was the one friend my mom never gets involved. She thinks she's too sweet to want to bother her.
"If you do this one more time I swear I will never let you leave this house again! Got it?"
"Yes mom. I'm on my way home. Get some sleep."
She yawned loudly into the receiver. "Alright, wake me when you get in so I know your home."
"Will do." I sigh after I hang up. "Thank god that's over. Let's go."
"I'm sorry we fell asleep. That wasn't supposed to happen."
"I know, I don't blame you. I blame the food from that restaurant."
He laughed "Me too. They really shouldn't feed people that much!"
We drove in silence most of the way, it was comfortable. I probably could've fallen asleep again.
Apparently I did. "Gabriella, wake up. You're home." Oh, oops.
"Did I fall asleep again?" I don't think I have ever slept so much in my entire life.
"You did."
"I'm sorry Troy; you must think I'm pretty boring." I know I would.
He chuckled. "You'd think I would considering you spent most of our date sleeping, but nope. I still find you one of the most intriguing people I've ever met."
"Thanks…I think. I find you pretty intriguing also." Is intriguing a compliment? His smile makes me answer yes.
"Besides, I find your snoring incredibly cute." Oh god.
"I do not snore!" I hope.
"I'm kidding Gabriella." Oh.
"I knew that."
"Well Miss Montez, don't you think its time you go inside?" Is he trying to get ride of me?
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No, but your mom has been looking out the curtains for some time now." I check. It's true.
I laugh a little. "Yup, that's my mom. I'd better get going. Thanks for a great time."
"I'll call you later." And with that I get out of the car. He doesn't try to kiss me or nothing! I thought people always kissed on a first date? Am I missing something here? Maybe I did snore! Oh god, maybe I drooled! Stop it Gabriella! You are being ridiculous! Maybe he just had morning breathe and didn't want to risk it. Yeah, morning breath, I'll go with that.
"Gabriella! I thought you said you were at Kelsi's!" It sounds as if I've entered the house. Oh joy.
"I was." Not.
"That surely wasn't Kelsi giving you a ride home. That was Troy!" Shit, she noticed.
"I know mom. Kelsi didn't have a car so I called Troy to pick me up." That sounds fair enough right?
"You woke Troy up at 5am to give you a ride? Are you crazy?" I'm still trying to figure that one out.
"No mom, I'm not crazy." At least I don't think I am. "We were with Troy and some other people last night and Troy knew I needed a ride early this morning and said he would do it. I told him it wasn't necessary but he insisted."
"Gabriella…are you lying to me?" Wow, this is the first time anyone has ever questioned one of my lies. Well…besides Troy.
"Mom, have I ever lied to you?" Yes, more than you know.
"Just don't let it happen again."
"I won't. I'm sorry."
I run up to my room. I need girl advice. Sharpay or Taylor? Sharpay will be overly dramatic asking for every little detail whereas Taylor would probably be more reasonable and actually listen to my problem. Taylor it is then.
I'm about to dial when my phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Gabriella!! Thank god you are finally home!" Apparently the fates chose Sharpay instead.
"Sharpay, what are you even doing up at 5:30?"
"Waiting for you to come home! Well actually I got hungry and thought I would check your phone again but whatever." I could picture her hand motions in my head.
"Do you actually need something?"
"What on earth were you doing last night? Why didn't you call me? And what happened on your date?" Sharpay is one of those people that asks all her questions at the beginning rather than asking one at a time.
"Last night I went on a date, I didn't call you because I was on a date and what happened on that date is none of your perky little business." I'm just teasing her.
"Don't give me that shit Gabriella."
"Fine! It was amazing."
"Uhh, details please?" She's impatient.
"We went out for dinner, then he took me to his 'secret spot' where he goes to think and stuff. "
"Wait, secret spot? Is he gay?" Maybe that's why he didn't kiss me.
"No he's not gay. It's like in those movies where the boy would lead the girl to some beautiful spot the he would only ever share with her. Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?" I know I don't.
"No. But I don't care. What else happened?"
"Well once we got there we were sitting down and talking. After a while we fell asleep. Simple as that."
"Simple as that? Nothing happened? You just talked? That is the most boring date ever." I thought it was pretty nice.
"You know, Sharpay, some people actually like just talking."
"I know. I love talking. I could do it for hours." She probably could. And I bet that after many hours she would still have as much enthusiasm as she started with.
"Then I don't understand how you think that's the most boring date ever."
"When I'm with a boy I would not want to spend all night talking! That's crazy talk."
"Then what do you spend time doing?" I should not have asked that, I know it's going to be dirty.
"What are you, in grade 4? Let's be mature here" I am not going to push the point.
"Sharpay? I have a question"
"I'm waiting." Of course you are.
"Is it normal for a guy not to kiss a girl on the first date?"
"I guess so. If it's a guy who actually spent the night just talking with a girl then, yeah. It's probably totally normal. Why? Oh god! He didn't kiss you! What a stupid boy!"
"Calm down. I'm sure he was just tired. It's not a big deal considering we are officially dating"
And cue the high pitched squeal. "OFFICIALLY DATING! OH MY GOD!! HE ASKED YOU OUT! YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND! YOU'RE DATING TROY BOLTON! OMG OMG OMG OMG!!"
"Calm down Shar. It's just a boyfriend!"
"Yeah, but you're Gabriella." When was I someone else?
"I know, and?"
"And you don't date. This is huge! Like maajjjoorr!! It would be like if I suddenly started wearing all black, it just doesn't happen!" Oh, so I'm a freak. Good to know.
"Thanks…I think" Honestly I just didn't know what to say to that. I mean she's right, I don't date. What do I think I'm doing?
"Don't worry Gabs. This is definitely a good thing!"
"Okay, I gotta go." I have some serious thinking to do.
I've never had a boyfriend. I've never really kissed someone. I've never opened up. I've never let someone into my life. I've never done any of the things I find myself doing lately. Why now? Why this boy? Nothing makes sense. I have boyfriend – that's not right. Just like Shar said; I don't date. What makes me think I can just start dating? I have no idea what I'm doing. Troy's probably had a million girlfriends and I'm just another one to add to the shelf. He probably doesn't even really care.
What am I going to do?
AN: And just like that old Gabriella is back. What will happen? Will she close back up and stop talking to Troy? Will she realize she's being ridiculous and continue her relationship? I know. But you don't. HAHAHA! Review? Thanks.