Okay, I'm in a verrry good mood here! I saw HSM 3 twice in a week! Well, a week and one day, but that's not the point! God, that movie gave me chills! Especially Troy/Zac's solo, Scream. God, that was flawless! Me and my friend were sitting there squealing and everything! Lol I swear when that comes out on DVD I'll be up at 12 begging my parents to go get it :)
Speaking of Disney stars, anyone heard of Zac's new movie, 17 Again? Wait, of course you did. If you didn't, go to Youtube and type in "17 Again Trailer". It looks so awesome! The only thing that pisses me off is that it comes out April 17 :( Oh well. I'll just try to keep myself occupied until then. Okay, enough of my rambling. On with the chapter that you've been waiting for for over a month now (sorry about that...)
Chapter 8 - Superhuman
Brandon, Troy, and Gabriella drove down the road in Brandon's car after school on the way to the Montez residence. The three were still a bit shaken up by the recent incident that had occurred, but tried their best to ignore it and move on with their day.
Gabriella, however, still wasn't ready to let the subject drop without one more conversation about it. "Guys, do you think we should tell mom about it?"
Brandon immediately shook his head and replied "No. Absolutely not. She's already got enough to worry about without knowing that her kids are being stalked."
Gabriella answered "But think about it Brandon. Shouldn't we warn mom just incase Brick tries to go after her too?"
Brandon's foot gained a mind of its own as it slammed on the brakes, his eyes widening and the other two passengers in the car lurching forward in surprise. He had never thought of that before. The parents. They weren't safe either.
"Dude, what the hell?" Troy exclaimed, congratulating himself for putting on his seat belt when he got in the car.
"You really think he would go after our parents?" Brandon worried, ignoring Troy's retort.
Gabriella shrugged "I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Come on, we need to tell them what's going on, just to be safe."
Brandon sighed and pressed his foot to the gas peddle again. He finally nodded "Okay. We'll tell her about it when we get home."
"Me too?" Troy asked.
"Yeah, especially you. You broke Wolf's plans, so he's probably after you just as much he is me."
Gabriella spoke up "I think the whole gang should. They're in this with us too."
Troy nodded "I'll tell them tomorrow. Brick's not gonna try anything tonight."
Brandon argued "You don't know that Troy. He has a tendency to give a threat and attack in the same day. Remember the mall, Gabriella, and Sharpay?"
Troy retorted "But sometimes he only did it once, like he did with Sharpay. And even if he does attack again, he won't go after our parents. Not yet."
Brandon sighed again, pulling into his driveway. He grabbed his books and stepped out of the car, watching his two friends do the same. "Okay, so how are we gonna tell mom?"
"Tell me what?"
The three teenagers spun around with wide eyes to see Gina standing there, a curious look etched across her face.
Clearing his throat, Brandon started "M-mom. Why'd you sneak up on us like that?"
Gina answered "I came out to congratulate you on your first day of your senior year, but I guess there's a story involved. What's going on?"
Six shoulders dropped and sighs emitted from all three mouths. Gabriella said "We have to tell you something."
"What happened?"
"Just...we'll talk in the kitchen." Gina slowly turned and walked back into the house with her two children and one technical son following her. Once they entered the room, Gina turned to them and said "Okay, so what's going on?"
Gabriella looked at both of the boys, as if expecting them to say something. They looked at her and, in unison, said "What?"
Gabriella shrugged "Tell her."
Troy retorted "It was your idea."
"It was your logic that backed it up."
"But-"
Brandon interrupted the argument with "Whatever, I'll tell her! Just shut up, will you?!"
Brandon turned to his mother and sighed "Mom, something happened in 9th period today."
"What?" Gina asked, slight impatience evident in her voice.
Brandon continued "Brick struck again."
"EXCUSE ME?!" The middle-aged woman shrieked so high dogs could hear her.
Brandon held her by her shoulders and soothed "Mom, mom. Calm down. Just breathe. In and out," he took a deep breath as if to demonstrate how to inhale and exhale. "In and let it out."
As soon as Gina had calmed down (somewhat) she demanded "What right does he have to mess with you at school? How did he even get in?"
Brandon shrugged "I guess he likes air vents."
"This isn't funny Brandon!"
"Mom, I never said it was. I'm just making a suggestion. He must've snuck in through the air vents and shut off all the power."
"Shut off all the power?!" Gina exploded again "Did you have a blackout?!"
"Mom! Breathe!" Brandon reminded her.
Gina ignored him this time. "You guys have to get the police involved!"
Troy shook his head "No, that'll just make things worse. Brick has been to jail countless times and has escaped every time. The police won't do anything. Brick's just like Wolf. The only way we can get rid of him is if we kill him."
"So if we-"
Gabriella stopped her "Mom, don't even."
Gina sighed "So what exactly do you plan on doing about this? This can't go on much longer."
Gabriella nodded "I know. We're all trying to deal with this, but we need help."
"What do you need me to do baby?"
"Well, for one, you can start by not calling the cops."
"Gabby-"
"Mom, no. This is a personal problem that the officials can't be involved in. Trust us with this. Troy did it all by himself for five years, I think six close friends can handle it for a few months." Troy's eyes averted to the ground when Gabriella mentioned the painful chapter of his life that tore him and Brandon apart.
Fortunately, Troy wasn't the only one who was reminded of this. Gina's rosy cheeks faded and her shoulders dropped. She nodded "Okay fine. Are you sure that I can't help you in any way, shape, or form?"
Brandon shook his head "Pretty much just be there for us when we get confused or hurt."
"Like you already do." Troy grinned.
Gina smiled and hugged all three of them "You know I love you, right? All three of you."
Gabriella nodded "Of course we do mom."
"Maybe a little more than some of us deserve." Brandon looked to the floor.
Gina slapped his strong arm "Nonsense! Everybody makes mistakes, that's how you learn. No matter what happens, I'll always love you." (Okay, this is getting a little cheesy, so I'm gonna stop it there)
"Thanks mom." Brandon's phone rang from inside his pocket showing a call. Sliding his silver LG Shine open, he answered "Hello...oh hey Mike, what's up...yeah...yeah we only got half done because of that blackout...okay, now...alright, I'll be right over. See ya." He hung up the phone and announced "I gotta go. The team was supposed to rehearse our ending for the dance, but the blackout cut us short so we're practicing over at Michael's. I'll be back later."
"Kay, see you later." Troy called as Brandon grabbed his gym bag and walked out the door.
Gabriella kissed his cheek and pulled back from him "That reminds me, me and the girls were gonna go shopping after school. I'm already late, so I have to go too."
Troy frowned and made a sound like a dog crying from the back of his throat. Gabriella rolled her eyes and smiled "Sorry babe, I have to go. Go see if Chad's doing anything."
"Fine..."
Gabriella kissed him one last time before she grabbed her purse and stalked out the door. Troy sighed and mumbled "Great, now I'm bored..."
Gina giggled "Want to learn how to make my famous brownies?"
Troy's sorrow now flipped into happiness as he exclaimed "My mom would love them for a birthday present next week."
Gina smiled "No problem. I'll show you how to make them into a cake."
"Sweet!"
--
It was 7:00 that night before Gabriella finally came home. She sighed and threw her shopping bags onto the couch in the living room, making half of the clothes spill out of them. She inhaled. Why did the house smell like her mom's brownies?
Shrugging, Gabriella grabbed her bags and ran up the stairs to her room and tossed the bags into the corner of the room, deciding to put them away the next day when she had the energy to. She walked over to her bed and prepared to crash, but stopped herself when she found a plate on her pillow. She walked a little closer and smiled when she found it to be a plate of 5 brownies and a sticky note. She picked up the note and giggled as she read "Remind me to thank your mom for filling my boredom"
Gabriella grabbed hold of the first brownie in her sight and bit half of it, letting the warm chocolate and melted chocolate chips flood her taste buds. She moaned in delight. They were even better than when her mother made them.
Just as she finished the chocolatety treat, her phone rang. Picking it up, she answered "Hello?"
"Hola seniorita." A masculine voice answered.
Gabriella rolled her eyes "Nice Spanish Troy."
Troy laughed "Why thank you. I have it fourth period."
Gabriella groaned "I still don't know why you didn't take French with me and Brandon."
"Because last time I took that in eighth grade I almost failed. I can't even say 'bonjour' right."
"Troy, you just said it perfectly." Gabriella giggled.
Changing the subject, Troy said "So, you get my present. Well, me and your mom's present."
Gabriella smiled "Yeah, thanks. They're delicious. Probably better than when my mom usually makes them. What'd you do differently to them?"
Troy flirted "I added twice the love."
"Aww, you're sweet."
"Not as sweet as you."
"Okay Troy, you're about make me cry."
"Wish I could be there to be your shoulder."
"Are you just trying to make me start crying?" Gabriella asked, feeling her eyes start to well up.
"Maybe..."
Gabriella gasped "Troy Alexander Bolton! What happened to 'I never wanna see you hurt again'?!"
Troy sarcastically answered "I lied Gabby."
Sensing his sarcasm, Gabriella said "Well then, it'll take quite a lot of begging for me to forgive you for that one Bolton."
"Aww, come on Gabs, you know I was kidding. Please forgive me for my totally inappropriate joke."
"Beg for it." She replied in a sing-song voice.
"Okay fine. What's the most romantic thing that I can do over the phone?"
Thinking for a second, Gabriella answered "Sing me my favorite song. And no Troy, I'm not telling you what it is."
"No need. I already know what it is. Ready?"
"Go ahead David Archuleta."
After chuckling, Troy cleared his throat and sang softly:
"Weak
I have been cryin' and cryin' for weeks
How'd I survive when I can barely speak
Barely eat
On my knees
How was that?"
Gabriella smiled "Perfect."
"Then I believe it's your turn next Ms. Montez."
Gabriella fought back "Oh no, don't try to turn this on me. You're still in the process of being forgiven mister."
"Fine.
But that's the moment you came to me
I don't know what your love has done to me
Think I'm invincible
I see through the me
I used to be"
Gabriella walked outside to her balcony as he sang to her and smiled, softly humming along with him. When he ended the verse, he said "Want me to continue?"
"Of course!"
"Okay, but this time you have to sing with me, no matter how much trouble I'm in. It sounds better with a girl singing."
Gabriella sighed sarcastically "Fine."
"Okay, you ready?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
Suddenly, Gabriella felt two strong arms slither around her waist, pulling her into them. She shrieked and was about to flip around and see who it was before a soft voice entered her ears, singing
"You changed my whole life
Don't know what you're doin' to me with your love"
Without saying a word to him, Gabriella placed her hands on top of Troy's and, closing her eyes, added her voice to his.
"I'm feelin' all superhuman
You did that to me
A superhuman heart beats in me
They can't stop me here with you
Superhuman
I feel so superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman"
As they finished the first chorus together, Gabriella sleekly turned in his hold and wrapped her arms around his neck, staring into his deep, ultramarine eyes. Smiled as he continued filling her stomach with butterflies.
"Strong
Since I've been flyin' and ridin' the wrongs
Feels almost like I had it all along
I can see tomorrow"
She took his place in singing:
"For every problem is gone because
I threw everywhere but love inside of me
It's unbelievable to see
How love could set me free"
Troy took over, swaying them both back and forth to the beat of the imaginary music continuously.
"You changed my whole life
Don't know what you're doin' to me with your love"
They finished the rest of the song together.
"I'm feelin' all superhuman
You did that to me
A superhuman heart beats in me
They can't stop me here with you
Superhuman
I feel so superhuman
Superhuman
It's not a bird
Not a plane
It's my heart and it's goin' gone away
My only weakness is you
Only reason is you
Every minute with you I feel like I can do
Anything
Goin' goin' I'm gone away
Your love
You changed my whole life
Don't know what your doin' to me with your love
I'm feelin' all superhuman
You did this to me
A superhuman heart beats in me
They can't stop me here with you
Superhuman
Superhuman"
The couple just stood there from that point on, staring into each other's warm eyes like they were the only people in the world. Their foreheads rested against each others gently while their lips parted to catch their breath, partly from singing but majorly from the love in the moment. They both smiled.
"So am I still in the doghouse?" Troy whispered.
Gabriella giggled and ran a hand through his shaggy hair "I miss having you at the foot of my bed."
Troy laughed slightly and let his lips fall onto hers softly. She separated from him first only to say "Wanna come in? It's a little cold out here."
Troy smiled and, not responding verbally, took her hand in his and walked them both inside the house onto her bed. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap, letting her wrap her arms around his neck.
"So," Gabriella started "What inspired you to be romantic and climb up my balcony?"
Troy shrugged "I was waiting outside for about an hour for you to come home and once I finally saw you walk in the door, I started climbing. I guess I just wanted to see if you were okay from what happened today."
Gabriella shrugged and Troy took notice of her sudden downfallen face. "I guess I'm okay. Still a bit scared, but I think I'll live. What about you?"
Troy answered "I'm only okay if you are."
"That's not fair Troy."
"Is it? Or are you just confused?"
"Huh?"
"I take it it's the second one."
Gabriella giggled "You make no sense Wildcat."
Troy rolled his eyes "Gabby, you know as well as I do that I'm not a Wildcat anymore. I quit the team, remember?"
"Who said you needed to be a member of the basketball team to be a Wildcat?"
Troy smiled and extended his neck to place a kiss on Gabriella's lips. "Your logic is scary sometimes."
"That's what you signed up for, isn't it?"
"And I don't regret a second of it."
Gabriella yawned in response "You know what's really scary?"
"What?"
"The fact that it's only 7:20 and I'm already tired."
Troy chuckled "You've had a long day, no wonder you're tired. Here," he lay back on the bed and dragged his girlfriend with him "Just go to sleep."
Gabriella complained "Troooy..."
Troy refused "Gabriella, you know how you get when you're too tired. Just lay back and let the sleep take over you."
"Cheesy much?"
Troy shrugged "Just a little."
Gabriella rolled her eyes, but nonetheless cuddled into her boyfriend's strong, but pillow-like, chest and closed her eyes. Almost instantly her mind started to shut down and switch into sleep mode, but one little thing was preventing her from totally conking out.
"Sing to me again."
Troy smiled and kissed her neck lovingly. "I think David can do that."
He leaned down and softly started his voice back up again:
"Do you ever think, when you're all alone
All that we can be, where this thing can go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it really just another crush?
Do you catch your breath, when I look at you
Are you holding back, like the way I do
'Cause I'm tryin, tryin to walk away
But I know this crush ain't goin away, goin away..."
That was all it took. Those 40 seconds of Troy's sweet voice filling Gabriella's half conscious mind was all it took to make her fall limp in his arms and let her breathing cut even. Troy looked down at her and let out a low whistle of admiration. The girl was terrorized and yet she still had the will to fall asleep at night without a problem.
"This crush most definitely isn't going away..." Troy whispered to himself before setting his head down on Gabriella's soft pillow and eventually joining her in dreamland, where it was only the two of them. No one else.
--
Brandon closed the door to his house two hours later, tossing his keys on the office desk in front of him. He shrugged off the gym bag on his back and let it fall to the ground carelessly before heading for the stairs up to his room.
They finally did it. The dance team had finally perfected their routine ending. Brandon smiled to himself. Words couldn't explain the feeling he got when he learned another dance that he could perform for his friends and family. It was like an author writing a story. The journey was fun and difficult, but when you looked at the result in the end, you realize that all your effort was worth it. It turned into something amazing.
Brandon marched up the stairs and viewed the door to his room in his line of vision, but he couldn't help but turn his head to the left. Gabriella's room. Brandon sighed. Maybe he would just check on her.
He turned and shuffled over to his sister's bedroom quietly, just in case she was asleep. He doubted it. The girl was usually up until ten thirty.
Brandon opened the door a crack and peered inside, having his eyes land on his twin sister lying on her side and her breathing evenly paced. Wow. She was asleep.
Brandon looked further into the room and grinned, shaking his head slowly. There was no mistaking the large body laying beside his sister. Troy lay there, his eyes closed as well. Brandon chuckled. What was with these people and going to bed early all of a sudden?
Just as he was about to turn out Gabriella's light, Brandon got an idea. He tiptoed inside the room and over to Gabriella's bedside table where her phone lay. He took hold of it and flipped it open, clicking on the camera shortcut button. He then reached over top of Gabriella's slumbering form and into Troy's hoodie pocket. He pulled out his cell and got the camera feature set up as well. He held each phone in his hands and on the imaginary count of three, Brandon clicked the capture button. He looked over each photo and grinned, satisfied. The teen quickly did a few more things with the phones before putting them back where he got them and sneaking back out of the room, trying his hardest not to bust out laughing.
--
The next morning, Troy groaned and opened his eyes slightly, looking around at his surroundings. White walls, random art hung up everywher, and a pink bedspread. Yup. He was definitely in Gabriella's room.
It's Tuesday... Troy quickly reached in his pocket and grabbed his phone to check the time. 6:00 AM. He sighed in relief. They wouldn't be late for school.
Before flipping the phone closed, he took a look at the wallpaper. What the... Troy jogged his memory to try and remember when he or anybody for that matter had taken this picture of him and Gabriella together. He took a closer look. Were they asleep? And wearing the same clothes they were right now? What in the world was-
"Oh wait a minute," Troy thought to himself, a smug grin forming on his face "I know who took this..."
He turned and shook Gabriella awake, whispering "Gabby, wake up."
"Huh?" Gabriella murmured, sitting up ever so slightly and opening her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Check your phone." Troy grinned.
Gabriella yawned and reached over to her bedside table to get her phone and check the clock. She flipped it open, but didn't read the time. What really startled her was the wallpaper.
"Is that us?" She asked, looking over at Troy.
Troy nodded "Yeah, it was taken last night."
"Did you take it?"
Troy shook his head "Nope. I'm asleep too."
"Well then who could've-"
She stopped herself and smiled, shaking her head. "Oh, I know who it was..."
The couple said in unison "Brandon."
Lol I had half a mind to call this chapter "Isn't That Sweet?" but I stopped myself. So there you go. An update that is long overdue and it's mostly just fluff. Don't get used to it. Drama coming up soon :)
REVIEW!!! Thnx :)
~Rachel :)
Trivia:
- The song is Superhuman by Chris Brown. I'm pretty much addicted to it right now
- The second song is the chorus to Crush by David Archuleta
- In case you didn't figure it out, Troy said "I think David can do that" referring back to when Gabriella said "Go ahead David Archuleta."
- Gabriella and Brandon are taking French because that's the language I'm taking in school (We had a choice between French, Spanish, German, and Latin) Only I have it first period