Hey everybody. I thought I'd try and update this chapter as quick as I could because I left it so late on the updates last time. Besides, we've got a long weekend coming up. My school had training days on Friday and Monday so it's a four day weekend which is absolutely awesome! WOOOO! I need it too, let me tell you.
Wow, I'm really pleased I had some mixed opinions on Maria's reaction to Troy! It's what I was hoping for but didn't really know whether I'd be getting. Of course I wanted the 'that was totally out of line' kind of reviews but I also wanted a few 'it's natural for her to react that way' kind of reviews as well. Did I just confuse anybody??? If so, lol, re-read what I just said.
I've already started my final chapter of 'Love Never Ends' and I'll be updating it as soon as I can so please look out for it! It's said its coming to an end but all good things must. :(
This chapter is dedicated to SimplyCuteBambi who's been responsible for writing one of my favourite fan fictions on this site, it's called 'Two Different Worlds Collide' and she's just finished it all. I'm really said to see it coming to end so I decided that this chapter had to be dedicated to Bambi for her amazing story! Hope you enjoy chickity! :D
Chapter 9 – Missing Him
"TROY, are you sure you have to go today?" Gabriella asked hopefully as Troy removed his jacket and slung it over the edge of her bed that murky Friday afternoon.
A week had passed since Troy had had the pleasure of meeting Maria and though she would never admit it, Gabriella felt a strange anxiety in the very core of her stomach when she thought about being away from Troy for those three days that he would be visiting his parents in Placitas.
"I have to go. Its only three days, stop worrying. I'll be back in no time at all." Troy reassured Gabriella as he lay beside her on the bed, rolling onto his stomach so he was lying identical to her.
"I suppose, 'Gabriella muttered rolling her eyes, she flipped open her English notebook and looked at him expectantly. Troy had come over to catch up with some revision he'd missed in their previous lesson. She'd pretended that his sudden visit had annoyed her but truthfully, Gabriella was happy to see him, "how long until you leave?"
"I've got to be home in an hour." Troy answered.
"Well that doesn't leave us much time does it? I don't know how you do it? It's not too much of a strain to pay attention in class." Gabriella scolded.
Troy's cheeks flushed pink, "I get distracted easily but I'm trying to pay attention more." He told her. Troy's concentration span in his lessons had decreased since...Poppy...but lately he'd taken an ever bigger turn for the worst. With Gabriella sitting only a few desks in front of him he was finding it difficult to concentrate! Who could blame him? She was beautiful!
"Alright, 'she said flipping through the pages, "we'll just go over the basics. If we don't get that far I'm sure you can take my notes to Placitas with you if you'd like."
"That'll be great." Troy answered, smiling.
"Okay, well...I'll just get right into it, 'she said and she began to read aloud, "One of Sylvia Plath's most revered poem is the piece called 'Daddy' which was dramatically written to allow Sylvia to express her feelings about her father. Through her clever use of...Troy...are you listening?"
Gabriella had looked up from her notes for a fleeting second to find Troy in a complete daze, day dreaming.
"Troy!" She said again and when he did not break free from his reverie she nudged him in the ribs and he blinked and turned to look at her.
"What was that?" He asked.
"Troy, 'she sighed with exasperation, "you weren't listening to a thing I was saying were you?"
"I'm sorry Gabi, 'Troy answered frowning apologetically, Gabriella would've cut him off and continued to reprimand him had she not seen the red puffy blotches around his eyes indicating that he'd been upset. She mentally smacked herself for having not noticed it when he'd first come into her room, "I'm just not feeling very well."
"What's wrong?" She asked comfortingly, putting her notebook down, giving him her full and undivided attention.
Troy sat up and went to lie at the top of the bed, supporting his head on Gabriella's pillows. For a moment, Gabriella believed he wasn't going to answer her at all but he sighed and muttered, "It's just a bad day. That's all."
"Maybe I could help, 'she said flashing him what she believed was an encouraging smile, "if you'll tell me what's wrong."
"It's nothing to worry about Gabriella." Troy answered robotically liked he'd answered this kind of question many, many times.
"Why don't you want to talk about it?" Gabriella asked desperately.
"Why do you want to talk about it?" Troy snarled back in response.
"You can't answer me back with another question!" Gabriella growled.
"Since when did you make the rules about our discussions? I don't answer to you." Troy sounded angry and the evidence served itself when he turned his back on Gabriella, lying on his side so he was no longer facing her.
"Don't blow things out of proportion Troy." Gabriella whispered knowing she had to ease the argument back down to a more rational level. She didn't want them to part tonight on such bad terms.
Troy grumbled, "Then stop asking me stupid questions!"
"Fine, fine, 'Gabriella held up her hands in defeat, "I won't."
She shifted up to the top of the bed with Troy and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head into his shoulder and breathing.
"Shall we forget about catching up on studies today? 'she said sensually, kissing Troy's neck adoringly. Troy groaned and Gabriella was delighted that he didn't push her away, "if we only have an hour why don't we make it count?"
Troy rolled onto his back and allowed Gabriella to straddle him. She leaned down and kissed his lips gently, moaning in delight as he responded back with as much enthusiasm. The room was filled with a deep, penetrating silence. They were very quiet, their hands caressing and stroking though they had nothing to worry about. Maria was working and they were totally alone.
When the need for air was too overpowering, Gabriella pulled away and began to pepper the softest of kisses down Troy's neck, emitting guttural groans of pleasure from him that sent her mind raging wildly.
"Isn't this...much...more interesting?" Gabriella giggled between kisses.
"Much more!" Troy agreed cupping her face between his large hands and smashing his lips up to hers again, this time kissing her frenziedly, hardly able to get enough.
With a rush of excitement, he rolled them over so he was now straddling Gabriella. They'd not broken their kiss nor made any attempt to. Gabriella's tiny hand found his and ever so resolutely she was guiding it to her breast, encouraging him as he hesitated against the subtle softness of her body.
"I don't bite Troy." She muttered against his neck and she gasped in ecstasy as he pressed down hard upon her, the material of her clothes suddenly feeling too sticky, too sweaty to bear wearing.
If there were ever a time to lure him to sleep with her it was now whilst his resistance was weak and his desire was strong.
"I think we're wearing one too many clothes Troy Bolton!" Gabriella teased as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
Apparently, Troy's resistance was stronger than she'd imagined for the second she started working at his button's Troy went pale. He pushed himself off of her, quickly re-buttoning his shirt with diligent care like it was the most important thing in the world. Gabriella frowned, biting her bottom lip.
"Troy?" She asked uncertainly.
"I should...should go." He said quickly.
"What? 'Gabriella queried, completely perplexed, "why?"
Troy shook his head and licked his lips. He wouldn't look at Gabriella and this brought about a newer swell of confusion and suspicion, "Troy? We were just playing around." She said shifting closer to him again and pressing her lips to his once more.
Gabriella made sure to take more care this time about what she did. She'd obviously unnerved him and she didn't know how.
"Come on, 'she mumbled into his skin, breathing soft satisfying kisses into his mouth, capturing his tongue with hers passionately, "a bit of fun doesn't hurt, does it?"
Troy groaned and shook his head, his eyes glazed over with craving and need, "No...it doesn't."
Gabriella smiled. That was better, he was comfortable again and so she leaned forward and began to unbutton his shirt again, one button at a time.
Troy yanked himself back again and yelped in distress, "No Gabriella!" He snapped.
"What's the matter? What am I doing?" Gabriella asked him desperately. He seemed to be resisting her every time she tried to remove his shirt.
"I don't want to do this Gabriella. Not now." He hissed through clenched teeth.
Gabriella didn't know what to say. He'd never refused her before but he was doing so now just when things were starting to get interesting. It aggravated her, "I don't think you know what you want Troy Bolton!"
"What! Suddenly I don't know what I want because I'm refusing to sleep with you." Troy argued, his beautiful blue eyes blazing with fury.
Gabriella folded her arms over her chest and turned her nose up at Troy like he was something she greatly disliked, "You've lost your mind. Any other East High guy would kill to be in your position!"
"Well if any guy would kill to be in my position go and find them. I'm sure you'll be able to rub yourself up against Luke Vista like some common whore." Troy spat standing and slinging his jacket back on over his head, he shoved the hood up so it cast a black shadow over his face and Gabriella inwardly shivered.
"Why you ungrateful little prick, 'Gabriella gasped standing up to match his stride, she pushed herself up on her tiptoes so they faced one another, "I've been good to you and shown you more friendship than you've probably ever received in a lifetime."
Troy snorted, "ooh, I'm honoured, 'he laughed in a baby-ish voice, "to have the Queen of East High dub me a friendless freak."
Gabriella's gaze softened for a moment, "you know I didn't mean that." She explained.
"Yes you did, 'Troy retorted angrily, "but the things is Gabriella, I haven't needed you at all these last couple of weeks. You've needed me! You've bothered me and the thing is, I'm sick of you. I'm sick of you acting like a fucking dog on heat so piss off and leave me alone in the future!"
Troy turned on his heel and stalked out quickly before Gabriella, who was in a state of utter shock could follow him.
Gabriella was stunned by Troy's heartless, completely unexpected choice of words. What started as harmless fun had ended with a screaming match and Gabriella was embarrassed to admit that she'd lost. She couldn't believe he'd called her a whore and a dog on heat! She couldn't believe she'd called him an ungrateful little prick! Everything was wrong. Everything.
AFTER what had felt like an eternity of moping, Gabriella had half-heartedly accepted Sharpay's invitation to Taylor's sleepover. She hadn't really wanted to go at all but Maria, who'd grown tired of her daughter's dejected mood, had instructed Gabriella to go and enjoy herself.
The group were sitting on Taylor's bedroom floor, exchanging secrets and stories, a large bowl of popcorn set in the middle of the circle they had formed. Gabriella felt a great surge of affection build up inside her as she looked around at her friends. They were all there, Taylor, Sharpay and Kelsi and seeing them, after what felt like an eternity of separation brought the realisation upon Gabriella that she'd neglected her friends of late, shunned them because of her ever-increasing desires for Troy. In the future, she would have to divide her time between them. They were her friends after all and she'd always believed in the meaningful phrase, "Girls are forever, guys are whatever!"
"And she steps on the ball." Sharpay laughed finishing up on one rather amusing story of her mother and a golf ball. The girls collapsed into a fit of uncontrollable, infectious giggles, rolling around on the floor playfully, clutching their sides and stomachs.
"That...that was pretty good." Taylor chuckled wiping the tears from her eyes as the laughter began to die away.
"So, Gabriella, 'Sharpay said grabbing a piece of popcorn, throwing it into the air and catching it in her mouth, "it feels like forever since we've talked. Got anything to tell us? Any news or stories...even secrets."
"Not really, 'Gabriella answered and she looked at Kelsi who ducked her head and wouldn't meet her eye. Out of all her friends, it was Kelsi who knew and disapproved of Gabriella's fling with Troy. Gabriella didn't want to tell her friends about Troy in fear of their reaction to him and because she'd already laid down the 'no strings attached' rule it would be difficult for any of them, especially Taylor, to understand why Gabriella was even bothering with someone she didn't want to be with permanently, "I've had a bland couple of weeks."
"What about Susie Greenwoods party?" Kelsi asked her curiously.
Gabriella frowned, "Um...what about it?"
"Well we all went together but we hardly saw anything of you. In fact, I can remember seeing you at all." Kelsi explained.
Gabriella gulped and tried to think of some sort of explanation but her mind were paralysed and she could think at all.
"Don't be silly Kels, 'Taylor said nudging the smaller girl affectionately, "of course we don't remember seeing Gabriella. Most of us were drunk."
"Ooh, 'Sharpay winced, "I remember that!" She said and the girls were laughing again and Gabriella was pleased to divert her gaze from Kelsi's penetrating glare.
"Yeah but seriously Gabriella, 'Taylor said when they'd stopped again, "where were you all night?"
Gabriella didn't know what to say. She looked around at her friends who were watching her with bold, eager eyes, expecting her to say something. Maybe she could give them exactly what they wanted to know without actually spilling the beans about Troy. What if she twisted the truth just a little so that everyone would be happy?
"I was busy." She said winking with a smirk.
Sharpay gasped, "what! You were doing it with some guy?"
Gabriella laughed and shook her head, "don't make it sound so romantic Shar." She said sarcastically.
Kelsi looked stunned as if she hadn't been expecting Gabriella to answer so bluntly, "what, so you admit that you're seeing Tr –"
"I didn't know who he was, 'Gabriella cut over her quickly before she could say anything that would seemingly end all of Gabriella's fun, "and no Sharpay, we didn't do it."
"Oh, 'Sharpay sighed in disappointment, she lay down on the floor and allowed Kelsi to play with her hair, closing her eyes and breathing deeply, "so what were you doing exactly?"
"Just kissing and stuff." Gabriella said with a shrug of her shoulders. She was good at this lying thing!
"I don't get it, 'Kelsi said not looking up from Sharpay, "you were just making out with this random guy."
"It was just a bit of fun, 'Gabriella replied knowing that Kelsi knew it was Troy she'd been seeing that night but also understanding that Kelsi would say nothing to the girls because she'd promised Gabriella she wouldn't, "and I'll probably never see him again to be honest."
"So it was a fling?" Taylor chuckled.
"Sure was." Gabriella lied nodding
"Did you even like the guy? I mean what did he look like?" She continued, interested.
Gabriella frowned and bit her lip. What could she say about that exactly? She didn't quite understand her feelings concerning Troy. It was confusing!
"Um...well he was very good looking. He had lovely eyes, 'she said dreamily, "I liked him. I liked him a lot."
"Aww. That's sweet." Sharpay murmured.
The group sat in silence for a moment, weighing over their discussion. Gabriella was happy with the way she'd brought across the illusion of her 'relationship.' The girls would never have to worry about Troy. He was hers again, just hers!
"Who wants to watch a movie?" Taylor suddenly asked to break the silence.
"Me!" Sharpay and Kelsi chimed in together.
Gabriella decided it was time to try and phone Troy and apologise for their argument.
"Why don't you girls go on ahead? I've got to phone my mother. I'll be right back." She said and she stood and left the room swiftly, going through to the bathroom and locking the door behind her.
"Phew, that was close." She said with relief and she leaned against the door and dialled Troy's mobile number, silently pleading that he would pick up.
GABRIELLA had had no such luck when it came to trying to contact Troy. Whether he was ignoring her or was genuinely busy she did not know but she was growing ever so slightly impatient with him. She'd been sitting in the bathroom for at least fifteen minutes and though Gabriella didn't want to be a party pooper all night, she knew she wouldn't settle if she didn't apologise to Troy.
She dialled the number again quickly and placed it to her ear, sighing and biting down on her lip in her eagerness, "come on, come on." She muttered to herself.
The phone continued to ring and Gabriella continued to wait. She wondered whether Troy had gone to Placitas to just see his grandparents. What if he were busy with other things...a girlfriend he'd left behind maybe? The cold stab of jealousy punctured her heart and she shook her head, willing herself not to believe such rubbish.
"Hello?"
Gabriella frowned, whoever had just answered Troy's mobile was definitely not Troy, "um...hello?" She said quietly in return, "is Troy there please?"
"I'm afraid he's in the shower at the moment, 'the woman replied softly, "can I take a message?"
"No, that's fine. Could you just tell him Gabriella called please?"
There was a pause for a moment and the woman's breathing quickened. Gabriella pulled the phone away from her ear, a little baffled and then placed it back again.
"Gabriella Montez?" The woman asked excitedly.
"The same." Gabriella answered.
"Oh this is wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I'm Lucille, Troy's mother, 'she said in a rush, babbling animatedly as if she were talking to someone remarkably important, "I've been waiting to meet you for such a long time. My husband too. Troy keeps promising to bring you over but you know boys."
Gabriella laughed, "actually Troy mentioned me meeting you. Don't worry; he hasn't completely disregarded the idea."
"Please say you'll come by soon, 'Lucille pleaded with great enthusiasm and the more she talked, the more Gabriella realised she liked this woman, "I'm just dying to meet the girl whose had my little boy walking around on cloud nine for the past couple of weeks."
Gabriella didn't know what to say. Had she really affected Troy that badly? A burning had settled in her stomach, pleasant and warm and she could not fight the blush that was travelling across her cheeks. She was grateful Lucille couldn't see her.
"Troy pretends to dismiss conversations about you, 'Lucille whispered as if she were telling Gabriella some sort of secret, "but most of the time he initiates them. He doesn't even realise. His confidence has definitely grown since you've been hanging around with him." She paused and then added affectionately, "thank you my dear."
"It's no problem at all, 'she answered, "to be quite honest I didn't want Troy to go to Placitas but I guess his grandmother and grandfather would be rather annoyed with him if he blew them off for me."
Lucille paused.
Gabriella wondered whether she'd said something wrong but how could she have?
"His...his grandparents did you say?" Lucille queried, hesitant and the warmth in her voice was now forced.
"Yes. Troy said he was going to Placitas to visit them." Gabriella replied.
"Oh yes, he is. We are." Lucille muttered, "I don't mean to cut this first meeting so short Gabriella but unfortunately my husband's calling me."
"I understand Mrs Bolton."
"Please my sweet, call me Lucille, 'the kindly lady chuckled, "and when you can, pop over to the house for some lunch. You're always welcome."
"Thank you. Bye." Gabriella exclaimed amiably.
"Bye now." Lucille answered and the phone went dead.
Gabriella slipped her mobile phone into her pyjama pocket and sat back on the floor, resting against the door, one hundred percent confused. When she'd mentioned Troy's grandparents to Lucille a great uncomfortable edge had attacked their exchange. Had Lucille's husband really been calling her or was it a ploy to get off the phone so as not to let anything slip about the Bolton's past.
Yes! Something was wrong and it was linked to Troy. Would Gabriella dare herself to find out?
TROY sighed resignedly as he shoved his shirt over his head. He was exhausted yet he didn't know why. He'd spent at least fifteen minutes in the shower though the experience seemed blank like he hadn't actually been there at all.
He was missing Gabriella sorely. He didn't understand how one person could corrupt every sane thought in his mind and yet Gabriella had, in every sense of the word. Their argument had been harsh and very brutal. Troy still couldn't believe he'd called her a whore. She was a passionate, beautiful person who desired life...desired him and he'd been wrong to put her down and make her feel bad.
The knock on his hotel door awoke him from his brooding thoughts, "come in." He called and he was surprised to find his mother standing in the doorway, a meek smile playing on her lips. She didn't look happy.
The hotel they were staying in was comfortable and quaint. Troy preferred staying there than with his Uncle and Auntie who lived just on the edge of Placitas. He didn't think he could stomach the way they glared at him.
"Hey Mom." He whispered.
Lucille walked into the room and placed his mobile phone on his bedside cabinet, watching him with disapproving eyes.
"Gabriella called, 'she said calmly, "she sounds like a lovely girl."
Troy nodded, "she is."
"You know, what I don't understand is why you told her you were visiting your grandparents?" Lucille questioned inquisitively.
Troy stopped for a moment and stared out the window feeling empty and bare like he couldn't breathe.
"I...I...why shouldn't I tell her that?" He stammered.
Lucille stood and placed a trembling hand upon her son's shoulder, "Troy...your grandparents died seven years ago."
Troy shrugged his shoulders carelessly.
"Why would you lie to the poor girl? 'Lucille asked him and Troy shook his head, not knowing how to answer her, "why won't you tell her about Poppy?"
"Because we won't be together long enough for her to care about Poppy. She's in the past now, 'Troy explained and he couldn't bear to look up at his mother and see the sorrow and regret glimmering in her eyes, "and I can't change that."
He tried to move, to get away and escape this hellish nightmare he was lost in but his mother grasped his hand and no matter how Troy yanked she would not let go.
"Troy." She pleaded helplessly.
"No Mom. Don't you see! Poppy is dead! SHE'S DEAD AND GONE AND I CAN'T TURN BACK TIME AND BRING HER BACK!" Troy bellowed in rage.
"I'm not asking you to Troy, 'Lucille whispered tenderly, tears burning in her eyes, "just don't shun Gabriella. Don't destroy every bit of happiness you seem to be finding with this girl."
Troy managed to jerk his way out of his mother's grasp and shoving past her he turned and threw open the door, "Poppy's dead Mom, 'he spat, "and Gabriella doesn't love me. Gabriella will never love me."
Then...he was gone.
A pretty dramatic chapter right??? Please let me know what you think guys. I'm kind of swayed on it to be honest. I don't know whether I liked it or not.
I'll try and update as soon as I can but I'll probably update the final chapter of 'Love Never Ends' first. Please be patient with me guys.
Anyway, these are things I want to know the most. What did you think of Gabriella and Troy's argument and Troy's argument with his mother at the end??? What about Poppy??? Any wild guesses to who she might be. Let me know. You're either right or your wrong! :)
Look out for the next chapter. I'll try and update! REVIEW xoxMusicalxox/Si xxx