Chapter Nine

I had told Darren that I love him right after practically making out with Troy. Last night when I came home from Darren's I ran to my bedroom and plopped down onto my mattress. I held my pillow tightly and tears started coming down while thinking of the mistake I had made with Troy. It was all too much for me to take, he found me with my wrist bleeding. He knew that I was falling back into my old habit. It pained my heart to think of him pressing his lips along the cuts. The tears came down quickly and were at a constant flow. I couldn't see him anymore I couldn't be his friend. It's too much of a risk staying close to him. I have a good thing with Darren and I would hate to ruin that just because of Troy Bolton. Yes, I loved Troy but that was years ago and I moved on with my life. I needed to get my head back on straight and stop with my bullshit. Even if I had a history with him and even if I did still feel something for him I couldn't let it ruin what I have now. Darren is a good guy and we planned our future. I told him I loved him and I was almost a hundred percent I meant it. I mean who couldn't love him, right? You'd be crazy not to, he's like this perfect guy. He makes me feel special and wanted. He loved me and wanted to be with me for years to come. I could see myself having a good life with him. I just wouldn't ruin it for some old teenage romance.

"You actually told him you love him?" Kylie focused her hazel eyes on me.

"Yes is that so surprising?" I asked with a raised eyebrow while moving my spoon around in my coffee.

"Let's see you've been pretty hesitant about it." She sat on the kitchen counter.

"I was just making sure it was what I felt." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"And it is?" She gave me a look of disgust.

"Okay you seriously need to start getting used to Darren." I laugh and shake my head.

"Sorry, but he's so... you know how I feel." She smiled.

"Oh I know." I grinned. "But I'm suppose to be seeing him tonight."

"Are you guys gonna do it?" She wiggled her eyebrows while wearing a goofy smirk.

"I only just told him, slow your rolls." I looked over my coffee mug at her as I took a sip.

"All I know is when that time comes you better not tell me anything." She opened her mouth pointing her finger inside and made a gag noise.

"You're so immature Kyle's." I rolled my eyes and set my mug next to the sink.

"I'm just saying Gabs." She shrugged and hopped off the counter.

"Whatever. Got any plans today?"

"Meeting up with someone in about two hours." She tried to hide her smile but it sneaked out.

"Is it that guy that you've been seeing?" I folded my arms against my chest.

"Maybe." She frowned.

"I thought you were gonna end it with him."

"Technically I never said I was. So," She looked everywhere but at me.

"You deserve better than this douche." I shook my head and walked near her.

"I probably do. I'm no better though." She licked her lips and sighed.

"Hey, you'll get it right." I smiled softly and gave her a tight hug.

"Thanks." She hugged back and we pulled apart.

"And before I forget, I have to go do something." I quickly walked to my bag and put it on my shoulder.

"Like seeing Troy?" She looked at me with a pleased grin.

"No?" I walked to the door and opened it. "I'll be back."

My car stopped in front of the house where I grew up. I turned off the engine and sat in my seat looking out the window at it. Sometimes it looked intimidating to me scary even. Some of my best and worst memories lied within the house. I let out a long loud sigh and got out of my car. Knocking on the door twice waiting for my mother to answer the door. I stared down at my feet and chewed at my bottom lip. I needed to speak to her about her new boyfriend or whatever he was. She was right. I was wrong. I just get carried away and overreact when it comes to things like my mother dating. She was barely around when my father was alive. She worked late and most of those working late nights were the nights she was seeing another man. While I stayed with my father as he abused me and she never even knew a thing. She was caught up in herself and didn't care about her family and what was going on in her own house. I told her that I fell or some shit excuse if she ever asked where I got a bruise from. But she barely ever asked because she barely ever noticed anything dealing with me. After my father died she cried for weeks and stayed in her bed. I had to take care of her rather than her take care of her daughter. Soon after we had the funeral she started dating again and I got sick of it all. So I found a way to take away the emotional pain and decided to take on a pain that I actually could control. It made me forget the pain I felt inside myself. It helped me for just a little while. Luckily I also had Troy to comfort me but he couldn't always help.

"Gabriella." I snapped out of my thoughts and saw my mother with at the door.

"Hi mom." I tried to manage a small smile.

"What're you doing here?" She frowned.

"Can I come in please?" I ran my fingers through my hair as I looked at her.

"Of course." She opened the door wider and I walked in.

"Smells good, baking something?" I turn to her once I'm inside.

"Yes a pie." She closed the door and turned around facing me.

"Pumpkin I'm assuming." I looked toward the kitchen then back at her.

"Of course." She smiled softly.

"Mom I'm here to apologize." I walked closer to her. "I didn't mean what I said."

"Gabby it's okay. I understand." She nodded. "You're still angry with us."

"Sometimes." I mumbled. "I just worry."

"So do I." She placed her hands on my shoulders. "I love you."

"I love you too." I smiled.

"Now c'mere." She pulled me into her and hugged me.

"So can I have some of that pie?" I looked at her with a grin as we pulled away.

"Well how could I deny you of pie." She laughed.

I had left my mom's two hours later. We sat out back at the picnic table that we had since I could remember. While eating our pie we talked about her new guy and how's everything going with me. I told her that Darren and I were in a very strong place now. Troy and I most likely would not be speaking anytime soon again. Kylie and my friendship was great as usual. I couldn't wait for the summer to be over and just start fresh at Stanford. Darren and I would visit each other as much as possible, phone calls, and Skype. If anything my life was gonna go up hill from this moment. I wasn't gonna cut myself anymore and I was going to stay positive. It was a nice warm day out while I was driving on my way to Darren's apartment. We decided to have lunch dinner at his place tonight, he would cook. I was excited to start moving on from my past... from Troy. I would be fully committed to Darren and our relationship from now on. I had parked my car and walked up the stairs that lead to his door. I knocked twice and he opened it within seconds with a bright smile. He was wearing a pair of white Nike gym shorts and a dark grey t-shirt, wearing only socks on his feet. His hair was messy and it made me smile because I thought he was adorable with wild hair. This felt right.

"Hey beautiful." he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

"Hey yourself handsome." I walked inside and he closed the door behind us.

"How'd it go with your mom?" He asked as he walked to the kitchen.

"Pretty good, we talked out everything and had some pie." I shrugged while I followed behind him.

"Pumpkin I'm assuming." He shot a smirk at me.

"Is there any other kind to have?" I grinned.

"I'm making you favorite tonight, Spaghetti with meatballs." He fumbled with pots and pans.

"Oh was the special occasion?" I took a seat on the counter by the sink.

"Just wanted to make you a nice dinner." He smiled as he filled the pot with water.

"Please you always butter me up when you want something." I teased.

"Not true." He chuckled as he placed the pot on the stove, turning it on.

"Is so true." I rolled my eyes. "So what is it?"

"Nothing." He shook his head and walked over to me.

"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yes." He nodded and stood in between my legs.

"We'll see if it is." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

"Don't distract me now. I'm cooking." He said against my lips and kissed my forehead.

"Ugh you're no fun." I frowned.

"We could always start dinner later and continue this." He kissed my neck softly.

"Sounds tempting." I tilted my head to the side and closed my eyes.

"Mmm." He mumbled against my skin as he placed multiple kisses down my neck. "So?"

"I really want that spaghetti." I pushed him away gently and bit my lip.

"Of course you do." He tried to hide a smirk and he walked back to the stove.

"Sorry but it just sounds too good to wait." I smiled.

"I'll get to it, you can go rest or whatever you want." He reached for the noodles and put them in the pot.

"Sounds like a plan Stan." I giggled and hopped off the counter.

It was about an hour later before we ate our dinner around 5:30 PM. We sat at his round dinning table and enjoyed each other's company. I felt comfortable with him like this and I loved that. It felt just like it did before Troy Bolton came back into my life. No stress or worries. Just Darren and me. He always knew how to cheer me up and make me smile no matter what. The way he looked at me made it all the more clear that he did in fact love me. After we finished and I helped Darren clean up the dishes. We both went to his couch and cuddled up while watching the movie The Possession. He laid out on the couch but his back propped up by the arm rest. I laid on him with my head rested on his chest.

"This movie always freaks me out, like possession shit is scary." I cringe as I watch the TV.

"To be honest I think it's kind of funny." He shrugged.

"How?" I gave him a confused look.

"Dunno." He said nonchalantly.

"You're just weird." I sit up a little and shake my head.

"You love me though." He kissed my cheek.

"True." I rested my hand on his chest and kissed his lips.

"Thought so." He grinned while gently pulling my head close to his and reattaching our lips.

I was getting ready to go to bed after getting back from Darren's. Kylie had the night shift at her job so she was out and I was home alone which I needed. While brushing my teeth I realized it's been a full day that I had not talked to Troy and he hasn't bothered me. Maybe he had given up? A part of me felt sad about that, but I pushed that away. This was good maybe he would just leave for good. As soon as I came out the bathroom my cell started ringing. I walked over to my bedside table where I had put it down. I picked it up and looked at the caller ID my heart I swear skipped a beat when I saw the name: Troy Bolton. I stared at the screen for what seemed like ages. It had finally stopped ringing and I contemplated whether I should call him back or not to see what he has to say. I clicked on his name on my contact list. I chewed on my bottom lip and hit the delete button. I was done with him.