Because I Loved Him Chapter 10: Troy's Discovery, a high school musical fanfic

Featured Review:

All I have to say, is: perfect. Like, really. The story is so easily well written, like, really. The mental image I get when I read the story is so well defined, its like, and I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but like a movie playing in my mind. It should so totally be a movie. Wait, did I say that in the last review? Oh, I can't remember. But truly, the characters' personalities are so well put into the story, it practically stuns me. And I find it hysterical how Bianca acts. Its so typical of her type of character to perform that sort of audition, and the reactions of the other characters made me laugh out loud. Haha. There isn't one thing I would change about this story. It's probably in my top three favorite stories list. Great job, and keep up the fantastic work! I can't wait for more:) StarInHeaven1014

A big thanks to the following reviewers of Chapter 9 - Spring Musicale Auditions: Bea14, CassieLovesRyne, Zanessa Fan, foreverlily, Leah, Rachel, xoxo-jeniie-xoxo, shoppinfreak, mini princess93, HighSchoolMusicalLover1, Phoenix Feather Queen, lovetoread17, LuvHighSchoolMusical, RB140990, Oliverwoodschic, luvokemo, StrengthtoBelieve, heavensent0214, Randomly SmuRfy, angel at sight devil at heart, -DuHsoHaRDCOrE-HaRDCOrE X3-, xfunkyxfr3shx, and especially Pinkninja83, StarInHeaven 1014, breaking freexx, your average tEEn and MadiWillow

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Title: Because I Loved Him

Summary: A new girl comes to East High, and vows to get a certain basketball captain. When she finally attracts his attention, he leaves Gabriella to be with her. But will he realize who his true soulmate is?

Chapter 10

Mrs. Darbus took a while to recover from Gabriella's stunning performance. Lifting up the sheet, she made a note, then called out, "Next audition: Troy Bolton!"

Standing up, Troy strode to the stage. But while he was on the stairs, the bell rang, signaling the end of free period and the beginning of lunch. "Auditions will continue tomorrow!" Mrs. Darbus said. Jumping down, he breezed past Bianca and out of the auditorium.

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"You think that no one can see past the sweet-girl façade that you put on. You think that everyone believes you really do love Troy. But I can see past people. I saw past the basketball-boy face that Troy put on, and saw someone completely different. And it's the same story with you!"

Taylor stood next to the television, looking out at her friends. Everyone's mouths were hanging open and their eyes were bulging. They had just seen the video that the Science Club had made of Gabriella's fight with Bianca.

"Oh my god," Sharpay gasped.

Kelsi looked sad. "Poor Gabriella."

"Dude! There is no way she can treat Gabriella like that and get away with it!" Chad exclaimed.

"She already thinks she has," Ryan said sadly.

Zeke smashed his fist into his palm. "We have got to show that tape to Troy. He told me once that he hates people that act like they're better than everyone else."

Jason broke in. "Yeah, and that he can't stand people that put others down."

Taylor looked to be deep in thought. "Gabriella was like, completely destroyed when Troy dumped her. And Troy thought he was happy with Bianca, but now he seems to doubt it. Did you see how he treated her in the auditions today?" The group nodded.

Sharpay had a sudden memory. "Guys, I just remembered. Have you noticed that Bianca leaves every day halfway through lunch?" Everyone nodded. "Well, I followed her once. She goes to the Supply Closet on the third floor, and doesn't come out until the period ends."

Grimacing, Chad processed this. "If she's doing what I think she's doing, then she is totally screwed." The gang shuddered.

"Troy and Gabriella have to get back together. It's what's best for both of them," Kelsi mused.

"But we have to start by showing the tape to Troy!" Zeke exclaimed.

Chad was puzzled. "But when?"

Ryan stared up at the ceiling, pondering when was the best time to show Troy the tape. "Well, it's lunch now. Troy has basketball practice after school, and Taylor and Gabriella have the Science Club meetings. But they all end around 4:00, so we can show it to him then!"

"Uh, guys, I think that's already been taken care of," Taylor interrupted.

"Huh?" Jason asked. Taylor merely pointed towards the doorway of the science classroom.

Troy was standing there, his face white, and his eyes wide.

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"Oh my god!" Troy whispered. He had just seen the videotape again, and he couldn't get Bianca's stinging words out of his mind. "Oh my god," he repeated. "How could I ever love something like that?"

Chad was standing behind Troy, and patted him on the back. "Troy, none of us knew fully until Taylor showed us the tape."

"Wait, you guys knew? And you didn't tell me? Since when?"

Sharpay sighed. "Troy, we knew ever since Gabriella left the cafeteria on the first day you started going out with Bianca. It was so obvious; she called Gabriella a 'sad wannabe.' We though you knew!"

"But I didn't…I should have known! I was her boyfriend, and I didn't see her other side..." Troy trailed off, suddenly remembering Gabriella's chilling last words to him before he walked out: Troy, remember...there are two-faced people in this world. But it takes a strong person to see behind the façade that they put on.

"How could I have been so blind?" Tears were pouring down his face now. "She really was looking out for me," he whispered. "But I was too stubborn to see it. And Bianca was such a witch to Gabriella...I should have been there for her!" he finished angrily. Troy pushed back his chair so hard that it fell backwards to the floor. He rushed out of the door, with the gang on his heels.

Troy ran up the stairs like a madman. He barely noticed the pressure on his legs and chest as he sprinted, his friends pausing to stop and catch their breaths. When he reached the third floor, he slowed down slightly, but only to read the signs on the doors.

He finally came to the Supply Closet. Yanking it open, he gasped at what he saw. When the gang caught up to him, they gasped too, and turned away.

Bianca was in the closet, passionately kissing the captain of the soccer team, Mike Vanguard.

"What the hell are you doing?" Troy roared. Bianca shrieked, jerking away from Mike as if he had the flu. "You're cheating on me, with him?" he asked incredulously.

"No, it's not my fault! He dragged me in here!" Bianca whimpered pathetically.

Sharpay snorted. "He didn't. You've been coming here everyday for the past two weeks!"

Bianca sagged. She knew that she'd been caught. But she wasn't going down without a stinging retort. "You know, Blondie's right--" Sharpay winced at the nickname, "I have been coming here for the past two weeks. And I have been seeing Mike behind your back!"

Troy looked like he had been slapped. She continued, "You know, it's not as exciting as I thought it would be, having the most popular guy in school as my boyfriend. But it's so obvious; you still love Gabriella. You never loved me!" She cackled. "And now, if you'll excuse us," she said, running a finger down Mike's neck. Bianca reached for the doorknob and pulled it closed.

Chad looked confused. "Wait, did she just dump him?" Taylor smacked him on the back of the head.

"Now that was nasty!" Ryan exclaimed. Zeke and Jason murmured their agreement.

But Troy had this odd look on her face. "She's right. I still do love Gabriella. I still loved her!

"But how am I going to tell her this. She won't believe me...not after I acted like such a jerk to her," he finished, his happy attitude shattered.

Kelsi came to the rescue. Pulling a sheet of music out of her bag, she handed it to Troy. "Sing this at the auditions tomorrow. We'll make sure Gabriella hears it."

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"Taylor, why are you dragging me to the auditions? I tried out already!" Gabriella whined as Taylor pulled her towards the auditorium.

"Well, you might want to check out your competition!"

"No! I just want to go to the library!"

Taylor shook her head firmly. "Gabriella, you've practically been living in that library for the past month. Now, you're going to stay here, or so help me, I will kick you out of the Science Club!" Gabriella's eyes widened, and Taylor grinned. She pushed her friend into an auditorium seat, and sat down next to her.

A few minutes later, the rest of the gang came into the auditorium. Sharpay took the seat on Gabriella's other side, and Kelsi sat behind her. The boys took the rows behind them.

Gabriella noticed that Troy was also sitting with them. But he slouched down and stuffed his hands into his pockets, looking melancholy. The brunette pushed the basketball player out of her mind, and turned back to face the stage. Leaning over to Sharpay, she said, "Hey Shar, are you and Ryan auditioning?"

"Nope!" the blonde replied. Gabriella stared at her, as if the real Sharpay had gone off and left a clone. "We decided that others deserved it more than we did."

"Okay..."

The gang sat back and watched a few auditions, ones that were mostly horrible. But then Mrs. Darbus called out, "Next audition: Troy Bolton!" Troy got up and walked towards the stage, taking the microphone and staring out into the audience. As a track began to play, Troy opened his mouth to sing.

Listen girl, I don't know where to start
But every word I say comes straight from the heart
I've been so wrong
I never meant to hurt you
Oh girl, I'm sorry
For what I put you through
Girl, I'd do anything
For one more chance (one more chance)
'Cause I want you back again (want you back)

'Cause everytime I close my eyes
I see your face and I wonder
When you close your eyes
Do you think about me?
Now I realize
I want you girl and no other
Everytime I close my eyes
You're all that I see

You and I shared a life together
Each other, was all we'd ever need (all we'd ever need)
I thought you would stay with me forever
But I took for granted
The love you gave to me
I keep on tryin' (keep on tryin')
'Til the end ('til the end)
Baby I need you back with me again (I need you back)

The gang looked at Gabriella's face, to see if she had forgiven Troy. But she had this blank expression on her face, giving none of her emotions away.

And girl I'm goin' out of my mind
I miss you so much
I don't know what to do (what to do)
Please say it's just a matter of time
Until I feel your touch
Until you let me come back to you I'm in love with you

I think about you girl every night
I'm in love and it feels so right
I never meant to hurt you or cause you pain
I was just caught up in that lying game
But now those days are over
I've changed my ways
And now I'm countin' the minutes
I'm countin' the days
Until you let me come back
Until you let me start
To find a new way to get back into your heart

Girl I'd do anything for one more chance (one more chance)
'Cause I want you
I want you back again (I want you back)

Troy finished the song and inhaled deeply. His friends applauded loudly, but he could see that Gabriella was sitting with her arms folded across her chest. She didn't exactly look forgiving...more like furious.

Gabriella got up from her seat and started to stalk out of the auditorium. Troy jumped off the stage and ran to her. He caught up in five long strides, grabbed her arm, and turned her around.

"Let go of me, Troy!" she cried, yanking her arm away.

He stared back at her with hurt in his blue eyes. She continued on, "I know what you're trying to do, Troy, and it won't work!"

"Gabriella, I was a complete jerk to you. I ignored you, I treated you like dirt, and I wasn't there to comfort you when you needed it."

"Oh wow. You finally get it!" she sneered.

Troy was shocked. Gabriella never acted like this with him. "Look, Gabriella, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left you, I'm sorry I went out with Bianca, and I'm sorry I started this whole mess!"

"And what am I supposed to do?"

"I came to ask you to take me back..."

Gabriella exploded. "Troy! Did you not get the message in my song yesterday? I'm over you! I've moved on already!"

Troy looked over to his friends for support, but they had turned away, pretending not to listen. He sighed, knowing that he was on his own. "Gabriella, I said I'm sorry. And I promise, I won't break your heart again. I'll always be there for you--"

"That's what you said to me last time!" Gabriella was crying now. "You said you wouldn't leave me! You promised not to hurt me! But you did! And how do I know that you won't do it again?" she shrieked.

He was speechless. Gabriella spun around on her heel and ran out of the auditorium. Troy reached out his hand for her, as if she was a butterfly that he could catch in his palm.

"Dude! Go after her!" Chad yelled. Troy jerked, then sprinted out of the auditorium door. He looked for Gabriella in the halls, and finally found her sitting on a bench. Troy started to walk over to her, but then someone else rushed over and sat next to her. Craning his neck, Troy saw that it was Ty Reinhart, the captain of the football team. He opened his mouth to yell for Ty to go away, but the words died in his throat as he watched Ty slide an arm around Gabriella's waist and kiss her cheeks, wiping the tears away.

Author's Note: Alright, I know many of you have been asking if another boy can show interest in Gabriella. There it is!

I've already got Troy and Gabriella's karaoke songs picked out, as well as another surprise one.

Anyway, the song Troy sang was "Everytime I Close My Eyes" by The Backstreet Boys.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, because I certainly enjoyed writing it. I got so inspired that I got to update earlier than planned!

Princesse de la Plume