We Love Pretending
Chapter 9 - Returning.
Troy sighed impatiently as he saw the views of Albuquerque finally pass his window. It had been a long trip, longer than he had wanted, and all to go to a meeting, in which nothing really interesting happened. His manager wanted to confirm a list of dates in which he would be encouraging viewers on various shows to come and see the film. The film that hadn't even started being filmed yet.
He closed his eyes gently, letting the cold air passing through the small gap in the window blow against his face. He sighed in contentment. Air was exactly what he needed after a long 5 hour flight in a stuffy, under conditioned plane. Running a sticky hand through his hair, he sighed, a smile forming on his lips. He was finally returning home; something he never knew he could want to do so much.
In earlier life, a trip to New York on business made him excited. At the age of 16, he'd been given his first major film, which turned out to crash and burn at the box offices, but it was still real. At that time, something real in this industry was all he wanted, and when he had got it he had been overjoyed. But now, at the age 23, being successful and working hard for it, a little meeting concerning nothing that major, just made Troy depressed. He would have much rather sat at home, flicking through the channels on TV, and muttering under his breath how untalented the actors were.
With Gabriella, of course.
He'd missed her. Too much in his opinion. He knew he shouldn't be doing this but he could actually feel himself falling, ready fro the crash at the bottom of that long tunnel called 'Love'. God, it sucked. And it sucked for one reason; the fact that she probably only felt for him as a friend. He thought the chemistry between them was undeniable, but her, she may think differently.
His mind replayed the moment they kissed. How is had felt, and how her lips had moved in such a tantalizing way. He had no clue where she'd learned to kiss like that, but her techniques could get her far. He longed, deep down to feel her lips on his again, to feel her touch, but all hope was lost. He'd probably never get to kiss her again, and the only this he could hold onto was the memory.
He abruptly opened his eyes once more when he felt the car shift and turn a corner. A smirk came onto his face and his eyes danced when he passed through the street. Eventually, he could no longer hear the shouts of the paparazzi, who had somehow found out when he was arriving home. From the airport, to the car, and now all the way on the journey to his home, he had been followed by them, the guys with the cameras. In some ways he felt bad for them, some of the celebrities in this world hated them with such vengeance, when really they were only doing there job. He betted that if they had a choice, they would choose to stay out of other people's lives. But then again, he supposed the pay was good. In the end, they were just doing their job, like actors were doing there's.
But he smirked even more when he realised that he had just passed the place he'd first saw Gabriella again. He remembered her walking into the room, catching his eyes like metal to a magnet, and then he knew he was on to something.
In a matter of minutes, the car turned the corner into his street and he sighed in relief. Coming home was a blessing, and with Gabriella there, it made only more worth while.
Gabriella's eyes were glued to the clock. The tick, tock, tick, tock of the hands made her more on edge, and more anxious for the clock to turn faster. From the early hours of the evening she had been waiting for him to return, an action she knew would please her. She wanted his presence around her more and more, and she knew she shouldn't. But she had no control over what he was doing to her. All she could do was grasp onto the remains of her sense.
She sighed irritated when she realised that looking at the clock would not help time fasten. Instead she took to the kitchen, searching all over the cupboards for cleaning products. A smile curved onto her lips when she realised she was acting exactly like her mother would. She remembered her saying once 'Whenever you're waiting for something the fastest thing you can do is clean.' And that's exactly what she was going to do. Her hands grabbed the polisher, cloths and other accessories and started on cleaning the entire house.
A few hours later, when Troy had still not returned, she had successfully managed to clean the house from top to bottom. You could see yourself in the worktops it was so clean. She smiled in satisfaction. While moving through the living room she let her eyes wander casually to the clock, perched neatly on the wall. 7:50pm. She sighed, flattening out the ripples in her jeans as she collapsed back onto the couch with a heave. Cleaning was supposed to wake you, energise you, and let all the feelings of time pass away. Not make you feel like you could sleep for a year, and make the time go ever so slowly!
She tucked her feet under her knees and looked over the day she had just had. It had been pretty uneventful, until Ryan showed up. He seemed nice, and she felt happy to know that Troy had such good people around him to support and comfort. She knew she had people back home that would die for her, and was glad that Troy probably had the same. She wondered if Troy would meet any of her relatives and friends, and guessed that he probably would when he came back with her to Britain.
There was a little part inside of her that couldn't wait to return home. But at the same time, being here, in Albuquerque, with Troy had been such fun she didn't want to leave. She knew she'd have happy memories of this time with Troy, but going home just signified it almost coming to and end, even though there was plenty days left to their experiment.
She giggled when she thought about her mother's reaction if she met Troy. She would probably gasp at how handsome he was, then silently hope that he wouldn't break her daughters heart. That's what her mother was like; an angel with a heart of gold.
Sighing she heaved herself to her feet, fighting the temptation to fall asleep in between the soft feathery cushions. Wrapping her arms around her body she felt a sudden rush of cold hit her frame. Shivering she decided to take a shower, she'd warm up and be clean enough to greet Troy again.
Half an hour later, she was back to watching the clock, with its hands that moved at snails pace. When she heard the car draw up, she jumped so far into the air she could feel the couch move from beside her. Laughing, she quickly slipped on her shoes, grey flats and peeked through the small gap in the blinds. She sighed noticing the many paparazzi surrounding the area come out from the bushes, not unexpectedly, and rush at Troy, who looked mature, but exhausted. Running to the door and grabbing the handle, she debated on what she would do to greet Troy. Would she follow her heart? Or her head?
Her heart: Go on! Run at him and kiss him until there's no tomorrow! You've been waiting for him to come home for ages - for the chance to kiss again. You know you want to.
He head: Be sensible Gabi. There are loads of cameras out there. Take control, the control you used to have. Take the situation into your hands once more, and just give him a hug, and nice friendly hug.
She groaned inwardly. Opening the door a fake smile entered her face, but as soon as she saw him the real, pretty and angelic smile appeared. It was like greeting someone you never thought you'd see again. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. She felt her feet carry her out of the door and down the path, with him entering the gate, his gorgeous smile, and glitteringly white teeth shining just for her. Sighing she knew what choice she was going to make.
She looked amazing, but she always had. Seeing her was like a dream come true. He smiled at the sight of her. Her long dark brown locks running off her shoulders, Troy had a sudden desire to run his fingertips through them. He heard the driver take his suitcase out of the car, but all he could focus on was the girl currently running towards him.
Her feet started to run, forward and towards him. He opened his arms wide, and she jumped into them, her toned legs circling his waist, clinging on for life. His arms wrapped around her body, feeling her warm skin pressed up close to him was making him sweat. The longing, wanting and full of desire look in her eyes reflected his and they leaned in. He bent her head back slightly, cupping the back of her head in his hand, the other securing her place on his hip. He ran his hand through her hair, as their lips connected - sparks they both felt buzzing from each of their tongues.
Both could feel the sharp flashes behind them, but neither cared. They had both been dreaming of this, but there was only one difference.
He wanted her.
And she wanted control.
Eventually their display of affection ended and she slid from her place on his hips to the ground. Smiling, she pecked his cheek, while she turned around, heading for the house. Grabbing his suitcase being handed to him by a very smirky Chad, he blushed as he followed her, back into the home he'd been begging for, for the last few hours.
He smiled at her and he closed the door. After dumping the suitcase on the hall floor, he moved to her, taking her into his arms, loving the scent that she gave off.
"God, I've missed you." He murmured into her hair.
Her soft giggle sounded, "Ditto. It felt so empty here without you."
He brought her eyes to his. "I felt empty without you." He breathed, almost silently but she heard. Blushing madly, she turned away.
"How was your trip?" She went onto a better, more comfortable subject.
He groaned. "Boring, dunno how I survived. And in my mind, it wasn't even that important, just some dates for when I have to do interviews for the movie." He scratched his neck in nervousness.
She yawned, feeling tiredness cover her body from head to toe. "Oh well, at least you went, right?"
He grinned. "Suppose."
She patted his back, before announcing that if it was okay with him, she'd retire to bed. He nodded, feeling that he should probably hit the sheets too. Just as she turned out the room, he shouted. "Any messages?"
She turned back, her voice echoing off the hall walls. "Yeah, actually. Ryan called round. Invited us to a party tomorrow, I said we'd go. Hope that's ok? Oh, and he asked me to tell you something.
Troy wiped the sleep that was forming from his eyes. "Yeah?"
"Charlie's gonna be there."
She turned back and he heard her footsteps descend up the stairs, while his eyes popped out his sockets. His mouth turned dry as the news sunk in.
Charlie was going.
Charlie was going.
Yup, Charlie was going.
He sank down to his knees, curling into a ball, wishing his world had not just crashed around him. Why, when everything was perfect, did his ex-girlfriend, former owner of his heart, and the one who broke it, why did she have to return to his life?
One thing was for sure though.
He'd definitely be seeing her tomorrow night.
And Gabriella didn't even know she existed.
Wowsa! How was that for a chapter. It took me the longest time to write, but in my opinion was totally worth it. This must be one of my favourite chapters I have written, because it explains more about the characters and finally has a kiss in which they both, in some way, want.
Please, if you want to tell me any suggestions, comments, ideas, or views about this chapter or the story in general, I would be happy to hear them :)
Please review - it really is worth while. It lets me know what you think, gives me ideas on how to improve, which comes back in the writing that hopefully you enjoy. If that makes sense?
Anyways, please, take my advice and review, it would make my day :)