A/N:
First of all – I've enabled Anonymous Reviews; I didn't know I had them disabled, sorry! :)
Okay now, into this "normal" A/N I want to apologize guys, seriously, I feel bad because I've been updating the other story (Learning to trust, learning to love) and I've left this one. That hasn't been my intention at all, I swear, but I've found myself hooked with the other plot; I needed something more…I don't know how to say it…maybe I needed more feelings to be able to write, you know? And you know, well the ones who are reading it, that the other story is more about feelings at this current moment.
"The Whims of Fate" is also about feelings, but we aren't there yet; we'll be there soon, and in this chapter you can peek a little in how things will be, but we aren't there…and my body needed to be able to express more things about feelings and emotions.
I apologize profusely, but please, understand that sometimes is not about what I want to update but…what I want to write about :)
Now, like I've said, we are beginning our journey to Troy and Gabriella's feelings here; we still have a long journey in front of us, and you probably will hate me in the immediate future BUT, like always, bear with me…please? I know things can be confusing, even crazy if you want, but we'll get there, I promise ;)
I hope you'll like this chapter because…the drama is just here, everyone! :D
Here is chapter 11; enjoy! :)
Taking advantage of the comfort and the safety the night and darkness gave her, Gabriella sat in her bed with a precious frame in her hands, looking at the picture intently, as if she could re-live the happiness she felt back then; three girls with her arms wrapped tightly around each other, with big smiles on their faces, with bright eyes from the happiness they felt every time they were together…three girls that thought about each other like sisters.
Because they were sisters…at heart.
But things changed when they were 10, and they changed for the worse; when they were 10, not only the reality they'd been living in had ended but their worlds had crashed down irremediably, bringing a shadow over their lives that not all of them had known how to deal with.
And the one that suffered the most was Gabriella, because she was the only one that hadn't been able to make amends with her past; but Gabriella knew that it wasn't her fault, because life had been cruel with her taking away her chance of make things better.
Wiping the tears that were falling from her eyes, Gabriella let her mind go back to the memory lane, remembering the fatidic day occurred twelve years ago; the fatidic day that marked her life forever, the fatidic day that made her the way she currently was, the fatidic day that made her realize that you couldn't hold back anything to anyone if you didn't want misery and anguish in your life…the fatidic day that made her realize that you had to let it go if you wanted to live.
"I hate you!"
"I hate you more!"
The fight between Gabriella and Sharon had arrived at a point where neither of them wanted, nor could, back out; too hard words had left both mouths, too much hate against each other was filling their hearts and being only ten years old, their little hearts only could see the bad things instead of the good things their friendship represented.
Because they, along with Kelsi, had been the best of friends all their lives; their parents had been friends all their lives, and so it was only a matter of time that their children, being all the same age, became friends too.
"I don't want you here!" Sharon screamed pushing Gabriella's body. "Get out!"
"Don't worry!" Little Gabriella screamed as well. "I don't want to be in your house anymore!"
"Leave then!" The other girl shouted pushing Gabriella's body until she was out of her room, closing the door violently afterwards with a loud bang.
"Fine!" Gabriella screamed to the door, leaving the house afterwards…not even once looking back.
And that had been the last time she had seen that house.
And that had been the last time she had seen her, Sharon McBright, one of her best friends…one of her sisters.
A sudden and violent sob abandoned Gabriella's body when she thought again about the last words she directed to Sharon all those years ago; how come so much hate could fill a little girl's heart? Because she could remember, clearly, that the only feeling she felt at that moment was hate towards one of her best friends; maybe Sharon had acted badly towards Gabriella, and maybe their fight had been a result of the lies Sharon told Gabriella, but still the petite brunette couldn't help but blame herself because now, after twelve years thinking about it, she realized that the problem they had was the silliest thing they could have fight for…even though at the moment it'd been the most horrible, painful, huge, important and serious problem.
If Gabriella would have had the ability to look pass the lies, if Gabriella would have had the ability to forgive, if Gabriella would have had the ability to forget what was bad and focus on what was good…things wouldn't have been the way they were.
But now it was too late.
Because her life became a hell twelve years ago, a hell she hadn't been able to escape from yet, a hell she wasn't sure if she would be able to escape from…ever.
One positive thing resulted from that fatidic day – Gabriella's ability to forgive, Gabriella's ability to give second, third and fourth chances if needed, Gabriella's ability to give love and friendship without end.
What happened with Sharon wouldn't happen again.
Ever.
She was sure as hell she wouldn't make the same mistakes she did back then; not only because the lesson was well learned but because she knew that, if things turned out the same way they did with Sharon, she wouldn't survive.
But, at the moment, she was alive; she had a life to fight for, and she had to do so.
'Everything is going to be okay…'
Troy's words echoed in her mind over and over again, feeling as if Troy was the one encouraging her; she could feel him beside her, cheering for her and giving her back the confidence she didn't have. Maybe he'd told her those words thinking about her first day of University, but fate had wanted for her to have another reason to need them.
Sighing, Gabriella stood up and went to her bathroom to refresh her face; all the tears shed, the cold water touching her skin and Troy's words did some good and Gabriella felt better than how she'd felt in days.
"Everything is going to be okay," she whispered for herself before she closed her eyes and let sleep overcame her.
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'Good luck today, sis! I'm sorry I can't be there with you, but know that I'll think about you, okay? Be only yourself and you'll see how everything goes smoothly. Love you to bits! Bby'
Gabriella smiled seeing the text message she'd just received from her brother when she was getting ready for the Day she had been fearing for weeks; she knew for a fact he'd just exited from the hospital after a 24 hour shift – her parents called him the night before to check on him – and she knew he was tired as hell, but still he'd thought about her and her worries about her first day of University.
Touched by his gesture, Gabriella typed her answer, thanking the heavens for the brother she had.
'I'll do what I can ;) you're the best! Love you too…and more! Brie'
Smiling when the text message was sent, Gabriella took a deep breath and looked at her reflect on the mirror; after a lot of thought with her friends, all them decided to wear something similar their first day of this new stage of their lives – a simple pair of cute jeans with a top all of them had identical though in different colour – so they felt like they were together even though they were at different places.
When Taylor had come with the idea, Sharpay, Kelsi and of course Gabriella had agreed without further discussion; the shopping spree to go and find the perfect top, even though each one of them chose it in the colour that suited them best, was a lot of fun, full of playful banters, laughs, jokes…it was one of the best memories Gabriella had of her summer and, as a proof of that, Gabriella only had to turn around and look at her nightstand, where a picture of the four girls posing funnily in her bedroom wearing the tops rested.
Shaking her head at the memory, Gabriella looked at her reflect again; the day that was about to start was an important day, not only because it meant her first step in the "adults' life" but because the new environment, the new people she'd meet. She would leave safe territory and go directly to a different world where everything would be strange; she wouldn't have her friends having her back there; she'd be alone, facing her fears alone, facing the future alone…facing the problems alone.
Problems.
A simple word that held a hell in Gabriella's case.
No; she needed to get rid of this train of thought, and she needed to do that before she left her room. That night she'd sleep like a baby; after the breakdown she had just before she went to bed, her night had been peaceful – no nightmares had interrupted her sleep, no more tears had fallen from her eyes, no pangs of hurt had crossed her heart…no images of the fatidic day had invaded her mind…and she knew that was that way thanks to Troy.
'Everything is going to be okay…'
She replayed his words inwardly over and over again and smiled to herself.
She was so glad her relationship with him was normal again; the past week, when she'd been avoiding to see him had been a living hell, but now, after their meeting the day before, she couldn't help but feel thankful to him and his insistence because if not, if he hadn't asked her to meet him, Gabriella knew for a fact she still would be avoiding him.
She didn't know what it was but there was something about him that made her fears disappear; with his simple presence, with his unique and masculine scent surrounding her, with his strong arms around her waist, with his soft voice whispered in her ear and with his caring gestures, Gabriella couldn't help but feel relief running through her system.
It was as if he was her personal doctor somehow.
And that thought brought a smile to her face, thinking about her brother being a doctor himself. Troy and Bobby were very similar; with the two of them Gabriella felt safe, with them she felt strong, confident…and also pretty, but because they both made her feel worthy. Both had the ability to say and do the right things so her mind became clean of ugly thoughts about herself. Sure, they were different – the jerk-y part, for example, was one of their hugest differences, because Bobby was a very handsome man, had all the girls falling for him irremediably, but still she had to see him treating a girl badly and Troy…well, was Troy – but deeply, their values, their dreams, their needs, their thoughts and their hopes in life were similar.
A sudden knock at her door snapped her out of her reverie. "Come in!"
"Morning sweetie," Marie peeked inside the room. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Gabriella sighed. "Do I look okay, mom?"
"You look beautiful," Marie entered in the room and closed the door behind her, guessing Gabriella needed to talk. "This is the top you and the girls bought, right?" Gabriella nodded her head, smiling shyly at her mother. "Do you feel comfortable with the clothes you're wearing, honey?"
Gabriella didn't understand her mother, but she answered as sincerely as she could. "Of course, jeans and a top? Hello? I always wear that!" She giggled.
"True," Marie nodded. "Then why the doubts now?" She asked smirking at Gabriella.
"I don't know," Gabriella shrugged lowering her eyes. "It's like…I'll be alone there, mom…and you know…what if they don't like me? What if I don't know anyone?"
"Woah," Marie hugged Gabriella seeing she was about to lose it. "Calm down here. Where is this coming from, Gabriella? What's with that lack of confidence in yourself?"
"It doesn't matter, mom," Gabriella pulled away still with her eyes directed to the ground. "I'm just nervous…that's all…"
"You sure?" Marie asked not convinced at all.
Marie knew her daughter, and though at first she'd thought Gabriella was freaking out because of the University, she'd to admit she'd never seen her so lost and so nervous; she understood the nervous, of course, she had a first day at the University too, but with Gabriella…there was something that was weird there. She'd seen Gabriella nervous a lot of times and, this time, the nervousness that was possessing Gabriella's body was all but "normal"; thinking about it, Marie realized that it was as if Gabriella had a secret worry inside of her…something that had nothing to do with the University…something that was destroying the happy girl she knew.
"Positive," Gabriella sent her mother a smile, praying that her acting skills were still effective.
"It'll be alright, sweetie," Marie smiled sweetly and her daughter deciding to drop the subject for the moment being…but making a mental note to talk with her at night, when they both were at home. "Your father and I are so proud of you; you'll be fine…"
"I love you, mom," Gabriella muttered embracing her mother.
"Oh sweetie," Marie caressed Gabriella's hair softly. "I love you too…"
Mother and daughter shared some minutes still embracing together until Marie pulled away. "Okay come on, go downstairs and eat something or you'll be late…"
"I'll be down in a second," Gabriella took a deep breath. "I need to pack my things…"
"Okay," Marie kissed her cheek and disappeared through the door after sending Gabriella one last concerned look.
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When Gabriella saw herself alone, she let her body fall onto the mattress and sighed; this one had been the second time she had been about to lose the shield her façade was – first with Troy and now with her mother – and she knew she had to work harder so no one suspected anything. She was sure as hell that both Troy and her mother were suspecting something; they knew her and, maybe she could tell them some lies that they would believe…but she was also aware that she couldn't push the luck she'd had until then infinitely because, in the end, they'd know for sure something about her was off.
And she didn't want that.
And she didn't need that.
And she couldn't allow that.
When Troy heard the strident sound of his alarm-clock he cursed himself inwardly; he'd been awake for hours now, and he realized he should have remembered to turn it off, not wanting to disturb his parents.
Yawning, he stirred his sore muscles and stood up from his bed went to his bathroom to take a hot shower, praying that would help his tired body to wake up and also his mind, to get rid of the unpleasant thoughts that had been running through his mind almost all night.
Gabriella had lied to him.
He could understand that until some point because he'd also lied to her.
But that wasn't what bothered him; what was worse was that if she hadn't been ill, something huge was happening to her for her to look so tired, pale and also thinner than before, because remembering the feeling of to have her in his arms, he realized the day before he didn't feel it. Of course it'd been wonderful to be able to hold her again, but her body seemed smaller, as if she was starving herself; he could feel her bones, and even though Gabriella always had been thin and petite, this time had been the very first time it'd happened.
Turning off the water, Troy sighed deeply; maybe he should have asked Zeke a little more about Gabriella…but no, that would mean their secret friendship being in the open…only for her friends, and that not only would be unfair to her but also wrong, because if Gabriella hadn't explained to them anything, he was no one to be the one doing so.
He had to respect her privacy, he was aware of that, but what could he do? Gabriella seemed to be in need of some kind of help, but if she didn't go to him looking for this help, he couldn't force her to do so.
Even though he hated that.
Because he wanted to free her from her pain; the simple thought of something bothering her this much, until the point where she was becoming almost ill, was unbearable.
But, again, he couldn't do anything about it if Gabriella didn't ask him for help.
Okay, he was fucked up and his life sucked big time.
Thinking about it, maybe he should let her know he knew she'd lied to him; of course that maybe wouldn't help, but maybe Gabriella would see herself pressured and would explode somehow…because that was what she needed, and Troy knew it.
After her breakdown of the other day, Troy realized Gabriella was way too more than what people could see in her; nightmares, ghosts and devils from her past were still with her, haunting her and bringing her down – if not, her breakdown wouldn't have any explanation.
To see her so broken over something from her past alerted him that there were thousands tears trapped inside of her; she needed to let them go in order to feel well again, but if there was something he'd learned from Gabriella during this time they'd been talking, that had been how stubborn she was.
The sound of an incoming message arrived at the bathroom from his bedroom and so he went to read it.
'Are you picking me up, baby? If you behave, maybe we can have our little fun before classes start… ;) Wet kisses, Molly'
Rolling his eyes at the text message, Troy dropped the phone on the mattress; his mind was too far from Molly at the moment – actually, his mind was in the other side of town, in Gabriella's home, where he knew she would be freaking out.
Should he send a text message to her wishing her "good luck"?
Troy shook his head; no, that wouldn't be a good idea. Maybe he wasn't mad at Gabriella in the whole meaning of the word, but to know something was so wrong with her, and not being able to help her because she didn't want him to hurt him…and the result of this hurt was this little piece of rage he could feel in his heart.
He needed some time to think a little more about which one should be his next move with Gabriella; now that they were okay again, now that their friendship seemed to be easy again, he didn't want to fuck things up, and to act on impulse would mean another fight, another worry, another headache…another "thing" he didn't want, nor needed, right now.
And less with Gabriella.
Sighing, he decided to answer Molly's text thinking about what Gabriella told him; maybe he needed to work more in their personal relationship in order to find what his heart, deeply, wanted to find.
'I'll be there in 20. Troy'
At least, if he needed some "release" he knew he could always go and find Molly; there had been moments when he'd damned his choice of University – Molly was a student in the same one he went – but there were others, like this current one, when he was glad. A quick trip to the parking lot to have some fun in the car, or a quickie in the janitor's closet were easier ways to find some relief than to have to wait until the evening to see her.
That didn't mean he was totally pleased.
Because in the deepest part of his core, Troy knew that a quick fuck, or a long one, it didn't matter, wouldn't help him to ease his worries; but with Molly, not even a long talk. The girl didn't know what to do with him but sex, sex and more sex.
Did she think he didn't know how to talk or something?
Probably.
And, again, it was his fault, because he'd been a jerk all his life; if he had settled some bases for their relationship, or for his past relationships, giving at the personal aspect of them the same importance he'd given to the physical part, this problem wouldn't exist.
The only person with who he felt comfortable enough to talk, talk and talk was Gabriella, but this time she couldn't help him because she was the reason of his worries.
His life sucked.
But this was his situation at the moment, and Troy knew he was the only one to blame, so he had to deal with what life had thrown at him…even though it sucked big, big, big time.
Parking her car in the campus' parking lot, Gabriella killed the engine and took a deep breath.
That was it.
She was in the University.
She was in a strange place, surrounded by strange people.
And she was scared to death.
But, like with second chances, Gabriella believed in the first ones - if she didn't try to be a normal girl, she wouldn't be one. She needed to get rid of her fears; she had to show, like Bobby had said, the others how she really was, accepting that not everyone would be pleased to talk to her.
That scared her, of course, she was human, but…what if that happened?
She had friends and family who had her back and loved her to death; if she wasn't a worthy person, all this support wouldn't exist. If she had a tight circle around her was because she had worked her ass off for that; she'd been a great friend, at least since the fatidic day, and she'd won her friends' respect because of the way she was.
'Everything is going to be okay.'
"I hope you're right, Troy," Gabriella whispered only for herself, in the safety of her car, before she took a deep breath and opened the door of her car, steeping outside of it afterwards.
A sudden and thrilling sensation ran up and down her spine seeing all her new mates carrying books, talking, greeting each other if they already knew each other…and also the tall buildings which were full of classes, of knowledge, of experiences…and then she couldn't wait until she was there.
She wanted to be there.
She needed to be there.
"Here I go," Gabriella whispered again only for herself while she locked the car, going to the main building afterwards.
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When she was about to open the door, they were opened from the other side, almost making Gabriella fall. "Woah!"
"Oh I'm so sorry!" A boy exclaimed. "I think I'm way too excited…today is my first day…"
"No worries," Gabriella giggled at the sudden blush invading the boy's cheeks. "Today is my first day too."
"Oh then you know how I'm feeling," the boy chuckled. "I'm Ben, Ben Johnson."
"I'm Gabriella Montez," she reached out her hand for him to grab it. "Nice to meet you."
"Indeed," Ben said smiling at her still not dropping her hand.
Seconds turned into minutes and still both teens didn't move until someone bumped into them. "Move, you're in the middle!"
"Well that was rude," Ben laughed. "I'm sorry…I tend to…space out a lot…" Gabriella giggled freely and the boy joined his laugh to hers. "Well, where were you going?"
"The main office to grab a copy of the list of students," Gabriella explained. "I want to know which are my classes, my schedule and that stuff…"
"Then today is your lucky day," Ben smirked at her. "It just happens that I have a copy myself, and if you want, you can copy the information you need in a paper. The queue to have this shit has been long, and this way you would avoid it."
"Oh, it'd be wonderful," Gabriella gave him a smile. "That's very nice of you…"
"What can I say?" Ben asked playfully.
A very giggling Gabriella slapped his chest. "Come on big ego, let me see this list. Shall we go to that bench?"
"Sure," Ben answered. "Here," he added giving her the paper.
Gabriella and Ben sat on the bench and soon Gabriella began to copy all the information she knew she would need in a piece of paper, under the scrutinizing look of Ben, who was still mesmerized by her cuteness.
He didn't know what it was, but there was something about Gabriella that drew him to her; her giggle, her sweet features, her hot body…well, everything about her was inviting, and the girl was also super nice, which he cared a lot about when it came to girls.
"I have all the classes in the same classroom," Gabriella scrunched her nose. "Is that good or bad?"
Ben chuckled and shook his head. "I don't know, but that's what happens to me too. Which classroom are you assigned into?"
"Let me see," Gabriella read the paper again. "The 17 in the second floor of the main building. You?"
"The same one!" Ben exclaimed excitedly. "Oh that's amazing, we already know each other and so we won't have to sit alone…"
His playful grin made Gabriella laugh. "You have a point. Shall we go, then?"
"Ladies first," Ben did a bow with his hand, earning another giggle from Gabriella.
Oh yeah, if this weird, but funny, beginning of the year was a little peek to everything Gabriella was about to live there, then Troy was right – everything would be okay.
"Hey babe," Troy greeted Molly when she entered in his car.
"Morning baby," Molly said already with her lips touching his and forcing his mouth open with her tongue.
Troy, even though he was shocked as hell, fell into the kiss, returning it with as much passion as he could muster; he wasn't feeling the passion he thought he should feel, not even a little spark, but when Molly growled when his hand touched her breast accidentally, all thoughts of true love, true friendship and simply true people evaporated from his mind.
The kiss, then, turned almost violent; her hands gripped his shirt in fists, and his hands began to travel her long legs upwards, until he touched the hem of her skirt. "Push it up," she moaned lapping his jaw.
Troy obliged, already noticing a sudden pressure in his core. "Fuck Molly," he growled when his hand arrived at her warm and wet core without a barrier.
"I thought you'll appreciate me going commando now," Molly purred already working with his belt. "I have my thong in my bag but…what about some fun now?" She mewled introducing her hand in his boxers. "I'm ready, baby…make me yours…"
He didn't know what possessed him then; maybe her whispered voice in his ear, maybe her teeth playing with his ear, maybe her hand bumping his shaft up and down…or maybe how bitch she was but, suddenly, he grabbed her and sat her on his lap, where he attacked her mouth, probably bruising it, and thrusting his tongue into her mouth.
The girl moaned savagely and began to grind her core with his, making Troy to push her shirt away from his way and move his lips to her breasts, where he marked her.
"Fuck me, Troy…" She begged pathetically.
Another growl escaped from Troy's mouth and Molly, without further discussion, grabbed his engorded shaft and introduced it inside of her, sitting back and beginning to move her hips frantically up and down. Troy thrust his hips upwards, meeting her moves one by one, creating a stimulating friction that had them both moaning and growling in abandoned pleasure.
However, neither of them thought about what the other was feeling or doing; each one of them only wanted their personal release, forgetting that they were both practicing sex so them both found pleasure. Her moves were wild and erratic, she was even hurting Troy, but she didn't stop; when he tried to slow her hips she only pushed them downwards with more force, swallowing the shout of pain that escaped from his throat and, in response, Troy attacked the only thing he could attack – her breasts were bouncing right in front of him and he dedicated his time to bit them with his teeth, to suck, nip and lap not even caring about anything.
It was about fuck.
It was about the need to find an escape, a release.
Too bad this release only satisfied Troy the five minutes he took to regulate his breath.
"Wow, uh?" Molly giggled flirty.
"Wow indeed," Troy gave her a fake smile. "We should go now or we'll be late…"
To say Troy felt disgusted with himself and dirty would be an understatement; why he couldn't talk with his girlfriend? What was what pushed him to forget about what the girl he was with felt, even though the girl was as horny as him or even more? Why he needed this physical relief so much…but still knowing that it would last only some minutes?
Nothing made sense.
If he wanted to have something deep with someone, more or less what he had with Gabriella but adding there a physical relationship too, why he was always forgetting about it when he had the girl of the moment in front of him?
Was he really so selfish?
Probably.
Did Gabriella have reason when she told him he was a jerk son of a bitch with a huge ego?
Surely.
And that was the result of his life only dedicated to fuck as many girls as he could not caring about what the girls, or even his friends, felt while being with him; if he would have taken care of the personal aspect of his relationships and friendships, his fame wouldn't be the same one he had at the moment, his life wouldn't be as empty as it was at the moment.
But he was a victim of himself – he'd never cared about another someone…and now he had no one who cared for him.
Like they said…payback was a bitch.
And he realized, right then and there that, in order to feel…less dirty, more human, he needed to talk to Gabriella, and he had to do that now.
"I've just remembered I need to go to visit my grandma," Troy said parking the car all of a sudden. "You need to take the bus…"
"What?" Molly asked feeling insulted. "So now that you're satisfied what? I have to take the bus? In your dreams."
"Look," Troy was getting fed up with the girl but, for Gabriella, he couldn't be jerker than he had already been. "I've just remembered I need to go to my grandma's house. Please, I'm sorry, but I need to go, and I need to go now…"
Molly could see the desperation in his eyes and that made her believe in his words. "Are you sure you can't drop me off at the University and go from there?"
Troy was shaking his head before the girl finished. "I'm sorry…"
"It's okay," Molly shrugged her shoulders. "Call me later, okay?"
"Sure," Troy said though totally unconsciously.
"Bye babe," she added leaning up and kissing his lips softly.
Troy gulped and forced himself to answer her being as sweet as he could; he didn't want to be in a deeper hole than the one he was already in. "Bye baby, see you later…"
Seeing her back disappear in the opposite direction, Troy slapped his own forehead groaning feeling totally frustrated with himself. "I'm the stupidest guy in this world…"
He needed Gabriella.
And it was not only because he knew she would help him to feel better but because he was craving her company, her understanding and sweet nature and also someone he could call a friend; he needed something as refreshing as Gabriella was to feel his soul clean again.
Reaching for his phone, Troy typed a message.
'I'll be at the cafeteria of your Uni in 15. Please Ella, be there…I need you… Troy'
He didn't think twice and drove there, praying that Gabriella would be there…praying that Gabriella would help him to feel better…praying that Gabriella would still be there as his friend, his only real friend.
"Hey Gabs, you there?" Ben asked amused by Gabriella's sudden statuesque state.
"Oh sorry," the petite brunette gave him a small smile, placing her phone inside her bag. "I need to go to the cafeteria; could you tell me how I can go there?"
"But we have classes now," Ben asked dumbly. "You're going to miss your first class?"
"I have to," Gabriella sighed. "My friend…he needs me…it seems important and he's coming right now…"
Ben looked at her thoughtfully. "Well, I could go with a bottle of water. I'm coming with you there so you won't get lost."
"Oh okay," Gabriella grinned. "Perfect then…"
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"Where the fuck is she?" Troy muttered for himself looking anxiously at his watch.
A bunch of (cute and hot) girls passed by him and tried to flirt with him, but he was too busy looking for Gabriella; he didn't need anything more but his friend. The rest of the world could go to hell for all he cared.
Suddenly, her giggles echoed in the cafeteria from behind them; he turned around, ready to go to her but what he saw made him stop frozen in his spot.
Gabriella wasn't alone; she was with a guy – who the hell he was?
This guy was making her giggle super normally – where the fuck were her problems and worries? Where the fuck was her depressing mood?
And they were flirting – what the fuck!? She had never mentioned anyone!
Troy didn't know why, but this sight, though totally normal and innocent, was like a stab direct to his heart.
And then he realized he needed to get away from there.
Fast.