Chapter Eleven, Life's Lemons and Apples

Desperately did Gabriella wanted someone to love her. She wanted someone to tell her that she was beautiful, that she was worthy, that she wasn't just another teenage mother. She hopelessly wished April could tell her all these things as she finally let go of the hug, wiping her face and taking the guest inside.

"You have a lovely home," the blue-haired girl said softly, setting down a big brown paper bag on the coffee table.

Rubbing her eyes, Gabriella forced a smile. "After being in it for more than twenty-four hours, you begin to want to leave," she replied, flopping onto the couch. There was a small kick inside her and she gasped. April turned, looking worried, and saw the other smile. "I felt a kick! One of them kicked!" It seemed so difficult to think in four months, she might be seeing them for the first and last time. That wouldn't happen, she decided firmly.

"You'll be a great mom," April told her, as if she knew what Gabriella was thinking. She unloaded the brown bag's contents: a jar of Smuckers peanut butter and jelly mix with two spoons, a large bag of Ruffles and a jar of sour cream for dip, with a jug of the Arizona Iced Tea and two chocolate bars. "Take your pick."

"Ruffles and sour cream, please," Gabriella replied appreciatively. She wondered what she would be doing at that moment had Troy never offered her a ride to the doctor's. As the chip-and-dip combination blessed her taste buds, she felt her stomach rumble. "Right on time," she mused with a grin, chewing and swallowing. "Wow. Everything tastes so much better when you're especially hungry and especially pregnant."

A laugh danced out of April's mouth, rolling off her tongue, fresh like morning dewdrops off a leaf. "How are you feeling otherwise?" she asked. "I kind of sort of heard about the… scene in the cafeteria. I felt somewhat privileged to have an opportunity to come here." She smiled and bit into a Hershey's bar.

For some odd reason, no tears stung Gabriella's eyes as she explained to April what had happened, in almost identical words to Troy's. It felt good to release all of her emotions, translating them into coherent words. From time to time, April nodded, thoughtfully munching on a Ruffle or taking a swig of iced tea. Eventually, Gabriella ran out of opinions and she quietly concluded her spiel of sentiment. "Valentine's Day is tomorrow," the blue-haired girl commented quietly. "He got you something. I saw it, in his room. It's wrapped, with your name written on a little card." This made Gabriella feel no better and no worse, but she fought the urge to know just what the gift was.

"Yeah, well, not all's fair in love and war," Gabriella sighed. She took the first bite of her chocolate bar, savoring the explosion of taste in her mouth. "I love Troy, I really do… Or did. Whatever. I don't know. But I mean, maybe I should just do this on my own. They're not his babies to worry about, so I suppose his generosity has reached its limit."

Shrugging, April reached for her spoon and scooped up a helping of brown and purple goo, licking off the mixture with a smile. "I guess it's all your decision. I know he loves you, too. And I mean loves. Not loved. But you've got other fish to fry, too," she said. In all honesty, April couldn't think of a better match for her brother. She knew her brother could be lazy, but to put his time and effort into something like a pregnancy showed true passion for a Bolton boy. April knew Troy loved Gabriella indefinitely.

"I'm tired," Gabriella announced. She thanked her friend profusely, giving her a real hug with a smile before heading off to bed. April gathered up the food and placed it all on the kitchen counter, glancing around for the first and last time. The Montez house seemed to harbor a sadness, one the blue-haired girl didn't like. She wished for a strength to come into the home, and carry Gabriella through the next few months. Lord knew she needed it.

The Valentine's Day package comes for Gabriella, but her connection with Troy withers afterward.

Days passed where Gabriella and Troy didn't speak to one another. It seemed everyone at East High was walking on eggshells, all aware that they had to be especially careful around both the brainiac and basketball captain. The days began to unite as weeks, and the weeks eventually turned into months. Gabriella, true to her word, carried on with her life, and Troy did the same with his.

Rumors circulated that Troy had found interest in a friendly Peyton Raleigh, and they were getting friendly. Every week April would call, checking in on the pregnant teenager, but never covered this subject, and Gabriella never asked for the truth. She didn't want to know, whether or not it was accurate. If it was true, she would burst into tears, angry he had moved on. If it was false, she would burst into tears, angry they weren't on speaking terms. April didn't mind the avoidance of this particularly uncomfortable topic.

The gift he gave to her had been left on the porch of her house, written plainly 'To Gabriella. Troy.' No xox, no love, not even a mere sincerely. That told her that was all he was: Troy. No sincerity, no hugs and kisses, and especially no love.

It lay, still wrapped, in her room, tucked away beneath her bed. She had shoved it under there the moment she got it, knowing whatever was inside wasn't worth the pain of losing him. It was time she shut Troy out of her world, because he was just another one of life's lemons. She needed an apple.

Surprisingly, that particular sweet fruit came the day she was eight months pregnant. Her stomach had swollen much in the last few weeks. She didn't waddle, thankfully, but the bump on her belly was unflattering when observed in the mirror. An eighteen-year-old didn't need to see that on herself when she had other things on her mind. One being Chad.

He appeared at her door, holding a bouquet of flowers. "Um, hi," she said, looking down at the ground, or trying at least. It seemed all she saw was a stretched t-shirt, pulled across her tight skin.

"Hi," he replied, handing her the flowers. Lilies. Her favorites. Damn him. "Listen, Gabriella, I know I should have been here for you a long time ago. Maybe I shouldn't have been there in the first place, the night of the party. But, for what it's worth, anything or nothing, I want to be here for you in your last month."

She didn't know if he knew that it happened to be her final month anniversary, but, ironic or not, Gabriella was grateful. She let him come inside, cutting the bouquet and dunking them in a vase of water. They went out to lunch, and she explained the situation: twins. He was surprised, but he immediately launched into names and gender, when and where. "I don't know the genders. I didn't want to. But I thought of names," she offered. "April and Jack." She didn't mind Mr. Bolton, and she certainly felt obligated to credit April for something, so the names felt right, despite the fact that the decision had been made by her and Troy. She left this detail out when speaking to Chad.

"April and Jack," he said. "I like that." They weren't romantic, not in the least bit, but she didn't mind the way he put his hand on hers and the friendly hug he gave when it was time to go. "I am sorry," he added as she leaned in the front doorway, watching him start for his car.

"Don't worry about it," she replied, smiling softly. "You're here now. That's what matters."