I originally started writing this, but had a brain fart half way through and deleted everything. Frustrated, I closed the document all together and planned to start again tomorrow, but then I checked my email and read all those lovely comments on the last episode and got really excited. So here I am again, staring at a blank document. But I will not give up this time. Thanks so much for the comments! :)
"Wow... You're really muscular aren't you?" Sharpay asked leaning over Troy and touching his cheek. By now, it was something he was used to considering the entire hour they were in the car, she did the exact same thing. Not that he didn't appreciate the compliments, he just didn't appreciate her being so close.
They had now been at the zoo for about 2 hours, but had only seen about half of the animals. With Lizzie and Ben having to go to the bathroom every two minutes, and Troy always being hungry, and Sharpay having the dire need to visit the gift shop, there was absolutely no way they could've finished the zoo in the two hours they had been there. They were now sitting at a picnic table eating their lunch, that Troy generously paid for.
Gabriella watched the two people across from here in envy. Why couldn't she be like Sharpay, easy going and spontaneous? She couldn't figure out why, but in a way she was glad she wasn't like Sharpay. Troy was being smothered by Sharpay and her cheap perfume. Although he came off as being indifferent about her hanging all over him, she could tell that he wasn't very happy. But then again, what did she know? She just met the guy.
"When are we going to see the giraffes?" Lizzie asked as she stuffed her mouth with a bunch of fries coated completely in ketchup.
"Whenever you want to, bud." Troy replied pulling himself away from Sharpay.
"No! I want to see the lions and tigers!" Ben sighed.
"We can do that too." Troy replied standing up and stretching his legs.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I wanna go home and take a nice, hot bath." Sharpay now stood next to Troy with her arms around his waist. Gabriella scoffed at her friend's actions. Troy laughed awkwardly and removed her hands from his hips.
"I don't want to go home..." Lizzie and Ben both said in unison.
"Yeah, me neither." Gabriella said in response, then glared in Sharpay's direction. Gabriella wasn't really sure why, but she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach, and it wasn't nice. She felt as if she hated Sharpay more with each word Sharpay spoke. It was if, she said anything wrong, Gabriella would punch her.
"Well... no one asked you, Gabriella." Sharpay glared at her friend then looked back at Troy.
"Alright, so who wants to see the rest of the animals?" Troy was trying to sound light hearted and excited.
"Me!"
"Great.." Sharpay sighed, defeated and started to follow the rest of the group as they made their way towards the cages filled with filthy animals.
The rest of the day wasn't very pleasant. Between the constant flirting coming from Sharpay and the bickering between her and Gabriella, Troy wasn't able to get a break. Now that they were home and stationed on the couch. Sharpay had gone home, and Gabriella had agreed to help put the kids to bed. Lucille and Steve had gone out for the night to some sort of dinner.
"So...." Gabriella started as she looked at the sandy haired boy sitting next to her. He looked absolutely exhausted.
"You two fight a lot." Troy noted and turned to face her.
"Yeah... well. Most people do."
"You were jealous." At this comment, she turned a dark shade of red.
"No, I wasn't. It was just completely disgusting what she was doing and talking about in front of the little kids. It was unreasonable, and unnecessary."
"And now you're rambling." Troy smiled confidently and even though it was meant to annoy her, she liked it. His teeth were an incredible shade of white and his eyes were a perfect shade of blue.
"I never ramble."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Well, I don't and I wasn't jealous."
"Alright, whatever you say." Troy's smile was now one of an amused kid on Christmas day.
For the next passing seconds they stared at each other in wonder. What was the other thinking? Was Troy right? Or was Gabriella. Questions and thoughts ran through their head at a high pace causing confusion. Gabriella's thoughts and confusion were replaced with anticipation and relief as Troy began leaning toward her. His face now only inches away from hers, she prepared herself was what to come.
"We're home!" Steven called from the front door. Troy jumped back, nervous and looked toward the door.
"Great."
"Oh, Gabriella you're still here?" Steve noticed as he walked into the living room.
"I had to help put the kids to bed." She smiled noting that Steven looked nervous and anxious.
"Ah. Well thanks for your help." His voice sent the message that he was trying to get rid of her so she stood up and started walking toward the door.
"I guess my work here is done, then. See you later, Troy." She smiled shyly as she turned to meet eyes with Troy. His smile never seemed to leave his face.
"Bye." Troy slightly waved his hand, and quickly mouthed "Jealous" towards here. She laughed slightly then left the house until she had to return Monday.
"Troy... we need to talk." Troy stopped walking from his spot on the stairs. He had wanted to go upstairs an just sleep, but now he was being forced to talk with his dad.
"Fine."
"We were just at dinner with your mother." Troy sat down on the steps, surprised. His mom. The one he hadn't seen in a week, The one who had been lying to him for his whole life.
"And?"
"You're staying here for the whole summer. She thinks you could learn from your time here."
Of all the possible words Troy had thought he was going to say in his head, that was definitely not one of them. Troy was taken aback and didn't know what to say. He wasn't as mad as he was broken. Broken. Broken into tiny pieces. He didn't know what to do, didn't know how to respond. Standing up, he quietly walked up the stairs towards his room, not wanted to have any sort of confrontation with his dad. All he wanted was to sleep and forget the feeling of hate he had acquired for his mother over the past couple of days.
