Chapter 11: Rough Day
It had been almost a week since the incident with Matt and Gabriella still wasn't talking to him. They hadn't broken up, but she was so upset she just couldn't bring herself to talk to him. Gabriella woke up to the sound of her alarm clock; she groaned and pulled the covers over her head before hitting the snooze button. She stayed under the covers until the alarm went off again. She rolled over and turned her alarm off, her eyes falling on the picture of her and her father. She felt a tear roll down her cheek. She didn't want to go to school today; she didn't want to have to deal with anything. She just wanted to skip this day. Even though it had been a few years, it was still hard for her. Gabriella pushed her blankets off and lifted herself out of bed.
As she took a shower she decided that today was about remembering, not feeling sad. It was about her and no one else. She didn't want to put up with anyone's crap and she didn't want to have to impress anyone. When she was done in the shower, she applied a very small amount of make-up, pulled her hair back into a messy bun, and threw on a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt, before making her way downstairs. She walked downstairs and saw her mom sitting at the kitchen table pushing her cereal around the bowl. Gabriella walked over and wrapped her arms around her mom from behind.
"Morning mommy," said Gabriella, resting her head on her mom's shoulder. Her mom turned her head towards Gabriella.
"Morning Gabi," her mom said as she reached up and grabbed Gabriella's forearm. "How are you doing honey?" Gabriella sighed.
"It's hard but I'm okay." Her mother nodded.
"I know how you feel. Are you going to be okay today?" questioned her mother concerned. Gabriella nodded.
"I think so," she replied uncertainty laced in her voice.
"He loved us, you know," Maria said to her daughter.
"I know mom, I just miss him."
"I miss him too." The two talked for a little bit before Gabriella decided she should leave for school.
As Gabriella walked into the school she kept her head down, so she wouldn't meet anyone's eyes. Although no one, except for Taylor and Troy, knew what today really was, Gabriella didn't want anyone asking. When she got to her locker, Gabriella saw Troy already standing there. She sighed she really didn't want to deal with him today. She just wanted to be left alone. She slowly walked up praying he wouldn't talk to her.
Troy's eyes followed Gabriella as she walked up to her locker. He took in her appearance and the way she was walking, and he immediately knew something was wrong. She reached her locker without making any eye contact. Troy watched her open her locker and wondered if he should say anything. He was about to say hi when Matt came running up.
"Gabriella!" he called, her head spinning around in the direction of the voice.
"Damn it," she swore under her breath. She couldn't deal with this now. She turned to walk away, but was stopped by Matt grabbing her arm.
"Gabriella, babe, please talk to me. I really am sorry, it'll never happen again." Gabriella kept her eyes on the ground. "Please look at me," he begged. Gabriella slowly brought her eyes up to meet Matt's. "I've missed those eyes," he gushed. Gabriella couldn't help but smile.
"Matt," she began, but he cut her off.
"Look Gabs, I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I guess I was mad about the argument I got into with my parents and I took it out on you. I'm sorry, do you forgive me?" Gabriella searched his eyes to see if he was telling to truth.
"Okay, I forgive," she said trying to smile.
"Thanks babe, you're the best!" he exclaimed wrapping his arm around her. Gabriella face fell, she needed to leave, she needed to be alone. She quickly pulled away.
"I've got to go," said Gabriella as she took off down the hall. Both Troy and Matt's eyes followed her down the hall confused. Matt turned around and looked at Troy.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"Uh, not much, I've got to go," Troy said as he made his way down the hall.
***
Troy walked into Chemistry and saw that Gabriella was already seated at their table. She was sitting at the table her head resting on her palms and her Ipod on. Troy walked over and took his seat. He debated whether he should talk to her or not, but eventually the curiosity became too much for him to handle. He gently taped her on the shoulder. She turned her head and pulled out one of her headphones.
"Are you okay?" he asked sincerely. Gabriella studies his eyes before responding.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she lied, and Troy immediately caught on.
"You're lying, I know you better than that." Gabriella couldn't control her emotions today and Troy had just taken one step too far.
"Oh really Troy, do you know me better than that? If you knew me that well you'd know why I was upset. I'm not surprised you forgot what today is though. I mean you weren't even around when it happened, but still," she trailed off mumbling to herself.
"How am I supposed to know what bothering you?" he asked confused.
"Are you fucking serious Troy? Would you please just step out of your perfect fucking world, stop being a jerk, and look the fuck around," she hissed.
"What is this about? I haven't been mean to you in weeks. If I didn't care, would I have bothered asking?" He spat, immediately regretting it. "Look, I'm sorry for-"
"Forget it Troy," she snapped, tears streaming down her face. "I'm tired of all your fucking apologies."
"Then why don't you forgive me? I've being trying everything to get you to forgive me, but obviously I'm not good enough. Why don't you stop being a fucking bitch and just hear me out?"
"I can't forgive you, don't you understand that. And I sure as hell am not being a bitch. I'm just pissed that you're being so fucking stupid." Gabriella turned her head to the front of the class, tears streaming down her face; she couldn't deal with this, not today. Troy turned to the front as well, anger burning through his veins. He wished he hadn't reacted that way, but he just couldn't help it. He'd been trying so hard and she just wouldn't forgive him. Every time he tried to do something nice to her, it always back fired.
"I can't believe you forgot," Troy heard Gabriella whisper. "You were like a son to him." Troy eyes grew wide. How could he have forgotten? It was the anniversary of her dad's death. Troy was about to say something, but Gabriella got up from her seat and ran to the bathroom.
"Mr. Bolton," he heard the teacher call. Troy's eyes met the teacher's. "What was that about?'
"She, uh, wasn't feeling well." The teacher simply nodded and continued on with the lesson. Troy sighed, how could he have been so stupid?
***
Gabriella was currently seating in the graveyard in front of her father's gravestone. Gabriella sighed. She had just started grade nine, she was fourteen years old. Her life had been completely changed around. Her friendship with Troy was over, she was being bullied, and her life just wasn't going the way she'd planned. It didn't matter to her though because she knew she could always count on her dad. Until that day, that is and she still remembered it like it was yesterday.
It was a cool November day, and Gabriella was out with her dad. They had gone to see a movie and had decided to walk. They were ten minutes away from home when they past a short alley way. They heard yelling coming from the alley way, Joseph Montez told Gabriella to stay where she was. He entered the alley and Gabriella could here him trying to break up the fight, when all of a sudden she heard a gun shot, and then saw the two men run out of the alley. Gabriella ran into the alley and saw her dad lying on the ground. Gabriella bent down.
"Dad?" she cried, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Dad!" She shook her dad frantically. "Dad please, please wake up!" Gabriella's vision was blurred from her tears, which were now streaming down her face. She quickly grabbed her cell phone and dialled 911.
"Hello?" The voice on the other end said.
"Hi, my dad's been shot."
***
Her father had been rushed to the hospital, and now Gabriella and her mom were sitting in the waiting room. The doctors were currently trying to see if there was anything they could do to help him. Gabriella couldn't stop her tears. She just wanted her dad to be okay, he had to be okay. She couldn't stand to lose someone else close to her.
"Maria and Gabriella Montez?" she heard the doctor say. Gabriella and her mom got up and went over to the doctor.
"I'm sorry," he began and Gabriella broke down. "There's nothing we could do."
"No, no," Gabriella cried. "He can't be, no!"
"Gabriella, honey," her mom said, tears falling from her own eyes. She pulled her daughter into a hug and the two cried together.
"Mom, he can't be gone, he can't be," she cried. Gabriella's mom didn't reply but simply rubbed her back soothingly.
***
Gabriella was sitting in the front row at her father's funeral. He was gone, and she couldn't stand it. She wished she could go back and time and make sure they had driven. How could someone have shot her father for no reason? Gabriella looked around the room and saw many familiar faces, just not the face of the person she needed most, Troy. Why wasn't he here? Why didn't he come? The ceremony began and Gabriella listened to the speakers, until it was her turn to speak. She stood up and walked to the front of the room.
"My dad, Joseph Montez, was my best friend. He was there for me when I needed him most. I could talk to him about anything." As she spoke her eyes searched the room for Troy, but she still couldn't see him. Until her eyes fell on his parents, who were sitting alone did she realize he wasn't coming. Gabriella couldn't continue her speech, she was too emotional. However, before stepping off the stage she said,
"I love you daddy, I always have and I always will." She stepped down and took her seat once more, tears continuing to fall.
***
Chemistry was almost over and Gabriella still hadn't gotten back. Troy's leg was shaking nervously. He didn't know why he was so nervous though, he just was. He wanted her to come back; he wanted to apologize; he felt so bad for forgetting. The teacher kept droning on and on but Troy couldn't pay attention. Luckily his prayers were answered when the bell rang. He quickly piled Gabriella's book on top of his own and ran out of the class. He ran down the hall and went straight towards the bathroom. He knocked on the door.
"Gabriella?" he called. There was no answer. He was about to knock again when one of the cheerleaders walked out.
"Hey Troy," she smiled.
"Uh, hey. Is um, Gabriella in there?"
"No, and why are you looking for her?"
"Thanks, got to go." Troy ran down the hall towards the front door. He saw Chad stand in front of him.
"Hoops, where are you going? We have class."
"I've got to go somewhere, cover for me?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course, but where are you going?" Troy didn't answer, but instead took off again and out the door. "Yeah great talking to you," Chad muttered sarcastically.
He ran into the parking lot and saw that Gabriella's car wasn't there. Where would she be? He racked his brain; she couldn't have gone that far.
"The graveyard," Troy mumbled to himself and then ran towards his car. He jumped in putting the books on the passenger seat and took off towards the graveyard. When Troy got to the graveyard he saw Gabriella's car sitting in the parking lot.
"Thank god," he sighed. Troy parked his car beside Gabriella's and hopped out. He slowly walked into the graveyard and found Gabriella seated by he father's grave. Troy walked towards her slowly. She didn't notice that he had come up behind her, so he took a seat beside her in the grass. He knee brushed up against hers gently and she finally looked over.
"What are you doing her?" asked Gabriella.
"I came to apologize to you for forgetting, and to pay my respects."
"What about class?"
"This is me we're talking about," he laughed.
"True," she smiled.
"I also felt really bad, about getting angry. I should've been more consideration."
"I'm sorry I blew up at you earlier, I just couldn't believe you'd forgotten. I mean I know we aren't friends anymore, but I thought you of all people would've remembered," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. There was an awkward silence between them. Gabriella played with the grass as silent tears continued to fall. Troy looked over at Gabriella and smiled. She was absolutely beautiful. Without thinking Troy brought his arm up and place around Gabriella's shoulder. She immediately stiffened. Troy was about to move his arm when he felt Gabriella relax and lean into him. He smiled.
"Hey Joe," Gabriella heard Troy say. "You were such an amazing person; you had so much to offer the world. Why'd you have to go so soon? We were so lucky to have you in our lives; I wish you were still here with us." Gabriella tilted her head and looked up at Troy.
"Why didn't you come?" she whispered. Troy looked down at her and her confused. "To his funeral," he clarified seeing the look of confusion. Troy frowned.
"I didn't think you wanted me there. My parents kept trying to convince me to come, but I told them I was too upset to go. I was lying though, I mean, yes I was upset, but I wanted to come and pay my respects. It's just I kept thinking about everything that had gone between us, and I thought I was the last person you wanted to see there."
"You were wrong," she whispered. "You were the one person I wanted there the most. You were the one person that I needed most; I thought you could make everything better. I didn't care that you'd been treating me like crap, I just needed you, and you didn't come." As Gabriella spoke Troy notice that more tears were falling out of her eyes. "You know, of all the thing you've done to me over the years, that was the one that hurt me the most."
"I'm sorry, I really am," replied Troy. Gabriella didn't respond, but simply nodded. As much as she hated to admit it, she loved talking to Troy again. They sat in silence for a bit until Troy suddenly stood up and extended his hands towards Gabriella.
"What?" she asked curiously.
"I'm taking you somewhere." Gabriella grabbed his hands hesitantly and let him pull her up. They began walking away, when Troy stopped and placed his hand on the tombstone.
"Bye Joe," he said and Gabriella smiled. Then they continued making their way out of the graveyard. When they reached the cars Gabriella walked towards hers.
"What are you doing?" Troy asked.
"Getting in my car?"
"No, you're coming with me, leave your car here. We'll come back for it later." Gabriella nodded and walked round to the passenger side of Troy's car. As Troy got in he grabbed their book and threw them in the backseat. Gabriella hopped in and buckled her seat belt as her eyes fell on Troy.
"Where are you taking me?" she question. Troy smirked,
"You'll see."
"Troy," she whined. Troy just chuckled and took off down the road.
After nearly fifteen minutes of driving, Troy pulled into a parking lot. Gabriella's mouth fell open. In front of her was a small sandy beach and with crystal clear water.
"I haven't been here in years," she exclaimed her voice laced with happiness.
It was a little private beach that Troy and Gabriella's families had found one year. They used to go up every weekend in the summer and spend the entire day here. Troy and Gabriella used to swim and make sand castles while their parents sat around and talked.
"Come on," Troy called as he led the way down to the beach. Gabriella smiled and slipped her shoes off. She loved the feeling of the warm sand under her feet. She walked half way down the beach and then took a seat. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the crashing waves. She loved the sound and the smell of the beach. Gabriella felt Troy sit down beside her. She opened her eyes and looked over at Troy.
"Thanks for bring me here," she said softy.
"You're welcome."
Troy and Gabriella sat in silence for a very long time, neither of them feeling the need to speak. Their ears were filled with the sound of the waves crashing, and their minds filled with their thoughts. Gabriella's thought started to go back towards her dad and she felt tears sting her eyes. She didn't want to cry anymore, so before her tears could fall she stood up and looked down at Troy.
"Let's go for a walk," she suggested. Troy nodded and stood up following Gabriella down to the water. They walked along the edge, feeling the water gently brush up against their feet.
"Do you remember when we used to come here every weekend?" asked Troy. Gabriella smiled,
"Of course I do, we used to swim, make sandcastles, and have picnics."
"Yeah, and don't forget splash wars," he laughed.
"How could I forget splash wars, didn't they start a little something like this?" She kicked her feet, sending water splashing up in Troy's direction, soaking his entire back. Troy's eyes grew wide; you did not just do that.
"Oh I think I did," replied Gabriella, as she took off in the opposite direction laughing. Troy sped after Gabriella and quickly caught up with making sure to splash the water up onto her as he got close to her.
"Troy, stop it!" she squealed, laughter escaping her lips. Troy smiled; he loved the sound of her laugh.
"Not a chance," he paused. "Unless you forfeit?" Gabriella shot around and faced him.
"Fat chance," she replied as she bent down and started splashing him with more water. Gabriella felt Troy splashing her back, and then the water suddenly stopped.
"You're going to pay for this," he chuckled, while Gabriella continued to splash him. Troy slowly walked towards her the water hitting him in the face. He bent down and hoisted Gabriella onto his shoulder and into the air. He walked deeper into the water, Gabriella struggling to free herself.
"Troy put me down!" she squealed, while hitting Troy back. "Please, just put me down."
"Your wish is my command," he replied laughing and dropped her into the water. Gabriella came up from the water screaming.
"I meant on the ground! Not in the water!"
"Oops, my mistake," he laughed.
"Oh you think this is funny do you?" Troy nodded. "Help me up." Troy extended his arm, and next thing he knew Gabriella pulled him down into the water along side her. "Still funny?" she asked laughing.
"No, but you're so going to pay for this," he laughed, but Gabriella had already stood up.
"You've got to catch me first," she giggled, as she took off for the beach. Troy got up and ran after her. Gabriella had just stepped onto the dry sand when Troy tackled her to the ground. Gabriella was now on her back in the sand, Troy body hovering above her. Gabriella looked up into Troy piercing blue eyes, how she loved those eyes.
As Troy stared into Gabriella big brown orbs, he could feel the sparks between them. Before he could stop himself, he closed his eyes and started leaning in towards her.
Gabriella's eyes grew wide as Troy started leaning in. He was leaning into kiss her. Was this really what she wanted? Her heart was telling her one thing and her mind another. She closed her eyes as their lips met. Gabriella soon found herself kissing back as she wrapped her warms around his neck. It wasn't until she felt Troy's tongue brush against her bottom lip that she came to her senses. She quickly pushed him off of her and stood up. Troy looked up at her confused; he thought she's been enjoying it as much as he had. Did she not feel the sparks as their lips connected?
"Gabriella," Troy began but Gabriella cut him off.
"What are you doing? Was this all a plan," she yelled, tears streaming down her face. "Bring the vulnerable Gabriella down to the beach, and take advantage of her? You knew how upset I was, and you thought I'd be an easy target?" Troy shook his head and took a step towards her, but she took a step backwards.
"No, Gabriella, I," he stuttered trying to find the right words.
"I can't believe you Troy; you know I have a boyfriend!" She yelled. Troy tried to respond but Gabriella started waking away.
"Who Matt? Oh yeah great choice, excellent choice in fact," he replied sarcastically.
"Yeah well, at least he likes me for who I am. At least he had no problem with me being the 'geek'. At least he doesn't bully me, and he unlike someone else doesn't ditch me for other girls!" Gabriella started walking up towards the parking lot.
"Where are you going?" he called.
"Home."
"Gabriella you can't walk home."
"Really, just watch me," she replied with anger. Troy ran up and stood in front of her.
"No, I'm not letting you. I'll drive you."
"Why so you can try and take advantage of me?"
"What? No, is that really the type of guy you think I am?" He asked hurt.
"Yeah, it is actually. You're a player Troy; you only have one thing on your mind, sex." Gabriella made sure to emphasize the word sex. "I mean honestly Troy, how many girls have you slept with? When the last time you were in a really relationship?" Troy felt tears sting his eyes, how could she think those things about him. Does she honestly think I try and take advantage of girls? He thought.
"For the record, I didn't plan to kiss you, I just happened, okay? And maybe I haven't been in a relationship in a while because the one girl I really care about won't give me the time of day. Now get in the car." Gabriella sighed and walked over to Troy car, waiting by the back door. "You can sit in the front, I won't touch you."
"Thanks, but I'm fine in the back." Troy sighed.
The car was filled with an awkward silence, neither of them wanting to say anything. Troy couldn't help but mentally hit himself for kissing her. Everything had been great between them, almost back to normal and then he messed it up, again. Where as Gabriella couldn't stop thinking about the kiss, as much as she was upset about it, she also couldn't get it off her mind. When she felt Troy lips brush up against her she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body, it was unlike anything she'd ever felt with Matt, and that's what scared her. She didn't want to feel this way about Troy, not again.
A/N:
Well there you go guys. Look I'm sorry I haven't been updated
very often, things have been super crazy with school and everything
else right now. So I apologize.
I hope the chapter was worth the wait, however. The story is going to start changing a lot in the next couple of chapters, so there's a lot more to look forward to. Please let me know what you guys think. I want to thank those of you who have been reviewing I appreciate the feedback! Until next time. R&R
