A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks to everyone that reviewed! I really appreciate it! Read, Review, and Enjoy!
Disclaimer: We all know that I don't own any of the characters, except my OC's. I do, however, own the plot of this fanfic!
Second Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics to Behind These Hazel Eyes. They belong to Kelly Clarkson.
Chapter Twelve
Sharpay POV:
After my last class, I found Troy after school at his locker.
"Hey," I said, giving him a kiss.
He turned away from his locker and gave me a weak smile.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Troy just shook his head. "I think we need to talk…"
I looked up at his blue eyes. "Um…" I said, at a loss for words, "okay. Do you want to come over now or…?"
He looked at me and smiled. "Actually, I was thinking we could go to the park."
"The park?" I asked, looking at him.
"Yeah, I figured we could take a walk on one of the nature trails."
Troy pulled into the small parking lot, and we both climbed out.
I could hear the rushing water of the river nearby, and the smell of the surrounding trees seemed to overwhelm me. The gorgeous sun shone in the blue sky, and cast shadows all around us.
"What did you want to talk about?" I prompted as we found one of the nature trails and started walking.
Troy laced our fingers together, and took a deep breath. "I have been doing a lot of thinking lately," he said slowly. His body was straight ahead, but his eyes were on me- looking for any kind of reaction. I didn't give him one. "And I realized that we are very different Sharpay. We both have different wants and needs…"
"No. No we don't," I protested, "We both want each other- we both need each other."
He shook his head. "That is where you are wrong Shar. We don't need each other. Not like we need air to breath and water to drink…" I let my voice drop as the words danced between us in the slight breeze.
We stopped walking, and sat down on a nearby bench. "But…" I trailed off, looking into his eyes. Didn't you feel the magic and see the fireworks? It's fate Troy- we are meant to be." I looked up at the trees above us that were swaying lightly in the breeze. A few thin clouds roamed around the sky, looking lost and lonely- helpless almost.
"No," he shook his head, and let go of my hand. "We are not meant to be." He looked down at his hands, and spun his class ring around his finger a couple of times. "Gabriella and I are."
He was dumping me for his ex? This can't be happening. Please tell me that this is all a dream and that when I wake up, everything will be back to normal. "Troy… You can't be serious. She's not going to take you back. She's in love with Derek…" I said, bravely.
"True," he almost whispered. He got up off the bench and started pacing back and forth in front of me. "I really didn't want to have to do this Shar, but I love her."
I watched him continue to walk back and forth. I watched his sneakers hit the pavement each time. Thump, thump, thump.
"Well," he finally said, standing still, facing me, "I guess I should drive you home. It's getting late anyway." He pulled me off the bench, and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry Sharpay. Really sorry."
I wrapped my arms around him one last time, and whispered, "It's okay."
He untangled himself from me, and then started walking back towards the way we had come. "No. It's not okay. I hate doing this. I hate seeing that you are hurting, and then knowing that I caused it." He mumbled a few more undecipherable words under his breath, and then fell silent.
As we walked back to his car, I listened to water rushing by in the river, to the trees overhead, and the birds singing. I listened to my footsteps on the ground, my breathing, and my heartbeat. I listened to everything except that one thought that lingered in my head. I love you. I didn't want to think about it anymore. I just wanted to go home and pretend that the past few months hadn't ever happened.
About a week later, I was going to audition for a local theater performance. I was told that I had to prepare a song to sing, and that it could be any song that I wanted. I knew just the one that I wanted to sing.
When I walked on stage and the lights shone around me, I felt a certain sense of belonging. Like a sanctuary of sorts where I could be who I wanted to be. Where I could let go of expectations, and be free from the outside world.
"Are you ready?" An older woman that reminded of Mrs. Darbus asked. Her short, gray hair seemed to match her unknown personality as it sat on her head, twisting this way and that. Her red glasses matched the sweater that she had on, as did the silver hoops that were dangling from her ears.
I nodded, and took the microphone from her. "I will be singing Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson."
I let myself get lost in the lyrics as I imagined the two of us- what used to be.
Seems like just yesterday
You were a part of me
I used to stand so tall
I used to be so strong
Your arms around me tight
Everything, it felt so right
Unbreakable, like nothin' could go wrong
Now I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hanging on
I imagined the two of us on our first date. Troy had taken me into the city so that we could see Mamma Mia. And afterwards, he brought me home, and we sat in the backyard and watched the stars until almost midnight. It was one of the best dates I had ever had, and now that too, was gone.
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I remembered the first time that Troy had said 'I love you' to me. I was so happy, I started crying. And then he thought he had done something wrong… Silly boy. Well, it was my turn to cry again, but for real this time. And this time, he had done something wrong; he broke my heart in a million tiny pieces that I couldn't put back together.
I told you everything
Opened up and let you in
You made me feel alright
For once in my life
Now all that's left of me
Is what I pretend to be
So together, but so broken up inside
'Cause I can't breathe
No, I can't sleep
I'm barely hangin' on
I thought about the time when Troy and I spent a day at the beach over the summer. We splashed in the water, and made a castle in the sand together. We shared our lunch of hamburgers and chips with a couple of seagulls and then watched the sunset on the water. It was so beautiful, the way the colors were illuminating the water, making it seem more like a picture than reality. Now, all I have left are these memories…
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I thought that we both felt the same way. We both seemed interested that day afterschool when Ryan had walked in on us… He was having a good time, wasn't he? I thought he loved me as much as I loved him…
I looked out into the theater, hoping to catch a glimpse of that woman and her reaction so far, but all I could make out was the young man working the spotlight. His blond hair reminded me of Troy's. It wasn't quite as long, but it wasn't a buzz cut either. It was a nice medium, and seemed like it fit him. When he noticed me looking at him, he gave a little wave. From what I could tell from the stage, he seemed good-looking, or at least, good enough looking.
I turned my attention back to the words I was singing, wondering what he thought about them.
Swallow me then spit me out
For hating you, I blame myself
Seeing you it kills me now
No, I don't cry on the outside
Anymore...
I could imagine what was going through spotlight-guy's head. He probably thinks I am some heartbroken girlfriend that can't get over her ex. Oh, wait, I am. Why did I choose this song again? Oh, right, because of Troy.
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
I focused my attention back on the guy at the back of the theater. He looked at me and smiled. I returned the gesture, and really focused on the last stanza.
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
Just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
When I had finished singing, I pulled the mic away from my mouth and switched it to the 'off' position. I took a deep breath and looked at the woman in the front row of seats.
She was busy writing something down, and when she looked up she smiled to me. "That was fantastic!" She exclaimed, clapping excitedly. "You had such emotion and feeling in your voice; where did you get it from?"
"Oh, you know," I said casually, "experience." And I wasn't lying either. She probably took it as experience with auditions, but it had a different meaning entirely.
"Congratulations Sharpay. How would you like to play Maria?"
I looked at her for a second, trying to figure out if she was serious. "I would like it very much. Thank you."
"Well, you deserve it."
"But there must be other people that are better than I am. I mean, I'm only a senior in high school."
"Oh, honey. Don't be silly. You were fabulous. Congratulations."
As I was walking out, spotlight-guy came up to me. "That was… amazing," he said, motioning back to the stage. "Where did you learn to sing like that?"
I shrugged. "I guess I'm just naturally talented."
"And naturally beautiful."
I felt myself blush. "You're not so bad yourself." I took my keys out of my purse. "I'll see you around?" I asked hopefully.
"Definitely." I started to walk away when he called me back. "When can I see you again?"
I thought for a minute, "How does Friday night work for you?"
"Perfect."
"Great, see you then?"
He nodded. "Yeah, we can meet here, okay?"
I agreed and then said good-bye. All the way home, I thought about him, and then I realized that I didn't even know his name, let alone his phone number. Well, that's one reason to turn around, I thought…
(A/N: Okay, so once again, this was longer than I was planning on it being. But it's not even 2,000 words. Anyway, I can't wait to see where this new relationship is going, and to find out where the other's are going to go as well. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what I feel like. I think Chapter 13 will be about Taylor and Chad, and then 14 will be about Gabriella and Derek. I don't know when I will be able to get 13 up- hopefully within the week (It's February Break!!!), but we'll see what else I have going on. Bye for now!)