In her army coat and braided pig tails Gabriella leaned against the counter. "Jesus Christ who do you have to show a boob to, to get some service?" Her guitar case was hanging off her right shoulder and she had on black shirt the fit her tightly and showed off midriff.
"You shouldn't use his name in vain." Kelsi voice called as she pressed the copy button on the copy machine.
Gabriella rolled her eyes, she needed to get her doctor's note on file to explain her two days of absence, she had to get this behind her and start thinking about a new direction. Gabriella fiddled with her earring as she leaned against the counter. "So you got a date for that dance thing?" Gabriella asked looking over at Kelsi, not like she cared; she just needed to stop thinking.
"No I don't, but I bet you do," she said with a bitter tone.
Gabriella let out a breath. "No, I don't either," her hand hit the bell again as she peered over the counter to see no one coming down the hall. "Oh my god,"
"Service is slow on around this time." Kelsi said bringing the copied papers to the desk and neatly putting them in piles.
Gabriella arched and eye brow. "You work the front desk don't you?"
"I do," Kelsi said coming to her seat and folding her hands. "What do you want?"
Gabriella rolled her eyes and looked around the empty room. "When does a real school official get here?"
"I am the only on duty tonight, what do you want?"
Gabriella placed both hands on the counter top, "I got a note from the doctor about me missing two days." She said between clenched teeth. "I need want to put it on file."
"Thank you, I'll take that," Kelsi held up her hand and Gabriella gave her the paper. Gabriella was quite as she looked at the paper as Kelsi eyes read over it. "It says you're on antidepressants."
Gabriella let out a breath, "Just put it on file Kelsi," Gabriella pushed herself off the counter and turned around to walk out.
"Gabriella, wait?"
Gabriella eyes shut as she murmured a slur to herself, "What?" she said turning around to see Kelsi standing up.
"What's going on?" She said putting the paper down and coming around the counter. "Do you want to talk?"
"Not to you I don't," Gabriella said adjusting the strap on her shoulder.
"Gabriella, I'm sorry about what I said before, I mean I didn't know and I just want to talk to you is all." Kelsi hands folded together at her heart.
"So you want to talk to me to clear that Christian conscience of yours, I don't think so, you meant what you said, apology not accepted and you can bite me." Gabriella turned around and pushed door opened although half way through she turned and stopped. "Makes you think about the next time you want to make a judgment about someone doesn't it?" she said turning to her and the walking backwards out the door.
The evening air hit her face on and she took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders. Walking down the path she saw Jason with his guitar. "Jason!"
"Yo, Gabi, stellar performance the other night." He said holding up a high five.
"Thanks, I was wondering if you guys could use another guitarist." Gabriella said with a small smile. This was a step in the right direction she needed to be busy. Needed to stay busy to keep her mind off him, to stop herself from going to him.
"Well our next gig is the dance tomorrow night," Jason said with a wince, "Doesn't leave much time for practice but hey, why not we need a female voice in the band."
"Thanks Jason," Gabriella nodded her head. This is what she needed, she needed to be busy, to keep her mind off the mess she made and her mind here in the present.
"You sure Troy's alright with this, I mean if I had a date I'd want her to be dancing with me not on stage, you know," Jason tilted his head confuse. "Want I'm on stage, oh wow, if I had a date I'd have to give up my tunes." He said in a shocked voice.
"No you wouldn't, I'm surprise you don't have one, and Troy isn't my boyfriend." Gabriella stuck her free hand in her coat pocket. Just saying his name made her miss him.
"I was actually going to ask the hottie in the business office but now I'm not so sure?" Jason looked down at the speech written out on his hand.
"Kelsi?" Gabriella let out a laugh.
"She has a date already doesn't she," Jason shoved his hand in his pocket. "This whole thing is stupid,"
"Actually," Gabriella turned to face the building. "I think this might be the perfect time." Gabriella patted his shoulder. "Kelsi's alone, she was upset about not having a date and something tells me she might be a bit more open minded," Gabriella smiled. "Go get your girl."
"You think she'll say yes?" Jason asked with a smile.
"I think she will."
Gabriella smiled as Jason began his way to the office building and Gabriella began her walked along the path. She needed to study, and clear her mind, Gabriella stopped part way and took a seat at the bench. Her studies could wait for later right now it was a matter of the music. Setting down the case she picked up her Guitar.
(Broken by Lindsey Haun)
Gabriella strummed her guitar once and then again. Closing her she began again.
Wake up to a Sunny Day
Not a cloud up in the sky
And then it starts to rain
My defenses hit the ground
And they shatter all around
So open and exposed
But I found strength in the struggle
Face to face with my troubles
People walked by and smiled as she nodded and continued to strum.
When you're broken
In a Million little pieces
And your tryin'
But you can't hold on any more
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believin' in your self
When you're broken
Little girl don't be so blue
I know what you're going through
Don't let it beat you up
Hittin' walls and gettin' scars
Only makes you who you are
Only makes you who you are
No matter how much your heart is aching
There is beauty in the breaking
Yeah
"You're really good."
Gabriella opened her eyes and looked up to see Ryan toss a few coins into her guitar case her fingers came to a stop "Ryan," Gabriella let out a breath. "I'm sorry about bailing on you the other night."
"No, it's alright." Ryan took a seat next to her. "I'm use to rejection, and if what I hear is true than I guess you had some bigger problems of your own that night."
Gabriella looked out into the empty path. "I just feel so lost, and unsure."
"There's a catch lyric," Ryan let out a nervous laugh. "Troy's looking miserable these days."
"I really don't want to talk about him," Gabriella said putting her guitar down.
"I thought you might say that." Ryan took a breath, "Are you going to the dance tomorrow?"
"I'm in the band," she smiled. "I guess I have to now,"
Ryan nodded and rubbed his hands together.
"You still don't have a date do you?" she asked leaning back in her seat.
"No," Ryan let out a sigh and then looked down at his feet. "I guess you could say I'm desperate?"
"Here," Gabriella took a pen from her pocket and his hand, "Call my friend, her name is Martha and she works afternoons at the bar, I don't think she has a date, and I think she might be a little desperate too."
Ryan let out a laugh. "You had her number the whole time."
"Hey I don't fix people up, I just feel sorry for you."
"Gee, thanks." Ryan crossed his arms, "Sharpay dating Zeke."
"Wow, talk about musical chair dating."
"Yup and I'm the odd man out." Ryan looked up at the sky and then at the trees around.
"No you're not, I don't have a date?" Gabriella nudged him.
"Please, you and Troy our like the Bella and Edward of our time?"
Gabriella winced. "Please don't ever use me in a twilight reference as long as you live," she said placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine, then you're like harry and sally." Ryan said letting his hands rest on his jeans.
"Is that the movie where she fakes and orgasm while eating pancakes?" Gabriella asked pausing a moment to think about it.
"Not sure about the pancakes but yes, and my point is that no matter how much you both think you're not meant to be together, in reality being together is the only thing that makes sense." Ryan shrugged his shoulders. "You're supposed to fall in love with your best friend."
Gabriella let out a sigh, "We're not in love, love makes everything complicated."
"Correction," Ryan held up a finger. "Sex makes everything complicated; Love makes a fool out those who think they're incapable."
"Why?" Gabriella arched her brow, she might as well let him say what he's so determined to say.
"Because the ones who think they can't fall in love are the first to fall."
"I never said I couldn't," Gabriella said lifting her guitar and putting it in the case. "I said I didn't want to."
"And how's that working for you?" Ryan said watching her as she closed the case.
"I'll let you know when I figure it out." she said zipping up the sides. "I gotta go, call Martha tell her I sent you. She owes me a favor."
"This sounds a bit crazy." Ryan said looking at his hand.
"Do you want a date or not?" Gabriella said lifting the guitar over her shoulder.
Ryan leaned back in his seat and let out a breath. "Talk to Troy."
"As if." She said walking away.
"You're going to regret it if you don't!" he called after her.
Gabriella kept walking.
"Stubborn." Ryan settled back and looked around just then a pigeon landed on the bench next to him. "I bet you have date don't you?" when the bird flew off he shook his head. "Yup, I'm official a loser."
Gabriella and Troy had been on the clock for two hours and so far a nod in each other's existents was the extent of their conversation. Todd was serving people in tables, Martha was in back washing dishes. It was a busy night. The night before Valentine's Day, everyone was looking for a date and looking for a good time. Gabriella wanted the night to be over. Chancing another glance in his direction she saw him mixing drinks for a three woman sitting at the bar. The moment he walked into work with his shirt open exposing a white shirt underneath and his form fitting jeans Gabriella knew it was about to get ten times harder to convince herself that there was nothing between them.
"Gabriella, let me get to drafts please." Todd asked coming up to the bar and trying to read his own writing.
"Coming right up." her hand knocked against Troy's as she reached for the glass and they both jerked back. Troy didn't say a word he just waved it off the turned to grab glasses from another pile. Gabriella felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She quickly poured the drinks and gave them to Todd. "Here you go,"
"Hey, look whatever it is that has you two in a tiff, " Todd said motioning to Troy. "It'll be over soon, friends fight. Even the best of," he gave a small wink and walked back into the crowd.
"If only you knew," she said to herself as she poured a martini for the man sitting in front of her. Gabriella kept moving the rest of the night avoiding him, jerking back when they brushed against each other. She could feel him inside her, her back against the door his strong arms on either side of her body. Her mind raced with images from the first thing she could remember about him sexually to that kiss he placed on her cheek at the hospital.
Gabriella walked into the backroom unable to take the heat anymore from the bar. There were three more hours of her shift to go and she was counting down minutes as she glanced up at the clock again. Martha was on break and the dishes were sitting in the sink. Gabriella walked over to wash a glass for herself. As she filled it with water Troy walked into the back room as well. Neither of them said anything he simply dumped the dishes in the sink and took the sponge to begin washing a few glasses.
"Todd's watching the bar?" Gabriella looked back out to see Todd was indeed behind the bar again.
"Are you just going to hide back here for the rest of the night?" His voice was sharp and Gabriella flinched as she turned back to the frame of his back.
"No, I need a break."
"How convenient?"
Gabriella walked up behind him and placed the glass in the sink only Troy took it from her hand and their fingers paused as they touched. Troy took a deep breath and Gabriella closed her eyes. The touch seemed to last forever and then he pulled away.
"I can't work like this."
"Sexual attraction is a bitch." Gabriella gave a nervous chuckle and placed the glass down in the sink.
"You don't get it do you?" Troy turned to face her.
"Look maybe if we just give it some time things will go back to normal," Gabriella crossed her arms.
"No it won't because none of this has anything to do about the sex." Troy said walking around her.
Gabriella tossed her hands up. "This has everything to do about the sex!" she said back in frustration.
"I love you," Troy shot back, "I love your giggle, your personality, your hair when it on your neck, I'm in love with the light in the room when walk into it. I love the sound of your voice, the way your touch lights this fire inside me and against my skin whenever we brush against each other," Troy voice was softer now.
"Troy, it's not personal," Gabriella said as her lips quivered.
"It is for me Brie," he said coming closer to her. "I want to hold your hand and walk you home every night, I want the right to just come up from behind and wrap my arms around you because I like holding you. I want to bake cupcakes and watch chick flicks all day on your couch just to see you smile at every predictable ending. I want to do our laundry together and hold you while you sleep." Troy paused his eyes looking down at her lips then back up at her. Gabriella waited anxiously she knew these kind of speeches and they always came with a but or a however.
Troy took a deep breath "But you don't, you don't even want to try."
Gabriella felt tears in her eyes as she watched him look away from her. She wanted to try, more than ever she wanted to try.
"How am I not supposed to take that personally?" He added. "It's me you don't like."
"Troy-"
Without letting her finish he held up his hands "As soon as I can find another job, I'm out of here." He turned to leave and Gabriella let a tear fall from her eye. He loved her unconditionally with no buts ifs or ands about it and she been so stupid she pushed him away harder than everyone else. Gabriella placed a hand over her mouth to muffle a cry. What had she done?