Okay kiddies, here we go again. I've been reading over other chapters, kinda disappointed with the deterioration of my writing skills. So I'll work on that. Anywho, thanks for all the reviews I got. As promised, each and every one of you receive Zac Efron shaped cookies :) I love reviews that are more than just a sentence long, so those make me especially happy, though I appreciate any. So thanks to everyone who took the time to do that!
Disclaimer: I only own Juan. But I'm quite proud of him, so it's okay :)
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Gabriella's POV
After Troy left, I could barely look at myself. I had been terrible to him. I had told him I didn't need him. How could I have said that to him? How could I have possibly told him that I didn't need him? I tried to sleep—but I couldn't. I laid awake in my bed, turning things around in my mind, over and over and over again. Every time I did, only one thing stuck out in my mind. I don't need you to make me feel better. I don't need you. I don't need you. Those words cut me. I knew that they must have felt worse for Troy. I wanted to call him, I wanted to apologize, but I was too afraid that he wouldn't pick up the phone.
As I turned over for the millionth time, I began wondering when my mother would be home. I was worried about her, and worried about Troy, and worried about everything. To put it simply, I was a complete wreck. Just at that moment, I saw headlights beam into my room from the driveway—this allowed me to release a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
I rolled over again, trying to make it look like I was asleep, with my back to the door. Just as I turned though, before I shut my eyes, I could have sworn I saw—no… no, that couldn't be right. Gabs, get a grip. Dad is gone. I narrowed my eyes a bit, and realized it must have simply been a trick of light.
I blinked, wondering, Had it? My door opened then, and I knew that it was my mother. I stayed perfectly still, but continued to stare at the spot that had shimmered. I know I saw it. I know it.
I fell into a restless sleep eventually, though my sleep was plagued. Dreams of my father, and of Troy, and of my mother, and even of Simon danced cruelly around my head. All of the images playing in my mind, as I would later remember them, were unsettling, but the worst would have to be Troy's face, and voice, constantly saying, I don't need youGabriella.
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I was up the next morning at 5:30. I quickly showered, and washed my face. It was then that I knew that I must have started crying during the night—my eyes were tearstained and swollen. School started at 7:45, meaning I probably didn't have to be up until 6:30, but that didn't matter. I had been lying in bed, unable to sleep, for at least a half hour. I couldn't stand just sitting there for a second longer.
After finishing my shower, I blow-dried my hair, praying that it wouldn't wake my mother. I applied some make-up around my eyes, in a feeble attempt to reduce the swollenness, and the redness, but to no avail. By now it was 6:20. Though it was still early, I could reasonably leave the house.
Scribbling a quick, fake explanation to my mother, I grabbed a sweater and my backpack, and headed straight out the door.
As I hit the path, and the cool air hit my skin, I was glad I had remembered to grab the sweater. I looked at the one I had grabbed, at random. That's when I started to sob. I had grabbed Troy's sweater. He had given it to me recently. More like returned it, actually. I had taken it, but then he needed it back for a team party or something. That's why it had been on top of my dresser. He must have returned it, and forgotten to mention that it was in my room. I put it on, and my sobs lessened, though I was still crying. I had been so horrible to Troy, and all he had done was be a concerned, caring boyfriend.
The sun wasn't exactly up yet. It was that period of morning where it wasn't light out yet, though things were beginning to brighten up. The sky looked like it would be a cloudy, grey-blue today, and I could sense rain. It was the smell in the air that gave it away.
I sniffed, and felt another tear fall. I noticed I was nearing Troy's house—I hadn't realized until just then that that had been where I was intending on heading all along.
I pulled out my cell phone, and quickly dialed his number. I tried to clear my voice so he wouldn't be able to tell that I had been crying. He answered on the first ring. I had barely gotten a sentence out when he asked me what was wrong—I knew that my meager attempt to calm myself obviously hadn't worked.
I asked if he was ready, even though I knew he probably wasn't. To my surprise, he assured me that he was. I was thankful, at that moment, for having the sweetest boyfriend in the world. I couldn't even believe he had answered the phone, after what I said to him last night. More than just talk to me, he was concerned about me—even asked me if I had eaten. I felt worse at that moment. I was a terrible girlfriend.
As we got off the phone, I realized I had almost stopped crying. His voice just had a way of calming me down, I suppose. Mere minutes later, I was outside of his house. I could see him standing at his gate, nervously tapping his foot against it. He gave me a small smile, and then, in an absolutely heart melting, kind gesture, held up one of his mother's delicious chocolate-chip muffins.
I smiled, and gratefully took one, realizing just how hungry I was. It was then that he reached his hand up, and wiped the pad of his thumb on my cheek, wiping the tears away. When he asked if I was okay, I lost it. I launched myself at him, hugging him, and I immediately started sobbing again. I tried to explain to him, though it was difficult through tears, how bad I felt. How much I really did need him. How I couldn't believe the things I had said.
I'll never understand how Troy is so amazing. He simply smoothed my hair, and told me it was okay, and that he understood. He gave me a little grin, and then said, "Now, eat your muffin, before I do."
I don't know how that boy does it, but he has a way of making me smile. I grinned through the remaining tears that had now discontinued. I even managed a laugh as he said, "No, seriously, you better eat it." And he meant that too. At that moment, he leaned down, taking a huge bite out of my muffin. This gesture obviously showed that he had forgotten the events that had just transpired. He had forgiven me. "Yum," he grinned, his mouth full. It was the most endearing site, and I just had to laugh.
I managed a look of fake indignation. "No fair!" I said, laughing. "I want yours then, mister!" He laughed at me, but quickly switched our muffins.
I happily took a bite, and grinned at him. "Your mom is the best baker in the world."
I grinned, as he put an arm around me. I leaned into his side, and then had to giggle. He had just told me, "Stick with me, and I'll give you all the muffins you want."
I looked up at him and smiled. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "So that's your plan, is it? Lure me in with baked goods?"
He laughed and said, "Oh, geez Montez! You weren't supposed to figure out the plan this soon!"
I smiled, and put an arm around his waist. I leaned my head against the side of his chest, and sighed. I felt so, so much better. "Dinner at my house tonight," I reminded him, after a while of silence.
"Yeah, I know," he said simply, though I could sense a smile in his voice.
We got to school not too much later. We ended up sitting on a bench in the front entrance until we had to get to class. The best part of what I had with Troy, was sometimes it was just okay to sit together, and not talk. The silence between us held so many words. So many comfortable words.
When the last warning bell rang, I sighed, and disentangled myself from Troy. "Come on, Basketball Boy," I said, pulling at his hand. "We have to go to Chemistry."
I noticed him ruffle his noise unhappily, but he obliged. "Look on the bright side," I said. "After Chem, Kelsey told me she'd give us a copy of one of the new songs, so we can start practicing." I smiled at him, and he gave me a mini smile.
"Well, that's one thing to get me through this test," he conceded.
I smiled, and said, "Well, here's another." I stood up on my tip toes, and give him a quick, chaste kiss. I pulled away, and grabbed his hand, pulling him to the Chemistry lab.
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Not much new stuff here, I know. But like I said, I wanted to prove to myself that I could still write something descriptive and good. So, yeah, there it is. Plot advancement will hopefully come with the next chapter, now that the Spring Musical is coming up. So yeah, hope you enjoyed it :) Review, because it motivates me, and gives me ideas!
Love always,
Monica