Life Has its Reasons

Chapter 19

Gabriella went back to school the next week, knowing she couldn't hide from her problems anymore. When Troy first saw her, he tried to clear things up, but she just didn't wanna hear it. Even though her heart was yet again toyed with and broken, Gabriella started to enjoy being single again. She had more time to her friends and every guy hit on her now that that knew she was free again. She even enjoyed that, as annoying as it was, but she couldn't help but let her mind wonder back to Troy sometimes. Yea, she did love him but she couldn't just give him another chance and let him off that easily.

Gabriella sat on the sidelines in her cheer uniform watching the team play against West High. She watched her ex glide down the court all night, making shots here and there, but she couldn't help but notice a distant look on his face and she knew why.

The Wildcats won 15-7 and even with college scouts and his teammates cheering, Troy's eyes wondered to Gabriella, following her every move.

"Gabi," Sharpay called from next to her friend. "We're heading out for pizza with the guys, you wanna come?"

"Um," Gabriella thought for a second. Going out with the guys meant Troy. Did she really wanna sit there and face him all night. "Uh, yea, I'll come I'll meet you outside after I change."

Sharpay smiled and nodded heading into the locker room and the gym started clearing up.

"Hey cutie," a voice called from behind Gabriella. "Why are you in here all alone?"

Gabi turned to see the West High captain walking toward her. Brad Lions.

"What do you want, Brad?"

"Aww, c'mon," Brad moved closer to her and pulled her toward him. "Gabs are you in a bad mood tonight? What happened to your Troy-boy? Did he find some other slut to hang out with?"

Gabriella glared at him and pulled herself out of his grip. "I'm not a slut and I don't care where Troy is."

"You might as well be," he replied. "Did you two get into a fight?"

"It's none of your business," Gabriella replied, turning away but Brad pulled her back.

"Hey, since Bolton's out of the picture, how bout you let a real man handle you, huh?"

"Let go of me, I don't want you."

"Yet you wanted Bolton," Brad scowled.

"Troy and I are over ok, and I'm not having sex with you so get over yourself. Not even breathing thing wants to fuck you." Gabriella tried again to free herself, but he held tight to her this time.

"You do what I say, got it," Brad said, so close to her face. "Now when I'm through with you, you're gonna forget all about Bolton, cause I'll rock your world."

Gabriella scoffed. "Like that will happen. You couldn't get a girl like me any day."

"Wanna bet," he tightened his grip on her arm again.

"Go fuck yourself," Gabriella said, spitting in his face.

"You bitch," Brad raised his hand to hit her but a voice called out.

"Hit her and I kill you."

They both turned to see Troy standing there, changed with his gym bag over his shoulder.

"Oh, great," Brad said, loosening his grip on Gabriella a little. "Thanks Bolton, you just ruined my fun, I was gonna screw your girl over here. I still am, too." He turned back to Gabriella. "I'm gonna fucking blow your mind. Something Bolton over here could never do. I gonna have you screaming my name."

Troy's anger got the best of him and his dropped his bag and walked over to Brad, hitting him once and sending him to the floor, releasing Gabriella at once. He didn't stop there though. He continued punching and kicking Brad on the floor, not caring about the blood that was pouring onto the gym floor.

Gabriella stood shocked at how angry Troy had gotten, but then grabbed his arm and pulled him away. "Troy stop it, you're gonna kill him."

"That's the whole point," Troy grumbled. Gabriella's hand was on his chest, pushing him back away from Brad, who was lying on the floor, coughing blood.

Troyella stared at each other for a minute before Troy calmed down and picked up his bag. "Let him talk shit about you Brie. I was trying to help but it seems like you don't need my help. Maybe you do wanna screw him, I mean your defending him."

Gabriella looked at Troy with no emotion on her face.

"Go ahead, fuck him Gabi," Troy continued. "Be the slut he says you are. I don't care."



Gabriella's anger went spiraling as she smacked Troy again just like when they broke up.

"FUCK YOU, OK," she screamed. "YOU HAVE SOME NERVE CALLING ME A SLUT, WHEN YOU'RE THE ONE WHO CHEATED ON ME. I DON'T NEED YOU TO PROTECT ME SO JUST STAY OUT OF MY LIFE."

Gabriella stormed away to the locker room with tears falling down her face and leaving Troy wide-eyed, realizing that he had just called the girl he loved a slut.

Of course he didn't mean it, but he just dug himself into a even deeper hole.

--

Gabriella sat at Joe's Pizza Place (might be real idk) in between Kelsi and Taylor, feeling awkward. Across from her sat Troy and the whole time she was avoiding eye contact. She knew he was trying to get her attention but every time she glanced at him, she would quickly look away.

Conversation was flowing except from Troy and Gabriella. They would only speak when spoken to. They were both lost deep in thought and about whom else. None other than each other.

"Brie," Gabriella turned after being nudged by Kelsi. "You ok, you're not saying anything."

"I'm fine," Gabriella replied, staring longingly at Troy as he stared at Chad, who was talking to him.

"Stop staring," Taylor whispered. "You're making it obvious that you're thinking about him."

Gabriella sighed and she knew she couldn't handle this much longer. She could leave now, she had stayed for an hour and that was good enough.



She stood and all eyes at the table moved to her. "I'm just gonna go home, I'm pretty tired."

"Oh, ok," Sharpay said, getting up also. "You need a ride right?"

"No, thanks," Gabriella avoiding looking into the blue eyes that she knew were staring at her. "I'll just call my mom, you stay here."

"Ok, be safe," Sharpay sat back down and everyone said their goodbyes.

Gabriella made her way outside and stood on the curb after calling her mom.

"Can we talk?" she heard a voice from behind her seconds later.

She turned to see him standing there, staring at her.

"Why should I talk to you?" she asked. "I don't think we need to talk, I'm the slut remember."

As she turned around, Troy grabbed her arm. "Stop, Gabriella you know I didn't mean that."

Gabriella sighed at she turned and looked him in the face. "It sure felt like you did."

"I'm sorry and not just for that."

Gabriella looked down and shook her head slowly. "Not now Troy."

"Give me another chance please," he pleaded with her.

She finally stopped holding them in and let the tears fall down her face. "I can't Troy. I don't have the heart to. We can't get back together. I can't be with you."

"Brie," he moved his hand to lift her face up. "Don't do this. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry but I never meant to. We both know people do stupid things when they're drunk and I'm no different. I made a mistake and I begging you to take me back. My life will fall apart without you. I'm truly sorry."

"I can't," Gabriella whispered, as a car horn honked and she turned to see her mom's car sitting there. "I can't now Troy. I don't know how to forgive you."

"Gabi," Troy pulled on her arm, but she forced him off.

"That's my mom, I gotta go." She turned abruptly and ran to her mom's car, sneaking one last look at Troy before getting in the passenger seat and pulling off.

This time Troy wasn't sure if she would ever forgive him. He wasn't sure if he would ever have her back. He wanted her. He didn't know if he would ever get to tell her his true feelings. He didn't know if he would he ever get to tell her he loved her.

A/N: ya kno how they always say some things r short nd sweet well this was short nd sad, not that short but shorter than normal anyway tell me what you thought nd i might get to read them 2moro but if no the next time i'll prob check my e mail will be fri after skool(unfortunately) so REVIEW i kinda love having 20 emails in my box on fridays frum all week tehe :D love ya