Can't Help But Wait

Chapter 20

Gabriella's POV

The next day Troy made me get up and get ready for a day out. As much as I didn't want to leave, I knew I had to. I wanted to make Troy happy and I didn't want to seem like I had cut off from the world completely. I wanted to show Troy that I wasn't completely weak and I hadn't shoved everyone away from me after my rape, but I didn't see how I would do that considering the only one I ever wanted to be around was Troy.

I sighed, coming out of the bathroom in a simple pair of jeans and a purple fitted t-shirt. I grabbed a purple scrunchie off my dresser and pulled my hair into a ponytail as Troy watched from his position on my bed. I slipped a pair of purple and white converses on my feet and turned to face him. Being the girly girl I usually was, I had shoes to match everything in my closet, whether they be dressy, simple, or casual.

Troy smiled at me, getting up and walking over to me. He stood in front of me for a second and placed a kiss on the top of my head. "You ready?"

I nodded, holding on to his biceps as his hands held the sides of my face. It seemed as if I didn't want him to let go of me..Ever.

"C'mon," he said, leading me out the house and then we were off to the mall. When we got the there, I saw the entire gang waiting at the front entrance. I noticed the girls look over at me as soon as they spotted Troy and I walking through the parking lot and I stopped. I had been holding onto Troy's arm so when I stopped, I managed to yank his arm a little bit.

He immediately turned around, rubbing his shoulder and pulling me to him. "Don't be scared."

I looked up at him through my bangs and he looked back with that look asking if I wanted to do this. Of course I didn't, but I was going to for him. I squeezed his hand in mine, letting him know I was ok and he nodded and pulled me along.

"Hey, guys," he said, once we reached our friends. I held tightly onto Troy's bicep and stared back at them.

"Hey, Troy , Hey Gabi," came the replies of my friends. I felt Troy nudge me a little bit. "Hi," I mumbled so quietly, I don't think Troy heard me this time.

"Gabs, you wanna look for some new stuff for the summer? I mean with college being in the fall and all," Sharpay asked me.

I started to look up at Troy, but then I thought about this. Sharpay had been my best friend since 7th grade along with Taylor. It takes a lot to get Sharpay to hate you and I was pretty sure if she hated me, she probably would have come today. Before Troy could nudge me to go along this time, Sharpay held her arm out for me to loop through and I did.

We walked around just us girls for a few hours. Being with my best friends made me feel like me again. Sharpay, being who she is, pointed out all the cute guys to me, telling me if I wanted to I could get back into the dating game and how a great place to start would be the mall. By the time we found the boys again, I had a smile on my face.

Troy moved over to drape his arm around my shoulder and I smiled at him. He took the few bags I had in my hand from shopping and smiled back. "I take it you had fun?"

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder, looking at our friends as they watched us. "What are you guys looking at?" Troy asked them.

Sharpay smirked, holding Taylor's wrist as they walked about. "You know what we're staring at."

I watched Troy's face go red as he flipped Sharpay off. We all started back to the parking lot and I nuzzled Troy's neck with my nose. "What is she talking about," I whispered.

He shook his head leading me to his car as we waved goodbye to our friends. "Troy tell me," I pleaded.

"It's nothing Brie," he protested and I pouted. "She's just being Sharpay."

I leaned against his chest, positioned so his chin could rest on the top of my head and I looked up at him through my eyelashes in a puppy dog plead.

"No, Gabriella stop."

I smiled inwardly, knowing that if I kept this up he would tell me.

I watched as Troy turned his face. "I'm not telling you."

"Please."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"I love you."

"I love you too Brie..but I'm not telling you."

I crossed my arms across my chest and turned so my back was facing him.

"You still love me right?"

I shrugged as his hands came down to my waist, pulling my back to him and he dropped his head on my shoulder. "Go with me to prom."

Immediately, I dropped my arms and turned to him with a curious face. "What?"

"Go to prom with me."

I looked up into the deep blue pools. "Uh, I'm not really sure I'm going to prom."

He stared at me. "Why wouldn't you go to your own prom?"

"I just don't know," I sighed. "But if I do go the answer would be yes to going with you."

Troy smiled. "Well that makes me feel a little better."

I shook my head. "What would make you feel completely better?"

"A hug please," he said with that look on his face.

I leaned in to hug him and he spoke again. "Can I have a kiss to please," he asked pointing to his cheek.(like in hsm3 in her room after the pizza scene ppl)

I giggled lightly at him and rolled my eyes. I leaned in and kissed him on his cheek as he turned his face so he kissed me on the cheek at the same exact time. I laughed and hit him on the chest as he opened the door for me and took me home.

--

When I got home it was pretty quiet in the house. My mom was off of work but I didn't see her at her usual place in the kitchen. I headed up the stairs and to her room where I found the door closed. When I opened it I found my mother lying across her bed sleeping. I figured she must have started cleaning and gone overboard and wind up tiring herself out.

"Mommy," I said, sitting down next to her sleeping form on the bed. I watched as she jolted up at the sound of my voice.

"Oh Gabi, honey, are you ok?"

"I'm fine mom, I just wanted to let you know I'm home from the mall."

"Oh, well how was it?"

"Fun," I said and she smiled. "I'm glad Troy took me out."

"Remind me to thank him next time he comes over."

I shook my head. "Please don't, mom."

She rolled her eyes. "And why can't i?"

"Just don't ok."

The room went silent for a few minutes before my mother moved closer to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulder. "Ok tell me what's up?"

"How do you know something is up?"

"Because you're my daughter, plus you have that look on your face like you're thinking about something."

I laughed knowing that I would never be able to hide anything from my mother.

"Talk to me, what's up?"

I sighed and looked down playing with my hands. "Troy asked me to prom."

A big smile took over my mother's face. "And what's so bad about that sweetie?"

"I just..i didn't expect that. And I'm not even sure I want to go to prom."

"Gabriella you are going to your senior prom, do you understand me. You only get one and you only graduate from high school once. You need to enjoy it while you can. I know it's been a pretty hard year for you, but at least enjoy one night out with your friends."

I sighed. "I'll think about it."

"Didn't Sharpay already take you out to get a dress?"

I nodded and she smiled. "Well there you go. I'm sure you're going to look amazing in it and it's best not to waste money, plus you and Troy will have a good time."

"MOM," I groaned. "I'll think about it."

"Take your time, don't rush and answer and don't go just because you want to make me happy. Go with your heart but think long and hard about it. In the end it's entirely your decision though. No one else can choose for you."

"Thanks mom," I replied, taking what she said into consideration as I hugged her and retired to my room. Did I really want to go to my prom? Did I want to go back and face kids there? Did I really want to relive the pain? I was sure they were going to let Bryan out for his senior prom and graduation. Would I be able to handle that? I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling thinking about my choices. High School was about to end and I had to go out strong. I could be scared anymore. Not of Bryan, not of anything or anyone. I had to go out Gabriella one way or another.