Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from HSM!
Chapter 21 - Make Up or Break Up?
Gabriella woke up at 7:00am the next morning. It was Monday and she had planned to not go in school today so that she could see Troy off to the airport but after last night she didn't think she could handle it so, she got out of bed and went to use the main bathroom.
Half an hour later she was washed, dressed and refreshed, ready for another day of school. She went downstairs and was shocked to see Troy already awake. He was sat at the kitchen counter drinking coffee.
Gabriella walked straight over to the fridge to get some juice, ignoring his presence and praying he wouldn't speak. She could feel his eyes on her. She knew he was dying to say something, what that was she didn't know, she just prayed he wasn't going to have another go at her.
After pouring her juice she turned to head into the family room and got all the way there without Troy trying to talk to her. What the hell was this? She thought to herself, feeling a little upset. They had never argued for this long before, they're normally ok a few hours later at the most. She sighed as she sat on the sofa and sipped here juice.
After drinking her juice she placed her empty glass on the table and got out her cell. She was halfway through texting Sharpay when she felt a presence in the room. She did a sideways glance and of course, Troy was standing there.
"Ella?" He spoke softly.
"What?" She asked.
"Can we talk about last night?" He sighed as he sat across from her.
"I haven't got time, I need to leave for school in a little while" she said in a polite voice. Her voice sounded convincing, however she was fighting an inside battle with herself because all she wanted to do was throw herself in his strong, loving arms and apologize, say she was sorry, she didn't mean anything she said last night, but she knew this time it was serious.
"I thought you were taking the day off?" He said, the hurt was evident in his voice. "To say goodbye to me" she looked up and his eyes showed how he felt.
"Yeah, well I don't think I can miss another day" she lied.
"That is bullshit" he said in a stronger voice now. "You and I both know that you are way ahead of yourself in the work you do for school, you could take the day off if you wanted to" he said in a hurtful voice.
"Troy, don't talk to me like that" she whispered.
"Why are making this so hard?" He asked her. "I want to apologize, I want to make this right before I leave, why won't you let me?"
Gabriella didn't know what to say so she just picked up her glass and went to wash it up before going to get her things ready for school. She felt so guilty, maybe she should just forgive him, he was leaving in a few hours, and did she really want them to part on bad terms?
After packing her bag for school Gabriella went downstairs and heard Troy's voice, he must be on the phone, she was about to just leave when she caught the tone he was using, it sounded pained.
"Man I just don't know how to get through to her" he sighed. "She is your sister help me" Justin must have been on the receiver. She obviously couldn't hear the other side of the conversation but a few moments later Troy sighed and said "Yeah... I know... I'll let you go... Speak later man" then he hung up.
Gabriella sighed and leaned against the wall. She should go in there and forgive him. She should, it was right to do that, but she couldn't do it. She walked into the room and he looked up at her.
"I am going now..." she started."Have a safe flight to LA" she told him.
"Baby please don't be like this..." he pleaded, going over to her and taking her hand in his."I can't go to LA knowing you hate me" he told her.
"Troy..." she sighed."I don't hate you ok?" She looked in his eyes. "I am just confused, I don't know why I flipped out last night but it must have been for a reason because I said things I never normally would, so please just let me go" she removed her hands from his and then tip toed to lightly kiss his cheek.
Gabriella then left and as soon as she was in her car her tears escaped. This was so confusing. She wanted to forgive Troy, he was angry at Justin not her but he made it out that she doesn't suffer when he is away, that he is the only one who finds it hard to deal with the separation and that was a comment she couldn't handle because she struggled so much when he was not with her.
When she reached school her tears had stopped but it was obvious to anyone she had been crying. She did some damage control in her car mirror and then got out, ready for a long day at school.
She got to her locker and Taylor looked confused. Gabriella sighed ready for the questions to begin.
"I thought you were staying home today?" Taylor asked.
"Me and Troy had a fight" Gabriella sighed as she put some things in her locker.
"About what?" Taylor gasped.
"Justin... he kissed me that night we went to the movies... and I told Troy last night because we bumped into him at the movies and he was being all friendly with him and I hated it... and we both just said some things and I just couldn't bring myself to forgive him this morning" she sighed.
"Oh Hun" Taylor hugged her clearly upset friend. "You can't let him leave when you're not talking" Taylor stated.
"He was so angry though... I was hurt by some of the things he said" Gabriella sighed.
"Gabi, Troy is leaving for LA in a few hours, you really want him to get on that plane thinking you don't love him? Thinking you hate him?" Taylor asked.
Something dropped in Gabriella's mind and she realized her friend was right. She couldn't let Troy go thinking she didn't love him, ok she was still upset with him but he had to know no matter how angry or upset they were with each other that her love for him never changed.
"Oh my god you're right!" Gabriella panicked. "I need to go home" she said desperately.
"Go then, I will explain to the teachers" Gabriella nodded and raced off.
Just her luck that because it was first thing Monday morning traffic was terrible. The normally twenty minute journey to Troy's house took nearly an hour. She was panicking; he would be setting off to the airport soon.
She reached the house and her heart got heavy, where was Jack's car? She ran into the house and nearly knocked Lucille over.
"Gabriella? What is it?" She asked worried.
"Troy... Where is he?" She breathed.
"He and Jack left a few minutes ago... I thought you were at school?"
"I was but I need to tell Troy I love him" she said in distress.
"You mean you guys haven't made up?" Lucille asked in shock.
"No... He tried this morning but I was being stubborn... Argh! This can't be happening!" Gabriella exclaimed going back to her car.
"Gabriella, sweetie calm down, where are you going?" Lucille ran after her.
"To the airport... I need to see him!"
"Sweetheart you cannot drive in this state" Lucille told her.
"Lucie I need to see him" her eyes filled with tears.
"Ok, well I'll come and drive ok?" Gabriella nodded and got in the passenger seat as Lucille locked up the house and got in the driver's side.
Troy and Jack were on their way to the airport and the air was tense. Jack glanced at his son who looked troubled and sighed.
"Want to talk about it son?" Jack asked as they got on the freeway.
"Yeah but I don't know what I want to say" he sighed.
"Is it about last night?" Troy nodded. "What happened?"
"I found out that Justin guy tried it on with Ella and I kinda flipped and said some things I didn't mean" he groaned.
"What kinda things?"
"Just stuff about her not knowing how it feels when I am away and all that... I didn't mean it to sound like it did... and then I flipped when she said something about having Chad and Zeke to protect her because that should be my role and I just screwed up dad..." he sighed, flopping back in the seat.
"Wait... you have sorted things out though right?" Jack asked.
"I tried... She's stubborn you know... She went to school and just said she didn't hate me..." he explained.
"Troy Bolton, you cannot go without sorting this out!" Jack exclaimed.
"But dad what am I supposed to do? I have to go back to college today... My flight is in two hours..." he sighed.
"Call her" Jack urged.
"She won't pick up" he said.
"Stop making lame ass excuses Troy and call her!" Jack said and threw his phone at him.
Troy sighed and called Gabriella's cell. It rang and rang until it reached voicemail. He decided to leave a message, thinking she would be in class so couldn't answer.
"Baby, it's me, I am on my way to the airport, I am so sorry about last night and I really want to work this out before I leave, I know you're in school but if you could at least call me back so I can hear your voice..." he took a breath. "If I haven't heard from you by the time I fly I don't know what will happen with us but please just remember I love you with all my heart and you are my life" he said passionately. "Please call me, I love you princess" he whispered before hanging up.
He looked at his dad who gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. They then sat in silence, praying Gabriella rang Troy before his flight was due to leave.
Gabriella felt physically sick. Traffic was building up and she couldn't find her cell phone to try calling Troy. She thought she had put it in her pocket but it wasn't there. She groaned in frustration and Lucille looked at her sympathetically.
"Don't worry sweetheart we have plenty of time" Lucille reassured her.
"Not if this traffic doesn't hurry up we don't" she groaned.
"He won't be going through to departures for another hour and a half yet so you're ok, you'll get there in time don't worry" Lucille smiled and gradually got a bit faster, hoping they would make it in time.
Jack was just pulling up in the airport parking lot. He paid for a ticket to stay until Troy left and then helped get his bags to the entrance. Troy said he wanted to get some air so they waited outside for a few minutes.
"Do you think I should try calling again?" Troy asked.
"No, leave it at that son, she will still be in classes remember..." Jack said comfortingly.
"You didn't see how different she was this morning though dad... She was so... Hurt" he sighed.
"Son, you and that girl are meant to be together so don't worry" Jack patted his back then suggested going in to get his bags checked in so they could then try and relax with a coffee in the airport cafe.
Gabriella was feeling a little less stressed by the time they got off the free way, the traffic had calmed and they were moving and making more progress. She hoped and prayed to get there in time.
"How long left?" She asked Lucille.
"If it stays at this pace we will be there in about twenty minutes" Lucille told her.
Gabriella nodded and smiled. She would get there, she and Troy were meant to be, and fate would help her get there in time. She fidgeted in her seat and continued to search for her cell. Damn it, it must be in her bag at the house.
"I haven't got much longer to wait" Troy sighed. "I need to go through departures soon and I can't have my cell on in there" he looked defeated.
"She will call son" Jack said, not feeling too optimistic himself.
"I need to hear her voice dad" he said, looking close to tears.
That showed how much this argument has affected Troy, he hardly ever cried or showed his emotions in public, but today he didn't even seem to care who was watching.
It was now 11:00am and Troy's flight was due to board in half an hour, meaning he would be heading into the departures lounge soon. Gabriella was getting anxious again. Just as she was about to cry with frustration she realized they were turning into the airport parking lot. She brightened up a little and took off her seatbelt. The car had barely stopped when she was out of it and running through the automatic doors leading into the airport.
She went to the information desk and asked were the LA flights were and she ran in the direction the airport staff pointed. She looked at all the screens and saw Troy's flight was ready for the gate to be opened. She panicked and ran looking for Troy, praying she hadn't missed him.
"Dad I need to go" Troy sighed, standing up.
"Ok, I'll talk to her son" Jack told him.
"Alright, will you tell her something for me?"
"Sure" Jack nodded.
"Tell her I love her and that I am really sorry" Jack got a big smile on his face.
"I won't tell her that" Troy frowned.
"What? Why not?" He asked.
"You need to tell her yourself" Troy groaned.
"Dad how can I do that?" Jack nodded his head behind Troy.
Troy turned and saw Gabriella running over to him. He dropped his hand luggage and started walking over. She got quicker and jumped in Troy's arms when she reached him. She then kissed him passionately, not caring that the people around them were watching.
"I am so sorry" she whispered tearfully.
"Me too" he nodded. "How are you here?" He asked.
"I got to school and Tay said something that made me realize we can't be apart whilst we are fighting... So I had to come and tell you that I love you and I forgive you and I am sorry..." Troy cut her off with his lips.
"I love you too" he whispered when they pulled apart.
"I know" she nodded.
The intercom for the airport came on and someone announced that Troy's flight was now boarding. Gabriella placed her feet on the ground and felt her eyes tearing up again.
"That's me" Troy sighed.
"Do you have to go?" Gabriella asked.
"You know I do baby" he stroked her cheek softly. "But we'll see each other soon, for your birthday remember?" She nodded as a tear escaped.
"I know... It's just... I am going to miss you so much... I've got used to having you around" she admitted.
"I know princess..." he said softly."But we can do this... You have your weekend with the girls this week remember? You can do this... We have been apart before... And we will speak on the phone everyday and every night" he reassured her.
"Yeah... I love you" she said before kissing him urgently.
"I love you too beautiful" she smiled.
"Do you have my present?" She said referring to the envelope she gave him on his birthday.
"It's in my bag" he smiled.
"Remember not to open it until you are up in air ok?" He smiled and nodded.
"I promise baby" he kissed her softly three times then pulled away. "I really have to go now" she nodded and let go of him.
Troy hugged his dad and his mom who arrived in the airport a few minutes ago. He promised to call when he landed and said he would miss them. He then took Gabriella in his arms again and kissed her with all his passion.
"Love you" he mouthed.
"Love you" she mouthed back and he went through the doors. Their hands touching until they could no longer reach each other and he was gone.
Gabriella watched through the glass as he showed his passport and ticket to the lady. He turned and blew her a kiss before he walked through the gates to the plane. She blew a kiss back and let out a quiet whimper as the tears flowed freely down her face. Both of Troy's parents hugged her and promised her it would be ok and all she could do was bury her head in Jack's shoulder and nod.
Troy boarded his plane about fifteen minutes later and settled back into his seat. He took the envelope out of his hand luggage along with his I-Pod before putting it in the over head locker. He sat in his window seat and sighed.
"LA here I come" he said to himself.
"Would you like a drink sir?" The stewardess asked Troy politely.
"No thank you" he smiled.
She smiled and walked down the plane asking other passengers. It wasn't long until everyone was on the plane and the doors were being locked and bolted. Troy put on his seatbelt and rested his head back. He felt the engines getting booted up and took a breath. He was quite nervous at flying if he was honest, especially when he was on his own as he had no one to talk to to take his mind of it.
He thought of Gabriella and smiled. They were ok, things would still be a little tense but at least they had seen each other and apologised.
Soon enough the plane was in the air and passengers were now able to unbuckle their seat belts and watch the in flight film. Troy pulled down his tray and placed the envelope on it. He was nervous, what was it? And why did he have to wait until now to open it?
He opened it slowly and saw a letter of some sort. He pulled the paper from the envelope and unfolded it. He took a breath as he saw the familiar writing. He then started to read....
Hey baby,
I am guessing we are apart again as you are reading this, if not you are a naughty boy and please put this away until you are on your way back to LA.
Troy laughed to himself before continuing to read.
I just wanted to say I am going to miss you so much Wildcat but just know that where ever you go my heart goes to... So we are always together.
You are my one in a million Troy Bolton. You are the only person who can make me smile when I am feeling down, you make me laugh, you make me feel special...
When you aren't here I don't feel the same and other people notice
the change in me. Your dad tells me that I have a different smile when we are apart, it isn't as bright... You are my life now and I don't think I could live without you now I have had you.
I am so proud of you for going so far away from home to achieve your goals and dreams baby. I don't know if I could... You are so amazing and I am going to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.
When people ask where I see myself in ten years time you wanna know what I say? I answer: 'I see myself being called Gabriella Bolton and I will have children with the man that I love', so you see no matter how long we are apart I know we will be ok...
You make everything ok for me babe... You keep me from falling apart... I'll be with you forever... And anytime you need me I am here...
You're my protector Troy! You are my hero... My light in the dark... My shelter from the rain...
I am going to finish by saying Troy Bolton I love you 3 I am yours forever and always Wildcat.
Ella xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
Troy smiled as he finished reading the letter. He needed that, it proved she was serious. He saw the same things she did. Them married, parents and even grandparents together.
They would last forever and no one would break them apart. Not Kyle... Not Maria... And definitely not Justin!
So... They finally spoke! Gabriella only just made it! How was that? Did I do ok? How will they cope being apart now? Would Gabriella's letter have helped Troy to deal with it all?
Please Review!!!!
xxx Paige xxx