Chapter 23: All I Wanna Do Is Be With You
Troy watched as Gabriella's taxi's pulled away and slipped into the growing traffic. He stood there, motionless, in hopes that the yellow cab would swing back around. Then she would hop out and leap into his arms, whispering how much she still cared about him. He needed that. He needed her to care because she was all he had left.
He watched the red light flash green and the taxi turn the corner, disappearing from sight. Just like that, she was gone.
Troy dropped his head and stuffed his hands in his jacket pocket. Feeling something scratch against his right hand, he pulled it out. He felt a pang in his chest. It was the picture of him and Gabriella from the dorm. It was the last shred of evidence that they ever shared a relationship. Now it was just another memory piled on top of the others that accumulated in his heart. Memories of hope and happiness.
Seeing that it was a loss cause Troy, headed for his truck parked near the curb, climbed into the driver's seat and slammed the door. He placed the picture up on the dashboard and stared at it longingly.
Why couldn't he just tell her everything? It would only take a few words to tell her that he needed her to be there for him, but his lack of them pushed her away. He wished he could just start over, get a second chance. This time he would tell her that regardless of the way he'd been distant, seeing her brought him closer to home and everything he missed. He would explain the reasons behind his new outlook on the world. This cold and lonely world that he was now faced to live alone because he wasn't bold enough to trust her. The truth was, he didn't give her the opportunity.
He sighed and leaned his head back on the headrest. Please, turn back around.
"Turn Right" Jonas Brothers
(Troy)
Troy closes his eyes
Pick up all your tears
He envisions Gabriella sitting in the taxi cab
Threw 'em in you back seat
In the vision Gabriella fiddles with the necklace he gave her
Leave without a second glance
She stares out the window in a daze
Somehow I'm to blame
She glances at the "T" charm then drops it back behind her jacket
For this never-ending racetrack you call life
She leans towards the driver, saying something to him, he nods
Just turn right
The driver spins the wheel to the right
Into my arms
Turn right
A smile spreads across Gabriella's face as she watches out the window in anticipation
You won't be alone
The cab parks in front of Troy's truck
You might
Gabriella gets out and closes the door, her eyes watching Troy
Fall off this track sometimes
Troy opens his eyes, but there's no Gabriella
Hope to see you at the finish line
He stares disappointingly out the windshield at the empty parking space before him
Fabulous!
Sharpay smirked at her reflection in the hotel room's bathroom. After hours of bustling around all of the exclusive stores for the perfect dress and the shoes to match, she couldn't have been more satisfied with the outcome.
She decided on a deep pink mesh cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline. The second she spotted it, she had to have it. Its form fit accentuate every curve and it's stretchy fabric enabled her to move around freely. She chose a simple pair of silver peeptoes pleaded at the toe with a diamond ornament; and topped off her look with a pair of diamond heart-shapped earrings. Everything was courtesy of it's accompanying store so she hoped a bunch of her photos from the event would leak onto the Internet. Sales would rise and they would be rewarded for their favor.
She examined her hair from all angles, making sure every hair was in place. The front of her freshly glossed hair was pinned up in the back while the rest of her blonde curls hung freely over her shoulders. Once pleased with what she saw, she pursed her lips and applied a shimmering nude gloss.
She giggled to herself as she twisted the cap back on the gloss. What was she so frantic about? Of course she was going to come out flawless. She was Sharpay Evans.
A knock on the door sent her crashing off of her high horse. It was Zeke! What if he didn't like her outfit? Or her hair? What if he took one glance at her and turned right back around?
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Sharpay took a deep breath and exhaled, chastising her for such insecure thoughts? Zeke was nothing like those superficial actors she met in Hollywood. He was sweet and caring. So what are you waiting for? Open the door?
She grabbed her sliver and pink clutch, toppled out of the bathroom and raced to unlock the door.
"Sorry, I..." Her words drifted off as her eyes drunk in the man before her. Zeke wore a two-button navy blue suit with a white shirt and a steel blue tie. She had forgotten how amazingly well he cleaned up. He took her breath away, literally.
His smile broandened at her loss for words. "You look beautiful. But you knew that already."
She slowly shook her head dreamily. "And you look...wow." She begged herself to break free from his trance. Never show your weakness. No matter how delicious it looked.
"Thanks." He laughed. "I have something for you." He pulled a clear container from behind his back. Inside, a silver tiara with the initials "SE" in the center sat on a pearl colored pillow. He picked it up and placed it on top of her head, careful not to mess up her hair. "Perfect," he said, admiring it. "Fit for a princess."
Sharpay ran her fingers along the pricey piece of art. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"I know," Zeke said. "But I wanted to. And that's just the beginning." He held out his hand. "Are you ready?"
"So ready," Sharpay said, taking hold of his hand. Her anxiety grew as he lead her out of the room and down the hall. What else could he have possibly gotten for her? She looked up at him and her face lit up. She had everything she wanted right next to her.