Troy stood on the tip of his toes, slowly walking through Gabriella's room, the early morning sun glaring over her room, much to his dismay. He glanced toward the bulletin board that nestled in between all of her soccer trophies and gymnastic trophies; both of which she used to play, until a sprained ankle ruined all the chances she had of moving forward. He looked over his shoulder to Gabriella who was sleeping peacefully in her bed, nestled in the covers. He stepped forward, smiling gently as he observed the bulletin seeing pictures of just about everything.
Chad posing seductively for the camera with a Twizzler sticking out of his mouth and an arm slung around a nervous looking Zeke, Sharpay and Gabriella dressed in the smallest clothes they could find, puckering toward the camera and sticking their bottoms out, Taylor and Kelsi in class, oblivious to the camera as they were hard at work, Sharpay smiling brightly as Zeke pressed his lips against her cheek, Jason and Troy standing in the middle of St. Katherine's gym, dribbling basketballs, Gabriella laughing as she attempted to block her face from the camera and then there was Gabriella's most precious one; the one she would hold onto for as long as she could. Gabriella, dressed in a pair of jean cut off shorts, pink tank top and white flip-flops and Troy dressed in silver basketball shorts, black "Just Do It" shirt and black Nike's. Both looking as casual as they could get. Gabriella was leaned into Troy's chest, a wide smile covering her face while Troy grinned at her almost teasingly as his arms circled around her waist. It was simple, yet one of the most loving pictures that Gabriella would never get tired of.
Troy ran his finger along the picture, remembering that day. It was the day he left for Spring Break basketball camp. Since the wedding was off, including the honeymoon, he decided to go there, instead of having to go leave in the summer. He turned around, seeing her shifting in her bed, mumbling under her breath. He grinned, walking to the side of her bed, kneeling down in front of her. He ran a hand through her silk brown curls, missing her touch as he had barely arrived back from the airport. He enhaled the vanilla scented lotion that always covered her body, feeling the pleasant smell run through his nostrils. He leaned closer to her body, kissing her cheek softly, in attempt to wake her up. "Wake up, Gabi." he whispered, pulling her covers down her body, revealing only Troy's oversized "Cougars" shirt and red boy-cut panties covering the tan and smooth flesh that was underneath.
Gabriella began to flutter her eyes, a long sigh erupting from her lips. She brought her hands up to her face, rubbing them across her eyes, hating the sun at that very moment. She opened her eyes fully, staring in confusion as she caught glimpse of her handsome boyfriend staring back at her with a small smile. She blinked, reassuring herself that it was really him.
Troy's smile grew bigger by the second as he stared at her, feeling his heart begin to beat faster than ever as he had to urge to throw himself on top of her and devour her precious face with kisses, expressing how much he missed her the past agonizing three weeks. They called each other every night, he stared at the picture of her on his cellphone's background, remembered her girlie giggle or small voice, but that was never enough. This is what he needed. Being in her presence is what he always needed.
"Troy." Gabriella said, groggily, reaching out to him, running her hand across his smooth cheek. She let out a small giggle, butterflies flying into her stomach; the same feeling she got whenever she was in his presence.
Troy covered her hand with his, kissing her finger tips. "Baby," he began, lifting himself up to hover over her, staring into her honey brown eyes, "I missed you so much, you have no idea." he whispered, pressing his lips against hers, hearing a gasp escape from her. He slid his hand to the hem on the shirt she was wearing, moving his fingers underneath it, only to rub his fingers across her stomach.
Gabriella broke the kiss, panting and laughing softly. She slid an arm lazily around his neck, taking in his scent of after shave and cologne. "I missed you too, Troysie." She sighed in content, looking across the room, staring at her currently covered prom dress, that would be worn later in the evening. "You made it just in time."
Troy looked at her confused for a moment, slowly matching her gaze and looking around to see her gorgeous dress that he couldn't wait to see her in. He looked back at her, grinning softly. "I couldn't have missed it, Gabi." He leaned down, pressing his lips against hers, not pulling back until he felt his heart grow content.
Gabriella took in a deep breath, standing still as Antonio finished fitting her into her dress. She closed her eyes for a moment, nervous to see the final outcome of her look. Dress, makeup, hair, everything. She opened them slowly, feeling Antonio place an arm on her shoulder, tapping it lightly. She crooked her neck to the side, observing herself.
She ran a hand softly down her gown, in awe of what an amazing job Antonio really did. Red pleated metallic silk chiffon flowed past her hips, touching her hips. A liquid beaded gold waistband accentuated the gold thread running through the dresses chiffon. She brought her hands up, sliding the gold spaghetti straps up to rest on her shoulders, sighing in content. Her hair was left down in loose curls, while gold and light browns circled around her eyes along with a beige lip gloss coating her lips.
She turned around, smiling softly at Antonio. "I don't know what'd I'd do without you." she sang, swaying her hips side to side. She opened her arms, pulling the Latin man into grip. "Thank you, so, so much Antonio."
Antonio broke away from her, beaming. "You look beautiful, Gabriella. In all my years of dressing you, may I say, never have I been so proud of myself."
"You should be. This dress is beautiful." Gabriella replied, patting him on the shoulder. She walked backward, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I can't believe my senior prom is here. I never thought this night would come." she admitted, sliding her gold strappy heels over her feet. She glanced toward the clock, feeling excitement rush through her. Five more minutes until Troy would arrive.
"Take it all in, Gabriella. Before you know it, it'll be all over and you'll miss everything about this night, high school, hell, everything. I remember my senior prom night." Antonio sighed, sitting next to her, almost in a daze. "It was the night I finally decided that I was gay, to be honest. Just looking at all of the guys dressed in their nice suits and me, being completely and utterly unattractive to any of the girls, I decided and came to terms with it."
Gabriella smiled. "I really can't imagine you not being gay." She blushed as he laughed loudly. "As, uh, weird as it sounds."
"None-taken, hun." Antonio lifted himself up as the sound of Sonia's voice, rang through the home. He held out a hand for Gabriella, nodding his head. "Let's get you to prom."
Gabriella nervously nodded, knowing Troy was down there. The two couldn't have been more happy with each other and they weren't taken anything for granted, knowing they could both be two eighteen year-olds already married. She proceeded to step down the stairs, slowly. Her deep brown eyes gazed toward Troy who was standing beside her parents and Marie, looking her up and down as she turned the corner.
"Oh, Gabi. You look so beautiful." Sonia cried, clapping her hands. She held up a finger, smiling from ear to ear. "Let me go get my camera!"
Troy stared at his girlfriend, wide eyed. She looked gorgeous. He watched as she stood in front of him, still shorter than him even as she wore heels, smiling softly. He snapped out of his daze as he heard a small giggle escape from her lips. "You, um, look.." He looked at Christopher who was ushering Marie and Antonio out of the room, winking toward the blue eyed boy. Troy smiled, looking back toward Gabriella who was fidgeting with her fingers that were currently painted black. He slid his hands into Gabriella's, making her look up at him. "You look amazing, Gabs."
Gabriella smiled, kissing him on the cheek. She pulled away seeing him dressed in a black tuxedo, black dress shoes and a gold tie; a special request from her. "You don't look too bad yourself, Bolton." She slid his hand into hers, nodding her head toward the door. "My mom will have plenty of pictures from my camera. If we don't leave now, we'll never leave." she whispered, hearing Troy chuckle from behind as she dragged him out of the house.
"You can stand under my umbrella, you can stand under my umbrella.." Sharpay sang as her and Taylor danced wildly on the dancefloor, laughing and panting in between breaths. She smiled brightly, sliding out of Taylor's grip and looking around the dim lighted ballroom held at the University of New Mexico. She rolled her eyes, as one of the many multicolored lights came across her face, making her floor touching pink sequenced gown shine. "I'll be right back." she shouted over the music to Taylor, watching the African American girl nod and turn her attention to Chad, who had just walked to the dance floor. She shifted the top of her dress, proceeding toward the table where Kelsi sat, straddling Jason as the two made out and Zeke sat, talking to Ryan and his date, Madison.
She slid into the seat next to Zeke, smelling the fresh batch of cologne on his tuxedo. She nestled her head into the crook of his neck, sighing in content. "I love you." she whispered, biting down on his ear, playfully.
Zeke grinned, kissing her temple. "I love you, too, Shar." he murmured, brushing her straightened dirty blonde hair, out of her eyes. He turned his head as a small squeal was heard, met by another one. "Ow." he whispered, covering.
Sharpay jumped out of her seat, squealing as Gabriella came into view. "Oh my god, you look hot, Gabs." Sharpay gasped, beaming ear to ear with her friend.
Gabriella blushed, pulling the blonde into a hug. "Thank you. As do you, Shar." She walked toward the table, waving toward Zeke, Ryan, Madison, since Kelsi and Jason were still in their heated session. "Hey, guys." she cheered, sitting in one of the navy blue and red decorated chairs, hearing replies of hello's.
"Where's Troy?" Zeke asked, taking a sip of his apple cider. He wore a black tuxedo with a pink tie, matching Sharpay's dress. He looked especially handsome tonight.
"He is right," Gabriella dragged on, turning around and twirling her finger around the room, until Troy came into view, walking into the ballroom, "there." She held her hand up to her mouth, trying to hide her loud laugh as Kelsi and Jason broke apart from each other, looking lost and confused as they looked around the ballroom. She turned to Troy as he sat down next to her, nodding his head toward the rest who were sitting there. Gabriella smiled weakly as he slid his hand into hers, beginning to engage in a conversation with Zeke from across the table.
She was going to miss this. Her and all her friend hanging out, having a good time. She knew they were going to in college and so on, but never was it going to be like this. Each would be moving on and doing their own thing. She and Troy were good, at the moment. Even better than good. She didn't want anything to change. They were where she wanted to be all along. As much as she loved him though, she knew it wouldn't last. This was barely their first day back together after his three week long stay at basketball camp and the only thing either had done is have a heated make-out session in her bedroom and have a small conversation, before Troy had to leave. She glanced toward him, amazed at how good he looked tonight. She felt sadness wash over her, suddenly. She had no clue why, but it was there.
"You alright, Gabs?" Sharpay asked, narrowing her eyes at her friend.
"Uh, yeah." Gabrella said, quickly, painting a smile over her face. She settled into her chair, sighing. She looked around the ballroom, admiring the large area. She couldn't believe her senior prom was actually here. She looked up as Troy's deep and soothing voice was heard.
"Wanna dance?"
Gabriella smiled, clicking her tongue. "Show me what you got, Bolton."
"Why do you seem so distant tonight, Gabs? This is senior prom for God's sake." Sharpay cried as the two strolled into the woman's restroom.
Gabriella looked at her friend, opening her clutch. "What do you mean?"
Sharpay rolled her eyes, watching Gabriella begin to apply a fresh coat of lip gloss upon her lips. "You're so lifeless tonight. Don't try to deny it either. Therefore spill."
Gabriella dropped her lip gloss in her clutch, shaking her head. "I'm scared as hell, Shar. This is our senior prom. This just goes to show that in a few short two and a half weeks, we'll be out of here. We'll be official adults. Then today when Troy got back from Sacramento, it's been weird. He hasn't even told me how camp was. Instead we just made out. I don't want this to be an indicator of what our life will be like in college. We'll both be so busy that if we're already not communicating, then how do either of us expect to in freakin' college?"
"Gabs, you're blowing this out of proportion. Please, don't tell me either that you're doubting you and Troy again, because if so I will blow this whole fucking ballroom up and scream why God, why." Sharpay sighed.
"No, of course I'm not. It's just I'm worried about the future, that's all."
Sharpay stepped in front of the brunette, clasping her shoulders. "Gabriella, worry about now. Not a couple months from now, not years from now, not ever. The only thing you need to worry about right now is how you're going to complete the Cha-Cha Slide with me, okay?"
Gabriella smiled weakly, nodding. "I hate it when you win. I really do."
"I win, because I'm fabulous, Gabs."
"Hey, Troy."
Troy looked up, smiling as Ashleigh came into view. "Hey, Ashleigh. What's up?" he asked, pouring fruit punch into his small plastic cup.
The dirty blonde shrugged, grabbing a cup. "Not much. Just enjoying tonight. It's such an awesome night, right?"
"Yeah, it is. It's weird to think that this day is finally here."
"I totally agree." Ashleigh looked into his blue eyes, arching a brow. "Where's Gabriella? I mean, you guys came together right?"
Troy nodded. "Yeah, I think she went to the restroom with Sharpay. Why?"
Ashleigh shook her head, pursing her lips together. "I don't know, just wondering. How are you guys?" She'd despised Gabriella ever since she announced the reason for why she and Caleb broke up. Nobody was ever supposed to know about it. It was the one secret she'd planned on holding until her grave.
"We're good. Really good."
"That's cool. I was just asking, because I overheard her and Sharpay in the restroom. Some deep stuff they were talking about back in there."
Troy narrowed his eyes at the girl, tensing up. "Like what?"
"Oh, you know. The future, yada yada, stuff like that. Gabriella did however bring your name up, talking about how she's scared that your guys' relationship won't last. She said that you guys barely communicate now-a-days so how do you guys expect to during college? I personally find that extremely weird, considering didn't you guys call each other every day while you were at camp? How does she not find that as communicating? I find it very proving of your guys' supposed love. I guess not everyone know's what they want in a relationship or even if they're ready to be in a relationship, though." Ashleigh sighed, quickly pouring punch into her cup. She smiled, nodding her head toward the confused looking boy. "Well, I guess I'll talk to you later."
Troy nodded, pursing his lips together as he stared at the empty space in front of him.
"Dude, they're about to announce the winner for prom king and queen, let's go." Zeke cheered, grabbing Troy's arm and dragging him toward the main floor where students had already crowded.
Troy looked at Gabriella who was oblivious to his stare as she laughed at something Taylor said. He quickly turned away, taking a sip of his fruit punch as Mrs. Kelly, the sophomore history teacher and chairman of the prom committee walked up to the center of the stage.
"Alright, kids. I know you've all been waiting for this moment as have I. So, let's get right to it."
Sharpay held up her hands, crossing her fingers as she closed her eyes.
"For our princess and prince we have Sharpay Evans and Zeke Baylor." Mrs. Kelly cheered into the microphone.
Gabriella laughed, clapping her hands as Sharpay let out a squeal and walked quickly up to the stage with Zeke in toe. She knew Sharpay wanted this so bad and it was great to see her receive it. She walked toward Troy, seeing his blank stare toward the stage. "Hey, baby." she smiled.
Troy turned to her, nodding his head. "Hi." he said, quickly, before looking back at the stage.
Confusion washed over the brunette's face as she stared at Troy. "Are you okay?" she asked. She soon sighed, looking at the stage also as there was no answer from him.
"Okay and this is the big one. For our king we have... Hayden Whitman."
Gabriella began to clap, glancing toward Troy who mouthed a simple "Yes." He didn't want to win as he was nominated. He could've cared less about these.
"And last but not least and for our queen, ladies and gentleman... Alexa Fryer."
Gabriella smiled watching as the black haired girl, smiled brightly and walked toward the stage. She and Alexa had become closer with each other through the past weeks. The "feud" was nothing but a thing in the past now. Gabriella slid her hand into Troy's as the crowd began to circle around the dance floor as the king and queen dance was ordered. "Troy, please tell me what's wrong." she murmured.
"I'm only doing what you said we do, Gabriella."
She narrowed her eyes at him, shaking her head. "Huh?"
"Does not communicating ring a bell in your head?" Troy asked, seeing her brown eyes widen. He scoffed, nodding. "Thought so."
Gabriella watched as he began to walk away, pushing past the crowd, before he soon was out of sight.
"Where you headed?" Sharpay asked Gabriella as she rested her head on Zeke's shoulder.
"No clue."
Sharpay nodded. "Well, whatever you do, have fun." she chuckled, walking away with Zeke, yawning once again.
Gabriella watched the two walk away to Zeke's car, before turning around as she felt a tap on her shoulder. She laughed, bringing Alexa into a hug as the girl was seen. "Congrats on the big win in there."
"Why, thank you. I wasn't able to give the big speech I had prepared, but whatever."
Gabriella chuckled, nodding. "How are you?" she asked.
"I'm great. You?"
"Alright, I guess. You're leaving here, right?"
Alexa nodded. "Yeah. I gotta go meet up tomorrow with Johnathon in Santa Fe. It's gonna be an early night for me." she said, referring to her current boyfriend.
"Ugh, great. Could you possibly give me a ride to the Marriott Hotel? It's right down the street. I need to go on some damage control."
"Sure, whatever." Alexa shrugged, opening to her clutch to receive her car keys.
"What the hell? It's called holding onto the fucking ball!" Troy shouted toward the hotel suite's TV as he sat on the bed, with a beer in hand. He loved the invention of replays as the current Lakers vs. Giants basketball game was on. He'd missed it thanks to basketball camp. He ignored the knock at the door as his eyes were glued to the TV screen in front of him.
Gabriella knocked once again, moving her hands to her clutch to retrieve the hotel card that Troy had given to her earlier in the night. She slid it through the card holder, pushing the door open as the small beep was heard signaling the door was open. She rested her clutch and card on the small round table in front of the door, moving toward the bedroom as the sound of whistles and cheers were heard. She pushed the door open, seeing Troy's eyes move toward her in a swift second. "Hi."
"What are you doing here?" Troy asked, muting the TV.
Gabriella looked him up and down, admiring the way his tie hung loosely around his neck with his button up shirt unbuttoned by three and his jacket thrown off to the side. "I needed to talk to you, Troy. Please." she said, softly.
"You're pathetic, Gabriella. Can you ever make your fucking mind up of something? Why does everything always have to be so damn complicated with you? So fucking what if we didn't talk today. We made out! I didn't see you complaining while we were doing it. It's just you being insecure and scared because you honestly don't know what you want. You're stupid if you think that I'm just gonna sit around and wait for you to grow the fuck up."
Gabriella swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling tears glaze over her eyes. She hated it when he got like this. "H.. How do you even know that I said all this?" she croaked out, feeling her chest begin to heave up and down.
"That's not the point." Troy said, raising his voice as he rose from the bed. "The point is, is that I can't take this so-called relationship seriously anymore because I don't know if you're in it permanently or just until you figure out what the hell you want."
"I want you, Troy. I'm sorry if I missed the great big fucking sign that said 'Gabriella has no right to be scared of a few things.' I'm sorry if I'm not like you and could easily decide what I want. I'm only like this because I want this relationship to last, Troy. Therefore, I'm gonna ask myself a few things."
Troy sighed, shaking his head. "I'm really not in the mood to fight with you. I'll just sleep on the couch. You can sleep in here tonight." he murmured, pushing past her as he walked out of the bedroom's French doors.
Gabriella sniffled, letting out a small sob as he slammed the two doors shut, leaving her alone in the room with the TV showing Lakers make a basket.
There was a silence on the phone as only shallow breaths were heard. It'd been this way for the past ten minutes as neither knew what to say. "Why?" Ashleigh cried into the phone. She wiped her eyes as she heard Caleb sigh on the other line. "How could you do this to me.. to Gabriella?"
"It's complicated." Caleb whispered as he laid on his bed in his Ohio home.
"No, it's not complicated. It's the fact that you're a jackass, Caleb. My God, I can't believe I've been so stupid and let everything just slip through the cracks like this. You've practically ruined my life. You've practically ruined Gabriella's. You're lucky neither of us told the police."
Caleb sat up in his bed, sighing for the millionth time throughout the night. "Ashleigh, don't."
"Don't what, Caleb? Don't tell that you almost raped me until my maid walked in and I had to act like we were fucking playing some type of wrestling game through my tears? Don't tell anyone that you almost raped poor, innocent Gabriella? Don't say that you're truly a dirty bastard and that you deserve all the karma that will come your fucking way?" Ashleigh said, hoarsely.
"Dammit, Ashleigh, I get it, alright? I get it!"
"No, you don't Caleb! You thought that you were so badass when you were doing it and now that someone's calling you out on it, you act like a fucking coward. Now, that I think about it, I can't believe how much of a bitch I was to Gabriella. Neither me or her deserved the shit you put us through, Caleb."
Caleb shook his head. "I.. I gotta go, Ashleigh. I'm tired."
"Whatever, Caleb. Go to hell." Ashleigh spat, before pressing end on her phone. She ran a hand through her hair, sighing as she fell back onto her pillow, ignoring the flowing tears that proceeding down her face.
Gabriella shivered underneath the gold covers, only dressed in her bra, panties and Troy's jacket that he left in the room. She opened her eyes, looking into the blank darkness, nervously. She hated the dark. It was one of her many fears. Her breathing become shallow as she lifted the covers of her, quickly lifting her body off the bed. She walked out of the room hastily, seeing the TV illuminating onto Troy's face as he slept peacefully on the small living room's couch. She sat in front of him, shaking him gently. "Troy, wake up." she said, softly. She knew it was time for her to get over the fear, but no matter how hard she tried she always slept with a nightlight or TV as an indicator that there were no intruders or anything relevant in her room.
Troy's eyes fluttered as he stirred, snuggling into the small blanket. He blinked his eyes a couple of times, opening them wide as he saw Gabriella's scared and tear-strained face. "Gabriella." he whispered, lifting his body up slightly.
"Can you come lay with me, please?" Gabriella asked, still shivering as she stared into his luminous blue eyes.
Troy stared at her, remembering her fear of the dark. For as long as he knew her, the dark was one of big phobias. He nodded slightly, turning off the TV. He sat up from the couch, following her into the bedroom. He slid into the bed, closing his eyes immediately as a wave of tiredness cascaded over him.
Gabriella slid next to him, snuggling into his warm chest. "I'm sorry." she mumbled into his chest, feeling him move his strong arm around her waist.
"Forget about it, Gabs. Sleep." he replied, hoarsely.
Gabriella smiled weakly, nodding against his chest.
A/N: I am so, so, so sorry for the delay of updating. I've been really sidetracked with school, life, etc. etc. I promise or atleast I hope that I can update sooner than this chapter. I know this chapter wasn't the best, but I really wanted to get one out there as I was feeling pretty bad about not updating for almost a month. Thank you all very much for the reviews, though. Reviews are flove. Please check out my new story "You Saved Me", too. Anyways, sorry again and please review! :)