Disclaimer: I do not own any songs in this chapter! I only own my original characters and places=]
Chapter 25 - Coping
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Troy woke up at 10:00am and stretched. It felt strange being back in his old room, without Gabriella by his side. He felt the empty space and new it was real. He didn't dream any of this. He was back in Alberqerque whilst she was miles from him in LA. This is what he had nightmares about, being separated from her, his life. He missed his mom loads when he was away but the pain he felt being apart from Gabriella was so much more intense. It physically hurt to think of her crying, being alone, not having him there tom comfort her and make it all better. It hurt because he could stop her from hurting, the one thing to make her truly happy again would be his return. But he was coping
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Gabriella emerged from the shower and wrapped herself in her towel. She walked into her bedroom and sat on herbed as she dried her hair by hand. She thought about last time she did this. Troy was still in bed but was awake. He sat up and pulled her to him, he then took her towel from her and softly dried her hair. She smiled in the mirror at him and he kissed her shoulder. That led to an early morning work out. She smiled at the thought then shook her head. That just made it hurt so much more. She couldn't think about things she would be missing, she had to stay clear of that topic until he returned. Her chest ached when she thought of him on Alberqerque, the physical distance between them was too much, even though in her head they were never more close. They knew they had each others hearts so he would return soon. She then gripped his dog tags in her hand and kissed them. She would not remove these from around her neck until he was in her arms, it would help her. Yes she still missed him and wanted to cry until he returned, but he would come back to her. She was coping.
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Troy finished getting dressed after his shower and then went down to see his mom. She was sitting at the breakfast counter eating toast and reading the newspaper.
"Morning Mom"
"Good morning sweetie, how did you sleep?" He sat next to her and she smiled.
"Ok, it was weird being back but I slept fine, how about you?"
"I always sleep well, this house is just so good for me love" she then took his hand. "I am fine you know, I am not just pretending to be to make you feel better, I really am coping with it all, yes I miss your father Troy but like you always say, crying and being upset will not make him come back to us" she then kissed his forehead. "So you can leave whenever it hurts to much to be away from her" she smiled at him.
"I am ok mom..."
"No your not, I can see it in your eyes Troy, they're not the amazing blue they normally are, they are full of worry and concern, they are full of things a boy your age should not have to worry about" she told him. "Like your silly old mom" he laughed and hugged her.
"Thanks mom, I am going to stay with you for a while though, even if it's just a few weeks, I miss you all the time" he announced.
"Oh I miss you too sweetie" they pulled away and smiled at each other.
"I'm just going to go call Gabriella" she smiled.
"Ok Troy, say hello from me"
"Will do mom" he left to go back to his room.
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Gabriella was sat at her desk with her laptop in front of her. She was on MSN to Taylor and doing research for a music project she had when she went back to school on Monday. (Gabriella/Taylor)
So how are you Taylor typed.
Ok, I miss Troy loads but I am coping babe=] Gabriella sent back.
Awww sweetie, I would just hate to be apart from Chad
It is hard I won't lie, but we know we love each other so it makes that little bit easier=] just then her cell rang. She picked it up and smiled.
"Hey baby, hold on one sec" she said to Troy. (Gabriella/Troy)
"Ok babe" came his reply. Gabriella quickly typed something to Taylor.
Gotta shoot hun, Troy is on the phone, speak soon, love ya xxxx
Okies=] Speak soon, love ya xxxx
"I'm back" she said into her cell as she went to lay on her bed.
"Good, what were you doing?"
"Talking to Tay on MSN, just said bye to her though so you have my full attention"
"I could have called when you weren't busy babe?"
"No, I miss you so I want to talk to you, she's cool I'll call her later" he chuckled.
"Ok, so what are your plans for today baby?" He asked her.
"Nothing, just doing some research for school, think Cal and Ben are coming over to listen to a new song I have written" she explained.
"A new song? Since when?"
"Oh, I have been throwing a few things together this week" she told him.
"Where have I been?" Gabriella giggled.
"I haven't been sleeping well, since you announced you were going so it is a good time to think"
"Babe..." he groaned.
"Troy I am sleeping now ok? I am ok"
"You promise me?" He asked her.
"I promise you I am dealing with this, writing songs helps me to cope, I put all my feelings into it" she explained.
"Ok, if your sure, so can I here a preview?" Gabriella giggled again.
"Have you been a good boy for your mom?"
"Oh yes, I always am" she giggled again.
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Troy smiled at her giggle, it is the cutest noise he felt he had ever heard.
"Ok, I guess I could give you a preview" she answered his question. Troy smiled.
"Cool, go ahead then baby" he smiled at her giggle again. God what has she done to me? Troy thought.
"It won't sound good without music" she told him.
"Your voice always sounds good babe" He could just imagine her smile and blush at his comment. Then he heard her angelic voice and felt weak. (song in italics=])
"I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie
Is made up on your side
When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now?
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day
And make it OK
I miss you
I never felt this way before
Everything that I do
Reminds me of you
And the clothes you left
They lie on the floor
And they smell just like you
I love the things that you do
When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now?
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day
And make it OK
I miss you
We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were
Yeah Yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I do I give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me
Yeah
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
And When you're gone
The words I need to hear will always get me through the day
And make it OK
I miss you
mMm"
As she finished Troy was speechless, just like through the whole song. That song was so emotional, so believable, probably the exact thing she feeling at the moment. He cleared my throat.
"Babe that was amazing" Troy assured her.
"You really think so?"
"Yes, I am a little upset though"
"Why babe?"
"I don't want to think about what that song means" He told her.
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"What do you mean babe?" Gabriella frowned at his statement.
"Obviously that is how you feel, and I don't want you upset like that baby, I wish I could hold you in my arms and tell you how much you mean to me, see that gorgeous smile of yours that I know you won't be showing anyone" he spoke so softly Gabriella could have cried.
"Troy, I know how much I mean to you, I know you love me, as long as I have that knowledge I will be ok" she tried to reassure him.
"I do love you, so, so, so much" he stated as she giggled.
"I feel the exact same honey" Gabriella announced.
"I know" Troy sighed. "Look babe I need to go, I told mom I'd take her grocery shopping"
"Ok Troy, I'll call you tonight yeah?"
"I'll call you before then" Gabriella giggled.
"Good, Can't wait," Gabriella sighed. "Love you Troy"
"Love you too, and that song rocks, tell Ben and Cal they are stupid if they don't go for it" she giggled again.
"Ok Troy, will do, have fun with Lucy"
"Bye baby" Gabriella hung up and sighed.
She missed her man so much. She was glad he was the first to hear her song, he always supported her but also was honest. She knew if it sucked he would tell her, not in them words but he would say in a nice way that it wasn't right for her. She was so lucky that he trusted she wouldn't flip if he said that. Just then Michelle called her name.
Gabriella walked downstairs and smiled seeing Cal and Ben standing at the door. She hugged them both then noticed Michelle getting ready to leave.
"I'm just going to get some groceries Gabs, you will be ok yeah?"
"Oh yeah fine, we have work to do anyway" Michelle nodded and hugged her.
"Don't work to hard guys" she teased as she left.
"So, where are we 'working'?" Ben asked as Gabriella giggled.
"Let's go to my room" she suggested as they followed her upstairs.
They sat on her bed as she sat by her laptop. She signed back into MSN but set her status as busy. She then turned back to the guys and smiled.
"Have you spoken to Troy today?" Cal asked.
"Yeah, I sang him the song to, he likes it and his exact words for you were 'that song rocks, tell Ben and Cal they are stupid if they don't go for it'" she rolled her eyes.
"Well let's hear then babe" Ben smiled at her.
Gabriella cleared her throat and sang it again all the way through, Troy running through her head the whole time. When she was done they both applauded her and she smiled.
"So you like it?"
"Like it?" Cal asked.
"Love it" Ben announced as he hugged her.
"Really?"
"Yes, that is definitely going on your final CD" Cal nodded.
"I can't believe we have to start that already, I have another year and half left" she announced as she threw her hands in the air.
"Yeah but these things take time, it's not just you singing, we then have to put the music in and see if any would sound good with back up singers and stuff, it's hard work you know?"
"Yeah I guess, I just need to chill a bit" they nodded their agreement. "Hey!"
"What you said?" Cal laughed.
"So, your not supposed to agree" she pouted and folded her arms across her chest.
"That must be the face" Ben said to Cal.
"Yeah, I see what he means" Cal added.
"What? What face? See what who means?" She asked.
"Troy, he said sometimes you get your own way by a cute face you pull that no one can say no too" Ben told her. Gabriella blushed.
"God he is so embarrassing" she muttered.
"No, he is whipped, there is a difference" Cal pointed at her.
"My baby is not whipped" she defended him.
"That's not what he says" Ben laughed.
"Troy actually admitted he was whipped?"
"Yep, he says it every time we laugh at him about you guys"
"Awww, I will have to text him" she then got out her cell as they groaned. "What?"
"Even when he isn't here your all lovey dovey with each other" Cal groaned again. Gabriella giggled then typed a message and sent it.
'So your whipped huh babe? lol, love you loads xxx' She then put her cell on the desk and started talking to the guys again.
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Troy was pushing the trolley around the supermarket for his mom when his cell buzzed in his pocket. They stopped by the meat counter to buy some fresh fish and other stuff for dinner. Troy took out his cell.
'So your whipped huh babe? lol, love you loads xxx' He smiled and replied back immediately.
'Who's been saying that babe? The guys? love you loads too=]xxx' He put his cell back in his pocket then followed his mom around.
"Gabriella?" She asked as they walked over to the dairy aisle.
"Yeah, just filling me in on what her and the guys are doing" Troy answered smiling. He then picked up a box of eggs whilst his mom got the milk and cheese. Next they got the drinks. Lucille got a bottle of wine and a six pack of beers as well as a bottle of Pepsi and orange juice.
They walked around the supermarket for another ten minutes then went to the checkout. As Troy was loading the shopping onto the conveyor belt his cell went off. He left it until the trolley was empty then took out his cell.
'Yeah, apparently you admit to them all the time your whipped, how come I did not know his Troy Bolton?!?! hehe, love you xxx' Troy laughed and shook his head. He quickly text her back then helped his mom pack the shopping into bags.
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Gabriella was laughing at something Cal said when her cell buzzed on the table. She reached for it and giggled at the reply she got from Troy.
'I can't let you know how much of a hold you have on me;-) love you xxx'
'How much of a hold do I have on you baby? Is it a big one? love you xxx' she then looked up after sending her reply.
"What?"
"Can you not go five minutes without some sort on contact with him?" Ben asked.
"No, because I love him, you will know what it's like when you meet the one Benny boy, you to Cal" she smiled.
"So Troy boy is 'the one' huh?" Cal teased.
"Yeah, I can't imagine being with anyone else" she said dreamily.
"So you can picture yourself marrying him?" Ben asked.
"Yeah, I think I can" she smiled. Cal laughed as Ben nudged him, he was always the more serious and sensitive one.
"What it is funny?" Cal defended himself. "Gabs, you are 18, you should not be thinking about that stuff"
"So? When you fall in love Cal you can't help but think about that stuff" Gabriella shot back. Just then her cell beeped.
"Uh oh boyfriend alert" he teased, Gabriella rolled her eyes and read the message.
'Oh it's big alright, you have me in the palm of your hand princess xxx' She smiled and started to text him back.
"You know you can wait before replying, you don't have to text back right away" Cal smirked. She just glared up at him then continued to text Troy.
'I know it's big sexy;-) hehe, and it's good to know I have my own puppet xxx'
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Troy and Lucille were unpacking the car when his cell went off.
"Bloody hell Troy, just call the girl will you" Lucille laughed.
"I'll call her when all this is put away" she nodded and once everything was inside he said he'd text her back then help her put the groceries away.
'Gabriella Montez, I didn't think you had such a dirty mind, I meant the hold you had on me was big not my friend (even though he is pretty impressive huh?;-)) anyways I gotta help mom put the shopping away so I'll call you in about half an hour, love you loads xxxxxxxx' Troy then walked into the kitchen and got the bag that had all the containers for the fridge.
He unpacked the bag then started on the next. With two of them everything was packed away in ten minutes and Lucille sat down with a sigh.
"You ok mom?" Troy asked, handing her a coffee.
"Thanks, yeah I'm good, why don't you go do something sweetie?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know, whatever, be a teenager, it's my responsibility to run the house and do the shopping" she explained.
"I want to help though, that is the soul purpose of me being here" he told her. "I am going to go call Brie though ok?"
"Ok Troy"
"I'll be in my room if you need me" and with that he kissed Lucille's cheek and walked upstairs. Once in his room he flopped down on his bed and dialed Gabriella's number. (Gabriella/Troy)
"Hey Troy" she answered laughing.
"Hey babe what's going on?" He asked confused.
"Oh Cal is being a dufus as usual" she giggled.
"Oh are the guys still there?"
"Yeah they are" she answered as her laughter died down.
"Shall I call back later?"
"No!" She said quickly. "I mean no, it's fine babe, what are you doing?" Troy chuckled.
"Nothing much baby, just got back from shopping, just in my room chilling out I am so tired" He yawned.
"Awww babe, maybe you should get some sleep and call me later when your up yeah?"
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all, I don't want you getting ill due to lack of sleep" she said concerned. "Don't set any alarms or anything, just call whenever you wake up, and if you haven't called by the time I go to bed I'll just text you"
"Ok, thanks babe, miss you"
"Miss you too Troy"
"Love you"
"Love you" they hung up and Troy closed his eyes.
He didn't know why he was so tired. He didn't get up early this morning, not really anyway. He sighed and thought about everything today had brought. He was confident his mom really was fine. He believed her and knew that she would be ok when he left. She was coping. He also knew even though it was hard for her, Gabriella was ok too. She would be better with him there but while he isn't she is coping. He felt an ache just thinking about Gabriella, his friends where with her, making her laugh when it should be him. He was glad they were there to cheer her up he just wished it was he who was making that adorable giggle leave her mouth, like this morning on the phone. But he was coping.
They were all coping.
So here is the next chapter=]=] Hope you all enjoyed it=] It was quite hard for me to write as I have never had to go back and forth from one character to another before but I think I did ok, I hope you all agree=] I just thought it would be good to get to see what they both think and feel during their separation=]
Reviews Please!!
xxx Paige xxx