Hello all,
Sorry this chapter took so long to update. I'd written the other chapters (more or less) I just hadn't finished this one, so sorry if it's not very good. I'm so excite about the ending!! (Of the story) Lol
I don't really have anything fun to say this week. It hasn't been a very exciting week if im being honest…
Oh! There is one thing,
With
all the sadness and trauma going on in the world at the moment, it is
worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which
almost went unnoticed a few weeks ago. Larry LaPrise, the man
that wrote 'The Hokie Pokey' died peacefully at the age of 93. The
most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin.
They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started… Shut
up. You know it's funny!
After my talk with Justin, I spent the weekend thinking about how I could tell Troy the truth.
I didn't want him to spend weeks moping around because I left and I didn't tell him. But I didn't want to tell him too soon because he'd be… well, he'd be Troy.
I couldn't leave him a message on his phone, because he might answer the phone… and that'd be awkward…
I couldn't send an email… what if he checked them earlier than I expected? And it was too impersonal
I figured since my life here had been like a movie, I may as well stick with it. So I decided I'd write him a letter, and I'd get the gang to give it to him. That way, he would get it when I wanted him to.
Now, what to write…
--
"Hey Troy! What's up?" Nicky asked as I walked into school
Since I saw Gabriella in Justin's arms on Saturday, I had been in a rather bad mood to say the least
"Nothing" I told him as I walked past him and his attempt at a high five
"Whoa man. What's with you? I know you don't like Nicky, but that was harsh"
"Yeah whatever Chad" I said as I continued walking down the hall. I knew Chad and Zeke were following me, but I really didn't care
"What happened to you on Saturday? You just disappeared and then we didn't hear from you for the rest of the weekend" Zeke asked
"I ran into Gabriella" I said as I turned to look at them angrily, "but you two knew that already didn't you?"
"Look man, we were just worried about you two, and she asked Shar and Tay to get you alone so she could talk to you" Chad said defensively
"And what about what I want?! What if I don't ever want to see her again?!" I yelled. I knew people would be watching, but I really didn't care
"Listen man, we just-"Zeke started
"No. You listen! You can quit keeping her secret from me! I know about it! You don't need to protect me!"
"Protect you from what?" Zeke asked, scared shitless
"Justin and Gabriella's little secret"
"Justin and Gabriella?" Chad asked cautiously
"I saw them. It's not like they were particularly hiding it from anyone"
"Hiding what?!"
"For crying out loud Chad! I know they've been dating or what ever behind my back. I saw them at the park on Saturday afternoon. So don't stand there and pretend you don't know!"
"We didn't know!" Chad defended
"Yeah right"
"We honestly didn't. Were as horrified as you are!" Zeke said in protest
"Maybe it wasn't what you think you saw…"
"What does this look like to you?" I asked as I held up my phone, showing them the picture I had taken of the couple in case something like this happened and the gang didn't believe me
"Wow. You weren't kidding" Zeke whispered
"Thanks for the trust guys" I said as I snapped my phone shut and turned my back on the pair
--
Did you hear what happened on Saturday?
Troy snapped Gabriella and Justin!!
It can't be true!
It is! He has photos on his phone!
See! I told you all along that she was the cheater!
I believed you Troy!
Ugh! Look at her. Walking along as though nothings happened
What do they mean, 'walking along as though nothings happened'?!
I DON'T KNOW WHATS HAPPENED!!
"Gabi! Get out of my way! I have to get to – GABI!!"
"Hey Tay… what's up?"
"Please tell me it's not true"
"What's not true? What's up with the school today?"
"You and Justin"
I could almost feel myself go white with terror. The last thing I needed was people knowing that I talked with Justin and didn't try to beat him up or anything. The rumors about me were crazy enough already. I didn't need some other untrue stories being spread around
"What about me and Justin?"
"You two are… together" she whispered the last part
"WHAT?! NO! How could you think that Tay?!"
"Well, Troy has a photo"
"Photo of what?"
"You two… embracing. It doesn't really look good Gabi"
"So that's what today's been about. Everyone thinks I'm dating Justin"
"But you aren't. So it's fine"
"That's not gonna convince anyone"
"True"
--
After a week and a half of people whispering about how much of a bitch I was, I was ready to give up. I had 2 weeks before I left and I didn't want them to be like this
"Hey Gabs. Are you alright?" Chad asked as he stood at his locker beside mine
"Yeah. Well, no. Not really"
"Im sure the rumors will die down soon. I mean, they've mostly gone. All the girls are too busy drooling over Troy" he said as he indicated to a group of freshman girls walking down the corridor following a brooding Troy
"They won't stop though. People are still gonna be saying stuff, and Troy's just gonna end up hating me more and more. The tables sure have turned" I mumbled
"He could never hate you Gabs"
"He can. And he does. Mind you, I can't say blame him. Look what I've done to him. You know, even though im leaving him, I still don't want him to hate me"
"I know you don't Gabs" he said as he pulled me into a hug
"Chad" I mumbled into his shirt
"Hmmm?"
"We probably shouldn't be doing this"
"Doing what?"
"Hugging"
"Why?"
I moved my head so I could look at him
"Do I have to remind you of what happened last time I hugged a guy?"
"Good point" he laughed and let go of me, turning back to shut his locker
"I think im gonna quit school"
"What do you mean, quit school?" he asked as we began walking down the hall
"I've got 2 weeks left here, and I don't really wanna spend it like this. Besides, I've gotta get packing and stuff"
"Yeah I guess. Schools not gonna be the same without you though"
"You'll just have to get recruiting. Maybe Natalie will join the gang"
I laughed as Chad shot me a dirty look
"Ok, ok. I take it back"
--
I hadn't seen Gabriella for close to two weeks, and I was starting to get worried. I know im not her boyfriend anymore, but I can still be worried about someone cant I? Even if I am meant to hate them…
"Hey Chad! Zeke!" I called as I trotted across the gym towards him
"Hey man. Do you think coach is mad at us? That practice was hard!" Zeke said as he threw the ball towards me
"Maybe a little. I think he's just trying to prepare us for the state champs"
"Maybe. Or maybe he's channeling you" Chad muttered as he caught the ball as it bounced off the backboard
"Yeah, sorry about that guys… I've had… erm… a lot on my mind" I said as I scratched the back of my neck
"We know Troy. We just don't understand why you won't talk to us about it"
"Zeke! You sound like a girl!" Chad whined
"What? Gabi talks with the girls about the uh, situation"
"Really? What's she said?" I asked
"Um… I don't know, they won't really tell us what she says. But from what we have got out of them, she's just really sorry and really confused about what's gone down between you guys"
"You mean… she wants me back?" I asked, seeing a glimmer of hope
Even though I had acted like a jerk, and pretended I never wanted to see her again, I would take her back in an instant. Kinda stupid, I know. But I could tell, that deep down, she still wanted to be with me, even if she was to damn stubborn to admit it.
"I don't know if I would say that… I don't want to get your hopes up, and then have your bubble get popped. Again"
"I know what you mean Chad. But do you think maybe she regrets it?"
"Look man, were throwing a surprise birthday party for her on Saturday, you should come and talk to her there. It'll give you time to think about what your gonna say to her, and how to prevent a fight from happening"
"I'll think about it"
--
I sighed as I flopped down onto my bed. Tomorrow was the day. I was flying back home. But saying that… yesterday was the day too. I was finally 18. I told Sharpay and Taylor that I didn't want a party or anything for my birthday, so last night, we sat up, watched movies, ate junk food, and had an all round girls night in.
Since I left school, all of my stuff had been packed in boxes, and stacked around my room so Dad and Kat could send it once I had gone. I looked around my room. There were so many memories for the short time I had been here. I stood up and walked over to the one box that hadn't been closed.
Reaching inside, I pulled out the' wildcat' red t-shirt I had worn to every basketball game I had been to. It was one of Troy's old ones he had given to me the night before his first game of the year. Then I picked up the photo of us celebrating the first win of the season. The wildcats were huddled together in the centre of the gym and Troy had pulled me in for a huge celebratory kiss, right in the middle of the group. As the photographer had snapped the photo, the wildcats had all turned their heads away, making 'yuck' faces. I continued looking through the objects in the box. There were streamers, and sweatbands (clean) and even one of the West High cheerleaders' pompoms. We had stolen it when she was gossiping over who was hotter, Troy or Justin
By the time I got to the end of the box, I was laughing through my tears. This was the box of memories I didn't want to forget. But some of them weren't my memories to keep
Suddenly, my phone rang
"Hello?" I said, trying to put on a perky, happy voice
"Hey gabs. Listen, I really need your help! My parents are making me go out to this stupid family dinner and I really don't want to go alone. I know you're packing and getting ready to leave, but everyone else is busy! Please!"
"Relax Shar! Of course I'll come!" I laughed "what time and where?"
"8 at my place"
"Ok, I'll be at your place by 8"
"Ok! See you then! Oh and dress nice!"
"Shar!" I growled
"Ok, ok! Kinda fancy-ish"
"That's better"
There you go guys
I hope it was worth the wait!
Crazy Little Thing Called Love should be updated soon-ish too!
You know you love me!
Xoxo
GreaseGurl