Brief Encounter
Summary: Can anything good come from a mix-up?
Disclaimer: High School Musical and all of its characters belong to Disney. I just have them on secondment.
A/N: Thanks to my regular readers who review after each chapter and let me know that I am still on the right path and bringing you continued enjoyment. You girls make me smile with your comments.
"Hmm! So are you, I'm going to insure your fingers, they're magic," she muttered before sleep engulfed her.
Grope
Friday was a really busy day for Gabriella and a long one too as she awoke at 6am and couldn't get back to sleep, excitement and dread fought within her as her mind whirled with the hundred and one things that needed to be done before tonight. She had seen Troy last night but convinced him to go home earlier so she could get her full eight hours knowing if he had stayed she wouldn't have slept and would be less likely to want to leave him this morning. She'd arranged a meeting with Ryan and Stuart for 9am at Equinox to carry out a walkthrough of the programme, checking lighting arrangements and a final sound check. Then she was due at the beauty parlour at 1pm for a manicure and facial that Caroline had talked her into, it being the kind of indulgence that Gabriella very rarely splurged on. Her hair appointment was booked for 4pm and somewhere in the midst of all this activity she had to eat but god knew when. She sighed and crawled out of bed heading for the refreshing jets of her shower to wake her before toddling into the kitchen in her robe to get her caffeine fix.
"Morning Gabi," greeted a yawning Chad dressed in a pair of sweats his chest left bare.
"Hi, I didn't know you'd stayed over," she greeted with a smile perusing his trim body with a raised eyebrow. Chad self-consciously folded his arms across his chest.
"I think you were already asleep when we got back last night, and we didn't want to disturb you just in case you weren't alone," he teased smiling back.
"We're not joined at the hip you know, unlike some I could mention," she shot back looking pointedly at him, smirking when colour stained his cheeks.
"Yeah right!" Chad looked disbelieving causing Gabriella to blush in turn. "As for Taylor, yeah, seems I can't get enough of your flatmate," he replied ruefully. Gabriella giggled.
"Well at least you're honest. Do you want a coffee?" asked Gabriella reaching for the coffee pot.
"Wouldn't say no, can I take one for Tay too," requested Chad as Gabriella started to pour.
"Big night tonight. Are you all set up?" Asked Chad as he took a cup from her. Gabriella sighed as she poured a cup for Taylor.
"I think so, I'll find out later when I go for the final sound and lighting checks," she answered hesitantly.
"I must admit, I haven't heard you actually sing but Taylor says you're awesome," commented Chad a faint flush staining his cheeks. Gabriella laughed.
"It's okay Chad Troy hasn't either," she said trying to make him feel better.
"He hasn't?" he gasped surprise written all over his face. Gabriella giggled again and shook her head.
"Nope, it…we had other things on our mind," stammered Gabriella blushing madly as Chad chuckled.
"Right…well," he hummed and hawed, "break a leg or whatever you stage types say. I believe GL is a no go?" as he picked up Taylor's cup. Gabriella giggled.
"I think that's more for actors but I get your drift. Thanks Chad," replied Gabriella as she leant over and kissed him on the cheek causing his cheeks to glow even more. She giggled as he scurried out of the kitchen.
Gabriella got dressed shouted goodbye to Taylor who still hadn't moved from her bedroom and headed out the door. She walked down the street and round the corner nipping into Aroma Café for her breakfast unsure when she'd get the chance to eat again; the time was 7.30am. She snagged a cinnamon roll and a large Java coffee, needing the extra kick of caffeine to boost her and settled into her usually table at the back. She took out her phone and checked her messages laughing at some and frowning at others.
"Hey, thought I might find you in here," made her jerk her head up and smile as Troy jogged back to the counter to place his order and waited hand in pocket. Gabriella looked at him hungrily raking her gaze over his pronounced biceps trim waist and firm butt in his sweat pants.
"So what are you doing up so early?" questioned Gabriella as he sat down next to her.
"My bed was cold and empty when I woke up this morning for some strange reason so I decided to go for a jog through the park," moaned Troy.
"Aw! Surprisingly mine was too, I was awake at 6am," volunteered Gabriella slipping a hand under the table to hold his.
"I couldn't wait until tonight to see you so I phoned your place and Chad said you'd gone out and I guessed you'd pop in here for breakfast."
"Good guess Sherlock," congratulated Gabriella squeezing his hand. Troy smiled at her.
"I so want to kiss you but I know I can't here," he groaned as he looked hungrily at her top lip covered in froth from her coffee. Gabriella giggled and licked her top lip tormenting him even more. "Not fair," Troy moaned in agony.
"I'll make it up to you," she promised her eyes shining into his. Troy moved his hand up to her thigh a stray finger touching her groin in passing feeling her breath hitch at the contact as leaned nearer to her.
"I'm going to hold you to that," he whispered against her ear making a shiver of anticipation run down her spine. They finished their drinks and started to walk away from the table when Troy grabbed her arm and pulled her through the service entrance to the alley behind the café.
"What the…" Gabriella started to say when his lips clamped down on hers and he pushed her against the wall. Gabriella slid her hands up and around his neck pulling him closer as tongue action commenced. Troy ran his hands up her sides his palms brushing against her breasts making Gabriella groan deep in her throat.
"That's on account," he said pulling back, "my patience has a low threshold and with you it seems nonexistent," he added ruefully. Gabriella giggled happy to have that effect on him.
"Shall we go the scenic route?" asked Troy motioning to the park with his head. Gabriella nodded in agreement linking hands with him as they strolled through the gate to the park.
The club was in somewhat of an upheaval when Gabriella arrived, as the employees at Equinox were busy clearing up from the night before, black rubbish bags were dotted around as they cleared away debris from the tables, putting chairs back under them as they moved in an orderly file throughout the club. The industrial floor polisher whirred across the large dance floor, vacuum cleaners could be heard on the balcony.
"Hey Gabi, ready for tonight?" asked Ryan as he came over to greet her, bending to peck her cheek. Gabriella smiled a sparkle of excitement evident in her eyes.
"It's looking good although a bit stark without the soft lighting," she commented running her eyes around the place.
"Yeah it does," agreed Ryan, looking around, "but it will look totally different tonight."
"Shall we get to it? Is Scott here and the lighting people?" asked Gabriella.
"Yeah, they got here about ten minutes ago, they're just waiting for the star," commented Ryan lightly. Gabriella chuckled at his reference to her.
"Let's go do," she shooshed him with her hands for him to precede her as she followed him into the back stage area.
"Wow! That was phenomenal Gabi," gushed Ryan two hours later as she finished her song for the fourth time, the lighting guys had finally got it right and Scott gave a thumbs up from the sound deck saying he was happy with it too. Gabriella breathed a sigh of relief as she bounced across the stage beaming happily at Ryan.
"Thanks, it sounded good from up here too. Are we done?" Gabriella asked hopefully.
"Yea, I think so, all we need now is the place full of people." Stuart appeared applauding her from the side.
"That was great Miss Montez, I think you're on a sure fire winner," he complimented.
"Thank you." Gabriella quickly gathered her things together bade goodbye to Ryan, Stuart and Scott and skipped out of the building on her way to the beauty salon.
Taylor was flapping around like a headless chicken as Gabriella entered the apartment.
"About fucking time Gabi, I thought you'd been kidnapped," Taylor shouted in a panicked voice from the lounge. Gabriella walked towards her voice with a smile on her face.
"Calm down Tay, I've only been at the hairdressers and it's only," she glanced at the clock, "5.30."
"Yeah well, I was worried. Wow! I like your hair, mind you for the time it's taken it should look good," huffed Taylor a small smile belying her gruffness. "And I've had Troy on the phone like ten times already. I swear that guy is gonna be the death of me or I'll murder him first, take your pick which one," she growled making Gabriella chuckle at her rant.
"I'll talk to him Tay. Are you having dinner here or is Chad taking you out?" Gabriella asked trying to distract her.
"He offered but I wanted to spend some time with you and I know you won't have had time to eat so I've made a chicken pasta salad for us, maybe we can grab a late supper somewhere later," suggested Taylor.
"Thanks Tay, what would I do without you. What are you wearing?" Gabriella thought to ask.
"Oh just a little number I picked up last week," she replied casually excitement shining in her eyes. Gabriella smiled at her friends' exuberance before picking up the phone and dialling Troy.
"Hey you, I believe you wanted me?" she asked huskily.
"I always want you," he leered down the phone making her giggle. Taylor rolled her eyes at Gabriella and walked into the kitchen.
"So are you all spruced up?" she asked him.
"Nope, I'm going in my kit," he teased.
"Basketball or birthday?" she shot back quickly her breath hitching in her throat at the 2nd option. Troy heard her and chuckled.
"Sex on the brain Montez?" he chuckled.
"With you, always," she said saucily.
"Hmm! I know the feeling," he agreed throatily. "I just wanted to hear your voice before the mass media take you away from me."
"That will never happen but thanks anyway. I'll see you later," she promised as she hung up and walked into the kitchen.
"So what's up with Golden Balls?" Taylor asked with a smirk as she carried the food over to the table.
"Apart from missing me you mean?" Gabriella taunted as she sat down.
"Geewiz! Can't he give you a break for a single night, you two are at it like rabbits as it is," grumbled Taylor.
"Hmpf! And you're not, remind me whose boyfriend stayed over last night?" teased Gabriella who laughed when Taylor punched her on the arm. Their conversation turned to the night ahead as they ate their meal with Gabriella warning Taylor about the possible paparazzi invasion.
"Don't worry about me Gabi, I've probably snipped a few of them when I did my stint in men's surgical," reassured Taylor causing Gabriella to giggle at the absurd mental picture, "and I always have Chad there to protect me from the morons," she added.
"I wish mine was," sighed Gabriella quietly. Taylor stared at her for a second.
"Why does it matter if everyone knows?" she asked.
"It just does, they'll spoil it with their inane questions and our private life won't be private any more. I want to keep it 'ours' for as long as physically possible; we haven't even told our folks yet and I'd hate for them to find out from the bloody tabloids," moaned Gabriella sadly.
"Well I think you need to cross that bridge soon Gabi cos from where I'm standing, well sitting to be precise, this thing you have with Troy is pretty serious, even I can see that, I've never seen you so happy and bubbly and well, content," said Taylor seriously. Gabriella looked at her friend and nodded.
"I know you're right Tay, even Troy suggested meeting his parents the other week but I chickened out," sighed Gabriella her eyes clouding over. Taylor patted her arm.
"You'll know when the time is right Gabi but make it soon hmm?" advised Taylor. "Now I guess we should go get beautiful," she urged cheerfully rising to clear the plates away.
Gabriella was nearly ready all that was needed was her jewellery as she added the pair of long teardrop earrings that Sharpay had insisting on buying her to accompany the dress in the same matching turquoise and the watch that Troy had bought for her that she hadn't worn since coming back from her tour. Tonight she wanted to have something of him close to her and she felt it was time that she started to wear the beautiful gift he'd taken great care in buying. She slipped on matching strappy shoes in midnight blue and picked up her small matching clutch bag, glancing in her mirror she smiled at the glamorous woman that stared back at her then she walked out into the lounge.
"Wow! Gabi you're rocking tonight," gushed Chad, who had called to pick up Taylor, his eyes like saucers as he looked at the sophisticated woman in front of him. Gabriella giggled and did a mock curtsy.
"Well thank you kind sir, just make sure you give a similar response to Taylor," she warned mockingly. Chad flushed and rolled his eyes jerking his head seconds later when he heard Taylor bedroom open her footsteps clicking on the wooden flooring.
"You look stunning Tay and I am one lucky bastard," complimented Chad as his girlfriend came into view in an ivory lace knee touching dress, the plunging v neckline showed off the curves of her ample bosom and Chad gulped at the sudden lump his throat and the feeling in the pit of his gut, at least he thought it was his gut.
"You look gorgeous Tay," agreed Gabriella as she walked over to hug her friend. Taylor beamed at the array of compliments.
"Thanks Gabs, you look like a diva in that dress," Taylor returned the compliment before turning to kiss Chad for his. Gabriella picked up her cell phone and deposited it in her bag just as the doorbell rang.
"Looks like the party is about to start," said Gabriella as she walked to answer the door. Caroline gasped, as she looked at Gabriella her eyes travelling from top to toe and back again then smiled.
"You're gonna knock them dead tonight my girl," she said approvingly, "Shall we go?" Gabriella smiled and nodded turning to say goodbye to Taylor and Chad then it was off towards her future.
The street was bumper to bumper full of town cars and limousines as the line moved slowly towards the entrance to Equinox. Gabriella sat next to Caroline and opposite Ryan, twisting her hands together and biting her lower lip with nerves. Caroline tapped her on the hand.
"Stop it Gabi, you're making me nervous just looking at you," she reprimanded her star client. Gabriella looked pensively at her and rolled her eyes.
"I just want to get in there, all this waiting is making me jumpy," she moaned. Ryan smiled at her kindly.
"Who is Kelsi coming with? I feel guilty because I haven't spoken to her for a while and then taking you away from her," she asked Ryan.
"Don't worry Gabi, She's happy about it she doesn't want everyone knowing we're a couple and Martha is going to be with her," Gabriella nodded relieved and understanding totally where Kelsi was coming from.
"Well be ready for the onslaught, you being with me will only fuel the rumours flying around with the paparazzi," warned Gabriella sadly.
"I can't help it if they're idiots," retorted Ryan with a smirk. Gabriella giggled and some of the tension left her body. The procession got nearer to the club and Gabriella pulled her compact and lip-gloss out of her bag and reapplied the shiny substance just as the door was opened. Ryan stepped out and the flashes from cameras started as he turned to help Caroline and then Gabriella out of the car. Gabriella turned and waved to the cheering crowd of fans and onlookers that had congregated on the opposite side of the street. Cameras clicked and lights flashed as she walked slowly up the red carpet. Photographers shouted and screamed at her.
"Gabriella this way please?"
"Look this way Gabriella."
"Blow a kiss Gabriella."
"Gabriella over here." Her jaw was starting to ache with the smiling as she turned this way and that trying to please the various tabloids and gossip columns.
"I see you are still with Ryan."
"When are you getting engaged?" Gabriella gritted her teeth and carried on smiling as Ryan stood between Caroline and Gabriella guided them into the club where she was bombarded with numerous executives of the record label, she smiled and shook hands with those she didn't know and cheek kissed the ones that she'd worked with both present and past. She didn't realise that smiling could be such hard work but she continued on until relief came by way of Caroline pushing a fluted glass of champagne into her hand. Gabriella mouthed thanks to her and gratefully sipped on the ice-cold refreshment bubbles tickling her nose as she took a deep sip. They threaded their way further into the club as they continued shaking hands with various reporters from radio stations, newspapers, glossy magazines and even E News. Gabriella was surprised to see them there until she remembered that Ryan Seacrest worked for both. Because of her height she couldn't see over the heads of people so she didn't know if Troy, Taylor or Sharpay were here until she heard her.
"Cooee! Gabriella," Gabriella looked around then looked up and spotted Sharpay leaning over the railing of the balcony with Zeke in close attendance and standing to the side stood Troy a small smile playing around his mouth, their eyes locked and everybody faded away as they silently communicated. It only lasted a mere second or two but it enough to get Gabriella through as she raised her arm and waved to Sharpay before turning back to continue with her duty. She had a short interview with Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic who were both charming and focused solely on her career rather than her personal life for which she was thankful. It took another full hour of socialising with people before Caroline came and took her backstage and into her dressing room.
"God! That was hard work," groaned Gabriella as she finally sat down placing her purse on the tabletop. Caroline chuckled at her.
"I know but now comes the good bit when you show them all what you're about," enthused Caroline soothingly.
"Yea, this is the bit I've been waiting for. How long before I'm due on?" Gabriella asked as she looked at her watch.
"Not sure, I'll go and check," replied Caroline as she slipped out of the room.
Gabriella's bag started dancing across the table and she quickly retrieved her cell phone from inside.
Hey Babe, I'm so proud of you. Go knock 'em dead
Gabriella smiled, as she read the message, a warmth circulated her body just knowing that tonight she would be singing just for him.
Thanks. I feel better for seeing you and knowing you're here for me
Caroline came back in right in the middle of her tapping fingers but Gabriella ignored her, smiling as she pressed send. Caroline raised a questing eyebrow but Gabriella wasn't biting and just shook her head.
"You're on in five minutes," she informed Gabriella as her phone beeped denoting her message had been received and just as quickly it vibrated again.
I'm always here for you and don't forget our dance
Gabriella giggled making Caroline look questioningly at her again but again she shook her head but a secretive smile played around her lips and her eyes sparkled.
"Yeah right Bolton, you just want a grope."