A/N: Hi guys! Firstly, I would like to thank each and every one of you who had been reading and reviewing and supporting me and the story all this time! Just to let you know, this chapter is a llittle shorter than my previous chapters, but I feel that it's significant nonetheless. Cheers!

xXx
CeruleanBlues

The Way You Look At Me

Chapter 26

They were lying side-by-side—fully clothed—on the sand, simply staring up at the velvet sky and enjoying each other's company in silence. The only sounds were the lapping of waves on the shore and their occasional sighs of contentment, both wishing that life were as easy as just existing.

The moon, the allure and air of mystery it exuded as it glowed against the vast night sky, had always intrigued Sharpay. She smiled up at it—in all its fullness—and allowed herself the pleasure to escape and venture into the realm of the unknown, even if it was just for a while. She knew the science—where the spherical mass was nothing but dirt and rocks—but she took enjoyment in all the metaphors it represented.

"What time is it?" Troy's hushed voice echoed in her ear, his warm breath caressing her silky skin.

Without taking her eyes off the radiant globe, she murmured back. "Does it matter?"

"I have to be home before midnight," he bashfully admitted, then kissed the soft flesh beneath her jaw to hide his embarrassment.

It tickled slightly, making her giggle. "Troy Bolton is under a curfew?"

He groaned, clearly humiliated enough. "Shut up."

Sharpay finally turned her head to face him, and suddenly found herself being captivated by his azure eyes, reflecting the glistening stars overhead. "Do you want to leave, then?"

There it was again.

The way he looked at her.

You, by the light
Is the greatest find
In a world full wrong you're the thing that's right
Finally made it through the lonely to the other side

It caused a stir in the pit of her stomach, like a million tiny fireworks exploding in sync.

"No, not really," he replied.

"Looks like we've reached an impasse."

His lips twitched up in a grin as he playfully tapped on the tip of her nose. "Sometimes I wonder if you've accidentally swallowed a dictionary."

"Sometimes I wonder if you need to start reading one," she quipped back, batting her long lashes in a perfect picture of innocence.

Troy appreciated her humour, chuckling heartily. "You don't get nearly enough credit for your wit," he told her and mindlessly began twirling her blonde locks around his finger.

She shrugged, feigning offence. "I know. It's degrading."

"If it helps, I think you're an amazing person, Sharpay Evans," he said sincerely. "You're incredibly talented and smart, and you shouldn't ever let someone tell you otherwise."

You said it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark

Her heart melted and pooled in the centre of her soul, his words bathing her in rich warmness she's never felt before. It coursed through her veins like honey, sending a delicious shiver running down her spine. She felt the rush of blood filling her cheeks and wondered if she'd ever get used to hearing his compliments, his expressive side only made more sensual and ablaze by the hint of lust behind those cerulean blue eyes.

"Thanks, Troy, you're not so bad yourself," she pointed out as nonchalantly as possible.

He gave her a chaste peck on the corner of her luscious lips. "You're sweet. You get a kiss."

"And you're going to be late," she reminded him, placing a hand on his chest to zestfully shove him away.

Troy groaned, but reluctantly rolled onto his stomach and hauled himself up to his feet. Sharpay tilted her head and watched as he raised his arms and stretched his body, appreciating how his shirt rode up slightly over his pants to reveal a strip of rippled muscles bumping his smooth torso. It was as though he'd been a Greek God in another life. Nobody should look this scrumptious. She sucked in a much-needed breath of air, suddenly feeling mildly faint.

He caught her staring and smirked. "Like what you see?"

Like a whip, Sharpay fixed her face to look unperturbed—a skill she'd honed her whole life. "You could be a bit tanner, but I guess it'll do," she sighed dismissively, dramatically extending her hand out to him and wriggling her digits to signal to him. "Help me up."

He rolled his eyes but obliged to her request. She grinned coquettishly in return and was about to dust the sand off her jeans when he gave her a hard tug, colliding their bodies together in one swift move. Sharpay felt—rather than heard—herself gasp at the abrupt contact and the heat that was transmitting to every nerve ending in her petite frame as he held her in his strong arms. One slightly calloused hand reached up to cup her face, his thumb gently grazing over and creating circular soothing patterns. Sharpay's breathing turned shallow and for the umpteenth time today she was drowning in his oceanic gaze—too deep into his hypnotic abyss to save and salvage. He trailed the other hand up her slender arm—a move so erotic and pure—she thought she might self-combust right there and then.

And I'm in love and I'm terrified.
For the first time in the last time
In my only life.

"We should go," she whispered.

"I'll drive," he offered. "You already took the liberty when we came here, the least I could do is return the favour."

"Right."

Neither one of them budged.

"We really should be going," Sharpay let out a nervous laugh.

Troy mutely nodded, and then slowly peeled himself away from her, his warmth quickly leaving her body. She pouted slightly at the loss, but when he encased her dainty hand in his, she had to bit back a smile, not wanting to give him the satisfaction just yet. They made their way back to the car, and Sharpay tossed him her set of keys. He caught it perfectly in midair before sliding into the driver's seat. She got in after him while he started the engine. Sharpay couldn't help but glow. Their movements were flawless, each step easily complimenting the other.

Like pieces of a puzzle.

The journey back home was a little too short for his liking. He was aware that as the distance towards his destination lessened, so did the speed in which he was driving at. He inwardly scorned whenever another familiar street passed by, taunting him that his time spent with her was running out. Troy had never disliked the sight of his house till that very moment as he pulled over by the pavement.

They sat there for a bit, both teenagers contemplating the next move.

And this could be good
It's already better than that
And nothing's worse than knowing
You're holding back

"Is your dad still up?" she finally broke the silence.

He glanced over at the windows, noting that it was dark over by the kitchen, though it seemed like the living room was dimly lit. "I guess so, drill sergeant and what not."

She nodded sympathetically. "Sorry I got you into so much trouble."

"Hey, I make my own decisions, remember?" he said, leaning over brush away a stray tendril of her hair that was falling over her almond eyes. "You don't have to apologise for anything."

I could be all that you needed
If you let me try

Sharpay offered him a weak smile. "You should go. Drill sergeant and what not?"

He managed a tiny chuckle, which even to his ears it didn't sound convincing. Parting from her was turning out to be even more difficult than he'd initially thought. He loved her all-consuming presence—the way her laughter illuminated her beautiful features, the way her non-judgmental character made him feel the most comfortable he'd ever been with anybody, or the way her spontaneous side always lured him back for more—and he was addicted on her drug.

You said it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark

Being with Sharpay made him whole.

Different.

Better.

And I'm in love and I'm terrified.
For the first time in the last time
In my only life.

"I just realized that my car's still in school," he mumbled.

She cocked an eyebrow. "And?"

"Could you drive me there?"

"Now?"

Feeling rather stupid, he helplessly shrugged his shoulders. "How else am I going to school tomorrow?"

"But the gates are already locked at this time of the night," she reasoned.

As if he couldn't be any dumber.

"Damnit!" he cursed under his breath.

There was a pause.

Well, I could take the bus, he figured, and then flinched at the possibility. He wasn't a snob per se, but he really didn't enjoy using the public transport ever since the gum incident not too long ago. Troy recoiled at the memory.

"Don't you ride with your dad to school?" Sharpay wondered.

Troy wrinkled his nose in semi-disgust. "And listen to his endless droning on game plans? I'd rather walk barefoot than be in the same car as him."

She giggled, a sound so melodic he could listen to it all day. "I'll pick you up at seven-fifteen," she said. "Don't be late."

He opened his mouth and was about to say something when she beat him to it by pressing her index finger to hip lips.

"No arguing, and no excuses. Seven-fifteen."

I only said it 'cause I mean it
I only mean 'cause it's true,
So don't you doubt what I've been dreaming,
'Cause it fills me up and holds me close
Whenever I'm without you

Troy made a noise—somewhere between a whimper and a groan—her lonesome touch paralyzing his limbs as his blue eyes bore into her hazel ones. The crackle of electricity that surged in their interlocking gaze robbed whatever scrap of self-control he had left. He knew that he should give her some space to allow her to think, and he'd been trying to resist the huge urge to kiss her senseless. She probably wouldn't like it so much if he just ravaged her to his heart's desire, but as he trailed his vision lower to her plump rosy lips he couldn't fight it any longer.

You said it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark

"Can I kiss you?" he croaked out huskily against her finger.

"Yes."

He slowly leaned in, pausing momentarily when their noses were barely an inch apart, their warm breath mingling as they relished in what was about to happen next, and he couldn't wait any longer. Threading his fingers through her silky hair, Troy seized upon her mouth, capturing her pert lips with his and let out a low groan when he heard a gasping sigh escape her throat. Her wanton response only heightened his hunger for her. Firmly, he held her head in place, angling it so that he could deepen the kiss. His mouth moved over hers, osculating her with lascivious sipping motions, but he still needed more of her. However, before he could continue on with his ministrations, she tenderly pulled away.

And I'm in love and I'm terrified.
For the first time in the last time
In my only life.

"I'm still thinking about it, Troy."

"I'm still waiting."

He watched as her black convertible rounded the corner and disappeared into the night, a boyishly dazed grin still plastered onto his face, the euphoria of that kiss still lingering and tingling in his being. Reaching up, he rubbed the nape of his neck and entered the house.

Troy popped his head into the living room. His brow furrowed slightly when he saw that it was empty, and that a table lamp had been left still lit up. Rolling his eyes, Troy crossed the room to turn it off, only to be engulfed in pitch black. Blindly, he felt his way over to the stairs and flicked the switch on the wall, instantly brightening the hallway. He hiked up to his room and shut the door.

"Jesus!"

"I'm sorry, so sorry!"

Troy scowled menacingly, totally pissed off that his ex-girlfriend would stalk into his room and scare the shit out of him—whether intentionally or not—the point being that she shouldn't even be there. He glared hard at her, seething with apparent rage he never expected he would ever have for her.

Gabriella shamefully glanced down at the carpeted floor, all the while fidgeting with the hem of her woolen cardigan as she sat on the edge of his bed, and Troy was hauled back to the past where he had first met her—the shy and reserved person that she had once been.

But he knew better.

And he wasn't fooled.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Gabriella?" he snarled, dumping his backpack onto the roller chair by his desk and making his way over to the opened window. He stood with his back to her, staring out at the quiet neighbourhood, figuring it was probably how she managed to get in.

"I needed to see you," she replied timidly.

"Why?"

He was so furious, he couldn't even face her at the moment.

"I'm worried about you, Troy."

"Worried about me?" he spat out, whirling around to point at her. "You don't get to be worried about me, alright? It's over between us. There's not a shit for you to care about."

She raised her head to look at him, tears glazing her ebony eyes. "What happened to you, Troy? You've changed so much, it's like I don't know you anymore. I accepted it when you broke up with me, and I tried to lead a life without you, but how could you throw Chad away like that? He's your best friend and—"

"He was my best friend," he snapped back at her. "Until he sold me out to my dad!"

"That's not the reason, Troy, and you know it!"

Troy clenched his fists. "Don't you dare! You have no right to be here and tell me what's going on with my life when your own is a fucked-up lie!"

"I told you," she defended. "I told you that I was afraid of losing you, which was why I changed—for you—but now I know that I didn't have to, that you loved me for who I was when you first met me—"

"That was the past, Gabriella," he told her authoritatively. "Things are different now."

She got to her feet, turning her body to fully regard him. "But don't you wish for things to be back to the way they were before?" Her tone was forlorn and pleading, and the tiny nostalgic smile that played on her rouged lips were almost heart-breaking if it weren't so filled with desperation.

"Not once—"

The dark-haired girl took a few steps towards him but he stood rigid. "But I've changed, Troy, you've got to believe me. I'm back to being the Gabby you used to know."

Troy narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "That's fucking bullshit."

She gnawed on her bottom lip and resumed fussing over her cardigan, as though she couldn't wait to take it off. "I think about you every day and night. I miss all the wonderful times we had—our movie dates, the picnic anniversaries—I miss them all. I miss you," she softly admitted. "I still love you."

"But I don't. I haven't been in a long time." In frustration, he threw his hands up in the air. "Damnit, Gabriella, I didn't know what love is."

At that, she recoiled, visibly stung by his words. "But you told me that you loved me."

"I know," he nodded, raking his fingers through his shaggy mahogany copper hair. "And I shouldn't have."

She walked over to him in three short strides before slapping him across the cheek, her long fingernails cutting the skin just below his eyes. Troy cradled his face where the burning sting pulsated. He reckoned he had that coming, but all he felt was the physical pain. Emotionally, he was intact, and her actions didn't faze him at all. Unperturbed, he took an intimidating step towards her. There was a flicker of fear in her eyes, and the reality of what she'd done seemed to finally dawn on her, for she gasped in shock and masked her mouth with both her hands.

"Oh, my God, Troy, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you," she blurted out.

"Get out now, Gabriella."

"Troy—"

"I said, get out!"

Tears were streaming down her cheeks in black rivers of leaking mascara as she clung onto his elbow. "No, don't do this, Troy, please—"

"I should have kicked you out the second I saw you in here, Gabriella," he said heatedly, snatching his arm back. "But I gave you a chance to explain yourself. I can jolly well call the cops on you right now for trespassing."

"You wouldn't!"

His expression was unforgiving as he sneered. "Watch me."

"No, don't!" she cried out, dropping to her knees. "Troy, please, don't do this. We were amazing together. How could you be so heartless?"

"It's too late, now."

"Nothing is too late. We can still go back to the way we were."

"But I don't love you, Gabriella!" he exploded. "Don't you get it? I don't love you!"

"Then who is it?" she shrieked. "It's Sharpay, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's Sharpay!" he bellowed, loud enough for possibly the entire city to hear. "I love her! Are you satisfied, now?"

"How could you, Troy?"

"How could you? If you think I'm retarded enough not to see through your lies, then you're a lot dumber than I thought," he told her. "You didn't come here for anything but yourself. This act that you're putting on, it's not fooling me at all. You're so enamoured with being popular and loved by the entire school that you're desperate enough to come to me and get it back, am I right?"

"I didn't—"

"Am I right?"

Gabriella furiously shook her head to deny his statement, but her charcoal-coloured eyes portrayed otherwise. She wasn't nearly the great actress that Sharpay Evans was, and he was repulsed that the brunette would even attempt such a feat.

"I'm sick of your little games, Gabriella," he said scornfully. "I think you better leave."

"I'm only trying to take back what was rightfully mine," she spouted in surrender, her bitter tone matching up to the dark shadow that casted over her doll-like features.

He was on the brink of blowing up, and he knew he would hate himself if he were to punch her. He already despised that he'd palmed her once; he swore he wouldn't do anything like that ever again, so he vented his anger on his desk, banging his fists on the solid wood. Gabriella made a strangled sound, whimpering at the foot of his bed, curled up in a tight ball like a frightened puppy.

"I'm not anybody's property!"

With all the noise and commotion that was happening, he was actually surprised that neither one of his parents had barged into his room.

"Leave. Now."

"Troy—"

"Go!"

This time, she quickly scrambled to her feet, stumbling over to the door, fumbling with the knob. Troy didn't even look up when she made an exit. He heard the faint sound of the entrance open and shut, and sighed in relief, swiping his hand over his sweat-covered face.

All of a sudden he felt a lingering presence by his doorway and glanced over to find his father glowering at him, disappointment etched into his manly features. Still blazing from all the rage, Troy trudged over to the older man, meeting his steely glare head on.

Then, without flinching or blinking, Troy slammed the door in his father's face.

Sharpay was hearing movement in the kitchen, and her brows furrowed slightly at the thought of having to deal with her twin brother and his endless judgmental analysis on Troy Bolton. She let out a groaning sigh, debating whether she should make a run for it and avoid a confrontation—and then wondered if he would still pester her nonetheless—or just get it over with as painlessly as possible.

Might as well just bite the bullet, she figured, knowing that her loser of a sibling wasn't much of a threat either way.

Taking a deep breath for added composure, she squared her shoulder and marched into the kitchen. She was ultimately in charge of her own life and she made her own decisions, Ryan be damned. His sarcastic input wasn't tolerated, if anything it was scoffed at since he had absolutely no idea what was going on. He could assume and bitch all he wanted, but she would brush them off without so much as a blink.

Sharpay did a double take when she saw whom it was standing in by the center island, preparing a pot of coffee.

"Tris?"

The dark-haired teenager glanced up from her task and grinned in that vague way of hers. "Hey, Shar," she greeted with a general wave of her hand. "Want some coffee?"

Sharpay shrugged and placed her bag on the countertop. "Sure," she said, hopping up onto a stool. Leaning her elbows on the cool marble surface, she asked, "but what are you doing here?"

Trista pulled a mug from the cupboard and poured a generous amount of coffee into it before sliding it across to the blonde actress. "Your brother called me an hour ago and demanded I get my ass over," she explained, and then rolled her platinum-coloured eyes.

"He didn't!"

"He sounded quite urgent and rather hysterical, so I came," she went on after taking a sip of her drink. "I fucking went a hundred miles per hour for that git. When I arrived he was pacing around like an idiot, and the first thing he said to me was 'how the fuck does Troy Bolton know about Dan?' all up in my face like I owed him something."

"That rat bastard," Sharpay sputtered. "How did he find out?"

"He was looking for you during lunch," Trista clarified. "Said he bumped into Troy, who told him that he saw you leave school with Dan. Is that true?"

Sharpay nodded. "Dan showed up during lunch and we drove by the highway to eat."

Her brunette friend tilted her head quizzically. "He showed up just like that? Why would he do that?"

"I bled onto his towel," she mumbled, then narrowed her eyes to give the other girl a simple glare. "And apparently you filled him in on the missing details."

Trista didn't look apologetic as she took another sip of the coffee. "Come on, Shar, he already knows. We're like the Non-Judging Breakfast Club on Gossip Girl, just not as filthy rich."

Sharpay almost spit her drink out at the comment. "I can't believe you just referenced that."

"Either way," she cut in, flipping her jet-black hair. "Dan would find out sooner or later. Besides, you really shouldn't hide anything from him, especially not something as big as this. We're all in this together, remember?"

Of course she remembered. The three of them had gone through impossibly dark times together, and one so arcane that the only thing she ever recalled from it was sitting on the floor at the corner of the emergency room, crying as she clung onto Dan while her other friend lay motionless in the operating unit and got her stomach pumped out. Sharpay had never been so terrified in her life. She hadn't wanted to even think of the possibilities had she not reached in time for her.

They were all in this together.

"I told him during lunch," Sharpay revealed. "He's surprisingly calm about this."

"He was being strong for you, Shar."

"I know," she said and downed the remaining liquid in the mug. Then she glanced around to inspect the place. "Where is my shit ass brother, anyway?"

"After I told him I had no idea where you were and whom you were with, he took off, mumbling something about going to Kelsi's," Trista smirked, refilling her cup with more coffee. "Who's Kelsi?"

"The music director for the play," Sharpay told her.

"Is he screwing her?"

The blonde teenager snickered. "I wouldn't count on it."

"Bookish?"

"Pretty much. Why do you care?"

Trista shrugged again. "He may be a prick, but your brother's a good fuck."

Wincing, Sharpay cupped her ears with her hands. "Ew! Ew! Ew!" she exclaimed in horror as the other girl laughed.

"Why are you home to late, anyway?" Trista questioned. "And why is your hair all damp?" she added as an afterthought.

Sharpay tried to hide the grin that was stretching across her face, although she knew that the mysterious glint in her eyes was giving her away.

"Did you go for a swim?" Trista pressed on.

"Yup," she replied, popping the last syllable.

"Alone?"

"Nope."

"With Dan?"

Sharpay shook her head. "Nuh-uh."

With a knowing look, Trista guessed, "were you with Troy?"

"You can say so."

"Oh, my God!" Trista squealed, pointing accusingly at her. "You guys went skinny dipping, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

"Tell me all about it."

A/N: Firstly, yes, Gossip Girl is my guilty pleasure, and I'm impatiently waiting for season 5 to begin filming and airing! So, I realized that I just had to bring in Gabriella because of reasons that I can't tell you right now :P But either way, we are moving forward with Troy and Sharpay's relationship! Yay!

Xcreamchip: Wow! Thank you so much for the amazing comments! –blush!- Yes, I promise it'll be a happy ending (wouldn't want you to die now, do we?) You summarized my chapter brilliantly! It's all true what you mentioned about Troy having Sharpay but he still decides to tell her the truth. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again, so very much for constantly reading and reviewing my story! It motivates me so much to push on and write better chapters! Hope you like this chapter! Let me know :D I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

62toasters62: Aww! I'm glad I made you happy by updating! You make me happy by reviewing! I'm honored that this story is one of your favourites! Thank you so much! I don't think this story is going to be ending any time soon, 'cause to me the story's just about halfway through! Hope you've enjoyed this update! Cheers!

Neila cross: Hi there! LOL! So glad and relieved to know that you don't hate me :P I like injecting emotions into the story. It gets rather boring for me to write if everything seems monotonous. I absolutely love how you're viewing the skinny dipping scene as something symbolic and metaphorical, and that it means so much more than just the surface. Your analysis is spot on! You actually went deeper than I did when I was writing it. The whole idea for me is just that I wanted a sensual yet innocent scene between Sharpay and Troy as he told her the truth. And yes, I so agree with you on the Hellcats thing. So disappointing! Anyway, I know this chapter's rather short, but I hope you like it anyway! Let me know what you think! Looking forward to more Lit major analysis! :P

CharminglyShar: Hello there! Firstly, OMG, you're so cute! I can't believe you reviewed each and every chapter! I'm not complaining or anything because every new comment made me smile :D Like that! Big smile! It was such a pleasant surprise when I logged in one morning and have like 20 more reviews, and it actually made me really excited! I'll try to slot in more Ryan and Sharpay moments because he is her brother after all. He'll play quite a role in the future chapters, though, so don't worry :D I look forward to more of your wonderful reviews!

Lachicarebelde22: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Hope you like this chapter :D

Song used — "Terrified" by Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi