March 4, 2009 – Troy's POV
"Hey Troy," Coach said giving me this look I couldn't place as I walked into the meeting room.
"Hey, so are we going to talk about the calendar changes I requested for next season?" I asked walking over to a chair before looking over at Coach's hesitant face.
"Actually Troy we're here to talk about something else…" he won't look at me. Something is going on and I'm not excited to find out.
Coach turned towards the door when a knock was heard. Coach walked over to the door and opened it letting two guys in suits walk in I stood and shook their hands.
"Troy Bolton, I'm Chris Fink, big fan," The big short guy said before sitting.
"Thank you," I said before looking at the around 6 foot guy
"Bolton, I'm Rob Smith" I nodded after shaking his hand, I sent Coach a look but he just looked down. I sighed and sat down a little straighter than I had before.
"So Mr. Bolton I'm sure you're wondering why we're here." Mr. Fink said
"Yea I was wondering just that," I said a little confused.
"Well we are here for a short little meeting. Let's get to the point Bolton; we're here to offer you a deal. You can take either mine or his or nothing." Mr. Smith said looking at me with a stern face.
"Yes Bolton we're here to offer you a spot on our teams." Mr. Fink added.
I can't believe this; I looked up at Coach who was looking down actually looking nervous. I could feel heat rising inside of me as I realized this whole fight for me has been going on for a while to already be at the final two. I have never felt so lost in my life. God I wish Gabriella was here to keep me from losing my mind.
"So I'm guessing you've been discussing this for a while," I said with a tight voice.
"Well yes a few months actually," Mr. Fink said with a jolly laugh. I could only glare at him and he immediately stopped. I'm guessing my eyes are gray by now.
"Now I'm for the Boston Celtics, he's for the 76ers. To make things short for me I think it'll be a wise choice for you to choose me."
"And why's that?" I challenged Mr. Smith.
"Well we have a wonderful coach and team. Harvard medical school is nearby also, they do have one of the most challenging medical schools in the country. They would be honored to have Miss Montez considering she did such a fabulous job at the conference." Mr. Smith said with a smirk knowing he'd hit something when he brought Gabriella into this.
"The University of Philadelphia also has a wonderful medical school. There are many hospitals there that have made many successful discoveries in the medical world. The school and hospital are both world leaders."
These bastards. That's all that is running through my head. How are they going to have the balls to try and waver my decision by bringing Gabriella into this? Those dicks. Deep breaths Troy, deep breaths- oh fuck that.
"Wait you think you can just make me want to go to your teams because of a medical school for Gabriella?"
"And our 29.5 million a year," Mr. Fink said with a wink.
"Or our 30 million a year, compared to your 26 million here." Mr. Smith said with a satisfied smile.
"I don't play because of the money," I growled challenging him but he seems to be satisfied with what he has. He nodded and stood along with Mr. Fink.
"We'll leave you to think this over." Mr. Smith said turning to coach and nodding before both men walked out of the room.
"What the fuck?" I asked glaring at coach.
"I know but they insisted."
"You couldn't say I'm not interested, or include me?" I asked standing up and heading for the door.
"I understand you're mad-"
"Mad? I'm fucking pissed! You know I can't stand these whole shady things. If Gabriella was here I'd have more words to use but I can't think of anything." I opened the door and was slamming it shut as coach yelled after me.
"Just think about it!"
With Gabriella
"And this is you at 7 months," Gabriella's mom said flipping through Gabriella's pre-baby book, showing her the ultra sound.
"That's amazing," Gabriella said letting her finger run gently over the picture.
"Gabriella I am really glad you came and decided to forgive me for the things I said. Hija I hope you know I didn't mean any of it. I was just…shocked and angry."
"I know mama but we're cool now, that's all that matters." I said leaning over and kissing her on the cheek.
"You always did have a good head on your shoulder Gabriella and I raised you that way. I should have known you'd find a way to do it all." My mom said with a laugh. I nodded before gasping and grabbing my mom's hand.
"Feel that?" I asked seeing her eyes start to water.
"She moved,"
"No kidding," I said smiling.
Maybe I was wrong about that feeling; maybe it was just to baby.
March 5, 2009 with Troy
"I can't believe you're leaving." Chad said from his spot sitting on the island
"I never said I was going to go,"
"Why not I mean it's a lot of money."
"I make enough," I said leaning against the sink looking at Chad who was spinning a basketball in his hands.
"What about Gabriella?"
"What about her?" I asked shrugging.
"Well they have great schools over there. I mean if I had the chance to send Taylor to a great school like those I would have,"
"So are you saying I should go? You're supposed to be my best friend," I said frowning.
"I am Troy, and I want the best for you."
"How is moving across the country better for me? I don't know anyone over there,"
"But Troy, you'll be paid more –"
"We're in a fucking depression Chad! I don't need more money."
"I can't believe you're leaving," Chad said quietly.
"Chad I just bought this fucking house, I'm not going anywhere. I- I don't even know what I'm going to do."
"Have you talked to your grandfather about it?"
"Yea I called him last night."
"What'd he say?"
"I don't know he was weird. He just kept saying that he loved me and to follow my gut always and to trust that my family and close friends always have my best interest at heart, and to follow my heart and not my brain for once since I'll never find another."
"What?" Chad asked dropping his basketball.
"I know that's what I said. But he says that I should know that home is where your heart is. That's where you should always go when things are hard."
"Do you know what he meant?" I shrugged crossing my arms over my chest.
"I always left it to Gabriella to interpret those things for me."
"Now I've only seen a few episodes of Oprah but I'm guessing he's saying that whoever has your heart will always make a place feel like home even a cardboard box it doesn't matter. You'll always feel at home as long as there with you."
"So he's saying that wherever Ga-"
*RING*RING*RING*RING*RING*
"Hey Bristol what's up?" I asked putting my iphone to my ear as Chad rolled his eyes and walked over to the fridge.
"Troy," Bristol said through a sob which made me stand up straight and panic a little.
"Bristol what happened?"
"Troy he's gone,"
"Who's gone?"
"He's not coming back Troy! Thanksgiving was the last time I saw him!"
"Saw who Bristol!!" I yelled getting mad that she wouldn't get to the point. I already have a lot on my mind I don't need more drama. Chad walked over to me and watched me though I hardly had time to notice.
"Troy grandpa!!! He's gone Troy!"
I dropped my phone instantly.
With Gabriella
"Ahh!" I grabbed my stomach as a pain came suddenly letting the glass I had in my hand fall to ground with a crash.
"Gabriella!" My mother came running into the room and saw me slowly going to the ground gripping my stomach.
"No worries ma-it's most likely-Braxton Hicks Contraction-ah!-or something." I said gripping a chair nearby as I went to the floor. My mother came behind me and wrapped her arms around me.
"Oh sweetie it'll pass." My mom said kissing my head.
With Troy
"Troy? Man what happened?" Chad waved a hand in my face though my trance didn't break. He bent over and picked up my phone putting it to his ear.
"Hey Bristol, it's Chad, what happened?" I heard Bristol in hysterics talking about how she had to get to an airport and everything else. Eventually Chad hung up and placed the phone on the counter and stared at me.
"Man, I'm sorry I mean I've met your granddad a few times and I-"
"It's nothing, let's go get a pizza," I said grabbing my phone and my keys off the counter heading for the garage door with Chad following.
Once we reached a local pizza restaurant we sat in a booth in the back corner. Chad sat there like a Ken doll, very stiff. I played solitaire on my phone in the mean time while we waited for our pizza to arrive.
"Troy?"
"What?" I replied harsher than I had meant to but it's too late to take it back now.
"N-nothing," Chad said becoming quiet.
*RING*RING*RING*RING*
"Damnit!" I cursed under my breath as my game was interrupted by a call from my mom.
"Hey ma," I sighed rubbing my left hand over my face.
"Oh Troy, did you hear," my mom said as if she'd only just finished crying a few minutes ago.
"Yes mom I heard."
"Troy I know you were very close to him and-"
"I know mom just stop." I snapped making her take an intake of breath.
"Well Troy we're on a plane to come and get you. We have to get to South Dakota asap. You're grandmother needs all of us."
"Okay ma,"
"We'll be there later tonight. Come and get us please darling. I love you Troy," I sighed and closed my eyes really tight as I felt a pain in the front of my head.
"Just call when you've landed, and I love you too." I ended the call and placed my phone on the table before putting my face in my hands.
"Are you going to tell Gabriella?" Chad asked quietly which I can't say wasn't a bad idea on his part.
"No,"
"Why not?" Chad asked obviously shocked.
"Gabriella is pregnant Chad, she's a hormonal mess and I don't need her worrying and mess around and go into early labor." I removed my hands from my face to Chad giving me this look.
"I'm going to tell her I just haven't gotten to that scene yet."
"Well will you take her with you to South Dakota?"
"No,"
"Troy!"
"Well I'm sorry but I just don't want her flying. Every time she gets off one of those planes she ends up not feeling well and having a headache. I don't need her sick or anything."
"Troy you know Gabriella."
"I know Chad I am the one dating her," I snapped glaring at him as a waitress came and place the pizza down before walking away.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Chad asked after a few minutes I sighed and place my pizza on my plate and looked at Chad with interest.
"What's there to talk about Chad?"
"Well I mean, vent or something."
"What is there to vent about?"
"Your grandfather just died Troy,"
"Well alert the media Chad, people die every day and you know what it was going to happen anyway."
"But Troy, you were like tighter with your grandfather than your father."
"I realize that Chad, drop it," I growled before picking up my pizza again and biting into it.
8:47 pm
"Troy!" I turned around and saw my mom running towards me with my dad, David, Jackie, Callie and Brandon coming close behind. She came and wrapped her arms around me and pulled me down into a tight hug. When we pulled apart I noticed the tears in her eyes which made me remember.
"Troy," I looked up at my dad and nodded before grabbing my mom's hand and leading all of them towards Chad's SUV that he let me borrow.
On the ride back to the house my mom obviously was trying to keep everyone's minds off of things along with Jackie. Though I wasn't listening much all I want is Gabriella and she's not here. My mom started asking me about the house and everything. I answered with single word answers. Soon she got the hint that I didn't want to talk about that.
"So when's Gabriella coming home?"
"Tomorrow."
"Oh, does she-"
"No," I said before she could ask.
"Troy-"
"I know mom, not now okay?" I snapped at her though I didn't mean to "Mom I'm- I'm sorry,"
"No Troy I know," she leaned forward and squeezed my shoulder hesitating a moment before dropping her hand.
When we arrived at the house everyone got out and stared at it a while before heading inside. Chad came out and said hi to everyone before heading out to his truck with me following.
"Listen man I know that you don't want to talk about it, but if you'd like I could pick Gabriella up later or something. I know you and your family need time. Gabriella's not stupid though- hormonal- but definitely not stupid." Chad patted me on the back before walking to the SUV and turned back towards me on the front steps.
"I love you man," he said before getting into the SUV and heading out to the gate and leaving. I stared at the gate for a while before walking around the house and to the basketball court out back. I bent over and picked up a basketball that was on the grass nearby. I spun it in my hands as I walked onto the court and stood on the 3 point line and stared at the net.
Flashback
"What are you grinning about?" I looked over at my Grandfather who was making his way onto the court and tried to hide my smile.
"No reason." I said shooting the ball with nothing but net.
"It's a girl ain't it?" I looked at him for a moment before going and retrieving the ball.
"Uh- why would it be a girl?" I asked rolling my eyes though I was lying through my teeth.
"So you finally asked her out?"
"Asked who out,"
"That Gabriella girl," he said coming and taking the ball out of my hand before shooting a basket.
"Yea," I said shyly "I did it in June,"
"And you haven't told me until now? It's July Troy!" My Grandfather teased before winking at me.
"I know I just I was busy,"
"Kissing I bet, is she a good kisser? I won't tell your mother I promise." My grandfather said passing me the ball he retrieved.
"Uh, she's great, perfect actually." I said catching the ball and lining up with the net.
"Well of course she is, your true love always is."
"How do you know she's my true love? We've only been dating a few weeks."
"But how long have you known each other?" I stood there and thought about it shooting the ball.
"About 5 years?"
"Well there you go, you've been dating for 5 year and some weeks." I laughed and shook my head at my grandfather as he let out a loud chuckle.
"So when are you going to marry her?"
"What?" I asked coming from my brief thought of Gabriella and looking at my grandfather.
"Well if she's your true love you better hold her down. That's what I did with your grandmother."
"How old were you when you married grandma?"
"I was 20 and your grandmother was 19,"
"You were only a few years older than me?"
"Damn straight, it would have been sooner but you know women love their fairytale weddings and all you can do is say yes to everything she says."
"Don't you think you were a little young?" I asked bending over and grabbing the ball.
"Nah, your grandmother was a curvy one had just enough in all the right places. I mean I had to spend all my time fighting the guys eyes off of her. So I decided I was going to marry her if it took all of the strength in my body."
"Really?"
"Hell yea. See Troy when you love someone you don't listen to what everyone else says about how your too young or aren't good for each other or anything. All you know is that person and that's all you want to know. You can't stop thinking about her and the weirdest things remind you of her. You memorize her facial expressions and the little things she may do. Her laugh is your soundtrack and her smile is your sun, her eyes your moon and stars. But her as a whole is your oxygen, without it you'd be dead."
"How could you feel that for another person?"
"I don't know but I know I've been married to that woman in that house for a good 56 years and I still don't plan on losing her to anyone."
I stood there and watched my grandfather talk about my grandmother with such adoration it was touching.
End flashback
"Troy?" I jumped out of my daydream and turned to see my dad walking over to me.
"Hey," I said avoiding his eyes by turning back towards the hoop.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm fine dad why?"
"Well I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I mean when you snapped on your mom-"
"I'm fine dad alright."
"Fine, how did things with Gabriella and her mom go? Good I hope."
"Yea they talked and went baby clothes shopping and stuff. Gabriella's happy." I said shooting the basket.
"Are you playing tomorrow?" I went and retrieve the ball before turning back to my dad.
"Yea, why wouldn't I?"
"Don't you think you should take it out this time Troy? Your grandfather just died,"
"I know dad and we're not leaving until Saturday so I may as well play."
"Troy-"
"Dad please, I'm still trying to figure out how I'll tell Gabriella without making her freak out. Why the hell did he have to die this week?"
"Troy-"
"No dad it's fine, really I'm fine." I walked over towards him and shoved the ball into his chest before running back to the house
People who reviewed with their ideas of what would happen I told you, you were wrong. I really just couldn't find a way to write the chapter with Gabriella and her mom without constantly having Gabriella's mom apologizing for what she said and did. I know you guys are probably thinking of ways I could have done it but I did try believe me. but when I read it over it bored me. but a great surprise is coming from all of this....trust. -----