Disclaimer: I do not own any of the amazing HSM characters!
Chapter 36 - Preparations
Gabriella was stressed, excited, happy, anxious, nervous and every other emotion you can think of. She had about a month and a half left until she graduated high school. Everywhere she looked at school there were posters advertising the graduation ceremony and telling seniors where they can buy their graduation caps and gowns from. Gabriella was not looking forward to wearing one of those. Luckily they were red though and she pulled off red pretty well so it may not look quite as bad as she was thinking it would.
She was currently in the school library in one of her free periods. She was studying for her upcoming math exam. She was quite clued up when it came to math so this was really just refreshing her memory on the topics she hadn't learnt in a while. She felt her cell vibrate in her pocket as she was reading over her notes so she took it from her jean pocket and saw she had one new text message.
'Hey babe :) You got any exams today? Love you, Troy xx' she smiled and replied.
'Hey baby :) Yep, I have a math exam in an hour so I am just doing some last minute revision :/ love you, Ella xx' she started reading her notes again but it wasn't long until her cell buzzed again.
'Oh sucks baby :/ Well I will leave you to revise:) You'll do great beautiful, just stay calm and remember you can do it! I'll call you later to see how it went... I love you loads xx' she smiled again and quickly text him back.
'Thanks babe:) I appreciate the pep talk:P I love you too xx' She then got back to her last minute revision, making sure her brain was full of math equations and solutions.
Gabriella sighed as she left the examination hall. She had just sat a two hour math exam and was so glad it was over. She thought she did pretty well, she didn't really struggle with many questons and she took that as a good sign. She had no classes or exams for the last hour of school so she went out to the parking lot to get in the car. She climbed in and got out her cell. She switched it on and saw three text messages. She smiled and read them. The first was off Lucille.
'Good luck sweetie, love Jack and Lucie x' she smiled and read the next. It was from Kyle.
'I hear you have your math exam today sis... Good luck... Let me know how it goes x' the third message was off Sharpay.
'Shopping this weekend babes, good luck in your exam Hun... Love ya xxx' Gabriella rolled her eyes and put her phone on the passenger seat with her bag.
She then started the engine and began the short journey home from school, a journey she wouldn't have to make ever again in a month. She switched on the radio and smiled as she heard Troy's favourite song playing. She turned it up and sang along. Her window was down and the breeze felt amazing as it was getting hotter in Albuquerque. It took around twenty minutes to get home and when she did she saw Jack was back early. She frowned, that was weird. She got out of her car and locked it as she walked towards the porch. She spotted Jack sitting on the bench swing and he smiled.
"Hey Jack... What are you doing home?" Gabriella asked as she sat by him.
"I felt tired... So I left Joe the keys to lock up" he said mentioning his assistant staff member.
"Oh no... Are you coming down with something?" She worried.
"No I am fine sweetheart..." he patted her knee.
"If you're sure..." she trailed off.
"I am positive" he smiled.
"Ok... Well I need to go do some more revision and I promised Troy I would call" she smiled.
"Alright... I'll be right here" he laughed.
"Ok..." she kissed his cheek and went inside.
Gabriella got a glass of ice cold water from the fridge before going up to her room. She opened her window to let some air into the room and sat on the bed. After taking a long sip of her water she got out her cell phone and dialed Troy's cell. (Gabriella/Troy)
"Hey babe" he answered.
"Hey" she smiled. "You ok?" She asked.
"Yep, good thanks... How are you? The exam go ok?" He wondered.
"I'm alright... Yeah I think it went good" she nodded.
"See I told you that it'd be fine" he said with a smile that she could hear.
"I know you did" she giggled.
"So what you up to now then babes?" He asked.
"Nothing much baby... Just got home... Your dad is back already..." she said with concern.
"Right... Is that a problem?" He asked, confusion obvious in his voice.
"Well I don't know... He just doesn't normally get home until like half past 5 and he looks really tired and run down" she frowned.
"Babe he will be fine... He does that sometimes... He is getting on a bit" he joked.
"He did say he was just tired..." she trailed off.
"There you go... Just relax... If it was more serious he would say" he reassured her.
"I know... I just worry about him and Lucie... I don't think I could handle losing them" she sighed.
"Hey, hey, hey... What has brought all this on?" He asked softly.
"I don't know... I just think everything is making my emotions more raw... Once exams are over I should be back to normal" she giggled.
"Good... Well don't worry about them two... They won't be going anywhere anytime soon" she smiled.
"I know... Thanks... You always know what to say" she giggled.
"Its a gift baby" he laughed.
"Big headed much?" She teased.
"You love it" he bantered back. "You doing much tonight?" He asked her.
"Nah not really... Just going to chill out" she smiled.
"Yeah same here... I am counting down the days until I can finish for the summer" he chuckled.
"Awww baby its not long now... Only a couple weeks for you" she told him.
"I know... I can't wait... Have you decided what college to go to yet?" He asked.
"Yeah... Well I think so" she said hesitantly.
"And...?" He questioned.
"New York" she mumbled.
"New York?" He asked in shock. "Are you kidding me?" She sighed.
"I know it is really far away babe and I have thought about it a lot..." she started. "But this college is the best for what I want to do and..." Troy cut her off.
"Baby, you don't have to explain your reasons to me... You supported me when I decided to come out here for college so I will support you if New York is what's right for you" he announced.
"I know.. I just feel bad we never disgussed it" she stated.
"Baby this is your future... I am not going to stand in the way of that" he told her.
"But my future is your future Troy... I want you to help me decide" she sighed.
"Well if New York is what you want then New York is where you will go" he told her.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Positive baby" she smiled.
"I love you so much" she whispered.
"I love you too baby" she could hear his smile. "I guess I need to do some research huh?" He stated.
"Research?" She frowned.
"Yeah... On how long it would take for me to get to you from here" she smiled.
"Babe I already did that... That was one of the first things I checked when I was deciding where to go... That is the only down fall... We probably wouldn't be able to see much of each other" she sighed. "That is the one reason that is stopping me from deciding completely" she admitted.
"Why how long would it take?" He asked.
"Well if you got a flight that went straight from LA to NYC it would take 5 hours plus however far from the airport the college is... But if you couldn't get a non-stop flight it would take between 7 - 10 hours!" She exclaimed.
"Woah.. That's a lot longer than I thought" he admitted.
"I know... Me too... I don't think I could handle that distance... It's hard enough being this far away from you" she sighed.
"Babe, you can't use that as an excuse to miss out on your college dreams ok? If you want New York we will figure something out" he told her. "Besides your four hours away from me now... What is an extra hour huh?" He stated.
"I guess I never thought of it like that..." she trailed off.
"So now that you have realised that, is New York where you wanna go?" He asked again.
"Yes..." she said slowly.
"Then email or ring the application people and tell them you accpet their place" he urged her.
"Are you sure?" She checked.
"It isn't up to me baby girl... This is all you" she smiled and nodded.
"Okay... Thanks Troy... I appreciate everything you do for me" she told him.
"That's what I am here for..." he said. "Look I gotta go babe but I will call you later alright?" He told her.
"Ok babe" she smiled.
"Bye baby... Love you" he said softly.
"Love you too" she said before hanging up.
Gabriella stayed in her room for a couple of hours after speaking with Troy. In that time she did her revision for her chemistry exam she had at 9am tomorrow morning. When she was sure she had all the information in her head she went back downstairs. As she reached the bottom of the staircase Lucille entered through the front door.
"Hey Lucie" she greeted her with a smile and a hug.
"Hey sweetheart, how did the exam go?" Lucille asked.
"It went well I think" Gabriella nodded.
"That's good... Have you spoken to Troy?" She wondered.
"Yep... I called him a couple of hours ago... I have decided which college I am going to attend" she smiled.
"Oh really? Which one darling?" Lucille asked as they walked through to the kitchen.
"New York" she said and Lucille whipped around to face her.
"Why so far?" She gasped.
"Its the best college for my course" Gabriella smiled.
"But it is so far away" she said in shock.
"I know... But its a really good college and I really want to make sure I get good qualifications for my future" she explained.
"Your mom and dad would be so proud" Lucille hugged the young girl and kissed her head.
"You really think so?" Gabriella smiled.
"I know so" Lucille confirmed with a smile of her own.
Gabriella smiled bigger and thanked Lucille who nodded. She then left the kitchen and went to the family room where Jack was watching ESPN. She sat by him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she cuddled up to him. He kissed the top of her head and she smiled.
"You feeling better pops?" She asked.
"Sure am sweetie... Just a rest is what I needed" he smiled at her.
"Good..." she smiled.
"How did your exam go? I forgot to ask earlier" he remembered.
"It went well I think.. I didn't really struggle much" she said to him.
"Ah I knew you'd do good baby girl" she smiled at the nickname.
"My dad used to call me that" she said.
"I know, I used to be there when he did" Jack smiled.
"You really are like a dad to me Jack" she smiled. "Thank you for everything" she hugged him tighter.
"You don't need to thank me... You're like the daughter we never got to have and we wouldn't let anything happen to you" he stated and she smiled.
"Thank you" she looked up at him. "Love you pops" he smiled.
"Love you too kiddo" she leant up and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before resting her head back against his side.
The two then sat there watching television together for a while. They finished watching what Jack had started and then Jack let Gabriella choose a movie. Just as 'Bandslam' was starting Lucille entered and sat down with her husband and 'daughter' to watch it also.
The movie finished at around 7:30pm and Lucille said she would go and make a light dinner. Jack then made her sit back down and said he would order them take out so she didn't have to cook. Lucille protested saying she wanted to but he still shook his head and picked up the home phone to place an order. Gabriella giggled at the two and enjoyed how playful their relationship still was after so many years together.
After Jack ordered them a Chinese take out he said he was going for a shower as they waited for it to arrive. Gabriella then said she was going to change into comfy clothes and Lucille decided to get the plates and cutlery ready for when the food got there.
Gabriella returned twenty minutes later and spotted Jack and Lucille in the family room. They were sat on the sofa cuddling up to each other. She smiled when she spotted Jack kiss Lucille softly once and heard Lucille sigh. That is exactly what Gabriella did when Troy kissed her like that. She continued to observe the two for a few more minutes and just wished she and Troy could be half as happy as they were when they were in their forties.
After a few minutes she cleared her throat and entered the room. The two adults smiled at her and Lucille went to sit up but Gabriella stopped her. She told her to stay where she was and then went to sit on the recliner chair. The two adults smiled at the 18 year old who always tried to make sure others were happy.
They all talked and, once the food arrived, they ate as a family. They spoke about Troy and how he only had two years left at college; talked about Gabriella's graduation; the gym and Lucille's company. They all enjoyed just being together and having a fun evening. At 10:00pm Gabriella announced she was going to bed as she wanted to be fresh in her exam tomorrow. She kissed both Jack and Lucille goodnight before going up to her room.
A few minutes later as Gabriella climbed into bed she heard her cell phone ring. She smiled as she knew who it would be and answered it. (Gabriella/Troy)
"Hey Troy" she smiled.
"Hey babe, just thought I'd call to say goodnight" she heard him say.
"I have actually just got into bed" she giggled.
"Good timing then huh?" He laughed.
"Perfect timing babe... Are you heading to bed soon?" She asked.
"I am actually in bed now... I have been for a few hours now..." he stated.
"Really? Why so early?" She wondered.
"I don't feel so great..." he admitted.
"Awww baby are you sick?" She worried.
"I'm alright... Just a bit of a cold I think" he eased her worry.
"Okay... Well I am going then so you can sleep it off" she told him.
"Ok baby, I will call you in the morning before your exam" he announced.
"Ok babe" she smiled. "I hope you feel better soon... I love you" she said softly.
"Hearing that has made me feel better already" he spoke softly.
"Good... Night babe" she smiled.
"Night Princess... Love you" he murmured before hanging up.
The next morning as promised Troy called Gabriella and wished her luck for her exam. They spoke the whole ride to school as she put in her handsfree headset. They spoke about her exam and how she was feeling about it; about what his schedule was like today; what time they both finished classes and talked about how good Hawaii was going to be. As Gabriella parked the car she said goodbye to her boyfriend and promised to call him after her exam.
She got to the exam room with ten minutes to spare so she spent this time calming herself and relaxing. The worst thing you could do is enter an exam stressed and panicked. As she sat there telling herself she could do this Taylor entered and shot her a smile. Gabriella waved slightly as her friend sat in her seat. They were across the room from each other which was good as both would end up laughing if they sat near each other.
Soon enough the exam started and Gabriella got straight to it. After writing her name and homeroom group on the front she opened the book and smiled. The first question was one she was very clued up on. I hope the rest of the exam is like this, she thought.
Gabriella walked out of the exam room an hour later feeling happy. The exam was easy and she just knew she had done well. She didn't have any other exams today and all classes had been cancelled for seniors so that they could use their non-exam time for revision. Gabriella waited for Taylor outside the class and when her friend walked out they hugged.
"How was it?" Taylor asked.
"I found it quite easy to be honest Hun... You?" Gabriella smiled.
"Yeah same... I actually thought maybe they had given us the wrong paper" the two laughed.
"Yeah... I guess it is good... Means we revised properly" Gabriella said.
"Yeah... You got any more exams today?" Taylor asked.
"Nope... I don't have one now until tomorrow afternoon" Gabriella smiled.
"Lucky you... I have my drama exam today" Taylor sighed.
"Ah... Good luck babes... You'll do great" Gabriella hugged her friend.
"Yeah I hope... I better go and start getting ready" she rolled her eyes.
"Ok babe... Text me yeah?" Taylor nodded. "Bye Hun" they hugged again and then Gabriella made her way out of the building and to the parking lot.
She got to her car pretty quickly as she parked close to the entrance this morning. She switched on her cell as she got in the car and saw she had yet another text off Jack and Lucille wishing her luck. She decided to go visit Jack at the gym and to see if he wanted to grab some lunch with her. She also text Lucille saying the exam went really well.
Traffic was quiet at this time as it was only 10:30am. She drove in the direction of the gym and sang along to the music on the radio as the sun shone through the windows. She reached her destination after ten minutes or so and parked her car next to Jack's at the side of the road. She locked up the car and then walked inside. She smiled when she saw him coaching a young boy in the ring. He spotted her and told the boy to go get something to drink and told him well done.
Gabriella waited by Jack's office door and when he reached her he gave her a warm hug. She hugged him back tightly and smiled when she felt him place a soft kiss in her hair. The two then went in his office and he sat behind his desk. Gabriella sat in the chair across from him and smiled.
"How you feeling today?" She asked him.
"A lot better" he smiled.
"Good" she nodded.
"How was the exam?" He asked as he started shuffling some papers that were on his desk.
"It went good... I thought it was easy" she stated.
"That's good sweetheart" he smiled.
"Yeah... Have you had lunch?" She asked.
"Nope... Not yet" he smiled.
"Fancy going to grab something? We could ask Lucie if she wanted to come" she suggested.
"Sounds good love... I just need to finish off training with Jake out there and then we can go" Gabriella nodded and said she'd stay in his office until he was done.
As Jack finished off training with Jake Gabriella called Lucille's office. After getting through to her she asked how her day was going and wondered if she wanted to come for lunch. Lucille said she would love to but she had a lot of paperwork so couldn't and was going to have her sandwhich in her office. Gabriella tried persuading her to come but she insisted she just couldn't get away.
After ending the call Gabriella left Jack's office and walked over to the boxing ring. Jack had just finished with Jake and he smiled at Gabriella.
"I spoke to Lucie" she stated.
"Is she coming for lunch?" He asked of his wife.
"No, she said she has too much work to do" Gabriella rolled her eyes.
"Typical Luce... Well I will just go and tell Joe I am nipping out for an hour or so" Gabriella nodded and agreed to meet him outside.
Once Jack had told Joe he was going out to lunch he went outside to find Gabriella. They took his car to the mall where they decided just to go to the food court for something to eat. They both decided to have Jacket potatoes and Jack insisted on paying. He told Gabriella to go and find some seats as he got the food. It was now 11:30am so the lunch time menu was now available. After getting the food Jack smiled when he spotted Gabriella near an open window.
"Good spot" he smiled.
"I know right? It is so hot" she giggled. "What did you get pops?" She asked as she took her food off the tray.
"Just a plain cheese one" he smiled.
"Hmmm... Smells good" she smiled.
"Yeah... Eat up" he told her and she nodded.
The two ate their lunch and talked for a good hour. They hadn't been out just the two of them for ages so it felt nice. Gabriella really did see Jack as a father figure. Okay, so she would always have her number one dad but Jack was a very good stand in while he wasn't here. Gabriella was just happy and thankful that she had Jack and Lucille because without them she didn't think she could survive all the heartache she has gone through.
Once they had finished eating they headed back to the gym as Jack had heaps to do due to finishing early yesterday. When they reached the gym Gabriella thanked Jack for lunch and then went to her car. It was now quarter to one and she was planning on going home and having a swim in the pool. It didn't take long for her to reach the house and she was so happy when she did. Exams were really stressing her out so a nice relaxing swim would feel amazing.
It took her twenty minutes or so to get ready for the pool. She had put on her plain white bikini. She slipped her white flip-flops on her feet and took one of Troy's T-Shirts down with her to use as a cover up. She put on her big white sunglasses and lay a towel down on one of the sun loungers. She kicked her shoes off under the lounger and then went to the edge of the water. She sat down on the side of the pool and even though the water was cold she didn't hesitate to slip into the water fully. She started swimming quickly to warm up a little which didn't take long due to the sun still shining brightly.
She had just finished swimming her eighth length of the pool when she heard her cell ringing from its spot on the sun lounger. She pushed herself up and out of the pool then went over to take the call. She quickly dried her hands and answered the call before it got to voicemail.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey babe, its me" she smiled at the sound of her boyfriend's voice. (Gabriella/Troy)
"Hey baby" she said. "How are you?" She asked as she sat down on her towel.
"I'm ok... Was just wondering how the exam went this morning seen as you didn't call..." he teased.
"Oh crap I forgot, sorry baby... I bumped into Tay afterwards and then went to meet pops and had some lunch with him and it totally slipped my mind to call you" she explained guiltily.
"Baby its cool... Did it go ok?" He asked.
"Yes, very well babe" she nodded with a smile.
"That's good beautiful... What you doing now?" He wondered.
"I am just chilling out... I was having a swim before you called" she told him.
"Hmmm... I am so gutted I am missing you wearing a bikini" he said and she could picture his smirk.
"You'll get to see it soon enough" she giggled.
"I can't wait... Especially when we go to Hawaii... A full two weeks of me and you" he sighed.
"You alright baby?" She asked softly.
"Yeah, just a down day I think..." he told her. "I just really wish I could be there to support you as you go through your exams" he sighed again.
"Awww baby... Your college finishes for summer in a few weeks... Just keep that in mind and you'll be fine" she reassured him. "And I know you support me, as long as we keep talking on the phone we will be ok..." she smiled.
"I know, I just really miss you" he stated.
"And I really miss you too" she said as she lay back on the sun lounger.
"That's good to know" he chuckled but Gabriella could tell he was still a little down.
"Babe why don't you have a boys night or something to help take your mind of everything?" She suggested. "I hate to think of you being down and alone and stuff" she sighed.
"Baby girl I am ok... Don't worry about me" he told her.
"But I do worry, all the time..." she said quietly.
"Well, we are in the same boat then because that is what I am like with you... But like you said I will be back home with you in no time" he said and she could hear his smile.
"Yeah... I look forward to it" she smiled.
"Me too... You revising tonight?" He asked.
"Well its an English Literature exam tomorrow afternoon and you can't really revise that so I think I will just read through my notes a little bit" she explained.
"Sounds very productive baby" he said.
"Yeah... Are you going to do something with the guys?" She asked again.
"I dunno... I'll see what they have planned... They will probs have their girls with them" he told her.
"Oh right... Could you not go too though?" She wondered.
"I could... But I wouldn't want to" he laughed.
"Babe just because I am not there doesn't mean you can't go out with your friends and their girlfriends" she rolled her eyes.
"I know I could go I just don't want to" he explained.
"Well if you say so" she sighed.
"Baby I am fine trust me ok?" She giggled.
"Ok, alright" he laughed at her answer.
"Good..." he said. "Now I am going to let you finish off relaxing"
"Ok babe... Want me to call you later or shall I wait for you to call me incase you do end up doing something?" She asked.
"Its up to you babe... I will still answer even if I am out" she smiled.
"Okay... Well I'll text you first then" she told him.
"Oki Doki baby" he said.
"I love you loads babes" she smiled.
"I love you too honey" he told her before they hung up.
Gabriella stayed outside sunbathing for another hour or so before she decided to head back inside. She went upstairs to shower after swimming and to change for when Jack and Lucille got home. As she stepped under the warm, running water after undressing she sighed. The water felt so nice against her skin. She ran her hands through her hair and massaged her scalp.
After half an hour the water started to cool so she thought it was time to get out. She turned off the water and wrapped herself in a pink, fluffy towel. She wiped some steam off the mirror and looked at her reflection. She stood there looking at her reflection for a few minutes, wanting to see what it was that Troy saw when he called her beautiful, sexy and all the other compliments he paid her on a regular basis. She then went into the bedroom and got changed into some jog pants and one of Troy's T-Shirts.
She ran a brush through her wet hair and tied it up in a loose ponytail as she couldn't be bothered drying it but didn't want it to frizz. Once she was dressed again she walked downstairs and smiled when she spotted both Jack and Lucille walking through the front door.
"Hey guys" she smiled.
"Hey sweetie" Lucille hugged her. "How was your free afternoon?" She asked.
"Really good, I just had a swim and sunbathed" she smiled.
"Ah that is good love... What would you like for dinner?" Lucille asked as she walked through to the kitchen.
"I'll cook Lucie... You two have been working all day... Why don't you go have a relaxing bath and Jack you go watch sport or something and I will shout you when dinner is done" she suggested with another smile.
"You don't have to do that love" Lucille smiled.
"I want to... Really" Gabriella smiled.
"Okay, well thank you" Lucille kissed the top of her head before taking her advice and going for a relaxing bath. Jack smiled at the young girl and gave her a fatherly embrace before grabbing a beer from the fridge and going to watch some TV.
Gabriella made Chicken, rice and vegetables for dinner. The chicken breasts took around forty minutes to cook, the vegetables took around thirty minutes in the steamer and the rice only took ten minutes or so. She served it all up in a presentable way and set the table all nice too. She put a single flower in the centre of the table in a thin vase and got Jack a fresh beer from the fridge as well as pouring Lucille large glass of wine. She got herself a glass of juice and once all the plates of food were on the table she went into the family room. Lucille had joined Jack after her bath and the two were cuddling on the sofa.
"Dinner is ready" Gabriella announced and they both looked up at her.
"Okay" Lucille smiled and got up with Jack following.
"Smells delicious sweetheart" he commented.
"Oh wow" Lucille gasped when she saw the table.
"Gabriella this looks amazing" Jack smiled.
"I wanted to do something kind of special... You know to say thanks for all you guys have done for me" she smiled.
"Well there really was no need but thank you" Lucille hugged her before they all sat down to eat the delicious smelling and looking food.
The three ate the meal and talked about their days. Jack and Lucille both complimented Gabriella on her cooking skills and said it was one of the tastiest meals they had eaten in a long while. Gabriella blushed at the compliments and said she'd wash the dishes when they were all done.
"No! You go and watch TV or go and chill out or whatever... I am washing up" Lucille ordered.
"Are you sure? I don't mind helping" Gabriella stated.
"Absolutely not... Jack can help" he groaned and Gabriella giggled.
"Thanks Lucie... I think I am going to call Troy and then get an early night" she announced.
"Ok darling... See you tomorrow" Lucille kissed her cheek.
"Night Lucie... Night Jack" she hugged him and then went upstairs. She grabbed her cell off the dresser, which she left there after her shower, and saw she had a text off Troy.
'I am going out with the guys babe, don't know what time I'll get in:/ If it isn't too late I will call:) I love you baby, with all my heart xxx 3 xxx' Gabriella smiled and had a look at what time it was sent: 7:00pm so that was just over an hour ago. She decided to text him back incase he couldn't call.
'Have a fun night handsome:) Don't worry if you can't call, just make sure you have a good time:) I love you too baby, so much:) Speak later maybe and if not I will call you tomorrow:) xx 3 xx' after the message sent she decided to go on her laptop seen as she wasn't talking to Troy.
She signed onto her MSN and saw Taylor was online.
TayMac: Hey:)
PrincessElla: Hey Hun:)
TayMac: You okay?
PrincessElla: Yeah I'm alright babe:) You?
TayMac: I'm good:) Wuu2?
PrincessElla: Nothing much... Troy has gone out with the guys so I can't speak to him:(
TayMac: Awww bless hun
PrincessElla: lol:) wuu2?
TayMac: Just chilling out with James:)
PrincessElla: Tell him I said hi:)
TayMac: He said Hi back:)
PrincessElla: :)
TayMac: What time is your exam tomorrow babe?
PrincessElla: One o'clock:)
TayMac: That's cool:) You can have a lie in then tomorrow:)
PrincessElla: Probably not... Troy will most likely call feeling guilty that he didn't tonight lol
TayMac: Awww bless:)
PrincessElla: lol:) What time are you in tomorrow?
TayMac: 10:00am... So its not too bad:)
PrincessElla: Nah... You get like an extra hour in bed:) hehe
TayMac: Haha yeah:)
PrincessElla: Well I think I am going to go now babes... I am kinda tired :/
TayMac: Bless hun... Ok I will see you tomorrow:)
PrincessElla: Yeah ok hun:) Night xx
TayMac: Night hun xx ly xx
PrincessElla: Ly xx
Gabriella then signed off her MSN and turned off the laptop. She put it in its case and zipped it up once it was shut down completely then placed it by her nightstand where it propped up nicely. She turned the lamp off and picked up her cell. After setting her alarm for 11:00am, just incase Troy didn't call, she decided to send him another text.
'Going to bed now baby... Guess I will speak to you tomorrow:/ I hope you're having a goodnight:) I missed speaking to you tonight:( So we will have to talk extra long tomorrow lol:) I miss you babe... Love you loads xx 3 xx' she then placed her cell on the pillow on Troy's side of the bed before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
Gabriella woke up at 10:30 the next morning. She picked up her cell and disabled her alarm, it was pointless it going off at 11:00 when she was already awake. She then noticed she had a text message. She opened it and smiled.
'Sorry I never called, I have just got in so I hope this doesn't wake you:/ I will call you tomorrow:) love you with all my heart, my beautiful angel:) xxx 3 xxx'
She saw that text was sent at 1:00am. She giggled, he would still be in bed she could guarantee. She decided to try and call him and just leave a message if he didn't answer. As she was just expecting it to switch to voicemail she heard his out of breath voice. (Gabriella/Troy)
"Troy?" She frowned.
"Hey baby" he breathed.
"Urm... Are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah... I was just in the shower" he explained.
"Ah, ok... You could have let it go to voicemail babe" she giggled.
"No I wanted to answer because I thought it would be you... I am so sorry I never called last night" he apologised.
"Babe don't be silly... I am glad you were out having a good time..." she smiled.
"Okay... I missed you though" she giggled.
"Awww I missed you too" she smiled.
"Did you do anything?" He wondered.
"Urm.. Not really... I made dinner for us three and then just came to bed" she shrugged.
"Awww that was sweet of you babes" she could picture his smile.
"Well I had all afternoon off whilst they were working so it didn't seem fair that your mom or dad have to cook" she told him.
"Well I am sure they appreciated it" she smiled.
"Yeah, I made your mom go and relax in the bath as I cooked" she giggled.
"I am definitely sure she appreciated that!" He laughed.
"I just wanted to show them I appreciate all they have done for me" she explained.
"Baby they know that... You don't have to cook them dinner to show them" he said softly.
"I know but I wanted to... Makes me feel more useful as they refuse to let me pay them rent or food money" she sighed. That still got to her even after living with them for so long.
"Babe it is pointless arguing that case... You know they won't budge..." he chuckled.
"I know... I just kinda feel bad" she admitted.
"Well don't... They are happy to have you there... You don't even realise how much" he stated.
"What do you mean?" She frowned as she got comfy and rested against the head board of the bed.
"When I speak to them on the phone and stuff you are our main topic of conversation" he laughed. "I always ask them how you're doing incase you aren't being honest with me and mom never neglects to tell me how happy you make her by living there" he filled her in.
"Awww... That is so sweet" she gushed.
"I think they are starting to love you more than me!" He exclaimed.
"Babe that is so not true" she laughed. "You're their son" she stated.
"I know... But you're like the daughter they never had" he informed her.
"Your dad actually told me that the other day" she said.
"See..." he laughed.
"Alright smarty pants" she giggled. Troy laughed too and she could picture him shaking his head.
"What time are you in school today?" He asked.
"My exam starts at 1" she announced.
"Ah that's cool" she giggled.
"Yeah... I guess" he laughed.
"What time do you finish?" He wondered.
"Urm... I think it is a 90 minute exam so like half 2ish?" she stated in more of a question tone.
"That's not too bad... How many exams do you have left?"
"Including this one I have..." she trailed off as she worked it out. "About 5 I think" she said.
"Woah... I can't believe my baby is graduating high school!" He exclaimed and she giggled.
"Troy that sounds like a line a dad would use" she laughed.
"So what? I don't care... You are my baby" he said softly.
"Awww... I love you" she smiled.
"I love you too princess" he murmured through the phone.
"Look I better get ready for school and have something to eat... I'll call you when I finish?" She asked.
"Sure babe" he said.
"Bye baby" she smiled.
"Bye beautiful" he said before they hung up.
Gabriella sighed as she reached school some time later. She couldn't wait for exams to be over and to graduate. Okay she would miss her friends and the cool teachers but she just felt ready to move on to the next chapter of her life. What that was she had no idea but she was looking forward to it because it was exciting. She knew that as long as a certain blue eyed boy was included in that chapter she would be fine because with him by her side she felt complete.
How was this? I hope the time skip was ok... I know it was quite a big one but I felt it was needed and it has made it easier to reach my final chapter:) I am not sure whether the next chapter will be the final one or not:/ I think it might be but if I can think of a way to add an extra one before that I will try:) And then after the final chapter I will be writing an epilogue to round it off:)
Please Review!!
xxx Paige xxx