He took a deep breath as he felt his body collapse in the recliner. His eyes blink repeatedly, trying to stay awake as he hadn't gotten sleep in the last two nights. Instead his nights were spent remembering and drowning in self pity when in reality all he had to do was pick up his phone and talk to her, but he couldn't because he'd then have to face the fact that she might's seen the ring and that was just something he didn't know if he could deal with right now.
His nights were also spent just laying there, tossing and turning having the empty house he returned to on Monday haunt him. He knew after he talked to Chad and reached his house which was thirty minutes away, but he managed to cut the time down to 15 that when he ran into the house it was all too quiet.
Gabriella's voice wasn't floating through the air, practicing a new song as she went about her daily routine, she wasn't in the bedroom packing, she wasn't on the phone with Tay, Shar, or Kelsi, and she wasn't there for him.
He rubbed his temples as he stared down at the ground. Oblivious to the people around him: Chad fighting Sharpay for the remote, Jason talking to Kelsi about her shifts at the hospital as Zeke and Taylor were discussing something about the wedding.
He messed up with Gabriella. He would admit that, but since he realized that with the help of Chad, why should he have been punished by having Gabriella leave without talking to him. He knew that it was his fault, and instead of hugging and kissing her good bye, he was left a note. A measly note that read: I had to leave Troy. I'll be looking for you at your game because I know you'll do great. I love you--Brie.
Troy ran his hand through his hair. He had tried calling her, but as he dialed in her number, he would always find some excuse not too. Like when Chad was over the previous day, it was rude to talk on the phone with a guest over. When he tried calling while he was eating, he was convinced that he could accidentally choke while talking and no one would be there to give him CPR. Or his more practical reason was, he was scared.
From what the note sounded like, it didn't sound like she was mad, but what if she was? He could possible make her so mad that she ends up fucking up her tour. Or she really did see the ring and she was freaked out; even though the note she left contradicted that, but that wasn't the way he was supposed to tell her. And the last reason that was the real reason Troy wasn't facing his problems was, he just didn't want too. He wanted to somehow find the magically impossible way to take back time and start things over with her. He was just trying to find courage.
"Bolton, what is that?" Taylor asked with disgust as Troy turned his head to see where the black haired girl was pointing. He followed her fingers past the various items he had in his living room and over to the table that held a plate with what he presumed was left over syrup, but from where he was sitting he couldn't be too sure.
"Oh my God, if I get some kind of disease from this house I swear I'll give it to you." Sharpay threatened as Troy and the guys just rolled their eyes. They really didn't mind how well Troy's house was, just as long as he was okay, which anyone could see he wasn't. And Troy knew from the unexpected visit he got from Taylor and Chad that those visits were going to become annual visits so that Taylor could check in with him and make sure that he was getting the essentials.
"Relax, it's just a plate. No big deal." Chad scoffed as he sent Troy an annoyed look while rolling his eyes. Troy just let a small smile show, sending it towards Chad so he at least knew that his best friend was still responding to other people.
"So is there anything on TV?" Kelsi asked as Sharpay grabbed the remote before any of the guys could and flicked it on.
Troy slumped back in his chair while tapping his fingers boredly on the arm of the chair. He just wanted to go to bed right now, he was tired and morning basketball practice had been a bitch since he was off his game.
He couldn't hit a single shot outside the three point line and could barely make his lay ups. The Coach was slowly getting irritated, but he didn't pull Troy aside yet so Troy figured he still had a couple of practices that he could make it up to the coach and show him that he was still serious about his game.
"I'm just very lucky to get a chance like this, and all this is new to me so it's very exciting." A sweet voice that Troy knew all too well came out of his TV speakers and floated through the living room as it seemed like everyone one of his friends shut up and were glancing nervously back and forth between the TV screen of Gabriella sitting down and talking to an interviewer on a music station and Troy himself who had his eyes glued to the TV screen.
She looked beautiful. She was wearing a white and orange summer dress, her hair in curls down to her shoulders, a smile that seemed like it couldn't get any bigger, and her eyes. Troy couldn't get over her eyes and how they sparkled just talking about her music.
"Maybe we should change…" Taylor trailed off as Sharpay turned the volume up on the TV and Troy could still feel eyes on him as he just stared forward.
Gabriella brushed a curl out of her eyes with a magnificent smile on her face. She seemed to be glowing as the interviewer asked her a question, "So what did it feel like last night after the show? Did you get the crazy rush of adrenaline like some other people?"
Gabriella licked her bottom lip as she thought about it for a moment. "It's definitely something that I can used too. It's just this awesome feeling that sticks with you hopefully for forever." Gabriella let out a small laugh and it was like music to Troy's ears just hearing her laugh again since it had been awhile since he's seen her truly happy.
"So I know you probably get his often, but…How's your relationship going with Mr. Basketball Captain, Troy Bolton?" Troy now felt everyone's eyes on him as he shifted in his seat almost anxiously. He was hoping for some sign that she would give him a clue on whether or not she still counted them as being together.
He didn't know how he got himself in this situation, but he was. Part of him wanted her to just say fuck their relationship and make it easier on him to wallow around, blaming himself and the much more stronger part of him was hoping she would say they were still together and then if she did do that, he would somehow have to find some way to get back on her good side and work through his mixed up feelings.
"Um…" Gabriella stuttered as Troy tensed up even more. He was on the edge of his seat as he saw Gabriella glance down at the ground nervously for a quick second and then back to the woman who she was sitting next to. "Right now he's working very hard for the Championships that are coming up, and I'm very excited to see him in a couple of days."
Troy's heart pounded faster as he swore everyone could hear it. Did she just say she was excited to see him?! And even though the note she left him said that too, it was a lot more reassuring hearing her sweet soft voice announce it worldwide to whoever was watching this channel.
Troy blocked out the happy squeals coming through the girls mouths on accident, the smiles Jason and Zeke were sending him, or the hand that clapped him on the back coming from his best friend. He was too busy being in shock about what Gabriella just admitted. She still missed him even though she was doing something she loves, even though she was across the country, she still misses him, and even though he was a jerk when he found out about the tour, she still missed him and that was all the reassuring he needed.
The channel went to a commercial and Sharpay flicked the TV off again as Troy just stared in shock still at the TV. "Her concert was amazing last night." Sharpay announced as Troy whips his head to the girl in all pink sitting at the end of his couch, snuggled up to Zeke who had his arm around her.
"What?" He asks as those are the first words he spoke almost all day.
Sharpay nodded her head as she inspected her nails either out of nerves which she rarely ever, or she just wasn't that interested in the subject. "Yeah, I got the concert on paper-view last night. She was called back for a couple of encores. It was huge."
Troy felt his mouth go dry. His Gabriella was making it big and he wasn't even there to congratulate her like a good boyfriend should. And it was his fault.
It was dim behind the stage. The crowd could be heard from a mile away. The air was hot as she was waving her hand in front of her face to cool her off. Her breathing was ragged as her chest was slowly settling down. Sweat was evident on her forehead, mixing into her make up that professionals spent hours on. Her hair in natural curls with a lot of hair spray even though her hair was naturally curly.
Her long tan legs carried her to her dressing room that was about the size of her old bedroom that she shared with Troy. It was air conditioned and all Gabriella wanted to do was stay up and do something. She was still on the high of her second show Thursday night. She had just got done with her third encore and was ecstatic at how everything was working out.
"Well done Miss Montez." Gabriella turned her head to see a girl no older than twenty working on some electrical light and she smiled at her.
"Thanks." She replied, blushing slightly at how much more popular she was becoming and how everyone she saw who worked on the stage, lighting, sound, and traveled with her always told her how well she was doing when they saw her.
Gabriella gripped the cool brass knob to the white door that read her name and opened it as a huge grin appeared on her face and she let out a squeal of joy. "Oh my God!" She exclaimed as she naturally rushed forward, not even registering the slamming of her door behind her, as she launched her petite sweaty body into the waiting arms.
"How you doing kid? The show was amazing." The deep voice greeted as Gabriella clung onto him. Her heat was pounding as she could barely wrap her mind around the fact that Matt was there.
"I'm doing pretty damn good. What are you doing here?" She pulled away as she felt energized. She felt like she was on the top of the world. She loved the feeling she got after a show as to her it almost felt like getting a high without actually endangering her body.
He smiled proudly down at her as Gabriella was nearly bouncing in her spot. She swiped at her curls, making sure they stayed behind her ears. "Well one of my most promising clients was performing tonight and I had a couple of free days…" He trailed off.
"I'm glad that you're here." Gabriella said as her breathing was normal and things were slowly cooling down. She could no longer feel the stage lights burning through her, the music pumping through her, her blood rushing through her body as it moved gracefully across the stage in front of her roaring fans.
"I'm so proud of you Gabriella." Matt complimented as Gabriella felt the color go to her cheeks. "Everything's going good then?"
Gabriella rolled her eyes playfully as she walked into her dressing room that held a vanity set, a mirror that had lights around it, her make up was spread out, her hair products all over the place making it seem like she was at home rather than across the country. She walked past the red couch that mixed well with the cream colored and off white walls and over to the table that held jewelry on it. She started taking off her ear rings as she heard Matt's footsteps walk somewhere in her dressing room.
Gabriella turned around as her hands reached up and started working on the necklace clasp as Matt made himself comfortable and grabbed a water out of the fridge. He flashed her a smile as he sat down on the couch and grabbed one of the magazines on the coffee table that was close to the couch.
Gabriella looked at Matt oddly as she found that Matt knew exactly what he was doing while he flipped through various pages, his eyes scrunched up as he seemed to be concentrating. "So how's the family?" Gabriella asked as she received no response.
"Here it is!" He exclaimed happily. "My sources say that this tour was completely unexpected. How did Troy, your boyfriend for a couple of months, react to this?--Your answer, …He was surprised that it came this fast. He knew that this would happen as he had been one of the most encouraging people I've met, but yet this whole thing came as a shocker to everyone, myself included. And you hesitated." Matt accused with a sly grin on his face.
Gabriella sighed and rolled her eyes. She remembered that interview from Sunday after she did a photo shoot. She was caught off guard by that question the man threw at her. He was really nice and Gabriella thought she would be able to steer clear of relationship questions and the man apologized for having to intrude like that after, but Gabriella deep down expected it. She didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to let the whole nation in on her relationship with Troy; she wanted to try to keep them separate.
Matt looked at Gabriella with concern in in his light green eyes. "I haven't seen him around lately. How's he doing?" Matt beat around the bush and Gabriella sighed.
She always considered Matt somewhat like a father figure as he got her a very big break after and during college. "He took this tour news how I feared he would." Gabriella admitted shyly as the high from her show wore down even more from just talking about Troy and having this serious topic about their messed up relationship come up. That was just the effect Troy had over her, her emotions could change instantly, and most of the time it was a great thing.
Matt exhaled as they both heard his cell phone ring out and he stood up as he pulled it out of his back pocket. He looked down at the screen apologetically and quickly pressed the silent button before looking back up at Gabriella without putting the phone away.
"He'll come around. He seems like a bright kid." Matt encouraged as Gabriella nodded her head while kicking her foot slightly against the ground in a scoffing motion, pretending it didn't bother her that much that she hadn't been able to get a hold of him lately, but that was a lie. She looked up with a smile plastered on her face, trying to keep her mind occupied on other things, that was the only thing that would work from making herself stop thinking about Troy. "I got to go kid. But I'll see you before my plane leaves tomorrow."
Gabriella nodded her head with a soft smile on her face as she walked over to where Matt stood. He engulfed her in a hug. "I knew I picked a star all those years back." Matt whispered as Gabriella rolled her eyes while pulling back.
"It was only a couple of years ago." She points out as he chuckles.
"You're doing great Gabriella. I'll see you later." He said as he started walking over to the door.
Gabriella followed a step behind. "Yeah, I have to get to the hotel soon anyways." Gabriella waved one more time as she shut the door behind Matt and sighed.
She made her way over to the mirror in her dressing room and looked at the upper right hand corner where a picture was. She slowly raised her hand as she took the picture down and held it. It was of Troy in the middle of rolling his eyes at her as she was trying to figure out how her new camera worked and he was busy shooting hoops in Chad's backyard.
And even though he was rolling his eyes at her he still had that irresistible smile on his face while you could make out his six pack easily and his strong arms that loved to encircle her waist.
She gave one last smile to that picture as she laid it down delicately on the table in front of her and opened a drawer to reveal her cell phone. She flipped it open and dialed a very familiar number and propped the phone up near her ear.
She heard it ring once and her stomach flipped just thinking about his sexy voice that would be coming through the wires and to her ears.
She heard it ring twice and her heart beat picked up. She stared down at the picture again and she could almost feel his sweaty body pressed up against hers.
She heard it ring a third time and she let out a shaky breath, her hopes slowly going down as she realized that maybe he wasn't going to pick up again.
She heard it ring a fourth time and his voice mail picked up. She shut her phone deciding against leaving a pleading message as that wasn't how she wanted her first words spoken to Troy since she left for three days received.
She picked up her purse and stuffed her cell phone in it before looking around at the dressing room that she occupied for two nights. This is what she wanted. She had always wanted to sing deep down and now she was and it was great. It was just when she was alone and had no one to occupy her that she thought about all the other things going on in her life that worried her. What if she didn't make the right decision?