Chapter 44: Stronger Together

Troy's sleek, black cell phone sat on the dresser table next to a pink scrunchie. The phone started to buzz and as it vibrated, it slid across the wooden dresser and slipped off the table and landed on the floor with a thud.

Troy's eyes flew open at the sound. His head shot over to the dresser table next to him where a digital alarm clock sat reading the time as 7.02AM. He inhaled and as he did; a strand of blonde hair swept past his cheek. He smiled and looked down at the sleeping, haunched figure of Sharpay Evans.

Last night had been such a euphoric experience. Sharpay's parents had taken them out to dinner to an extremely expensive restuarant. Troy had felt uncomfortable but her parents had been very welcoming and hospitable. Ryan wouldn't take no for an answer either; he had practically dragged Troy into the family car. Sharpay had been kind of distant throughout the meal. Troy could notice her shoot him sidelong glances every now and then. At first, he thought it was because her car had been smashed and that she was worried the person who was blackmailing her was around; but soon he realised the truth.

He understood her far better then she thought he did. She was wondering if he was judging her movement, whether the truth had affected his perception of her. She wasn't convinced. It had frustrated him and even Mr. Evan's lighthearted jokes didn't steer his mind away from the misconceptions Sharpay was stirring in her mind.

Mostly, throughout the meal, Troy was taken aback by how relaxed and laid back the Evans' family was. Her parents were relatively normal as they talked about little things like Sharpay's dad was thinking of introducing a new programme for employees at work to reduce stress. Sharpay's mom applauded this and said she was going to try to encourage Sharpay and Ryan to eat anything that was green by dying it in multi-colours which made Troy laugh.

At the end of the dinner, Troy had ended up back at the Evans' house. Ryan had been the first to suggest that he come over for a 'little while' and Sharpay seemed to agree. He could tell she was shaken up about her car. Her parents had told her to leave it at school after they had reported it to a member of staff at school. Sharpay didn't want to be alone, she was clearly troubled about what other mischief her blackmailer was concocting.

After a few more slaps on the back from Ryan, Troy had retreated to Sharpay's room. She had been sitting rigidly on her bed.

"I know what you're thinking." He had sighed as he took a seat next to her on her bed.

"Do you?" She replied rather absentmindedly. She folded her arms across her chest; a distant look in her eyes.

"You're worried. You've been worried for such a long time now." Troy shook his head. "How much longer can you take this strain?"

"It'll go away." Sharpay shrugged off his comment.

"Isn't that what you've been saying to yourself all these months?" Troy frowned, his voice had a hint of agitation to it.

"Troy..." Sharpay pleaded in a warning tone. She had not wanted to talk about it. She was exhausted from the night's events. It was too much too soon.

"You're so beautiful." Troy had cut into her thoughts. Sharpay's head had snapped up and he smiled as he recalled the look on her face. It was a mixture of happiness and bewilderment.

"Really?" She smiled. "I don't feel beautiful right now."

"That's because you're letting this thing destroy you." Troy sighed sadly.

"My parents are not getting involved in this." Sharpay repeated through gritted teeth. Troy sighed and turned his face away from her.

He knew she was worried. He was also stressed. Seeing the violation against her car made it all that much real for him. This person had been on the school grounds. They had been less then two hundred feet away from Sharpay. This 'game' was getting serious and deadly. He could see no other option then to get the authorities involved. It was for her safety.

"Sharpay..." Troy looked up at her. She frowned at him as he stood up and kneeled before her feet. He took both her hands into his and then stared up at her face. She looked down at him; a confused expression crossing her face.

"You're not..." She queried, her eyes widening.

"Oh, God!" Troy laughed as he realised that the position he was in resembled that of someone proposing.

"I'm not proposing!" He smirked. "Unless you want me too..."

"Shut up!" She giggled. He laughed. He loved to see her smile. Her eyes twinkled and her entire face radiated something that made him feel warm and... safe.

"I...uh..." Troy breathed out and changed to a more serious resolve. "I'm begging you."

He looked up and his eyes locked with hers.

"I'm begging... I'm pleading... Please, please... you have to tell someone. You can't do this on your own." He uttered. "And I won't let you. I'm scared for your safety and I don't think you deserve to suffer like this."

"Troy, I can't!" Sharpay replied. He knew she was frustrated by his demand and he understood why. He had considered the strain it would put on the Evans' family but it was a small price to pay for her wellbeing and for her to finally have some peace of mind once more.

"If you don't... I will." Troy replied with a determined tone. Her entire demeanour crumpled.

"Please..." She moaned, her eyes filling up with tears. "I just don't want my parents to see me that way again."

Troy looked down at her, concerned. He sat down beside her and hugged her to him.

"In what way?"

"Like... like a victim." She spluttered through her tears.

Troy squeezed her closer to him and breathed in her smell. He felt so warm, so secure... and yet she didn't.

"You'll be the victim if you don't tell them." He concluded as she pulled away from him and dabbed at her eyes. She sniffed.

"If.. If I tell them... will you and Ryan be there?" She asked.

Troy's face softened. It was on an extremely rare occasion that Sharpay Evans ever needed anyone's help - least of all in emotional situations! He had seen this human side to her a long time ago. He was only just realising that this was who she really was. She could be dependant and depressed... just like anybody else. She also understood other people's pains and was becoming more considerate of them.

"Of course I will!" Troy shook his head. "After today, do I even have to tell you that I'm here for you?"

Sharpay smiled a little through her tears. Troy kissed her softly on her lips. Every time they kissed it felt like the first time again. It made every kiss completely worth it.

"We... we tell them tomorrow." Sharpay nodded. "N-not tonight."

Troy had nodded. Somehow, the two of them had drifted off into a long, hushed conversation about school, then their parents, then their hobbies, then their favourite holiday memories... and slowly had drifted off to sleep in one another's arms.

Now Troy had awoken, he realised Sharpay would have to be stronger then she had been the night before. She would have to confront the memories she and her family had buried years ago in order to help herself.

He nudged her gently. She stirred and sat up.

"Hey..." He smiled. She smiled back at him; a little meekly.

"Hey." She yawned.

"You know... We should..." He trailed off. One look at him and Sharpay knew.

"I know." She nodded. Her entire face dropped; she seemed lifeless again. He took her hand into his and gave it a little squeeze.

"I'm right here." He whispered into her ear. She smiled.

As the two left the bedroom, neither of them noticed that Troy's cell phone still lay on the floor. The digital display read:

1 MISSED CALL. Gabriella Montez


I hope you liked the official Troypay couple moments, I hope I did them justice. Thanks for the AWESOME reviews, they really keep me on track and help me to write the next chapters, so keep the feedback coming. LOVE YOU ALL.