One Last Time

summary: It wasn't the fact that he left that hurt her the most. It was the fact that he broke his promise that killed her. She didn't care if he doesn't love her anymore. As long as she gets to hold him one last time. For she thought he belongs to another girl.

AN: currently crying cause the actual story is about to begin. the previous chapters were just an introduction and I hope yall are buckled in for a rough ride. please be gentle with this chapter. it has very sensitive topics and it can trigger you or what. this is only the beginning man. yeee, enjoy.

disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.

Chapter 9

The moment Gabriella opened the first page of her copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, she knew it'll take her a long time to finish it. The famous book series was one of the first book series she fell in love with. The protagonist of the books was just a young boy who was thrown into a world whose fate lies in his hands. That intrigued her. Her love of the wizardry world grew as the years passed by and now she was currently the 12 page of the book in her room.

She finished reading the Chamber of Secrets a couple of days ago and jumped into reading the seventh book immediately because that's the kind of girl she is. That Sunday morning while Taylor was downstairs being interrogated by her parents, she was reading the seventh Harry Potter book with her legs swinging in the air. Turning to the next page, she discovers she was now in chapter 2 of the book. So far, she was not okay.

The sound of her door opening did not break her hard gaze on her book. Taylor closed the door behind her and sat comfortably next to her on the bed.

The thing about their friendship is they don't need to talk all the time. They've reached the point where they can do something individually and still be comfortable with the other one's presence. Not many can find that. Deep down in their hearts, they'd never trade it for anything else in the world.

Taylor's head hit the comfort of Gabriella's pillows and let out a sigh. Gabriella still engrossed in her book, Taylor accidentally kicked her on her side while she was trying to stretch her limbs. The room was later on filled with Gabriella's shrieks and a loud thump on the floor.

"Gabs!" Taylor immediately sat up from her position and went over the edge of the bed to check Gabriella's state, "are you okay?"

Gabriella clutched the side Taylor kicked her and groaned, "I have no idea. Does it look like I do?"

"Oh gosh," Taylor helped her up from the floor and set her on her bed. "I didn't mean to kick you. I accidentally kicked you while I was stretching."

"No harm was done," Gabriella grunted in pain. "Shit, you kick hard. Do me a favor and grab me a pack of ice, will you?"

"Yeah sure," Taylor exited the room immediately then went downstairs to the kitchen.

While Gabriella was still contemplating if the pain will leave a bruise, the sound of her phone rang. She turned in the direction of where her phone was at. Guessing by the tone of her phone made, it seemed that she received a message. There was only one person who would text her.

She gingerly stood up and walk towards her study table to grab her phone. As she opens her phone, the first thing she saw on her screen was the four-letter word indicating a message from the said four-letter word.

Troy: So, how was ur sleepover?

She remembered they briefly texted last night, unlike any other nights they've spent talking because she wanted her attention directly at Taylor. She, however, sent him a message last night saying how thankful she was for driving them home and she won't be able to check her phone throughout the night. Only a couple of minutes after she sent that text, Troy sent her a message saying he didn't mind dropping them off and that he understands if she won't be able to text him. That message made Gabriella breathe unevenly because... well... it's Troy... everything about him makes her uneasy.

She typed her response and sent it instantly. She sat on the edge of her bed and leaned into one of the poles of her poster bed with her phone still in her hand. She was sure there's going to be a bruise on her right side tomorrow.

Gabi: It was great. Until she kicked me on the sides while I was reading Harry Potter

There was one tiny thing about Troy that Gabriella loves. He types fast... very fast. The ring of her phone says so.

Troy: Oh no... she really?

Gabi: I am clutching my sides in pain and she's downstairs getting me a bag of ice

As if on cue, Taylor walks in with a pack of frozen peas. Her dark brown eyes straight away went to the object of her hands.

"Okay, I left you for like 5 minutes? And you're already texting loverboy?"

"Who said it was loverboy?" Gabriella's eyebrows narrowed. "Plus, you took so long."

"You had no pack of ice," Taylor reasoned. "I had to find where you hide your frozen peas. Also, no one texts you that makes you not let your phone go out of reach except Troy boy."

"He texted first," Gabriella rolled her eyes.

"Doesn't he always?" Taylor handed her the frozen peas.

"I have no idea why," Gabriella took the peas from her and placed on the throbbing pain. "I mean he always starts these conversations randomly at first and now he often starts it with the shit that would happen at school. Not that I'm complaining about it. I just find it odd."

"Why? Because the guy you so badly like is texting you first and you think your prayers have been answered?"

"N-no?" Gabriella's answer was more of a question.

She wasn't sure why Troy is still texting her though. Blame it on her feelings but she can't help but be confused at it. Normally, she'd receive a couple of texts from Chad concerning Taylor or something like. Then there's Ryan but that rarely happens because he rarely uses his phone. With Troy, it feels like he wants to talk to her. She wishes.

She checked her phone and saw a new text message from Troy.

Troy: Awee. Are you in pain right now?

She rolled her eyes as she read his message. She didn't Taylor sneaking glances at her phone while she types her response.

Gabi: If I'm in pain right now, then you'll be in pain tomorrow

"Aggressive much?" Taylor snickered but stopped when Gabriella sent her a glare.

Troy: That's not fair. You enjoy hitting me. You sadist.

Okay, he has a point. But she does not enjoy hitting him. Maybe she does but she doesn't like causing him pain. In previous weeks whenever they have classes together, she lost count of how many times she hit him with her books whenever he teases her. It was like a habit of hers and now Troy is currently the victim.

Gabi: I do not. You insult me and I hit you for it.

Troy: Okay I'm sorry

Gabi: Thank u

Troy: Seriously, I'm sorry for teasing you. Especially the shit that happened 5 months ago

Gabriella's face paled. All the heat from her body left her body once she read that text. 5 months ago. Oh shit, the horror that happened 5 months ago. The horror that made her so depress she almost took her life away. The horror that involved Troy and his dickhead friends (excluding Chad).

Why did he have to bring it up? SHe wanted to forget that shit. She vowed to not remember it. She vowed to act like it never existed. But it keeps crawling back.

Gabi: It's fine

It was fine, honestly. He wasn't really the cause of the problem. Nor did he played a huge part in it. He was just on the sides while his friends made fun of her.

Gabi: Your name wasn't included on the list anyway

Troy: There was a list? Who was on it?

Gabi: I'd rather not say. Plus they all apologized right after it all blew up

She wasn't the one to hold grudges for so long. That's her fatal flaw. She forgives easily despite the pain she went through. She didn't notice Taylor fell asleep on her bed. They stayed up past 1 last night. Her focus was on the screen in front of her.

Troy: I still feel bad. It still wasn't nice they made fun of you always sleeping in class. Especially if they transferred you into a class you barely know everyone

Sleeping in class. Something so simple and ridiculous but still manages to tear her apart inside. 5 months ago, she got transferred into Mrs. Gee's class, one of the many reasons she hates that class, and Mr. Rodney's History class. Both classes she has with Troy and his dickhead friends, unfortunately. She didn't know the reason why. She didn't know anyone that well. It was torture really. She was way behind their lesson and she didn't have the courage to ask the others. She was struggling to catch up and would find herself staying up late studying for her lessons. She would fall asleep not only in History or Home Ec. but she would fall asleep during her other classes. It wasn't a big deal at first because she had to suck it up for her grades. Until the teasing started.

In the beginning, she really didn't mind the jokes about her falling asleep during classes. She let it slide because it was just a joke anyway. Then the teasing turned into mocking. Then it slowly turned into insults. What's worse was that some of the girls in her classes would jump in too. Now, where was Troy when all of this happened? On the sides laughing because she hid the pain. She was that good at hiding the pain.

But all that ended one day when they were required to attend school but there were no classes. Something to do with expecting something. Gabriella was sick that day. With all the late-night shit she pulled, nausea caught up to her. She brought pills for her medication. A pill that has the side effects of drowsiness. Once she took that pill, the effects started to show after 20 minutes. She didn't want to fall asleep inside the classroom but she couldn't fight it. It wasn't until a few minutes after she fell asleep she woke up to the noise that was surrounding her. She looked up from her desk and realized the guys were teasing her again. Her lungs started to feel suffocated as she looks around. She realized Troy wasn't there. That made her snap. She immediately ran to the girl's bathroom. It was the worse timing ever. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to cry and scream with no one hearing her. But the bathroom was occupied with three other girls. Three other very familiar girls. The concerned looks of Taylor Mckessie, Sharpay Evans, and Kelsi Nielson met with Gabriella's broken and tearful face.

Seeing them there set Gabriella off. One minute she was trying to hold the tears, the next she found herself hugging and sobbing into Taylor's shoulder while Sharpay and Kelsi rubbed her back. Needless to say, that day ended with the guidance knowing the event and how everything changed for Gabriella. However, her friends kept a close eye on her. Especially on the wrist she so purposely slit numerous times.

Gabriella ran her fingers through the scars of her wrist. That was the reason why she often wore hoodies or sweaters. Not everyone knew about it. Not even Troy. She plans to keep it that way. He was already beating himself with the thought of him teasing her.

Gabi: It was in the past. I forgave you. I forgave everyone.

And she means it. With every nerve of her body.

The one thing that annoyed Gabriella the most about East High is the bitches.

That's right. The bitches of the school would be lurking around the halls or corners of East High. They usually take the form of cheerleaders or spoil rich brats. The juicy gossip and hot guys are what they seek. It's like that's all that matters.

Gabriella manages to find a group of 5 spoil rich brats in the girl's bathroom. Only this time, she was the one who was hearing the gossip. She stayed silent inside the cubical when she heard a bunch of high pitched voices. She instantly recognized those voices.

"Does my top look short?" the voice of Louise spoke.

"No," Dina's voice replied.

"Damnit, I should've worn something shorter," Gabriella rolled her eyes in annoyance.

'Typical.'

"It doesn't matter anyway, Louise," she recognized it was Kaye who was speaking. "You can't Troy's attention now."

Troy, what now? They were talking about Troy. It wasn't a surprise to her that girls would be talking about him. He's the captain of the basketball team and is a good looking guy. Although one inappropriate word was floating in Gabriella's head she'd rather not admit it.

"Ugh, cut me some slack. You know he didn't return my feelings for him."

"Yeah, but he liked you back when you stopped liking him," Felicity's voice retorted.

Gabriella stood still. She did not know that. At all. Believe her because she doesn't stick around to hear drama that happens in these walls. Louise liked Troy but he didn't like her back until her feelings fade away? What the actual fuck. A sudden feeling of fear rose inside her chest.

"I was tired of waiting," Gabriella can tell she was rolling her eyes already. "He was so oblivious with all the signs I was giving him."

"Well, I heard he is talking to that Gabriella girl."

There was silence. Gabriella does not like this kind of silence. The one that could scare the crap out of you when you least expect it because your focus begins to demolish. Yeah, this is the one.

"No shit?" Kaye asked, obviously not believing it.

"Would I lie?" Dina snorted. "I'm telling you, that girl likes him. There's no way he's liking her back."

If the news Gabriella earlier shocked her, this one definitely drained all the heat from her body. They know her crush on Troy. Well, technically they believe she likes Troy. They just don't know if it's really true. But why would they think she likes Troy? She was sure she made it very subtle. Besides, she only told her closest friends about it (she told Taylor while the others just guessed it right).

She didn't want to hear anything else. But she couldn't just walk out of that stall as if nothing happened. They'll know she's been eavesdropping. Not intentionally of course. She needs to hurry though. It's currently the 4th period right now when she decided to use the bathroom and she guessed it was their free period. She needs an escape plan. A really good and stealthy one.

Before she could even think about a plan that would make James Bond or Tom Cruise proud, she heard girls leaving the bathroom. To confirm her theory, she waited a couple of minutes in silence. She slowly opened the stall and saw no one around. With that, she was out of the bathroom in less than a second. She ran so fast in the hallways, you could barely see her. It was even a miracle she hasn't tripped, yet.

She spoke too soon.

Gabriella tripped on her own feet and found herself on the cold floor. After cursing inwardly about her clumsy ass, she got up and ran towards the direction of her 4th-period class, already knowing she's going to get an earful when she arrives.

Her dark skin toned best friend led her outside of the cafeteria, where students would sometimes come out to eat their lunches but decide not to because of the fields that are covered in snow. Until now, it started to melt away. Gabriella completely forgot about the snow. Maybe it was because her dad shoveled the snow in their house away a month ago, leaving her to forget the most part of Albuquerque covered in snow.

Gabriella walked behind Taylor as she led him towards a lunch table being occupied with familiar faces. The two teenage girls who were sitting next to each other on the table turned their heads as they felt another two teenage girls approaching them. The blonde-haired smile brightly at them while the short curly brunette gave them a small smile.

"Hey," Gabriella greeted as she took a seat across the two girls and Taylor sat next to her. "Is it weird that I forgot it snowed last December?"

"No," the other three girls replied simultaneously.

"Because if we're talking about you," Taylor removed the cap of her water bottle, "then it's typical for you to forget these things."

"First of all, ouch," Gabriella said. "Second of all, ouch."

Taylor rolled her eyes and took a sip from her water. Gabriella looked in front of her and saw she hasn't bought any food from the cafeteria. Not that she forgot though. There were times where she'd rather not eat lunch because she either hates the food or she's not in the mood to eat. Therefore, Gabriella leaned her head on the palm of her hand while the other three girls dig into their lunches.

"Hate school," Sharpay complained. "The only good thing I'm looking forward to this week is the basketball championships."

Gabriella coughed.

"I'm sorry," Sharpay sugar-coated her voice. "I meant your try-outs."

"Yeah huh," Gabriella playfully rolled her eyes, knowing Sharpay wasn't serious. "I seriously forgot the championships this Saturday."

"You were just busy talking to the MVP," Taylor took a bit from her sandwich.

Gabriella groaned. There wasn't a time she spent with her friends where they don't tease her about the blue-eyed boy that has been texting her non-stop. Seriously. She might not brag about it or she might be exaggerating but it is true. It's not like Troy texts her 24/7. He just happens to be the one person that always keeps er phone alive. Yeah, that seems right.

"She's not even denying it," Sharpay smirked.

"Either way, you guys will always have a comeback," Gabriella pouted.

She took a chip from Kelsi's tray without asking. Not that Kelsi minded. They have this unwritten rule where they can steal each other's foods. Kelsi offered Gabriella her chips but Gabriella declined her offer while giving her a look that says she only wanted a chip and not the whole bag.

"Damn it's cold," Taylor shivered. "Remind me again why we're eating our lunches here?"

"Because I wanted to?" Sharpay ate her mac and cheese. "Besides, it gives us a little more privacy to talk about Gabriella's love life with no bitches hearing us."

"Then there's nothing to talk about because I don't have one," Gabriella rolled her eyes at Sharpay's constant cursing.

"Fine, possible love life," Sharpay corrected herself. "So what do you think of Bolton?"

Gabriella was silent for a good minute before she said, "That he's different."

"Good different?" Kelsi asked, already abandoning her bag of chips.

"Yeah, you could say that," Gabriella's voice started to soften. "But I heard some weird shit earlier in the girl's bathroom."

"What?" the three girls asked in unison.

"Is it true that Troy and Louise had a thing last year?" Gabriella asked cautiously.

"Um yeah," Taylor replied as she looked at Sharpay and Kelsi for confirmation. "Didn't you heard it?"

"Hell no," Gabriella raised her voice. "Would I literally be asking if I did? Gods, it's true then. I thought Louise was just saying that so she can get points or something."

"But you believed it?" Sharpay asked.

"I don't know what to believe," Gabriella replied stressfully. "I didn't know anything at that time so I thought there might be a possibility that Troy did have a thing with her."

"It was barely even a thing if I tell you," Sharpay scoffed. "I thank Troy's obliviousness for not picking up that bitches hints because I tell you she is a two-faced bitch alongside with her friends."

"Oh yeah," Taylor softly agreed.

"I'm just worried because... nevermind... it's not important."

"No, tell us," Taylor placed her hand on top of Gabriella's. "I'm sure it's not that useless. This is your feelings we're talking about. Feelings for someone real and is your age."

"It's just... I know it's a cheap shot that something might happen between me and Troy but I can't help but think that there's a possibility he'll like her back again. I don't plan on telling him my feelings at all. It's scary and what we have right now is so good I don't wanna mess it up."

"You're afraid someone will take him from you because you think what you have with Troy is too good to be true?" Taylor looked directly at Gabriella's eyes that are filled with insecurities and doubts.

Gabriella slowly nodded as her eyes traveled to her lap. Despite the happy feeling of talking with Troy, she can't help but doubt that everything is too good to even last. All her life, she would just witness these kinds of things. She wasn't used to this kind of thing. Not even until now. Because no matter how many she'll spend her time with Troy, her doubts will always be there.

"Don't be," Kelsi softy said.

"Besides the fact that you're one of my best friends," Gabriella looked at Sharpay, hearing her sincere voice that only happens rarely. "I know Troy isn't like that. Nobody knows how loyal that shithead is inside."

Gabriella laughed at the latter part. Typical Sharpay.

"I just don't wanna wake up to see all of these to be gone."