A/N: I am not a total fan of this chapter, but I really wanted some Troy/Gab interaction and I really tried not to make Sharpay seem like a bitch but every story needs an evil character and the poor girl seems to be the target.
Gabriella yawned when she walked into the door, she didn't feel tired at all. Walking upstairs, she walked into her bedroom and changed into her runners and gym clothes. Gabriella grabbed a flashlight, she put her cellphone in her warm-up jacket and fiddled with her Ipod . It may have been 10 o'clock at night but she had the energy. It wasn't different from her routine, she didn't sleep, she stayed up all night thinking, or writing a song. Soon, her first album would be released, and than she'd really face the heat.
She'd jogged down some roads and than down the parking lot of a beach. The moon was full and took up a good chunk of the sky. She stopped to take off her socks and shoes and went running among the waves. Gabriella felt different at that moment, so free, it was just purifying. Maybe everyone in her life was right. Buying a house in New Mexico and taking 6 months off was the best idea. Gabriella never let herself fully heal, it was just a few months ago he died. Gabriella threw herself into work, which was heavily criticized by the papers. She'd read every detail about herself, which either made her laugh or cry. Gabriella made a mental note to call her agent and than to call a real estate agent, also to make a phone call to Kelsi.
Gabriella was racing down the beach at top speed, her Ipod earphones were off and she could hear the waves of the ocean and she heard laughter. Gabriella stopped and hid behind a huge boulder, she carefully peered from behind it. Her old friends, minus Sharpay were gathered around an open bonfire and were generally have a great time. Gabriella's heart ached, how she missed those old times, when she could be anyone she wanted to be. Just like kindergarten, but now Gabriella had so many responsibilities and the control that she had on herself was slipping. It pained her to see Troy, since she still loved him even after what happened. Don't get the message wrong, she did love Chris, a lot, she'd figured Chris was her one, but now, she didn't know. It was scary to be a widow at 23, feeling like you'll never find anyone again and be doomed for life.
Gabriella sat behind the boulder until the group had trooped inside, and the fire was out. She turned on her flashlight, fumbling around on the sand, attempting to get up and look for her runners and socks. As she excited the beach, she didn't feel like going home, so she walked through town. Gabriella walked until she came to a park. It was the same park, which where Troy and herself went after dates, just play around and have some fun. Gabriella sat on the swing, and gentle pushed herself back and forth. Tears sprang to her eyes, how lonely she felt at the moment.
Troy walked out of the house in a huff, after everyone had left, Sharpay went after him, again. Demanding to know if he still loved Gabriella, Sharpay did this a lot. Troy had a feeling shit would fly after Sharpay heard what Gabriella had done after High School. Sharpay seemed destined to live off Daddy until the job to be an assistant to Darbus had opened up. Even Ryan went to University and took theater. Troy shook his head and jogged down the street to avoid having Sharpay following him, begging for forgiveness.
Troy headed to the park where he and Gabriella used to swing after dates, they'd go and act like they were in kindergarten again. Swinging on swings, using the teetered totter and going on the jungle gym. There was even that time Gabriella presented him with bucket for sand and a shove. After Gabby left, Try would come out to the park himself, when he was in town. A break from University or if he was down to see Sharpay for the weekend. Usually they fought and Troy would take off to the park to think. After tonight, Troy was definitely going to end it. As much as he'd hate to admit, Sharpay was an addiction, she was mean but so sweet at the same time. Plus the sex was pretty good but that had stopped years ago. It was almost like they both lost interest but none could pull the plug on the relationship.
Troy walked into the park and went directly to the swings but was startled. Gabriella was seated in a swing, slowly pushing herself back and forth with tears running down her cheeks. They glistened in the street light. Troy stood back and watched her, the two hadn't spoken or even be in the same place alone for quite a while.
" So what's the most special girl on Broadway doing out here alone, crying" Troy said, trying to be cool.
Gabriella looked up, in shock, she mumbled something out, her cheeks flushed red out of embarrassment.
" Just thinking" She replied.
" Same" Troy added, sitting in the swing next to Gabriella's. They both sat there, swinging together and lost in their own little worlds.