Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue.
A/N: So I guess I spelled J.J.'s name wrong, but I'll let you into a little secret of the plot: it won't matter anyway. We won't be seeing him again. That's all I'm going to say about that.
So, I'm sorry this took so long. We just got on spring break, and last week I had a billion tests to take. What kind of sadistic teacher gives you a test on two pre-calculus chapters the last day of school? Really? So, anyway, I meant to post this Friday, but my brother was in a play and then Degrassi came on and I kind of lost track. Then Saturday I meant to do it, but…you know what, nobody really cares, do you? So, once again, if anyone is still reading this, please don't eat my head for the delay. I'll try to post a chapter a day, maybe every other day, over break.
Random Moment of the Chapter: I love William Moseley!
Enjoy!
"So, what was that all about?" Chad asked, falling into step beside Troy as they walked toward the cafeteria.
"Huh? Oh, my dad had a scout from Duke in his office," Troy said distractedly, seeming to look through Chad rather than at him.
"Duke? That's awesome!" Chad held up a hand for Troy to slap, but it fell to his side a moment later. "All right, you're obviously not feeling the love. What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"Troy, I've known you forever. What is it? Is it Gabi?"
Troy remained silent, turning abruptly into the cafeteria and walking briskly toward their table. Chad jogged to catch up, sliding into his customary spot at the table next to Troy.
"Come on, man, is it Gabi?"
"Maybe," Troy muttered, pulling out his sandwich and unwrapping it, gazing past Chad. Gabriella was sitting at a table across the room, deliberately avoiding looking at Troy. Taylor, Kelsi, and Sharpay were eating with her.
"What's going on?" Jason asked, pulling out his chair as he, Ryan, and Zeke arrived at the table, sitting down to eat.
"Troy and Gabi had a fight," Chad informed him, taking out his own sandwich and taking a bite.
"Again?" Jason complained, looking over at the girls' table. "Don't you two ever do anything but fight?"
"Did you ever think that it might not be any of your business?" Troy snapped, glaring at Jason.
"Alright, calm down," Chad said, placing himself between the two.
"Chad, stay out of this," Jason said, turning back to Troy.
"Why do you care what happens with me and Gabriella?"
"Because whenever you fight the rest of us have to deal with pissy Troy until you make up. Why don't you just go over there and apologize for whatever you did?"
"Jason, shut the hell up," Troy warned, standing up and staring his friend down.
"Well, Christ, Troy, since we got back to school all you've been is moody. Don't take your romantic problems out on us," Jason countered, standing up and matching Troy's height. Troy took a step toward Jason.
"Why can't you ever keep your mouth shut, Jason?"
"Alright, guys, let's just chill. Come on, calm down," Chad asked, placing one hand on each of his friends' chests to keep them apart.
"Chad, stay out of this," Troy said, pushing his hand away and taking another step toward Jason, who did the same.
"Yeah, Chad, stay out of it," Jason said, mocking Troy. Troy hissed through his teeth and stepped forward, shoving Jason hard in the chest. Jason reacted by shoving Troy back into the table, pinning him. Troy locked his arms around Jason's forearms, pushing him back.
Shouts broke out around the cafeteria as people encouraged the fight. Gabriella looked up, almost immediately jumping up and running toward Troy when she saw him locked in a fight with Jason. Chad was attempting to pull Troy away while Zeke had latched onto Jason's arms.
"Troy!" Gabriella shouted, reaching him and trying to call his attention from the fight. "Troy, come on, stop this."
Troy ignored her, struggling against Chad's grip to try and get to Jason again.
"Come on," Chad was saying, practically dragging his friend away into the hall. Gabriella followed, placing a hand on Troy's forearm as Chad slammed him into a wall.
"What the hell was that for?" Troy asked, shoving Chad away.
"You're acting completely out of line," Chad said, grabbing his friend to keep him from returning to the cafeteria. "What is wrong with you?"
Troy didn't answer, merely turning his head, and trying to hide the tears forming in his eyes.
"Troy?" Gabriella whispered, reaching out and turning his face toward her. He wrenched his face away, turning and slamming his left hand into the wall.
"Troy!" Chad and Gabriella shouted simultaneously, rushing forward. Troy was cradling his sprained wrist to his chest as he slid down the wall.
"Oh my, God, Troy, why did you do that?" Gabriella asked, kneeling next to him and taking his wrist in her hands, looking into his eyes. "You could have broken your wrist!"
Troy refused to look at her, but merely gazed blankly at a spot over her shoulder. Gabriella turned despairingly to Chad.
"I'm gonna go get Coach," he said, turning and running down the hall. Gabriella turned back to Troy, reaching out to him.
"Troy? Please, look at me."
"Gabi?" Troy asked quietly, finally looking at her.
"Troy, you scared me. Why did you do that?"
"Gabi, I'm sorry."
"Why did you start a fight with Jason?"
"Gabi, I don't even know," Troy whispered, putting his face in his hands as he began to cry. "I-I don't know."
Gabriella looked at him uncertainly, clearly unnerved by the unpredictable course. his emotions had just run. She pulled him into her arms, letting him cry onto her shoulder.
"You promised you'd never leave me," he whispered, holding onto as though she was the only thing keeping him alive.
"I won't. Not again," she comforted, continuing to hug him. They remained locked in each other's arms on the floor of the hallway until Chad returned with Troy's father.
Troy placed a CD in his stereo, pressing the button and turning the volume up. Immediately the thump of the bass vibrated throughout the room, comfortingly filling the empty space. Sighing, Troy flopped onto his bed, putting his hands behind his head and staring up at the ceiling.
"You can take the one thing I have left,
I'd give it all away for so much less-"
Troy groaned and rolled over, burying his face in his pillow. His father had signed him out of school and taken him home immediately, thanking Chad and Gabriella for stopping Troy from hurting himself.
"You can even take the heart inside my chest-"
As he lay there his wrist gave a slight twinge, reminding him of the stupidity of his actions earlier that day. What scared him most was that he had had no control whatsoever over his actions. The fight with Jason, hitting the wall-none of it.
"You can take the one thing I have left,
Beat me to the ground and take my breath-"
"Troy? Gabriella's here," his mom said quietly, sticking her head into his room. Her tone of voice immediately told Troy that she knew. She was talking to him as though he were about to break.
"But you can't take who I am-"
Gabriella walked into the room, shutting off the stereo as she went to sit on his bed.
"How are you?" she asked softly, gently rubbing his back.
"I have no idea what happened today." Troy whispered, keeping his face buried in his pillow. "I don't know why I did it."
"Troy, it's alright. You're stressed. It's understandable."
Sighing, Troy flipped over, looking at her. "Gabi, I got into a fight with one of my closest friends. I almost broke my hand against a wall. I have no idea what came over me. It's like-it's like I can't control my actions."
Gabriella leaned forward, kissing his forehead. "No one blames you, Troy."
"No, Gabi, you don't understand. I feel out of control. Like, something's wrong."
Gabriella paused, looking at him.
"Like what?"
"I think I'm going crazy."
A/N: Well, that was fun. Not. Kind of angsty. Once again, sorry for the mammoth delay. Please review, reviews are greatly appreciated, as always. :D Love you guys!
Coming in Chapter 14: Troy visits his doctor. Gabi and Troy come to an agreement.
Credit Where Credit is Due: The song was "The One Thing I Have Left," by Hawk Nelson. If you don't know them, go listen to one of their songs. They rock!