Author's Note: I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to skip details on the trip and cut to the chase. Maybe I'll revise this story to make it longer, once it's finished… the original version. This story needs more reviewers, please! I'm thinking of making a sequel should the public see it fit. Hint, hint. Sorry that this chapter is so short... it's a filler.
"They have the cutest stuff here, Taylor!" Gabriella grinned while browsing Japanese stuff in a store. Taylor was looking at a set of punk-rock-looking Hello Kitty pins while murmuring her agreement.
Chad and Troy were looking at the cell phones when Troy's own rang. "Hello?...Mom?...Hey, I'm doing great, and so is everyone else… what's wrong?..." Troy pursed his lips. "Sure, Mom. I'll get the earliest flight I can catch."
"Hey, man… you don't look so good."
Troy's eyes were downcast as he gripped his phone tightly before slipping it into his jean pocket. "I don't feel so good. Listen… I have to go to the hotel right now and check out."
Gabriella and Taylor had joined Chad and Troy in the store. They had heard the last part. "Why're you leaving, Troy?"
"Gabbie… I… I have to go. I probably won't come back, since you guys will be here for almost another month. My dad… he's really sick. Sicker than he's ever been before, and… I… I just want to be there… in case this is finally… you know. It."
"Wow, Troy. That's really… awful," Taylor said carefully.
"Are you sure you don't want us to come with you? I mean… it won't be the same without you." Gabriella didn't feel the need to add that she'd feel like a third wheel around Chad and Taylor, also realizing that that would sound terribly unimportant, not to mention selfish, considering what was going on with Troy's dad.
"No… no reason for me to ruin the vacation for everyone," Troy forced a smile, but that didn't make any of the pain behind it lessen. "I need to go now so I can get back home as soon as I can." And, just like that… he was gone.
---
More than a month passed. Gabriella and Troy hadn't talked for three months, since Troy was staying in a faraway city (original, I know xP), where his father's hospital was. From what Gabriella had heard, Mr. Bolton wasn't getting any better, and it was a miracle that he was still alive. Of course, she had always assumed that the reason for Troy's lack of communication with her was because of the many things going on in his life—he would have to take over his father's business (Mr. Bolton's business partner wasn't expected to live more than three more years), and that would take a lot of work and adjustment. So Gabriella simply waited for him to contact her. Eventually she gave up on hoping for anything and simply went about her life as if Troy had never been in it. There was one small part of her that would never give up… even if she'd never admit it.
---
Troy sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He paced the floor; he'd never felt more stressed-out in his entire life. It seemed like whenever his father was awake, he was always angry at him. It was getting to the point where Troy resented his father more than he had ever before—even as a rebellious toddler, teenager or college kid.
---
"Okay, okay, Dad. I'll take over the family business, and I'll do a good job. Is that all you're worked up about?" Troy exploded in exasperation before plopping down into one of those squishy hospital armchairs.
Mrs. Bolton began tearing up, but Troy didn't notice because he was so busy holding his shaking head in his hands. "Troy… no, that's not all. You know how everyone's saying how lucky you'll be to inherit so much?"
He nodded tiredly.
"Well… you're not. Not as much as you probably think, anyway. What I'm saying is… your father and I have a lot of debt… and since I can't work because of numerous health reasons…"
Troy looked at his parents stonily. "So that's why you never liked Gabriella. That's why you never approved of us… why we've been putting off getting married. Why you're always trying to push Kayla and me together."
More tears welled up in Mrs. Bolton's eyes, and she shook her head ashamedly. "But, Troy, there's no other way. You have no future with Gabriella. Y-you have to think of us."
"Think of you? Seems like a funny thing to be saying right now." Troy stormed out of the hospital room.
A/N: So... whaddya think? Filler, I know. But I've updated twice today... already. Probably will again, since I seem to have the opposite of writer's block today. Also, my mom refuses to buy me much-needed braces, so if you're a Christian, like I am, please pray that God will provide...
