Author's Note: I finished writing the last two chapters last night. This one has a bit of Troyella in it.
A few months later, plenty of things had changed. Jacob and Gabriella were now happily engaged, and Troy and Gabriella were friends again. In fact, Troy and Jacob had formed a strange bond over high school basketball. Turns out that Jacob was his school's MVP as well. But Troy couldn't help resenting Jacob, especially when he, Gabriella, and the East High gang would get together for a meal. Jacob usually had his arm draped comfortably around Gabriella's chair, squeezing her shoulder once in awhile and pulling her closer to him. What is she, your security blanket? Troy would think disgustedly. Still, he couldn't deny that Jacob was a great guy—a perfect match for Gabriella, even. And that was the problem. Something was supposed to be wrong with this picture, right? But whenever Gabriella was with Jacob, she seemed to glow. Troy had never seen her like this—so happy, so ecstatic.
And he just couldn't bring himself to take that away from her.
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Gabriella was glad that no preparations for the wedding had been made yet. She wasn't sure she could handle all of that stress at one time. She, Jacob, and Troy were working for Jacob's uncle, doing jobs similar to the ones they had done before. She was still adjusting to her new workspace—a little office with a window view that overlooked the city. She couldn't help but wonder if Jacob had pulled any strings for her.
Gabriella often found her eyes wandering to the envelope that had contained Troy's ticket to Japan. Somehow, she had never returned it. Whenever she had a spare minute she'd stare at it, almost trying to decode invisible ancient writings embossed into the paper.
Jacob had just walked in. "Hey, Gabbie," he smiled, kissing her quickly on the cheek.
Gabriella dropped the envelope near his foot.
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Jacob sat at his desk, rearranging folders and papers. He came across Gabriella's envelope with Troy's name on it. He smiled again. Those two are the best of friends.
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Troy called Gabriella to ask if she could come to Kelsi's house. "You get to see Caroline, her daughter. Jacob can come, too, if he's free."
"Actually, he has stuff to do, so I won't have a ride…"
"I could take you," Troy offered, a little too quickly. "As a friend. Friends help each other."
Gabriella laughed. "Mmhmm, Troy. Glad you learned something at daycare today."
"I try to make you proud."
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"Troy, please!" All of his so-called friends begged. "We want to hear you play the piano!"
"No, guys! I haven't practiced in so long! I suck!" Troy said, not for the first time. He felt the same way he had when those total strangers had "assisted" him onstage at the New Years' Eve party.
"I have sheet music. You were always a good sight reader," Kelsi offered oh-so-helpfully.
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"But the more I try to ignore this feeling, the more I find myself believing… I can't let you pass me by, I just can't let you go, but I know that I am much too shy to let you know. Afraid that I might say the wrong words and displease you…" Troy couldn't take his eyes from Gabriella, who was looking back at him, a blank or somewhat confused expression etched onto her face. Thankfully, his mouth and fingers seemed to know what they were doing. Occasionally he'd see Gabriella mouthing the words, which was a good sign…? Relient K was right. Emotional girls need to wear mood rings.
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Everyone else was already on their way home, and Ryan and Kelsi had indicated that they were planning to hit the sack. Troy and Gabriella headed towards the driveway, neither attempting eye contact.
Finally, Troy couldn't take it anymore. "What's wrong, Gabbie?" he asked carefully.
Gabriella had her arms folded across her middle and kicked a small piece of gravel around, like a stubborn toddler. Her chin was on her chest and her eyes filled with tears. "What's wrong? What's wrong is you, Troy. I'm sorry about this, since I know we're friends, but I just can't take it anymore. You can't expect me to leave Jacob for you—you left me for two years. I wouldn't give up hope, but you helped me with that when you told me you were getting married. My life was going fine, and… and now you're here, and everything's so confusing again… and I'm sorry that this time I can't choose you." She sniffled, then attempted a weak laugh. "I lo—still care about you. I don't want you to be hurt the way I've been hurt." Gabriella smiled through her tears. "There are other girls in the world, Troy. And any of them would be lucky to have you, I'm sure."
Somehow Troy sensed that Gabriella didn't tell him the whole truth. Something prodded him on—what, he might never know. Gathering up all the courage he never knew he had in the first place, he took Gabriella's head and held it in his hands, using his thumbs to gently wipe away her tears. Surprisingly, Gabriella made no move to resist.
A/N: I'll have the last chapter up later today! Please review, they make me happy!
♥♥♥ --- Christa
