Title: A Chaotic Mess of Pastels

Author: Me!

Rating: I'm not too sure about the new rating system but I would say this is about…PG-13.

Feedback: I'd love me some it!

Summary: Troy Bolton finally has life all figured out as his junior year wanes. However, his perfect world is in jeopardy as he discovers his past.

Disclaimer: I own not High School Musical or the songs or Zac…but if I did…heheheh. Wow! I don't own much. Wait! I do own Adele Carson! And the title of this play!

Italics mean thought speak or a flashback. We're all intelligent people. I think we can decipher what is what. We do all love HSM!

There may be some misspellings since I added some things to the original chapter but I'm too excited to get this out to you all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SOPHTHEWISEONE!

dancerlittle You'll know what's going on with Gabs soon enough! Okay…it's in this chapter.

Sopthwiseone I'm glad you easily figured out how this will end!

SiVChiK101There's always trouble in paradise. If there wasn't, what sort of story would this be?

carito06 Ooooh, you're very close on that assumption!

starlightmint I'm glad you appreciate Adele and what she is to the story. I think is so cool that you think I've got Troy's voice down. That's an honor in my book.


Chapter Twelve

Throughout the rest of the day, Troy couldn't get Gabi out of his head. Was something going on that she would not tell him? Was she getting tired of him?

That question really stirred his soul. He couldn't focus on the quiz he had in sixth period Spanish. He had completely forgotten how to conjugate the past tense of 'ir'. All he knew was that he was worried that she may be worried over something he may or may not have done. Why wasn't she talking to him? Why wouldn't she confide in him?

Next bell wasn't any better.

Marine Biology was a simple class – the easy 'A' he needed to keep his GPA up to remain on varsity. While filling in an ocean floor diagram, Troy wondered what was going on with Gabi.

Was she getting tired of him?

It didn't appear to be such this morning at her house or in the halls when he saw her rushing to class. Were they verging on breaking up? The mere thought of her telling him they were over caused his stomach to churn in the most uncomfortable of ways. He couldn't fathom not being with Gabriella. She made him smile.

He scoffed. That was an understatement. She not only made him smile, she made him feel. He lived; he breathed; he discovered; he learned; he tried all because of her. What if she wouldn't be by his side anymore? What if today – a few hours ago – was the last time Troy would ever have to chance to enjoy the honor of being Gabriella's boyfriend.

Tapping his color pencils loudly, Troy's stress levels began to heighten. There was a time before Gabi, he assumed, but could there be a time after?

He lowered his forehead to the color sheet on his desk. Yes, he would go on without her if she so decided. He did it once with Adele. There! There was his proof!

There was a time before his Gabs. Addie…Ellie. Time didn't stand still until Ms. Montez showed up at that ski lodge. He lived with Adele in his life. He moved on with his life after her. Yet, Troy couldn't use that as a justification of his possible survival after the possible break-up. The thought back to earlier today. Her hand touched his skin. Her hand seared his skin…he missed that feeling. He missed –

Troy couldn't admit to that. Could he? "No!" He shouted out loud, head shooting up.

The teacher, Mrs. Ellis, was standing before him, staring at him perplexed. "'No' what, Mr. Bolton?"

Glancing around the room and seeing all eyes on him, Troy smiled. "Nothing, ma'am."

That was it.

Not being able to stand his thoughts and the task of attempting to name the shelves of an ocean, Troy took a hall pass. He would be making a "bathroom stop". He wouldn't be going near a bathroom; Troy was going to sneak outside. His secret spot was on the roof and Marine Bio. was on the first floor so that place was out of the question. But there was a side door he could slip out of not too far from the room.

He walked the lonely halls trying to figure things out. He struggled to keep his mind quiet. Troy passed the open door of the Drama room. He saw Adele on the stage. She was smiling and talking animatedly. Troy had forgotten how alive Adele was on stage. He had seen her up on a platform before but now…now was different. Now, she looked gorgeous.

He stopped in the middle of the hallway and just watched her. Troy just took the image of her. Suddenly, her forehead scrunched as her body swayed a bit.

Adele dropped to the floor. Some of the students rushed to her aid but none were faster than Troy.

"Adele. What's wrong?" He swallowed. When was his throat so dry? He knew that cancer cells and genetics went hand in hand. Adele's little sister, Nyia, had leukemia when she was seven. She had another scare at the end of Troy's ninth grade year. What if this was the beginning for Adele?

If Adele wasn't as lucky as her sister and she died…Troy wouldn't be able to live with himself. His heart raced as he tenderly brushed her hair away from her forehead. He never told her how much he loved just sitting with her, stroking her hair. He never told her that he was sorry and that he really did want to be with her. He never told her how much – deep down inside – he regretted never trying harder.

He never got to tell her he loved her one last time.

Every person in the room was now surrounding the two. If he wasn't so afraid, Troy would have shouted that everyone move back…give her some room. He patted her cheeks. Please don't be sick. Please don't need chemo. Please don't die.

Her eyes popped open.

"Stage falling is an art form that, when done correctly, can fool anyone." She announced to the group around her who began to clap. "Sorry," she whispered so only Troy could hear.

He was relieved beyond words. He snorted as he realized his stupidity. Of course she was demonstrating for the class. Troy grabbed Adele's hand and helped her get to her feet.

"And let's give a hand for Troy. If it wasn't for his part in this, I don't think you guys would have believed me. Thank you for helping in my demonstration." Adele's brown eyes twinkled as she turned to him, clapping.

Troy bowed. "Anytime," Inside, he owed Adele for her quick thinking. Inside, he was a bit upset. Inside, he wondered about why Adele's eyes twinkled. How come he noticed that of all things?

Running his trembling hands through his sandy brown hair, Troy made it back to class. What just happened? How could he fall for that? Didn't she pull that same stun during the workshop?

He finished his worksheet and turned it in. One good point about Adele's falling out was that it distracted Troy for the rest of the day.

The bell rang, calling for the students of East High to leave – be free – for another school day would soon approach. Deciding to not push himself on Gabi, Troy went to his locker instead of waiting for her outside her class, took out his necessary books, and shouldered his blue and grey messenger bag.

"Wanna shot some hoops down at the park?" Chad appeared, straight out of nowhere.

"Sorry, dude. I want to stay on top of this homework thing."

"Don't tell me you're getting behind again. Been there, done that."

"I'm not behind…not yet. That's why I gotta stay on top of it." rationalized Troy.

Troy spotted Gabriella with Adele, Taylor, and Kelsi. He really wanted to spend some time with Gabi and figure out what was wrong (if anything was the matter). No – scratch that idea. He didn't want to talk to her. He wanted to hug her, hold her tight so she knew how much he felt for her. Troy wanted to place his hands on the sides of her face and bring her lips to his. He wanted to express his inner most thoughts to her.

He just wanted her.

Chad's voice reeled him back to reality. Troy was grateful. "Probably blathering on about girl things."

"Your sister gave me nightmares. No male needs to hear about tampons and bloat – ever."

"You just mentioned them." Chad stared at him in fear.

Troy shuddered.

"I thought he was gorgeous! I wish you could have seen that excellent boy specimen." Kelsi spoke. Troy smirked. So, little miss playmaker was stepping out, not to mention speaking out.

Taylor shook her head, lips pursed. "Gabi, was he really? I can't trust Adele's word. She thinks every boy is cute. And Kelsi, here, is just as bad."

Troy waited on baited on breath to hear what she thought about mystery man.

"I…well – he – he was very cute." A hint of color appeared on the apples her cheeks.

Troy's heart went into a minute spasm. Who could they be talking about? And why was she looking at other guys? Was she planning on breaking up with him?

"I have to see a picture!"

The girls all burst into laughter.

"See whose picture? Mine?" Chad squeezed himself into the group.

"No," replied Gabi frankly.

"Then they must be talking about me." Troy stayed on the outskirts of the group. A flash of pain and anger flared in him when he looked at his girlfriend.

"No," Kelsi replied frankly.

"Geez, I can tell we're unwelcome." Chad pouted. "Still gonna play her music?"

"Yes. I take that as a hint to leave." Taylor pulled up her roller bag handle.

"I thought we just agreed to all come over my house where I can subtly force you to help me unpack my crap." Adele said.

"I'll still come." Kelsi said.

Taylor began to dig in the front pocket of her roller bag for her keys. "I'm just dropping Chad off."

"Why don't you have a car?" Adele asked. "I would have thought your parents would have gotten you one."

"Lauren. She's in college. She wants to be a pediatrician, which means years of back debt for my parents to pay. No vroom-vroom for Chadster." He pouted once again.

"Oh. Well, Gabriella, do you want to come? You didn't yea or neigh the idea." questioned Adele. "I could take you."

Troy wanted to growl in frustration. Just like Adele to come and try to take over.

"I was going to take her home." Troy didn't mean to sound so aggressive.

Adele's eyes widened and her voiced lowered in volume. "Sorry. I didn't know. She doesn't have to come. Come on, Kelsi." Adele and Kelsi went away towards the parking lot.

"You didn't have to be so rude." Gabriella reprimanded. "And I will go over Adele's."

Troy mentally slapped himself. He should have reined in his anger. But it came on so unexpectedly that Troy hadn't the chance to stop himself. "Do you need a ride?"

His girlfriend looked to Taylor and then back at him. Behind her eyes, Troy could read the conflict. "Please,"

Gabriella still didn't say anything. With a helpful nudge from Taylor, Gabi stepped towards him. "If you don't mind." She said, not chancing a glance in his direction.

In his mind, Troy knew he shouldn't take her acting like that. If she wanted to not be around him, then she did not have to. However, he wanted her to be near him.

"We shall lead the way." Chad grasped Taylor's hand, heading after Kelsi and Adele.

"Honey,Addie and Kelswill be in the lead."

"Don't burst my bubble, woman!" Chad chuckled as he kissed Taylor's temple.

What the basketball captain wouldn't give to laugh and joke with Gabriella again. Troy and Gabi silently went to his car. As Troy pulled onto the main road leading away from East High, he finally spoke.

"What's wrong?"

Gabriella kept her eyes glued in front of her. "Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. You just seem…I don't know."

"Well you seem like 'I don't know' to me. What was that all about? She was just being polite."

"I understand that. It's just that she never takes into consideration how others might react to her impromptu plans. She always did that and it always bothered me. She must take everything over."

"Calm down," whispered Gabi.

Troy hadn't noticed that he was gripping the wheel. At the stoplight he shook out his hands and placed them back on the imitation leather.

"Now why does she upset you so much? Did something every happen between the two of you before?" She turned to him as much as she could within the constraints of the seatbelt.

Love, passion, admiration, ups, downs, joy, hate, care, respect, inspiration, strength, hope, compassion, fear, uncertainty, failure, exhilaration, pain, creativity, rejuvenation…

"I don't want you leaving, I don't want you to leave me."

"I know, babe. I know. I just gotta do this. You pushed me to go for it. So let me go and try it."

He scuffed his toe on the sidewalk He did indeed push her to be the best – to do what she wanted to do. How could he keep his love from blossoming? "What if I say no?"

"You can't." Her voice was edgy. She didn't mean it but this fight had been going on for weeks. "You're wasting time. The more we argue, the less time we have to just be together. Do you want to break this all off? It seems like it would be the easiest of things for you to do."

For the first time in a long time, he just wanted to scream at her. "How dare you say that? You want to? Just give up on all that we have – that we will have?" He grabbed her right hand, exposing the ring on her finger. "Do it. Throw us away. Throw it away." He yanked the ring off of her hand. Seeing that ring finger naked was surreal.

"How dare you? How dare you?" She seethed. She took a step towards him, right in his face. "Take your damn ring. Take it and give it to some girl. Give it to Sharpay for all I care. Give it to some other girl and love her like you've never loved before because it is so obvious that you never gave a damn about us at all."

Her hands snaked their way around his waist, gripping his body close. "But when you're with that other girl who gives you what you want – does what you want – remember this. Remember all the times we hugged." Her fingertips ghosted his cheek and neck. "Remember all the times we touched." With her eyes fluttered close, her lips kissed his mouth. "Remember all the times we kissed. Remember me."

He watched his beauty leave him alone on the sidewalk, watched her walk away from him. He never wanted her to walk away from him. He raced towards her, taking her hand, slipping the ring back on. "I never want you to leave me. I just don't want you to forget about me."

"How could I? You are my soulmate."

Gabriella had no idea of what happened between the two of them before.

"No. I just never accepted or liked her moving away. That's it. She just moved away so abruptly."

"She never warned you?"

"She did. I knew about her going to the Magnet Institute. Neither Chad nor I wanted her to go. That's all."

Gabriella sat properly in her seat. "Oh,"

"Why are you going to her house?" Troy asked, wanting to stop the questions thrown at him. He wasn't sure how long he would go on before he would have told Gabi about Adele and what she meant to him back then.

"Why not? Taylor said she wanted to go to Adele's and Kelsi agreed and now I want to go. Adele's funny. I like her."

"A lot of people liked her. She tried to talk to all sorts of people when she went to East High. That's why her and Taylor are so tight." Troy pulled into his neighborhood behind Taylor. "She doesn't live far from you."

Troy parallel parked behind Taylor who rolled down her windows. "Tell Adele I'll be back soon." She screeched down the street as she made the turn onto Chad's street.

Desperately, Troy wanted to stay inside the car and let Gabi out on her own but life never dealt such an easy card.

Adele had already gone inside the house. Troy recognized the blue Corolla she was driving as her dad's. He must have used the company today. Troy remembered the man always picking him up in a different company-owned car. It was always exciting, new…different.

The red door was wide open and a young girl was leaning against the doorframe. "You gonna sit there or get out and play me? Just wondering about that game of ours."

It was Nyia. Troy had taught Nyia how to shoot hoops after her remission. Thereafter, they began a game of ball, which they had yet to officially end. The last tally that he could recall was 224-58 but he always lied about Nyia's score, making her believe she was so closed to beating Bolton.

"Hi. I'm Nyia!" The younger girl waved.

Gabriella smiled as she got out of the car. "Nice to meet you. I'm Gabriella."

"Well, come on in. Enjoy yourself while I slaughter this boy in some hoops."

Gabriella looked at him in amusement. "Have fun." Troy turned off his car and convinced himself to go. He didn't have a problem with Nyia. He liked her.

"Still willing to play?"

"Still willing to get your butt handed to you?"

"Oh, so you've learned to trash talk. Nice." Troy went to the driveway where the basketball hoop stand once stood. "What happened?"

"Mounted it." Nyia pointed to above the garage door. "Enough with the chatter. Let's play." She grabbed a ball that was to the side of the garage.

"Hey! Focus." She tossed him the ball.

Playing with the youngest Carson was fun. Nyia wasn't as ruthless as she typically was whenever they played together. From what he could recall, Nyia was a tenacious little fighter. She still fought hard but now she had a touch of finesse.

"I always knew you added bonus points to my score." She stole the ball from him and took a two-point shot. It bounced off the backboard and sunk into the hole. "Thanks." She grinned.

Troy shook his head in amusement. How could he have ever forgotten how fun the younger Carson sister was? They continued to play for who knew how long.

"Hey you two! Stop playing you guys. I thought you were thristy. Here," She handed them the waters. "You two stink."

He wasn't too sure when Adele had come out of the house or for how long she was out there. He was, however, sure that he was thankful for the water. Troy had long since stripped out of his shirt, leaving him in an undershirt that was now stuck to his body like a second skin.

"Probably." Nyia stated.

"Gross."

"And shouldn't you be entertaining your guests?"

"Ny, I should but I'm not."

Troy could read her voice. Something was up. "Why aren't you catering to your guests?"

"They're all eating some of mom's crumb cake. They can cater to themselves. I'm trying to be the best hostess and not blow up in front of them. I don't want Gabriella to think I'm nuts."

"But you are." Nyia sounded so sincere.

"How wonderfully sarcastic you are." Adele laughed in mockery.

"Why would you blow up?" asked Troy.

"Sharpay Evans is up to her old tricks."

Nyia rolled her eyes. "I hate that Sharpie."

"As do I, little sister." Adele sunk to the concrete paving of the driveway.

Troy took a hearty gulp of the ice cold liquid. "What happened?"

"Well, one…Troy, just so you know, our relationship was during the summer before ninth grade. It was a disaster and we decided that best friends should never date."

"What? Why? When did this…" Troy was truly lost for words. He was glad that Adele would look out for him just like they did when they were friends. He wasn't so glad that she had reduced all the time and love and energy they invested in the other into some fling.

"Troy, it's simple. Sharpay saw us talking during lunch and planted her evil seeds in Gabriella. She wasn't here when we were together so Sharpie decided to play us up as some super couple. I don't know if you told Gabriella anything about us since she's your new girlfriend but I just played us down to save her any heartache. I chalked Sharpay up to just being jealous of me taking her spot at the Institute. Her insecurities about her talent was only solidified by Gabriella and you taking the leads away from her. God, I hate that witch. Thank goodness Ryan is nothing like that." Adele huffed.

"I could always slash her tires."

"When did you get so dark?" Troy stared at Adele's younger sister who just looked at the boy.

"I have no clue."

Adele stood up. "No thanks, Nyia. Save that for later. So, I just came out here to vent…and to tell you that mom said get in there and finish your homework."

"I did."

"I guess it needs to be corrected. Go."

He watched Nyia retreat into the house. "We're not done yet!" He hollered after her.

Staring at Adele as she fidgeted on the spot as vaguely interesting. It reminded him of every single pre-game moment they spent with the other. Adele always fidgeted the hours leading up to one of her games or matches or even his games. Whenever she was nervous and unsure, Troy could count on Adele to fidget.

"How long?"

Troy squinted off in the distance, away from Adele. He knew exactly what she was talking about. He always knew how to hear what she wasn't saying. "About three months."

"Oh," she murmured.

"Thank you for not saying anything about us."

"So, you didn't tell her about me."

"Have you told others about me?"

Addie appeared incredulous. "Yes."

"To the ones you've dated?"

She looked sheepishly at her feet.

"I didn't think so." So, she did date after him. Why did that bother him?

Adele began to wring her hands together. Troy sighed aloud.

"What? What now?" She snapped.

"You and that damn fiddling. Just calm down. Relax."

Adele was taken aback. She stared at Troy with disbelieving shock. "I am the relax one. Who's shouting here?" She cupped her hand to her ear.

"I'm not fighting with you."

"Who said anything about fighting? What's wrong Troy? Tell me."

Troy violently racked his hands through his hair.

"Wanna go bald, Bolton?"

"You. That's what's wrong with me. You and dating other people. I don't like it. I really don't. Who did you date? Tell me!"

She cautiously took two steps towards him. "Niccolo. We broke up a few weeks ago. That's it. No one else."

"Are you sure?" Never before had he wished to knock the lights out of another human being as badly as he did right now. That Euro-trash bastard touched Adele.

"Are you sure that you haven't dated anyone other than Ms. Montez?"

Troy scoffed. "Why do you care?"

"The same reason you still care about who I'm dating."

It ended there. Right there. "This is going too far." They just stood.

It was incredibly strange standing outside with Adele. Troy felt as if the world didn't exist. There may be over six billion people going about life at that moment but they all must have ceased what they were doing, turning to watch Troy and Adele. She headed inside her house. She motioned for him to follow. He wanted to strip off his undershirt and put on his blue one. However, he knew he shouldn't.

Before they entered the household, Troy stripped off his damp white T-shirt. He couldn't put his finger on it but he lingered before putting on the blue shirt. The rush of excitement and satisfaction tingled into all his limbs; Adele's eyes stared helplessly at his toned chest. He saw her swallow back whatever feelings that bubbled into her body.

He tugged the shirt back on.

"Do you ever find yourself – find your mind wandering back to what we had? Do you miss us?"

Troy didn't know the answer. And he was afraid that he if tried to answer her, he would have to admit to things he never what to.