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…and the song parts from Chpt 14!

lovetoread17 Yeah. I loved writing it because I put myself in Gabi's shoes. I like Troy. :giggles:

thepoweroflove I have updated. Enjoy!

AngelD88 I really appreciate that. I strive to keep this as realistic as can be.

Oliverwoodschic Weee! I write beautiful chapters. Thanks!

READ SPARKS IN THE DARKNESS! A MUST READ FOR ALL YOUR RYAN/KELSI SHIPPERS. STORY BY SOPHTHEWISEONE!


Chapter Fifteen

Never had he before felt so free. A weight that never registered with Troy before had disappeared. All was done. All was fixed. He was in love again. Again, he felt the joyous rebirth of love. He missed the comfort. He missed it so much.

Lying in bed, he could have cared less that it was midnight and that tomorrow was a school day. Today, Troy Bolton declared his love for Gabriella Montez. Today, he knew she loved him as well. Life was grand. No longer was he in the shadows of confusion. For the first time in almost two months, Troy knew what the world was, what it did, why it did it, and who mattered.

Damn, life was good.

The next day at school, Troy eagerly sought out his love. East High was a lively place to be. It was an active school with just as active students. Troy smiled at everyone, greeting his friends and strangers alike. He had a pep in his step. And he loved it.

"Hey, sweetie."

He knew that voice. He loved that voice. "Gabs. How are you?"

She placed a sound kiss on his unprepared lips. "Very well. You were in my dreams."

"I hope to make them come true." He wrapped his arms around her waist. Her embraces were such a comfort.

She giggled as he breathed into her hair.

"Ew. Public displays of affection. Not something I want to see."

Troy felt whatever bliss he had inside dissipate. Troy didn't like talking to women with disrespect. "Why don't you shut up, Sharpay?" He didn't like to talk to women in such a manner but Sharpay was a mountain lion afterall.

Hitching an eyebrow and standing her full height, "What did you say?"

"You heard me. Why don't you keep your mouth shut and stop trying to ruin everyone's day?"

Gabriella remained quiet, as did Sharpay. Troy knew he would pay for the way he spoke to the Ice Queen but that didn't matter. He was happy. He was blissful and Sharpay had to ruin that. She wasn't always the one to ruin bliss.

Ryan and Kelsi soon gathered around.

"Morning, guys." Ryan waved after he straightened his brown fedora.

"Hi." Gabriella snaked her arm around Troy's lower back.

"Everyone's so chipper and smiley. Stop." remarked Sharpay.

Troy clapped hands with his best friend, trying not to disrupt Gabriella's hold on him. "What's up, Chad?"

"Nothing. You?" He shifted his eyebrow.

Taylor clicked her roll-on bookbag to a halt. "Don't mind him."

The look on Taylor and Chad's faces was amusing. Obviously, they wanted the details. Jason and Zeke showed up last.

"What's everybody doing?" Jason stood next to Kelsi, discreetly moving their shoulders together. Troy held in his laughter. Everyone in the group knew they were dating but Kelsi wasn't ready to go public with their relationship so everything remained hushed for the moment.

The group muttered collectively.

"I feel worse."

Troy looked over his shoulder and his day deflated all together.

Adele was a yard away and coming closer. Appearing fatigued yet the promise of energy was on the horizon as she sipped her Starbucks. Clad in a pair of blue cotton shorts and grey tank top, Adele placed a pair of black sunglasses atop head.

"I got up early. I need to purchase more things for my party this Friday."

Shit. How could he have forgotten about that? On the porch and throughout dinner this passed Saturday, Chad, Adele, and himself had begun planning for her party. With all the excitement over Gabi, he plain forgot.

"You guys just keep up the word of mouth thing. It always worked in the past." Adele took a sip of her drink. "But I need people to buy last minute detail things with me and start set up."

"Addie," Taylor laughed to herself, "it's Thursday."

"Really?" She pouted.

"So much for not laying around?" Chad said.

"I'm on such a schedule, I don't know the days." She appeared to be leaving but stopped in her tracks. "I'm not coming back here tomorrow so, who wants to do the wrong thing and skip school to help me out?"

"What? Are you kidding me?" Taylor was scandalized.

"I'm not asking you to come with. I know you would never skip a moment of school if you could so help it. I'm just asking everyone else. If anyone wants, I can just come after lunch. I just have so much to do and since this will be a bigger party than normal…there's so much to be done."

"What about your parents? And our parents?" Troy pointed to himself and Chad.

"They already confirmed that they're coming a few hours before it all begins. There's still tons to be done."

Taylor shook her head. "Addie, you can't do that."

"We used to." Chad insisted.

"And you didn't get caught?" asked Gabi.

"Of course we did. But, our parents really couldn't say too much. We would always play the longtime friends card." Troy explained. His eyes connected with Adele. She quickly stashed her hands behind her back yet he knew exactly what she was doing. Why was she always fidgeting around him now?

"Yeah. But I don't know if we can weasel out of school anymore."

"I know. Sorry, Chad. I wasn't going to ask you or Troy either. In fact I was only going to ask Ryan and Kelsi."

"What about me?" Zeke said.

Jason added. "Or me?"

"I'm not going to ask any of you other boys since you are on varsity. The season may be over, but you can still be kicked off the team. I'm not going to put you four in jeopardy. But if Zeke just so happened to bake some cookies or an apple and apricot tart, I wouldn't mind." Batting her eyes a tad and smiling coyly, Adele looked over to Zeke who appeared to be seriously considering her suggestion.

"I'm not asking you, Taylor, or you, Gabriella, because you two are dedicated to academia. So, Ryan and Kelsi were the ones I was looking for. Do you guys wanna help me?"

"After lunch, yeah." Ryan spoke. Kelsi just nodded her head in assent.

Sharpay hitched her eyebrows in mock surprise. "And what about me?"

"What about you?" Adele put her shades on.

"Aren't I going to come?"

Troy groaned inside. He knew what the other Evans twin was up to and he didn't appreciate it one bit. Adele would have to take Sharpay along or else the Drama Club president may let a teacher or three know about the whereabouts of Ryan and Kelsi.

"Just like her." Troy smiled bitterly to himself.

"What was that, Bolton?"

Stepping away from Gabi, Troy spoke the anger that was bubbling up. "You heard me. I knew you would try to manipulate this situation to fit you. Just like always. Just like old times. I'm tired of you and thejealousy your have over Adele – and Gabriella – twisting you into making ridiculous schemes that will always backfire on you."

Ryan stepped up, prepared to defend his sister. Sharpay, however, placed her hand on his shoulder, non-verbally assuring him that she could handle this.

"What ever do you mean? Jealousy? Over Adele and Gabriella? I don't think so. There's nothing that I want that they have. No offense, Gabi."

Troy looked over at Adele who was straining to keep her mouth shut tight. "Stop lying. It's very unbecoming of you. Just because you have no idea as to how you've made a difference in someone's life-" He was cut off before he voiced the hurtful things that Troy wanted so desparately to let out. He had months worth of ammunition to throw her way.

"Troy, enough." Zeke growled.

"No. You know what I went through yet you still are interested in her! It's mind-blowing to say the least. But whatever."

"What happened was your fault and hers." Sharpay glared viciously at Adele.

"Don't you dare bring me into this, sweetie. All I have to say is what I've always said: It's not my fault he found better."

A feral growl emerged from Sharpay's mouth as she stalked towards Adele. Troy quickly stepped between the seething girls. "Enough. Just don't rat Adele out."

"I don't care about her."

"What about your brother, Ryan? You tell, he gets punished."

Sharpay's lips remained pressed as she stood her ground, no longer ready to charge. "Fine. But you'll drop me off at home."

She looked to Troy who gave her a knowing – telling look. "I was just going to drop you off at home."

"Good enough for me. Toodles." She and Zeke went down the west hallway.

Once out of earshot, Adele grumbled. "Toodles." She mocked. "I'd like to punch her in the throat."

"I'll hold her down." Taylor glared at the back of the Ice Queen's head.

Adele went to Ryan, placing her hand on his forearm. "I don't know how you do it."

"Me neither."

They shared a smile that made Troy a touch uneasy.

"Forget about her. I'm off to dance class. If you girls want to sleepover after the party, that'll be okay with me." Waving goodbye, Adele exited the school.

But something was nagging Troy right in the back of the head. "I'll be right back." He left before receiving a response. He traveled with all the speed he had down the steps and towards Adele. He placed both hands on her shoulder.

"Troy, what do you want?" Sighing, Adele turned to face him.

"Was it really necessary for you to come all the way out here just to ask two people to hangout? I mean, you almost got busted but Sharpay."

"Yeah. I wish I had busted her…in the face. Anyway, I needed to know before I left today. I was going to be busy all day."

"And night. What of night?"

Adele shifted her weight to her right foot. "I would be tired and I hear people sleep at night. I decided to give it a try."

"Cut the sarcasm. Really, why did you come here and risk getting Ryan, Kelsi, and yourself into trouble?"

She unlocked her car, opening the door. And Troy closed it shut.

"Back the hell away from me. You just don't know." Violently, Adele jerked the car door open and got into the driver's seat.

"Hold on! You're not wearing the ring. Why aren't you wearing it?" He hadn't meant to shout out his question to her but something deep inside broke when he noticed her bare finger.

"You care why? You noticed why? It's no big deal."

Troy racked his fingers through his hair. He hadn't meant to jump to the ring but he had just noticed. Blurting it out wasn't too smart but he wanted to know where his ring was.

"Fine. It's being cleaned. It's soaking as we speak. Now, I'll be late for dance. Bye."

"Just tell me."

The large sunglasses were blocking Troy from seeing them, but, by the sniffling noises, he concluded that she was tearing up. "I'm about to leave in a few weeks. I wanted to throw a party. You know about those parties we threw when we were kids. I don't know about you and Chad but I missed throwing them."

"We carry on the tradition."

"Good to know. I came down here because I missed the school."

He walked a few paces away before coming back to her, calm. "I know you. You must have forgotten that we dated a little over a year. I know all your quirks. You're lying."

"Maybe it was because I WANTED TO SEE YOU!" She shouted.

Not now. Not now. "Not now. Do not do this now."

Adele hit her steering wheel. "Then when? I can't stop this anymore. I don't know about you but I still need you in my life."

"No," he covered up his ears. "I'm in love with Gabriella. I love Gabi. She loves me. That's all I want. She's all I need." She's all I need, he repeated to himself mentally.

"Alright then!" She shouted, sticking her key in the ignition. "Are you coming Friday? You're parents weren't too sure and neither am I."

His breath was shallow as his heart raced. "Gabriella really wants to be there and see you."

"That doesn't mean you're coming."

"Where she goes, I go." Troy knew the significance of his words and he hoped that it hurt.

Anguished swirled in the depths of Adele's brown eyes. Her lower lip trembled. She knew what he meant. What did she expect? That he would sit there and take her admitting she still wanted him in her life? His heart was still pounded. Swallowing all the emotions that flooded vilely into his mouth, Troy wanted it all to end. She couldn't do that.

She couldn't do that! He was over her.

It was over a long time ago. She left him.

There was no going back.

He hoped that she would finally get that he was over her. He hoped that once she heard him talk about Gabi as he once talked about her would trigger her to stop hurting him.

Someone here had to finally know that things were through and done and never going to be resurrected.

"Oh really."

Troy nodded he head.

"I'm glad she found someone who reuses special words and occasions and feelings without regard or respect for his ex-girlfriend."

"Stop it. Just stop. We were never going to work."

"Says you." Adele gritted her teeth. "You gave up on me. And now I know why. Mister Playmaker couldn't keep his pants on. Just had to go find others to satisfy you."

His anger rose, flushing his face. With the window rolled fully down into its slot, Troy grabbed onto the door, pushing his face at her level. "Don't you ever implicate me as some cheater. That was you. Don't you ever think that I never honored what we had. I loved you. You left me."

"Oh cry me a river. I never left. And I sure as hell never cheated. You dated plenty of girls before me. When you finally asked me out, you had just broken up with her. Two days before me!"

"And your point?"

"You said to follow my heart. So I went-"

"Away from me! That's where you went. Away – far, far away from me. I said follow your heart and I thought I was there. I thought you'd come back to me."

"You wanted me to give up my dreams? I love acting. I love singing. I love dancing. I love you. I shouldn't have to choose!"

Troy was taken aback. "You always have to choose in life. That's what life is. A series of choices that, when you look back, will have paved a glorious path. You told me that once. I asked you out after that. I made my decisions. You made yours. I wasn't one of them."

"Yes you were. Why do you think I gave you that whole idea for your big love reveal? I still care about you and I want you happy. I would have never done that for Niccolo. He's not you."

"And I care about him why? I love Gabriella. I told her last night and now I'm happy. Why can't you let it go? It's over. You need to realize that." Troy stepped away from the car.

"Me? Need to realize that? Why are you so upset? If you had no more feelings for me, you wouldn't care about me showing my ass here. You wouldn't give a damn."

"I don't give a damn."

"Oh yes you do." That Cheshire grin drove him insane. He was confused all over again. She pulled off her sunglasses, looking him directly in the eye. "You care about me – and more than the best friend in your life. You're not over me. If you were, you would have never tried to seduce me."

"That one day? When I needed to change?" Troy spun around, back to Adele, in frustration. "I. Needed. To. Change. End of story. Don't you get it?"

She turned the key, revving the engine. "Didn't you feel it? I know you did. The excitement. You felt it. Now go to class." She pushed the gas, tires squealing out of the student parking lot.

His rage was straining to break free from his body. Kicking the nearest car tire was hardly sufficient but the throbbing pain in his foot gave Troy something else to focus on as he hobbled into the building. The warning bell rang just as he opened his locker. He grabbed the things he needed.

The tardy bell rang after Troy stepped into his homeroom. He forced himself in his seat. Adele Carson always knew how to rattle him – to piss him off more than anyone else in the world. She knew nothing of what he felt. Yes, he did feel the pulse of desire when he watched Adele's reaction to his newly developed body but what teenage boy wouldn't get a kick out of that?

"What's wrong?" Chad whispered.

"Later," Grumbling, Troy placed his hands on his head. He should just skip the day. His dad would find out but he could feel a tension headache coming on.

Not too sure what Mrs. Darbus had said (and barely caring), Troy was the first one out of room.

"Troy, wait up."

"Yo. What's with the fast feet?"

Halting, Troy looked back at his friends. "I really need to go."

"I'll walk you." Gabi's concerned eyes only made Troy all the more angry. Clenching his fists, he continued to walk away.

"Troy, what's going on?" Chad asked but all he received was silence.

"That's enough, Troy. We're trying to help you."

"I don't need your help right now. I need to get to class." He stalked down the hallway, not caring if his girlfriend and best friend were upset.

Forty-five minutes later, Troy was amazed that he could still remember the lecture about dimension and it's affect on sculptures. Never before had he focused on schoolwork. It was fascinating. Not the lecture subject or his newfound focusing skills, but the fact that it was free period already.

Troy knew he should do his homework from last night but he would just take the incomplete. He could make up that grade with a great quiz score. What he really wanted to do was just go home…or shoot some free throws.

"Alright now. What's got you so bent out of shape?" Chad was outside, about to run around the track.

Troy missed his seventh shot in a row. "Nothing. Why would you say that?"

"Because, you just missed another easy shot."

Grunting, Troy gave up and threw the ball with all his strength. It hit the backboard, narrowly missing Troy's shoulder as it rebounded back. "I hate her! I hate her so much."

"Who?" Chad picked up the orange ball. "Wait. Addie?

"Yup."

"What happened?"

"What didn't happen is the better question? After she left, I just wanted to ask her a simple question and before you know it, she flies off on some big thing as if she knows me. She thinks I still have feelings for her. She thinks that I still love her!"

"Well, don't you? I mean, I thought you were supposed to always love your first."

"Not helping me out."

Chad held up his hands. "Sorry. Continue."

"Then she started to make accusations about me, hinting to seducing. I tried to seduce her! Not likely. What is her damn problem?" Troy yanked the ball from Chad, hammering it into the ground repeatedly.

"You. That's obvious. But did you try to seduce her?"

Troy glared at his best friend. The flash of fear in Chad's eyes was so satisfying to feel. "No."

"Then, why does she seem to think you did?"

"I took my shirt off in front of her."

"What! Are you insane?"

Troy dropped to the ground, legs stretched out in front of him. "I have no clue. But she was right about one thing."

Chad sunk to the pavement beside his best friend. "What was it?" He muttered.

"The look of…that old look of passion in her eyes did stir something in me. I enjoyed having her look at me."

"Dude…"

"Don't give me that 'dude' sigh. Don't be disappointed in me. It's not my fault. It's hers. I'm not going to her party."

"Yes you are. You know you'll show up two hours before. You'll help set up the last bit of tables. You'll make sure that the music is set. You'll make sure that Adele is calm and ready. You'll be there because we're still friends. All three of us."

"That's right. You're her friend too."

"Of course I am, you idoit! I'm her friend too! I've even hung out at her house a few times since she's come back."

Troy missed out on spending time with Adele. Like it or not, what she said was all true to some degree. But – no – he wasn't teasing her or hurting her. Was he? Troy never meant that. He had no intention of teasing her. Deep down, he had to see that look in her eye that made him feel worth the world again. The stare – the glint in her eye could never compare to any other way a personwill everlook at him. She was…not Gabi.

Troy hung his head in shame. "Has she said anything about…you know?"

"She has and she promised me that she would talk to you when the time was ready. She really does what to salvage you in her life. She still wants you in her life."

Sighing, Troy stared off at the horizon. The lines of East High building were straight and concise. He admired the architect who designed this school. He wished he was as sturdy as his East High School.

"I spent the whole night with Gabi. It was so perfect and right. I told her that I loved her and she loves me. We were alone, free to just be together. Now…now that seems like months ago. It was just last night! I'm really scared, Chad. I don't know what to do anymore."

"Maybe you should tell Gabriella about the full range of the relationship you had with Adele."

"Can't! WON'T!"

"Why not?"

"Because Adele still loves me."