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!

OliverwoodschicHere's a new chappie. It's kind of two-part chapter extravaganza.

azndoll10Perhaps she is…perhaps she isn't.

dancerlittleThere's more twists to come.

AngelD88How can you when there's pretty Troy standing there?

carito06This is the calm before the story…


Chapter Sixteen

"Are you sure that's what she said?"

It had been a solid block of minutes before Chad finally spoke up. Troy placed his chin on top of his knees. "She said, and I quote, 'I love acting. I love singing. I love dancing. I love you.' If that's not an admission to love, I don't know what is."

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have tried back in New York."

"Chad, you were just being a good friend who knows how to honor a promise made. You're the better one out of us three."

"I could have told you that."

Troy shoved his friend playfully.

"Don't hate crime against me." Chad laughed, getting back up on his feet. "So, yeah. Come on. Either tell it all or forget all about it. That's your only choice right now."

"I have no choices anymore." Troy held his breath, chancing for a hoop.

"Yeah. You're sorry. Thank heavens the season is over." Chad grabbed the ball. It bounced a good foot away from the base of the basketball hoop.

Troy, knowing defeat, made the trek back to the school with his best friend. Freshened up yet still heavy with guilt and all other emotions, Troy went through his classes on autopilot.

"Mr. Bolton! Pay attention please."

"I am."

That brief conversation appeared repeatedly throughout his morning. Finally, it was lunch. One who was without an appetite found that they didn't attend lunch. And Troy was such a person. He went to his "secret spot" in hopes of solitude.

He would not find it there today. Though, it was a good thing.

"I know that something's wrong. I just want to make you happy again." Gabriella stood by the rows of potted plants.

Troy smiled gratefully at his girlfriend. "Things aren't going as planned is all."

"I can tell by your voice that you're lying."

He took a sharp inhalation. "What do you mean?"

"There's something bothering you and it's big. You're off. You didn't wait for me between classes. You weren't paying much attention in class. You were fine until you came back from the parking lot. Why were you out there?"

Though he had the sneaking suspicion that she already knew, Troy confided in his Gabi. "I was talking to Adele."

"And?"

Troy bit his bottom lip, finding a seat on a nearby bench. Staring at his bouncing knee, Troy had to make a decision. To tell or not to tell? Was he ready to divulge the true nature behind Adele and what she meant to him? With a deep breath, he answered Gabriella.

"And she starting prodding and I got upset. She thinks that since we were once the best of friends, then that gives her the right to know every detail of my life now. I guess she thinks she still knows me."

He was a coward.

Gabriella sat next to him, her hand rubbed soothing circles across his back. "Well, maybe she just doesn't understand how much she hurt you in the past. Have you ever told her how you felt?"

"Never,"

"See. Troy, that could be the problem. You told me that she and Chad remained friends and worked through her sudden departure. She can be a friend to him. It's possible that Adele just assumed the same from you. You have to talk to her about what happened between you two."

Gabriella was the smartest person he knew. So, what she said had to have been the right decision to make. However, that right thing to do wasn't what he wanted to do. He'd rather remain distant with Adele. It was easiest.

"You're right. I'll talk to her." He kissed her lips before walking away. He stepped down on the first step that led down to the school's top floor. "Not going to come with me?"

"I'm coming." Gabriella took his hand, allowing him to lead her down to her next class.

School continued and Troy continued to harbor a piece of anger in his heart. It was such a joy to Bolton when the final bell of the day rang. When he dropped off Gabi, she gave him a kiss and a reminder to talk to Adele.

There was no contact between him and Adele that night. Troy thought he had the courage to call Adele up, tell her his true feelings about her return, and be done with this drama. He wanted to get back to his life with Gabriella. But, upon dialing her number, he choked. He hung up the phone as quick as he picked it up.

He did his homework. He ate his dinner. And before he readied himself for sleep, the urge to call Adele overpowered him. Finding her in his call log, Troy dialed her number and waited with bated breath.

He got voicemail…over and over again; she wasn't picking up. Could he blame her? After that sort of fighting, why would he expect her to listen to him? She said her side and that's all that mattered to her. Adele was one stubborn young woman. That was one of her characteristics that attracted him to her. She always stood her ground.

"This is snowballing." He grumbled to himself as he turned the lights off, hoping sleep would take the dilemma that was brewing away from him.

Friday had come. Friday was here and Troy wanted to stay in bed. Only one thing was happening tonight: Adele's early End-of-the-Year party. Lying in bed, Troy couldn't believe that this day had come. It was a significant day in his life. It was like those days before when Chad, Adele, and himself would spend the day (at school or at home) dreaming about what the party would be like – what sort of fun they could anticipate.

This time around, however, Troy felt knots in the pit of his belly. Would he actually go? Would he show up early to help her out?

The question ran on loop in his head as Troy found himself walking into school. Everyone was a-buzz with the excitement of Adele's party. Right after school, people would be getting ready to go see what her party was like. Popular kids were not the limit this time.

Avoiding everyone like the plague that he felt growing within him, Troy kept his head down as he reached his locker. This day would be as normal as possible. He would not think of the party, which he – in the far recesses of his mind…soul – wanted to participate in.

"Get over this." He grumbled to the inside of his locker. It didn't make sense. He didn't make sense. He was over Adele – still mad at her for the accusations she made yet here he was, thoughts of her pounding at his brain.

He went straight to homeroom and laid his head down on the cool desktop. Being the first person to class was new for Troy. The solitude was soothing.

"I'm so ready for tonight. A year without a Carson blowout fiesta is like a school year never ending. I'm so glad she's back." He overhead some girl chatter away.

Troy felt his body steel against those words. These people were ridiculous! They never thought about the history and tradition behind her party. It was a party that was started only for his two best friends and himself. It exploded in the fanfare that people believed it to be. Now, with anyone and everyone invited, the organic idea behind the end-of-the-year party was buried. Those simple nights were killed.

Was that how he felt? Troy mourned the earlier times…the easier and simpler times. He mourned the loss of his friend and what she was in his life.

The filling of students around him alerted Troy, causing him to sit up tall, a false smile on his face.

Chad came in, taking his seat. "Are you coming or not?"

"Gabriella wants to."

"Do you?"

"I believe so."

"Are you coming to help us out?"

Troy shrugged his shoulders. "Would I be welcomed?"

"Probably not. But I think she would appreciate it regardless."

"She wouldn't return my calls."

"I know." Chad adjusted his second watch on his wrist. "She told me she was going to ignore you. Said it was the easiest thing to do."

Troy scoffed gently. "I understand that."

"Just come. If not for your own enjoyment, for the memory of the fun we had."

Not sure what to say, Troy said nothing at all. Taylor and Gabriella entered "The Sanctuary", as their teacher called it.

"Ready for the party tonight?" Gabriella asked everyone.

"I can't wait to see what it's like. I was invited to the last one. Though I only stayed for an hour, it was amazing. Really cool."

"Taylor, I don't remember you there." Chad took the books that Taylor was carrying and set them on his desk.

"I saw you there. I kept to myself. I'm not really a cheerleader/sports team mingler."

The foursome laughed lightheartedly.

"What time should we be there?" asked Gabriella, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I'm going home with Troy where we'll pick up our change of clothes and help out Adele. We'll be her muscle and shower at her place." Chad spoke up before Troy had an option.

Troy puckered his lips tight, attempting to keep the choice words he had for Chad within.

"Great! That gives Gabriella and I a chance to pack for the sleepover and figure out proper dress. I'll give you a ride." Taylor grabbed her books, preparing to take her seat as the tardy bell sounded.

"Thanks," Gabriella said. "I can't wait to see what you guys and your muscles did at the party."

"Probably set out the food like old times." Troy quickly countered. Gabi and Taylor found their seats. "What is your problem?"

"Calm down."

"Calm down! You."

"I am." Chad emphasized by leaning back in his desk, hands behind his head. "What's your deal?"

"You just volunteered me to help with Adele in front of Gabi. I don't want to. I have to now. Thanks." He spoke gruffly.

"Adele's not here. You didn't say it in front of her."

"That's not the point. You implied it to Gabriella."

"You're point is?"

"I don't lie to her. I've got to go now."

Chad laughed as he placed his elbows on his desktop. "You, Troy Bolton, do not and have not lied to Gabriella when it comes to dealings with Adele? Don't kid yourself."

Troy seethed inside. Now, he regretted telling Chad about his situation over Adele and how he withheld some truths from Gabi, his love. Refusing to go much more into anything else, Troy kept his mouth shut during the morning T.V. news announcements. Slumped in his chair, Troy resigned himself to the fact that he would in fact be helping Adele out before the party.

He looked over his shoulder, spotting his girlfriend. Troy couldn't help but smile charmingly at Gabi who blushed before winking back.

Like it or not, Troy was vaguely excited about spending time with Adele.

The hours passed by fairly quickly. Perhaps it was the anticipation growing, thickening the air, and hyping Troy up. Or, perhaps, it was the constant replay of his schedule after school (Find Chad, drop him off at home, figure out what to wear and bring it. Or go to Chad's house and hurry him up…whatever.).

Whatever the case was Troy found himself at the lunch table. Ryan, Kelsi, and Sharpay were bouncing with anxiety. It was quite apparent those three had yet to skip school before.

"Where is she? Lunch has already started." Kelsi bit her lower lip.

"Don't worry. She'll show."

Taylor, Gabi and Chad soon arrived. "Just saw Adele. She got stopped by Darbus. She said she'll be here soon." informed Chad as he placed his tray on the table.

Sharpay began to dig through her purse. "Good. Glad she finally showed."

"Why are you so mad with Adele? She hasn't done anything to you." Gabriella asked softly. "I mean, she's about to help you skip the rest of the day and here you are complaining."

"Gabriella, I don't want to sound mean but stay out of my business." She closed her purse with a snap.

"Sharpay, that's it. Enough. You really need to be nicer to people." Zeke spoke.

She hitched her eyebrows, too flabbergasted to say a word. Troy caught the amused eyes of Chad. Maybe Zeke wasn't so blind to Sharpay as everyone thought. Troy opened his bagged lunch, digging out his bottle of water.

"Sorry guys. Mrs. Darbus caught me and decided to chat me up. Let's go you three."

Troy hadn't spoke to Adele since yesterday. Seeing her today caused the urge to apologize to bubble inside.

The Evans twins and Kelsi said their goodbyes, preparing to leave. He really wanted to say something – anything.

"Can't wait for the party tonight. I've been telling everyone six o'clock." said Jason.

"Good man. It will be so awesome to have my fiesta again. I miss it so." The smile on her face was pleasant yet when she connected eyes with Troy, the life in her brown eyes died.

"We all do." Chad added. "We'll be there right after school."

She fixed the sunglasses on her head. "We who?"

"Me and Troy, duh."

"Oh. Oh! Right. Yeah. See you there. Come you guys. Bye everyone else. See ya'll tonight." Adele gave Troy a perplexed look before leaving.

"Umm…yeah. I guess." Scratching his head, Troy was flummoxed. Around him, his friends went on about some of the past hijinks that developed at a Carson event. On and on they went swapping stories about break-ups, hook-ups, and mix-ups.

"When Stacie came from inside to find her boyfriend dancing with her twin sister…that fight was classic." Zeke laughed.

Taylor set her apple on her tray. "I think that was the first party of hers that I went to. I was scared for my life."

"We all were."

Everyone at the table laughed, excluding Gabriella who sat back, taking in all the memory swapping.

"From what you guys have told me, I'm ready to go to this party." Gabi said as the bell rang.

"It's worth it." Chad smiled as he escorted Taylor to her class. The other four left the cafeteria, heading to class.

Troy got through his classes. He wasn't too sure how it happened but, for the rest of the day, Troy forgot about Adele and the situation they were in. All he knew was that night in New York when he promised to try his best to resurrect his friendship with his ex. That was the only thing that kept him wanting to set up the party.

At two-thirty in the afternoon, the school bell rang for the last time in the day.

"See you in a few hours." Gabriella planted a sound kiss on Troy's lips.

"Bye," He watched her as she jogged down the hallway, catching up with Taylor.

Heading out to the parking lot, Troy forced his mind to stay quiet. He couldn't let his mind remember the last pre-party celebration he had with Adele. He couldn't let his mind revel in the fun they had or the time they spent. That was the past – it was behind him and that's where it belonged.

"Let us be off!" Chad said, walking in stride with Troy.

"Let us get this over with."

Chad climbed into the passenger seat. "Just get over yourself. You know you're excited. There's nothing wrong with that. You're not cheating on Gabriella with Adele. Adele is a friend."

"Who I loved with my heart and soul." Troy retorted.

"Troy, I'm wondering if you ever got over her."

It was obvious that he hadn't. Who would have given the circumstances? Adele never gave him closure – a reason as to why things just shut down between them. He wasn't over his past with Adele…nothing ever came to a definite end. But, he was ready to get her out of his mind. Why hadn't she just said 'It's over'?

The rest of the drive was spent in silence. He couldn't think of anything to say. There wasn't anything to say. Like it or not, when it got down to it, Chad spoke plainly and truthfully. He always knew how to get to the root of a problem. Troy parked outside of Chad's house, waiting for his friend to drop his things off and pull together an outfit.

"My mom said that her and my dad will be there in about three hour with yours."

Troy just nodded his head. Three turns later he was pulled into his driveway. He took the stairs two at a time, tossing his messenger bag on his bed. Rummaging through his closet, he pulled out some walkshorts and a T-shirt, shoving them in his drawstring "back sack" as the team called them; they were gifts from the cheerleading squad at the start of the season.

Back in his Jeep, Troy found Chad singing to his rear-view mirror.

"I really need new friends."

Chad looked at Troy as if he couldn't possibly be referring to him. "You know you love it."

Down the road and on a new street, Troy pulled in behind the car Adele was using while in town. "I hope her parents don't need this space."

"It's a double-wide driveway. They can just pull in next to us." Chad hopped out of the car. "You think Kelsi and Ryan are still here?"

"Probably," Though, a part of him wanted it to just be the Three Musketeers.

Chad rang the doorbell. They waited a few seconds, allowing her time to get to the door. "Where is she?" Without a second thought, Chad went to open the door. It was unlocked.

"That's very safe. Anyone can just waltz in." said Troy as he crossed the threshold; Chad soon followed.

"I just unlocked the door. Saw you drive by and park." Adele came from the hall leading back to the laundry room. Her arms were full of table clothes and bags from Party Central, a store that catered only to selling things necessary for party throwing.

"Oh," Troy shoved his hands in his pockets.

Adele's eyes traveled over his body, staring into his eyes when she was through with her inspection. "Why are you here? I thought only Chad would be helping out."

"I thought so too. Change of plans."

"Oh,"

"Where's Kelsi and Ryan?" Chad interrupted the two before they could start fighting.

Adele rearranged the packets in her arms. It was plain to see that she was struggling. Troy went and grabbed some of the linens.

She whispered something that sounded like 'Thanks'.

"You're welcome."

Adele watched Troy as she answered Chad. "Yeah, they went home. I dropped Kelsi at Ryan's and he said he would take her home. They helped me finish up a lot of little things."

"But you need us manly men to do the big things." Chad puffed out his chest, flexing his biceps.

"Yeah. Follow me you two manly men."

He could tell she was still upset with him. For the next hour Adele called out orders to him while she delightfully chatted with Chad, helping him when she could. After setting up the last of the plethora of folding tables, Troy went over to a huge canopied dance floor.

"There you are." Chad entered. "No way. You have a D.J.!"

Adele came in after him. "I sure do. And there's going to be karaoke. I paid for the D.J. and my parents rented the tent and tables."

"Where did you get that sort of money?"

"Chad, you forget that I starred in a play for most of this year. We got paid quite nicely if I may say so."

Watching his best friend converse with Adele fluently made Troy a tad jealous. Why couldn't his life be as simple?

"So, thank you guys so much. I really appreciate this." She hugged Chad.

Troy stood up. She came to him and smiled. "You guys can just go shower up and get ready. You know where the towels and showers are. Go to town with it. I, on the other hand, have to put the centerpieces out." She slipped out.

Chad waited until she was out of earshot to speak. "You two need to stop acting like kindergartners and -"

Troy held up his hand, halting his friend mid-sentence. "I am not up to hearing anything more about it. I'm going to go shower." Troy went inside, not giving Adele (or what Chad had to say) a second thought.

Inside the Carson home was Nyia, watching some television show. "Hey, Ny."

"Bolton."

Great, he sighed inwardly. Adele had gotten to her sister. The last time he had heard Nyia call him by his surname was a few weeks after Adele received the news of her acceptance to the Jones Magnet Institute. Afraid that Adele would leave him for good and never look back, Troy made it not-so-subtlety clear that he wasn't sure her talent was good enough to leave Arizona. He regretted lying to his girlfriend at the time and making her feel guilty. The explosive argument they had…it scared him. Nyia hadn't forgiven him until days after Adele did.

Not up for a fight or delving into potential drama, Troy went upstairs with his change of clothes. He gingerly stepped onto the top landing, breathing in the familiar scent of fresh flowers that were always set out on the hallway desk. He found the wooden armoire near the guest bedroom where the towels and such were stored.

Twenty minutes later, Troy emerged a new man in his olive walkshorts and a Billabong white tee. He deposited the used towels in the wicker hamper. Standing in one spot, Troy just took a deep breath. One deep breath in and one deep breath out.

"I think our parents just showed up."

"Or hers?"

Chad shrugged his shoulders. He was leaning in the doorway of the guest bedroom where there was another private bathroom. "Could be? How party ready do I look?" Chad was in navy blue walkshorts with a light green window pane plaid stripe and an orange tee.

"Like I know. Do I look like someone who cares about how you look?"

Chad furrowed his brow. "Why not?"

"I'll see you down in a few." Troy laughed.

Chad inclined his head in assent as he headed back down the stairwell.

Troy wandered around the top floor layout. He strolled by Adele's parents' room and Nyia's door. The guest bedroom was on the left and in the back was Adele's room.

"Do I?" He muttered to himself as he cautiously stepped down the hallway. Her white door was ajar. He watched as his trembling fingers pushed it wider open. It was as if he were in a movie, watching someone else enter the room. His eyes locked on the turret that created the tri-window seating area. That area was his landing pad for outside the window was a large tree that he would scale in the middle of the night to sneak kisses, hugs, sleep, love, and time with Adele.

Her carpet was still soft and bouncy beneath his feet. Her walls were still candlelight white with a passionate red wall where her headboard was placed. The desk was still junky yet the dresser and her closet door was still opened. So many memories were engrained in the walls and in the floor and in the bed and in the cushions and in the pillows and in the ceiling. Everywhere he turned, a memory blossomed.

He reminisced. That piece of rug reminded him of the rug burn he got when Adele beat him in wrestling. Or that time when she slipped off the bed from bouncing in jubilation over the ring he presented to her.

He licked his lips.

"Calm down."

"Did I set up enough tables? Is the dance floor properly set up? Will the music be right?"

Troy sat back in the compute chair, enjoying the scene unfolding in front of him. However, the true thing that was unfolding was Adele – unraveling under the pressures of the party.

"Everything is set and perfect. Chad and I have set up about twenty tables. Professionals set up the floor and the music will be fine. The gift bags are done and the food is ready except the cookout food. It's all going to be fine." Troy stood up.

"Are you sure?" The worried look in Adele's brown eyes made his heart call to her even more than it did.

"I'm Troy Bolton. I'm sure, I'm sure."

Adele smiled. "That's not helping me out."

"Come here."

Begrudgingly, she closed the space between them, standing mere inches from him. "What?"

Linking their hands together, Troy pulled his arms behind him, causing her to come forward. Her hands slid around his waist in an embrace. With one hand around her shoulders and his other woven in her hair, Troy kissed her forehead.

"Just take a breath. Breath, love, breath."

"In and out. Breath it in and breath it out." Adele leaned her head back to look into his bright blues. "This is my last party. This is the last Trio Trinity of Party Awesomeness."

"Just made that up?"

"I did. Like it?"

"Of course."

"Good. Knew you would. But seriously, I'm breaking the group up. Should I really go?"

Sighing, Troy sat back down, placing Adele on his lap. "We've been through this. You've got too much talent to be wasting around here."

"But what about you? Us?"

Troy entwined his fingers with her right hand, rubbing the ring on her finger. "This insures that. Don't worry about me."

"I love you." She kissed him soundly on the lips.

"I love you, Ellie. You have to know that. This party will go on without a hitch."

Pressing her forehead to his, Adele kissed the bridge of his nose. "The more you talk, the more I want to kiss you."

Troy moaned as he gently bit her lower lip. Then, he suckled it, soothing away any minor pain . Her arms draped his shoulders as her nails scratched the back of his neck, sending chills down his spine. Lifting her up, Troy maneuvered himself out of the chair and over to her bed. So gracefully she fell to the mattress. Her hair in curls fanned out around her, the sapphire blue dress slightly hitched up from her knees…

"You are so beautiful."

"And you are the one." She pulled him down upon her, pressing them close.

"Guys, gross. Just stop. People are arriving." Said Chad, hanging from the door.

They both looked up at him, laughing purely out of embarrassment. "We'll be down in a few."

"No, Troy. If I let you two come down in a few, you'll be down in an hour? Two? I don't want to know. Just get up now." Chad came over and yanked Troy up. "Get up."

The three headed down stairs, ready to have some fun.

"What the hell is this? What are you doing in my room?"

Troy jumped in surprise. "I can explain."

Behind him, Adele was clutching the lapels of her baby blue bathrobe. Hearing the burning anger in his ex's voice caused Troy to want to give up. He wished that he could have forgotten her.

"Get out of here!"

Troy stood toe-to-toe with the barely clothed girl. "Hear me out. I am so sorry for what I've done."

"Get out."

"But I want to apologize."

"I understand that. I need to change and I'm not going to do that in front of you, now am I?"

"Right," He was so anxious and on edge around her. It was as if their relationship had never existed. In all reality Troy felt as he did when he first realized his crush on her – completely tense and packed with apprehension.

He shut the door quietly behind him, leaning against the wall for support. Troy mentally made note of every breath he took. Around him, people were talking and laughing. His parents must have just shown up. When did this become so complex?

The door re-opened and Adele stood in a teal halter dress. "Come on. I still have to fix my hair and make-up. Still don't know what shoes to wear."

Troy smirked. He recognized this budding anxiety. "Calm down."

"But is everything set? I just realized that I don't know how many people are coming. How many are going to drive here? We don't have tons of parking spaces." Troy followed behind the frantic young woman. She stopped at her small table that had a mirror over it, trying to figure out what to do next.

"Calm down."

"What about the food? I hope there's enough. I wish I had never did this." She began to apply the minimal amount of make-up she typically wore to parties.

"No you don't. Just stop and take a breath."

She uncapped her lip-gloss. "What?"

"Stop." Troy went to stand by her side, holding her gaze through the mirror's reflection. "Take a breath."

The look she was giving him was a relief…in some odd way.

"Yeah. You. Breath it in and breath it out."

Adele stood rooted, gloss poised at her lips. She took a deep breath in and exhaled.

"Now, calm down."

"Like you know so much." The smirk on her face could be easily read as amusement. "Thank you again. I don't know how I would have gotten everything done without you. Don't tell the other guests but those who helped get a great gift bag. Shh."

"Don't thank me. I want to apologize for flipping out on you the other day."

Adele went about pulling her hair into a tight ponytail. "You should be sorry. So am I. I'm not sorry for what I said but I am sorry about how I said it."

"So, we can agree that we attacked each other."

"Over something we should have attacked each other for a long time ago."

Troy complacently watched Adele get ready. It was times like these that he missed Adele's friendship. To be allowed in her world was a privilege in his eyes. She slipped on a wide white headband.

Troy couldn't explain it but he suddenly missed Adele. He suddenly missed Gabriella.

Minutes later she was strapping on her wedge heels. "I'm all gorgeous."

He appraised her look as she did a slow spin for him. "You are."

"Thanks." She sprayed some perfume on.

"Where's the ring?"

"Not this again." Adele warned.

"I just want to know."

"It's in the jewelry chest by my bed."

Troy reigned in the frustration he began to feel. "Why?"

"I don't feel comfortable wearing it anymore. After our fight, I realized some things. I can't wear that ring in good faith. To wear it mocks what we had. If you want it, take it."

"I don't want it. I gave it to you."

"Then let me do with it what I want." Adele strolled out of her room, leaving a simmering Troy behind.