A/N: So, here with a new chapter. Thanks for all the reivews. We love reading what all of you have to say and the great feedback we are getting! Thanks to Stephanie for all the tips! Anyways, on with the story!
As Chad punched Troy, all Troy could think of was everyone there witnessing this horrible event. The bell had rung, and students from East High soon quickly swarmed the hallway until they saw Troy and Chad. Chad gave a physically powerful hit at Troy's face, making Troy have a large bruise on his face. He soon winced as he placed his finger on his face marking where the bruise was. "Oh great…" mumbled Troy. Troy soon looked at Chad yet Chad still didn't look pleased. His right hand tightened into a fist and the other holding up Troy's shirt. Soon everyone was around, crowded in a big circle, looking frantic and worried. "You know what you're going to do, you stay away from her, and if you come near her another punch will be thrown at you." Chad was serious- he meant business. Troy at this point was speechless. He didn't know what to say or do he just wanted to leave right away and forget just what had happened. "You got it?" Chad asked in a stern tone. "Yeah I –" Troy was soon interrupted.
"What is going on here?" Ms. Darbus' voice was loud and clearly was recognized by all the students. "Everyone, get back to class!" Soon all the students scattered and soon both Troy and Chad heard little whispers and voices, they knew people would be talking about this. "May I ask what's going on gentlemen?" Ms. Darbus asked as she arrived with Sharpay and Ryan behind her. Everyone knew that Sharpay and Ryan were like teacher's pets to Darbus. Oh this is just wonderful Troy thought as he stared at Sharpay. However Sharpay didn't look satisfied. Chad soon let go, and spoke up. "Well you see Miss, we were just playing! Aha! Gotcha Troy!" Sharpay knew that wasn't the case, she definitely knew when someone was acting or not, she simply rolled her eyes.
Ms. Darbus gave a long cold stare at Chad, Chad's smile simply faded. "If you were guys playing… then why does Troy have a bruise on his face?" Ryan asked. He soon got a slap from Sharpay. "Sharpay go with Troy to the nurse's office, get some ice. You need it." Ms. Darbus orders were loud and clear. "You two, go off to class, and Chad? We will talk later." Ms. Darbus pointed at Chad and Ryan and soon walked away towards the class. "Sure, bye Sharpay and Troy." Chad replied and gave both Troy and Sharpay a disgusted look as he began to walk, he nudged Troy with Ryan following behind him giving a confused look as he passed Troy. "Come on, let's go…" Sharpay felt awful for Troy, and didn't know why Troy would lie in the first place. "Okay lets…" Troy sighed and followed Sharpay.
Gabriella was looking long and strict at an algebra question. She was at home, in her bedroom lying across her bed. She decided to get started on some math homework considering she had nothing else to do on Friday. She seemed focus and decisive, when it came to work – she was serious and it took a while for someone to get her out of her focus. She soon got caught up in her own world, thinking how many Friday nights Troy and her would spend on homework. Of course, they wouldn't get anything done, for Gabriella – Troy was a distraction already and vice versa. Gabriella simply smiled yet saddened at the same time. She missed it.
Soon her cell phone started to ring. She got up and walked to her dresser to go get it.
"Hello?" Gabriella asked in her supple calm voice as usual.
"Hey, it's me." Gabriella soon recognized the voice. She sighed."Oh, hey Ryan, what's up?"
"… You know why I called."
"Ryan, not now! I just… I don't know yet, I mean its already hard enough for Troy… we barely speak anymore… I just want things to fall into place, just be patient" Gabriella was calm but inside she was troubled.
"Gabriella, space you wanted, space you got, how much more do you want?"Ryan's voice was serious; you could tell he was tired to search the answers.
"Listen Ryan, A year is a long time I spent with Troy, I don't want to just end it … I need more time… please?" Tears almost immediately started to fill Gabriella's eyes; she took her hand and wiped them little by little.
"Fine… I'll wait… anyways, speaking of Troy, did you hear what happened with him and Chad, just wondering…" Ryan's voice was full of curiosity; he still didn't get what happened. He was a smart lad, but some days he had his moments.
"No, what happened?" Gabriella soon sat down on the side of her bed and soon stood up, ready for an answer.
"… It's just, I think they were fighting, and Troy looked badly bruised…" Ryan's tone of voice seemed grave.
"Chad… punched him?" Gabriella was now getting inquisitive and was prying for answers. Ryan just sighed.
"Ryan…" Gabriella was frustrated.
"It appeared like it, listen I have to go, but please, don't blame me I just thought you would know, considering you and Troy, I figured you would of talked by now… please I need an answer. I love you." Gabriella just sighed, she heard him hung up the phone.
Gabriella just sat there quietly. Mixed emotions filled her head.
Gabriella walked through the doors of East High, not knowing what to expect. She soon saw Ryan, which made her stomach do a toss and a flick.
"Hey Gabriella, how is it going?" Ryan smiled and put his arm around Gabriella's shoulder. Gabriella felt uncomfortable but smiled.
"Hello Ryan." They both arrived at her locker; she soon shrugged off Ryan's arm off her shoulder.
"What's your problem? Ryan asked naively. "I just decided to greet you a hello."
"Ryan it's not that, it's just… your arm around my shoulder? It's sends a wrong message! We're in public!" Gabriella glanced at Ryan too see how he would react, although he was calm and collective.
"Sorry, I just thought…" Ryan soon stopped, still looking at Gabriella.
"No I'm sorry, it's just hard, that's all – It's feels funny…Troy and I are still together, and people know that… and it just doesn't seem right, you know?" She soon touched Ryan's shoulder lightly; she smiled as Ryan did so as well. "Please, give me time?" She asked.
Ryan knew how hard it must have been for Gabriella. She was a new girl, everyone knew she was hooked up with Troy, it seemed like Gabriella had a reputation and a standing in East High, although he was sure Gabriella didn't even realized she had. Ryan was still looking at Gabriella, from at this point was putting books in her locker. She then faced Ryan again.
"Okay… I just think you should talk to Troy… I really love you Gabriella, I just think you should break up with him." Ryan was now getting frustrated after he said what he said. He knew those weren't the words that he wanted to come out, but he had to say it sooner or later. Besides he just didn't want answers to be unreturned. He needed to know how truly Gabriella felt about him. He wanted to know, he needed to know.
"Ryan, do you think this is easy?" Gabriella's voice getting louder, she soon gather herself together. "You know what? I'm not having this argument again… Ryan if you really do love me, then just wait, you'll get your answer." Just as soon as I get my answer.
She soon sauntered off Ryan didn't even bother following Gabriella. He simply just exhaled noisily. "That really turned out well Ryan, great job!" Ryan mumbled to himself sarcastically. Still eyes on Gabriella soon decided to go to class.
As Gabriella was walking, she soon saw Troy, his face imperfectly bruised. Gabriella stopped and Troy did the same. Deep down, Gabriella felt angered that Chad… out of all people Chad? She just got irritated. She knew she didn't know what really happened. However, as Gabriella laid eyes on Troy, she knew it was dire news.
"Hey, Troy…" She said quietly, but loud enough for Troy to hear.
"Hey Gabby." He smiled which made Gabriella grinned. "So what's up?" He asked, still remaining calm, even though he knew he was suppose to break it off with her. Deep down, he didn't want to but Chad, his very own best friend was haunting him all over the place. He soon looked down.
"Actually, I was needing to talk to you, and asked what's up… what's up with the bruise Troy?" Gabriella sounded worried, and Troy admired that- he knew she still cared about him… even though … she was being disloyal to him. He still remained silent, observing his fine detailed shoes. Finally Gabriella soon spoke up and interrupted his train of thought. "I mean I heard what went down… but I don't know if it 's true… did Chad really do that to you?" Still Gabriella's voice was frantic and you could tell she was concerned.
"Um, no… Chad? What? Ahaha…" Troy tried to sound convincing. "Chad, he's my buddy, why would he even punch me in the first place?" Troy asked, still a cheese grin on his face.
"Yeah, that's what I wanted to know, why Chad would punch you…" Gabriella wasn't won over and persuaded.
Troy continued, "I mean I just-" He soon got cut off by a young man. Troy soon got wound up and knew that maybe another argument was going to happen.
"Hi Chad, me and Troy are just talking." Gabriella said in a calm tone, although she was fuming at Chad for creating the bruise on Troy's face.
"Well I hope your talking about something worthwhile, or else…" Chad soon glared at Troy. Troy simply stared at him.
"Don't worry, Chad we're talking so chill." Troy made an emphasis on Chad that made Chad up in arms and was angry. "Listen Troy, don't tell me what to do…"
"Oh tell you what to do? How about me man?" Troy's response made Chad even angrier, but Chad knew he was right; he did force him to break up with Gabriella.
"Guys, what's going on?" Gabriella's voice soon piped up from the loud deep male voices. "Nothing Gabriella here lets just go." Chad soon tried to escort Gabriella.
"It's time for class anyways." Chad tried to make the mood lighten up. For Gabriella, she was even surprised the warning bell didn't even ring. It seemed like forever.
"But I wanted to talk to Troy-" Gabriella replied in a grave tone. "No Gabriella lets just go!" They soon walked away as Gabriella looked back and faced Troy. She mouthed… "We will talk later!"
And Troy understood. He nodded his head and turned away. Gabriella nudged off Chad's hand that was on her arm pulling her away.
"Chad, what's your problem?" Troy and I were fine talking without you. Chad knew Gabriella was looking for an answer.
"Listen, I know you two were talking, I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all." Chad replied.
"Chad, you're a good friend, you've been always there for me." She smiled. "But, I'm a big girl, if I need the help I'll go to you, okay?" Gabriella was waiting for an answer.
"But I just-" Chad soon got broken up by Gabriella.
"Chad, you do know that Troy and I are still together…. Right?" Gabriella looking concerned.
"Yeah I do but it's just that…" Chad soon paused. He didn't know what to say from that point on, Chad made the situation ten times worse. He now wished he didn't go up to Troy and Gabriella in the first place. Gabriella looked confused and perplexed.
"Chad, I'm waiting…" Gabriella sounded ready to hear his answer. But the bell rang. The students raced to their classes and made Gabriella and Chad split apart, off to their own directions.
Great, so many questions unanswered. Gabriella walked off to her class, everything in her head was all puzzled up, and she still needed to talk to Chad and Troy separately of course. She walked into class, and she saw Troy, staring at her. He smiled and so did she.
So, Alyssa and I are kind of stuck with the outcome of this story. What pairings would you guys like to see. Would you guys like this story to be Troyella? Ryella? Troypay? Just try to contact us. Thanks.
--Monalyn
Come on, you kow you want to review. : )
