Hi everyone~ I hope you and your families are well and staying safe. I have a dilemma LOL. I don't think a lot of people are digging this story anymore :( I'm not sure whether to delete it or keep going? Are you still interested in the story to continue?
The days kept looming over Gabriella, most of her time spent being distracted by Rosie, the fear of James's threats, but most of all, she couldn't shake the feeling of missing Troy. When Chad confronted Gabriella the other day, she realized how quick she was to judge Troy. Yes, James's threat chipped at her side, but for all Gabriella knew, James could have twisted whatever he had mentioned to Gabriella. James was never known to be a truthful man, and Gabriella knew that. She wanted to see Troy and explain, but she couldn't figure out how to do that. She assumed he would be pretty upset about her abrupt leave. Although Gabriella couldn't figure out how to approach him, he deserved an apology; as soon as possible. Gabriella made the slightly selfish decision to bring Rosie with her. She knew Troy was fond of her, and maybe he wouldn't be too angry is he saw her.
Gabriella crouched down to Rosie's height. "How do you feel about going to Troy's house?"
Rosie immediately stopped reading and looked up at her mom and whispered, "No." Of course, this concerned Gabriella; she knew Rosie was as much as close to Troy than he was.
"Why not baby?" Gabriella asked softly, grabbing Rosie's arm to rub her hands up and down her arms.
Rosie looked up at Gabriella with anger. "I don't want to go! You ruin everything!" Rosie shouted, pulling her arm back and running to her room, slamming the door shut.
Gabriella was appalled at Rosie's behavior as she stepped back and stared ahead in confusion. What had she ruined? She waited a moment or two before entering Rosie's room to see her by her window with her knees up against her chest.
"Rosie?" Gabriella asked softly while walking towards her quietly. Once she had reached Rosie, her heart broke, seeing quiet tears rolling down her cheeks. Rosie finally looked at her mom and let out a soft sob. Gabriella picked Rosie up and sat on the bed, holding Rosie to her chest.
"What did I ruin, baby?"
Rosie tried to wiggle out of Gabriella's hold, but Gabriella held her tight. Rosie eventually looked up to her mom. "You made Troy leave me." She whispered. Gabriella looked at Rosie and couldn't help the tears that were coming. She knew that she would cry for Rosie's well-being. She also knew she would cry for Troy's being, even though she would never admit her. But for the concern, she felt towards Troy and Rosie and it broke her heart more than she knew. However, Rosie wasn't done. "Aidy said he heard his daddy saying that you were angry with her. Mommy, he made you smile. I've never seen you smile since daddy. But daddy is mean to me and doesn't like me, but Troy does."
Gabriella swallowed. She realized know, more than ever, she needed to apologize to Troy.
Once Rosie and Gabriella reached Troy's house, Gabriella couldn't stop shaking her leg nervously. She figured that maybe Troy would ignore Gabriella's call so that the best thing would be showing up at his door and hoping for the best. Gabriella held Rosie's hand tightly while ringing the doorbell and knocking twice. Thankfully Gabriella heard footsteps approaching near the door.
However, imagine Gabriella's surprise seeing Alberquerque's "golden girl," Sharpay. Gabriella stepped back in utter shock and a hinge of resentment.
"Gabriella," Sharpay sighed; however, it wasn't ridiculing. It was also shocking. Gabriella and Sharpay stared at each other for a good while, before Sharpay took her eyes away from her and shuddered, and then turned her attention back to Gabriella. "Are you here for Troy by any chance?" As much as Gabriella didn't want to admit it, she could sense a form of relief in both her voice and body language.
"Y-yes. I am." Gabriella started with shaky confidence.
"Great! Um, come inside, please!" Gabriella reluctantly followed Sharpay inside, confused out of her mind. She heard Troy's voice before seeing him. He looked down at what seemed a coloring book with a little blond boy sitting close to him.
"Who was it, Shar? I don't like surprises." Troy stated with a bit of annoyance, eyes still focused on the coloring book.
Sharpay let out a nervous laugh. "Well, the good thing, it's not a surprise." She quickly motioned Gabriella to come forward, flashing a sweet smile at Rosie."
"What are you-" Now, imagine Troy's surprise. He completely stopped coloring and kept his eyes trained on Gabriella. His face seemed passive; he then looked down at Rosie to see her hiding behind her mom's leg. Rosie saw and smiled back, waving her small hand towards Troy.
Sharpay interrupted Troy's reaction and crouched down to Rosie, who stood behind very nervously. "Hi, what's your name?" Sharpay asked softly.
Rosie replied with hesitance, "Rosie."
Hi Rosie, I have someone who I think would like to meet you."
Rosie suddenly became a bit bolder. "Who?" She asked, stepping away from her mom's leg. Sharpay motioned the blond six-year-old. He politely and quickly walked to his mother's side and introduced himself. "Hi! I'm Jace!" Rosie smiled and reintroduced herself. "Do you like mudpies?" Jace asked enthusiastically.
"I like them with worms!" Rosie replied, growing enthusiastically as well. Jace's smile widened.
"Come with me! There are so many worms in uncle Troy's backyard!" Rosie looked up at her mother for permission. Rosie wasn't the easiest person to open up to. The fact that her daughter was excited to play with, Gabriella could never hold her back from that. Gabriella nodded with granted permission.
"Well, I will go and watch them and make sure the worms don't follow inside," Sharpay said with a sigh, nodded curtly, and left the two complicated lovers alone.
For the first time, Troy's hostility surfaced above him. "What are you doing here?" Troy asked, putting away the crayons, making room for Gabriella to sit.
Gabriella stood standing and asked the question that's been on her mind, right when she saw Sharpay at the door. "What's Sharpay doing here?" Gabriella asked quietly, trying hard to keep her voice neutrally.
Troy continued to stare at Gabriella with a confused expression but knew he needed to explain.
"We're still friends, Gabriella, and before your head thinks otherwise because I know you do; Sharpay's happily married with a kid nonetheless, who also happens to be my godson. Sharpay and her husband are getting ready to go on a date, so I'm watching their son for the night. Now, you understand the story, right?"
Gabriella's cheek flushed with embarrassment. "I suppose I deserved that." She spoke.
Gabriella took a deep breath before her apology. "I'm sorry for what I said to you and treated you. I misjudged you and didn't give you a chance to explain. And I understand that you're angry, but I would like to hear what happened."
Troy looked down, shaking his head, and then looked at Gabriella. "You were the last person who I thought would judge me. I'm upset because I felt that it was my fault for not sharing the car crash experience with you, and that is something I should have done. I take full responsibility, but I was reminded why I didn't want to tell anyone in the first place." Troy admitted.
Gabriella felt more guilty than ever because she knew he was right. "I'm sorry."
Troy responded after a pregnant silence. "I know."
"I would like to hear what happened to Troy."
Troy sighed tiredly. "I know I usually don't act this way, but not tonight, Gabriella, not tonight. I'm taking care of Jace today."
Gabriella couldn't help but understand his reasoning of not wanting to talk. She would've said the same thing about Rosie. The little ones come first, sometimes. "I understand," Gabriella replied solemnly, feeling hopeless.
However, Troy knew he couldn't push her away forever, mostly since most of him wanted to be with Gabriella.
"I'm free tomorrow. If you want to talk, I mean." Troy stated.
Gabriella took this opportunity. She couldn't let anyone interfere with the relationship between them. They had established they were going to trust and maybe even love each other. Gabriella didn't even hesitate to agree, "Thank you."
By the time their conversation ended, Rosie, Jace, and Sharpay walked back into the house. Rosie and Jace having mud all over their hands and some mud smeared into their faces. Sharpay looked up and sighed, tiredly looking at Gabriella. I'm sorry for the mess." Gabriella smiled at Sharpay, something she never thought she would ever do. "It's okay, thank you for watching Rosie," Sharpay responded with a smile and small nod. She looked at Troy. "Let me give this one a bath before I leave."
"Thank you, one less worry about spending time with my favorite heathen," Troy replied, sarcastically. In truth, Troy was honored knowing someone trusted him with their child to look over, protect, and teach. He loved his heathen with all he has.
Troy turned to Gabriella, who was ready to leave. "See you tomorrow, Gab." Before they could go, Rosie ran up to Troy and hugged him tightly. Troy didn't mind the mud at all. Troy hugged back, whispering something into her ear, in which Rosie nodded back. Tomorrow the answers will be revealed, but Gabriella was ready for the truth.
