Closed Book

Disclaimer: I do not own HSM

AN: Chapter Seven. And too those confused as to whether this is going to become a like crazy depressing cancer story, it's not. That is just a bump along the way.

Gabriella Montez

So it's 4:30 in the morning and I am at Wally's Waffle House – Your 24 Hour Stop for All Your Syrupy Needs! Troy has been great tonight. I finally told him my problem and he is yet to really say anything about it so I am assuming that the questions are coming and for this first time in a while I decided that I am going to answer them straight up.

"Here are your waffle's miss" The waitress is way too happy to be working a graveyard shift.

"Thanks." I look over at Troy who is covering his waffles in waaaayyy too much syrup. "So…?"

"So what?"

"Are you not going to say anything about what I told you earlier?"

"Not unless you want me to." Do I? When did life get so confusing?

"Uhh, I don't really know what I want."

"That's understandable"

We sit in silence while we eat our waffles. I think over everything and make a decision.

"Okay," Troy looks up suddenly interested. "I want you to ask me questions. Ask me anything."

"Really?"

"Yes. And I will answer honestly. I swear."

"Okay, but if ask anything too personal don't worry about it, just tell me to stop and I will." Could you please be a normal teenage guy and stop being so perfect?

"Fair enough,"

"Alright. That first day when we went to the park and stuff, what was with that text message that made your mood change so suddenly?" I'd almost forgotten about that day.

"Oh, it was just a text from my mom reminding me about her chemo appointment that afternoon." I've received so many of these text yet they still hurt to read.

"Okay. And what's on Pine Street?" When did I mention Pine Street?

Troy must've noticed my confused expression. "You mentioned it the same day as the text; you said you didn't want to go anywhere near there."

"Oh right, that's just where my mom was diagnosed. You know that cancer centre by the diner?" He nods.

"Okay, that's it for my questions." Seriously? I was expecting something harder.

"Is it wrong that I expected some really deep questions that would be really hard for me to answer?"

He chuckled. "No, I guess I have been giving off that 'I'm a deep thinker' vibe but really I'm not deep at all."

"I don't know, eye-reading is pretty deep." I teased him. I just teased a boy. Something strange is going on with me.

After some more care-free flirting – yeah that's right I flirted! – things got serious again. It's kind of amazing how we can go from flirting to seriousness with no problem at all.

"So, I asked my questions; is there anything you want to say to me?" Hmmm….

"Let me get back to you on that one."

"Take all the time you need." Okay, his perfectness is driving me up the wall.

"Stop that!"

"I'm confused. Stop what?"

"Being so perfect! What happened to pushy, sarcastic, annoying Troy? You are so understanding and patient and perfect! It's driving me crazy!" Uh-huh good job Gabriella, way to get mad at the only person in your life you can talk to.

"I'm…sorry?" Oh god.

"Look Troy…"

"No Gabriella, it's okay. You're right. This isn't really me; I'm just trying to make you realize you can trust me."

"I already realized that if you hadn't noticed."

"Okay good. Because that was totally stupid of me considering I've been telling you that you should be yourself and then I come around here acting totally different. I'm sorry." I'm getting confused.

"How's this sound… you forget I ever said that to you and I pretend I'm not an idiot?"

He laughed "Deal" Did he just call me an idiot?

"Well I should probably get back to the hospital. And you probably want some sleep."

"I will come back to the hospital with you."

"No, don't worry about it. You're parents are probably going to be worried and you've already done more for me than I deserve."

"At least let me give you a ride." Oh, I just assumed he was going to. Oops.

"That would be perfect."

Awkward moment… sitting in Troy's car in the hospital parking lot. I can't just get out of the car and leave, but what am I supposed to do sitting in the car?

"Oh! I just remembered I left my car at your place." How am I supposed to drive me and my mom home?

"Well that's okay. Why don't you give me a call when they discharge your mom and I will come pick you guys up and take you to your car?"

"Thanks Troy. You really are being too good to me."

"Don't worry, starting Monday I will be the rudest person you've ever met." That was a joke right?

He laughs at my expression. Must've been a joke. We exchange numbers and then I leave.

It's Monday now. The only time I saw Troy again over the weekend was when he came to pick me and my mom up at the hospital.

"What's up with you today Gabs?" I'm walking to lunch with Taylor and Sharpay.

"Nothing, why do you say that?"

"I don't know, you seem different." Oh great, hanging out with Troy is totally ruining my lifestyle. But guess what? I DON'T CARE!

"Nope, same old Gabs. Just a different view on life." Why am I so giddy?

"Care to share the insight?"

Before I get a chance to answer Sharpay gasps loudly and points at me accusingly. "You are sleeping with someone! Who is it? Is it Tyler? No it's not Tyler even you have better taste than that. Mike! Its Mike isn't it? --" I'm going to stop her before people hear her.

"Sharpay! Keep your voice down! And no, I am not sleeping with anyone."

"That's too bad, sex is great." Taylor rolls her eyes and walks off with a sympathetic wave.

"Please spare me the gory details."

"Gabriella, I'm worried about you" I'm fine.

"Why?"

"When are you going to show interest in a guy? Come on! Your young, hot and have an awesome personality to boot! Wait, are you a lesbian?" She looks at me funny. Man, I have got to start telling my friends more about myself. When they jump to conclusions it is kind of scary.

"I am most definitely not a lesbian. And what if I told you I did like a guy?" I like a guy? Who, since when?? Why didn't anyone tell me? Why did I just tell Sharpay?

"Oh. My. God! Gabriella! Why didn't you tell me?" Because I didn't until 5 seconds ago! "Who is it!?'

"Nope! No way! I am not going to tell you!" I'm going to taunt her!! Hahaha, who knew how much fun it would be to let my friends into my life?

"Come on Gabriella! Pleeeeeeeassssssssssssseeeeeeee? I'll do anything if you will tell me." I laugh.

"Let's go to lunch."

"Don't think I won't find out! You hear me Gabriella Montez!!!"

I think I was just threatened.

When I was at home later that evening I was thinking about my conversation with Sharpay. Even though everything sounded so simple during the conversation I can't help but be overly confused now.

I like someone? Who? Okay, so I have a pretty good idea who but I refuse to think it until I know what's going on. I don't like him. I can't. I don't get involved that way with anyone. Its way too soon into my new lifestyle to start worrying about boys!

So after thinking long and hard about this confusing topic I came to a conclusion. In honour of my new and improved way of life where I actually let people into my world I decided I would go to the one person most teenage girls go to for boy troubles. My mom.

I hunt down my mom in our house. "Hey mom…"

"Oh hey sweetheart. I didn't see you there." Probably because I just walked in.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?"

"Sure, anything. Come sit down." I do as told. "What do you need?"

"I'm kind of having… boy troubles" And yes, I winced.

A huge smile spread across my moms face. I have to admit it makes me regret my decision. "My 17 year old daughter is finally coming to me for boy troubles! You have no idea how happy that makes me!!"

"Mom…"

"I'm sorry Gabi. Stopping being embarrassing mother …..now." I chuckled. I love my mom. "Now, does this have to do with Troy?"

"What! No! Of course not!" She just stares at me waiting. "Okay, yes! It is."

"I thought so. Now, what's the issue?"

"I kind of think I might, well, I don't know, like him?"

"I don't see the problem."

Loud groan from my mouth. "I don't really know the problem. What if he doesn't like me back?"

"Honey, the boy came with you to the hospital at 1:30am." Good point.

"Okay, I know that."

"That not really what you're worried about though is it." I shake my head. "What you're really worried about is how to let him into your life." I nod sheepishly.

"Look Gabi. You are an amazing girl and very talented, but one thing you have never been able to do is let people into your life! I take full responsibility for that because of what happened between me and your father. But honey you have got to start opening up."

"What if I get hurt?" It's amazing how once you start talking about your problems you just can't seem to stop.

"I'm not going to lie to you. Chances are you will get hurt, and as much as I'd like to save you from this hurt I can't. This is something you have to experience on your own but that doesn't mean I won't be here to help you."

"So are you saying I'm going to get hurt no matter what? There is no way to save myself from this hurt? Then what's the point?"

"When you experience love you will understand that it is most definitely worth it." Oh great. It's one of those I can't tell you because you have to figure it out on your own type situations.

"I get it. I have to take the risk, make mistakes, learn, live and love. And when I do all those things it will all make sense."

"That sounds about right. Well except for the making sense thing. Nothing ever really makes sense."

I chuckled. "Thanks mom." I get up to leave.

"Gabriella?" I turn back around. "I'm glad you came to me. I'll always be here for you."

"I know mom." And I do.

AN: So I was writing this chapter when I realized that like every chapter was purely Gabriella and Troy dialogue so I added some other characters in her for fun.