Chapter 8 – "Mommy?"

It had been three months since Gabriella had promised Ryan that she would tell Troy. She hadn't even hinted at it. However, she really hadn't had that many opportunities. Rehearsals had been in full swing. She would catch a meal with Troy almost every day and they would chat, but Gabriella didn't want to tell him such big news in public.

It was Wednesday night and Gabriella was tired. The musical was opening on Friday night and rehearsal had been hell all week.

The telephone rang and Natalie jumped off Gabriella's lap.

"I've got it, Mom. You don't have to get up. It's probably for me anyway. No one calls you."

"Thanks, Natie," Gabriella laughed as her daughter ran into the kitchen.

"Hello?" Natalie answered.

"Hey, umm… is Gabriella there?" the voice on the other end asked.

"Yes, hold on just a second," the small girl smiled, "Mommy!" she hollered as she walked back into the living room.

"Oh, is it actually for me?" Gabriella joked.

"Yep, it's some man," Natalie said as she handed the phone to Gabriella.

"Hello?" she answered. The voice on the other end was silent for a moment.

"Mommy?" The voice asked. Gabriella immediately realized that it was Troy. Her heart sank.

"Troy, I was going to tell you. But, with rehearsals and all, and after you said at the theater," she said quietly.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me," he sighed.

"You told me that you hated kids. How the hell was I supposed to just tell you after something like that?"

"Gabriella, look I have to go. I can't deal with this right now."

"Troy, please just let me explain," Gabriella pleaded.

"I just can't handle this right now," Troy said quickly as he hung up on Gabriella.

Gabriella got up off the couch and walked into her bedroom. She closed the door and slid down the wall. Holding her knees to her chest Gabriella started to cry. She could hear tiny footsteps walking to her door.

Natalie started knocking on the door. "Mommy, are you okay?"

Gabriella quickly regained herself and opened the door. "Of course I am okay sweetie," Gabriella said plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Okay, good. I hate it when you are upset." Natalie said smiling up at her mother.

"Are you ready for bed sweetie?" Gabriella asked her daughter.

"Do I have to go?" Gabriella's daughter pleaded with her.

"Yes, I think that you have been up long enough, and remember you have a field trip tomorrow."

"I don't want to go to the museum! Can't I go to rehearsal with you tomorrow?" Natalie pleaded with her mother.

"Tell you what. How about you go to the museum tomorrow, and I will take you to my rehearsal the next day. Will that be okay?" Gabriella asked.

"Okay," Natalie said satisfied with her mother's answer.

Gabriella walked Natalie to her bedroom and tucked her into bed. She kissed her daughter on the forehead and told her goodnight.

Gabriella walked into her own bedroom and changed into her pajamas. She grabbed her cell phone and scrolled down to Ryan's number, and hit the talk button.

After the phone rang a couple of times Ryan's voice came through the phone.

"Hey Gabi, what are you doing?" Ryan asked not knowing what had just happened to Gabriella.

"Hey Ryan. Troy found out about Natalie."

"Oh, really? How did he find out? Did you tell him?"

"No, he called me and Natalie answered the phone. When I tried to explain it to him, he wouldn't listen to me. He just said that he had to go and hung up. I really upset him, Ryan. I don't know what to do," Gabriella said as she started crying.

"Listen, Gabi, if Troy likes you as much as I think that he does, he will see past this. He will understand why you haven't told him, and he will forgive you."

"But what if he doesn't, Ryan. What if he hates me for the rest of my life and never forgives me? What am I supposed to do if that happens? I don't think that I can handle him hating me forever," Gabriella sighed.

"He will, Gabi. I just know that he will," Ryan told her reassuringly.

"Thanks for all of your help, Ryan. I really do appreciate it," Gabriella said.

"No problem. Anytime you need somebody to talk to, I am here for you."

"Thanks, Ry. I'll see you at rehearsals tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight, Gabi."

"Goodnight," Gabriella said as she hung up the phone, and placed it on her nightstand. Gabriella went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. When she finished, she went back into her bedroom and set her alarm clock. She turned off her light, and slowly climbed into her bed dreading the day to come.

--

Gabriella was feeling pretty well the next day. Ryan had been trying extra hard to cheer her up, and it was working. They were on their lunch break. The whole cast was sitting on stage eating pizza that Jerry had ordered for them.

"So, Gabriella, there were two pretzels walking down the street. One of them was assaulted," he smiled at her.

Gabriella started laughing hysterically, "Ryan, that is like the funniest joke that I have ever heard," she exclaimed. She looked up and saw Troy. She sighed and looked back at Ryan.

"What?" Ryan asked, confused.

"Nothing," Gabi said quietly as she looked up again.

Ryan turned around and saw Troy, who seemed to notice Gabriella at that same moment. He shook his head and turned and walked away.

"Gabi, go talk to him," Ryan said.

Gabriella nodded her head and walked quickly after him.

"Troy," she called once they were away from everyone.

"Don't," he said as he turned around to look at her, "I told you that I couldn't deal with this right now."

"Please, just listen to me," She said as tears formed in her eyes.

"I can't. I just can't," he said as he turned and walked away.

--

A/N: I promise that it's going to get better. It's pretty depressing right now, huh? But yeah… there will be more to come soon.

Oh, and to let you guys know… my final Hairspray count is 9. It has officially left our theater, so unless I drive an hour away, I won't see it until the DVD comes out. But, I'm not going to drive an hour away to see it again…

Oh, and if you guys would please, please, please review. They really do make me write faster. :) Seriously. I am going to write some more tomorrow during fourth. It's Latin, but I'm the TA.

REMEMBER…… review, please!