Chapter 5: New School

I eventually learned that the school wanted to mix things up this year. They wanted to see if the kids would respond to younger teachers. Troy and Chad would teach gym and would be the head basketball coaches. Jason and Zeke would teach nutrition and would help Troy and Chad with the basketball team. Sharpay would teach drama and would be in charge of the school's productions. Ryan and Kelsi would teach music and would help Sharpay with the productions. I already knew Taylor would be teaching math but she told everyone anyways. I was to teach science along with another teacher who we all didn't know yet.

We all walked to the principal's office seeing as no one had been there yet. Troy was holding my hand as we walked. I smiled to myself. If I wasn't careful we might end up falling in love again. My heart started to beat faster at this thought. I could really see Troy and I getting back together. "Did he?" I asked myself. "I hope so," I continued to myself.

I gave his hand a gentle squeeze and in return he looked into my eyes and smiled.

"I guess today is someday?" I asked Troy quietly.

He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. I felt my heart drop. I knew my face showed my disappointment. I knew Troy too well though. If his smiles didn't reach his eyes then I knew he wasn't really happy.

"That must mean he doesn't want to get back together," I thought t myself as I felt the tears welling up inside my eyes, I forced them to not to leak out.

He saw the disappointment, "Gabi, please just let me explain," I heard Troy say but I didn't listen. I let go of his hand and walked fast to get besides Taylor.

Taylor knew immediately what was wrong. She turned and gave Troy a death glare.

Troy questioned Taylor's look with his eyes. Taylor mouthed, "We need to talk later." I saw Troy nod his head. His eyes looked sad and he just hung his head in shame. He looked disappointed that I wouldn't talk to him but I just couldn't deal with him right now. I needed to realize that if he wanted me back he would have to show me that he truly still cared.

I thought to myself, "Doesn't he still love me? What if there is someone else?"

I continued to what if my relationship with Troy. I wasn't paying any attention to where we were going and before I knew it we were all standing in front of the principal's door.

"Why do I feel like I am in trouble?" I heard Chad whisper. I grinned at Chad. He gratefully returned with his own goofy grin. I knew he was trying to make us all feel more a little less nervous. It helped me too. I looked around at everyone else and saw the Taylor had a smile on her face, as did everyone else. Then I saw Chad flinch as Taylor raised her hand as if to hit him. She just looked at him with her hand raised and smiled. Eventually she slowly lowered her hand into Chad's hand.

I looked at Troy and saw that his smile was forced. He caught me looking and smiled at me and this one did reach his eyes. I felt myself soften but I hurriedly turned away. I didn't want to deal with him right now and I was nervous already for meeting the principal.

We all entered Principal Marshall's office. Since there weren't enough chairs we all stood instead.

"Good morning everyone," said Principal Marshall. He was an older man, maybe in his early 40's, but his face still looked like 20 year old as he smiled at all of us. "I guess you all know one another," he continued to smile.

I looked at our group and we all seemed to be standing closer to one another. It seemed like we all came sloe together as the principal started to talk. I then felt as if I was in trouble too, just like Chad said. I smiled to myself knowing that is what Chad was going for. He always seemed to know how to lighten the mood. Even if it was sometimes, actually most of the time, uncalled for.

"That's good, I thought that if we had all of you teach here then it might show the students that learning with friends can make them and the friendships stronger."

I looked at my friends again and realized that just because we went to different colleges, it didn't mean that our friendships were any less strong than they were in high school.

I felt Troy's on my face and I felt my cheeks turn red. He could always do that. I looked at him and our eyes met, and I could tell that he could see the sadness in my eyes. He mouthed to me," We need to talk." His eyes pleaded with mine. I nodded my head knowing that needed to talk to him eventually. I looked away from Troy's blue eyes and turned my attention back to the principal's speech.

"We are asking that all of you try to connect with each of the students. Don't just be their teachers let them know that you're there if they need someone to talk to. You all know what high school is about, so treat the kids just like you would each other," principal Marshall continued. "I have all of your teaching schedules here and the teachers lounge is down the hall," he said as he handed each of us packets containing everything we needed for our first day. He looked at all of us again and said, "I know most of you are nervous, but don't be. The students are just like you only 4 years younger." He said with a smile.

I looked over at Taylor and saw that Chad had his hands over her's to keep her from fidgeting. I smiled at them. Tay and Chad smiled back.

"Well, it looks like they are back together," I thought to myself.

I hadn't seen Taylor so happy in the past 4 years. She like me didn't have any interest in Yale guys. Sure we dated but nothing as serious as Troy and Chad. I found myself wishing that Troy and I could just as easily go back to how we were. I knew that couldn't happen. Our hearts had both been broken ad just to jump into a relationship right away. We would probably end up getting hurt again. I wasn't sure if I was completely ready for that.