see what reviews do? it hasn't even been 24 hours and i'm already on chapter 21! not bad, eh?
thanks to jacob for the titanic review. as a self-proclaimed grammar-nazi, i still have a lot to learn apparently. as for Troy and Ryan's relationship, its really reflective of how i view relationships. one of the main reasons i don't pursue relationships with girls anymore is the whole gender role thing. i feel like there's a giant list of requirements to meet as the male of a hetero relationship. whereas, in a gay relationship, you can shift things indefinitely. whatever you're comfortable with, you can do. i just like the idea of a relationship where, there's no such thing as a 'dominant' partner. you can rely on your partner to make up for your shortcomings, just as you make up for his. its all about equality, about finding a perfect balance.
however, thats all just idealism. i really have no idea how it works. ive never been in a gay relationship, thats just sorta the way i picture it. ive only been in one straight relationship, and my ex-gf alone is another big reason i dont pursue girls anymore.
anyways, i'm getting COMPLETELY off topic. ironically enough, this chapter deals a lot about the difference between girls and guys. its short, but there's plenty more on the way.
Heart to Heart
Taylor wrapped her arms around Gabriella, in an effort to comfort her. They were both sitting in Gabriella's living room, amongst a mess of discarded tissues. Sobbing dramatically, Gabriella tossed another wetted tissue over her shoulder.
"Taylor," she said. "You're my best friend, right?"
Taylor nodded and handed Gabriella another tissue. "Of course I am, Gabriella."
"Then tell me, what am I supposed to do?"
"About Troy?" Taylor asked. She brought a hand to her forehead and sighed. "Gabriella. At this point, I don't think there's anything you can do."
Gabriella balled up her hands and pounded the sofa they were sitting on. "This isn't fair!" She declared. "He dumps me for Ryan just like that!" Gabriella snapped her fingers. "No reason! No explanation! Nothing!" She took in a shuddering breath and slumped her shoulders, blowing her nose into yet another tissue.
Gingerly taking the used tissue, Taylor patted Gabriella on the back. "I know. That was completely insensitive of Troy to do. But you have to kinda place yourself in his shoes."
"What?" Gabriella shot Taylor a murderous glare. Was she taking Troy's side?
"Gabriella, you had to notice that you and Troy were drifting apart," Taylor said. "Things were just getting too complicated for him."
"How were things getting complicated?" Gabriella asked. "I'm not a needy girl. I don't ask for much."
"Believe me," Taylor said. "You ask Troy, and he'll probably say something completely different. Guys have a totally different way of seeing things. It's the battle of the sexes. That's probably why he started going out with Ryan, 'cause that way, he'd already won that battle."
"What are you even talking about?" Gabriella spat.
"What I'm trying to say is, Troy probably felt really close to Ryan because they understood each other really well. Guys see girls as some alien species, but they see each other as someone they can really relate to. As you two drifted apart, he was able to tell Ryan what his take on your relationship was. Thus, as he moved further from you, he grew closer to him."
Eyes bloodshot and bleary, Gabriella stared at her friend. She didn't want to admit it, but what Taylor was saying actually made sense. Sometimes she felt that she and Troy just weren't on the same level. She could say something so straightforward, and it would be completely lost on him. But she could easily see another guy like Ryan being able to understand Troy. Boys were so simple sometimes. Gabriella crossed her arms.
"That still doesn't excuse him from asking Ryan out behind my back. He could have at least ended our relationship first before starting a new one."
Taylor agreed. "Yes, that's probably the only thing he did wrong. But think of it this way. If he had broken up with you, wouldn't you have gotten suspicious? You'd want to know why he did it, right? Right?"
Gabriella grumbled, and nodded slowly. "Oh I guess I would."
"But he wouldn't have been able to tell you without telling you he was gay. So, he wasn't doing it to lead you on. He was doing it—"
"To protect himself," Gabriella finished. "In other words, he was using me." Gabriella sighed. "All of his actions have reasonable explanations, but it still doesn't make it right."
Taylor was glad to hear this. For the first time in what seemed like ages, Gabriella was talking calmly and logically. Yes, Troy had his reasons, but it was still wrong of him to do what he did.
"And you know what?" Gabriella continued. "He's not even sorry. Nope, not one bit."
"I know, Gabriella," Taylor said. "Maybe he just hasn't seen the error in his ways yet. He'll come around eventually."
"Well, I don't feel like waiting."
Taylor groaned. Gabriella had resumed herself for, what, a minute? But now, Taylor could see that look in Gabriella's eyes again. She could see the hatred that boiled deep within Gabriella's soul. No, she obviously wasn't going to wait for Troy, but she was also going to make him regret it. Useless as it was, Taylor tried to deter Gabriella.
"Please, just drop it for now. If you do anything else, it'll only take him longer."
Gabriella looked at Taylor, exasperation plastering her face.
Taylor closed her eyes and pleaded. "Please Gabriella… just give him time…"
as much as this is Troy and Ryan's story, it's also Gabriella's story. it'd be really fun to just say 'screw gabriella, give tryan their happy ending', but i need to go through with Gabriella's side of the story. Troy did just leave her hanging, which was totally mean. to leave her like that wouldn't give this story the closure it needs.
anyways, i hope you liked that chapter. i dont know how soon the next updates will come. sooner than i planned probably. in the meantime, dont by shy reviewing now.
until next time!