Here's chapter two! I hope you guys like this. And thank you for you reviews. I love you guys! :)
"What am I doing back in this town?" Troy mumbled, taking a step onto the heated sidewalk, letting the bright New Mexico sun hit him on his tan skin.
"Common Troy, it's not that bad," His best friend since birth reassured, patting him on the back as the two walked toward the rental car Troy had in his possession.
Troy had arrived in Albuquerque two days ago. Despite his will, Troy's mother had suggested he move back there. The reason why Troy didn't want to move back was all because of one man. And the reason why he moved back was because of that one man. Jack Bolton, the man Troy said he would never forgive for what he did to their family. The man Troy hated for his whole teenage life. The man that ruined his mother's life. The man Troy blamed for having so man trust issues and negative thoughts about love was sick. Deathly sick. He had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor three months prior to Troy moving back into New Mexico. And he was given a six months to a year to live.
Contacting his only son, Troy had ignored him for over two months until one day, Lucille answered Troy's cell phone out of curiosity. Stricken with the news of her ex-husband's conditions, she insisted Troy visit his father. It took Troy over a month to fully take his father's last dying wish into consideration. Troy had decided to move to Albuquerque to be with his father in his final months.
"I guess man," Troy shurgged, slipping into the passenger seat of his rental car. Chad agreed to drive his blue eyed friend around for a couple of days, letting him get used to the town again. A town he hadn't been in over twelve years. The town he spent his childhood in.
Chad shot his best friend a look, his brows furrowing in the process, turning the car on. "You were gonna be here anyway," He reminded the twenty-four year old of his best friend's wedding that was in three weeks to the girl he dated all through his school, Taylor McKessie.
"I know, I just don't want to be here for the other reason," He said sourly, sinking into the seat, his brown tasseled hair falling into his beautiful blue eyes. A small groan escaped the lips of his best friend, slightly annoyed, his bushy hair flopping around as he checked his mirrors to see any oncoming traffic.
"I know, but he's dying," Chad chided back at his friend, letting the car roll down the small streets of New Mexico. "And everyone deserves a second chance,"
"Can we just not talk about him right now?" Troy snapped at his friend, his blue eyes shutting in annoyance.
"Whatever you say man," Chad let out a small chuckle, turning onto a busy road, lined with dinners and tiny shops. The sidewalks were crowded with families and couples gathering in front of stores and restaurants. Instantly, Troy's mind flashed back to the time when his dad would take him to his favorite diner at the end of the long strip.
"Is Hazel's still in business?" Troy asked Chad, turning slightly toward his friend, fixing the seatbelt that was across his chest.
"Yeah. I can't believe you remember that place. Remember when we would go there after every basketball game? Win or lose," Chad laughed at the small memory from their childhood.
Almost like it was being displayed on a giant screen, Troy saw the memories flash in his mind. Jack Bolton, his father, buying his and his best friend a giant pan of pizza. The pizza there filling their noses. The smell of the diner would be imprinted on their clothes. The two boys didn't seem to care though, because they loved the smell of that place.
"Yeah," He replied, also remembering his father was the one who took him there. The car stopped in front of the tiny boutique, Troy's blue eyes drifted upwards seeing a sign that read two tiny words. The Bump. His brows furrowed in a slight confusion, sending his friend a questioning look. "I don't remember this place being here,"
"Because it wasn't," Shutting off the car, Chad got out of the car, closing the door behind him. Realizing that his friend was still perplexed in the car, Chad looked into the car window, his bushy hair popping in as well. "You coming?"
"I guess," Troy shrugged, unbuckling his seatbelt, basically falling out of the car as he stumbled to his feet. As he made his way over to his friend, he was still confused. "What is this place?"
"Tay works here," He said pulling his friend by the arm into the small shop. As they opened the door a small bell went off to remind the workers there was someone there to assist them.
"Oh," Was all could escape Troy's mouth as he looked around the small store. He was surrounded in baby everything. Baby clothes. Baby pacifiers. Baby strollers. Baby cribs. Baby shoes. Baby socks. Baby everything. His blue eyes widen, realizing he was in a baby store.
"Welcome to The Bump," A voice filled Troy's air as he held a small one piece in his hand, still confused at the concept. "Do you need any help today?"
"Huh?" Turning slightly, Troy heard where the voice was coming from. A small Latina looked at him with a smile. Troy's already widen eyes began to expand more, the voice of the Latina filtering through his mind. Looking at the name tag that was pined to her chest, his blue eyes read a familiar name, Gabriella Montez. Owner.
"Don't mind him Brie. Troy's just in la la land," Chad joke softly, walking towards the back of the small store, knowing exactly where he was going. Leaving Troy with the first girl he ever kissed. The girl who didn't seem to remember him. As the blue eyes stared at the beautiful Latina in front of him, he paused, searching for the girl's dark brown eyes he hadn't forgotten.
"Troy?" Gabriella spoke softly, her brown eyes looking up at the blue for the first time.
"Gabriella?" The two erupted at the same time. Both growing quiet from the sudden outburst. The brunette looked down at her hands, growing shy from the beautiful stare that was being sent at her.
Troy's muscular hands pulling the small blue shirt towards his muscular body, looking down at the piece of clothing. "You… you remember me?" He asked softly, as he struggled to fold the small piece of clothing.
"Yeah," Gabriella blushed softly, taking the blue shirt from his hands, folding it with ease.
"Uh, thanks," He laughed softly, referring to Gabriella saving him messing up the shirt any longer, scratching the back of his neck, a nervous habit he had. Gabriella smiled shyly at him, slightly pushing past him to fix the small pile of baby clothes that were displayed before the two.
"No problem. It's my job," Her delicate voice filled Troy's ears making his insides turn at the thought of the first girl he kissed standing right in front of him. The first girl he ever had a crush on moving past him.
"So… you own this place?" Trying to make small talk, he shifted on his feet, taking in Gabriella's beauty. Her long brown hair was even more beautiful then it was the night of his best friends twelfth birthday party.
A small giggle escaped Gabriella's glossed lips as she straightened up the tiny shirts, "Yeah, we actually just opened up about three weeks ago,"
"It's nice," Troy complimented, his blue eyes looking around the small shop. Letting his eyes linger back on Gabriella for a moment before he cleared his throat.
"Thanks," A blush creeping up on Gabriella's toned cheeks. "So… Chad said you just moved back,"
A tint of red crossed the cheeks of Troy, letting his twelve year old self reenter his body. "Yeah, I got back Monday night,"
"I heard about your dad," She looked at him through her dark brown eyes, sympathy filling her body as she looked at him.
"Yeah…" Trying not to sound annoyed, he took a deep breath. Letting the anger that he still held for his dad quiver slightly. Just as Gabriella went to open her mouth, the door of her shop flew open, indicating a new customer, followed by the ding of the bell.
"It was nice seeing you Troy. We'll have to catch up," She smiled at him, her beauty glowing off of her, as she touched his exposed arm. Her smile making his stomach to flips. As she slowly walked away from the only Bolton child, his blue eyes fell upon her bottom. Her round bottom that was hugged perfectly in her jeans, her brown hair falling to the middle of her back in bouncy curls.
'Yes we will,' Troy thought to himself, licking his lips at the thought of being able to reconnect with his old elementary school crush.