I don't own anything
I don't own anything.
A/N: Alright this chapter right here is a long one…first off I want to thank my reviewers from last week; Aipom4, baby2ludaris, look at the stars, AyaneC, beststoriesever95, cornique chaylor girl, LunaSolTierra, Sciencefreak2007, MoMo Taylor Anderson, Angel and Ani Thompson. I hope everyone likes this new update and please drop me a review and tell me what you think that really helps me with the writing.
Baby S
Chapter Nine
On Tuesday morning, Taylor found herself nervously sitting outside in East High's school parking lot trying to decide whether or not to go into the school. Sharpay looked at her for a moment and reached out placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Taylor?"
"Huh." She asked as she jerked her head up and looked at Sharpay who sighed at her friend's nervousness. "Did you say something, Shar?"
"You know you don't have to go…I can start this car right now and take you home." Sharpay said softly. Taylor looked out the window and then back down at her hands in her lap. She sat there slowly going over her options while Sharpay watched her. After a few moments Sharpay just shook her head and started the car. "I'll take you home, Tay."
"No…I want…I want to go, I can handle it." She said softly as she looked at Sharpay who nodded her head.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, Shar come on…I'm not going to let Chad win this one." She whispered as she grabbed her book bag. Sharpay turned off the car and sighed as she opened her door.
"Alright then let's go." Both Sharpay and Taylor exited the car; they looked up at the school together. "Ready?"
"I guess." Taylor said as they marched towards the entrance of the school. Almost as soon as Taylor entered East High she could feel all eyes on her. Glancing nervously at her friend she quickly dismissed the thoughts of running and squared her shoulders back. As Sharpay and Taylor went to their lockers, the entire hallway was quiet as they watched her movements. Suddenly one of the basketball players who was standing near the stairs called out.
"There's that West High slut Taylor McKessie…you're a traitor. How could you turn on Chad Danforth like that…have some loyalty." He shouted as the rest of his group co-signed with his words by shouting out a chorus of "yeahs" and "that's rights." Taylor flinched at their words as she unloaded her book bag and took out her first period book and notebook. However it seemed that after the basketball players had said their peace everyone else wanted to add their two cents.
"They're right you know…Chad's been right good to you."
"Oh yeah…and I guess him grabbing me like he did was out of love." Taylor said as she turned on the girl who had yelled out the ridiculous statement. The girl just smirked and looked Taylor up and down before shrugging.
"You upset him by being with that guy from West High…I'm pretty sure that would set any sensible guy like Chad off. Especially after he did so much for you, I mean everyone here knows he risked his popularity by going with you."
"Would you just shut up Stacy?" Sharpay snapped as she came to stand in front of Taylor. "You don't know what you're talking about." Stacy just crossed her arms over her chest and looked around Sharpay at Taylor who was watching her silently.
"I don't have to listen to this," Stacy said as she looked at Sharpay. "However I just felt I should tell Taylor about herself…she's always running around acting like she's smarter than everyone else, well I just want to know why she would do something so stupid as getting involved with a West Higher." Sharpay sent her a glare as she finished her statement. Stacy just smiled and walked away leaving Sharpay and Taylor alone. Turning around she looked down at her friend and sighed.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine I can handle this."
"Yeah, but we haven't even gotten to first period yet…are you sure you can last the whole day. I'm pretty sure that's just a taste of what you'll be seeing all day."
"It is." They both turned around and looked up at Chad who was leaning against the lockers. He ignored the hostile look that Sharpay sent his way and locked glazes with Taylor who was watching him silently. "I feel bad about this…our personal business all out in the open like it is…it isn't right." He said with a shake of his head as he pushed himself off the lockers and looked at Taylor. "But you know it our business wouldn't be everyone else's business if you hadn't involved Troy Bolton." He snapped his heatedly.
"He's my friend, you saw the way you were treating me and he stepped in."
"Since when has anyone from East and West High been friends…go and admit it…you're screwing him aren't you." Chad shouted crossing his arms over his chest. Taylor slowly realized that, that was what he had been telling everyone. This was just another time that Chad's popularity had helped him seem like the perfect guy. In the space of just one night, he had painted her as a general cheat and slut with none other than Troy Bolton, and had wasted no time telling the entire school body.
"Is that what you told them?"
"It seemed true to me…now how about you answer the question." He answered with a smirk. Taylor crossed her arms over her chest, and looked at him for a moment before looking around at the growing crowd.
"No…I'm not sleeping with Troy. He's just my friend. You see I can make friends across the tracks. I don't have to be conformed to this stupid East High…West High thing." She snapped as she looked him.
"Liar." One of the girls to her right called out.
"Yeah she's a liar…we know you're sleeping with him Taylor, just admit." Another called out. Chad smirked down at her and winked.
"See they know the real deal…and that is the fact that you're sleeping with him."
"I'm not…Chad, and you know it."
"Oh I know it all right…I should have known I couldn't trust you especially when you gave it up so quick after we got together." He said as he looked at her, Taylor gasped at his words and just shook her head.
"I can't believe you…I don't know what I ever saw in you." She said as tears gathered in her eyes. Taylor slung her book bag over her shoulder and quickly pushed her way through the crowd determine not to let the huge crowd see her cry. Sharpay followed quickly behind her hoping that she could comfort her friend. As soon as they were outside, Taylor broke down into tears. Sharpay rubbed her back, as Taylor bent at the waist trying her best to catch her breath as more and more tears fell from her eyes. "I can't believe what just happened in there, Shar." She whispered as she allowed Sharpay to pull her into a hug.
"I'm sorry…do you want me to take you home."
"Could you?"
"Come on let's go." Sharpay said as she led Taylor out towards her car.
Troy pulled into the East High parking lot that afternoon wondering how Taylor's day at school had gone. He knew without a doubt that it probably wasn't one of her best days. He leaned back against his seat as he waited to for her to get out of school. As the bell rang, he looked towards the stairs but didn't see Taylor like he normally did. Then he saw Sharpay walking towards the van. He rolled down his window hoping that, Chad wasn't bothering Taylor today cause he certainly would do a lot more to the fool than punch his dumb ass in the face. "Sharpay?" he said as he looked her sober expression, she looked up at him and spoke.
"Taylor's not here right now…I took her home for the day." Troy's eyebrows immediately knitted up with concern. Shaking his head he looked at her and then at his watch.
"What do you mean she's not here?"
"The taunting was pretty bad this morning…I…um I took her home so she wouldn't have to deal with it." Troy just nodded his head as she continued to speak. Slowly he calculated how much time it would take him to pick up his normal bunch of kids and drop them off. Cause today would be the first time in forever that he took a day off from his job, and the reason was simple enough. Taylor needed him and he was going to be there for her.
Taylor laid in her bed clutching her pillow as she slowly wiped her eyes with her fingertips. Today had to be the worst day of her life she had never felt more alone. Even though Sharpay was there for her, she still felt as if there was no one. Especially with all the name calling she had received at school shaking her head she chuckled bitterly as she thought 'That's what I get for getting with a jerk like Chad Danforth.' Her thoughts though were interrupted as a knock sounded on her front door. With a moan she rolled out of bed, it was probably Sharpay she thought to herself as she headed downstairs. When she opened the door she was surprised to see Troy standing on her doorstep. He looked her over, his eyes focusing on her tear stained cheeks.
"Oh damn Tay…I heard what happened from Sharpay. I am so sorry." He whispered as he walked towards and pulled her into a tight hug. Taylor laid her head on his chest and allowed him to hug her tightly.
"You didn't have to come here."
"I took the day off…after Sharpay told me what happened I thought you might need someone so I picked up the kids and dropped them off and came here." He said as he stepped into her house fully.
"I'm fine."
"I beg to differ…especially with those tears welling up in your eyes." He whispered as he placed two hands on her shoulders. "Again I'm sorry that you had to go through what you had to today."
"I've been through it all before."
"I highly doubt that…come on let's go sit down….I promise we can watch a sappy romantic movie if it will make you feel better." He said. At his words, Taylor cracked a small smile that seemed to make Troy's smile even brighter. "There's that smile." He whispered as he bent his knees a little so he could look at her.
"You're so stupid." She mumbled as she giggled at him. He just smiled and pulled her closer to him.
"Come on." He said as he led her deeper into the house. He remembered what most of it looked like from that one time he had came in to help her with her little brother. Taylor leaned against him as they walked over to the sofa. He sat her down and then followed suit, she sniffled a bit as she leaned against him. "You Taylor I think I sincerely hate the sight of your tears." He murmured as he made her sit up. He wiped away a few escaping tears, and sighed. "Is there anything I can do for you…just name it." He said trying his best to show her with his eyes just how much he cared for her without coming right out and saying it. Taylor looked at him and then slowly leaned against him.
"Can you just hold me?"
"I can do that." He whispered as he draped an arm around her and pulled her tightly against him.
Friday Afternoon…
"Yo man, you coming to my party tonight." Miguel said as he came over to Troy at his locker. Troy who had been thinking about Taylor looked up in confusion and looked at his friend. Shaking his head he tilted his head to the side and asked.
"Did you say something?"
"Yeah man…are you coming to my party tonight. You said you were remember and you also said you were bringing that hottie from East High." Miguel said with a huge grin. Troy just looked at him for a moment and then slowly shook his head.
"Oh I don't know about that man…some things happened and well things are not to good right now." He said with a shake of head. Miguel immediately became concerned and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I've noticed you've been a little distant this week…so what happened man." Troy sighed and closed his locker.
"Taylor been getting taunted…she's been mocked at East High, and it's been messing with her." Miguel nodded his head and looked at his friend for a moment before sighing.
"You should bring her to the party…she needs to get out, cause I'm pretty sure she's been in that house all week not venturing out for anything."
"Yeah man…I've been by there every afternoon you know looking after her." Miguel whistled and smiled at Troy for a moment.
"Man you are so hooked." Troy cracked a small smile and nodded his head in the affirmative.
"I know, Miguel…I know." He admitted. "She's what I want…she's exactly the type of girl I've been looking for." He whispered as he looked at his friend. Miguel just chuckled and nodded his head.
"I see…so why don't you bring her out and brighten her mood. It's not good for anyone to be around the house constantly moping." Troy lifted his book bag onto his shoulder and slowly nodded his head.
"I like that idea…I'll go and see alright."
"Good…I'll see you tonight man." They exchanged a handshake and Miguel headed down the hallway, while Troy headed towards the parking lot. As he climbed into the van he silently wondered if Taylor would come along for a night of fun.
The knocking on the door woke Taylor up; she slowly headed downstairs and opened the door only to see Troy standing there looking at her for a moment before speaking. "Get dress…we're going out tonight." He said as he stepped into her home. Taylor raised an eyebrow at him and shook her head.
"Troy…I really appreciate you coming here, but I don't know about going anywhere." She said stubbornly with a shake of her head. Troy stepped fully into the house closing the door behind him.
"I think you need to go out…not just because I want you too, but because it'll probably be good for you. You've been in this house all week; you need to get out of here. And that's what you're going to do." He said crossing his arms over his chest and he looked down at her. Taylor looked back up at him; once she realized that he was serious she sighed and shook her head.
"Fine, but the minute I don't like it you'll bring me home right." She said looking at him. Troy just nodded his head as she headed towards the stairs, as she headed up towards her room he called out.
"But I don't think you'll hate it." He said with a chuckle as he walked over to the sofa and sat down so he wait for her. Picking up the remote, he turned her television to ESPN and leaned back and waited.
Nearly an hour later, Taylor came downstairs clad in a nice form fitting black dress, Troy stood up and looked her over and just shook his as he studied her shape. Taylor smirked at his reaction, and couldn't help but feel flatter that he had liked the way she looked. When she was dating Chad she could never put on a dress like this. If she did he would always demand that she go and take it off immediately. "So what do you think?" She asked twirling around for his benefit. Troy bit down on his bottom lip as she turned her back to him and he caught a great view of her backside.
"Amazing." He murmured softly.
"Just amazing?" she said looking at him with a twinkle in her eyes. Troy just smiled and shook his head.
"See what did I tell you…you needed to get out of this house. Look at you; you're already messing with me." Taylor just giggled and walked over to him latching her arm through his. "And you look absolutely breathtaking." He said as he led her out of the house. After helping her get into the van, he got in and pulled out.
"So where are we going?"
"To a friend's house party…believe me you're going to like it. Miguel's parties are legend." He said with a shake of his head.
"Oh really and what happens at them."
"Um partying things happen." He said with a chuckle as she smacked his arm. "Ouch." He said as he clutched his arm tightly, Taylor giggled at his antics and just shook her head as she looked out the window.
"Oh what did I just get myself into?" Troy looked over at her for a moment as he came to a stop sign. Leaning back in the seat so that he was more comfortable he looked at her and chuckled.
"Oh you just got yourself into a whole afternoon and night full of fun. I guarantee it." He said with a chuckle as pulled off and headed down the street. Taylor looked at him for a moment and shook her head.
"So your friend has parties starting right after school."
"No…actually we're going to my school's season opener for the football season and then we're going to the after party at my boy Miguel's house," he answered as he looked over at her. "And don't worry I promise it will fun, my friends are some of the coolest people you'll ever meet." He exclaimed as he continued driving, Taylor just crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him for a moment before nodding her head.
"I hope you're right."
"I wouldn't lie, Taylor." She looked over at him as they rode along the quiet back roads headed towards West High. "So have you talked to anyone from your school other than Taylor?"
He asked, she sighed at his question and just shook her head for a moment.
"No everyone except Sharpay is on Chad's side which makes me basically an outcast just like I was before Chad and I started dating." Troy clenched his jaw at her statement and shook his head in disagreement.
"You shouldn't see yourself as an outcast."
"But that's what I am." She stated brokenly as she looked at him for a moment. Frowning at her words Troy pulled over sharply not caring about the car honks that were blowing at him. Once they stopped Taylor turned on him, and snapped. "What is your problem?"
"My problem? I don't have a problem." He snapped as he looked at her, Taylor shook her head and chuckled bitterly as she looked him over.
"You yanking the car all the way over here for nothing is insane…you could have had an accident and one of us could have gotten hurt." Troy leaned back in his seat his eyes facing forward; he didn't even attempt to look in her general direction. "So tell me Troy…just what is your problem."
"I didn't like what you say." He muttered as he finally turned to look at her. "I just didn't like what you said."
"What I said?"
"You know about being some type of outcast…you shouldn't allow a punk like Chad Danforth decide what your position at that school should be. You just shouldn't allow it, especially when you're so much better than him."
"So that's why you pulled the car over."
"You know I've never been the type of guy to hold my tongue especially when I believe that you're not being fair to yourself. You can't say those things…especially around me because I know that those punks at East High are wrong."
"Troy."
"Don't talk down about yourself around me." He stated firmly. "I'm not going to stand for it, if those punks can't see you as the nice beautiful girl that you are then you shouldn't worry about them."
"You certainly feel strongly about this."
"I care about you Taylor…and I know by now; you've got to know that."
"I do." She whispered softly as she looked at him for a moment. "I do." Troy smiled and pulled the van back onto the street.
"Good so no more putting yourself down."
"I won't do it again, Troy." He smiled ahead off towards the school. Despite Troy's comforting words, Taylor felt herself becoming more and more never the closer she and Troy got to West High, she didn't know what to do. As Troy pulled into his parking space, he turned off the van and looked over at her. Reaching out, he touched her hand and smiled. "It's gonna be okay, Taylor. I promise my friends are some of the nicest and," his mini speech was broken up as someone jumped on the hood of the van smashing their face against the window causing him and Taylor to jump back. Once Troy recognized the person he unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car. "And some of the crazy people I know." He mumbled as he hopped out of the van to see his friends laughing their butts off. "Real funny guys."
"Hey man it was just some fun…you should have seen your face though. Dang I wish I had taken a picture."
"And if you had…" Troy trailed off as Taylor got out of the van. Almost immediately his friends quieted down as they took her in. Adam who had jumped on top of the van spoke first as usual.
"Damn…she's fine as hell, Troy."
"Um thank you." Taylor said with a blush as she made her way over to Troy who immediately reached out and grabbed her hand. Miguel stepped forward with a smile spreading across his face.
"Hello Taylor I've heard so much about you."
"I hope they were all good." She said looking up at Troy who was looking at Miguel as if he had grown two heads. Miguel just smiled at his friend's face and chuckled.
"Oh Troy had nothing but good things to say about you and-." He was cut off by Troy speaking up.
"How about we head to the game…I don't want Taylor to miss the game."
"Oh alright then I guess we better head on out than." He said with a chuckle as he looked at his friend. "Come on let's go." As they headed off towards the football field, Troy felt Taylor squeeze his hand. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Yes."
"Are you sure your other friends will like me." She asked nervously, Troy just chuckled and nodded his head.
"I promise, Taylor. Now come on, I am telling you, you're going to enjoy this so much." He said as they followed his friends into the stands. Almost immediately Taylor felt eyes on her, she pressed herself against Troy's side as they moved towards an open section of the stands. Once they made it to their seats, Taylor whispered.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
"I don't know maybe they think you're beautiful." He answered with a wink, as he saw her face. "Hey now I promised you that nothing is going to happen right."
"Right."
"So believe me when I say this…nothing is going to happen, especially when I'm here cause nothing is going to happen to you while you're with me."
Later that night…
"There you are." Troy said as he came over to Taylor and handed her a glass of punch, Taylor took it from his hand and quickly sipped some down before looking up at Troy and smiling. "Thanks."
"You're welcome…so are you enjoying yourself…are you having a good time." Troy asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist and led her across the room to a secluded sofa that didn't have to many people dancing around it. Troy helped Taylor sit down and then sat down next to her.
"Yeah I'm having fun," Taylor admitted. "I'm really glad you came and picked me up I would have never had this much fun if I was at home."
"I know that's why I did it. I couldn't stand seeing you so upset this week, and I can't help but feel like it's all my fault." He replied with a shake of his head. Taylor looked over at him in surprise and just shook her head.
"It isn't your fault, Troy…I should have never allowed Chad to treat me the way he did. I was stupid for allowing a guy to treat me like that. I'm just lucky I knew someone who cared about me and was willing to tell me the ugly truth about my ex-boyfriend." Troy just nodded his head and looked at her for a moment before sighing.
"Alright then…how about we move on."
"Move on…to what?" Troy stood up and took the punch cup from her head and sat it on the table behind the sofa while pulling her up as well.
"Let's move on out to the dance floor…I picked us out a song."
"You picked out a song…oh lord." She said with a giggled as he led them through the large group of people so they could get to the makeshift dance floor. Once they were there, he wrapped his arms around her waist just a slow song came through the speaker system. As the first sounds of the song came through the loud speakers, Troy pulled her closer as they started to sway to the song. Taylor closed her eyes and listened to words as Troy held her as close as possible. As the voice of the singer came through the loud speaker, he whispered in her ear.
"Listen to the words, Tay." Taylor barely nodded as she laid her head on his shoulder as they continued dancing.
She ought to know by now
That the love I have is real
She ought to know by now
Everything I say I feel
She ought to know by now
There's no secrets to conceal
Ohh
Pulled out my heart and rang out all da love
Ohh
Gave it to her but it was not enough
Ohh
Went back to see if I left some behind
Ohh
Hoping that one more drop would make her mine
She ought to know by now
That the love I have is real
She ought to know by now
Everything I say I feel
She ought to know by now
There's no secrets to conceal
Ohh
I'm out here knocking but she won't let me in
Ohh
Just keeps on stopping before we can begin
Ohh
But once I'm in she will see
How good love can be
Right now her past is
Clouding her views of me
She ought to know by now
That the love I have is real
She ought to know by now
Everything I say I feel
She ought to know by now
There's no secrets to conceal
She ought to know by now
To know I love her so
As the words were sung, Troy whispered them in her ear. Taylor jerked her eyes opened as she heard Troy said the words 'To know I love her so' pulling away from him she looked into his eyes searching their blue depths to see if he was truly serious. What she saw scared her. Shaking her head she backed away from him while whispering. "I can't do this." Troy cursed as she quickly moved to the crowd so she could get away from. Running a hand through his hair he took off after her. By the time he caught up with her she was outside on her cell phone. Reaching out he grabbed it from her and closed it. "What are you doing?"
"Why did you run away from me back there." He asked pointedly as he looked down at her.
"What in the world are you thinking…you can't love me Troy." Crossing his arms over his chest he shook his head.
"What do you mean I can't be in love with you." He whispered. "I love everything…every single thing about you." He exclaimed. "I think I've loved you since I first saw you, so don't tell me I can't love you." Taylor just shook her head as she looked down at the ground. They cool night air made her shiver slightly as she tried to figure out what she should say to him. Troy reached out to her and placed both of his hands on her shoulders. Troy's eyes caught hers in a heated stare before he brushed some of her hair out of her face.
"Do you mean it…cause I can't take another heart break Troy." She finally whispered as she looking up at him. He smiled and nodded his head.
"I love everything…I love your mind, your attitude, your style, your body, your eyes…I love everything Taylor." He whispered softly as he looked down at her. "Please just give me a chance to show you how love is really suppose to be." Taylor looked up at him and then meekly nodded her head. Troy smiled and brushed a hand across her cheek, and then pulled her to him kissing with as much passion as he could. Taylor closed her eyes and kissed him back wrapping her arms around his neck as she lost herself in the kiss that she had always dreamed about.
She ought to know by now
That the love I have is real
She ought to know by now
Everything I say I feel
She ought to know by now
There's no secrets to conceal
And I'm done
Cause she should know by now
A/N: Song - She ought to know: Eric Roberson