Chapter 3

I woke up the next morning feeling groggy and tired, my eyes feeling puffy from the tears the night before had caused. I sat up in my bed, rubbing my eyes and tried ignoring the ache in my chest, not wanting to relive the events that had occurred last night.

I took a quick glance at the clock and realized that today was the day that I would be meeting my future husband. Alexander.

Thinking about the marriage edged onto more thoughts.

Troy's words echoed in my head. I heard them. Taunting me with there deathly meaning. But I love you. It was to much too bare. I couldn't take it. I fell back in my bed and brought the blanket over my head, Troy's saddened expression popping into my mind. I didn't want to marry Alexander. I wanted Troy. I love Troy. I could only love Troy. No one else.

I questioned and imaged how Alexander would be. Well, I would find out soon enough. He would be here soon.

I dragged my way out of my bed, the blanket falling carelessly to the floor in a heap. I walked across the floor, my feet falling into the soft carpet, and walked into the bathroom, taking a quick shower.

About an hour later I was ready for the day. I had used make up to cover the bags under my eyes and the redness of my eyes had decrease.

I sat down at my table a proceeded to write something on a piece of paper.

Dear Troy,

I stopped. Was that a good way to start off? I didn't know. I quickly crossed it off and skipped it that part.

I just wanted to tell you the I really…

I scrunched up my face. I really what? I couldn't tell him about the marriage so what could I possibly say?

I sighed in frustration and scrunching the paper, I threw it into the bin by my desk. Grabbing a new page I though for a second. I sighed, dropping the tip of the pen onto the page and began writing.

---

I sat in anticipation as my father went towards the door as a knock was made. I held my breathe as I sat in my living room, avoiding my mothers sympathetic looks. I knew if I looked at her, I would break down into tears.

The door opened at an excruciatingly slow rate. I fiddled with my hands and wondered why I felt so nervous.

"Gabriella," I heard a voice and my head shot up, glancing around for the person responsible for it. "Gabriella, how could you do this to me. I loved you," I heard a voice say and I could easily identify it for Troy's. I closed my eyes as tears rushed up.

I knew I was just imagining his voice but that didn't stop the rush of emotions I was feeling, one of the main being guilt. And that was making me hear him. I took in a shuttered breath.

"Gabriella?" This time it was my father who spoke and I opened my eyes to look at him. Beside him was who I guessed to be Alexander. His dark hair brown hair, almost black, was a little longer than Troy's and fell into his eyes which were a piercing green as they bore into me. But his eyes seemed kind though it could not be mistaken that he could be anything but kind if necessary.

Beside him were his mother and his father. His mother looked indeed perfect. She had the same green eyes as her son but her hair was a dirty blonde. She was the exact picture of elegance.

The father had the same dark hair colour but his eyes were a pale grey. His face was quite friendly and both parents had a smile upon there face. Alexander though seemed to have a sullen expression.

I quickly stood up nervously and tried to ignore Troy's voice in the back of my mind. I forced a smile when I saw my fathers stern look. I went over quickly and shook each of there hands, last being Alexander. Though he didn't seem happy, he wasn't about to wring my neck. And for that I was grateful.

We all sat down, my parents on one couch and his on the other, leaving us to sit by each other. I made sure to keep a far distance away, not to close for comfort, but not to far to upset my father.

"Okay, we want to talk to you about the finer details about this arrangement," my father began.

Alexander and I nodded as we looked at him. "First off, the wedding won't take place until both of you are out of school."

Great! Over a month and then school was out. Just great. Please note the sarcasm.

"We will begin arrangements for that soon enough but not for now."

This time it was Alexander's father who spoke. "Alexander, you will be staying here for the remainder of school to get acquainted with Gabriella here."

Alexander looked as though he was going to protest but thought better of it and just nodded.

"Tomorrow will be you're first day at east high and Gabriella will be showing you around, if that isn't a problem," he glanced in my direction and I just shook my head letting him know it was fine.

"And lastly, when you do attend school, you must act like a loving couple. We want people to believe that you two are in love."

Why, so you guys don't seem like real asses by doing this, I thought bitterly.

"Well, I believe that is really all for the moment. Why don't you two go and get acquainted while we all talk in here."

And with that Alexander and I were quickly shown out of the room. Not quite knowing what to say or what to do I just showed him up to my room.

I watched him glance around the room in approval before coming to sit down beside me on the bed. An awkward silence filled the room and I fiddled nervously as he turned towards me.

"You know, you don't have to be nervous, right?" he asked with a amused look.

I laughed slightly. "Well this sort of thing doesn't happen everyday."

At this he laughed. "How true. But come on. I'm not that bad, am I?" he asked with one eyebrow raised.

I shook my head. "No, that's not the it." I sighed and he frowned at me with a thoughtful expression.

"Who is he?" he asked me causing my head to shoot up.

"What?" I squeaked out. He seemed so understanding.

"Who is he? The guy you like?" he asked with a sad smile.

"How did you know?" I asked, my forehead creased in confusion.

"Because," he began with a sigh. "because, I know that look all to well. I see it every morning in the mirror."

I nodded in understanding. "What was her name?"

He sighed and looked down. "Casey. But I would always call her Case, even though she hated it." He had a far away look and a faint smile on his face.

"This sucks," I pouted.

He nodded. "Tell me about it."

I looked up at him. "Look. I kind of have to do something. And I really don't want to leave you alone so want to come along? It will probably just take a second."

He looked confused but nodded none the less. "Sure."

---

Troy's point of view

Chad and I sat in complete and utter silence. The room was dark as I wouldn't allow Chad to turn on the lights as he came into my house. I called him this morning and I had just replayed all the events that had happened the previous day.

What I didn't get was why Gabriella did this. I mean, things were going perfect. Was it something I did? Was it something I didn't do?

I had always imagined the first time that I told Gabriella it would be perfect. That she would be saying it back. Not that she would be breaking up with me. And I couldn't help but ask why.

I could faintly remember how it was when I got home. I was a complete wreck. It was the most painful feeling I could ever have imagined. And all I could remember was myself in tears, not caring who saw, not even caring if Gabriella saw. It didn't matter. And my parents had asked again and again what was wrong but I didn't speak. I don't even know how I had found my way home or how the car was home. I believe my dad had gone to get it, not that I really cared that much. It didn't matter. Nothing did.

Chad was looking at me worriedly as I sat helplessly on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket. How could she do this? Why did she do this? The questions buzzed around in my head relentlessly.

"Come on man. This is destroying you. You have to be strong," Chad told me as he stared at me with concern.

"It doesn't matter anymore Chad," I whispered to him, not meeting his eyes.

"Snap out of this Troy. You're better than this," he said angerly.

"Why did she do this? Why?" My voice was raspy and felt as if it was about to blow.

"You can't let her get to you."

I laughed bitterly. "Kind of to late for that, huh?"

Chad was about to speak when there was a knock on the door. Chad got up knowing I wouldn't move and went for the door. I squinted my eyes, not used to the light now flooding through the door.

Chad soon came back with a package and a letter.

"What is that?" I asked him as I moved to look at it.

"I don't know. Someone just left it on the door step." Chad was obviously confused as he handed it over to me.

I stared at the package for quite sometime before sighing and opening it. What I saw made my jaw drop.

Inside was a picture of the Lakers. But what made my jaw drop was the fact that the whole team had signed it. Chad grabbed the picture, shocked, and babbled on and on about how lucky I was but I wasn't listening. I glanced inside the box and pulled out a Lakers jersey with my name on it. It was all to amazing.

The last thing was the two tickets for the one of there games. I felt…nothing.

How was I supposed to feel. I was saddened because of Gabriella, but then I should have been happy about this at least. I guess you could say I was stuck in neutral.

"Who is all this from?" Chad asked as he stared at everything but I only shrugged, staring at it all also.

"Well, read the letter."

I sighed and picked up it up, examining it before ripping it open. I began reading it to myself.

Troy,

I hope you like your present. Took a lot of work. I had been planning to give it to you and my mom helped me with it. I'm sorry I didn't give it sooner. Just some things had occurred and I was preoccupied. I'm sorry. So please read this all and know all this that I write is true. Here goes.

I always believed that you always ended up with the one who you were supposed to be with/ Like your soul mate. I always believe that if you wish and try hard enough, anything is possible. But I also realize that things happen for a reason, and something has happened that I wish never did.

You're probably wondering right now what it is. But I can't possibly tell you. I couldn't do that. I've already hurt you enough for my liking and in just that, hurt myself.

If I could, I would change everything. I would make everything okay but nothing can change what's about to happen. This was my destiny. And I don't believe our destiny's were meant to be linked together. And I realize this just now.

I know I'll always have feelings for you. And I know that you could never forgive me, but maybe you could remotely understand what really happened. I wish it was you, is all I can say. But one day, and I hope this day never comes, but one day, you will find out. And Troy, when you do, please don't hate me. Please. That's all I ask. Don't hate me. But I know I may already be to late.

Sometimes you have to make decisions and chose things that no one should ever have to. But I had to, and I've made my decision. And I can't change it now. It's to late.

Troy, if the day comes that you do find out what has occurred, or more like will occur, I want you to remember one thing.

You were and always will be my best friend. You will always be the guy that I always turned to first. The guy I turned to when I was down. The guy I snuck out of the house for. The guy that would let me beat him in basketball, even if he denied that he was doing so. You will always be that guy. My best friend. And for that, I will always love you for you were him. And you could never be replaced. Never.

In the end, I know not only you, but the whole gang will hate me. And I don't blame any of you.

If I had it my way, it would be you. It would be you, Troy. It would be you. You all the way till the end. But I can't have that.

Please don't ask me what I'm talking about. Just know all this if the day comes that you find all of this out. That no matter what, you're my best friend. And I'll never forget you. And I could never replace you. I just hope one day you'll understand.

Happy Anniversary.

Love Gabriella

I felt tears prick at my eyes as Chad stared at me, confused. And I was too. Many things in the letter confused me but she told me that I would find out one day. One day.

I guess you could say I wasn't stuck in neutral any longer. And now I wanted to go back.

For the second time in two days, I cried.

A/N: I even kind of felt emotional writing this. But then again I was listening to depressing music while writing this. Anyways, sorry for the wait. One of my wonderful reviewers reminded me so here I am. And I would have had it out sooner if my internet weren't down.

I really hope I didn't upset anyone. But then again I probably did. I know many of you want them together but well then what's the point in writing a story. Though I got some amusing ways on how to end this from my reviewers I may just have to pass. Thank you all for reviewing, since it is the only thing that keeps my stories going. I have the best fans ever!