Reunited for eternity
Of course, I got my copy of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" for free since it is Troy's bookstore even after my long and tiring objections. Gosh, although now I am saying it like that, I still cannot get the fact how he can build this kind of thing. Once again all I can say is that everything is possible after all. The most unexpected things come from the people we love the most. I just made that up but it sounds decent and kind of intelligent, right? For the first time in my entire life words just aren't there for me to use them. They have escaped from my mind and gone somewhere else, far away. I cannot honestly describe my feelings and sensations and everything at this right moment. Troy is by my side for the first time in six years and the place we are at is Troy's bookstore. Impossible. Unbelievable. Dream. Fantasy. Pure and far too crazy imagination.
I gently place the book in my handbag. We put on our light jackets and go outside. I smell his scent-intoxicating like always. I cannot fully describe it because it is not exactly like it was in high school but I can say it's close to that. I remember him coming to my house almost every night after those long basketball practices. He would knock on my window door two times gently and quietly, so my mother wouldn't hear. Then we would just lay down on my bed and stare at my ceiling, talking about the day and everything positive and negative about it. He would tell me how his practice had gone and I would laugh at all the stupid things his best and my very close friend, Chad, had done or said. I loved every night especially when the weather was calm and there were so many stars, twinkling like shining lights in the dark blue sky while we were on a blanket and on my balcony floor. We would always look at them and he would name almost each one Gabriella or Brie. I would laugh and he would say he will do it some day for sure. At the end Troy would look at his clock and realize his dad was going to kill him because he had passed his curfew once again and then after a long last kiss, he would jump on the nearest tree and then run off to his house. One time he accidentally forgot to take his "Wildcat" sweatshirt. I remember just holding it in my arms and slowly but surely getting addicted to his fresh colon. It was like a drug to me. A drug, which I never really got tired of. I hugged it for endless periods of time and even kept it until my very last day of college. I gave it back to him when we said our final goodbyes and I set off for the real world ahead.
I take a few steps outside of the bookstore, while I wait for Troy to arrange something inside which he had forgotten about two seconds ago and had to go back.I look around, while taking a deep breath and arranging my thoughts if that was even possible. It is may be around eight but I don't care that much to actually take a look at my wrist watch this time. Me and Troy have all the time in the world,right? It is a little dark and not so crowded anymore as it was just an hour or so ago. Everybody is at home now. At home, where one parent is making a delicious and deserved after the long day dinner, while his beloved one is giving their children a bath and making that tiny bathroom a huge mess. Others are ordering Chinese or pizza and watching TV, while sitting and relaxing on that big comfy couch in the living room. I look up at the sky and notice some little stars, which are going to be shining brightly in just a few hours or even less. Everything-
-Missed me?
I jump a little from the voice, just whispered gently into my ear but immediately recognize it as the one I will never mistake. I turn around and again meet those blue electric magical pools, belonging to the man of my dreams. They are even more beautiful and unique with dark atmosphere around. I let out a small laugh because of what he said and feel him take my hand in his, while turning a little to the right and then starting to move slowly down the street.
-So, where do you want to go, Brie?
He beams at me with his adorable grin.
-If you want, we can go to this really good Sushi restaurant a few blocks away.
-It sounds awesome. I think I haven't been there before.
-Great then I can show you around. You know I love sushi.
-You know I love sushi as well. Do you remember that one night when we were at your house and it was Friday-
-We didn't know what to order anymore because we had been ordering take-out that entire week.
-And the only thing left was sushi. Thank God we did order because we wouldn't have discovered our true passion for dead fish.
I laugh loudly and shook my head. Gosh, I had forgotten how funny he was.
-You make it sound so gross, Troy.
-That' s one of my natural talents, you know.
-How could I forget?
I slow down my walking pace a bit and look at him. In seconds or even less he stars back at me. I had missed him so, too much. Until now when I am actually rubbing shoulders with him, I never even knew how much I had missed my Troy Bolton and everything about him. I had missed his glares, grins, hugs, sweet words, kisses, gentle movements and slow dances in the middle of the street while it is heavily raining and we just don't care. But most of all through these six years I had missed the countless moments of the happiest period of my life when he would stop talking or doing anything, look at me and whisper exactly three magical words-"I Love You".
-So, Brie?
-What?
I look at him with confusion, written all over my face. What would he want to know? Where I lived? What did I do for living? Am I married? Am I still straight? Wh-
-How have you been all this time?
Wow. Why didn't I think of the most obvious question? Well, may be because Gabriella Montez has to always use her most perfect imagination of all, right?
-I've been very good. You?
-I guess I can say the same even though there were some ups and downs. But who doesn't have them,right?
-Right. I can't say that it was perfect for me either but right now I am happy, so that's all that matters.
We finally reach the restaurant and go inside. We sit down on one of the tables, which is in the end of the big room and near a window, decorated with beautiful light pink curtains. I start looking around and exploring the place. It is really true I had been here once or twice before bit it was along time ago, so it feels like the first visit all over again. The walls are painted in ocean blue which can actually be recognized more like white or bright yellow. There are a few chandeliers, hanging from the dark ceiling. The restaurant can be called quite big because there are three separate spacious rooms with tables and in the center one there is a piano which is played by a young girl may be in her twenties. I get a quick glimpse of her while we are still entering. She looks peaceful and concentrated just like every pianist for that matter should be, right?
Even though I don't expect it, I get an instant flashback right then and there. I remember Kelsey Neilson. She went to East High as well and in the end we grew very close and until now remain good friends who call each other once in a while and chat in Facebook. She played the piano and composed all the music for our teacher, Ms. Darbus' musicals-spring, winter, summer ones. That old lady had really hit her head hard somewhere. Whenever we were done with all the school work while having classes with her, she would always start telling us those endless different and "exciting" stories about her childhood and then life before East High. She had studied Drama and Theatre in Julliard, New York and that was the main reason everyone respected her very, very much in the end. Julliard back then was and still is The big thing- the prestige for artists all over the world. Sharpay's dream was to go there, find her way through and then become part of Broadway (if possible a very, very memorable and big part). However, Ms. Darbus got Sharpay's feet back on the ground after she told us what happened after her fabulous adventures behind the doors of Julliard came to an end. Nothing. Simply nothing ever happened. She graduated and then everything just..vanished, slipped away, disappeared. She had many, many dreams but eventually started questioning herself - Really? Is that it? Is this what I want? No, the thing was that it wasn't even close to that. She took classes for teaching in New York for two years and then decided to pay a random visit to her parents in Albuquerque. However, Ms. Darbus never left. She didn't have a reason to go back to New York. Nothing was standing in her way, so she just decided to stay in Albuquerque for good. She had heard there was an available place in East High and willingly applied immediately. After a couple of months teaching, she got her own apartment and knew she had found her place this time. The right place.
After we order and have champagne in both of our glasses, Troy lifts his one up in the air and makes a toast with a simple smile on his face.
-To us.
-To us.
Our glasses gently touch and we hear the sharp sound. I take a few sips of the lovely drink and stare at his eyes.
-Where do you want to start from?
As I question him, Troy looks at his own piece of glass for a few moments and then meets my eyes again, ready with his answer.
-How about after college? We did e-mail and stuff but what really happened is a whole different story.
-Well, I came to New York and started the job I was offered. Then as years gone by they gave me a higher position and now I am writing whatever I want to.
-Which newspaper?
-New York Daily. You know it?
-Of course I know it. I guess I should get it on the list of the ones, which lay on my doormat, outside of my apartment every single morning.
I smile.
-Of course you should. We are the best newspaper and there's no denying it, so I guess that's the least you can do.
We both laugh out loud for a few minutes and then the first plate full of sushi arrives .
-So, is that it, Brie? You just came here and everything got settled down perfectly by itself.
-It's not exactly like that. In the beginning it was very, very hard. I was new at work, in New York, in everything. I felt nervous and not good enough all the time. I was always sad and kind of homesick.
-Why was that?
-I missed my old life. I missed Albuquerque. I missed my parents an phoned my mum practically every day. Don't laugh!
Even though I said it, he started laughing but after a few seconds I joined in as I always do when I am with him. However, we both come back to Earth after a minute or so.
-So, you were saying?
-I missed everything and everyone in the beginning. As I said, I missed my parents, Sharpay, Taylor and most of all…you.
I look up from my plate to see his expression. Our eyes meet and then I feel like something inside of me opens up. I breath in fully and realize I feel more alive now. I can see it even with the blue background. He still loves me just as much he used to six years ago. It's right there. I can see it and I have never felt happier. However, this is not the time to start off the subject. Just let it go.
-Anyway, after a few months I finally started to function properly and began feeling kind of happy and at the right place. Two years ago I actually got my own apartment and I remember that first night which I spent there. I felt content and independent. It was so much different with my roommate, so much worse. I don't even want to remember those times but after I got my own apartment, everything sort of found its place. I started living the right way as I do today.
-Any boyfriends?
I must say I didn't expect that question to be asked so directly and out of nowhere. I didn't expect it at all but then again Troy has always been full of interesting surprises.
-No, actually. Endless guys have asked me out and I must say I have gone to many dates but after the first night I don't even want to see them again, so I guess I still haven't met the right one.
I wanted so badly to continue with "because I've already found the one and he's standing right opposite of me".
-Me, too.
The final two plates full of sushi arrive as our glasses get filled once again and the striking sound of them touching fills my ears.
-You know what I think, Brie?
-What?
-I think you should write a book and just forget the whole journalistic thing for a while.
-What?
-Come on! You can't tell me you haven't though about it even once!
I look down at my hands and consider my answer. Yes. Of course, I have thought about it. Endless times. But. There is always a "but".
-I have thought of it but there are just some things, stopping me and I don't think this is the right time for me to just stop doing everything and write.
-I would do it if I were you.
-But, Tr-
-Who cares if this isn't the perfect time?
His tone suddenly changes to a louder one but I still stare at him and listen like there's no tomorrow.
-You have so many things to say and I can see you it in your eyes, Brie. We have been talking about writing since college. You know you can write a novel and you know you can do it now or whatever time you choose. You know what you will write about and I am sure you already know the exact topic.
I manage to keep my mouth closed even though it's unexpectedly hard. I am so, so shocked and even beyond that. I am an open book and he has read me from beginning to end. Everything, every single word he just said is true. And I can only respond one way.
-The topic would be "Unexpected". It would be about two young teenagers- Clare and Henry. They would meet unexpectedly in the beginning of their senior year in Los Angeles as the new kids. They would discover how alike they actually are and then fall madly in love. After that they would go their separate ways with many tears and regrets on the way but meet unexpectedly on a certain match. Henry is a tennis player and when he gets to Wimbledon, Clare as a journalist will have to report the game. After the meeting everything will change and although there will be some ups and downs, in the end they will stay together forever.
I smile and look at Troy with anticipation. He seems calm and not so surprised but I can feel his approval already.
-Wow. What can I really say? It sounds amazing, Brie but I am not surprised. I always knew you would tell me this someday.
-Tell you what?
-Your story. The thing you have been making up in your head all this time and now finally can become real on paper.
-I guess you can say that.
-Have you started writing yet?
-I have written a few chapters but that's really all.
-What are you waiting for? What so powerful and stopping you?
-I don't know, Troy. I just don't feel like doing it at the moment. I feel content with my life, with my job. I want to do what I am doing and that's it.
-I'm sorry about pushing the subject so much but I just can't help it, knowing how good you are and how successful you can become.
-Thank you but there's so much time ahead of us and we just have to wait and we'll eventually get there.
As I say that, I feel his hand on my mine and I know one of the main reasons. After all, I did just say 'we'.
After another hour of talking about the weather and how good the food is and just random and unimportant things, Troy and I decide to leave and take a walk to my apartment. We place our jackets in one hand and then step on the rough pavement. The atmosphere surrounding us is peaceful, kind. It is a little darker than before. The air is cool and the moon is showing brightly, gently. I feel relaxed, like I just got out of the spa. So far tonight had been magical.
-What's on your mind?
I feel Troy's whisper and turn around to see his striking perfect white teeth and magical oceans where the moon is somewhere hidden.
-Lots of things.
-What things?
-How good tonight has been and how happy I am to see you.
-I was actually thinking the same.
As silence begins again and we walk a few blocks more, I suddenly get a flashback. A flashback of our prom. The night I might never forget.
It had to be perfect, it was just supposed to be that way. And it turned out exactly that way. I remember it like it was just yesterday. I kept looking for the perfect dress until the very last day's morning. At 9:00 a.m. I just entered a vintage shop out of curiosity. And there it was. It was love at first sight. I saw it and bought my size. It was golden with black laces attached to it. My accessories were simple yet fashionable enough- a small black bag which looked more like a purse and a light jacket just in case. However, the shoes were the real cherry of the cake. I had been looking at a certain gorgeous pair of heels by Christian Louboutin. They were black and satin with a big bundle on the back. They matched my dress perfectly and ended up as a "senior year present" from my lovely mother (still her best present so far). My hair was very long back then, so I had decided to let it flow on my back and just styled it a bit. The jewelry was simple enough- a few bracelets and a long beautiful necklace from Troy. He came right on time, just like he always did. Of course, my mother ruined the "opening the door and gasping out of surprise" moment and wanted to take pictures right away for her "Gabriella through the years" scrapbook. After thirty minutes of doing that, we finally got away and to his car. Then he told me I looked amazing and I returned the same way. A few kisses followed and then the starting of the engine. The prom was situated in East High's gym. Taylor and Sharpay were the people most responsible for the magic they had turned the place into. We danced and danced and laughed and just had the time of our lives. After a few hours, I had to go back home but insisted that we walk, so we can talk about it. And so we did. Just like me and Troy are doing right now.
We rounded the last block and I can count the few steps left to my apartment. I feel my stomach swirling and tossing all over the place. I feel mixed emotions, my heart is beating in my ears and suddenly my palms start sweating. Now what? We just say goodbye and go our separate ways? No, I don't want that.
-This is my building, Troy.
I stop walking and point at the black building in front of us. Then when I look at him, he is just staring at me blankly, not even paying attention to what I am referring to.
-Troy, what's the matter?
No answer.
-Do I have something on my face? Or is th-
-Shut up, Brie.
Then all of a sudden he takes a few steps and now is standing just centimeters away from my face and body. We stare at each other for a few seconds and then he gently leans in and kisses me. I don't waste any time. I had been waiting far too long for this. I slowly but surely deepen the kiss and get as close as possible. I feel Troy's hands on my waist and then going up to my back and squeezing me even tighter. I gently slide my fingertips up to his hair and tight them around his locks. I feel safe. I feel cosy and just great. This is a good sign and as strangely as it might sounds, his lips are even better than they were in high school. Most of all, I feel truly happy.
Unfortunately, after a minute or so we have to pull away because of the need of some oxygen. I open my eyes slowly just in time to meet his.
-I never stopped loving you. Never.
-Me, too.
I know that he wants to probably say something else but I can't help myself. I hug him as tight as I can because the words I craved to hear just came out of his mouth seconds ago. I feel his breathing in my neck and his muscular arms around my body. This is the place where I want to stay forever. However, I want to hear his words and want to know what is going to happen next, so I pull away but still keep my hands around his neck just so I can be closer.
-You don't know how much I have missed you, Troy. This whole time, these six long years. I would think about you every single day and I don't even know why because hours ago I thought I would never see you again.
-And you don't know how much I curse that fucking day in college when we said goodbye whenever I can. I couldn't move, couldn't sleep, couldn't do anything after. And I don't even know where I found the strength to continue my life without you. I honestly don't.
-Well, you did a pretty good job.
We both laugh silently but not because it's funny or something. We are laughing because we found each other. Again. We reunited for eternity..