THE WINDOW
Part Two
When One's in the Big City, She Should Swing by Broadway
If someone asked Gabriella what she thought about her life, approximately six months later, she wouldn't be sure about what to say. She would want to say that she was very happy. That she and Troy were as good as ever; that he had proposed to her two months ago and that she had accepted his request, and that they were happily planning their wedding. She wouldn't exactly be able to get those exact words across her lips, though. See, Gabriella had never been good at lying – or, simply twisting the truth, as Taylor liked to refer to it as -, and therefore she couldn't just say that things were fine.
Because she didn't feel like they were.
She wouldn't say that she was unhappy. She wouldn't say that she had stopped loving Troy and that he bored her to death. She would never say such things, because they weren't true either. No – she would simply start a sentence, based on her train of thoughts, and just try to explain all the confusion she had been feeling inside for the past six months. Because she had been confused. She had thought a lot about where she wanted to go with her own life, her own things, and she had wondered if she would be able to do those things if she was stuck in this marriage with Troy, living in Albuquerque. And she had come to the conclusion that… she probably wouldn't.
She just wanted more out of her life, she just wanted to live it and be able to get those things – those things she had studied so hard for at Stanford, those dreams she had had since she was a kid. Sure, she had always pretended to get married with her friends when she was in kindergarten, and that was an important dream as well. But when she really thought about it, when she contemplated what she wanted the most – she had got to choose the career, the amazing job, all the excitement and the journeys. She would really live her life, and she wanted to do that. She couldn't live her life stuck in New Mexico; she simply just wanted more.
Was that really too much to ask?
Well, she couldn't exactly get herself to tell Troy. She hadn't even been able to get herself to say no to him when he popped the question. It was kind of pathetic of her, but she really didn't want to hurt him. He had been there for her for so many years and he was such a great guy. But that wasn't enough, was it? Him being a great guy shouldn't be her reason for not going after her dream. She should still do that, shouldn't she? Still look after her dream-job and all the things she really wanted. Her mother told her that she should, so did Taylor. That was why she was in New York right now, going to an interview for a very important job; something that could really change her life.
Troy had been kind of weird when she told him that she would go after it. He had said 'But what about us? What about our relationship. We're getting married!', and Gabriella hadn't known what to say, she had taken his hand, locked their eyes and said something along the lines of, 'I know, Troy, but I've gotta do this. If we're strong enough, if we're important enough, then we'll figure it out'. She wasn't sure if she wanted to see if they were strong enough, if she even wanted to try this. But luckily enough for her, she wouldn't have to worry about that because she felt like her interview hadn't gone that great at all.
She had made a lot of stupid mistakes when she sat in front of this man who asked her questions. She had tried to answer them the best way possible, but she felt so out of place, and now she wasn't quite sure if New York was the right place for her. Though it had always been her dream to live in the big city, but when something like that happened, she felt really insecure and that just wasn't her thing. She had never really done such a big thing or been on her own – she'd have to start anew, and she'd probably lose Troy and that was a lot to happen at the same time.
Gabriella clutched her bag tightly as she made her way down the busy Manhattan street. She was so bummed out after her interview, she needed to do something. And she did not want to call Troy and tell him how it went when it went so badly. He'd just act all arrogant and secretly think 'I told you so' even if he wouldn't say it aloud. She'd know he'd be thinking it though, she would, because that was the kind of relationship they had. He wasn't mean to her or anything, but he was just really protective and kind and he watched out for her; actually just wanted the best for her.
Gabriella paused and tried to figure out what to do. It was only about three o'clock so she had a lot of time to kill before she had to figure out where to go for dinner. What would any girl want to do with time to kill in New York? SHOP! Gabriella wanted to shop; she had to bring something back, did she not? It was pretty certain that she would not get this job and therefore not get to live in this amazing city, and therefore it would be nice to bring something back to remember this trip by.
Walking down the street, Gabriella was certain that it was going to be a good day, even if she felt like her interview had gone horribly bad. The feeling was just in the air, and usually when her gut told her something it was right, so she always listened.
She looked down when she heard her cell phone buzz in her purse. Stopping to open the zipper she begged silently that it wouldn't be Troy's name flashing across that screen. She just couldn't handle talking to him right now, she would just snap at him and he did not deserve that – it wasn't his fault that this had gone badly.
She sighed in relief when the name of her best friend was on the display instead, "Taylor!" she said with a happy cheer, "Thank God it's you." she couldn't help but say too, even if she knew it would cause Taylor to question her about it.
And of course she did; Taylor had always been that way, so why would it be different right now?, "'Thank God'? Who did you expect it to be, Gab?" she chuckled at the end of the line.
And also – even if Gabriella knew that this would cause further questions from Taylor and more questions to answer on her own behalf, she also decided to tell her. She knew that Taylor had known Troy since high school, but she had only always been his friend because of Chad. Now the two of them... they were friends because they wanted to. They had so much in common and they understood each other. Gabriella knew she could tell Taylor all about it, because the other woman would not judge her and she would not tell on her.
So she huffed and placed her cell between her shoulder and ear while she zipped her purse again and continued down the sidewalk, "I thought it would be Troy." she harshly replied, voice edgy and short; she unintentionally let Taylor know just how tired she was of him right now. She continued, as she was finally able to hold her cell like a normal person – in her hand, "I do not wanna talk to him right now."
Taylor was quiet for a few seconds, before she softly said, "Did something happen between you two? I actually just called to hear about the interview, but now I wanna know more!" she whined.
Gabriella shook her head to herself and held back a giggle, "The interview sucked, and you can know more." she quickly stated. She was pretty sure she would feel much better if she got it off her chest.
"Then what happened!?" she half-shrieked, half-said, and almost didn't sound like an actual human being.
Gabriella stared at different shop windows as she passed them, making sure to see if there was something she wanted to check out better, "It's just Tay... I'm telling you, it's not really him. I don't wanna sound corny, but it's me, y'know? I feel like I wanna do more with my life. I just... I feel so bored."
She wasn't sure how else to explain it, so this was the best she could do. But she was sure that Taylor would get it, they just understood each other, and she was sure that Taylor felt that way once in a while too – at first Gabriella had thought that she was just in a phase, but when that continued to last, she figured that maybe she really wasn't.
Again there was a silence at the other end of the line, and Gabriella knew that Taylor would have to process the information, and therefore she just kept on walking down the sidewalk and stopped when she saw a cute pair of boots in a window.
Then Taylor made a funny sound and Gabriella smiled again because she knew she would be talking soon, "Eh... what do you mean, bored?" she quickly questioned.
Gabriella shrugged to herself and went into a store because she saw a fancy dress in the window she really liked, "Exactly that Taylor!" she said, voice firm, "Exactly the word, bored. There, I said it, I'm bored with Troy, alright?" she breathed out heavily and crossed the shop to the dress she had in mind so she could check it out closer. It felt kind of nice to have actually said this aloud to Taylor now, whether or not she'd ever do anything about it.
This time Taylor was much quicker to answer her, "Alright..." she mumbled, seemed a bit shocked, but Gabriella figured that was okay considering everything, "But what does that mean?"
Gabriella wanted to tell her that she had a perfect plan planned out for herself; about what to do with Troy, about what to do with herself and her life. But she didn't know, she didn't have, and it was very confusing for herself too, so she'd just have to go with the flow for right now and see where it led her – it was the only thing that made just a little bit of sense to her.
She reached for the perfect dress in her size and pulled it out, just as she replied to Taylor, "I don't know..." she whispered.
She should feel more sad, shouldn't she?
She probably should.
But she didn't.
- -
When Gabriella had bought the perfect, fancy dress (because it had simply looked too good on her to not buy), she thought that she deserved a break and a good cup of coffee. It was exhausting to try out a dress and figure out if it was worth the amount of money or not, but the conversation she'd had with Taylor before trying the dress had worn her out more than she had first assumed. She was tired and she just needed a caffeine kick.
She sat down at a café that caught her eye and filled the spare chair at her table with her purse and her bag. She had had to buy that dress. It was impossible for her to walk by something like that, and she'd have that special memory from her trip to the Big Apple – it made perfect sense, did it not?
She ordered a cup of coffee and just had to try this nutty-type-thing of a cake, and then she turned her chair slightly and decided to kill time by watching all the people on the sidewalk. It was a wonder really – people were so different, and Gabriella found great pleasure in watching all of them; she loved how some were tall and some were small, how some were skinny and how some were fat. It was amazing, it really was. She could do it all day, she loved the differences the most; that was what made life so funny and interesting. That was what made life great, that people were different, that they fell in love with opposites, that they fell in love with someone alike them; it was wonderful, it was thrilling, it was... life.
And everything Gabriella wanted it to be.
She glanced to the side again as the waiter placed a cup in front of her and she thanked him with a smile. Raising the cup to her lips for the first sip, her eyes wandered across the building, and she almost spit out her coffee, when she was reminded of something she had long ago decided to place in the furthest corner of her brain – Sharpay Evans.
There, on the wall, hang a poster of the most recent Broadway production of Mamma Mia! - and who was on it? Why, Sharpay of course! There she stood, with blonde hair flowing, a huge smile on her lips, on a stage with a few other people – and she looked gorgeous, that was the first thing Gabriella took notice of, when she had gotten over the shock that it was to see her right there.
Gabriella had intentionally decided to move on from whatever it was that she had had with Sharpay. When she had had that talk with her outside at Taylor and Chad's wedding, it was simply because she couldn't comprehend what would happen if she not left it at what it was and just forgot it. Sharpay lived in New York as she had reasoned back then – and who knew what it was that they had? Maybe it was just curiosity from Gabriella's own side; she had no idea if she was gay or not, and Sharpay already knew that about herself. There was no saying that it would work out between them, that something would really happen for them, and she couldn't just go to New York and then just assume it would be them forever – be happy and in love. So it had been easier to just decide that it was nothing and then just live her life.
She hadn't exactly thought about what would happen if she did meet her again. And why would she really? Not once had she met her while she had known Kelsi and Ryan, so why would it happen only after the incident? Of course that would be unlikely, but as she stared at the big poster with the beautiful blonde on it, she thought that maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
The Latina took another sip of her coffee and thought about how much fun she had had with Sharpay that day in the Albuquerque mall; it hadn't mattered what they did, everything was just fun with her. And God, that kiss... Gabriella hated to admit it, but she had probably thought a little bit too much about Sharpay's taste and her pouty lips than was healthy. She wasn't obsessed or anything, she had just often found herself thinking about it unintentionally, and it was a nice feeling, because it was so different from what she had experienced before. But it was also scary, for she wasn't sure if she was gay, and even if she had a feeling that she might just be at least bisexual for otherwise she wouldn't have thought so much about it, then she wasn't ready to admit it to herself, and that was scarier, because she didn't know how yet to be gay.
Gabriella stared at the poster with a weird feeling in her body; it made her feel so warm and fussy – and happy – inside when she saw Sharpay. And even if she had done her best to forget the other woman, she felt slightly intrigued and actually wanted to see her again, just see her, she didn't have to talk to her, if she could just catch a glimpse of her, then maybe she would feel better and could go home and be with Troy without all these thoughts of a new job and another life.
Just then the waiter popped up next to her, "Refill?" he questioned with a charming smile in her direction.
But Gabriella was very distracted and she just lifted her cup even if she had rarely sipped it, "Uhm yeah..." she mumbled, her eyes still focused on the poster – on Sharpay's face.
The young waiter made a face, "Miss, I don't think that-"
Gabriella cut him off; she turned around to finally look at him and lowered her cup to the table, "Where can you get tickets to one of those plays?" she pointed behind herself with a thumb so he was sure what she was talking about.
He made a face, probably didn't want to chat more with her after his charming smile didn't work; he had other costumers to tend to since it was time for an afternoon cup of coffee, "Anywhere. Just go online." he stiffly replied.
Gabriella wasn't ready to let him leave just yet though, because she needed to know this; she'd have to go to the play tonight or tomorrow night since she was leaving early the morning after that, "What if I can't reach a computer? And I need to get a ticket? Where do I go?" she quickly rambled off, a where of how the waiter was tripping, trying to get away from her.
He shrugged, "Just go to one of the places that sells tickets, I dunno, there's one just down the street."
Gabriella offered him a thankful smile, said, "Thanks!" and turned away from him again to glance at the poster. She couldn't help but let her eyes linger on Sharpay's smiling brown eyes.
She was going to see Mamma Mia! before she left for New Mexico again – that was for sure.
- -
Gabriella didn't know what it was, and why it was, but she felt very nervous when she entered the huge auditorium. There were so many seats and the stage was so big, she had no idea what she was doing there. She felt like she really didn't belong there. There was a lot of fancy people and even if she was wearing the dress she earlier on thought was so fancy – and made exactly for something like this – she still felt so out of place.
But she was not going to let herself get down because of that feeling. It didn't matter. What mattered was that she would be seeing Sharpay in just a few minutes and that made her feel really happy. She hadn't thought much about what Sharpay was like when performing, but she couldn't wait to find out. She had only heard her sing, not act, and it was going to be incredibly great to see.
As Gabriella found her seat, she could feel anticipation pricking in her fingertips.
- -
It was the most awesome thing Gabriella had ever done.
The experience of sitting in a room like that, so filled with people that were all in awe of what they were seeing on stage was just incredible. Not to mention that Sharpay was just breathtakingly wonderful in the part of Sophie. She hit all the half-notes that were so hard to reach and so ABBA, and whenever she spoke, Gabriella felt like she lit up the entire stage and everyone was watching her with round eyes and admiration.
And as Gabriella entered the hall, she told herself that it wasn't in the plans, but that she just had to go and say hello to Sharpay anyway. She had no idea if she would be able to get in to her, but she'd just have to try – or she'd just have to wait until she had changed and was ready to go.
There were people everywhere, chatting, talking about the show and what they had liked and disliked about it. Again, Gabriella felt slightly out of place because she had no one to talk to, but she was excited to look up and see who had just stepped into the hall with one of her co-stars. She looked sweaty, exhausted, but very happy. She had her arm around the guy and they mingled through the crowd and stopped in front of a woman with a boy by her side and happily hugged them hello. The man also kissed the woman, so Gabriella suspected that it was a girlfriend or a wife.
She could feel her smile growing as she saw the way Sharpay glowed so happily as she talked to these people. There was just something about Sharpay Evans – she couldn't explain what it was, but she was special, and it made Gabriella feel really special as well.
She knew she shouldn't do it since nothing good would come out of it, but she pushed through the crowd as well, and made her way towards the blonde bombshell. As she got closer, she could hear them talking,
"...really didn't think we were that great tonight." Sharpay finished with a light chuckle.
The little boy held back a yawn, before he reached for Sharpay's hand and gave it a squeeze, "You were good today, Pay! As always!" he squeaked out.
Sharpay's face erupted into a smile and Gabriella chuckled to herself, because it was just too cute for words. She didn't want to just stand there and stare for so long though, it might seem slightly stalkerish, so she took a few steps closer and cleared her throat to announce her presence, "Yeah Sharpay, I thought you were good today, what are you talking about?" she teasingly said.
The look across Sharpay's face was priceless. The others looked confused, but that was probably because they didn't know who she was. Sharpay though, after having gotten used to her presence there, let a smile conquer her face, and she stepped closer, opening up her arms slightly, "Gabriella!?"
Gabriella stepped closer to her as well and enveloped her in a warm hug. She had completely forgotten her smell, it was kind of weird, but it felt good to fill her nostrils with the scent that was all Sharpay Evans. She smelled slightly sweaty after her work, but Gabriella didn't mind at all; it was just good to be hugged by her. The Latina wasn't sure how it was possible to have missed something without knowing it; and how it was possible to have missed something she never quite had to begin with. But she had, and she didn't want to argue with that – she'd just accept it.
They pulled away and Gabriella smiled warmly when her eyes locked with Sharpay's kind ones. It was a great feeling, and she was so happy she had decided to spend her evening like this. It was almost as if fate wanted them to meet, and therefore it had made sure that her job interview would go badly.
"What are you doing here?" Sharpay questioned; Gabriella was relieved to see that she was happy to see her, that she wasn't weird about it and that it seemed like it wouldn't be awkward at all. She didn't know if this was all it would revolve to, but she was secretly hoping that maybe they would hang out.
Gabriella moved her hands in a saying manner and gave Sharpay a cocky smile, "I'm currently in New York for a job interview." she just told the other woman. There was not more that needed to be said. When Sharpay knew this, she knew that Gabriella hadn't gone all this way just to see her, but also that it was something she really wanted to do, because she still did it, even if she was here for other matters.
Sharpay raised an eyebrow, "A job interview? Well that sounds exciting, what is it?"
"I'll let you know." Gabriella replied with a quick wink, which was cleverly planned out from her part. Since she said that she would let her know, that meant they'd have to spend more time together. And that was exactly what Gabriella hoped for.
Sharpay chuckled and turned slightly around, to place an arm around her shoulders, she then led her back to her friends and with a cheery voice and a very happy smile said, "Guys, this is my friend Gabriella, Gabriella this is my co-star Patrick and his wife and son."
Gabriella gave a funny little wave, "Hi."
Patrick shot her a charming smile, "Nice to meet you, Gabriella." he murmured with a saying look in Sharpay's direction as he reached out to shake Gabriella's hand.
Gabriella decided not to comment on it, but she was sure she saw Sharpay give a small nod.
"I better go change though, we have to get home." Patrick said and gave Sharpay a quick hug, "I'll see you tomorrow, Evans, if you're not feeling too sick."
Sharpay raised a saying eyebrow, "Well maybe I will be sick tomorrow, who knows."
And then the two of them turned around to go to their dressing rooms to change. Gabriella turned to the wife and the kid and shot the woman a questionable look.
She paused, "Don't look at me like that. I don't know what's going on with them half of the time either."
Gabriella chuckled beneath her breath before she turned towards the nearest seat and sat down, hoping that Sharpay wouldn't be too long – she could hear her stomach wail for food and she hoped that Sharpay would be cool with getting a quick bite to eat. Gabriella had no idea what they were going to do together – she just wanted to spend time with her and experience what they had at the Albuquerque mall another time; it was a memorable day in the Latina's life, and she tried to tell herself that it would not be like that everyday if she was Sharpay's girlfriend.
It was hard though because the blonde was such an incredible woman, that how could it not? Of course there would be ups and downs, but it surely felt like everyday would be like some kind of wonderful. And that was hard to admit, because Gabriella was trying to talk herself out of going for it – of kissing her, plating one upon her. After seeing her on stage tonight, that was all she really wanted to do.
Gabriella watched people leave the place as she contemplated her recent thoughts and ideas. She couldn't help herself, but at least it was the perfect way to kill time. It was just disturbing for her to think this way, she felt. That it wasn't right. She shouldn't think that way at all. She shouldn't, because Sharpay was just another friend to her, or at least... that was what she was supposed to just 'be'.
But she wasn't and Gabriella had to admit that. She wanted more. She was intrigued. She was fascinated. She was... like she was when she first met Troy.
That was the really sad thing about it.
"Are you ready to go?"
Gabriella looked up by the sound of Sharpay's voice and couldn't help but smile by the sight of her. She had changed into some regular clothes, probably refreshed herself up a bit with some perfume and redone her make-up. She looked very stunning, and Gabriella stood up too, just to feel like she was just about half her level. She checked her wristwatch and made a tsk-tsk sound while shaking her head, "I thought you said actors can change in a few seconds?"
Sharpay smirked, but her eyes glistened, and Gabriella knew she was happy that she had remembered something like that – something they had talked about six months ago, "I know, but you wanted me to look spectacular, did you not?"
Gabriella had to admit that she did want that, and just got a better hold of her purse, now feeling overdressed in her new bought dress, "So where do we go? I'm kinda hungry."
Sharpay placed an arm around her shoulders and turned them towards the exit, "I have a place that I haven't gone to in a while..."
Gabriella had a feeling that that wouldn't just be a regular restaurant, but that it'd be something unexpected. She chuckled as they went through the doors to the street, "And where might that just be?"
Sharpay did not reply, but the twinkle in her eye spoke enough on its own.
- -
"This is where you wanna eat?"
"Yup."
"Of aaaanywhere in New York, this is the place you choose?"
"Aha. I think it's great. Favourite place to eat."
"You serious?"
"Mhm, very."
Gabriella paused and took a look around the small place which was pretty crowded for a regular evening at 8:30 as this was. Pretty much all the round tables were filled with people and the colours of red and yellow sprung into her eyes and made Gabriella want to cover them.
"McDonald's? Really?"
Sharpay took a step forward and Gabriella thought that she was like a little kid in a candy store – she looked so cute and wonderful as she spread out her arms and spun around in a circle. "It's God's will to make me eat this." she announced when she stood still again and was staring straight at Gabriella.
"God's will?" she shortly questioned.
Sharpay put her hands in her sides and blinked a couple of times, "Yes. He made sure to make me skinny so I can eat like a pig." she replied, as a matter of fact.
Gabriella laughed and went to stand by her side, "Well, I want a chicken burger and fries and a soda. And after that I want a McFlurry." she licked her lips in thought of the delicious ice cream, and couldn't help but look forward to it in extreme joy. Sharpay stared at her with a weird look in her eyes and Gabriella continued, "You'll go order and I'll find a table." she continued, as if talking to a child.
Sharpay made a face; screwed her eyes in a difficult direction, "...I knew that." she replied, before she turned around and waltzed up to the counter with bouncy steps.
Gabriella giggled lowly to herself and looked around the crowded placed to find an empty table. She saw one in the corner of the room almost immediately, she zigzagged through the other tables and sat down. She couldn't believe that she ended up having dinner with Sharpay even if it was just at McDonald's. It was sort of crazy – she just went to watch her play, to see if she was any good, and now she was here; eating with the star.
It was weird, she really couldn't explain it. She felt so different when she was with Sharpay. She knew it was cliché, but she couldn't help herself. And she was not going to lie – she could actually see herself being happy like this for the rest of her life, and that was more than what she could say when she saw herself with Troy. It just wasn't the same, she could feel that already now. If she would ever be able to explain it to anybody else, she wouldn't know. She knew that Sharpay understood though, even if they had never said it aloud, either of them. But she knew from the day they first met. She knew that Gabriella was in a serious relationship, like Gabriella herself knew that Sharpay was a lesbian. But the blonde also knew that Gabriella was intrigued and perhaps attracted to her, for Gabriella had not tried to hide that when they were in the dressing room together.
She felt her phone vibrate in her purse, so she opened it quickly to see if maybe Troy had texted her about something important. It was not Troy, however, it was Taylor, so Gabriella quickly opened the message.
Gab! I need help, Troy's on my couch with Chad, and I don't know how to act normal around him. You screwed me up, woman!!!
Gabriella held back a giggle even if it was a serious matter. Of course Taylor would have a problem lying to Troy, or even acting like usual around him when she knew what she knew; Gabriella felt slightly better though, after getting it out. It made her feel sad though, to think about Troy and their relationship, when all she really wanted to do was leave him back in New Mexico and go live here – live her life!
Her fingers lingered above the buttons for about ten seconds, before she breathed out slowly and decided what to write.
I'm sorry, Tay. But I'm freaking out too! I'm having dinner... with SHARPAY EVANS!
She hesitated for another ten seconds before she just pressed the send-button; she wasn't sure if it was very clever to tell Taylor about this dinner, but on the other hand... why not? Taylor probably didn't know about Sharpay's sexuality, and when it came to that, Gabriella believed that she would be cool with it all. Even if it would never happen between the two of them, Gabriella could still dream and imagine conflicts and wonderful moments in her over-active brain. There was no rule against that, was there?
Approximately thirty seconds later, Taylor's reply had found its way to her cell phone.
I have Troy on my couch and you're worrying about Sharpay Evans? Oh wait a minute... Hey! Did you say Sharpay Evans? Why are you with her? Do you even know her?
Gabriella read the text over a few times and quickly glanced up to see how far Sharpay had gotten in the line, and she seemed to be ordering their meals, and Gabriella glanced at the screen of her cell again, contemplating what to reply to her best friend. In truth she really wanted to tell Taylor about her thoughts, and about her reason for going to meet Sharpay again even if she didn't really know her, but she wasn't quite sure what to say or how to explain it – it wasn't really explainable, was it?
She bit her lip in thought and decided to just come out and say it. Just plain out tell Taylor what was on her mind; what she was thinking; why she was really there. She wouldn't explain it with long complicated sentences, she would just write it down, as simple as it was, just tell her best friend what was on her mind. It would be a risk, but when she looked up at Sharpay, she knew that she wanted to take that risk – even if it was still wasn't sure what would happen between them.
I think that I might be in love with Sharpay.
Hesitating, Gabriella pressed the button another time before she lost her courage. She flipped her phone shut and looked up when Sharpay placed a tray in front of her on the table and thereafter took a seat on the chair opposite her. "I got us a Happy Meal as well. I like the toys." she rambled off immediately.
Gabriella quickly opened her phone again and added
No, I know I'm in love with Sharpay.
and then sent that off as well. She didn't know how it was possible, but she felt like Sharpay really knew her completely. That she'd get a Happy Meal for them was just proof of that; she understood her, got what she was all about. She knew she couldn't be sure about anything that would or would not happen in the future, but she felt that if she didn't go for it... she'd just regret it.
Gabriella smiled warmly to Sharpay, "I like the toys as well." she softly said, her voice flowing across the table to Sharpay, who had already opened up her burger and eaten half of it.
The blonde placed her burger down again and swallowed slowly. "Can I ask you something?" she questioned, as Gabriella softly sipped her soda, before picking up a fry or two. She locked her eyes with Sharpay's chocolate brown ones, which were watching her in wonderment.
The Latina shrugged slightly, not quite sure what the subject of this conversation was about, but it was alright, because the unpredictable was what she really wanted and needed, "Sure."
There was a beat.
"Why are you here?"
Gabriella sat up straight and felt her phone vibrate next to her again. She said, "I'm in town for a job interview. I don't think it went too well though. Could've gone better."
Sharpay laughed for a few seconds, before she reached both hands behind her head and pulled her long blonde hair into a ponytail, "Well, that's interesting, but that's not what I meant..." she let her hands drop to the table again, and drummed her nails against the table, "I was talking about here. With me." she sighed and suddenly the air around them tensed and it was very serious, "What are you doing here with me? Why did you come to see me?"
Gabriella took in a deep breath; she wasn't quite sure what to reply to that. She knew she should tell her what it was, just let her know, but... It was hard, too. It was hard to just say something like that. She wasn't sure how Sharpay would react. The only thing she was certain of was that Sharpay was attracted to her, she had said so already the first time they met. But she wasn't quite sure where to go with it, "Eh..." she breathed out and just stared the other woman right in the eye.
Then there was a loud vibrate from her phone another time, and Sharpay glanced at it, "You wanna get that?" she just said, and dug into her food again, to give Gabriella space to check her message.
No surprise that both texts were from Taylor and Gabriella opened the first one, the oldest one, and quickly scrolled through it.
WHAT!?!? Gabriella, are you serious? Is that what brought this entire thing with Troy on? Is that why you're in New York?
She flipped back and opened the other text from Taylor, the most recent one.
Gab? Something wrong? Why don't you answer me? Are you with her? Gab?
She honestly didn't know what to type back to her, so she just flipped her phone shut and turned it off. She couldn't deal with this right now. She had enough in one crazy woman at a time, and right now it was Sharpay she had to deal with.
"Everything okay?" Sharpay questioned when Gabriella looked up again and had placed her turned-off phone on the table next to her soda.
Gabriella took in a deep breath and tried to form the sentence inside her head before saying it aloud. She wasn't quite sure what to say yet, but she was just going to try. "You know how you told me you're a lesbian?" she begun and Sharpay stared blankly at her and gave a slight nod, "Yes? I'm intrigued by that."
Sharpay kept reaching for fries; she chewed them slowly, swallowed and then ate some more, before she sipped her soda. Gabriella just watched her with huge eyes, studying her movements closely, wanted to see more of her, all of her with each move the blonde made. Sharpay blinked again and said, "Intrigued? What exactly do you mean by intrigued?"
Gabriella raised an eyebrow and shot Sharpay a cocky smile, "By you I'm intrigued. I wanna get to know you, I wanna... kiss you." she let her eyes wander across Sharpay's face and down her neck to the swell of her breasts. She had never thought she would ever find breasts attractive, but it was different with Sharpay – she really wanted to touch every part of her skin, and kiss every inch of her body. It didn't matter that it was a woman. She was intrigued.
Sharpay stared right back at her with a perfectly plucked eyebrow raised as well, "But you have a boyfriend." she stated; it was a matter of fact. It was the way it was.
"A fiancé actually." Gabriella told her, didn't want to lie to her, she was too important, "He proposed to me and I said yes. But I don't think I wanna marry him, Sharpay..." she closed her mouth tightly and thought about it, thought everything through that she had with Troy, thought about the wonderful things she had experienced with Sharpay – but those weren't enough to risk it all; they weren't important enough, there hadn't been enough good moments to overshadow everything with Troy, "I'm not sure he's gonna make me happy. I wanna... right now, all I can think about is being with you, but I can't do that."
She was quiet for a few seconds, Sharpay, letting the information sink in. She then glanced at Gabriella's food and smiled, "You're not eating anything." there was a pause and she continued, "I really wanna be with you too, Gabriella. I'm not sure if it'd work out or if you're even gay. I'm not sure if I wanna be your gay experience or not, but I'm fucking attracted to you, and I can't deny that. I'm just not sure if I wanna ruin everything for you. You've gotta make that decision for yourself."
Gabriella knew that from the beginning, before she even came here. And at one point she loved Sharpay for letting her decide everything herself, because that proved that their relationship could be wonderful if they ever got one, but at the other point, she hated Sharpay for being so nice, telling her to make a decision, because if the blonde had been selfish and just kissed her again, she wouldn't be having this problem.
The Latina poked to her burger with a finger, deep in thought. This was so confusing. All she really wanted to do was try to see if things would work with Sharpay; she wanted to give them a shot, but she couldn't bear to leave Troy. She loved him, and he was her safety net. If things didn't work with Sharpay, she wanted to be able to go back to him like nothing had happened. She knew that that sounded stupid and selfish, but she couldn't help it. It was the way she wanted it to be, and in the ideal world, the world where God did everything Gabriella Montez wanted, that was the way it would be.
"Gabriella?"
Gabriella looked up again and stared at Sharpay with a sad look across her face. It was too hard to figure this out, it made her too depressed to have to choose between her long-time boyfriend and this woman she was so intrigued and amazed by. "I'm not sure about what to do." she whispered, and couldn't help but feel moved when Sharpay offered her a supporting smile, "I mean... I really wanna try what it's like to be with you, but Troy he's..." she stopped, couldn't get herself to finish the sentence, because it pained her too much to think about Troy when she was doing this to him.
Sharpay nodded, finishing the sentence off for her, "...a great guy." she said, "He's a great guy. I know, I dated him in high school."
Gabriella hadn't know this information, but it didn't even surprise her that much. Of course Troy and Sharpay would have dated; as far as she could tell, they would have made a wonderful couple, both sweet and funny, and both great people. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand and shot Sharpay the best smile she could muster, "Of course you did." she softly said, breathed out heavily and continued, "And now I really can't figure out what to do, and if I end up hurting Troy he'll hate me, and now I'm bummed out and I've ruined your evening. I'm sorry."
Sharpay looked a bit taken aback by the sudden rant, but she reached a hand across the table in stead and locked her fingers with Gabriella's, "You haven't ruined my evening, sweetie." she softly said, and their eyes locked, and Gabriella could see that she was contemplating what to do; thinking things over as well, because her eyes seemed glazed and her thumb kept stroking the back of her hand, "I don't wanna hurt Troy either, but no matter what happens, he's probably gonna get the short end of the stick, I just... cheer up, Gabriella."
Gabriella calmed down more as Sharpay's finger stroked her hand, but she was still so upset about Troy and this dilemma – she had never pictured herself in a situation like this, and it truly sucked to be in it.
"I'll tell you what;" Sharpay suddenly said, now seeming much cheerier as she stared Gabriella deeply in the eye, "I'll suggest something and if you laugh of my suggestion, you have to say yes."
Gabriella couldn't really see what the point of this was, and she wasn't really in the mood to laugh right now, so she wasn't concerned about the suggestion, and what Sharpay would have her do at all. It wouldn't be a problem if she didn't laugh.
She sniffed and said, "Yeah okay, I doubt you'll make me laugh, though."
"That's okay?" Sharpay replied with a sneaky smile.
"That's okay." Gabriella confirmed.
The smile on Sharpay's face could not have been bigger, "Fine, listen up!" she said, and her voice got happier with each syllable she pronounced, "You and I – we're gonna finish our dinner, go get you a few drinks to ease your worries, and then we're gonna go back to my apartment and accidentally have sex because we're so 'drunk'."
Gabriella laughed. The scene, the suggestion and the air quotes at the end were just too damn precious and funny for her to resist. She then paused when realisation hit her, "Oh my God, I just said yes, didn't I?" she squeaked, her brown eyes going huge. She had laughed, and the deal was that if she laughed, she'd have to do it.
Sharpay nodded her head up and down across from her, her blonde fringe bouncing slightly as she moved. "Oh yes Gabriella, you did just say yes."
Gabriella cocked her eyebrows together, still not sure about what was really happening, but knowing that it was crazy, "How's that gonna help me in any way? - and how's that not hurting Troy!?" she exclaimed, probably a little louder than intended. She glanced around the room and bent her head to talk in private. "What are you thinking?"
Sharpay scrunched up her nose a few times before she replied, "Well, you wanna know whether or not this is something you can do. You won't know unless you try." she paused for a few seconds and stared Gabriella in the eye again, very seriously, "The drinks are to make it a bit easier for you – and so you can blame the alcohol if something goes wrong, and the sex is just really good."
"But you said you didn't want to be my gay experience?" Gabriella questioned in confusion.
Sharpay shrugged and leaned back into her chair, "Normally I don't, 'cuz I end up getting hurt, but... with you, truth is, I don't really care."
Gabriella leaned back into her chair as well with a low sigh. As she watched Sharpay take a sip of her soda, covering the straw with her mouth, she couldn't help but want to try this. Even if it was so, so wrong.
She was too intrigued to resist.
Thank you so much for the reviews for the last chapter, I'm so happy you enjoyed that. And thank you for the patience with this chapter, I had a lot of problems with this chapter, but I finally got time to write it. I hope you enjoyed this as well, and please drop me off a comment with your thoughts.
Disclaimer; I don't own High School Musical – or McDonald's for that matter.