Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical or the songs.
Author's note: Hey, guys. I just recently discovered a way that I can update more regularly. I'm trying not to get my hopes up just in case it doesn't work out. Anyways, on to the story.
Chapter 4: Waiting on an Angel
Waiting on an Angel
Want to carry me home
Hope you come see me soon
Cuz' I don't wanna walk alone
I don't wanna go alone
"Can we talk, Gabriella?" Troy asked. He took Gabriella's hand and led her to a less quiet spot to talk after they had kissed.
"What is it?" She was already ecstatic from what just took place.
"Well, I wanted to ask you if…if…"
"Yes?"
"Wouldyouliketogoonadatewithmetomorrownight?" He said in a rush.
She giggled, "Troy, could you say that one more time. I don't think I caught what you said."
He took a deep breath. "I said 'would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?'"
Gabriella giggled, "Troy, aren't we already on a date?"
"A real date. Just us two." He said.
"Well, in that case, I'd love to go on a real date." She replied.
"Cool. Uh oh here comes the bad-timing-duo." Troy pointed over to Taylor and Chad who were making their way over to Gabriella.
"Hey what are you guys doing? You're not making out are you?" Chad teased. "After that kiss, I'd expect something to be going on." Taylor whacked Chad over the head. "Hey."
"Well, Chad, since making out is just another word for kissing over and over and over-"
"All right we get it, Hoops."
Troy continued, "And over again and since Gabriella's lips are not on mine and since I am talking to you, I guess that kind of overrules your theory."
"Well, you should, in fact, be thanking me, Hoops. Sharpay was just about to pay you two a quick visit, but we got here before she did. Plus I really did want to know what you were doing here." Chad said.
"Well, thank you for caring so much."
"You're welcome." Chad was reminded of why he had come in the first place. "But seriously why are you guys all by yourselves?"
"I wanted to talk to Gabriella. That's all."
"Oh, well if that's it, I think Tay and I are going to go get some punch. Dancing really takes a lot outta you. Come on, Tay."
Troy turned his attention back to Gabriella. "Hm. Interesting."
"What?" She asked.
"Interesting that Taylor and Chad noticed that kiss."
"I think everyone noticed, Wildcat. I hope that Sharpay won't come over here."
"You know, I don't think that Sharpay approves of 'us'."
"Really? Well, I don't think that could quite stop me from kissing you." Gabriella smiled a little at the forwardness that she had just used. Troy really did bring out a side of her that didn't really exist.
"I have no idea what he sees in her." Sharpay said over the music to Charlotte, one of the drama club girls. Ryan was standing near.
"I don't know. She's pretty cool. I've gotten to know her at rehearsals."
"Repeat." Sharpay said.
"Well, she's managed to make a few friends in the drama department as well as some of the athletes and the braniacs. She gets straight A's. She sings and acts. She's getting pretty popular." What she said earned on of Sharpay's "If looks could kill" glare.
"Well, I get good grades if you don't count history, science, English, and math. I have been a singer and actress for all of my life. And my fashion is enough to make Madonna jealous." She looked once again at Troy and Gabriella. "He'll get over her soon enough." Her mind was working at a rate that made Ryan and Charlotte nervous.
Taylor was over at Gabriella's house to help her decide what she would wear for her date with Troy. After going through numerous outfits, she decided to wear her silky ice blue blouse and her white ruffled skirt. To finish it off, she put a tiny blue barrette in her hair. "What do you think?" She asked Taylor.
"Very cute. Good choice." Taylor responded with positivism. "What time is he coming?"
As if on cue, the doorbell rang twice. "Does that answer your question?" Gabriella asked giggling.
Gabriella came down the stairs and saw Troy standing with her mother. He was wearing faded jeans and a red polo shirt that made his sparkling blue eyes even more mesmerizing than they already were. In his hands, he held a bouquet of lilies and roses.
"Hey, Gabriella." Troy felt like he was in a trance as he stared at her till she reached him. He handed her the flowers as they were walking out the front door.
"Have fun, Gabby." Her mother called out. "Don't stay out too late."
Troy led her out to the car and opened the door for her to get inside. "You look beautiful." He said as he closed the door. He made his way to the driver's side and drove.
"So where are we going?" She asked.
"Just wait and see. It's a surprise." He added simply.
As they were driving, Gabriella noticed that they were on the road that led to the school. In fact, he had suddenly stopped right in front of the school.
Why would Troy bring us here? She thought.
He saw the confused look on her face and quickly explained.
"Now before you say anything, just follow me." He took her hand and led her through the empty hallways to their hideout. Their rooftop garden. She saw that he had set up candles all around. A blanket was spread out. He led her to their picnic-slash-candlelight dinner for two "Thanks for not saying anything." He pointed out.
"It's…it's beautiful, Troy." She replied. He led her over to the blanket.
"But you don't think that going here for our first date was…not romantic?" Troy said.
"Troy, I wouldn't have cared if we were at Sharpay's house with her there." She stopped herself, "Well, okay, maybe not that far. What I'm trying to say is that wherever you take me doesn't matter as long as I'm with you." She replied.
"Okay. Well, that makes me feel better about this whole thing."
They had the traditional peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches and chocolate covered strawberries for their dinner. Troy got up and went to get something. When Troy returned, he held his acoustic guitar and sat next to her.
"I didn't know that you played the guitar." She pointed out.
"Just a little hobby of mine. I thought that I'd play a song for you. It's…um…by Ben Harper. It's the song, 'Waiting on an Angel'. I haven't exactly done this before, so don't laugh at me when I make a mistake." He took a breath and started to play and sing.
Waiting on an Angel
Want to carry me home
Hope you come see me soon
Cuz' I don't wanna walk alone
I don't wanna go alone
Now, Angel, won't you come by me
Angel, hear my plea
Take my hand lift me up
So that I can fly with thee
So that I can fly with thee
And I'm waiting on an angel
And I know it won't be long
To find myself a resting place
In my angel's arms
My angel's arms
The music combined with his voice made Gabriella want to be the only one that he'd sing to. His voice was so mesmerizing! She wished that they could just stay there forever.
So be kind to a stranger
Cuz' you'll never know
It just might be an angel
Oh, knocking at your door
Oh, knocking at your door
And I'm waiting on an angel
And I know it won't be long
To find myself a resting place
In my angel's arms
My angel's arms
Waiting on an angel
Want to carry me home
Hope you come see me soon
Cuz' I don't wanna go alone
Don't wanna go
I don't wanna go alone
When he stopped, Gabriella was speechless. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard in her entire life. If the only thing she could hear was Troy's voice, she knew that she would be content. It took her a few moments, but she finally found her voice. "Troy, that was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my entire life!"
"Thanks. I chose it for a specific reason. I have been waiting on an angel, and I'm pretty sure I found her."
Gabriella blushed, and quickly changed the subject by saying, "I did not know that you could play like that. I thought that you had never sung before."
"Actually, I said that singing on stage with you was the first time I'd ever done something like that. I've sang to myself a few times in the shower, who hasn't? And I've sung along to my favorite songs, but I never really thought that I was any good. I've never sang in front of my parents before. I guess I never really thought about it. It never really mattered until now…until you. It's just one more thing for us to keep to ourselves."
"Well, at least until the musical." She pointed out.
"Well, we could keep the guitar a secret." He said hopeful.
"Alright," she said reluctantly. "But I'm still telling Taylor."
"Well, I have one more thing in store for tonight." He got up and held his hand out to her. "Can I have this dance?" He asked.
"Troy, we danced yesterday. Plus there's no music." She laughed.
"Please?" he pleaded.
She couldn't resist when he did that. She smiled and took his hand. He pulled her close to him; and she laid her head on his shoulder. He suddenly started to quietly sing to her. She giggled and continued to sway to the music that was coming from Troy. She wished once again that they could stay there forever.
Every once in a while, they'd look into each other's eyes. Chocolate brown ones gazing at crystal blue ones. Gabriella and Troy could gaze into each other's eyes forever. He stopped singing, but they didn't stop dancing. Getting caught up into the moment, Troy brushed a curl away from Gabriella's face and leaned down to kiss her. His hands were against the back of her head, and her arms were twined about his neck pulling him closer to her until his lips touched hers.
They pulled away. And Troy sang for a few more moments. When Troy stopped singing, he noticed that it was about time that he got her home. They made their way through the hallways to the car. While they were on their way, Gabriella asked Troy a question.
"How long has Sharpay liked you?"
"Um…since the sixth grade. I think." He answered, not understanding how this had anything to do with their date.
"Wow. She's persistent."
"You have no idea. She's done so many horrifying things, it's not even funny." Troy said, shuddering at the thought of past memories. "There's a reason she's the co-president of the drama club. She is so crazy and goes all-out as I'm sure you've noticed her choice of wardrobe. So many colors and sparkles and..." He shuddered. "There was this one incident with a rubber chicken, and she…" he stopped himself. "Nevermind. Anyways, what does this have anything to do with us?"
"Well, I was just thinking that a lot of the girls at East High are in love with you. They've probably known you since you were younger, but you—" Gabriella stopped for a moment feeling shy.
"I fall hard for the girl I've known for a few weeks." He finished for her. She nodded. "You're right. They're probably going to be really angry. Have you noticed the guys that just completely stare at you?"
She laughed, "Really. I haven't noticed."
"Oh really. You haven't been paying attention."
"It's more that I don't really care what other guys do. I already have my own guy." She said.
"Well, he's lucky. You are gorgeous."
"Kissing up, Bolton."
"Yes, Montez. Yes, I am." He said.
She laughed and then stopped. "Do you think that Sharpay will still try to get you to like her?" She asked shyly.
"I don't know. But we are talking about the Drama Queen here. She's unpredictable. I was surprised at how she took the 'Twinkle Town' thing. She didn't throw a temper or anything. No one's beaten her out since kindergarten."
"That's what Taylor said." She told him.
"Well, she'll just have to deal with the show, and she'll have to deal with us. I intend to take you out again. But that reminds me, since Ms. Darbus made her your understudy, please try not to miss a show. I don't think I could give her the satisfaction of being able to kiss me. Whether it's on-stage or off. So please. The only person I'd feel comfortable kissing in front of an audience would be you."
Gabriella blushed and looked out the window to see that they had arrived at her house.
"Come on," he said, "I'll walk you to the door."
Troy opened her car door for her and led her to the front door. He admired the house. He'd only seen it once when he came to apologize to Gabriella that time they almost drifted apart no thanks to their friends. He had been too preoccupied to notice all the ivy that was on the walls. They arrived at the front door.
"Troy, thank you. I had an amazing time." Gabriella said.
"It was my pleasure. I had an equally great time. We need to do it another time."
"Okay…"She lost her train of thought, as Troy bent his head down to kiss her. She cherished the few seconds that the kiss lasted, before he pulled away and went back to his car.
"Gabi, how was it?" Ms. Montez asked her daughter.
"It was great, Mom. He's really sweet." Gabriella smiled at the thought of Troy. "But I think I'm going to go upstairs. I'm tired. I think I'm going to call Taylor before I go to bed though." She added.
"All right, Mija. I'm glad that you had a good time. Good night. I love you." She kissed Gabriella's head.
"Love you too, Mom. Good night."
Gabriella made her way upstairs. She reached her bedroom and pulled out her cell phone to call Taylor.
"Hey, Taylor," She greeted.
"Finally! I was wondering if you'd forgotten to call me. Okay, what happened? Tell me everything." She demanded.
"Hello to you too."
"Hi."
"Okay, well, first he gave me a bouquet of lilies and roses, and then-" She was cut off by another question from Taylor.
"Where did you guys go?" She asked excitedly.
"Well, don't interrupt I'm getting to that."
"Sorry, please continue." Taylor said.
"Okay, well he took me to the school, and-"
"Why'd he take you to the school?" Taylor asked shocked.
"Stop that! I swear. What is it with you and Chad with timing. Anyways, he took me to the school because that's where we had dinner. He took me up to the-" Gabriella stopped herself before she revealed her and Troy's secret hiding place, but then she was reminded that Taylor already knew, since Chad, Jason, and Zeke had apologized to Troy up there. She continued. "He took me to the rooftop garden, and he set up a picnic with candles. It was really sweet."
"You didn't care that it was at the school?" Taylor asked surprised.
"Should I have?" Gabriella replied. "It didn't matter where I was, as long as I was with him."
"All right. Continue." Taylor urged.
"Well, he then got his guitar out and played a song for me."
"Ooo, which song?"
"'Waiting on an Angel' by Ben Harper."
"Did he sing too?" Taylor asked intrigued.
"Yes, he sang too. After, he asked me to dance with him. There was no music, so he sang the song himself."
"Awww, that's so sweet." Taylor said impressed.
"Yeah, he was." Gabriella agreed. "I don't know what I did to deserve him."
"Well, tomorrow do you and Troy want to hang out at the mall with the rest of the gang?"
"That sounds great. Count me in."
"Okay. I think that Chad was going to call Troy after you guys were done with your date."
"Well, we'll know soon enough. Once Chad knows, the whole world will know."
"Very, very true." Taylor agreed.
"Hey, what's up, Chad?" Troy asked his best friend.
"Hey, Hoops, how did the date go?" Troy remained silent. "That well huh?" Chad said.
"Yeah. It went really, really well."
"Are you going to leave me to guess all the details?"
"Dude, do you have to know everything that goes on in my life? And since when do you care about this stuff? Have you been watching your mom's soap operas again?" he accused.
"That was only once, and I only wanted to know if Alejandro and Diana confessed their undying love for each other. It turns out that Alejandro was actually an evil twin. Michael is actually the one twin that loves Diana, but Alejandro locked him in a wine cellar before he could do it. It's such a cliff hangar."
"Dude, just stop. I wonder why you aren't an actor. You are just as dramatic as Sharpay sometimes."
"Troy, never, ever say that again. Now tell me what you did for her, or I'll just call Taylor and get what I need from her. She's probably already talked to Gabs."
"Fine. Well, I brought her to the rooftop garden for a candlelight picnic."
"The rooftop of the school?" Chad asked.
"No, Chad, the rooftop of the Empire State Building." Troy answered sarcastically.
"Hoops, I've had enough sarcasm in this world to last me a lifetime. I get it everyday from Taylor and Sharpay. I do not need it from you."
"Sorry. You just make it so difficult sometimes. I swear you are the most oblivious person in this world."
"Enough with the comments. Continue."
"And I took out my guitar and played for her, and we danced. That's it."
"Well, those weren't very good details. I guess I'll just have to call Taylor after all. Oh, that reminds me. The rest of the gang is going to the mall tomorrow. Are you game?"
"Is Gabi going?"
"Taylor should be inviting her, so probably."
"Count me in."
"Cool. I'll call Taylor."
If you were to walk into the Albuquerque mall located in downtown Albuquerque and were to see a bunch of teens goofing around and having a great time with each other, it was probably this particular group of Wildcats.
Troy and Gabriella were walking hand-in-hand. Chad, Jason, and Zeke were stuck carrying the Taylor, Martha, and Kelsi's items that they had bought in various stores.
"Hey, Brie, come here." Troy brought her over to a photo booth. "Want to take some pictures with me?"
"Sure." Gabriella said. "We'll meet you guys at the food court."
"Okay. Don't take too long." Chad teased.
"Come on, Chad." Taylor said, pulling him along.
Troy and Gabriella entered the photo booth, both happy that they got a few minutes together. Five minutes later, they were making their way back to the food court with their newly acquired pictures. They were pointing to their favorites when they reached the food court. They quickly found their friends and sat down.
"That one's my favorite." Troy said pointing to the picture that had captured Troy as he kissed Gabriella.
"I really liked that one too."
"Troy!" Someone yelled. Everyone winced. They knew the voice only too well.
"Hey, Sharpay." Troy greeted.
"Hi. What are you doing here?" It was obvious that she was only acknowledging Troy.
"Well, I'm just hanging out with Gabriella and my here."
"Oh, yes. Hello…friends. And Gabriella." Sharpay said.
"What are you doing here, Ice Queen?" Chad asked giving Jason a high five.
"Well, if you must know, Hair Boy, I'm shopping for my trip to Paris in a few weeks. But I must be going. I need at last eight more pairs of shoes. Toodles."
Everybody watched as Sharpay walked off. Zeke spoke up, "Isn't she something?" He said in an awed voice. Everyone turned to him.