Chapter 10:

You'll Always have "Someone to Fall Back On"

I own NOTHING! Well except for the plot, but I think you already knew that...

It was ten o'clock when they got to Gabriella's house. They stood under the porch light as Troy was saying goodbye to Gabriella. "See you tomorrow at school?"

"Well, I was kind of thinking that maybe you could pick me up in your truck," Gabriella said. "Just so Sammy won't kill me for staying out past his bedtime."

Troy chuckled then leaned down to press a firm kiss to Gabriella's lips. It made her head dizzy and her heart explode with happiness. "I'll definitely pick you up. But we're leaving before Sammy comes out. I'd like to have children when I'm older."

Gabriella giggled then leant up and kissing his cheek. Her fingers softly threaded through his hair. "Goodnight, Troy. Love you."

"Night. Love you, too." As soon as Troy was out of sight and down the road, Gabriella quickly slipped into the house just incase the paps showed up. When she walked in, she was not surprised that the lights were on, but that Sammy was in his bathrobe, sitting on the big, plush red chair and reading the newspaper (upside down) while a cup of steaming milk stood beside him on the coffee table. He slowly lowered the newspaper and Gabriella's eyes went wide when she saw glasses settled on his face. "Well, well, well, if it isn't my lovely soon-to-be-wife coming home two hours later than expected."

Sammy jumped off the chair and slammed the newspaper down. "What were you and pretty boy doing anyway?"

"Sammy, we just had a nice picnic on this golf course. It was lame anyway," she lied. Inside her stomach was fluttering with butterflies from the night she had. "He made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and they were all sloppy and gross. Ugh, it was horrible. I kind of don't want to go out on another date with him." Okay, let's see how many lies were there. One…two…and three.

Sammy's eyes jumped with elation. "Really? Then can I take you out on a date?"

"Maybe tomorrow. Right now you have a bed to jump into."

Sammy nodded eagerly and ran up the steps. Rosie came out of the kitchen, frowning. "This won't end well, Gabriella," she said.

Gabriella sighed and put her purse down on the coffee table. "Rosie…I know it's way, way, way too early to say this, but Troy and I love each other. We just said it tonight and I don't want to break it because of Sammy. No matter how much I love him as a brother."

Rosie leaned against the archway. "Then tell him that."

"I don't want to hurt him."

"Gabriella, he's a six-year-old boy. He'll get hurt if you go through with this anyway."

Gabriella groaned. "I don't even get why this is happening to me."

"Okay, well, why don't you get some rest? And tell the girls to go to bed because I don't want to hear any talking from you guys."

Gabriella nodded and trudged up the steps. When she passed the girls, leaning over the railing, on the way to her and Maxine's room, she mumbled, "Rosie said go to sleep."

Maxine rolled her eyes and followed after her. "We heard."

…

"That's so romantic," Maxine squealed, pulling on her shirt. "And I can't believe he said I love you. The last girl he said it to was Reyna and he got his heart broken. It's a bit odd he let his heart just fly open for you."

Gabriella shrugged as she continued to work on her hair. "I know, but no more talk of it. Sammy is awake now and I don't want him overhearing so he could have a heart attack or aneurism."

Maxine grinned. "I wonder when your weeding is happening."

Gabriella turned to her and threw a brush at her. "Shut up!"

…

"Hey, Troy," Gabriella said excitedly, jumping into his truck. The paps were taking pictures from down the street. Yup, they weren't allowed on this or the school's property or else the police would get involved.

"Hey." He started the car and drove down the street, ignoring the paps. "How was last night?"

Gabriella shrugged. "Mildly good. Sammy was awake and acting like a fifty-year-old husband. He had the glasses and newspaper and everything. I told him our date was horrible. That's a total lie by the way."

Troy nodded. "Should I feel threatened at all by him?"

Gabriella giggled. "Troy, he's six. I don't think you should."

"Yeah, but, I mean, he's crushing on my girl."

"So are other thousands of boys plus the boys at school," Gabriella said.

"Yeah, but I can actually beat some of them up."

Gabriella looked at him. "So true. Because if you touch Sam, I will make sure you have no kids."

Troy chuckled. "I'm just saying. Hey, can I come to your house afterschool?"

"Be my guest."

"Thanks. Okay, here's school," Troy announced, pulling up into the parking lot. As soon as they got out, the basketball team barreled over to them. "Hey, Montez. Hey, Bolton," Chad said, nodding to them.

"Hey, Chad," Gabriella said. She turned to Troy. "I'm going to go look for Kelsi, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. See you in homeroom?"

Gabriella smiled. "Wouldn't miss it." She leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. She was about to pull away when Troy picked her up and hoisted her on top of his car. Gabriella squealed as he pressed his lips harder to hers.

The team hooted when they pulled away, both breathless. "I so hate you, Wildcat," Gabriella whispered breathlessly. Troy grinned and helped her off the car. He bent and kissed her cheek. "Love you, too, Brie."

Gabriella went forward towards the school. Just as she entered, she spotted Kelsi. Gabriella grinned and walked up to her. "Hey, Kelsi."

Kelsi turned to her and smiled. "Hey, Gabriella. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. Um, I just wanted to know if you're still up for the song idea."

Kelsi's small rounded face brightened instantly. "Really? That would be amazing."

Gabriella grinned. "Cool. Uh, I don't see my sisters here yet."

Kelsi grinned. "That's fine. I have a solo, too. We can see it in the music room."

Gabriella nodded. "Okay, that would be awesome."

Kelsi guided Gabriella to the music room. Different instruments measured from percussion to string were latched onto the wall. A grand piano was placed in the middle of the room. Gabriella gasped at the fine quality of it. Its obsidian black glow made her body shiver and the smooth texture made her fingers tingle.

"It's nice, I know," Kelsi said, sitting on the leather bench, Gabriella sat down next to her and grinned. "It's way more than nice."

"Yeah, I know. So, um, here's the song." Kelsi dug through a thick folder of music sheets. She pulled out a sheet titled: Someone to Fall Back On. Gabriella looked over it. "I, uh, wrote it with my big sister when our mom died. It's basically about her…and everyone I know and love."

Gabriella smiled and motioned for her to start.

The melody was like your mother's voice, sweet and soft in a calming tune.

"I'll never be, a night in armor with a sword in hand. Or a kamikaze fighter," Gabriella sung softly as Kelsi gently glided her fingers across the piano keys. "Don't count on me, to storm the barricades and take a stand or hold my ground. You'll never see any scars or wounds, I don't walk on coals, I won't walk on water. I am no prince, I am no saint. I am not anyone's wildest dreams. But I will stand behind and be someone to fall back on."

The melody fell into a faster tempo, but it was still nice and soft. "Some comedy, you're bruised and beaten down, but I'm the one, who's looking for a favor. Still, honestly, you don't believe me but the things I have are the things you need. You look at me like I don't make sense. Like a waste of time that serves no purpose. I am no prince, I am no saint. And if that's what you believe you need, you're wrong you don't need much. You need someone to fall back on." Kelsi ended the song there even though it wasn't finished.

"That's, like, amazing," Gabriella whispered. Kelsi grinned. "Um…thanks. But they're not that great."

"You are so wrong," Gabriella told her. "Can I use this in the public? I'll give you full credit. You and I can even create our own song one day."

Kelsi's small eyes seemed to grow larger. "Really? Seriously? That's like…that'll be awesome. I mean, that'd be…wow!"

Gabriella laughed and then the bell rang. She quickly stood and gathered her bag. "Thanks, Kels. You can come over afterschool if you'd like. Troy is coming, too."

Kelsi grinned and nodded. "I would love to. Okay, bye."

Gabriella smiled and said a quick farewell before rushing out of the door. She gasped when she ran into Reyna. "Watch where you're going, bitch," Reyna snarled.

Gabriella sighed and went to pick up Reyna's notebook. When she saw what was on the cover, she gasped. All around the cover it read: Reyna BOLTON. Troy BOLTON+ Reyna BOLTON. 4EVER. Gabriella looked back up at Reyna and Reyna snatched the book away. "Don't act so surprised. You knew it anyway."

"Yeah, but why'd you break his heart? Reyna, you really hurt him and you have the nerve to actually put that on your notebook?"

"What I write is none of your business," Reyna said. "So back off, bitch."

"Even if you didn't break his heart, I wouldn't know what he sees in you. All you are is a self-centered bitch."

"Don't talk, Miss I-Think-I'm-So-Great. Newsflash, pop-star, that's not the case." Then she smirked. "See you at lunch, princess." As Reyna walked off, a paper dropped from her bag. Gabriella bent and picked It up. On it was Troy's name, Rosie's address, another address and a phone number. Gabriella stuffed the paper in her pocket before walking slowly to homeroom.

When she got to homeroom, Troy and Leilani were passing flyers out to people. "Come to the party," Leilani said. "It's held at 1234 Masterman Street and Oxford Avenue. Big house, you can't miss it."

Gabriella walked up to Troy and took a flyer from his hands. "You're having a house party? Why didn't you tell me?"

"It was Emil's idea," Troy explained. "He and Oliver printed some out. My parents are going to Hawaii for the weekend. Leilani and I are supposed to be the responsible ones, but I kind of do want a party."

Gabriella grinned and stuffed the paper into her pocket. "I'm so there. But I'll be in disguise so the media won't see me. I think I'll go with the Reyna look. Blond hair and fake boobs."

Troy laughed. Reyna stood and stalked over to them. "The only fake person in here is you, Montez. I don't give a fuck who you are, you will not just walk in here and start making smart-ass comments about me."

"Okay, don't call the cops," Gabriella said. "I was just kidding. Like you were kidding with pouring all the sour milk on my sister. So if you want a war, then you will get a war. But just watch out. I've been on sets where they taught me a lot about doing stuff…and I can use it against you."

Reyna smirked before turning and sitting back in her seat. Gabriella, Troy, Leilani and everyone else also sat down.

Miss Darbus came waltzing into the room the next second. "Good morning, everyone. Remember, auditions will be casted on Friday which is…tomorrow." Everyone cheered. "Okay, okay, settle down. Yes, Reyna?" Miss Darbus said, looking at Reyna who had her hand raised.

"What will we be presenting for this musical?"

Miss Darbus's pale face brightened softly. "We will be casting the wonderful Rent. The diverse and mind-churning installment."

"I think Gabriella should play Mimi," Reyna said. "I mean, they both take drugs."

"Reyna," Miss Darbus snapped, a frown overtaking her face. Gabriella glowered at Reyna who was smirking back at her. "That's why your daddy died, didn't he? Because he took drugs? He was a stupid drug-addict like his little celebrities."

"Why don't you keep your mouth where it's on the most," Gabriella snarled, her blood boiling with rage. "On your mom's dick."

The class broke out into laughter and 'ooh's'. Reyna's smile dropped quickly. "Or, you should go to Hell and suck your dad's instead." More laughter filled the room.

Gabriella stood up abruptly and Reyna stood also. They were the same height and they each were staring at each other with hate. "Say one more thing about him," Gabriella whispered. "And I swear to God…"

Reyna smirked. "You and your sisters are worthless fucks just like him. No wonder he's dead. In fact, I wouldn't surprised if you would just drop dead now. I would be jumping with joy actually."

The whole room fell silent. Reyna's hair started to stand. They were supposed to find that funny…

But Reyna could clearly see that Gabriella's face had became beat-red and tears were streaming down her face. The only sound she heard was the scraping of the chair as Troy got up and steered Gabriella out of the room. The door closed loudly behind them and all eyes turned to Reyna.

"I guess I'll see you in detention for the next month, Reyna," Miss Darbus said softly, bringing her glasses down from her eyes. "Okay, class, sit down. Hopefully Miss Montez will feel better." Reyna sat down stiffly and sighed. Okay, so this didn't work out too well. The next one would though.

Outside, Gabriella was leaned against the wall, shaking with sobs as she held her head in her hands. Troy was holding onto her, whispering calm words to her. "Shh, it's okay. It's fine now."

"God I hate her," Gabriella said.

"I think a lot of people in there don't like her either," Troy said. "Especially after what she said about you."

"I don't give a damn what she said about me!" Gabriella snapped, looking at him. "I care about what she said about my dad. He never took drugs and he's not in Hell. He tried to save people and he did, but died while doing so. She doesn't even know."

"Gabriella?" Gabriella looked up to see Selena coming down the hall. Her eyes went wide when she saw her sister's profile. Quickly she ran up to her and engulfed her in a hug. "Gabriella, what happened?"

"Selena, it's nothing," Gabriella lied to her, pushing her softly away and wiping at her eyes. "I'm fine. It's just…it's stupid."

Selena turned to Troy. "Troy, what's wrong with her?"

"You should maybe ask Reyna," Troy said, rubbing soothing circles on Gabriella's back. "I think she knows why." Just as Troy said that, the bell rung. The doors opened and out fled students. Selena stopped Reyna when she walked out. "What the hell did you do to my sister?"

Reyna looked smug. "What did I do? I don't think I did anything."

Selena raised her hand and smacked her across the face. Everyone turned to them, surprised. "Listen, bitch, Gabriella is my sister and so is Reva. And when you mess with them, you mess with me. I advise you to back off."

"What, so you think you're so superior because you've been practiced to smack someone? When I look at you though, all I see is a stupid little girl."

Gabriella stepped in then. "Just leave."

"I'm not leaving until I get an apology from this tramp for slapping me."

"If you don't leave, I'll do way more than slapping you," Gabriella promised, stepping closer to Reyna. Troy pulled her back. "Okay, okay, enough. Reyna, leave. Gabriella, Selena, let's go."

"What did she say to you anyway, Gabriella?" Selena asked when they were a distance apart.

"It was about dad," Gabriella sighed, grasping onto her necklace. "She said he took drugs and went to…Hell."

"She wouldn't," Selena sneered. "She doesn't know anything."

"That's right," Gabriella sniffled, wiping at her eyes. "But we're not going to stoop to her level anymore. We're just going to not talk to her at all."

Troy nodded. "Are you going to be okay?" Troy asked her when they stopped in front of her first period class. Gabriella nodded then leaned up to kiss him. "Thanks Troy. And you too, Sel. I'll talk to you guys later." Gabriella went and slipped into the room.

Troy turned to say something to Selena, but something caught his attention. There was a bucket above the lunch room door, obviously full of something. He smirked. "Hmm, I wonder how that got there."

Selena grinned. "Yeah. Maybe we can do something with it."

Troy nodded before they headed to first period.