A/N: Here's the next chapter guys!! Enjoy
Disclaimer-Sadly I don't own HSM….:( I wish I did!
Review Goal-150
Finally Happy
Chapter 9: Sticks and Stones
Gabriella's POV
The next morning I woke up and looked over at my bed table. My alarm clock read 11'O'Clock AM. I rolled back on my bed and spread my arms wide and sighed.
What shall I do today?
I looked back on my bed table and saw the picture Troy gave me. The picture where we were 'painting my room.' I got up off my bed and stood up in front of my bed table. I grabbed the picture and shoved it in one of my old shoe boxes and set it on my bed. I looked around my room and spotted my old paint splattered glasses and his cologne he left in my room. I picked up both of those things and shoved them in the shoe box with the picture frame. I put the lid on the shoe box and shoved it under my bed. I stood up and then walked towards my bathroom to take a shower.
I walked out of the bathroom after my shower in a towel. "WOAH! What the heck are you guys doing here?" I asked shocked.
Taylor shrugged, "We got bored."
"Oh okay, then why don't you guys make yourselves at home," I rolled my eyes and laughed slightly at Sharpay lying on my bed looking at a magazine, Kelsi on my computer on AIM, and Taylor watching TV.
"Already did," Sharpay said simply not even looking up from her magazine.
I laughed and walked into my walk in closet. I grabbed some green soffee shorts and a East High T-shirt and then walked back into my room. "Be right back." I told the girls. I walked into the bathroom and changed into the clothes I picked out. I took my towel and ringed out the access water from my hair. I walked back into my room with damp hair. When I got back in the room Taylor turned off the TV and was now sitting against the bed on the floor, Kelsi swiveled the computer chair so she was facing the bed, and Sharpay was sitting up on the bed with the fashion magazine tossed aside.
As soon as I walked in the room all of their eyes darted towards me. "So Gabs, are you okay?" Sharpay asked with sad eyes.
I put on my best fake smile. "Of course, why wouldn't I be," I lied.
Sharpay picked up my pillow and showed me the side where tear stains showed. "Maybe because your pillow is tear stained, did you cry yourself to sleep?" Sharpay asked.
I looked down at my feet suddenly finding them entirely interesting. "Maybe…"
Taylor stood up from her place on the floor and walked towards me. She enfolded me in a huge hug. Then Sharpay and Kelsi walked over and joined our wonderful hug. We let go of each other and I wiped the tears from my eyes. "Guys I just really want to get my mind off of this whole situation, how about you guys come with me to get my new phone," I smiled sheepishly and all of us laughed.
Then Sharpay let a huge smirk cross her face as soon as we stopped laughing. "Sharpay, why are you smiling like that?" Taylor asked.
"How about we go get our outfits for tonight, too?" she asked over excitedly.
"Ok…" I said wondering what her other motive must be.
Troy's POV
I woke up on Saturday morning and all of the dread from yesterday immediately flooded into my mind. I groaned and got up from my bed. I walked towards the shower and turned it to extremely hot to wash away the pain. I took my clothes off and stepped into the shower and let the hot water wash away my pain. After twenty minutes in the shower I finally got out. I walked towards my room with a towel around my waist. I pulled on some basketball shorts and an East High t-shirt. Then my phone rang.
I picked up my phone and flipped it open. "Hello?"
"Hey dude! What are your plans for tonight?" Chad responded from the other line.
Should I tell him about the talent show? Or lie? Ahh who cares my life can't be any shittier than it already is. "I was planning on going to the talent show tonight." I said as I sat down on my bed.
"Why?" He asked as if he was disgusted.
"Because I want to!" I replied icily back.
"Ok Ok dude. What's your problem?" He asked.
I plopped back on my bed so I was starring at the ceiling. I leg out a huge sigh. "Sorry Chad, I didn't mean to explode."
"It's ok dude, so should I tell the team the plans for tonight?" He asked. Do we always have to involve the team?
"Sure, I don't care." I ran my hand through my hair and let out another sigh.
"Ok dude, talk to you later." Chad said and then he hung up.
I closed my phone and then tossed it down on the floor. Why have I been such a jerk? I love her and I had to be that stupid jerk that she hates! What is wrong with me?
How can I get her to forgive me? I need her to forgive me…UGH I HATE MY LIFE!!
Gabriella's POV
Sharpay and I were standing back stage at the talent show and I was pacing nervously. Sharpay put a hand on my shoulder and I stopped pacing. I faced her and she had a soft look in her eyes. "Are you ready for this, Gabs?"
"No! I am backing out." I tried to run, but Sharpay had a strong hold on my shoulder.
"Gabs, you can do this! Taylor is in the front row. Just look at her the whole time and Kelsi is at the piano, she is there for you! You will be fine." She reassured me.
I looked in her eyes and I felt tears start to well up in my eyes. "Shar, but the whole basketball team is here!" I exclaimed.
Her at first soft look then turned to a completely outraged look. "Ok that is it! Those assholes have caused you enough pain! I have watched this go on for years and I try to stop it secretly, but no that didn't work," by now she was more talking to herself and she was pacing the floor. "They left a long time scar on you. God knows they are only doing this because of the way you look and you are an easy target."
I grabbed her shoulder. "Shar!"
She snapped out of it. "That is it Gabs! Tomorrow Kelsi, Taylor, and I are teaching you to stick up for yourself and I am giving you a present."
"What?" I asked confused.
"That's right! I am helping you Gabs. I already talked to your sister too and she is going to help too. Tomorrow the new Gabriella is going to be here." She smirked and I let out a huge sigh.
"I don't have any way out of this do I?" I asked.
"Nope, now you're up on stage!" She pushed me out through the curtain and on stage.
I stood there shocked. I saw the microphone at the front of the stage and I walked up towards it. I tried to look for Taylor in the front row, but the lights were shining to bright. Then Kelsi started to play the beginning to my song. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then my voice came out.
Sitting in my room
Feeling sorry for myself
I can't feel worse
Well what else?
I wonder what I could say
To stop the voices, taunting and laughing
The way they're acting I wish they'd just disappear
The joke is always on me
It's always on me
I opened my eyes and looked out in the crowd. I then got really into the music and put my whole soul into it.
Why don't they understand
That we are all the same
And we all feel lost at time
Why don't they understand
That someone else's pain
Is not for gain
I stood up and took the microphone off the stand. I then started across the stage and got really into the song. I started to dance to the beat.
Sticks and stones won't break my soul
Get out of the way, I'm invincible
Throw them down
'Cause the one you hurt's not around
Not around
It's not your place
Honestly
In the end
You'll be the victim
You're the one who has to live with yourself
And when you're reaching for help
There'll be no one
There's no one
Why don't you understand
That we are all the same
And we all feel lost at times
Why don't you understand
That someone else's pain
Is not for gain
Sticks and stones won't break my soul
Get out of the way, I'm invincible
Throw them down
'Cause the one you hurt's not around (not around)
Not around (not around)
It's not your place
Honestly
I won't live in chains
I've got something to give
I won't play these games
Yeah, I'd rather live
You know I've come too far
To be like you are
Why don't you understand
That we are all the same
Sticks and stones won't break my soul
Get out of the way, I'm invincible
Throw them down...
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la la la
Throw them down 'cause the one you hurt's not around
Not around
Not around anymore
It's not your place
I stopped back in front of the microphone stand and put the microphone in it.
Honestly
I stared out into the crowd and I could only make out one face. I saw the sadness in his eyes and I could of sworn I saw a tear, but he brought his hand to his face and then moved it through his hair. I broke the connection with his eyes and looked out into the rest of the crowd. Everyone in the auditorium was on their feet and giving me a standing ovation. People were screaming, cheering, whistling, applauding, you name it.
Troy's POV
I kept on staring up at Gabriella even though she broke eye contact with me. What have I done? Then Chad's voice brought me back to the auditorium. "Wow we have been real jerks…" Chad stated the obvious.
I felt my eyes starting to water and then I wiped the tears away. Then I got a great idea. "Yeah we have…we shouldn't bully her or anyone anymore…" I suggested.
I looked at all of my teammates and they were all nodding their heads starring up at Gabriella as she walked off the stage.It's a start…now if she will just accept my apology.
I got up from my seat and walked towards the backstage.
Gabriella's POV
I walked off stage after receiving the standing ovation. I walked through the curtains and I was ambushed by Sharpay and Taylor. "You were awesome Gabs!" Taylor exclaimed as they let go.
"Yeah you rocked!" Sharpay agreed.
I smiled, "Thanks guys."
"Hi Brie," I spun around to see Troy standing about six feet away.
I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. "Hi," I said in a very cold tone.
He ignored the cold tone and walked closer to me so we were only about three feet apart. "That was a very beautiful song, you have a beautiful voice."
I glared at him even more and if looks could kill he would be long gone by now. "Oh so now you are going to be nice to me? Is it because your freaking basketball buddies aren't around and then when they come again are you going to be a complete asshole or will you just be half?" I asked
He advanced another foot, "Brie," he pleaded. "Please just let me explain."
I took a step back and held up my hands signaling him to stay back. "It is way too late for that Troy." I looked away from him and walked out of the room.
Troy's POV
I watched Gabriella walk out of the backstage exit and then Sharpay chase after her. I just kept staring at the door hoping she would run back through and into my arms. Then Gabriella's friend Taylor broke my stare. "Troy, why do you keep bugging her?"
I tore my gaze away from the door and looked at Taylor. "Because I LOVE HER!" I yelled.
Taylor looked taken back by this comment and a shocked look came across her face. "You what?" Taylor asked astonished.
"I love her and I made a huge mistake." I looked down at the floor.
Taylor stepped closer to me and I brought my head up and connected eyes with her. She had a caring look on. "Troy do you seriously love her or are you and your basketball team playing a cruel joke on her?" Taylor asked tenderly.
"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT!" I yelled. "I LOVE HER WITH ALL OF MY HEART!" I felt tears start to well up in my eyes and didn't even bother to wipe them away this time.
Taylor sighed and ran a hand through her dark brown hair. "I can't believe I am going to do this, but Troy I will try my best to help you, but I'm not going to make her do anything I will just encourage her decision." Taylor said.
I looked up at her and my face instantly lit up. "Really?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yes, the week you two were actually getting along is the happiest I've seen her since her parents were alive. So I are going to try and help you but there is no guarantee." She said and I instantly hugged her.
"Thank you so much Taylor! You don't know how much this means to me." I still felt tears in my eyes, but I now knew they weren't crying tears they were tears of joy.
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