I tried not to look down just as everybody advises in similar situations in all those movies I've watched. It wasn't helping. The twisting feeling in my stomach told that I was on the verge of throwing up from fear. I felt tears welling up in my eyes, my hands shaking as I was trying to dig my nails deeper into the bark. Why did I even think that it was going to be a good idea? Damn you, Thomas! You and my loneliness. And my hormones. Damn my period, actually. Why must girls suffer this each month? Look where it can get! It can almost make you commit suicide!
- Meow. – I looked through my tears at that little grey ball of fur. Even in such state I can understand that he is scared but nowhere near as scared as I am. And I am pretty much terrified, I'm telling you.
- Gabriella? - I wasn't exactly moving but I think I literally froze at this. No, this can't be happening to me.
- Gabriella, how the hell did you get there?!
I closed my eyes tightly, wishing it to be a dream. Instead of the one I saw this morning.
I ran across the corridor huffing loudly, trying to catch the elevator. I am already late to work; I simply don't have extra time to wait for it.
Seems like my steps were so loud, that somebody in the elevator heard me, and stopped the doors from closing.
- Thank you! – I exhaled gratefully, shaking away my curls that escaped my pony tail from running. As I looked up though, I wasn't feeling as grateful.
- No problem. – Troy answered, giving me a long stare. I blushed, turning away from him. Right, who else could it be. I mean, it's not like someone else lives on this floor besides us two, is it?
The floors are going down too slowly. I'm aiming all of my mental strength to make it go faster, tapping my hand impatiently against the wall. Suddenly the elevator jumped a little and then stopped. Completely.
- What was that? – I asked in scared voice. – We are not stuck, are we?
- Seems like we are. – came Troy's calm response.
- No! We can't be! – I feel that I'm about to cry. This can't be happening. All of last week was a fright; I can't begin my new one from being late to work, it's just not right.
- Calm down, Brie, getting stuck in the elevator is not the end of the world. – Troy smiled at me reassuringly, reaching out a hand to rub my shoulder. I could do nothing. For some reason I just stood there, frozen in my place looking at his hand on my shoulder like an idiot. As I looked up I realized that he is a lot closer to me than it seemed before. When did it happen?
I swallowed roughly and tried to smile up at him.
- Yeah, I guess. – I gave out a nervous laugh as my back hit the elevator wall from Troy's stepping closer to me. – Just don't want to be late uum… - He placed his hand besides my head, hovering over me by now. – Troy, what are you doing? – I asked in a squeaky voice.
- What does it seem like to you? – He looked me in the eyes with a smirk, cocking his head to the side. His voice suddenly seemed to sound deeper and husky, his a dark blue color, pupils dilated as his gaze went a little lower, to my lips. – We need some way to pass the time while we are stuck in this thing now, don't we? – He leaned towards my head, going in for a kiss but then something stopped him.
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
Oh, oh whoa
He leaned back frowning at me.
We'll have to continue that later.
I literally jumped up in my bed. Oh God, what was that? I wasn't about to have a steamy dream with Troy Bolton, right? Oh, who am I kidding? I flopped back on the bed with a groan. Why didn't I change the song, again? It would have been so much more epic if we were broken apart by the sounds of The World Is Not Enough.
I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
Oh, oh whoa
Okay, okay, I understood it from the first time. Time to get up. As much as this alarm annoys me I should acknowledge that it did save me from the most embarrassing dream I was about to have.
As I placed my legs down on the carpet floor, I realized the cause of this particular kind of dream. I recognized it by the painful pulling in my stomach and muscles. I groaned. Just great.
I washed my hands after eleventh client for today. Eeleventh! And it's not even lunch break yet. Trust them all to come when I'm feeling like an angry balloon on painkillers.
More than that, I almost got late today, just had enough time to pull my white coat on, before the first client with West Highland White Terrier came in. My morning resembled so much of my dream that I decided to just skip the elevator ride, instead going for the stairs.
- Ugh. It's crazy today. What is it with people, we are just a small vet clinic in a not so big of a town. – Kelsi said, plopping on the bench beside the wall, looking almost as happy with life as I am. She is a receptionist, not a veterinarian, but it can get hectic dealing with all kinds of people who don't have any idea of what to do with their pets if they get injured. But the most treasured clients are those, who for economical purposes choose to stay home, instead just calling to ask questions. 'My cat's been coughing all day, what can you suggest?', 'My bunny's eyes color is strange, why?', etc. etc. How can we tell you, if we can't even see that color? Just bring them here, people, seriously.
- Yeah, I know. I can't wait 'till break. Gonna order a biig cup of coffee. – I agreed with her, wincing from another cramp. A big cup of coffee and another portion of painkillers, I guess.
- Same here. You're going to need it more though. Got another busy night of wedding planning?
I've had such a colorful and eventful weekend that I managed to blurt the quick summary of it all to Kelsi during few free seconds we got this morning, not managing to process all of it on my own. Well, I kept the most embarrassing parts like this morning's dream to myself, of course. We built somewhat of a camaraderie over the past few weeks, so it felt easy to spill all of these things to Kelsi. She didn't seem to mind; she didn't have much of a social life herself, and it was more interesting for her to listen to my tirade, than to moan along with me about our boring life.
- You can't even imagine. Not today though, thankfully. Tomorrow. I'm going to join Sharpay, Taylor and Martha for trying out the bridesmaid dresses. I'm lucky enough to have work so I don't have to suffer it for the whole day. – I stretched a little. – Today I'm not going anywhere, though, going to ask for a little break; I don't think I will be able to function at all after this crazy day, not to mention talking about bridesmaid dresses.
- It can't be that bad? I've always thought it to be fun, to go out, try on different beautiful dresses, twirl in them, feel like a princess… - I almost snorted at that.
- You obviously don't know Sharpay. She is a shopping maniac, I swear. Shopping with her for something as important can turn into torment. I remember shopping with her once, to find a dress to a simple college party; we didn't stop until 6 hours have passed and I have long ago lost count of outfits I had tried on. I wasn't even choosing by that moment, just praying that Sharpay will find the dress she likes for me. – Kelsi widened her eyes in disbelief.
- She wasn't letting you escape to find a right dress for you? Not for her?
- She can be a perfectionist like that. – I gave her a wry smile. – When it comes to fashion, Sharpay wants everybody and everything around her to look 'fabulous'. – I made air quotes. It's almost her favourite word.
- She sounds more like a fashion designer, not a gynecologist.
- I know. I think everybody's still in shock at her choice of profession. Even her twin brother.
Kelsi's smile turned a little bit sad.
- You sound so happy talking about your friends… I mean, don't you miss them? Why did you decide to move here, if all of them are in New York? Not that I mind finally having someone to share my boring days with, - She joked, nudging me in the shoulder. I paused with my answer.
- I don't know myself, Kels. And now it seems that not everybody's going to stay in New York; Taylor and Chad are looking for apartment to rent right now, maybe even in the same building with me and Troy. – I blushed a little as morning flashbacks started to come to mind. I cleared my throat, continuing my thought. – In fact, I know it may seem weird, but Taylor's coming here just enhances this feeling inside of me that I moved back here for a reason, you know? I mean, what were the chances of her marrying someone from Albuquerque from all places? – Of her marrying, period. I'm still a little shocked with these sudden changes, to be honest. Kelsi nodded her head in understanding, her glasses reflecting the lamp light.
- You're probably right; it does seem like a strange co-incidence. – The phone on reception desk rang. – Ugh… Gonna go back to work. – Kelsi stood up with visible difficulty, shuffling slowly to her work place. Poor girl. I'm going to introduce her to Taylor someday, I have a feeling they might like each other.
This is an awful, awful day. A day that came to light to show me how miserable my life is. Okay, maybe I'm being a little melodramatic. But still. Everywhere I went today I saw couples. Literally everywhere. Old couples. Young couples. Teenage couples. Couple of dogs that one woman brought to my work today. Kissing people near the café I went by on my lunch break. Every. Freaking. Where.
I'm not asking for much. I just want a couple of wagons of different types of chocolate and for someone with XY chromosomes to hug me. And to love me, maybe. Is that too much to ask? I think I'm gonna cry right now if don't stop thinking about it. I hate periods.
As I neared my building I heard something. Some soft sound.
- Meow
This little scared sound came from somewhere above me. I looked up.
- Meow
Awww. Little grey stripey kitten got onto the tree and now seemed too frightened to get back. Poor little thing. He didn't look more than 2 or 3 months old from down here.
- Meow
What am I gonna do? I can't just live him like that. He is so small and so scared. I don't see any potential parent around. I sighed uneasily. I'm a little bit afraid of height but okay. I am in need of a roommate I guess?
I started to climb a tree, cautiously, not looking down. A tree branch snapped under my foot, but I was fast enough to step on another one. That's right, so far doing good, Gabriella. One step higher, another one.
- Meow
Making on more step higher I looked in front of me.
- There you are, little one! Don't be scared, I came here to get you. - He stayed silent, just looking at me, shifting his head a little, like he was trying to sniff. – We are going to be friends, don't we, Thomas? – Thomas? Where did that come from? Unexpected, but okay. Thomas it will be. – Come here, we're gonna get you down. – I tried to stretch my hand in front of me, in order to take him carefully. I swayed a little bit because of the uncomfortable position, and that is when it hit me. I'm on a tree. About 10 feet above the ground. And I'm scared as hell.
I tried not to look down just as everybody advises in similar situations in all those movies I've watched. It wasn't helping. That twisting feeling in my stomach told that I was on the verge of throwing up from fear. I felt tears welling up in my eyes my hands shaking as I was trying to dig my nails deeper into the bark. Why did I even think that it was going to be a good idea? Damn you, Thomas! You and my loneliness. And my hormones. Damn my period, actually. Why must girls suffer this each month? Look where it can get! It can almost make you commit suicide!
- Meow. – I looked through my tears at that little grey ball of fur. Even in such state I can understand that he is scared but nowhere near as scared as I am. And I am pretty much terrified, I'm telling you.
- Gabriella? - I wasn't exactly moving but I think I literally froze at this. No, this can't be happening to me.
- Gabriella, how the hell did you get there?!
I closed my eyes tightly, wishing it to be a dream. Instead of the one I saw this morning. It didn't help.
I heard a dog barking from the ground.
- Gabriella, hold on tighter, I'm gonna come up and get you.
- No, - I managed to wail. – The tree is too weak it's not gonna hold three of us, it's gonna break. – Tears are now falling freely from my eyes. Tell me, who in their right mind with phobia of heights decides to climb a tree? No one, besides idiots like me.
- Three of us? – Troy asked, his tone questioning. – Oh, I see. It's gonna be alright, I'm coming up.
I gave out a small scream when I felt the tree bending a little from Troy's weight. I'm such a mess. I'm so numb from fear that I almost didn't feel his hands on my waist when he reached me.
- Gabriella, I need you to listen to me and stop clutching this poor tree, okay? – His voice sounded concerned but also almost professional–like. – Alright, I'm holding you. But you need to let go of the branch and place your hands on my shoulders. Don't worry; you're not going to fall. Just try to hold onto my shoulders from behind, and hook your legs around my waist. – Eh, I'm not really comfortable with spreading my legs right now, mister. Wait, that sounded wrong. Oh, I guess I'll just have to work with that if I want to get down. Very carefully, with numb hands I tried to do what he told me. He helped me, holding my waist and at the same time gripping tightly the tree's trunk. How did he manage to do that at the same time, I don't know, I was too busy blinking my tears away. Maybe he is Spiderman in disguise?
When Troy decided that I was secure enough to get down, he easily sled down the tree, our trip accompanied by my very embarrassing squeal. He carefully let me step on the ground, holding me by the shoulders.
- You okay? What were you thinking going on that tree? With your fear? – I just hiccupped at his questions, looking back up.
- What about Thomas? – That little guy was still up there, meowing sacredly. My heart clenched at the sound. I already grew attached to him.
- Thomas? – Troy also looked up, following my gaze. – Oh, right. Wait a little. Gabby, stay.
Gabby wagged her tail, whining a little bit at my state. I tried to smile and pet her. She seemed on a mission, coming close as if she wanted to hug me, keeping me warm with her body heat. She is so much like Troy with her kind demeanor, trying to save me and calm me down, it's adorable.
While hugging Gabby, I watched in slight jealousy Troy's graceful movements as he climbed up the tree. He moved his hands and legs with perfect ease, like he was a professional tree-climber or something. Why couldn't I climb like that? After he got Thomas he moved down a little, but decided to make a shortcut and just jumped down, holding the kitten close to his chest. A gave out a stifled cry, not expecting his jumping. Gabby licked my cheek.
- There he is. – He was holding Thomas carefully, looking at him. Then he moved his incredulous gaze towards me. – Gabriella? Care to explain what were you thinking?
- He was meowing up there. It was so sad, I couldn't leave him alone. – I tried to explain weakly, the last tears rolling down my cheeks.
- But you're afraid of heights! What, couldn't have you just asked somebody to help you? Heck, you could've called me, you have my phone number. Just call me when you need help, okay? – This made me a little angry for some reason.
- Why would you care? – I frowned at him.
- Well, it is my duty after all. Not to mention that it is a neighborly thing to do. – He grinned at me, passing Thomas to me carefully.
- Why? Where do you work?
- I'm a fireman. Well, I and Gabby are. – Figures. Can't say that I'm surprised. He made a playful face at his dog, causing her to wag her tail in excitement. – She can be a great help, especially with small children and frightened little girls like you. – He smirked at me, causing me to squint my eyes at him. Don't go cocky at me now.
- Well, thank you, for helping us down. – I said stiffly. My stiffness melted away, when he smiled at me warmly.
- Anytime. Just don't go climbing trees by yourself next time, okay? If you feel like saving someone again, call me.
- It's not nice to mock me. – I replied a little offended at his tone.
- When have I ever mocked you? – He raised his eyebrows in confusion and then shook his head. – Gabriella, you haven't changed at all. Always trying to save someone, but so insecure that you can't comprehend the true value of your actions.
- I don't think I understand what you are talking about.
- I wouldn't have counted on it. – He looked at me again in that strange way, like he was looking deep into me, causing something inside of me to stop functioning properly. I cleared my throat and turned away, busying myself with pressing the button. By now all four of us are in the lobby, waiting for the elevator.
- Uh, Troy?
- Yeah?
- Why did you choose such a… strange nickname for your dog? – It was his turn to look away. His hand came to the back of his neck.
- It wasn't me, actually. – He chuckled nervously. Or so it seemed. – It was my mom, she presented Gabby on my birthday, saying she figured I could use a roommate.
- Your mom called your dog Gabriella? - I asked dubiously.
- Uh-huh. Why?
- I don't know. That's… strange. And she didn't seem that strange to me on graduation day.
- Pfft, what parent seems strange in public. They always do the most weird stuff at home, so that nobody believed you that they're strange. It's a known fact.
Can't disagree with that. The elevator reached our floor, causing us to hesitate at the corridor before parting our ways.
- Thank you… for helping us. – I bit my lip from nervousness. – Maybe you two want to come have some snacks? I mean, in a way to repay you… and I always have some treats for cats and dogs with me. – Troy quirked his brow at that.
- Really? Didn't think you owned any pets before this guy. – He nodded at Thomas, smiling slightly at him.
- I didn't. I just have to make peace with some of my clients, you know.
- You're a vet? – He smiled at me in some sort of surprise after I nodded, his eyes light blue. – Where do you work?
- Not that far away from here. – I blew away my hair in a motion of nervousness. – It's a small place, "4 paws".
- I know it! We went there before. Nice to know that now we have an insider there. – He wiggled his eyebrows, petting Gabby with one hand. – Anyway… We'd love to stay and take your offer, but I kinda promised Chad to discuss a couple of things with him. So…
I exhaled, giving him a calm smile. It really is for the best, I don't think I could have coped with a one on one evening with him; it would've been too much for today. Not to mention that we still have that pink elephant lurking behind the corner. It was him who mentioned high school and our past acquaintance numerous times during our short conversation, not me. Which gives me small hope that when I do press him with this topic he wouldn't try to shrug me away.
- Of course. Don't want to make you late. Then… see you later?
- You don't have much choice, do you? – He smirked, causing me to giggle. I bit my lip and tried to refrain from rolling eyes at my behavior. – We might remember your offer some time later though, so don't relax too much. – He said, backing away slowly, grinning at me with Gabby still sitting in place looking at him. – Come on, Gabby! Later, Brie. –With that he turned his back on me, and turned the corner, Gabby following his steps. Leaving me with Thomas in my hands, blushing like a fool at the nickname. He called me that a couple of times before, back in high school during or few study sessions, each time blushing himself and looking as if he'd done something wrong. It only fueled my hopes in him liking me, at the time. Oh, and now it seemed that he called me that in my dreams. Which I hope I'll never see again.
- Meow. – I looked down in the green eyes of my new neighbor.
- Sorry, Tommy. Come on, let's go have a quick check up and feed you. You have a busy day tomorrow, going to accompany me to my work. – I said in a baby voice, scratching behind his ear. I'll have to figure out how to get him home tomorrow though, before going for trying on dresses with girls. Oh well. May as well call my 'friendly neighbor' to ask for help. What? It was his suggestion to call him if I need something. Maybe then I will feel brave enough to talk to him.
AN: Again, I thank everyone who keeps reading it and keeps being interested. Personally, this chapter felt better for me then the last two, more natural, but that's up for everyone to decide. Hope you enjoyed it!
Possible reviews and feedback are always appreciated.