A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I seriously had a minor writer's block when it came down to writing this chapter. I knew what i wanted to write but I just couldn't figure out how. I hope I don't disappoint anyone with this chapter. Since it took me a while to update, I decided that I owed you all a long chapter so here it is!
Troy entered his old bedroom and stared at it in awe. It was exactly the same as how he left it all those years ago. It still had the same sheets, the same colored walls, the same posters, and the same curtains. Nothing had changed and he suddenly felt a wave of conformity overtake him. He let out a sigh of content as he stepped further into the room and placed his suitcases next to his closet.
Walking even deeper into the room, he looked out the window and into the backyard, smiling to himself as he watched Mugsy play with his dad. He felt happy to be home again with his parents and to actually see them. As he continued staring out the window, he began to reminisce on his arrival at the airport and being reunited with his parents.
Troy had just finished claiming his bags and was stepping out into the fresh night air of Albuquerque. He was standing by the arrivals area where the passengers were to be picked up. He breathed in the scent of his hometown that he missed more now than ever. With his hands digging inside his pocket for his phone, he moved his head from side to side in search of his parents. Not seeing them anywhere, Troy pulled his cell out and dialed his father's cell phone number.
"Hey. I'm finally here. Where are you guys?" Troy said.
"We just finished parking the car about ten minutes ago. Your mom needed to use the restroom so we're inside right now. She should be done any minute now…which I still don't understand why females take forever in the bathroom…" Jack mumbled.
"Don't even bother trying to figure that out. That's like trying to figure out the mystery of life or something."
"Yeah, you're right. By the way, turn around." His father instructed. At that moment, Troy did what was asked of him and came face to face with the people that he loved most. His eyes lit up with excitement and he smiled so wide that his cheeks would probably start to hurt after five minutes. He shut his phone closed and threw his arms around the waiting embrace of his mother.
"I can't believe you're here! My little boy is finally home!" Lucille sobbed as she squeezed him like she never had before. Jack stood beside her and smiled at the interaction. His own eyes became wet with the joy that built up inside him.
"It feels so good to be back." A single tear rolled down Troy's cheeks and his vision began to fog. It felt so right to be back in the arms of the woman who raised him and loved him unconditionally. Nothing had felt this right and this good for about a month and half. But more importantly, nothing had felt this right between him and his mother since their separation.
"Lucille, stop hogging him. I missed him just as much as you did!" Jacked chuckled as he watched his wife continue squeezing their son and peppering his cheek with what seemed liked millions of kisses. He chuckled even harder when Troy started to make a playfully disgusted face from the affection.
His mother finally pulled away from him and wiped off the lipstick stains on his cheek with her thumb, "Hush! I just couldn't help myself…I've been dying to see him since forever! What did you expect, huh?"
"Whatever. It's my turn now." Jack pulled Troy into a manly hug and patted his back. "It's good to have you home son."
"It's good to be here." His father let him go and they all stared at one another, in pure awe of the moment. Not wanting to break the intensity of their reunion, neither one spoke as they walked towards the car. Troy held onto his mother's hand and she squeezed it every so often, her way of showing how happy she was. She didn't want to let go because she feared that he wouldn't return again. Her and her husbands pride and joy was back where he belonged.
"And I'll have the both of you men know that us females DO NOT take forever in the bathroom...there's just always a long line." Leave it to Lucille to always lighten the mood.
Troy turned away from the window and continued admiring his room. He went over to his desk and found old notebooks back from high school on top of them. Geography, Chemistry, English, Trigonometry…you name it. Every subject was there. He grabbed his geography book and took a peek inside, remembering that he considered that to be his most boring class. He was often found scribbling little messages or doodling inside that book when his teacher wasn't paying attention. Flipping through the pages in the back, he found old drawings of racecars, planes, fire, basketballs…and then he found something else.
Troy stared at the old drawing, probably the most sentimental one of them all for obvious reasons. It was a drawing of a heart that took up the whole page. Inside he had written Gabriella's name and the date that they had first met at the ski lodge. Tiny hearts were scattered around her name and on the outside of the huge heart. His index finger traced her name slowly. She was one of the main reasons that he returned to where he was at now. He had to fix things. He had to tell her how he feels and apologize, even if she didn't want to hear it. She should at least know, she had to.
Troy let out a yawn and rubbed his eyes. He didn't realize how tired he actually was until then. He desperately needed some sleep, especially for the talk that he would have with his parents tomorrow. Not wanting to waste another valuable minute, Troy dug into his suitcase and pulled out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He changed into what he considered to be pajamas and pulled the comforter back on the bed. Snuggling beneath them, he rolled over to his side and was about to close his eyes when something caught his attention.
How many things did he actually have to remind himself of Gabriella? Too many.
On his night table was a picture of her a few months after she arrived to East High. He smiled thinking about how young she appeared in the picture. Opposite of how mature she looked a few weeks ago when he had last seen her. Nonetheless, she was still beautiful then and now.
Troy let out a deep sigh and turned away from the distraction.
It seems like he would spend tomorrow digging in his room to see what else he could find.
It seemed like it was the thousandth time that she rolled around in her bed. Why couldn't she just shut her eyes and sleep?
Something just didn't feel right. Gabriella couldn't deny that soaring butterfly feeling that she had in the pit of her gut. What the heck could be making her feel this way? She felt fine up until a few hours ago. Something was wrong and she just couldn't place her finger on it. She couldn't figure it out. She attempted to ignore her feeling dozens of time but failed each one. Gabriella rolled over again and looked at her clock: 2 AM. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she reached for her cell and dialed Taylor's number.
"Pick up MsKessie…" she said while chewing on her bottom lip.
"Hello?"
Gabriella smiled at her friend's groggy voice. She must've been asleep. That should be a given considering it was two in the morning. "Hey Tay…were you asleep?"
"No shit…Gabs, it's two o'clock. Why are you calling?"
"I couldn't sleep and I just wanted to talk to somebody and you were the first person to pop into my head…" she rambled out in one breath.
"Aren't I lucky?", Taylor let out a loud yawn, "What's keeping you awake?"
"I honestly don't even know. It's weird, Taylor. I have like this freaky feeling all over-"
"Freaky? So why are you calling me instead of masturbating or something?"
"Taylor! It's not that kind of freaky! Gosh, if it was then I wouldn't be calling you."
"Just checkin'…continue…"
"As I was saying before you're accusations, I have this freaky feeling of something just not being right. Like if something is going to happen."
"Sweetheart, maybe it's all in your head."
"Maybe…I don't know. Whatever it is wont allow me to travel to dreamland and I'm frustrated because I just want to sleep so the big days ahead of me can come quicker."
"Gabbi, go to sleep...or at least hang up with me so that you can try to."
"You're already tired of listening to me? Gee, thanks."
"I'm sorry but I'm extremely tired and you interrupted the awesome dream I was having with Denzel Washington." This comment made Gabriella silently laugh to herself.
"My bad. I'll just call you tomorrow. Sorry for waking you."
"It's ok…don't make a habit of it.
"I'll try not to."
Goodnight."
"Night. Bye."
Gabriella hung up her phone and placed it back on her night table. "So much for calling her."
She couldn't shake off the odd feeling that was surrounding the air around her. Something just wasn't right at all but she wouldn't be finding out what it was until the time was right. When was the right time? Only time could tell.
It was nearly 11:30 AM when Troy finally decided to roll out of bed. He let out a loud yawn and stretched his body out before walking to the bathroom to wash up. After throwing on a pair of black and white plaid shorts with a black v-neck shirt, he headed downstairs to the kitchen where his parents were sitting.
"Morning." Troy said to them as he took a seat next to his dad.
"Morning? More like afternoon." Lucille joked, earning a smirk from her son and husband.
"You know what I meant…so what's for lunch?" he asked.
"Your mom didn't make anything. She figured you would be asleep all afternoon so she didn't bother cooking anything up." Jack answered. As if on cue, Troy's stomach let out a rumble so loud that they could have sworn it was thunder.
"But if you're that hungry, I could make something for you real quick." Suggested Lucille.
"Nah, it's okay. I think I'm going to call up Chad and see what he's up to. Maybe I'll grab some lunch with him." Troy said before giving his mom a smile and walking to the backyard with his cell. He dialed up the familiar number of his good old friend and waited for him to answer.
"Hey man!…I'm good, how about you?…Awesome, I'm just here chillin' out…what you up to?…oh, you're heading over to the Pizza Palace? With who?… Alone? Why?…Oh okay, cool…geez, I'm sorry man but I got to let you go. I'll call you later…Bye."
He hung up his phone and headed back to the kitchen. "You guys, I'm going to head on over to the Pizza Palace. Chad's going to be there and he has no idea that I'm in Albuquerque yet so I'm going to surprise him."
"Alright. You could borrow my car if you want since your truck is still beat up now more than before. I don't want to mess up that rep of yours by making you drive that old thing…yet." Jack said with a smirk while handing his car keys to Troy.
"Gee, thanks dad." The sarcasm leaped out with Troy's voice. "I promise that when I get back, you both can ask me whatever it is that you want and I'll give you nothing but honest answers. Deal?"
"You got it. Now hurry up and go…the sooner you leave, the sooner you come back for the interrogation." Lucille said. She eyed Troy, letting him know that she was serious. "Drive safely."
"I will. See you later." Troy said while giving both of his parents a kiss on the cheek. "Love you guys!" he shouted before closing the front door.
He stepped into the BMW and quickly felt relaxed in the luxurious vehicle. "Note to self: purchase a BMW."
He began to drive and hummed along to 'Love in this Club' by Usher since that was what the radio was playing. Troy instantly changed the station when it the song made him think about what happened between him and Gabriella at the club before the hotel room incident. It's funny how there is always a song that either relates or reminds you of a specific moment, no matter what the moment was about. Whether it's good or bad, happy or sad, tragic or blissful, there's always a song to describe it.
Fifteen minutes later, Troy pulled up in front of the Pizza Palace and parked the car. He pulled his shades on to slightly disguise himself from Chad. He smiled to himself from how childish and giddy he actually felt at the moment. He walked inside the door and scanned for a curly afro that would let him know that Chad was there. It took him a few seconds to find it but he did. Chad was seated in a booth five tables away from him with his back turned from Troy. Smirking, Troy walked over to Chad's table and slid into the seat across from him.
Chad looked up from his menu feeling confused as to who sat at the same table as him but felt the confusion fade as the stranger removed his sunglasses. Both males smiled goofily at each other before letting out laughs.
"Bolton! My main man! What are you doing here?"
"Just dropping in for a bit, you know. Just wanted to visit and see how everyone was doing plus I was feeling a bit homesick. How are you, dude?"
"I'm good. What about you?"
"I've been better but to be honest, I'm feeling great being here." Troy answered. Chad continued to look at him with such amazement. Troy Bolton was back in town. "So what have you been up to since the last time I saw you?"
"Not much actually. Everything has been the same since our last actual conversation a few weeks ago. Basically it's been the same shit, different day", Chad said and stared at Troy, "Dude, I can't believe you're actually here. Where are you staying at?"
"My parent's house."
"They must've been so psyched to see you." The handsome caramel toned man said as he slammed his palms onto the table.
"You have no idea. My mom is all affectionate and all over me but I guess I should've expected that one. Dad's pretty cool…he's doing a good job at hiding his excitement compared to ma." Troy laughed as he said this, remembering how his mother had been babying him since he called them before he left New York.
"That's awesome man." Chad replied. Their conversation was cut off for a quick minute as the waitress took their order of a large pizza pie for the two. "So how long are you in town for?"
"I'm not sure yet actually. I only bought one ticket."
"You bought a one way ticket? Why?" Chad asked with furrowed brows. Was Troy planning on staying?
"I got a mess going on in New York right now that I know I have to deal with but I'm not sure when."
"Whoa, hold up. What's going on in New York?" Chad asked. He was so curious as to what was happening. He figured it must have been really bad if it had Troy running back home.
Troy ran a hand through his hair and over his face. He knew what Kelsi already thought so he thought that maybe it was time for the perspective from a man. "Well, I'm sure Gabriella told you that I was married, right?" Troy continued once Chad nodded his head, "Well, that marriage has gone down the tubes."
"What do you mean? What happened?" he asked and crossed his arms over his chest while leaning back against his seat.
"I'm guessing you know what happened between Brie and me. Am I right?"
"Yeah. She told Taylor and Taylor told me since I was curious as to why she left New York without us."
"She did what?" Troy suddenly leaned forward against the table with confusion written all over his face.
"Yeah man. She left New York by plane instead of road tripping back with us back over here. Tay said that she was so upset that she couldn't handle staying there anymore. She left us a note and everything back at the hotel." Chad shook his head as he remembered stumbling inside the room with a drunken Taylor and reading the note with her.
"I seriously fucked up. Shit…" Troy cursed to himself. He hadn't meant to hurt Gabriella especially that bad. He'll always regret the pain he caused her and he deserved every bit of unhappiness that he was getting right now.
"Pretty much. But what does that have to do with your marriage to what's her face?" Chad just couldn't put two and two together. But you can't blame him; he was still missing a few details to the story.
"Pam. Anyway, so I cheated on Pamela with Ms. Montez and that was the only time that I actually have cheated. I wanted to run after Brie but I just couldn't…not while Pam was still in the picture…especially as my wife."
"So you started to have feelings for Gabriella all over again?"
"That's just it. I always had feelings for her. My feelings for Gabbi never went away…like at all. Even though I did marry Pamela, my feelings were still stronger for Gabriella. Don't get me wrong, I did love Pam but it was nothing compared to Brie. Just seeing her all over again and being able to interact with her and touch her and kiss her made me realize that she was and has always been the one for me."
"So what are you going to do about Pam?"
"I'm getting a divorce. She's cheating on me with some lame ass dude named Lance anyway. Besides, my feelings aren't even there that much anymore so why bother to keep the marriage going, right? It wouldn't make sense to." Troy admitted.
"Good point. How long has she been pulling that stunt with the cheating?"
"I don't even know. I don't even care either. I just know that I can't be with her because we don't love each other…not like before at least. She cheated and so did I. I just think that we'll be happier without each other if we aren't even being faithful."
"And all this leads me to ask: Why did you come to Albuquerque?"
"I needed to get away and think. This place was the only place that would feel comforting enough for me to do that. I want to have everything that I had before. I want to have my parents. I want to have Gabriella. I want to have my best friend back which is you, by the way. I just want to be happy." Troy looked so vulnerable. It wasn't often that he let his guard down, but right now it was necessary. Why bother putting up a front for someone who knew him too well?
"Damn. That's tough. Look, you're Troy Bolton. You're going to make it out of this just fine…just like you always did. As for your wife or ex-wife, I say divorce her as soon as possible because that bitch doesn't even deserve you. I don't like her. And since you want to work thing's out with the Gabster, I think I could assist you with that one." Chad said with a smirk. Troy's head shot up and looked at Chad with so much hope shining in his bright blues.
"You can? How?" Chad chuckled from how excited Troy seemed to have suddenly gotten. A moment ago he seemed like the world was going to end and now he acted like a child who had finally seen snow for the first time.
"Caught your attention, huh? This Saturday in California is the big celebration event for how successful Gab's magazine has been. She invited Tay and me and we're allowed to bring one guest each. How would you like to be my date?" Chad was smiling, glad that he could possibly help bring his friends back to together.
"I don't know. Don't you think she'll be mad to see me there? I wasn't invited…" Troy suddenly became unsure of what Chad had in mind. It would be too risky to suddenly show up and pop out of no where without caution.
"Do you have any better ideas?"
"Not really…"
"Then it's settled. You're coming with me to California on Saturday."
Troy gave in. Chad was right; there was no other way or time that he would be able to. "Fine…what should I say?"
"I don't know. Maybe you should say something like 'Listen here, woman! I fucked up big time and I know I'm an idiotic asshole but I'm an idiotic asshole who's in love with you!' Keep it original and creative but make sure everything you say is honest." Chad said.
"Uh… I think I'll just figure out what to say on my own. Thanks for the effort though."
"Now that we're on the topic, this has made me wonder what you must've said for your wedding vows which then leads me to wonder who the hell was your best man."
Here goes another long story – more like an explanation.
Two hours later Troy stepped back into his parents' house. He walked into the living room to find his parents sitting on the loveseat.
"Sit." Lucille ordered. Troy felt slightly confused and nervous because of how serious his both of his parents seemed.
"What sup?" Troy asked. He felt the tension in the air. Both of his parents' faces seemed strong and determined. It suddenly dawned on him that it was time for the interrogation.
"How was lunch with Chad?" Jack asked. It was now obvious that they were going to beat around the bush and make small talk first before it became serious.
"It was good. He was really surprised to see me. You should have seen the look on his face when I popped out of nowhere at his table. Priceless."
"I'm glad to hear that you had a good time then." Jack said and glanced at his wife. She nodded at him as though it were a signal to start asking questions. "Troy, we want to know just what it is that you've been doing all these years that you couldn't even come to visit or call."
How do answer something like that? What could possibly be said and be excusable for not making any kind of contact for such a long time? There was no excuse. Troy could've easily taken five minutes of his time or even on the days that he had off to at least send an email. But no, he never did. Troy felt ashamed for how foolish and selfish he was.
"I honestly don't know." He really didn't. It couldn't have been because of his job or his marriage. Neither of them were valid excuses.
"You mean to tell us that you basically haven't contacted us because you didn't want to?" Jack asked. He found it to be quite incredulous that his own breed didn't want to know anything about them.
"No! Its not like that at all…you got it all wrong."
"So then what is it like?" Lucille asked. So much need for an answer was shown in her eyes. She seemed almost desperate.
"Mom, Dad. I don't know how to answer these questions so please bare with me. I'll try my best to get my points across and to tell you what you want to know."
"Fine. When were you planning to tell us that you're married?" Lucille just dropped a huge bomb. Troy stared at her with shock as his jaw dropped.
"How did you know?"
"Does it matter? I'm you mother; I know everything. Now answer the question." She said firmly. This wasn't the sweet Lucille from earlier.
"Honestly, I was planning on telling you guys while I was here. And just for the record, I'm getting a divorce."
"A divorce? We haven't even met the girl and you're already getting a divorce. Why?" Jack asked with furrowed brows.
"Because we're not happy. We both cheated – I only did once and I have no idea how many times she has. Basically, why bother sticking to a marriage that's based on a lie. The love isn't there anymore on both parts so it isn't fair to stay loyal to a marriage when the couple isn't even loyal to each other."
"Is that why you came home?" asked Lucille.
"It's one of the reasons why I did."
"What are the others?" she continued to press on.
"Besides realizing how much I missed you guys because I did, I'm here to chase after what I lost."
"And what's that?" Looks like she wasn't going to back down.
Troy stood silent for a moment before answering. "Gabriella. She's the one who I cheated on Pam with. Pam's my soon to be ex-wife, by the way. I completely screwed myself over because I told Gabriella about my marriage after we almost did something and I'm sure she hates me right now. I just want to make things right and fix them with her, you know? I don't want to be on bad terms with someone that I still care so much about. I've lost her too many times to just let her get lost again…especially with a grudge."
"You still love Gabriella." Lucille stated rather than asked.
"How do you know?"
"It's like I said before, I'm your mother. I know it all. Besides, it's also woman's intuition."
"Well, I guess I'd be lying if I denied still loving her. I don't know what it is mom but I can't ever get her off my mind. She's always lurking somewhere in there."
"She was your first love. You never actually get over your first love. No one does. It's like your father and me. He was my first love and here we are now." Lucille said and looked over lovingly at Jack. She lifted her hand and caressed his cheek as he leaned into her touch.
Troy wanted that. Troy wanted everything that his parents shared and to feel the way that they felt. He wanted all of that with only one female with long midnight curls and gorgeous brown eyes. "What do I do?"
"You fight for her. You try to make things right as much as you can. She may not want to hear whatever you have to say but you have to let her know whatever it is that you're feeling. Your mother and I have always liked that girl, that's why we're encouraging you to chase her because we know how much she means to you and she's worth it." Jack said. Troy nodded his head in understanding. His parents were completely supportive of the situation. If he needed someone to always have his back, he knew he could always depend on them besides Chad.
"Thanks. It means a lot to me that you guys are all for me chasing after her." The son of the loving couple said. He showed the appreciation glittering in his eyes as he stared in theirs. "Is there anything else you guys want to know?" asked Troy. He figured that since they found out the big news that the conversation was most likely ending.
"Nope. That's it for now." His mother said. She waved her hand off at him to signal that he could leave and do whatever he pleased again.
Troy went up to his room and laid down on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling and come up with imaginary pictures.
His first day back had gone considerably well. The talk with his parents had gone just fine; better than he imagined. He was back with his best friend who was willing to help him reunite with the love of his life even if he did fuck up and he had his parents support. Everything was going well.
Only one thing could ruin it.
A call from Pamela. Luckily for him, she hasn't called yet. He knew that she was going to sooner or later but he wasn't sure when. Hopefully it would be before Saturday. Troy already had too much to deal with on his plate for that day. He needed to come up with a plan for Gabriella and fast.
By the way, I want to thank everyone who has been awesome enough to review my story. I'm glad that I have gotten a few new readers for my story as well...seems like I'm getting a few people hooked! Yay me! Thanks again though for the reviews. They put the smile on my face whenever I log into my email.
I'm sorry for the lack of Gabriella in this chapter. This whole chapter was basically dedicated to what's going on with Troy. Hopefully in the next one there will be more of Gabriella's life in it. Anyway, I hope you all liked what you read! REVIEW!!!