Okay guys, here's the next chapter! I'll try to get out the next one before Friday, but no promises as my school starts and I'm gonna be REALLY busy!
I'd like to thank my BFFL, Rina, for giving me inspiration for this chapter! (She really loves cats)
When his eyes met hers, Gabriella didn't let her heart swell. She knew what was going to happen next. "Gabriella thinks she can just change her clothes and expect us to take her in?" Chad asked, bewildered. Sharpay sniffed. "You know, that shirt so does not match your barrette.
Gabriella had forgotten about the dark, maroon barrette in her hair. It had matched her old belt that she hadn't put back on. Even with new clothes, I still look like a fashion reject. She thought miserably.
"Troy, hun, don't be overwhelmed. Any girl can dress up-but it doesn't change the fact that she'll always be a nerd on the inside. And that clearly shows on the outside." Sharpay's words bit Gabriella really hard, and the girl turned and fled towards the mall doors, ignoring the surprised and upset glance from Troy.
Her bag banged against her legs as she ran towards the doors, a shop front catching her eye. Just before the foot court, a few stores were set up. One happened to be the Animal Alley-way. Peering into the glass, she saw an adorable, tiny black kitten. Stepping inside, she asked the clerk if she could see it.
The girl told her that it was a boy, and when Gabriella took the kitten, he snuggled up in her arms, clearly content.
Knowing she was taking a huge risk, Gabriella asked if she could buy the kitten. After confirming she was over 18, and buying cat food, kitty litter, brush, toys, and other things needed, she walked out the door feeling, for what seemed like the first time that day, truly happy.
In her arms, the thing was struggling to sniff out the catnip that was in her bag, and Gabriella laughed. She heard Troy whisper from behind her in a strained voice, "That's the laugh I miss."
She didn't turn around, but ignored him, staring at the glass doors she longed to go out, and whispered to her kitty, "These clothes make me as much of a popular girl as Troy's personality makes him a decent guy." Her kitten mewed his approval, and she could just make out Troy's barely audible gasp.
An icy voice was heard behind her, causing Gabriella to freeze and her cheeks to flame.
"Don't get let the freakella get to you, Troy. Act like her opinion matters as much to you as she does. In this case, I don't think you'll have to act." Sharpay was trying to influence him, it seemed, because she had layed a manicured hand on his shoulder, gave it a squeeze, and flashed one of her blinding white smiles that she probably thought was reassuring. Chad and whoever else was there laughed, along with Troy.
Gabriella's anger boiled up inside of her. She had had it. For the moment, she was blinded by fury and her hands balled up into fists. She had forgotten about the poor kitty, nearly smoohing him to death. He gave a small meow, and Sharpay laughed cruelly.
"Looks like there's another title to add to Gabriella's list of names-Brie the Animal Abuser." Obviously, kitty didn't like this, for he hissed and slashed out at Sharpay as Gabriella turned around to confront the evil girl. But kitty got her first-drawing a thin line along Sharpay's perfect arm, blood dripping slightly.
The kitten mewed, and Gabriella spoke for him. "And that's what we think of you." She walked to her car, the group behind her gaping while Sharpay screamed. "Does this cat have its rabies shot? I could lose an arm! Troy, help me!" Her irritated, though scared, voice drifted through the walls of the mall, and Gabriella smiled with delight.
She pushed her way through the doors, just barely managing with all she was carrying. He mind drifted, away from the scene. When she got home, she'd explain the kitten to her mother. Gabriella would find a cardboard box for the litter box, and make her kitten a bed with some blankets.
Her kitten-she couldn't keep calling him this. After getting into her car, she put the hood up, afraid little kitty would climb out the window. But when she put him in the back seat, making him a bed with her jacket, he curled up contently and seemed to smile, that reminded her vaguely of someone..
Once Gabriella pulled up in the driveway, she cringed at the sight of her mom's car. She pushed those thoughts away and unbuckled, then turned around to gaze at her kitty. He had the cutest black curl resting on his forehead, and the way those blue-green eyes seemed to melt her heart reminded her of someone…
Gasping, she saw the kitten tearing at a picture that she had left in the backseat and forgotten about it. The only part noticeable of the picture was the word, "Hair."
That jogged her memory. "Link! Link Larkin, like Zac Efron!" She cried out at once, tearing the tiny, wet paper from his mouth. Taking a pencil from her bag, she picked up Link and tapped his tiny head with the eraser
. "I here-by knight thee, Link!" She giggled, hugging the jet-black kitty.
He really did look like Link Larkin from Hairspray, and he seemed to have that same attitude.
He mewled his agreement, and Gabriella climbed out of the car, making sure to grab her Abercrombie™ and Animal Alley-way shopping bags, as well as her purse. She would have to come back for the jacket, it wasn't worth the risk of dropping poor Link.
The sun rays shined down, causing Link's eyes to sparkle with mischief. At once, the girl forgot about going inside. She sat on the front of the car, her eyes revealing just how tired she was. Link looked into her eyes, his widening into that adorable Puss 'N Boots face, minus the hat.
"You're so cute, did you know that?" She asked him, the kitten meowing like if he understood. "You're going to cause a lot of trouble, but you'll be the least of my problems." She whispered, her mouth twisted into a sad smile. The sun seemed to dim a little, as if matching her mood.
Something sharp poked her all of a sudden, and Link hissed while Gabriella winced, dropping her purse. She grabbed the paper airplane and unfolded it, her eyes scanning the page. A short gasp escaped her lips as she glanced into the bright blue, cloudless sky, wondering anything but where the airplane had come from.
"I'll be waiting for you, Bolton." She whispered.
---
Troy had just dropped off Sharpay and driven home, his heart heavy. His fingers itched to dial Gabriella's phone number. He got out, closed the door and locked it with the keys. Just then, he felt a sharp tip of something piercing his shoulder. Turning, he bent down to pick up the paper airplane.
His examined the paper, eyes widening as he took in each word. His thoughts were jumbled, and his heart was beating.
"I'll be waiting for you, Montez." He murmured, crumbling up the paper in his fist.
Yay for cliff-hanger! Probably the first real one I've left in the story. What does the note say? Hmm? Hmm? (Tempting sure is fun!) You'll just have to wait and find out. -evil grin-
Please R&R! (And please excuse the corny-ness.)