Chapter 8
Gabriella walked behind the counter and let some tears rolls down her cheeks. 'Don't say anything.' She warned as she saw Ryan open his mouth.
Ryan looked at Zeke. 'Listen, Gabs, it's just, you've never cared about people thought before now. What happened?'
'Troy Bolton finding out I'm his Cinderella in front of the entire school happened.' Gabriella replied bluntly.
'Maybe he likes you too.' Ryan suggested.
'Guys, you saw the look he gave me when he found out. He hates me. If he did like me, he would've defended me. Don't you think?' Gabriella jumped as the door slammed.
'Gabriella!' Jack shouted, slamming his fist on the counter. 'Clean this floor, now.'
'I cleaned it a few minutes ago.'
'Then clean again!' Jack said as he turned and started to walk away.
Gabriella thought for a moment. She didn't want to be treated like this and she was sick of it. 'No.'
Ryan and Zeke shared a small smile. Their little sister was finally standing up for herself.
Jack stopped and turned around. 'What did you say?'
Gabriella nodded her head in confidence. 'You heard me. I'm sick of you treating me and Zeke as if we're nothing because I'm not a cheerleader and Zeke isn't on your precious basketball team. I quit. Even though I take care of absolutely everything, I'm gone.' Gabriella held her stare with Jack and brushed past him.
'Hold up, Gabs.' Zeke said as she turned around.
'You take one more step and you're fired.' Jack warned.
'Well, I don't work here.' Ryan said as he joined Gabriella.
'And now, neither do I. I quit. The only reason I stuck around this place for so long is because of that girl. And now she's free, so am I. Let's go, Gabs.' Zeke pulled Gabriella and Ryan out of the shop, leaving Jack speechless.
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Gabriella walked through her front door and set her keys down. 'Mum?'
'In the kitchen, sweetheart.' Emma called.
'Mum, I quit.' Gabriella stated as she sat down at the table, fiddling with a cookie.
'That's great, dear. I knew you hated it there.' Emma sat down opposite her daughter. 'What's on your mind?'
Gabriella bit her lip and stood. 'I have to do something. Don't wait up for me, okay?'
Emma nodded and watched Gabriella leave.
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Gabriella slammed the door open. She couldn't believe she was doing this. She walked through the men's locker room, pushing the whistling guys out of the way. She finally found Troy sitting on a bench, shirtless, with his back facing her while he talked to Chad and Jason.
'Troy?' Chad said as he pointed behind him.
Troy turned around and stood up. 'Listen, Gabriell, I-'
'Troy, listen, I never pretended to be anyone else, it's been me all along.' She quietened down a bit and looked up at Troy. 'And it was me who was hurt in front of everybody.'
Troy looked at her with a guilty look on his face. 'Gabriella-'
Gabriella started to cry. 'Troy, I didn't come here to yell at you. I came here to tell you that I know how it feels to be scared to show who you are. I was, but I'm not anymore. And even though I have no Dad, no job and no money for college...It's you that I feel sorry for.' Gabriella shook her head when Troy didn't say anything. She walked out of the locker room, not having to push anyone this time because they were all standing there, staring at Troy.
Once Gabriella was out of the changing rooms, Zeke and Ryan pushed themselves off the lockers and embraced her in a hug. Gabriella hugged them both back and cried into Zeke's chest. She pulled back and gave them a watery smile. 'How did you know I was here?'
'Your Mum told us you came here and thought you could use some friends.' Zeke replied.
'We were coming to the game anyway.' Ryan said but Zeke hit him over the head.
'No, it's alright. I'll go to the game. It could really help me, anyway.' Gabriella said.
'I'm proud of you.' Zeke smiled.
'Me too.' Ryan added as they each kissed the top of her head.
'Come on, let's go. I don't want to see Troy until I have to.' Gabriella said, heading towards the gym.