A/N: Here's the next chapter! Thank you for all the feedback; I really appreciate it!
Disclaimer: I don't own and/or am affiliated with any of the characters, the movie, music, etc. I do not own the music used in the chapters. Those are property of artists and the writers!
October 9th, 2010 9:30 am
Getting up from his place on the couch, he went and kissed her forehead before picking up the keys to his truck. Leaving the house without another word, he got into the pickup and started the engine before driving aimlessly out of the driveway.
Driving past East High, he smiled remembering all the good times the two had there. Pulling into the parking lot, Troy used his keys to enter the quiet school. Walking the halls, memories rushed back to him.
If the heart is always searching,
Can you ever find a home?
I've been looking for that someone;
I'll never make it on my own.
Dreams can't take the place of loving you;
there's gotta be a million reasons why it's true
Walking down the junior hallway, Troy stopped at the bright red locker. 349; Gabi's old locker. The one he used to stuff notes and other knickknacks into. The one he used to stand by and wait for her to exchange books. And the one he used to push her against and kiss her and temporarily make them forget they were within school walls.
Spinning the dial, 18-21-35, Troy heard the click before pulling open the locker. Instead of seeing pictures of him and Gabi posted inside the locker, there were posters of the latest musicians and soccer players.
Walking further down the hallway, he came across the empty cafeteria. Walking in his eyes zeroed in on their "official" basketball table. It was still the only one painted red with white stripes going across in the form of a basketball. Sitting down at it, he smiled thinking back to all the times she would surprise him.
When you look me in the eyes,
and tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
when you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
"Guess who?"
His eyes were covered as her sweet voice cut through the normal sounds of the cafeteria. "I'm not sure . . . the fairy princess?"
"Come on Troy . . . who is it?" Her voice full of a mixture of annoyance and humor.
"It's my dear princess, Gabriella."
And pulling her around him, she fell gracefully in his lap before giggling. "Hi!"
"Hi yourself." Kissing her quickly, Troy smiled while getting lost in her eyes. "How was the rest of your morning without me?"
Looking up towards the ceiling, she sighed. "Absolutely, positively boring. I never thought I'd make it through chemistry without you!"
"Well the rest of the afternoon we're together." Kissing her nose, he leaned close to her ear. "Troy loves Gabi."
Her giggle was the only response he heard. "Guess what?"
"What?"
"Gabi loves Troy as well."
And sealing the promise with a kiss, the two got lost just enjoying the time together.
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
when you look me in the eyes.
Smiling, Troy patted the old table before getting up and going down another hallway. Pulling open the heavy doors, he jogged up the stairs before taking a seat on the old, rickety bench. Their initials, which they carved into the wood just before graduation, were still evident. Running his fingers over the indentations, Troy smiled.
How long will I be waiting,
to be with you again
Gonna tell you that I love you,
in the best way that I can
"You're awfully quiet. What's going on in your mind?"
Twirling one of her curls around her index finger, Gabi continued to look around the rooftop garden avoiding his eyes at all cost. Grabbing her other hand, Troy ran his thumb over the back affectionately.
"Talk to me, Gabs. What's going on in your pretty head?"
She stayed quiet but minutes later, when she turned to him, he expected to see her smile, but instead crystal clear tears were rushing down her face.
"Hey now." Wiping the tears away, he pulled her close as she continued to sob. "What's wrong?"
Composing herself as best as she could, Gabi looked at him. "I'm afraid I haven't left my mark on this school. I'm afraid, once we're gone, no one is going to remember our names."
"Hey now . . . we're not going to be forgotten." Smiling slightly, he kissed the top of her head before spitting the hairspray out of his mouth. "Besides, we're the two that changed the school forever. We're mixed the groups of students together to form unity."
"I guess but . . ." Letting her sentence hang, she just simply shrugged her shoulders.
"What's the real reason you're crying, Gabs?"
"I guess I don't really want to leave, you know?" Pausing, she looked at their link hands. "Inside these walls, we're safe. I guess I'm just not ready to face the real world yet."
Smiling, she took the words from his mouth. He was feeling exactly the same way. "I know how you feel. I feel like the moment I walk out into the real world, I'm going to fall flat on my face. I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint everyone closest to me, including you."
Looking up at him, Gabi squeezed their linked hands. "That's never going to happen Troy. No matter what, you could never disappoint me. I'm so incredibly proud of you."
"I know but the fear is still there." Sighing, he pulled her close for comfort. "I'm just nervous and worried about our future."
Looking him straight in the eyes, Gabi spoke slowly. "No matter what, I'm always going to be there. You're stuck with me, Bolton."
Pulling the pocket knife from his back pocket, Troy opened it before handing it over to her. "Would you like to do the honors?"
"What?" Her face was adorable as she looked up at him with confusion.
"Never mind." And turning around to face the back of the bench, Troy slowly started to carve into the wood.
"Troy!" Gabi hissed before her eyes widened. "You're going to get into trouble."
"What's the worst they can do? Take back my diploma. Besides no one but us comes up here. They probably won't discover it until we're long gone."
Shrugging her shoulders, Gabi rolled her eyes upward before watching her boyfriend. "There all done!"
And looking at the finished product, Gabi smiled. He had carved "Troy loves Gabi".
"I love it just like I love you."
"Love you babe. Now let's go graduate." And the two headed down the steps for the last time before starting their new lives.
I can't take a day without you here;
you're the light that makes my darkness disappear.
Troy shook his head as he thought back to the memory. They had some good times on that garden rooftop. Taking another quick glance around, he walked back down the steps before walking out of the school. East High was the first place he saw her and the memories the two made were still fresh as ever in his mind.
Getting into his truck, he cranked the engine before leaving the parking lot. Driving around the town, he saw a lot of familiar spots that held meaning for them.
The park, ice cream parlor, and the pizza place the two went on occasion for their dates. No matter where he went, memories past him and the smile were bright.
Deciding his day of memories was over, he head back home. Pulling into the driveway and heading into the house, Troy greeted Duke before taking in the sight that lay out in front of him.
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
Standing in the shadows, he watched her sway her hips back and forth. Her hands were on her baby bump and the glowing look of impeding motherhood was evident on her face. She looked absolutely radiant and her beauty had grown exponential since she found out she was carrying their child around.
The little things in life were what made him fall in love with her all over again. At this particular moment, she is throwing her hair over her shoulder and grinning at him with so much love in her eyes. One hand is resting on her belly while the other is holding the phone to her ear. Her giggle catches is attention and his heart swells at the sound.
The way her nose scrunches up at the thought of being away from him or the way she throws her head back when she laughs or the way she always sways her hips back and forth while she is dancing; all of those cause him to fall in love all over again.
Or the way she gets really excited when he says "let's spend the day inside" or the way they lock themselves away from the world once a month. All those things are just little ways to get her excited.
The way her eyes light up when he surprises her with something; it's just the little things that stand out and cause him to smile because when she's happy, he is.
The way she gossips with her girlfriends or the way she tries to be big and bad all the while turning to him for comfort.
The way he could never picture his life without her and how he'd be lost without her by his side.
More and more, I start to realize,
I can reach my tomorrow,
I can hold my head high,
And it's all because you're by my side.
Troy threw his keys on the counter before sneaking up behind her and placing his hands on the baby bump. Jumping, Gabi turned and smacked his shoulder which caused him to protest.
"Sorry mom, Troy just came home and scared the crap out of me." She continued to talk on the phone while never letting her gaze drift from his face.
"Uh huh . . . I'll tell him." Smiling, he listened to her talk while resisting the urge to kiss her. "Ok bye mom."
Throwing the phone on the couch, Gabi threw her arms around his neck before kissing him. "I missed you."
"I missed you too sweetheart. Did you get anything done while I was gone?"
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When I hold you in my arms
I know that it's forever
I just gotta let you know
I never wanna let you go
Looking around the room, Gabi smiled. "I mostly picked up the mess but yeah some things got done. Where did you go?"
"Trip down memory lane." Was all he said which left her thoroughly confused.
"All right." Pushing away from him, she went to sit on the couch. "Did you have fun?"
"A blast." Going to sit next to her, he pulled her into his arm. "Love you babe."
"Love you too hubby." Her eyes went wide as if an idea just struck her. "Wanna do something fun with me?"
"What's your definition of fun?"
Clapping her hands, her excitement caused him to laugh. "The baby's room needs to get cleaned out and I thought a certain hubby . . ."
"Sure baby. Just tell me where to put the stuff."
And no matter what she asked of him, he'd continue to love her until the day they were force to separate, which in his opinion, would be never.
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
Oh
The song is "When You Look Me in the Eyes" by the Jonas Brothers . . . but I think you guys all ready knew that. Feedback would be wonderful! I hope you guys have a splendid Easter with your families!! Any ideas/song ideas, please send them my way! I always love hearing from you guys. Please take time to review and honestly tell me what you think. I had mixed emotions about this chapter but I hope you guys enjoy it.