Okay, people, this is the chapter that you've all been waiting for! Troy's famous, unknown reason comes out! After you read the chapter, try going back in the story and check out all the clues. Then see if you can piece them together and get the reason :)
Another thing, my contest ended 4 days ago and I only got 4 or 5 entries. The winner was "Frozen" by horsesmakemehappy. She'll be recieving the story being added to my fave list, her being added to my fave list, and she gets to read the chapter before anyone else. Plus, she gets to help me write the sequal to this story (I brainstormed last night and got some prett good ideas)
First Place: "Frozen" by horsesmakemehappy
Second Place: "Frozen" by ilyilyx3 (She'll get the story placed in my fave list and a preview of the story until the end)
Third Place: "Never Too Late" by Roots-Before-Brances
Fourth Place Place: "Broken Heart" by shortytori322821
Fifth Place: "I Remember" by Sarah590
Troy pulled up to the white house and looked it over. It was a typical 2 story house with a green door, a hanging rocking chair on the left side of the porch, and a welcome mat in front of the door. A little plain, but nothing suspicious.
Troy stopped in the driveway and got out of the car, locked it, and slowly made his way up the wooden steps. He took a deep breath and just stared at the doorbell. What if Gabriella wasn't there? What if Gabriella and her dad were out and it was only Brandon that was home? What if Mr. Montez kicked him out when he found out Troy was here to see Gabriella? So many questions and "What if..."s were running through his mind at the moment, but he eventually bucked up the courage he needed to bring his hand in front of his face and ring the doorbell.
He waited a few moments before someone answered it. Troy now stood in front of a middle aged man who looked to be 35. He had shaggy black hair and chocolate brown eyes that immediately sent an image of Gabriella to his mind. His long bangs hung in front of his eyes, neat and organized. He had Gabriella's eyes and Brandon's hair. This was definitely Mr. Montez.
"Uhh...hi." Troy nervously greeted, trying to keep his gaze in the man's eyes and not the porch floor.
"Hi. Can I help you?" Chase replied, confusion flashing in his friendly eyes.
"Y-yeah. I-is Gabriella here?" Troy stuttered. Why he was nervous, he didn't know. It wasn't like he didn't meet Chase before. The last time he spoke to him was 6 years ago before he divorced Gina.
"Yes she is. What's your name?"
"Troy Bolton. I'm sure that my name's come up sometime with either her or Brandon." Troy replied, his confidence growing with how nice Chase was.
Chase nodded, opening the door to allow the teen in. Troy smiled in response, stepping into the modern looking house. It reminded him of the Montez house back home.
Chase walked over to the banister and called "Gabby! Can you come down here for a second?"
"Sure!" Gabriella replied. Troy heard music pause from the upstairs. He guessed that she was either listening to the radio or was listening to iTunes on her laptop.
In a matter of seconds, footsteps came pounding down the stairs and Gabriella started "What's u...Troy?" She froze when she saw his blue eyes staring back into her own.
"Hey Gabby." Troy replied quietly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Uhh...hey. W-what are you doing here?" Gabriella asked, rubbing her arm while she finished her journey down the steps and over to Troy and her father.
"I was talking to your mom and we figured out that you were here. She gave me directions and here I am." He finished with a small laugh. "It's good to see you again."
"Same here." Gabriella whispered with a smile. They just stood there smiling at each other until Chase cleared his throat loudly at his daughter.
"Oh!" Gabriella piped up after realizing that the cough was for her. "Dad, this is Troy, my boyfriend."
Troy's eyes widened. Her boyfriend? He clearly remembered them breaking up.
"Oh Troy," Chase recalled, crossing his arms. "I remember that name. How've you been?"
Troy nodded "I've been good. Been better, but I'm fine."
Chase nodded as he eyed Troy. You could barely tell that he was a constant fighter. He didn't have many bruises or scars, probably from not getting hit in the last few months.
Suddenly, another pair of footsteps stampeded down the stairs and a masculine voice called "Hey Gabby, I need to show you this video on Youtu-"
The air grew still. The tension returned to the room. Blue stared into brown as Brandon froze on the spot, staring at Troy who had also frozen.
"What are you doing here?" Brandon growled.
"What do you care?" Troy glared right back, not wanting to but couldn't help it. Brandon stabbed him for God's sake.
"Because this is temporarily my house and if you don't get out right now, I swear to God I'll-"
"Tough talk for someone who ran away from their problems." Troy interrupted "And do you honestly think that you should be the one who's talking to me like that? What, stabbing me isn't enough?"
"Troy, don't even go there." Brandon lowly said, fire in his voice.
"He's right Troy." Gabriella fearfully added, stepping in between the two boys. "Please, not here."
Troy gave Brandon one last evil look before nodding. "Can I talk to you in private for a second?" He asked softly.
Gabriella nodded and quickly led Troy out of the room and into the kitchen. She shut the door that separated the living room from the kitchen and started "What's up?"
Troy sighed "I'm sorry about that. It's just that...I don't know. I got caught up in the moment I guess."
Gabriella smiled sympathetically "Don't worry about it. At least you two didn't get physical."
Troy nodded shamefully. He then walked a little closer to his ex girlfriend and said "Gabby, you know that I didn't ask to talk to you to apologize for the outburst, right?"
Gabriella nodded, looking at the floor.
"I know that this may not make you forgive me for breaking up with you, but I know that you're not cheating on me. I knew that a while ago, but I just found it hard to trust you. You were hiding this behind my back. Why?"
Gabriella sighed "I knew that you would chase after me. That wouldn't blow over well with Brandon, so I just decided to not tell you. I'm sorry I tried to lie. It was just the first thing that came to my mind. Do you forgive me?"
Troy laughed "Gabby, you should be the one forgiving me. I had no right to just jump to conclusions like that. Do you forgive me?"
Gabriella smiled. He really was sweet, one of the reasons why she fell in love with him in the first place.
"Of course I do. How can I say no to you?" Gabriella giggled.
"So we're good?" Troy asked, outstretching his arms.
"Yeah. I love you Troy." Gabriella replied, burying herself in Troy's chest.
"Love you too Gabby."
--
The newly reunited couple walked out of the kitchen five minutes later, their hands laced together. Brandon sat on the couch beside his father, glaring at Troy the whole way.
"So what happened?" He sarcastically asked.
Troy rolled his eyes and answered "We made up. I hope you packed your stuff while we were gone, because your mom really wants you home. Let's go Montez."
Gabriella piped up "Troy, wait a minute."
She walked them both a few feet away from Brandon and Chase and said "Troy, I'm only gonna leave on one occasion."
"What is it?"
"Tell Brandon the truth."
Troy froze. He stared at his girlfriend and dropped his jaw. He had been planning on telling Brandon the truth soon, but only when he was ready. This just came as one big shock to him.
"Gabby-"
"Troy, I know that you're not ready to do this, but I don't wanna have to ride in a car for 2 hours with you two constantly mouthing off to each other. I need you to do this for me and for yourself."
"But what if he doesn't believe me?" Troy observed, trying to find a way out of the situation.
"Believe me, he will if you use enough proof."
"What about him?" Troy shuttered, referring to the man who had ruined his life and Brandon's.
"Just call the police. I'm sure that they'll take care of it. No matter how many techniques he knows, he won't escape prison."
Troy sighed. She wasn't kidding. She would stay here if Troy didn't fess up and tell Brandon the truth about that horrible day 5 years ago.
"Okay."
"Really?" Gabriella beamed.
"Yeah," Troy sighed "I was planning to tell him the truth in a few days anyway. But I guess the sooner he knows, the better."
"Thanks Troy. I owe you one." Gabriella thanked him.
"Gabby, you owe me nothing. You have nothing to do with this." Troy refused.
"Yes I do. You're saving my brother from any more depression." Gabriella replied, taking Troy's hand in hers.
Troy nodded with a tired grin. He didn't even tell Brandon yet but the thought was already draining him.
"Okay. Let's get over there." Troy sighed, walking back towards the two Montez boys.
Brandon glared at Troy and shrugged "So?"
Troy looked over at Gabriella who had sat in between Brandon and her father. Gabriella gave him a nod and a small smile.
Troy sighed "Brandon, come here."
"What?"
"Follow me. I need to talk to you." Troy repeated, seeing the confused, but angry look on his ex-best friend's face.
"Why? To get some payback at me for stabbing you?" Brandon growled, noting the fact that Troy was pointing to the kitchen. The room with very large, sharp knives.
"The last thing I wanna do is fight with you. Just...follow...me." Troy finished slowly.
Brandon took a deep, shaky breath and rolled his eyes, following Troy into the kitchen.
Once the door was shut, Troy turned to Brandon, who stood there with his arms crossed.
The two spent an awkward and eerie silence in the room for a few minutes. Their eyes bore into each other's skin, hate flashing in Brandon's and regret deep inside Troy's.
Troy didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry for ruining our lives. It wasn't my fault because you started it. You just had to break up with Samantha and piss off her dad. So, yeah, I'm sorry. Wanna go get some pizza on the way back home?" Yeah, like that would work. He had to be clear and direct with this. If he stuttered, Brandon might take it as a lie. The Montez had already lost all respect for Troy. Why make it worse?
He had to try. He had to look Brandon in the eyes and tell him the honest truth. There would be no little white lies, no rude or sarcastic remarks from any of them. Just Troy, Brandon, and the truth that was held from Brandon for 5 years. They were once brothers and, deep inside their hearts, still were. No one with a bond that strong could ever hate each other. He had to do this. For the sake of his life and Brandon's.
Troy was pulled from his thoughts when Brandon slightly laughed "That's low Bolton."
"What is?" Troy asked, confused.
Brandon shook his head slowly and grinned slightly. He placed his hands on his hips and replied with fire "The fact that you came all this way just to steal the one good thing that I have left in my life. I didn't know you could be that cruel. Good job Troy."
Troy groaned "Brandon, just stop. Your mom and I figured out that you two were here and she asked me to get you. Plus, I wanted my girlfriend back."
Brandon scoffed "Oh please! You broke up with her because you thought she was cheating on you! Why did you want her back?"
"Because I was being an ass."
"Aren't you always?"
"Brandon, just shut up and let me explain!" Troy demanded, raising his voice.
Brandon rolled his eyes, which still carried hate and annoyance, and slowly nodded, looking off to the side.
Troy sighed "I'm sorry for these 5 years that we've been fighting. It wasn't what I wanted, but I had no choice. It wasn't my fault."
"Bullshit." Brandon flatly said, still not looking at Troy.
Troy mixed a sigh with a groan as he pleaded "Brandon, just let me give you my full reason and then maybe you'll consider forgiving me."
Brandon froze, turned his head to his worst enemy, and yelled "Forgive you?! You lied to me and ruined my life! How can I forgive you for that?!"
"Just let me explain Brandon." Troy calmly said, taking a step forward.
"Explain what?! How you never cared about me?!"
"No! How I've spent the last 5 years of my life protecting you from getting killed!" Troy finally exploded, causing Brandon to back up.
"What?" Brandon whispered.
Troy closed his eyes, trying to conceal his tears. He had expected this to happen. No one just blew off the fact that they were targeted for murder. He had to explain this without any hesitation.
He finally took a deep, shaky breath and started explaining "5 years ago you dated Samantha Wolf, the coach's daughter. She thought that she loved you, but you broke up with her and she committed suicide."
Brandon, staring at Troy, just nodded, dazed.
Troy continued without ease "The coach was devastated. He thought that it was your fault that Sam died, so he planned to murder you."
"What?" Brandon gasped, losing all the breath he had left.
"Just wait until I'm done. The coach wanted to kill you and then you tried out for the basketball team. He figured that that would be the easiest way to get to you, so he immediately planned to have you join the team. But then he found out that we were like brothers and he heard you say that you wouldn't know what to do with yourself if I left you. He figured that it would hurt you more if your best friend left you than to just kill you altogether, so he called me into his office. He...you with me so far?" Troy stopped, seeing the completely frozen and faraway look in Brandon's eyes. Brandon just nodded slowly, having to lean against the wall from dizziness.
Troy nodded "Okay, so I walked into his office and was immediately shoved against the wall. He was screaming things in my face and said 'I won't kill your friend if you make him wish he were dead. If you tell him about this, then I'll kill both of you.' He punched me in the face and ordered me back out to the gym."
"That's why you were so pale that day..." Brandon recalled, his eyes bringing back the life that they once held.
Troy nodded "You noticed?"
"How could you not? Everyone did."
"Oh," Troy bowed his head to the ground in embarrassment and shame for being so weak so early in the plan. "Brandon, I've been getting beaten and abused by Coach Wolf just to save your life. So don't you dare say that I don't care about you. You were my best friend and still are. I refuse to call Chad or anyone else my brother because I knew that you would one day have that title again. So yeah, I did lie to you for 5 years, but it was only to save your life. And I know that it's a crazy story, but every word of it is true. Every single fight we had was all forced. You were my worst enemy, but I can't live without you man."
Brandon just stood there against wall, his arms pressed against it like he was cornered. He couldn't believe this. He was a death target just because he broke up with Wolf's daughter. It was insane.
"S-so you never h-hated me?" the black haired boy stuttered out, gulping.
"I could never hate you." Troy answered, his eyes softening with every word he said.
Brandon's confidence and voice grew back to him as he surveyed "Even after all those things I said and those times I put you in the hospital and almost killed you?"
Troy shook his head "I'm the one who threatened Isabelle and you were just doing your part as her boyfriend to teach me a lesson about hurting the one you loved. And those times I put you in the hospital were good. It showed how angry and messed up you were. I don't blame you for any of it."
Again, Brandon just stood there, staring at Troy. He still couldn't believe it. Was Troy really telling the truth? Were the past 5 years of their lives all a lie?
"You're not lying, are you?" Brandon spoke in disbelief. It didn't sound like a question, more like a statement.
Troy shook his head "I would never lie about something like this. I just did what I had to. I hurt you to protect you."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Brandon asked, his hate for Troy melting away with each word that was said.
Troy scoffed "Wolf knows how to escape prison. He's not afraid of the law. It's just a minor setback to him in his plan."
Brandon kept trying to find flaws in this unbelievable story. "What about Gabriella? She was my only sense of comfort."
Troy immediately answered "Remember the nude picture that was sent around a few months ago?"
Brandon nodded.
"Wolf made me do it," Troy admitted "Apparently, it was payback at her for moving here. He planned more for her, but when she started ignoring you, he figured that you were worse than ever. I never wanted to hurt Gabriella, I was just doing Wolf's dirty work."
"That's why you threatened Isabelle," Brandon observed, his eyes widening "I couldn't be happy, so you forced her to break up with me."
Troy nodded sadly and regretfully. "Wolf bought the property that my aunt planned to get to build their new house on so that they would have to move back to California. He gave it to his nephew who just came back from collage."
Brandon couldn't stand anymore. He quickly slid down to his butt on the floor and tried to keep his breathing under control. This couldn't be happening. He breaks up with a girl who was given signs and this is what happens? He's on the top of someone's death list because of that? Samantha Wolf was always emotional. Lots of people attended her funeral, including Brandon. He just felt so at fault. But in time, he got over it. It only took a week. Troy was how he got over it. They hung out a lot more and soon Brandon was on top of the world again. But a week after Samantha's death, Troy ditched him. His thoughts of Samantha came back a little, but were buried under his rage for Troy. He would think about his ex-girlfriend every once in a while, but it never really crossed his mind completely until now. Guilt built in his heart now.
Brandon walked over to the stool in the kitchen and buried his head in his hands. "I'm so stupid," he mumbled before re-revealing his pale face to Troy. "I should've known that you wouldn't just bail on me like that for no reason. God, this is just so damn crazy!"
Troy smiled softly and made his way over to Brandon. He placed a hand on his shoulder and comforted "Brandon, don't blame yourself for this. Coach Wolf is the crazy one."
Brandon giggled "Yeah, he's always been a little insane, hasn't he?"
He and Troy shared a quick laugh before Troy sat in the stool opposite from Brandon and spoke up "Dude, I can't tell you how sorry I am." Brandon looked up at Troy with sad eyes, his head in his hands. "You have no idea how hard it was to walk away from you at those basketball tryouts."
Brandon closed his eyes and slightly grinned. His voice broke as he replied "You don't know how hard it was to watch you walk away. That really hurt me man."
Troy nodded sadly "That'll always be my biggest regret in life. I'll never forgive myself for that."
After that was spoken, silence. Neither knew what to say next. Troy spaced out while Brandon just stared at him. The look on Troy's face showed him that he wasn't playing around or making up any of it. He was truly, genuinely sorry. That was the Troy Bolton that Brandon thought had been lost for 5 years.
"Can I make a deal with you?" Brandon piped up, looking at Troy with friendship in his eyes.
Troy nodded "Sure. What is it?"
Brandon stood up from his stool and walked over to Troy. Brandon said "I'll forgive you for these past 5 years and if you forgive yourself for something that wasn't even your fault. I mean, you could've avoided the beatings and just let him kill me."
Troy's eyes darkened. "I would never let that happen. Seeing you cry is bad enough. I wouldn't be able to stand not ever seeing you again."
Brandon smiled "Thanks. So, we have a deal?"
Troy eyed Brandon's hand for a few seconds before smiling and reaching to shake it, agreeing "Yeah, we're good."
Just as Troy's hand was about to touch Brandon's, he pulled back abruptly. Brandon looked at him, a confused look etched across his face. "What's wrong?"
Troy grinned and held out his hand. "Brothers?"
Brandon froze. Did Troy just ask to be his brother again? What should he say? They had just made things clear between them, but Brandon didn't know if he could just up and label Troy as his brother so soon into the make-up.
But it's been 5 years. 5 years of crying himself to sleep at least once a week because the image of Troy's hateful, 12 year old eyes haunted his dreams. Did he really want to go through that again? Which should he choose? Abruptly taking Troy back and not giving the friendship any time to heal or go back to those cold, lonely nights in his room, giving the bond some time. His mind was so jumbled at the moment, he almost shook his head and said no, but one of the most important memories jumped into his brain.
FLASHBACK (6 Years Ago, No One's POV)
Troy and Brandon sat at the swings, laughing their hearts out. The 11 year old friends jumped off of their swings at the same time, seeing who could jump the furthest. Just like the past 25 times they've done this, Troy won.
"Aww man!" Brandon cried, his half-developed voice ringing in Troy's ears. "Rematch!"
Troy laughed "Brandon, we've rematched 24 times already! I won fair and square! And my butt's starting to hurt."
Brandon frowned, but soon it melted into a smile. "Okay. You're my best friend, so I'll say yes."
Troy smiled thankfully "Thanks Brandon. You really are my best friend. Chad would've gone on until he won."
"He never would. No one can beat you." Brandon complimented.
Troy grinned "Thanks. What should we do next?"
Brandon shrugged "I don't know. How about we go play on the monkey bars?"
Troy nodded "Sure."
As they made their way across the city park, Troy stopped and turned to Brandon.
"What's wrong Troy?" Brandon asked, confused.
"What did I do to deserve you?" Troy asked.
"Huh?"
"We met when we were 2 and I was a big butt-hole to everyone in my day care. I didn't have any friends except Chad. Everyone was too scared of me...except you. Why did you give me a second chance?"
Brandon shrugged "I don't know. I knew that you were nice when you weren't around other kids. You eventually opened up to me and we've been friends ever since. Why?"
Troy smiled "Can you promise me something?"
"What is it?"
"Let's promise that no matter what happens, we'll always be right there for each other. If I move away, we'll call each other every day and visit each other every weekend. I don't wanna lose you."
Brandon couldn't help but feel touched at his best friend's words. He loved Troy like a brother. Why wouldn't he stand by him?
"Of course I promise that! Why wouldn't I?" Brandon exclaimed.
Troy shrugged "I don't know. Sometimes I just feel like I wanna go back to being mean to people, but you always change my mind. It's like you're too good for my friendship."
Brandon shook his mind "Never. And if you go back to being mean, I'll just slap you back to your senses."
The two shared one more laugh before Troy held out his hand. "Brother's till the end?"
Brandon nodded and took Troy's hand, doing their secret handshake. "Anyone who denies it is gonna get a real butt-whooping."
END FLASHBACK
Brandon continued to stare at Troy's hand. What was he going to choose?
He finally looked up into Troy's eyes and grinned, taking Troy's hand in his. "Brothers." He smiled.
Troy smiled broadly, relief washing through him. He felt Brandon ball up his fist and silently encouraged Troy to do the same. Troy grinned and did the same. They pounded each other's fists, slapped their now opened hands, pretended to spit in their hands, and shook hands again.
Troy laughed "Wow! Didn't think you remembered that."
Brandon scoffed with a smile "Of course I do! We've always been brothers. Nothing can tear us apart."
Just as Troy was about to reply, the sound of a gun being cocked filled the two teen's ears. The spun around and froze when they found themselves looking into the furious, deadly eyes of Coach Ben Wolf.
"Except me."
On the plus side, Troy and Gabby made up, Troy and Brandon are bros again, and you all know what happened 5 years ago! On the down side, a gun's being put to the boys' heads. Wonder how that'll blow over? REVIEW and find out! :)
Rachel :)