THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS GUYS I'M REALLY GLAD YOUR ENJOYING THE STORY, THIS NEXT CHAPTER IS A BIT LONG, AND I HAVEN'T SPELL CHECKED IT PROPERLY SO PLEASE EXCUSE ANY MISTAKES, I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SURE I COULD UPDATE FOR TODAY. ALSO THERE ARE GOING TO BE A FEW TWISTS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE FROM TROY'S POV... I WONT SAY ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT R&R.
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"True love comes quietly without banners or flashing lights
If you hear bells, get your ears checked"
That was a quote I once heard or read somewhere, but now I know what it means, there was nothing to warn you when you were falling in love. You were completely blinded when it happened and for me that meant denial. It had been nearly six months since Troy and I's unofficial 'officialness' if that was even a word. Things had been good since the whole Deshaune drama (except for one incident but I'll get on that later) that is after I let him rip the number up and throw it in the trash. Gabby and Chad were going strong; they were approaching their sixth month anniversary and were seriously in love even if neither had said it to each other yet. It was obvious, they were over the whole honeymoon stage where they couldn't be separated and seemed to mature into a serious high school couple who everyone else had dubbed the 'golden couple'. We all thought they'd get married and have cute children after high school; I bet they thought so too.
Sharpay and Zeke were a whole other story. They were approaching their four month anniversary. It had taken them two months to make it official, even though we all knew they were official way before then. They were crazy, well Shar was crazy and no one understood how they made it work. But they did and they would continue to make it work if Sharpay Evans had her way. They were the only ones of the group who had applied to the same colleges because they planned on staying together even after high school and nothing was going to stop them. Not a single one of us doubted they'd make it, Sharpay Evans always got what she wanted, and it was a known fact.
On the other hand Troy and I were still in between the lines; well so the rest of the east high population thought seeing as it had been six months and neither of us had made it official. We didn't kiss or hold hands or doing anything couples were meant to do. Troy and I barely even hugged in school, sure everyone knew we were friends, in fact they thought we were best friends well that's what they'd dubbed us anyway. However that bighead Troy had almost blown everything on the day of our project presentation and that's what caused us to tone our friendship in public, our hearts however were another issue.
5 months earlier...
I had just walked into school on Monday morning. It was the day everyone shared their projects to the class and we were all excited. I could people carry huge big bags in which their projects were kept in order to keep them secret until they could reveal them in homeroom. I was itching to know what Troy had done and how he'd presented it, we'd been busy working on the final touches all weekend and hadn't seen each until Sunday when he came to church with me. But even then we didn't get to talk much because my Dad had hurried me home after the service. My Dad had given me a ride to school this morning so I still hadn't talked to Troy except last night on the phone but we were both too tired to have a proper conversation.
I walked into homeroom to find Troy ready and seated in deep thought in a room full of buzzing students each bursting to know what was going to be the talk of the school by the end of homeroom, if I had known it be me and Troy.
"A penny for your thoughts" I asked as I sat next to him rubbing his arm
"Oh I think you're worth more than a penny Tay" He smiled as he turned to look at me
"Aww, thinking about me again" I smiled shyly at the compliment
"I missed you this weekend" He said looking into my eyes
"I missed you too" I whispered as I felt my cheeks grow hotter, thankfully Mr. Smith walked in before anything else could be said. There had been a lot rumours about in school for the last two weeks, speculation over what exactly out relationship was, some thought we were friends with benefits, others said we were secretly going out because our parents don't like interracial relationships but no one thought we were just friends.
"Okay class, I'm as excited as you to see what you have achieved with this project so let's get started!" He smiled as Sharpay and Zeke went up to get things started. Sharpay told us about Zeke and his love for cooking, as well as his love for dance which no one had anticipated. He'd taken her to watch a musical at the local theatre and learnt that she wasn't an Ice queen but a woman who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. The slide about their future simply said 'together' causing the class to aww at them.
Next were Ryan and Kelsi, then Jason and Martha, followed by Tiara and Tyrone, and then Ashley and Nick. The presentations were coming to a close; Chad and Gabby had just finished and had the class, well the girls nearly in tears with their presentation. Mainly Chad; it was clear then that he was completely whipped. Gabby couldn't keep the smile off her face as she walked back to her seat. Troy and I got up grabbing our things. I started the project off.
"Troy Anthony Bolton" I said as the screen behind me flashed on a picture of Troy holding the Trophy that the wildcats won last year. I looked at him before continuing,
"He's a free spirit; he walks the road of life without caution. He is fearless, unafraid and free in every sense of the word. He doesn't know where he's going and he doesn't care. He simply enjoys the excitement that comes with living life. We all forget how to live life every once in a while, I know I do. I get caught up in school work and planning for my future, a future that I'm not guaranteed I'll ever see, that I forget to enjoy the moments of right now. Troy doesn't he's different, he likes places" I said as I showed a picture I'd taken of him at the cliff, followed by one of him in his place of peace
"He likes seeing the things that we simply pass by each day, he's got dreams just like the rest of us but he doesn't surround his life around them. He has no room for failure or disappointment he only has room for life. He is our Wildcat, he leads and he encourages. He likes rock climbing and surfing, he likes poetry and he plays the guitar. He's arrogant and charming and he knows it. There are so many faces to Troy Bolton and I'm still trying to figure him out, he's like the greatest rollercoaster ride. You never know what the next turn will hold, but it's never going to be boring. All I truly know about Troy Bolton is that he's my friend; he is a boy with a peaceful soul. Troy Bolton makes me want to live life a little like he does." I finished smiling at him for him to go.
"Taylor Anne Mckessie" He said as my embarrassing Decathlon picture went up. I glared at him and he winked at me before continuing.
"She once told me all she planned to do was change the world and I believe her because Taylor Anne Mckessie changed my world in the space of a month, Imagine what she'll do in a lifetime." He said as my cheeks begun to burn from the stares everyone was giving us.
"She's braver than she thinks; life knocks her down and she bounces straight back up. She's got this faith in life that I have never seen in anyone and she makes me want to believe in fairy tales. Taylor believes in God, sometimes I do too but Taylor doesn't have doubts when it comes to God. Did you know Taylor could sing, she's in her church choir and Taylor likes formula one. She's beat me twice" He paused as the picture of us at the track showed up.
"Taylor spends some Saturdays feeding the homeless at the local shelter. Taylor likes routine, she likes structure and she likes to know where she's going, I don't fit in to her mold because I do things without thinking and I mess things up and sometimes get them wrong. But Taylor doesn't fail and sometimes her fear of failure will stop her from taking risks, but I believe in Taylor Mckessie, so fiercely independent and sure of herself. She amazes me sometimes; she's brilliant, crazy and exciting. She makes me get jealous of the world because I know one day I'll have to share her with the world. I'm not ready to share her with the world and I doubt the world is ready for the force that is Taylor. She will run rings around it like she does around me. As corny as this sounds, I'm just sorry it took some stupid project for me to get to know you, because you're the most excellent person I have ever met Mckessie." He said finishing and I saw the picture of me at the cliff with my arms held out smiling at him. I felt his eyes land on me, I was too shy to look up and simply quickly made my way to my seat without looking at him.
The class was silent as they watched the interaction between us; the bell went signally for the end of homeroom. I still hadn't said anything, I really didn't know what to say, and I felt my heart speed up and walked out of the class room avoiding the gazes and whispers I was getting.
"TAYLOR!" I heard him call
"Tay wait up!" He said grabbing my arm and making me turn around. The hall grew silent
"Troy everyone is looking" I whispered
"Taylor I really don't care!" he said as he looked around "What is going on with you? Did I say something wrong?"
"No... No, can we talk about this later please?" I asked feeling embarrassed that everyone's attention was on me
"Tay just tell me okay" He said concern growing in his eyes and voice
"You didn't do anything wrong Troy, I'm just trying to get to class on time" I insisted avoiding his eyes
"You're lying I know you are" His voice getting frustrated
"Troy drop it!" I said through clenched teeth, I felt claustrophobic and he wasn't helping, I caught Gabby's eye and pleaded with her to get me out of here with my eyes hoping she understood, she did and quickly came over, followed by Sharpay who was shouting at everyone to stop staring.
Gabby took hold of my arm saying "Troy, Taylor will catch up with you later okay. We're going to be late for class" as we walked away. I turned round to meet Troy's angry eyes before looking away again.
"Don't ask please" I said as Gabby nodded before glaring at Sharpay who was about to object
"Fine!" Pouted Sharpay as she crossed her arms "But I'm just letting you know Mckessie that boy is in love with you and apart from the whole promise why do you keep running from him each time he puts himself out there. It's not fair on him, he's been completely honest about how he feels about you but you're so up and down, poor guy he practically told the whole class he loved you!" whose side was she on anyway
"Exactly" I muttered, why did he do that? He doesn't know what love is and we were definitely not in love. We liked each other a lot, a whole lot but we were not in love.
I went to my lessons that day and kept a low profile, I spent lunch hiding out in the library, and Gabby had snuck me in a sandwich before she left to meet Chad for lunch. We had study period next thank God, I wouldn't have to go back out the library until after school I thought.
"So you wanna tell me why you're avoiding me Taylor" Troy said from behind me
"I'm not avoiding you, I've got work to do Troy" I sighed as he sat next to me
"The book is upside down" He said reffering to the book in my hand that I was pretending to read
"Yeah I read like this sometimes, It helps train you're brain to see things from a different angle" I replied sarcastically
"Taylor stop trying to be cute, what's the deal with you this morning?" He asked raising his voice
"I don't know why don't you tell me!" I replied
"What are you talking about! Don't play games okay!" He shouted frustrated before the librarian came in and told us to take our noise outside.
"Now look what you did!" I said as we stepped out into the hallway
"Don't even start that Tay, just tell me what the heck is going on with you, one second you're okay with me the next you're avoiding me!"
"I'm not avoiding you, I told you I had work to do"
"And I told you, you were lying! You know what when you're ready to be mature about this call me!" He said turning to walk away
"You said you'd never walk away from me again!" I shouted after him causing him to stop "You also promised you wouldn't argue with me! I guess you break promises as quick as you make them Troy Bolton" I shouted as he turned around, his eyes fuming. He marched toward me and shook his head letting out a slightly bitter laugh
"Don't give me that Taylor! You're the one purposely starting an argument for no good reason. I'm not walking away and I sure as hell am not arguing with you. YOU ARE ARGUING WITH ME!" He half yelled
"So this is what I'm doing, I'm walking away so you can figure it out because I don't think you know why we're fighting either... and one more thing Taylor, if you keep pushing me away one day I will walk away and I promise you I won't turn around" He said icily as he walked away.
"Troy... don't walk away please" I whispered hoping he heard me,
"I'm sorry, I don't know why were fighting either and I know I keep pushing you away..." I said as I walked toward him nervously
"I'm not sure why I'm fighting with you... please just don't walk away okay. I know I'm crazy and up and down when it comes to you but that's only because I get so confused with us. Nothing makes sense with you and then I get my feelings all muddled up and I get angry and take it out on you and get all defensive because I'm losing control... and I'm sorry" I said taking a big breathe after I finished, looking up at him hoping he understood.
"Troy I keep hoping you'd mess up for once just so I'd have a reason to not like you, but then you don't and I do so I can give you a reason not to like me and to walk away from this. It's like I'm looking for a reason to walk away from this because then I'd be back in control of my heart and I can't find one, not one single reason" I replied whispering the last part as I bit back the tears in my eyes
"So this is what this is about, you want to walk away?" He asked hurt
"No... I don't, not really. I'm just trying not to fall and it feels like that's all I've been doing since I met you... falling... for you." I replied looking down
"Taylor I've already fallen for you, you know that and I know that and I'm sure the whole school knows that after this morning; I've never tried to hide how I feel about you, I'm honest about it to you and to our friends. I just wish you'd trust me enough to know I'd never intentionally hurt you; I wish you'd trust me enough with your heart" He said looking disappointed at me
"Don't you get it Troy, You already have my heart and that is scaring me because I didn't give it you, you just came and you... you... you stole it!" I replied pointing at him as we both laughed
"Then lock me up! But I don't plan on giving it back any time soon" He whispered as he hugged me, "Stop feeling guilty about your mom, you promised you wouldn't date you didn't promise not to fall in love" He said as he hugged me tighter
"So lets fall in love, and if it makes you feel better I'll back off. No more one on one outings okay, we'll go out with the gang or something but no unofficial official dates yeah?" He said as I nodded once more and smiled knowing that his arms is where I belonged no matter how much I denied it. Like he said, my mom told me not to date she didn't mention anything about falling in love.
"Let's fall in love Bolton" I replied as we walked out of school together, his arm over my shoulder and my arm around his waist.
"So you still think I'm the most excellent person you've ever met?" I smirked looking up at him
Let's fall in love he said that day and that's all we've been doing since that day. It feels like I'm still falling right now as I wait for him to finish practice. He'd been true to his word, we didn't go out one on one anymore, we'd go out with Gabby and Chad or Zeke and Sharpay or if everyone was hanging out we'd be there too because we knew that was the only time we got together outside school. Of course he'd pick me up for school and drop me off and he'd come to church on Sundays but we were surrounded by lots of people there so it never really counted. When our friends we're out on their own one on one dates was the hardest because then we'd both be at home alone, wishing we were together and knowing we couldn't be. I often went to my mum's grave and talked to her about Troy, she would have liked him, a lot especially because he was going through all the trouble of waiting to help me honour my promise. Yeah, she would have like him.
Gabriella and Sharpay were currently talking about colleges and graduation which was in a couple of months, something I didn't particularly want to talk about.
"I can't believe we're going to be leaving high school soon!" Stated Gabby as she sighed, I knew she was really thinking about what would happen to her and Chad. Shar and Zeke were both attending U of A so they could stay together.
Gabriella and I were both going to Stanford to study Medicine for Gabby and Law for me, where as Troy and Chad both hadn't made up their minds where they would be going or even mentioned anything to either of us what Universities had given them offers.
"Guys can we please talk about something else like prom or something, I mean that's sooner than Graduation and we haven't even discussed what we're wearing and it's in a few weeks remember!" I said trying to change the depressing subject of change.
"I already got my dress girl remember! That trip to Paris over Christmas break, I got this fabulous Dior gown, it's just you two that need to sort that out" Sharpay smirking as filed her nails, that girl was something else
"Gee, thanks Shar" I said rolling my eyes "Gabby you wanna hit the mall this weekend, I mean it is in less than a month"
"Yeah I know, okay we'll do that... so are you and Troy going together?" she asked
"Well he hasn't asked me yet so I really don't know" I replied, I guess I'd just assumed we'd be going together but he hadn't actually asked me.
"Well now's your chance to find out" Shar said nodding at Troy who was coming our way with Zeke and Chad
"Find out what?" Chad asked as they sat down next to us
"Nothing, we were just discussing prom" Gabby quickly replied before glancing at me
"Oh yeah that like in a couple of weeks, shoot I completely forgot!" Chad said scratching his head as Gabby rolled her eyes
"Typical" She muttered
"Oh come on baby, you're not even a prom type of girl you said you didn't like it!" He protested
"SO! This is senior year Chad, of course I'm gonna go to prom, I just didn't go all the other years because I never had a date and Taylor always got asked by that creepy Jackson from Decathlon so we'd always say we were busy... that doesn't mean I don't like it Chad" She finished as she crossed her arms pouting
"Oh I'm sorry baby, okay so you like prom and now you have a date, how about I surprise tomorrow evening and ask you to prom properly yeah? Come on I won't have my girl miss her senior prom" He smirked as he pecked her cheek as she giggled and shook her head
"Oh yeah Taylor has Jackson asked you to prom yet?" Gabby giggled as she saw the look of fear go across my face
"Shut up Gabby! Actually he asked me if I was going to prom this year" I replied laughing
"what did you say?" Troy asked
"That I'd think about going this year but I wasn't sure" I replied looking at him, I could already see the scheming going on his head
"Why wouldn't you go?" He asked
"I have no date remember! Well there is always Jackson..." I teased hoping he'd take the bait
"Yep, there is always Jackson" He replied shrugging his shoulders
"Oh will you two give it a break and ask each other to prom already! Why does everything have to be so damn complicated with you guys!" Sharpay said throwing her arms up into the air.
"Well maybe we like complicated!" I replied glaring at her
"Whatever, Zeke lets go, it might be a while before these two finish this little flirt fest and I just don't have the time for this today" She huffed as she winked at me and strutted across the hall dragging a helpless Zeke with her.
Chad and Gabby were of course in their own world as usual and paid no attention to anyone else. I looked at Troy for a while taking in those pretty blue eyes of his, I never got tired of them.
"And what are you looking at?" He inquired as flicked my nose
"Nothing special"
"That's not something to say about you're prom date" He smirked
"I don't see Jackson around" I joked as we both laughed knowing that would never happen
"Quit playing Taylor"
"I'm not playing Troy" I replied getting up but not before watching his jaw drop, I gave Gabby a quick kiss on the cheek as I proceeded to leave school. Even for me being in school on a Friday night at five was a bit much.
"Tay, you were joking right" Troy said as we drove back to mine
"Is that your way of asking me to prom?" I said raising my eyebrow
"Oh! So now you want me to ask you to prom"
"I don't want you to if you don't want to" I huffed crossing my arms
"Sharpay was right you like everything to be complicated don't you!" He smirked knowing he was getting on my nerves
"Well if you did what normal boyfri... normal boys were supposed to do then things wouldn't have to be complicated!" I replied
"But we aren't a normal couple remember! Anyway just for your information I bought us prom tickets last week but I didn't get the chance to ask you yet" He laughed as he pulled up to my house
"And you nearly said I was your boyfriend" He teased
"I did not! And well thank you for the prom tickets I look forward to hearing you invite me to prom" I smirked trying not to laugh at myself as I proceeded to get out of the car as I heard him laugh at him. He had this annoying habit of doing this right when it came to us.
"Oh before I forget, I won't be hanging out with you guys until much later in the afternoon tomorrow, the homeless shelter needs some extra help for the lunch rush tomorrow" I said turning back to look at him
"Oh okay" He said disappointedly because he knew we hadn't been able to hung out for a while outside school, everyone had been busy doing their own little couple things the last few weekends so Troy and I hadn't been able to hung out together outside church and school, which I knew really hurt him.
"I'm sorry, I know we haven't seen each other in a while properly..." I pouted "But I'd feel bad if I got out of it, I haven't been in a while" I replied feeling bad for him
"It's okay Tay I know it's important to you, do you want me to come and pick you up?" He asked
"No it's okay Tye said he'd give me a ride there and back" I smiled "Besides I really don't know what time I'll be finished, I'll try to be back early I promise but you how hectic things get there" I could see his disappointment grow but there really was nothing I could do about it
"Tay it's just been a while since we hang out that's all but I guess I understand" He nodded as I smiled at him and mentally thanked him for being the most understanding almost boyfriend in the whole world.
"See you tomorrow" I smiled
I was waiting on Tye sporting one of Troy's jackets; I knew he'd smile when I saw him later on today, I still felt slightly bad for him but we catch up later I told myself as I pushed the thoughts to the back of my head.
Tye and I had arrived at the shelter and had been working for a couple of hours handing out food and making sandwiches, I'd talk to the people in the shelter especially the older lonely looking people because I knew one of the reasons they came here was because the streets were cold and lonely. They appreciated the company we gave them and Tye and I made a pretty good team out there. He had been a really good friend through everything this year, we'd met in church but we didn't go to the same school and I'm sure if we did we'd be closer than we were. I loved working at the shelter, it was just nice to give something back to those who had less than you and that's what I planned to do for the rest of my life, and the shelter was just the beginning. I would work in human rights law fighting for all the people who were less fortunate in third world countries. I looked up at the clock realising it was coming up to eight in the evening, I'd completely lost track of time talking to Ste one of the regulars at the shelter.
"Tye do you mind if we get going?" I asked
"Yeah sure, it's easy to lose track of time when you're here" He replied smiling
"Yeah I know right" We walked to his car
"So you're gonna be graduating soon" He smiled
"I know, don't remind me"
"Yeah I know I'm freaking out too!" He laughed "Do you know what college your going to?"
"standford with Gabby of course"
"You guys really are inseparable" He shook his head
"Yeah I know but what can we do!" I shrugged "So where you going?" I asked
"Stanford, studying Law" He replied smirking
"Shut up! So am I!" I shrieked
"Looks like you won't be getting rid of me either!" he winked
"Oh shoot I forgot to say I'm not going back to mine, I'm going to Troy's to hang out with some friends, you remember him, he's been coming to church with me and Gabby for a while" I said
"Oh yeah with Gabby's boyfriend right?" He asked
"Yeah, so if you just take a right here and it the third house the left" I said as he drove down the road I told him to, we pulled up to Troy's five minutes later.
"Thank you Tye, see you in Stanford" I said winking as we both got out of the car.
"See you tomorrow at church Tay" He said laughing a she pulled me into a long hug which I returned. I was until I'd watched him drive off that I realised neither Chad's nor Zeke's or Sharpay's cars were in the drive. They already left; I looked at my watch and saw it was half past eight, I cursed myself and nervously knocked on his door.
"Hey Mr. Bolton" I smiled as his Dad opened the door
"Oh hey Taylor, everyone's already left if you're looking for Gabby or Shar" he said as he stepped aside to let me in.
"Erm actually I was looking for Troy" I replied noting his shocked expression
"Oh right okay, he's been sulking since everyone left so watch out, his in his room" He replied as I nodded "It's the first one on the right" He said, I hadn't been to Troy's room before, we'd always hung out downstairs whenever the gang was over so this was going to be a first. I quickly made my way up the stairs and knocked on his door before pushing it open when I didn't hear a reply.
"Hey" I smiled as I saw him lying on his bed, he looked up and nodded. I sighed and took a seat in his computer chair opposite him as he sat up on his bed.
"Everyone's already gone" He said
"I know and I'm sorry I just got carried away, me and Tye were having a really good time and I completely forgot" I said
"About me" He replied looking hurt
"Not about you Troy" I said getting up and sitting on his bed taking his hand "It's just a different world up there and sometimes it's just nice to be there"
"Taylor I get that, I get that you love helping people, its one of the things I love most about you, but I just feel like I've been bending over backwards since 'we' begun to make sure I meet your needs. All I'm asking for is a bit of your time that's all" he sighed "Sometimes I just want to come first on your list of priorities"
"I know, I know and I do put you first whenever I can, look I put you first this morning when I woke up thinking about you and wearing your sweat shirt" I smiled hoping the conversation would take a different turn
"Tay I'm being serious" He smirked
" I know" I sighed "Tomorrow after church we could hung out... just me and you" I replied knowing that I was the one initiating the one on one even though we'd promised not to do that anymore but I know He'd only made that promise for my sake because I was feeling guilty. I just hope I don't start feeling guilty again and going all crazy Taylor on him again.
"Just me and you?" He asked "Tay I don't want you to do this if it'll take us back to dealing with crazy Taylor again"
"I know but I guess I can do this... for us" I smiled as he pulled me into a hug
"I really lo... like you" Troy said laughing, we couldn't say the big 'L' word until we were officially together
"I really like you too" I whispered as he begun to let me go from the hug "No, don't un-hug me yet" I protested as he laughed as he held me closer to him pulling us both down onto the bed so we could lay side by side. I snuggled closer into his embrace and it dawned on me that I hadn't been the best girlfriend... no almost girlfriend in the world, I had to do something to make it up to my caring almost boyfriend.