The Gardener

Summary: During that transitional summer from freshman year to sophomore, Troy took the job of gardener to be able to work with long time crush Gabriella. He expected a nice tan, bulging muscles and cash but that's not all he received. Coming back to school, after that disastrous summer how can he pretend nothing has changed when everything had?

Chapter five

July 11th, 2009

It's finally my day off! I plan on sleeping until noon and just staying in my boxers playing X-box all day. Unfortunately my plan of sleeping in is interrupted when my phone starts to ring obnoxiously loud. Groaning, I grab my cell phone and brings it to my ear. Without even bothering to check the caller ID I yawn, groggily:

"Hello?"

"Troy? Is that you?" a hesitant voice is heard.

Immediately I jerk up, recognising her voice, no longer tired.

"Oh Gabriella, hi!" I cringe realising I sound as eager as a little kid on Christmas.

"Did I wake you up?" she inquires, curiously.

"Yeah, but it's alright. I had to wake up at one point right?" I say, lightly.

After that first encounter Monday, like planned we went to McDonalds and I was pleasantly surprised to see her order a Big Mac instead of a salad. We talked for two hours in that greasy restaurant and it was great. Yes, at first it was kind of awkward, but as the night progressed, it became really easy to make conversation with her. The days that followed I would make a point to go work in her backyard, even if I didn't have to (I have other neighbourhoods to do, after all), she would come join me, lounging beside the pool or in it, depending on the days and we would talk some more.

"I'm so sorry," Gabriella states, sheepishly. "But I just wanted to know, are you doing anything today?"

"Nah," I lie. "Nothing important, anyway."

"Do you want to hang out? I mean, like going somewhere?" she asks.

"With you?" I make sure, not exactly believing that she would want to hang out with me.

"Well yeah, but if you'd rather not, then," she starts in an incredulous tone.

"No! I want to hang out with you, I mean just being in your presence during work is awesome and talking to you is like a dream and you're amazing," I ramble but interrupted myself upon hearing her giggle. "Yeah, I want to hang out with you," I declare, sheepishly.

"Alright then, come by my house whenever you can okay? Oh and bring your swim trunks."

"Okay, see ya there."

"Yep." And she hungs up.

"Yesss!" I yell out once I had closed my cell phone, pumping my fist in the air.

I am extremely happy; never would I have thought that she would want to hang out with me outside of my work. I quickly get in the shower, brush my teeth, put on my black and gray swim trunk that kind of looks like real shorts with a graphic white tee and my gray beanie and I'm good to go. Since my mom is out, I don't have any other choice than to ride my skateboard. In 5th grade, the guys and I used to hang out with Jason's older brother and he taught us how to ride one. I know it might take longer to go to her house that way, but at least it's a beautiful day.

"Hey Troy!"

I set my converse clad right foot down on the pavement to stop. I smile as I see my old Coach coming my way but frown a little when I realise he is using a cane.

"Hey Coach Rivers, how are you?" I ask, taking off my beanie to wipe my forehead.

"I'm good, well as good as it gets with a can that is," Coach replies, grinning. "The only thing that bothers me though is that I unfortunately can't coach the little league baseball this summer."

My stomach churns. A summer without a little league baseball? Shit, I used to dream all year long about summer just because I would be playing. My left hand in my beige mit, running through the bases with everybody cheering while I did so, diving in the dust-fill field to score… that is my childhood.

"Ah man, that sucks, little league baseball is my best childhood memory," I declare, sincerely.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," he states.

I wait patiently, knowing what was coming.

"Troy, you've always been my best player and I always thought you could make it big if you would've continued," he starts.

"I could've but ever since I broke my arm, I never really thought of getting back into it," I admit.

"Have you ever considered going back to the field as a coach?" he questions.

My eyes widen. I was so not waiting for that.

"Um, me?"

"Yes, you. Like I said, you've always been a good leader and a hell of a good player but most of all, I always saw you helping out your new teammates. You may not think it, but you would be perfect for the job," he elaborates.

I ponder about it. Would I really be a good coach? It's one thing to help out teammates, it's another to Coach an entire team.

"I… I can give it a try," I say slowly.

Coach Rivers smiles and with his right hand slaps me on the shoulder, pleased.

"I knew I could count on you Troy, how much do you want each weeks? 10 bucks, 15?"

"Ehm what?"

"Well, you didn't really think I would drag you into this coaching business without paying you now did you?"

"Coach, I am not going to let you pay me to take over little league!" I protest.

Since little league is for anyone who wants to participate, it is therefore free which means the Coach don't usually gets paid.

"It's going to be 2 days a week plus a tournament on Sunday," he continues. "Come by my house when you're not busy and I'll give you all the details," he said starting to walk back. "Oh and by the way, 5 bucks is my last offer, so you can't argue!"

"Will do, Coach!" I say back, knowing I can't convince him otherwise.

My eyes widen as I realise something. I'm late for Gabriella! I immediately place my beanie back on my head, jump on my skateboard and hurriedly make my way to her house. I know, we never established a specific hour, but still. I go straight through stop signs and one red light when finally, I'm there. Panting slightly, with my skateboard under my arm, I ring the doorbell. Seconds later the door opens.

"Oh hello Troy, didn't think you were working today," Mr. Montez greets.

"Um hi Mr. Montez, I uh." Shit, what am I supposed to say? What if she doesn't want her father to know about us hanging out?

"Dad, it's okay, he's here for me," Gabriella declares, appearing at the doorframe.

My saviour! As per usual she looks extremely beautiful with a simple tank top and short shorts that shows off her amazing toned legs. Her hair is up in a high ponytail showing off even more of her tanned flawless skin. I licked my now dry lips. Damn, what I would give to kiss that skin.

"Ah, I didn't know you were hanging out with this pest, Troy," Mr. Montez remarks to me, lightly.

"Oh hush up," his daughter retorts elbowing her father.

My client only laughs before going back inside, leaving us.

"Anyways, hey," she grins softly.

"Hey," I say back.

She places a hand on my chest to push me away a little before coming out herself. My heart still skips a beat whenever we touch. Even if the whole week physical contact has been usual, I don't think I'll ever stop feeling like this.

"So, I was thinking we could go to the beach or something," she suggests. "It's a beautiful day out and I haven't been since like last year, that is if you don't mind of course."

"I'd love to, I haven't been there since a long time," I admit.

"Awesome," she grins.

She goes to ask her dad to drive us to the beach in his BMW. I am incredibly stunned, even if it's an old people's car. Once we are there, we take out the towels and made our way to the salty water. As soon as it comes in view, I realise that I know most of the faces there. I shyly let Gabriella get in front of me, as I discover they are all popular people.

"Gabi!"

"Shar!" she exclaims enthusiastically, dropping her stuff on the ground as the blonde hugs her forcefully.

"I missed you!" Sharpay squeals.

"Me too."

"Gabriella!" another girl yells, running full force to tackle both of them.

"Hey Tay," my friend replies before pulling away. She slips her arm around my bicep and says: "By the way guys, this is Troy, if you haven't recognised him."

I feel myself blushing as I feel everyone's eyes on me.

"Damn Troy is that you?" Sharpay inquires, lifting her sunglasses so she could inspect me better. "Where'd you get those muscles?" she asks motioning to my arms.

"Gardening," I say plainly, mocking the fact that she has laughed at me because of it two weeks ago.

"Is that your date Gab?" a guy named Todd asks from where he is sitting.

"Yep," she answers hesitantly, looking at me to gauge my reaction.

As soon as she confirms it, everybody greeted me properly.

"I hope you don't mind," she says sheepishly, as we are making our way to put our stuff beside her best friend.

"Mind what?" I ask confusedly.

"That I told them you were my date. I kind of didn't want to tell you in case you might not want to go with me anymore."

I smile; she's so cute when she's nervous. And damn, they can call me her date any day!

"Nah, I don't mind don't worry. It's an honour for me to be your date. Lots of guys would kill to be in my place right now," I say faking cockiness, making her laugh.

"I'm glad, you feel that way," she teases.

And then, my breath caught in my throat. She takes off her tank top revealing her black and pink bikini top along with her toned stomach. Just the sight of her nice breasts and her belly button ring makes me drool in delight. Damn she's so hot. She then proceeds to take off her short shorts, revealing a matching bottom and it was just too much. I look down and discover in horror that I have a hard-on. Shit. I take off my shirt in an instant before dashing to the Ocean before she saw it too. Once I'm in the cool water, I feel myself become normal again.

"Hey not cool, you didn't even wait for me," Gabriella whines before jumping on my back, making me stumble a little at the surprise.

"I'm sorry, you were just taking too long," I lie, trying to forget the fact that her breasts are currently pressed against my back.

Damn her and her hot bod that makes me go crazy.

"Or is it because you didn't want the world to see that little Troy was making an appearance?" she says in my ear, before jumping down.

I freeze and felt my stomach drop.

"Um. Uh what?" I stammer, swallowing harshly, avoiding her gaze.

She just starts to laugh really hard.

"I just saw for a little bit, but like as soon as I realised it was there, you ran to the water," she declares.

"I'm so sorry," I mumble, feeling incredibly warm.

"Meh, you're a guy I can't really blame you for getting turned on at the sight of a girl's half-naked body," she shrugs.

I still wouldn't look at her eyes, this is too embarrassing.

"Snap out of it!" she exclaims before pushing me, making me fall into the water.

"Hey!" I protest, getting up quickly, spiting water.

She just giggles and when she realised I was going to give her the same treatment, she starts to run away.

"Come back here you little demon!" I yell.

We start to zigzag through the other people who are in the water also before I finally catch up with her. She splashes water at me, trying to distract me but it didn't work because I manage to get my hands on her anyway.

"Don't do it Bolton," she says.

I have my arms around her waist and am holding her against me so she couldn't move. The water is at our knees, so we aren't that deep.

"Oh and why shouldn't I again?"

She just tries to push me off, laughing in the process but I succeed to throw her in the water.

"You suck," she declares, emerging, dripping wet.

"Thank you," I say simply.

"Well aren't you going to help me up?" she questions.

I roll my eyes, but lend her a hand anyways. She takes it… before pulling it forcefully, making me fall in the water too.

"You fell for it!" she squeals. "The oldest trick in the book and you fell for it!"

I just raise an eyebrow at her, unimpressed. She is such a kid sometimes which just makes her even more adorable.

"Yo, lovebirds! Wanna play beach volley?" hollers a kid named Jake.

That guy is a junior and has serious muscles. As do all the other guys on this beach. I don't get why Gabriella is with me.

"What do you say?" she asks, looking at me.

"Why not?" I shrug.

She smiles at me and helps me getting up before we start to make our way out of the water where a net is laid out and numerous people are already getting ready to play.

"Let's divide the cute couple, yeah?" Hugh suggests, checking out Gabriella as we got nearer.

"Sure, but Gabs on our team," Jake replies.

"Alright, come here little guy," the other team captain says motioning to me.

I go over to them, grudgingly. I wanted to be on Ella's team.

"So how long have you and Gabi been dating?" Brent inquires as I stood beside him.

"Oh, we're not," I start.

"Oh sorry, how long have you been fucking?" he corrects, smirking widely.

"Don't listen to him, he's just being an ass 'cause he went out with her and she didn't want to sleep with him," a guy stepped in. "By the way, my name's Mike."

"I'm Troy," I state smiling at him gratefully.

"Hey, I was just making a joke, no sweat man, I'm over that whole thing with Gab anyway," Brent declares.

"Are we gonna start this game or what?" Jake shouts from the other side.

Getting in position, I watch as the people from the other team were trying to distract Mike who was trying to serve by dancing and singing wildly. It was actually a pretty funny sight to see. As the ball was exchanged from the two sides of net, I found myself having the most fun I've had in a lonnnggg time. It was relaxed, it was chill, whenever we would score, our team would do this kind of cheer dance/Macarena and sing 'Beat it' by Michael Jackson. The guys on my team are cool, I wouldn't mind hanging with them sometimes.

"Got it!" Gabriella yells, diving for the ball and successfully threw it over the net.

"T, it's yours!" Hugh screams.

I try to run forward and hit it before it could hit the ground, but I was too late. Gabriella's team was shaking their hips in circular motion while singing YMCA (their cheer). I pick up the ball and expected to turn around to face glares coming from my teammates, but instead I see raised eyebrows.

"Not cool dude, not cool," Tyler declares. "Letting the ball hit the ground to impress the chick, dude, not cool."

"True, but I would've done the same," Brent admits bluntly.

I'm starting to realize that I have absolutely no reason to be intimidated by those guys. They're chill and the only thing that differs from my gang to theirs is the fact that they are incredibly built.

Sorry for the long wait. Hopefully you guys are still with me.

Tell me what you thought of this chapter (or story in general).