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 six

October 10th, 2009

"I think rebound means grabbing the ball after one misses the shot," I declare.

"Really? I think it means to grab the ball before the other player does," Gabriella replies.

We are currently in her living room, watching a basketball game on T.V. trying to figure out the rules like we had planned. Evidently, I've made the team.

"Oh yeah? Well I think it means both!" I jokingly argue.

"Whatever," my girlfriend rolls her eyes.

The ball rolls off the court and the whistle is blown. One of the player on the other team grabs the ball and stands behind the line, waiting for his teammates to get in place.

"See, I still don't get that," Gabriella remarks. "Why do they all get in line? And why do they only separate themselves once the guy who has the ball, smacks it?"

"I think it's a form of game strategy," I answer. "'Cause look, as soon as the guy 'smacks the ball' they all separate quickly and take their positions trying to get the ball."

"Gee, this game's complicated! And to think you're gonna have to memorize all the rules and know them by heart."

I smile at her cute expression.

"You really are amazing Gabriella Montez," I declare looking into her eyes. "I don't know many girls who would actually sit with their boyfriends as they try to figure out how to play a sport."

"Well, what can I say? With all the screw ups in the world, God had to make it up by creating a perfect being," she jokes.

"I see someone's ego's a little inflated tonight," I say.

"It's your fault," she shrugs. "You're the one who keeps on complimenting me."

I roll my eyes and messes up her hair.

"Hey!" she protests smacking my hand away.

"What's wrong babe? I was just trying to feel your big head," I grin.

"Shut up."

October 13th, 2009

My hands roam over her tan stomach as she passes her fingers through my short hair. I continue my way up until I reach her bra and separate from her mouth to take her shirt off.

"Someone's eager today," she grins teasingly.

Damn, she looks hot just lying there in her navy bra, on my bed. My jeans are too tight; they have been ever since we started making-out actually.

"I'm always eager when it comes to you," I state, before leaning down again to attach our lips.

My hands caresses her back, her waist and touches her breasts through the fabric. I pull away to start kissing her neck, making her moan in pleasure.

"Oh God, that feels so good," she declares, massaging the nape of my neck in slow tantalizing manner.

I taste the curve of her breast, making her gasp. She grabs my hair before pulling me up, to attach our lips. Her hands slip under my shirt onto my back and she takes it off before bringing me close to her again. I expertly unhook her bra, something that used to be oh so hard before and cupped her soft breasts.

"Troy? Are you home?"

I pull away as I heard my mom's voice echoing through our home. Oh no.

"Um yeah, in my room," I answer, trying not to sound as breathless as I am.

We fumble with our shirts, trying to cover ourselves up and I go sit behind my desk, where my unfinished homework lays. Because that's really what we have been doing. That is, before we got carried away. The door opens, and my mom peeks her head in.

"Oh hey Gabriella," she greets, to my girlfriend who is sitting cross-legged on my bed, her own homework in front of her.

"Hi, Mrs. Bolton," she answers.

She sounds so innocent. I have to stop myself to smirk because what we had been doing was far from innocent.

"Do you want anything mom? Me and Gab have homework to do," I declare.

"Are you staying over for dinner Gabriella?"

"Yeah, that is if you don't mind."

"You know, I never do. You make my son so happy, you know."

I blush.

"Mom!" I hiss.

"Alright, alright I'll leave you two now."

She goes away, leaving the door wide open.

"Yeah, I make you happy in more ways than one," Gabriella whispers, a twinkle in her eyes.

"I believe you were enjoying it too, Ms. Montez," I wiggle my eyebrows.

"Shut up," she giggles.

Some people might think that me and Gabriella have done the whole thing, but truth is, even if I want to have sex with her every time I see her, I know we're both not ready for this yet. We're only at second base after all and I am determined not to skip any bases.

But I know I'll lose my virginity with her. I won't have it otherwise.

October 15th, 2009

I'm starting to get entangles into my secrets. Secrets, as in things I didn't tell my girlfriend. Before yesterday she never knew I was spending lunch playing soccer with the popular guys and she wouldn't have if she and the other girls hadn't come out during lunch to watch us play. Needless to say so, it was pretty awkward when I came face to face with her on the field. But before she could've asked me, the bell rang. And I didn't see her for the whole day.

Today, I meet up with her and she looks at me differently. There's just something different in her eyes. The spark that I usually see is missing.

"Hey," I greet bending down to kiss her.

She just turns her cheek and I end up kissing it instead. I am hurt. This never happened before.

"What's wrong, pretty girl?" I inquire, cupping her face.

"Nothing," Gabriella answers pulling away from my touch.

Now, something really is wrong.

"Gab…"

"Hey lovebirds!" Sharpay interrupts, coming over to us.

I sigh, annoyed. This is bad baadd timing.

"Hey, Shar," Gabriella greets, trying to muster up a smile.

"I need your help," the blonde declares. "As you know, in December there's a talent show going on and yesterday we had the auditions, only to come to the conclusion that we need more performers."

"Since when are you involved in the theatre department?" I question.

"Since they told me I had the qualities required to become a great actress and made me their president."

I roll my eyes.

"You know, it's just because you're the most popular girl in the school that you're president right?" I say drily.

"Oh, trust me, I know. But still, it feels great to be president of something. Anyways, if you guys join, I'm sure most of the students will show up."

"What do you want us to do?" Gabriella asks, confusedly.

"Sing of course!"

I groan.

"Gab, you have a great voice and Troy, well, I bet you too. So please guys, come on," she pouts.

From the corner of her eyes, I see her looking at me expectedly and I know she knows I still owe her something for the soccer thing.

"Oh, I don't know, Shar, Troy and I don't really feel at ease on stage," Gabriella declares, looking at me sideways.

"No, you can count on me Sharpay," I reply.

"Ah, thank you Troy."

I nod and she walks away. I turn toward my girl to see her looking down and I'm pretty sure I see her bottom lip quivering.

"I... I thought you said you had stage fright," she says miserably.

"Well, yeah. But she's our friend and I want to help," I answer trying to catch her eye. "Gabriella, what's wrong?"

"I'm gonna go to class," she declares, without even casting me a glance.

"Wait," I say, grabbing her elbow. "Gabriella, you're starting to scare me, please tell me what's wrong."

"I'll see ya later Troy."

She took her arm away from my grip and walks away. Leaving me confuse as hell.

The day went on and I didn't see Gabriella since this morning. I don't know what's wrong with her, but it is seriously worrying me. Which is why I corner Sharpay at the end of the day, in the girls' bathroom.

"You know, this is the girl's toilet right?" Sharpay questions drily.

"I need to know, Sharpay. Please tell me what's wrong with my girlfriend," I plead, ignoring her.

"Honestly, I don't know. I haven't had much luck getting it out of her either. All I know is that she's been depressed all day."

Luckily for me, there aren't any other girls in the washroom.

"Not even the tiniest of ideas?"

I'm desperate for even a hint of something.

"Troy, have you told her about Chad?" I'm confused by this question but shake my head in negative. "Have you told her anything close to what you told me last week in the music room?" I shake my head again and she sighs. "Troy!"

"What? It never came up, that's all," I defend.

I hear the sound of the bathroom door being open and I rush in the 'out of order' toilet to hide.

"Shar, are you there?" my girl's voice is heard.

"Yeah."

I hear her footsteps nearing.

"Are we alone?"

"Do you see anyone else?"

"I guess not."

"What's wrong girlie?" Sharpay asks softly. "You've been down all day."

"I… think Troy is hiding something from me."

My breath catches in my throat.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't know, I mean. First there's the fact that he punched someone a few weeks ago and never told me who it was. Then there's the soccer thing which I discovered by Brent that this has been going on for weeks now. I know that I shouldn't get upset by this; I mean he's entitled to have his own life, but it's just that, he never mentioned it to me. Not once. And, during the summer he told me he had stage fright and would never get up in front of a crowd of people and all of a sudden, he… he just changes his mind. I mean, this doesn't sound right."

"Well, you gotta admit that because of Kelsi, you both changed a lot."

"I've lay off trying to push him into talking to me, figuring that he would tell me when he would be ready, but as time passes by, I'm starting to lose hope. Shar, I'm losing him and I don't know what to do."

I'm such an ass. It just breaks my heart to hear her sound so miserable.

"You know, I tried to bring it up two days ago at his house, and then he just kissed me. And I got so caught up into the kiss that I, uh, kind of forgot. Anyway, all I'm trying to say is, he knows I'm suspecting something and is ready to use sneaky tricks to distract me."

"He may be having a hard time right now. But, Gab, that guy's in love with you. Head over heels; he would do anything to make you happy."

"Maybe he does, but he sure doesn't trust me."

"Gab…"

"No, really, it's fine. I just… I have to go; I'm going to Troy's tonight. Maybe he'll talk to me then."

"Gabi, when he decides to tell you, and I know he will, just hear him out alright?"

"Don't worry, at this point, I'm ready to take anything he's willing to give me."

I wince. This is a punch in the guts. When the door closes behind her, I come out.

"You need to talk to her Troy. You're losing her," Sharpay states drily.

As if I don't already know that.

"I know, I'm gonna tell her everything today," I answer, my throat still tight.

She nods and I leave to catch my bus. Luckily I get on just in time, because as soon as I get on, it leaves. I try to spot my girl and see her sitting in the last bench, looking out the window. I make my way toward her and when I'm beside her I bring her close. It is only then, that she acknowledges me. I lean in and kiss her on the lips. Thankfully, she doesn't push me away and even interlaces our fingers.

"I missed you today," I declare sincerely, resting my forehead against hers.

"Me too," Gabriella answers. "I'm glad I'm going home with you though."

"Yeah, about that, I think we need to talk."

I see something flash into her eyes. Hurt? Pain? Sadness? Nervousness? I don't really know, but whatever it is, I want it gone.

"Now?" she chokes out, taking her hand out of mine.

"No, at my house," I clarify.

She nods and turns away from me. This bus ride can't possibly last longer. When we're finally there, we get out and the walk to my house is made in silence. I would glance at her often, worried, but she wouldn't look at me, just keeping her eyes firmly on the ground. So when we're finally there, I'm relieved. I finally have the chance to explain my behaviour toward her. I open the door and she enters shoulders plumps.

"Now, we can finally talk," I say, once we are in my room.

"Can I call my dad first? So that, as soon as you're done with me, I won't have to stand in your house too long," she inquires, still looking down.

"Wait what?" I'm lost.

"You're breaking up with me aren't you? That's what you've been hiding from me for weeks huh? You don't love me anymore, right? Don't even try to deny it, I've realised."

Tears are running down her face now. I step closer and crush her against my chest, not letting go, even as she tries to push me off. Eventually she gives up, and let herself fall against me.

"I'm not breaking up with you Gabriella," I whisper. "I don't even know where that idea came from seriously. Gab, you're the best thing in my life right now and I would never want to lose you, ever. You should know this by now," I declare, stroking her hair gently.

"Then, why don't you talk to me? Why are you hiding stuff from me?"

Now, she's trying to push me again, but I just hold her tighter.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm going to come clean with you, so there are no more secrets between us," I state. "Now, dry your eyes, beautiful. I love you."

She looks up with her eyes still watery and I kiss her forehead.

"You have no idea how scared I was when you said that to me in the bus."

"What?"

"The 'we need to talk' thing. Gosh, Troy that's what people says right before breaking up with someone."

Oh. That's what caused her to become so down. I'm so dumb.

"I'm sorry, it never even occurred to me that it might sound that way," I chuckle.

"Not funny," she pouts, pushing me away and I stumble back, still laughing.

I'm relieved.

"Although, we do need to talk, just not that kind of talk," I say, becoming serious again.

"Well, it can't be as bad considering you're not breaking up with me."

I smile and sit down on my bed, with her following suit.

"Well, I could say that this all started when I punched a guy, but really, it started in the very first day of the school year. Chad and the guys were always saying mean stuff about you, for whatever reason and then at the skatepark, I ended up punching Chad because he talked about you as if you were just a sex object. Yeah, that's right; the person I punched was my best friend."

I then proceeded to tell her everything from Sharpay finding me, our conversation about me being a loser in the music room, her introducing me to the guys that lunch and how I owed her. Through it all, she just kept silent and listened to me, carefully.

"Why didn't tell me any of this before? I would've understood," she inquires.

"I knew you would've. But I just didn't really want you to know you're boyfriend was a loser and wanted to become okay before telling you, because, I guess I didn't feel worthy of you."

"So, basically, you feel like you're unworthy because of me?"

"No, not because of you, but unworthy to be with you."

"That means the exact same thing!"

"Gabriella, I've got people to hang out with now, I came clean with you and things are alright."

"Do you still feel like I'm better than you?"

"Well, yeah."

"Do you, because of me, feel like a loser?"

"Well, yeah, but that's just because you're too awesome."

I have a feeling she's aiming toward something specific when she asks me those questions and whatever that is, it's starting to scare me.

"Troy…" she starts, her voice quivering. "I think we should breakup."

"Wait, what? I came clean with you, I thought that's what you wanted," I reply, as lost as ever.

"This relationship puts you down more than up. Because of me, your self-esteem is low. So low, you feel the need to lie to me so I don't see it," her eyes are becoming teary again.

"Gabriella, I'm sorry for hiding stuff from you, but please don't break up with me," I plead.

"I love you, but I'm not good to you," she declares, turning around to walk away, tears streaming down her face.

I catch her elbow.

"Please, don't do this to me, to us."

"I'm doing it for you."

I release her, in shock by the intensity of her revelation. My heart breaks as I hear the front door close behind her.

- HSM -

…Is anyone still reading this story? If yes, then I'm really sorry for not updating sooner, but I've got school and some other ideas for other stories.

Also, gosh, this is embarrassing, but should I change this story to M-rated? Like should I include, hum, graphic scenes?