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?
Author's note: Thanks for everyone who reviewed last chapter. 8 reviews for one chapter is just amazing. I decided to keep the rating to T, until M-rated scenes will be introduced (which shouldn't be too long).
Chapter seven
July 22nd 2009
"Uh hi my name's Troy and I'll be your coach this season," I introduce myself.
All the little kids in front of me just turn their heads to stare at me as if I was an alien. To them I probably am. I mean they can clearly see that I'm not Coach Rivers. But seriously, I'm starting to get freaked out by their frowning faces and silent stares. I turn toward the bleachers and send Gabriella a puzzled look. I'm glad she had wanted to come with me for my first Coaching session. She shrugs confused also.
"When are we playing?" asks one of the kids, making me sigh in relief to know that that's what they were waiting for.
Of course, I should've known. I may have been in little league for years when I was younger, but doesn't mean I necessarily remember what happened first day of practice.
"Yeah, I want to play!" they all start chanting.
"And you will, after practicing a little bit. I mean, last summer is pretty far from now," I smile.
"But, I want to play now!" that same kid whines, making all the others join him.
"Tell you what, the faster you'll finish the warm-ups, the faster and longer we can start playing alright?" Gabriella sends me a thumbs-up, indicating I am doing a good job and I feel more confident. "So, first, I want you guys to run one lap around the field and then you'll come in a circle okay?"
They all nod and ran around. I smile, feeling more relaxed. I walk toward the bleachers where my crush is.
"So what do you think? Am I little league coach material?" I ask the brunette.
"Definitely," Gabriella nods. "Coach Bolton," she adds, ruffling my hair.
I smile and watch as the first few kids ended their laps, panting slightly.
"So do ya want to go grab an ice cream after?" I inquire.
"'Can't. I promised Mr. Nielson I would babysit his daughter at 1," she answers.
"I didn't know you were babysitting," I declare.
Not once in our multiple conversations had she ever mentioned this.
"I'm not usually. This time around, the old Nielson just barged in our home and 'requested' that I were to babysit his kid," she explains, not sounding all that happy.
"Is he paying you at least?"
"He said he will," she shrugs.
"Good," I reply.
I smile to her one last time before making my way toward my little group who were now all done running. I've made a deal with my gardening boss and asked him if I could start working in the afternoon on Wednesdays so I could coach little league. He accepted. Last week me and Gab posted fliers all over town to promote it and now, here I am, Coach of 25 kids between the ages of 5 and 8. Another guy is coaching the other age ranges. Coach Rivers thought I could start off by coaching the youngest.
"So I guess I'll start off by explaining the rules to those who weren't here last year," I start, taking advantage of their slightly out-of-breath condition.
I briefly told them the important rules, but soon I realized most weren't listening to me. They were kids after all; you couldn't hold their attentions for more than 5 minutes. I figured we'd start a friendly game and I'd go over the rules then.
"Can I have all of those who have been here last summer?" I ask.
They all stare at me blankly. This is harder than I thought. I spot a kid who looks to be about 7 and say:
"You, with the red shirt, what's your name?"
He looks surprised, but nonetheless answers 'Matty'.
"Is this your first time here?" I continue, more gently this time.
I don't want them to be scared of me after all. Matty shakes his head. I sigh in relief; I'm not completely oblivious, after all.
"Can you come here Matty?"
He immediately stands up and scurries over to where I'm standing. I ask him if he recognizes anybody from his team last year. With hesitation, he points to some other kids. They in turn, point out other of their former teammates and soon I have over a dozen kids beside me.
"See, those guys beside me?" I say to the little ones still on the ground. "When we're gonna start playing, I want you to watch what they do and learn from them okay?"
They nod shyly. I instruct them to start in the field and the experienced ones to the bat. So far, it's not too bad.
"You did so great today," Gabriella declares, once practice is over.
We are currently walking out the baseball field toward the ice cream parlour. I made the practice end earlier today because after 30 minutes of intense playing, my little ones could barely stand on their legs. Luckily most parents had arrived early, wanting to watch their children on their first day.
"Thanks, I'm really exhausted though," I respond. "Sucks that I still have gardening to do."
"Also sucks that you won't see me in my bikini today," she grins, making me laugh.
Oh, she doesn't know how bummed I really am about that.
"What makes you think you're the only half-naked girl I see during my shift?" I retort, trying to hide my smirk.
I chuckle when her mouth drops.
"No way. Who else Troy? Who else do you have the pleasure to ogle at?" Gabriella asks, grabbing my arm making me stop walking.
"Oh, just this tall blonde with big assets and her friends," I shrug, casually attempting to continue walking.
I laugh when she pulls on my arm again.
"Anything else you wanna know Gabriella?" I say, amusedly.
"Uh yeah! Did you do stuff with them?"
"Well, I mean, I talk to them and they sometimes tap my butt and stuff."
By now she is shell-shocked and speechless.
"B-Buut wha? Hein?" she stuttered.
"Oh, have I mentioned they often say I look like their grandson?"
She looks even more confused.
"Oh, and the youngest is like 70 years old?" I add, grinning big time.
I start laughing really loudly when she just hit my arm.
"You jerk, I thought you were serious!" Gabriella huffs, as we start to walk again.
"Don't worry, you're the only hot one on my shift Gabi," I assure her, making her roll her eyes.
"I don't get why you even took this gardening job if I'm the only 'hot' one," she mumbles.
I stay silent, pretending not to have heard her. She doesn't need to know I took this job because of her.
"Last one there pays," Gabriella says suddenly, dashing away quickly.
"Huh?" I ask confusedly.
That little demon. I take off after her.
"You're not playing fair Montez!" I yell after her, quickly catching up.
She looks over her shoulder and squeals, running faster. I was just about 5 feet from her when she got to the counter. I don't have enough time to break and crash right into her. She gasps as her back hits the counter harshly, my body against hers.
"Oh my Gosh Gabi, I'm so sorry," I say, pulling away, letting her space.
She winces in pain as she steps away from the hard wooden counter and into my arms.
"I'm sorry," I whisper against her hair, caressing her surely throbbing back.
"This is just like a movie."
We break away. And acknowledge the girl working at the ice cream parlour for the first time. She looks star struck. I keep an arm around my girl and pay for our ice creams. I do owe that to her after all.
"You guys are the most attractive couple I've seen in a long while," the girl working at the counter, whose name tag says Chantal, declares.
"Uh, thanks?" I say confusedly taking the two ice cream cones from her.
Gabriella having gone to sit at one of the table, I'm currently alone to face the overly emotional worker.
"No, I mean really. Your girlfriend's absolutely smoking, as in I'd go lesbian for her any day. And you are like one of the hottest guys I've ever seen."
I blush. Even if the girl's brain is probably affected by the heat, it is still flattering.
"Plus, you guys are the cutest thing ever," Chantal continues to gush.
"Well, thanks for the uh, ice creams. Uh, have a good day," I reply quickly before making my way toward my friend.
"What's wrong? You look like you've encountered the Boogeyman or something," Gabriella remarks, taking her ice cream.
"No, not the boogeyman but close. That girl working at the counter really freaked me out," I answer sitting beside her.
"Why? 'Cause she was constantly checking you out?" she says casually.
"Was she?"
"And drooling too," she nods, licking her strawberry flavoured ice cream.
I watch, mesmerized. Goddamn how can she make something as innocent as eating ice cream look so hot? I just feel like ripping her clothes off right there.
"Hello? Earth to Troy," she says, waving a hand in my face. "Your ice cream's melting."
Oh shit. I quickly lick the cone, trying to prevent it from going on my hand. Her giggles filling my ears.
"She said she'd go lesbian for you any day, you know," I state once I'm done.
"Did she?" Gabriella inquires, cocking an eyebrow.
"Yup. If you ask me, I think the heat burned off some of her brain cells," I reply.
"Why? You don't think I'm hot enough to make a girl want to change team?"
"No! That's not what I mean. You're really really sexy Gabi, don't think otherwise. Even if I were gay, I'd turn straight for you, you know. Even if I'd be a, uh, whale I'd still want to jump your…" I interrupt myself, blushing madly.
Gosh, what have I done? Luckily for me she just started to laugh really loudly.
"Oh God, you're so cute!" she says, once she calmed down.
I just rub the back of my neck, still very much embarrassed.
"It's definite; I never ever want you out of my life. Ever, you hear me Troy Bolton?" she declares, trying to look bossy, but failing miserably.
"As long as you'll want me, I'm yours," I say shyly.
"Ha, then sorry my dear, but you're stuck with me forever!" she exclaims.
I grin at her cute expression. This doesn't sound bad at all.
-HSM-
Next flashback Kelsi will finally be introduced. Hopefully this chapter didn't bore you guys.
Reviews would be much appreciated.