Chapter 5

Special

Recap

"Troy you might not be admitting it but, your action is clearly stating that you really like her." Brandon laid out with a chuckle.

"I know you too well for you to even deny…" Brandon continued as he started to dig up a hole next to Troy's symbol and buried his own. Troy stared at him, wondering of his intentions for doing what he did.

"There we go…" Brandon concluded, as he rid of the dirt in his hands.

"Thank you." Troy said which caught Brandon by surprise. However, what really got his attention and left him doubting the decision that he just made, was when Troy announced his strong willed choice to continue liking Gabi.

"Thanks Bran but, I just want you to know that I'll gladly take your offer. And maybe even if you didn't come, I still would have never given up." Troy stated, followed by a friendly hit on Brandon's shoulder which grew into a small fight that released the tension and pressure between the two. They chuckled away from their friendly exchange of punches.

"Why don't we go back to the party?" Brandon offered.

"You go… and just send my greetings to her." Troy decided.

End of recap

-yrs later-

"I thought you will never come!" Gabi invited Troy in the community hall where she held her 18th birthday party along with everyone she ever know, which were practically the whole town. She lived up to her name as being the friendliest person in their community.

"You have no excuse for being late! Remember you still owe me one birthday party. Don't think that I forgot already. But for the record, I still have that baby blue doll house that you specially built for me," she reminded him, followed by a wink, as they started toward the table. Gabi held a secretive smile on her face as she was relieved that he came. "Ohh Troy… you sure are full of surprises," she thought.

"So how are you enjoying your most awaited debut? After all it has been the talk of the week… surely it must become a night for you to remember," Troy teased.

"I'm really happy Troy, beyond words, I'm so thankful of everyone, especially you…" Gabi paused and blushed when she realised what she just said. "Well… you know… because you came!" she said nervously. "You don't understand how worried I was every time you teases me that you'll think about coming and never giving me a straight answer of whether you will or not! And also when…" Gabi blabbered on, hundred words per second, in stress to cover up her now bright pink cheeks. She was made speechless by a sudden gentle touch on her chin that lifted her face to meet two crystal blue eyes of the boy whom she had known since birth, the boy who have looked out for her all those years, her best friend.

"Gabi!" Troy noted while staring right into her captivated eyes. "I'm here aren't I? So stop worrying… let's just enjoy the night" he reassured, holding the stare that brought butterflies to both of them and which was broken by the announcement of the cotillion.

The night went on like a fantasy; the hall was filled with music, flowers, smiles, enticing dishes and love in the air. Gabriella was the most beautiful blossoming flower in the room, attracting every gentleman that laid eyes on her.

She was wearing a one shoulder white dress that with no doubt complimented her feminine figure that seemed to have developed beautifully with her coming of age. She had her loose curls pinned up on one side, held up by a silver glistening clip. She danced the night away with 18 handsome bachelors, which all held secret feelings for her in some degree, but nothing can compare to Troy's consistent and passionate desire, which he ever longed to be reciprocated back.

"Maybe someday…"Troy whispered in Gabi's ear, almost inaudible, as she leaned on his shoulder and danced to the soft music that was almost mocking their destined fate that they both wished to have never found out earlier in their lives. She shared the same thoughts as her long-time best friend but kept it hidden under the disguise, the pretence smiles that she argued to herself to be no other than friendly moments.

Unconsciously, as if gravity is pulling them much together, they held on to each other both not wanting to let go… as the music, that seemed to doom their fate, "My Destiny", continued in the background…

"…as far as I can see, you were always meant to be… my destiny…"

Troy escorted Gabi back to the table, not letting go of her hand until they were seated. There was an obvious connection between them both, which grew with each moment that they spent together; it was definitely something stronger than the desire of being each other's close friend.

They gazed at each other.

And just when Gabi was about to break the moment to attend to an unnecessary call, Troy had held it with the uttering of her name which she thought was the most pleasant sounding sound she had ever heard.

"Gabi…," Troy broke the silence and tension.

"There is something that I've been meaning to say to you… since I cannot even remember when… what I'm trying to say is that I…" with most sincerity in his voice, Troy continued.

Thoughts of the most unimaginable pictures of Troy and Gabriella being together have came rushing into Gabi's mind, and for the slightest moment she treasured it, however, just as quick, she once again locked it in her heart as an image of the symbol and Brandon's face appeared to stop her sudden insanity.

"NO Troy… we can never be… why did I even think of it…no," Gabriella struggled to think as she tried to erase her impossible imaginations and let go of his gentle touch on her arm.

"Brandon!" Gabi said in a hurry. "Yes… Brandon… I wish he was here to enjoy this night with us… don't you think?" Gabi, panicky, dominated the heart-felt confession of Troy that he didn't even manage to finish. She was in rage with herself, as her mind commands her to abide their fate that had been decided, whilst her heart simply beats for the man who stood before her.

"Brandon?" Troy said, shaking his head, almost like he said that word to knock some sense into him as opposed to questioning Gabi regarding her sudden upbringing of his name.

Gabi remained silent as she tried to read his thoughts that seemed to be very much troubled. She feared his upcoming replies to her interruption.

"I should have never said those things… I'm such a coward!," she contemplated. She was afraid to lose her friendship with Troy which only grew even more bonded in the times they shared together. She didn't want to be the one to end it by showing her true feelings for him. She didn't want to give him false hopes of the future that they very well know was never going to be.

As much to her amazement and which ended all her anxieties in regards to what he will say next, Troy simply looked back into her eyes, which seemed to be looking for answers for his unfinished confession of the heart and bid her goodnight. He walked across the room, disappearing into the crowd.

Troy walked away, unconscious of where he was going, suppressing all the current emotions that bottled up inside him or perhaps old emotions that have resurfaced.

"She only has him on her mind…" Troy agonisingly thought.

In order to hide the pain and the heart break that he felt, time and time again, he had once again masked himself with his unkindly character which made him harder for other people to read. It was his only way to conceal what he truly and helplessly feel, in which he gravely suffered from.

Nevertheless he couldn't help but wondered if he will ever be given a chance to express his feelings. Even if it takes cheating fate.

"Maybe someday… but, not tonight…", he continually hoped.

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