Chapter 15 - A Little Bit of Fire In My Heart
The last two weeks had been a world wind for Gabriella. She was so much happier than she had been at West High, and she put that down to the better people. She hadn't kept in touch with her 'friends' from her ex-school, well, they hadn't tried with her. She wasn't really sorry, she wasn't expecting them to, anyway.
She had become even better friends with Sharpay and Taylor. They were inseperable now. They had also introduced Gabi to one of their other friends, Kelsi. She was a really sweet girl, with large blue eyes and a button nose. Her glasses topped off her appearance, and it was hard to believe that she was almost invisible at school. She was too pretty to be!
"We think so too, Gabi", said Taylor one day when talking about Kelsi.
"But, she hides into her music" Gabriella nodded understanding what she meant.
Gabriella, at West High, had often tried to hide into her work, mostly maths. It sounded strange, but she found maths as nearly, a release. But now she had been welcomed into a whole new life, she felt she didn't need to hide anymore. She was accepted.
Over the past few weeks, Gabriella had actually not fought with her brother, Chad. He found this quite strange, but was glad for the change. It was he, who first noticied the difference. He noticied her one day, whistling as she went to and fro in the house. Once he had told his Dad, soon her Mum knew, and she was questioned on it.
"I guess, I'm just happier" Gabriella replied shrugging. Maria glowed inside.
"I have friends, people who like me for me" She got up and walked to Chad, "And not to mention, and amazing brother!"
She had grabbed him and hugged him, and he was shocked. She had never hugged him before, the only contact they had ever had was either pushing, shoving, and sometimes shaking hands. But soon he relaxed into the hug, and felt a new liking for his sister.
But her friends and her brother were not the only things making her shine inside. Since her dance with Troy, she had felt a fondness for him, and they were often seen together walking home after school. Chad was there too, but it felt like they were a group.
They would share hello's, and smile often to each other. Gabriella sometimes saw disappointed faces when she smiled at him from afar. Truth is, the whole school had loved Gabriella, for coming in a breaking Troy from his ego. He had become a much better person since she had arrived, which suited most people. But some just wanted to see another fight.
Gabriella was currently lying in bed, enjoying a dream. She would occasionally move her nose, or twist and turn, but she looked like an angel.
She had been extremely tired. It was Saturday, and she had done almost all her homework, which had tired her out enough. But to top that off, Chad and Troy had insisted she watched movies with them, until 3 in the morning.
Troy's parents were out of town again, another basketball meeting. In the eyes of Gabriella, it seemed like the Bolton's were not really a family, more kind of a group of seperate people. She could see it in Troy's eyes when he looked at either of his parents, the sense like he didn't belong. But she hadn't asked, if he wanted to talk about anything he could do it in his own time, it was his decision.
It was now nearly 10am, and Gabriella was intending to sleep late. It seemed like the boys were up, but just dozing. You could hear them through the walls, but lucky for Gabriella she was a deep sleeper.
The seconds clicked in a steady beat, as the time moved on, inch by inch.
'Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock...Tic--BEEP.BEEP.BEEP.BEEP'
Gabriella jumped out of her skin and she flung herself out of bed. Her heart beat fast again her skin. She rubbed her eyes quickly, hoping the fire alarm would be put off. But it wasn't.
"OUT, EVERYONE OUT!"
She heard her mum yell, she grabbed her pumps and ran down stairs into a lightly smokey room. Feeling her way to the door, and swearing she could hear people move passed her, she found the door, coughing and spluttering as she tumbled out. Right into someone's body.
She clung on tightly to the person, who she prosumed to be Chad. She continued to cough, and felt a soft hand pat gently pat it better.
"What has Mum burnt this time?!" Gabriella spluttered.
"I dunno, she was making toast for us" Said another voice.
She looked up to lock eyes with two dazzling blue orbs. Her breath stopped, she heart stayed still. This was the first time she had say those eyes, for what they were meant to do; dazzle. Realising what had happened, she released herself from his grip.
"Sorry, I...I thought you were Chad"
"Its ok, I get it all the time" Troy answered, and they laughed at the joke.
"What's so funny?"
Troy and Gabriella glanced at Chad then at each other, and burst out laughing. Chad looked at himself, and shook his head. "I'm not gonna ask"
5 minutes later, everyone had calmed down, and Maria stepped outside.
"No damage done, sorry Troy, for you having to be here when I burn things" She chuckled.
"It's quite ok, Mrs Danforth"
"Troy, call me Maria"
'Maria...Maria' When did that name ring bells in his ears. He had heard it before. Maria saw him trying to figure it out, then abruptly changed subject.
"Gabi, aren't you freezing?!"
Everyone's attention went to Gabriella. She was wearing short shorts and a low vest top. The goosepimples could be seen from a mile away. She blushed as she looked up.
"Eh, just a little" She laughed, embarassed.
"Here, take this" Troy said kindly as he took off his jumper and handed it to her. She took it was put it on, feeling the arm fabric make shills down her spine. It smelt so good. He smelt good. She blushed at her thoughts.
"Thanks"
They both blushed and a silence overtook them.
"Well, Gabi, at least the house isn't burnt down for your birthday!"
Gabriella smiled, "Thank god for that!"
"When's your birthday?"
"Next friday" Gabriella answered Troy.
"Yeah, and your having a party here aren't you, sweetie. Troy your welcome to come"
Troy looked at Gabriella who smiled and nodded.
"I'd love to"
"Dad, can I talk to you for a sec?" Chad spoke up.
"Sure"
Chad and his Dad went over to a secluded area of the garden as the others went inside.
"I need a favour" Chad gave his dad puppy eyes.
"Money for Gabriella's present?"
Chad sighed, caught out, "Yeah"
His dad gave him the money, and they headed back inside.
"Thanks for the jacket Troy" Gabriella said sweetly, as she gave it back to him.
"Your welcome"
He replied as she moved upstairs. It was his chance to look at her properly. She was beautiful, truely the meaning of the word. He got tingles every time they were together, every time she absentmindedly touched him. She had just gone and he missed her. The way she moved, the way her hips swung, the way her eyes shone. The curves on her body made his legs go weak.
Troy realised that Gabriella, she lit the fire in his heart.
And that's another chapter for you! I hope you enjoyed, even thought there wasn't much drama. Troy and Gabriella will become closer in the next few chapters...AND share their first kiss!! Who's excited? I am!
Thanks to everyone who is reading this! I'm sorry for the long wait, and I know I said that this chapter would be out of Friday, but I got caught up in different things.
As Christmas is coming, the homework is getting less and less, meaning hopefully more time for FF, so chapters will hopefully be up a bit quicker! I promise to try!
R&R, I love reading all your thoughts!
A quick note to people who read 'Bleeding Love'. The sequel, 'Here I Am' is up now, and I'd be greatful if you would look at it. If you haven't read it, pelase do :)
Merry Christmas Everyone!