That Look In Your Eye.
Her hands started to sweat.
Her body started to tingle.
She felt self-conscious of her body.
And her eyes were batting madly.
This was just at the sight of him. Him. Troy Bolton, former love of her life. Probably still the love of her life, although she didn't let it show. Sure, other's knew about him, but she'd separated herself from him and the rest of their group after moving to New York. After their break up, which hadn't particularly ended badly, she needed space and time. She needed to get away from everyone, and all the pressures of leading a life in a place where everyone knew everything about you. She'd wanted out. She made new friends at New York, in college, the best Sharpay. And Sharpay knew about Troy, but not how much she still felt about him.
The way she felt about him was indescribable. Something extraordinary. Her heart beat faster every time he entered a room. Her eyes would search for him at every opportunity, and yet, she still loved him for all the years she had known him. Over ten, and counting.
So now she found herself in a room, with over 100 hundred people standing in it, and only one person she focused on. Troy. She smiled and waved in his direction as soon as her eyes caught his. Her heart leapt, and for a second, no-one else was in the room, only them too.
She left his gaze, but could tell he was still looking at her. Swimming through the crowd, she landed safely at the bar, finding, surprisingly, Jay at the counter.
"Jay?" She was puzzled.
His eyes brightened instantly, "Gabriella. How great to see you."
She laughed, "You saw me this morning, Jay. But why are you here. You're the manager, not the barman."
He sighed bringing one hand through his hair. She could tell he was irritated. "Simon, who was supposed to be working tonight, came up with a problem. Some family thing. Anyways, I couldn't get anyone else, so… I'm here."
Gabriella flattened out her black, strapless dress, which had small silver jewels decorating the front, and some at the sides. It went down to just above her knees, and fitted her every curve.
"Are you sure you don't need help? I mean, I can cover for you."
She went to get up, but Jay's hand covered hers and made her sit down again. He waved his hand before saying, "Don't. Gabriella, you work more than any of the other people I employ do. You deserve a night off. And from the looks of it, it seems like your night."
Her brow wrinkled. "How?"
He smiled. "Your name is all I here, along with another. Trevor? Something like that. Anyways, everybody that comes over to the bar is talking of you, Miss Prom Queen. So enjoy yourself, for once in your life - let go."
She smiled shyly. "Thanks Jay."
His eyes burned into her back as jealousy come over him. She was talking to some other guy. And he had seen her first. He sighed, Chad was right. He was whipped, had been since… probably forever. There was just something about her that made him feel this overwhelming emotion. She was amazing. And he loved her.
He felt Taylor pat his arm in comfort. "You'll never know she loves you back unless you talk to her."
Taylor are Chad were like peas in a pod. They both could read Troy like a book.
Metal Note to Self: Learn how to hide emotions.
Taylor smirked, "I can see it in your eyes."
Troy groaned.
Metal Note to Self: Get eye transplant.
Running a hand through his hair, he watched Taylor grab Chad's hand and lead him to the dance floor.
Gabriella smiled at Jay once more before she felt someone tap her arm. Her heart skipped a beat. It had to be Troy, it must be. Turning around, her smile faltered slightly.
"Miss Darbus, how nice to see you."
The extravagant woman smiled her large, bright red rimmed smile back at Gabriella, before throttling her into a hug. Gabriella was surprised at this show of emotion, but let it pass.
"How are you?" The multi-coloured walking show asked.
"Great, thanks. Yourself?"
Miss Darbus smiled once more. "Just fine, dear, just fine. What are you doing now? I hope you are keeping the theatre alive. You were fabulous back in East High."
Gabriella sheepishly turned back around to collect her drink, sighing on the way around. She turned back to Miss Darbus who was looking expectantly at her.
"Well, not exactly. I'm actually an artist. But, working here', she pointed around the room, 'is my day job. It pays the bills."
Miss Darbus' smile faded as she said this. "Oh, Gabriella. You were so promising as a child, if I may say so. You had the whole world in front of you, and yet, you're a waitress."
"A very good one at that."
Jay's voice sounded from behind her, and made Miss Darbus blush slightly. For once in her life, Gabriella was glad Jay was behind her. She turned around and smiled at him thankfully, before he muttered, 'Anytime.'.
Turning back around she met Miss Darbus' eyes. She was looking at her suspiciously. Gabriella's brow wrinkled.
"Are you and that man an item."
Gabriella blushed, "Oh no. Just very good friends, he's the manager here."
Miss Darbus' eyes settled. "Oh good. It was a shame to hear of yours and Troy's split, it would be a shame if you two never got a second chance…"
Gabriella turned red. "Well, you never know."
She hopped off her stool.
"Excuse me, I must use the restroom."
And she scuttled quickly away.
Troy laughed as he watched from afar Gabriella being interrogated. It was funny to watch, admittedly, but not funny if you were on the receiving end. Although the room was barely lit, he could see that her comments were making Gabriella blush. He had always thought Gabriella looked cute when she blushed. It suited her, and he had taken pride in knowing he made her blush the most.
Troy rolled his eyes once more when he saw Gabriella run away to the toilets. She obviously wanted to get away from Miss Darbus' torment. He just hoped it wouldn't turn on him.
"Yo Troy!"
He turned around at the sound of his name. A small erupted on his face when he saw who it was. His favourite baker.
"Zeke, my man, how's it going?"
The African man smiled, baring his white teeth. "Great thanks, how about you?"
Troy smiled, "Same old, same old."
Zeke patted his arm. Troy rubbed it afterwards. Too many people were patting his arm today, but for what reason? No-one had died - he hoped.
"Don't worry, man. Tonight's your night. She'll come round."
Troy's eyes gaped open. "How does everyone know I still want her. Am I that obvious? Do I have 'I Love Gabriella Montez' plastered on my face or something?"
Zeke laughed. "No, man. You see it in your eyes."
Troy huffed. "Right, that's it. I'm definitely getting that eye transplant!"
He laughed once more, "It's because there's no Troy Bolton spark in them anymore. The one you used to get after beating West High at basketball. Or the one you got when Gabriella said 'yes' to going out with you. Or the one when you came back from the perfect date. Your eyes speak the words you don't say, and that's how we know what's going on in your head."
Troy's shoulders heaved. "I need a drink."
After finally escaping from Miss Darbus, Gabriella found herself at a secluded part of the bar, away from the crowds of people she was supposed to remember, and from Jay. Jay was nice, kind, sweet and caring. But not what she needed right now. She just wanted to be on her own.
She felt someone's arm brush up against her and felt sparks tingle all down her spine. The person swept around, touching her arm and muttering apologies before capturing her eyes. And heart, all in one.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
No-one else was in the room but them.
It was heaven.
"Troy." Gabriella breathed, suddenly finding oxygen in her lungs.
She found him still touching her arm, but it didn't matter. She had longed for so long for his touch, and even the simplest made her melt. She reached up to touch his hand, feeling it shiver under her touch. She grasped it and brought it down, so it looked like they were shaking hands.
"Gabriella." His voice was no longer strong and confident. He was in her spell once more, but didn't want to be rescued.
"It's nice to see you again Troy."
After shaking hands, their fingertips clung onto each others, never wanting to let go. They both wanted more, but for just now, this simple touch was good enough.
"Likewise." He managed to splutter.
Gabriella looked deep into his eyes, something she had loved to do when they were together. It had taught her so much about Troy. Anything he didn't say, anything he thought, you could see it all in his eyes. If you wanted to know something, but he wouldn't tell you, you'd look into those breath-taking, ocean blue orbs, and see it straight away.
She let her thumb caress the sides of his hands, and Troy's eyes flickered shut at the touch. She smiled at the effect she was forcing on him, but she could tell he didn't mind. Like she said; it was all in the eyes.
His eyes opened once more, and fixed on her eyes. The always seemed to wrap his around her very finger. They were like deep, dark hazelnuts. When she was happy they would turn lighter and shine like the sun. But when she was unhappy, or angry, the spark that they held was float away, turning them deeper. If that happened you knew you were in trouble.
"Gabriella, you look--"
"Thank you."
-- beautiful." He finished.
He moved closer to her, desperate for her touch. She edged closer also, wanting to feel his lips on hers, his breath on her neck, and them connected. His arm encircled her waist, the thin material of her dress overlapping on his fingers. He stroked her side softly, and Gabriella groaned in pleasure. His head went to her ear, his warm breath landing on her neck as he spoke.
"God, I've missed you." He whispered.
He nibbled gently at her neck, before leaving butterfly kisses from her collar bone to her ear. After nibbling her ear, he felt her hands move to his shirt, slowly lifting it, letting her nails grace his toned skin. He groaned at the touch, and her transfixing fingertips went higher, and higher.
"Let's get out of here." He winked at her, and she nodded, a small smirk forming on her luscious lips.
"Good idea, Mr Bolton."
He kissed her chastely on the lips, leaving her wanting more, before grabbing her hand and leaving for the exit.
Hehe. Now, I'm leaving you wanting more - I hope! I really liked this chapter, loved writing it, even if it took me a long time to get it to string together :)
Please review, I love reading all your comments.