Not Leaving This Time.
Works Word Processor
New Document.
Name of File: Letter to Gabriella Montez.
Gabriella,
When you left today, my heart broken into a million pieces. That, was very hard to do, since it was already very broken. I never meant to leave you, really I didn't. Ask Sharpay; she'll back me up. And tell you the full story. But I'll tell you the basics.
When I saw you again, I was on cloud nine. I couldn't believe it was you. You looked so beautiful, and captured my heart once again. But you'd always had my heart. Still do, right now, I hope you know. That night, was one of the best of my life. The morning after, unfortunately, still haunts me. But, I'll let Sharpay tell you the rest.
Hopefully, you'll forgive me, Gabriella. I really want to be a part of your life again, and of Matthews. Please give me another--
"How's that report on Bowel Cancer coming on, Troy?" Jason's voice flew into the room, and Troy had to quickly take the evidence of his letter to Gabriella, off the screen. He sighed, bringing up new document, knowing he'd have to get to work soon. He'd been like this all day; wanting to start a project, a report, whatever. And never finishing, or really starting it. He just didn't have the energy, commitment, or spare thoughts to use. His mind was too occupied. By Gabriella, and the fact she walked out that door seven hours before.
Jason walked across the carpeted floor, his footsteps loud, and swung behind the desk, looking at Troy's computer screen expectantly.
"Is this how far you've got?" He asked, the tone in his voice unreadable.
Troy let his head fall into his hands, before mumbling into his palms, "Yes."
He heard Jason sigh. "Troy, you need to get back on task."
Troy lifted his head, and glared pathetically at his friend - who was only trying to help. "I know, Jason, I know. Really I do! My mind is telling me, 'Do your job! Do your job!', but I just can't, no matter how hard I try. It seems impossible - and all because of her, walking out that door. And what she said, it hurt me, felt like my heart was being cut in half. She doesn't know half off what happened, so she had every right to saw each word. But it was still unbearably painful. And you know what?!' He didn't bother waiting for Jason to guess. The flabbergasted look on his face showed so sign of leaving. So Troy just continued. 'I don't think I'll ever be able to function properly again. Why? Because it hurts so badly. I'm going to be one of those sad guys who can't get over heartbreak, so they wait until it fades and can never do commitment again."
His face was red with anger, and his brow slightly sweaty. Jason looked right into his eyes, which held all the pain he'd ever felt, for Gabriella. He had no idea of what this felt like. He really didn't. He had no clue of what it felt like to lose the one you loved; to be blamed for something that wasn't your fault from the one you love; and to have the one you love carry your child, without you even knowing. And that was why he hadn't nothing to say for comfort except. "Take your time Troy. But, by the way, you're needed at reception."
That had to go down as one of the worst comforting lines in history.
Troy watched his friend leave, closing the door behind him. He ran his hands over his face, feeling very drained, and then composed himself. Gathering up his things into a comparatively neat file, he walked across the room, heading for the door. Hopefully no-one would try and talk to him when passing.
TWO HOURS EARLIER, WITH GABRIELLA AND SHARPAY.
"Really?" Gabriella cried, tears falling fiercely from her eyes, as she questioned Sharpay.
Sharpay rubbed circles of comfort into Gabriella's back as she hugged her, rocked her through her emotional pain. "Yes." She whispered, as if not hearing it in full volume would lessen the blow.
"Damn it!" Gabriella cried, feeling her head fall limp, having Sharpay's arm support it.
Gabriella had returned from the hospital just a few hours before. Sharpay's questioning on Troy during the car journey had confused her. Questions like, 'So did Troy tell you?', and 'Do you believe Troy?', and Gabriella's head had quickly turned to mush. When they'd got in the driveway, Gabriella had scooped Matthew into her arms, and went off to her bedroom seeking quiet from Sharpay's interrogation. But once Matthew had stopped crying, been fed, and put to sleep, Gabriella had had to venture into the house. She'd found Sharpay easily. Sitting on the couch like she was waiting for her, and she'd been told to sit down.
For the next hour or so, Sharpay had told Gabriella Troy's story. Every single detail, nothing left out. She'd listened carefully, waiting for her to hear how he meant to leave, and his intentions of why. But they never came. Because she heard the truth, of what happened, and how he'd had to leave on short notice, and hadn't been able to find the words in his note. Sharpay had retold the story, watching as silent tears course down Gabriella's pale cheeks. She'd wanted to run and hold her crying friend, but she'd needed to hear the whole thing, and figure out what it meant to her on her own. This wasn't something that Sharpay could help her with.
And at the end of the story, Sharpay had answered all of Gabriella's questions, asked through a series of expected sobs. She'd talked to her in hushed tones, so she didn't disrupt the painful peace that had settled around them.
Now, as she comforted Gabriella, after retelling the long story of Troy's heartache, she realised that getting them back together would be a hard task, but one she was willing to take. Anything to get these to heartbroken people back together. She knew first hand of how much Gabriella had suffered after Troy left her, and how much she beat herself up about it. And now she knew the full story of Troy, too, she knew she had to do something. It was only striking the right time to do so, that was the problem.
So, half an hour later, Gabriella announced she was going to take a bath. Sharpay agreed, telling her it would be good to relax her muscles and relieve the stress she had managed to gather today. Sharpay felt sorry for Gabriella. She'd just become a mother, and that was enough of a struggle, without knowing about Troy too.
Gabriella emerged out of her bedroom clad in a fluffy white dressing gown. She walked down the hall, to find Sharpay just about out the door. Sharpay groaned mentally. She was never going to get away.
"I was just going to ask you what you wanted to do for dinner, but now I'm not sure if you'll be joining me." Gabriella laughed wearily, trying to bring cheerfulness out of herself. It was hard, she didn't feel that happy.
Sharpay waved her hand in front of her face, slapping the remark away. "Nonsense, silly. I thought I'd treat you to a take-away. I was just going to pop out to get it."
Gabriella managed a smile. "Oh, okay. Thanks. I'll just be in the bath then. See you when you get back." And Sharpay watched her retreat to their bathroom.
Sighing in relief, Sharpay escaped out of the door, and ran to her car. Throwing her bag down on the opposite seat, and turning the keys in the ignition, the cars familiar purr began. She was out of the driveway in no time. Sharpay smirked to herself. Super Sharpay to the rescue!
PRESENT TIME.
Troy's weary footsteps echoed along the long corridors leading to reception, The bright lights blinded his tired eyes, but he kept going. Anything to keep his job. He didn't need to lose that also. Thoughts of Gabriella, and her tearful face as she left flitted in his mind. He winced; how could he have let this get so far, so out of control. It was absurd. If he'd just said what he had wanted to say in the room, things might have turned out differently. But would she have listened? He'd never know.
He didn't have a time machine.
But, boy did he wish he did. There was so many things he'd wished he could turn the clock back for these past months. He wished everything had turned out differently; for the better. But what was done, was done. And he couldn't change time, or go back and live life again. It was impossible.
His head snapped up when he heard a familiar voice ranting at reception. His footsteps quickened, eager to find out who it was.
"--seriously, what does trust mean to people these days! I know 'Dr Bolton'. He's my friend!" Sharpay's high pitched squeal of annoyance was something he'd never forget the sound of. And on any other occasion he'd be happy to get rid of it. But it brought so much hope inside him, he was only happy to see her. For she held the path to Gabriella. And an envelope in her hand.
"Mary, what's the matter here?" Troy tried to sound calm, when in reality his insides were bubbling.
Sharpay's face lit up, with relief it looked like, and shot a scowl at the receptionist. He watched the receptionist flinch backwards, and suddenly felt guilty. It'd been a rough day for everyone.
Sharpay marched towards him, flinging herself into his body, and hugging him. She broke away, Troy still slightly dazzled and awkward. "TROY! Why the hell did you let her go! You just let her walk away, without your explanation. Another tick in the stupid box for you, my friend."
Troy let his gaze turn to the floor. "I know, I'm such an idiot."
Sharpay patted his shoulder. She beamed. "Well, lucky for you, you have friends and acquaintances that know exactly how to help. I have no idea what you'd do without me, really. I think, I've become your personal lifesaver."
Troy half smiled, taking her hand and squeezing it lightly, before letting go. "Thank you."
"I've not helped you yet!"
Troy rolled his eyes.
"Hey!' Sharpay pointed at him and poked him in the chest. 'Don't go all arrogant and impatient on me, mister. You haven't exactly been top of the class lately have you? So be careful with what you've got! I don't come cheaply, you know?!"
She handed his the envelope she was carrying. With the enthusiasm he mustered up, he eagerly tore the envelope open, letting the small ripped piece of paper fall into his hands.
Our Address:
16 Iron Avenue
South West.
Don't screw it up this time, Bolton!
S x
Troy looked up at her, a silent thank you in his eyes. She nodded in return, smiling at her handy work. She gestured to the paper with her hand. "So, Gabriella's having a bath as we speak, then we're having dinner, so I guess we'll see you around 9pm?"
He nodded, afraid that if he spoke his tears would fall and his cover that he wasn't chocked up would be blown. He reached over, hugged her lightly, then stepped back, shielding from her intense gaze.
"You won't have to tell her the story, I've already done that. And then she beat herself up about not letting you explain.' Troy's eyes flared with alarm. 'Don't worry! She's fine now, but would, obviously, love to see you. Come quickly, I'll look after the baby."
"Thanks." He coughed out.
Sharpay smiled. "Anytime, Troy. We're friends now, remember?"
"I could never forget."
And then he watched her turn around, smiling with her happiness at doing a good deed, and watched to the doors. She turned around and waved at his still figure, and then she was gone. Troy had forgotten about the receptionist. She looked back and forth from Sharpay's retreating figure, to himself. Troy sighed, unable to explain.
Turning, he placed the piece of paper in his pocket with great care, patting it softly. He smiled, the first of many to come, hopefully, and then returned to his Bowel Cancer report. Unsurprisingly, he had a new spring in his step.
8:45PM, THAT NIGHT.
Troy clutched the wheel, his knuckles turning white. He followed the directions carefully, without wrong turnings, and now he was slowly trailing along Iron Avenue, searching for number 16. Now that he knew when she lived, and was on the same street he'd been nine months ago, it seemed familiar. Now, he'd never forget where she lived. He'd made several copies of her address.
Number 16 caught his eye, the lights shining lightly through the curtains. Sharpay's tall shadow, obviously standing near the window, looking inconspicuous, was waiting for him, almost telling him this was the right house. He made a mental reminder to buy her some flowers. Without her, none of this could have happened.
He felt grateful to Sharpay for so many things now, and only hoped for happiness for her. Hopefully, there was someone out there for her, someone to love and take care of her, not that she needed it. She was a strong woman, very strong. And now doubt demanding, but worth it. She was special, and now a friend of his. But he was here for Gabriella, and only her.
If someone had told him sometime over the last nine months that he would see Gabriella again, maybe even with child, he would have laughed it off and told them to stop making jokes. Because it would have hurt him badly. But now that it was actually happening, he couldn't believe it was. It was a dream. Maybe it wouldn't turn out picture perfect (nothing with him ever does), but hopefully the trip tonight had some sort of purpose, a guiding, and maybe a nice silver lining. Whatever happened, just being near her was enough. For just now.
He slowed down the car, stopping and parked on the curb. Shakily, he took out his keys, opened the door, and stepped outside. The cool air nipped at him, but suddenly it didn't matter. He was near to her. Walking, was a hard thing for him to do. All he could think of was that night, when they ran into her house from this exact pathway. He shook his head. He had to focus. He hadn't even seen her yet.
But she'd seen him.
She was standing in the doorway, her dark curls matted to her head, hanging limply at the sides, simply drying. Her eyes were lined with darkness, no sleep having been there at all. She was wearing a long t-shirt, too baggy, which hit mid thigh, and a pair of socks, one wrinkled down by her ankle, the other pulled up to her knee. To any other, she'd look a mess, but to him, the guy who loved her and hadn't seen her really in nine months, she looked beautiful. Angel like, when the light from the room standing behind her shone her way.
She bit her lip, looked down at the ground, then shook her head and through her arms into the air, like she was annoyed at herself, or trying to figure out something. But he didn't have time to ask, because soon she was flying at him, running down the path socks and all. He opened his arms just in time, gathering her up, and she let her legs wrap with tightness around his muscled torso. Her head nestled into the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent and kissing him gently. His head buried into her hair, not caring in the least that it was wet. They clung to each other, afraid to let go.
They pulled away at the same time, and both muttered, "I love you."
Gabriella giggled, before leaning in and placing a kiss smack bang on his lips. He hugged her tighter, and since she didn't wince, he hoped he wasn't hurting her. Like he had done so many times before.
The apologies started to pour then. "Gabriella, I'm so sorry! I was so stupid--"
Her finger placed itself onto his lips, interrupting him. "Don't spoil it. I know everything, and I hope that we…forgive each other."
They both nodded, occasionally stealing kisses. In the background, Troy could faintly hear Matthew gurgle with pride and Sharpay coo to him gently. He smiled. "I'm never leaving you ever again." He announced.
She kissed his neck. "I'm not moving anywhere, unless you're with me."
They started towards the house, looking like the perfect honeymoon couple. They looked happy, and for the first time in the last nine months, they both truly were.
And would be, for ever and ever.
A/N; All together now...
1,2,3...
AWWWW!
I can hear all your cheers! I just had to get them together again, and this may be the last chapter. It might be the second last, therefore there's another chapter coming.. But whether it's an epilogue or the last chapter, I just dont know.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, by since I've been so nice to you in this chapter, wanna give me some more?
Love, HSMisLurve.