A Chance At Happiness

Chapter Seven

"Are you okay? You don't sound yourself."

Gabriella hesitated but over the weeks Gabriella had gotten to know Troy, she felt at ease in telling him things that she would have otherwise kept to herself. "I guess I've been better." Troy heard the deflated sigh follow shortly after and decided to press on.

"What's happened?" He worriedly asked.

"It's nothing really...just having a hard time with my mum, that's all."

"Again?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry about it." Troy quickly replied. "I think I could make you feel better though."

"And how do you intend to do that?"

"Well, on Thursday, there is some live music going on at Amber Lounge. Now, I plan on going but the thing is I might get lonely by myself and I need someone to keep me company." Gabriella smiled. "If you're not busy, I'd really like it if you could come."

"I don't know...I might be washing my hair or brushing it even, something along those lines anyway. And I have school the next day."

"You think you could spare just a little bit of time for me? I'll have you back before ten."

"For you?" Gabriella teased and playfully paused. "I think I might be able to fit you in."

If there was one thing Troy was great at it was his ability to make her feel happier in a heartbeat. Even if he hadn't asked her out Gabriella still would have gone to bed with a smile on her face because of Troy. Gabriella could just be Gabriella when Troy was involved and all the rubbish that she may suffer (whether that be at home or school) none of that mattered in the end; Troy made all of it disappear and suddenly Gabriella could only focus on the good things in life, not the bad.

It appeared that other people were starting to notice the change in Gabriella, too. The next day, Sunday, when Gabriella was on her way to Church, Kelsi and Martha pointed it out. "You seem different." Martha had slowly said. Gabriella could only shrug but even she had noticed that the smile wouldn't rub off of her face.

This smile would only broaden further when a deep and masculine voice said from behind them, "lovely morning for Church, isn't it, ladies?" Gabriella turned and came face to face with the twinkling blue eyes of Troy. She didn't say much, they were often quiet around each other when Kelsi and Martha were nearby but Troy had made sure he had grabbed the seat next to her when the Sunday Church service began and he also made sure to occasionally brush his fingers against Gabriella's when he got the chance to without being noticed.

This was the first time that Gabriella had not paid attention to Father Madison's sermon but all she could think about was the man next to her that caused her heart to excitedly swell. Whenever she felt his fingers against hers, her stomach did a little back flip and she would look at her parents from the corner of her eye. They both knew that his actions were risky (however small they may seem) but it made everything more thrilling. Gabriella was so giddy that she almost forgot that Troy never came to Church. Not once had she ever seen the blue-eyed boy attend a service and afterwards Kelsi expressed these very thoughts herself.

"I don't know why but Troy suddenly wanted to come to Church today." Kelsi said.

"Yeah, I thought it odd when he came in." Martha replied. "He's never come before."

"Troy isn't even religious!" Kelsi exclaimed. "He's happy to drive me here but he's never actually wanted to stay. I gave up on asking him that years ago because the answer was always the same."

"I wonder what's changed his mind today..." Martha pondered.

"Maybe, it's a girl?" Kelsi suggested with a smile; immediately Gabriella found her cheeks heat up and her body froze. They couldn't possibly know that she and Troy were talking, could they?

"Yeah but he stayed with us the whole time," Martha said, "unless he's suddenly realised his undying love for me!"

"Or Gabriella." Kelsi pointed out and started to giggle with Martha; Gabriella nervously joining in.

"We wish he was here for us." Martha nudged Gabriella and they began laughing again, although Gabriella's was more from relief. She knew it wasn't right that she was hiding something like this away from Kelsi (someone who had become a close friend over the past few weeks) but how would Gabriella ever bring it up in casual conversation? Besides, the cons outweighed the pros in this situation and it wasn't an official thing that Troy and Gabriella had, even if Gabriella really wanted it to be.

Gabriella quickly played her part and added, "I hardly know your brother!"

"Yeah, good point." Kelsi said, "oh well, I'll just have to ask him on the way home."

Unbeknown to Kelsi, Troy texted Gabriella: It was worth coming today just to see you, Sweetheart.

Gabriella suppressed the urge to beam and was silently grateful when her mother called for her to get into the car. She quickly said her goodbyes to Kelsi and Martha and then hurried out of the Church and into her father's Bentley. Gabriella bit her bottom lip as she looked at the text again but her happiness was short lived.

"So, Gabriella," her father said, "your mother tells me that your grades are slipping."

Gabriella wanted to groan but knew better than to actually do it. She couldn't deny that she had been expecting this; her mother was bound to have told him and then Gabriella would be scheduled for another telling off and she knew that her mother would exaggerate it. She usually did. It was one percentage that wasn't up to her usual standard, that did not mean her grades were 'slipping'.

"I just struggled with one Maths exam, that's all."

"For now it's one exam but next week it could be two and then three and in a couple of months you'll be failing all your classes." Gabriella rolled her eyes and stared out of the window. Only her parents would react this way. "I've seen it happen before, Gabriella. Mark my words, if you don't pick up your standards then you'll be heading for an unpleasant life."

I'm sure anything would be better than this, Gabriella thought to herself but said out loud, "yes, Dad. I'll do better next time."

"I certainly hope so."

"Don't disappoint us, Gabriella." Christine added.

Wednesday came quickly; Gabriella and Taylor were studying in the library or, at least, trying to study. Unfortunately, Sharpay and Heather had decided they had nothing better to do in their lunch time and, to entertain themselves, they had decided to (with the lack of a better word) bitch about the formers. Taylor was trying to ignore them and she was succeeding too; her equation was much more important but Gabriella couldn't help it and Heather's words were strong and clear.

"God, she just looks like a dork."

"Look at her hair."

"Look at her clothes!"

"Her face in general isn't much better."

Gabriella cringed as they laughed (or rather cackled) and Taylor had definitely heard the last comment for she sent Gabriella a sympathising look.

"I can't stand her."

"She's an eyesore, that's why. I'm surprised she's allowed in the school."

"Or the state. Surely, she counts as sight pollution!"

Sharpay and Heather sniggered again and clapped their hands to their mouths so the librarian wouldn't be able to hear them. Gabriella knew it was pathetic and probably some of the most childish comments she had heard yet but it didn't stop it from hurting any less. However, Taylor was a fiercely loyal and protective friend and she had had enough.

"Right," Taylor put her pen down and turned to face Sharpay and Heather, "if you want to bitch then please go somewhere else because we're rather busy and your cackles are just too much to bear; not to mention that you sound like a pair of five year olds! I'd suggest that you start growing up and you can start that by getting out of this library."

"Um..." Heather feigned pondering, her finger tapping on her chin. "No, I don't think we can go somewhere else."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Two can play at that game. Taylor thought and she feigned sweetness. "When I meant can you please go somewhere else, I really meant fuck off because we don't want to listen to bitches like you."

"Ooh," Sharpay childishly mocked, "someone's a little touchy."

"Congratulations!" Taylor exclaimed and clapped (albeit quietly). "And the winner for the lamest comeback is...Sharpay Evans!" Sharpay scowled and Gabriella couldn't help but laugh; it was enough though to get rid of them though and Gabriella didn't know what she was going to do without Taylor.

"Come on, Shar, lets go and leave these losers to themselves. We don't want to breathe the same air as them."

"You're right, who would want to breathe the same air as them? I might become infected or something."

Taylor snorted and rolled her eyes making Sharpay and Heather blush with embarrassment; they knew their words were ridiculously silly, which was probably why they scuttled from the library quickly. "Forget them." Taylor said determinedly. "If they want to be immature and stupid then they can be. Although, you really should stick up for yourself, Gabs. You let them win otherwise." Gabriella shrugged. Taylor looked at her worriedly for a moment before deciding to change the subject. "Well, since we've been disturbed...I've got some news for you."

"Yeah?" Gabriella quietly replied.

"I've met a guy."

Gabriella eyes darted from staring miserably at the table and she smiled. "Really? What's he like?"

"He's so sweet, Gabs." Taylor sighed in a love-sick manner. "And we get along so well. There's always something we can talk about and he makes me laugh and we...well, we just click!"

"That's great, Tay. His name is?"

"Frederick." Gabriella couldn't help but giggle. "I know, he doesn't really look like a Frederick; I call him Freddy anyway. I met him at the park when I was walking Alfie. It was like something out of a film, I swear! His dog ran off and I managed to catch him since he came up to Alfie; then Freddy came running up and...at the risk of sounding like a bad nineties movie...I think it could be fate!"

"I'm really happy for you. God only knows you need a boyfriend."

Taylor nudged Gabriella playfully, "and what does that mean?"

"It means that I don't have to always listen to why there aren't enough good guys in the world and if there was a good guy then he's already been snapped up." Taylor giggled. "I suppose you've snapped up a good guy now then, huh?"

"I really think so, Gabs."

"Well, good but you've forgotten to tell me one major detail."

Taylor's brow furrowed. "What's that?"

"Is he cute?"

Taylor laughed loudly and quickly ducked (the librarian had surely heard). "The cutest!" She gushed and Gabriella smiled. She had never seen Taylor so excited before. She was usually too independent and busy to really think about a boyfriend; of course she looked at guys and would always notice the good-looking ones (Taylor wasn't totally oblivious) but she never actually wanted one.

"Well, have you got his number?"

"Yeah." Taylor blushed (Gabriella had never seen her blush so much). "And heasked for it. I couldn't believe it when he did! I thought I was about to die with excitement but actually if he hadn't done it then I would've." Gabriella laughed and admired her best friend's confidence.

"Slow down there, Tay, you're starting to sound like a Barbie doll."

"Shut up." Taylor nudged her playfully and Gabriella laughed.

"Well, I'll have to meet this Frederick some time. You may be happy with him but I still need to approve."

"What is with you lately?" Chad suddenly blurted out whilst Troy was leaning against the bonnet of a car and cleaning a part.

Troy looked up and furrowed his brow, "what are you talking about?"

"You're different...at least, I think so anyway..." Chad's eyes squinted as if he were scrutinising Troy. "Yeah, you're definitely different."

"And how so, Chad?" Troy asked, rolling his eyes.

"I don't know." Chad replied, "but there's something about you that's changed."

"Well, I'm still the same old me."

"Yeah, but you're...you're happier." Chad's eyes lit up in a manner that could only express his excitement about finding the correct answer. "That's it, you're happier!"

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Troy chuckled.

"It's not at all but still...why are you suddenly so much happier?"

"To be honest, I didn't even know I was." Troy replied and shrugged, reaching for a bottle of water.

Chad hesitated and examined Troy for a few seconds before saying, "have you met someone?"

"What!" Troy spluttered; a few droplets of water unattractively dribbled down his chin. "What makes you say that?"

"I was just suggesting it." Chad answered and Troy felt his cheeks redden slightly with embarrassment whilst he mopped up the water on his face. "But judging by your reaction, I'm going to say that you have met someone." Troy turned, his back now to Chad and mouthed a profanity then pretending that he had never heard Chad's second part; but Chad knew exactly what he was doing. "Don't ignore me, Bolton, and don't try and change the subject either...you really have met someone, haven't you?" Chad excitedly exclaimed.

"No."

"You said that way too quickly for my liking, Hoops." Chad narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "It's okay if you have...why aren't you telling me, anyway? I'm your best friend!" Chad exclaimed.

"You sound like a girl."

"You are a girl."

"Oh, great comeback, smart-arse." Troy sarcastically replied and laughed.

"Shut up." Chad threw a dirty rag at Troy's face but Troy swiftly caught it. "Look, just tell me what's happening, Hoops, tell me!" He whined.

"It's nothing big but," Troy mumbled with his head down and his hands fiddling with the cloth, "yeah, I met someone."

"I knew it! I knew it." Chad proudly said. "I am a genius...so, what's her name? Unless it's a he..."

"Her name is Gabriella."

"Where'd you meet?"

"My house."

"Whoa, I knew you were a hit with the ladies but I never knew you could move that fast." Chad teased and Troy threw the dirty rag back at him. "How old is she?"

"What is this? The Jerry Springer Show."

"I'm curious, that's all."

"Well, I'm not telling you anything else."

"Oh, come on!"

"No," Troy firmly replied. "No more questions."

The lights of Amber's Lounge brightly shone in the night and Gabriella smiled as Troy gently took her hand. How did she get so lucky? He was sweet, funny, caring and not to mention the fact he was irresistibly gorgeous. Troy grinned and winked at her making Gabriella blush, his effect on her was ridiculous but Gabriella actually enjoyed it. He made her feel special; something she had never been allowed to feel before.

"You don't mind coming here again, do you?" Troy asked.

"No, not at all." Gabriella replied. "I like this place."

"Good. Although next time, I promise I'll take you somewhere else." Gabriella broadly smiled. He was already planning their next date, she could hardly believe it! "But their live music is really good."

"I don't doubt it." Gabriella watched a couple of people on stage set up, one strumming some notes on a guitar with the other fiddling with a microphone whilst Troy hurried off to get them some drinks. The lights were dimmed with a candle flickering against her face and even though Gabriella was already looking forward to their next date in some unknown place, Gabriella had fallen in love with Amber's Lounge. It wasn't exactly the loveliest of places but there was something warm and inviting about it. Plus, it held something for her. Gabriella saw it as hers and Troy's; their secret, dating place.

"Here." Gabriella snapped out of her daze as Troy returned with their drinks. "I'm really glad you decided to come." Troy honestly told her, taking her hand and stroking it gently with his thumb.

"Me too." Gabriella replied and (however clichéd this may sound) she could almost faint at the sparkle in his beautiful eyes. They were so sultry and focused on her; Gabriella's lips parted, she just wanted to kiss him so badly.

It appeared Troy had the same idea; his eyes slipped downwards from her eyes to her lips and he leaned forward. Gabriella wasted no time in meeting him half way and their lips quickly met. It was as sensual and sweet as their first but Gabriella knew his lips this time and was more confident. In fact, she even surprised herself when she wrapped her arms around his neck but Troy appeared to welcome the move as he gently placed a hand on her waist.

Gabriella would have happily carried on kissing Troy but the waitress had other ideas and cleared her throat loud and sharply. The couple quickly broke apart and Gabriella felt her cheeks immediately heat up and she could also feel Troy's amused gaze on her. Looking at her bright red hair and her multiple tattoo's, Gabriella recognised her as the girl that served them on their first date...she didn't look too happy to see Gabriella again.

"Sorry, Lauren." Troy said whilst scratching the back of his neck as if he were nervous but he still oozed confidence. "Er...I'll just have a burger and chips, thanks."

Lauren smiled at Troy and wrote down his order as she said, "ah, your usual. Why am I not surprised?" Troy chuckled, resting his arm on the back of the sofa, his hand hanging just beside Gabriella's shoulder. Then, Lauren turned her head to look at Gabriella with a dull stare. "And what would you like?"

"I'll have the chicken sandwich, thanks." Lauren scribbled down Gabriella's order and turned, looking at Troy before she left but if she thought Gabriella hadn't noticed her change in attitude then she was very wrong. "I don't think she likes me...but she clearly likes you."

Troy laughed. "I know. Sorry 'bout that." Troy scratched the back of his neck again. "We went out on a date a few months ago but it didn't work out." Gabriella looked over at Lauren as she passed a beer to one of the customers and she couldn't help but feel the jealousy build up in her stomach. "We didn't have anything to talk about...it was quite awkward actually." Gabriella didn't realise but her eyes had narrowed and suddenly she was evaluating the waitress.

She was pretty. Tattoos really weren't Gabriella's thing but they looked good on Lauren and her red hair was unique and stylish...I could never pull that off, she thought to herself. She held herself with confidence and could quite clearly knock someone out with her brilliant smile. Lauren also had an amazing body, thin waist, flat stomach but killer curves. Shit. She said to herself.

"Gabriella?" Troy slowly said. Gabriella turned to look at his amused expression. "Are you checking her out?"

"What? No!" Gabriella quickly replied.

"You sure about that?" Troy teased.

"I was just..."Gabriella stuttered. "She's attractive, that's all."

"You know I think you're much more beautiful than her, right?" A faint blush hit Gabriella's cheeks. "Are you...jealous?"

"No!" Gabriella exclaimed but Troy laughed.

"You're rubbish at lying."

Gabriella found herself fighting the smile off her own face as Troy continued to chuckle. "Maybe I was a little jealous. Can you blame me? She's actually really quite pretty!"

"She's got nothing on you." Troy whispered into her ear before kissing her cheek tenderly. Gabriella smiled. He really knew what to say. "You know, you shouldn't keep putting yourself down." Troy told her in a serious manner.

"Thanks, Troy."

"I'm serious!" Troy exclaimed. "You shouldn't think you're second best to anyone. I mean, you should stand up to my stupid cousin and stupid sister," Gabriella saw his embarrassed expression, she knew how much he hated that she was bullied by members of his family. "And your parents for that matter!"

"Oh God, not you too." Gabriella groaned. First Taylor, now Troy?

"Well, doesn't that just show you that you need to do something about it?" Troy argued. "I mean, you're this amazing girl, you're smart, funny, sweet, gorgeous," Gabriella blushed again, "and yet you're not confident because some people try to put you down."

"My parents don't try to put me down."

"Really?" Troy said, "because I would say otherwise."

"Troy, please, I really didn't come here to have a lecture." Gabriella said, beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"I know but I hate it when you talk about yourself as if you're worthless." Troy told her. "I just want you to realise how beautiful you are, inside and out. You're parents don't help your self-confidence, can't you see that?" Gabriella remained silent, his words swirling around in her mind. "I'm sorry. I don't want to ruin our date but you shouldn't be allowed to put yourself down." Gabriella looked at Troy with soft eyes and Troy took the opportunity to give her a tender kiss on the lips.

Although the rest of the evening went smoothly and full of laughter (and quite a few kisses), Troy's words remained firm in Gabriella's mind. When she returned home, her parents were somewhere around the house but she doubted they had even noticed she wasn't at home...maybe Troy was right? Maybe she did need to stand up to her parents? But they were her parents, weren't they supposed to want the very best? Weren't they supposed to want you to get straight A's? Okay, so her parents went that step further to ensure she definitely did get straight A's but that didn't mean they were damaging her in any way...did it?

Gabriella put the topic to rest before she went to bed but the next afternoon brought it back again when her parents were staring down at her with disappointment. Her mother holding a Biology paper in her hands with a big seventy percent written in red pen on it.

"Did you not listen to anything we told you before, Gabriella?" Her mother shouted. "I think you need to take a long hard look in the mirror young lady because if this is the kind of marks you are receiving then you should not expect to graduate with a good set of results!"

Well, that's not fair...or true. Gabriella said to herself.

"I am very disappointed in you."

You've said that before.

"You won't get into Stanford if you continue like this."

You've said that before, too.

"I'm so disappointed."

I know, you keep saying. Over and over and over...

"Are you listening, Gabriella?"

"Yes."

"You need a better attitude to school, Gabriella."

How? I do more than enough.

"Yes, you're mother's right. You need a much better attitude to school."

What do you expect me to do? Live there?

"If you're going to continue to achieve this then we will have to get you a tutor to make sure you do it properly."

"Do we make ourselves clear?"

"Yes."

You're this amazing girl, you're smart, funny, sweet, gorgeous and yet you're not confident because some people try to put you down...

Gabriella sighed as Troy's words came to the forefront of her mind (again). Maybe he was right? She had always known she was a push over and she didn't like confrontation so she tended to remain quiet even when she disagreed. She knew her parents were strict. They had always been strict but maybe they were too much so? Maybe Taylor had been right all along and Gabriella was simply too blind to see?

"Gabriella and Sharpay."

Gabriella suddenly snapped back into reality. She had been evaluating Troy's words so much that she had not been listening to her English teacher until the angry blonde slumped into the chair next to Gabriella with a growl on her pink, glossy lips. Oh great. Gabriella thought to herself.

"I'm not happy about this, Montez." Sharpay snarled under her breath.

Gabriella decided not to answer; in fact, she never even looked in Sharpay's direction (she feared Sharpay would scratch her eyeballs out if she did. After all, her nails were long). Whilst the teacher continued to pair the pupils together, Gabriella could hear Sharpay sighing loudly as if the teacher would suddenly turn around and decide to change Sharpay's partner.

"God, you better get me a good grade...well, I suppose that is all you're good for." Gabriella still did not look at the blonde that had continued with her snide comments. "I can't believe I am stuck with you. I couldn't be put with someone more boring."

It was Gabriella's time to sigh and she put her chin in her hands. When she thought about it, Sharpay's comments (and Heather's) were always the same. There was no originality. How had Gabriella not realised this before?

"Jesus Christ, people better not think I chose to be partners with you." Sharpay muttered. "If someone thought we were friends, then I might just die." Gabriella saw, out of the corner of her eye, Sharpay slump down in her seat further and put her hand on her forehead as if to shield herself from anyone looking. "Will you get to work on this! I'm not failing because you wouldn't do anything."

Gabriella rolled her eyes.

"And stop tapping your pencil like that."

Gabriella didn't.

"I said, stop tapping your pencil like that!"

Gabriella still didn't.

"What are you? Deaf?" Sharpay complained. "You are so pathetic Montez, seriously, you need to-"

"Shut up!"

Gabriella wasn't going to stand for their horrid remarks any longer; she had had enough.

girlwithbrowneyes:

Hello. Long time, no read huh? I am terribly sorry about that. I've struggled to get this finished because of a couple of reasons.

One: I wasn't entirely sure what direction I wanted this to go. I decided in the end that Gabriella was going to begin changing!

Two: I have had a lot of school work; I have exams in January (a week after Christmas holidays!) and I have been revising and then it all got very hectic towards the end of term at school with Carol Services and Prefect duties coming out of my ears! Then Christmas actually came and we always go to my grandparents, y'see, and they don't have any internet.

BUT IT'S HERE NOW!

Thank you to Bluebell140, yogaluva, kristenkay0606, pumpkinking5, Jadiee, Fairyvixenmaiden, Marie Hughes, LittleMissNEWYORK, cautious, dancedivaw1309, cncgrad02 and Ladybug3. All your reviews are wonderful! Thank you.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hugs and Kisses,

Olivia

Disclaimer: I do not have any affiliation with the Disney/HSM franchise nor do I own any of the recognised characters; only the plot and my imagination.