Chapter Three - Building a Friendship
Gabriella's Point of View
Beep! Beep! Beep!
My eyes shot open. I looked at my alarm clock and hit the snooze button, just five more minutes and I could be up and ready. I closed my eyes, feeling the sleep come back over me. I could hear my breathing getting slower.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
I shot my eyes open, again. The clock said that I had sleep for five extra minutes. I hit the snooze button, still feeling the sleep. My mother rushed through my door, making me shoot up in a sitting position.
"Sorry Gab's." She said, going towards my mirror. "Can I borrow this?" She asked, holding up a bobby pin. I nodded slowly.
"Yeah, go ahead." She nodded and started pulling her hair back and placed the bobby pin in it. Then she turned back to me.
"You better get ready," She said. "You have to get going soon." I nodded and watched her leave.
I pulled the comforter off my legs and stretched out my arms and legs. I hadn't slept well last night. I kept hearing that same shattering noise outside. It hadn't stopped until almost three in the morning. Finally I jumped up from my bed and walked over to my dresser. I was still tired and I wasn't going to be able to make it through the day feeling like this. I grabbed my clothes from my dresser and went into the bathroom. I adjusted the water then closed the curtain.
After I got all the conditioner out, I grabbed a towel and changed into my clothes. I went back to my room, to put my pajamas on my bed, then saw the time. I had less then ten minutes to get to the shelter, and I had to walk. I grabbed my bag and ran down the stairs and saw a note on the table, from my mom. She had the directions laid out and said to call her once I got there and home. I took a water from the fridge and a fiber bar from the cupboard.
I took the directions and got my shoes on, running out the door. I dug in my bag for my key. Once I had locked the door I started down the street. I was only a couple blocks away, and I could maybe make it on time. I remembered most of the turns, from when my mother had drove me. I turned the final corner and saw the last set of lights right ahead. It was just about to turn green and let me walk. I started running, not wanting to be more late then I had to be. The small hand started flashing, telling me to proceed with caution. I looked both ways and saw a car beside me. I took a breath then ran through to light.
The other light had turned green and a car started honking at me. I mouthed that I was sorry and started running. The car next to the curb had their signal light on. I mouthed sorry to them too and ran as fast as I could. The car with the signal light came up from behind me and turned into the shelters parking lot. I didn't pay much attention to it, running through the shelters doors and greeting Nicole.
"Sorry I'm late." I said, out of breath. Nicole looked over me.
"It's fine, your here just on time." She smiled then got to her feet. "Oh, there's Troy." I turned and saw Troy getting out of the car that was sitting at the light. He walked into the building with another women, who I assumed was his mother.
"Good morning Nicole." The women greeted. Nicole smiled to her.
"Good morning Lucille." She said. Troy came up from behind his mother.
"Sorry we're a little late." Lucille said, turning to Troy. "Some of us had troubles getting out of bed this morning." Nicole smiled at me.
"He wasn't the only one." I felt my cheeks getting hot. Lucille stood in front of me, extending her hand.
"I don't think we have met." She said. "I'm Lucille, Troy's mother." I shook her hand.
"I'm Gabriella." I smiled, shaking her hand. Lucille looked back to Troy, he just shrugged. She turned back to me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Gabriella." Lucille let go of my hand and walked over to Nicole. "Are they working with Robyn?" She asked. Nicole nodded. "Well we are getting a large order coming in. The food didn't come in last night, so we have that plus next weeks."
"That's fine," Nicole said, looking towards Troy and myself. "We can put these two to work." Lucille smiled. Turning back to her son.
"Well, I'll probably be back in later." Troy nodded. "Alright, have a good day." She kissed Troy's cheek then turned back to smile at me and left.
"Okay guys, let's get going." Nicole said, walking down the hall. Troy came up from behind me.
"Hey." He said, smiling down to me. I smiled at him.
"Hi." We followed Nicole back to the office we were working in the other day.
"You can put her bag in here, Gabriella." She said. I took my bag from my shoulder and set it next to the door. Nicole continued walking down the hallway. There was a back door that she opened, leading into a large kitchen space.
"Alright, all the food over here." Nicole said, pointing to the large racks of food. "Needs to be put into these." She pointed to all of the dog bowls. Troy and I nodded. "But, be sure that the cat food doesn't get mixed up with them." She said, holding up a bag of Wiskas. "Okay?" We nodded, closing the large door.
Troy's Point of View
Gabriella walked right over to the racks of food, she pulled out a large bag of dog food then reached for the bowls. The bag was almost bigger than her. I walked over to help her out. I stood in front of her, taking the bag from her skinny arms. She smiled at me.
"Thanks." She said, her voice stinging my ears. I smiled at her.
"No problem." I said. She started separating the bowls and putting them into a line on the counter top. I opened the bag and poured food into each of them. Gabriella leaned against the counter, watching me pour the food into the bowls. She put her hands to her mouth, covering her yawn.
"Do you want me to do a couple?" She said, still yawning. I looked up to her.
"No, it's fine." I said. "You did most of the work yesterday, plus you seem a little tired." I winked to her, seeing a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth, but it got ruined when she yawned again. I tried to hide a smile.
"Thanks." She said, throwing her head back. "There's been this loud shattering noises outside my house, some idiots smashing beer bottles."
I froze where I was. That's the street she lives on? In front of that house? Why was he still out there? I thought he finally got the point, he wasn't wanted here. Chad and I talked to him last night, he was suppose to leave and not show his face here. He must have gone back when we left. But, wait, what if Gabriella saw me? What if she saw me and Chad getting out of his car and going to talk to them? No, it was too dark out, she couldn't have seen our faces, could she?
"Troy!" Gabriella said, her hands touching mine, pulling the food from me hands. I blinked twice, then realized I had poured enough food into one bowl for three dogs.
"Oh, crap!" I said, letting Gabriella take it from me. She was looking into my eyes. I turned away and looked for a broom. I saw one in the corner and ran over to get. I started sweeping the bits that fell onto the ground. Gabriella put the food on the counter and went to get the garbage can. She put it next to me and started emptying some of the food into the other bowls.
I got the dust pan and started sweeping the food onto it. Gabriella's hands replaced mine and she held it for me. I didn't look at her, not wanting her to see the discomfort in my eyes. She dumped the food into the can and put it back to the side, while I put the broom back in the corner.
"Troy?" She asked. I turned to face her.
"Sorry." I said, trying to smile. "I got lost in thought." Gabriella shrugged then went to pick up the bag of food. I went to grab the bag from her, but she nudged it away.
"I got it." She said, not looking at me.
I relaxed against the counter and watched Gabriella struggle. I wanted to take the bag from her and let her relax. She looked so tired today, like she was about to fall down dead. She yawned twice, but never looked up at me. She obviously liked doing things on her own, probably to show she was independent.
Her eyebrows came together as she tried to pour food into the last bowl. She used both of her hands then, finally, she set the bag on the counter and grabbed the bowl in her hands. Her eyebrows were still pulled together, but she put the bowl into the food and scooped the food into the bowl. She set the bowl next to the others and smiled. She turned to me.
"All done." She said, closing the top of the food bag and setting it back on the rack. She went to stand beside, but stopped. I looked to my feet and stuffed my hands in my pockets, feeling her discomfort.
Gabriella's Point of View
Troy was hiding something. I knew it wasn't any of my business, but I couldn't help but wonder. Whenever I asked him about why he was here or anything that related to getting to know him a little better, just made it more awkward between us. Although I'd only known him for a day and twenty minutes, I wanted to know more about him and I wanted him to know more about me.
I looked up at him. I itched to go stand beside him, but what if he moved away from me? What if he shuddered and left the room? I would be the stupid one standing by myself and waiting for someone to come find me. I didn't want to take that chance.
"So," I said, trying to make conversation. Troy finally looked up at me, a smile forming on his lips.
"So." He said. I took a small breath and went to stand beside him. I tried to hide a smile, when he didn't walk away, but failed. Our arms were just touching, it felt like a huge electric shock running through my body. My cheeks started to burn.
"What do you like to do in your spare time?" I asked, trying to get to know him better.
"Uh," He started, taking his hands out of his pocket. He turned to look at me, a huge smile forming on his face. "I like to play basketball, baseball, and, in the shower, sing." He smiled to me, making my heart flutter. "What about you?" His entire body turned to face me, interested in what I had to say.
"Well," I started, smiling up at him. "We have something in common Troy Bolton." Troy's face went confused.
"And what would that be Ms. Montez." He said, crossing his arms.
"Well," I began. "Aside from my clumsiness, I love basketball." I crossed my arms and watched his confusion change to amusement.
"Really?" He asked, astonished. I looked at him, almost shocked.
"What?" I said. "A girl can't like playing basketball?" Troy uncross his arms, his eyes popping out.
"No, no, no, no." He said, tripping over his own words. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Sure you didn't." I said, having a little fun with it.
"No, I swear I didn't."
"Oh," I said, trying to hide my laughter and sound serious. "Troy Bolton not only is sexist, but he swears too?" I shook my head in disappointment. I started to walk away, but Troy jumped in front of me.
"I didn't mean anything like that." He said, serious. He looked straight into my eyes, his hands wrapping around my forearms, making my heart want to start flying. Finally I couldn't help but laugh. Troy stood where he was, his face growing in confusion. I couldn't see after a little while, my stomach hurt so much that I hand to grip the counter. Troy let go of my arms, waiting for me to stop. I had to sit down on the ground, every part of my was flying, and I couldn't help it.
Troy sat next to me, laughing a little himself. Then I hiccuped, hitting my head against the counter behind me. I stopped laughing, feeling my head starting to sting. I looked over to Troy. His hand was clapped over his mouth. Tears running down his face. I looked at him, was he hurt of something?
"Are you okay?" I asked him. He stared back at me, then finally, he took his hand from his mouth. His laughter filled the air. Tears were flying from his eyes. His face looked like it was on fire. His throat made a gulping noise, with his laughter, only making the tears fall harder and his laughter grow louder. I couldn't help but start laughing with him.
Nicole came through the kitchen doors. She looked over us, I tried to stop laughing but hearing Troy's laughter only made mine worse. She smiled at us. After a couple of seconds her face went serious.
"Alright guys." She said, waiting for us. Troy's laughing slowed, followed by mine. Troy got to his feet, helping me to mine. "Robyn isn't going to be back in until the end of the week, family matters, so you two are going to have to feed the dogs." Troy nodded. I could feel my face going straight. Did she say feed the dogs?
Troy's Point of View
I felt Gabriella go silent at my side. Nicole looked at me.
"You remember what to do?" She asked. I nodded. "Okay, here's the key and make sure they get enough." She tossed me the key.
"Sure." She looked back to Gabriella then to me, leaving the kitchen. I turned to Gabriella. "Are you alright?" I asked her, alarmed by how white her dark skin had turned. She didn't reply. I put my hands on her shoulders. They were tense. I shook her as softly as I could. "Brie?"
Her eyes snapped at me. Her mouth forming a small 'o'. I took half a step closer to her.
"Gabriell-"
"What did you just call me?" She asked, cutting me off. I thought back and couldn't remember what she was talking about.
"Are you alright?" I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Nicole was telling us about feeding the dogs .. " I trailed off, was she afraid of dogs? Gabriella turned away, a small smile on her lips. She started grabbing the bowls in each hand, trying to balance them on her arms. I quickly took them from her, before she dropped them. She looked at me strangely.
"Troy, what are you doing, we're suppose to take .. " She trailed off as I walked into one of the supply closets.
"Well." I called to her, from the closet. "We can take fourteen trips from the kitchen to the feeding grounds, or .. " I said, wheeling out a stainless steel tray. "We can put them all on this, and push it there .. in one trip."
Gabriella's lips started nudging at the corners, pulling into a bright smile with her sparkling teeth, glittering in the light. She crossed her arms and just started at me.
"What?" I said, smiling at her. She shook her head slowly.
"Nothing." She said, grabbing two bowls and placing them on the tray.
...
I unlocked the door, to the feeding room, and pushed the tray through the doors. Gabriella stayed close to my side. She seemed uncomfortable. I looked down at her, her tanned face was almost as white as a Canadian girls'. Her eyes never left the twenty-eight dogs that were barking in front of her. I couldn't help but smile at the small fragile girl that was practically clinging to me. She was practically behind me, staying as far away from the cages as she could. I grabbed two bowls and went towards the cage. Gabriella's hand gripped my arm, pulling me back.
"What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes filled with horror. I chuckled, amused.
"I'm doing my job." I said, walking towards the cages. I was tugged back, again.
"Shouldn't we get someone more .. " She looked to the dogs, her eyes ready to jump out of their sockets. "Trained?" She said, looking back to me. I smiled.
"Are you afraid?" I asked. She let go of my arm. I could feel the cool air hitting my skin where she touched. She looked at me, crossing her arms, an angry look crossing her face.
"I am not afraid." She said. She looked back to the dogs then walked out of the building.
"Brie!" I called after her. She didn't turn around. I looked to the dogs then quickly grabbed their bowls. I put one in cage then left the building, locking it behind me.
I ran into the main building, looking for Brie. I ran into the office where she had dropped her bag. Her bag was still where she left it, but she wasn't there. I ran into the kitchen, hoping she was there preparing the food for the cats and birds, but she wasn't. I went over to Nicole.
"Hey," I said, running out of breath. "Have you seen Gabriella?" She shook her head.
"I haven't seen her since you two were in the kitchen." She said. I ran back down the hallway and out the back door. I went into the holding kennel and the birds and cats feeding center. There was no sign of her. Why was I so edgy? She was probably in the washroom or something. Why would I even say that she was afraid, even though I knew I was right. I thought back to the other places she might have gone, but the shelter isn't very large. Many animals had to be put down each year because there wasn't enough space and not enough adoptions.
I thought as hard as I could. I began thinking of where she could have gone in a place she had only just realized existed in less than two days. I tried remembering all the places I had showed her when I gave her the mini tour the other day, but nothing came to mind. Where was a place that seemed to interest her? She wouldn't have gone near the dogs, maybe the cats?
"Ugh," I said to myself. "So stupid." I started running across the field, heading towards the small clearing. I pushed the leaves from my face and jumped over the tree roots until I saw her soft curls. I stopped and saw another girl kneeling next to the small pond. Who the hell was that? I caught my breath then started walking closer. Gabriella began laughing.
I slowly went behind her, as quietly as I could, realizing who was kneeling.
"It worries me sometimes." My mother said. Gabriella got off the bench and went over to kneel next to her.
"My mom always worried about that too." She said, swirling her finger in the water.
What were they talking about? Were they talking about me? I slowly backed away, wanting to hear more of what they were saying. I reached the trees and ducked underneath one of the leaves. My mom took a pinch of fish food and dropped it in the water. My mom sighed then looked over to Gabriella.
"Thanks for listening to me ramble about my life and family." She said. Gabriella smiled to her.
"It was no problem." Gabriella said. "Anytime you need to talk, I'm always here."
"I might just take you up on that offer one day." My mom looked back to the small pond. "Well I'd better get going." She got to her feet. Looking down at Gabriella. "Are you going to stay here for a little longer?" She asked. Gabriella stared at the water then looked to my mother.
"Yeah." She said. "It's my lunch in a few minutes anyways." My mother nodded then smiled to her.
She started for the trees, while Gabriella sat where she was, staring off into space. I watched my mother, through the trees, as she made her way back to the main building. I looked back to Gabriella and stepped away from the trees. I walked up from behind her.
"Hey." I said, watching Gabriella jump and turn to face me.
"Oh. Hi." She said, her hand flying to her throat. "I didn't hear you." I stood where I was, putting my hands in my front pockets.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I said. Gabriella smiled, patting the grass next to her. I shook my head. "Actually, I thought we could maybe go out for lunch." I scratched the back of my neck, praying for her to say yes. She thought about it for a moment, then got to her feet.
"Sure." She said, taking one last glance at the fish. We walked through the trees, I could hear her breathing grower louder and louder. I looked down as we made our way across the field.
"I'm sorry." I blurted out. Gabriella turned and looked at me with confusion. "The way I was acting in the kennel .. " I trailed off, scratching the back of my neck. Gabriella stopped. I turned to her. Her face was serious and she stared at me.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." She said. Little did she know, I had a lot to be sorry for. It was my fault that she had lack of sleep. It was my fault my dad was never home. It was partly my fault that there was smashed glass all over the road.
"It my fault that I got upset." She interrupted. "Let's just forget about it. What I did was stupid, I left you to feed twenty-eight dogs. I'll make it up to, okay?" She smiled then started walking again. I ran a little to catch up with her.
"So, where are we going to sit for lunch?" She asked, raising an eyebrow to me. "I was thinking the picnic table over there." She pointed. I shook my head.
"No, I asked you to go out for lunch, not sit in this place and eat." I smiled down to her.
...
Alright, so sorry for the late update. I was meaning to have this up already, but things changed. Also, thank you for the awesome reviews, it means so much to me! I will attempt to have the next chapter up by tomorrow, for sure, possibly tonight .. but most likely not. Thanks once again and keep up the amazing reviews.