Chapter 13

Adopt a Puppy - Part 2

Gabriella's Point of View

It was very strange dreaming when you knew you were asleep, yet those terrifying nightmares still scared you. For example, right now. I know I am asleep and I know when I open my eyes it will all vanish. Sad thing, when your sleeping you don't know how to open your eyes before the monster in the closet comes at you. In my case though, I couldn't run fast enough.

I pushed my feet forward, but not fast enough. I still couldn't reach him. I pushed past the trees and branches and watched the forest around me in a blur. Tears stung my eyes, but I knew I couldn't give up. I continued to run as fast as I could. I had a cramp in my rib, but I wouldn't let a little pain stop me. My feet pulled my body along. I jumped over logs and puddles then, out of nowhere, I was slowing to a stop. I started to panic. I was so close, yet so far away. I held my hand to my rib, as if it would stop the pain of my aching heart. I wiped my eyes and clenched my teeth. I was going to make it. I looked at the watch on my wrist. Only two minutes.

The trees around me started to blur again. I jumped over the logs and I pushed threw the branches. I looked back at my watch. Only twenty three seconds. How could that be? It was only two minutes two seconds ago! This couldn't be happening.

Even though you know your dreaming, you still get scared. That was my case. I figured in the end I would make it anyways, it was my dream. Yet, it still didn't stop me from worrying.

I could hear beeping. Counting down from five. Only five seconds. I knew I had to make it count. My feet pushed themselves forward. It felt like I was flying. I ran threw a puddle, soaking my leg. I didn't care. I was going to lose him. The only person who knew the real me. The only one who I could count on for anything. He was my world.

I felt a smile cross my face as I reached the end of the forest. I pushed threw the leaves and branches and saw Troy with his back to me. His head was cocked to the side and his arms where in front of him. I started to run up to him. Tears of joy streaming down my face. I was here. Staring at the man I loved and who loved me. We were going to be together forever. Our own little fairy tale. It was every girls' dream to find someone who was cared as much for you as you cared for them. Your own Prince Charming. My own Prince Charming was standing only steps away from me.

I went to put my hand on his shoulder as I heard a small moan. It wasn't mine and it was too high pitched to be Troy's. Then the was another. A hand tangled itself in Troy's hair and a leg wrapped around his waist. Then I saw the face of the devil. She had fake blond hair and too much make-up on her face. My wonderful dream which had turned to a nightmare, then a fairy tale, and back to a nightmare only got worse.

Troy's lips trailed down her cheek bone, to her neck, and back to her lips. Then there was a another moan, this time, from Troy. The girls' hands trailed up his shirt and she had it around his neck.

"Amber .. " Troy whispered.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I sank to the ground. That should be my name he is whispering. That should be me he is kissing. That should be me! I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. Tears flowed threw me. They weren't tears of joy or happiness. They were tears of sadness, anger .. betrayal. I lifted my head back up and saw Amber staring at me. She wore an evil smile. Troy kissed her chin while her eyes burned into mine.

The ground beneath me started to shake. Amber and Troy didn't seem to notice. The shaking stopped, only to start again. There was a sound in the distance. I got to my feet, but fell as the shaking continued. The voice in the distance sounded like Troy, but he was still kissing Amber. Then the trees around me started to disappear. The clouds faded and the sky turned black. Everything was gone except Troy, Amber, and myself. Then Amber disappeared. Followed by Troy. I was alone in the darkness. I fell to my feet and curled into a ball. I closed my eyes and wished for the shaking to stop. For this nightmare to stop.

Troy's Point of View

"Gabriella!" I said again, shaking her arm lightly.

Her eyes fluttered opened. She jumped back a little when she saw me. She rubbed her eyes and looked around her. Then, her eyes fell on me.

"Are you alright?" I asked her. She only stared at me. "You were rocking in your sleep and you were crying. Sorry I waked you."

Gabriella continued to stare at me. She looked hurt and angry. I brushed away the tears that lingered on her cheeks. She flinched once then her eyes started to close. Her face went smooth. Unreadable.

"I had a bad dream." She whispered. "I tried to wake up, but .. everything started shaking." Her eyes opened and she looked into mine, not saying anything. I saw right into her mind. She seemed scared. I put my arm around her shoulders.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.

Her head fell on my shoulder. She shook her head. I nodded and leaned back against the bench. Gabriella's breathing slowed. I sat and watched the small fish swim around by himself, only thinking of one thing. How lucky I was to have Gabriella so close to me. I could smell her scent in the air. I could smell her strawberry shampoo. I had everything I needed right here. I could live through life by sitting where I was with the girl in my arms. Just Gabriella and me.

...

"Nick, your going to be with Beth and help her with the dog show." My mom called out. "Dean .. can you help with the face painting?" Mr. Charles nodded then walked over to the face painting table. "Troy and Gabriella .. could you do the stamp?"

"Sure." Gabriella said.

"Alright, you two can follow me." My mom said. Gabriella jumped to her feet and followed my mom.

She led us around the building and into the parking lot. There was a table with two chairs, inked stamps, and balloons. Gabriella sat down in one of the chairs while I sat next to next. My mother picked up one of the stamps and held it in front of her.

"All you have to do is stamp their hands and give the children a balloon." She said, stamping her hand. We nodded. "Good, if there are any problems just come find me out back, alright?"

"I'm sure we can handle giving kids balloons, mom." I said. She smiled at me then walked away.

This was perfect. After an hour or so Gabriella and I would just be sitting and talking. No one really shows up after an hour. It would be the perfect time to see how Gabriella feels about me and to make sure she is clear on James, but finding out what her feelings are are more important.

Gabriella's Point of View

Just Troy and I for an entire afternoon .. I could live with that. I could figure out more about him and more about how he feels. I knew my feelings and I'm going to trust myself. I really want to know if our relationship could go farther. I would risk my heart and trust Troy with it. The hardest part would be telling him how I feel. I would feel like an idiot if Troy completely shut me out and said that he didn't feel the same way. I was almost positive he did, but then again, I didn't have much experience reading guys.

Troy turned in his seat to face me. He smiled then put his hands behind his head and leaned back. I smiled back then leaned backwards on my chair. The sun was beating down lightly and there was a small wind, allowing me to smell Troy's scent.

"This should be a fun time." Troy said. I looked at him.

"Hopefully." I smiled.

...

It was almost a half hour into the 'Adopt a Puppy' day at the shelter and it there were still cars pulling into the parking lot. It was just about filled and soon the guests would have to park on the road. Troy and I had come up with a perfect solution. I would stamp their hands while Troy handed the kids a balloon. The process helped to move to the next person in line faster. The guests were mostly younger kids with their parents. All the kids were jumping up and down before, all excited to see the different puppies that were up for adoption.

Troy had told me that only four of the fifty guests actually adopt the puppies each year. Four years ago there was a increase of puppies at the shelter and Lucille, Troy's mother, decided to hold a special day where puppies could be adopted and there could be two free shots. The first year almost ten puppies were adopted. The second year only six. The numbers kept decreasing over the years and now not even a quarter of the city showed up, but that didn't stop Lucille from giving up hope. She still held this event every year and never lost enthusiasm that more puppies would be adopted and have a family. Troy, on the other hand, admitted that he gave up hope after the second year.

For me, I was inspired that Lucille continued this event. She didn't give up and, from the look of it, she didn't plan on doing so.

"Have a good time." Troy said to the small family.

There weren't anymore people in line for the event. It was the first real break that we got since twenty minutes ago.

"Well that was fun." Troy smirked, turning to face me.

"Joy." I smiled.

Troy's Point of View

What was with Gabriella and her beautiful smile? Somehow she always managed to make me want to fall backwards. Thank God I'm sitting. My heart wouldn't slow down. I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping that would stop it. Gabriella's face was still lit into a sparkling smile. I had to lean back in my chair.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Gabriella asked, getting to her feet.

"I'll have a water, please and thank-you." Gabriella smiled then walked off into the building.

"I take it you haven't told her yet?" I heard from behind me. I turned and saw Nick.

"I don't know what your talking about." I said, turning my back to him.

Nick walked over to the front of the table. He must have been on break or finished up the second show. Nick had his disappointed face on, probably because I didn't answer his question. I don't even know why he'd ask, he should no the obvious answer.

"Don't play stupid," He said. "Why didn't you tell her?"

"Maybe because she doesn't need to know." I said, looking back to the building. "Nick, she's going to be back any minute."

"Well in a minute, you can tell Gabriella how you really feel." Nick said.

"Feel about what?" A voice said from behind me.

Nick looked up and stood straight. His fake smile flashed across his lips. I just sat where I was. I knew that voice far too well. I've heard it almost every second of every day always telling me to do my homework. She walked around the table to stand next to Nick.

"Are you finally telling Gabriella how you feel?" My mom said. I looked at Nick in disbelief. My mom saw me glaring at him. "Hey, don't blame Nick. He didn't tell me anything, it's pretty obvious." She smiled.

"What's so obvious?" Another voice said behind me. I threw my head down on the table.

"Troy's little crush." I heard my mom say.

"Oh, Gabriella?" Nicole said. I took a breath then jumped to my feet. Everyone stared at me.

"I don't like Gabriella!" I shouted. "I didn't like her when we first met, I didn't like her when she stayed at our house, and I didn't like her then and I don't like her now! Whatever you guys think you know is wrong! So you can stop making sarcastic remarks now! Okay?" I said.

Everyone was looking at me. I shook my head and sat back down, but their eyes didn't follow me. Everyone was starring behind me. I turned in my chair and saw Gabriella standing with two water bottles. She was looking at the ground. I got to my feet.

"Gabriella .. " I whispered. She looked up, not looking at me fully.

"Here's your water." She said, her voice cracking. She turned and walked back inside. She heard what I had said. I didn't even mean any of it. I only said it so everyone would get off my back! I started after her, but something caught my arm. It was Nick.

"Just let her cool down." He said.

I watched as the door closed behind the girl I might love.

...

Hey everyone, hoped you liked he chapter. Sorry it was a little shorter, again, but I'm still dealing with family issues and school. Also, thank you to everyone for understanding the later updates and everything. I'm also sorry that the chapters aren't very .. good. Something big is in the works and I'm starting to get very excited. I will be working on the next chapter through the week so it should be up next weekend. Once again .. sorry for the late updates and stay tuned!