Chapter Fourteen

Running From Love - Part 1

*Two Weeks Later*

Gabriella's Point of View

Today was suppose to be the day. I was suppose to show up at the shelter and wish Troy a happy birthday. Everyone at the shelter was suppose to be jumping out from behind the front desk in an hour. Nicole and Troy's mother called me a week ago. They asked me if I would still like to come. I told them I would have to call them back, but I was laying on my bed with the phone in my hand. I still haven't called either of them.

I quite working at the shelter. Lucille had told me if I ever wanted to return just call her. I was tempted more than once to call her, but I could always earn my hours another way. There was always helping at the old age homes or helping at the food bank. I thought about calling the food bank and asking, but something kept stopping me. It didn't seem right working anywhere else but the animal shelter.

My cell phone began vibrating on my desk. I didn't even budge. I knew who it was Troy. He had been trying to call me for the past two weeks. I couldn't find it in myself to answer the phone. I was still angry and furious with him. He led me on to believe that he cared for me.

People say that when you open your heart, you'll find someone. I had myself believe that Troy was that someone I could be with for a long time. Maybe not get married or have a family, but possibly. Troy was someone I did care about. I liked almost everything about him. He seemed like the perfect guy for me, but in his eyes I wasn't the perfect girl for him. That right there is what broke my heart. Listening to how he actually felt about me. Not only that, but people were there and they watched me run inside like a little girl.

Troy now knew exactly how I felt about him. Everyone did.

I knew my feelings for Troy were now squashed. I wouldn't drool over him or think about him when it wasn't necessary, excluding now. From this day forward Troy Bolton will be nothing more than a friend to me, if that even. Troy is someone I will put in the past.

I heard my phone ring again. I took a deep breath then went to answer it.

"Gabriella?" A deep voice said.

Troy's Point of View

It was the fourth time I had tried calling Gabriella today. There was still no answer.

Whoever said lying doesn't get you anywhere in life, was right. I lied to Nick, Nicole, my mom, and even Gabriella. Stupid me said I didn't have feelings for Gabriella and that lie has put me in hell. I did, and still do, have feelings for Gabriella. It's something I can't seem to put aside. I still remember her fresh scent, her beautiful smile, her full lips, and her dark long hair. She choose me and I choose her, but I screwed it up. Every wall I had built up to protect Gabriella from my life was no longer standing.

My life was messed up. Today was my birthday. Two weeks ago I would have pictured me going to the shelter and just spending the day with Brie. Life doesn't turn out as planned. Instead my dad comes home after being away for a week, Gabriella hates me, and school starts in two weeks. Life couldn't get better. Oh wait, my sister is angry at me too. Violet use to always smile at me and draw pretty pictures. Now she doesn't even look at me and she stopped drawing. She told my mom it's because she liked Gabriella and I never told Brie that I liked her. Life can turn in the most dramatic ways.

My dad being home hasn't helped the most either. I tried just talking to him, but we ended up fighting. According to him I should have been focusing on basketball, not some girl. We fought then I went to my room and left the house.

Everything is just getting messed up.

...

My mom gave me back the keys to my truck for my birthday, as long as I am responsible. The only other thing I had to before my parents un-grounded me was help at the shelter for today and tomorrow. Of course, I said yes. There wasn't much of anything else to do during the day then think of Gabriella. Even though I did the same thing at the shelter, Gabriella might show up. What would happen if she went there looking for me and I wasn't there? It is unlikely, but you never know.

I was almost there when I felt my phone vibrate. I flipped it open and read the text message from James.

Since you and the brunette are done, mind if I take her for a spin ..

I clenched my phone in my hands and threw it on the passenger seat. James had still been messaging me and somehow he knew more about Gabriella then I seemed to. That only infuriated me more and James knew that. Finally, I pulled into the shelter's parking lot and turned off my truck. I grabbed my phone and keys then walked into the building. I went to open the door.

"Surprise!" A rush of voices said. The lights flicked on. I could see everyone who volunteered and worked at the shelter with a smile on their face. I was taken back with surprise and my mom rushed to my side.

"Happy birthday honey." She said, kissing my cheek. I smiled and hugged her.

"Thanks mom." I said.

Gabriella's Point of View

I sat on the toilet seat in the shelter. Troy had already arrived, I heard everyone screaming. I was almost hyperventilating. Should I go out and see Troy? I knew I would have to leave the washroom soon, but I wasn't sure if I was ready. I would have to encounter Troy for the first time in weeks. I was perfectly fine earlier when I called Lucille. I thought I was ready, but now I was having second thoughts.

...

It had been almost twenty minutes since Troy showed up. I still sat where I was in the washroom. Nicole had come in earlier and tried talking me into saying hello, but I declined and stayed put. What if I just went home? This was a bad idea and I never should have come. I nodded to myself. I took Troy's gift and opened the stall door. I could hear the faint music coming from the front foyer. I took several deep breaths until I opened the washroom door.

I looked both ways to make sure Troy wouldn't see me. When I didn't see him I rushed down the only hallways and stayed close to the wall. Everyone was dancing and laughing and talking. I couldn't help but smile to see everyone. Then, I spotted the door. I looked around once more for Troy then walked as fast as I could towards them.

"Gabriella!" I heard someone say. I froze where I was. Was that Troy? "Gabriella, there you are! Have you seen Troy?" Lucille said.

I turned and faced her. I shook my head, wanting to leave right now. Lucille's smile vanished and she looked around.

"Could you help us find him please?" She asked. "Can you check by the pond while I look around in here?"

I knew I really should just leave, but it was Lucille. She was so kind and innocent it was hard to say no to her. I nodded then went towards the back doors. I opened the doors and walked across the lawn. My stomach started stirring inside. Butterflies were raging and my heart was pounding. Something told me that Troy would be at the pond and I would have to talk to him.

What would I even say to him?

"Hi, your mom is looking for you, bye!"

That would go so well. He has been trying to call me for weeks. I was suspecting he wasn't going to try to talk to me? I'm such a stupid person, why did I even come here again?

Troy's Point of View

Me and Orion sat on the bench, watching the sun bounce off the crystal water.

Orion got on his legs and started barking behind us. I got to my feet, turning around. I didn't see anyone. Orion began tugging on his leash, barking at the trees. I heard a snap of wood and I lost the grip on Orion. He flung himself into the trees, barking at the top of his lungs. He disappeared. I stood where I was.

"Orion." I said. I heard him growling, then saw his tail come through the leaves. He was tugging on something. I heard a small huff. "Orion!" I called. He didn't stop. I ran up from behind him. He always listened to my commands. "Orion! Stop! Come on, boy!" I said, taking his leash and pulling it.

I pulled as hard as I could. He didn't let go of what he was pulling. I continued to tug on his leash then, finally, I fell back. Orion came to my side, dropping something on my stomach.

"Hey!" I heard a quiet voice say. I propped myself on my elbow. Orion licked my face then started growling at the figure that appeared from the trees. I looked on my chest and saw a bag. I got to my feet while Orion continued to growl at the frightened girl who stood still as a statue. Orion looked to me then barked. I held up my finger.

"Enough!" I said, looking back to Gabriella. Orion sat where he was, still growling at Brie. Her eyes never left Orion. She looked like she was about to faint. I slowly walked towards her. "Brie?" I said. I wasn't sure what to do, was she going into shock or something? "Brie?" I repeated. I walked towards her, stepping into her vision. Her head snapped up to meet my gaze.

"I'm sorry." She said, putting her hand to her head. "Your mom wanted to come find you, so I figured you'd be here, but then I saw .. it and then it started growling at me and I was going to just run .. then it bit my bag and wouldn't let go .. and I .. I .. " She looked into my eyes, they were horrified.

"Hey, hey." I said, trying to calm her. She spoke so fast I hardly even knew what she was saying. She looked back to Orion. I put my hands on either side of her face. It was like glass, so breakable. Her eyes lingered to mine. "Are you alright?" I asked her.

She just stared at me then nodded slightly. I could feel and see her cheeks getting warmer. Her lips slowly parted, creating a small 'o'. I smiled a little, feeling her face get hotter and hotter. I thought she was about to get heat stroke.

"Well," I said. "That's all that matters. Your alright." She nodded slowly, I took my hands from her cheeks seeing the red close around the white my hands had left. I heard Orion bark behind us and Gabriella jumped a foot away.

"I'm sorry." She said, backing away. "I'm a stupid person, I shouldn't have come, I have to go and .. "

She continued backing away, tripping on a tree root. I stepped towards her, extending my hand, but she caught her balance. She continued staring at Orion, still backing away. Then she let out a small gasp. I ran towards her, catching her in my arms. My arms were wrapped around her, almost as if I were embracing her in a hug. I helped to stand her straight, not releasing my grip on her. She stared into my eyes, cocking her head slowly to the side.

"Are you alright?" I asked. She smiled to me.

"I never realized you had a freckle." She said, touching my right cheekbone. Her touch was gentle, warm, embracing .. making it sting when her hand slowly run down my face and glide down to my chest. She smiled up at me, her brown eyes glistening from the sun.

Gabriella's Point of View

Everything, all my worries and my angry, just disappeared. I wanted to be angry with Troy. I wanted to stop feeling the way I did when he held me tight or when he stared into my eyes. I wanted a lot but in this moment everything I wanted didn't matter.

Troy and I just stood where we were. Me in his unbreakable hold. Our faces almost touching. Every feeling I was trying to put away of Troy, came gushing back at this moment. I didn't care what my gut was telling me at this moment. I just listened to my heart.

I had fallen.

And I fell hard.

Troy's shimmering eyes closed in on mine. His head slowly leaned forward. He stopped halfway, his eyes slowly closing. Without a moment of hesitation, I crushed my lips against his. Our lips melted together. It was the most natural feeling I had ever encountered. My hands flew to Troy's hair and tangled themselves in it. Troy's hands traveled up my back. One hand rested on the small of my back while the other went to my cheek. It seemed so perfect, then Troy slowly pulled away. His thumb traced circles on my cheek. He rested his forehead against mine.

"You don't know how long I've waited to do that." He whispered. I bit my bottom lip.

"That makes two of us." I said, closing my eyes.

Troy leaned back down and kissed me once again.

...

Hey everyone! Finally, Troy and Gabriella kiss! I was so excited while writing this. I'm also very sorry for the chapters becoming shorter, I wrote mostly this whole chapter right now. Also, sorry for any spelling errors .. my spell check is working right. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing .. it means so much to me! The next few chapters might be a little shorter than usual .. im working on a new project. I've been working on it for a while now and I'm just about ready to post. So watch out for that and stay tuned!