Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or any songs I mention!
Author: Alleycat
Story: Everybody Knows
Growing up is hard. It's a lot harder when you're in love with your best friend and everyone knows it-except her.
Dedication to: everyone for being so patient! Even though you really didn't have a choice lol
SOoOoO here's the reason it took so long ( and I was doing so well WAAAAHHHHH!): I went on vacation for a week and then returned home to find that my cats had chewed through my computer chord. And since I am not rich, I was out a computer for a while.
I used the school ones but I couldn't access the story until I bought a new one. I feel like this shouldn't even be posted for a couple days (hello editing!) but i think you guys shouldn't have to wait any longer
Singing is underlined like this lol
BUT WITHOUT FURTHER ADO:
Chapter 13
"So," Taylor started slowly, avoiding looking directly at Gabriella. They were working on assigned problems while the teacher sat at the desk. "What happened between you and Troy?"
Gabriella rolled her eyes, "You will not believe how many times I have heard that question within the last week."
Taylor cursed the lack of subtlety her friends' possessed. She would expect it from the jocks' but not her science friends. "I had no idea," She lied. "They must see what I've been seeing."
"Which is," Gabriella prompted.
Taylor huffed. "Every second it looks like you're two seconds away from making out. It's more intense than before. So I'll ask again, what happened?"
Gabriella looked around before leaning in closer and dropping her pencil. "I'm not even sure what happened myself. It all seemed to change when he came over to try on the shirts I bought him and then next thing I knows he's hovering over me."
Taylor was shocked. "And?"
"My mom knocks on the door."
"How unfortunate," Taylor muttered sympathetically.
Gabirella shook her head. "Actually I find it very lucky. Anything we did would have been because of our hormones and been a mistake."
Taylor groaned at her friend's stupidity. "You must be joking,"
"Not at all," She answered with a laugh, not understanding what the big deal was.
Taylor decided not to push her anymore or she knew she would just get more stubborn. It was with a despondent expression that she met her friends (and the jocks) for their secret meeting. She expressed her frustrations and a generalized story about the change in relationship.
"What if she's being truthful?" Jason asked and flinched at 5 pairs of angry eyes. "It's a question."
"I can see where you would think that," Taylor admitted. "I know her and I know she's in love she just doesn't know what that is. Her family has not been the poster child for functional romantic relationships."
The warning bell rang and they had to rush to class.
"Do not say anything about Gabriella and her doubts to Troy," She warned his friends. "He does not need to know her insecurities which will make him feel even worse."
She only allowed them to leave once she was sure they heeded her warning.
Gabriella glanced at Eric for the fifteenth time since class started. She had tried apologizing to him before but he ignored her. This time he would actually look back at her without resembling an angry tomato.
She gathered her courage and wrote a note.
Have I told you how sorry I am about Troy?
He sighed when she passed it but read it.
I've come to terms with my part in the situation. I should have known better than to try to get in your relationship. He defended you as any male would do for their mate.
Gabriella choked at the word 'mate' and replied.
It's not like that. Troy and I are just friends.
Right.
I'm being serious.
Are you purposefully being obtuse?
There's nothing between us, honestly.
So then why do you touch him so much?
She blushed.
We're just really close.
Just because you two have a close relationship does not require a close physical component. You do it because you find him attractive.
Well he is…that doesn't mean I like him like that.
Then why did you attack Sharpay? And before you ask of course I heard about it.
She was being mean to my friend. I would have done it for anybody.
Right like Taylor as an example. You would get mad if Sharpay was telling everyone that Taylor is a good kisser.
She laughed.
No because that would never happen.
Fine, Gabriella. Just answer this: what are you going to do when he gets a girlfriend? You can't honestly expect to continue this close relationship when he spends most of his time with another female.
Gabriella stared at the sentences trying to not fee l like the world was ending. Eric was completely right. What would she do? Could she really just sit there and watch another girl smile, caress, and maybe even kiss Troy? Her best friend? Her Troy?
The answer was a definite no.
She would probably tackle her a la Mean Girls.
Eric couldn't help but feel smug as he saw her drop her head in her hands. She was finally getting it and it was because of him. He was the catalyst.
Life was ironic.
He wasn't surprised when she didn't talk or really do anything the rest of the hour but rip the paper up.
Troy noticed the off behavior when he came by and glared at Eric, the latter snickering in his head. If only Troy knew, he should be thanking him.
"Are you okay?" He asked for the second time as they walked to lunch.
She just nodded, unable to take her eyes off of him. She felt like she had never seen him before now at least not clearly. It was much worse than when she realized she found him attractive.
He was really worried until he felt her small hand intertwined with his. He smiled down at her and she returned it with pink cheeks.
"Does everyone know what they're wearing Saturday?" Ryan asked once he reached the table.
Troy shrugged. "Ella always picks and I just go along with it."
"I'll do whatever I can find," Chad said and high fived Troy at their lack of effort.
"Boys," Taylor groaned. "I think it should be a surprise."
The girls thought it was a great idea and the guys just shrugged; they didn't care enough to have opinion. The only thing they cared about was partying.
"So you gunna have snacks there right?" Chad asked Ryan after the girls had quieted down about possible costumes.
"I can bake something," Zeke offered.
"How about some of those famous brownies," Kelsi suggested quietly. She tasted them one time he brought a tray to home room and really enjoyed them.
"I vote brownies," Ryan agreed and shot her smile to which she blushed.
"What do you think?" Troy asked Gabriella, who had said nothing the entire lunch.
"Whatever you want," She said shyly, looking at him through her eyelashes.
He smiled slowly, confused but charmed nonetheless. The rest of the table exchanged questioning glances but didn't speak. When it was time to go to the next class Taylor pulled her to the side.
"Okay, what gives? Why are you acting like this?" Taylor asked impatiently.
"I think I'm in love with Troy," Gabriella admitted, her face pale.
Taylor gaped. "What? That's great and all but earlier today you swore it was just lust."
She huffed, not ready to talk about but Taylor rarely let anything go. "Eric showed me the light unfortunately."
Taylor frowned. "Unfortunately?"
"Now I'm not only scared that I'll jump him and change our friendship but now I'm worried about blurting my feelings out or when he gets a new girlfriend and makes-"
"Woah," Taylor interrupted and grabbed her shoulders. "You need to calm down. Just breathe."
Gabriella focused her attention on breathing in and out.
"That's better." She patted her shoulder with a smile. "Now you have two choices: ignore your feelings or tell him and live happily ever after."
Gabriella scoffed, "You make it sound so easy."
She laughed. "Trust me, in this case it is. You need to tell him."
"When?" She wondered, frightened even at the idea.
"The party," Taylor said confidently.
She took a deep breath and nodded.
"I think this is a bad idea," Gabriella whined as she put on her costume. "I feel like I might vomit."
"Stop being dramatic," Taylor scolded.
Gabriella giggled. "Your costume scares me."
"Good, now let's go Cleopatra."
Gabriella looked toward her balcony doors wistfully. Troy was meeting her there because Taylor wanted to get ready together. In all reality it was because she knew Gabriella needed to be psyched up or she wouldn't do it.
She wasn't sure she would do it anyway.
The mansion had been decorated to look haunted. They were both so creeped out that they waited until other guests appeared to walk in. Ryan had one room big enough to be a ballroom reserved for the party. He even had a butler show the guests to the way with a lantern through the dark hallways.
"This is great," Gabriella told Ryan once they found him in the large room. There were a few people she didn't know but it seemed like a laid back party, the only kind she enjoyed. "And what are you?"
"Ken," He said with a laugh. "Sharpay is Barbie."
"That's not weird," Taylor muttered to herself.
"I think it's cute," Kelsi said, appearing behind him. "And you look very handsome."
"Velma?" He asked in return.
She adjusted the thick black frames and nodded.
"You're obviously Cleopatra." He pointed to Gabriella but hesitated at Taylor. "I honestly have no idea."
Taylor grinned. "Condoleezza Rice."
"Of course," Chad said as he appeared in a red bandana and wife beater. "What a weird costume."
She quirked an eyebrow. "Please tell me you did not dress up as the intruder alert guy."
He smiled smugly.
"He thinks he's so creative," Troy joked as he appeared next to Gabriella. She turned and looked at him. She knew he would be gorgeous at Antony but it even better than she imagined.
"You look-" He struggled for a word but then sighed. "Indescribable. Want to dance?"
She nodded shyly and allowed herself to be lead to the dance floor. Every song she tried to gather the courage to say something but couldn't. She had resolved herself for failure when Ryan went upstage to announce the start of karoke.
"Are you going to sing?" She wondered.
"Definitely not," He said and wrapped an arm around her, making sure to be aware of her headdress.
"Come on," She begged. "It'll be fun."
He shook his head, unmoved. She mock glared before going to sign up. She stayed near the book in case she changed her mind. She had just decided against it when her name was called. She sighed loudly and walked on the stage.
It was with shaking hands she grabbed the microphone.
She kept her eyes closed and thought of Troy's face as she started.
People are talkin' talkin' 'bout people
I hear them whisper, you won't believe it
They think we're lovers kept under covers
I just ignore it, but they keep saying
We laugh just a little too loud
We stand just a little too close
We stare just a little too long
Maybe they're seeing something we don't, Darlin'
Her voice gathered strength and she started the chorus with more vigor than the previous part. She opened her eyes but refused to look at anyone in particular. The song was personal enough.
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love?
Once she reached the next verse, one very close to heart, she sang it with emotion.
I feel so foolish, I never noticed
You'd act so nervous,
Could you be falling for me?
It took a rumor to make me wonder
Now I'm convinced I'm going under
Thinking 'bout you every day
Dreaming 'bout you every night
Hoping that you feel the same way
She rushed off the stage to her friends and ignored the random compliments from strangers.
"That was amazing," Martha gushed and she pulled down her red hood. "I didn't know you could sing."
She smiled but looked around. "Where's Troy?"
"He was right there." Zeke pointed to an empty space, wearing a 70's basketball uniform. He was hoping that Sharpay would notice how nice he looked but he had yet to see her.
"Well if that's not rejection," Gabriella muttered, her eyes tearing up. Taylor wrapped an arm around her.
"Maybe he had to go to the bathroom," Jason suggested, dressed as himself. When everyone glared, he shrugged. "What? Maybe he had diarrhea."
Everyone took their turn offering theories of why he wasn't there but still appreciated and returned her feelings. Gabriella tried to smile but she was so disappointed. She was as least happy that she could play it off as a coincidence.
"There he is," Jason shouted, glad to finally be helpful.
Everyone looked at the stage and sure enough he was standing in the middle with a microphone as a track started playing.
He cleared his throat. "This song explains my feelings better than I could."
She waited, her breathing stopped.
The music started and with his eyes on his Cleopatra began:
It's her hair and her eyes today
that just simply take me away,
and the feeling that I'm falling further in love
makes me shiver but in a good way.
All the times I have sat and stared, as she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
And she purses her lips, bats her eyes and she plays with me, sitting there slack jawed and nothing to say.
Every girl in the audience, besides Gabriella, aww'ed. She made no movement, just waited to hear the rest of the song.
'Cause I love her with all that I am,
and my voice shakes along with my hands.
'Cause she's all that I see, and she's all that I need, and I'm out of my league once again.
"You cannot misinterpret this song," Taylor hissed and nudged her. "Go reward his gesture."
And because she was so captivated by his voice, the song, and its meaning, she walked toward the stage as he began to sing again.
It's a masterful melody,
when she calls out my name to me.
As the world spins around her she laughs rolls her eyes and I feel like I'm falling but it's no surprise.
She was debating on what she should do as she walked forward. She smiled shyly as his eyes purposefully followed her. She jumped on the stage and stopped.
He held out a hand and looked at her son tenderly she wanted to cry.
'Cause I love her with all that I am,
and my voice shakes-
He didn't get a chance to finish because she kissed him. He froze before dropping the microphone and grasping her tightly. The audience gasped and Taylor cheered, trying not to cry. It was only seconds before the audience joined in with the cheering. Taylor looked up in surprise when an arm wrapped around her shoulder.
It was Chad who looked just as emotional as her.
The approval continued and Troy carried her, without separating, off the stage and out of the hallway.
AWWWW! it's so sweet excuse me while i go vomit lol. Next chapter should be uploaded within the week provided I get proper encouragment!
Next is the talk!
Does anyone like Eric more? Just a little? Or not at all
Seriously go listen to both songs if you haven't heard them before. Bonnie Raitt "Something to talk about" and Stephen Speaks "Out of my league" the second one might be the sweetest song ever!