Remember: Gabriella's and Taylors Outfit can be found by clicking the link of my profile!
Disclaimer: I don't own Letters to Juliet or HSM.
Inspiration: Ocean avenue by Yellowcard
Author: Alleycat
Story: A Love Letter to Troy Bolton
Chapter 9
"You know he did that for you," Taylor called across the table, still standing and still clapping.
Gabriella shot a nervous glance toward Kelsi and Martha who like them were still clapping, but were also watching the conversation intently. She didn't want to ruin his chances with the letter girl regardless of how she felt. "I'm sure that's what the old lady is saying to herself too," She joked.
Taylor stopped clapping and turned fully to face Gabriella. "You can't be serious," She retorted, annoyed.
Gabriella stopped clapping and mimicked Taylor's stance, unaware that Troy was behind her. "Troy and I are just friends, just friends," She half-yelled, to make her point clear. "Nothing will ever change that!" She looked down for a second at her wringing hands and repeated "nothing" sadly.
Nobody noticed her repeating the word because all the focus was on Troy, who was frozen behind her.
She turned around and gasped. "Troy-"
Troy laughed her worries away as convincingly as he could.
"I can't believe her saying that didn't hurt you man." Chad commented again a week later when they were standing at their lockers waiting for the last period warning bell to ring.
Troy shrugged and leaned against his locker. "You have to think positive because I'm making progress. Before this, she wouldn't even refer to us as friends."
Chad opened his mouth to reply but froze when spied Taylor making her way over to them. She was wearing a khaki knee length skirt, a white button up shirt, and a yellow blazer. She had bright, but matching, yellow flats and an expensive looking messenger bag. "You look really pretty," Chad told her as soon as she reached them.
She paused and smiled at him confused, before turning back to Troy. "You're hanging out with Gabriella today right?"
Troy nodded, smiling brightly at the thought.
Taylor rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Well Edward II, I am going to her school right after we get out. You want a ride?"
Troy knew how the temperamental the intelligent girl could be so he just nodded and did not comment on her random nickname. Taylor smiled briefly at the two boys before leaving for her next class. Like they agreed, Troy met Taylor at the senior parking lot after school.
"So why are you going to her school?" Troy asked as soon as they had gotten in the car and left the East High parking lot.
"Gabriella got me some time with a professor who has some pull with Yale. I'm hoping to go there and a recommendation from this guy would make me a shoe-in." Taylor side glanced at him, "Not that I'm not already, this just makes it a sure thing."
Troy nodded because it made sense and because Taylor was intimidating. "You do look nice today," He said when the awkward silence was almost strangling him with uncomfortableness.
"Gabriella dressed me, she said the guy likes yellow. It's a little obvious," She rolled her eyes. "I do have some bad news. I wanted to tell you before she did."
Troy felt the beginnings of panic.
Taylor didn't notice and just continued talking. "Kelsi reminded me, unfortunately in front of Gabriella, that Wuthering Heights was a side project for extra credit."
Troy didn't get it. "So?"
"That means that, and confirmed by Kelsi, not many girls of the nine read it. I already know it's four because Gabriella wanted me to talk to them. I have but I'm going to drag it out another week and then tell her I'm going to get writing samples of the remaining four to compare. That will take about a week; someone as effective as be can't really pull off procrastinating. Do you understand?"
"Uh yeah," He didn't really and that was obvious.
She pulled in sharply to a parking spot, Troy didn't even notice they had arrived, and turned the car off quickly. She turned and looked at him. "You have two weeks until Gabriella closes this case." She let the words sink in. "Now let's go she's waiting in the front."
They got out and Troy trailed after Taylor.
Troy was sure that her school was impressive but as soon as he spied Gabby in a school uniform, he didn't care. The skirt wasn't that short but for some reason her outfit still drove him crazy. She had high heels with a tartan skirt and grey tights. She had a tie and a blazer. He secretly wished her hair was in pigtails.
"Taylor you look great," She shouted but then stopped when she saw her companion. "Troy?"
He opened his arms and scooped her into a big hug. She giggled as he twirled her around before setting her down. She tugged her skirt down that had ridden up during his twirling. "Let's go you two," Gabriella looped both of her arms through theirs.
She led them into the luxurious hallways that were wooden and lined with what, Troy assumed, was priceless art. "This looks like a ritzy hotel," Troy whispered in her ear.
She giggled before pointing to a door."This is Mr. Jacobsen's room Taylor. We'll be sitting at that bench." Gabriella pointed to a bench that was a few doors down. She gave her a thumbs up before Taylor went into the room. "So you're going to wait with me?" She asked hopefully.
"Nope," Troy joked. "I'm trying to get into Yale."
She smiled brightly, "I thought so Wildcat." She grabbed his hand and practically dragged him to the bench. She had only begun talking to him about what Taylor told him earlier when she was interrupted.
"Gabriella," A haughty voice sneered. "Entertaining the scholarship kids are we?"
A boy was standing there with in a similar version on Gabriella's uniform but slacks and an actual tie. He had light blond hair that was slicked back and ice blue eyes. His expression was one that is usually seen when something smells. He was flanked by two equally neat and preppy males.
"Charles Kingsley." She retorted, schooling her face into an emotionless mask. "How generous of you to interrupt our personal conversation."
Troy tried not to look shocked at her tone for the stranger. He had never seen Gabriella so cold. He took it as a cue though not to introduce himself.
Kingsley watched Troy for a second before sliding his gaze back to Gabriella. "What do you say about you and me and my beach house in the Hamptons?" He asked greasily.
Gabriella did not look impressed. "You mean Daddy Kingsley's beach house?"
"Whatever Gabriella, when you decide to get off welfare," He gave Troy a pointed look. "Then you can give me a call." He laughed and his two minions joined in before slinking away.
"Anyway," She turned to Troy and rolled her eyes which caused him to chuckle.
"What are you doing tonight?"
She gave him a weird look. "I thought we had plans?"
"Well how about we change that to my house as in dinner with my parents?"
Her jaw dropped.
"I had a talk with my dad and he's really sorry. He just wants another chance."
She groaned loudly, now Jack probably thinks she's a tattle tale.
At her face he continued quickly. "I know he doesn't deserve it but please." He clasped his hands under his chin and begged.
She opened her mouth to respond when Taylor appeared. Troy sighed loudly before giving his attention to the newcomer.
Gabriella smiled easily. "So did it go well?"
Taylor squealed before looking up and down the hallway to make sure no one had caught it. "Yes, thanks to you!" She gave her a grateful look. "The points you gave me like his love of yellow and the Modern Period of Literature. He loved my viewpoint on T.S. Eliot!"
They both grinned and listened to her ramble. Eventually they made it out the parking lot still listening to her rambling. Taylor hugged Gabriella quickly. "I owe you my higher education!"
Gabriella returned it. "You would've gotten in without me just knowing someone makes it a sure thing!"
Troy waved goodbye to her before getting into Gabriella's car. "So what's the verdict?" He asked while putting on his seatbelt.
She sighed loudly before shooting him a smile and starting the car. "Dîner avec les parents partie deux?"
He frowned, not understanding before grinning when he saw them head a familiar way. "Thank you," He said softly, meaning it.
"Vous êtes juste chance vous sont tellement beau!" She told him with a wink before looking back at the road.
He turned to her, watching her for a moment and then spoke, "I didn't know you could speak French?" It wasn't a question but with the way Troy posed it, it was.
"There's a lot you don't know about me un chat sauvage," She told him coyly.
He leaned over the counsel, grabbing her attention and making her nervous. "I'd love to learn Gabby," It was said so earnestly that it made Gabriella's chest hurt and she had to tighten her hands around the steering wheel to grab a hold of herself.
"We're here," He announced.
She went to open her door when she noticed she was still wearing her uniform. Her nose scrunched up, "Do I have time to change?"
He was already out of his side and was opening her door. "Of course, this whole dinner's for you."
She blushed and grabbed a bag in the backseat. "But what if I said no?"
"Plan B was to kidnap you," He admitted while trying to grab the bag out of her hands.
She held on tightly to the straps and followed him up the walkway. "I got it Bolton," She teased.
"Fine," He said but held open the front door. "The bathroom's right there." He pointed to the door across from the living room and next to the stairs.
She smiled at him sweetly before heading in that direction. As soon as she shut the door he ran into the kitchen. "Everything okay?" He asked his parents who were bustling around the kitchen.
His mom stopped with a bowl of salsa in her hands. "Yes, we're doing taco night because she's Mexican," She said brightly.
Troy wanted to shake her. "That's so wrong Mom! What if she gets insulted?" He almost screamed.
"Something smells good," A female voice, obviously belonging to his dream girl, appeared behind him. She was wearing a blue and yellow ruffle skirt with a bright yellow tank. She had a khaki blazer with blue heels and a very expensive pearl necklace.
Troy cleared his throat nervously. "You look amazing," He said in a squeaky voice.
His mother chuckled and stepped forward graciously. "It's nice to see you again Gabriella."
Gabriella smiled appreciatively. "It's always a pleasure Mrs. Bolton. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"It's Lucille and if you wouldn't mind could you grab the bowl of sour cream for me?"
Gabriella grabbed it off the counter and followed his mother into the dining room.
"We're having a Mexican night," Lucille told her while they were walking. "We have tacos, refried beans, queso chip, guacamole, rice, and sweet corn tamalito."
Gabriella could not stop herself from smiling. "It's a very appropriate choice," She said while setting the bowl on the table.
"I am so sorry," Troy whispered to her as he appeared next to her. "That my mom is so embarrassing." He said louder and mock glared at his mother at the other side of the table.
"I personally love Mexican food," Gabriella smiled while shooting a nervous glance at the silent Jack Bolton.
"Gabriella you look nice as always," He commented stiffly.
"Thank you Mr. Bolton," She responded kindly, she knew he was trying and that meant something. She felt that the tension was eased a little. "You have a way with food Mrs. Bolton."
"For the last time, my name is Lucille," She teased before gesturing to the food. "Well everybody dig in."
Dig in they did. Gabriella made sure to get at least a little of everything and complimented all of it. Troy, desperate to have a conversation flowing, started talking about last week's game.
"Can we please not talk about basketball for once?" Lucille pleaded with her two favorite boys. "I'm sure the lady feels the same."
Gabriella opened her mouth to disagree and say they could continue when Lucille gave her a look that said 'don't you dare.'
"What did you do after?" Jack Bolton asked while wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"We went karaokeing," Gabriella inserted and elbowed Troy. "Your son has an amazing voice."
"Troy?" Lucille asked while Jack started choking on his hard taco.
Jack cleared his throat, "My son singing?" He wondered through laughter.
Troy rolled his eyes at the dramatics and just kept eating his refried beans.
"Yes," Gabriella said while giggling. "He's very good too."
"You should hear her sing," He said between bites, ignoring his mother's warning glances at his manners.
"I think I was only good because you were there with me," She said bashfully.
Lucille had to cover up her 'AW!' face behind her napkin. My little boy is in love and they are just so sweet together! "Where did you go?" she said instead.
He did not want his mother to get any ideas so he did not tell her the name. "Some restaurant Ryan Evans took us to near Comfort and Grand," Troy said shrugging.
Jack looked interested. "You're hanging out with the Evans boy?"
Troy shifted under his intense gaze. "No, he invited Gabriella so I just tagged along." Troy turned to Gabriella with a questioning look. "You never told me why he was even talking to you in the first place. I know him and Taylor do not hang out."
He was jealous too! Lucille thought squealing on the inside.
"He heard me singing to Taylor," She explained, warmed by his protectiveness.
"Do you usually sing to your friends?" Jack asked harshly but still amused.
She dipped a chip in her guacamole and avoided Troy's inquisitive gaze. "I was trying to explain a situation to her that had a soundtrack," Gabriella shot Jack a hesitant smile not at all hurt by his abrasive nature.
Jack let out a hearty laugh and slapped the table. "You're a funny girl," He said through guffaws.
The rest of the table fell into easy laughter and before Gabriella knew it, Lucille started clearing away the dishes. Gabriella stood up to help but she was pushed down gently by Lucille.
"Jack can you give me a hand with the dishes?" She asked slyly, winking at Troy when she past by Gabriella's chair.
"Uh sure," Jack stuttered out when after he hadn't moved he got a sharp look from his wife.
Lucille came back to the table to grab the last few dishes. "It was nice seeing you again Gabriella, do not be a stranger," She teased before leaving the two alone at the table.
It was awkward for a moment.
"I should probably get going." She grabbed her purse and pulled out her phone. "It's getting late," Gabriella held up her phone as evidence.
Troy laughed and stood up. "I'll walk you to your car. It is a dangerous neighborhood," He winked.
Gabriella smiled but didn't laugh. She just kept wringing her hands on their way to her car. Troy glanced at her worriedly, thinking he must have misinterpreted how well the night had gone. She grabbed her keys to open the door but whirled around suddenly.
She bit her lip before asking, "Can I ask you something?"
His eyebrows rose, "Anything."
She looked up at him and consciously took a small step forward. "Would you like to go on a date with me?"
OMG I am so sorry I am late! I know its shorter than most but that's only because its almost over :(!I just got home from seeing twilight (I am in love with Edward Cullen! and the harry potter trailer yay!) but I had to post it b/c im already so late. Only two left *sobs hysterically*
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