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.
Dedication: Fairyvixenmaiden (I think you might me mad at me…but I'm not sure why)
Inspiration: Sunday Morning by Maroon 5
Author: Alleycat
Story: A Love Letter to Troy Bolton
Chapter 10
"I can't believe you tried to push this date off on me and Zeke," Taylor scoffed while sitting on her bed. She was watching Gabriella apply the last of her 'natural' makeup. They had a few minutes until Chad, Zeke, and Troy picked them up for their triple date.
"It is for you and Zeke," Gabriella defended, pausing in the application of her lip gloss to glare at Taylor through the mirror.
"Yeah, this was your idea." She laid back on the bed and stared at her ceiling. "You're just too much of a chicken to ask him for yourself."
"He's not mine to date," She sighed before turning to face Taylor and leaned on her dresser. "And maybe this is a secret way to get Troy for a night before he gets reunited with the letter girl. Can you blame me?" She asked.
Taylor didn't know if she wanted to shake her friend for not noticing or hug her for her hopelessness. "No I don't, I just don't like how you're giving up so easily."
"I'm not giving up, more like acquiescing." Gabriella picked up her purse off the floor. "On a new topic how's the search for the girls who actually read the book going?"
They were walking down the stairs when she asked so she didn't notice the nervous look in Taylor's eyes as she answered. "I'm almost done figuring out who did the extra credit and then you know I have to get writing samples," She lied.
"So what's the timeline?" She questioned.
Taylor shrugged trying quickly to figure the longest time she could get away with. "Probably another two weeks. It's hard to do this without drawing attention because I'm not usually talkative to these people."
"I'm not mad," Gabriella amended before the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," She said before running to the door.
Gabriella giggled at her friend who swore she was not excited for the date. All thoughts flew out of her head when she saw Troy approaching her with a bouquet of flowers. He was wearing a button up shirt that brought out the stark blue in his eyes. He was wearing khaki slacks.
"We match," She choked out between her laughs. She was wearing a khaki skirt, a gray tank and a white cardigan. She had light blue high heels and Tiffany & Co earrings and bracelet.
Troy looked down at his outfit before resuming his staring at her. "You look better in them," He promised, holding out the flowers to her.
She grabbed the bouquet of tulips and smelled them. She smiled shyly, "how did you know they're my favorite?"
He winked, causing her to blush. "I have my ways. You ready to go?" He asked grabbing her hand and clasping it tightly as if that would stop her from letting go.
"Yes, let me just give these to Taylor's mom." She said before disengaging their hands.
Troy frowned but smiled when he felt her grasp his hand once they returned. She didn't let go during the whole ride despite the nasty glares from Sharpay when they picked her up.
Gabriella made sure to separate Zeke from Sharpay in the car. Chad had to sit next to her in the back of the SUV. He ignored her like Gabriella knew he would and engaged in conversation with Troy and Gabriella who were sitting in the row in front of them. He only made fun of them for grasping their hands like lives depended on it for a couple of minutes.
Realistically, he only stopped because the looks Troy was giving him made him sure his best friend was capable of murder.
The restaurant was nice, which could only be expected because Gabriella set the triple date up. It had valet parking which Zeke made sure to use, only to impress Sharpay. He remembered Gabriella warned him of being too expensive because she knew he could not continually support that if Sharpay expected it. Granted, Gabriella had already agreed to pay for both Zeke's and Chad's and their dates meals.
That was a secret between the three of them.
Gabriella made sure to put the reservations under Baylor so it looked like he orchestrated it. So it was Zeke who walked up to the man at the hostess table in front of a breathtaking fountain. Everyone, except Gabriella and Sharpay, looked down nervously at their outfits, feeling extremely out of place.
"Baylor," Zeke told him loudly. "I have a reservation for a table of five." He gestured to the cluster that consisted of Chad, Taylor, and the hand holding Troy and Gabriella. The latter were not paying any attention instead whispering to each other and laughing quietly.
"Hey," Sharpay shrieked, standing off to the side. "There's six of us!"
Zeke started as if seeing her for the first time even though he went out of his way to pick her up. "I am so sorry," He told her, really sounding contrite before turning back. "Reservation of six."
The maître d looked amused before leading them to a large round table.
Gabriella sat down and pulled Troy to sit to the right of her and made Taylor sit on the other side. This way Zeke would sit next to Sharpay and so would Chad, who hated her more than anything. This made it sure that Sharpay could only turn to Zeke for conversation, who was supposed to seem disinterested but attentive.
Zeke wasn't sure that was possible but both Gabriella and Taylor made it clear that it was.
"What are you going to order?" Troy asked Gabriella who in turn recommended the filet mignon.
Conversation was scattered and scarce until the waiter took their orders. The waiter unfortunately seemed weirdly focused on Gabriella. It bothered Troy so much that after one particular intense leer, Troy grabbed her chair and pulled so it was right next to him. He laid an arm around the back of her chair and glowered at the creepy twenty something.
Taylor and Chad found it hilarious and were leaning into each other by laughing at his expense.
Even though Troy was annoyed at their behavior, he realized that they were getting closer. Plus the appreciative glances Gabriella was sending him because of it probably helped.
"So Zeke," Gabriella interrupted Zeke's and Sharpay's conversation on purpose. "Are you nervous about the big game next week?"
Zeke smiled at her when he turned to her while Sharpay looked extremely annoyed. Troy just chuckled and took a drink of his water because he knew what Gabby was up to. Weirdly, it seemed to be working.
"Why don't you ask the boy whose currently wrapped around you?" Sharpay sneered. "He is the Captain and you interrupted us."
"He didn't look too interested," Gabriella muttered under her breath but loud enough so that everyone heard.
Chad choked on the sip of his water enjoying the cattiness directed at Sharpay. Taylor just elbowed him for making it a bigger deal but they shared an amused smile when no one was looking.
"I'm nervous because the West High Knights are good and we've lost to them in the past before."
Gabriella leaned over Troy and placed a placating hand on Zeke's arm. "I'm sure you'll do amazing," She promised.
Troy tried not to let it bother him but Gabriella noticed the jealousy in his eyes. She took her hand off his arm and leaned noticeably into the captain's side. She closed her eyes for a brief second, trying to memorize his scent because she knew they could never do this again. When he got a girlfriend, it would seem inappropriate. "Is your practice getting tough?" She asked all three players.
Chad answered first. "That's all his dad talks about: practice, practice, and practice!"
"It has gotten bad," Troy agreed. "I don't remember him ever being this restrictive. I mean we're lucky that we got tonight off."
"You don't even want to know what Troy had to do for you," Zeke teased.
Gabriella turned to look at Troy, who avoided her eyes. "What did you do?" She wondered, interested.
He blushed, "Nothing."
"Seriously," Chad leaned forward, his arms in the place his plate would eventually be. "You should've seen him. He was acting like a girl in front of a whole team."
"I resent that," Taylor snipped.
"So do I," Troy agreed.
"But for different reasons," Taylor said, cutting any allegiance with him.
Chad looked immediately apologetic, but Zeke was undeterred.
"Dad," He whined, obviously mocking Troy. "You have to cancel practice on Friday!"
"NO!" Chad joined in by playing the role of Jack Bolton. "I can't believe you even asked that! There is nothing in the whole world that would make me cancel A SIX HOUR," He said pointedly. "PRACTICE a week before the championship!"
"But Dad," Zeke protested as Troy. "Gabriella asked me on a date! If I don't go she'll think I don't like her!"
"Be reasonable," Chad rumbled. "There will be other times when you and your love muffin can go out."
"He did not call you a love muffin," Troy promised to Gabriella who turned red at the thought of this conversation about her in public.
"But dad, she has finally taken the initiative, if I don't go ill just die," cried Zeke while laying the back of his palm on his forehead. "My time is running out!"
Chad frowned and wagged his finger at his son. "While I'm sure this seems imperative in your dramatic teenage stage, this practice is more important than a singular date."
"Fine," Zeke huffed and folded his arms stubbornly. "I'll just quit the team!"
Everyone, except the three players, gasped and their eyes flew to Troy.
"You didn't really threaten to quit the team did you?" Gabriella gaped.
"No," He assured her but his eyes widened when she looked back at 'Troy and Jack.' He glared at his supposed friends.
Taylor who was still watching him noticed his slip. But then again she couldn't believe that the captain would give up everything, which basketball was to him, for one date.
"What did you mean by your time was running out?" Sharpay added in, for the first time since the impromptu play started.
All eyes flew to Zeke, everyone but Sharpay and Gabriella knew what he meant. It would ruin everything if he admitted what Troy meant when he said that.
He laughed uneasily. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"No," Gabriella interrupted. "I heard it too! You distinctly said that time is running out!"
Taylor wanted to smack her friend for finally deciding at this time to side with Sharpay.
"I might have said it but it didn't mean anything. I was just in character." Zeke defended. "You all of people should understand that." He told Sharpay condescendingly.
Sharpay looked like she was tempted to smack him or better yet kiss him.
The waiter suddenly decided to bring out all their food and effectively ceased all conversation. Troy let out a big sigh of relief when he realized his secret was safe for at least another day.
"Speaking of your dad Troy," Taylor started after they had all gotten their food and started eating. She was desperate to change the subject. "I heard you had another parental dinner Gabriella."
"Yeah," Gabriella said between bites. "It went a lot better this time."
Sharpay looked gleeful. "So it went bad one time then? Let me guess, Coach Bolton hated you. He always had good taste."
"Then he obviously didn't like you," Taylor interrupted, when she realized the blonde bimbo was actually getting under her friend's skin.
"Au contraire," She spat out pretentiously. "He absolutely adored me."
"Too bad his son never did," Taylor retorted, enjoying the offended look on Sharpay's face.
"Aren't you going to defend me?" She asked shrilly of Zeke.
"When you're right, you're right," He said before eating another piece of his cut up steak.
Gabriella grinned, trying not to convey her hurt.
Troy watched her facial expressions throughout the conversation. "My dad and Gabriella might have had some issues, but he loves her now."
Gabriella added, "His mom made the best food."
Troy rolled his eyes and groaned. "Yeah, it was Mexican food."
"Well I enjoyed it," She shrugged trying not to giggle at his expression.
"You would you token Mexican," He teased before kissing her on the forehead. It was a gentle way of showing he was just joking. Gabriella smiled at him but this time it was genuine.
"You're wearing that to the game?" Taylor asked incredulously when she opened the door.
Gabriella was wearing a plain khaki dress and a white trench coat. She had on Burberry rain boats lined with yellow that matched her bright purse. She closed her umbrella that was off white and resembled a clock.
"No silly," Gabriella held up a tote bag while crossing the threshold. "These are my clothes. I'm just going to change here."
"Well we still have like three and a half hours, so you don't have to change now." She said while shutting her front door. "Is it still raining hard?"
"It's getting worse," Gabriella complained. "I hope this doesn't mean bad luck for the game tonight."
Taylor laughed at her friend. "We are too smart to believe in superstitions. If you wanna change now, just go up to my room." She pointed up the staircase.
Gabriella nodded and started up the stairs when Taylor called her back.
"While you're up there can you grab my math book? I have a couple questions on a test coming up."
Gabriella nodded.
"That is if you don't mind," She amended worried her friend thought she might be using her.
"Of course I don't," Gabriella reassured her. "I'll be right back."
She went to the door on the left that she already knew was Taylor's room. It was light purple with a wooden desk and a dark purple comforter. On her bed laid the Fendi messenger bag that Gabriella gave to her. She had protested that it was way too much money but it looked so much better on Taylor that Gabriella would not take no for an answer.
Gabriella took off her soaked trench coat and laid it delicately on the wooden chair next to her desk. Feeling relieved of the literal weight; she grabbed her tote and sat on Taylor's bed starting to shift through it. Her weight displaced the book bag causing it to fall to the side and its contents to slide onto the floor. The crash was loud and Gabriella quickly went to pick it all up. She grabbed the Math book and put it to the side before putting everything back into the bag. Unfortunately the binder had some loose leaf papers and spilled when she picked it up by the side.
Gabriella groaned, wanting to scream in frustration. Instead she bent over and began picking up the papers. She was trying to put them in some order when an envelope fell out. It had Taylor's neat print and it said writing samples on it.
She dropped the rest of the papers and with shaking hands picked up the envelope. Taylor told her yesterday when they talked that she had yet to get any from the four girls who read the book. So it could not be what she thought it was. Just to prove she was overly suspicious, she opened it and saw paper in there. She grabbed one piece and slid it out.
It was a note, probably written in class, between Taylor and Kelsi.
She dropped it as if it had burned her and grabbed another.
The next was Amanda's handwritten homework.
The third one was Rebecca's list of things to do for a project.
And the last one was a note written from Martha to Taylor.
A knock sounded at the door while she was scanning the last note in disbelief. She jumped and called out a strangled 'yes.'
"Are you okay?" It was Taylor, her best friend who lied. "I thought I heard a crash."
"I'm fine," Gabriella said shoving the papers back in the envelope and putting it in her purse. Then she put everything back in the messenger bag. "I knocked your backpack over."
"Oh, well that's okay," Taylor responded nervously still through the door. "Did you find my math book?"
At least to Gabriella she heard it, and grabbed her stuff before throwing open the door. She was going to confront her but as soon as she saw her she realized she couldn't. "My mom called and there's been an emergency." She wasn't even thinking well enough to find a reasonable lie.
"Are you still going to the game?" Taylor asked her as she ran to the top of the stairs.
"Maybe," Gabriella paused at the beginning of the steps and turned toward her friend. "Could you get a ride?"
Taylor nodded, confused but suspicious.
Gabriella ran out of her house and into her car without looking back. It was still raining but she didn't notice it. Her thoughts were jumbled as she started her car and began driving. She wasn't sure where she was headed; her mind was racing too fast.
Why would she lie to me? she wondered distraught.
It only took her a few seconds to realize that she was on Troy's street. She wasn't sure if she should bother him with this before such an important game. She decided not to bring it up and hoped just being around him would be enough to make her feel better. It always did before.
So she knocked on the door soaking wet, determined to hang out with him and not reveal anything. No one answered the door and Gabriella turned to leave.
"Gabriella?" His mother asked. She was standing in the doorway looking worried at the young girl. "Come in, you must be freezing!" She ushered the drenched girl into the house. "Where you and Troy supposed to do something?"
"No," Her teeth chattered as she tried to answer. "I just wanted to see him before the game."
"Well he's in the shower right now. I'm sure he'll be excited to see you. But first we need to get you warmed up."
Gabriella was tempted to tell her about the change of clothes in her car but suddenly she felt tired and worn out.
"Troy has the fluffiest blanket in his room so if you want to go grab it while I get you some of my clothes," She paused, eyeing her thin frame. "That will inadvertently dwarf you but something dry and warm to change into."
She left her at Troy's door and Gabriella opened it slowly. It was the first time she had ever been in it. It was dark blue and decorated with basketballs. This made her giggle and she was looking at his younger pictures when Lucille returned.
"I'll just place them here," She set the clothes down on his bed, smiling as she saw her son's girlfriend perusing the room. "Take your time and I will be downstairs when you're done."
She thanked her and turned back to the family picture on his desk when she noticed the envelope that started everything. She told herself that she should not touch it but she was interested in who wrote it. She grabbed the envelope and headed toward her purse to get the stuff to compare it to.
She sat down on his bed and opened it. The last page fell on the floor and she only glanced at the page when picking it up.
But her eyes caught the signature on the last page and froze.
She stared at it until the door opened and revealed a freshly showered and dressed Troy. "My mom-" He stopped when he noticed what she was staring at. "What are you looking at?" He questioned anxiously.
She stood up slowly and grasped the letter tightly in her hands. She looked at it for a few seconds more. "You knew?" She whispered.
Troy walked toward her slowly as if she was a caged animal.
"You knew who it was this whole time?" She screamed at him and shook the paper and her fist in his face.
He held his hands up in a chance to placate her. "Calm down and just let me explain-"
"I don't want to hear it," She shrieked, her voice going shrill. "Was this a plan the whole time? You and Taylor have been lying and playing a trick on the rich girl?"
"No," He pleaded, now realizing how desperate the situation was becoming. "You have to listen to me, I only did it because-"
"Did you know this whole time?" She asked quietly and calmly.
He opened his mouth to explain.
She held a hand up to stop him, "Tell the truth."
"Yes," He hung his head. "But I did it because-"
"That's all I needed to know," She interrupted and rushed to get past him and out of the house.
He grabbed her wrist. "Please, Gabby, I did it because I'm in lo-"
She jerked her wrist of his grasp and threw the paper that contained the signature at his head. "Bolton, please do not call me or text me. Forget that you ever knew me."
She left the room without looking back. Without looking at the boy who was on his knees feeling like the world had ended. Never glancing at the boy who staring at the door, with tears streaming down his face. This broken boy was also supposed to play a championship game in less than three hours.
OMG I am so sorry but my sis had a baby (FINALLY!). I just got home from the hospital. I've been there and doing stuff for her since early yesterday. I hate that I'm always late when I've been so good up until now! I will update it on time!
ONE MORE!
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