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: to everybody who reviewed! Ever! Thank you so much!
Inspiration: Maybe this Time by Kristen Chenoweth & Lea Michele
Author: Alleycat
Story: A Love Letter to Troy Bolton
Chapter 11
Gabriella rushed past her butler and threw herself into her mom's unsuspecting arms.
"Gabriella?" She asked, knowing it was her daughter but wondering what was going on. She wrapped her arms around her and began getting worried when she felt tears soak into her blouse. "What happened?"
Gabriella pulled back and swiped at her eyes angrily, as if upset that she was crying. "Troy turned out to be exactly who I thought he would be."
Her mother looked confused.
Gabriella noticed her hair was back and she was wearing a smart black suit. She looked professional, way too professional to be eating at home. "Are you going out?" She sniffled.
"Not anymore," Her mom said, grabbing her blackberry off the counter and began pressing buttons.
"No, Mom," She pleaded, desperate not to ruin another person's night. "Please go. I'll just talk to Daddy."
"Your dad is still in England on business."
"What's new?" She asked sarcastically, flinging her wet purse on the counter.
Normally her mother would say something about her smart mouth but she didn't have the heart at the moment. "Which is why I am going to call my client and reschedule," Isabela Montez blatantly ignored the prior statement.
"I just need sometime alone, I think," She told Isabela before trudging up the stairs.
"I'll be down here if you need me," She called after her only daughter before calling to reschedule the dinner. She would be here if her daughter needed her, which she inadvertently knew she would.
After she hung up the phone, Isabela turned to Mr. Rogers. "Could you please make Gabriella's favorite? Comfort food works wonders." She promised.
Rogers looked over his shoulder from the refrigerator and smiled. "I'm already on it ma'm."
Two floors up and some long hallways away, Gabriella was lying on her comfortable comforter and staring at the ceiling.
She was sure she had figured out their plan, but what was the point of all of it? What did they get out of it? Gabriella couldn't figure it out. Was it money?
They never asked her for money that she didn't offer up. Plus the money she did spend did not even register in her family's fortune. So it could not be that.
She did help Taylor get into Yale but that was probably going to happen anyway. She had the grades and extracurricular activities already lined up. Troy never even mentioned a college so it could not be that.
Then there was the whole jock versus nerds.
It seemed like they legitimately hated each other at first. Even after their fragile friendship was created, it still seemed strained and at the very least uncomfortable. It looked like then, and even in the light of recent events, their alliance was for her.
So, again, what was it all for?
Troy hadn't moved from his position on the floor since Gabriella left. He was still staring at the door when his mother knocked and peeked in with a smile on her face.
"Kids, I made-" She stopped immediately, the smile dropping off her face instantly. Lucille opened the door fully and dropped to her knees in front of her son. "What's going on? Where is Gabriella?" She asked worriedly.
"She left," He muttered dully, but thankfully no longer crying.
Lucille nodded as if she knew what was going on before yelling for her husband quickly. "You'll see her after your big game," She reassured him, before turning to the door and shouting Jack's name again.
His eyes filled up but he blinked them away. "No she won't, she's never coming back."
"Of course she is," She placated before getting off her knees and sitting on his bed. She leaned forward and began rubbing his back soothingly.
He jerked away from her. "You would say that, since it's your fault," He said wildly, wanting to blame anyone else for his predicament.
Lucille looked as if she had been slapped. "What are you talking about?"
"She found the letter because you let her into my room," He accused, his voice harsher than she had ever heard.
"What letter?" She asked but her question was overshadowed by the appearance of her husband in the doorway.
"What's going on?" He spoke slowly.
"Gabriella found a letter," Lucille supplied helpfully when it was obvious that Troy was not going to answer.
He was still just staring at the doorway.
Jack's eyes widened. "The letter?"
Lucille felt like she was the only one who had no idea what was going on. "I guess."
"Well I'm sorry son," Jack said to his only son before trying to help him onto his feet. He wouldn't budge. "But no use crying over spilled milk, you got a game in over two hours."
Troy pushed his dad off of him and stood up. He pointed at his father angrily, "You never liked her! You're probably happy this happened!"
"Now calm down," Jack said softly and reaching a placating hand toward Troy. "All I want is for you to be happy. The moment you start placing your happiness on other people, it gets taken away all too easy. I was just trying to protect you."
Troy stood looking at his dad defiantly but the quivering of his chin betrayed him. Lucille stood up and placed a comforting arm around his shoulder. And for the first time since he was a little boy, Troy cried in his mother's arms.
"But I'm not hungry!" Gabriella whined, sitting at the dinner table across from her mother.
The table was filled with all of her favorites. There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits. There were plates filled with nachos, potato skins, and grilled cheese. Bowls filled to the rim with tomato soup, chicken noodle, and chicken and dumplings. There were brownies, cookies, and cake.
Never in her life had she seen such a display and she never felt more nauseous.
"Me and Mr. Rogers went to a lot of trouble to cook and buy this for you, so be appreciative and eat!" She demanded. The stern look stayed on her face until Gabriella began grabbing food looking sheepish. "Mr. Rogers," She called.
"Yes, ma'am," He appeared looking polished in his suit.
"You are going to sit down and eat as well," She commanded. "You worked far too hard and I will not take no for any answer."
After he sat down compliantly, her face softened. "Plus we're going to need as much help eating all of this food anyway."
It was the first time in a year that the Gabriella and her mother had dinner with a man. Her father was always out business, supplying the copious amounts of money that living this extravagant needed. Isabela told her husband that she would rather have a father to her daughter and live more modestly than deal with the ever present gap.
He didn't care and so Isabela was a single mom.
"Do we have any hot sauce?" Gabriella mumbled her mouth full of chicken. Though it seemed only mere minutes before when she couldn't eat anything, now she was eating everything.
"I'll get it," Mr. Rogers and Isabela said at the same time before laughing.
"You sit," Isabela said, showing off her convincing lawyer skills and set off into the kitchen.
"She's been in there a little bit," Rogers noted amusedly five minutes later.
Gabriella looked over at the man who had practically raised her, more like a grandpa to her than her own and chuckled. "Figures she'd get lost."
"I'll go help her," He said before slipping into the kitchen. He found her digging through one of the monstrous fridges. "Need some help?" He offered.
Isabela whirled around and laughed. "We have way too much stuff," She commented after stepping aside and letting the person who knew what they were doing look.
He held it up triumphantly only a few seconds later. Their shouts of glee were interrupted by a vibrating. They looked all around the kitchen before their eyes landed on the Gabriella's forgotten purse.
Her mom only hesitated for a second, before Rogers pushed her encouragingly toward it and she grabbed the phone. She flipped it open.
"I don't think I could eat anymore," Gabriella complained, patting her bulbous stomach. She had just eaten her weight in ice cream and cookies. "I feel like I could throw up."
Isabela chuckled distractedly before glancing at Roger when the door bell rang. Her hands shook as she followed him to go answer and hoped she was doing the right thing. "Right this way," She instructed.
"Nice house," The stranger complimented while crossing over the threshold and following the elegant woman and her butler.
"Thank you," She responded and led him to the dining room where her daughter sat unknowingly.
Gabriella's jaw dropped open. "What are you doing here?" She asked rudely.
Her mother frowned at her daughter's behavior. "Gabriella, apologize to our guest!"
Chad, Zeke, and Jason flung open Troy's door and flipped on the lights.
Troy sat up quickly and put his hands over his eyes. "What the hell?"
"The game starts in a little over an hour." Zeke told him, while rifling through his closet for his uniform and pregame outfit.
"You need to get up now," Chad pulled him up to his feet even though he was unwilling.
Zeke threw his clothes onto the bed next to the standing captain. "We'll wait in the hall for five minutes and then we're dressing you ourselves," Zeke warned.
The three filed out before coming back at exactly five minutes later. Troy, now dressed, wondered if they had a stopwatch with them.
"You can tell us what happened on our way to get some grub." Jason told him on their way to Zeke's SUV.
The group got their ritual pregame food at the McDonald's nearest to the high school. The first time they ate there it was just the closest fast food place. They noticed a pattern of wins and losses that coordinated with them eating there beforehand. Four years later, they still the stuck to the superstition of their good luck meal.
"Taylor told me that she just dipped from her house earlier today," Chad said after Troy had finished his story. "And Taylor's like her best friend, so you know it's fixable."
Troy's hopes rose just a little.
"You will get your girl back," Jason swore. "But Captain, we have a game to win."
"What team?" Chad asked, in his normal voice as they were walking to the car.
"Wildcats!" The other two players chanted.
"What team?" He repeated only louder.
"Wildcats!" Zeke and Jason called back, louder as well.
"Wildcats?"
"Getcha head in the game!" They all shouted to Troy who half chuckled at them before climbing into the SUV.
The four friends were quiet on their way to the most important game of their high school career.
"I'm sorry sir," Gabriella apologized, still gaping at the guest. "I was just surprised that you are here."
"We'll leave you two alone," Isabela said while giving her daughter a pointed look. "Please help yourself Mr. Bolton."
Jack muttered a thank you to her and the butler's retreating backs. He stood there awkwardly before sitting down at the table. "I saw my son cry today for the first time in I don't know how long," He said with his eyes on the table.
Gabriella just looked at him, unsure of what to say.
He met her eyes. "I know that you're upset because he lied. You have a right to be," Jack said when she opened her mouth to defend herself. "You also have a duty to my son to hear him out. Since it seemed you didn't I'm here to do it for him."
"Did he send you?" She asked when she found her voice.
"No," He told her.
For some reason, Gabriella believed he was telling the truth.
"I know it's not my place to say anything but my son has loved you since you waltzed into his life waving a letter. He thought he didn't have a chance with you so he did whatever he could to get you to stay. He lied so he could spend time with you."
She scoffed at the flimsy defense, "I would've stayed if he just asked me to."
Jack gave her a look of disbelief.
"I guess I wouldn't have," She backtracked, fiddling with her napkin. "I'm not sure what you want me to say."
He let out a breath through his teeth. "Say that you'll go at least talk to my son."
"What will that do?" She bit her lip, looking torn. "It'll only drag out the inevitable."
"What will that do?" He repeated, getting angry. "This is my son's heart you're talking about. It is not something to be trifled with!"
"Isn't this what you wanted?" She shot back. "Me out of your son's life? The investigation is over so communication is no longer necessary."
He slammed his fist on the expensive glass table. "You are going to break my son's heart over a girl you don't even know?"
Gabriella refused to be bullied. "I know this girl and I'm only doing what I set out to do."
He stood up suddenly, his chair scrapping the marble floor. He pointed his finger at the young girl, "If you are going to give up my son for some stalker chick then you never deserved him." He then walked out and slammed the door, leaving Gabriella alone with her thoughts.
"Where have you been?" Troy demanded of his dad. The whole team, minus Coach Bolton, was gathered in the locker room. The air was tense and quiet. "We have a game to play."
"I know!" He defended, leaning on one of the gym lockers. He adjusted his tie before addressing the team. He looked at all of them, some of them he knew since they were young. "We have a little over ten minutes before we're expected to be out there. Now let's talk about strategy."
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Gabriella."
"How did you get my number?"
"Taylor gave it to me. By the way, is she near you?"
"No, she's actually sitting in the front row. I guess dating Chad does have its benefits. The downside is that she has to sit next to Sharpay. Who knows what Zeke sees in her?"
"I don't know either but I guess liking someone doesn't have to make sense."
"That's true."
"I know about the letter you wrote to Troy last year."
"What? How?"
"I found it in a book at the library. I just want to know if you're feelings have changed."
"Are you asking me permission for you to date Troy Bolton?"
"No! Well maybe, I won't do it if you tell me not to. Just say the word and I'll disappear out of his life forever."
"Gabriella!" Taylor ran to her best friend, who was walking in the gym looking lost. "Where have you been?"
She grabbed Taylor's hand and dragged her out to outside the entrance. She dropped her hand. "Why did you lie?"
Taylor deflated. "He needed more time before he confessed his feelings."
Gabriella stepped back, looking upset. "Was I the only one who didn't know?"
"Yes," She admitted, desperate to be fully honest. "Only because you were the only one who was dense enough to miss it."
Gabriella didn't understand how it was so obvious. "How was I supposed to know who wrote the letter?"
That made Taylor pause, "Huh?"
Their confused looks matched eachothers. So Gabriella spoke first, "What are you talking about?"
"His feelings?" Taylor answered. "Aren't you?"
"No," She shook her head while rolling her eyes. "That he knew the letter girl all along!"
Taylor looked shocked. "I didn't know that," She swore. "All I knew is how he felt."
Gabriella watched her for a minute before deciding she was being honest."Speaking of that, where is everybody?"
"It's halftime and they're losing." Taylor smiled brightly and nudged her best friend. "Troy's in the locker room."
Gabriella turned to go but Taylor grabbed her hand. "So who is the letter girl?" She asked, her eyes lighting up excitedly.
"Well," Gabriella leaned forward and whispered the name in her ear. "Now how do I get to the locker rooms?"
The locker room was solemn.
Coach Bolton had just began another one of his inspirational speeches when he stopped, looking at the entrance of the room.
Troy lifted his head out of his hands, wondering why he stopped and his eyes landed on the girl of his dreams. She was looking nervous and fiddling with her hair still in the outfit from earlier.
He stood up and reached out to her without realizing it.
"You're not supposed to be here," A random player chastised before Zeke covered his mouth with his hand.
Troy looked to his dad.
"You have five minutes," He warned, but he was smiling widely.
Troy hesitated, looking around at his team for consent. They all nodded and gestured him forward, especially Zeke, who was still covering the boy's mouth. He walked out of the small space, ready to apologize when he felt the softest lips cover his.
Her hands went automatically around his neck, and she pressed herself against him. Once he gained his bearings, he responded by wrapping his arms around her and lifting her up. Her lips felt like they were made for his and if she kept making that noise he might lose his mind. It was better than he had imagined, and he had imagined it many times.
She pulled back only when breathing became necessary.
Now that he knew how amazing kissing her was, Troy knew that he would never stop. He laid his forehead against hers. "I am so sorry," He whispered.
"Me too," She whispered back, her hands still in his hair. He leaned forward to kiss her again when she dodged it.
He looked hurt.
She smiled. "Just one more thing," She pushed his bangs out of his face and then cupped his cheek. "I'm in love with you." Then before he could respond, she kissed him again.
They spent the last four minutes attached to each other's lips.
And after Zeke shot the winning basket and the East High fans rushed the court, Troy whispered in her ear exactly how he felt about her. Then, because he finally could, he kissed her in the middle of the crowd amidst the cheering and celebrating.
My dearest Troy Bolton,
You may not remember me. I am sure I was such an insignificant part of your life.
You, unfortunately, have become the bright part of mine.
I first remember seeing you when we were both freshman at East High.
We were both so young and unsure. You became popular and I hid in the shadows.
High school was so easy for you. I got the grades and you made the memories.
I remember thinking that there was no way you could be nice. You were too good looking and too athletic.
Then, one day, I tripped in the hallway. My stuff scattered everywhere and I was so close to crying.
People laughed at the loser who could trip over thin air, but not you. You came over and picked up my books.
You helped me up and then gave them back to me. You even wiped off my glasses on your shirt.
I fell in love with you that day.
I vowed never to tell you.
I'm only breaking it because we are leaving for college in a year and I don't want to regret not having my chance at flying because I was afraid of falling.
My number is 555-555-3413, please just call.
Love always,
Kelsi Nielson
THE END!
Seriously thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter:
Hopeful Extinction, Fairyvixenmaiden, xZANESSA4LIFEx, keish, zac-vanfan01, bubzchoc, Anne, OlympicBeliever., whackedout101, pamylz, MissIndependentlyPerfect, Clembo29, pumpkinking5, kristenkay0606, sftc.x, nicolypoly, xAdorkablex48, ToughBlvd101, HisDelilah, zan lil, yams14, maccanut53, and Xxluvstrukxx.
I have a new story that I will post right after this one called A Pseudo Girlfriend. It's going to be more of Troy's pov than Gabriella's and it is going to be a lot more adult. Not necessarily sex scenes but more sexual oriented. I am not even sure if that makes sense lol but here is the summary:
TG Troy Bolton is an NBA player who wants to appease his mom about his lifestyle choices by hiring a girlfriend for his visit to trick her. Enter Gabriella, who's both fun and enticing, and changes everything
You guys have made my first story so much fun! And for the last time, Thanks! Maybe I'll see some of you with my other story
Alleycat