A/N: I'm actually trying to write quickly. YAY! I apologize, but this is kind of a filler chapter but they will only get better from here I promise. It's also kind of long but it introduces a character that is near and dear to my heart, and also a surprise!
Beautiful Bruises
Chapter 2: Brown Eyed Girl
"Let go the tension in your shoulders
So you can seal away the past somewhere
From here they're probably not too far
Sceneries you haven't even seen"
Troy sighed as he sat in a circle in the group. He was incredibly irritable and grumpy today, and it wasn't really for any particular reason.
Sure, the rehabilitation center he was at was for people who made a certain amount of money. Salt water pools, tennis courts, California king beds, and seventy inch flat screen televisions were just a few of the luxuries.
The staff was very friendly, they had filet mignon and baked potatoes for dinner, and anything at the spa was free.
But… the pain. The only negative was the withdrawal. Troy spent hours twitching, sweating, shaking, screaming, as his body craved the high that it was so accustomed to.
Today was his first official group therapy sessions with a psychiatrist the regulars (people who came to rehab over and over again) called "pretty eyes". He didn't know if they were male or female, but he hoped for the former.
He didn't need any temptation in his life right now. When he used to be tempted, he would give in to the temptation, and just snort a line to erase the guilt and go home with his wife.
Then he'd beat her, because HE was guilty.
Troy sighed and buried his head in his hands. The loss of drugs made him able to think clearly and he absolutely hated himself. He'd give anything for just a shot, anything to make him forget what a terrible monster he was. What a disgrace to his family that he was.
Suddenly, the door to the conference room opened and he heard gasps all around him. The psychiatrist must be here but Troy couldn't figure out what all the unnecessary drama was abou-
Just then Troy looked up, and his heart plummeted to his knees.
A Hispanic woman was walking into the room, her black high heels not making a sound on the carpet as she strutted. She had long curly black hair that was pulled up into a classy high bun, but she had bangs that swooped to the side and little pretty tendrils framed the side of her face. She had on glasses but they did nothing to hide those gorgeous round brown eyes.
Her lips were pouty and pink, and her dress professional but fitted, showcasing her slight hourglass shape. As she moved, he saw her muscles flex and bend to accommodate her movements. The beautiful brown-eyed woman was true perfection.
And he knew her.
Sharpay had tormented her in high school, and Troy had let her. Shar had been jealous of the lithe Hispanic woman, and after Sharpay personally sabotaged her audition for the musical junior year in front of the whole school, the pretty young woman in front of him had receded into academics. She was quiet, awkward, and clumsy but now she was-
Just as Troy was thinking that, he saw the psychiatrist's heel give out and she suddenly fell forward. Without thinking, Troy shot off of his chair and swept her up into his arms like she was a new bride.
She gasped as he caught her and when she saw his face, she let out a screech.
"Gabriella!" He exclaimed but before he could say anything, she was fighting her way out of his arms.
…
Gabriella would know those ocean blue eyes and rippling muscles anywhere.
She didn't try to figure out what he was doing in her group therapy session at Heavenly Heavens Rehabilitation Center. She just knew he could NOT be in HER group. After how he and his girlfriend, NOW WIFE, of evil had treated her in high school, she refused! This may be some elaborate prank to ruin her career.
She didn't trust him. And yes she was thinking kind of crazily but she couldn't think straight with him so close to her.
As she scrabbled back on all fours so that she was in the center of the circle of people sitting and away from him, she realized that there had been a horrible sound this whole time.
Man, that was annoying. What WAS that?!
And that was when she realized that the noise was coming from her. With a start she clasped her hands over her mouth.
Oh no, now she looked like a crazy person.
Troy was staring at her like she had grown two heads and everyone in the therapy group just sat with their mouths open.
The silence was awkward, so Gabriella jumped to her feet and dusted herself off.
Troy was here because he needed help. How self-centered could she be?! And he hadn't really done anything to her in high school, it had mostly all been Sharpay, and truth be told, she had always had a crush on Troy Bolton. Then again, what girl didn't? He seemed perfect, but for him to be here, he wasn't perfect. It must have almost killed him, trying to live up to the persona and standard that he had had set for him.
She couldn't think that way now however, she was his doctor, and she had to simply treat him like another patient. It was only fair.
Gabriella cleared her throat and with confidence that she didn't have, she reached out a hand to help Troy out. He smiled that perfect white smile at her and grasped her petite hand in his oversized one and sparks flew from her fingertips to her toes.
Troy's electric blue eyes flew to her own chocolate brown ones and she knew that he had felt it too.
Gabriella quickly dropped his hand and rubbed hers against the side of her dress. People chucked and Troy looked at her with scrunched up eyebrows.
Whelp, she was still awkward.
She cleared her throat and to her surprise, the people in the room all stopped their side conversations and laughter to look at her and divert their full attention to her.
Smiling slightly Gabriella brushed her bangs back behind her ear.
"Hello. I am Dr. Montez. I apologize for that. It's been a rough day. Well that's an understatement. It's been real weird and I apologize for you all having to see that too." Gabriella apologized, and to her surprise the room laughed. No one laughed at her jokes.
This would be an interesting group.
Gabriella took an empty chair and pulled it to the center of the circle and then she stood in it.
The members of the group all shared looks of confusion.
"We're going to do a little exercise. Remember, this is confidential. Everything that is said in this room stays in this room, and if anyone tries to change that, don't forget you all signed contracts!" Gabriella reminded and the people in the room shared worried glances
Gabriella wanted to roll her eyes. Celebrities, who are usually the people that visited the rehabilitation center that she worked at, were always so worried about their reputation when they should be worried about their health. Instead of the eye roll, with a bright and reassuring smile, she closed her eyes and sighed.
"First, everyone take a deep breath. Then exhale as you roll your shoulders. Let go of all the tension there." Gabriella gently instructed.
She opened her eyes a peek to see if everyone was following her instructions and to her surprise, everyone was, except for Troy who just continued to stare at her.
Maybe she wasn't the only awkward person in the room.
Suddenly, Gabriella pointed to the person that was directly in front of her. She recognized her from all those Disney shows long ago.
Child actors were in these places a lot, so she wasn't surprised.
"Worst moment of your life. Ever!" Gabriella prodded and the young lady jumped, her eyes wide.
Finally she spoke, "When my mother forced me to get an abortion and then overdosed on heroin, on purpose, but didn't even get to die." She confessed, her words coming out in a jumbled rush.
"Thank you." Gabriella said graciously, her smile maternal. The young lady returned her smile.
"Now everyone say it. Thank you!" Gabriella ordered and the group all told the young Disney lady, thank you.
Gabriella went around the room, and everyone confessed the worst moments of their lives, and then she got to Troy.
He seemed angry all of the sudden, shifting from foot to foot, and Gabriella knew that look. He was guilty, and embarrassed, and he would NOT want to share.
She prayed that he changed his mind.
Gabriella pointed at him and he gulped audibly.
"The worst moment of my life was when I realized I was a monster." He said, his tone harsh.
"How are you a monster, Mr. Bolton?" Gabriella questioned, and in her big brown eyes Troy saw curiosity, disbelief, and even fear.
It was then that he knew he would never tell her.
"None of your business, Montez." He snapped and Gabriella felt her face pale and she dropped her hand back to her side with a slap.
That was what all those that had made fun of her called her in high school. Like she didn't even deserve the dignity of someone calling her by her first name.
She blinked back tears at the memories that suddenly flooded her mind and she stood up straight and tried her best to regain her dignity.
One day, when they were all ready, she would tell them the worst moment of her life, but no sooner.
"Good job, everyone!" Gabriella congratulated. "Now, on Friday, I want you to bring a poem, story, or anything that resonates with you. You can even write it yourself, just make sure you understand it. You will be graded." She joked as she wagged a finger in the ar.
The group laughed.
"But really, no bullshit!" She said seriously, and the laughter ended as soon as it began.
"See you on Friday!" She dismissed the group and set about trying to figure out how to dismount from the chair in her high heels.
Before she could think too hard however, two large and strong hands were around her tiny waist and then she was placed unceremoniously onto the floor.
Troy stood looking down at her, his hands still wrapped around her waist.
He stood staring at her.
She coughed uncomfortably and raised her hand, dislodging Troy's hands.
"Gabriella-" He started to say but Gabriella shook her head. He was hot and cold, just like he was in high school.
"Dr. Montez to you Mr. Bolton." She murmured coldly and Troy nodded slowly.
It was then that Troy noticed the large rock on her left hand and he felt bile rise into his throat for a reason he couldn't explain. He was married, he was here for Sharpay, not Gabriella.
After all he had done for him, she didn't deserve his wandering eyes too.
Suddenly, a man walked into the room. He took Gabriella into his arms and dipped her and planted a chaste kiss onto her lips.
Gabriella smiled at him like he was her World and Troy shifted awkwardly.
The man looked at Troy and recognition lit up his face, and it dawned on Troy who Gabriella's husband was.
"Oh hey-"
A/N: CLIFFHANGER! MUHAHAHA! Five reviews, or a combination of five story follows and favorites will also do. I hope everyone enjoyed. Who do you think is Gabriella's husband? The drama is JUST starting!