Because Of Grace and Blue Eyes by Mochamint19

Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical, so please don't sue me

Rating: T- for teen elements and drama

Please Enjoy! I worked really hard on it.

Chapter 4: Whatever Happened to Troy

January 15th, 2009

"I don't love you anymore Troy ."

This was the thought that kept him up most nights, the only thought that always seemed to be running through his mind. It was the third time that he lay awake in a cold sweat thinking of her. The love and memories that would get him through anything only seemed to remind him of a different time he could never have back. She and that time didn't exist anymore; maybe that was why it was on his mind lately. Everyone these days were counting on him to be focused. Yet he didn't even know if he had the passion to count on himself much now. His concentration was always on her. 'Why doesn't she love me?' he thought, 'How can someone just erase every piece of affection from her heart so suddenly?' He thought about the last part more deeply.

The winter semester was going to start that Monday and his life felt so empty. It was a feeling so severe not even basketball could make it go away. On Monday his new life would begin, the life without her. It would never be the same and he felt pathetic. Nothing would seem to be worth it if Gabriella wasn't a part of him and his life. He had tried unsuccessful to win her love back. She wouldn't pick up the phone and wouldn't even return his messages to just talk. Whatever had changed her mind and her heart so suddenly, whatever made her choose to end it she was serious about the finality.

If this was his something new, he didn't know if his mind and his broken heart had a chance. It had been almost three weeks since she had broken up with him and a week since he had tried hopelessly to win her back. He was now hopeless there was nothing much else to it, he was a lost man.

It had been a rough January. His grades suffered dramatically and he soon quit the basketball team knowing that the team deserved better. The coach begged him to stay, but there was no use. February came and the thoughts of Valentine's Day made him even more depressed, especially hearing that Chad had met someone and was head over heels in love. Troy asked Chad and the rest of gang about Gabriella often only to get short brief answers that were not very descriptive.

That year was the worst in his life. In October he received a letter from his mother telling him that she and Jack had separated. He asked so many questions and talked to his mother. Nothing seemed to make sense, again his questions went unanswered. That next March they officially divorced. Jack moved to New York and Karen stayed in New Mexico . In April Troy lost contact with Chad and the others.

Throughout his college years he had met a few girls that would have killed for him to their boyfriend or even just to be a lover; only dating one or two. However none of them compared to his first love in Gabriella. Then there came Lizzy. It wasn't until his sophomore year ended that he started his first real relationship since Gabriella. Elizabeth Mitchell was the transfer student in his math class. She was spunky and so wonderful, but most of all she was patient. Her kindness reminded him so much of Gabriella. The honey brown haired girl gave him so much and she was the one who suggested he go into journalism. She was patient with him for so long, but was no Gabriella. He broke up with her after a year. Troy realized that it wasn't fair to her to keep their relationship alive. He knew he was only keeping her around for a selfish memory and that he couldn't fall for her the way she was falling for him.

Lizzy and him decided to stay friends. They were successful and found that they were even better as friends than they were at being a couple. Lizzy saw his broken heart, listened to his sad stories of Gabriella and help him as much as she could. It was after his relationship with Lizzy that Troy decided to focus more on his education. He no longer had his sports scholarship much to his father's displeasure. He started taking journalism courses at the beginning of the second semester his junior year. He was thankful for Lizzy who got him a spot on the college paper as the sports reporter. It was through a late night research find that he heard of Chad 's sports injury. He was devastated to hear when Chad broke his shooting arm. Troy was even sadder that he found out online and not by his supposed best friend. He wished he could have helped Chad out knowing that this shattered his dreams of playing for the NBA.

Troy worked hard his last year and a half of college and found he was changing. Each day he missed Gabriella less and loved journalism more. He graduated twentieth in his class and with a job for the New York Times. The graduation day was different than he expected four years before, but he was proud of his achievements. After graduation he moved to New York and bought himself a small apartment. He was grateful for his job.

The job allowed him to stay focused and motivated. It left him no time for dating or loneliness. It also let him forget all he had left behind in New Mexico , all the shattered pieces of his life from before. That was until he got an invitation to a restaurant opening.

Now he was just sitting in his car in the parking lot of a New Jersey grocery store pondering the girl he had just seen. The girl he left behind so many years ago. It must not have been as hard for her because she had wasted no time finding a husband. Things had changed so much in the time since he had left. Gabriella had a baby now, she belonged to someone else. Whoever had gotten her he knew was a lucky man. That man got the perfect life.

Meanwhile the girl in question was sitting in her townhouse fresh tears running down her face and onto her shirt.

"What did he do?" Ryan said cautiously and extremely protective, "He didn't yell did he?"

"No, he didn't yell or do anything like that, but he did see Sofie." She said through her tears.

Ryan gave her a sympathetic smile, "You knew this was going to happen one day right?" He kissed the side of her face wiping tears away from her eyes.

"Yes, but I thought it wouldn't be until later." Gabriella said sadly.

"You are such a procrastinator." Ryan laughed, "You know how silly that sounds." He slightly teased her.

"I know." She frowned, "But why today, why on her birthday?"

"Things like these are never planned or remotely convenient sweets, but you know that I will always be here for you." Ryan said taking her hand and kissing it.

Gabriella turned and kissed him as he rubbed her stomach softly. Breaking away she blinked sadly.

"Gabriella you and I both know that Troy is not a twit. He is eventually going to figure this out, are you prepared for that?" Ryan said looking deeply into her eyes.

"I have been prepared for this since the very day she was born." Gabriella said taking a deep breath.

"Are we still going to the restaurant tonight?"

Gabriella shook her head, "We promised Sofie and I don't know when we will get to see everyone once Elise is born."

"I'm glad; I don't think Sofie would be too happy on her birthday. I wouldn't worry so much about though. Troy used to be someone important to you I think he understands the delicacy of the situation."

"I hope you are right, why do you always have to be right?" she said lamely joking with him.

"I don't know, because I am amazing?" He said faking cockiness.

"Well Mr. Amazing, do you think you can get a five year old ready and keep her neat while I clean up and get ready?"

"Of course I can." He said pressing his lips to hers suddenly, "You know I love you right?"

All she did was nod and smile. She loved him too and knew that nothing could change that feeling. The one that can make you feel like you are drowning when the other person is not there; she felt that feeling when they first started dating and she still felt it for him even now.

They arrived at the restaurant at five thirty that night and immediately there was a slight tension in the air. Ryan was standing by the bathroom waiting for Sofie when Troy came. Gabriella felt so vulnerable. All the gang was there except for Chad who had a huge assignment for EPSN. It was still nice seeing everyone catching up; however Gabriella wished she could disappear as Troy walked up to her.

"Funny seeing you here, I see you got an invitation too. Not a surprise, but it is great seeing you again." Troy said nicely, but still uncomfortable.

"It is good seeing you too." She said nervously.

"So… is your husband here?" Troy said quickly changing the subject to her and trying to sound supportive.

Gabriella held her breath as she saw Ryan walk over from the bathroom holding Sofie. "He is taking Sofie to the bathroom," she said truthfully.

"Oh, that's cool. I would love to meet him." Troy lied.

"I believe you already have." Ryan said nonchalantly holding Gabriella's hand.

Troy's face held this weird expression as he looked back and forth at the couple. Gabriella wasn't sure how to read Troy 's facial expressions anymore. Was it confusion? A little Surprised? Maybe he was hurt to some extent? Whatever it was she was about to find out as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Wow, I am… so happy for the two of you." He said awkwardly. "I… I can't believe you married Ryan; Evans. So I am guessing you knew about the band getting signed then?" he looked at Gabriella as she nodded almost ashamed.

Then she saw it, the facial expression of his she could always read. His face held this disappointment, "Um… do you think I can have a moment with her?"

Ryan gave her a supportive hug and agreed. "Of course, I'll just go talk to my sister and Kelsi."

Turning back to Gabriella Troy spoke soft yet firm. "Is this why you broke up with me?"

Gabriella felt a small lump form in her throat, a sense of hurt rising. She was not surprised by this question though. "No, Troy I wouldn't do that, I didn't do that."

"Then what happened, what was it? Because I really didn't get any answers and I faintly think this is the reason. Why didn't you wait? It doesn't seem like you wasted much time crying over the end of our relationship." He said somewhat forcefully.

Gabriella knew her emotions were going to get the best of her. "I just…. I just didn't ok." Karma had a way of coming back though and almost as if on cue the little girl came running up. "I didn't have a lot of time to waste." As she said this she walked away trying to get a hold of her fighting hormones. "If I remember you didn't have time to waste either." She said looking back sadly.

Jogging after her he grabbed her arm slightly, "What do you mean I didn't have time to waste?" Troy 's voice was raising a level in volume.

The tears were now starting to leak from her eyes. "Please Troy , you are tipsy and I don't want to get into this, just … just not in front of Sofie. Please not here, not now."

Troy was confused. "What is going on? Why is it hard for you to talk to me?"

Gabriella grabbed her daughters hand and started to walk away again. Looking at the little girl holding onto his former love's hand he found that everything made sense.

"She's mine isn't she?" His breath was catching in his throat.

Gabriella turned towards him again and swallowed. "Not here."

Troy was losing this sense of reality and he wanted answers. He may have been a little drunk, but he wanted to know why the past five years of his life were crap. "Then when? When are you going to give me answers?"

"Sofie can you go find daddy for me?" Gabriella said sweetly to the young girl.

"Mommy why are you crying?" the innocence present in her daughter, their daughter's bright blue eyes. It nearly killed Gabriella.

"Mommy is just crying because of the new baby, remember when we talked about this. Mommy just really needs daddy right now. Ok honey?" The little girl shook her head, running to fulfill her mission.

"Gabriella wiped the fresh tears away from her eyes and turned towards Troy again anger in her face. "Why can't you understand that I can't do this right now?"

"I know you Gabriella, or at least I thought I did. So unless you were sneaking behind my back with Ryan, which I don't think you did. She is my daughter right? I can do simple math Gabriella. I want to know why you lied to me." He said his voice reaching another level of strength.

"Please Troy ." Gabriella said sorrowfully, "you are making a huge scene."

"I don't care if I am making a scene!" He said sternly around the room. "How many of you knew about this?" Troy said pointing to Gabriella.

Everyone raised their hand cautiously.

"I can't believe you all lied to me!" Troy said walking towards the door. "Is that why I haven't been able to have a descent conversation with any of you in four years?" He took one last look around the room.

Gabriella had enough of his teenage behavior; it was time he knew the truth. "Why don't you go ask your father?" She yelled; her soft voice straining.

"What do you mean?" he said harshly.

"Why don't you go ask your precious mentor. Have him explain it, he can probably make it clear for you. My version of the story is a little different." She said with the same harshness.

"My parents knew?" Troy said shock filling his lungs.

"She did it because she cared about you; we did it because we cared about you." Sharpay said loudly.

"Cared about me, I can't trust anyone in my life. Yeah it really sounds like you care. Especially you Ryan, you took something away from me."

Gabriella shouted. "Leave him out of it! I fell in love Troy ; you can't punish me for your decision to leave."

Troy just shook his head and slammed the door roughly.

Ryan took Gabriella into his arms and spoke softly. "Shh its ok, he'll talk to his father and he'll find out the truth."

"I'm sorry you all had to witness that, I was hoping that would have gone better." Gabriella said apologizing to everyone.

"It's ok Gabriella." Taylor said. "We won't let that ruin the evening. Zeke made tons of food. Sharpay could you help me pour some water for everyone?"

Everyone helped and the gang was soon eating, the harshness of before forgotten. They knew things were going to get dramatic and wanted calm. Things were going to be more difficult for Ryan and Gabriella; this was the lull before the big hurricane of what the last five years meant. Leaving that night Ryan took Gabriella's hand and pulled her close pressing his lips firmly to hers.

"You looked like you needed that." He said smiling brightly.

Gabriella blushed and smiled. "Yes, I did. This doesn't bother you does it?"

"What?" Ryan said looking confused.

"This isn't too much drama for you? You don't care that Sofie is not technically your daughter?"

Ryan looked at her as he started the car. "I was with her five years ago and I'll always be with her. I understood then and I still understand now. I wouldn't have sat next you on the park bench if this was too much for me. No, I don't mind. I understand how hard this is for you. How much this must be hard for Troy . You left him heartbroken with no reason known to him. Pain like that isn't forgotten that easy. His life is kind of spinning right now. I'm sorry that he yelled, but I understand the frustration."

"Thank you Ry." Gabriella said with a small smile placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "You have always been there for her haven't you, even before she was born. You have always been there for me, when I needed you." She said as both girls started drifting off.

Meanwhile Troy was angrily driving towards his mother's apartment in New Jersey . If anyone knew what the hell was going on it would be her. He hadn't seen his mother in a year and as he pulled into the parking lot of the complex he think he understood why. Troy found the first open space and parked. Jumping out of his car he knew it was late, but felt too hurt and lost to care.

Karen opened the door a little disheveled and surprised, "Oh Troy, sweetie I wasn't expecting you. Can you just give me a few minutes?"

"Did you know that Gabriella had a baby?" Troy said grimly. "Or did you happen to know that I fathered this child?"

"Troy; maybe you should come in." Karen said softly to her son.

As Troy walked into the living room he saw pictures of the little girl he had just seen. On the fridge there was another one. It was a picture of a four year old Sofie eating a blue Popsicle half of which on her face. He could see so much of Gabriella in her. Everything except those eyes; he couldn't believe that he didn't recognize them before. They had the same sparkle, yet held so much more purity then his.

"So I am guessing you knew then." Troy said seriously.

"Yes I did. I am so sorry Troy , but please sit down and let me explain." Karen said as she started to tell the whole story from the first day Gabriella showed up at their doorstep to the day she married Ryan. "She didn't marry him to hurt you Troy , she did invite you. I am guessing your father never gave you your invitation. I should have known."

"Is that why you and dad got a divorce?" Troy said sadly.

Karen shook her head, "I couldn't handle it anymore. I couldn't be with a man who cared more about basketball dreams than his family. I didn't believe at first that he honestly wanted Gabriella to get an abortion or that he paid her off. It was a horrible situation that your father created."

"So did she take and use the money?" Troy said questioning

"That is something I think you need to talk to her about, calmly." Karen said emphasizing the last word.

Gabriella had fallen asleep on the way home. This pregnancy and the rough verbal lashing had taken a toll on her.

Ryan gently woke her as he unbuckled Sofie from her booster seat. "Gabriella, Sweetheart we're home."

"Home, that sounds nice. I'm sorry my life is so chaotic." She said sleepily.

"Shh don't even think about it. Just go to sleep and forget the thought for tonight. Ryan said sweetly carrying the five year old into the door. "I can help you put your pajamas on if your too tired also." He said giving her a mischievous smirk.

This night could have possibly been the most difficult in a while. Troy 's heart was racing as he headed into New York . He was pissed; there were so many lies, so many liars. His mind was starting to corrupt itself with emotionally fuming thoughts. 'Whatever happened to Troy ?' he thought about this deeply. What had he become, being so depressed and cynical? Why was he yelling at the people he loved? It was the reason his parents ended their marriage. The reason got his perfect life and it was entirely his father's fault. Jack Bolton was the reason that Troy 's life had turned to shit. Knocking harshly on the door he didn't care that it was one in the morning.

Jack Bolton answered the door confused. " Troy ? What are you doing here it is late? Emma is sleeping." Jack said referring to the girl he had been seeing for the past two years.

"Why dad? Just tell me what persuaded you to ruin the life I had?" Troy said his voice cracking.

"What the hell are you talking about Troy ? You are going to have to be specific here. Are you drunk or something?" Jack was starting to lose patience.

"No dad, I'm sober, very much sober to all the lies you have been telling me about my own life."

"Please don't tell me you are talking about that little tramp you knocked up in high school." Jack said rolling his eyes.

Troy had no idea where the strength came from or even the bravery, but he put all if it into the punch his father received. "I loved her dad; I could have had so much."

Wiping the blood off of his lip Jack yelled. "No Troy ! You would have had nothing. You made a stupid mistake and I just fixed it. Maybe you should have thought about things before you fucked her then."

Troy hit him again. "I have a daughter dad, a perfect little girl. She is real and she is beautiful, more than I could wish for. Five years have been ripped from my life, five years of moments I will never get back. Five years you have selfishly taken from me. Just because you wanted a basketball player for a son; I can't even fathom what you have done. Did you know she got married?" Troy yelled loudly.

"Yes I am aware; I believe you got an invitation." Jack stated bluntly seemingly unworried.

"So she did invite me to her wedding?" Troy said quietly as if he were a balloon slowly leaking air.

"Yes, even though I think it broke the agreement we had." Jack said annoyed.

Troy gained some fierceness. "You mean the money? You thought your money could fix everything, make things just go away."

"Well she wouldn't get rid of it. I really had no other choice. I did it because I care about you Troy . I cared about your bright future too, what a disappointment that was."

There was that word again 'care'. "I don't know you anymore, don't contact me, you are no father of mine." Troy said cruelly as he left.

Troy arrived at his ritzy New York apartment at three that Sunday morning. Tomorrow was Monday and that meant that he had to work, yet here he was trying unsuccessfully to concentrate his thoughts again on Gabriella. Dialing the familiar number Chad picked up the third ring.

"Hey Bolton , why are you calling so early?" Chad said checking his clock.

"I just had one of those weekends Chad , I couldn't sleep. I'm just so confused. I saw Gabriella today." Troy said dejected.

"Oh. How is she?" Chad said failing to sound convincing his end getting quiet. Then he spoke answering the question he knew Troy was about to ask. "Yeah man I knew. I'm sorry she got married."

"I… I also met Sofie." Troy said softly thinking fondly of the little girl.

Chad and Troy talked for an hour before Chad had to go. "It is going to be ok Troy , but I think you need to talk to her about this, calmly." Chad said in a warning tone. "Don't punish her for this."

"I'll see you two later. Have fun at the zoo." Gabriella said sweetly kissing her daughter's forehead.

"Don't worry, we'll have fun and you can rest and relax if you aren't feeling well." Ryan said kindly kissing her cheek.

It was fifteen minutes later that Gabriella was awoken from her nap by the knock on the door.

"Did you forget something Ryan?" Gabriella stopped as she that it was Troy . She was half expecting this now.

"I think we need to talk." Troy said. "May I please come in?"

Gabriella opened the door wider and allowed him to sit on the couch. "You can only stay if you don't yell."

"Fine," Troy said firmly. "I just have a question. Was the money worth your soul or did you not hesitate on that decision?" Troy stated hurtfully.

Gabriella took a deep breath. "Think about this maturely Troy . I was eighteen and pregnant. You weren't here; you left. "

"I left because you broke up with me?"

"You talked to your dad, I wasn't given much choice it was to take the money or abort my baby." Gabriella said sadly.

"You know I would have stayed and that I would want to stay right? You know how much I loved you. It wouldn't have mattered about my dad."

"That is problem Troy . You would have stayed and always resented giving up Duke for this. I couldn't be the reason your dreams never came true."

"So what do we do now?" Troy said rubbing his eyes.

"I don't really know?" Gabriella said unhappily.

"I want to see her Gabriella; I want to spend time with my daughter." Troy said.

"I don't know if that is the best idea right now." Gabriella spoke softly.

Troy looked hurt. "Why not, you can't just refuse to let me see her."

"I in fact can. I don't want to confuse my daughter. I don't want this to be drama filled or nasty I love her Troy , more than the world itself. Plus she has a father."

"You mean Ryan, right." Troy said sarcastically.

"Yes, my husband. I love him Troy . He gave me a ring and I gave him my word. Do you see me Troy ?" She said placing a hand on her stomach. She was starting to feel a little sick. "Ryan has been there for me and for Sofie since before she was even born. He has never left or let me down. Please don't punish us because you left and I fell in love."

"It doesn't seem like you were too distraught about me and the end of our relationship." Troy said starting to raise his voice.

"Are you kidding me? Troy I sat for four months listening to your messages, trying not to call you because I knew your father would make my life a living hell. I cried for hours upon hours, thought about getting an abortion. If it wasn't for Ryan I doubt Sofie would be here. I know she wouldn't be the amazing little girl she is. He is good to her, he loves her. He loves me too, we are going to have a baby together. This is grown up reality Troy . I wasted too much time thinking about something I knew couldn't happen. So yeah, I was a little distraught" Gabriella said holding her stomach. "Maybe you should just leave!"

"Maybe I should, I can see I am getting nowhere with you. You are too stubborn." Troy said placing his hand on the door handle. As he turned to open the door he heard a sharp intake of breath. Turning around Troy looked at the girl he lost his world to when he left. She belonged to someone else now; she was carrying someone else's child. Gabriella was older, more mature he still saw the stubborn teenager again in her and he couldn't help falling in love with her all over again.

" Troy wait!" He heard Gabriella shouted. Looking at her holding her stomach more firmly.

"Are you ok?" Fear in Troy 's voice and on his face.

Gabriella shook her head violently, "No, I think I need to go to a hospital."

"I'll drive you there, just tell me which one." Troy looked at her and she looked so calm it scared him even more. Picking her up he carried her out to his car. "I'm sorry I didn't come to your wedding, I didn't receive my invitation. I'm sure you looked beautiful."

Gabriella smiled through the pain and it made his heart break. He knew it would take years if not a lifetime to get over her. Whoever said following your dreams was easy had a very misinformed view of life. They never understood the concept of sacrifices, what you had to give up reaching those starry eyed dreams.

"I'm sorry too Troy , that I didn't tell you. I have always wanted to." Gabriella said tears lining the rims of her eyes.

"Do you think I could ever meet her?"

"Maybe when she is older, I will let her make the decision. " She said frowning slightly. "I don't want to shatter her thoughts of life yet. She is only five."

Suddenly it was like a repeat of a favorite television show. It was a different boy, a different baby, and a different Gabriella.

"Don't worry Troy ," she said in a motherly tone. "Everything will be ok."

Wait wasn't he suppose to be saying that to her?

A/N: Yes I know folks you thought I had died. No I am still very much here and alive. I apologize 100 times over I have been extremely busy. It has been a year since I have last written anything because I have had alot of stuff. There is graduating high school, falling in love and starting college that has been so tired that I can barely see straight. Here it is though here is Chapter 4. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you can review and tell me what you think. Again I am sorry for the lack of updates. I had major writer's block. I know that it was worth it because I think this is something worthy of reading finally.

As for a plan for my existing stories here are some ideas:

Bright Lights: 1 more chapter and an epilogue
Because Of Grace and Blue Eyes: 1 more chapter and an epilogue

New Story Ideas:
Hannah Montana: (Oliver and Lilly)

If ever you are bored I also have a blog: www.chocolatedreams-mochamint19. This is where I write mostly these days. THANK YOU SO MUCH !