Brief Encounter
Summary: Can anything good come from a mix-up?
Disclaimer: High School Musical and all of its characters belong to Disney. I just have them on secondment. I don't own the songs by Gabrielle and DJ Otzi either.
A/N: I know I say it a lot but thanks for the all the support. I'm presently working on another story but I am still tinkering with it at the moment so bear with me.
"Yeah right Bolton, you just want a grope."
Falling
Sharpay had wanted to arrive fashionably late but Troy vetoed that idea advising her if she was late she may miss some juicy titbit and Sharpay, always the gossip queen, capitulated easily enough, Troy silently laughing at her transparency. Consequently Troy, Sharpay and Zeke managed to avoid the most obnoxious of paparazzi, slipping into Equinox a good thirty minutes before the celebrities started to arrive. Stuart had reserved the same table on the balcony for them for which Troy was grateful, at least up here he had a wonderful view of the entire club and could watch Gabriella from afar without rousing suspicion. Kelsi, Martha and Jason arrived soon after, the girls bouncing with excitement for their friend. Troy, Zeke and Jason left the girls and went over to the bar to get a round of drinks, thoughtfully Troy also reserved bottles of champagne to be brought to the table later once Gabriella had finished her set and was allowed to mingle with her friends.
Once back from the bar Troy took his glass and stood against the railing watching in fascination at the schmoozing going on below as businessmen mingled with the media and celebrities. Suddenly his attention was caught by a flurry of activity near the entrance as he watched executives sidle over towards it. He spotted Ryan courtesy of his hat and knew Gabriella had arrived. He sipped his drink as he watched the crowd slowly move forward but still couldn't see her through the mass of people crowding around her. Troy felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Chad with his arm around Taylor's waist.
"Where the hell did you two spring from? I was starting to think you'd miss it," Troy asked. Taylor and Chad both chuckled.
"Sometimes it pays to follow the star," Chad said cryptically.
"Uh?" grunted Troy.
"We managed to slip through the net whilst Gabriella was doing her red carpet debut," answered Taylor with a smirk.
"Troy, your woman looks stunning, let me tell you," Chad said loudly. Taylor frowned at him and slapped him on the back of the head as Troy looked nervously about to see if he'd been overheard, breathing a sigh of relief when it appeared they'd got away with it.
"What was that for?" moaned Chad as Taylor glared at him.
"Big mouth," she muttered.
"I forgot sorry, I need a drink," moaned Chad as he and Taylor walked away. Sharpay and Zeke came to stand next to Troy with Sharpay commenting randomly as she spotted various people.
"Cooee! Gabriella," screeched Sharpay splitting Troy's eardrum as she waved her hand wildly. Troy's breath stopped as he looked down into Gabriella's sparkling brown eyes, his heart raced in his chest as all the love he felt showed in his eyes before she was swallowed up by the crowd. Troy breathed in deeply and looked down at his glass, realising it was empty as Sharpay grabbed his arm in excitement and pulled him back to the table where he discovered Chad had bought him another.
"Thanks Chad," Troy said gratefully.
"No problem, thought you might need it," replied Chad with a smirk. Troy glared at him and Taylor tittered, raising her eyebrow tauntingly at Troy.
"Don't let me drink too much tonight," he begged Chad which Sharpay overheard.
"Why, are you on a promise?" she probed nastily. Taylor giggled knowing there was every possibility.
"You never know Shar, you never know," taunted Troy with a smirk.
"Bah! Can't you forget about your bimbo for one night," bitched Sharpay with a frown. Taylor looked daggers at her and opened her mouth to cut her down but Troy shook his head at Taylor, his eyes pleading with her to keep quiet.
"No, I don't think I can," he said seriously his eyes glacial as he stared down Sharpay until she huffed and shut up. Kelsi squealed as Ryan approached, drawing the attention away from the table and easing the tension at the same time.
"Doesn't she look fabulous?" gushed Sharpay as she hugged her brother.
"Yeah, she looks like the superstar she is tonight," he replied his wide grin splitting his face in two.
"What time is she due on stage?" asked Taylor smiling at Ryan.
"In about twenty minutes," informed Ryan as he consulted his watch.
"Time for more drinks then," suggested Zeke as he turned towards the bar with Jason and Martha following while Sharpay stayed talking to Ryan and Kelsi. Troy felt in his jacket pocket and took out his cell phone and under cover of the table tapped in a text message, smiling to himself when it beeped confirming it had been delivered. Chad looked over the table and smirked at him. A few minutes later his phone beeped again making him smile when he read the message; Taylor sat opposite giggled at the goofy expression on his face.
"Aw! Troy boy has it bad," she thought happy that Gabriella had found someone who cared so much for her. Troy oblivious to the people around him tapped merrily away before pressing send.
"In-fucking-credible! Didn't realise trollops could message you while on the job," snarled Sharpay who had turned and spotted him. Taylor shot up from her chair her eyes narrowed menacingly when Troy leant over the table and grabbed her arm.
"Leave it Tay," he ordered through gritted teeth.
"I'm gonna bitch slap her before tonight's over," threatened Taylor under her breath looking at Troy.
"I might beat you to it," Troy said quietly. Sharpay couldn't hear what they were saying but looked suspiciously at them.
Suddenly the theme to Thunderbirds filled the club and all the girls squealed and scurried to the balcony leaving Troy to slide out of the booth and slot into a space next to Ryan and Kelsi deliberately keeping as far away from Sharpay as possible. The dance floor miraculously cleared of people as part of the floor slotted into the other leaving a gaping void. Silence descended as the lights went down and a platform rose from the depths, two spotlights converged on a spot in the center revealing this ethereal being who stole his breath away, his hands clutched the top of the railings until the whites of his knuckles showed as he felt his knees weaken. Troy was mesmerised by her sheer beauty, his breath hitched in his throat unwittingly drawing attention from Ryan in the moment of silence before the music started followed by the purest voice he'd ever heard. Ryan threw a bewildered look at Troy noticing his death grip on the rail before turning back to watch Gabriella's performance.
Gabriella stood in the center of the stage waiting for it to rise.
"Good luck Gabi," shouted Caroline from the side. Gabriella looked over and smiled at Caroline who was smiling back with her thumbs up in the air. Thunderbirds blasted from above and the stage slowly rose through the opening.
"This is it girl, get to it," motivated Gabriella as she watched the club emerge, all eyes on her as she clutched the microphone to her breast, butterflies fluttered franticly inside and her heart beat loud and fast, her mouth felt dry; she put the microphone lower and cleared her throat as the opening bars of her song started. She knew Troy was here, she could feel him willing her on, she smiled lifted her head and started singing, her gaze automatically searching the balcony, the spotlights making it near impossible to make out any one person before looking at the sea of faces in front of her.
How could I know when I first met you
I'd be falling in love, never wanting to
cos out of the blue you walked my way
so lost for words, don't know what to say
it's a craving
feels like I'm misbehaving
feels like I'm going crazy
only you can save me
Chorus:
I'm falling but I can't stop - can't stop
a little bit of you is never enough
feels like I'm falling - falling
feels like a new day's dawning
Try as I might I just can't hide
when you came you unlocked all I had inside
like a piece of the puzzle that slots in fine
you came in my life and you made it right
just a feeling - feeling
it's not just my heart you're stealing
you know all there is to know
cos you've seen inside my soul.
Gabriella looked up again at the balcony as she continued looking directly at Troy without even knowing it. Troy breathed in deeply again as he watched her, pride filled his heart as she sang like an angel, the words sung with so much feeling that he felt she was singing solely to him and maybe she was, he smiled down hoping she could see him as clearly as he could see her. Ryan glanced sideways and noticed Troy with a goofy smile on his face then back at Gabriella who was singing better than he'd ever heard her, a knowing smile touched his lips.
Chorus:
You're on my mind all the time, morning, noon and night
without you, without love, I just can't survive no,
It's a craving
feels like I'm misbehaving
feels like I'm going crazy
only you can save me
Chorus x2
Can't stop, falling
can't stop
The place erupted as the final note faded away, people applauded and cheered, a few whistled from the balcony, namely Chad, Zeke and Jason. Troy clapped until his hands were red raw and he couldn't keep the smile off his face until he noticed Ryan eyeing him speculatively.
"Oh crap! Has he guessed?" Troy groaned inwardly.
"She was very good," he spoke aloud, "Good one Bolton, understatement of the year." Ryan kinked an eyebrow and smirked. Troy coughed self-consciously and looked back down at Gabriella who still stood on stage bowing to her captivated audience her smile bright and wide, Troy smiled helplessly, his heart full of pride as she enjoyed her special moment. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Chad beaming at him.
"Didn't I tell you she looked stunning," Chad crowed. Troy frowned at him warningly, "and her voice was like an angel," he said in awe. Troy grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him away from where Ryan was still stood watching them.
"Shut the fuck up you moron," hissed Troy. Chad glanced over his shoulder and saw Ryan looking at them speculatively and gulped.
"Sorry Troy," he said quietly, "but you can't deny she was amazing." Troy groaned and rolled his eyes as he stomped off to the bar. Taylor, having watched the interaction but not hearing it just saw Chad looking red-faced, followed Troy over to see what the problem was.
"I'll have one if you're buying," she said as she leaned against the counter. Troy glanced at her and smiled. "What's the problem?" she asked quietly looking concerned.
"I think Ryan knows and your idiotic boyfriend coming over to crow only fuelled his suspicions," sighed Troy. Taylor shrugged and put her hand on his arm comfortingly.
"It's going to come out sometime Troy," she stated logically. Troy sighed again.
"I guess, just not yet, not tonight."
"Maybe he won't say anything, I mean he's not Sharpay right? And he is Gabi's friend too," she said soothingly.
"Maybe," agreed Troy hope lacing his voice as the bartender served their drinks. He gulped half of his drink in one go.
"I thought you weren't drinking tonight," commented Taylor with a smirk. Troy smiled back.
"Yeah well I needed some Dutch courage," shrugged Troy before walking back to the party with Taylor.
Half an hour later and still no sign of Gabriella coming up to the balcony made Troy restless especially when Ryan kept looking at him weirdly. He stood up and walked back over to the rail looking down to see if he could see her. The DJ was now in situ; dance tracks boomed through the speakers and the dance floor was packed making it hard to spot her amongst the crowd. He felt a presence beside him and glanced up to see Ryan there looking down and he waited for him to speak but Ryan said nothing. Troy spotted Gabriella off to one side of the dance floor with a plump guy in a suit, he could tell they were talking but Gabriella didn't look too happy. Troy's eyes widened when he saw the guy put his hand on her arm and pull her close to him, Gabriella's expression showing shock and distaste.
"Fuck!" exploded from Troy's mouth as he started for the stairs. Ryan caught his arm, shaking his head at Troy when he looked up.
"Let me," he insisted and then he was gone taking the stairs two at a time as he rushed through the crowd towards Gabriella. Troy watched as he approached them and he obviously said something because the guy let go of her and slouched away into the crowd. Ryan said something to Gabriella her eyes shooting up to the balcony quickly before looking back at Ryan and nodding as Ryan guided her through the crowd towards the stairs. Troy heaved a sigh of relief and moved back to the table trying to calm himself when all he really wanted to do was smash his fist into that guy's face. The crowd on the balcony cheered as Gabriella appeared all rushing to congratulate her on the performance. Gabriella smiled and chatted with them, her taut features relaxing, comfortable that she was finally with her friends. Troy watched from his seat in the booth happy that she looked happier, he signalled to the bartender who had been looking toward the noisy crowd, noted the signal and brought over the champagne. Chad looked nervously at the champagne.
"Zeke, do the honours man please," begged Chad, "don't let Sharpay anywhere near those." The group burst out laughing remembering the fiasco with the champagne last time.
"Hey! Is it my fault your big head got in the way," whined Sharpay with a pout. Chad glared at her as Zeke opened the first bottle and filled up the glasses provided. Taylor passed the glasses around the gang waiting for Zeke to open the second bottle before repeating the process to those without a glass. Caroline joined them as Ryan waited until they all had a glass before tapping the side of the glass with a pen.
"Congratulations Gabi on the launch of a dazzling single taken from a spectacular album that will surely generate at least another four singles without a doubt. For delivering a superb performance tonight that will surely bring forth a statewide and dare I say, worldwide tour in the near future. Here's to success and happiness, for you truly deserve it." Gabriella blushed her eyes sparkling as she kissed Ryan on the cheek.
"Thanks, I couldn't have done it without you," she said sincerely wanting to give credit where credit was due, making colour spring into Ryan's cheeks. They all lifted their glasses and toasted Gabriella adding their own congratulations. Troy took a sip of the champagne when everyone else did before putting the full glass back on the table remembering, or not as the case had been, last time. Sharpay downed her glass and urged Zeke to dance with her, swaying her hips to entice him, he rolled his eyes but obediently allowed her to pull him down the stairs followed by Martha and Jason. Kelsi looked enquiringly at Ryan who nodded in acceptance and followed the others. Gabriella stayed standing speaking to Caroline for a few minutes before hugging her as Caroline left. Chad and Taylor sank into the booth opposite Troy leaving space for Gabriella to slide in beside Troy.
"Hi," greeted Gabriella softly looking at him.
"You were amazing," complimented Troy as he leaned sideways to kiss her cheek mindful of watchful eyes, she slid her hand into his under cover of the table and squeezed.
"Yeah, you were out of this world," gushed Chad, "who would have thought something so wonderful could come out of there," he added in astonishment, pointing at her. Gabriella and Taylor burst out laughing at the backhanded compliment while Chad looked bewildered at their laughter and Troy rolled his eyes at his best friend.
"Ooh! It's so good to sit down," groaned Gabriella.
"Aching feet again?" Troy asked hopefully kinking an eyebrow at her.
"Uh-uh," agreed Gabriella blushing madly as she lost herself in his eyes.
"Uh! Am I missing something?" asked Chad frowning.
"Apart from a brain you mean," stated Troy with a smirk at which Gabriella and Taylor cracked up again while Chad snorted in annoyance.
"No seriously guys, has Gabi got something wrong with her feet?" he asked looking perplexed.
"No," they both said together then burst out laughing. Taylor smirked realising it was a private joke but hoped to pump Gabriella for information at a later date. Chad muttered and reached for Troy's glass of champagne downing it in one. Taylor nudged Chad's arm glaring at the empty glass.
"Oh sorry Tay, do you want a drink?" asked Chad realising why she was glaring at him. Taylor smiled sweetly at him and nodded.
"I'll come with you," she offered and shooed him out of the booth.
"Thank god for that, I thought I'd never get you alone," groaned Troy as he slipped an arm around her waist pulling her close until their hips touched. Gabriella drew circles on his hand with her thumb loving the safe feeling he provided. Troy took the opportunity to dip his head and quickly brush her lips with his before pulling away again.
"I…I think Ryan knows," he said hesitantly, "he's been looking weirdly at me for the last hour." Gabriella sighed.
"I know he does. When he came down to rescue me from that jerk he said he had just stopped Rambo from making a public spectacle and blowing the best kept secret since Efron and Hudgens." She giggled when she recalled Ryan's comments, "what did you do?" Gabriella wanted to know.
"I have no idea Gabi, I haven't really spoken to him tonight except stand beside him when you were performing although Chad was rather loud after your performance so he could have picked something up."
"Well he knows," she sighed.
"Will he say anything?" Troy asked concerned.
"I don't think so, he doesn't like the paparazzi any more than we do," she murmured, "but we've been here before remember and that hasn't turned out so bad," she smiled at him. Taylor and Chad came back with a round of drinks and they sat around drinking and talking and laughing.
"Taylor, do me a favour and take Troy for a dance?" asked Gabriella smiling winsomely at her.
"Excuse me?" all three chorused together, bewilderment on their faces.
"Look I want to dance with him but it would look too obvious but if we swap partners for one dance it won't look so apparent," pleaded Gabi batting her eyelids at them. Taylor sighed and Troy groaned.
"The things I do for a friend," muttered Taylor as they all stood up. Gabriella giggled and hugged her before they made their way to the dance floor. Fortunately a lot of the company executives and press had left which made the dance floor less claustrophobic. As Chad twirled Gabriella around as they moved fluidly to the music she was impressed by Chad's suppleness. Suddenly Taylor tapped her on the shoulder.
"Enough is enough Gabi, friendship only stretches so far. Please take this oaf off my hands," she pleaded with a pained expression as she latched onto Chad gratefully. Gabriella giggled as Troy slipped his arms around her waist, she put her hands around his neck breathing a sigh of relief when the tempo slowed down and they could get away with a shuffle. She sighed as she leant her head in the crook of his neck glad to be where she belonged, her skin tingled as his breath brushed against her neck and she felt the lightest touch of his lips against her skin.
"This is where I've wanted to be all night," whispered Troy. Gabriella giggled.
"Liar," she teased looking knowingly at him as his eyes sparkled in return.
"Okay then, this is the second best place I want to be tonight," he amended with a chuckle as her eyes twinkled mischievously. The beat got faster again so Troy pulled away and guided her from the dance floor and up the stairs offering to get the drinks for the group who had all followed before sitting down; Chad followed to help him downing the first beer that appeared.
"Whew! Needed that, it's hot work, dancing." Troy chuckled.
"Especially when your partner is hot stuff?" he teased smiling at Chad.
"You got that right," leered Chad, ordering a replacement beer. Troy carried the tray laden with bottles and glasses back to the table as Chad lurched after him carrying his new bottle. Chad put his beer down suddenly and started dancing to the tune that had just started up and then weaved over to Taylor and started singing badly.
Chorus
Hey! Hey baby
(hu ha)
I wanna know
If you'll be my girl
Hey! Hey baby
(hu ha)
I wanna know
If you'll be my girl
Then he got carried away and leapt onto the neighbouring table and wiggled his hips causing the whole group to burst out laughing as he continued.
When I saw you
Walking down the street
I said, "That's the kind of girl
I'd like to meet?"
She's so pretty
Looks so fine
I'm gonna make her
Mine oh mine
Chorus
When you turn
And walk away
That's when I want to say
Come on baby
Give me a whirl
I wanna know, I wanna know
If you will be my girl
When you turn
And walk away
That's when
I want to say
Come on baby
Give me a whirl
I wanna know
If you'll be my girl
He wore a goofy smile and looked directly at Taylor making her blush as he sang his heart out, wiggling his hips suggestively until the table wobbled and he fell into a heap on the floor. Everyone was crying with laughter at his antics and was unable to go and help him up; he tried to stand but stumbled and fell back to the floor. Taylor rolled her eyes and sighed, looking towards Troy for help but Jason and Zeke stepped forward to help pick him up between them laughing as his feet buckled. Troy sighed and glanced at Gabriella.
"I guess we better get him home," said Taylor, "coming Gabi?" Gabriella nodded, rising from her chair and hugging Martha and Kelsi and kissing Ryan on his cheek. Sharpay squealed and engulfed her in a bear hug.
"Don't forget Gabi, we must go shopping again soon," she reminded her and Gabriella smiled hugging her back. Zeke and Jason helped Chad down the stairs as Taylor, Troy and Gabriella followed behind.
"Wait till I get him home," muttered Taylor, Gabriella and Troy burst out laughing, Taylor glared at them.
"What are you laughing at?" she demanded.
"You sound like his wife," revealed Gabriella still chuckling.
"Hmpf! He should be so lucky," retorted Taylor with a smirk liking that idea. Zeke and Jason helped Chad out of the door and into the waiting town car.
"Will you be okay with him?" Zeke asked Troy worriedly.
"Sure, if not Tom should be there to help," reassured Troy as he did the manly hug with Zeke and Jason before they went back inside. Gabriella and Taylor had climbed into the car while Troy was saying his goodbyes, Taylor beside Chad as he lolled against her muttering sorry over and over. Troy jumped in and snuggled up to Gabriella wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"You blew me away tonight," he whispered into her ear.
"Not yet I haven't," she whispered back huskily her eyes looking mischievously at him.
I had fun writing this chapter and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Thanks once again for the support and encouragement.