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.
A/N: I know it's now Tuesday but I'm still buzzing from Zac's swept back look at the VMA's, dare I say smokin'? Thank you for all the reviews, they inspired me to get this one updated quicker than the last one lol!
"Well you have," pain laced her words, "but you know what, I don't care anymore. You can go to hell," and with that she turned and marched from the room with Zeke in close attendance.
Girl Talk
"Well that went well," commented Chad into the electrically charged silence that followed Sharpay's departure.
"You think?" snapped Troy sarcastically shooting Chad an evil stare.
"I still don't get it," whined Jason. Everyone groaned and shook their heads.
"Troy and I are dating," explained Gabriella softly.
"Hey that's cool, congrats," said Jason receiving a smile from Gabriella.
"Thanks man. I should go and talk to her," sighed Troy rubbing the back of his neck.
"Are you off your rocker? For fuck's sake, Troy, think man, do you want to be beaten to a pulp," yelled Chad frowning at his friend.
"He's right, Troy, leave her be for a while," advised Ryan, "She needs time to cool her heels."
"Ryan's right, you know he is," said Gabriella reaching out to hold his hand.
"I guess," Troy accepted the advice, "I'm sorry if we've ruined your weekend," he added sadly looking around the table.
"Don't sweat it, Troy, she'll come round. You should be used to my sister's melodramatic outbursts by now," smirked Ryan, "and as they go that was one helluva humdinger," he added with a chuckle.
"So glad I could provide you guys with the weekend's entertainment," drawled Troy sarcasm dripping from his lips. Chad smirked then frowned as his hand reached out to grab another pancake.
"Damn! These are cold. Any chance of some more pancakes?"
Wanting to escape the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to permeate around Lava Springs, Troy and Gabriella caught a ride with Chad and Taylor into Albuquerque, dropping them off at Chad's parents before taking Gabriella on a tour of his old stamping ground.
"Stop brooding," ordered Gabriella as she looked at Troy's frowning countenance. "Is it our fault that Sharpay spotted us and forced the issue?"
"I guess not," he sighed, "I just wish I'd handled it better."
"I don't see how. I know Ryan and Chad didn't help with their little digs but Sharpay was hell bent on taking the credit and basking in the limelight, there was no way you could have stopped her," Gabriella said logically.
"You're right, I know you're right, so why do I feel so bad?" moaned Troy.
"Because you care, Troy, and that is why I love you," she said softly.
"Is that the only reason?" he asked throatily arching his eyebrow, a teasing smile on his face.
"Feeling insecure, Bolton," she teased as they pulled up on a tree-lined suburban street.
"Uh-huh, and battered and bruised," he moaned sorrowfully.
"Aw! Poor Baby," cooed Gabriella lifting a hand to stroke the curve of his cheek before leaning over to give a comforting kiss, his lips cool and firm against her lips until she flicked him with her tongue and he groaned pulling her to him to deepen the kiss, dragging her across the shift stick and onto his lap, needing to feel her against him like never before as he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, needing to feel her silky tongue against his. A sudden rap on the window sprang them apart and Gabriella gasped scuttling back to her seat with a rapidly beating heart and heated cheeks. Troy opened the window and smiled at the older man who had interrupted them.
"Hello, Troy, I thought it was you."
"Hey, Mr Johnson, right?" asked Troy looking for confirmation. The older man grinned.
"It is indeed. What brings you back to the neighbourhood?"
"We're staying at Lava Springs so I thought I'd check out the old haunts." Mr Johnson chuckled.
"Not much changes around here, Troy. How's Jack and Lucy and little Amy?" asked Mr Johnson.
"She's not so little anymore," chuckled Troy, "but yeah, they're good. Dad's still getting the odd round in."
"That's good to know. Give them my regards when you see them."
"I will," said Troy as Mr Johnson waved and went back to tending his lawn.
"I take it you lived around here," questioned Gabriella as she gazed through the window.
"Yeah, that's our old house," he informed her pointing to the house he'd parked in front of, "and if you hadn't gathered, that is our old neighbour, Mr Johnson."
"He seemed nice," she commented staring at Troy's childhood home.
"The old buzzard wasn't always that nice, especially when he caught me and Chad up his crab apple tree," revealed Troy with a smirk. Gabriella giggled.
"You probably deserved it. Did he catch you?" she asked smirking.
"Nah, they didn't call me White Lightening for nothing," chuckled Troy, "Which was just as well when he was coming after us with a rake. It honed our running speed for sure. That's the only time I ever saw Chad as white as a sheet. He wouldn't come back to our house for over a week," Troy recalled fondly chuckling at remembered good times. Gabriella giggled.
"So you got away with it then?" she queried, fascinated to hear stories from his childhood.
"Whatever gave you that idea? He went bitching to dad so I got a lecture, grounded for two days and he made me clean out the garage too," moaned Troy, smiling ruefully when Gabriella burst into laughter. "Come on, I'll show you the school we all went to." Troy put the car in gear and drove down the road.
After the grand tour, Troy drove into Albuquerque and they strolled around the Old Town that still retained the adobe charm of the old southwest with its pueblo-Spanish style architecture. Most buildings had flat roofs, stucco walls with rounded edges but interspersed with the odd Victorian building and in the main plaza San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church held court, its white towers rising above the town. Troy tried to talk Gabriella into visiting the rattlesnake museum but she refused saying she'd been rattled enough for one day. Gabriella stopped numerous times to admire the wares of the street vendors who displayed paintings, pottery, lace and hand-made jewellery, made predominately from turquoise before Troy demanded food leading her to the Casa De Ruiz although Troy informed her once they were seated that as teens they had always called it the Church Street Café.
Troy guided her through a pair of old stable doors into a quaint walled courtyard, a pergola awash with floral climbers marked the entrance and beyond, the eating area with an array of tables some of which were already occupied by diners; in the center of the back wall was a bubbling fountain that trickled over a rock formation. A waitress approached them and Troy requested a table for two, she smiled, directing them to a small table under the overhang of the pergola.
"I like it, it has a restful ambiance. It reminds me of the restaurant in Palm Springs a bit," commented Gabriella as she settled into her seat, her eyes scanning the courtyard.
"It is very similar, I guess," agreed Troy looking around stopping only when the waitress came with the menus. They sat in companionable silence while they perused the menu only resuming their conversation when they had decided what they wanted. Gabriella decided to have Taco salad whilst Troy chose Tapaqueno, which consisted of a sirloin steak smothered in chilli served with a baked potato and squash. Gabriella rolled her eyes and smirked.
"Remember Mister Stay Puft?" teased Gabriella smiling and Troy huffed then smirked at her.
"I guess I'll have to work it off somehow. Any ideas?" he asked innocently.
"I have a few," she replied licking her lips as she stared into his cobalt eyes.
"Hmm, sounds interesting, Miss Montez, can't wait to find out what you have planned," he smirked.
"The gym at Lava Springs is good I believe," she teased, laughing when he growled.
"Not nice, Montez," he muttered before smirking, "Fancy a Marguerita?" to which she groaned wrinkling her nose at him.
"Not on your life, Bolton. I think I'll keep a clear head today until we've sorted out this mess with Sharpay."
"Let's hope we can. She was pretty mad this morning," said Troy looking worried.
"She'll cool down so stop worrying, okay. What time do we have to pick Chad and Taylor up?" asked Gabriella changing the subject.
"About three, his mom was making a Sunday lunch and knowing Mrs D that will be on the table on the stroke of one," chuckled Troy remembering past times.
"I take it you've been to a few of them," commented Gabriella.
"Some," confirmed Troy with a grin, "Chad and I were inseparable through our childhood and teens, he's like the brother I never I had and just as annoying sometimes." Gabriella giggled.
"Yeah, I had noticed," she concurred just as the waitress brought their food.
After lunch, they drove back towards Chad's house but Troy pulled up at the curb on a leafy street.
"Why have you stopped here?" asked Gabriella throwing a questioning glance his way.
"Come on, I'll show you where the guys and me spent most of our leisure time," he replied with a grin. Troy interlinked their hands as they walked through a gated entrance into a park of sizable proportions. They strolled down the tree-lined pathway until they came to a clearing, the sound of children's laughter drew Gabriella's eyes and she could see a play area off to the left where a few mothers sat on benches watching their offspring expend their surplus energy as they played on the swings, slide, climbing frame and roundabout while a few were occupied in the sandpit.
"Hmm, I can just see you two in the sandpit playing with your bucket and spade," she gurgled.
"Not there," he groaned pulling her past the play area and around a privet hedge, "over there," he corrected pointing to a concrete basketball court where a small group of teenagers were playing a two on two game.
"I still think you'd look cute in the sandpit," teased Gabriella squealing when he grabbed her and started tickling drawing the eyes of the boys.
"Hey, uhm are you Troy Bolton?" said the tallest and bravest of the group. His question rescued Gabriella from an aching death as Troy looked over to the boys, smiled and nodded.
"Wow, this is awesome. See I told you it was," he shouted in glee to his mates. "You…would you care to mix it up with us?" stammered the boy looking hopefully at Troy. Troy turned to Gabriella, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"Go ahead, I know you want to," she encouraged with a smile sitting down on the grass verge. Troy smiled at her then trotted over to the boys who each gave him a high five in welcome. Gabriella proudly watched Troy giving pointers to the boys as they moved the ball between the baskets until Troy called a halt amidst groans from the boys.
"Just remember what I told you and you'll do good," Troy said to them before walking off the court beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.
"That was hard work," he moaned plonking down beside Gabriella who wiped a finger across his brow.
"Sure it was," Gabriella rolled her eyes at him disbelievingly, "and you enjoyed every minute." Troy grinned in acknowledgement leaning over to kiss her.
"I guess we should be heading out," said Gabriella regretfully as she glanced at her watch.
"Yeah, we should. I don't think I could stand another friend bitching at me," moaned Troy standing up and pulling her with him. Troy waved to the boys as they walked back down the path towards the car.
They arrived back at Lava Springs in a buoyant mood; Troy and Gabriella had been able to unwind away from the tension whilst Chad had proudly introduced Taylor to his family who had seemed very impressed with his choice. Taylor had disappeared into the kitchen to help his mom with lunch, surprising Chad when he went looking for her to find them laughing easily together as Mrs Danforth retold tales of her son's past demeanours, some of which Taylor related to Gabriella on the way back from whence gales of laughter ensued. Taylor and Chad decided to look for the gang and they wandered around the complex looking for their friends, finding them relaxing beside the pool soaking up the late afternoon rays bestowed by the sun.
Gabriella and Troy went to their room to change having decided on taking a swim before dinner.
"I'm going to find Sharpay now and try to pacify her," Troy decided when they walked into Gabriella's room.
"Oh…okay, are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" said Gabriella nonplussed at his decision. She had thought they would do it together.
"Nah, I want to do it now, see if I can smooth the way before dinner. I really don't want an atmosphere to hang over the meal and spoil it for everyone," he reasoned, sending her a tentative smile. "I won't be long," he promised before closing the door behind him. Gabriella sighed, chewing her bottom lip with worry as she looked for her red bikini.
Troy looked in the lounge, then the small piano bar before spying Mr Fulton as he walked through reception.
"Do you know where Sharpay is?"
"I believe she's by the pool, Mr Bolton," answered Mr Fulton his eyes widening in surprise.
"Right, pool, thank you," repeated a suddenly tongue-tied Troy.
"Good luck with that," muttered Mr Fulton under his breath as Troy walked off in the direction of the pool area.
Troy coming out into the dazzling sunlight had to pause for a moment for his eyes to adjust before he could scan the perimeter, he spotted Taylor and Chad sharing a lounger as they chatted with Martha, Kelsi and Ryan lying on adjoining sun beds, shouts from the pool highlighted Zeke, Jason and the rest of the guys clowning around then he spotted Sharpay perched on the side of her recliner coating her legs in sun lotion whilst chatting to two of the wives. Hunching his shoulders, Troy walked over to her.
"Sharpay, look, I'm really…" he began.
"Go away," she snarled without looking at him.
"No, I need to…"
"Fuck off, Troy," she barked standing up and glaring at him.
"I'm really, truly sorry," he grovelled, "I should have told..."
"Yeah, you should," she snapped her eyes narrowed to tiny, amber slits as she moved towards him menacingly and Troy gulped taking a backward step and then another. "I thought I meant more to you than that," she continued threateningly her hot pink talon stabbing him in the chest, "I deserved better, after all, I've been there for you when you've needed advice, when you got dumped by various bimbos and you needed a shoulder to cry on, when I tended your cut knee," she persisted with her spiel advancing and prodding her nail as each milestone was mentioned.
"I was nine, for Christ sake," muttered Troy only to gulp as she carried on her rant.
"When your dog died, when you were too pissed to make it home, I looked after you: Shit! You even asked for my help in furnishing your apartment" she rattled on, "I thought you were my best friend but I was wrong," she screamed.
"I'm sorry, Shar, I know I did wrong, but cool it, okay," placated Troy, relaxing when she smiled at him and he smiled back.
"Hmm, cool it you say, sure," she agreed putting her hand flat against his chest as Troy missed the gleam in her eye but not the big smile on her face as she pushed. He felt himself free falling only to hit the water with an almighty splash, sinking into the chilly depths, the water slipping up his nose and into his mouth opened in shock as he left terra firma. He burst back to the surface of the pool spluttering and gasping, the water stinging his eyes made his vision blurry and all he could see was a pink blob and blonde hair, laughter sounded muted as if coming through a tunnel. He wiped his eyes only to see Sharpay roaring with laughter, her hands planted on her hips and a satisfied smirk on her face.
"Cool enough now, Bolton," she taunted before twirling on her heels and walking into Lava Springs. Troy swam over to the side and hauled himself out, aware of the laughter from the spectators.
"Shit! This is worse than I thought," he groaned to himself.
Gabriella had changed into her swimsuit, adding the robe provided by the country club and was slipping her feet into flip-flops when she heard a tapping on the window, jerking her head she gasped, staring open-mouthed at the bedraggled, sodden figure of Troy. Rushing to the patio door she opened it to let him in, fighting to hold back the rumble of laughter that brewed in her belly when he sloshed into the room, his shoes squelching as he walked.
"What happened to you?" she cried pulling his drenched t-shirt over his head.
"Don't you mean whom?" he sighed ruefully. She couldn't hold it in any longer, the rumble of laughter burst forth as Gabriella collapsed onto the bed. "Thanks," he muttered glaring at her.
"I'm sorry, Troy, but you look like the swamp monster," she tried to justify her laughter but ended giggling again. "I guess it didn't go well?" she questioned when the fit abated.
"You could say that," he replied trying to pull the saturated, clinging jeans from his leg, falling back on the bed as the jeans won and he lost his balance. "Bloody cold too," he moaned then smirked looking at his girlfriend, "maybe I shouldn't have said that, now you won't go in."
"How right you are," she said affecting a shudder. "You should get in a hot shower in case you catch a chill," she advised him.
"I can think of better ways to warm me up," he leered lunging for her, laughing at her squeal as his damp boxers touched her legs, the warmth from his lips soon dispelled all thoughts of discomfort and her nimble fingers quickly removed the offending article, warm skin met cool skin, friction heating them both to boiling point in the swirling cauldron of desire that ensued.
Gabriella smiled at the peacefully sleeping body next to her, his chest rising and falling evenly as she slid from the bed to take a quick shower before carrying out the mission she had been contemplating as she watched him sleep. She knew he was upset by Sharpay's reaction although he wouldn't admit it, he never wanted to hurt her and Gabriella blamed herself, forcing him to keep their assignations secret, paranoid as she was about keeping her private life private, the press finding out had been her major concern but she had forgotten about the smaller picture; friends.
Troy stirred as she slipped on her black Christian Louboutin four-inch heels, the cherry instep matching the strapless knee-length dress she had chosen to wear.
"Hey, am I late?" asked Troy drowsily propping up on his elbow.
"No, but you should be getting ready now," said Gabriella her eyes drawn to him like a magnet, taking in his tousled hair that flopped over his wondrous eyes, his toothy grin, his muscular shoulders that led down to firm toned abs drawing her eyes further to his trim waist she could glimpse at the edge of the sheet. She'd never tire of looking at him, he was a true work of art, a masterpiece and he was hers; even now she pinched herself sometimes to test if it was real, wondering yet again how lucky she was to find him.
"I'd rather stay here in the warm, I have a feeling there's going to be a cold front tonight," he grumbled lying back down.
"Come on Troy, I know you're not a coward," she cajoled, "get up."
"I thought I just did," he teased smirking wickedly at her, "but hey, if you want to repeat it I'm more than willing." Gabriella shook her head in mock despair.
"Maybe later," she teased sending him a cheeky grin.
"You're no fun, Montez," he grumbled jumping out of bed smirking when her eyes swept up his length, "Are you sure you won't change your mind?" he posed in front of her. She licked her lips, so, so tempted to say yes but she held her resolve remembering her mission as she regretfully shook her head.
"I'm sure but you can have something on account," she said softly planting her lips on his, stroking his chest at the same time before pulling away. "Now get showered up," she ordered patting his butt laughing when he muttered, "not fair" as he went into the bathroom. "I'll meet you in there, I need to see Sharpay," she shouted then walked out of the room. Troy stopped dead as his hand went to switch on the jets.
"Did she just say she's going to see Sharpay? Oh shit," he groaned sprinting into the bedroom to find it empty.
Thank god Mr Fulton is all seeing all knowing or Gabriella would never have found Sharpay, tucked away like she was in the small bar area in a leather winged back chair, a cocktail glass resting on the coffee table in front of her. Gabriella sat on a loveseat against the wall to the side of her and stared at her profile, trying to weigh up her mood. It was hard to define.
"Do you believe in Fate?" she asked softly her wary brown eyes staring unblinkingly at Sharpay's face as the silence lengthened.
"No, not really," replied Sharpay finally shaking her blonde locks.
"Me neither, I used to think it was all baloney until an amazing stroke of luck brought this amazing guy with the most startling blue eyes into my life." She recalled with a giggle, "I was struck dumb with the wonder of it. I opened the door and could only stare at him, my mouth dried up; my heart skipped a beat and all I could think was wow!" continued Gabriella still speaking in a soft tone. "Somehow, god knows how, I forced myself to speak and then he replied and I was captivated by his tone of voice. When we shook hands I can't describe the tingle that shot up my arm, it was like I'd been electrocuted. I…I take it you've heard the story of how we met?" Gabriella questioned Sharpay who had sat listening with a small smile on her face and at her nod she carried on with the story.
"I was mesmerised from the word go but I was scared too." Sharpay for the first time looked at Gabriella a question in her eyes.
"Why would you be scared of Troy?" questioned Sharpay curiously.
"I wasn't scared of Troy as such, more the intense feelings he invoked in me, the way he made me smile, his sense of humour that matched mine, the need to be with him even if it was only in the same room with a mass of people separating us, just to know he was there was enough to satisfy me, just hearing his voice on the phone lit me up inside and it scared me that I was in way too deep way too fast, that I needed him to make me whole; it made me feel vulnerable because I wasn't sure how he felt at the time. My greatest fear was of people finding out; of spoiling this magical rapport we had going on and maybe I was selfish for wanting to keep it between us. I made him promise to keep it a secret and to make me happy, he agreed. I shouldn't have asked that of him," she finished sadly.
"No you shouldn't," responded Sharpay frowning, "but I still don't understand why you would think we would spoil it. Surely you both had enough faith in us to know we'd be happy for you."
"Do you ever feel like you live in a goldfish bowl?" asked Gabriella changing tack.
"No, I can't say I do." Sharpay replied shaking her head again.
"I do and it's not pleasant being constantly hounded by the Paparazzi, poking and prodding into your life, especially it seems, your private life. Look at Britney, she's like a train wreck and that has been fuelled by the harassment of the Paparazzi. It terrifies me that they will find out about Troy and me and try to dish some dirt on us, bursting our bubble and spoiling it all with the stress they'll force on our relationship. I think we are strong enough to cope with all the pressure now but I still don't want the eyes of the world on us; ideally I want to keep it private and away from the press for as long as possible."
"I can understand that, Gabi. Ryan has done nothing but bitch about the idiots that get in his way, insinuating poisonous comments, trying to bait him. I understand you and him have a thing going?" joked Sharpay rolling her eyes.
"Apparently," commented Gabriella dryly feeling easier when Sharpay shortened her name.
"I know what you're saying about the press and the Paparazzi, they are sewer rats but we're not," stated Sharpay.
"I guess I got too paranoid about it all, thinking if no one knew then we'd be safe," admitted Gabriella softly. "I'm sorry." Sharpay nodded accepting her apology.
"Hell, I'm ecstatic about it, just pissed off that you kept it to yourselves for so long and when I'm pissed I let rip," admitted Sharpay with a smirk.
"I had noticed," giggled Gabriella.
"Yeah well, once a drama queen, always a drama queen," chortled Sharpay, "but if you tell anyone I said that I'll deny it," she added in warning.
"I wouldn't dare," assured Gabriella with a grin.
"So when did you tell Taylor?" probed Sharpay.
"I didn't, she caught Troy sneaking back into my room in the buff," answered Gabriella truthfully. Sharpay burst out laughing and Gabriella joined in with Sharpay's infectious laughter. Troy followed closely by Zeke sprinted into the room after being tipped off by Mr Fulton only to stop short as he saw his girlfriend and best friend laughing and Zeke unable to stop his momentum barrelled into the back of him knocking him to the floor. Zeke hastily pulled him to his feet only for them both to stare slack-jawed at the pair who burst into a fresh bout of laughter.
"Hoping for a catfight?" taunted Sharpay smirking at them, her and Gabriella burst out laughing yet again when they both shook their heads emphatically.
"Bullshit!" jeered Sharpay, "but as you're here you can make yourselves useful and get the drinks in," she ordered, "a bottle of champagne, I think."