Dirty Little Lies

Epilogue

My feet carried me along the many rows, along the rugged path through serried ranks of graves that were all to familiar to me. I glanced down at the one grave that meant something to me. My mothers - It looked old and dirty, something which i had never really registered before. I bent down, sitting on my knees as i wet my jacket and rubbed the tombstone, wanting to clean it and make it look respectful. "Im sorry i haven't seen you in months, mom. It has only been now, now that everything has been sorted between me and dad that i have been able to see you" I said, talking to nothing really, only the stone infront of me, like my mom was there, listening.

It had been 5 months since the car crash and my life had changed dramatically - In all aspects. Things to begin with had been pretty bad, for awhile actually. Like, disaster movie bad. I don't even want to get into it, not because i'm being avoidy but it's in the past and I've moved on.

I got into another car crash 3 months ago and i really screwed up my arm so I guess that means i'm not going to be a brain surgeon or a violinist. I think i needed to be really hurt on the outside so the hurt on the inside would realize that it wasn't on its own and that it had to come out.

Dad was amazing. I told him everything that had happened with me - In great detail and he didn't get cold and sarcastic like he normally does - Maybe you remember? To be honest, we became each others rocks.

I am still bestfriends with Taylor and we do practically everything together. We realised that we both needed each other more then we thought and i think after the first car accident and certainly the second one we both realised that lives were precious and we really needed to lean on each other and make our bond stronger.

So i turned 17 around a week ago and i certainly feel like i have grown up a bit - I have been busying myself with getting a job as a waitress and i haven't been to a party in forever - I really didn't drink alcohol all that much either...which actually didn't bother me in the slightest because i actually felt more alive when i was me and not a fake, strange, alcohol-fied me.

And as for Riley? Oh Riley, he moved. Yep, one day he was there, the next he had left with his parents, his house empty with a 'FOR SALE' sign stuck in the front garden. He was gone - God knows why. I was kind of mixed emotions about it really. Part of me felt relieved because i no longer had to worry about him. However, another part was like - He is gone? No matter what he had done, he had been such a big part of my life and no he was out of it...gone.

Now for Troy...I don't even know what's going on. We are friends - Extremely good friends who just happen to continuously flirt and always support each other and are there for each other. As for romantic stuff? Things were going slow...As i said, we flirted alot and even kissed for the first time the other week since the night of the first accident. As for Sharpay? she was pissed. Pissed I hung around with Troy so much after everything and pissed off that i still got his attention more then her. We would never see eye to eye and that was the end of it.

I stood up, still looking down at my mothers grave. "He is leaving mom" I sighed, running a hand through my hair "Troy's going..."

This was true. Troy was leaving...He had just graduated just under a month ago from college and had been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with Chad. Yes, the Lakers. I couldn't believe it, i didn't want him to go at all, but i couldn't exactly hold him back could i? He looked so happy 3 weeks ago when he told me...I could tell he had been dieing to tell me all day, that day and when he finally revealed it - It was like all his christmas's had come at once..

Flashback

I sat on Troy's sofa, with Troy himself, Chad and Taylor. Chad and Troy were battling each other on their newly bought xbox360, while Taylor and I sat their and cheered our respective teams. Chad was definetly the more competetive out of the both of them as he was practically jumping up and down like a four year old who had just been told they were only allowed to eat Candy and nothing else for the rest of their life. "Ha, fucking beat that dude" Chad called out, throwing the controller down before leaping up into the air causing everyone to laugh. Troy chuckled and sighed before putting the controller down in defeat while Chad leaped around the room gleefully, celebrating his victory.

I glanced next to me at Troy who was pouting and looking super cute and sex, although he didn't know it. "Awww, Is Troy a bad loser" I teased.

"No!" He said

"Yes you are! Look at you, awwww" I continued to tease him as Taylor and Chad laughed.

"Really? I am?" He chuckled, beginning to tickle me.

I wriggled and squirmed, giggling like mad. "Stop...Troy! Ah, haha stop!" I called out, between deep, stuttering breaths.

"Say im not a sore loser and i will" He said indignantly, tickling me harder then ever.

My sides hurt, my breath was ragged, my eyes were closed while i writhed around, falling off the sofa and onto the floor. "Troy isn't...isn't a sore...oh god..isn't a sore loser!!" I practically screamed the last part, sighing in relief as Troy stopped working his hands on my sides. After a minute, i sat up, still on the floor. "Your mean" I glared at him.

"Yeah and I care why?" He raised his eyebrows and all i could do was stick my tongue out at him like a 2 year old.

Troy shook his head before standing up and bending down, wrapping his arms around my back, Troy lifted me from the floor and carried me the few feet into kitchen while Taylor and Chad began a conversation on the sofa, leaving me and Troy in our own little world. Troy set me on the small marble counter and reached for the refridgerator. Reaching behind me, I grabbed one of the loafs of bread and set a few slices on the cutting board beside the fridge.

"You want mayo and lettuce?" he questioned me as he placed the condiments on the cutting board beside the bread. I nodded and dug a knife from the drawer beneath my knees. Handing the utensil to Troy, I watched as he spread the white fluff across a slice of bread before layering the turkey and lettuce on top.

"Oh, cheese please" I smiled apologetically as Troy rolled his eyes while he unwrapped a slice of cheese and added it to the mix before handing the sandwich to me. Smiling appreciatively, I took the sandwich from Troy and began to rip off the crust.

"I don't like the crust" I shrugged at Troy's amused look. "You know that" I added as I watched him prepare his own sandwich. Nodding his head, he threw the contents of the food back in their proper places before jumping up onto the counter beside me.

"So, i have something i need to tell you" He said, as if he was treading carefully, like if he said the wrong i would break.

"Hmm? What's up?" I asked him, nudging his arm as i watched him eat his sandwhich.

"God, i don't know how to tell you this..."

He was worrying me now, alot. "Troy, it can't be that bad. Whats going on?"

"Well, you know how there was some interest in me and Chad after the RedHawks won the championship" Troy began.

"Yeah"

"Well, it turns out there was alot of interest..from a very big team in the NBA."

I was getting excited now, i could tell by the look in his eyes he was too, about whatever the news was. "And..? Who was it?"

"The lakers. Brie, the Lakers want to sign Chad and I."

I dropped the sandwhich, literally, it fell to a splat on the floor before i jumped off the counter and exclaimed "Oh my fucking god!! Thats amazing Troy!! Oh My GOD, the LAKERS?! They are huge, they are an NBA team...Troy!" I hugged Troy who was laughing and wrapping his arms around me after jumping off the counter and tightening his grip.

"I know Brie, this is huge. Going into the NBA just as i have graduated college." Troy said.

But then it hit me, the Lakers? They were situated in L.A which mean Troy would have to go to L.A right?. I pulled away from Troy "You have to move don't you?"

Troy's face fell but nodded gently "Yeah, i do. I actually have to go in a month...But i haven't signed yet Gabi, i don't have to go"

Yeah and let me be the one that holds you back and forever feel guilty? Hell no! "No! Troy, you have to go, this is huge! This is amazing...as much as i want you to stay here, i can't keep you away from your dream and you will come and visit right? You have to go!" I said as if i was more then happy with the situation, when really i wanted to cry - He had been my rock and now he was leaving.

Troy brushed some hair from my face "Are you sure Brie?"

"Yes! Troy really..." I said smiling, my eyes glistening over with tears that i were determined to not let fall.

"Then i'll tell them i'll do it. Thankyou" He said, pulling me into another hug.

Slowly, i pulled away and wiped my eyes, making sure Troy didn't see. "I better clean up this mess" I said indicating to the mess of my sandwhich on the floor.

End Flashback

I stared down at the grave, wiping a tear away as i continued to speak "And i can't stop him. I can't be the one to stop his dreams..." I sighed "I guess this just means that it's for real. Troy and I will never be anything more then friends again. He leaves today mom, in around 1 hour...He has found an apartement and everything with Chad and that bitch Sharpay - Yeah she is moving in with him"

I stayed talking to my moms grave for quite awhile before leaving and making the walk back to my house, listening to my iPod - Well my new iPod. Troy had bought it for my birthday when my old one mysteriously 'broke' AKA after i threw it across the room when i got home from Troys the day he had told me he was leaving - But he didn't know that.

I entered the house, throwing my keys on the nearby table before walking into the living room. I instantly noticed my father, sitting on the sofa reading the daily newspaper "Where have you been Belle? You had me worried" He said, lowering his newspaper to get a proper look at me.

"I went to see mom" I murmured, landing next to him on the sofa and resting my head on his shoulder.

"You did?" He asked as if he couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, i needed to vent" I sighed.

"About Troy?"

"Yeah. What else? I can't believe he is leaving today dad" I mumbled as my dad wrapped an arm around me.

"Hey, don't worry ok. Knowing you two, you will keep in contact."

"Yes dad, but that's not the point" I muttered "He is going to another part of America. Away from me"

"You will be ok. I promise you Gabriella. As much as you like him i think this will be able to prove to you, you aren't completely reliant on him"

"I guess" I shrugged, glancing at my watch "Troy will be here in 10 minutes"

"He is coming here?"

"Yeah he is taking me and Taylor to the airport to say goodbye to him and Chad"

"How are you getting back?"

"Taxi" I said before my dad reached into his pocket and pulled out some money, handing it to me.

"I would come with you and bring you back but i doubt you want me cramping your style or something"

I giggled and gasped "You cramp my style? Never!"

Just then, the doorbell rang and my body tensed before leaping up off the sofa and running to the door only to be beaten by Elisa who was giggling wildly as she prised open the door and revealed Troy, Chad, Taylor and surprisingly Sharpay (Why didn't she just wait in the car?).

"Troy!" Elisa exclaimed, practically leaping forward and hugging Troy. Yeah, they had bonded strongly that day they sat on the stairs eating cereal while i bawled my eyes out to my dad.

"Hey rugrat" Troy said, hugging Elisa before turning to me "Hey bigger rugrat"

"Rugrat? How lame are you" I joked before ushering everyone in, stopping when Sharpay tried to enter, last. "What are you doing here?" I sneered

"Trust me sweetie, im all for hating you but i wasn't going to sit in the car all on my own, like the loner you really are"

"As far as comebacks go, that was shit" I commented, slamming the door behind her as she sauntered into the living room where everyone was gathered.

"Good luck Troy." My dad said, shaking hands with Troy who was smiling back - It seemed Troy and my dad had bonded? weird.

My dad then said bye to Chad and Sharpay - Even though he didn't know her. Give him his dues though, he looked at her like the whore she really was.

"Troy, where are you going?" Elisa asked

"I am going to Los Angeles, to play basketball."

"But isn't that like, really far away" Elisa wondered.

"A little bit. I have to go on a plane if thats what you mean" Troy said solemnly.

Elisa frowned "Your leaving us then"

"Only for a little bit" Troy said, crouching down to her level and pulling her into a hug, she hugged back.

"Promise to come back?"

"Promise" Troy smirked, pulling away and standing up. "Everyone ready to go?"

I hated it. I hated standing there, hated the scenery, hated the noise, hated the suspense of the moment when i would have to say goodbye to Troy. Goodbye to a bestfriend and love of my life. I sat on a chair in the Albuqueqe airport terminal, inbetween Taylor and Troy, holding Troys hand tightly, refusing to look anywhere but the floor because that was the only thing stopping me from breaking down into tears.

I was about to say goodbye to him. Troy. The holder of my heart, i didn't want him to go. I wanted to tell him that so badly - I wanted to scream it, let everyone know i wanted him to stay and be mine. I still loved him and i knew i always would. But i also knew, i couldn't be selfish - I had been for the past god knows how many months since the first car accident and I couldn't be anymore. I couldn't hold him back.

"Bording all passengers on the 219 flight from Albuqueqe to Los Angeles. Bording all passengers on the 219 flight from Albuqueqe to Los Angeles" That sentence was the worst sentence in the whole wide world - I dreaded it.

Troy stood up our hands still connected as he pulled me up. Vaguely, i could make out Taylor saying a friendly goodbye to Chad out the corner of my eye while i looked down at Troys chest which seemed to fascinate me right now; Well that was until Troy cupped my chin in his hand and pulled my head up so i could look him in his bright sexy blue eyes. "Are you going to be ok?" Typical Troy, only caring about others.

I nodded, my eyes glassing over.

"Really?"

I shook my head "But i'll get through it."

"I'd be lying if i said i wasn't worried about leaving you"

"What am i going to do Troy? Really? I have Taylor and my dad. I'll be fine" I told him "You need to follow your dream and this is a once in a life time opportunity you can't afford to miss. Just be sure to keep in contact. Y'know, like everyday drop me a few texts and i'll call you non stop"I joked causing him to chuckle.

"I'm proud of you" he said "You have become so strong Brie. A completely new fun loving Gabriella"

I smiled "You need to go Troy"

Troy nodded slowly "I can stay if you want...Really, i can"

I shook my head firmly "I can't do that to you Troy."

"...You know i care so much about you Brie and if you need me for anything. To talk to, to get on a plane and come back. I'll do it. You understand that?"

"Yes. Look, i want you to know this Troy because we haven't spoken about it much since that night...I still love you" I choaked out and then our eyes locked and i was leaning up and he was leaning down and our lips were connecting. Like really connecting - Like the first time we kissed in that old stuffy room back at that party all those many, many months ago. I still felt the spark, and i'm sure Troy did too because he smiled into the kiss before pulling away. "I love you too Brie, but i want you to live your life ok. Live it to the fullest you can"

"But, what does that mean for us?" I asked meekly.

"It means" Troy brushed my hair from my face "Im always going to be there for you Gabriella, always but we need to experience our lives - Especially you, understand? Then maybe, just maybe we can see where it leaves 'us' alright?" He smiled as the call from earlier went out.

"Last call for all passengers on the 219 flight from Albuqueqe to Los Angeles. Bording all passengers on the 219 flight from Albuqueqe to Los Angeles"

"I have to go" Troy said.

I nodded silently, tears filling up my eyes.

"There will always be a place in my heart for you Brie, never, ever forge that." He said before releasing my hand. "Bye Brie, i'll call you when i land"

"Bye Troy" I whispered as he smiled one last time and turned away, grabbing his hand luggage and walking away with Chad and Sharpay, turning a corner and leaving my sight.

It was then, and only then that i let the tears fall - Fast and hard. I felt Taylors arms wrap around me and pull me into a hug as she supported the back of my head and soothed me while i sobbed into her shoulder "It will be ok Gabi, it will"

And i realised then, that without Troy fully in my life - It could never be OK. It just couldn't.

...It just couldn't.

So, there is a reason this is so short. Because im leaving it open for a sequel, yes a sequel. Thankyou to sarahloulaw for the idea for the sequel - Well most of it, i plan to adapt some parts. Well, this story has been (as i have said before) incredible to write, it was an amazing journey and the last 2 chapters, even though i'm writing them, have made me cry. Btw, this was my first ever epilogue i have written, so i on't know if done it right...But whatever

I hope as one little more 'HURRAH' for the story, you will leave a review.

I plan to make a trailer for the sequel, which i will post on youtube and A/N on here to tell you when to check it out. Still, all ideas for the sequel are welcomed as i may be able to incorporate a mix of each and really make this a succesful sequel - However short or long it will be. I hope you all review and stuff .

Also, it warmed my heart to read all your lovely reviews for last chapter. I was petrified you guys would of hated that ending...But you didn't so thankyou!

Loveyou../x

- Sarah

Sorry for bad spelling x