Disclaimer – I don't own any characters that you recognize. Only Brandon, Isabelle, Sarah, Brick, and Coach Wolf.
Okay, here's the first chapter of Haunting Memories!! Me and shortytori are so stoked to write this story for you guys! And guess what?! Camp Rock premiers later tonight!! It's just a day full of Jonas isn't it :)
Oh and a heads up for you. For all of you guys that are reading my story "Forgotten Secret" I only got 6 reviews for chapter 1. If this story gets more reviews than Forgotten Secret, I'll focus on this more and leave FS for later. Gotta keep my readers happy :)
Chapter One – Intro
"Brandon! No!" Troy screamed as he saw the bullet heading towards Brandon. Everything was going in slow motion as the two watched the death device head towards Brandon. Everything was frozen. No one moved. No one breathed. Troy wanted to help, but was too badly hurt and shocked. This couldn't be happening.
Troy and Brandon watched intensely as the bullet hit Brandon square in the chest. Troy shut his eyes as Brandon cried out in pain, the bullet's pain traveling through his body. That didn't last long as he started to go numb, the life getting sucked from his body. Troy crawled over to his best friend and picked him up from the ground, resting his head in his lap. Troy's tears soaked Brandon's head as the wounded boy's eyes started to close.
"I'm sorry Troy." Brandon whispered, his eyes fully closing.
Troy was about to reply, but it was too late. Brandon's body went limp in his arms. He was gone.
"NO!! BRANDON!!" Troy yelled as he woke up from the nightmare. The sweat on his forehead implied that it was only a nightmare, not real life. But it all felt so real. Like Troy and his best friend were actually living the horrifying experience right there and then.
But this wasn't the first time that these nightmares had taken place. 3 months ago, Troy and Brandon had defeated Coach Ben Wolf, the person who had ruined both boys' lives for 5 years. For 2 months, everything had been fine. Everything was the way it was before Wolf had entered their lives. But then, on that fateful day, Brandon had received a threatening text message from Wolf's nephew, Brick. Brick was told that if anything were to happen to Wolf, he was to continue walking in his uncle's footsteps and make Troy and Brandon's lives living hell. He had followed orders. That was the first time Troy and Brandon had received a nightmare.
Troy then heard quiet, frantic footsteps come up the stairs to his bedroom. He closed his eyes and ran a shaky hand through his damp hair. He knew exactly who it was.
"Troy," Lucy whispered. She walked over to her son's bed and sat down next to him, stroking his back lovingly. "Sweetie, did you have another nightmare?"
Troy just nodded, not replying verbally. He looked to his left at his clock. 3:57 AM.
"Do you want me to call Gina to see if Brandon and Gabriella can spend the night?"
Troy nodded again. Little did he know that Brandon was also having trouble sleeping and Gabriella couldn't even calm him down.
Lucy didn't even pick up the phone before 2 small, scared voices called "Troy?" Troy looked up and saw his best friend and his girlfriend standing in his balcony doorway. Gabriella had her teddy bear that she had since she was 2 and was in her pink and purple pajamas with the pig slippers that Troy got for her birthday last month. Brandon was simply wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue pajama pants. His eyes were unusually dark and showed that he was deeply terrified of something. Troy knew that he had the nightmare too.
"You too?" Troy asked the male half of the twins. Brandon just nodded.
The Montez siblings walked over to their friend and sat down on his bed. No one said a word. They never did when they slept over at each other's houses in this case. They had sleepovers that were fun and crazy but on nights like this one, no one made the effort of speaking. They were all too scared to say anything.
"W-who got shot?" Brandon asked, breaking the eerie silence.
"You." Troy replied breathlessly.
"Vise versa." Brandon informed. After that, silence.
"Both of you got shot in mine." Gabriella whimpered, letting her head fall into Brandon's chest. Brandon just hugged her close and ran his hand through her hair.
Troy looked over at the two. They were so dependent on each other when it came to things like this. Just last week, Gabriella had had a nightmare of both of the boys getting killed by Brick. Troy and Brandon knew that she wasn't safe either if she was receiving the deadly signs too.
"It's okay Gabby." Brandon soothed her, rubbing her back. "He's not gonna hurt you. Me and Troy will make sure of that." He gave Troy a look. Troy just nodded.
Brandon mouthed "Thank you." After that, he handed Gabriella over to her boyfriend. Troy took her in his arms and placed a deep kiss on her forehead. As her tears soaked his shirt, he mouthed "What are we gonna do?"
Brandon shrugged "I don't know man. I don't know."
--
...The Next Morning...
Troy woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs being cooked at about 10:45 the next morning. His mother only cooked breakfast on Saturdays. Thank God school wasn't in until another week. They didn't know if they could handle it after what happened last night.
He sat up straight and tried to swing his legs over the bed, but found that he couldn't. He smiled when he found Brandon sleeping peacefully, his arms wrapped around Gabriella safely. If anyone didn't know any better, they would assume that Brandon and Gabriella were a couple.
"Guys," Troy whispered, shrugging Brandon's shoulder. "Brandon. Gabby. Get up."
Brandon moaned "Mom, just 5 more minutes."
Troy rolled his eyes and, seeing that Brandon was the closest to the edge of the bed, shoved him off. Brandon landed with a thump and shrieked, sitting up with an alarmed look etched across his face.
"Rise and shine." Troy teased. Brandon just glared at him and threw a pillow at his best friend.
Gabriella, feeling the absence of warmth, stirred and cracked open her eyes. Troy smiled down at her and whispered "Morning sunshine."
Gabriella smiled "Morning. Where's Brandon?"
"Down here." Brandon mumbled, raising his hand and giving Troy a look. Troy just laughed at him.
"Hey. What are you doing down there?" Gabriella confusingly asked.
Brandon shot Troy another glare and said through clenched teeth "I slipped."
"You should really be more careful then." Troy mocked.
"Oh shut up," Brandon grinned "Anyways, it's Saturday. Let's go get some bacon and eggs."
"Yeah, I'm hungry." Gabriella added, getting out from under the covers. She stretched and felt hands wrap around her waist. She smiled as Troy rested his head on her shoulder.
"What's that for?" she asked.
"I don't know. I feel like it." He murmured into her neck.
She kissed his cheek and said "Well I feel like eating, so can you please let go of me?"
Troy rolled his eyes and sighed "You're lucky I love you so much."
Gabriella smiled and removed Troy's hands from her waist. She walked out the door, leaving Troy and Brandon alone.
"Dude, you got it bad. She always controls over you." Brandon laughed, crossing his arms.
Troy again rolled his eyes and shot back "Oh, and you're not the same with Isabelle when she's visiting?"
That shut Brandon up.
--
...2 Hours Later...
"Bye mom! Bye dad!" Troy called, getting his keys from his room.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked from the living room.
"Me, Brandon, and Gabby are going to the mall to meet up with everyone else. We won't be back until about 7, so I'll miss part of dinner."
"Okay, see you later." Jack replied, looking through the mail.
As the trio walked out the door, Jack sighed "Bill, bill, bill, bi-what's this?" He removed a black envelope from the pile and looked for a return address. He found none.
"Wonder who this is from." He then saw that it was for Troy. Curiosity got the best of him as he tore open the envelope and opened the red paper. He read over it and his eyes widened. He grabbed his keys and ran out the door, hoping that Troy didn't get to the mall yet.
--
...The Mall...
5 minutes later, Troy parked his car and walked in between Brandon and Gabriella into the building. He scanned the food court and found Chad talking to Sharpay. Taylor and Ryan, noticing their three friends, smiled and waved them over.
"Hey guys." Brandon greeted for the three of them as he sat down.
"Hey Danger." Sharpay smiled after calling him by his nickname.
"So what are we gonna do today?" Ryan asked generally.
"I don't know," Troy shrugged "I guess just walk around and cause chaos."
"You mean like always?" Taylor joked.
"Yeah, pretty much." Troy grinned.
"Actually, I was online and I saw a few new mall pranks," Chad told them "Why don't we try them out on Hollister?"
"Oh no!" Gabriella warned him "That's my favorite store!"
"Don't worry," Chad rolled his eyes "The pranks only piss off the clerk."
After Gabriella, Sharpay, and Taylor sighed in relief, the 7 walked over to the store, snickering as Chad explained his plan to them.
"So does everyone understand their job?" the bushy haired boy asked them. Everyone nodded. "Good. Let's go."
Troy walked in first and walked into the girls' section. He headed back towards the clearance section and waved his hand, signaling Gabriella to follow. Gabriella followed him into the store and backed into a dark corner. Troy wrapped his arms around her waist and started kissing her fiercely. As they made out, they made unnecessary noises and knocked clothes all over the place. Eventually, they got a clerk's attention. As the girl stomped over to them, Chad and Ryan sneaked into the cash register area.
"Excuse me!" The girl, named Brianna, nearly yelled. Troy and Gabriella ignored her and continued to make out.
"Excuse me!" Brianna said louder. Again, the couple ignored her.
Brianna finally got fed up as she shoved Troy's shoulder and yelled "Yo! Romeo and Juliet!"
Troy and Gabriella finally broke apart and gave Brianna an annoyed look. "What?!" Troy spat.
"No PDA or I'll call security!" Brianna glared.
"Oh yeah?" Gabriella argued, placing a hand on her hip. "I don't see any signs that say we're not allowed to kiss in here."
"We don't need any. It's just called common sense." Brianna rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.
"Well if you haven't noticed by now," Troy spoke slowly as though he were talking to an infant "We don't have any common sense. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to kiss my girlfriend without any interruptions." With that, he turned back to Gabriella and continued to kiss her.
Brianna figured that she'd have to go to Plan B. She broke the two apart using her hands and professionally said "I warned you, so now I'm gonna have to ask you to please leave."
"Whatever," Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Come on Troy. Let's go to the dressing rooms in American Eagle." With that, the two exited the store.
Once outside, they burst into laughter. "Oh my God! Did you see the look on her face?!" Troy laughed.
"She looked totally jealous of me!" Gabriella giggled.
Once Troy and Gabriella finished laughing, they looked around and noticed the absence of two people. "I'm guessing that Chad and Ryan already went in." Troy asked.
Brandon nodded "They went in when that girl left the cashier."
"Boy, this one ought to be good..." Gabriella snickered.
Back in the store, Chad and Ryan ducked underneath a pile of clothes and waited for Brianna to return. When she did, the two jumped out and screamed "OH MY GOD!!"
Brianna screamed "What the hell?! You two can't be back here!!"
Chad ignored her and held up a shirt. "45 bucks for a freakin' tank top?!"
Ryan spat "30 dollars for a jacket?! And on sale?! What's wrong with you people?!"
Chad added "Yeah, most people would call that a steal!"
Brianna fumed "I don't set the prices, okay guys?! I just work here!"
"Well, I'd like to file a complaint!" Chad glared, throwing down the tank top he was holding.
"My girlfriend wants to shop here and she comes from a very poor family! Help her out a little!" Ryan angrily told Brianna.
"Talk to the manager about stuff like that!" Brianna desperately pleaded, trying to get them out of the store.
"Why can't we talk to you about it?!" Ryan crossed his arms.
"Because I don't know how to do that!" Brianna yelled, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Well learn!" Chad huffed. "And when you do, call us!" With that, the two boys stomped out of the store. They walked back out to their friends, who were laughing their butts off.
"That was good guys!" Sharpay congratulated, patting Ryan on the back.
"Yeah, I bet she's ready to quit now" Brandon added.
"Thanks guys." Chad smiled. "Okay Brandon, you ready for your part?"
Brandon nodded and rolled up the sleeves of his white jacket. "Oh yeah. I'm so ready."
"Okay Casanova. It's go time." Troy urged. Brandon took a deep breath and strolled into the store, wearing a seductive grin the whole way. He walked over to Brianna, who was holding her head in her hands. "Hey baby," Brandon greeted, leaning against a pole smoothly.
"Oh my God, not another one..." Brianna mumbled to herself. She lifted her head and glared at him "What do you want?"
"Listen, I just wanted to apologize for my friends' behavior," Brandon apologized falsely. "They can be real assholes sometimes. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you..."
"Get them out of this mall and make sure they never come back!" Brianna spat, turning to clean up the mess that Chad and Ryan made.
Brandon again grinned and cooed "I was thinking of something a little different. What time do you get off?" He could hear the snickers and laughs from his friends behind him.
"I have a boyfriend." Brianna told him through clenched teeth.
"Can you prove that to me? I'd like to know who the lucky guy is who got a girl as beautiful as you."
Brianna flashed him her ring finger, which had West High's class ring on it. "He gave me his class ring. Now leave."
"Oh! So you're from West High," Brandon smiled. "Well then I guess I shouldn't be talking to someone from the rival school."
"You go to East High?" Brianna muttered.
"Yup. The school that kicked your school's basketball team's ass last year." Brandon bragged, looking over Brianna's body to make her feel uncomfortable.
"That guy that made the winning shot cheated. What was his name, Roy Holton or something?"
"Troy Bolton," Brandon corrected, licking his lips slowly. "But I just call him my best friend."
"Oh! Then I guess I really shouldn't be talking to you!" Brianna exploded. "Did you know he was in here playing tonsil hockey with his girlfriend a few minutes ago?!"
"Yeah, that girl was my sister and his girlfriend. Good couple, don't you think?"
"Not really."
"Alrighty then." Brandon smirked "Why don't we try to make a better one?"
"I don't think so. My boyfriend works at American Eagle which is right around the corner and I don't think he'd mind kicking you and your friends' asses." Brianna threatened.
Brandon smiled "Don't you think it would be a shame if he got fired just because you were getting a little irritated?"
Brianna's face turned a deep shade of red. She stomped out from behind the counter and grabbed Brandon's hand, dragging him out of the store.
"If you're not interested, then why are you holding my hand?" Brandon flirted, trying to suppress his laughter.
Brianna didn't reply. She just continued walking towards the exit. Once she reached it, she threw Brandon out and screeched "Don't come back!"
Brandon whined "But your hand was so warm baby! Come on!" When Brianna disappeared into the store again, Brandon shrugged and turned back to his friends, who were rolling on the floor laughing.
"Dude! That was the best one ever!" Chad choked out.
"Yeah, how'd you keep a straight face like that?!" Sharpay asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Brandon grinned "You know what they say. Practice makes perfect."
Sharpay nodded and asked Chad "What was I supposed to do again?"
Chad answered "You go in there, pick out a pink shirt, and complain that it's not pink and sparkly enough."
"And what am I supposed to do?" Taylor asked. "I was too busy laughing to remember."
Chad replied "Get out your credit card and tell that girl that you plan on blowing it all right now. Tell her that you need help deciding on what to spend it on and turn down every idea she has. Then say "No! That shirt's ugly! Can't you make any good sugg-"
Chad couldn't finish. All of a sudden, the 7 friends were hurled off their feet and tossed across the mall, crashing into the wall. They fell in a heap and their eyes snapped open. They got to their feet as they saw grenades exploding in a line, heading straight for them. They ran out the nearest door and when they were far away enough, they turned and watched as the mall burst into flames, taking anyone who didn't get out with it. They saw about 30 people, including Brianna, escape the mall with horrified expressions. A black haired teen had his arms around her. Brandon guessed that it was her boyfriend that she was talking about.
"Jesus Christ..." Taylor gasped, feeling arms wrap around her and knowing that it was Chad.
"What the hell happened?" Gabriella nearly yelled, running over to Troy, who was on the ground holding his foot. Gabriella kneeled down and concerned "Troy, what's wrong?"
Troy groaned "My foot. I think I broke it."
"We need to get home," Sharpay announced, holding her bruised and cut up arm. "Someone help Troy to his feet." Gabriella and Brandon each grabbed on of Troy's arms and helped him up.
"How are we gonna do this? Our cars are on the other side of the building." Chad worried aloud.
As if on cue, Jack's car pulled up beside the group. He rolled down his window and commanded "Get in!"
Everyone humbly followed orders. Gabriella and Brandon helped Troy into the front seat and after that, they joined their friends in the back.
"Is everyone okay?" Jack asked everyone.
Brandon replied "Troy hurt his foot and Sharpay got a few cuts and bruises, but other than that, we're good."
Jack nodded "Good. Okay, so I'll drop everyone off at their cars and we'll all meet back at my house. Brandon, can you drive Troy's car since he hurt his foot?"
Brandon nodded. Troy dug around in his pocket and tossed him the keys.
"What happened back there?" Taylor asked.
Jack sent a red piece of paper back to her. She opened the paper and gasped as she read aloud.
I hope you and your friends have fun at the mall Bolton. I'm sure you'll all have an explosive time. Oops, have I said too much?
- A Friend
"Who's 'A Friend' Troy?" Taylor worried aloud.
Troy, Brandon, and Gabriella all exchanged worried glances. In unison, they all said "Brick."
Cliffhanger! Sorry about that. It had to be done. Anyways, what did you think? Like it? Hate it? Tell me in your REVIEW!! Thnx :)
Rachel :)
Sneak At Next Chapter:
- Troy and Sharpay are taken to the hospital
Jack handed Troy over to Brandon and Chad. The two teenagers took him from his father and helped him out the door to the car. "Hold on man," Brandon comforted "You're gonna be fine."
"Thanks dude." Troy smiled.
- More explanations on the situation
Jessica spoke up "Who do you think blew up the mall?"
Brandon answered "We know who did it."
"Who?"
Brandon gave Troy a look, as if asking him if he should tell them. Troy nodded.
Brandon nodded back and sighed "Brick Wolf."
"Brick who?" Robert gasped. All the parents knew about what happened with Coach Wolf. The last name Wolf alarmed them.
"Brick Wolf," Brandon repeated "He's Coach Wolf's nephew. When his uncle died, Brick was told to follow in his footsteps and take over."
"And might I add that he's doing one hell of a job?" Troy added.
Brandon said "You got that right. He stalks us and threatens us with text messages and calls. Last week I got a text that said '"Blood is thicker than water. Hope your plumbing doesn't get clogged when I slit your throat..."
- Trouble is ahead for someone
Troy answered "Leave Brandon here and send in Gabriella, Chad, Taylor, and Ry-"
Troy was cut off by a blood curdling scream. He and Brandon gave each other looks of pure horror. That wasn't just anybody's scream.
"Where's Gabriella?!"
Trivia:
- Shortytori came up with most of the first part of this chapter. I came up with the second
- Brianna is named after one of my best friends. You may or may not see more of her in this story
- Hollister is one of my favorite stores in the mall, aside from Wet Seal. That's why I used it.
- The prices for the clothes that Chad and Ryan were complaining about are actually true prices that I found on the website () :S Yeah, they're expensive...
- When Sharpay called Brandon "Danger", that's a real life moment. If you're a hee-uge JB fan, you'd know that Danger is Joe's nickname :)