Did she really think this through? What was her plan? How was she going to help him? Gabriella scratched her head the next morning she woke up. She was late for class again because she helped Scarlet getting ready. Since Scarlet needed to get laid yesterday and came home in the middle of the night, it was like waking up a grumpy bear. Scarlet yelled at her. Everything she did, was not good enough for her sister. But at 8.25 AM, they got into Gabriella's car and drove to East High. The whole ride was silent. Just one minute before the bell rang Gabriella drove onto the parking lot of the school. Scarlet immediately got out, didn't turn back to her sister and walked into school with firm steps. Gabriella sighed and was about to drive away when she saw someone familiar walking. It was Troy. She decided to drive slowly up to him.
' If you want to graduate, I suggest you be on time at school. Just saying.'
The boy turned around and a small smile appeared on his face. ' I could say the same to you. Shouldn't you be at university?'
Gabriella giggled and got out of her car 'you got me there. Scarlet was an animal this morning, I can't wait for the fact when her punishment is over and she can drive to school herself.'
Troy extended his hand. 'It's nice to meet you in person Gabriella'
She shook his hand. 'it's nice to meet you too Troy'
His hand felt manly and strong. It felt nice and save. As Gabriella looked into his eyes, she saw the color. Wow, that was the most intense blue she has even seen. ' wow, the color of your eyes.'
'I thought you were going to help me, not flirt with me. That's not what we agreed on'
Gabriella laughed. He really had a sense of humor. ' I'm just giving you some extra confidence. And by confidence, it's compliments. Don't think I'm flirting with you.'
Troy laughed.
'Okay, enough with this. Go inside and do good at school okay? You want to graduate right?'
Troy shrugged. 'I guess.'
'No, not I guess. You want to graduate. Are there any classes you are struggling with? I believe I was one of the smartest my year, so maybe I can help you with that?'
'Like a tutor?'
Gabriella shrugged. ' Sure, if you want to give it a name.'
'Well, believe it or not, but my worst class is gym.'
'Why gym?'
Troy scratched the back of his head. 'Well, uhm. Don't laugh but because my dad is the basketball coach I am playing at my worst. '
'So, your saying..'
' I'm pretty good at it.'
Gabriella didn't quite understand why he's doing that. 'Help me out. I just don't know why.'
' call it insecurity.'
'because?'
Troy laughed sarcastically. ' Have you looked at me? I don't really have the body to be an athlete. I can do a 3 three pointer without breaking a sweat. I know how the game works. But it's this fucking body I'm insecure about. Oh my god, why the fuck am I telling you this. I am just an idiot. I..'
Gabriella placed her hand on his arm. 'hey, it's okay. Thank you for telling me. For trusting me.'
Troy looked at the older girl. ' You don't think it's stupid?'
'Why would it be stupid? Do you have any idea how many people are insecure about their bodies? Don't you think I am not insecure?'
'You are gorgeous. You shouldn't be.'
' Everyone is gorgeous in their own way.'
Troy looked at the girl more closely. He knew he was way too late for class. But he didn't feel like she was pushing him into the school. She was trying to make him feel better. Like a friend would do. It felt nice that someone understood him. ' Thank you.'
She smiled. 'Your welcome. Now, let's go inside. I really have to go to the university.'
'Yea, thanks again. We talk later.'
As Troy turned around to walk into the school, he felt her small hand on his shoulder. Troy turned around again and Gabriella said. 'Look, if you really feel like that, We will work together to make you happy. I will make a plan.'
Troy smiled, nodded and walked into the school. Gabriella got into her car and drove away, knowing she was getting in trouble because she was way too late.
Later that day when Gabriella got back home. She saw the car of her parents onto the driveway. She frowned since it was just around 4 PM. Normally, they would work till 7. By the time she reached the front door, she heard faint screaming and she sighed. It was that time again. Scarlet's punishment was almost over and something happened again. Scarlet had a huge talent for fucking things up. But at the other hand, who was scrued? Yup, her older sister. Gabriella opened the door and the screams got louder. The 'fight' happened in the living room so she walked in. There, her parents stood on the left, while Scarlet stood on the right.
'What happened this time?' Gabriella said frustrated, letting herself fall on the couch.
' Your sister decided to take a huge tattoo on her lower back without our permission. That's what happened. She's mutilating herself. She's not even allowed to..'
'Sorry to interrupt you mom, but Scarlet is 18 now. If she wants to do it, it's her choice.'
' Yes, but we are doctors and we strongly advice not too.'
' And that's the whole freaking problem mom' Scarlet yelled. ' You always use the doctor card. Try to be my fucking mom for a change. Gabriella is the one who is raising me because you and dad are too busy taking care of others. And do you hear her complain about my decisions? No!'
'You knew about this Gabriella?' her father asked.
' No I didn't, but again, Scarlet is 18 and it's her choice. And she's right. We both know that you both are busy with work. But it would be nice for a change that you gave us the same attention what your patients are getting.' Gabriella grabbed her bag. ' Just think about that. I'm out. I don't feel like being between your fights AGAIN, or ground Scarlet and put it on me AGAIN. We are all adults so have a decent conversation with each other. I will sleep at campus with a friend. Don't bother to call me.'
Gabriella walked out of the door. It was not like she was mad or even furious, just frustrated. She was done with it. She got in her car and was about to drive to campus when an idea popped into her mind. She grabbed her phone and started messaging.
'Hi, busy?'
' Hey Gabriella, just homework but I almost finished it. Someone told me to pay attention so..'
Gabriella laughed. ' I'm glad you are listening to me. I'm proud of you.'
'Tell me, what's going on?'
'Well, I kinda stormed out of the house because my parents ( who surprisingly were home) were having a fight with Scarlet because she had the best idea ever to get an tattoo. The doctors my parents are, gave her a lecture about destroying her body etc. But when she will be grounded again, I will be the one who has to take care of her. I was sick of it. So I decided to stay at campus for a while. But then I thought of you.'
'You thought of me?
'Yes, I promised to help you with your insecurity. You want to get fit. And I was to loose my frustration. Let's go jog on the beach'
' are you insane?
'No I'm not. Come on, let's go. I promise I bring you back before dinner ;)'
' My mom would he pissed.'
'pissed about what?'
'If I would go away with strangers.'
' Then I'll introduce myself.'
'Really?'
'Sure why not?'
'Well okay. My adres is Miller lane 3045'
' I'll be there in 15 minutes.'
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Troy felt nervous, really really nervous. Never had he ever had a girl come over. What would his parents think? His hands were sweaty, sweat was forming on his forehead. What the hell was happening? It was just a girl. An older girl. What was he supposed to wear? Troy looked at himself with disgust. He had to wear something he wasn't happy with. What if Gabriella saw him in his work out clothes and she was disgust by the sight?
Troy had no idea how long his mind was screaming, but then the doorbell rang and he frozed.
…
Gabriella waited patiently when Troy opened the door, but when it got opened a female opened it. His mother.
'Hi, can I help you?'
Gabriella smiled. ' Hi, I'm looking for Troy. Is he home?'
The female frowned. 'Troy, you mean Troy Bolton? As in my son?'
'Yes, Troy Bolton. And yes, he must be your son because he looks like you.'
'Okay, well I just wanted to check. Since Troy never had a visitor before.'
'Well, I'm honored to be the first.'
The woman smiled. 'Would you like to come in?'
'I would love too, thank you.'
Gabriella followed Troy's mother inside to a small but very nice living room. It immediately felt good to be here. A nice vibe.
' Have a seat, I'll get Troy.'
Gabriella sat down and looked around. There were lots of pictures of the family. It seemed like Troy had an older brother. As she looked closely at the photo. She did recognize him and she couldn't believe that they were siblings. They didn't look like each other at all.
'Hi, who are you?'
Gabriella turned around and looked at the man who just walked in. She recognized him as her former gym coach and it was a copy of Troy's brother. ' Hi mr Bolton, I'm Gabriella. I'm here for Troy.'
'For Troy? Why is that?'
'Well, I'm here to hang out with him. We go to the beach to jog.'
He laughed. ' To jog? Well, good luck with that. He's lazy.'
Gabriella frowned.
'I mean, I tried to workout with him, but he just doesn't want too. I know he can do sports but since a few years he completely stopped with sports and became lazy, bigger.'
' Maybe something happened? Have you asked that?'
' Well sort of.. I..'
Troy walked down the stairs in his workout clothes on. Clearly sweating like a pig. Gabriella immediately saw that he was nervous.
'Wow Troy, what have you done upstairs that make you look like that?' His father asked.
Gabriella saw his face turning sad. Even his father, an former athlete made fun of him.
' Hey, you didn't start without me right? That's unfair.' Gabriella said.
Troy smiled a little. She was making him feel better again. Gabriella got up and extended his hand towards him. He hesitated a little but grabbed it anyways. She smiled .' come one let's go.' She looked at his parents. ' I promise he will be back before dinner.'
As they walked out of the house. They got into Gabriella's car. The car immediately filled with Troy's smell of sweat. Troy knew that that was coming and opened the window as soon as Gabriella started the engine. He sighed deeply.
' Okay do you mind? I have to get something of my chest.'
Troy looked at the girl next to him. He never saw her this close before and he couldn't help it. She indeed is gorgeous. 'Tell me'
'You dad is a dick.'
Troy didn't expect that but burst out in laughter. Gabriella quickly looked at him with a big smile before looking back at the road. 'I'm sorry but he is. Look I get the fact it was sort of a surprise that someone they don't know stood at their door but always be there for your kid. So he's a dick.'
'Thanks'
'Sure.'
Gabriella parked her car in a parking lot nearby the beach and got out. Troy got out as well and took a deep breath. He knew he couldn't get back. He had to do it. A small handed grabbed his and he looked next to him. The petite girl smiled. ' Are you ready to get fit? Because I am.'
'lets go!'
45 minutes later Troy fell on the sand. He was EXHAUSTED.
'Come on Troy, were are not done yet. You have to do one more thing.'
Troy slowly got up, he felt sore everywhere. 'What did I forget? I thought we were done after the running, squats, jumping jacks, planking and more idiot unhuman things.'
Gabriella giggled. ' Almost. You only have to get into the water.'
'Are you insane? It's cold.'
'No trust me. It's good for your circulatory system. It has a positive effect on your heart and it helps recover the muscles. It helps you get fit. I know it's not the cleanest water and you might never do it by yourself so we will do it together. I have some towels in the back of my car. I always have them because I want to go to the beach whenever it sunny so before you ask why.'
Troy laughed. 'You got me there.'
'come on. Let's go. If we go in fast, the sooner we are done with it and I will bring you home.'
'already?'
'I promised to get you back before dinner and it's almost 6PM so..'
Troy nodded. 'Alright let's go'
They both started running towards and jumped into the water at the same time. It was freezing cold but damn it felt good too. Troy went under water with his head. He never this good in his life. Maybe this could really work for him. He got up again and looked for Gabriella who smiled at him.
'Felt good huh?'
'Do you do this more often?'
'I did when I was younger. But when Scarlet became..'
' a bitch.' Troy said.
Gabriella giggled. ' Yes that. I just didn't got the time to do it so. But now I know I missed it.'
' I understand what you felt. I mean, I will probably hate you tomorrow but it felt really satisfying.'
'Are you eager to eat something fat or healthy after this?'
' Healthy. Definitely.'
Gabriella smiled. 'Good. Let's go to my car and get the towels and go back. I suggest we exercise 3 times a week to start. Try to watch what you eat and drink and before we know it, we are fit and you have to push al the girls away from you.'
Troy laughed when they got to Gabriella's car. She opened the trunk and gave him a towel. A towel that smelled exactly like her. ' your hilarious.'
'I know I am.'
They got into the car and Gabriella drove back to Troy's house. The ride was silent but peaceful. They both felt nice around each other. As Gabriella pulled up the driveway and shut down their car they looked at each other. Knowing that this first day was a nice one.
'Thanks Gabriella for today. I really needed that.'
Thank you for coming with me and not back out. I know it's scared and I know you were nervous about it. I was it at your face when you walked downstairs and yes I smelled it in the car even though you opened the window.
Troy looked down, but she pulled his face up and smiled. ' It's fine. I was nervous too although I didn't show it. I mean, what the hell am I doing with a 18 year old? Well, you know. I think we are more alike than we both even know and I like spending time with you so. Same time in 2 days?'
Troy smiled. ' I would love too.'
He leaned forward and kissed her cheek and pulled back in a shock. 'uh sorry about that.'
Gabriella giggled. 'it's fine. But don't lecture me about flirting because you made the first move now.'
Troy laughed and got out, and walked to his house. He turned around just in time to see her driving away. A feeling inside his stomach he couldn't place was there. And he liked it.
