AUTHORS NOTE: Thanks for all the reviews. I really appreciated it so much. Sorry that I haven't updated in a while but I had to send my comp off to get fixed and of course they didn't fix it so I have to send it off again so it might be a week or so before I get the next chapter up. I hope you enjoy this one.
DISCLAIMER: All HMS characters and this belong to Disney.
Gabriella eyes settled on the empty spot where Sharpay just stood. She couldn't believe that this was really happening. What the hell was wrong with her life that fate or luck had to give her something wonderful just to take it away from her? She mentally kicked whichever one did this to her. Her face was set in a state of shock and worry. She couldn't believe this. Her life was like a scripted reality show. The rating wouldn't go up unless disaster after disaster happened in her life.
She glanced over at Troy who was pacing back and forth in front of the board. His hands where stuck in his shaggy hair. His eyes were closed and his lips were moving quickly cursing under his breath. She pushed herself off of his desk and walked over to him. He continued to pace without noticing her and she cleared her throat.
He stopped and looked at her. His face was etched into worry. His brow was formed into a frown. He looked a little on the pale side and she thought that he looked a little sick.
"Troy?" she said softly to him.
"I can't believe this is happening." He mumbled. "Hell we didn't even last a day before we were found out."
She said nothing as he continued to pace again.
"This is a sign. We shouldn't be together."
Gabriella eyes shot to his and she walked closer to him putting her hand on his shoulder to stop him from pacing.
"No." she said. "There is no way this can't work out."
Troy shook his head sadly, "Gabriella this can't happen."
"Yes it can." Gabriella caught his face into his hands and caressed his stubble jaw. "Troy I want to be with you and you want to be with me just as bad, I know it." She bit her lip trying to think of something else to say because he looked unconvinced. "Umm…You know what? She won't tell—"
"She won't tell?" Troy stood still as he felt her soft hands on his face. "This is high school Gabriella. Nothing is secret here."
Gabriella couldn't help but agree with what he said. It was true. There were no secrets in high school. At least if you told someone else. Even if you told your friends. If you didn't keep it to yourself, somehow the whole campus would know about it.
"I'll talk to her." She said quietly. "I'll tell her—"
"Gabriella you can't just tell someone something. You have to ask. Besides she doesn't really like you. How do you know she won't go blabbing to her brother or her friends?"
Gabriella sighed. It was true Sharpay didn't like her. Hated would probably be a better word. She was so mean to her, well this was Karma coming and kicking her right in the ass. She knew what Troy said was true but she had to try. Besides this would be a chance to change her personality.
She turned around and grabbed a pen off of his desk before writing on it.
"What are you doing?" Troy asked walking behind her.
"This is my number. I want you to call me later on tonight. "she handing the piece of paper to him. "I'm going to fix this Troy. You know what we have might seem wrong to other people but to me it feels so right. I've never felt this way before and I'm not letting that feeling go."
She felt Troy's hand reach around her waist. He fingers played with the back of her shirt and Gabriella could feel the tiny little goosebumbs on her arms.
"Gabriella it does feel right to me and I don't want to let this go it's just that…" he took a deep breath. "I guess I'm kind of a realist, and a bit of a pessimist. "
Gabriella leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. "This is real Troy. I'm going to prove it."
She walked out of his embrace before making her way out of the classroom. She leaned against the wall taking deep breaths. She needed to prepare herself for whatever was about to happen. She knew that she would have to check herself when something mean started to come out of her mouth towards Sharpay. Not only that she needed to reminded herself that the things she said was well…wrong, mean, and bitchy.
She pushed herself off the wall and headed up the stairs to find Sharpay. There was hardly anyone in the hallways, but she could see people in the classrooms having their little meetings or clubs. She made her way down the senior hallway where only the senior lockers were located. There was no Sharpay.
Gabriella then jogged down the hallway making her way to the courtyard. She opened the door and squinted as the sun blazed down on her brightly. Her eyes scanned the parking lot for the second time that day. She didn't know what kind of car she drove but maybe she could see Sharpay walking.
Nope. No Sharpay. Gabriella turned back around and went back into the school. She racked her brain. She really hoped she didn't leave already. She went back into the school. Maybe she was in some kind of club or something. Gabriella walked down the hall peeking in each room where she saw students, but no Sharpay. She sighed and leaned against a locker. She was so stupid. The freaking Drama club. She was a freaking Drama geek. How could she have forgotten that?
Gabriella made her way into the semi dark auditorium and her eyes widen as she spotted Sharpay on the stage. She was standing at the edge looking down at Mrs. Darbus. Gabriella took a few steps down the aisle trying to get her attention but Sharpay never looked her way.
"Miss Montez? Is there anything I can help you with?" Mrs. Darbus said suddenly looking her way.
Sharpay looked up at Gabriella with wide eyes and stepped back.
Gabriella smiled sweetly at Mrs. Darbus knowing that it probably wouldn't work on the stern teacher.
"Well I was just wondering if I could have a word with Sharpay. It's kind of important."
Mrs. Darbus swung the multi-colored scarf around her neck, "I'm sure whatever it is can wait Miss. Montez. The theater waits for no one."
Gabriella sneered at the teacher before rolling her eyes. She looked on stage. Sharpay had her back towards her but she looked extremely tensed. Gabriella sighed and made her way out of the auditorium. She wasn't giving up. She needed to talk to her as soon as possible.
She went to the door next to the auditorium and made her way backstage. She made her way though props from plays. She saw a half moon, a freaking ladder that had glitter on it…okay…a tree that had stapled leaves on it and a half of a horse. She shook her head at the crazy props and finally made it to the side stage.
She looked out and saw Sharpay still on stage. She was talking to her brother, her hand movements wild. Was she telling him? Gabriella pressed her lips together tightly.
"Sharpay." She whispered as loud as she could without being too loud.
Sharpay didn't hear her.
Gabriella cleared her throat, "Sharpay." She whispered across stage again.
Sharpay looked up and suddenly went pale. Gabriella smiled at her as she motioned for her to come here. Sharpay turned around and ignored her. Gabriella mouth dropped open at the rudeness of her. How dare she?
"Sharpay." She said more fiercely.
Sharpay continued to ignore her. Gabriella fumed. Stupid bit—
"What are you doing here?"
Gabriella turned around to see Kelsi holding a stack of papers. She looked like she was having a bad day, with her hair a little frizzy even with her hat on. Her glasses on sliding off her face and she seemed out of breath.
"Um…well I kinda want to talk to Sharpay."
Kelsi gave her a disbelieving look. "Really?"
Gabriella nodded. They said nothing for a few seconds, Kelsi just looking at Gabriella with a sad pathetic look and Gabriella looking at Kelsi awkwardly. They had barely talked since Gabriella had the fight with Taylor.
"So, how's Taylor?"
"You're really asking about someone other than yourself."
"Look Kelsi. I know I was wrong and I've been trying to speak to Taylor but she won't acknowledge me in any way. She's still my best friend and I just want to know how she's doing."
Kelsi bit her lip and looked away from Gabriella, before sighing deeply. "She's alright. I mean she was highly upset at first. She even had me and Martha over to help her get rid of all the stuff that reminded her of you. I thought that she was being a bit dramatic but Martha explained to me that it's kinda like a breakup. Just between friends. You really hurt her Gabriella."
Gabriella looked down and nodded. "I know. I was stupid."
"You know how Taylors a know-it-all, she always has to be in other people's business, always has to say something smart. Well that Taylor has disappeared. She doesn't say anything. She doesn't even raise her hand in class if you've noticed. She's lost her best friend."
"Well she has you and Martha."
"Yeah but it's not the same. I mean I love Taylor and all but it's always been Gabriella and Taylor best friends, Kelsi and Martha best friends and we all friends. "
Gabriella sighed. "Look could you just tell Taylor to pick up her phone or something. I just want to talk to her. Please."
Kelsi nodded slowly. "I will but I don't know if she's going to pick up."
Gabriella smiled and looked back at stage seeing that Sharpay was still there. Oh she hadn't forgotten about her. She looked back at Kelsi.
"Hey do you think you could tell Sharpay that I really need to speak to her."
Kelsi gave Gabriella weird look. When had Gabriella Montez ever just wanted to speak to Sharpay Evans? She nodded and went onto stage whispering to Sharpay, before she made her way to the piano. Sharpay looked up and was surprised to see Gabriella still there. Gabriella smiled and waved. Sharpay shook her head and started talking really loud, going over her line.
Gabriella leaned against a metal rod as she watched rehearsals. She wasn't going anywhere until she spoke to Sharpay. About thirty minutes later practice was over and Sharpay made her way quickly off of stage going out the other way.
Gabriella cursed and ran across the stage following Sharpay.
"Miss Montez!" She heard Mrs. Darbus but she kept running.
Gabriella made her way through the streamers, and glitter, and sets as she tried to find Sharpay. She heard a door closed and followed the noise. She couldn't believe she was running after her. It was like a freaking CSI episode except Sharpay wasn't the criminal.
Gabriella made her way out the door and realized that she was outside. She watched as Sharpay made her way quickly across the back parking lot. She wasn't running but she was walking extremely fast.
Gabriella didn't call out her name but instead ran trying not to make much noise. She finally reached her, her hand reaching out to grab her arm to turn around.
"What!" Sharpay practically screamed.
Gabriella placed one of her hands on her knees seeing how the other one was on Sharpay to make sure she didn't get away. She hunched over trying to catch her breath. She might be tiny but she was defiantly out of shape.
"Wait…a…minute…I just…wanna….talk to….you." she said breathing hard.
Sharpay looked around her before looking back down at the heaving girl. Gabriella finally stood up and took her hand off of Sharpay.
"I know why you want to talk to me."
Gabriella nodded. "Yeah, the whole kissing Mr. Bolton thing."
"You don't want me to tell anyone huh?"
Gabriella shook her head. "No I don't."
Sharpay smiled sweetly. "Why not? I mean you've made my life hell. I've finally got something on you and you believe that I'm not going to use it. It's called Karma Gabriella."
Gabriella frowned. "Look Sharpay I know I was a bitch to you and I'm sorry. Really I am."
Sharpay laughed. "I bet you're sorry. Sorry you got caught. What now you're going to try and be friends with me now that I know your dirty little secret."
Gabriella sighed. "Look I was planning on apologizing even before you found out. I got a personality check and realized that I've been a conceded, bitchy, obsessed with only myself person. I really am sorry."
Sharpay shook her head.
"Look if you tell and it gets around school, Mr. Bolton could lose his job and he just started his career. His name would be in the mud and he'd probably never teach again. Please don't tell."
Sharpay looked away from her. "He is a good teacher."
"Yes he is."
"Are you still going to…you know…see him?"
Gabriella bit her lip. "I like him a lot Sharpay."
Sharpay rolled her eyes. "What like you liked Kade a lot? I think you just like him because he's hot."
Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "Look here you—" her eyes widen as she realized her slip. "Sorry. Still trying to get the hang of this being nice thing."
"Being nice should come naturally. Now I know you're just being fake. Just like always."
Gabriella pressed her lips together tightly. "I'm not being fake Sharpay. I really am sorry. Truly I am, and I don't like Troy just because he's hot, I mean yeah of course that's one of the things that first attracted me to him, but I like him for more than just his looks.
Sharpay frowned and seemed to be thinking. Gabriella said nothing and decided that the next words would have to come from Sharpay.
"You want me to keep this secret for you huh?"
"Very much so."
Sharpay pressed her eyes together and sighed. "Fine. Consider your secret kept safe. Just be more careful."
She turned around and walked towards a white Mustang. The same as Troy's. Gabriella mouth hung open as she watched Sharpay open the car door.
"Wait a minute. What do you want from me?"
Sharpay turned around.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean. I'm asking you to do this huge thing. You must want something from me. Money, popularity, something?"
Sharpay shook her head. "I want nothing from you Gabriella. But if you really trying to change like you said you are, I hope you stick to it."
Gabriella couldn't believe it. Usually when she asked people for favors they always wanted one back. And vice versa. If someone wants something from her she always wanted something in return. Sharpay was just doing this out the kindness of her heart? She watched as she got into the white mustang. What is it with people and mustangs?
Gabriella bit her lip. "Hey you wanna go to lunch." She rolled her eyes to herself. "I mean lunch is already over but you know we can go get something to eat or something."
Sharpay laughed and shook her head. "I don't think so. It's not you it's…" Sharpay sighed. "What the hell…it is you. I don't think you've totally changed yet Gabriella, and until you do I really don't want to be seen socializing with you." She closed her door and started up her car pulling off.
Gabriella eyes narrowed at the white Mustang that made its way out of the school's parking lot. That stupid bitch. So much for being nice.
Gabriella sighed and turned around. Now all she had to do was get her stuff and wait at home until Troy called. Hopefully.
After getting her belonging from her locker Gabriella made her way to the front parking lot to where her car was at. Her eyes took on a thoughtful look as she saw the red mustang next to her car. He hadn't left yet. She stood next to her car looking at his. She thought about going back into the school and seeing him but she didn't want to seem desperate and also he probably didn't want to see her alone after what happened with the whole getting caught thing.
She sighed and decided she would wait until he called her and got into her car. Just as she started up the car her phone started to ring. She knew right away that it wasn't Taylor because of the ringtone. She looked down and saw an unfamiliar number hoping that it was him.
"Hello."
"So, I saw you to talking. What did she say?"
"Well she still thinks' that I'm a bitch, but she's not going to tell anyone."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Troy. I'm sure. She's a really nice person. I mean I think. She said some pretty mean things before she left."
"Mean like she is going to tell?"
"No mean like she couldn't be seen with me cause it would be too embarrassing."
He laughed.
"Why are you still here?"
"Oh I had to help Mrs. Darbus with the musical; I had to give Kelsi some music."
"You're doing the musical? I didn't know that."
"There's a lot you don't know."
"I want to get to know more." She said flirty and then cursed out herself. She sounded like a little girl.
He was silent and Gabriella eyebrows rose as she watched he walk out of the school. A soft smile formed on her face as she watched him watch. If this was a movie she would have seen him walking in slow motion. The wind blowing slightly in his hair. He was so handsome. She couldn't believe that she was with him.
She devilish smirk suddenly formed on her lips as she thought about him without any close on. She hoped the real thing was as close to her imagination as possible because damn he looked good. Her heart sped up as she took his close off in her mind. A smooth broad chest, a toned stomach, his narrow hips that led down to his big thick—
"Gabriella? Did you hear me?"
"What? Ummm…" Gabriella swallowed tightly. "Uh…yeah..no. What did you say?"
"I asked if you wanted to hang out. Maybe to my apartment or something."
"Your apartment?" The fantasy was coming back again.
"Just to talk I promise. I just can't think of a place to actually be comfortable with you with. I mean I don't want to be seen you know. But if you don't want to or if you want to go home—"
"Oh no!" she said quickly. She watched as he walked in between their cars and opened his putting his bag into his car. He didn't look towards her and instead got in his car. "I want to go."
"Okay go ahead and leave. Meet me at that supermarket at the corner then you can follow me. Man this is going to take a lot of work."
"But its worth it right?" she asked uncertainly.
"Of course. I'll see you in a bit."
Gabriella hung up her phone and started up her car making her way to the supermarket that wasn't too far from the school. She turned around in the large lot making sure not to hit anyone and waited by the exit. She turned on her radio and smiled at the song that was playing.
" I said Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone I've been waiting for you but you never call is this in my head I don't know what to think he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said… "
She kept singing to the song softly as she saw the red Mustang pull in quickly into the parking lot it made a huge screeching turn making people look at the driver displeasingly. He made his way out the exit and Gabriella followed.
Her heart started to beat heavily as she realized that she was actually going over his place. She couldn't believe this. She knew he wanted to talk but she secretly wanted something more to happen then just talking. Did she want to take it all the way hell yeah, but she wanted to build a relationship with him. She didn't know where this new Gabriella was coming from but she liked it as long as she had Troy in her life.
A frowned formed on her face as she watched the way he drove. He was a fast driver, and that had Gabriella worried. She was a cautious, safe driver and abided by the speed limit. She didn't fuck around with driving. She sighed as she pressed her foot on the gas just to keep up with him.
In a few minutes they finally reached a large white apartment complex. It looked very nice from the outside. She followed him in and towards a parking garage. She followed him through the small maze of parking spaces before he finally pulled into one. Gabriella pulled next to him and got out after taking a deep breath.
She watched as he leaned against his car his bag on his shoulder.
"You should be more careful." She said as he took her hand and began walking to what looked like an elevator.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're driving. My god."
Troy groaned and slapped a hand over his eyes. "You sound like my mother."
Gabriella laughed. They finally got to the elevator and got in. Troy's long finger pressed the number five and they started to move.
"But you do drive fast. What if you get into an accident or—"
"Gabi nothing will happen to me. I promise." He said.
Gabriella smiled at the nickname but said nothing. Instead she fought against the urge to lean into him and kiss him. But before she could convince herself just to do it. The elevator doors opened and Troy walked out dragging her along.
Her eyes darted around the spacious hallway. The panel was a light tan color with white at the top and base. There was a small table with plants on them on either side of the elevator. A painted sat at the end of the hallway with another table and plant under it. It was pretty plan but what else would you expect from a apartment hallway.
They stopped in front of a door with the number 5-14 on the front of it. Troy looked back at her and smiled softly before he opened the door.
"Welcome to my humble abode." He said.
Gabriella looked at him and smiled. She took a deep trembling breath before taking a step in.
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