Hey, guys! So I'm really sorry that I didn't update last week, but truth to be told… I completely forgot. Holidays finally started and I slept over at my best friend's and then so much came together that I couldn't get anymore into my head… and I forgot. Bad excuse, I know, but there's nothing I can do and making up another excuse has never helped anyone, so I decided to simply tell you the truth. Although it does make me look really bad. I mean, it's not like I'm old. I should be able to remember certain things. And I don't. Sad, really.
So, since I'm sure that no one's really interested in my ramblings, I'll just give you the fifth to last chapter to this story. Isn't it sad that it's slowly coming to an end… again? Four more instalments after this and it's gonna be over… sigh. But I promise I'm not going to stop writing and I really hope I'll get the fifth chapter of FBH up any time soon. It's starting to get on my nerves just like it's nerve-racking for you to have to wait so long. I want to get it over with, I really do. :)
This chapter is dedicated to Kristyna. Wow, girl, being able to chat with you on icq is so unbelievable! And it's so much fun. And never forget: You're pretty. Don't even try to deny it :)
This is a derivate piece of fiction featuring characters copyrighted and trademarked by Disney Enterprises Inc. It is based upon High School Musical, copyright 2006 by Walt Disney Enterprises Inc., all rights reserved; and High School Musical 2, copyright 2007 by Walt Disney Enterprises Inc., all rights reserved and High School Musical 3, copyright 2008 by Walt Disney Enterprises Inc., all rights reserved. The author is not connected with nor is this work authorised by Walt Disney Enterprises Inc., or any other motion picture studios. This work is solely intended for posting on Fanfiction, for the benefit and enjoyment of its intended audience. No commercial or financial benefit accrues or is intended to accrue to the author as a result of said posting. Any unauthorised copying or redistribution of this work might subject the party responsible for such unauthorized copying or redistribution to legal action by the owners of the aforementioned copyrights and trademarks.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Recap of the last chapter:
She had gone on about how bad Gabriella was for taking advantage of him and his broken heart – yeah right, as if – and then had suggested she could make it better. To which he hadn't complained, simply because he hadn't listened to her. And that was the reason why she had made them stop and tip-toed up to him, kissing him fully on the mouth. It hadn't been anything like the kiss he had just had with Gabriella. Had the earlier kiss had some feelings between them, then this was just meaningless. And that was the time he had finally woken up from his desperate condition.
Pushing her away, he had glared and told her she shouldn't be trying to do something like that ever again, before he had turned on his heel and rushed of in the opposite direction, not even caring about the complaining cheerleader. And now here he was, lying on his bed, still not fully comprehending what had happened and how this was going to affect things between him and a certain brown-eyed brunette. All of the sudden, it seemed like he couldn't have anyone touching him – girls, at least – and especially not kissing him. He felt somewhat dirty, but he didn't know if it was because he finally came to his senses and realised that girls worshipping the ground he walked on were not the type of girl he liked or because he didn't want anyone kissing him besides … her.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter eleven – Turning point
The next day, Gabriella was more than resistant to go to school. Having reflected the memory of Troy's kiss over and over again, she was sure that she couldn't stand seeing him now. She just wasn't ready for it. She didn't even know what she was feeling, much less how she should react towards him. Interrogating him about last day's events or ignoring him? Tough choice and Taylor and Sharpay hadn't been a great help. Eventually she had told them everything that had happened – as if she would be able to get away from that – and they both hadn't been reasonable afterwards. Gushing about Troy and her, both completely had forgotten the fact that they couldn't stand each other, that they were enemies at truce, for God's sake, nothing more.
And it wasn't like it was just a momentary dispute; hell, they hadn't really spoken with each other – more yelled and getting yelled at – in the last two years and now they had kissed? Gabriella buried her face in her hands. And it wasn't as if he had only pressed his lips on hers, no, she had responded to him! What the hell had she been thinking? And what the hell should she do now? She didn't even know if he would keep it quiet. What if he spread the news all around the school? She would never live that down. Why couldn't she just stay at home? Her mother wasn't around either way, and what was the use if she went to school, probably not even getting what the teachers were trying to tell. Thinking about Troy could be a very time- and mind-absorbing activity.
But what was the use to stay at home either, sulking about the previous afternoon? At school she would at least have her friends to be a support. Although she wasn't very sure if they would be a great help at the moment. However, maybe Chris would understand her. She could only hope so… Sighing, she finally made up her mind, leaving the house and jumping into her car. She still had nearly forty minutes to get to school, a result of the fact that she had hardly gotten any sleep last night and had woken up at an inhuman hour. And it only took ten minutes with the car. Great. Another half an hour left to ponder about her and Troy and what to do about him.
Intentionally she tried everything to get her mind on the forthcoming contest. They would have to set at least one practice every day, if not more. There were still some lifting figures going wrong and the last thing she could exert was a hurt dancing participant. She was just glad that Troy knew his stuff… Oh no, not him again. He seemed to be everywhere lately, in her thoughts, in the talks going on around her and … directly in front of her. Damn it! Gabriella cursed quietly, as she watched him parking his car in the school's parking lot. Frantically searching for an option to avoid him seeing her, she looked around desperately, but where to hide if you were in a car waiting for a chance to get your car parked? Right, there was absolutely nothing to be done there.
And luckily there was nothing that had to be done, because he didn't even turn his head in her direction. Hastily jumping out of his car, he nearly forgot to lock it, as he was already anywhere else with his thoughts but where he was right now. Letting out a relieved breath, Gabriella waited for him to vanish into the school's building, before she started looking for a parking spot. And found one next to his. Biting her tongue, she managed to hold herself back before she would let another curse slip. Typical for this day to bring her the opposite of the things she wanted to happen.
Exhaling noisily, she came to the conclusion that it was ridiculous to deliberately search for another spot if there was one right in front of her. And what did she care about standing next to Troy's car? It didn't mean a thing. Letting her car roll in the free gap, she slowly set one foot out and then the other as if slowing down in her motions would slow down time. No such luck. Setting one foot in front of the other, she walked up to the building, despairingly hoping that Troy wouldn't have stopped in the hallway, or else she would walk straight into him. Nothing that she would look forward to.
Hesitantly letting her hand rest on the door handle, she lagged to push it open. And she would have stayed put there for even more minutes if there hadn't been one certain person showing up behind her. "What? Waiting up for me, mon cherie?" Gabriella shook her head silently. He hadn't learned in one way or another. Not even bothering to explain the French grammar once again, she pulled the door open, stepping into the hall and letting the door fall closed behind her. Brandon, not having counted on that, walked straight into it. The thump that was audible across the entire entrance hall abruptly brought silence into it. Seeing all eyes being directed at her, for once not accusing her because of Troy, but curious about the thud, Gabriella just shrugged, giving way so Brandon could be seen rubbing his forehead.
It was only a matter of seconds until everyone inside was laughing their butts off. No one, and really no one, had ever seen that happen in their entire school time at East High. And it was typical for it to happen to Brandon first. Not that there were high chances of it happening to anyone else. But you never knew, did you? Brandon, however, didn't seem to care much about the fact that he was now the laughing stock of the entire student body. Not even paying attention to their laughing faces, he finally handled to enter the school, pushing the door open by himself. Instantly he turned to Gabriella, who had managed to keep a straight face through it all.
Rolling her eyes, because he still hadn't gotten the message, she simply made her way down the hall way, leaving Brandon dumbfounded. But unfortunately his astonishment didn't last for very long, as he already scurried after her. "Hey, Gabby!" She didn't care about him, walking on, trying to ignore his screeching voice. Suddenly, she found her arm encircled into a strong grip, whirling her around. Now, that was enough. "Brandon! Can't you see that I don't want anything to do with you? Leave me alone, why won't you?" He didn't even bother to think about the questions, but gave his standard answer. "Because I know you want me as much as I want you!" By now, the entire population had stopped their private conversations. Nothing was as amusing as hearing Gabriella tell Brandon off once more.
It was just bad luck that Gabriella didn't think of it as amusing. Annoying would be a much better word for it. Or unnerving, grueling, exhausting… the list went on and on in her opinion. "I would never want you, Brandon, why don't you just get it?" She searched her audience for any familiar faces, but she saw neither Shar nor Taylor nor any other members of her dancing squad. What a pity. Seemed like she would have to get through this by herself. Throwing Brandon a pleading look, she practically begged him for letting her off the hook for this time. Not catching her gaze, Brandon tried to reason: "Maybe because I don't want to?" It was needless to say that Gabriella wasn't blown away by his come-back.
But she really didn't want to repeat herself and there was nothing else that she could possibly say as telling him to get lost. And that that wasn't working… well, she had experience in that.
Looking at him with raised eyebrows, the boy could tell that he hadn't convinced her. Time to make her feel sympathy for him. "Aww, come on, Gabby, please! Just one little kiss? As an indemnification for just now as you let me run against the door?" Gabriella was stunned. Not because he had actually found an acceptable reason, but because he knew such a long word. She had never known he could be clever sometimes. But that still didn't count as a reason to kiss him. Finally getting the ability to speak back, she refused him again.
"I would rather getting myself kissed by Bolton than ever having your lips near mine, much less have them on yours!", she told him, advisedly leaving out the fact that she had kissed Troy… and had actually liked it. A lot. But that was something she would prefer to not think about. And if she was lucky she would manage to avoid him for the whole day and get home without having seen him in the slightest. Which would be perfect. It was just too bad that she was living. And as it was common knowledge life was what happened to you while you are making plans. And therefore there was not even the slightest chance of her getting away that easily. After all, there was still the little fact that she would have to set a practice. And he would be there.
That was if he hadn't gotten cold feet by what had happened yesterday. And then she would have to once again worry about where she could get a dancer from. Suddenly she didn't know if she would be happy or devastated if Troy didn't show up. Did the fact that she wouldn't have to face him compensate the fact that she would have one thing more to get herself wound up by? Hell, life was complicated. But that wasn't what she had to worry about right now. Right now all she really had to worry about was Brandon who was much too pestering for his own good. Having taken a couple of steps in her direction, he was only one meter away. Much too near for Gabriella's liking. And not only for hers.
Unaware of a pair of eyes watching them arguing, Gabriella and Brandon both hadn't bothered to look into the corners of the hall. And in one of them Troy had been following Gabriella's way from the parking lot up to school. He, too, hadn't gotten much sleep at night, always wondering about the reason he had kissed her. And about the question if he was still doing the contest with her. Not because he didn't want to anymore, but because he didn't know if she would bear him in her vicinity. He had come to two terminations: First, he would just have to show up to the gym and see how she would react and second, there was only one reason that could have gotten him going to kiss her.
And that was that he still liked her. After all these times he had been trying to convince himself to hate her, he still had feelings for his ex-girlfriend. It was ludicrous, really. He liked Gabriella Montez, who hadn't had any trust in him, who had abandoned him after seeing him with that cheerleader – alright, it had been a very convincing sight, he had to admit -, who had refused to speak to him afterwards and who had become his enemy. Damn, this was messed up. But that still didn't change anything about his feelings. And so he didn't even found himself surprised as his blood began boiling at the sight of Brandon that near to Gabriella and requiring a kiss.
And that wasn't even the tip of the iceberg. He knew that she wouldn't give into Brandon, not for the life of her. "Come on, Brie, just one kiss!" Gabriella, who had been at the point of turning around and get going, froze dead in her tracks. It wasn't the suggestion – if she was used to anything in this world, then it was Brandon's constant trying to get a kiss from her – that made her sick, it was the name. He had called her Brie. And the only person who had ever called her that before in her entire life was standing in one of the corners right now. And he, too, was near the freezing point.
Having been boiling only minutes before, his temperature had decreased within seconds after hearing Brandon calling the brunette 'Brie'. His insides had frozen completely, as had his facial features. Who the hell did that jerk think he was, calling his ex-girlfriend with the nickname Troy had given her? Neither he nor Gabriella could believe it. And that was the point Troy decided to step in, seeing Gabriella wasn't anywhere near ready to move again. "Grant!" His voice was cold, colder than anyone had ever heard him. And they all understood. They all understood that Brandon had probably just made one of his bigger mistakes in life.
Gabriella's head, however, had flung towards him as soon as she heard him. She swallowed hard. Jesus, he had overheard their whole conversation, he had been there the entire time. Why the hell hadn't she seen him as she had searched the spare teenagers for any of her friends? It didn't really matter anyways, because he was already coming towards her and Brandon. Walking painfully slow, the students lined up for him, forming an alley he could walk through. His jaw was set, Gabriella noticed, and he looked like he had had a sleepless night, just like her.
Meeting his gaze, she blushed deeply, remembering the last time they had seen each other. But at this specific moment Troy cared more about Brandon than about Gabriella standing only five steps away from him, probably just as confused as he himself was. However, now it was more important to sort Brandon out. Preferably without taking Gabriella's side too much, otherwise people would notice something had happened between them. And he wouldn't have too much problems, seeing as Brandon was already white as though he had seen a ghost. Of course he had known that it was the name Troy had used on her, but he hadn't known that he still cared. Which he obviously did.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?", the basketball captain demanded, eyes set on Brandon's face, not leaving it for a second. The coldness that seemed to emit from him gave Gabriella goose bumps. She had never before seen him this angry. Well, except after the one time she had refused to talk to him, the only time he had tried to explain things to her about the incident. He had been pretty angry to that time. Anyways, Troy was already going on: "I believe she told you to let her alone, didn't she? When do you think of learning to respect a girl's wishes?" Gabriella nearly snorted. Hadn't he been the one who hadn't respected a girl's wishes? A wish to not being cheated on, for example? She was pretty sure that it had been him.
But who was she to intervene in this, especially for he was trying to save her from Brandon? Which brought her to think about why he did it. She really couldn't figure it out… Unless he was really worked up by Brandon calling her Brie. And she didn't know why he would care about that. He couldn't possibly be mad. That was just risible. But then again, Troy's look spoke volumes. And his words did too. "And just a little counsel for the future: I would heavily advise you to stay away from her, got it?" And on afterthought he added: "And every other girl that doesn't want you near her, are we clear?"
Brandon looked as though he had actually gotten it for once. But that didn't mean that he knew what was good for him. "Then shouldn't you be following your own advice and stay away from our little Brie over here?" He nodded sharply in Gabriella's direction; she had closed her eyes at hearing her nickname for the second time. "I don't think she's very keen on having to fight with you every two hours…" He didn't get to finish his sentence as Troy had already closed the space that had been left between himself and Brandon and had grabbed him at his collar. His mouth dangerously near to Brandon's ear, he hissed so nobody could hear: "Don't you ever call her Brie again!"
Desperately trying to breath, Brandon nodded fearfully. Nobody ever objected to Troy Bolton and it looked like Brandon had just learned that lesson. Satisfied that Brandon had agreed with him, Troy let go of him and took a few steps backwards. It was only then that he noticed that the entire hall had become silent. He cursed silently. Now he had the undivided attention from everybody here and that was the last thing he needed to deal with. All the gossip that would be flowing around after this little run-in with Brandon wouldn't be too pretty. And he didn't know if he had the nerve to once again fully ignore whatever was being told about him and Gabriella.
However, he didn't have much time to think about that, as he was already interrupted by Brandon, who had taken a few steps backwards. Thinking himself safe, he had gained his audacity back and once again started a try to throw him off. "Why do you care, Bolton? It's not like the two of you are going out or anything. You don't even like each other!" Troy threw a quick look to Gabriella, who had gone red in her face. Both thinking back to the kiss the day before, they tried to stay unobvious. Troy's mind was racing. He definitely needed a reason to blow up against Brandon, otherwise there would be speculating going on as to why he had intervened in his and Gabriella's little chat. But how to do so without getting tot obvious that all he was doing was trying to compensate the fact that he did care that Brandon had hit on his ex-girlfriend?
Despairingly searching his brain for a good excuse, he let his eyes wonder around the hall. Everyone who met his gaze lowered their eyes, not knowing how their golden boy would react to that question. It was bad luck that Troy wasn't the best of a thinker when he was put under a lot of pressure. "Who said I care? I think in the last years we made it more than clear that we want nothing to do with each other and that won't change as long as I'm in control of myself." Purposely not looking to Gabriella, he carried on: "I don't even know if she actually wanted anyone to cut in that lovely conversation of yours, maybe she likes having you on her back constantly. At least that's what you could think if she continues leading you on, but I for one am sick of your daily disputes, you could at least take it to somewhere more private!" He didn't even notice that he was contradicting himself. Hadn't he just called for Brandon to leave Gabriella alone completely? But it didn't matter, as anyone was way too agitated to think about that little detail.
Brandon starred at him, mouth hanging wide open. That didn't fit. He wasn't the cleverest, but he knew that what Troy had just said didn't fit to what he had said only minutes ago. But it wasn't as if anyone would believe him if he pointed that out. So he just remained standing in his position, not knowing what to do now. Troy decided to assist him. "What are you still doing here? Get lost, Grant!" Brandon hurried off, a confused look on his face. Sighing with relief, Troy turned around to walk away, desperately hoping that everybody would forget what they had witnessed here in a few days. But Gabriella didn't plan to let him off the hook this easily. He had insulted her, for God's sake!
"So you think I've been leading him on?" Her voice echoed through the hall, anger clearly displayed in it. Troy had to get a hold of himself, otherwise he would have let out a loud groan. He couldn't believe she, too, bought the crap he had just sold Brandon. She couldn't be serious. Turning to her, he could see that her eyes were blasting with fire and her jaw was set in the same way his had been as he had interrupted Brandon. That spelled trouble. And how right he was. Gabriella was seething, all feelings of gratefulness towards him gone at the suggestion she was leading Brandon on.
How could he? He knew… he knew that she couldn't stand Brandon! So why the hell was he claiming that bullshit? Was it just because he had needed a reason for everybody watching? A reason as to why he had stepped in? Well, she knew his reason. At least, she thought so. He was afraid that anyone would find about the kiss between them. Having heard her comment she would rather kiss him than Brandon had to have been a shock for him. Had he actually thought she was going to play that card in getting Brandon off her back? Well, if he thought that low of her, maybe she should have done it.
And once again she was breathing fire and brimstone. He was the only one who could drive her up the wall. And he was doing it very well; he didn't even need to say anything. One look from him and she went over the edge owing to her anger. As to why she was trying everything to get his shirt out. "Well, let me tell you: I haven't been. I haven't been leading him on, I'm not doing it and I will never do it. And you certainly don't need to worry, I've been lying to him when I said I would much rather kiss you than him. I don't even want to imagine how disgusting kissing you would be."
Troy blinked. Once. Twice. So she wanted to cope with things this way? Denying they had ever happened? Denying that there had been a kiss? And she had responded to it? Well, he surely didn't intend to do that. Not after he had realized that he still had feelings for her, on which he had acted beforehand. "Oh yeah? Then tell me why you kissed back yesterday afternoon. If it was so disgusting, then why didn't you pull away?" For about one minute it was dead silent. Then there were screams all around the hall. Damn it, he had forgotten that they were being watched. Swallowing hard, he tried to regain his calm, but found it rather difficult to do so.
He had given away that he had kissed her. Given it away to half the population of East High. And by no later than one hour everyone around here would know it. There was no way to stop the gossip mills of the school once they had been set to movement. And he wasn't the only one to comprehend that. Gabriella did, too. Agape, she starred at him, unbelieving he had really had the guts to tell. Gagging in shock, she couldn't find herself able to answer his question and he noticed. He had to say something; otherwise he would be in for a life in hell, once she came back to her senses.
Too bad that what he was going to say wasn't going to make it any better. "Let me guess: Because you liked it?" He couldn't believe himself, what had gotten into him? He didn't know and oddly enough he didn't care. But now Gabriella had gotten able to speak again. "Eww, Bolton, don't flatter yourself too much, your ego is already oversized; it doesn't need any more delirious thoughts! I only didn't pull back because I was run-over by you. It's not like your kisses are that good", several gasps could be heard from girls who definitely thought otherwise, "and they certainly haven't improved since the last time I kissed you!"
She was successful. Trying to get him worked up had been a full-scale prosperity. So now he wasn't only a cheater, but a bad kisser? He didn't even believe one word coming out of her mouth. Stepping up to her, he challenged her: "Oh yeah? Well, how come that I know you want more?" He didn't even give her time to reply – her shocked face said enough – and smirked slightly. He knew that she hadn't expected this and she sure as hell wasn't prepared for him to make a move on her. And he was right. Gabriella didn't think she could trust her ears, hearing Troy's pronouncement.
He actually claimed she longed for another kiss from him? It's not as if you could deny that anyways, a little voice inside her head taunted, but she shook her head. That was so not right; of course she didn't want to be kissed by him again! She hated him, for God's sake, all she wanted was to forget the other day. But it didn't look like Troy was on the same page there. Putting all his eggs into one basket, he leaned in and captured her lips… in front of the whole school.
Pulling her to him, his hands sneaked around her waist. Gabriella let him draw her into him; she was too dazed that he actually dared to do this in school where everyone was watching as to object him. And then everything else was forgotten, as soon as she felt his tongue grazing her lower lip, begging for entry once again. Resisting him at first, she couldn't help but let out a little gasp, as he pushed her into him even more. Appreciatively, Troy took his chance and let his tongue slip into her mouth, meeting her tongue for a battle of dominance. Finally giving into him, Gabriella threw her arms around his neck, loosing herself in the kiss.
East High's students couldn't believe their eyes. Whatever they had expected for this day to bring, it hadn't been this. Had someone told them only one hour before now that they would get to see their golden boy and East High's queen kissing as though there was no tomorrow, they would have laughed them off. And now here they were, seeing it actually happen. And both Troy and Gabriella didn't seem willing to pry their lips loose anytime soon. And they didn't, indeed. Fully ignoring the shouts of either happiness or consternation, they both continued to kiss, more and more getting into it.
But what both of them hadn't considered was the fact that they were still standing in the school's entrance hall. And in school it wasn't unusual for teachers to show up. Especially when it was the last thing you needed to deal with. And so it wasn't really surprising that their kiss was interrupted by a slicing voice. "Mr. Bolton, Miss Montez! Detention, both of you! I won't condone any public display of affection in this school, understood?" Hearing the voice of the principal, Gabriella freed herself from Troy as fast as possible. Both of them were standing there, faces flustered and surrounded by at least two-hundred other students. And facing a very angry looking headmaster.
"I believe that our dear music teacher still needs help for the planned choir performance. Therefore you two will attend for detention on Monday next week. And until then I wish to never see something like this again!" Huffing, he turned on his heel, retreating to his office. Gabriella watched after him, too confounded to face Troy. Hell, this was the exact opposite from what she had intended to do. She was sure that kissing someone in public wasn't comprehended under staying as far away from someone as possible. And she couldn't keep doing this. Not if she still wasn't sure about what she was feeling… towards him and about what had happened in Sophomore Year.
Damn, she needed a break from all of this. "Practice is in free period!", she told him sharply, not even knowing how to address him anymore. Bolton or Troy? Calling someone with their last name wasn't really appropriate if you had already kissed them twice. But she didn't know how he and everyone else would react to her suddenly calling him by his first name. Due to that she just left him unaddressed and assumed he would get she meant him… there was no one else she could mean. Turning, she too got going, breaking through the crowd that willingly gave way, unaware of the fact that Troy was watching her every move.
*
Eventually, free period had arrived, much to Gabriella's dismay. She had managed to avoid Troy the entire morning, blocking him out whenever he was in the same class as her and shutting herself from the rest of the class. The only persons she had spoken to since having kissed him had been Taylor and Sharpay. The two of them had been more than upset with her, having heard the 'exiting news' from the gossip mills and not from Gabriella herself. But how was she supposed to tell them? 'Good morning to you two, practice is at free period and, by the way, I've kissed Troy once again?' That wasn't exactly a dialog she would prefer to conduct.
And her best friends had gotten a hold of themselves relatively quickly, both wanting to know every little detail. She had told them the short version, and now at least Taylor seemed to understand in what dilemma Gabriella was. Her best friend was of two minds, obviously, and she didn't know how to behave. Understandable, seeing as Troy didn't seem to think before he acted on his feelings and didn't even try to give Gabriella the help she needed. And getting her worked up first, just to kiss her afterwards wasn't exactly something Taylor would call helping.
So, on the way to the gym, she threw a helpless look to Gabriella. But the brunette just shrugged, as if to say it didn't matter. But it did matter. A lot. She hadn't been unable to follow the teachers' implementations for nothing. Nowhere near being up to keeping track because thinking of Troy and his lips on hers, she had gotten into trouble way more than one time and everybody had noticed. And nearly everyone had guessed the right reason. Having spread around the school in record time, the rumours hadn't been taken well by most of the girls, which once again had led to very ugly confrontations with them. And Gabriella had hated it.
She blamed Troy. Although she knew only too well that she was just as responsible for the kiss as him. But he had been the one to lean in first, he had initiated it. So theoretically he was the one to blame for this detention she had gotten. He really was wasting her time as well as his own. Inadvertently she let a smile flicker across her face. The kiss had been mind-blowing… No! The little voice in her mind was taking action again. You won't think that, you can't. No matter how good his kisses are, there still is the actuality that he cheated on you! And you can't just forgive him for that! He'll only hurt you again!
Couldn't she? Couldn't she forgive him? She didn't know. A part of her wanted to… wanted to forgive him so badly that it nearly hurt. But the other – and much bigger – part remembered how she had suffered the first time. And the kissed weren't going to change all that. With that plastered in her mind, she entered the gym, Sharpay and Taylor right behind her. Instantly she was greeted by many, all those who had been quicker than her. Which were a lot, given that she had been really slow and trying to delay the moment she would have to face him again. But now she was here and she would concentrate on the dancing… and only the dancing.
And as the other members of either basketball team or dancing squad arrived in dribs and drabs, she just started the music and supervised all of the other couples, since Troy hadn't arrived by now. And she was really satisfied with what she got to see. Having learnt the steps quite quickly, the dancing routine was nearly completed and Gabriella's smile got bigger with each pair she passed by. Absolutely occupied with the advancing of her squad, she didn't even notice Troy enter the gym. But she detected the news at least since the entire gym fell silent.
She didn't even need to turn around to know who had come. It was obvious. Nobody else could have such an effect on so many people. And she supposed that they were all curious as to how she would react to him, having heard the gossip about the two of them kissing in the hallway. However, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction to know what he had caused. Turning around with ease, she plainly smiled at him and said off-handed: "You're late!" Troy just shrugged, matching her smile from top to bottom to show her he wouldn't be making any more problems.
Her smile got wider and he seemed to get the message of her thankfulness, because he winked at her. Gabriella rolled her eyes playfully. He just couldn't help doing it, could he? But that little gesture took a load off her mind. Maybe they could try getting along first and then… well, the future was as dubious as ever.
*
After practice, Gabriella stayed behind. All the others had left already, but she had to check the gym to make sure they hadn't left anything behind. Having brought their choreography written down with her, she didn't want anyone finding it, especially no one from the dancing squad. She didn't know what could happen if Amber became aware of her dancing system. She knew Amber only too well and now that Troy had broken up with her and kissed her sworn enemy in publicity, Gabriella was sure that Amber was seething. And who knew what exactly a girl feeling betrayed was capable off?
It was better not to leave any signs behind, especially since Gabriella knew that they would hold a practice in lunch break. After throwing one last look through the gym, she took her bag and left the gym, actually whistling on her way to German class. Right now, everything went well and she didn't have to worry about anything too difficult. It was just bad that that was going to change any minute now. Right before turning a corner, she heard two voices, one soothing and one infuriated coming from inside the girls' bathroom. Curious she stopped at the door, trying to catch pieces of the conversation.
Five minutes later she was more than glad to have done that. Instantly having recognized the livid voice as Amber's and the other one as Sarah's, one of Amber's closest friends, Gabriella caught important scraps of the conversation, giving away the topic. Her and Troy's kiss. Of course, what else could get Amber that worked up? Now being interested more than ever, Gabriella didn't even think of walking away. She stayed put behind the door, trying to catch even more. She knew that it was sneaky and nothing she herself normally would have approved of, but right now she frankly didn't care.
That Amber would be furious about the kiss… well, that had been clear from the very beginning. Admittedly, Gabriella would have never thought that she would think of ways to get Troy back. She nearly had to laugh. There was nobody Amber could get him back from; he wasn't with anybody at the moment. And if Amber thought she was going out with him, then she was just dumb. But obviously she did think so. And after hearing Amber complaining on and on about her and Troy, Gabriella slowly got bored. If Amber was just going to talk about how outraged she was, then that was nothing what was important for her to hear.
But before she could actually get going again, Amber seemed to calm herself down in an unbelievable short amount of time. Used to her yelling by now, Gabriella nearly got a shock as she suddenly heard her speaking easefully again. "But I'm not going to just keep out of that, you can bet on that, Sarah!" The ears-dropping girl outside sighed quietly. Of course. It would have been way too easy if Amber would stop interfering with her life over night. "It's going to be a walk in the park to separate them again. We just need a repeat of last time, you know? And I'm not averse to taking Tiara's old part this time." Gabriella could just imagine the dirty smile playing on Amber's lips. She was one to get satisfaction out of ruining another person's life.
"And it won't be just as difficult as last time. I don't think that Montez already has rebuilt her trust for Troy. It'll be easy to bring out the old distrust again; Tiara has managed to breed discord quite well last time. And if she catches him with another girl again, Gabriella will finally think he's a cheater for good. And who wants someone like that as a boyfriend?" Her laugh was evil and Sarah joined in only seconds later. "Technically it's her own fault. Who's that dumb to think Troy would ever get with Tiara? Really, I haven't seen anyone so much unlike his taste in girls since a very long time!"
Gabriella snorted. That was where they were right. If she recalled correctly, Tiara had blonde hair and was as skinny as a rake. Troy didn't go for those girls. Wait, what was that? If he would never go for those girls, then why had he cheated on her with one? And what had Tiara's part been?
It took a few moments until it dawned on Gabriella. Troy hadn't cheated on her. Tiara had set it up, she had been the one to send Gabriella the text and she had let it look as if Troy was cheating on her. Oh God! What had she done? Instantly falling into panic-mode, Gabriella couldn't think clear anymore. What was she going to do? Well, the first decision was made by others than her, as she heard steps coming from the inside. Quickly withdrawing her head, she hid behind the opening door, as Amber and Sarah came out. "You'll see… Montez is in for the greatest shock of her life!" was the last thing she heard Amber saying before they were out of earshot.
And it was a safe bet to say that Gabriella was shocked. And not only shocked, but both feeling embarrassed and angry at the same time. How could she have mistrusted Troy? How could she have believed he had cheated on her? She had always assumed herself as someone with common sense, so why hadn't it kicked in as she had accused him of cheating? They had been in love, hell, why should he have cheated on her? And how could Tiara have dared to set her up like that? How could she possibly have dared to make her and Troy the victims of her own evil schemes? And how could she, Gabriella, have fallen for that? Feeling guiltier than she had ever done in her whole life, Gabriella turned on her heel, letting the door fall closed with a loud bash.
*
Knowing that it was no use to stay at school any longer, Gabriella decided to skip the last classes of the day. On her way home, she couldn't think of anything else but the fact that she had done wrong by Troy. He hadn't cheated on her, he had been telling the truth all the times he had tried to convince her off that. Oh god, how dumb could she get? She should have trusted him, it was no wonder that he hated her. She didn't deserve anything else, he had every right to shut her out of his life for good. The only thing that confused her was that he didn't seem to do it. He was doing quite the reverse, trying to get her into his life again. Why else had he kissed her?
But why did he do that? She had done him wrong; he had done nothing vicious, it was her that had committed the error. Deep in thoughts, she pulled up in the driveway and entered the house, climbing the stairs and letting herself fall on her bed. What should she do now? The apology was already overdue and she didn't even know if he would accept it. He probably would be furious at her for having to hear Amber talking about it to finally see him as innocent. And if they could ever work out this big misunderstanding… what did she expect? Starting over with him? She had feelings for him, there was no denying that. But had he kissed her because he returned her feelings or because he had wanted to prove something either to himself or to her?
And if he actually returned her feelings… would she be able to rebuild her trust in him? Although knowing that he hadn't cheated on her, she heavily doubted that she could confide in him. He hadn't been a cheater back then, well. But what was with his current self? She had witnessed his constant changes of girls and she didn't know why he did that. Had he changed into a player? She was nearly sure of that. And maybe he was just trying to get with her, because she was defiance for him, hence to the fact that they were enemies. She definitely didn't want her heart crushed a second time. Continuing on debating with herself, sleep finally overwhelmed her and allowed her to log-off her brain.
So, now she knows… and you know, too, what has happened and that Troy isn't a liar at all. Gabriella just didn't want to believe him. Tell me what you think about this chapter? Pretty please? With a cherry on top? Tell you what… I've got 105 reviews in total by Sunday evening and you get the next chapter this weekend :D Is that a deal? I sure hope so *lol*
Until then,
xoxo
Lena