Disclaimer I do not own High School Musical or any of its characters.
A/N: Before I start the chapter I have a few things to say...
I am so sorry this is really late, school was just really crazy, the marking period ended and the teachers go crazy trying to squeeze everything in. And my weekends have just been beyond packed, so I really am sorry!
HSM3!!! Enough said. Lol. In simplest terms, AMAZING! In my opinion the best of the three. The music was so great! Scream. Ahhh fantastic! And Can I Have This Dance – possibly the sweetest scene EVER! Lol. Being a dancer myself, I noticed the dancing, which was awesome! And finally the Troyellaness of it all!!! So much Troyella and it was all so cute! I almost died in my seat!
And last but certainly not least – I want to wish my dear friend Lizy (zvforever) a very happy birthday! This chapter is a late birthday present!
That's all, so before you all kill me….enjoy…
Last Time…
Gabriella closed the door carefully, before locking it. For the first time in a long time she felt so elated. She and Troy had talked for hours and yet it had only seemed like a few minutes. The conversation had flowed so easily, and Gabriella felt safe in his presence, like she could be herself with him.
As Troy walked down the stairs of Yorkshire Apartments he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. Words couldn't describe how much he had enjoyed tonight. It had been simple, basically two friends chatting and yet he had learned so much about Gabriella. He'd seen the bubbly side of her tonight, which he loved.
He was so thankful that she'd opened up to him. He knew it had been difficult for her, the pain had been clearly evident in her voice and eyes, but he finally felt as if he was getting close to her, somewhere he definitely wanted to be.
Chapter Ten – One Syllable
Gabriella and Lily sat on a blanket as they watched Lucas and Troy play a one on one game of basketball.
"So you told him everything?" Lily asked.
"Not everything" Gabriella clarified, "I just told him about mom. I guess I just wasn't ready to tell him about dad"
"But you're going to tell him right?"
Gabriella sighed, "Yes"
Lily sensed Gabriella's uncertainty; she placed her hand over Gabriella's, "He's a good guy Gabi, look at him, playing with Lucas. Look at last night. He cares"
"I know he does. I guess maybe I'm the one who's not ready to tell him." Gabriella confessed.
"None of us are ever going to be ready to face what happened" Lily said quietly. "But maybe Troy can help us. Maybe he can help you." She explained hopefully "Gabi you've worked so hard, you need someone to help you. I don't want to feel like we're burdening you"
Lily had been worrying about Gabriella for quite some time now. She was so thankful that Gabriella had taken Lucas and her away from their father but, she often felt as if Gabriella was giving up her life for Lucas and her. Lily hoped that Troy Bolton would be able to take some of the weight off of Gabriella's shoulders.
Gabriella let a comforting hand run down the side of Lily's arm, "I'm fine. I don't want you pair thinking you're a burden. I don't know what I would do without you" she spoke genuinely.
Lily threw her arms around Gabriella for a tight, loving hug. Just as the embrace ended Troy and Lucas came back over to the two girls, panting.
"Jeez, you didn't tell me your brother was awesome at basketball" Troy exclaimed.
"What can I say, my brother's amazing" Gabriella grinned. "Looks like the all mighty Troy Bolton has some serious competition"
Troy flashed Gabriella a sarcastic smile as Lucas placed his hands on his hips and pretended to buff up. Lily giggled.
"Well, I don't know about you guys but I think this calls for an ice cream" Troy stated.
"I think I can agree with that" Gabriella said as she pushed herself off the blanket and helped Lily up, before bending down again to pick up the blanket and fold it.
"I'll race you Lily!" Lucas challenged.
"You're on!"
The twins took off full speed towards the small ice cream shop at the other end of the park. Troy and Gabriella strolled along behind the two excited children.
"So what have you and Lily been talking about all this time?" Troy asked casually.
"Oh you know just some girl stuff"
"Ah… I see." Troy said, chuckling lightly as he stuffed his hands in the front pocket of his jeans.
"So wildcat, you really think my brother is good?"
"He's good Brie, he has it"
Gabriella breathed a sigh of relief, "Good. He just loves it so much that I would hate for him to be shut down when he's older"
Troy couldn't help but smile at Gabriella's sincere concern for her brother's well being.
"Trust me, he'll be on the team when he's in high school. Why don't you guys come to the game on Friday?" Troy suggested, a hint of hopefulness in his voice.
"I think Lucas would like that" Gabriella agreed.
"Good, the game starts at 7"
An ice cream each later the group sat at a picnic bench outside the park.
"You guys have no idea what you're talking about. Superman is so much better than batman!" Lucas exclaimed.
"Oh we have no idea what we're talking about. We're older, more experienced. Batman is definitely the better of the two." Gabriella argued.
"Being older doesn't always make your judgment better." Lily pointed out. "Besides, superman has super strength, super speed and he has x-ray vision. What powers does batman have?"
"Batman is so good he doesn't need powers. He uses his brain and technology and he is an expert in martial arts" Troy responded.
"Big whoop. If batman got shot he'd be dead, but superman would be able to stop the bullet." Lucas pointed out.
"Batman risks his life everyday to save people! He had to work hard to achieve his greatness. That's what makes him a hero. " Gabriella rebutted.
"And, batman can teach others his skills, whereas superman was a one off thing. So batman will save the world even when he's dead." Troy pointed out.
"But you guys aren't seeing the obvious, if batman and superman were to fight right now, superman would totally own batman"
"No batman would"
"Superman"
"Batman!"
"Superman!
As the sides continued to banter back and forth small raindrops began to fall from the sky. Slowly at first but soon the rain was coming down pretty hard. Troy grabbed the picnic blanket as Gabriella, Lucas and Lily began to run towards Troy's car.
When the four arrived Troy tossed Gabriella the blanket as he fumbled to find his keys. A single beep let the other three know they could open the car doors and hop inside. Once everyone was safely inside, Troy let out a relieved sigh.
"Jeez, what is it with Albuquerque? It doesn't rain for 3 weeks and then suddenly it has rained these past two days" Gabriella exclaimed running her fingers through her wet hair. Troy laughed,
"Welcome to Albuquerque"
--
That Wednesday Troy was walking down the hallway with Chad just after school.
"You wanna hang out before practice tonight?" Chad asked.
"I was actually gonna go to the library"
"Troy Bolton in the library? What are you not telling me?" Chad questioned skeptically.
"My math grade needs serious help. So Gabriella is helping me" Troy explained.
"Are you sure that's all she's helping you with?" Chad said suggestively.
Troy elbowed Chad.
"Oww! Jeez, sorry I was kidding" Chad apologized as he rubbed his side.
"Oh and it was so funny" Troy muttered sarcastically.
"You would usually laugh at a joke like that. What is up with – You really like her don't you?" Chad's voice softened slightly and he almost sounded shocked.
Troy began to shake his head, "No, what me? No"
"Oh come on Troy. We've been like brothers since preschool and now you're lying to my face?"
Troy sighed, "Ok so maybe I like her. What am I supposed to do about it?"
Chad rolled his eyes dramatically, "Well first you should tell her" he said mockingly.
Troy glared at his best friend as the pair rounded the corner.
"Seriously though, what's holding you back Troy. Just ask her out. It's not that hard" Chad said, patting Troy on the back as they arrived at the entrance to the library. "You'll be fine" Chad tried to assure Troy.
"Sure I will." Troy muttered as he watched Chad walk off.
Troy pushed the doors of the library open and quickly signed in at the front desk before scanning the library for Gabriella.
He found her sitting at a table near the back of the library by the large windows. Before making his way over he watched her for a few moments. She appeared to be doing some sort of English homework, as she would read for a few seconds and then scribble a few things down on a paper. He watched in awe as she would flip the pen so she could trace what she was reading with the back end of it. Then, as she flipped the pen and clicked it, she would stare at the paper for a few seconds longer before writing her answer on the paper.
Just as she turned the page in the book she looked up and made eye contact with Troy. Troy smiled, praying that she didn't think he had been staring at her. He made his way over to the table and sat across from her.
"Hi" Gabriella greeted.
"Hey. Whatcha working on?" Troy asked.
"Oh just English stuff. We had to read two stories from Uncle Tom's Children and then answer these questions. The stories are just so depressing." Gabriella sighed. "So I'm sure anything you have will be happier"
"Well, is precal really any better? Synthetic division? I don't know about you, but that doesn't exactly sound like a box of chocolates"
"Oh trust me. That sounds much better than the deaths I've been reading about. Where should we begin?" Gabriella asked.
"The beginning" Troy said.
"Funny" Gabriella answered sarcastically.
"No, I'm serious. My precal teacher never makes any sense" Troy explained.
"Ok, let's start"
50 minutes later Troy wrote his final answer for his final homework problem and dropped his pencil.
"Done"
Gabriella reached over and picked up Troy's paper to look over it. Her lips curved into a smile as she came to the end of the page.
"Good job wildcat. You got them all right!"
Troy grinned, "You are seriously an amazing teacher"
Gabriella shook her head sheepishly. "Nah, you're just a fast learner."
"If I was a fast learner I would've learned this is class. It's you" Troy pointed out. Gabriella smiled gratefully,
"Thanks"
"No, thank you Brie, you just saved my butt"
"Don't worry about it. Especially after everything you've done" Gabriella said. "And by the way I don't think I ever got the chance to really thank you for Saturday. Luc and Lily really enjoyed themselves"
"I'm glad I had a good time too" Troy smiled.
"And Lucas is really excited for the game on Friday. So you better not disappoint" Gabriella smiled.
"No pressure" Troy laughed sarcastically. Gabriella giggled as she glanced up at the clock.
"I guess I should go. Lucas and Lily will be finished soon."
"Finished with what?" Troy asked.
"Lucas goes to basketball after school on Wednesdays and Lily takes an art class" Gabriella explained as she packed up her books.
"Cool. Do you want me to drive you home?" Troy offered.
"Nah, we can walk" Gabriella insisted.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, it's a beautiful day outside. And besides I know you have practice. You've been such a great friend. I wouldn't want you to be late for practice because of me. I'll see you tomorrow Troy" Gabriella smiled and turned to walk out of the library.
"Bye Brie" Troy said. Gabriella turned around briefly to wave her final goodbye.
Troy let his head fall on the table in front of him.
Friend.
One syllable and a knife in the heart.
A/N: So that didn't quite end where I had originally planned, but I think it's for the better. Something tells me you'll like the next chapter, so I'll try to get it up as soon as I can. Thanks for reading. Please review!