The next few days have not been doing so well for Gabriella. Every day she tried to look for a job and she can't find anything. She was unemployed, her father doesn't want to talk to her and she has to live with some guy whom she barely knows so much about. Sure Troy gave her money every month but she knew she can't take money from him forever. She needs to make her own money.
One day, while meeting up Sharpay at a bistro, they both noticed that there was a 'Help Wanted' sign pasted at the window.
"Gabriella, look. They're looking for a waitress to hire," Sharpay said while pointing to the sign.
"I don't know Sharpay. Waitress? I don't think so," Gabriella said.
"You see? This is why you still don't have a job," Sharpay said. "You keep passing on job opportunities too easily because you're just too picky."
Gabriella gasped dramatically, "I am not picky. I just want to find a good job to help me financially till I get the real job I want."
Sharpay sighed, "Gabi, you and me know that the real job you wanted is still far away. Why don't you just take a pit stop for awhile and just live in the moment. Is that so hard?"
Gabriella shrugged, "Kind of."
"You should get the job," Sharpay insisted.
Gabriella gave a moment to think. Maybe being a waitress isn't what she planned but she could just do it for money. The food at the bistro is delicious. Plus, maybe she could learn some of their recipe and try it out at home. Three weeks after living at her and Troy's new home, she still hadn't used the kitchen to cook for real.
"I'll do it," Gabriella said.
Sharpay smiled widely and took Gabriella's hand to walk to the manager of the bistro who was now taking care of the cash register.
"How may I help you?" the manager asked.
"My friend here would like to apply for a job at your bistro," Sharpay said. "This is Gabriella and she would love to be your new waitress."
Gabriella smiled awkwardly. She saw the manager examining her as if to check if she was good for the job.
"I guess we could give you a trial run and see how you go. We are kind of desperate right now so we practically take anyone but for now, let's make you work part-time for the mean time," the manager said.
Gabriella didn't know if she should feel insulted of what the manager had said or grateful that he is willing to hire her. "Don't you care if I have any sort of experience whatsoever?"
"Nope. Like I said, we're desperate. You'll start the night shift tonight starting 6pm. See you here," the manager informed her before walking away.
Sharpay squealed in excitement for Gabriella but Gabriella just stood in shock. She can't believe she went from unemployed and then to employed again in just one minute. In fact, it's too good to be true.
"I can't believe she just gave me the job just like that," Gabriella commented.
"Are you going to pass up this one too? Again," Sharpay asked, irritated.
"No. I'm willing to take any job but I guess this is all moving too fast," Gabriella said.
"Fast like you and Troy? What is new between you two anyways? Is romance starting to develop?" Sharpay smirked.
"As if. We're just roommates," Gabriella said.
"But you're still getting married to him right?" Sharpay asked.
"I don't know exactly. We never talk much about it. Mostly because he's at work most of the time," Gabriella explained.
"You know, playing hard to get is a good way to get a guy. Maybe you and Troy might one day fall in love with each other," Sharpay said.
"What? Sharpay are you crazy?"
"I'm just teasing Gabs," Sharpay replied. "No need to get all up-tight. Unless you are starting to like him. I don't blame you. He's so hot!"
Gabriella shrugged in agreement, "I guess. One time, he went out of the bathroom shirtless. I have to admit it, he has really ripped abs," Gabriella said while remembering the time she and Troy almost collided with one another while Troy was walking out of the bathroom and Gabriella walking into her room with a handful of laundry. It didn't take a genius to know that Troy in fact has a really hot set of abs.
"Like Josh Duhamel hot?" Sharpay asked.
Gabriella nodded, "Hot."
Sharpay sighs dreamily, "Can you imagine you touching his ripped abs? I bet you'll like it," she teased.
"Oh shut up! I regret mentioning it to you at all," Gabriella said.
That night, Troy had just got back from a tiring day from work. His boss told him he has to come up with a song soon for an album. He has so many things going on in his head that he couldn't think of anything to write. He was having a total writer's block.
Troy was surprised that when he arrived at his apartment, it was dark and deserted. Usually Gabriella would be in the living room reading the newspaper to see if there were any jobs available for her. But apparently not today. He checked her bedroom door, but it was locked. Gabriella had even told Troy one day to not open her bedroom door without asking. She gave a reason that she needed some privacy.
He suddenly started to feel worried. Had she left? He entered the kitchen to see if there was a note whatsoever but there was nothing. Where could she be? Suddenly he heard the front door opening. He walked to find out who it was and to his surprise, it was Gabriella, wearing what it seems to be some kind of waitress uniform with a grocery bag in her hand.
"Were you catering or something?" Troy asked.
"No," Gabriella spat. "If you must know I have a job now as a waitress and when needed, an assistant chef."
"When needed?" Troy chuckled. "Did they taste your food and winced a little. Because if you don't know, that means they don't like your cooking," he said sarcastically.
"Funny. I guess that means I would be having dinner alone tonight because you don't know how to appreciate my cooking," Gabriella said when walking to the kitchen.
"What did you cook?" he asked eagerly while following her. Just because he made fun of her cooking didn't mean he didn't like it at all.
"I just learnt how to make curry chicken baked rice and I thought I'd give it a shot. The head chef made me some to bring home and all I have to do is heat it for a few minutes. The dish was actually meant for two but I guess you don't want to try it that leaves more for me," Gabriella said.
"Curry chicken baked rice? What kind of restaurant do you work at?" he asked.
"The Asian kind. Do you want some or not?" Gabriella asked.
"Sure. Let's have it," Troy said.
After heating the dish, Gabriella served it while Troy helped her taking out the plates his parents gave them and arranged it on the table neatly. While the dish was being heated, it started to smell so good; Troy's mouth began to water. He had to admit, he was excited to taste it.
When Gabriella was helping him serve his plate, he couldn't help but notice she was very thoughtful for him. She helped to serve Troy's plate and handed it to him nicely and not because she has to. Even though Gabriella and he fight almost constantly when they see each other, she was still nice to him no matter what. Maybe that was one of her good qualities about her. She never holds a grudge. After Troy tasted the curry chicken baked rice, he kinda like it. It was so delicious.
"So how was it?" Gabriella asked eagerly.
"This is awesome. You should bring more food home from work because this is just so delicious. You should so try it," Troy said with mouth full.
Gabriella giggled at Troy's actions and Troy smiled. The one thing he liked about Gabriella is how sweet her giggle is. He couldn't explain why but he just like it.
After taking a bite, Gabriella spoke, "So I haven't seen you almost every day this week. Busy at work?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to come up with a song by this month but I can't think of anything," Troy explained.
"Can't get inspired?" Gabriella asked sympathetically.
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm no songwriter but I think you just need to relax and wait for it to come to you. Sometimes when you don't know it, something will hit you and your problem will be solved," Gabriella solved.
"Thanks," Troy smiled.
Gabriella smiled back at him, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
Gabriella took a deep breath before continuing, "Are we really going through with this?"
"With the marriage thing?" he asked. Gabriella nodded.
"To be honest, I don't know. I thought it will be easy to find my way out of this but I'm afraid it's much more complicated than that," Troy said truthfully. "My parents already started calling my relatives about the big Bolton wedding."
"How long do we have to carry on like this?" Gabriella asked softly.
"I don't know and I don't mind you leaving right now. Knowing my family, you will never find your way out. You'll be stuck here forever," Troy warned.
"So we are really going to get married?" Gabriella asked.
"If you don't want to, it's ok. I got you in so much mess right now," Troy said.
"Then I guess I'll have to go on with you. Even though we bicker a lot, you're my friend and friends help friends right?" Gabriella asked.
Troy smiled a little, "Yeah."
Troy felt like saying something else but he couldn't. He opened his mouth to say what he wanted but then he saw Gabriella opening her mouth too. "So, have you composed any song that you didn't show to the record company?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I got a lot of those. Mostly about my personal life," Troy answered.
"Can I hear one?" Gabriella asked.
"Why would you want to?" Troy asked back.
"Oh come on. I've never lived with a songwriter in my life. Please?" Gabriella asked.
Troy rolled his eyes, "Alright. But just the verse."
"Deal," Gabriella smiled.
Troy got up from his chair and then took his guitar and sat the same couch Gabriella was sitting at. He then started to play the strings of his guitar. "Ok, before I play, I would just like to warn you that I just wrote this song recently and it isn't finished or that good yet."
"I'll try to not make my ears bleed," Gabriella said jokingly and Troy started to singing.
I'm no superman
I can't take your hand
And fly you anywhere
You want to go, yeah
I can't read your mind
Like a billboard sign
And tell you everything
You wanna hear but
I'll be your hero
Troy stopped playing and waited for Gabriella's reaction. She stayed silent for a moment before looking him. "That was…awesome," she admitted.
"Really?"
"Really. Your lyrics are so amazing. What makes you get inspired to write it?" Gabriella asked.
"Uh…" Troy stammered. The truth was, Troy wrote that song after Gabriella got fired from her job with her dad and he was feeling so guilty that he got inspired. He remembered him saying to her that he'll owe her a favour for being his fiancée and that he will be her hero. "It just came to me out of the blue," he lied.
"Well it's really good. Maybe you should finish it and show it to the record company. Who knows, it might be a big hit," Gabriella encouraged.
"I don't know. It's not even finish yet. We'll see how it goes," Troy said.
"You're a great songwriter, Troy. Don't ever doubt it. In fact, I'm a fan of yours already," Gabriella said, grinning. The silence started to fill the room. Neither Troy or Gabriella spoke. Then they turned to each other and stared into each other for moment. Troy didn't know why but he felt the need to give Gabriella a kiss but he decided not to because it would be weird. "Come on, I'll help you clean up after we eat," he said, breaking the silence.
Gabriella laughed a little and joked as she walked to the kitchen, "Does that make you feel like my hero or something?"
Troy blushed for a moment. Did she know the truth behind the song? Of course not. She'll tell me right? Then again, she tends to keep secrets sometimes...
Sorry if this chapter is a bit boring. I had trouble coming out with an idea with this chapter but I managed to write more than 2000 words.
If you guys want any spoiler for this story, I can only say that Troy and Gabriella are in fact going to get married soon and that they will soon get surprised by an announcement made by one of them.
Anyways, please REVIEW and tell me what you think of the story so far. =)
