"I told you to be patient and I told you to be fine. I told you to be balanced and I told you to be kind. Now all your love is wasted, and who the hell was I? Now I'm breaking at the britches and at the end of all your lines. Who will love you? Who will fight? Who will fall far behind?"

Skinny Love, Bon Iver

In Gabriella's opinion, basketball players would make excellent actors. Either that, or they were really not phased at all. There had been hype since she had arrived at the school weeks prior about the big basketball playoffs and of course, the expected championship that year. She knew that the team had been practicing nonstop; afternoon practices during free period and practices after school until 5:30 PM. Basically, it was rare when any basketball player had free time. How they managed to keep their grade average above a C was beyond her. While the rest of the student body had the jitters, the pre-game excitement that Wednesday in school, the basketball players all took it as just another day instead of the opening of playoffs.

All but one.

With his head trained to the floor beneath his feet, Troy navigated through the halls avoiding peoples' stares and whispers. And the halls were a river of red and white, Wildcat colors, only reminding him of the night that was to come.

And just barely, Gabriella felt him. He was walking swiftly, his gray hood sweatshirt pulled over his head, his earpieces of his iPod visible as they dangled until they reached the front pocket of his jacket, where his sacred device was stuffed. His shoulder brushed against hers, roughly and she really could not tell if it had been intentional or not. The passing had its effect though, causing Gabriella to turn after he was a good distance away, only to see the back of a retreating Troy. So maybe it wasn't intentional, but then again she had not seen him turn back to look at her first.

"Did you two get in a fight or something?" Sharpay snapped her out of her stupor, the immediate question cutting through all of the boggled thoughts in Gabriella's mind.

Her eyebrow rose questionably, wondering if other people thought the same as Sharpay. There were whispers; she would be an idiot to not hear them. There were rumors; she would have to be crazy to pretend they did not exist. All in all, Gabriella tended not to let the small things get to her. There was nothing a small shrug could not brush off of her shoulders. "No…why would you even think-"

"Because you have both been giving each other death glares all day," She sighed dramatically, leaning against the locker that was next to Gabriella's.

There were a few twists of her combination lock as she avoided Sharpay's curious gaze that was begging for the answers. "Nothing happened."

Sharpay would not have that as an answer, it was unacceptable. She knew that she did not have 20/20 vision, but she was far from blind. "So it's just sexual tension then," She said with a wave of her hand, dismissing it as if it was nothing.

"What?! No!"

Gabriella's head darted from left to right, checking to make sure that no one had heard Sharpay's suggestion.

"He practically undresses you with his eyes." And with that, Gabriella felt the heat rise up on her neck and on to her cheeks. "I can just tell," Sharpay crossed her arms over her chest.

"He does not see me like that," Gabriella tried not to slam her locker closed after putting away the books that were not needed for her next class. This was a task that never before had she considered difficult.

Sharpay's eyes widened like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car. "Are you kidding? Just look at him the next time he's with us and you will see. He likes you, plain and simple."

"No."

"No? Why no? I know him, trust me," Sharpay assured but to Gabriella it sounded like nothing more than chastising.

"I can read people really well," Gabriella supplied. She liked looking at people as if they were elaborate novels with plots, problems, rising action, the climax and of course the conclusion. People were always their own kind of mystery, much like Gabriella found reading most of the time. When she was reading a good book, she would not want to put the book down. When she would meet an interesting person, she only wished in getting to know them better. And so far, from what she had seen in Troy, she knew that he was closed off. If there was any way that he felt the same about her as she did about him, it would be apparent; a clear cut sign.

"When I'm with him and we are talking or we are alone, he just always seems like he is looking for something more or something else," Gabriella voiced her thoughts out loud. There were many times Sharpay had allowed the new girl to surprise her and this time would be one of them.

People would look at Troy Bolton and see nothing more than a lost cause, not wanting much to do with him. He didn't allow people to know him really well but from what people did know of him- he was complicated. And what Sharpay admired about Gabriella was that she was persistent and even gotten this close to capturing Troy's undivided attention. It was rare and even Sharpay, the one who was said to crave everyone's attention, was aware of this.

"There's something there between you two, you can't even argue that there is not. When I look at the both of you, I see it and when I'm around the both of you, I feel it. Now don't go telling me that I am crazy," the blonde said slowly and surely, expressing some thoughts that she had somehow managed to keep to herself.

"You're not crazy."

And it was as simple as that- Gabriella felt it too. She knew something was there but she just could not put a finger on what it was exactly. And she really could not tell if Troy ever thought about her as much as he ran through her mind or if he even cared. Sometimes she had felt like she was talking to a wall. But she was determined to break down the barrier and for that, Troy was determined to not let her be someone who gets away, someone who would simply give up on him.

"So you do like him?" Sharpay asked but made it sound more as if she were stating the obvious.

"I like…" Gabriella chose her words carefully. Sure, Sharpay was the closest thing she had to a best friend since she had moved and she was basically the only person she could confide in. Nonetheless, Sharpay was still best friends with Troy and also dating his best friend. It was a sticky position to be in. "…being around him?" She finished slowly, finding herself satisfied with her words.

"And I'm sure he feels the same."

"Doubt it."

"I know what you're thinking!"

What am I thinking then, Troy's mind questioned the teacher that he could only describe as insane.

"It is much too soon to be discussing the final project," Mrs. Darbus did her best to imitate a teenager's voice. To no one's surprise, she had failed miserable.

That's exactly what I was thinking, Troy continued to internally mock her for his own amusement.

"But surprise! I am discussing it," She continued, sounding almost too excited about what would be the final project of the class, worth more than half of the classes' percentage points. Troy gasped exagerating, his eyes widening when he had actually done it outloud instead of in his head. He coughed nervously as the teacher's eyes narrowed in his general direction. The action was forgotten with a simple shake of the head, as if she was disappointed. But the same wacky smile reappeared on her face almost instantly. Mrs. Darbus could not help but be excited while discussing the final project.

In other words, the project was crucial. Having never been in the class, a few seniors slumped down in their seats, fear evident on their faces. "This is going to be exciting!" The dramatic arts teacher exclaimed when all of her students faces indicated that they thought it would be the exact opposite.

Troy glanced to his right, finding Gabriella with her head propped upright by her hand, her eyes filled with sudden interest, her attention fully captured.

"Now, the final project is basically whatever you make it to be. It can be anything and when I say anything, I mean absolutely anything," Mrs. Darbus exaggerated the word for the full effect, her eyes widening the slightest bit more every time she said it. "You could dance, sing, act out a skit, read a poem or story, anything at all. It could be as extravagant as you'd like it to be. If you chose to read only one sentence like 'the sky is falling', you could still receive an A," the teacher explained as thoroughly as she could. "But you better read that one line with such conviction and credibility that we're all diving on the floor, covering our heads for dear life," She finished, a smile on her face proving that she truly did enjoy every aspect of her work earning a few muffled laughs from a few students.

"Are there any questions?" She asked a different class than the one that was sitting tiredly in their seats before she explained the project. Now, almost each student had ideas flowing through their heads, already putting the pieces together.

Jason slowly let his hand raise, timidly and shaking as he did, waiting for Mrs. Darbus to nod in his direction, willing him to speak. "So you really mean anything?"

He spoke for almost all of them who needed clarification. This project was just too simple, there had to be some kind of catch. Ashton Kutcher would be rolling out with his camera crew any minute now. And second. But Mrs. Darbus still stood there, the same smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, meaning you and your football friends might choose to discuss a game you have won, or the playoff games coming up, hopefully a championship," She added a wink.

"Basketball," Chad coughed from where he sat, earning a smirk from his girlfriend. And it had been that easy for them to be on good terms again.

But this was the part that Troy couldn't stand; the expectations. When people expected so much, they were only setting themselves up to be let down. This is how he directed himself not to live. He never wanted to be someone to let anyone down, or even himself. So that meant no pressure, no expectations.

"You catch my drift, though," the teacher said, moving her hands in a motion as if to be caught up with the 'hip lingo' or so she had called it. "This will be presented the week of your finals but you can start it as soon as you would like. You may choose to wait until the last minute; it is all up to you. Finals are the last week of May."

She allowed the information to sink in, even a few students jotting down notes on the assignment. Gabriella was still transfixed, her mind working a million words a minute, there were so many possibilities. There was too much one person could possibly choose to do as their project. This was going to be a lot more difficult for her than it would for anybody else.

"Good luck," She said finally, glancing up at the clock to note that there was less than three minutes left of class. "And to you all," Mrs. Darbus made eye contact with each teenage boy who was displaying their jersey with pride, "best of luck tonight."

Let the pressure begin.

He could hear his pulse in his head. No, this was not natural. There was no way he would make it out of this game alive. Troy tried breathing but his body was not working with him. This was it, he kept telling himself. What would his father say? What would his team say? The first playoff game and he was going to lose it to the nerves that were building up?

There was less than 30 seconds left and Troy felt paralyzed with the ball in his hand, the game was his. Behind three points, Troy was frozen. He didn't know whether to go left or right. What had happened?

The game was fine, he kept up with the quick pace, the pressure from his father and teammates and they had dominated the first half. Now, he did not know what to do, where to move, the court was spinning in slow motion as his head throbbed heavily. In this distance, he could hear his father shouting his name, along with the whole red and white side of the gymnasium.

If the Wildcats won this game, they would have to play one more game to advance to the championship. Then why was the first game killing him?

Troy was quick to turn his head in an attempt to move his sweaty hair that fell in front of his eyes. He squinted, never look at the scoreboard, he reminded himself. That would initially be his downfall. The gymnasium was stocked to the brim, yelling, screaming and shouts of encouragement could barely be heard; the nose was drowned out by static. The fans and classmates in the bleachers were merely blurs.

All these thoughts came rushing in at once, seeming like it was enough to knock the wind out of him. And right then, Troy wondered what it was like to have your life flash before your eyes, as if on the last strands of death. He figured it must be similar to where he was now.

His muscles burned much like an inferno, his mind screaming at him to give up. But he was Troy Bolton. He refused to back down or quit.

Exhaling for some kind of balance, Troy dribbled once, reality slowly falling back into place. Motion began to regain its natural color, the blurred figures finally distinguishable as people. Finally, when some of the air had been cleared from his head, Troy passed the ball to Chad, hearing as the ball made sharp contact with his hands, moving towards the final destination; the net.

He took another deep breath, moving down court, looking anxiously over his shoulder to surprisingly find himself wide open. Once again, it was only him. This was now or never.

His vision seemed as if it had become high definition in the matter of minutes, his father on the sidelines, his mouth closed tightly. A few rows back, he could see who was in the stands. Sharpay was probably the only person in the whole gymnasium who was shielding her eyes. She simply could not look and was just waiting for the final buzzer. The suspense was too much to handle.

Next to her was his clarity. For a brief moment their eyes connected, and the whole school stood still, frozen. With agile hands, Troy managed to keep a hold of the ball that had been passed to him. He could not look away from her though.

Gabriella did all she could do, hold his gaze, feeling the pressure, the pain, everything that he was undergoing right then and there. As if her soul was as porous as a sponge, she took it in, her eyes closing momentary, signaling for him to let go. It was all written in his eyes. He blinked and she nodded, a nod of reassurance, watching as he turned a put a shot up.

There was no comprehension or understanding for Gabriella was not aware of what was happening. Just like that, the crowd burst into applause, everyone who was still sitting was now on their feet, palms pounding together, fists pumping. She couldn't see him anymore, his body blocked completely from her view as he was rushed by the rest of the team.

She had never seen people so excited, smiles so happy and wide. It was surreal. Sharpay was shrieking like a maniac, which only added to the craziness that surrounded them. An afro emerged from the standing dog pile of basketball players, opening his arms for Sharpay to launch herself into.

There was a light tugging at the corner of Gabriella's lips and for the first time in what she felt like was a whole day, a smile began to form on her face. Barely able to resist herself, she bit back laughter, her arms folded across her chest as she stood, watching the scene before her. She could not remember a time that she had seen anything like it, feeling a sharp pang in her stomach and a prick at the back of her eyes.

Keeping her head ducked down, she slipped away from the celebration unnoticed, finding the hall just outside of the gymnasium completely empty due to the game that was just won. Steadying her breathing, Gabriella rested her head against the cold wall. This was something that she could not control. Just when she began to feel happy, truly happy, the guilt sunk in and it became too much for her to take. She didn't understand why she should be happy when he wasn't there with her, he was gone and he wasn't coming back.

Physically, she felt as though she could be sick. Her eyes were stinging with the familiar feeling of tears that she knew would soon follow. Gabriella sighed, closing her brown eyes tightly before turning her back to the wall, leaning against it for some kind of support.

She smoothed out her shirt, which had been red for the occasion. Being so wrapped up in her own thoughts, she had not even heard the swinging that indicated the gym door opening.

"Gabriella?" Troy was already at her side, his hands clasped on her shoulders, trying to instigate a reaction. "I watched you leave, and I saw how you looked and I just had too…" his voice trailed off, his blue eyes searching her downcast eyes.

"I'm fine, just claustrophobic," She lied with ease. "No big deal."

His hands dropped almost instantly. "Oh. I was just checking, I didn't know because you know, I wanted to just make sure-"

"I'm fine, thanks," Gabriella cut off his rambling, taking in his confused expression for the first time since he had chased her down. "Are you okay?"

His head shook quickly. "Yes." And his head shook again, "I mean no. Wait, I mean yes, I am fine." Just confused as he had ever been. He still was not sure what had happened in the gymnasium. He wondered if she had even noticed that he had looked to her for the answers and sure enough, she had given them to him.

"You should get back inside then," She suggested, noting that he was missing most of the student body chant his name and his team's. "You are being praised."

"I'm only going back in there if you come with me." He watched as her eyes shined a different shade of brown for a moment. "I mean, I just don't want to leave you alone." Troy wished that sometimes there was a button for mentally slapping yourself.

Her breath caught at his choice of words. Maybe Sharpay was right, just maybe.

"Come on," He urged, his arm slipping around her waist, pulling her along with him. Even when she had began walking the same pace as him, he let his arm remain there, drawing her closer to him.

Maybe.

September 30th, 2009

You can always notice when there is a big shift or a huge change. I do, I cannot pull myself away from them, as much as I want to some times. It's like receiving a huge project that will be due at the end of one of your classes that is required for graduating. Though it is stressful and causes you to worry, you feel a rush of excitement. I had been racking my mind all day for something to write about but really, there's not much going on in my head today. My thoughts are jumbled. I wish for once, someone would come to me with all the answers. I miss my dad. I miss how things were. Go Wildcats?

-B