"Sudden change"
..This is too much for me to actually handle. And the worst thing is that I don't know how to react at all. What do I have to say or what is right for me to say when the guy who treated me like shit for two straight years, suddenly comes up to me and tells me he wants to be my friend and even more? It sounds even stranger when I say all of it in only one sentence. I don't know if this is a dream or just some kind of sick joke (which is more likely to be the truth). However, I'm lost. I'm confused and I am sitting in my kitchen with Troy.
-Do you want something to drink? Something to eat?
-No, I just want you to sit and let me explain.
I do what he says. I sit opposite of him and round the brown wooden table. I stare at my fingers and wait with anticipation. What is he going to say? Why now? Does it even matter that much? Is it going to change anything in the future for me, for him, for us (if there even is such a term)? However, before all of that there is something general I would like to know from the start.
-Troy, please tell me if this is some kind of joke.
-Trust me. It's not, it's not at all. No one knows I'm here.
-Ok, then. Why did you kiss me?
-Because I have been wanting to do that for quite some time.
-But why? You and I hate each other. We always have and hours ago I thought we always would. Why now?
-I don't know. I just started feeling something else for you. I couldn't control it even if I wanted to. I started to like you but not like I like Chad. I started to really like you. And I had to tell you because I couldn't take it anymore.
-Troy, I don't really know what to say.
-Then don't say it. Don't say anything. Just give me a chance.
-A chance for what?
-A chance to prove everything I just said.
I look at my hands again and then stare at his eyes. It hits me like a ton of bricks. Oh my God. It's right there. I can see it now. All the hate isn't there anymore. Now I can actually resolve the mystery. In his eyes. There is something new, something positive. I can see it, I can feel it. I can't define it exactly but it's definitely there. And that's all that matters.
-Okay.
-Okay what?
-Okay, I will give you a chance.
He suddenly smiles widely and gets up. I reluctantly get up as well and in a few seconds can feel Troy hugging me. It's new but I can't say I don't like it. I feel warm and safe and seconds later his whisper.
-Thank you, Brie. Thank you.
I hear my alarm clock ringing and curse it under my breath while I stretch out to turn the fucking thing off. Why am I always so stupid? Why didn't I turn it off since it's Saturday? Oh, may be I know why. Because I was too in shock to function properly after Troy's confessions. Right, I had forgotten for just a second. However, this is enough for me to wake up and go take a shower even though it's sometime around 8 o'clock.
I put on an oversized t-shirt and some old sweats. I just decided to spend my whole day laying around and rationalizing on what might change in my life. I go downstairs and spot a small note, left on the kitchen table. I know who it is from and what it is about without even looking at it.
"Woke up early and went to work. Be back until 8. Love you!"
Love you, too, Mom. I sigh and go to the fridge. Nothing inside as I had expected. I didn't go shopping on Thursday because of the Science project and mom had a late night at work once again. At least there is some milk left, so I use it to make myself cornflakes even though I am not that hungry. There's nothing on TV, so I decide to start my DVD day with "Sex and the city. The movie". I lay on the couch and put my favorite pink blanket around myself. I press play and finish my cornflakes.
God, I had forgotten how much I love Sarah Jessica Parker. She is so gorgeous, so smart and Carrie Bradshaw is..perfect or just very, very close to perfection . I've watched the series and have come to the conclusion that she is that simple way. She has everything a girl can wish for. She has the friends, the boyfriends, the career, the clothes and bags and shoes. All of it. But most importantly she has the man. I can't help but think of Troy right now. He is not my man or anything but still is the only person of male gender who comes the closest to that term in my life right now.
Our "life" together began exactly two years ago. It was my first day in East High and I was starting high school. I was nervous, scared, excited, everything. I wanted to make friends, I wanted to meet cute guys but the thing I desired the most was to fit in because it wasn't exactly like that in my old school. This time I could turn out lucky or at least I was hoping to very badly. But that didn't quite happen.
Anyway, me and my mom had moved in Albuquerque from Michigan that summer and we had been settling in the house for about two months, so everything was ready and set. She had been transferred again but this time it was going to be a lot more permanent - until my graduation. I was relived and happy because of that fact but after certain events my feelings transformed into the exact opposite. I was new in town and the whole school and everyone looked at me as if I was coming from another planet. I was used to that feeling. Nothing bad had happened yet.
I was walking into my first class. I had taken off my braces in Michigan five months ago, so I was happily showing off my perfect smile. My outfit was casual because I didn't want to show off with something too elegant and not even close to my usual style. Suddenly I heard my name being called out and I turned around to meet him. Troy. He was standing right there, surrounded by Sharpay, Chad and a few other boys from the basketball team. They were laughing silently, so I knew this wasn't going to be a very warm welcoming. When I saw him, my knees started shaking and suddenly my palms were sweating hard. He was the most perfect guy I had ever seen in my life. He had his own gorgeous smile, well-built body and muscular arms. The most fascinating feature which still is the first thing I notice about him whenever I see him- his eyes, his very blue eyes. It's like they pop out without even him knowing. He kept staring at me until I realized I was the one, staring at him. I suddenly came back to Earth and heard him calling my name. But how can he know it?
-Yes?
I whispered it but it turned out it was loud enough for him to hear and stop shouting my stupid name. We were meters apart from each other and everybody was staring at the "perfect" scene and trying to hear. ?..
-Are you new?
-Yes.
-Well, I was just going trough the Internet the other day and suddenly I saw an article about you. A very, very interesting one.
Oh, no. Oh God. No. Please.
-What..what article?
-Well, after reading it, I came to the conclusion that you really are smart. And it seemed like, back in Michigan, the whole population there knew it, too.
-What are you talking about?
-What can I possibly be talking about, Gabriella? Right, guys?
Everyone around him suddenly made a sound of agreement and started laughing louder and beaming at me like I was their shiny new toy.
-I think East High just got itself a brand new brainiac. Give it up for Gabriella Montez! The newest and most nerdiest nerd of all East High's past times!
They all started shouting, pointing at me and repeating what he just said, including Troy himself. I felt like puking and my vision wasn't quite clear. My knees were shaking but in a different way this time and I couldn't feel my hands moving or any other part of my body for that matter. I felt the tears coming and wanting to get out but didn't want to show them they have won by making me cry even though it was the plain truth. I took my bag and turned around. I didn't want to go to the bathroom to wash my face and make my tears stop. I wanted to think it through. Think through my position in life, in East High. From now on. So, without actually knowing where I found so much strength, I ran through those big "welcoming" doors for the second time that morning and went straight home, without turning back once. The house was empty, so I just went to my bathroom and stayed there for far too much time until some of the tears had escaped permanently.
That's at least how I remember the beginning of it. Then everything sort of cooled down a bit and just became sort of a routine for me. I-
-Gabriella!
Suddenly, I hear Troy's voice shouting my name loudly. I look around me. The movie is somewhere in the middle but quite close to the end because Carrie just got back from her "magical" honeymoon and is starting to look for an assistant. I quickly get on my feet while pressing "pause". I take a look at the mirror before finally opening the door. My hair is a mess, so I quickly make a casual ponytail and fix my stupid clothes the best way I can.
As I fully take a look at Troy Bolton with his favorite Aviator Ray Ban sunglasses on, leather jacket, washed-out jeans and blue, matching his eyes, shirt, I suddenly feel like shit but even though try to pull off the best smile. I don't know why but I am happy to see him. I really am.
-Hey, Troy.
-Hey, beautiful.
Wow, he thinks I am beautiful right now? Th- Wait! He takes exactly two steps forward and hugs me kind of tightly. I am a little surprised at first but definitely do not want to pull away. I can feel his arms making their way around my waist and his head somewhere in my hair, touching my left shoulder. I automatically return his hug and place my own hands on his back, squeezing him even tighter without knowing why. However, the real thing happens two seconds after my movements. My heart skips a beat when I hear Troy whisper huskily into my ear:
-I missed you.
I have an urge, a powerful need, something that is killing me inside - I want to answer with the same words but I can't. I still can't. I am not sure. I am lost right now. I am confused. So, I just smile and sigh happily in his own ears, so he understands my appreciation at least.
-So, what have you been doing all morning, Brie?
Troy comes into the house and I close the door quietly, while watching his every move. He gently puts his gorgeous jacket on the couch and goes to the kitchen. I suddenly start to wonder what is his scent like and smell in general. Soft.. male.. sweet?
-Not much. I just ate some cornflakes and I am finishing up a movie. You, Troy?
I try to act normal and confident. But this is not even close to being normal and I definitely need to take a shower. Troy fills two glasses with orange juice and we sit on the comfy purple piece of furniture, somewhere next to my blanket. How did he know that I am a huge fan of orange juice at all times?
-Well, I woke up a few hours ago. I ate breakfast, went for a jog and decided to come here. Btw, Sex and the City? Really, Brie?
-Yeah. Shut up. I'm just a big fan.
Even though he kind of ruined the moment, I feel my wide smile forming on my face. I'm guessing it would probably be because of the fact that Troy's first important and meaningful done thing today is that he came here, in my own house.
-Anything new?
-No. I haven't spoken to Chad yet but sadly I am almost 100% sure that there are no parties scheduled tonight.
I was talking about someone breaking his leg or arm. Or someone being sick or even just feeling bad or good in general. Wow. We really do live in different worlds.
-So, what do you want to do?
-I want to take you out tonight, Brie.
-Like on a date?
-Of course. I want us to start getting to know each other. From tonight.
My heart skips two beats this time. He's taking this seriously and he knows the best way to get to the perfect ending. Is this even possible? And still- is this real?
-So, what do you say?
-Yes. Of course. I would love to go on a date with you tonight.
He smiles his beautiful smile and relief is written all over his face. May be cares, may be he doesn't. I am not totally sure yet. He stands up and takes his jacket.
-I'll pick you up at 8.
-Sure.
Troy is just about to open the door when he suddenly turns around and the look on his face says he has forgotten something. But I'm not so sure about that because there is no- He kisses me on the cheek. I feel myself blushing but smile at him anyway. Wow. I honestly don't know how I will sleep tonight.
He turns around to leave again but this time I stop him.
-Hey, Troy?
-Yeah?
-How did you know about the orange juice?
-Just been watching you in school for some time.
I blush again but this time avoid his big and charming eyes or at least try to do so. I hear the door slam and I immediately run off to my bedroom. What to wear? What to wear?..
To Be Continued...