Chapter 22

A Few Days Later...

Troy's Point of View

I sat on my hospital bed in the room which I occupied and watched the tv, until my mother signed the release forms so I would be free from this place that smelt of rubber. I don't know why but it just does. I sighed and looked at the pill bottle in my hands. Beta-Blocker. Yep, it's what's suppose to help me out with my heart condition. Something I wished I never had. Then there was the whole, I'm getting married part still to come talk with my mom.

I sighed. I didn't want to think of that. But Gabriella told me it was best. I know it's best because I suggested it. I looked out the window and saw the clouds going grey and becoming thick. I decided to have a day just with my mom. Troy and Mom time!...yeah a terrible saying but it got through to her.

My mom and I still had things to talk about.

Like...

My dad in Rehab.

Her new boyfriend.

and last but not least...

My engagement...which she still doesn't know about and I plan to tell her.

I heard the door open and in came in my mom. I looked at her and she looked sad. Why was she sad? I had to figure it out and I wanted to know. This is the woman who gave me life for 17 years. I mean I have to let her explain everything don't I? I hope everything is ok by the time the day is up. And it's only noon.

"Ready to go, Hun?" she asked me, in the motherly tone and I nodded and grabbed my things and started out the room, walking along side my mother. Once outside and into her Lexus and onto the road, I spoke.

"What's wrong, Mom?" I asked sensing her uneasiness.

"Nothing, Troy. Don't worry about me I'm fine," I didn't believe one freaking word.

"Liar. Your eye twitches when you lie." I pointed out and she sighed and then looked at me and then back at the road.

"Let's go get something to eat and we'll talk about everything." I agreed and we arrived at Griffin's(made up) Diner. We got a booth in the back and place our drink orders.

"Your unhappy. I can sense it Mom," I started and she looked into my eyes.

"Yes, I am. I want your father back." I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. This wasn't what I was expecting.

"He's in rehab, Ma," I pointed out and she nodded.

"Yes and he gets out in the end of June." I nodded along, saying I knew that.

"Your willing to take him back? What if he doesn't take you back? And what about this new guy, Nate?" I asked and saw her sit back. The waitress came by and sat our drinks down and then took our orders and left.

"I've spoken to your father, about two days ago. You were talking with Gabriella and I called the rehab and asked to speak with him. He knows about you being in the hospital and the HCM and he wants me back as well. He says we both messed up and we need a new start for our family." I was so blanked. I couldn't believe this.

"And Nate?" I asked, remembering my mother's 'boyfriend'.

"We broke it off a month ago." I nodded. Silence overcoming us.

"Troy, why do I have the feeling your hiding something from me?" I knew never to let my mother see my eyes. That gave me away easily to her. I loved my mom and I knew she could read me like a book. I guess I just grew closer to her.

"Because I am hiding something. Actually I've been hiding it since February." She looked hesitant at me and then nodded for me to continue with my side. "I proposed to Gabriella on Valentine's Day and we're getting married in July." Shock was written all over her face. The waitress placed our food in front of us and left us alone. I started eating and then looked at my mom. She was still frozen like before. I waved a hand in front of her face and she snapped out of it and began eating. She didn't say one word to me.

"Mom say something." I said placing both my hands on the table.

"What do you want me to say Troy? That I'm happy for you? Because I think your insane! Your 17 years old. You still have one more year of High School. Why not wait until after college!?" she asked raising her voice a littler louder and stern.

"I love her mom. I would die for her. If she hadn't ever moved into the house next door, then I'd be back with Dad's drinking when your not home and sometimes beatings. But I guessed your were too busy fucking some damn horny bastard." I said sternly and she gasped at me.

"Troy Adam Bolton!(a/n:if i said something different before sorry!), Don't you dare say that to me! EVER!" she shouted in a whisper.

"I don't give a damn, Mom! I thought you of all people would support me! But I guess it doesn't matter now, does it? I have Keith and Andrea to fall back onto if Dad doesn't agree. They've been more of the parents you'll ever be!" She looked hurt when I said that. I hope it did hurt her. She trashes on Gabriella I trash on her.

"Look, Troy I'm sorry ok?" I looked at her and continued for her to go on. "I just don't want you to do that same thing I did when I was younger," she said and I gave her a confused look and which she seemed to see and relaxed. "Troy, I met your father at 17 and we fell in love and got married at 18. I ended up pregnant with you during our senior year and we had you and raised you like our parents wanted us too. What I'm saying is...why can't you wait?" I sighed and looked her straight in the eye.

"Because I'm not you or dad." I said, standing and walked out the diner and walked home in the rain. When I arrived I went to Gabriella's house and unlocked the front door. I shut the door and started walking towards the kitchen.

"Hey," said a quiet voice behind me. I turned and saw Tess sitting at the kitchen counter and looking down.

"Oh...um hey Tess. Where is everyone?" I asked, already hating them for leaving me here with her.

"Out. Look Troy...I have to come and understand that Gabriella is my step-sister and your going to be my step brother in law. I admit I was jealous of your and Gabriella's relationship...well because I've never actually seen anyone but you and her be in more love than one. My parents marriage failed and I'm stuck going to my dad's every other weekend. But when I'm with my mom it feels like...everything in my life is down the drain. I like Keith in all but I have to keep in mind, he's not my father," she said and I was wondering why is she telling me all this? It's not like I want to know. I have my own damn problems.

"Tess, why are you telling me this?" I asked the obvious question, running through my mind.

"Because, I don't know. I need someone to talk too. I never meant to hurt you or Gabriella. I never meant to do any of the things I did. I had a crush on you, ok? But I don't any more. I still think everyone in this house is messed up but half of them are my new family. And I have to know that I have to keep that in mind." I was freaking confused.

"What are you trying to say, Tess? Your lonely and want friends?" I asked and she nodded.

"I'm sorry for everything. I just want someone to talk to besides my messed up parents." I sighed and looked at her.

"Don't go to me about this. I'm ok with you, it's just that Ella's needs to decide. I can't really keep you in my mind. I have a fucking heart condition, my life if screwed up Tess. Just don't fucking think about your damn self all the damn time! I mean your sitting here pitying yourself about your damn divorced parents! NEWS FLASH! my parents are whacked in the mind! ok!? They think me marrying Gabriella is a bad thing, well my mom does, I haven't spoken to my dad. And don't get me started on my dad, Tess. Just go to someone else." I said and stalked out of the room. I honestly don't know where that came from. I guess with a heart condition I get mood swings.

I walked up the stairs and into mine and Ella's bedroom and slammed the door shut and sat on the bed. I layed down and looked over and saw Gabriella's iPod on her radio. I stood and walked over to it and hit shuffle. The first song that came on...

Color Blind by The Counting Crows.

Gabriella really has good taste in music. I sighed and went back to the bed, not before I grabbed the iPod radio remote and turned the music up all the way up, where the whole house could here it. I just listened to the song and thought back to everything that happened before I met Gabriella. Know one knew I was hiding what my dad did to me. Sure he was the basketball coach at East High, but he had an evil side. Beatings and the drinking. But only on the weekends when mom wasn't home. I just felt useless. I always made sure I was happy go lucky in front of my friends. They always seemed to buy it, except Ella. She saw right through me and I loved that about her. That's one of the main reason's I'm marrying her. She can read me. And I love that about her.

I didn't notice someone slip into the room, until I felt hands on my head pushing my hair back. I looked at who it was and It was Gabriella. She gave me a soft smile and I moved over and let her lay beside me.

"It'll get better, Troy." she mumbled into my chest as she snuggled closer to me. I looked down at her.

"What do you mean, Ella?"

"We all walked in on you and Tess' conversation. We heard you blow up on her. I stayed downstairs and talked to Tess. We're not great, but we're on good terms for the moment." I smiled softly and closed my eyes.

"Promise me it will get better. Promise it and not just say it. Mean it." I said and kept my eyes closed.

"I promise Troy. I promise you." I nodded and kissed her head and fell asleep then and there holding my Ella in my arms. I knew she meant it now. I could tell. So color bind.