The Guy Next Door

Chapter 27

A week later

Troy's POV

The day Gabriella broke up with me I was angry but I didn't know why and I at the same time I felt like I had just been shot in the chest. I still went over to Sharpay's even though I knew I shouldn't have and I ended up fucking her brains out, taking my anger out. And although I hate to admit that it did feel kind of good, and even better for Sharpay, it gave her the wrong idea and now she thinks we're back together and I didn't have the mind to deny it. Needless to say the whole school now whispered about how she and I were back together and of course Gabriella found out. I didn't even know what to think anymore, I didn't even know what happened between Ella and I and I never let her explain or help me understand. If she didn't before though, I'm sure now more than ever she thinks I cheated on her. I just hated myself so much right now. It was lunchtime and I went to sit with Chad but he moved away.

"Chad what the fuck?" I said to him.

"Troy Brie is my best friend too and you hurt her and you did to her exactly what Sharpay did to you. The Troy who is like a brother to me wouldn't have done that to a girl he supposedly was so close to being in love with, the girl who is the nicest person in school, the girl that did everything to make you happy. I don't know what the fuck Sharpay did to you, if she brain washed you or whatever but I can't be friends with you. Not when Brie is hurting the way she is now." Anger flashed through me.

"You don't think I'm hurting to?!"

"If you were hurting you wouldn't have gotten back with Sharpay as soon as you did after you and Brie broke up, and you wouldn't have gone over to Sharpay's house after it all." He met up with Taylor and left. Leaving me there to stand in silence, because he was right. I needed to talk to Gabriella. I left and went searching for her in school but couldn't find her so instead of going to practice after school, I went to Gabriella's.

Gabriella's POV

I had just got home and changed into my jogging outfit when I heard a knock at my door. I was putting my hair up in a high ponytail when I answered. I was surprised to see who it was.

"Hi Ella."

"Troy?" A hint of happiness swirled through me but then it was replaced with anger as the memories of what had happened popped in my head. "What are you doing here?" I said coldly. He sighed.

"I just want to talk….please." I shook my head.

"Why should I listen when you didn't listen to me when I wanted to try and talk with you?" He went say something and then stopped before starting again.

"I know…I know…just please." He moved closer to me and I backed up.

"Your girlfriend will kill you she finds out you're here" He shook his head and frustration.

"I don't fucking care. I need to talk to you. Please." I sighed.

"Fine."

"Thank you." I let him all the way in the house and went to the couch as he followed and sat beside me. We sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Well?" I said impatiently. He sighed.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened between us, I'm sorry I freaked out and didn't give you a chance to say what you wanted and I'm sorry for just everything I said and have done since then."

"All I wanted to do was communicate my feelings about something Troy…that is what you're supposed to do in a good relationship…communicate with one another. That's all I wanted and you couldn't give me that." I said in a flat and neutral tone.

"I know…I know."

"Do you though? Do you really? I was never accusing you of cheating but now that you've gone and got back with Sharpay when we've only been broken up a week, I'm not so sure." Troy closed his eyes and when he opened them again they were rimmed with tears. I almost gave in and tried comforting him then but I had to stand my ground. This was a very serious situation.

"I'm sorry Ella." He said in a very audible voice.

"Is that all you have to say Troy? Because if so you can leave now. That could have just been said at school or through a phone call."

"I just…I guess I don't know what else to say. I never meant for things to go wrong with us. I didn't realize things had changed so much between us like you pointed out."

"How could you not? You were spending all your time with Sharpay yet I was the one you called "babe" it made no sense if you ask me."

"I didn't realize I was spending so much time with her…"

"Well you were." I said as I sighed. "I think you were never over Sharpay, and I think you've still had feelings for her since you two split." Troy went to say something again but then stopped and that's how I knew I was right. I gave a small smile. "I hope it works out between you two this time." I said quietly.

"Thanks." Troy said just as quietly, and then I got up.

"I need to go for my jog before it rains. You know the way out." I grabbed my iPhone and put my ear buds in as I started the music. "Bye Troy." Then I left.

Troy's POV

I watched as Gabriella left and then sat there a while longer with my thoughts. She was right about Sharpay…I guess I never was over her…I was just trying to distract myself from those feelings…and I used Gabriella for that. I felt like such a dick at that moment. What I couldn't figure out though was why I wasn't over Sharpay after she cheated on me and after all she put me through. It was obvious she didn't love me…at least if she had then she no longer did at that point in time. Gabriella was right about that the night she listened to me vent. Sharpay flirted with other guys all the time, and then to find out she cheated? What person does that to someone they love? Yet somehow I was still drawn to her. I couldn't resist her, I had sex with her when she came to the apartment during out project, I had sex with her after Gabriella and I broke up. I couldn't resist when she kissed me at work that one day. Thinking back on it now though, did I really love her, or was it just lust? No I loved her at one point and part of me always would since she was my first love but since we broke up it was nothing but lust, I just couldn't contain my hormones. Talk about a horny school boy. But what to do now? With Gabriella I knew my feelings weren't fake, they were as real as possible, and it wasn't just lust with her. It was the want of her companionship, the want of being with someone who felt just like me but I believe I fucked that all up. I just didn't know what to think…or do. God why couldn't things be easier? My phone went off, taking me away from my thoughts.

"Hello?" It was Sharpay.

"Hi baby! Still coming over?" I sighed.

"Yeah be right there." I hung up and left Gabriella's place.

Gabriella's POV

I went for a longer jog than I normally did and even kept going when it started to rain. I just wanted to run and forget everything. Things had become so difficult, I wish they hadn't. Why couldn't something just for right for me for once? Was it so much to ask? I shook my head and kept running picking up the pace as the world melted with the blur of the rain around me. I probably ran a good six miles around town before I stopped to sit on a bench in a park to catch my breath and calm down. After about ten minutes I ran home and when I walked inside and up to my room to shower I got a call on my cell.

"Hey Ry" I said in the most cheerful voice I could manage.

"Hey Gabs"

"What's up?"

"Um well I have an important question to ask you…"

"Um okay…what is it?"

He took a deep breath and I grew more curious.

"Will you come be my date for my prom? I know Troy might not like that idea but in all fairness you were mine first" I smiled and laughed.

"Actually I broke up with Troy a week ago. I'm sorry I haven't called or said anything about it. I just wanted some space but to answer your question I would love to be your date. Just give me the details and I'll make my flight arrangements and all that right away."

"I'm sorry about Troy, and we'll talk more about it when you get here, but thanks so much Gab"

"Of course Ry, I love you."

"I love you too Gabs."