HEY GUYS THIS IS MY LONGEST CHAPTER YET. 4,509 WORDS! ENJOY!

Chapter 3

I remember the day you told me you were leaving
I remember the make-up running down your face
And the dreams you left behind you didn't need them
Like every single wish we ever made
I wish that I could wake up with amnesia
And forget about the stupid little things
Like the way it felt to fall asleep next to you
And the memories I never can escape

Troy's POV

"Come get your shit!" I say as I walk into my penthouse. I throw the bags of food on the kitchen counter and place the drinks next to it. They all three scramble into the kitchen, Jason tripping on one of Zeke's shoes. I roll my eyes, and I head to my bedroom.

"Where ya gwoin, Woy?" Zeke asks with his mouth full.

I roll my eyes in irritation, but I keep walking. "My room. Is that okay with you, Zeke?" I ask sarcastically. I don't wait for his reply, and I push open my bedroom door. I jump back on my bed and sigh. I close my eyes and put my hands behind my head, trying to figure out why Chad hung up so quickly. I push myself up, and I go to my walk-in closet before moving some of the clothes that's lying in huge pile.

I pull out a cardboard box labeled 'Gabriella', and I sit on the ground. I open it and smile at the objects on the inside. I pull out the photo album she gave me for our two year anniversary. I flip through with a sad smile before placing it next to me. I grab all the photo frames-14 to be exact- and look at some of our other pictures. I sigh as I find my favorite picture of Gabriella. We were just taking random pictures on our phones, and I got one of her laughing. Her nose was scrunched up, and her brown eyes were sparkling. I sit those on the photo album. I take out some of her clothes she left and put them on the ground.

I almost shut the box before something catches my eye. I bite my lip and grab the two things left in the box. I exhale through my nose, and I feel my eyes start to burn. I trace my finger over the glossy image before grabbing the shoes. I turn them upside down and look at the bottom of the little white shoes. "Baby Bolton," I whisper before squeezing my eyes shut. I throw the shoes down, and I remember when she told me...

I frown as I look at the student section behind me on the bench. I don't see my Ella. Sharpay, Taylor, and Kelsi are all here, though. I raise my eyebrows in question, but they all shrug their shoulders. I turn back to the game and bite my lip. Ella promised she would be here since we've barely been able to see each other. My dad's been having us Wildcats practice like crazy for the State Championship against our rivals, the West High Knights."Bolton! You're in! Get Larkin!" My dad yells, and I jog to the announcers' table.

"Bolton, 14," I report and the ref waves me in. Time to forget about Ella and play my heart out.

We're down 78-76, and Chad has the ball. There's six seconds left in the game, and I set up at the three point line, my hands ready to receive the ball. Chad acts like he's going in for a left-handed layup but tosses it back to me. I catch it, and I push off the wooden floor and shoot. The buzzer sounds, and the ball circles the rim before falling in. I grin, and everyone starts to scream and jump on me. I feel myself being lifted up, and I take the trophy and lift in the air. My smile starts to slip as I realize who's missing. They put me down, and I hand the trophy to my dad before heading to the locker room. I quickly throw my clothes in my locker before going to the showers. I dry myself off and change into a white wife-beater, red and black plaid shirt, dark wash skinny jeans, and gray Vans. I walk out of the locker room, hoping to be undetected.

"Hoops!" I hear. Damnit!

I turn. "Hey, Chad," I greet my best friend, who has a grin on his chocolate face.

"Man, we're champs! You ready to party our asses off?!" He asks excitedly.

I sigh. "I'm not going, Chad. I need to check on Ella. She wasn't here tonight."

He waves his hand carelessly. "Y'know Brie's probably just studying away for some test that she'll get an A++ on, and she just forgot the time," He states confidently.

I shake my head. "That's not it. It sounds lame, but something just doesn't seem right. Have fun tonight, buddy. Well not too much fun," I say and slip out the backdoors of the gym. I walk to my beat-up blue truck and slide in. She finally starts after about two minutes, and I pull out of the East High parking lot.

Seven minutes later, I pull in to see all her lights out. I get out of my truck and hop the backyard fence. I smirk to myself as I see her bedroom light on. I make my way up the tree and heave myself onto the balcony. I knock on the French doors, and she opens the doors a few moments later. I'm shocked, to say the least. Ella's hair is all ratty and going every direction. Her cheeks are stained with tear tracks and mascara, and my Wildcats' shirt on her was all wrinkly. But she still managed to look beautiful.

"El?" I ask softly. Tears quickly fill her eyes, and I wrap my right arm around her. I close the balcony doors and lead her to her bed. She lays down, and I follow suit and pull her into my chest. "Tell me what's wrong, baby," I whisper, stroking her ratty locks.

"Yo-you're go-gonna hey-hate meh-me," She stutters before letting out a sob.

I lift her chin up gently and make her look at me. "I could never hate you, Gabriella Anne. Now tell me what's got you so upset," I demand softly. She closes her eyes for a moment before opening them again, fresh tears in her red-rimmed doe eyes. She grabs a little box off the side of her bed and shakily hands it to me. I furrow my eyebrows, but open it nonetheless. I pick up the pair of small knitted white socks. "Um, babe, I don't know what this means, but these socks will definitely not fit me," I say. She lets out a small giggle, and I smile at her.

She takes a deep breath. "Well, they are meant for babies," She says slowly.

I furrow my eyebrows deeper. "Why would we- oh shit," My eyes widen and I look at her stomach. "Yo-you're pr-preg-" I can't even finish the damn word.

She nods and hands me a sonogram. "Nine weeks," She says softly. I look at her before staring back at the picture. I trace my finger absentmindedly. This is my baby. This is Ella's baby. Our baby.

I look back at her, a smile graving my features. "You know, this isn't exactly what I had in mind, but we can adapt. You and me will be the best damn parents the world has ever seen. This baby is not a mistake. He or she was made out of love, and that's just what we're gonna show the baby," I say confidently.

Tears of joy spring in her eyes, and she tightens her hold on me. "I love you, Troy," She whispers.

I kiss her hair and place a hand on her stomach. "I love you, too, Ella. Forever."

Gabi's POV

As the maid of honor, it's my duty to cater to the bride's needs. To help with the wedding, to go cake testing, to calm her down, to plan the bachelorette party, etc. Most women love helping their best friend with their big day.

I'm not most women.

Taylor's one of the worst brides I have ever seen in my life. She freaks out on every little thing, she screams at people, she makes you(or just me) do a billion things at once, and she doesn't even thank you for your hard work! She's turning into Sharpay, for Christ's sake!

Actually no, she's turning into a fucking bridezilla.

Don't get me wrong, I was so honored and excited she asked me to be her maid of honor. I thought this would be a total breeze since she's so organized, and everything would be all dandy.

Boy was I totally wrong.

If I would've known she's was going to turn into a huge bitch, I would've told her to ask Sharpay!

And her being a huge bitch was what led me to escape my OWN house where everyone was staying and going to McDonald's with my daughter. And since she's a bitch and I left, I ran into Troy. So now, I'm sitting in my study and scowling at the wall.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I don't care! If Tay would have been a calm and cool bride, I wouldn't have had to have gone to McDonald's. If I wouldn't have went to McDonald's, I wouldn't have ran into Troy!

Grr, fate's definitely not on my side.

I sigh and turn to my Mac. I smile wistfully at the wallpaper. It's of Marisol and I from when we went to Spain with my mom to visit my dad's parents. Marisol has her arms tightly around my neck with a big smile, and I'm holding her waist with a soft smile. "Times are so much easier when it's just us, Marisol," I whisper in the dim room. I feel lonely all of a sudden, and I rub my arms. I open my desk drawer and grab my weathered lyric notebook. I grab my pencil that says 'Best Mommy' on it and start to write lyrics down that come to me.

Twenty minutes and a bunch of random stanzas of lyrics later, I'm interrupted by a knock on the door. I put my pencil and book up before saying, "Come in."

The door opens, and Sharpay walks in. She flops down in the leather chair in front of my desk with a loud sigh. I wait patiently for her rant. "Holy shit," She breathes, rubbing her temples.

I nod my head. "She's nuts, isn't she?" I ask smugly.

She nods her head quickly. "I had no clue this is how she'd be!" She exclaims in an exasperated tone. She waves her hand. "Anyways, what are you up to in here all by yourself?" She asks curiously.

I clear my throat. "Escaping bridezilla, wallowing in self-pity, and writing lyrics," I answer honestly.

She nods. "So I heard from my adorable niece all about her new friend she met at McDonald's this morning. Could that have anything to do with the wallowing in self-pity?"

I nod. "Yep, she almost told him her age, but luckily, he was being called for his food. I busted out of there," I say, biting my lip.

Sharpay adjusts her pink tank top before settling back in the chair. "Gabi, you need to tell him. And soon because the longer you hold this off, the more pissed off and hurt he'll be," She says.

"Why do I have to tell him?! Marisol and I have been just fine for the past three years, and Troy won't have to worry about us. I mean, I won't ever see him in person again after the wedding, Shar! So why?" I exclaim.

"Because he deserves to know, Gabriella! That's why! You can't keep running away from him! It's destroyed him!" She yells, standing up.

I stand up and press my pointer finger against the desk. "You don't think I know that? Do you know how many times I could never fall asleep because of I kept seeing his face from when I left!" I yell back.

She shakes her head. "No, you don't know that you literally broke him! Hell, he almost lost his scholarship at Berkeley! He drank like there was no tomorrow! He got high as hell! He almost killed himself, wondering why you left him! He thought he wasn't fucking good enough! SO DON'T FUCKING TELL ME YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!" She screams at me.

I sit down in shock. No one's ever told me how deep his pain actually was. I knew he'd be upset, but I never thought he would question if he was good enough. He is amazing, and that's why I had to leave. I didn't deserve him then, and I sure as hell don't deserve him now. "What the hell is going on in here?" Taylor shrieks with Kelsi, Mami, and Marisol behind her. I break out of my trance. How the hell did Sharpay know the extent of his pain? She knows something. I see the glint in her eye that she always has when she knows something I don't.

"Nothing," Sharpay says angrily, getting ready to leave.

"Sharpay, wait!" I say. She stops, and I turn towards the girls. "Could you guys give us a few more minutes alone?" I ask. They don't seem to move, so I shift my gaze lovingly to my baby. "Hey, baby girl, could you see if your aunts and Nana could get you some ice cream? You've been very good these past couple of days," I say, smiling when she nods. She pulls on all of their legs, so they reluctantly leave. "Will you sit down?" I say in a cool voice.

"Fine," She spits, sitting down.

I follow suit and lock my hands together on the desk. "I'm not going to dance around and say bullshit neither of us want to hear," I pause, searching her hazel eyes, "Tell me what you know that I don't."

I see her tense up. "I al-already told you what I know," She says, pulling her hair over her right shoulder.

I purse my lips and glare at her. "I think you're lying to me, Sharpay Noelle Evans. You tensed up when I asked you, and you always pull your hair over one of your shoulders when you get nervous. So just get it over with, and tell me," I say, looking at her coolly. I watch as she has an inward battle with herself, and I decide to change my approach. "Sharpay, you're supposed to be one of my best friends. Why can't you just tell me what else happened after I broke up with him?" I plead with her. Just as she's getting ready to burst, the door swings open. I groan in frustration.

"Gabi, ready for our lunch date?" Blake asks. Shit, I forgot he asked last night.

I stand up. "Yeah," I say, grabbing my phone. I grab Blake's hand, but I look back at Sharpay. "This isn't over."

Troy's POV

I run my fingers through Violet's blonde hair as she drags her tongue along my lips. We break apart for a moment to take off our shirts. She starts to press kisses down my jaw. I called Violet over since I needed a distraction from earlier, and I kicked the guys out. I flip us over on my bed, so She's underneath me. She giggles, and it doesn't sound right to my ears. It's too shrill, but I kiss and suck her neck. We take off the rest of our clothes, leaving us in our underwear. I go to take hers off, but I pause. For some reason, I can't do it.

"Troy, baby, take it off," Violet breathes.

I shake my head and get off the bed. "Will you please leave, Vi?" I ask, putting on a pair of basketball shorts.

Her mouth drops open, and her bright blue eyes get darker. "What?" She yells in a shrill voice, scrambling out of the bed. She grabs her bra and puts it back on.

"Please leave," I repeat, my patience already very thin.

Tears start to form in her eyes, and I inwardly groan. "Why, Troy, why? The past few days, you've been super distance from me! You've been ignoring my texts and calls, and I haven't seen you in two or three days! Now you won't have sex with me? Just tell my why!" She pleads, grabbing my hands. I look down at her aloofly, and tears escape her eyes. "Troy, I love you!" She cries, and my eyes turn to slits.

"Don't say that. You don't mean it."

She takes one of my hands and places it over her left breasts. "I do, Troy! I love you with my whole heart!" She sobs desperately. "Please stop denying it!"

I rip my hands from hers. "Get out of my damn house, Violet. Don't call me, don't come by. I'll call you if I want to talk," I say distantly, tossing her clothes to her. She lets out another sob as she pulls on her clothes, and I roll my eyes.

"I lo-love you, Troy," She cries before walking out of my room and apartment.

"Ugh, that was annoying," I mutter to myself, collapsing on my bed. I look at the time: 4:26 PM. The rehearsal dinner is at 5:30, and I push myself off the bed. I take a quick shower and go to my walk-in closet before sliding a wife beater on. I take a lavender Calvin Klein dress shirt off the hanger, and I put it on, buttoning the shirt. I go over to pants' section and grab a the Egara charcoal gray slacks. I put them on, and I put on my my black belt. I grab my Joseph & Feiss ivory tie, and I quickly do the tie. I slide my feet in black Calvin Klein slip-on loafers before standing up. I walk out of my closet and take my phone off the charger. I put it in my pocket and walk over to my dresser. I put on my Old Spice deodorant and Versace cologne before putting some gel in my hair. I wipe my hands off and walk out of my room. I grab my keys, wallet, and sunglasses before heading out the door. I slide my sunglasses on as I get in the elevator.

"Hey, Scott," I greet my doorman as I get off the elevator. He nods his head at me before opening the door.

"Troy! Where you headed off to?"

"Troy, you look great! Going to Chad and Taylor's wedding?"

"Troy, why was Violet crying?"

"Troy!"

"Troy, over here!"

"Troy, how is Gabriella?"

I freeze. How the hell do they know about Ella? I shake it off and quickly get in my car. Chad and Taylor live in Hidden Hills, so it's about a forty minute drive. I really hope that Gabriella doesn't bring her... boyfriend to Taylor and Chad's house. I just hope I don't fuck it up this time. Note to self: lay off the alcohol. I smile softly as I remember my meeting with Marisol. Man, that girl is so cute. But I'm still trying to figure out why Ella was almost crying. Chad didn't help either! He just changed the subject when I brought it up!

I see the sign 'Hidden Hills.' Wow, I didn't even realize I had been driving for forty minutes. I pull in and drive up to the person in charge of the gated community. "How may I help you?" The guy asks after he opens the window.

"Um, I'm here to see Chad Danforth and Taylor McKessie."

He nods and grabs a clipboard. "What's your name, man?"

I take my sunglasses off. "Troy Bolton," I say. I chuckle as the man drops his clipboard.

"Y-you're good," He stutters and opens the gate for me. I wave to him before I speed off. I pull to the side of their driveway since there's a ton of cars in the driveway. I lock my car and walk to the front door of their large white house. I knock and shove my hands in my pockets.

The door opens to reveal Taylor in a long blue dress, and her shoulder length black hair in waves. "Troy!" She squeals and pulls me into a tight hug.

I chuckle and hug her back. I kiss her cheek after we pull away. "You look awesome, Tay," I say with a grin.

She rolls her eyes with a soft smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Bolton! Now come on, Chad keeps asking where you are. I swear, that man loves you more than me," She says, pulling me in the house.

I laugh and follow her through the large home. "I'm pretty awesome, so it wouldn't surprise me," I say cheekily, and she glares at me. I hold my hands up, and she leads me to the patio where Chad's family, Taylor's family, the groomsmen, and the bridesmaids all are sitting. I notice the only one missing is the Maid of Honor.

"Troy!" Chad literally shrieks, leaping out of his chair. He hugs me, and I hug him back, fully aware of how gay we must look.

"I've missed you, man," I say in a fake sobbing tone.

"I've missed you, too," He says with the same tone.

"Told you he loved you more than me," Taylor says, shaking her head at us.

We don't make a move to release each other. "Sorry, babe, bros before hoes," Chad says cheekily.

I watch as Taylor eyes darken. "Shit, not the right thing to say, man," I mutter as we pull away.

"Chaddyus Elias Danforth, you did not just call me a hoe!" She screeches. I start laughing, and so does everyone else, as most of them didn't know Chad's real name.

"I-uh-um, y-you see, Yo-your Highness," He blubblers.

"Uh oh, I heard 'Chaddyus.' What'd he do now?" Her warm voice teases. I look over, and I swear my heart stops. She's wearing a white lace sundresses with little triangles cut out just a little under her boobs, and she has white wedges on, making her legs look like they're miles long. Her ombre hair was left in waves and rested on her shoulders. She's smiling, and I tremble in my knees. God, she's gorgeous.

"Twoy!" A sweet voice squeals and interrupts my thoughts. I look down and smile, seeing Marisol hugging my left leg. She's wearing a strapless floral dress with black hi-top Converse. I smirk, Converse is where it's at. She has her dark brown hair up into a little bun with a few stray hairs framing in her face.

"Marisol!" I say back and pick her up. I throw her in the air, and she shrieks with giggles before I catch her.

"Again, again!" She chants. I chuckle and shake my head. She pouts, her big, blue eyes staring back at me. I crumble, and I throw in the air again. I smile as I hear her giggles. They're contagious.

Gabi's POV

After an hour of eating Zeke's delicious food, everyone is just kind of doing their own little thing. I'm sitting with Taylor (who's finally becoming her calm self again, praise sweet Jesus) and her older sister, Tanya. I smile as I see Marisol running around with Tanya's son, Luke, and Chad's oldest sister's, Camryn, daughter and son, Kellie and Kole. "Hey, Tay, I'm going to use the bathroom," I say and stand up from the patio chair.

"You know where it is?" She asks. I nod, and she returns to the conversation with Tanya. I walk into the house and start my search for a bathroom. I might've lied to Taylor, but who cares? I find a set of stairs and walk up them. I trip on the last step, and I close my eyes, bracing myself for the fall...except it didn't come. Well, I did fall, but I landed on a solid chest that sent a warm fuzziness I haven't felt in years. I open my eyes, and I'm met with a pair dazzling cobalt blue eyes. I suck in a breath, and he chuckles.

"Hey, Ella," He says with a smirk.

"Hi," I say back.

"Um, as much as I'm enjoying this, your dress is going to get all ruined if we stay like this any longer," He points out. I blush and scramble off of him. I hold my hand out, and I pull him up. He smiles at me, and I turn even more red. He suddenly grabs a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. "I like your hair, it's different," He says softly.

"Thanks. I, um, needed a change. I guess my hair took the blunt of it," I say, biting my lip. He smiles at me.

"Troy, get down here! I need to kick your ass in some one-on-one!" Chad yells from downstairs.

He rolls his eyes, and I giggle nervously. Oh my God, I'm turning back to sixteen-year-old self. "Well, duty calls," He says. He leans in, and I hold my breath. His lips touch my cheek, lingering there for a few moments. "It was nice falling with you, Ella. Let's do it again," He whispers with a smirk before walking back down the stairs.

I softly touch my cheek where he kissed me. I had a feeling there was another meaning underneath his words.

oooooooh ;) Troy met Marisol! And we saw into Troy and Gabi's past! Next chapter is the events leading up to the wedding, and maybe the actual wedding. I haven't decided yet. Tell me what you thought in reviews :)