Stolen

A/N: Based on the song by Dashboard Confessional. It's pretty Amazing!

Basically what i've decided to do is take every verse (and yes. the word is verse. thanks taylor!), and make it into a chapter. The lyrics that have inspired the chapter will be written at the bottom in italics!

Enjoy!

Four months.

The orange colors of the leaves were slowly morphing into those of red, and then cascading down to the cold ground. The days seemed shorter, and the nights longer.

Summer was gone.

Winter had begun.

Troy sat alone in front of the blazing fireplace, leaning comfortably against the sofa.

The festivities of Christmas were well underway, Troy’s family restless in the kitchen, close friends heading over in just hours…

The night would be just as it was in high school.

Everyone all together, a grand reunion followed by loud laughing.

Troy sighed as he shut his eyes.

The cracking of the coal was a soothing sound; popping with flames and then landing upon the hearth.

Troy had arrived in Albuquerque earlier in the day; he was the first of the group to get out for winter break.

Gabriella was the last.

It had been months since they’d seen each other.

The sleep surprised Troy; he awoke to a light tap on his shoulder.

His eyes fluttered awake to his mother.

“You’re friends should be here any minute. If you wanted to change for the party, I’d do it now…”

Troy blinked slowly, “What time is it?”

Troy’s mother sighed, “Six-thirty, Troy.”

Troy stretched his shoulders back and yawned, “Okay.”

Mrs. Bolton smiled and shook her head, “Go put some nice clothes on.” She said as she disappeared back into the kitchen.

Troy stretched his legs and then jogged up the stairs.

“…and then he ran into the waiter!” Taylor said through a laugh.

The room erupted with laughter.

The dinner had been eaten hours ago and the party had reassumed in the Bolton’s large dining room. Everyone sat around the table with eggnog and hot chocolate, swapping stories.

But there was one person missing.

Ryan had started on his story now, about a voice teacher with the oddity of a lisp, hilarity ensued.

Troy was only half there.

At every chance given he would glance to the door, hoping she’d come through.

“Troy?”

The voice of his father jerked him back to the dining room table.

“What?” He said quickly, hoping his distant behavior was unnoticeable.

“Doesn’t one of your teachers have a lisp…or…something?” Mr. Bolton asked, continuing to laugh from Ryan’s story.

“Oh, no.” Troy answered; relieved his behavior had gone unnoticed. “It’s Doctor Fletcher, he has a weird twitch when-”

“Hey everyone!”

Troy’s story halted as the sing-song voice spoke.

“Gabriella!” The crowd responded happily, as they stood to give and receive hugs of friendship.

Troy remained seated, his jaw agape.

Gabriella looked stunning in a simple sweater and jeans. Her hair flowed just below her shoulders; the wavy tresses playfully swaying alongside her laughter; her bright eyes glistened.

“Hope I’m not too late!” She giggled as her friends pulled her into a large group hug.

Troy watched from the table as the questions flooded in; a million a minute.

Gabriella showed no anxiety as she smiled happily and answered the questions as they came.

She was always the crowd pleaser.

Troy sat back and watched her talk about her college life, and then intently listen to the other's as they casually butted in.

She was always a good listener.

Troy was convinced that Gabriella's smile could light up the entire room.

She was always beautiful.

All too soon, the hot chocolate was gone, and the fire was dimming.

It was time to say goodbye.

The group had moved into the front entry hall; where their heavy winter coats hung upon the coat rack.

Taylor and Chad were the last to leave; taking each other’s hand as they walked into the frosted air.

Gabriella began to pull her coat on, followed by a black scarf.

Troy grabbed her elbow softly.

Her brown eyes met his of blue.

“Want to take a walk with me?” Troy asked softly, his eyes pleading a confirmation.

Gabriella simply nodded, pulling her gloves over her hands as she followed Troy out the door.

The air was cold as the pair walked down the street. The trees swayed in the wind and the snow flurries, cascading down to the ground, looked as if they were magic in the lit street lights.

Gabriella sighed, as she did her breath was visible; she shivered.

The more they walked in silence, the more a sort of tension grew.

It was cold, and wet, and Gabriella wanted to go inside.

She didn’t understand why they had to walk around in snow for them to get caught in a net of silence.

Gabriella sighed again.

Troy sighed.

Gabriella sighed.

Troy sighed.

Gabriella looked at him; he was smiling.

Gabriella giggled as she looked ahead.

“What are we doing Troy?” She asked, glancing towards him.

Troy shrugged, “Taking a walk.”

“But what are we really doing?” Gabriella asked, stopping on the sidewalk.

Troy turned to face her; he smiled.

“Okay, you caught me.” He grinned

Gabriella’s facial expression became baffled, “What are you talk-”

“I was going to wait until tomorrow but…” Troy reached into his pocket and a long square box was pulled into the winter night.

“…You know how impatient I am.” He smiled, holding the gift out with both hands.

Gabriella smiled, “What did you do Troy?” She asked playfully.

“Open it” Troy’s blue eyes sparkled, anticipating her face.

Gabriella paused, and then slowly grasped the edges of the box. Using her thumb and index finger, she carefully flipped the lid up.

Gabriella gasped as her hand quickly flew to her mouth.

Troy beamed as Gabriella became elated.

She reached into the box and ran her smooth finger over the seven stone, diamond necklace.

“Is…is this real?” Gabriella said finally, although it came out as a stutter.

Troy nodded, “They’re like…white diamond or something…” He added nonchalantly. In all honestly when buying the necklace, he just bought the one that he thought Gabriella would like most. He didn’t know what it was until he read the description.

“How much did this cost?” Gabriella asked, still in complete awe.

Troy laughed, “It doesn’t matter.”

Gabriella tore her eyes from the necklace, her eyes were confused.

Troy took a step closer; he slowly elevated his hand to her cheek and stroked it softly.

“You’re worth it.”

Gabriella smiled as she felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

“I love…” Gabriella began, and then realizing what she was saying, quickly disguised it.

“…this.” She said foolishly. Her eyes cast down and her cheeks blushed pink.

Troy gently tilted her chin, so she had no choice but to look at him.

“I love…” He started, mesmerized by the troubled look in her eyes.

Why had he never said this before?

She probably hated him now.

Gabriella looked at him; Troy saw the spark ignite in her eyes.

A spark of hope.

Troy forgot his nerves.

Forgot himself.

“I love you.”

Gabriella smiled as she closed her eyes; she pulled herself to him and hugged him tightly.

Troy rested his head against hers.

“I love you.” He repeated softly into her ear.

Gabriella pulled back and looked at him, her shiny tears glistening upon her cheek.

“I love you too.”

Troy laughed and tilted his head forward, capturing Gabriella’s lips in a melting kiss.

As the kiss ended Troy rested his nose against Gabriella’s.

“I love you, Gabriella.” He told her, “I always have.”

Gabriella smiled.

Although Troy couldn’t see it, she was happy.

The happiest she’d been in a long time.

Troy caught her lips in another gentle kiss.

“Merry Christmas Gabriella.”

“Merry Christmas Troy.”

Troy slipped his hand into Gabriella’s palm as they walked home.

The snow storm was behind them.

“Invitation only
Grand Farewells
Crush the best one
Of the best ones
Clear liquor and cloudy eyed
Too early to say goodnight

You have stolen my heart.

You have stolen my heart.”

A/N: ps. That last line was a metaphor.

The snow storm being compared to their relationship in the past year.

I didn’t want anyone thinking they’d get caught in a blizzard or something…. :