Looking Back And Ahead;;

“I walk across a crowed street. A sea of eyes, they cut through me. And I saw you in the middle. Your upset face, you wear it well. You camouflage the way you feel, when everything's the matter. We've all been down that road before. Searching for that something more.” – Jonas Brothers.

Chapter 6;;

Take a breath;;

“Are you going to Keenan’s party?”

“I think my luck with house parties has run out…” Gabriella shakes her head, humoring Sharpay the best she could about the sore subject.

“Oh… Riiiight.” The blond nods, suddenly sorry she brought it up in the first place.

“So I don’t think I’m gonna go…” Gabriella trails off, cringing when she thought about how weird she had felt at Troy’s house party. The adolescent law braking seemed to scare her that night, when usually she didn’t mind it, and sometimes she was even a part of it. Gabriella was no prude, that was for sure. If she went this time she’d most likely be with all her friends. Troy’s party seemed to have an upperclassmen population dominating the large crowd.

“Well if you change your mind, all of us are going.” Sharpay feigned a smile as she twisted the combination of her scarlet locker.

“When you say all of us…” Gabriella kinked an eyebrow; opening her own locker a few metal doors down from Sharpay. “You mean who, exactly?”

“I mean,” She rolled her eyes, “Pretty much everyone we hang out with. Duh, Gab.”

“Well how the hell was I supposed to know who this, ‘all of us’, is supposed to be? You crave gossip, I can’t keep up with who’s the ‘in crowd’ and who not.” Gabriella mocked, teasing her friend lazily.

“Shut up, Gab.”

“Love you, too, Shar.” She grinned, slamming her locker shut.

Ding.

Gabriella’s eyebrows jumped up in confusion as she cast a look at Scooby, already at the door, barking at whoever is waiting on the other side. She wasn’t expecting anyone… Was she? Gabriella padded hesitantly to the large oak door, pulling on the metal handle.

“Hey girl.” Taylor grinned, welcoming her with a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

“Hey…” Gabriella said, trying to remember if she had forgotten if they made plans to hang out. “Am I missing something?”

“Oh, no, I just dropped in.” Taylor says, following Gabriella further in the house and closing the door behind her. “Hey Scooby! You got so big! And so cute!” Taylor leaned over to pet the dog happily, stroking his ears.

“No reasoning behind this?” Gabriella asks suspiciously; Taylor normally didn’t just drop in on her. Sometimes she would get texts saying that she was coming over, maybe five minutes before she got there, but this was weird.

“I would of called,” Taylor says quickly, straightening as she tried fishing her phone out of her pocket. “But my battery died… So, I’m here.”

“Oh… Okay. What’s up?” Gabriella got two waters out of the fridge and threw one at her darker skinned friend.

“Well…” Taylor took a swig from the clear bottle, and then capped it on the counter as she took a seat. “I’m gonna cut the crap. I need some female help, and you know I rarely take interest in the boys at East High.” Taylor shuttered, thinking about the boys in the school who were what she thought was, way under average. So what could this be?

Taylor McKessie has a… Dare I say it? Crush?!

“Who,” Gabriella says excitedly, happy to finally get some scoop out of her intelligent friend. “Is he?!” When Taylor hesitated, Gabriella shot her a look. “Hey, I dished about Troy Bolton, with you. I better get some deets.”

“Its just that I’m not to proud of my crush, Gabi. He’s really not what you would expect from me. And I’m not over exaggerating.” Taylor’s frown was evident on her dark features. Gabriella was suddenly aware how much she was embarrassed by this new crush, and felt kind of proud Taylor came right to her instead of going to Sharpay or someone else. But really how bad could the guy be? Taylor had good taste, the boy definitely had to have some good looks.

“Well…” Gabriella sighed, still trying to get something out of Taylor. “Why don’t you just tell me? There’s no use in sitting here, wringing your hands over probably nothing. Just tell me who he is. I bet you ten bucks it’s not even that bad.”

“You’d lose that bet…” Taylor voice was feeble and her eyes dark as she spoke up. Gabriella’s mocha eyes rolled mechanically as she started to get anxious.

“Tell.”

“Danforth.” The word fell from her plump lips quickly, making Gabriella strain to remember the vowels. When realization dawned on her, her dark eyes popped, olive toned hands slamming onto the counter.

“Say what?!”

“You know…” Taylor said timidly, fingering the evergreen paper wrapped around the water bottle. “Your boy toy’s best friend… Troy’s underdog. Chad Danforth…”

“Oh, god, Tay!”

“I know!” Taylor cried out humiliatingly. “It’s horrible, I know!”

“No!” Gabriella exclaimed, reaching out to pull Taylor’s hands away from her face. “Its not that bad! Really! Actually…” She paused, considering the odds in her head. “This could be good.”

“Did Camille make you sniff crack at that party?”

“Troy’s obviously interested in me… You’re interested in Chad, he would really be an idiot to not like you back, and I have Troy wrapped around my tiny little finger.” Taylor groaned, smacking her head on the counter as she realized the monster she had just created. Gabriella was going to meddle them into something sticky, and then meddle her way out. What has she done?

“Gab, no.” Taylor mumbled into the counter, her voice box pitching in pain.

“I can’t believe you made such a big deal,” Gabriella swatting at Taylor’s hand. “This is great. I can get you in, no problem. One word with Troy and batta bing, batta boom, Chad’s eating out of the palm of your hand.”

“I really don’t like where this is going.” Taylor said sadly, taking a sip of water.

“You should have told me sooner. He is kinda cute, with the afro and all.”

“Gabriella!”

“Nuff said.”

“Are you gonna make me regret this?”

“If by getting you the man you want, and finally getting you some action, sounds regretful to you then I’m sorry. That’d be a positive captain McKessie.”

“I really don’t think you’re taking this seriously.” Taylor glared, mocking angry.

“Sue me for being happy my friend is going to get a boyfriend!” Gabriella threw her hands into the air, her voice light hearted. And I get to help!”

“Oh yay.”

“You love it.”

“Operation Catch Curly Que is in action, captain McKessie,” Gabriella said, the stealthy feeling that only double agents should get, coursing through her veins.

“What in God’s name are you talking about, Montez?”

“I’m talking about getting your afro man for you!” Taylor’s dark coffee eye bugged when she realized what Gabriella was going to do.

“Gabriella…” She warned, trying to take caution as she glanced at the people in the hallway. She pulled her closer to her open locker, trying to keep any innocent bystanders from hearing. “Please don’t do anything drastic, okay? I really don’t like this…”

“Oh, lighten up, Tay.” Gabriella batted Taylor’s hands off her arms and flicked her black eyes across the crowd.

“I’ll lighten up when you actually stay out of my love life.” She glared, her brown eyes almost as dark as Gabriella’s.

“Oh but honey,” Gabriella’s tone softened as she touched her friend’s dark arm, “Then you’d be lonely forever.” When Taylor’s face twisted into an icy glare, Gabriella knew she needed to move. Fast. “Love you, txt me later!”

She took off weaving in and out of people. It was amazing how she got such joy from even the idea of putting Chad and Taylor together. They would look so cute. Now she just needed to find Troy. Shouldn’t be hard, right? Gabriella’s raven eyes searched the crowd, seeking out his dark ceruleans, the flip of his almond hair, the earth shaking features of his face, and that gorgeous smile.

It was funny how when she tried to find him he was nowhere to be seen, but when she wanted to avoid him they would collide.

When she spotted Chad at his locker, large Afro bobbing, a small smirk slid onto her face. He was Troy’s best friend after all, so he should know where the basketball captain was, right? “Hey Chad?”

“Sup?” He asks, turning, and looking surprised when she saw Gabriella standing behind him.

“Do you know where Troy is?” Gabriella talks over the loudness of the crowd, trying to avoid being shoved in the opposite direction.

Chad raised an eyebrow conspicuously. “Gym…” He said slowly, noticing the way Gabriella looked over him with her dark eyes. Weird…

“Oh, okay…” Gabriella said, nodding. “Thanks.” She spun around in the direction of the gym, trying to get to Troy as quick as possible, not seeing the look Chad gave her and she walked away. She knew Troy would be game about this plan she had cooked up. Everyone wants his or her best friend to have a girlfriend or a boyfriend.

When Gabriella reached the gym doors she slowed, silencing her footsteps to watch Troy take a shot on the hoop. Every move he made on the court had intention and grace. He didn’t mess up when it came to basketball. She almost laughed when she thought about how badly their relationship had been messed up. Gabriella wasn’t one to blame other people, but Troy had seriously messed things up for them when he came back from the Bahamas. There was no doubt who would be pinpointed if the topic came up. Staring at Troy for a little bit longer she realized she should of known where he would be. The gym was almost like his second home. You couldn’t look at him and say he didn’t belong there.

Taking small and quiet steps closer she edged her way to the foul line where he stood. There was no way to resist giving him a small scare when he had absolutely no idea her presence was there. How could someone pass that situation up?

Resting her hands on his hips Gabriella leaned up to his ear. “Boo.” Troy jumped, the orange basketball falling to the ground with a thump. He spun around, blue eyes crazed as he stared at her.

“Ughhh,” He groaned, running a hand through his floppy hair. “Don’t do that.” Troy tried to laugh but it came out strangled.

“Don’t do what?” Gabriella challenged, the grin on her face broadening. “Scare the living shit out of you?” A smiled tugged at the corner of Troy’s mouth and within two seconds he had lunged at her, grabbing her by the sides and lifting her into his arms. Swinging her around, he laughed as she squealed, squeezing her eyes shut in the crook of his neck. After a few more seconds of laughter Troy placed her back on the ground, suddenly feeling a little awkward. He let go of her sides, scratching at the back of his neck; a nervous habit he picked up from his father.

“What’s up?”

Gabriella shrugged casually as the lazy smile played on her lips. “Nothing.” She walked over to the forgotten ball and passed it fluidly to him. “What about you? Don’t you get enough of this gym during practices and games?”

“Never.” Troy admitted, taking a shot and watching a little too closely as Gabriella bent to pick the ball up from where it fell. He couldn’t help but let his eyes roam when she was around him. He wanted her, bad. Ever since the first day, he’s seen her in a new light. Was it so wrong to enjoy the view?

“You jocks.” She rolled her eyes, passing him the ball again.

“I’m not the one hunting you down.” Troy joked, shooting the ball. “What’s really up?”

“Well…” Gabriella trailed off, not sure where to start.

“See, I knew there was something you’re not telling me.” Troy accused jokingly, passing her back the ball when she gave it to him. “You shoot.”

“How does Chad feel about…” Gabriella caught herself, avoiding Troy’s look. “Girls?”

“Well he’s not gay, if that’s what you’re asking.” Troy laughed, folding his arms.

“Not what I meant.” Gabriella’s toffee eyes rolled as she gave him a look. “Does he want a girlfriend?” She shot, trying to sound casual as she asked. Gabriella turned towards Troy and noticed how his muscles suddenly tensed as he paled. “Troy…?”

“What…” he said, his voice three pitches higher than normal. He cleared his throat and unfolded his arms, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of the light wash jeans covering his legs. “What do you mean?” He said now, forcing his voice to come off deep and manly. Gabriella raised a curious eyebrow. What was this? Did she sense some jealousy? Because as far as she could see there was really nothing he should be jealous of.

“Do you think Chad would want girlfriend?” She tried again, looking directly at him and forgetting the basketball.

“Um… Maybe?” Troy felt a pull behind his belly button and wanted to die. Did Gabriella like Chad or something? That was so wrong! She knew that he liked her! How could she just talk about other guys with him? After what they’ve been through he thought she was going to at least give them another try.

“You should talk to him about it.” Gabriella suggests, gawking Troy’s reaction. “Cause I know someone who really likes him.”

“Who?” Troy gulps, feeling more than a little nervous.

“Promise not to tell anyone?” Gabriella asks quietly, and Troy nods, numb to her words. “Well you know my friend Taylor, right?” A wave of relief washed over Troy very quickly. Thank the Lord. It was just Taylor that liked Chad. Not Gabriella. Close call.

“Taylor likes Chad?” Troy asks, feeling normal again. The sweat on his palms left and he didn’t feel so tense now. He had no idea what he would of done if Gabriella had liked Chad though… A part of him wasn’t so sure he’d be able to let her go.

“Yeah.” Gabriella grins, “And I’m determined to get them together.

“Okay,” Troy nods, liking the way she thought. “I want in. When do we start?”

“Well I need you to drop hints about Taylor to Chad.” Gabriella says, suddenly all business and no more jokes. “You think he’ll go for her, right?”

“Yeah.” Troy nods, feeling almost positive that Chad would probably take interest in Taylor if she were put in front of him. They probably just didn’t really get the chance to know each other. Well, Mr. Anderson did put them together in the seating plans during science, but how were they to mingle in a science classroom? That was no way for a relationship to bloom.

“They need to hangout outside of school first, then when they’re in school things wont be so awkward.” Gabriella says, taking a seat on the bleachers as Troy went to get the ball. It almost seemed like he thought better when the surface of a bumpy orange sphere was in his hands. Her eyes fell over his body, and for a second she forgot about Chad and Taylor.

Troy loved her.

“Okay, I can have a few people over one night and you bring her, I’ll bring him.”

He said he loved her.

“Sounds good…” Gabriella says, in a trance. When the words formed on her lips, she had been thinking about how good it had sounded when Troy told her he loved her. It was a good thirty seconds before she realized she was staring too obviously and Troy had caught her.

“Gabriella…”

“Troy…?”

“Gabriella.” He said with a toothy smile, moving closer. She wished he would stop saying her damn name. Every time it rolled off his tongue she felt a stab of want pull through her heart. He was getting hard to resist. Maybe if he would just put a paper bag over his head she would be able to keep herself from doing something she would probably regret.

But she didn’t want to regret.

She just wanted him. No strings, no complications, no questions asked. Was it selfish to just want to be able to kiss him without pushing herself into something? Selfish to not want a relationship right now? It sure felt like it… She wouldn’t do that to Troy. He’d either get all of her or none. She wasn’t so cruel as to tell him she wanted benefits but nothing else. Gabriella didn’t have it in her.

“Troy.” She sighed. He was standing barely an inch away from her knee’s, and she’d give anything to touch those gorgeous strands of hair on his head.

“Gab.” Troy leaned, hands on either side of the bleachers next to her thighs.

“Troy.” She warned warily. Slowly she ran her hand over his jaw, raking his hair backward as his eyes slid close. His forehead fell tiredly against hers, the bridges of their noses touching in small Eskimo kisses. It’d be so easy for her to kiss him right there. They were close enough, and god did she want to.

“I miss you.” Troy whispered against her lips, barely touching but almost.

“I know.” Gabriella sighed, pulling his smooth hair between her fingers.

“I lo-“

“Stop.” She breathed, desperate to stop that horrid four letter from falling between them.

“Why.” His eyes flew open, raging cyan staring back at her, thick with torment.

“Because.” Gabriella’s eyes closed painfully as she turned her face away, unwilling herself to look back at him.

“Because why, Gabriella?” Troy asked franticly, wanting to really read into her soul. Why couldn’t she just love him back? “Because you’re scared?”

“I said, stop.” She whipped her head back around to meet his fiery stare with cold black.

“You are scared.” Troy said quietly, eyes darting back and fourth to get a good look at both of her shining orbs. “I - fate finally caught up with you, but not your not ready to face it. What you wanted is finally up for you to grab, but you don’t have the nerve.” It all clicked into place in Troy’s head as he felt a stab of pain in his chest. Gabriella didn’t love him back, and it hurt.

“I-“ Hot tears sprung from her eyes. “No.”

“Yes.” Troy said, nodding his head slowly. “I love you. But you don’t love me back.”

“You don’t know that…” Gabriella’s voice was hoarse from the tears knotted in her throat. Now she couldn’t look away. A meteoroid shower could come crashing down around them, taking the roof and beams, but it wouldn’t matter.

“Then show me. Show me you love me.” It was a challenge. A challenge only the bravest of heart could take, but he was her Romeo. Gabriella’s small hands gripped his neck hungrily as she laid her lips upon his, smoothing over every painful mark they had left on each other. His strong hands pulled her closer, groins brushing brutally. He pulled her up to him desperately, letting her stand on the bleacher for the perfect angle. They kissed simply because they could, they should, and if they didn’t then every other day they both stood on this earth would be pointless.

Love was not always perfect, but Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez sure as hell came close.

So this took me all day to write. Even for me this chapter as exciting, so i hope you all enjoyed. [: I'd love to get some feedback from you guys, so please let me know what you think!

With love,

_maree.