Back to the Dream Page
"Hey Troy," purred an all too familiar high-pitched voice towards the end of lunch on Monday into Troy's ear as he just closed his locker.
Troy glanced at Alicia and knew something was up with that self-satisfied smirk on her face. "What's up Alicia?"
"Oh, I just thought I'd share something with you that I found yesterday. I thought you should see this," replied Alicia, handing him over some printed pages of articles.
He flipped through the stack and just saw articles and pictures of Gabriella with headlines like "Montez wows as lead in school play" and "Scholastic Decathlon champions led by Gabriella Montez". Troy looked up at Alicia half-way through and asked, "What am I supposed to learn here? I know that Gabriella has done all these things, she's multitalented unlike some people here. What's your point?"
Alicia gave him an annoyed look. "Fine, flip to the last page," instructed Alicia.
Troy took the last page out of the stack and put it on top of the others as he scanned it. This time, the picture looked like it was a candid picture and not posed, like the others had been. On the paper was a quick, tabloid style article on Gabriella Montez, making her out to be someone famous. 'What in the world?' he wondered as he read the article that made no mention of who she really was to the world but called her one of the famous yet unknown people on the planet. Troy looked for the source and recognized it as one of those popular celebrity blog sites that he sometimes caught the Evans twins looking at during classes on their cell phones.
"So, I'm willing to bet that you didn't know about this accomplishment, or status should I say, of our dear friend over at West," purred Alicia. "If she's hiding what she is so much, don't you think that maybe it's for a good reason? Who is she and what makes her famous? I couldn't find the answer on the internet but I'm sure it's out there somewhere. My point to you Troy though is if she's hiding this, what else has she lied to you about? Maybe she is using you just to pass her time before she moves again. Looks to me like she never stays in one place all that long."
"How do I even know this is real, especially coming from you?" challenged Troy.
Alicia shrugged. "Check out the website. That's the only posting they have there of her but even if just one site has it, that means she is someone not very average doesn't it? I mean, you are New Mexico's top basketball player but you aren't on sites like this, just in news articles like the rest of the stack is made of. Just think of it Troy, I'm just concerned she's hiding lots of bigger things from you, not just who she is and why she keeps moving. Just remember, when she finally hurts you, I'll be here for you."
"Not likely," returned Troy. "I know about you and your little crush on Riley Sutton and the way you brought him to the party. Even if I end up getting burned by Gabriella, it's far better than being with the likes of you. You've got your own secrets but you also have a twisted outlook on life and people. I don't know why we ever went out. I do have to hand it to you though, you were a great actress into fooling me into thinking you were some sweet innocent girl but you couldn't last the distance. You showed your true colors in the end and if your deceit wasn't enough towards the end of our 'relationship', seeing you show up with Sutton and his gang this past weekend was more than enough to spell it out for me. You, Alicia, are definitely not the one for me."
"That's what you say now but we'll see if you change your tune, especially if Riley succeeds in getting his hands on her. Will you still want her after that?" taunted Alicia, instantly covering her mouth when she realized what she just revealed.
"What did you say?" demanded Troy, slamming his hands on the lockers behind Alicia so she couldn't run away but making sure not to touch her. "What do you know Alicia?"
"Nothing! I just know Riley is pissed off as anything at you and he knows that hurting Gabriella is like hurting you in your weakest spot, not to mention that he is obsessed with her, God knows why. Seriously, what is it with you guys and this stupid girl?" demanded Alicia.
"Something you'll never ever understand," replied Troy, pushing off the lockers and quickly striding down the halls, worry eating at him as to what Riley was going to do next. He didn't even see Chad, Zeke, and Jason, who were chilling against Chad's locker when he passed as Troy was busy texting Gabriella to make sure she was all right.
Brie, please tell me you are okay.
Troy jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder, almost dropping his cell phone as he spun around to see Chad standing beside him with a concerned look etched into his face. "Dude, don't scare me like that."
"What's up? I could read that worry off you like a bad cologne," stated Chad.
"Alicia gave me these," said Troy, handing the papers over to Chad. "But what bothers me is what she slipped out about Riley wanting to get his hands on Gabriella to satisfy his obsession but to also get back at me."
A relieved look washed over Troy's face as he got a text back from Gabriella.
All is well here, I'm just sitting at home, BORED. Shouldn't you be learning mister?
'Thank God she's all right. I forgot she was no longer at West now,' thought Troy before he sent another message back.
I will be in…5 minutes…just wanted to check up on you, forgot you were doing the homeschooled thing or whatever it is you are doing. I love you Brie.
He smiled when he got a message back in no time, seeing Gabriella had sent her love back to him via the last text she sent. When Troy looked up, he saw that Chad was reading the article from the celebrity blog, a confused look on his face. "I felt that way too when I read that. That's the only one of its type that Alicia said she could find but I don't know if I really put anything at stake to what she claims," stated Troy.
"We should ask the Evans if they know anything about this. They are all about the famous people and stuff, right?" suggested Chad.
"Brilliant Chad!" exclaimed Troy before he grabbed that sheet of paper from his best friend and chased after Ryan Evans, who he saw pass by them a few seconds ago. "RYAN!"
Ryan turned his head and curiously looked at the running basketball captain as Troy got closer. "Troy Bolton, are you actually wanting to speak to me?"
Troy nodded his head. "I know, it's unusual but I have a question. Do you know anything about this girl in this article?" he asked, shoving the paper into Ryan's hands.
The blonde thespian scanned the article and shook his head. "I read that on the blog a few weeks back but never did figure out what was 'special' about this girl. Why are you so interested?"
"Err, no reason," returned Troy. "Just found she was pretty was all. Thanks Ryan!"
Chad waited until Troy returned, just as the bell rang signaling they had only a few minutes to get to PE. "So? Did he know anything?"
"Nada. I think I scared Ryan by the way but he said he had seen it but never quite figured out anything more than just this article. There's gotta be something there though now that I know that this is a legit article," mumbled Troy as he and Chad joined up with Zeke and Jason again to walk to the gym. 'But what is it?'
As promised to her parents, Gabriella went to West High during the last period, in the middle of it so that she wouldn't run into any stragglers. Paul held open a large duffle bag for Gabriella as he dutifully waited for her to empty all the contents of her locker out, being her silent support she needed to not break down especially as she took the pictures of her, Sarah, Beth, and Tessa down from the locker's door that she had put up only a few weeks ago. Once done, she zipped up the bag and tried to take it from Paul, who wouldn't have any of it.
"I've got it, don't worry," assured Paul as the two left the empty locker behind, Gabriella giving it one last look, along with the rest of the halls of West High that she knew held good memories as well as bad.
They briefly met with Principal Martin, who nodded his understanding of Gabriella's departure before he walked them out to the front of the school, wishing Gabriella the best. When Paul and Gabriella got back into her car, she started it and drove slowly away, feeling silly for having a tear slip down her cheek as she watched West High get smaller and smaller in her rear view mirror.
"Are you okay Gabriella?" asked a concerned Paul who saw the tear.
"Yes, just fine," answered Gabriella, wiping away at the tear and blinking her eyes several times. "I should be used to this, leaving a school behind but this time, I don't know Paul, I feel actually sadder for some reason. Like I'm leaving a serious part of me behind."
Paul thought for a moment before he spoke. "Well, you sort of are. You will never be a normal high school student again, at least from what we know now. Why don't we stop by that ice-cream place down the road that you like so much? I know a huge sundae should cheer you up," suggested Paul.
Gabriella's brown eyes lit up. "You are absolutely wonderful for thinking of that Paul! That sounds like just the ticket actually!"
They spent half an hour there at the ice cream parlor, just enjoying their ice-cream treats before they got back into Gabriella's car and drove home to the Montez house. Gabriella and Paul entered the house and settled down on the couch in the front living room, Gabriella leaning her head back on the couch's back cushion when Paul remembered Gabriella's bag. "Can I get your keys? I forgot to bring your bag in and I know you have some perishable food in there that barely survived your locker. I'd hate to step foot in that car if we leave it in there."
Gabriella rolled her eyes and tossed her keys to Paul. "Whatever you say Paul," replied Gabriella before closing her eyes again, thinking of what to do with herself. 'I feel so very useless and boring just sitting in this house. The tutor Mom found won't be available to come until Thursday, which means I have two more full days of nothing to do. There has to be something to do.'
She heard the front door open again and called out, "Paul, do you have the solution to boredom handy too?"
When she didn't hear anything back, Gabriella opened her eyes and screamed as Riley stood there in her entryway, that evil glint back in his eyes. "Hello Gabriella," greeted Riley, who moved to close and lock the front door.
Gabriella quickly got up on her feet and started to back away from him as she heard the sound of the metal lock locking into place. 'Oh God, he's got me cornered in a locked house,' thought Gabriella as her back hit the wall. She looked around looking for any type of weapon but failed to find one as Riley slowly started to advance, a predatory smile on his face appearing just before he stood in front of her.
His attention was diverted though when there was a loud rattling of the door's handle before the sound of a key in the lock of the front door was heard as it turned. "Paul, Riley's here!" warned Gabriella in a scream before she was slapped hard by Riley, who then turned to rush to the front door to try to prevent Paul's entrance.
Paul was too quick though and managed to get the door open before he entered the house, dropping Gabriella's bag down on the ground just before Riley tackled him to the ground. The two started wrestling, sounds of grunts and the sickening sound of physical contact being made as Paul and Riley both landed solid blows against each other. After a few moments of being frozen where she was out of fear, Gabriella moved quickly to the entryway when she saw something glittering from the entryway table, a letter opener. She grabbed it and after a few moments of hesitation as Paul and Riley were flipping each other over, Gabriella swung her weapon down and tried not to panic as she felt the blade sink into flesh. Gabriella instantly let go as Riley roared in pain and let go of Paul, who used this time to get back up on his feet and pushed Gabriella behind him as Riley looked down to see the letter opener sticking out of his side, only a quarter of the way in.
He grinned nastily at Gabriella over Paul's shoulder. "If you were trying to really kill me, you needed to drive this in a lot farther than that Gabriella. I'm disappointed in you," spat Riley as he pulled it out, brandishing it as his own new weapon.
Riley moved quickly as he approached Paul, the last barrier between him and Gabriella. He lunged at Paul, who had just done something with the electric watch on his left wrist without taking his eyes off Riley, and stabbed him in the right arm, making sure the blade went all the way through as Paul let out an agonizing scream in pain before Riley pulled out the letter opener. Seeing that Paul was still trying to protect Gabriella while clutching his arm, Riley grabbed Paul's shoulders and threw him roughly against the wall nearby, watching with sick satisfaction as Paul's now unconscious body slid down the wall as a result of Paul's head making hard contact with the wall.
Seeing there was now nothing between her and Riley, Gabriella did the only thing she knew to do in a situation like this, she ran. Unfortunately, before she could get any farther than the formal dining room, Gabriella felt herself hit the hardwood floor before she was crushed by a heavy weight, Riley. She started screaming out of instinct as Riley roughly flipped her over. He quickly silenced Gabriella with a hard slap to her face, followed by another one when it looked to him like she would try screaming again. After lying there in pain for a few moments, Gabriella opened her eyes again as she felt cold steel with a warm liquid on it touch her stomach to see Riley use his weapon to rip open Gabriella's baby-t in one swift move, Gabriella wincing as she heard the ripping of cotton before she felt the cold draft of the air on her bare skin.
"I told you Gabriella, I always get what I want," sneered Riley with an evil smirk on his face as he captured both of Gabriella's wrists above her head before she felt his large hand on her left thigh, moving up faster than she could think.
Gabriella tried kicking out but was unable to make a solid blow, only succeeding in getting herself slapped again before Riley used his lower arm to put pressure on her throat to cut her air off as she tried to breathe in while he used his right hand to unbutton her jeans. After some time, he noticed Gabriella give up fighting as she struggled to just breathe, her face red from the lack of oxygen. Riley used this time to use both of his hands to pull her jeans all the way off, realizing she was starting to become feisty again as she landed a solid kick to his chin with her right foot. "You're going to regret that," promised Riley before he threw his body back onto hers but not before taking in the image of Gabriella with only her underwear on.
She tried fighting Riley off, not being too successful as Gabriella was still trying to breathe in plenty of air but she was determined to not go down without a fight. Gabriella managed to land a good punch to Riley's left eye before he pinned her wrists down to the ground again as he slapped her, swearing at her actions. She screamed a few moments later as she felt her cotton bikini being ripped away before she felt herself rip in half. Tears filled Gabriella's eyes as she continued to scream, begging Riley to stop but feeling helpless as he continued to have his way with her.
Suddenly, Riley's weight was pulled off of her and Gabriella found she could breathe again, looking around in a confused manner, noting now that the front door was thrown wide open and there were sounds of a commotion going on to her left, accentuated by the loud crash of glass breaking. Gabriella threw her head to the side just as bits of glass flew towards her but turned her head back in time to see two guys exchanging blows between shoving each other against the wall. 'Troy?' she wondered before she tried to get up.
Her efforts were interrupted as there was a large commotion coming from the front door again as men dressed in normal clothing but armed filled the front rooms, pointing guns towards the two fighting.
"FREEZE!" demanded the lead, pointing his gun right at Troy.
Troy immediately stopped fighting with Riley when he heard the deep voice, which left him open to one last blow from his opponent, who picked up the dropped letter opener and stabbed Troy in the side, forcing Troy to drop down to the ground in pain. A single shot was then fired, aimed right for Riley's right shoulder. Once Riley was down on the ground, clutching his shoulder, Troy grabbed onto his injured left side while he slowly crawled over to Gabriella, who was now curled up in a ball, shaking, pushing aside his own immense pain from the injury. 'God, what has he done?' wondered Troy, feeling completely helpless as the tears continued to slide down Gabriella's face. "Gabriella, I'm right here Brie, you're safe, it's over," called out Troy, trying to somehow comfort Gabriella who now looked beyond able to hear him.
"Stand back," commanded the same deep voice as Troy neared Gabriella, freezing Troy in his spot on the floor.
'Who are these guys?' wondered Troy before thoughts from earlier on in the day came back to the front of his mind, thoughts of who Gabriella was to be considered famous and now to have this type of armed attention.
"No, it's okay," said a weak voice, attention being drawn to a now barely conscious Paul, who was still nursing his arm and sitting halfway up against the wall. "He's fine."
The leader gave a nod before backing up and making sure Riley was restrained and taken out of the house, howling in pain as the armed men bodily escorted him out, ignoring also the blood that trickled down from Riley's stab wound in the side.
Before Troy could actually make it to Gabriella though, both of them were surrounded by medical teams busy with both of their injuries. Troy tried his hardest to try to even catch a glimpse of his girlfriend but only succeeded in seeing flashes of her hair and skin between legs and feet so he kept calling out her name, letting her know he was somewhere there with her. He gave up trying to look for her as he felt the medical team around him touch and prod his side where the letter opener still stuck out, wincing in pain as they tried
to take it out. After some distant sounding discussion above his head, Troy felt himself lifted up on what he guessed was a stretcher as he was moved out of the Montez house. He threw a look back to where Gabriella once was and saw that she no longer was curled up there either.
All four were taken to the nearest hospital's emergency room to have the injuries treated, Riley being separated in a room by himself with seven armed guards in the room and outside, ensuring he would not be escaping the consequence of what he committed earlier. After trying to escape the hands of the medical staff attending him but failing, Troy gave up for a moment before he tried again as he was tortured by the fact that he could hear Gabriella crying somewhere in the open room but was unable to hold her and soothe her like he knew she needed him to.
Seeing that the young man was fighting to get out of the hospital bed, the attending doctor decided to give the young man a sedative through the IV line already in Troy's right arm and watched as Troy's body slowly gave up the fight enough to allow the team of nurses and doctors to finally work on him and his numerous injuries in peace.