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'Valentine's Day, the day for lovers,' thought Gabriella as she groggily looked at her calendar to see if she had anything to do later that day after school before she dragged herself into her bathroom to get ready for school. After she brushed her teeth, washed her face, and applied some light makeup, Gabriella moved back into her bedroom. Once she applied lotion to her body, she went to her walk in closet and selected a cute pink and white skirt that fell down to the top of her knees and a white sweater set. 'May as well dress for the holiday even if I don't have anyone to really share it with.'
"Gabriella, you look beautiful today," greeted Annette, who eyed her daughter as she came into the nook. "Dressed for Valentine's Day, huh?"
"May as well. I don't want to be the Grinch of this holiday."
Annette laughed. "As I've always said, no matter the situation, my daughter always finds the positive spirit and embraces it, holiday or ordinary day."
"Haha," returned Gabriella. "I better get going. It looks like I'm running late already."
Gabriella kissed her mother's cheek before she grabbed a breakfast bar and dashed out of the house, slowing only after she saw something sitting on her car's windshield. She felt herself smile as she saw a medium sized white teddy bear with a red heart in its grasp. There was also a small bouquet of daisies and a card that read her name. 'Could this be from Mom or maybe, dare I hope, someone else?' she wondered, putting the items in her bag before getting into the car. 'Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of time to find out just right now. Gotta get to school!'
Gabriella made it just in time for first period, taking her seat next to Tessa just as the bell rang. Announcements promptly started, giving Gabriella enough time to pull out her English notebook and the book they were currently reading. Seeing that announcements were a bit longer than normal, Gabriella pulled out the card that was with the bear and daisies, not able to resist the excitement she felt at learning who the sweet gifts were from.
Tessa watched as Gabriella's face lit up while she read a card, a Valentine's Day card Tessa assumed, chuckling softly as she saw a dreamy look cross Gabriella's face. "From Troy?" asked Tessa quietly.
Gabriella blushed and nodded her head confirming Tessa's suspicions as her friend slipped the card back in the envelope and back into her bag. In the process, Tessa spotted a bunch of daisies and a bear, which she also assumed were from Troy. 'Man, if he doesn't win this girl's heart completely soon, she will prove the grass really isn't green outside,' thought Tessa with a smile, glad to see her friend so happy.
Mr. Eckman cleared his throat as soon as announcements were done and started his lecture on the themes of the first half of the book they were expected to have read in the past week. As the lecture continued, Gabriella's mind slowly focused not on the words on the board but on the words that were on the card that Troy had written himself after all the preprinted sayings.
Happy Valentine's Day, Gabriella! These are a just a token of my appreciation of you and our relationship, whatever it may be today and tomorrow and beyond. I know we are just friends at the moment, but I picture us to be much more in the near future, when the time is right. I told you that I'd never lose interest in you as you truly have captivated my heart and mind, even if you are a West High Knight. Enjoy this day of love and know you have the respect and admiration of this East High Wildcat. Forever yours, Troy
Gabriella unknowingly let out a sigh, catching Mr. Eckman's attention. "Miss Montez, is there something you find dreamy about World War II's influence on the author or is that sigh just a symptom of Valentine's Day?"
She blushed, knowing she had gotten caught and had no easy way out. Thinking quickly, she said, "Sorry Mr. Eckman, but I was just sighing about all the emotions and feelings and thoughts that people during those times must have felt. I mean, any war causes a lot of emotional as well as physical and economical damage to the world and to the people it involves, near or far from it. This also includes losing loved ones, which I think is something that did touch the author deeply as a matter of fact as he spends quite a bit of time talking about tortured love, maybe not directly but definitely between the lines."
To her surprise, Mr. Eckman just nodded his head, showing his approval of what she said. "I stand corrected. Thank you for saying the first valid thought on the novel today, Miss Montez. Now, moving on…"
Tessa shot Gabriella a discreet thumb up sign as she knew her good friend really pulled that out of the air and proved that her acting and improvisational skills were far better than any other average West High student.
Gabriella made sure to concentrate for the rest of class so she wouldn't be caught again and was relieved when the bell rang, giving her a break to have her thoughts back to herself, or so she thought.
She was pulling out her second and third period materials from her locker when she felt breathing on her neck. Gabriella closed her eyes for a moment before she reopened them and zipped up her bag, desperately hoping it wasn't who she thought it was. Her hopes were dashed though as she saw that particular person in front of her as she closed her locker and turned around. "Hi Riley," she greeted, forcing a smile on her lips.
Riley grinned down at her, putting his right hand next to her head against the locker. "Happy Valentine's Day Gabriella. What time should I pick you up for our date tonight?"
"Umm, Happy Valentine's Day to you too Riley, but I don't remember you asking me on a date for tonight," returned Gabriella.
"I did just now. So what time should I be there?"
Tessa just walked by and shot a Gabriella a look, which she returned telling Tessa to just wait a few moments so she could handle Riley but also giving her a way out of this situation. "Actually, I'm sorry Riley. Tessa and I, along with a few of the girls, well we made plans for a single girl's Valentine's Day night tonight. Besides Riley, I thought we were just going to be friends."
Riley smirked. "I know you didn't think that. Come on Gabriella, you're beautiful, I'm popular. Why on Earth would we not date each other?"
"Because I don't want a boyfriend right now or even want to date at the moment?" offered Gabriella, slowly becoming desperate for some type of save from this.
After taking a few moments to study her, Riley dropped his smirk and Gabriella saw his brown eyes darken with what looked like could be anger. "But you are dating that jerk Bolton aren't you? AREN'T YOU?"
"NO!" exclaimed Gabriella, glad at the moment that this was the truth. "Why would you even think that?"
"Well, it is logical since you were with him at the Masquerade Ball. I told him to stay away from you after that but knowing that dweeb, he probably pursued you out of spite for me. You know West High guys are far superior to those East High losers. Come on Gabriella, why won't you go out with me if you aren't with Bolton?" demanded Riley.
Gabriella sighed. "Look Riley, I told you this from the start. I just want to be friends with you and any other guy that I have met in my life thus far at the moment and I wish you would just respect that. I'm not seeing Troy, honest."
Riley examined Gabriella's body language and finally decided that she was telling him the truth. "Fine, we'll scratch tonight, but I vow here and now that you and I will be going on a date one day soon, mark my words Gabriella Montez."
Before Gabriella could respond, Tessa made her way over to the two and grabbed Gabriella's hand. "Come on Gabriella, we're going to be late if we don't run to second period like now," said Tessa, not even giving Riley a look as she pulled Gabriella down the hall with her to their class.
Once safely inside, Gabriella took her seat, which was behind Tessa and let out a huge sigh. "What do I have to do to get him to let up?"
Tessa sympathetically shook her head and patted Gabriella's hands that were resting on the desk. "I fear you'd have to move," answered Tessa. "I wanted to give you the time to say no to him before I pulled you away so he wouldn't bother you for the rest of today but that vow of his, ugh, total typical macho jock behavior."
"You don't have to tell me about it. I was there, remember?" reminded Gabriella, still upset over the episode in the hallway.
"Hey, Gaby, come on now. Don't let that jerk bring down the happy mood you were in earlier this morning. That New Year's guy of yours is sure special. I can tell you really have feelings for him now that go beyond what you had a few weeks ago for him. We really need a code name for him while at school," replied Tessa.
"Yort?" suggested Gabriella, giggling at the notion herself.
Tessa rolled her eyes but was glad to see that smile back on Gabriella's face. "Do you really want me to say out loud 'Gaby, that guy of yours, Yort, he sure is dreamy'? I think that sounds far more retarded than anything else."
"Then let's not use a codename and just call him by name. Besides, it's not like we talk about him all the time and he isn't my guy, we're just friends," stated Gabriella.
"Yeah, now maybe, but I can see this little thing you have with him escalating to being something far more serious than just little friends soon. Whether you know it or not Gabriella, you are falling for him just as he is you and when that happens, I want you to embrace it, but with the macho jock around, we need to keep you protected from him. Think about it and we'll come up with a name later," returned Tessa.
Gabriella was unable to say anything further on the matter as the teacher finally arrived late into class. Ms. Price immediately called their attention to the board where there were equations set up. "Class, I'm sorry I'm late but I want you to start copying down these equations and work them out with a partner. These will be on your next test so I suggest you use this time wisely and make sure you understand them."
Tessa gave Gabriella one last look before turning back around in her seat and to give the equations her full attention, already seeing the solutions forming in her mind.
The lunch bell rang throughout the halls of East High, relieving Troy from another boring Chemistry class. 'I really don't have a head for science, that's for sure,' thought Troy as he made his way to his locker.
Once he had his stuff for the last periods of the day and his lunch, Troy walked with Zeke to the cafeteria and joined Chad and Jason, who were already seated and chowing down on their lunches. The guys immediately started talking about the different sports they were playing at the moment in between bites of their food. Troy was just listening to Chad's talk about the latest technique he developed for pitching when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. When he pulled it out, he saw that he had a text message.
Thank you so much for the daisies and the bear, along with the sweet card. It's nice to know you haven't forgotten me yet. Happy Valentine's Day Wildcat.
Troy grinned and immediately texted Gabriella back.
I'd never forget you, ever. U R 2 sweet 2 B 4gotten. How's that for yearbook talk? ;)
He sent the message back to her and put the phone back in his pocket, looking up to see his three friends staring back at him. "What?"
Chad rolled his eyes. "Let us guess, Gabriella texts?"
"Maybe," responded Troy, not looking any of them in the eye.
Zeke chuckled. "That's a definite yes then. Man oh man, I have never seen any girl take over your sanity and concentration like this before! First the fight at the ball, which is the first time I have ever seen you fight, and now texting her at lunch, at school?"
"Yeah, aren't textbooks enough?" added Jason, immediately getting a kick under the table from Chad. "What?"
Chad and Zeke just chuckled at their friend. "Look Troy, we're just interested in this little thing you've got going on because it's not very typical Troy Bolton behavior, especially to go after a girl not even here at East," stated Chad.
"Is that what is bothering you three? That she's a Knight instead of a Wildcat?" questioned Troy.
Chad, Zeke, and Jason exchanged a look before Jason shook his head. "No. Just out of character is all."
"You mean out of the stereotype of the varsity basketball captain," challenged Troy.
Chad put up his hands up in surrender. "Easy there Troy. We were just saying that we are taking an interest in this development between you and your Knight girl because we are your friends. Sure we may tease you about it and may sometimes think it's weird, but if she makes you happy, then she makes you happy. As long as you aren't dating Alicia again or any of those other social ladder climbing girls, we'll support you, right boys?"
Zeke and Jason both nodded their agreement. "Although, speak of the devil," murmured Jason as he spotted Alicia fast approaching their table.
Troy turned and spotted Alicia almost right behind him. "Hi Troy," she greeted him.
"Umm, hi Alicia," returned Troy, suspicious at the sudden presence at the table.
"Can we maybe go talk?" asked Alicia in a rather quiet and sweet tone.
The three friends gave Troy a look when he nodded his agreement. Troy got up and followed Alicia out to the patio where they were still visible to the student body but a good distance away for anyone to hear. "What's up Alicia?"
"Troy, I'm sorry for my behavior at the ball. It was uncalled for and very immature. I just got upset when I saw you kiss that girl," said Alicia, looking slightly over Troy's shoulder, enough to make anyone think she was looking at him but Troy knew she wouldn't meet his eyes. "It was an honest, emotional response, but I forgive you for cheating on me and want you back."
'Ah, this is what she wants,' thought Troy. "I'm glad to hear that you've come to your senses Alicia, but it's a little too late to be getting back together. As cliché as this sounds, I would maybe like to be friends at least but I don't see us becoming a couple again, I'm sorry."
Tears filled Alicia's eyes, tears that seemed a little too forced for Troy's liking. "Troy, we were so perfect together. What happened?"
"We just grew apart, things changed, and the ball night was only the last of the events that kind of set us apart from each other. Look Alicia, it's just not going to work out for us romantically," replied Troy, just as his pocket started vibrating again.
Alicia noticed and was waiting to see Troy answer it but it looked like he planned on ignoring it. "Go ahead, answer it," said Alicia.
Troy shrugged and pulled his cell phone out, immediately seeing it was a text.
Have I mentioned lately what a dork you are? Maybe I should be calling you Prince Dorky instead of Charming. Hehe…
Alicia watched as a smile crossed his face before he just slipped the phone back into his pocket after reading the text. "New girlfriend?" she ventured.
Troy shook his head. "No, just a friend," answered Troy, thankful that was the truth, for the moment.
However, Alicia wasn't buying it. She had noticed in the last few weeks that Troy hadn't been paying any attention to any of the East High girls, cheerleaders, drama divas, musicians, or anyone else, not a single one. Stupidly, Alicia had convinced herself that maybe he wasn't over her but that was definitely not the case, especially after he said what he did. "There's someone else, isn't there? That West High girl you were with that night!" accused Alicia.
Immediately, Troy's expression changed to a serious look. "Alicia, please, nothing is going on with her. Look, I came out here to talk with you about us, to give us the opportunity to talk, but if you are just going to accuse me of this and that, I have no desire to stay out here."
When Alicia didn't say anything, Troy gave her a nod as a good-bye and started to walk back to the cafeteria. He heard her voice carry to him as she yelled, "Troy, wait, I'm pregnant!"
"WHAT?" asked Troy, immediately turning around and glaring at his ex.
"You heard me, I'm pregnant," claimed Alicia, walking closer to him with a smirk on her face, one that got bigger when she realized students outside were trying to listen in on this conversation. "You are going to be a daddy Troy."
"That's bull crap and you know it Alicia!" argued Troy, louder than his normal voice and not caring who heard. "I hate to give you a crash course in sex education but you would have to have had sex to be pregnant with my child and I know we never even got close to it. Honestly, if you want to pull a stunt to try to keep me, think it out and be smart before claiming something that isn't physically impossible!"
Alicia blushed as she heard the laughter from around the patio of those who were there to witness this event. "But we did have sex!" fought back Alicia.
"When? I sure don't remember it!" challenged Troy.
Alicia thought fast and said the first date that came to her head. "New Year's silly!"
Troy just stared at her for a few moments before he let out a cruel laugh. "New Year's? Really? Now I know either you are pregnant with another guy's baby or just lying through your teeth. Alicia, I was not even in New Mexico at that time, remember? My little vacation with my parents? Yeah, nice try but that's not going to work. You and I never did the act that would lead to a baby so I can confidently say your desperate attempt to keep me just failed."
She watched as he turned on his heel and started walking away from her again. Alicia was humiliated and angry but knew she needed the last word, the last shot. "Oh yeah Bolton? Well at least I am not a virgin!"
Troy just rolled his eyes at this and kept moving, not even wanting to get into that discussion with her. 'So what if I'm a virgin? I'm glad I didn't lose it to her. And her using New Year's as the supposed night, please. I was at the ski lodge… singing with Gabriella. Bet Alicia didn't know that night was so significant to me that I'd remember everything about it, especially the fact that I actually sang with a girl with a voice of an angel and got bitten by cupid's arrow early this year. God Troy, you really are a sap sometimes,' thought Troy as he took his seat back with his friends.
"What was that about?" asked Chad, starting to hear the whispers race across the cafeteria.
"Nothing, just Alicia wanting to get back together, accusing me of dating Gabriella already, then playing the desperate card of saying she was pregnant," explained Troy as he bit into his half eaten sandwich.
Zeke, Chad, and Jason all looked at their friend, surprised that he was this even keeled about the confrontation. "You call that nothing?" asked Jason. "A baby is a serious thing Troy, even I know that."
After finishing the bite that he had currently in his mouth, Troy nodded his head in agreement. "It is J, you are right, but it isn't when it can't possibly be yours."
"You mean you and Alicia never had sex?" asked Zeke.
"No man, he wouldn't have. Troy is still pure as the driven snow," supplied Chad, earning a nod from Troy agreeing. "A dying breed I tell ya!"
"But I thought you lost your virginity to the head cheerleader back in freshman year," stated Jason.
"And I thought you lost it to a college sophomore last year at the college party we went to," added Zeke. "Those were all false rumors?"
"Yup, apparently so. You know, before you believe all these rumors and crap that gets spread around about me, you as my close friends could just ask me," suggested Troy, some humor in his blue eyes.
"Yeah, Troy has always been very open and honest, that's how he gets ribbed a lot," confirmed Chad. "He may be the only virgin out of the four of us but Troy isn't ashamed of it, not at all."
"And my best friend apparently knows this because he bugs me about it all the time!" exclaimed Troy with a smile. "So, are we all satisfied with knowing the truth while a series of rumors are being spawned around East as we speak?"
The friends nodded their heads, still mystified by this truth that Zeke and Jason just learned about their friend and captain.
"You know, this rumor is probably going to make it to at least West. Maybe you should tell your lady love about it before she hears it," suggested Chad.
"Nah, no need. Gabriella isn't the type to believe in the gossip mill products and there will be so many versions by the time it reaches there, it'll be clear it's not the truth," returned Troy. "Thanks man for thinking about it though. Nice to see that you really do support me and my choices."
Chad grinned and slapped Troy on the back. "Hey, what are best friends for bud?"
Troy happily nodded his head as he polished off his sandwich just as the bell rang.
"Guess that bell signals the continuation of our day of torture. You would think they'd take it easy since today is supposed to be about love and happiness," remarked Zeke.
The rest of the guys chuckled. "Yeah, since when did that matter to teachers?" asked Chad as he got up and threw his trash out before coming back for his bag and basketball. "Come on Troy, English awaits."
"Coming," said Troy as he threw out his trash and came back for his bag before joining Chad for their journey to their next class.