Title: Faithfully
Author: Me!
Rating: PG-13 but there is a good possibility for an 'R' or 'M'.
Feedback: I'd love me some it!
Summary: Taylor McKessie and Troy Bolton are connected. Though their best friends date the other, these two teens have no idea of the untapped potential they have. And when that potential is tapped into, there is nowhere to hide. There will be consequences.
Disclaimer: I own not High School Musical…still. What a pity.
ATTENTION: This isn't edited. The rest of the story will be but I was too excited to wait. Also, I'm honored to announced that my first HSM story, A Chaotic Mess of Pastels, was brought along on the C2: The Anti Badfic community. I'm excited to have a story that's anti-bad. Let's hope this story will join the other's ranks. This story does have tons of POV changes. But do not fret! They are simple to follow and the rest of the story will not follow this. Now read.
Faithfully
Hot Summer's Day.
Troy.
It was a day like any other day. The birds chirping was muted by the sweltering heat that came with the stifling life of New Mexico. People bustled about their daily chores as if the summer were nothing but spring on high. The city of Albuquerque, as a collective whole, wasn't going to let summer sun slow them down.
That is to say, if you weren't two certain teens…
Troy Bolton had tried to practice some ball but it was too suffocating to do such. He tried to contact his girlfriend but she was off at a math and science camp as a counselor; her time was spent watching over the kids and herding them to wherever the schedule allowed. He even tried to invite his best friend, Chad Danforth, to come over and hang out but – yet again – he was affronted but the fact of sleep-away camp. Chad was in Los Angeles at a basketball camp. Troy's session had already passed by – thankfully. It was tough training, especially without his best friend to joke around with, but all in all Troy had fun.
So, here he was, at the Sand Burge open-air mall. Though, this mall had walkways that were exposed to the climate, Troy found shade under the stone coverings over the walkways. He should have stayed at Greenbrier where the air conditioning blasted through the vents but so many people were there. Too many people were there. Strange as it was, Troy Bolton wanted to be alone.
He entered the shoe store Journey's, just missing a friendly face walking pass.
Taylor.There was nothing for Taylor McKessie to do at home. Absolutely, positively not an interesting thing to do. She woke up and stayed over the bed cover, letting her ceiling fan keep her cool. Without the energy to do anything, Taylor laid there for minutes or hours or both. She wasn't too sure. She was sure, however, of how hot it was and how there was no one for her to chill with.
Her boyfriend and best friend just had to go away to camp these last few weeks before school began. Didn't they know this was when boredom really sunk in? How considerate they were to her needs. When she literally rolled out of bed, Taylor showered, got dressed and flopped on the couch, lying her face right beneath the A.C. vent on the ceiling.
What was she to do with herself?
The mall, of course. Every teenager would be there. She got in her car and decided on Sand Burge since it was the closest and since she hadn't enough money for gas that would get her to Greenbrier Mall.
She strolled the mall, window-shopping, passing by the Journey's display window. She spotted the Vans her younger sister wanted. She did like their appeal…comfortable, durable…
Maybe she should look in on the shoes and price them. Taryn's birthday would be coming up soon. Taylor thought against that as she saw that her favorite bookstore was having a sale.
"Just one look."
Troy.
He knew he shouldn't have purchased those brown-and-green argyle Vans slip-ons but he had always wanted a pair. Swinging his bag by his side, Troy looked at some of the displays, not really having anything catch his eye. So, he went across a bridge that connected him to the food court.
"What to have? What to have?"
Italian, Chinese, Country Fried, and Fast were just a choice few options of foods to purchase. He could get something deli-style or even gourmet. However, what would Troy know about gourmet eating? He hopped in line for his all-time favorite chicken place, contemplating what exactly he craved.
Taylor.
Taylor had found refuge from the dry heat of her hometown in the Food Court. The cold air was glorious against her sticky skin. She pulled her hair into a ponytail, keeping her strands of hair off of her sweaty neck and forehead.
She had an iced mocha/ice cream drink from her favorite ice creamery and a new Time magazine spread open on the table in front of her. This was what summer meant to her. Relaxing with the world's affairs and drinking caffeinated, sugary drinks. If only she could share her boredom with someone she knew.
Troy.
Finding a table in this place was a challenge. Every seat seemed to be occupied. Outside, there were some tables but outside wasn't the best place to be. It was just plain too hot to be out there…especially alone.
Pulling together his courage and settling easily into his confidence, Troy decided he would have to sit with someone who was alone. He scanned the tables in search of his prey. A woman with a baby…
"No way."
A man with tons of tattoos and a biker helmet appeared to be all-alone.
"Yeah…no. Yikes."
He soon found a young lady about his age reading a magazine. Perhaps she would be leaving in a few moments.
"Excuse me. Could I sit here?"
Taylor.
Looking up, Taylor saw Troy. Yeah…Troy was still in town, wasn't he?
"Hey Troy. You can sit with me. No problem." She moved her Time closer to her so he could have room to put his tray down.
"What's up?" Troy sat, sipping on his fizzy drink.
"Not too much. Sipping something cold, trying to keep busy. You?"
"Same here. You know – don't take this wrong – I forgot that you stayed behind when Gabi left."
Taylor smiled, though in the back of her mind she was offended. "I completely forgot that you were here, too."
They lapsed into an awkward silence. Neither one knew about the other. Quirks, jokes, memories…nothing. There was nothing that they could communicate on. Taylor had long since stopped reading her Time magazine since there was no use focusing. Her boyfriend's best friend was eating with her yet she sat watching him eat. She knew it was wrong to do – bad manners and such. However, what was she to do? Ask? Say?
"I'm just as clueless. So don't worry." Troy grumbled after he swallowed a huge mouthful.
That broke the ice for Taylor. Troy knew exactly how hard this was for her. "I'm sorry about that. I've been dating Chad for five months now. I should know something about his best friend."
"How do you think I feel? I date your best friend yet I don't know too much about you."
Taylor looked down at the cover. She was a tad bit embarrassed about the fact that she knew nothing about something. It was a bit unnerving even though Troy was a person, not a subject to be studied.
"We could try to change that. What do you want to know about me, Taylor McKessie?"
"Everything, Troy Bolton."