Flirtations In The Firelight.
Chapter 12 [Final Chapter.:
Finally.
Dedication(s):
Sarah.
Dude. Four words.
Thanks a bundle :P
You've helped me so much this whole story…
From the first word to the last…
But having said that, you ignored it for like, 2 months.
And Ryan's Camp – rofl!
For everything you've done, from sending it to Patrick (triple cringe!)
To GravyGrabeel (Claudiiaaa, s'up?)
Muchas gracias, mi hermana.
[And for those nosey people who DON'T speak español, that means "Much thanks, my sister"
P.S. Poppadom Preach……I EAT MY CURRYYYY :P
--------
Stessa.
Hey Girlie!
Yes, here's another dedication.
Lol, but yeah.
You were my first ever review :)
Stessa
2007-03-23
ch 1, reply
This story is going somewhere. Please update soon, I already love it ;p
Thank you so much, and I love yah! hugs
-
-
Finally.
The sun shone brightly, high in the clear blue sky. It was hard to believe a storm had passed through merely a day or two ago. Troy's eyes flickered open, and he blinked a few times, getting out of his "sleepy mode". Sharpay was already awake, lying in the sleeping bag a few metres away. She was staring at the blue nylon roof of their home for the week, the tent. Troy glanced over at her, trying to read what she was doing, what she was feeling, but it was like trying to read words on a blank page. He wasn't entirely sure how he himself felt at that very moment. Obviously he was tired, but there was an air of dread or excitement. Troy couldn't exactly put his finger on which it was, but something was definitely hanging in the tent. Was it that today was the last day? Or was it that he had finally realised he had a crush the size of a continent on Sharpay?
Troy couldn't pick one of those, either. Probably both.
He heard a soft sigh coming from the girl beside him, and Sharpay heaved herself up, climbing out of the sleeping bag. She looked to Troy, acknowledging his presence with a small smile. He smiled back, and lay back down on his pillow, scratching his head. Five more minutes.
Approximately seven minutes later, Troy clambered awkwardly out of the tent. He stretched out his arms, basking in the glorius morning heat. He could see Chad emerging from a nearby tent, and he darted off in the other direction. Chad wasn't who he needed to talk to right now…
Troy glanced at every other tent. Why couldn't he remember which one was her's?
No…Not this one……And not that…
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he could see Ryan adjusting his hat outside his own tent. He must be close…
"Ryan! Hey, Ry!" he called out to the blonde boy.
Ryan looked up and smiled, "Hey! No idea where my sister is, do you?"
"I'm not sure, she left the tent about 10 minutes ago. But hey, do you know where Gabi's tent is?" he questioned him.
Ryan nodded. "Just ther-"
"Right here!"
Troy spun round on the spot, coming face to face with Gabriella, who was sitting in the flapped doors of her red tent.
"Gabriella! I need your help."
She giggled. "Me? Oh, this must be important! Shoot, basketball boy."
"Uhh…Can we talk about this inside the tent?" Troy asked, became more and more aware how close Ryan was with Sharpay.
Ryan, taking the hint, got up and headed towards the main camp, but not before flashing a small smile at Gabriella. She blushed and waved at him, watching him leave.
Troy cleared his throat. " So yeah…"
"Oh! Yes. Now, what is it?" Gabi asked, smiling at him.
"See…" Troy said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't exactly know how to say this, y'know, you being my ex-girlfriend and stuff…"
"You like Sharpay."
Troy looked sharply at Gabriella. "How'd you know that?"
"It's kinda obvious sometimes…But don't worry. I think me and Tay are the only ones who've noticed it." She replied, her grin as bright as ever.
"Okay…but how do I tell her?"
Gabriella was silent, chewing on her bottom lip slightly as she thought. Their relationship was great, and he loved Gabriella…but he was never in love with her.
"Well…how'd you tell me you loved me?" she asked him, her head cocked slightly to the side.
"…Uhh. Shouldn't you know that?" Troy replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
Gabriella was silent for a minute. "Uhm…no?"
She bit her lip at the expression on Troy's face, but his serious look soon burst into a grin. She giggled. "Oh yeah, we had SUCH a relationship that none of us can remember half of it!"
Troy breathed a laugh, and sighed. "We were cool though."
"Yeah…But anyway. We've gone off the subject."
"Fine fine…but Gabi, I'm lost. I don't know what to do," he whined, fingering the edge of the tent.
"Gosh, you're like a sheep or something, always needing someone to guide it!" she smiled. "How do you even feel about Sharpay anyway?"
"Well…Uhh. I like her."
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I got that. I mean…how do you feel…with her. And her personality and sutff."
"Oh. Well, she's funny, and really really attractive, and smart, but also kind of blonde. And she's sweet.. and does stupid things like saying goodbye to a barn.. and freaks out in the middle of the night…" muttered Troy, trailing off and looking thoughtful.
He gained a smile and nod from Gabriella. "…What about when you're not with her? Or, say, when you had a fight?"
Troy shrugged. "I wanna say sorry when we've had a fight…even if it's her fault. And I want her to be there when she's not."
"Kinda like…Kinda like there'd be nobody else you wanted to be right there, except Sharpay?"
"Yeah…" he replied, frowning slightly at Gabriella.
She watched him for a minute, her dark eyes smiling brightly. "I don't think you just like her…"
"Just like her? Huh?"
"I think…I think you may love her. But you haven't admitted it to yourself yet."
Troy stared back at Gabi. Love? She was deranged.
But…But…What if it was? What if what he felt for her was love?
Shut up Troy, he thought. You can't love somebody after only a week.
It was as if his heart and his brain were at war. Troy knew somewhere in him that his heart was probably right. After all, his brain wasn't always that reliable. But love…
Oh, shizz…this was deeper than he thought…
After breakfast, Troy caught up with Chad and the gang. Thankfully, Gabi kept quiet about their talk earlier and instead chatted with Taylor and the others, occasionally sending Troy a knowing look, which he tried to avoid. The conversation was about some basketball or whatever, Troy wasn't tuned in. The word 'love' kept ringing in his ears. Love, love, love…
It scared him. Hell, it scared the life outta him.
With the conversation dying in Troy's mind, he excused himself, and headed off. He had no idea where his legs were leading him, but they seemed to be walking out to the small pier beside the lake. In the distance, he could see a girl sitting by the edge, dipping her toes gently in the dark water. As Troy got closer, he recognised the blonde hair and petite frame. Sharpay. Troy's heart panicked, but his feet kept going, coming closer and closer.
Sharpay looked up in rage, ready to kill whoever was blocking her sun. Just as she was about to open her mouth, she noticed it was Troy, and was a little surprised seeing him there.
"Troy! Uhh. Can I help you?"
He looked down at her smiling face, her dark eyes glowing, and he couldn't help but to crack a smile. He sat down beside her and yanked off his shoes and sock, lowering his feet into the water, before shivering and pulling them straight back out.
"Wow, that's COLD."
Sharpay smiled. "Yep! But you get used to it after a while. But anyway. What'cha want?"
"Ah, y'know. I needed to be away from stuff," shrugged Troy.
Sharpay's perfect pink lips formed a small 'o'. "From what exactly?"
"Ah, just stuff."
She scrunched her nose up in slight confusion, and annoyance at his lack of conversation. "So. Have you packed?"
"Nope. I don't have much stuff though, so it should only take me around 5 minutes," he replied, leaning back on the support of his muscular arms.
Sharpay smiled. "Good. That means you can help me! I have so much stuff, it's a wonder I could carry my case! ……Oh, no wait. Ry-ry did! I have such a nice brother…"
Troy shook his head, laughing. She smiled over at him for a minute, her dark brown eyes seeming lighter by the sun shining across her face.
"I can't believe I'm going home tonight…" she muttered, flopping back on the pier, her blonde hair spread out like a mane framing her face.
"Yep. You're finally getting rid of me!"
She smiled at him. "Maybe you're not TOO bad."
"Ah, so I should take that as a compliment?" grinned Troy, and Sharpay giggled.
"Not quite, basketball boy."
He continued smiling to himself, thinking about what Gabriella had said. Maybe, just maybe, she was right…
"Okay! Now. Have you got my makeup?"
Troy picked up the small black and white bad with the picture of Marilyn Monroe on the front, complete with a few sequins and diamanté here and there.
"Good. Check through it, make sure I have everything," Sharpay commanded, and began to roll up her sleeping bag.
"But Shar, how will I know? I ain't a girl."
She paused for a moment. "You're right. You do my clothes instead, I'll do my makeup."
Troy nodded and passed her the bag. She rummaged in it for a moment, picking out lip gloss or mascara now and then. "Yup, I have it all."
"Okay. So. Your clothes."
"Yes. Now. Leave me out my…" Sharpay thought for a moment, mentally planning her outfit. "Um. Leave me out my light pink tee. And…and…my shorts? No. Scratch everything. Gimme my…Ehh…"
"Look. Why don't you do your clothes?" suggested Troy, and Sharpay nodded.
"Best idea you've had all morning."
She leaned over across him, grabbing her case and sorting through it. Troy, unsure as what to do now, began packing up her bedding. He rolled up her sleeping bag, having to start over again as it had unravelled when she'd let it go. As he was rolling it up, there was a small bump in it. Troy reached inside the bedding, and pulled out her pyjamas. He proceeded to chuck the bundle over to the side, when something caught his eye. Troy pulled the small package apart, peeling back her top to reveal a small tattered teddy bear. He smiled to himself, but noticed something hanging off Teddy's arm. He gently removed it, and held it out between his hands. A black thong… Troy's eyes widened and he shoved it back in the sleeping bag, drawing his attention towards the old teddy again.
"Hey Shar?"
She turned to Troy, who was holding up the worn bear and grinning.
"Oh my God!"
Sharpay grabbed her bear, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "You're not supposed to see that…"
Troy smiled. "He's cute."
"It's a she," Sharpay corrected him. "And yeah, she is. I got her for my first birthday, that's why she's so tattered. Plus, I can't sleep without her, so yeah…"
"How come I've never seen her before?"
Sharpay shrugged. "It's kinda embarrassing…I mean, hello? I'm a 17 year old who can't sleep without her Boo-boo."
A smile played on Troy's lips. "Boo-boo?"
"Hey! Gimme a break, I was one! I couldn't say 'bear', so 'boo-boo' was the closest thing to it."
Troy kept smiling. "I had a turtle. He was called Carlo."
"What happened to Carlo?"
"Oh, I still have him," replied Troy, suddenly seeming gloomy. "When Rylee was 2, she bit his little beanie head off. Mom was able to patch Carlo up…but her was never the same…"
"Aww," said Sharpay. She shuffled over, and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry."
Troy smiled and hugged her back, her head resting gently on his chest. He would've held onto her forever, but she pulled away, smiling.
"Goodie. Now. Where were we?"
Sharpay dragged the bulging pink case out of the tent, and parked it beside Troy's blue bag. She glanced at the bag for a moment, before zipping it open and rummaging through it until she found what she wanted. Sharpay pulled on Troy's large Nike top and zipped it half up. She breathed deeply and smiled. It smelled like him.
Troy emerged from the tent not long after. He glanced to Sharpay, who was now sitting on her case and gazing back to him. "Now what?"
Troy shrugged. "The tent, I guess."
She nodded. "Mmkay. Oh, and Troyie?"
"Mm?"
"Can I have this jacket?"
He smiled at her. "Well, seeing as you've worn it every night for the past week…yeah, why not."
"Goodie!" grinned Sharpay, and she stood up. "So how do we do this thingie?"
"Ehh. I think we just…take it apart and stuff it into a bag."
"'Kay."
After 20 minutes of making a mess of dismantling the tent, Troy and Sharpay were left with a pile of nylon and a bunch of metal sticks.
"Okay. Now for the bag," Troy muttered, and Sharpay chucked him the matching red bag that the tent came neatly packed in. He shoved everything in, and tried to close it. After around 5 or 6 attempts, Troy gave up and simply tied the drawstrings. That should do it.
He threw it down beside his own bag, and turned to stare at the empty site where the tent used to be, It was almost unnatural, not being there. Troy had grown so accustomed to sleeping in an old thin sleeping bag, feeling the sharp rocks stick into his back during the night. It felt strange just imagining what his own bed would be like.
"Gosh. I feel like it's really over now," exclaimed Sharpay. "Now that the tent's gone and stuff."
Troy nodded, and sighed. "I'm really gonna miss it now."
"Yeah. And the barn. I loved the barn."
"Mmm," he mumbled in agreement. "Now, we better head up to camp before we get too sentimental!"
Sharpay smiled. "You're right. Gimme a piggyback?"
Troy rolled his ocean eyes, yet smiled all the same. "Go on then…"
She giggled and gently climbed onto his back. He held her lower thighs tightly, and she hugged his neck, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
"You're the best."
Troy arrived by the main camp minutes later, and he lowered Sharpay to the ground. She smiled up at him, and turned away, off to see Ryan. Troy had noticed that she was found with a smile on her face a lot more often now, and somewhere inside him he knew he was the reason behind her bright beam. It would be times like these when Troy's heart would win over his brain, love over logic. But there was still the duty of letting Sharpay know about his feelings for her, and Troy knew if he didn't tell her soon, he would miss the opportunity. This whole week would just pass as a memory, and it would soon fade, and dim to a pleasant dream, that Sharpay wasn't the snobby, conceited bitch everyone thought she was. Troy couldn't let that happen.
Gabriella poking him in the back cut his reverie short.
"Hey."
"Hey," he muttered, turning to face her.
"Well?" she demanded, looking expectantly up at him?
"Well what?"
Gabi rolled her eyes. "Well… What about you and Sharpay?"
"Well, I dunno. I dunno how to say to her and stuff…" shrugged Troy, rubbing his back. Gabriella had pointy fingers.
"Just tell her!" she exclaimed exasperatedly. "It's easy! 4 words: 'Sharpay. I. Love. You."
"Gabs, you know it's not like that."
"Okay, okay, it's not exactly like that…but it's not that difficult! Just……I don't know, pull her to the side or something, and tell her how you feel! Plain and simple."
Troy nodded slowly. "But…Gabi, what if she doesn't feel the same? I'd look like a complete dork. Seriously."
Gabriella laughed. "Troy, believe me. You have nothing to worry about. I've seen the way she looks at you."
Troy bit his lip, and nodded. "Yeah, okay. Listen, thanks for everything. I love ya."
"I love ya too!" she replied, hugging him. "Now go get 'em, wildcat!"
As the crowd around the camp grew larger, Troy was struggling to track down Sharpay. He knew that they'd be leaving within the next half hour, which gave him little to no time to find her, let alone confess his love. He shoved through the bustle, desperate to spot the bright blonde hair. Troy stopped in his tracks for a moment, taking in what he was about to do. But he had stopped for too long, and the next thing he knew, a pair of small, cold-ish hands obscured his vision.
"Guess who-oo?"
A grin gently appeared on Troy's face. "Ah, you got me. Chad?"
Sharpay let go of his eyes, and spun round in front of him. "Close. Veryy clossee."
Troy laughed, and grabbed her hips. "Got a minute?"
She smiled and nodded, her eyes narrowed in curiosity.
"Great," he muttered, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the crowd. She stayed silent as he led her further and further away, but finally she couldn't hold her inquisitive tongue any longer.
"Trooyyyyyy…where are you taking me?"
But her question was met by a simple, "You'll see."
"No, seriously," she said, coming to a halt and letting go of his hand. "The bus is gonna leave! And as much as I've enjoyed this week, I don't exactly fancy staying here."
Troy turned to her. "Sharpay. Trust me. My dad isn't gonna drive off without me. My mother would shoot him."
She smiled reluctantly at him, and he took her hand again, and led her back down a familiar trail.
Troy pushed back the leafy bushes, and pulled her through them. He gently let go of her delicate hand, and smiled.
"Here."
They were back at the open clearing on top of the cliff, and the sun was once again shining brightly upon them.
Sharpay gazed around, taking in her surroundings. She spun back round to Troy.
"Why here?" she questioned him, a small smile toying with her pink lips.
Troy shrugged. "Just 'cause. You said it was pretty here."
She breathed a quiet laugh. "So that's it?"
Troy's silence told Sharpay that it most definitely wasn't it. But even after a minute or two, he kept quiet, still holding his tongue.
"Oh. So you dragged me up here for nothing?"
Sharpay's eyes shone with disappointment, and Troy couldn't bear it.
"No."
Her face split into a small grin when he spoke, a small grin that Troy wasn't sure how to read. He stepped closer to her. "I…Uhh. I…"
But Sharpay silenced him. "Don't. I know how you feel."
"Oh…"
Troy was lost for words, but thankfully, Sharpay wasn't.
"Well?" she prompted him, raising an eyebrow.
"Well?"
She smiled. "Aren't you gonna kiss me, Troy-boy?"
He flashed her a boyish grin, gazing down at her expectant face and smiling eyes. He gently leaned in, capturing her lips with his and kissing her softly.
She pulled away after a while, still smiling. "God, East High is gonna HATE us!"
Troy laughed, and held her waist. "Babe? Screw East High."
-
-
-
-
-
fin.
Okay.. it was 1:36am when I finished this last night…I forced myself to keep writing. Thank God I'm off school sick!
But I just can't get over it. I'm. Finished.
And I will admit to having a crying/happy moment when I finished.
I have a bunch of plot bunnies right now.
Some people want me to continue Friday night? I wasn't planning to, but I will if enough people want a story from it.
And I've already kinda decided I won't do a sequel…but if LOTS of people want it, I may try it.
So yeah.
Thank you ALL so much, your support and reviews have been incredible.
Lateerrrssss
x
Review Replies:
-
marri: Hey! Here is issss, Troypay heaven! XD. Enjoy, thanks for ALL the reviews, you RAWK!
x.sammii.x: S-S-S-Sammmiiiii! Hey cheerleader buddy! Gawsh. You have to review this chapter! If you don't…I get to……uhm. Beat you up? Hahaa, deal. But Sammii Wammii. This is the last chapter :O! Gracias for everything, keep waving those pom-poms! Love choo x
Stessa: Yes, I love you too! OF COURSE I DO!Ah, babe, I know. It's so sad it's over now! And le duh! Of course my new story is gonna rock! IT'S ME! Lol, I'm only kidding. But yeah, saying goodbye to barns is a hobby of mine. And gawsh, you know me so well, to know that! Hahaa, I love you so much kiddo! Here's your Troypay-ness. And it was dedicated to yoouu! x
pinkturtle: yes, haha, walruses. And I dunno about a sequel. If enough people want me to do one, I might think about it. Thanks for everything :D
VmOthDafan: Aw, thanks :). I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reviews and support.
zashleylove16: Aww, well Troy's just a nice guy! Lol, thanks for support through this stupid story, see ya soon!
U.S. Princess: Emilyyyyy. :D. I promise, I'll give you some good Troypay heated scenes in my next fic. OR… I could write you an alternate chapter! For when they stay in the barn! Haha, and then alternate ending: Sharpay gets pregnant! Lmao, thanks for everything, I LOVE YOU!
XxCharmedxX: BEFFERS! BETHAZ! BEFF-BEFF! Hey girlie! Gawshers. YOU MUCHO LOVED IT? Haha, gold star to you, girl! You rhyme a LOT these days S. I'm beginning to think it ain't good for my baby! XD! I love you MUCHO. Gracias for all ze support, yada, yada, yada. SHARE THE LUV WITH ME ALREADYY! LOL x
jade-kwl-name-eva: Yep, it's so sad :( . I'm gonna miss it crazy! And haha, there! I gave you a Troypay kiss! Happy? Lol, thanks you for like, everything, I've noticed you've been a very nice loyal reviewer. GOLD STAR XD. x
xoxROMANCEADDICTxox: Aw, thanks! Here's the update, can I have a banana? Haha, kidding. Thanks for the review :).
fibi3: Hellooo there! Gawsh, I don't want it to end either! But it's gotta. Cause if it didn't……man, that would be BORING. Thank you for all your help, LOYAL REVIEWER! XD. Platinum star :D x
christy xx: Dude, my cousin KICKS ASS XD. Gawshers, babe, I love you so much. And yeah. I get it. You got. We get it?………? Haha, I confuzzle myself. LOVE YOU, GIMME REVIEW :D xx
Breakin' Dishes: PENNIA BABES :D. HELLO. HOW WAS ITALY? Lol don't answer, I already know about it. And gawsh, sorry I couldn't text you back! I had no money, and to be honest, I couldn't be assed topping up :P. Cool babes. Reiew? Love choo x
youtubesmybff aka chel08: Aw, he does! So adorable! . Lol, yep, I'm so sad too. It feels WEIRD… And yup, I have a new story cooking up on my stove right now! Hahaa, here's some AWESOME TROPYPAYNESS. Mucho love to you too, babe! x
jesluvzzac: Aha, the wait is over! Thanks for the review, hope you liked it:)
xxkizixx: Ooh, well thank you! I've never had anybody tell me that before! Glad you like it, I'm really gonna miss this story! Thanks for the review, and thanks for the compliment! XD
Troypay4evea: Ah, last but not least. XD. I'm sad too. But actually, not that sad anymore. Just deliriously happy. :D. Thanks for the review, I LOVE REVIEWS :D