Broken

Broken Chapter 12: The Box

TROY'S P. O. V.
I just finished my meeting with my coach about our schedules for the season. I have four more months until the season starts and before things get busy. So far I have a couple away games but majority of them were home games which I am quite thankful for. Last year we had so many away games that it totally drained us all.
As I got into my car ready to head home my phone vibrated in my pocket. When I took it out, I pressed the home button to see that Maria texted me.

Maria: Hi Troy, I am working at home today if you would like to stop by and pick up the box, you are more then welcome too.

It has been two weeks since we met up at Urth. We have been contacting each other about when I should go over and pick up the box but I was so busy with practice that I never got the chance. Then I realized that why don't I just go pick up the box now, I guess I have time from now till I have to go to Sharpay's house for dinner.
       As I was driving towards the house, memories of Gabriella and I started to flood back. Once I found the house I turned of the engine and sighed. Half of me didn't want to retrieve the box but the other half of me wanted to because part of me feels like if I do, it somehow feels like she is close to me again. I quickly walked out of my car and locked it before making my way to the door. After three knocks Maria was standing right in front of me.

"Troy, so glad you found time to stop by, come in", Maria said smiling.
I smiled while stepping into the house, "Thanks...Yea, I figured why not now, however I can't stay that long because I am having dinner at Sharpay's place tonight".
"Oh I am glad you still see them", she commented.
"Ya, the rest of the gang will also be there, we try to at least have dinner together twice a month", I said.
"Thats wonderful, say hello to the for me", She said.
"Will do", I replied back.
"Okay follow me we will go upstairs", She gestured.

I nodded me head and followed her. As I was walking upstairs I couldn't help but notice the pictures hanging on the hallway. Majority of them were pictures of Gabi, from when she was young till her high school years.

"I don't really go in here often, except that time when I fixed her room a bit", Maria said sadly.
As I saw her facial expression, the emotion of sadness was all you could see. Gabi was her only daughter, her only child, even though they would fight, Maria did everything she could to make it up to her daughter. She was Maria's everything. After everything that happened in her life, losing her husband when Gabi was still young, she dedicated her life to her and only her. What I don't understand is why did Gabi just leave?

        When Maria opened the door to the room she slowly walked in and I slowly walked in following her.
The room was neat and tidy, decorated in Gabi's style. It was really simple however, there were no pictures. Not even one of the gang. Her desk just had a calendar laid out, a desk lamp on the top left corner and a pen cup holder on the top right corner. Her bed was nicely made with her favourite teddy bear that she had when she was a kid sitting right in the middle.

"Here it is", Maria said.
I turned my head towards her direction. She was standing by a corner of the room with boxes piled up.
"This is the box", She said.
As she pointed at the box something caught my eye, "Memories" was the label on the box.
"If you have spare time, try and go through it, there are some clothes that you might be surprised to find", She said chuckling.
"What are the rest of these boxes?", I asked.
"They are still the boxes from when we moved here, I've been nagging her to unpack it but she never did. I don't see the point now since she isn't here anymore", She sighed sadly.
I couldn't speak. Never have I seen Maria this sad.
"I am so sorry", I said.
"I just wish she would come back home, but I pray everyday that she is safe", She said sadly.
I was just going to respond when my phone started ringing.
"Excuse me one sec...", I told her.
She nodded her head, while I took out my phone to answer it.
"Hello?...hi... Ya, I'll be there... Yup okay I am just going to head home and shower then I will be there... Okay see ya soon... Bye.", I said before shoved my phone back into my pocket.
"Looks like you need to get going", She commented.
"Ya, I still have to run home and shower", I replied.
I watched her grab the "Memories" box and handed it over to me.
"Here you go, you should get going... You don't want to be late", She said.
"Thanks again Maria, I will make sure to find sometime and we can go out to grab a bite to eat again", I said smiling.
"That would be wonderful", She replied smiling.
We walked out the room and down the stairs. I said my last good bye and thank you before leaving the house and making my way home.