Troy Bolton ♪ Faking Smiles

09 | little do you know + all in my head

The quaint, little restaurant didn't strike me as a big hit when it came to great food, but I guess I was wrong.

Booths and seats were filled with people and chatter. Some look desperate for their food and
some look impatient for the open
mic night, staring at the empty stage.

Taking a deep breath, I exhale and head onto the stage. While adjusting the mic a painful sound pierces my ears, just like in the movies.

"Sorry everyone." I apologize, flashing a shy smile. "I wrote this song earlier today and it means a lot to me. I hope you enjoy and relate."

Placing the pic in my hand, I start strumming the chords and take a nervous breath.

This is what you were made for.

And the words flow out of my mouth without any hesitation. They finally broke my hard, cold, and sarcastic exterior, and for once I wasn't mad.

As I was strumming the last
last chords, my worst fear came true.

My suspicion was proven correct.

The brunette beauty sat in the chair that was nicely pulled out for her by the one and only, Troy Bolton.

Their smiles made my stomach tie in knots, even when the rest of me is frozen.

"Uhm, if you guys could please excuse me, I need to take a quick break." My voice cracks as he looks at me in shock.

Exiting the stage, a single tear trails down my face. For once in my life, I actually wanted something, someone. And I thought they wanted me back.
Maybe it was all in my head.

_____

Returning to the stage was one of the most challenging things I've ever had to do. My stomach hurts, my head is filled with nausea, and my throat closes at the attempt to introduce my next song.

"So, this next song is written about someone, who could've been my everything. But I guess it was just all in my head." I introduced, eyes locking on Troy gaze.

I couldn't help but want him to look at me every second I am up here. But then I realize that he's here with Gabrielle for a reason.

And all of a sudden, I feel compelled to sing the lyrics I just wrote five minutes ago. Maybe it'll show him how I really felt, and how he really feels about me.
Maybe it will change something, maybe it won't.

And the song comes out with as much hurt and confusion as I mean it to.

As the song finishes, I say my thanks and good byes. Exiting the stage, I take a seat in an empty booth and close my eyes and breath slowly.

"You did it!" I thought to myself. "You finally faced your fears and did it! Maybe I should buy french fries as a congradulations to myself."

But when I open my eyes, all thoughts of food were vanquished.

"Troy?" I ask in shock.

"Was that song about me?" He asks back, face as stern as an eagle.

The shock of his question sends my mind in a thousand different ways.

"Well...yeah but, it doesn't matter because you're here with.....her." I state, eyes fluttering down to my fiddling hands.

"Oh come on. Did you seriously think Gabriella and I both liked each other?" His face was not cracking.

"Then why are you here? With her? It looks to me like you're on a date." I push back, not believing he is putting the accusations on me.

"We came...I came...to get you back."
He says, face finally showing weakness.

"What?" I blurt out, still not understanding the whole picture. "Gabriella is my friend. I would never betray her."

"No, no, no. She and I construed up a plan to see if you really liked me. So I pretended to like her and she pretended to like me, just to get a reaction out of you." He explains.

"You're joking, right? This isn't a cool joke." I say back.

"Why would you think that?" He asks. After several moments of dead silence, he pushes another question. "Why do you feel so unworthy of love?"

"Because I'm nothing special! I'm not good at anything and I'm not even that good looking or smart or ...really anything!" I ramble.

"Well, then I guess I fell in love with just a mediocre girl."

His gaze burns into mine, and I know he is telling the truth.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry. I had no idea." I blurt out, embarressed of my previous actions and words.

"You have nothing to be sorry about! You were amazing, and you have a right to be mad and confused." He explains.
"Okay, but just for the record, I guess I do kinda like you, a lot." I chuckle, cheecks turning bright red. "What about–"

"Me? I'll be fine!" Gabriella says as she approaches the table and sits next to me. "After all, this was my plan."

"I hate you guys!" I say in a joking way.

And suddenly, I was content with my life and realized the love I had for these two people.

"But now can we seriously order some food. I'm starving"