Chapter 2: Falling in Love

"And the Wildcats win!" The cheer reverberates throughout the room, and a veil of shock and excitement covers the basketball court. Troy turns to me and catches my eye. His face is covered with disbelief and seems to be asking me what just happened. I don't quite know the answer and can only stare back it him. Even though he just finished playing the championship game and sweated like crazy, he's way too gorgeous. I look away, not for the first time this night, to collect my thoughts. Suddenly I realize why everyone is celebrating and I run up and embrace Troy.

"You won," I whisper tentatively in his ear. For a few seconds he just lets it sink in. He just did the impossible. He along with his teammates just beat out the state's top basketball team, and now East High is number one.

A huge grin spreads over his face and seem to reach his twinkling blue eyes. Warmth spreads over my body, and the excitement kicks in. It's an all time high right now. From the corner I spot Taylor and Chad screaming and jumping up together. I smile to myself. Whether they know it or not, they have chemistry. I pull my head a few inches from Troy's face and forget everything else while just staring deeply into his startling eyes staring back at mine. Do we have that chemistry?

Troy puts his warm, inviting hand on my shoulder, gently brushing my dark hair, catching my breath. I can't help but smile. For an eternity we seem to stare at each other until his face comes closer still. My urge to kiss him grows stronger, and I can't stand it. His thumb moves up and down my neck, leaving a hot trail. I close my eyes and—

"Gabriella!" At the last moment Taylor screams and slides into Troy and me, almost causing me to fall, but Troy puts his arm around my waist, steadying me. 'Thanks' my smile seems to say to him once I catch his eye.

"Oh sorry!" Taylor exclaims and steals a glance at the person next to me, the person with whom I am secretly in love and yearn to kiss as we were just about to. "Oh," she says with a twinkle in her eye and a mischievous look on her face, "Whatever it is I had to say can wait." She scampers away and bumps into Chad, and this time she falls. Out of the corner of my eye I see his helping her up and giving her a kiss once done doing so. My best friend's face turns rosy red and I can't help but glance at Troy and laugh.

"How cute," I observe.

"Yeah," laughs Troy, "About a week ago Chad 'came clean' about liking Taylor. He called a meeting and everything and was freaking out. He thought we'd disown him or something and that she would never go out with him."

"Taylor too. It was really adorable. I guess Chad's her 'lunk-head basketballus moronus jock,'" I laugh to myself, remembering when our separate groups of friends tried to keep us apart. They had 'cornered' me in a classroom and were trying to convince me basketball players and proclaimed geniuses don't mix. They even gave me live video feed of the basketball team getting Troy to say that I didn't matter. It hurt then, and I even shed a few tears. The wound has healed since then after getting the truth.

"And I guess she's his 'freaky math girl,'" Apparently he hasn't forgotten either, "You know, it's actually funny that they were trying to keep us from," he smiles to myself as if remembering some kind of joke, "falling in love--"

"Because of what we do," I whisper, surprised yet happy at his choice of words, "When they're the ones who stand together now kissing."

"When we could be," Troy finishes and his lips tough mine ever so slightly, though it holds so many emotions, feelings, and significance. It's amazing how so little an act can be so important, so risky.

Troy begins to pull away, but I hold him closer, not letting him go. He smiles and kisses me again, this time deeper.

Just then it hits me. I'm kissing the most popular boy. He's gorgeous, and I don't deserve him. I begin to feel lightheaded and pull away quickly and turn to the side. Troy looks hurt and surprised. He probably thinks I'm rejecting him.

"Did I do something wrong?" He asks, his face openly revealing his confusion and taking his hands off me.

"No," I don't want to freak him out or make him feel bad when it's just me, "it's just I'm not used to this, the kissing." I look up, ashamed. He stares at me and finally lets out a laugh.

"I can change that," He smiles mischievously and kisses me again.

"Troy, you coming to the after-party?" asks one of his fellow teammates, interrupting our kiss.

Troy doesn't look up from me and replies, "Yeah," but then whispers in my ear, "Only if you'll be my date." I laugh and kiss him as a yes.

This night has been perfect so far. "Okay, but I have to go in the locker room now Montez. I'll be back in about ten minutes," I smile but already it hurts to be away from her. Now that I've kissed her, I want nothing more than to hold her; Gabi's like a drug. Her eyes deepen and she slowly nods. I kiss her slightly on the lips and walk towards the locker room.

Once in the smelly room, I can't stop thinking about her. I rush everything and run around the locker room, getting all my things together, but apparently causing a sight while doing it.

"Woah, what's the hurry Bolton?"

I smile sheepishly and continue what I'm doing, never once stopping and then step out of the enclosed room triumphantly.

Troy walks back to me in half the time he said he'd be. He's got a goofy smile on his face that warms my heart. I go on my tippy toes and kiss him on the cheek.

I smile, "Back so soon?"

"Montez, you know I can't stand not being around you."

"Already?" Actually I feel the same way, I always have. Just his presence changes how I feel and gives me confidence. His smell intoxicates me, and the beat of his heart calms me.

"Always," He simply says and laces his fingers in mine, causing my skin to jump, which he notices. He smiles at me tenderly at his discovery, "So, do you get that feeling that your heart is going to leap out of your chest every time my skin rubs against yours?" He takes our interlocked hands and kisses my hand, causing exactly what he said to happen.

"You know me too well," I say and look up at him quizzically, "Do I have that effect on you?"

"You know the answer to that," He smiles, "Well, I hope my effect on you never wears off. I look up at him, cracking a smile while rolling my eyes.

"Miss Montez," he says in a formal voice while opening the car door for me.

"Why, thank you, Mr. Bolton," I giggle and brush his neck with my fingertips. He sighs contentedly, shuts the door behind me, and rushes to the other side of the car. It smells just like Troy, a mixture of cologne, soap, and sweat. Mixed together, it's utterly sweet and tempting. I smile as he gives me a swift kiss before starting up the engine.

"I think I can get used to this very easily," I laugh and start to toy with the radio. I reach Z100 and a look of disgust appears on his face.

"Ugh. Change the station. I hate Z100," He says while removing my tiny fingers from the radio turner. I can't help but stifle a laugh. He changes the station to 102.7, my favorite station, before looking back at me.

"I hate it too, and this is actually my favorite station," I honestly say and start singing along to the music. He glances at me with a smirk and mutters something unintelligible.

"What?" I say while turning down the blasting music.

"I love you," I mutter to Gabi. Her cheeks get rosy and her ears turn pink, but she's glowing and absolutely beautiful. I like to see her like this, I realize. I laugh and reach out to gently touch her face. She places her hand over mine and brushes her lips against it. My heart skips a beat, but the looming building comes into sight.

I step out of my 2003 Jaguar, my most prized possession--even though it is used,-- and walk over to the other side. I help Gabriella out and notice a shiver running down her back, so I drape my jacket over her shoulders and laugh at the absurd sight. My girlfriend is in a gorgeous red dress with my huge white sports jacket over it. No matter, she still looks and is beautiful.

"What?" She questions while looking up at me.

I quickly give her a kiss on the cheek and whisper in her ear, "You're beautiful." Gabi blushes for the second time this night, and I grin, "Come on." I take her hand and lead her through the doors. Tons of people are here already, and each one's eyes follow me and Gabi, making her uncomfortable, so we slip into the midst of everyone and find Chad and Taylor, just blending in.

"Come on, let's go Gabi," I say, finally having enough of the party scene.

She looks up at me, "Not a party guy? When I first met you, we were at a party." She nudges me and smiles.

"Yeah, yeah," I say, "But aren't you a bit uncomfortable? Everybody's staring at us, and this time for no reason."

"A little," She admits and pulls me out of the door.

Once we reach my car I go to open the door for her, but she stops me, "Hey, I'm doing the driving." She takes the keys from me and goes in before I can object.

"Alright, but don't crash it."

"I won't," she smiles and it's contagious; I immediately trust her.

"We're here," I say as I park the car, the headlights revealing my house.

"Your house?" Troy questions.

"Oh come on, I'm not thinking about that."

"Good," he says, "My parents would kill me."

Author's Note: I really liked writing the first chapter so I continued and finished this one. If there are any errors, please tell me as it is really late and I'm too tired to notice anything. Oh, and if you think this is moving along too quickly and the chapter is bad, please tell me. If many people don't like it, I most definitely will change it, but I think it's sweet.

The point of view changes a couple of times, so it might be a confusing. And no, they do not have sex, so don't review saying stuff like that :P