The afternoon dragged on and Gabriella grew more and more nervous that her plan wasn't going to work. She knew that he was suspicious and she longed to burst out and tell him what she was trying to do but every time she felt the urge she reminded herself what Taylor had said and bustled around to make sure he was comfterable. She was just beginning to relax beside him when he sighed and turned off the T.V. Her tension grew again as she realized he was so suspicious that he was going to confront her about it. Sure enough he turned to her and raised an eyebrow.
"Okay. What's going on?" he asked. She managed a tight smile and said the words she had prepared in her head,
"What do you mean?" (AN: Great words eh?)
"You've been acting weird all day. Why?"
"Acting weird?" she questioned, doing her best to look confused. He just looked at her and she knew he wasn't buying it.
"You've been jumpy and nervous all day and I want to know why." He said. She winced at his tone and cleared her throat.
"I'm not sure what you mean Troy. I-" the phone rang saving her from having to think of something else. She held up a finger to Troy and then ran into the kitchen to answer it. "Hello?"
"Hey Gabs. How's the plan going?" Taylor asked.
"Tay help me, I'm dying here!" she hissed.
"What do you mean?"
"He's suspicious." She whispered, keeping her voice low so he wouldn't hear.
"Okay well…just tell him that you're sick or something and he should be okay with it."
"I can't lie to Troy, Taylor. He's always been honest with me." She said with a quick glance over shoulder to make sure that he wasn't listenig into their conversation. "I'll think of something."
"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" a voice interupted their conversation and Gabriella gasped.
"Troy! Why are you listening?"
"Because I know something's wrong and I'm worried about you." He replied. "Taylor can she call you back?"
"Yeah sure. Bye guys." The phone went dead and Gabriella put it down with trembling hands as she heard Troy hang up in the other room. He came into the kitchen and stared at her. Gabriella bit her lip and pushed her trembling hands behind her so Troy wouldn't see them.
"Gabi…" he started. "Please tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong." She answered. He took a step towards her and she pressed her back into the counter, knowing that if he touched her she'd lose it.
"You're acting so nervous. Did something happen? What was Taylor talking about when she said 'plan'?" Gabriella thought quickly.
"You heard that too?" she whispered. He nodded and took another step towards her. "We were just making plans for a girls night out a-and we needed to try to find some way to…to…" she broke off and grimaced. He closed the space between them in a stride until they were but a foot apart and she had no choice but to look at him.
"Does this have anything to do with me leaving?" he asked softly. She closed her eyes for a moment. 'He knows me to well.' She thought.
"N-no. W-why would you say t-that?" she stammered. He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Gabriella?" he asked. She struggled to keep her face empty of all emotion but when she looked at him again he was looking at her with so much concern that her face crumpled and she hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Don't leave me." She whimpered. Troy sighed and gently removed her arms from around his waist.
"I have to, Brie. It's for the best." He choked out. She shook her head and wiped a tear from her face.
"No it's not Troy." She sobbed and reached for him. He took her in his arms again and soothed her as she clutched his shirt in her hands. "I can't live without you." She admitted and then blushed a bright red. She had never admitted that to him before and wasn't sure how he'd react. She looked up at his face and was sorry she did. He was staring at her with a tortured expression on his face that she had never seen him wear before. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again, abruptly.
"Please don't make this any harder than it has to be Gabi." He muttered at last. She managed to control her tears enough so she could draw away from him.
"Troy…"
"No Brie. You may not think so but this might save out relationship. Imagine if I took you with me and we got into the playoffs? We'd be gone for months! What if you get sick? I wouldn't have time to bring you to a hospital. We wouldn't be able to have much time together. It'd be miserable and you know it." Gabriella thought about this for a moment and then sighed.
"Maybe, but you know what Troy? I wouldn't mind. I don't care where I am if I'm with you. Why can't you understand that? I need you. Please don't leave me." She pleaded and looked at him with big eyes. He sighed.
"Gabs. The answer is still no. Please don't get all worked up over this." She grimaced and then nodded before walking around him towards the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Just for a walk. I need to think." She replied. She turned to him and saw he was worried and upset. "I won't be gone long I promise." She added and when he still didn't look convinced she went over to him and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back and planted a kiss in her hair. "I just need to think." She repeated and gave a gentle smile as he nodded.
"Okay." He whispered, his voice defeated. She kissed his cheek quickly and then dashed to the door.
"Thanks. Bye Troy." She called. He waved in response and she smiled at him once more before stepping into the cool night air.
AN: So Troyella had their first "fight", well sort of anyway. Just so you know Troy got accepted to play on the Denver Nuggets. Sorry I forgot to put that in the first chapter. Sorry for any confusion! Hope you liked the chapter. R&R people. I love hearing from you!
