Chapter 3

Gabriella sat down on the couch in her living room and started stuffing herself with chocolate ice cream. It was a Saturday but she didn't have any plans and her mom was out so Gabi had the house to herself.

Suddenly the phone rang. Gabriella quickly grabbed it and said, "Hello?"

"Hey, Gabi, is that you?" a male-voice asked.

Gabriella was so excited. It was Troy!

"Um, yeah, this is Gabi," she said, laughing nervously.

"Well, um, do you want to come over?" Troy asked.

Gabriella nodded before realizing Troy couldn't see her.

"Yeah, I'd love to. I'll be back I'll be there in a few." She got Troy's address, hung up, and ran up to her room. She had to find the perfect outfit. And her flannel PJ's weren't!

A few minutes later, she stood outside Troy's house, which was surprisingly only a block away, so she didn't have to bring her car. She made last minute adjustments to her outfit (pictures in profile) and rang the doorbell.

Troy opened the door and smiled.

"Hey, Gabi," he said. Gabriella smiled and walked in. She looked around and said, "Nice house."

Troy said, "Uh, thanks, you wanna watch a movie?"

They decided to watch Saw, which meant Gabi had to hide in Troy's arms during the scary parts. And that was a lot of times!

When the movie was over, Gabriella sighed of relief.

"How can you watch these kinds of movies?" she asked. Troy laughed. "They're fun to watch. And it was even better having you next to me."

Gabriella blushed while Troy continued laughing.

Suddenly the phone rang. Troy dove for it and answered, "Yeah?"

"Hey, Troy, what's up, man?" it was Chad.

"Um, hey, Chad," Troy said. "Gabi's over. Want to talk to her?"

"No," Chad answered. "But did you ask her yet?"

"Ask what?" Troy asked, receiving confused looks from Gabriella.

Chad sighed. "Did you ask Gabi yet?"

Troy said, "No. But I will...soon."

"Fine," grumbled Chad. They both hung up. And Troy turned to Gabi.

"Um, Gabi?" Troy said. "Do you want to go for a walk in the park? I have to ask you something."

Gabriella nodded and soon the two were out the door and heading toward the park.

"Uh," Troy said, when they arrived. They walked in silence.

"Listen, um, Gabi, I know we've only known each other for a few days," Troy said. "But, um," he took off the ring from his hand and turned to Gabi.

"Will you wear my team ring and promise to be girlfriend?" Troy asked.

Gabriella stared at the ring. She was about to say yes but then thoughts ran through her brain. They had only known each other for a few days and Gabriella didn't completely trust him. Just 99 percent of the time. And Troy was the most popular boy in school. And Gabriella didn't want to end up like Pam Smith.

"Uh," Gabriella stammered. "I'll think about it."

Troy was a bit disapointed, but he was still glad she didn't say no.

Troy walked Gabriella home.

"Bye, Gabi," Troy said. He was about to turn and walk away when Gabi planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Bye, Troy," she said, giggling.

As Troy walked away, he touched his cheek. It felt warmer than it did a earlier. Better, too.