Engaged Desire

Disclaimer: I own nothing! As always this is a M rated FF so read with caution.

AN: Holy Smokes!! Thanks so much for all the reviews. I really had no idea that this story would be so well received. I'm having such a blast writing it and the fact that yall like it makes me soo happy, thus wanting to write more and more ASAP!

Please keep up the reviews they are amazing!

Chapter 3

It had been a few days since Lindsey's dinner party. After the little escapade in the bedroom Gabriella had made sure she stayed in the front room. However, it still hadn't stopped her or Troy for that matter from exchanging glances. After an hour of utter torture she faked a headache and left. Troy had given her a grin, knowing that she was faking, but Gabriella didn't care. She couldn't stomach much more of Lindsey using Troy like a chair and fingering the hairs on the back of his neck. She really needed to go home and get her shit together. The resentment and jealousy she was feeling towards her friend was unsettling. It still stood as is, Troy was engaged to Lindsey Walker and she had to remember that and ignore Troy's haunting words from their rendezvous in the bedroom.

It was now Monday and Gabriella stood in the large theatre that would house her and Troy's graduation. The dean and coordinator had been going on and on for only God knows how long about the detailed instructions as to where they were to stand and how they were to proceed forward to receive their diplomas.

"If you concentrate any harder I think you might blow a gasket" a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

The instant pings of heat that soared through her body revealed who now stood inches behind her. Not wanting to risk the ability to breathe correctly she kept her back to him, "aren't you supposed to be in the front of line Troy? Last time I checked B, as is Bolton was pretty close to the front of the alphabet." She said as a grin formed on her face.

Troy smirked and moved so that his chest was touching her back, "good to see you haven't forgotten the basics"

Gabriella laughed, "You know I have a memory like an elephant,"

Troy looked her up and down as he ran his tongue against the back of his teeth and let out a grunt, "you certainly don't have a body like one" he whispered against her neck, letting his warm breath linger.

Gabriella swallowed and shook her head, "Troy, go back to your part of the line"

Troy didn't move.

"Troy, I hear and feel you breathing back there"

Troy grinned and moved his head to the crook of her neck and kissed it sweetly.

Gabriella jerked around, "Troy, someone could see you" she said as she looked around and mentally was grateful that everyone was still watching the crew set up everything for tomorrow.

Troy smirked, "I got you to turn around and face me though"

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Troy that was not a smart move"

Troy let out a sigh, "you sound like Lindsey,"

Gabriella's eyes narrowed, "oh, so you remember her? The girl you are engaged to"

Troy groaned, "Ella can we please not go there"

Gabriella grabbed his hand and pulled him away from prying eyes, "why not Troy?"

"I just don't want to think about her when I'm with you"

"Well maybe we should have some space." She said as she went to walk away.

Troy grabbed for her hand and pulled her back to him, "no, I don't want that"

Gabriella noticed he had sadness in his eyes, "fuck, why I have I all of sudden grown so weak around him" she said to herself.

Gabriella let out a sigh, "what other options do we have? Obviously time hasn't been on our side. It has been almost three weeks since we, "you know" and we are no closer to forgetting"

Troy laughed, "Ella, you are going to be a doctor its okay to say sex"

Gabriella shook her head, "stop making this a joke"

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to, I just couldn't stand not being able to see you, be around you and as I said the other day, I don't want to forget."

Gabriella let out a sigh, "I know, we have grown to have a great friendship over the years, something I cherish very much and that's why this has to stop"

"I don't want it to" Troy blurted out. He hadn't meant for it to at least not at that moment. Yes, he had been feeling that way from the morning he woke up with her in his arms, but he hadn't meant to vocalize it.

"What?" Gabriella said in a voice ridden with shock. She looked around at all the people standing near to them and then pulled him out of view not wanting to risk others hearing what could follow.

"Gabriella, I don't want to hurt Lindsey, but I think about you all the time, when I'm alone, when I'm with Chad, when I'm with Lindsey, when I'm asleep. I have never ran away from anything and I'm not going to start now"

Gabriella leaned against the wall with her back for support. She hadn't prepared herself for this admission. She had always assumed that what happened was just a phase and he would move on or do what she does, ignore it until you reach denial and that denial finally becomes reality.

Troy moved closer to her, so that the curtain now hid both their bodies from view. He brought his hand to rest on her side and his face inches from hers, "and I think if you are honest with yourself you will find you feel the same way Ella"

Gabriella breath caught in her throat and her eyes soften at the sincerity in his voice, his eyes and his touch, "I, I…"

Troy grinned and brought his lips down on hers.

Gabriella's eyes closed tight as she let herself melt into his kiss and touch.

Troy pulled away, the luscious sound of the kiss breaking filling both their ears. Troy smiled as he watch Gabriella slowly open her eyes and run her tongue over her bottom lip.

"Come on, we better get back to our places in line," Troy said as he extended his hand out for her.

Gabriella looked at it for a moment and then back up into his eyes as she took it. It was then she knew she was in such deep shit there was no scooping her out.

It was graduation day. Gabriella's mom had flown in late last night and had actually made it to the graduation, that is until ten minutes ago when Gabriella received a text from her mom saying she had an emergency at the office in Japan and she would have to take off. Yes, Gabriella had been disappointed that her mother had to leave, but she had to at least give her credit for at least showing her face and in some odd way that was enough for Gabriella. She had been able to get a few pictures before graduation and Maria Montez had been able to see Gabriella cross the stage and become Dr. Montez. Gabriella knew her mother was proud of her, but she also knew her mother had worked so hard to give her a comfortable life growing up that she really couldn't fault her. Yes, she missed her and wished she had more time with her, but that was life, her life, the life she had come to terms with long ago. Taylor and Sharpay had been preoccupied with their own graduation or performance, hence the reason they weren't there. So now Gabriella sat in the Limo alongside Lindsey, her parents, Troy and his parents. Awkward, would be putting it lightly.

They pulled up to the restaurant. She opened the door immediately, wanting to free herself from the sardine can of hell.

Gabriella stood next to the door of the restaurant waiting for everyone to exit the car. Gabriella felt bile rise in her throat as she saw Lindsey reach up on her toes and kiss Troy dead on the lips, to which he reciprocated. Gabriella rolled her eyes and turned her back to them.

"Alright, I'm ready to eat." Troy said as he brought his hands together making a clapping sound.

Gabriella let out a sigh of relief; eating meant she was that much closer to escaping this painful abyss.

Gabriella politely held the door for everyone to enter. Once the last person entered she went to enter herself, but she was suddenly stopped.

"You okay?" Troy asked with sincerity.

Gabriella gave him a closed mouth smile, "perfect"

Troy ran his hand up her arm, trying to comfort her, "I'm sorry"

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Troy, don't"

Troy swallowed, he knew Gabriella had seen him and Lindsey kiss, how could she have not and add that onto the fact that her mom had to bail and her friends from home were unable to attend must have been rather unpleasant.

"Ella, don't be that way"

Gabriella let out sigh, "what way Troy, I'm fine" she said meeting his eyes.

"You don't seem fine" he said still blocking her from entering the restaurant.

Gabriella let out groan, "seriously Troy, people are going to come looking and wonder what is going on"

Troy shook his head, "I don't care. I care more about you being okay"

Gabriella met his gaze again and studied his eyes, which were full of sincerity.

Gabriella sighed, "Okay, it sucks that my mom had to leave, my friends aren't here and now I'm here imposing on you and your family and future family, ugh and…"

Troy caressed her face with the palm of his hand as he looked at her with sincerity and concern, "and?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "and I hated seeing you kiss Lindsey, there I said it and I hate myself for it"

Troy smiled as he ran his thumb across her lips, "I know and I'm sorry"

Gabriella felt herself relax at his touch, "I know you are,"

Troy smiled, "ready to go eat"

Gabriella grinned, "no, but I know you are"

Troy laughed as he reached for her hand and lead her into the restaurant, "have I told you how beautiful you look today?" he said as he fully took in her black lace short sleeve dress that hugged her subtle curves, hitting a few inches above the knee"

Gabriella smiled, "thanks"

"What about me," Troy said smiling down at her.

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "handsome as always"

Gabriella and Troy entered the dining area minutes later. Troy had sat between Lindsey and her mother while she sat between Troy's dad and Lindsey's dad, placing her directly in front of Troy.

"Gabs, I'm so sorry your mom had to leave" Lindsey said as she looked over her menu.

Gabriella shrugged, "it happens,"

"Yeah too much though" Lindsey said under her breath.

Troy eyes widen, "Lindsey" he slightly scolded.

"What? It's true. Gabs doesn't deserve that."

Gabriella shook it off, she knew Lindsey was far too opinionated for her own good, something she had gotten use it.

"Yeah, even so, you shouldn't say things like that. It's not your place to judge."

Lindsey's eyes narrowed, "whatever Troy, I've known her far longer than you have. You don't know the half of it" she said turning back to her menu.

"Still, it doesn't give you the right to make comments about other people's relationships. It's not your place"

Everyone at the table remained frozen and speechless.

Lindsey glared at Troy, "She is my friend. I care about her and I thought you did too"

Troy returned her glare, "Are you serious? Lindsey I care very much for Gabriella, that's why I'm not going to let you sit here and make comments about her mother and a situation you don't understand."

Gabriella's eyes widen at Troy's admission. "Troy its fine, look let's just order" but no one seemed to hear her.

"Oh and you understand" Lindsey shot back.

"I didn't say that, but I know the proper way to treat other people" he said getting frustrated.

Lindsey's mouth dropped, "what? And I don't"

Troy shrugged, "I thought you did?"

Gabriella turned to the others at the table and gave them a sympathetic smile and mouthed that she was going to leave. Gabriella stood up from the table, pushed her chair in and left, Troy and Lindsey none the wiser.

"I can't believe you just said that to me, "Lindsey said in what sounded like fake hurt.

Troy rolled his eyes and turned back to the table. He looked around with concern, "where is Ella?" he asked.

"She left," the remainder of the table said in unison.

Lindsey sunk low in her chair, "I didn't mean to upset her"

Lindsey's mom being a pacifier, rubbed her arm, "she knows you didn't honey"

Troy rose up from his chair, "I'm going to the bathroom, please excuse me" he said as he walked away from the table, not giving Lindsey a second look and really not giving a shit about it.

When he reached the bathrooms he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Gabriella's number.

"Hello"

Hey, I'm so sorry about that. It just really got under my skin that she was making comments that she had no business making.

Gabriella smiled, "its okay. I'm use to Lindsey's opinionated outbursts"

Troy felt anger filling him again, but he tried not show it in his voice, "you shouldn't have to Ella."

"I appreciated you trying to stand up for me, but it really wasn't necessary Troy."

Troy let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair.

"You better get back. I'm sorry I left, but I just had to get out of there. I don't want to cause more problems than I already have.

"Ella, you haven't caused any problems"

Gabriella laughed, "So you would have acted that way even if we hadn't slept together and kissed a few times"

Troy swallowed as he thought for a moment, "Yes Ella, I would have. You mean something to me. "

The seriousness in his voice sent chills all over her body, "um, look I need to go and you need to get back." She said consumed by emotion.

Troy threw his head back in frustration, "okay, I'll talk to you soon?"

"Um, yeah sure" she said as she hung up the phone.

Troy hit end call and took a deep breath as he reentered the dining area where he was supposed to be celebrating his graduation from medical school, but without Gabriella there it's meaning diminished.

AN: So, how do yall feel about Lindsey? Ha! Thanks for reading! I look forward to reading yall's thoughts!