"Son," Troy felt someone call him and shake his shoulder. "Son, wake up!"

Troy opened his eyes and blinked in the bright sunlight. He had fallen asleep in the cemetery. A couple around his father's age was next to him. The man had his hand on Troy's shoulder.

"What time is it?" Troy muttered.

"Half past seven," the man replied. "Are you okay?"

"No," Troy groaned, scrambling onto his feet.

"Was she a relative?" the woman asked.

"She was my mother," Troy replied. "She died last year."

"I'm sorry," she said.

"It's okay," Troy said. "I better get going. I didn't mean to fall asleep here."

"Take care of yourself, son," he said. "Don't do anything stupid."

Troy nodded and walked out of the cemetery running his hand through his hair as he did so. He drove home.

"Where were you?" Jack demanded angrily the minute he opened the door. "You're a mess. Where have you been?"

Troy looked around the room and saw Max and Gabriella staring at him.

"At the cemetery," Troy muttered. "I fell asleep, there."

"What the hell were you doing at the cemetery?" Jack asked.

"I don't know," Troy replied. "I was driving around and then I found myself there…next to mom's grave."

Jack's face softened. He glanced over at Gabriella and Max and they realized that Jack wanted a moment alone with Troy and left the room.

"Listen, Troy," Jack said. "I want you to talk to someone. I don't care whether it's me or not, but, if you want to talk to me, I'm here."

"Thanks," Troy muttered not looking at Jack.

"Talk to someone," Jack said. "I know you and Max aren't on friendly terms right now, so how about you talk to Chad Danforth. You're pretty good friends with him, aren't you? Or what about Gabriella?"

"Max doesn't want me to talk to Gabriella," Troy snapped and Jack realized what Troy was upset about.

"You love her, don't you?" Jack said and Troy forced himself to look at Jack and nodded. "Does she know?"

"Yeah," Troy replied. "We're…she's my girlfriend, dad, but, Max doesn't know it."

Jack nodded.

"I'm sorry I was a bit harsh on you, earlier, Troy," Jack said.

"It's okay, dad," Troy said.

"Take a shower," Jack said. "You stink."

Troy managed to smile when Jack said that and he hurried upstairs. He took a shower and went back downstairs.

"Pancakes?" Gabriella asked lifting a plate with pancakes swimming in syrup.

"Thanks," Troy grinned grabbing a fork. "Where's Max?"

"He went for a run," Gabriella said. "He won't be back for a while."

"Oh," Troy said. "This is really good, by the way."

"Thanks," Gabriella smiled.

"Listen, Brie," Troy said. "You don't have to cook for me, okay?"

"I know," Gabriella said. "But, I want to."

Troy smiled and held up a piece of pancake to her. She shook her head.

"I just ate," she smiled. "Thanks."

"I know thought that I'd go this crazy over my best friend's sister," Troy grinned and Gabriella blushed.

"I'm glad you did," she said shyly.

"Me, too," Troy smiled.

He leaned over and kissed her, gently.

"You taste like syrup," she giggled.

"And, whose fault is that?" he smirked. "You're the one who made these delicious pancakes."

"I'm glad you like them," she smiled.

The doorbell rang.

"That must be Max," Gabriella said.

"You said he wouldn't be here for awhile," Troy said getting up. "Besides, he never rings the doorbell."

Troy opened the door.

"We're going home," Max said looking past Troy at Gabriella.

"What if I'm not ready to go home, yet?" Gabriella asked.

"It won't be just you," Max said. "I'll be there, too."

"Just like you said you'd be there when dad died," Gabriella said, softly.

"That was then," Max said. "And, I'm sorry about that."

"I don't think I want to go home just yet," Gabriella said.

"Look, Gabriella," Troy said. "You're more than welcome to stay here."

"So that you can screw her like every other girl in school?" Max asked. "I don't think so."

Troy stiffened. He glared at Max.

"You think I'd screw your sister?" Troy asked. "You know I wouldn't do that, Max."

"I don't know anything right now, Bolton," Max said.

"I want to stay here," Gabriella interrupted the argument between the two friends. "I don't think I'm ready to go back home, yet."

Max stared at Gabriella.

"Fine," Max said. "You stay here. I'll go home."

He pushed past Troy and Gabriella and went upstairs. A few minutes later, he appeared with his bag.

"Can I talk to you, Troy?" Max asked.

Troy stared at Max for a moment and then shrugged. The two boys stepped outside and Troy closed the door leaving Gabriella inside.

"Listen to me, Bolton," Max said before Troy could say a word. "If you lay a single finger on my sister's body, I swear I'll never forgive you."

"Max," Troy began.

"She's a virgin," Max said. "And, I don't want you screwing her, man."

Troy's eyes darkened and Max noticed. It was a sign that everyone knew. Whenever Troy's eyes were dark, it was best to stay away. Max nodded at Troy and left.

Troy watched Max disappear around the corner and then kicked the trash can trying to get rid of his anger.

Gabriella watched from the window. Jack appeared next to her a few minutes later.

"Something to do with Max?" Jack asked and Gabriella nodded.

"Something to do with Max and me," Gabriella said, after awhile. "I didn't want to come in between them."

"Gabi," Jack said gently. "You will always be in between them. You have always been in between them. I mean this in a good way. And, you will always be more important to Troy than anyone else, even me."

Gabriella looked up at Jack in surprise. He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a one armed hug.

"Don't look so surprised," Jack chuckled. "I remember the day when Troy's mother died. You were the one who got him to let go. I must admit, I was worried about him. Troy has always loved you. Maybe more than he has ever loved anyone. I know my son, Gabriella. If he had the choice to save you or himself, first he would look for a way to save the both of you. If he can't, I'm pretty sure that he would save you. He's willing to risk his life for you."

"But, I can't be with Troy," Gabriella whispered, feeling close to tears. "Max would be so mad."

"Max will come around," Jack told her. "He's your brother and he's Troy's best friend."

"Max doesn't have a lot of friends other than Troy," Gabriella said. "Troy's popular and has tons of friends but it's not that easy for Max."

"You think it's easy for Troy?" Jack asked.

"Isn't it?" Gabriella looked surprised.

"It's tough being the playmaker," Jack said. "And, Troy's the playmaker at East High School. And, I'm not saying this because he's my son. All the teachers have noticed this. Troy keeps the school together. For generations, East High has been divided into cliques and since Troy has started East High School and made the basketball team, he had made sure that everyone had equal rights to everything in the school. Everyone in the school looks up to him because of that. Even the teachers have a lot of respect for him. It was the first time in years that we have seen a smart student – in your words, a nerd – talk to a jock and not get beaten up. Things were that bad at East High and Troy changed all of it at his first year at East High. Even the seniors back then respected him."

"He's a great guy," Gabriella agreed.

"Go to him," Jack said.

Gabriella glanced at Jack and he nodded. Gabriella opened the front door and stepped outside. She hurried towards Troy.

"Troy," she said, softly.

"What?" Troy snapped. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Gabriella said moving closer to him.

Troy wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"I really am sorry," he said. "About everything with Max. I know you hate fighting with him and I've caused it again. I'm sorry."

"Troy," Gabriella said, quietly. "This thing with Max…it's not your fault. If I wanted to go home, I could've and he wouldn't have been mad. But, I wanted to stay. I would've stayed even if we weren't together, because, honestly, I don't think I'm ready to go home alone with Max. I want to go home with someone who will stay with me for a day or two."

"I'll go," Troy said immediately. "Not that I don't want you here. If you want, you can move into this house. We'll have good food."

Gabriella giggled.

"You'd really go with me?" she asked.

"Of course," he smiled at her. "And, I'll stay with you as long as you need me to. Hell, I'll stay even longer if I don't feel like coming home."

"Thank you," she smiled as she leaned against his chest.

Troy's hugged her closer to him, half afraid that he would break her in half – she was so petite.

A/N Here's your next chapter. Review!!:D