Chapter 3

Bowling and Beach

Gabriella was sitting on one of the chairs watching her friends bowl. She really wanted to bowl but she knew that it could make her even more sore and plus Troy won't let her. Even though they just met yesterday, he's already protective of her.

"Having fun?" Troy walked over and sat next to her to keep her company.

"Yeah." Gabriella shrugged. "It would even be more fun if I was able to bowl, you know?"

"Awe well we don't want you to get even more sore and not able to reach your goal for the olympics, do we?"

"No." she sighed and gave up. "Well anyways, you're pretty good."

"Ehh, I'm ok." He looked at her. "So, I was thinking after this whole bowling thing, all 5 of us go to that restaurant down the street for lunch?"

"That sounds good to me." She nodded. "Hey you three, after bowling, we're gonna go down to that restaurant down the street for lunch."

They all nodded and went back in arguing who was better at bowling. Gabriella just rolled her eyes. She was used to this. They would always start arguing during the game and it's mostly Chad's fault anyways. He always says he's the best bowler out of all of them but the truth is, he is the worst but doesn't want to admit it.

"Do they do this all the time?"

Gabriella nodded, "Yeah pretty much."

"And what do you do?"

Gabriella giggled, "I just keep bowling since really I AM THE BEST."

Chad turned right to her and glared at her, "Do not get into this argument missy."

"Sorry but it's a fact and I'm willing to show you but someone won't let me so you're lucky," Gabriella smirked at him but then looked at Troy with pleading eyes, "Please, one game."

Troy looked at her eyes and already knew that he couldn't say no to those eyes, "Ok fine, one game."

"YES!" Gabriella jumped up and put her bowling shoes on. "Get ready to go down Chadster!"

"Bring it Gabster."

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They were now at the restaurant all sitting around the booth. The order is Troy, Chad, Taylor, Sharpay, and then Gabriella which means Troy and Gabriella are across from each other. They glanced at each other a few times.

"So what is going on after lunch?" Chad spoke up.

Gabriella shrugged, "Well I was thinking since I'm all better, I would…."

"No." Troy spoke up fast. "You are taking a break today."

"But…"

Sharpay chimed in, "Gabs, you are always skating. You need a day of fun and that is what we are going to do."

Chad groaned, "But she already had a fun day."

Gabriella giggled, "Awe Chad, I'm sorry. Don't be sad that I whooped you in bowling."

"Oh whatever," Chad shook his head. "I let you win."

Troy patted his back, "Sorry dude but you got whooped."

Taylor saw the look on his face and kissed his cheek. "It's ok baby. You had to realize it eventually that you are not a good bowler."

They all laughed as Chad rolled his eyes and took a sip of his soda. Gabriella giggled and Troy looked at her, he loved her giggle. He didn't want to feel these feelings for her especially after Gabriella told him that she isn't dating but he can't stop. To him, it was like love at first sight and he wanted her to be his. He was going to try and show her that he is different than those other guys. He understood everything because of his sister. Troy gave himself some hope.

Gabriella looked at him and was thinking the same thing but the other way around. She knew he would understand because of his hockey thing and his sister. She was rethinking that maybe she would let him in her world, her skating world and besides, if he made the pros before the Olympics and was one of the best players, he could go to the Olympics as well. They were 2 years away. But what if he wanted to take her out on dates and stuff? She would have to stop her practice and that is one thing she doesn't really want to do.

"What are you thinking about Gabs?" Sharpay looked at her friend.

"Huh?" Gabriella shook her head and looked around the table, "Oh nothing…Nothing at all."

Troy looked at her confused. He saw that face and knew she was thinking about something but what exactly? I need to relax and calm myself. I know these feelings are too soon. I just met her yesterday, damn it but once I saw her on that ice yesterday, I knew I had to know her and when I went home, she was the only thing on my mind. I hope I can change her mind about her dating situation. I will be with her every step along the way, figure skating isn't boring. I should know, if anyone should be bored of it, would be me but I'm not.

He glanced at Gabriella and gave her a smile. She saw his smile and smiled back at him. That smile, those ocean blue eyes, his hair, and his just everything about him makes me want to melt. I never felt like this about anyone before and that scared me. What if I do let him in? Is it possible for me to focus on my dream and having a boyfriend too? Should I just wait until my dream comes true before this goes anywhere? These are the questions that I need answers too but I can't ask him because I don't even know if he likes me. What if he does? What if me skating all the time gets too much for him? What if I get heartbroken and can't focus on my skating? I know a lot of what ifs but I need to know. I just met him yesterday so who knows what this could lead us to anyway.

Troy got up from the booth and started walking away but turned around and nodded his head for Gabriella to come with him. She smiled and looked around the table before getting up and walking after him and glanced at the table before walking with him.

"Where are we going?" Gabriella finally asked him.

Troy looked at her, "You trust me?"

"I don't know." She joked. "I mean I just met you last night."

"Ha ha funny." Troy rolled his eyes but then smiled. "Trust me and you will be safe, but if not then who knows what will happened."

Gabriella looked at him to see his face and she soon relaxed knowing he was joking. "Ha ha funny. Fine I trust you."

"Good." Troy chuckled and grabbed her hand running to his car. "Now get in."

"Woh bossy." Gabriella giggled as she got in the passenger seat.

Troy got in on the other side. Remember the Say Ok music video where they are in the car? Think of that, if you don't, go watch her music video and everything that happens in her video is happening. Gabriella took out her camera as he started driving and started taking pictures of Troy as he was driving. Troy chuckled and glanced at her as she was taking the pictures. They ended up being at the beach. Gabriella looked around and grinned as she got out of the car and ran over to the playground. Troy chuckled and followed her playing with her and going crazy and he fell to the ground. She laugh hysterrically and he got up and started chasing her. Then they went on the twirly thingy I forgot what they were called, you know where Zac and Vanessa are twirling around before her friends come over. If you know, please let me know what it is called. They were looking in each other's eyes and were leaning in and as they were just about to connect their lips, they got broken apart when three people jumped on the round thing. They all laughed and started chasing each other around on the beach and Gabriella jumped on Troy's back.

Troy grabbed her legs, "Having fun?"

"Yup, now I am." Gabriella giggled as she put her arms around his neck. "Thank you for bringing me here."

"Well, I could tell that you were bored and were probably going to stay the same way the whole day so I thought about the beach." Troy looked up at her. "You know, you are a lot alike with my sister."

"I hope that is a good thing because then that means I have a gold medal in my future." Gabriella giggles.

"Even though I've only known you for a day, I feel like I've known you my whole life and I can see a gold medal in your future."

Gabriella smiles at him and he smiles back at her. Chad, Taylor, and Sharpay were all watching them. They could see that Gabriella was feeling something with Troy and they were happy because she needed love, not brother love from her Nate which she gets or friend love which she gets from them, but true love that will make her even happier. That is all Gabriella needed and then of course a medal and she would be set.

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Gabriella got off of Troy's back and was walking along the shoreline with Troy. They were in a comfortable silence looking out in the ocean. Troy saw Gabriella shiver and took his jacket off and put it around her shoulders.

Gabriella smiled, "Thanks."

"No problem, I couldn't let my future superstar get cold." Troy blushed and looked away when he said that.

Gabriella blushed as well and she just stood there watching the sunset with a million things running through her head and it was most about Troy. She came up with a decision about their situation and even though they only knew each other for a day, she knew it was the right choice because she wouldn't be able to focus on her skating if Troy was on her mind this much.

"Troy?" Gabriella turned towards him.

Troy turned towards her, "Yeah?"

Gabriella took a deep breath and put her hand on his cheek and quickly gave him a peck on his lips. She pulled back not knowing if she regretted doing that because she didn't know how he felt about her.

When he didn't say anything, she backed up a little, "Um, I-I'm s-sorry…I shouldn't have done that."

She was about to turn and walk away but Troy grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him and leaned down kissing her a little more than just a peck. Gabriella was shocked that he was kissing her but then relaxed and put her arms around his neck as he put his arms around her waist.

They finally pulled back after their first sweet, passionate kiss. They didn't let each other go and just looked at each other in each other's eyes.

"Let me be the one." Troy finally spoke up.

"Be the one what?" Gabriella grew confused.

"Let me be the one to understand how much figure skating means to you. Let me be the one to be there with you every step along the way. Let me be the one congratulating you one when you win gold at the olympics." Troy took a breath. "I know we just met yesterday and all but I can't seem to get you out of my mind. Your giggle, your eyes, your smile, and the way you move on the ice. I knew at the moment that I saw you that I had to have you or at least meet you. Please let me be the one to love you."

"Troy." She was speechless of everything he said to her and had tears in her eyes and she looked in his eyes and knew that she had to have him to.

Troy looked at her hopelessly and knew it wasn't going to happen so he just let her go and was about to walk away until he felt a hand stop him. He turned towards the person and then felt lips on his. He was shocked at first but then he put his arms back around her body.

Gabriella pulled back slowly, "I want you to be the one."

"Really?" Gabriella nodded. "Even if we just met yesterday?"

"Troy, I never felt so close to anyone that I just met like I do with you." She looked in his eyes. "Ever since you kissed my cheek last night, you've been on my mind. I was just trying to stop these feelings from happening because I'm afraid of heartbreak and not being able to focus on my skate."

"I will never break your heart." Troy caressed her cheek. "I understand the space you need for the skating and I'm gonna need it to for hockey but we can work it out. I'm not like any of the other guys. I understand."

"I know you do." Gabriella smiled. "That's why I'm letting you be the one."

Troy smiled and she smiled too, "So Miss Montez, do I have the honor of calling you my girlfriend?"

"Yes, yes you do." Gabriella smiled and kissed him again but this time it was with more passionate.

"I knew she would finally find the right guy." Sharpay said. "Let's just hope he won't break her heart."

Taylor nodded, "And if he does, Nate will kill him."

"More like the whole hockey team will kill him." Chad chimed in.

So Troy and Gabriella are together. Was it too soon for them to get together or was it perfect the way it happened? Will they last? Will Gabriella get heartbroke? Please leave me a review letting me know how you are liking this story.