Before you start reading the third chapter, I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you who reviewed, favorited, and even those who just read it! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Now for a reply to a review:

Zab (guest) - To answer your question, it's a yes and a no. I thought of the title because I think it fits the plot of the story well. Then later, I realized that it was also from the Vampire Diaries . Maybe, unconsciously that's where I got the idea from, but really it's just coincidence. Anyway, thank you for the review! Keep on reading.


CHAPTER THREE

I'LL LISTEN

"Hey Gabriella", Matt shouted from the first floor lobby of the school building.

Gabriella looked where the sound was coming from. She looked down and saw Matt calling her. Oh no! She's not yet ready to talk to Matt. If only she could find a way out of this. Like a knight but without the shining armor, Troy Bolton just happened to be walking up the stairs. Is Troy Bolton he's way out but they don't even know each other, would he help her? She must think fast, Matt is approaching them.

"Troy!" Gabriella called out.

Stunned, Troy looked towards the direction of the lovely voice which he knows so well. It was Gabriella's voice. The voice he would always be happy to hear. She looked good today as always. She was wearing some skinny jeans, a blue floral top with matching cardigan. He loves that Gabriella didn't have to dress in skimpy clothes like the others but still manage to look gorgeous. He must have been staring for too long but he was already half smiling as he approached where she was standing.

What could she want from him? Did she call him to yell at him for the little accident in the ramp the other day? Did he hurt her? He's smile quickly turned into creases on his forehead thinking that he could have harmed Gabriella.

"Hey Gabby-riella..." Wooh, he almost called her with her nickname, "what did you want?"

"Ahm, I hope you don't mind... but... ahmmm... ahmmm.. I was just wondering if you could help me carry some books from the fourth floor laboratory to the library downstairs" Gabriella, by this time, is doubting if she should carry on with her plan. She looked at Troy to catch some hint of annoyance in his face instead she thinks she saw a smile. That's a good sign right?

"Mister Andrews asked me to and Peter bailed out on me so I kinda have no choice and a-".

"Sure, I'll help you", Troy said sincerely.

Even before Gabriella half pleaded asking for Troy's help, she didn't need to do that. Troy was happy that Gabriella even just talked to her. He was even happier to do something with Gabby even though it meant going up and down the laboratory to the library. Anything to do with Gabby is worth it.

"So, let's go then?" Troy asked leading the way to the stairs.

They went up the stairs silently together. The silence was deafening to both of them. As a gentleman, Troy initiated the conversation.

"So...is it fun being a little teacher's pet to Mister Andrews?", Troy teased.

Gabby didn't seem to realize that Troy was joking, so Troy added a little chuckle. Then Gabby seemed to relax and chuckled with him too. "I am not a teacher's pet! I just didn't get away faster than the others when Mister Andrews asked us a 'favor'", Gabriella said a little louder with an emphasis on the "teacher's pet".

"Knowing you, I know you would full heartedly volunteer to help Mister Andrews or anyone for that matter", Troy slipped. Maybe it freaked Gabby out a little. Oh no, he shouldn't have said that. He sneaked a little look towards her and was surprised to see a blush forming in her cheeks. That's good right? The last thing he wanted was Gabriella thinking he was some kind of stalker.

"Knowing me? How well do you know me?" Wow, when Troy said the first two words he said it like he meant it. She wanted to know what made him say this. Does he really know her? Yes, they have seen each other in the hallways or in the cafeteria. He was part of the basketball team so they have had some common friends. But it seems like Troy is never near Matt. They're co-captains but they don't seem to like each other very much. The closest they've been each other is today and that day on the ramp.

"Well, I know that you are a Straight A student. You love Math the most. You are even part of the school's Decathlon team. Your bestfriend is Taylor. You also love plants. In fact, I saw you hanging out a couple of times at the roof deck garden and-". Troy was to continue but Gabby interrupted.

"I saw you a couple of times at the roof garden too. You seem to spend a lot of time there." Gabriella teased. It was true, she always sees Troy hanging out in the rooftop garden. But in those times, Gabriella never bothered to sit with him or something. She didn't want to. He looks so relaxed and happy just sitting there. Is that even possible? For Troy Bolton, it is. "You kinda are stealing some of my garden time." Gabby said with a chuckle.

She continued, "you seem to know a lot about me. I didn't know you even knew me." She remembered the awkward incident at the ramp during lunch. "By the way, I'm sorry for bumping you at the ramp during lunch. I'm a bit out of my element these days."

"You know what, you're forgiven but only if you treat me for some ice cream sometime." Troy was about to say he was only kidding when Gabriella said, "Then an ice cream, then!", she said with the biggest smile she could muster.

At this point they were already near the laboratory when Troy stopped walking. Gabby also stopped and wondered why Troy paused all of a sudden. Then Troy shifted his stance towards Gabby. "Gabriella, if you need someone other than Taylor to talk about why you're a little 'bit out of your element these days', and I know we only talked the most today, but you can come to me. I'll listen."

Gabriella did not expect those words to come out of Troy's mouth. She was shocked and happy at the same time. There was something about the way Troy said it that made her believe that Troy really meant it. And besides she doesn't want to burden Taylor about her problems anymore. She'd been such a good friend listening to all her Matt problems.

What she said next surprised Troy and even her. "Thank you. I'll definitely be looking for you when that time to explode comes". She smiled hoping that that time comes soon.


Reviews are highly appreciated! :))) -shaneybummer