Chapter 4

"Deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA, is a nucleic acid consisting of two strands of polymers made up of nucleotides with a backbone of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds."

The monotone voice of her professor was enough to put Gabriella to sleep. It didn't help that the clock didn't seem to be moving, nor did it help that the lights were dimmed, the light from the power point being the only source illuminating the room.

"DNA stores genetic information. The segments carrying this information are known as genes."

Fighting off the sense of apathy threatening to overwhelm her, Gabriella copied down the notes on the screen before letting her eyes wander back to the clock. Normally she struggled to pay attention in her Principles of Biology class. It wasn't that she hated biology, but it was just her luck to get one of the most boring professors in the history of teaching.

She knew from day one that this class would become one of her least favorites. Everyday like clockwork at 9:28, Mr. Richards would walk in, his brown briefcase in one hand, and his mug of coffee in the other. After setting his items on the desk, he would pull up the rolling chair to the side of it, and pull down the projector screen before turning on the projector, sitting down, and beginning the lecture. Dressed in the same boring grey suit with a red bow tie as always, Gabriella found herself wondering if he owned multiple suits or just wore the same one every day, the thought of the latter making her cringe slightly.

Clearing his throat in a very annoying way, something he did as many as a hundred times during one lecture Gabriella recalled…yes, she counted…Mr. Richards took a sip of his coffee before changing the slide.

"As discussed earlier, there are two polymer strands. These strands run anti-parallel to each other. Attached to their sugar backbone is one of four bases."

After jotting down the four bases, Gabriella let her eyes stray once more to the clock. 10:59. One minute left to freedom. A grin tugged at her lips at the realization that in sixteen minutes she would be sitting at lunch with Troy.

Her thoughts traveled back to the night before as she remembered the way it felt when his lips grazed her cheek. She could feel face blushing at just the memory. The way it felt when he gently placed his hand on her arm. How his thumb softly brushed the skin there while his soft lips barely made contact with her cheek.

She knew she had it bad at this point. Every detail was so vivid in her memory, and she'd been replaying the moment ever since Troy had left.

The sounds of chairs scratching against the floor brought her out of her thoughts. Gabriella let her eyes focus on the clock and breathed a sigh of relief seeing it read 11:00. Quickly springing up from her seat and tossing her bag over her shoulder, Gabriella followed the rush of students out to the hallway.

Ten minutes later she pushed open the door to the Plaza café, immediately being hit with the smell of grilled hamburgers and sandwiches. Realizing she was a few minutes early and Troy was probably not there, Gabriella made her way over to get a cup of water.

"So how was class?"

Gabriella tilted her head to the side, a grin appearing when she saw Troy leaning against the counter, wearing red Nike shorts and a white t-shirt, his brown hair slightly spiked up.

"Boring as usual." Gabriella told him, placing a lid on her cup and picking up a straw. "How about you?"

"Eh, how exciting can Intro to Western Civilization be?"

Gabriella giggled. "Well, I guess a history major might find it exciting."

"Probably so." Troy shrugged. "Ready to eat?"

"Yeah, I'm starving."

Troy smiled and led her over towards the counter, both of them ordering a sandwich and a smoothie before grabbing a table in the corner of the room. After Gabriella sat down, Troy pulled out his chair and took a seat across from her, the two immediately diving in to eat their lunch.

"So class was boring, huh?" Troy asked, starting up their conversation again.

"Yeah, as always. I can't ever seem to completely focus in that class. I was so tempted to fall asleep today," she admitted, earning a chuckle from Troy.

"Who's your professor?"

"Dr. Richards."

"The guy who wears the same suit everyday?"

Gabriella giggled. "You think it's the same suit? Or do you think he owns multiples of the same suit?"

"Same suit," Troy answered confidently. "I know this because he has a certain odor about him that means either it's the same suit or he doesn't wear deodorant."

"Or maybe both," Gabriella added, causing them both to erupt in laughter, oblivious to the students around them who were watching them in amusement.

"Wait, how do you know Dr. Richards?" Gabriella asked curiously.

"I have him for a class," Troy informed her, enjoying the subsequent confused look on her face.

"What class?"

"Basics of Biology," Troy grinned.

"Really?" Gabriella asked in disbelief.

"Really Montez," Troy grinned. "Just because I'm not some genius Biology major doesn't mean I don't take biology."

"I didn't mean it like that, it's just," Gabriella paused trying to think of how to phrase what she wanted to say.

"You just think because I'm a Bolton, I'm not smart enough for biology classes?" Troy supplied.

"Shut up Troy," Gabriella scolded playfully, picking up the balled up napkin next to her and tossing it at Troy.

Troy laughed while dodging the napkin before sending her an amused look. "I guess I'd better watch it. I had heard the Montez clan got a little violent. I guess those rumors are true," Troy commented reaching for the napkin. "See? Dangerous weapons," Troy said sarcastically, grinning as he held up the napkin in his hand.

"You're unbelievable," Gabriella muttered in amusement, grabbing her cup and plate. "I think I'm going to go sit where I'm appreciated."

Gabriella pretended to gather her things before standing up, only to have Troy reach out and grab her arm, gently tugging her back to her seat. "Sit down, sit down. Come on, I promise to be good."

Gabriella looked at Troy to see him grinning innocently back at her, like a child who was attempting to coerce his mom to give him a cookie before dinner.

"Fine, one condition though."

"What's that?" Troy grinned, thoroughly enjoying their conversation.

"You're buying lunch tomorrow."

----

Gabriella walked into her room Thursday night at 7:00, having just finished practice, still dressed in her red basketball shorts and white practice jersey.

Hearing some noise in the bathroom, she walked towards it to see Sharpay, all dressed in sparkles and pink as usual, busily putting on some eyeliner in the mirror.

"I will never understand how you actually can do that," Gabriella said, making Sharpay aware of her presence.

"Oh hey Gabi," Sharpay replied, her eyes remaining on the mirror. "And like I told you before, it's easy. You just drag the pencil lightly across your eyelid."

"And that doesn't bother you?" Gabriella asked incredulously, leaning against the bathroom doorway.

"Why would it?"

"Because, you have a sharp object that you're putting mere centimeters away from your open eye."

"Well you don't poke your eye with it Gabi. It's relatively safe," Sharpay informed her sarcastically, switching to put the eyeliner on the opposite eye.

"It's stupid is what it is."

"It's genius," Sharpay argued back, smiling as she finished before placing the pencil back in her giant silver and pink makeup box.

"You ready?"

Sharpay looked away from herself to glance at Gabriella, a shocked look on her face. "Seriously? Gabi, I'm going to see Zeke, and I need to look my best."

"Zeke doesn't care, Shar, and you know it."

"Well, I care," Sharpay told her before searching through her makeup box.

"How much longer will you be?" Gabriella asked, as she stepped towards her dresser to pull out some clothes.

"Well I still have mascara, eye shadow, lip gloss," Sharpay began to run through her list, stopping as Gabriella interrupted.

"So not even close?"

Sharpay nodded, continuing to open and close drawers from her makeup box.

"Well it's 7:00, and I need to shower before we go…"

"Yeah you do," Sharpay interrupted, scrunching up her nose before grinning.

"Anyways," Gabriella said, attempting to ignore her comment. "Can you put all that junk on your face in the room, so I can get in here?"

"It's not junk," Sharpay scoffed, while latching the box before lifting it up off the counter. "This is high quality, top of the line make up."

"I'm sure it is, Shar," Gabriella appeased, stepping past her to turn on the shower. "Thanks. I'll be out in five minutes."

Gabriella shut the door and quickly hopped into the shower before changing into a pair of jeans and a simple black t-shirt, with her white Redhawks sweatshirt slipped on over it.

"Ready now?" Gabriella asked Sharpay, emerging from the bathroom to see her sitting on her bed, absentmindedly flipping through one of her latest gossip magazines.

"Yep," Sharpay exclaimed, shutting the magazine and standing up off the bed. "You sure you don't want me to put a little makeup on you for your crush?"

"First off, Troy is not my crush," Gabriella attempted to deny, knowing she was failing miserably due to the blush on her cheeks.

"Sure he isn't," Sharpay smirked.

"And secondly, touch me with that makeup, and it may not be around tomorrow morning."

"Testy, testy," Sharpay muttered, following Gabriella out of the room. "Now let's go. I haven't seen my Zeke all day, and I'm dying to run up to him and-,"

"Please, do not finish that sentence," Gabriella pleaded, making sure the door was locked before leading a very giddy Sharpay down the hall.

---

Troy sat on the couch in his dorm room, glancing nervously at the clock, not paying attention to Zeke and Chad who were battling it out on Mario Kart next to him. It was almost 7:30 and he knew Gabriella would be there any minute. He couldn't remember the last time he was so nervous to be around a girl.

"Dude, you guys aren't even dating and you're already whipped."

Troy turned to glare at Chad whose eyes were still glued to the TV.

"Shut up man, I'm not whipped. I was just looking to see what time it was."

"Yeah, you've been staring at it for the past five minutes," Chad chimed back.

"Staring at it won't make it go any faster," Zeke added, whooping and throwing his fist in the air as he won. "Dude, how do you suck at this game so much if this is all you do all day?"

Chad punched Zeke in his arm, glaring at him. "I demand a rematch."

"For the fifth time," Troy muttered under his breath.

"Shut up Romeo," Chad told him, grinning as there was a light knock at the door. "Your girl's here."

"Shut it Chad," Troy hissed under his breath, standing up and glancing at himself in the mirror.

"Dude, your make up is fine, you just checked it two minutes ago," Chad laughed, turning his attention back to the game, yelling as a pillow collided with his head.

Troy straightened his shirt and took a deep breath before opening the door, a smile automatically making its way to his face as his eyes met Gabriella's.

"Hey, right on time," Troy greeted.

"You would know," Chad yelled out, not seeing Troy's death glare sent his way.

Gabriella giggled softly at the two, smiling as Troy turned back around and grinned at her as if nothing happened.

"Anyways, thanks for coming."

"Thanks for the invitation."

"Oh geez. Can I get by to see my boyfriend while you two nervously flirt in the doorway?" Sharpay sighed, pushing past Troy and Gabriella and running straight over to jump on Zeke's lap.

"Nice to see you again too, Sharpay," Troy mumbled sarcastically.

"Hey Troy, are you going to invite her in or make her stand outside our room all night?"

Troy turned to glare at Chad once more, rolling his eyes as he looked back at the girl who was watching him amusedly. "Sorry, come on in."

Stepping aside, Troy motioned with his hand for her to come in, placing his hand gently on the middle of her back after shutting the door and then gently guiding her over towards the couch where the guys and Sharpay were sitting.

"Okay, I assume you know Zeke," Troy began, watching as Zeke paused the game and waved at Gabriella, shifting Sharpay who was still on his lap. "And this is Chad, my annoying roommate."

"Always dishing out the compliments buddy," Chad added with a grin before standing up from his seat and extending his hand towards Gabriella and shaking hers gently. "Glad you could make it. This guy has been cleaning like a maid all day making sure everything was perfect for you," Chad told her, cocking his head towards Troy who was staring at him and mouthing for him to shut up. "Been annoying the crap out of me too."

Before Chad could say anything more he found himself falling backwards towards the couch, looking up to see a smirking Troy looking right back.

"Ignore him," Troy told Gabriella, placing his hand on her back and leading her over towards his bed. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?"

"Sure, what do you have?"

Troy crossed the room towards the mini-fridge in the corner, peering inside. "We have Sprite, Root Beer, Vitamin Water, water, and Yoohoo."

"Yoohoo?" Gabriella questioned amusedly.

"Ten bucks if you can guess who those belong to," Troy joked.

"Laugh all you want, but we both know you drank half of that pack of Yoohoo that I bought yesterday," Chad yelled back.

"I'll take a Vitamin Water," Gabriella said through her laughter, enjoying the banter between Troy and Chad.

"Vitamin Water it is. Sharpay, Zeke? You two want something?"

"Two Sprites," Zeke said.

"Got it," Troy said, grabbing two out and tossing them to Zeke before grabbing out a water for himself and a Vitamin Water for Gabriella.

"Thanks for offering something to your roommate Troy," Chad muttered to him sarcastically.

Rolling his eyes, Troy opened the fridge back up, grabbing out a Yoohoo and tossing it into Chad's lap. "Thanks man!"

Troy shook his head, smiling as he walked back over to Gabriella, handing her a drink before sitting next to her.

"So how was practice today?" Troy asked, setting a pillow behind him and scooting back to sit against the wall, placing another one there for Gabriella as well. She smiled at the gesture before scooting back to be next to him, mere inches separating their shoulders.

"Not too bad. My shot was kind of off though, which was frustrating. I couldn't make a three to save my life."

"It's that Montez blood in you. Boltons are three-point experts," Troy taunted with a cocky smirk.

"Shut up Bolton," Gabriella mumbled, playfully bumping his shoulder with hers, feeling shock waves go through her body as they returned to their spots leaning against the wall, but this time with his shoulder resting against hers.

Gabriella shyly looked over at Troy, whose blue eyes were staring right back at her, the two forgetting for a moment that the others were in the room.

"So are you two going to sit there and flirt all night, or are we going to watch a movie?" Sharpay asked, bringing the two out of their daze.

"Eh, they're probably going to flirt all night and then you and Zeke will be all over each other, which leaves me all alone. How the heck did I end up being the fifth wheel here?" Chad whined, leaning back against the couch with a sigh.

"I can go find you a girl if you want," Troy offered. "I hear the crazy bird girl down the hall is looking for a boyfriend."

"Shut up Romeo and go back to your flirting," Chad countered, his comment causing the two on Troy's bed to blush.

Troy cleared his throat, taking his eyes off of Gabriella. "Okay, so movie….which one does everyone want to watch?"

"The Notebook!" Sharpay squealed, clapping her hands, Troy and Gabriella rolling their eyes in response.

"Heck no blondie! We don't have that movie and there's no way we're watching it," Chad protested.

"It's not that long of a walk to my room Danforth. Zeke will go get it for me, won't you Zeke?" Sharpay finished, turning to look at Zeke with her lip jetted out in a well rehearsed pout.

"Of course babe," Zeke replied, glaring at Troy when he coughed out 'whipped' under his breath.

"See?" Sharpay asked with a triumphant grin, getting into a staredown with Chad.

"He may go get it for you, but this is my room and we won't be watching the freakin Notebook! Pick something else," Chad told her, a winning smirk now making its way to his face. "Something we already have," Chad added.

"Gabriella, do you have a preference?" Troy asked, in attempts to break up the disagreement.

"What do you guys have?"

"The movies are in that top drawer, and then some on the shelf there. Go ahead and go pick."

The phone rang and Chad quickly jumped up off the couch running to answer it. "Pizza's here," he whooped before darting out the door.

"Don't eat it all before you get back!" Troy yelled out. "He really will eat it all," he added, turning back to Gabriella.

Scooting to the edge of the bed, Gabriella made her way over to pick out a movie, soon joined by Troy. After a few minutes of deliberating, the group was sitting in the room, lights dimmed and pizza in hand.

As the movie went on, Troy and Gabriella found themselves inching closer together, their shoulders resting against each other, eyes focused on the screen. Gabriella felt her breath catch in her throat and her heart race as she felt Troy barely lay his hand on top of hers, loosely hooking his pinky with hers.

She knew it was wrong, and that her family would be livid with her if they found out where she was and what she was doing at that moment, but for some reason, Gabriella realized she didn't care at all as she allowed her head to drop to Troy's strong shoulder. A smile made its way onto Troy's face as he felt her snuggle into his side, wanting nothing more than to kiss the top of her head and wrap his arm around her, but decided not to push it and instead be content with the new progress.

When the movie finished a little while later, Troy felt Gabriella's head still heavy on his shoulder, her steady, even breathing giving him the hint that she'd fallen asleep. As Chad got up to turn off the movie, he flicked on his desk lamp causing Sharpay and Zeke to also stir. As the three pairs of eyes shifted over to him and Gabriella, Troy felt his face grow hot. Zeke smiled knowingly and gave him a nod of approval, Sharpay looked like she was holding back a loud squeal, and Chad of course smirked at Troy while pretending to crack a whip.

Rolling his eyes at Chad, Troy turned to Gabriella, nudging her gently and leaning down to whisper in her ear, "Gabriella, movie's over."

Troy couldn't help but think it was the cutest thing he'd seen as she let out a small moan of protest before letting her head drop down more so she was laying across his lap, cradled in his arms.

Troy looked up at Sharpay who was now standing up with her eyebrows raised at him, moving to get her jacket on and head back to the room.

"I tried," Troy shrugged, unable to resist the temptation to bring his hand up and place it on her waist.

"Well Zeke is going to walk me back," Sharpay told him, as Zeke placed his arm around her shoulders. "Want to walk her back in a little bit once you wake her up?"

"Sure no problem," Troy agreed, excited at the prospect of being able to spend even more time alone with her.

"I'm gonna walk that way with you guys," Chad said, getting up as well. "I need some food from the café."

"You're still hungry? You ate almost a whole pizza!" Sharpay pointed out, slightly disgusted.

"Of course I'm still hungry. I need a bedtime snack. I'm just going to go grab a cheeseburger or something. Want anything Troy?"

Troy glanced up momentarily from where his eyes were focused on the girl in his arms to shake his head before returning his attention to her.

"Alright man. I'll be back in a bit. Enjoy the rest of your date," Chad joked, earning a glare from Troy before he ducked out of the room following Zeke and Sharpay who had waved goodbye.

As the door closed, Gabriella shifted a bit, letting out a content sigh causing Troy to bring his hand to rub gently up and down her back. Looking at her, Troy couldn't believe that his family would hate this girl so much. And even more, Troy couldn't believe he'd let all this time slip by without getting to know her better.

Knowing she had class in the morning and that it was getting late, Troy finally decided he should start gently waking her up. Bringing his free hand up, Troy pushed some hair gently from her forehead.

"Gabriella," he whispered, lightly rubbing her sides as well. "Montez, time to wake up."

Troy smiled as she stretched her body a bit, letting out a small moan before her eyes fluttered open, connecting with his. She stared up at him for a few seconds before her eyes widened as she realized what position the two of them were in.

Quickly she sat up, running her hand through her hair as she hoped she looked presentable, apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep on you. I probably made you so uncomfortable. I'm really sorry Troy."

"Don't be," Troy interrupted, grinning at how adorable she looked as she rambled on. "Really, it was no problem."

"I'm so embarrassed," Gabriella sighed, bringing her hand up to cover her face before looking at the other side of the room, suddenly realizing they were alone. "Where is everyone?"

"Zeke just walked Sharpay back to your room, and Chad went to get some food," Troy informed her, the latter news making Gabriella laugh. "I told them I'd walk you back to your room once you woke up. I would have let you sleep longer, but I figured you have class in the morning."

Gabriella groaned and looked over at the clock, seeing it was past 10:00. "Yeah, I should get back since I have a class in the morning," Gabriella admitted, swinging her legs off the edge of the bed, her eyes shifting to Troy as he edged next to her. "I'm really sorry I fell asleep on you. You should have just woke me up."

"And missed you talking in your sleep? Never!"

Gabriella's face reddened in embarrassment. "I didn't! No, how embarrassing! What did I say?"

Troy smiled at her reaction, deciding to milk it a bit. "Just that I am the hottest guy you've ever seen and that my hotness is going to distract you when we play against each other in the tournament this weekend."

For a second, Gabriella felt like crawling into a hole and dying from embarrassment, but as she saw the look on Troy's face, she knew he was just joking.

"You jerk!" Gabriella playfully shoved him in the shoulder, smiling as he started laughing. "So arrogant too Bolton. You better not get too cocky there."

"Whatever Montez," Troy said, standing up and holding out his hand to her. "Ready to go?"

"Sure," she replied timidly, placing her hand softly in his.

Smiling, Troy helped her up off his bed, making sure to grab his keys before opening the door, placing his hand on the small of her back and leading her out the door.

As the two walked back to the dorm, to anyone who didn't know them, they'd think the two had known each other for years and were extremely close by the way they were playfully nudging each other and joking back and forth as they chatted the whole way. No one would even think that the two of them mere weeks ago were essentially enemies, never talking as they silently participated in their families' feud.

But the truth was, their families' issues were the last things on their minds. Because as the two stopped outside of her room and Troy leaned down to place a lingering kiss on her cheek, the two couldn't think of anything but each other and their newly developing feelings. And for them, that was perfectly alright.


AN: Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you thought. I'll try to get the updates out more quickly for you if my muse cooperates, but I can't promise anything. Thanks again!