"What's up Montez?" Troy greeted his partner in crime.
Gabriella turned around, "Hey, Bolton." Troy gave her a hug and she tensed up.
"Why so tense?" Try asked. Gabriella's petite frame felt like a a piece of cardboard in his arms.
"Sorry. I have a really big pre-calculus test tomorrow and I'm kind of stressing out." Gabriella lied. She thanked God for giving her that skill.
"Just relax." Troy said, calmly. "You are amazing great at pre-cal. That's why you have an A."
Gabriella smiled, "Thank you." She felt Troy rub her shoulders and she tensed up again. She removed herself from Troy's grip. "I'll see you later." She speed walks out of the hall and into the computer lab.
"What was that all about?" Zeke questioned, walking up to Troy.
Troy shrugged, "I don't know. She practically jumped out of her skin when I touched her."
Zeke laughed. "Since when has Gabriella ever been shy to touchy feely?"
"Thats what I'm saying." Troy said. "This all started happening like within the past week."
"Maybe you guys have started to get a little too comfortable with each other." Zeke suggested. "You have to remember that you aren't a real couple."
"That's probably it." Troy agreed. "She could have told me, though."
"Probably not."
~Later That Night~
"Thinking of the puppy is not working anymore, Lola." Gabriella complained.
"It's not?" Lola questioned. "That was a pretty good plan. Maybe I should hypnotize you."
Gabriella shook her head, "Maybe I should just face it. I like Troy."
"We could still try that hypnoses." Lola suggested.
"No we couldn't. It won't change anything." Gabriella concluded, shaking her head.
"Is this crush a good thing or a bad thing?" Lola asked.
Gabriella shrugged, "I don't think this is good."
"This should be a good thing." Lola argued.
Gabriella heard her phone ring, so she ignored her sister's commentary and answered it, "Hello?"
"Montez, it's me." Troy said.
"Hi Troy." Gabriella greeted
"I have a question for you." Troy told her.
"Then ask it." Gabriella ordered.
"Why the hell have you been such a freak this last week?" Troy questioned.
"Excuse me?" A shocked and somewhat offended Gabriella said. "I am not a freak."
Troy laughed, "If you wanted to tone down rated-R coupling, you could have told me. We don't have to have tongue sex every four seconds."
"Uh...sure. Way too much PDA." Gabriella lied. "We can totally keep that to a minimum."
"See how simple things can be when you actually talk about them." Troy teased.
"Yeah, very simple." Gabriella agreed. "Sorry I didnt tell you." She wondered if Troy could hear her shaky voice.
Troy smiled, "It's cool. I have to go, though."
"Bye."
"See you tomorrow." Troy said before hanging up.
Gabriella sighed, "That was an awkward conversation."
"It sounded awkward and I wasn't even in the conversation."
"This is like, going to ruin my friendship with Troy." Gabriella concluded. "Should I tell him?"
Lola shook her head, "Never do that. That will definitely make things awkward. He is competing for the affections of another girl. God, you are so lucky you have me."
Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Lucky me. What should I do?"
"Nothing." Lola answered. "For now at least."
"So I should just pretend that I'm fine?"
Lola nodded, "Now you're catching on."
Gabriella sighed, "My life used to be so simple. Now it's this mess."
Lola shrugged, "That's life. It's messy and complicated."
~At Troy's House~
"Who were you on the phone with?" Marcus asked, walking into his brother's room.
"My best friend." Troy replied.
"So what was the freak out all about?" Zeke questioned.
"You were right."
Zeke smiled, "I was right. Just tone things down."
"I didnt know doing things the average way were for Troy and Gabriella." Chad spoke. "It's always above and beyond for you guys."
Troy smiled, "That's us."
"Is Dustin trying anything to get you back yet?"
Troy nodded, "She sent me a text last night." He looks through his iPhone to find tue text message. "It says and I quote, 'Troy, I feel really stupid for dumping you so out of the blue. Can we talk? XOXO, Dustin."
"Did you reply?" Jason questioned.
"Nope." Troy replied.
Marcus looked at him, shocked. "Isnt this what you have been dreaming about for like the past week? Isn't that girl the reason you're doing all of this?"
Troy nodded and shrugged, "Yeah, but I want her to keep chasing me. Make her look like the desperate one."
Marcus smiled, "I have taught you well, young brother. Now do you have another part to this elaborate scheme?"
"Why don't we throw a party?" Troy suggested, spontaneously. "Mom and dad are going on that cruise around the carribean for a week. They never remember to lock up the liquor cabinet, and it's just going to be us two unless you invite some girl over."
Marcus nodded, "I'm liking that idea, bro. You are becoming more and more like me every day."
Troy frowned, "Oh joy."
~The Next Morning~
Troy was on his way to class when Dustin walked up to him and tapped his shoulder, "Hi." She greeted, brightly.
"Hi Dustin." Troy greeted.
"Did you get my text I sent you the other night?" Dustin asked. She ran a hand through her red hair. "You didn't reply."
Troy shook her head, "No. For the past few days I haven't been getting any text messages. I guess iPhones aren't all what the cracked up to be." He lied. Geez, everybody seems to be lying to everybody. "Was the text message important?"
Dustin sighed, "I just want to say I'm sorry for breaking up with you and I think we should be friends."
Troy nodded, "I would like that. Since we're friends, I want you to come to a party that I am throwing tonight."
"Great." She smiles brightly. "That will give us a chance to...talk." She winks and walks off.
Troy smiled. His plan seems to be going perfectly. If only he knew about Gabriella's feelings.
~To Be Continued~
