She Could Be

Chapter 4 – BFF

I really want to thankChristieBelle & bluecasey95 for helping me feel better. :) And even though that review showed up twice, I will continue to ignore it. :)

Gabriella was at her locker gathering her books for her next class. She was startled when she was stopped by Nick again. Gabriella wasn't sure if she enjoyed having these visits from Nick every morning. "Hey Montez, can we walk to class together?"

"Sure," Gabriella said as she shrugged. She was moving her books around in her arms and Nick noticed.

"Here, let me help you." He smiled at her and she handed her books to him in disbelief. "Thanks."

Once they arrived at the door of the classroom, Nick gave her books back to her. "You know, Nick, you're way nicer than I thought you were."

He smiled at her, "Thanks, I guess we just needed to hang out more."

Gabriella nodded with a smile on her face. She walked to the science table and placed her books down. She still had a smile on her face as she sat down. "Hey Brie." Taylor greeted her with a smirk.

"Hey," Gabriella said.

"You know, your hair is really pretty when it's wavy." Taylor complimented Gabriella and she nodded.

"Thanks," She said as they listened to their teacher for their quick directions. She spoke once the teacher finished, "I walked here with Nick."

Taylor smiled, "I saw. So you like him?"

"No," Gabriella shook her head still smiling, "It's just I've never really had a guy treat me like that before. Well besides…" She trailed off into her thoughts and jotted a few notes.

"Besides who?" Taylor waved her hand in front of her face, "Gabriella!"

Gabriella picked up her pen and notebook and walked to observe the beaker with Taylor. "Well, besides Troy and the guys."

Taylor laughed at her and shook her head. She wrote down some observations.

Gabriella furrowed her eye brows, "What?"

"Nothing, it's nothing." Taylor said smiling. She gave in to Gabriella's look and spoke, "Well, it's just, you always seem to say 'Troy' and then you mention the other guys."

Gabriella and Taylor walked back to their seats and looked at the board. Once they knew what they were supposed to do, Gabriella replied. "So? Is that wrong?"

"No, that's why I said it's nothing." Gabriella nodded, not seeing Taylor's smile.

"Hey, I saw you and Nick walking earlier." Chad said pounding fists with Gabriella. She simply laughed at Chad. Zeke raised his eye brows, "Gab-dawg! You said you didn't like anyone."

Gabriella giggled, "I don't. I was just walking with him."

"Mm..hm, that's why you were smiling when you walked into the room," Taylor commented. Gabriella glared at her jokingly and the guys continued to tease her. During the whole time, Troy was just eating his lunch trying to ignore them.

"Troy," Gabriella called, "You're so quiet. What's up?"

Troy shrugged and continued eating. Gabriella looked at them and they shrugged in response. Gabriella smiled at him, "T-Dawg?" She poked his muscular arm and giggled, "Come on, tell me what's up. Tell your best friend." She giggled and continued poking him.

He turned around and smiled at her, "You wanna know what's up?" She nodded at him with an anticipated look. "You sure?" She nodded once more and he asked again. "You really sure?"

She nodded vigorously, "Yes, Troy! I am very sure!"

"Okay…" He said with a sly grin on as he reached over to her and started tickling her. She was giggling uncontrollably. Gabriella begged him to stop. When he finally stopped, she was still giggling. She took a few seconds to get control and then she asked him.

"So… What was up?"

His smile dropped and he just shrugged. Troy didn't want to tell her that he felt a little jealous when he heard about her walk with Nick. He didn't want to say that he wanted to be the one who would carry her books for her. He didn't want to tell her that he was the only one she should walk with. Troy couldn't. Normally he could tell her what he was feeling, but this time he couldn't. He shouldn't… Should he?

"Troy? Come on, dawg…" She pouted, "I'd tell you if there was something up with me."

Troy shook his head but couldn't help but smile at her pouting. "Don't be embarrassed," Zeke said encouragingly as Chad and Taylor nodded.

"I was jealous." Troy mumbled and they leaned in closer to him, trying to listen. "What did you say?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh, I was um," He continued to rub his neck, "I was… jealous."

"With what?" Gabriella asked clearly confused.

Chad, on the other hand, surprisingly understood him and patted his back, "Don't be man, Nick's not worth it."

Taylor added, "Besides, it's normal to be jealous of guys who hang out with Brie. You know, not counting these guys. I mean it's a new thing for you."

"It is?" Troy asked with wide eyes and Taylor confidently nodded. Troy let out a breath of relief.

Gabriella still wasn't sure as to why he was jealous. Zeke noticed and laughed. He tried to clarify things for her, "He was jealous of Nick."

"Oh…" Gabriella said nodding, "I see. Wait why?"

Troy honestly stated, "I don't know."

She ended it by nodding and they all continued talking as if that had never happened. Troy still wasn't sure about his feelings. He finally stuck with the decision that Taylor was right and that he just needed to get used to things. If that was the case, then boy did he need to get used to a lot of things.

"Mom! I need help!" Gabriella called from her room. Troy was down stairs in their living room with his own mother. He was dressed in black dress shoes, slacks, and a classy top. Lucille and Anna thought it was 'cute, I mean, necessary' to wear outfits similar to what they would be wearing at the dinner.

Of course, this was after school. About thirty minutes after school to be exact. Gabriella was struggling to zip the back of her dress by herself. Anna had picked out a simple sky blue dress that ended a little over her knees.

"Here, let me do that for you." Anna said as she pulled the zipper up. Gabriella thanked her mom and put on her strappy heels. "Mom, why am I wearing these weird things now?"

Anna shook her head laughing. She grabbed the brush and brushed Gabriella's hair, "Your father and I always loved doing this to you. But when your father died, it was kind of hard, remember?"

Her dad always loved it when Gabriella would wear little dresses and all those sweet things. He thought it was the perfect thing for her. But that all seemed to change when he died. There wasn't any reason for her to dress like that anymore. She then became the shy girl who stayed with Troy and his friends. Luckily Troy was always there for her. During the years, she slowly became the Gabriella they know today.

Gabriella nodded. "Yeah, I still remember when he gave me this necklace." She spoke softly and fingered the charm on her neck.

"He loved you very much, Gabriella, and still does. You are and always will be our little princess." Gabriella smiled softly at the nickname he had given her.

"And to remind you," Anna told her as she went to put the brush down, "I'm going to put this on you." Anna smiled at her as she put it in her hair.

It was Gabriella's white silk bow with silver designs on it. She smiled at the memory she had when that was given to her. It was her 'princess bow'. She couldn't believe her mother had kept it for so many years. Anna quickly fixed her hair into a half-up half-down do, letting her soft waves roll down.

Anna kissed her forehead and laughed. "Okay, enough of this. I don't think I want tears on this new outfit of yours."

"Yeah, and I think I can hear Troy getting a little crazy." She laughed with her mom as they walked downstairs.

Gabriella down and a barely audible gasp was heard from Troy. He smiled at her and she returned it. Anna and Lucille raised their eye brows at each other and the door bell rang.

"Well, hello there," Anna greeted, "Come in. I'm Anna and this is Lucille."

Lucille shook hands with him, "Oh and these are your students- Gabriella and Troy."

The man nodded as he walked in. He was dressed in all black- a tight, black shirt, black slacks, and well shined dance shoes. "Shall we get started?" He asked with his deep voice.

Gabriella giggled at Troy as he pretended to be scared.

"No, no, no. I want the man to lead and the woman to follow." He instructed as he examined their every move carefully. Gabriella nodded with a sigh at the end. She finally let go and let Troy lead. Once they got the hang of things, the dance instructor turned music on and walked to the mothers.

"Ah, so I see they are a couple?" He asked quietly as they walked the two react together.

Gabriella smiled brightly at Troy with her hand on his shoulder. Troy returned it with the same smile and his hand in hers and on her waist. Gabriella giggled as he spun her.

"No, they aren't." Lucille told him, "But who do you think will fall first?"

Anna smiled, "I don't know, Luc. But maybe they'll fall in love together."

"You want to know a man's perspective?" They nodded. "Well, by the way he looks into her eyes and how he holds onto her, I think he has already fallen."

Anna raised her eye brows at him, "How are you so sure it's just him? Gabriella seems to be smiling an awful lot."

"Yes, that is true. But she seemed to be smiling the whole time." The instructor shrugged, "But, that might just be me."

Lucille smiled at the two, "You know, I think he's right Ann. Gabriella just seems to be doing the natural flirt."

Anna laughed, "Gabriella, the natural flirt? Wonderful."

Meanwhile

"I don't think this guy's so bad." Gabriella spoke in a hushed tone as she smiled at him.

Troy smiled back, "Yeah," He told her matching her voice. "You're a great dancer." Troy looked into her eyes and he cleared his throat, forcing himself stop, "You tackled this like it was a play for the team."

When I look into your eyes
I see sunshine
The clouds are blown away

Gabriella looked down at her feet and back up at Troy. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But you," She laughed quietly, "You stink."

"Oh really?" She nodded.

"Can stinky people do this?" He asked her as he spun her around and caught her by the small of her back. She nodded her head and giggled.

Troy shook his head.

"So…" He began, continuing the soft tone. "What's up with Nick?"

I hope you're here to stay
'Cause I've got me needing more of you
Guess I'm falling for you

"There's nothing up Troy." She said not looking at him, "It's just nice to have guys treat me that way. You know, besides you and the dawgs."

He didn't like that answer. Troy sighed and reasoned with her, "He's not all that great you know."

Gabriella nodded as she stepped out to the side. "I know."

You walk away
My eyes caress you
Then you turn and smile

"And, I'm just saying," He stepped out to the side this time, "If you're going to like someone, he should be better."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Wait, wait, wait." She stopped in the middle of a step. "Troy, you aren't jealous still are you?" Troy simply shrugged.

You've caught me thinkin' of love with you
Guess I'm falling, I may be falling for you

Once they continued the dance Gabriella spoke. "Don't be jealous of him. If anyone should be jealous, he should be jealous of you."

Troy puffed his chest out in a cocky manner. "That's right; at least I can throw a pass."

Gabriella rolled her eyes once more, "Well that was easy."

Troy stuck his tongue out at her and she shook her head. "Hey, I just noticed that. Is this your princess bow?"

"You remembered." She smiled at him. Gabriella and Troy were smiling at each other the whole entire time. It was no wonder why the adults didn't stop them.

Since I met you days are brighter
Life's uneven loads are lighter

The adults got carried into a conversation about the young couple dancing. It seemed to be enjoyable because they too were smiling. "On second thought, I think Gabriella has fallen for him, too."

"Luc," Anna laughed, "Make up your mind. You are driving me and Carlos crazy." Anna referred to herself and the dance instructor.

Lucille smiled at the two once more, "Oh please," She waved it off, "I can't help it. I bet that their children will be adorable."

"Oh, I bet that too!" Anna agreed. "I also bet that their wedding will be just like those ones on TV."

"I'm sorry ladies, but I think you are a bit too far ahead now." Carlos interrupted which caused them to babble more.

When I hear you whisper the words I long to hear dear
Now I look into your eyes
I'm lost in knowing that you are all I want

"Thanks for being here for me. I didn't think I'd be able to last one day, but you helped me."

Troy nodded. "Hey what are friends for?"

She shrugged, "But I really am thankful. I'm proud of myself for lasting two days."

My need for you is growing
Guess I'm falling, I think I'm falling for you
Think about falling for me too

Troy chuckled and she giggled. Carlos suddenly appeared and startled them. "Alright, this is great. Except," He enunciated the word, "for one thing."

The two just stood there, waiting for him to tell them. "Get closer. That dance was about love, so next class, I want to see it." He mumbled to the moms so they were the only ones who heard. "More than we've already seen."

The two mothers laughed and Gabriella and Troy furrowed their eye brows in confusion.

"The dance is in a few days, and I don't have a date. I'm a little worried I won't get one."

"You'll get a date, don't worry." Taylor assured her as they walked to class together. This was their last class of the day. Troy also had this class with them. They continued talking the whole way to the classroom.

Laughter was stopped from the two when Nick stopped in front of them and smiled at Gabriella. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Um, sure go ahead." Gabriella said as she shrugged

Nick nodded and took a breath, "Montez, I was wondering if you wanted to go the dance with me."

Gabriella lifted her eyebrows with shock. Her eyes went wide and Gabriella hesitated to reply. Taylor gave her a stern look and cleared her throat.

"Sure Anderson, uh," She replied still shocked, "That'd be great."

He nodded, "Alright, I'll catch you later."

"Yeah, you too." She nodded at him as he walked away.

Taylor smirked, "And you were worried you wouldn't get a date. I guess that was okay. A little forward but its Nick, he can't help it." She laughed.

Gabriella lightly laughed and nodded. She wasn't sure if she made the right decision about saying yes. She settled with her decision. Gabriella told herself that it was probably just nervous or excited butterflies that she felt.

In the beginning of class, everyone seemed to be bubbly and happy. But after the word got to Troy, he fell into silence. Since Taylor was so excited, she had permission to tell Troy about the news. It had been a few minutes after Taylor told him about Nick and Gabriella and Troy was still quiet. He looked as if he were frustrated or deep in thought. Gabriella noticed and threw a note at him.

Troy rubbed the spot she hit and opened the note. He read it to himself what's wrong? You look confused or something.

Troy was confused. He was slightly shocked at how she knew. Troy was wondering why he was having these feelings. He had been getting jealous of Nick a lot lately. He also caught himself thinking about Gabriella. Once again he stuck with the conclusion Taylor gave him. That it was normal because he wasn't used to it.

I'm just thinking about stuff. It's nothing big. He wrote back to her. Troy passed it to her and he quickly got it back. Suddenly the jealous feeling he had was slowly going away.

About what? He rolled his eyes. How typical of Gabriella to ask. He chuckled,Nothing. Enough about me, let's talk about you and Nick. You can tell me the real stuff, I'm your "BFF".

Troy passed it back to her. Gabriella read it and giggled quietly as she read the 'BFF' part. Troy felt a smile play on his lips as he heard her laugh. He didn't know what was coming over him. Troy wasn't sure if he liked or not either. Only thing he knew for sure was that he didn't like the jealousy he suddenly feels for Nick.

Like I said before, nothing. He just asked me to go to the dance. I don't know if I wanna go with him though. I don't know why. Troy felt his insides jump for joy. He felt guilty for wanting them not going together, but he couldn't help it. Troy tried to hide the smile as he wrote.

Maybe it's because he sucks at sports. And from what Tay said, he sucks with the girls too That's why he doesn't hang with the dawgs. Gabriella took the note and read it. She opened her mouth with wide eyes at Troy. She giggled again. She clicked her pen twice and replied. Um, sort of mean? Lol. But I don't think that's it. It was like part of me wanted to wait for someone else but then the other part was making me say yes because no one would want to go with me.

Troy took the note and read it carefully. He shook his head at it. Wrong, anyone would go with you. You're very beautiful and smart. Two great things to be. Don't forget, Princess. And at least you don't face rejection or get that feeling when the one you like is with someone else.

He winked at her as he passed the note. She wrinkled her eyebrows at him in confusion. Her mouth quickly formed into an 'Oh' once she read the note. She smiled at him and pointed to her bow and he nodded, returning the smile.

Thanks. And the same for you. You're handsome and a boss at sports. She giggled. Troy tilted his head at her and she rolled her eyes, continuing to write. So don't lie about being rejected or having that feeling.

Troy took the note from her hands and placed it on his desk. He read it and wrote Hey, I'm not lying. I might feel that someday. Hopefully not. I bet it's a worse feeling than what you get after my dad makes dinner.

Gabriella laughed loudly as she read that. She quickly put her hands to her mouth. She couldn't help it. Jack wasn't really good at cooking. Gabriella learned that from personal experience.

"I have seen you two fool around too much." The teacher glared at Gabriella and Troy. She snatched the paper off of her desk and read it to herself. "This young couple can continue their love note in detention. I am tired of it, I repeat, tired of it!"

Taylor turned around and gave a questioning look. Gabriella mouthed that her and Troy were writing notes. Taylor smirked at the two and Gabriella rolled her eyes.

They bell rang five long minutes later. Gabriella and Troy walked briskly to the detention room.

A/N: Hope you liked this. Review and let me know what's up. Hopefully this doesn't disgust you. ;) The song was Guess I'm Falling – Michael Buble.