At that moment, Julie rushed into the kitchen, her face full of worry. "Troy," she said urgently. "She started crying and she ran out. She took her bag and everything."

"What?" Troy yelled. "What did you say to her?"

"I only said that her mother might be gone earlier than expected," Julie cried.

"Did you really have to talk to her about her mom?" Troy asked as he grabbed a towel and dried his hands.

"Troy, where are you going?" Jack asked as Troy grabbed his jacket.

"To find her. Where else?" Troy answered, grabbing his car keys. "I might not be back tonight, okay?"

"Okay, Troy," Jack said.

Troy rushed out and jumped into his car. Only then, he realized that he had no idea where Gabriella would be. He decided to try the hospital as it was the only place he could think of.

"Hi, Maria," Troy smiled walking into the hospital room. He had decided not to show how worried he was since Maria would start it worry, too. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Troy, thanks," Maria replied.

"Hey, Lucas," Troy nodded at Gabriella's brother.

"Hey," Lucas nodded, too.

"Where's Gabriella?" Troy asked.

"She left," Maria said. "She told us that she was going for a walk. It was a couple of hours ago."

"Oh," Troy said. "You guys have any idea where she might be?"

"She likes to go to the park when she wants to think," Lucas said. "Or else, she might be home, right now. Probably sleeping."

"I'm starting to get worried," Maria said. "Lucas, will you go look for her?"

"I'll go," Troy offered.

"Thanks, man," Lucas said gratefully as he had not wanted to leave his mother.

"No problem," Troy said as he turned to go out again. "I'll call you i-er…when I find her, alright?"

"Thanks, Troy," Maria smiled.

"You're welcome," Troy hurried out of the room.

Troy cursed to himself as he got into his car. He had almost said 'if' instead of 'when' to Maria. There was no 'if'. He was going to find her. He would not rest until he had. Troy drove straight to the park. He jumped out of the car. It was a huge park and it was late. Troy had no idea how to find her.

"GABRIELLA!" Troy hollered.

There was no answer. The park was practically deserted except for a few people who were looking at him as if he was from another planet. Troy realized that he was ruining their peaceful night.

"Sorry," he apologized to no one in particular. "Um, have you by any chance seen a pretty brunette come here? Most probably, crying?"

"I saw her," a man said. "I mean, it could have been someone else, but…"

"Which way did she go?" Troy asked urgently.

"That way," the man pointed towards the left.

"Thanks, man," Troy said before taking off. "GABRIELLA!"

Troy stopped running. He was out of breath, but, he had to find Gabriella. All of a sudden, it started raining and Troy was soaked within minutes. An alarming thought hit him. Gabriella would be caught in the rain, too. He pulled out his cell phone and began calling her. There was no answer. It took all his will power not to throw the cell phone at a tree.

"GABRIELLA!" Troy yelled as he started running again.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of his eyes. It was running towards him and he stopped. It took a moment for him to realize that it was Gabriella. She ran towards him and flung her arms around his neck kissing him.

Troy was taken aback. It took him a minute to realize what was happening and quickly responded to the kiss. He wrapped his hands around her waist pulling her even closer to him. Finally, they pulled apart for air. Troy was still a bit dazed. Gabriella smiled at him.

"I love you, Troy Bolton," she whispered into his ear.

Troy smiled slowly when he heard this. "I love you, too, Gabriella Montez."

"What are you doing out here?" Gabriella asked, not letting go of Troy.

"Looking for you," Troy answered as if it was the most obvious thing on earth.

"So, let me get this," Gabriella said. "You came out, late at night, in the pouring rain, to look for a nerd?"

"Nope," Troy shook his head and Gabriella stared at him so he explained. "I came out, late at night, in the pouring rain, to look for the prettiest girl on the planet, whom I would be very much happy if she became my girlfriend."

"Really?" Gabriella asked, as if she could not believe her ears.

"Yup," Troy grinned. "I love you Gabriella Montez and I would be very glad if you would do me the honour and become my girlfriend?"

"I will, Troy," Gabriella grinned kissing him again.

Troy pulled out his cell phone.

"What are you doing?" Gabriella asked, surprised.

"Calling your mom," Troy answered. "Hello? Maria…it's me, Troy…I found Gabriella…she's right here…yeah, she's okay…don't worry, I'll take her home…you're welcome…good night."

"Why'd you call my mom?" Gabriella asked.

"Because, I promised her that I would, when I found you," Troy replied. "Come on, let's get you home. It's pouring."

"Okay," Gabriella smiled.

Troy put his arm around Gabriella as they walked back to the car.

"Troy, what are we going to do?" Gabriella asked as Troy drove.

"What do you mean?" Troy asked utterly confused.

"I mean, how are we going to tell everybody?" Gabriella asked. "Are we going to tell everybody?"

"That's up to you, Gabi," Troy replied. "Do you want to tell everybody?"

"It'll get out anyway," Gabriella shrugged.

"How about this?" Troy asked. "We'll act the way boyfriends and girlfriends do and they'll figure it out on their own, won't they? We won't make a big deal out of it. Let them find out, but, Gabi, I promise, I'm not going to let any of those crazy people hurt you."

"Thanks, Troy," Gabriella smiled.

Troy drove to Gabriella's house and they rushed in. it was still raining heavily. Gabriella went to take a shower and Troy stripped his clothes until he was wearing his boxers only. His clothes were soaked and he had nothing to wear. Troy put his clothes in front of the fire, hoping that they would dry quickly.

"Troy?" a voice gasped and Troy spun around.

Gabriella stood watching him with her mouth hanging open. She was wearing a red silky robe.

"Hey, Brie," Troy smiled.

"What are you doing?" Gabriella asked.

"What do you mean?" Troy asked, clueless.

"You're almost naked," Gabriella said, blushing.

"Oh," Troy understood what Gabriella was talking about and turned red, too. He gestured to his clothes. "My clothes were wet. I took them off so that they would dry."

"Oh," Gabriella said, relieved that Troy was not planning on doing anything. "Should I put them in the dryer? It'll dry faster."

"Thanks," Troy said, gratefully.

Troy watched as Gabriella loaded the dryer with his clothes. He was freezing. It was a cold night and he was only wearing his boxers. A few minutes later, Gabriella handed Troy his clothes.

"Should I iron them?" she asked. "They're a bit wrinkled."

"Nah, it's okay" Troy said, pulling on his jeans. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Gabriella smiled.

She could not keep her eyes off him. He had a well-built body with strong muscles. Troy caught her staring and grinned.

"Am I too hot for you?" he asked, teasingly.

"You're smoking," Gabriella answered grinning.

"Good to know that my girlfriend thinks I'm good-looking," Troy said as he pulled on his shirt.

Gabriella laughed and then she yawned. "I'm tired, Troy," Gabriella said.

"My dad said that I could spend the night at your place until your mom gets home as long as I don't do anything," Troy explained.

"Thanks," Gabriella smiled. "I really don't think I can be alone."

"I'm staying with you, Gabster," Troy grinned. "I'll stay with you as long as you want me to."

"Thanks, Troy," Gabriella said, hugging him. She leaned against his chest. "Don't get mad if I fall asleep right here, okay? I'm really tired."

"I won't," Troy promised.

The couple stood there wrapped in each other's arms for a couple of minutes. Then, Gabriella fell asleep after doing a lot of effort to stay awake. Troy smiled and scooped her in his arms and carried her upstairs. He laid her on the bed and was about to grab a chair when Gabriella spoke.

"Troy?"

"What is it, baby?" Troy asked lovingly stroking her hair.

"Will you hold me?" Gabriella asked, sleepily.

"With pleasure," Troy replied and got into bed next to his girlfriend.

With their arms wrapped around each other, they fell asleep.

A/N: Hopefully the next chapter will be up tomorrow. I'm not making any promises, alright? LOL! Hope you enjoy reading this story. R&R!!!