Author's Note: Sorry about this, but this chapter is short. The next one will hopefully be longer. Be sure to review! Let's shoot for six this time ;-P

Thanks butterflygoodbye for the ideas :)

This chapter is written from Troy's point of view.

Chapter 6: Thanks Dad

I walk into my house after bringing Gabi home to find my dad leaning against the wall, staring at me, concerned and worried.

"Troy, what's this about people saying you and Gabriella slept together?" Dad questions me. He still doesn't believe me?

"We didn't--"

"I know you didn't. I believe you son, but why have people been saying that?"

"Oh," is all I can say. He stares at me, expecting more, so I reply, "Well, um...Gabi's English teacher--"

"Mr. White?" He raises his eyebrows, and I nod.

"Well, he saw my car at Gabi's house and assumed we were...so then he told everybody that we had sex. Then everybody was calling her a slut and saying bad stuff about us. At first I didn't notice, but now—Gabriella got hurt, not physically, but she had a breakdown, and now I hate Mr. White," I trail off, my father listening every second, then suddenly becoming angry.

"What?! Mr. White had no right! I'll be speaking to the principal about this. If this affects your game, he's going down. He can get fired for this!"

"Dad, don't," I reply meekly. I know what he's saying is true, but I don't want to hurt anybody. I don't want to be as bad as Mr. White, and I'm sure Gabriella feels the same way. She's too caring, but then again, I guess I am right now.

"Troy, listen to me. What Mr. White did is despicable. I know you probably think that informing the principal is being just as bad as he, but it's not. It's absolutely necessary. If we don't do anything, he can just do this to other students."

"Ok," I mumble, amazed how he knew exactly what I was thinking, "but it's not going to stop anything. Everybody's already saying it. You can't take words back."

"But you can make them wish they never said it," Dad says with a spark in his eye and a snarl in his voice. If he physically hurts Mr. White, he could be in trouble too. If that happens...I don't like the way this is turning out.

"I'll be back later Troy. I'm going to talk to the principal." He pushes himself through the door and I let out a groan and decide to call Gabi.

"Hey Montez."

"Bolton." I can imagine her smile as she says my name.

"How are you doing? Everything alright?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking. Again, I don't care if people know how I love you, and they can think whatever they want. It's wrong, but...it still hurts a little to hear it. I've never been called anything bad before. To be honest, I've never had a boyfriend before, so I guess no one's ever had a reason to say anything about me."

"Gabi," I whisper and then my voice gets louder, "as long as you're okay. People tend to talk about me a lot; I have no control over it, and I don't want it, but if they ever bother you, please tell me. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

"Troy, whatever people say can never be as bad as being without you. Hearing what they say hurts, yes, but..."

"I didn't mean that Gabi. I'd never leave you unless you truly didn't want me. I'll always want you. Well, I guess that is what I meant, but I wouldn't want to--"

"And I'll always want you; it's that simple." Is it really simple? Is love ever simple?

"Gabi, my dad's telling the principal about Mr. White..."

All I hear is a gasp and silence.

"Gabi," I say after a while.

"What Mr. White did wasn't right, but...Never mind. I guess it's okay. I just don't want to see him again."

"I don't think you will," I whisper.

"Ok..."

"Gabi, I love you."

"I love you too, Troy."

"I can never hear that enough," I chuckle, and Gabi giggles a little. I hear a car in the driveway; Dad must be home. "I have to go now. My dad just got back after going to the school."

"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget we have rehearsal!" I smile, and still am doing so when Dad opens the door.

"Troy, Mr. White is to be suspended without pay."

"How long?" I ask, surprised.

"The principal said he'd have to go over it, but about a week I'm guessing."

"Wait, what about Gabi? I just talked to her, and I don't think she can handle seeing him again."

Dad frowns a bit, contemplating over what can happen. "I guess I can get them to change her schedule. Surely they'll be able to."

I smile, "Thanks Dad. Oh, tomorrow I have play rehearsal."

"Great," he says sarcastically.

"I thought you were ok with it," I say, though it comes out as more of a question.

"I am. I'm just joking Troy," he says while playfully punching me in the arm.

"Oh," I blankly say and turn away towards my room filled with basketball memorabilia. I flip open my cell phone and text Gabi, 'whites suspended.' I'm not really expecting a response, so I trudge into the shower. As soon as I'm done, I walk back into my room while drying my hair with my towel. To my surprise, my cell phone is beeping and the screen is lit.

':) tell ur dad thanks' I look at the time it was sent, about seven minutes ago. I type back, 'ok u dont have to see white again' I settle back down and decide to do my homework, but before I can open my textbook, it's blinking again.

From Gabi: 'y?'

From Troy: 'dad can have ur class changed'

From Gabi: 'ok tell him thxX2'

From Troy: 'will do :)'

From Gabi: ':D im tired now...'

From Troy: 'then beautiful should sleep ;'

From Gabi: 'aw D night troy'

From Troy: 'sweet dreams montez'

From Gabi: 'u know theyll be about u'

From Troy: 'now im blushing but i hope so P'

From Gabi: 'haha thats why i love you :) bye zzzzzzzz'

I smile to myself and put down my phone. Hopefully tomorrow will be better than today.

Up Next Chapter: It's the first rehearsal for Twinkle Towne, and with people talking about the leads, what will happen?