More Than Meets The Eye

Chapter 6

A/N: I want to thank all of you for your reviews, they mean a lot. Even when I update late, too. I really appreciate it.

Gabriella was shocked, no that was a total understatement. Her eyes had popped back open and she stumbled back, trying to see where her breath went. Oh, God, Troy had kissed her.

She had felt all tingly and a war flutter go off through her body and she couldn't put her tongue on what it was. But as soon as Troy's soft, warm lips brushed against hers, she found out what it was. Sure, if she was someone like Gracie of Amanda, you know, pretty girls, she would be for it, kissing him longer. But she's no where near. She's the small, blind girl who gets picked on for her disability. Troys probably smirking right now, knowing what he did to her.

"Gabriella..." Troy said softly and Gabriella felt her eyes fall closed. she took an intake of breath and shook her head. "This isn't funny." Was all she said before marching back into the house. The door slammed closed loudly behind her and she stumbled up the steps in her blind state. Mario stuck his head out of the powder room, confused. "Gabs? You here?"

"I don't feel good, dad," she partly lied. Everything physical was fine, but her heart was dropping, slowly breaking into pieces.

Once she was in her room and found her bed, she flung herself on it, but didn't cry. She didn't cry, remember? Especially over some stupid boy who thinks he can just waltz into her life, kiss her and think it's funny when it's not. But still, her heart felt weak; broken.

MTMTE

Troy stood in front of the tawny brown oak door. He was stupid. He had just came up onto her and kissed her. What was wrong with him? Burying his head in his hand and letting out a groan, he turned. He would leave her to herself, give her time to get over it. Maybe after school he could try and cheer her up.

The school hallways were empty when Troy arrived, a smile not on his face like most days. He trudged to first period(he had missed homeroom)with Miss Yale. It's weird, she had went to Yale and her last name is Yale. Get it? Yeah, right now isn't a time for laughter.

He slipped into his seat and Miss Yale looked at him. She opened her mouth to say something, but the sad look on his face told her he was hurting. She turned back to her lesson with a tight line on her face. She was his best teacher, anyways.

Troy laid his head down, letting words slip through his ear then fly out the other. His mind was stuck on the beautiful girl with brunette hair soft as feathers in his hands and the flawless skin she owned. He was thinking about her perfect eyebrows that haven't had anything down to them. He was thinking about the cute smile she would process when he told her something funny. She even laughed on some occasions. And he had only been on them for a second, but her lips were so soft and warm, he wanted to claim them as his. He wanted to do that exact action everyday and anytime.

But he couldn't.

She wouldn't let him in.

MTMTE

Troy walked out of class and started his way down to the cafeteria. Him and Gabriella would usually eat on the roof top, a place he had found one day walking aimlessly around at free period while Gabriella was talking to a teacher.

"Yo, Bolton," the Afro guy called him up, standing next to Troy. "So, I see Montez isn't with you today."

Troy grabbed the red plastic try of food before turning to Afro, an eyebrow quirked. "Yes...she's, uh, sick."

"Really? I heard she had surgery, but didn't make it," he said. Troy felt his hand on the tray clench tightly. Even if it was true, there was no sympathy in his voice, only bitterness laced through it. "How about this? You stay out of it, okay? Maybe then I won't beat you up."

"Beat me up?" Afro replied in disbelief? "I'd like to see you try."

"Look, I'm not really in the mood for your ass."

"But I bet you are for Blindy, huh? I mean, it's probably ugly, though. Like the rest of her."

Troy was silent.

Afro smirked. "You okay, Bolton? You seem mad. Is it about that ugly bitch hag you-"

Troy had dropped his plate and tackled Afro to the ground. People stood from their seats or ran over to form a circle. 'Chadster!' some shouted out, but also people called, 'Bolton!' or 'New Kid'. Troy was on the ground now as Chad took some swings at his nose. Pain shot through him, but he didn't care. No one talked about Gabriella that way.

"Not so touch when Blindy isn't here, right?" Afro said and Troy pushed Afro off f him. He quickly stood as well did Afro. His nose was bleeding, blood streaming out. Afro went again, aiming for Troy's head, but Troy dodged and brought his fist up, blowing it to Afro's face. Blood actually splurged, flying out of some part of Afro's face and landing on the white floor. Miss M was yelling at them, telling them to break it up Finally, Mr. Matsui arrived.

"Break it up," he called, slicing his way through the crowd. "I said, break it up!" Some people went in to get them, Michael pulling Chad away and some other friend of Afro pulling Troy away.

MTMTE

3:09, her phone told her. Everyone was either getting out of class or arriving home. Troy would be coming home in about ten or twenty minutes, aiming at how big traffic is. Not that she cared or anything...

3:11. Time really goes by slow, she acknowledge, lifting herself up on her elbows.

3: 21. Where the heck was Troy? He would have at least called or came to her house. Wait, she shouldn't care. Remember, he kissed you to make fun of you. He never liked you. All these weeks had been a total lie.

There was a soft knock at her bedroom door and Gabriella peered at it. "Dad?" He usually came home in about two hours. "Dad, is that you?" Standing, Gabriella made her way over to the door and hesitantly opened it.

It was Troy. she could tell, but he was so close. Their clothes were touching and she could hear and feel his breath. Gabriella reeled backwards and her head suddenly hurt.

"Do you know what they say about you, Gabi?' he questioned, walking over to her. Gabriella took a step back and shook her head faintly. "Well, I hate it when they do," he confessed. "He called you a ugly bitch hag. He called you ugly, Gabs, you aren't ugly, you know that, right?"

"Troy." She said it slowly. "are you okay?"

"No," he said. "I punched him and he deserved it all. I think I broke his nose."

"Troy, what happened?"

She heard his sigh.

"I got into a fight and got suspended."

"And it was about me, right?" she guessed. Nothing was said and she groaned, settling on her bed. "You're an asshole, you know that? Why do you even bother trying to be friends with me let alone...try and kiss me." The last part was said in a vulnerable whisper. She felt warmth grow in her hand. Her hand quickly flinched away and she held it on her lap. "I know it's all a game."

"It's not, Gabi," Troy protested.

"Yeah it is. I've fallen for too many and I'm tired of it all."

"Listen to me," Troy demanded and Gabriella found herself hearing him out. "I'm not playing you or tricking you, not any of that stuff. Why do you have to underestimate me? Not all people are bad, Gabs. And you have to take advantage of that. We can't stop the hateful comments or shoves, but we also can't stop feelings you have for another person. And don't say you don't have any feelings for me, Gabi. You like me. I know you do."

"You're wrong," she whispered and backed away.

Troy stopped her, his hands grabbing onto her waist. She swallowed and her hands trailed up his bulky arms. "No, you're wrong," he countered "You're mom left you and you don't give yourself away easily. I understand that, Gabs. But I promised to never leave you."

Gabriella shook her head, tears coming out of her eyes. And she thought she had forbidden herself from crying about him.

"But you don't know that," she whispered. "No one does."

"You said that, too. If you stop worrying, give us a chance, there would be nothing to worry about." Troy sighed. "Gabs, I like you and have since the first day I saw you. Remember, you got pushed down and I went to help even when you didn't want it? When I saw you, I didn't see a girl that was blind. I saw you. I saw Gabriella Montez, the most envied girl, the most beautiful."

"I get what you think, Troy...but why me? Why not some other girl who is easier to deal with? Who doesn't need a cane of assistance to get through a day? Why do you want me?"

Gabriella felt Troy's hand slowly stroke her cheek, wiping away tears. "Why wouldn't I want you? You're perfect. People look at the outside, but there is more than meets the eye." Gabriella's lips twitched into a small smile. "If you just let me all the way in, Gabi, you'll be happy. We'll be happy, no matter what people say or do. I won't let anyone hurt you or talk bad. But if you don't want this, tell me and I'll leave."

Gabriella reached up with her hand and placed it on Troy's bigger one that rest against her cheek. She sighed and nodded softly. "I like you, too, Troy," she admitted. "I want to be with you." She leaned into his near body. "And I want you to kiss me."

Troy grew his own smile and he tilted forward. After a second, his lips pressed against Gabriella's. Shock waves of electricity ran through her body as her arms wounded around his neck. She had no idea how to kiss, but she didn't need to. Troy's lips soft against hers guided her slowly and gently.

The kiss fell more urgent and Gabriella felt summer lightening flicker through her body and making her heart pick up pace, pounding against her chest, seeming to want to break free. Her breath caught in her sizzling throat making her dizzy. Her head tilted back afterward, her eyes still closed. Troy watched thoughtfully as her neck curved and her chest lifted and fell. Her lips were parted and heavy breaths were seething out of them. She opened them a moment later and Troy smiled at the light that filled his vision. She was perfect, no matter what people say.

What did you think? Review please?

~~~Nessa Kiss