"Ryan said you like sushi, so I found the best sushi place in the city."
It wasn't very fancy, which is great because she hates fancy restaurants.
In fact, it was more of a whole in the ground. Very hidden, only a few people where there.
"I love sushi." She said as they sat down. "Who doesn't?"
Troy chuckled lightly. "I've actually never had it."
Wait, what? "Seriously?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I just never had the opportunity I guess."
Is it weird that that's cute?
"Well, I like my sushi very plain, but I know other people like it more…decorative."
It was strange having such a regular conversation with him.
The waiter came over with a little smile. "Hello. What can I get you this evening?"
Gabriella put her menu down, already knowing what it is she wanted. "A salmon maki roll please. No wasabi."
He finally turned to Troy, his eyes widening. "Oh shit. Troy Bolton."
Troy gave him a little smile. "I'll have the California roll."
The waiter stumbled over his words. "Uh, c-can I interest you in any…any um…s-sake this evening?"
She shook her head. "Just a Heineken please."
Troy cleared his throat. "Make that two."
The waiter nodded quickly, in big shock from seeing the biggest superstar in basketball right now.
"I took you for more of a corona guy." She said softly, pouring some soy sauce.
He turned back to her. "That's funny. I took you for more of a whiskey girl."
She chuckled lightly. "It's a school night. What kind of teacher would I be if I came to class with a hangover?"
"I'm gonna be honest, I never saw you as a teacher. Even when you tutored me I couldn't see it. You were always too chill to be a teacher."
Is that a compliment or an insult?
"Well, I guess teacher was the fallback option." When she found out she was having Eric she decided that becoming a teacher would be the best thing. She has the same hours as him, weekends off, and the whole summer. He's the most important thing in her life.
He tilted his head in thought for a moment. "What was the original option? Doctor? Lawyer?"
She looked away, blushing a bit. "You're gonna think it's stupid."
"No I won't." Troy said with a little chuckle.
"Yes you will, you'll laugh and call me a nerd." She said teasingly.
He reached over and placed his hand over hers on the table. "I promise I won't." Their eyes connected for a moment. There was something strange in his eyes, like a deeper promise.
"I…wanted to write video games."
A smile slowly appeared on his face. That son of a bitch was trying not to laugh. "Video games?"
She took her hand out from under his. "Forget it."
"No, please. I'm sorry, I just…I wasn't expecting that." He said apologetically, still stifling his laughter. "Tell me."
She looked at him for a moment. He looked genuinely curious. She couldn't understand why. "Well, I love playing video games, and I always wanted to make them. You know? I want to write the story and the dialog, like Dragon Age, or Bioshock Infinite."
"That sounds awesome." Troy said with a big smile, loving the passion in her voice. "Why didn't you do that? I remember you being an amazing writer."
How's she supposed to explain that? I got pregnant and had to face reality?
"It was just a childhood dream…Besides, I like being a teacher. I feel like I'm making a difference." She paused for a moment. "I'm teaching kids things that they should know…things that will stay with them forever."
Troy looked at her for a moment. "People aren't like that anymore…No one wants to be a teacher because there's no money in it."
She furrowed her brow at his words. What was he trying to say? "If people only did things for money, this world would kinda suck, wouldn't it?"
He let out a chuckle. "I guess you're right. I've just never known anyone like you."
"One salmon roll and one California roll." Their waiter said as he placed their dinner down, then their drinks. "Is there anything else I can get you guys?"
Troy gave him a smile. "That's all, thanks."
She looked at him expectantly as their waiter left. "Go on. Try it." He picked up his chopsticks, earning him a little giggle as he tried to use it. "Here, like this." She reached over, moving his fingers in place, and ignoring the tingle that ran through her as her skin touched his.
He let out a little laugh. "Thanks." After a few attempts he was finally able to bring a roll up to his mouth. He chewed it for a moment before his eyes widened. "Holy shit." She giggled again. "Sushi is fuckin awesome."
"I know. That's why I love it." He's being so cute, it's killing her!
"If I knew it was this good I would have tried it years ago." He said enthusiastically, pouring some soy sauce in the little bowl.
They ate for a few moments in a comfortable silence.
"So, would you still play basketball if you didn't get paid for it?" Gabriella asked, already knowing his answer.
"Only as a hobby, I'd still need a job to survive."
She ate one of her rolls, savoring the taste. "What kind of job? What would you do?"
He simply shrugged. "Well, I have a degree in business; I could probably just get a job on Wall Street."
She made a small face that made him smile. "Really?"
"I always needed something to fall back on, in case I got injured or something."
This is good. Talking about him means they're not talking about her. "Was it always basketball though? Did you ever dream of being something else?"
He was silent for a moment, and she almost thought she hit a nerve. "I wanted to be in the marines."
Oh…well I guess that explains Eric's love for military toys.
"Why the marines?"
"My grandfather was a marine. I always wanted to be one too…Just like him." He finished with a little chuckle.
Gabriella took a long sip of her beer. A small part of her felt really bad for keeping Eric from him. But an even bigger part of her was too scared to tell him.
They finished their sushi and went over to the counter to pay. "Did you enjoy your meal?" Their waiter asked, almost nervously.
It was a young guy, probably just started college.
Gabriella took out her wallet. "Very much, thank-"
"What are you doing?" Troy asked, cutting her off.
She blinked a few times. "Well, when you go out to eat, you have to pay for it. Or else they arrest you."
He simply smiled. "I mean, put your wallet away. I'm paying."
"That's not necessary, I can-"
He cut her off again. "I asked you on this date, that means I'm gonna pay for it."
Gabriella blushed at him referring to this as a date. It was strangely sweet that he wouldn't let her pay. "Okay."
She went to the door as Troy paid, giving their waiter an extra tip. "Never make the girl pay."
The guy smiled. "Yes sir."
Troy walked out to see Gabriella leaning with her back against the car, waiting for him. "When was the last time you went on a date?"
She looked up, crossing her arms. "Why?"
"Because it feels like you haven't been on one in a while."
How does he know that? Is this because she wanted to pay? Is it so strange for a girl to pay on a date these days?
"It's been about a year." Dates haven't been her number one priority lately.
He took a quick look around, seeing the sidewalk virtually empty. He took a step closer to her, trapping her against the car. "When was the last time you had sex?"
What! That's kind personal, isn't it?
But there was something in his voice; it was so sexy it shot right through her, hitting her core. "About a year ago."
He was so close now, if he leaned down just a little his lips could be on hers. "I've been dreaming of making love to you for so long now. Slowly, gently…roughly." She kept in a whimper as he practically growled out the last one. "But I don't want to do anything you're not ready for…I feel like this is my only chance, and I don't wanna ruin it."
"Then kiss me." She whispered, unable to take it anymore.
He moved a stray hair behind her ear. His touch so gentle it almost made her shiver. After what seemed like forever, he finally leaned down to kiss her, softly.
It felt like a firework went off in her mouth.
But it ended almost immediately as it started.
He pulled back with shaky breath. "I'm sorry I didn't do it like that the first time."
Her eyes fluttered open as she tried not to stumble over her words. "No it's…it's fine. The way you did it was…just fine."
Oh wow that was amazing. And so chaste.
"Do you want to go home now?"
No.
"Well, it's getting late, and it is a school night. I really should…"
But he wasn't disappointed. In fact, he smiled. "I understand." That's strangely mature of him. "Let me take you home."
He moved to go around the other side, but she stopped him. "Wait."
She brought her hands up to cup his face, bringing him down as she stood up on her tiptoes. She crashed his lips against hers with tiny moan.
His arms immediately wrapped around her, pulling her even closer. She could feel his hard member pressing up against her, and oh WOW, she forgot how perfect he is.
And oh shit! This is really bad
His hand came up to tangle in her hair as she pulled back with a soft moan, reality hitting her hard as she opened her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
His smile faltered for a split second. "Don't apologize, that was…amazing."
Why does he have to use that word?
"I shouldn't have done that." She said out loud before realizing it.
"I'm glad that you did." He leaned down to give her a soft peck.
She turned away, her eyes closed tight. "I should be getting back now."
Troy watched her for a moment before kissing her cheek. "Of course."
She waited until he went over to his side before letting out the breath she had been holding in, one of the worst feelings coming over her. She felt guilty, and horrible.
Why does this have to be happening?
.
The rode back in silence. But a strangely comfortable silence.
Troy could sense that she didn't want to talk, and decided not to push it.
When they stopped in front of her building, he turned off the car.
They sat there for a few moments before Gabriella suddenly opened the door. "Thank you for dinner."
"Wait!"
She paused, slowly turning back to him. "Yes?"
He let out a silent chuckle, making her want to slap him. "I want to see you again."
It was foolish of her to think this could be a onetime thing. "I can't."
His brow furrowed in confusion. Why does she keep saying that? "Why not?"
"Why do you keep asking? Why are you doing this?" She needed to direct the questions back at him.
"I told you, I love you." He answered so sincerely it almost made her want to cry out.
"So what does that mean? You want date me? Troy, I haven't been in a relationship in over a year."
"I've never felt this way about anyone, and I'm not gonna give up. I want to be with you. I want to wake up with you, watch movies and TV with you, make you breakfast…everything."
Would he still feel the same if he knew about Eric?
But there was a small part of her that wanted to be selfish for a moment. To be loved by Troy. She wanted to say yes to him so badly.
But it's not that simple.
"I…I-"
He cut her off, already knowing what she'd say. "Don't say no. I know you want this just as much as I do."
He's right. It took her five years to get him out of her system, even with Eric being a constant reminder. But after that reunion all her efforts seemed pointless. There's something about Troy that's different. Other men don't make her feel this way. Maybe it's because they have a past, or because she bore his child, but there's something between them that's indescribable.
She let out a breath. "Okay."
He blinked a few times, not sure if he heard her right. "Okay?"
"I can't really go out late on school nights though." Her voice was so soft he barely heard her.
"That's fine. Weekends are great."
Gabriella looked down for a moment. "I'm free this Friday."
He took her hand, bringing it up to his lips to kiss the back. "I'll also try my hardest to make you smile." Almost immediately, she let out a little giggle and blushed. "See."
She looked at him for a moment, before leaning over and giving him a quick kiss.
But he brought his hand up to tangle in her hair, keeping her there for a few extra kisses.
She finally pulled back, slowly, opening her eyes and staring into his deep blue ones. "Goodnight Troy."
He watched her get out and waited a moment before getting out too, looking at her over the car. "I'll call you. Or text you."
She turned around at her door, giving him a nod. "Goodnight."
.
"Tell me everything!"
Ryan cornered her as soon as she closed the door.
"Hello to you too Ryan." She said sarcastically as she took off her jacket. "Is Eric in bed?"
He waved her off. "Of course he is. Now tell me!"
She went to grab a beer. "It was…okay."
"Okay?" He asked slowly, almost thinking he didn't hear her right. "What does that mean?"
"It means…that…" She let out a frustrated sigh, unable to lie anymore. "It was amazing, we talked, and then he kissed me, and then he told me how much he loves me, and…I'm screwed."
Ryan could see her frustration and stepped forward give her a hug. "No, honey, don't say that."
"What am I gonna do?"
Eric is the most important thing in her life, and he come first.
"Maybe Troy won't get mad like you think he will. If he really loves you, maybe he'll be happy." It was a shot in the dark, but it's always a possibility.
Gabriella looked down, not wanting to hope too much. "I don't know." She let out a sigh. "Do you remember Derek?"
Ryan scoffed. "How could I forget him? He was around for a while. Mr. Hottie Wall Street."
"…Right." Wow Ryan. "I liked him, I mean he was great. Smart, handsome, settled into life, mature…But I couldn't stay with him. I never felt that spark."
"But you feel that spark with Troy." He already knew that, it's so obvious. With Troy too. When he came to him there was a sort of desperation in his eyes that made it hard to turn him away.
Derek was certainly an amazing guy. Gabriella met him at a charity event to raise funds for schools. He asked her out, and she was a little reluctant at first. Eric was four years old, and she hadn't been on any dates since his birth. But Derek was different from the guys who regularly hit on her, and Troy had been the last man to touch her and he left her with an intense burning of desire. So she said yes, and they started dating. But after six months Gabriella broke up with him. The sex was pretty great, they had some good times, and he was with fine with Eric. But she couldn't fall in love with him, no matter how hard she tried. It just wouldn't work. And staying with him would have been cruel. He deserved a girl that can give him her heart.
"Why couldn't I feel it with Derek?" She really wanted to feel it with him.
Ryan rubbed her shoulder with a sigh. "Because you have feelings for Troy."
Well, she obviously has a physical connection with Troy. When they're together it's like magic. But could she have real, serious, feelings for him? He kind of bullied her in high school, doesn't that mean she shouldn't have feelings for him? But maybe it's because he took her virginity, and then gave her the most precious thing in her life.
"I barely know him." She argued, not wanting to accept any possible feelings.
He gave her a pat. "The heart wants what the heart wants."
Forget it; this is too much for a school night.
"I'm going to bed. I'm tired, and I know tomorrow is going to be rough."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Why? You're not seeing him tomorrow are you?"
She let out a sigh. "No, but I'm going to have a long talk with Eric."
.
Here's chapter seven. I hope you enjoyed it, please review.
