Learning To Fall

by: LunarEclipse360

Disclaimer: One day...when pigs fly

Chapter 7

After two hours of trying to get Troy to figure out Physics, Gabriella found she was getting nowhere. She sighed and put her head down, finding her brain couldn't take anymore explaining. Troy was feeling the same way, except he couldn't take anymore 'taking it all in'.

"Why don't we switch here?" he asked and she nodded.

"Fine. I don't think I can explain anything anymore." He nodded and stood up, walking over to the basketball court. She followed and watched as he got a basketball from the rack that sat in the far corner of the court. He passed her the ball, which she barely caught. "What do I do with this?"

"Throw it into the net." She nodded and turned around to face the net in front of her. She took a deep breath and threw the ball into the net. It rebounded off the rim and went flying straight at Troy. He ducked and it went flying into the bushes. "Geez, woman. What are you trying to do? Kill me?" Even though she almost hit him, she couldn't help but laugh.

"S-Sorry," she said, trying to hold back her laughter.

"Yeah. Sure you are." He rolled his eyes and grabbed another ball before walking over to her. "Here." He handed her the ball and stood in front of her. "Try to get the ball past me." She ran one way and he shook his head before turning around. "Traveling."

"What?"

"You were traveling. You have to dribble the ball when you're moving."

"Oh."

"Try it again." She tried it again, this time dribbling the ball but he easily knocked it out of her hand.

"That's no fair."

"What?"

"When I dribble, you can easily knock it out of my hand."

"That's the point. You're not supposed to let your opponent get the ball."

"Oh. Okay."

"Come on. Try it again." She nodded and walked back over to him.

She tried over and over again, but she kept getting the same result. He would push it out of her hands every time. After the twentieth time, she sat on the concrete court and gave up. She was out of breath and her muscles were killing her.

"Giving up already?" She nodded. "Fine, then. This is gonna take some time so why don't we just try another day?" She nodded again and he sighed. "Come on. I'll take you home." He outstretched his hand and she grabbed it, not caring about the promise she made to never touch him again. She was too tired to get herself up so the help was much needed.

She grabbed her bag and followed him out to his car. She climbed into the passenger seat and closed her eyes, feeling exhaustion take over. Minutes later, she was shaken awake and opened her eyes.

"Montez, wake up." She glanced over at Troy and glared at him.

"Why did you wake me?"

"Cause we're at your place and you're drooling on my door." She wiped the corner of her mouth but found nothing there.

"I wasn't drooling."

"I know," he said with a grin. "I just wanted to see what you would do." She rolled her eyes and opened the door. She slammed it back and walked up to her front door. Without turning around, she went into her house with only the sound of the car backing out of the driveway to reassure her that he was leaving.

-

-

Troy walked into school the next morning, feeling like going back to sleep. As he stood in front of his locker, he zoned out a bit and began falling asleep where he stood.

"Troy!" Chad yelled and Troy jumped.

"Wha-What?"

"Dude, you were like falling asleep. You okay?" Troy nodded and yawned.

"Yeah. I just didn't get much sleep last night."

"Why?"

"I was trying to do my Physics homework."

"Isn't Gabriella supposed to be helping you in that?"

"Yeah, but I'm not getting it. She tried to explain it to me for two hours and I still didn't get it."

"How was teaching her b-ball?"

"Horrible. She has no basic skills. None whatsoever."

"Then why don't you teach her those basic skills?"

"Cause it would take a while with her. She may be a brainiac in math and science but she sucks in sports."

"Did you really think she would be good in sports? The girl looks like she's never had any physical activity in her life. She probably took gym like you took Physics. She thought it was a bird course."

"Or she did it because her best friend did."

"That too. You have to be patient with her. She has no idea what she's doing."

"Easier said then done." Troy closed his locker and leaned against it just as Gabriella and Taylor walked by.

"Morning, Montez," he said and once again, she ignored him. "Not this again." He rolled his eyes and Chad chuckled.

"I'll see you in homeroom." Troy nodded and Chad left his best friend's side. Troy sighed and went to find the girl who was once again ignoring him. He spotted her and Taylor walking towards their homeroom and quickly ran up behind her, grabbing her arm.

"I need to borrow your best friend for one second, McKessie," he said to Taylor before pulling Gabriella away from her. He dragged her down the hallway and around a corner before pushing her against the wall. "Okay, what will it take to get you to stop ignoring me?"

"Why does it bother you so much? I thought you would like the fact that I'm ignoring you."

"Because, sadly, you responding to my insults are the only fun parts of my day. That and when we have gym. So what do I have to do?"

"Promise that you won't say anything that will make my response to you get me in trouble."

"Deal." She smirked and nodded.

"Good." She walked away from him and went back to homeroom. He followed seconds later, actually happy that she was talking to him again.

"So that means I get to hear your nasty voice again right?" he asked as he walked behind her.

"Kiss my ass, Bolton," she said in a sing song voice.

"I would, but it's gross, just like the rest of you." She stuck up her middle finger before walking into homeroom. He smirked and walked in after her, knowing this day would be better than the day before.