I watched Troy shovel a hand full of popcorn in his mouth. I didn't know how he was still hungry after the pizza and the candy we just ate. I shook my head at him. I leaned into him, relaxing. I called my parents and they talked to Troy's. Troy was right. We're coming over for dinner this coming weekend. I had a month and a half left before school. Troy's school started in two months.

I was bummed the summer was going to be over so quickly. I just wanted to spend my days with Troy, get to know him better. Troy stroked my arm as we watched some movie. It was one of Troy's picks. I didn't really care what we watched, I just wanted to cuddle with him.

"What are we watching?" Jackson asked, taking a seat next to me. He stood right back up when he saw the movie we were watching. "This movie is so boring." He groaned before walking out of the room.

We were in one of his many living rooms. I cuddled closer to Troy, letting out a small giggle. He leaned down, kissing my lips gently. "He's bit much sometimes. Us Bolton's are weird with people."

"You're just fine." I said, rubbing his chest. I leaned up for another quick kiss. I closed my eyes, resting my head against his chest. Troy stroked my hair lovingly as I drifted in and out of sleep on his chest. I figured a little cat nap wouldn't hurt, especially since Troy was so comfortable.

"HEY, guys." Jackson bellowed, making both Troy and I jump. I looked at the TV noticing the movie was over. "Mom wants to know if you're staying for dinner, beautiful."

"Knock it off Jackson." Troy mumbled, rubbing his face.

"Um, I don't know." I said, looking at my phone. "I'll just ask my mom." I got up, dialing her number. I wandered up the stairs and found Troy's room. I took a seat on his bed. I waited for her to answer, clicking my tongue.

"Yes Gabriella?" My mom answered.

"Whoa snappy. I was just wondering if I could stay at Troy's for dinner." I said, laying back on his bed.

"That's fine honey." She said.

"Alright, bye." I said, hanging up the phone.

"What are you doing in here?" Troy asked, looking at me.

"Just called my mom." I said, turning onto my side to look at him. "She said it's fine I can stay."

"I told my mom you were staying." He said with a small grin. He took a seat next to me, rubbing my back slowly. "I wish you went to East. I'd be able to see you everyday."

I rolled onto my back. "I'll see you all the time. I'll come surprise you. "

Troy grinned. "Can't wait." He pushed a stray hair behind my ear. He leaned down, kissing my lips slowly. "You're so beautiful. Am I getting better at that?" He asked, shifting to lay next to me, our legs dangling off of the bed.

"Yes." I said with a small smile. "You're a great kisser, Troy." I whispered against his lips. I ran my fingers through his hair, kissing his lips again slowly.

"Good thing you left the door open, mom and dad would shit bricks." We pulled away from each other and looked over at Jackson standing in the doorway.

"Jackson, really?" Troy asked, annoyance apparent in his voice.

Jackson just shrugged. "I'm bored."

Troy sighed. I rubbed his side slowly, sitting up. "You don't have to go, he has to go." Troy said quietly to me.

"It's okay, we can see if we can help your mom with dinner." I suggested, crawling off his bed. I held my arms out in attempt to pull him up. He just pulled me back down with him. I giggled, kissing his lips. "Come on, lazy." I teased, standing on my feet again.

He held my hand as we walked down to the kitchen. "Hey mom, need any help?" Troy asked.

She looked over at him surprised. "Who are you and what have you done with my son?"

I smiled. "It was my idea."

"I'd love some help actually. Do you know how to make lasagna?" Mrs. Bolton asked me.

"No, but I'm a quick learner." I said, with an optimistic smile.

"That's a good attitude. Come over here, I'll teach you what I do." She waved me over. I washed my hands before I walked over to her. "I usually put some sauce down so the noodles won't stick."

"That makes sense." I said, licking my lips. "It smells good already, I can't wait to eat it."

"I usually boil the noodles like regular pasta. Then I'll take one out and get as much water off as I can." She said demonstrating. She placed it on the bottom of the dish. "We just do that until we get a nice layer." She continued with the noodles until the bottom layer was down. "Now here's the cheese"

"Cheese is the best part." I said, watching her mix it around.

"I've tried so many recipes but this is always the best one." She said, spreading the cheese over the noodles. "Then sauce, then repeat. Do you want to give it ago? I'll chop veggies for the salad."

"Alright." I said with a small smile. I copied her movements as I dipped into the noodles. I lined them up perfectly. Troy helped me with the lasagna and we washed our hands while his mom put it in the oven. We stepped outside and sat on his patio furniture.

"So my brother said something interesting the other day." Troy said, looking over at me.

"What's that?"

"He said that we are having the back to school party this year. My parents are going to be gone for labor day and that leaves me and Jackson alone. He wants to have a party."

"What do you think about that?" I asked, tilting my head.

"I'm not really sure. I just don't want my house to get all messed up." He said with a shrug. "If it did happen. I want you to come."

"I will, don't worry." I got up and took a seat on his lap. "I won't leave your side and I'll kick people out if it gets too rowdy."

Troy grinned at me, kissing my jaw. "You're so beautiful."

I leaned into him, closing my eyes once again. "You're so comfortable." Troy chuckled, rubbing my back as he let me rest.


I picked up Sharpay and Taylor and we headed over to East High the next day. They were less than excited that school was approaching so fast. I'd only been to East a handful of times. This would be the first time actually walking through it like a normal public school student. I parked in the parking lot, getting out and locking my car.

I stared up at the gigantic building. I was glad I didn't have to walk around a huge building all day. My school would take up half of the first floor alone. Sharpay hooked her arm with mine and smiled. "You ready."

"Of course she is, she's going to see Bolton. She's probably going to ditch us again." Taylor said, coming up on the other side of me.

We walked through the parking lot and into the building. All the stray people stared as we made our way through the building. "I feel like I'm in Mean Girls or something." I mumbled uncomfortably.

"Everybody just wishes you were going here so they could see your pretty face all the time." Sharpay said.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah right."

"Oh there's Martha!" Taylor said, pulling Sharpay and I over to a girl that was standing with a couple other people.

"Did you hear!?" Martha said, looking over at Taylor and Sharpay while the rest of the group eyed me curiously. "Sadie heard from Samuel Matthews that Troy Bolton has a girlfriend. I told you he wasn't gay!"

Taylor and Sharpay looked at each other and then looked at me. They started laughing while I just looked at them confused. "I don't believe that for a second." Sharpay said, flipping her hair in typical Sharpay fashion.

"I heard that was true." Taylor said with a small smirk. "I guess we'll have to see to find out right?"

"I guess." This Martha girl said. "Oh, did you get your schedule yet?"

"No not yet, we just got here." Taylor explained.

"Well come find me when you're done." She said with a wide grin. Taylor nodded and we started to walk away.

They lead me through the maze that was East high until we got to the cafeteria. There were people lined up everywhere to stop at different tables. My school was way less complicated than this. I stood in line awkwardly with Sharpay and Taylor. I didn't want to sit by myself. The whole room seemed to be buzzing.

Sharpay was talking to the people in front of us and Taylor was talking to the people behind us. I looked around the room and everybody stopped talking as a group of people walked in the cafeteria. My eyes found the familiar set of blue and my heart rate quickened. He smiled at me before nodding at something somebody else was saying.

"What?" Chad said, his voice booming over the whole room.

Everybody started chatting again but their attention was towards the group of boys. "I'll be right back." I said, glancing over at Sharpay and Taylor.

"Alright." Sharpay said. "We're going to have a search party looking for you if he steals you away again."

"Just text me, loser." I said, walking away from them. I headed straight for the basketball boys. "Hey Zeke." I greeted first.

"Hey Gabi." He gave me a hug.

"Baylor is that the girl you've been texting all week?" A guy said, chuckling with another guy that was sitting next to him.

Zeke rolled his eyes and I laughed. "You never told me how your… dessert was." I said, catching myself before I gave away his big secret.

"That's cute, Baylor, you call sex dessert. I want some of her dessert."

I glanced over at Troy and he looked annoyed. "It was a trail run, I'm trying again this weekend."

I smiled. "Tell me how it goes." I turned my attention over to Chad. "Hey Chad."

"Hey Gabriella." He said with a small smile.

"Gabriella is a beautiful name for such a sexy girl."

"Knock it off, Brown, you just look like an asshole." Troy said. The whole group just looked at him, shocked.

I smiled, watching him get up off his seat. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. He pressed his lips against mine, marking his territory. I wrapped my arms around his neck, keeping his lips against mine. I slowly pulled away. "Hello to you too, Troy."

Troy chuckled, kissing my lips again. "Hello beautiful. Let me introduce you to the team." He said, turning to face towards the team. He kept his arms around me protectively. "You know Chad, Zeke, and Jason. This is Kaden Brown, Butterball, Max, Jimmy, Caleb and Sunshine."

"Hi." I said, dryly with a small smirk.

"Team, this is my girlfriend. Gabi." Troy said proudly.

"I'm going to go back to Shar and Tay. I'll come find you again." I said, looking up at him.

"Okay. I'll see you later." He said, kissing me again. He ran his hands down my arms. He frowned, pulling away. "You're freezing. You have goosebumps."

"It's fine." I said, waving my hand.

He already pulled his letterman off, picking a piece of lint off the back. "Here." He wrapped it around my shoulders.

"I'll be fine really."

"You're welcome." He said, kissing my forehead.

I grinned up at him as I slid my arms into his warm jacket. I let his smell envelop me as I wrapped my arms around him again. I suddenly didn't want to go back to my friends. "Gabi!" I heard my name being called.

"Thank you." I said quietly to my boyfriend. It turned back to the stunned basketball team. "It was nice to meet you all." I walked away slowly, releasing Troy's hand when I had to. I glanced back to see him turn around and say 'what' to his team members.

I snuggled in his jacket and walked over to my friends. "You really know how to put on a show." Sharpay said, smirking.

"It was all Troy." I said with a shrug and a goofy smile on my face.

"You're gross when you have boyfriend." Taylor said, taking a step away from me.

"We'd better get used to it baby girl. Those matching goofy smiles tells me it going to last a long time." Sharpay said with a snort.


I felt mildly uncomfortable walking through the halls of East High alone. Troy texted me earlier telling me to meet him somewhere. He didn't say specifically but he gave me directions. I was following them to the best of my ability. I was getting awed stares from people because I was wearing Troy's jacket. These public school people are really close minded.

I stood in front of a set of double doors. I pushed it open hesitantly. No alarm went off so I slipped in them. I was met with a set of stairs. "Roof access?" I mumbled to myself as I trekked up the stairs. I walked up and frowned as I walked into the sunshine.

"You made it."

I turned around to see Troy behind me on the platform over the stairs. "What is this?" I asked with a smile, walking around to him.

"Wildcat Garden." He said with the shrug. "It's the science club's project."

I sighed, looking around. "It's beautiful."

"I thought it'd be the perfect place to sneak away and make out." Troy said, wrapping me in his arms. "What do you think of my school so far?"

"It's big, crazy. I'm getting stared at a lot, probably because I'm wearing your jacket." I said, leaning against him. "It's nice though. It's huge compared to my school."

"Well you only have 25 people in your whole school. I have more people in one class." Troy chuckled. "You can transfer here."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't think I'm ready to be a wildcat. You're the only wildcat I need." I leaned on my tiptoes to kiss his handsome face. "Oh and I'm loving the big poster of you on the gym wall."

He instantly blushed. "I don't look at it unless I have to."

"Oh, come on, you're so handsome. You have nothing to be shy about. I saw some cheerleaders ogling you when I walked by." He blushed more, causing me to giggle. "You're getting pretty red, Wildcat." I teased, leaning up to kiss him again.

"You should transfer over here." He murmured against my lips. "Then we can sneak away all the time." He grinned devilishly.

"Oh, the wild side is coming out." I rubbed the back of his neck. "I think I like it." I pulled his lips down to mine, working my tongue into his mouth. His strong hands held my hips as he sucked my bottom lip in his mouth. Troy chuckled, pulling away slowly. I gave him a look. "What?"

"I just never thought in a million years that I'd be making out with the most beautiful person on the roof during junior orientation." I smiled at him, pushing back his hair. "I thought this year was going to be just like the rest. This summer has changed my life, for the better of course."

"I'd hope so." I said, with a small smirk. He gave me a quick hard peck. "I'm so glad we're both chickens and didn't decide to go on that stupid doom drop ride."

"Me too, baby." He grinned, leaning his forehead against mine.


"Please tell me that is not what you're wearing to the first day of school party." Sharpay said, barging into my room. I was doing homework in sweatpants and one of Troy's shirts I stole from him. She was looking exuberant as usual. Her pink sequin dress was blinding me.

"Who said I was going to that party? Besides, my first day of school was like two weeks ago." I said, turning back to my work.

Sharpay rolled her eyes. "A very cute but weirdly shy boy will be very unhappy if you don't show up. His room has a lock. You can hide out up there for all I care."

"I'll hide out in my own room, thanks." I said, glancing back at her. "My dad would never let me go anyway."

"I told him we are going to a family party of mine. He already said yes." Sharpay walked over to my computer. "I will erase your whole hard drive if you don't get up in the next five seconds, Gabriella Montez."

"What? You don't know how to do that." I said, folding my arms over my chest.

"Are you calling my bluff? You learn a lot of things in public school baby doll." She moved her fingers over my keyboard. "Five, four, three, two-"

"FINE. Jesus." I got up and walked over to my closet. I pulled out a dress just to have it taken out of my hands. "What?"

"You're not wearing that disgusting thing." Sharpay dug through my closet.

"Remind me why we're friends?"

"Because, we just are." She said, pulling out another dress. "Put it on, hurry up. We want to be fashionably late."

I just snorted out a laugh and put the dress on. I pulled on some heels as Sharpay started on my hair. I put a little make up on and checked myself over. "Are you done yet?" I asked Sharpay behind me.

"Yes, you're lucky you have easy hair. Let's get going." She said, standing up. I stood up, holding my phone. "This party is going to be real interesting."

"You're telling me." I murmured as we walked out of my room.

My parents, surprisingly, let me go. Sharpay drove us over to Troy's. We got out of her brand new car and I smoothed down my dress before we entered. "Hello beautiful, welcome to my party." Jackson greeted us at the door. I frowned when I smelled the alcohol.

"He is going to be sorry in the morning." Sharpay mumbled in my ear then gasped. "Zekey!" She rushed away and I sighed.

"Where's your brother Jackson?" I asked the younger Bolton.

"I don't know why you're with him. I'm the cuter one." He slurred.

"We should get you upstairs." I mumbled, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Let's go."

"Are you going to lay me down baby?" He leaned into my neck, sniffling loudly. "You smell like sunshine."

"You smell like tequila." I struggled to get him up the stairs but I finally did. I lead him into his room and pushed him down on the bed. "Go to sleep Jackson. If you have to puke, try to make it in the toilet." I advised. "Or this." I placed the garbage basket in his arms.

"Thanks Gabriella." He mumbled, his eyelids half drooped.

"You're welcome. Just remember you're going to be cleaning up your puke in the morning." I patted his shoulder and walked out of his room. "Troy!" I called seeing him at the far end of the hall.

He grinned as he looked up at me. "Hey baby, what are you doing over here?"

"Jackson is drunk and looked like he needed a hand. He's in his room where nobody can draw on him." I said, wrapping my arms around my boyfriend. I kissed him lips. "You taste like beer."

"Chad gave me some beer, it was awful." He mumbled in reply. "I drank two."

"Don't get too crazy, Troy Bolton. I'm not cleaning your vomit." I said before giving him another kiss.

"Don't worry baby, I'll be fine." He promised, leading me back down to the party. He pulled me out to the middle of the living room where couples were dancing around us. He pulled me close to him, covering my lips with his. I smiled as he twirled me around. He seemed very relaxed and happy. He wasn't his usual nervous self. I didn't know whether to be happy or concerned.

"Troy, my man! Let's take a shot." Chad said, pulling him away from me. "Hey Gabster. Do you want one? It's Jose Cuervo."

I made a face. "No thank you." I said shaking my head. I looked at Troy.

"This stuff is disgusting man." Chad said putting the small glass into his hand. "Don't be a puss, just drink it."

Troy looked at me. "You're not going to like it." I warned him.

"Just do it man." Chad said, taking his shot. He wooped loudly before looking at Troy expectantly.

Troy took a drink before gagging. I patted his back as he covered his mouth. "I don't like that." He said coughing.

"I told you." I said with a shrug. "You're going to end up like your brother if you keep drinking that." I warned, kissing his rosy cheek.

"I think I'll just stick with you for the rest of the night." He said, kissing the top of my head. "We can just- Hey! Put that down!" He walked away from me, actually hollering at somebody.

"Hey girl!' Taylor said walking over to me. "You look cute. Where's Bolton?"

"He just went to go yell at somebody." I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "He's been drinking, thanks to Chad."

"He'll be fine." Taylor said, moving her hair out of her face. "He's a teenager. He puke and be fine in the morning."

"I know but I don't like him acting so out of character." I said licking my lips. "Just keep an eye on him for me if I'm not around."

"Okayyy." Taylor sang. "You should really relax and take a drink or something."

"I'm fine Taylor, go party." I said waving her off. I walked away from Taylor, looking for Troy in the direction he left in. I frowned when I couldn't find him. Somebody bumped into me, spilling on the hardwood.

"My bad." They mumbled walking away.

I sighed, grabbing a roll of paper towels, cleaning it up. I stood up throwing the wet paper towels in the garbage. I turned around and looked out the window and saw Troy talking to two girls in bikinis. I walked out the door walking over them.

"Hey." I said, walking up to them.

"Hey baby!" Troy said grinning widely. "This is Uh Courtney and… Casey? Casey. They go to my school.
They're twins! They shared a womb." Troy wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "This is my girlfriend."

"Hi." They said, glancing over at me.

"So Troy, great party."

"Thanks." He said, looking down at me.

"This is awkward, let's go Court." One girl said, pulling the other back towards the pool.

He kissed my forehead. "I was just going to find you. I have a surprise for you.'

"Okay." I said wearily.

"Follow me." He said, taking my hand. He walked towards the small pathway towards the tree houses. He stood in front of his. "Go on up." He said softly.

"Okay." I climbed into the small tree house. There were candles lit and a little couch made of pillows. I smiled a little to myself as I took a seat against the pillow couch. Troy climbed up and close the door.

"I have a confession to make." He said softly, not looking at me.

"You can tell me." I said softly, a little worried about what it might be.

"We've been together for almost three months. Its not really a long time but I feel like it's been forever, like, I can't even remember a time without you in my life. I was talking to my mom about it and she said that's a good thing. You know? That I love being around you so much." He said, nibbling slightly on his lip. "I told Chad what I was going to tell you today and he figured I needed some courage because I'm scared to death of what you think of me. I know I'm not the greatest boyfriend in the world because it's my first time being in a relationship. I hope I'm doing a decent job."

"You're doing a fine job." I assured him, rubbing the back of his neck gently. "You can tell me anything."

"I know, I just-" He paused to turn to look at me. "I love you, Gabriella. I don't really take that word lightly. I tell my parents that but I've never told anybody else that. I know it's what I feel for you, baby. I love you."

I sighed, pushing his hair back. "I wish you didn't need to drink to tell me you loved me." I said softly. Troy frowned at this. I leaned into him, letting his arms wrap around me. "You're different when you drink. Have you noticed?"

"A little." He said softly.

"I love you too." I said, looking up at him. I kissed his lips. "This is very romantic." I cuddled into him ever more. "The perfect place to get away." Troy smiled down at me.

We talked into the night as the music in the house thumped on. We kept to ourselves and cleaned up in the morning. Love was a special thing. It's going to have its up and downs. It will leave you breathless and angry as hell. When you find the right person it will be beautiful and sometimes a little awkward.


And it's done. I know it was kind of a crappy ending but i needed to end it somehow. um, still writing and stuff. New chapters up soon of Co-parenting. Don't forget to review.