AN: Here is the next chapter. Sorry it's later than usual. I got caught up doing finals. I hope you enjoy. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Lyrics: Switchfoot-Awakening
Chapter 7
Gabriella stirred lightly hearing a tapping noise.
"Five more minutes," she mumbled before she pulled the blankets above her head.
Troy laughed outside as he watched her scrunch up her face, mumble something, and then bury herself under her covers. He grabbed the key hidden under the chair swing on the balcony and quietly unlocked the door. Quietly, he tip-toed across the room, and went towards her desk. He grabbed her ipod and scrolled to one of his favorite songs; he then scrolled to the chorus. He gently pulled back the blankets and put one earpiece in her ear. He then turned the volume up halfway and pushed play.
Here we are now with the fallen sky and the rain
We're awakening!
Here we are now with the desperate youth and the pain
We're awakening!
Maybe it's called ambition
You've been talking in your sleep about a dream
We're awakening!
Troy ducked down onto the floor, and tried to hold in his laughter.
"What the-," Gabriella began as she sat up looking around the room. She expected to see her little brother, but then realized that her balcony door was cracked open. She peered over the edge of the bed. "Troy!" She yelled throwing a pillow at his head.
Troy continued to laugh as he got up off the floor. "Fitting song, don't you think?"
"I'm so getting you back later, you punk," Gabriella said as she got up out of bed.
"Uh huh, whatever you say beautiful," Troy responded with a smirk.
He then darted around the room as Gabriella began to chase him. She finally caught up to him, and she jumped on his back making him face plant onto the bed. She began to tickle his sides, and he rolled over flipping her onto the bed. Troy smiled down at Gabriella.
"Hey," he said as he lightly rubbed her arm.
"Hey," she replied leaning in. She was barely an inch away from his mouth before she smirked, "Gotcha". She smiled and pushed him back onto the bed before getting up and running into the bathroom to take a shower.
Troy shook his head laughing, yet disappointed from Gabriella's teasing. He made her bed, and grabbed her remote turning on the TV. It was 10:30 am on Saturday morning. He turned it to CBS to watch the UCLA/Oregon basketball game. Suddenly he heard Emilee cry from the room next door. He knew it was about time that she woke up from her morning nap. He walked across the hall, and opened her door.
"Hey Emilee," he said as he walked over to her crib. "Did you have a good nap?" He smiled at her, and gently picked her up out of her crib. She looked up at him and reached her hand out, touching his face. He lightly grabbed her fingers with his mouth, and she began to giggle.
"Let's go watch the UCLA game, huh?" Troy said as he walked out of the room, across the hall, and back into Gabriella's room. He laid Emilee on the bed on her back, and sat down next to her, tickling her stomach. She began to squirm, and he picked her up and sat her up, placing her back against his chest. Emilee grabbed his index finger with her hand.
Just then, Gabriella opened the bathroom door and walked out in her Kobe jersey and a pair of jeans.
"Look who's awake," Gabriella said as she smiled and walked over to Troy. "Hey Emilee, did you have fun with Troy? I see you're watching basketball…that's…wow, UCLA is killing 'em." Gabriella commented, being distracted by the game.
"Yep," Troy responded as he lifted Emilee up towards Gabriella. "We gotta get going if we want to walk around LA a bit before the game."
"Okay, let's go then." Gabriella said as she took Emilee in her arms. "Hey, where's your Lakers gear?" Gabriella asked as they walked downstairs.
"In the car. Don't worry Montez…I'll be sporting the gear in a little bit," Troy said winking at her.
"Troy, I didn't hear you come in," Anna said as Troy and Gabriella walked into the kitchen.
"Hey Troy," Carlos, Anthony, and Michael yelled from the living room.
"Hey guys," Troy yelled back before turning back to Anna. "Oh, I came in the balcony, which is why you didn't hear me."
Anna Montez grinned as she looked back and forth between Troy and Gabriella. "You know, now that you two are dating…we may have to prohibit balcony visits." Anna began to laugh to herself as the two looked like they were desperately trying to come up with convincing ways to keep that from happening.
"I'm just kidding you two," Anna said to their relief. "We trust you both, and I'm not about to stop something that has been a habit for at least ten years."
"Thanks Mom," Gabriella smiled before giving her mom a hug.
"Yeah, thank you Mrs. Montez," Troy said as he walked towards her. As he saw her expression, he quickly corrected, "I mean Anna." Troy smiled and wrapped his arms around Anna and Gabriella forming a group hug.
Emilee began to giggle in the middle of this group hug, and all three pulled back and laughed along.
"Okay, I'll take this little cutie off your hands," Anna informed Troy and Gabriella as she took Emilee from Gabriella. "You two have fun at the game."
"We will," Gabriella responded as she gave her mom one last hug, and gave Emilee a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye Anna," Troy said as he gave her a hug. "Bye Emilee," he added as he kissed the baby's cheek and tickled her stomach.
The two walked into the living room hand in hand.
"Bye guys!" Gabriella called to her dad and brothers as they were focused on a movie.
"Oh, bye sweetie," Carlos Montez said turning his attention from the game to Troy and Gabriella.
"Bye Daddy. See ya Anthony and Michael!"
"Later," the two replied still engrossed in the movie.
"Have fun at the game you two," Carlos called out before they walked away.
"Definitely," Troy replied. "See you guys later."
After a long two hour drive that included lots of talking and listening to lots of music, the two arrived in LA. They decided to go to Universal Citywalk for a couple of hours since they couldn't get into Staples Center until 3:00 that afternoon.
The two ate lunch at Quiznos, and had a Jamba juice as they walked around various stores. They left to go across town around 2:30. When they arrived, they immediately went to their seats where they could see some Lakers' players warming up early.
"Holy crap!" Gabriella exclaimed as they walked down the steps towards their seats. "Troy, that's Kobe, and there's Fish!"
"This is freakin' awesome!" Troy responded excitedly once the two took their seats. "Kobe for the 3!" Troy whispered excitedly in Gabriella's ear as they watched the players warm up.
"And, he scores!" Gabriella played along. "So, Stu…what do you think of the trade that we made for Pao Gasol…good move?" Gabriella said as the two held microphones in front of them pretending they were the Lakers' announcers.
"Well Paul," Troy joined in, "I think it was an excellent trade. I mean, as I always say, the Lakers could use a solid big man underneath."
The two stopped suddenly as they saw Kobe and Pao Gasol look up at them as they neared their bench. Gabriella and Troy looked on in shock as two of their favorite players were within ten feet of them. The players grabbed their bags, and all of them went in to the locker rooms.
"Well, that was interesting," Troy pointed out as all the players were out of earshot.
"Yeah, talk about embarrassing yourself. Good job Bolton!" Gabriella said cheekily.
"You want me to tell Kobe how many posters you have of him on your wall?" Troy asked playfully.
"You want me to tell Kobe how many posters you have of him on your wall?" Gabriella shot back, laughing at Troy's facial expression of mocked anger.
"Alright, alright. You win," Troy mumbled quietly.
"I what?" Gabriella asked, deciding to push the matter a little bit.
"You win," he repeated, with a little more enunciation yet still not loud enough.
"One more time? I didn't quite hear you," Gabriella pushed once more smirking.
"Montez…you win," he said one last time a little louder.
"Wow, I actually won. I can't believe it. How does it feel Bolton…to lose to a gi-," Gabriella began but was silenced as Troy leaned over and sweetly covered her lips with his. They pulled apart briefly, and Gabriella bit the inside of her lip before Troy leaned down once more and kissed her.
"Come on ref! Call that!" Gabriella yelled jumping up out of her seat after Kobe Bryant got knocked to the floor going in for a dunk.
Troy laughed for a second to himself until Gabriella turned around looking down at him as he was still in his seat.
"Oh, right," Troy stood up quickly. "Yeah, call that ref…what are you blind?"
Gabriella smiled and the two gave each other a high five. Just then Luke Walton poked the ball away from the other team and tossed it ahead to Kobe as he did a 360 dunk.
"Yeah!" Troy yelled as he stood up.
"Yeah Kobe!" Gabriella joined in standing up once again.
Soon it was halftime, and the score of the game was 54-43 in favor of the Lakers. Troy and Gabriella leaned back in their seats. They had been either standing up, or sitting on the edge of their seats the entire first half.
"So what do you think so far?" Troy asked getting comfortable.
"Amazing. I still can't believe we're here," Gabriella replied gazing around in awe.
"I know. You're lucky you have a boyfriend who can sing, otherwise we'd be sitting up there," Troy said with a grin as he pointed to the 3rd level.
Gabriella smiled back at him before leaning across the seat and softly brushing her lips against his. After a few seconds, the two pulled back and grins erupted on their faces. Gabriella leaned in once more kissing his cheek before she leaned her head on his shoulder. Troy wrapped his arm around her shoulder and grabbed his soda, placing it up towards her mouth. She smiled and took a drink before focusing her attention on the jumbotron, watching the NBA highlights.
"Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time for our raffle for this evening. If everyone would please pay attention, and take out your ticket stubs," the announcer said as Troy and Gabriella reached for their tickets.
"Tonight, we have a special event for you all. We will select two winners, who will bring another person with them down to the court where we will have a two-on-two game to five points. The winner will get courtside tickets to three home games of their choice this year, as well as a meet-and-greet pass to meet the players after tonight's game."
The crowd all cheered as everyone waited in anticipation.
"The first winner is Section 224, Row H, Seat 9. Please make your way to the court along with your selected teammate." A loud cheer was heard from the 2nd level.
"And our second winner tonight is Section 111, Row B, Seat 3. Please make your way to the court."
"Did he just say Row B?" Troy asked as he looked at his ticket.
"Yeah, holy crap. You won!" Gabriella yelled as she gave him a hug.
"Well, let's go teammate!" Troy said pulling her up.
"No way!?" She exclaimed in disbelief.
"Well, who else is gonna play with me? That guy's too busy with those nachos," Troy whispered quietly in her ear causing her to giggle softly.
"Let's do this!" Troy grabbed her hand and the two made their way down a few steps to the court.
"Ticket sir?" A security guard asked.
Troy pulled out his ticket stub and handed it over. The guard looked over it and nodded before pointing to center court.
"Alright sir. You two can head over to the man at center court right there. He'll give you further instructions."
"Thanks!" Troy yelled as he grabbed Gabriella's hand and started jogging to center court.
"Okay, so this is Rob and Michelle," the man said pointing to the other couple.
Troy and Gabriella reached across and politely shook their hands.
"Troy and Gabriella," Troy said smiling at the couple who appeared to be in their mid-twenties.
"Alright, here is the deal. You guys are playing half-court, winner takes the ball, first to five. Any questions?"
The four shook their heads, as the man gave the announcer the thumbs-up. The four walked over to the basket where a referee was standing with a basketball.
"Alright, let's keep it clean, folks," the referee said. "We'll flip a coin for take-outs. Heads or tails?" The referee asked Rob.
"Tails," he replied smiling, before the referee immediately flipped the coin in the air.
"Tails it is. You two have the ball first," he informed handing Rob the ball.
"Alright, babe. We can take these two kids," Rob said to Michelle as the two walked back behind the 3-point line. "I think we can handle them," he continued arrogantly causing Troy and Gabriella to smirk.
"Yeah, they look like they've never played before," Michelle added peering over her shoulder at the two.
Gabriella smirked over at Troy, and he responded by winking back at her. Gabriella smiled and nodded back in agreement.
Rob checked the ball to Troy, and then went to pass the ball to Michelle. Gabriella intercepted the telegraphed pass, and took the ball back behind the 3-point line. She quickly passed it to Troy, and darted for the basket. Troy passed it right back, and she ran in towards the basket, scoring a lay-up. Troy smiled and gave her a high-five.
Troy checked the ball, and immediately passed it to Gabriella. She dribbled around for a few seconds before bounce passing the ball to Troy, who had moved in front of her, backing Rob down in the key. Troy faked left and spun around right shooting a fade-away 8-foot jump shot, smiling as it sunk through the hoop.
"That's 2-0," the announcer stated as Gabriella and Troy pounded fists.
Gabriella checked the ball, and passed it to Troy who was on the baseline. Troy shot a 15-foot jump shot that rimmed in and out. He groaned and ran after the rebound, but Rob got it first. After taking the ball back behind the 3-point line, Rob faked left and went to cross over right, but Troy stole the ball. He passed it around his back to Gabriella as she ran into the key. She pulled up and hit a 5-foot jump shot.
Gabriella smiled and gave Troy another fist pound before she took the ball back. She checked it, and then passed the ball to Troy. He quickly passed it back and ran over behind the 3-point line. Gabriella faked the shot, and then whipped the ball around her back passing it to Troy. He caught the ball, and quickly released it towards the basket. The ball swished through giving Troy and Gabriella two points, and the win.
Gabriella smiled and cheered before running over and jumping into Troy's arms as he twirled her around. Troy put her down and the two gave each other another high-five.
"Yes!" They both yelled as they heard the crowd clapping.
The announcer then came over to them. "Okay guys, after the game is over, meet me courtside, and we'll take you to meet the players and get your tickets. Sound good?"
"Awesome!" They both replied grinning widely.
Troy and Gabriella held hands while they walked back over to their seats. They walked right past the Lakers' bench where a few players were seated. They felt some pats on their shoulders and turned to see Kobe Bryant and Luke Walton standing there.
"Good game," Kobe complimented as they continued walking.
Troy and Gabriella looked at each other with jaws dropped before they were able to muster up something to say.
"Uhh, thanks!" They both said timidly before they turned to walk back to their seats.
"Holy crap! Did Kobe just pat me on the back and say 'good game'? Pinch me," Troy said excitedly.
Gabriella laughed and reached over and pinched his upper arm.
"Ow, woman!"
"You said to pinch you," Gabriella replied cheekily.
Once the game was finished, and the Lakers had won 123-98, Troy and Gabriella rushed down to the court to meet with the man who was going to take them back to the locker room.
"I can't believe it," Troy sang shifting nervously back and forth.
Gabriella nervously nodded while scanning the arena in disbelief of where she was.
"I know, in like ten minutes, we are going to meet a bunch of our idols!"
"Crazy," Troy muttered in disbelief at their situation, before the man they were standing with began to usher them back into the tunnel.
The two tightly held hands with their interlocked fingers, both feeling the sweaty palms of the person next to them.
"Alright folks, here you are. Go ahead and walk in, and a man is waiting inside to take you further in the locker room. Congratulations once again."
Troy and Gabriella both took a deep breath before Troy pushed the door open.
"Hi, you must be Troy and Gabriella. I'm Tom, and I will take you back there where the players are waiting. They will probably be around for about twenty minutes. Here's some Lakers gear, and a sharpie for you to get signatures," Tom explained giving them each a small plastic bag containing a hat, t-shirt, poster, and calendar for the upcoming year. "If you have a camera, feel free to take pictures with them. And, your tickets for the upcoming games are in the envelopes in those bags. Have a nice evening, and congratulations to you both once again."
Troy and Gabriella looked at each other with mouths dropped before Troy took the initiative and began to walk around the corner. He stopped suddenly when he saw Lakers' center, Pao Gasol, towering over him. His sudden stop caused Gabriella to bump into him from behind.
Gabriella went to yell at him, but looked up and saw who he was looking at.
"Hi, I'm Pao. You two must be the winners of the halftime contest."
"Yeah, I'm Troy, this is Gabriella," Troy shared gaining some confidence.
"Cool. Nice to meet you." The two nodded, agreeing in response.
"Can we get you to sign these, and can we get a picture?" Gabriella asked.
"Sure thing."
After getting the whole team's signatures and getting pictures with them, Troy and Gabriella left the locker room.
"I still can't believe that happened!" Gabriella exclaimed skipping towards Troy's car.
"I know. I think I'm too excited to sleep tonight."
"Same here. Well, what do you say we hang out for the rest of the night?"
"Hang out with you? All night?" Troy joked laughing until Gabriella lightly punched him in the arm.
"Sorry," Troy laughed. "So, how about we go grab some coffee and then we can hang out in the basement at my place. Sound good?"
"Perfect. Let's go!" Gabriella said enthusiastically as they neared the car.
About an hour and a half later, the two arrived at the Bolton house. It was 11:00 at night, and most everyone was already in bed. Troy grabbed some snacks and met Gabriella in the basement.
"So, what are we watching?" Troy asked watching her search through the DVDs.
"How about we watch Alias?"
"Sounds good," Troy responded. "What season?"
"Two?" She asked as Troy nodded.
Gabriella smiled and stuck the DVD in before hopping on the couch next to Troy, and taking some chips from him.
"Hey!" Troy yelled jokingly.
"Hmm?"
Troy laughed at her attempted look of innocence, before dimming the lights as the two cuddled together.
"You didn't pick this so you could watch Michael Vartan all night did you?" Troy asked as he nudged her.
"You didn't agree so you could watch Jennifer Garner all night did you?"
"Touché." Troy laughed pulling her closer.
