I know what you are thinkin! She is back except she is not. I am Fear and Loathing's best friend and she gave me the computer this story was saved on. And I snooped and found it-then questioned her and here I am!

Fear and Loathing is convinced it has been way too long to even attempt to resurrect this story and I disagree because I just do lol. So we made a deal I could post only one chapter (because she many written) and if there was no response- i would have to leave it alone. But if there was a response she would start uploading them again...

All i own is a new used computer!

Title: This is the Life

by: FearandLoathing

Chapter 8: Dancing in the Diner


Gabriella ripped open her closet and rifled through her clothing as fast as possible. She didn't want to make Troy wait but she also didn't want him to see her looking bad. She threw on a grey and black tank and slipped on dark jeans. Gabriella grabbed her white jacket and black flats before darting out her bedroom door and down the stairs.

"Gabriella?"

Gabriella stopped in the hallway and turned towards her mom's voice. "Yes?" She asked meekly.

Her mother smiled sweetly and put the coffee cup she was holding on the table. "Don't forget your purse." She picked up the black leather bag and handed it to her daughter. "Have fun and tell Troy I said hello."

Gabriella tried not to blush and nodded dutifully. "Sure." She didn't like the knowing twinkle in her mom's eyes and half ran out of the front door to escape it. "Love you!" She called over her shoulder barely sparing a glance behind her.

Troy was leaning against his truck and when he saw Gabriella he immediately opened the truck door. He bowed and gestured to the torn seat. "For you, princess."

Gabriella giggled softly and sat down in his truck. He shut the door and shot her a sweet smile before racing to the other side. Gabriella inhaled and let the odd smell manifest on her face for only a second before she schooled it to look normal.

"So where are we going?" She asked as she searched for her seat belt buckle.

"It's a surprise!" Troy said over the rumble of his engine. "You'll love it, I promise."

She smiled at his eager face knowing as long as they were together she was fine. Gabriella turned her attention to the radio and she poked it. "Does this work?"

He scoffed at her. "Of course it does."

Gabriella kissed his cheek in a placating gesture. "Of course it does, Wildcat." She turned it on and loud static filled the small cab. Their eyes met and they burst out laughing. After she calmed herself down she hit the seek button. "Do you hear that?" Gabriella squealed excitedly twenty minutes later.

Troy shot her a weird look before shaking his head and concentrating on the road. "It's still static."

She pouted. "There's a slimmer of some kind of. . .something."

Troy chuckled before conceding. "You're right as you often are."

"You mean always are." She winked at him before concentrating on the radio. Gabriella sat back five minutes later and turned up the volume.

Identifiable music filled the cab and Troy's eyebrows rose. "What is this?"

"I think it's rock." Her voice was thoughtful.

He rolled his eyes. "I know. I was just expecting hillbilly music or something. We are in the country."

"Haven't you seen any scary movies? Country people can be just as angry as rebellious teenagers."

Troy pinched her side and she squealed.

"Now stop cheapening my victory!" She turned up the volume to deafening heights and started dancing in her seat and trying to guess the words.

Troy watched her movements out of the corner of his eye and tried unsuccessfully to quell the strong feelings that arose. She had no idea how much she owned him.

He pulled up to a small diner as Gabriella belted out the last words to the song introduced as Mama by My Chemical Romance. She got out of the truck before Troy was able to open the door and stuck her tongue out at him. He just chuckled and took her hand and lead her to the door of Charlie's Diner.

"What are you getting?" Troy asked after he had set down his menu.

Gabriella had already figured out what she wanted and was looking around the diner in interest. She looked at him for a moment before responding, "I'm going to have a classic breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast and orange juice. And yourself?"

"Ham and cheddar omelet." Troy answered.

The waitress, an older lady with a pencil in her blonde hair, took their order almost immediately after.

"So where did you find this place?" Gabriella questioned suddenly. They had already gotten their drinks and were just waiting on the food. "It is absolutely quaint."

Troy smiled and cast a glance around the small diner. "My parents used to take me here all the time but I haven't been here in years. Life just got too hectic, I guess." His blue eyes became sad but the smile was still on his face.

Gabriella wrapped her fingers around the hand Troy had on the table. She squeezed it gently and sent him a reassuring smile. Desperate to lighten the mood, Gabriella separated their hands and grabbed change for the jukebox.

Earth, Wind and Fire's "September" filled up the quiet diner and Troy had to stifle a laugh at her song choice. She stood by the jukebox and swayed to the music until an old man half shouted 'nice choice young lady.'

Gabriella turned around giggling and was surprised to find the old man in front of her moving his shoulders to the beat. He held out his hand and she accepted by placing her hand delicately in his. They danced together as the diner clapped to the music.

Before Troy knew it other people were joining in the dancing and Gabriella was back in her seat laughing breathlessly. "Should I be jealous?" Troy asked lowly.

"Of course!" She smiled sweetly before taking a big gulp of orange juice.

The basketball star glanced at his vibrating pocket before taking out his phone. His nose wrinkled when he saw that Sharpay was calling his phone. "Why is Sharpay calling me?"

Gabriella shrugged before turning and resuming her swaying and watching the dancers.

He chuckled at her lack of interest and pressed the answer key. "Hello?"

"Troy. Where is Gabriella?" Sharpay's shrill voice demanded.

"Right here. Why didn't you call her phone?" He asked exasperated.

Sharpay huffed. "I tried! She didn't answer. Please, like I would actually want to talk to you. Where are you guys?"

"Charlie's Diner."

"Ew. I am going to go against my better judgment and pick up Gabriella there even though it is a personal risk to my health and well being."

"You can't pick her up because we're eat-" Troy started with an angry tone.

"Be there in 30!" She interrupted him and then disconnected the call.


She is giving me a week so until then-

AllyCat