Hey guys!! Sorry it's been a while.
I'm really, really glad that you all enjoyed chapter 7, and thanks so much for all of the kind reviews!! Ok, so, on with chapter 8, which is a lot longer than the others!!
Forgot to say goodnight…
Gabriella's POV
Ok, so this was not what I thought would have happened when I stayed at Troy's for the weekend. Well, to be honest, I didn't think I would be staying at Troy's at all, but then, to top it off, I didn't think that my first kiss would be with Troy, in a shopping mall, next to an ice-cream stall being watched by my worst enemy and Troy's best friend! Now that I think about it, it's a lot to have happened in one day. One day! That's all it took. I mean, yesterday, Troy had told Jasmine that we were dating. After that, I found my mom was out of town for the weekend but Troy had offered for me to stay at his house. And then today, we went to the mall and kissed! I admit the first kiss was a complete accident, and I was completely shocked when Troy kissed me again, properly. And now, at this very minute, Troy and I are walking back to his house, prepared to continue studying as seeing as that is what we are meant to be doing in the first place.
"But something tells me that Chad won't keep it a secret!" Troy whined for the second time. After we kissed, Troy had found out that Chad had seen the whole thing, and was now worried that Chad – being the loud mouth he is – will tell Troy's dad. Too be honest, I don't really mind. I have been on a high since Troy had kissed me, and right now, I find it impossible to feel depressed or annoyed. I giggled at Troy's behaviour and slipped my hand into his. Troy reflexively laced our fingers together and smiled down at me.
"So Gab's, what are we gonna do tonight?" Troy asked, just as we reached his street.
"Um…I really think we should study some more because otherwise, we're never gonna get that bloody project done -" I was cut off by my cell phone, ringing in my back pocket. As I looked at the caller ID, I saw Taylor's face flash on the screen.
"Hello?"
Taylor's voice sounded immediately on the other end, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Would you care to explain to me why you were seen at the mall kissing Troy Bolton?" she demanded, causing me to stop walking.
"What?! How the hell did you find out?" I asked incredulously, glancing at Troy who looked confused and a tiny bit frightened. Last night, Troy had admitted that Taylor scared him – he thought she was a bit…intimidating.
"Chad saw everything, and he is my partner for the history project. He rang me up after he saw you two at the mall and told me everything." Taylor responded calmly. "Well?" she pushed. Ugh. Why did she have to be so…pushy?!
"Ok, before you completely flip out on me, Taylor, let me explain the whole story!" I said before launching into explaining everything that had happened since yesterday.
Troy's POV
I couldn't help but laugh as I listened to Gabi desperately try to explain to Taylor what had happened between me and her.
"Look Tay, we're at Troy's house now, I'll talk to you on Monday, ok?" Gabi asked, sounding a little exasperated. A minute later, she closed her phone, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"I swear, Taylor can be soooo…" Gabi began, pausing to think of the word.
"Nosey?" I supplied helpfully. Gabi giggled and replied.
"Well, I was thinking more along the lines of dramatic, but I suppose she's also nosey."
We opened the front door and stepped inside, kicking off our shoes and walking into the kitchen, where we got a huge shock. Chad was sitting there, with Zeke and Jason, talking to my mom and dad. Me and Gabi exchanged worried glances, both silently asking the same question; had Chad told them about what happened at the mall?
"Uh…what are you guys doing here?" I asked, glaring at Chad who smirked a little.
"Oh well, your dad rang us up and invited us over to watch the basketball game." Zeke replied, helping himself to an apple.
"Oh right, um…how long have you been here?" I asked again, determined to find out whether Chad had told his parents.
"About…fifteen minutes." Chad replied, smirking again. That smirk said it all. He had told them. Before either me or Gabi could say something, my mom bounded over to where me and Gabi were standing and pulled us both into a hug, doing the exact same thing she had done when she thought me and Gabi were dating.
"Mom?" I asked, almost too scared to hear the reply.
"Oh you two!" She said, looking between me and a mortified looking Gabi. "I knew you two would make such a sweet couple!" she exclaimed again. Before I could deny it, Jason interrupted.
"Troy, man, don't even think about denying it! You even said that you really, really like Gabi…" I froze in horror. Gabi wasn't meant to hear that; I looked over at her, and saw that although she was blushing, she was smiling and looking genuinely surprised.
"Cross, I seriously suggest you close your mouth before you find my fist inside of it!" I warned, and Jason immediately shut his mouth. I needed to have a serious talk with him later; about learning to keep your mouth shut when you're about to blow a secret! Gabi giggled a little.
"As for you…" I rounded on Chad. "I thought I told you not to tell my dad!" Chad just sniggered again before replying.
"Yeah you told me, but I don't recall on making any promises that I wouldn't tell." Shit. That was true. I stood there, desperately trying to think of something to say. My mom was still standing next to us, beaming and my dad was leaning against the side, smiling knowingly at my mom. Gabriella stood silently next to me, obviously replaying what had just happened in her mind. I didn't know whether to be relieved or scared now that she knew how I felt about her.
Gabriella's POV
"You even said that you really, really like Gabi…" What?! I kind of thought that Troy liked me, otherwise he wouldn't have kissed me, but, I didn't know that he 'really, really' likes me! This is awesome!
Everyone in the kitchen is silent. Troy is sending deathly glares towards Chad and the others, and Lucille is still smiling so much that I am sure her cheeks must be aching by now. I, on the other hand, am standing silently, still aware that my cheeks are slightly red, and contemplating whether I should speak.
"Wow…" I began. Everyone looked at me, shocked that I had been the first to break the silence. "As lovely as this…awkward encounter is, Troy and I really need to get back to our history assessment…" I said, glancing up at Troy who looked rather relieved to have been rescued from this disaster.
"Yes! You're right Gabi…history assessment, back garden, now!" He said, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the back door. Before stepping out into the garden, Troy turned around to Chad.
"Dude…you are SO dead!" He exclaimed. We watched as Chad scoffed and walked into the living room to watch the game that was on the TV; everyone followed in his wake.
Once we were outside, we sat in silence – an awkward silence. Although Troy was pretending to read a book about the 'Holocaust', I could tell that he was trying to think of something to say.
"Look Gabi, I'm really, really sorry if you're uncomfortable or embarrassed. I really hadn't thought that Jason would say…that. No-one was meant to find out, yet. I was just gonna see how things went between us and then if they were good, I would possibly act on it." Troy said, looking at me earnestly. I tried to say something back, but he continued. "I hadn't planned on kissing you today, but when you accidentally kissed me, it just felt so…right… and I don't even know why I am saying this because I am probably making you even more uncomfortable and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to stay here tonight…." Troy fell silent and stood up, making his way towards the basketball court, picking up a ball as he went. I watched him for a moment, and I could see that he was frustrated. He was missing every free-throw he made, which was odd because Troy was so amazingly brilliant at them. Smiling sadly, I stood up and walked over to him.
"Troy?" I asked gently, catching the ball as it rebounding off of the backboard. Troy turned to me, his eyes darker than I've ever seen them – he looked almost…scared. "Listen, you don't need to be embarrassed! If it makes you feel any better, I feel completely the same about you." I couldn't believe that the words were coming out so easily; normally, I find it hard to talk about this sort of thing – not that I've ever had someone to say it to. Troy stared at me in disbelief.
"Really? You're not just saying that because you feel…awkward?" I smiled again and shook my head, before walking over to him. As I reached him, I dropped the ball and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down for a sweet kiss.
"Does that answer your question?" I whispered, leaning my forehead against his. Troy grinned sheepishly and just as we were about to kiss again, we were interrupted by somebody making 'puking' noises and coughing loudly. We both looked up and saw Chad, Zeke and Jason all standing at the top of the garden, watching us.
"Oi! Get a room! We don't need to see that!" Zeke bellowed at us before earning a high-five from Chad. I giggled as I saw Troy flash his middle finger at them before picking up the ball that was at our feet and throwing it at the net. The defiant 'swish' that sounded as the ball soared threw the net clearly showed that Troy was now feeling a lot better.
--
Troy and I were sitting in the front room with Jack, Lucille, Chad, Zeke and Jason, all watching the game that was on TV – well I was pretending to watch the game, as I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but still I watched in amusement when Troy and the others – apart from Lucille, who was reading a fashion magazine – all yelled abuse at the TV. Troy and I had given up on our project, as neither one of us could think straight, after everything that had happened.
"He didn't travel!" Chad yelled, as the referee gave a free-throw to the Lakers' opposing team. Jack rolled his eyes at Chad.
"Stop being so naïve, he did travel, get over it!" Jack chuckled as Chad folded his arms, mumbling something about the referee being biased.
Troy's living room was rather big. There were two sofa's and one armchair, all of course, facing a plasma TV screen that Jack had bought only two weeks ago– Troy thinks this TV is one of his most prized possessions, apart from a signed basket ball jersey that is mounted on his bedroom wall. I was sitting on the floor, leaning against the sofa with Jason and Zeke either side of me. Chad was lying on the sofa that we were leaning on, but he was lying down, making it impossible for anyone to sit there, hence the three of us sitting on the floor. Jack and Lucille were on the second sofa, and Troy was on the armchair.
As seeing as we were thirty minutes into the game, my butt was really hurting. Even though I had insisted that I was perfectly fine sitting on the floor, I was starting to regret it. Shifting uncomfortably, I noticed Jason looked over at me, frowning.
"Sore butt Montez?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Just a little…" I laughed as he shook his head and then turned to Troy, who was still staring intently at the screen.
"Oi, Bolton!" Jason called, throwing a pillow at Troy in order to get his attention.
"Yeah?" Troy replied, turning his head ever so slightly with his eyes still transfixed on the screen.
"Your girlfriend's butt is sore…how can you be so cruel to make her sit on the floor when you have a lovely armchair to yourself?" Jason asked, shaking his head in feigned disgust. I giggled and whacked Jason's arm as Troy tore his gaze away from the screen.
"What? I offered for Gabi to sit here after someone," Troy paused to glare at Chad, "refused to allow anyone to sit on the biggest couch!" he exclaimed. I giggled again as Chad didn't respond, he just shrugged and grabbed a handful of popcorn.
"Troy, it doesn't matter, I'm fine here!" I insisted, but Troy shook his head.
"Nope, Jason's made me feel bad. Bring your sore butt over here now!" he said, grinning. I rolled my eyes and stood up before making my way to the armchair, receiving yells from Chad claiming that I was blocking the TV. Once I reached the armchair, Troy pulled me into his lap, ignoring my squeals of protest.
"Troy! I'm too heavy, I'll crush you!" I whined, trying to stand up, but Troy held my waist tightly.
"Gabi, your as light as a feather – there's no way you're gonna crush me!" He insisted, poking my side causing me to erupt in giggles. I stopped struggling and relaxed into his chest, still giggling as Troy continued to poke me.
"Will you two lovebirds shut the hell up?!" Chad exclaimed sitting up and glaring at us. "Some of us are trying to watch a Lakers game here!" he said, before lying down again. Troy just rolled his eyes and stopped poking me. After Chad's little outburst, I was completely aware that Lucille was watching me and Troy. She was beaming again – actually I was pretty sure she hadn't stopped beaming since me and Troy returned from the mall. I tried to ignore her admiring and insistent gaze, but it turns out that Troy had noticed her staring as well.
"Mom, what are you staring at?" Troy asked, not taking his eyes of off the screen. His mom laughed and shook her head.
"I'm just thinking about how cute you and Gabi look…"
"Mom!" Troy whined as Chad sniggered. I giggled, very aware of the fact that my cheeks are crimson. Zeke and Jason then started to make 'kissing' noises and kept suggesting whether anyone wanted to go to the mall for an ice-cream…
Once the taunts had settled, as everyone turned their focus back to the telly, I snuggled further into Troy's arms, feeling very comfortable – almost too comfortable…
Troy's POV
Gabi had fallen asleep on me just forty minutes into the game, which meant that for the rest of the game, she was sleeping in my arms – which you know, is nothing to complain about, especially since its Gabi. I had only noticed she was asleep on me when she turned her body completely and buried her head into my shoulder, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, and her breathing was slow and steady.
Chad obviously took the piss out of the situation by suggesting that if me and Gabi were getting 'cosy' as he put it, we should 'go get a room'- he was quickly silenced when I flashed my middle finger at him and when my mom swatted him on the back of the head with her magazine as she made her way to the kitchen to start making dinner.
Anyway, so Gabi slept peacefully on me until she was awoken, an hour later when Jason and Zeke started wrestling for the remote on the floor, which then caused me to laugh, which then caused Gabi to wake up because my whole body was shaking with laughter. As soon as she woke up, she took one look at Zeke who now had Jason in a headlock and just rolled her eyes.
"What the hell are they doing?" she asked as she uncurled herself and stood up, stretching, revealing her flat toned stomach. I found my self gazing but stopped when I heard Chad snigger.
"Um…trying to decide what we're going to watch now – well, that was what they were doing until Zeke hit Jason with the remote…" I trailed off and Gabi sat back down on my lap, giggling as she watched.
"Where are your parents?" she asked, yawning. I laughed at how cute she looked.
"Uh, my mom is making dinner, and my dad is in the study." I replied just as Jason stood up, holding the remote above his head in victory.
"Ha!" he exclaimed before flicking through the channels. Just as Jason settled for watching 'The Simpsons', my mom poked her head round the door.
"Boys, are you staying for dinner – we're having Spaghetti." As soon as mom had asked, Chat immediately sat up, nodding his head furiously.
"Mrs B, there's no way I'm missing your famous spag bol!" he exclaimed with Zeke and Jason nodding in agreement. Mom laughed before walking back into the kitchen, calling back saying that dinner was in ten minutes.
Ten minutes later, all seven of us were sitting around the table, eating the spaghetti that Chad insisted was the 'foods of the gods'. Gabi and my mom were in deep discussion about the new restaurant that had opened in town, while me and Chad were trying to see who could shovel the most spaghetti into their mouths – Chad won.
"My mom said it's amazing!" Gabi exclaimed. "She went there for a business meeting a week ago, and she said the menu was incredible, and it's Italian, which is my favourite food."
"I agree with you there Gabriella. In fact, Jack and I made reservations for there next weekend, and I'm sure Troy would love your company – maybe you and your mother could join us?" Mom asked, glancing at me with a knowing look on her face.
"That sounds great Lucille! I'll ask my mom when she gets back tomorrow, and then tell Troy on Monday." Gabi replied before looking at me, beaming madly.
Gabriella's POV
After dinner, Troy, Chad, Zeke, Jason and I all went back into the living room to watch a movie. And then we watched another, and another. By the time we were half way through our fourth movie, Jack popped his head round the door, suggesting that Chad, Zeke and Jason should go home, as seeing as it was now 12:00am. At this point, I was rather relieved that they were going, not because I didn't like them, but because they had spent all day with us, and well, I wanted time for just me and Troy.
Grumbling in annoyance, the three of them walked to the front door, moaning that they were being 'kicked out'. Chad turned to us just before they left.
"Right then, Bolton, I'll see you on Monday…" Chad said before turning to me, hesitating slightly. "And er…Gabriella, I guess I'll see you on Monday as well." This sort of shocked me, but in a relieving type of way. The whole evening, I had been very timid towards Chad because I didn't really know whether he liked me but, now, I guess that he has sort of come to terms with me.
"Er, yeah, I'll see you then Chad." I gave him a small smile before he turned away. Zeke and Jason came over to me and gave me a quick hug each.
"See you Gabriella!" Jason called back as they all walked out of the door. Troy and I waved at them as they walked off down the street; I felt glad that at least I knew that Jason and Zeke didn't have a problem with me.
Troy and I both headed upstairs, to say goodnight to Lucille and Jack.
"Night sweetie…" Lucille said before giving Troy and kiss on the cheek, although he tried to avoid it. "You too Gabriella." She said also giving me a kiss on the cheek.
"Night Lucille. See you guys in the morning." I said before following Troy into his bedroom, and sitting on his bed as Troy went to turn his computer off. While Troy was waiting, he turned to me, looking slightly worried.
"Listen Gabi, I'm sorry about Chad. He can be a bit…harsh sometimes and I'm sorry that he spent most of the day here." Troy paused, contemplating about what to say next. I sat patiently and listened as he spoke again. "You see, I was kinda hoping that we were gonna get to spend the whole day together, but then, after what happened at the mall, that didn't happen." He smiled at me apologetically.
"Troy, don't worry about it. We've got tomorrow to spend the whole day together, even if it is when we're studying." I said, smiling reassuringly at Troy, who instantly looked relieved.
"Yeah, you're right – and then on Monday, we get to return to the madness of school, acting as boyfriend and girlfriend, so its all good." Troy said, grinning. I stood up and watched at Troy copied.
"I think I'm gonna go to bed, I'm really tired…" I said rather reluctantly. I felt guilty, I mean, we were finally alone, and here I was, admitting that I was tired and that I wanted to go to bed. Troy just smiled and nodded agreeably.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." He said, picking up pyjamas that were on the floor. I walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek, before walking to my own room, closing the door behind me. Sighing, I leaned against the door in frustration. I had really wanted to kiss Troy then, but I didn't because I wasn't sure whether Troy wanted to keep things platonic between us.
Just as I pulled my pyjamas on, I heard a soft knocking on my door. I quickly, yet quietly walked to the door and opened it, to reveal Troy, standing in the hallway, looking rather sheepish.
"You forgot to say goodnight…" he whispered, aware that his parents were just down the hall. Before I could reply, Troy grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him. I giggled quietly at his behaviour, but my giggling was stopped when Troy cupped my cheeks with his hands and kissed me. I immediately melted into it and my hands curled around his wrists, keeping his hands on my cheeks. His lips were just as soft and gentle as before. Smiling into the kiss, I felt Troy run his tongue along my bottom lip apprehensively, asking me for permission. I timidly granted him permission and I opened my mouth a little more. I then felt his tongue touch mine and instead of finding it gross like I thought it would have been, I found it really…nice. My hands let go of his wrists and wrapt around his neck, and Troy's hands slipped from my cheeks, one holding the back of my neck, and the other holding the small of my back. Our gentle probing kiss was stopped when the need of oxygen became too great. I reluctantly pulled away and rested my forehead against Troy's, sighing in content.
"Good night Gabi." Troy whispered before placing a sweet kiss on my lips and walking back down the corridor to his own room. Closing my own door, I traced my tingling lips with my fingers, unable to stop smiling. I climbed into bed and smiled even more when I realised that Troy definitely didn't want to keep things platonic.
Ooooooooooh! Ok, that chapter was rather long, but I figured you guys deserved it as I haven't updated in about a week or so. I really, really, really hoped you guys enjoyed it – and I know that I loved writing this chapter. PLEASE REVIEW and I'll try and get chapter nine out by the end of next week, but I do have a lot of homework to do! PLEASE REVIEW x x x x x x x x x x x x x
