Thank you for the reviews. But, I wish you would ALL review. I like getting reviews with a lot of feedback, they help. PLEASE!

A little bit of a change than what I told you this chapter would be, but I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Keep reviewing.
PLEASE!


That maybe it's true that I can't live without you

And maybe two is better than one
But there's so much time to figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
Yeah, yeah

Two Is Better Than One, by Boys Like Girls.

(The reason why is basically implied)


"I suck at this," I whined the following Thursday and moved out of Troy's way. I watched as he put his blue ball down, lined up his swing, and then hit the ball. It went on down the ramp, it proceeded hit a few walls before finally settling right near the hole.

Troy chuckled to himself. I knew he was trying to keep laughing at my horrible skills as a mini golf player.

"You know," I started in a sigh. "I don't think I can continue dating someone who is amazing at everything, including mini gulf," I told him, lining up my own swing to hit my purple ball. I hit it too hard, so it bounced off the walls wildly, and really did nothing to help me.

Troy once again laughed. "You're trying too hard," he replied. "You're trying to line it up perfectly, hit it just right, and get hole in one every time when it is just not possible on most of them holes," he informed me.

"Oh, and you're Tiger Woods now, is that it?" I questioned as he tapped his ball lightly into the hole.

He shrugged. "I was on the golf team back home," he confessed. "So, I know something about it," he stated. Of course he was. He's good at everything.

"Thanks for all the help!" I replied sarcastically, trying to figure out how to get my ball into the hole.

He chuckled again. "Here, let me help," he suggested.

I laughed myself. "So, this is the part where you stand behind me with your arms around me and try to show me how to play this all while getting close to me like in the movies?" I wondered.

"Something like that, yeah," he agreed, leaning his club up against a big rock. "Alright," he started, standing behind me. His arms indeed wrapped around me and his hands settled over mine. "You're grip is too tight," he told me.

I grinned. "That's what she said," I teased.

I felt him shake his head against my neck. "You are around Chad too much, but nice one," he complimented. I laughed. "Loosen up, this is just mini golf," he went on as his lips brushed against my neck. My whole body loosened up, not just my hands on the golf club. "Good, and when you are lining up the ball..." he went on. I listened on and off, mostly enjoying being in his arms.

My brother's didn't find out until the next day my boyfriend was Troy. Their first reaction was rage at the thought that I was dating a basketball player. However, they did not say one word as they walked by us in the hall. Most of the school did though, they whispered, stared, a few even pointed. You name it, they did it. Allison was shocked, but I liked that. I warned Troy about my brother's threatening him, which did happen before basketball practice, he told me about it. Ever since then (we've been dating for four days now), we've been hanging out a lot, getting to know each other, acting couply, everything. I love it.

My mom loves him, my dad likes him (he is dating his baby girl), my sister's think he is adorable, and Vince and Alex like him. The only ones who don't are the twins, plus Felix isn't too fond of him either. Sharpay and Taylor are ecstatic I am dating someone, especially Troy, not to mention they won't stop saying 'I told you so.' Chad is through the roof because his best friend and I are dating. Basically, everything is good right now, more than good.

"Got it?" Troy asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

I cleared my throat. "Uh, yeah, you wanna help me with this one?" I tried to cover up that I wasn't paying attention.

"Sure thing, daydreamer," he replied. I'm caught. He knows me too well already. He knows my whole family outlook, I'm overlooked, forgotten, etc. He knows how I met my friends and how long we've been friends, and he knows how much I love all of them. He knows how school is important to me and I want to go to Stanford. He's already noticing my quirks, and my habits, and knowing which expression belongs to which feeling. He is a very observative person.

I smiled, letting him take the lead in helping me hit the ball. And, we did. It bounced off a couple more walls before finally somehow curving towards the hole and tettering on the end before going in. "Oh, my gosh!" I squealed happily, turning in his arms to hug him. "I-we did it!" I said.

Troy laughed at me. "I like you're smile," he commented before kissing the corner of my mouth.

"Do you think you can get me a hole in one? I really want to do that," I responded, kissing him on the mouth once I was done.

My new favorite activity is kissing. I could do it for hours, I have done it for hours (yesterday was awesome). The most we've done is French kiss and his hands slipping underneath my shirt a little. I can tell he's trying to go slow so our relationship doesn't develop too quickly, but at the same time he wants more physically. I understand, he's had sex, I have three brother's I live with who are not virgins and thin walls, I know that he wants it. I also know he knows I am not ready. He's had that feeling, that closeness, he wants it with me, I like that, I am just not ready for it.

Yesterday, when we were making out after school, I felt him, it, you know. He tried to shift so I wouldn't, and he doesn't think I did, but I did. At first, for only a moment, it freaked me out. Then, I liked it, it's odd. I like that I make him hard. It gives me more confidence with us physically.

"We have two holes left, we'll see," he replied as he grabbed his club then picked up our balls.

"Do you guys think you could go a little faster?" we heard behind us. We turned to see Allison and Josh. Josh was the guy who called me Arabella, the douche. "There are more people here, you know. You're starting to form a line," Allison told us in a hard voice, looking towards me with a glare. I actually think she's the one forming the line. "Hi, Troy," she greeted with an annoying giggle a moment later.

Troy wrapped an arm around me. "Hey, come on, Brie," he urged and tugged me on towards the next hole.

"I don't like her," I stated the obvious taking my ball from his hand.

"I know, ignore her," Troy insisted, a hand moving up and down my back to calm me. It was working. "Here, you go first, I'll get you a hole in one," he suggested as he put my ball down on the mat.

I nodded. "Alright, but don't stand behind me, I wanna do it myself," I told him. "Just tell me what to do," I said.

"First, take your top off," he started. I looked up with a 'seriously?' look. He grinned. "It was worth a shot, now," he went on to instruct me on my stance and how to line it up again. "Don't hit it too hard, this isn't a long ways to the hole, just tricky," he finished.

"How hard should I hit?" I asked nervously. Why am I so nervous? This is only mini golf, and Troy is winning by a landslide, I won't have a chance even with a hole in one. However, I want this. I felt a slap on my butt, it was light, but it was a slap. I looked up and turned a little. "Troy!" I looked around to see if anyone saw, attempting to pull down my gray top, but it didn't go down further. I'm wearing a pair of comfy faded straight leg jeans and a gray three quarter length sleeved top. It has a modest v-neck and is tight on my torso. I added a little flare by adding a thick red-brown belt to the outfit, along with gray wedges that are actually comfortable.

He laughed. "What? It's not like I can explain it," he defended himself through his laughter. "Well, hit it that hard, babe," he insisted, cocking his head towards the hole.

I nodded. "Uh-huh, you're just lucky I like you so much," I reminded him. I redid my stance and concentrated for a moment before hitting the ball as hard as Troy slapped my ass. It went down the hill, through the windmill thing, bounced off a red thing, and smacked into a green thing before slowly making it's way towards the hole. It would go in if it had more speed. "No!" I whined, watching sadly.

"Wait," Troy said, standing next to me.

I did as Troy said and continued to watch. Ever so slowly it crawled towards the hole, then fell in neatly. I began jumping up and down in joy. "Did you see that!?" I squealed a bit Sharpayly and leaped into Troy's arms. "Thank you," I told him.

"That was all you, I just guided the way," he replied.

I smiled. "Thank you," I said with a long kiss.

"If I get you another hole in one, how far will it get me?" he questioned me.

I shook my head. "Just hit the ball," I ordered, backing away to give him room. "So, what do you wanna do?" I asked over an hour later after as we went up to his house. We went to The Spot for food before coming home.

"Somethin'," Troy responded, linking our fingers together loosely.

I nodded and went through the door before him. "I'm sure you want something," I replied and rolled my eyes. "How about your math homework?" I suggested.

"In my room?" he wondered. I nodded. Duh, that is where his work is. He practically pulled me up the steps.

Once we were in his room, I went to the bed and took off my shoes. He fell onto the bed next to me. "You might wanna get your math stuff, babe," I told him.

He got up on his elbows. "You really want to help me with my math homework?" he asked, sounding surprised.

"Uh, yeah," I answered. "What did you think I wanted to do? You said you were having trouble with it," I reminded him.

"Brie, you don't ask your boyfriend to go to his room for math homework," Troy insisted, sitting up. "You go up to his room for the fun stuff," he corrected me.

I laughed. "Whatever, lover boy, get your math homework," I instructed and scooted back against the wall. "We'll get to that stuff later," I promised.

"We better, 'cause I hate math," he sighed while he scooted back to sit with me.

"I don't mind math," I replied. "I don't love it, I'm good at it, but it's annoying," I told him.

Troy nodded, opening his binder. "So, if there isn't a number with an x there is no b?" he asked fifteen minutes later after I retaught him everything Mr. Grayson already did, only in an easier way. Mr. Grayson is a hard teacher.

"Yeah, so when you plug it into the equation, it would be zero, and zero over anything is zero," I told him. Troy is in the easiest math class while I am in the hardest. What he is doing I did last year, in the middle of the year.

He concentrated on his paper. "And, the a is the number with the squared on it?" he questioned, erasing a mistake he made.

"Uh-huh," I assured him. "Try one on your own," I said as I moved to sit in front of him. I watched as he slowly made his way through the problem. Math is not his strong suit, but I don't care. At least there is something he isn't perfect at. "Wait, that is negative," I cut in.

"I know," he said. "The negative is already there," he told me.

I shook my head. "There is a negative in the equation, but you bring the negative with the number down. It's just that when you multiply it, it will end up positive. A negative times a negative is a positive," I reminded him.

He erased it. "I hate math," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"You're fine," I said, running my hand down his forearm. I felt his arm relax. I smiled. I can make him relax.

He went on with the problem, second guessing himself the whole time. "That's right, right?" he asked and looked up once he was done.

I nodded. "Yep," I answered. "See, you're getting the hang of it," I told him.

"You're a good teacher," he complimented.

"Thank you," I responded as I fought a blush. He laughed at me. "Don't say a word," I ordered.

He didn't say anything, for a minute or two at least. When he went on to the next problem, he spoke. "I think it's sexy when you blush."

"Really?" I asked softly, my hand falling onto his knee.

Troy looked up with a nod. "I think you're sexy a lot," he informed me. "Like, when you bite your lip, or brush your hair away from your face. You're beautiful when you smile and laugh. I love hearing you laugh," he started. I smiled at him. "When you're confused you get this little wrinkle right here," he went on to tap in between my eyebrows. "Plus, you bite the end of your pencil or your nails, depending on how much eraser is left. Every time someone says something funny at lunch, you seem to drink something, then try not to let it come out through your nose. You need to work on that, Brie, when Chad is talking, don't drink anything," he suggested.

I laughed. "You noticed all of that already?" I wondered.

"I didn't only know you this week, I've been watching you since I moved here. I think I have taken it to a stalker level," he commented.

"Your homework is done," I said before tossing it from his lap so I could move into it.

He smiled against my lips. "My kind of girl," he mentioned, gripping my hips.

My eyes were already closed as my hands made their way into his hair and moved my lips with his. I don't second guess myself as much with kissing as I used to. Making out for a few hours will do that to a person. A moment later Troy positioned us so I was on my back and he was on top of me.

It surprises me what Troy does to me with one kiss still. I still explode in the inside and feel immobile sometimes. No matter what he does though, I never really feel uncomfortable. I know Troy would never intentionally put me in a situation where I would be uncomfortable. He wants to take this slow until I am ready, and I am grateful. However, I think I am ready for even more than both of us thought.

This time, when Troy's tongue asked for entrance into my mouth, I granted it immediately. One of my legs bent upwards and pressed against his side. His hand traveled down my body to my thigh and squeezed it while pulling it closer to him. My fingers slipped themselves underneath his t-shirt. Right as his hand were about to lift up my own shirt, he stopped.

"Brie, you're vibrating," Troy said softly.

"What?" I questioned, confused, then felt my phone against my thigh. "Oh," I breathed as he rolled off of me. "H-hello?" I answered it and tried to regulate my breathing.

"What the hell are you two doing over there?"Lucas's voice rang through.

I groaned. "Seriously?" I growled. "It is none of your business what I do with my boyfriend!" I exclaimed.

"I saw you two go into his house. You are doin' something, tell me what it is," he ordered in an authoritative voice.

I sat up to lean against Troy's headboard. "Lucas, we can do whatever we want, leave us alone," I stated.

"Oh, babe, completely wrong words," Troy said after he rolled over into my lap. His arm wrapped loosely around my knees as his head rested on my thighs. "Lie or something," he suggested in a low voice.

"You cannot do anything you want! What you want leads to bad things like clothes coming off, and doors needing locked, and hymens," Lucas told me.

I laughed. "Hymens?" I laughed. "Do you even know what a hymen is, Lukie?" I asked.

"I-yes, of course I do!" Lucas insisted, getting nervous.

I nodded. "Uh-huh, well what is it?" I questioned him.

"It's the, your you know, the thing that," he sputtered out. He is seriously embarrassed, I love it!

"Mm-hm, when you figure it out, call me," I suggested, hanging up on him. "Now, where were we?" I asked Troy, scooting down so I was underneath him again.

He smiled at me. "A hymen is like a cherry, right?" he wondered curiously.

I laughed again. "Uh-huh," I answered as I grabbed a chunk of his hair. "Can we make out now?" I asked, getting up on my elbows to get closer to him.

"Sounds good to me," he replied, meeting me almost halfway and brushed his lips against mine. I couldn't help it and pushed my lips against his. He kissed back instantly, I just think he wanted me to kiss him first. Troy always makes me feel so good when we're physical. It's hard to explain, I feel so warm, and giddy, and well, aroused. I can't help but want to be physical with him more and longer every time it happens. I know that is very teenager-y, but it's true.

I wanted to be closer to him, but I wasn't sure how to do it. When we needed air, his lips left mine only to begin moving down my neck. My eyes practically rolled into the back of my head as he did it. I still held onto his hair. I love his hair. I wondered if my grip was too tight on his hair when his lips came into contact with my sensitive spot below my ear. The act made my thoughts stop. I gasped lightly making my hand fall to behind his neck. "Troy," I breathed, my eyes still closed.

I felt him smile against my neck, but he said nothing. What he did do was suck on the spot. That did not help my thought processes. All I can do when we are like this is want more and plain feel. My body was on fire, that much I knew.

I rolled us over so I was on top and brought his mouth back to mine. He pulled his body against mine, my chest against his, and I was a little taller than him in the position. We merely kissed for two or three minutes, heatedly, of course, when his fingers moved from the back of my thighs. The slid so they were in between then and squeezed lightly. It was enough to make me gasp and pull away.

Troy grinned up at me. "You okay?" he asked, kissing the skin exposed by my v-neck shirt.

"I, uh, ya," I breathed lightly, squeezing his shoulders a bit. "It's so hot in here," I commented in a low voice a moment later.

"You feel it too, huh?" he questioned in between soft kisses.

In a rash decision, I leaned away from Troy, then pulled my shirt over my head. It left me only in my gray bra. Troy looked stunned. I tilted his chin up at me. "It's okay," I assured him before pressing a kiss to his lips.

He kissed me back slowly at first, still unsure of the situation, I could tell. I settled down in his lap, and that was when I felt it. He was hard again, so he probably didn't want me to know. Plus, the fact that I am topless didn't help him control it. "Brie," he croaked, clearing his throat.

I didn't freak out, I didn't react in any way, really. "Baby, it's okay," I repeated, fingering the bottom of his own shirt. I lifted it over his head a second later, and he didn't object. I smiled at him once it was off.

"Gabriella, we just, it's been four days!" he reminded me, trying very hard not to look down from my eyes since he initially did.

"Do you not like this?" I asked softly, beginning to feel uncomfortable for the first time.

He shook his head. "No, baby, don't think of it like that," he urged. "I-I am completely, this is fine," he tried to word correctly. "But, we just started dating, don't you think this is a little fast for you?" he wondered, keeping his hands off to the side and away from me, probably on purpose.

"No," I answered honestly. "I-, well, yeah," I added a moment later. "But, you make me feel comfortable and it's not like this is sex," I mumbled while turning pink a little.

"I just don't want you to do something in the heat of the moment you aren't ready for," Troy responded, looking me straight in the eye. He shifted underneath me. I don't think he realizes that I know what the hard thing is. I may be inexperienced, but I'm not stupid. Still, I didn't bring it up.

I nodded. "I know, but I'm okay with this," I assured him. "I feel," I stopped. "I feel sexy around you," I admitted.

Troy smiled at me before kissing me softly. "You are sexy," he assured me. "I feel a lot for you, both emotionally and, mhm, physically," he coughed in the middle. "Just tell me what you're ready for," he suggested.

I turned pinker. "I, that's awkward," I muttered out, hiding behind my hair.

He pushed my hair behind my ears so my face was in clear view. "You don't have to be nervous around me. What happens between us physically stays between us," he stated. "At least on my side, Chad doesn't know much," he said. "And, he's the only guy I would tell."

I bit my lip. "I, you know, I'm okay with this, obviously," I squeaked before clearing my throat. "And, if my bra would happen to come off, I would be probably, most likely, kinda, definitely okay with it," I sputtered.

Troy chuckled. "You could have just said from the waist up, babe," he informed me.

"Shut up," I ordered, probably as red as a tomato.

"Come here," he urged, kissing me softly.

My eyes fluttered shut as he did this. I was unsure of how this would go exactly seeing as I've never done anything like this before, but Troy went slow with me. For a little bit, all he did was kiss me and have his hands on my thighs. It helped me get comfortable again. I love that he makes sure I am perfectly okay with everything we do and goes out of his way to make sure I am comfortable. It means a lot to me, a lot of guys would have already gone in and taken off my bra and went to town, but not Troy.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do right then with both of our shirts off, but I didn't like this hardly any touching thing after a little bit. I don't know what I want, I just know I want more. I rested my hand on his and brought it up closer to my exposed torso in a hint for him that I am okay now.

Troy took the hint and flipped us over so I was on the bottom and he was on the top. "You're so beautiful, you know that?" he asked as he got up on his elbows above me. As he said it, his eyes looked into mine before gazing down my body, but I didn't mind.

My cheeks inflamed again. "When you say it I want to," I spoke the truth.

"Don't think you're anything less than beautiful, okay?" he told me, kissing me softly as he did. "I've never seen anyone more beautiful than you," he murmured, still kissing me every few words.

I bit my lip while nodding. "If you say so," I replied.

He shook his head. "I know so, and I am going to keep telling you how beautiful you are until you believe it. And, even then, I'll say it again," he informed me.

I smiled at him, one of my hands grazing up his bare side. "You're a great boyfriend," I commented before pushing my lips up to his.

Troy kissed my lips for a moment, then moved on down. Again, I felt like my eyes rolled into the back of my head. Everywhere he touched, little flames followed. He made my heart race, my breathing accelerate, and my insides explode with pleasure. As he worked his way down my body, a unbearable thump formed in between my legs. I've felt the thump before with Troy, but never this bad. He kissed my mounds, but never took my bra off, he cupped my breasts lightly a few times, but only for a moment, and never went underneath, but it didn't matter. Everything he did received a reaction from me.

Then, as he shifted his body, I felt his penis again. Once he knew I did, he froze. By this time, he was softly kissing down my stomach. I gained control of my body before responding. I sat up a little and took his face in my hands and kissed him. "It's okay," I assured him in a low voice.

"Brie, I-" he tried to explain.

I smiled at him. "Troy, trust me, it's okay," I repeated. "It's okay that you're, you know, turned on," I said. "I am, it just doesn't show in the same way it does with you. I, I," I stopped for a second. "I like that I do it to you," I confessed. "It makes me feel good that I can," I mumbled.

"You're a great girlfriend," he complimented me with another kiss.

I nodded. "I think I am going to die from overheating though," I commented.

Troy looked straight into my eyes for a moment. "I think we should stop for now," he suggested, then rolled off of me.

I silently agreed and decided to not touch him for the time being. I have brother's, like I said, I know me touching him will not help him, uh, calm down. When I was ready I sat up to put on my shirt. I also handed Troy his. He instantly sat up and shrugged it on. I leaned against his headboard as he settled his head in my lap again, which made me guess he's alright now. My hands immediately went into his hair and began combing through it.

"Are you nervous about the game tomorrow?" I asked, massaging his head slightly.

He sighed. "Yeah," he admitted honestly, burrowing into my stomach a little. "East High is very sports centric, if we lose.." he trailed off.

"You won't lose," I ensured him.

"You don't know that, Brie," he insisted. "Besides, there is this beautiful girl always on my mind these days, so I don't know how easy it will be for me to get my head in the game," he added on in a teasing tone.

I shook my head at him with a smile. "Well, this girl will be there after the game as your date to the after party no matter what the score is," I assured him.

"What if I don't want to go to the after party, win or lose?" he asked quietly a moment later. "What if I just want to do this, be with my girlfriend?" he wondered.

I smiled wider. "We'll do whatever you want, Troy, I'm all yours," I told him.

"What exactly happens if we do lose?" Troy questioned after a second. "At East High, how does everyone react?" he clarified.

I was silent for a little bit. "Monday, everyone is sorta somber. The dicks say a few things, but everyone else is scared to mention it because all the players are on edge. Tuesday is, like, transition from sad and angry you lost to determined to win in the next game. Wednesday is back to normal," I explained to him.

"I can image a few of the guys on the team kicking someones ass because they said something wrong," he commented. "I'm not that into it anymore," he sighed.

"My brother's are, they get seriously angry. I've learned to stay quiet about the whole thing," I informed him.

Troy was quiet for a moment then lifted himself up to face me. "Do you wanna sleep over tomorrow?" he questioned me. I opened my mouth, but wasn't sure how to respond. "We don't do more than what we did tonight, probably, but that isn't why I want you to sleep over. I just.. I wanna be with you. I want to talk to you, and lay with you, and," he stopped. "Will you?"

"H-how?" I stuttered out. "Chad's parents-"

"They're going out of town tomorrow afternoon. There is some couples workshop Aunt Miranda is forcing Uncle Charlie into," he informed me. "They won't be home until Sunday night," he added on.

I digested the question for a moment. "Troy, I-I don't know. Where would I sleep, what would I wear?" I asked.

"You'd bring clothes. Tell your mom you're sleeping over Sharpay's or something. You would sleep here, with me," he answered. "If you don't want to you, you don't have to, Brie," he went on. "I'm not doing this so we can have sex or anything, I," he stopped again. "I thought we could use the night to get to know each other better. I want to know everything about you. We'd talk, watch a movie or something, order in food, hang out with Chad and Taylor," he listed off.

"Taylor's staying over too?" I wondered. She didn't tell me that.

Troy nodded. "Yep. Of course, they'll be doing more than we will, but it'll still be fun," he assured me. "Come on, Brie, please?" he pleaded with big eyes.

I bit my lip. "Okay," I agreed. "But, I'll have to leave Saturday afternoon. Taylor, Sharpay, and I are going shopping for our date," I told him. Our first official date is Saturday night. This whole week we've gone out and done things with each other, but we haven't gone out on a date, date yet. He asked me Wednesday, and of course, I said yes. He's doing the whole knock on my door, be subtly threatened by my dad, and take me out thing. I'm excited. It's my first one.

Troy shrugged. "Fine by me."

"I can't believe how fast you and Troy are connecting," Sharpay commented as we claimed seats close to the player's bench the next night. The game is due to start in about twenty minutes. "I mean, it's been barely a week and you're already taking clothes off," she said.

I shrugged a little, crossing my legs. "It's easy with him," I mumbled.

"Are you nervous about sleeping over tonight?" Taylor wondered from my other side.

I nodded some. "Kinda. I, I dunno, I'm sleeping in his bed, and using his shower, and.. I don't want it to be awkward," I tried to get out.

"It won't be," Taylor assured me. "I'll be there," she reminded.

"Plus, if you feel uncomfortable, you can go home," Sharpay insisted. "You do live across the street," she said the obvious.

I nodded again. "I know," I breathed, pulling my shirt down in case it rode up. It did. I'm wearing a pair of black jeans with gold studs surrounding the front pockets and a simple black v-necked t-shirt that hugs my upper body. It's a little, well, black, but I didn't put much thought into my outfit today. I just saw two comfortable things and threw them on. Sharpay complimented my jeans as soon as she saw me, then pulled a dark purple scarf out from her locker and wrapped it around my neck because I needed color. I wore a gold studded bracelet with it, along with my gold G necklace and a pair of black gladiator sandals. It tamed my hair some this morning, that's about it.

"You'll be fine," Taylor reiterated. "We'll hang out with you for a little bit, don't worry. Until your comfortable," she added.

Sharpay snorted a minute later. "Oh, look, the cheerleaders are talking about us again," she stated, nodding her head towards them. They were huddled in a circle and snickering. Ever since Allison found out about Troy and I, she's been very high school about it. Meaning, she's been spreading like and rumors, and being a bitch to me, but nice to Troy, and plain bitchy to everyone. Sharpay raised her hand and waved politely, then when she knew Allison was looking, she flipped her the bird quickly.

"Oh, geez," I laughed, holding my hand up to my mouth as I did. "You act like such a bitch sometimes," I commented.

Sharpay shrugged. "It takes one to know one," she joked towards me.

"Oh!" Taylor laughed at us. "It doesn't matter, you know Allie is a backstabbing whore and we'll always have your back, Gabi," she told me.

I nodded. "I know, you guys are the bestest friends ever," I said in a girlie voice.

"You know it," Sharpay insisted, bumping into my shoulder. "Any of us could take her in a fight," she stated. "I know you can, G, you have so many brothers, they had to rub off in you in some way. I know I can because I have a lot of pent up aggression towards her. Tay, you might need some help, but that is when we come in," she explained.

Taylor scoffed. "I would need help? Please!" she commented. "Well, she does look like she would fight dirty, and I tend to be a fair person," she rethought it. "I'll hide behind one of you," she joked.

"If you didn't bite your nails, you could scratch her to death like Sharpay would," I informed her. I love how weird our conversations get like this.

"Hey, you bite your nails too, missy!" Taylor reminded me.

I shrugged. "Only when I am nervous, and not when I paint them," I corrected her. "So, I try and paint them to stop me from biting them. My mom has this thing about nails, she's weird, and she hates when any of us bite them-"

"Gabi," Sharpay cut me off. "We know," she assured me.

I glared inwardly. "So, Shar, what is going on with you and one Zeke Baylor?" I questioned, turning the tables on her as she did to me when I liked Troy.

Sharpay went quiet and cleared her throat. "Oh, I think we made her nervous," Taylor sing-songed.

"No, I'm fine!" Sharpay assured me. "I- he- we talk," she sputtered out.

"Mm-hm, Troy and I talk too, we just make out during," I teased.

Sharpay glared at me. "You are not able to make fun of me, Gabriella Montez. You may have a boyfriend now, but it was me and Tay who helped you get Troy!" she reminded me.

I nodded. "Yep, and I am happier than I ever remember. I am merely being a good best friend and doing for you what you did to me," I told her.

"Come on, Shar, you're Sharpay Evans. Any guy would be happy to be with you," Taylor insisted.

"Zeke isn't like the other guys. He sees more to me than a bag of money and a piece of ass," she replied. "I don't want to get into more than we're ready for," she said.

I turned towards her more. "Aren't you the one who told me that you wanted more out of life, that you were missing something?" I asked her. "Maybe Zeke is the thing you are missing," I mentioned.

"You're right, Zeke isn't like the other guys. He could be the guy to treat you right and accept you for who you are, not who everyone at school thinks you are," Taylor commented.

"It's different than you guys. Right from the start, you and Troy had this easy connection, even if you denied it," she said towards me. "And, you and Chad just danced around each other until we were old enough to date and try and take it seriously," she added towards Taylor. "With Zeke, it's taken since freshman year for him to get out a whole sentence to me without stuttering through it," she reminded us.

We instantly started laughing, remembering in freshman year when Zeke first moved her and saw Sharpay, he was at a loss for words. He acted mute for a whole, then like he didn't know how to talk, which made him avoid her until the middle of sophomore year. Even then, he stuttered and made an idiot out of himself. I think it's adorable, but Sharpay never found the use in trying to get to know him if she couldn't even speak to him.

"Shut up, guys, I'm being serious!" Sharpay insisted. "I-I don't want to do something that will send him back into being a blubbering idiot," she told us.

"Ever since he saw you, S, you know he's had this insane crush on you. He's warmed up to you now, do something about it, 'cause he sure won't," I put my two cents in.

Taylor nodded. "Yeah, go for it, or else what's the point?" she questioned.

"I'll... think about it," Sharpay decided, and we could tell she wanted to stop talking about it. We understood and silently agreed.

I felt my pocket vibrate and tugged my phone out. The front screen flashed one new txt message. I opened it to see that it was front Troy.

Come to the locker rms plz.. wanna c u real quick

I smiled to myself. I stood. "I'm gonna go see Troy by the locker rooms. I'll be back in like ten," I told my friends before walking off. As I walked up behind Troy, I saw him in his red pants and jacket with white stitching they all wear as they run out onto the court. "Hey, Wildcat," I greeted.

Troy turned. "I like when you call me Wildcat," he mentioned and hugged me tightly. "It's kinda erotic," he stated.

I flushed light pink and pulled out of the hug. "Shush," I muttered. "So, what do you need me for, Wildcat?" I asked.

He kissed my lips softly. "I just wanted to see my girl before the game. I figured you might be my new good luck charm," he told me.

"Oh, you had an old one?" I questioned playfully, grabbing onto his jacket a little.

"No, but it's not too late to get one," he replied. His eyes glanced down my face. "Are you okay with this thing tonight? If you're not-"

"I want to," I cut him off. "I just have unnecessary nerves," I told him. "I want to spend the night with you, okay?" I said.

Troy nodded, believing me. "I gotta go, wish me luck," he instructed.

Instead, I kissed him deeply for a moment. "You'll do fine, baby, I know you will," I whispered against his lips. "I don't care about the scoreboard, you still get me tonight," I reminded him.

"That is something to look forward to," he mentioned in a low voice.

I smiled. "Yep," I asid with a nod. "Oh, and babe, can you do me a favor?" I questioned him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"Mm-hm, anything," he responded with his hands on my forearms.

"Try and have fun tonight out there?" I asked him. "I know you're not as into it as you used to be, but you still love the game, try and have fun," I told him. "It's only high school and it's only a game, don't care about what East High will do about the outcome. Know that no matter what the score is, if you have fun and try your best, I'll be proud of you," I assured him.

Instead of saying something, Troy kissed me. It wasn't fast, or hard, or even very deep, we didn't have time, I understood. "I'll do it," he answered, making me smile. "Do you have any idea how excited I am for tonight?" he asked. I merely smile at him and pecked him on the lips. "You should leave before I get yelled at or your brothers find you here," he informed me.

I began to walk backwards out of his arms. "Go, Wildcat," I said with team spirit, leaving out the 's' on purpose. He smiled back at me and waited until I turned the corner to go back into the locker room.


I know I said the first date would happen in this one, but I changed my mind. A little more connecting and relationship building. You'll get it in the next one, alone with the sleepover (which comes first) and the first fight!

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!
I am having a horrible night and they would make me feel so much better. Plus, I should be wiring my house for physics but instead, I am writing this for all of YOU so REVIEW IT!!!

-- Kayleigh