Let me begin this author's note by saying I'm sorry if this chapter took like three months to post. As you may have noticed, the story have been on hiatus. I'm sorry to all the readers (if there are still any)! :((( I have no excuse 'cause the truth is I was just really lazy to continue this story. I started another story and I kind of just forgotten about this one. I'm such a bad writer. HAHA. But I don't think you guys are too sad though. Rest assured, I'll try to finish the story. I hope to receive some reviews 'cause it's actually my #1 motivator. Love u guys! And forgive me. :)

CHAPTER TEN

The Million Dollar Question

Beep Beep Beep.

"Turn it off!" Gabriella shouted as she pulled a pillow over her head. Who the hell put this alarm clock here and who the hell uses an alarm clock on spring break? Gabriella could only think of one person—her Dad. It was her Dad who always stresses the importance of eating breakfast in the morning. It was to slow down aging and whatnot. There's no point in sleeping again, so she rose from her bed and felt the most painful headache in her life.

She slumped back to the bed, holding her forehead. It was painful. So much for waking up in the wrong side of the bed, maybe that's what they meant.

"Gabriella, breakfast", she heard a small knock on her door while her Dad peeped in.

"Gabriella! What did I tell you about sleeping when it's breakfast time?" It was more an order than a question, "Do you want to grow wrinkles at 17?"

"No Dad, I don't." Gabriella tried so hard not to roll her eyes.

"Then what are you doing in bed still?"

"Headache, Dad, a really bad one".

"Oh why didn't you say so?"Her Dad came over, pressing his hands into his daughter's forehead.

"Cause you..."

"Okay then. I'll bring up your breakfast and some medicine for your head. Okay honey? It'll be like a breakfast in bed." Her Dad laughed, walking towards the door, "How many times have you heard fathers making breakfast in bed for their daughters?"

Gabriella's heart softened and even some of the pain drifted away. Her Dad was the sweetest. "You are the best Dad in the whole world! I'm sorry for being a little bit cranky in the morning. Aw, there goes the pain again."

"Be back in a minute deary. Fight that headache!"And her Dad was out of her room but the headache was still there.

To add to her miseries, she remembered about the planned tour guiding around California for Troy! She would need to cancel. She got her phone and texted Troy: Can I have a rain check? Having a bad headache today. Can't get out of bed. Tomorrow maybe?

After sending the text, someone was knocking on their front door. Was that Troy? Why did he have to come so early? Gabriella thought to herself. She pulled her covers to her head and wished her dad would explain to Troy why she couldn't see him today.

A silent squeak at her door made her pull her covers down. She looked to the door and saw Matt, instead of Troy, eyeing her with such worried eyes.

"Gabby, your dad told me you were sick", Matt said with the most concern voice he had. He came closer to her bed and sat beside her frame.

"I'm not sick", Gabby corrected. She sat up feeling a bit awkward about Matt being in her room. Even back when they were together, her dad never allowed Matt inside her room. Well, he sneaked in a few times but they never did anything except do homework. "I'm just having a little headache, is all."

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"Can't I visit you anymore?"Matt asked. He was hurt by Gabby's question. Sure, they're not boyfriend and girlfriend anymore. But it's just been a few days since they broke up. Why does it feel like Gabby has completely given up on them?

Gabby didn't know what to say to Matt. She didn't want to talk about the break up. Surely, it will start another spat. She searched for better words to say when Matt spoke again.

"I heard from your dad that you have a headache", Matt said moving towards her, "Are you okay? You're not sick or anything right?", he asked with a concerned voice. Gabriella's heart softened a little with this kind of Matt. He was the Matt that has been overprotective of her, always there for her, and always taking care of her. Matt touched Gabriella's head to feel if its warmth. Gabriella jerked back a little at the feel of Matt's palm on his forehead.

"I'm okay", she forced the words out. She was expecting her voice to be a little more frigid but a softened tone came out.

Her Dad scurried to her room with a tray of breakfast on his hands. He placed the tray on Gabby's head. He smiled at her daughter and Gabby returned back his smile and said, "Thank you Dad. This looks delicious".

"Anything for my little princess", her dad said, "Eat it all, okay? I don't want any leftovers." Gabriella nodded and thanked her dad once again. Her dad was halfway out and he faced to Matt and said, "Matt, make sure she eats all of them", finally he scurried out not waiting for Matt's reply.

Silence took over as Mr. Montez left.

"Gabby", Matt said turning towards her. Gabriella noticed him getting tensed and nervous and jittery all of a sudden."I'm still in love with you."Gabby froze upon Matt's confession. "I still can't completely understand why you want to break up, but I don't want that. I love you Gabby and I want to make it work-".

"Matt, pl-"Matt held her free hand to motion her to stop talking and let him speak.

"Give me a chance Gabby. I admit it's totally my fault. I have been controlling these days, forcing you to attend the same college as me. But I only did it because I can't last a day without you. I can't imagine being so far away from you months from now. When you broke up with me, it felt like life had no meaning anymore. I'm willing to change Gabby. Just... just give me another chance."Matt's eyes were filled with tears and hope that Gabriella will say yes. Gabriella stared at those eyes, those pleading eyes. It hurts her seeing Matt cry like this. The only two times she saw Matt cry was when he asked her to be his girlfriend and recently when she broke up with him. She always was the reason to his tears. He doesn't deserve this. But should she say yes just because she pitied him? Does she still love him?

"Will you give 'us' another chance, Gabby?"Matt asked again.

As if on cue, Gabby felt her phone ring. Her iphone glowed with Troy's name on the screen.

This story is ending soon. Don't want to lengthen it anymore... so get ready for a climactic chapter 11! Reviews are highly appreciated. :)