Chapter 11: Two Worlds Collide

Gabriella closed her locker and smiled. Both she and Troy had gotten an 'A' on their English project. Ms. Darbus handed them back their result with disbelief written all over her face. Her eyes had widened even more when Troy leaned over and kiss Gabriella when he saw their result. Then after the moment of shock they both received a lunchtime detention for 'bad behaviour' during class. But Gabriella hadn't minded. It just meant that she and Troy got to spend all of lunchtime completely alone while painting sets in the theatre.

Gabriella smiled and walked out of the exit. She couldn't believe she had been in Albuquerque for over a month. She felt so at home here. She felt as though she had been here for years. She just seemed to fit in so well. She also couldn't believe that she was lucky enough to have Troy in her life. From the moment they first met there had been a spark between them and granted when they got to school, it took them some time to find the spark again. But now everything had changed. Now Troy was Gabriella's boyfriend. Now Gabriella had a group of friends and now Gabriella felt comfortable enough to be herself and not care what others think. And this was mainly thanks to Troy.

He gave her the confidence to truly be herself and not listen to others. Gabriella knew that she was very fortunate to have someone like Troy in her life. Without him she didn't know where she would be.

She smiled and waved to some of her friends who were also heading home after the long day in school. Gabriella moved her bag onto her left shoulder and began her walk home. She was in a complete daze, still dreaming about Troy when suddenly she felt someone gently grab her hand.

Gabriella jumped and looked to her right and saw Troy looking straight ahead and smiling. Gabriella smiled and squeezed his hand. Troy smiled and turned his head to her, "So how was your day?" he asked.

"Better now that you're here," Gabriella replied. Troy couldn't hide his grin and moved slightly closer to her. He looked at her quickly and had to fight the urge to lean over and kiss her because he knew if he did he wouldn't want to stop. They continued walking the short distance to Gabriella's house.

"Can you believe we got an 'A'?" Troy asked, "I mean, I don't usually get many of those. I'm more of a 'B' kind of guy," he said. Gabriella giggled, "Well it just shows you hard work pays off," she replied.

"Well I had fun working with you Montez," Troy said, "But it was also torture," he continued as they walked up Gabriella's driveway. Gabriella frowned and followed him around the back of the house to the garden. Troy threw his bag down beside the swinging seat and sat down on it. Gabriella followed him but stood looking at him with her arms crossed.

"What's wrong?" Troy asked, confused. Gabriella frowned, "You just said working with me was torture. So if you can't work with me how is this relationship supposed to work?" she questioned, sounding very angry.

Troy chuckled and Gabriella could feel her blood boiling. "What?" she exclaimed. Troy continued laughing and motioned for her to come and sit beside him. Gabriella rolled her eyes and sat beside him.

Troy stopped laughing and turned to look at her, "What I mean was it was torture because every time I was with you I had to fight the urge to kiss you. And you really don't know how hard that is," he said softly. Gabriella's frown faded and she looked deep into Troy's eyes.

"I know what you mean. It was the same for me," she said. Troy smiled and he leaned in and wrapped his arm around her waist and their lips met softly.

"He forgot my birthday Tay. How could he do that? Two months we've been together and my birthday just slipped his mind," Gabriella fumed, slamming her locker and walking to her next class. Taylor followed her.

"Gabriella are you sure he forgot? Did he mention it even?" Taylor asked.

Gabriella shook her head, "That's the whole point Taylor. I have seen him three times today and was with him all of lunch time alone and he didn't mention it, not even once," Gabriella said.

"Well Chad and Troy have been very busy with basketball practise lately. He probably didn't mean it," Taylor replied.

Gabriella stopped and turned to Taylor, "Yes but when it was you birthday last months Chad didn't forget did he and you were only going out about three weeks at that point," Gabriella snapped.

Taylor winced, "Well when you put it that way...," she said. Gabriella rolled her eyes and stomped into the classroom.

She frowned when she remembered she had to sit beside Troy in this class. Her eyes narrowed when she saw him already sitting at their desk. She slammed her books down on the desk and sat down beside him, completely ignoring him.

Troy turned to her, "Hey Gabi," he said, leaning over to kiss her. Gabriella pushed him away and folded her arms, staring straight ahead, a frown on her face.

"Um...what's wrong?" Troy asked, shocked that she had pushed him away.

"Nothing. I'm fine," Gabriella replied, snappily. Troy shrugged and glanced across the room at Taylor and Chad. Taylor smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up. Troy winked and them and sat back in his seat, smiling slyly to himself.

"Gabriella are you still coming to the mall?" Taylor asked, walking up to Gabriella at her locker. Gabriella looked and Taylor and shut her locker, "Look Tay, I'm really not in the mood. Maybe tomorrow," Gabriella said.

The two began walking towards the exit. Gabriella was glad the end of the day had finally arrived. She had been feeling more and more depressed ever since she realised that Troy did forget her birthday and to make matters worse she had loads of assignments due for the next week.

"No Gabriella please. You promised," Taylor whined. Gabriella looked at her, "Taylor what's the rush? The mall will still be there tomorrow," Gabriella said, shaking her head.

"No do you not remember. My important date with Chad tonight; I need a new outfit," Taylor replied, pouting. Gabriella sighed and rolled her eyes, "Fine Tay, I'll come with you," she said. Taylor squealed and hugged Gabriella.

The two girls jumped into Taylor's car and headed to the mall. After a couple of hours Taylor eventually chose and outfit much to Gabriella's relief. They had been in every store twice and finally Taylor settled on the very first outfit she had tried on. Gabriella began wondering if she had tried on all the other clothes even though she had already decided to get the other outfit on purpose.

They got back into Taylor's car and began driving home. Gabriella closed her eyes and relaxed. After a few minutes Taylor pulled over. Gabriella opened her eyes and frowned when she saw they weren't at her house but instead at the park.

"Taylor why are we at the park?" Gabriella asked. "I have to meet Chad. He said he needs a ride home. He's at the basketball court beside the playground," Taylor said. Gabriella nodded. Suddenly Taylor's phone rang, "Hey Nana. How are you? I miss you so much. How's Grandpa?" Gabriella heard Taylor asked. She wondered why Taylor's grandmother was calling her on her cell phone but quickly forgot this when she heard Taylor talking to her.

"Gabi can you go and get Chad. My nana just wants to talk to me for a few minutes and if I go Chad will try to grab the phone and speak to her," Taylor said. Gabriella frowned slightly but agreed to do as her friend asked. She got out of the car and walked into the park and turned right and began walking down the path that led to the basketball court and the playground.

"Okay Chad, Gabi's gone to get you. So tell Troy to be ready. Everything worked out perfectly," Taylor said to Chad. Chad laughed, "Glad to know my 'grand daughter' is so clever," he said. Taylor giggled and hung up. She threw her cell back into her bag and pulled out of the car park. Gabriella wouldn't need a ride home from her.

Gabriella walked up to the basketball court and stopped when she saw it was empty. She looked around and saw no sign of anyone. She sighed and sat down on a nearby bench. It was so like Chad to just wander off. She sat back and saw a card on the seat beside her. She picked it up and frowned in confusion when she saw it was addressed to her. She opened the envelope and quickly read the card.

Gabi,

Turn left by the court and walk straight.

Xxx

Gabriella stood up slowly and followed the directions of the card. She walked down the path and suddenly stopped when she saw what was awaiting her at the end of it.

There in front of the lake stood Troy, in a suit with a bunch of pink lilies in his hand. Beside him was a table, set for two with candles and a stereo sitting beside it. Gabriella's eyes widened in shock.

Troy stood nervously and watched her. Slowly she made her way towards him, her eyes still wide. She stopped a few feet before him. Troy watched her and saw she also looked sad.

"Hey Gabi," he said. She looked at him and smiled faintly. "I-i-is this...okay?" he asked. Gabriella looked at him and frowned. Troy sighed and closed his eyes, "I just wanted your birthday to be special but I guess pretending I forgot it was too much. But I only did it because I wanted to really surprise you because well...I lo-," Troy rambled but was cut off when Gabriella pushed her lips against his.

Troy's eyes snapped open and he wrapped his free arm around her waist and kissed her back. Eventually Gabriella pulled away. She rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes, "Troy it's so perfect. I just felt guilty for being so horrible to you today because you didn't really forget my birthday. I just feel like I don't deserve all this," she whispered.

Troy lifted her chin up, "Of course you deserve it. You're the only person on this earth who I would do anything for. Everyday I see you I fall a little bit more in love with you and that's why I did this. Because you deserve it and I love you," Troy murmured. Gabriella smiled and pecked him on the lips.

"And that brings me on to your actual present," Troy said as he placed the flowers on the table. Gabriella stood watching him. Troy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box with a pink ribbon. He handed it to Gabriella who eagerly opened it. She gasped as the opened the lid to reveal a promise ring.

The ring had a small diamond and had an engraving that read, "Gabriella + Troy Forever." Gabriella's eyes watered as she slipped it onto her finger. She wrapped her arms around Troy and buried her face in his neck.

"I love you so much," she said. Troy smiled and squeezed her gently, "I love you too," he replied, stroking her hair, "I'm so glad our two worlds collided."

The End

And that's it. I hope you liked it. Remember if you've any ideas for Troyella/Zanessa stories make sure to tell me! Thanks for everything you guys rock hardcore!! lol!! xxx