Here's the next chapter for you guys, I hope you like it!
In Return
She knew it was soon, she'd heard them all talking about it at some point, but she didn't know exactly when it was. So now, after they'd finished their homework and Troy had quickly jumped in the shower, she headed downstairs where she knew Jack and Lucille were cuddled up watching a movie.
It seemed they must have heard her coming down the stairs because they were both looking in the direction of the doorway when she arrived there.
"Hey Gabi," Lucille greeted. "You okay sweetie?"
"Yeah erm…its Troy's birthday soon, right?" She asked her arms crossed over her chest self consciously.
"Yeah it's on Saturday, why?" Jack asked, as he paused the movie so he and Lucille could focus on Gabriella.
"Have you guys got anything planned for him?" She asked now leaning against the doorframe.
"Not really honey, why?" Lucile knew Gabriella was getting to something here and she was pretty sure she knew what it was.
"Could I maybe plan something for him? A get together with the gang maybe? Unless you want it to be a family thing?"
"You can definitely plan something for him," Jack answered. "We'll want to see him at some point though; the others wouldn't forgive you if you took him away all day." Gabriella giggled at how close the Bolton children all were, considering the big age gaps.
"How about," Lucille started. "We all get to see Troy here in the morning, have a birthday lunch or something, so the others can spend time with him and give him their presents and stuff and then you can have him for the late afternoon into evening, sound good?"
"Yeah I think I could go with that, thanks," Gabriella answer softly. "I'll check with the gang first, but can you help me with some of the organising when I have Lucille?"
"'Course I can honey, you speak to the others, then we'll sit down and sort things out and we'll be away, just don't leave it too late, ask them tomorrow if you can. It's Wednesday tomorrow, if you want to book somewhere you'll need to do it by Thursday evening, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll try and talk to them tomorrow, thanks guys, night," Gabriella said, as she turned to head back up to Troy's room.
"Night sweetie," She heard, as a double reply, as she reached the stairs.
She didn't knock when she reached the bedroom, she and Troy had come to the agreement that when they had showered they'd get dressed in the locked bathroom to save any embarrassing incidents, seems tonight Troy had forgotten this.
Gabriella pushed open the bedroom door and was about to walk in, when she looked up and saw Troy stood there with just his towel round his waist. At loss of what else to so, she quickly apologised and left, shutting the door behind her quickly and standing there in utter shock, until she turned and walked into the spare room, which was still filled with her Grandparents belongings. She walked over to the wall which was opposite the door and sat down under the window, leaning against the wall and pulling her legs to her chest in an attempt to become as small as possible, scared that Troy would split up with her now because she'd seen him in that state of undress.
It wasn't long 'til she heard movement and knew that Troy was coming to find her, so she leaned forwards and rested her forehead on her knees, she didn't want to look at Troy, she didn't want to know what was coming next.
"There you are, Brie I'm sorry, that was all completely my fault. I forgot to take a change of clothes into the bathroom with me and so I had to come out and get them. When I saw you weren't in there I was just going to grab my clothes and then go back into the bathroom, in case you came back before I changed, but I didn't even get the chance to do that." Troy walked over and knelt down in front of Gabriella, placing his hands on her shoulders and gently rubbing his thumbs back and forth, he knew the situation had shaken Gabriella by the way she was sat and the fact she wouldn't look or even acknowledge him. "Babe I'm so sorry, none of that was your fault in the slightest, sweetheart please look at me."
Gabriella lifted her head to reveal her eyes swimming with tears, making Troy feel even worse than before. "Please don't break up with me," she pleaded, as the tears slowly spilled over.
"Break up with you? My lovely girl, why would I do that?" Troy asked moving his hands to cup Gabriella's face and wipe away her tears.
"Because I…I saw you like that."
"Yeah and I told you that, that was completely my fault, so if anyone should be breaking up with anyone, you should be breaking up with me for breaking our rule and I doubt you'll do that, will you?"
Gabriella shook her head and wiped away her remaining tears with the sleeve of Troy's hoodie. "I'd miss your cuddles too much," Troy smiled knowing everything was okay between then again.
"Answer me this though," Troy said sitting down cross legged in front of Gabriella before he lost his balance and fell over. "Are you comfortable with me sleeping like this, in my t-shirt and boxers, or would you rather I put some pyjama bottoms on or even some basketball shorts?"
Gabriella shook her head again, "No I'm fine with you like this, thanks for checking though."
"Okay, now that we have everything sorted, you wanna go and cuddle down and watch that 'Great Gatsby' DVD I ordered which came this morning? I need you there to explain to me who they all are," Gabriella giggled and nodded, letting Troy get up and then taking his offered hand so they could settle in for their daily snuggle.
TGTGTGTG
"What's going on Gabi?" Ryan asked the next day at school during lunch, while the gang, minus Troy and Chad, were sat round their normal table.
"I wanted to ask you all something, but I can't do that with Troy here so I asked Chad to delay their arrival for a bit so I can talk to you all and then Taylor can relay it all to him later." The others all nodded their understanding allowing Gabriella to carry on. "Okay, so I'm assuming you all know it's Troy's birthday on Saturday and I was just wondering if you'd all be up for getting together that evening, to celebrate together?"
"Sounds like good fun to me," Sharpay answered with agreeing nods from the others. "You got any ideas yet Gabs?"
"Well the Bolton's want him in the morning and we're gonna have a birthday lunch with cake so the others can give him their presents and stuff, but Jack and Lucille said we could have him in the evening, so I was thinking maybe we could all put some money in and go to that Italian restaurant he likes at the retail park?"
"Sounds good to me," came the unanimous reply.
"I'll ask Lucille to book it for me tonight and then email all of the details to you; it'll be too long to text. I'm hoping that my new license will be here by then and then I'll be able to drive him there without telling him where we're going first."
"I didn't know you could drive Gabi," Kelsi said swatting Ryan's hand away from her salad. "You've got your own," she told him, making Ryan pout and the others laugh.
"Yeah I can drive, I got my license as soon as I could and then learnt to drive and passed my test, but my Grandparents wouldn't let me drive their car and we couldn't afford to buy me my own, but it was there in case of emergencies, in case Grandpa couldn't drive at anytime and we needed to be somewhere urgently."
"Fair enough," Zeke answered. "How come you're organising this for him though Gabs? Didn't Jack and Lucille want to do anything?"
"I asked them, but they said as long as they all get to see him in the morning its fine and I kinda just wanted to do something for him in return for everything he's done and is still doing for me since I got here."
"Well it all sounds like a great idea and we'll all be there Gabs, it sounds like great fun," Taylor said, as Troy and Chad entered the canteen. "The boys are here" she added making everyone turn to greet them, as they arrived and Gabriella get up to give a grumpy looking Troy a hug.
"What's up?" She question him, pulling back from the bug, but still staying in the embrace. Despite the fact the pair had been dating for three weeks on Friday the only people that knew were their parents and Jessie and Jazzy, who'd had enough of Troy's smugness and so tickled the truth out of him, he told them but swore them to secrecy after. The gang had noticed the pair's closeness, but hadn't thought anything of it, as far as they were concerned hugging and holding hands was normal for the couple, they just hadn't noticed the stolen glances and soft whispers that happened between the pair constantly as well. So the fact that they were stood in a seemingly romantic embrace in the middle of the canteen, didn't bother the gang, who went about their lunch time business while our secret couple continued to enjoy the very public embrace.
"We have to baby sit tonight…well not exactly baby sit 'cause Jessie and Jazzy will be there as well, but we're in charge, we need to cook dinner and everything, Mum and Dad have got to go to some dinner thing that he's involved with, Dad just told me."
"Why's that a bad thing? You love looking after the little ones," Gabriella replied running her hands up and down Troy's upper arms comfortingly.
"Cause I wanted to do my homework, have my tea and then spend some time with you, now I'll have to cook tea, put that lot to bed and then do my homework, which I can't do by the way and by the time I've done all that we'll probably go to bed and you'll fall asleep on me again."
Gabriella laughed and leant her forehead against Troy's chest momentarily. "I'm sorry, I've just been really tired recently, all of those sleepless nights before are catching up in me I guess. But we'll work it out Troy; I'll help you with your homework and with everything tonight, you have a free next right?" Troy nodded slowly. "Okay then we'll go and do some homework then, I'm free as well, we'll get our work, hide away in the back of the library and I'll help you while I'm doing mine as well, it'll be fine Troy, yeah?"
"Yeah I guess."
"Okay, that'll do for now, now lets get you some lunch and we'll relax for a bit before we work, alright?" Troy nodded and allowed Gabriella to pull him over to the lunch line, ignoring the rather amusing looks their friends were sending his way.
TGTGTGTG
It was Friday evening, a while after dinner, when Jack and Lucille were getting the younger four ready for bed and Jazzy and Jessie had gone on a double date with Jake and Joe, when Troy escaped outside to shoot his last few hoops as a seventeen year old. He hadn't been out there long when he heard the back door open and looked up to see Gabriella walking towards him.
"Hey lovely, you okay?" He asked stopping his shooting to concentrate on her.
"Come get ice cream with me?" She asked and it was only then that Troy noticed she had her bag and his car keys with her. "I'm paying." She told him. "But I'm also driving as well."
Troy dropped the ball and walked the rest of the distance between him and Gabriella, he didn't even know her license had arrived. "I didn't even know your license had arrived, when did it get here babe?"
"Yesterday," Gabriella answered honestly. "I didn't tell you cause I didn't even open the envelope until just now, but I want to take you somewhere tomorrow and I haven't driven since way before the accident…and I know I've been in a car loads of times since then but I haven't been in control of one, please come and get ice cream with me?"
"Do Mum and Dad know where we're going?" Troy asked, gently cupping Gabriella's face in his hands, she only nodded in response. "Okay then, you go get in the car and get yourself comfortable with stuff while I change my top and I'll be out in a few, alright?" Gabriella nodded and leaned up to give him a quick peck on the lips before she left through the garden gate, happy that Troy had agreed to this outing.
Half an hour later, as the pair sat happily eating their chocolate chip ice creams; Troy asked the question he'd wanted the answer to all evening. "Where we going tomorrow then? And how come you have to drive? Why can't you just tell me where we're going and I drive?"
"It's a surprise, so I can't tell you where we're going and because of this I need to drive because otherwise you'll figure out where we're going before we get there and that would just spoil the whole thing."
"Fine, but I'm driving home afterwards, it is my car after all."
"Yeah I know it is, but Lucille said I could drive it so if you've got a problem with that, take it up with her. Now if you're done I'm ready to go, I'm tired and I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day," Troy nodded and wiped his mouth on a napkin before standing up and offering his hand to Gabriella to lead her out to his car and home to get into bed for the last time as a seventeen year old.
TGTGTGTG
He was having an absolutely amazing time and that was her main priority, but she couldn't stay in there any longer, she needed to escape, just for a bit. So, she'd silently slipped out and was now stood staring out of the kitchen window, in a complete daydream, causing her not to notice Jack entering the room.
"Penny for your thoughts?" He asked, making Gabriella turn round in surprise, she smiled softly at him and went back to staring out of the window causing Jack to walk over and join her. "Troy noticed you'd gone and wants you to come and join in with the pictures, he wanted to come and get you himself, but the others wouldn't let him leave, so I'm here instead. You probably don't even want to talk to me and I understand Gabi, you don't need to explain yourself honey, so the best I can offer you is to give you one of my bear hugs, dry your tears and then take you back to the party, sound good?" Gabriella nodded and walked into Jack's open arms, she hadn't even realised she was crying until he'd mentioned it, but she didn't want to ruin Troy's day, so she quickly dried her tears and allowed Jack to take her back through to the lounge.
She immediately locked eyes with Troy, who straight away got up from the couch, moving the little ones off of him as he did, to give her a hug. He took her into his arms and immediately Gabriella felt safe, she was able to calm herself down and join in with the rest of the photos which were being taken.
"Okay guys, cake time, come sit in the dining room," Lucille announced after a few more photos and the children all filed through into the dining room, Troy hanging back slightly, making Gabriella wait as well.
"You okay baby girl? I know you've been crying," Troy spoke to Gabriella softly, as he pulled her into another breath taking hug.
"I am now, it's just the whole family being in one place enjoying themselves thing again, I'll be fine," She said from against Troy's chest. "Just don't wander off to far, I think I might need a few more of these hugs before the end of the day."
"I'm not going anywhere lovely, you have my word on that" Troy replied, as he planted a few soft kisses into Gabriella's hair, before leading her through to the dining room, to join the people she was starting to consider family.
TGTGTGTG
"The retail park? Brie why are at the retail park?"
"Because this is where your surprise is," Gabriella answered simply, as she parked the car and got out, waiting for Troy to do the same before locking the car and throwing him the keys.
"But what is my surprise?" Troy whined, bored of not knowing now.
"Look where you are Troy," Gabriella told him blankly, causing him to look at the building in front of him.
"The Italian, this is my surprise?" Gabriella nodded. "I love it here, but it's so expensive, are you sure about this?"
"Yes Troy, now come on, we've got reservations," Gabriella said, taking Troy's hand and leading him into the restaurant. They were greeted by the host for the night and after Gabriella telling them her name they were directed to a secluded part of the restaurant and told their waiter would be with them shortly. Gabriella pulled Troy over to their table, around a corner from the rest of the restaurant and simply waited for his reaction.
"SURPRISE!" There, at a big table decorated with balloons and streamers, were the gang, all of them ready to celebrate their captain's eighteenth birthday.
"Wait, why are they all here? They knew," Troy concluded walking over to them. "You all knew and none of you told me, thanks Chad, I thought I could rely on you."
"Dude, Gabi swore us to secrecy and I'm glad she did, your face was hilarious just then, I'm so glad Kelsi has her camera with her, please tell me you got that face Kels?"
"Of course," Kelsi replied, passing the camera around so everyone could see Troy's shocked look.
"You planned all this?" Troy asked, as he turned round to look at Gabriella.
"Yeah, that okay with you?" She asked, as she walked over and they wrapped their arms round the others waist, not caring about the reaction they'd receive from the others.
"Of course it is, but why? What have I done to deserve this? I'd of been quite happy at home with a take away."
"What haven't you done? Troy ever since I arrived at yours, you've been nothing but amazing and helpful and caring towards me, and I couldn't of asked for anything more. And recently, the whole thing with our feelings and now this, us, you've been more than amazing through it all, you still are, you've helped me understand so much and I doubt you'll be stopping anytime soon, so I just wanted to give you something in return, happy birthday babe," and with that said and done, the pair leaned in and shared their most amazing, passion filled kiss yet, the fact that it was in front of their friends didn't seem to bother them, not even when they were pulled out of their bubble by claps and cheers.
"Okay, you two better explain what's going on here or you ain't getting your presents Bolton," Sharpay threatened causing everyone to laugh and Troy and Gabriella to break away from each other in order to sit down in the middle of their friends and once they'd explained, enjoy an amazingly fantastic evening.
TGTGTGTG
When they arrived home, Troy headed up to his room while Gabriella headed through to the lounge to talk to Jack and Lucille quickly, but Troy didn't know she had a hidden motive for doing this.
He walked into his room to find a big colourful piece of card on his bed and once he got closer, he was able to tell that it was a collage, a collage of all the different photos he and Gabriella had taken together since becoming a couple three weeks ago today.
The pictures were grouped together as to when they'd been taken and they were all stuck down neatly, glitter around the outside of each one and most importantly, 'Happy Birthday Troy' was written beautifully in the middle. Troy smiled knowing this was his presents from Gabriella and quickly changed into his night ware before settling into bed with his present in hand to study each and every picture and laugh over the memory that came with each one.
Gabriella had silently come in half way through Troy's 'present studying' and gone straight to the bathroom to change, not wanting to hear Troy's response to her not getting him a proper present.
"It's beautiful Brie, I love it, thank you," Gabriella slid into next to Troy and didn't even have the chance to get settled before Troy had pulled her into his arms to pull out their second breath taking kiss of the evening and relationship.
"I didn't know what to get you," Gabriella told him; as he put his present safely on the big chest at the bottom of his bed and laid back down to hold her in his arms. "You nearly didn't even get that, but Lucille said that you would probably prefer something personal than shop brought and that's where I got the idea for that, I borrowed some of Lillie and Amber's art stuff and simply got creative, I'm glad you liked it, I don't know what I would've done otherwise."
"Well I absolutely love it, so that doesn't even matter now," Troy assured her, as he cuddled her closer and pressed soft kisses into her hair. "As much as I don't want to ruin this moment, Mum mentioned to me earlier about the spare room and how you need to sort out your Grandparents stuff. I know you haven't forgotten about it babe and she knows that as well, but it does need to be sorted out soon."
"Will you help me?" Gabriella asked her voice quiet and muffled against Troy's chest.
"Of course I will beautiful, you don't even need to ask, you pick a day and we'll get sorting, you and me all day if it comes to it."
"I'm not beautiful Troy."
"Oh honey, you are so unbelievably beautiful and don't you dare let anyone else tell you other wise, you hear me?" Gabriella nodded and cuddled herself closer to Troy, enjoying more than anything the feeling of being in his arms.
"Can we sort it out tomorrow? Or is that too soon after your birthday? Do you wanna celebrate more tomorrow?"
"Brie sweetheart, tomorrow is fine, we'll sort it all out tomorrow, just calm down please lovely, it's all going to be okay, I promise you," he began slowly rubbing his hand up and down her back, sensing her tense up beside him.
"Thank you Troy, so much, for everything, I wanted to give you tonight in return for everything you've been doing for me, but you keep doing more and I don't think I can ever do enough to return all that."
"Sweetheart you don't have to give me anything in return, all I want from you is for you to return to the old you, the person you used to be before all this crazy stuff came into your life, you hear me?" Gabriella nodded and cuddled herself even more closer to Troy, loving the way he made her feel and loving that fact that she was slowly, but surely falling for Troy Bolton.
TGTGTGTG
There it is guys chapter eleven for ya, hope you liked it!
Last chapter I mentioned the reviews being low and you didn't disappoint, they went up again, so thank you, if we could keep it that way, it would be amazing!
PLESE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW! THANK YOU!