Here is the next chapter, so for the lateness. The next chapter will be up soon. Please enjoy and Review.

Chapter 12- Protected

Troy and Gabriella sat on a huge sofa in Troy's living room watching different DVDs awaiting the arrival of their friends. Troy got up and went over to his DVD collection.

'What do you want to watch now?'

'How about the Notebook?'

'How about Transformers?'

'Transformers, is it scary?'

'No'

'Really'

'No, but I'll hold you if you get scared'

'Well in that case' Gabriella said as Troy came over and wrapped his arms around Gabriella after he inserted the DVD. Gabriella began to move closer to Troy snuggling herself into his chest and taking in deep breaths, she smiled as she smelt the Lynx he had put on, she placed her head on his shoulder and watched the movie, gripping onto Troy's arm whenever she felt scared, which was pretty often. A light pain traveled in Troy's arm, he looked down to see Gabriella holding into his arm, with her eyes tightly shut.

'Why are you closing your eyes, it's not even a scary part?' Troy asked grinning; she slowly opened her eyes and looked up to him.

'I want to remember this feeling, it's so… perfect, I really wish I could keep this part of my life separate from the other part of my life' she said as she turned back to screen so that she could concentrate on the movie. Troy looked down at her, he wished he could take her away from all that pain and suffering, he just wanted her to be happy, to allow her to feel the love that he felt for her. Troy reached up to the side of her face, he slowly grazed her cheek with his thumb, and her skin was so amazingly soft. She smiled slyly and softly pushed his hair out of his eyes, they both leaned in, and their lips barely touched, they softly teased each other until Troy tenderly covered his lips over hers, before they could have the chance to deepen their kiss.

'Oh, um, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if I could speak to Gabriella alone' Mr. Bolton asked, slightly embarrassed that he had walked on his son with a girl.

'Oh, um, Ok' Gabriella said getting up as Troy removed his arms from her waist; she immediately felt the loss of warmth, and felt that she would do anything for it back.

'Ok, let's get the party started' Chad yelled as he let himself into the Bolton's house hold, followed by the rest of the gang.

' Chad, you don't let yourself into other people's homes and it's a slumber party' Taylor said pulling him by the arm and pulling him back.

'A slumber party' all three boys repeated; Jason, Chad and Zeke all looked at each other

'Sorry, but we don't do slumber parties'

'Well, yeah, what do you call it when your friends sleep over?'

'A sleepover' said Chad in a 'Duh' tone.

'Right' Sharpay said rolling her eyes.

'Um, guys' Troy said as they all realized that Troy had been standing there.

'Hey, Hoops, my man, where's your women' Chad asked Troy slapping him on the shoulder.

' Chad, stop calling girls women' Sharpay screeched 'I hate it, Zeke make him stop' they all began to laugh.

'Well' Kelsi asked shyly 'Where is Gabriella?'

'Brie is talking to my dad about her…you know family' Troy said as they moved into the lounge and began to set up for the 'Sleep over'.

'So, would you like to tell us what is happening in your life?' Mr. Bolton asked Gabriella trying not to push her. Gabriella sat at the kitchen bench, in front of Mr. and Mrs. Bolton. She trusted Troy parents and knew that they could help her.

'Well, um, my grandparents had actually left me a small fortune, well, quite a large fortune actually, and it was left for me until I turn 18. No one else in my family gets a cent; I guess they resent me for it. That why my family are kinda hateful, but I deal with it, and with Troy it's a little easier' Gabriella said not lifting her head up once, she slowly felt her cheeks redden, she wished Troy would come and save her.

'Well, they are your parents, but if you ever need anything you are always welcome to our home, day or night' Mrs. Bolton said touching her shoulder trying to reassure her. Gabriella gave a weak smile. Moments ago, she was so happy in Troy's arms. Now they were all rushing back, the taunts, jeering from her sister, the slaps from her mother and the hatred in her father's eyes. Her eyes began to water, she felt a soft, yet string hand grip her other shoulder. She turned to see Troy.

'Hey, are you ok?' he asked as a tear fell onto her cheek, she barely nodded as she rested her head into his chest.

'Can we go? Everyone's here' Troy asked, his parents nodded as he lead Gabriella out of the kitchen.

'Are you okay, my parents didn't say anything did they?' a concerned Troy asked.

'No, they were great, I was just remembering, you know everything' she gave another weak smile and wrapped her arms around Troy's waist, he did the same. He looked down at her, and gave her a short, simple kiss.

'Guys, come on, let's watch a movie already' Chad yelled from the living room, soon after they heard him yell in pain as Taylor hit him on the head.

'Ow' Chad complained rubbing his head.

'Oh, shut up' Sharpay snapped as she rolled out her pink, frilly sleeping bag. Gabriella and Troy came inside the whole living room had changed in the matter of minutes. The couch had been pushed back, the glass table and been moved to the side and replaced with a couple of sleeping bags and a whole heap of chips, lollies and drinks.

'Hey guys' Gabriella said as Sharpay, Taylor and Kelsi ran over and hugged her tightly,

'Are you okay' Sharpay asked.

'Yeah, come on let's watch something' she said giving a real smile.

'Yeah, your choice' Taylor said.

'What' Chad practically yelled 'she'll pick a chick flick?'

'Your right, I will' she said smiling as she ran over and grabbed Ever after, a true Cinderella story. This caused a groan from all the boys. The entire night had been so perfect; they watched the movie followed by Chad's choice of Date movie, followed by a dozen after, they snacked on pizza and a bunch of snacks. Close to midnight soon after Troy's parents had gone to sleep, every one sat in a circle. Sharpay sat with Zeke's arm around her waist, Taylor sat with her head rested on Chad's shoulder as did Kelsi and Jason who were both blushing the entire time. Gabriella leaned back between Troy legs and as his arms was wrapped around her protectively.

'Who's guitar?' Zeke asked.

'Mine' Gabriella said taking one of Troy hands and enlacing their fingers.

'Play us a song, please' Taylor begged.

'Yeah, please, as the ice princess I order you to' Sharpay said.

'Okay, but I thought you were a former ice princess' Sharpay shrugged as Gabriella grabbed her guitar and took her position between Troy's legs and softly began to sing.

You, You're always there for me
When I need you most
Day and night you're by my side
Protecting me
When I feel like crashing down
You seem to be around
There you are
You're not that far cos

Whenever, where ever baby
You'll protect me
No matter what
Hold me tight with all your might And you'll never let me go
Protecting me

You listen to me when
I speak out loud and you
You know right when my heart's been bent
When my lifes tumbling around
You take me off the ground
You tell me everythings ok

Whenever, where ever baby
You'll protect me
No matter what
Hold me tight with all your might You'll never let me go

You'll never let me go
You'll never let me go
You'll never let me go

When its my turn (My turn)
To help you out (Help you out)
I glady lift you up without a doubt

(Whenever) Whenever, where ever baby
You'll protect me
No matter what
Hold me tight with all your might You'll never let me go (Let me go)

Whenever, where ever baby
I'll protect you
No matter what
Hold you tight, with all my might
And I'll never let you go (Let you go)

You, you're always there for me
When I need you most
Day and night you're by my side
Protecting me
Protecting me

As soon as she finished all of her friends clapped, she smiled and turned to towards Troy they leaned in for a kiss as the rest of the gang awed. They all went to sleep in their lover's arms, not wanting the next day to come; they wanted to bask in the feeling of being loved especially Gabriella who had realized that she was utterly in love with Troy Bolton.

Hey, Reader, thank you for all those who reviewed I am really happy with the reviews I am getting, if anyone has any ideas that would be great. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and please review; I would love to here what you think. The song is by Aly and Aj 'Protecting me'. Please review. Next Chapter will be up soon hopefully.