Troy finished toweling off his hair as he stepped out of the bathroom, wearing low hung jeans which exposed his boxers against his bare torso.

"Hey, I just realized…where's Kinley?" Troy questioned, not looking at the room yet.

"She is staying at her guy friend's place tonight."

"New boyfriend?" he said looking up at Gabriella who was on the futon, which she had laid out so it now was the size of a full bed. She had put a sheet down and brought in her pillows from her twin bed.

"No, just a guy friend."

"Huh…" he replied, noticing also that she was wearing his favorite hoody. JUST when he finally had calmed his beast within, she had to go ahead and look so desirable and sexy.

"So…it's 9:15…when were you planning on leaving?" she asked, but her voice was thick with a plea, a plea for him to stay.

"I actually hadn't thought about it…"

"Well…I was thinking…You don't have class until 10:20…so if you slept here you wouldn't have to wake up very early to leave in time for class. I mean, you could probably sleep until almost 9."

"That's what you were thinkin' huh?" Troy said, tossing the towel of hers he used over a hook on the wall.

"Mmhmm."

"Well…you ARE the genius," he said striding over to the bed she'd made. He leaned down and kissed her lips tenderly.

"But wait…" she said pulling back and pointing to the wall behind her. Troy realized there was a bunch of noise coming from the other side of it. "I figured we wouldn't want them hearing anything…"

"Gabriella…" Troy started as he backed away and leaned against a desk, "I'm going to be honest with you…I don't think I can make it through an entire night with you in the same bed…"

She smiled.

"No…really…that cold shower barely did the trick. I'm…" He wanted to say he would end up blowing his load regardless if they had sex or not, he knew that if her body was cuddling up against his, and heaven forbid she wanted to "fool around", he wouldn't be able to hold it in. "I'm in a certain type of way right now. It's hard enough with you being all sexy and cute, but…." was all the explanation he could provide her.

"Troy…I didn't mean all night…just until they go to sleep."

Troy sighed, maybe he could handle that. Gabriella got up and walked past Troy and flicked off the light, the room was dark except for the night lights streaming in through the blinds on the window. She strode over to Troy and grabbed his hand, leading him to the futon. She crawled in, and Troy stopped at the edge to shed his jeans before climbing in after her. He joined her under the blanket and cuddled her to his side as she laid her head on his chest and threw her bare leg across his waist. He was grateful when he could feel against his skin that she was in fact wearing underwear, underwear made out of next to no fabric, but underwear nonetheless. At least he didn't have to feel her naked flesh on his hip. He kissed the top of her head and settled in, closing his eyes.

"Troy…"

"Hmm?"

"Can you shift the blanket? My back isn't covered." In their movement to get settled the blanket had piled up on his side, so Troy attempted to slide it back over her. In the process his hand crossed over her bare bottom, he groaned. It was as he thought: she was wearing a thong. It was one thing to think it, and another to confirm it with his touch…he could feel his arousal beginning.

"Thanks, babe."

"Anytime, sweetheart." His hand ran up and down her upper arm, then he spoke up again, "So, I have something I have to talk to you about…"

"Sounds serious," Gabriella said teasingly.

"Kind of…Saracen's grandpa…the one who owns that beach house we went to,"

"Yeah?" She felt him lace their fingers together on his chest.

"He also owns this giant apartment building…and he has a few units set aside for Cal players…"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, there's so many units that he doesn't mind giving discounts on a few of them – from what I understand he also does it for families in need."

"That's really nice of him," she said as she rotated her chin upwards so she could barely make out some features on Troy's face, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head in return.

"Yeah…"

"How many does he have for players?"

"Like a half dozen, a couple of them are multiple bedrooms."

"Huh."

"Yeah…and I guess they are quite nice, like…not luxury apartments, but nice."

"Wow…they are in Berkeley?"

"Actually no, they are in Hayward – about 20 miles from Berkeley, which is why not all the players are fighting over them."

"Hayward…that seems familiar…"

"It should…it's on the way between here and Berkeley – off of The 880."

"Oh yeah!" Gabriella's heart soared, was Troy trying to tell her he was going to move 20 miles closer to her? That would be…amazing.

"So Saracen has been living there since he started at Cal, but I guess Em really wants to be closer, she has an internship at a doctor's office north of Berkeley. She's Pre-Med."

"Wow, I didn't know that – That's an awesome opportunity for her."

"Yeah…but the drive is about 40 minutes, so she has convinced Scott to move closer to campus to cut her drive in half."

"Oh yeah? When are they moving? At the new semester?"

"That was the plan, but Em found this place she absolutely loves and the lease starts in October."

"That's coming up pretty soon."

"Yeah…and Scott offered his unit to me…"

"What?! Why did he pick you?"

"I think because he knows you go to Stanford…"

"So…you're moving?!" Gabriella picked her head up and brought it to face his, excitement in her eyes.

"…I think so…yeah…I mean, how can you pass up discounted rent halfway between our colleges?"

Gabriella squealed, "Eek! How come you didn't tell me before?!"

Troy took his right hand, which had been holding her left, and placed it on her knee that was hooked over his abdomen. "I dunno…guess I was waiting for the right time?" And telling her now served double purpose: the other being keeping his mind off of sex.

"How are you going to pay for it though? And all the furnishings?"

"Well, rent is basically utilities plus a little more…it's practically free – Grandpa Saracen is a very generous man. And it comes furnished."

"Holy crap!" She couldn't believe it! Their luck finally was taking a turn for good after a month of terribleness.

"I know."

"I can't believe it!" she said and then kissed him on the mouth. "When are you moving?"

"As soon as they are out I guess…plus I'll still have my room in the dorm if I ever need it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's a lot closer, I can walk to it. So if I need a place to crash for an hour or so between classes."

"Good idea."

"I thought so," he said and strained up to kiss her again.

"I'm so excited! Have you seen the place?"

"Not yet, I'm supposed to see it sometime in the next week – but it's not like I'm going to say no."

"Of course not," she giggled.

"Do you want to come see it with me? Meet up? It's only about 15-20 minutes from you…depending how fast you drive."

"Ooo! I'd love to! When?"

"We'll figure it out." He smiled and then leaned in to meet her lips with his again, this time lingering. He inhaled through his nose as he continued the kiss, and his right hand subconsciously ran up and down the bare skin of her thigh draped across his middle. Her skin was so soft, like satin under his fingertips. Gabriella's hands moved to the hem of Troy's sweatshirt she was wearing and pulled up – somehow managing to squirm and slide the fabric over her head. Their lips momentarily parted, only to come back more fiercely. Troy's left hand snuck under the cami tank-top she still had on and rubbed up and down her bare back – his tongue connecting with hers in their passionate kiss. His right hand gripped her upper thigh with want and then tugged it upwards, opening her legs up more. She moaned as his hands travelled further up her thigh and swept over her bottom and landed at her fabric covered opening. His fingers lingered a moment before she felt them PRESS into her – she tore her mouth away from his in a loud moan,

"Oooooooh…" She moved her hips, creating a friction against his fingers. Suddenly they were brought back to reality when they heard laughter from the room next door. The couple froze, had they heard Gabriella? Were they laughing at what they could be over-hearing?

"Maybe we should…" Gabriella whispered, "Take a pause, catch some sleep, and then…"

Troy SCREAMED inside, he was of course, fully erect again and in terrible need of a release and she wanted him to SLEEP? He glanced down at the tent in his boxers.

"Babe…can't we just…be quiet?" he almost pleaded. His predicament had him desperate.

"I…when have we ever been able to…"

Troy sighed heavily through gritted teeth, "Okay, but babe, you need to get off me and not touch me for a while…" Gabriella pulled away and lay next to his side. "No…as in…other side of the bed."

Gabriella bit her lip, understanding, "Oh." Her face turned red, but was thankful Troy couldn't see in the darkness. She curled up under the blanket, with her back facing Troy who laid there on his back…in agony.

"Troy…I'm sorry…" she spoke in a small voice.

"No...I'M sorry."

Gabriella's face flushed again, "It's not your fault…it's actually kind of mine…so…sorry."

Troy turned his face to look at her back across the small bed, he reached over and rubbed it gently through the blanket, "It's not your fault…this is…just how my body reacts around you…AND after 3 weeks."

"I love you, Wildcat."

"I love you, Gabriella." Troy, trying to ease his discomfort turned on his side, pulled his legs up slightly – hoping the bulge below his waist would subside soon and he could get some sleep.

LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTL

Troy woke up to find Gabriella's legs tangled in his, he wasn't sure if it was that or the loud laughter from the other room that stirred him. He usually was a heavy sleeper, but perhaps the ice-cold skin of Gabriella's feet is what did it. He glanced over to his sleeping girlfriend and noticed, with a gulp, that her top had come out of place and Gabriella's perfect, sweet breast was exposed. His eyes locked in on her nipple, he wanted SO badly to latch his mouth onto it, feel the smooth skin of her mound with his lips and tongue.

"Shhhhit." He whispered as he felt the tent rebuilding, he banished his sexual thoughts from his mind. He reached out, his hand hovering above her taunting breast. Oh how much he wanted to clamp down upon it with the full force of his desire, but pursed his lips and carefully reached for the neckline of the dislodged tank-top. He paused, he had a better idea. His hand retreated and then found the top of the blanket at her stomach and pulled it up. He pulled it all the way up, underneath her chin, covering not only her naked flesh, but also her whole body. He leaned back, closing his eyes, and hoped beyond all hope that he found release soon – otherwise he feared he might release while asleep when his sub-conscious mind could wander to its sexual fantasies.

LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLT

It was several hours later when Gabriella woke up, at some point in the night she and Troy had moved and now Gabriella's backside was being cuddled closely into Troy's chest. She could feel it…Troy's arousal at her bottom. Her legs were together, slightly bent – she lifted her top leg up and she felt it move, she peered underneath and saw Troy's naked penis positioned almost parallel to her vagina. She pulled her leg up to her chest, and her movement made Troy shuffle, hooking his leg over her bottom leg. His actions, Gabriella realized had his tip positioned near her opening – she wasn't sure if this was just pure coincidence or somewhere in Troy's sleeping mind it shifted him into the correct position for entry.

Gabriella bit her lip, she ACHED for him. She rotated her hips slightly so that they grinded back into Troy, hoping her action would wake him.

"Mm.." a soft moan escaped Troy's lips, but she could tell it was a sub-conscious one. She relaxed her hips and then repeated the action, this time though her movement was just right so that she felt his tip press into her underwear clad opening. She shuddered as her flesh there began to yield to him. Under her shaking flesh Troy's hand instinctively moved from bed in front of her torso to the bare flesh of her belly, resting only a moment there before sliding up under her tank top and, to her surprise, instantly cupping her breast in his palm. His grip protectively pulling her towards him, and she didn't dare move a muscle. Every nerve ending in her body was on fire, and she couldn't take it anymore,

"Troy…" she almost moaned with her full voice. Troy, the ever heavy sleeper did not respond so Gabriella tried again, "Trooy.." She didn't mean for it to be, but her voice was pleading.

"Mmmm…" was 90% still asleep Troy's reply. Her voice had somehow reached inside his unconscious mind and was slowly pulling him to her. His hand twitched on her breast and that sent Gabriella over the edge,

"Troooooy!" she said with a full voice. Troy's sudden intake of breath signaled to her that he had joined her in the waking world.

"Babe, what's wro-" Troy stopped his sentence as his mind caught him up on the physical position he was in. His breathing became exaggerated when he became aware of his proximity to Gabriella's very WET opening. Oh GOD! He knew he was done for, there was no turning back,

"Gabriella…" his voice was part need, part lust, part apology. Gabriella wasted no time, she shifted and somehow managed to shimmy her underwear down to her knees and off before just as quickly returning to her previous position. She could feel Troy's hot breath on her neck, as he laid kisses there and moved his body into hers at the same time that she grinded back into him. Her actions caused Troy to let out an involuntary groan; she was ruining him. He bit down softly on her heated flesh, and her right hand came to rest on his head, encouraging his advances. She felt as his hips pushed into her, causing his length to slide across her moist folds and driving her wild. Troy began pulling her body towards him with his hand as he strained into her, massaging her neck with his mouth as he did. She knew he was trying to build up the moment, for her sake, but no building was necessary.

Gabriella let out a long breath in ecstasy, before she could take it no more – his body against hers, his touch, his lips, it sent her into over-drive. She reached between her legs and found his member, and before he could even react to her touch she lined him up and thrust her hips backwards into him. Her flesh yielded to his as his tip opened her up.

"Ouuuhh," Troy grunted at the sudden change, and he surrendered to his temptress. It was as if he went on auto-pilot, Troy suddenly made movement to position himself so that when he thrust, his length slid further into her. This new angle felt WAY too good, and did nothing for his control. She was so TIGHT around him, oh GOD was she tight. He couldn't help it, his hips started thrusting, and his penis pushed in and out of her at a rapid pace. His breath became heavy against Gabriella's neck, the only thing he wanted more than release was to bring her there with him…but his body had other plans.

"Uuuuuugh…" he let out, SHIT he was going to cum. Troy quickly adjusted his body to a better access position and was able to push in his full length, FINALLY. Gabriella moaned, this new arrangement hit her a different way and it felt amazing. Troy retreated slowly, trying to make himself last. SHIT…he could feel himself about to go.

"Baby…" he tried to tell her, to apologize, but before he knew it his hips were grinding into her backside, quickly sliding his length in and out of her. The friction of her warm, wet, stretched walls around him was sending him over the edge, fast. He could hear and feel the suction of her opening pulling him back in as he thrust. Gabriella bit her lip, hard, as she could feel her flesh close then stretch again with each time he pounded into her. Troy's hand came down from her breast and tugged at her lower abdomen – pulling her into him as much as he pushed into her. In what seemed like no time at all Troy felt it, the point of no return: SHIT. No no no no no no no no..please please please please! He begged his body not to go so soon, but it was too late. Troy grunted loudly with each of his last few thrusts and then his limbs started spazing as he made one final push deep within her. He strained his hips forward into her as his hand clamped down on her lower abdomen locking her into him.

"Ooooh… .." Troy said as he felt himself release inside her and the orgasm sent a shock through his body. FUCK…had he ever felt a bigger release/relief than that? Gabriella wasn't disappointed in Troy's lack of stamina, it was normal after such a long "dry-spell" but what she didn't expect was to FEEL his liquid shoot inside her. It felt like this warm pressure deep, deep below her belly. She had never experienced it before, but she liked it.

Troy twitched a few times as he had subsequent spurts come out of him, he could still feel her pulsating around his sex. And…he was still hard. He used this to his advantage and continued thrusting. Gabriella felt as Troy's hand came down and began rubbing circles into her clit, her breath caught as she felt the friction increase. The knot within her wound tighter and tighter as the gooey, warm, mess inside her aided in Troy's advance and retreat. Between Troy's length inside her and his hand massaging her Gabriella could feel herself getting close – it was RIGHT there.

"Oh, Troy…" she moaned. Troy for his part frantically grinded into her, hoping she came before he lost his slowly diminishing erection. Suddenly Gabriella called out in a loud groan and he felt her walls clamp down impossibly hard on him – it was suffocating. He plunged deep within her, thinking it wouldn't be long until his arousal was gone. Gabriella breathed deeply, swallowing hard, and then gasping for air.

"Wow," was all she said. Troy's hand lay still at her apex, coated in so many different liquids.

"How did you?" she asked finally.

"No clue…maybe just…it's been so long and everything."

"I could feel it when you…" she bit her lip, "when you came."

"Huh?"

"I'd never felt it before, but this time when it went into me…I could feel it."

She had felt him ejaculate into her? He had one guess as to why.

"I wonder why that is?" she inquired.

"Well…I mean…it's been a while since-"

"Since we were together."

"Yeeeaaah…but, more to the point…a while since I…released," he said slowly, and with slight embarrassment, "It was…kind of…'backed-up' I guess."

"Sooooo….that means there was more than usual?" Gabriella asked innocently. Her innocence was true. There was still a lot about sex she didn't know about. Troy and her had only been intimate since the summer, so not very long. And they weren't together every day, so their times together were not very many.

"Yeah…" Troy said carefully. He of course knew this from his own experience, and during the summer they hardly EVER did it without a condom, so it was he that could see the build up after removing it.

"Huh….well…I liked it."

"Yeah…well...don't get any ideas," Troy warned.

Gabriella giggled, she knew he meant: don't think about making him wait longer JUST so he can have a bigger load. Troy's erection had finally subsided inside her, and he kissed the back of her neck as the left arm of his she laid on wrapped her tightly towards him. It was only 3am, they had plenty of more hours to cuddle and sleep. Now that Troy got his release it was A LOT easier, he was still horny, but it only consumed 70% of his brain, not 99%. Gabriella sighed as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall asleep.

Gabriella woke up, and saw early morning light poking through the shades. She looked at the clock: 6:30am. She glanced over at Troy, who had rolled away from her at some point and was on his back. She frowned in sympathy as she realized Troy was once again erect through the hole of his boxers. Poor boy, she thought. She really had to use the bathroom and very carefully climbed over Troy. Her bare feet hit the floor and she tip-toed to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom she realized her top was up by her neck, her breasts exposed – when did that happen?

Troy woke suddenly when he felt a body's weight upon him. He took in a sharp breath of panic and half opened his eyes,

"Gabriella?" She was straddling him, one foot on the floor, and her other knee was on his opposite side.

"Sorry!" she whispered. She pushed herself off the floor to try and roll over him, he felt her efforts and used his hands at her waist to aid her. Once she was back in bed Troy groaned to see he still had an erection.

He had woken up at around 5:30am to discover his left hand covering her breasts, his right hand still in her folds, AND he had gone hard inside her. He was humiliated, he couldn't help but feel like he was doing things to her against her will, even though he knew she wouldn't see it that way at all. He wasn't sure how they managed not to move that whole time. He wasn't sure if she had been awake so he decided to test it: he rubbed small circles with his right hand, thinking she would have stirred at his touch on her vagina. She didn't, but inwardly her walls gripped him tighter for a moment. He couldn't stay inside her like that; he could feel their sexes pulsating with each other. He had retreated slowly, so as not to disturb her, but she had moaned and wiggled closer to him. He wasn't sure what that had meant: did she not want him to pull out? He had let himself slide back in the few inches he had retreated. "Uugh." No, he couldn't take it, it was torture – he craved the friction too much. He had made an executive decision and he slowly, and carefully slid his length from her, inch by inch, but Gabriella again grinded her hips back and took him back within her. As Troy felt that friction he gritted his teeth, shit that felt good. Gabriella sub-consciously rotated her hips back and forth slightly, only a couple inches. "Oooh God…" Troy breathed, he was wound pretty tight and the friction she created was too much. He let himself sink fully within her, hugging her to him, and with the highest concentration and control…slowly pulled away and out until his tip slipped out and slapped lightly against her bottom leg. He had rolled away from her, his left arm trapped under her, and laid next to her on his back.

And now here he was, still, on his back, just as he was: sticking straight up. Troy groaned inwardly. Gabriella was now settling herself next to him, curled up, her back to him.

"Everything okay, babe?" Troy grumbled, his voice cracking, half-asleep.

"No," was her reply, her voice sounded upset.

Troy re-opened his eyes, trying to wake himself up from his half-conscious state, "What's wrong, baby?" He rolled onto his side and pulled the covers up over her. He dozed slightly as he rubbed her upper arm with his hand.

"The Gods are against us."

Troy sighed, "Huh?"

"And Mother Nature."

"Whaaat?..." Troy's voice was groggy, matching his current brain state. "How is Mother—" Oh. He wracked his brain, begging for it to function. When he had woken up earlier his girlfriend was basically naked beside him, when he woke a moment ago to her climbing over him she was wearing shorts and his baggy Wildcat t-shirt…her clothes, her upset, and the Gods and Mother Nature being against them could only mean one thing. Troy went under the blanket and cuddled up to her, keeping their lower halves separated, the last thing she would want is a hard-on poking her in the butt.

"How are you feeling?" he cooed into her ear after kissing it.

She shrugged, "No cramps yet."

"Well, that's good…I don't like when my girl is in pain."

"Yeah, you can go home early if you want," her reasoning being that he was obviously in a certain state and cuddling her probably didn't help.

"What are you kidding?" He kissed her cheek, "I want to spend as much time with you as I can, no matter what time of the month."

She smiled, he was so sweet. "You don't have to."

"I want to," he answered before placing another kiss to her shoulder.

LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLT

The next time Gabriella woke, she was in pain. Her lower abdomen twisted and churned – it felt like her insides were being put through a meat grinder. She whimpered in pain.

"Troy?" her voice was strained, "Troooy?" she said louder. He didn't answer, so this time she elbowed him lightly, "Troy."

She heard his quick intake of breath, "Huh?!" he let out in a hoarse voice. He registered the sound of her voice and her tense body,

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"Can you get me the Advil from the bathroom cabinet?"

Troy kissed her temple, and then yawned, "Yeah, sure." He rolled away from her and sleepily, but speedily, made his way to the bathroom. He didn't think to knock, and he wished he had because when he opened the door he found Sarah standing there in a tank top and underwear.

"Ah!" she yelled in surprise.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Troy exclaimed, covering his eyes.

"It's my fault, I should have locked it!" she offered, "It's fine, I'm not naked Troy."

Troy knew that, but still didn't want to look at his girlfriend's suitemate in her underwear, and braless under a tight tank-top. "I just need the Advil."

"Troy…um…"

"What?" he peeked out from under his fingers, avoiding her body with his eyes, thinking she might be handing him the Advil.

"You might…you might want to cover yourself actually…" she said in a whisper.

SHIT. He didn't even think about the fact that he had never put himself back inside his boxers. His hands flashed to his groin, covering himself, at least he wasn't hard.

"Don't worry…I didn't really see."

"Can I just have the Advil, please?" he was really embarrassed and really frustrated now. She reached into the cabinet and supplied the bottle, Troy took the least necessary hand and took it from her,

"Thanks..and sorry again," keeping his eyes averted he left the bathroom and closed the door. GOD! UGH! Awesome…Gabriella's suitemate whom she had been warning Troy about before had just seen his manhood. Nothing could go wrong there! It was an accident, she'd have to understand, it's actually kind of funny when you think about it…right? Damnit. College life man…what a trip. He put himself back in his boxers, an act he didn't really want to do with Sarah watching.

"How many do you want, baby?"

"Four," she groaned.

"Four? Are you sure? How about three?" His voice was sweet and babying.

"Trust me…four," she said again. Not about to argue with her, Troy spilled four pills into his hand and then kneeled on the bed next to her.

"Here ya go, babe."

She turned towards him, "Thank you." She took the bottle of water from him.

"Here, sweetie, sit up." He lifted her up to a seated position, "Hold out your hand." She did and he dropped the four Advil into it. One by one she swallowed the pills and then handed Troy the water bottle back. She curled back into a ball. Troy looked at the clock, it was 8:15, he had a little time. He crawled back into bed and pulled Gabriella to his chest.

LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLT

Troy jumped awake to a ringing: his phone alarm. It was 8:50am. He kissed Gabriella's head.

"You have to leave now don't you?"

"Not quite…but soon. Go back to sleep sweetheart."

Troy didn't know it but Gabriella hadn't slept a wink the last 35 minutes, the pain was too much and the pills had only JUST begun numbing the pain. She had been awake for Troy's light snoring, and for little Troy to make a re-appearance against her butt. Troy kissed her cheek,

"Feeling any better?" His voice was soft and soothing.

"Beginning to."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Not right now, thank you," she replied in a small, high-pitched voice.

"Aw…well let me know baby, okay?"

She nodded.

"I'm going to grab a shower," he told her and kissed her head. A COLD shower.

Troy boxers were soiled from their act, and he didn't really want to go commando in his jeans. The shower had subdued his hard-on, thankfully, and he was in need of clothes. Luckily…his girlfriend had an affinity for stealing his clothing.

"Hey…babe…where do you keep my clothes?" He whispered loudly across the room.

"Bottom drawer."

He opened the bottom drawer and was shocked at how much was there: 3 pairs of gym shorts, close to 10 t-shirts, 3 beanies, a long sleeve shirt, 2 plaid button downs, a sweater, and a crew neck sweat shirt. Seriously?! Not having the heart to steal all his things back, he only grabbed a pair of gym shorts. He dropped the towel around his waist and then slid the shorts on. He then slipped on the V-neck shirt he had been wearing the day before. He moved around the room, cleaning up. He gathered all his clothes to take with him, then picked up all her discarded clothing and threw them in her hamper. He checked his cell phone, it was 9:10am, he had just enough time to run to his place and change into real clothes before heading to class. He sat down and put on his socks and then laced up his converse before kneeling on the bed over Gabriella,

"I'm going to carry you to your bed okay?"

"Okay," she said nodding. He slid his hands under her and cradled her to his chest before standing up. With one hand he gripped the pillows and carried her into the adjacent room, dropped the pillows, and pulled back the covers before laying her down.

"Do you need anything, baby?" he kissed her cheek.

She shook her head, "Not except you…" she pouted.

"Awww..babyyy…you know I wish I could stay and take care of you." His heart melted, if he didn't have that essay due in class he would probably skip it. "I love you, Gabriella."

"Love you," she replied in a small voice. He kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment before leaning away again. He took the covers and tucked her in snuggly, "Feel better, sweetie."

"Thank you."

"Call me later, okay?"

She nodded.

"Try to have a good day, baby."

"You too."

He kissed her cheek, "Okay, let me know if you need anything – I can come after practice if you want okay?"

She nodded.

"Alright…maybe don't go to your 10:20 today…"

"I'll see how I'm feeling."

"Okay…" he kissed her temple, "I gotta go, baby…love you." He tucked her hair behind her ear and then kissed the corner of lips. He stood up and walked into the other room, folding the blanket, tossing the sheet into her hamper, and putting the futon back into a couch position. He grabbed his blue beanie and pulled it over his wet hair, it was 9:15, and he had to jet out of there.

Troy walked down the tunnel leading into the basketball arena as he texted back Gabriella,

I'm glad you're feeling better baby, but just say the word and I'll drive down after practice.

His phone buzzed moments later with her response.

That's sweet of you Troy, but I think I'm just going to turn in early tonight.

He typed back:

Well, sleep well sweetheart. I'll text you when I'm out in case you're still up. Call me if you need me. Love you.

He put away his phone as he walked in the door, and was surprised to find Phil arguing with a girl.

"I've been here a THOUSAND times!"

"I'm sorry, but you need a pass young lady."

"I TOLD YOU…I HAVE ONE BUT I FUCKING FORGOT IT!" she said to him like he was deaf and dumb.

"Go get it."

"I live 30 minutes away!"

"Not my problem."

"You've SEEN me here genius, why can't you just fucking let me in!?"

"I don't remember you."

"Well then CLEARLY you need your eyes checked too!" She threw up her hands in frustration. Troy hesitantly neared the desk.

"Ah! Troy! What's up my brother?" Phil said as Troy walked past the desk, not wanting to get involved.

"Not much man."

"You're letting HIM through!" the girl bellowed. Troy glanced back and then realized he knew the girl. It was the same girl who he knocked over with the door. He stopped in his tracks.

"He's a player."

"Look, I know you guys treat them like fucking GODS around here – but I, unlike him, actually have a job to do. They don't pay me to argue with daft security guards!"

Troy walked back to the desk, "Phil, she's with me."

Phil gave him a look of horror, "Are you sure about that?"

Troy chuckled, "Yeah…I know her."

"Well…good luck with that," he motioned with his hand that she could continue on. She walked past,

"Well, THANKS for NOTHING asshole!" she turned back as she followed behind Troy, "FURTHER proof athletes get all the free passes, and idiots like-" She was cut off when Troy grabbed her arm and gently pulled her so she turned forward. She yanked her arm from his grasp,

"Let go of me!"

Troy put his hands up in the air, "Sorry….you're welcome." He continued walking and she followed.

"I didn't ask for your help," she answered bitterly.

"Yet…you didn't object to accepting it."

"Well I didn't have much choice, just like I didn't have a choice when you helped my face into a door…almost didn't recognized you without your 11 on Ones."

"You know…you might find that if you are NICE to people they are more willing to do you favors…"

"I'm not nice to you, and you did me a favor," she pointed out as they walked down the rounded hallway that ran backstage around the arena.

"Well…" he said opening a dividing door and letting her walk through before following, "I'm a sucker I guess."

"Or a moron."

Troy laughed, "You're so charming, I see why Phil likes you so much."

She scoffed. "Phil?"

"Oh I'm sorry, you refer to him as a blind, idiotic asshole giving special treatment to athletes and keeping you from doing your job." They reached the locker room, and Troy stopped. "That's not cool by the way, Phil's a good guy."

She stopped too, "Yeah…whatever."

"Look," Troy said opening the door to the locker room, "YOU are the one who forgot your pass…and you need that pass to get into your place of work to do your job, so it's your responsibility to bring it. Seems to me it was YOU keeping you from doing your job, not Phil."

She thought about what he said a moment, her face almost showing regret, "Maybe…" she started, "It didn't help to yell at the guy."

"That was ALMOST an apology…we're getting somewhere. See ya around Riker," Troy said stepping into the locker room and let the door shut behind him.

"SEE…ya…Ones…" she started to yell to him, but then her voice quieted and trailed off as the door shut.

LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLT

Troy felt better than he had in weeks as the coaches ran the team through drills and had them run plays. Troy dove for a loose ball, beating his defender Kalin to it.

"Nice hustle Bolton!" Troy was astonished, that might have been the first compliment Coach Masters had given him…ever. The plays were running smoothly, and everything seemed to be in sync for once. Maybe all his hard work and extra time in the gym was finally paying off.

"Grab some water!" Coach Cleaves called out. The players ran to the drink cooler and Troy went to the free throw line, sinking one shot before Coach Masters yelled at him,

"Bolton! Stop trying to improve your 92% free throw average and grab some water."

Troy smiled to himself, "Yes, coach!" He trotted off to the sideline and snagged a water bottle.

"Did you have your Wheaties this morning or what?" Travis asked him.

Troy chuckled, "Nah…just hard work, might wanna try it some time McLean." He punched him playfully in the shoulder.

"Guy gets one compliment from Coach and suddenly he's all cocky," Travis smirked.

"Nope, McLean, I've always been cocky, but it's nice of you to finally notice!" Troy joked.

"Pssh, whatever Bolton, you're trippin today," he shoved Troy playfully.

They were ending the practice with a scrimmage and Troy's team was up by a basket. One of the post players threw a lazy pass to Troy and before he could get to it Kalin picked it off. As Kalin swerved towards the sideline to gain control of the ball, Troy sprinted down the court and positioned himself in front of Kalin's path, setting his feet, and putting his hands in front of his lap. Kalin blew into him, knocking Troy over, and then made the basket. Troy hit the ground, hard, on his back.

"Ooooo!" players called out.

"Damn!" Troy heard some say.

"Way to get back and take the charge 11!" Coach Cleaves called out. "K – you gotta see that and swerve to avoid it." Kalin put his hand out to Troy,

"You alright?" Troy grabbed his hand and Kalin pulled him to his feet.

"Yeah yeah," he answered, but when he straightened all the way he felt his back twinge. His hand immediately went to his lower back as he winced slightly.

"Bolton!" he heard Coach Masters call to him, "You okay?"

"Yeah Coach!" Troy put his hand up to wave his assurance, but the coach trotted over to him anyway.

"Did you fall on your tailbone or something?" He turned Troy around and lifted the back of his jersey to examine Troy's back.

"No, it's just a little tweak, it's nothing Coach."

"Well," he said lowering Troy's jersey back down, "Let the trainer decide that. Get it checked out after practice."

"Coach, I-" Troy stopped when he looked at his Coach's 'no non-sense' face. "Yes, sir."

LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLT

"Does that hurt?" the trainer, who was actually the girl's basketball trainer and filling in for the boys basketball guy, asked Troy as he lay face down on the trainer's bench and she applied pressure to his bare back.

"A little," Actually…kind of more than he'd hoped. Her fingers moved slightly and she applied pressure again,

"Anything?" She pressed again and this time Troy jerked slightly.

"It's not that bad," Troy insisted.

"You're right…it's not, but it still needs ice, and some rest." She pressed a few more times. "Okay, you can sit up. How did you do this?"

Troy sat up before answering her question, "I fell on my back."

"In practice?"

"No…well, yeah, today I did, but I fell while ice skating yesterday too…and also the day before goofing around."

"So…clearly you need to take a break from falling. I'm going to recommend to Declan that he tell you to be icing it every day, especially after practice, and exercising caution when it comes to your practice and activities. 90% speed for you – no diving for balls or taking charges until this heals up."

Troy's heart sank, as SOON as he started feeling in the groove he was put on "90%". But he was hopeful that the boys' trainer Declan would disagree with her.

"How long?"

"It's hard to say Troy, could be a week, could be a few weeks."

"A few weeks?! But we have Midnight Madness in a few weeks!"

"Well, then I suggest you take my advice seriously…the more you push it and don't follow the rehab regimen the longer it will take."

Troy sighed.

"It could be a lot worse, you can still play Troy."

"Yeah, you're right," he said somewhat glumly.

"Alright, I'm going to attach an ice bag to you and then send you on your way." She went over to the cooler and grabbed a small bag of ice and then reached for the cellophane roll.

"It's going to be a little cold," she said as she placed a thin cloth pad on the afflicted spot on Troy's back before applying the ice bag. Troy raised his arms as she used the cellophane to attach the bag by wrapping it over the ice and then several times around Troy's waist.

"There, 20 minutes then take it off. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off – 3 times tonight okay?"

"Got it, thanks Vicki." Troy put his shirt back on and hopped down from the padded bench.

"See Dec tomorrow, I'll talk with him, catch him up to speed."

"Alright, thanks again," Troy said as he exited the trainer room.

AN: After a frustration chapter I hope you guys enjoyed this one...it was a little bit of this and a little bit of that :)

As always, THANK YOU for the reviews! You guys inspire me to write more!

Love always,
MK

PS. In case you didn't catch on, my remedy for not being able to format the way I want is to add "LTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLTLT" when there is a small breakage of time.