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Chapter 11: Yeah, Right

Gabriella was pacing the rooftop garden waiting on Troy to show up. She fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt scared about how he was going to react to her news.

FLASHBACK

"Gab, can I talk to you for a minute?" Kelsi as Gabriella. They'd gotten out of Spanish early after the test and were waiting on the bell to ring. Kelsi had chorus, but Gabriella had free next.

"Sure what's up Kels?" Gabriella asked her friend. Looking around the deserted hallways, Kelsi grabbed Gabriella's wrist and dragged her into the music room. "Kelsi what?" Gabriella gasped out as she withdrew her wrist and began rubbing it.

Kelsi began dancing around, "I knew! I just knew it! So how long has it been going on for? Is it going well? Why is it a secret?" Kelsi babbled on.

Gabriella blanched slightly, but held her composure, "What are you talking about?"

Kelsi rolled her eyes, "You and the Golden Boy." She said, as if it was as obvious as the sky was blue.

Gabriella's mouth formed an Oh shaped, but nothing came out. Walking over to the window she began rubbing her hands up and down her arms, even though she wasn't cold. "It's a long story." She muttered.

"We have 20 minutes, explain missy, and don't worry, I'll keep it a secret." She assured Gabriella. Gabriella turned around and nodded.

"It started with him just protecting me from Helen and friends. Then when my parents died…" her voice trailed off. Taking a deep breath she continued, "he was just there. He never apologized for it, he was just supportive. When he thought I was going to break, he'd have me meet him during lunch or free and I'd cry or talk and he'd just be there. We went for runs to the beach and then just talk or walk in a comfortable silence."

"Okay, so then what?" Kelsi prodded her along

"Then Dylan was in a car accident, his older brother." Gabriella explained, "I was there for him, I offered him a place to go to get away from everything since I don't live near anyone." She smiled, "And he took me off on the offer." Taking another breath, "He and Erin get along really well, he really loves her. And me." She whispered the last part, "He loves me."

Kelsi smiled and took Gabriella's small hand in her own petite one, "Do you love him?"

Gabriella looked up and an unusual smile graced her beautiful face, "More than you can imagine."

"I'll keep it a secret, does anyone else know?" Kelsi asked

"Ryan Evans and Jason Cross figured it out, Ryan caught on really quickly and Jason guessed and confided in Ryan, thankfully, so they know. Please, we're not ready to make a big scene of it. Oh and Troy's parents of course know, they have to know where he disappears too, and then Mrs. Shepard, so I guess a lot of people do know, just none that would flip out or cause problems." Gabriella rambled on.

"Don't worry Gabs, you're secret is safe with me." Kelsi assured her friend.

END OF FLASHBACK

The door to the garden opened. Gabriella jumped about a foot when she felt a hand on her shoulder. A small cry escaped her mouth. "Whoa, baby it's just me." Troy said. He looked at her face and saw that it was covered with worry, "What's wrong?"

"She knows…" Gabriella looked everywhere but at Troy.

"Who's she?" Troy asked nervous

"Kelsi, Kelsi Neilson. Kels knows, she privately confronted me about it today." Gabriella explained, "I'm so sorry, I don't know how she knows Troy. If you want to end whatever this is I'd understand." Gabriella went on and on.

Troy chuckled at her nervousness, leaning down he kissed her, "Anything else to say?" he asked when they pulled back, she shook her head no, "Good. Now, I want to ask you something before we deal with this." Gabriella nodded, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes." Gabriella said in an oddly calm tone, even though inside she was dancing with excitement.

Troy nodded and smiled, "I was hoping you'd say that. Next, don't worry about Kelsi. If she promised not to say anything until we're ready, she'll be there to give you excuses."

Gabriella nodded, "That's what she said, so I guess I overreacted a little." She admitted with a shy smile.

"Just a little, but that's why I love you." Troy tilted her chin up so he could look in her eyes, smiling he leaned down and captured her lips with his own.

When they pulled back they were smiling, going over to the little wooden bench they smiled as they sat down, Troy pulling Gabriella onto his lap. They sat in their usual comfortable silence.

They never had to worry about making conversation, if they wanted to sit then they could, it was never weird or awkward, it was just right. Tory gently played with her hair as she sighed contentedly leaning back into him. Suddenly the door burst open and Jason and Ryan came flying in. Both Gabriella and Tory jolted up.

"Problem." Ryan gasped out of breath

"What?" Gabriella and Troy asked together

"Helen is looking for you." Jason said

"So?" They asked again

"She's coming here, she heard you liked to hang here." Ryan explained

"Well who told her that?" Troy asked angrily

"Sharpay." Ryan and Jason answered in unison

"Shit." Troy muttered. "Okay, El, you go with Jason and Ryan. Keep her out of sight. When you get downstairs separate. If I don't get to talk to you or get a note to you, I'll be home after practice."

Gabriella nodded, "Okay, love you."

"I love you too baby girl." He said, they shared one last kiss as Ryan and Jason slid out the door with Gabriella between them.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs Gabriella looked at them, "Thanks." She said, giving both of them an impulsive peck on the cheek before running in the direction, towards her locker, she'd just go to the library.

"I like her, she's good for Troy." Jason determined, shoving his hands in his pockets as he and Ryan began to roam the school, hoping no one saw them.

Just as Troy sat down and pulled his French book out the door opened again, this time it was Helen and Sharpay, with Zeke and Chad meekly trailing behind. "Baby we've been looking for you everywhere." Helen said going to sit by him.

"Well you found me and for the last time I'm not you're baby." Troy said, getting up and shoving his French book forcefully into his backpack. Placing a cold, stone face on he turned towards his friends. "What do you guys want?"

"Make sure you're okay." Sharpay eyed him up and down, he looked flustered and out of breath, why?

"Well, I'm fine, I just want to be left alone." He hissed, "That's why I come here." He picked his bag up and stormed out of the garden. Turning quickly, "I'm skipping practice today." He told Zeke and Chad before resuming his sprint down the steps.

"What's up with him? He's acting funny." Sharpay declared

"His brother just died honey, give him space for now." Zeke advised his girlfriend.

"Yeah, right…" Sharpay said, not at all convinced.

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Mollie XOXO