AUTHORS NOTE: Okay guys here's the next chapter. It would have been up sooner but my internet connection...ugh, don't even want to talk about it. Thanks for the reviews. Glad to see so many of you guys are liking my story. Yea! Okay onto the chapter.

Chapter 21

Maybe it was the fact that he was out of Albuquerque, and the fact that he was no where near her at the moment, but when he woke up Troy felt the most refresh he had felt in a while. There were no dreams, no worrying, no pining…okay so there still was pining, but at least he was far away doing it.

He removed his arm that was thrown over his eyes and looked outside, seeing that the sun had already set. Lifting his body from the bed he threaded his fingers through his hair, and across his jaw. He really needed to shave. He knew he looked like crap that day but he really did care. Mostly because his mind was still swarming with the alcohol that he had drunk the night before.

He didn't know what was wrong with him. He had been so distraught, so upset, and so depressed that he just wanted to forget. Even if he forgot in a drunken state.

He closed his eyes for a few minutes, wondering…wondering what she was doing right now. Was she out with friends, shopping? Was she with Kade? His stomach dropped at the thought. He knew that she didn't like him but what if she hooked up with him out of loneliness or something.

"Troy?"

He looked up to find his mother sticking her head into his room. He smiled tightly at her.

"Hey mom."

"I know you've only been home for a couple of hours but you have company."

Troy frowned up at his mother, before nodding his head. "Okay, um…I'll be down in a second."

She gave him a tight smile. "Hurry up." She said before rushing out the room.

He wondered who was downstairs. He knew it wasn't Chad, because he would have just come up, and at the current moment he was in Albuquerque with Taylor, plus his mother wouldn't have acted that way if it was Chad.

Getting out of bed, he searched for a t-shirt to slip on, rubbing his hands on his basketball shorts he made his way out of the room and down the stairs.

His heart jumped in his chest and he stopped on the stairs as he looked down at the girl who was standing in the living room. What the hell was she doing here? How did she even know he was home. He sighed deeply, biting his lip as he continued down the stairs.

"Troy!"

Troy suddenly wished he had pockets in his shorts, instead he opted to cross them as he looked down at the green eyed beauty. His eyes narrowed slightly as they roamed over what she was wearing. Even though it was considered winter, it was still pretty warm. He guessed warm enough to wear a sports bra, and a pair of the shortest shorts that Troy had ever seen. Gabriella's gym clothes weren't that short.

"What the hell are you doing here Madison?"

She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waste hugging him. Troy immediately pushed he back. She just smiled as if nothing happened.

"What are you doing here?" He asked her again.

"I wanted to see you." She said simply.

Troy sighed and walked over to the couch sitting down. His eyes followed Madison as she sat next to him as close as possible. Troy moved to the side, scooting a bit away from her but she scooted right along.

"How did you know I here?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Troy it's such a small town. Everyone knew you were back."

Troy had to agree with here. It was a pretty small town. He sighed heavily. Out of all people he did not want Madison to be the one who had to keep him company at the moment. She was the reason why he wasn't with his girlfriend. The reason why Gabriella hated him.

"I've missed you." She said. Her hand made it to his hair, playing with tips. Troy swatted her hand away and once again she pretended as if nothing happened. "I'm glad you're here for a while. We can catch up."

"On what?" he asked tiredly. He felt his stomach growl and wondered if his mother had finished dinner.

"On our lives silly." She giggled. He used to think that it was the sweetest sound that he had ever heard but now it sound like cats in heat. "We didn't get to talk a lot when you were here last time."

"Yeah well maybe I don't want to talk about it now." He snapped at her.

She frowned lightly at him and sighed shaking his head. He watched as she stood up.

"What's wrong?" she asked him.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Oh I don't know maybe the fact that I haven't been home a full twenty four hours and you're here."

"That's not it." She snapped. "I know you Troy. We dated for five years. Just because we broke doesn't mean that I stopped know you. You kinda look ragged, you're eyes have bags so that means you haven't been sleeping well, and I know when you don't sleep well something is worrying you, so what wrong?"

Troy looked at her in surprised. He couldn't believe that she remembered some of his mannerisms. "Nothing that concerns you." He said. Just because he was surprised at her worried tone didn't mean that he still wanted to talk to him.

"Come on Troy. You always felt better after you talked about it."

"And I have. With Chad."

She smiled. "I mean with me. We could talk about anything. What changed?"

Troy looked at as though she lost her mind. "What changed! You broke up with me because I wasn't making enough money. Not only that, but last time you saw me you kissed me after I told you I had a girlfriend and you told me you had a boyfriend. You wanted to cheat on him with me. And you asked what changed?"

Madison shoulders slouched over and she sat back on the couch…a good distance away from him.

She sighed heavily. "I guess I haven't apologized for what I did huh." she said sadly. "I'm sorry Troy. I'm really truly sorry. I guess I acted a bit like a brat. I should have supported you. I don't know why I acted that way. Five years and I blew it huh?"

Troy sighed a bit confused on why she was telling him this. But he nodded in agreement.

"This past year really has been miserable for me." She said, pushing her blond hair back. "I've missed you so much."

Troy looked down on the floor. He had missed her also. At first. He had still wanted to be with her. If you had asked him months ago if Madison took him back would he go he would say yes. But now…he couldn't. He knew that he would never be able to go back to Madison, at least not in that way.

He heard her sigh thoughtfully. "So this little mood you're in. Is it because of this 'girlfriend.' she asked with a smirk.

Troy rolled his eyes. "She's real." he snapped.

She laughed. "Okay okay, she's real. Is she the reason why you all Mr. Depressing?"

Troy shook his head. He really didn't want to be talking about Gabriella and he didn't want to talk about Gabriella with Madison. She had no reason to know about his problems with his girlfriend--well ex-girlfriend.

"God Troy I just wanted to talk. There is no ulterior motive."

He twisted the corner of her mouth, as he thought. She didn't seem to be all over him like she was on Thanksgiving.

"I don't want to talk about her." He said softly.

"Did you two break up?" Madison asked.

He sighed…didn't he just say he didn't want to talk about it.

"You didn't love her did you?" She asked.

Troy looked at her and nodded his head. "Yeah I did."

"Oh. I'm sorry Troy."

He smiled tightly as she leaned in and hugged him. He felt nothing more than a comforting hug and he welcomed it, sighing as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Uh…Troy?"

Troy leaned from Madison as he heard his mother from behind him. He turned around to address her. His mouth dropped open in shock as Gabriella stood beside his mother, her eyes glaring with hate.

As quickly as possible he jumped from the couch wiping his hands guiltily on his shirt. His eyes were wide as he looked at Gabriella who looked up at him with a tight smile, though her eyes suddenly shielded any emotion coming from her.

He scanned her. She wasn't in the same clothes that she was in earlier that day. She had changed into a pair of black tailored pants with a white button up shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun. It was as if she was going to an interview or something.

"Gabriella is here." his mother said snapping him out of his thoughts.

"I see." I gulped. He looked over at Madison who had a surprised look on her face but smiled sweetly up at Gabriella.

"Oh…" Madison said. "You must be Troy's ex. We were just talking about you."

Troy groaned under his breath. Gabriella's eyes snapped towards Madison and he saw that hateful look there again. Maybe it wasn't directed towards him.

"Well…umm…Troy sweetheart, I know you have company but this is your first night home. You're father and I would like to have dinner with you." His mother said looking between the girl then back at Troy with a 'I know what's going on ' look.

"Of course mom. Umm…" He looked between the two girl, not knowing exactly what to say…he felt so uncomfortable.

"Gabriella and Madison, Would you two like to have dinner with us?" His mother asked.

"I would love too Mrs. Bolton. Thank you so much for inviting me." Madison said happily before standing up.

"Yes, I would thanks." Gabriella said quickly her eyes still on Madison.

Troy nodded his head in acceptance before turning around and making his way to the dining room. He felt his arm being hooked by another and he looked down at Madison who smiled innocently up at him. Looking back he watched as Gabriella narrowed her eyes at the touching and he quickly removed himself from her.

His gave his father a smile who was already sitting at the head of the table. Sitting down next to him he turned at the sound of running feet and jumped just a bit as Madison slid into the seat next to his. He looked up at Gabriella who had been walking on the side. She sighed and smiled tightly before going around the table and sitting across from Madison. His mother took her seat next to his father.

"Jack, you of course already know Madison." his mother said. "This is Gabriella, Troy's uh…his uh…"

Troy opened his mouth to answer but Madison of course beat him to it.

"Troy's ex-girlfriend." She said.

Troy felt his father gaze on him before he actually looked up. He had a small smirk on his face and shook his head.

"Well…she's from Albuquerque also." His mother finished.

"Nice to meet you Gabriella." His father declared smiling at her.

Troy relaxed as he saw Gabriella smile genially back at his father. "You also Mr. Bolton. You have a beautiful home."

"Thank you. Gotta give credit to my wife. She fashioned it up."

His mother blushed at the compliment, and thanked Gabriella when she complimented her also. Troy had the feeling that she was trying to impress his parents and so far it was working.

The food was passed out and the eaten had began. Troy talked mostly with his father about basketball, knowing that it would probably be uncomfortable if he paid too much attention to either of the girls. Though he didn't miss the glares that went between them. Especially when Madison would accidentally brush against him. Troy had moved bit by bit more closer to his father ever time he felt her feet on his leg.

"So Gabriella, how did you and Troy meet?" His mother said, noticing the tension between the girls.

Troy heart stopped as he looked over at Gabriella. She still had a pleasant smile on her face and didn't face his way when she started to answer. Would she tell them the truth? Was Chad right? Would she tell the truth out of revenge. Was that the reason she was here?

"Well we met at school."

Oh God… oh no.

"I teach Health at East High."

Troy's mouth struggled not to fall open at her statement. she glanced up at him giving him a small smile. He could feel his body real as he smiled back at her, revealed that she didn't blurt out the truth.

"Wow, that sounds like a fun class to teach." his mother continued.

Gabriella laughed. "Yeah it can be. Especially the students, their expressions on some of the subjects would make anyone laugh."

"Madison here said that you were Troy's ex, " Jack said eating a bit of mash potatoes. Madison looked very pleased that her name was brought up and Gabriella was put on the spot. "How long ago did you two break up?"

"Dad?" Troy whispered fiercely at him. His father raised his shoulders in a shrug.

"Oh well…" Gabriella said looking quickly down at the table before looking up at Troy. "That was actually one of the reason why I came here. I'm sorry that I interrupted you're Troy time." she said with a smile. "But I needed to talk to him as soon as possible and he wasn't picking up his phone."

Troy shifted in his seat. She had of course called, but Troy hadn't really wanted to speak with her, terrified of the things that she might have said.

"How long did you two date dear?" His mother asked.

"About three months." Gabriella answered.

"Three months?" Madison said leaning into Troy. "Wow that compares nothing on how long Troy and I've been together. What was it…about five years Troy?"

Troy frowned at Madison shaking his head slightly.

Gabriella glared at Madison. "Yes, five years is a long time, but as I recall you broke his heart after those five long years and decide that Troy wasn't enough for you. You may have known him longer but I know him better."

Troy sighed softly looking at his father who had a huge grin on his face. Why the fuck was he smiling? Couldn't he see there was going to be a huge argument happening if someone didn't stop it. He looked over at his mother who was grinning also, but she was looking over at Gabriella. What the--what was with the smiling?

"Oh sweetie, you think, in that small little mind of yous that you know Troy better than I do, but you're highly mistaken." She scanned Gabriella's body with a sneer. "I can understand why Troy broke up with you, as cold looking as you are sitting there I'm betting you're even colder in bed. Am I right Troy?" Madison bit out.

"For you're information, not that you need it I broke up with Troy. Plus, I make Troy scream my name, I'm sure something that you've never done." Gabriella scanned her body also. "I'm sure Troy was glad to get rid of a slut like yourself. Going to dinner in a bra and panties…very classy."

Troy cleared his throat trying to get the attention at the two angry females that sat across from each other.

"Come dear, there is something I want to show you." His mother stood up.

Troy shook his head. "No…um…mom dad stay…please. I'm sorry about this. I--"

"Don't be sorry boy. This is every guys fantasy." his father said looking from girl to girl. Troy rolled his eyes.

"Oh I'll give you a fantasy Jack Bolton if you don't get up from this table right now." His mother slapped him on the arm grabbing her and his plate before disappearing into the kitchen. His father sighed heavily looking at Troy. "good luck." he whispered before following his wife.

Troy sighed. Oh what great parents. "Madison, Gabriella…do we have to talk about this right now?"

Gabriella eyes snapped towards his narrowing a bit. She looked around noting that his parents had left. A smile formed on her face.

"Oh yes Troy we do have to talk about it. We have to talk about why this little fucker decided to place her slutty lips on my boyfriend."

"You're boyfriend? Last I realized, Troy was very much single." Madison retaliated

"You know what I mean. Thanksgiving."

Troy felt himself blush at the kiss that had happened. Not because he liked it, but because Gabriella had found out. He felt a liquid of guilt pour into his stomach. He knew that she was upset with him. Was that a reason why she came, to confront him and Madison?

"It's not my fault that you were such a disappointment, that you're then boyfriend wanted something a little bit better."

"Whoa! That's not true. You just--" He tried to explain.

"Shut up Troy!" Gabriella snapped.

Troy groaned as Gabriella stood up. He really hoped that she wasn't touch Madison. He didn't want a fight to break out in his parents home. Gabriella made her way swiftly around the table to stand right in front of Madison. Troy scooted his chair back standing in front of the two girls.

"Listen you whore if you ever, touch Troy I will fuck you up. You have no idea how much of a bitch I can be."

Madison smirked and stood up. They were standing almost nose to nose.

"And you have no idea how much of a bitch I can be Gabriella. I will destroy you."

Troy shook his head. Okay he had really had enough with both Gabriella and Madison, at least both of them at the same time.

"Okay, Madison, I think it would be a good time for you to leave." He said.

Madison scoffed. "What and leave you here with bitch-zilla?"

Gabriella smiled shaking her head slowly. Clearing her throat she turned towards Troy. "I'm going to the bathroom. You talk to her, and when I get back, I want her gone."

Troy rolled his eyes at Gabriella. He didn't like how she just demanded him to do something, and she would be hearing about her little attitude, though for right now he would do what she wanted. He wanted to speak to Gabriella. He had been waiting for weeks to talk to her and Madison wasn't going to interrupted that. He watched as she walked away disappearing.

Turning towards Madison he shook his head disappointingly at her.

"What?" She said innocently.

"What was that? How could you--"

"Don't blame this all on me Troy. She was the one who insulted me. If anything you should be talking to her about her treatment of me."

Troy pushed his hair back and Madison smiled.

"I've always loved when you did that." she said wispily.

"Madison. You really need to go. I want to talk to Gabriella."

"Are you going to reprimand her on how she treated me."

"No. I'm going to try and get back with her." He announced. "I love her."

"What?" Madison gasped. "How could you go back to that--"

"Shut up Madison. You've already called her out of her name a few times don't do it again." He sighed deeply a bit tired. "Maddie you need to go. Now."

"Fine." she smiled up at him. "Will you call me tomorrow?"

Troy gave her a confused look. "Why?''

"So we can hang out."

"Why?" he asked again.

"Because I miss you and I want to spend time with you."

"Madison you broke up with me. I asked you to reconsider and you said no. I don't want to--"

"Well I'm reconsidering now."

"What about your boyfriend?" he asked with a bit of disgust.

"What boyfriend." she shrugged. "there is no more boyfriend."

Troy shook his head. He took her by the arm and led her out of the dining room. "You need to go."

"Okay okay." they walked into the living room where Madison grabbed her purse.

"I thought I wanted her out by the time I came back." Gabriella said walking back in.

"She's leaving Gabriella. Calm down." Troy said. He led Madison towards the front door. "Goodbye Madison."

"Bye baby." She said glaring at Gabriella, a smirk on his face.

"You fucking--" Gabriella seethed.

The door slammed shut.

Troy turned to look at Gabriella. Neither one of them said anything as they walked towards her slowly. His heart raced, and he felt as his palms sweat. Wiping them on his shorts he grabbed her hand and led her back to the living room. They sat down on the large plush couch.

Troy's mind filled with questions, and he tried to figure out which one to ask her first without upsetting her.

"Why the hell was she here?" Gabriella snapped suddenly. "Last I remembered you couldn't stand her after what she did to you."

"And last I remembered, you broke up with me so I don't see how it's any of you're business." He snapped back. He turned away from her closing his eyes. He did not mean to say that at least not in that tone.

He heard her sigh. "Why do you think I'm here Troy?"

"I don't know. Maybe you've come to get revenge or cuss me out about the whole Madison thing."

"Revenge?" She asked with a bit of anger in her voice. "What you thought I was going to tell you're parents the truth about us or something? Do you really think I'd sink that low?"

Troy shook his head. "No, but then what are you doing here?"

She took a deep breath and scooted closer to him. "Well I came here for two things. The first was to beat Madison's ass for what she did on Thanksgiving. Taylor told me all about it. And although I'm a bit pissed that you didn't tell me, I can get over it. I can't get over her kissing you though. And second I came to apologize. I guess I was a bit to dramatic about her calling and the whole plan b thing. I'm sorry."

Troy felt as though thousands of fireworks were erupting inside his chest. She was sorry! Thank god! He wanted to crush her tiny body in his arms, and run his fingers though her hair. He wanted to throw her down on the couch and make love to her over and over again. But he didn't do any of that. She still hadn't said that she wanted to get back together with him. He would take her back in a second. There was no question.

"She's really pretty." Gabriella said suddenly. Troy frowned at her confused at her statement. "Madison." She confessed. "She's beautiful. I can see why you fell for her."

Troy shook his head. "She's alright I guess, but you blow her out of the park Gabi. Everything that you are can't compare to her."

She smiled brightly. Troy watched with fascinated eyes as her tongue darted out to lick her lips. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"Troy would you be--"

"So Madison is gone huh?"

The two turned around to see Troy's father and mother walk into the living room. Troy smiled tightly hoping that what Gabriella was getting ready to say would be what he wanted her to say. Parent's were always interrupting things. He nodded, answering his mother's question.

"Yeah uh…she left."

"Mr. and Mrs. Bolton. I'm truly sorry for my behavior earlier. I shouldn't have disrespected your home that way."

Troy cocked an eyebrow at Gabriella as she put on her best angle façade. He watched as his parents sat down shaking their heads.

"Don't worry about it dear." his mother said. "I'm actually glad you put her in her place. I've never really liked her."

Troy nodded his head. That was true. Ever since he first introduced Madison to his parents they hadn't always thought the best of her.

"I'm guessing there was no girl fright huh son." his father joked. "That would have been something to see."

"Jack!" his mother snapped a light blush on her face.

Troy laughed and glanced over at Gabriella who had a smile on her face.

"Believe me if Troy wasn't there, it would have been."

"So. Gabriella." his mother said loudly wanting to get off the conversation. "When are you going back and where are you planning on staying tonight?"

Gabriella sighed. "Well I really had no plans but to come down and talk to Troy. I guess I'm staying at a hotel. I found one not far away from here."

"What about Christmas?" she asked. "Don't you visit you're family?"

"umm…actually they themselves have gone away for the holidays."

Troy lips tightened in a angry line. He should have known that her parents probably wouldn't have stayed in town for Christmas with their daughter. He wondered where they went this time.

"Well you have to stay here! With us. We have enough room. The hotel can get quite expensive, and I'm sure your teacher salary can only buy so much."

Troy glanced over at Gabriella who was nodding quickly at his mother. God he hoped this wasn't going to blow up in his face.

"Well if you're sure you're alright I would be happy to stay over for the holidays."

"This is great!" His mother screeched. Troy gave her a shaky smile, he hadn't seen his mother this excited in a while. "I'm so happy to have another female in the house." she said.

Gabriella laughed along with his mother. A few minutes later his mother grabbed Gabriella taking her upstairs to show her the room she would be staying in. Troy looked over at his father who was staring him down with a smirk on his lips.

"So, did you figure it out yet?" His father asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you, Gabriella, and Madison?"

Troy shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure what Madison is thinking about."

"I think she might want to get back with you. Are you willing to go back to her? I mean you two were together for a while." his father said.

"If you would have asked me that months ago I probably would have said yes. But I don't love her dad. Not anymore." Troy said slowly but surely.

"And Gabriella…you love her?"

Troy bit his lip nodding slowly as a smile filled his face. "I do."

****

Troy shifted in his bed sighing heavily. The ringing in his dream was becoming annoying and he tried to shut it off in his mind. It had taken him forever to actually fall asleep, knowing that Gabriella was sleeping right next to him, and he couldn't lay next to her. They still hadn't had to talk about when they were going to get back together. So when he finally did get back to sleep even though sunrise was upon them, he wanted to sleep, but that damn ringing.

He finally opened his eyes to realize that the ringing wasn't in his dream and in fact it was very much real. Groaning, his arm reached out to find his phone. Scanning the dresser next to him his hand finally touched his phone. Bringing it to his face where he could see where to push the answer button he brought it up to his ear, not bothering with who was calling.

"What?" He grumbled.

"That bitch slashed my tires!!"

Troy winced removing the phone from his ear. Sitting up with a sigh he brought the phone back to his ear.

"Who is this?"

"Madison. Troy that psycho slashed my tires!"

"Who?"

"Gabriella. I got up to go to the gym and my tires were slashed. All of them."

Troy shook his head from sleep. "Madison, she wouldn't be able to do that. First of all she doesn't even know where you live. Second, she's in her room sleep."

"I know it was her Troy! That little fucker--"

"Madison, really you're talking bullshit. Gabriella would never do that. So I'm sorry about the whole someone slashing tires thing but Gabriella wouldn't do something like that."

"But--"

"I'm going back to sleep. Bye."

Hanging up on her Troy looked into the darkness of his room. He wouldn't put it pass Gabriella to do something like that, but Gabriella didn't know where she was at let alone where Madison lived. He shook his head. If she did do something like that he wondered if he would get upset at her. He sighed getting up from the bed.

Opening the door he made his way towards the Gabriella's room. Taking a few steps he stopped when a noise coming from downstairs. Cocking an eyebrow Troy turned and made his way slowly down the stairs.

Pausing on the middle stair his eyes scanned the living room dark corners looking for anything that could have made any noise. Holding his breath he listened intensely on any other sound that might come about. Sighing softly he turned back around to go and check on Gabriella.

"Shit."

Troy turned around quickly at the whispered painful word. Going the rest of the way down the stairs as quietly as he could Troy picked up a valuable vase that was sitting on the a small table. There was no way he was going to be approached un armed.

Walking towards the kitchen where he heard the noise Troy lifted the vase ready to defend himself at any means necessary. Taking a deep breath he cut on the light and was ready to launch himself and the vase at the intruder.

"What the hell!"

Troy's heart fell to his feet as his eyes scanned over Gabriella who was standing with her hands face up in a defending pose. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he took in her appearance. She sure didn't look as though she had gotten out of bed for a midnight snack, seeing how she was dressed in a pair of jeans and a nice black fitted graphic t-shirt, her hair in perfect curls around her shoulders. He knew then that she damn well hadn't been asleep.

Setting the vase down on a counter he shook his head. "Please don't tell me you did it?"

She frowned at him, lowering her hands. "Did what?" she asked innocently.

Troy sighed, "Please don't tell me that you slashed her tires?"

"Whose?"

Troy bit back a hard reply. "Madison's."

Gabriella shook her head with an eye roll. "Now come on Troy. You should know me better than that." she said with a sneaky smile.

AUTHORS NOTE: So how did you like it. I think I might put some more Gabi and Madison scenes...not sure yet. But yes review review, let me know what you think.

PS AUTHORS NOTE: Just gotta say this...Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince was....the best! Very good.