Winter Romance Chapter 21- A new meaning to Sunset

She had only a few hours more before it. The olive skinned brunette still could not find something to wear! She had no idea where Troy would bring her and Troy didn't give her any clue on what she was expected to dress, so how could she pick the appropriate one?

Gabriella scratched her head in frustration. This was tougher than doing science, she frowned in irritation

She wanted the date to be perfect for the both of them because she as looking forward to this since she came to East High!

Should she dress really formal, perhaps casual or half- way in between? She thought hard as she stared at her wardrobe. This was frustrating! She crashed into her bed in irritation as she pondered hard over it.

It can't be that good, can it? She thought suddenly as she stared at her ceiling, that the relationship would work out. The last failed relationship was still on her mind. Now that Troy isn't around to distract her, she began to brood over the new relationship seriously.

"I had only decided to date with a boring person like you because you will make a good sport at night.."

Troy is sweet, good-looking, popular and a nice guy to be with, can she even match up? Such negative thoughts assaulted her mind, making her question if choosing to be with him would be a good choice for the both of them. Was this what he really wanted? She wondered. She stood up and walked to the balcony for some sun.

"Let's start again. Hi, I am Troy. I love playing basketball."He extended his hand towards her

"Hi, I am Gabriella and I love dancing." Gabriella smiled as she took his hand.

She could remember that time when they both held each other hand as a way to greet. She could feel a jolt from their contact.

She had never felt this way with another male, not even with that Sean and she liked that jerk for ages. Was it alright to go on with it?

Gabriella lay on her bed, with great uncertainty. She wasn't looking forward to that date as much as she did a couple of hours ago.

She thought about her first embrace with him. It was first time they had met after the holidays and she thought that she would never see him again. She was so happy being in his arms and she felt so right and secured in his embrace.

Her heart began to flutter at her recollection of his warm smiles, those sparkling sapphire eyes that seem to glow in joy, his awkward scratching of head and all the times they had fun together. She never felt so comfortable with another until she met him. Moreover, He did choose to keep her as a friend when everyone was forcing him to make a choice.

It was then when she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in, it's unlocked." Gabriella called out in frustration as she sat up.

It was her mom.

Maria could see that her daughter wasn't prepared for the date later and she was hesitating.

Deep concern for her daughter washed over her and she settled down comfortably beside her confuse daughter. She hugged Gabriella protectively. As her mother, Maria knew the concerns that her beloved daughter was grappling with. She was going to help her out with it.

"Ella, you never smiled as much as you do now after meeting Troy. Both of you will be fine." Maria smiled as she gently pat her daughter's back soothingly.

"Do you think...?"

"He's not Sean. I've seen both you and Troy together. He's so happy being with you. " Maria encouraged.

Gabriella raised her eyebrows, challenging her mother's statement. How could her mother say that? She was always her perfect daughter.

"Elle, you've been spending a lot of time with Troy. I think you know deep in your heart what you mean to him. Just follow your heart." Maria smiled as she released her daughter from her embrace. She could see that her daughter was thinking about it and coming to her own conclusion.

A gently smile began to spread on her lips. Gabriella nodded in apprehension.

It was about time. Gabriella stared at her reflection critically.

Would Troy like it? She thought as she perused her reflection with a critical eye. She did a turn to get a better look at herself. She had no choice to go with this outfit since she didn't have any time to change. He would be here any moment. She could feel butterflies in her stomach as she sat down on her bed, clenching her cold clammy hands together.

This is terrible, I don't even feel nervous when I go for competitions, she thought uneasily.

She stared at the clock, it was time.

Suddenly, the door bell began to ring

Someone was at the door!

Gabriella took one last look at her outfit. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of her room.

"Hi Aunt Maria," Troy greeted happily as he hugged the older brunette. He was feeling a bit nervous himself because this was the first time that he made so much effort.

"You look good, Troy." Maria smiled as she took a good look at him. The chestnut hair boy had worn a black vest over a white shirt. He had worn fading jeans to complete the outfit.

Troy nervously drew his hand through his chestnut hair, "I do hope so, Aunt Maria."He gave an uncertain smile as he tried to peek inside.

Maria smiled understandingly as she watched an anxious Troy trying to peek in, so she invited him in to wait for him.

All his thoughts and worries ceased. Even his heart stopped beating at the sight of the girl approaching him from the top of the stairs. She had worn a classy halter neck dress that clung to her body. Her jet black curls were left to flow freely around her shoulders. She had worn very little make-up. He couldn't take his eyes off her. His sapphire eyes connected with her bashful chocolate brown eyes.

She is stunning, Troy thought. A soft smile touched his lips.

He saw none but the beauty that was walking gracefully down the stairs towards him. Still maintaining that eye contact, Troy strode towards her. He extended his hand towards the brunette while he glanced at the brunette passionately, waiting for her to take it. Wordlessly, Gabriella shyly placed her small hand into his.

Troy clasped it gently and brought it up to his lips. He placed a chaste kiss on her hand, "Gabriella, you are so beautiful today."

"You look good yourself, Cham."

Troy took her arm and gently steered her towards his car outside the door. "Bye, Aunt Maria."

Maria smiled as she watched the couple entering the car outside. All the best, Elle!

When Gabriella walked out of her room, all her thoughts had disappeared when she spot the chestnut hair boy standing at the door, waiting for her. He looks so good in that black vest and white shirt! She knew instantly that Troy liked what she wore because of that sparkle in his sapphire blue eyes. She couldn't take her eyes off him. Chocolate brown eyes could not break the connection with those intense sapphire eyes.

They held a mixture of feelings- joy, love, appreciation and possessiveness.

She could feel herself blushing at the intensity of those feelings.

Troy had stridden boldly towards her and placed himself at the bottom of the stairs. He had offered his hand to her wordlessly while he still watched her intensely. Instinctively, she placed her hand in his large warm hand timidly and was surprised when he pressed his lips onto her hand lovingly. The gesture greatly comforted her and settled her shaking nerves. It feels so right, she thought.

"Gabriella," Troy smiled as he looked at her passionately, "You are so beautiful today."

Gabriella flushed to a deeper shade of red, "You look good yourself, Cham." She grinned.

Troy smiled tenderly in response, took her arm and led her out to his car.

"Not leading me to the rear of your car?" Gabriella teased as she sat at the front seat. Troy laughed, his sapphire blue eyes twinkling with joy as he close the door after her.

When he sat on the driver seat, "Do you see me bowing to you?" Troy questioned as turned on his car engine. Gabriella smiled.

"You promised to be my personal attendant for a day. I didn't think you did it." Gabriella grinned. It felt more natural to be joking with each other. (1)

She could see that Troy was shocked and was gaping at her.

"WHAT!?"

"You say one whole day. I remember that you only did it until break time." Gabriella answered, watching his reaction closely.

Troy was silent for a moment. He was deciding mentally if he should tell her the truth."Well, that's because I couldn't find you. After you ran out of the cafeteria in tears, I tried to look for you but I couldn't. I managed to find you only when you reached home" Troy replied truthfully. His reaction became a bit unreadable. He looked a bit sombre. "I was very upset when I couldn't find you then. Felt as if the whole world has crashed if I couldn't explain to you."

Gabriella was shocked. She didn't know. She didn't know that Troy had looked for her then .Troy didn't tell her then. How could she even doubt that she didn't mean anything to him?

"Troy..." Gabriella began, she didn't know what t say.

"I decided to explain to you because we should be honest. " Troy smiled. Gabriella smiled uncertainly in response.

"When I came into East High, I didn't know you were the captain. When we were close, I still didn't know you were the captain." Gabriella started. She had to explain to him why they had that conflict since he had decided to be honest.

"Because you heard from everyone what a jerk the captain is? So you didn't like him at first?" Troy offered. He knew that Gabriella didn't like players after her experience with Sean.

"Yeah, when I realised that you were the captain. I couldn't associate the idea of you and the captain together. You were two worlds apart then. Troy was great while the basketball captain was a jerk." Gabriella answered. It cheered Troy up to know that Gabriella liked his unpretentious self. Maybe, that's why he was always so comfortable with her.

"Who told you anyway? Taylor said she didn't say anything." Troy asked inquisitively.

"It was Sherry." She answered.

Troy's expression became rather grim, "Well, I guess I can expect it is her. Popularity means everything to her. "He answered. "Well, let's not let it get us down. I am really glad you're so honest about it." Troy smiled.

It was thumbs up for better communication in the future.

"Where are you going?" Gabriella asked as she looked around. There weren't many buildings anymore. They were now surrounded by mainly thick vegetation.

"Somewhere. I think you will like it." He smiled mysteriously.

When they had stopped, Gabriella was surprised to find herself in a forested area. She looked down at her footwear it was very inappropriate for this occasion. She couldn't walk in this area like this.

"I thought it would be nice if we were to have a picnic." He could see that she was concerned over something. Then he realised that it was the problem with footwear.

"Gabs, hold on to the basket, okay?" He smiled as he passed her the basket. She was surprised by his request. Troy slid his hands under her knees and around her back and lifted her up. He was carrying her to the spot!

She is sure light, Troy thought as he gently carried her in a bridal style. Gabriella was absolutely embarrassed that Troy was carrying her!

He carried her along to path to a clearing where a river could be seen and gently released her so that she could stand. He took the basket and began taking out the mat from the basket. He lay it neatly on the grass as Gabriella took in the sights and the smell of the place after he had passed her a small plaster to stick onto her dress so that she would not be bitten by mosquito.

It was a beautiful place! The mountains stood majestically a far against the backdrop of the clear blue sky. Troy was sitting on the mat that he had spread and was inviting Gabriella to join him. He had even taken out his shoes to relax as he soak in the beauty of the Nature. Gabriella followed his lead and took out her heels.

"I prepared pasta. I hope that it is to your taste since well... I hardly cook." Troy admitted as he took out the covered plates. He handed one to Gabriella, who was excited to see what it looks like and the cutlery.

He had made simple chicken Bolognese pasta which looked rather appetizing. It had smelt great too. It looked like an authentic dish! Gabriella couldn't wait any longer, she had to taste it to see if it taste as good as it looks. She took a fork and began trying the food. Troy was staring at her take the first because he wanted to see her reaction.

She had smiled after eating it. She was enjoying his food, he grinned. Well, at least his efforts were paying off.

"Not bad, Cham. I thought all you could make were sandwich. You surprised me. "Gabriella smiled as she watched him. He had begun to eat too.

"I spend a lot of time learning how to perfect it." He divulged, smiling in an embarrassing manner.

A sweet soft smile spread on her lips, "Thank you, Cham."

At the ice- cream parlour, Chad and Taylor were all alone in a booth, eating ice-cream. They were having a good conversation and it felt comfortable to be with each other.

"Both Elle and Troy were behaving in a strange manner today, don't you think?" Chad asked as he watched Taylor taste her ice-cream. It wasn't really a date, just merely an outing to know each other better.

"They weren't the only ones. " Taylor answered mysteriously. Everyone in her clique was acting strangely in the morning. She could guess why.

"Tay! Look! Zeke and Ice... I mean Sharpay is entering the parlour together!" Chad whispered excitedly as he spotted the two of them coming in together happily. This was strange, high and mighty Sharpay wouldn't be caught being in a simple ice- cream parlour. Taylor was smiling. She knew that this would happen.

Zeke drew the chair out for Sharpay to sit, and then push it in for her before he sat opposite her. They were both enjoying themselves. Chad could see that Zeke was caressing her hand!

"Zeke and Sharpay are in love?" Chad asked incredulously as he stared at them. Taylor just shook her head, why did she even like a guy who can't feel the vibes even thought it was so strong? Everyone could tell that they liked each other. Those glances and secret smiles gave them away.

"Wait. Another couple is coming! It's Jason and Kelsi. I didn't know they were together too!" The new couple walked past Zeke and Sharpay without even noticing their presence because they were too absorbed in their own. They were holding hands and were leaning against each other to talk.

"Is it only me who finds this surprising?" Chad asked suddenly since he received no response from Taylor.

He could tell that she actually knew that they were together. He should take this chance now, shouldn't he?

He took a deep breath as he prepared himself mentally.

Troy and Gabriella conversed lightly over their meal as they soak in the beauty of nature. They had finished their meal but they were still sitting there. It was undeniably very relaxing to be there. However, Troy seemed to be waiting for something.

The sun began to descend, painting the sky with a mixture of orange, red and yellow. What made it more breathtaking was that the mountain, upon the setting of the sun, had turned into a pinkish red, just like a watermelon. There was a greed strip at the ridge which completed its outlook as a watermelon. It was beautiful!

"This is the Sandia Mountain range. Since you haven't been to Albuquerque for long, I thought it would be nice to bring you here." Troy flashed a white smile against the backdrop of a pink mountains and reddish orange sky.

She was captivated by those sparkling cerulean eyes that shone with joy at the intimacy shared between the two of them.

"Besides, I thought it would be fitting to bring you to see a sunset. Because the sunset would remind us of the time we first made up and when we become together." Troy dropped to a knee and took out a ring.

"Gabs, I really like you." Troy declared, "Would you be my girlfriend?" he asked sweetly as he looked into those chocolate brown eyes. This was the moment. Troy was asking her to be his girlfriend!

Gabriella could feel tears swarming up in her eyes. She had noticed that the ring that he was holding up to her was identical to the one he was wearing on his left hand. It was a couple's ring.

Troy gently slid the ring up her fourth finger of her left hand and pulled her into his embrace.

Yes! She was his girlfriend now! He rejoiced as he took in the scent of the girl in his arms. Never had he been so happy that he was together with another.

He released her a little as he committed the in the expression joy he had seen on her face into his memory. He made a silent promise to himself that he would only see her wearing this expression and no other.

Troy could feel his heart beating really fast as he glazed Gabriella's face. He lifted his hand to caress her cheek. He had long to do this for a very long time!

Chocolate brown eyes met those lovingly sapphire blue eyes. He gently tipped her face up and leaned towards her.

He watched her close her eyes as she anticipate. Troy leaned a bit closer to her. Their faces were just centimetres apart from each other.

Their lips met gently. He felt that he was on cloud nine. It completed his joy. He knew from her expression that it had completed her joy too.

Their sweet Winter Romance had blossom to something bigger.

(1) Refer to Chapter 12- What happened? about the rear of the car.

A/N Thank you for reviewing and reading this fanfiction. I think it was rather difficult for me to plan the date because I couldn't decide if I should add an element of comedy to it. I was planning to introduce a unwanted intruder into their date( think of reptiles that blend with their surrounding and has huge eerie eyes) and to end their date with the whole gang knowing that they are together.

This is the end. Hope you enjoy it :)