Chapter 29: New Best Friend

"Look, Gabriella. Whether you are listening to me or not, I have to tell you something. If you get mad, I'm sorry, but this was before I knew you were you. You have the right to know..." Troy said about to tell Gabriella about calling her.

"Bolton, you could tell me anything you want, but I don't think that will change me trusting you, or even thinking you're some nice guy." Gabriella said facing the wall.

"Look, if you're wondering why no guys have come up to you since your new look, I can explain why." Troy said not believing what he was going to tell her.

Gabriella turned to face Troy again. "What have you done Bolton?!?! Do you have anything better to do then ruin my life?!?!?" she exclaimed.

Troy needed to prove to Gabriella that he was a nice guy. Troy need to tell her the truth. Troy took a deep breath ready to tell her everything. "When I saw you at school on Monday, I didn't know your new look was you. I was with Larissa when Chad told me to look at you, Chad said you looked hot-" Troy said.

"Wait, Chad thought I looked hot?" Gabriella blushed hearing someone call her that for the first time."

"Yeah, but that's not important." Troy said trying to go back to his story.

"Hey...Bolton, you have every girl in school calling you hot. Me, never. Give me some time to let it all sink in." Gabriella smiled.

"First of all Montez, no one has called you hot before? They must be blind!" Troy said.

Gabriella blushed harder.

"And second, every girl in the school has called me hot...including you?" Troy laughed.

"Not what I meant Bolton," Gabriella said realizing she called Troy hot, and at the same time having a conversation with him. "Go Bolton, tell me your story." Gabriella said changing the subject.

"Sure Montez...okay back to Chad. After Chad said that, I looked up and saw you. I was watching you for a bit and then one thing came to another, and I called you." Troy grinned sheepishly.

"First of all Bolton, how long were you staring at me...and second what do you mean called me?" Gabriella questioned.

"Well...um..." Troy began.

"Spit it out Bolton." Gabriella hissed.

"Well the guys at school have this sort of tradition and respect for each other. When you call a girl, you must go out with her, and the guys respect the guy that called her by not going after the girl, not touching her, or trying to be more than friends. I didn't know you then Gabriella, and I called you..." Troy said hoping that Gabriella wouldn't yell ant what he had just said.

"What is wrong with the boy population?!?!" Gabriella yelled. "Are all guys such pigs?!?!? How much girls have you called out before?! After all you do make-out with every girl who doesn't have a boyfriend!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry Gabriella! I didn't know then, just say I'm some stupid jock who doesn't have a brain. I just saw you, and something just came over me...I called you Gabriella. I have no idea why I make-out with all those other girls, I just do. Believe it or not, you're the first girl I've ever called...I'm really sorry." Troy said now looking down.

Gabriella felt really bad for Troy. He actually looked and sounded sincere this time.

"Hmm...look, Bolton, is there a way you can get out of this? I really don't want to go out with you." Gabriella said.

"There is a way, but that would mean the whole population of guys at school would treat me differently. I would lose their respect that I tried so hard to get." Troy said meeting Gabriella's chocolate brown eyes. Tory didn't get what got him to say this, "Gabriella if you really don't want to do any of this dating stuff, I won't pressure you or anything. It's your life and all, and it was a mistake that I guess I'll have to pa for.

Gabriella again felt bad for Troy. Troy sure should get what he deserved, but this was way to cruel. But Gabriella had to think about herself too. She never had a boyfriend or a kiss before, pretty lame for a junior Gabriella always thought. Gabriella wasn't even sure guys would ask her out after Bolton, she might be boyfriendless till the end of high school.

"Troy, I don't want to be just some girl you were forced into dating. I never had a boyfriend before, and I don't want to say my first one was with some guy who was forced to date me to save his reputation. I know you might be really sad, but I can't do this..." Gabriella said looking down.

"Um...I get it...Montez, I mean Gabriella. But can I say something?" Troy asked.

"O-kay..." Gabriella replied.

"I was talking truth with you that day in homeroom. There's something about you...it does feel so right." Troy said.

Gabriella smiled. "Thanks Troy. Friends?" she asked holding out her hand.

"Friends." Troy said shaking Gabriella's hand.

They both felt an electric spark between the two. Troy jumped.

"What's wrong Bolton?" Gabriella said laughing.

"Ermm...nothing." Troy grinned. "And still using last names are we Montez?" Troy laughed.

"Oh! Sorry, first instict." Gabriella smiled shyly. "You know you're a nice guy Troy. It's just really hard for you to show it." she smiled.

"I told you I could prove I was." Troy grinned. "How much time do we have left anyways?" he asked.

"Um, about five minutes, why?" she asked.

"Just wondering." Tory said.

Troy walked over to where the discarded daisy was. "For you, my new best friend." Troy said handing her the daisy.

"Why, thank you." Gabriella said. Gabriella didn't see it coming, but Gabriella tiptoed and kissed Troy on the cheek. She blushed hard and thought of something to say. "You know Troy, you calling me your new best friend might want Chad to want to beat me up." Gabriella laughed face still red.

Troy laughed. "I would never let that happen to you." Troy grinned.

"Troy, are we going to be friends with your friends, or are we just friends outside of school and stuff?" Gabriella asked.

"I want to be your friend Gabriella, inside and outside of school." Troy replied.

"The school is going to go crazy." Gabriella said. "Thanks...for being here Troy." Gabriella looked at him sincerely.

"Anything for you." Troy laughed.

The bell rang and Gabriella felt like she was floating on cloud nice. Troy felt just as happy, but worried what his image would be like.

"I'll soon find out..." Troy said waiting for the gym doors to open with his new best friend.