Gabriella and I walked into the recently rebuilt gym an hour before the game started. No one was really here yet. People didn't start showing up until about a half hour before the game, but Dad required that all players be here an hour before the game. Junior Varsity didn't have a game tonight. They were done until Region. Varsity had one more away game and one more home game before we were set for region, and in spite of me missing almost the first month of games, we were still in first place of the region. I wasn't going to let that change any. The guys had barely won the games they played before Matsui let me back on the team and I wasn't going to let them down by doing any less than win by a long shot with me around. I always made sure to come out on top. I wasn't about to let anyone take that away from me. My teammates and I worked very well together and I knew they needed me. If I hadn't had Gabriella on my side, I wouldn't be playing with them and I was sure they would have burned out long time ago and wouldn't even be going to the regional playoffs.
"This is the part I hate about games," I told her, brushing her hair out of her face as I held her in my arms, looking down into her eyes. "What's that?" she asked quietly, smiling softly up at me. "Leaving you." She smiled, reaching up to press her lips against mine. "You'll see me soon, Wildcat. I'll be right out here on the bleachers doing my homework. Tay will be here soon anyway." I rubbed her back softly. "I know." Taylor and Chad always showed up together. They always showed up to the games together, just like Gabriella and me now, except for last week. I wasn't going to worry about that though. I wasn't going to worry about anything but our future together and making sure hat she was always happy. "I'm going to cheer really loud for you and I'm sure the Niños will the doing the same," she said, stepping back and pulling my hands to her stomach. "We love you, Troy, and I know we're all extremely happy and that's all because of you." I smiled, moving forward and kissing her lips softly before bending down and pressing my lips against her stomach twice, one for each of our children. "I love you two very much," I said, rubbing her stomach, before standing up and smiling down at her even more. "And I love their mama more than anything." She blushed, not turning her head away. I was so proud of her. I knew how hard it was for her to take a compliment or to have people say anything like that to her, but over the last few months, she's been doing better about not turning away from me whenever I talk to her like that.
"You better get in there, Troy, or I might not let you go," she winked up at me and I groaned, taking a step back nodding hesitantly. "You're right. I'll see you in a while. I love you." She smiled back at me, pulling her bag up more on her shoulder. "I love you, Wildcat," she replied before I stepped into the locker room, sighing heavily. I walked back toward my locker, walking past Dad's office. As I walked past the door, he called out to me, "Bolton." I looked over at him as he stood from his desk. "Get in here, son," he told me, walking around his desk. I walked in and he told me, "Shut he door." Doing as he told me, I turned back to him, walking over to him. "What's up, Dad?" He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. "We gonna have a good game tonight?" I pulled my head back slightly, considering his question for a moment. "Yeah, Dad. We're going all the way again this year. State champions three years running. I won't let you down." He nodded, turning his head toward the seat, asking me to sit down without saying anything. Dropping my bag on the floor beside me, I looked up at him, shaking my head. "What's this about?" He sat down in the chair beside me, taking a deep breath. "I know you're only a junior, and this is a big deal for you and for the school, but Sean Miller will be here watching the game tonight. He's bringing his sons to watch the game. You've still got a year left here at East High, but if he likes what he sees tonight, you'll have your scholarship to U of A in the bag." I opened my eyes widely, taking a deep breath. "Wow!" I let off my breath in a huff, looking down in disbelief. All growing up, this is what Dad and I had talked about, going to U of A, maybe even going onto the NBA, but now as he was telling me this, I wasn't sure if that was what I wanted anymore. This wasn't the type of conversation I could have without Gabriella. She was going to be my wife and she needed to be apart of it.
"Dad," I said, looking back up at him as picked up my bag, "This is all too much for me to think about right now." He uncrossed his arms, holding his hands up in confusion. "What's to think about, Troy? This is all we've talked about for forever." I shook my head, taking a deep breath, finding this as a shock to me myself that I wasn't sure I wanted to go to the university anymore. I didn't know what Gabriella wanted to do about college and until I did, I couldn't make an informed decision about where I wanted to go now either. "I can't accept a scholarship to U of A unless I talk to Gabriella first. We're getting married, Dad. You know I can't make any decisions without her. She's got a say in our future too." He took a deep breath, obviously conceding as he nodded. "That's very wise, Troy. As much as I just want to tell you to accept it, I know you're head and heart is in the right place. But I don't think we need to tell Miller this. If you decide to go to U of A anyhow, you'll like to have the scholarship there waiting for you." Taking a deep breath, I ran my fingers through my hair before rubbing my neck. "You're right, Dad. It's good to keep my options open. Thank you." He patted me on the shoulder, nodding. "Gotta look out for my best player, especially since my best player is my son." I smiled, patting his back as well. "I'm going to go get dressed now. Thanks again, Dad." He sat back against his desk, sliding his hands in his pockets. "You're welcome, son.
I walked out of his office, heading toward my locker again, seeing Chad standing by his. "Hey, bro," I said, coming up beside him. "Hey, saw you in there with Coach," he said, changing into his jersey. "Everything ok?" I sighed, opening my locker. "Yeah, he was just telling me that Sean Miller is here." Chad turned to me, eyes wide. "Sean Miller? As in U of A Sean Miller?" I laughed, knowing that I would be this excited about it too if I didn't have something better to think of. I had a life with Gabriella ahead of me, a life with Gabriella and the twins that I had to think about. She had to be a part of any "Yeah. He's bringing his sons along." Chad hollered out to the rest of the team who was changing into their jerseys as well. "Hear that? U of A Miller is in the HOUSE tonight!" After he said that, the whole team started whooping and hollering, cheering for no reason. I shook my head, pulling off my shirt and tossing it in the locker before pulling out my jersey shirt, pulling it on over my head. "Man, this is so totally cool!" Chad said, turning back toward me, shutting his locker and sitting down to put his shoes on. I nodded, undoing my belt and my pants, kicking off my shoes and pulling down my pants before tossing them in and lifting my bag to put my shoes under it. I took out my gym shoes and put them on the bench behind me before pulling my shorts out and pulling them on. I shut my locker, sitting down on the bench to put my shoes on as well.
I heard Dad coming into the locker area behind us, talking to the whole team. "Ok, boys, we have one more game after this one here at home, but that doesn't mean you can take it easy tonight. I want you working extra hard tonight. We've got a special fan out there tonight, so I want you doing your best." Chad stood, looking like a kid on Christmas morning. "Yeah, we all know about Miller!" The team cheered again and I shook my head, tying my shoe. "Good news travels fast," Dad said, laughing. "Well," he continued, "I guess you don't need me to tell you to play your best tonight then. Not that I need to tell you any night, but any of you who are hoping to go to U of A when you graduate, I hope you'll show Miller what you've got. And don't think that just because you're not captain like Danforth or Bolton you won't show Miller you've got sills. Everyone of you are an asset to this team. Everyone of you can be an asset to U of A's team. Now," he said, clapping his hands together, "that said, fall in." I finished tying my shoe before standing up and grouping around Dad with the rest of my teammates.
"Ok, so hears the deal," he started, crouching down in front of us, "this is our last home game against the Knights before Region. Next week when we show up over there, I want you to hand them a repeat of tonight. And tonight? No mercy!" He took out his playbook, flipping it open. "Ok, tonight we're starting with Bolton, Danforth, Cross, Baylor and Taylor. Baylor, I want you to tip the ball off to Danforth. I want you all to remember you're a team out there, so if you see an opening, take it. Danforth will pass it off to Cross who will come down the sidelines, passing it off to Taylor who will then pass it off to Danforth again while Bolton comes down around the sidelines. Bolton, I don't want you getting too close to the hoop. They expect you to be the hoopster every time. Because of that, I want you staying away from the key. You're good at your three-pointers anyhow. Ok, Danforth, if Troy isn't open, get the ball back to Baylor. Zeke I want you at the key, ready to take the shot. Lay it up, it's the best course of action. Only get it to Bolton when you've got no other option. Bolton, when you've got the ball, I want you to remember no mercy, but I also want you to remember the rest of your teammates. We're all a team out here, from me down to Zara and Dion." We both looked over at the ball boys, and those closest to them patted them on the back. They were on the junior varsity team, but they always sat on the bench with us during our games as well. "Now I want you to get out there and show Miller and your fellow Wildcats what you've got!"
He stood up, taking a step back. "Captains. All yours." I stood beside Chad as Dad left the locker room area to do what he did prior to every game. He always went to greet the opposing team's coach and this time he'd be going out to meet with Miller as well. "Ok. Coach gave us the beginning play. Neither Chad nor I are out there to hog the ball. We're all a team," I said, adding to what my father said. "We're in it to win it just like all of you are, but we're not going to control the game. We're all in this together. Every last one of us. Now lets go out there and make Coach proud. Chad?" Chad turned from looking at me to looking out at the rest of the team before calling out our team battle cry. "What team?" The rest of us responded, "Wildcats," as he lead us out of the locker room repeating the chant and onto the court. I pulled up the back of the team with Rocketman and Dion, clapping them both on the back as they wheeled the carts of balls out onto the court.
After Troy walked into the locker room, I walked around the bleachers and to the stairs in the middle of one of the sets. Usually I'd just step up over an individual bench, but I wasn't going to take the chance and trip, not when pregnancy balance wasn't the best. I sat right behind where the team would sit, wanting to be near Troy, giving him all the encouragement he needed. It's where I'd sat all season except for last week, but it's where I'd be tonight and next week. It's where I'd sit at the away game and it's where I'd sit through Region and State playoffs. I knew they'd go all the way, especially since Troy was leading the team like he should be. I pulled my health book out of my bag, sitting it on the bench beside me. Opening up to the chapter we were supposed to be reading for our quiz tomorrow, I laid the book on my lap in front of my stomach. I wouldn't want to do it when we got home tonight. Troy was always in a spirited mood after games and I knew exactly what we'd be doing, and it had nothing to do with school. Health and the reproductive system, maybe, I giggled to myself, trying to focus on the chapter, knowing that I shouldn't think like that, not right now. I started to read over the chapter when I heard Taylor and Chad walk into the gym. I knew Taylor would come over to sit by me, but she enjoyed studying more than I did, so we'd study more than talk, even if she did want to see my ring again.
She had seen it yesterday in home room and had to see it every time we were together. Not that I minded. If she wanted to gaze at it, who was I to stop her. It was a gorgeous ring and I loved it. Troy had picked out the perfect ring and I loved it. "Hey, girl!" Taylor said, stepping up over the bench to sit down beside me. I looked up at her, smiling. "Hey, Tay." She pulled out her health book as well, opening it to the same page I was on. "Ok, lemme see the ring again!" I laughed, handing my hand over to her. She took it, holding my hand gently in hers. "Gabriella, I love it!" She repeated for probably the hundredth time since she first saw it yesterday. "I have a confession to make though." I pulled my hand back from her, holding my book up against my stomach as I crossed one leg over the other. "What are you confessing?" She took a deep breath, pulling her book against her chest and crossing one of her legs over the other. "I knew about the ring since I knew that Troy knew about the babies. Chad told me." I blinked, nodding my head slowly, knowing that neither Taylor nor Chad were really good at keeping secrets, especially from each other. Taylor was a little better with others, but not with Chad. "Oh… That's ok." I smiled weakly, breathing in slowly. "Really?" she asked, turning more to me. "Really, Tay!" I smiled more for her. "I understand. Kelsi knew about Troy proposing both times before he did it too. It's all ok."
Taylor wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "I'm just so glad you're actually engaged now. Not that I don't miss you staying at my house, but I love that you're back with Troy. I'll admit," she said, pulling back, holding up her hands slightly, "I didn't like you getting together with him in the beginning, but he's changed, just like Chad did for me. I didn't think it was possible for Troy, but he has and I'm so happy for you. And you're having his babies and marrying him. That's something I NEVER thought I'd see from Troy Bolton!" She laughed and I smiled back laughing slightly, laying my book down on my lap. "Thank you, Tay." I looked back down at my book before looking back over at her. "You know I'm happy, right? Happier than I've ever been." She placed her hand on my stomach, rubbing it softly. "I know you are, Gabby, and I'm so happy you are!" I smiled looking down at her hand, giggling as she quickly pulled her hand back after one of the twins rubbed a foot or elbow or something against her hand. She pulled her hand back quickly. "Oh, my God! Was that-?" I giggled more, nodding blissfully. "That was one of the twins saying 'Hi, Auntie Tay.'" She laughed, holding her hand up to my stomach again, pausing and looking up at me. "May I again?" She hadn't asked the first time and I thought it was funny she was asking now. I giggled more, sitting back a little for her. "You don't have to ask, Tay." She laughed, placing her hand on my stomach again, giggling slightly as one of the twins moved against her hand.
"What team?" Tay and I both turned to see the team come cheering out of the locker room. There were already hundreds of people in the gym by now and they all started cheering as the team started running around the gym. Troy came out of the locker room last, turning to look at me winking at me and waving. I winked back, waving my fingers at him. I loved him more than anything and I knew we were going to be together forever. I knew this is how we'd always be. I was sure he'd be playing ball through college and wherever our life went after that, probably coaching some team, I knew this is exactly where I'd be, watching every game. I loved being the devoted girlfriend and fiancée and when we were married I'd be the devoted wife. The thought of it actually made me happy. I wanted to be an actress and I knew one way or another I could have both, but whatever happened, Troy and I would be together and I would be there with him every step of the way.
Troy got the winning shot of the game with an assist from Chad and the crowd went wild. The score was 82 to 59. There was no competition, even though the Knights were the Wildcats biggest rival, they really didn't have much game tonight Taylor and I both ran down off the bleachers and I ran straight into Troy's arms as Taylor ran past us to Chad. I wrapped my arms tightly around Troy's neck, smiling brightly. "Great game, Wildcat!" He smiled, pressing his lips against mine, holding me gently in his arms. He was all sweaty and getting it all over me, but I didn't mind. I knew he'd forgo the shower here and we'd go home and take a shower together and we could clean each other off. I loved that we could do that. Even though we didn't have a place of our own, Troy's parents didn't really mind that we had sex or being intimate in any manner with each other under their roof. I think the biggest thing was they just didn't want to know about it. They didn't want to walk in and catch us doing it on the couch. We had to keep it to Troy's bedroom, which I could deal with. They weren't trying to keep us apart like my mother. I knew if she had her way we wouldn't be together, but that's why I didn't care what she thought anymore. Ever since that day Troy took me to the hospital, I didn't care what my mother thought. Social services were called and Dad stepped in, saying it was alright for me to stay with the Boltons, especially when the Boltons had been taking care of me all along anyway. I was just glad I had a family that loved and supported me even if my own mother couldn't.
Troy changed and met me at the back door to the boy's locker room. He didn't like coming back out after a game. I didn't mind though. He was pretty much like any famous basketball player. He'd come out there and everyone would go wild. Not that I minded that either. I was proud of him and I loved him, but he wanted to avoid it. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he kissed the side of my head as we walked to his truck. "So, the U of A coach was there tonight." I looked up at him, listening intently to him. "He saw the whole game. Dad's having him over to the house for a late dinner. We'll have just enough time to shower before he gets there with his wife and kids." Smiling, I nodded. "Wow, that must be a big deal!" Troy shrugged his shoulders, opening the truck door and tossing in his duffel bag, taking my school bag and doing the same. "I guess. He's here to offer me a scholarship if he liked what I saw. I don't now why. I'm only a junior." I shook my head, turning to face him. "Troy, I know school isn't our thing, either of us really. I won't argue with you that I'm not smart and as much as I hate thinking about college, I even know it's a good idea if I go. But you? Troy, you're going to go a long way in basketball, I know it." I smiled up at him, lifting my hand to caress his cheek. "Thinking about colleges right now is a big deal, considering you and I are already going through a lot of things in our personal life right now, but if this coach is going to be offering you a scholarship, I don't think you should turn it down. You don't have to accept it just yet, but don't turn it down."
He smiled down at me, kissing me softly. "You know, that's pretty much what my dad said." He laughed, shaking his head. "You're right. I need to have my options open. We don't have to decide what we're doing just yet, right? We do have too much going on in our personal life to really think about anything other than each other and our babies right now. Besides, if he's offering it right now, it's not like it's going to go away next year, unless I somehow can't play any longer." I placed my fingers over his lips, shaking my head quickly. "Don't talk like, Troy. You'll still be playing. I know you will." He smiled down at me, leaning over and pressing his lips gently against mine. "I love you, baby," he murmured as he stood back up straight, lifting me up underneath my arms and helping me sit in the truck. I slid over to my spot in the middle and rested my head against his shoulder after he climbed up into the cab of the truck as well. "I love you, Troy," I whispered as he pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward home. I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep, dreaming of him as a professional basketball star.