Troy and Gabriella met up at his house after school; he brought her inside and they were greeted by Lucille. "Mom, can we talk to you for a second?"

"Sure what's up?"

"Well Maria is out of town tonight so we were wondering if Brie could stay over."

Lucille sighed. "I wish you could Sweetie, but Jack's brother is coming out tonight and will have to use the guest bedroom."

Gabriella responded. "It's ok -"

Troy interrupted, turning to Gabriella. "What about you stay with me?"

"Troy -" His mother started.

"Mom, nothing's going to happen."

"I don't think -"

Gabriella spoke up. "He's right Lucille, I'm not ready for anything to happen, it's only been a month. I just don't want to be alone tonight."

"Alright Gabi, I trust you both. Why don't you call your mother and let her know?"

"Would you mind if I didn't tell her that we were sleeping in the same room, it's just - my mom trusts me and she likes Troy but with some past events, she automatically assumed the worst."

Lucille sighed. "I don't like that you're lying to your mother but I understand."

Gabriella smiled, "thank you, I'll go call her."

Later that night found Troy and Gabriella laying on his bed. "Brie, can I ask you something?" She nodded in response. "You don't have to answer if you're not ready but what happened before you came to East High?"

"It's alright Troy, you deserve to know." She took a deep breath. "Before I came to East High, I was bullied badly. I was abused physically, verbally and well, umm sexually."

"Oh Brie." He pulled her into his arms. "I'm so sorry you went through that Baby. Can I - can I ask one question?" She nodded. "Did they... um, are you a -"

She cut him off. "No, I'm not, I'm so sorry Troy."

He pulled her tighter. "Don't be sorry Angel, please don't be sorry. I'm sorry, you didn't deserve to go through that."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just - I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me Baby, I love you, this changes nothing."

"Thank you for understanding. I was so scared that I was going to lose you."

"No way Baby Girl, all this changed is that now I understand your mom better and when you're ready for more in terms of our physical relationship, I can help make everything easier."

She hugged him tight. "I love you Troy, thank you."

"No thank yous Brie and I love you too."

For a few minutes, they laid silently, just holding each other before Gabriella spoke. "Troy, I want you to help me forget what they did to me."

"Are you sure? I don't want to pressure you."

"I'm sure, I'm not ready for much or to do what they did to me, but I want to slowly work up to all of that. I want my real first time to be with you."

"Ok Brie, if you get uncomfortable or want me to stop, just tell me." She nodded. "We'll take it slow and do only what you're comfortable with. I was going to ask this anyway but would it be ok if I just slept in my boxers, I usually do but I'd understand if -"

She put her finger over his lips. "Troy, I trust you."

"Thank you Baby." After he took his shirt off, he noticed her looking at him. She hesitantly put her hand out to touch him but pulled back as her eyes locked with his. "It's ok Baby." He said as he gently grabbed her hand and put it on his chest. She blushed as she touched his chest and abs. He smiled softly and gently kissed her lips. Gabriella put her hands at the hem of her shirt but hesitated. "Remember, only do what you feel comfortable with."

"I want to but I'm scared."

"Do you trust me enough to try something?" She nodded. "Can you lay down for me Angel?" She did as he asked and laid down. He put his hands at the hem of her singlet and folded it halfway up to her ribs. She immediately used her forearms to cover her stomach. "If you feel uncomfortable, we can put it back down but you don't have to hide from me Baby Girl." She nodded and slowly removed her arms, making him smile as he kissed her. "You're beautiful."

She pulled him into a kiss and moved her legs so he could hover over her. He slowly made his way kissing down her neck and she felt him there for a few seconds too long. "Troy don't do that, I've got no way to cover it from your parents."

"I'll give you my hoodie."

"And from the rest of the school?"

He pouted and stopped his ministrations. "Fine." He made a path down to her stomach and placed a few kisses before he noticed her tense state. "Do you not like it?"

"No I do."

"Then why are you so tense Brie?"

"Baby, I don't think you want your parents to know what we've been doing in here."

"Ok ok but you are ok with what I'm doing?"

She caressed his cheek. "I really like it Baby."

He continued for a few more minutes before he kissed her once more. "We should probably get some sleep Angel." She nodded and he turned off the lights. When he got back into bed, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping them around her as she laid her head on his chest. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Sweet dreams Beautiful."