It got to Sunday afternoon and Troy and Gabriella were snuggled up on the couch. "Alright Angel, I'd say we have enough time for one more movie before your mom gets back and I have to leave so what do you want to watch?"

"I don't know." After a reprimanding look, she sighed. "Do you want to watch The Notebook with me?"

He kissed her nose. "Brie, as I told you on Friday, I will watch anything as long as it's with you." She smiled and kissed his cheek before getting up to put the movie in. When she sat back down, he pulled her into his side.

"I like this movie, it's not my favourite but it's sweet."

"What's your favourite?"

"A Walk to Remember or Endless Love, they're pretty cute."

He smirked at her. "Hopeless romantic I see." She bit her lip and shrugged in response. "Hey no." He said as he rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip to release it. "What did I tell you about that? It means you're nervous and you don't ever gotta be nervous around me." She smiled and snuggled into his chest as they turned back to the movie.

After the rain scene, Troy turned to Gabriella. "So that's what all the fuss was about?"

"Yeah it's romantic."

"I guess so, like that lift in Time of our Life."

She grinned. "That was so cool."

"Want to give it a try?"

He could clearly see the nerves on her face. "I don't know, you'll catch me right?"

"I promise Brie, have I ever broken a promise?" She was hesitant but still agreed. They stood opposite each other and he could clearly see her reluctance. "Just trust me." She looked at him and nodded. She ran towards him and he lifted her above his head for a few seconds before lowering her, but not fully to the ground, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. "I told you I'd catch you."

"I know." He carried her over to the couch and set her on his lap. "Troy?" He hummed his response. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"This weekend, everything I guess."

He smiled and kissed her. "You never have to say thank you Baby, I've enjoyed it too, it may not have started well but we made it special."

"I love you Wildcat."

"I love you too Gorgeous." He leaned in to kiss her and she turned in his lap. After a few minutes, the door abruptly opened, only giving them the chance for Gabriella to turn back in his lap to a more appropriate position albeit the situation.

"I'm back Ella, I - What is going on here?"

"Nothing Mom, we were just watching a movie."

"What are you doing on that boy's lap."

"Mom it's not -"

"Gabriella Anne Montez, I thought you knew better, I thought you would have learnt from last time."

Troy could see the threatening tears in her eyes and discretely hugged her tighter as she responded. "DO NOT bring up what happened, this is nothing like what happened in New York."

"Gabriella what am I supposed to think? You're putting yourself out there to get hurt again just like before, I'm guessing he doesn't even know what happened."

Gabriella's breathing was getting heavier. "You know what happened was not my fault, I did nothing wrong and you can't blame or shelter all my actions because of that. You just need to -" She got up and ran.

"GABRIELLA."

"LEAVE ME ALONE."

Troy could see the frustration on Maria's face, he knew he needed to get up to Gabriella quickly but he needed to clear everything up with Maria. "Ms Montez, I know what happened to Gabriella in New York. When you came in, we were just joking around and watching movies like we've done all weekend but please know that I would never do anything to or with Gabriella without her consent." Maria didn't say a word as Troy reached the bottom of the staircase. "I would never hurt Gabriella, the thought would never cross my mind. I love your daughter Ms Montez. I just want to be by her side and make her happy."

With that said, he quickly ascended the stairs and went straight to Gabriella's room. When he opened the door, he had to act quickly. Gabriella was on the floor leaning against her bed, gasping for breath and hyperventilating dangerously. He slid on his knees right in front of her. "Brie, come on Angel, breathe." He took her hands in his. "Baby I need you to breathe, come on, take a deep breath with me." She followed along with him and after a few more, he slowly and loosely pulled her into his lap, softly caressing and scratching her back. "Good girl, that's it, keep going you're ok." Soon her breathing was finally stable and she cuddled into him more. "Are you ok?"

"I am now, thanks Wildcat."

"No thank yous Baby, no thank yous, I'm just glad you're ok." He kissed her forehead and looked at the time."Let's get you into bed."

"Can you stay tonight?"

Her timid voice broke his heart. "That's not an option tonight Baby Girl, I'm sorry. How about I stay until you fall asleep?"

She nodded and let him lay her down, she curled onto her side, facing him. "I love you."

"I love you too." He played with her hair and soothed her into sleep. "Sweet dreams Baby, I love you forever." He walked down stairs to find Maria on the couch. "Good night Ms Montez."

"Troy, I've told you to call me Maria." She sighed, "Thank you for before, for taking care of Gabriella."

He shrugged. "Gabriella is everything to me, I love her with everything I have."

"You're both 16, you're too young to know what love is."

"Excuse me for this Maria but I don't agree with that statement, I know what true, real love is and I know the puppy love that is at East High but I know without a doubt that what Brie and I have is real. I'd risk everything for her and I've never loved another person like I have Brie."

"You're a nice boy Troy and I do like you, I just worry."

"I understand that, believe me, after I found out, I've been a lot more protective of Brie which I didn't believe was possible but I can assure you that I don't have the wrong intentions with your daughter." She nodded in response. "Ok well good night."

"Troy wait." He turned to her. "Would you be able to stay the night in the guest bedroom?" At his confused look, she continued. "When it all first happened, Gabriella suffered from severe panic attacks that I could barely calm her down from. One night in particular, she had an attack in her sleep and had to go to the hospital. I have seen the difference in Gabriella since you've been dating and I can tell she trusts you a lot. After the argument, I don't think she will respond to me so could you stay as a precaution?"

"Of course, I'll just call -"

"I'll call your parents Troy, thank you for doing this."

"No problem Maria, good night."

"Good night Troy."