Gabriella was exhausted by the time detention rolled around. Today had been very busy. She woke up early. She had her lunch with Troy and about a fifteen minute long make-out session. On top of normal class, she had pre-auditions during free period. They went well and she was happy that Troy was there so Sharpay didn't yap at her the whole time.

She took her usual seat and pulled out her homework. She fought herself regularly not to look at the door. She knew he wasn't there yet. This has been the longest week of her life. She couldn't wait until this week was over and she didn't have detention. She could find some peace quiet to do her homework. She wished she could go home to do it but god knows what her mother would make her do.

She needed to start filling out college applications. She couldn't wait to move away to start her future. She couldn't wait to step on the streets of New York and live in the midst of the craziness of the city. She couldn't wait to designate all her time to do the things she loved the most. She was ready for an adventure. She was ready to get away from her crazy family.

Gabriella wondered where this year was going to take her. Would she continue to be the 'good' girl everybody made her out to be? Would she fly off the rail and ruin her future? No, she couldn't afford to do that. What about her friendship with Troy? Where would that end up? She nibbled on her lip as her mind explored the possibilities.

She rested her chin in her hand and sighed. She was so confused about everything. She just wanted to be alone and write a song. "Hey beautiful." Troy whispered as he whipped into the seat behind her.

She snapped out of her trance and looked back at him. She smiled before greeting him with a quiet. "Hey."

"Homework?"

"Tons." She said with a sigh. "I have to go home and write two papers and one is in Spanish."

"Yikes, sorry babe." He played with a curl at the end of her hair. "I have more algebra and a chem worksheet."

"Need help?" She asked, twisting in her chair.

"Yes, definitely with math. Math is not my favorite."

"After I finish up Trig, I'll help you with Algebra." She promised. "Thank god it's Thursday."

"One more day of detention with me." Troy said with a pout.

"It's not like you won't stalk me for the rest of the 9 months of school." Gabi said, laughing.

"That's true." He said with a shrug. "Maybe next week, I'll take you out on a date."

Gabi rolled her eyes. "I guess we'll see."

Darbus walked into detention and looked at the two of them. "I'll be in the theatre working on the set. We're taking a break in an hour, I'll come check on you then." She looked at the watch on her wrist. "If I don't, you're allowed to leave at 4:45. If you get done early, head to the theatre we can always use extra hands."

"I have a ton of homework." Gabriella shared. "I'll be working all night."

"Behave." Darbus said sternly.

"Always, Ms. D." Troy said, pulling out his algebra book.

Darbus sighed and walked out of the room. Gabriella picked up her desk and turned it around to face Troy. She kicked off her flats and stretched her legs, resting her feet on Troy's leg. She flipped her book to her half finished Trig homework. She hummed to herself as she worked on her homework.

Troy had a hard time focusing with the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen sitting in front of him. She was everything he admired. She was always a good girl but she had this edge to her. Everybody loved her and respected her. She was always a leader and she had a great head on her shoulders. She was her own person and he wanted to be just that- his own person.

Every day that he spent time with her, he was inspired to be better. She just awakened something in him that made him want to fight for the things he wanted. "Do your work and stop staring at me. It's distracting." She said, looking up at him.

He smiled, looking down at his paper. "Sorry."

Gabriella watched him for a moment before she continued working on her homework. She had a hard time getting focused back on her work. She tapped her pencil on her thumb as she watched him work. "What does your mom do, TB?" She asked, playing with her pencil.

"She's a realtor." Troy said, without looking up. "She has an office but she works from home most of the time because she'd come to my games."

"Is she going to use her office more now that you're not playing?"

"Probably. I wouldn't be surprised." He said, glancing up at her. "Why?"

"Just asking." She said simply. "I'm curious about you, TB."

"You can ask me anything." He said, giving her a small smile. "Even weird and awkward questions."

"Good to know." Gabriella nodded.

"Any other questions you can think of?" He asked, gaining her attention.

"Nope." She said, looking down at her work trying to focus again.

"Can I ask you any question I want?"

"I guess." She said hesitantly.

"How many boyfriends have you had?" He asked.

She looked up at him blankly. "Do you really care about that?"

Troy laughed. "No. I just wanted to see your reaction. I was going to ask you about sex but I don't really want to know about that either. I just want to know if you're happy where you are… if you're not, then how can I make you feel happy?"

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I don't know how to answer that…. Or feel about that question."

"What? No one has ever wanted to make you happy before?"

Gabriella laughed. "Actually, no. I'm always the person that tries to make people happy."

Troy grinned. "That doesn't surprise me."

She shrugged. "It gets old after a while. You do all these things for people but if you need one little thing, you have no one to help you." She said with another shrug. "I'm tired of it."

"I'm sure you are. I would be too."

"I just want someone to be there for me anytime. Like if I move three thousand miles away and get homesick, I want to be able to call someone and cry to them without feeling like I'm disturbing their life. Do you know what I mean?" She asked. He nodded. "I guess it's kind of stupid but that's how I feel."

"It's not stupid. It's not the slightest bit stupid." Troy said firmly. "I hope you never think your feelings are stupid. You're important and you're entitled to the things you want and need. I can be that person for you. Right now, or ten years from now, If you need anything then you can call me."

She rolled her eyes. "Sure, TB."

He sat up, grabbing her hand. "No, Gabriella, I'm serious. Anytime. I'll steal the car keys and come get you or sneak you into my room if you're super drunk, anything."

She squeezed his hand. "You're a special kind of man, TB."

"I'm trying to be." He shared, rubbing his fingers over hers before lacing them together.

"You're full of surprises and I think that is what I like most about you." She shifted in her seat before releasing her hand and picking up the pencil. "I have to do Trig, stop distracting me."

"You're the one distracting me!" Troy argued with a laugh.

"Whatever, shush." She teased. She reached over with her free hand and laced her fingers in between his. She focused on her homework, finishing her math with her hand in his. She released her hand to put it away. "How's algebra, TB?"

"I'm almost done." Troy said, surprising himself.

"Really?" Gabi asked, pleased.

"Yeah." He smiled, looking up at her. "You're a good tutor."

"I know." She said with a small smirk.

"Can you help me with Chem?" He asked with a wide grin.

"Of course. I'll go get a chair." She said, slipping her shoes on. She got up and walked over to grab a chair and carried it back to him. She slid in the seat, scooting closer to him.

"You just like sitting next to me." He teased, brushing her hair back.

She rolled her eyes. "You wish TB."

He puckered his lips out for a kiss and she covered his face with her hand, pushing him back. Troy scoffed as Gabriella pulled away. "That was rude, Montez."

"I sat by you to help you with homework, not make out."

"You have to admit that is a perk." He reasoned, playing with her hair.

"Will you stop?"

"No." He said, grinning.

"Where's your worksheet?" She asked, with a heavy sigh.

He pulled away from her before he pulled the worksheet from his binder. She leaned over to get a good look at it. He pushed all of her hair to one shoulder, exposing her neck to him. "Are your ears pierced?" He asked, rubbing her naked earlobe between his fingers.

"Yeah."

"Why don't you wear earrings?"

"I do, sometimes. My hair always gets caught in them." She explained, glancing over at him. "This is simple TB. You just have to look through your book to find the answers."

"My book is in my locker."

"Well, that's it doing there?" She asked, scooting her chair back. "Go get it."

"Come with me." He said, not moving.

"No, you get it by yourself. You're a big boy, TB."

"Please." He said, pouting out his bottom lip.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine." She got up, fixing her dress.

Troy led her out of the room with his hand on the small of her back. She leaned over, kissing his cheek. He slid his hand across her back to hold her hand. She smiled, squeezing his hand. He lead her to his locker, releasing her hand as they arrived. She leaned against the locker next to his as he opened his.

He pulled his Chem book out before closing his locker. He held the book in one arm, trapping her in with the other. "We're going to get in trouble." She said, looking at him as he leaned closer.

"We're already in detention." He said with a small grin.

"I'm in detention, you're not." She reminded him. "That means, I'm going to get in more trouble."

"No." He whispered as his lips touched hers lightly.

She smiled into the kiss before trying to push him back. He pulled back just enough to see her eyes. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him back to her. He grinned before tilting his head to deepen the kiss. She parted her lips slightly, pressing them to his.

"Bolton!" A firm voice shouted.

Gabriella shoved him away from her, turning her head in embarrassment as Coach Bolton walked up to the two of them. "Coach, it wasn't-" Troy got cut off by his father putting his hand up.

"I know. Troy, go back to Darbus' room please." Coach Bolton ordered.

"Coach-" Troy started.

"Now." Coach insisted.

Troy frowned towards Gabriella, mouthing an apology. He sighed before walking away. Gabriella watched him for a minute before she looked up at Coach Bolton. "I'm sorry." She blurted out.

"Come here." Coach lead her to a bench before sitting down. "Take a seat."

Gabriella did as she was told. "I'm sorry." She said again, not knowing exactly what to say, or what was going to happen.

"I don't know what to do, Ms. Montez." Coach sighed. "How did I make him hate me so much?"

Gabriella softened as she looked at the older man. "He doesn't hate you."

"Did you see the way he looked at me? He hates me."

Gabriella shook her head. "I don't think he does. He doesn't like you very much at the moment, but he doesn't hate you. He loves you, you're his father."

"I don't know what I can do. I just want what is best for him and I don't know what I did wrong." Coach said running his fingers through his hair. "What can I do to get my son back?"

Gabriella bit her lip, fighting within herself. She took a deep breath. "I will talk to Troy. I don't know if he will listen, but I will talk to him. I think you should be his father and not his coach. I know for a fact that he is not going to play basketball anytime soon. I just think maybe not pressuring him into playing and supporting whatever else he wants to do. He's in the play." She suggested.

"The play?" Coach asked confused.

"Cabaret." She nodded. "He's playing the character that's in love with my character… go figure." She said with a roll of her eyes. "But yeah. I'm sorry if I offended you." She said hesitantly.

Coach shook his head. "No, not at all. I don't even know where his head is at, you at least some insight to him." Coach Bolton sighed. "Thank you for driving him home. He's stubborn. He gets it from me." He said with a humorless laugh.

"Anytime, coach. I got to get back to detention." Gabriella said with a wince.

"Can I ask why you're in detention?" Coach asked.

Gabriella sighed. "My boyfriend at the time called me in the middle of class. Then I called Darbus a tyrant…. Then I was late the next day so she gave me detention for the week… and I had to audition for the play."

Coach laughed. "I think she's even tougher than I am. I'll let you go. Gabriella, again, thank you."

Gabi smiled. "You're welcome, coach B." She turned and walked quickly back to Darbus' room.

"What was that all about?" Troy asked, watching as she made her way to her chair.

"Don't worry about it TB. Your dad definitely thinks I am your girlfriend now." She said, stretching her legs across his lap.

"He's going to be so annoying at home." Troy said with a groan.

Gabriella shrugged. "Maybe not."

He turned slowly to look at her. "Why?" He asked slowly.

She shrugged. "Where's your chem?" She asked, reaching for his book.

He took her hand. "No, tell me."

She shook her head. "Finish your homework, I'll give you a kiss then I'll tell you." She compromised.

He sighed. "You drive a hard bargain Montez."

"I'm in politics. I have to." She said with a short laugh. "Come on, focus."

He sighed, sitting up straight. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Read the sheet, find the answers in the book. It's not that hard TB."

"I'm not a genius like you Gabriella Montez." He teased, opening the book. "Can't you just do it for me?"

"No way, TB. I'm not getting caught."

Troy chuckled. "You're such a good girl." He teased, kissing her ear gently.

She covered her ear with her shoulder, squealing slightly. "Focus, Bolton, or I'm not gonna help you."

"Fine, fine, fine." He said, shifting in his seat and looking down at his book. "Can you just tell me what Coach said?"

"Focus!" She scolded.

"Sorry, cupcake. It's just fucking with my mind."

She sighed. "I'm going to go pee. When I get back, you better be done with the first two questions." She said, getting up. He opened his mouth to say something but she gave him a stern look so he shut his mouth. She grinned, walking out of the room and to the bathroom.

She hummed to herself, pushing open the door. She stared at herself in the mirror. She wished that she could have a senior year like Troy's. She wished she could break away from all of her responsibilities. She just wanted to have a fun year. She sighed. Senior year was hard and its going to be harder as the year goes on. She can just imagine the pressure she's gonna feel from her parents.

She shook out of that anxious feeling and washed her hands. She stepped into a stall and sang quietly to herself as she used the restroom. She washed her hands again after she finished. She checked herself over in the bathroom before walking out. She hummed herself a melody that she hoped she'd remember when she got home to write down.

She opened the door to an empty room. She frowned, looking around. "TB?" She pouted as she took her seat. She sighed, looking at the paper. His chem questions were halfway done. They were written sloppily but it was still legible. She smiled to herself before getting up again.

She walked into the music room and took a seat at the piano. "Daydreamin'" She sang, testing it out. She cleared her throat before trying again. "Daydreamin, with the chin in the palm of my hand."

"About me?" Troy asked, peaking his head into the door.

Gabriella jumped, turning around. "Yeah, about you." She said, watching him as he took his usual seat next to her, straddling the bench. "Where'd you go?"

"I was looking for Coach but I couldn't find him."

"Man, you are relentless." She said. "And stubborn, and impatient."

"Wow, Montez, you sure can make a guy feel great." He said sarcastically. Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Are you going to play me a song today?"

She shook her head. "Nope, you didn't finish your homework."

"Let's go before detention is over." He said, standing up.

"Or I'll stay here and you finish your homework?" She said with a small smirk.

"Nope, you'll be too far away." He said firmly. "I'll get our stuff and I'll be right back."

She sighed, watching him leave before she got the chance to reply. She turned back to the piano, humming to herself. She played the melody she was playing before. She itched to write it down in her notebook. She turned in her seat and watched him come into the room with their things.

"Here you go, cupcake." He said, handing her bag to her.

"Gracias, TB." She said, pulling out her notebook. She looked up at him and he was staring at her. "What?"

He breathed out. "You, speaking Spanish." He let out a sigh and shook his head.

"What? Is it bad?" She asked with a confused expression.

"No!" He assured. "Not at all. It's so sexy."

Gabriella laughed. "Oh lord, TB." She shook her head. "Come here."

He took the seat next to her. "Why?"

"I think we are best friends now." She shared, wrapping her arms around him.

"Why?" He asked with a laugh, hugging her back.

"Because you make me feel like a normal person." She said with a laugh. "You do like to kiss me too, so you know, that's a plus."

Troy chuckled. "We can be whatever you want us to be cupcake."

She leaned over, pressing a kiss to his lips. "Go finish your homework."

"Yes, ma'am." He murmured with a small smile.

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