Troy couldn't believe he talked Chad into coming to Gabriella's Academic Decathlon match. They walked to the cafeteria where they had it all set up. They took a seat next to Jack and Mr. Montez was there with her sisters. They played musical chairs so that Mariella could sit next to Troy.
"I can't believe there is tiny Gabriella Montez and even tiny-er Gabriella Montez." Chad said, making Troy laugh.
"This is Mariella. Mari, this is one of my best friends, Chad."
"Hello!" She said, grinning, she was playing with her Nintendo.
"She is a savage at Super Smash Bros."
"I beat Troy six times on New Years Eve." She said, pressing buttons on her game.
"Seriously?" Chad asked with a laugh.
Troy nodded his head. "Absolutely. Gabi killed both of us."
"What even is this?" Chad asked, motioning to the event.
"I couldn't tell you. She tried explaining it to me but she getting dressed and I was staring at her boobs." Troy admitted to his friend, quietly.
Chad laughed, shaking his head. "This is either going to be really entertaining or really boring."
"Hopefully entertaining." Troy said, sitting back.
"Mari, game away." Richard told his daughter as the match was about to start. Mariella sighed, switching off her game. She put it in the pocket of her hooded sweatshirt.
Each team got announced, she was one of nine. Gabriella was an honor member, which was the students with the highest GPAs. He watched Gabriella smile and wave to the crowd. She had her Gabriella Montez mask on. She was sweet, charming, articulate and passionate. She was all of those things normally but with the mask they seemed extra forced and amplified. He loved the girl he knew better.
He was stupid enough to fall in love with her. They just connected. From the moment he laid his lips on hers, he took a leap of faith. It was a little rocky especially at the beginning when she didn't want anything to do with him. Now, she called him her best friend. He loved that. He wanted to be her boyfriend- officially but he knew that he wasn't like the other guys she's dated.
Owen- Stoner tool bag. Tony Mendez- Soccer captain and douche canoe. Michael Stevenson-Football captain and dick bag. Those were the ones from the last two years he could remember. He didn't want to be the Basketball captain and son of a bitch, not that he played basketball anymore. He wanted to be the guy she trusted, the one she held on to after high school was over.
Troy loved when she talked and she talked a lot. They talked about nothing and everything. He loved listening to her sing. Most of the time, she'd be on the piano with her headphones on, singing under her breath. He loved walking in the room when she was singing love songs and she'd blush like a child. He even loved when she calls him annoying. She always has a little smirk on her face that says I like you but it comes out as 'you're annoying.'
He could be reading in between the lines. He knew that. He knew that at any point she could change her mind about him and they'd go their separate ways after graduation and he'd never hear from her again. His heart would be broken but he'd scrape by. He never wanted to think about that. His senior year was all about living in the moment and he lived in every moment he had with her.
Clapping broke him out of the day dream. The other student finished reading their essay and Taylor was up next. He glanced over to Chad to see him on the edge of his seat. He never has seen his best friend like this. But Chad, like Troy, was caught in the magic of the smartest girls at East High.
Taylor McKessie finished her speech and the audience clapped. Next was a math portion and Gabriella stood up. She was so damn beautiful. Her hair was curled down her back and half of it was tied with a ribbon like she was so innocent. If only they knew. They started the clock and Gabriella read from the card, writing an equation neatly on the board. The other student was writing quickly on the other board.
Gabriella's hand flew across the board in her perfect penmanship. He had no idea what she the equation was that she was doing but she had it down. She was flawless as she highlighted her answer in a square and hit the timer. She capped her pen and stood confidently. The judge looked over his score card and the equation. He awarded East High with the point.
Troy's brain hurt after the decathlon was over. Gabriella looked like she could run a marathon. She was energetic and excited talking to their fathers. Chad had to leave so he waved to Gabi before he walked out. Camilla looked bored and Mari was being chill on her Nintendo. He glanced over to see what she was playing when he felt two arms wrap around him.
"Great job, cupcake." He said, pulling her into a tight hug.
She smiled widely. "Thank you! Man, that is such a rush. My adrenaline is pumping. I'm going to have to drink some of your mom's sleepy-time tea before bed tonight." She said with a laugh.
"I still have no idea what happened but I'm glad you won."
"Well you should have paid attention to me instead of my boobs." She said with her small smirk.
Troy laughed, shaking his head in disagreement. "I will make sure you have a shirt on before you explain things to me."
"Deal." She leaned up, kissing his lips quickly. "I am starving and I'm so glad I don't have to think about this stupid match all weekend. On Tuesday, Taylor is going to want to go over every single detail to get ready for our second match."
"Wait, how many of these things are there?"
"Well, this was the qualifier. Our next match is in two weeks which is the semi finals. And the match after that is the finals… Like our championship."
"Ah, I get it. It's tournament style."
"Pretty much. Since we won last year we didn't have a match last week. Since we won this one, we won't have one next week. We just go straight to the semi's. We have to change subjects so I think I get science next time so when we head to the finals, I get math again."
"Cool, hopefully you'll have explained it to me again, fully clothed so I have an understanding of what's going on."
She rolled her eyes and he smiled at her. He slid his hand down her arm and into her hand. He kissed the back of her hand. "Let me say bye to my dad and sisters and we can go."
"Sounds good."
She slipped her hand out of his as she hugged her sisters and her dad. Mari came and hugged him before they walked out. "Oh! I need to get my backpack, can you come with me to my locker?"
"Of course." He would follow her anywhere. She slid her hand under his shirt to touch his back and his hip as they walked into the hallway. "What are you doing this weekend? Any plans?"
"Not for me. Well, I was going to go check on the progress of my room at my dad's but that would be a quick in and out thing. What about you? Are you and Chad going anywhere?"
"Nah, he has family stuff this weekend. My mom is showing more houses in Santa Fe and my dad… I don't know what he is doing. I will be at home, being lazy and avoiding my homework."
"Perfect. Sounds just like the weekend I need." She leaned up to kiss his cheek. She slid her hand out from his shirt as they approached her locker. She pulled her backpack out, shuffling through it and switching out books.
He looked at the two pictures that were on the back of her locker door. It was one of the polaroid pictures from the camera he bought her for Christmas. They were just messing around with it after she opened it. She squealed so happily from a camera. The girl had everything and he was so happy that he felt like he won Christmas with her with the little camera.
The top picture of the two of them, laying on his bed. He had to stretch his arm up and hope for the best. The lighting wasn't great for the first picture so the second picture, she held up her phone flash but his eyes were closed. The third picture he took, he said something stupid, making her laugh. He kept that one after she said it was too ugly. The fourth try they got it right, smiling widely, perfect lighting, no closed eyes or laughing.
The bottom picture was just him. He was sitting in front of the Christmas tree. It was the first picture she took with her new camera. "When did you put these up?" He asked, looking at himself.
"Today! Aren't they cute? I love this one." She said, pointing to Troy in front of the Christmas tree. "You look so cute! I'm going to take some of my sisters and put it them up."
"That will be nice." He said, touching her curl that was hanging over her shoulder.
"I should have put more pictures up sooner this year but I just haven't. It's kind of bitter sweet because it's our senior year and we only have a couple more months left." She said, closing her locker and zipping her backpack. She put it on her shoulders. "You ready?"
"Yep, let's go." She slid her hand into his. They walked together to her car. He climbed in, grabbing his backpack out the back seat. He handed over her keys and she slid them in her jeans. "I didn't even do the decathlon thing and my head hurts. I need a nap."
She giggled. "Yeah, it has that effect on people." She turned on the radio and started driving to the Bolton's. She was glowing with happiness and he couldn't help but look at her. She parked in front of the house and he climbed out. He put his backpack on and shut the door behind him. He held the gate open for her and she opened the front door with her key.
He went straight up to his room, putting his backpack down and laying on the bed. "You okay?" His dad asked as he walked by.
"Tired." He replied, letting his eyes close.
"Wake up." Gabriella said, walking in the room. She set something down on his side table and laid on top of him. She giggled quietly to herself. "What if people slept like this instead of side by side?"
He chuckled. "That would be awfully uncomfortable for the people who are stuck on the bottom."
"Last time Chad was here, he showed me how to make beats on the keyboard. You wanna hear?"
He smiled. "Sure, let's hear." He sat up and scooted to the far edge, closer to the keyboard.
She worked her fingers around the keyboard before it started playing a beat. "What do you think?"
"What song is this for?" He wondered.
She blushed pink and his heart started to beat a little harder. "It's for the song I was singing when you and Chad came in to the other week. I'm yours."
"Can you sing it again? Just a little bit so I can hear it all together?"
She nodded her head, turning around so she didn't have to face him. She stopped the beat before she took a deep breath. She started the beat again and counted quietly to herself.
"Some nerve you have
to break up my lonely
And tell me you want me
How dare you march into my heart
Oh how rude of you
to ruin my miserable
And tell me I'm beautiful
Cause I wasn't looking for love, no
Nobody asked you to get me attached to you
In fact, you tricked me
And I wasn't trying to fall in love but boy you pushed me."
She stopped singing and stopped the beat and turned to face him. He just smiled at her. "I really like it. I like when you sang it without the music but I feel like it flowed better with the beat." He said, leaning back on his arms.
"Thank you. I like it to. I never thought about the hip hop sounds behind my lyrics because I feel like I've just written ballads. I liked playing with the beats."
"You can get one of those beat sound machine things like producers and real DJs have."
"Yeah, I could." She said, turning to face him. "You can go ahead and say it."
He looked up at her a bit confused. "Say what?"
"What you always say when I sing one of my songs." She said, avoiding looking into his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
She sighed with a playful smile. "You're really going to make me say it, aren't you?" He still had the same confused expression on his face. She mustered up her best Troy Bolton voice. "is that song about me? Because you're in love with me?"
He laughed out loud at her impersonation of him. "I don't say that to every song. Only some, to hear you tell me that I'm annoying."
"You're so weird. You like when I tell you that you're annoying?" She asked, tilting her head.
He grinned. "Yeah, your mouth says 'You're annoying.' But in your eyes I see them saying 'I'm in love with you.'"
Gabriella rolled her eyes, making him laugh harder. "There it is and yes, you are annoying."
"I know you are."
"I'm not annoying!" She said with an offended scoff.
"No, cupcake, I acknowledge that you're in love with me. It's cute." She groaned. "I would tell you that I reciprocated your feelings but you would never hang out with me again."
She froze for a second, meeting his eyes. She swallowed. "Why do you think that?" she asked quietly.
Troy sighed. He wanted to look away but he couldn't. "Because you don't want to break my heart." He watched her eyes glaze over as the thoughts in her head took her attention away from him. "But it's just a song and we don't have to talk about any of that." He said quickly in effort to save their friendship.
She opened her mouth to say something. "Troy!" His father yelled from down stairs. "Gabi!"
Troy stood up, sucking in a breath. He walked down the stairs to where his parents were. "Yeah, what's up?"
"I'm going with your mom to Santa Fe this weekend."
"Oh, cool." He said, looking over at his mom.
"We expect the both of you to behave. No parties."
Troy made a face. "I have two friends. I don't want to party. Chad is visiting Grandma Mera. I'm going to be avoiding my homework and sleeping in. Gabriella is probably going to be at her dads."
"I'm just saying. No parties." Troy rolled his eyes.
"I'll make sure he won't have any parties." Gabriella said from behind him. "Have fun!"
"We will." Jack said with a smile.
Troy made a face. "Gross."
Jack laughed. "Money is on the counter for food. Keys to the truck are on the hook. Be careful when you start her, she's been kind of temperamental lately."
"Okay, Thanks."
"Love you guys! Be good." Lucille gave each of them hugs and kisses to the forehead. Jack picked up their suitcase and his mother's suit bag and carried them out the door. He closed the door after them, locking up.
"I can nap without my parents telling me to do something."
"You're so lazy." She wrapped her arms around him. She kissed his cheek gently.
"Well what else am I supposed to do?"
"Have a party!"
"Absolutely not." He said wiggling out of her embrace.
"I was joking." She said with a pout. He climbed back up the stairs. He laid across his bed, closing his eyes. "You're being weird, what's wrong?"
"I have a headache."
He felt her climb on the bed next to him. Her fingers ran through his hair slowly. He enjoyed her finger tips, rubbing along his scalp. "Come here." She said quietly. She shifted next to him. He moved in between her legs, laying his head on her stomach. He wrapped his arms around her hips and her fingers made their way back in his hair. "Better?" He hummed an affirmation.
Troy rubbed his thumbs across her hips as she rubbed his scalp. She shifted her hips humming quietly, getting comfortable. "I have a question."
She flinched a little. "What's up?"
"Do you miss having sex?" He wondered. She could be having sex with anybody but she chose to be here with him. "We haven't done anything… well, I haven't done anything since before Christmas."
"Not really. I can get myself off easily and I cuddle with you most nights so that is satisfying when I crave intimacy. Sex is fun but it's a lot of work for a little amount of time and I usually have to get myself off afterward regardless."
"Would you have sex with me?"
"I would, if you were ready and if you wanted to."
"If I got into a school in New York, would you want to be single or would you consider a relationship with me?" She didn't answer. "You can answer honestly."
"I don't know, Troy." She said softly.
"Would you want me to consider going to school in New York or would you want me to go to California?"
"I want you to do what is best for you."
A ring came from Gabriella's cell phone. She sat up and Troy moved off of her quickly. It only rang out loud if it was from Rose and it was important. She found her phone in her bag and answered it. "Hello?" Gabriella answered. "I got an envelope from Julliard?"
Troy perked up quickly. "What does it say?"
"Can you open it for me, Rose?" She asked. "Yes! I'm sure. I don't want to wait. Please tell me." She begged. "Oh my god." Gabriella said nervously. He could sense her anxiety heighten as she held her breath. Her face suddenly lit up as she screamed, jumping up and down. "I got in?!" She screamed again.
Troy smiled proudly as she watched her dance and scream. "congratulations!"
She turned to look at him and he saw the tears in her eyes. Tears of relief, tears of joy, tears of pure happiness from her dreams coming true. She pressed a button on her phone, setting it down. "Can you read it to me again?" She asked, leveling her voice.
"Of course, my sweet girl. I'm so proud of you." Rose said, her voice thick with emotion. The tears were dripping down her cheeks. His heart clenched at her beautiful face. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned into him as he rubbed her back. "Dear Gabriella Montez, Congratulations! It gives me tremendous pleasure to inform you that the admissions committee has granted you admissions to the Bachelor of Music- Piano Program and the Bachelor of Vocal Arts program at The Julliard School for the 2008-2009 academic year. We extend you every encouragement to join us in the fall!"
"Congratulations." He said softly, kissing the top of her head. "You deserve it. You work so hard and you deserve this."
Gabriella wiped her tears, reaching over for her phone. She swallowed. "I'll be by tomorrow, Rose. Thank you. I love you."
"I love you too. See you tomorrow." Rose said hanging up.
She put her phone back and buried her face into his chest again. He dropped kisses to her head. She sniffed, pulling back to wipe her face again. She looked up at him. He smiled at her, brushing her hair back carefully. She leaned up, kissing his lips slowly. He held her head as he kept their lips together. She pulled back and he kissed her cheek. He stood up straight feeling overwhelming joy and excitement for her.
"You got in!"
"I got in!" She reciprocated excitedly.
He spun her around, making her laugh. "You have to call my parents. They've been waiting for you to get your letter."
She grinned widely. "Really? You call them."
He pulled out his phone and dialed his moms number and put it on speaker phone. He figured his dad would be the one driving. "Hello?"
"Hey mom." Troy said, grinning.
"What's going on? Why are you calling already? Do we need to turn back around?" His father asked.
Troy and Gabriella laughed. "No, nothing bad. Just some exciting news." He explained.
"What?" His mother asked curiously.
"I got into Julliard!" Gabriella said excitedly.
A moment of silence, which Troy assumed was lag, his parents started cheering. Gabriella giggled happily. Troy grinned at the pure joy on her face. "Oh my god! We knew you would! We're so happy for you Gabi!"
"Thank you! I'm kind of shocked and excited and I still need to tell my parents but I wanted to tell you two first."
"Aw! We are so proud of you! We will have to hear all about it when we come back, okay? Bring that letter, I want to see it." His mom said. Troy chuckled to himself.
"Okay, I will. Drive safe!"
"No parties!" Jack reminded them before Troy hung up.
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