(A.N. sorry it's taken me so long to upload, it's been a busy week or so, especially with school and performances so I'll probably be back to posting on weekends. I hope you're enjoying the story - thank you to everyone who has given their feedback - and please let me know what you think/any comments or feedback you have :) )
Gabriella woke up the next morning and smiled as she looked down at Lilliana beside her. She thought back to the previous evening as the little girl ran to her as soon as she finished talking to Troy.
"Are you ok Bria?"
"I'm alright Sweet Girl, don't worry."
Lilliana hugged her and whispered. "Was Troy nice? He promised he wouldn't be mean anymore."
She smiled softly. "He was very nice and I know he'll keep his promise to you, he's your brother and he wouldn't promise you if he couldn't keep it."
"Ok, I didn't like when he was mean to you, I don't like him when he's mean to my sister."
The title made Gabriella smile - even after everything, regardless of genetics, they were still sisters. "You don't have to be angry at him anymore ok?" Lilliana nodded. "Good, I love you so much Livie, always."
The six-year-old hugged her, whispering. "I love you Bria."
Her thoughts were interrupted as her alarm went off and she woke up Lilliana before they all got ready and went downstairs to go to school. When they walked into the kitchen, they found Jacob at the table and Troy was about to pass them, walking through the door. "Morning Lil, Gabriella." He greeted, smiling.
"Morning." They both replied and Gabriella could see the grin on her sister's face as she saw the change in her brother's behaviour.
Once they were all ready, Gabriella looked at Troy curiously. "So what happens now, do you want me to take the bus or -"
"No of course not, we can just drive together in the truck while Dad drops the twins off to school." He bent down to say goodbye to the two kids, hugging them both. "Have a good day today."
Lilliana whispered to him. "Thank you for being nice to Bria."
He smiled softly at her. "I'll be nice to her Lil, I'm sorry I was being mean, but you don't have to worry about that anymore."
She nodded and moved to hug Gabriella. "Bye Bria, love you."
"I love you too Sweet Girl, have fun today."
With that, the two teens drove to East High. They got out of the truck and walked to their lockers which were conveniently close to each other. As they walked through the halls, they noticed the eyes of the student body on them and Gabriella immediately shrunk. Noticing her behaviour, Troy pushed gently. "Are you ok?"
Her eyes shot to him. "Are you sure it's ok for us to be seen like this, everyone's staring."
"It's fine Brie, they'll get over it soon enough, don't worry about them." He noticed her looking at him curiously. "What?"
"You called me Brie."
"Oh I'm sorry, should I not call you that?"
She shook her head, smiling to herself. "No, no, it's fine, I just didn't expect it. It's really pretty." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some of the Wildcats looking at them curiously. "Is your team or friends going to care that we're friends?"
"Of course not, it's none of their business... Why don't you come sit with us at lunch?"
"I don't think any one would like that, plus what about Taylor, Martha, Sharpay and Kelsi?"
The boy thought for a second. "You could bring them too." He saw the look of disbelief on her face and chuckled. "Trust me, the guys will be completely fine if you all come." He looked around before whispering to her. "Don't repeat this to anyone, but Chad's had a bit of a crush on Taylor and Zeke is completely in love with Sharpay."
"Ok I guess I'll ask them and see what they think." She smiled but it dropped when she looked around, noticing the intense glares from many of the East High girls. "I'll uh see you later Troy."
He grabbed her wrist as she turned to walk away, pulling her back to face him. "Hey." He said, making sure her eyes connected with his as they spoke. "Just ignore them, don't let them get to you. I won't let anyone do anything to you and I'll make sure the team's looking out for you." He saw her nod slightly as the bell rang above them. "Ok, come on, let's go to home room."
As they walked, she immediately started apologising. "I'm sorry Troy, I can take care of myself and I do, it's just the staring, I can't deal with everyone staring at me."
He shook his head and pulled her into a one-armed hug as they walked. "Don't stress, you've done nothing wrong and you don't need to apologise." he placed a friendly kiss on the top of her head before they took their seats and Mrs Darbus walked through the door.