Chapter 6

Be Careful

"Oh…Gaaabbbrieeelllaa," Troy sang out to her.

"Whaaaat sillllly boooy?" she sang back to him.

"I love you," he slunk his arms around her waist from behind, snuffling into her ear. She contracted a little, giggling, goose bumps rising on her skin. Chad crossed his arms, rolling his eyes whole heartedly.

"Is there ever a time when you're not hugging all over her?"

"No," Troy smirked after pretending to think about it. Gabriella only giggled as she brushed out another lock of her wet hair. Chad flopped over on her bed. It was now raining with full force outside.

"Did you call Kelsi?" Gabriella asked, pinning her hair up in a clip and flopping over next to Chad. Silence. "Helloooo! Earth to Chad?" Chad opened his eyes.

"I didn't realize you were talking to me Gabby," he smirked. "Yes I called. She said she'd meet us there. She has to go meet her mom at her aunts' house after we're done."

"Should we get going then?" Troy was practically bouncing around like an excited elementary school kid. Chad raised his eyebrows at him.

"Who's driving?"

" Troy is," Gabriella answered before Troy could open his mouth.

" Troy?" Chad snapped like it was the most insane thing he had ever heard. "How come I can't drive?"

"Possibly…," Gabriella said simply. "You drive like a maniac. It's raining. NOT a good combination." Chad only crossed his arms. "Besides," Gabriella stood. "You walked over here so it's only logically that Troy drive his car."

The three of them had gotten their licenses the past fall after having permits all summer. Kelsi and Taylor had too. For the most part everyone were pretty good drivers. No accidents to date.

"Well then…," Chad paused for a minute thinking of a good argument. "I call shot gun!"

"Yeah in your dreams," Gabriella rolled her eyes playfully, shoving him back over on the bed. "You wouldn't ever be able to out run me." Troy and Chad stared at each other quizzically, Gabriella taking advantage of the distraction and bounding down the stairs at full speed. She could feel Troy and Chad on her tail which only made her giggle and run faster. She made it to the front door where she had to stop to unlock and Troy took the opportunity to pick her up and swing her around. He put his mouth close to her ear and uttered the familiar, low whisper.

"Caught ya."


It didn't take very long to get to the pizza place. It was located in a new shopping center that had been built near Gabriella's house just a few months ago. Troy took great care in driving carefully on the slick road, almost as if he had to live up to Gabriella's notion of him so he wouldn't look like a total idiot in front of Chad. Although, he knew Chad was too busy seeking out Volkswagen bugs to notice his driving technique anyway. It seemed that every couple of seconds he was leaning over the front seat to smack him and Gabriella in the arms.

"Would you stop?" Gabriella snapped, irritated as Chad practically flew into the front seat as a yellow bug passed alongside of them.

"Slug bug yellow!" he cried, smacking them both, ignoring Gabriella's request. He giggled hysterically afterwards, Troy parking the car up near Taylor's.

"We're here," he said, unlocking the car doors.

"Finally," Chad got out of the backseat and bounded onto the wet sidewalk where Taylor was waiting for them. Troy leaned over and smiled at Gabriella.

"Ready?" she smiled back.

"Ready."

They got out of the car and met Taylor and Kelsi. They both were dressed casually; both excited to see their friends.

"Oh yeah…," Taylor smiled. "We brought Zeke. He's inside getting us a table. It's pretty packed."

"Can we get out of the rain?" Gabriella whined, the skies continuing to open up, not giving them any form of a break whatsoever. Troy locked his arms around her waist, resting his chin on to of her head.

"Gabriella will melt in the rain guys…we better go," Chad smirked and opened the door. The atmosphere inside was laid back and cozy. The lights overhead were hot giving the inside a toasty feel which was welcoming even after coming in from the monsoonal heat. A juke box sat in the corner, where they spotted Zeke saving their table. He stood up as they came over.

"Hey guys!" They all slid into the booth he had picked out, everyone talking a million miles a minute.

"So how was your day?" Gabriella leaned a little over the table to talk to Kelsi. She smiled brightly.

"It was good. I'm just a little worried about my aunt…,"

Kelsi's Aunt B had been sick for quite a while with some sort of cancer the doctors were still trying to figure out. Kelsi and her mom were really close to her and Gabriella knew it must have been taking a toll on her to watch her suffer.

"Aw Kels…I'm sorry," Gabriella offered a small smile.

"It's perfectly fine," Kelsi insisted. "I'm determined to have fun tonight!"


The night went by fast. Everyone was having such a good time, giggling and getting hyper off their soda's that they didn't realize it was so late. No one else was in the little pizza parlor anymore. Only the six friends and a janitor who came over to their table, a glass cleaner bottle clipped onto the pocket of his uniform.

"Hey kids…I think it's time to go. We're closing in a few minutes."

"Alright…c'mon guys," Chad paused. Gabriella and Troy were in the middle of the parlor, her arms around his neck and his arms locked around her. They were swaying gently back and forth as the last slow song on the juke box dwindled out.

" TROY AND GABRIELLA!" he called. They both looked over at him, annoyed. "C'mon!"

"We better go before Chad throws a fit," Troy placed a gentle kiss on Gabriella's forehead.

"We can finish at your house?" Gabriella whispered mischievously. Troy laughed, grabbing her hand.

"Of course we can."

"Ew its still weeeeet," Taylor moaned, stomping her foot dramatically. Chad had to laugh at her.

"Okay guys…see you later…thank you for tonight," Kelsi gave a small wave.

"Hey wait…where's your car?" Troy asked.

"Oh I walked," Kelsi smiled gently. "My aunt's house isn't too far from here."

"I'm not letting you go by yourself," Troy said earnestly. "Let us drive you."

"No Troy…it's alright really!"

"Kelsi! Listen to yourself. I'll drive you," Gabriella unlinked her arm from Troy's. She turned to look at him. "Do you want to go home with Taylor then I'll come pick you up?"

"Is that what you want to do?" he asked.

"Yes!" he laughed.

"Alright…sounds good," he gave her a kiss, slipping the car keys into her open palm before pulling away. "Be careful."

"Okay," Gabriella grinned, taking Kelsi's hand.

"We will."