Hey everyone! I'm really loving the reviews so thanks to all those who took the time! By the way it pains me to tell you all this, but I'm going away for a few days so I won't be able to update until at least Sunday or Monday… :( so be sure to review this chap and tell me what you think so that I don't lose inspiration while I'm away! Also I have started a new story, it's called 'Keeping it Together' the first chapter is posted, so check that out on my profile and tell me what you think… whether I should continue or not… :)

Disclaimer: I do not own HSM or any of the HSM characters mentioned in this fic.

CHAPTER 8: Be my Girlfriend?

Gabriella absentmindedly picked a movie, not really caring what it was… her mind was on still thinking about the kiss… it had been so unexpected and quick that her brain had trouble processing that fact that it had actually happened. Troy meanwhile didn't care what she picked either… he was off on his own little world, thinking about the kiss as well, a goofy smile was plastered on his face.

After buying some popcorn and a drink from the candy store, the two went into the theatre and took two seats somewhere near the back… some commercials came up on the screen and the two watched them vaguely taking in what they were seeing…

The two were so caught up in their own thoughts that they didn't even know what movie they were supposed to be watching… it didn't matter though, because neither was able to focus on the screen anyway… sure their eyes were directed towards the screen, but everything else was focused and acutely aware of the person sitting next to them.

The two continued to watch, vaguely absorbing what was being displayed on the screen… the kept trying to steal glances at each other... Troy would try to glance at Gabriella, or Gabriella would try to glance at Troy… most times they were unsuccessful in making this action covert as often their glances were met with the same action by the other… in this scenario both would smile an awkward goofy and look away.

'This is sooo awkward… we can barely even speak to each other… I just don't know what to say to him,' thought Gabriella, frowning at how awkward it was all becoming… at that moment Troy stole a glance at her and noticed the expression on her face, 'What's wrong with her? I can't stop smiling, and there she is frowning… didn't she want me to kiss her?' Troy's heart beat faster as uncertainty wracked his brain… how was he to know if she had wanted him to kiss her… it seemed like they'd been on the brink all day long… he just assumed his overture would be accepted… 'Wait a minute… that kiss was sooo not all me… I felt her kissing me back! Of course she wanted the kiss! … wait… maybe she just got caught up in the moment… I mean, I did catch her by surprise… Ohhh I don't know what to think!' thought Troy groaning audibly and running his hand through his hair…

Gabriella looked over at him, as she heard him groan, she saw an anguished frown on his face and she became immediately concerned… she looked down and saw his hand on the armrest gripping it tightly… Gabriella's instantly put her hand on his, giving him a gentle squeeze… Troy tensed instantly at her touch, his eyes first snapping to the direction of his hands before flicking over to look at Gabriella.

"…Hey…" she whispered, flashing him a gently smile and squeezing his hand again, "You okay, you don't look so well…"

He looked at her silently, his mind on the feel of her hand on his… Troy nodded, returning her smile and whispering, "Yeah I'm fine…"

Gabriella nodded back and moved to take her hand away, but as she did so, Troy gripped it with his own, intertwining them on the armrest and turning to look back at the screen, smiling… Gabriella's eyes widened in surprise at his action but she instantly relaxed, smiling as she looked at their interlocked fingers for a second before her eyes returned to the screen.

Judging solely on the reactions of the rest of the audience, the movie had been of the romantic comedy genre, and in the final scenes of the film, the onscreen lovers shared their cliché kiss… as it turned out, both Gabriella and Troy had actually tuned in to watch this scene… and both felt themselves blush slightly as the recalled their own kiss.

Their minds still miles away, neither of them even registered the ending of the film… the sight of the credits was enough to clue them in… and so they blinked in surprise when the lights were turned on and light spread throughout the room. Gabriella looked over at Troy, who just happened to be looking over at Gabriella… they shared another awkward smile… before Troy spoke out.

"I guess the movies over… did you like it?"

Gabriella didn't respond at first as she looked at him blankly, 'Um… How am I supposed to respond to this…? Err… I don't know Troy… I wasn't really watching, all I could think about was… you…! I can't say that!'

"Erm… yeah it was great… did you?" she replied, nodding and smiling at him.

It was Troy's turn to hesitate this time as he thought about his response…

"Um… yes… it was pretty good for a chick flick…" he lied… he really had no idea if the film was good or not, he hadn't really been watching… He looked down at his watch and noticed it was already past 6pm… 'Oh… crap… I promised Ms. Montez that I'd have Gabriella home by 7pm… we better get going… she can't be late for the…'

"Troy…" said Gabriella interrupting his thoughts, "it's already past 6 o'clock, we better get going, my mum's expecting me home for dinner…"

"Um… yeah, that's what I was just thinking… we better get going," he released his grasp on her hand reluctantly, as he stood up, bending down to pick up Gabriella's shopping…

"Ohhh… Troy, let me carry some of that… I don't want you to have to carry all my stuff," she cried as she saw what he was doing.

"No Gabriella… its okay… You're the birthday girl, remember? Now what type of bo… friend would I be if I let you carry your shopping on your birthday," answered Troy, blushing at his near mistake… he had forgotten in all the excitement, that they were still not official… he'd have to do something to change that soon.

"Well thank you Troy…" replied Gabriella, giving in, she had noticed his near mistake, but chose not to bring it up… "You are an excellent… friend."

Troy smiled at her and they both walked in silence out of the mall. The walk home was fairly uneventful and silent… a comfortable silence. Gabriella let the memories of the day wash over her… it had been a good day, a wonderful day… and it was all thanks to Troy, she looked over at him and smiled… he was looking straight ahead, clearly lost in his own thoughts… she wondered what he was thinking about…

"What're you thinking about, Troy?" she asked, voicing her thoughts.

Troy looked over at her, blinking as he was snapped back to the present… 'I was thinking about how I should go about asking you out… making us official…'

"Erm… nothing… just thinking about today…" he replied, which was half true… he couldn't stop thinking about today, it had been a great day.

Gabriella nodded in agreement… "Yeah… thank you sooo much for today Troy… it's been absolutely wonderful… I can't believe you planned all that stuff for me… you're a wonderful boy, Troy…"

'How could I not do all this for you Gabriella…? You're the one who's wonderful… in fact to me you're perfect…'

"It was nothing Gabriella… what're best friends for?"

Gabriella smiled and walked on… before they knew it they were at her doorstep…

"Well I guess where here… thanks again for today Troy, you've made today one of the best birthday's I've ever had…" she said quietly, and Troy smiled gently at her.

"Hey… like I told you before, it was nothing really…" replied Troy. He breathed in deeply as he gathered the courage to say the words he said next… "Well we better get you and these bags inside… I think your mum has a special surprise for you… but before we do… Do… do you mind if I ask you a question?"

He looked at her anxiously, as he waited for her answer… Gabriella had a feeling she knew what he was going to ask, and her heart started racing.

"Um… yeah Troy… what's on your mind…?"

Troy stepped closer to her, so he was standing close in front of her and looked into her eyes…

"Okay… well Gabriella I just want you to know, you're the best friend that I've ever had, and grateful everyday for the friendship that we share… I'm so glad I met you at that ski lodge… in fact I find it hard now to imagine a life without you in it…"

Gabriella, blushed at this, smiling… 'That's sooo sweet… I feel exactly the same way!'

"…Um… you're like the smartest, kindest, most wonderful person I know… and on top of all that your beautiful and fun… I love spending time with you… it's one of my favourite things…" continued Troy.

He had leaned closer to her as he was speaking and she had leaned closer too… they were now inches apart and Gabriella could feel Troy's breath on her cheek as he spoke.

"I think about you all the time… I can't get you off my mind… so I just want to ask you now… Will you be my girlfriend?"

Gabriella looked at him, a smile spreading across her face…

"I was wondering when you'd get around to asking…" she replied grinning, "How's this for an answer?"

Gabriella leaned in to kiss him softly, Troy smiling and leaning in also… they closed their eyes, and just as they were about to seal their second kiss… the door opened…

Gabriella and Troy's eyes snapped open as they jumped apart and snapped their heads over to see Ms. Montez, standing at the doorway… a slightly embarrassed grin on her face.

There you have it… another chapter gone… haha… they're still not official… but will that change next chapter? You'll have to wait and see… Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!