Later that week, Troy was waiting for Gabriella on the rooftop during free period since she had spent lunch with Lachlan. Gabriella came up to the rooftop a few minutes later, Troy still unaware of her presence. She crept up quietly behind him and wrapped her arms around him shoulders, making him grin. He turned in her arms before wrapping his own around her waist and spinning her, making her giggle. "Hey Wildcat."
"Hey Baby." He greeted with a chaste kiss on her lips before they sat on the bench. "How was your lunch with Locky?"
"It was good, I think he enjoyed us spending time together and I do too. Thank you for being there for him and convincing him to talk to us."
"Of course." He looked down as he watched her playing with his hand. "What are you doing? Why are you always playing with my hand?"
She giggled. "I don't know, I just -" She shrugged, not knowing how to finish the sentence.
He chuckled lightly and pulled her onto his lap. "Whatever you say Brie." He placed a kiss on her neck. "So I've been meaning to ask, can I take you on another date?"
"Yeah I'd like that, what would we be doing?"
"Whatever you want to do, we could go to a movie or iceskating or an amusement park, maybe the beach, whatever you'd like."
She leant her head on his shoulder. "I don't like the idea of you having to spend money on me, especially since I doubt we'll have enough money for me to do it in return." She saw that he was about to interrupt. "No, I know what you're going to say, but I mean it. How about we just hang out at your house, that could be fun?"
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "Of course we can, if that's what you want to do."
She smiled in response and looked out at the view. As she looked at her surroundings, she realised how peaceful that moment was. That away from her mother, she was happy. Since she moved to East High, she was finally happy. "It's really beautiful out here."
"Yeah it is." He noticed the far off look in her eyes. "What's going on in that pretty little head of yours."
She looked at him and smiled. "I was just thinking about how peaceful it was and that coming to East High was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. Coming here, I've been happy."
He placed his hand on her cheek. "I'm glad Baby, you deserve it."
She covered his hand with her own, looking into his eyes. "Troy I - I've been meaning to tell you something. Nothing bad, actually it's one of the few good things in my life. You're one of the few good things in my life... You obviously know about my past now and the life that we're still living in. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm lucky to have you. I've never had much of a family besides my brothers and sisters, my dad abandoned us and my mom neglects us. So for you to have stayed and stood by me, it means a lot.
I didn't know what to expect when we came to East High, I thought I'd just remain invisible like I did at my other schools, but then I met you. The thought of hanging with the basketball team, at first was kinda intimidating but when I met you, you were so sweet and I just wanted to be around you. I never imagined that I'd have a boyfriend but being with you has been amazing. You're one of the greatest people I've ever met and I'm happy that I can call you mine.
I guess what I'm trying to say in this long drawn out speech that has probably just been me trying to get myself to actually say the words... I love you Wildcat. I don't know if it's too soon or if you don't feel the same way or -"
She was interrupted by Troy kissing her. When he pulled away, he caressed her cheek. "I love you too Baby." He saw her scrunch her nose and chuckled. "Sorry, I love you." She smiled and reconnected their lips. "And for the record, you've changed my life too Sweetheart. I used to just come to school and do basketball just to get through it all. But now that you're here, I have a reason to want to come to school. I love getting to see you everyday and spending free period on the rooftop. You've made my life better and I've never been happier than I am with you."
She smiled and cuddled into his chest. "You know, if only I had a happy home to go home too, my life would be perfect but even without it, I don't think it could get much better. I have you, Chad, Locky and the girls, that's all I need."
"Ditto to that." They sat in silence for a few minutes before Troy spoke. "Brie, can I ask you something about your dad?" She nodded in response. "Well I was just wondering - why did he leave you guys if he knew how your mom was?"
Gabriella sighed. "My parents both came from quite poor upbringings and I guess they used alcohol as a kinda release or something. They were young and did some pretty reckless things. They weren't ready to have Chad, Locky or I, it just kinda happened. My dad stopped drinking and tried to be better for us but my mom didn't. He struggled to deal with it for so many years and he held on, but he reached breaking point when the girls were born. He left after they were born but we'd see him every weekend or two for a while but then he just disappeared one day and we don't know why. It was how it was and how we grew up."
He nodded slowly. "Did you ever resent that he didn't take you guys with him and get you away from your mom?"
"I guess subconsciously we might in some ways but at the same time, you can't resent what you don't know and I guess if he had taken us with him, who knows what would've happened or where we'd be. But I know I wouldn't have met you so I guess for that reason, no I don't resent that he left us with her."
He kissed her forehead. "You're so strong Baby, really you're amazing."
"I love you Troy."
"I love you Brie."