Hey! Thanks for the reviews. It means a lot. Here's the next chapter. Let me know what you think. I'm doing something different in this chapter, so let me know if you like it or not.

I didn't even know what to say. Should I smile and act like I'm happy to see him? Of course I'm not, but that might make things a little easier. Or should I just start apologizing right. But then again, do I even have anything to apologize for? I mean it's not like Derek and I are together. I wouldn't want to see him acting like that with another girl though. With Troy, it comes so naturally. I can't help it if-

"Um, did I say something wrong darling? That young fella seemed pretty mad." I realized I must have zoned out for a while. Derek had stormed to his table along with his friends. They didn't seem like they knew what to do.

"No. We're just friends, but we're kind of mad at each other right now. It's not your fault though." Troy glanced over at me with questioning eyes. He was probably wondering what was going on with me and Derek. Sad part is he was the problem. I could already tell this situation didn't seem like it would get much better. I swear boys and their egos.

"Ok darling, just making sure." The waitress walked off and I just didn't sit and focus anymore when I knew Derek was sitting a couple of tables behind me. I wouldn't dare turn around and look at him though. I felt uncomfortable all of a sudden though.

"I need some air. I'm going to step outside for a minute." I got up and I saw Troy about to stand as well, but I shook my head. I needed to think without him there.

I walked a little bit outside of the restaurant. I just decided to pace back and forth down the block. I really didn't know what to do with the situation anymore. I can't really say I like Troy, but I can that the connection is there. I just don't know if it's a friendship or an actual relationship. Derek is everything. We get along well. We connect with each other's majors and we just fit. How can I say no to that?

"Being out here by yourself is one more reason for Troy to hate me." I looked up to see Derek standing there with his hands in his pockets. I had to admit, he looked nice. Those green eyes always made me smile. This wasn't a good time to be smiling though.

"I needed to get out of there. Too much tension in there." I sat on a bench nearby and Derek sat next to me. "I don't know what you think you saw, but it was nothing. We were just having fun and goofing off. Troy and I aren't dating or anything like that."

"I'm not mad at how you and Troy were acting." I looked up shocked.

"You're not?"

"No. I have friends that are girls Gabi. We act the same way sometimes. I'm not mad that you were acting that way, but I am upset that you're acting that way with Troy. God, I sound stupid." He leaned his back and closed his eyes.

"I don't get it." He turned and looked at me.

"Gabi, I'm not dumb. You and Troy have some type of connection, but I don't know what it is. I don't know if you guys are just really good friends or if someone secretly likes the other person. I might just be overreacting, but the way you froze up made me think something might be there."

"I froze up because I didn't even tell you that Troy and I had made up. I also had just hung up on you the last time we talked."

"Gabi, I knew you and Troy made up just by the sound of the voice when you called me earlier. You seem depressed when we left the club then you became happy overnight. Again, I'm not stupid."

"I didn't say you were stupid! God!" I was getting frustrated the longer we stayed out here. I didn't know how to defend myself for two reasons. One, Derek had already made up his mind that something was going on so he was dodging every response I gave. Two, I didn't even know how I felt about Troy so how could I prove to someone else that we were just friends.

"Gabi, I'm not trying to argue. I'm just trying to tell you how I feel about the situation. I'm not mad. I'm just…I guess…frustrated."

"That's one thing we can agree on. We are both frustrated."

"Gabi, I wanted to have one day where I didn't think about this honestly. Then I showed up and realized that wasn't going to happen. Just tell me what you want to do Gabi." I honestly didn't know. At this point, I didn't want to think about Troy or Derek. All I wanted was that burger and fries that was waiting for me at the table.

"How about we forget about it? How about tonight we each spend time with our friends and have a good time? We can forget that the other one exists. I know it sounds dumb, but I think we could use a break from the drama and thinking period." For the first time tonight, Derek smiled.

"I'm with ya Gabs."

"Excuse me sir, I don't think I know you." I scooted away a little and Derek started laughing. He scooted closer. He leaned closer towards my face and right before he kissed me, he pulled back.

"Well for the record stranger, I think you look beautiful tonight." He stood up and held out his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up. I looked up at him and smiled.

"Thanks."

"No problem." He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I swear this would be so much easier if he was an asshole. "Tomorrow?"

"Yes, we'll talk tomorrow." He nodded and we silently walked towards the diner together. When we walked closer, I noticed Troy on the phone. Derek saw him too. He turned and smiled at me. I smiled and watched as he walked into the diner. When I saw him sit down with his friends, I walked closer to Troy.

"So everything is fine mom?" I couldn't hear what she said, but he looked worried. When he saw me, he seemed to calm down. "One second ma"

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a quick talk with my mom. You know how they can get. I'll be in shortly though." I took that as he didn't want me listening to the conversation, but I respected his privacy.

"Alright, I'll see you in there." I turned and walked inside. I glanced towards Derek's table. I smiled when I saw him finally having a good time. I must've not been paying attention because I ran into someone.

"Yo Gabster, watch you're going girl." I smirked and shoved him a little.

"Hey, I'm the little one. Where are you going?"

"I was going to check on Troy. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah, he's outside talking to his mom." Chad's eyes were soft. They always seemed to be filled with happiness, but for a quick second, I could've sworn I say fear flash through his eyes.

"Oh yeah? Cool. Well, I'm going to just stand out there with him for a little bit. It's kind of stuffy in here. Food is on the table." I decided not to ask any questions.

"Alright. See ya back at the table." I watched as Chad walked outside towards Troy and for a split second, I was about to follow him, but I decided against it. They have a bond that Troy and I will never have and this was their moment.

Troy's POV

After I watched Gabi walk back in the restaurant, I turned back towards the street and quickly brought the phone back up to my ear.

"Mom, are you sure everything is okay?

"Yes Troy, it is fine. I would tell you if anything is different. By the way, who was that talking?"

"That was my friend Gabriella."

"Ooooo, she has a pretty name. Why haven't I heard about her?"

"Because we usually have more important things to talk about mom."

"Troy, everything that goes on in your life is important to me son. Never forget that. No matter what is going on, remember that."

"I will mom." I didn't want to hang up, but I knew I needed to get back to the table. "Alright, well tell everyone I love them. I guess I'll talk to you all later. Please don't hesitate to call me if anything happens.

"I love you too Troy. Enjoy yourself. Tell Chad I said hey."

"I will. Bye mom."

"Bye baby." I hung up the phone and tried my best not to think about anything, but everything just started rushing through my mind at once. I had too much going on in the past couple of days. I just needed a break.

"You alright man? Gabi, told me you were talking to your mom when I saw her coming back in."

"Yeah man, same old, same old. Nothing has changed, but it's not getting better either though." Chad and I had been friends forever. He knew everything about me. We barely spoke any words sometimes, but he knew exactly what I was saying without saying it.

"That sucks. You want to talk about it?"

"I honestly want to talk about anything besides that." We had this same talk every time. I always said I wanted to talk about something else. Then, Chad would bring up basketball and we would talk about a game. Somehow we would up end up arguing over who was the best NBA player, Kobe or LeBron. In the end, we would agree to disagree.

"Okay, what's going on with you and Gabriella?" I definitely didn't see that one coming.

"Nothing. We're just friends."

"C'mon Troy. Don't give me that crappy answer. Anyone with eyes can see that something is there. Even the waitress that barely knows you sees something. You were practically Eskimo kissing her with a milkshake!" I looked at him like he was crazy.

"Really Chad?

"Okay, you know I can be overdramatic like Barbie sometimes, but my point is something is there."

"Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. But, I don't have an answer Chad. Do I like Gabi? Yes, of course I do. Who wouldn't? Does she like me back? I have no idea. One minute, we're hanging out and everything is fine. The next minute, she can barely look at me because of Derek."

"Dude, it's weird because he's jealous."

"No, it's weird because they are dating."

"Troy it only got weird cause you blew up at him at the club. Before that, you guys were fine." For once, Chad was right. I've been acting like Derek and I hated each other ever since we met. When I've only been mad at the guy for a day.

"I can't believe I'm asking you this of all people, but what do I do Chad?"

"Figure out if she's worth it Troy. If she's worth risking the friendship for." That was something I had never thought about before, but it was true. If Gabi and I were to date, that could possibly ruin a great friendship. I could never imagine hurting her, but things happen.

"You're right Chad. Thanks."

"I've never heard that I'm right, but I'll take it." He smiled as if he was proud of himself and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Brothers for life?"

"Brothers for life." It was something we had started when we were younger, and we occasionally said it just to remind us how close we truly were.

"Mom says hey by the way."

"Cool. I'll have to call her later on. I know you don't want to talk about it, but don't worry about that Troy. We're living each day at a time. Remember?"

"Yeah man thanks." Chad was right again. I was definitely saying that too much in one night. "By the way, what's going on with you and Taylor?"

"She's feisty man, but I like it. I like that she challenges me."

"She likes you too man I can tell."

"I think I'm going to ask her on a date soon when we're not around the gang."

"She'll say yes. You guys are weird, but entertaining. You'll be good together. Chad smiled and we gave each other a little man hug.

"Thanks Troy."

"No problem man." I took a deep breath and we decided to head back inside. I was determined to have a good time tonight.

When we got back in, Chad acted like everything was normal. That's what I loved about his friendship. We could have some serious talks then he snaps back to regular funny Chad. He started arguing with Taylor and eating. Gabriella touched my shoulder and I turned to look at her.

"Everything good?" I heard that so many times before. That was a hard question to answer, even though it was so simple.

"Tonight is everything is great Brie." I leaned back and put my arm around Gabi's chair and we laughed at Chad and Taylor. Tonight, everything was good. At least, that's what I convinced myself to believe. Tomorrow, I wouldn't be so sure.

Hope you guys liked it! Next chapter will be up soon. Any ideas what's going to happen next? I'm not telling LOL