I'm back as promised. Hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter and thanks for the reviews! We're back to Gabriella's POV in this chapter.

A few weeks after the last chapter…

"YOU'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH DEREK?!" Sharpay had literally been screaming that for the past 10 minutes.

"Yes Sharpay. For the millionth time, yes! Why are you so surprised?"

"Maybe because you have a blue eyed knight in shining armor downstairs who would worship the ground you walk on? That's why I'm surprised."

"Get over that. I told you Troy was the one that suggested that Derek and I get together, I was taking his advice."

"Oh please, Even Kelsi said Troy was probably scared of messing it up. The boy is a basketball player. He can get any girl he wants and all he wants is to hang with his best friend who's dating someone else. He's into you." I looked over at Kelsi to see what she would say, but she shook her head basically making sure I left her out of it. I wish Sharpay would leave me out of it.

"I don't know what you want me to say Sharpay."

"I want you to break up with Derek and get with Troy." I had to look at Sharpay like she was crazy. I get she likes Troy and I together, but she's going too far.

"Look Sharpay. I get it. You like Troy. We all do, but there is no reason for you to disrespect Derek like that. He has been nothing, but nice to you and everyone else, including Troy, this whole time. So, at this point, I really don't care what you think." With that, I got up and went in my room. I made a pretty nice effort to slam my door.

Everyone was confusing me lately. Ever since Troy and I had our talk, it's been a little awkward. Nothing flows as naturally. Troy is fine, but I feel like something is wrong with me. I was actually upset that Troy wanted me to date Derek. For a split second, I thought there was something there between us. I looked in his eyes and I don't know…I saw something that was worth fighting for. I didn't care if it meant risking our friendship, but I guess he just saw me as a friend. He could sense something was wrong because he was always asking me was I okay.

Ding

Hey, can I come in? –Tay

Yeah. Just don't bring pink Barbie with you.

As soon as I sent it, it was like Taylor was flying through the day. I had to giggle at how she seemed so concerned.

"Hey, what happened? Kelsi told me you and Shar had a fight. I've honestly never seen Shar so sad."

"Same old thing. She hates Derek now and loves Troy."

"We all love Troy Gabi."

"I didn't let you come in here just to be on her side." Tay laughed and laid on the bed with me.

"I'm not on anyone's side Gabi. I'm just saying. She's going to be defensive if she thinks Troy likes you no matter how great the other guy is. Wouldn't you be defensive if I brought home a guy other than Chad?"

"Well of course I would, but that's because he's like my brother."

"Just like Troy is becoming our brother." She has a point. She always has a point. Sometimes I wish I had a dumb best friend.

"So I guess I should apologize?" I pouted.

"I'm not saying all that, but just give her some slack. She's a drama queen, so the way she is acting is normal." We laid there for a while in silence and I thought about what she said. She was right, and Sharpay was kind of right too. Even if I didn't think Troy liked me, I should have still tried just to let him know how I was feeling. It was too late though now. I was with Derek officially. It was sweet the way he asked though…

FLASHBACK TO LAST NIGHT

"Where are we going?" I jumped as Derek grabbed my hand to calm me down. We were having a date night and I was currently blindfolded. He knew I hated the dark and I hate surprises.

"Almost there."

"As perfect as you are, I must say that this is one of your dumber ideas. What's with the blindfold?"

"Well I would've covered your eyes, but you like to peek and cheat so that's a no."

"Hey! I beat you fair and square at Uno! Not my fault you let your hand down a little where I could see your cards." Derek kissed my cheek and I instantly smiled. He made me forget all the awkwardness with Troy. He squeezed my hand and I calmed down a little. I grabbed his arm to pull him a little closer and I could sense he was smiling too.

We had talked about the whole Troy thing a couple of weeks ago. I told him Troy was nothing but a friend and we would never be anything more. He seemed rather calm as I was talking then after I said all I had to say, he said 'I know'. I was shocked, but he explained. Apparently, earlier that day, Troy and him were playing basketball with some other guys. Troy took Derek aside and explained that we were just friends. He didn't like me as anything more than a friend. We were just…close. Derek kissed me because he was so happy that I confirmed what Troy had already told him. The rest is history I guess.

I never told Troy that Derek told me what he did. Part of me wanted him to tell me why he did it. But part of me didn't want to know why he did it. I wasn't happy or upset that he did it. I guess I just didn't feel any emotion towards it which was weird.

"Okay, we're here." I felt Derek sliding the blindfold over my head and I had to readjust since my eyes were used to the darkness for a while. I was in awe when my eyes focused though. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. We were on the top of a NYC building with string lights overhead. There was a picnic in the middle with candles. What was even more beautiful was the NYC background. The taxis and loud noises were all very faint up here. Honestly reminded me of the building with Troy and why I loved it so much.

"This is beautiful Derek." I smiled gave him a quick kiss.

"It's kind of a combination of my favorite dates with you. The picnic and our first date at the restaurant. I know you liked them all, but I loved seeing your face light up on those two." He was right. I loved the intimacy of the picnic with the scenery of the restaurant.

He led me over and we sat down to start eating. He had it all. Champagne with my favorite pasta. Grapes set up with cheese and crackers like we were at a real Italian spot. I told him before when I see grapes and cheese, I immediately think of Italy. He even had some Lemon crème cake. We tried it together on our date last week and I fell in love. We ate and talked and just enjoyed each other's company. He leaned over and kissed me and I finally felt a little bit of fireworks. This guy was beyond amazing.

"Dance with me."

"We don't have any music Gabi. Sorry I kind of forgot that part."

"Dance with me anyway." He stood up and grabbed my hand. We immediately started swaying back and forth. I leaned my head on his chest and I just listened to my own breathing while I listened to his heartbeat. It was calming. All of a sudden, he just stopped.

"I want you to meet my family." I smiled. I was about to say yes when he kept talking. "Let me finish Gabs. I want you to meet my family as my girlfriend. I've never brought a girl home so this is a big step, but I want this Gabi. I'd be crazy to lose out on you. I plan almost everything out, but I didn't plan to fall for you like this Gabi. But you are worth it. You're worth the risk of getting my heart broken into a million pieces." I looked into his eyes and I kissed him. It was long and it was perfect. I felt him smile into the kiss and I smiled back. I pulled away and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Yes. A million times yes!" Okay, yes to anybody it seemed like we got married, but it was still cute. If he ever proposed though, he had to go all out.

We decided not to tell anybody. Well I shot Tay a quick text and Derek text Matt. Everyone else found out on Facebook which is why I'm in the current situation I'm in now.

Back to Present Time

"Earth to Gabi!" Tay was waving her hand in my face. I quickly smacked it away.

"Yes Tay?"

"You wanna go hang with the crew? They're going to the café." I looked at her and she immediately knew what I was going to ask. "Yes, he will be there. You need to face him sooner rather than later. Why are you so nervous about him being mad that you didn't tell him? You were the one that said he wanted y'all together."

"Well nobody asked him to try and put us together."

"Gabi come on! Now you're acting like Sharpay. You couldn't make a decision about Troy, so now you're mad because he made one when you were starting to figure out your feelings. I get you like Derek, but I can also tell you like Troy. Either figure out if you really want Troy or get over him and be happy that you have a boyfriend unlike me and Sharpay."

"You're right. I'm sorry. I liked Troy for a split second, but he didn't want me so I'm happy to be with Derek. I really am Tay."

"Part of that statement is not true, but I'll let it go for now." I laughed and hugged her. This girl almost knew me better than Troy. "Alright! Get up so we can go."

I threw on my shoes and grabbed my keychain with my keys and wallet on it. I had a mini jean dress today with my yellow converse and I left my hair down since it wasn't too hot outside. As soon as I opened the door, Shar was standing there. I didn't even let her talk before I hugged her.

"Sisters fight sometimes. We have differences in opinions and sometimes we get too heated, but we'll always be sisters and friends." She hugged me back and that was all that needed to be said.

We all walked down to the café including Kelsi. We talked about how Tay and Chad were going strong even though they still argued all the time. Kelsi was meeting Jason's family this weekend when they came down to visit. Sharpay finally asked Zeke out after he took too long to do it himself. He was actually relieved that she took the first step. I think he was still a little scared by her. Troy was focused on basketball more than ever. Apparently some girl was after him, but they wouldn't tell me who she was. I was meeting Derek's family next week for dinner. I was nervous but excited. We got in line and I just decided to get some sesame chicken from this new restaurant while the girls grabbed a slice of pizza. Sharpay got a salad of course.

"Hey girls over here!" I looked up and saw Troy waving and I waved back letting him know we saw them.

"Well somebody has had a change of heart." I looked over at Kelsi shocked. I laughed and we walked arm in arm to the table.

"Kels, my favorite thing about you is you're like a silent killer. You don't say much, but when you do, I can't help but be stunned by the words that come out of your mouth."

"They always said it's the quiet ones you have to worry about." Sharpay said. Kelsi blushed and shook her head.

When we got to the table, we immediately sat down next to our 'boys'. Tay and I sat by each other while Chad and Troy sat on the side of each of us.

I hugged Troy and it took a while before he hugged me back.

"Well, you seem happier today."

"Sorry I've been so weird lately. It wasn't your fault. I was just thinking about a lot." He leaned closer to whisper in my ear and I felt like I stopped breathing.

"You're a horrible liar too, but it's cool." I shoved him and we laughed for the first time together in a while and it was genuine. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I leaned in while taking a slice of pepperoni off his pizza. "Hey! I didn't miss you stealing my food though."

"Better get used to it." He pretended to pout and I laughed. We turned back to our friends and of course, Taylor and Chad were arguing about how messy Chad eats again. We knew they liked arguing because they would even have to laugh at some of the stuff they said. Half of the time, Tay would argue with herself since Chad would just ignore her by saying 'You're beautiful.' It was weird, but sweet.

"So Gabs." I turned to the other side of the table when Zeke called my name. "I hear you're officially off the market. Some boys on the basketball team are pretty upset about that." I felt Troy stiffen up a little bit. "Troy made sure to take care of them though which is shocking since we're just freshman." So I guess he did care a little bit.

"Yeah we made it official last night."

"I'm happy for you Gabs really. Derek is a good guy." I smiled at Troy as hard as I could, but something just felt weird about this conversation. Thankfully, Sharpay changed the subject.

"So Troy, what's up with you and Jennifer?" Now, I was intrigued. So that was her name.

"We're just friends nosey. I told you that the last time you asked."

"Who's Jennifer?" I asked as I looked at Troy. I saw Sharpay smirk out of the corner of my eye.

"She's on the girls' soccer team. She was hanging out with Derek and a group of friends one day when I passed by. Derek introduced me to her. I'm surprised you haven't met her. They hang out a lot." I don't remember him saying anything about her, but I'll be sure to ask later.

"Oh ok. Sounds good." I went back to eating my food, but of course Sharpay couldn't let it go.

"You guys text all the time and go running together almost every morning. I definitely think that's leading to more than friends." I didn't want to hear any more of this.

"Shar, if Troy wants to date her, he can. If he doesn't, he doesn't have to. I'm sure whatever he decides to do, we will know. Next topic please." Everyone looked shocked, while Sharpay started eating her food, but she wasn't too happy.

"Two times in one day Gabs, I'm impressed." I had to laugh at Kelsi.

"Trying to be a silent killer like you girl." Chad gave me a high five behind Tay's back. He was definitely like my big brother. I couldn't wait for him and Tay to be official.

"Thanks for that."

"No problem Troy."

"By the way, if we are to ever date. You would be the first to know besides Chad of course. You mean that much to me Gabi." I was touched.

"Thanks Troy." We looked at each other for a minute before his phone started ringing and he jumped up to answer it.

"That boy has got to be the dumbest smartest person I know." Sharpay mumbled. I didn't know what she meant and I didn't care to ask. I looked across the café and saw Derek. I told my friends I would be back. As I was walking away, I heard Chad talk.

"For once, I agree with you Barbie." I'd have to ask him later what he meant. But for now, I was going to kiss my wonderful boyfriend.

Hoped you liked it! I couldn't stop writing which is why this chapter took so long. Next chapter will probably be up next week after my test. Review and tell me what you think!