CHAPTER 15
Troy groaned as his alarm went off and Gabi twisted in his arms as she too fought off the noise.
"Oh Jesus, is it time to get up already?" he moaned
"Mmm" Gabi murmured, hugging his body with her arms
"Ohh babe, don't do that to me or I'll never get up" he complained, feeling his groin reacting as he felt her breasts press into him.
"You're up already" she said against his chest and he chuckled, her brown eyes sleepily meeting his, a spark of desire there but he knew he couldn't extend it right now.
"If you knew how much I would give to stay here right now…" he mused, stroking her hair, willing his body to move but just not able to while she held onto him like that.
"I know" she smiled at him, finally releasing him from her arms "But my other boyfriend is coming soon and I need you to hurry up" she giggled and he touched her nose and then he got out of bed, Gabi enjoying his semi-naked body.
He shimmied into his jeans and threw his top on, kissing her forehead "I've got to get back home and shower and change into something that makes me look hot for all my adoring fans" he said
"You always look hot." She called as he walked to her door "Especially naked"
He threw her a wicked look, leaning back across the bed to kiss her on her lips "You keep tempting me don't you?" he muttered, leaning on her door jamb before he went "I'll text you later babe. I hope Amy is okay, give her my love" he said and she waved goodbye to him, slowly getting out of bed to get ready herself.
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Troy waited nervously backstage to be introduced on the Robert Nix show, his heart pounding erratically as his name was called and he shyly walked out to a loud collection of screams, waving to his fans and shaking Robert's hand
"How you doing Troy?" he asked amiably
"I'm good, thank you" he smiled warmly
"All your fans here seem pretty excited" he commented, cue more screaming
Troy smiled, blushing a little and the screams got louder "Thank you everyone for coming" he nodded to them, nervously rubbing his hand down his black jeans. He'd chosen them and a grey shirt with smart shoes.
"So tell us about your tour?" he asked and Troy began to talk about his single and his tour, and the album.
"And we have it on good authority that you have a girlfriend" he said then, holding up a paparazzi picture of him and Gabi on the beach in California, hugging.
Troy nodded, eyeing Robert nervously "I just prefer to keep that part of my life private" he said gently.
"But Gabriella is just a normal girl right? I'm sure all your fans will wonder why you picked her out of millions…" he fished
Troy smiled to himself "You know what? I should actually be with her right now, but I'm working. The fact that she understands that means the world to me." he said, almost forgetting he had an audience, surprised when he heard 'Aww' from the crowd.
"Well I'm sure the fact she's a dancer doesn't hurt either" Robert joked and Troy smiled good-naturedly, waving to his fans as he left the stage, Greg meeting him backstage.
"I've got to go to her" he said to Greg suddenly
"What?" Greg said, confused
"I have to go after Gabi and be with her. I know I'm committed to working but she means so much to me and she's facing a huge deal all alone" he realized
"Troy…what am I supposed to tell people?" Greg sighed, knowing he was right to do what he was doing, but worried about the effect on his career
"Family emergency." He quipped "Can you get me a flight?" he asked
Greg nodded, immediately dialing into his phone to set it up.
Troy texted into his phone as Greg dropped him back at his apartment, coming up while he arranged a flight.
Troy: Hey babe, how are you?
Gabi: I'm ok; I'm waiting for my luggage
Troy: Which hospital is Amy at? I'm going to send flowers.
Gabi: Colorado General
Troy: Thanks babe. Love you.
Gabi: Love you 2.
Greg managed to get him a flight that evening and he packed up a bag, Pirate included, and headed to the airport under disguise with a baseball cap. He was still photographed but no-one knew he was going so it was only two paps and a few fans on his way through.
He just hoped Gabi would be okay until he got there.
----
Gabi headed for Amy's room at the hospital the next day, her mom having told her the room number and let her go ahead first while she spoke to the doctors.
She had arrived at the airport the previous day with some nervousness of what to expect at coming home, but Margaret had been waiting for her, as though realizing this was a difficult barrier for her to cross.
The trip back to Amy's house was quiet as she had cast her eyes out of the window, taking in the familiar surroundings and memories plagued her as they approached her old street and her childhood haunts.
Margaret had taken her into her home and wrapped her up in a blanket, handing her hot chocolate and Gabi had taken a good hour to adjust to the memories assuaging her. And then she had cleared her head, thought of Amy and how she needed her and how the past could not hurt her anymore. And she had thought of Troy and how he was supporting her, albeit from miles away, and that gave her some comfort in knowing he was only a phone call away if she needed him.
Gabi could hear voices as she approached Amy's room and caught a glimpse of brown hair through the door, realizing with shock that Troy was sitting talking to Amy.
Gabi stared in disbelief. How did he get here? Why didn't he tell her?
She listened through the door to see what they were talking about.
"Well, you see, even superstars have teddies" Troy was saying matter-of factly and Gabi couldn't see Amy's face but she heard her giggle "This is Pirate." He introduced and Gabi stifled a laugh at how cute Troy was and how attached he was to his teddy bear.
"Nice to meet you Pirate" Amy said "I'm Amy"
"Pirate's not well either" Troy explained "I think I gave him my man flu. He kinda needs somewhere to rest" he lifted his brows as he looked to Amy beseechingly
Amy looked back at him in surprise "You want me to look after your bear?" she asked in awe
"Just for a while, until you're better." He said "I'll miss him too much otherwise"
Gabi pushed the door open, tears in her eyes "You are so cute" she accused and he stood up with a guilty grin, hugging her as she launched herself at him
Gabi moved over to the bed to hug Amy "Hey you old hoe, what you been up to huh?" she asked, stroking Pirate's fur.
"Oh just knackered my heart in" Amy joked and Gabi cried, hugging her again.
"But look- the one and only Troy Bolton is lending me his teddy." She boasted and Troy smiled at her, awkwardly looking at his feet which were pointed inward and Gabi touched his arm.
He came over behind her "Just don't tell the papers" he asked "Though no doubt it'll get out and my cred will be ruined!" he mused "Especially as the bear is more famous than me."
"Aww don't worry" Gabi said, turning to look at him and really appreciating his gesture, both to Amy and to her. "We still love you"
Amy watched the pair of them together and noticed how comfortable they looked with each other.
"Did you see me on TV?" Troy asked eagerly
Gabi shrugged and shook her head "I was on the plane, sweetie" she stroked his chest a little to console him.
"I saw it" Amy said from her bed "I asked if I could watch it"
"And how was I?" he asked
"You were funny. And so sweet, Gabi you should have heard what he said about you" Amy smiled secretly
Gabi turned to him, aghast "Oh my god, what did you say?"
He blushed "Aw shit, I forgot about that" he cringed.
"That it means the world to him, how understanding you are about his singing career" she quoted and Troy covered his eyes with his hand, palm down, splitting his fingers to peek through them as Gabi leaned on his waistband
"Aw did you say that, bunny?" she asked
"Yeah." he nodded, wrapping his arms around Gabi as she hugged him around the waist.
"I really am the luckiest girl in the world" she said
"You really are" he joked and she laughed, sitting with Amy, talking to her about what had happened since they'd last seen each other.
"I might have known you girls would be chattering away" Margaret said as she came in with drinks.
"Sorry mum" Amy said "Have you met Troy yet?" she asked and Margaret shook her head
"You're the one on the posters?" she checked
Troy nodded "Yep, that's me" he looked to Amy who blushed
"Just tell him that I have his posters up, thanks mom!" she complained
Troy gave her a wink "It's okay, Gabi has them up too, she's just too shy to admit it" he quipped and Gabi elbowed him.
Amy lay back on her bed, eyes fluttering shut and Margaret walked over to stroke her forehead gently. "I think she's tired out with the excitement" she said "We should let her rest" she said and Gabi went over to Margaret.
"I'll be back tomorrow to see her" Gabi promised and she and Troy headed out.