Chapter 7

Troy, Chad, Zeke, Jason and the rest of the team, Gabriella, Kelsi, Isabel, Taylor, Sharpay and Ryan went to the after party at the Evans' house. Gabriella and Troy did not talk much at first. It looked like Chad and Taylor really liked each other by the way they looked at each other. Zeke – who had a crush on Sharpay – finally got the courage to ask her to dance – and she accepted. It was obviously going great because they were nearly eating each other's faces. Jason admitted that he had a crush on Kelsi – not in front of her, but, in front of Gabriella and Troy – and Gabriella forced Jason to ask Kelsi to dance. A minute later, they were dancing on the dance floor. Ryan and Isabel kept stealing glances at each other and finally Isabel went over to him boldly and asked him to dance. Ryan obviously did not care whether she was a bit younger, because they had a great time, on the dance floor, together. They were both good dancers and a few minutes later everyone was standing in a circle so that they could dance in front of an audience.

After a couple of fast songs, a slow song came on. Troy, who had moving in time for the music stopped and looked for Gabriella. She was sitting across the room watching the couples's slow dance together. They looked really happy and there were not any cliques. Troy started to make his way towards Gabriella, to ask her to dance, but, stopped when a bright light shone down on him. Puzzled Troy glanced towards Sharpay and saw that she was grinning widely.

"Troy is our first contestant," she yelled through a microphone and Troy looked even more surprised. "Didn't I tell you? We are having a karaoke contest! And, Troy, here is our first contestant!"

Everyone burst out laughing except for Troy who was blushing fiercely. He glared at Chad as he pushed him onto the coffee table, where the contestant was supposed to sing. Gabriella was sitting on the couch across the coffee table and she was trying hard not to laugh. Troy groaned. How did he let himself get into these kinds of things?

"So, Troy, which song would you like to sing?" Sharpay asked showing Troy a list if songs.

"How about this one?" Troy asked pointing to 'Just so you know' 'Just so you know' by Jesse McCartney.

"Great choice!" Sharpay commented. "Would you like to dedicate the song to someone?"

"Um…I don't know," Troy said, knowing quite well that he wanted to dedicate the song to Gabriella.

"Come on, Troy," Sharpay said.

"Fine," Troy said. He turned to face Gabriella. "People say that you shouldn't fall in love with your best friend, but, I did. I fell in love with my best friend and I couldn't help it. I'm sorry about that. Anyway, I'd like to dedicate this song to the beautiful lady sitting in front of me – Gabriella Montez, this one's for you!"

Gabriella's face turned as red as a beetroot. Troy did not dare to look into her eyes. The music came on and Troy started to sing.

I shouldn't love you, but I want to
I just can't turn away
I shouldn't see you, but I can't move
I can't look away

Gabriella stared at him as he sang. It was obvious that he was humiliated and he could have gotten off the coffee table anytime he wanted, but, he did not do it, because he was singing for her.

I shouldn't love you, but I want to
I just can't turn away
I shouldn't see you, but I can't move
I can't look away

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not
'Cause I don't know how to make the feelings stop

Finally, Troy gathered up the courage to look at Gabriella. She was not looking mad or anything. In fact, she looked sort of happy. Troy smiled a bit and Gabriella grinned back.

Just so you know
This feeling's takin' control
Of me and I can't help it
I won't sit around
I can't let him win now
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go
Of you but I don't want to
I just gotta say it all before I go
Just so you know

Troy did not take his eyes off Gabriella once when he sang.

It's gettin' hard to
Be around you
There's so much I can't say
Do you want me to hide the feelings
And look the other way

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not
'Cause I don't know how to make the feelings stop

Just so you know
This feeling's takin' control
Of me and I can't help it
I wont sit around
I can't let 'him win now
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go
Of you but I don't want to
I just gotta say it all before I go
Just so you know

This emptiness is killin' me
I wondering why I've waited so long
Lookin' back I realize it was always there, just never spoken
I'm waitin' here
Been waitin' here

Just so you know
This feeling's takin' control
Of me and I can't help it
I wont sit around
I can't let him win now
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go
Of you but I don't want to
I just gotta say it all before I go
Just so you know

Whoa
Just so you know
Whoa
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go
Of you but I don't want to
I just gotta say it all before I go
Just so you know
Just so you know

Troy grinned when he finished the song and gave a little bow.

"Thank you," he said impersonating Elvis Presley. "Thank you very much!"

Everyone burst out laughing, cheering and clapping. Troy was about to jump off the coffee table when Sharpay stopped him.

"Not so fast, Bolton," she smirked. "You have to choose the next contestant."

"Okay," Troy shrugged. He turned to Gabriella. It was as though she could read his mind. She shook her head frantically at him. "Gabriella, why don't you take the microphone? I would really like some sort of response to my dedication, as I meant everything I sang."

That was what got Gabriella. She smiled at Troy and climbed onto the coffee table. Troy jumped off. Sharpay gave the list to Gabriella. Gabriella pointes out a song to Sharpay – Say OK by Vanessa Anne Hudgens.

Sharpay smiled. "And, who are you dedicating this song to, Gabriella?"

"Troy Bolton," Gabriella said.

Troy grinned and Gabriella managed to return it with a weak smile. She had started to get nervous. She had always had had stage-fright since she was a kid – not that she had performed in many places – but, it was happening again. She was getting stage-fright. Sharpay put on the music and Gabriella started to sing. Her voice was barely audible at first.

You are fine
You are sweet
But I'm still a bit naive with my heart
When you're close I don't breathe
I can't find the words to speak
I feel sparks
But I don't want to be into you
If you're not looking for true love
No I don't wanna start seein' you
If I can't be your only one

Her voice grew stronger as she sang. She looked straight into Troy's eyes and started singing the chorus.

So tell me when it's not alright
When it's not OK
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say OK? (Say OK)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK)
Say OK.

Troy stared at her the entire time she was singing. It was obvious that he liked her. She was so pretty, too.

When you call I don't know if I should pick up the phone every time
I'm not like all my friends who keep calling up the boys, I'm so shy
But I don't want to be into you
If you don't treat me the right way
See I can only start seeing you
If you can make my heart feel safe (feel safe)

When it's not alright
When it's not OK
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say OK? (Say OK)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK
Don't run away, don't run away)

Let me know if it's gonna be you
Boy, you've got some things to prove
Let me know that you'll keep me safe
I don't want you to run away so
Let me know that you'll call on time
Let me know that you'll help me shine
Will you wipe my tears away
Will you hold me close and say

When it's not alright
When it's not OK
Will you try to make me feel better
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say OK? (Say OK)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK)
Say OK
(Don't run away, don't run away)
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK, don't run away)
Will you say OK
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK)

When Gabriella finished singing, she smiled at everyone. They burst into applauses. Troy just stood there staring at her. For a minute, Gabriella thought that she had blown it. Her thoughts faded away when Troy jumped onto the table next to her and took her hand, but, still, there was no way that she was going to look at him.

"Okay," Troy whispered.

"Huh?" Gabriella forced herself to look at Troy.

"You told me to say 'okay'," Troy shrugged. "I'm okay with everything you just sang. I'll do whatever it takes, Gabi, to make sure you are happy. I'll help you shine, Gabs. I'll wipe your tears away – not that I'm ever going to let you cry – and I'll hold you close. Gabriella, trust me. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Gabriella was really happy. "Okay, Troy," she whispered. "I trust you."

Troy smiled at Gabriella. Slowly, he began to lean in–

"Who's up next?" Chad yelled.

Everyone who had been watching Troy and Gabriella turned to glare at Chad, who looked confused. Troy was glaring at Chad, too.

"What?" Chad asked.

"You are so clueless," Taylor said.

"Kelsi, why don't you rake the mike?" Gabriella asked.

Kelsi shook her head but, Gabriella pushed the mike into her hands and she and Troy climbed off the coffee table. Kelsi began to sing a slow song. Troy and Gabriella made their way to the dance floor. They began to sway in time for the music, wrapped in each other's arms. Troy started to lean in. their lips were an inch away from each other's and…

"Yo, Captain," Chad yelled.

Frustrated, Troy looked up. "What?" he asked.

"Can I go to your house tomorrow to play some basketball?" Chad asked.

Troy wanted to strangle Chad. "Damn it, Chad!" Troy said gritting his teeth tightly together.

"Now, what did I do?" Chad asked.

"You just –" Troy began to yell.

"Did nothing," Gabriella said, placing a hand on Troy's arms, calming him down instantly.

"Yeah, please go away, Chad," Troy said, smiling down at Gabriella's hand which was resting on his arm. Shrugging, Chad walked away.

Her touch made Troy feel warm all over. He grinned goofily. He knew that he looked stupid, but, he did not care. All he cared about was the fact that Gabriella was touching him and she was not attempting to take her hand away. Troy glanced at Gabriella's face. Their eyes met and she moved her hand quickly. There was an awkward moment between them. Troy got rid of it by taking a small bow and holding out his hand. Gabriella giggled. She took his hand and they began to dance again.

The night ended and Troy and Gabriella had still not kissed each other. They had not gotten a chance. Chad interrupted them for a total of four times. They had been about to kiss when Sharpay said that it was time to announce the karaoke contest's winners. Even that had been interrupted – by a blackout. It was only the Evans' house.

Troy drove Gabriella home. He parked the car outside Adrianna's house and turned towards Gabriella. He leaned in to kiss her when Adrianna opened the front door. Troy sighed and pulled away.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Gabriella," Troy smiled.

"See you," Gabriella said, disappointed because they had not kissed.

Gabriella climbed out of the car and walked into the house. Isabel had gotten a ride with Ryan – not that he needed to go anyway (he had just wanted to drop Isabel home).

Troy sat in his car for a minute. There was no way that he would leave without getting a kiss from Gabriella. He looked up at the windows of the house. There were large balconies as well. As Troy glanced from one balcony to the other, he saw a light switch on in one of the rooms. A minute later, Gabriella's shadow appeared and Troy smiled. He jumped out of the car and raced to a big tree just under the balcony. He climbed up like a monkey and then he climbed onto the balcony. He tapped on the balcony door.

Gabriella turned when she heard the tap on her balcony door. Her face lit up when she saw Troy. She quickly made sure that the bedroom door was locked – Adrianna and Nick would not be thrilled to see a guy in her room – before she opened the balcony door.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella hissed, pulling Troy inside.

"I realized that I had forgotten something," Troy said.

"What?" Gabriella asked.

"This," Troy said.

He began to lean in when someone knocked on the door. Troy groaned. He marched towards the door.

"Troy, don't," Gabriella begged.

Troy ignored her and opened the bedroom door. Adrianna stood outside. She stared at Troy.

"Hi, I'm Troy Bolton," Troy said.

"Hi, I'm Adrianna, Gabriella's aunt," Adrianna asked. "May I ask you what you are doing in here?"

"Look, Adrianna," Troy began. "I just wanted to kiss Gabriella goodnight. I tried exactly six times but we were interrupted. I tried for the sixth time and this time, you interrupted. So, if you will just please let me kiss your niece, I'll be glad to get out of here."

"Oh, okay," Adrianna said, surprised. "Sorry for interrupting."

"No problem," Troy said.

Adrianna left and Troy shut the door. He turned to Gabriella.

"Now, where were we?" Gabriella asked, grinning.

"Right about here," Troy grinned back.

He leaned in and for the first time – without interruptions of any sort – their lips met. Gabriella could not help noticing how soft Troy's lips were against hers. Troy had his hands cupped around Gabriella's face. His hands slowly slid down to her waist and pulled her closer to him, making their bodies bang together. Gabriella slid her arms around Troy's neck; her fingers running through his hair. Troy deepened the kiss. They kissed each other for a while before breaking apart for air. Even after they pulled apart, Troy held Gabriella close to him and she did not bother to take her hands away from his neck. Troy leaned in to touch Gabriella's forehead with his. He smiled at her and Gabriella grinned back. There was a silence between then, but, it was not awkward. It was actually kind of pleasant. After a few minutes of staring into each other's eye, Troy forced himself to pull away from Gabriella.

"I should get going," he said.

"I'll be missing you, Troy," Gabriella said.

"I'll miss you, too, Gabs," Troy smiled. "Hey, do you want to hang out with me tomorrow afternoon? It'll be our first date."

"I'd love to," Gabriella smiled. "What are we going to do?"

"Oh, I don't know," Troy shrugged. "A little of this and that. Who cares about what we do? As long as you're there with me, I'll be happy."

"I guess we can't afford to have the great Troy Bolton sad," Gabriella laughed.

"No, you can't," Troy said, in the most serious tone.

"Okay, then, I guess we have a date," Gabriella laughed again. "When and where should I meet you?"

"I'll pick you up tomorrow at four o' clock, shall I?" Troy asked. The next day was Saturday, so both of them were free.

"Okay," Gabriella said.

"Great, I'll see you tomorrow, Gabi," Troy said.

He headed towards the bedroom door and stopped. He turned and walked over to Gabriella. He gave her another passionate kiss.

"Good night, Gabi," Troy murmured.

"Night, Troy," Gabriella said, but neither one of them made any attermpt to get out of the other's arms.

"I should go," Troy said and pulled away. "Good night."

He gave her another quick kiss and before she could respond he walked out of the room. He knew that if he stayed there much longer, he would not want to leave. He would want to kiss Gabriella and hold her in his arms all night, but, that was not the smartest idea. He stopped when he saw Adrianna and Nick sitting at the kitchen counter.

"Hi," Troy smiled.

"Hi, I'm Nick Fox," Nick said, holding out his hand.

"Troy Bolton," Troy said taking Nick's hand and shaking it. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Fox."

"You, too," Nick said, smiling approvingly at Troy's good manners. "It's Nick, by the way."

"Oh, okay," Troy shrugged. "Um, I should get going."

"So does that mean you got to kiss her?" Adrianna asked.

"Yup," Troy said, blushing. Adrianna grinned at him. "I really should go. Thanks. I'll see you guys, later. Bye."

"Bye," Nick said.

Troy walked out of the house and drove home, grinning the whole time.