Hey! I know that the last chapter wasn't the best chapter. I just didn't want to skip straight to the date. Yes, this is the chapter where Troy decides to ask Gabriella on a date. Please read and review!

CHAPTER THREE

Finally On A Date

Friday Afternoon, October 6, Troy's room, 4: 30 p.m.

Troy sits in his room on Friday night. He wants to call Gabriella and ask her out to dinner, but isn't sure is she'll answer or not. After building his own confidence, he finally flips open his cell phone and calls her.

Ring…

Ring…

"Maybe she's not home. Maybe I should just hang up. No, I'll give it 4 more rings," he says to himself.

Ring…

Ring…

"She's not answering. Maybe I should just back-out."

Ring…

Ring…

"Alright. I'll just hang up."

Just then the phone picks up.

"Gabriella here."

Worried for no reason, Troy, shaking, says, "Hey there, it's Troy." He doesn't know why know he is so worried about Gabriella liking him. He already knows that she likes him. Maybe it's the thought of finally going out after the call-backs. This is really the first time they are going out to dinner, that's if they do.

"Hey Troy, sorry I didn't pick-up sooner. Loads of homework. Then there's the decathlon in two months," responds Gabriella.

"That's alright. Hey I was wondering. Do you want to go out to dinner sometime, like tonight at 6:30?" he says, taking the dive.

Gabriella takes a couple seconds to consider it. "Sure, anything to get away from the homework. What time was it again, 6:30?"

"Yeah. See you later. I'll come to your house."

Troy was relieved that she said "yes." Something about the whole mess suddenly aroused his feelings again. He heads off to shower.

On the other line, Gabriella is also relieved. She was swamped with homework and just wanted to get away from it. Also, the fact that with his basketball practices, she will rarely get to see him outside of school and soon her decathlon practices will start. This will be a great way to end a horrible week. She also then heads off to the shower and pretty herself up.

Friday Night, In front of Gabriella's House Door, Promptly 6:25 p.m.

Ding-dong.

Troy waits at the door, whispering to himself, "You know you guys are like, best friends. No need to be worried."

Inside, Ms. Montez heads to open the door. She opens it and sees Troy standing there, his back turned to her, and says, "Hello, Troy."

Realizing that someone opened the door, Troy quickly turns around and replies, "Hi, Ms. Montez."

"Come in. Gabriella is just upstairs. She'll be down in a minute." She opens the door wider for him to come in.

Troy steps in and notices a mirror. He looks into it, making sure that he looks fine. He's wearing a blue button-down with jeans and his best sneakers. His hair is slightly messy but that's the way he always wears it.

Gabriella is heading down the stairs just as Troy is checking his breath.

Troy spots her in the mirror, turns toward her and says, "Hi."

"Hi, back," she said, her heart racing.

"You look very pretty tonight," Troy compliments. It was true. Gabriella was wearing a fitted blue T-shirt with a mini-skirt and leggings. Her hair was off to the side in a messy, yet sophisticated, bun. She had a light dusting of light-blue eye-shadow and her eyes were lightly lined. She had a light pink on her lips and natural cheeks. She wore comfortable, yet fashionable, heels that were no higher than an inch.

Just then, Ms. Montez shows up with the camera. Seeing that Gabriella has finally come down the stairs, she decides that it's time for pictures. "Come on, Gabriella. I would like some pictures if you don't mind Troy."

"No. I don't mind at all."

Troy slowly inched toward Gabriella and placed his arm around her shoulder. He thought to himself, "Am I putting my arm on her shoulder because I want to or because I think I have to?"

Gabriella, not knowing that Troy was going to do that, suddenly felt some weight on her right shoulder. She thought, "Is he doing this because he likes me or because he has to?"

Ms. Montez took a couple pictures and set them free. She advised Gabriella not to stay out past midnight.

Troy and Gabriella walked out the door and toward the car.

Ms. Montez watched as Troy opened the door for her daughter and then when to start the car. Then off they drove down the street. Ms. Montez thought that Troy would be a great guy for Gabriella. Polite. Handsome. Trusting. After all, he was the one that helped her break out of her shell.