Hi everyone! You're reviews have been amazing as per usual! Hairspray was great, fantastic! I can't wait for it to come out on DVD.

Zac Efron was so hot and Amanda Bynes just couldn't stop making me laugh and the songs were awesome! Lol, I'm babbling now so I'm going to stop. On with the Show!

Chapter 22 – A Romantic Dinner

TROY had been planning it for the whole week. His parents were going to see a Wicked the Musical and wouldn't be back until the morning and the old lady Mrs Watts was going to be babysitting Kyle. He was going to cook Gabriella a meal! He just had to set it all up.

He saw Gabriella in the hallway putting her books in her locker. He rushed up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He did not see her wince in pain.

"Hey Brie, what you been doing today? I haven't seen you in ages?" Troy whispered, it was true, he couldn't see her last night, she was visiting her grandfather, she didn't walk to him with school this morning because he had been late and when he went to pick her up, Mrs Montez had said she had already gone.

"Oh nothing much, my grandfather said he would like to meet you. Maybe next time I go to see him, you could come too." Gabriella said turning around in his arms.

"Sure, whatever you say." Troy said and he kissed her cheek kindly.

"Will you walk with me to Spanish cl –" She started to ask but he cut her off.

"Um…so you're coming over later right?" Troy queried.

"Of course, we've still got lots of Poetry to learn, I'm going to teach you persuasive writing tonight!" Gabriella said nodding her head proudly.

"I thought we could forget about tutoring tonight and I could cook us a nice meal?" Troy said.

Gabriella blushed but smiled up at him, "What's the occasion?" She said.

"No reason, I just want to spend some time with you." Troy said taking her in his arms and holding her, once again he did not see her wince.

"Well I suppose I could come." She exclaimed and Troy smiled down on her.

"Great, I can't drive you home today, its just I've got some things to prepare for tonight and I don't want you to know anything." Troy answered.

"Okay, well I'm going to Spanish class, I'll see you later." Gabriella said leaning up and kissing his cheek.

Troy watched her go before calling, "Can you wear something nice…a dress maybe?" He asked.

Gabriella giggled and raised her eyebrows.

"Not that you don't look nice all the time Brie, you look beautiful but –"

"Goodbye Troy!" Gabriella laughed before leaving Troy alone smiling goofily.

MRS Bolton bustled around her son as he tried his hardest to figure out how to cook Broccoli.

"Look, honey, couldn't I just help…just a little?" She stammered trying not to laugh.

"No Mom, I'm doing it by myself." Troy protested shaking his head.

"But…you're doing it wrong." She said, she didn't want to upset him, he was trying so hard and he really wanted to make tonight work.

"Oh that's it, I can't do it! I've tried my hardest, I really have! I want her to have a great time and I'm really trying to make it work but it's just so hard." He complained sitting down at the table looking down.

Mrs Bolton looked down on her son in pity, he looked truly upset. She patted his arm lovingly and smiled, "We can do it together. Gabriella will appreciate the meal no matter what; if we do it together…she'll know you've tried! How about that?" She asked.

Troy looked up, he was really defeated by his mother's words so he nodded, "Okay, I guess."

Mrs Bolton chuckled and helped her son up; she put on an apron and looked at Troy beaming with delight.

"Let's get started then!" She said triumphantly.

And Troy smiled as his mother started to cut up some vegetables, she was a great help and he loved her for it!

SHARPAY stormed into her brother's bedroom and looked at him furiously. Ryan Evans was Sharpay's twin yet he was a lot sweeter than the Ice Princess. Sharpay had always been the dominant of the twins and loved the push Ryan around.

"I can't believe it; he's supposed to be with me!" She snapped pushing an entire stack of Ryan's Collectable Musicals off his cupboard; Ryan flinched and darted off his bed and started to pick up his collectables.

"Who?" Ryan asked oblivious to Sharpay's harsh words.

"Troy Bolton you dimwit!" She screamed.

Ryan looked up frightfully at his sister; her cold eyes looked down on him before she turned and started to pace back and fore across his bedroom.

"He's with that stupid Geek Gabriella. What does he even see in her? She disgusts me! He loves me…he does, he's just in denial." Sharpay said, she looked upset.

"I don't Sharpay; he seems to really like her." Ryan said shrugging his shoulders as he sat back down on his bed.

"No he doesn't! We have to do something. Their completely out of balance, I mean, he's a jock and a bully; she's a nerd and an angel. I mean do you think…she even…knows he's bullying people again?" And then a smile played on her vindictive face.

"What are you thinking?" Ryan asked.

"Hmm, maybe Gabriella should know what her boyfriends been doing. Maybe little miss innocent will think again before going back to him." Sharpay chuckled.

"But I like Gabriella. She's sweet." The young man answered.

"Oh shut it Ryan." Sharpay snarled and Ryan fell silent.

"Yeah well I'm going to sort this out and you're getting involved too. I'll need someone I can rely on!" His sister said.

Ryan shook his head, his twin was so cruel. She would do anything to get her hands on Troy Bolton. She was truly an Ice Princess. He liked Gabriella, yeah, he thought she was hot, she was adorable but he was scared of Troy. He was the toughest guy in East High and everyone knew he was protective over Gabriella, too protective sometimes. Someone would only have to glance at her and the next day they would be arriving at school with a busted lip. Of course Gabriella knew nothing about this, she was oblivious to all of Troy's vicious bullying and in a way Ryan was thankful for that. Gabriella was just too sweet to have a boyfriend like Troy. But at least she could believe he was sweet and gentle.

"Do I have to?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm not losing him without a fight!" Sharpay snarled stamping her foot indignantly.

And Ryan slowly backed away; she was in one of her revengeful moods!

AFTER waving goodbye to his parents and taking Kyle to Mrs Watts, Troy was sure he was ready for tonight. Gabriella would be arriving shortly and he was already changed, he didn't want anything to be spoiled. After having a brief talk with Zeke on the phone about a new freshmen arriving at school tomorrow and how they were going to 'welcome' him, Troy felt he could do no more.

The doorbell rang and Troy rushed to open the door, he gasped when he found Gabriella smiling across at him, she was wearing a simple black dress, low cut in the front and quite flouncy. Her hair was arranged into an array of elegant curls and she wore a little lip-gloss. (Dress in profile, I don't like it but it was the only one I could find)

"Wow, you look stunning!" Troy complimented her and she stepped inside and kissed him lovingly.

"Thank you, you look dashing yourself Mr Bolton." She giggled; he was wearing a white shirt and a pair of jeans. Nothing too simple but enough so that he looked at least presentable.

"Well let's have dinner." Troy said taking her hand and leading her into the living room.

"Wow, it smells amazing, 'And she gasped when she saw the living room, a table stood in the middle of the room, candles glinted everywhere and the fresh aroma of lavender soothed her thoughts, "And…this…is wonderful. Troy, how did you pull this off?"

Troy chuckled and shook his head, "Believe me, it wasn't easy."

Troy took Gabriella's hand and led her to her chair; he helped her sit down before he went into the kitchen. Gabriella smiled nervously as Troy returned with two plates steaming hot and looking delicious.

"Dinner is served Milady." He said in a posh voice and Gabriella giggled.

"Amazing, it looks amazing." Gabriella said softly.

"Yes, cottage pie, roast potatoes, mash potatoes, carrots, broccoli, peas and gravy. It's not over the top but it's simple." Troy said smiling as he sat opposite her.

"I love it." Gabriella giggled as Troy poured apple cider into Gabriella's wine glass, she laughed.

"I know, my mother wouldn't let me have drink." Troy said bashfully.

"Troy, 'Gabriella said reaching her hand across the table, "It's amazing and you're so wonderful." She told him encouragingly.

He really wanted it to be special, he had tried his hardest but in truth the meal had been kind of second class and with Gabriella it had to be first class all the way! Gabriella however, loved it. She thought it was amazing despite how ashamed he felt of it.

"And to think, 'Gabriella giggled as she sipped her apple cider, "That we would've been learning persuasive writing if it wasn't for you."

Troy laughed, "Yeah I suppose so. Is everything alright? Are you enjoying it?" He was so eager to please her, sometimes too much and Gabriella put her fork down and touched his hand.

"Of course everything's wonderful, why are you worrying so much?" She questioned.

"I just want everything to be perfect for you. You're special to me Brie." He said truthfully.

"And it is special because I love you." Gabriella said firmly.

Troy smiled warmly, Gabriella beamed back at him, "I love you too."

ABOUT an hour after they had finished their meal Gabriella had insisted on doing the dishes. Troy had argued with her not to, after all it was his mess but she had silenced him with a kiss and walked off leaving him dumbfounded for a moment.

When she was almost finished she felt hands touch her waist. She almost cried out there and then but she held it in. She didn't want Troy to know what had happened today.

She felt his hand go over her head and she felt something slip around her neck. She smiled when she realised it was her locket. She had forgotten about it for a little while and what a relief it was to feel it around her neck again.

"I've missed this." She said touching her silver treasure.

"I've missed seeing it on you." Troy said and he kissed her shoulder before going into the living room.

Gabriella washed her hands quickly and dried them before following Troy into the living room. Troy was sitting on the sofa smiling at Gabriella. She came and sat beside him and kissed his cheek. He put his arm around her waist and she couldn't handle it anymore, she cried out in pain and jumped out of his grasp.

"Are…are…you okay?" Troy asked standing and looking at Gabriella wearily.

Gabriella tried to regain her breathing and nodded. She sat back down on the sofa but Troy remained standing.

"What's the matter?" He asked.

"Nothing, I've just got a little stitch that's all." Gabriella lied.

"Please don't lie to me Brie, what's wrong?" Troy demanded gently.

"No! I don't feel comfortable showing you." Gabriella said nervously.

"Why?" Troy asked.

Gabriella looked around for an excuse, "Um…because we're in the living room and…you know anyone could pass the window and see." She stated.

Troy shook his head and took her hand, "Then you can show me upstairs, no – one looks through the upstairs windows around here. You know that!"

Gabriella had no choice, Troy closed the door behind them and she stood there looking weary.

"Just show me Brie." He said softly.

Gabriella hasped as she lifted her dress and allowed Troy to see the thing she had been trying to keep from him all day. On each side of her hips and waist were large black bruises. Troy gasped, astounded by the state of the bruises, they looked sore and he ran a finger across the left side of her waist and heard her gasp a little.

"Oh my, who did this to you?" he asked feeling anger sprout up inside of him.

"A group of jocks, don't worry Chad wasn't there. In fact, if it wasn't for Chad they probably would've…really hurt me." Gabriella explained.

"What do you mean?" Troy queried.

"Well these guys were really hurting me, taking great delight in, what was it they said 'Taking all the dignity of Troy Bolton, taking his little nerdy chick' or something and then Chad turned up, he punched one of the jocks. He was really angry. They left pretty quickly." Gabriella told him and Troy felt a great surge of relief pass through him, he was supposed to be there for her but Chad had protected her.

"Come here baby girl. I'm so sorry." Troy whispered and Gabriella hugged him close and took in his lovely handsome scent.

"I'm sorry I never told you earlier Troy." Gabriella said and she kissed him.

Troy pulled away, "It's alright, I understand."

He kissed her had and pulled her closer and closer to him. She unbuttoned his shirt and lovingly nipped at his neck making him moan pleasurably. She stepped away from him and allowed him to pull the dress from over her body. She cringed under his gaze but Troy gently brought her towards him and slowly unclipped her bra.

"I really want to Troy, but I don't want you to see me like this." She said unconfidently but Troy silenced her with his lips against hers.

"All I see is the girl I'm in love with." He answered smiling and he pulled her towards his bed. He sat her down before switching the light off and coming to lie beside her, he smiled as she tugged his trouser off and as they lost the remainder of their clothing and kissed Troy smiled, he was going to enjoy this night.

Gabriella smiled; she was ready to reacquaint herself with his muscular body.

WHEN Gabriella woke she found an empty bed, she didn't have to look far for Troy. The young jock was wrapped up in one of the blankets and was standing in front of the window looking out at the night.

"Troy?" She whispered but he did not answer.

She wrapped a blanket around herself and stood beside Troy. Only then did he turn to talk to her.

"Sometimes I wonder…why you picked me." He said.

Gabriella shook her head mystified, "What do you mean by that? If anything I should be wondering why you picked me!"

"You know that is a pretty pathetic question! Why wouldn't I not pick you? You're amazing." He said.

"There isn't much of a difference between Troy. We're both people who want something in life. We'd both do anything to get our own way." Gabriella mused.

"You've thought about this haven't you?" Troy laughed and he pulled Gabriella into his arms, their naked bodies pressed against each other as they kissed in passion.

"The only think that interests me is how close I can get to you Miss Montez." Troy laughed and Gabriella giggled wildly as Troy chased her into bed…

MR and Mrs Bolton returned home early that next morning, Mrs Bolton was eager to wake her son and ask how his dinner date with Gabriella went…

DUN DUN DUN! I know you guys hate cliff-hangers but I love them, it just makes you all want more! So if you do want more REVIEW!!!!

Loving you all xoxMusicalxox