Hey guys, thanks so much for the reviews, you are all stars for keeping me going with this. I love the end of this chapter and I hope you do too. Without giving too much of the future plot away, I was wondering how far Troy and Gabi should take things . . . Shall I stay with pg type stuff or do people want to see them get a little bit naughty later on? Let me know what you think. Love Tink.

At the end of the day Gabriella saw Sharpay hurrying along the corridor towards her, looking excited and waving her hands.

"I have something to tell you" both girls said together, as Sharpay came to a halt before her.

They laughed and Gabi said "You first"

Sharpay squealed "I've just been talking to Christian and I invited him to come bowling with us on Saturday night and-"

"Nobody's going bowling on Saturday" Gabriella said.

"Duh, they are now, anyway I asked him if he wanted to join us and he said 'Is Gabi going', I told him you were and then he asked for your number"

Gabriella felt a little squeal emerge from her "Oh my god, is he gonna call me?"

Sharpay nodded and grabbed Gabriella's hands in hers "Tonight, after dinner"

Gabriella couldn't believe it, he was gonna call her.

"What were you gonna tell me Gab?"

"Just about Troy, I think I need to try to move on"

Shar looked at her "That what you want?"

Gabi shrugged "To be honest I'm not sure but I wanna give it a try, I can't spend the rest of my life waiting for Troy"

Shar hugged her friend for a second "Christian is totally the guy to help you get over him, so you stoked about Saturday?"

Gabriella clapped a hand over her mouth "Oh No! Saturday Troy and I were supposed to hang out!"

Sharpay rolled her eyes "He'll come bowling, Chad and Tay have already agreed. Besides you can hang out with him on tomorrow, it's Friday"

"I suppose that can work, do you think Christian will ask me out?" Gabriella already felt a little sick and excited by the prospect.

"For sure, now you have a legitimate reason to ask for Troy's help"

"You're right I do and who better to help me out than East High's resident stud- Troy" she joked as he appeared beside her.

"What's all the excitement?" he asked noticing how giggly Gabriella seemed for the second time that day.

"Christian asked for Gabi's number and he's coming bowling with us on Saturday"

Troy looked at Gabriella "I thought we were hanging out Saturday?"

"We can do that Friday, you don't mind do you, besides you're coming bowling too"

"I am?"

"You are" she said and turned a pair of pleading eyes on him.

"I am" he confirmed "So what we gonna do tomorrow?"

"You are gonna help me"

"Help you do what?"

"Figure out what guys want, what Christian wants"

"Oh that's easy Gab" he said with blatant innuendo and his naughty grin.

"Apart from that, you sex maniac" Sharpay put in "She needs advice Troy, not turning into one of your bimbo's"

"Ouch Sharpay! Jealous much?"

"In your dreams Bolton, anyway I gotta motor Ryan's waiting for me. Tootles" she cooed and wiggled her way back down the hall.

Gabriella and Troy made their way out to his car and drove home in compatible silence.

After eating dinner Gabriella excused herself to do some homework and was sprawled across her bed when her cell phone rang. Looking at the screen she saw a number she didn't recognize and answered quickly

"Hello" she said breathlessly

"Gabriella its Christian"

"Oh hey Christian"

"I was just calling to see if you need a lift to the bowling alley on Saturday? I was thinking maybe we could garb a burger or something after if you wanted?"

Gabriella's heart sped up "I'd really like that thanks"

"Cool, so that's a date. I' gotta go but I'll talk to you tomorrow at school"

"Kay, see you tomorrow"

"Bye Gabriella" he said and then hung up.

Gabriella couldn't believe it, she had a date, a real date, with a guy, suddenly she was nervous and excited all at the same time. What would she wear? What should she say? Would they get on?

Bubbling with excitement she dialed Taylor's number.

"Tay, it's me. I have a date" she squealed in a very Sharpayish manner.

"You what? A date? With Christian?"

"Yeah, he's giving me a ride to the bowling alley and then we are going out for something to eat afterwards"

"Have you told Troy?"

"Not yet, you're the first person I called, why?"

"I think Troy thins you're going to the alley with him"

"He won't mind Taylor, I'm sure. It's my first date . . . . OH my God what will I wear?"

Taylor laughed down the line "Gabi will you relax, we're hitting the mall remember?"

"I know, I know. It's just I can't believe he asked me, he's so cute"

"And what about your boy Troy?"

"What about Troy?"

"Well I kinda thought the idea was to make him like you, now you seem all stoked about Christian"

"I like him Tay, and I've realized that I can't wait around for Troy, I already waited six years"

"I know but I thought you loved him"

Gabriella sighed "I do Tay but I have to try and see if I can make this work with Christian"

"Okay, Gab if that's what you want, then I'm here for you"

"Thanks Tay, and it is what I want"

"Listen I better go, Chad's on his way over, but I'll see you tomorrow kay"

"Yeah, see you then" she hung up.

She turned around on the spot and hugged herself in excitement with a giggle. She just couldn't believe she was goin on a date with Christian.

Should she call Troy? Part of her wanted to because he was her best friend and part of her wanted to see his reaction. Would he be bothered? She guessed not and there seemed little point in calling him now to tell him something she could tell him in the morning. Throwing herself back down onto her bed, she sighed and closed her eyes before losing herself in a day dream starring her and Christian.

Gabriella was already waiting for Troy the next morning as he pulled up.

"Guess what, guess what" she babbled climbing in next to him.

"What?" he asked dully.

"Christian called me last night, he wants to give me a ride to the bowling alley and then take me for dinner after. I have date" she giggled "me Gabriella Montez has a real live date"

"That's great"

"Troy what's wrong? I thought you'd be happy for me" Gabriella asked, hurt by his lack of interest.

"I am Gabs really"

Gabriella still wasn't convinced "Well you're doing a good job of fooling me"

Troy didn't even know why he was acting the way he was. He'd found out last night from Chad that Gabriella had a date with Christian. He told himself that the only reason he was angry was because Gabriella hadn't told him last night.

"I'm sorry, I just got a lotta stuff on my mind" he lied, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

"Not too much to help me prepare for my date I hope, there's just so much stuff I have to know"

"Like what? Guys are just guys like me"

Gabriella shook her head with a smile "Nope not like you, there's only one of you Troy Boy"

Troy had to smile at the use of his nickname and he felt a sudden strong surge of affection for his best friend.

"Such as shame though, so many chicks so little time"

Gabriella giggled "You are the limit, but you're still gonna help me right?"

He wasn't sure he wanted to; he didn't like the idea of telling her how to impress another guy. It just felt to wrong to him, he was supposed to be the only guy in her life. But he quickly realized it was selfish of him to stand in her way because he was uncomfortable with the idea of some else being in her life.

"Whadda ya wanna know?"

"Well just some little things, insider tips. But not here not now, tonight at your place, I'll bring pizza… Your favorite sausage and onion" she said in a sing song voice.

Troy looked her pleading expression and they shared a smile, blue eyes meeting brown "Gabriella you always know the way to my heart"

I wish, thought Gabriella, I really wish I did.

The rest of the day dragged for Gabriella, who saw very little of Troy and even less of Christian, who she managed to speak to in the hall before last period.

"Hey Gabriella" he called out along the hall, jogging slightly to catch her.

Gabriella smiled at him and felt herself blush "Hi Christian"

"Listen, is it okay to pick you up about 6:30 tomorrow, the lane is booked for seven"

She nodded with a big grin "That's fine, you need my address?"

He shook his head and looked a little sheepish "Nah, Sharpay has already given it to me"

Gabriella made a mental note to kill Sharpay; she had no right giving her address out.

"Oh that's cool, so I'll see you tomorrow then"

"I'll be looking forward to it, gotta run, I don't wanna be late"

Gabriella watched him disappear into the throng of kids in the crowded hall way.

She found she didn't achieve much in last period, except tie herself in mental knots worrying about tomorrow night. How would it go? What if Christian didn't like her? Would he try to kiss her? Should she let him?

When the bell finally sounded for the end of the day Gabriella breathed a sigh of relief and she hurried to meet Taylor who was giving her a lift home. Troy was staying late for practice as they had a big game coming up against West High.

The girls talked all the way home about the date, what she should wear, things they could talk about and Taylor tried to calm her down. She reminded her that for the first part of the date everyone else would be there, so the pressure would be off. All she had to worry about was dinner.

Once home she caught up on some chores and homework before talking along hot bath. With a sigh of relief she removed her contacts from her tired itchy eyes and replaced them with her glasses, making a little face at herself in the mirror as she passed. Already she was used to seeing herself without them and thought she looked a little odd, but since she was just slobbing about with Troy and nobody would see she figured it would be okay.

The pizza she'd ordered before her bath arrived and after saying bye to her mom she headed over to Troy's.

Letting herself in as usual she was surprised to find Troy's parents on their way to dinner, saying a quick hello she headed up the stairs, pizza box in hand. She smiled as she heard loud music emanating from Troy's room and balancing the pizza box in one hand she knocked before pushing the door open and walking in . . .

…to see Troy emerging from his bathroom, his shaggy hair mussed and wet, his torso dripping, a tiny white towel around his waist, obviously having just had a shower.

Gabriella stared at perfection personified, her mouth opening and closing like a fish as she took in his body. His shoulders were broad, his smooth chest tautly muscled, his abs ripped to perfection and his towel perilously low on his hips. So low she could see the collection of dark curling hair around his belly button and navel, which tapered away to his . . .

She gulped and squeezed her eyes shut quickly, but not before Troy had seen the brief but very real flash of longing and desire in her eyes.

He was taken aback, shocked. He knew what lust looked like and it had been written all over Gabriella's face.

"Troy!" she cried "Could you please put some clothes on?"

Troy chuckled "You could have knocked"

"I did" her eyes were still shut and she could just make out faint rustling around the room as he dressed.

"Okay Gabs you can open them now"

Gabriella's eyes popped open to find Troy stood very close to her. He was bare foot and wore nothing but a pair of soft jeans, his chest was bare and Gabriella could see he had left the top button undone on his jeans. He was so close that she could smell soap and cologne and something else that was uniquely Troy.

Their eyes met and caught, he began to lean down towards her with a wicked grin, deciding to have some fun. Gabriella's heart began to pound in her chest, her pulse sky rocketing and she attempted to step back away from him but the wall blocked her way.

"What? What are you doing Troy" she asked, sounding nervous, shaky.

"Mmm my favorite" he said making his voice deep and husky as he leant closer still.

Gabriella caught the breath that stuck in her throat, was he going to kiss her, his lips were close to hers and she could feel his breath against her skin.

"Pizza" he said softly, taking the box from her and stepping away.

"Pi Pizza?" she stammered her breath releasing in a whoosh, her pulse slowly returning to normal.

Troy grinned as he took the box from her, he'd not been wrong earlier. Gabriella had looked at him as though she wanted him, her reaction just now confirmed it. What he didn't understand was why? She'd never given any indication that she wanted more than friendship from him and he still didn't think she did. It was just her hormones racing out of control because of her date with Christian tomorrow, but Troy was intrigued. He'd never thought that way about Gabriella before but now…

Gabriella stared dumbly at him, trying to figure out what had just happened between them. She was flustered, confused, why would Troy do that, especially to her.

"Gab, you want a slice of pizza before we get down to it?"

"Huh?" had he just said 'get down to it'.

Troy chuckled "What's with you today? This guy sure has you on the hop"

She shook her head to rid herself of the images of her and Troy getting down to it, she was here to think about Christian, not Troy.

"Sorry" she mumbled taking a slice of pizza and sliding down onto the floor, as far away from Troy and his bare chest as she could get. They ate in silence for a few minutes, Troy pondering over his new information about his best friend. Never before had he seen Gabriella look at him that way and it had shocked him. She didn't see him that way, did she? Maybe she'd reacted the way she had because he was half naked and she was all hyped up about her date tomorrow, Troy had just been in the right place at the right time.

There was nothing else between them, was there?

After wiping his hands, Troy picked up a shirt and shrugged it on leaving it unbuttoned, as a sort of experiment.

Gabriella tried not to stare but Troy could see she was failing miserably.

"See something you like?" he quipped, enjoying the feel of her eyes on him.

"Ha Ha, very funny"

He crossed the room and slid down to sit next to her, so close his leg brushed hers and she could feel the heat of him through his jeans and her cargo pants.

"So tell me what is it you want to know?"

Gabriella shrugged "I'm not really sure, I just don't know anything about guys"

"Sure you do, I'm a guy and you know tons of stuff about me"

"Not you, and not stuff like that"

"Like what?" Troy was enjoying teasing her.

"Just stuff, you know between a girl and a guy, you know what I mean"

He shook his head, water droplets from his still wet hair dropping onto her skin.

"I don't know what you mean, tell me"

Gabriella gritted her teeth in exasperation "flirting, touching, stuff"

"Oh you mean about kissing, making out"

"Kinda" she mumbled her ever present blush returning "I mean how will I know if he likes me?"

Troy gave her a slow but very wicked grin

"Well there is one obvious way"

"Troy! Quit trying to embarrass me"

He chuckled "I'm sorry Gab; it's just so much fun"

He looked at her properly for the first time and suddenly noticed she was wearing her glasses again, she still looked pretty he thought.

"Troy, please be serious, I'd help you"

He sighed knowing his game was up "Okay it's pretty simple, if he's asked you out, then he already likes you"

Gabriella rolled her eyes at him a little peeved "No shit Sherlock! How will I know what to do?"

"In what way?"

"Well do I touch him, hold his hand, kiss his-"

"Ass" Troy laughed

"I was going to say cheek"

"Same thing" pointed out Troy "Listen Gab, just let him do all the chasing, all the work, trust me, guys love the chase"

"Do you?" the words slipped out before she could stop them.

Troy turned his head and looked at her sideways "yeah" he replied so softly, Gabriella almost didn't hear him.

"Do I let him catch me?" she asked staring into his eyes,

"Depends if you wanna be caught" there was a wealth of meaning behind those words "and what the guy does, when he catches you"

"You're a guy, what do you do?"

The air around them suddenly became thick and still, charged with electricity. Gabriella felt her pulse speed up once more and her heart began to pound as she waited for his answer, all thoughts of Christian gone. He shrugged and turned his body to the side, so he now faced her, his eyes never leaving hers

"You want the honest answer"

"Yeah" she breathed.

His beautiful blue eyes dropped to her mouth and then back up again.

"Kiss"

"Kiss" she affirmed quietly, feeling a shiver of response flow through her body at his words.

"Then touch"

"Where?" she asked, her body tingling all over with the need to be touched by Troy, her breath coming quickly.

Troy reached out a hand and touched her neck where her pulse fluttered wildly at the nape. Her skin was soft and smooth and hot to his touch, her pulse racing. He slid his hand along her collar bone and Gabriella's eye shut with a sigh that stopped as he removed his hand.

"Then what?" she asked, eyes still closed, not wanting to break the sensual spell between them.

"I'd kiss her again" he muttered, fighting the urge to give in and do just that.

Gabriella was his best friend, he shouldn't be doing this, shouldn't be feeling this way towards her. But he couldn't help it, his body reacted to her and he was over come with the urge to kiss her, hold her, and touch her.

She opened her eyes slowly, to see the heat in his, turning them a deep, dark blue, she shivered.

"How?" she whispered "Slow and soft or hard and fast"

Troy's whole body clenched at her words and blood pooled making him hard but he could not stop himself replying.

"Long and slow and hot and wet and deep" he rasped rising to his knees, to ease the pressure of his jeans against his hardness.

Gabriella felt his words deep inside her, making her tremble. She couldn't believe this was happening, with Troy. He made her want, want so much more than a simple kiss. She had waited so long for this moment but now she was scared, should she follow her heart?

"Show me" she whispered a plea.

Troy wanted to curse, did he give in and give them both what they wanted and needed? Or did he stop this now?

His breath came in ragged gasps and he let out a little groan as Gabriella parted her lips and licked them nervously. Once glimpse of her pink tongue against her lips and he was a goner.

Slowly he lowered his head to hers and covered her mouth with his own. It was hot and damp as it ate at hers, his lips soft against hers. Gabriella saw shooting stars behind her eyes, as the kiss continued for long seconds, Troy stroking his tongue along her bottom lip, making her gasp, giving him access to her mouth, her tongue. As their tongues met they both made sounds of pleasure as they explored each others mouths. Gabriella brought her arms up and wrapped them around his neck tangling her hands in his still damp hair; Troy wrapped his around her waist and pulled her into him as he began to lower them both to the floor. Troy lay on his back, Gabriella across him, her chest heaving against his, their hips flush. And still the kiss went on; Gabriella inquisitive as she rocked her hips against him experimentally, trying to rid herself of the achy feeling inside.

Troy groaned against her mouth, wanting to roll her over and bury himself inside her but he couldn't. When the need for oxygen became too much he tore his mouth away from her, panting, looking up at her. Gabriella's eyes were shut and her glasses wonky on her flushed face. She looked so pretty to him.

"We have to stop Gab, this isn't right, this isn't us" he gasped out, trying to control himself.

Gabriella felt the pain of rejection and she slowly opened her eyes to see Troy looking up at her, his eyes dark with desire. He wanted her, she could feel the evidence of that against her hip but she was embarrassed. She had thrown herself at him again, it was juts like the Christa thing, she rolled off him and stumbled to her feet.

"Oh God, you're right Troy, I better go, I'll see you tomorrow" she mumbled not looking at him, before scurrying from the room.

Troy lay where he was staring at the ceiling unable to believe what had just happened. He'd just experienced the hottest kiss he'd had in along time, with his best friend. But what the hell was he going to do about it?