So just a warning over the next couple of chapters Gabriella is going to act like a total dummy where Christian is concerned. I ask you dear reader, to bear in mind that when it comes to guys, our Gabriella is very naïve (in this story anyway) and although she is super smart, she doesn't always have super common sense. So when she acts of character, just take it with a pinch of salt and please don't throw things at your screen. Thanks for reviewing, love Tink. P.S. Happy Easter. xxxx
In the week following Troy and Gabriella's late night conversation, their friendship was at best strained. Troy was angry and hurt at being rejected for a guy Gabriella had barely known for five minutes, he had been her best friend for six years! Gabriella was upset and hurt by Troy's refusal to accept she wanted to be with Christian, and as a result they barely spoke now.
Gabriella traveled to and from school with Christian, the pair growing ever closer in the wake of the fall out between Troy and Gabriella. Although Christian had not mentioned it, Gabriella had the feeling that Christian did not like Troy and was relieved he was no longer in the picture. Gabriella and Christian were now officially an item, the hottest new couple at East High. They sat together in their classes, at lunch and spent all their time together after school.
"Dude, you should just make it up with Gabi" Chad said to Troy, noticing his glare, as they sat together one lunch time.
Troy shrugged "I tried but she threw it back in my face"
"You were best friends Troy, you can be that again"
"It's not enough" he said in a low voice, causing Chad to look at him in surprise. They had never discussed their fall out in much detail, Troy had always been evasive and Taylor hadn't been told anything either.
"You mean you . . ." his voice trailed away as he saw the pained look on Troy's face as Christian and Gabriella exchanged a kiss.
"Oh yeah . . . for years nothing and then out of the blue, bam"
"Does she know?"
Troy nodded.
"That's why you fell out, she chose that jerk over you" Chad said indicating to the pair with a nod of his curl head.
"Yup, she chose some guy that she barely knows over me, her best friend of six years"
Chad frowned "That doesn't sound like Gab; she'll have had her reasons"
Troy snorted waving his fork "Yeah and his names Christian"
"You know there's something about that guy I just don't like . . .I mean look at him he's all over her all the time, Gab never struck me as the type to enjoy lengthy PDA's"
Troy looked over at the couple, seeing nothing unusual, Gab was sat eating, with Christian next to her, his arm draped around her shoulder, holding her close. Far from objecting Gab seemed to be enjoying the close contact and frequent French kisses.
"So? He likes her, she likes him. You and Tay can be as bad when you get going" Troy said with a weak chuckle.
"Yeah but it's like more than that, like he's showing her off, branding her as his"
Troy looked at Chad and realized he was serious, unusually so for Chad, who was always light hearted and upbeat.
"I can't see it man, Gabs would never stand for that"
"I dunno dude, I think we'd better keep an eye on her"
Troy shrugged again "Whatever you say Chad"
Across the crowed cafeteria Christian was aware of Chad and Troy's scrutiny and hid a smirk, draping his arm around Gabriella's shoulders, he pulled her close for a long kiss.
"Christian!" Gabriella giggled as he pulled away "Enough with the PDA's"
"Why, can I help it if I want the world to know you're mine" he said and kissed her again to emphasize the point.
Gabriella smiled up at him, hiding her inner turmoil. She liked Christian but she didn't feel anything like she had for Troy. No matter how much he kissed her or how often he touched her, there was just no spark, no tingle. She wanted to feel something so much, that day after day, she spent more and more time with him, willing herself to fall for him. Christian was a nice guy, always telling her how much he liked her, how she belonged to him, how proud he was to be with her, not wanting to be apart from her even when she saw her friends. She was lucky to have someone who liked her that much, she reminded herself.
"You missing him babe?" Christian asked suddenly, glancing over at Troy and Chad.
Gabriella shook her head with what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Not really"
She didn't want to upset Christian by admitting that she missed Troy terribly, it felt like weeks since that night on her balcony.
"You don't need him, you don't need anyone else but me, right?" he smiled down at her and kissed her again, though briefly this time.
"You are such a romantic" she said with a little smile.
Gabriella felt guilty, he obviously liked her a lot, he told her so everyday, he couldn't bear to be away from her, hated when she had to be away from him. But, she admitted to herself, she just didn't feel the same intensity, she liked him, but didn't miss him when he wasn't around, she didn't pine for him, didn't long for him, the way she did Troy. Maybe in time that would come, this was why she didn't break up with him. Besides she enjoyed the security of being part of a couple and not just by herself. It was a new experience having someone care so much for you, that they couldn't stand to be apart from you, every relationship was like that wasn't it?
"Taylor has asked me over to hers tonight, you don't mind do you?" Gabriella asked, catching his eye.
Christian pulled a face "I thought we were going to the movies, I was really looking forward to it. You know how much I miss you when I'm not with you"
Gabriella was flattered that he felt so much for her "I know you do but I haven't spoken to Tay in ages"
"You see her all day in school babe, how about I come with you to see Tay and then we catch a later movie"
"I guess that would be okay" Gabriella said with an awkward smile, she really wanted to see Taylor alone to discuss Troy. But since Christian was her boyfriend it was only natural that he would want to be with her too.
"It'll be great, you'll see" he said and then pulled her close for another kiss.
Later that evening Christian arrived to pick Gabriella up, she'd dressed carefully in her skinny jeans and a low cut white halter with a waistcoat fastened over the top.
"Wow babe, you look hot" he said and grabbed her for a kiss. Gabriella didn't like being called babe, but Christian thought it was cute so she didn't object.
"Thanks Christian" she said when her mouth was her own again.
"But don't you think it's a little much for the movies?"
"Wh- What do you mean?" Gabriella blinked, she liked what she wore.
His eyes dropped to her neck line and then back to her face with a little leer.
"You not think its a little low?"
Gabriella looked down at herself uneasily
"Is it?" she was worried, it was one of the new tops Sharpay had helped her pick.
He nodded and stroked a finger along her collar bone
"As much as I love it, I don't want some jerk staring at your body" he said softly
"Do you think I should go change?" she bit her lip nervously
He nodded again "But only if you want to, if you're happy looking like that then don't. I just don't think you'd want some other guy hassling you, now would you?"
"You're right, I'll go change" she said and disappeared back upstairs.
Gabriella felt bad, she'd thought she looked nice, but maybe Christian was right, maybe her top was too low, too revealing. He was such a good guy, looking out for her that way; she mused as she changed into a hoodie and dashed back downstairs. Christian greeted her with a sexy grin
"Much better babe lets go"
"Hey Gabs, I thought you were coming on your own" Taylor whispered in her ear as they hugged each other.
"I already promised Christian I would go to the movies with him, you don't mind do you?" she asked a little nervous of Taylor's reaction.
Taylor shook her head noticing the way Christian watched them, constantly
"See babe, I told you she wouldn't mind, you were just being silly" he chastised her gently.
Babe? Mouthed Taylor, since when had Gabriella liked being called babe?
"Anyway" he continued "We can't stay too long, Gabriella is anxious to get on with our date, aren't you babe" he said taking her hand and pulling her close to his side. Taylor scowled.
"Is that right?" she said not without sarcasm.
"Well what can I say, she likes me, and I'm her guy"
Taylor got the feeling he was telling both her and Gabriella.
"So Gabi, have you spoken to Troy yet?"
"No I-"she began, feeling uncomfortable discussing Troy around Christian.
"Gabi doesn't need jerks like Troy"
"Troy's not a jerk" said Taylor defensively, which struck Gabriella as odd, as they had never quite seen eye to eye. Taylor looked at Gabriella expectantly, waiting for her to speak up for Troy.
"He's acting like one" said Christian with a look at Gabriella who gave a little nod "anyway she has me now, she doesn't need him, isn't that right babe"
Again Gabriella merely nodded and smiled as Christian planted a kiss on her forehead.
Taylor pursed her lips and Gabriella could see her disapproval.
"Tick tock babe, we'd better go if we wanna make that movie" he tapped his watch face.
"You're right, I'll see you at school tomorrow" Gabriella said slightly apologetically.
"Yeah, whatever" Taylor said without conviction, and then watched as they headed off into the night.
She was worried about Gabriella, she seemed different, not herself. Christian was the one in charge and he seemed to be in charge of changing her. Taylor barely saw her anymore, she was always with him and while it was natural to want to spend time with your boyfriend, Christian struck her as being possessive. There was also the question of her relationship with Troy, once upon a time Gabriella would have defended Troy without question but she hadn't even attempted to stick up for him with Christian. Day by day she was disappearing from all their lives and Taylor wasn't prepared to sit back and let that happen. She had to talk to Gab, find out what was going on.
Over the next few days Taylor saw even less of Gabriella than before, it was almost as though Christian were deliberately isolating her from all her friends. The only person who could get to speak to her was Sharpay and she too was worried.
"I was in the lunch queue on Tuesday and Gabriella was ordering fries and do you know what the ass hole said to her 'You wanna be careful Gab, its so easy to get big, one minute you look like you and the next minute you're Martha Cox'. And you know what she did? Nodded and ordered a salad instead. Like what is going on with her, letting him chose her food?" Sharpay blustered to Taylor as they sat on her bed, filing her nails.
Taylor shook her head "There's something not right, I don't trust him, he's far too controlling. When was the last time we all did something together? It was bowling; I can't even get to see her alone"
"We need to do something Tay, think we should speak to Troy?" Sharpay asked setting aside the nail file in favor of a buffer.
Taylor shook her head "Not yet, we need a more accurate picture of what's going on, if she won't tell us then we will just have to see for ourselves"
"OOH" squealed Sharpay "I have an idea, we'll have a party at mine on Friday, just the usual gang, some food and drink, see if we can't figure out what's going on with her"
"Perfect, you gonna invite Troy too?"
Sharpay grinned evilly "Naturally"