Hi all, sorry about the long delay in posting, but I am still battling with writers block and don't seem to like anything I write at the moment. (Big Sigh) Anyway this is what I have salvaged from the mess, it's not great but it is leading us somewhere. The film I mention is The Big Easy, which I do not own but actually really love. Anyways as always please let me know what you think. Love Tink. xx

Later that afternoon Gabriella found herself staring at the walls in Principal Matsuai's office. He looked at her across the large oak desk, his face concerned, his brown eyes kind but faintly mocking. Although initially sympathetic, he'd admitted to Gabriella that there was not a lot he could do to help.

"The problem is Gabriella, you don't have any actual proof he was in your room or that he even left the chocolates for that matter…Did you see him?"

"No, I was asleep" she conceded slowly, not liking the way the conversation was going.

"Well did he perhaps leave a note, something to prove he was there?"

Gabriella shook her head "No. . . But I know it was him . . . What about all the messages and the phone calls, doesn't that prove something?" she asked in frustration.

"As they are outside of school time, there is not too much I can say or do . . .I can certainly have a word with Christian, see if I can encourage him to sort out this little tiff"

"Little tiff?" she repeated incredulous "Principal Matsuai, he's practically stalking me!" she cried in exasperation.

Principal Matsuai sighed and looked at her over his glasses, his tone somewhat weary, "Gabriella, it's not like you to be so over dramatic, that's normally Ms Evens forte"

"I am not being over dramatic, he's stalking me!" she insisted, feeling a little desperate.

Principal Matsuai shook his head "Ms Montez, there is not a lot I can do without direct proof"

Gabriella rose to her feet "Thanks for your help" she said bitterly and turned, before hobbling awkwardly from his office.

Troy stood up as she came toward him, her beautiful brown eyes flashing fire. She was not happy; in fact, Troy would go so far as to say she was furious.

He cocked on eyebrow "Well what did he say?"

She shook her head, sending her soft curls bouncing "He said he couldn't do anything without proof, encouraged me to sort out our 'little tiff…Can you believe that crap?"

"God Gab, I'm sorry"

She shrugged "I'll just have to ignore him I suppose" she said sounding resigned yet still angry.

Troy offered her a lopsided smile "We'll do something Gab, just give me time. Matsuai doesn't know shit . . . C'mon lets get you back home" he said offering her his arm and they made their way slowly but surely down the hall.

From his hiding place behind the freshman lockers, Christian watched Gabriella limping along, resting on Bolton for support and he wanted to shout out. Gabriella was his! She belonged with him not Bolton! She was his girlfriend, he was the one that loved her and cared about her. He could feel the rage building inside, she was being unfaithful to him, she was turning her back on his love. He would just have to work harder, to prove to her that he loved her. Last night when he had crept into her room to leave the chocolates, he had stood over her, watching her sleep. She'd looked so beautiful and peaceful that he hadn't been able to resist reaching out and stroking the smooth skin of her cheek, she hadn't even known and had just rolled over with a sigh.

Christian knew if he really wanted her back, he had to get her away from Troy and her friends; the question was how to do it…

Troy and Gabriella returned to her place and ate dinner with her Mom, careful to hide the change in their relationship from her. It was still all too knew for Gabriella and she had decided she couldn't face all the questions that her Mom would have. For some reason this annoyed Troy a little and the devil got in him. He decided to have some fun with her. They sat next to each other at the table as usual and began to eat. Midway through her dinner Gabriella suddenly sat bolt upright as she felt a hand stroking her leg under the table, sending shockwaves of sensation through her body. She coughed choking slightly and grabbed for her soda.

"Everything okay honey?" her mom asked as Gabriella went red in the face.

She nodded "Went down the wrong way" she gasped, slanting a look at Troy, who continued to chew his food with an innocent smile, replacing his hand on the table.

Within minutes he was at it again, drawing lazy circles on her thigh with his fingers, making Gabriella have to bite her lip to prevent from sighing with pleasure. All the time he continued his conversation with her mother, only the heat in his cobalt blue eyes, giving away his reaction to touching her. Turning her head to look at him, she moved restlessly on her chair, wanting, needing to him to slide his hand further up her body. Gabriella was shocked at her own thoughts; she had never felt this way with Christian, like she wanted to crawl inside his skin to be close to him.

Although they had only shared a few gentle kisses Gabriella knew she wanted more, she knew that Troy was holding back, probably so as not to freak her out. But she had known Troy long enough and seen him with enough girls to know, that the kisses they had shared so far, could not be enough for him. They were not enough for her either. It was such a turn around, she mused, to go from one boyfriend whose touch you couldn't stand to another boyfriend, whose touch you wanted, yet who seemed reluctant.

"Gabriella honey, are you with us?" her Mom was asking her, concerned.

She blushed "Sorry Mom, I guess I'm just tired. . . Do you mind if Troy and I watch a movie in my room?"

Her Mom nodded "I don't see why not, want me to bring you guys anything?"

Gabriella shook her head, deciding already that she didn't want to be interrupted "We'll be fine Mom but thanks"

Troy wondered what Gabriella was thinking while she had zoned out, he hoped it was about them. Sitting that close to her at dinner and not being able to touch her was torture for him, that's why he had decided to tease them both. He could smell her sweet smell, like sunshine and lollipops, he could feel the heat from her body next to his, and whenever she moved her breasts brushed his arm, turning his blood hot and heavy.

It still tickled him that he could go from friendship to red hot lust in seconds where Gabriella was concerned.

All he had to do was look at her and remember how good she had felt against him, to set him off.

However he was reluctant though to take things any further than those sweet, tender kisses they had shared because Gabriella had told him she didn't like it with Christian. She admitted she didn't like the thought of touching Christian, of moving on in their relationship.

Troy didn't want to scare her with how much he wanted her. Gabriella was still very naive in some respects and had very little understanding of what needing someone, wanting someone, could do and how quickly it could happen. Without self control, it would be very easy for them both to get carried away, Gabriella especially, as she wasn't used to lust, it was a powerful master.

Troy followed her awkward progress up the stairs behind her, in case she fell. He tried not to notice how perfect her ass was or how tiny her waist was, but he failed miserably. Around Gabriella he felt as though he were permanently horny, which wasn't a good state to be in; she had been his best friend for Christ's sake.

"What do you wanna watch?" she asked as Troy settled himself on her bed, propping himself up against her headboard with fluffy white pillows.

He shrugged "I don't mind as long as it's not a chick flick"

Gabriella studied her movie collection and tried to find something that would appeal to Troy, but also have the affect she was after, grinning she held up the box.

"How bout this? It's my mom's; it's old but pretty good"

Troy looked at the box, he'd never even heard of The Big Easy, but as it was just something in the background he wasn't too bothered.

"Sure" he said, watching as Gabriella popped the DVD into the machine and turned back towards him.

"Come up here" he said patting the bed between his legs with a smile. Gabriella took a breath and climbed up next to him, her back against his chest, and her legs along side his. She leaned back against him with a sigh as he wrapped his arms around her waist, intertwining her fingers with his, her head resting against his shoulder, his jaw, level with her forehead. It felt a little strange to be sat like this with Troy but after a few minutes she relaxed against him and tried to concentrate on the movie, which was very difficult given their proximity.

He was invading her senses, his touch as he played with their entwined fingers, the smell of his cologne, his breathing hot, deep and shallow against her ear, the sight of his long legs encasing hers. Just being close to him and being still became a challenge in itself, as he planted soft kisses along her hair line or stroked her arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps in his wake. She felt shivery all over and her heart rate quickened as the couple in screen kissed.

Behind her Troy cleared his throat and shifted on the bed, his body beginning to feel the effect of having Gabriella so close while watching a steamy scene. Not wanting to alarm her, he moved his hips back slightly, not sure how she would react to him being turned on. Instead he stroked his hands lightly across the skin of her flat stomach that peaked out at him under her tee, trying not to notice how smooth or soft it was. Gabriella sighed and turned her head as Troy kissed her neck with soft, wet, biting kisses, finding the spot just below her ear that made her quiver. He kissed his way up her cheek until his lips meet hers and she sighed into his mouth, leaning into his body as her tongue stroked his. Gabriella felt dizzy and weak all at the same time, as the kiss went on and on. Opening her mouth she tried to deepen the kiss but Troy pulled away, breathing heavily, his cobalt eyes dark.

"I should go, you need to rest" he said suddenly, sliding out from behind her, leaving Gabriella blinking and confused.

"I'm okay, you don't have to go" she said, annoyed to find herself sounding whiny and needy.

"I should go Brie, it's getting late" he said suddenly evasive as he headed her to bedroom door.

Gabriella got up from the bed, favoring her ankle as she did so "You can stay a little longer can't you?"

Troy looked at the pleading expression on her face, the dreamy look in her eyes and wanted to swear. Gabriella was still caught in the moment, trying to tempt him but he knew, she wasn't ready for what she was inviting. She looked so beautiful that his heart constricted and he knew he had to leave before he changed his mind. With a sigh he shook his head

"I can't Gab, I really have to go, it's late" he said, hating the look of disappointment and hurt that crossed her face at his words.

He crossed to where she stood and placed a soft kiss on her forehead,

"I'll be in touch Gab; you remember I'm hanging with the guys tomorrow? That still okay with you?" he asked softly.

Gabriella nodded stiffly and Troy could see she was hurt "Yeah,"

"You ok?"

She nodded again but wouldn't meet his eyes "Sure, Just tired I guess" she said her voice flat.

Troy kissed her once more on the forehead his lips lingering a little longer than necessary "I'll see you later"

Gabriella watched as he turned and left the room without so much as a backwards glance and felt tears welling up in her eyes. He had just rejected her. She'd wanted to take things further but he had stopped and rejected her, she couldn't believe it. Maybe he didn't want her; maybe he didn't like her as much as he'd claimed. Gabriella groaned as an awful thought occurred to her, maybe Troy was only with her out of sympathy. It was just the sort of thing he would do being the good guy, try and make her feel better, give her more self esteem by pretending to like her. Maybe that's why he stopped at sweet, gentle kisses, totally in control of himself and the situation. His kisses were so gentle because he didn't feel passionately towards her, she couldn't make him feel the same wildness she felt when she was kissing him, she couldn't make him ache with need and want. So much for lust. So much for moving on. So much for the big easy.