Chapter 7
A few days after Troy and Gabriella officially started dating, which to be specific happened on December 23rd , they began to hang out every single day, starting on Christmas day. Gabriella and her Mom, stopped over at Troy's house on Christmas Eve to drop off a little basket of goodies for his family to enjoy over the holidays as they were on their way out to look at Christmas lights that people had hung to bring in the season of love and joy; which was a tradition that they started when her father was alive, and they kept the tradition going even after his death. On Christmas Day, Troy came over to Gabriella's house, and of course she had to go over there and pick him up, and while she was there, his Mom met her at the door and had a little wrapped box in her hand. As Gabriella was welcomed into the house, all of Troy's siblings came running over to her, to see her open the gift that she was given, which was a pink-laced necklace, with a silver heart with a pink jewel hanging from the heart hanging from the lace and beads. "Oh!" Gabriella breathed. "It's beautiful, thank you so much!" She said as she hugged Troy's Mom in a thank you. Troy's Mom smiled. "I'm glad you like it." She said. "It's a symbol of yours and Troy's love that you two will soon share." She explained. Gabriella's eyes glistened with tears as she listened to the beautiful words.
An hour later Gabriella and Troy were over at her house, listening to Christmas music as they exchanged gifts; Gabriella gave Troy the book that he was reading in Barnes and Noble on their first date, coffee stain and everything; a symbol of their first date. Troy gave Gabriella a Barnes and Noble gift card, because he knew she loved to read, and he wasn't quite sure which books she was really interested in, so in getting a gift card, she could pick out her own. As Troy opened his gift, and seeing the book, he ran his hands over the hard-covered front, and then he put the book down on the dresser and hugged Gabriella. "Thank you, now I'll get to see how it ends!" He said excitedly. They stood there staring at each other for a few minutes before Troy spoke. "Our first Christmas together as a couple." He said. Gabriella smiled. "Yes it is." The next thing Gabriella knew, Troy was placing his hands on her shoulders and placing a light kiss on her lips, and then he quickly pulled back. Gabriella knew at this moment, that she couldn't be happier. At times she had doubts and started to miss her single life, but now she knew that it was just meant to be.
Five days later it was New Years Eve, Troy and Gabriella was hanging out down in the basement of her house, waiting to bring in the New Year together. They had champagne glasses, filled with sparkling cider and the TV turned on to watch the ball drop in New York City. Gabriella looked at the time on the DVD player, sitting next to the TV. "Ten more minutes!" She said excitedly. Troy looked up and smiled. "Yep." Then they settled back down on the couch. "So what do you want to do while we wait?" Troy asked her. "Um, how about we play Truth or Dare Jenga!" Gabriella said devilishly. Troy smiled. "Sounds like fun." Gabriella walked over to the shelf that held their games, and grabbed the box that held the game. Then walked back over to where they were sitting and started to build the tower, so that they could play. Ten minutes later as they were laughingly playing, when Gabriella suddenly looked up, "Oh my God! Look, look!" She said excitedly pointing at the TV screen. Troy looked up to see what the fuss was about. Gabriella ran to grab the champagne glasses that were sitting on the coffee table. "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!!!" Troy and Gabriella shouted as they clinked glasses and then Troy leaned over and kissed her. "Happy New Year Gabi." Troy whispered into her ear and then continued to kiss her.