Okay, the cruise was awesome, bad weather, but awesome. Honestly, the room is still moving.

Sidenote:
I felt really bad because I promised my WWB readers a chapter, then I packed and completely passed out and had no time the next morning, especially since my brother hogged the computer to go on facebook to talk to his friends. So if this is late it is because I promised myself before another chapter of ANYTHING came out, WWB would.

Thank you for the reviews and please continue to read and review.

Remember, this is based off a book by Kirstin Miller called the Eternal Ones. Read it!

He graduated high school a year early. He went to Princeton. He duel majored in business and history and somehow managed it all in four years. He has an apartment in Rome as well as the cottage here in New York. He has a collection of my old art work in a storage space. He's been all over the world because of his father's hotels, and the only reason he willingly moved so many times is because of me, so he could find me. He has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. He texted me this morning merely to say good morning and I love you but also to remind me he is picking me up from school. He's perfect.

I told all of this to Taylor the next day in school.

"We spent the entire day talking. He's so amazing, Taylor," I gushed during study hall.

"He sounds like it," she agreed with a smile. I told Julian I found him. After ten minutes of me reassuring him that he is in fact Ethan, he was happy for me. "Is he the reason you are wearing this outfit?" she questioned.

I pulled down my dress instinctively. I'm wearing a simply black cotton dress I actually bought, not made. Well, I didn't buy it; my mother did, insisting it would look good on me. It reaches a little more than mid-thigh, has sleeves reaching past my elbows, and a few buttons down my chest with two undone. I matched it with a pair of my mom's black thigh high boots she was all too happy to let me borrow. My hair is down and curly and I did my make up well and smoky today.

I bit my lip to stop from smiling. "Maybe," I answered. "Well," I began. "We were talking and he was talking about how it was unfair that back in the day when I was forced to wear dresses because of society, to put it simply, they weren't as slutty as they are today. These are my words, not his. Anyways, he went on about how annoying they were to take off... never mind," I cleared my throat as my best friend grinned. "So I thought I would surprise him by wearing a dress," I finished.

"A slutty, yet not slutty dress. I approve," Taylor told me. "And, you're wearing my T necklace!" she cooed like a girl.

"Well, I figured T for Troy, T for Taylor. It's a win, win," I informed her.

Taylor accepted his comparison. "So, can I meet him?" she questioned. "Please, Gabi, please, you said he was picking you up after school, I need to meet him. I'm the best friend, the keeper of the secrets, you have to let me meet him before I begin to stalk you," she pleaded.

I laughed. "Yes, Taylor, you can meet him after school. But, it won't be long, we're hanging out and while I want you guys to get to know each other and get along, I'm hogging him for a while," I said.

"Understandable, as long as I get to see him," she agreed.

I laughed while reaching into my purse because my phone is vibrating. A picture of me and Troy flashed on the screen as his name came up underneath it. I looked behind me. Mrs. Claus (no joke that is her name) was, as always, wearing headphones and grading papers. She listens to books on her iPod during my study hall, weird, I know.

I turned away from her and let my hair cover me. "Why are you calling me?" I kind of whispered into my phone.

"Because I'm bored. I'm so fucking bored. You're too much of a distraction for me, I can't do anything," Troy answered.

I smiled. Aw. "I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not," I told him. "I've been zoning out all day about you. It's a good thing I'm a naturally good student," I mentioned.

"I wish you were in college so you can skip out. I plan on it so I can pick you up," he told me.

"Troy, you should stay at work if you have to. I can get a ride home and no one will be there, not even my brother's, they're all at work, so you can come over after you're done until I work. I tried to get out of work, but my dad needs me at seven," I reminded him.

"I know, you told me. It's fine. Don't worry about work, Brie, I'm kind of the boss, and trust me, I am not the best here at what I'm supposed to do. I'm more of a show piece," he assured me.

Kelsi and Martha appeared next to me. "Who is she talking to? Oh, geez, is it him?" Kelsi asked Taylor. She nodded. "Oh, I like him already. He's calling you and stuff. When can we meet him?" she wondered.

"I'm meeting him today. He's picking her up after school," Taylor boasted.

"Can we meet him too?" Martha spoke up.

"Sh!" I interrupted. "Sorry, my friends magically showed up in my study hall and won't shut up," I whisper-yelled at them.

Kelsi rolled her eyes. "Someone is touchy," she mumbled.

I heard Troy's laugh. It made me feel good inside. "Don't worry about it, I have to go daydream through another meeting. I'll be there at three, babe," he assured me. "I love you," he said.

I smiled. "Ditto," I replied, and then hung up. I didn't say 'I love you' back because Kelsi and Martha would think I am crazy. "Sorry," I apologized. "What are you guys talking about?" I wondered.

"Your sexy twenty something boy toy," Kelsi informed me.

"Who is sexy? Me?" Kelsi's boyfriend, Jimmie, sat down next to her and kissed her cheek.

She kissed him with a smile. I wanted to gag. "No, Gabriella's guy. She met him at the club on Saturday. She spent the night with him," she brought him up to speed.

"Gabriella did? Wow, finally," he commented. "Half the guys in school have wanted to pop your cherry, at least now the word can get around that the job was done," he said.

Kelsi smacked him on the chest. "They didn't have sex, you idiot, they talked and stuff. Stop being such a guy," she ordered. "Not every guy only thinks about sex," she stated.

"Nope, but Gabriella does," Taylor mentioned, but I elbowed her. I shouldn't have told her how badly I wanted to make love with him but he held out. Now she'll never let it go, at least until I finally do have sex.

The bell rang, which sent us off the next period. I was happy and didn't care what Jimmie was about to spread around school. Each period that is over is one closer to me seeing Troy again.

I didn't even wait for Taylor after last period. I literally grabbed my coat and ran away. Well, honestly, I didn't run, not in these heels, but I did walk very fast. I didn't need to look for Troy; my eyes were drawn to him. He was leaning against his Audi in a pair of worn out jeans and a blue t-shirt, and black peacoat jacket. His hair was messy as usual, but I didn't expect him to be so casual, shouldn't he, like, wear a suit to work?

I jumped into his arms as soon as I reached him. "I missed you," I murmured in his ear as he lifted me off my feet.

"I know exactly how you feel," he responded, putting me down. He pulled my coat tighter around me. It was a little longer than my dress, and black, and warm, and also my mother's. "Aren't you cold, Brie?" he questioned, looking down at my attire.

I pressed my body against his. "Nope," I stated.

He opened his coat and placed what he could around me. "Is there anything you need to do or can we just go?" he asked, rubbing my back to keep me warm.

"GABRIELLA MONTEZ!" I heard behind me.

"Well, there is that," I mumbled while leaning against his chest. "Taylor wants to meet you," I informed him.

Troy chuckled. "She looks pissed off, is that because of me?" he wondered. "I've watched enough TV to know that you want to make nice with the best friend," he said.

"No, she's mad at me. I didn't wait for her and just came straight here. She was worried I would leave without letting her meet you," I filled him in. He nodded. I pulled away just in time for her to show up. "Taylor, this is Ethan AKA Troy. Troy, this is Taylor, my bestest friend ever," I introduced them.

They shook hands. "For the record, I will answer to Ethan, but I prefer Troy," he told her.

She laughed a little. "Noted. Gabi was right, you are, er, very good looking," she rephrased what she normally would have said.

"Thanks. She's good looking too," he replied. "Which, I did tell my friends as well," he added on.

I cocked my head towards him. "You told you friends about me?" I asked.

"Please, Chad was wetting his pants wondering if I actually found you. I told my brother and, yeah, a few friends I got a girl," he answered.

I smiled. That is always a good sign. "Oh, I really like you," Taylor analyzed. "We'll get to know each other later. For now, get this girl out of the cold and go where you wanna go. I'll text you Gabi, believe me, I will text you," she stated before walking off to get to Kelsi's car.

"Yeah, that's Taylor," I told him.

He kissed me. "She's Cecillia," he told me while opening the door for me. "Now, I have to listen to the best friend's orders, in the car you go," he insisted, ushering me in.

"Hey, what do you mean she is Cecillia?" I questioned as he closed the door.

He got in on his side quickly. "It's the same way that you're Annabelle, only she is Cecillia, she just doesn't remember. You have to remember that we're lucky to remember, Gabriella," he said as he pulled away from my school.

"Wait, yesterday you told me after we died, Stefan and Cecillia got close and..." I trailed off.

He nodded. "Yes, but just because they got married in their last life does not meet they must in this life. I'm not saying that are not 'soulmates' like we are," he said with air quotes included. "But I don't want them to think they have to be together in this life as well. It's their choice, just as it is your choice to be with me," he went on.

"Like I wouldn't," I muttered.

"Anything can happen from life to life, love; all I know is that I always find you and you always fall in love with me in return. Its good luck, to be honest, and I am extremely grateful," he stated.

I understand what he is saying, but maybe Chad is the guy Taylor has been waiting for. I'm going to tell her she is Cecillia and he is Stefan, but I'll also tell her it doesn't mean they are 'soulmates' as Troy said. Everything is up to choice.

"So, have you ever, like," I stopped to put more Lo Mein noodles in my mouth. Troy waited for my response. We're at a Chinese restaurant I've never heard of, but now love. It's in the middle of our houses, just inside of Brooklyn.

When I took another bite instead of finishing my sentence, he spoke up. "Yes?" he questioned.

I swallowed. "Been with another girl?" I got out.

"I told you I was a virgin," he reminded me.

"But that doesn't mean you haven't done anything!" I insisted. "I mean did you really grow up with two brothers and willingly admit you were waiting to have sex?" I wondered.

He put down his drink. "Alright," he sighed. "My brother's do think I lost my virginity when I was seventeen, but-"

"Ha!" I gloated, and then took another bite.

"But," he went on. "I faked it. It was my graduation party, the unauthorized one thrown by my brother's. There was this girl at my school; she was all over me that night because she was so drunk. To keep it short, we ended up in a bedroom upstairs of my family's house in the Hampton's. That is where the party was, after all. Anyways, two minutes after we got up there, she passed out. I watched TV for a little over an hour, and then went back downstairs with a smile on my face. I told them I did it, I have all my memories so I had no problem giving them an accurate yet fake play-by-play. She didn't remember anything, so she couldn't deny it. It wasn't like I would have been her first time, and I'm Troy Bolton, so she didn't care. That's it," he finished.

"Very creative, Bolton," I complimented. "But what did you do with her?" I wondered.

He put down his drink after taking a sip. "I won't lie to you, I did kiss her. Well, she kissed me. I pushed her off as nicely as possible. In that hour I hung out in the room, I wanted to throw up. It felt like cheating, it was horrible. I hated what I had done," he told me.

I put a hand over his. "It's okay. I've kissed another boy. It was my first and only date when I was fourteen years old, before I knew if I was going crazy or not. I didn't like it whatsoever," I assured him.

"We're even then," he whispered, then kissed me. His hand slipped onto my bare thigh. "You keep wearing these dresses we might not be virgins by the end of the week," he admitted softly.

I perked up. "Really?" I asked.

"You have a very active libido, don't you?" he responded.

I tried not to blush, but couldn't help it. "Sorry," I cleared my throat.

Troy smiled at me. "Come here," he mumbled before leaning forward to kiss my cheek and then lean his forehead against mine. "Don't be embarrassed in front of me, Brie. I'm the one person you can always trust, always count on, talk about anything with, don't be embarrassed in front of me, please," he went on. "And, you forget, I have already seen you naked. You don't have much to keep from me," he added on.

I bit my lip. "I've seen you naked before too," I giggled.

"You see, I didn't blush," he replied jokingly before kissing me quickly.

"Speaking of the 'talk about anything with' part of before," I began. He nodded. "I have a question about our past," I stated.

Troy nodded. "I'll see if I can answer," he responded.

"I remember Eliza," I informed him.

His eyes filled with understanding. "What exactly do you remember about her?" he wondered.

"I remember we fought about her every time I was around her. I remember how she hung all over you all the time. I remember being so jealous and angry and- I wanted to kick her ass," I confessed.

"Yes, Eliza was practically the only thing we fought about," he agreed. "I'm going to be honest with you, Brie. Eliza... Eliza thought she was in love with me, but in reality, she was in love with us. She wanted what we had and since I was one of the few fully devoted men, she wanted me. I told her many times, politely of course, that you are the only woman I could ever love, so she should move on past me. She never did, she never tried, actually. She was always mean to you, but then again, you dished it to her right back. Nothing romantic ever went on between me and her, I never liked her much to begin with," he assured me.

"Was she ever..." I trailed off. "Do you know if she was reincarnated?" I questioned.

He let out a breath. "If she was, I never ran across her," he replied.

"What would you do if you did?" I asked.

"Brie..." he trailed off. He calls me Brie, and I love it. It's cute. "It would depend on if she regained memories or not. If she didn't, I would walk on by her, and do my best to ignore her. If she does remember, it's a big if; I would try to not reveal myself as Ethan. I don't want her in my life, Brie, I never did. You were always under some delusion I enjoyed her company or something," he said.

"That's because, ugh," I let go of his hand and leaned back in my chair. "Let's go," I mumbled.

He ignored me. "No, say what you were going to say," he insisted.

"No, because it doesn't matter because she's in the past and we're now. We just found each other, I don't want to be fighting already," I responded.

Troy shook his head. "Am I going to have to start seducing you to get answers?" he wondered.

"The only way that would work is if you promise sex in the end," I informed him.

He laughed. "That's good to know for future situations," he commented before leaning in. Just as our lips touched, a cough was heard next to us. The waitress was there. "Uh, can we have the check?"

Twenty minutes later, I laughed up the walkway to the cottage. If I hadn't been wearing heels, I would have been hanging off Troy's neck as I walked backwards with him guiding me. I felt my back hit the door, but instead of him opening it, he kept me pressed against the wood.

"So, you wanna see what I'm wearing underneath this dress?" I murmured while looking into his eyes.

"I think we've developed the ability to read minds, because I was just thinking that," he admitted, and then our lips touched.

My hands grabbed onto his hair as the door opened behind me. Troy kept me standing with his strong arms as he walked us in, and kicked the door shut behind him. I went to open the kiss, but he suddenly stopped kissing me. I opened my eyes to see that he was looking behind me.

"What are you doing here?" he asked when I turned.

A black guy with the best Afro ever was sitting on Troy's couch with an Xbox controller in his hands. "I like your house better than my apartment," he stated. "Besides, I had to meet Annabelle, uh, I mean, Gabriella," he added.

"I told you later in the week, Chad," Troy reminded him.

"I couldn't wait!" the boy, Chad, whined and stood up.

I smiled. "Its okay, my best friend couldn't wait to meet Troy either," I told him. I left Troy's arms to go over to him. "Hi, I'm Gabriella," I introduced myself.

"Chad," he replied "But, I was Stefan," he told him. "I just don't remember. I wish I did," he said.

"I wish I knew more. Try growing up with a fainting problem, people think you're crazy," I informed him.

Troy was behind me again, I knew this because his arms wrapped around me. "You met her, now you can leave," he told Chad.

"Troy!" I exclaimed. "That is so mean. Me trying to take your virginity can wait," I stated. Chad and Troy both laughed. "We can hang out with Chad. I have to go home in three hours anyways," I went on.

I felt Troy's lips on my neck. "Fine, but if you're staying you have to go get the Chinese food out of the car we forgot," he compromised, tossing his keys to Chad. Chad grinned and began to walk towards the door. Troy caught him by the shirt. "If the keys even touch the ignition..." he trailed off.

"Dude, you aren't my big brother in this life, chill out," he responded.

"I mean it, Chad," Troy stated.

Chad nodded before going out the door. "So is Chad your Taylor?" I asked him, turning in his arms.

"If that is the way you want to look at it, yes," he answered. "He is the one person, other than you, I can tell anything to. I can trust him with everything," he told me.

"Are you going to tell him about Taylor?" I wondered.

He nodded slowly. "He deserves to know. He has looked for her since I told him about his past life, even if I did advise him not to," he mentioned.

"You kind of talk like you're from a different time, you know," I commented.

"I am, plus I did attend one of the best high schools in the country, and Princeton," he reminded me. "I can talk Shakespearean if that is what floats your boat," he teased, I think.

I laughed. "Please don't, that isn't sexy at all," I told him.

"Yes, ma'am," he agreed with a laugh.

"So," Chad said about an hour later. We've just been talking and watching TV while he eats our leftover Chinese food. "When exactly do you plan on telling your parents you're dating a twenty two year old?" he questioned.

I bit my lip. "Once I figure out a lie to tell them about how I met him. I told my parents I was sleeping over my friend's house last weekend, not that I was going into the city. I can't just walk into work tonight and be like, 'oh yeah, Mom, I met this older guy at a nightclub over the weekend. Like him, please, so I can continue to date him' you know," I informed him. "Besides, she is set on me meeting some Italian guy," I added.

"Does it help that I wish I was Italian?" Troy wondered from next to me. His arm is around me, with his other hand in my lap.

"It helps that you majored in history so you may know more Italian history than she does and you know the language," I assured him. "Plus, we have Julian on our side. Gino and my dad will hate you no matter what," I stated. "My dad is awesome though," I commented.

"Dude, what are your parents going to say about you dating an eighteen year old high school student?" Chad brought up. "Your dad is going to flip shit," he said.

I turned to Troy. He smacked Chad. "Did you have to bring that up right now? Besides, it doesn't matter who I marry, I'm not Nate. My dad is just... he's like your last parents," Troy told me. "He'll think, he'll think-"

"He'll think I'm lower than you and not worth it," I finished his sentence.

"I don't care what my dad thinks, we both know he's not right and I won't listen to him. If you had listened to your parents, we never would have gotten married. You, above anyone else, should know just how much I do not care what my parents will say about us," he told me.

I nodded. "I know, I just wish that once us being together wasn't an issue to anyone else," I sighed. Before he could reply, I felt my eyes begin to roll and I didn't have time to warn him before I collapsed against his body when I fainted.

"We're begging you," my mother pleaded. "Do not marry that boy," she said.

I closed my trunk. "When are you going to realize it doesn't matter what you say, mother?" I questioned. "I love him. You do not have to like him, I wish you did, but you don't, and I can't change it," I told her.

"Annabelle, if you would just listen to us," my father, Eugene, began.

I shook my head. "No. He's told me everything, you seem to think that you guys telling me three days before I marry that he was institutionalized will matter," I insisted. "He told me weeks ago. I know everything," I repeated.

"How can you love that man?" Joanna practically cried.

I went back to packing my things. "The same way you love that man," I replied, speaking of my father.

"That damn woman, if she wouldn't have left her fortune to our naive daughter..." Eugene began to ramble.

I turned back. "Do you really want it, Father? I'll take enough to keep the cottage, you two can have the rest if you want it that much," I told him.

"All we want is for you to marry someone of stature, someone who will take care of you rather than you providing everything," my mother insisted.

"He will take care of me!" I exclaimed. "Money means nothing to me, when will you understand? I could live on the streets with him and be perfectly content," I stated. Joanna cried out loud while my father seemed upset as well. "Can we please stop with the hysterics? I am marrying the man I love, not dying," I added.

Joanna came over to me. "We simply want the best for you, dear?" she said while patting my hand.

"The best for me is Ethan," I assured her. "No matter what either of you say, I am marrying him. I want you both to come, but if you do not, it doesn't change anything. If you want to be in my life, and eventually, my children's lives," I went on. "You will accept him," I stated. Neither of my parents said anything. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Ethan is outside, waiting for me to give him my things to put in the car."

I sat up on the couch. A pillow was under my head, a blanket was covering most of my body, Chad was gone, but I could hear Troy's voice. I checked the time on my phone before finding him. I had a little bit of time before I had to go home to get ready for work, but not as much as I would have wanted.

"Gage, I'm just asking you to do this one thing for me. I never ask you for shit," he was saying to his brother, I assumed. He saw me and smiled. "I don't give a fuck if you just wrecked your Porsche. Do you have any idea how much of a cliché you are? The rebellious, spoiled rich kid?" he questioned. "Yes, I know offending you when asking you to do me a favor is not a good idea," he breathed while rubbing his temples. "Just don't tell Mom and Dad about Gabriella that is all I am telling you to do!" he went on.

I got a drink from the fridge and sat down on a stool with my legs crossed.

"Because it's not your fucking business to tell! She's my girlfriend- no, you idiot. If she was seventeen do you think I would have actually continued to date her?" he asked his brother. "The only reason I don't want you to tell is because I know how Dad will react and I know Mom will bother me about her until I agree to bring her to meet them. And, you know, maybe I want to be a man and tell them myself," he said. "I swear to God if you ask if I am ashamed of her one more time I am going to- oh, you don't even want to know what I will do to you," he warned.

Is it bad that I think it's sexy he's all manly? It's kind of a turn on.

"You're not going to tell them because I know exactly what happened with Blair Sigmund at her parents' Christmas party and if Dad knew you would be out of the will," Troy told Gage. "Yes, I know exactly what happened. Grow a pair of balls, tell Dad you already went through most of your trust fund, wrecked your Porsche, and ask for a job to suffer like the rest of us," he finished while hanging up. "I shouldn't have even told him about you. I mean, he calls me to tell me he totaled his car and to soften the blow to our parents, he's telling them I have a seventeen year old girlfriend here in New York. My parents are in Aspen anyways, but fuck!" he ranted while walking over to me.

I rubbed his arm. "Did you tell him I was eighteen or is he just being annoying by saying I am seventeen?" I wondered.

"No, I told him you're eighteen, he's just being Gage," he muttered, sitting next to me. "Are you okay?" he asked me.

I nodded. "Uh-huh," I replied.

"What was your vision about?" he pressed.

"I was fighting with my parents about marrying you. I told them that if they wanted to be in my life, or our future children's lives, they had to accept you," I explained. He nodded.

"They had two years to accept me, they didn't make much of an effort," he mumbled.

"We didn't have kids," I reminded him. "Didn't we try? I mean, I had a vision of us leaving Rome on our honeymoon, we wanted them," I insisted.

Troy nodded. "We tried for two years. It never happened. It could have been a fertility problem, I don't know, there wasn't exactly the same technology there is now," he told me.

I bit my lip. I shifted forward to rest my forehead on his. "We're doing it this time," I whispered.

"Hell yeah we are," Troy instantly agreed. "As soon as you graduate from NYU, I'm going to marry you Gabriella Bonita Montez," he assured me.

I pulled away. "Ugh," I groaned. He laughed. "Don't laugh, it's unfair, your middle name is fine!" I whined.

"Mine is plain, it's James, come on," he responded. "At least yours says the truth. You're beautiful," he murmured.

"You're cute," I replied softly. "When exactly are we going to tell our parents about each other?" I wondered a moment later.

Troy took my hand into his and began to rub my palm gently. "When do you want to? My parents won't even be home for over a week," he informed me.

"I need a way to..." I trailed off. I need a way to explain to them that we met and not in a club in the city. He looked confused. "What are you doing tonight?" I questioned him.

"Uh, probably hanging out with Chad, who went home after you, fainted by the way. I told him about Taylor quickly, he got excited and said something about calling his sister to go shopping?" he said like a question.

I laughed. "Instead, can you come to the restaurant? Bring Chad. We can reenact us meeting and them tell my parents that is how we met and it can almost be legit," I said excitedly. "Then, if you keep coming in, I will 'give' you my phone number, this could totally work," I stated.

"Totally," Troy agreed with a grin. I looked at him seriously. "Yes, I will come to the restaurant tonight," he told me.

I kissed him. "Good. Julian wants to meet you too," I added.

The kiss was short, so I frowned. "You do know what you fainting for almost half an hour did, don't you?" he asked. I shook my head. "Well, you invited Chad to stay, and he did for a while. You then proceeded fainted for a while. I still have to take you home, which may take a while in its self depending on traffic. This means we don't have any time for you to seduce me," he explained.

"Ah, damn!" I swore.

"I know, I am just as sad as you are," he replied with a kind smile.

I shook my head. "You are not, Bolton, you're happy," I muttered.

He held one of my hands with both of his. "Only because you're saving me from pain," he insisted before getting up.

"Wait, it actually hurts?" I questioned.

"Wow, you are naive," he laughed.

I stood up and glared while going after him. He ran away. "Troy!"

Two hours later I was on the edge of my seat, figuratively of course, as I waited for Troy to come in. I gave him the correct directions, what is taking so long? When I finally got the urge to turn around, I saw Kiki seating Troy and Chad at a table in my area as planned.

"Hey!" Gino yelled at me.

"Huh?" I blurted, turning to him.

"Food, bring it to the table," he instructed like I am five.

I glared at him. "When you're old and your kids are looking for a nursing home for you, I'm recommending one that will beat you," I replied, then went on my way. I heard my mother laughing as I left. After I dropped off the food and checked on my other table, I went to see Troy and Chad. "Finally, what took you so long?" I demanded to know.

"Well, you aren't getting a tip, you're mean," Chad teased, looking through the menu.

"Chad wanted to do his hair," Troy ignored him. "I told him Taylor wouldn't be here, but he wouldn't take the risk," he told me.

I laughed, looking at Chad's Afro ponytail. "You look nice, Chad, very professional. But, I haven't even told Taylor she's Cecillia yet, let alone that I found her last husband or whatever," I admitted.

"Will you get on that please?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I know Taylor, Chad, trust me; she'll be excited to meet you as soon as she hears about you. You two are alike in that way," I mumbled. Chad smiled while Troy stayed quiet, but I knew he wanted to speak up on the subject. "So, what do you guys want to drink?" I questioned.

As I went to get their drinks, I ran into my brother. "So is he the white one or the black one?" he wanted to know.

I chuckled. "The white one. Isn't he pretty?" I asked. I wanted to laugh as his look. "What? I answer it when you ask me about your girlfriends," I insisted.

"Sure, sure, he's Maxim's number one," Julian told me. I laughed.

"Maxim only does girls," I reminded him.

He waved me off. "I want to meet him. He is dating my baby sister," he said.

"I don't think the strict talk is needed from the older brother, Jule. I mean, we've been together for two thousand years and been married countless times. I'm pretty sure he won't hurt me," I assured him. Julian continued to look at me. "Well, we can't do it now. Wait until some other time. Soon, I promise. I need you to point out to Mom that I'm flirting with him," I instructed him.

"Yes, you're Majesty," he sighed while I grabbed the drinks. "Do work, sis," he joked as I walked away.

I set down their drinks. "I'll be right back, I gotta check on my other tables," I told them before leaving. I smiled at my mom on the way back to their table. "Okay, you see the Italian woman behind me?" I questioned them.

"The hott one?" Chad asked, checking her out.

"Ewe, yes, that's my mother," I laughed.

Chad nodded. "Damn," he commented.

"Chad!" I exclaimed, wanting to hit him, but couldn't, not in front of my parents. I looked to Troy. He was smiling, looking at me, and not my mother like Chad was. "What do you think?" I wondered.

"I think you look like her, and you're both beautiful," he answered. "You are more so, but that is my opinion," he said.

"Which is the only opinion that matters," I insisted. He smiled at me. "She's staring, I know it," I mumbled. Troy nodded. "Make me laugh, she'll like that," I suggested.

Troy didn't know what to say for a minute. "Uh, Justin Bieber is cute?" he told me. I burst out laughing. "What? I didn't know what to say," he laughed as well.

"Alright, what do you want?" I asked of them.

"I want your favorite dish," Troy informed me. "I didn't even open the menu," he admitted.

I wrote down my favorite meal and looked to Chad. "Does Taylor have a favorite?" he wanted to know.

"What if you find out she is grotesque and has a horrible personality?" I asked him. "Would you still want to... what would Troy say? Pursue her?" I questioned.

"Everything is worth a chance, Gabriella. I don't care how she looks, not really, and if she was a horrible person I doubt you would be friends with her. I looked up my entire past when Troy told me who I am. I'm not saying Taylor and I are going to end up like you and Troy, that is a once in a life time thing. But, I- we, Taylor and I, we deserve a chance," he explained.

I wrote down Taylor's favorite food. "Okay, you just earned brownie points," I breathed. Chad smiled. "I'll be right back," I said as I left.

I put their orders in, but before I could leave my dad, not my mom, stopped me. "Hey, bebè," he greeted. I hadn't seen him yet, so we hugged. "You look awfully nice to be coming in to waitress," he commented. I looked down at myself, wearing my normal uniform of a black skirt and white blouse. Today, however, my make up is done well, mainly because it was for school, and I put my hair up nicely as well.

"I'm in a good mood today, if you didn't notice my dress and boots today," I reminded him with a smile.

My dad nodded. "You looked beautiful, bebè," he assured me with a kiss to the top of my head. "How was your day?" he wondered.

"Alright," I shrugged. "School dragged on, but I hung out with some friends after, so that was good," I lied but told the truth at the same time. Technically, Chad is a friend, but I also hung out with my boy-friend. I hate lying to them.

"I bet you're all still partying because of your college acceptances," he mentioned.

I smiled. "Yep, we're all happy," I agreed. We are. "Well, I have to get back to my tables, Dad," I reminded him with a kiss to the cheek and went on my own way. Of course, I had to check on my other tables, which now included a new one, before going back to Troy and Chad. "Your salads will be done any moment now. My brother is probably cursing me for not being right there waiting for them," I breathed.

"Are you always this busy?" Chad questioned, looking around.

"In the evening, around dinner, yeah," I answered. "We make excellent food, dude, people flock here," I gushed.

Troy chuckled. "So, what exactly did you order for me?" he wondered.

"Okay, it sounds simple, but for some reason it's amazing," I started. "Chicken parmesan. But, the breading on the chicken is some huge secret, plus there is a special ingredient in the sauce, which makes it to die for, so you'll love it," I assured him. "It's all my mom's recipes, all the Italian food. Most of the Mexican foods are my dad's mothers with her twist, or simply my dad's mother's," I went on. "And, you're getting Mexican chicken, Taylor's favorite. It's spicy and you'll like it," I informed Chad.

I'd had fun at work before, I mean, my family works here and my friends usually come by, but that night was the best. Troy stayed for two hours, a little more, loved the food, and that makes me love him even more some how. The fact that he came to a small restaurant in Brooklyn for me when he could be going to a five star restaurant in the city just as easily meant a lot to me. This restaurant means so much to my family and I like that he appreciates it.

He left when my break started (yeah, we planned that) so I snuck away to his car around the corner, even in these heels. The heels for work are barely an inch, but comfortable. His Audi had smoke coming out of the back and I could see Chad's Afro bouncing around inside. Troy, however, was leaning against the backside with his jacket carelessly left open and his hands in his pockets as he stared at the ground.

"A seven dollar tip, Bolton, really?" I questioned as I approached.

He looked up with a smile. "I had probably the best service I've ever had, I had to reward it somehow," he insisted. "Your parents say anything about me?" he wondered.

I shook my head, winding my arms around his waist to keep them warm. "No, but they will," I answered. "Thank you for coming, Troy," I whispered.

"Why wouldn't I, Brie?" he responded. "I'd do anything for you, plus I enjoyed this," he assured me. "Its good food and I got to spend the night with my girl," he commented.

I kissed his cheek. "Thank you anyways," I repeated, then leaned my head against chest. His arms wrapped around me tighter as his chin settled on my head. "It felt normal today," I began quietly. "Being with you, like we've been together forever, and I guess we have been, but it's weird too. Three days ago I felt empty and alone and today I felt..." I tried to think of a word. "Warm," I finished.

He kissed my forehead. "You'll always feel warm around me, Brie, and you feel that way because you're supposed to. This is the way things are supposed to be, if it wasn't, we wouldn't remember each other," he insisted.

"I love you," I mumbled into his shirt.

"I love you too," he replied. "Now, I need you do me a favor," he said.

I pulled away. "Why?" I asked.

"I wanna take you somewhere, but you won't exactly be in cell phone range and I need you all weekend," he explained. "You need to think up something to tell your parents so you can come," he added.

I frowned. More lying to my parents. "Okay, but you do realize if my parents figure out I'm lying you'll never see me again," I sighed.

"Oh, I will," he assured me. "I'm a millionaire, babe, I have resources," he joked.

My smiled was hidden by our position. "What, you're pocket book?" I teased.

"Hey, I'm cooler than that," he laughed. "Alright, I don't want to get you in trouble, so you should go. And please tell Taylor, Chad is going crazy," he pleaded.

I laughed. "I will," I stated. "I love you," I said with a small kiss.

"I love you too," he responded.

He watched as I walked away, just to make sure I'm okay. When I entered the restaurant again, I was smiling. "Gabi!" my mom called out, coming over to me. She pinched my cheek in a sign I'm pink from the cold. "Where were you?" she wondered.

I hung up my coat. "I love the snow; you know that, so I went out to enjoy it. I ran into one of the guys I waited on, we talked for a few," I semi-lied. At least these aren't whole lies.

"Oh? Which guy?" she questioned.

"Uh," I started. "The cute one with blue eyes?" I tried to explain to her.

She smiled. "Oh, really? I liked him," she commented.

"You didn't even talk to him," I laughed.

"I am an excellent judge of character," she insisted. "Did he ask for your number?" she asked.

I had to think quickly. "Uhm, yes," I garbled out.

Her smile widened. "Really?"

"Yes, mother. I think he is cute, so I gave it to him," I answered. "My break is over," I reminded her.

"Oh, yes, of course. Tell me if he calls you," she said as I walked off.

I turned around. "I will," I promised. Well, my mom is excited. Now, I just have to think of something to tell he about this weekend... ugh.

I know some of you probably feel like nothing really happened in this chapter, but a lot did.
We learned of Chad and Taylor. We learned of the way her parents will meet Troy. We learned a little more about Troy's family. Also, Troy is taking her somewhere! Yay. I am just setting things up for later!

Review please!

- Kayleigh