THE NEXT DAY:

It was Saturday. Thank the Heavens above, the weekend had come and Gabriella wouldn't have to face everyone at school just yet. Troy knew that she wasn't ready to see them all laughing at her again. But when the time did come for her to go back, he would be right there beside her.

Troy had spent the night with Gabriella, because she'd been so upset, and he just couldn't leave her. There alone. She wouldn't have been alone, because of course, Maria was there, but Maria had to go to work in the morning, so Troy had just decided to stay the night.

So, now, Troy was at his house getting ready for his first actual date with Gabriella. They were going to have a lake-side picnic and star-gaze, but he'd promised Maria that he'd have her home by eleven, which gave them little time to get ready, since Troy had just left and it was already seven. He had to pick her back up at seven-thirty. He decided on a pair of black pants and a blue, silk, button-up shirt.

It was now seven fifteen, so Troy decided he might as well be on his way. He got in his car and drove to her house. "Ding dong!" He pushed the doorbell button.

"Gabriella, oh, Gabriella, your date's here!" Maria sang, opening the door. "She'll be down in a minute. She had some trouble deciding what to wear." She said, smiling.

Gabriella came down the stairs, dressed in tight, faded blue jeans and a green, spaghetti strap dress shirt. Troy grinned at her like a crazy man. She smiled back like a wild woman. "Well, don't you look beautiful?" Troy complimented.

Gabriella blushed and looked down. "Thanks."

"Bye, honey. Troy, have her home by eleven."

"Yes, ma'am," Troy nodded, taking Gabriella's hand and leading her out toward his car.

Gabriella had just noticed how nice he had dressed. "You look really handsome."

"Thanks, baby," Troy said. She reached up on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Anytime." She giggled.

He just shook his head and opened the car door on the passengers side and she got in. "Why, thank you, my good sir," she giggled again.

"No problem, my first lady," Troy joked.

"How many lady's do you have?" Gabriella asked, in a teasing tone.

"Well, there is this one, but I can't seem to place her. She has chocolate brown eyes, curly brown hair, and the most amazing singing voice. She's truly beautiful, but I can't remember who she is." There was a weird look in Gabriella's eyes.

"You forgot me?" Her voice sounded off, broken.

"No, of course not. I was kidding," Troy reassured her, starting the car. "I didn't upset you, did I?"

She burst into a fit of giggles. "Gotcha!" She managed to say between giggles.

"You scared me for a minute, there," Troy said. "I though you were going to cry."

Gabriella giggled again. "Did you really?"

Troy nodded. "I will never get tired of hearing your giggle."

This just made her giggle again and he pulled out of her driveway, realizing that they had been sitting there for some time, now.

He pulled up to the lake and got out of the car. She got out, too. "This is beautiful," she whispered. "Did you do all of this?" She looked around. The setting was perfect. The moon and stars were shining brightly down on the lake and there were a few candles lit and two blankets and some music playing softly in the background.

Troy nodded. "With a little help from Sharpay."

"You didn't have to go this far," Gabriella whispered. "I'm honestly not that special."

"Yes you are. Why else would I do all of this? You are the only girl I would ever do this for," Troy smiled, cheekily.

"You're so cheesy," Gabriella giggled.

"But, what's life without a little cheese?" Troy asked, jokingly.

Gabriella's face turned a little more serious. "Life. That's a tough subject."

"Yeah," Troy nodded, "It really is. It's the most hardest thing to deal with."

"But yet, it's fun at the same time." Gabriella said, as if she was reading his mind.

"Yeah," Troy said, opening the picnic basket and sitting down on the blanket. Gabriella sat next to him. He began pulling out food. They ate and enjoyed the comfort of each other. Troy though about it and this was the girl that he wanted to be with forever.

"Do you ever think about the future?" Troy asked, as they put the blankets, food basket, candles, and radio in the trunk of his car.

"Sometimes," Gabriella replied. "But, not a lot. I don't like to." Then, she turned and got into the car.

Troy went around and got in on the driver's side. He started the engine and pulled back onto the road. "Why don't you like to think about it?"

"It scares me. I don't know what's in store for me," Gabriella shivered, but it wasn't because she was cold.

"None of us do," Troy added.

"And I don't want to know." Gabriella shook her head.

"Really?" Troy asked. "Most people would want to know when and how they were going to die…" Gabriella tensed up on that word, but Troy didn't seem to notice, he just kept on driving. It was silent until they got back to her house.

"Gabriella, I need to tell you something." Troy said, opening her door for her. She stepped out.

"What is it?" She asked, eagerly.

"I love you." He said simply.

"I love you, too," she smiled. They leaned in and kissed.

She pulled away. "I have to tell you something, too," Gabriella whispered.

"What's wrong?" Troy asked, stroking her cheek.

She closed her eyes. "It concerns our future…"

What's her secret? I need reviews, people. Give me a few reviews and I'll put up the next chappie!!