TY, as always :)

CHAPTER 7

I don't know why, but I had pictured this moment being much more romantic. Before I open my eyes, I imagine waking up with Troy, all comfy and cared for in his arms, able to enjoy his hard body for a little longer.

Only I should know that real life doesn't work like that. In real life, sexy bodyguards do not hold you all night and wake up with you in their arms. Of course not. They get up early, dress back into their smart, sharp suit and sit and wait while you dribble in your sleep and create all kinds of shapes through the night.

I wake up on my front, legs spread-eagled, shorts riding up my backside, in perfect view from Troy's seat in the arm chair, where he always sits.

So he went back to being my bodyguard and stopped being my friend. Why do I feel so disappointed? In the heat of the moment, would I rather he save my life or be distracted into kissing me for fear of never having that moment?

I groan as I realise my life means nothing compared to my need to kiss the man in the chair. What is with that?

"Are you awake?" He asks.

"Unfortunately," I sigh.

"Hey, it's a new day. Look on the bright side."

"The bright side being…"

"Last night is over." He supplies.

Why is that not such a positive thing for me, I wonder? I should be at least a little happy that today starts over with a fresh chance to be liked. Only last night also included being in Troy's arms. The bad part of the day is gladly forgotten. Troy's cuddle, not so much.

"That's great," I say flatly in response to his comment of the previous night being over.

"I thought you'd be happy?"

I roll over with forced energy. "Yeah, so did I."

"You'll feel better once you're up."

I throw my arm over my eyes. "Oh god."

"Problem?" He wonders.

"It's my birthday. I don't think I can cope today."

"It's your birthday?" Troy looks up sharply, shocked.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because," I shrug. "Nobody here really gives a crap anyway."

"I do." He argues in a soft tone and I meet his gaze, standing from the bed and pulling the shorts from my ass.

"Right," I nod disbelievingly.

"What do you want to do for your birthday?" He asks, standing too, his height dwarfing me a little but I push my shoulders back to regain some control.

"Nothing. I'm going to go and sing, then I'm going to go shopping in Lake City and then I'm going to eat pizza in my room." I detail, heading for the shower and shutting him out. I make sure it's gone 8am by the time I come out, dressed and ready and my room is empty of men.

Strangely, I'm disappointed he left but I put it from my mind and grab my bag, swinging my door back ready to face the world.

'Happy Birthday, Miss." James tells me as he turns from standing beside my door.

"Where's Troy?" I flick my eyes down the corridor suspiciously.

"In the gym I believe…"

In the gym? He went to the gym? After telling me he gives a crap and offering to do anything I wanted on my birthday, he decides to go to the gym? That's just great…

I stomp down to breakfast, interrupted three times by calls from my parents, Tay and Sharpay respectively, all wishing me many happy returns. I finally get to eat the chocolate croissant I have selected when my phone stops buzzing and I feel my disappointment kick in as I realise this is it.

This is the total of my birthday celebrations and now I have to go to work, too.

The studio is at least decorated. Jack asks me where I went to last night and hands me a small gift parcel – a pair of angel earrings which I love- and then Antonio soon sweeps me into work mode, wringing vocals out of me I didn't know I had.

We finish at seven and James takes me back to the hotel, dropping me off at my room with a mysterious smile.

"What's that smile for?" I wonder.

"You should get ready and put something nice on." Is all he tells me as he winks and I open and close my mouth.

Right. Whatever.

Is Troy taking me out, I wonder? Or someone else? Why the mystery? Why not just arrange a party and tell me, why all the hush-hush code?

I'm slicking on red lipstick to match the red satin dress I'm wearing when the door knocks and I open it, waiting for Troy to speak.

He's wearing a tuxedo of all things. Black and White, penguin suit style. His hair is spiked with gel and he actually looks…gorgeous. Like a real-life man who has thoughts and feelings and a lot less like the cool, calculating body guard I'm used to.

"Your father wanted you to have a nice dinner," he offers as way of explanation, finally speaking.

"Did he now?" I arch back.

"Is that so bad?" Troy wonders.

I shrug. "I'd rather my parents were here to take me out, rather than paying someone to do their job for them."

"It was kind of my idea…" He shares shyly and I frown at him, confused.

"It was?"

"You looked so depressed this morning and I thought you'd like to go out." He admits.

"Did I really look that bad?" I worry.

"You looked pretty upset."

"Well, this is a nice surprise," I hedge with a small smile.

"I booked dinner for eight thirty. We should go."

"Well I suppose it might be fun," I deride, latching onto his proffered elbow and stepping out of my room.

"You really sound pumped about this…" He smiles across at me.

"Are you fed up of me moaning?" I wonder. "I should try not to do that so much."

"At least not tonight," he agrees. "Unless you really don't want to do this in which case…"

"No, I do." I assure. "I'm just having a hard time right now."

"I know."

His two words are short and lacking the comfort I crave.

"But tonight is about celebrating!" I decide quickly, throwing off my miserable thoughts.

"Absolutely," he agrees, leading me outside to where there is a limo waiting.

"Troy…" I look up to him in wonder.

"You only turn nineteen once, right?" He smiles.

I climb inside, accepting the champagne Troy pours and I watch the world flit by in shaded glory, the dark windows hiding us from the world.

"I can be anyone I want to be in here." I smile.

"You can be anyone you want to be out there, too," Troy comments, checking around him with his usual awareness.

"Apparently not."

"Do you like Italian?" He asks as we pull up at a restaurant in Lake City, the very place I had planned to shop if it hadn't been for finishing late in the studio.

"You know I do," I smile, accepting his hand as he helps me out.

"Then I picked the right place," he guesses with his own smile.

"This is really kind of you, Troy." I state, walking into the glass-heavy restaurant with him.

There is a table booked, there are balloons and streamers and most of all, there is a pile of wrapped boxes waiting for me to open them.

"Your father couldn't be here but he sent you these gifts," Troy explains as he seats me like a perfect gentleman would.

"How lovely." I smile tightly and open them one by one under Troy's watchful gaze, revealing several presents- shoes, jewellery and an elaborate gift token for my favourite shop.

"You did well," he smiles teasingly at me and I meet his eyes.

"It doesn't replace them not being here."

He blinks. "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be, it's not you who's letting me down."

"I still feel bad for you," he comments, handing me a menu.

I order the lasagne. It's my favourite food and when I'm home, mom makes the best pasta ever. It's not much longer now until I'm back there, with my friends and the people I love. Just one more week and then I can kick back until my tour starts.

The thought brings a smile to my face.

"I've never seen anyone so excited about lasagne before," Troy jokes and I roll my eyes as our food is delivered.

"Do you want to try some?" I hold out my fork full of the stuff.

He gives me a look and then can't say no without appearing silly. "Thank you." He takes the bite and nods approvingly. "Nice."

I lift my brows expectantly of his steak. "Do you want to try mine?" He says dutifully.

"Why thank you," I smart, my eyes twinkling with my amusement as I chew and taste the food.

"Oh young man," A silver haired lady presses her hand into Troy's arm and he looks up expectantly. "Are you proposing tonight?"

Troy widens his eyes in bewilderment and flicks me a look. "Erm…"

"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't want to ruin any surprise. I just wanted to say how very perfect you both look together and how romantic it is to bring your beautiful girlfriend here."

"Ah…thank you," he blushes and I think he looks adorable in his awkwardness.

"You're a very lucky lady," the woman tells me.

"I know. He's just amazing," I smile in return at her kindness.

"Have a lovely evening," the woman tells us before she leaves the restaurant, leaving us both blushing and uneasy.

"If I ask you to marry me now, would it ruin the surprise?" He asks drily and I can't help but giggle at the scenario.

"It can't hurt to try…" I smile back.

"I think the moment passed."

"She's the first person to call me a lady," I muse. "Normally people just refer to me as a girl."

"You're nineteen now. You're officially a woman." He offers.

"I think I was officially a woman when I-" I'm cut off by the waiter clearing our plates away and offering desserts.

I order cheesecake but what is actually delivered is a huge sponge birthday cake, iced heavily and with nineteen candles to blow out, along with a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' supplied by the staff- and Troy.

Yes I know, I didn't think he could sing either, but he can. And it's very unsettling.

"Wow, are there any more surprises I should know about?" I squint suspiciously.

Troy licks his lips. "I was going to ask you for a dance…"

I smile slowly at his gesture. "I think I can cope with that."

And he actually asks me, properly if I will dance with him (as if I could say no) and you know what? He's a good dancer, too. It's surprising really, how little you can know about someone you spend your entire day- or night- with.

"Wow, you're good," I tell him appreciatively as he waltzes me around. I can feel him assessing the room over my shoulder and I pull back to tip his chin toward me, to meet my eyes. "Troy, relax."

"There's press outside." He tells me.

"You should know they photographed us in the sea," I supply.

"I do know." He replies. "But they could get a bit crazy when we go out there."

"It's okay. I can handle it."

He squints at me, and then his face softens. "Sorry."

"You know what? Its kind of reassuring that you're always on the look out."

"It's what makes me good at my job." He affirms.

"I just wish you could…you know…let your hair down and go wild now and then."

"This isn't wild?" He spins me on the dance floor. "I'm getting old…"

"You know what I mean…"

"Again, I'm in a tough position here. I can't afford to be personally involved."

"No," I flick my eyes to his chest, the one that is warm and hard and pressing against my breasts, making them itch with wanting his touch. "I guess you can't."

"Are you asking me if I want to be?" He wonders, his words so surprising that I find my breath hitching in my chest, our closeness confusing me more.

"No of course not," I swallow.

"Because what you said before, about us being friends? I think we could have been, you know."

"Really?" I smile sadly. "I don't think we would have. I don't think we would have been anything if you really think I'm just-"

"I should never have said you were a spoiled brat." He intercedes quickly.

"Tell me something, honestly?" I press closer and look up into his face, pretending for one moment this is so much more than it actually is.

"Okay," he concedes.

"When you look at me, what do you see?"

"Gabriella Montez, singing sensation," he answers quickly.

"No," I shake my head. "That's not what I mean. I mean, what do you see?" I ask again, begging for affirmation.

He lazily flicks his eyes over my face and for one second, just one fleeting, unique second that flashes and dies just as quickly, he smiles affectionately as he answers.

"A beautiful woman."

"Really?" I challenge, not taken by his true answer even though my pulse is beating in between my thighs. "Not just a girl?"

"I don't see a girl at all." He assures and this time, I let the pleasure of his reply wash over me, setting me shivering with tingling delight. Goosebumps cover my skin as I take a quick breath in, in shock.

"I-"

"Get down!" He quickly pushes my body down, not roughly but with quick force as the front window of the restaurant shatters and I feel his heavy body land on mine as he covers me to protect me from the falling glass.

Just as quickly, he jumps up, assessing the danger and sourcing the brick that caused the smash, knowing there is no further immediate threat as he reaches down to scoop me up, his strong arms carrying me out into the lot where mayhem reigns.

"Which way did they go?" Troy asks the parking attendant, quickly laying me into the limo seat and hovering outside.

"That way," the valet points north. "But they're gone, dude."

Troy goes up to the limo driver and speaks with him while I sit and try to get my breath, the last moments frightening me into a panic attack.

"Take her back to the hotel. I'll make sure someone is there to meet her," he tells the driver and as he heads back toward me, I beseech him with my eyes.

"Ken's taking you back to get you out of this circus," he gestures to the photographers behind, grappling for a picture, restrained by the valets and staff who are trying to clear the area for the police.

"Please don't leave me!" I am shaking so hard I can barely speak.

"I have to. I have to see who did this." He tilts his head, his face creasing with concern.

"I can't be alone right now," I sob, hiccupping painfully as the shock and the fear set in.

"Ken will take care of you." He assures.

"I want you, Troy." I tell him, leaning over into my own lap and covering my eyes with my hands. He kneels beside me and rubs my back.

"Okay…" I hear his sigh. "I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

Instead I hear him talk into his cell, giving instructions to someone on the other end and then he climbs into the back seat with me, checking over me with his gaze.

"I promised you I wouldn't let you get hurt." He tells me confidently.

"I don't know what to do anymore!" I wail.

"It's ok, Gabi," He rubs my back a little.

"No it's not! Someone wants to hurt me!" I look into his blue eyes and I see him flinch. "Wait…did you know about this?"

"Not exactly."

"Not exactly? What does that mean? You did or you didn't?" I demand.

"There was a threat. That something might happen. But not here, not like this." He puzzles.

"There was a threat?" This news breaks my heart and I feel my blood pounding around my veins with increasing fear. "From who?"

"I don't know."

"Then what do you know?" I scream hysterically. "You knew when to tell me to duck!"

"I saw a movement outside, okay?" He asks me, agitated that I suspect him. "I didn't know about this, I swear."

"I'm going home." I tell him in firm tones, crossing my arms.

"Ken's driving to the hotel as we speak."

"No I mean home, home." I amend. "I can't stay here a day longer."