Disclaimer: It's probably obvious, but I don't own any of the HSM characters or their related elements.

Author's Note: These are all unrelated oneshots unless otherwise noted. Hope that's not too jarring for all you readers out there.

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HSM Romance Challenge

Theme: Late

"Hey Gabi…"

Troy pushed the door to Gabriella's room and it swung wide open. Suddenly he heard a yelp and a flash of brown hair and white towel ran past. The door to her connected bathroom closed loudly and her voice rang out, muffled but indignant. "You're supposed to be waiting downstairs!"

He walked in and climbed onto the bed, grinning. "I know," he said, relaxing on her pillows. "I just thought I'd change things up a little bit for this date. You can't keep being predictable. I hear that's a killer for relationships."

"And so are boyfriends who barge in while their girlfriends are changing!"

"No way," he said. "That's what keeps relationships alive."

"Oh, get real, Bolton." Suddenly the door opened a crack and her arm poked out. "Now make yourself useful and pass me that dress on the bed."

He looked over and saw a green dress near the foot of the bed. Picking it up, he dangled it just out of her hand's reach, laughing as her hand snatched blindly in the air. Finally, she made contact with the hanger and grabbed it away forcefully. There was a rustling behind the door and suddenly it opened again, Gabriella stomping out.

And Troy looked over in wonder as she emerged. The green dress was perfectly fitted, revealing her delicate back and shoulders. Her hair was out of its usual ponytail, falling in a softly curled cascade. And whatever she did with her makeup… she looked like the Gabriella he knew, but somehow brighter, better outlined---overwhelmingly beautiful. He lost his breath momentarily. She looks gorgeous.

But watching her now, he saw that Gabriella also looked… mad.

She slammed a brush down on top of her dresser after running it through her hair, then spun around and looked at him. "God, Troy! You're always pushing me. Just barging in here when you were supposed to stay downstairs."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he said, sitting on the bed in front of her and putting his hands in the air. "Gabriella. I'm sorry. I just thought it might be… funny."

"You're always just being so funny," she said. "I was just trying to get ready for this party. And now look at me." Her hands waved at her dress angrily. "I'm a mess."

He looked at her, incredulous. "Gabi… you're not a mess. You look… hot."

But she rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "Ahhh, you don't know anything. You're just saying that because you're my boyfriend."

"No, I'm serious." He reached out for her hand. "You look incredible. When you came out of that bathroom, it almost floored me how good you look. And believe me, when it comes to how beautiful you are, I do know a whole lot."

"Troy…" She looked away, but he could see a hint of a smile on her face.

She sighed. "OK. Look. I know you like to bug me. But… sometimes, you've got to respect my boundaries. I mean… I just like getting ready on my own." She let out a sheepish breath, her eyes looking away again. "I just... like making sure I look just right before you get to see me."

"Oh, Gabi…"

He pulled her close to him, lacing his arms around her hips and looking up at her. "You know you always look just right to me. In this dress. In what you wear to school." He wiggled her body from side to side with his arms. "When you wake up in the morning with bad breath and crazy hair. Whatever."

She rolled her eyes at him again. "Always so funny."

But this time, he could see she was definitely smiling. And then, suddenly she leaned down and kissed him, putting her arms around his shoulders. "Thanks," she said softly, as they broke apart.

He grinned, and then suddenly a mischievous look came over him. Swiftly, he leaned backward and pulled her back onto the bed, kissing her again with his arms wrapped tight against the soft skin on her back.

She broke free and looked at him in mock accusation. "Now what did I just tell you about boundaries, Bolton?"

He moved in, trailing kisses down her cheek, the side of her neck. "Montez, do you mind? I'm kind of busy here."

"Ahh… you're ruining my makeup. And… we're going to be late."

Her arms, however, were still wrapped around him tight. He grinned.

"Makeup, shmakeup. You still look hot." He moved back to her lips and kissed her again. "And the party'll go on all night. Let 'em wait just a bit."