I might not get every single chapter out to you guys. But know that I'm trying, okay?

Chapter 5:

Wouldn't be Hers Forever

One week and six days later…

"I'm so excited!" Reva exclaimed, throwing her pillow up in the air. Out came money. Selena popped up and sang, "It's raining money, hallelujah, it's raining money!"

"I've never been this excited to learn," Reva announced, bouncing on her bed. Sammy came running in and started bouncing on the bed, too. "I'm gettin' dizzy," he said, falling down. Reva fell down, too then slipped off the bed. "Where's Gabriella?"

"Gabriella is right here. Already ready for school. I hope you're done you're thirty minute parade because we have only fifteen minutes to get to school," Gabriella said, walking past the room with a lavender blouse on, and white shorts with white ballet flats. Reva and Selena quickly ran for the bathroom while Sammy climbed down off the bed.

"That song is catchy," he said. Then he ran down the hall screaming, "It's raining money, hallelujah, it's raining money!" Gabriella laughed and went down the steps. "Well, after thirty minutes, they finally are getting ready," she announced. Maxine sat down in a chair and sighed. "I've never seen anyone excited about school. I know I'm nowhere near excited."

"Well, see it from out point-of-view," Gabriella said. "We've been homeschooled our whole entire life. We never got to go out to regular school because we were famous."

"I guess I can see why you're excited. But aren't you scared about what people like Reyna might say?"

Gabriella shrugged. "She can be Queen Bitch, I don't give a fu—damn. Just as long as she keeps her distance."

Maxine shook her head. "She won't do that. She'll get under your skin so much…"

"If she does, I want you to come tell me," Rosie said. "No one will mess with my babies."

"We'll be fine, Rosie," Gabriella assured her. "She's probably not that tough anyway."

"She can turn the school on anyone she wants to," Maxine said. "Except you guys, of course. Principal Matsui said to be nice anyway or else there'll be serious consequences."

"Principal Whoui?" Selena questioned, coming down the stairs in a light sweater and dark skinny jeans with boots.

"Principal Matsui. He ordered everyone to welcome you guys."

"I love to be welcomed."

Maxine smiled. "I'm sure everyone does."

"Not me," Reva announced, coming down the steps. "I want a huge ceremony where people will be chanting my name. 'Reva, Reva, Reva, Reva!' and there will be lights and cameras taking my pictures." She came all the way downstairs. She was dressed in a sparkly belly-button top and had on short shorts.

"I wonder what happened to my fourteen-year-old sister," Gabriella said. "'Cause all I see is a hooker."

Reva rolled her eyes before pulling on a graphic-tee. "Better?"

"Very."

"Okay, chop-chop, people. Time for school. Sammy, come down stairs!" Sammy came bouncing down the steps. He had his cape on that had a huge Superman S on the back. He was Superman Sammy. "I'm ready, Sergeant Auntie Rosie!"

Rosie chuckled. "Okay, good. Now, girls, since you are now 'normal', you don't need Henry. But, some teens have cars and so…"

"OMG!" Selena squealed, bursting through the front door. There were two cars. A Porsche Carrera and an Audi R8. Reva crossed her arms. "It's so not fair that when you're fourteen, you can't own a drivers permit."

Gabriella and Selena were already jogging towards the cars. Rosie pulled both of them back. "Oh, no. You both don't have license yet. Before you get on the road, you need one. Until then. Let's go to the Escalade."

"But…but…but," they muttered, peering at the cars. Rosie shook her head and Reva laughed. "Ha! And I call shot-gun!"

The ride to school consisted of the girls complaining about the cars and Reva teasing them about it, Sammy singing 'Mop Sammy' and 'It's Raining Money' and Maxine quickly finishing her homework. All the while, Rosie was somehow ignoring them.

Sammy's school wasn't far from East High. It was East High Elementary he goes to. He just started first grade.

"I think the paps are following us," Maxine said, glancing out the back window. "I see a dude with a camera around his neck and he hasn't stopped following us."

"Oh, jeez," Reva said, glancing out the window as well.

"When he comes out the car to take a picture, you should ram him, Rosie," Selena suggested. Rosie laughed and pulled up into the school parking lot. People were already looking their way. Paparazzi hopped out of their cars and started crowding the car and bombarding questions their way. They could hardly get out.

The school security guards cleared them away after a minute though and they were finally able to get out and started for the school. "Hi, guys!" Sharpay yelled, waving at them. Gabriella, Selena, Reva and Maxine all waved and grinned. When they passed by Ryan, Kelsi, Leilani, Chad, Taylor and Troy, they waved also. The other students gaped at them.

After picking up their schedules and stuff they headed out the office. "I'll see you guys, later, okay? And Gabriella, watch out for your sisters."

"I will. Thanks, and bye, Rosie."

"See you later." When Rosie was gone, they started down the hallway, ignoring the looks that were driven their way. "Hey, girls," Troy and Chad said at the same time, coming up to them. Troy took Gabriella's schedule while Chad took Selena's.

"Well, Gabi, we have homeroom, third period, free period, lunch, sixth period and eighth period together," Troy told her. "Aren't you glad?"

Gabriella shook her head and smirked. "No…not really."

"Let me see yours, Sel," Troy said, reaching it from Chad. "We have first period, third period and sixth period. Awesome."

"I feel so out of place," Reva commented. "I'm around all these juniors."

"I have a younger brother who's a freshman," Troy said. "His name is Emil. Let me see your schedule to see if you guys have classes together." Reva handed him her schedule and he looked over it. "Mhmm. You guys have free period and sixth period together.

"If he's cute, I'm so celebrating," Reva said, clapping.

"He has to be, he's my brother."

"You are so full of yourself," Gabriella commented. "Anyway, walk me to Miss Darbus's room, please."

"I will. Selena, you and Chad and Maxine have the same homeroom. Why don't you walk with them?"

Chad smirked and nodded. "Okay. C'mon, Reva. I know where your homeroom is, too." They went their own way, leaving Troy and Gabriella together.

"You so sent them off on purpose," Gabriella quietly commented.

"Maybe I wanted to spend some alone time with you." He bumped shoulders with her and grinned down at her. "So, we haven't had much time to get to know each other. What's your favorite song that you've ever sung?"

"Um…that's hard. Uh, how about 'What the Hell?'? That one was pretty hardcore."

"Oh, yeah, that was definitely one of my favorites. But my favorite one is 'Lovely Man."

Gabriella grinned up at him. "What? The lyrics catch your attention, or something?"

Troy shrugged. "Something like that."

"So, um, tell me about this Reyna character. Maxine doesn't like her."

"None of my friends do. She's a bitch. We used to go out so she could climb the popularity ladder, but after she became a cheerleader she started sleeping with other guys, I broke up with her. She said she didn't need me though since she had all the followers that I had."

Gabriella frowned. "That sucks. How did you feel afterwards?"

"Like a weight just got lifted off my shoulders," he admitted. "I was free. I mean, I could've broken up with her anytime, but after I saw what she really was, I knew I was breaking up with a bitch instead of a sweet girl."

"That's what you want in a girl?" Gabriella asked, looking up at him with interest.

"Well, yeah. I don't want a bitch or a slut or something like that. I want someone who wants me for me. Not for my popularity or looks."

Gabriella nodded and wrapped her fingers around his wrist. "I so know how you feel. I want people to like me for me, not just my fame."

Troy nodded. "I like you and not just for your fame."

Gabriella grinned up at him. Troy stopped them in front of a door. They quickly entered. Hardly any students were there, but the ones that were gawked at Gabriella. Except one girl with blond hair and burning blue eyes. She was crowded by a bunch of people and was dressed in a very, very slutty outfit. Gabriella didn't have to be told who she was. "Reyna?" she whispered to Troy. He nodded and took her to an empty seat in the back.

"Oh, guys, look, the celebrity is here," Reyna announced the obvious then got up and striding over to Gabriella. "Hi, I'm Reyna." Gabriella didn't welcome her hand. Instead, she just said, "I've heard a bunch about you…but they weren't the best things." Reyna frowned. She shot Troy daggers and put her hand down. "Well, some people just like to make fibs, I guess."

"Yeah, and I'm sure you're one of them,' Gabriella said before sitting down in her seat. Reyna scoffed and walked off. Troy turned to Gabriella and grinned. "Damn, no one I know will stand up to Reyna like that."

"I guess you don't know me, then. Reyna seems to not like you."

"After our break-up, she's been trying to break my popularity status, but that could be really hard when I was the one who started her popularity."

Gabriella nodded and looked over to Reyna. She was glaring at them. First day of school and she's already made an enemy.

"You met Reyna?" Leilani questioned, sinking into the seat on the other side of Gabriella. Gabriella nodded . "And I think we're enemies now."

Leilani gave her a high-five. "Awesome. Welcome to the I Hate Reyna Petro Club."

Gabriella laughed. "You guys seriously hate her, don't you?"

"No one messes with my little brother," Leilani explained.

"Hey, you are only three minutes older," Troy insisted. Leilani rolled her eyes.

"Okay, class, can I have your attention now, please." Gabriella, Troy and Leilani looked to the front of the class. A woman waltzed to the front of the room in what looked like curtains draped over her whole body and she had on huge, circular glasses. Gabriella raised her eyebrows.

"As you all know, we have three special new students, and I want you to be nice and welcoming to them."

Reyna raised her hand. "What if they aren't nice and welcoming back to us?"

Miss Darbus frowned. "I'm sure that won't happen. Now, as some of you all know, the winter musicale is coming up." Sharpay made a sound of happiness and clapped her hands together. Miss Darbus grinned at her. "That is the kind of glee I am looking forward to. Do grasp the inspirational and inspiring talents of our fellow peers. Perhaps you could learn a thing or two." Miss Darbus lowered her eyes on Reyna.

"Now—" She stopped when the loud and very catchy and sexy song, "Love Faces" by Trey Songz blasted through the room. "My God, what is that monstrous music?"

Gabriella quickly fished into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She looked down at it to see her mother's face blinking on the screen. "Miss Montez?" Gabriella quickly turned off her phone. Everyone busted out laughing and Gabriella felt her face getting hot.

Gabriella looked up. "I'm so sorry, Miss Darbus," she quickly apologized. "I—"

"Oh, that's too bad, a detention on your first day," Reyna said, smirking at her.

Miss Darbus frowned at Reyna. "Miss Petro, how disrespectful of you to say that. And unnecessary. Detention. Fifteen minutes. You as well, Miss Montez."

Troy's eyes grew wide. He stood up. Miss Darbus looked at him. "Yes, Mr. Bolton?"

"Uh…uh, um, well, she just got here, Miss Darbus, your honor. Uh, don't you think that's a little harsh?"

"Well, then perhaps you'd like to join her?"

Troy nodded and shrugged. "Sure, why not?" When he sat back down, Gabriella gaped at him, completely stunned. "What?" he mouthed to her.

Gabriella tore a piece of paper from her notebook, scribbled something down, and then passed it to Troy.

What the hell was that? I don't want you to get detention because of me.

Troy looked up from the paper and grinned. The next second the bell rung and everyone was flooding out of the room. Gabriella caught up with Troy. "Why'd you do that?"

Troy shrugged. "Because I wanted to."

"Well you didn't need to," Gabriella insisted. "Plus, I only got fifteen minutes."

"Yes, but today is your first day. You don't need a detention."

"I know, but—"

"Gabriella!" A boy with a camera around his neck jogged up to them. "Gabriella, hi, I'm Oliver Sketch. But, uh, people call me Sketcher." He offered his hand to her.

Gabriella smiled at him and took his handshake. "Nice to meet you, Sketcher."

"So, um I'm the school paparazzi. I deliver all the greatest news and you and your sisters are the greatest news in the history of my sophomore year paparazziing. And I just wanted to know if I could take a picture of you."

"Uh…sure. Let me just—" Gabriella gasped when the flash hit her and Troy together.

"That was a really great picture," Oliver commented. "Thanks so much, Gabriella. Do you know where you sisters are?"

"Selena should be in Trig and Reva should be in…gym, I think," Gabriella told him, adjusting the strap on her shoulder. Oliver nodded. "Thanks." He took one last picture before dashing off. Gabriella looked at Troy. "Uh, that's Oliver. He and Emil are friends, but I have no idea why. Emil is on the track team and Oliver is just plain weird. But you get to learn to love him after a while."

"Should I be scared about appearing on the school newspaper?"

"Only if you did something bad," Troy told her, stopping at his locker. "Where's your locker?"

"Uh, it's number two hundred sixty-four. Around the corner, maybe."

Troy nodded and closed his locker after receiving something from it. Right when they were about to walk down the hall, Reyna popped in front of them. "Hey, guys!"

"Jeez, give us a heart attack why don't you?"

"Sorry, anyway, I just wanted to ask Gabriella if she'd want to be in the winter musicale. I mean, she is a famous singer and actress and it would be a big help if she'd join the arts."

"Actually, I kind of wanted to lay low with my career," Gabriella said lowly. "Just be normal for once."

Reyna frowned. "Oh come on. You can't be that inconsiderate and selfish."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes at her. "I'm not. I'm just saying it's a bit stressful and too much to take on at seventeen. I just want a break. And if you don't want that for me because you're the selfish bitch, well then too bad."

Reyna checked around herself before stepping close to Gabriella. "Listen, bitch, no one talks to me like that."

Troy stepped in between them. He looked down at Reyna with daggers. "And you don't talk to her like that. Now, why don't you just leave?"

Reyna stepped back, surprised. But it disappeared quickly and she smirked. "Fine, I will. But remember, I'm still the boss. I still and always will rule East High." She then walked off leaving Gabriella and Troy alone.

"Such a bitch," Gabriella said, looking after her with dislike. Troy nodded. "C'mon, it's time for first period."

Periods flew by quickly. Many people were coming up to the girls asking for autographs and pictures. After it got out of hand, Mr. Matsui told everyone that is was enough and that they would need a break. When is was time, the Montez Trio met up at lunch. Reva included this time.

"OMG! Emil is cute," Reva told Troy, coming up to sit next to them. "He even asked for my number! Anyway, how was your day, sisters?"

"Ohmigod, Twin, do you see them?" Everyone at the table looked up to see two girls bouncing over. One was an African-American girl with fine features. Next to her was a girl that looked Caucasian. They plopped down in the empty seats at the table. "Who missed us?" they said at the same time which was very, very creepy.

"Twins!" Leilani exclaimed, coming to hug them. "I missed you guys so much. How was LA?"

"Ah-mazing," the African-American girl said.

"Totally," the Caucasian one said.

"Am I missing something?" Selena and Reva and Gabriella asked at the same time.

"Well, these are the Twins," Troy said. "Acelyn Landgrab." He pointed to her. She was the Caucasian girl. "And Charlene Dobson. But they're not obviously twins, in case you didn't notice. They are just similar in too many ways."

"It's like," Charlene said.

"Totally awesome to meet you," Acelyn finished.

"I have all of your movies. Especially the one with all of you together. That one was ah-mazing," Charlene said.

"I totally agree with you, Twin," Acelyn said, grinning. "I mean, you actually got to work with Taylor Lautner and Johnny Depp. I dream about them every night."

"And you actually got to kiss him," Charlene said, directing it to Gabriella. "How was it?"

"Um, well, good, I guess. Actually, no, it was amazing. If I could, I would've dated him."

"Because he's a good kisser?" Taylor asked.

"Not just for that reason. But he's really nice and funny."

"And hot. Don't forget hot."

"Oh, yes, Twin, definitely hot," Acelyn said, grinning.

"Okay, you guys are now my favorite," Reva admitted, grinning at the two. They squealed and jumped in their seats. "Did you hear that, Twin?" Charlene asked.

"Yes, I did."

Taylor rolled her eyes and put away her textbook. "Really, you guys should've stayed in LA."

"Don't get mad, Tay," Charlene said. "But we could've stayed there longer."

"But when we heard that the wonderful Montez Trio is coming, so we couldn't stay," Acelyn finished.

"So, are you guys going to be in the musical?" Sharpay asked. "I mean, I would usually hate that you'd be auditioning because you'd beat me for sure, but I don't really care right now."

"I wasn't planning on doing so," Selena said. Gabriella and Reva agreed. "We came here to forget about all of the singing and acting for a while. Just so we can cool down and become regular teenagers for once."

"How about the talent show?" Kelsi said. "Ryan and I are going to be in it. With me writing our own lyrics, of course."

"You write songs?" Gabriella asked, interested.

Kelsi nodded and tried to hide a grin. "Yeah…I write a few."

"Can I see one?"

Kelsi dig through her book bag before pulling out a thick book. She slid it over to Gabriella who immediately started flipping through the pages.

"These are really good," she commented. She looked up at Kelsi and smiled at her. She was blushing. "Mind if we sing one soon?"

"T-that would be awesome. We could anytime."

"We could anytime," Selena and Reva said together. "We wanna hear the songs, too."

Kelsi's eyes went wide and she nodded vigorously. "Of course!"

"And we wanna hear you sing," the Twins said together.

"I'm coming, too—" Troy stopped talking when there was a loud screeching noise. Everyone in the cafeteria groaned.

"Uh, good afternoon, students," Principal Matsui said. "Can I have, Gabriella, Selena and Reva Montez to the office, please? Gabriella, Selena and Reva Montez to the office, please." There was another loud screech before it cut off. Everyone turned their heads to the celebrities.

"Well, if that wasn't an attention caller," Selena mumbled, getting up with her sisters.

"See you later guys," Gabriella said.

"Yeah, see you later." The three walked from the lunch room and people started to gossip instantly. Reyna stood up on the table. "I think they're stupid," she said loudly. "And fake."

"It's the bitch queen," Acelyn said. "And the only thing that is fake are your boobs, honey!"

Reyna glowered at them while the whole cafeteria rounded in laughter.

Reyna jumped down from the table and marched over to them. "Just watch and wait. I'll seriously damage you all. Especially those stupid girls who think they can come in and say that they're in charge." She marched off dramatically after that with her posse following after her.

With the Montez Trio…

Gabriella knocked on the office door.

"Come in." Silently, they walked into the room and Mr. Matsui smiled at them. "Hello, girls. I hope you're enjoying your day at East High."

"We are. Everyone seems nice," Gabriella said.

"Good, good. So, um, I'm sure you all heard of the winter musical and the talent show coming up and the fair, am I correct."

Gabriella nodded stiffly. "We've been informed, sir. Except for the fair."

"Well, I don't want to put any kind of pressure on you girls at all, but have you thought about signing up for either one?"

"Not really," Selena answered before Gabriella could.

Mr. Matsui's smiled dropped an inch. "Well, why not? It would increase your school performance and we're having a charity for orphans and street cats."

"Orphans and street cats?" Reva said.

"Well, yes. See, we're having a fair soon and we'll be raising money for it for the orphans and street cats. Find the cats homes and give more to the orphans. Do you think you could help?"

"We can look into it," Gabriella said. "I mean, we would love to help. But what's the schedule and what do we have to do?"

"Well, you could just help se the fair up, work at a booth or even…sing?" Mr. Matsui suggested.

"We'll do it!" Reva exclaimed.

Mr. Matsui jumped from his seat. His face was lighting up brightly. "That's wonderful. All of them?"

Reva shrugged. "It couldn't hurt. Especially if it'll raise out school performance."

"That's excellent. The sign up for the talent show, fair and winter musical is right outside the door on the bulletin board."

"Thank you so much, sir," Gabriella said tightly, before dragging Reva and Selena out of the room. When they were a great distance from it, she turned sharply to Reva. "What was that? I thought we agreed not to do any of this stuff. Stuff that would draw attention to us."

"I think it's a good idea," Selena said. "I mean, especially with the fair and all. More people will come and that results in more money for the orphans and homes for cats."

Reva nodded. "Yeah, what she said. Although I really just wanted to work the kissing booth so Emil will kiss me."

Gabriella rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, fine. What are we going to sing anyway?"

"How about a really good song," Reva suggested.

Selena rolled her eyes gave her a pointed look. "No, how about a really bad song?"

Reva raised her eyebrows. "But if it were bad, people won't like it."

Selena hit her on the back of her head. "It's called being sarcastic, dipstick."

Reva rubbed her head. "Okay, jeez, no need to get all violent and mean."

The next second, students were flooding out of classrooms and the cafeteria. Troy and Leilani and Emil walked up to the trio. "Hey, what the Matsui want?" Troy asked, draping an arm around Gabriella.

"He wanted to know if we want to sing for the school's upcoming events," Selena said, eyeing Troy's arm around Gabriella's shoulders.

"Will you?" Emil asked.

Reva turned to him and nodded vigorously. "Yes! And it would so fantabulous. Right, sisters?"

"Right…"

"Where's everyone else?' Gabriella asked.

"They went to their next period," Troy answered, steering her away from the group. "Hey, can I show you something?" Gabriella nodded. Troy took his arm from around her shoulders and grabbed her hand, pulling her through a hallway then to a door. He pushed it opened it to show a bunch of steps. They both moved up the steps and when Gabriella saw what was up there, she gasped. "Wow…"

"I know," Troy said, leaning against the railing. "Amazing, isn't it?"

Gabriella nodded. It was like a jungle. Beautiful flowers sprouting over pots and around the silver railings. Insects crawling around, but not in a creepy way.

Troy sat down on the bench and Gabriella sat down next to him. "How'd you find this place?"

He shrugged. "I know people." Gabriella looked at him and he chuckled. "Okay, fine. I took a very wrong turn on the first day of school freshman year and found myself here. I marked this place and come up here when I want to be alone. You're the only one who knows where this place is. Well, other than Chad."

"It's beautiful up here," Gabriella said, looking around. Troy nodded. "You're beautiful." Gabriella's eyes went wide and she turned her head to him. Troy's eyes went wide, too. "Wait, I didn't mean that."

Her eyebrows rose. "So I'm ugly?" She stood and Troy stood with her.

"No! No, you're beautiful. Just, uh, you know. Um…"

Gabriella giggled. "You're cute when you have no idea what to say." Troy opened his mouth to say something when the late bell rung. Gabriella gasped and started pulling him down the steps. "Don't want to be late on the first day."

The day finally ended. Gabriella and Troy went to their fifteen minutes detention and the girls waited. When it was over, they could already see security guards trying to block the paparazzi from entering. Rosie was rushing out of the Escalade. "How was your first day?"

"Awesome, except for the detention," Gabriella said.

"Great," Selena added.

"Excellent," Reva quipped.

"Like normal," Maxine said.

Rosie nodded. "That's good." They all crowded into the car and Rosie drove away.

"Principal Matsui wants us to sing in the school events," Selena announced.

"And we said yes," Reva said.

"What are the events?"

"School talent show."

"Fair."

"Winter musical."

"Well, that'll sure bring the paps out," Rosie said, eying the car behind them.

When they all came home, Gabriella ran up stairs to her and Max's room. She shut and locked the door before plopping on her bed. She pulled out her phone and grinned when she saw a text message pop up.

R u home yet?

Yea. Can u come over? she replied. A few seconds later, her phone vibrated.

Yea. B over in 5.

Gabriella put her phone down before getting up and throwing some of her clothes in her hamper. Yes, it was true she had a crush on Troy. No, wait, crush seemed to be an elementary word. How about she liked him? Yeah, she definitely liked him. It was so much more than a crush.

She sat back down on her bed and pulled out her guitar. A sweet melody warmed the room as she began to play. "There I was again tonight, forcing laughter, faking smiles. Same old tired lonely place. Walls of insincerity shifting eyes and vacancy vanished when I saw your face. All I can say is it was enchanted to meet you. Your eyes "Have we met?" Across the room your silhouette starts to make its way to me. The playful conversation starts, counter all your quick remarks. Like passing notes and secrecy. And it was enchanting to meet you. All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you." Gabriella stopped when there was a knock at the door. Quickly she put the guitar down and walked slowly to the door. When she opened it, she saw Troy standing crookedly by the door. The reason that he was standing like that was because Sammy was on his head. Gabriella laughed. "How'd you get yourself in that predicament?"

"Um, well, I knocked on the door and Sammy came and opened it. I have no idea how the rest of the story went." Gabriella laughed again and pried Sammy's body off of Troy's head. He squirmed out of her hands and ran away screaming, "It's raining Yoda, hallelujah, it's raining Yoda!"

Troy chuckled. Gabriella moved to the side so he could enter. "That was…fascinating."

"That's why we love him," Gabriella told him, plopping back on her bed.

"I brought Emil and Leilani over. Reva kidnapped Emil and Leilani and Maxine and Selena went to the pool."

"Well, I feel sorry for Emil. Reva bites. Literally."

Troy laughed. He spotted an Oscar on the dresser and he walked over to it. "Damn, I can't believe you have an Oscar."

Gabriella shrugged and walked over to him. "Well, believe it. I also have an MTV movie award, an Emmy, uh, three KCA Blimps, and two VMA award's."

"Damn…"

"Yeah, it's amazing, but I kind of want the spot light on someone else. We love it. It's just…you know, too much at times."

Troy nodded. "I feel the same way. Well, not exactly the same way, of course. But…people always expect me to keep on going with basketball. I love to play it, but it gets really tiring at times."

Gabriella smiled. "I still haven't gotten the chance to see you play."

"Oh, trust me that time will come soon."

Gabriella nodded and sat back on her bed. Troy sat next to her and picked up her guitar. "So, this is Old Picasa?" Troy questioned, observing the guitar. Gabriella nodded. "Can you play something for me?"

She shied away at that. "I don't know…"

"Oh, come on. You play in front of people all the time. Can't you give me a private concert?"

Gabriella giggled before standing up and taking her guitar from him gently. "Before I fall, too fast. Kiss me quick, but make it last. So I can see how badly this will hurt me when I say goodbye. Keep it sweet. Keep it slow. Let the future pass, and don't let go. But tonight I could fall too soon under this beautiful moonlight. But you're so hypnotizing, you've got me laughing while I sing. You've got me smiling in my sleep. And I can see this unraveling, your love is where I'm falling, but please don't catch me. See this heart, won't settle down like a child running scared from a clown. I'm terrified of what you do. You make my stomach scream just when I look at you. Run far away, so I can breathe even though you're far from suffocating me. I can't set my hops too high 'cause every hello ends with a…goodbye."

Troy stood up and walked slowly to her. He lifted his hand and slowly caressed her cheek. Gabriella's words got stuck in her throat and she stopped strumming the guitar. He was so close. She could hear the beat of his heart and feel the warm, caressing push of his breath.

When he bent down and their foreheads touched, her breathing quickened. She let the guitar go. It fell gently on her beanbag chair while her hands trailed up his chest and settled on his shoulders. She tilted her head up and Troy lowered his head, closing the short distance between them.

Her stomach flipped and a white burst of sensation made her body tremble. Troy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He pulled back a moment later and his fingers brushed sensually across her scorching skin. Gabriella bent and kissed his collar bone, neck, chin, cheek and then the corner of his lips. Troy moved his head so their lips could fuse together again.

This one was more urgent. He lifted her up and Gabriella wrapped her legs around his waist on instinct. Troy's legs buckled when they hit the bed and fell down onto it, but that didn't falter the kiss. Troy's tongue grazed her bottom lip and Gabriella accepted him, letting him caress the inside of her mouth. It made her feel so dizzy…so bubbly and weird. But in a very, very good way.

Gabriella pulled away in the dizzy heat of the kiss and stared down at him. She bent and kissed his nose before rolling off of him and to the side of him. She sat up and buried her head in her hands. She couldn't do this. She would be leaving in about six months. For the two weeks she's known him, he's already made her feel great and wonderful and amazing. But although it seemed like an eternity away, she'd have to give him up and leave back to her world.

Troy sat up and turned her head to him. When he saw the tears leaking from her eyes, he looked truly and really concerned. "What's wrong?"

Gabriella moved gently from his touch. "We can't do…this, Troy." She stood and Troy stood up with her. He took her hands in his. "And why not? Do you feel this?" He lifted her hand to his chest. It was beating fast and it was like the soothing voice of your mom. Troy lifted his own hand to Gabriella's heart. "And I know you feel the same."

"I do, Troy. It's just…I'll be leaving in six months. And I'll have to leave you. I don't think I could handle it," she admitted.

"But you don't need to leave, Brie," Troy said, caressing her cheek.

She put her hand over his bigger one and shook her head. "Yes I do. This isn't my world, Troy. It isn't me. My world is back in LA. Being a big-shot actress and singer."

"Well, then let us have this time together. Just until you leave." He didn't wait for her to say anything. He bent down and kissed her again. Gabriella savored this. It wouldn't be hers forever.