Chapter 7:

I Want to go Home

Don't own anything! (:

The ride home was silent. Sammy was looking at Gabriella, smiling up at her. Troy was on the other side of Sammy, fiddling with his hands. How'd he loose a girl to a six year old? I mean, how messed up is that?

"Well, tonight was fun," Rosie said, breaking the intense silence.

"Yeah…totally," Troy agreed stiffly. Gabriella looked at him. She pulled out her phone and quickly texted: Talk 2 u l8ter OK?

We better was his reply. Gabriella stuffed her phone in her pocket.

"Reva ate all the watermelon," Selena sulked. "I only had one piece."

"I want some more watermelon now," Reva said.

Rosie laughed. "We'll all go shopping tomorrow after school for some food, okay?"

Rosie dropped Leilani, Troy and Emil off first then headed to her house. When they were there, the girls all crowded in Gabriella and Maxine's room. Sammy was outside the door, playing with Yoda.

"Okay, Gabriella, you're awesome, but I kind of think it'll be creepy for you to be married to my six-year-old brother."

"Do you think I like this?" Gabriella whispered, knowing full well of Sammy's presence outside of the door.

"Because you like Troy?" Selena said. Gabriella was about to say something when Maxine said, "No, she and Troy are dating. When she came out of her room with Troy, she had a hickey on her neck. It's either that or they're friends with benefits."

Reva and Selena gaped at Gabriella. "How long has this been going on?" Reva asked.

"It just started today," Gabriella said lowly.

"And you guys already got to third base?"

"No! I wouldn't give my virginity to him yet until I know I love him. But we did get to second base…"

"Reyna will hate you even more," Maxine said. "She doesn't hate him actually. I think she actually loves him. I know it's confusing and all, but when she saw you with Troy she looked completely heartbroken."

"She should've thought of that before doing that to him," Gabriella said. "It must've—" Gabriella stopped talking when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She quickly took it out and checked her text message. "It's Troy," she announced before reading the message.

Open ur balcony door. I'm coming up.

Gabriella quickly replied, I'm with the girls. Can we talk at school 2morrow?

As soon as we see each other. Emil keeps teasing me about loosing you to a 6yo. Gabriella giggled at that before quickly replying.

OK. As soon as we see each other. And tell Emil to stop teasing you or else I'll convince Reva to not go out with him.

"What was that about?" Maxine asked.

"We just have to talk about the whole Sammy thing," Gabriella said, looking at the door. She could heart Sammy faintly talking to Yoda. "Not to mention I have to talk to Sammy, too."

"He can't be serious about this," Reva whispered.

"He looked serious," Selena said. They looked to the door when there was a knock. "Can I come in?" Sammy asked.

"Uh…yeah, come in," Gabriella said. Sammy opened the door and walked in. He looked like he had a mouthful because his cheeks were puffed out. "Where's Yoda?" Maxine asked, eyeing his mouth.

Sammy opened his mouth and there was Yoda. The girls screamed and Yoda quickly scattered out of Sammy's mouth and into his hands. "That's seriously gross, Sam," Maxine exclaimed.

"I'm going to be sick," Selena announced, coming off the bed and running to the bathroom.

Sammy wiped Yoda off and shrugged. "He taste like watermelon," he said. Reva's eyes went wide. "Yeah, I'm going to puke, too." She quickly dashed from the room.

"So, when's the wedding?" Sammy asked, climbing onto the bed and sitting in Gabriella's lap.

"Uh, Sammy—" Gabriella started to say, but Maxine quickly cut her off.

"Soon," Maxine said, giving Gabriella a hard look. "It'll be soon, don't worry. Now, why don't you go to Rosie and take a bath." Sammy nodded and hoped off the bed. When he was gone, Maxine turned to Gabriella. "You can't say there won't be a wedding. Just go along with it. He'll forget over time and you and Troy can be happy together."

"What if doesn't forget?" Gabriella asked.

Maxine shook her head. "He will. Trust me."

Reva and Selena came into the room after. "I don't think I'll be able to eat watermelon again," Reva said.

Gabriella and Maxine laughed then Rosie came in, telling them to all go to bed.

When the lights were out and Selena and Reva were in their own rooms, Gabriella took out her phone. She opened her text messages and smiled when she saw what Troy texted her.

I already miss u. R the girls still with u? Can I come over and up?

No. Rosie mite still b up. I'll see u in like 8 hrs.

It was a minute before he replied.

Will u make a song about me?

Gabriella thought for a second before replying, I already have

Have I heard it?

No.

Will I hear it?

Maybe. Soon.

k. Talk 2 u la8ter?

Ofc.

Gabriella pulled her duvet over her body and snuggled into her bed. She's lied to the girls. In the two weeks she's known Troy, she already fell head over heels for him.

The next day, Selena had to stay home from school because she was sick. She seemed fine the day before, but when she woke up she was all pale and her nose was red and stuffed. Gabriella walked into her room before it was time to leave.

"You okay?" she asked, sitting on the bed and rubbing her hair back. Selena nodded and slipped her hand in Gabriella's. "I miss mom," she admitted, looking away.

Gabriella frowned and turned Selena's head back to her. She could see the wetness swimming in her brown eyes. "I miss mami, too, Sel. And LA a bit, too. But being here with Rosie and all my new friends is amazing. Don't you agree?"

Selena nodded. "Yeah, but I want to see mami again."

Gabriella reached to the side of Selena's bed and pulled out Selena's laptop. She quickly pulled up Skype the reached under Selena's pillow to grab Selena's phone. "Call mom and tell her you wanna talk on Skype, okay? But now I have to go. Henry is staying here to look after you. Juts call him when you need him." Selena nodded again. "Okay, bye. Love you."

"Love you, too."

When Gabriella got into the car, she pulled out her lyric book and flipped through the pages. She stopped at a page that had a book mark there. The title was called I Promise You. This was her and Troy's song. And when she gets the courage to say she loves him, she'll sing it to him.

"I hate calculus," Reva said, digging through her book bag for her homework.

"I hate school," Maxine said.

"And I hate Reyna," Gabriella said last, looking out the window to see Reyna walking up to Troy. They all got out of the car and Gabriella watched closely at Reyna and Troy. Reyna reached for his hand, but Troy reacted quickly. He pulled his hand into his pocket. Gabriella smirked before striding over to them. "Hi, Reyna. What's up?"

"Oh, you know, the usual," she said, grinning. "Troy just asked me out and all."

"Is that so?" Gabriella crossed her arms and looked at Troy over Reyna's shoulder. He was shaking his head no. "Yes, actually."

"Well that's funny because he just asked me out on a date yesterday and I said yes. And it was right after we had a hot make-out session."

Reyna looked surprised. "Well, uh, um. Uh…Wait, you guys are dating? But you just came!"

"Yup, two weeks and two days ago," Gabriella said. "And you better watch your skanky little ass because I will do my worst to you."

Reyna scoffed. "You fucking bitch! You have no right to talk to me like that!" Reyna raised her hand and was about to slash it across Gabriella's face. It was like slow motion when Gabriella grabbed Reyna's wrist and stopped her from hitting her. Reyna struggled in Gabriella's grip. "Listen, bitch, I'm not one of those kids you can bully. So you better back off." Gabriella threw her wrist down and Reyna looked shocked.

"Well, you better kiss your popularity behind, because I so own it now."

"I'm so above you on that scale, Reyna," Gabriella said, smirking.

"Well, then I'll make your life here in Albuquerque hell. Just wait. You'll be crying your little spoiled ass back to LA in no time. You and your stupid sisters with no talent."

Gabriella crossed her arms as the two glowered at each other in a deadly manner. Troy grabbed Gabriella's shoulders and pulled her away. "Okay, that's enough staring. Jeez, if looks could kill, you'd both be dead."

"That was amazing, sis," Reva said, bouncing up to Gabriella. "Totally badass."

"I think the paps got that on tape," Maxine said slowly, looking at the paps. Gabriella's eyes went wide as numerous flashes went off. "Oh, I am so dead," Gabriella muttered. Troy wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her head. "Well, if it helps you feel better, I think it was hot what you did," he said.

Gabriella elbowed him in the gut. "Shut up. I'm going to be on every celebrity gossip channel .Oh God, I don't even want to know what my mom will say. She always hated violence."

"You are toast," Reva said. "But anyway, I'm going now. Can you rip Reyna's fake nose off for saying we have no talent?"

Gabriella laughed and pushed her. "Just go."

"Imma go now, too," Maxine said. "Talk to you later."

"Okay."

"So, I still remember that you're engaged," Troy said, pulling Gabriella to his locker.

"Maxine and I have a plan. We go along with it until after the wedding. He'll forget about it soon."

"You sure? Because I like a girl with just me and no one else."

Gabriella gripped the collar of his button up shirt and nodded. "Positive." She pulled him in for a short kiss before pulling away. "Now, time for class."

Gabriella was happy when it was finally free period. She quickly went to look for Troy. "Hey, boyfriend!" she exclaimed, hugging him from behind. Troy laughed and turned around in her arms. "Hey. Can I teach you something?"

"Which Is…?"

"How to skateboard."

Gabriella laughed. "Okay, okay. What do you really want to teach me?" When his expression didn't change, Gabriella's mouth opened. "What? Troy, I'm clumsy. I'll fall just looking at a skateboard." Troy chuckled. "No you won't. Now, c'mon." He pulled her to his locker and pulled out a skateboard. He placed it on the linoleum floor and looked at Gabriella. "Ready?"

"Wait—we're riding in the hallway?" she asked eyeing the skateboard. Troy nodded before putting one foot on the board. "Now, get on it, but with both feet."

"You are crazy," she said, shaking her head. Troy ignored her and picked her up and placed her on the board. Gabriella squealed as he started to push off the ground a few times. He only put his other foot on the board when they gained speed.

Gabriella looked mortified as people threw themselves on their lockers as her and Troy made their way down the hall. "Hey, Lei," Troy said, waving at his sister.

"Uh, hi?"

"Troy, stop," Gabriella demanded as they neared a wall. "We're going to crash."

"No we aren't," Troy said, jumping off the board. He stopped Gabriella from going any farther. He gave her a second to calm down before he turned her around the corner and pushed her down the hall. Gabriella's eyes closed when he let her go.

"Open your eyes," Troy told her. "Or you're going to crash."

"Troy!" Gabriella squealed, loosing her balance on the board and falling to the floor. People quickly rushed to her. Troy was the first to her, though. "Brie, you okay?"

"I hate you," she groaned, rubbing her head. "Ow."

Troy laughed and helped her up. "C'mon, it wasn't that bad."

Gabriella pushed at his chest, furious. "Yes it was! I told you no and you do it anyway."

Troy grabbed her hands and held them on his chest. "I'm sorry, then."

Gabriella's eyes softened and she curled her fingers around his hand. "It's okay. Actually, it was a bit fun and exhilarating."

"And against school rules," a voice said form behind them. Gabriella and Troy turned to see Principal Matsui behind them, crossing his arms and with Reyna beside him smirking.

"Mr. Matsui," Gabriella breathed. It was her second day and she was already in trouble. "We're so sorry. It was my fault. I wanted to do it."

"No, it wasn't," Troy said. "I urged her to do it when she didn't want to."

Gabriella looked sharply at him. "No, it was me."

"No, actually, Principal Mat—"

"Okay, enough," Principal Matsui said. "I'll give you guys a warning." He turned to Gabriella, smiling brightly. "Uh, so, um, you got any tickets for your next concert? My daughter is a huge fan."

Gabriella's eyes went wide and she nodded. "I'll talk to you after I talk to my manager about it."

Mr. Matsui grinned and nodded before walking away. Reyna stared after him with wide eyes. She turned to Gabriella and snarled. "This isn't over. I can do way more damage then this." She walked away, swinging her hips. Gabriella and Troy shared a look of amusement.

"As long as she doesn't touch my sister's I'm fine," Gabriella said, walking off with Troy.

…

Charlene and Acelyn popped up in front of Gabriella in chemistry class. . "Hey Gabs," Charlene said.

"We heard about you and the hag from hell Reyna," Acelyn said, sitting down. "That was major badass."

Gabriella grinned and shrugged. "Well, I try. So, what are you guys doing afterschool? I was thinking you'd like to come shopping with the girls and me."

"Really?" Acelyn said. "I think she just invited us on a shopping spree, Twin."

"I know, Twin. I'm so excited."

Gabriella giggled. "So, what's up?"

"Well, this cute boy just asked me out for dinner," Charlene said. "His name is Ian Landers. And he's major hot."

"And his twin asked me out," Acelyn said. "Peter 'Usher' Landers."

"Usher?"

"Oh, yes. He's obsessed with him."

Gabriella smiled. "I met Usher when I went out with JB. He's really nice."

Charlene stifled a squeal. "User and JB? OMG, Twin that is unfuckingbelievable."

"I know, Twin. I might just pass out."

"Okay, you guys are really awesome," Gabriella said, grinning at them.

"We know," they said together. Then Charlene said, "Oh, no. Reyna alert."

Gabriella and Acelyn turned to see Reyna striding over with her posse. "Hey, Gabriella. Did you see what happened to Reva? She was walking outside just now and then some stuff got poured on her. You should go see her. It was horrible and she ran to the girls' bathroom crying."

Gabriella quickly stood up. Her veins boiled with anger. "I'll talk to you guys later," she promised the Twins before running out the room and to the bathroom. She could hear the soft cries of Reva and smell the disgusting scent of sour milk. Maxine and Leilani and Taylor were by the sinks. "She wouldn't open up for us," Maxine explained, nodding her head to the handicap stall and Gabriella nodded. She knocked on the last stall. "Rev? Hey, it's me. Open up."

Gabriella heard the click of the lock on the stall and took that as an invite. She pushed open the door and engulfed Reva into a hug. Reva grasped her back and cried on her shoulder. "Oh, God, what happened?"

"They poured sour milk on me," Reva whispered, looking down at her clothes. Her black shirt was white and her hair had clumps of milk in her hair. She smelled vile, but Gabriella didn't care. "Who did, sweetie?"

"Reyna and her stupid friends. God, I'm so humiliated. Everyone was laughing and Maxine, Leilani and Taylor were trying to help me. I just ran from them."

"It's okay," Leilani said from the outside.

Gabriella peeked her head out of the stall. "Guys…sister bonding time. Do you think we could be alone?"

"Ooh, sorry, Gabs," Taylor said, dragging Maxine and Leilani out. "Sister bonding. Don't I know it." When Gabriella was sure the door was closed and locked, she put her head back into the stall and turned to her sister. She looked horrible. Her eyes were red and swollen .Tears were leaking from her eyes and she was shaking. "I want to go home," she sobbed.

"Do you? Okay, I'll call Rosie—"

"No, Gabs, I mean I want to go home, home. Like, back to LA," Reva said, wiping her eyes. Gabriella's eyes went wide and she went speechless.