As soon as Troy pulled up in front of the massive building he called home, his heart began racing. He grabbed his backpack and sprinted through the door. "Hey honey!" his mother called from the shiny kitchen. She stepped into the hall to meet her son, wearing white pants and a green cardigan, with light makeup and manicured nails. Lucille Bolton was practically the definition of an upscale suburban mother. "Hey mom," Troy greeted her breathlessly. She frowned, confused by his haste. "What's going on?" she asked. "I gotta finish studying by tonight, because Gabby and I wanna hang out," he explained quickly. An understanding, motherly – and slightly amused – smile crept up on Lucille's face. Lucille loved Gabriella like a daughter – and she was sure in a few years, Gabriella would be her daughter. Well, daughter-in-law. Troy began to dash up the stairs, only to stop and turn back. "That reminds me," he said, panting slightly, "Can I sleep over at Gabby's tonight?" Lucille frowned slightly, "Hun, it's Thursday – a school night…," she reminded him. "Mama…please?" he pleaded, whining slightly. Lucille sighed, smiling. "Alright, but if you're late to school tomorrow…," she left the threat hanging, still empty. Grinning, Troy sprinted up the steps towards his bedroom. Shaking her head, still smiling, Lucille headed back towards the kitchen. Troy may be seventeen, but he would always be her baby boy.

Three hours later found Troy hunched over his desk, his face scrunched up. It was seven o' clock, and he was far from being finished. He should be finishing dinner and heading towards Gabby's house by now. He was swamped in projects, homework and assignments. He hadn't even started studying for history, which would no doubt take hours. Damn it, he wouldn't be done before midnight. He closed eyes, sighing frustration. Damn, damn, damn. With schoolwork piling up, and Troy's upcoming basketball practices, it was going to be harder and harder to spend time with Gabriella outside of school. Also, cross country would be starting soon, and Gabriella was definitely going to be on the team. He rubbed his temple, groaning. All he wanted was some time with his girlfriend. Was that so much to ask? He thought not. He reached across his desk, grabbing his iPhone. He scrolled down his contacts list until he found what he wanted; Gabriella Montez. He began a text message to her, only to cancel it. He needed to hear her voice. He quickly tapped in the number he knew by heart, the three rings seeming like ages – he was suddenly excited to hear her voice. "Hey, babe," she said into the phone. He closed his eyes, smiling lazily. There it was, that honey sweet voice that blessed his dreams. Then he remembered exactly why he was calling, and he opened his eyes.

He didn't want to do this.

"Hello?" she asked, waiting for a reply.

He really didn't want to do this.

Not because she'd get mad – he knew she'd be understanding and even helpful about it. He simply didn't want to do this, to cancel their time together, time that was so valued, so precious to both of them.

"Gabs…,"he started off. He sighed, closing his eyes again. He felt almost angry – he could be spending time with his gorgeous goddess of a girlfriend, time that was valuable, considering basketball and cross country practices would begin soon, on top of the huge piles of homework. But no. He was sitting in his room doing homework. Homework.

He would skip it if he could – he really would. But his grades were down to a B; if he didn't pull them up soon, his parents would limit his already limited time with Gabriella. And studying – he had to study for tomorrow's re-do! No doubt, he wouldn't go to sleep before 2 am. There was simply no other alternative. He clenched his fists. Stupid fucking homework.

"Troy?" she asked uncertainly.

"Baby…I can't make it tonight," he admitted bitterly.

"Oh…why not?" she asked, and Troy could hear the disappointment she was trying to cover in her voice.

"I've gotta bunch of school shit…I probably won't go to bed till, like, three," he sighed, "I've got so much – and I barely know what I'm doing…"

"What are you stuck on?"

"The math homework."

"…I could come over and help you…"

Troy immediately perked up, opening his eyes and unclenching his fists. It wouldn't be the romantic evening they'd had planned, but they'd still be together. Now he wouldn't have to stay up until three AM all alone…

But no.
He couldn't do that to her. He couldn't let her come over here, to help him with his work. She'd up just as late as him, and he knew she needed the rest just as much –if not more.

"Baby…no…I'm gonna be up really late," he explained, defeated once more.

"It's fine…I still have the science work to do. We can do homework together, then I'll help you study."

Holy shit.
He did not deserve this angel.

Once again, Troy was blown away by Gabriella's kindness.

"Baby…"

"Then I can sleep over at your house---if that's ok…," the last part came out as a question.

Troy could've laughed. Of course it was ok. She was coming over, wasting her resting time, to help him with his school work. She (like him) would be a zombie in the morning – she was doing it for him. And now she wasn't sure if, in return, she could sleep at his house? That was absurd. Troy would give her anything, and a night at his house was nothing. He enjoyed their 'sleepovers' just as much, if not more, than she did.

"O-of course, baby…," he murmured into the phone, still shocked.

"Kay, I'll be there in a few minutes."

He could think of a way to thank her. To show her how truly grateful he was – not just for this little event, but for all of the things she had done for him. For simply being his.

"I love you," he finally said.

"I love you too," and with that, she hung up.

He closed his eyes once more, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He was so fucking lucky to have her.