Troy sat in the common hall waiting for Gabriella to get ready, he was wearing a suit minus the tie. His slacks were pressed his shoes shined he got a haircut and trimmed his face. Ever since he graduated he'd been dealing with his residency at California Medical. The hours were long and he had very few days off in between but he'd spent them all with Gabriella. He started going with her to group as a recommendation from her psychiatrist. Things had changed so much from when they first met. Now they were holding hands and making out, they were talking and staying up until late hours just laying their and talking about their dreams. To say he was in love was an understatement.
Gabriella was a girl worth fighting for and a girl worth waiting for. He adored her kindness and her strength; he was thrill to be there by her side watching her become stronger watching her take on new responsibilities. Gabriella had recently started working at a crisis center, answering calls and talking to young kids who didn't have anywhere else to go or anyone to talk to. He admired her so much and he couldn't believe that this shy girl he met just a little over a year ago in the doorway was the same woman who was taking charge of her feelings and emotions and using them not only to help others but to be her own person all over again. It was their one year anniversary tonight. An important date, a big dinner date. Just then Sharpay and Kelsi were walking by and he waved politely.
"So," Sharpay said as she stopped and dropped to the couch beside him. "Where are you taking her?"
"Somewhere," Troy said with a smile.
"Is that somewhere romantic?" Kelsi said sitting down on the coffee table in front of him.
"Dinner not so much but my plans for after the dinner," Troy said looking down the hall for Gabriella. "They are in the ball park of romantic."
"You've been quite the mystery man these last few days Troy." Kelsi said leaning back on a little. "How is the residency?"
"Torture," Troy said with a sigh, "I love it but the hours and shifts are killing me, I actually fell asleep while standing in line at star bucks the other day."
"Sounds like you need a good night's rest." Sharpay said with frown.
"I'm alright, I mean it's a job, it's one year, and then I can practice family medicine." Troy said with a smile. "I can't wait."
"Your parents have to be so proud of you." Kelsi said.
"Wow," Sharpay gasped a little as her attention shifted down the hall.
Troy and Kelsi followed as well to find Gabriella, making her way towards them. She was in a red dress that that had a touch of glitter on the end of it. Her hair was down and wavy around her shoulders and the dress drifted side to side as she walked towards them.
"If you ladies will excuse me," Troy said standing up and adjusting his jacket. "I have a date with a beautiful woman."
Gabriella sat in the car comfortably as she held Troy hand. The music from the radio played out quietly as she watched the people and building go by out the window.
"You're awfully quite tonight," Troy said briefly looking over at her then back at the road. "Did I do something?"
"Not at all," Gabriella said tucking a strand of hair behind her ears, "Just thinking about us."
Troy nodded as he merged into the left lane. "Anything I should be thinking about?" Troy said giving her hand a little squeeze.
"Do you miss sex?"
Caught off guard the car took a small serve and he let go of her hand to bring both hands on the wheel. "Whoa," he said looking at her then back at the road. "Where did that come from?"
"I don't know, we've been together for a year and we just haven't…" Gabriella looked over at him with a nervous expression. "Do you think we're ready?"
Troy was quiet for a moment. "Babe the only reason I don't bring it up is because it's not my decision." Troy came to a stop at a red light and he looked over at her. "It's not like we haven't tried or done other things, and you know I'm not complaining. If you think you're ready then when the time is right I guess, it will just happen." Troy said with a shrug.
"Why not tonight?" Gabriella said giving him a small smile.
"Because tonight we're going to dinner?" Troy said with a smirk.
"So," Gabriella said as she shrugged a little. "Can't we spend the night at your place after?"
A horn sounded from behind and Troy jerk as he turned his attention back to road. "Alright my place it is but I warn you it's a mess."
"Thank you," Gabriella said with smile as she looked out the window again.
The car went back into claim quietness and Troy glanced over at her as she looked out the window. "You know if you moved in," he said a little nervous, "We wouldn't have to run around and make out in your dorm room, or in hall of the dorm, or in my car." Troy looked over at her with a smile. "Not that I'm complaining."
"I don't know?" Gabriella said look back at him. "I mean do you think we're ready for that?"
Troy looked back at the road as they turned down the street. "Well we did just decide to have sex." Troy said with a shrug. "Maybe we should slow down." Troy said with an exasperated sigh, "What was I thinking."
Gabriella let out a giggle as she rolled her eyes. "Point made." She said shaking her head.
"I'm just saying it's been a year. My parents like you, your parents think I'm… well they like the fact that'll be a doctor." He said with a wince.
"They adore you," Gabriella said as she nudged him.
"Is that what they call it?" Troy said with sigh, "because I gotta tell you the last time they were in town I swear I saw your father measuring me for a coffin."
"They're overprotective," Gabriella said with a sigh, "with reason."
Troy let out a sigh, "I know."
"Does it bother you?" Gabriella asked with a raised brow.
"No," Troy said glancing her way again. "I understand it. Parents worry about everything."
"I meant the reason." Gabriella said with a small sigh.
"The rape?" Troy said reaching for her hand. "You know I don't care about that?" Troy said bringing her hand up to his lips. "It's been a year, Gabi. If it bothered me I wouldn't be here by your side now would I?"
"No I guess not. It's just that I know that I've come a long way." Gabriella said turning slightly so she could face him. "I'm talking at a big survivor event next week. If this goes well the crisis center will get a grant for the safe house renovation."
"Why are you telling me this? I already know about the speech, I've listened to it twice already." Troy said with a raised brow.
"Because a news crew will be there and I'm giving them an interview." Gabriella said with a shrug. "Taylor and I were talking last night and she said something that made me think,"
"Finally the root of all this!" Troy said as he began to park the car. "What did Taylor say?"
"Well she said that men don't like it when they become just that guy that dates that girl on tv or in our case that guy who dates the rape chick."
"Do people actually call you that?" Troy said as he turned off the car.
"No, I'm just saying." Gabriella said. "Our relationship is under enough pressure with the sex and where it's going that I just don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?" Troy said turning so he was facing her now.
"It feels like something is missing." Gabriella said looking at him and biting her lip a little.
"Is this how we got to the "do you miss sex" question?" Troy asked a little confused.
Gabriella was quite as she looked back at the French restaurant outside across the street. "I just don't want you to get bored, or feel like I'm outshining you, or give you a sense of urgency." Gabriella held out her hand to take his. "I love you."
"I'm sensing a but," Troy let out a huff of air as he felt his lungs tighten.
"No but, I just think that we're ready to move to another level and it's a huge deal." Gabriella said with small smile. "Especially for me. I'm just can't help that I'm a little insecure."
"Well, stop it because insecurities have no right being on that pretty little mind of yours." Troy said with a smile. Troy went silent as he looked at her, watching her closely. "I want you, I don't care about the what you're doing or what you've done or what's been done. I think having you in my life is probably the best thing that's ever happen to me."
"Troy,"
"I know that you bit your lip when you don't know what to say, you tuck you hair behind your ears when your uncomfortable. You turn beat red when you feel embarrassed." he said looking at her plush bottom lip and the faint glow on her cheeks. "I know that you don't like it when any of the food on your plate touches, I know that you're brave, sincere and quirky." Troy was closer now; he could feel her breath on his bottom lip as he tried to remain as still as possible. "I know what happened doesn't dictate your life, but it has certainly made an impact on how you expect to be treated, and that is with respect at all times, at least that's how I intend to treat you."
Gabriella inhaled sharply as she watched him come closer to her there lips were almost touching and his scent was everywhere, letting her eyes drift shut she moved forward pressing her lips softly against his. The kiss held for about 3 seconds but it felt longer, to feel the soft but firm touch of his lips against hers, to feel that bristle of face hair that lightly lingered. She opened her eyes and looked into the blue eyes staring at back at her. "Thank you," she said in low voice.