Thanks to everyone for reviewing! I had no idea this would take off so quickly.
Down at the pool, Chad and Troy had already jumped in. Both were floating lazily. Troy froze as he saw Gabriella approach.
"Man, she looks good." Chad said. Troy couldn't help but agree. Gabriella smiled as she set her towel down on a lounge chair.
"How's the water?" she asked.
"Warm," said Troy. "Come on in." Gabriella grinned and peeled off her dress, revealing her soft blue bathing suit. Without saying a word, she jumped into the pool, splashing water everywhere.
"You're right," she said, splashing both boys. "It is warm."
The three swam and played in the water for a while. Eventually all three were tired and were simply floating.
Gabriella had finally worked up the nerve to ask, "So, how old are you both?"
Surprisingly, Troy answered. "We're both seventeen. You?"
"Same," Gabriella answered. "Where do you guys go to high school?"
This time, Chad replied. "East High."
Gabriella nodded, "Cool. Well, I'd better go. I have chores to do."
Chad nodded, but Troy asked, "Do you need any help?"
Gabriella was shocked, "Sure, if you're offering." She pulled herself out of the pool. "I'll meet you in the barn in half an hour?"
"Sure."
"Ok, well." She picked up her stuff and walked quickly back to the house. Troy was being especially nice today. She liked him like this. The more she got to know him, the more she liked him in general. He could be kind of moody, but he was a great guy. Not to mention good looking.
In the house, she pulled on jeans and a t-shirt. Her hair was still damp as she tied it back. At the door, she tied up her boots and walked slowly to the barn. Did she really like Troy? Maybe.
Troy was standing nervously outside the barn. He heard someone walk up behind him. Thinking it was Gabriella, he turned. "Hey." It was Jake.
"Hey. Can I help you?" he asked.
"That's ok. I'm waiting for Gabriella."
Jake nodded, "Sure." He walked back into the barn somewhat jealously. Gabriella was his best friend, more like his sister than anything else. Why was he feeling jealous? He went back to mucking stalls, trying to forget all about Troy and Gabriella.
Gabriella saw Troy waiting outside the barn. She waved. "Hey," he said.
"You ready?" she asked. "Have you ever done barn chores before?"
He shook his head. "Nope. But how hard can it be?"
She laughed, "Just you wait."
Gabriella seemed to fly through the chores and Troy was having trouble keeping up. He had to admit, the chores were more difficult than he'd been expecting. But it seemed like a good way to stay in shape for basketball while his family was on vacation.
Finally they were finished. "Again tomorrow?" he asked.
Gabriella giggled. "You think you can handle it?"
Troy feigned anger, "You doubt the Wildcat superstar?"
Now Gabriella was laughing. "No, of course not."
Troy joined in her laughter. "Good."
When Gabriella was able to stop laughing, she asked, "Wanna go for a ride?"
Troy shrugged. "I don't know how."
Gabriella smiled. "I can teach you. Don't worry, it'll be fun."
Troy nodded. "Alright. Should we get Chad, he seemed interested yesterday?"
Gabriella smiled yes, confused. Here she was, trying to get to know him better and he was dragging Chad into things. "Sure. I'll bring some horses in while you go get him." Gabriella turned and exited the barn. Troy smacked himself in the forehead. Why had he done that?
Even Chad was angry. "You had a chance to spend time alone with her and you blew it! What were you thinking?"
"So, you'll come?" Troy asked.
Chad rolled his eyes. "Fine, but only this once."
Gabriella had brought in Starlit and two other horses. She sighed. Well, teaching both of them to ride would still be fun, just not what she was hoping for.
"Hey Gabriella," Jake said from the doorway. "Wanna go for ice cream?"
Gabriella smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I'm teaching two of our guests to ride."
Jake nodded. "Oh, ok. Have fun." He paused, "Today's my half day, so I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sure. See ya later." Gabriella sighed as Jake left the barn. What was going on? Things were getting confusing.
Troy and Chad walked into the barn, neither were speaking. Even Gabriella could feel the tension between the two. "Both ready to learn?" Both nodded. "Ok then. Let's get started."
In no time at all, both boys had tacked up their horses and were walking around the small pasture. The tension had eased between Troy and Chad, both were smiling and chatting. Gabriella led Starlit out. "Ready for a trail?"
Troy answered, "Of course. Let's go!" Gabriella opened the gate then quickly mounted.
"Follow me!"
The ride was going well. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Gabriella turned in her saddle. "Wanna trot?" she shouted. Both guys nodded, though they both looked a little nervous. "Just hold on," she said, laughing. "It's hardly faster than a walk."
They had just come to a walk when Gabriella felt a raindrop land on her shoulder. She reined Starlit to a halt. "We'd better head back," she told Troy and Chad.
"So soon?" asked Chad.
"It's going to rain," she answered.
Troy laughed. "Are you sure? The sky's still blue."
Gabriella laughed, "Trust me. Let's go."
Sure enough, it started to pour halfway back. Troy laughed, she had called it. The sky started to darken and Gabriella realized they were in for a storm. "We have to hurry!" she shouted. The last thing she needed was spooky horses if it started to thunder. "Let's go." She nudged Starlit into a trot. When she saw the barn, she slowed to a walk. The three rode their horses into the pasture and Gabriella shut the gate behind them. "Let's get in the barn," she said as she gathered Starlit's reins.
They had just turned the horses out when thunder boomed and Gabriella saw another fork of lightning flash across the sky. "We got in just in time," she said.
"Lucky us," said Troy.
"Yeah, but we're still soaked," grumbled Chad.
Gabriella giggled, "You'll dry." She wiped off her forehead with a towel. "We should wait the storm out here."
"Great," muttered Chad.
Gabriella laughed as Troy said, "Get over it, man."
They were stuck in the barn for about half an hour before the rain let up. "Let's go," said Gabriella.
"Where?" asked Troy.
"I want to change," complained Chad.
"To Cabin Two, then," laughed Gabriella. "You're such a baby."
Laughing, they ran to the Bolton's cabin. Jack laughed as they entered.
"My, you three look a little damp," he said.
"Yeah, not funny Dad," Troy said, grinning.
Dayna came out of the bedroom, "Oh dear, Troy and Chad perhaps you'd like to get changed. I'll grab you some towels."
"My god, thank you so much, Mrs. Bolton," Chad said. Troy and Gabriella laughed.
"And let me make you some hot chocolate. Would you care to stay Gabriella?" Dayna asked.
Gabriella smiled, "Sure, I never turn down an offer for chocolate."
Dayna smiled. "I probably have some clothes that would fit you. Would you like to change?"
Gabriella nodded, "That would be great. Thanks."
"Of course." Dayna could tell there was something building between her son and Gabriella.
All five were crowded in the small living room, drinking hot chocolate. Everyone was laughing, at Troy's expense. "And then, he was like 'And all I can remember is like... pink jelly'!" Chad roared. "It was hilarious."
Gabriella smiled, "I can't believe it. I never would have thought you were that kind of guy Troy."
He shrugged, "What can I say?"
Gabriella glanced at her watch. "Oh!" she said. "I'd better go help my mom get dinner started. Will you be joining us again?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, all of us."
"Ok, great." Gabriella rose from the couch. "Thanks for the hot chocolate, it was great."
Troy stood, "I'll walk you back." Chad grinned.
Gabriella nodded, "Sure. Although, I'm pretty sure I won't get lost."
Troy rolled his eyes. "Hey, if you don't want me to, then..."
"No, that would be great," she said. "Let's go."
They walked back, silently at first. Gabriella broke the silence, "So, are you enjoying your stay so far? I mean, yesterday it didn't really seem like you wanted to be here."
"Honestly," Troy replied, "I didn't. But it's not too bad. And it's getting better."
Gabriella smiled. They walked up on the porch. "Good to know. Maybe we can go for another ride tomorrow."
"That would be great," he answered. "Maybe just the two of us." Suddenly, he kissed her on the cheek. Gabriella blushed.
"Yeah, just the two of us."
"I'll see you at dinner," he said awkwardly. She smiled as she nodded. She watched as he walked back to his cabin, her fingers resting on her cheek.