I hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter. Thanks for all the reviews!

Gabriella sighed. She wanted to go find Taylor but figured if she didn't do any chores, her mother would kill her. She picked up a broom. She was deep into sweeping when Jake tapped her on the shoulder. Jumping, she turned around.

He was grinning. "I didn't mean to scare you."

She smiled, weakly, in return. "What's up?"

He shrugged. "Not much." She nodded. "Just wondering what's up with you and that Bolton guy."

Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "Does it really matter?" She wanted to ask if it was really any of his business.

"I guess not." He replied. "It just doesn't seem smart to get involved with a guest. Especially if something goes wrong."

Gabriella frowned. "I don't know. We both know what we're getting into."

Jake nodded. "I guess, it just seems like a bad idea."

"Why does this even matter to you?" she asked sharply.

Again, he shrugged. "Never mind."

"What?" she exclaimed. "What are you trying to say?"

He shook his head. "Forget about it."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, frustrated. "Whatever." She picked up her broom and continued sweeping. She brushed past Jake who walked briskly out of the barn.

It didn't take long for Gabriella to find Taylor. "I just don't know what to do," she said. "I really like Troy. But Jake might have a point. What if something does go wrong? I don't want to jeopardize their stay. My mother would have a fit."

Taylor nodded. "I know." She sighed. "But I don't think anything is going to go wrong. I think Troy really likes you, too. I don't think you have to worry."

Gabriella frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

Taylor smiled. "I just am. Don't worry. Even if something does go wrong, which I highly doubt, I don't think Troy is the kind of guy who would go whining to his parents and drag everyone back home."

Gabriella shrugged. "I guess you're right."

Taylor grinned. "I know." She sat down on Gabriella's bed. "Now, what should we do? We only have a couple of hours before my parents come."

"Well. We could go for a ride, I suppose." Gabriella said, smiling.

"Sure." Taylor said. "But wouldn't you rather go hang out with the guys?"

Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "Is there something going on between you and Chad?" she giggled.

Taylor laughed, "Of course not."

"Sure. Whatever you say." She grinned. "Let's go find the guys."

Troy and Chad were sitting on the grass beside the basketball court. "So man, what's going on between you and Taylor?"

Chad grinned. "What do you mean?"

Troy shook his head. "Admit it, you like her."

Chad shrugged, "I dunno."

Rolling his eyes, Troy stood up. "Well, you'd better figure it out. Here come the girls."

Chad's grin widened. He rose to his feet. "Well, well, well," he said. "Finding it hard to stay away from me, aren't you?"

Taylor smirked. "Not likely."

Troy laughed. "I'd say it's the opposite," he whispered to Gabriella, who giggled.

Taylor shot Gabriella an accusing glare and she quickly stifled her laughter. "So," she said, "what are you two up to?"

Both boys shrugged. "Not much, I guess." Troy answered.

"Well, we only have a few hours before I leave, so we have to do something amazing," Taylor said.

Gabriella smiled. "Yeah, she'll be leaving us for a couple of days." She noticed Chad looked slightly disappointed.

"Oh yeah? Where are you off to now?" Troy asked.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Just another stupid vacation my parents have planned. A trip to the beach house. You know, the usual boring crap."

Chad nodded. "I know what you mean. Every year my parents drag me and my brother down to the same stupid hotel and we visit the same stupid tourist attractions. Apparently, it really helps with the family bonding and all that."

Troy grinned. "And every year you try to come up with some stupid excuse to get out of going."

Gabriella laughed, "And?"

"And it never works," Chad groaned.

Troy, Taylor and Gabriella laughed. "I guess we could watch a movie," Gabriella suggested.

Troy frowned, "It isn't even dark yet."

But Gabriella waved her hand. "No problem. We'll just shut the curtains. Plain and simple."

Both Chad and Troy looked confused, but followed toward the house. "I guess you haven't really been inside the house yet," Taylor said, nodding knowingly. "Just wait."

Gabriella opened the heavy oak door that led to the basement. "Right this way." Taylor walked through the doorway with the boys close behind. Gabriella could see the awe on the boys' faces. "Nice, isn't it?"

The once unfinished basement had been converted to a lavish entertainment room. A huge TV covered almost an entire wall. A cabinet was filled with hundreds of DVDs.

"I'll say," Troy mumbled.

"What should we watch?" Gabriella asked cheerfully.

Taylor shrugged, "I'm good for anything."

Troy and Chad exchanged glances. "Nothing sappy."

Gabriella grinned. "Shall I make us popcorn? And how about drinks, anyone thirsty?"

"You're quite the hostess," Troy said, grinning.

Gabriella laughed, "Well. When you grow up in the service industry."

Troy chuckled. "I'll have some popcorn. And a Coke."

"Me too, please." Chad said, obviously still in shock.

Taylor nodded. "Same for me."

Gabriella grinned. "Alrighty. Get comfy. Just give me a sec."

She was headed up the stairs when she heard Troy ask, "Need a hand?"

"Sure," she replied.

"That's quite the basement." Troy said as they entered the kitchen.

Gabriella shrugged. "We usually don't use it. It's mostly for show."

Troy nodded. "I know what you're talking about. We have a couple of rooms like that at home. Well, mostly the whole house." Gabriella nodded. "It sucks sometimes," he continued. "I don't really have anywhere to just chill at home, you know? And with my dad always pushing basketball at me. I'm really glad to be here and just relax. With you."

Gabriella blushed. "I can't quite say I've felt that much pressure, though my mom's always on me about being successful. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't approve of me riding horses the rest of my life."

Troy nodded. "I don't understand parents sometimes. First they tell us we can do anything, and then – bam! But only if what you choose makes enough money."

Gabriella shrugged. "I'd really like to make my mom happy, but I have no desire to give up riding. And if that makes her unhappy, that's too bad for her."

"You're a great girl Gabi, you know that?"

"What?" she asked, blushing again.

"You know what will make you happy. Not all this material crap our parents are trying to force on us. I respect that."

Again Gabriella shrugged. "I guess." The microwave beeped. "Popcorn's ready. Let's go watch a movie."

I am SO sorry about the time it took me to get this chapter up. Thanks for continuing to review and all that jazz, it means so much. I'll definitely try to get chapter nine up within the next couple of weeks.