Chapter 18: What now?

Turning their attention to the sound Troy and Gabriella found Sharpay jumping for joy and realization that they were still on stage sunk in. Blushing heatedly Gabriella let go of Troy and took a step back. Looking over at their friends once again Gabriella found Sharpay still jumping excitedly as the others just sat their smiling like idiots.

"Ahem, ahem!" Everyone turned their attention to Ms. Darbus as she continued. "Well, that was interesting but I say we keep the make out scene for the end of the musicale. Wouldn't you agree Mr. Bolton, Ms. Montez?"

"Yes, Ms. Darbus," Gabriella answered, still embarrassed that she let her emotions over take her better judgment. "Sorry."

"Well, no point in trying to continue," Ms. Darbus announced looking at Troy's expression. "That is all for today, I expect everyone here on time come Thursday."

Wondering what Ms. Darbus meant Gabriella dared a look in Troy's direction. Seeing him Gabriella was amused to see a silly grin plastered on his face as he continued to stare at her. Without a word Gabriella hurried to the dressing room to change.

Back in her normal clothing Gabriella exited the room to find Sharpay, Kelsi and Taylor waiting for her. Before she could get a word in Sharpay once again began to squeal. ""Oh my god! That was so hot! One minute you're playing out the scene, the next you're making out on stage. I mean I know it was part of the scene but you two took it to a whole new level. My god I never knew people could have such high lung capacities before. I mean you two -"

"Shar, you're rambling sweetie," Taylor said as she settled her perky friend down. The four exited the auditorium and made their way over to the parking lot. "Now missy, will you just tell Troy how you really feel about him?"

"Yeah, it was obvious that there is something between the two of you," Kelsi said.

"I don't know if I'm ready yet," Gabriella replied quietly as they stood in the middle of the parking lot.

"Gabi that's a load of bull!" Taylor said, getting a little agitated with Gabriella's behavior. Calming down she added, "Look we know that you're scared to put your heart out there again but how will you ever be able to move on if you don't do it now?"

"Do you want a ride home?" Sharpay asked as they stopped in front of her car.

"No, I need to take a walk. Get my mind straightened out," Gabriella responded.

"Okay, just call us if you need anything," Taylor told her.

After their good-byes Gabriella began the walk to her house. Gabriella made a detour into the park. She put her bag down and took seat on the swing, thinking about what she was going to do about her Troy situation.

"I like him," Gabriella said to herself. "I pretty much trust him with my life, I mean he's always protecting me. But can I trust him with my heart?"

"How about taking the chance to find out," a voice said from behind her. Turning Gabriella saw Troy standing behind her. He looked uncomfortable as he tugged on the strap of his backpack.

"What are you doing here?"

"Um, I sort of followed you from school," seeing the bewildered look on her face Troy quickly added, "Not in a stalker-ish sort of way. I just wanted to make sure you got home okay."

"Why are you doing this Troy?"

"Doing what?"

"Why are you making me feel like this?"

"Simple, I like you Brie, I mean really like you. I have never felt this way about anyone before and it scares me a little but when I see your face it makes it all okay. I like you and I want to be with you, I want to be able to hold you in my arms, hold your hand to let everyone know that we're together. I want to see the look on every guy's face knowing that he's jealous because he can't have you because you're mine. To see the look on every girl's face when they realize that I'm yours, and yours alone. I know that we've only known each other for a short amount of time but I can't picture a future without you in it. I'm hooked on you Gabriella Montez and I don't care who knows it. I'M IN LOVE WITH GABRIELLA MONTEZ!"

Gabriella stood there, stunned by his confession. To say the least she wasn't expecting this at all. Yeah, there was chemistry between them but was it love that she was feeling?

"How can you be sure?" Gabriella asked quietly. "How can you be sure that it's love you're feeling and not lust?"

"Because my day doesn't start unless I see your face, your smile. When you laugh I can't help but laugh along. When you cry I feel like crying myself but I hate it when you cry because it makes me think that I'm not capable of preventing it from happening. I love it when you kink your eyebrow when you're thinking or how you pout whenever you want something, knowing that it would work every time," Troy said laughing a little. "I love how you put the people you care about before anything else. I want to spend every minute of every day just holding you. I want to be able to lie with you in my arms and whisper sweet words in your ear. I want to be the one you turn to when you need someone. Most of all I want to be the one you picture the rest of your life with, I want to be the guy you say that you love. I want to be the one for you Brie."

By the end of his second speech Gabriella was in tears. Never in her life had anyone said such sweet things to her, not even Chris when they were dating. Searching Troy's eyes for any hint indicating that it was all a lie Gabriella found nothing but sincerity and love. Love, the one thing Gabriella was searching for. Love, something she thought she found in Chris but hadn't. I love you, something Gabriella can say to her mom or her friends and have it mean something completely different from when she says it to the one. Can Troy really be the one?

Thinking that Gabriella didn't feel the same Troy looked down and decided that it was time to go. He had made a fool of himself, of course she saw him as nothing more than a friend much less the one. Now he can't even be her friend anymore not after what he said.

Seeing that he was leaving Gabriella said the only thing she could think of, "I love you too!" Yep, she said it; she was in love with Troy Bolton. She'd been denying it the whole time thinking that her feelings were nothing more than a stupid school girl crush but seeing him walk away put everything in perspective.

"I want everything you want. I want to be in your arms hearing you whisper sweet promises in my ear. I want to walk down the hall holding your hand letting everyone know that I'm yours and you're mine. I want to be the one for you because I'm now sure that you're mine."

Troy was stunned; the girl of his dreams had said that she loved him too. He dropped his backpack and ran to the brunette wrapping his arms around her to pull her into a hug as her arms found their place around his shoulder. Swinging both of them around Troy was ecstatic to hear Gabriella's laughter; it was the laugh he loved so much. Coming to a stop Troy looked into her eyes once more whispering, "I love you Brie."

"I love you too Troy," Gabriella whispered back.

Smiling Troy covered Gabriella's lips with his own sealing their words with a kiss. It wasn't like their previous kisses; this one was slow and sweet, not rushed. Wanting to taste her thoroughly Troy ran his tongue along Gabriella's bottom lip and soon their tongues were in the midst of a tango. Feeling the need for air Troy pulled back a little. Smiling he gave Gabriella one last peck on her lips before nuzzling his face in her neck and kissing her there once. They stood like that for a while, just holding onto one another.

After some time had past it began to get dark. Gabriella was the first to speak, "What now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean are we together?"

"Well, Gabriella Montez would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

Giggling Gabriella answered, "Why of course Troy Bolton, I would love to be your girlfriend."

"Good," Troy said as he gave her a peck on the lips. "because I would love to be your boyfriend."

"Walk me home?"

"Always," Troy responded as they retrieved their belongings and began to walk out of the park still wrapped in each other's arms. The walk was filled with a comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to say anything because the presence of the other said it all. Occasionally Troy would kiss Gabriella's temple but that was it.

Making it to her driveway Gabriella found that her mom wasn't home. She opened the door and let Troy in. She placed her bag at the bottom of the stairs, as did Troy, and walked into the kitchen to find a note on the counter.

Gabi,

Sorry sweetie but something came up at the office. I have to make a trip to New York but I'll be home by Saturday. I let you some money in the jar for food and emergencies. Feel free to stay over at SharpayKelsi or Taylor's house until then.

Love you lots,

Mom

"Looks like Mom is on another business trip," Gabriella said placing the note back on the counter.

"Does it bother you that she's gone so much?" Troy asked situating himself on a stool at the island.

Shrugging Gabriella replied, "She's gone so much I guess I'm used to it now. I still miss her though. So do you want to stay for dinner?"

"Sure, let me just tell my mom," Troy said as he got out his cell phone.

Gabriella searched the refrigerator for something to eat and saw some leftover pasta. Placing the tub into the microwave Gabriella set the timer to let it heat up.

"Did I just hear you tell your mom that you're staying over at Chad's tonight?" Gabriella asked smirking.

"Maybe, didn't your mom tell you it's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations?" Troy retaliated as he pulled Gabriella over to him and holding her so that her back faced him. "Is it okay if I stay over? Because if it's not then I could stay at Chad's for real."

"No, you can stay. I hate being alone anyways," Gabriella said as she leaned into Troy. The moment was soon gone when the microwave starting beeping, indicating that the pasta was done heating up. Grabbing two plates Gabriella filled them both with pasta and set them on the counter. As she was doing this Troy went to the refrigerator and grabbed the water pitcher; he filled two glasses and set each next to the pasta filled plates. They sat at the island eating their dinner with occasional small talk, both just glad to be next to the other.

After dinner they decided to go to Gabriella's room and do their homework. By the time they had both finished it was nearly ten and being the nerd that she is Gabriella suggested that they go to bed. Gabriella got Troy a towel and told him he could use the bathroom down the hall as she went into her own. After her shower Gabriella felt refreshed. Walking back into her room in a pair of short shorts and a tank top Gabriella found Troy lounging on her bed in nothing but his boxer, his hair still wet from his shower.

Blushing at the sight in front of her Gabriella said, "Sorry I don't have anything for you to wear."

"It's okay, I prefer to sleep in my boxers anyways. Is it okay if I sleep in here?" Troy asked making sure that he wasn't forcing Gabriella to do something she didn't want.

"No, it's fine." She turned off the lights and crawled under the comforter with Troy. Gabriella placed her head on Troy's chest as his arms found its way around her. "Night Troy," she whispered.

"Night Brie, sweet dreams," Troy responded kissing his girlfriend's head.