Meant To Last

An- Thanx soo much! I'm glad you all liked the chapter. The ending would've been better, but brother #6 was rushing me off. He threatened to unplug the computer if I didn't hurry. I tried to make this chapter better. TrIvIa TiMe! Woopie! The winner was HSM is MY lover! Also, freakygeniusgirl12141, lemonwave22, rms.raven-2008, taywrites, carito06, KayleeMae, TroynGabi, daniwani2369, XxMissUndiscovered-HSMxX, yeahyagirl, ices8er93, HSMandChelseaFCfan, DancingSweetheart, hsmfancrazy, x-ImAgInE-x, hsmisdabest, ZacEfronandChrisBrownLover, 16HSM12, magnifique, and xxFRUIT'LOOPSxx33 gave the correct answer. Awesome job! Did anyone notice that you can review your own story? Just curious because I found out this morning. My alerts were down, so I checked my reviews the long way. I reviewed my last chapter. It's funny...to me. Lol. I'm done yacking...

Disclaimer: I don't own.

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Chapter 5

I held a sleeping Gabriella close to my side. My arm wrapped around her body, as my hand gently carressed her shoulder. Her lavender sheets covered both of our bodies. I couldn't sleep. I was too busy thinking about what just happened. Gabriella wanted to feel loved. Hopefully, she did. The question in my mind is why I did it. Was it because she wanted it, or because I really wanted to show her that I love her? It's so confusing! What will she think? Gabriella began to stir. "Troy?" Her voice whispered, "you're still here?"

"yes" I whisper back. She gave a sigh of relief.

"I had a dream that you left me." I shook my head.

"I won't ever leave you Gabi." I kissed her forehead. She snuggled closer to me.

"I know this maybe be a bit weird, but...thank you. For tonight I mean. I feel loved. I'm just not ready for any relationships.?" I chuckled. I was trying to cover how hurt I really was.

"It's fine. We'll take things slow." She didn't need to be rushed. I knew she still wasn't over Jason. Nowhere near over him.

"Thank you. There's only one question now..." Please, don't let it be about Jason. Not now. "How am I going to tell my family?" Just then, Gabi's door swung open.

"Gabriella, we're so hap-" A middle-age woman came through the door shouting, with a male and one small child and a 17-year old. Gabi's head snapped up as they all came closer. We wrapped the sheets tightly around our bodies.

"No way! Gabriella?! When did this happen?!" Her cousin Katelyn(17) screamed, with her wide eyes and big smile. She pointed to all of the clothes scattered on the floor.

"Hey Auntie Carla and Uncle Larry...and everyone else..." Gabriella spoke nervously. She nudged me in my side.

"Uh, it's nice to see you all again?" What was I supposed to say? It's not the first time her family walked in on us.

"Wow! Uh, we'll just talk to you after you finish...your bussiness. It's nice seeing you Troy." Gabriella sighed as she plopped down beside me.

"Why is it always my family?" She questions.

"It was my family once." She giggled.

"You mean the very first time?" I laughed as I nodded my head. "That was the best." She smiled.

"It was." We laid there together until we heard Ricky called us.

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"Nice of you to join us." Ricky snickered. I turned to Gabriella, and she squeezed my hand tightly. "Care to explain." He said, pointing to our hands.

"Jason left me." Her family broke into cheers. Gabriella was astonished at their beavior. "I thought you were happy for me." She seemed a bit disappointed.

"Gabi, we were only like that because we thought that was what you wanted. We couldn't stand him. Ever since you brough him home 2 years ago at spring break, we wanted you to break up." Johnny explained. She brought him home two years ago? Where was I?

"Now, what's going on with you and Troy?" Barbra(Ms. Montez) seemed excited.

"Well...nothing really." I stated. I have to admit, I was a little nervous of what her family would say. They all remained quiet until...

"What do you mean?" Barbra questioned. "I thought you would be together after what we just witnessed." I thought the same. But I could understand.

"I'm not exactly ready for a relationship right now. I really love Jason I'm not gonna get over him in two hours. Besides, there's still a chance that he and I can be together." Seriously, it's getting really annoying that she still has hope. Let it go!

"Fine." Barbra said as she slipped her two sons money. They bet on us again? "You just made me lose a very big bet." They happily counted their money. We all laughed and started to catch up. Her aunt and uncle were extremely nice. I met them over christmas break a few years back. Before Gabi and I broke up. Her cousin was like the sister she never had. They told each other everything...well except for what she saw today. I'm guessing that's what they were talking about now.

"Hey." Johnny said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "I guess we got what we wanted." He was referring to Jason being gone. I shook my head.

"Nope, I just wanted her to be happy. She's heartbroken." He gave me a half smile.

"I knew you still loved her." I gave a dry laugh.

"Yeah, but she doesn't feel the same."

"She does, she just doesn't see it yet. She will."

"Maybe, but for now...I'm gonna let love run it's course." I'm not gonna push her in any certain direction. I'm gonna let her find her own way.

"I'm gonna respect that." I nodded as he gave me a manly hug. Yes, hugs can be manly. My dad gave me manly hugs when I was a teenager. You get the point. "Here comes Gabi." I turned and saw her approaching. Johnny walked back toward Leslie. She took my hand and led me back up to her room. She closed the door and motioned for the balcony. I followed her out.

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"Hi daddy." I listened to her as she spoke. She looked up at the stars and spoke again. "The weddings off, at the moment. Jason left and he called it off. He's done it so many times that I'm sure he'll come back." She was serious. "I do have good news. It's about Troy. He's going to give me away at my wedding. You're probably wondering why." She paused. "He reminds me of you. It's crazy. He can read me like an open book...just like you could. He's here with me, but I know you can see that." She turned and looked at me. "Do you wanna talk to him?" What would I say? I know he's there, just like Alice is. I nodded.

"Hi Mr. Montez. It's Troy." I looked at Gabi and she smiled encouragingly. "I want you to know that I'll always watch over your daughter for you. I won't let anything bad happen to her. You have my word." I meant it.

"I'll keep you updated daddy." She smiled at the stars and I smiled at her. She met my gaze and led me back into her room. "I hope you don't think I'm crazy."

"Not at all. I talk to Alice someimes too." She smiled.

"I'm glad you talked to him. I think he likes it. I mean, I know he can see what's going on...but I think he likes it better if I tell him." I nodded. "I'm sorry for using you. I just felt so alone. I mean...I thought he was the only one that loved me beside my family."

"I'll always love you. Why would you thin otherwise." I was careful not to take a tone.

"I don't know. I just wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I really didn't mean it."

"It's fine." Lie...

"So, it didn't mean anything right? It never happened?"

"What is 'it'? I don't even know what you're talking about." more lies...

"Thanks." She giggled and pulled me into a hug. "Let's go back down to everyone." I nodded. We exited her room quietly. I couldn't help but think about what I said to her father. I'm gonna keep my promise...no matter what it takes...

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The next chapters will be Troyella happy time with no big Drama. I promise. After that...well, you'll have to read! Also, if anyone can explain that shopping for mirrors joke to me...I'll be greatful. I still don't get it.

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#5- What is the number on the choreographer's jersey in the movie? (hint- he has spikey hair)