A/N: Chapter 9 is here! Release date in the UK for HSM3 DVD is 16th of February. MArk the date on your calendar, people! lol. Once again, bold is HSMandChelseaFCfan, okay? Don't own HSM

Chapter 9 – The next day

Gabriella groaned sleepily and squinted as she opened her eyes. She smiled drowsily up at Troy who was hovering over her and she felt him grasp her hand. "Good morning."

He smiled softly and used his other hand to stroke her cheek. "How are you feeling, Brie?"

She sighed and closed her eyes again. "Like shit." She whispered.

Troy faked a gasp and dramatically fell on top of her. "Miss Montez, I've never heard such language from you."

She pushed him off of her and let the blankets fall off of her body. "What do you think?" She whispered, getting to her feet.

Troy sighed and sat up. "Brie, I'm sorry. I'm trying to make you feel better."

She turned to him and glared. "And how are you going to make that happen, exactly? My boyfriend cheated on me with the biggest bitch in the world!"

Troy got to his feet and took her in his arms, tightening his hold when she struggled. "Brie, stop it. Gabriella!" She froze her movements and looked up fearfully at him. "Listen, yes, he was a bastard but let me help. I promised you last night that nothing is going to hurt you when I'm around but I can only keep that promise if you let me."

She started crying and bowed her head to stare at the ground. "How could he do that?" She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "Do you think I'm frigid because I'm not ready?"

"No." Troy whispered. "I don't. Now, look what I made this morning." He stepped out of the way and Gabriella giggled slightly.

"Breakfast?" She croaked through her tears.

"Guess what it is." Troy whispered, leading her back over to her bed.

"I don't know." She sat down and Troy set the tray in front of her, watching her face break into a wide smile. "Scrambled eggs?" She lifted her head. "With chocolate sauce?"

"Is there any other way?" Troy chuckled as he sat next to her and slid his arm around her waist.

"I haven't had this in years." She breathed.

Troy rested his head on her shoulder as she started eating her breakfast. "Me neither. Hey, um, you know that I don't hold anything against you, right?"

"Like what?" She whispered.

"How you didn't believe me." Troy murmured, lifting his head and brushing some curls from her forehead.

"I don't get that. I mean, every time I'm a bitch to you, you always come back." She swallowed a forkful of scrambled egg and turned to face him. "And I never know why."

Troy shrugged slightly. "Me neither, if I'm honest."

Gabriella lifted a forkful of scrambled egg up for Troy and he gladly took it. "Troy, you know that you've always meant something to me, right? Because all these years I've been wondering how you were and what you were doing and I'd have nights where I'd cry myself to sleep because I wanted you back. And now you're here."

Troy brushed a stray tear away from her cheek and kissed her nose. "I know. And I'm not going anywhere. And if I do, I'm taking you with me. I promise you that."

"You keep making promises." She whimpered, turning back to stare at the bowl sitting on her lap.

"Is there something wrong with that?" He asked softly.

Gabriella placed the tray onto her bedside table and turned her upper body to Troy. "Chris promised me he understood me. He promised me he liked Devon. He promised me he'd respect the fact that I want to wait. And he promised me he wouldn't hurt me."

Troy embraced her tightly as she sobbed into his chest. "Brie, come on. He's not worth it."

She pulled back and wiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands. "He was the first guy I truly loved. And look what happened."

"Brie, not all guys are like. I mean, look at me." He joked, kissing her cheek and letting his lips linger there a little while longer than was necessary.

* * *

Gabriella and Troy walked through the East High corridors together, trying to ignore all the looks they were attracting, laughing at whatever crazy things came to mind, attempting to make it seem like an ordinary day. Troy knew how nervous she was about seeing Chris in school and was doing his best to keep her mind off it. They both knew though it was only a matter of time until they would come face to face. Although Gabriella appeared strong and brave on the outside to anyone who didn't know her, he was the only one who knew how she had been truly affected by this whole fiasco with Chris.

"Ready to face their questions?" Troy asked as they saw the girls waiting outside Gabriella's locker.

"No but I can't avoid their calls forever. Promise you'll help me out if they start poking too much?" She asked softly.

Troy nodded. "I made a promise to be here for you and I keep my promises if you have forgotten."

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Morning." After acknowledging Taylor, Kelsi and Sharpay, she turned to open her locker, placing her bag neatly inside it.

"Is it true?" Sharpay asked immediately.

Groaning, Gabriella knew word was already out no doubt around school. "Is what true?"

Troy smirked to himself knowing she was trying to stall. He kicked his locker and pulled it open, placing a reassuring hand on her lower back.

Grabbing her shoulders, Sharpay held her still so she couldn't look away, "You and Chris. You're over?"

"Let the girl go." Taylor pushed Sharpay's arms off Gabriella. "Sorry about her, you know she can't do subtle. How are you doing?" Taylor asked gently.

"I'll be ok soon enough but it'll just take a while. Troy's been a great help to me though." She tilted her head back and smiled up at him, one that he mirrored back before planting a sweet kiss to her forehead.

Sharpay turned her attention to Troy, "You better not do anything to upset her, Bolton."

"Why would I upset her?"

"Because guys can be insensitive jerks sometimes and don't realise that we might actually need to talk."

Taylor, Gabriella and Kelsi all shared a look and rolled their eyes at their blonde friend. As much as you wouldn't want to cross her, sometimes she could be a bit over the top.

"Don't worry; I'm only doing what Brie tells me she wants." Troy watched as Gabriella tensed up as some girls passed them and looked over at her while whispering to each other.

Placing a comforting hand on her arm, Kelsi spoke up, "Ignore them. Besides they're not laughing or talking about you badly just how Chris must have been an idiot for cheating on you and giving you up."

"It still freaks me out though. Especially when it's not exactly something I want going around school." Gabriella smiled sadly as a group of people could be heard, catching Troy's attention.

"Can you girls excuse me?" Gabriella turned to Troy confused. "I'm just going to find the guys. I'll meet you in homeroom." Gabriella nodded as Troy walked off in search of the one guy on his mind in that moment.

Watching as her friend's eyes lingered on Troy, Taylor smirked seeing the look in Gabriella's eyes. "So how's it going with Troy?"

"Honestly? Not as bad as I expected, Tay. We've had a good talk and cleared up some old underlying stuff so hopefully none of that will cause any more problems." Gabriella replied honestly, grateful for her friend's attempts to try and the attention off her and Chris.

"You know you are getting so many stares and they're not looks about what happened with Chris but jealous looks for how close you and Troy are." Sharpay stated as she examined her perfectly manicured nails.

Gabriella looked around noticing Sharpay was indeed right; she was still convinced though half the looks were because people had heard the news about her relationship with Chris. But, those looks made her flinch even more. She was already hated by the female population for going out with Chris. And she had coped with it surprisingly well, but now it was because of Troy. So, why did it affect her so differently?

"How's the sharing a room going? You ready to chuck Troy out yet?" Kelsi asked which earned giggles from all of the girls.

"He's not that bad. I'm getting used to having the odd thing moved but if he moves one thing in my closet then there'll be trouble and he'll be sleeping on the couch downstairs." She grinned as Taylor and Kelsi shook their heads while Sharpay smiled proudly knowing her influence was rubbing off on her friend.

* * *

Troy walked past Chad's locker where Chad and Zeke were talking and he vaguely heard Chad greet him through the blood coursing loudly through his ears. His mind was focussed as if he was on a basketball court. He had never had many fights – a grand total of two – but it had always been with someone who hurt either his best friend from LA or his parents. He knew Gabriella wouldn't like it but, he couldn't control his body. He was in auto-pilot and couldn't fathom why he was reacting like this.

"Yo man, what's up?" Chad called out.

"I've just got to go and take care of something. The girls are by Brie's locker so I'll meet you guys there or in homeroom." Troy muttered, ignoring Chad and Zeke as they both gave him a funny look. He saw how they both shrugged it off and he continued on his way.

"Bolton."

Troy glared at Chris as he caught him up. "Jones."

"What can I do for you?" He ask in a monotone as some of his friends snickered.

Troy smirked. "You see I might not have been here for long but I'm very protective over the people close to me and when they get hurt, I get even."

Chris gave him a confused look, "What are you going on about?"

Troy's smirk grew as he pulled his arm back and punched him. "That was for me. This," He punched him in the stomach, "is for Big D and this," Kneeing him in his private area, "that was for Gabriella. Stay away from her, Big D and the rest of their family otherwise you'll get a lot worse than that." Troy growled as he watched Chris fall to the floor. He glared at him fiercely before turning on his heel and walking off.

"Bolton, I wouldn't even think of going near that frigid bitch again. Who wants a girl who can't put out?" Chris croaked, just loud enough for Troy to hear the sneer in his voice.

"Well I'd much prefer someone like that than some slut who sleeps with the nearest living thing." Troy said strongly over his shoulder and heard Scarlett, who was kneeling beside Chris, gasp.

"Mr Bolton, Mr Jones." The two turned to see Ms Darbus standing there. "I do not appreciate that kind of talk in this school. I'll see you both tonight in Detention." Before either one could protest, she walked off.

"Get lost, Bolton." Scarlett hissed as Troy shrugged and walked off, knowing Gabriella definitely wouldn't be happy when she found out he had detention and especially for the reason why. But he didn't care; he'd deal with it because right now the only thing on Troy's mind was protecting his Gabriella.

* * *

Gabriella and the rest of the gang entered their homeroom after the bell rang and stood around Gabriella's desk, waiting for Ms Darbus. "Have you guys seen Troy, he said he'd meet us in here?" Gabriella asked.

Looking around the room, Chad saw he wasn't there. "He said he had to take care of something."

"What would he have to-" Gabriella stopped mid sentence, realising what exactly Troy probably had to take care off. "I'm going to kill him." She whispered, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.

"What?" Everyone looked at Gabriella as one word left her mouth.

"Chris." She muttered, sinking into her seat.

A voice spoke up from behind. "What about him?"

Twisting around, Gabriella glared at him. "What did you do?" Troy just shrugged. She took his hand in her own and changed her glare to one which made him flinch slightly. "Troy, tell me."

"I may have just warned him about what happens if he messes with the people I care about." He smiled slightly as Chad and Zeke clapped him on the back but his smile fell as he saw Gabriella give him a disappointed look.

"Troy, you know I didn't want anyone getting involved or in trouble for this." She cried before she stood up and dragged him off to a corner in the back of the classroom and looked in disbelief as Troy shrugged.

"Alright, settle down class. Mr Bolton, please take your seat unless you'd like to make your detention tonight a regular thing this week." Ms Darbus warned as she entered the room.

Gabriella turned to him. "You got detention?!"

"It's nothing." Troy slid his hand out of hers and made his way to his seat.

The room settled down as the door opened again. "Mr Jones,you're late."

"Sorry but I couldn't exactly hurry." Chris replied as Gabriella gave Troy a questioning look as he just smiled at her.

Gabriella strode across the classroom to the front, "Miss Montez, what are you doing?" Ms Darbus asked in surprise.

"Something I should have done a long time ago." She whispered with tears in her eyes. Ms Darbus gave her a confused look before gasping as Gabriella slapped Chris round the face. Everyone gasped but Gabriella didn't notice. "That was for hurting me and my brother." She walked back to her desk as the gang gave her a proud smile. She locked eyes with Troy and shrugged slightly.

Troy watched as she slid in her seat, "What was that?"

Gabriella smiled slightly. "Couldn't let you take all the credit now could I?"

"Miss Montez, I will see you tonight in detention too. Now everyone sit down and be quiet." Giving Troy one last look, Gabriella smirked as he turned back to the front. She had never felt so good, knowing that she had finally gained some control over Chris.

* * *

Gabriella was alone in the hallway. It was quiet. It scared her, for it gave her no choice but to think.

She placed all of her books back into her bag and sighed as she slid it onto her shoulder and looked at her locker door, tearing down the picture of Chris and letting it fall to the floor. She reached for the top shelf of her locker and pulled out a picture she never thought she'd need. She kissed the picture of her six-year-old self being hugged by a six-year-old Troy before taping it there. She felt tears well in her eyes and she bit her lip.

Why was it so confusing to be a teenage girl? Chris had broken her heart but she was more upset about how he hurt Devon. Now she thought about it, it made sense: Devon always wanted to play in his room or with Maria while Chris was there, and all of those excuses…Grandparents…Dentist…Family dinner… He'd been lying for so long. And she didn't see. And then, as soon as Troy came back into her life, she couldn't stop thinking about him. And, more importantly, why did she feel hurt but not heart-broke? She still loved him, she knew it, but how could she just want to let it go?

She had slapped him because she was protecting her little brother. Not for her. She didn't feel the need to slap him for her and, although she didn't want to be hurt, she felt a sort of relief knowing that it was, in a way, Troy's fault she had done it. She knew fully well that if Troy hadn't already done something, she would've never dreamed of doing a thing like that.

"You okay?" A voice whispered.

She nodded and leaned back so Troy could hold her against his chest. "I guess."

"I like the picture." He murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder.

She twisted her head to look at him and smiled. "Me too. I'm such and idiot." She cried, slamming her locker and breaking from his arms before storming down the corridor towards the auditorium where Ms Darbus' detentions were held.

Troy hurried after her and slid his arm around her waist as they walked. "No, you're not. I don't want you saying that ever again." He said sternly.

"But, everything was there. It's so clear now I think back." She whispered sadly.

"And you weren't to know." He stopped them walking and stood in front of her, cupping both of her cheeks in his hands and brushing her tears away. "Please, I beg you, don't blame yourself. I hate seeing you like this."

"I can't help it." She whimpered, looking to the floor. "All my life, I've grown up with books – alongside music and dancing – and I think that's what it was." She lifted her head and swallowed. "I have this big fantasy that there's a knight in shining armour who will come riding into my life on a white horse and sweep me off my feet. And I kept thinking Chris was that guy. And I got blinded by that stupid fantasy. I keep forgetting that I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm a senior next year. I can't be thinking up fairytales."

Troy moved one of his hands and placed it over her mouth. "It's okay. He's out there. Somewhere, there is a guy who will do anything for you and treat you right. Just promise me you don't blame yourself about anything: Devon or Scarlet."

Gabriella finally slid her arms around his torso and rested her head on his chest. "I promise." She whispered gently.

"And you're not an idiot." Troy whispered into her ear as he wrapped his arms around shoulders.

Gabriella sighed softly and let her mind wander to how well their bodies moulded together – like a jigsaw. She frowned slightly when she realised she had never thought like that when Chris had held her. She had just marvelled in how strong his arms were and…how protected she had felt. That thought trailed off when she felt Troy's protection in the simplest of things: holding hands, a kiss on the forehead and just the look he had given her when she had found out about Scarlet.

Troy had protected her. He always had. When they were three, he protected her from a bee. When they were four, he protected her from a spider – one, she was sure, was unnaturally large. And now that they were seventeen, he was protecting her from being hurt by a guy.

"Brie, we have to go." Troy mumbled into her neck.

She whined an incoherent response before snuggling further into his body. "No." She whispered loud enough for him to hear.

"Brie…" He sang softly. "You've already got detention…"

"Hmph." She muttered angrily and he could almost hear her frown.

Troy straightened up and rested his forehead on hers. "I'm there. You stay by me, okay?"

She nodded and stood on her tiptoes to reach his ear, her hand resting lightly on the back of his neck. "As long as you stay by me."

He turned his head and kissed her cheek. "I will always be by your side. You can't get rid of me that easily."

She giggled and pulled back. "Come on, then." She took his hand and they walked through the empty halls silently, thankfully making it into the auditorium with thirty seconds to spare.

"Welcome to an unfamiliar place, Miss Montez. This is detention." Ms Darbus greeted. "And welcome, Mr Bolton, I hope this isn't the beginning of a not-so-pleasant reputation."

"I can assure you, I will not be here on a regular basis." Troy promised as they both climbed onto the stage and dropped their bags by the edge.

"Well," Ms Darbus started, clapping her hands, "I assume the two of you would prefer to work together?"

Gabriella nodded her head vigorously. "Yes please, Ms Darbus. I know we're in detention but we promise we won't even talk. Just please let Troy work with me." She pleaded.

Ms Darbus finally nodded. "And as you two are such good friends and I haven't seen either of you in here for detention before, you can talk quietly."

Gabriella smiled in relief and nodded. "So, what can we do?"

Ms Darbus pointed over to a corner of the stage where cardboard boxes and paint cans. "Paint those boxes over there. The designs are pencilled on them."

Chris walked into the auditorium and hopped onto the stage. "What can I do?"

Gabriella whimpered silently and willingly followed Troy when he tugged on her hand. "Troy, do you think I'm a bad girlfriend?"

"Still frigid, Gabby?" Chris snarled.

Gabriella tensed up and turned around to glare at him. "Don't call me that. Don't talk to me or look at me. Just leave me alone. I'll stay out of your way if you stay out of mine."

"So you are still frigid." Chris replied with a smirk.

Troy stepped in front of Gabriella and felt her hold his hand. "You better shut up. She is not frigid and never will be in my eyes. She just wants her first time to be worth the wait, you know, special. Is that so bad?"

"She's seventeen, she can't be afraid forever."

"I'm not scared." Gabriella exclaimed in a small voice as she stepped around Troy. "I need to know that the guy who is my first time is the one. I don't want to sleep with loads of guys. I only want to sleep with one in my entire life."

"Jones, go and paint the dressing rooms. Bolton, Montez, continue with the sets." Ms Darbus ordered.