A/N: I haven't uploaded in forever, have I? I know, I know. Exams, coursework, you name it, I have it =P. I don't own HSM or 'Amazed' by Lonestar.

Chapter 17 – Feeling the strain

Gabriella's eyes fluttered open to look straight into an extremely sexy neck, slightly covered in stubble. She smiled sleepily at his unconscious body which was holding her tightly against him. She sub-consciously reached for her necklace and gripped it tightly. He was so amazingly perfect…and all hers. She couldn't believe it. She was his girlfriend. He was her boyfriend. It finally happened…because of something awful. Her brow creased in worry and confusion. It still didn't make sense. Were they not good enough anymore?

"Stop thinking." Troy muttered as he tightened his hold on her waist.

She sighed softly and planted a lingering kiss on his neck. "I can't stop." She murmured.

Troy exhaled, letting his breath tickle her forehead. "Five more minutes until we start our heart-to-heart, okay Babe?"

Gabriella let a giggle escape at the grumpiness of her boyfriend – she internally squealed at the word. "Come on, Troy." She sang, wiggling in his arms until her face was in front of his. "I want to get up…"

"Five more minutes." He muttered again.

She let her lips lightly touch his cheekbone before pulling back. "I'll kiss you." She murmured as she dusted feather-like kisses from the corner of his eye, over his smooth cheek – which had defined immensely since they were six – and to his mouth where she paused. She giggled when he reacted to her trail by puckering his lips in anticipation of her sweet kiss. She smirked in satisfaction to herself before leaning forward the inch that separated them to press her lips to the corner of his mouth quickly before pulling back.

Troy's eyes sprang open as a groan of annoyance escaped his throat. "What was that?"

"A way to get you to wake up." She smiled cheekily at him.

Troy suddenly rolled them over and pinned her hands above her head. "That wasn't very nice, Gabriella."

She looked up at him from under her long lashes and shrugged. "I need to get up."

"Why?" He whispered. "It's Saturday."

"And I have homework." She whispered in reply.

"Well, I'm not letting you go because, like I said, it really wasn't nice what you just did." He murmured huskily as he leaned down, pressing his lips to her slender throat.

"Troy." She whispered shakily as she closed her eyes, not at all sounding like she wanted him to stop.

Troy froze but kept his head close to her neck. "Hmmm?"

"Can we take it kind of slow?" She whispered, her voice conveying the weight of her embarrassment.

Troy nudged his nose softly against the light pink mark he had created before lifting his head and moving so he was directly in her view. "Of course. It's okay."

"You promise? It's just with Chris and everything…" Her voice trailed off and she fiddled with the zip of his sports jacket which she had slept in along with his shirt and jeans – his hands still grasping her wrists.

He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering there a little while longer. "I promise that everything about us is going to be at Bella-speed, okay?"

"Bel-la?" She questioned slowly, allowing each syllable to last slightly longer than necessary on her tongue.

"Uh…yeah. I thought that as we had, like, gotten together, I should have a different name for you." He mumbled nervously.

She suddenly split into a smile and pushed his head down to hers. "I love it." She mumbled into his mouth.

Troy smiled against her lips and slowly lowered his full body onto hers. His hands slowly released hers, allowing her to run her fingers through his dark caramel locks. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "I love you." He breathed, pushing some curls behind her ear.

She smiled broadly at the simple statement. "I love you, too."

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you." He whispered. "I thought I'd never see you again." He placed both of his hands on her back as he hugged her tightly and slightly possessively.

She looked deeply into his eyes and then glanced away again, stopping herself from saying what was on her mind.

"Hey, Baby, what's up? What's on your mind?" He asked gently.

"Nothing." She muttered, slipping her hands under the neck hole of his wife beater to feel his shoulders.

"Bella…" He sang her new name out as he dusted her face with butterfly kisses.

She giggled and pushed him away in order to sit up, stretching. "I was just thinking…no, not about my dad." She shot him a pointed look and he held his hands up.

"I didn't say anything." He exclaimed.

"You were thinking it." She muttered as she got to her feet and shrugged off his sports jacket.

"Hey, I want to protect you. I'll do anything to keep you safe. Even from your own family." He said strongly, getting to his feet and peeling his wife beater off.

"That doesn't matter right now." She whispered, hanging his jacket on a coat hanger. She walked around the bed to him and held his hands. "I was just wondering…"

"Yeah…" He prodded, caressing her palms with his thumbs.

"If your parents hadn't have…you know…do you think we'd be together? Together-together?" She whispered, looking up at him curiously.

He shrugged his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know, Baby. I just…don't."

She smiled slightly and rested her forehead on his chest. "I don't know what to do. I can't lie to my mom."

He nodded. "I know. But, Baby, we'll get through this. I promise." He pulled back and smiled crookedly. "Besides, now you can't get rid of me."

She shook her head, tears in her eyes. "I don't want to. I can't go through this alone. I'm not sure if I can take much more pain and disappointment."

"I know." He whispered. "You told me. But, listen, I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

She looked up at him pitifully and shrugged. "I'm going to take a shower, okay?"

He nodded and watched as she disappeared from his sight

* * *

(A/N: This is HSMandChelseaFCfan)

Sitting in homeroom, a few days later, Troy had already drowned out to what Ms Darbus was telling her homeroom about the upcoming activities.

"And Finally, what everyone here is waiting to hear about, Prom." Troy looked up hearing the word leave Ms Darbus' mouth. He looked forward at the back of Gabriella's head and she was either concentrating really hard on what Ms Darbus was saying or thinking about the situation they had on their hands with Aidan. He was willing to bet on the latter. "Prom will take place this Friday night and for all those of you interested, please see Martha Cox about tickets."

Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he leaned to his left as Chad leaned to his right. "Dude, have we seriously got to think about Prom? I'm no good at asking Tay anything and I'm not wearing some stupid tux."

Troy rolled his eyes. "If you want to keep your girlfriend you have to go. I remember when we were kids, Brie told me that going to Prom was a must for all girls."

"Bolton, Danforth." The two boys darted their eyes to Ms Darbus. "Please be quiet unless you want to spend this afternoon in detention with me. You can chit chat after we are finished." Half the class sniggered at the two.

After tuning out to what Ms Darbus was saying once again, Troy was already thinking about how he was going to ask his Bella to the Prom and how he could make the whole evening extra special knowing that chances are she would say yes to him.

* * *

Troy and Gabriella were hanging out during their free period on the Science club's garden rooftop. They were both lying on the floor, basking in the warm Albuquerque heat. Gabriella was holding a book above her head – part of the reason was to shade the glare the sun provided – and Troy had his left arm around her shoulders and his right draped across her stomach. She was the only thing he was studying and they were both content with that. He had noticed all day Gabriella had been rather quiet and constantly deep in thought. He hadn't said anything to their friends about them dating as he didn't know whether Gabriella had or even wanted to yet. Looking down at the brunette who lay quietly in his arms, he kissed the top of her head and heard a sigh escape her lips.

"What's up, Bella?"

She looked up and smiled but Troy wasn't fooled. He could still see the sadness and hurt in her chocolate coloured eyes which failed to sparkle like they normally did. "Nothing, just tired. Someone kept me up late last night talking."

Troy knew she obviously didn't want to talk about what was bothering her right now and he wasn't going to push her while they were in school. "Well I don't remember you asking me to shut up or yourself for that matter."

Gabriella snuggled further into him. "True but I'm paying the price for it now as I can barely stay awake in lessons."

As an idea suddenly came to Troy, he made sure that he didn't move as the two were both too comfy and it would ruin the mood between them, most likely. "I'm sorry but how about you let me make it up to you by taking you to Prom?"

Gabriella shot up from her position and turned to him. "What?"

Troy shook his head as he sat up and smiled. "Will you, Gabriella Montez, do me the honour of being my date to the Prom?"

Gabriella remained silent, her eyes dropping from the gaze she shared with Troy to her fingers in her lap.

Worried she hadn't answered him, Troy spoke up again. "Bella?"

Looking up at him, Gabriella sighed. "Thank you for asking, Troy, but I'm not really up for going."

"What?" Troy was genuinely surprised she was turning him down.

Refusing to look him in the eyes, Gabriella fidgeted with her fingers as she continued. "It's not that I don't want to go with you as your date or anything but I'm just not in the mood for going to Prom. It's just a silly dance anyway and it's not like it'll be the last one ever. I want you to still go though. You deserve to go to your Prom and feel free to even take someone else. I trust you so I won't be worried about who you go with."

"There has got to be more to it than that." Troy protested, reaching out to rest his hand on her neck.

"Troy, it's just with everything going on at home, how am I going to enjoy it? I won't so don't even bother trying to argue. Promise me you'll go, though." She whispered, inhaling a shaky breath.

Troy cupped her face and lifted her head so she was looking him directly in the eyes. "I don't want to go with anyone other than you. If you're not going, I won't go."

Gabriella shook her head. "I want you to go, please. I don't want to feel bad that you are missing out just because of me. It's my family and their problems which are putting me in this position and I don't want it to affect you too. Please Troy, just go."

Giving in, Troy sighed. "Fine but I won't enjoy it if you're not there."

Before Troy could say anything else, Gabriella was grateful that the bell went signalling the end of free period. "Come on lover boy, we have to get to class because I don't think my mom will be impressed if we end up with detention again."

Pulling Troy up by the hand, the two ran down the stairs, both hoping that after everything that had just happened wouldn't affect their relationship in any way.

* * *

(A/N: This is me again)

"Gabs, are you okay?" Chad asked sceptically.

Troy placed his hand on Gabriella's knee under the lunch table and rubbed soothing circles under the material of her skirt. "Brie's okay. Right?"

She nodded as she pushed her cheese fries around her plate. "I'm fine." She muttered. She placed her hand over Troy's and allowed him to intertwine their fingers together. "Just tired."

Sharpay raised her eyebrows. "Gabby."

Gabriella sighed and lifted her head. "Seriously. I'm just tired. Someone kept up late talking and then he talked and snored in his sleep."

Troy smiled sheepishly at her. "I apologised."

"I know that." She muttered. The gang knew that Troy and Gabriella had sorted everything out but that's as far as it went. They thought that the two teenagers were merely friends and Gabriella was happy with that. She got to her feet and sighed. "I'm not that hungry. Here you go, Chad." She pushed her tray over to Chad and sighed. "I'm just going to go." She turned around and came face to face with Kirsten. "Hi."

She rolled her eyes and pushed her to the side. "Hi Troy." She giggled.

Troy got to his feet and stepped around her. "Brie, are you okay?"

She smiled weakly and nodded. "Yeah. But, could you come with me? I need you. I can't stop thinking about it."

Troy slowly turned to see Kirsten staring at him in disbelief. "What?"

"I want to ask you to the prom." She asked hopefully.

"For the last time, Kirsten, I'm not interested." He turned back to Gabriella and frowned. "What?"

"Go with her." She whispered. "I told you to."

"She'll be all over me and she'll think I want to be her boyfriend." He let a smirk pull at his lips. "And you know I don't want that."

She smiled slightly and grabbed his hand. "Come on, Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone." She whispered.

"That's from Taylor Swift." He muttered. He turned to Kirsten and their friends and smiled. "She's got a bit of a headache so we're going to go somewhere quieter, okay?"

Chad nodded as he crammed a load of cheese fries into his mouth. "Coolio!"

Gabriella and Troy both frowned at him before Troy slid his arm easily around her waist. "We're going. And Dude? Never say that again." Troy shook his head and turned around, leading Gabriella out of the cafeteria.

"Where are you taking me?" She murmured into his shirt.

Troy stroked her arm gently and chuckled. "I want to do something for you. I hope you like it."

As soon as they were in the empty corridor – except for a few teachers – she jumped out of his hold and giggled. "What is it?"

"You'll have to wait and see." He teased, reaching for her hand as he knew that both of them were feeling the strain of acting 'just friends'.

"Well, where are you taking me? It's obviously not on the science rooftop." She giggled as she skipped beside him, swinging their hands back and fore. It was abundantly clear that she was enjoying his company and he tugged on her hand to show that the feeling was mutual.

"Go to the music room." He smiled at her innocence and he kept his eyes on her as they continued down the hall.

She kept leading the way and eventually just started walking again; just as graceful as when she was skipping. "Have you told anyone?"

"Well, everyone pretty much knows I love you. But, no I haven't told anyone. The only people who I've admitted it to is your mom and Big D. And that was because they were cornering me." Troy laughed as they entered the music room and carefully shut the door so they would know if anyone came in.

Gabriella nodded and giggled. "The big, strong Troy Bolton got cornered by my mom and six year old brother?"

"I was emotionally unstable. I had just kissed my best friend!" He exclaimed as he pulled her over to the piano and sat down on the stool before pulling her onto his lap. He slid his arms around her waist and placed his fingers on the keys. His chin was resting on her shoulder and his breath tickled her ear. His fingers started dancing skilfully and beautifully across the ivory keys.

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

Gabriella smiled in disbelief at the sound of her all time favourite song being sung by her boyfriend. Her hands took the place of his and she felt his arms wrap securely around her waist while they shared the harmony. He sang into her neck and she could feel his smile against her skin.

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

Gabriella's hands stilled their movements and felt tears fall down her cheeks. "I didn't know you could play." She whispered.

"Well, my mom forced me to have some other skill than basketball when I was ten and so she made me take lessons. And that was…" He froze as his words got caught in his throat. "That was my parents' song after my dad took my mom out for dinner when it was released in nineteen, ninety-nine." He whispered into her ear. "I heard it so much around the house that I just learnt to play it on the piano and it started playing in my head. I knew you loved that song and every time I saw you, I thought of it."

Gabriella leaned back into Troy's chest and intertwined their fingers together which were resting on her stomach. She twisted her head in pleasure as he planted kisses on her neck. "Troy, that's the most beautiful thing anybody has ever done for me." She whispered.

Troy closed his eyes and sighed against her skin. "You're the most beautiful thing in the world to me. I love you." He rubbed his nose up and down her neck. "I'm going to help you through this."

She nodded and sighed in contentment.

Troy took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was going to bring up. "So, Tay told me something interesting in English today."

"Hmmmm…" She sighed.

"You're going to decline Stanford?" He asked quietly.

She twisted her head and then avoided his eyes. "Don't give me that look." She muttered.

"Why?" He asked softly, brushing a curl behind her ear.

"I told you. I don't think I can leave." She whispered, draping an arm around his neck.

"Baby, its Stanford. It's your dream!" Troy exclaimed incredulously.

Gabriella swallowed and her bottom lip quivered slightly. "Troy, I really don't see why I should think about college with everything going on. It seems so pointless. Everything does!"

Troy sighed. "I know sometimes things seem like it's the end of the world," He straightened up to press his lips to her temple. He kept his lips just touching her skin when he continued softly, "but it's not. It's just the beginning."

Gabriella stared at the floor with glossy eyes and breathed out shakily. "The beginning of what?" She gasped out.

"Us." Troy whispered. "Like I've been saying all alone, I'm with you now and I'm not going anywhere. Think of it this way: when you finish a book, what's the one thing I know you always think?"

She finally looked him in the eyes as he reached up with one hand to wipe her eyes. "That the characters are starting something new." She whispered.

He shrugged slightly. "What's the difference?"

"That's fiction. This is reality. They'll get a happy ending but I won't. I'm losing one of the best people in my life." She sighed and looked down at her lap again. "At least I thought he was."

"Baby, you've got to tell Maria. You're getting too worked up over this and you're going to get sick." He said sternly.

She let a single sob escape and she felt Troy – by instinct – pull her even closer to his body. "What about my mom?"

"If you wait until she finds out for herself, it will be worse, don't you think?" He raised an eyebrow. "Besides, the woman rang the house. What are the chances of Maria picking up? She must be 'dim' mustn't she?"

She finally let out a giggle and nodded. "I guess so."

He suddenly pushed her head down to his and kissed her fiercely before pulling back after a second. "I'm sorry. That was so not taking it slow."

"Oh." She whispered.

He looked at her with his eyebrows raised in amusement. "Does East High's sweetheart, Gabriella Montez, want that to continue?"

She blushed and sighed. "Maybe. I mean, we are married after all."

He chuckled. "Too bad I ate my hula hoops at lunch."

"What flavour?" She asked seriously.

"Salt and vinegar." He grinned at her.

She leapt up and pretended to vomit. "You know I hate that!" She cried.

He got to his feet and brought her into his arms. "You okay now?"

She nodded. "And if you want, I'll go with you to help you find a tux."

He smiled in agreement and hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her head. His smile faltered he struggled to keep his breathing regular. Not only did Gabriella not know what to do but he didn't either. The last thing Troy wanted was for anybody to get hurt…especially his Bella. But, maybe he was a little biased. He knew that without a doubt that someone – anyone – would figure out something was wrong. And the longer Gabriella held it inside, the more she was at risk of getting sick.

They were both feeling the strain of the secret.