THANKS AGAIN SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS HERES THE NEXT CHAPTER! READ AND REVIEW PLEASE ITS REALLY LONG BTW SO BE WARNED

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I'll never let you sweep me off my feet I muttered to myself as I thought about Troy Bolton. It was Monday morning and I was waiting for him to come pick me up, He said he'd give me a ride to school that morning. I thought over the weekend that had just passed, after the whole crying at the cliff incident, honestly you'd think I thought I was in some kind of romance movie. That's what Gabby and Sharpay had said when I told them what had happened yesterday afternoon, Gabby and I had met up with Sharpay after church to hang out. Regardless of popular belief she was okay and really hilarious. I got up from my door step when I saw Troy pull up. I wasn't ready for him to meet my Dad, although my Dad knew who he was seeing as he was the school's basketball star but him meeting my Dad meant he'd have to come into my house and then I'd have memories of him in my house and just no. Troy Bolton was staying outside my house and in turn outside my real life. The life I led outside algebra class. He was not going to be a part of it ever, it was for the best, and it meant neither of us got hurt.

"Thanks" I said as he opened the door to his car. Suddenly I was nervous again and smoothing my hands over my nearly floor length purple dress that had dark pink patterns all over it. I was wearing a grey cardigan over it because the September breeze seemed to get cooler every day.

"So Chad said he came to church with you and Gabby yesterday, he really enjoyed it he was wondering why I wasn't there" He smirked at me before looking ahead again

"I didn't think it was your thing" I replied, truth was I didn't want to spend time with him if it wasn't to do with the project.

"And how would you know what my thing is Taylor?"

I shrugged my shoulders "It doesn't match the whole playa image you have at school"

"So what playas can't go to church now?"

"That's not what I said"

"Sounds like it"

"Why are you arguing with me so early?"

"I'm not but your still making presumptions about me, I thought we'd gotten past that, damn it I thought we might even be friends" He said annoyed at me, I hated to admit it but I really didn't like it when he was annoyed at me.

"Ugh! You are so annoying! I was not intentionally making any presumptions okay sorry if you thought I was. We are friends Troy" I said reluctantly, I promised I'd never voice the fact Troy and I might actually be friends, but if that's what it took to erase this argument then that's what I'd do.

"Good and friends do things together like invite each other to places that they both enjoy, now I've shared places that mean a lot to me with you but I'm yet to see yours"

Oh great.

"Is this your way of trying to get me to take you out troy?" I asked hoping to lighten this conversation, I didn't like the way it was going plus I didn't want to share any of my favourite places with Troy and I never asked him to share his with me.

"Depends did it work?" He cheekily asked

"We'll see" I replied as we pulled into school. I quickly scrambled out of the car looking at my watch realising I had only had about seven minutes to get to my locker and to homeroom on time.

"Thanks for the ride Troy but I really need to run I have to grab some books from my locker before homeroom" I said turning to run into the school.

"Tay hold up! Let me at least help you with your book bag, you won't get very far dragging that behind you, how about I take this ahead to homeroom and I meet you there okay?" He said grabbing my bag, he'd brushed his hand over mine and that had strangely enough had sent butterflies into my stomach. I looked at him for moment before quickly running after him into school.

I entered homeroom three minutes before the bell and sighed relieved that I'd managed to make it, I smiled at Gabby before taking my seat next to Troy.

"I didn't get to say thanks earlier, so thanks" I said sitting down as he smiled and nodded at me.

"I wonder what this weeks topic for the project will be" he said excitedly as I returned the smile he'd just given me. Mr. Smith entered just then and informed us that this week's topic was called Fun Secrets. Oh boy, He'd given us a list of question that had to be incorporated into our final project. The list included hobbies, sharing something no one else knows... etc, it went on in that fashion, however he said we only have to get as personal as we want. Not to mention we shouldn't share things that we wouldn't want to see in our partner's final piece. I glanced at Troy wondering what he'd share with me. Getting to know him (although I hate to admit it) was really interesting, I never knew what was next with him although I admit the first week had been a little too personal but he hadn't held it against me yet.

I was just settling down next to Gabby and Shar on the lawn during our study period which was also our final period today. I had cancelled the decathlon meeting for today because most of our team was way too preoccupied in their projects and I decided we'd meet on Wednesday. This project was taking over everyone's life and it was ridiculous, if you walked through the halls of east high it wasn't murmurs of the parties attended at the weekend or who was going out and broken up with who it was this stupid project. Everyone seemed to have really taken to it, I was still very apprehensive.

I'm sure if my partner was anyone but Troy I would have breezed through the project like I did any other project calmly and logically. However there was no logic to Troy Bolton, he was charming so to say, extremely arrogant which was kind of sexy I suppose, completely annoying, but he was also sweet and sensitive, a great team captain from what I'd seen when I watched their practice with Gabby last week, very assertive and smarter than I'd hoped not to mention caring. He was also a player in every sense of word. Girls threw themselves at him and he threw himself back without hesitation however last week he had toned down on the whole player thing from what I'd seen. Every time I think I have this boy all figured out he shows me a whole other side to him, he'd make me laugh at him when I was annoyed with him, angry when I was having the greatest day on earth, he'd make me lose sleep when I was clearly tired and strangely enough he kind of made me feel safe. He had so much control over my emotions and I don't even think he knew it, it scared me and that's why I couldn't let him get any closer. It was too much of a risk.

"A penny for your thoughts Tay" I heard Sharpay say from opposite me. She was sitting Indian style eating some cookies that Zeke had made her. I smiled at her and shook my head.

"I'm not thinking about anything special, it's just weird how all everyone talks about these days is the stupid project, gosh I can't wait till it's over so I can go back to living my normal life." I replied

"Without Bolton you mean?" she asked smiling and sneaking Gabby a look that said she was right.

"I didn't say that"

"Well the only thing that's changed since we started the project is the fact you and the school's resident hottie are very close friends. Yeah girl I saw him carrying your bag this morning, or the fact that we're friends and I know it definitely isn't me" She said matter-of-factly causing both me and Gabby to laugh.

"No girl it definitely isn't you... and it's not Troy either... okay maybe a little. I dunno I guess I'm just not feeling it as much as everyone else. I mean you two are cool because it worked out perfectly that you're with your unofficial boyfriends, by the way how is that going?"

"Don't try and change the conversation but seeing as you asked it's going great! Your cousin is so cute but don't tell him I said that!" Sharpay said blushing "But back to Bolton, Tay you and him make the cutest couple and it's sickening how he constantly steals looks at you thinking he's all sly and what not, well when Sharpay Evans is in the room nothing and I mean nothing goes unnoticed. Oh and don't worry I saw you staring at him too. Oh and don't get me started on Gabby and Chad or should I say Brie and C or whatever it is they call each other." She said huffing

"Nothing's wrong with me and Chad! Besides you and Zeke can't say anything! You have him devouring your every word like his life depended on it." Gabby chipped in, I saw her blush and smile as she looked past my head which meant Chad and co were heading in our direction.

"Speaking of the devils" She said confirming my suspicions.

"Hey guys!" she smiled as they stood over us

"Hey Brie!" Chad said as he took a seat next to her on the grass, followed by Zeke who sat between Gabby and Shar and Troy who sat between me and Chad. Once everyone had greeted each other the couples soon seemed to drift into their own private conversations. Gabby and Chad were staring into each other's eyes and smiling looking like a cute new couple. He'd brush hair out of her face every once in a while and she'd blush at the gesture. I don't know what they were talking about but they soon got up and walked off together, with his hand around her should and her head on his shoulder. Zeke and Shar soon followed suite, however Shar was dragging Zeke by his hand and laughing away. Neither of them had even said goodbye, young love I thought. It was intoxicating and there was no escape.

I looked at Troy who was currently saying something about something, I wasn't sure but I'd stopped listening a while ago, not because he was boring but because I was too busy thinking about young love and his eyes. They were blue, his eyes I mean, they were terribly blue, intoxicating blue, mysterious blue and beautiful blue. They had a soul and depth and somewhere in there they had peace and happiness. They had life and I loved them for it, I loved his eyes.

"Tay... earth to Taylor!" He said as he lunged at me and begun to tickle me, laughter took over me as I desperately tried to push him off me.

"Troy... don't... please... I... can't...breathe!" I said between bursts of laughter, we were now rolling around the school lawn like five year olds before he suddenly stopped and pinned me down to floor by positioning me in between his legs and holding my hands down above my head.

"I was simply trying to get your attention" He laughed as I continued to struggle against him

"Well you have it now let me go!"

"Promise?"

"Yes Troy I promise you have my undivided attention, now will you let me go people are staring!" I said noticing the slightly amused faces that walked past us.

"So let them" He replied before rolling over to lay on the space next me and finally freeing me. I perched myself onto my elbows and turned to face him as he stared up at me. He smiled as he picked the grass from my hair before pushing my hair it out of my face causing me to blush slightly. He then slowly pulled himself up into a seating position before pulling on my elbow so that I rested my head on his lap. I turned onto my back and kept my head in his lap as he continued to stare at me. All this body contact was making me nervous but all the less I felt safe where I was so I remained there as he continued to pick the grass out of my hair. No words were exchanged between us, both of us afraid we'd ruin the moment, only to be interrupted by Sharpay who took a picture of us on her camera before smiling satisfied at the outcome.

"aww you guys look so cute" she said admiring the picture as she sat down next to Zeke who was shaking his head "I'll be sure to give one of you a copy of this picture for the project or future personal use like you know like bedside frames or whatever" she added smiling making me blush shamefully as Troy continued to run his finger through my hair. I could have lay in that moment forever.

"Shar!" I exclaimed at the last bit of her sentence, this girl was a trip.

"What it's true! If I didn't know you guys I'd think you were going out!" she said

"Don't put ideas in their heads Pay" added a concerned Zeke causing us all to laugh. I loved my cousin for that.

"Let me see the picture" Troy spoke finally as Sharpay handed him her camera, he looked at it and smiled as he turned the camera so that I could look at it as well.

"You look cute Tay, someone might say you look like you actually like being around me" he teased

"Or the more intelligent people would observe that I'm being held there against my will because you are giving an excellent head massage" I replied looking up at him, noticing that as the sun hit his eyes they shone three different shades of blue; turquoisy sea blue, pale sky blue and a darker almost navy blue. They were mesmerizing. He smiled back and I knew he was going to be a smartass.

"No one's holding down now and yet you're still here" He said removing his hand from my head.

"Because it's more comfortable than the grass... can't you tell that I'm using you Bolton?" I replied as he laughed at me

"Ouch! That one cut me deep Tay! It cut me real deep" He said holding a hand over his heart with a fake hurt expression on his face.

"Suck it up soldier, there's plenty more insults where that came from" I replied laughing "Now if you don't mind I was enjoying the way you played with my hair. Feel free to continue" I added.

"Sir yes sir!" He replied before continuing to play with my hair and smile down at me on his lap.

I saw Sharpay roll her eyes at me and then I realised I hadn't even noticed Chad and Gabby sitting back down next to us. I quickly smiled at Gabby who was giving me strange looks before closing my eyes and enjoying the feeling. As much as I hated to admit it, I liked a lot of things about Troy Bolton at that moment in time, especially his ability to make me happy without buying me expensive gifts or performing grand gestures. I liked the feeling that was taking over me, whatever it was and it only seemed to happen when I thought of Troy or when he was around. It was then I decided I was going to take part in this project wholeheartedly regardless of my initially fears. I once read somewhere that fear stood for False Evidence Appearing Real. Troy and I were just friends, why should I be afraid of a healthy and blossoming new friendship with Troy. In that very moment I was happy, very happy and I didn't want it to end.

That was Monday, today was Friday and Gabby and I were waiting for the Boys to finish practice because they'd offered to give us rides home. We had another fifteen minutes to go and were currently catching up seeing as we hadn't really talked one on one most of the week. She was smitten with Chad and I was well busy with working on this week's tasks with Troy. We'd decided to do all the work during the week so we could have the weekend free, instead of doing it on the weekend. I had certainly had my eyes opened by Troy who liked poetry funnily enough, played the guitar and had been arrested before for getting into a fight in the mall last year. Troy Bolton was quite the character and nothing added up with him. I on the other hand had told him I loved formula one racing, I wrote poetry; I loved Jesus and wanted to learn to play the drums.

"You know that day on the grass Tay, you realise that you and Troy were shamelessly flirting right?" She said laughing at me

"We were not! And anyway this is coming from the girl who was blushing at everything that came out of Chad's mouth!" I retorted

"Yeah I know I was flirting I'm not afraid to admit it! You on the other hand..."She giggled as I glared at her

"That's because there is nothing to admit!"

"Hmm Hmm and pigs can fly too" She said getting up from her seat when she saw Chad and Troy approaching us, freshly cleaned up from the showers.

"Hey Brie, Hey Taylor" Chad said smiling as he hugged Gabby "You ready to go? I don't want us to miss our reservations" He asked as Gabby gathered her stuff together. They had a diner date tonight that they didn't want to be late for. Gabby nodded and quickly kissed my cheek before leaving with Chad. Those two were too cute, I'm sure tonight was going to be the night he officially made her his girlfriend.

I smiled at the thought as I walked next to Troy who also seemed to be caught up in his own thoughts. He opened the door for me to get into the passenger side and smiled as he went round the driver's side.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" I asked as we drove

"Why? Are you asking me out tomorrow Tay?" He replied amused

"Far from it, I want to show you somewhere I love" I said smiling because I knew I'd taken him by surprise. He would be even more surprised when we get there tomorrow.

"Oh really? Well then I guess I'm all yours tomorrow Mckessie" He said smiling as he eyes sparkled with excitement

"Good now pick me up at 10 because we have to be there early oh but can I drive us there though?" I asked

"Sure just don't crash my car" He replied as we approached my house.

"See you tomorrow Tay" He said as we pulled into the front of my house. I smiled and begun to get out of his car.

"Tomorrow Troy" I said before running into my front door and figuring out what to wear for, we weren't going anywhere special, just somewhere I liked to let off steam every once in a while. There was a point in ninth grade when I was addicted to the place but once I got really serious about my studies and church duties I had less and less time to spend there.

It was 10.30 and Troy and I were pulling into the Albuquerque car racing track centre. I smiled at the shocked expression on Troy's face as we parked; I had told him I was into formula one racing earlier on in the week. I had made us come early because it meant we would be the only ones on the tracks until about 12 this afternoon which is when it was open for the public. However my Dad had been the local champion back when he was younger, if he hadn't gone to law school he probably would have made it big, that's what Max the man who owns this place tells me. My Dad and I had started coming here since I was nine and that's when I fell in love with cars. Max had said he'd have it open last night when I called to book a session.

"Racing huh?" He asked amused as we walked into the building to change and get suited up.

"Yeah, are you surprised?" I inquired

"Oh definitely"

"Good, now get ready to get your ass whooped!" I smiled at him

"Oh It's on baby" He replied laughing as he was led away to get his clothes and helmet. I laughed at him knowing I was going to beat him, if only he knew.

One hour and thirty minutes later, after completing three races of two which I had won. An exhausted Troy and I sat on the nearby park bench eating ice cream.

"I can't believe I got beat by a girl" He said shaking his head in disbelief

"Oh you better believe it! You didn't think I was going to take you there and then lose to you did you?" I teased

"But by a girl!" He was acting so cute right now I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey if it helps, I've been racing since I was nine, my dad taught me, he was the local champion when he was a teenager" I smiled proud of my father "And hey! Look at the pick Max took; you look cute in your racer's outfit. Obviously I look better seeing as I have the trophy in my hands" I teased before laughing at him.

"Whatever Tay I demand a rematch!"

"Why would you want to lose again?" I asked trying to hide the laughter in my voice

"Trust me that will not happen next time" He stated confidently, "So what you doing later on tonight?" He asked

I shrugged my shoulders "I don't have any plans, I'll probably see if Gabby wants to do something but I think she's busy with Chad why?"

"Well if you haven't got any plans yet then I was thinking maybe you wanna hang out?" He asked as he got up to put both our tubs of ice cream in a nearby bin.

"That's what we're doing now Troy" I said confused what was this boy on about.

"No I mean like I pick u up at seven or whatever and we could go to dinner or a movie or both?" He said as I fell into step with him, we were heading back to his car. I smiled finally getting it and feeling a little bit stupid.

"Oh! Right!" I laughed a little feeling nervous from my slight lack of common sense "Sure I'll see what my Dad says but it should be cool, I mean it's a not a date or anything it's just two good friends hanging out right? Oh I know! Maybe we should invite Zeke and Pay and Gabby and Chad to come too it'll be fun! We never get to hang out all together outside school" I said excited then stopping when I saw the look on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked when he stopped walking

"Nothing, I meant as in just me and you go out to a movie and dinner together, as on a date" He said rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh... oh." I said, I hadn't planned on telling him this soon but I guess it was better now rather than later.

"It's okay Tay I get it if you're not into me in that way, I was just hoping you felt the same way I did" He said looking down

"No Troy slow down! It's not that... It's not that at all." I said before pausing and sighing

"what is it then?"

"Well, when my mum was alive I'd kind of made her a promise, one that I really can't break." I begun to bite my bottom lip wondering whether he'd believe me or not, I mean it was the truth after all.

"what kind of promise?" He asked

"That I wouldn't date until I was eighteen, when I made it I just thought that if I happened to find someone I liked in school then I'd just introduce them to her and if she likes them then maybe we could make an exception or whatever. But Troy she's not here and I really don't feel like I can break that promise now." I finished anticipating his reaction

"Oh... right" He paused "And you don't turn eighteen until May the 20th" He said, I was happy that he remembered my birthday, He paused again. I could see in his eyes he was trying to process the information and find a way round it, so I waited for him to speak again.

"But we can go out as friends though right?" He asked smiling again

"That we can do" I replied smiling and nodding my head

"Okay good I'll pick u up at 7 seven and take you out as a friend, no dinner just a movie that way it won't feel like you're breaking your promise" He said as we started to walk again

"Yeah that sounds good and I won't be lying to my Dad either when I tell him I'm going out with a friend to catch a movie!" I smiled satisfied as I got into his car

"Yep... Tay can I ask you something?"

"Shoot"

"If you hadn't made that promise, would you have said yes?"

I paused for a moment "yeah, I would have said yes Troy" I replied looking out of the window but not before catching the grin that crept up on his face.

"Tay... I'll wait for you" He said again

"Wait for me to do what?" I asked confused

"Wait until you turn eighteen to ask you out" He replied smiling at me

"Troy I don't want you to promise me that" I said looking at him and watching the smile fade

"Why? I want to; I was hoping you'd say the same thing back. I really like you Tay and if that's what it takes to get you then I'll do it. " He replied "Don't you want me to wait for you?" He asked looking hurt.

"I... I... I... I do Troy, I'm just scared you'll find some other girl you like along the way and I don't want to stop you from being happy. That's why I don't want you to make a promise you may not be able to keep" I sighed as we parked into my driveway "I don't want to get hurt Troy not now"

"Tay look at me" He said reaching over and grabbing my hand into his "I won't okay. I've been through the majority of the east high female population, you know that and right now I'm not too proud of that but none of them would even have me consider waiting for them. I don't know why I want to wait for you but I just know that I do. I don't want to look back at this and always wonder what if I had okay. I've known you properly for all of two weeks and when this project is done in another two weeks I don't want to have to think up stupid excuses to hang out with you. That's why I asked you out today so we can be more than friends because I know once it's done most people will go back to the status quo. I don't like the thought of waking up and not thinking of ways to annoy you during the day or ways to make you smile. I don't want you to walk past me in the hall way like you used and acknowledge me with a simple smile. I want to mean something in your world Tay, like you do in mine."

He smiled back at me as he saw the smile grow on my face, I meant something in his world I thought as butterflies grew in my stomach and I surprisingly found myself nodding my head.

"Ugh! Bolton, Trust you to do this to me!" I said laughing at the confused look on his face "I have been trying for the last two weeks not to feel anything for you; all you were was a study partner to me until Monday when I decided you were my friend no matter how much I denied it. That's all you were supposed to be. Why did you have to keep ruining my plans!" I exclaimed "I want you wait for me, I really do but I would never ever ask you to, right now I'm not sure I can fully agree to this because regardless of how I feel I want you to be happy with or without me and my Birthday is all of eight months away that's a very long time" I paused as he took in what I was saying

"I hear you Tay, but this is my decision okay, if you promise not to go falling for some other geeky guy from school because I've the way your friend Jackson stares at you and he wants to be more than just friends" He said smirking "Then I will do whatever it takes to be with you, okay? Whatever it takes Taylor. I won't ask you out on dates, we can just hang out as friends and I won't even try to kiss you no matter how much I want to, I just want to know that some part of you belongs to me so that I can do this"

"I promise" I heard myself say, those weren't the words that were meant to come out of my mouth I thought as I begun to panic knowing that I'd actually meant it.

"Then I promise too" He said as he leant his forehead on mine smiling at me, I closed my eyes as I realised what we'd just agreed to and let the happiness take over me. We had just promised to belong to each other for the next eight months until we could actually belong to each other, did we know what we were doing? Would we even make it? All I knew for certain was that if he was willing to try then so was I. I would forget my inhibitions and let life take me where it was supposed to.