Troyella-Honey, If You Love Me.

Authors Note: Hello and welcome to my first publishing on Fanfiction and it's a series of one-shot based on Troyella and their lives as a couple. It varies from short to long in quantity, but I hope you'll enjoy them nonetheless.

I apologize in advance for any spelling/grammar/punctuation errors.

Synopsis: A series of one-shots about Troyella. 5: Troy, Gabriella learnt, has many qualities..protectiveness being a major one. Dedicated to Annabethchase999 and the guest reviewer, thanks for the suggestion.

I hope you enjoy and have time to spare a review.

I also apologize for the wait.

Chapter 5

Gabriella sighed as she tried to focus on the piece of text laid in front of her but, once again, sighed because the event that happened only 3 hours ago was still replaying in her mind like a broken record.

It wasn't her fault she was partnered up with him, and it's not her fault that he can't control his emotions, and it is definitely not her fault that he can't be a man and accept it...but she stopped playing the blame game awhile ago.

But she couldn't figure out what was the main emotion corrupting her. Was it anger because he didn't trust her? Was it hurt because he doubted her? Or was it both? She didn't know; all she could remember was how irked he was getting as he was driving her home.

To say the ride home was awkward was an understatement. It was completely awkward! The way he refused to look at her, the way his knuckles had turned white from gripping the steering wheel to hard, the way his eyes, that were normally a baby blue, turned into a navy blue.

She had never seen him act like this. And, as much as she hated to admit it, it scared her to no end.

She was about to gain his attention when-

Eeeeeek.

-he parked in front of her house and announced they were here.

Gabriella hesitated, and he noticed.

"Aren't you getting out?" he said icily.

Gabriella sighed. "Not until we talk."

He glared at her. "We have nothing to talk about."

She gave him an equal glare. "So you're just going to ignore what happened at school today?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Like it never happened?"

He shook his head. "Of course not, dammit!" He surprised her by cursing- since he never does. "I'm not going to ignore it because it gets on my damn nerves!" He saw the shock in her eyes but continued anyway. "How could you let him get that close to you? Are you that naive and not notice how he was obviously trying to flirt with you? Or are you just trying to make me jealous?" She was about to cut him off buthe carries on. "You know he's a flirt, a huge one, and he has a reputation for having regular one-night stands and you still let him get that close! God Gabriella are you trying to make yourself an open target?"

"No! Of course not!" She wanted to cry at his words but refused to show any signs of weakness in his presence. "He's just my partner for an assignment, nothing more and nothing less."

"And if he tries something?" he questioned in disguist.

"Don't you trust me? I won't let him."

He gave her a cold stare. "Are you sure about that?"

It was her turn to glare. "What are you trying to say? That I'm a whore?" she tried to keep her voice from raising as she said the word.

He was silent at her question, and she had to bite her lip to prevent it quivering.

"You don't trust me," she said softly. With one swift movement she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the truck, but not before uttering one word:

"Goodbye."

And as soon as she was in thesafety of her home she let her weakness show, her mom was at work and wouldn't be home until it was 11PM-which was 4 hours away. So she cried, and cried until she composed herself and began studying-which was useless since she couldn't concentrate.

Giving up, she tossed her books aside and just stared up at her ceiling.

'Does he really think that lowly of me? I mean I know Conner is a flirt but I won't let him touch me; however if he does I'll teach Mr. Paul that I want to change partners. Easy, but no he doesn't trust me and insinuated that I'm a whore. Ugh, why do I feel like crying? What is he doing to me? I never cried so much in my life until now.' She shook her head. 'I never knew my heart could hurt this much.'

She began cuddling in her comforters when a knock halted her movements completely.

'Who would knock at this time?'

Her mom was due back later, and if she did come back early she would call in advance, but she didn't. And besides the knock sounded to close to be at her front door, which meant someone either knocks very loudly, or someone climbed up and was knocking on her balcony door.

She knows what curiosity did to the cat, but couldn't help but stop her feet from moving on its own accord. Gradually, she began to take a peak through her curtains; her eyes grew wide as she saw who it was.

Should she open it? Or leave the intruder in the chilly November air?

She closed her eyes in desperation...somehow she knew she would need to prepare herself.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and opened it to be greeted by familiar blue eyes looking at her with remorse.

She broke away from his intense gaze and sat down on her bed, avoiding his gaze.

She felt his eyes follow met every movement and she shifted uncomfortably under his stare.

"Brie?" Her heart fluttered at the nickname-the nickname only he was allowed to call her and no one else. Slowly, she nodded to know he had her attention. He wnet to kneel in frobt of her. "Baby I'm so sorry; I was just so mad at Conner and I took it out on you, and said things that I wish I could take back. But trust me if I could turn back time then I would." She saw from underneath her eyelashes how sincere he looked and she had to stop herself from allowing the moisture to leave her eyes.

Inhaling a deep breath she looked him in the eyes. "I know you didn't mean it, but you really don't trust me enough to work on a project with another male besides you?"

"I do, I'm just protective of you," he admitted quietly.

She brought her hand to his cheek."I'm not mad, I'm just hurt you doubted me." He enveloped her hand with his own-stroking it lovingly. "Look, if he does try anything I'll ask for a new partner, okay?"

He nodded. "What about us?

She shrugs. "I don't know; you can't deny that you did overreact and I don't know if I can forgive you that easily, even though I want to." He sighed. "Just give me time and space and we'll see what happens."

He looked reluctant but agreed nonetheless."Promise you'll call me before you make the decision."

She nodded. "I promise."

With one last nod Troy pecked her gently on the lips.

And for the second time she said goodbye.

Reviews are appreciated.