Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or any songs I mention!

Author: Alleycat

Story: Everybody Knows

Growing up is hard. It's a lot harder when you're in love with your best friend and everyone knows it-except her.

Dedication to: LoveIsNeverUgly and hisboo13 for both describing Taylor the same way and making me laugh loudly!

Ambeexx for being a sweetie!

xojokubauskasx for reviewing both chapters even though 7 was posted!

IMPORTANT NOTE: I WILL BE MOVING THIS STORY TO MATURE! SO IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE READING (PLEASE DO!) YOU'LL HAVE TO CHECK THERE IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ALERT (WHICH REALLY MAKES IT ALL EASIER)!

Bad word alert! of the f variety! You have been warned!

Also you're going to get some Gabriella pov in this chapter! The next one definitely!

Chapter 8

Sweet pea
What's all this about
Don't get your way all you do is fuss and pout
You're the only reason I keep on coming home

I'm like the Rock of Gibraltar
I always seem to falter
And the words just get in the way
Oh I know I'm gonna crumble
And I'm trying to stay humble
But I never think before I say

~ Amos Lee, "Sweet Pea"

Troy parked in his last year's spot (next to Zeke's mustang) and opened the door. By the time he had shut the door, his friends had surrounded him.

"Where's Gabriella?" Zeke asked, after looking into the slightly tented windows of his white 2012 Honda Accord. "I figured you wouldn't let her out of your sight for at least a month."

The brand new car wasn't his first choice but it was the only one Ella approved of and so it was the one he asked for. She wasn't a fan of muscle cars saying they were for guys who had something to prove.

"She spent the night with McKessie," Troy explained, ignoring the joke and looking out in the parking lot for the Jetta Taylor drove. None of his friends knew about their arrangement and he wasn't about to tell them now. "Have you guys seen them?"

The three males shook their head.

He sighed and started to walk toward the school. His friends trailed behind him talking about the game on last night. He stopped when he saw the white Jetta pull into the lot and his friends ran into him. Before they could complain, he changed directions.

He held open the passenger's door and Gabriella smiled up at him. The first few times he opened the door for her, she jumped. He always scared her but now she was used to it since he did it every time anyone drove her and he was within walking distance.

"Hey Troy," She said with a sweet smile and accepted his hand to help her out. "How was your morning without my usual interference?"

"Horrible," He told her honestly and reluctantly dropped her hand. He was used to her at breakfast and his mom asked too many questions. She laughed as if he was joking. "How was the slumber party?" He teased, slinging an arm around her. He knew the only slumber party she participated was with him.

"It was great," She joked. "We painted our nails and talked about cute boys."

He stopped breathing, unsure if she was joking. He had been with her basically the whole time, "What boys?"

"Trust me, it wasn't about you," A sarcastic voice said behind them and he resisted the urge to keep walking.

Gabriella had stopped and he wouldn't leave her behind.

"McKessie," He greeted none too happily.

"Bolton," She returned in the same snide tone.

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "One of these days, you two will get along."

"Ever since she tried to steal you away six years ago, I don't trust her," Tory complained.

"Don't be a baby," Gabriella chided, used to this argument. She slapped his face lightly before running off toward the school.

He jogged after her, ignoring his friends and the almost constant greetings and compliments about his new haircut. He did not get this school's fascination with him so he did his best to ignore it. He concentrated on the more important girl in front of him.

She was wearing a short orange dress with brown and yellow patterns. She had a jean vest over it and brown shoes. That was just one more thing that made Gabriella so attractive. She dressed like no one he had ever met or seen before.

She developed her style, and her boho bedroom, from her absentee father's presents. He was always buying her things and sending them home. He always went to third world countries and supported the local economy. She stopped suddenly and bent at the waist, breathing heavily.

"You forget I run all the time," He teased as he came up behind her. He took his time concentrating on how delicious her ass looked.

"Last time I do that," She wheezed, still trying to get some air. "I was in heels too."

"Is this new?" He wondered, reaching out and tracing the pattern on her side.

She smiled widely, "I'm glad you noticed. It's from Morocco as is the jewelry. I haven't even started to unpack. This is something he sent me a month ago." She moved her long hair out of the way so he could see the large gold outline leaf earrings.

"You look beautiful," He told her softly.

He could see her cheeks turn red through the dark tan and she opened her mouth when Taylor appeared out of nowhere and dragged her away. He went to grab her arm and pull her back, when Chad and Zeke restrained him.

"Let her go dude." Jason said shaking his head.

"I can't stand that girl," He spoke loudly.

"I think it is funny how you two fight over her," Zeke commented as he released his arm. "Like she's your favorite toy or something."

He growled, "I wish McKessie would get a life."

"I wish you would get a life," Chad muttered to himself but when Troy looked at him he whistled innocently.

"Let's get to homeroom before none of us have lives because Coach killed us for getting detention," Jason reminded them as the warning bell rang.

Troy trudged into the class, already counting down the moments before he saw her again.

He tried to get good grades too late and was still in none of her classes. So he was stuck in all the normal classes while she took all AP classes and college credit.

He missed her but he was proud.

The only class they had together was lunch which only served to make his favorite class even better.

He waited at his locker to walk her to lunch like always.

"You guys go on," He told his three friends who complained about being hungry.

They didn't need to be told twice and so he was left alone, waiting for her to appear. After five minutes of her absence, he started to get worried. Maybe she was having trouble in one of her new classes or was lost.

"Looking for Gabby?" A girl with glasses interrupted his thoughts, her whole face red.

"Yeah," He said slowly, not sure who this girl was or why her face was so red.

"She's in the Science room 217 talking to Eric," She pointed down the hall.

Troy went down the hall barely remembering to thank her. He was so concentrated on figuring out who this Eric was, he passed the room. He turned around slowly and approached the open door, trying to appear the picture of nonchalance.

Right, like he didn't just run down the hall because Ella was with another guy.

He was glad he showed up when he did.

This Eric was reaching out to touch her lower back as she packed up her stuff. His hand froze when she turned around, having already gathered her materials.

"Are you okay?" She sounded worried. He was really close and she couldn't figure out why. Her bangles clanged as she touched her hair nervously.

Troy watched the boy retract his hand slightly before it started its course to her face. This was going too far.

"Ella," He called loudly and the pair froze.

She smiled so brightly that he knew she had no idea what he was attempting. Eric, on the other hand, looked very guilty.

"I was waiting for you at the locker," He explained as he walked in the classroom. He continued when she looked confused. "It's lunch time."

Understanding dawned on her, and she looked genuinely upset. "I am so sorry Troy! We're lab partners and we were just talking about an upcoming project."

"It's okay," He told her with a sweet smile.

She held out her hand and pulled him forward before letting it go. "Troy this Eric, and Eric this is Troy."

"Nice to meet you," Eric said, eyes darting to the small girl at his side.

Troy willed his fists to unclench and smiled tightly. "You too."

Gabriella smiled at the two boys, unaware. "Are you ready for lunch?"

"I'm starving!" Troy announced lightly, patting his belly.

She rolled her eyes as they walked out. She waved briefly to Eric before promising Troy a reward for being so patient.

"Is it food?" He asked, his eyes lighting up.

Gabriella laughed as he grabbed her books. She tucked her now free hand in the crook of his elbow. "Is that all you care about?"

He pretended to think about it. "Top 3 maybe."

"Do I even want to know the other two?"

He shrugged, not willing to share it just yet.

Gabriella became very interested. "What are you hiding Troy Alexander Bolton?"

He shrugged again.

"I'll figure it out," She warned him. "I'm very smart."

"So I've heard," He teased., his arm squeezing her hand.

"It's most likely disgusting boy stuff." She decided, glancing at his reaction.

"How old are you?" He asked jokingly while inside he was frowning. If she believed boy stuff was disgusting then they were not on the same page. She would probably die if she ever figured out what he thought about her late at night. The things he wished he could do to her.

"I need to talk to you," Taylor said as the lunch bell rang.

Their whole table stood up and grabbed their trays. With a smile Troy grabbed Gabriella's and she returned him smile in thanks. She watched him walk to the trash, laughing with his friends.

"Gabriella!" Taylor shouted, annoyed. She hadn't even acknowledged that she spoke.

"Sorry," She said, turning her back on Troy and giving her friend her full attention. "What did you say?"

Taylor rolled her eyes. "I need to talk to you."

"Okay," Gabriella said looking at her friend weirdly. She protested when Taylor grabbed her hand and dragged her outside of the cafeteria. "I need to wait for Troy."

"I think you're going to want me to talk to you about this alone," She warned her.

Gabriella wrenched her wrist out of her grasp and leaned on the wall behind her in defeat. "What's going on?"

"Where were you last night?" Taylor questioned suspiciously.

Gabriella paled. "W-what do you mean?"

Taylor rolled her eyes at the act. "I woke up in the middle of the night and you were gone. I checked everywhere and you were not in your house. Then I wake up and you're sleeping in your bed. You were with Troy weren't you?"

Gabriella was going to respond when she felt a familiar arm go around her.

"This is a private conversation," Taylor snapped at the basketball idiots.

"Someone forgot to take Midol this morning," Chad retorted as he walked by.

Troy went to follow his friends with Ella in his arms when she stopped him. He gave her a weird look and realized how pale she looked. He was immediately worried. "Are you okay," He asked, turning her toward him and peering into her face.

She sent him a sad smile and motioned for him to go. "I'm fine, you just go to class."

Troy shook his head. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong," He told her obstinately.

She sighed heavily.

"She said for you to leave," Taylor glared at him.

"Damn it McKessie!" He yelled before taking a deep breath to calm down. "Could you shut the fuck up for once? No one is talking to you."

He turned back to Ella to resume his questioning when he saw her shocked face. He resisted the urge to laugh because he knew she was shocked at his language. He didn't cuss very often, a lot less than his friends, but he never did it in front of her. He had too much respect for her.

"Troy," She chastised, trying not to smile. He was so protective. "That was rude. Now I am fine please I'll talk to you later."

He narrowed his eyes before acquiescing and with a quick forehead kiss he left.

"That boy is so primitive," Taylor complained.

Gabriella gave her a pointed look. "You know how I feel about him."

"I thought I did," Taylor corrected. "When did you start sleeping with him?"

Gabriella thought for a second, misinterpreting the question. "The first time was in 7th grade when my parents were fighting a lot."

Taylor gasped. "What a dirt bag!"

"No," Gabriella defended. "He was really sweet and very gentle with me."

"He took advantage of you," Taylor argued, feeling nauseous.

"I agreed." Gabriella assured her, placing her hands on her friend's shoulder. She hoped she see that. "I wanted to after he suggested it. Trust me. Do you understand now?"

"Not really," Taylor sighed and pulled her into a quick hug. "I just can't believe you lost virginity when you were 12."

Gabriella gaped at her. "Huh?"

Taylor motioned for Gabriella to follow her and they finally moved away from the cafeteria. "12 is way too young to lose your virginity."

Gabriella nodded slowly. "I agree."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Gabriella asked frustrated. None of this conversation was making any sense anymore. She stopped trying to open her locker to give her friend her full attention.

Taylor groaned, "Have sex with Troy when you were 12?"

"WHAT? I did not!" She squeaked, her face red. "We're just friends!"

"Then why did you say you slept with him?"

By the time Gabriella had explained the whole story, class was basically over. They had been interrupted by the principal and some teachers but once they saw the two brightest students in the school they left without a demand for an explanation or hall pass.

Taylor stared at her for a few minutes before finally responding. "So you're telling me that for four years you have been sleeping in the same bed?"

Gabriella shook her head.

"I know it's not every night but is that right?" At her friend's nod, she continued. "And at no time did Troy try to do anything sexually with you?"

Her face was red again. "We're just friends," She stressed. "He would never. He thinks of me like a little sister."

"Sure," Taylor rolled her eyes. "I just didn't know Troy had restraint like that."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Taylor said quickly as she grabbed the next period's book and shut the locker. "Troy's a good guy isn't he?"

Gabriella nodded enthusiastically and plopped down on the floor, careful of her dress. "I've been trying to tell you that for years!"

Taylor sat down too since they had ten minutes before the next bell. "I still don't like him."

"You will," She assured her, with a huge smile.

"And you're sure you're not in love with him?" Taylor asked, looking intently at her reaction. She was not disappointed.

Gabriella sputtered, her face once again red. "In a platonic way of course! We're just friends!"

Before Taylor could respond, the bell rang shrilly. They laughed and stood up. They were about to head to AP Physics when Troy ran up to them.

Gabriella gaped at him. "How did you get here so fast?"

"I could ask you the same thing," He retorted, trying to keep a straight face. They stared at each other for a few seconds before cracking.

"I ran." "I skipped." They said at the exact same time.

Troy's smile disappeared. "You skipped without me? That's not fair!"

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "That's what you're upset about?"

"Uh yeah," He stated but allowed her to drag him away from her locker. She waved to Taylor who called her goodbye before smiling slightly at Troy.

He stumbled. "Okay what is going on? I'm pretty sure McKessie just smiled at me!"

"I think she's starting to like you," Gabriella admitted with a giggle and a squeeze.

"What did you guys talk about?" He asked, pulling her to the side of her classroom door. He always walked to her every class and was always late for his own. Every year, his teachers would try to punish him. Either he was charming enough that they let it go or he made a convincing enough argument that they conceded. Plus, he was like a king or something and it did have its perks. Gabriella stopped trying to get him to go to class when she realized he was never in trouble or wouldn't listen.

"Nothing that concerned you," She leaned against the wall as she teased.

"I think it had to otherwise she wouldn't have smiled at me," He leaned toward her and placed his weight on the arm above her shoulder.

She gripped her books tighter and gazed up at him. "She was surprisingly cool about something."

"Explain," He demanded playfully. He was joking but he also didn't like it when she kept things from him. "El-lah!"

"Blue eyes," She mocked and waved her finger in goodbye when Taylor grabbed her arm and dragged her in the room.

"Bye lover boy," Taylor called over her shoulder.

Troy was convinced he was in the twilight zone.

I was surprised that none of you commented on Troy's underwear drawer excursion!

How is everyone feeling about Taylor now?

I think we can all agree that Mrs. Montez needs to stop being so creepy!

The response is getting amazing!:

xoxojokubauskasx3, jod3, pumpkinking5, ToTheFullPotential, bridgie797, zanessa14, dyeitrouge, kaybaby1127, hisboo13, dolphindreams16, jackxoxo, zanessafaithx, LoveIsnNeverUgly, hopeful extinction, Ambeexx, nogooddeedx, 2 guests, and Eric N.

19 jeez! So as a special for those who take the time to review if you can hit 20 reviews I'll upload it immediately (within reason but I will check daily). Otherwise I will see you guys within the week!

It has come to my attention (thanks Eric N) that if you are not logged in then you cannot write your name but have to post as Guest. So if you would be so kind, please write who it is. I love seeing everyone's names. If you would rather not, that's fine. Guest just seems so impersonal.