I went into school next day with my head held high, holding hands with Troy Bolton. We ignored the school's shocked glances and walked straight to my locker, which was the closest to the school entrance. The moment my locker was open, Troy leaned over to whisper in my ear.
"You know I love you, right?" He asked, and I nodded, hoping he wasn't going to break my heart with the next sentence.
"Yeah, I love you too." I stared into his eyes, feeling extremely vulnerable and his eyes softened.
"It's not that." He sighed. "I'm not breaking up with you." I sighed with relief, and he shook his head, kissing my forehead awkwardly, aware of the stares. "My mum wants to meet your mum tomorrow."
"Why?" I asked, nervous, and he smiled.
"She wants to meet her, and you. She hates this 'war', and wants rid of it. Frankly, she's happy you're a Montez." My expression turned into one of shock and Troy nodded, shrugging. "She's a weird one, Lucille Bolton."
"My mum wants to meet you too." I told him, and he smiled.
"Maybe we can arrange for them to meet tomorrow?" He suggested, and I grinned.
"I knew there was a reason I loved you!" I joked, and he laughed softly.
"We'll call them at lunch time, when we're in the rooftop garden." He told me, and I nodded, glad that I was now with him in public. We leaned forward, and just before our lips were about to touch, I heard a shout.
"Get your filthy hands off my sister, Bolton!" I heard Jay yell, and I turned to him, cursing myself for not being able to talk to him last night.
"Jay…" I began, and he ignored me, seething with rage.
"Shut up, Gabriella, now is not the time for you to be a good person."
"She's dating him, Jay." I heard Callum say behind me, and we all whipped around towards the sound of his voice.
"Shut the fuck up, Cal. That shit isn't funny." Jay spat. "Like she'd ever date a piece of shit like him."
"It's true." I whispered, and Jay turned on me, going red with his anger.
"What did you just say?"
"We're dating, we have been for a two years and five months. I'm having his baby too, which you would know about if you were home last night."
"WHAT?" Jay roared with anger, and I took a step back, feeling Troy wrap his arm around my waist and pull me behind him carefully.
"Leave them alone, Montez!" another voice cut in, and I groaned at what was seemingly a family reunion. As I turned, I saw Elizabeth Bolton and Connor Bolton with crossed arms. Connor stormed forwards, and pointed in Jay's face. "You have no right to judge them." He hissed, and I smiled softly at the tolerance that Connor was showing. He turned to me. "I'm not saying I agree with the relationship, because frankly I've been raised to think your family are pieces of shit, and it's going to take time to change that mindset. But if Troy thinks you're okay, I trust him because he's a good judge of character, and my brother."
"Fair point, and same back to you." I grinned at him, and he nodded in acknowledgement.
Connor looked around at the crowd that had gathered. "You all should be fucking embarrassed. There is nothing wrong with a couple, no matter who they are." He looked over Jays shoulder at Callum. "She's your twin, you should at least give them a chance." He glanced back at Jay before walking away, shaking his head in disgust. "For someone who believes in family values, yours are shit."
I grinned as the oldest Bolton pushed through the crowd and left Jay in shock, and Callum staring at the floor. "I think you've all seen enough." Troy called, and I linked my hand through his as the crowd dispersed. I watched Jay storm off, knowing he felt embarrassed, humiliated and betrayed. I looked over to Callum, and he looked up, tears filling his eyes that were the exact shade of mine. I could tell he was begging for forgiveness, and held out my arms to him. He glanced at my open arms, and I held a breath at his reaction. He hadn't made any move towards me, and my eyes started to burn at the rejection of my best friend since birth. Suddenly, he was clinging onto me, sobbing on me and telling me how sorry he was repeatedly.
"I forgive you, Cal." I whispered.
"I'm so sorry, I owe you an explanation, and I can't believe I treated my own twin like that!" He cried into my shoulder, and I held him.
"It's going to be okay, Cal."
By the time it got to lunch, my day was already weird. I couldn't sit with Taylor and Sharpay, because I didn't know if they'd changed their minds since yesterday. Callum was sitting with Johnny and refusing to talk about me, Connor was acting as if it was completely normal, Jay was only on slight speaking terms with me due to his girlfriend, Mel, and Elizabeth Bolton spent break time asking me questions and ensuring that she was on the fast track for friendship.
I walked to the rooftop garden alone, knowing that Troy would be there when I got there, and sure enough, when I climbed up the stairs, there he was. I ran to him immediately, and he caught me in his arms. "I love you." I rushed out, and he smiled at me, leaning down and placing a sweet chaste kiss onto my lips.
"I love you too." He replied, grinning. "I would go through treatment a thousand times worse for you." He kissed me again, and I sighed, pulling him over to sit on the bench with me.
"How have you been treated today then? And how did last night go?"
"Last night was fine… Dad kicked off, yelling about how I'd disgraced the family name and was too young to be a father in any case… He left for the pub after about half an hour though, so mom, Connor and Lizzie talked to me." He smiled at this, as if he was remembering something special to him. "Mom said that she was just upset I hadn't introduced you, and disappointed I didn't tell her I was involved with someone seriously, Connor was angry at first but calmed once I told him more about you, and Lizzie was happy. She said she's always respected you, and she's happy it's not Sharpay or a cheerleader."
"That's always good news." I smiled, and he nodded. "Lizzie's been talking to me today anyway and asking questions about me."
"She's like that. I think you two will be good friends." He smiled. "Today's been fine. I've have stares, but that's been all. How's everyone been with you?"
"You don't even want to know." I told him, shooting him an annoyed look. "I hate cheerleaders."
He laughed, leaning against the back of the bench and throwing his head back. I giggled at the sight, loving how carefree he looked, and free of secrets. "Why?" He got out between laughter, and I shrugged, grinning.
"They're really bitchy."
This set off new laughter, and remarks such as, "You think I don't know?" and "That's why I avoid them!". After a few minutes, he calmed down and pulled me to him, holding me in his arms. I looked up at his face and smiled at the grin still on his lips.
"I'm so glad it's you I'm with." I told him truthfully. "We may have been forced to hate each other, but I'm so glad we ignored them and carried on. I can't think of anyone I'd rather be with."
"Good." He murmured. "Cause you're mine. Now and forever." I nodded in agreement, and we relaxed on the bench, holding each other and closing our eyes, wishing the world away for a bit. Suddenly, Troy jumped up, pulling me up with him. "We have to call our moms." He told me, and I nodded, pulling my phone out of my pocket. He did the same, and we each dialled on the count of three.
"Hello, Dr Maria Montez, how may I help you?" My mom picked up on the third ring.
"Hey mom, it's Gabby." I said, and I heard her gasp.
"Is everything okay? Is school okay, are Callum and Jay being good to you? What about the Boltons, are they being okay? Is Troy dealing with-"
"Mom, we're fine!" I cut her off before she could ramble more. "Elizabeth Bolton is fine with me, Callums begged for forgiveness, Jay's talking to me slightly due to Mel telling him to, and I quote, 'grow a pair' and Connors being tolerable towards us. Troy is fine, he's here now, which leads to why I'm calling."
"Yes, sure, what's up?"
"Would you consider having lunch tomorrow with me, Troy and his mom?" I asked quickly, and all I heard was silence on the other end. Cursing myself for being so blunt, I sighed. "Mom?"
"Sure." Her reply came. I did a double take at the phone.
"Seriously?" I asked, and I heard her laugh.
"Of course. I'll book into that cute little café we go to usually after a shopping trip, so tell Lucille to meet us at 1pm in 'The Barrelhouse'."
"Okay mom. I love you."
"I love you too, Gabby, stay strong!" She called, and I hung up, making the okay sign at Troy, who was discussing with his mom. After a few words were said, Troy showed me a thumbs up, and mouthed 'where?'. I whispered the time and place to him and he repeated these to his mother before hanging up.
"Looks like tomorrow we're meeting the mothers." He grinned, leaning in and capturing my lips in a kiss.