Gabriella woke up crazy excited on the morning of her birthday. She opened her eyes to see an empty space next to her. The next thing that hit her was the smell of pancakes coming from downstairs. She grinned to herself, and got out of bed. She made her way downstairs.

Troy was singing along to the radio, which was loudly playing an upbeat tune. Gabriella quietly tiptoed down the stairs and positioned herself behind Troy. She glanced down as Troy danced to the music, shaking his booty.

She wrapped her arms around his waist - her touch making him jump.

"Smells good baby." She giggled in his ear.

"You scared me." He frowned as he turned round. "Happy birthday." His expression softened into a smile and he kissed Gabriella's nose.

"Why thank you." Gabriella said, taking a long breath in, and sighing out contently.

"Why don't you go and get dressed? Be quick, breakfast is nearly ready. Then I've got a long day set out for you…"

----------------

Late that night, Troy and Gabriella were sat on a large picnic blanket, in the park, right on top of a big hill. Trees lay immediately at the foot of the hill, framing the beautiful view that Troy had picked for Gabriella's birthday.

Gabriella rolled her eyes closed, and linked her arm into Troy's. She lay her head on his shoulder and let out a small yawn.

"I've had an amazing day, Troy." Gabriella smiled.

After breakfast, Troy had taken Gabriella to a nature park for a leisurely stroll. He had then taken her on a hot air balloon ride - much to her surprise and slight fear. She realised Troy had taken her for a walk to work of her breakfast to avoid any disasters.

She had enjoyed the balloon ride much more than she expected, though, and had been able to eat lunch at a little café Troy had taken her to. After lunch, Troy took her home.

Gabriella, inwardly and unconsciously, had felt quite disappointed. She'd had a great day but it was mid-afternoon and already they were returning home. Also, she'd had no present as such. She fought these feelings as it was a bit… "spoilt brat" like.

On the way home, Troy was silent. He was texting while he was driving and didn't seem like he had the brain power to also make conversation. Gabriella yawned and rubbed her eyes as they approached home.

"Go ahead, honey." Troy told Gabriella. "Gonna park the truck somewhere out of the sun."

"Oh… okay." Gabriella sighed and walked to the front door. She put her key in, and once inside, ascended the stairs.

She walked slowly, focussing in her mind on the earlier part of the day. She smiled to herself when she brought into the front of her mind some of the lovely things Troy said to her up in the balloon. She put her key in the second door and turned it in the lock.

As the door creaked open, she was met with a loud roar of noise, which, in the shock, she couldn't currently comprehend, but a few moments later she realised it was the word, "surprise".

Wide eyed and mouth open, she looked around at all the familiar faces, old and new. When she finally came round to her senses, she pointed and shook her head in disbelief at Chad, who was grinning inanely.

"Chad did a great job setting up your party." Troy chuckled to himself.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw him standing there. He didn't let on at all."

"He's a master of deceit."

Troy nudged Gabriella, and she sat up. He reached into the picnic basket he had brought, and pulled out a small, long box. He handed it to her.

She wrinkled her nose and smiled. She opened the box, revealing a white gold butterfly charm bracelet.

"Troy!" She gasped. "It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it." Troy said quietly, with a smile.

"Of course. And it matches…"

"…your shoes, that Chad bought you, I know."

Gabriella grinned at Troy.

"Oh… you guys." Gabriella giggled. "Thank you, Troy. For this and the whole day."

Troy smiled and took her hand in his.

"I want you to know… how much you mean to me…" Troy cleared his throat and fought all the uncomfortable feelings he was forcing upon himself. "You mean the world to me. Even more, if it's possible. I love you to absolute bits."

Gabriella squeezed Troy's hand, and looked down at her lap. She lay her body on his arm and nuzzled her face into his neck.

"I love you." She whispered.

Troy stroked her hair with his free hand, and stared into the distance. It's not that he was lying……. He did love Gabriella. She did mean the world to him. But there was just something about the way he was feeling recently that made him question his relationship with Gabriella.

When the two returned to their apartment, cleared up by Chad, Gabriella took a shower, whilst Troy threw himself on the bed - and rifled through his sock drawer. He pulled out a small box, and sighed as he opened it.

He stared down, frowning, at the white gold engagement ring with diamond encrusted butterfly. He felt at a complete loss as he tucked it back underneath his socks and shut the drawer.

-----------------

"So you didn't do it?"

"Nope. Didn't even take the ring with me."

"Dude, what is up? You guys are meant to be together. Everyone knows it."

"I know, I know. I just couldn't do it."

"Why?"

Troy just shrugged at Chad and folded his arms. Chad thought that he resembled a sulking child.

"Just… doesn't feel right."

---------------------

Chad and Troy took Gabriella to the airport on the day of her LA trip. Gabriella was nervous about flying alone, and going to LA was daunting for her. She hadn't really done very much regarding her music career, to be frank, and now she was doing something.

Troy was getting annoyed that one of the two of them always seemed to be away. It was frustrating for him, and every now and then the anxiety he felt back when she told him she wasn't going to college would rear it's ugly head. Troy, at the moment, couldn't be more confused, and it only seemed to be getting worse.

At the airport, Troy got a phone call from his coach. When he was off in a quiet corner discussing team things, Chad took the opportunity to talk to Gabriella.

"Gabs… Do you think Troy's been acting weird recently?"

"Not really. Why? Do you?"

"Um…" Chad needed to be careful - he could hardly announce that the reason he was asking was because Troy dropped out of proposing to her. He picked his words carefully. "He seems…. Vague."

"Vague?"

"Yeah. Although in some ways he's been acting weird for a long while."

"I still think he's a bit upset about the fact the three of us didn't end up at college together. I don't think he deals with change very well and he might just only be coming round to it."

"I suppose. I was upset too though."

"Don't sweat it, Chad. Deep down, he's a fragile soul." Gabriella broke a small grin. "Please don't tell him I said that."

"Done."

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Remember to review, you guys! ;) and if you're bored have a look at some of my other stories.

Thank to everyone who reviewed after my pathetic plea, and to rhea heath, I have rated this fic M for the future, because of the direction I intend to take, and it's just easier to me to write without worrying about the rating I've given it.

Hope you guys are enjoying. I'm feeling at a bit of a loss on how to get this story to where I want it but I'll persevere…. x