The next few months passed without event. Gabriella came back from LA, nothing really coming from her trip and meeting with her record company.

Chad returned after the summer to college, and all in all, life felt kind of dull. But, the second week in November, everything seemed to happen all at once.

Jake's grades had been slipping since the 2nd year of college started, and in November, he was forced to drop out. Chad was sad for Jake and at the loss of his roommate, and friend, but was thrilled to have a room to himself.

Troy had a huge opportunity coming up - he was trying out for the NBA development league, a minor league organization. If he was successful, he'd be a huge step closer to playing in NBA.

At almost the same time, after next to nothing happening with her music career, Gabriella's record company decided it was time for her to record her album and release a single.

Chad watched his two best friends' careers blossom, as he trudged through college. He felt like he was falling behind because he was the one who decided to go to college - how did that work?!

Still, if he had to be at college, bored and with no friends, at least he got to chill in his own dorm. As much as he enjoyed living with Jake, he'd rather live on his own any day.

"So how's your album coming?" Chad asked Gabriella as they ate lunch together.

"Oh, really good. It should be done by Christmas. I'm so excited! Finally things are happening."

"Could say the same for Troy."

"It's crazy. Everyone is sure he's gonna get it too."

"He's good enough for the D-league, that's for sure."

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

Troy used his napkin to wipe his forehead of the sweat. He was so nervous. He twisted the napkin in between his fingers and started to rip it into shreds.

"Troy, eat your burger. You can't go to your try-outs on an empty stomach."

"Dad, I can't eat. I'm too nervous. This is so big."

"I know. But try not to be nervous. Put the try-out out of your mind and think about the next bit - you playing in the D-league, being the star… and being nervous for your NBA try-out."

"You're right, Dad. Just gotta take it in my stride."

"That's my boy. Unleash your inner Wildcat."

Troy grinned and hi-fived his Dad. He picked up his burger and took a huge bite.

Three hours later, Troy clenched his eyes shut.

Unleash your inner Wildcat.

Troy blocked out all noise and focussed solely on the image his Dad had created in his mind - trying out for NBA. He doubted right now that he was good enough.

Troy shook his head. He stared out at the court. He put himself in the mindset that he was trying out for NBA. Now. He was good enough. And he would go out and play like a pro. Like the pro he was trying to be.

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

"How did it go?"

"Not too bad, dude." Troy said down the phone to Chad, as he tucked into a burger.

"He did amazing." Troy's Dad shouted to Chad down the phone.

Troy laughed, and hid a slight blush.

"It's all about a positive frame of mind."

"Whatever." Chad laughed. "Listen, I gotta go. Say hi to Gab for me."

"See ya, man."

Troy hung up the phone and looked at his Dad. He shook his head and laughed.

"You're a shoe-in, Troy. I'm proud of you." Troy's Dad nodded at him.

"Thanks Dad."

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

"…but my Dad thinks I did amazingly." Troy laughed. "It did go well. But, you know my Dad."

"But I bet he's right." Gabriella smiled and ran her fingers over Troy's chest.

Troy grinned and leaned into Gabriella, giving her a loving kiss.

"Look at the rain." Gabriella said quietly. "Glad I'm inside, all warm and snug."

"Yeah." Troy smiled. He leaned back on the couch and sighed.

Gabriella ran a fingertip over Troy's stubbled jaw. Troy broke a grin and glanced down at her. She kissed him on the cheek, then the jaw, and tracing the line her finger was following. Her lips followed her finger onto his lips, and stayed there.

Her hands cupped Troy's cheeks, and squeezed them. She ran her right hand slowly down to his shoulders, and down his chest. She reached his waist, grabbed the hem of his shirt, and pulled it up and over Troy's head.

Gabriella broke from the kiss and looked into Troy's eyes.

"Well, Mr Bolton." She smiled, eyes full of desire. "You've had a stressful day. I think it's time for some relaxation."

"What exactly did you have in mind, Miss Montez?"

Gabriella grinned, and squeezed Troy's thighs. She ran her finger over his manhood through his jeans. Troy squirmed. Gabriella laughed.

"C'mon Wildcat, show me how manly you can really be."

Troy grinned and pushed himself up against Gabriella's body. She lay back on the couch and Troy crashed his lips against hers.

"You know…" Troy said, breaking the kiss. "I don't think this couch can handle what I have in store for you."

Gabriella's eyes widened and she grinned. Troy pulled himself off of Gabriella and took her hand. He pulled her off the couch, and led her up to their bedroom.

Gabriella threw herself onto their king-size bed. Troy slowly closed the door, and stood at the foot of the bed.

"What are you doing?" Gabriella asked him.

"Just wanted to look at you." Troy grinned. Gabriella sat up.

"Well, I'll give you something to look at."

Gabriella reached down to the bottom of her dress, and pulled it all the way up, over her head. She could feel Troy's eyes looking her, up and down. She soon found him on top of her, placing kisses on her neck, and running his fingertips over her ribs. They trailed up to her back, where Troy proceeded to unhook Gabriella's bra. He pulled the garment off of her body.

He ran his palms over her breasts. These breasts which, by now, he knew pretty well. He grazed his fingertips lightly over her nipples, causing her to squirm below him.

"Troy." Gabriella smiled, with a contented sigh. She closed her eyes and licked her lips. She brought her hands up to his back, and dug her nails in.

Troy carried on, but mentally he came to a halt. This scenario lacked something, something important. He just hoped Gabriella hadn't noticed…

He dotted kisses down from her neck, down her chest, and meeting his fingertips. Troy's tongue ran in circular motions around the nipple, before lips meeting in a kiss. His lips continued down Gabriella's body, until he reached panties.

He hooked his index fingers either side, and pulled her panties down. He returned to Gabriella's face. She had opened her eyes, and she grinned at him.

"Well this isn't fair."

Gabriella reached down to Troy's belt. she unbuckled it, and undid the button on his jeans. She unzipped and moved her hands to the small of Troy's back. She slid her hands down, onto his butt, underneath his jeans and boxers, and slid them off in one quick motion.

Gabriella sat up, making Troy sit back onto his heels. She suddenly delivered a strong push, causing Troy to fall back flat onto the bed. He smiled as Gabriella straddled him.

"Is everything okay, Troy?"

"Perfect."

"It's just…" Gabriella blushed slightly. "You're not…"

"I, um… I know. I can't explain it." Troy blushed profusely.

"Don't worry, baby." Gabriella smiled, and started to grind against Troy's hips, inches away from the problemed manhood. "I guess I'll just have to try harder."

Troy smiled. His girlfriend was always so understanding. And he could definitely feel this hip-grinding doing some good. He cupped her breasts, and massaged them. Gabriella threw her head back and let out a moan. Nothing, Troy thought. He sighed, and removed his hands and placed them on his eyes, and let out a frustrated sigh. He ran his hands into his hair.

Gabriella looked down at him and frowned.

"Baby…"

"It's no use Gabs."

Gabriella climbed off of Troy and lay herself down next to him.

"Gabs I'm so sorry."

"Troy, that's okay. You don't need to be sorry. These things happen all the time in relationships."

"Yeah right."

"Troy. Of course they do. Especially considering the stress you've been under today."

Troy sighed, and managed to smile. He kissed Gabriella on the nose.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Troy."

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

The next day, Troy couldn't stop thinking about his embarrassing ordeal. Even when he met up with Chad, it wouldn't budge from his mind. He glanced at his best friend of almost his entire life, and, even though he was afraid it was a bad idea, opened his mouth to say something.

"Uh… Chad?"

"Yeah."

"Best friends…" Troy coughed awkwardly. "can tell each other anything, right?"

"Sure." Chad said, glancing at Troy. He frowned with slight disgusted worry at what Troy might be talking about.

"Last night, me and Gabs got, a little, you know, frisky."

"Yes, yes, carry on." Chad said, shaking his head.

"Well… Have you ever… not been able to…"

"Troy just say it."

"Have you ever not been able to… get it up?"

Chad raised an eyebrow, and observed Troy turning a deep shade of red.

"Once. Or twice. But only when I've been so wasted I can't even stand up let alone get anyone else to stand up."

"Oh. Well… I'm not sure whether or not that helps."

"You still love her, right?"

"Of course I do, how can you even ask that?!" Troy raised his voice a little, wide eyed.

"Well…" Chad said, starting to wish he hadn't said anything. "You didn't propose, you can't get it up, you've been acting pretty strange for a while now…"

"Ugh. I know. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Don't read too much into this whole thing. You just had a big try-out. You've been under stress."

"That's what she said."

"There you go then." Chad nodded.

Troy put his head in his hands.

"you're right though…" Troy sighed. "Things have been weird for a while. A long while. In theory we're the perfect couple, like a fairytale… but something doesn't feel right."

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It's getting there! It's gonna get good. I hope you're enjoying this story. Don't forget to review ;) Story alert, that kinda thing. But yeah, let me know your thoughts. I'm just glad I finally found a way to get this story to where I want it to be and I'm quite excited about it. Hope you guys are too :D x