A/N: This chapter is awesome, I promise lol. HSMandChelseaFCfan is busy and so am I so I don't know when the next update will be. Don't own HSM x

Chapter 10

(A/N: This is HSMandChelseaFCfan)

It had been a few days since Troy and Gabriella had last seen each other due to Gabriella being caught up in some boring family stuff everyday after school. She'd tried to get her mom to understand and let her go since she didn't see Troy at school or at home but Maria had just retaliated saying she needed to spend some time with her family. Her father had also kept bugging her about the fact she never seemed to be home. Troy had reassured her, when she told him about how she was being forced to stay home, that it was fine and they could do something together soon. Plus he knew he'd been kind of ignoring his friends of late so at least it gave him time to play some hoops with Chad and the guys.

The time spent with Troy didn't feel like it had only been a few days but more like a lifetime. It was like he was the missing part of her, her heart's missing piece. It scared her how strong her feelings had become in such a short space of time. It was like she was dependent on Troy; he was the reason that she kept going, knowing no matter what she did or whoever she was, he would be there for her twenty four, seven.

"Hey." Gabriella turned to the side, Daisy also lifting her head from her owner's lap as the two sat quietly in the garden enjoying the sunny day, to see Sharpay standing behind her.

"Hey." Running her hand over Daisy's smooth coat of fur, the brunette watched as her best friend came closer and sat next to her."Shar, are you ok?"

Sharpay looked at her confused. "How do you mean?"

"I mean you're sitting on the grass in your designer skirt. You never do that unless Zeke or someone is around for you to boss around and order them to let you sit on them – not that Zeke minds. Are you sure you're not ill?" Gabriella joked.

The blonde rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatic words. She wasn't as shallow as some people thought she was, honest. "I'm going to ignore that question." The two smirked at each other before bursting out laughing. "I just came around to say sorry if I went too far the other day and I promise I'll stop. No guy is worth losing a sister over."

"It's okay. You're forgiven. I'm sorry too. I was just so stressed that day and took my frustration out on you." The back door slammed shut and Gabriella knew her brother's and Zeke were on their way out to play some basketball. She could see Sharpay desperately trying not to turn.

"Don't worry I'm not going to go all crazy on you. Today, I'm all yours. How about we make ourselves scarce and do a girls day? Daddy said if I need to we can book out the whole spa so we won't be interrupted." Sharpay offered.

Thinking it over, Gabriella shrugged. "I got nothing better to do so I may as well. I'm supposed to be spending 'quality bonding time with my cousins' according to my dad but I'm sure they won't mind me skipping out on them since they're all to up themselves to notice me."

Moving Daisy's head off her lap, Gabriella stood up first and pulled up Sharpay as they went to find her mom. Before they could move though, Gabriella heard her phone beep in her jean shorts pocket indicating she had a message. Sharpay watched curiously as the petite girl read her message, a slight blush appearing on her face. "Who's that?"

"Huh? Oh, no one important. Come on." Feeling confused knowing her best friend was obviously hiding something, Sharpay decided to make it her personal mission today to find out exactly who that person was that obviously sent her friend into a complete day dream.

***

Troy had just finished his latest game of one on one with Chad at the latter's house. He wiped his forehead with his discarded t-shirt from earlier while grabbing his phone and sending Gabriella a text as he hadn't spoken to her yet today and he was having withdrawal symptoms which freaked him out. She was all that was on his mind.

Chad clapped Troy on the back as the two caught their breath. "Yo, hoops, dude. What the heck is up with you? You were on fire. Whatever it is you have been doing keep it up and make sure it lasts until at least our game with the knights. With you playing like that they will be kissing our trophy goodbye."

Troy laughed. "Don't worry, Chad, I have no intention in giving it up."

"Well how about you let your most bestest best friend in on your secret?" Chad suggested as Troy rolled his eyes.

"Date a knight." Troy murmured as Chad burst out laughing.

"Funny, dude. But fine if you want to keep it to yourself, fine. Just don't blame me if we lose because you wouldn't let me in on your secret."

Troy watched Chad walk and shook his head. He knew that Chad wouldn't even believe him if he told the truth.

***

Gabriella sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day as she relaxed into the warm bubbling Jacuzzi. Sharpay had been on her case all day about who her mystery texter was. It was funny at first, seeing how much it was driving the blonde crazy because she didn't know something but now it had become annoying.

(A/N: This is me)

"Shar, shut up." Gabriella muttered as she closed her eyes.

"I'm just saying," Sharpay exclaimed, "you should tell me because I'm your best friend. We tell each other everything."

"I know, Shar." Gabriella sighed, opening her eyes and facing her friend. "And I told you, it was no one. It was Nick Robinson, if you must know." Gabriella mumbled, referring to a quarterback on the football team. She wasn't lying, he had text her a couple of minutes after her and Sharpay had left the house.

Sharpay seemed to ponder the thought. "He got a hold of your number again?"

Gabriella sighed and nodded. "Yes. He did. It's quite annoying, actually."

"It's verging on stalking, Gabs." Sharpay joked.

"Nah. Do you really think any guy in Albuquerque would be brave enough to stalk me?" Gabriella asked and giggled at the irony of it. Troy was, in a way, stalking her…Except she didn't mind it when he did.

Sharpay giggled as well. "I doubt it. Ry and Zeke would kill him, too. There's an upside to having brothers, isn't there?"

"Absolutely." Gabriella agreed. "They could let off a bit, though. I mean, I just hope that when I find 'Mr Right' they're going to support me and not treat me like the five year old little girl I know they see me as." Ha. Like they'd support me right now!

Sharpay smiled slightly. "Well, I don't know. I mean, I've only got Ry. I know he just sees me as me. But, it's got to be hard. You're one of six, Gabs."

"I know." Gabriella whispered. "It's hard. But, I wouldn't swap it for anything. They might annoy me to hell but I love them."

Sharpay eyed her friend suspiciously. "Have you talked to your dad about Stanford, yet?"

Gabriella shook her head. "No."

"Have you heard from Stanford?" Sharpay asked again.

Gabriella shook her head again, looking intently at the warm water bubbling around her. "No." She suddenly stood up and looked down at her friend. "I need to use the restroom, okay?"

Sharpay stood up. "I'll come with you."

Gabriella managed a small smile and shook her head. "I'm fine. You stay here." She stepped out in her black and white striped bikini and grabbed her towel, wrapping it around her body.

She walked carefully on the tile flooring, trying desperately not to fall – she knew Troy wouldn't be able to cope if she was hurt and he couldn't see her. She walked into the changing rooms and because she and Sharpay were the only people there, they had simply left their stuff on the benches. She rummaged through her bag and brought out her cell phone.

Her finger paused over the number one – Troy was speed dial. Sharpay could walk in. Troy could be with his friends. They could get caught so easily. She couldn't deny that there was some doubt in her mind. But, she also couldn't deny how in love she was with Troy. She couldn't bear to think of how she survived without him after she met him. That was why she didn't want to talk about college, even with Sharpay who she could tell anything.

She didn't want to be away from Troy. She would be in Silicon Valley, a thousand miles away, hopefully in two months if she got accepted to Stanford's freshmen's honour programme.

She couldn't stand it.

Her finger pressed the call button and she held it to her ear as she sat down on the bench. The ring tone went on and on. She was about to hang up when it was cut off abruptly and a breathless and angelic voice rang through her ear. "Hello?"

* * *

Troy threw the ball towards the basket and grinned as it fell right through. "Ha!" He exclaimed. "Those Knights don't know what's coming."

Chad poked his tongue out rather childishly. "Well, that's the only good thing about losing today. Man, where have you been to get you so good. You've barely been around."

"I want to pass and graduate." Troy exclaimed.

Chad rolled his eyes. "So you've been studying straight for the past week?"

"Well, no but I-" Troy was cut off by his cell phone ringing from the wooden bench on the other side of the court. He sighed and hit Chad over the head. "Just shoot some free throws while I'm on the phone." He jogged over to the table and picked his phone up. "Hello?"

"Troy." Gabriella said in relief. "Are you okay? You sound out of breath."

"I'm kind of in the middle of a one-on-one with Chad at the minute." He explained, glancing over at his best friend who seemed too absorbed in the orange ball to acknowledge Troy's conversation.

"Oh, I'll call you back. It doesn't matter." She mumbled.

"Of course it does. Carry on." He said softly.

She sighed deeply. "I miss you."

He chuckled. "I know." The chuckle died off and he became serious. "Me too."

"Hoops!" Chad called. "Come on."

"One minute." Troy yelled back. "Well, what can we do?"

"Give me an hour to get home, okay?" Gabriella suddenly decided. "I'm at Lava Springs with Shar at the moment but in an hour, climb my tree?"

"Why?" Troy asked.

"So we can see each other. I'll text you to tell you whether my brothers are playing basketball or not. Okay?" Gabriella asked.

Troy suddenly smiled. "Cool. An hour." He hung up and reached for his shirt. He pulled it over his head and pulled a fistful of the material to his nose. "Shower." He muttered as he jogged over to Chad. "Dude, my mom wants me home. I'm sorry. I'll see you later?"

"Of course, Dude. Why does your mom want you?" He asked.

Troy shrugged. "Who knows? See you later."

* * *

Gabriella stood precariously on her desk chair, looking on her very top shelf of where she kept her books. She had finished 'Romeo and Juliet' and was searching for another one to sooth her desire to read. She had left Sharpay half an hour ago, claiming that her father wanted her to at least try to act civilised around her cousins. She hadn't spoken to Greg since she entered the house. She had text Troy five minutes ago, telling him that her brothers were inside but he was running a few minutes late. Her hair was still damp after showering when she came in and she had changed into a blue Knight tank top and some yellow denim shorts.

She was a little nervous about showing off more of her body to Troy but it was warm that she just wasn't comfortable in anything else. Besides, if Troy didn't take her as she was – even though she was madly in love with him – she would wave goodbye to him.

A creak to her left caught her off guard and she leant backwards in shock at being brought out of her thoughts. She felt her body begin to lean back and she tried desperately to reach out for the shelf but she could grasp it. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the collision with the ground.

Instead, she felt one strong and familiar arm support her from her back and another support her by her knees. She let her breathing even out before letting her eyes flutter open. She grinned up at Troy and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Troy!" She whispered into his ear as her hands ran through his hair. "Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry."

"Whoa, hold up. Why are you apologising?" He asked as he walked them over to her bed and sat them down, Gabriella sitting happily in his lap, burying her nose into his neck.

"I've been so busy." She muttered into his skin.

"It's cool, I said I didn't mind and I don't. We're together now and that's all that matters." HE said softly, kissing her hair.

Daisy awoke from all of the commotion and yawned over in her basket. She padded over to the bed and jumped up onto it next to Troy. She started wagging her tail and licked Troy's cheek.

He chuckled and ruffled Daisy's ears. "Hey, Daisy."

She padded away, obviously contented by Troy's attention and jumped off of the bed again to go back over to her bed. Gabriella giggled and lifted her head from Troy's shoulder to look at him. "I missed you."

"I know." He whispered, tightening his arms around her waist. "I missed you, too." He leaned down and kissed her deeply, swallowing her gasp. He pulled back and smiled at her. "Don't think anything of it, though, okay?"

She nodded and kissed his cheek. "Okay."

"Promise?" Troy asked.

"Promise." She agreed.

"What was that all about?" Troy asked. "Do you always fall off of stuff?"

"No!" She exclaimed. "I was finding a book. I don't even know why my dad put it up there. I'm never going to reach that."

"Hmmmm…" Troy muttered, leaning down to kiss her neck. "I love this shirt."

"It's a Knight one." She mumbled into his hair.

"I know." He muttered into her skin.

She felt his warm fingers dance up and down her back through the fabric of her tank top. She had considered asking Troy to take things slow. But then he kissed her and she couldn't take it slow. She wanted him to touch her and to kiss her. He was so gentle whenever he touched her. He knew that her experience with boys was somewhat lacking due to her brothers and he was always asking her if she was okay.

He pulled back and smiled at her. "Can I climb your tree every night?"

She giggled and pressed her lips to his. "As long as you bring homework." She muttered against his lips.

Troy pulled back and frowned. "Homework?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes and slid off of his lap. "Yes, homework. I'm not being responsible for you flunking." She walked over to her desk and picked up some papers.

Troy wandered over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "How did you get an A plus in math?" He asked, eyeing the test in her hands.

She twisted her head to look at him. "Troy I need pretty much all As to get into medical school. I just learn it because I need to be a doctor."

He swooped down and captured her lips perfectly in a kiss. She dropped the papers carelessly onto her desk and turned in his arms. "Are you okay?" He asked breathlessly as he pulled back to look in her eyes.

She nodded and rested her hands comfortably on his chest. "Yeah."

Troy smiled and led her back over to her bed. They both got comfy in lying positions with Gabriella resting her head on his chest. "Can I ask a question?"

"Sure." She replied.

"Why do you want to be a doctor?" Troy asked quietly.

She laughed breathlessly. "I told that I've wanted to be a doctor since I was six years old, right?"

"Yeah." He whispered.

"When I was six years old, I was playing with all of my brothers. Danny, my oldest brother, was eighteen, and we were just playing. I mean, Carl and I were playing basketball by ourselves – with a smaller basketball, of course – and we were pretty much doing our own thing. Basically, I fell over and broke my left arm. Obviously, Danny drove us to the hospital and my mom looked it over and gave me a cast and stuff. It was pink." Gabriella lifted her head to look into Troy's eyes.

He smiled at her. "Pink?"

"Shar picked it out." Gabriella giggled. "And because my mom was working, she said she'd much prefer me to stay there. So, I was playing with other kids and I met this girl. She was only three. But, it was like we were already best friends. She was called Sandy because when she was born, she had blonde hair. She was dressed in this pink nightgown with little pink hearts on it."

Troy ran his comfortingly up and down her arm as he saw the memorable smile on her face. "Yeah?"

Gabriella seemed to snap out of a memory and she nodded. "Yeah. But, she also didn't have any hair. She had a wilms tumour." She whispered.

Troy pulled her closer, seeing the tears in her eyes. "This might sound dumb," He started quietly, "but, what's a wilms tumour?"

She smiled up at him. "It's not dumb. It's usually in children and it's basically a tumour on one of the kidneys. Anyway, she never stopped smiling. She had this bear. A tattered old thing. She wouldn't let it go. She had to have a tube up her nose to help her breathe and everything. But she never stopped smiling."

"You don't have to tell me the rest." Troy offered.

She shook her head slightly. "It's okay. And in later years, my mom told me that Sandy only lived three months after that. I didn't know until I was ten. But, the smile Sandy had on her face was down to my mom. My mom will just do everything to make sure the kids in that hospital are well and comfortable…and happy. So, every so often, I buy a few cuddly toys and take them down there." Tears were rolling down her cheeks and Troy pulled her even closer to him and she began crying into his neck.

Troy smiled into her hair. What she said was right: she needed to be a doctor. He knew that Stanford was what she needed and how anyone could overlook her passion for helping children was beyond him. It was clear that all she really wanted was to help children. For obvious reasons he wanted her to want him more than anything. But, he was glad that the thing she wanted more than him was to help children.

He pulled back and kissed her forehead. "You really want it, don't you?"

Gabriella's eyes were shiny as she smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Since that day when I broke my arm. When my mom tucked me in that night, I said 'Momma, I want to be like you when I grow up'."

Troy brushed his lips across hers. "You'll be a great doctor."

"Gabby, Princess, are you okay?" Greg asked through the door.

"Yes, Daddy, I'm fine." Gabriella replied as Troy hurriedly scrambled under the bed.

"You sure? I thought I heard voices." He asked uncertainly.

"I'm just watching 'Romeo and Juliet'." Gabriella replied.

"Okay, Princess. Well, your mother's making dinner soon."

"Okay. I'll be down in ten minutes, I promise." Gabriella called.

As Greg's footsteps faded away, Troy got out from under the bed and sat on the edge. "This is my cue to go?"

Gabriella sat up and smiled as she touched his cheek. "Yeah."

Troy leaned down and kissed her with every ounce of passin he held within his body. Her arms wound around his torso as their tongues danced together. "I'll come back." He murmured breathlessly as he moved down to her neck.

"Okay." She whispered as her hands felt his muscles rippling in his back. His lips' caresses moved to the other side of her neck and she gasped. She pulled back and smiled at him. "I'll see you later?"

Troy nodded. "Yeah. I'll call you before I come around, okay?"

Gabriella kissed him one last time and she smiled against his lips. "I'll be waiting."

Troy got to his feet and turned to her, pointing at her desk chair. "Don't stand on that thing ever again. I might not be there you fall. Just ask me to get a book down." He disappeared through her balcony doors, shutting them behind him, and then he jumped over the railing.

Gabriella sighed and fell back onto the bed. "What if I've already fallen?"