"Hey Sport," I looked up from the toaster to see my dad walking in with his practice bag placing it on the table before reaching in the cabinet and grabbing two plates.

"Hey," I said – my voice sounding odd from being sick - looking back at the toaster waiting for the Eggos to pop up.

"So doing anything today?" he asked sitting down at the table after laying out the plates forks knives cups and syrup. I turned and leaned on the counter my hands on either side of me as I watched him grab the paper and open it covering his face.

"No not really, I was just going to go and study, why?" he hummed behind the paper just as the Eggos popped up making me jump slightly. I turned back around and grabbed the still warm Eggos. I quickly placed one on his place and the other on mine. I turned towards the fridge and opened it pulling out the orange juice. I went back to the table and poured some for both of us. Once I'd finished I moved to my seat and sat down putting my right leg under me letting my left foot barely touch the ground. I pulled Troy's hoodie – which I stole – around me tighter. It's a little cool outside for October and I get cold easily sometimes. I started to cut my Eggo which my father had started eating his already.

"Well I was hoping you'd come and practice with the team," I took a bite of my Eggo and glanced at him. I haven't been feeling really up to anything lately but going to practice is always fun.

"Uh sure could be fun…" I trailed off taking another bite as he nodded.

"I already called the rest of the guys they said they'd meet us at campus."

By the rest of the guys he meant Chad, Zeke, Jason and Troy. This also means that he had this planned for a minute. I looked back at my plate and sighed as my father finished up and opened the sports section covering his face once again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

U of A

I wrapped my arms around myself more as we walked up to the gym as some of the other players were walking up for pre-season practice. I looked over at the parking lot and saw Troy's truck and Zeke's car next to each other meaning they're already here and ready for practice. I fixed my gym bag on my shoulder; I don't feel like playing but … my dad.

Sports, the only thing I believe we have in common; we've never talked about anything else. I don't even know my mother's name; he never tries to imply that I could go on a date and tell me how guys are pigs. School comes up around conference time and whenever he's had a long day at campus. Though sports were always something that we could talk about, I wish that would change though.

"Scabs!!!" I looked up once we entered the gym and was instantly lifted off the ground by a big mob of curls which of course was Chad.

"Ugh, Chad you doof put me down." I yelled kicking him in the knee; he hadn't lifted me high enough to kick him anywhere else. I looked and watched my dad laugh before walking to the court.

"I haven't seen you since Thursday! I missed you," he squeezed me tighter swaying from side to side making me kind of dizzy.

"Okay Chad I get it, and I called you on Wednesday saying I was sick and wouldn't be at school." I said as he slowly loosens his grip and lowered me. He looked down at me and grinned, I looked at him noticing he was dressed to play.

"I know but that's like a looooong time that I haven't seen you," He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we walked towards the court. "I mean texting you during drama can only take me so far," he teased

I rolled my eyes as we got to the brightness of the court. The team plus Zeke and Jason were already doing layups and side drills. I couldn't help but letting my eyes scan the entire gym for Troy – I haven't seen him since Friday morning – I finally found him talking with my dad and Eric who is the captain of the Redhawks.

No Ones POV

"Well I'm going to go talk with Barnes," Coach Montez said before walking off leaving Troy and Eric to talk.

"Girlfriend alert," Eric said looking towards Chad who had walked in with Gabriella. Troy followed his gaze and his heart skipped a beat.

She looked perfect, to him at least. She was wearing a black pair of gym shoes with black basketball shorts, her legs shinning made it hard for him to hold the urge to run his hands over them. She was wearing his gray hoodie which he's been missing for the past week. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun a few strands breaking free. She was still as pale as she was Friday but that didn't change any of the feelings she gave him.

"Earth to Bolton!" Eric yelled snapping Troy from his gaze; Troy rubbed his hands together and casually looked over to Eric."Dude you are so secretly whipped." Troy shoved Eric who just laughed.

"Fuck off," Troy said though a blush crept on his face.

"Even if I hadn't walked in on you guys in the guy's locker room it's obvious." Eric said as they decided to head over slowly, it took everything for Troy not to rush over and just kiss her senseless.

"Really?" Troy asked though everything went in one ear out the other.

"Yea I mean you can't stop looking and touching each other,"

"Mmmhmm,"

"And you like…..always run around kissing guys,"

"Interesting,"

"You know I think you're a jackass,"

"Cool," Eric looked at Troy as they were almost at Gabriella and Chad.

"I've seen Gabriella naked," that set something off inside Troy's head. He turned and grabbed Eric's shirt and looked at him with blazing eyes.

"What?!?!" Eric just laughed

"Dude kidding, chill," Eric pushed Troy off him. Troy flushed slightly before looking down at Gabriella who walked over after putting her bag down.

"Hey kid feeling better?" Eric asked pulling Gabriella into a hug and holding that pose a few seconds longer just to torture Troy.

"I'm better," Gabriella said grinning up at Eric who winked at her making her laugh and blush. Eric grinned and put his hand under her chin.

"Well look at that, she's gorgeous, you could get a boyfriend in a minute if you just flirted more," Gabriella jabbed Eric in the gut before looking up at Troy who was glaring at Eric.

"Okay, okay I get the hint." He said pretending to limp away.

"Hey stranger," Gabriella said turning and walking towards the exit from the gym Troy walking in step with her.

"Hey cutie," Gabriella looked down to hide the blush that might have shown on her pale face. "He's right you could get a boyfriend if you flirted a bit," Troy whispered in her ear as they exited into the huge hallway.

"Well I have an amazing boyfriend," Gabriella said smiling.

"Oh really? Is he handsome?"

"Most definitely," Troy nodded and once they were far enough stopped walking.

"Do I stand a chance against him?" Troy asked looking down

"Well I'd have to kiss you to find out," Gabriella winked at Troy before pushing him against the closest wall and attacking him with her lips.

When they finally broke apart Gabriella dropped her head on Troy's chest slightly tired from the make out session. Troy wrapped his arms around Gabriella's waist letting his left hand slip under her hoodie to the bare skin of her back.

"Isn't this that hoodie I said went missing a few days ago?" Troy said more to himself than Gabriella who smiled into his chest and gave the muffled reply.

"Maybe."

"Mmhmm," was his reply as he placed a kiss on her forehead frowning when he felt it was still slightly warm.

"Still feeling bad," Gabriella pouted nodding into his chest before pulling back and looking up at him.

"Are you going to be my nurse?" She asked mischief in her eyes.

"Uhh... I'd rather play basketball," Gabriella gasped before hitting Troy hard on the chest and stomping towards the gym.

"Hey!!" Troy said catching up.

"Nope, it's on Bolton," Gabriella said obviously not in girlfriend mode anymore.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"VICTORY!!!!" Eric yelled jumping up and down with his team plus Gabriella looking over at Troy's team "See always put Gabriella on your team she's the shit," Eric yelled towards Troy - who rolled his eyes – before running and picking Gabriella up from the waist and running around with her.

"Eric put me down!!" Gabriella yelled through her laughs.

"Fine," Eric mumbled before placing her down right in front of Troy, Chad, Zeke and Jason who were all taking gulps from their water bottles. Gabriella being a little dizzy - from both pushing herself and from being spun around – leaned on Zeke who was closest to her.

"You okay?" Zeke asked nudging her a little which made her grab her stomach moving from him

"I'm ready to go home," Gabriella said sitting down just as Chad was picking up his bag.

"I say we all head over to Gab's and then we can catch the Malcolm in the Middle marathon." Chad said holding his phone to his ear calling Taylor most likely.

"Sounds like a plan," Gabriella said holding her hand out to Jason to help her up "I'll just go tell my dad," Gabriella said before sprinting over to her dad getting him up to date.

Troy followed her with his eyes for a moment before grabbing his bag and following the guys out to the hall leaving the Redhawks to their practice. The guys walked ahead of him talking about taking showers and changing before going over to Gabriella's for the marathon.

"Troy," Troy looked up at Chad

"I'm going to get with Zeke and Jason, you take Gabs okay?" Chad asked giving Troy a weird look.

"Uh sure yea I – yea I'll just shower at her place," Troy frowned when he saw a blush come on Chad's face but decided to let it go when Gabriella came running up behind him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"That was the best shower I have taken in ages." Troy said following Gabriella out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around his waist. Gabriella looked at him her hair dripping on the small towel she used to squeeze water from the ends.

"I'm still trying to figure out how we ended up going at it in the shower. I don't even know when we started kissing." Gabriella sniffed a little as she walked over to her drawer in search of bra and panties.

Troy chuckled a little before going to the bottom drawer while she still searched the top and searched for something to wear. The fact either of them could concentrate enough to get dressed in the same room was an achievement in itself.

As soon as the two entered Gabriella's house and felt the emptiness and the calm they looked at each other. A look of pure lust, their lips connected before they could blink. Both struggling to make it to the stairs and having to have to break contact to stumble up the stairs connecting as soon as they were at the top. The things that happened between getting to her room and getting in the shower were a blur to both. The thought that Gabriella was still sick didn't even cross their minds either, the fact they never locked any of the doors was also present but not acknowledged.

Having sex in the shower was never the plan when they arrived at the home. Gabriella wanted to change and get warm, set up for the Malcolm in the Middle marathon her friends were going to watch with her. Troy was going to shower in the guest room then help his girlfriend set up, greet his friends, and then cuddle with his girlfriend while they watched. Sex wasn't the intention, wasn't in the plan, they aren't a sex driven couple. They had a moment of weakness and lust.

That's how the first time was, a moment of weakness and lust. The last day of June – which was a few months earlier – they had their first time but never really realized it. Of course the safety was taken, Troy had received condoms in health class and Gabriella started birth control in January though she originally planned it for regulating her period. The fact that everything went so smoothly the first time was also surreal. Gabriella's dad was gone with the team and Gabriella was scared since it was raining outside. Troy decided he would sleep over and keep her company. Though sleeping in the same bed cuddling sharing small kisses which lead to making out and then…you get the point.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Yes no, maybe… I don't know, can you repeat the question, YOU'RE NOT BOSS OF ME NOW, YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW, YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW, and you're not so big, YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW, YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW, YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME NOW, and you're not so big….life's unfair"

"God that song never gets old," Jason said getting comfortable on the carpeted floor in Gabriella's family room.

"I know I wish this show could have gone on forever." Zeke said wrapping his arm around Sharpay.

"I always found this show stupid; I mean what family is really like this?" Shar commented pointing at the T.V. there was a collective gasp through the room.

"What are you talking about?!?! I wish my family was like this! I mean imagine how entertaining it would be?" Chad asked looking at Sharpay as if she were from another planet.

"Chad if you belonged to this family you would be even weirder than you already are!"

"Oh please Sharpay you just don't know how to loosen out of your perfect little image." Chad said making a face ignoring Taylor's scolding.

"He has a point you do act like you always have a stick up your ass," Jason said while eating on some caramel popcorn.

"I beg your pardon?!?! I do not! See rude comments like that just show why you're still single!" Shar said ignoring the guy's laughter.

"Yea well Troy's still single and he makes fun of you all the time." Jason said sitting up facing Sharpay

"Oh please Jason, anyone can look at Troy and tell he's getting some regularly,"

"Come on Troy could be keeping Playboys under his bed," Chad said cracking himself up along with Zeke though Troy's face just turned red as he grabbed a pillow off the couch and threw it at Chad. Gabriella groaned a little trying to focus on the Sleepover episode that was playing on the T.V.

"I think we should give Troy some credit I mean he could be fucking every girl in the school without us knowing…well Gabriella would know," Jason said being a little bit behind as always.

"Oh please Troy isn't that careless." Taylor said putting in her little note while she could before giving me a look saying maybe-you-should-just-tell-them-already.

"So what that has nothing to do with anything." Sharpay sad pouting

"Oh please Shar you know good and well you used to have a big thing for Troy," Chad said laughing as Troy choked on the sip of soda he was trying to get down. Gabriella frowned a little and hit him on the back a few times before he was fine.

"I did not! I mean Troy is attractive but if I really wanted him I'd have chosen him over Zeke. So obviously I like Zeke more." To prove a point Sharpay turned kissed Zeke passionately.

"Ugh you don't have to just kiss all over, this is so rude, Scabs say something." Jason said making a face as Chad and Troy threw pillows at them to make them separate and breathe.

"HEY you're going to ruin my hair!!" Shar yelled breaking from a dazed Zeke and started throwing pillows back at Troy and Chad.

Gabriella groaned again putting my fingers to my temple as a pain started to form in her head from the noise. She couldn't even watch Stevie's crazy parents in peace dealing with these people. She felt Taylor place a hand on her arm and she asked her if she wanted an aspirin or anything and Gabriella nodded and heard her leave quickly. This transaction went unnoticed by everyone else as they continued to bicker the Malcolm in the Middle marathon long forgotten.

"Okay that's it!" Gabriella yelled standing up glaring at the immature brats before me, she frowned a little more at how foreign my voice sounded but she pushed that aside. "You guys are impossible, I'm trying to watch Malcolm and Stevie find his wheelchair and all you guys can do is yell at each other about pointless things, who cares if Sharpay doesn't like the show? Maybe she just came to spend time with her friends. Who are you to be concerned with who Troy makes love to? That isn't any of your business. Now personally I feel like pure shit right now and all I wanted to do was watch Malcolm in the Middle and see Francis since he is soooo cute. But now my head hurts so bad from all you're yelling and all I want to do is take a Tylenol and go to sleep. Thank you," She yelled before turning and storming upstairs Taylor following behind me.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You know this is just amazing," Taylor said lying next to Gabriella on her bed; they were both on their back with their feet resting on the wall.

"What?" Gabriella asked with her voice a little more changed with the tootsie pop in her mouth.

"Cori is like lesbian or bi or something." Gabriella frowned looking over at her laptop that was angled on Taylor's lap.

"Why do you say that?"

"I mean look she went all the way to Chicago just to hang out with her coach. Who does that? I mean team trips are one thing. You did hear she skips class to go sit in her car." Taylor said looking over at Gabriella.

"Shut up! I mean I go places with my coaches but that's in group form and everything or its Jack but he's like my godfather so…but they went casually?"

"Yea like they're best friends,"

"That's weird."

"Yea,"

"Who does that?"

"I don't know,"

"Wow, and people say I'm gay," Gabi laid back and continued to suck her sucker.

"Please it's obvious you're getting some daily."

"Tay!" Gabriella yelled kicking her foot.

"Well you and Troy have that look…oh god you didn't do it on the bed did you?" Taylor sat up but Gabriella just grabbed her shoulder pulling her back down.

"No we haven't done it in the bed in a while,"

"Oh good," Gabriella watched as she scrolled through Cori's Facebook pictures before adding.

"It was the shower,"

"EWWWWWW," Gabriella couldn't help but start laughing at her "You guys are just ew,"

"Oh and what about you and Chad?" Gabi said nudging her.

"What about us,"

"Chad tells us everything," Gabi said looking at her from the corner of my eye as her jaw dropped.

She was going to reply when there was finally a knock on the door. Took them long enough, both girls thought in their heads before saying come in. The door slowly opened and soon Troy stood there looking nervous and ashamed at the same time. He looked behind himself as if hoping that someone would be behind him but had no such luck.

"Uh well Shar and Jason are still kind of going at it about anything that comes to mine. Zeke is trying to keep Shar calm; Chad is too busy laughing at Jason to comprehend anything." Troy looked up and locked eyes with Gabriella before blushing and looking back down. "Anyway we all know we came here to do one thing and that you still aren't feeling all that hot and everything and decided to act like 3 year olds anyways. We're sorry and would love it if you both would come back downstairs so we can finish our marathon." Troy looked back up at the two girls with a hopeful look on his face.

Taylor turned to Gabriella and they pretended to debate over if they should go or not. Once they came to a conclusion Taylor sat up and walked over to Gabriella's desk and sat down with the laptop logging off. Troy looked at Taylor before walking over to Gabriella who moved into a kneeling position on the bed. Once at the bed he wrapped his arms around her waist resting his forehead against hers. Gabriella smiled a little as she took her lollipop out of her mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"So are you mad at me?" Troy asked innocently, Gabriella pretended to think it over but finally decided her answer. She moved the small distance and kissed him softly on the lips. When they pulled apart Troy chuckled a little.

"I'll take that as a yes then, are you feeling better?" Troy asked pulling away slightly to look at her.

"Yes much better now that you're here," she winked at him before placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Okay as much as I feel privileged to see one of your adorable moments, I'm ready to go down." Taylor said from her new spot leaning against the doorframe of Gabriella's door.

Troy and Gabriella blushed before looking in each others eyes having a silent conversation. Troy winked at Gabriella before kissing her square on the lips. Gabriella giggled into the kiss and when they broke apart beamed at Troy as he helped her down from the bed.

"Did you change?" Troy asked noticing that she was now wearing a pair of his boxers and an old t-shirt of his.

"Noooo," Gabriella said winking and sticking her sucker back in her mouth before skipping to Taylor and interlacing their hands as they moved down the hall Troy following close behind.

"You know this would be easier if you two just told everyone – at least the gang – that you're going out. Trust me the only person who may take this wrong is Jason and well that's because he'll be the only single one…well technically that's true," Taylor spoke loud enough for both to hear.

"Tay we're waiting for the right moment." Troy said as they headed for the stairs.

"When's that going to be your wedding…I better be maid of honor by the way." Taylor said glaring at Gabriella in the end which caused her to giggle.

"It'll be sooner than that, we just want it to seem like we eased into it." Gabriella started

"I mean we are more affectionate to each other." Troy continued.

"We held hands in school on Wednesday,"

"Yea I mean we're just easing into it," Troy finished.

"Oh please the excuse for that is Gabriella being sick." Taylor said rolling her eyes as they reached the bottom and headed for the family room.

"Oh well Taylor believe what you want – oh my gosh is that the Bowling episode? I love this one," Gabriella said dropping Taylor's hand and rushing for the room.

"Why do you love her?" Taylor asked looking up at Troy.

"Because of things like that," Troy said pointing towards the room. "Making her happy and if she's happy I'm happy. I just lucked out with the fact that her being with me makes her happy," Troy said still looking towards the room hearing the others saying sorry to Gabriella and her just telling them to shut up so she could watch.

"Well good for you, but if you hurt her I'll-"

"I know Tay," Troy said winking at her before walking into the room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ugh my head and throat are killing me," Gabriella said lying down on top of Troy who was spread out on her queen bed.

Troy laughed as she place her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist rubbing her back gently in soothing circles. He smiled before kissing the top of her head and replying.

"Well if Jason hadn't decided to be Reese, Zeke Francis, Chad Dewey and you Malcolm and all of you hadn't tried to reenact the last scene of the Flashback episode you wouldn't be saying that,"

"I guess," Gabriella responded lazily cuddling more against Troy,

"You want me to get you anything….you've had a long day," Troy said some concern coming over him though the whole shower bit was more miscellaneous than anything else.

"No…I guess we better get back downstairs," Gabriella said through a yawn trying to sit up,

"You're tired sleep up here; you need to be somewhere comfortable." Troy said trying to roll from under her.

"No I'm fine," Gabriella said again once he succeeded in getting from under her and standing on the side of the bed. Troy laughed again seeing that she never opened her eyes but grabbed her stuffed bear and cuddling with it.

"Wow you sure have a hold on that bear," Troy said frowning a little

"I love him,"

"I thought you loved me?"

"Mmm no I think I love him more,"

"Why?"

Troy didn't get a respond and when he looked up again Gabriella seemed to be in a close to deep sleep. He smiled a little before moving to help her under the covers. Once he succeeded in doing the deed without waking her he kissed her on the forehead brushing some of her long curls away.

"He'd kiss me…" Gabriella mumbled.

"What?"

"He'd kiss me in front of his friends." Gabriella said before flipping over so she was facing her balcony.

Troy stood there a little dumbstruck. Was Gabriella really saying that or was it just a thought that became verbalized. He shook his head deciding to ignore it for the moment and walked over to the door and turned off the lights getting ready to head down to the sleepover downstairs.

"Bugs?" He paused and turned back towards her room.

"Yea?"

"I love you," Troy grinned and tapped the doorframe a little nodding.

"I love you too," he closed the door quietly before heading downstairs into a massive pillow fight.

Eh idk this just came to me and everything. I don't know why I chose this but yea.... Ugh I don't really like it it's kind of all over....but overall it's cute little Troyella moments, but it has the realistic things idk. Give me an idea for the next chapter I'll focus more most likely. but every story is entitled to a bad chapter.... Anyways this is chapter 3 you read/please review...I miss reviews at the moment I love reading them

xoxo Zoe