"Okay everybody in!" Chad yelled as everyone walked out of school after surviving another week of pure hell.

Gabriella hesitated a moment eyeballing Chad's mom's Honda which only seated 5 people and they had 6. Taylor got in the front and Zeke got in along with Jason and Troy hurried into the back. Sharpay had a dance committee meeting after school and would be meeting at Chad's house later.

"Uh, where am I supposed to sit?" Gabriella asked glaring at Chad as he got into the drivers seat closing the door and looking out at her.

"Well…uh…you should have gotten in faster…looks like you're walking." Chad said with a shrug before starting the car "OW!!" he yelled as Taylor punched him in the arm and Chad groaned turning back to a smirking Gabriella.

"Well okay…you have two options…walk…or sit on someone's – OW!! – Troy's lap." Chad said before turning towards the people in the car. "The next person to hit me is getting their ass beat!!!"

Gabriella rolled her eyes before going towards the trunk and opening the glass window throwing her bags inside closing the window again. Sighing before wrapping her arms around her waist she looked around the parking lot and her eyes lay on Crystal Haven. She was glaring right at her before smirking and giving a little wave. Gabriella straightened up when she heard Chad honk getting scared shitless before going to Troy's side and opening the door and climbing up. Troy grabbed her waist and pulled her down on top of him. Letting his hands rest in a place that no other guys hands should ever be.

"Are we ready now?" Chad asked in an annoyed voice.

"Yes jackass, you know you scared the shit out of me when you honked that fucking horn!!" Gabriella scolded punching Chad hard on the shoulder as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Hey!!!! Damn it Gabriella I'm driving!!!" Chad said reaching back and grabbing her ankle and squeezing it before letting go and grabbing the wheel again.

"Ugh Chad!" Gabriella said before pouting slightly leaning back on Troy who chuckled and kissed her neck.

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

"Can you just choose something to watch?!" Zeke yelled frustrated that Chad couldn't decide what he wanted to watch.

"Fine, we're watching Oprah…I missed yesterdays episode anyways." Chad said getting comfortable with Taylor on a couch and Zeke groaned knowing he asked for it.

Gabriella watched for a while before noticing Jason walking into the kitchen. Standing up she followed him in and watched as he looked out the back door a while before speaking.

"Hi," She said softly feeling awkward with him suddenly.

"Hi," Jason said turning and looking at her awkwardly. Gabriella sighed rocking on her heels looking down at the basketball shorts she borrowed from Chad and a old basketball camp t-shirt.

"How have you been? You've been…gone lately." Jason closed his eyes with a pained look on his face. "Or are you ignoring me?" Gabriella asked looking up at him, the statement caused him to open his eyes and look at her.

"I'm not ignoring you," Jason said

"Then why do you leave whenever I come in the room? Why don't we talk anymore? You don't even poke me on Facebook anymore," Gabriella shot back walking closer to him.

"I- I don't know why," Jason said looking away. Gabriella knew he was lying, though she decided to drop it for now.

"Fine." She said softly before walking back into the family room.

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

"I'm so tired." Troy said crawling into his bed that Gabriella was currently in.

She didn't respond just continued looking out the windows of his room thinking about things that had been happening with Jason. Sure Jason was a pure jackass to her, but that was their relationship, they were always asses towards each other. They love each other though, that has never changed and never will. She tried to remember a time when they had become this awkward and couldn't name one. Something had happened, did she miss something important?

Troy frowned crawling into the bed after closing his door. He moved up behind Gabriella so his chest was against her back but he could feel how tense she was. Wrapping an arm around her waist touching the soft skin below her naval he kissed her cheek letting his lips linger a bit. When he still didn't get responses he looked forward and saw her staring out the window. Looking out he saw the beautiful look of the setting sun but knew that wasn't what had Gabriella tense.

"What's up?" he asked softly bringing a hand up to play with her hair a bit. She remained silent and Troy leaned back and continued to play with the long natural curls of his girlfriends head…she smelled of vanilla or cinnamon.

"Has Jason been weird towards you?" She asked softly relaxing slightly but not completely.

"No, why? Is he being weird towards you?" he asked frowning trying to think if he'd seen any odd behavior.

"N-no I was just asking." Gabriella said turning to face him with huge brown eyes. Though he could see the wonder in her eyes and the worry too and it hit him. Grimacing slightly he looked away thoughts of past conversations with Jason rushing back. When his eyes met Gabriella's again she wore a frown. Using a thumb he touched her forehead causing her to relax.

"Don't worry, he'll come around eventually." Troy said not looking at her exactly.

"You know don't you? Why won't you tell me?" Gabriella asked feeling as if she'd cry for no other reason besides the fact she did just get her period.

"Some things aren't meant to be said by others babe, he'll tell you eventually." Troy said kissing her forehead then nose and finally mouth.

"Go to sleep." Troy whispered before turning to turn the light off.

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

3:56 am

Gabriella opened her eyes instantly being met by the naked chest of her boyfriend. She signed letting the weight of her body sink further into the mattress. Sighing again she slowly turned her body to squint at the clock on Troy's shelf and read that it was almost 4 am. Groaning she turned back into Troy's embrace and tried to go to sleep.

After 15 minutes Gabriella gave up on the fight for sleep since she knew it was no use. Carefully she moved from Troy's embrace and crawled out of his bed walking towards the door opening it quietly and closing it the same. Running a hand through her bed hair she came to the conclusion she needed a haircut desperately, he hair was down to her butt almost. Fixing her white t-shirt she borrowed from Troy so it looked decent with Troy's striped blue boxers she borrowed also.

When reaching the kitchen she flipped on the switch for the light as she's done her whole life. She walked over to the fridge and opened it looking inside before closing it, grabbing a glass from the cabinet next to her; she turned towards the sink to get some water before screaming dropping the glass.

"Gabriella I'm so sorry!" Lucille said rushing over to Gabriella who was blushing like crazy and trying to clean the glass in the sink.

"It's fine Lucille really…I'm so sorry about this glass I'll…I'll buy you another." Gabriella said quickly embarrassed from the incident.

"No, no it's fine Gabriella; you know we have too many glasses anyways." Lucille said coming towards her grabbing the garbage can along the way. "I was just in the den checking on things for dinner on Sunday." Lucille said carefully grabbing the pieces of glass from the sink.

That's right, Gabriella thought stepping back to allow Lucille to pick the glass up. Troy's birthday is coming up on Sunday, gosh what kind of girlfriend forgets her boyfriends' birthday. Gabriella thought again biting her lip trying to think of what she could quickly go to the mall to get him.

"I didn't know you were sleeping over," Lucille said placing the garbage down and going to the sink to wash her hands as Gabriella blushed trying to think of something.

"Oh yea, I was tired…practice and all and I just crashed so…" Gabriella said awkwardly leaning back on her heels.

"Oh really, when I looked in on Troy you two looked awfully cozy," Lucille teased with a smile on her face which caused Gabriella to flush. What the heck Lucille?! Gabriella thought looking anywhere but her boyfriends mother.

"Uhh…" Gabriella said absently.

"Are you still on birth control?" Lucille slipped in going and sitting down at the kitchen table. If Gabriella had been drinking something she surely would have choked.

"Lucille!!" Gabriella said looking at her with alarmed eyes that caused Lucille to laugh.

"Sit down Gabriella," she said smiling at the teen that looked skeptical. Gabriella sat down making sure there was a chair between her and her second mother, feeling really uncomfortable wishing she had a baseball cap.

"I've known for at least a year now you know, I just have gotten so well at hiding it I need nights like tonight to remind me it's true." She said with a kind smile on her face. Gabriella looked at her confused.

"How…how did you know?" Gabriella asked with wonder.

"Well I think it's obvious to any mother with a teenage boy. When he starts asking you to pick him up some good smelling shower gel, you know he's either getting a girl or already has one." Gabriella smiled just imagining Troy going to Lucille for this.

"Then," she continued "There is the fact that he always seemed to be hanging out with you. Of course at first I thought nothing of it, it seemed normal you two had been hanging out since you were born. Though he started taking more time to make sure he looked good and everything so I figured things were changing. I'm glad it was you though." She finished with a smile that made Gabriella blush.

"Thanks, I'm glad it was me too. Sorry we never told you…we didn't tell anyone."

"Oh it's fine, I'm a mom, who wants to talk to me?" Lucille said waving it off making Gabriella laugh. "As long as both of you are happy, I'm happy." Lucille finished looking at Gabriella seriously causing her to smile.

Troy's so lucky; he has a mom who wants him. Gabriella thought briefly before shaking her head as footsteps were heard coming towards the kitchen.

"Babe?" Troy asked sleepily causing Gabriella to turn around and see her tired looking boyfriend stumble into the kitchen rubbing his eyes slightly. His hair was all over his hair in the sexy way and he was wearing nothing but boxers. If Lucille wasn't in the room something chaotic could have occurred.

"Troy you're up early," Lucille said standing up with a smirk on her face.

"Oh well…uhmm…ma can Gabriella sleep over?" Troy asked innocently smiling tiredly at his mother who laughed shaking her head before going back down the hall to the den and closing the door.

"You weren't in bed," Troy said bringing his attention back to Gabriella who looked up at him tiredly as he came to stand in front of her.

"I couldn't sleep," She said softly and Troy brought a hand up to play with her hair.

"Well I was cold you know, you are wearing my shirt." Troy teased causing Gabriella to blush.

"If you want it back…"

"No- let's just go back to sleep before my mother wants pictures." Troy said in between a yawn causing Gabriella to giggle as she stood.

Troy grabbed her hand interlacing their fingers and continued down the hall towards his bedroom closing the door behind them.

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

"I can't believe you!!!!" Sharpay yelled as she and Gabriella rushed into the mall.

"Shar I told you a thousand times since you picked me up after I texted you. I was sick last week and this week I've had practice there's no time to get the boyfriend a gift."Gabriella grumbled still tired since she just rolled out of bed.

"You could have ordered off line," Sharpay pointed out pulled Gabriella towards the escalator.

"I need sleep you know," Gabriella said as they moved up to the second level.

"Perfect we'll buy him boxers since you love to wear them so damn much. " Sharpay said looking forward.

"Shar it's too early in the morning for attitude." Gabriella said trying to keep up with the blonde.

"Well we don't have much time," Sharpay said turning into Ambercrombie & Fitch

"Uh his birthday is tomorrow," Gabriella said confused.

"Yes and we're having a very nice dinner, so that doesn't leave us much time to get him a gift and you a nice dress," Gabriella slowed her pace as she entered the store after hearing Sharpay's words.

"A dress?" Gabriella choked out.

"Well yea, I don't think his mom would like you wearing a towel, though Troy and……would" Sharpay said under her breath. Gabriella frowned having not heard the second name.

"Wait who else?" Shars eyes got wide and she turned to Gabriella with a tight smile.

"Oh no one, come let's get him some plaid shirt of something he loves those." Sharpay said pulling Gabriella deeper in the store.

"Yea but he has so many," Gabriella said looking at the plaid shirts in the many colors. Sharpay sighed turning back to Gabriella who had this lost puppy expression on her face.

"Well what do you usually get him?"

"I don't know…stuff," Gabriella said with a sigh getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

"Well you were his girlfriend then so what's the dif-"

"But that's it!" Gabriella interrupted "No one knew I was, and now almost everyone who's going to be at dinner will know…" Gabriella trailed off.

"Oh Gabriella," Sharpay said giving her friend a sympathetic look pulling her into a hug, "We'll find something I promise."

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

"Shar please don't say you're still mad at me!" Gabriella said standing in front of Sharpay who wasn't looking at, Zeke chuckled as her stood next to Sharpay his arm around her waist.

"I'm sorry but I couldn't wear that dress,"

"Why not! You looked gorgeous!" Sharpay said being dramatic as always.

"But I wasn't comfortable! How can I go to a birthday dinner for Troy if I'm not myself while going?" Gabriella asked as hair blew in her face as they stood outside waiting to go inside Olive Garden. "I let you straighten my hair without protest, you put make up on me, chose my outfit and you're mad because I wouldn't wear the dress?" Gabriella asked at Taylor and Jason walked over to them.

"Babe," Zeke said softly to Sharpay who was still trying to be stubborn.

Finally Sharpay looked at Gabriella and looked in her pleading eyes. She looked down at Gabriella's feet in the black flats they bought at the mall and the black skinny jeans she wore with them. She had a printed tank on that was long enough to look like a mini dress on her and the jeans were so tight they seemed like leggings. Her hair was straight with her bangs going to the left, her stud earrings balanced everything off perfectly and the gray cardigan she wore made it modern.

"Forgiven," Sharpay said with a smile pulling Gabriella into a hug before pulling away.

"Can we go in now? I'm cold." Taylor said shivering slightly in the dress she was wearing, Sharpay nodded since she was wearing a dress also.

Once everyone was seated they chatted and ate a few bread sticks while they waited for Troy to arrive with Chad. Gabriella sat in the last seat at the table, it was a first come first served thing. The empty seat next to her was for Chad; Taylor was next to him, then Shar and Zeke. Jason was across from her looking at his plate which had a single bread stick on it.

"So I was thinking for the Halloween dance we should go as angels and we could all be Charlie's Angels. You know? Like the next version." Taylor said looking at Gabriella who was a little uncomfortable around so many of Troy's relatives, some she'd never met. As soon as someone drops the girlfriend bomb she was out of there.

"Uh I don't know…I'm not into dresses or anything…I kind of wanted to go as a Power Ranger with the guys I could be the Yellow one…" Gabriella said looking at Jason who looked at her their eyes locking before he looked away.

"But…the guys could get someone else to step in. Like Devon or someone, or we could go as Totally Spies, you know the red, green and yellow. You can be green and Shar would be red and I'd be yellow." Taylor said trying to get Gabriella's attention.

"I'll think about it…" Gabriella said smiling at Taylor deciding Jason was probably bored.

"They're here!" Lucille said from her spot towards the head of the table in the room they booked that Troy would be sitting at.

The seating really was family towards the top going down to his friends. Once Troy sat on the left would be in order: Lucille, Jack, his grandma Cathy, his grandpa Dan, his aunt Judy, his uncle Steve, his cousin Donny, his cousin Sarah, his cousin Alex, his cousin Vicky and Jason. On the right side would be: his closest cousin Rob, his aunt Mandy, his cousin Danielle, his cousin Holly, his uncle Ryan, his cousin May, Zeke, Sharpay, Taylor, Chad and Gabriella. Sure if Gabriella had the choice she'd sit on Troy's lap but since it was a birthday dinner and his whole family was here she didn't want to be on girlfriend watch.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" everyone yelled when Troy came through the door looking gorgeous his hair pushed up in the 'I just rolled out of bed look but it looks perfect'. He was wearing a black jacket that he had gotten for his birthday and a nice blue button up shirt.

Chad clapped him on the shoulder and smiled at everyone before walking the little distance to his seat next to Taylor dropping a kiss on her lips as he sat. Chad said hi to everyone on his end of the table before looking back at Troy who was kissing his grandmothers cheeks and waving at everyone.

"For me? Really guys you didn't have to- who ate all the bread sticks?" Troy asked with a serious pout on his face that made everyone laugh.

"Don't worry they're bringing more!" Rob said grabbing Troy and pulling him to his seat. Troy gave that lopsided grin that made Gabriella crazy even though it wasn't directed at her.

"Good, but thanks for coming everyone," Troy said as a few waitresses came in with more salad and bread sticks.

Once the real food arrived everyone got into conversation about whatever their end was discussing. Though the birthday boy was distracted with what was going on at the end of the table.

"Jason stop stealing my food!" Gabriella said poking Jason's hand with her fork.

"What that looks good!"

"You are the one who wanted the lasagna," Gabriella said glaring at him though he just rolled his eyes.

"She has a point dude," Chad said looking at Jason then winking at Gabriella,

"Oh please she won't even finish, she's a girl now,"

"What?!?!" Gabriella asked, though she was just happy to see Jason back to normal.

"Jason Gabriella has always been a girl," Rachel pointed out looking at him

"I know but now she's acting like one so she should eat like one," Jason said without thinking.

"Jason just, shut up," Taylor said trying to help him out.

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

"Troy, if you stare any longer she's going to notice," Rob said through a chuckle as Troy snapped out of gaze before glaring at Rob.

"I'm not the one who made the seating chart," Troy said looking at his mother was trying to remain innocent.

"Well I'm sorry everyone just kind of sat down and the gang all came in late so," Lucille said but Troy raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't you think Gabriella looks gorgeous with her hair straight?" She asked trying to change the subject.

"Yea but ma you're not that good at changing the subject," Troy teased.

"Troy who is that young lady who keeps looking up here, she looks familiar."Troy's grandma Cathy said gently up towards Troy.

"Oh that's Gabriella, grandma." He said with a proud grin. His grandmother looked back towards Gabriella before looking back at Troy.

"What ever happened to that little boy you used to play with when you were younger? What was his name? Gabriel?"

"Uh, no grandma he left that's Gabriella…" She nodded before going to talk to Jack but Troy spoke again.

"She's my girlfriend," He said loud enough for most to turn their heads towards him.

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

"I'm stuffed," Chad said as they walked out of the restaurant, his arm Taylor as they headed for his truck with Jason.

"Alex shut up!" May yelled as she talked with Gabriella

"Sorry about that," She said fixing her purse on her shoulder.

"Nah it's fine," Gabriella said laughing.

"I swear he still has a crush on you from that one time you two went rolling into that mud pile," May said instantly bursting into laughter.

"Oh gosh don't remind me! It took forever to get the smell of dirt from my hair," Gabriella said as Steve caught up with them since he was taking May and Alex home.

"Gabs I think Troy wants you, so you can start making out," Steve laughed before waving goodbye to Gabriella who was turning redder by the minute as she stood there shocked.

"Hey," she turned when Troy came up behind her pulling her into a hug which she melted into.

"You had better hope your birthday gift for me is good, because you were sitting on the opposite end of me during dinner." Troy said kissing her head seeing some of his family watching though not caring as his hands moved lower.

"Ugh, I know! I saw your plate, it looked good. Jason kept eating off of mine but I'm stuffed anyways." Gabriella mumbled stuffing her hands in the back pockets of Troy's jeans.

"Oh well, where's my present? Everyone else's is in the back of my truck but I didn't see one from you, I'm 17 now so it'd better be good," Troy teased resting his forehead against hers after kissing her nose which cause her to make a disgusted face.

"First, you can't see it until we're alone since it's on me…" Troy's eyes filled with joy as he looked down at her body imagining.

"Sharpay's idea so thank her…later. Second, never kiss me on the nose again." She said seriously, Troy pulled from her grabbing her hand and pulling her towards his truck.

"Why not?" he asked really eager to get home, Gabriella stopped walking, this caused Troy to stop and look at her.

"My lips are right here." She said with a pout. Troy grinned getting the picture and he leaned down and got to her lips but stopped and whispered.

"I love you," Gabriella giggled kissing him on the lips

"I love you more birthday boy,"

It's longer I know, but I like it...more people are slowly finding out about T and G but remember only the gang and the basketball team know at school. Meaning the next chapter should be fun. Should I do the Halloween dance? Or just skip it?

Review.

xoxo Zoe