A/N: Here goes the promised update :D I am not too sure about it, but I hope you'll like it just the same!

I want to say thank you to all of you for your reviews; they really make my day! :D And they mean a lot: to know you are enjoying that the same way I am doing…woah, it's huge :P and to those of you who have added me to your Author list, or have you added me to your Favourite Author list…woah, I feel honoured :D

With the last chapter more people has added the story to his/her story alert list…or his/her favourite story list, and I need to repeat it: THANKS! You guys rock! :D

I'd love to know what you think about that chapter… :blush:

Oh, I won't be able to update until Thursday or Friday...if not the weekend :( so...well, I am updating now because I don't want for you to be waiting a lot for the update...I'd feel bad :S but now...well, it's not as long as the last chapter, but I think that's better than nothing ;)

Here goes chapter 7. Enjoy! :)

"Are you ready?" Troy asked Gabriella grabbing his bag from the table of the living room.

Gabriella nodded absently. "Do you know where my phone is?"

Troy chuckled. "It's beside your bag baby," he said amused.

"Oh right," Gabriella said picking the item and throwing it into her bag. "Let's go."

Troy grabbed her arm when Gabriella passed beside him. "Are you okay?" He whispered kissing her forehead.

"Yeah," Gabriella said quietly looking everything but his eyes. "Why?"

"Gabi," Troy said sternly. "What's up baby?"

Gabriella played with her fingers, lowering her eyes to the ground. Troy was surprised because they had been more than fine until that moment; after a funny breakfast together, where they fed each other and they'd done the dishes also joking with the bubbles…now Gabriella was avoiding his eyes stubbornly. To say he was confused by her behaviour was an understatement.

Lifting her chin with two of his fingers, he forced her to look at him. "Hey, talk to me…"

"I am nervous…about school…" Gabriella said with her eyes shining in fear and swallowing loudly.

Troy sighed. "Sorry." His lips touched her temple again and though his voice was merely a whisper, she heard him.

"I know," Gabriella said embracing him, "and I also understand you but…I can't help but worry…"

Tightening his arms around her, Troy buried his head into her curls. "Look, don't worry okay? We'll be fine; we'll go with the flow…"

"And what if the blow separates us?" Gabriella's voice broke twice and Troy knew right then and there that she would need his help to go through the school…but the truth was that he was scared too; he was afraid that the school would be too much for him to handle and so he would push Gabriella away. He didn't want that; he was willing to fight against that, but he knew it'd be hard, very very hard.

"No one will separate us baby," Troy said placing each of his hands in either side of her face. "Look, we will cross the bridge when we find it, ok? You don't know how you're going to feel when we are at school, and neither do I, so we will think about that when we are there."

"Okay, okay…" Gabriella disentangled from him but Troy grabbed her arm and pulled her into his arms again.

"Together we can win over everything, remember?" He whispered.

Gabriella gave him a small smile and nodded. "We can."

"That's my girl," Troy chuckled softly kissing her lips.

Grabbing their things, both stepped out of the house and Troy waited for her while Gabriella locked the door and turned on the alarm. Her movements were slow, as if she was thinking about something. "Troy," she said turning to look at him.

"Yeah?" He asked searching for his keys in his pocket.

"Do you have practice today, right?" Gabriella asked hesitantly.

"Fuck," Troy said. "Will you wait for me to end it then?"

"No, it's okay." Gabriella was thinking about Susan; she knew she would be meeting her at some time this day, and so she wanted to have her own car with her so she would be able to go meet Susan freely. Also, she wasn't sure Troy was ready to arrive at the school with her; she knew he wanted to be able to do it, she knew he was pretending he was okay with that because that was what he really wanted, but she knew he wasn't ready. "I'll my grab my car too. I have to go to Taylor's after school anyway…"

"I could pick you up from there," Troy proposed.

"But we end school one hour before you and Chad," Gabriella pointed. "And I don't know how long I'll be there…"

"You sure?" Troy asked. Part of him was relieved, but he wanted to prove her that he wasn't going anywhere if she wasn't with him. He needed for her to believe in him, though it was tempting to arrive at school separated and to have some moments to himself.

"Yep," Gabriella answered casually. "When you end practice call me and we'll meet here, okay?"

"Of course," Troy said pecking her lips. "I'll see you in a few…" He muttered with his lips touching hers.

When his car disappeared around the corner, Gabriella sighed and went to the garage of her house to take hers. She realized she needed these minutes alone the same way Troy did; she hoped that one day of school wouldn't throw at the garbage all the progress Troy and she had made the day before; she hoped that, once they were at her house again, everything would be still okay.

She needed to prepare herself for that day; she knew that her heart would break every time one girl of the school tried to flirt with Troy. She was aware that, probably, people at school would end their day not knowing that she and Troy were an item, that people at school wouldn't know about their relationship, that people at school wouldn't know that they were together, and though she didn't want to make their relationship obvious, the truth was that she would have liked for people at school to know that they were a couple in love.

Because they were together, right?

Gabriella didn't know if her relationship with Troy was official now; the truth was that they hadn't even broken up two years ago, when Lucy died, but still. Their relationship, if you could call it like that, had been so weird since then, because they had loved each other but they hadn't been living a relationship the way it was supposed to be lived; they hadn't gone to a date, they hadn't talked about them, they hadn't done anything couple-ish. Sure, they had kissed, they had made love and had said I love you, but though all those moments were treasures for Gabriella, she knew that a relationship was not only that.

Frowning, she realized that she had been so focused in Troy's wellbeing that she hadn't thought about which was their status at the present time; she hadn't even wondered for a moment if she could consider Troy her boyfriend…or if she could consider herself his girlfriend. She knew Troy was the love of her life and Troy had told her a lot of times that she was his, but…did that mean they were a couple again?

She wasn't sure about that; a relationship was built in too many things and she knew love was not enough. They had chemistry, that was sure, and though since her revelation about his mother they had been like a normal couple again, everything was so fresh as to think everything was okay now. Because Gabriella knew nothing was okay; they hadn't talked about The Topic again, and so neither of them knew exactly what the other was thinking.

Arriving at East High's, Gabriella parked her car beside Troy's and tried to look for him with her eyes but he wasn't there. She looked at the time and she realized that she still had almost fifteen minutes until homeroom; maybe he was at the gym? In the rooftop garden? She didn't know. And that ignorance was killing her. She had agreed that they shouldn't make an entrance all lovey dovey, but a very different thing was to be apart from the very beginning.

Fearing that this separation would be the norm during the day, Gabriella searched for her phone and dialled Taylor's number.

"Hello?"

Sighing when she heard her best friend's voice, Gabriella spoke quietly. "Where are you?"

"In the gym, with Troy and Chad. Why?" Taylor asked bewildered. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah…" Gabriella said dropping a few tears. "I've just parked my car. Could you meet me at my locker?"

"Sure," Taylor answered noticing that something was not right. "I see you there in five, ok?"

"Thank you." Gabriella closed her phone and leaned her head into the headrest. She didn't know what she was feeling; she understood the needed distance between she and Troy but…the fact that he was at the gym playing a one on one with Chad, not even thinking about to wait for her or simply send her a text telling her where they would be bothered, and hurt, her.

Grabbing her things and locking the car, Gabriella sighed and, slowly, she went to her locker.

In the gym

"Come on Chad!" Troy laughed freely. "You were travelling!"

"No way Hoops!" Chad said laughing with his friend astonished by his new behaviour.

When Chad had arrived at the school with Taylor, they'd met Troy locking his car and so the threesome had entered in the school. Neither Chad nor Taylor had asked Troy about Gabriella; supposedly, they didn't know anything, and they guessed that maybe the couple had agreed to arrive separately at school in order to avoid more gossip about them.

Troy had proposed to go to the gym and Chad had agreed quickly; he had been observing Troy and surely, the old Troy was more or less back. He was stunned; Gabriella had been right, and Troy seemed another person. Even with Taylor he had been more…himself? In no way he had greeted her the same way he had greeted him, but he had spoke with her a little, and that was a huge change for him.

Luckily for Taylor, Chad had updated the status of the story at the moment for her and so she knew that something good had happened between Troy and Gabriella. She was shocked too by this new Troy, but because she had been acting with Troy always normally though he was cold with her, her attitude hadn't changed. She had dared to speak to him a little more than usual and he had answered her politely and also even using more than one word, which was a first.

When Gabriella called her Taylor was sitting on the bleachers reading a book and lifting her head to look at the two boys were they laughed. She hadn't realized before but a laughing Troy was funny; his laugh was super free and brought a smile to her face.

Taylor had realized from the very beginning that something wasn't right with Gabriella. Her voice had sounded like broken and she couldn't understand why; if Troy was happy, how come Gabriella wasn't? Frowning when she hang up the phone, Taylor gathered her things; her best friend needed her and so she was willing to know what was happening with her.

"Chad!" She screamed making the two guys to turn around to look at her. "I am going, I'll see you in homeroom, ok?"

Chad and Troy walked to her. "Come on Tay!" Chad whined. "Why? We are finishing; five more minutes…"

"You can go and play," Taylor said. She didn't know if Troy should know about Gabriella's call, and so she didn't want to say her name, but Chad was putting her in the spot. "I have to do something for the Decathlon Team…and though watch you two play is amusing, sports are not my thing, you know that…" Taylor giggled trying to sound natural but she wasn't sure if Chad and Troy were seeing through her lies.

"If you are sure…" Chad answered somehow stunned.

"Of course," Taylor said pecking his lips. "You go and play; bye baby! Bye Troy!"

"Bye Tay!" Troy answered widening his eyes, like Taylor, when he realized how he had greeted her. He saw Taylor nod once and then she disappeared through the big red doors of the gym.

Chad remained silent; Taylor was lying, and he didn't know why. He had heard her phone rang, and so it had to do something with the call because she had decided to go just after it. But why had she lied? They never lied each other, and her little lie, though maybe silly, was bothering him. Which reason could she have to not be able to tell him the truth?

"Hey Chad, come on!" Troy shouted from the other side of the gym snapping Chad from his daydreaming state.

TROY. Of course, if Tay had lied the reason was in Troy. She hadn't wanted to tell the truth because Troy was in front of her…and so that could only mean one thing: the person who had called Taylor had been Gabriella…and something wasn't right, because if not, Taylor would have said Gabriella was calling her.

Deciding to approach the subject of Gabriella with Troy softly, he spoke quietly. "Hey Troy…"

"Yeah?" He asked throwing the ball to the net.

Chad cleared his throat. "Let's go sit…"

"Why?" Troy asked surprised. "Don't you want to end the game?"

"I want to talk with you," Chad said not even looking at him and going to the bleachers.

Troy let go the ball and went to sit with his best friend. "What's up? Are you okay?"

Chad turned his head and looked at him. "Maybe you are who should be answering that because it's like I am seeing another Troy…"

"Oh that," Troy answered hesitantly. "Well, I am more than okay now…"

"And why is that?" Chad pressed. "Where is Gabriella?"

"Gabriella is fine," Troy answered with a firm voice. "A lot of things happened yesterday man…and I don't know from where I should start…"

"From the very beginning would be fantastic," Chad said with sarcasm in his voice.

"Eh!" Troy protested. "There is no need to use that tone man…"

"Ok sorry," Chad sighed. He was worried about Gabriella; something wasn't right with her and Troy seemed to be too oblivious about that. Troy was assuming everything was okay, and so that told Chad that Troy didn't know what was happening with Gabriella. So…what could have happened with Gabriella since Troy had left her at her house?

"Well, yesterday I went to Gabriella's and we talked a lot and…" Troy didn't know how to continue. He wanted to explain to Chad everything but he knew they wouldn't have enough time, so he decided to explain the main thing. "Things are normal again between us…"

Troy knew that had sounded stupid, but he didn't know how to explain everything in only one line and he knew Chad would understand him.

"I am glad," Chad said hesitantly. He knew more things…and so he was surprised Troy was being reserved with him; Troy usually trusted him with everything. "So you stayed with Gabriella yesterday?"

"Yeah," Troy nodded. "Peter is on a trip again and I'll be at her house all week…"

"All week?" Chad asked shocked. When Gabriella had explained him this same thing, the truth was that he had thought that Troy would change his mind at some point…but he seemed pretty sure about that at the moment.

"Yes," Troy sighed. "Look, I know everything is kinda confusing now but…trust me; I want the best for Gabriella too…"

"I trust you," Chad said, "but you know you won't be able to disappear from her house in the middle of the night right? That would kill her…"

"Damn it Chad, I am not stupid!" Troy snapped.

Chad was taken aback but recovered quickly. "Look Troy, I've been beside Gabriella all these years…and so I tell you that if you now promise you'll be with her and then back away, that will hurt her more than the messed up relationship you two had been having…"

Troy realized Chad was telling him how things really were; Chad was the one who had to deal with Troy's mistakes, he was the one who had been beside Gabriella every breakdown, every argument…and so he knew Chad was right.

"Fuck," Troy said. "We haven't really talked about that stuff Chad…I'll be with her all week, but we kinda avoided the topic of us. I mean, we know we love each other and everything is great about that but we haven't talked anything more than that."

"Look Troy, I know you love Gabriella and I also know that she loves you with her everything," Chad said picking his words carefully, "but one thing is what you do outside the school and another one, very different by the way, is what you'll do while being at school. You know how girls treat you…"

"I know," Troy said. "I don't care about any other girl; the only girl for me is Gabriella. But maybe you are right…"

"I am not saying you can't be together," Chad said softly, "but you have to realize that though out of the school you are perfect together, while being at school things can be different. You can't promise anything to Gabriella and then disappear while being at school. You are up for you to stay beside her while being at school?"

"I don't know…" Troy whispered. "I mean, I want to be able to stay with her, fuck, I need to be close to her! But…"

"See?" Chad said placing one hand on Troy's arm. "Where is Gabriella now Troy?"

Chad guessed what was happening with Gabriella. After this little talk with Troy, he realized that neither Troy nor Gabriella had agreed what they would do while being at school. If usually Gabriella was worried about another girl taking Troy away from her, now that they were together, well more or less together, again, her fears would have increased.

"I suppose she is here now…" Troy muttered realizing that, though unconsciously, he had started his day putting himself away from her. "Fuck Chad…I've messed up big time…"

"Why?" Chad asked innocently wanting for Troy to be able to speak aloud about this topic knowing that would help him.

"Gabriella probably is at school somewhere and I haven't told her I was in the gym." Troy closed his eyes as if he was in pain. "She probably thinks I am avoiding her, or worse, that I am backing away…"

Chad thought about telling Troy Gabriella was the one who had called Taylor; he didn't know that for sure but he was almost sure about that. If Gabriella was hurting again, the one who had to be beside her was Troy. "I think Gabriella is the one who has called Taylor…"

"Do you mean Taylor has gone to meet Gabriella now?" Troy asked stunned.

Chad nodded.

"And why she hasn't told us she was going to meet Gabi?" Troy asked bewildered.

Chad cleared his throat. "I am not sure, I don't have more information than you, but I am guessing Taylor has noted something weird in Gabriella and she didn't know if you should know it or not."

"Shit!" Troy screamed. "I have to go to her now…"

"Troy calm down," Chad grabbed Troy's arm again. "Gabriella probably needs a shoulder now and she has chosen Taylor; it seems you two had a very…interesting day yesterday, and I am sure she would thank some time for herself. We'll go to homeroom some minutes before the bell sounds and so you will be able to talk with her. But let her let out whatever she wants now…"

"But Chad," Troy protested, "I can't let Gabriella think that way!"

"We don't know anything for sure Troy…" Chad said placating his friend.

"I don't give a shit! Damn it!" Troy yelled. "I need to go to her now…"

Chad saw that Troy's mind was settled; he had seen his desperation, his frustration with himself…and so he understood that, in order to keep Troy sane and still recovered, he needed to let him go to Gabriella. They were the ones who needed to talk, and he wasn't anyone to stop them from that. Sighing, he let go of his arm. "Let's go then…"

With Taylor and Gabriella

Gabriella was with her back pressed against her locker waiting for Taylor. She was lucky, the corridors were still empty and so no one had seen her tears.

All of a sudden, a sound coming from someone wearing heels made her to turn her face around. She didn't know why, but when she saw Taylor she ran into her arms and sobbed. Taylor was taken aback but recovered quickly and embracing the sobbing girl. "Come on Gabi," she said pulling a little away so she could see Gabriella's face, "let's go to the bathroom…"

Gabriella didn't say anything, she only nodded, and so Taylor pulled her body to the first bathroom she found. When both girls were inside, Taylor continued hugging Gabriella, whispering soothing words and rubbing her back. When her sobs subsided a little, Taylor pulled away and whipped Gabi's cheeks with her thumbs. "What happened?" Taylor whispering hoping she wouldn't startle the sobbing girl.

"I don't know what to do Tay…" Gabriella whispered.

Taylor looked at her confused. "Is that about Troy?"

Gabriella nodded. "We are okay…or so I thought…"

"What do you mean?" Taylor asked confused.

"He has stayed with me all night…and he'll be at my house all week because my father has gone to another trip and…" Gabriella closed her eyes and sighed. "I know you don't understand anything because I've never explained the whole story to you but…well, this is huge, ok?"

Taylor nodded. With Chad's hints she had been "understanding" a little more about Troy and Gabriella's relationship; of course there were a lot of things she didn't know about, but she had an idea about the whole story. "But this is good, right?"

"Yeah," Gabriella said clearly frustrated. "That's what I thought! But…well, I'm meeting Susan later and also knowing both would need some time alone before face the school, we've decided to come here in two cars."

Taylor didn't see the problem yet. "But what happened for you to be like that now?"

"I was hoping he would be waiting for me at the parking lot…or I don't know, that he would send me a message telling me where he was or something…" Another sob escaped from Gabriella. "But he was in the gym and he hasn't said anything…"

Taylor saw the problem; Gabriella's insecurities were kicking again. "Gabi," she began tentatively, "maybe you are overreacting a little sweetie…"

"Damn Tay!" Gabriella yelled. "It's like he has pulled himself apart from me again! What? Is he going to avoid me all day now or what?"

"He looked super different Gabi," Taylor said rubbing her back comfortingly with one hand. "He seems to be better, and so I think he won't do that…"

Gabriella studied her expression. "How can you be so sure? I am scared Tay…I can't loose him…not again…"

Sobbing again, Taylor pulled her into her chest again. "Shhh Gabi, you won't loose him…"

Again, Gabriella remained silent and only her sobs could be heard. "Why don't you call Troy and talk to him? He probably has acted unconsciously and naturally. I am sure he hasn't been avoiding you…"

"No, I am not going to call him…" Gabriella said stubbornly but with a broken voice.

Taylor cursed all the male population inwardly. "Gosh Gabi, don't be a baby…you'll know what happened when you talk to him. He probably has no idea you are feeling that way…"

"I don't care," Gabriella muttered.

Rolling her eyes, Taylor pulled away from Gabriella. "And I am Angelina Jolie." Her voice was full of sarcasm and Gabriella winced. "What the fuck Gabriella? Stop being so stubborn and try to find your answers!"

"Damn it Tay!" Gabriella said defensively now. "It's not easy! I've been dealing with Troy for two years now…and I can't anymore…I swear I can't resist…" Her voice broke and Taylor hugged her again when she saw how Gabriella was begging with her eyes for some kind of help.

"You have to talk with Troy Gabi," Taylor said softly. "We should go to homeroom now, it's getting late…"

Gabriella nodded. "Let me wash my face though," she sniffed a little.

"Sure." Taylor said grabbing their bags.

When they stepped out of the bathroom, they realized the corridors were full at the moment; they had been lucky no one had entered in the bathroom while they were talking. Slowly, both girls walked to their homeroom's class and then to their seats.

"Are you feeling better?" Taylor asked kneeling in front of Gabriella and rubbing her knee.

Gabriella nodded. "You are right; Troy and I should have talked yesterday…but…everything was so shocking…I mean…it was huge Tay…"

"I can imagine," Taylor said smiling when she saw Gabriella smile a little talking about the day before.

"I am sorry," Gabriella whispered softly. "I've been keeping a lot from you…and it's not like I don't trust you but…well, things were complicated…and…"

"Don't worry," Taylor smiled. "We have more than enough time to catch up. What about some coffee this afternoon after school? Susan still will be at work by then…"

Gabriella nodded. "I'd like that. Plus, I've told Troy I was going to your house after school as alibi, but I'd love to have some girl talk…"

Taylor giggled and soon Gabriella giggled too…until someone cleared his throat behind them. Taylor gave Gabriella a small smile and went to sit with Chad, leaving some space and time alone between Gabriella and Troy.

Gabriella didn't move; she waited for him to talk or do something, and so she remained with her back to him. However, she felt the warmness which floated from his body closer each time…until he was kneeling in front of her.

Neither of them spoke; Gabriella was avoiding his eyes and his were searching for hers with sorrow. "Gabi please…"

Seeing she was still avoiding him, Troy grabbed her chin and forced her eyes to lock with his. "I am sorry."

"For what?" Gabriella hissed in a low broken voice. "Because of what happened yesterday?"

Troy's eyes darkened at that. "You know that's not true…"

"Oh I see, let me think a little more then, " Gabriella put a finger under her chin as if she was thinking hard about something. "Maybe because you've agreed to spend every fucking night of this week in my house and now you don't like that plan anymore?"

"Fuck Gabriella stop!" Troy said between his teeth.

Gabriella sighed and lowered her eyes again. "I can't do that anymore Troy…"

Troy's eyes softened when he heard her sad voice. "What happened baby? You were fine at your house…"

She noticed his body closer to hers now. "I don't know, you know I was worried about school…and well, I've come here and you were God-knows-where and…"

"I wasn't avoiding you," Troy spoke quietly but firmly. "I've found Chad and Taylor and we've decided to go to the gym because it was way early…but I wasn't hiding myself from you."

"You could have sent a message or something…" Gabriella protested softly. "When I've arrived and you weren't there…it hurt Troy…I need you with me…"

"And I'll be," Troy promised. "I told you that yesterday; baby I need you…I won't go anywhere if you don't come with me…"

"You think I am overreacting?" Gabriella whispered.

"No," Troy sighed. "I should have thought about you and your feelings. I am sorry…"

"I am sorry too," Gabriella whispered.

Gabriella wanted to hug him; she needed more proximity with him at the moment. His scent was the perfect remedy for her; his strong arms around her were the best medicine in the world. However, she didn't know how he would act if she acted following her instincts.

Troy, on the other part, didn't hesitate and pulled her body into his for a tight hug. Gabriella's eyes let fall tears silently, and Troy realized about that when he noticed something wet in his shoulder. Tightening his arms, he whispered comforting words into her ear. "I love you so much Gabi. We are together forever…"

"I love you too," Gabriella sniffed. "But this is too complicated Troy…I don't know if I'll be able to handle that…"

Closing his eyes, Troy pulled apart and forced all the power of his eyes into hers. "You are not alone here Gabi. Everything is going to be okay baby…"

"I am scared," she whimpered. "What if…?"

"No whats." Troy stopped her. "I understand you are scared but…you've to trust me Gabi. If not, things are not going to go okay…"

"I trust you," she said with a firm voice.

"You are very brave Gabriella; don't let anyone to tell you the opposite." Troy said rubbing her cheeks erasing the tears. "Even without me by your side you would be fine, because you are a fighter. You don't back away, you fight for everything you believe in, if someone pushes you to the ground, you stand up again, you are proud of yourself…Gabriella you are one of the strongest and bravest people I know. You don't have to be scared…"

Gabriella felt touched by his words and so, without thinking, she pulled him for a passionate kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and pushing herself closer to him, while Troy embraced her waist with his arms, and moaned into the kiss when her tongue entered into his mouth.

Chad and Taylor gasped, widened their eyes and smiled.

Their classmates had been looking at the couple with curious eyes but with those new events everyone stood dumbfounded in their spot, too much shocked to say or do something. They hadn't heard anything because Troy and Gabriella had been whispering, and though they hadn't been able to see Gabriella's face, because of the movement of her shoulders they could guess she had been crying. Troy's face was emotionless, but his eyes were shining in a special way, though they hadn't been able to understand what his face meant.

The cheerleaders shrieked and hissed in pure jealousy.

And then…a scream. "What the fuck is that!?"

The couple broke the kiss abruptly and turned to look what was happening.

Gabriella gasped when she registered what she had done, where and in front of whom; it was evident that their classmates had seen everything. Blushing furiously, she looked at Troy with scared eyes hoping he wasn't mad with her. Troy saw that and rubbed her tights softly, letting her know that everything was okay.

"I've asked a question!" The piercing voice yelled again.

Troy stood up and grabbed Gabriella's right hand, intertwining their fingers and pulling her to a standing position. Gabriella tried to understand what he was doing looking into his eyes but she only saw coldness. She gulped but let Troy do whatever he wanted.

Troy was acting following his instincts; he wasn't thinking about what he was doing, he was following his heart for the very first time...and he felt great. Pulling Gabriella's body into a standing position, Troy squeezed her hand and looked at the screaming blonde.

"Troysie!" Sharpay pouted. "Why were you kissing that?"

Gabriella whimpered and placed herself behind Troy, avoiding the glares the girls were sending her. Troy noticed that and rubbed her hand with his thumb. He was trying to control his temper but Sharpay was pushing his buttons furiously; he knew he was about to snap…and that wouldn't be good.

"Really people!" Sharpay screamed dramatically. "Who has dared Troy to kiss that? I mean…this is cruel…" Laughing at her own joke, Sharpay tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked at Troy with lust written all over her face. "Come on Troy, let's go…"

She reached her hand for him but Troy ignored her. "What the fuck are you doing?" He hissed menacingly.

Gabriella noticed control was slipping out from his body quickly and so she tugged at his hand. "Troy…" She whispered putting her other hand on his arm. "Let's go, come on…"

"Let him go bitch!" Sharpay yelled. "You have no right to touch him like that!"

Gabriella ignored her. "Come on Troy…" But Troy didn't move; he knew girls did some crazy things in order to have sex with him but Sharpay was crossing the line attacking Gabriella the way she was doing at the moment...and in front of him nonetheless! He noticed Gabriella rubbing his stomach in what both knew was the most soothing caress for Troy.

"Yeah baby," Troy said emphasizing the "baby" word. "Let's go…"

"What the hell?" Sharpay shrieked. "You can't ignore me!"

"I am not ignoring you dumbass," Troy chuckled calmer thanks to Gabriella, "I am despising you."

"Montez!" Sharpay said too shocked, and afraid of Troy, to answer him. "He. Is. Mine."

Gabriella looked at him with rage but didn't say anything; lowering her eyes, she pulled Troy with her and they went to where Chad and Taylor were, who were looking the scene, like the rest of the class, with stunned faces. Troy, however, heard Sharpay's last words. "I am not anybody's…but if I have to choose, I am Gabriella's. Now disappear!"

He had talked aloud and so all the classroom had heard him proclaiming himself like "Gabriella's". A few gasps could be heard…the loudest coming from Gabriella; people were surprised, they weren't used to this Troy. They'd never seen him to loose his temper, and to see him not also defending Gabriella but also grabbing her hand and being calmed by the girl's touch, had been a shock, a huge huge shock.

Troy had heard Gabriella's gasp and smirked inwardly. He felt good; he felt powerful and he felt proud of himself because he had defended Gabriella, himself and their relationship not showing a lot of emotion. He realized he was still able to be himself not giving himself away. Wordless, he pulled Gabriella into him and went to sit at his desk, pulling the girl onto his lap.

Gabriella was too stunned to protest and so she found herself sitting on Troy's lap, beside Chad and Taylor who had immense grins on their faces. "What was that?" She whispered dumbstruck.

"That," Troy pointed burying his face into her curls, "has been my way to show you that I am not going anywhere if you are not with me. This, has been my way to let everyone know that I am taken by you. This, has been my way to prove you that I am not avoiding you."

"Thank you," she whispered only for him to hear wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his skin. "This means a lot…"

Pulling away, Troy winked at her and pecked her lips. More gasps were heard but the couple remained oblivious. Gabriella turned herself to be able to talk with Chad and Taylor and Troy remained with his arms around her, softly rubbing her tight with his right and her side with his left, planting random kisses on her shoulder.

The class was totally silent; the only sounds a person could hear were the shushed tones of Troy, Chad, Gabriella and Taylor talking and smiling quietly only for themselves.

No one move.

No one spoke.

No one understood what was happening.

But everyone knew at the moment that Troy and Gabriella were an item.

The question was: how the school was going to take the news?