A/N: Sorry for the delay guys…I've had some trouble with that chapter: my brain is already figuring out my next story and the things that will happen in the fellow chapters, so I needed to write something that linked the story together. I think I've done it right but, like always, you are the judges here :D

I want to say thank you so much to all of you who have reviewed; your words always make me feel great, seriously. To know that you are liking that and you want another chapter soon…woah, it feels great, so A BIG BIG BIG thank you for you all! :hug:

I hope you'll like that chapter…but if not, well, tell me anyway because you know your opinion is super important for me ;) I can assure you that MORE things are coming right this way, so…don't think the story is ending now because I have a few things planned and I am going to put them into the story for sure!

Stop with my rambling; here is chapter 15. Enjoy! :)

Taking a deep breathe, Troy dialled the numbers which were about to open a new chance for him to do things right. Placing the phone beside his ear, he waited for the other person to pick the phone up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Susan," Troy began hesitantly.

Susan gasped and Troy rolled his eyes. "Troy?"

"Yeah," Troy said curtly. "Look, can you come with me to the mall this afternoon?"

Susan winced inwardly at his tone, but she knew she had to put himself at his same level so Troy would let his guard down. Changing her tone of voice so it was more nonchalantly and careless, she spoke, her tone accusing. "I've been calling you. Where've you been?"

Troy widened his eyes. "I've been at a friend's house…"

"Why?" Susan asked. She remembered Gabriella had told her Troy would be staying with her for the week, but she wanted for Troy to admit it to herself; she needed to hear Troy saying aloud where he'd been staying. She noticed Troy hesitation; Susan was aware that Gabriella was still a soft topic for Troy, and she knew she had to be careful with him when talking about her, but also she'd to show him his games and changes of mood with her had to end.

"Because this friend needed me," Troy said harshly. "Look, I'm in a hurry. Can you come to the mall or not?"

"You know," Susan began smirking. "If I was you, I'd be more careful with the tone you're using right now…"

Troy sensed her smirk in her voice and groaned aloud. "Damn it Susan!"

"No Troy," Susan replied nonchalantly. "You know the rules: or you are polite with me or you won't be able to buy whatever you want to buy to Gabriella."

When Troy heard Gabriella's name a fire born in his eyes; Susan had no right to talk about her…and more with that tone. Gabriella was too special for her name to be said so carelessly; she meant the world to him, and his protective mode kicked. "Don't talk about her like that."

His tone had been harsh…too harsh in Susan's opinion; she knew she had to be extra careful at the moment. "Well, you told me the other day you wanted to buy something for Gabriella…"

"Stop!" Troy growled menacingly. "Don't talk about her like that!"

Susan decided to let it go for the moment. "As you wish. Now, stop with the rudeness or this call ends right here, right now."

"Fuck Susan," Troy said sitting on the bench of the rooftop garden and closing his eyes forcefully; frustration invading his mind.

"Ah-ah Troy," Susan continued smirking. "Language."

"Sorry," Troy hissed. "Now can you come to the mall today or not?"

"I guess I could rearrange my schedule," Susan said. "When do you need me?"

"After school," Troy continued flatly. "Could you meet me there?"

"Sure," Susan said smiling this time. "Don't worry, we'll find the perfect thing for her."

The change of her voice softened Troy who smiled softly. "Thank you."

Susan noticed that and smiled; Troy really really cared for Gabriella. It was incredible the effect she had on him even not being with him and Susan was happy about that, because she knew Troy deserved the happiness he'd been denying for himself for so long, and because Gabriella also deserved some happiness after everything she'd been through.

Susan couldn't help but let her mind go back to her talk with Gabriella; she didn't know what was about her, but there was something that made Susan to want to hug her and comfort her. The girl had been through a lot: her mother's departure, her father's attitude towards her, Troy…it was as if she had been rose by herself, suffering in silence everything life had thrown at her, crying herself to sleep, feeling alone everyday…and also putting always the others in front of herself.

No, Gabriella deserved better than that.

So absorbed as she was, Susan didn't hear Troy talking to her again. "Susan!" Troy's voice wasn't harsh; it'd been almost amused.

"Oh sorry," Susan said softly. "I've spaced out for a minute. We'll meet at the same spot we met the other day, okay?"

"Perfect." Troy answered sincerely. "See you later then."

"Bye!"

Troy closed his phone and went downstairs, to the gym, to meet with Chad so the second part of his plan could be done. Arriving to the gym, Troy found Chad and the others members of the basketball team. "Chad!"

Chad left the ball and went to where Troy was standing. "Have you already talked with her?" He whispered so only Troy could hear him.

Troy nodded. "But now I need you help with Taylor…"

"Taylor?" Chad's eyes widened. "Why Taylor?"

"I need her to distract Gabriella this afternoon," Troy explained quietly. "I'm going to the mall but I'll tell Gabriella I'll be hanging out with you…some guy-time you know? And I don't want to leave her alone Chad, I can't."

Chad understood Troy without more words; Troy had explained to him a little about their talk and so he'd been more over Gabriella too when Troy couldn't be with her. She was like his little sister and to know she'd been feeling so alone this time killed him. "Of course…how do you want to do it?"

"I've though you could call Taylor but then pass me the phone." Troy spoke narrowing his eyes when some members of the team gathered around them. "Get lost." His cold stare and his harsh tone were enough for his team mates to leave them alone.

"Easy Troy," Chad said softly. "There's no need to get all worked up because of them."

Troy nodded and sighed. "Okay, but will you call Taylor please?"

"Sure." Chad said grabbing his bag. "Let's go."

Exiting from the gym, they went to the rooftop garden again and Chad dialled Taylor's number when the bell rang, signalling the end of the girls' class. Taylor picked up the phone at the second ring. "Hey baby," she greeted sweetly.

"Hey babe," Chad said smiling. "Look, now don't talk until I tell you to answer ok? Please I know this is weird but trust me. I need for you to answer only with a yes or a no now, okay? But try to talk as normal as you can."

"Ok," Taylor said confusedly.

"Okay then," Chad said looking at Troy, who was freaking out in front of him. "Are you with Gabi now?"

"Yes," Taylor said already guessing that the reason behind that call would have to be something to do with Troy.

"Ok," Chad said. "Troy wants to talk with you, but Gabriella can't know you're talking with him. Okay?"

When Chad heard her murmur of agreement, he passed the phone to Troy, who swallowed aloud. "Taylor, I need a favour."

"I see," Taylor said trying to sound as natural as possible though she was all but that. That was almost the first conversation she had with Troy and everything seemed too weird.

Troy looked at Chad searching some kind of support; Chad nodded his head smiling softly, and Troy took a deep breath. "Look, I need you to distract Gabriella this afternoon, but you can't go to the mall. Can you ask her help with homework or something so you two are in your house this afternoon?"

"Yes," Taylor answered. Deciding she needed to add something to her act, she cleared her throat. "Ok Chad, go with Troy to the park. I don't mind." Taylor was talking bitterly. "I don't want to see you tonight; luckily for me my best friend would want to hang out. Really uh Chad?! I can't believe you prefer to go to the park with Troy than to come to my house. You are a jerk!"

Troy had been listening intently and, though at first he'd been more than confused, now he realized what Taylor was doing: giving him all the time he needed. "Thank you Taylor. That means a lot."

"Yeah yeah," Taylor said angrily though jumping with happiness inwardly because she realized right then and there that she was closer to Troy now, that she was, finally, in his circle. "I don't mind. You want to go to the park then so be it. Now, if Gabriella can't come this afternoon to my house you'll be punished. Wait a second because I am going to ask her."

Troy was smiling widely at that; firstly because luckily for him Chad wasn't hearing what his girlfriend was saying, and secondly because Taylor was letting him know this way which were Gabi's plans for the evening.

"Listen jerk," Taylor continued still acting as if she was angry. "Gabriella can come; she's said something about Troy but seeing you two are going to the park, I suppose we'll have some free-from-Neanderthals time by ourselves."

Troy heard the sweetest of the giggles in the background and couldn't help but smile; his angel was happy, and that was more than enough for him to forget Susan, her conditions, his plans and the world itself.

Shaking his head but still chuckling, Troy cleared his throat again. "Okay Taylor, thank you so much. Chad will explain later, ok?"

"Okay," Taylor hung up the phone and Troy did the same with Chad's.

"What was that about?" Chad asked bewildered.

"Your girlfriend is amazing," Troy said without thinking twice. "Seriously, she has no idea about what is going on but you should've seen how incredible she's acted! I am sure Gabriella is not suspicious at all."

Chad laughed with Troy. "Go tay!"

Both friends laughed and went to their next class, while the girls enjoyed their free period.

With the girls

"What was that about?" Gabriella asked Taylor still amused by her best friend's words.

Taylor narrowed her eyes, still acting. "It seems I am not going to hang out with Chad because he prefers to go to the park with Troy. I swear this boy is exasperating sometimes…"

Gabriella giggled. "Oh come on, I've told you I had something planned for Troy this evening…don't worry, we'll have our fun."

"Sure," Taylor smiled and linked her arm with Gabriella's. "Where do you want to go? We have a free hour now…"

Gabriella smiled. "You pick," and turning to look at the people that were staring at them, she hissed, "but away from them…they are pissing me off…"

"I know," Taylor sighed. Really, the attention they were getting since the school knew about Troy and Gabriella being together was being too much. You would think they would be used to by now, but it seemed the school still had a hard time processing the news. "We could go to the library; I'm sure we'll be alone or almost alone there…"

"Good idea," Gabriella smiled. "Let's go."

When the last bell sounded, Taylor and Gabriella remained inside the classroom talking by themselves, knowing that the corridor would be full of people staring at them; they had decided to grab all their things with them for the last class, so they only had to wait for the boys and then go out of the school.

Soon, Troy and Chad entered in their classroom, closing the door behind them, and each boy went to greet his girl.

"Hey babe," Troy whispered already with his arms around Gabriella pecking her lips afterwards.

"Hey yourself," Gabriella answered when Troy pulled apart. "How's your day been?"

Troy groaned softly into her ear and Gabi giggled. "That bad?"

"You've no idea," Troy muttered inhaling deeply so her perfect scent invaded his body. Gabriella didn't say anything and Troy lifted his head to look at her. "What?"

Gabriella avoided his eyes knowing that he would know right away what. "Hey, look at me," Troy commanded softly.

"What?" She asked in a petite voice burying her face into his chest.

Sighing, Troy grabbed her head with his hands and locked his eyes with hers…knowing in a second that her day had been as bad as it'd been his. Crushing Gabriella's body into his chest, Troy kissed her hair. "I'm sorry baby…"

"It's not your fault," Gabriella murmured kissing his chest.

"But it is…" Troy said closing his eyes as if he was in pain. "If I hadn't been so stupid about everything by now we'll be old news…"

"Don't torment yourself," Gabriella said lifting her head from his chest. "People here are stupid; we already knew that…"

"What happened?" Troy asked caressing her cheek. "Has someone said anything to you?"

Shaking her head, Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck pulling his body closer to his. "But they don't stop the stares, the whispers and the glares…"

"Same with me," Troy said. "Don't let them get to you; they'll get tired when they see that we are together for good…"

Gabriella smiled widely and Troy couldn't help but tighten his arms around her, pulling her closer and kissing her luscious lips with all his might. "I love you so fucking much baby…" He said breathlessly when they pulled apart. "You have no idea..."

"I think I do," Gabriella said still smiling pulling his face for another kiss. Troy deepened the kiss in a second, rubbing with his tongue her lower lip asking for entrance. Gabriella obliged and soon their tongues began their sensual and comfortable dance together, not letting an inch from their mouths unexplored.

The need of air soon became a problem and the couple pulled away breathlessly. "I love you," Gabriella whispered softly.

"Love you too," Troy said as softly as Gabriella.

"Gabi let's go," Taylor said from the door breaking the bubble our couple was in.

Gabriella turned her face to Troy again and pecked his lips. "Call me later…"

"Sure," Troy said pecking her lips again and then hugging her forcefully for a second, kissing her silky brown hair afterwards. "Bye baby, have fun…"

"You too!" Gabriella said smiling at the boys before she and Taylor exited from the classroom.

When the girls were out of sight, Troy and Chad went carefully at the parking lot slower than them, so they could be sure they had gone home. "Okay, I am off…"

"I hope you'll find what you are looking for," Chad said doing his handshake with Troy.

"Me too dude," Troy sighed. "I hope Susan will help because I'm kinda lost…"

"You know Gabriella better than anyone," Chad said sympathetically. "Whatever you buy, she'll love it."

"Thanks," Troy smiled knowing they were almost alone in the school. "I'll call you later, ok?"

"Sure," Chad said entering in his car and turning on the engine.

Troy entered in his car and, pulling his sunglasses, turned on the engine, driving to the mall afterwards hoping the perfect gift for Gabriella would be already in the mall, waiting for him to buy it.

Parking beside the mall, Troy let out a breath of relief when he saw Susan's car already parked there. "She's hell annoying but at least she's punctual…" Troy murmured for himself killing the engine of the car.

When he arrived in front of "La bodeguita", he saw Susan sitting in a bench waiting for him. Slowly and tentatively, Troy went there; he couldn't help but think about the last time he'd seen Susan, about what he had told her and about which had been his attitude. He knew Susan deserved an apology from him; like Gabriella, Susan only wanted his wellbeing, and so he needed to show her his appreciation for that, but it was hard.

And it was hard because he didn't want to depend on anyone; he'd been years thinking he had to maintain himself apart from everyone and so now it was difficult for him to let people in. With Gabriella things were different, but that was because their relationship, what they had, was something in a complete different level.

Gabriella knew him the most and she was the one who had been beside him through everything. When his hand surrounded hers, the sparks floating along his arm were pure pleasure; when her deep brown eyes were locked with his, everything but them disappeared; when his lips touched her olive skin it was as if his lips were savouring the sweetest thing in the world; when his arms were around her, the world felt complete again; and when he was inside her, he felt home again.

But with Susan...things were different; even with Chad he had problems sometimes! But still he couldn't understand how he had been able to show Susan his weakest part; he couldn't understand how he'd been able to share with her what he'd never shared with anyone, how he'd told her his main fear and worry. It was as if she had dazzled him or something like that; he'd never been able to say aloud he thought he'd killed his mother, but only a small talk about Gabriella had been needed for him to not only say it but shout it.

"Hey Susan," Troy greeted her with a petite, almost embarrassed, voice.

Susan lifted her head from her phone and looked at Troy; in a bit she realized he was cursing himself for something. She didn't know what was that was tormenting him, because having in mind Gabriella's words, he supposedly was okay. But something wasn't right, and she wanted and needed to know. Deciding to act natural, Susan smiled. "Hey Troy!"

Troy didn't move; he was uncomfortable, that was evident, and Susan decided to take a look inside him to approach postures. However, before she could open her mouth Troy spoke. "Can we go?"

"In a minute," Susan said narrowing her eyes. "Take a sit."

She patted the spot beside her and Troy rolled his eyes. "I don't want to talk, I want to go and look for the perfect thing for…"

He didn't finish his sentence and Susan nodded. "I know, and we'll go in a minute. But first, we need to talk."

"Susan," Troy whined. "Not now please…"

"You know the rules," Susan answered nonchalantly. "Take a sit now, Troy."

Groaning, Troy obliged and glared at her. "What?"

Returning the glare with even more force than Troy, Susan leaned her back on the bench. "You know what. And I've told you before, watch out your manners with me."

His eyes were a burning inferno, Susan was aware of that, but she had to show him her authority; she wanted to break his shell because she needed for Troy to be able to let his guard down in front of those who cared for him. She understood the need while being in the school because from what Chad's parents had explained, Troy was like a god there, with girls throwing themselves at him and guys afraid of what he would do if he was angry, though she knew for a fact that Troy's angriness only overcame him when Gabriella was involved.

Deciding to play it cool, Susan inspected her nails. "Troy I don't have all day, so you better begin explaining to me where the hell you've been staying these days…"

"You don't have any right to ask me that!" Troy protested knowing she actually had the right and that she wouldn't back out from him because Susan wasn't afraid of him.

"You see," Susan smirked, "there is where you're wrong. I have the right and you've the obligation to answer me."

"Fuck," Troy whined earning a slap on his nape from Susan. "Owww…stop with that you!"

"Language." She scolded angrily, a little fed up with his tantrums and his behaviour. He was being unnecessarily difficult.

"Gabriella's." He hissed between his teeth. "I've been at Gabriella's and I'll be there until the end of the week."

Susan nodded. At least he'd admitted aloud the truth, but she needed to push him a little more. "The same Gabriella you're going to buy something to? The same Gabriella you didn't want to be closer to?"

"Leave. It. Alone." Troy said lowly. "You wanted to know where I've been and I've answered. Can we go now?"

"No." Susan said flatly. "What happened the other day?"

She was playing with fire, she knew that, but she also knew Troy needed her help desperately at the moment, and so that told her he would answer her at some point.

Troy diverted his gaze from hers and buried his face in his hands. Sighing, his tone of voice changed. "What about the other day?"

Susan realized she was winning the battle; only a one little more push and Troy would break. "Troy, that can be easy or difficult…and it's up to you."

Troy groaned inwardly; he knew she was right, but still he couldn't talk about Gabriella and everything as if it was nothing because for him, Gabriella was everything. It didn't help that he wasn't as anxious as the day they met; the other day Troy talked about Gabriella because the desperation the fact of not know where she was overcame him, but now he knew Gabriella was at Tay's house, safe and happy.

"Why do you want to talk about Gabriella?" Troy decided to ask trying to avoid his turn to answer.

Susan rolled her eyes. "I'm not talking about Gabriella, Troy…I am talking about what you told me about your mother…"

Troy stiffened right away. He remembered clearly what he had told Susan about his mother…and he knew he had been a fool thinking Susan would leave the topic like that. However, something different in her voice made him to want to talk about it; the memory of her arms around him motherly wasn't forgotten yet. Troy could remember how safe he'd felt, how good it'd felt and how comforted he'd felt back then, and suddenly he was craving for this same kind of comfort again.

"I've been all these years thinking I was the one who killed my mother…" Troy whispered leaning his head in his hands, avoiding seeing Susan's face. He heard her deep inhalation of air though.

"What've changed between the other day and now then? Because you are talking using the past tense…" Susan said softly.

"Gabriella." Troy answered right away. "Gabriella happened."

Susan sighed. Everything about Troy ended in Gabriella; there wasn't anything about those two that wasn't connected with the other. She'd never seen something like that; they seemed to be the two halves of a whole. "What about Gabriella, Troy?"

"She told me my mother was ill…" Troy whispered. "She had cancer and it seems I was the one who brought her to life again…"

"Oh Troy," Susan sighed placing an arm around his shoulders. She didn't want to touch him knowing he would shaker her off, but in this case she hadn't been able to help herself. However, Troy shocked her when he leaned his forehead on her shoulder.

"I thought I was the one who had killed her Susan," Troy said softly. "And seeing how all my family dead after her…I thought I was damned…"

"But…" Susan protested still surprised about Troy thinking this way about himself.

"I know," Troy stopped her. "Gabriella told me…"

"And do you still believe you are a damned person Troy?" She asked swallowing aloud. It was difficult to talk in those terms, but that seemed to be Troy's choice of words.

Troy didn't answer right away and Susan picked that detail up in a bit. "You can't be serious…"

"I don't know, okay?!" Troy snapped. "I don't know because maybe I have nothing to do with mom's death but…what about dad? What about Mike? What about Lucy?"

"Calm down," Susan rubbed his arm comfortingly. "Troy, you can't think like that again, do you hear me? You deserve better than that; you can force yourself to think like that because, in the end, you will be a killer but of yourself. Those thoughts are going to kill you Troy, you have to be positive, think about the good things you have. I get you've gone through a lot…but you can't blame yourself because you are not the one to blame."

"Yeah but," Troy stopped to whip a few tears that fell from his eyes, "sometimes I think you're right but others…it's like a nightmare that haunts me…"

"Who knows about it?" Susan asked sweetly hoping Troy would be sincere. "Have you ever talked with someone about that?"

Troy shook his head. "No, only Gabriella knows…"

"What has she said?" Susan asked softly rubbing Troy's back trying to give him some kind of comfort.

"That I don't have to think like that," Troy answered with a smile on his face. "She told me I was the one who gave her strength to go to everything she's gone through; she told me she loved me; she told me she needed me…"

Susan smiled at that. She already knew Gabriella was a wise girl, but seeing how, simply trying to bring Troy to the moment he talked with her, Troy's torment disappeared was enough for her to know that what Troy and Gabriella had was one of a kind. "She's a keeper then…"

Troy smiled naturally at that, turning his head to look at her. "I know…gosh, I love her so much…"

"And we'll find the perfect gift for her," Susan smiled squeezing Troy's shoulders. "I kinda have an idea…"

"For real?" Troy exclaimed gladly surprised and also brightly delighted.

Susan nodded. "I think you should give her something that actually means something for the both of you, not something that she'll like. It has to be something that really really is meaningful…"

"I like that," Troy answered, all torment from his eyes vanished. "Let's go…"

"Troy, wait a minute," Susan said grabbing his arm. "Can you explain me a little about your story with Gabriella?

Troy stiffened again. "I don't know Susan…"

"Look," Susan said patiently, "I only want to know the story…you don't have to explain any detail, but you've to understand that you've told me too many shocking things lately Troy…and I want you to be able to talk about your feelings. If no one knew anything, that tells me you've been keeping everything for yourself, and that's not good. You've to be able to lean on other people; you've to be able to trust someone. I'm glad you've trusted in Gabriella, and also that you are letting me in a little, but you are still closing your heart whenever people talk to you. Snap, shout, yell…do whatever you want, but don't keep things bottled inside…"

Troy thought about what Susan was telling him; in truth, he felt better after his talk with Gabriella. Without even knowing, Troy had been feeding the rage towards himself with his silence, hurting Gabriella in the process. "We met when we were little…we were the best of friends: always together. Then, some things happened and I was beside her and she was beside me unconditionally. We were the sources of strength for each other, but…"

"But what?" Susan asked sweetly. "What happened then?"

"When Lucy died, me and Gabriella had been a couple for two years more or less," Troy whispered, "and when we knew about Lucy's death…it was as if everything fell into place: I was damned because the last member of my family had died. I don't know, it was as if a beast had invaded my heart and brain, I don't know…but…the only thing I could think of was that I had to be apart from Gabriella because I couldn't hurt her, I couldn't kill her. She had to be happy, free from harm, healthy…"

"What did you do?" She knew Troy was hurting remembering what happened those years ago, but she also knew he would feel better once he ended the story; she knew he would feel relieved, and she wanted to relieve his pain.

"I push her away," Troy whispered. "I told her I couldn't be with her…and I ignored her but…"

Susan realized Troy was about to talk about his nightmares; that was another thing she needed for him to explain loudly to another person besides Gabriella. To admit the problem was the first step to get over it. "But what?"

"I've been having nightmares or too good dreams," Troy said quietly. "Nightmares where Mark, or my father, or Lucy died in front of me, or ask for my help but I can't find them…or too good dreams where everything is perfect with them but I wake up alone in my house, wanting desperately that those dreams were true."

"Oh Troy," Susan said pulling his body closer to hers when another tear fell from his eye. "Gabriella knew about them?"

"Yes and no." Troy answered looking at her. "She knew I had some troubles at night because each night I had a dream about them or a nightmare I woke up super worried about her; it was as if, unconsciously, I thought those dreams were the red alarm that told me she was in danger or something. I needed to be sure she was alright and so I've been going to her house each night I've had a dream like that. But she hasn't known about what happened in those dreams till the other day."

"She knew you were there?" Susan asked inwardly ecstatic that Troy was being able to empty his heart to her.

"Yeah," Troy nodded sighing. "Those have been the only moments when I've let myself to love her and let her to love me…"

Susan nodded. "You don't have to continue Troy…"

She said the words softly, happy enough that Troy had been able to explain to her everything he'd explained. She didn't want for him to be hurting more than what was needed; each conversation was a little battle won, a new punch to the walls that surrounded him.

"No, it's okay," Troy said sniffing. "It feels good to be able to talk about that…Gabriella taught me to do that."

He'd ended with a smile at the mere fact of name Gabriella and Susan was happier than ever: Troy finally had admitted his problems, he'd faced his ghosts, and he'd been able to trust someone other than Gabriella.

"Are you feeling better now, then?" Susan said smiling too.

Her words were directed to his eyes and Troy realized right then that Susan was in his life even though he didn't want it; he realized Susan really cared for her, that she only wanted his happiness. "Yeah," he nodded smiling. "Thank you so much Susan, for everything. I know I am difficult but…well, I only want you to know that I appreciate your efforts with me."

Susan smiled widely. "Troy, I want you to stop thinking about yourself this way, okay? You didn't kill your mother and you didn't kill anyone either, for that matter. Everything came to you like a cold shower, I get that, but you have to think that you've done positive things. You help people; you are a very good guy and your heart is one of the biggest I've seen. It's okay to be weak sometimes, it's okay to cry…it's okay to look for comfort in another person if you need it because, in the end, we all are only humans, people who think and feel bad and good things. Sometimes you'll feel like shit, sometimes you'll get angry…but you've to think that in those times, you have someone beside you ready to hear what you have to say, ready to pull you up if you fall…"

"Gabriella told me that," Troy said still smiling.

"Well then, we have to go and buy the perfect thing for that perfect girl, don't you think?" Susan winked at him standing up and offering her hand to Troy, who nodded effusively and grabbed her stretched hand, standing up too.

Both of them were aware that this simple act meant more than what it seemed; it was a truce, it was the symbol that signalled the beginning of something new.

"Which is the limit I have, Susan?" Troy asked shyly. "This has to be perfect…"

"We'll see," Susan smiled. "It hasn't to be something expensive Troy, it has to be something that means a lot, something that will show her how much you love her, but not because of how much it costs but because it has behind all your thoughts, all your effort, all your love for her."

"So," Troy hesitated. "Can we go to that shop over there?"

Susan turned around to see the shop he was signalling and couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, let's go there…"

"Oh Susan," Troy said excitedly. "I need your help for another thing…"

"More money?" Susan narrowed her eyes. "Troy, you can't spend your money like that…"

"No, no," Troy rushed to pacify her. "I need…your feminine point of view about something…"

Susan smiled seeing how uncomfortable Troy was; his face had become bright red in seconds. "Firsts things first; we'll buy something for Gabriella and then you'll explain me what you have in mind, ok?"

"Sure," Troy said happily when he understood that Susan wasn't denying anything at him.

Stopping in the big shop windows of the shop pointed by Troy, Susan couldn't help but watch Troy closely. His face was full of concentration and she realized he really wanted the perfect thing for Gabriella; she realized he needed to show Gabriella how much she meant to him, she realized right then that Troy was finally accepting Gabriella's love…and she realized right then that Troy wanted to give Gabriella something that would remind her how important she was for him.

A sudden gasp from Troy awoke her from her reverie. "I want that." Turning her face to look at what Troy was looking, Susan gasped. "Let's go inside to ask how much it costs…" Troy grabbed her arm and Susan obliged going inside the shop with him.

"Good afternoon," Susan greeted the old man gently. "We wanted to see this ring…"

"A very pretty ring," the jeweller said. "It's simple but it has something that makes it special…"

"How much it costs?" Troy asked frantically. He knew Gabriella would love that ring, he knew it was what he needed…he only hoped Susan wouldn't be a burden now.

"$1.400, sir." The jeweller answered giving the ring to Troy so he could inspect it closely.

"I want it." Troy said stubbornly. "Susan please…" He begged with puppy dog eyes. "It's perfect for Gabriella and she'll love it…"

"I think you are right," Susan smiled. "What do you prefer though, silver or gold?"

"Gold," Troy answered right away. "Gabriella loves gold…and I don't want for her to put this ring out of her finger ever…"

Susan laughed. "Okay then, we'll take it."

"Wait!" Troy said. Turning to the jeweller, he continued. "Can you engrave something in it?"

"Sure," the old man answered. "It can't be too long, but there is no problem…"

"Can you engrave the word K-u-u-i-p-o?" Troy spelled the word slowly so the jeweller could write it in a paper.

Susan looked at him confusedly. "What does it mean?"

"In a second," Troy answered distractedly checking the word the jewellery had written. "Yeah, that's right…"

"Ok, wait a moment please." The jeweller said going to the back of the store.

"Troy," Susan said sternly. "What does it mean?"

"Gabriella's favourite place in the world is Hawaii," Troy answered excitedly. "When we were little we always said we'll go there some day…"

"And what Hawaii has to do with that weird word?" Susan said still confused.

"It's the Hawaiian word for Sweetheart," Troy explained patiently. "We learnt that one day we were looking pictures of Hawaii in the Internet; we read every web page we found and in one page they talked about special gifts from there. They sell rings with that word engraved and…I don't know, I think that means a lot for us…"

"And you're right!" Susan clapped her hands as excited as Troy was. "Gosh, who would have said you were a romantic?"

Her teasing made him blush. "Only with her." He said cockily.

"I see," Susan smiled. "Oh look, the man is coming…"

"Yes, it won't be a problem to engrave that," the jeweller explained. "But we won't have it ready until next Monday…"

Troy thought for a moment. "That's okay I guess…"

"Ok then," Susan said. "When do you want for us to pay? Today or when we come to pick up the ring?"

"Today is fine," the old man answered. "But it's up to you. You could pay something now and the rest when you pick the ring…"

"What do you think, Troy?" Susan asked the boy.

"Whatever you prefer," Troy answered shrugging.

"Okay," Susan said already deciding. "I'll pay half the price now and the other half when we come to pick the ring up."

"Perfect then," the man said taking the money Susan was giving him. "Here's your ticket so you can pick up the ring."

"Thank you," Susan put the ticket in her wallet. "See you on Monday!"

"Bye," Troy said already exiting from the jewellery.

When they were in the hall of the mall again, Troy grabbed Susan's arm and stopped her. "I need your help to settle the perfect date for Gabriella…"

Susan laughed. "Troy, after what you've done inside that shop," Susan said pointing the jewellery, "I'm not sure if you really need my help…it seems you're very inspired when it comes to Gabriella. Think about it and if you can't think of anything we'll talk again…"

"But," Troy whined.

"No Troy," Susan said in a final tone of voice. "I'm sure you can come up with the best idea; I can help you but you've to do the effort to think about it for a while."

"Okay," Troy sighed.

Troy's phone rang just then and he grabbed the item from his pocket. "Hey babe!" He said excitedly. "Where are you now?"

"I'm still at Taylor's." Gabriella answered softly. "Can you come and pick me up now? I don't feel good…"

It hadn't been necessary for Gabriella to explain she didn't feel good because only with her voice Troy knew she wasn't right; it was a too weak voice. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes or so. Will you be okay until then?"

"Yeah," Gabriella answered. "Thank you baby. Love you…"

"I love you too," Troy sighed. "I'll see you in a few…"

"What was that about?" Susan asked. "Is there a problem with Gabriella?" She couldn't help but feel anxious; she didn't know why but with Gabriella her protectiveness was at its maximum level.

"I don't think so," Troy answered unsurely. "She says she's not feeling good so I am going to pick her up…"

Susan observed Troy was worried and tried to calm his nerves. "Probably she's only tired; don't worry okay?"

"Yeah," Troy answered absently. "Thank you so much Susan…"

"Not a problem," Susan said hugging him shocked again when Troy returned the hug. "If you need anything you know where I am, ok?"

Troy nodded and smiled. "Bye!"

Arriving at his car, Troy unlocked it and jumped inside, turning on the engine and pressing the accelerator without missing a bit.

He was in a hurry; his baby needed him, and he needed to be beside her.