A/N: Well, here is the next one :) I know I'm being suicidal with that chapter…probably you'll hate it (if not me) but…well, I think it was needed for the story, and heck, I wanted to add a major drama before the story ended so the story was believable because…being sincere here, the fluffiness of these last chapters wasn't normal…if we have in mind which kind of relationship Troy and Gabriella have had until now.

Anyway, I hope you'll like it, though I'm seriously planning on to disappear for a while so you all can't throw eggs or worse things at me :S I know this will suck BUT, please, give it a chance the same way you did at the beginning of the story, when everything was rather confusing…

I'm going to stop my rambling now but, please, I really would love to know your opinions because, at the moment, I'm nervous as hell :S

Here is chapter 20. Enjoy! :)

"Hey dorky," a softly voice said at the same time two petite, but already known by heart, arms encircled Troy's waist.

Reaching his hands behind him, Troy pulled Gabriella in front of him, so she was trapped between his body and his locker, and buried his head into her curls, where he chuckled. "Hey sexy," he greeted back kissing the hollow under her ear.

Gabriella giggled and pulled away. "What did the Coach want when he's asked you and Chad to go to his office at lunch? Tay and have been waiting for you but you weren't coming and we didn't want to be late…"

"He wants to run a practice this afternoon," Troy groaned.

"And what about that?" Gabriella asked placing a hand in his cheek, smiling when Troy lifted one of his hands from her waist to rub her wrist with his thumb.

"I kinda had plans…" Troy muttered. "And now we can't do them…"

Gabriella furrowed her eyebrows. "Plans?"

"Yeah," Troy said tightening his arms around her waist and lowering his voice even more. "I've thought we could go to my apartment…"

Gabriella gasped; of course she'd been in his apartment before, but when Troy became "weird" after Lucy's death, she stopped her visits there. He'd never said a word about she going there, and Gabriella hadn't wanted to push him, so the topic had been avoided at any cost. Even though Troy said the night before they always would have his apartment, Gabriella hadn't been thinking he would want her there so soon; she knew that, to let her there, meant another step in the right direction for Troy, because it was like her entrance in his private place, and Gabriella knew how hard that was being for him.

"Oh Troy," she sighed. "We can go tomorrow…"

"I know," Troy interrupted her. "But I want to share it with you now; I…I think I'll feel better once you are familiar with it again…as if it was your second home…"

"You sure?" Gabriella asked really wanting nothing more but also knowing how hard it was for Troy.

Troy nodded. "I want you there; I want your smell there, I want to see something there that reminds me of you…I need to feel you there…" He said lowly dropping an arm from her waist and using his free hand to grab her hand and caress her ring.

Gabriella looked at his fingers tracing the ring and then leaned up smiling, kissing his lips. "I understand baby, but we can go there later or tomorrow. Your apartment won't run away; I'm sure it'll still be in the same place when we decide to go there…" Gabriella joked trying to lift his mood.

Embracing her waist with his arms again, Troy squeezed it once and whispered against her lips. "Yeah…but…yesterday I couldn't sleep because I was missing you like crazy, apart from the little argument we had. I'm so used to have you curled into me at night that I can't sleep if I can't smell your scent beside me…"

"We have to do something about it then," Gabriella smirked. "I already have your shirts in my house so now it's just fair you have something mine in yours. You were right by the way, they are hostages…"

"But you could keep one or two and give me back the others," Troy suggested winking at her.

Gabriella shook her head in mock horror. "Never!"

"But baby," Troy whined. "You have more than 10 of my shirts in your house. Keep one or two if you want but why do you want all of them?"

"They smell like you," Gabriella answered sweetly. "And they are comfier than my clothes…"

"But if you keep them for so long," Troy explained, "they won't smell like me because I won't be the one wearing them."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "I hadn't thought about that!"

Troy chuckled in her ear. "I thought so…"

"Don't laugh!" Gabriella slapped his chest. "That's not good…and serious!" Troy rolled his eyes at her and she slapped his chest, glaring at him. "Well…I suppose I could give them to you for a while…but I want them back!" She added quickly.

"What about this," Troy continued playfully. "You keep one and we change it each week."

"Only one!?" Gabriella gasped but shut up when she saw the look Troy was sending her, thinking about his idea for a minute. "But you could give me 2 or three shirts and this way I can change it and so your smell still be there…" She added sweetly with a little pout.

Troy rolled his eyes. "Seriously baby, why do you need so many of my shirts?? You only wear them to sleep!"

"That's not true," Gabriella pouted. "If I don't have to go out the house, I wear them too…"

"Well, then keep two," Troy sighed. "But you give me the rest back…"

Gabriella got silent again, thinking about what he was saying. "But you would give me shirts you'd worn recently, right? I mean, you won't give me shirts you haven't worn in years, will you?"

Troy rolled his eyes again. "You could choose the shirt you want, but seriously, I need them back! I've only found this shirt this morning!" Troy exclaimed. "And it's way too old…"

"But you look so hot in it," Gabriella answered sweetly putting her puppy dog eyes.

Troy narrowed his eyes. "You're the devil…"

"But you love me anyway," Gabriella whispered against his lips.

Troy nodded. "Lots…"

The couple kissed softly and unhurriedly ignoring the whispers and the stares; every day was like that: gossip and more gossip about them, but they were learning to ignore everything. Troy already did, but that was new for Gabriella, and he was trying to help her with that; he distracted her when they were walking hand in hand to their next class so she couldn't notice the stares, he always made a point that show they were together when he noticed girls glaring at her wrapping his arm around her shoulders, kissing her forehead…little things that gave Gabriella some kind of comfort…without revealing too much about them and their relationship.

Gabriella was aware of Troy's actions, and she couldn't be more grateful. The fact that she felt him with her even when he wasn't there physically helped her a lot, because she knew that, whatever happened at school, in the end of the day he was hers and she was his.

Pulling away from the kiss, they rested their foreheads together and looked each other lovingly taking advantage of the cocoon the locker's door still opened gave them.

"I want something yours in my house too…" Troy whispered.

Gabriella smiled and nodded. "We'll think something then…"

"Perfect." Troy pecked her and pulled away from her, and Gabriella moved to her right, so he could close his locker. "Are you sure you don't want to wait for me? I could take you home later…"

"It's okay; I have to do some errands," Gabriella said already reaching for his hand. "But we could meet before I have to go to mine and have dinner with dad…"

"Sounds good to me," Troy said squeezing her fingers with his. "Do you want me to pick you up from your house?"

Gabriella shook her head. "Don't worry; I'll take my car and so you won't have to drive me back to mine later…"

"I don't mind," Troy said sincerely.

"I know," she said smiling at him. "But you need to work on your Maths homework…dorky," she said whispering her last word.

Troy glared at her playfully. "Like I've said, you're the devil…" Gabriella giggled and then he dropped her hand so he could wrap his arm around her shoulders, pulling her body closer to his.

"Troy, the exit is in the other direction," Gabriella said stopping dead in her tracks when she realized Troy was leading her to the opposite direction she needed to go.

"I know," he winked at her playfully after checking no one was at side. "But you are accompanying me to the locker room, then you'll kiss me goodbye, and then I'll go to my practice and you'll go to run your errands."

"No way mister!" Gabriella said trying to shake his arm off of her shoulders. "The gym is too far away and today precisely I'm wearing heels."

Troy chuckled and tightened his arm so she couldn't escape. "Your fault, but anyway you're coming with me."

"Troy!" She pouted. "Are you really planning on to make me walk all the way to the exit alone then?"

"Yep," he answered nonchalantly still pulling her to the gym. Gabriella turned her face away from him and muttered something with her pout still adorning her features, making him smile. "Please baby…come with me to the gym…please, please, please…"

His words, whispered against her forehead, and his voice, so soft and sweet, made her insides melt. "It's not fair; I can't say no to you when you talk to me like that…"

"Welcome to the club baby," Troy said smiling knowing he would have his way. "I already have to suffer your pout, your baby voice and your puppy dog eyes. It's only fair I have a secret and lethal weapon too…"

Gabriella giggled at that and relaxed her head on his shoulder, lifting her hand so they could intertwine their fingers together.

"Okay," Troy said when they reached the locker room's doors. "We are here so you can go now…"

"Way to be romantic," Gabriella said sarcastically.

He chuckled and pushed her back towards the wall, trapping her body with his arms. "I was joking, and you know it. Now give me a proper kiss, please?" Gabriella smiled and kissed him, passionately but still innocently, knowing the Coach's office was close.

"Call me later, okay?" She said when they pulled away.

"Sure," Troy nodded. "You'll know how to arrive there?"

"Of course," Gabriella smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be there at 6 okay?"

Troy nodded his head and pecked her lips again. "See you later baby…"

"Love you," Gabriella whispered realizing Troy's team mates were arriving where they were.

Troy winked at her and Gabriella turned around, already searching for her iPod in her bag, and walked to the front doors of East High, but her phone ringing stopped her. Not even looking at the screen, Gabriella pressed the answer button and put the phone beside her ear. "Hello?"

"Gabriella?"

"Hey Susan!" Gabriella greeted the woman happily. "How are you?"

"I was about to ask you the same question," both women laughed.

"Everything is great," Gabriella answered smiling. "Really, really great."

"Don't you seem happy?" Susan teased smiling. "Something you want to talk about?"

Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "You knew about the date?" She asked strongly surprised.

"Well…" Susan hesitated not knowing if Troy had already given her the ring or not and didn't wanting to spoil his surprise. "Not about the date per se…but I knew something was up…"

Suddenly, Gabriella looked at her ring and soon it clicked to her that maybe Troy had needed Susan's permission to spend so much at once. "The ring…" She whispered in a strangled voice.

"Oh so," Susan let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, "has he given it to you then?"

"Yeah," Gabriella answered still shocked. "Did you choose it?"

"No, no," Susan answered at once. "Troy did; I was only there to pay…you know, rules are rules."

Gabriella remained silent for a minute worried about the amount of money Troy had spent on her; she knew his financial situation was more than good, but still she hadn't thought for a minute how much the ring had cost. If he had needed Susan there, then it had cost much more than what she could have imagined…

"How much did Troy spent on the ring, Susan?" Gabriella asked in a low voice.

Susan caught her tone of voice and narrowed her eyes. "I can't tell you, but why this sudden change? You were happy not even two minutes ago…"

"Troy has spent too much if he needed you there," Gabriella answered. "And I haven't given him anything…"

"Oh sweetie," Susan said smiling. "Don't be silly; Troy knew what he was doing, and also I did. Don't worry about that…"

Gabriella sighed. "I know but…"

"No buts," Susan clicked her tongue. "But if you feel better, then you could go and buy him something meaningful too…"

Groaning, Gabriella sighed. "Troy is the most difficult person in the world when it comes to give him presents…"

"Maybe I can help you with that then…" Susan smirked. "Actually, I was calling you because of that. Can you talk now?"

"I'm already going home," Gabriella answered. "Troy had a last minute practice…"

"Cool," Susan nodded for herself. "Could you come to my office?"

"Of course," Gabriella smiled. "I was about to go to the mall because I've already done my homework…"

"Which mall were you planning to go?" Susan interrupted her.

"The Modern City Mall." Gabriella said.

Susan squealed. "My office is beside that mall!"

"I know," Gabriella giggled. "I was about to tell you that…"

"Oh okay," Susan blushed in her office lowering her voice a little. "So I wait for you here. Do you remember the floor and everything?"

"Yep," Gabriella said. "I'll be there in ten or so, okay?"

"Sure. See you in a few!" Susan said excitedly.

Giggling again, Gabriella shook her head. "Bye!"

With Troy

"Hey dude," Chad said patting Troy's back when he bent down to put on his training shoes.

"Where were you?" Troy asked narrowing his eyes. "I thought you had left; we haven't seen you or Taylor during the last class…and I know for a fact to skip is nothing like Taylor…"

"Well," Chad blushed. "We kinda had something planned for today but the Coach's plans have fucked it up so we were having some alone time…"

Troy looked around and lowered his voice. "Where were you two?" Chad blushed furiously and Troy caught that up. "You're blushing!"

"Shhh!" Chad said embarrassed. "I'm not blushing."

"Of course you are not," Troy rolled his eyes. "Come on Chad, we're alone now. Where were you two? I want to know if I've won the bet or not…"

"What bet?" Chad asked shocked. "Have you and Gabs bet about where were we?"

"Yep," Troy smirked. "And I want to know if I'm going to receive a massage today or not. Come on, tell me already or we'll be super late…"

"In the lab," Chad whispered widening his eyes when Troy groaned.

"You can't be serious…" Troy muttered. "I doubt that has been your idea…"

"Actually," Chad cleared his throat, "it's been Tay's idea. I wanted to go to the car…"

"You two are like rabbits," Troy chuckled. "And you've just made Gabriella win a massage tonight…"

"She's said the lab?" Chad asked shocked.

Troy nodded. "I swear I thought she would loose, but it seems she knows Taylor and her power with you too much…"

When Chad was about to answer, a loud voice bummed through the doors. "Chad, Troy, the Coach is waiting!"

When the head of the guy peeked around the wall, Troy glared at him with a cold look. "We're going."

Chad shook his head. "Easy, Troy…"

The boy didn't move and Troy stood up. "I've said we're going."

Seeing how Troy was a foot taller than him, how cold his eyes were and how menacing his pose was, the boy nodded gulping and disappeared.

Troy heard Chad's sigh and turned around. "What?"

"Nothing," the boy said. "But you should calm yourself a little Troy; you can't talk people like that…"

"I know, okay?" Troy sighed.

"No Troy," Chad rolled his eyes. "You have no right to talk people like that…"

"Don't give me that crap, Chad…" Troy narrowed his eyes.

"You know what?" Chad said standing up from the bench. "Suit yourself." Chad replied coldly before disappearing through the door.

Troy shook his head but stood up, following his friend to the gym, running to keep path with him. "Why are you so worked up now?"

Chad sighed. "Because I get you want to keep from them how you really are, but I think sometimes you are too harsh, and I don't like it because I know you are not like that."

"Don't be so drama queen Chad," Troy said rolling his eyes.

Chad stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at Troy. "You're behaving like a fucking jerk Troy. You stopped the bullying remember? Would you like someone talking to Gabriella like you've talked to Johan?"

Troy was about to answer; in fact, he opened his mouth to speak but then he realized he had nothing to say to that but that Chad was right. "You're right…" Troy whispered. Chad nodded his head once and then saw how Troy began to run to the gym, with Chad hot in his heels.

"Johan!" Troy exclaimed when he arrived at the gym.

The other players were already there, and so everyone turned to look at Troy, who ignored everyone until he was in front of Johan, who gulped loudly. "What?" The boy asked with a quivering voice.

Grabbing his arm, Troy pulled the guy apart from everybody. "I wanted to apologize…"

"Are you serious?" Johan asked with a shocked voice.

Troy nodded. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"Sure," Johan stuttered. "Forgotten."

Troy smiled. "Thanks dude," he said going to where Chad was standing, smiling at the scene.

"Now this is the Troy I know," Chad patted his back and Troy snorted, shaking his head and resuming their positions for the practice, just in time for the Coach to arrive.

With Gabriella

Gabriella arrived at Susan's office and didn't hesitate this time; entering in the building, she went directly to the lift and pressed Susan's floor's number. When the doors opened, she went to the desk. "Good afternoon, I'm here to see Susan Meyers."

"Are you Gabriella?" The receptionist asked smiling. Gabriella nodded and the woman picked the phone without another word. "Susan? Gabriella is here…yeah…okay…sure…bye."

The door of Susan's office opened at the same time the woman was hanging up the phone. "Gabriella!" Susan exclaimed cheerily, embracing the girl.

"Hey Susan," Gabriella said returning the hug.

"Come with me," Susan said pulling Gabriella into her office. "Now sit," she said pushing Gabriella to a chair. "Do you want a coffee or something?"

"No, no," Gabriella shook his head. "Thank you."

Susan took a sit behind her desk and crossed her arms over her chest. "Does Troy still love professional basketball?"

That question took Gabriella out of guard. "What?"

"Does Troy watch the games on the TV and talks about it later?" She asked seriously waiting for Gabriella's answer.

"Yeah," Gabriella answered unsure. "He's still in love with the LA Lakers…" She added smiling a little.

Susan returned the smile. "Then, you have the perfect gift for him in your hands."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes confused. "How?"

"I've been seeing a guy lately and he's one of the directives of the LA Lakers." Susan explained with a dreamy face, which made Gabriella giggle. "I told him about Troy and he offered to give me first row tickets and other stuff…"

"Seriously?!" Gabriella exclaimed excitedly. "Troy will love that!"

Susan giggled. "I know…"

"But I don't understand," Gabriella stopped herself. "What does that have to do with me?"

Susan rolled her eyes. "Do you like basketball?"

"Not really," Gabriella giggled. "I couldn't care less about it…"

Susan giggled too. "I know what it's like, trust me…" She rolled her eyes. "But does Troy know you don't like it?"

"Sure," Gabriella nodded. "He's tried to teach me, he's insisted to watch the games with him, he's tried to rub on me his enthusiasm…but nothing. I don't see the point in the game…" She added blushing a little.

"Well," Susan smirked. "It depends on what you do want to give him, but if you want to do something that will mean a lot to him…"

"What are you thinking about?" Gabriella interrupted already guessing what Susan was thinking.

"Maybe you could go to one of those games with him," Susan answered. "Lucy's death's anniversary is in 3 days, and when James offered, I've thought that would be something that would cheer him up a little."

"I know," Gabriella sighed. "I've been thinking about something to distract him or something but with no luck."

"So this is the perfect solution," Susan squealed again. "Think about it; in the Lakers stadium, first row tickets, meeting the team…and sharing everything with you. I don't think there is something he would love more because, between you and me, I don't see Troy wearing jewels…"

Gabriella giggled. "In no way! He's always saying he doesn't understand how I love to wear rings, earrings and bracelets…"

"See?" Susan said excitedly again. "He'll love that…"

"Maybe you're right," Gabriella answered nodded her head. "He loves Kobe; do you think we could have one of his jerseys dedicated to Troy?"

"No problem," Susan nodded. "Why?"

"Because that will be the first hint I'll give him." Gabriella smirked. "He did something really special with the date and the ring and everything, and I want to do something also special for him. I'm going to throw hints at him slowly…but making sure his enthusiasm increases with each new hint."

Susan shook her head. "You two are really made for each other…"

"I know," Gabriella smiled wildly, which made Susan laugh.

"Well," Susan began hesitantly, clearing her throat. "Do you think you could explain me something about the date? I'm really curious about it…but if it's too personal then I understand."

"Well, not even our friends know about the whole date because Troy and I agreed to keep it to us," Gabriella said sincerely, "but I can share with you what our friends know…"

"Yay!" Susan clapped her hands. "Gosh, I'm so excited…"

Gabriella laughed and explained to Susan parts of her magical date with Troy.

With Troy

"Ok guys," Coach said clapping his hands. "Practice is finished. Hit the showers and you can go home. Well job!"

Chad and Troy waited for the team to disappear and then they went to sit on the bleachers. "Coach is pushing us hard, man…I'm all sore…" Chad complained rubbing his shoulder.

"I know," Troy sighed grabbing his bottle of water. "But if we want to win against West, he doesn't have another option but to push us…"

"We'll win," Chad said confidently.

"I hope so," Troy answered. "But still; I prefer that he puts pressure on us from now than he waits to pressure us one week before the game, because if not, people will relax and you can't compare how prepared we can be with months of full training than with days of full training…"

"You have a point," Chad nodded. "But still…maybe I shouldn't have met Taylor before…I'm sore as hell…"

Troy chuckled. "Man, you knew you had a practice later so you're the one to blame…"

Chad rolled his eyes. "Dude, it's Taylor we're talking about!"

"And your point is…?" Troy asked amused.

"She's too hot," Chad sighed. "And seriously, the skirt she was wearing today can't be legal…" He whined. "How can I not be all bothered by her mere presence if she wears clothes like that?"

Troy shook his head amused by his friend's behaviour. "God Chad, you're like a little kid…"

"Maybe," Chad smirked. "But my woman seems to think this NOT little "kid" totally satisfies her."

"Does Tay know you talk about your "activities" this way?" Troy asked amusedly.

"As if," Chad snorted. "She'll freak out and then she'll break up with me; she thinks I'm too blunt with those things…"

"No!" Troy said in mock surprise. "How dare she?" He continued sarcastically.

"I know!" Chad said not catching Troy's sarcasm. "I've told her we guys always talk about those things this way but she doesn't get it."

"I can't believe it!" Troy continued sarcastically.

"Thank God you think like me, dude," Chad said shaking his head. "Maybe you could tell Taylor this so she will back off a little…"

"Chad!" Troy exclaimed exasperated. "How can you be so dumb?"

"Uh," Chad looked at Troy confused.

"I was being sarcastic. Tay is right; you are too blunt." Troy answered. "You've never heard me talk about what I do or what I don't do with Gabriella this way…or in any way for that matter."

"Well sometimes you've explained some anecdote…" Chad protested.

Troy rolled his eyes and punched Chad's arm playfully. "Key word being "anecdote" Chad, not the whole story…"

"It's the same!" Chad said complaining following Troy to the locker room. "I was sharing with you an anecdote."

Troy stopped and looked at his friend with a disbelieving face. "Are you serious?"

"Of course," Chad answered coolly.

"Then you're dumber than I thought," Troy said pocking Chad's chest before he disappeared behind the grey metal doors.

Chad stood there, dumbfounded, in the middle of the gym, thinking about what Troy had just said. When it clicked to him what Troy meant, he ran to the locker room. "You are so in for it Bolton! Hide while you can!" He yelled running along the locker room's main corridor while Troy's loud laugh could be heard from the showers, entertaining the rest of the boys who looked the scene amusedly.

"Are you ready?" Troy asked Chad thirty minutes later.

Chad nodded. "Let's go."

Both boys stepped outside the school and noticed that, apart from two cars in the teachers' parking lot, their cars were the only ones there. "Dude, how come we've been so long in there?" Chad asked confusedly. "I think it's the first time I'm the last student coming out of school…"

"You are one of a kind man," Troy chuckled shaking his head.

"Yeah, yeah," Chad protested. "Don't go there again. You've already settled what you think of my brain…"

Troy rolled his eyes at Chad's antics. "You're so drama queen…"

"Troy," Chad said sternly. "If I was you, I'd stop…now."

"Uhhh, I'm afraid," Troy laughed. "What if I don't want to?"

Chad glared at Troy. "Do you remember what happened when we were five?"

Troy widened his eyes and Chad smirked. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, but I dare," Chad said amused this time already walking towards Troy, who was backing away.

"Chad stop," Troy said glaring at his friend.

Chad chuckled. "I don't want to."

"I'll tell Taylor what you've said before," Troy tried to threaten.

Chad shook his head and stopped dead in his tracks. Troy stopped too and both boys glared at each other, with their eyes locked and having a silent conversation about the "weapons" they had against each other. It was as if they were daring each other to make the first move, but neither moved; both were very still, smirking to each other…until they couldn't hold their laughter more and both exploded almost in hysterics.

"Dude…" Troy gasped. "That…has…been…amusing…" He said between fits of laughter.

"And…what…about…your…face?" Chad answered holding his stomach.

When their laughter died, both had to wipe the tears that were rolling down their cheeks. "Uf," Troy panted holding his stomach.

"Tell me about it," Chad said trying to regain his breath.

Troy chuckled again. "Well, I think we can agree we've been lucky no one was here…we seemed two mental guys for sure…"

"I know," Chad said still laughing. "Well I'm off, I'll see you tomorrow!" Chad said going to his car, which was beside Troy's.

"Bye!" Troy said entering in his car. When he was about to put on his sunglasses, the passenger's door opened and Troy turned to look at his right. "What are you doing?"

"My car won't start," Chad growled.

"And who has told you I could take you home?" Troy asked lifting his eyebrow.

"As if you could leave me here," Chad snorted. "Plus, I don't have to go home now; I need to go to the pharmacy. My mom barely uses her phone but man, when she uses it always it's to send me a message where she asks oh not so nicely to do her errands…" He said between his teeth.

"What do you have to buy?" Troy asked amused. "By the way, why are you so whinny today?"

"I'm not whinny," Chad said while Troy rolled his eyes. "I'm not! She's asked me to go and buy feminine stuff. I swear she wants for me to die of embarrassment…"

Troy laughed at Chad. "That's not the first time she's asked you that Chad; you should be used to that by now…"

"Oh okay," Chad said smirking. "Now you're the one who is going to enter in the pharmacy to buy it…"

"No way!" Troy exclaimed. "I already had to go the other day for Gabriella and I'm not planning on to go there again for that any time soon."

"Please Troy," Chad begged. "I'll die from embarrassment…"

"I'm not going," Troy shook his head. "Your mother has asked YOU to buy it, so you'll be a responsible son and do what she'd told you."

"Troy!" Chad whined. "Please…and I'll do whatever you want me to!"

"No way," Troy said turning on the engine. "You only have to go in, grab the stuff and pay…"

"Right," Chad rolled his eyes. "And the woman behind the desk won't think anything of me, right…"

"What do you want for her to think?" Troy asked when they stopped at one red traffic light. "She'll think you are buying stuff for a woman…"

"You're going to be a great friend and buy the stuff for me." Chad said in a final voice.

Troy rolled his eyes. "You're being immature…"

"Says the person who doesn't want to go there," Chad said sarcastically.

"Because I don't have to!" Troy protested. "I already went there for Gabriella."

"Of course, if it's Gabriella the one who asks you…" Chad muttered.

"Eh!" Troy interrupted him. "What was that about Gabriella?"

"You are whipped," Chad mused shaking his head.

"And you are not?" Troy asked mockingly. "Chad, we both know you are Tay's puppy…"

Chad glared at him. "Okay, you won't go alone. We both will go in and buy the stuff…"

"What are we? Five?" Troy said laughing. "Come on dude, it'll look weird if we both go there…"

"Then you can buy another thing," Chad said. "I'll talk and pay, but please, don't make me go alone…"

Troy shook his head. "Okay, but I'm planning on to use that against you in the future…"

"Again with the threats?" Chad rolled his eyes. "And you say I'm immature…yeah right…" The boy said sarcastically.

"I've already agreed to go in with you," Troy narrowed his eyes. "Do you want to go in alone?"

Chad turned to look at Troy and widened his eyes. "You are a great and mature friend."

Troy smirked at that. "I thought so…" He said laughing.

"Yeah, yeah…" Chad mocked crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly, which only made Troy laugh louder. "Will you stop? I'm nervous already…"

Troy chuckled at Chad's antics, but took pity of his red face. "Okay, okay…" He said bemusedly.

With Gabriella

"Who would have said Troy was such a romantic!" Susan exclaimed surprised.

Gabriella giggled. "I know…it was magical…"

Her dreamy face made Susan squeal. "Gosh that's so exciting!"

Both women shared a laugh. Susan couldn't help but think about how different Troy was since the day Gabriella told him the truth about his mother; his behaviour had been completely different, but in a good way, he was sweeter, he laughed a lot, he even was caring with her…it was as if he was a different person altogether.

Susan already knew Troy had a soft side, but she couldn't have ever imagined this soft side was so deep; the way his face lightened up when he talked about Gabriella, the way he wanted and needed Gabriella's happiness even before his, the way he'd been suffering all those years only trying to protect Gabriella…it was being too much. She was amazed by this new Troy; it was as if he was finally forgiving himself, as if he was allowing himself to be happy, to enjoy what to be in love was…and he seemed to be taking advantage of that new freedom, because she'd never seen him so free from demons as he was now.

"Well, I have to go now," Gabriella said interrupting her train of thought. "Will you call me when you've talked with James, then?" She added worriedly.

"Of course," Susan waved her hand dismissively. "But there won't be any problems, so you can calm down. I'll call you with the details tonight or tomorrow, and then we'll meet again so I can give you the stuff…"

"Perfect," Gabriella smiled looking at her watch. "Now I have to because I have to be at Troy's at six." She said already standing up.

"Oh wait," Susan interjected. "I'm off too. Wait a minute and so we'll go down together." Gabriella nodded and sat back in the chair again. "It'll be just a second."

"No worries," Gabriella smiled.

"All done," Susan said five minutes later turning off the screen of her computer. "Let me grab my coat and we'll be ready to go."

When Susan put the coat on, she grabbed her bag and opened the door of her office, gesturing to Gabriella that she could step out of there first. "Thank you, I'll wait for you beside the elevator." Whispered Gabriella seeing how the receptionist came to them with a bunch of papers for Susan to sign.

"Okay, let's go." Susan said returning the papers to her secretary.

"Susan," Gabriella asked lowly while waiting for the elevator to come. "How come you've finished so soon today?"

Susan blushed a little. "I have a date with James and I need to go to the hairdresser's."

Gabriella smiled. "How long have you been dating him?"

"Dating-dating days," Susan admitted embarrassedly and feeling like a teen again. "But flirting and having phone conversations, meeting with more friends and things like that…mmm…almost 6 months."

"Six months?" Gabriella exclaimed surprised. "Did you know him before?"

"Yeah," Susan sighed. "His brother is my brother's best friend."

"Oh…but…six months?" Gabriella asked again. "I mean…if you knew each other already, then you began flirting…"

"I know," Susan interrupted. "I had doubts because I didn't want to mess up the relationship our brothers have…"

"What made you change your mind?" Gabriella smiled softly.

"Him." Susan shrugged. "I don't know, he insisted a lot, and I always was refusing if we had to be alone but…one day he called me to have a coffee together, I agreed because I was dying to see him…and we went from there…"

"How sweet," Gabriella squealed lowly knowing they were surrounded by Susan co-workers.

"I know," Susan said with a dreamy face again. "It's like a thousand butterflies are living in my stomach permanently though. I think I embarrass myself a lot in front of him but…"

"I know what you mean," Gabriella nodded stepping into the lift when the doors opened, "but it's worth it in the end."

"I hope so," Susan giggled.

"You'll see…" Gabriella winked playfully.

"Shhh!" Susan nudged her shoulder with Gabriella's and, with a nod of her head, signalled the other occupants of the lift.

Gabriella nodded her head but giggled nonetheless at Susan's red face, while the older woman rolled her eyes and shook her head amusedly.

When the lift opened its doors, they waited for everyone to step out before they did it. "I can't believe you were talking about that as if it was nothing in front of these people…" Susan hissed embarrassed.

"Oh please," Gabriella waved her hand dismissively. "They don't know what we're talking about. And even if they knew, so what? It's not a crime for you to date someone, you know?"

"Yeah I know," Susan sighed. "But I don't feel comfortable with them knowing about my private life. Actually, they barely know anything about it…"

"Oh sorry," Gabriella nodded in understanding. "I didn't know…"

"Don't worry," Susan said placing a friendly hand on Gabriella's arm. "I think they've barely paid attention to us…"

Gabriella dissolved in a fit of giggles and both women stepped outside the building, where Susan stopped a cab.

With Troy

"Oh look," Chad said. "Isn't that girl Gabriella?"

"Where?" Troy asked excitedly.

"There, outside that building," Chad pointed. "It seems she's talking with a woman…"

Troy narrowed his eyes when he realized where they were. "With a woman you say?"

Chad nodded his head absently. "Yeah, and it seems they are friends…" He said looking how Gabriella and the woman hugged before the older woman stepped inside the cab. "Who is that woman?"

Troy couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing; he'd seen the woman Gabriella was talking to and to say he was shocked was the understatement of the century. "Susan…" Troy hissed between his teeth.

"What?" Chad asked shocked. "What did you say?"

"That woman was Susan," Troy said in a very low voice while the cab disappeared.

Chad gulped seeing how fucked up the situation was; Troy's eyes were colder than ever, and he could say Troy was talking lowly trying to control his fury…because at that moment, Troy's blood was boiling, the inferno of his eyes was powerful and all his body was shaking in a mixture of rage, angriness, fury…and mostly betrayal.

"Troy…" Chad interjected seeing how Troy had stopped the car all of a sudden and had opened his door to step outside, action which Chad imitated in a bit. "Troy!"

Gabriella turned around when she heard Troy's name and widened her eyes when she saw Troy coming right her way with a murdering face. He didn't need to say anything because Gabriella guessed he'd seen her talking with Susan, and she knew she couldn't lie. "Troy, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Troy hissed. "What the fuck Gabriella?" Gabriella remained silent. "Answer me damn it!"

"What do you want me to say?" Gabriella said in a petite voice.

"You've got to be kidding me," Troy laughed bitterly. "What the fuck were you doing with Susan? Have you had fun with her? Talking to her about me without me knowing anything? Sharing with her what we do? How could you?"

"I haven't told her anything Troy," Gabriella said trying to pacify her. "Calm down…"

"Calm down?" Troy laughed again. "How can I calm down when I see my girlfriend hugging all friendly with the woman who has made my life a living hell?"

Gabriella's eyes snapped up at that. "You're being unfair! You know that's not true Troy. Grow up! She cares about you and…"

"The same way you care about me?" Troy shook his head. "I can't believe I've trusted you two…"

"What are you saying Troy?" Gabriella shouted.

"I'm saying you two are two bitches," Troy hissed. "And I'm saying I hope you two had fun while gossiping about me because your fun has ended."

"Troy…" Chad interjected knowing things could end pretty badly if they continued talking without thinking what they were saying.

"No!" Troy growled furiously. "You are a traitor, Gabriella…a fucking traitor."

Gabriella locked her eyes with his and she couldn't believe how cold his eyes were; she'd seen this look before but never directed at her. Even when she and Troy had argued, he'd never used neither this tone nor this look with her, and her body began to tremble.

She wanted to tell Troy she'd talked with Susan, of course she wanted…but she wasn't ready. She knew she'd acted behind his back even though her intentions were good, and she knew he was more or less right when he said she was a traitor, but she'd had her reasons. She'd never gone to Susan to fuck Troy's life…on the contrary! She went to Susan looking for the help she needed for him to be okay…

"You're being unfair!" Gabriella exploded. "First you should know the details before you come here all hysteric!"

"What the fuck Gabriella?" Troy shouted. "You're unbelievable! What were you doing with Susan? When did you know her? Where? How?"

"I…" Gabriella began with a trembling voice.

"You know what?" Troy spat at her. "I don't care. We're done."

"What?" Gabriella shrieked following him to the car, grabbing his sleeve when he didn't stop at her voice. "Are you serious?"

"Completely." Troy nodded. "I don't want to do anything with you or with her." He said shaking Gabriella's hand off his arm and entering in his car.

Chad was there dumbfounded, observing the scene with wide eyes. Even though he seemed to be not paying attention, the truth was that he had heard everything they'd told each other, and he couldn't believe how fucked up the situation was. Though he wanted to run after Troy, the truth was that his body was paralysed, and it continued like that until he heard Gabriella's hysterical voice.

Turning around, Chad saw how Gabriella shouted Troy's name trying to open the door but finding impossible because Troy locked the car from the inside. "Troy!" But Troy ignored her; turning on the engine, he pressed the accelerator leaving a crying and shivering Gabriella behind.

Chad began to walk towards where she was but a sudden honk pierced through his ears, making him to turn his head. What he saw made him wide his eyes in horror; a huge bus was coming Gabriella's way and she was stood in the middle of the street, not paying attention to the traffic.

"GABRIELLA!" Chad shouted. The adrenaline was running wildly down his veins; he needed to reach Gabriella before the bus did. "Gabriella move!"

The honk intensified and Chad knew the bus was closer each time. "Gabriella move!" He shouted again running as fast as he could towards the girl, who fell on her knees when her body gave her away.

But Gabriella wasn't listening anything; she only could hear Troy's words in her head, she only could see the fury inside his eyes, she only could feel the stab in her heart at what had just happened. However, something hit her and snapped her out of her dumb state; she only was aware of a piercing pain in her side…before everything went black.

A/N2: Please...don't hate me!! ;)