Thankyou all SO much for the feedback :D I really appreciated it all! Here is chapter two. Updates will be more frequent from now on, seeing as I am back at home, finished uni and prac for the year and have TIME on my hands!!! I thought I would post the first chapter last week to see what type of response I got – and I was so excited to get all your replies!
Anyway, onto the next chapter of Amazing Grace!
Chapter 2
Gabriella stirred and slowly opened her eyes, blinking as her bedroom gradually came into focus. Sensing she was not alone, Gabriella rolled over and smiled.
Cuddled into her side was Troy – still fast asleep. Gabriella wrapped an arm around his waist and stroked his cheek fondly with her other hand as she watched him sleep. The steady rhythm of the rise and fall of his chest was comforting as she ran her hand softly from his cheek through his hair.
Placing a gentle kiss on Troy's cheek, Gabriella unwound herself from him and tip toed downstairs. She was feeling much better after her sleep, apart from her majorly rumbling stomach, which was demanding food right away. Humming softly to herself, she bustled around the kitchen, opening and closing various cupboards and drawers as she fixed some afternoon tea for herself and Troy.
Ten minutes later - balancing a tray with a big bowl of fruit salad, two bowls of ice cream, and two glasses of lemonade – Gabriella made her way back upstairs and smiled when she saw Troy still fast asleep, sprawled out on her bed. Placing the tray of food carefully down on her desk, she climbed onto the bed next to him, and snaked a hand around his waist.
"Hey sleepyhead," she whispered. "Time to wake up!"
"Nrrgwmph," came Troy's mumbled reply.
Gabriella rolled her eyes and laughed softly, tracing Troy's facial features with her index finger. "Come on, Wildcat. I've got foo-ood," she teased, drawing out the word 'food'.
"Hmm?" Troy sat straight up and Gabriella giggled.
"I knew that would get your attention!" she told him, sliding off the bed and retrieving the tray from her desk.
"Mmm, you're the best, Brie!" Troy grinned sleepily, planting a sloppy kiss on her cheek as she placed the tray between them. "Hey!" he exclaimed suddenly. "You're sick!"
Gabriella laughed and shook her head as she took a bite of fruit salad. "I probably just needed that sleep. I feel fine now."
Troy raised an eyebrow. "Gab – a couple of hours ago you could hardly walk straight and you were burning up!"
Gabriella smiled at his concern and took his hand in hers, running her thumb gently across the back of it. "Tro-oy, I'm fine...I promise," she said, looking him square in the eye. "Here," she added, lifting his hand to her forehead. "Feel."
Troy let his hand linger on her forehead, which - he had to admit - was nowhere near as warm as before. His worries abating somewhat, he picked up a spoon and dipped it into the ice cream.
"Soooo...what do you want to do now that you have made a miraculous recovery, Miss Montez?" he asked, taking anther spoonful of ice cream. "DVD? Board game? Dinner – I'll cook...what?" Gabriella looked at him with a smirk on her face. "Ok, ok – I'll dish up the take out..."
"That's more like the Troy Bolton I know and lo...look at the time, oh my GOSH I haven't even STARTED my homework!" Gabriella said breathlessly, hoping Troy hadn't noticed her slip. They had known each other for almost a year and been a couple for eight and a half months. Both knew that they loved each other – and that the other loved them back – but neither was brave enough to take the plunge and say it. Still, they were comfortable with where their relationship was at and couldn't have been happier.
Well, apart from Gabriella's stressful workload. Which she had been reminded of as she pulled her pencil case out of her bag, along with several exercise books and text books.
"I have so much to do, Troy," she moaned. "I can't believe I slept for so long – I'm never going to get all this done by tomorrow!"
"Hey hey hey – calm down Gabs," Troy soothed, moving to stand behind where she was sat at her desk, gently kneading the tense muscles in her shoulders. "You tell me what I can do to help, and I'll do it."
Gabriella rubbed her eyes and sighed. When had she gotten so lucky? "If you could type up these notes for me, that would be fantastic," she gave him a tired smile and passed him her laptop and several sheets of paper covered in her tidy handwriting. "I'll use the computer in the study to finish my Chemistry report and print off all my research for our English essay."
Troy nodded. "Ok, can do. Troy Bolton – FreakyFastTyperBoy to the rescue!" he bellowed as Gabriella laughed. "And after said typing is complete, FreakyFastTyperBoy will use his FreakyFastTypingFingers to dial – freakily fast - the phone number of his Freaky Math Girl's favourite Thai restaurant, and order them dinner," he grinned as Gabriella clutched her sides, laughing so hard that tears ran down her cheeks.
Pulling her into a hug, he kissed her softly on the forehead. "There it is," he whispered, stroking her hair fondly.
Gabriella pulled back and looked up at Troy puzzled, her arms still wrapped firmly around him. "There's what?" she asked.
"My favourite smile in the world," he replied, nudging her nose with his own. "Yours."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Later that night, Gabriella was fast asleep in her bed. However her slumber was far from peaceful. She tossed and turned fitfully, horrible images flashing before her eyes as she dreamed.
Suddenly she woke with a start and sat bolt upright, shaking and drenched in a cold sweat. Pressing a hand to her forehead, she felt clammy and warm to the touch.
Gabriella threw back her covers and placed her feet on the floor. She tried to stand, but felt dizzy and immediately sat back down, holding her head.
Maybe she was coming down with something after all...
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
A smile spread across Troy's features as he leaned against a railing high above the hustle and bustle of lunch time at East High.
"Thought I might find you here."
The brunette sitting on the bench in front of him looked up at the sound of her boyfriend's voice.
"Hey," she gave a weak smile as he came to sit next to her.
"Taylor told me you asked for a bathroom pass in Maths and never came back," his forehead creased in concern. "That's not like you, Brie – what's wrong?"
Gabriella slumped against him, whimpering softly. "I don't feel right, Troy – I'm so tired. I couldn't sleep last night. I just have so much to do..." she trailed off, her breathing ragged as she tried to hold back her tears.
"Heeey," Troy soothed, holding her close as he slipped a hand under her t-shirt and rubbed her back. "Hey, don't cry baby girl. Please don't cry. We'll go talk to Ms. Darbus, okay? We'll go and tell her how much stress you are under and ask if she can find someone else to sing at the presentation and... Hey, Brie...what happened to your back?"
Gabriella sniffled and frowned as Troy rolled up the back of her top and gasped. Gabriella's back was covered in some sort of a rash that looked like tiny red pin-pricks all over her skin.
"Brie...Ella – I think we had better get you to a doctor..."
Oooh, what's going on? Is it something, or is it nothing? Only time will tell...click that review button!!
Charli xox
