Dreams or Desire
"What is your problem Gabs? You look hot!" Gabriella whined and tried to pull down her white, lace, one shoulder dress down, however it didn't go too far. "You dance in an in front of thousands of people every week in an outfit that is half the size of that dress!"
"That's different! That's a costume! No one is looking at me and thinking that I'm a slut!" Taylor just rolled her eyes.
"Well there is nothing you can do about it now, cause we're here." Gabriella turned to her right, and sure enough, they had arrived at the Hollywood hotspot. She just groaned. After paying the cab driver, the two girls got out and walked up to the club, in which around a hundred people were lined up to get into. Gabriella began to make her way to the end of the line, but then noticed that Taylor was walking up to the front of the line. "What are you doing Tay?"
"Going to the front of the line. We're on the list." Gabriella looked at her confused. Before she could say anything, Taylor had approached the bouncer. "Hey my name is Taylor McKessie, this is Gabriella Montez, we're with Chad Danforth." At the sound of this, Gabriella's eyes widened. According to Taylor, where Chad went, Troy went, and visa versa. The bouncer scrolled through the list before stepping aside to let the girls through. Taylor turned to Gabriella and smiled. "Let's go babe." Still in shock, Gabriella reluctantly followed Taylor into the loud club. However, before she could walk 2 feet into it, Gabriella had turned her around.
"Why didn't you tell me!"
"Because I knew you wouldn't come. Don't worry babe, it will be fine."
"But…" Before Gabriella could continue, Taylor turned around. "Ugh!" She stomped her foot on the ground in frustration, before having no choice but to follow her friend. They made their way through the young adults who had all come to let loose after a long week at work, until they reached the edge of the club, where all the booths were placed.
"There they are!" Gabriella immediately looked to see the guy who her best friend had been dating since they met at Apple a few months prior, and of course next to him was the blue-eyed boy who she could not stop thinking about. She immediately froze. Of course as soon as she did, he turned his head. They locked eyes and a smile immediately graced his face. She quickly broke the gaze, and reluctantly followed Taylor to the table, not daring to even glance at Troy.
"Hey Chad," she greeted, hugging her best friend's boyfriend.
"Hey Gabs. How are you?"
"I'm good, you?"
"Great. You wanna drink?"
"Please." She made her way over to the table and Chad began to pour drinks, first for Taylor then for Gabriella. He then turned his focus to Taylor, leaving Gabriella standing there by herself. She started to move forward to talk to Brett and Zeke, who were sitting on the couch, until her hand was grabbed and she was turned around, only to come face to face with Troy.
"You were amazing the other night." Gabriella tensed up at his serious and genuine tone. In some ways she wished it wasn't a sincere compliment, rather a pick up line, that way she would've been able to slap him across the face. "Are you gonna ignore me the entire night?" Gabriella sighed.
"We're in a public place Troy. If someone were to…" Now it was Troy's turn to sigh. "I'm sorry Troy. I can't."
"Fine. But just answer me this. Why did you say yes the other day?" Gabriella groaned and ran her hand through her hair, before taking a deep breath.
"Cause what girl would say no to the only guy who's ever chased her. Well the first guy who isn't a sleezeball." A smile graced his face.
"Does that mean I still have a chance with you?"
"It doesn't matter Troy. Cause no matter what, I can't be with you." With that, Gabriella walked over towards Zeke and Brett.
--
"Hey, I am gonna go with Chad is that okay?" A suggestive smile came across Gabriella's face and Taylor rolled her eyes. "Not like that."
"Uh huh, okay," Gabriella laughed.
"Shut up. So are you okay getting back?"
"Of course." The girls hugged good-bye before going their separate ways. Feeling ready to leave, Gabriella said bye to Brett and Zeke, who she had spent the entire night talking to. As she was about to leave the booth, she was suddenly approached by the boy who had spent his night talking to other friends that had joined them, knowing that she didn't want to talk.
"You shouldn't be taking a cab alone. Let me take you home." She rolled her eyes.
"I'll be fine Troy."
"Please Gabriella. It's not safe," he pleaded, and she couldn't help but get goose bumps at his caring nature.
"Troy if we are seen leaving together…"
"I'll get the car and pick you up on the corner. Okay?"
"You aren't gonna let me say no are you?"
"No." Gabriella sighed.
"Fine." He couldn't help but smile.
"I'll see you in a few minutes." With that he turned around to leave the club. Gabriella sighed, wondering what the hell she was thinking. She concluded that she wasn't. She took a deep breath, before making her way out of the club. She immediately noticed that there was multiple photographers outside, and was immediately thankful that she and Troy hadn't walked out together. She walked to the corner, and just as she did, Troy approached in his Mercedes. She got inside and he quickly sped off. For the first few moments they sat there in an awkward silence.
"So where do you live?"
"Westwood," she mumbled and he nodded. "You're at UCLA right?"
"Yeah, I'm a junior." He just nodded.
"So you hungry?" She looked at him confused.
"Huh?"
"Are you hungry. It's not a night out without greasy food at the end."
"I'm not really supposed to eat…" Troy rolled his eyes.
"Jesus, how many rules does Kelly have?" Gabriella couldn't help but chuckle.
"A two-inch binder worth," she replied and he looked at her in shock, which made her laugh again.
"Like what?"
"You get two unexcused absences and seven excused, anything more you are off the team. That's for rehearsal. If you miss more than four games you are off the team, excused or unexcused. No visible tattoos, no jewelry except for small earrings, body fat percentage must be between 10 and 15 percent," Gabriella listed off.
"Damn."
"Yeah. Oh and no interacting with players and eating unhealthy food." Troy couldn't help but laugh.
"Wow you must really love it, considering all those rules and you get paid like nothing."
"Yeah, there is nothing like the feeling of being on that court." Troy smiled widely.
"I know what you mean. Well considering you've already thrown rule one out the window, it seems like breaking the second will do any harm." Gabriella thought for a second. She was hungry and a cheeseburger sounded pretty good.
"Fine." He smiled widely.
--
A few minutes later they had received their food from the McDonalds drive-thru and Troy parked his car, confusing Gabriella.
"Why are we staying here?"
"I can't eat and drive at the same time."
"But what if…"
"It's 2 A.M. Do you see anyone?" She looked around, and sure enough, there was no one else in the parking lot."
"Ok."
"So what's your story?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your life story. What is it?" He asked as they began to eat their food.
"Um well I was born and raised here. I had a pretty normal childhood. Obviously my mom is the choreographer for the Laker Girls, so I've been dancing and cheering since I could walk…"
"How did you learn how to play basketball?"
"My Dad played in college."
"Is that where your parents met?"
"Yeah." He raised his eyebrows.
"Really? The cheerleader and the athlete. Where have I heard that before?" Gabriella glared at him and he laughed.
"Do you want me to keep going?" she shot back.
"Yes."
"Ok. Well anyway, he taught me. We used to play all the time."
"Used to?"
"He died from cancer a few years ago," she replied sadly and he froze.
"Wow, I'm sorry I…" he quickly replied apologetically.
"No, don't worry about it. There was no way you could've known." Troy just nodded. "Anyway, I've pretty much been destined to be a Laker Girl since the age of two. What about you?"
"Born and raised in Albuquerque. My Dad is a P.E. and basketball coach. My mom was a nurse, but quit to raise me and my siblings."
"How many do you have?"
"Two. A 16 year old sister who is the devil but I love her anyway," he replied and she laughed. "And a 4 year old brother who's the coolest." Gabriella couldn't help but smile widely at the look on his face as he talked about his family. "Just like you I had a pretty normal childhood."
"Did you always want to play basketball?"
"Yeah…well except for when I was five. I wanted to be a Power Ranger." Gabriella giggled, and her smile widened. She had only seen this side of Troy when he was dancing on the bench, but was still surprised. She had no idea how down to earth and funny he really was. "Anyway, I got recruited to play at Duke, then was drafted to the Lakers after my junior year."
"So were you always this cocky?" Gabriella smirked.
"Confident," he corrected.
"Whatever you say," she laughed. He chuckled as well, but after a few moments his face turned serious, leading her to look at him confused. "What?"
"Why do you have to be the one girl that is off limits?" She took a deep breath and looked at him with the same serious expression.
"Because sometimes the things you want most in life are the things you can't have." Troy nodded solemnly and she sighed sadly. "But if it means anything, the guy that I saw tonight, the guy who I saw dancing on the bench, is a guy that I wish I could have." He just smiled at her slightly. She smiled back, before things began to get a little awkward. "Umm…we should be getting back." Troy just nodded before turning on the car.
About 20 minutes later, they arrived at Gabriella's apartment building. The only words that had been spoken were from Gabriella, when she was directing him towards her house. It was safe to say it was awkward. As soon as they arrived, Gabriella turned to Troy.
"Thanks."
"It was my pleasure." She smiled slightly and blushed. Without another word, she got out of the car. Troy sighed as he watched her go up to the building. He knew it. He'd never wanted someone so bad. He threw his head back and groaned. He had a decision to make.
Meanwhile, Gabriella walked into her apartment and sighed. She had no idea what to do. He was amazing. Funny, sweet, passionate, confident, and gorgeous. She dropped her purse on the counter, and kicked off her shoes, not caring where they ended up. As soon as she began to make her way to her bedroom she heard a knock on the door. A confused look came across her face, wondering who would be there so late. She let it go, and walked over to the door. As soon as she looked through the peephole she froze. It was Troy. She took a deep breath before opening the door.
"Troy what are you…" She couldn't continue. His lips were on hers. And it felt amazing. After the shock wore off she couldn't help but kiss back. The kiss grew passionate, their tongues fighting for dominance. Finally, due to lack of air supply, Troy pulled away. She was absolutely speechless.
"I want you. You want me. That's all that matters." Gabriella just nodded.
Please Review!! They kissed! But don't think it's gonna be smooth sailing.