Dreams or Desire

"This looks amazing," Gabriella gushed as Troy placed the pasta dish in front of her.

"I'm glad." He sat down across from her, at his kitchen table, placing a plate in front of him as well. "Dig in." Gabriella immediately took a bite of the pasta, that had some kind of sauce and vegetables in it. As soon as she swallowed it, her eyes widened.

"Jesus Troy! How did you learn to cook like this?" Troy laughed at her amazed expression.

"My mom was scared that I would just order pizza every day, so she made me learn."

"Awww, she gave you cooking lessons."

"Shut up," he laughed, and she giggled as well.

"So tell me something…" She started once the laughter died down.

"What's that?"

"How the hell did you go from the cocky guy I met at the club to the sweet, caring guy that drove me home." He smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "And don't even try to say it is just because you met me, cause we both know that you were just trying to get me into bed."

"Who says I'm still not trying to do that?" He joked and she gasped dramatically. "I'm kidding. Anyway, after you made it clear that you were the last person to ever do something like that, I started thinking. It was like even though all the screwing around for the past few years has been fun, I missed being a boyfriend. I guess wanting that brought out the other side of me."

"So you want to be a boyfriend?" She asked with a smile and a little blush on her cheeks. He smiled back at her.

"I mean it's only our first date, but eventually, yes."

"You know I didn't ask if you wanted to be my boyfriend," she said with a sly smile and he blushed.

"Wow, that's embarrassing." She smiled and placed her hand on his.

"Yeah, it probably would be if I didn't feel the same way, but I do." Looking into her eyes he picked up her hand and kissed it.

"Good."

--

"How the hell is it that you can keep your composure in front of 18,000 people multiple times a week, but you are freaking out about a simple dinner?" Gabriella asked Troy as they walked up to her mother's house.

"Well besides the fact that meeting the mother is always a big deal, your mother is supposed to want to have nothing to do with me. I mean what if she doesn't like me? Then she will tell you to end it, and she could threaten if you don't she'd tell Kelly, then you would get…"

"Troy!" she exclaimed, interrupting his frantic rant.

"What?"

"Shut up."

"Thanks for the comforting words babe," he shot back sarcastically and she smiled.

"Anytime. Oh and by the way, my Mom's boyfriend Craig is gonna be here too." Troy's eyes widened at the information he had just received from his girlfriend.

"I swear to god if he is protective of you, I am getting in the car right now, and leaving." Gabriella rolled her eyes.

"He's not my father Troy. They've been dating for a year, and I'm close to him, but I'm not his daughter, and he knows that it isn't his place to be protective of me. Plus, he's a big fan." Troy couldn't help but smile.

"I knew being a basketball star was good for something." Gabriella once again rolled her eyes at his cocky moment, before knocking on the door. Seeing Troy tense up, Gabriella's heart couldn't help but melt. She took his hand in hers and intertwined their fingers.

"It's gonna be fine," she said softly and he smiled at her thankfully and nodded. Just then the door opened revealing Maria.

"Hi!" She greeted sweetly.

"Hey mom," Gabriella replied. Troy stood behind Gabriella nervously as she hugged her mother, before turning towards Troy.

"Mom this is Troy, Troy, this is my mom, Maria."

"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Montez," Troy smiled, shaking her hand.

"You too Troy. And call me Maria."

"Ok, and thank you for letting Gabi be with me." Maria and Gabriella smiled at his sincere thank you.

"Well, I just want what's best for her, and after hearing the things you said, it was pretty much clear that you were." Gabriella and Troy smiled at each other, right before Craig walked in. Gabriella greeted him with a hug, before introducing him to Troy.

"I'm a big fan, you played so well on Friday," Craig complimented making Troy smile.

"Thank you."

"Well, why don't we go to the kitchen so I can finish dinner." They all nodded before making their way to the kitchen.

"Can I get you two something to drink?" Craig asked as soon as they entered. "Beer? Wine?"

"I'll have a glass of wine," Gabriella replied and he nodded.

"What about you Troy?"

"Water would be great. No drinking for me."

"Really?" Craig asked, interested as he got the drinks.

"Yeah, we had a dry season in college, and after a bad experience my rookie year, I realized why." They all chuckled lightly. Once the laughter died down, Maria's smile remained on her face due to the way Troy had casually pulled her daughter onto his lap.

"So is your family here in LA Troy?" Maria asked.

"No they're in Albuquerque where I grew up," he replied.

"Do they ever get to come out for games?" Craig added.

"Only on breaks, my younger sister and brother are still in school there so they can't come out too much." Maria and Craig nodded. "But my Dad watches every game. I swear to god the man still thinks he's my coach."

"I know what that's like," Gabriella said, giving her mom a look.

"I am your coach!" she defended.

"You weren't when I was in high school."

"Well I'm sorry for wanting the best for you Gabi," she replied sarcastically.

"I'm just kidding mom."

"Good. So I never asked, who knows about you two?"

"Sharpay, Tay, and Kels," Gabriella replied and Maria nodded.

"My best friend and the team," Troy added and Maria's eyes widened.

"The entire team?"

"Yeah but there is nothing to worry about. What happens in the locker room…"

"Stays in the locker room," Craig finished and Troy smiled at him.

"Exactly."

"Well if you say so. Anyway, I've heard Gabi's side of the story, what about you Troy?" Gabriella and Troy both smiled slightly.

"Well, you probably know how we met," he began and Maria nodded. "Well she avoided me like the plague and I was pretty confused, cause I hadn't done anything. I confronted her about it, she told me that she was a Laker Girl and I told her that I loved a challenge. Then every time we saw each other, I liked her more, so I guess I kinda courted her."

"Kinda?" Gabriella asked with raised eyebrows and they all laughed.

"Ok, I did. Is there a problem with that?" Gabriella just smiled widely.

"No."

--

"So that wasn't a complete disaster, was it?" Gabriella asked as they walked back to Troy's car later that night. The dinner had gone by flawlessly, leading Maria to approve of Troy even more.

"No," he admitted. "And don't say I told you so."

"Wouldn't think of it," she replied with a cheeky smile and he just shook his head. They got in the car and Gabriella yawned. "Jeez, what time is it?"

"Almost midnight." After dinner the four had gone into the living room and talked and talked until they all started to get tired. "You want me to take you to your apartment?" She shook her head as Troy drove off.

"My car is at your place."

"You can hardly keep your eyes open babe, you shouldn't drive."

"I don't have a choice."

"You could stay at my place." Gabriella's head whipped towards him, now awake due to the shock of his suggestion.

"What?" Seeing her surprised look he, scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"Sorry…I just…it was just an idea."

"Troy…"

"I promise, I didn't mean it like that. I know we are taking things slow in that department, which I'm perfectly fine with. I mean I would sleep in the guest room…and…" Gabriella could help but smile at Troy's nervous rant.

"Troy…it's okay." He turned to her in shock.

"It is? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. And you're right. I shouldn't drive, so yes, I'd love to stay over." Troy just smiled widely.

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