Chapter 8

Disclaimer: All creative rights to the characters in this story related to High School Musical belong to its original creators. Any other names, places or events that may have similarity to existing/actual names, places or events is purely coincidental and the use of such is for the purpose of this story alone. Lastly, the author does not, in any way, profit from this story.

Grimly, for his peace of mind as well, Troy tried not to allow himself thinking about the way he felt when he kissed Gabriella two nights ago and what he said afterwards—which he instantly regretted but couldn't take back much as he wanted to.

A cad, that's him.

'Douche bag', Sigh, from the diner, had said after—having been eaten by guilt and desperate to confide in someone, anyone—Troy told him using the lame there's this friend of mine line to throw suspicion off him.

Sigh sighing quite heavily and even shaking his head in disapproval at the aforementioned friend further convinced Troy of how insensitive he had been to Gabriella's feelings.

He thought with real loathing of all the people responsible for ensuring that she had such a low to zero opinion on her attractions—her cold, critical and lacking in maternal instinct mother, her sarcastic and psychotic relatives, not to mention being treated like she's a tomboy and then he just about nailed the coffin by that tactless comment after he kissed her.

Bastard.

Having had much practice in his youth, he's usually adept at dealing with girls. Girls who work to be alluring for his benefit and who put out their considerable charms to seduce him. He knows how to handle affairs, messy entanglements and partings. He knows just the right amount of tact to exercise in such situations but with Gabriella . . . everything seems so new. It's almost like learning how to relate with the opposite sex all over again because she's that different.

She doesn't fall into a certain label. She doesn't act the way other women of his acquaintance do, yet amazingly, she's the only female he knows that can stir both his libido and his conscience in an all out war.

Was he her first kiss? He wished was because everything else aside that was the first and only arousingly sweet, emotionally driven kiss he'd ever given any woman and he was quite, quite certain, like himself, Gabriella was well affected by it too. At the same time, he wished he wasn't her first because no matter how wonderful that kiss was, he ended it badly. In fact, it was surprising that she didn't see fit to slap him . . . something he richly deserves.

She didn't say anything but it was disconcerting to see how her eyes showed a dazed look right after their kiss which turned to hurt as his words sank in then quickly became shadowed as though she didn't want him to suspect just how hurt she really is. And as she turned on her heel, leaving him standing there like an idiot, he was forced to acknowledge how much he really wanted Gabriella. So much that it's been driving him crazy, making him an insensitive boor, physically paining him, to deny that want.

What the hell was wrong with him? While it's true that Gabriella possessed a mouth that promised—and he'd proven to be true—erotic delights, she was lacking in the worldliness he'd often preferred in women. But it seems he overlooked that fact and instead was drawn to her fresh and charming attractions and every other trait or quirk she has that he couldn't help but find endearing.

His change of preference would have been all right and understandable after years of meaningless dalliances but what was surprising about his stay in the slums and his friendship with Gabriella is that his hopelessly dormant conscience was awakened and then asserted itself. And being forced to deal with a sudden attack of conscience, he's stuck which way to go . . . take what he wants from Gabriella or respect the boundaries.

"What the hell is that?" Jason exclaimed as Troy crossed the door of the apartment, pointing aghast at the squirming bundle held in his arms.

"A dog." He said, choosing to be oblivious to the appalled tone. "Sigh found it outside the diner diving through trash."

"I can see it's a dog! A very round dog!"

"So why ask?" Troy moved further into the apartment heading to the small room through the kitchen where the washer was and started filling a small round tub with water to bathe the dog. It was giving off an irritating smell from diving dumpsters.

"If Sigh found it, he should keep it! Why did you bring that here?" Jason demanded stomping in his wake.

"It's a stray and it's hungry." Crouching down, Troy set about cleaning the protesting animal with a firm command to stay still which was met with a whine but was otherwise followed. "Pets aren't allowed where Sigh stays."

Groaning, Jason slapped a palm to his forehead as he looked on Troy calmly soaping the dog. "And you're the noble one to take on the dog but this just isn't done! You're missing the concept here."

Looking over his shoulder to Jason pacing outside the threshold, he repeated quizzically, "Concept?"

"Don't play dumb." Came the irate reply.

"Don't know how." Troy drawled lazily, his attention intent on the dog. "You lost me, Jason."

Emitting an exaggerated sigh of irritation, Jason spoke with hand gestures like a raconteur on a stage, "A stray—you—doesn't bring in another stray to care for! It's bad enough that Gabriella is a pushover for every stray within twenty feet of her but you too? This place isn't pet rehab! And look at that animal—it's so rotund—legs short and pudgy, belly sagging to the floor. That looks more pig than dog. No one in their right mind will offer a home for that!"

"You sound like a hysterical miss." Troy retorted as he calmly continued tending to the dog. "Gaston won't bother you. He's a fairly even tempered sort, so relax."

"Gaston? You call that pudgy animal Gaston?—"

"Would you be happier if I call him Piglet?"

"Don't go sarcastic on me. You've gone crazy, Bolton." Jason glared down at Troy then at Gaston before stalking off.

An hour later, cleaned, fed and settled next to the couch where Troy sleeps, quite unconcerned of Jason's disgusted grumbles and shooting glares, Gaston dozed.

"Where's Gabriella?" Troy asked as he sat on the couch next to Jason who was flicking the remote, unable to clamp down on his curiosity any longer. Her room was closed but no light was peeking through the cracks and since it was unlikely that she's asleep at seven in the evening, it only means she's out . . . again.

And he was worried . . . again.

"Kelsi's. Sleep over."

Troy said nothing. Well, he should have expected that. Gabriella wasn't exactly ignoring him—though their conversations of late are somewhat stilted—but it was obvious that she limits their interaction to a minimum.

He'd have to apologize as soon as possible . . . though, to be honest, he's dreading to do it. Mainly because he can't know for sure how Gabriella will take it. He desperately wants her to forgive him, of course, but at the same time he doesn't think he deserves to be forgiven.

Damn, if that made sense. His logic seems to be muddled up since he realized he wanted Gabriella and that he can't have her.

The few minutes of silence except for the sounds from the television was broken by a frantic pounding of the door. Both heads turned at the sound but Troy stood since Jason either decided to playing deaf or just didn't want to detach himself from the television to see who was making the racket like there was an emergency.

As soon as he swung open the door, Troy was gripped by the wrist and yanked outside which left no time for him to resist or steady himself. "Hey!—what the—Kelsi?"

"I'll explain on the way. Thank God it's you and not Jason." Kelsi did not let go of his wrist and before he could fully recover his balance, was practically dragging him forward in a surprisingly strong grip for such a small person.

"On the way to where?" They were literally flying down the stairs and he couldn't wrest free from Kelsi's hold on him. Then he remembered what Jason said and instantly his voice was sharp. "Why aren't you with Gabriella? Jason said you're having a sleep over."

"We were but it was also a convenient excuse because she had a date to go to." Kelsi rushed, not breaking her stride and Troy detected real cause for worry in her tone. "Jason, Chad and Lucille needn't find out."

He flicked his wrist and grabbed hold of Kelsi's, forcing her to stop and look at him. Troy was taken aback by the tears in her eyes and he could feel worry and anger pushing from her tiny frame in waves. "A date? A date!" He practically shouted and had to reign in his voice when Kelsi flinched. "Something happened to Gabriella . . ." He breathed, suddenly alarmed, guilty, and the first spurts of anger slowly crawled over him even as he has yet to hear what went wrong. "Tell me."

"Steven—he's a jock . . . football—asked her out yesterday. Gabriella declined because we thought he was joking. We even laughed it off. He never showed any interest in her unlike some of the other guys. He prefers blondes and usually dates cheerleaders but he was so persistent and though we were sceptical . . . I convinced her to accept—No, wait. Let me finish, Troy!" Kelsi held out a hand as Troy's expression grew darker and harder and almost scary, as if he was ready to bite her head off for pushing Gabriella to date. But she was furious with him as well and she refused to be intimidated. She strode off again and ranted while he kept apace, "I told her to accept because of you!" She pointed an accusing finger at him. "She told me what happened the other night—"

"Is there anything she doesn't tell you about me?"

"None. We're best friends. We tell each other things." Kelsi snapped as if to imply Troy was ignorant about what it means to have a close friend. "And as I was about to say, I hate you for what you did!"

His face remained hard and he kept his gaze ahead. "I regret what I did—"

Kelsi made a slashing motion in the air with her hand. "How could you kiss her then insult her after? I expected more from you, you know. I thought you genuinely liked her."

"I do." He gritted. "Genuinely."

"Bah! You're lucky I haven't told her brothers and Lucille."

Troy had nothing to say against that and if possible he grew even more angry and guilty at his own person. It was his fault. He looked away from Kelsi's sideways accusing glare.

"I want her to get over that night, to stop thinking about you and what you did! So going on a date with a handsome jock who is reputed to be a decent enough fellow, popular and smart seems like not a bad thing . . ."

"Only you found out differently." Troy finished, having a fair idea where this is heading and his hands fisted, imagining it wrapped around the neck of this Steven person. "What did he do to her? Did he hurt her?"

"Taylor overheard Tamsin—she's a cheerleader and Steven's ex—saying that Steven only asked Gabriella out as a dare before she agrees to date him again. Part of the dare Tamsin put to Steven is getting to kiss Gabriella during the date and then telling her that the whole date is a stupid dare! Can you imagine how she'll feel when she finds out? She was excited about this date. It's her very first date." Kelsi huffed working on a fine fury and striding on the street like an avenging angel out for her prey. "Tamsin even said that Gabriella's IQ should've told her that her poor looks wouldn't cut it with Steven and that if her IQ is so superior she should've known she was being set up . . ." She took a deep heaving breath to control her resentment. "I would like nothing right now than to beat Tamsin's skinny hide but the date should be stopped before Steven can do anymore damage to Gabriella and since Jason and Chad can't know about this," She again pointed a finger at Troy. "I need you to beat him into a bloody pulp!"

"You don't have to ask twice." Troy growled and took off with Kelsi leading the way. He's never beaten anyone into a bloody pulp but he's thinking this Steven guy might just be the first.

They found Steven without Gabriella, after several failed locations, on the street where he lives which happens to be close to Kelsi's residence. With a verbal trashing from Kelsi about 'guys who take advantage', 'can't think for themselves', and 'not fit to be let out in decent society' coupled with a single jaw breaking punch from Troy—Kelsi changed her mind about beating the guy into a bloody pulp—Steven lost his smugness and told them that Gabriella took off somewhere after he'd accomplished the dare and that he was sorry.

The insincerity in the 'sorry' was fairly obvious and Troy just couldn't resist delivering another punch which landed squarely on Steven's left eye.

Having socked Steven's left eye and satisfied that the guy was in pain and will sport a black eye for sometime, Troy turned to Kelsi, his face a dark mask of fury, and spoke in a tone that brooked no argument, "I'll find her. Go home."

"If you give me a chance, I'll apologize." As far as opening salvos go, Troy wasn't sure how that one did but finally finding Gabriella after almost an hour of searching, he was overcome with relief that he didn't care much if he rates poorly.

Gabriella paused mid-step and looked up to see Troy standing about two steps in front of her, his face grim, his breathing a bit laboured like he'd been running. She glared at him because he's the last person he wants to see right now. "Don't bother. I understand perfectly." She'd had enough disappointments for one day after finding out Steven's motive for showing interest in her. Cutting a path across the deserted park even if she knew the dangers lurking within was her way of calming her rioting emotions before going back to Kelsi's house. She feels pathetic enough as it is and hearing Troy's apology for the kiss two nights ago is not something she wants to hear or deal with right now . . . maybe not ever. "I don't need your pity. Leave me alone."

"I can't." He said sounding like he was admitting a tragedy. "I tried, believe me, but with you it's not as easy as I thought."

Troy is accustomed to sophisticated women and none of those worldly women would have made a fool of themselves in his presence as you did. That's the first thought that pops into her head every waking hour since that kiss at the rooftop and seeing him only reinforces that notion which was why she's been avoiding him. But here he is, standing in front of her, looking determined to block her way and stop her from avoiding him until he gets whatever it is he wants to say off his chest.

"Gabriella, the very last thing you inspire in me is pity."

"Why should I believe that?" She scoffed but there was a slight trembling in her voice from keeping her emotions in check. "Just an hour ago I've made a laughingstock of myself for believing my date actually likes me when the truth is he only asked me out because his gorgeous ex girlfriend dared him to humiliate me first before she takes him back!"

"He's a fool—"

"No! I'm the fool." She jerked her gaze away from his penetrating eyes and dropped her arms. She's suffered a good deal of humiliation with Steven already. Breaking down in front of Troy would not help her lagging pride so she tried to hold on to anger. But she was failing. "I've always been a fool."

"No you're not." He insisted. "Steven is the fool and I'd punch him again if it will make you feel better but I realize now I'm a bigger fool than he is."

Her eyes flew back to him and widened when she saw he wasn't kidding about what he just admitted to doing. "You punched Steven? How did—Why?"

He recapped what happened. Gabriella was incredulous at first then she felt embarrassed that several people already knew of her humiliation with Steven. "You shouldn't have done that." She quietly told him, feeling twice as forlorn. Going to East High will be a tedious experience because of her stupidity.

Troy shook his head, disagreeing. "I did what Chad or Jason would have done."

Gabriella glared at him again. "You're not my brother, Troy."

"I'm not and I don't want to be a brother to you."

"You're not anything to me!"

"I'm your stray and strays stick to their keeper." He was so composed and so serious when he said it that Gabriella swallowed the unwanted laughter bubbling from her and wondered what's really going on inside his head.

His tone was firm as if he actually believed what he was saying and is determined to make her believe it too. She doesn't know what his game is or if he's suddenly having an attack of conscience for kissing her after Kelsi raged at him and then finding out about Steven's plan but Gabriella was really at a low point. She doesn't have the energy to be patient or condescending. She refuses to listen to his explanation. She refuses to be convinced. "That's nonsense."

"No, hear me out please." He pleaded and Gabriella was surprised to hear a note of desperation in his voice. She tried to ignore it. She just wants to be alone but Troy kept on talking, giving her no choice but to listen. "There are people who take just for the sake of taking, who leap without looking and I'm one of them. But being like that, imagine wanting someone so bad . . . who's just within your reach but circumstances prevents you from freely taking. Makes you wish things are not the way they are because the wanting, the longing tears you up inside."

"I don't know why you're telling me this." She whispered, unsure if she was hearing and interpreting his words correctly.

Troy was surprising himself as much as Gabriella. He isn't the type that goes out of his way to explain or reach out to people. He found it easier to be silent or sarcastic than candid where emotions are concerned but with Gabriella, in this instance, he was desperate to make her understand why he did what he did. "I want you to understand I'm no saint, Gabriella. I couldn't help myself from kissing you so I did just that. It was what I've been wanting to do ever since you helped me convince Lucille to let me stay. But for the first time, my long dead scruples reasserted itself and I felt like an interloper, taking advantage of you, of Lucille's trust . . . the thing is, though, I still want to kiss you. I want to do more than just kiss you."

She was frowning now. Aghast, fascinated and in disbelief all at once to hear what he was saying to her. This is Troy like she's never seen him before. This is Troy like she never once expected him to be and finding words to say back to him proved a bit impossible so all she could do was stare incredulously speechless, which was a good thing too because it appears he wasn't finished talking and, despite her reservations about believing him, Gabriella wanted to hear more.

"When I look at you I see a very lovely woman who behaves as if she's plain and ordinary. At the hospital that night we met, I was struck by your expressive eyes. Then at the diner, I saw a flawless face with amazing bone structure and with a full, kissable mouth. Right then and there, even if I didn't know it at that time, I was already getting attracted to you. I was enraptured by your intelligence and your guileless charm. You revealed yourself to me little by little. I was hooked. And before I knew what was happening I was having a daily battle with temptation and my conscience."

Flabbergasted, she absently shook her head in denial. "I'm not even pretty, Troy, so don't—"

Troy was getting frustrated by her stubbornness. It's never been this difficult before to convince a girl he finds them attractive. Usually a wink does the job and those girls even with their designer clothes and make up aren't even half as attractive as Gabriella is! But the difference between those girls with Gabriella is that she matters to him. He has to make her believe him so he stood his ground and said, "I never thought of you as anything other than beautiful."

He was looking at her with a wondering appreciation as though to tell her other than words that he sees her as an amazingly gorgeous woman when she herself knows she's nothing remarkable. Gabriella was getting flustered. She was thankful that the part where they stood was far from the light posts scattered in the park because against her will, she was fiercely blushing. She didn't want Troy to see how his words were affecting her.

"That's even harder to believe." She mumbled, trying very hard not to be swayed into believing him.

He actually let her see his annoyance this time but when Gabriella looked up he was grinning charmingly as if he knew it would take little effort now to really convince her. "You're a very intelligent girl, Gabriella, but your fixation about being plain is really stupid."

"I don't see you as a superior being or even as royalty but in terms of cold hard cash and social status, you might as well be superior and royal." She lifted her chin, trying to seem affronted. She decided she didn't like him grinning at her. She's always been taken by his smiles and it might just easily accomplish what his fervent speech didn't. She isn't about to let herself fall head first this time. Her mother taught her that lesson and just a few hours ago Steven reminded her again. "How can someone like you who belongs in a class of his own be attracted to me? Guys like you gravitate towards classically beautiful women."

"And you happen to know so much about guys like me . . ."

Without thinking, she took a step forward to jab a finger to his chest, taking exception to his subtle sarcasm. "I maybe inexperienced and less worldly than you but I'm not stupid."

"You're not stupid. You're being stupid and stubborn." Troy clarified, his smile widening. "You're a victim of your own conditioning."

"Don't talk semantics to me." She snapped but she knew the sturdy foundations of her resentment and determination not to believe him had been blown to smithereens. She couldn't hold on to anger of whatever kind any longer and the truth is there isn't any reasonable excuse she could think of not to believe him.

"There's only so much a man fighting his desire down can take . . . and I've had enough of this."

In an instant he closed the small space between them by tugging her forward before his mouth clamped over hers. His objective was to take her by surprise and not give her time to think or protest and he achieved exactly that. Gabriella's lashes lifted over wide eyes and she met with smouldering dark blue ones that mesmerized her against her better judgment. Her blood leapt and her heart raced like a maddened thing.

Troy lifted his mouth a fraction to smile at her. Gabriella felt suddenly dizzy and breathless and dispossessed of all rational thought and emotional reservation. She wants nothing else than to be kissed by him. When his fingertip stroked her pouting lower lip and huskily urged her, 'Open your mouth for me, Gabriella. I want to taste you again', she complied willingly.

It was unexpected, possessive, demanding and reassuring. Slowly, surely all her fears, insecurities and even her common sense trickled away and she was pulled into the erotic kiss that was determined to chop down all her defences. Gabriella knew it was mad and stupid and dangerous for her peace of mind to let Troy go on but for once in her life she didn't care.

She likes him, wants him and she's tired of making excuses for her feelings. I never thought of you as anything other than beautiful. Honeyed words and God help her . . . but she believes him. She's finally letting herself see the weeks that passed with open eyes. Every look, every touch, every gift meant something. He was telling her without words how much he likes her.

Troy felt her relax and lean into him. He almost groaned in relief. He drew her much closer. The need to taste her mouth overwhelmed him. He knew it was totally wrong to be kissing her like this in a public park where anyone can see them but he didn't care. He couldn't stop. And for the sake of sanity, he needs to feel Gabriella like this, to let his passion engulf them both, ignite hers and for the moment forget the wide chasm between their lives.

His kiss was long, deep and leisurely exploring, savouring the sweetness and the warm nectar of her mouth. She was a helpless victim to it. She was sinking like a novice swimmer out on sea. Her body quivered and Troy's arms slid around her, moulding her pliant body to his hardening one.

It seems for long minutes Troy's kiss was to discover, to taste. With his tongue, he traced the outline of her parted lips, gently biting the lush lower lip in a way that made desire wash over her. He carefully slipped his tongue inside the sweet cavern of her mouth—not even demanding that she respond—but simply exploring, discovering and acquainting himself to the soft warmth inside. To Gabriella, it was as if he was learning every crevice of her mouth to strategize for the next time that he kisses her . . . and the silent message was that there will be a next time.

Then without warning the kiss went from exploratory to desirous. And Gabriella, overwhelmed, bewildered and inexperienced that she is, was swept away by his tongue sliding effortlessly within the silken confines of her parted mouth.

A slow spreading fire started to lick through her body. A low quiver started from her nape where his hand had been gently caressing, going down to her breasts making them feel heavy, aching all of a sudden, then the arousing heat pooled between her thighs that made her knees weak.

Whether for support or to feel more of him, Gabriella felt herself move, pressing even closer to the lean strength of his muscled chest, arms snaking up to curl over his sculpted shoulders. She felt her mouth move, open wider to welcome his onslaught. She felt herself start to kiss him back, acting on pure instinct and languorous desire to duel her tongue with his. She felt the hunger deep within her begin to swell then overflow until she no longer knew anything but Troy.

Low, moans were ensuing from her throat but she couldn't stop them. Her will was taken over. She was in thrall of every sensation Troy's kiss was awakening.

Troy's blood was roaring in his ears. He was supposed to be in charge of their kiss. He was supposed to consider they were in a public place but he hadn't counted on his control to quickly slip from him just as Gabriella became pliant and responsive in his arms. He deepened the kiss further and his hands glided up her slim back to cup her face then thread his fingers through her silky curls urging her to participate more and give him back kiss for kiss.

And she didn't disappoint. It's as if fire was consuming them both and Troy sensed a passion and a wildness in Gabriella just waiting to be let go, which made him kiss her even harder to push her over the edge. God, how he wished they're somewhere private, somewhere comfortable, somewhere with access to a soft bed . . .

The need for air was the only reason why he lifted his lips from hers. The rasp of his breath was echoed by her own and when slowly she lifted her heavy lashes, his glittering gaze pinned her dazed eyes with unwavering intensity, desire blatantly stamped there. "Tell me you believe me." He whispered huskily.

It was an effort to unglue her tongue from the roof of her mouth and she had to swallow hard to find her voice and even then she sounded squeaky but she held his gaze, mentally damning whatever the ramifications of her decision, while telling him, "I believe you."

Because just this once, while the opportunity is presented to her on a silver platter, she wants to feel beautiful. She wants to be treated like she's someone special. She wants to experience romance of her own and not through her romance books.

She's the fair maiden and Troy is prince charming. As she felt his arms tighten around her and she rested her head below his chin feeling the warm body and the steady beat of his heart, Gabriella let herself believe it's true.

She wrestled with her decision for weeks. She weighed the pros and cons exhaustively and to the best of her knowledge. She endured several sleepless nights thinking if she was doing the right thing, not just for her but for everyone concerned.

She has nothing against him. After all, it became obvious to her he has absolutely no idea who she is. For him to end up with them was probably fate pulling a prank on her. Naturally, she didn't think that was funny but she's honest enough to admit, she's grown to care for him already. He proved himself capable of accepting and handling the difficulties that came his way, even those that she deliberately put to him. He's an admirable young man.

Much as she hates to acknowledge it, but he's nothing like his parents.

He has staying power and to her amazement, it looked like he's actually enjoying himself living the poor life. But, fact remains, he doesn't belong with them. She may not be a real parent to any of her kids but she could imagine what a parent would feel like if he lost a kid. That's why for the good of everyone involved and for her peace of mind, she's doing what she swore for twenty years she'd never do again.

With trembling hands, she picked up the phone and dialled. She took several deep breaths to settle her nerves but when the line was answered, she very nearly dropped the phone in panic. But she managed to state her purpose and who she was in a calm and concise tone.

She was told to wait. She said her thanks to the female voice on the line who was putting her call through the person she wanted to speak with. It wasn't long before she was confronted by her past.

"Lucille." Came the gruff but with a hint of awe greeting, making her grip the phone even harder as she heard the still achingly familiar voice.

She took another calming breath and spoke, "Jack . . ."

A/N: Major apology for this one. Too much on my plate lately. Apart from work, I'm studying again so it's really difficult to find time for this. Thank you to everyone who supports this story. I hope you'll stretch your patience with me.

~mich