Slate.

It's cool, it's hip, it's modern and a great place to just get a drink and hang out.

And that's exactly what me and Savannah were doing. Well, sort of. I'm getting food. I'm not drinking. I don't know if she is, but we're currently seated and there's no sign of Troy anywhere. Granted, it is a bit place, he could very well be downstairs but whatever. I'm not going to try to look for him.

"Lighten up," Savannah tells me, "we've been here a few times, people come here. He won't think it's weird."

"Whatever," I tell her looking around, "I can't believe you dragged me here."

She smiled at me and then looked down at her menu, "Want me to go look for him? I think they're probably downstairs or something."

I shook my head, "No. Don't."

But of course she doesn't listen. She gets up and leaves me there and goes downstairs and I'm annoyed, mortified and worried. I should have just gone to Cassie's and watched movies with her since she's sick, but at the same time, I didn't want to get sick. Ugh. So now I'm stuck here with Savannah, who is usually my go to person if I want to just go out and have a bite to eat. But not right now. She's pissing me off so bad.

She's gone for like ten minutes and I have no idea what she's doing. Maybe she went to use the bathroom? I don't know.

But finally she comes back and she has a smile plastered on her face.

"What?"

"Found them," she said all cheery, "and guess whose ears perked up when your name was mentioned?"

"Shut the fuck up," I rolled my eyes, "you're lying."

She looked offended, but I knew she was just messing around, "Am not! I ran into Cole and he asked what I was doing here and I said that I was craving the burger here and he asked who I was with and I said you and I saw Troy's head perk up. And then Cole told us to join them but I said you weren't really that big of a pool player so I didn't know, that we were probably just gonna hang out upstairs and have some dinner."

"Okay," I felt a little relieved actually. It seemed like I didn't want to be down there so now there's no way Troy can think I came for him. "I'm impressed."

"See," she defends herself, "I know exactly how to play it. Cole said he's probably gonna grab a bite to eat in a bit so he'll come up, but that they weren't thinking of doing dinner here. They were just gonna play pool for a while."

"I honestly don't even know why I'm here if I'm not gonna even make an effort to see him," I tell her, '"I'd much rather have Mexican food."

Savannah rolled her eyes and put down her menu, "Gabriella, this way you can know. If he comes and says hi, you KNOW he's interested. No guy would if he wasn't, okay?"

Maybe she's right. I don't know.

What I do know is I'm hungry and these sliced pork sliders look good and I want some.

We both ordered our food and then talked for a bit about things coming up, how her and Will are doing, her parents upcoming vow renewal ceremony, school, everything you'd talk to a best friend about. And I forgot I was mad at her. She has this effect on me. It's crazy. I can be mad at her one minute and the next I just want to hug her and tell her how much I love her. But I guess that's what best friends are for. Right?

And halfway done with our food, I see Cole Peterson coming towards us.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the two most popular guys eating burgers and sliders," Cole joked around as he took a seat next to me.

"Shut up, Cole," Savannah told him with a mouthful of food, "we're normal girls, duh. We eat everything and anything."

Cole laughed and shook his head, "I'm playing."

The waitress came over and asked if he wanted something to drink and he ordered himself an ice tea. I offered him my last slider but he shook his head, "Nah, we're actually leaving in a bit. Some of the guys are finishing their last game and then we're heading over to Oliveira's to grab some food."

"Oh, God, I love their good," I tell him before taking a sip of my lemonade, "thanks for the invite."

He laughed and grabbed one of my fries, "hey, it's guys night. But you could have totally came if I ran into you before you were chowing these down."

And I would have said no. No way. That would have been way too obvious.

I grabbed my last slider, but put it down when I saw Troy coming towards us. Oh my gosh. Breathe, Gabriella, you're fine. Why are you so nervous all of a sudden around him? You see him at school, you've seen him out, he's been in your home! It's fine. Calm down.

"Hey, guys."

Cole looks behind him and sees him coming, "Troy, take a seat. You done playing?"

He laughed and took a seat next to me, "Yeah, Matt beat me in fusbol which was pretty embarrassing so had to get out of there."

Savannah smiled at him and then looked at me and I wasn't even thinking clearly. Her words just kept replaying in my head. He's here, saying hi to me. He took the time to come over. But then again, Cole is here and maybe that's why. Dammit. What's going on?

"I'm gonna go use the bathroom," Cole gets up and walks away immediately.

And then it's just the three of us. Dammit. What now? Do I say something to him? Do I start a conversation, ask him how his night's going?

But he beats me to it. "Where's the rest of your posse?"

"One's sick, one's on a date and the other one went to the Hamptons for the weekend," I clue him in, "so it's just us two."

"Yeah, I dragged her here," Savannah tells him, I think thinking that it'll help, but it definitely doesn't. In my eyes, it makes it look more suspicious, ugh. "Have you had the burgers here? SO GOOD."

He laughed and shook his head, "No, I haven't actually. It's my first time here tonight."

Yeah, I figured it was.

Savannah asked him some more questions as I finished my last slider. They knew each other. They had math together and actually sat next to each other, but they never really talked. I have that teacher and there's really no time for talking in that class. So he probably thinks she's just being friendly and getting to know him a little bit by asking these questions. She's asking if he misses Chicago, how he likes New York, blah blah blah. I kind of tune them out for a bit.

And then I realized he was talking to me. "What?"

"I asked if those sliders were good because I'm hungry and was thinking of ordering something."

"Oh, yeah, yeah," I push my plate away and off to the side, "they're pretty good."

He grabbed the menu that the waitress accidentally left on our table and flipped through it and meanwhile he was doing that, Savannah was giving me this look where she looked happy and worried all at the same time and I honestly have no idea what it means.

Savannah also pushed her plate to the side and picked up her lemonade, "I thought you were going to dinner with the guys?"

Troy didn't look up from his menu, but he answered her, "that was the plan, but I'm hungry now and those sliders looked pretty good."

"Well, go for it. We'll keep you company."

WHAT? Why did she say that? I mean, obviously we're not going to get up and walk away if he's eating food but at the same time, I was not planning on encouraging him to get food so he can stay. No. I'm trying to make this running into each other as authentic as possible and Savannah is possibly going to blow our chances. Ugh. But at the same time, of course I want him to stay and chat. I just want to stare at him all night. Seriously. His eyes are to die for.

And then when the waitress comes to clear our plates, he orders himself exactly what I had along with a coke.

A few minutes after that, Cole comes back and asks Troy if he's ready to leave.

"Well, I just ordered food because I'm starving."

"What?" Cole looked a little annoyed, "are you really going to make us wait for you? We're hungry, but the guys want to head over to Oliveira's. I thought that was the plan."

"No, yeah, yeah, it was," he told him, "but I don't know, I'm hungry, so I ordered some food, but you guys go. I'll stay here and maybe meet up with you guys after if you're still hanging out. If not, then I'll just go home."

Cole looked like he felt bad about it. Probably because he's new to the group so he doesn't want to make it seem like they're leaving him.

"You sure?"

Troy nodded, "yeah, go."

He then he said bye to us and he was off. And Troy Bolton was sitting across from me, next to Savannah and giving me a small smile. God, he was so hot. And just like that, we were hanging out. And it was all because of Savannah.

Well, God. But Savannah did help a lot.

Okay, I kind of maybe love Savannah a lot right now.

Not only did she get me to see Troy tonight, but we actually hung out. And she didn't leave my side so it made it seem more a random hang out. I think she did wanna dip out but I texted her and told her that there was no possible way she was leaving me without him thinking anything. Well maybe, but whatever.

"I'm so tired, I think I'm just gonna head home and go to sleep," Savannah announces as we're standing outside of Slate, "are you gonna come with?"

What? That wasn't the plan at all even before all this. She was gonna come and hang out and it was open for a sleepover but nothing set set in stone and now she wants me to go over?

But the she gave me a look and I knew it was part of the plan. "Oh um, no, I should head home. I have plans in the morning."

Savannah nodded and then stepped in front of us and hailed herself a cab. My driver was off for the night and well, she doesn't have one. Not that many people do. Well, that I know of. But it is common here in New York.

"Will you be okay?"

Before I could even answer, Troy stepped up and answered for me, "she'll be fine. I'll get her home."

And when he turned around, Savannah winked at me and then got herself in the cab, "Love you, G. Text me later."

She was off and I was standing here with Troy wondering what the heck was going on or what was going to happen. Shouldn't we maybe take our own cabs back? I mean, yes, we're going the same direction but once we hit the general area, he has to go east and I have to go west. But it's not far so I guess sharing a cab isn't that much of a hassle. I don't know.

He opens the car door when one of them stops for us and lets me in first. He gets in after and then tells the cab driver where to go.

My building.

So he's pretty much taking me home. Okay. Cool. That's fine.

And a little while later, we were in front of my building and he was getting out so he could let me out. He told the cab driver that he'd be right back.

We walked inside, I said hi and goodnight to Craig and then went straight to the elevators where it seemed like he wanted to maybe ride up with me but that wasn't necessary. And also, I didn't want t to really seem like he was dropping me off after a date because yeah, unfortunately, it wasn't a date.

"I think I'm good. Thanks for bringing me home."

Troy nodded, shoved his hands in his pockets and gave me a small smile, "It was the least I could do, you let me hang out with you guys tonight."

I laughed. We sort of did. But little did he know... "Oh, no problem. It was sort of random, but fun," Oh crap. I hope I didn't give it away. Eh I think I'm good. "And sorry about Savannah, I know she asks a lot of questions."

"Oh no, it's fine," he laughs a bit, "she's cool. She's dating Will, right?"

"Yeah, how do you know that?"

He shrugged, "my dad and his dad are good friends. I've known his family for forever, but when I moved to Chicago, we sort of lost touch, well the kids did, but it's one of those situations where we can hang out and pick it right back up, you know? I actually was just with him a few nights ago."

Oh wow, small world. I wonder if Savannah knows this? No, she would have definitely told me if she did.

"That's funny," I tell him, "small world."

"Yeah," it seems like he doesn't have much else to say, so I think we're calling it a night. "Well, I'll let you go, but um, yeah, I'll see you Monday. Or maybe tomorrow if you wanna work on the project a bit."

"Oh yeah, just let me know if you want to. I'm free after 2."

He nods and then backs away a bit and tells me he will. He also gives me a small smile, which always makes me head spin. "I'll see you later. Goodnight."

And with that, he was off and I was turned around waiting for the elevator to open. And once it did, I stepped inside and I couldn't stop smiling. It actually all worked out. It wasn't a date. It wasn't a one on one hangout. But it was more than I could have ever hoped for.

Ugh. I like Troy Bolton.

"Who?"

I stopped looking at the ceiling and realized the elevators door opened. Lupe was standing right in front of me with a hot cup of tea. "Lupe. What are you doing here? And why are you asking me that?"

"Your parents went to Boston, remember? I stay with you guys for tonight."

Oh right, right. They left a few hours ago. It was a charity dinner they had to attend, so it was just overnight. It completely went over my head even though we said by to them. Ha. I'm so distracted. Josh and I wouldn't mind staying by ourselves, but when Lupe offers, we don't ever say no. She says she loves to and doesn't mind because we are like kids to her. And also, it makes us feel more safe. Even with tons of security outside.

I stepped out of the elevator and put my purse down on the table, "Oh, right, right."

"Who you like, miss Gabriella?"

"What?"

I turned around and she was just smiling at me while she blew on her tea, "You said you like boy. Who?"

Fuuuck. I said that out loud? I wasn't thinking it. "Lupe, you heard that?!"

She nodded and smiled. Crap. I tell her everything so why not. I just don't know if I should tell too many people because if he doesn't end up liking me back and this goes nowhere, it's going to be so embarrassing.

We went over to the living room and I took off my shoes and threw them off to the side before I climbed onto the couch and got comfortable.

"Lupe, I don't know what to do."

"You like Troy?"

Yep. She figured it out. I mean, how could she not? That's the only boy that's been around here in a while. She sees me laugh, smile, and act like an idiot around him. Of course she knows who I'm talking about. She was just playing dumb earlier.

And now's where I spill my feelings to her. "I do and it's so frustrating because at times, I feel like he might be into me but at the same time, he hasn't asked me to hang out. I mean, we have, but it was because of our project or if we're taking a break from our project. He hasn't asked to grab dinner or anything like that and I don't know, it's fine. He's still sort of new here and I get it. He might not be interested, but I am interested so that makes it so frustrating."

Lupe nodded, taking everything I said in. "And you don't want to ask him out?"

"No way, Lupe! I am not going to set myself up to possible get rejected. I will cry if that happens."

"He no reject you," she tells me shaking her head as if she's mad that I would even think of that, "you are beautiful and smart and boys like you. He maybe just shy and don't know how to ask you out."

I have no idea. Or maybe he's not interested at all. But like I said, there are instances where he'll say things or do things and I think he might be interested. Like earlier when he walked me in and made sure I got home safely. He didn't have to take a cab with me. He didn't have to take me to get sushi today for lunch during our break on our project. He didn't have to sit down with Savannah and I and have dinner. Or stay for dinner with my parents the other night.

Right? Right. "Maybe. I guess I might to have to wait until after we're done with this project to see if he'll make an effort to hang with me."

"I sure he will," she continues to blow on her hot tea, "I think he like you too, you just have to be patient and wait."

Ugh. Lupe. I sure hope she's right. And you know what? Last time I had a talk to her about whether or not a boy likes me, it was Ryan and she told me that she thinks he does. So maybe I should trust her. Maybe she is right.

And just like that, I feel slightly better about it. "Thanks Lupe, you're the best."

She told me goodnight as I got up and went to my room. It's been a long day and I haven't had a moment to just sit down and breathe... by myself.

I went to the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth and took off my make up. And then I came back to my room and changed into some comfy clothes- sweats and a plain t shirt.

And the minute I climbed into bed, my phone lit up.

It was a text from Troy.

So do you want to get together tomorrow? You can come over whenever you're done with what you have to do.

It's such a simple text and it has NOTHING to do with how we feel about each other, it's strictly to work on our project. But it makes me smile like no other. And it's crazy. This big ass smile over a small text that's about SCHOOL WORK. WHAT THE HECK.

I get comfy under my sheets and then grab my phone after a few minutes have passed so I don't seem too eager to reply.

Sounds good. I'll be there around 2:30.

I'm assuming the Smiths are going to be gone. The only other time we've worked on this project at his place, they weren't home. But who knows. I hope they're not so Stacy doesn't watch me and give me that weird talk again.

Whatever. Either way will be fine I guess.

A couple minutes later, he finally replied after what seemed like forever. Seriously, I was getting impatient.

Cool. Thanks again for letting me hang out, it was fun. See you tomorrow (:

Oh my gosh. It was fun? He had fun hanging out with me? Well, and Savannah. And he gave me a smiley face. Breathe, Gabriella. And stop being so weird about this. It's just a boy. You've hung out with so many. Ugh. This is so annoying. It's annoying how much of an effect he's having on me.

But at the same time, I don't think I'd have it any other way.

Goodnight (: