How We Started

by Punkpoet69

Gabriella was so out of her element, but there was no denying the explosive attraction to her fake boyfriend. She had no intention of falling for the basketball team captain with the good boy reputation, muscular arms, and dirty-in-the-best-kind-of-way kisses ...but she did.

Gabriella.

Gabriella had a history and an aversion to unwanted attention. She blamed it on her traitorous body that had changed over the last year. Her boobs had finally come in and her curves had sharpened to display her new womanly figure. Tonight she found herself in a bit of a pickle at an overcrowded house party. You know the type - pulsating music, strobe lights that make you question your own existence, and an inexplicable sea of sweaty bodies.

Yep, that kind of party.

As Gabriella stood there, sipping on her lukewarm soda, a guy she had zero interest in approached her with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop.

His name was Michael Basic, and he was sporting an oversized ego and a questionable fashion sense. After his bold introduction, he began his not-so-subtle advance toward Gabriella.

He leaned in too close, invading her personal bubble faster than a Kardashian can post a selfie. On an instinct for self-preservation, she scanned the room for anyone who could save her from this awkward encounter.

That's when she spotted him. Amid the chaos of the party, she spotted Troy Bolton, the guy she sat next to in AP History. Troy had been the type of guy who always had a kind smile on his face and never missed a chance to help others. Gabriella's eyes lit up with the hope of rescue.

In a moment of pure brilliance, Gabriella mustered up all her acting skills and swiftly grabbed Troy's hand, intertwining their fingers like the plot of a cheesy romance novel. Troy, being the nice guy that he was, went along with it, a touch of amusement dancing in his eyes.

As Michael's eyes narrowed with confusion, Gabriella shot Troy a sly smile. "Oh, hey, babe!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with faux affection. "I've been looking for you!" The witty tone in her voice had Michael temporarily stunned, like a deer caught in headlights.

Troy, bless his heart, played his part flawlessly. He pulled Gabriella closer, wrapping his arm around her waist as if they were starring in their own romantic comedy. "Hey, sweetheart," he replied with a wink.

Micheal, seemingly caught off guard by Gabriella's sudden "relationship," stumbled through his next words, trying to salvage his pride.

"H-h-Hey Troyyy," he said, holding a hand out for a high five.

Troy raised a brow and lifted his hand to meet Michael's with slight hesitation.

"I didn't know this sweet honey drop was spoken for." Michael eyed her appreciatively. "My bad, didn't mean any disrespect."

That made her cringe and she shifted a little closer into Troy.

"Yeah," Troy said with a nod, "She's with me."

"Hey, love birds, you wanna play or what?" Chad Danforth's head appeared between her and Troy. He motioned to the beer pong table where Troy had been waiting to play before she'd taken advantage of his proximity.

"Oh, my bad," Micheal said as he shifted his gaze to the dancing bodies in the living room. "Imma head out there, it was nice hitting you up."

Gabriella nodded with a frown as she watched Michael's retreating back. "Wish I could say the same," she muttered under her breath.

"Mind returning the favor and helping me out?" Troy motioned to the table.

"Oh, I'm not good with the whole hand-eye coordination thing." She said already taking a step back.

"Perfect," Troy said, reaching for her hand and bringing her back to his side at the table. "Chad accuses me of cheating all the time."

And that was how she became someone's fake girlfriend four months ago.

They didn't really work out any rules or agree to public displays of affection. They weren't secretly in love or exchanging witty banter. In fact, they barely talked at all other than the occasional nod or quick exchange when necessary.

At first, it would just happen. She'd be approached and he'd be there. As if faith had predetermined it. Each time he would go along with the story. The perfect gentleman, always at the same party and never too busy to make small talk. Sometimes he'd reach for her and introduce her to his friends. And he always made sure she got home okay since they were almost neighbors.

Everything was working out perfectly, boys in the hall stopped leering at her chest. Even her lab partner in chemistry had suddenly realized that her eyes were on her face and not her chest.

The girls in her year seemed less catty, people stopped treating her like an outsider and for once people weren't so quick to just dismiss her. Being part of a fake relationship with someone semi-popular had its benefits.

It was all very platonic and grown up.

Well, except this one time where they did end up kissing, but it was a quick peck. Barely noteworthy. He'd been walking her to class when Sharpay, the head cheerleader cut them off to ask about a party later that weekend. He murmured something and then before taking off, he placed a kiss on the corner of her lips.

It felt weird, and if it looked weird Sharpay didn't even notice because she didn't miss a beat. She simply kept on talking about a pool party that she wanted Gabriella to attend. That was another thing about their fake relationship, it came with a not-so-fake new social life. Which felt nice for a change. People suddenly cared about what she thought, she was making new friends and sometimes when Troy held her hand, she actually liked it.

He was hard not to like.

But she really shouldn't indulge in those fluttery butterflies. One day, when this was all over it was going to leave this enormous blank space in her life.

She tried not to think about it.

She never wanted a real relationship. They required so much energy and work. Real relationships were unpredictable and difficult. Real relationships meant being vulnerable and open to disappointment. And she had her share of disappointment and relationships that required work.

When she was five years old Gabriella's parents divorced. What had once been a loud, angry, and hostile environment for most of what she could remember became a muted existence. She was shuffled between two households and always pitted in the middle of an ongoing silent argument between her parents.

When she was seven years old her father remarried a woman named Natalia, and shortly after the wedding came her twin step-brothers Vincent and Victor. Her mother fell into a depression, got a cat named Mr. Hubble, and went to therapy.

Shortly after that, her mother started dating—a lot.

When she was ten years old she realized a hard truth about having two separate families. It meant she would forever be a part of both but not really belong in either. You know that old saying, the more the merrier? Well, the more people who came into her parents' new lives the more obvious of a mistake she had been.

As she got older and more independent they became busy with work, and new relationships, and even more things began to change. The effort and time her parents put into parenting seemed to get less and less.

In the fifth grade during a parent-teacher conference, her parents got into a screaming match over who forgot to buy the materials for her science project. When they both sought out an alliance from her teacher, it got so ugly that Mrs. Douglass practically ran from the room in tears after refusing to pick sides.

Gabriella learned to be the responsible one between the three of them. Anything to keep the peace or at least, what was left of it. It was clearly up to her to be the good kid, to be the one that wasn't a burden, to always keep the peace.

The problem was that by the time she was seventeen, she had become so good at being good, she'd made herself forgettable. Turns out that being so good and so dependable also meant that her parents didn't actually feel the need to parent her anymore.

She kept updated calendars in both household kitchens with her marked weekends. And still, she would arrive on a marked day and be greeted with "Oh, I didn't know you were here this weekend?"

Relationships took a lot of work, effort, and energy that she just didn't have time to offer. Not when she wanted to enjoy her last year of high school and focus on getting into college.

She didn't want to open herself up to another relationship. Didn't want to fall victim to the mistakes her parents made or worse have to work so desperately just to keep someone else's interest. She was already working hard enough to not be completely forgotten by the two people who were supposed to be conditioned to love her.

So fake dating Troy worked for her. It made things easy.

Troy stopped the truck in front of her Dad's house. The engine went quiet as he waited for her to gather her things. Because he lived between her parents' two houses, they practically followed each other home. As the weather had become cooler she'd gotten accustomed to jumping into his truck.

"Thanks for the ride, you didn't have to." She said automatically as she reached for the door handle.

"Just keeping up appearances right?" he muttered, leaning back against his seat.

Ouch. Gabriella let out a sigh, "Well, it's still nice," she said pushing the passenger door open. Maybe it was time she went back to walking home. She didn't want to overstay her welcome or take his hospitality for granted.

"Hey," he reached for her hand catching her off guard. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

"It's fine," she shrugged. "I mean we're not really dating so you don't really have to do things for me. I am more than capable of walking myself home."

"First of all," Troy said with a frown. "You're not walking home alone at night if I'm fully capable of taking you home. I really don't mind doing it. I live two blocks over from your dads and three houses down from your mom."

"Small world isn't it?" She offered.

"Second," he continued, this time a little more carefully. "Why are we only fake dating?"

Gabriella shrugged, "As opposed to what? Dating for real?" She couldn't keep the amusement out of her tone. The idea of them together was a little laughable. While on the surface they seemed like a good fit, in reality, they were strangers.

Troy raised a brow and stared at her expectantly as if waiting for her to answer her own question. When neither of them spoke for a moment he let out a sigh. "So then what is this?"

She arched her own brow. "I thought it was a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"Okayyy," Troy said, dragging the word a little before looking at her curiously. "So, we'll just keep doing this?"

She slowly closed the door and sat back in her seat sensing his irritation. "If you don't want to fake date anymore-"

"That's not where I was going," Troy said with a shake of his head.

"So then why do I get the feeling we're breaking up?"

Troy let out a laugh. Shifting his gaze back out at the empty street. It was almost five o'clock. The daylight was already gone and most of the activity happening around them was from people pulling into their driveways.

"Can I ask you a question?" Troy's voice cut into her trance, and she shifted so she was looking at his dimly lit features. He was handsome, in the obvious charming way, but he also had a boyish charm.

"Sure," she shrugged, looking away from his face. If he wanted to talk, they could talk. He was doing her a favor after all. She should at least hear him out if he had something to say.

Or should she? Sometimes being the keeper of the peace got her into unfavorable situations she probably could have avoided. She just couldn't handle conflict and didn't want to feel the stress and pressure of someone's disappointment. It was just instilled in her to be as less of an inconvenience as possible at all times.

For example, his truck had a bench seat, and her bag rested securely between them like a wall. Making sure that she stood on her end of the bench seat and didn't dare let one finger cross into his space. That way she wasn't really upsetting his environment.

She didn't mess with the radio, never rolled down the window, and never once did she complain about the way he didn't always look behind him when switching lanes. Those were unpleasant conversations she just avoided by not addressing them.

"Have you ever kissed someone before?"

What?

That made her look up at him in shock, of all the things he could have asked her, she wasn't expecting that.

"No," she shook her head. "Not really, just you."

"Me?" Troy tilted his head as if confused, his brow furrowed as he thought about it for a moment. "We kissed? When?"

Didn't they? Now she wasn't sure. Jesus, this was embarrassing. Why were they even having this conversation?

"The other day in the hall, Sharpay was asking about the pool party this weekend. You, uh, pressed your lips to mine," her voice got quieter as she spoke making the last word of that sentence barely a whisper.

God, please. Strike this truck with lighting and end this conversation.

His brow went up in amusement and Gabriella felt her stomach free fall onto the floorboards of his truck.

"Oh." He said quietly, "Oh no, that's an awful first kiss." He winced. "You should have said something."

"It never came up."

"Right."

They were quiet for a moment before he shifted again in his seat. "So would it be safe to say you've never actually had a real boyfriend then?"

"Not really," she shifted a little so she was sitting up straighter. "In the fourth grade I dated Jason Cross for two weeks."

Troy inhaled slowly. "And you're not still holding a candle or anything?"

"God no," she said quickly. She wasn't even romantically interested in Jason when they were dating. She just wanted to know why having a boyfriend was such a big deal to her mom.

After two weeks of holding hands and only sitting next to Jason at lunch, she was over the experience.

"Right," Troy nodded slowly. "Just making sure we're not making another guy jealous or anything."

"We're not."

Her hand rested on the door handle again. She was more than ready for this entire experience to be over with. Why was he acting so strangely?

After a moment he shifted again, his hand grabbing her bag and moving it to the floor. Her wall of comfort was demolished in a nanosecond. Then he moved a little closer to her.

She wasn't sure what was happening, and as his warm body came closer to her, she was consumed by his attention. Totally aware that the butterflies were back and she was feeling things she shouldn't be feeling. This shouldn't be exciting.

It was awkward.

She was also aware that there was no reason, at all, for them to be this close. No one was around to witness the loving boyfriend performance.

But that didn't stop him from settling in beside her or stop him from reaching for her hand.

"Gabriella?" He asked softly tracing a nonsensical shape onto her palm. "I was wondering if I could kiss you goodnight."

Her hand on the door handle felt clammy and she released it. Wiping some of the sweat off the fabric of her skirt. "Why do you want to kiss me goodnight? We don't really do that kind of thing."

He nodded, "I know we don't but it's just…" he paused as if trying to sort something out on his own. Then frowned as his eyes came back to her. "Do you even want to kiss me?" He countered hesitantly.

Yes, in this completely weird out-of-body moment, yes she did want to kiss Troy Bolton. "I don't know," she lied. "I don't think I'm opposed to the idea completely."

He visibly relaxed. "Can I just say for the record I'm normally really good at this?"

"What exactly are we putting on record?" She countered.

He chuckled. Once he settled and her breathing slowed a little he spoke again. "I'd really like to kiss you tonight."

"Well, I'm not just going to let you kiss me for the sake of kissing me," Gabriella argued.

His eyes went a little wide at her response, but he held her gaze. Then his hand reached out, touching one of her wayward curls.

"What are we doing?" She asked, shifting her eyes from his hand to his blue eyes.

"Trying something out," he said, twisting the strand between his fingers.

"Troy." She said quietly.

"You can tell me to stop."

He leaned in a little closer, his hand letting go of her curl and gently touching the side of her face. How could a simple brush of his fingers feel so good? How could it make her skin sizzle? He shifted his thumb along her cheek softly and it was as if he'd struck a match. Her insides were liquified.

They were quiet. Both watched each other with a sudden shyness she hadn't anticipated.

"Is this okay?" He asked. His blue eyes met hers.

He was closer now, his lips slightly parted and his blue eyes a little softer than before. The scent of him was overwhelming her senses now that he was so close. She usually thought he smelled good, but tonight there was something else. His up-close scent felt like a calming balm to her nerves. Like somehow his proximity to her could affect her anxious flurries of fight or flight.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she nodded. More curious about what it would feel like to kiss him than concerned about if she should.

He shifts carefully, maybe afraid she might change her mind. And to be honest she wasn't really sure she wouldn't.

But it was too late. Because his lips are moving slowly against hers. His lips were soft and warm over her bottom lip. And was that his tongue? A little tingle began to form inside her.

His touch is gentle yet firm in the best of ways as his hand slowly cups her cheek. He's shifting his attention to her lips. Learning, teasing, almost seeing what he could get away with as if testing how they fit together.

His tongue finds its way into her mouth and she reaches for his shirt needing an anchor to keep her body upright. Once she has the idea of his kiss, she begins to move her lips against his. Returning his kiss and feeding into her urge for more.

Troy Bolton is a good kisser.

Although she has nothing to compare him to, she's certain he may be the best kisser on earth. The tingle from before spread over her entire body and she clenched her thighs together at the thought of how much more she could feel from his touch.

He pulls his mouth from her and his lips roam over her jaw, down the side of her neck and she leans into him. Enjoying the contact more than she should. The kisses are slow, wet, and perfect, lighting a fire along her skin.

A soft moan escaped her lips and he shifted, capturing her lips again. She's completely lost her mind. That's the only excuse she has for the way she's nearly coming undone for him.

His hand is on her thigh, his thumb moving in little circles as his lips work on her. She feels her legs shift, her thighs part slightly, and then his hand dips between her thighs, his hold on her inner thigh so intense and intimate even over the fabric of her jeans.

A few more inches higher and she might lose her mind completely. She shifts again, her thighs pressing together trapping his hand and suddenly wishing she was brave enough to tell him to go higher.

He pulls back from her lips, his eyes hooded and his breathing quick as he hovers inches away from her face. His eyes looking at her with a newfound interest and intensity,

"Hi," she says quietly. Trying to control her own breathing.

"Hi," he says back. A soft smile on his lips. "That was-"

"Is that normal?" She asks a little unsure.

"No, it's definitely not normal." He says with a shake of his head. "I mean it's normal but it's not normal," he said, smiling a little at his own statement.

"Okay," she says feeling a little unsure. "Your hand is still between my legs."

He quickly pulls his hand away. "Sorry about that."

She smiles a little "I think I liked it."

There's a blush on his cheeks and it is the most adorable thing she's ever seen. Troy Bolton blushed, because of her.

He hasn't moved away from her completely. They're still close, if she wanted to kiss him again she could, she would just have to lean over an inch or two to reach his lips.

"Maybe we should do this for real?" He says, his eyes falling to her lips.

"For real?" She repeats and just like that the lust fog craze begins to clear and she feels a pinch of anxiety seeping inside her.

"Like go out on an actual date," he says softly.

Alarm bells. "No."

"No?" Troy repeated, a little taken aback.

"That isn't what I agreed to." She pushes him back a little and she's very much aware of the fact that his body moves away because he decides to allow it.

He's stronger than her, and could easily overpower her.

"Wait," he says confused. "I don't understand what just happened."

"People are weird about this stuff," Gabriella said, reaching for her bag. "Boys especially, and dating for real ruins everything."

"I disagree," Troy said a little more firmly.

She lugs her bag into her lap. "Of course you do. You just had your hand between my legs. I may be a little naive but I'm not stupid."

"I didn't say you were."

"Well, I think it's safe to say we're done. Congratulations, you succeeded in feeling me up. But that's it. That's the line, it's not happening again. I won't let you take advantage of this situation. I'm not that kind of girl."

"I'm sorry, what?" Troy says, seemingly stunned by her last statement.

Gabriella got out of the truck. "Actually, I hope you enjoyed whatever that was, because I think we should probably cut our losses and end it here." She says as casually as she can manage before looking back at a stupefied Troy.

"Night," she says, closing the door and turning to make her way up the drive. Once inside she's greeted by her step brothers who ran past her into the living room with a bowl of popcorn. If she weren't careful they might run her over. Nothing could stop her brothers from a good movie night.

"Oh hey," her father's voice greeted her. "I forgot you were here this week."

"Hey," she half smiles. Disappointed and at the same time not really surprised he forgot she was here. They barely saw each other at breakfast.

"We're gonna watch Jurassic Park," he offers.

"Thanks, but I think I'm going to pass." Watching Jurassic Park after experiencing her first and probably last kiss was not how she wanted to spend her night. She began making her way to the stairs.

"Lots of homework?" He asks.

"Enough," she says, hoping the small talk portion of their conversation is nearing an end.

"Well if you change your mind, there's plenty of popcorn."

"I'm kind of tired, I might just finish my history essay and crash," she calls over her shoulder.

"You know, it's Friday night," her father's voice calls out. "You have all weekend to do your homework!"

"Night Dad!"

The faint sound of her father repeating the words back to her was muffled by the sound of her door closing behind her. She let out a sigh and leaned back against the door.

She takes a breath and for a moment she's worried that Troy might just knock on her front door and demand she come outside. After a moment of silence, she moves to the window where she looks down at his truck still parked outside.

Had she been too harsh? Was he angry? She had no idea what to expect after ending a fake relationship.

"Leave already," she muttered, a little unsure what to do.

His truck came to life and shortly after he was pulling away from the curb. Disappointment settled inside her and she grunted in confusion. She shouldn't feel this way about any of this. Wasn't that the point of the fake relationship?

It was fake.

That kiss, no matter how exciting and thrilling it had been, did not matter. Dating Troy for real was not the plan.

She'd just been confused,

Then why did it feel like she was right on the edge of falling for her fake boyfriend?

And wouldn't that ruin all her plans?

This was better. This was easier. Better to rip the bandaid off now before she developed any more feelings for Troy. It was done.

Troy.

He felt the throb of his headache right behind his eyes. He played last night on repeat in his mind over and over as he stared off into the distance at the breakfast table.

Something had ignited between them. Honestly, she had been so cold towards him that the last thing he expected was for the kiss to be so… hot.

"Troy?" his mother said as if she had been calling his name repeatedly.

He sat up straighter and shifted his attention. "Sorry."

"Did you ask Gabriella about Sunday?"

He arched a brow at first before the memory of his mother's request about bringing his girlfriend to dinner this Sunday surfaced.

His sister and her fiance were coming home from college and his mother wanted to have a small dinner that Sunday evening. Thought it would be nice to invite that sweet girl from a few houses down Troy who had been dating for the last four months.

Fake dating.

Was dating.

Whatever the hell this was.

Her words echoed in his head and he let out a long breath. "Yeah, I'll ask her tonight at the pool party."

Although he wasn't sure if she was still going to that. Maybe it was better not to say anything concrete until he had a chance to clear the air with her first.

"Please don't forget, I want to make sure there's enough food."

"There's always enough food mom, you always make more than enough." Troy sighed.

"Of course I do, have you seen you eat?" she scoffed. "I have to make sure there's enough to go around."

"Ha, ha, ha," Troy murmured, turning back to his bowl of cereal as his father came into the kitchen with a handheld cooler to fill. He was going fishing this afternoon with Chad's dad.

When they were younger they used to go with their fathers. Nowadays they always had weekend plans and their dads continued on with the tradition more than happy to finally enjoy the peace and quiet on the boat.

His phone chimed and he glanced down to see Chad's incoming message.

Chad: What did she say?

Troy huffed. His thoughts returned to the night before.

Had he been out of line last night? Had things moved too quickly? Did he freak her out? He hadn't meant for the kiss to go that far and he wasn't trying to feel her up.

He inwardly cringed.

That was a lie, he was definitely seeking an opportunity to do just that if she let him get that far.

He was a guy after all.

He'd been trying to figure that girl out for four months. And he'd thought she might have liked him back. At least a little. Why else would she let him walk to her class, hold her hand, and sit next to him in AP History? Was it all really fake?

That kiss wasn't fake. Not even a little bit.

Troy picked up his phone.

Troy: Chickened out.

Yeah, because he would rather admit to that than what actually happened. He, himself, still didn't know what actually happened last night.

Chad: Tonight, I'll help.

Troy let out a groan. Could he even be helped? He glanced at the time it was already a quarter past ten. The party didn't start for another few hours. He had to talk to her.

He opened their text thread, which was just a series of "outside," and "be right there," messages.

Troy: We need to talk.

He waited for a bit, listening to his parents talk about their weekend plans and the dinner tomorrow evening before looking back at his phone. Still no answer. He resisted the urge to text again and got up from the table. because luckily, he knew exactly where she was.

Gabriella worked part-time at the coffee shop by their school. It was run and operated by her mother's current live-in boyfriend, Mark. He was a nice enough guy and didn't mind when Troy popped in occasionally to talk to Gabriella. Sometimes he even brought a coffee while he pretended to study at a nearby table.

He'd already been caught by Mark a time or two watching Gabriella. Not in the creepy stalker way it sounded when he thought about it, but in the doting boyfriend kind of way, everyone already thought he was. He was just thankful that Gabriella seemed to be oblivious to his obvious crush. At least he was thankful until last night.

The bell over the door chimed and he noticed Gabriella behind the counter making drinks. He nodded in acknowledgement to Mark who was at the register taking an order. He waited until she capped the drinks and handed them to Mark before leaning on the countertop in front of her.

"Hi,"

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella asked, a little taken aback by him.

He leaned in a little, keeping his voice low. "What the hell happened last night?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "It's called a breakup."

"No, because a breakup is when two people who are in a relationship decide not to be in one anymore," he said pointedly. "Last night you freaked out about a kiss."

Her cheeks tinted a light shade of pink as she glanced around the nearly empty coffee shop. He glanced over at the unattended register, his eyes shifting and spotting Mark making work of wiping down some of the tables out on the floor.

"Troy, I'm at work," she said, placing both hands on the countertop.

He let out a sigh and stood up a little straighter. "When can we talk? I'll wait till you're off."

"No."

"I'd like to place an order then."

"Knock it off, Troy."

"I'm not leaving until we talk."

"For the love of god, you can go on a break. And if you're going to fight, please go to the back." Mark said quietly as he passed by them.

Gabriella glared at Mark and then returned her glare to Troy. "Five minutes," she said, motioning for Troy to meet her in the back.

He followed her to the back room where Mark kept the extra stock and inventory. Gabriella began making work of tidying up the shelves and placing a box of coffee stirs up on top of the table.

"Am I that bad of a kisser?" Troy asked quietly, leaning back on the closed door. "Because I don't think that's the case, not with the way you were-"

"You must be joking," she said, turning around. "Is that what this is about? You need validation on what happened?"

"And what did happened? And please be specific." He goated. Rewarded in just the slightest when her cheeks tinted pink.

When she didn't say anything he pushed off the door and took a step forward so he was standing closer to her. "So to recap, last night I asked if I could kiss you. You nodded, and then I kissed you. Actually, no, we made out with tongue and yes, I did lightly feel you up, but to be clear, I cemented my hand in place on your upper thigh and didn't push any further." He said quietly as he moved closer to her, backing her into the table and taking advantage of caging her into place with his arms on either side. "If I remember correctly, you said you liked it."

"If you're so confident, why did you come all the way down here to tell me about it?"

At that he grunted in frustration. This was new for them. They never talked like this to each other and he was surprised by the sudden shift in their exchange. There was a heat between them that hadn't been there before last night. There had always been a tingle or kindling of some kind but he was barely touching her right now and he felt like he should check himself for scorch marks. "Why did you freak out?"

"Because," she said, lifting a hand to his chest as if she wanted to block him from leaning in closer.

"Because why?" he said, moving forward and testing her hand, satisfied when her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him in closer. "Talk to me."

"Because I," her breath quicked a little, and he couldn't help it. He leaned in to nuzzle his nose along the column of her neck, inhaling her flowery scent. She pulled on his shirt again and he happily obliged her request for proximity. His lips found hers and inhaling sharply at her eagerness to meet him.

This time her tongue found its way into his mouth and her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him further into her. His hands shifted coming down to her waist and without thought he lifted her up, placing her with ease onto the table's surface.

"Oh my god," she murmured, reaching out for his shoulders as she steadied herself. "Your muscles have muscles."

"News flash, you're fake dating an athlete," he says, pulling away a little so he can meet her eyes.

When she rolls her eyes and opens her mouth to say something he crushes his lips against hers and she inhales from the surprise.

His hands nudging her thighs open a little further and pushing his way between them. He could feel the warmth of her on his bulge and he pushed forward a little. She gasps, this time wrapping her legs around his waist.

His lips pull into a smile which is interrupted by her kiss. His hand shifted up to the back of her neck for support. Holding her to him he's surprised when she wiggles against him again. He arches into her happy to provide the pressure she's looking for. Then he leaves her lips, his own moving down to that little spot from last night that made her thighs open for him.

And like magic, she presses into him again with soft pants. A quiet murmur escaped from her lips.

"Keep doing that."

He does and in the back of his mind, a whisper tells him he should stop this. That this was not what he came here for. That they needed to talk. That they could easily get caught. Mark could come back here any second.

That thought flies right out of his brain when her hand reaches behind and grabs his ass. Shocking the fuck out of him.

He presses into her again.

"That feels good," she murmurs into his ear.

"Fuck," he mumbles out like prayer as he moves up her neck and back to her mouth.

She's shaking a little now, but she has the idea and she cramps her legs tightly around him and presses into him again.

"Jesus." He whispers into her mouth. "We could have been doing this the whole time."

"Shut up and keep going."

He pushes again, and this time he doesn't stop, he rocks into her and she gasps.

"Again."

He gives her what she wants and she ignites.

There's no other way to describe it. She completely unravels in his arms like a fire-given air to breathe. Her thighs are quaking, breaths stuttering and her right hand is clinging onto his shoulder in a death grip as she bites down on her left thumb to keep from screaming.

It's the hottest fucking thing he's ever seen. And he bites down on his bottom lip to resist pumping into her again for his own release.

There's a soft thud and the noise shocks them both apart. Then his foot hits the box of coffee stirs that fell to the ground.

"Damn it," she mutters.

He stands up a little straighter, his breathing still heavy as he watches her staring down at the box. He doesn't know what to say or do. If he's being honest he's not even sure what to think.

When she doesn't say anything he shakes his head trying to clear the lust from his thoughts. "What the hell is going on?"

Her brown eyes meet his. "I think you should go." She said softly. "I can't be doing this, while I'm at work."

Yeah. She was right about that. They shouldn't be doing this in the cafe, not with her sort of stepdad right down the hall. Shifting his weight he lets out a sigh, "Are you going to the party later?"

She nods.

He nods and wipes a hand over his face in an effort to brace himself for a painful walk out to his truck. He stops with his hand on the door, "Before I forget, my mom wanted me to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. My sisters in town, would you be willing to come to that?"

"I can do that." She says quietly.

He doesn't say anything else, just opens the door and leaves the back room, Nodding at Mark before making his way out to his truck.

Gabriella

Why had she accepted his invitation to a family dinner?

Because the polite, people-pleasing girl her parents turned her into had said yes to keep the peace. That girl knew she should be friendly, social, and engaging.

But she didn't want to be.

This wasn't part of her plan. She didn't want to be a people pleaser anymore. She didn't want to do the easy thing and just live a "yes" life, because that's all her life had ever been.

Yes, I'll take care of the twins at three a.m. and participate in the new family traditions even though my heart breaks when I think of the traditions I lost.

Yes, I'll split my life into two separate worlds and keep track of the custody agreement so Mom and Dad don't fight over scheduling.

Yes, I'll be the responsible one and remind my parents about parent-teacher conferences and doctor's appointments.

She let out a sigh as she jumped down from the table's surface. A bit of an ache throbbing between her legs reminding her of what happened here just moments ago.

An unexpected smile pulls at her lips. She wasn't sure what had come over her. Never in her life had she ever done something so, so selfish.

She lifted the box of stirs back onto the table and hastily straightened out her clothes. She left the back room quietly and made her way to the employee bathroom.

Once she glanced in the mirror. she let out a breath. Her lips were swollen, cheeks flushed, eyes hazy, and her once neat braid was a little sloppy.

She looked like she'd been up to something naughty. Which of course she had. Part of her was embarrassed by how easily she gave in to him, mortified by how vulnerable he made her in such a short amount of time.

The other part of her wanted to do it again.

Which was so unlike her. She began undoing her braid.

They had been so careless. What if Mark had come back to check on her? What if he caught them?

Then again, what if he had caught them? She just was making out with her boyfriend in the back room. Teenagers did things like that all the time, didn't they?

She quickly redid her braid and then splashed some cold water on her face.

Teenagers might do things like that all the time, but she didn't. She was responsible and sensible and a good girl.

If she were being completely honest, she didn't want to end things with Troy. Quite the opposite, she wanted to make out in the front seat of his truck again. And she wanted to be wearing another skirt while they did it too. Memories of his hand on her bare thigh made her squirm.

He made her feel good.

She dried her hands and left the bathroom. So much for the idea of ripping off the bandage and getting out before her feelings for Troy got any bigger.

When he approached her in the back room, she was almost ready to reject him again. To tell him the same thing she had said last night. Because dating for real would ruin everything. It would involve feelings, it would involve her people-pleasing one more person in her life and she didn't have the energy for it.

She watched her mom go through the dating process, and watch guys come in and out of their lives. The good ones her mother let get away, the bad ones her mother claimed she was crazy in love with. Awkward dinner table conversations and introductions that fell flat.

Dating was exhausting.

When her mother met Mark, she was holding her breath the entire first year. Afraid to like him. Afraid to get to know him.

She hadn't really been able to relax until the second year, when Mark had moved in. Thankfully, Mark was easygoing and understanding, and they learned to coexist, which was fortunate since her mother was always working. Mark didn't want to replace her father or attempt to play a fatherly role in her life. He just turned into a friend. And because she needed to make some spare cash of her own he later allowed her to work part time at the coffee shop he owned.

Her thoughts shifted back to Troy. The way he stood in front of her, his height and build so imposing that it almost scared her, he seemed so menacing at first. So angry and confused. Then his features softened and he smelled so good, his nearness once again melting her resolve.

"Talk to me."

She rolled her eyes and grunted in embarrassment.

Don't even get her started on his deep, rumbling voice. It was so sexy. It was warm and inviting but a smidge authoritative, a whole different level of hot, especially with his muscled arms wrapped around her.

How did everything change so quickly?

Later that day.

She was in her swimsuit standing in front of her mirror. She turned slightly to examine her profile. When was the last time she bought a bathing suit? Just last year this had fit her perfectly. Now she was busting out of the top. Her phone chimed distracting her from her thoughts and she turned to retrieve it from the bed.

Troy: We still need to talk.

Talk about stubbornness.

Gabriella: You want to talk... To me? Seriously? After all that?

Troy: If we're being perfectly honest here, I want to do much more than just talk to you.

Troy: And I think you feel the same way. Which is what we need to talk about.

Oh.

She let out a sigh and placed the phone face down on her bed. Clearly, Troy wasn't just going to go away.

Just then her bedroom door burst open with a loud bang. Startled she jumped to her feet as Victor and Vincent stormed into her room with Nerf guns, caught up in an epic battle of war.

"Guys!" Natalia shouted from downstairs. "Please stay out of your sister's room."

Footsteps were coming up the stairs and Gabriella shifted as a Nerf bullet targeted her shoulder.

"Play with us Gabi," Victor said as he jumped onto her bed. "Be on my side."

"No fair," Vincent shouted as he shot off three Nerf bullets. "She was on your side last time."

"I can't play right now," Gabriella tried to explain as she quickly reached for her phone before Victor's feet sent it flying.

"Why are you in your bathing suit?" Vincent asked.

"Are you going to the pool!" Victor jumped down to the floor. "Can we come?"

"Guys!" Natalia shouted from the doorway. "How many times have I begged you to stop bargaining into Gabi's room? She's a young lady and needs her privacy."

"It was a matter of life or death mom, I needed backup?" Victor whined. "You don't stop to knock when you need backup."

A smile pulled at Gabriella's lips despite the chaos. She adored her brothers. They may be little hellions but they had their moments.

"Hey Gabi, Troy's here." Her father's voice chimed in as he too came to stand in her doorway. "Um, is that what you're wearing to the party?"

Gabriella felt the color drain from her face. That's right, her bathing suit. In all the chaos she forgot she was standing in the middle of her bedroom in a bathing suit that was two sizes too small for her breast. She crossed her arms over her chest and silently wished this wasn't a family bonding moment.

"I think I might have something that will fit a little better." Natalia winced. "Luis, why don't you ask Troy if he wants some lemonade? Boys get back downstairs and if you're going to continue this war of the worlds take it to the backyard."

Once the guys had their marching orders they were gone, leaving her and Natalia in her bedroom.

"I remember when my body caught up to me," she said with a sympathetic look. "Come on, you can wear one of mine for now and maybe tomorrow morning we can go shopping for a new one."

"Thank you," Gabriella said following Natalia out of her bedroom and down the hall.

While she was grateful for Natalia and their shared experience of puberty. She was also a little annoyed that they did not share the same amount of modesty. She looked back at her reflection, she was currently wearing a hot pink two-piece bikini from Natalia's pre-pregnancy wardrobe. Her body had looked x-rated in the one-piece swimsuit from last year but now in the fitted two-piece, her body looked like it belonged to a grown woman.

"Here's a cute cover-up," Natalia said, coming over to Gabriella with something that resembled fish netting.

"This is supposed to cover the bikini?" she asked as she took the material from Natalia.

At that, Natalia smiled. "I guess it's more about the fashion than the coverage." She shifted so she was standing next to Gabriella in the mirror. Her hands reached up to touch one of her curls. "Have you ever thought about putting highlights in?"

She smiled a little, not entirely sure what to say. so she shifted the topic of conversation. "Where am I supposed to put my phone?"

Natalia laughed. "Oh hunny, that's why they made purses."

Troy.

He sipped his lemonade slowly while watching Gabriella's father watch him carefully.

"So, Troy." He said with a frown, "You're the boyfriend."

And wasn't that the question of the day?

"Appears so," Troy said with a nod, deciding to go with the easy answer.

"And how long have you been dating my daughter?"

"Four months sir."

Her father shifted a bit, pulling at his collar before reaching for his own glass.

This was awkward.

But, why stop the fun there? Because in the next minute, Gabriella appeared at the bottom of the stairs. And lord help him. He inhaled sharply, causing his lemonade to explode from his lips in a coughing fit.

She was wearing a bright pink string bikini with a mesh netting dress draped loosely over her shoulder. Her hair was still swept over her shoulder in a braided ponytail and he was almost positive he was looking at the very same girl from this morning but this was no girl.

This was the curvy, luscious vixen who had grabbed his ass and bit down on her thumb to stop herself from screaming when she came.

"That's what you're wearing?"

The question was spoken in unison between both him and her father. Earning an odd exchange of glances between them both.

She winced. "Is it that bad?" She asked, frowning a little.

"No."

"Yes."

Another response is spoken in unison between him and her father. This one earned him a glare from the older man.

Well, shit.

"Natalia," Her father said just as an older woman came into the kitchen with a sly grin.

"She's growing up. Get over it, Luis." She said promptly. Then she turned towards Troy. "Hi Troy, so nice to see you again."

"Hi," he nodded politely.

"Tomorrow morning we'll take your father's card and go shopping. I don't think he'll put up much of a fight now that he's aware you need to pick up a few things." Natalia said with a knowing smirk.

Her father growled.

"Have a great time, and don't worry about him." She said the last part in Troy's direction and he tried to force a smile. As if this moment was not completely uncomfortable.

"Maybe we should go?" Gabriella said with a weak smile.

"Right," Troy jumped up from his seat at the table and they both headed for the front door. Once they were outside and halfway down the driveway he noticed her trembling fingers as brushed back a strand of hair.

"Nervous?" He asked as they came up to the truck.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Only because I know you don't like the kind of attention that bikini is going to get you." He quickly removed his gray shirt and handed it over to her. "Here, it's a better cover-up than whatever the hell this mesh thing is."

He would have laughed outright if she didn't look desperately relieved by the offer to wear his shirt.

"Thank you," she said quickly shrugging out of the cover-up and then pulling his shirt over her body. It came down her body stopping mid-thigh. Enough to cover all the goods but not enough to prove she was wearing bottoms.

He licked his bottom lip before he could stop himself. He'd always tried to be a gentleman, but in that moment. He was just a 17-year-old boy admiring a girl in his t-shirt.

"Better?" She asked, looking up at him with concern but not before he took note of her eyes lingering on his bare chest.

"I preferred the mesh thing," he answered honestly.

At that, she rolled her eyes and turned to open his passenger door. "Let's go."

He chuckled as he reached into the back of his truck for a shirt out of his gym bag. Thank goodness it was a fresh bag with clean clothes.

Once they pulled away from the house he relaxed a little more. Leaning back in his seat and glancing over at Gabriella. Who seemed to be taking the distance from her father's house in the opposite direction. She looked tense.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"You don't have to pretend to care."

"I'm not pretending." He said with a sigh. "I do actually care about you."

"Why?" She asked as she shifted so she could watch his profile. "Because you think I'll sleep with you."

Troy arched a brow. "Do you think I'll sleep with you?" He countered.

Her expression shifted and she eyed him curiously. "You're a guy."

He let out a laugh and shook his head. "So what? You were the one grabbing ass this morning."

She huffs, rolling her eyes at him from the far passenger side of the bench seat. There was nothing on the bench seat beside them but she was still clinging to that passenger side door like she had the night before.

"Out of curiosity, what kind of girls are you normally attracted to?" She asked, pulling at the hem of his shirt as if trying to stretch the material over herself entirely.

"I've only had one other girlfriend." He admits, "She transferred at the end of last year. Her name was Sandra."

"I remember her, she was a redhead."

Troy nodded. "That's the one."

She's quiet for a moment, his eyes shift from the road to her and back. What he wouldn't give to know what the hell was going on in that head of hers.

"We're not really each other's type."

Troy's brows jump as he comes to a stop at a red light. "I'm sorry, I have a type now?"

"Well I mean, Sandra and I are kind of opposites. She was a cheerleader, a great dancer, and popular."

"She was also smart, funny, and kind," Troy mutters as he steps on the gas. "I wasn't with her just because she was a cheerleader."

Gabriella lets out huff. "Sure," she said with an exaggerated sigh. "you being on the basketball team and her being a cheerleader meant absolutely nothing. I bet it never even came up."

He tossed a glare in her direction. "What about you?" he said a little accusatory. "How am I not your type?"

"I don't date."

"We've been dating for four months."

"Not for real."

He growled at that.

"I don't know what my type is, but I imagine it would be someone a little more down to earth."

"How am I not down to earth?" he countered.

"You're Troy the basketball boy. Like, seriously do you know that you have a fan page?"

"So you looked me up?" he smirked in triumph.

"Maybe this is just a sexual attraction kind of thing." Gabriella offered, choosing not to entertain his last comment. "Maybe once we have sex, we'll have gotten it out of our system."

He didn't actually know how to respond to that. He barely knew where he stood with her and suddenly they were having sex? "I don't think we should have sex just yet." He offered in an attempt to slow whatever the hell was happening here between them down.

Gabriella nodded. "Of course." She said with a curt nod. "We should fool around for a bit and see if we're compatible."

"We're compatible."

She gapes at him and shakes her head. "You don't know that."

"How quickly you forget about the orgasm between us just this morning." He teases.

She inhales sharply. After a moment she speaks again. "About that, did you um, did you finish? This morning?" She asked, seeming a little embarrassed by the thought.

"No, I did not." He flipped his turning signal on merging into the left lane. "I did go home and masturbate."

"Ew."

He chuckled again. "Just being honest."

She played with the hem of his t-shirt again. Her fingers lazily brushed across the stitching above her thigh this time. No longer fidgeting with the length.

"So, what are we doing?" He asks, letting out a sigh. When she doesn't seem to have anything to say he shrugs his shoulders "Are we dating?"

His question hangs in the air between them and it's almost as if she didn't hear him. But he knows she did.

"I think I want to have sex with you. But I don't want to rush into it."

He grips the wheel tighter and shifts both hands to the 10 and 2 positions. This was really happening?

"Then I think we should at least date while we figure that out."

She shifts and shakes her head. "You're going to get bored with me eventually," she says with disappointment.

He stops the truck at another red light and reaches a hand over to her, his index finger nudging her chin so their eyes meet. "Four months in, not bored. I think I can handle it."

"Okay," she says pulling away from his touch a little. "Fine, we can get to know each other until we have sex then."

He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowed as he watched her carefully. There's something about her that he can't put his finger on. A sadness, low self-esteem, uncertainty, an insecurity maybe? The car behind them honks and he looks back to see the lights changed. He takes his foot off the brake.

"I really liked making out with you." She says, shifting a little.

"Which time?" He smirks, unable to hide his amusement.

She laughs. She actually laughs. And the sound of that little giggle shoots right into his dick.

"Why haven't you said anything about this before?" He asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

She lifts a hand to cover her smile as she glances out the window. "I didn't think you were interested."

He lets out a laugh, "are you kidding?" His hands loosen on the steering wheel. "I've had a crush on you for the last couple of months. I didn't think you were interested."

"I wasn't." She says matter of fact. "At least not in the physical sense."

"Gee, thanks. I'll try not to take it personally."

"Sorry," she offers with a wince. "I'm really not trying to be mean." She lets out a sigh, "I'm just being honest. I'm not good at relationships."

"I don't think anyone is," he countered. "That's why breakups exist."

"Yet here we are. Dating."

"Finally." He smirks.

When they arrive at Sharpay's party Gabriella's immediately ushered away by Sharpay and Taylor who want to talk about the junior prom. He watches after her as she follows the girls over to a sunny spot they've claimed. Covered in pink beach towels and magazines.

For a moment he wonders if she'll be brave enough to take off the shirt since Sharpay and Taylor are practically wearing similar bikinis.

Deciding that it's probably best if he doesn't stand around like some creepier, Troy makes his way over to Chad who is shooting hoops with a few of the other guys from the team.

"Well?" Chad says tossing him the ball.

Troy catches it with ease and holds it out in front of him for a moment before letting a smirk play out on his lips. "We're giving it a shot."

"Alright," Chad beams, running over to clap Troy on the back. "That's my boy!"

"What are we celebrating?" Jason asks as he motions for the ball.

Troy tosses it his way and shrugs, "Just celebrating how badly I'm gonna whoop your ass in this game."

"Don't get too cocky." Jason teases. "Wouldn't want your girl to see you get a spanking."

"Sure," Troy says, hiking his shorts a little and getting into position. "You gonna get past me Cross or what?"

They play ball for the next hour and a half or so, just some good old-fashioned basketball with some of the guys. The kind filled with shit talk and laughs. The kind where no one has to run drills for missing a pass.

When he collapses into a lounge chair beside the pool, he's startled for only a moment when Chad plops down beside him.

"So what happened?"

"You would lose your mind if I told you," Troy said with a laugh. He brought a hand up to his hair and racked his fingers through it. "All you need to know is that we're good now."

"That's great man," Chad leans forward, bumping his fist into Troy's knee. "I knew she liked you."

Troy nods his eyes seeking her out across the pool. She's stretched out poolside, his shirt tucked under her head as a pillow, her tan and toned body on display.

A few of the other girls have arrived and with everyone showing off some skin it seems like her jitters from earlier have faded.

"Damn," Micheal says as he comes over to where they are sitting. His eyes gaze appreciatively over at the girls while he positions himself by the pool. "I love pool parties."

"Eye's off Basic," Troy says a little more annoyed than usual.

"Can you blame me?" Michael turns around so he's facing them. "You hit that yet Bolton?"

"Dude," Chad warned.

"What it's been like 6 months or some shit hasn't it?" Michael leans back. "Practically a married man."

"Do women even find you remotely attractive?" Troy asks.

"Yours did for a hot second." Michael teases. "She was playing shy but I knew it. She wanted me."

"You're an idiot." Troy murmurs. His eyes shifted back over to Gabriella.

She gets up and his eyes are watching her every move as she dusts off her hands and says something to Taylor. They laugh and then she begins making her way towards the house, shrugging into his t-shirt.

He gets up from his chair. "I'll be back."

"Sure thing, lover boy." Chad teases.

The slide of the glass doors leading into the kitchen glides gently back and he spots Gabriella in the open fridge reaching for a few water bottles.

"Enjoying yourself?"

She startles slightly and turns to see him as he closes the glass doors behind him.

"Hey," she says with a sigh of relief. "I thought you were Michael for a moment."

Troy frowns. "Is he bothering you?"

She huffs and lets out a laugh, "No, nothing more than the usual."

Troy comes up to the fridge standing close behind her taking a few of the bottles from her and earning a raised brow.

"Thank you," She murmurs, a little unsure. "Did you want one?"

"No," he smiles softly. "I came in here for something else."

At that, her eyes widen and they dart back to glass doors. "Troy?"

"I'm only talking about a kiss," he says, narrowing his eyes at her. "I am amazed that you of all people have such a dirty mind."

She lets out a sigh and shakes her head. "I'm not kissing you."

Troy jerks back a little. "I'm sorry this morning was okay but a kiss is where you draw the line?"

She shrugs, "It just seems a little unnecessary." She closes the fridge doors and turns toward him, her back up against the door. "We've never really done this kind of thing before."

"Don't remind me," he says both his hands filled with water bottles. "It's not something I'm particularly proud of."

She lets out a huff. "If it was such a big deal to you, why didn't you say something?"

He shrugs, "Because I wasn't really sure what was going on between us. I liked you, and then one night without any warning you grabbed my hand and started telling Michael Basic we were dating."

"I didn't -"

"Imagine my surprise when the next time I saw you, you acted as if nothing happened." he interrupted. "Then suddenly it happened again at the next party, and again in the school hallway." He says slowly the last few words in a low whisper only meant for her to hear as he takes a step forward. "You snuck into my life until you smashed into me like a car crash."

She swallows, her eyes hooded as she watches him. Her eyes fell down to his lips then came back up to his eyes. "You could have told me to stop."

"I didn't want you to," he murmurs, leaning down so that his lips are just above hers. "Just like right now, you could tell me to stop. But you don't want me to."

Her gaze darts up to his as if he just revealed a secret she was trying to hide.

He places his lips on hers softly. A light kiss, not like the last two but more of an innocent taste of her lips. Just a taste.

When he pulls away from her, her eyes flutter open and her brown eyes are a little darker than they had been a minute ago.

"Because she's too busy making out!" Taylor's voice fills the kitchen and she comes over to them with laughter as she takes the water bottles from Troy. "I knew you were going to distract her."

"Guilty," Troy admits, taking a step back and smiling in delight when he finds a blushing Gabriella still pressed against the fridge.

"Sorry," she says, straightening and turning to open the fridge again. She retrieves two more bottles of water and then before he can protest she follows Taylor back outside.

Gabriella

Her heart is hammering in her chest, sweat beading up on the back of her neck. She'd never been so happy to be in a bathing suit.

She glances back as Troy closes the sliding glass doors behind him, his eyes on her with a smug grin.

She immediately wants to slap it off his face and at the same time she's trying not to skip from the giddy feeling in her belly.

What the hell is happening to her?

The need to be near him again, to kiss him again, to let him touch her again is strong.

She's too frazzled to think clearly.

"You didn't have to stop on my account," Taylor teases.

Not sure what to say Gabriella just smiles.

"I remember my first time with Chad," Taylor hummed with a certain amusement. "We were like bunnies for three weeks."

That made her frown, "What happened after the third week?"

Taylor let out a laugh. "Life happened."

"What about life?" Sharpay said once they were in earshot. She reached up for her water bottle and twisted the cap.

"Gabriella and Troy can't keep their hands off each other." Taylor sang out.

"Can't blame a girl for that!" Kelsi laughed as took an offered water bottle from Taylor.

Sharpay wiggled her eyebrows, "So," she said with interest. "Has it happened yet?"

"It?" Gabriella repeated.

Sharpay smirked, "Have you two gone all the way yet?"

"Oh," Gabriella's eyes widened as she looked around at her friends who were eyeing her with curiosity. "Um not really."

Squeals erupted and suddenly everyone was locked in on the conversation.

"What does that mean?" Sharpay asked.

"What have you done?" Kelsi asked.

Oh God. How did she make this stop?

According to everyone here she'd been in a relationship with Troy for the last four months. What was she supposed to say? They only started making out last night?

"Oh god," Taylor said with a slight frown. "Have you guys not taken it to the next level yet?"

This would all be more helpful if she knew exactly what the next level was. "We've… been progressing… to it."

The three sets of eyes still on her seemed confused by her answer. Suddenly eager to say something, anything at all, she let the word vomit fall right out of her mouth. "It kind of escalated this morning, one minute we were about to argue and the next minute he lifted me onto a table." she said quickly.

Inhales and gasps rippled through the group.

"Clothes on or off?"

"On."

"Did he use his hands?"

"Not really,"

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure, it just happened so fast. It was like I was possessed or something." Gabriella winced, suddenly overwhelmed by the attention. She let herself fall into the seat beside Sharpay. "I didn't expect it."

"Did you …?"

Unable to trust her voice she nods.

Sharpay whistled, and Gabriella glanced up again. A little self-conscious about her admission now.

"So what now?" Taylor asked, "Do you think you're ready to go all the way yet?"

"I don't know." She shrugged, "maybe?"

"It's important to feel ready." Kelsi nodded, "don't get caught up in the lust. Sex is serious."

"Do you have lube? Do you know if he has condoms?" Taylor asked.

"It's Troy," Sharpay shrugged, "He's like an Eagle Scout. I'm sure he has condoms."

"My mom said to never rely on the man to bring condoms," Taylor said as she reached for a chip from an open bag between them.

"Does it hurt?" Gabriella asked curiously.

"A pinch," Taylor said. "Don't expect fireworks your first time. It's too much pressure."

"And it usually doesn't last very long," Sharpay said with a grin. "But they get better at it."

"Use lube to grease things up and avoid friction burn," Kelsi said with concern. "My first time burnt like a bitch because we forgot the lube."

"Geez no foreplay." Sharpay winced.

"He's gotten better." Kelsi rolled her eyes. "Still need the lube though."

Suddenly someone was screaming cannonball, followed by a large splash that nearly soaked them all to the bone.

"Michael, I'm going to murder you!" Sharpay said, jumping up from her seat and making her way over to the edge of the pool.

The prior conversation is forgotten, and everyone resumes their normal chatter. Gabriella pulls at her damp shirt, her eyes looking across the pool as Troy and Chad laugh about something between them. He pulled off his shirt and it was now lying discarded on the chair beside him as he mimed shooting a basket while animatedly retelling a story.

She leaned back on the chair, getting a little more comfortable as she watched them quietly. Her eyes admired his chest and arms, the way they seemed to cage her in. Remembering how solid and strong he felt against her. How his warmth radiated off him and seeped into her body without warning, just like the way his scent made her feel at ease.

Just then, as if he could feel her eyes, his own shifted over to her, a smile pulling at his lips. He winks and she can't stop herself from smiling slightly.

All she can think about is Troy. Actually, all she can think about is giving in to Troy.

You snuck into my life until you smashed into me like a car crash.

Was that what this was? A crash? Is that why everything seemed so out of control?

"You two are adorable," Taylor settles into the lounge chair beside her, squeezing in on her side and propping her head up on her arm. "Seriously, it's a little gross."

She laughs softly, "We're not that bad."

Taylor murmurs her disagreement and then pulls at Gabriella's shirt. "This is his isn't it?"

Gabriella nods.

"Is that why you're practically living in it?" Taylor glances down at her own bright orange bikini. "It's like 90 degrees out here and you're willingly walking around with extra clothes on."

"It's not that, I'm just a little funny about my body."

"Girl your body is amazing, I would kill for your curves, my hips are too bony."

"They are not," Gabriella shoves at her playfully. "Your hips are fine."

Taylor laughs and then leans in a little closer. "Did you notice how Martha and Ryan disappeared?" she whispered with a knowing smile.

Gabriella glanced around at the partygoers and noticed the two missing from the crowd. "I guess there's something in the air today?" she said with a guilty smile.

"Just remember what's important," Taylor warned. "We have to decide on our top three schools," Taylor readjusted herself as she switched topics. "Have you talked to your parents about your college fund?"

The reminder dampened her mood as she forced a smile. "Yeah, they said they would talk to me later this weekend."

They had already talked about it. Her father had made it very clear that all the money they had saved up had been eaten up by the divorce and legal fees. Her parents alongside her mother's therapist had sat her down at the beginning of her freshman year and told her if she wanted to go to college she was going to have to find a way to make it work.

Which was why she'd spent the last three years of high school, getting good grades, joining all the extracurriculars, and getting into AP Classes so she could get early credits for college. Her senior year was around the corner and looming college applications were closer than they had been at the beginning of the year. She'd already begun hoarding college brochures under her bed in a shoe box.

But a nagging voice in the back of her mind kept whispering that she might not be able to pull this off. The school guidance counselor had assured her that with great test scores and high grades, she would be eligible for scholarships. She could only hope that this was true. She had submitted a number of applications already for all kinds of scholarships.

Taylor was still talking, going on about Stanford University and their science research centers. Taylor wanted to be a chemist one day, and Gabriella wanted to go into healthcare. They decided quickly that they needed to be college roommates and were actively doing all they could to ensure that reality, but she hadn't wanted to tell Taylor about her parents and the story of her college fund. So instead she just left that part out.

"What about the University of Phoenix?" Gabriella suggested.

"Yes," Taylor said, snapping her fingers, "we should totally apply to at least one nearby campus."

"Are you going to apply for scholarships?" Gabriella asked nervously.

"All and any," Taylor stated. "A free ride is a free ride!"

Gabriella sighed with relief. "I've applied to at least 20 different organizations."

"Babe!" Chad's voice called from a distance. "You want a burger or something?"

"Oh," she shifts in delight and moves to get out of the chair. "You want something?" She glances back at Gabriella already making her way towards the grill.

"Not yet." Gabriella shouts as her eyes watch Taylor give her a thumbs up. Her eyes shift as she notices Troy approaching her.

"Hey beautiful," he says, coming to sit on the edge of her pool chair. "Having fun?"

"Yes," she nodded, her eyes shifting towards the pool where people were hanging out. Some of them were participating in a game of chicken. Kelsi on Josh's shoulders and Sharpay on Zeke's.

"Are you planning on going to college?" Gabriella asked, sitting up a little more to make room for him.

"Yeah," Troy said, shifting her ankles apart and scooting back so he rested between her legs, his hand resting on her feet.

The stretch arched her thighs a little since she was still sore from this morning. It was a reminder of how intimate they had been.

"I was thinking about Stanford University, maybe Duke." Troy continued. "I wanna study physical therapy."

She arched her brow in surprise. "You do?"

"Yeah, I like basketball and all, and I hope it helps me get a scholarship but what I really wanna do is work in athletics therapy one day." He says softly, his hands gently caressing the tops of her feet.

She was quiet for a moment. Surprised by this latest revelation. She had known Troy was smart, he was in two of her AP classes and he spent a lot of time at the coffee shop pouring over his schoolwork.

In the four months they had spent fake dating they hadn't really discussed things more than the obvious. They exchanged needed information and held hands a few times and he sometimes took her to and from school. She suddenly felt awful. Like she didn't really make the effort to get to know him.

"What about you?" He asked, "Where are you looking?"

"Stanford, University of Phoenix, Harvard, maybe Rush University."

He huffed. "Maybe we'll be around each other longer than we thought." He let out a soft laugh, "let me guess, a doctor?"

"Psychiatry actually," she stated matter of fact. "I want to help families transitioning through divorce, maybe even just help a kid or two dealing with a life change they may not know how to handle alone."

Troy nodded, "That's really cool."

"Thanks."

"So I take it your parents divorce was rough?" He asks softly.

"It definitely made our last AP History final seem like a walk in the park." She said, wincing a bit as she readjusted. Accommodating to their position and placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Yikes," he shifted into a more relaxed posture. His hands gently massaging her ankles while she began rubbing his shoulders softly. "Your parents do seem a bit confrontational sometimes."

"They are," Gabriella said. "It was a constant battle when I was younger. All they did was yell. One time they yelled at each other about a family portrait I drew. The teacher called them in and it was two hours of both of them just yelling over one another."

"What was wrong with the drawing?" Troy asked.

"I drew a picture of my family like the assignment said too." She shrugged her shoulders at the memory of the drawing. Her mom was in front of one house with a cat. Her father is in front of the other with Natalia and her two new baby brothers. "I just didn't include myself."

Troy shifted, turning around to face her now, with concern in his eyes. The movement caused her to wince again from the ache in her hips.

"What's wrong?" He asked, sitting up a little straighter. His eyes shifted slightly to her hips before shifting back up to her. "Are you sore?" He whispered.

Feeling a little mortified she nodded.

"Why didn't you say something?" He mumbled getting up from his spot and reaching for her hand. "Come on."

"What? Why?"

"I know some stretches that will help," he said with a hopeful smile, "plus, I feel responsible. I shouldn't have been so careless."

"It's not really all your fault." She muttered, getting up to stand.

He led her a little bit away from the crowd and to a clearing surrounded by lush green grass and a gentle breeze. He motioned for her to sit and he sits cross-legged on the grass, a warm smile on his face.

When she doesn't sit right away Troy gently pats the grass beside him, inviting Gabriella to join him. Against her better judgment, she settles down, mirroring his position, and Troy begins to explain the stretch.

"Alright, so first, let's find a comfortable position. Sit with your legs extended in front of you and slightly spread apart, as wide as feels good to you. Make sure to keep your back straight."

Gabriella adjusts her legs accordingly, with Troy gently guiding her.

"Now, take a deep breath, and as you exhale, slowly lean forward from your hips, reaching your hands towards your toes. Go only as far as you feel a gentle stretch, not pain. Remember, this should feel good."

Hesitantly she follows Troy's instructions, feeling the stretch in her hips and groin. She released a sigh of relief as the tension began to melt away a little.

He prompted her through two more stretches that helped ease the pain before they rejoined the party.

Troy.

The next evening when he picked her up from her dad's she came out to the truck with a couple of bags in hand.

"Can you drop me off at my mom's after," she called to him through the window, "I have to switch."

"Yeah, no problem."

She tossed her bags into the back of the truck and hopped into the passenger seat. "I wasn't sure what to wear, so I just picked out one of the new dresses Natalia forced Dad into buying."

"Forced?" Troy asked, looking at the pink dress she was wearing. It was fitted to her body and accentuated her chest. He had zero complaints about the outfit choice. His eyes shifted to the soft curls of her hair she left loose and wild around her shoulders.

She was so beautiful.

"Dad hates spending money. He complains about it a lot. It's why I don't ask for a lot of things because I know it's not really necessary, but Natalia was insistent that I needed some more age-appropriate things to wear."

God bless Natalia.

"Well, I like the dress. A lot."

She settled in the seat and glanced over at him with a knowing smile. "You just like the cleavage."

"And the skirt." Troy added with a wink.

"Don't be a pig."

Troy let out a laugh and pulled away from the curb. Within a matter of minutes, they were pulling into his driveway. He cut the engine and just before she could reach for the handle he placed a hand on her arm.

"Come here."

She resisted, of course, she did. She was stubborn. "God, you're bossy all of a sudden."

Troy chuckled at that but decided to let it be. They had a long night ahead of them. "Fine. I just thought you might want a kiss before we go in, but I guess I was wrong." He opened his door and moved to step out just as he was tugged back into the truck.

She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his and he gave into it, happily letting her have her way with him. Her hand clenched his shirt sleeve. Her lips moved over his in a shy but gentle touch until his lips parted allowing her entrance with her tongue.

Kissing couldn't get any better than this.

She ran her hand over his shoulder, her fingers warm and leaving trails of tingles in their wake. This girl ran blazing hot one minute and ice cold the next. And he enjoyed every turn because everything in his world was so reliable it was almost boring.

Except her. Everything about her was exciting.

When she pulled away from him he let out a sigh of satisfaction. "Hi," he said, unable to keep the smile away.

"Hi," she replied with a small blush on her cheeks.

"Ready to go inside."

"Yes," she nodded.

They sat through dinner with his family. His sister talked about the wedding plans, about renting a small apartment, about their graduation and then why not, they talked about her internship at the law firm where she and Josh had met. Once they were all caught up with everything about Alexandra Bolton the family shifted their attention to Gabriella. They peppered her with questions, some of which he already knew and embarrassingly enough a few things he should have known but didn't.

Her favorite flowers are sunflowers and she wore a gold ring with sunflowers etched into it because it used to belong to her grandmother on her father's side. How her grandmother really helped her through her parent's divorce and how her passing had really left her feeling alone even in a family that could feel so full with all the bonus members.

His family wasn't perfect, they had their flaws. His mother struggled with alcoholism and had been in control for the last seven years. His father was the coach of his basketball team which left their relationship feeling more like a boss to an employee rather than a father to a son. They got along well enough but there was a part of him that couldn't wait to leave high school and get some much-needed distance between them.

All that aside, he knew his family was also very fortunate and lucky to have what they did. To be in a loving home where the biggest issue was that his mother hated it when he rearranged the pillows on the sofa or left dishes on the counter. They didn't yell or fight often other than a minor disagreement and he often felt heard when he had opinions on things.

At the end of dinner, Alex and Josh settled into the living room where they continued talking about wedding plans with his mother. His dad had volunteered to do the dishes to avoid wedding planning which left Troy and Gabriella sitting outside in the backyard.

"Your family is nice."

"My family is boring," he countered, looking up at the night sky.

Gabriella laughed softly and he dropped his gaze to her, unable to look anywhere else.

"I would sell my soul to have a boring family. I feel like I'm always either on a deserted island or caught in the middle of a hurricane."

"Explains a lot." Troy said, reaching for her hand. Two nights ago he'd been terrified about holding her hand. He worried that he'd misunderstood the whole dating thing and just missed his opportunity by letting his fear get the best of him.

Crazy how one makeout session in the front seat of his truck could turn everything upside down.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Gabriella says looking down at their hands. Her expression, was unreadable.

"It means you have two very distinctive sides to you." Troy nudged her playfully. "It's not a bad thing, it's a good thing, trust me. I like it."

"I feel like that says a lot about you that I'm not nearly qualified to unpack." she countered.

"Oh it totally does," he laughed.

"Yesterday," she murmured. "You said, we could have been doing this the whole time?" she asked, shrugging her hair over her shoulder as she looked back at him. "Are you mad about that?... Are you mad at me?"

That was … ridiculous. "Gabriella, I don't regret the last four months. It felt nice being that person you could trust. Knowing that whenever you felt uncomfortable you came to me. It felt like you thought I was worthy of being in your corner and it made me want to be worthy. I don't know why you picked me, and you do not need to tell me, but I will never regret being there for you." Troy lifted their hands between them. "This part, the part where we fool around or really get to know each other, it's still just as good as if it happened four months ago."

"Troy Bolton, you are a hopeless romantic aren't you?"

A laugh rippled through him at her accusation. "And you're a hopeless cynic."

That made her laugh.

"Seriously, we have to do something about that." Troy teased.

"Really," Gabriella smirked. "And tell me, what's it like being a hopeless romantic stuck in hookup culture? I bet it's a special kind of hell."

"I wouldn't know anything about that kind of culture, I'm a good Christian boy who doesn't dare sin," he mocked playfully as she stared at him in disbelief.

"Oh, excuse me while I file that away between bullshit and horseshit." she laughed out loud, her hair falling down her back, the curls shifting with each bounce of her shoulders.

God, she was gorgeous.

He was in so much trouble. He'd been half-cocked and ready to go since Friday night. In fact, no amount of masturbation, and there had been a lot, could touch the need for her that was inside him.

He wanted more. He needed more. He needed to calm down and take it slow with her. She had never done any of this before and granted he wasn't a stallion himself but he'd lost his virginity last year at homecoming so he knew the responsibility of where the line was.

When her laughter subsided he watched her quietly, happy to just be in her orbit. "Can I ask you something?"

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Yeah."

"You said people are weird about this stuff. What did you mean by that?"

Her smile faltered a little bit and he almost regretted the question.

"People are weird about sex. It's either this really dangerous thing, or this really beautiful thing. Sometimes it gives people power and sometimes it takes that power away. When you're a girl you have to act like you don't know what it is but then act like a pornstar in private. People associate it with love but it's really not, it's just lust and hormones."

Troy nodded in understanding because she was right, about all of it.

Gabriella let out a sigh, "My mom dated this guy once," she said, shifting a little like she was suddenly uncomfortable in her own skin and he knew he was about to hear something he wasn't going to like.

"He used to leer at me and compliment me on my clothes. Never in front of my mom or any other adult. He was always really careful about it. One night, the last night I ever saw him, actually." She said getting up from the bench and taking a few steps away from him. "My mom left the room for a moment to check on dinner and he put his hand on my knee. It was just his hand and it was just for a minute or two but … it felt different."

She stood there for a moment, her back to him as she stared out into the yard. His hand clenched in a fist as he listened to her quietly. He hated assholes like that. Hated that for even a moment she had to experience that.

"I think my mom saw him that time," she continued, "we never talked about it but we just both sort of knew."

Troy stood up, coming to her slowly and stopping a step short. "Can I hug you?"

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded.

Air that had been tight in his chest released and he closed the gap between them gently wrapping his arms around her and letting her fall back into him. They stood there quietly for a while and the sound of her breathing slowed.

"I don't have the best concepts of relationships and I don't trust people." she said quietly. "At least, I don't trust their intentions."

"I'm sorry that you went through that. And I feel honored enough that you shared that with me." He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder. "You're safe with me, I hope you know that. I don't care how far we go, if you ever say stop, it stops."

She shifted in his arms, "What cologne are you wearing?"

He huffs at the randomness of the question. "No cologne, that's probably just my deodorant. Why? Does it smell?"

She shakes her head. "It's probably the best damn smelling deodorant I've ever smelt." She turns around to face him, her eyes soft as they watch him. He can feel her raking her eyes over him and he likes how it feels to be under her gaze.

If there's one thing he's learned about Gabriella in the last few days is that she doesn't hold back, and she's not doing so right now either. Her gaze shifts from his chin down to his neck, then his chest, his arms, every inch she can get eyes on. Her eyes roam slowly and leisurely.

He's curious about what she sees, and he almost wants to ask. But he's enjoying it way too much, the anticipation making his dick twitch.

"I want to do something for you?" she says, her voice a bit raspy. "Something that will make us even from yesterday."

"Even?"

"Orgasm for orgasm."

"It's not a competition," he says, raising a brow.

"How does it work? The grinding thing?" she asked innocently.

"No," he says with a laugh, "we're not doing that."

"I mean, I know how it works for me, thanks to you," she says the last part quietly. "But you also said that you didn't finish."

"Yeah, but that's different. We had more clothes on and I was concerned about Mark coming in and killing me," he said, tugging her to him so she couldn't lead him away from the dim glow of the kitchen light.

It had been quiet for a while now, the sound of the dishes in the sink had quieted and he didn't see his father in the kitchen anymore. Didn't mean they weren't being supervised. Parents always seemed to know just what you're up to.

"So," she said, pulling his attention back to her. "I'm wearing less right now. And Mark isn't here," she leans into him, her hand coming up his chest and to the back of his neck, her lips coming up to meet his.

A groan of angst rises up from inside him and he nearly falls to his knees at that admission. I'm wearing less right now.

"That's not fair," he murmured. Jerking when her hand came down over his growing erection. "Fuck."

Her warm hand stroked him over the fabric of his jeans and his eyes nearly rolled back in his head.

"Troy," she said quietly. "Please let me have my way with you."

And they're moving. His hand holding hers and leading her to the far part of the backyard. Speeding for the treehouse he used to play in daily as a child. After a moment of him testing the ladder, he motions for her to go up and she lets out a giggle as she does, and he bites his bottom lip as he catches a glimpse of her bright red panties over her bare ass on the way up.

It's dark in the treehouse, a little damp and the smell of wood is potent.

"This is not the best spot," Troy murmurs for a moment. Both of them standing in the darkness.

"Are you kidding?" Gabriella lets out a laugh, "This is amazing."

"This is a tetanus shot waiting to happen."

"Who's the cynic now?" she giggles her hands reaching for his fly.

"Okay," he says with a gasp of surprise, "You're getting a little handsy. Can you at least tell me I'm pretty first?"

"Sit down and shut up."

"Yes ma'am."

He does as he's told and she climbs into his lap lifting her dress so her panties are up against the bulge of his pants. He shifts for a moment motioning for her to get up slightly reaches to pull himself upright and finishes the work on his zipper. When she sits back down her panties are resting on the front of his boxers.

He lets out a low moan at the warmth radiating off her.

Gabriella.

"I haven't even moved yet?" She says with a laugh. He's hard underneath her, and there is something so wicked about feeling his length pressed up against her underwear.

This was not the kind of thing good girls did. Good girls did not run off and follow boys into old tree houses with the hopes of having another mind-blowing orgasm.

He chuckles, his breath fanning her chest which is right in his line of view. It's like she's a temptress seducing him into her evil ways. "Are you sure about this?" he asks, his hands coming up her legs and resting on her thighs. The feel of his touch makes her lean forward a little, her core already buzzing to life at the friction.

"I'm sure," she says, nodding eagerly. "I might be bad at this," she warns him, her hands coming up to his shoulders.

"This is not a thing you can be bad at," he says, using his hands to guide her forward and back, her dress hitching up.

"Oh wow," she says on a sharp inhale. Her body tingles and she moves back and forth again. He leans forward his lips meeting hers and it's just as good as it was yesterday.

No, it's better.

She's not sure how it's possible but it is.

In this moment the only thing that matters is Troy's lips on hers, how soft and hard they are, how perfectly they fit against her own, how stupid and amazing it feels when he sucks her lower lip between his teeth and bites down just the slightest bit.

She needs more contact, she needs more of his touch. More everything.

His hands slide up her body resting securely on her waist and she exhales in delight at the feel of his touch. The warmth of his hands, the firmness of his hold.

"That feel better?" he asked quietly.

She nods her hips moving slowly back and forth along his length. The feel of it makes her shiver slightly as she continues to rock against him.

"Fuckkkk," he murmurs, his fingers pressing into her skin a little more. "Slow down."

"What's wrong?" she stills, a little afraid she might have hurt him.

"I'm not gonna last very long," he says while clenching his jaw a little. "You feel too fucking good."

A warmth spreads through her and she leans back a little in his lap rocking her hips again and enjoying the feel of him against her. This time she moans a little and she rocks against him again pressing into him a little more.

"Oh my god," she says in a hushed whisper.

It feels really good for her too. Then something happens, something very unexpected that makes her gasp. Troy's hand is at the edge of her panties, his thumb pressed in an odd spot, he shifts it once, twice and…

"Oh god."

His thumb presses against her again and she can feel her legs begin to shake a little.

"That's it," he says in a harsh whisper. "Your panties are soaked for me."

He leans forward his lips placing an open mouth kiss on the top of her left breast.

She moves a little quicker and against him, meeting his thumb when he presses down on her little bundle of nerves.

"I love it when you touch me, I love how big and strong your hands are," she mumbles.

"Fuck," he groans followed by the feel of his finger sliding under her panties and touching her center without a barrier between them. "Your so fucking wet."

"Troy."

"Just like that." He murmurs. "Keep grinding on my dick."

She leans down to kiss his lips, turned on by his words and the raspy sound of his voice. She was making him feel just as good as he was making her feel.

Then suddenly a white roaring bolt of lighting explodes through her and she gasps in his lap, her fingers fisting his shirt, her eyes closing as she rides the pleasure coursing through her body.

He arches beneath her his hands now holding her hips firmly as he guides her along his length, his fingers digging into her skin deliciously, desperately, as if tomorrow she might have little bruises from his touch.

He leans forward his tongue darting out on the nook of her neck causing her to gasp in as pleasure tingles through her.

"Troy," she whimpers.

His legs jerk and he lets out a slur of curses under his breath. His head is thrown back, eyes squeezed tightly shut, chest raising and falling in quick succession.

Troy is a good looking guy on his own.

But Troy coming underneath her, he's breathtaking to watch.

His grip on her loosens a fraction but keeps her still and pressed against him as his breathing slows. For a moment all she can hear is the sound of their breathing. The whole world shut out and removed from this moment. This blissful moment.

She shifts and he jerks with a sharp inhale. His hold on her tightened.

"Careful, guys are sensitive after."

She nodded and his grip on her relaxed again.

"Sorry."

"Don't be," she said, softly leaning down to place a soft kiss on his lips. "I had a great time tonight."

"Happy to hear it," he says with a soft laugh. "When I relay this part of the story to my folks later, I'm going to mention that you said that but leave the whole treehouse experience out," he says with a raised brow.

A laugh escapes her and she leans forward on him, her lips hovering over his for a moment. "I liked what you did with your finger."

"I could tell." He says with a grin.

She places a kiss on his lips. One of her new favorite things to do. Kissing her boyfriend. An actual real life boyfriend.

On Monday morning when he picked her up from her moms, she raced to the truck, a burst of excited energy welling up inside her. This time, unlike all the other times she'd ridden in his truck, she sat beside him on the bench seat. Leaning into him and enjoying the morning air as it rustled about in the truck from the open windows.

His morning kiss was sweet and gentle, her smile resting against his lips as he lifted her fallen sweater back over her shoulder. He was so unexpectedly sweet. It was one of the things she was really excited to experience about him.

Now when he walked her to class she didn't just walk alongside him for the sake of transport. They joked about the bridesmaid dresses his sister has settled on. Both agreed that salmon was not actually flattering on everyone.

And when he drove her home they made out in the front seat of his car for a little while between their houses. His hands planted firmly on her thigh, just above her knee and not an inch higher. Even though she wanted him to touch her.

Troy.

Troy: you're beautiful.

Gabriella: you're insufferable.

Troy: Right, that's why you can't stop kissing me?

Gabriella: I can't stop kissing you because you started it.

Troy: uh, excuse me?

Troy: You can't stop kissing me because you like it, big difference.

Gabriella: I do not.

Troy: You dirty little liar.

His lips twitch with a smile.

"Everything working out okay?" Chad asks, sitting down on the bleachers beside him. Grabbing his nearby water bottle and popping the cap.

"For now," he tucks his phone into his duffel bag and turns his attention to Chad. "She's very different from what I expected."

"Why? Is she boring?"

"I actually think I'm the boring one," he admits with a huff.

Chad laughs as he leans in and pokes Troy in the cheek. "You're blushing and it's adorable."

"And we're done," Troy says, pushing himself off the bench.

Chad lets out a howl of laughter and Troy frowns as he begins to stretch.

"I'm just happy to see you happy. I know Sandy moving away really did a number on you so I'm just really grateful that this girl is making you smile again."

"She is." Troy said, focusing on his stretch. "Just wish we could slow down a bit."

"Slow down?" Chad asks after a long pull from his water. "Like how?"

"She wants to be physical."

"And you don't?" Chad asks with a raised brow.

Troy lets out a low groan and begins to explain the arrangement between them. Telling him on a need-to-know basis about the ongoings of the back room, their conversations from before the party, and the night in the treehouse.

When it's all said and done Chad lets out a long whistle. "So what's going to happen after?"

"I don't know."

"Do you think she just wants to bang it out of her system?"

"I don't know."

The two sit in silence for a little while as the practice continues on the court. Chad eventually leans back in place. "Have you asked her to the dance?"

"To junior prom?"

Chad nods.

"Isn't that like a given?" Troy frowns. "We're dating."

"Exclusively?"

His stomach takes a dive into his knees. "I fucking hope so."

Chad's brows lift. "Dude, I don't know how the fuck you get yourself into these situations. You need to lay your cards on the table." He says with a sigh, "And you should always assume that you have to ask a girl to a dance."

Coach blows the whistle and Troy jerks forward.

"Are you done?" His father glares from the sidelines. "Your team deserves a little bit of your time today, wouldn't you both agree?"

"Yes sir," they say in unison as they get up from the bench and head into the drills.

Later that night.

His hand is resting on her thigh. At first, he was a fan of the new wardrobe. Really, it was an appreciated change from seeing her in baggy shirts or frumpy sweaters to clothes that fit and accented her features.

But it also felt like she was purposely trying to test his resolve with her wardrobe. Today she'd worn a green flowy skirt that came up to her knees and a yellow top with the tiniest little bow right at the peak of her cleavage. The fit of the fabric curving over her breast and teasing him with a view of each plump top. And what made it worse was he knew if he wanted to, if he wasn't so worried about the aftermath, she would let him have his fill of her.

"Troy," she murmured, pulling away from him. "Is something wrong?"

Fuck. He let out a sigh and then glanced out of the windshield at the quiet field. Tonight he parked out in a small perseve, both of them wanting a little more privacy and time before heading home.

"Long practice," he offered quietly.

"Anything I can do?" She offers playfully, her hand coming over to his lap.

"Actually yes," he said, shifting a bit and taking her hand in his own. "Can we talk?"

She stills. "About?"

"We're exclusive right?" He blurts out. Her eyes narrowed at the question, a flare of hurt flashing in her eyes.

"When exactly would I have the time for someone else?" She asks, clearly upset by the question. "You take me to and from school, I work on the weekends at the coffee shop, and any other little time after that I'm studying."

Shit. He needed to backpeddle. "That's not how I meant it."

"Then how did you mean it?"

Fuck. Troy let out a breath. "Will you go to the dance with me?"

She inhaled sharply. "Why?"

He let out a snort. "Because we're seventeen, and that's what seventeen-year-olds do for fun."

She rolls her eyes. "I have gone to a dance before, they're not all that fun."

"You've never gone with me before," he says with a smile as he nudges her playfully.

"We were both present." Gabriella argued. "And you were very occupied. So I can see where you might think it's enjoyable."

Troy lets out a sigh as his eyes dip down to her cleavage again. They're fooling around shifted the fabric of her shirt exposing the smallest sliver of her black lace bra underneath. "See, I make all the difference."

She laughs at that, "No thank you."

"As my girlfriend, it's kind of expected that we go together, it's like a date."

"As your temporary girlfriend, you mean." She sits up slowly. "There's a chance we won't be dating come the dance."

He straightens as well, "Alright but it's a chance, so shouldn't we plan on it until it's not a chance."

"Okay," she shrugs. "If you're not over it by then we'll go."

Troy clenches his jaw. "It seems more like you might be over me."

"I'm not," she said quietly. "Not even a little bit."

"And I'm not over you. Or this." he says nervously meeting her brown eyes. "You can make a guy feel really insecure, you know that?"

She sighs. "I apologize. I just don't want to fall into a habit of saying yes all the time with you. I do everything for my parents, even at the slightest inconvenience to myself and I just don't want to fall into that pattern here."

He tensed, "Okay, are you with me because you want to be or because I drove us here and parked the car?"

"I want to be here," she said with certainty. "I'm here because I want to be here."

"Okay, at least we're on the same page."

Gabriella shifts in her seat, righting her clothes and undoing all his hard work from earlier. "If we were on the same page your hand would be much higher up my skirt."

Troy lets out a laugh and he leans forward a little unsure what to say.

"Why are we talking about this?" She asks, "Why did you want to know if I was seeing someone else?"

At that, he rolls his eyes. "I'm sorry, I was talking to Chad and he said-"

"You told him about us," she gasps leaning forward, her hair coming over her shoulder.

"Well, yeah." He said a little unsure. "I mean, I didn't tell him everything, obviously. I just wanted to talk to someone about it."

"Actually?" She says suddenly unsure herself.

He narrows his eyes. "Who did you tell?"

She winces and leans back into her seat. "I talked about it with girls on Saturday."

"Whoa," now he's leaning forward. "Girls, as in a group of people."

"They were just trying to be helpful. They wanted to make sure I was ready, that we had condoms and lube."

"Stop." He says eyes closed as he lifts a hand to the bridge of his nose. Already feeling a throb behind his temple. "Jesus."

"I'm sorry," Gabriella said quietly. "I guess they assumed that we were already doing things. And well, before I knew what was happening we were talking about friction burn and if you'd used your hands on me. Kelsi said-"

Troy lifted his hand not needing to hear the rest of whatever she was going to say. "I need a minute."

"I'm really sorry." She winced. "Taylor made a comment about how after she and Chad-"

"Still taking a minute."

The truck was quiet now. He took a breath, and let it out slowly. The idea of everyone knowing about his sex life was a little mortifying. He knew girls talked, Sandra had shared every detail of their relationship with Sharpay and that experience had been exhausting.

The amount of times he had to deal with 'well Sharpay says' had him itching all over. The thought of now having to deal with multiple people dictating their relationship situations.

His stomach turned again.

"New rule," he heard himself say, "we can talk to one person each about our sex life outside of this truck. But we do not host public forums on it."

"It wasn't like that," she explains with a frown. "They were impressed. Like you were some kind of sex king or something. Clearly, better than Jason who apparently always needs lube and-"

He reaches over to her, his hand hooking on her hips and yanking her to him, her body jerking in surprise as she slid across the seat.

His lips came down over hers, his right hand shifting straight up her skirt. His left hand tangled in her hair. He gives into all of it, the desire, his want, his need to hear that rasp in her voice when she's turned on.

The way she feels against him, it's like she was made for him, custom-designed to interlock with his body. She's pliant and soft beneath him, begging for more with the arch of her body.

His lips break away from hers. "Are we on the same page now?" He whispers, his fingers pushing her panties aside and seeking out her center. The softest sigh escapes her lips when he makes contact.

"Jesus, is this because I called you a sex king?" She panted pushing at him a little before grabbing at his shirt.

"You just love mouthing off, don't you?" he mumbles, smashing his lips onto hers and thrusting his tongue into her mouth. His fingers slide over her center feeling the slickness already there.

She groans, "Men are so easy."

"Let's not forget where my fingers are beautiful." He murmurs softly, flexing his hand.

As predicted, her cheeks turn a bright pink. Possibly the brightest he's seen them yet.

Her brown eyes blaze to life as he finds her spot. Her body arching a little as he rocks his hand slowly. He takes her mouth again, this time being less gentle than he was before, which he finds is exactly how she likes it.

She moans when he hooks his finger inside her, her hips working to get some friction her body needs.

His dick is straining against the front of his jeans and tonight there's a real possibility he might just come in his pants at the sight of her coming on his hand.

"You like this?" He mumbles into her ear, his eyes looking back out at the field. Checking for anyone passing by.

"Yes," she nods slightly, her hand shifting down and wrapping around his wrist. Holding him in place.

"I can't wait to taste you," he says quietly. "Right here," he rocks his thumb back and forth over her and she shivers. "My tongue pressed right here between your legs."

She gulps. Her hips rocked against his touch.

"When I think about all the ways I get to have you. How willing you are to let me touch you." He says ending with a groan. Shifting a little in his seat to alleviate the pain of his dick against his pants.

"I love it when you touch me."

"Fuck, I am easy. But it's not because I'm a guy. It's because I want you." He whispers, applying the slightest pressure and hooking his finger inside her causing her to release a shaky breath. "I only want you."

"Oh my god," she mumbles.

"That's a good girl," he murmurs in her ear before nipping gently on her ear lobe, then kissing right beneath her ear. Her hips begin to move in a rhythm as he lets her ride his hand. Applying just a little pressure so she's getting what she needs. "Show me how good you look when I make you come."

She moans again, like a kitten purring in his lap, her hips rocking against his touch. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Her eyes scrunch shut as she chases her release.

She's close. Panting and shaking in his front seat. The scent of her arousal filled his nostrils and made his mouth water for her. For a taste. And why not? Why not have a taste?

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes," she says without hesitation.

He removes his hand and she opens her eyes glaring at him with a fight, telling him how upset she is that he deprived her of her orgasm.

"If you don't want me to, I won't." He says pulling one of her legs up onto the bench and pushing himself back and adjusting himself low on the seat. Propped up on his elbows right there at her center.

Her gaze doesn't leave his own for what feels like forever until finally she gives him a single nod and parts her legs a little more for him.

He rests his hands on her inner thighs and spreads her open a little further, peeling up her soaking-wet panties and pushing them to the side.

"I promise this will be just as good."

"It bett-ooooo"

Her words die on her tongue as he puts his mouth on her.

"That's… oh god."

He licks her, tasting her sweet and salty flavor. Enjoying the feel of her on his tongue. He begins stroking her center and alternating pressure when he feels her shifting anxiously again. Her moans and sighs urging him on.

He loves how vocal she is. How confident she is. How unashamed of her pleasure she is. It's exhilarating and motivating to push things further.

Her hips are moving again and suddenly her hand is in his hair. The slight tug of it turning him on with the sensations of her fingers rubbing on his scalp. She's so fucking close and he buries himself between her legs even further refusing to let up until she's unraveling for him.

She's repeating his name, the sound of it rolling off her tongue as she welcomes her orgasm. She's loud and raspy, her breathing shaky and quick.

And then it happens the sound of it is so fucking hot. She comes hard and wet. Arching off the seat and clenching her thighs around him, screaming his name and making him explode all over the front of his jeans.

They both sit there for a moment. Neither one willing to move first. Her jagged breath fills the space as she tries to regain her composure.

"You okay?" He says moving to sit up and using his hand to swipe at his face, wiping her wetness from his chin.

"I think so." She says, her legs closing. "I feel like I should be embarrassed."

He shifted the front of his jeans. Wincing a little at his sensitivity. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Did you?" She notices the wet spot on his pants.

"I did," he nods.

"But I didn't do anything."

At that he let out a laugh, "You did plenty."

Gabriella.

Holy shit.

She has never let anyone touch her so intimately or handle her so aggressively as Troy has now done so countless times.

As she floats back down to earth the aftershocks of her orgasm ripple through her. Her muscles are tightening with a need to please him back. To give him the same mind-shattering pleasure he has given her. She's never felt so wanted, so sexual, so free in her own skin.

Getting to know him, exploring this new adventure between them. Sharing parts of their lives together. Would any of this feel this way if they hadn't?

Two weeks ago she didn't know what his tongue felt like, didn't know what he was capable of with his touches and whispers. Two weeks ago she was under the impression that they were both just going through the motions.

And now. How on earth was she ever going to go back to that place? Back to a place where she no longer shared kisses in the front seat of this truck. Back to a world where they didn't speak throughout the day.

It's possible that she's making a mistake. That in the morning, when the lust clears and she's put space between this moment and the next that she might regret it. Might feel foolish for exposing herself to him, for letting him coax her body like a fine-tuned instrument.

But right now. She's never been so sure of anything in her life. There is no getting Troy Bolton out of her system. It would be like separating the thunder from the lighting. Impossible.

That knowledge scares her and she lets out a slow breath. Then she shifts, tugging down on her skirt and adjusting her top again. She's already falling for the boy, and whenever she hits the ground, it is going to hurt.

"Come here beautiful," his voice is low and he shifts so his back is against the driver's side door. She moves, settling on his lap with ease.

The way he calls her beautiful. It's so simple and sweet. Like a warm blanket over her chilled skin.

He shifts, turning the truck on and adjusting the heater. His fingers play with the radio for a moment until the truck's cabin fills with something soft.

"FYI," she says with a smirk. "We are exclusive." she leans into him. "I don't think I could let anyone touch me the way you do."

"That makes you all mine." His voice is quiet. "I like that."

"You would," she says with a smile. "It's what all the guys in romance novels say."

"You read romance novels?" He asks, sounding a little surprised.

"Yes," she laughs, "why is that surprising?"

"Because I pictured you as more of an armchair detective sort." He says bringing his hand to hers and playing with her grandmother's ring on her finger.

"Well, I like the fantasy of a love story."

"You just don't believe in them."

His statement hangs in the air and she thinks about it for a moment. The music fills the silence.

"I believe that love exists, I also believe it has conditions."

His breath comes out in a huff, moving some of her hair and tickling her ear. "Love is supposed to be unconditional."

"And yet everyone is carrying around a bag of conditions," Gabriella argued. "I love you, but not enough to make this work. And I need you to understand that at five years old. I love you but I have to move on with my life. And I need you to accept this stranger into your life now. I love you but I also love my new family. And I need you to be okay with only getting half of me."

Troy's arms wrapped around her middle a little tighter as he hugged her to him. And she sinks into him feeling the tension in her body relax a little.

She sighs,"Sorry."

"It's okay," he says, nuzzling her softly. "Your experience is valid. Your feelings about them shouldn't need an apology."

She shifts in his lap, turning to face him a little more, "You're not what I expected." She says resting her head on his shoulder.

"In a good way?"

"In a good way." She confirms.

"Any other guy in your position probably would have taken advantage of me already."

He chuckled at that. "Gabriella, have you met you." He says, amusement in his eyes as he watches her.

She smiles at that, shifting and nestling into him a little more comfortably. "Please don't go changing on me after sex."

"Things will change." He says softly. "Not for the worse, but it's gonna be different. We'll feel closer. Exposed, more connected."

"I feel pretty close to you now," she says with a smirk.

"Smart ass."

She giggles and he chuckles.

Three Days Later.

She's back at her dads, sitting in the kitchen quietly with her text books, making use of the quiet.

It was rare when the boys slept in, it usually meant they were up late the night before. And Natalia rarely let that happen. She was very strict with keeping up a routine.

"Oh, I thought you were with your mom." Her dad's voice fills the kitchen.

"I was, I'm back." She says with a frown. Honestly, why was it so hard to remember the schedule?

"How have you been kiddo?"

"Okay," she says, deciding to look up from her books and watch her father move around the kitchen as he starts the coffee machine.

"Are you still dating that boy who was here the other day?"

"His name is Troy. You know that. And yes." She confirms with a half smile. "we're still dating."

"He's always going to be that boy," her father grumbles.

"I accepted Natalia, didn't I?" She counters with a challenge.

Her father's quiet for a moment. His jaw sets tightly as he opens the drawer where the utensils are usually stored. He lets out a sigh as if debating inwardly on something.

"I hate how mature you are sometimes. You are opinionated and loud about it. Just like your mom."

"Sorry," Gabriella muttered.

"Don't be. It's a good thing."

He lets out another sigh and then drums his fingers against the countertop. The sound sends an icy feeling up her back.

Something was happening. Something she wasn't going to like. Her father only drummed his fingers when he was nervous.

"What is it dad?" She says leaning back in her chair. "What new life altering changes do you have for me today?"

Her dad ducks his head a little, as if caught in the act of wrongdoing. He closes the drawer and comes around the island to the table. "I've been trying to find a good time to talk to you about this."

Gabriella shuts her book. Pushing them away from her and now giving him her full attention. The last time he seemed this nervous he'd told her about the twins. She braced for impact. "Is Natalia pregnant again?"

"No." He says looking up at her with a soft smile. The kind of smile you use when you're about to deliver bad news. A smile she'd seen way too many times as a child from divorce. It should be boring how unreliable her parents were.

But here they were, and despite how many talks they'd had over the years, this one kept her just as much on the edge of her seat as the last one.

"I got a promotion at work, and it's a great opportunity. It means more money and with college coming up, how can I pass on that?"

"I thought I was paying for college on my own?" She said, a hope fluttering in her chest. She'd been working every weekend, studying every spare moment. Saving her birthday money and all her tips from the coffee shop since sophomore year.

"I know, but now I have an opportunity and I want to be able to help you." He said, raising his hands as if grabbing hold of an invisible lifeline.

"Okay," she said with a shrug, "I have some college brochures up in my room we can look at together."

"That's not all," he said with a worried frown. "Here's the thing," he paused for a moment, seemingly trying to find the words.

This was when her stomach dipped. This was when the alarm bells rang and the nagging suspicion from moments before rushed back in,

You see honey, the job is in Texas." Her father said finally. "So we're going to move to Texas."

"We're moving?" She arched her brow. Her mind was already scanning all the things she was going to miss about the house, about being so close to her mom, Troy, her school. Troy.

Troy.

"Natalia's family lives in Laredo, so it will be good for the boys to be closer to their grandparents." Her father shrugged. "I know you still have one more year left of school but you and your mom can handle this." He says with a half smile. "You're gonna be in college before you know it. Maybe we could look at Texas A&M."

Oh. Her spine stiffened. They weren't moving.

They were leaving.

As in them, Natalia, the boys, and him. They were moving. And she was being left behind.

"Oh," she said quietly. "Yeah."

She shifted in her seat, reaching for her books. Her hands were unsteady as she made work of putting her things away. Gabriella listened intently as he explained the details, but deep down, she couldn't help but feel a surge of sadness.

"You could visit on break to see the campus. See the house, visit."

"When do I need to have my stuff out?" She asked as casually as she could manage.

Her father's shoulders fell. "Gabriella," he said sympathetically.

"It's okay," she said with a shrug as she packed her things into her backpack. "I'll ask some of my friends to help me move. Congrats on the job, that's, that's really good. And I'm happy for you and I'm pretty happy that I might get some help with college."

"Are you sure?" He asked, his eyes soft with concern and confusion.

"Yup," she looked back at the clean table. Making sure it looked as clean as she found it. Wouldn't want to leave any indication she had been here, to begin with. "Are we good? I'm gonna head out to Taylor's house and tell her about Texas A&M."

"Taylor?" He asked with a brow.

"She's friend dad, she's really into college prep, wants us to be roommates and everything. So, yeah I better go tell her about this so we can strategize accordingly."

Without another word, she was out the door. Her backpack slung over her shoulder and she made her way down the driveway. She was wearing joggers and a plain white shirt. Her Nike slides flopping against the pavement with each step.

God, she had been so stupid. She had spent so much time worried about opening herself up to Troy and leaving herself vulnerable to heartbreak. That she'd been completely blindsided by her father.

A wave of disappointment ran through her, she'd been ready to go with them, ready to cut ties here and move to Texas. Ready to just up and leave her life, change schools, leave town.

Leave her mom. A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped at it fiercely. She felt awful. She felt like the worst person on the planet and for what? Her father didn't want her. He didn't even ask her if she wanted to move.

No, he wanted to move and live his life with his family, he didn't want reminders of the past lingering around. He didn't want the mistake of his first marriage sitting in his kitchen reminding him of the additional responsibilities he had to endure.

Troy.

He winced as he leaned back against the wall, the vibrations from the music humming and sending mini vibrations into his muscles. He was totally zoned out as Micheal and Zeke competed in beer pong at the kitchen counter. He didn't really want to be here.

This morning what started as a simple workout routine had turned into three hours of drills followed by an ice bath. His body felt alive and exhausted at the same time. His mom had asked him to clean her car and of course, because the suds and bucket were already out he did the same for his truck once he'd finished his moms car.

Feeling his phone buzz he pulled it out and checked his messages. Curious to see if Gabriella had texted him. She was quiet today. When he called her and asked her if she wanted him to pick her up for the party tonight, she had told him she was hanging out with Taylor and would get a ride.

He wondered for a brief moment if he should press for more information than decided against it. She sounded upset but also guarded, that paired with her quiet messages, told him something was on the horizon.

He was about to head off into the living room when a familiar sight of dark brown hair caught his attention. It was different tonight, it had been straightened out, and gone were the wispy and playful curls he enjoyed sinking his fingers into. Now her long dark silky hair fell over her shoulder as she searched the crowd, her eyes looking for someone.

As if it was that first night all over again he felt his breath catch when her molten chocolate eyes caught on him. Her lips picked up into a smile and he felt his entire body relax. Just the sight of her and his body was at ease.

She was wearing a green halter top with a black contouring skirt that hugged the round curves of her hips and thighs. He pushed himself off the wall, his sore muscles forgotten as he made his way to her. His hands eager to touch her, his lips desperate to stake his claim.

Her lips curved into a smile and she raised a brow as he approached her. "Hi."

"Hey Beautiful," he reached for her pulling her closer to him so they lined up, their bodies interlocking into each other. The perfect fit.

She let out a laugh as she placed her hands on his shoulders. "How do you always know just what to say?"

He smirked, and leaned in, placing a small kiss to her cheek, then her chin, then slowly coming up to her lips and gently taking his first taste of her. She was warm, with a hint of mint and something spicy. Her fingers clutching a little at his arms letting him know she was enjoying the way he felt against her just as much as he was.

"Get a room," Taylor's voice interrupted as she brushed past them, playfully nugging Gabriella's shoulder.

Troy let out a huff as he pulled away from her lips and nodded a quick hello to Chad as he walked by.

"How was your day?" He asked as his grip softened on her and he began to lead her back to the beer pong station.

"I don't want to talk about that," she said, pulling him back a little by the shirt. "But I think Taylor's right," her voice lowered, a little more playful now. "We should go get a room."

He smiled at her excitement, "Not so fast," he said knowingly, "What's going on? You ghosted me today?"

"Nothing," she said, looking away from him. "I just want to have some fun."

He tilted her chin up to meet her gaze. "And we can have fun," he promised. "But I would like to hang out with you and spend some time with our friends."

She bit down on her bottom lip, the sight of it caught between her teeth reminding him of the way she moaned. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, forcing himself to focus on her. "You alright?"

Her shoulders slumped. "My dad got a new job in Texas."

Disappointment sank down into his gut and he pulled her closer. "When?"

She shook her head, and he could sense there was more to the story. "I'm not sure on the details, but it really doesn't matter." she said with a shrug. "He'll be gone soon."

A flutter of hope and guilt twisted in his stomach. "You're going to stay here?"

Her eyes shifted away from his again. Then she glanced down at his shirt. "Yeah, I'm staying here." She sounded disappointed, and the sound of it made him cringe.

"You don't sound happy about that." He tried for an amused tone but failed. The statement came out more like an accusation and from the look on her face that's how she took it.

"Yeah, it's super exciting when your dad decides to leave you behind and move on with his new family." She spit out.

And he felt like dog shit.

He reached out to her, bringing her in for a hug and wrapping his arm around her. "Sorry."

She shook her head, pushing away from him. "I don't want to talk about this." She said, moving around him. "I don't even want to think about it, it's a party. Last time I checked people came to these things to check out and get wasted."

He hesitated for a moment. A little unsure about what he should do. Then she motioned towards his friends by the beer pong table. Everyone was cheering and chanting as Chad and Zeke went shot for shot. She took his hand and began making her way over. Her hips swayed as she guided him through the crowd.

When they approached the table she spun around a sly smile on her lips. As if she'd internally flipped a switch. She pulled his shirt and his lips crashed down into hers. Hoots and whistles were heard in the background as he gave in a little to the madness that was her.

This was different. She was different. Clearly, she was attempting to take control over a situation where she had none. And he let her have that. Or at least the illusion of it. He fell into the part easily enough. Her arms wrapped around his neck, her lips on his. If she needed a distraction, he'd be there for her. As best as he could be.

The warm spicy taste of her before that he couldn't identify now reminded him of liquor. He wondered how much she's had to drink already. His eyes examined the flush on her cheeks.

Taylor approached them offering Gabriella a shot of something pink. Which she took eagerly and without hesitation. As the night went on she drank more and as a result, she got more handsy.

He spent most of the night redirecting her hands as they danced, and laughing at her cheesy pick-up lines. She wasn't kidding about checking out. Because a few shots later she was officially checked out and rapidly on her way to throwing her last of her inhibitions to the wind.

She was laughing alongside Taylor and Kelsi on the dance floor. Her arms were up and her hips moving to the beat. Lost among the living room of drunken basketball players and cheerleaders. Everyone singing along to Taylor's Swift's Love Story.

A mere thirty minutes later she falls into his lap, her lips peppering him in kisses along his jaw. His pulse speeds up when she latches onto his earlobe with her teeth. His soft grip on her waist gets tense as he pulls her away.

"Gabriella," he says quietly as a warning.

"What?" She smirks knowingly. "Did I do something wrong?"

"You know what you're doing," he says pointedly. He glances behind her, everyone's distracted by their own drunken shenanigans.

It's almost midnight, "When is your curfew?"

"Please," she huffs, shifting between his legs and turning around so she could see the crowd. "Who cares at this point?"

"I care," he responds quietly, holding her close. "I care about you not getting into trouble."

"You should focus more on getting me underneath you." She says nudging him back. "We could always go upstairs."

"Not tonight, Beautiful."

She wiggles her behind against him. "Are you sure?" She mumbles.

"Yes," he says, his jaw clenched as he stills her hips.

She twists, looking up at him, her left arm lifts and wraps around the back of his neck. "What's your favorite sexual position?"

"Sobriety."

"You're no fun," she shifts away from him. She unwrapped her arm from him and turned to face him. "You sure you don't want a shot, it might help you loosen up."

"I'm driving you home tonight." He says with a raised brow. "I'm not drinking."

"Take me upstairs," she says in a low pleading voice. "Take me upstairs, throw me on a bed, and bury your dick deep inside my-"

"Gabriella," Troy said, pinching her lips together. "We're not going upstairs. You're in no position to consent to anything."

She groans in frustration. "Oh my god, it's not that serious Bolton." Her dark brown eyes are storming with anger and he's desperately trying to keep his cool. "Just take me upstairs and fuck me." She reaches down with a smile grabbing his bulge. "I know you want to."

Her touch makes his eyes flutter shut and he reaches for her hand, removing it quickly before anyone can see. "Stop it. We're not having sex."

"Why not?" She pouts.

"Because your first time should be when you're sober for starters," he says, keeping his voice low. "Second, it shouldn't be in an upstairs bedroom at Jason's house."

"Seriously." She says with an eye roll. "Is this because he's my ex."

He groans and stands up from his seat grabbing her hand in his firmly. "Okay, let's go."

"Finally," she says, all too eager to let him lead her out of the party.

Yeah, they were leaving but not for reasons she thought. They said good night to their friends and Troy's able to get her into his truck. Once he's settled into the driver's side she slides over to him. Her hand gripping his thigh suggestively.

"For fucksake," he mutters, shifting her hand off his thigh. "Where are you going tonight? your dads or moms?"

"How about your place," she murmurs into his ear.

"Great," he rolls his eyes in annoyance and puts the car in drive, making an executive decision that it would be easier to get her past her mom than past her dad tonight.

Luckily after five minutes, she slumps against him, her head lulled to the side against his shoulder and her eyes shut.

Gabriella.

Gabriella: How bad was I?

Troy: I've seen worse.

Gabriella: I'm mortified.

Troy: How are you feeling?

Gabriella: mortified. Why am I wearing your jersey?

Troy: Because you kept trying to take your top off.

Gabriella: Oh god.

Her eyes fluttered open softly and she shifted, her legs kicking off the covers. She felt like she was burning up. Her head throbbed and her eyes glanced around the room. Her room. At her mothers house. She groaned as her eye landed on the nightstand, a glass of water and bottle of ibuprofen staring back at her.

The sticky note read: Take two and drink lots of water. - mom

Her eyes shifted to the clock. It was 10 o'clock which meant Mark was at the coffee shop and her mom was at work.

She was alone. A sigh escaped her as she pushed herself up into a sitting position and took the two pills. She followed it by finishing the glass of water beside them.

Her phone chimed.

Mom: When you get up, tell your father where you are. He's been texting me all morning.

Her pulse jumped and she let out another groan. She had two missed calls from him. She was not ready to have that conversation. She fell back into her heap of pillows.

She lifted her phone and shot off a quick text.

Gabriella: I'm at moms.

Tossing the phone off to the side she brings her hands up to rank her hair back. Thoughts of last night drifted in and out of her memory. The singing, the dancing, all her drunken sexual advances.

She pulls the covers up over her head. Why had she been so horny? She huffed at the memories, thankful that Troy had gotten her out of there when he did. Vague memories of him helping her inside, of her introducing him to her mother. Twice.

Jesus.

After another self-pitying groan, she gets up from the bed making her way out of her room and across the hall to the bathroom. Her make-up looked awful, her hair looked like a rat's nest and her eyes were puffy.

After a long shower, she changes into a green oversized hoodie and a pair of biker shorts. Her wet hair curls around her face as she makes her way into the kitchen.

She shakes out her hands trying to focus. Letting out even deep breaths while she chews on her bottom lip. Yesterday's conversation with her dad playing on a loop.

You're gonna be in college before you know it.

It was still a year away. And what about the holidays or all those traditional senior year family events, like prom and graduation. Would he even bother coming back? Would he forget about her completely once she was outta sight.

You and your mom can handle this.

Her heart ached a little at the dismissive comment. Her phone chimes and she blinks back a tear to check it.

Troy: Hungry?

Gabriella: just entered the kitchen.

She walked over to the fridge and opens it, peering into the refrigerator for anything appetizing.

Her phone chimes and she shuts the fridge before checking the message again.

It's a picture of Troy with a McDonalds bag. Behind him was her moms front door.

She inhales in relief and makes her way to the front door. Opening it with excitement.

"Food delivery." Troy sing-songs as he holds up the bag of food and a tray holding two sodas.

"You are a saint," she reaches for the bag and turns to make her way back into the kitchen. The sound of his laugh was followed by the sound of the front door shutting behind him.

"Chad lives by the quarter pounder day after method. Says it helps with lubing up the poop pipes."

Gabriella frowns in disgust as she sets the bag down on the kitchen counter, "That's gross."

"Everyone poops." Troy says with a smirk as he makes himself comfortable on one of the stools.

She winces as she opens the bag and begins pulling out food. "Well, for the sake of our relationship. We don't poop."

Troy lets out a huff. "So you're calling this a relationship now?"

She chooses to ignore that comment and begins unwrapping her burger.

He laughs and reaches into the bag for the other burger. Then he proceeds to rip the bag open and dump out the fries, creating a tray of fries between them.

They don't say anything for a moment. The room filled with the sounds of them eating and picking at fries. She glances up at him and finds his eyes watching her with a smirk.

Her eyes take in his appearance. He's wearing a pair of basketball shorts and a plain gray T-shirt. His hair spiked out a little like he skipped brushing it this morning before leaving the house.

His eyes take the opportunity to study her as well. Roaming over her body as if she were wearing nothing other than a pile of oversized items from her closet floor.

"What?"

"Two things," he says before shoveling another fry into his mouth.

She braces herself.

"Number one, I hope you enjoyed yourself last night. Because payback is gonna be a bitch." He says reaching for his drink and taking a sip.

"Troy I-"

"Number two," he continues. "You can ignore me. But we're not done talking about what you said last night. About your dad leaving," he said in a softer tone.

His words settle into her and she lets out a soft sigh. Despite the topic, her nerves relax a little at the thought of talking things through with him.

"I don't know what sucks more," Gabriella muttered. "That stomach sinking embarrassment that I thought he wanted me to move with him or the sting that he just assumed I'll be okay without him."

"What happened?" He asks.

They're quiet for a moment. His eyes watch her as she brushes out her damp hair back behind her ear. His eyes shift down to the fries and she takes a breath before going into the story of yesterday morning's conversation.

He doesn't interrupt her or ask questions. He just listens as she talks through her feelings. Leaving her free to express her emotions without any pressure or fear of criticism.

When she's done and tapped out he just nods and picks at the fries for a moment before looking back up at her. "Help with college sounds nice."

She sighs. "He doesn't even know what my college plans are, he didn't even know who Taylor was." Gabriella bit out. "I don't even fully understand why I'm so upset. He never really remembers I'm around anyway. Why do I care that he's leaving?"

"Because he's leaving," Troy said softly. "And he's your dad. Your family might not be mainstream but it's still your family, it means something to you."

Gabriella picked up a fry. "For a moment I thought I was going with them, and I was okay with it. Okay with uprooting my whole life." Her eyes looked up at him hesitantly. "Then I thought about you."

"And?" He says softly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I didn't want to go," she says after a moment. "As soon as I thought of leaving, I was sad about leaving you."

"You wouldn't be able to get rid of me that easy," he says with a half-hearted laugh. "Nothing about you or this has ever felt temporary to me. And I've been pretty clear about that."

"I want to be with you too. I think I've already fallen in love with you, against my better judgment."

His brows raise upwards, her blunt admission surprising them both into a stunned silence. Maybe she shouldn't have said that out loud, maybe she was being ridiculous and foolish. After all, what on earth did she know about love at seventeen.

"I want to finish this conversation, but I also want to come over there and give you one hell of a kiss."

Her breathing quickens at the thought. Her thighs shift, pressing together in an attempt to get some comfort.

"Jesus Christ," he says, wiping his palms on his shorts. "Don't do that to me."

She shifts, her eyes narrowing. "Do what?"

"Squirm like that," he says in a husky voice. "I won't be able to think straight."

She tries to still her body, but it's like she's suddenly burning up. Her skin feels hot, her palms itch and she can feel her panties against her sex. Shifting with each small movement of her thighs.

"No one's home." She says quietly.

"Noted." He shifts and reaches for one of the ketchup packets.

Her eyes watch him as he makes a pile of ketchup and then dips his fry. They're quiet for a moment and he chews.

"Have you talked to your dad?" He asks.

"No," she said with a smirk, she shifted her attention to picking the pickles from her burger. "I don't even know where to start."

"He's your dad," Troy said earnestly. "You just tell him you want to talk."

She lets out a huff and leans her hip against the counter. "What am I supposed to do, tell him not to go?"

"If that's how you feel." he says softly, reaching for his soda. "I think you feel better if you at least told him how to feel."

She let out a sigh, "I just wish I could have a little more control over the things that happen in my life."

Troy shook his head. "Taking a night off from being the most responsible teenager on the planet is allowed. I don't think anyone can blame you for needing to let loose a little."

"Easy for you to say." She says quietly. "You're not a divorce leftover from the life they wish didn't exist."

Coming to stand he made his way around the counter to her side. "You are not a leftover," he said pulling her in for a hug.

"Aren't I? Think about it, they're moving on with these new lives and here I am, baggage."

"Hey." He narrows his eyes at her his hand cupping her face. "You're not baggage." He says placing a small kiss on her temple. "And I don't like it when you talk about yourself like that. You're an amazing, funny and kind person who makes the world, shine brighter just by being in it. You are not baggage."

Her eyes shift to his lips, his smooth, soft lips that make the anxiety inside her settle. Her eyes lift to his blue ones that are watching her fondly with kindness, and understanding. He loops his arm around her shoulders, tucking her into his side. His hand resting on her arm, his fingers lazily tracing nonsensical shapes.

How could a simple brushing of fingers feel so good? How could it make her skin sizzle? With every seemingly thoughtless stroke, her insides liquefied.

"Okay," she says with a smile. "So I'm more like luxury luggage."

He laughs at that, his chest rising and falling. His warm body pressed against hers, and she felt herself melting against his side. She places one hand against his abs and fought the urge to let her fingers slide under his shirt.

Completely consumed by his presence, she leans forward, her lips pressing against his and he inhales sharply.

"Gabriella," he says against her lips. "We're not-."

She pulls back and lifts her hoodie up and over her head exposing her bare breast to him and his mouth abruptly shuts. His eyes are glued to her breast and his breathing quickens.

"No one home?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Completely alone for the next four hours," she says quietly.

He bites his lip and his eyes slowly take in another fill of her bare breast. Unable to resist she jumps up and into his arms and he wraps his hands around her waist with a sharp inhale. She wraps her legs around his waist, locking her ankles behind him.

"We're not done talking," he says with a groan.

She arches into him a little, her breast pressing against him and making him close his eyes briefly.

"We're kinda done," she murmurs.

He grunts swatting her bottom and making her gasp in surprise.

"Where's your room beautiful?"

"Up the stairs, second door on the right."

His lips meet hers and he starts making his way up the stairs. She can't help but giggle as he takes the stairs two at a time. Once on the landing, he lets her go and she settles on her feet just in time to race into her bedroom a burst of anxious excitement making her squeal in delight.

She's almost to the bed when his arm warps around her waist hauling her back against him. They're both laughing as the sound of her bedroom door shuts behind them and he spins her around presses her up against it. Her hands pinned above her head as he lowers his lips on her shoulder, her collarbone, the base of her neck. He leans down, kissing the top of her left breast and then the other. She moans softly at the touch and he does it again, his tongue circling her nipple before nipping it softly with his teeth.

His hand comes down her arms, his touch sliding over her skin as he comes down over her shoulders. His touch feels good. Firm and soft at the same time, she leans her head back and lets out a sigh of satisfaction.

Then he's tugging her softly, leding her to the bed and turning so the back of her knees meet the mattress behind her. Then she sitting down, pushing up as he follows her, his body looming over hers. She groans as she lifts a leg and brings it up, hooking it behind his thigh and keeping him snuggly against her body. His lips press against the corner of her mouth then her jaw, her neck and he comes back to her breast. Giving them his full attention and circling his tongue around her pebbled nipples.

She squirms beneath him, her hands running up into his hair and loving the feel of him.

"I'm going to kiss every inch of skin and admire those long fucking legs of yours." he says in a low rumble. "And when I'm done I'm going to devour your pussy."

"Oh god," she says, his words making her arch up and into him. Her throat works double time as she tries to swallow her excitement and anticipation.

"I can't wait to see you come." He says softly. "You're gonna beg me for it."

"Troy," she whines.

"Payback." He chuckles his body moving up and coming away from hers. The cold air licking at the flames on her skin as he sits up on knees his fingers hook into the waistband of her shorts.

"Worth it," she mumbles.

He laughs again and she feels him lift her right leg up removing the shorts completely and kissing her ankle, his lips moving down her calf, her knee, her lower thigh.

She squirms, anticipating his touch, his lips, the way he kisses her so fucking softly and possessivly at the same time. He lifts her right leg over his shoulder and places a kiss on her inner thigh.

She wants more. She wants his lips on her. The memory of his tongue from before lapping at her sex. How eager he was to taste her. She looks down to find him watching her. His lips placing the smallest kisses on her skin,

"Troy?"

"Troy what?" He says teasingly.

"Troy," she says, arching herself up to him.

He lets out a soft laugh and she feels the pressure of his breath graze her sex. Her eyes roll back and he leans forward pressing the smallest kiss on her soaking wet center.

"Please" She says, her voice a little more desperate than before.

"Tell me to make you come and I will," he says, placing another feather-like kiss on her sex. "Tell me to lick your pussy like a piece of candy until you spill all over my tongue."

Jesus fucking Christ. She shrivers as a low punch of pleasure runs through her body. She inhales sharply, her sex throbbing from his lack of touch.

"Lick my pussy like a piece of candy until I spill all over your tongue." Her words are raspy and breathy and as soon as they're out he rewards her with a greedy long lick up her sex.

Her hands fist the sheets and she bucks into him. He holds her hips, keeping her in place as he takes another lick. His tongue rolls around her center before his lips latch on and suck.

"Oh fuck." She murmurs shifting against his hold.

He licks again. This time he's more eager, the muscle of his tongue swiping between her folds.

Her eyes roll back as he arches up again. The feel of his hands holding her down. The constant pressure on her sex. Her senses are overloaded in the best way and she gives in. Her orgasm builds rapidly as he makes good on his words.

Because her orgasm spills out of her in a white hot flash of heat and lighting. Her mouth opened in a silent scream.

He gets up, pulling his shirt up and over his head. Then his hands are pushing down his pants.

"Condoms are in my nightstand drawer."

He nods and reaches into the pocket of his shorts. "Also have my own."

"Sharpay was right, you are like a Boy Scout," she chuckles softly. Shifting back onto the mattress.

"Nice to know I have a reputation."

He tears the packet open and she sits up a little to watch him as he rolls it over himself. "How much is this gonna hurt?"

He shakes his head, "for a moment it will, but I'm going to be gentle."

She nods and shifts, reaching to help him push his shorts and underwear the rest of the way off.

Troy Bolton is a sight to see. Fully clothed she could barely keep her hands off him. But naked. He watched for a moment as she admired him. Then she reaches out a hand for him to join her.

He comes back to her, positioning himself between her legs. His hand roaming along her skin. His heat radiating through her skin, warming her up again.

"Are you sure about this?" He asks softly once he's settled above her. "We can't go back after this."

"Positive." She nods, "Stop trying to talk me out of this."

He sighs with an amused grin, "trust me that's the last thing I want," he says quietly. "You have no idea how much you make me crazy." He strokes her cheek.

She smiles up at him, and he shifts his positioning now ready at her entrance, rubbing the head of his dick up and down her folds.

She's sensitive and wet from her orgasm before and she wiggles a little at his teasing touch.

"Do it already." She murmurs.

He laughs and then pushes in slowly making her arch a little bit. Unsure what to expect. Her sex stretches around him slowly adapting to his size. It's not so bad, just slightly uncomfortable. Then it's like he's pushing up against a wall inside her and she freezes up slightly, a pressure building.

The pressure gives a little and she inhales sharply. He grunts and stills. Letting out a long breath.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he says with his jaw clenched. "You're just really fucking tight."

She frowns for a minute and he slowly retreats, then he pushes back inside, his hips rolling. A groan escapes him as he pulls back again. This time she feels him go deeper, a dull pain between her legs and the stretch of her muscles adjusting slightly.

Then he gets up and pulls out completely. She frowns. "Was that it?"

He groans and scoops her up. Jerking her up and further down the bed to meet him. "God your so fucking mouthy."

She shifts and he looks down at her his eyes hooded, dark. Like he's struggling to hold back his urges and the thought makes her feel a little desperate. She wants his attention, his touch, his grunts and groans. She enjoys hearing his voice and the way he turns her on.

"Just wait," he says with a grin as he pushes back inside her gently. "That mouth is gonna get you into trouble. I going to have to fuck you nice and hard one day." He mumbles pulling back out. And she grips the sheets, a smirk on her lips. Her sex is slick with her need and she's clenches her inner walls missing him already.

"Fuck me now," she says linking her legs behind him.

No further invitation needed. His hips thrust up and she feels him enter her again and this time she feels full. His hands on her hips as he pulls out and slowly moves back in causing her to gasp. That time felt good. He repeats this again and again, until he's thrusting into her and she shifts to meet him.

"Oh," she says out of breath. "That feels-" the words dye on her lips as he brings a thumb over and sweeps it along her bundle of nerves. "Oh fuck!"

His jaw clenches and he moves inside her again. He picks up the pace thrusting inside her and she rocks, meeting his thrust, enjoying his groans and touches.

He jerks out of her and pulls her up, turning to lay on his back. He moves her around like a doll and she half laughs because it's surprising how strong he is. Then she sinking onto him and she winces at the pinch of pain but keeps pushing through.

His thumb finds her clit again and helps to keep the pain at bay until she's settled.

Now she's sitting on top of him, her hands on his chest. She rolls her hip and he reaches for her hips guiding her down onto him.

She groans and his fingers bite into her skin. He's breathing hard and muttering numbers to himself. She wiggles a little on top of him and he sucks in a breath.

"Ride me like you did that night in the treehouse. I want to watch you ride my cock."

His words send a zig through her. And she inhales, her hips rolling on him as he guides her. Her eyes meet his, finding them dark and cloudy with lust. The way he wants her, the way he needs her, how he watches her, She moans grinding into him, the feeling of him under her, inside her, and between her legs.

"God you're so fucking amazing," he says reaching his hands up to cover her breasts. "I'm not gonna last much longer beautiful."

She picks up her speed arching her body, enjoying the feel of her own pleasure building. Of the white hot flashes going off inside her with each passing grind.

"Troy," she whispers the cutting edge of her orgasm slamming into her body and making her stiffen. Making her shiver and buck on top of him, he sits up grabbing her by the waistline and pulling her to him, cursing softly into her shoulder and biting down gently on her skin.

Her breathing is erratic and both of them are slick with sweat as they cling to each other. Their orgasms washing over them and filling them with endorphins.

"That was amazing."

"That was incredible." Troy hisses before placing a soft kiss on her shoulder where he bit her.

"You know," she says, leaning back a little and pressing a hand on his chest to put distance between them. "Everyone thinks you're such a nice guy but you're kind of kinky."

"And you love it when I talk dirty."

Her cheeks heat and she playfully bats at him. "And you love it when I get mouthy."

"It does turn me on." He cocks his brow. Then he shifts underneath her. "I need you to get up so I can take care of the condom."

She moves off of him, landing with a soft thud on the mattress and watching as he gets up and pulls the condom off. He ties it up and tosses it out in her garbage bin. Then he lays back down beside her. Both of them feeling content and satisfied.

"Are you feeling okay?" He asked softly, pulling her to him and holding her tenderly. "I wasn't too rough was I?"

"No," she said reassuringly. "I enjoyed it. I felt safe and sexy."

"Good," he said, placing a kiss on her temple. "You are sexy."

She bats at him playfully. "You got what you wanted," she laughs. "You can turn down the charm."

"Never," he takes her hand in his, bringing the back of it up to his lips. "Your fucking gorgeous and I'll never stop telling you that."

"It makes me blush and I look ridiculous when I blush."

"Sexy." He corrects, "you look sexy when you blush."

Troy

Come Monday morning she was still at her mom's. They'd been texting since he left her house yesterday afternoon. She admitted that she hadn't mustered up the courage to speak to her dad yet.

His eyes watched as she made her way down the driveway and to his car. She was wearing a cream-colored blouse and a pair of straight-legged jeans. Her hair was in two long braids draped over each shoulder. She looked so innocent and proper.

Nothing like the wild and wicked Gabriella who rode his dick yesterday. His pants tightened a little at the thought. His memory of being locked between her legs while she orgasmed all over his tongue surfaced. God, he might just be addicted to this girl.

She opened the passenger side door and jumped in. There was something different about her today. She was more comfortable. Confident. Sexy.

Not that she wasn't sexy before. Because the flirty good girl look she has going for her really gets his cock hard, but this newfound self-esteem boost makes her irresistible.

"Morning," she says, sliding over to him.

"Morning Beautiful," his eyes dip for a moment to her breast. Shielded by her blouse but the memory of her perky nipples underneath make his mouth water.

"What?"

His eyes come back up to her kissable lips. "Huh?"

"You're staring," she said with an arched brow. "Is my shirt dirty?" She glances down to get a look for herself.

"I was imagining you naked." He says honestly.

She inhales sharply and looks up at him. "Oh."

"How do you feel?" He asked, resting a hand on her thigh and giving it a soft squeeze.

"Sore, maybe a bit stretched out." She says after taking a moment to consider it. "How about you?"

"I feel great." He says feeling a little guilty. "I'm not going to complain about much."

"I guess guys are lucky that way." She sighs as she rests back against the seat.

"And this is why I come bearing gifts," he bends forward, picking up a white bakery bag and holding it out to her.

She sniffs the air before tugging the bag out of his hands. Her eyes light up as she pulls out the double chocolate muffin.

"You got me a muffin!"

"I did."

"You really are a Boy Scout," she says before taking a bite of the muffin and letting out a moan. Her eyes closed and she leaned back against the seat. "Oh my god, it's still warm."

He bites his own lip as he shifts in his seat. The blissed-out look on her face might be a little too much for him to take this early. He also makes a mental note that in the future he should bring her fresh-baked chocolate muffins often.

"So, if sleeping with Troy Bolton gets me a muffin." She says lifting her thumb to her lips and sucking off some chocolate. "What does a blow job get me?"

He grunts.

She laughs.

Before he completely loses his shit he begins pulling away from the curb. Both hands on the wheel and eyes forward. His dad was expecting him to be at an early team meeting this morning and he wasn't going to be late. No matter how tempting it would be to humor her question.

"How are things with your mom?" He asked.

"Well, I got the lecture about drinking. One about my father and how dense he could be. Because she was very vocal about how he made this decision to talk to me about it without her. Then she gave me another lecture about sex and the responsibility of having it."

A cold sweat ran down his back. "Shit. Does she know?" Troy winced.

"Yeah." Gabriella shifted a little. "She doesn't know about yesterday but given Saturday night when I came home in your jersey she knew we were… kind of active."

Troy grimaced. "I'm sorry you got in trouble."

"Not really in trouble. She was flabbergasted by my actions, and said she was worried." Gabriella let out a sigh, "I usually don't need lectures. The occasional motherly advice maybe but otherwise I've never really done anything troublesome."

"Welcome to the life of a teenager, we know everything, we disappoint our parents and pizza is a food group."

He laughed as she rolled her eyes.

Even with the early morning team meeting looming over him the second they parked he was kissing her. Definitely his favorite way to start the day. Her hand was inching up his thigh when Chad knocked on the window making them jump apart.

"Come on princess, can't keep the coach waiting!"

"Damn it," Troy muttered under his breath. "I'll see you after second period."

"See ya later wildcat," she called over her shoulder as she jumped out of the truck.

Gabriella.

Later that afternoon Gabriella walked through the front door of her Dad's house. A bitter ache in her chest about the probability that one day the doors that had always been open for her to come home to would be closed. The idea of another family living in their home left a sore feeling in her heart and she wasn't sure how to quite process those feelings yet.

"Gabi's home!" Vincent shouted as he made his way from the kitchen to the living room with two cans of sparkling water. Victor shortly followed with a family-size bag of chips.

"Hi Gabi," he said with a toothy grin.

"Hey," she waved back with a sad smile as she watched them make their way to the couch, a movie paused on the TV as they settled into their spots.

Her father stepped out into the hallway, his eyes soft with concern. "Hey you," he said quietly.

"Hey," Gabriella tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Can we talk?"

"Sure," her father's shoulders slumped a little. "We actually wanted to talk to you, not really sure that last conversation went well and… well I think we should discuss things."

"We?" Her brows shot up.

Natalia poked her head into the hallway, "Come on in here sweet girl."

"Boys, we'll be in the kitchen," her father called out to the boys before ushering her into the kitchen. There was an eerie quiet in the room as she looked over at the dinner table where Mark and her Mother were seated. A cold sweat ran down her back and she nervously looked back to Natalia who was pouring another cup of coffee.

"When you came home drunk, I called your father and he told me about your conversation." Her mother said with a narrowed gaze in his direction.

Natalia let out a huff, "Your father can be a bit delusional when it comes to women. I'm sure everyone in the room can attest to that."

"I'm just here for support," Mark ducked his head. "And to make sure the furniture stays intact," he mumbled the last part.

"Thank goodness Troy has a good head on his shoulder. Who knows what could have happened," her mother frowned.

"Yes, Troy is an absolute sweetheart." Natalia agreed as she brought the coffee cup to the table. "Last time he came around he threw out the trash without me saying a word."

"I throw out the trash," her father said with a raised brow.

"When nagged enough," her mother huffed.

"Jesus," her father utters turning his next comment to Mark. "Let me guess you're Captain of the trash can."

"Luis," Natalia warned as she took a seat beside him. Smiling apologetically at Mark who waved it off seemingly unphased.

Her father rolled his eyes and let out a sigh.

Not to be outdone her mother leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. "Can we get to the point of the family meeting please?"

Her father sat up straighter his attention shifting to Gabriella. "Troy is just one of the reasons I didn't think you'd want to leave." Her father said placing his hands on the table. "I thought it would be devastating to have to leave all your friends behind. I feel like you've really come into your own this last year and I didn't want to be the bad guy."

Her mother narrowed her eyes and let out another huff, "and how did that work out for you?"

Her comment was met with a glare from her father who pursed his lips.

"You were right Dad," Gabriella said, bringing the attention back to the topic at hand. "I don't want to leave the life I have here."

"And I don't want to leave you behind, I want you with us, but I also can't ask that of you," he said with a half smile. "And I know you. You would do anything to make us happy even at the cost of your own happiness."

"She's been that way ever since she was little." Her mother said cupping her coffee mug between her hands. "Always so quick to put on a brave face."

Natalia leaned back in her chair a hand coming to rest on her father's forearm. "You guys have a great kid," Natalia says with a warm smile directed at her mom.

Gabriella shifted in her seat, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions. The whole day she'd been bracing herself for a different conversation. Of all the scenarios she went over, she hadn't even expected this.

"Dad," she said attempting to steel herself for this next part. "I am sad that you're leaving," Gabriella said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I understand why you have to go, but it's going to be hard for me, especially during my senior year."

Her father reached across the table, his eyes filled with empathy. "I know, sweetheart, and I wish there was another way. But this promotion is a big step for me, and it will give me the chance to provide more for both you and your brothers."

Gabriella nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew her father's intentions were good, but the thought of him not being there for her senior year milestones, like prom, college acceptance letters, and graduation, was hard to bear.

"Your mom and I have had our differences, Gabriella, but we both want what's best for you. We've talked about it, sometimes very loudly but we've always been committed to making this work. That's why we live so close, why you have fully furnished rooms in both places. It's why we work so hard for you to have two places you can call home."

"And that's not gonna change." Natalia jumped in. "You're gonna have a bedroom just like the one you have here at the new place. You can come and go as you need to."

Her mother sighed, "We're still going to figure out a way to communicate and support you together, just like we always do even if we're all not physically in the same space."

Gabriella's heart softened as she thought about her parents' efforts to put their differences aside for her sake. Despite their strained relationship, they were willing to come together and be there for her during this change.

"That makes me feel better," Gabriella whispered, wiping away a tear. "Sometimes I just feel like I'm this glaring reminder of a mistake you both made."

"Gabriella," Her mother chided. "How could you even think that?"

"You were not a mistake." Her father quickly corrected her.

Mark leaned forward, "Marriage and divorce are messy situations, but your parents have always been on the same page about you kiddo."

"You were made with nothing but love, passion, and joy." Her mother said with confidence. "We prayed for you, we celebrated your birth into this world and we love you."

Her dad held out his hand to her, his grip firm yet gentle. "Gabriella, you're the most important thing in our lives. We might not be together physically, but we'll always be there for you emotionally and mentally. We'll make the most of the time we have together, I can try working remotely for a little while longer, and moving forward we'll make sure you feel ready before the big change."

She took a breath. Though her father would be miles away, the connection they did have would remain unbreakable. With that thought, she took a deep breath, finding solace in the fact that, together, they could navigate this new chapter in their lives.

"Now about Saturday night," her father's expression shifted. "You're grounded."

Her mother rolled her eyes, "Please, like you never blew off some steam."

"Getting drunk is not the way we handle things." Her father scolded. "Lord only knows what could have happened to her."

"Don't be so extreme," her mother sighed. "It's the suburbs, she was at a friend's house and Troy was with her the whole time."

"Troy being there is the problem," her father frowned. "He's a teenage boy. And teenage boys only have one thing on their mind."

"Speaking from experience, Luis?" Her mother bit out.

"Okay," Mark interjected. "Some boundaries and rules never hurt anyone." He said lifting his hands to try and calm her mother down. "She's a good kid, being grounded this one time doesn't undo all of that it's just a consequence of her actions."

"Thank you," her father said with a clenched jaw.

"It's settled then," Natalia smiled over at Gabriella, "One week straight home after school and your shift at the cafe. And that means no sitting outside in Troy's trucking making out for 30 minutes before coming inside." She added that last part with a knowing smile.

Gabriella's cheeks warmed and she nodded. Thankful to Mark and Natalia and how they fit into her crazy family.

"Deal." Gabriella nods and Natalia shoots her father a look.

"Fine, it's a deal."

Later that night.

Gabriella: I'm grounded for a week.

Troy: You too?

Gabriella: Wait, what did you do?

Troy: I was late to practice this morning, now I have morning drills all week.

Gabriella: Sorry about that.

Troy: Worth it.

Troy: What did you do?

Gabriella: Dad decided to ground me for drinking.

Troy: So did the talk go well?

Gabriella: It did. My Mom and Dad actually sat in the same room for it. It was terrifying and comforting at the same time.

Troy: That is great news.

She put her phone down on the desk and walked over to the door, locking it before pulling her top up and over her head. She makes her way to her closet and picks up an oversized shirt off the floor. Just as she shuts off the lights her phone lights up again and she checks it.

Troy: Hey, what are you wearing?

Gabriella: I'm getting ready for bed.

Troy: I'm already in bed. Are you wearing any underwear?

Gabriella: Don't you have to be up early for drills?

Troy: Take them off.

She huffs as she falls back onto her bed looking up at the ceiling of her bedroom. It feels easy, what they have. At first, she thought it might be weird, to go from being strangers to actually being in a relationship. But every step she's taken with Troy has never felt wrong. It felt right, and perfect.

Her cell phone goes off and she immediately answers it. "I'm going to bed. Like the good girl that I am and I will not be lulled into your nonsense."

"Oh baby girl," he murmured into the phone the sound of his voice stirring the butterflies in her belly. "Let me talk dirty to you while you use those pretty little fingers of yours on your pussy."

Her legs part with a mind of their own, her sex already clenching in anticipation. "How are we going to make it through the week?"

"Did you take them off?"

She lets out a breath as she moves to do as she's told. "So Bossy." She huffs as she pulls her underwear off.

"So mouthy."

"All the better to take your cock." She murmurs. "Tell me, how many times have you thought about putting it in my mouth today?"

"Jesus," he murmurs. "You drive me crazy."

"You drive me crazier," she admits her breathing quickening at the thought of her lips wrapped around his dick and driving him over the edge. The mental image of his head tossed back in pleasure and his fingers tangled in her hair as he guides her up and down his erection.

"Just the thought of it," she squirms and exhales as the tingles warm her up from below.

"The thought of what?" he says quietly. "Tell me exactly what you want Beautiful."

"I want it in my mouth," she says nervously, not sure how to say it. She thinks about it for a moment, imagining his attentive eye watching her. Just like they were back in his truck, just the two of them. "I like when you take charge, and I've never given anyone a blowjob before so I know you'll have to teach me." She clenches her thighs together, "I'd want your hands in my hair, pushing me down, showing me just how to get you off."

"Fucking hell," he groans and for a moment the line is quiet, and for a moment she thinks he might have dropped the phone.

"Troy?"

"Yeah," he says on exhale. "You don't need me to teach you anything. I'm turned on by everything you do. Shit, I could probably get hard on watching you eat an orange."

"It's a shame we're both grounded this week."

"Challenge accepted." She can hear his wolfish grin over the phone, imagining him laidback on his bed, his left hand resting against his bare chest.

She lets out a sigh as she settles back down into her pillows. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll see." He chuckles softly. "You could wear one of those skirts tomorrow and find out for yourself."

"What's gonna happen if I don't," she says, unable to resist her smile.

"You'll probably be late to AP History." He lets out a sigh and she can hear the sound of his bed as he shifts. "Now be a good girl and no more stalling. Touch yourself for me."

"I wasn't stalling, Troy I was describing a freaking blow job." She lets out a laugh.

He growls over the line and she feels it in her sex. She clenches and a shiver runs up her back at the pleasure between her legs.

"I want you to rub your pussy, I want to hear that little moan you make when my tongue is between your legs," he says his tone a little harder than before. "I want to hear you panting for me like you're imagining my fingers slipping into you." his breathing is heavy and she can tell by the sound of it that he's probably pleasuring himself. The thought of him listening to her get off and getting off on her pleasure makes her sex throb.

"Troy," she whispers, her fingers passing over her sex, slick with her arousal and warm. "I'm imagining it's you between my legs."

"Good girl, maybe you should use two fingers inside your pussy, I want you to think about my dick and how fucking tight you feel wrapped around me. I bet you're still so fucking tight." He exhales slowly and she does exactly as she's told. "I can't get enough of you," he says with a sigh, "You thought that I was gonna get bored. Tell me, baby, do I sound bored to you right now?"

"No," she murmurs her fingers moving faster as her hips begin to rock. "Oh god, it feels so good."

"Turn onto your stomach and ride your fingers, baby. Imagine your grinding down on my cock, your beautiful tits in my face. Fuck, I love looking at your tits."

She turns, a soft moan escaping her lips as she begins to grind down on her hand. She thinks about him pumping into her, hard and fast, wanting to feel him inside her, missing that full feeling, of being consumed by him completely.

At this moment, she's so close to falling over the edge.

And he knows it without her uttering a word because he lets out a shaky breath before uttering, "Bite down on that finger baby, I wouldn't want anyone to overhear how fucking good you're riding that hand."

The phone falls and she quickly bites down on her index finger as a white hot flash of warm pleasure takes over her body. The ripples of joy and satisfaction coursing through her. Her skin tingled with the fast pulse of climax. Her toes curl and she slumps a little, her body giving into the endorphins.

She picks up the phone again and lets out the slightest giggle unable to help herself. "I can not believe we just did that."

"We did," he says a sheepish sound in his voice. "Hopefully, that was okay. Not too crazy."

"I loved it," she murmurs shifting onto her side and letting out a long rush of air. "I love you."

"I love you too," he says quietly.

"See you in the morning," she says shifting to pull the covers up and over herself.

"I won't subject you to my early morning routine, but I can let Taylor and Chad know to pick you up on the way." He says, his voice low and raspy.

"Thank you," she says with a smile.

"Second bell, by your locker," he says, his playful tone soft, "wear a skirt."

"You'll see," she murmurs before ending the call. A soft laugh escaped her lips at the thought of him pouting alone in his room.

The End.