The actual, normal Sunday morning came around, and Gabriella found herself sitting in a diner waiting for Troy to appear. The two had texted each other back and forth earlier since Troy wasn't supposed to be on his cell phone and agreed to meet to finally talk. Gabriella nervously checked her watch again and saw that it was five minutes past eleven. Troy was officially late.

Just as that thought formed in her head though, she heard the bell on the front door and looked up, connecting with those caring blue eyes of his. Troy spotted her after looking around the room and grinned as he walked over. She winced though as he came closer and his bruises became more evident, especially the shiner right under his right eye.

Hearing a gasp from her, Troy shook his head. "Don't worry Gabriella, it looks far worse than it really feels. Good morning by the way."

After getting her wits back together, she smiled back at him and said, "Good morning. Have a seat?"

"Gladly," returned Troy as he slid into the booth across from her. "I can't stay too long because I'm grounded but I had to see you."

"Troy, I don't want to get you into any more trouble," protested Gabriella.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. My parents are out at a friend's for brunch but I have a rough estimate of when they are coming back. Chad actually just dropped me off and is coming back for me in an hour and a half."

Gabriella sighed. "God, you really did get in a lot of trouble then earlier this morning."

Troy shrugged. "Sort of but it's all right. Being grounded isn't that bad right now. Basketball season is over and golf starts in two weeks. No harm. What I want to talk about though is you, and us," said Troy, looking Gabriella directly in the eyes.

"Morning, I'll be your waiter for this late morning. What can I get you two?" asked the waiter who came over.

"Pancakes with just butter and crispy bacon please. A large orange juice too please," said Gabriella, giving Troy some time to look over the menu.

"Got it. And you sir?" asked the waiter.

"Umm, the two eggs with hash browns and crispy bacon as well. Eggs scrambled with Swiss cheese and sourdough toast, thanks," ordered Troy. "Oh, and a large orange juice as well."

"I'll get it in right away and bring your drinks back shortly," responded the waiter, leaving the two to talk finally.

"So, back to what we are here to talk about. Gabriella, I know last night, rather this early morning, probably seemed really crazy to you," stated Troy. "What I want you to know though is that even though I would defend you however I needed to, that fight last night has been brewing for years. Riley just used you as an excuse to start it when he's really been after me for a while. You saw what happened out on the court at the game and that was even before he knew I was interested in you."

"Well yeah but I don't think Riley would have punched you like he did last night without a reason," replied Gabriella, playing back the incident in her mind.

"That's just it, he had no real reason except for maybe jealousy, but that's nothing you did on your part Gabriella, honestly. I don't want you blaming yourself, okay?"

Gabriella nodded. "I can't promise but I'll try."

"Well that's good enough for now. So, to talk about the real irony of our situation, how did we end up meeting such a far distance from Albuquerque for the first time at the ski lodge those few weeks back if we both lived here?" asked Troy, interested on her take on things.

"Actually, that's a simple answer," replied Gabriella with a small smile. "My family, we just moved here about two weeks ago. I lived in South Carolina before here and a few other states within the lifetime of my scholastic career thus far."

"Really? So you just so happened to move to New Mexico after we met?" questioned Troy, not believing the real quirk of fate that brought the two together again.

"Well it had been in the works before our winter holiday at the ski lodge but I didn't know you were here," she said. "Remember, we never really got the chance to talk about our specific hometowns or even states for that matter that night and you never called me."

"Hey, you didn't call me either! Also, I was actually in the process of asking where you were from when you vanished to go find your mom I'm guessing," defended Troy. "What a small world."

Gabriella laughed. "You could say that again. So, yes, that's my story. I've been a West High Knight for only about two weeks and already understand that there is this huge rivalry between the schools and see that clearly, Riley and you do not get along."

"To say it lightly, yes," agreed Troy. "You know, you could transfer to East." Troy wiggled his eyebrows at this, which indicated that he was teasing her.

"Well I could but gosh, there's no real reason to. I mean, I have some cool friends already at West and there's this one hunky basketball captain that just seems to have my attention. He's so drool worthy. No, becoming a Wildcat so wouldn't be worth it," joked Gabriella in a very overdramatized voice.

Troy immediately protested, despite the joke. "Hey! That's so not nice! Really though, I want to continue seeing you but I don't want you to feel like we're sneaking around or anything. I know a certain hunky captain who would kill if he knew our association went beyond last night. I just don't want to see you hurt is all."

"And tell me Troy, if I went to East, would it be that much better? From what I hear, your cliques are so tightly wound themselves you guys never mingle together within your same school. At least at West, it's not quite so bad. There is some mingling and no one buzzes about it being a federal offense for an artist to speak to a jock, err athlete," responded Gabriella.

He chuckled at her slip up. "That's fine, I'm used to being called a jock. So what high school stereotype do you fall into Gabriella?"

"Depends on which school you are talking about. When I was a Beaver, I was a nobody; when I was a Tiger, I was the shy artist; when I was a Mariner, I was the drama girl; when I was a Warrior, I was the freaky math girl, and now as a Knight, I'm the girl who caused probably one of the most talked about fights at a Masquerade Ball ever while being invisible. Gotta admit, that's an accomplishment for someone no one really knows."

"That is, until last night," said Troy as the waiter set their juices in front of them and left. "And again, Gabriella, you weren't the cause of the fight. It's been going on for years and I don't want to hear you blame yourself any further. So, those are a lot of titles you possess in your almost three years of high school. Do you reinvent yourself every time you move?"

"Not necessarily reinvent as much as just be myself and let the school decide where I fall. It is possible for people to be multitalented and have various interests you know Mr. Jock."

Both laughed at this while they sipped their orange juice. "I know, it's just, as you said, East is very much like tunnel vision, where someone is either one thing or another, not both. I guess knowing what I know about you being multitalented, I don't blame you for not wanting to come over to our school, although it's hard to believe that West is better than East in something."

"Hey, I am not saying that West is perfect and accepts everyone, far from it. If that was true, you and I would not have to worry about being friends and being students of rival schools."

'Friends,' thought Troy, feeling disappointment. 'She only wants to be friends.'

Gabriella saw Troy's expression change and became concerned. "What's wrong Troy? Something bothering you?"

Troy cleared his throat, trying to decide if he wanted to admit his true thoughts to her. "Well, actually, I was hoping that we could be more than friends Gabriella. I know it is sudden, but I've lost you already, technically, and I don't want to lose you again."

Gabriella felt a deep blush adorn her cheeks and averted her eyes from his, not able to really dare to look at him again. When she finally got the courage to, she found that Troy was still intently staring at her. "Look Troy, since you are being so honest with me, I want to return the favor. I do like you, a lot, but I wouldn't feel right about starting something with you, even just casual dating, right after you broke up with your girlfriend of however long just earlier this morning. I'm not that type of girl who is okay with being a rebound."

"But you wouldn't be and aren't a rebound," protested Troy. "Alicia and I dated for little over a month, we got together right before winter break, and to be truthful, half of that time I was thinking of a dark brown haired beauty who is sitting right in front of me."

She felt his blue eyes staring at her, genuine care evident in those orbs, while Gabriella felt herself blush again. "As nice as that is to hear, I would still feel like you are just rebounding and moving on to me because you didn't want to be alone or something. Besides, I've never really been a girl to date before."

Troy stared at her in disbelief. "Now, now I know you are lying. That's impossible!"

"What's impossible? That I haven't dated or that I feel like you may be rebounding despite your claims?"

"Well I can understand the rebound feeling, even if it isn't true, but the never dating is what I'm questioning. I just can't believe a wonderful girl like you would be boyfriendless now or before."

"Trust me, it's true. Between the moving and, well, other reasons, it just hasn't worked out for me."

Troy reached over and placed a gentle hand over Gabriella's right one that was resting on the table and then laced their fingers together. "But it could work now."

Gabriella returned his gaze and felt an unfamiliar sensation rush through her as she stared into his eyes, a type of melting. 'God, how silly am I getting?' she thought to herself as she bit the corner of her lip.

Their breakfast was served just then, interrupting any type of response she would have given Troy while Troy reluctantly let go of her hand. Both started eating and shared some small talk in between bites until both were done, both hungry and not really favoring the idea of having a serious talk while chewing food in their mouths.

After the plates were cleared, Troy reached over again and laced their fingers together, their hands resting on the table. "Is there anything I can do change your mind?" he asked, knowing in his gut already her answer.

Gabriella shook her head, her eyes full of regret and resolve. "No, unfortunately. Troy, why don't we just be friends for now? I don't want to rush anything and as far as I know, I'll be here in New Mexico until graduation so I don't think I'm vanishing anytime soon. Let's just give this time Troy. If you think about it, we've only really spoken three times in the past month and some odd. Let's get to know each better first and then if we are still interested in each other, we'll see where things go then."

"I can tell you already that I'll still be interested, more besotted than I am now I bet even, but if you want to take it slow, if that's what makes you comfortable, I'm willing to do that. I'll wait for however long it takes Gabriella," said Troy, looking Gabriella directly in the eyes so she knew he was telling her the truth.

"Thank you," she murmured, giving him a small smile. "By the way, since I know your first and last name, I think it's only fair I tell you mine. It's Gabriella Montez."

Troy grinned. "You read my thoughts straight out of my head there, Miss Montez. I was just thinking I had no idea what your last name is. So no more hiding from my calls and texts, right?"

Gabriella laughed. "Promise. After all, friends don't hide from each other and I will also try to keep Tessa from playing with my phone as well."

He quirked an eyebrow at this. "What has your good friend been doing with your phone?"

"Oh, just calling you for me once she learned about a certain guy who was on my mind that I was too shy about calling," admitted Gabriella, realizing too late what she just said.

Troy chuckled at the deep blush that reappeared on her face. "So you were thinking of me just as much, huh? Well, I must say I'm flattered and I have to thank Tessa. Without her interference, I would never have figured out you were here now."

"I guess so," replied Gabriella.

The check was placed on the table and Troy grabbed it before Gabriella could even think to reach for it. "My treat!"

"No way, come on Troy!" complained Gabriella. "I am not letting you treat me to brunch after what happened last night."

"Yes you are because I know I worried you too and stop mentioning last night like it was your fault. I told you, it was totally not," stated Troy as he pulled out enough money for the bill and a generous tip.

Gabriella sighed. "Fine. Thank you for brunch Troy, even though you didn't have to."

"I know I didn't have to. It was my pleasure."

The two continued to talk, getting to know each other much better, losing track of time until Chad came into the diner and stopped at the table the two were sitting at. He eyed the goofy smile on his best friend's face and the sweet smile on the girl's face that sat across him. 'Oh God help us, they're so falling for each other,' thought Chad before he cleared his throat, causing both of them to look up.

"Chad!" exclaimed Troy, immediately looking at his watch and seeing he was twenty minutes over their agreed upon pick up time. "Crap, I didn't realize that much time had passed."

"Clearly," Chad replied rather dryly. He saw the girl look at him with a curious expression on her face so he stuck his hand out to her. "I'm Chad Danforth by the way, Troy's best friend since pre-school."

Gabriella rewarded him with a nice smile before taking his hand and shaking it. "Gabriella Montez, new friend of Troy's."

'Not for long,' thought Chad ironically, knowing his best friend well enough to know that wouldn't keep him satisfied for long by the look on his face.

She continued. "It's good to finally officially meet you. You did really well at the Championship game, by the way. I was pretty impressed."

It was Chad's turn to grin widely at her. "Thanks, I appreciate that. It was a tough game but I think the right team won."

Troy laughed a little, seeing that instant approval of Gabriella in Chad's body language. 'Just took one sincere compliment and she has him around her finger. Talk about hysterical. Then again, I'm not much better when it comes to this girl,' thought Troy with a smile of his own.

Troy got up from the table and helped Gabriella get out from the booth before the three headed outside of the diner, Troy knowing he would be cutting it close to beating his parents home. "Well, I guess this is good-bye for now. I'll text you my IM and email so maybe we can keep in touch that way. I'm supposed to be grounded from my cell, which means I'll probably have it taken away this afternoon after my parents remember that I have it still."

Gabriella nodded her head. "Sounds good. You better go. I don't want you in any more trouble than you already are."

Chad waved good-bye to her before he got into his car, giving the two some privacy to say farewell.

"You know, he's not anywhere as bad as I thought he would be," commented Gabriella, earning a laugh from Troy.

"No, he's a pretty good guy at heart once you get to know him. Anyway, I'll see you soon, new friend, promise," replied Troy before he pulled Gabriella into a tight hug, which she returned.

Both felt the chemistry again that flowed between them as they pulled away and Troy had to control himself to limiting his kiss to just her cheek before he completely pulled away from her embrace. "Bye Gabriella."

"Bye Troy," murmured Gabriella, a small smile on her lips as she gently touched the cheek he had kissed while Chad pulled out of the parking lot and journeyed to Troy's house. 'God, how am I going to stay just friends with this guy when he always makes me feel this way?'

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