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Tessa, Gabriella, Beth, and Sarah all arrived at West High's gym for the hyped up Spring Fling and weren't disappointed with the crowd. "Wow, every West student must be here. It's packed!" exclaimed Sarah.
"Yeah, it looks like more people are even dancing out on the floor than at the ball. Maybe it's because they know who they are dancing with?" commented Beth.
Gabriella gave her friend a look, who blushed immediately. "Don't worry Beth, no offense taken. Why don't we go and try to enjoy this night? After all, we may as well have some fun while we're here."
Tessa laughed. "Now there's the spirit, really Gabriella."
Gabriella rolled her eyes and linked arms with Tessa and Sarah who were next to her as the girls entered the gym further, trying not to trip over the ugly gray tarp that was rolled out to protect the gym floor as they made their way to the dancing area.
Several songs later, Gabriella couldn't shake the feeling of being heavily watched as she moved to the music, focusing on her friends dancing with her to the lively songs. She ventured a look around the room and immediately regretted it as she locked eyes with Riley. 'God, when is this guy going to give up?' she wondered, quickly looking away and concentrating on her friends again. 'Please let one of the true popular girls interfere and gain his whole attention, PLEASE!'
It was another song later when Gabriella actually felt a physical presence behind her this time, accompanying that feeling of being watched. One glance at Tessa and Gabriella knew that trouble was behind her. Closing her eyes for a moment, trying to gain her composure, proved to be a mistake as Riley evidently took it as a sign to move in on her dancing body, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her up against his body. She stilled her movements at his action but that didn't bother Riley as he continued to dance up against her himself.
Sarah, Beth, and Tessa exchanged looks, not knowing what they should do to help their friend out. Gabriella saw this though and called them off with a look, knowing that she didn't want her friends to step in and get even worse reps than merely being tainted by being friends with a "traitor" or any of the other names she was called these days.
After not feeling Gabriella respond or start dancing again, Riley got frustrated and growled, "I've seen the way you can dance Gabriella. You better dance for me."
Chills went down through Gabriella's body and they were definitely not the good ones as she heard his gruff voice right next to her right ear. She tried her best to push her fear away while steeling herself for the next scene that would be sure to keep the tongues at West wagging. Firmly, Gabriella put her hands on Riley's arms that were wrapped around her waist and pushed at them, unable to break his hold completely but loosening it. "Let go Riley," demanded Gabriella, not liking the feeling of being this close to him.
"Why? I like my arms here, you tucked against my body like this," growled Riley after he pulled Gabriella closer to him and actually began kissing her neck.
Shudders went through Gabriella's body as repulsion swept over her like a tidal wave. Seeing no other option, Gabriella decisively planted her elbow into his side, not enough to really hurt Riley but enough to surprise him and to get him to drop his arms. "Well I don't," responded Gabriella, turning around and glaring at Riley. "Seriously Riley, why do you have to be this way? I've told you time and time again that we aren't meant to be and I'm not interested. There are plenty of other girls who would love a chance with you. Why don't you give them a chance and leave me alone?"
"Why? So you can continue to pine over East High's golden wimp? I don't think so. You know the only reason why you haven't been jumped is because you are under my protection Gabriella. I would think you'd be grateful instead of being this prude with me. My patience is wearing thin and I always get what I want," stated Riley, lowering his voice so only she could hear the last part.
"Not this time," responded Gabriella, refusing to be bullied by him. "I tried to be friends with you Riley but you clearly aren't interested and that's the only relationship you will ever have with me. Now please, leave me alone."
"Or else what?" countered Riley with a sneer. "You'd never stand a chance at taking me out, even if you tried. I'd break you in half!"
"More the reason why I'd never date you!" exclaimed Gabriella, knowing the truth in his words. "I'd never date someone who was abusive and cared so little for me. Now, for the last time, get lost Riley!"
Furious at her stubborn refusal, Riley reached out and grabbed Gabriella's left wrist hard, bringing her roughly against his body. "YOU LISTEN TO ME WELL MONTEZ! I've been playing Mr. Nice Guy to try to win you over willingly but I am not above doing what I need to do to make you mine," stated Riley, putting more pressure on her wrist to emphasize his point.
Tessa, seeing Gabriella wince at the pain, decided that Gabriella's wish of her friend staying out of things would have to be disobeyed this time. She quickly walked over to where the two were struggling with each other's wills and wrapped her arm around Gabriella's shoulders in front of her body before she tugged her friend out of Riley's grasp. Tessa glared at Riley, uncaring of the consequences of what she just did. "Leave her alone Riley. She's not some bimbo you can get to do whatever you say. Gabriella is too smart for that."
Gabriella leaned gratefully into Tessa's hold, appreciating the little comfort it gave her while she cradled her left wrist in her right hand against her chest, all the determination and fearlessness that was in her moments before gone with Riley's violent appearance.
Riley eyed Gabriella and realized that he had crossed a line tonight, one there was no turning back from. "So be it, for tonight," said Riley, knowing he had the attention of quite a few West High students at the moment. "But you are officially out of my protection Gabriella. You have everything coming to you now."
Feeling Gabriella's body shake a little and determined not to let Riley get the best of either of them, Tessa stood tall and tightened her hold on her friend. "She doesn't need your help, she's got true friends, so go screw yourself Riley!"
Before anything further could be said, Tessa led Gabriella out of the gym, hearing whispers begin to escalate as they departed. The two girls don't stop walking until they were off school grounds, pausing a little to catch their breath and to try to reign in their emotions. "God, I'm so sorry Tessa. You are going to be such an outcast now because of me," got out Gabriella, true sorrow and worry on her face.
Tessa shook her head. "Like I wasn't an outcast before, hello! Besides, I promised you last week I'd protect you when I could and you needed protecting just then. I know you were trying to be the big brave young woman you are, but in the eyes of violence and threats, I don't blame you for being shaken up."
"I just want him to go away Tess, that's all I want," stated Gabriella, upset that yet another scene had been caused and that things have yet again escalated. 'This is exactly why I've been so reluctant with Troy. Imagine what tonight would have been like if they knew there was an actual relationship.'
Tessa pulled Gabriella to her for a hug but immediately let go as she felt Gabriella wince in pain as her left arm was still cradled against her chest. "That jerk really hurt you, didn't he?" asked Tessa. "I knew I should have stepped in earlier but you looked so determined to try to handle him by yourself so I let it go."
"Exactly, I was determined to try to end this silliness on my own but evidently I'm not strong enough or something," returned Gabriella.
"You are strong enough, but Riley is a brute who doesn't know the meaning of chivalry or anger management evidently," stated Tessa with an ironic smile. "Not a real Knight now is he?"
Gabriella managed to giggle a little at this. She looked down at her arm, using the lamppost's light to see it and grimaced at the dark patch of skin she saw on her wrist. "Great, a nice reminder of that pig's hand being on my body. I can still feel his sloppy kiss on my neck too," complained Gabriella. "I definitely need a nice long hot shower after this."
"I'd agree with you and I respectfully suggest putting an icepack or three on that wrist to help with the pain. The bruise looks like it won't be pretty but at least you can help it out with the cold compress," said Tessa. "God, Riley is such a moron!"
Before Gabriella could respond, Tessa's cell phone went off, so she opened her purse and grabbed it, seeing who was calling. "SHIT! I totally forgot!" exclaimed Tessa. "Hello?"
Gabriella watched Tessa's one-sided conversation, wondering what was going on with her friend. 'What did she forget?'
After hanging up the phone, Tessa sent off a text to Sarah for her and Beth to head home on their own before putting her cell phone back in her purse. "So, Gabriella, why don't we go take a walk and enjoy this nice clean air, hmm?"
Gabriella agreed but eyed her friend with a suspicious look, which Tessa chose to ignore. "So, what did you forget tonight?" pushed Gabriella as Tessa directed them down the street.
"Oh, something I had planned earlier on this week. With the excitement of the moron's stupidity back there, I sort of forgot," replied Tessa, eluding the question yet answering it at the same time.
Seeing that Tessa would not confess anything more, Gabriella decided to let the matter drop, focusing instead on trying to control the pain that was pulsating up her arm at the moment. After a few more blocks, the pain in her left arm was forgotten as she saw a familiar young man dressed in a pair of black slacks and green button up shirt leaning up against his parent's car that he borrowed every once in a while. "Troy?"
Troy turned his head and grinned as he saw Gabriella and Tessa walking towards him finally. He frowned though, concern filling his eyes as he saw Gabriella holding her left wrist to her body. "Hey Brie, I thought I'd surprise you and rescue you from this dance but it looks like I may have been too late. What happened?"
A few tears formed in Gabriella's eyes as she heard the genuine concern in his voice. "Just a stupid jock who let his aggressive nature out," replied Gabriella. "I'll be fine, really."
Realizing that Gabriella didn't want to talk about it, Troy gently pulled Gabriella's body towards his and just embraced her, whispering soothing words into her ear as he felt her tremble a little. Troy shot Tessa a look, who just shook her head. "Riley was just way out of line and out of control tonight. Gabriella tried her best to take him on by herself but it didn't work so well. She only has that bruise on her left wrist, I promise," said Tessa, knowing full well that one bruise was one too many for Troy to see on the girl he adored.
Troy pushed down the anger that had bubbled up to the surface, knowing that any outburst from him at the moment would serve only to frighten Gabriella and what she needed the most right now was comfort and borrowed strength. "Come on, why don't we get you two home? I had hoped to take you away for a late night dinner but I think we better get you taken care of with some ice. That all right with you Brie?"
Gabriella nodded her head, bumping Troy's chin a little in the process, which caused her to look up with concern in her own eyes for him.
He chuckled at this and hugged her tighter before dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "Don't worry about me and a not even bruised chin Gabriella. We need to take care of you and that wrist of yours. Here, I brought this for you," said Troy before he let go of her body and opened the passenger side door to present her with the white long stemmed rose.
Gabriella couldn't help but smile as she took the rose from him. "Thank you," she murmured, completely awed by the sudden change of emotions she felt in that moment.
Troy helped Gabriella into the passenger seat and closed the door before looking at Tessa. "Thank you Tessa, for coming up with tonight's idea and for being a true friend to Gabriella."
"Hey, I did it for her. Gabriella is like my best friend now and I'd never let some jerk hurt her if I could, and that speaks to you never hurting her too mister. After tonight, I fear Gabriella is going to need a lot more than just my friendship to get through life at West. He tried to get her to grind with him and she refused, sparking an argument neither Riley nor Gaby wanted to back down from. Eventually, he got frustrated enough to yank her to him, thus the bruise, and then dramatically announced she was no longer under his protection and implied there would be consequences of her refusing him again. Riley meant business tonight, I know he did," revealed Tessa.
"You think she's in danger?" asked Troy. "Like true physical danger?"
"It's hard to say because I've seen Riley act out against other guys, but I've never seen or heard about him attacking a girl before. I'll keep an eye on her though, I promise," vowed Tessa.
Troy nodded his head. "And I will too. I don't want you getting hurt either Tessa. Riley may be in the mood to lash out even more now and I don't want you caught in the middle just like I don't want to see Gabriella hurt. Speaking of, why don't you jump in the car? I don't want you walking around out here by yourself."
"Troy, it's not the ghetto, I'll be fine walking home. You two should have some alone time. That was the idea of tonight," replied Tessa.
"True, but plans have altered and after tonight, I'd feel better taking you come. Humor me, all right?"
Tessa rolled her eyes. "Fine, but Bolton, instead of being a Wildcat, I totally think you would have done better at West in living up to the mascot. You may prove to be Gabriella's knight after all."
"Haha," got out Troy as he opened the passenger door behind where Gabriella was sitting for Tessa to get in before he went around to the driver's side and to get in himself.
'Well, well, well… I was right, she is seeing Bolton,' thought Riley, anger throbbing through his body. 'You will pay dearly for that poor choice Gabriella, this I promise you.'
He spat on the ground as he watched the three drive off from the shadows he was hiding in after following the two girls to this little "secret meeting spot" of theirs. 'Oh no, this is not a threat either. This is a promise, and I always fulfill my promises, always.'
After pulling into the driveway and parking the car, Troy cut the engine and quickly got out and ran around to the other side to open the door for Gabriella. She smiled up at him for his efforts as she got out, allowing him to close the car door before taking her right hand in his. 'The perfect fit,' thought Troy with a small grin as the two walked up the pathway to the Montez household.
Gabriella opened her purse and took out her keys to unlock the house and quickly disarmed the alarm, letting Troy close and lock the door behind him. "I guess Mom isn't home from her dinner party yet," said Gabriella, noting the darkness of the house.
"Hey, it's okay. I'll be more than glad to help tend to you," replied Troy, leading her by the hand to the living room and having her take a seat on the couch. He grabbed the remote off the coffee table and handed it to her. "Now sit back, relax, and find a favorite show or movie. I'm going to go get ice for that wrist and some Advil or Tylenol for the pain, at least to take the edge off it. Where are the medicines?"
Astounded by the amount of care Troy was showing her, Gabriella automatically responded, "In my bathroom's medicine cabinet."
Troy disappeared from sight so Gabriella kicked off her heels and curled up on the couch, and turned on the television to surf for a good show to watch. She finally decided on Love and Basketball that was showing on a cable channel, knowing that it was something both she and Troy would enjoy, especially as it was a secret favorite of hers. 'God, how is it possible that I would have someone as sweet and caring as Troy in my life right now, when everything else seems to be going wrong? Everyone at school despises me, I'm cursed with a guy who won't go away, and my family status is, well, questionable,' thought Gabriella. 'And I bet he doesn't even know where to begin with all these problems that I have that no one knows all of, not my best friend from South Carolina or the one here. They'll never know it all.'
"Hey, I found the extra strength stuff for you," said Troy, interrupting Gabriella's thoughts. Troy handed Gabriella the two pills and then the glass of water, watching her take them from him with a small smile on her lips. "I'll be right back and go get that ice pack now."
'He really is too good for me,' thought Gabriella with a dreamy look on her face that she was all too aware of. 'If it wasn't for the stupid rivalry between our schools and my own secret, we'd be free to see each other and actually be blissfully happy instead of sharing this tortured relationship we have. Would it be worth it to blow it all away and go after what both of us seem to want?'
Troy entered the room again with an ice pack in one hand and a kitchen towel in the other. He sat down next to Gabriella and gently placed the ice pack against her wrist, wrapping the towel around her arm to hold it in place. Then, without speaking, Troy grabbed a pillow from the end of the couch and put it on his lap before gently coaxing Gabriella to lie down with her head on the pillow, her wrapped left arm resting on her stomach. Gabriella gazed back up at Troy, speechless at the seemingly unending amount of thoughtfulness and care he had shown her almost since they met at the ski lodge but especially within the last few days, particularly in the last couple of hours.
He saw that amazed look on her face and chuckled, shaking his head a little. "Come now Brie, does it really surprise you after all that I have said, all that I have done, to see how very serious I am about caring for you in this special way? I really do like you Gabriella and I'd risk everything to see you truly happy, hopefully with me. Don't you know that by now?"
Gabriella smiled, touched by the soft words she just heard him say to her. "I think I'm finally starting to fully understand it for what it is Troy," said Gabriella as she slowly reached up her right arm to place her hand on the side of his cheek, feeling her heart warm at the sight of him closing his eyes as he leaned into her hand. "And I am finally able to tell you now that I return your feelings, full heartedly, which is why I am willing to do everything I can to keep you safe, to keep you unharmed. I care about you that much Troy, even after knowing you for as little time as we really have."
"But that's where you're wrong Gabriella," murmured Troy as he opened his blue eyes to lovingly look back into her brown ones. "It's far worse staying away from you, being with you and being able to show my true feelings when I'm around you than it is to get beaten up by the toughest man out there. I have this feeling that as long as I am with you, everything will turn out to be just fine."
"You don't know that though," argued Gabriella in a soft voice, fighting her conflicting emotions and thoughts in her mind.
"And neither do you," returned Troy. He turned his head and kissed her palm, gratified to see that sweet smile reappear on her lips. "Please Brie, let's try us out. What do we have to lose as long as we have each other?"
Gabriella was still fighting the internal battle between her logical mind and her romantic heart when Troy leaned down and their lips met in a shy kiss. She felt herself give Troy the answer he was looking for when she lifted her head off the pillow to kiss him again as he pulled away, this time sharing a more passionate, lingering kiss than before. The pain in her left wrist was forgotten as she wove her right hand through his hair as he began to deepen it, eventually slowly pulling away to look down at the beautiful girl laying on his lap, the girl who had answered his prayers that filled the last month.
"Just please, promise me you won't get yourself hurt okay?" requested Gabriella. "I'd never live with myself if something were to happen to you because of us dating Troy."
"I won't, don't worry. Besides, I am smart enough to know that as much as I want to run outside and scream at the top of my lungs that I have the most wonderful, amazing, and gorgeous girlfriend in the world that I can't. For reasons out of our control, we can't celebrate our love the way that I would like to, out in the open, but having you here in my life, in the official role as my girlfriend, is more than enough for me now. As much as I hate this sneaking, I know it is necessary to keep us both safe and I would never do anything to endanger you, you must know that now," replied Troy. "God Brie, you've made me so happy tonight."
She smiled as she saw the truth of his words on his face, from his grin to his twinkling blue eyes. "As you have made me. You've turned a night that started out a bit rough into a memorable night for all the right reasons as far as the moments that involve you. It means a lot to see you struggle with your impulse to go back to West and torture Riley for what he did tonight and instead dedicate your energy and focus for caring for me. That's what attracts me to you Troy, your pure heart and intentions."
Troy flushed a little at her words before he said, "I wasn't always this way, just since you walked onto that stage at the ski lodge and into my life. Before, well, let's just say the Troy pre-Gabriella would have jumped at the chance to exchange throws with Riley over something like he did tonight but now, now you are my top priority Gabriella and I vow you always will be."
They shared another kiss, communicating their emotions better than words could at that point, before they settled back down and turned their attention to Love and Basketball, which was still playing. Troy chuckled as soon as he realized what she had chosen. "You chose this for me didn't you? The whole basketball thing?"
Gabriella giggled. "Guilty, but I honestly didn't realize the love part in the title would play itself into our real night. It's one of my favorites actually."
"Mine too, even if there's that whole romance thing going on," replied Troy, earning a laugh from his girlfriend.
She turned her attention from the TV back to her boyfriend of a few minutes. "You know, it's okay to appease your romantic side every once in a while. I won't tell your boys, promise."
Troy smiled gratefully at her before Gabriella turned her head to watch the movie, Troy slowly running his fingers through her hair that lay on the pillow. Neither one of them cared at that very moment what was coming their way. All they knew was that they were happy now, together finally, and that they would face whatever came their way together.