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Since Christmas Day was the day most of the gang's families were having family parties for the holidays, the gang decided to celebrate together on Christmas Eve. Ms. Montez agreed to have the eleven teenagers over at the Montez house late last week and had helped Gabriella prepare some tasty finger foods and main entrees before she disappeared from sight. 'I must have the best mother ever,' thought Gabriella as she watched her mom go up the stairs.
The doorbell rang and Gabriella ran to get it. She grinned as she saw a smiling Troy on the other side holding a few bags. "Hi Troy," she greeted as she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek before she took a few bags from him. They went into the living room and placed the bags down there. Troy took the opportunity, once his hands were free, to take Gabriella into his arms and kiss her forehead.
"Hello, my sweet Gabriella," he said. "I've missed you."
Gabriella laughed and playfully swatted his arm. "Troy, we've seen each other every day since school let out. Not that I'm complaining, but you're acting like I didn't see you this morning when you picked me up for brunch."
Troy shrugged his shoulders. "So I love this dating we're doing and I love being with you? Such a crime?"
"No," answered Gabriella with a laugh. "Have I mentioned how wonderful being with you feels?"
"No, but I know exactly what you mean," he returned, just about to capture her lips with his when the doorbell rang.
Gabriella giggled as she saw the annoyed look on his face again. "I better get that," she said.
"I honestly don't know how you can find humor in us always getting interrupted," replied Troy as Gabriella went to get the door and he took things out of the bags he brought over for the present exchange and for snacks.
"Hey Chad, hey Taylor!" greeted Gabriella with a smile. She gave each a hug and let them in. "Troy, look who is here!"
Troy looked up and waved. "Should have figured it was you at the door, Danforth," called out Troy.
Taylor laughed and looked at Chad's puzzled expression. "Guess you interrupted them again, lunkhead."
"Oh," said Chad. "Wait, you haven't kissed still?"
Troy rolled his eyes and stated, "Obviously, we can't with you around all the time to interrupt!"
"Hey, Sharpay did too a few times!" defended Chad.
"Not helping," said Gabriella as she went to answer the door again when the doorbell rang.
Within the next half an hour, everyone had arrived and were starting in on the food the Montez women prepared. "Mmm, Gabriella, you and your mom outdid yourselves this time," commented Troy between bites.
"I so need your secrets to some of these dishes Gabriella, please!" pleaded Zeke. "I need to learn how to make some of this yummy goodness."
Martha laughed. "You know your food is phenomenal when our resident chef and baker begs for your secrets, Gabriella."
Gabriella grinned at her friends. "I'm just glad you all enjoy it. My mom deserves all the credit anyway."
"Always modest!" called out Ryan with a smile.
The gang started talking about other things as they finished their food and then moved back to the living room where the Christmas tree and all the presents were. They took seats around the room, some on couches while others were on the floor. Troy and Gabriella squished into a loveseat together while the others exchanged knowing glances.
"All right, everyone. What's going on?" demanded Troy as he caught some of the looks.
"Well we know we have this fun little game to play for the Christmas presents but we as a group decided you and Gabriella deserved a present of your own," explained Taylor.
"This is something that we feel is way over due," added Kelsi.
"And is something that we think you both will enjoy," stated Martha with a grin.
Taylor elbowed Chad, who gave her a look before he got up and retrieved the wrapped box from under the tree. "I guess I am the lucky one to hand it to you," said Chad as he handed Gabriella and Troy the box with their names on it. "But remember, it was from every single person in this room, not just me."
Troy looked at his best friend curiously as he allowed Gabriella to open the box. "Oh my," she said before she shot a look at Taylor, who tried to look innocent back.
"What?" asked Troy before he peeked into the box and glared at Chad.
"Hey, I just said it was from all of us!" exclaimed Chad.
Troy and Gabriella looked at each other and started to laugh. "I don't know why you are laughing. We are totally serious about the meaning behind that gift," stated Zeke.
"Totally serious," added Jason.
The couple stopped laughing and looked at their friends. "You mean to tell me you expect me to kiss Gabriella under this mistletoe?" questioned Troy as he held the gift up.
"Yup," replied Ryan with a smile. "We figured since you have been continuously interrupted for the last, I don't know, ten months or so, this was the best gift we could give to you."
"Well said," commented Audrina. "So, what are you waiting for? Kiss!"
Shouts of "Kiss!" were heard from all around the room, which made Gabriella and Troy both blush deeply while they avoided each other's look.
"Oh come on, I know you two have wanted to after all this time," chided Chad. "This is your chance!"
"Not with nine of our friends watching!" protested Gabriella. "This is so embarrassing."
"But if we let you out of this room, who says you will?" challenged Zeke. "I mean, it's easy to go outside for a minute then come back in and say you did. Our gift needs to be fulfilled!"
Troy sighed and looked at Gabriella. "I know you are embarrassed, but these guys aren't going to let up until they see what they want to. Will you kiss me to shut them up?" asked Troy.
Gabriella stared at Troy, not believing he just suggested their first kiss be shared as a way to shut up their friends. "Troy, this isn't how I wanted it," replied Gabriella.
"I know," responded Troy as he brushed a strand of her hair behind her left ear.
"Then why even suggest it?" whispered Gabriella, knowing her friends were still watching them.
"Because, if we get this over now, the party will continue, the attention will be off of us, and I will make it up to you after the party. I will give you a proper first kiss once we are sure all these guys are long gone," whispered Troy. "Deal?"
Gabriella sighed, but knew that Troy was right. "I guess."
Troy chuckled. "You are so doing wonders for my ego here, Gabriella."
"Come on, you two! Seriously, for people who have waited this long, you sure are moving rather slow!" called out Jason.
Troy turned his attention to his friend and shot him a look before softening the features of his face as he stared back at Gabriella. He lifted the mistletoe again over the two of them and placed his other hand on her cheek. "Ready?"
Gabriella nodded her head as she leaned in and met his lips with hers for the briefest of moments before she pulled away. 'Whoa, for a forced first kiss, that was amazing,' she thought as she touched her lips and saw him staring back at her.
Conversations started to pick up among the gang as the couple continued to look at each other. Troy stared back at Gabriella and grinned at her, gingerly touching her lips. 'I feel that way too Gabriella, amazed. I can't wait for the real kiss later tonight.' Troy leaned over and kissed Gabriella's forehead and squeezed the hand he was now holding to let her know he was thinking the same thing.
She smiled back and nodded before she got involved in a discussion with Taylor and Martha on the latest girl movie they wanted to see maybe early next week.
After some time of just conversing, Jason and Chad started to slowly get into the pile of gifts in the middle of the room so the gang decided it was time to start the little game they came prepared to play. Gabriella got up and brought a bowl with papers in it, which started its journey around the group.
As soon as everyone had a number, Gabriella smiled and explained the game a little bit better. "All right, so you each brought a gift that was supposed to be unisex but I am willing to bet that didn't perfectly happen which is fine. For this game, which we decided to play since we all don't have unlimited budgets to use for presents, each of us have given one gift to the group and will get one back. The numbers in your hands dictate who goes first, second, etc. So what happens is the person who is first picks a wrapped gift from here in the middle and then unwraps it. Whatever the gift is, is their present. The next person goes and picks another gift, unwraps it, and finds out what it is. Now, here's the fun part. If the second person didn't quite like the gift or for whatever reason they didn't want it, they then have the choice to take the gift the first person has in exchange for what the second person has. It is possible that the first person will have had a different gift ten different times by the end of the game depending on people's preferences. Everyone get it?"
Nods were exchanged around the room before Zeke proudly held up the sheet of paper in his hands that showed he was first. "I get to pick first!" he exclaimed.
Gabriella gestured for him to pick before she took her seat back next to Troy, who immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she snuggled closer to him on the chair.
Zeke picked a present and unwrapped it to find a role playing PC game. "This could be cool," he commented.
"Also, no one gets to say who gave what to the pile," announced Gabriella before anyone could say anything. "Takes away the fun. All right, Zeke has his game. Who is next?"
Audrina raised her number and picked up the present with her favorite cartoon character on the paper. She unwrapped it and smiled as she discovered a collection of CDs of her favorite band that were imported. "I love these!" exclaimed Audrina.
Jason coughed and under his breath yelled, "Fixed! Ryan fixed it!"
Charles heard him and laughed but didn't say anything further.
"I'm next," volunteered Kelsi, who picked from the pile and unwrapped the latest car racing game for Xbox 360. "Zeke, give me that role playing game!"
Zeke happily obliged and traded Kelsi with a grin on his face. "Thanks Kelsi," stated Zeke as he took a seat.
Next was Martha, who unwrapped a picture frame with a 5x7 picture of most of the gang from the summer in a silver frame with the word "friends" on it. "Oh, I love it! No one better take this from me!" she exclaimed.
Charles was up and he unwrapped his to find a gift certificate to A&F within a box. "Very cool," he said, "but I do prefer the racing game. Sorry Zeke!" He offered Zeke the certificates before a very reluctant Zeke handed over the racing game.
"Oooh, me!" yelled Chad as he went after a box and tore open the paper. Taylor laughed hysterically as his face went from excitement to horror filled as he saw the small black purse in the box. "Charles man, I can't deal with this. Hand over the game."
There was a small struggle between Charles and Chad before Charles reluctantly took the purse and gave up the car game. The gang laughed for a little while at the scene but eventually quieted down as the next person went to the pile in the middle.
Gabriella examined the pile and picked out one before she sat back down to unwrap it. She smiled as she saw a framed 8x10 picture of the whole group taken last week after the basketball game on Wednesday at the ice-cream parlor in a beautiful wooden frame. "Definitely a keeper for me!"
Ryan smiled over at Gabriella. "I don't know Gabriella, I may just have to take that away from you," he teased as he grabbed another wrapped present and unwrapped it. "Then again maybe not. I love this hat!"
"FIXED!" coughed Charles and Jason together this time with grins.
Ryan made a face before he said, "Jealousy much?"
The group laughed as Jason himself grabbed a present and unveiled the latest Scene It Game, NBA edition. "AWESOME! We are so playing tonight, guys!"
The girls collectively groaned much to the guys' amusement.
"Well Jason, at least you know I'm not going to steal that from you," commented Taylor as she picked one of the two remaining gifts from the center. She unwrapped it to reveal a new basketball made from the latest technology so she could tell it was special. She surveyed the guys and what they had already.
"Come on Taylor, just keep it!" pleaded Chad. "It is one of the best gifts here!"
"Right, cause I'll play with it all the time," replied Taylor with sarcasm heavy in her voice.
"Well I could teach you and then I could play too!" added Chad.
Taylor shook her head. "I think this is karma coming back at you, Chad," she stated as she pointed to Charles. "Here Charles, take the basketball and I'll take the purse off your hands."
"NOOO!" screamed Chad as he saw a grinning Charles exchange with Taylor. "That was so meant for me!"
"Well then you should have picked it," replied Martha with a laugh.
Chad pulled a full on pout as Troy grabbed the last present while he shook his head at his best friend. "Always a whiner," kidded Troy. He tore the paper quickly and revealed the latest NBA game for PS2. Troy looked at it with a smile but then looked over at Gabriella next to him. "Gabriella, why don't we trade?"
"WHAT?" she replied. "No way, I don't even have a PS2!"
"You can have mine," returned Troy. "That is a really great picture of the gang, Gabriella."
"I know Troy, that's why I'm keeping it," she said as she hugged the picture frame to her even tighter so he wouldn't be able to take it away.
Troy laughed. "Just teasing," he revealed with a grin. "I am so keeping the game!"
Gabriella glared at him before she stuck out her tongue. "Not nice!"
"So I guess that's the end of the present game?" asked Charles.
"Yup, that's the end of that and my organized party skills. What do you guys feel like doing next?" questioned Gabriella.
The gang debated for a little bit with the guys insisting on the NBA game that Jason got. In the end, everyone compromised so that the girls would spend time together as the guys played the game and then everyone was going to watch a movie of the girls' choice. Satisfied with the conclusion, all the boys ran to the TV and loaded up the game and broke out the board.
"Honestly, I never would have thought that Ryan and Charles would get so into basketball like those other lunkheads," commented Taylor as the five girls moved to the nook area to sit down around the table and nibble on some of the snacks Troy brought.
Gabriella nodded her head in agreement. "Totally, but they both fit in so well. I'm glad it worked out this way."
"For Charles and Ryan or for you and Troy?" teased Martha.
"Both sets actually. I never would have thought at the start of this school year that Troy and I would be dating again. And trust me, it's the most terrific feeling in the world," replied Gabriella with a smile. "I think after all the drama and issues we went through, spending time together and sharing these emotions just makes it that much better."
Kelsi smiled at her friend. "I thought that would be how it would end up for you two. Kind of like a Shakespearean romance minus the tragedy."
"Hopefully," added Audrina. "All I can say is that I'm going to miss all of you, especially Gabriella and Ryan next year. What am I going to do when you all go off to college?"
"Ooooh, Audrina broke the rule!" pointed out Martha.
"Yup, you did Audrina. Should there be a punishment girls?" asked Taylor.
"Wait, what rule?" questioned Audrina.
"The live in the moment rule!" supplied Kelsi.
Audrina looked over pleadingly with Gabriella, who just shrugged her shoulders. "It's up to these other three, I'm not getting involved."
"Gee, thanks big sis," replied Audrina as she looked at Kelsi, Taylor, and Martha.
The three put their heads together and started laughing. "That can't be a good sign though. Come on you three, don't be too hard on her," stated Gabriella.
"To teach you to live in the moment, we want you to use those dancing skills on an unsuspecting Ryan," announced Taylor. "Do whatever you want, but your goal is to get Ryan's attention from that game in there."
Audrina gulped at the idea of this. "Can't there be something else for me to do?"
Kelsi and Martha shook their heads. "Nope, now go do it," replied Martha.
Audrina let out a sigh and gave them one last pleading look before they moved over to the entryway to the living room. They watched as the guys were intently watching the screen and screaming at each other. Luckily for Audrina, Ryan was sitting on the recliner on the end so she wouldn't have to climb over any of the guys. With one last look at her friends, Audrina steeled her nerves and walked over to Ryan.
"Ryan," she softly cooed in his ear. Seeing she got no response and after looking over at her friends, who were still watching in the entryway, Audrina decided to dance a little to a song in her head. After a little, while she heard giggling from the place where the girls were standing and looked over to see that Ryan was still involved in the game. Getting frustrated and remembering Taylor said anything, Audrina jumped onto Ryan's lap and kissed him soundly until he started to respond. Before he could wrap his arms around her though, Audrina jumped back off and ran over to the girls who had taken pictures and were now running with her back into the nook.
Charles looked over at Ryan and his dazed look. "Yo, Ryan, come on, the game!"
Still a bit confused about what happened, Ryan nodded his head and refocused his mind on the game at hand while he pushed the sensation of having Audrina on his lap and kissing him out. 'Talk about random sexy surprises,' he thought with a grin before he jumped in to answer the next question.
When the game was finally finished, the girls returned and picked out the cheesiest girl flick they could find and watched it with the guys to the very end. It was about 11 PM when the party started to wind down and everyone decided it was time to get going.
"Gotta be asleep by midnight otherwise Santa leaves you coal," teased Zeke as he put on his jacket.
"Maybe at your house since you are on the bad list!" returned Charles.
The gang all left, taking their presents and some food home after everyone hugged each other good-bye with Christmas wishes in the air. Troy stayed behind and waved as Chad and Taylor finally left, but not before Chad gave him one last wink, which Troy glared at him for before he closed the front door. Gabriella let out a little yawn, which Troy found utterly adorable for some reason. "Aww, someone sleepy?" he teased.
"Maybe. But we have to get everything cleaned up," answered Gabriella.
"I'll help. We'll get it done that much faster," offered Troy, which earned a grateful smile from Gabriella.
Within the next forty minutes, the Montez house looked spotless once again. Troy took a seat next to the Christmas tree while Gabriella snuggled up next to him. "Thank you Troy for your help. I know my mom will enjoy having a spotless house in the morning."
"You are very welcome," answered Troy. "Although, I do have a present for you."
"Same here," responded Gabriella with a smile on her face. The two reached for the presents under the tree and exchanged them. Gabriella shivered a little and decided to throw another log into the fireplace before she sat back down next to Troy. "Open yours first."
Troy nodded his head and unwrapped the box carefully. He opened the box and saw a white sweatshirt with East High on the front in red lettering. After Gabriella's urging, he flipped it over and saw on the back she had Wildcat Superstar placed on the sweatshirt with the number 14 on the left sleeve and Troy on the right sleeve. Troy grinned at her thoughtfulness and pulled her to him. "This was so thoughtful and sweet, Gabriella. I love it!"
"Good," she replied. "It took me forever to get the lettering just right."
"Wait, you did this yourself?" asked Troy.
"Of course, silly. Did you think I had it done at a store?" replied Gabriella.
"Well yeah, but this means that much more to me now," answered Troy. "Now I know for sure this really came from your heart."
"That it definitely did because you are already firmly lodged in your own special place in my heart, Troy Bolton," stated Gabriella in a more serious, softer voice.
Troy looked at Gabriella's smiling face as he watched the shadows dance across her from the fire in the fireplace. 'This is the right time,' he thought as he leaned down slowly and placed his lips on hers, suppressing a happy sigh as he felt Gabriella gently kiss him back.
Both pulled away and looked at each other, emotions in their eyes and smiles on their faces. "Much better than earlier," admitted Gabriella. "And even more than I ever expected it to be."
"That means a lot coming from a hopeless romantic," commented Troy as he leaned in for another kiss, this one a bit longer and with more passion. After a little bit, Troy pulled away and looked at Gabriella, brushing some of her hair back behind her ear and just admired her natural beauty. "I've said it before and I'll say it again. Gabriella, you mean the world to me and you will forever be in my heart too."
Gabriella smiled and took the initiative to kiss Troy this time, ending the sweet kiss as his present to her slipped off her lap. Troy leaned down to pick it back up and handed it to her. "Your turn," he said with a smile. He wrapped his arm around Gabriella as she opened the present and let out a little gasp.
"I love it!" she squealed as she took in the wood frame with their names on it. She took in the four pictures in the collage and smiled as she quickly relieved each memory. The first was from Twinkle Towne on the night of their first performance, the second was from the last day of junior year, the third from right after the Wildcats won their game over the Knights, and the last from the start of summer, one of the rare moments they had shared at Lava Springs before everything went awry.
"Now I admit, I didn't buy a frame and sit there to carve out our names," stated Troy. "But this came from my heart just as much as your gift to me."
Gabriella looked over at Troy and smiled even more. "I know, and it means just as much to me," she said before she met Troy halfway in the sweetest yet most passionate kiss they have shared that night.
Troy gently put his sweatshirt and her picture frame on the floor as he deepened the kiss and gently pushed Gabriella into the other side of the couch as he leaned over her to kiss her a little bit better and more comfortably. They continued kissing each other, both not able to get enough after all this time of near misses and lost opportunities. Gabriella let out a giggle as Troy ran his fingers along her side, which caused Troy to finally pull back and grin down at her. "You really are so beautiful, Gabriella, and I can't believe how wonderful having you in my arms and kissing you makes me feel."
Gabriella smiled back at him as she ran her fingers through his brown hair. "I feel the same way. I'm all tingly from your kisses and as giddy as I suspect any school girl would be when she has someone special holding her tight and sharing the most electrically charged kisses with her."
"Electrically charged?" questioned Troy. "You make us sound like something out of a science book."
Gabriella laughed. "Do I need to tutor you on this too?"
"No," he answered. "But I do agree there seems to be this bond between us now that I've never noticed before. You make my entire body hum just by being near me and your kisses, well there's nothing sweeter to taste in this entire world."
She smiled a little seductively before she leaned up on one elbow and wrapped her other arm around Troy's neck to pull him down for another intense kiss. The couple stayed like that, cuddled together and sharing kisses between talking and watching the flames of the fire dance in the fireplace before Troy had to leave an hour later. He regretfully untangled himself and helped Gabriella up from the couch.
After pulling his new sweatshirt over his head and grabbing some bags with food in them, Troy headed over to the front door and went to his truck to load the things in. Gabriella followed him out and shivered a little in the cold. Troy closed the door to the truck and turned his attention back on Gabriella, rubbing his hands up and down her bare arms. "You better get back inside, I don't want you getting a cold over seeing me off."
"It'd be worth it," she replied as she leaned up and kissed him gently on the mouth. "So very worth it."
Troy grinned as he wrapped his arms around Gabriella's body to pull her closer as he returned the kiss but eventually let her go as she started to shiver more. "All right, as much as I enjoy this, you better get back inside. I'll call you tomorrow?"
Gabriella nodded her head in agreement. Troy walked her back to her front door and kissed her one last time before he left her in her warm house and drove off in his truck to his own home. He dropped the bags in the kitchen and headed up to his room directly, dropping onto his bed. Troy turned his head to the left and grinned as he saw the picture of him and Gabriella from Junior Prom. He eventually closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, never having sweeter dreams than he had that night.