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The next day rolled around and Gabriella thanked her lucky stars that it was Saturday, delaying the inevitable return to East High and the gossip that awaited her. Leaving the courthouse yesterday proved difficult as the reporters and paparazzi alike were stationed all around the courthouse but their security team, along with the security of the courthouse, did their best to help Gabriella, her parents, Troy, and Tessa out of the courthouse with as little disturbance as possible. They had dropped off Tessa first before going to the Montez's home but were all dismayed to see the flashes of lights from photographers and camera crews waiting for them there as well.
Gabriella blinked her eyes a few times as she saw a flash go off while she spaced out, relieved that the photographer in this instance was really Taylor, who had just snapped a picture of Kelsi and Jason cuddled together on one half of the long couch with Ryan and Martha sitting and talking on the other. The entire gang had come over to Gabriella's home a few hours ago and were still hanging out, content to just talk to each other. Taylor and Chad were seated together on a smaller couch while Sharpay, Tessa, and Zeke were seated on another couch, leaving Gabriella sitting on Troy's lap while he sat on an accent chair with an ottoman pulled up.
Tessa turned her attention to her best friend and noted that she still didn't look as happy and care free as Tessa assumed she would be now that the trial was over. 'Then again, what do you expect Tessa? The trial may be over but Gaby still has a lot on her mind, including those memories from May that will never be forgotten for the rest of her life I'm sure.'
"Brie, you all right?" asked Troy, finally asking the question he had wanted to ask all afternoon after seeing her forced smile that hadn't ever quite reached her eyes the entire time.
Gabriella turned her attention from Kelsi and Jason and looked back at her boyfriend, still enthralled as ever when she looked into his crystal blue eyes that were currently filled with worry. She nodded her head before placing her head down onto his shoulder, shifting into the crook of his neck. "I'm fine, really."
Troy shook his head. "I don't believe that for a minute. What's up? Something is clearly on your mind."
'Somehow, I'm not all that surprised he knows me better than anyone in this room, even Tessa at times,' thought Gabriella before she straightened again and looked directly looked at him. "The truth? I'm happy that Riley Sutton is now behind bars for several years unless he actually succeeds in appealing but I can't shake this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I've had it since yesterday morning and thought it was about the trial ending but it still hasn't gone away. What if something is still meant to happen?"
"How can it? Riley's in jail and no group that is stupid enough to believe in his supposed innocence can bail him out this time," responded Troy, brushing back some of Gabriella's dark brown hair behind her left ear.
Gabriella helplessly shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe the threatened feeling isn't coming from him then. I don't know Troy."
Troy gently turned Gabriella's face so she was looking back at him after having looked away a moment ago. "Listen to me Brie, nothing is going to happen to you, I promise. I'm here, as I always will be, for you and that means loving you and protecting you. I think it's just your leftover anxiety taking over from the trial but if there really is a threat somewhere lurking around, I'll protect you, I promise. I love you Gabriella."
"I love you too Troy," returned Gabriella, leaning in and kissing him, breaking away as she saw a flash of light and this time seeing the camera in Taylor's hands aimed at them. "Tay!"
"What? It was too cute to miss," replied Taylor, getting a high five from Tessa who was a short distance away.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "I swear if I ever see home candid pictures on the internet, I'm going to hold you responsible and I'll know where that new Prada piece comes from."
"Taylor sell those photos to the wrong hands? That's something I'd like to see," threw in Sharpay. "She's too smart for that."
"Thank you Shar, I'm glad someone believes in me," stated Taylor, sticking her tongue out at Gabriella.
"Hey, I believe you wouldn't either, otherwise we wouldn't be best friends and you wouldn't be within those nice fences we have up around here," replied Gabriella, actually feeling herself letting her body truly relax. "Just ease up with the pictures please?"
Taylor reluctantly nodded her head. "Deal," agreed Taylor. "Tessa, put that camera away too."
"Hey!" protested Tessa, hating Taylor for exposing the fact there was another camera in the room.
Zeke chuckled and took the digital camera from his girlfriend's hand before he put it on the side table. "Come on, memories are so much more worth it when your friends aren't annoyed with you."
Tessa turned and grinned back at him. "True. When did you get so wise?"
"Don't let him fool you Tessa! Zeke has just learned from his mistakes is all," called out Chad. "Anyway, can we do something fun now? Like play a game of hoops or something?"
"Aww, Chad getting bored?" teased Martha.
"Must not be getting enough attention from Taylor," kidded Kelsi, causing laughter from all around the room.
"We could play basketball, I'd be down with that," replied Zeke, seeing a nod come from Jason.
"And us girls would then do what?" demanded Sharpay, not being a fan of just watching the guys play basketball.
"How about one of those childhood games none of us have ever played in a while?" offered Ryan. "Nothing like Duck, Duck, Goose but Hide and Seek or Sardines?"
"I like your thinking brother," commented Sharpay. "I say Truth or Dare!"
Troy groaned. "No, I know you too well Sharpay and know that's going to be trouble with a capital T."
"How about a compromise then?" offered Martha. "We could play Sardines and the loser has to do a round of Truth or Dare. The gang can collectively decide what it will be after the loser chooses between the two."
Jason nodded his agreement. "That sounds like fun but do we all have to eat sardines? I don't really like them."
Kelsi rolled her eyes and patted her boyfriend's knee gently. "No Jason, we aren't eating sardines. Sardines is a game where we elect one person to go and hide. Then after giving them, say five minutes, we all split up and search for him or her. If you find them, you hide in the spot with them until everyone is together except for the last person. Then I guess with Martha's compromise, the loser has to do a truth or a dare."
"Oh," said Jason. "That sounds much better."
"So who's going to be the first to hide?" asked Tessa, getting interested in the game even though it was a game she hadn't played since she was four.
"Me!" exclaimed Sharpay, immediately getting up and rushing out of the room excitedly.
"Typical Sharpay behavior. It's always about that girl," muttered Chad causing Taylor to laugh as she was the only one to hear it. "You know it's true!"
"Well yeah but that's just who she is, right?" returned Taylor.
The remaining group of friends turned their attention though on Paul as he came into the room, a serious look on his face as his gaze settled on Gabriella. "Whatever you do Gabriella, don't go near any windows okay?"
Gabriella returned his look with a confused expression. "What's going on Paul?"
Paul just shook his head. "Nothing to worry about but just, stay well within these walls for right now, promise?"
Gabriella searched his face for a clue as to what was going on but eventually giving up, nodding her head. "I promise but why?"
"Let's just say we have aggressive paparazzi today. Curtis and I have already caught two trying to make their way over the fence. They aren't a real threat but we don't want you to have any more exposure than is necessary, especially in your own home," explained Paul before he turned on his heel and left the room, having heard Curtis report another one.
Gabriella could feel the stares from her friends as they all shot her concerned looks. "It's fine, really. We better go find Sharpay, right?"
Ryan checked his watch and saw that it was past five minutes now. "She's right. If we don't go hunting now, we'll hear a scream in frustration that Sharpay's not getting attention guys."
The rest of the group silently agreed to let the paparazzi topic drop as they all started searching the mansion for their blonde friend. Troy and Gabriella stayed together though, walking through the house as they half-heartedly roamed, looking only in plain view.
"I guess this was to be expected right? The paparazzi increasing and the reporters outside the gates after the trial's conclusion," stated Gabriella, finally breaking the silence between the two.
Troy tugged on her left hand that was currently in his right, halting their walk. "Brie, yes the world is curious, but that doesn't give them the right to invade your privacy, to demand that they have the right to see what you are doing, how you are reacting to everything. Please, don't let them get the better of you, just as you haven't let Riley get the better of you. I have to say, you are one of the strongest people I know, to be able to go through all of this and still be standing."
"Umm, have you forgotten all about those months of crying, mindless sobs, and those nightmares?" reminded Gabriella.
He shook his head. "No, but that's what I'm talking about. Not everyone who has gone through even a portion of what you have been through comes out of it less than a year later as in control as you are now. Yes, you aren't 100 percent better, but you are fighting to get there, and you have gained control back. That's huge Brie, it really is."
Gabriella stared into his eyes for a moment before raising herself up on her toes as she leaned up and kissed Troy, savoring the feeling as he returned the kiss, slowly snaking his arms around her waist to bring her closer as they both continued their embrace.
"Gabriella!" yelled out Paul as he ran right past her and out the French doors the couple had unknowingly stopped in front of.
Troy and Gabriella broke apart just in time to see Curtis tackling one photographer while another ran off and out of view with Paul chasing him. "Oh God," muttered Gabriella. "That's bad, really bad."
"Hey, it'll be okay. What's the worst that could happen? They report that your boyfriend kissed you? It's not like we were going at it or anything," replied Troy.
Gabriella nervously bit her lip as she thought about the implications of whatever pictures were taken.
Chad jogged down the hall and spotted the couple not even searching for the others. "Umm, do either of you really want to answer a dare or a truth created by the entire rest of the gang? I can promise you it won't be good," said Chad as he drew to a stop next to them. "Come on, let's go look for that drama queen before we have to face the consequences. You know how evil Sharpay's mind can get in terms of a truth or dare."
Troy groaned as he realized that they were still playing the stupid game. "Yeah, I know. What do you say Brie? Want to come look with me?"
"No way, I can already see where playing together has gotten you two. Troy, you're coming with me. We're in the Montez mansion, she'll be fine on her own," persuaded Chad, grabbing Troy's arm and starting him moving down the hall, only allowing Troy one last look at Gabriella before they rounded a corner.
Gabriella just shook her head as she forced her mind to start working on looking for Sharpay and the others who had probably already found her. She went up the main stairs and started searching the second floor, starting with her room, paying careful attention for hearing anything coming from her bathroom and then her walk in closet, somewhat surprised Sharpay hadn't used this opportunity to spend quality time going through Gabriella's new clothes again. When Gabriella was half way down searching the second floor, she felt herself involuntarily jump as a firm hand grasped her right shoulder. She spun around and was relieved to see her father right behind her.
"Gabriella, your mother and I need to talk to you," said Stephen, knowing he needed to say what he had on his mind to his daughter soon. "I know your friends are somewhere around but this is important."
She could tell by her father's body language that whatever it was, she wasn't going to like it but Gabriella silently followed her father down the stairs and into his private study where her mother was already waiting for her, a serious look on her face as well.
Once Gabriella was seated, the silence continued until she had enough. "All right, what's going on? Mom? Dad?"
"Sweetie, your grandparents would like us, and especially you, to return to Copanvy no later than next weekend," stated Annette, knowing it was best if this news came from her. "They are worried for your safety and want to be able to protect you better than our security team here can in another country."
"What? They can't be serious," returned Gabriella, wondering if that sick feeling in her gut had anything to do with this. "But I'm not even through the first semester as a senior! You promised we wouldn't be moving!"
Stephen glanced at his wife and saw that she would be folding soon after a few more rounds with Gabriella so he decided to step in. "Gabriella, it isn't just your grandparents who are worried, we are too."
"Worried about what? I can handle the gossips and the pictures, honest," replied Gabriella, knowing that although that wasn't a true statement now, she would force it to be true in the coming weeks if it meant her being able to stay in Albuquerque if only for a few more months.
Both parents could tell their daughter was lying and was struggling to keep up the front she currently had. "Look Gabriella, we only want to do what's best for you," started Annette.
"Then let me stay, please," begged Gabriella, hating the tears that were gathered in her eyes now. "Please, let me stay until graduation from East High, let me have as normal of a life as I can here with my friends, with Troy. Please."
Annette, unable to see her daughter in so much distress caused by them, looked at Stephen, letting him know she wouldn't be able to be his ally any longer in trying to get Gabriella to see reason in them returning to Copanvy so soon. "Gabriella, Curtis and Paul and the rest of the team have caught at least a dozen paparazzi on our property or trying to scale the fences today. From that alone, I can deduce that there is a high price on pictures of you right now, higher than before the end of the trial," stated Stephen, knowing only the truth could possibly get Gabriella to see reason. "Today you are just staying in this house. What is it going to be like when you go back to school on Monday? Are you going to be able to handle not only the gossip there but the constant presence of photographers there? Of even maybe reporters as well?"
Gabriella drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to be honest when she mulled over her father's questions. 'Are you really prepared for all that? Can you handle the constant watching, always having to be on your guard, at school or at home or somewhere in between? I can if that's the only way to stay here!'
When Gabriella's brown eyes met Stephen's, he knew then that Gabriella was going to fight through it all to try to stay here in Albuquerque for as long as she could manage. "All right, if this will make you happy, we'll stay until you graduate East High but there is one condition here Gabriella."
Gabriella's immediate moment of happiness vaporized as she waited for her father to explain the "condition" that would allow them to stay for a few moments longer. "What is it?"
"We'll stay here until your graduation, giving you the most normal life as possible. However, if there is a single security breach, a threat on your life, or anything else that we deem to be a real danger, we're leaving, got it?" replied Stephen, looking directly at his daughter to make sure she really did understand. "I want you to be happy just as your mother wants you to be happy, but your life is too valuable to take lightly as well. Do I have your word that you'll honor this agreement should something happen between now and graduation?"
Nibbling on her bottom lip again, Gabriella mulled over the proposition her father was offering her. If she didn't agree, Gabriella knew that she could very well be on a plane the next morning but if she agreed, Gabriella knew that was still a possibility as her future was unknown. "All right, I agree," said Gabriella, hesitancy clearly in her voice.
Annette let out a sigh of relief that there was at least an actual compromise that everyone agreed on, even if it was against both father and daughter's desires in one way or another. 'At least they were able to work something out.'
After a few more moments of silence, Gabriella looked back at her parents. "Can I go now?"
"Sure," said Annette as she got up and gave Gabriella a loving hug, which she was grateful that Gabriella returned before leaving Stephen's study. "She's not happy but at least she seems to understand."
"I'm just hoping that something else doesn't happen that will force me to move our family out and away," commented Stephen, wrapping an arm around his wife's waist. "Tearing Gabriella away from this life here would be the hardest thing ever to do as I know I would be the villain in driving that initiative but we'll have no more choice if just one more thing happens. It's bad enough there are scandalous rumors running around back in Copanvy already. Mother and Father will not be pleased if there are any more on its way. I guess I better go and call them to tell them about this decision."
Annette sympathetically looked at her husband of so many years. "Be strong Stephen. Remember, we are doing this for the love of our daughter who deserves at least this much happiness and freedom that we can afford her."
Stephen nodded his head before walking to his desk and picking up the phone, letting out a deep breath before he started dialing the numbers to talk to his parents.
Jason was the last to join Kelsi, Sharpay, Ryan, Zeke, Troy, Chad, Taylor, Tessa, and Martha in Sharpay's original hiding spot, the walk in closet of the last guest room on the second floor. They each looked at each other and realized that Gabriella was the only one missing now.
"Guess your girlfriend is going to have to face the music," sang Sharpay as she looked at Troy. "And man do I have a delicious Truth for her."
Troy groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm going to be embarrassed in the process?"
"Because you're smart," replied Sharpay as she led the gang out of the closet, out of the room, and then down the hall in search for their missing friend. "Gaby!"
"Brie, where are you?" called out Troy, secretly wondering if Gabriella had even really played, knowing how distracted she was before when they had been "searching" together.
"Gabriella!" yelled out the rest of the group as they ducked into rooms looking for her, each wondering if they were now playing the game in reverse as they searched the second floor for her before they returned to the first floor where they eventually found Gabriella deep in thought in the accent chair she and Troy had been sitting in an hour or so ago.
"Brie?" asked Troy, concerned with the expressionless face she was currently wearing. "Gabriella?"
She blinked her eyes slowly as she refocused on the ten curious faces now looking back at her. "Guess I lost huh?"
Tessa rolled her eyes. "Girlfriend, were you even trying?"
Gabriella was only able to nod her head before she gave up trying to lie. "Sorry, guess I got caught up in something. So, what's this dare I'm going to have to do?" questioned Gabriella, not wanting to give the gang an avenue to ask her what was going on in her life now.
"Dare? Are you sure you want a dare? What about a truth?" asked Tessa, nervous for her best friend as she knew the dares Sharpay could come up with and also wanting to know what was going on.
Taylor nodded her head. "A truth would be much easier Gaby, really."
Gabriella though shook her head. "I lost and I choose dare."
The two best friends sighed and turned their attention to the rest of the group who were already talking about a good dare for their friend. Troy however slipped away and sat down on the ottoman in front of his girlfriend, deep concern evident in his blue eyes. "Want to talk about it?"
Gabriella shook her head. "No, can you just hold me?"
Without another word, Troy gently pulled Gabriella forward and into his arms, running his left hand through her long hair as he tried to give her whatever comfort he could in that single embrace.
Eventually, their moment in their own world was interrupted when the gang came to a final conclusion to a dare that was good but wouldn't push past the boundaries which they would have gone past had it been Jason or Chad getting the dare.
"So, we've decided Gabriella that for your dare, you will have allow us to dress you in a toilet paper dress with a sash, wear your real princess crown, and pretend you are walking down a catwalk while singing the 'Star Spangled Banner' or you will have to do a triple truth," explained Sharpay, smirking as she saw an embarrassed look flutter across Gabriella's face just thinking about it.
"Can I wear clothes under the toilet paper dress?" questioned Gabriella, preferring any dare to giving her friends free reign with three truth questions at the moment. 'It's not like I'm lying to them, I just don't want to talk about it right now.'
The girls exchanged a look, ignoring the guys who were saying no at the moment, for which Troy was glaring at them, and made a decision. "Bikini underneath only," announced Tessa, slapping Zeke on the arm as she heard his groan.
"Done," decided Gabriella, immediately seeing the shocked looks on their faces. "Let me go get changed and I'll be back down with the toilet paper."
"Really?" asked Kelsi, finding the dare ridiculous herself.
"Yeah, you came up with it and I said I'd do it," said Gabriella, untangling herself from Troy and getting up from the chair, kissing him on the cheek before she went upstairs to change.
"Girl has guts, I have to give her that," commented Tessa as Gabriella disappeared from view.
"Either that or she's trying to hide something again," threw in Taylor, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Or maybe, she's just glad we aren't making her eat a cube of butter like I had to," added Chad, causing a round of laughs to echo through the room at the memory again.
After a few more minutes, Gabriella returned in a robe with an arm full of toilet paper. Kelsi and Martha took the rolls from her as Tessa and Sharpay got down to planning what the toilet paper dress should look like. Gabriella eyed them nervously, seeing the scheming looks both had until Taylor caught her attention and started to distract her with something stupid Chad did the other day. When Sharpay and Tessa finally came to a conclusion, they turned Gabriella around so her back was to the guys in the room so she wouldn't have to see them watching as the robe slowly came off and the girls got to work wrapping Gabriella up.
Twenty minutes later, Gabriella was strutting her stuff like she was on a catwalk, careful not to rip the toilet paper dress and balancing her tiara on her head, all while trying to calm the blush that had been on her cheeks since she disrobed. Her eyes connected with Troy's, who gave her a wink that caused her to momentarily stumble over the words she was singing, starting a round of demands for her to restart. She obliged and refused to look at Troy again until she was done, finding that in doing this dare, Gabriella had gotten herself into a much better mood and was able to relax again, having successfully distracted herself and her friends.
"There, I'm done. Now can I go change?" asked Gabriella, striking one last pose before pulling her robe back on.
"Yes," answered Troy, not allowing anyone else to say otherwise. He grinned as she threw him a thankful look and scurried up the stairs, pieces of toilet paper falling to the ground as she ripped the paper that was tightly wound around her body.
"Bolton you aren't any fun!" complained Zeke.
Troy rolled his eyes. "Fine, we'll have Tessa dress up in a bikini and let everyone check her out for a good hour. That fun?"
"Ugh, point taken," said Zeke, quickly pulling Tessa to him and kissing her on the lips. "No one gets to stare at my baby but me."
Ryan chuckled. "Oh, the possessiveness of us guys at its low points."
After Gabriella returned, the gang continued to hang out together until dinnertime approached, which was when most of them had promised to return home to their respective families. Gabriella said her farewells to everyone inside under the advisement of Paul, giving everyone hugs and thanks for staying indoors with her again.
When it was only him and Gabriella, Troy turned his attention back on Gabriella, seeing her relaxed mood slip away into a worried one. "Want to talk about it?"
Gabriella shook her head. "It's nothing to worry about Troy. I just had a talk with my parents during the Sardines game and dodged a big one. They wanted me to go back to Copanvy, well they being my grandparents."
Troy heard his breathing stop while his heart beat picked up pace. "Are you going to be going then?"
"No," returned Gabriella. "They agreed to let me stay until graduation as long as nothing else happens."
Troy let go of his breath and calmed his nerves. "Thank God. I guess we'll just have to make sure that no more nonsense happens, right?"
Gabriella gave him a half smile back, grateful that she had him to confide in during times like this. "Right," agreed Gabriella, snuggling into Troy's embrace as they stood together in the entryway of the mansion, just holding each other, both grateful they still had time to spend together despite the closer call only hours ago.
'Please, don't take her away from me just yet,' Troy silently begged the powers that be in his head. 'I'm not ready. I know it's selfish and I know she will have to leave eventually but please, give me some more time.'
Similar thoughts were going through Gabriella's head as she felt Troy place a soft kiss on her forehead, causing her to genuinely smile out of the sweetness of his gesture.
A comparable smile was now on Annette's face as she stood at the top of the main staircase and gazed down at the teenaged couple who seemed oblivious to anything or anyone outside of the two of them. Her gaze only left them when she felt Stephen's presence behind her, one step above.
"They're at it again huh? Being in their own private world?" asked Stephen, looking at his daughter with her boyfriend before looking back at his wife.
"Shh, let's let them have their moments where they can steal them Stephen. Heaven only knows how much longer they have," replied Annette, taking Stephen's hand in hers and walking him back up the stairs and out of view of the couple downstairs, leaving Troy and Gabriella to enjoy the bliss they both had found in each other's arms at that very moment.