Sorry, sorry, sorry.

I've been too busy, really.

This chapter is extremely short, basically a filler.

Disclaimer I don't own anything HSM

Risk

If you were to look up the word risk, its definition would say hazard: a source of danger; a possibly of inccuring loss or misfortune. This mostly involves what you'd think is danger. Maybe they should clarify it as two kinds of risks. One could involve hazards while another could involve putting your feelings on the line. Or maybe, just maybe that's what taking chances are for.

"Troy."

He squinted, the bright sunlight stinging his sensitive eyes momentarily before he blinked a few times, adjusting to the new day. "Hm?" He mumbled, bringing his hand to his face to rub at his eyes, yawning as the feeling of exhaustion washed over him.

She leaned down, kissing his jaw until she reached the corner of his lips, giggling lightly when she felt his lips curl into a small smile. "Wake up," she whispered, smoothing out the strands of hair that fell in front of his eyes, brushing it back with her finger tips.

"Gab…" He yawned once more, trying to situate himself comfortably in the front seat of his truck but found it difficult with her laying on top of him, sprawled out with extreme comfort. "Shit," he exclaimed suddenly as realization set in and he noticed that there was indeed, sunlight, a new day.

"What's wrong?"

"Didn't you have to be home, I don't know, earlier?" Troy sat up straight, and so did she as he moved, taking her with him.

Gabriella shrugged, "Probably."

"Probably?"

"My mind's elsewhere…" She smiled a genuine smile that he returned, resting his warm hand on her cheek. He bent his head, brushing his lips across her lips tiredly, glad that he could do just that anytime he wanted to, without needing an excuse.

Troy smirked. "Really, elsewhere?"

Gabriella turned so that she could be face to face with him, her knees falling on both sides of his hips, her forehead pressed against his. "Miles and miles away."

"I've changed you?"

"Well yea-"

Gabriella held a finger to his lips, not needing to hear anymore. "You see the thing is, you changed me. Before, I was pessimistic about moving. Never in a million years had I thought that I'd ever be an 'east coaster'. I would've shut out the world, Troy. I would've been alone, and never would I have even received the chance to show people who I really am. Never in my life have I been so open with people and to be honest, it scares me."

Troy frowned slightly swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat, his hand holding hers as his thumb moved over her knuckles, one by one. "…Scared?"

"Maybe not scared," Gabriella frowned also, trying to find the correct word to describe how she was feeling but she knew that she never could. "Maybe vulnerable. I feel like if you suggested cliff diving tomorrow, I'd be all for it. Anything for you."

The frown disappeared but his anxiousness never faded, he feared her rejection, he had since he'd met her.

"It's just that, I never thought I'd be happy after leaving my childhood home. I thought I'd be depressed here but now, I can't picture any other place I'd rather be, miles and miles away from Albuquerque, here, with you."

Gabriella's brown eyes shined as Troy intently gazed into them, his hand now interlocked with her own, squeezing lightly. "So is that a…?"

She laughed lightly, shaking her head, blowing her hair from her eyes. "It's a yes, Troy. I'd love to be yours, only yours and I'd love to be able to call you mine."

Troy couldn't help but stare at her dreamily, adoringly. He pressed a kiss to her temple, smiling widely. "Then I'm yours."

Troy pulled the car keys out of the ignition, letting the silence take over the truck. "I'm sorry about keeping you out almost all night." He apologized for what had to be the twentieth time.

Gabriella sighed but smiled anyway. "It's fine really."

She didn't remember much about the night before after they had locked up the diner. They'd planned on driving around for awhile when he pulled into an empty parking lot, talking amongst each other, leaving the car radio turned on to a low volume, the sound merely just background music. Before she even knew it, she'd fallen asleep and Troy followed after her.

"Your dad's going to kill me, isn't he?"

Gabriella could almost laugh at the look of fear and uncertainty in his blue eyes. "No, he owes me anyway."

"Owes you?"

"We're not quite on solid ground yet."

Troy nodded, understanding. "So basically, you're getting your penny's worth."

She shrugged. "Walk in on your parents, you'd use it to your advantage, too."

He cringed, the sight he pictured for less than a second disturbing him greatly. "Thanks, Gab. Thanks for burning that nightmare into my mind."

"Hey, at least it didn't happen to you," She laughed, unbuckling her seat belt. She looked out in front of her as a silence took over. "So…"

"I'll see you later today?" Troy finished for her. "You could come over to my place, watch a few movies..."

Nodding eagerly, Gabriella bit her bottom lip. "Then…later tonight?"

Troy nodded. Though he wouldn't admit to anyone, his mind was elsewhere, trapped in an unwritten song. He had the words in his head but for some reason, they refused to be written onto paper. The same rhythm and beat hadn't left his mind in over a week. All he wanted to do was sit and try to figure it out. "I'll call you before. I'll pick you up."

Gabriella could tell that this wasn't negotiable. She nodded, leaning over and planting a kiss on his cheek. "See you around," She beamed at him as she climbed out of his truck.

He smiled to himself, watching her retreating back as she turned and waved before entering her house. Troy felt as though his cheeks would hurt soon if he kept this up. Suddenly, his thoughts were no longer just thoughts, they were spoken feelings and Gabriella was his.