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On Tuesday morning, Troy arrived a little earlier than normal at East High. He went straight to his locker and took out the books and notebooks he would need for the first few periods and leaned against his locker when he was done. 'Maybe I'll go surprise Gabriella,' he thought for a second before he realized he didn't have a clue where her locker is located now. 'Need to remember to ask her.'
Troy was pretty happy with how things had been going so far in his life. Only a few bumps within the last few weeks, including having to deal with Sharpay at the opening night party. He had heard about her verbally attacking Audrina before the show and was happy he no longer had to associate himself with Sharpay. Instead, he was free to think of Gabriella Montez all he wanted.
Troy drove his truck up to the Montez home and parked it after he turned off the engine. Gabriella and Troy had just finished another tutoring session, an official one in the library, and were planning on working some more at Gabriella's house since her mom was working late. Troy followed Gabriella into her house and then up the stairs to her bedroom. He paused in the doorway and looked around, looking for any differences. 'Not many,' he observed to himself.
As he scanned the furniture, he felt a tingling sensation form as he realized that Gabriella still had pictures of him up in her room, from dances and just hanging out, all out where they were the last time he was here in the early summer. Troy grinned as he spotted Teddy, the overstuffed teddy bear he had won for her at some gaming place in the spring, sitting prominently on her bed.
"Hasn't changed much," commented Gabriella as she saw Troy taking inventory of her room. "Didn't think I'd burn everything that had you in it or that reminded me of you, did you?"
Troy shrugged as he stepped into her room and placed his bag next to her desk and took the chair as she sat down on the bed. "I wouldn't blame you if you did."
Gabriella smiled a little. "Well I'm glad you seem to be understanding how bad I did hurt but I don't want you thinking I was some sort of depressive psycho. Yeah, you hurt me, but I wasn't going to go all Carrie, if that is what you thought."
Troy chuckled. "Naw, not that extreme, but I have heard of girls who get rid of everything after a breakup. I'm sure Taylor's sister has done it a few times."
"Probably, but for me, these pictures just reminded me of the good times, not the bad. I've seen your room too mister and you didn't take any pictures down either," stated Gabriella.
"True but I'm a guy, we don't think of those things. Well, that's my official response if anyone else asks anyway. Moving on though onto a safer topic, for me at least, US History?" suggested Troy.
"Funny, the topic would be history after we just had a walk down memory lane into our own history," said Gabriella. "Sure, we can do that. Let me just finish up my last application, I have only some factual stuff to do, and we can work on whatever history thing you have going on."
Troy nodded his agreement and pulled out his history book and notebook to start going through things. He found though that he was much more interested in watching Gabriella as she started writing things on her application form. Troy noticed a few computer printed sheets next to her and leaned over to grab them so he could read what she wrote. Gabriella didn't notice he now had them in his possession until she reached for them next to her to add to the packet. She eyed him warily as he continued to read her personal statement and then her answer to why she wanted to attend U of A.
When she saw that he was done, Gabriella asked, "So, what do you think?"
Troy snapped his head up guiltily, knowing she had caught him stealing a read at her essays. "They are, well, simply fantastic. Now I know why I'm your student to tutor. I have quite a bit to learn from you."
Gabriella laughed as she took the papers back from him. "Kissing up to your tutor isn't going to get you anywhere, Troy Bolton."
"What about kissing the tutor?" asked a rather bold Troy.
Gabriella looked at Troy a little shocked, unable to say anything. Troy got up from the desk chair and sat next to Gabriella on her bed as he gently placed his right hand on the left side of her face. He leaned in to kiss her but was interrupted when the doorbell rang. Troy groaned as Gabriella giggled, finding the situation rather hilarious.
"That better not be who I think the interrupter is," mumbled Troy as he followed Gabriella back down the stairs and to the front door.
"Hey Gabriella, we thought we would come by and…" greeted Taylor until she saw Troy standing behind her best friend.
"We? Is Chad out there with you Taylor?" questioned Troy.
Chad popped his head from behind Taylor. "Oh, hey Troy!" That was all Chad was able to say though as Troy immediately started chasing him down the driveway and down the street.
Taylor gave Gabriella a questioning look to which Gabriella gave her an innocent look. "Oh my, you almost kissed again, didn't you?" accused Taylor.
Gabriella just nodded her head as Taylor squealed. "Guess Troy isn't too happy about getting interrupted again by Chad."
Taylor and Gabriella both started to laugh harder as Chad and Troy came back into view as Chad was running hard in the other direction of the street with Troy still chasing him. "Seems like old times," commented Taylor as she heard both guys yelling farther down the street.
"I was thinking the same thing," replied Gabriella with a smile as Troy and Chad came back into view as Chad was now barely keeping out of Troy's grasp but then vanished from sight as they passed the Montez home again. "Although, I don't remember Chad ever letting Troy get that close to him before when he was running."
"He's getting slower probably, all that food he's been eating without noticing," answered Taylor as she turned her attention back on her best friend. "But you my friend, you have been up to some mischief in your room!"
"Not even! We were studying, honest, and well, flirting happened and next thing I knew, I was closer to Troy than I have been in a while and then the doorbell. It figures Chad would be involved. Why did you two come over anyway?" asked Gabriella.
"Oh, well Chad and I were hanging out for a walk and we were just going to stop by and see how you were doing. Just a friendly drop by is all," said Taylor. "But I think Chad is going to be tuckered out after all that running now."
Chad and Troy finally came back to the house, both walking this time but Chad rubbing his left arm. "Taylor, I think I'm glad I'm not dating Troy. His hits sure hurt a lot more than yours," kidded Chad as they came back to the front door in which Gabriella and Taylor were still standing in.
Taylor made a face and slapped his right arm. "Are you calling me weak, Danforth?"
"NO!" exclaimed Chad, now rubbing his right arm. "And don't you dare think about hitting me too, Gabriella Montez."
"Wouldn't dream of it," she answered with an innocent look on her face. "You are my big brother after all."
"That's right! At least there is one sweet, non-violent person here," stated Chad as he eyed Troy and Taylor both. "Meanies!"
Gabriella, Troy, and Taylor all laughed at Chad's name calling and the pout on his face, unable to respond in any other way. "All right, Chad. I think we better go and let these two have their study time together now that you have gotten your extra workout for the day. See you tomorrow you two!" said Taylor as she guided Chad back down the driveway. They both waved before the disappeared from sight.
"Need some water?" offered Gabriella as she looked at a still panting Troy. "That was a hard and furious run you two just had."
"He deserved it," replied Troy, "and the water sounds heavenly right now."
Gabriella laughed and nodded her head. "Well then come back inside and I'll get that water for you, sir."
"Why thank you, kind lady," he answered as they went back into the house for a few glasses of water and studying.
Troy came back to the current moment though as he sensed someone standing right next to him. Much to his annoyance, it was none other than Sharpay, who looked up at him expectantly at that particular moment. "Hi, Sharpay," greeted Troy.
"Hey Troy," she returned. "Listen, I know Winter Ball is this Friday but you never told me what time you wanted the car to pick you up."
Troy almost did a double take at this. "Wait, what?"
"For the dance, silly. When do you want me and the driver to pick you up? I know the dance is at eight so I was thinking we could go to dinner first. How about six?" asked Sharpay.
"Umm, Sharpay, I'm not going to the dance with you. I don't remember asking you," replied Troy.
"Oh silly, I know you were thinking of asking me so I just planned on going with you. After all, you don't want Daddy's favorite girl to be dateless to the Winter Ball in her senior year, just before college applications are due, do you?" questioned Sharpay.
Troy just stared at her for a long moment and shook his head. "Sharpay, I can't go with you, despite what you thought. I thought we were done with this fake relationship. I know you used me like a puppet this summer to do what you wanted. I heard a general discussion about what you and Gabriella said to each other the day after Darbus kicked her and Taylor out of rehearsal a few weeks back. Besides, I'm going with someone else."
"WHO?" demanded Sharpay.
"It's actually none of your business," replied Troy. "I'm sorry, Sharpay, but when I dumped, actually, when you dumped me, I thought everything was severed. After all, you haven't really talked to me much after that blowup in the halls and yet you have continued to make my friends' lives just that much harder. Maybe if things were different I'd take you, but I can't take you to Winter Ball, sorry."
Sharpay stood there and glared at Troy for a moment before she said, "Fine, have it your way Troy, but I won't lose you without a fight, mark my words, Bolton!" With that, she and her two companions, Joanna and Tara, stormed down the hall together.
"Whoa, that sounded like a death threat, Troy. Better watch it," stated Zeke from his locker.
Troy looked over at his friend in surprise. "When did you get there?"
"Didn't notice me, huh? Don't blame you with Sharpay on your hands. In enough time to see the whole thing of her assuming you were taking her for no apparent reason. I actually feel bad for you man, you've got a lioness on your hands now," commented Zeke. "And it doesn't look like she's all that happy with you going with someone else to the dance."
"Yeah, well, she's going to have to get used to it. I'm not going to give Gabriella up for that girl, not again," replied Troy.
Zeke smiled at his friend. "Good to know, man. Wanna head to homeroom?"
Troy nodded. "Guess it's that time already. Let's go."
The two headed down the halls to their classroom and took their seats. Troy looked back to Gabriella's desk and found her smiling at him to which he felt a grin on his face in response. 'Yup, I'm not going to let Sharpay ruin this with Gabriella this time, not if I can help it.'
Gabriella and Taylor just finished another local competition for the scholastic decathlon and were happy that the team had added another victory under its belt. This year, more than even last year, both girls wanted to make sure they made it to nationals, sort of like how the guys wanted their basketball team to win state this year. They shared in the congratulations among their team before shaking the hands of the defeated team and left the classroom. They walked with each other to their respective lockers to get their things and then headed to the gym to catch the end of basketball practice.
They slipped in as quietly as they could into the bleachers and took a seat as they were silently acknowledged by Coach Bolton. Gabriella and Taylor watched as the varsity team continued to run drills half court while the junior varsity team was scrimmaging. Within the next thirty minutes, Coach Bolton blew his whistle to signal the end of practice, which caused all the guys to drop what they were doing and head over to where their bottles of water and towels were.
Ryan was the first to spot Gabriella and Taylor. He waved and then came over as soon as he had picked up his towel and water. "Hey smarties. How did the decathlon meet go today?" he asked.
"As well as we had hoped," replied Gabriella. "Add another victory for East High."
Ryan grinned at the news. "That's great! Congratulations, you two!"
"Thank you," answered Taylor. "It feels like this really could be the year for nationals finally. We've come so close in the last four years I have been part of it but have never quite made it. This year, I think this could be it."
"Good to hear," said Ryan. "Gabriella, you're still going to the Winter Ball with Troy, right?"
Gabriella nodded her head. "As far as I know. Something wrong?"
"Just have been hearing my lovely twin grumbling about Troy not saying yes to taking her this Friday. Since our lockers aren't that far, I've overheard her gossiping with Joanna and Tara about how she wanted to ruin whatever date Troy had going on at the dance so I thought I owed at least a warning to you," stated Ryan. "You know I'd protect you if I could, but I don't know any more than that."
"Thanks for telling me. I know she'll probably flip when she discovers it's me, but it's something she's going to have to deal with," replied Gabriella.
"Sounds like you and Troy are getting on well then," said Ryan. "That's good to hear."
Gabriella smiled a little. "Could be, we're both just taking it slow and seeing how things go on their own. I'm happy to see you and Audrina doing more than great these days. You two seem inseparable minus tutoring and basketball times."
Ryan chuckled. "Something like that. We should hang out soon though, I miss talking to you."
"Same here, Ryan. Maybe on Sunday we can hang out and have brunch or something?" offered Gabriella.
"Sounds perfect to me. I'll figure out a time and place with you on Friday," said Ryan.
Gabriella nodded in agreement and waved bye as he left to go hit the showers. She turned her attention back to Taylor, who was currently shaking her head. "What?"
"I don't know how you do it but you seem to be friends with all your exes. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that you and Ryan are still trying to be in each other's lives, especially as best friends, but it is a bit unusual," commented Taylor. "Then again, you aren't the ordinary girl, Gabriella Montez."
Gabriella laughed. "I think I am the ordinary girl and in terms of Ryan, he and I still care for each other. I think those romantic feelings from before have slowly turned into something that best friends feel for each other, which is terrific. I have to admit, I wasn't sure how the whole being best friends thing was going to work with Ryan but I think we gave each other enough time and space to really be able to work through it. Ryan still means a lot to me but I truly am happy to see him with a girl that is more deserving of his attention and affection than me."
"You were in a tough situation, Gabriella," replied Taylor. "Again, like I said then, you embarked on a relationship with Ryan with intentions of really committing yourself to him only to have a bit of the unexpected happen in terms of Troy rallying back to being who he is today. I don't think you intentionally played with either guy, you're note that type."
"Maybe so, but I'm still really happy for Ryan and Audrina. They really are great together," concluded Gabriella.
"I agree totally. Now, we just have to work on you and Troy and everything will be great!" exclaimed Taylor.
Gabriella shook her head though. "No, there is no working on me and Troy. It's been great happening at the pace it is, it feels even better than it did the first time, Taylor. Just let us have our time, please?"
After she studied her best friend's pleading face, Taylor nodded her head in agreement. "All right, you win. All natural, no plans or stunts, but I will protect this new budding romance from Sharpay if she tries anything on Friday or ever."
"And I wouldn't expect anything less from a best friend," replied Gabriella with a smile.
Gabriella and Taylor turned the topic to the scholastic decathlon team and started talking about some of the practice tests and mock debates they needed to start running the team through again. If they were going to make it to nationals, they needed to be strong in all areas, not just the team events.
Troy and Chad emerged from the locker room and grinned as they saw the girls waiting for them still on the bleachers. "Hey hotties," called out Chad as he earned a glare from Taylor.
Gabriella and Taylor both got up from where they had been seating and joined the guys on the floor of the gym. "Hey," greeted Gabriella with a smile reserved just for Troy.
"Hello," he returned. "So, where are we going for dinner tonight?"
"Gabriella and I were thinking Japanese, that okay for you two?" replied Taylor.
"Sounds good to me. Normal Japanese restaurant?" asked Troy.
Chad nodded his agreement. "I'd say that was the best place. Let's get a move on, I'm hungry!"
Taylor rolled her eyes at this. "When are you not?"
Gabriella and Troy laughed at the two as they made their own way to Troy's car, holding each other's hand without thought. Once Gabriella was buckled in and settled, Troy went around to his side, as was becoming ritual, and started the truck to follow Chad to their favorite Japanese restaurant for a nice dinner among friends.