A/N: This story takes place after High School Musical, but before High School Musical 2.
Disclaimer: I do not own HSM.
Original Summary: After the brilliant success of the winter musical, Troy and Gabriella decide to try out for the spring musical. However, Sharpay is also trying out for the spring musical, and this time instead of Ryan, she wants Troy to be her leading man. And Sharpay seems to have a way of getting what she wants...
Chapter one: Applause
Troy and Gabriella bowed for the enthusiastic audience. The winter musical had been a success. As the crowd cheered, the curtain closed.
"Gabriella, you were amazing!" Troy exclaimed, lifting her up and spinning her around.
"You were pretty amazing yourself," Gabriella responded once she was back on the ground.
"Not compared to you," Troy said wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. They leaned in towards each other and got closer, closer, and…
"Troy!" Sharpay was running backstage. Troy and Gabriella separated.
"Of course…" Troy mumbled under his breath. This was about his fiftieth foiled attempt to kiss Gabriella. Sharpay pulled Troy into a quick hug, which he awkwardly tried to return.
"You are a great actor! Just like me!" Sharpay exclaimed. Troy forced a short tentative laugh.
"Tootles!" Sharpay wiggled her fingers at him, which with a glance at Gabriella he returned before she pranced off.
"So," Troy said. "Tomorrow's Saturday. How about a movie?" Gabriella smiled at him.
"That sounds great. And this time, we can watch someone else do the acting." Troy laughed.
"Great, so, I'll pick you up at seven?" Gabriella nodded. Sharpay stood on the opposite curtain, listening to the exchange. She smirked. It looked like she had plans this weekend after all. She would be seeing a movie at seven…
Saturday at seven…
"Sharpay, why are we even here?"
"Please Ryan! You wouldn't understand," Sharpay said dramatically, while vainly fixing her hair and makeup using a little pocket mirror. Just then Troy and Gabriella walked into the theater. Sharpay watched Troy buy the tickets.
"Ryan!" she hissed. "Alright!" Ryan said and went to buy tickets to the same movie as Troy had bought.
"Troy!" Sharpay screeched, hurrying over to him. Troy's smile faded. "Hi Sharpay!" Gabriells said pleasantly.
"Hey," Sharpay said. "So Troy! What movie are you seeing?" He told her. "Wow! Really? What a coincidence. Ryan and I are seeing it too! We should all sit together."
"Great," Troy said with a forced smile."Promise?" Sharpay asked. Troy looked at Gabriella who shrugged. "Yeah, sure," Troy said.
"Yay! I'll save you some seats while you get some food. RYAN!"
A few minutes later…
"Troy! Sit here!" Sharpay called. She sat between Ryan and Troy. She talked to Troy, leaning on his arm throughout the whole movie. She foiled any attempt of Troy's to move towards Gabriella, or even to simply watch the movie.
Afterward, Sharpay said cheerfully, "Well this was fun. We should do it again sometime!" Troy forced a smile. As soon she had gone, Troy turned to Gabriella.
"Well, that wasn't quite how I had planned tonight." Gabriella smiled at him. "It's okay," she said. "There's always next time. Troy smiled pulling her into his arms again.
"Speaking of which…" they leaned in and…
"Oops! I forgot my purse! How silly of me!," Sharpay said, 'accidentally' knocking into Gabriella as she passed. Troy sighed.
On her way out, Gabriella shouted after her, "I'm glad you found your purse." "Yeah yeah," was Sharpay's response.
Then she was gone. Troy smiled. "Let me walk you home."
A/N: Reviews are appreciated.