Hello, everyone! This is my second HSM fic, but my first one was a one-shot, so this is my first attempt at an actual story. This is set towards the end of senior year. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not own HSM, any of its characters, or any songs I use in the story.

Troy couldn't believe that senior year was almost over. It seemed like the whole year just flew by in the blink of an eye. So much had changed after the summer at Lava Springs. He and Gabriella's relationship had grown so much and now they were going to college together. He had gotten a basketball scholarship and she had an academic scholarship to the University of Albuquerque.

After that summer, he had become really good friends with Sharpay, much to everyone's surprise, even his own. It turned out that underneath her "Ice Princess" persona, Sharpay was actually a decent person. She was definitely one of his best friends. They hung out all the time and talked about everything. She was there for him every time he and Gabriella had a fought or hit a snag in their relationship. Unfortunately, Gabriella wasn't too fond of his newfound friendship with Sharpay. She kept insisting that Sharpay was only trying to break them up, but Troy knew that wasn't true. Sharpay just wanted him to be happy, something she had told him on several occasions.

Sharpay. She was the reason he was sitting up here on the rooftop of the school. She had been acting strangely lately. He thought it was because the school year was ending and she hadn't picked a college yet, but she'd been distant for weeks now and he knew it was something more. It was almost like she was avoiding him. He really needed to talk to her. He was about to head down to the auditorium, when a pair of arms slipped around his waste.

"Hey babe. You seemed all zoned out. Whatcha thinking about?" He turned around and smiled slightly at Gabriella. She always knew where to find him.

"Nothing much. I just can't believe the year is almost over." He knew he couldn't tell her the whole truth. He could tell that she was actually happy Sharpay wasn't around as much and he didn't want to argue.

"Yeah I know. But just think we'll be in college together in a few months. Four whole years of just you and me." She smiled and gave him a hug. He half-heartily hugged her back. He had a feeling they were not on the same page about how college would be. All she talked about was them spending time together, but he was looking forward to meeting new friends and playing basketball. He didn't want college to be just about the two of them.

Just then, the bell rang. Troy sighed with relief.

"Well, I better get to rehearsal. Ms. Darbus will be pissed if I'm late, again." Gabriella frowned slightly, but turned away so he couldn't see. She had been disappointed when he had tried out for the spring musical without her. She had thought that he was done with the singing thing. She knew that she was. But he had tried out anyway and gotten the lead opposite Sharpay. They had fought about it for weeks, which just sent him running to Sharpay for help. She sighed. No matter what she did, Sharpay was always there, ready to be Troy's shoulder to lean on. She just didn't understand it. She had been happy when Sharpay wasn't around as much, but with the musical so close, she knew that Troy and Sharpay had hours and hours of rehearsal together.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want you to be late seeing your 'best friend'." She mentally slapped herself as soon as the words came out of her mouth. Troy's eyes flared angrily.

"What is that supposed to mean? I thought you had gotten over being jealous of Sharpay," he said with a sigh. Gabriella spun around to face him.

"I am not jealous of that spoiled brat. I just don't understand why all of the sudden she is the one you're hanging out with and talking to about every thing. I'm your girlfriend, not her!" She glared at him, awaiting his response.

"First of all, she is not a spoiled brat! And us being friends is not all of a sudden. We've been friends since last summer and we even dated for a year before you came to school here. Sharpay has been in my life for a long time now!" He couldn't believe they were fighting about this, again. Why couldn't she just understand? He softened a bit as he saw the tears in her eyes. He hated to make her cry. He walked towards her and pulled her into a hug.

"Gabi, don't cry," he whispered in her ear. "Please don't cry. I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's just that Sharpay is my friend and you make me feel guilty for that. I'm with you, remember? Sharpay is just a friend." She pulled away slightly and he wiped the tears from her face. She knew she was being ridiculous. Even if Sharpay was trying to steal him, she knew Troy loved her and wouldn't choose Sharpay over her.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have yelled either. I'm just stressed out with school ending and everything. You really need to go or Ms. Darbus will have you scrubbing the stage." He laughed slightly and kissed her goodbye. He ran all the way to the auditorium, making it just in the nick of time.

"So nice of you to join us Mr. Bolton. You barely made it on time. You know the theatre waits for no one." Ms. Darbus glared at him.

"Sorry Ms. Darbus," he said as he headed towards the stage. He smiled and waved at Sharpay, but she just nodded her head in his direction and turned her attention to Ms. Darbus. What was wrong with her?

Well, that was the first chapter. Hope you liked it. Please R&R!