Thanks for the reviews, guys!
This chapter [sadly isn't as good.
I just really wanted to get a chapter up for you guys,
but the next will be better!
Troy's greeting to the wildcats was just as loud as Gabriella's was soft. While the jock flew through the door yelling that it's 'time to step the summer up', Gabriella simply flitted through, saying a soft 'Good Morning' to everyone she passed. As glaring as the contrast was, it was probably the thing that kept them together. It was also, probably, the one thing that kept the people around them sane. No one would be able to stand two Gabriellas, much less two Troys. It would just be too insane.
And if you just met Gabriella without the outgoingness that Troy supplied her with, you'd get bored. And if you met Troy without the calmness that Gabriella helped him with, you'd probably get annoyed with the fact that he was always moving. But today, as they both grabbed plates and got served, it was a perfect balance. Gabriella bounded over and slid onto a stool between Taylor and Kelsi, while Troy stood across the room and talked to the members of the basketball team. But it wasn't too long before both groups meshed around an island in the middle of the kitchen.
"So," Gabriella started, tossing a piece of watermelon at an unprepared Troy's face. Obviously, it smacked off and fell to the floor. Gabriella giggled and started again. "So, are we all going to tomorrow night? It's Saturday."
Taylor coughed, gagging on an orange Capri Sun. Kelsi looked up from a piece of paper she was scribbling on, brown curls falling into her face. Chad made a strange motion with his hands that was probably him trying to toss a basketball onto the floor, but then he realized that he didn't have one and tried to pass it off as something different. Troy pushed a hand through his hair. "Uh, Gabs."
Gabriella's eyes widened. "What?" She carefully pushed her plate away from herself, as if it made her sick.
"Uh, well. Chad, why don't you tell her." Troy quickly took a bite of toast.
Chad made the strange movement again, before quickly crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't think I'm best for this. Kelsi, why don't you do it instead?"
Kelsi's eyes went wide, and for a moment there was a flash of contempt in them before they returned to their startled state. Her mouth opened and closed several times before sending a desperate glance at Troy.
He rolled his brown eyes and reached across the table to take Gabriella's hand. "Gabriella, we can't do anything tonight."
Gabriella's eyes closed and she silently prayed that it wasn't like the last couple times and he wasn't going out with Sharpay. Or any basketball… people. Well, besides Chad and those people. She could deal with them. But those professional people? No. Troy squeezed her hand and her eyes re-opened.
"Because it's your birthday." He finished, smiling widely.
Gabriella sat still for a moment, before ripping her hand out of his grasp, grabbing her plate of left over food, and quickly throwing it at him. Everyone was laughing at Gabriella's expense as she continued throwing things at Troy and he was laughing too hard to try and bat them away. Not that he really cared at all. Finally, Gabriella stopped. She was panting slightly and her hair had come out of it's orderly pony tail. "You are a jerk!" she yelled at him, even though she had a big smile on her face. "And by the way, I meant going out for my birthday!"
Everyone made a big deal out of realizing what she meant. Loud 'Ooohhs' and 'So THAT'S what you meant!' echoed through the kitchen. Gabriella just shook her head. "I do have one, maybe two conditions. You have to invite Ry and Sharpay to whatever it is your planning."
The next group sounds were ones of protest. "Gabs, no." Taylor groaned, grabbing her friend's hand. "Listen, I love you. But we can't invite that."
"Taylor, she's still a her, even though she is a bit… meanish."
" Her?"
"A Bit?"
"Meanish?"
Gabriella gave a tired sigh and nodded. "Yes. And I really want Ryan to come."
"I don't think anyone has a problem with Ryan," Chad started, bending down to get a dust pan from one of the shelves under the table top. "just Sharpay."
Gabriella nodded again. "But really, what are the chances of Ryan coming without Sharpay?"
"These days?"
"Yes, these days!"
"Pretty high, actually." Troy countered quickly. "He's been off on his own a lot."
"Okay! But invite Sharpay. If she really is as terrible as you say she is, she won't come at all." Gabriella spun around and stalked off in the direction of the broom closet. Everyone remained silent until she came back, holding three brooms. She tossed one in Troy's direction, one in Kelsi's and one in Martha's. At their looks, she just smiled. "It's almost my birthdayyy!"
"We know." They chorused back, dutifully taking the brooms and starting to clean the food off the tiled floor.
Okay, guys!
Do the same thing you did last time,
and I'll have the next one up in no time!
