( Later, after school at a nearby cafe )

Troy was at the cafe with Gabby, who was still red but was now able to speak.

Gabby : Why would she do this to me?

Troy : I don't know. I mean Sharpay helped her and she's supposed to be ok with the fact that we're understudies.

Gabby : Well, judging by this ( pointing to her cheek, which was swollen ) I think we can wipe out that theory!

Troy : Relax, we don't have to like Sharpay. We'll just make sure that you don't get sick anymore. Don't talk to Sharpay and ignore Layla. She can do things to you, like apologise and make you sick. Literally.

Gabby : ( laughs ) Well, I have to get over this first. We have rehearsals in like 20 minutes and I can't be late. Do you think that Sharpay and Layla are expecting me to come?

Troy : I don't know. I mean, they might think that you would be really red faced and couldn't sing. But you can, so we don't have to worry.

Gabby : Ok. I won't let Sharpay be Minnie. We had better go now, so that we're not late.

Troy and Gabby threw their cups in the bin and walked off.

( Rehearsals )

Sharpay and Layla had arrived early, as well as Layla's brother Josh. Ryan had to be present too, but he sat far away from Sharpay because he knew that they would be making more plans. Troy was already there, sitting near the front, but Gabriella was coming after him. On purpose, because she and Troy wanted to see the look on Sharpay and Layla's faces.

Sharpay : Well, where's Gabriella, Troy?

Troy turned around and glared at Sharpay

Troy : She's coming. No thanks to you.

Layla : Sharpay? Come on, what did she do?

Troy : Nothing. Unless you count being an idiot, which is probably her normal form now.

Sharpay's smile disappeared. Having Troy and Gabby out of the way was something she wanted, but what she didn't want was for Troy to be mad with her. She might even have to act opposite him, and having him call her an idiot was not part of the plan.

Sharpay : I'm not an idiot. Besides, there is no way that you can prove anything.

Layla : Yeah, because she had nothing to do with it.

Troy : But you did. And we'll get help. There is no way that you are gonna be Minnie!

Ryan suddenly stood up. He had been listening to the entire conversation.

Ryan : Yeah! I thought that you were gonna be nice for once, sis, but you weren't and you don't deserve to be Minnie. Face it, if I'm on Troy's side you can't make me be Arnold.

Josh : But I can.

Ryan and Troy stared at Josh. He had blonde hair and green eyes like Layla. But he didn't look half as friendly. He looked more...evil.

Josh : You don't have to be Arnold. I can. I starred in every musical . I never even auditioned. They laid out the main character every year for me and I was the one who decided whether I wanted to do it or not.

Gabriella was on the other side of the door. She had heard what Josh had said, but didn't care. She marched through the theatre and took the seat next to Troy.

Sharpay and Layla gaped. Gaby's face was now back to normal, after tons of cold water washes.

Sharpay : What are YOU doing here?

Gabby : ( smiling ) Well, considering that this is rehearsals for Minnie and Arnold, and I happen to be and always WILL be Minnie, I don't see why I shouldn't be here. Maybe, if you think otherwise, you can ask Ms Darbus. ( gestures to edge of stage, where Ms Darbus is)

Sharpay : Um...no. It's fine.

Rehearsals went on smoothly. Troy and Gabriella left quickly afterwards, with Ryan to all go back to the Cafe.

( At the Cafe )

Ryan , Gabby and Troy all sat at a booth, and ordered their drinks.

Ryan : You know, Sharpay wanted me to help her but I didn't. I wouldn't betray you guys.

Troy : We know, Ryan. But what we don't know is what they're planning next. They could give Gabby the flu or change my entire class schedule!

Gabby : Yeah, I know that Josh is involved now, so he's kinda replacing you. Doesn't that make you feel weird?

Ryan : No, not really. I mean, if you remember, that whole time mix-up thing last term was all Sharpay's idea. I didn't really want to do that. I'm not as desperate as her. Besides, Josh isn't going to be playing Arnold. Troy is. Not that Sharpay cares too much, she just wants to play Minnie. She doesn't mind you , Troy.

Troy : Really?

Gabby hit him in the shoulder.

Troy : I mean, uhh... UGH!

Gabby : You better mean that!

Troy smiled and gave Gabby a peck on the cheek.

Troy : Like I said, I'll die before Sharpay plays opposite me.

Gabby : But I don't want to beat her the evil way. I think the best way to attack Sharpay is to make sure she doesn't get her way. That should drive her nuts.

Troy and Ryan laughed.

Ryan : I think I can stop Sharpay from getting anywhere near you guys. But she'll be meaner, since now you know her plan and Troy, you might have forgotten, but you kinda called her an idiot.

Gabby gasped

Gabby : You did what?

Troy : Hey! I just called her what she is. I don't care if she's mad at me. I'll just avoid her.

Ryan : I'll try and get Layla back to her senses.

Troy and Gabby stared at him

Ryan : What? You and Troy can't go anywhere near her and I'm in all of her classes. Way more than Sharpay, anyway.

Gabby : ( scarily ) Ok, but do not make friends...with the devil.

Troy and Ryan laughed again. They all relaxed and decided that Ryan would get Layla to leave Sharpay. But... they forgot about Josh.