Chapter 4
Gabriella stared at her phone.
'Don't you dare send a text saying you're not gong.' Zeke warned as he served a customer.
'Guys, I'm just nervous. I've never been to a dance before.' Gabriella put her phone in her pocket as Jack walked in.
'Guys, you know that my wife needs your help tonight and I'll be back at twelve.' Jack said, leaning on the counter.
'Yes, sir, we know.' Zeke replied and looked at Gabriella who was spacing out.
Would he like me? I mean, I'm smart, Ryan says that I'm good looking and I have a good sense of humour. But, I'm a geek! No guy would ever like me. I wonder who it is...'Ow!' Gabriella rubbed her side where Zeke had elbowed her.
'Gabriella, were you listening?' Jack asked, angrily.
'Yes?' Gabriella lied.
'What did I say?' Jack dared, looking Gabriella in the eyes.
She glanced at Zeke and he mouthed 'He's back at twelve.'
'Your wife is having a meeting and you'll be back at twelve.' Gabriella started uneasily.
Jack was unconvinced. 'Very well. And sort those racks out.' Jack walked through into his house.
'Are you ready, Gabby?' Ryan asked, throwing his keys in the air and catching them.
Gabriella shook her head and took her phone out. 'I'm texting him...'
'No you're not!' Zeke snapped as he snatched her phone away.
'Fine.' Gabriella sulked as she sneaked out with Ryan.
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Gabriella applied the final touches to her make up while Emma did her hair. She turned the blow dryer off and looked at Gabriella through the mirror. 'You're nervous.' She stated, resting her hands on Gabriella's shoulders.
Gabriella nodded. 'Mum, what if he doesn't like me? I'll be a laughing stock.'
'Listen, Gabby, you and this boy have been talking for months. You know him.' Emma looked at her daughter with sympathy.
'But, he doesn't know me. I live with my single Mum, okay? I have no idea where my Dad is and I'm working at the age of sixteen because I don't have enough money for college!' Gabriella faced her Mum.
'Calm down, Gabby. He'll be an idiot not to like you.' Emma said sincerely.
Gabriella nodded as she stood up, looking at the dress laid down on her bed. 'Help me?'
Emma smiled and helped Gabriella into her dress and admired her. 'You look beautiful.'
Gabriella smiled. 'Thanks, Mum.'
Emma smiled and walked down the stairs. 'Ryan, are you ready?'
Ryan smiled and stood up from the couch. 'As I'll ever be.'
Gabriella slowly walked down the stairs. Her dress hugged her curves beautifully and her hair was left curling down her back. 'Hi Ryan.'
Ryan smiled. 'Whoever this guys is, he is not going to be able to stop looking at you.'
Gabriella blushed. 'Can we go now?'
'No. You have to put this on.' Emma handed Gabriella a white mask that matched her dress.
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'Ryan, I really don't think I can do this.' Gabriella said as she approached the doors to the gym.
'Gabby, stop it. Okay? If this guy doesn't like you, he's jerk. Now, come on.' Ryan went to walk away but was dragged back by the arm.
'But, I have to be back at the store by twelve.'
'Give me your cell phone.' Ryan ordered. She bent down and got it from the strap of her shoe. He took it and programmed the alarm clock. 'I set the alarm for eleven forty0five. Now, It's nearly eleven so go on.' Ryan gave her one last push and opened the door.
Gabriella walked through just as a new song came on. A spotlight landed on her as she weaved her way through the crowd and she finally reached the middle of the dance floor. She looked up at the disco ball and then back around at the crowd of people. Maybe he ditched me. What if he decided not to meet me? Gabriella's thoughts were interrupted when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around slowly and saw none other than Troy Bolton. He was wearing a Prince Charming suit and was smiling at her. Gabriella frowned. 'Troy Bolton?'
'Yes. You are Lakergirl, right?' Troy asked.
Gabriella nodded. 'But, you're EHSdude?'
'I guess my costume didn't do a good job of hiding who I am.' Troy chuckled.
'No, it's fine. I'm sorry but I've to go. I know exactly who you are. This was a really big mistake. I'll see you later.' Gabriella turned around and walked away.
'Wait, it's not a mistake.' Troy called as he grabbed her arm.
'But, don't you know who I am?' Gabriella asked in disbelief.
'Of course I do. You're Lakergirl. You're the girl I've been waiting to ask out for months. Now, what's your name?' Troy asked.
'It doesn't matter, Troy. You've got Sharpay. Go and get her back.' Gabriella nodded.
'Okay, if we play twenty questions, and I guess your name, would you tell me?' Troy asked, holding her hand.
Gabriella sighed. 'But, you wanted to be voted homecoming prince? You've gotta stay inside and be seen!'
Troy chuckled. 'I don't care! Look, do you want to take a walk outside?'
Gabriella sighed. 'Fine.'
Troy held her hand and pulled her out of the gym and into the hallway. 'So, twenty questions?'
'How about ten?'
'I'm happy with that. Okay, you are a wildcat, right?' Troy asked.
Gabriella giggled. 'Of course.'
'Well, we did meet on the internet. Were you upset when you found out I was EHSdude?' Troy questioned.
Gabriella smiled. 'Surprisingly...No.'
'Are you at all of my basketball games?' Troy raised his eyebrows.
'Surprisingly yes.' Gabriella giggled.
'Would you rather have fries or a yoghurt?' Troy asked, looking at Gabriella.
'Eww...Fries. But, why do you want to know?' Gabriella asked in confusion.
Troy grinned. 'I like a girl who doesn't care what she looks like and you just crossed out about fifty percent of the girls in our year.'
Gabriella laughed. 'Next question.'
Troy stopped and turned her to face him. 'Have I seen you somewhere before?' He softly stroked her cheek as if making sure she was really there.
'Somewhere you'd never expect to find me.' Gabriella smiled and walked away.
Troy grabbed her hand. 'Can I show you something?'
Gabriella nodded and Troy led her up a flight of stairs. 'Wow. It's beautiful.'
Troy smiled. 'Do you like it?'
Gabriella turned to Troy. 'Of course. As far as I can tell, you have three questions left.' She grinned.
Troy offered her his hand. 'May I have this dance?'
Gabriella looked around. 'There's no music.' Troy shrugged and Gabriella took his hand.
Troy started dancing with Gabriella and he smiled. 'Do you believe in love at first sight?'
Gabriella thought for a moment and whispered. 'I'll let you know.'
Troy pulled her even closer. 'Do you, Lakergirl, think you made the right choice by meeting me here tonight?'
Gabriella smiled up at him. 'I do.'
Troy pulled back and his fingers brushed against the side of Gabriella's mask. He was about to lean down but there was a loud beeping noise. Gabriella groaned. 'What's wrong?'
'I've got to go. I'm late.' Gabriella ran to the bottom of the stairs.
Troy ran after her. 'Late for what?'
'Reality.' Gabriella stated as she ran down the hall.
Troy looked down and saw a cell phone with Lakers stickers all over it. 'I'll see you again.' He whispered.
