I'm so so so sorry!!! Please forgive me for not updating!

Disclaimer: I don't own High School Musical but I do own most of their merchandise. (lol)

'Previously'

We had just arrived at Juliana's Italian Restaurant. Gabriella was wearing a knee length black dress which showed all of her curves. I was wearing jeans and a white button up shirt. I told the host a table for two and he took us to our seats and asked our drink orders.

I said, "I'll have a sprite."

The host wrote it down, "And for the lady?"

"I'll have the same."

"Your drinks will be back in a minute." He walked off.

I looked towards Gabriella, "You really look beautiful tonight."

"Thanks."

"So, how are enjoying Albuquerque?"

"It's been fun. I've definitely made more friends than I have at any of my other schools."

"Well with someone as beautiful as you that's pretty hard to believe."

She looked at me. "Well if everyone was such a suck up as you, maybe I would have," she said seriously. I was confused when she started laughing. "I'm kidding. You should see the look on your face." Soon I started laughing too.

I touched her hand, "I'm really glad you're my girlfriend."

She smiled shyly, "Me too."

Dinner was going perfect until I saw Gabriella looking at something. I looked in that direction and frowned.

Across from me I heard Gabriella say surprised, "Troy?"

Chapter 4: The Green Monster Rears His Ugly Head

Troy's POV

We had just finished dinner and were about to leave when I heard my name being called. At the sound of my name I turned around and was surprised to see Gabriella. She started to get out of her seat. I turned back to my parents.

"I'll meet you guys outside." They nodded and left. Before I turned around I saw Victoria leave with a smirk on her face. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the table Gabriella and Braden were at. Gabriella smiled at me when I walked over while out of the corner of my eye I saw Braden glare.

"What are you doing here?" she asked surprised.

"My mom wanted a family night out."

"Why didn't Victoria tell me?" I shrugged even though I think I knew the answer. Vic has this crazy allusion that me and Brie are meant to be, which I'm not complaining with, but when I saw how happy she looked tonight I couldn't ruin that for her; no matter how much it was breaking my heart. Lost in thought I didn't see Braden stand up until he was beside Gabriella and put his arm around her waist. I looked at Gabriella and noticed even though she had a smile on her face, she had an uncomfortable look in her eyes. I thought about why she got the uncomfortable look in her eyes, but my thoughts were interrupted when Braden spoke.

"Sorry to interrupt this, but I think it's about time Gabi and I leave." I nodded.

"Well I'll see you on Monday." She smiled and gave me a small hug before I left. I couldn't help but notice that when she gave me the hug, Braden's eyes had gotten darker.

Gabriella's POV

We were in the car driving back to my house in a semi-comfortable silence. There was still tension in the air from our run-in with Troy at the restaurant. I, for one, was happy. For some reason Troy was ignoring me at school and not seeing him was like a kick in the stomach. Braden, on the other hand, was furious. I wasn't sure if it was because of Troy or the hug I gave him, but his eyes were like slits and his fists were clenched. When we walked into my house I decided to ask him about it.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he snapped. "On second thought no I'm not. How could you just act like a slut?"

"Excuse me?"

"You didn't even acknowledge I was there once Troy boy came."

"He's my friend Braden and I haven't seen him for most of the week, so excuse me if I hug him. You don't own me." The next thing Braden did shocked me. He slapped me…hard. So hard I was sure I'd have a mark before later tonight.

"How dare you talk to him like I'm not there?! You're my girlfriend not his!"

"Girlfriend?" I held my hand to my stinging cheek tears threatening to fall. "If I was your so called girlfriend you wouldn't have slapped me." As soon as I said that he realized what he did. He walked towards me.

"Gabriella I'm so sor—"

"Save it. Get out."

"What?"

"Get out. I don't want to deal with you right now."

"But Gabi—"

"Get out!" He walked towards the door and before he left he said a low sorry. I let one tear streak down my face before I walked upstairs. I changed out of my clothes and climbed into bed. I sprung up when I heard someone tapping on my balcony door. I relaxed when I saw it was Troy and motioned for him to open the door. He came in and sat on my bed. I looked at him and saw his eyes go wide.

"What happened to your cheek?" I cursed myself for forgetting about it and winced when he touched it lightly.

"Nothing."

"Brie you can't tell me that mark on cheek is nothing. It looks like you've been slapped."

"I just ran into something. No big deal."

"No big deal? Brie—"

"Just let it go!" Seeing the tears in my eyes he dropped the subject and pulled me into a hug. I buried my head into his chest as I cried. He continued to sooth me, but I couldn't stop crying. It wasn't the fact he asked me about my cheek it was how I got it. If Braden got angry over a small hug, how would he feel about the plan? And did Braden get angry because I hugged another guy, or was it just because it was Troy? Is Braden jealous of Troy?

A/N: OMG!! I'm off punishment (for now). No, I'm kidding. The next few chapters will be filled with romance and drama, but mostly drama. R&R!

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