She Could Be

Chapter 7 – Could She Be?

Sorry I took so long!! Semester exams just ended, so it's all good! I'd like to dedicate this chapter to luvesdolphins. Merry early Christmas to all!!


"Are they?..." Troy started but Taylor shrugged.

With Gabriella and Zeke

Gabriella and Zeke were leaning in. But Gabriella stopped so she could tell him the answer. "Maybe Troy."

Zeke didn't hear her, "Huh?"

She rolled her eyes and leaned in more, "Troy!"

Zeke smirked and nodded, "Predictable."

"Predictable?" Gabriella repeated with raised eye brows.

Zeke shrugged, "Never mind then."

Meanwhile with Troy and Taylor

"They didn't!" Troy exclaimed out of relief and Taylor looked at him with a 'what-did-you-just-say' look.

Troy blushed, "I uh, I… Oh Mel! Hey!"

Taylor looked at him suspiciously as he walked to Melanie. "I prefer Melanie. Please commit that to your memory." Troy just nodded, still embarrassed at his sudden out burst. He hoped Taylor didn't suspect anything.


After the dance, they all headed to Troy's for their sleep over. Being Chad's girlfriend, Taylor was invited as well. They were all in pajamas, munching on snacks and watching TV. Taylor grabbed the empty bowl and walked to the kitchen, leaving them in the living room.

"Troy, where is it?" She called. Troy stood up and walked to her, pulling down his white shirt. "Where's what?"

"Never mind, I found it." Taylor peeked to see if the others were listening or coming. They weren't so she took that as a go. "Do you like Gabriella?"

Troy's eyes widened, "No. She's my dawg, that's it."

Taylor smiled, "Its okay if you don't wanna tell me." She turned around and opened the bag of chips. The guilt was slowly seeping through him. He gave in, "Okay, okay. You can't say anything, alright?"

Taylor smirked as she poured the chips into the bowl, "For how long?"

"I don't know," He shrugged and grabbed a bowl for himself, "Since they decided she was going with Zeke?"

Taylor gasped, "Oh my gosh, Troy! You should've said something!"

Troy just shook his head, "No, it's cool. I think I'm just attracted to her new look. It's probably just one of those little crush things. You know those kinds you girls get on famous people." He continued to shrug.

Taylor rolled her eyes and put the bag back in the pantry. Troy did the same and she turned to him. "Are you going to tell her?"

He sighed and shook his head, "No, why risk it? She obviously wanted to go with Zeke."

"Yeah but Zeke-"

Their conversation stopped quickly when Zeke entered the kitchen, "You guys don't need to stop talking." He said as he glided across the room with his socks. Troy nodded walked out of the kitchen to Gabriella and Chad.

Taylor followed after smiling at Zeke.

"Here," She said handing the bowl to Chad. He smiled, "Thanks." He kissed her on the cheek. Troy just watched them and wondered if he should tell Gabriella about the changes he was feeling. Gabriella laughed and Troy snapped his head to her, "What?"

"Oh, something funny happened." She said not really looking at him. She turned and faced him, noticing his stare. "Are you okay?"

Troy nodded a yes. Gabriella scooted closer to him and Taylor couldn't help but smile. She watched them as they talked.

"What's up?" She took the bowl from him and grinned, letting him know what she was doing.

Troy rolled his eyes playfully at her. "Well…" Troy tried to think of something that was believable. "Uh, Melanie got mad at me for calling her Mel."

Gabriella raised her eye brows, "That's it?"

"What do you mean 'that's it'? That's a big deal if you ask me." Troy said grabbing the bowl.

Gabriella laughed, "Well I didn't ask you, did I?"

"Ha-ha. You slay me with your jokes." He said with sarcasm and Gabriella grabbed the bowl from him, "You don't deserve this."

Troy shook his head, "But you do?"

"I deserve everything." She said simply and ate the food.

Troy had a sly grin on. "Everything?" She nodded not seeing his face.

"Even this?" He got her with the secret weapon. He tickled her and she was laughing uncontrollably. "Troy!" She laughed, "Stop! I don't!"

Troy shook his head, "Oh but you're wrong! You do!"

When he stopped Taylor smirked at him and he blushed. "What?" Gabriella asked him. "You are so weird lately." She told him and flipped her hood up.

Troy was not phased by her comment. He just decided to ask her a question. "Do you like anyone? You know, like that?"

Gabriella took a moment to reply, "No." She said it simply and he knew she wasn't lying. Troy nodded and they carried on in conversation.

Before she could ask Troy the same question, Zeke interrupted. "Popcorn's ready. Why don't we watch that movie now?"

They all agreed and Zeke put the movie in. He pressed play and everyone got settled. Gabriella yawned, "Can you hand me a blanket, please?"

Troy searched around for a blanket. Taylor and Chad were sharing one already. Zeke was sitting on one which only left one last blanket. "Are you tired?" He said as he handed her the last one.

She shook her head, "No, just cold." She thanked him and looked around, "Hey is this the last one?"

He nodded and she wrinkled her eye brows. "Wanna share then?"

Taylor over heard them and she nodded at Troy. She mouthed, "Do it!" She gave him a look and he rubbed the back of his neck. "Sure."

Gabriella grinned, "Good! Because last time I remember, you are the greatest pillow ever."

Taylor smiled at the two and quietly clapped. Troy pretended to bow with his head as he smirked.


An hour later, everyone was deep into the movie. Everyone but Troy and Gabriella that is. Both of them had fallen asleep.

Zeke turned around from his position and noticed the two. He raised his eye brows at them. Yes, this was the first time any of them had taken their eyes off of the screen. He tapped Chad and Taylor and made them look. Taylor grinned and Chad shrugged.

"Do you think there's something going on?" Zeke asked them.

Taylor showed no sign of knowing. Troy trusted her and she didn't want to lose that. Chad shrugged, "I don't think so, just dawgs being dawgs."

Zeke looked disbelieving but soon forgot about it. Truth was he didn't care if they liked each other or not, he just didn't want them to hide it.


Troy woke up and found Gabriella nestled on his side. He smiled to himself and looked around the room. Taylor, Chad, and Zeke weren't there. As if on cue, the three of them appeared at the front door.

"Hey, looks like someone's awake." Zeke said as he took a seat on the other couch. "There's a party, Nick's inviting."

Troy looked down at the sleeping Gabriella. He felt a smile creep onto his face again. He brought the pillow to his face to cover it. "When is it?" Troy asked with a muffled voice.

Taylor put her bag of clothes and replied, "In two days. He wanted to make it up to Gabriella."

"Oh," Troy said no interest and took the pillow off of his face. Gabriella stirred at the noise they were making. She furrowed her eye brows and nuzzled into Troy more. Troy took that as the right time to wrap his arms more around her. His eye lids began to slowly fall back down as he drifted back into a short slumber.

Chad and Zeke exchanged looks. "You sure?" Chad asked, reminding Taylor of their conversation last night. Chad and Zeke were convinced that one liked the other. Once again, they didn't care but they didn't want secrets.

Taylor didn't want to lie to Chad and Zeke but she didn't want to betray Troy either so she didn't respond. She just zipped open her bag, acting as if he hadn't mentioned anything.

As if the zipper were her alarm clock, Gabriella woke up. She and Troy sat up and pushed the blanket off.

She stretched her arms out. "I heard this party's gonna be great." She turned to them, "Oh hey, good morning!" Taylor said.

Gabriella tiredly waved at them.

"Party?" Gabriella asked with a yawn.

Chad answered, "Nick's party … I'm hungry."

Gabriella and Troy exchanged confused looks. They simultaneously shrugged and stood up. Gabriella pulled up her sweat pants and walked into the kitchen. She stood on the chair and peeked through the cabinet, "There's nothing and I'm hungry, too."

Troy looked at her and shrugged, "Wanna eat out?"

Gabriella nodded her head vigorously. Troy helped her down by holding her hand. Zeke spoke behind them, "I bet if people didn't know. They'd think you're a couple."

"Just because I held her hand?" Troy asked her and Zeke shook his head, "No, because of earlier too. When you guys were sleeping."

Gabriella and Troy shrugged, "I don't think so."

"You know what? I second that bet. I need some cash." Chad said as he pounded fists with Zeke.

Gabriella pretended to be offended when Taylor agreed. "If you don't get one compliment or whatever saying you're a couple, we'll each give you ten bucks."

"No way, too easy. Let's make it five compliment things and you got a deal." Troy said and they shook hands.

Troy whispered into Gabriella's ear, "Easy money." Gabriella giggled and nodded.

They got into the car and Troy backed them out of the driveway. Gabriella pressed the button and music filled the car. The AC blew and Gabriella's hair flowed back. "Where're we going?"

Troy shrugged, "Let's go some place where they have to serve us."

"Um lazy much?" She laughed, "You guys up for it?"

They agreed and drove around for a while until they decided on a place to eat. Once they got there the five of them were quickly seated at their table.

While waiting for their waiter, they all talked. They were sitting in a booth near the window.

Gabriella and Troy stopped laughing about Chad's joke when their waiter finally arrived. "Well you must be my table." She told them flipping over her notepad. "They told me to look for the cute couples," She smiled at them.

Zeke, Chad, and Taylor grinned. "Wait," Zeke smirked at Gabriella and Troy, "Who are the cute couples?" He asked her. "Oh, it's not a trick question!" He said after seeing her expression, she smiled at him. Zeke smiled back, noticing the twinkle in her eyes.

She snapped back to reality and answered him, "Oh, well it's definitely these two." She said pointing to Gabriella and Troy. "And… you and him?" She asked, referring to Taylor and Chad.

She looked at Zeke, "Do you have one too?" He shook his head, "You?"

She shook her head with a smile. "Okay! Well, I'm Sharpay, and I'll be your server for today. Can I get you started with some drinks?"

They nodded and ordered their drinks. "Okay, did you want a few minutes or are you ready?"

"We're ready." Troy answered and let Gabriella order first. Once they finished ordering, Sharpay quickly walked away.

"Five bucks!" Gabriella shook her head at Chad, "No way! We have four more chances."

Chad groaned, "Come on guys, just give up already! You know you'll get about a hundred of them."

When they finished eating, they went to the mall. When they got in they were stopped by a stand. The sales people smiled.

"Hi, would you mind taking a survey?" The woman asked. She had smile that made them say yes and they took the survey.

"Okay," She said handing them each a piece of paper, "This is a survey for couples. We're planning on having a sale for the studio pictures. It would help to see if couples would actually want to take pictures."

Chad's bored expression changed into amusement. "Couples, eh?" She nodded.

"You thought… we were all couples or whatever?" He said motioning to them.

She nodded. Her eyes went wide, "Oh, I'm sorry if I offended you, I just assumed…"

"Hey, it's alright." Taylor said and they did the survey. After the woman walked away to her table, Taylor held up her fingers and mouthed, "Two".

When they finished, they walked around. Gabriella tried to reason, "That didn't count! That's a survey, they're giving it to everyone!"

"Uh uh! She said sheassumed we were all couples so she gave it to us." Zeke said pointing his finger at her.

They ended their shopping trip and walked out. Plus the two they had gotten earlier, they received four compliments so far. One was from a worker who was helping Gabriella out in the store. She had to pick out an outfit for the party and she asked for Troy's opinion. He replied, 'You look beautiful in anything you pick'. The worker heard and gushed about their cuteness.

The second was when Troy was getting help. Troy wasn't sure about picking out a shirt so he asked the others what they thought. The guys didn't know so they asked the girls. Taylor smirked knowing that this would help them get money. She suggested that Gabriella try out her new 'girl instincts' and help Troy find something. The guy working there noticed and laughed at Troy. 'My girlfriend does that to me all the time. It's pretty cool how you don't complain.'

They were now walking to the car and Gabriella stopped Troy with her hand. "I thought you said this was easy money."

Troy shrugged and got into the car. Troy couldn't help but wonder if this was a sign. If this was supposed to tell him that he really does like Gabriella. That it isn't just her new look. Maybe he should just stop trying to deny it and go for it. Troy was so confused. He sighed and backed out of the parking spot.

"Well, are we going anywhere else? Just my place, right?" Gabriella asked them and they all thought for a few moments.

Before any of them could fully reply, Gabriella's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Gabriella Elisabeth," The voice addressed her with a sophisticated tone.

Gabriella groaned to herself silently and hushed the others before speaking back. She straitened her posture and spoke as politely and proper as she could at the moment, "Hello, Uncle Robert."

Taylor gave Chad a questioning look but all he did was motion her to be quiet for a moment. He knew Uncle Robert and his wife. Every time they were over, Gabriella had to wear her best dresses.

"At the moment, we, your Aunt Sophia, Cousin Victoria Jane, and I, are at your house. We suppose that you are coming here now, correct?"

Gabriella nodded though he could not see, "Yes, right away. I'm actually with a few of my friends right now so-"

"Very well then. Bring them with you. If I shall, I suppose once more that your dance partner is with you?"

Gabriella nodded, "Yes, he is." She switched hands so that the phone was resting in her right hand. "Would-"

"Make sure he brings his finest clothing. We shall compare you two and your progress to Victoria Jane and her partner. She will be coming soon, so I suggest you hurry."

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "We will be coming as quick as possible." With that their conversation ended and Gabriella sighed. She closed her eyes and rubbed the sides of her forehead.

"Uncle Robert?" She nodded. "He wants us to dance, doesn't he?" She nodded and Troy chuckled.

"No!" Chad exclaimed dramatically as Gabriella gave them sympathetic looks.

"I don't know about you, Troy Daniel, but I, Zeke Matthew, am not very fond of this." Zeke mocked.

They laughed. "Does he do that to everyone?"

Chad nodded, "Yeah, he calls me Chad Jacob. I bet they'll call you by your first and middle name too."

Taylor dreaded her name, "Taylor Margaret?! No thank you. Brie I don't know if I want to go." She joked.

"I'm sorry guys. He's hosting this dinner that I have to go to tomorrow. If I didn't have to, they wouldn't be visiting." She added, "At least V.J.'s coming though." She said referring to her cousin, Victoria Jane. Secretly her friends and other family call her that. Even Gabriella's friends and mom call her that. (A/N: Hehe! That was fun making up all those names ;D)


"That was amazing!" Gabriella's aunt admired. "Wonderful! You both will do fine at the dinner."

"Thank you Aunt Sophia," Troy and Gabriella said in chorus.

Once they finished, the family started to get ready to leave. Sophia and Robert walked out with Anna to their car.

Before Victoria left, she talked with them for a few seconds. "Gabi, are you and Troy going out now?"

She shook her head no. "Why?"

Victoria started, "Because, you know my dad's rule. At the special dinners…"

"Other than family, you are only to dance with your 'relationship partner'. In the eyes of your dad, I guess I'm sinning," Gabriella finished.

"But you're wrong! He and mom were talking about how good you two looked!" Victoria said with a smile, "I agree."

Gabriella rolled her eyes at her. From behind, Chad, Zeke, and Taylor were heard snickering. Troy was slightly blushing.

"Shut up V.J. and go home." Gabriella laughed and hugged her cousin. They said their goodbyes and left.

"You owe us each ten bucks!" Zeke said as he pounded fists with Chad again.

Troy was sure that this was a sign. If the family thought it, strangers thought it, maybe he should see if it would work out. Maybe it's more than just attraction. Troy thought about it as he handed them the money.

Could she be the one?...


A/N: Sorry once again for the lateness. I'm gonna start break soon, so I'll be able to update much quicker I hope!

Also, I think this story is gonna be a pretty short one. Maybe 10-12 chapters at the most, I presume. But I don't know yet. Oh well, hope you enjoyed this! The sequel forSomething Called Home should be coming on by at least tomorrow! Thank you! Review please!