Author's Note: Relatively short chapter. What can I say? My bro cut into my writing time by stealing the computer. ):

Anyway. Wow, things are getting complicated! I haven't the slightest idea what my convoluted brain will decide to spew out next! D:

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It was the way her brother glowed when he asked their parents' permission to go to Gabriella's house that finally brought it home to Sharpay.

'Well, I'll be darned,' she thought, shaking her head in amazement. 'He is so totally heads over heels that it almost makes me want to puke. How in Prada's name did I not notice this before?' 'Possibly because the only one you ever pay attention to is yourself,' the little voice that was her newly reborn conscience remarked snidely. She brushed the thought away uncomfortably, trying to block out the voice by filling her head with thoughts of how this recent development could work to her advantage.

'If Gabriella starts to like him back,' she realized, 'Troy will be rather lacking in the girlfriend department…' Instantly her mind was flooded with myriad observations from past experiences and various aspects of potential schemes to work the situation in her favor. 'Part of the problem with my last plan was underestimating Troy's bond with the Science Genius. When she started to feel hurt and left out, it was enough to wake him up and take him away from me. Maybe the solution is to keep both of them busy so they hardly notice when they start to grow apart…'

Then she paused. 'But…Troy likes me better when I'm not scheming,' she thought helplessly. 'And if he realizes I'm doing it again…' After what had happened at Lava Springs, it was very likely that at the least, Troy would be wary of anything involving Sharpay. Which meant it was highly possible that he would notice if she were to attempt a new plot. There was also a good chance he might not be so forgiving this time.

'Well what on earth am I supposed to do if I can't interfere?!' She felt exasperated, and nearly growled aloud. 'Ryan's not ambitious enough to actually try and steal little Ms. Montez away; if I leave him to it by himself, things are bound to go at a snail's pace.'

"Hey, Sharpay! Great job tonight!" a cheerful male voice said behind her, startling her for the second time in the past half hour.

"Of course," she said, flashing a haughty smile at Zeke. "I've got high standards for myself, after all."

"I know what you mean," he agreed. "I do the same with my baking. Speaking of which…Éclair?" Zeke held out the sweet to her.

Sharpay squealed and snatched it from him; barely restraining herself from stuffing it in her mouth straightaway. Zeke grinned happily; if nothing else, at least he could please her by giving her just the right treat.

"Well, um, enjoy," he said, waving as he backed away a bit and then turned to leave.

"Thank you," Sharpay called after him before she could stop herself.

"You're welcome," he called back, looking pleasantly surprised.

The blonde girl frowned at herself. 'Deciding not to meddle with relationships is one thing,' she thought, 'but since when do I say "Thank you" and mean it?!'

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Thus, in light of that night's events, Sharpay began to observe her brother in his interactions with Gabriella, wondering more and more each day how she could possibly have missed the signs. The way Ryan grinned almost shyly at his dark-haired friend, the way he walked with her between every set of classes he could possibly manage while still making it to his own on time, the way he looked miserable every time Troy got lovey-dovey with the Montez girl.

It was as a result of these observations that Sharpay realized Troy was also watching Ryan--apparently because he too, she concluded, had figured out that Ryan looked at Gabriella as more than a friend. To her surprise, he still treated Ryan courteously, showing no signs of anger or jealousy in response to the Evans boy's crush.

As a matter of fact, Troy did feel a tad possessive about Gabriella, but he knew full well that she was not an object to be owned, and that he had no right to try and keep other guys away from her just to have her all to himself. At least, not if the guys were only being friendly. If Ryan had actually been trying to make a move on her, Troy might not have been so kind to him.

Gabriella, on the other hand, was busy monitoring her own reactions to Ryan, still trying to gauge what her feelings were towards him. Sometimes, it would be easy; they'd be chatting, laughing, teasing each other just like any pair of good friends. But then there'd be those other times, the times when he'd do something cute--compliment her subtly, smile in that certain way of his, knock his own hat off accidentally--and there would be that little flutter again.

Ryan was mostly just trying to maintain his sanity. His infatuation with his friend was as strong as ever, and growing with time. He simply couldn't imagine liking anyone else. She was beautiful, funny, intelligent, playful, caring, kind, and altogether fantastic. He marveled at the fact that it had taken the summer at Lava Springs to show him what a gem she was.

And Zeke? Well, Zeke was still hoping that he'd someday find his way to Sharpay's heart--through her stomach.

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As Troy walked past the theatre during free period, the sound of piano music caught his ear. He smiled, realizing it must be Kelsi. After all, no one else spent their free period fiddling with an instrument--and anyway, no one else was as good at the piano as the little composer girl. He quietly padded through the doorway and paused, simply watching his friend for a moment. It was amazing, the way she could throw her entire body into playing.

Then he walked quietly down the center aisle and rested his elbows on the stage. "Whatcha workin' on, Kels?"

She nearly fell off the piano bench.

"Whoa, easy there, Wildcat," he exclaimed.

"Troy," she said, eyes wide. "You startled me."

"Yeah, sorry about that," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "I guess I forgot how absorbed you can get. I'll try to remember that next time.

Her eyes sparkled. "Oh well," she said, shrugging. "No harm, no foul, right? I'm just glad I didn't actually end up knocking myself over."

They both laughed. Then Troy asked again, "Are you writing something new, or were you just playing a favorite song?"

"Writing something new. It's still in the beginning stage, so it doesn't sound like much. I'll play it for you, though, when it's farther along."

Troy grinned. "Can't wait to hear it." Then he glanced at his watch. "Whoops, better get to the gym. The guys are probably wondering where I am. Catch you later, Kels!" The basketball player waved as he jogged back up the aisle.

Kelsi's sapphire eyes followed him as he went, and one almost might have thought that a curious pink color filled her cheeks.

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A/N: Ohoho, didn't see THAT one comin,' DIDJA?! Yes, I really am insane. Shuttup. ):