After reading my reviews I have decided to keep this story mainly PG with only a little naughtiness thrown in and have a go at an M rated story next time. I'm thrilled everyone enjoyed the last chapter. I promise there will be more of that . . . eventually. Love Tink.

Gabriella hurried home, her head in a whirl, she had kissed Troy, and Troy had kissed her! It had been amazing, better than she could ever have dreamed, she could still feel his lips against hers, taste the unique taste of him in her mouth. Now she was confused, he'd stopped, pulled back from her and she didn't know what to do. Things would be so awkward between them; there would be no going back. She was confused, she thought she wanted to get over him and try and be with Christian, but now she was right back where she started. Wanting Troy Bolton. But she was scared of what would happen between them, scared that things would go wrong, that she would lose him and his friendship. As much as she loved him, she didn't think she could take the risk of being with him and then losing him forever.

Troy lay prone on the floor where she' left him, his heart thudding and his body still taught with hunger. He'd just experienced one of the most amazing kisses of his life and it was with Gabriella, shy, sweet, studious, Gabriella, his best friend Gabriella. Guilt flooded through him, swiftly followed by need as he remembered their kiss, he felt as though he had taken advantage of Gabriella's naivety where guys where concerned. He understood sexual tension, the power of wanting, but she did not. He was supposed to be responsible, be in control but it seemed as though around his best friend he had very little, one touch from her and he was lost. What would happen between them now? Gabriella liked Christian didn't she? Could they forget what had happened and just move on? Did he want to forget it? He'd never thought of Gabriella that way before, but now he'd touched her, kissed her, he couldn't seem to get her out of his head. He had to talk to her. Grabbing his shoes and jacket he hurried down the stairs and out of the door to Gabriella's place.

Gabriella lay on her bed in the dark, trying to decide what to tell Troy when she saw him tomorrow. Their kiss had been everything she'd dreamed and more but she couldn't do it, she was afraid of losing him and there was a chance that with their kiss, she already had. She didn't understand why Troy had done it though, maybe he was just being kind, knowing how in experienced she was maybe, maybe he was just feeling horny and Gabriella happened to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe there was something else, something she didn't know about.

Suddenly she heard a noise out on her balcony and her heart began to pound in her chest, she knew who was outside. There was only one person who ever climbed up her balcony rather than use the door. On legs that shook she crossed her room and opened the doors leading onto the balcony to find Troy pacing up and down, his hands stuffed in his back pockets. He stopped pacing when he saw her.

"Uh Hey" he said softly.

"Hey" she replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Gabs, we need to talk"

"I know" she sighed

"Listen what happened was great but-", he began, rubbing the back of his neck absentmindedly. He was going to tell her it was a mistake.

"But it never should have happened, I know" she finished for him, relieved that he did not want to take things any further.

Troy looked at her in the moonlight, that wasn't what he had planned on saying, he didn't actually know what he had intended to say, he was judging her reaction. Gabriella obviously thought it was a mistake and not one she wanted to repeat.

"Okay cool, glad you understand" he cleared his throat "so we are still friends right, it was just a kiss after all, everyone kisses"

Gabriella nodded "Still friends" she said stiltedly, again refusing to meet his gaze.

Troy felt the awkward silence descend over them as they stood facing each other, Troy shuffling from one foot to the other Gabriella playing with her hair. He felt miserable, as though he had lost something he didn't even know he had. Things had become weird between them.

She couldn't even look at him with out picturing his lips against hers, or imagining the feel of his body next to hers. Things were weird, there was a tension between them that had never existed before, an awareness that she didn't want. Gabriella wanted to cry, this is just what she hadn't wanted to happen, she didn't want to lose Troy from her life.

"I better go in Troy . . . Will I see you tomorrow at the alley?" she looked at him for the first time and noticed the tension in his the long lines of his body.

"Sure 'Brie . . . good luck with your date, but you won't need it, you'll knock him dead" Troy smiled at her but it didn't reach his eyes, it was forced, Gabriella could tell having known him so long.

"Thanks Troy" she turned around and without looking back walked into her room and closed the doors.

Troy watched her go with a sinking feeling; he was losing her, just when he had found out how good they could be together. But she wanted Christian, she had made that clear enough and as her best friend he wanted her to be happy, if that meant just being friends, then so be it. With a last look at the closed doors between them, he turned and made his way back down the tree to the ground.

Gabriella didn't sleep properly, her dreams full of Troy and Christian. She dreamt that they rejected her, and Troy wouldn't even be friends with her anymore. She awoke the next morning heavy eyed and teary, and even her shower didn't help. By the time Taylor and Sharpay arrived, she had pulled herself around a little but not enough, judging by the girls reactions.

"Christ Gab, are you ok? You look terrible" Sharpay said as she got into the car.

"Gab, aren't you feeling well?" Taylor asked looking at her friend with concern.

For a moment she debated whether to tell them truth but decided against it, if she wanted to try with Christian then she had to focus on him and not Troy.

"I'm fine really I just had a late night, you know studying"

"With Troy?" Sharpay asked with a calculating look, there was something more going on with Gabriella, something more than she was telling them.

"Yeah"

"And?"

"And, nothing . . . we talked for a bit, he told me to let Christian chase me and then I went home"

"That's it?" Sharpay asked in disbelief, there was definitely something fishy going on.

"That's it" she confirmed "Now can we please get to the mall?"

Sharpay nodded and put pedal to the metal.

Once at the mall the girls spent the morning trying to find new school clothes for Gabriella. There tastes were so different, Sharpay as a lover of all things shiny tried to get her to buy some really colorful tops and pants, Taylor wanted her to go for a more preppy look. Gabriella was closer to preppy than colorful but still wasn't pleased with either look. In the end she went for what she felt comfortable in, jeans, a few tops in muted colors and some new shoes. Like with her glasses it wasn't a major change, just refining the style she already had, buying clothes with a better fit, a more up to date look.

After a quick lunch Gabriella was marched to the salon, where Sharpay and the stylist spent a good fifteen minutes discussing what to do with her hair. Sharpay wanted her to have it cut in a chic bob, Gabriella refused. Taylor suggested red tones, Gabriella refused, reminding her friends that the idea was little changes. In the end, she agreed to have a few inches trimmed and layers added, to give her hair more volume and bounce, allowing her soft curls to separate and fall in waves around her face. Even Gabriella had to admit it was a big improvement and she couldn't believe how pretty she felt as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Next came make up. Sharpay as usual wanted something extravagant, bright and bold, that made Gabriella feel like a drag queen. Taylor had the best idea when she suggested a tinted cream that would smooth and highlight her already flawless skin, with a little blusher to enhance her cheek bones. To finish the look, mascara and a little lip gloss.

By the time they left the mall it was close to dinner time and the girls had to rush if they were to be ready in time.

Once home, Gabriella rushed her shower and then tried to decide what to wear. She eventually settled on a pair of skinny leg jeans, a white t-shirt and black waistcoat over the top. She left her hair down, teasing out her curls before adding a thick black hair band and black ballet pumps. She re-applied her make-up as she had been shown and then checked her reflection. Gabriella couldn't help the grin that spread across her face, she looked so pretty, and she felt so pretty! Sharpay and Taylor had been right to talk her into this mini makeover; it was just what she needed to make herself feel better. Her eyes sparkled as she thought about what Troy's reaction would be when he saw her-STOP! Troy's reaction? She was supposed to be thinking about Christian and what he would think, not Troy, she scolded herself.

With a few minutes to spare she picked up her purse and headed down the stairs, just as she reached the bottom she heard the door go. Her heart began to pound and a million butterflies were suddenly let loose in her stomach, as she opened the door to see Christian standing there.

"Hi Gabriella" he smiled and Gabriella couldn't help think how good looking he was, wearing his cargo pants and white shirt.

"Hey Christian, right on time"

"You ready to go?" he asked as she checked her purse for her key and then nodded.

She stepped out of the door and followed him out to the car, feeling nervous and excited all at once.

"You look amazing by the way" he said and Gabriella beamed then blushed.

"Thanks" she said shyly, ducking her head as they drove off.

"You're friends all seem nice, it was cool of Sharpay to invite me along tonight" Christian said as they drove.

Gabriella laughed "I really don't think you would have had much say in the matter, what she wants she gets"

He chuckled "And you're telling me this because?"

"She wanted you to come bowling with us, I think she was playing cupid" she replied with a shy smile, darting a quick look into his handsome face.

"I don't mind, as long as she's planning on playing cupid with you and me and not me and Chad" he laughed and Gabriella giggled.

"Nah, Taylor would never allow that"

"But seriously Gabriella, I really wanted to come tonight, hang out with you"

Gabriella's heart fluttered "I really wanted you to come too" she admitted and they shared a smile, their eyes meeting.

"So what's the story with you and Troy?" he asked casually, suddenly changing the subject.

"There is no story" she lied, hoping she sounded convincing

"Well you gotta admit, it's a little unusual to have a guy as a best friend, especially in high school"

"Second best friend, Taylor would say" she replied avoiding the question

"So how did he become you're second best friend?"

She sighed "It's a long story, lets just say we click."

"You're close right?"

She nodded, wondering where he was going with this

"And he doesn't mind that you're coming with me tonight?" he looked at her.

"Why should he? We're just friends"

"It's just something Sharpay said"

Gabriella groaned, Sharpay and her big mouth "What did she say?"

"Nothing bad, just that you haven't really had another guy in your life besides Troy and he might have trouble adjusting to it"

Gabriella was going to kill her; she had no right discussing her relationship with Troy.

"He's fine really, it won't cross his mind" she said, not without bitterness, "besides Troy usually has a girl friend, he doesn't really pay too much attention to what I do"

If Christian picked up on her anger he never mentioned it.

"I just don't wanna step on anyone's toes that's all"

Gabriella painted on a bright smile, worthy of Sharpay "You won't be" she assured him as they reached the parking lot of the bowling alley.

Troy spotted Gabriella and Christian as soon as they entered the alley, and he stared in shock, at Gabriella's new look. She looked beautiful, no longer just pretty, she was hot! With her hair curling around her face, her glasses gone and her skin tight jeans, she looked stunning. Troy couldn't take his eyes off her and neither, it seemed could any of the other guys in the place.

"Dude! You're staring" hissed Chad slapping his shoulder as Gabriella and Christian made there way towards the group.

Sharpay and Taylor exchanged a sly grin as they took in Troy's reaction to Gabriella, he looked lost. He watched as she smiled shyly at Christian and then laughed at something he said, feeling his stomach clench in response. He was jealous! Jealous of Christian! Jealousy was an emotion that Troy Bolton just didn't do, he'd had jealous girlfriends before and people had been jealous of him but he had never experienced it for himself. It made him a little angry and feel slightly irrational, as though he wanted to pick a fight with both Gabriella and her guy.

"Hey everyone" she smiled at the assembled group, deliberately trying not to look at Troy.

"Gabriella you look hot!" grinned Chad, earning him a light slap from Taylor.

"Thanks Chad" she giggled at the look on his face.

"Yeah like soo hot!" Shar grinned, feeling a little naughty "Don't you think Troy?"

He nodded briskly "Sure, you look nice Gab" he said blandly feigning interest in the scoreboard, not really looking at her.

She frowned for a second, suddenly feeling a little deflated but then she looked at Christian and knew she had made the correct decision. Things were weird between them, as though they were not best friends, Troy seemed mad at her. If one kiss, albeit an amazing one, could have this affect on their friendship, she was glad she had decided to try and move on with her life.

Sharpay seeing the tension between them, smiled brightly and said "Okay Team time"

The gang split into two teams, Taylor, Chad, Troy and Kelsi made up one team and Sharpay, Zeke, Gabriella and Christian the other.

As the game got underway, Gabriella was determined not to let Troy's weird behavior affect her date. He hardly spoke to her, wouldn't really look at her and was unusually moody with everyone, including Chad. Christian wisely, avoided Troy, sensing an undercurrent of tension between him and Gabriella.

Gabriella was pissed off with Troy, she could feel his eyes watching her with Christian, she could sense his anger, but she didn't understand why. He was spoiling her date, all she could think about was him and the way he was acting, when she should be concentrating on Christian. Determined to show him she wasn't bothered by his behavior she began to flirt with Christian.

"Christian, can you help me line this ball up?" she asked with a grin.

He smiled back and stepped behind her, pushing is arms though hers and holding his hands over hers moved the bowling bowl, lining it up with the pins.

Gabriella felt him behind her, his breath warm against her cheek, waiting for the tingle she got when she touched Troy, it didn't come.

"Try it now" he said and Gabriella looked over her shoulder at him, with a smile.

He stepped back from her and sent the ball spinning down the lane, knocking all the pins down.

"Yay!" she cried and jumped into Christians arms, as he span her around, hugging her close in celebration.

Troy watched, repressing the urge to stand up and demand that Christian took his hands of his best friend. He didn't like him, didn't like him touching Gabriella was pissed at Gabriella for encouraging him. She was flirting with him, or trying to. Gabriella hadn't done a lot of flirting and it showed. But Troy still found it uncomfortable to be around. He didn't want to think about why he felt that way, it made him crazy. He was glad when the games drew to a close and the group began to say their goodbyes.

"Bye Troy" Gab said not really looking at him.

"What no hug for me?" he asked bitterly.

Gabriella just looked at him, bewildered and hurt "What's you're problem Troy?"

"I don't have a problem" he sighed, the fight leaving him, seeing how upset she looked.

"Great, then I'll see you Monday"

"Monday" he repeated and turned away, before she could see the anger in his face.

Gabriella watched him walk away, tears burning behind her eyes.

"You ok?" Christian asked coming up behind her and placing his arm around her waist.

She nodded and plastered a bright smile on her face "I'm great"

"Ready to get on with our date?"

"More than ready" she said and slipped her hand into his.