It was the day of the Winter Ball. School had just let out and everybody rushed home to get ready. When I got up to my room I turned on my computer. I signed on to my AOL account and my buddy list popped up. I looked and saw that Troy was online.

Wildcat14: Hey Nicole

LadyWildcat: Hey Troy

Wildcat14: So who's your date for the Winter Ball?

LadyWildcat: did Chad ask you to ask me that question because he's been asking me all week. Of course I'm not telling him just to piss him off.

Wildcat14: No I'm just curious

LadyWildcat: Curiosity killed the cat

Wildcat14: But I'm a Wildcat so it's different

LadyWildcat: No a wildcat is still a cat. So is everybody still meeting over at the school?

Wildcat14: No we're meeting at your house? What does your date want to know?

LadyWildcat: Yes and because I wanted to know

Wildcat14: Well we are meeting at your house

LadyWildcat: Okay

Wildcat14: So what are you guys doing for winter break

LadyWildcat: Nothing I mean my godfather wanted me to join him in Miami but I'm not so sure

Wildcat14: why aren't you sure if I had the chance to go spend my Winter Break with the Miami Heat I would

LadyWildcat: You got to spend your birthday with them

Wildcat14: Good point. My family is actually staying home this year. My mum wants a homey Christmas because it might the last one we have all together.

LadyWildcat: At least you have a mom to want a homey Christmas.

Wildcat14: Sorry, but you have your Aunt Karen

LadyWildcat: I know but I just wish I had my parents here

Wildcat14: Well that's why you have me and Chad we're your shoulders to cry on

LadyWildcat:Don't forgot Ryan

Wildcat14: Why'd you have to bring him up

LadyWildcat: he's my friend

Wildcat14: I'm your friend too

LadyWildcat: I know you are but when you and Chad are on dates or have practice I have no one so I hang out with him

Wildcat14: hang out with the softball team from school

LadyWildcat: Why are you mad about me being friends with Ryan, Troy

Wildcat14: Because he's a jerk

LadyWildcat: how is he a jerk

Wildcat14: he's not good enough to be your friend

LadyWildcat: well he is my friend

Wildcat14: Well I don't want him to be

LadyWildcat: why Troy

Wildcat14 has signed off.

I signed off my computer and opened my closet to reveal my dress and shoes. I sighed and started getting ready when the door to my room burst open. In came Sharpay, Kelsi, Taylor and Gabriella.

"What are you guys doing here," I asked.

"We came to get ready the boys are getting ready in Chad's room," Gabriella said.

"Ryan's meeting us here," Sharpay said, "something about avoiding lectures with Chad and your uncle."

"Oh well okay," I said.

"Now since this is Nicole's first East High dance she must look amazing," Taylor said. They started coming towards me and I felt cornered. They had hair dryers and a bunch of other supplies that I didn't even recognize.

When they were finished I stared at myself in the mirror. I couldn't even recognize myself. Then we spent the rest of the time helping each other get ready. When we were finally ready we heard the boys talking downstairs. The girls walked downstairs but I froze. None of the guys had ever seen me in a dress, heels or make-up. It took about five minutes and then I heard Troy's voice.

"Where's Nicole," Troy said. God I loved how he said my name.

"She was just…," Taylor said as the doorbell rang. I looked out my window and saw Ryan waiting there in his tux.

"Hey Ryan come on in," I heard my Aunt Karen say.

"Thanks Mrs.Danforth is Nicole ready," Ryan asked.

"I think she is but she's not coming down but the rest of them are waiting by the stairs," Aunt Karen said.

"Thanks Mrs.Danforth," Ryan said as he moved towards the stairs.

"Ryan you're here thank god now all we have to do is get your date to get her cute butt down here," Taylor said screaming the last part.

"Wait you're my cousin's mystery date," Chad said.

"We're just going as friends Chad," Ryan said.

"Make sure it stays that way," Troy snaps.

"Nicole the sooner you get down here the sooner we can get to the dance and it'll be over," Gabriella said. She does have a point. I take a deep breath and open the door. I slowly walk down the stairs my hand lightly gripping the banister. When I could see everybody's faces I started getting nervous. The girls were smiling and the boys had their mouths open. When I reached the bottom of the stairs I looked at everybody.

"What," I asked.

"Now let's go before we miss the dance," Sharpay said grabbing Zeke's arm. We all took our date's car. Ryan had just gotten his back from the dealer. He had a Lexus. He opened the door politely for me.

"Thanks," I said getting in. Taylor smiled at me since Chad's car was right next to Ryan's. We rode to the dance talking about how our friends put us up to this.

"You know my sister said that we would make the cutest couple she's ever seen besides her and Zeke," Ryan said.

"Well we're only friends," I said.

"That's what I told her then I got this lecture on how I'm not going to be young forever yet when I said she wouldn't be either she slapped me," Ryan said.

"Well if there's one thing about Sharpay that won't change is her want to stay young," I said as we pulled into the school parking lot. Ryan got out and then held the door open for me like a gentleman.

"Why are you being such a gentleman today," I asked him.

"Because I like to be a gentleman," Ryan said closing the door. We walked into the cafeteria that had been cleared for the dance since Coach Bolton put up a fuss about it being in the gym. I looked around at the decorations and was amazed. The minute a song came on Ryan gave me a look and motioned to the dance floor. I nodded and he pulled me out there. I wasn't sure for how long we danced but soon enough we were both tired and starting to sweat. I looked at the cafeteria clock and it read 11:00. We had danced for three full hours. We walked over to where Troy and Gabriella were standing.

"Hey you two finally you stepped off the dance floor,' Gabriella said laughing.

"Well Ryan has some good moves," I said.

"Yeah we saw," Troy said coldly.

"Well I'd like to try out some of those moves," Gabriella said looking at Troy for the okay.

"Go on ahead," Troy said giving her a light kiss his cold demeanor seemed to disappear only a little bit though.

"See you after two songs Nicole," Ryan said.

"Go have fun," I said. I turned to look at Troy. His gorgeous blue eyes were fixed on Ryan as if he wanted to blow the kid up with his mind.

"So having fun with Evans," Troy asked.

"Yeah, he's a sweet guy and a great dancer," I said looking to see him having fun dancing with Gabriella.

"Yeah right," Troy said as the song they were currently playing began to end.

"And you think you can do better," I asked hoping he would rise to the challenge.

"Of course," Troy said leading me out there. But as soon as we got out there a slow song played.

"Well it seems you won't be able to show me your moves after all,' I said.

"Hey we're still dancing," Troy said pulling me back towards him. He put his hands almost two inches above my waist and I put my hands on his shoulders. Anyway could see it was just friendly. I turned to see Ryan doing the same thing to Gabriella. When I turned back to Troy he was staring at me.

"I miss you Nicole," he said.

"I do too Troy," I said.

"Well then why do you hang out with Evans," Troy asked.

"Because you're always busy with Gabriella or basketball and everyone's busy," I said.

"How about I make up for it by going ice skating like old times," Troy said.

"Okay," I replied.

"Good then I'll see you at noon at the rink on New Years Eve," Troy said as the song ended. He left to join Gabriella as Ryan came back over to me. The rest of the night I was extremely happy.