Chapter 9

Sharpay was making Ryan's ear explode with all her shouts and yells. Sharpay was walking back and fro in her room with Ryan sitting in one of her couches. Her room was painted pink and it was big with a complete set of furniture. She had a sala, a small kitchen counter and a big bathroom. Her bed was a king sized one, full of pink fluffy pillows. Her room was surrounded with posters of different popular musicals like Cats and Grease. Like Sharpay, Ryan's room was big and painted with the shade of green and white. Like Sharpay, Ryan has his own sala, own kitchen and own big bathroom. His room was also surrounded with decors but not like Sharpay's musicals but of world renowned paintings like Starry Night and the Scream (obviously they were fake ones, since the real ones are worth millions). They were well-off since their mother was an ex-popular broadway star and their father is a big time business man. The two were raised with money that is why they always get what they want.

"I can't believe this! She'll pay! I promise this, she'll pay!" Sharpay shouted the same line again.

"Sharpay, don't worry, we all know that you are better than Gabriella. Darbus would realize once the practices starts that Gabriella doesn't fit Minnie." Ryan said.

"You're right Ryan and because of what you said you just gave me an idea." She said as she came to a halt.

"Idea? What idea?"

"Idea. I'll make Darbus and Drellington realize that no one can do a better Minnie than I do. And Gabriella will regret that she ever did audition." Sharpay smiled wickedly, promising herself that this time, her plan will work.

It was a fine Saturday morning and Troy was still thinking of how to escape from his prison. His father and mother cancelled all their plans just to keep Troy inside the house.

"How will I ever escape here? Mom and dad are downstairs. The most probable way out is… the window…" Troy thought and found the best solution at the moment.

He got all his shirts and blankets. He tied them all up, long enough to reach the ground outside. As soon as he finished it, he hid it under his bed and waited for seven o' clock.

Gabriella made Kelsi come over to help her out. It was already lunchtime when Kelsi arrived. Mrs. Montez prepared their lunch and the two girls ate together.

"Kelsi, what do you think would I wear? Something simple or extraordinary?" Gabriella asked as soon as she swallowed the last of her beef.

"Hmm… I think you must wear something that you are comfortable with. Something that is of your own style. Don't change your fashion just to impress Troy. He will like you when you'll be yourself." Kelsi said.

"You think so?"

Kelsi nodded. As soon as they got their plates on the sink, they proceeded up to Gabriella's room. Her room was just small. It has a bed, a bookshelf, a study table and a balcony.

"Nice room." Kelsi commented.

"Thanks." Gabriella replied. Then she laid all her probable clothes to wear. "What do you think would be better to wear for tonight?"

"Hmm… By the way, where are you going? Are you guys going to eat in a fancy restaurant or Troy was planning something way too special than a fancy resto?"

"I don't know. Well, he just asked me if we could have a friendly date tonight and that's it."

"hmm… Since you don't know where you'll go, I think it's much better if you wear something that is semi-formal but comfortable and simple to look at. Like…" Kelsi scanned her choices. "… this one. Perfect! A simple flowery skirt and a white sleeveless shirt with a pink bolero. Then for your foot wear, that flats fit your style." Kelsi said with a wink.

"I think you're right. Thanks Kels."

"It was nothing. We're friends and friends help each other."

"Thanks for being a good friend." Gabriella replied.

"Aw… you're making me cry." Kelsi joked. Then Gabriella went up to her and hugged her.

After they broke off, Kelsi and Gabriella went downstairs to sing some notes. Kelsi opened the piano that was at the Montez' sala. She played the first notes of "Someone's Watching Over Me" by Hilary Duff.

"I didn't know you like Hilary Duff." Gabriella said to her.

"Nah, not really but I like her type of songs."

"Me too." Gabriella agreed. "Can I sing along?" Kelsi nodded in reply.

So I won't give up

No I won't break down

Sooner than it seems life turns around

And I will be strong

Even if it all goes wrong

When I'm standing in the dark

I still believe

Someone's watching over me…

After the song ended, Kelsi and Gabriella laughed without any reason.

"You know what Gabby, that song fits you. Troy is the someone that watches over you." Kelsi teased.

"Will you stop teasing me." Gabriella smiled. "Kels, you're my friend right? And I can keep you a secret right?"

"Of course. Is it about Troy?" Kelsi asked smiling.

"Fine. Yes…"

"You do like him a lot right?"

Gabriella looked at her in surprise and nodded.

"I'm right! Yes!" Kelsi said happily. "I knew it. Just by the way you guys look at each other, I can see that you guys do like each other a lot."

"What are you saying? That Troy likes me too?"

"Yep. You might not believe me but I can see him sometimes snatching glances at you." Kelsi said. "hey, you're blushing!" Kelsi teased.

"No I'm not!" Gabriella denied but she knew that Kelsi was right.

Their afternoon ended with more singing and teases.

It was already a quarter to 7:00pm. Troy was already ready. He already got his bath. He was already wearing his clothes but he still wore a pajama to cover his attire in case his father or mother looks for him. He locked the door and got the tied shirts and blankets he made earlier. He pushed it out of the window and luckily it reached the ground. The tied cloths can be seen through the windows of the kitchen but luckily his parents were discussing some things in their study room. So as Troy descended the cloths, neither his father nor mother saw him which made him smile greatly. He just left the cloth there in case his father or mother won't find out so he can still climb up to his room after his "friendly" date with Gabriella. Then he walked to their pavement and got a cab directing it to Gabriella's house.

Gabriella was getting ready for her date with Troy. She was in the midst of putting light make-up on her face. Kelsi already left an hour earlier. She wore the clothes that Kelsi picked up for her to wear. As she wore them, she could tell that her friend was really right, she did look great. After wearing her favorite perfume, she got a knock from her door. She went to the door and opened it. Her mother was at it.

"What is it, mom?" she asked.

"Well, look at you. You look great!" her mother complimented

"Thanks mom. Do you really think Troy will like it?"

"Of course. He'll like you no matter what."

"Thanks."

"By the way, your date is downstairs now." Her mother told her.

"Really?" Gabriella asked nervously. She didn't know what to do. It was her first time to be asked out.

"Gabriella, hey, chill. Don't be nervous. You're great, okay?" her mother told her.

Gabriella simply nodded and went to the stairs. She looked at her mother again who was still in front of her door. Then she started to descend the stairs.

"My Gabby is now a lady…" Ms. Montez thought and smiled.

Troy quickly stood up as he saw an angel descending the stairs. He was speechless. Gabriella did look great.

"Hi Troy!" Gabriella said simply as soon as she set foot on the first floor.

"Hi… Gabby." He replied never taking off his eyes from her face.

"So, where are we going?" Gabriella asked to break the tension between them.

"Huh?" he asked, obviously he didn't hear as single thing Gabriella asked him.

Gabriella smiled. And said, "I asked you as to where we are going…"

"Oh, well, it's a secret so, let's go." Troy replied. Then he held his hands out and Gabriella quickly took it.

Troy got a cab and confessed to Gabriella his current situation.

"What?" Gabriella asked as Troy finished his confession. They were now inside the cab.

"Well, I already did it. So let's just enjoy the night and forget it. I'll deal with it when I get home."

"But Troy…" Gabriella trailed. She was worried, Troy could get a greater punishment if his father finds out that he escaped.

"Gabby, please don't worry. Let's just forget about it and enjoy the night, okay?"

Gabriella nodded. Well, it's either she remains sad, thinking about Troy's situation or act happy and be happy.

The cab dropped them at a camping site outside the city. There were no people there but it was open for all.

"Troy, what are we doing here?" Gabriella asked nervously. She was afraid of empty and dark places.

"Gabriella, trust me. I'll have you blindfolded to keep the surprise, okay?" Troy asked her as he got a yellow handkerchief from his pocket.

Gabriella nodded and Troy blindfolded her. Then Troy led her deeper to the woods. Then Troy and Gabriella stopped at an open space. Troy took Gabriella's blindfold and she got surprised by what she saw. The entire basketball team was there. A round table was at the middle and candles were around them and so were pink roses. Chad and Zeke went to Troy and Gabriella. Chad gave Gabby a red rose and Zeke led them to their table.

"What's happening?" Gabriella asked smiling.

"We're having our date." Troy replied simply. "Guys, thanks for the preparations." Troy said to his teammates.

"It was nothing Troy." Chad reply. "We'll now leave you two here. Troy, here's my phone, just call Zeke if you guys need a ride home. We'll just be at a nearby club, partying, okay?"

"Thanks man." Then the boys bade goodbye and left Troy and Gabriella in their "date".

"Troy, this is so much." Gabriella said as soon as they were left.

"No, this is nothing compared to the way you make me smile." Troy said.

Gabriella laughed and they ate their dinner. After eating, Troy led her to an elevated area.

"Why are we here Troy?" Gabriella asked as she sat with Troy on the green grass.

"Well, in a few moments, you'll see something spectacular." He replied with a wink. Then after a few minutes, Troy said to her, "Gabby, look up…"

Gabriella obeyed and looked up at the dark night sky. There were little stars but something much interesting happened. A meteor shower was happening. "Wow!" Gabriella said, amazed. It was her first time to see something like that.

Troy wasn't looking at the sky, instead he was looking at the girl beside him. He was so happy to see that he made Gabriella smile.

The meteor shower was not that long, as soon as it finished, Gabriella turned to Troy.

"Thanks…" She said to him.

"For what?"

"For making me happy. For this surprise. For everything."

"I'm glad you're happy. Gabriella…" He was now serious.

"yes?" Gabriella was looking in his eyes now. Troy took her hands and kissed each of her knuckles. It made Gabriella feel electricity through her body.

"Gabby, I like you. No, I think it is more than like. I want to make you happy all the time. I want to see you reach your dreams. I want to spend my time with you. I want you to treat me other than a friend. Gabriella, would you be my girl?"

Gabriella smiled. "Oh my gosh!"

"What does that smile means?" Troy asked nervously.

"What do you think?" Gabriella teased.

"Yes? Is that a yes?"

Gabriella nodded. Then Troy quickly stood up, rejoicing. He helped Gabriella up. And looked in her eyes.

"No taking back?" Troy asked again.

"yes. Why, do you want me to take it back?"

"No! no!" he replied and hugged his, as of now, official GIRLFRIEND.

a/n: tht's what Im telling you... please pretty please I do need your comments... if anyone finds it very overacting please tell me... your reactions are badly needed... hehehe... I hope you liked the new chapters.. i think i can possibly write the next chpters after this week cause im having my exams... please bear with me... thnx guys... luv yah ol... smile