The next day on the bus ride to the studio Troy came and sat next to Gabriella. "Hey, Gabby," he said, leaning down to give her a kiss, but Gabriella turned her head away.

"Gabby, what's wrong?"
Gabriella looked directly at him. Her eyes weren't friendly anymore. They were cold and hard. "Don't talk to me."
"What? Gabriella? What's wrong?"

"Wow, Troy." Gabriella's voice shook ever so slightly. She was trying not to cry. "I…I just…I…Troy, I can't believe you're denying it. That's just awful. Troy, we're over. I just can't trust you anymore." Then she moved to a different seat.

"What did I do?" Troy called softly, but Gabriella faced front.

Troy was so confused and worried. Gabriella was the love of his life, and he was sure she had felt the same two days ago. So what was going on??

When they got to the studio, Gabriella walked in with her friend Jen instead of Troy. "What's up with her?" Sharpay sneered.

"Sharpay, don't talk to me, please." Troy muttered.

Sharpay smirked. "You know you enjoyed that kiss, Troy."

"No, I didn't. I like Gabriella, Sharpay, not you." Troy said. It was true. Sharpay's kisses had been big and controlling, not sweet and gentle like Gabriella's were. Troy nodded at Sharpay's angry face and quickly walked inside.

When it was Gabriella's turn to go onstage, she hurriedly made sure her face wasn't red. She had been crying a little on the bus, but when Jen had asked her what was wrong, she had replied that it was allergies.

As everyone clapped and Ryan announced her name, she slowly walked out onstage, trying to smile and act like nothing was wrong. Today she was singing No One by Alicia Keys.

She took a deep breath as the music started to play. All at once she felt all her troubles washed away. Now it wasn't about Troy, Sharpay, or anybody else. It was about her, and her singing.

I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel

I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try to divide something so real
So till the end of time I'm telling you there ain't no one

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

When she was finished, she glanced at the judges, trying not to look too worried. The judges' faces showed no expressions at all; just blank. People were clapping, Gabriella wasn't sure if it was loud or meager.

Randy started off. "Gabriella…you had pretty good vocals, girl, but it wasn't, well, it wasn't your type of song. I just can't imagine what kind of record you could make now."

Paula said, "Sweetie, I liked it, but like Randy said, the song wasn't for you, sweetie."

"I just have to agree with Paula and Randy. You have so much potential, but it was just the song choice." Kara said.
And finally, the Big Bad Wolf. "Gabriella, I thought it was okay. Not good, even. Okay. The vocals were alright, the song choice was terrible for you." Simon spoke.

Gabriella nodded, a lump forming in her throat. She walked calmly offstage as Jen took the stage. Then she started running towards her dressing room. Tears were threatening to spill, and they did. "Gabriella!" She heard Troy's voice behind her, but she just rna faster.

I need a miracle. Gabriella thought. Or this is my last night on the show of my dreams.