Chapter 9

The lights turned on in Gabriella's room and she pulled the pillow over her head. 'Whoever thinks it's funny to turn the lights on at this time in the morning better start running.'

'Gabby, what are you wearing?' Troy asked in disbelief as he stared at Gabriella. She was wearing a purple silk nightgown that came down to her mid-thigh.

Gabby was mumbling into her pillow. 'Armani designed it for me and he made me wear it. Now, turn the light out when you leave.'

'No, Gabs, you have to see this.' Troy made her sit up and turned the T.V. on. There was a picture of her and Troy kissing. The headline was 'Chadella versus Troyella. Is Gabriella Montez cheating on Chad?

Gabriella groaned and Troy hugged her. 'Stupid paparazzi.'

Troy rocked her back and forth. 'Well, at least they know about us.' Troy tried to sound reassuring.

Gabriella pulled back and smiled at Troy. 'It's not exactly how I imagined the press finding out. But, it's a start. We've just got to set our stories straight for tonight.'

Troy smiled. 'And for the record, I'll let you do the talking.'

Gabriella giggled. 'That was my plan. I don't want you ruining my reputation!'

Troy scoffed. 'What reputation?'

'Hey!' Gabriella swatted his head.

'Lo siento. That hurt, Miss Montez.' Troy said in a hurtful tone.

'Whatever.' Gabriella said in a dismissive tone.

Troy smiled and kissed Gabriella.

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Gabriella took her dress out of the bag and laid it on her bed. It was truly amazing. Something every girl would die for. It was a red sleeveless dress that had roses embroidered at the top on the right hand side and at the waist on the left hand side. It feel just above her knees and hugged her curves perfectly. She slipped it on and started curling her hair.

'Troy's going to be staring at you all night.' Gabriella turned around from her mirror and saw Chad at the doorway.

'Oh, hey Chad.' She turned back around and finished her make-up. 'Are you nervous?'

'About what?' Chad asked as he sat on her unmade bed.

'The press. They think I'm cheating on you with Troy!' Gabriella raised her eyebrows.

Chad sighed. 'I guess I am. I'm just worried about you and Troy.'

Gabriella turned and faced Chad. 'If anything, I should be worried about you and Troy. I'm used to the press and I know how they work. You guys don't. And the press will kick your guys' butts!' Gabriella giggled.

'Thanks.' Chad said sarcastically. 'I should get back to the guys. I'll see you later.' Chad walked out.

Gabriella turned back to the mirror and smiled. This was one thing about being herself. She could act like a girl on T.V. and like a guy-girl with her friends. She had been in movies, on stage and on live T.V. but she was nervous. She could lose the guy of her dreams all because of the press! She had to be brave. And she had to stick by Troy like he would stick by her.

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'Chad, there you are! Where's Gabby?' Troy asked frantically as he looked around the hotel ballroom that was slowly filling up.

'Calm down. She's a girl. She takes time to get ready. Especially knowing you'll be here.' Chad smirked.

'She's taking time for me?' Troy asked in amazment.

Chad nodded. 'She is a little nervous about the press though.'

Troy nodded. 'I know. When I told her about the whole cheating thing, she cried. The only other time I saw her cry was when she talked about her Mum.'

'What happened?' Zeke asked in a concerned voice.

'Well, I don't think-' Troy's voice trailed off as his eyes landed on the stairs that led to the ballroom. He slowly made his way to the bottom and smiled at Gabriella. She reached the bottom and Troy kissed her sweetly on the lips. He took her hand and squeezed it. 'Are you okay?'

Gabriella nodded. 'But, don't leave me.'

'You saw through my plan!' Troy joked.

Gabriella laughed slightly. 'Hey, guys, what do you think of the party?'

'This is off the hook!' Jason yelled.

'And I got the Lakers to sign my spatula!' Zeke said excitedly, holding up a spatula.

'You brought it with you?' Gabriella asked in disbelief.

'I carry it everywhere with me!' Zeke said proudly as Gabriella laughed and the rest of the guys rolled their eyes.

'Excuse me, Gabriella, would you do an interview for New York Today?' A news reporter asked beside a cameraman, holding a microphone.

Gabriella smiled and pulled Troy and Chad towards her. 'Of course.'

'Now, Gabriella, there have been several rumours of you cheating on Chad. Is that true?'

'Absoultely not. I do love Chad...but as a brother. Troy is the one I love. What you saw between me and Chad was a hug. I hug everybody. But, as you can see from the picture, me and Troy are so much more than friends.' Gabriella declared, wrapping an arm around Troy's waist while his hung around her bare shoulders.

'And how do you feel about this, you two?'

'I think she's just amazing. She's so talented, and sweet, and a great cook...and have you seen her?' Troy had a dreamy look on his face while he trailed off.

'Moving on from lover boy, Gabby is like the sister that I've always wanted. Except she isn't around all the time.' Chad chuckled. 'Gabby is amazing but, she's got Troy as her guy and I'm here as her brother.'

'And what do you think of this party?' The reporter asked.

'Well, it's to celebrate my Dad's retirement and I'm just so proud of what he's achieved.' Gabriella started.

'Miss Montez!' A body guard called.

'Excuse us.' Gabriella dragged Troy away and Chad followed. 'Yes, Jack?'

The bodyguard turned to her, wearing sunglasses. 'There are some people who claim to know you.' He opened the door and Gabriella saw the cheerleading squad and the basketball team.

Gabriella nodded. 'I know them.'

Jenny tried to come through but Jack stopped her. 'You heard her! She knows me.'

'Exactly. I said I know you. I never said I wanted you at my Dad's party.' Gabriella turned and looked at the boys. 'Who blabbed?'

Troy looked at Jason. Jason looked at Zeke. And finally Zeke looked at Chad. Chad started whistling, faking innocence. He stopped when everyone was staring at him. 'What?'

'Did you tell the jocks and cheerleaders we were here?' Gabriella stepped towards Chad.

'Well, I might have been 'accidentally' seen by them chanting that I was coming to Los Angeles for your Dad's party.' Chad said guiltily.

'You told cheereleaders we were here?' Gabriella screamed, gaining the attention of most people. 'Chad Danforth, voy a matar! Nunca estoy diciendo a alguno de ustedes alguna vez secretos de nuevo y es todo por esta idiota! No es aún mi partido ... Es mi papá! Usted es peor que un hipopótamo!' She quietened down a bit. 'Y tienen la boca bastante grande.' (Chad Danforth, I'm going to kill you! I'm never telling you a secret ever again and it's because of this idiot! It's not even my party...It's my Dad's! You're worse than a hippopotomus! And they have pretty big mouths.)

Troy put a hand on her arm. 'Brie, you're speaking Spanish.'

Gabriella took a deep breath. 'Lo siento.'

'Brie?' Troy raised his eyebrows.

'Si?'

'You're still speaking in Spanish. I understand but these numpty-heads won't!' Troy chuckled.

'Lo siento.' Gabriella looked apologetic.

'Gabs?'

'Si. Oh, I'm sorry, guys. When I'm mad. I kind of start speaking in spanish.' Gabriella explained.

'We kind of gathered.' Zeke grinned.

'I'll be right back guys.' Gabriella ran to the stage and spoke to the band who all nodded. She took a microphone and stood on the stage. 'This song is my latest single. I would like to dedicate it to my Dad, Mark Montez, my boyfriend, Troy Bolton, and my three best friends, Chad Danforth, Jason Cross and Zeke Baylor.'

We sign our cards and letters BFF
You've got a million ways to make me laugh
You're lookin' out for me; you've got my back
It's so good to have you around

Gabriella pulled Troy onto the stage and he dragged the rest of the guys and Gabriella started dancing. The boys stood there but soon they were all dancing to Gabriella's song.

You know the secrets I could never tell
And when I'm quiet you break through my shell
Don't feel the need to do a rebel yell
Cause you keep my feet on the ground

You're a true friend
You're here till the end
You pull me aside
When something ain't right
Talk with me now and into the night
'Til it's alright again
You're a true friend

Gabriella finished the song with her arm around Troy's waist. 'Thank you.'

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'Tonight was really fun.' Troy smiled at Gabriella as they, once again, laid under the stars together. Troy had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up with the first two buttons undone and his tie had been loosened.

Gabriella smiled back. 'At least everything is sorted out with the press.'

Troy nodded. 'Are you okay?' Troy noticed that she had been somewhat distant ever since her song.

Gabriella nodded absent-mindedly. 'I'm fine.'

'Gabby, tell me. What's wrong?' Troy persisted.

'It doesn't matter, I promise.' Gabriella said stubbornly.

Troy laid back down and stared at the stars. I sometimes I wish she wasn't so damn stubborn. Troy thought. He pulled Gabriella close to him but he didn't know what was in store for him next week.