A/N:Hey all, I'm back. I'm really sorry about the wait but I have been so busy! I don't think I have ever been as busy as I have been in the last few months. I have had school, work, work experience, been travelling, lots of parties, exams, family stuff, sport and so much else. But I like it, you know? It's good to sort of challenge yourself, as long as you still have time to do what you love, such as writing Fanfics. So here you are, the next chapter.

The school day ended and Gabriella power-walked to her locker, opening it, throwing her books in and grabbing her P.E. clothes. She had closed her locker but then paused. Nope, I can't do it. Quickly she opened her locker again. I can not leave this locker in such a mess. She put the fallen books back in their place and picked up a scrap bit of paper. Now she could turn, throw it in the bin, and leave her locker knowing it was clean. That would have stuck in my mind until tomorrow.

Now, however, Gabriella remembered why she had been rushing. Basketball time! Picking up her bag she continued her speed walk towards the gym. But before she had gotten very far Kelsi and Taylor had walked up to her.

"Hey Gab, you ready?" Kelsi smiled.

"For what?" Oh, god. What have I forgotten now?

"The mall." Taylor said. Gabriella looked blank. "It's the first Thursday of the month." Gabriella still said nothing. "It's a mall day."

Kelsi and Taylor watched her, confused that she was being so slow. Is it really the first Thursday of the month already? Wow, last month went fast, but it was mostly holidays, I suppose. So the new month started on the weekend? No, yesterday? No, last Thursday. Wait, that's defiantly not right…

"Gabriella?"

"Huh?" Gabriella snapped out of her thoughts (was it Friday?). Her friends were still looking at her. When Kelsi spoke she seemed to be speaking very slowly and clearly.

"Are you ready to go to the mall now, Gab?" Gabriella finally collected her thoughts.

"No, I'm going to the basketball tryouts." If she had thought this would explain things, she was wrong as both their mouths dropped comically open.

"Basketball?" Taylor said disbelievingly.

"Yep, so if you don't mind, I'm kind of late…" move! I have a Troy to get to.

"You don't like basketball." Taylor added.

"Yeah, well, people change. I'll see you later." She tried to skirt around them, but Kelsi stepped in front of her.

"You don't." Kelsi looked straight at Gabriella as she spoke. She seemed to think she was stating a fact, but Gabriella got annoyed. What! Why aren't I allowed to change? I am so sick of people thinking that I am different to everyone, just because I'm organised. I mean, I guess that's the reason.

"I have to go." This time Gabriella moved a lot more forcefully, and easily passed them. Am I overreacting? That comment really annoyed me. Gabriella was glaring over her shoulder at the retreating figures of Taylor and Kelsi when she ran into someone else.

"Zeke! Why do you keep placing yourself so I run into you!?" Gabriella snapped as she caught her balance. But Zeke looked sorry and she was about to apologise for being so rude when she realised he wasn't thinking about her, he was looking around for someone else.

"Have you talked to Sharpay yet?" He asked eagerly. Huh? Of course I've talked to Sharpay. Oh, wait, he means about him. God, where are my brains? Well actually I can answer that, they're with a certain teacher. A teacher whose kisses are-

"Gab!" Damn, I zoned out again.

"No, I haven't yet, sorry. I will, but right now I have to get to the try-outs." Finally she had his full attention, not that she wanted it, because time was ticking past.

"The girls' basketball ones?"

"Yeah."

"You don't play basketball." With difficulty Gabriella restrained herself from sarcastically saying 'really? I thought I did.' It's not Zeke's fault he's so vacant. His mind has been taken over by his heart. I can relate.

"I know. And I never will if I'm late. Bye." Gabriella began walking again, and after a moment Zeke continued to wherever he was going. Only a minute later however, Sharpay, coming from the opposite direction, saw Gabriella and made a direct route for her, forcing her to stop.

"Gabi, I totally need some advice." Sharpay said seriously. Did Zeke talk to her? No he can't have, he defiantly hasn't had time since I saw him.

"At the mall, should I meet Derek again? You know, the guy I met the other day?" That's why she's stopping me!?

"I dunno, I'm not going with you guys." Gabriella replied, but Sharpay was not listening.

"I already went out with him once… I mean he's ok but if I'm with him then I don't have a chance to meet any new guys… wait, did you just say you weren't coming?" Sharpay focused on Gabriella.

"Yeah I did, I'm going to the basketball trials." I am getting so sick of saying that.

"Basketball? But you-" Gabriella cut her off, she knew what Sharpay was going to say.

"What about Zeke?" If I'm talking to Sharpay I may as well mention him. Sharpay looked confused.

"Zeke? He's at the girls basketball trials, why?"

"No, take Zeke to the mall."

"But I want a date Gabi, or a potential date?" Sharpay said, it was obvious that she had no idea why Zeke had been brought into this conversation. Why won't she get it?

"Why don't you go on a date with Zeke instead of those other guys?" There I said it. "Now, excuse me." Gabriella waited for Sharpay to move out of the way, but Sharpay stood there, looking shocked.

"Me and Zeke…? But, I mean, does he… did he tell you that…?" This looks like it is going to take a while.

"Ok, how about you just think it over? See ya." Gabriella looped around the still motionless Sharpay. This time no one is going to stop me. For God's sake, I should have been there ten minutes ago.

"Gabriella, wait!" A voice called from behind her. Go away, whoever you are! Gabriella turned, and came face to face with Ryan.

"Oh, hi Ryan," Worst possible person to show up "Listen, I kind of have to go, so…"

"I need to talk to you." Ryan said, looking serious. I am so never going to get there. Gabriella sighed, resigned.

"Alright, talk then." There was a pause for a few seconds.

"Umm, well…I heard you were trying out for basketball, that's not like you." Ryan said, Gabriella watched him impatiently; do these people have nothing original to say?

"I know. If that's all then-" Gabriella made to keep walking, but Ryan cut her off.

"It's not. I just… I was going to…" I don't have time for this.

"Why don't you figure out exactly what you want to talk about and find me tomorrow?" Gabriella said, she began, yet again, to walk. Nothing he says is going to make me stay any longer.

"I want to go out with you." Except that. Gabriella turned back to find Ryan staring at her almost desperately. She stepped back towards him and started talking, having no idea what she was going to say.

"Look, Ryan, I-"

"Hey guys, I wanted to speak to you both!" The loud call made them both look up. Martha was waving and walking towards them.

"Are you kidding me!?" Gabriella burst out. All my friends choose today to have heart to hearts.

"I gotta go." Ryan said suddenly, he turned and walked away. For a moment Gabriella was torn. Oh forget it, I'll talk to him later. At this point Martha reached her.

"Where did Ryan go?" She asked, looking in the direction he had disappeared in.

"I don't know. But I can't talk now, Martha." Gabriella finally continued her walk but, much to her disappointment, Martha started walking with her.

"Oh but it's really important. I was going to ask you at the mall but then Tay said you weren't going because you were trying out for something." Martha said in a rush.

"Basketball." Gabriella said wearily, she knew what was coming next.

"Really but you-"

"Don't play it, don't like it. It's unlike me. I know!" I am going to hit the next person who says something like that.

"Sorry. It's just, I wanted to talk to you about Ryan."

"Ryan?" The girls stopped, they were now outside the changing rooms. Gabriella turned to face Martha who had a strange expression on her face. She looks just like Ryan before, almost desperate.

"If you're siding with Sharpay to try and get me and Ryan back together…" said Gabriella, suddenly suspicious.

"No! I'm not. I just wondered if there was anything between you two?" Not Martha too.

"Martha! I-"

"Not because I want you to get together. Because well, because- I like him." Martha rushed out. She went the colour of a watermelon (the inside) and looked anywhere but at Gabriella.

"You what?" Wow, this is better then TV. Soon I am going to have to start writing down who everyone likes to keep up.

"Please don't tell anyone." Martha begged. "I just wondered if you thought I had a chance?" oh no, how do I tell her that he likes me? I wish he liked her. Make my life a hell of a lot easier it would.

"Martha, I… well Ryan he…" God, and I got angry at everyone else for talking too slowly.

Suddenly a loud shout echoed from the gym: "ok, girls, everyone quiet so we can continue the trials!"

"I am so late! Sorry Martha but I have to go." With that Gabriella ducked into the changing room. Within two minutes she was out again, running into the gym.

There was already a mass of girls there. Some were on the court playing and some were on the benches watching. Mr Bolton was also watching, a whistle in his hand. He glanced over as Gabriella came skidding over.

"Late Miss Montez, that doesn't inspire confidence in your commitment to the team." He said.

Gabriella glared at him. I could have had a real emergency. He should be worried! He knew I was coming, and then I was late. That's not like me. Gabriella cursed herself for thinking that line when she despised everyone else for saying it. Looking around she saw that there were a lot of girls there who were not very sporty, and defiantly not basketball-y (that's now a word). Somehow I don't think basketball was the main attraction here. Gabriella took a seat and waited.

An hour later the trials were ending. Everyone had played in a few mini games and had to show some skill and Gabriella, while being far from the best, didn't feel as uncoordinated as some of the other girls must. They were all waiting to be dismissed.

"Ok girls, good job today. The teams should be posted sometime next week so keep checking the notice board. I'll see you all tomorrow." Mr Bolton said, getting far more attention then was usually given to teachers.

Gabriella hung back as everyone began to leave. Many girls passed Troy, flashing smiles and saying goodbye, one girl in the year below Gabriella's actually pulled her hair out of its ponytail and shook it out right in front of him. Gabriella immediately hated this unknown girl. Finally the last other person had left. Troy, looking around caught Gabriella's eye and purposefully began to walk towards the exit. Gabriella ran after him.

"Mr Bolton. Mr Bolton!" He ignored her calls. Fine, if he's going to be like that. "TROY!"

That got his attention. Troy turned and walked back towards her so fast that she had barely finished yelling when he covered her mouth with his hand, silencing her. His skin on her face was enough to do that anyway.

"Will you shut up! You're not supposed to call me that." He hissed, looking around for anyone who may have heard.

"And you're not supposed to kiss me." Gabriella said through his hand. Troy looked down at her and quickly removed his hand.

"I know, and I already apologised for that, so if you could keep quiet."

"But I didn't want you to apologise. You know what I wanted." A complete idiot could have figured it out.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." Troy replied stubbornly.

"Oh my God! I have had too many conversations lately. I am so sick of talking. If that's all you're going to do then fine, but I am not." Gabriella burst out.

And with that speech she reached up, pulled Troy's face down and began to kiss him.

A/N:

there! I guess you are all thinking about time, for the chapter and the kiss. But there it is. Thanks you guys so much for all the reviews, I love the response I get. You may not believe but I really do try to get the chapters out as soon as I can. And the reviews help so keep it up. Did you like this chapter? I was sick of conversations by the end of it too, but I think it turned out the way I wanted. Let me know what you think. xoxox