A/N: I liked this chapter. The ending is a little dodgey but apart from that, I love it. I really like the entire story actually lol. And Traylor is sweet again (and they're still friends so don't bite my head off) but, they're friends again does a little happy dance lol.

I don't own:

HSM

The Grand hotel

Ladies' choice – hairspray (Zac Efron)

Picture to burn – Taylor Swift

I do own:

Charlie

Storyline

Chapter 11 – Do I really want him back?

Troy stormed into his suite, making Chad and Taylor jump. He groaned in anger and frustration, kicking the wooden coffee table over. "I hate this! This is a horrible disaster!"

Taylor stood up. "What happened?"

"She heard what I said. And I didn't even mean it! Why could you just leave my life alone?" He yelled running into his bedroom and slamming the door behind him.

Taylor stood there, shocked. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Chad stood up and pulled her into a hug. "It's alright, Tay. I'll talk to him, okay?"

Taylor shook her head as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I have to do this myself. It's my problem. I should've listened to him. I mean, for once, he seemed truly happy. And I ruined it."

Chad kissed her forehead tenderly. "He'll forgive you. He can't not forgive you. You're his friend. It's a rule."

Taylor laughed. "I guess you're right. I'll be back." She made her way over to his bedroom and knocked softly on the door. "Troy? Can I come in?"

"Whatever." Came the reply.

Taylor pushed the door open and saw Troy packing his suitcase. "Troy, what are you doing?"

"Leaving."

"Where are you going?" She asked in disbelief.

"L.A. New York. Baltimore. Anywhere away from here!" He shot back.

Taylor grabbed his hands, preventing him from packing. "Listen, Troy, I'm sorry. Don't leave. You're hosting that dance thing tomorrow. Maybe there'll be a girl that can make her jealous."

"So, you want me with her?" He asked with uncertainty.

"Okay, I admit it. I've been a bad friend. But, I've seen how you are with her. So, I'm helping you get her back. The first step is to try and get her jealous to see if she's interesting. Which is going to be easy because of the dance." Taylor explained, placing her hands on her hips.

"How do you know she'll be there?" He questioned.

Taylor raised her eyebrows. "Please. She works here and she's a fourteen year old girl who needs money. Besides, she'll be wanting to make you jealous as well."

Troy chuckled. "I guess it helps when your best friend is a girl."

"So are we good?" She asked hopefully.

Troy shook his head. "No. We're great." He pulled her towards her and hugged her tightly.

"Yes! You guys made up." Chad said triumphantly, walking into the room.

Taylor smiled and waved him over as he joined in the hug. "We'll always make up."

"I mean, after all, we've been best friends forever and we're all in this together." Troy grinned. (A/N: I'm sorry. I had to put that it :D)

Chad smirked. "I can't believe you're my best friend sometimes."

"Alright, Shar." Gabriella exclaimed as Sharpay finished applying lip gloss on her friend. "I want to make him see what he's missing, not blind with my lips."

Sharpay sighed, packing her make-up bag away in the girls' bathroom at the Grand before their shift. "I'm sorry. Come on. Remember, sway those hips." She winked at Gabriella.

She rolled her eyes and straightened her red blouse, loosening her gold tie and undoing another button. "Do I look okay?"

Sharpay smiled softly. "You, my friend, look like a supermodel."

Gabriella blushed and exited the bathrooms, heading towards the candy counter. She saw Troy talking with Chad and Taylor on the other side of the lobby. She took her place behind the counter and caught Troy's eye. She held her chin up and tore her gaze away when Charlie walked up. "Hey, Charlie, we're not expecting any deliveries today."

Charlie nodded. "I know. I was wondering if you're going to that dance today?"

"No. I'm working there. Serving caviare and champagne." Gabriella shook her head in dismay.

Charlie chuckled. "Sounds fun."

Gabriella sighed as Troy made his way to the ball room to prepare himself. "It should be." She raised her voice slightly, so Troy would hear. "Charlie, I was wondering if that offer's still open?"

Charlie frowned. "About hanging out? Sure."

Gabriella smiled to herself when she felt Troy's gaze on her. "How about after the dance? We can go to the movies."

Charlie grinned. "Sounds good." He walked away.

Gabriella raised her eyebrows at Troy before he walked away. She smirked to herself and sighed. Do I really want him back?

Troy set the microphone up and smiled at the crowd of people before him. He was wearing black jeans, a dark button up shirt and a white tie. "Hey, guys. This is a little something I wrote last night."

Hey little girl with the cash to burn
I'm sellin' something you won't return
Hey little girl take me off the shelf
'Cause it's hard having fun playing with yourself
Once you've browsed through the whole selection
Shake those hips in my direction

Gabriella walked through the crowd carrying a silver tray of glasses of champagne and turned her head to the stage slightly to watch Troy. Why did I believe him? She took a deep breath before continuing to serve people.

A prettier package you never did see
Take me home then unwrap me
Shop around little darlin' I've got to be
The Ladies' Choice, (Ladies' Choice), Ladies' Choice

She touched the pocket in her skirt and felt the object contained within. She needed to do this. For her friends, Troy's friends, Troy and...herself.

Hey little girl lookin' for a sale
Test drive this American male
It's gonna take cash to fill my tank
So let's crack open your piggy bank
Hey little girl goin window shopping
I got something traffic stopping

Hey, little girl on a spending spree
I don't come cheap but the kisses come free
On closer inspection I'm sure that you'll agree
I'm the Ladies' Choice, (Ladies' Choice), Ladies' Choice

Gabriella knew that what she had with Troy was all in her head. She had imagined it all. What Sharpay and Zeke said about him was true: he was an egotistical jerk who only cared about the damaged caused to his fame and popularity.

(ahhhhh, ahhhhh, ahhhhh, ahhhhh) Wow!
Hey, little girl on a spending spree
I don't come cheap but the kisses come free
On closer inspection I'm sure that you'll agree
OOOHHHHH!
Hey little girl, listen to my plea
I come with a lifetime guarantee
And one day maybe we'll find that baby makes three
It's the Ladies' Choice
I'm the Ladies' Choice
The Ladies' Choice
I'm the Ladies' Choice choice choice
I'm the Ladies' Choice

Troy's gaze landed on Gabriella who was placing her tray on the refreshments table. "Thank you, everyone."

Gabriella made her way onto the stage standing in front of Troy. "May I sing a song?"

Troy raised his eyebrows. "Be my guest."

Gabriella walked over to the band, gentle prying the guitar from the player's hand. "Just pick it up when you can." She stood in front of the microphone, staring out at all of the people who were dressed in dresses and smart suits. "Alright, I'm not sure if this is the right style of music for this thing but it needs to be done. Well, I wrote this last night and well, her goes nothing."

State the obvious, I didn't get my perfect fantasy
I realize you love yourself more than you could ever love me
So go and tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy
That's fine; I'll tell mine you're gay
And by the way...

I hate that stupid old pickup truck
You never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak
Who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match
On all my wasted time
As far as I'm concerned you're
Just another picture to burn

She turned her head to Troy who looked down guiltily at his feet. She felt tears prick her eyes but she refused to cry in front of Troy. She never cried in front of anyone other than the four people who had always been in her life. The only people she had ever allowed in her life.

If you're missing me,
You'd better keep it to yourself
Cause coming back around here
Would be bad for your health...

I hate that stupid old pickup truck
You never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak
Who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match
On all my wasted time
In case you haven't heard,
I really really hate that..

stupid old pickup truck
You never let me drive
You're a redneck heartbreak
Who's really bad at lying
So watch me strike a match
On all my wasted time
As far as I'm concerned you're
Just another picture to burn

Burn, burn, burn, baby, burn
You're just another picture to burn
Baby, burn...

Gabriella smiled to herself as the audience clapped. "Thank you." She handed the guitar back to the band member and passed Troy but grabbed his hand, dragging him through the ball room and into the lobby that only had a few people milling about. "Now, Troy. I have something to say to you. You were special to me and I meant every single word I said to you. Everything." She slipped her hand into her pocket and retrieved her necklace and handed it to him.

Troy sighed. "Brie, please let me explain."

Gabriella nodded. "Go."

"I didn't mean it. I was just trying to get Taylor off of my back. I swear." Troy pleaded, taking her hand.

Gabriella shook her head. "It's always the same. I didn't mean it, she kissed me... I don't care why you said it, you said it and it hurt. Just find a girl who's better off for you."

"But, Brie..." Troy trailed off when Charlie walked up to them.

"Brie, are you ready?" Charlie asked politely.

Troy clenched his fists. That was his nickname for her. "Who's your friend?"

Gabriella took a deep breath. "This is Charlie. He's a delivery boy here. We're going to the movies."

Troy nodded. "Well, have fun."

Charlie smirked. "Oh, we will." He winked at Troy before he left with Gabriella.

Troy caught his drift and gasped. He knew what Charlie wanted but he also knew that Gabriella wasn't ready for that. He took a deep breath before running back to the ball room and dragging Chad and Taylor out. "Guys, I need to go."

"Where?" Chad asked, holding Taylor's hand.

"The movies. A guy is taking Ella there and is planning to do...things. She's nod ready and I can't let her get hurt." He noticed their intertwined fingers and smirked. "Finally together. There's a shocker."

Taylor blushed. "What about making her jealous?"

"Right now, I don't care. We might never be together ever again but I can't let her get hurt." Troy said determinedly before running out of the hotel.