Sorry I couldn't update sooner. The last two days before we left for the Philippines were hectic. But the trip was well worth the stress. It really made me appreciate what we have here in the States... Especially a hot shower. Well, I hope this chapter is enjoyable. If not, there's always the next one. (:

The next day quickly came. Although Troy was surrounded by his friends, he felt lonelier than ever.

"Hey, where's Gabriella?" Taylor asked. Everyone nodded confirming their mutual curiosity.

Troy tapped his foot in contemplation. Gabriella didn't say anything about telling 'the gang' about the situation, but he thought she would think it was best if they knew. "Her dad died yesterday morning…"

"Oh my gosh! How?" Kelsi interrupted.

"He was involved in a fatal car accident…" He finished, thinking of the night before when Gabriella's eyes had ceased to glisten.

"So is she at home? We can come over and offer her some support after school," Jason suggested.

"She's in Utah right now… The funeral's being held there."

"When is she coming back?" Zeke jumped in the conversation.

"Ten days," he said as he brought his attention to the floor. The warning bell rang as everyone said their goodbyes and went off to class. But Chad, grabbed Troy's arm quickly before he fled. "Hey, dude. There's something wrong. You shouldn't be this upset. It's only ten days."

"I'm not, really. I just stayed up last night studying for Pittman's test."

"Do you honestly think you can get away with a lame excuse like that?" Troy shook his head. "Lunch: We'll talk." He added just as the bell rang, and they ran in different directions, already late for class.

"So, what's up?" Chad began to interrogate Troy in his 'secret spot' on the rooftop.

An anxious Troy was pacing up and down. "It's Gabriella."

"Obviously."

Troy gave him a questioning look, but continued, "Well… It's that her ex-boyfriend is supposed to hang out with her today. I trust her… It's just… I don't trust HIM."

"That's understandable… Even though you haven't even met the guy…" Troy shot Chad a bitter look. "But you got to realize… Gabriella is a big girl. She can take care of herself."

"Yeah…"

"She loves YOU not HIM."

"Yeah, keep going. You're making me feel better."

"He's a jackass for letting her go, and now she has you: star basketball player and future American Idol."

Troy let out a laugh, and a grin took over his face. "Thanks, man."

"Anytime."

They walked down the stairs and just as they approached the cafeteria doors and Troy then realized he forgot to do his chemistry homework. He let Chad go join the others as he ran to his locker, colliding into a figure while turning a corner, papers flying everywhere. He apologized and helped pick up the papers, as the person's hand lay on top of his. It was Sharpay.

"Hey, Troy!"

He got up quickly and decided to just go along with this conversation. He didn't want to attempt to get on Sharpay's bad side. "Oh, hey Sharpay. I'm really sorry…"

"It's fine." She gave him a flirtatious look, noticing something was missing. "Where's Gabriella?"

"Um, she's not feeling too well," this wasn't a lie, but it wasn't completely true either.

'Now's my chance!' her brain screamed. "Do you want to walk me to class?" As if on queue, the warning bell rang.

"I still have to grab a few things."

"Oh, I don't mind. Can I come with?"

"Um, sure?"

"So, Troy... How do you think the musical's coming along?" she asked now walking to his locker.

"Actually, I think it's going well… But with Gabriella going to be gone for a couple more days, it's going to set us back."

"Well, that's what understudies are for," she said, batting her eyelashes.

He opened his locker to grab his books for the next two periods and walked in the direction of their classes. It was to his misfortune that the Spanish and French rooms were right next to each other. She kept trying to close the gap between them, but Troy inched his way to the right, until he hit a locker. He attempted to walk faster, but Sharpay also quickened her step.

"Where's the fire, Troy?"

"Oh, ha-ha. Sorry," he tried to pass it as if he didn't know.

"Well, here we are," Troy declared.

"Thanks. You're so sweet," she said, kissing his cheek. "Tootles!" She walked into the classroom, hips swaying from side to side.

'Did she just do what I think she did?' Troy thought, wiping the lip gloss off his cheek. He shook it off, no longer thinking anything of it.

Troy entered the classroom as Ms. Puentes greeted him. The last bell rang as she made an announcement. "Okay, we're going to start off the day with a quick oral activity with your row partner." Troy raised his hand. "Ah, where's Gabriella?"

"She's not going to be in school for a while."

"In that case, work with Casey and Jacob." He nodded and smiled at his fellow teammate and cheerleader who sat in front of him.

After they completed the exercise, Casey decided to start some conversation. "So where is Gabriella?"

"She had to attend a funeral."

"Oh, I'm so sorry... Send her my condolences."

Thankfully, their conversation was interrupted by Ms. Puentes. "Okay! Since everyone is talking about what they're going to do this weekend, I guess we're all done now. Now we're going to watch Selena. When we finish, which may be tomorrow, you're going to write a one page essay about her cultural hardships for homework."

"Ms. Puentes!"

"What now, Xavier?"

"Why do we always have to watch movies about Latino singers who die of tragic accidents?"

"Because I don't have to make lesson plans."

"That's gay."

"What was that?"

"That's OKAY!" Everyone snickered as she hit the lights and the movie began. Everyone scooted their desks to get a closer view, but Troy stayed in his place doing his chemistry homework. 'This would've been ten times easier if Gabriella were here,' he thought, 'I wonder what she's doing at this very second.'

Gabriella woke up around 8 o'clock and took a shower. Although there was no need, she wanted to make a positive impression on Miguel's friends. She pulled on a lacey white tank top with a teal shrug top covering her shoulders, light-washed jeans, and sequined ballet flats. Creeping down the stairs quietly, she heard voices coming from the living room. She looked inside the room only to find that familiar head full of curly brown hair on the couch.

"Hey, Gabi!" Miguel greeted her as she approached the landing.

"Hey, Mig."

"Oh, I guess this is the part where I introduce you."

She giggled. "I guess."

"This is Julia, Drew, and you already know Michael. Guys, this is my half-sister, Gabriella." They all said their 'hello's as she gave a shy wave.

"Come on, we're watching The 40 Year Old Virgin."

"I love that movie!" She then noticed that the only seat left open was on the couch next to Michael. Just then, he patted the cushion next to him as she parked herself on it.

"So, how've you been?" he whispered to her.

"Good," she replied, avoiding eye contact with him.

"How's school? Make lots of friends?"

"Mhmm."

"Gabriella, please don't make this awkward."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said finally looking in his brown eyes.

After a pause, he continued, "How's your academics? Still on the verge of becoming valedictorian?"

"Yeah, I hope so…"

Michael built up the courage to ask the question he so desperately wanted to know. "So… Any… Guys in your life?" he stumbled.

"Yeah, I have a boyfriend now…"

"Oh." The conversation came to an abrupt stop as they sat uncomfortably watching the movie.

Julia walked up to the screen and turned off the DVD player as the credits came on. "So you guys want to go out to eat? I'm starving."

"You know what? I'll just order a pizza. I'm too lazy to go out," Miguel declared.

"Okay, it's all up to you, Mig," Michael said.
"Hey, I'm going to be up in my room. I still need to do some unpacking," Gabriella said as she started up the stairs. Her luggage was still full, and as she unzipped it she came across a picture of her and Troy after last year's winter musical. She smiled as she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in!" she yelled when Michael slowly pushed the door open.