Gabriella's POV

I couldn't wait for school to end.

Rehearsing with Kelsi had become my new favorite thing to do. Singing was definitely my passion. And I was good at it.

Plus, I was going on TV so I'd need all the help I could get.

"What are you so smiley about Gabriella?" Taylor asked me with a smile. "Don't tell me it has to do with Idol. You've been nothing but mopey about that."

"Well, maybe I've changed my look on some things. Singing isn't bad at all. I love it!" I gushed to my friend.

Taylor laughed and shook her head at me.

"OK. I'm glad that you're glad."

I looked at Taylor with a grin.

"Um, so how are you doing?" I asked.

"Er, fine?"

I shook my head at her. "No! I mean, how are you and Chad going on? Anybody make a move yet?"

Taylor blushed and looked away from me. "No, we haven't talked much. Nothing's happened."

I sighed and grabbed her wrist. "C'mon. Must I do everything?"

I dragged a reluctant Taylor towards the gym where I knew Chad would be practicing. It was free period and he hung out here, shooting hoops or running.

Taylor squeaked when she saw him and tried to hide behind me. But that wasn't going to work. No way. Nuh uh.

"Oh no you don't. Come here." I muttered, keeping my eyes on Chad. He seemed....OK. He wasn't happy or full of that natural energy he usually had.

"You two so need to get over yourselves and get started talking." I explained as I dragged her with me to where Chad was.

Chad looked up from under his curls as we approached, then he grinned.

"Hey Gabster. McKessie." He greeted us.

I rolled my eyes.

"Say her first name Chad." I told him.

Chad held his hands up. "Alright! Taylor. Happy? You want me to call you Gabriella now?"

I waved my hands. "No no. Gabster's special."

Chad chuckled and I gave him a look. He stopped but his eyes were laughing.

I nudged Taylor and she bit her lip. I was ready to say something but she knew it.

"Hi Chad." She rushed to cut me off.

I nodded with approval.

"Sup. Taylor." He added for my benefit.

Taylor smiled and looked down. That wasn't going to cut it for me. I was more bold than I had been for a long time now.

"Look Chad, are you going to ask her out or what? Or am I wasting me time here?" I put my hands on my hips impatiently.

Chad blinked, surprised.

"Um, what?" He said slowly.

I gritted my teeth. "You like her. She likes you. Ask her out." I growled between my teeth.

Taylor gasped. "Gabriella! What is your deal?"

Chad smiled at Taylor and shook his head.

"No no. It's quite alright. Taylor McKessie, will you go out on a date with me?"

Taylor narrowed her eyes.

"Not just because Gabriella forced you to."

"I would've asked you anyway, sooner or later. I really do like you. Taylor." He said, glancing at my face.

Taylor grinned with pleasure.

"Pick me up at seven."

Chad smiled back at her and grabbed her hand. He held it for a moment, then bent his head to kiss it.

"I'll be there." He said softly.

Taylor's face looked like it would split in two real quick.

We got out of there so we would make it to next period. Taylor was on cloud seven and I was staring in shock. Chad was really smooth back there. I didn't know he had it in him at all. Wows.

"OK, so you're really lucky Taylor. Chad's really sweet and such a teddy bear. You two are perfect for each other. Seriously. And I'm not even saying that because you two are my friends. I'm sincere." I told Taylor honestly.

"Thanks Gabby. That means a lot. I'm sure I never would have gone over there. Math and science? Piece of cake. Cute boys? Complete gibberish to me."

I agreed with her to a point.

Boys weren't that hard. Sure, they were confusing. But they weren't terribly complicated.

Except, how would I know? The one boy who really liked me, didn't even want to speak to me. And he was suppose to be my boyfriend.

But after what I did to him last night, I didn't blame him. I had stood him up and hadn't even called.

I shrugged inwardly to myself.

It was so his loss. Not mine. That was for sure.

"Hey, I'll see you at lunch, OK?" Taylor smiled as we parted ways.

I nodded and headed into my English class alone.

Troy's POV

Today the bitch would pay.

That I was sure of.

I clenched and unclenched my fists as I walked through the school. I had a plan that wouldn't fail.

"She's so going to get it."

And she was going to remember it for the rest of her life.

Heh heh.

Chad's POV

Gabriella was so awesome. She was my idol even if she didn't win that American Idol thing.

I can't believe she had done that for me.

She was a true friend.

"Thank goodness for small favors." I muttered happily.

"Yo Chad, I think you better steer clear of Troy. He's mad as hell right now." Jason warned me as he walked by.

I frowned. I didn't talk to Troy anyway.

But why was he mad?

Oh. Yeah. He had lost Gabriella yesterday. Of course he'd be pissed about it.

But Gabriella seemed fine today. Maybe she had gotten another ride.

Eh, not such a wise idea where Troy's involved. He was a jealous snake and strikes quickly.

I hope that Gabriella wouldn't get hurt.

I'd kill him.

But for now, I'd float on my cloud and plan out my date come seven o'clock.

Kelsi's POV

"Hey Gabriella! I was wondering if you'd come." I smiled as Gabriella entered the music room.

She frowned, confused, at me.

"Well, of course. I love being here practicing and singing. It relaxes me in a way."

I smiled gently. That was how I felt too. Everything else seemed to cease to matter when my fingers hit those keys. I loved it so much.

"So, what are we doing today?" Gabriella asked eagerly.

"Well, we have to choose which song is your best one to sing on TV." I grinned at her. We both knew what her best song was. It was pretty and not too hard to do.

Gabriella's eyes sparkled. "OK, so we already know what I'm singing."

I nodded. "Right. So let's just start off with--"

I paused, listening. The door started to open.

Gabriella turned around and gasped quietly.

"Oh. Hi you guys. I was wondering if I could sit in and listen."

It was Troy, the king of jerks.

Ugh.

"Why." Gabriella said coldly, crossing her arms.

Troy sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I overdid it way bad. I'm really sorry. I just was stupid and tired and worried about you. And when I finally find you, you're having a good time and right here. I just...snapped."

Gabriella rolled her eyes at Troy.

"Whatever Troy. Just sit over there and shut up. I don't want to hear you at all."

Troy's eyes flashed but he kept quiet. He sat in the corner and kept his mouth shut.

Jerk.

He was after something. I didn't like him being here. He sucked the mojo out of everything.

But Gabriella ignored him and acted like everything was normal. I guess I should too even though I didn't trust him.

"OK, so let's continue from where we left off at."

Troy's POV

OK, so she basically told me to sit and shut it.

I wanted to punch something.

But I did it and was amazed at what I heard. She could actually sing well. Maybe she'd get somewhere with that voice.

Almost made me jealous that I couldn't sing as well as her. But I had my bball skills to fall back on. I was OK with that.

Singing was for girls and wusses. Everyone knew that.

But my plan was still in action. I just had to make nice for a little longer and then take the one thing that was valuable to her other than her voice.

I'd have her for my own.

I was going to spoil her virginity. Tonight.

Gabriella's POV

He was actually being good today.

I didn't trust him. But maybe he wanted to make up for his actions yesterday.

He needed to. It was uncalled for. He had been such a total brat. I hadn't even recognised him.

I had wanted to break up with him for being so mean to me.

I smiled as I finished singing my best song when I heard clapping.

Spinning around in surprise, I looked at Troy.

"It was really awesome Gabriella. You are talented." Troy said sincerely.

"Thanks." I blushed and looked away.

Kelsi was staring at me with a frown on her face. I knew she didn't like Troy. She didn't want me to be nice to him. He didn't deserve it. But I blush around unexpected compliments, ok? So sue me. I couldn't really help it most of the time.

Troy stood and stretched his back.

"So, is it time to go? I'd like to take you home, Gabriella."

I bit my lip and looked at Kelsi.

She was shooting daggers at me.

She wouldn't forgive me if I went with him.

"Oh, c'mon. I really want to make it up to you, buy an ice cream on the way." Troy pleaded with me.

We really did have some things to sort out.

"Kels, just this once? He is my boyfriend." I reasoned with her softly.

Kelsi just huffed and crossed her arms.

I took that as a she'd be pissed with me but she wasn't going to stop me or complain about it. Not today anyway.

"Thanks Kelsi. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Maybe." Kelsi said quietly. I almost didn't hear.

She grabbed her things and exited the room.

I could taste the tension in the air.

"So..."

I jumped when Troy put his hands on my shoulders. I hadn't heard him move.

"Ready to go?" He asked me.

I nodded silently and led the way out of the music room that I loved.

I hoped that when I came back to school tomorrow, everything would be just fine and back to normal.