A/N: Hey everyone, sorry for the long wait. Miracles don't happen over night! Ha ha, kidding, my stories are defiantly not miracles. Thankyou guys so much for the reviews, you're all so lovely.

"It's Troy"

Those two words seemed to be echoing around Gabriella's head. Troy… She sat heavily back down on the bed, her mind oddly blank.

"Gabriella? Are you still there?" Troy's voice came anxiously out of the phone. Gabriella realised she had been holding her breath and slowly let it out.

"Yes" she replied, still in that unusual state of nothingness.

"Oh, good. I just, I got your message and well I have to say sorry becau-"

Sorry? The word jerked Gabriella back to life and her blankness made way for anger. Sorry is not going to fix this, what a bastard, like that will make it all better. He hasn't said 'she's not my fiancé' or 'I really care about you'.

"So you're sorry, thanks for that, now I feel better about it all." Gabriella replied with more sarcasm them she had probably ever used before in her life. She crossed her legs irritably as she sat on the bed. It's really his fault that I kissed Ryan and upset Martha, what a jerk, I bet he doesn't even care. The fact that Troy knew nothing about her friends escaped Gabriella's logic at the moment.

"Look Gabriella I-"

"Am sorry? Yeah you already said that. Unless you have anything new to say I have to go." Actually I'm going to go even if he does have something else to say, he thinks he can just selfishly take up all my time when I have other stuff to do. "Goodbye."

Gabriella quickly pressed a button on her phone and cut Troy off as he was saying something else. A few minutes ago she was wishing he would call and now she didn't want him to. Troy should now be nothing to me, but even as I think that I know it's not possible. But Martha should defiantly be more important.

Gabriella pushed her mobile back into her pocket and quickly stood up. She left the room and quickly walked back to the TV room where the others, except for Ryan and Martha, were all standing and looking very confused. As Gabriella entered all eyes turned to her.

"Gabriella," Taylor started quickly, "what happened? Martha was crying and then Ryan came out and-"

"Where did they go?" Gabriella cut her off. There was a pause and Gabriella felt like screaming. Just tell me where they went!

"In there." Jason said quietly, pointing to yet another door coming off the big room. It was closed. What room is in there? I can't even remember.

Gabriella strode quickly to the door and was about to open it when she hesitated. What if they are already talking? And I ruin it? She pressed her ear to the door and strained to hear voices, but there was nothing. Trust the Evans' to buy the most expensive, thickest doors they could. Gabriella was still hesitating when her pocket vibrated violently and the old Spice Girls song 'Stop' started again.

"The Spice Girls?" Chad's incredulous voice made Gabriella turn around. When a moment before her friends had all looked confused and worried, now smiles were beginning to spread over all of their faces as the chorus started. Right, my mobile is ringing. But why didn't I change the ring tone? I didn't even notice it before, I must have been so out of it. I put that on for a joke with Martha, but she was supposed to be here when it rang, than it would have been funny, now, not so much.

Gabriella quickly pulled out her phone and looked at the screen, Troy. She swore softly. Everyone was still watching her so Gabriella quickly pressed the answer button and held the phone to her ear.

"I really can't talk now." Definitely not, with all my friends listening in.

"Do not hang up on me again, just listen to what I have to say."

"Later." God, and I thought the timing of his last phone call was bad.

"You're just saying that. We are going to talk now." Arggghh!

"Tr-" Shit, I can't say his name! I have to cover. "Tr-y, try" Yeah, that works "some other time. I can not talk now. I will call you later." There was a pause, Troy seemed to be deciding whether or not to believe her.

"Do you promise?" Troy's voice came softly. What is he, eight?

"Yes I promise. Goodbye." This time Gabriella heard his faint 'bye' before she hung up. Aww, he sounded so cute. Wait, what am I doing? Now is so not the time.

Gabriella looked up again to meet her friends' eyes. She could see Sharpay about to ask about the phone call, nosy girl, and so she did the one thing she could think of to change the subject. She opened the door.

As Gabriella stepped in she saw that it was a rather small room, compared to the other rooms in the mansion that is, with no apparent purpose other then to join two other rooms. It had a couple of couches, some decorative sculptures and a coffee table. A sitting room, I think Sharpay has called it. It was rather dark in there and Gabriella's eyes took a moment to find the two figures in the room. Martha was lying on one of the couches, hiding her face, and Ryan was standing over her. He had looked up when Gabriella entered, but now looked back to Martha.

"Martha, please sit up. Just talk about it." He said softly. I swear Ryan is the only guy I know who would want to listen to a girl talk about her feelings. There was no response from Martha. Gabriella became aware that the others had all followed her in.

"Has she said anything?" Gabriella said in a low voice. Ryan shook his head. Poor girl. When she is happy she is unbelievably so, but when she is sad, it is the same thing.

"Martha?" Gabriella started hesitantly, stepping closer. "I-" But she got no further then that when Martha sat suddenly up and glared at her.

"Please Gabriella, you're the last person I want to hear from." Martha sounded so spiteful that Gabriella heard a gasp behind her. Martha was usually so friendly.

"Look, I'm sorry-" Gabriella tried to continue. I sound just like Troy did, but if that's true then I know what happens next. Why can't I stop thinking about him?

"No you're not!" Martha said. Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured. Disbelief. "You obviously don't care about me at all, so don't pretend."

Gabriella gaped at her friend. I didn't think she'd go that far. Of course I care about her. But Martha wasn't finished and she still sounded just as mean.

"I'm sorry I interrupted you before. I was under the mistaken impression that you were upset and I was worried about you. Stupid of me, huh? I should have realised you and Ryan just needed a chance to be alone so you could make out." She practically spat the last words. God, I'm almost scared.

"You kissed?!" Sharpay squeaked in the background and Gabriella whipped around. I had forgotten they were here. Sharpay, who had, Gabriella remembered, been wanting this, was unable to keep the happiness out of her voice. And so Martha turned her stare on to Sharpay, whose smile quickly vanished.

"Isn't that good?" Sharpay said hesitantly. Gabriella heard Ryan groan softly. There is no way that this will turn out well.

"Right, of course it is." Martha replied, her voice suddenly turning sweet. I don't like where this is going. "You're right Shar, Ryan deserves Gabriella. And as if she doesn't have everything else perfect little Gabi had to steal the guy I like too."

Martha was now glaring at Gabriella so fiercely that Gabriella actually took a step back. Oh my God! I can't believe how hurt she is. Wait, what does she mean I 'have everything else?' There was silence, nobody seemed even to be breathing.

"Y-you like Ryan?" Sharpay said in a small voice. Martha stood up and almost everyone took a step back.

"That's right. But don't worry Sharpay. It's not going to happen. You don't have to worry about me dirtying the Evan's name; I'm not going to be dating Ryan." She now turned to face Ryan and stared at him for a second before turning and running; much like Gabriella had done earlier that night. A minute later they heard the front door slam.

No one said a word. What are we supposed to do now? Everyone was just staring at the door that Martha had run out of. Then Kelsi spoke very softly.

"Do you think we should go after her?" Everyone's heads' swivelled in her direction.

"No," Taylor shook her head, "she drove here. She'll be gone by now." Again silence fell. That's what she said… I have everything else, what is everything else? Does everyone think that?

"She thinks that I wouldn't think her good enough to date Ryan, of course I would. Why would she think that?" Sharpay said suddenly, almost angrily. There was an awkward pause.

"It was pretty obvious that you wanted Ryan and Gab together. I mean, you kept pushing that, even though Martha liked him." Chad said. And even though I didn't. Wait Chad knew?

"You knew that she liked Ry?" Sharpay looked amazed.

"She's not exactly subtle" Ryan answered for Chad. He knew too?!

"You knew too?" Gabriella said aloud.

"Everyone did" Kelsi said. Taylor and Jason were nodding. But Gabriella ignored them because now she was angry again. Why would he be so into me if he knew that Martha liked him! Who does that? Poor Martha.

"Then why the hell did you kiss me!?" Gabriella half yelled at Ryan. And why would he ask me out, and not Martha? Ryan now looked very uncomfortable, as if he would rather be having this conversation without everyone else there staring at him. Sharpay however, now looked happy again.

"Oh, I'd almost forgotten about that. You two have to spill about your kiss!" she squealed. Ryan looked more awkward then ever. Good, he should be uncomfortable.

"I think that maybe I should just talk to Gabriella about that" he mumbled. But Gabriella wasn't going to let him off that easily.

"That's alright Ryan. Go ahead and tell everyone." She smiled. What an idiot. What kind of guy would ask out a girl who shows no interest in him when another girl does?

Ryan looked over at her. He seemed to know what she was thinking and that she wanted to embarrass him for making everything more complicated. He took a deep breath and stared right into Gabriella's eyes.

"I kissed you because… you're amazing." He spoke softly but was clearly audible. Shit that's a good answer. And now I really wish everyone else wasn't here, my cheeks must be so red. Gabriella opened her mouth to answer but no sound came out. She closed it again.

"Ah, come on guys. You were going to show us that… thing, Chad, remember?" Taylor said suddenly, her voice sounding louder than usual. Wow, that was subtle. There was pause as Chad looked at Taylor, confused, then caught on, eye's widening.

"Oh, right, yeah. That thing, umm, follow me." He turned and left the room, followed quickly by Taylor, Kelsi, Jason and Zeke. However after a second Zeke popped his head back around the door looking at Sharpay.

"Aren't you coming?" he asked her. Sharpay was looking from Ryan to Gabriella to Zeke and back again. She looked very torn. Aww, she can't choose between her brother, her best friend and the guy she likes. That's so sweet.

"But I don't wanna miss what Gabriella says back" Sharpay told Zeke, not moving. Ah, so not as sweet as I thought, she just can't resist knowing what happens. Zeke walked into the room and tried to pull Sharpay softly away. At least someone realises this should be a private conversation.

"Nope. There is no way I am leaving." Sharpay said, standing her ground. Leave already! Gabriella was about to yell at her, that is assuming that her voice was working again, when Zeke, who had been considering the situation, suddenly wrapped his arms around Sharpay's stomach and threw her over his shoulder.

Sharpay screeched and Gabriella burst out laughing as Zeke carried her out of the room, only turning back to close the door and wink at Gabriella. Oh my God, that's the funniest thing I've seen in ages. I bet that is the first time Sharpay has looked un-glamorous in years. Gabriella, still smiling turned back to Ryan, who hadn't seemed to have stopped looking at her. Shit, why did I want everyone to leave again? Oh this is bad. I have to say something.

"I have to call back" Gabriella burst out, before turning and making to leave the room. Ok, well I meant say something to Ryan but whatever. Ryan however grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. Gabriella had the sudden image of Troy doing that the night before. Oh, I wish I was with Troy instead. No I have to be mad at him, two timer. Why can't I forget him? Just for like ten minutes?

"Gabriella, you can't just leave. I need to know if-"

"Ryan," she cut him off, ok, it's now or never, just say it, "nothing is going to happen between us." Before she could see his face Gabriella turned and opened the door, walking through to the area where the others were softly talking. I am so gutless. And now I want to be alone so I can call Troy, after this talking to Troy seems easy.

There was a pause, did Ryan come out behind me? I don't want to turn around in case he did.

"What happened!?" Sharpay said suddenly, she seemed unable to hold it in any longer. Oh no, what can I say? 'I told Ryan to stop dreaming' that makes me sound like a total bitch. Which I am actually. Turning down such a nice guy who thinks I'm amazing for a guy who was just using me. Wow, that is like the exact same situation as Ryan is in. We both know that it would be smarter to like someone else, but we can't help how we feel…

"I think the really important question here," said Gabriella slowly, trying to think as she spoke, "is 'how did Chad recognise a Spice Girl's song so quickly?'"

A/N: Ok, sorry there wasn't much Troyella, I was planning to put the phone call in this one, but suddenly everything else took up so much space! Anyway I promise that the next chapter will focus on Troy, I will forget Ryan and Martha (on that subject sorry if Martha was way over dramatic. I wrote it and it just came out like that. I actually had to cut down what I wrote her saying because it came out totally bitchy and depressing which weirded me out a bit.). On that note, do you guys want Martha to be friends with them again, that was my original plan but now I'm leaning towards making her a new enemy, just because, ideas…? Anyway please review, love ya'll!