A/N: Hey :D So, I hope you like it. I kind of did. Actually, a lot :P Don't own HSM

Chapter 14 – Leave me alone

"Troy, I need to go." She mumbled into his shoulder.

"Why?" He whined, pulling back to look her in the eyes.

"I promised Chad I'd tutor him at lunch as I'm with you tonight." She whispered, running her hand over his shoulders.

"This is one of the only times we get to be together." He moaned, kissing her neck.

She giggled. "Half of lunch, then." She compromised.

Troy pulled back and looked up, mulling over the suggestion. "Okay. Go before I change my mind."

"Thank you." She squealed as she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.

He pulled back chuckled. "Now go before I accuse you of cheating on me."

She quickly bolted down the stairs and ran to her locker, searching for her science books. She made her way to the classroom her and Chad had to agreed to meet in and was just about to push the door open when a manicured hand stopped her. She looked up and recognised the blonde hair, brown eyes, the over-done make-up and the cheerleader uniform. "Oh, um, hi Sharpay." She said nervously. What if she had somehow found out about her and Troy? But, that was impossible, right?

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"I'm tutoring Chad. I can't tonight because I'm busy and he needs to do his drama project." She explained, the butterflies still fluttering in her stomach.

"Doing what?" Sharpay asked.

"My parents need me to sort some stuff out. With us just moving, everything is in a bit of a mess."

Sharpay nodded in understanding. "So, you and Chad seem to have become close."

Gabriella nodded. "Yeah. I guess we have."

"He doesn't usually go for geeks." She said sharply.

"But, the whole school knows he's in love with Taylor. So, I really don't think he cares." Gabriella shot back.

"What about Troy Bolton? What do you think of him?" Sharpay asked.

"He's an interesting person. I'll tell you that. I've never met anyone like him." She shrugged lightly. "I've got to go. I'm late." She pushed the door open and stepped inside the classroom. "Sorry I am a little late."

Chad lifted his head from the desk and jumped, making it obvious he had been asleep. "I don't want to know what you guys were doing."

Gabriella set her books on a desk and shot him a look. "We were just talking!"

"Uh-huh." Chad mumbled. "So, start teaching me."

"I can only tutor you for half of lunch. I promised Troy I'd spend the rest with him." She said apologetically.

Chad nodded. "That's fine."

"You okay with it?" She asked unsurely.

He nodded. "I'd rather you go and make out with him than talk to me about how much you want to make out with him."

She giggled and walked over to the white board, picking up a pen. "So what do you want to study first?"

"Biology." He replied instantly.

She nodded. "Okay. Um, Chad?"

"Yeah?"

"Is Sharpay really, really bad?" She asked.

"Why?" He asked, his voice unusually low.

"She talked to me before I came in." Gabriella admitted.

"What about?"

"I don't know. She asked what I was doing later, how I'm close to you and then about Troy. It didn't make any sense!" She exclaimed.

Chad thought for a moment, his brow furrowed. "Just be aware of her."

Troy walked into the cafeteria with his lunch and headed over to the jock table, sitting down with Zeke and Jason. "Hey guys."

"Where were you?" Jason asked.

"Busy." Troy replied, eating part of his sandwich.

"Doing what?" Zeke asked.

"Stuff." He replied stubbornly.

"You know you can tell us stuff, right?" Zeke asked.

Troy nodded. "I will. Just not yet."

Sharpay flounced over and sat next to Troy. "Hi Troy. Have you reconsidered?"

Troy shook his head. "I meant what I said."

Sharpay's face fell. "Oh. Well, just so you know Chad's getting tutored by that geeky Gabby."

The three boys nodded. "We know." Jason muttered.

"And you're okay with it?" Sharpay asked.

Troy stayed silent as Zeke answered. "Not really but he seems happy and there's nothing we can do about it."

"Why don't you just threaten her?" Sharpay asked.

"Well, we don't want to hurt her." Jason exclaimed. "We just want Chad back."

Sharpay shrugged and stroked Troy's hair. "Oh well. It's up to you, isn't it?" She kissed Troy but he pushed her away. She flounced back away and Troy furrowed his brow.

"Dude, what's up?" Zeke asked.

Troy sighed and stood up. "I've got to go."

Gabriella groaned. "Chad it's not that hard."

"It's totally hard." He shot back.

"It's just the skeleton. I learnt this before I could walk." She giggled.

"Yes, but you're a freaky alien girl." He shot back.

"Okay, let's make this simpler." She turned back to the white board and wiped it down. "Okay…"

"Are you going to tell him?" Chad asked.

Gabriella sighed. "I don't know. I mean, I'm never going to see him again."

"You're not coming back?" Chad asked indignantly.

Gabriella shook her head, still writing on the board. "No. I mean, I've made friends and everything and even fallen in love but, there's no way I can come back here." She said sadly.

"Why not?" Chad asked in confusion.

Gabriella sighed and turned around. "Okay, where I'm from, you can't tell anyone on Earth. Let me think…you know! If I go home, I'll be stripped of my privileges to travel."

"Then don't go home." Chad said in 'duh!' tone.

"But then, they'll come for me." She said sadly, turning back to the board, continuing to explain the human body. "Chad, I'm pretty sure that a girl can't walk up to a guy and say 'hey, you know what? I lied to you and I'm from Venus!' I know I'm still learning about Earth life but I'm pretty sure that's not how it works."

A laugh caused both of them to turn around and see Troy closing the door behind him. "That's a good one."

Gabriella laughed nervously. "A good one?"

Troy frowned. "What have I been telling you for ages?"

"That you love me?" She tried, trying to smile and failing.

"Try again." He said sternly.

"That I can't lie." She muttered, putting the lid on her pen.

Chad stood up, putting his books away. "I think this is between you two."

"Chad!" Gabriella cried.

Chad sighed, walking over to her. He gripped her upper arms and looked into her eyes. "Here, you have to do something like this by yourself." He kissed her forehead and smiled encouragingly. "You'll be fine. Call me if you need me."

Gabriella nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks. She sniffed and turned to Troy, vaguely hearing the door click shut. "Hi Troy." She whispered.

Troy folded his arms, holding a gaze with her. "What do you have to tell me?"

Gabriella swallowed and her bottom lip trembled, making her stutter. "I'm from Venus." She whispered.

"Excuse me?" Troy asked, stepping towards her.

"I'm an extraterrestrial." She confirmed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But, I-"

"You lied to me." He exclaimed.

"Troy, let me explain-" She tried.

"Just don't talk to me." He whispered, shaking his head and making his way to the door.

Gabriella ran in front of him. "Troy, I know you're mad but promise me you won't tell anyone!"

Troy stared at her for a while before nodding. "Apart from the project, just leave me alone." He brushed past her and left the classroom.

Gabriella felt the tears form in her eyes and she slowly leaned against the door, sliding down to the floor. God, she was so stupid! Why didn't she tell him? Chad had warned her that he would be hurt and yet she didn't listen.

And now she was alone.