Chapter 14

"Okay, are you sure this is going to work?" Taylor asked right before lunch.

Chad rolled his eyes. "Positive!"

"But, Taylor said. "I've never lied before!"

"Than cross your fingers and it won't be a lie!" Chad hissed. "Think of Gabi."

Taylor sighed nodded. She walked through the hallways toward Ryan's locker.

"Um, hey, Ryan," Taylor said. In her head, she kept thinking, Gabi, Gabi, Gabi. She was glad to see that Sharpay wasn't nearby.

At least there's one good thing about Troy and Sharpay being together, Taylor thought.

Ryan raised his eyebrows. "Um, Taylor, hi. Can I help you with anything?"

Taylor smiled, crossing her fingers. "Um, yeah." It's for Gabi. "Chad and I were planning to go on a double date with Troy and Gabi this Saturday. But after what happened between those two..."

"...Yeah, I heard," Ryan interrupted. "I wish I could apologize to Gabriella somehow for what my sister did."

Taylor grinned. The plan was goign smoothly!

"Well, there is actually," Taylor said. "That's what I came here to talk about with you. Can you be Gabi's date for this Saturday? It's just one night..."

"Yeah, sure!" Ryan said. "In fact, I could make reservations at Albee's. That should cheer her up, right?"

Taylor grinned and nodded. "That's perfect! I'll tell Chad and Gabi about the plan. Thanks so much, Ryan!"

She walked away. Chad was leaning near her locker. "Well?"

Taylor nodded. "We're going to Albee's this Saturday!"

"Score!" Chad exclaimed, doing high-fives with Taylor.

"What'd you score, Chad?" they heard a guy ask.

It was Troy.

"Got a date with some hot cheerleader?" Troy asked with an amused smile.

Chad frowned. "No. Taylor and I are going on a double date this Saturday at Albee's."

Troy choked. "Albee's? No way! You never save your allowance!"

"I'm not paying for it. Ryan is," Taylor explained.

"Why's Ryan going?" Troy asked.

"He's Gabi's date," Chad answered simply. He watched for Troy's reaction.

Troy looked surprised and...was that jealousy?

"Why's he taking Gabi?" he asked bitterly.

Taylor and Chad looked at each other. Yep, Troy was jealous. There plan was working.

"Well, we were going to ask you," Taylor said. She didn't have to cross her fingers this time, since it was partially true. If Troy hadn't mess up, sha and Chad would have asked Troy.

"but, uh, well, Gabi, she seemed a little...mad at you after Rick's party," Chad explained.

Troy's face turned red. Did everyone know about that?

"So, we thought Ryan would be better," Taylor said. She had purposly said "better" instead of a "better choice" because "better" would've hurt Troy's feelings more.

"And since you and Sharpay are hanging out so much now," Chad added, "we thought Ryan would probably be bored on Saturday night. Since, you know, you and Sharpay obviously have a date."

Chad knew Troy wasn't going on a date, but Chad wanted to make Troy feel guilty.

"So we thought Ryan would do," Taylor said in a "what's-wrong-with-that" voice. "We'll see you later, Troy. We have to Gabi abotu Ryan."

"Yeah, bye, Troy," Chad said, following Taylor.

When they were out of earshot, Chad grinned. "Revenge is so sweet!"

Taylor headed over to Gabi.

"Hey, Gabi," Taylor said. "Listen. Chad and I thought that we could do something together on Saturday. You know, maybe a double date."

"I'm not doing anything with Troy, if that's what you're thinking," Gabi said bitterly.

"No," Taylor said quickly. "Anyway, Chad and I realized that you haven't been to Albee's yet and you have to go to Albee's at least once. It's the best restaurant in Alberquerque."

"Yeah, so were thinking myabe you wanted to come with me and Taylor to Albee's this Saturday," Chad said. "We're gonna make reservations as soon as possible."

Gabi smiled. "Thanks, guys, but how are we gonna find a buy that will go out with me so soon? Saturday is two days away!"

Taylor replied, "Ryan said he would. He wanted to make it up to you somehow, you know after what...Sharpay and Troy did." Gabi was still touchy in those subject.

Gabi frowned after Taylor mention "Sharpay and Troy", but she it felt nice that someone cared about her, even if it was teh Ice Queen's twin brother.

"When's Ryan pickign me up?" Gabi asked with a smile.

Taylor and Chad grinned. They (sort of) dragged Gabi to the cafeteria.

"We'll talk about details during lunch," they said at the same time, smiling.

Taylor and Chad shared another secret grin together when Gabi walked by Troy and Sharpay with a smug look on her face.