The story line kinda turns thin here. But here's Rachael's plan.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Troubles, Tears, and Troy

Monday Morning, October 16th, Homeroom, 7:59 p.m.

Typical Monday morning of East High, but today there was an air of mystery about.

Gabriella walked into homeroom and started up her usually conversation with Troy. "Hi, Troy."

"Hey, Gabriella. I had fun over the weekend."

"Yea. So far the rehearsals were fun! I never thought singing could be so enjoyable."

"Totally. Are we rehearsing during free period?"

"Yes, I'm going to be a little late, though. Taylor wants to discuss something with us."

"Alright, I'll just wait for you in there."

On the other side of the room, Rachael was discussing the final details with Sharpay. "So, I'll be wearing this earpiece and you'll signal me when Gabriella is walking toward the room."

"And you know for sure this plan is going to work?"

"Yeah."

"Then we're a go."

Sharpay and Rachael looked at each other with confidence and with a smirk on their faces.

Free Period

Gabriella and Taylor walked into the chemistry room to find the rest of the Scholastic Decathlon club waiting for them.

"Hey, guys," Taylor said brightly.

Everyone responded with a nod of their head.

"Okay, I want to discuss our schedule today. We'll be having practice every other day from 4-5. Alright with everybody?"

The whole room responded monotonously for they had nothing better to do.

"We'll start practice today by discussing.."

Gabriella gave Taylor a quick tap on the shoulder and gave her a look that said, "Can I go now?"

"Oh yeah, go ahead. Meet up with us Wednesday. Where was I? Ohh, right…" Taylor said and started going over what was probably going to be used for the competition.

Gabriella rushed to the music room, hoping, but somehow knowing, that Troy was going to be there.

Troy arrived in the room, but was surprised to find that Kelsi wasn't there. Instead, Rachael was there.

"Hey, Rachael," Troy said, confused, "What are you doing here?"

"Ohh, I'm just here to tell you that Kelsi sent me to tell you that she was going to be a little late."

"Alright."

"Troy, I was wonderin', how long have you been singing?" she said to waste some time.

"Not long. It wasn't until I met Gabriella that I really thought about it."

Rachael flinched at sound of Gabriella's name, but Troy didn't seem to notice. "You must be really good in order to have the lead roles in the musical without much experience."

"I still say it's more luck," and Troy went into the story of how Gabriella and him had to struggle to make it to call-backs.

Rachael, although it looked like she was listening to Troy, was really listening for Sharpay's signal.

Outside the music room, Sharpay stood watch and surveyed the area. It was about half a minute later that she spotted Gabriella rushing down the hallway.

"Rachael, do you hear me?"

"Loud and clear."

" 'Soon-to-be-sad' is heading down the hallway. Commence with Phase 2 of the plan. Read?"

"Got it. Signal me when she is heading toward the window."

"Copy," she said to Rachael before turning her attention to Gabriella.

Inside the room, Rachael paid close attention to Troy's movements. He seemed to be pacing back and front not too far from her.

Outside, Sharpay put on a fake look of concern and was ready to put the plan to action.

Gabriella thought something was odd when she saw Sharpay outside the music room. "Hey, Sharpay," she said nervously.

"Hey, Gabriella. I'm so sad to hear the news about you and Troy."

"What news…?" Gabriella was confused. What had happened between her and Troy that she hadn't known?

"You mean you don't know?" Sharpay said with fake concern.

"Know about what…?"

" 'Bout Troy's new girl."

"Troy isn't seeing anyone else."

"Really…just look into the music room," she said while secretly giving Rachael the signal, "Go!"

Inside the room, Rachael approached Troy and turned him away from the door. She wanted to make sure that Troy didn't see Gabriella looking in.

"Hey, Troy. Can I ask you to do this huge favor for me?"

"Yeah, what?"

"Well, I'm in another drama troupe and I have to kiss somebody and I really need to practice but the guy who I have to kiss is out of town for the weekend. Would you mind?"

Though he found the request was a little odd, Troy knew that it was awkward it is to kiss somebody you don't even know in front of an audience. "Okay, but only once."

"Thanks," Rachael said. To herself she said, "That's all I need."

Rachael and Troy locked lips just as Gabriella reached the window on the door.

Gabriella stood there in shock as she watched them separate. "They look really friendly in with each other," she thought to herself. With tears in her eyes, she ran off to figure out this whole thing.

Sharpay watched with joy as Gabriella ran away from the music room. She signaled Rachael that the plan worked by saying, "It worked!"

Inside, Rachael decided that it was time for her to go before Troy figures any of this out. "Thanks for the help there, Troy. I need to get going then. Loads of schoolwork that I put off. See ya later."

"Alright," Troy said, wondering where Gabriella was. It's not like her to miss out on something they both love. He headed out into the hallways and, like Gabriella, surprised to find Sharpay there. "Sharpay, have you seen Gabriella?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Haven't seen her since homeroom."

"Thanks." Troy wondered back into the music room. "Where is she?"

Little did Troy know, Gabriella ran up to the balcony and wept, wondering why Troy would cheat on her like that.

After Troy went back into the music room, Rachael appeared from out of the shadows. "How good was that plan?"

"Oh my gosh! It totally worked. You should have seen the look on Gabriella's face when you kissed him!"

"I wish I could've. Troy doesn't know that we're behind it?"

"As of right now, no."

"Great! Can't wait to see the reaction at lunch."

Out of the shadows, down the hall, Ryan was watching the whole thing. Right now, he was ashamed of his sister. He knew his sister would go low, but not this low. He set out to fix everything.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

What do you think will happen? Will Ryan be able to fix this? Will Troy find out that he's been used? Please, keep reading!