(A/N: So sorry for making you wait. School's kicking my butt. So busy. I'll try to update better you guys! Loads of love for those who have stuck with me!xo)

Gabriella's POV

I could feel a chill coming on. I hunched as we walked through the parking lot.

Troy glanced over me and started to rub my arm to create a little friction.

"Thanks." I muttered, looking away.

I still didn't feel 100% great about this. I mean, this was Troy Bolton. He could be slippery sometimes. And I wasn't so swift to catch it.

Please, please, let it be ok tonight. I really wanted things to go normal again.

I think we all needed that.

Troy's POV

She looked beautiful tonight.

Her long black hair was gently blown off her face by the wind. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright.

I really wondered why she looked so....perfect at the one time I wanted to see her hurt and broken down.

But it wouldn't be so hard.

I'd have my way and leave. What's done is done, I say.

But still. She didn't have to look so pretty.

Chad's POV

OK man. You can do it.

Just pick...pick up the phone. Pick it up...pick it...pick....GRAB IT!

There! Ah, yes. Hello phone. Telephone. Calling device...oh jeez. Am I really stalling?

I shook my head full of curls and pressed the on button.

Halfway there.

I dialed the numbers.

My finger hesitated but I finally pushed through.

I hit 'call'.

I slowly put the phone to my ear and listened to it ring.

Once...twice...three times....four....

"Hello?"

Oh damn. What do I say again? I...uh...I....

"Hi!" I bellowed.

Oh Holy three throws.

"Um, who is this?"

I winced and cleared my throat.

"S-sorry. This is Chad Danforth from Taylor's school. May I...speak to her?" Yeah. Be polite. Moms love that.

"Oh. Danforth."

What about it?

"Well, Chad I'm sorry but Taylor's not in at the moment. She's at a clarinet lesson. I'll have her call you when she gets back." Mrs. McKessie said.

I nodded then grimaced. "Oh ok. Thank you Mrs. McKessie."

"You're welcome Chad. Goodbye."

"Bye." I hung up.

Stupid.

Kelsi's POV

I was hoping that Troy wouldn't show up. I mean, I knew that it would happen eventually. He couldn't ignore the poor girl forever. She could ignore him though.

But I wanted it to be later, maybe after Idol and all that.

Idol was close by and we needed every millisecond.

Gabriella knew that. I knew that.

Troy didn't. And he wouldn't care if he did.

But I sort of did want Gabriella to have this. A tiny part of me did. She deserved to have her boyfriend's support on this too. It'd make it more fun for her, I knew. And after her fun, she'd be so happy she'd be on top of the world, win or lose.

I lightly brushed my music across the stand. Placing my hands on the keys of my piano at home, I imagined someone singing to accompany the music.

"....you and me...." Someone sang.

I stopped and looked around.

Then I smiled.

"Hi mom."

My mom stepped into the room with a grin.

"It's a beautiful piece. Really." She touched my shoulder.

I nodded, looking at the notes. "Yeah. I agree."

Mom sighed and backed away. "You have such a talent honey. Use it wisely please."

I turned and looked at her earnestly. "I will. I do. Of course, mom."

Mom nodded and went back into the kitchen, humming to herself.

My mom was vague at times. She used to be a famous singer on Broadway. Then she dropped out because her family was having problems at home. Aunt Carrie had gotten divorced and had a baby on the way. Mom was twenty-one and making it to the top. And in a flash, it was over because Carrie wanted it to be.

I wasn't going to let something like that happen.

I was an only child.

But seriously, I was going to make my talents even greater and better. I would use them for good and....oh I wanted to be great!

And I was going to be.

I'd see Broadway. For mom. For me.

Gabriella's POV

"So, um you're really ok with it? The singing, I mean." I asked hesitantly.

Troy nodded while looking out the window. "Yeah. Yeah, it's cool. Like I said, you can really sing."

I sighed quietly, fiddling with my skirt.

There were so many sides to Troy Bolton. I doubted that I'd be able to understand them all. Therefore, I would never understand Troy Bolton.

I think that was a good thing.

Troy huffed and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as we coasted down the road.

So many sides, so many tricks...Bolton was bold.

I bit my lip as he pulled up to my house and parked in the driveway. Papa wasn't home yet. That could be perceived in many ways.

I hoped that this was a good sign. Maybe some alone time would do us good. I was sure we had a lot to talk about. There were so many things that were boiling dangerously under our cool surfaces. Sooner or later, we'd melt and ignite the flames at the same time. We'd kill each other with our deadly silence. I had so much to say and try to understand. So yes, talking was good. Very good.

"Troy..."

"Brie..."

I stopped right there.

Brie.

That old nickname brought back so many memories from the past. A blast from the past. But how would Troy know about it? Or maybe...maybe it had just popped out. Well. Whatever inspired that outburst just totally fizzled mine.

I looked at him curiously.

He took the key out of the ignition and turned towards me.

"I really missed you Gabs." He said, his blue eyes burning into my brown ones. Ice and fire, we were a deadly combination. But it was addictive, more so.

I couldn't get enough.

"I missed you too. I'm sorry that rehearsal has taken up so much...but I really think I can make it far. Troy, I've never felt so sure about anything like this..." I pressed. I wanted him to see that this was just as important as basketball and...and everything that he loved.

"Gabriella, I understand. I do. Or, at least I want to." Troy said calmly, his ice blue eyes were not at all cold.

I smiled. "Let's continue this inside. More comfortable."

Where had that come from?

Troy smiled anyway. We got out and walked to my door, close but not touching. We weren't...ready for that yet. We were still healing. Or, I was at least.

I put my key to the lock.