"Sharpay!" Gabriella called as she jogged toward her friend through the throng of people heading out of West High for the weekend. "Shar!"

"Hey Gabs, whatcha doing?"

"I was wondering, you know that thing I'm going with you today to? What do I wear, is it casual, dressy?"

"Oh, it's pretty casual actually." Sharpay commented absentmindedly as she reapplied her lip balm and pursed her lips.

"You sure?" Gabriella hesitated.

"Of course silly!" Sharpay exclaimed as she gathered her bag together, "I'll pick you up at six okay?"

"Sure, bye!" Gabriella shouted as she began walking home, having already missed the bus.

An hour later Gabriella was examining herself in the mirror. She wore a dark gray tunic over black leggings and some pink ballet flats. She had teased her hair into a purposely grunge look ponytail and settled her pink hoops in her ears. With one last swipe of her lip gloss she heard Sharpay honk her horn and she quickly gathered her purse and headed out the door.

The girls pulled up into a parking lot and Gabriella glanced around. "Shar, I thought you said we were going to your Aunt's house?"

"We were." Sharpay replied as she popped open her door, "But she changed her mind and made reservations here."

"And where exactly would 'here' be Sharpay?" Gabriella asked as she shut her door and drew her purse onto her shoulder.

"The Hamptons." Sharpay replied locking her car and looking at Gabriella.

"The Hamptons!" Gabriella shrieked. "Sharpay this place is completely fancy and expensive!" She glanced at Sharpay who was wearing a sparkling dress and she shook her head in frustration. "You said I didn't need to dress up! You said it was casual!"

Sharpay's mouth dropped open, "Oh my gosh did I really say that?"

"Yes!" Gabriella exclaimed. "Ugh your family is going to thing I have no class at all!" She moaned as she glanced down at her jumper. "Why didn't you say anything when you picked me up?"

"I guess I didn't really think about it, I'm so sorry Gab. And my family won't think your not classy, you're my friend and it was an honest mistake, if it helps you look really cute."

"Ugh, Shar I've never been to Hamptons but I'm sure you don't wear this in there!" Gabriella gestured to her outfit and sighed pulling out her ponytail and trying to shake out her curls. "Did that help at all?"

"A little?" Sharpay said as she took in her friend, "Aha!" She exclaimed as she clapped her hands excitedly, "I have just the fix for this problem. I have billions of extra clothes in the trunk, I don't know why I didn't think of this before!" She immediately raced around to the back of her car and started shoving aside various slippers and flats until she pulled out a pair of sparkly black heels. "Okay here." She muttered as she searched for a dress. "And…. This!" She whipped out a deep purple mini dress and held it up to Gabriella, "It's perfect!"

"Oh gosh Shar it's so lucky that you're obsessed with your clothes!" Gabriella squealed as she snatched up the heels and dress. "Okay come on I'll go change and then we can go see your family."

The girls sneaked into the bathroom where Gabriella changed and fixed her hair and make up to create a more classy appearance.

"There!" Sharpay said as she dabbed on a little more lip stain as she gazed at her friend. "You look gorgeous, now let's go we're already late."
"Which is your fault for telling me tonight was going to be casual." Gabriella reminded her friend as she picked up her purse and followed her friend through the elegant restaurant and down a hallway. "Where are we going?"

"Oh my Aunt rented a private room, she kind of expanded the get together from just family to some of her friends so I guess she needed more space or something." Her phone beeped and she glanced at it. "My sister texted me, they're in here." She stopped at a cream colored door where the murmur of chatter could be heard.

"Geez Shar, your family is too rich for words." Gabriella muttered as she straightened her dress.

"Come on Gabriella, this will be fun you get to meet a bunch of my relatives!" Sharpay sarcastically remarked.

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "I'm sure they're all very nice." She said as she giggled as Sharpay frantically shook her head.

"I'd watch out for my Uncle Kirk, creepy!" Sharpay whispered as she grabbed Gabriella's arm, "Okay let's go we stalled long enough." She heaved open the door and Gabriella and her stepped into the room and into a crowd of people.

"Some of her friends?" Gabriella hissed as she glanced about the packed room.

"Whatever, my Aunt is like that." Sharpay replied as she linked arms with Gabriella and greeted people as they made their way to the front of the room.

"Shouldn't we say 'hi' to your Aunt or something?" Gabriella asked as she peered around the room.

"I don't think so, we can do our own thing. I already told my sis to tell my parents that we made it here so we're fine, we can just hang out. Oh look a buffet!" Sharpay exclaimed as she and Gabriella hurried over to a long table filled with serving platters and some of the restaurant's specialties.

"Wow this looks great! I'm coming to more of your family parties Shar!" Gabriella said as she loaded a plate with a fruit kabob and a couple finger foods.

"That'd actually be great Gab, I need someone to keep me company, I don't know why I never brought you and Taylor before." Sharpay replied as she picked up a cheese hor'dourve.

"Mmm," Gabriella mumbled as she nibbled on a watermelon piece.

"Pay!" A high voice shrieked as Sharpay rolled her eyes but plastered a smile on her face and turned around and squealed.

"Cassie it's so great to see you!" She exclaimed in the same excited voice.

"I know Pay Pay it's been far too long." A girl with honey blonde curls and giant blue eyes replied as she gestured to two boys who were flanking her. "We've all missed you Pay, you've got to come to these family things more often!"

Gabriella grimaced 'Pay Pay'? That had to be the worst name ever, no wonder Sharpay didn't look so happy to see this girl. Gabriella cleared her throat and nudged Sharpay.

"Oh! Guys sorry I forgot to introduce you to my best friend! Guys this is Gabriella and Gabriella these are my cousins Josh, Cassie, and Blake." She motioned towards the girl and the two blonde boys standing behind her.

"Hey, nice to meet you guys!" Gabriella grinned as Josh caught her eye and winked. Sharpay smirked and rolled her eyes reaching forward and hugging her two boy cousins. "Where do you guys go to school?" Gabriella asked as she set her now empty plate down on a passing server's tray.

"Charmin Prep." Blake replied as he grinned at Cassie, "Our parent's don't let Cassie go there anymore though, they said she was becoming too much of a snob there, so she goes to Fairfield High. Where she still is, a snob." Cassie glared at Blake and shoved him a little.

Gabriella giggled and looked at them, "Cool, what grade?"

"I'm a junior, and Cassie is a sophomore and Blake is a senior." Josh replied as he looked at Gabriella.

"Mmhm." Sharpay replied as she squealed suddenly, "Oh my gosh let's go dance guys I love this song."

"You like this song?" Cassie asked in disgust. "It's so old."

"Sharpay loves oldies." Gabriella laughed as she watched Sharpay snatch Blake's hand and drag him to the dance floor.

"Eww," Cassie shuddered as she ran a hand through her hair, "Anyways I have to go to the restroom I'll catch you guys later." She began walking away, "Nice to meet you Gab Gab! And Josh? Mom said be at the car at nine or you have to catch a ride with Uncle Kirk. We know how much you'll enjoy that!" She smiled and waved, weaving her way through the crowd.

"Gab Gab huh? You want me to call you that too?" Josh grinned as he turned to Gabriella.

"Oh please don't." Gabriella smiled as she looked around the room. "I'm guessing most of these people aren't your family.

"Nah, there are probably only twenty of our family members here, the rest are my Aunt's friend." Josh replied as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"I see." Gabriella said as she brushed her bangs from her face.

"So…"

"So…" Gabriella giggled as the two stood there a little awkwardly.

"Um, do you want to dance?" Josh asked hesitantly as he offered his hand to Gabriella and she happily accepted. The two headed to the dance floor and quickly joined in a group dance with Sharpay and Blake. The rest of the night passed fairly quickly and soon Gabriella and Sharpay were pulling up in front of Gabriella's house.

"Thanks Pay Pay it was fun!" Gabriella joked as she exited the car and leaned through the window to talk to Sharpay.

"Ugh, please do not call me that." Sharpay mumbled as she covered her face. "I love the girl, but whenever she calls me that I just, argh, would you want to be called that?"

"Well she did say, and I quote, 'Nice to meet you Gab Gab'". Gabriella said as Sharpay instantly broke out in a fit of giggles.

"Okay, never mind your name is way worse. It makes me feel so much better." She sighed and glanced at Gabriella who was playfully glaring at her.

"Ha ha thanks." Gabriella muttered sarcastically as she straightened up, "But seriously your family is awesome, I had a lot of fun."

"Well yeah you and Josh seemed to be enjoying each others company." Sharpay commented slyly as she grinned at Gabriella.

"Oh be quiet Shar, he's really nice."

"That he is Gabriella, but I wouldn't pursue him too much, he's with this girl and they're kind of on and off, well mostly off, and I wouldn't want you to be a rebound girl."

"Oh please Sharpay, I don't think so, he's nice and all, but probably not." Gabriella said thoughtfully as she sighed and swung her bag onto her shoulder. "Well I'll probably call you or something this weekend, see you on Monday!"

"Okay, Bye Gab!" Sharpay squealed as she started her engine and drove off down the road. Gabriella waved until the car was out of sight and slowly entered her house, tomorrow she'd be seeing Troy.

Woooooo okay, the point of this chapter is to introduce Josh… who may be a key element in the Troyella thing, hint hint HAHA okay neways hope u guys liked this one ill try update once or twice a day or something keep reading and REVIEW thanks everyone…. Review you guys have no idea how much I love them oh, and more on Troy and his dad later… cuz u guys were wondering so ya… don't worry all (I hope) questions will be answered BUHBYE!!