A/N: hey all, so happy New Year! Hope you had fun, and this seems as good a way as any to kick off 2012
"Ok, how's this one?" Sharpay came swirling out from behind a curtain in a dark blue dress.
"Good Shar" Gabriella replied wearily. I really can't seem to care much at the moment, why did I agree to go shopping?
"You don't sound very convinced." Sharpay was standing in front of the long mirrors, looking at herself. Gabriella was sitting on a chair in the dressing room, she was supposed to be watching as Sharpay went through many different outfits, in reality she was pulling at a loose thread on the chair, slowly making the hole bigger. Sharpay looked at Gabriella in the reflection.
"So are you going to tell me what this big secret is?" Sharpay asked it casually, smoothing down her dress but Gabriella's head shot up. No!
"I mean, if you are telling everyone tomorrow night you may as well tell me now."
Gabriella felt tears well up in her eyes again. I am so sick of crying. Sharpay came and kneeled beside Gabriella, placing a hand on her arm.
"It can't be all that bad can it?"
"Oh, it's bad, or" Gabriella hiccupped out "well actually it's good. Or it was... I" she shook her head, I don't even know how to start explaining, "I was doing something I shouldn't, I suppose."
"You were? But you're not anymore?"
"No I am, or at least I hope I still am." God I hope I still am. But yeah, I mean me and Troy have had fights before, this one is mild in comparison.
"I don't understand."
"Nor do I, I'm sorry Shar. I will tell you properly though, Martha will make sure of that, but can we just leave it for now?" I suppose the up side of it being over would be Martha would no longer have anything on me.
Sharpay looked at Gabriella shrewdly, wondering how much she can trust me. Suddenly Sharpay stood up.
"Alright then." She walked back into the changing room, closing the curtain behind her. But that would not be worth giving him up, nothing is.
"Speaking of Martha," Sharpay yelled back to Gabriella, "do you know where she is right now? At the movies with Ryan! Can you believe it? After the way she's been acting?"
"Oh, well, I guess the way she's been acting is over" Gabriella said softly. Once everyone knows.
"What's that?" Sharpay came out again, this time in a black skirt and green, lacy top.
"I said good. I hope they're having fun." Which is true, I do hope they are having fun. I just also want to have fun, with Troy. God, do I ever stop thinking about him? Ok, focus Gabi.
"Do you now? Hmm... well if you say so. So what do you think of this then?" Sharpay moved to the mirror again.
"Actually I think it's very pretty." Gabriella stood and walked up next to Sharpay, fingering the soft material. Beautiful colour, such fancy material.
"Yes it is, but it would look much better on you! I'll buy it for you."
"Shar you don't have to."
"No I want to. Gabi, listen," Sharpay turned to face Gabriella, holding her hands in her own, "whatever you've done, or are doing or are planning to do, I won't leave you. I don't give up easy, and you are never going to get rid of me." She kind of amazes me sometimes. She's so great, and it would be such a load off my mind to tell her, maybe I should just...
Suddenly a song started playing behind them.
"Oh phone call!" Sharpay ran over to her bag and pulled out her mobile. "It's Zeke!"
"Hey babe! What? Oh good. No way? Yeah, we're fine. No, not yet. Ok, oh but it's mostly red, and I'm wearing pink. Actually never mind. Yeah we'll be there soon. Ok, bye!"
Sharpay hung up and turned back to Gabriella.
"They won their basketball game, so we're going to met them for the team celebration. Just hold on one second," Sharpay stepped back into the main store and grabbed a blue top, "I'm just going to change." She walked back into the dressing room and a second later the green top came flying out over the curtain. "Put that on and we won't clash." Of course, because that would actually be serious.
Rolling her eyes Gabriella tore off the store tag and changed into the new top. Sharpay reappeared, loaded with her many outfits, and they walked to the cash register.
"I didn't know there was a basketball game today?"
"Oh yeah some big final" Sharpay replied, handing over more price tags to the sales girl, informing her "I'm also buying these, we're wearing them out."
As they left the shop with many bags Gabriella enquired further.
"How come you weren't at the game?" I'm surprised she isn't revelling in her new girlfriend status, I don't think they have gone a day without seeing each other since the party.
"I told Zeke that I had to be with you today, because you've seemed so sad lately. But there'll be more games, Taylor and Kelsi were there, so they will be at this lunch, if you can call it that when it is in a disgusting fast food place."
"Oh, ok" A time with all the happy couples together, I'm kind of sick of that.
"Wait, that's not what you're upset about, is it?"
"What?" I am annoyed that I can't casually meet my boyfriend for lunch.
"All this boyfriend stuff." Gabriella looked confusedly back at her so Sharpay continued "I mean a lot has happened. In the space of a school term you have lost one of your best friends and all the others are suddenly in relationships, quite serious relationships. Then the one boy who has always been your back up starts something up with the best friend who was such a bitch. I can see why you might be unhappy with that."
"Sharpay, for the last time, I do not want Ryan." At least when I tell her, she will shut up about Ryan.
"But that doesn't explain why Martha wants you to tell us what you've been doing?" Sharpay didn't acknowledge Gabriella's interruption.
"Hey look we're here." Sharpay went to walk into the cafe, a blur of wildcat uniforms were in one corner. Gabriella suddenly grabbed Sharpay's arm and turned her around. It would actually feel great to have already told one of them. To have someone on my side.
"Shar the thing is, it's not what I've been doing, it's who." I know that technically I haven't 'done' Troy, but it sounds cool put that way. Though that is really the last thing I should be thinking about. I really do act like such a teenage girl sometimes.
"What? So you mean that there's someone..." Sharpay's eyes widened.
Gabriella nodded. Ok, ok, I can do this. Why am I having flashbacks to when I tried to convince myself I could sleep with Troy?
"It's..." then Gabriella caught sight of someone over Sharpay's shoulder, no way, not now, and Troy looked up from the group of boys and caught her eye "nothing, no one! Never mind."
"What!" Sharpay screeched, turning to see what had caught Gabriella's attention, however at her raised voice the group had looked over and Zeke was now approaching them.
"Baby we won!" he gave Sharpay a huge hug from behind. "Come on." Zeke let her go before grabbing her hand and leading her in. Sharpay reached back and grabbed Gabriella's hand, pulling her in too, all the way up to the wildcat team.
As well as the whole basketball team and the coach there were about a dozen close friends and girlfriends gathered around a group of tables pushed together. Very unhealthy looking food and drink was piled high. Taylor and Kelsi waved as they sat down.
"Hey, more girlfriends!" Jason yelled loudly. Can we say sugar high?
Suddenly everyone's attention was taken by Troy who was choking on his coke. A boy standing next to him thumped him on the back and Troy caught his breathe again.
"Sorry, you were saying? Um whose girlfriends?" Troy had blushed cutely and Gabriella suddenly felt much better. He's worried that I have a boyfriend! He is adorable.
"Sharpay is my gorgeous girlfriend," Zeke announced proudly, giving Sharpay a kiss on the cheek, "and Gabriella is, um..."
"No one's girlfriend" Gabriella said quickly, "Yep, just me, all alone." I will not look at Troy; I will not look at Troy.
The conversation moved on, everyone in high spirits, can I go home yet?, Gabriella became aware that Troy was slowly making his way over to her, though at the rate he was going he wouldn't reach her until night fell. I forgive him already, if only we were alone. Just as Gabriella was trying to decide whether to take pity on him and meet him halfway, Daisy popped up in front of him.
"Hi Mr Bolton!" she smiled widely at him, bitch! Gabriella felt her eyes narrow into a glare as she watched.
"Hi" Troy said, shocked by the sudden appearance. Daisy is dating one of the basketballers... the blond one?
"Well you've certainly done a good job with these guys, they never won a thing before" Daisy said. There were a couple of indignant 'hey!'s from the boys closest.
"Uh thanks."
"I guess it isn't surprising, when you're obviously such a good athlete yourself." Daisy continued to smile, Troy looked uncomfortable and, a few chairs away Gabriella was fuming I am going to kick her ass!. Unaware of all this, Daisy continued, "So how often do you work out?" she reached out a hand to feel Troy's arm. Don't touch him!
And that was it, something inside Gabriella snapped and she stood up and was by Troy's side in a second.
"Go flirt with your own boyfriend!" she said angrily. Shit, was that obvious? Daisy opened her mouth to reply but before she could...
"OH MY GOD!" every person in the cafe looked at Sharpay, who was staring at Gabriella. She knows! Gabriella looked back at Sharpay, panicky, and shook her head slightly. Sharpay looked around and saw everyone staring at her.
"Sorry, I – I thought I saw a spider but," she gave a little laugh, "it was just a shadow."
Everyone turned back to their conversations and Daisy, who seemed to have forgotten what she had been doing, walked over to her boyfriend. Gabriella breathed a sigh of relief, she chanced a glance at Troy, who was looking at Sharpay, wide eyed. Yep that's right Troy, you just witnessed Shar figuring out our secret.
"But you're not afraid of spiders" Chad said, sipping at his coke.
"What?" Sharpay snapped.
"Well why would you yell? When you're not afraid? I remember because of that time w- ow!" Chad was cut off as Sharpay leaned around Taylor to smack him across the head. Damn Chad, why couldn't he just let it pass?
A little later again, Gabriella managed to subtly, at least she hoped it was subtle, sit in the seat next to Troy.
"Hey" she said, staring directly in front of her. Yeah, I'd be an awesome spy.
"Hey. Look Gab, I'm sorry."
"Me too" Gabriella quickly turned to him, before remembering her stealth mode and determinedly staring at an empty chips packet on the table, though actually he is looking at me, "Troy I didn't mean t-"
"Forget it. I should never ha-"
"It's fine." I give up. Gabriella turned and smiled at Troy. He smiled back and slipped his hand onto hers under the table. I love him so much!
"I've missed you" he said softly.
"I saw you were jealous when I walked in" yeah I had to rub it in.
"Me jealous? I thought you were going to punch that girl out!" Troy laughed and Gabriella felt her cheeks redden. She quickly looked around. Everyone is engrossed in their own conversations. When Gabriella caught Troy's eye again he looked more serious.
"So your friend knows?" he nodded in Sharpay's direction.
"Yeah, but I mean she would have found out tomorrow anyway. That's Kelsi and Taylor." Gabriella indicated the other girls. Troy sighed deeply. "They really are good friends you know, I think we will be able to trust them."
"Well I know the boys, I've spent enough time with them to know that they are pretty decent" Troy replied. Yay, he likes my friends! If he wasn't a teacher we could have had the most awesome group ever.
"Troy, don't get mad but, I really want to tell them. I mean you are such a big part of my life and I hate hiding that from everyone. It's been so exhausting telling all these lies, I really want to be able to just openly talk about or be with you, at least with my closest friends."
"It's ok, I get it." Troy smiled at her "Do you want me to tell them with you?"
"No that's ok, I think I should do it by myself. But thanks."
Troy tucked a piece of Gabriella's hair behind her ear. Will I ever get used to the feeling of him touching me? I hope not.
"You'll call me after?" His fingers stayed, rested on her cheek. Gabriella instinctively leaned towards him. Yummy Troy lips, I haven't had a kiss is so long...
"Of course" she said softly. Troy's face tilted lower and their lips were about to close when an empty coke cup bounced into Gabriella's head. What the hell! They both pulled away in shock.
"Ouch!" Gabriella looked up and suddenly the whole basketball team seemed to be approaching Troy. Oh god they could have seen. She looked behind them and saw Sharpay, who winked at her. She just saved us. Gabriella laughed out loud.
That night Troy called Gabriella and they talked for hours, they each purposefully avoided talking about the next night, when Gabriella would tell her friends, or any time after that. It felt almost awkward to avoid talking about anything that could happen in the future. Neither of them acknowledged this however, I can't believe that anything really bad will happen but there is no way I am getting my hopes up for anything good.
Then it was Saturday night and Gabriella was getting ready to go to Sharpay's house. She looked at her face in the mirror and pulled her hair back into a ponytail before shaking it loose again, she considered plaiting it. If I keep this up long enough it will be tomorrow. Gabriella's phone buzzed and she saw a message from Sharpay 'love you forever xox', Gabriella smiled. Ok, I'm ready.
Suddenly she was in Sharpay's bedroom, with everyone else. Gabriella surveyed her friends, hoping she could still call them that in 20 minutes. Sharpay and Zeke were lying on the bed, holding hands and just looking at each other. Martha was leaning against the wall and Ryan was standing in front of her as they talked. Chad, Taylor, Jason and Kelsi were sitting cross legged on the floor, rolling a basketball around and giggling like preschoolers. Gabriella had let herself in and no one had noticed her standing in the doorway yet. Well that shows some change, a few months ago Ryan would have half fallen over when I entered the room.
"Hi" Gabriella said. The atmosphere changed dramatically, Sharpay sat up on the bed, pulling Zeke with her. Martha pushed herself off the wall and took a half step towards Gabriella, but almost walked into Ryan. Kelsi missed the ball that was rolling to her and it banged into a lamp which promptly fell on Taylor's head.
"Ow" Taylor said softly, rubbing her head as Chad stood up to fix the lamp. Normally something like that would have made everyone laugh, including Taylor, I really hope things will be normal again.
"Ready?" Martha came and stood on one side of Gabriella, who nodded slowly. Why is she being so mean? However at that moment Sharpay got off her bed and walked to stand on Gabriella's other side.
"Take your time Gab" she said softly. Martha looked at Sharpay in surprise and Sharpay glared back. Gabriella gave a small smile, before turning to the others. Ryan, Chad and Zeke had joined the others sitting on the floor in front of her. Gabriella had to look down to talk to them. I feel like a teacher, which has a certain irony...
"Alright, so as you guys have figured out, I have to tell you something" why didn't I write it down, then at least I would have a plan of how to say this "and it's important. It's a secret." I sound about five years old. Is it stupid that even though this is a bigger issue I don't want to look at Ryan right now? "It's just that, I've been seeing someone for a while now, I have a boyfriend."
There was a second of silence.
"Gabi!" Taylor squealed.
"That's awesome" Kelsi smiled up, giving Jason a half hug next to her "boyfriends are fun" she laughed.
"I don't get it" Chad said. Taylor looked at him sympathetically.
"Gabriella is dating someone" she explained slowly. Chad shot her an annoyed look, his girlfriend thinks he is an idiot, but I think he may be ahead of the others.
"What I don't get" said Chad loudly "is why that is a secret."
Everyone else realised that Chad had asked a very reasonable question and once again faced Gabriella in silence. 'Go to the top of the class Chad, what an insight', ok back to serious. Gabriella took a breath.
"It's a secret because... It's Troy. I'm dating Troy Bolton."
A/N: hope it was ok. Review!