Chapter 23

Troy moved down the hallway of East High. He had a lot on his mind. He was heartbroken.

He couldn't get his mind off of Gabriella. She was everything to him. He loved her.

Caught up in his thoughts, Troy bumped into somebody. They both fell to the ground.

"I'm sorry," Troy said, picking up some fallen books.

"It's okay."

Troy looked up to see a blond girl staring back at him. She was really pretty.

Troy held out his hand and helped her up. "I'm Troy."

"I know. You're the star player on the basketball team."

Troy smiled.

"I'm Velma."

Troy nodded.

"So, how has the season been going?"

"Pretty good. I almost got kicked out, but other than that, it's been fine."

Velma smiled. "So, are you going to the Royalty Dance?"

"No. I was going to go, but I don't have anybody to go with ."

Velma considered. "Would you like to go with me?"

Troy looked at her. "Uh, sure. Why not?"

"Well, are you sure your queen won't get upset?"

Troy snorted, thinking about Sharpay. "No. I already asked her, she said no."

"Okay. Well, I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

Velma walked away. Troy felt good.

Sharpay strutted down the hall, carrying her cell. She was typing into it.

"Hey, Sharpay."

"Troy! Oh my God, I have amazing news!"

"So do I."

"You can go first."

"Well, I have a date to the dance."

Sharpay's face fell. "With who?"

"Her name is Velma."

"Why would you go with her when you know that Gabriella is still out there?"

"Gabriella isn't coming back. Okay?"

Sharpay shook her head.

"But, anyway, what was your news?"

"Oh, right! I found Em--"

"Hey, son!"

Troy turned around to see his father coming towards them.

"Hey, Dad."

Coach looked at Sharpay. "You're the one who's housing my inconsiderate niece?"

"Well, actually--"

"Troy, I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

Coach Bolton looked at Sharpay. "Well, it's a private conversation. Besides, I hardly made it through the doors! Man, they hold grudges! Just because I'm fired doesn't mean I can't still come here."

Sharpay rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll leave."

"Wait, what did you find?"

"Oh, uh… Emile. My…. Niece."

"Oh. Uh, that's nice."

"Come on, Troy." He and Coach Bolton walked away.

Sharpay shrugged. She needed a better time to tell him that Emmy was okay.

****

The way that the room was so dark made Emmy a little upset. Even though she supposedly liked black, the room just made her scared.

She was in a room in the doctors office. She had to stay in that very room until she got better.

She lay down on the cot that was in there. It wasn't very comfortable, but it would have to do.

Emmy looked down at her black, leather clothing. What had made her want to dress like that?

Her thoughts moved back to Bob. Bob, her supposed boyfriend. How could he just leave her like this? She needed him, but he didn't care. He didn't love her.

Her thoughts moved to Gabriella. Troy really loved her. She was lucky that somebody sincerely and truly loved her. Unlike Emmy.

Her thoughts moved back to Troy. Troy. Troy, her cousin…. The only person who loved her, Emmy. Tears came into her eyes. She wrapped a blanket around herself.

She closed her eyes. "Troy, I need you now more than ever. I love you."

****

Gabriella frowned as she stood at the airport with Sandy. All of the tickets to New Mexico were sold out.

"Well, this is just great."

"Gabriella, it'll be fine. You'll get back to East High sometime."

"Yeah, when will that be?"

"I don't know, but you're going to get back there. You need to tell Troy that you love…."

"Yeah, Sandy, I know. I love him. Talking about it doesn't help the matter that I'm still stuck here."

"Sorry."

Gabriella blew a loose strand of hair out of her face. She walked back up to the counter.

"When's the next available flight to New Mexico?"

"Thursday. Today is Monday."

"I know what day it is! And I can't wait that long."

Gabriella walked past Sandy.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm gonna drive."