Brandon seems harmless.

Curiosity sparkling in his eyes, he walks into my house. I don't even invite him in.

The way he looks around, like a child who just found the candy shop. Everything is new, an adventure.

His dark eyes scan the walls, photos of Brooklyn and her former life. Brandon, so influenced by them, like they are his own.

Maybe he has lived a sheltered life, in poverty perhaps. Maybe we are the same. I shake this thought off immediately; his car is ravishing. We're not the same. Not even close.

"Nice place," He raves, dark eyes dancing around the living-room.

He then makes himself at home, plopping down on the couch. Like he's been here before. Like we've known each other for ages.

I'm a little uncomfortable by his easygoingness. But at the same time, he reminds me of Troy in a way. And if he's anything like Troy, he's good news.

The lights are dimmed in the living-room. There's that small lamp in the corner, on the coffee-table. Barely, I can make out Brandon's black eyes in the dark. His eyes, so dark, but I don't find them intimidating.

"So…" He begins, throwing his feet up on the table in front of him. So laid-back.

"So, how does this work?" I cut to the chase.

I already took a seat in the living chair nearby him.

"It's easy, really. I'm going to give you the contract now…" He gets up from his spot, digging through his tight blue jeans.

I watch him through this process, admiring the way the jeans accentuate his figure. Troy must have the same pair. They look almost identical.

I realize instantly my stupidity and look away, blossoming at my dirty thoughts. I have a boyfriend, for goodness sakes! Just because he's not here at the moment… and just because Brandon is so dang attractive! Pull it together, Gabriella. You're not some pervert.

A part of me wonders if I'm lacking something. Something Troy isn't giving me. To him, I'm far too fragile for such activities…

Brandon hands me the contract, all crumpled up from his pockets. I get up, accepting the paper. Our hands touch briefly. His hand is scorching hot, like fire. But I feel warmth from it.

My face reddens. He isn't even as attractive as Troy.

I read the paper, taking in all the information. It just states basic facts. Brandon will be accompanying me daily. Being professional, privacy will try and be maintained. Everything sounds breezy, like I could maybe handle this. Then comes the hard part.

"Residency." I mutter. I didn't mean for Brandon to hear.

"I know what you're thinking and it's cool. Just talk to Troy and your parents, see what they think. It's just more convenient for me. And well… cheaper."

Then it dawns on me. "You need a down payment?"

I can see Brandon's expression fill with guilt. Momentarily, I'm confused.

"Uh… Jack already gave me the money. Thought you knew?"

Of course.

I avoid smacking myself in the forehead like a fool. Although Jack pretended he cared so much about my safety, I can tell this is all about Troy. He's eager to get me out of Troy's life. So he invites this new guy in who can take Troy's place, solving the mysteries, dealing with the drama. He didn't want Troy to get hurt. Not because of some meaningless girl.

I'm hurt for a second, and feel a tug on my heart. Jack is Troy's hero. I'm not blind towards that. Troy wouldn't have suggested going to Jack if he didn't believe in him. Jack's always been Troy's number one. They went through so much together. It's a bond no one could break. Not even a love like ours. I didn't want to break it, get in the way like I always do. Troy has already lost a majority of his friends and his reputation. What more can I take away from him?

"Gabriella?" My eyes blink up, Brandon's voice interrupting my thoughts. "You seem a little upset. Jack's a pretty cool guy."

"He wants to keep Troy safe." It's like I'm telling myself what I already know.

"He's worried about you…" Brandon clarifies, shaking his head as he sits back down on the couch. "You're important to Troy, I guess."

"You and Troy were friends once, right?" I remember Jack's comments, about how they were once friends, playing video games together.

Brandon nods. "For a long time. I was born in California."

"What brings you to Albuquerque?"

"This job, duh. Isn't that obvious?" Brandon grins. "Jack's paying me pretty fat. And I wouldn't dare pass up a job opportunity. I do work like this all over the States."

"You came all the way here… just for a job?" This seems to be hard for me to understand. Doesn't it cost a ton of money to move? Just for one case?

"I don't have a bunch of stuff. Just a suitcase. All I had to do was jump on a plane. Jack's money helps me with the hotel bill."

Oh. The hotel bill. So that is where he's residing?

I raise an eyebrow. "And it'd be more convenient if you lived… in my father's house?"

"Absolutely. But I get it, you know. I'm a stranger. That's why you should probably talk to him. I've read the e-mail Jack sent me. Over and over. I already know a lot about this Earl guy. Sounds like a few guys I've ran into…"

"How old are you?"

"I'll be turning nineteen next month." He answers, obediently. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen…" I answer, quietly. "How are you so young?"

"I'm just that good, I guess." He shrugs, nonchalantly. "Why are you so young?"

I ignore his banter. "I can't guarantee this is going to work. Staying in my father's house… it's not even his, really. It's his girlfriend's. And Troy… Troy might…"

"Troy was my best friend," Brandon cuts me off, "he knows me. I'm not some slime ball trying to take his girl. I'm here for professional reasons." He gets up from where he's sitting.

He approaches me, his dark eyes practically seeing into my soul. I shiver at the proximity between us. And then, he leans forward, our faces only inches away. My heart begins to race. What in the world is he doing? My mind is blank and I can't think up a response… I know I should move away, I should scream or do something erratic…

Finally, I let go of the air I'm holding in as he backs away, a small grin on his face. "You're a pretty girl. I can tell you're not used to guys hitting on you,"

"I'll probably tell you nice things. I'm that type of a guy. And I'll probably piss Troy off somehow. I like to tell girls what they should hear on a daily basis. You should hear that you're pretty. When I first seen you, I was kind of shocked you were with Troy. Not because he's a bad looking guy or because I think you two would look odd together…"

"He's just always liked the wrong girls. You actually seem like the right girl."

I blush into my lap, unable to find the right words to say back to him.

"For any guy. So, I hope Troy's not a jackass about it." Brandon finishes, sitting back in his seat, casually. Like he never said anything sentimental. Like he never flattered me.

"… Thanks." I say, meekly as I look everywhere but at him. "That's… really nice of you."

"Just stating facts, girl. You shouldn't worry about whether he's going to be okay with me staying in the same house as you. I'm here to protect you. He shouldn't feel threatened. He should trust you, you know?"

I've never looked at Troy as controlling. Maybe a little protective. I think back to when he met Eddie the first time. His stance was so… different. Like he was trying to cut the distance between Eddie and me. He didn't want us to even be able to look at each other. For some reason, that memory kind of bothers me from time to time. It may have been because he didn't understand our relationship, our kinship. Maybe now, he'd give him a handshake. A part of me wonders how he will react when I show him this contract. I'll have to say I got it through an e-mail. He'd never understand me sneaking out of my bed in the night to talk to Brandon. That's the crazy, insane side of me. The side of me that sometimes wishes to hang herself when things get tough. These thoughts I never want to reveal to Troy. He'd go running.

"I'm tired." I confess, my thoughts making me unstable.

Brandon looks all too serene where he's at and I hate to change that. It's getting late though. I can tell, mostly because of the ding of the clock from the kitchen. It's dinged a few times now.

"I bet." Brandon doesn't seem angry. He gets up from his seat and heads towards the door. "Look… just read over the contract, talk to Troy, talk to your dad and his girl. I'll be waiting to hear from you. Just… give me a call, or whatever."

I nod my head, following him to the door. I give him a polite smile. Though my smile is weak compared to the one he gives me in return.

I falter a little, like a young girl receiving her first crush. Nothing new. Maybe it's a matter of not being around good-looking guys much. Only Troy. And you'd think that'd be enough.

I watch him vanish into the darkness, getting into his exquisite car. I die in jealousy as he revs up his engine and flies down the street.

Evidently, I need to get a nice car.

My watch tells me it's passed midnight now. Troy must be sound asleep; I have no more texts from him.

The contract is still in my hand as I head up to my room. I place it on my desk and crawl into my warm bed, anxious to dive into a slumber.

However, as I turn off the lights, my mind begins to race. Dark, vicious thoughts encounter my mind. The world is evil now.

Neurotic, I look to the right of me, the window looking more terrifying than anything I've ever seen. All I can do is panic. What if he comes through the window? What if he breaks in?

Now I'm eyeing the closet, thinking he will pop out at me, like a child's worst nightmare. I ignore the tears that burn my eyes as I closed them tightly. No. I will not think these things.

I'm burying myself under the blankets, desperate to avoid this hell. Oh, how I wish I could be wrapped up in Troy Bolton's golden arms right now. I'm chilled to the bone and my heart is accelerating faster than the speed of light. The tears are never-ending. He's right beside me. I can feel him… I can sense him all over my body.


I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. It's Troy's ringtone.

I don't bother looking at the time. I imagine its daylight.

"El? I'm outside your house. Are you coming?" Concern dripping from his voice.

My eyes blink open rapidly as I frantically check my alarm clock. 7:30! I merely cuss to myself as I hang up the phone and run over to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, brushing out my hair. I look a mess and my eyes are bloodshot. I barely recollect falling asleep last night.

I throw on a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt, realizing there's no way I can look good in fifteen minutes. I'm a little humiliated and I still feel sticky and sweaty from the little sleep I got.

I run downstairs, ignoring the calls from Brooklyn. Troy's exemplary Audi is waiting on the side of the road, impatiently.

My hair is up in a messy bun. And I'm a mess.

With my backpack in my hands, I get in the passenger's seat.

Troy's looking at me with worried eyes. He looks great today, his hair clinging to his forehead as usual. His jeans are straight-legged as always. He's wearing a purple t-shirt that emphasizes his muscles. I'm even more ashamed when I look at him. Then look at myself.

"What's up?" He asks, putting his car into drive.

My eyes burn at the sunlight and I know they're watering. I grumble to myself and put on some sunglasses I grabbed from the kitchen table. Definitely not mine. Must be Brooklyn's.

"Gabriella, did you not set an alarm clock today?" Blue eyes ripping through me.

"I must have forgotten. I was really tired last night." I lie, hoping he doesn't see right through me.

Troy's not that keen. He just gives me a kiss on the cheek.

My cheek burns.

"How did you sleep?" I ask, trying to keep a conversation.

"Great. I dreamt of you," A cheesy grin and a wink causes me to redden.

If only I could dream of him. Then my sleep would be so wonderful every night. But a demon always interrupts my good thoughts.

"You know, I've been thinking… maybe I should get a haircut?" He suggests wildly.

I'm looking out the window, observing Albuquerque's mountains and desert.

Blue eyes meet brown eyes hastily. "Cut your hair? Why on earth would you even think such a thing?" I ask.

Troy's hair is well… gorgeous. Most guys would die to get hair like his. The way that it falls to his forehead so gracefully. How when he moves, it moves along with him. It's not too long, but not short. It's just right. And all the girls at school talk about it.

Troy seems insulted by my question. "Are you saying there are no good looks behind this hair?"

I want to burst out laughing so bad but I keep my laughter bubbled inside. "No, of course. You'd look great with short hair… it's just, in East High, your hair is legendary."

"Legendary?"

"You know, the way you sweep girls like me off their feet. It has a lot to do with your impeccable hairstyle. Beats out Justin Bieber's every time."

Troy makes a face. "Justin Bieber? Really? My hair was like this before he even became famous."

"I know. But people would be appalled if he cut his hair!"

"…. He did cut his hair. I think."

"And people were appalled!"

Troy shakes his head. "Who cares about Justin Biebs, El?"

"I'm just trying to explain, Troy. Your hair is pretty nice. Maybe one day you should cut it. But not today. I'm still getting used to it…" I run a hand through his hair dreamily as he keeps his eyes on the road.

I realize we're pulling into East High's parking lot. Troy gets out quickly, running to the passenger side so he can let me out. I give him a weak smile as he opens the door for me.

Such a gentlemen.

We walk together, side-by-side, through the hallway, heading towards my locker.

When we meet my locker, Troy already has that look on his face. That look that I love so much.

Within seconds, he's kissing me like it's only him and I in the world. Students pass, making faces and jokes. But he ignores them, our tongues coiling together in unison. Passion and fervency takes over and I'm running my hands through his crazy hair. I love his hair. I beg to the heavens he never picks up the scissors. Not without my consent.

And to my misfortune, the bell rings and the moment is broken. Of course, I want to talk to him about Brandon and the contract. But that seems too serious right now. We're both happy right here, consumed in the love we share for one another. Talking about Earl and the losses he's caused will only interrupt our bliss. I have to learn to appreciate the moments while I still have them… while I still have him.

"I love you Gabriella," He breathes, his eyes punching holes into my heart.

My heart and soul sings at his confession. "I love you too, wildcat."

And I watch him saunter away, admiring his every step.


Sitting in Trig, I'm bored out of my mind. Everybody is doing their homework or lost in conversation.

After tapping my pencil on the desk for the millionth time, the teacher makes her way towards my desk. I'm a little befuddled by her appearance.

"Gabriella? I just got this note for you." She says, handing me a pocket-sized letter.

She heads back to her desk while I unravel the piece of paper.

Please give this to Gabriella Montez and inform her that Principal Matsui would like to speak to her in his office sometime during/before/after class, preferably before lunchtime.

I read this again and again. For some reason, I'm a little lost. Why would the Principal want to talk to me? Did I do something wrong?

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I look up to my teacher. She gives me a nod, signaling that it's okay for me to go to the Principal's office.

My palms are sweating as I grab my backpack and get out of my seat. Kelsi gives me a worried glance, like maybe something's wrong. I know something's wrong. I'm so nervous. What have I done? Did Earl set me up, trying to get me in trouble?

The hallway is empty, everybody is in class. So white and red.

By time I approach the Principal's office, I've broke into complete diaphoresis. A little embarrassed, I quietly tip-toe into the secretary's office. To my surprise, Troy Bolton is sitting in one of the chairs.

"Troy?"

When Troy sees me, he gets up immediately, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "El, they sent you here too?"

"I have no idea why. Do you think Earl set us up? Or Sharpay? Or someone—"

"I'm sure it's nothing bad. We haven't done anything." Troy reasons as we both take a seat.

His blue eyes watch me for a second with apprehensiveness. Like I'm a fragile vase that could break any moment. "You look nervous."

"Of course I am! Who knows what could happen? What if we get expelled, for something we didn't do? Troy, I hoped to get into college and—"

"Gabriella. Relax. It's fine. We'll be okay. I promise." Troy's soothing smile eases me a little, but just not enough.

A few seconds pass and an older woman with a tight bun emerges from a room nearby. "Troy and Gabriella?" She asks. "Mr. Matsui waits for you." She leads us to a closed door and knocks softly.

"Come in," Principal Matsui replies.

Hesitantly, I follow Troy into the office. Principal Matsui directs us to the two chairs in front of his desk.

Obediently, we take a seat.

I cannot help but bite my fingernails in panic. What is this about? Troy, of course, looks as poised and as laid-back as ever. As if there's nothing to worry about. Sometimes his easygoingness just drives me crazy!

"Good afternoon." Matsui gives us a polite smile. "Ms. Montez, you seem a little nervous? Surely the two of you understand why I called for you?"

I shake my head. "No, we were actually just trying to figure that out."

Troy gives me a frown, like I shouldn't have cut to the chase. Should have been nicer. Oh, screw being nice. I have someone trying to kill me and my family!

"Ah… well, I'll start by first saying, I am deeply, deeply sorry about yesterday. I can't believe our staff here at East High would be so ignorant to not notice… to let someone drug your smoothie! It's awful. I'm taking precautions immediately, trying to figure out who to fire and…" Matsui rambles, his crow's-foot more noticeable.

And I believe him. He truly looks apologetic about everything. I realize that he must have called us down for that reason alone. The nurse must have talked with him.

"But… there were some students volunteering also, as you know." Matsui continues, looking away from us for a second. Then his eyes are back on us. "But you two, you're such great students. Gabriella, I would never suspect you to take the drugs yourself. You're exemplary and we are so honored to have you among our student body! This is why…" He pulls out a folder from the desk, finding a piece of paper crammed in the very middle. "I want you to look over these names and tell me if any of them, even just one… would be likely to hurt you."

I catch a glimpse of Troy's expression as Matsui hands me the paper. Blue eyes are on me and I feel a little overwhelmed going through the names listed on the paper.

Most of the names I recognize for they are in several of my classes. They're the know-it-all, the outstanding, academically-inclined geeks like me. They spend their days in the Chemistry lab or their nights studying their lives away. I can't even begin to blame any of them. They wouldn't dare hurt a soul.

My finger lands on a familiar name. Ryan Evans.

My eyes dart up, feeling a presence beside me. Troy is barely a centimeter away, also checking out the paper in my hands. His eyes find mine for a brief moment and I'm breathless. Beautiful blue oceans just melting me into the carpeting.

"Ms. Montez? Have you found one?" Matsui is impatient about all of this and doesn't support my fantasizing about Troy.

I break out of paradise and lift my eyes to meet my principal. "Ryan Evans is a possibility."

But a fraction of my brain says no way. Although Ryan is Sharpay's brother and a part of her group of cronies, Ryan is the most inactive person of the whole group. He wouldn't do something that drastic. He barely spoke a word to me as it is. He wouldn't have the gall to spike my smoothie. Or would he?

Even Troy looks skeptic over the idea.

I'm going down the list again, trying to find more suspects. However, there's no more I recognize. Martha is on the list but I know her, she's more of a friend then an enemy. Then again, do I even know my friends? Who's to say that Sharpay didn't hire someone to do her dirty work?

"I know it wasn't any of these, Principal Matsui. It was Earl! I know it was! Earl or Sharpay!" I burst out, unable to hold my thoughts in any longer.

"Gabriella, you don't know—"Troy begins to lecture at my erratic shouting.

"No, shut up, Troy!"

"Ms. Montez, there's no need for hostility…" Matsui cuts me off as Troy looks completely hurt that I would snap at him.

I'll admit, I never really snap. And I've just about had it.

"No, there is sir. I've spent my whole adolescent years being tortured by Sharpay and her group of friends. Then Earl comes in and he starts ruining my life. People I love are getting hurt. And now he's trying to kill me. It's either him or Sharpay. I know so."

"Well, Earl did go to Juvenile Detention for quite some time, has always been a violent child. I could view his file…"

"View his file? Seriously?" This is it. I'm done with this.

I get up from my chair, grabbing my backpack.

"Ms. Montez, please. We can work this out, help you find out who did this!"

"No. I know who can help me. And it's not you."


I wait patiently outside in the parking lot, my cell phone ringing for minutes at a time. And with no answer, I keep redialing and trying again. I must look obsessive, like some frantic lunatic who just lost her mind. My hands are shaking as I redial the number again.

"Hello?" Finally.

Relief washes over me. "Brandon! Thank God…"

"Gabriella? What in the world…? Aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"I'm at school." I clarify. "Brandon, I'm going to sign the contract."

"Um, are you sure? What about Troy, and your dad?"

"They'll get over it. They're not the one with some crazy person following them around. I just blew up on my principal because he was just going to look into Earl's file. There's no proof that it was Earl. But I know it was!"

"No proof of him doing what?" Brandon seems really confused. "You're speaking gibberish. Chill. And blowing up on your principal? Not cool."

"You have the money. All you need is for me to sign the contract."

"Yes… but you remember the rules and regulations. And I really need a place to crash. So it'd be great if you could talk to your dad. Is Earl following you now? Did you see him?" Brandon sounds a little worried.

"No… but I can feel him everywhere. He's probably watching me right now." I shiver in spite of the sunlight being right on me. "I had no sleep last night. I think I'm delusion and… hysterical."

"Maybe. Do you need a ride home or something? Are you not going back to class?"

I think for a second. Skipping class seems so… unlike me. And I know Troy would be furious.

"Gabriella?" My thoughts are clouded when a familiar, beautiful blue-eyed boy walks out the school's doors.

"I gotta go," I tell Brandon. "I'll call you about everything later."

"K… well, let me know. You got me worried now."

I click the end button on my phone, throwing it into my purse.

Troy approaches me, looking flustered. "El, what… what's going on?"

"Everything," I breathe, careless of his proximity to me. "I had no sleep last night, Troy. No sleep!"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what? That I have nightmares that he's trying to kill me, or trying to rape me? That he ends up killing you or my Mama or…" I go on, feeling the weight on my heart. "I'm scared. Scared to death. And I talked to Brandon last night… he e-mailed me the contract."

"Oh?" Troy looks a little interested, but that may be fake interest.

"I need to sign it. I'm going to my dad's tonight. I'm going to beg him, Troy. Beg him. I'm so desperate… and Matsui is not going to do anything!"

"You don't know that. He could." Troy always so positive.

"Yeah. Right. I'm serious. And Brandon needs somewhere to stay. I'm hoping my dad will be okay with him staying at our house." I watch Troy's face as he processes these words.

Troy keeps his face straight but I can tell by the way he's rubbing the side of his arm that he's not comfortable with this idea.

"I wanted to get your opinion but…" I look to my feet. "I'm scared."

But Troy, oh holy, golden Troy Bolton, moves in on me, closing the space between us. I become tongue-tied as his lips are so close to mine. He's towering over me. Then, he brings his forehead to meet my own. Completion consumes me as I look into his eyes.

"Gabriella," His voice is so effortlessly sexy. "I'll do anything to keep you safe. Anything to keep you away from Earl. And I… trust you." The words are forced, so I think they're hard for him to say. "I trust you with Brandon. He's an old friend."

For some bizarre reason, I thought Troy would handle this the opposite way. Figuring he'd stomp off in a storm of anger. The way he reacted with Eddie… and Eddie isn't even that good-looking. Definitely not like Brandon. Those shoulders and those dark eyes…

However, I'm blessed by Troy's understanding. Most boyfriends wouldn't dare let their girlfriends do this. Then again, this is for my safety. Troy just wants me to be safe.

Although it's the middle of the school day and time for lunch, Troy and I are outside of the school, stuck in each other's embrace. This is nothing new, kind of cliché. But I'm still honored to be that girl. The girl that stole his heart.

He leads me into the cafeteria and I'm more composed now.

As we advance towards our normal seats, I notice a new body sitting in one of them. Chad.

My eyes bounce back to Troy, who seems unaffected by this. Maybe he invited him?

Lately, Chad's been amiable, saying hi to me in the halls, asking what Taylor says to me about him. It's been a little time since I've considered Chad Danforth one of my worst enemies.

Still, I'm cautious of him. He could be pretending.

Troy and I take our usual seats.

"Hey, hope it's cool I invited Chad to sit with us today."

Though I enjoy having a one-on-one conversation with Troy, I nod my head, as if it's fine.

"Cool. I'm so sick of sitting by Sharpay and them. They always talk about boring stuff," Chad says, directing his comment to Troy. "She's getting on my nerves lately."

"Yeah, well I think I scared her the other day, so don't feel bad." Troy chuckles, his eyes sparkling as he looks over to me, proud of himself.

"Scared her?" Chad looks entertained.

"She actually thought I was going to hurt her or something. They took Gabriella's clothes and just… it was a lot of drama." Troy shook his head as I try to oppress such memories.

"Geez." Chad just rolls his eyes. "Glad I wasn't involved."

"El, you want some food today?" Troy asks, looking over towards the lunch line.

"Um… think I'm going to sit it out today." I confess, biting down on my bottom lip.

Chad raises an eyebrow, obviously clueless on what happened the other day.

"It's alright. I'll go up there, get us something. I'll even have the cook's double check." Troy winks at me.

I give him a constrained smile. "You know, it's really fine, I'm not so hungry…"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You'll be hungry when I come back!" He threatens, pointing a finger at me as he heads off towards the line.

It takes me a minute to discover it's just Chad and I.

Chad seems to be preoccupied by his cell phone. But eventually, his brown eyes look up.

"So… um," He looks a little lost on what to say, "I know I've been sort of an ass."

I can't even look at him when he says this. I so badly want to rip him to shreds but I decide to just be cool.

"And… you probably hate me for that. Sharpay told us a lot of stuff… about you, about Eric."

"Let me guess, that I killed Eric? Because why would I kill someone I was practically in love with, Chad?" My words are venom as I look Chad in the eyes finally.

Chad looks a little scared. "Hey, uh… never said that. I really liked you, Gabriella."

"Liked me? What are you talking about, Chad?"

He blushes a little, looking over to Troy in the lunch line. "I didn't want to go along with Sharpay and them. But I was a little mad because when Eric got here, you kind of just… dropped me."

"Dropped you? Chad… we were barely dating!" My eyes are wide as I cannot believe the conversation that's unfolding between us.

How I felt about Chad was a small crush, nothing too extreme. And I never thought he really even cared about me. Once Sharpay and he became close friends, he stopped talking to me. Though I will admit, that was around the time that Eric enrolled in school.

"You stopped talking to me!" I accuse him.

"I didn't. Eric enrolled and I could tell you really liked him! Then Sharpay said a bunch of stuff about you and I pretended to go along. I was so jealous. And… I'm sorry. Also sorry I kept it up for so long."

"Jealous? What? Chad, you didn't even like me."

"Gabriella," He whispers to where I have to lean in to hear him, "I was pretty much in love with you."


END OF CHAPTER

A/N: OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. Review for next chapter? :)