"So, I was thinking I really need to work on my German accent." Troy said when he walked up to Gabriella first thing in the morning. She was organizing, crumpling the random piece of paper that she found within her locker.

She turned to him and smiled. "I agree. I do as well. I bought German language learning software so I think that will help a little bit."

"Maybe this weekend we can start that." Troy said, reaching over to play with her braid.

She nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"Did you call your dad?"

She shook her head, wincing slightly at the subject. "Well, I tried but he was in a meeting, of course. If he knows what's good for him then he would talk to me. I might just have to pay him another visit." She licked her lips.

"Gabi!" A loud voice said. Gabriella turned to look at the blonde next to her. "I am soooo excited to see you at dinner tonight! We have so much to talk about… Cabaret…" She glanced at Troy next to her. "Oh hey, Troy!" She reached over to touch his arm. "How's basketball?"

Troy smiled. "I quit."

"Oh, boo." She gave him a fake soft pout. "That's too bad. I was wondering how you were juggling it all. Now you can give your full attention to the musical. You would have made a wonderful Cliff Bradshaw! Right, Gabi? I was telling her weeks before auditions… You could always step into the role. I'm sure James wouldn't mind switching places with you."

"No, that's alright." Troy said, but Sharpay just spoke over him.

"I'll go tell Miss Darbus if you'd like… By the way Gabi, she is kind of pissed that you left the yesterday.. sent her reeling." Sharpay flipped her hair back, hitting Troy in the face. He took a cautious step toward Gabriella and away from the blonde. "Anyway, after dinner tonight you should come with me to the party… Owen told me he invited you when he invited me. It's at one of his pot smoking friend's houses."

"Like I told Owen, I'm not going." She said, taking her Trig book out of her locker before shutting it with a soft slam. She glanced at the watch on her wrist. Troy noticed the new accessory and made a note in his brain to ask her about it. "I want to be early to talk to Darbus about my punishment so, I've got to go."

Gabriella turned to walk away and reached over for Troy. He gladly took her hand. "See ya." He said to Sharpay as Gabi pulled him away. He let go of her hand and placed his on her lower back. She slid hers into his back pocket, squeezing his ass secretly. "Nice watch." He commented, making their way through the hallway.

"Thanks." She said softly. "This morning I woke up with it on my desk. Mari got a new Ipod and Camilla got a new Laptop. It's gold." She said, lifting her wrist to show him. "From Daddy." She said with a roll of her eyes.

Troy shook his head. "At least you didn't smash it."

"I was thinking about it, just throwing it out the window on the freeway. But, it's beautiful and I fell in love with it as I kept looking at it." She sighed. "I wonder who picked it out."

Troy just shrugged. "Well you can ask him when you call him."

"I suppose." She stood on her tip toes to kiss his mouth. "Good Morning."

Troy grinned, cupping the back of her neck and leaned down to kiss her again. "Good Morning." He reciprocated.

She smiled, leading him inside the room. Troy took his seat as Gabriella approached Miss Darbus. He watched as she spoke to Darbus quietly, moving her hands for emphasis. He imagined she was speaking with the charm and passion that reeled him in many months ago. Once the bell rang, Gabriella took a seat at her desk. She rolled her eyes in his direction.

At Lunch, Troy wandered through the halls in search of his father. He pushed open the door to the gym. His father was nowhere in sight, but Chad Danforth was. He was bouncing the basketball with his back facing Troy. Troy watched as Chad took a shot, the ball swooshing through the net. He chased after the ball, taking a double take at Troy.

"Bolton." Chad acknowledged.

"Chad." Troy said, taking a step toward him. "How have you been?"

Chad shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, I guess. What about you?"

"I've been good." Troy said with a nod. He looked up to face Chad.

"Look-" They both spoke at the same time.

"You can go." Troy said, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

Chad sighed, bouncing the ball in his hands once. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I shunned you out and I shouldn't have done that."

"I wanted to say that I'm sorry too. I ditched all my friends at the beginning of senior year without giving you guys a reason. I'm sorry for leaving you out in the dark, but I just felt like you would try to change my mind and I would listen to you." Troy cleared his throat. "I didn't mean to ditch you. I was just tired of living under the coach's thumb and if I had to endure another basketball season then I would go crazy."

Chad sighed. "I knew you were losing it. During summer, I barely saw you and you wouldn't answer my calls. When coach called the beginning of the year meeting and told us that you weren't coming back, I'm not going to lie, I felt betrayed. The whole team did. You were our leader, our rock, and our glue. Our team is just not a team anymore and I was trying to keep it all together. I got really mad and I still kind of am."

"I don't blame you." Troy sighed.

"Coach and I talked it over at the beginning of the week. Actually, he sat us all down and talked about you. He's happy you're not ignoring him anymore. I could tell it was killing him." Chad said, rolling the basketball in his hands. "He says you're not going to U of A"

"Well I applied there, but I'm thinking about California or New York."

"That's a long way from home."

Troy nodded. "I know. It's an adventure that I need to have. I can't go to U of A and live at home and get coached on the sidelines from my dad. I need freedom. I crave freedom." Troy said with a smile. "I am so excited and happy. I've skipped school, I've spent time in detention with Ms. Darbus, and I've got a kind of girlfriend."

"Kind of?" Chad asked with a smirk.

Troy tried to bite back a smile. "Yeah."

"How'd you even end up hanging out with Gabriella Montez?" Chad asked.

"Detention actually."

Chad laughed. "Gabriella Montez got detention? I find that very hard to believe."

Troy nodded with a slight laugh. "I know. She's all cool, calm, and collected but she has a mouth that gets her in trouble."

"And that hypnotizes basketball captains… I remember you following her around last year after the bullying assembly."

Troy frowned. "You noticed."

"Of course I noticed." Chad laughed. "I followed you, following her around. I never thought you guys would end up being detention buddies."

Troy smiled at the term. "She's pretty amazing… I guess she always was but getting to know her…" Troy trailed off. "Getting to know her is like a whole other world."

"I'm glad you're happy man."

"Thanks, Chad. I'm sorry again."

"Me, too." Troy turned to walk out the gym.

"Hey, Bolton?" Troy stopped, looking at his friend. "Coming to the Halloween party next Friday?"

"I wouldn't miss it." Troy said, grinning as he walking out of the gym.

Gabriella pulled out her phone during lunch. She was standing on the roof alone. She prayed her Dad would actually pick up this time. She paced as the phone rang in her ear. She'd thought long and hard about what she was going to say. There was a small voice in her head telling her that blackmailing him would just make her more like her father. She was, though, her father's child.

"Montez."

"Hi dad." Gabriella said, thanking god he actually answered the phone.

"Bunny, I'm sorry I missed your call before." Her father said. She detected a hint of nervousness in his voice. "I was really busy… in a meeting, an actual meeting." He was quick to claim.

She smirked. "I understand you're busy."

"I'm sorry, Bunny, that you walked in on me. I'm not proud of what I've done and I take full responsibility of my actions. Did you tell your mother?" He asked quietly.

"No." Gabriella said, sighing, she took a seat on the bench. "I told you I wouldn't."

"Good, good. She should hear it from me…" Her father trailed off.

"Dad." She said, trying to get his attention back.

"Gabi."

"In a couple weeks, Julliard is holding auditions for their music program… I got a spot…. Dad. They want me to audition."

"Julliard? Gabriella, what did I tell you before about Julliard?"

"You said that music doesn't pay the bills." She repeated, annoyed. "But there is a chance that it could. There's a chance that I could go to school and network with these amazing talented people and I could be one of those lucky ones. I could pay my bills, Mari and Camilla's bills, dad. It is something that I have a passion for and there is no chance in hell I'm turning down this opportunity to live my dream because Daddy said no."

"We agreed that you'd go to Stanford, Gabriella."

"No, Dad. You and mom… maybe not even mom, but you decided that I should go to Stanford." Gabriella aimed to keep herself calm. "With or without your permission or blessing, I am going to auditions."

"You're eighteen. There is no way in hell that my eighteen year old daughter is going to meander the streets of New York by herself. It's one thing when you're in college, but you're still in high school and you live under my roof and you're not going alone."

She groaned, frustrated. She took a deep breath to compose herself. "I really didn't want to do this dad. I'm going to New York, with or without you. If you try to stop me, then I'm going to tell mom."

"Gabriella."

"I didn't want to do this. You made this decision to fuck Mrs. Evans when you know your wife is friends with her and I have to endure a weekly dinner with those people. I mean, come on dad. If you're going to cheat on mom, couldn't it be with someone we don't know?" Gabriella swallowed. "There's lots of differences between you and mom. Mom is here, I see her every day. She doesn't give me, Cami, or Mari the time of day unless she needs something. You, on the other hand, I never see you. It's like you live on the other side of the world. You don't call us every night, or check in. But that once in a while when we do get to see you, you actually care. You ask us questions, and get to know us, at least a little bit. I don't know how you and mom made three great kids then treat us like we're disposable."

"Bunny." Her father's voice said softly after her voice cracked. Her eyes welled up and her throat was tight. But he needed to hear what she had to say. She didn't want to burst out in tears. "Bunny, I'm sorry."

"Yeah," She said trying to swallow the lump. "You should be, especially to Mariella. She still actually likes you. I never, ever want her to feel like she's disposable."

"God, damn it." Her father said under his breath. "I don't know what to say other than sorry."

"Say that you'll take me to New York. Say that you're going to take a weekend off. Say that my sisters can come too. Say that you won't turn your phone on the whole time. Say it, Dad. Please." Gabriella begged.

"Gabriella, I have to go. I'll be home tonight."

"We're going over to the Evans' for dinner." Gabriella said flatly.

"I'll be home tomorrow and we'll discuss details." Her father said with a sigh.

"Fine. If I don't hear from you by Friday, I will be back in your office."

"Go to class Gabriella."

"Bye Dad." She said, hanging up her phone.

Gabriella sat back on the bench, wiping her eyes. She pulled a mirror out of her purse and checked her face over. She sighed, shaking her head to herself. She needed to see Troy. She wanted a hug and he gave the best hugs. She put her mirror away and grabbed her backpack. She pushed open the door and made her way down the hallway.

After School, Gabriella was in Detention with Mrs. Darbus. It wasn't much of a detention because she basically did her homework, painted sets and memorized her lines. They were opening in three weeks and closing in five. She could not wait for this play to be over with. She sat alone in the corner, after she was finished with her homework, memorizing lines. Troy was on the other side of the theatre, painting the set.

She'd look up every now and again to see her blonde best frenemy talking to him. Troy looked like he wanted to actually punch her in the face. Damn, she couldn't blame him. She couldn't hear what Sharpay was saying but she could only imagine. Troy looked back at her, Gabriella waived to him with a wiggle of her fingers. He looked over at Mrs. Darbus, who had her back turned to the whole situation and he flipped her the bird.

Gabriella laughed out loud, going unnoticed by the chatty cast of Cabaret. She got up, deciding to save him. She skipped down to the stage, climbing up stage right. "Bolton, I told you, we need to rehearse." She said reaching over for him. "Sharpay, he hasn't learned any of his lines yet."

Sharpay gasped dramatically. "Troy! You should be off book by now! We open in three weeks! We have dress rehearsal in a week and a half. Everything is supposed to be perfect!"

"Oh man, I probably shouldn't paint sets anymore. It looks like I'll have to rehearse with Gabriella." Troy said, reaching over for her hand. Gabriella grabbed it quickly. "Sorry." He shrugged, setting the paint brush down before walking off with her.

Gabriella giggled, kissing his cheek. "Sorry, it took so long."

"I'm just glad you saved me. She's freaking nuts. I don't know how you've dealt with her for so long." Troy murmured, sitting down with Gabriella by her script.

"Tell me about it. I ignore half the things she says. She's pretty cool sometimes though." Gabriella shrugged. "When it's not play season, or she's fucking my boyfriend, or if I'm really bored at dinner and she's the only one I can talk to."

Troy put his arm around her. "I really don't know many of my lines."

"It's fine, you have three weeks. This isn't Broadway." She nibbled on her lip, looking at the script then at him. "I just want to sneak away and make out."

Troy smirked at her. "You're so naughty, Gabriella Montez."

"You just bring it out in me, TB. It's your fault for being so damn cute."

Troy scoffed. "Cute? You think I'm cute?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Men don't want to be cute. They want to be handsome… or sexy." He wiggled his eyebrows for emphasis.

"I think you're cute… and handsome… and sexy." She whispered, slowly getting closer to his ear. She gave his cheek a soft kiss before biting his earlobe. He instantly felt the tightness in his jeans. She pulled away quickly, finding the teacher with her eyes. Luckily, when Mrs. Darbus was in Play or musicale mode, she was pretty much oblivious to everything else. She lifted the script to cover their faces. She kissed his mouth hard. "I can't wait for the day that I get to explore more."

Troy swallowed. "Me too." He said reluctantly. He cursed himself internally. He had a full on hard on in the middle of musical rehearsal from nothing but her. They had to pull apart quickly after due to the choreographer wanting to work on their song.

A week later, Gabriella got home after a grueling dinner with the Evan's family. Mrs. Evans was still being weird and Sharpay wouldn't shut up. Camilla had to endure the torture of dinner this time so having her little sister was a good buffer. She sat down at the piano downstairs. It was tucked away in a living room that nobody went into except for special occasions. She played a little tune, warming up her fingers.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her fingers started to fly over the keys, making a familiar melody she memorized so long ago. Her piano teacher made her memorize a bunch of Tchaikovsky pieces; November from the Seasons being one of her favorites.

"Gabriella, Honestly? Its time for bed." Her mother said loudly.

She jumped in surprise. "Jesus, I'm almost done."

"Go to bed."

"No." She turned back to the piano and continued the piece. This time she played full out, hitting each key purposefully to make the most sound. She wrapped up the last note before her mother slammed the cover down over the keys. "What the fuck? You almost broke my fingers."

"Go to bed. Fucking listen for once in your life."

"Grow up, Mom. Learn how to be a parent and then you can talk to me." She got up, enraged.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" Her mother said, putting her hand on Gabriella's shoulder to turn her around.

Gabriella pushed her mother's hand away. "You don't give a shit about me or my sisters. All you care about is your fucking self. I can't wait to graduate so I can get as far as fucking possible away from you. I hope Dad takes my sisters, sells the house, and leaves you with nothing. That's what you fucking deserve. Nothing, so unless you want to… I don't know stop being a narcissistic bitch and take care of your fucking kids like a real mother is supposed to do, leave me the fuck alone. I'm not going to dinner with the Evans' anymore. I'm not taking the girls when you throw a fucking party for no reason. I'm not going to be their mom and Rose shouldn't have to either."

"I'm going to call your father."

"Oh I hope the fuck you do. I would love to see that. Please call him." Gabriella retorted. Before she could even react, her mother reached up and slapped her across the face.

"Mom… what the hell?!" Camilla asked, walking into the room.

"Cami, go upstairs." Gabriella said, surprising herself about how calm she was. She took a deep breath. "Now Camilla."

She stared at her mother's shocked expression as she listened to Camilla run up the stairs. "Gabriella, I-"

"Fuck you. I can't wait for the day where I never have to see you again." Gabriella turned and walked out of the room.

She let out a breath and walked up to her room. She grabbed the biggest suitcases she had and folded her favorite clothes carefully in them. She didn't give a shit about the expensive purses or jewelry. She wanted two or three pairs of shoes, her clothes, some underwear, bras and socks. She grabbed her laptop and her chargers.

She paced around the room trying to think of her next move. She could just fly to New York. She'd figure out how to survive until college started. She could call Troy. She didn't want to get him in trouble with his parents. She could call her dad. It was doubtful he would even answer or provide a decent solution. She just had to get out of this toxic fucking house.

Gabriella grabbed her suitcase, backpack, and purse. She dragged it all down the stairs. She slammed the front door behind her. She put her suitcase in the trunk and got in her car. She sped away from The Ridge and went to the only place she found some sense of sanity. East High. She parked in her spot and climbed out to sit on the hood of her car. She stared at the brick wall of the school, hoping to find some kind of solace or clarity.

It was almost eight thirty and it was dark already. She was probably hoping for something that wasn't coming. The only good thing that has happened is that she didn't cry. She couldn't cry. She wasn't going to cry for something that wasn't worth her tears.

"Ms. Montez?" She froze. "What are you doing here?"

"Um, hi, Coach. I was, um, just sitting here."

He observed her. She took deep calming breaths. "Are you okay?"

"Physically, yes. Mentally, debatable. Emotionally, probably not." She licked her dry lips. "I'm going to leave, I just needed to come here. It's weirdly the only place where I feel like a normal human being other than being with-"

He smiled as she stopped. "Would you like to come over and talk about it? You don't have to talk to me but maybe with Troy?"

"I don't want to bother you. You've been here for like fourteen hours and I don't want to-"

"I think Troy would kill me if I left you here in the dark when you are upset." He stepped closer to me. "No judgment from me. I don't even have to be a part of the conversation. I assume you're here because you don't want to be at home. I'm not going to let you sit out here in the dark. You are more than welcome at my home. Anytime."

Now that made Gabriella want to cry. She took another deep breath. "Thank you."

eeeeek. I know it's been two years. I'm sorry. I've been writing so much this horrid year and I got renewed inspiration for this story. I have five chapters ahead of this one. I'm hoping to keep the momentum and finally get a good finish to this story. Thank you all for your patience. I hope to update you all soon.

Please don't forget to review! :)