Gabriella felt like she was on top of the world for a minute. She got into her dream school and she got accepted into both programs she applied for. She kept applying for scholarships and grant money. She also opened three other acceptance letters from Stanford, Harvard, and Yale.

She was so excited she was going to New York for spring break. She hadn't brought it up to the Bolton's yet about possibly coming with her. She kind of wanted to go on her own and she suspected they were still leery about her father paying off their house. She couldn't really blame them.

Her Dad's house was almost complete when she went there last weekend with Troy. She showed her dad her acceptance and they went out to dinner. She let her mother know so she could rub it in Derby's face which Gabriella was completely supportive of. Sharpay called her shortly after and made her come over.

Gabriella was at her mother's house tonight. Her mother invited Troy over to have dinner with them. It was only mildly awkward but her mom was being friendly and dare she say normal. Normal was a bit of a stretch since this was her mother. Camilla seemed less grumpy and Mari seemed happier so something was happening in the house that was actually good.

She couldn't help but watch him as he had a conversation with her mother. They talked about college. He got accepted into San Diego State, Oregon State, and UCLA so far and he was pretty excited about it. He was just waiting on Berkeley, Columbia, and NYU. She wasn't too sure what his top pick would be.

After dinner they went up to the play room and sat on the new couch that was put in. Mariella and Troy were playing games and she just sat with them and hung out. Camilla was talking about school and her bitchy little friend group.

Camilla's phone vibrated as she got up to go to the bathroom. Gabriella picked it up, looking at the boy name that was on the screen. Austin. Who was Austin? She was curious. She ignored the call and opened her phone. She found texts and let out a breath of relief when she saw they were just talking about school. The last thing she wanted was some middle aged predator in her little sister's phone.

Camilla came back and Gabriella held out her phone. "Austin called you."

Camilla groaned. "He's my lab partner and he's kind of an idiot. I have to call him and make sure he's doing our project correctly. I'll be right back."

She walked out and Mariella paused the game to rush out of the room to the bathroom. Gabriella looked at Troy who was looking at the TV. Something has been off about him for the last week, since she had her first decathlon. It made her anxious. The last thing she wanted was for him to not want to hang out with her anymore.

"What?" Troy asked when he noticed she was looking at him.

"Nothing… was I staring? I'm sorry." She said quickly. He made a face. "What?"

"What's wrong?"

"I could ask you the same thing." She said softly.

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It feels… weird. We've never felt weird." Gabriella said, turning her body to face him. She wanted to get to the bottom of this. "Do you not want to hang out with me?"

"Of course I want to hang out with you."

"Then what's wrong?"

Troy shook his head. "What are you talking about?" Mariella asked, walking back into the room. Gabriella sighed. She'd have to wait, again.

"Are you ready to play?" Troy asked. "This is going to be my last game then I'll probably go home."

"Aw, okay." Mariella started the game again as Gabriella turned to face the TV. She leaned her head in her hand. She closed her eyes and opened them when she felt him get up. "Thanks for playing with me, Troy!"

"Any time, Mari."

"Oh! I have something for you… what we talked about. It's ready." Mariella rushed up and out of the room.

"What is it?" Gabriella asked curiously. Troy shrugged non-comittally.

Mariella bounced back into the room and handed him an envelope. "Tell me what you think… but open it at home."

He gave her a soft smile. "Thank you." He looked over at Gabriella who was staring at the envelope curiously. "I'll just see myself out."

"Please, my mother would kill me if I let you do that." Gabriella got up.

He grabbed the keys to his truck out of his pocket as they walked out of the room. They were quiet as they walked to the front door. He turned to her after he'd opened it. He leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Gabriella held the door as she watched him walk to his truck. This was too weird and she didn't like it. She needed to know what was going on and now. She closed the door behind her and ran to his passenger's side. She pulled the door open and got in.

"What-"

"What is going on? Did I do something?" She asked, turning to face him.

"No, it's not you."

"It feels like it's me. Just tell me please?" She said softly.

He looked forward and he couldn't look at her. He swallowed. "I just… I feel ridiculous because I did what we said we weren't going to do at the beginning of the year. I'm not sure I can push it aside anymore."

"Troy, what are you talking about?" Gabriella asked, completely confused. "What did we say we weren't going to do?"

"Well it wasn't said but it was implied. You've made it very clear that you don't want a relationship. I know I wasn't supposed to fall for you since we're both going off to college in less than six months. I love you and I would give anything to get the chance for a real relationship with you. I know you don't want to break my heart so I think I just need some distance to get back into the friendship mentality."

He gathered the courage to face her. The tears what were forming in her eyes felt like a punch in the gut. "Troy…"

"I'm sorry If I ruined everything but I can't repress it anymore. It feels like I'm going to go crazy. We can still hang out… just give me some time to get a clear head."

Gabriella wiped her cheeks, blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall. "If that's what you need, then okay." She swallowed thickly. "I'll see you at school then." He nodded half heartedly as she turned to climb out of the truck.

Troy watched as she made her way inside. He felt ill about everything. He knew for his self he needed to put up a boundary but he hated that he made her cry. He hated the thought of not seeing her every day. He hated the fact that she probably wouldn't want to sleep over anymore. He just wanted to love her and be loved in return but that wasn't going to happen.

He started his truck and made his way down to his house from The Ridge.

Gabriella kept herself busy to avoid her feelings. It was one thing she was particularly good at. Right now, her focus was on Academic Decathlon, The Spring Talent Show, and The Sadie Hawkins dance that was Valentine's Day weekend.

At East High, each class threw one dance of the year. Sophomores threw the "Hello" dance at the beginning of the year, all classes planned homecoming, Juniors threw Winter Ball, Seniors got the Sadie's dance, and the Freshman get to throw the "Goodbye" dance which is the pity dance for the underclassmen because they don't have prom.

Junior/Senior Prom was at the end of May. The upperclassmen decided to do it together so they can throw a big beautiful bash with a large budget. She was thankfully not on the prom committee but Taylor was telling the decathlon team about it. It was going to be 'The Last Waltz.' The sentiment made her sad that she was leaving East High.

The Sadie's dance was going to be fun. The budget was kind of low so it was just going to be in the gym. The theme was just going to be Love. The students were going to have to wear Red, Pink, and Or White. Most importantly, the girls were asking the guys to the dance.

Gabriella wanted to ask Troy but they were still distancing themselves. They hung out during free period and at lunch but after school they went their separate ways. She didn't think it would be that hard but she missed him so much. He stopped calling her cupcake. He dodged her kisses and didn't hold her hand to class. To get him off her mind, she signed up for the Spring Talent show which was mid-March, right before she left for spring break in New York.

She looked at their pictures every day in her locker and decided that she was going to ask him. If he said no, that's fine. She didn't have to go. If He said yes then they would have fun together as friends. She had the perfect idea. She baked cupcakes, frosted them. She made little letters that spelled out 'Sadies?' on the six cupcakes.

The execution was sloppy but she thought they were perfect. They were wrapped in a box for the Monday before the dance. She was still feeling the high from her Academic Decathlon championship that they won the Friday before. It'd been almost a whole month since they "distanced" themselves. It wasn't any easier.

She walked excitedly into the school. She held the cupcakes safely. She was going to wait until free period to ask. She pushed open the door and saw him by his locker. Her stomach bubbled up in excitement. She walked up to him. "Hi."

He jumped in surprise. He smiled when he saw her. "Hey, Gabs."

"How are you?" She asked.

"I'm alright, tired, this morning. How are you? Congratulations by the way. My dad said that you guys won on Friday? Sorry I couldn't make it. I was helping my Nana clean out her attic."

"Thank you! It's okay. I'm okay, I was stuck with my sisters all weekend so the usual." She said with a shrug.

"How are they?"

"Good! Mari keeps trying to get your number out of my phone so she can call you to come over and play with her." Troy chuckled. "What are you doing free period?"

"Studying for my math test, wanna help me study?"

Gabriella grinned. "Sure. Meet me in the Library?"

"Sounds good."

A commotion from the end of the hall sounded as two cheerleaders jumped and squealed. "We're going to Sadies!"

Troy chuckled, shaking his head as she turned back to him. "Anybody asked you to Sadie's?" Gabriella asked curiously.

"My lab partner, Jessica Preston."

Gabriella looked up at him. "You're going to Sadies with Jessica?"

"I told her I would think about it and let her know on Tuesday… well tomorrow."

Gabriella swallowed with a small frown. "Oh cool. I'll see you in the Library during free period. I have to put these in my locker."

"Trrrrrooooooyyyyy." Sharpay Evans came around the corner with two people holding a poster board that read 'Troy, will you go to Sadies with me?' Gabriella felt herself get angry. She stopped to watch this go down. Sharpay winked at her. "Troy! Will you go to Sadie's with me?" She asked aloud.

Gabriella looked to Troy. Troy looked away from Sharpay to look at Gabriella. Troy looked back to Sharpay then nervously at the people coming in. "Hey, can I talk to you over here?" Troy asked Sharpay.

"Just answer, yes or no?" She said with a forced smile. "It will be really fun."

Troy swallowed, stepping closer. "Sorry, Sharpay. I don't want to go to the dance with you."

Sharpay frowned. "What?"

"I don't-"

She slapped him across the face. Gabriella wanted to punch her in the face. "I heard you the first time." Sharpay turned quickly and slapped the poster board out of the people's hands behind her. They gathered it quickly then followed her.

Gabriella frowned. "Are you okay?"

He let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, I'm good." He rubbed his cheek before closing his locker and walking away.

Gabriella rushed to her locker. She put her stuff away and left the cupcakes in there. She felt nervous now. He was probably going to reject her the same way. She went to homeroom and made it through her first half of the day before free period started. She grabbed the cupcakes and her government book and headed to the Library.

She took a seat and opened her book as she waited for him. He came in, taking a seat next to her. "Hey." He greeted quietly.

She smiled at him then frowned when he noticed the mark on his cheek. It reminded her of when her mother slapped her and she ended up at Troy's house. He held her and kissed the pain from her face. She wanted to do that for him.

"I have a pink mark, huh?" He guessed, rubbing his cheek. "Damn it. Oh, well. So Algebra is kicking my ass and I need your assistance."

She let out a breath. "Of course, anything you need."

He flipped open his math book and pointed to the equation he was struggling with. She talked him through it, explaining the steps and why. He caught on pretty quickly realizing it was basically the same as another thing he learned at the beginning of the year just with some added steps. She glanced at her watch as free period was coming to an end.

"What's this?" Troy asked, tapping the box with his pencil just before he put it away.

"Oh, yeah. Um," Gabriella untied the box. "I know you've already gotten asked twice and once already today but I wanted to know if you wanted to go to the Sadie's dance with me?" She asked, opening the box to show him the cupcakes she made that spelled 'Sadies?'

"Oh," He frowned and her stomach sank. "I didn't know you wanted to go… let alone with me."

"Why wouldn't I want to go with you?" She asked quietly.

He shrugged. "I told Jessica that I would go with her this morning after I said no to Sharpay."

"That's great." She said with a tight smile. "You guys will have a good time. It's gonna be fun."

"Are you going?"

"Probably not anymore. I have to work on stuff for the talent show and the yearbook deadline is coming up." She excused. She pulled a cupcake out. "Here, enjoy. I have to get ready for class. I'll see you later."

"Gabs." He called as she closed the box. She got up and picked up her book and the cupcakes. She smiled at him to let him know she was fine before she turned around and walked out of the Library.

As her cheeks burned with embarrassment, she held her head up high and went to her locker. "Hey Gabs!" She heard Chad walking over. "Guess what?"

"What's up, Chad?" She asked, opening up the door to her locker.

"Taylor asked me to Sadie's."

"No way, that's awesome!" Gabriella said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I got to tell Troy. Have you seen him? I was thinking, me, Taylor, you and Troy can all get dinner before we go to the dance."

"He was in the Library… I'm not going to the dance… but I'm sure he and Jessica Preston will get dinner and go to the dance with you guys." She said.

Chad frowned. "Wait, what? You didn't ask him?"

"I asked him. He said no. He already said yes to Jessica." Gabriella explained. She opened the box. "Want a cupcake? Here." She pulled one out for him, handing it over. Chad frowned again. "You guys are going to have a great time." She pulled a cupcake out for herself. She put the box in her locker and closed it. "See you around."

Gabriella held the stupid cupcake with an A on it, making her way passed the cafeteria towards the English wing. "Gabs!" Oh god. Who was it now? She turned around to see Jack.

"Hey Coach." She missed Jack Bolton. They had some great conversations.

"Where ya been?"

"Oh, you know… around." Gabriella tried to joke with him.

"You okay?" He asked. She shrugged. She had a lot of feelings but didn't know how or where to process them. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm okay. I'm not particularly the happiest right now but we'll see how the day progresses."

"You have a cupcake. It can't be too bad."

"Do you want it? Please take it. I have more in my locker. I made them last night." She handed it over to him.

"What is the A for?" Jack wondered.

"Gabi is a dumb idiot." She said jokingly. Finally the bell rang and she has never been so happy to get to class. "I gotta go, see you later Coach Bolton."

Gabriella went to her last class before lunch. For lunch, she hid in her car and had a nice emotional cry to herself. She pulled herself together ten minutes before the warning bell rang. She reapplied her make-up and got a minute to write down some lyrics that were floating around in her head. Gabriella trudged through the rest of her school day.

She stopped by her locker and grabbed some books for her homework and her box of cupcakes. She drove to her dad's house, parking in the driveway in her spot. Her dad's house was her new solace since she didn't hang out at Troy's. The girls were mostly with her mom. Her dad was mostly back at work. She was alone and it was mildly comforting to have that freedom when she was feeling so emotional. She set her stuff down as she walked in. She took the cupcakes to the kitchen she still had to clean up.

Her mind numbed as she scrubbed the surfaces, wiping them down. She washed her hands before opening her box of cupcakes. 'Sadie's?' shortened to 'die' with the missing cupcakes. How ironic. She peeled off the letters, eating them before putting the cupcakes in the display with the rest of the ones she baked. She ditched her work for the moment to walk over to the piano that was in her mother's living room but now it was in her father's den. She took a seat started playing.

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