Chapter 9

Ryan's p.o.v

My heart races as Gabriella walks into my 3rd period. She doesn't look at me or Taylor; instead she sits in the corner of the room. Maybe she's calmed down. Taylor turns around and waves at her. Gabriella looks at her and smiles, she raises her hand as if to wave, but turns it into flicking Taylor off. A good ol' FUCK YOU. Taylor quickly turns around and looks at me. She's frowning. I guess it must be hard losing your best friend. The period goes by quick. Introductions, guidelines and expectations. All of which will be ignored in the future. The bell rings. Every one rushes to find their new classes. Taylor looks at me and nods her head. We walk over to Gabriella, whose putting something in her purse. She gets up and sees us.

"What?" she snaps

"We just wanna talk" I say, walking closer to her.

She's still scared, she's walking backwards as I walk forward.

"Somehow, Troy has the impression that you don't like me, in fact he thinks you may have spread some nasty little rumors about us" I say in my falsely sweet voice

"If you have a point, I'd advise you get to it" she says

I walk forward until Gabriella is pressed against the wall.

"Two minutes" Taylor says

That's all I need. I lean in as close as I can to Gabbi.

"Well, next time you open your little mouth and say shit about me or my boyfriend… I will end you." I whisper.

She looks scared a little and then looks back at me she walks forward.

"Show me, queer" she whispers back

I wanna hit her in the face. Calm down; don't let her see you get angry.

"You just asked for something you're gonna regret" Taylor says

Gabbi turns to Taylor. She opens her mouth to talk. But Taylor stops her.

"Before you respond, unlike Ryan, I'm a girl. And I WILL hit you." She says "go on"

Gabbi looks back from me and Taylor. She pushes past me and rushes out the door. I wait awhile and turn to Taylor. She's beaming.

"Oh god, that was hard." She says

I hug her

"Thanks Ty" I say

"No problem, anything for you" she says "alright let's get going, the show starts in about thirty seconds.

She's talking about 4th period, which everyone but Zeke and Kelsi are in. we rush down the halls, up the stairs, past the lockers and into the class room, just in time for the bell. Sharpay waves us over her way. Taylor sits next to Sharpay and I, naturally, set next to Troy. Gabriella sits by her self, next to an empty seat. She notices me and looks away, smiling. Whatever, I don't have time for her, not with Troy looking so sad. He's staring out the window and his eyes are puffy. Has he been crying? I turn around.

"Troy?" I ask "Troy!"

He snaps back to earth and looks at me. He gives me a weak smile. Oh no.

"What's wrong?" I ask

He goes back to looking out of the mirror.

"I'm off the team, Ry" he says

WHAT! No, no, no this is NOT true. How could this happen? Basket ball is all Troy has. God, I've caused too many problems. Without thinking, I reach for Troy's hand and give it a small squeeze. He looks at his hand and then at me. He quickly looks around and brings my hand to his lips. I smile, knowing he's not mad at me.

"How could this happen?" I ask

"My dad" he simply responds.

"Wow, what an ass! A dumbass at that, there's no way the team's gonna make it with out you" I say

"Oh, yes they will" he says giving a fake smile

"Who can take your place?" I ask

Just as Troy's about to tell me, the answer walks in the door. Chad. He looks different with out his hair. Everybody waves at him and girls flock him, it's like he's…Troy. How quick, everyone can change. One minute, Troy's the best thing to hit New Mexico. Now it's Chad. Chad's the new golden boy. This is low, even for coach Bolton. He sees Taylor and comes our way. But there are no seats. He blows a kiss at Taylor catches it. Their tooth achingly sweet. Taylor loves him though, so that's all that matters. Chad looks at Troy and doesn't say anything. I can see the guilt on his face. He scans the room for a free seat. There's only one, next to Gabriella. He walks to the seat and Gabriella turns to look at Taylor. She smiles and turns back around. Taylor's jaw drops. Sharpay notices.

The class moves quickly, and lunch is hear in no time. We all sit together. Taylor nervously taps her foot.

"Where is he?" she ask

"Taylor calm down, you're obsessed with him or something" Sharpay says

"I'm not obsessed, I just, well he usually comes to lunch, and I mean, come on it's the first day" she says

"He's probably at the gym; all the starters have to go there for lunch on the first day" Troy says, looking at the table.

Kelsi rubs his back. Suddenly Sharpay stands up. We all turn to see what she's looking at…Gabriella. Gabbi walks to our table. She looks at Taylor.

"Where's Chad?" she ask as she sits down next to Troy.

Troy gets up and moves to the other side of me, leaving me next to Gabbi. He places his hand on my shoulder and smiles at Gabbi. She looks pissed. I get up. Troy puts his arm around my waist and quickly pecks my neck. I smile at Gabbi. She quickly looks away for awhile then turns back to us and smiles. She leaves her lunch were it is and stands up.

"Must suck for your dad" she says looking at me and Sharpay, who's now standing "I mean, he got a whore for a wife, a fag for a son and a slut for a daughter… no wonder he left"

Without hesitation, Sharpay slaps Gabriella across the face. The upper cafeteria freezes.

Gabriella places her hand on her face. Sharpay raises her hand and slaps her again. Gabriella finally moves out of Sharpay's reach and runs down the stairs, past everyone staring at her. Sharpay follows her, but I grab her arm.

"Let her go" I whisper, my voice is dead

Troy wants to hug me, I can see it on his face, but he doesn't, he can't, not here. Sharpay closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and smiles.

"Well, I've gotta go find Zeke" she says

"Chad shouldn't be too far behind, I'll come with you" Taylor says as they walk down the stairs and towards the gym.

Troy and Kelsi stare at me. Oh god I hate when it gets like this.

"I'm fine!" I say, before they can ask.

"You sure?" Kelsi ask

"Yes, let's just go!" I say

We walk the halls. We decide to go to the auditorium only to find Gabbi talking to Mrs. Darbus. Kelsi doesn't waste any time.

"Whatever she's saying is a lie!" Kelsi says

Mrs. Darbus turns around and frowns

"Well, Mrs. Montez was only telling me she would not be joining the drama club, because of Mrs. Evans." Mrs. Darbus says

Kelsi smiles

"Good" she says, flipping her hair back

"Kelsi! This is not good! If Sharpay Evans is forcing people out of the drama club because she doesn't like the competition , then I am forced to…to…kick her out as well" Mrs. Darbus says, you can tell it hurts her to get rid of one of her greatest..

"NO!" I scream, maybe a little too loudly "she is lying! Sharpay only slapped her because…"

Troy throws his hand over my mouth, but it's too late. Mrs. Darbus looks shocked, and Gabriella grins wickedly.

"I didn't know any physical contact ever occurred!" She says "in that case, Sharpay is definitely out!" she says as she turns and makes an exit.

Gabriella waits until Mrs. Darbus is gone.

"Any one else wanna hit me?" she challenges "the year's just begun"

And with that she turns and makes her way to the door. We don't move, we can't. I look at Kelsi and Troy. We all know what this means, there's no turning back…it's time to destroy Gabriella Montez.

So I really like this chapter! Gabbi is such a bitch! but I figured b/c she's so smart, her revenge would be devastating! But don't worry. I mean with Sharpay's power and Taylor's brains…Gabriella Montez will die! (not really!) so um yeah that's it. Oh join the myspace group!

Luv ya