During math, Gabriella threw herself into her work so she wouldn't lose her focus. She even ignored Kelsi's persistent notes and tappings on the shoulder. That is, until Kelsi smacked her upper arm with much more force that usual and she practically jumped out of her skin.

"Gabriella!" Kelsi was almost yelling to get her attention. "The bell rang like two minutes ago!"

Gabriella jumped up and snatched her bag from under her desk then ran out of the room calling thank-you to Kelsi over her shoulder. During World Cultures, Troy slipped Gabriella a note.

Hey, you OK?

Gabriella quickly printed her note back.

Yes, I'm fine, I was just running late this morning...sorry.

She gave him a sheepish look and he winked at her. But instead of feeling her heart fluttering, she felt nothing, not even a slight shifting of her hair.

We still on for the movie on Friday?

Of course we are! Why wouldn't we be?

Oh, I don't know, it's just you're acting weird is all...

She turned and smiled at him then focused her attention back on her book, hoping that he would take her response as a 'don't be ridiculous, of course I love you, kind of look' instead of a 'I don't know how I feel about you anymore' look.

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Later that day, Gabriella was behind Ryan in the lunch line and she found herself facing an enormous dilema: She couldn't reach the strawberries.

Groaning in frustration, she decided to just settle for a yogurt, when Ryan suddenly turned around and looked down towards her. He glanced between her and the fridge then arched his eyebrow at her.

"Having some trouble?" He asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

Totally forgetting who he was for a second she nodded. "I can't reach the strawberries! I hate being short!" She replied.

He shook his head, stretched up and pulled her down a container of them.

"Oh, thank you! I-um-you..." She babbled, suddenly realizing who she was talking to and what he had done for her. Gabriella felt a blush warming up her body from her toes.

He chuckled and moved along down the line. She too moved on, but auto-pilot, paying for the food and sitting down at her table with Taylor and Kelsi.

"Hey, what's up?" Taylor asked.

Gabriella mechanically started to put mustard on her fruit. "Gabriella!" She and Kelsi yelled together. Gabriella shited her gaze towards them.

"Sorry, what?"

"What's up, you've been totally out of it for the last few days." "Yeah, what's wrong with you?" They asked, overlapping each other slightly.

"I don't know, I just have been feeling off lately."

"Oh..." They paused waiting for her to elaborate.

"I just don't know, I mean Troy is great, right?" They nodded. "And he's wonderful and everything, but something isn't right..."

"Gabriella, wait, what do you mean?" Taylor asked her in great confusion.

"I mean, I feel like we're growing apart. Like the magic is just wearing off. You know?" Kelsi and Taylor exchanged glances.

"Does this have anything to do with...Ryan?" Kelsi inquired carefully. Taylor raised her eyebrows at Gabriella.

"Ryan Evans? What about Ryan Evans!" She demanded, insulted that Gabriella had withheld information from her.

"Ryan! No, of course not!" Gabriella started but broke off and sighed when she saw the looks they were giving her. "Oh alright, maybe a little bit. It's like he's a new person, ever since the musical! He's lost his goofy clothing and adopted a really nice exterior."

"Gabriella, think for just a minute! It's Ryan! He's just changed his clothing! Relax!" "He grew his hair out too." Kelsi added then cowered under Taylors furious gaze.

"Maybe you're right, it's just some clothes and a bit of hair, I guess I'm just overtired or something." Gabriella let out. But even as Taylor and Kelsi started chattering again, Gabriella couldn't help but feel unconvinced.

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After school, Ryan was walking back up from the track after a long and hard practice. On top of all of his musical obligations, he had also joined the track team that spring. He had never really told anyone before, but he loved to run and he was good at it.

On his way to the car, he noticed a certain petite brunette sitting all alone at a table outside. Puzzled he slowly made his way toward the lone girl until she glanced up and involuntarily smiled at him. He grinned easily back at her while his insides did some odd gymnastics moves.

"Um, hey, Ryan." She spoke, but he hardly heard a word. Focus Evans, focus! Nonchalance, remembered! Nonchalance...

"Hey, what are you still doing here?"

"Oh, my mom had to work late, so I'm stuck here until she gets the chance to pick me up." Ryan felt a pang of sympathy and before he could stop himself he crossed the rest of the way towards where she was sitting and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Do you, um, want a ride home? You can call her on the way and let her know that you got a ride." He asked, hoping he sounded casual, which was the polar opposite of how he actually felt.

She glanced from his hand on her shoulder, to his face, and then down at the notebook she had been writing in. After a few moments she nodded and looked up at him.

"Sure, thank you."

Ryan picked up her back pack and ushered her out into the parking lot, to his car. He opened the door for her then threw her stuff in the back and jumped in.

"Sorry about my, um, appearance, I had practice today." He ventured in the silence after a few awkward moments, referring to his shorts and tee shirt, that were soaked with sweat.

"Oh, no worries, I don't mind. Really." She replied with a small giggle.

"Hey Gabriella..." He stated, uneasy again. "Yes?" She asked, looking over at his tousled hair and blue eyes. "I don't really know where your house is..."

She giggled again and then slowly directed him to her street. Upon arrival, he put the car into park then leaped out of the car, grabbing her bag and opened her door, bowing deeply.

"Your fortress, Madame..." He said in a foe British accent.

She giggled, for the third time, and took his outstretched hand. Then he linked her elbow through his and lead her up to her door, where he took her key, unlocked the door then opened it up and bowed her inside.

"You really are one of a kind, Ryan." She said, while trying to stop laughing. He straightened up and strode inside the house and placed her bag down by the door.

"Will you be alright by yourself?" He asked, all traced of his butler/driver demenear gone.

She was touched by the concern in his voice. She nodded. "Yeah, um, thank you. For everything. Do you want to stay for awhile, we could, um, have something to eat, or um, something." She offered, trying not to sound stupid and failing miserably.

"No thank you, my dear, I best be off!" He declined, once again in his accent.

He galantly bowed, then, while still bending down, took her hand and lightly pressed his lips against it. Then tipped his imaginary hat and backed out of the house, closing the door gently behind him.

"Oh my gosh..." She murmured faintly then, humming softly, danced her way up to her room.

Outside, Ryan leaned against his car. "Oh my gosh..." He murmured then slipped into his car and quietly drove home, singing the whole way.