Thanks for all of the reviews! Even from the people who DON'T like Troypays. Ah well.

"We'd better get going if you're going to get to school on time." Tacy was rummaging through the ginger Kooba bag she swiped from my closet, looking for her keys.

"It's okay." I said, sipping my morning orange juice. "Leila's driving me." Silence bounced off of the tils of the kitchen floor.

"Leila? Leila Alexander?" she dropped the purse.

I cocked an eyebrow at her. "So?"

"Isn't she like, the popular girl?" she smiled. "You're making friends!" she stood to hug me, but I ducked out of her grasp as I heard a honk. "Is that her?" Tacy covered up her disappointment by running her hands through her fingers.

"No, it's the UPS." I rolled my eyes, pulling my Coach bag over my shoulder. "I'm going to Leila's after school." I headed for the door. "See ya."

"Hey, Gabriella?" she called. I stopped at the front doors. "Now that you're friends with Leila and all... would you mind... staying away from Aiden? I mean after the alcohol..."

"Gladly." I smiled. The truth was, I was still a little embarrassed about the wet T-shirt situation, then to make matters worse, I told him I loved him (even though it was the wine talking) andhe already had a girlfriend! Besides, he was going to hate me after seeing the invitations.

"So you were going to use my artwork, but I wouldn't even get an invite?" Aiden stopped me in the halls.

"What are you talking about?" I nervously diverted my eyes to the approaching Leila.

"Hey, Gabriella! I never showed you the final product." she whipped out a postcard. The painting was on it, and on the back were the details to the party they had completely planned without me. Leila turned to Aiden. "Nice work." she smiled. She knew Aiden had created the painting! "It's a shame we can't invite you." she giggled before stalking off.

"It's your party isn't it?" Aiden's brown eyes were wide. "So... explain to me why I can't come?"

"I'm really sorry, Aiden," I shook my head, "But Leila planned this party. And my stepmother... she doesn't really want me to hang out with you anymore. She knew I had some alcohol." But I left out the part about confessing.

"You had one glass of wine, Gabriella. It's not that bad." he shrugged. "But I wonder how Leila and the things she does were approved by your stepmother." Hold on... was he smirking at me?

I narrowed my eyes and stubbornly crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm sorry, Aiden, I have no idea what you're talking about. Leila is one of my newest friends and there'e nothing that she would hide from me. You're just going to have to accept that you're a loser and she's not."

"I seem to recall that I was your first friend here, Gabriella." he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"Just..." I clenched my fists in frustration. "Just... go fuck off, Aiden Elliot!" his face fell. I turned on the heel of my ballet flats and stormed down the hallway.

"I could make a list of all the people I'm not talking to anymore." I slid down into the warm bubbling water of Leila's jaccuzi. "Where's everyone else?" I asked, tilting my head back.

"They weren't invited." Leila took a sip from her Diet Coke. "I mean, honestly, Charley and Avery have nothing on us. We're like, way hotter than the both of them combined. Don't you think?" she smiled to me. "Charley's only been with one guy and it seems like Avery's been with none. How about you?"

"Only one..." I blushed, thinking back to Troy and how he probably hated me for hating his precious Sharpay. "But he doesn't matter. I'm really looking forward to meeting Dreyton, though." I smiled.

"Your party's gonna rock." she squealed. "I am such a good friend, don't you think?"

"Yeah." I nodded absentmindedly/

Unlike me.

Ooooohhhh... Gabriella said a bad word... PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!