Chapter 10:

Sharpay sighed looking in the mirror. She was more than afraid at how things were going to turn out. Her biggest fear was that Troy would finally realize that what he was feeling for Sharpay was a mistake and that he really did love Gabriella. She would be left alone with no one because both of the men in her life were in love with the same girl and it wasn't her.

"Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you

Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do

(What you do).

You're the kinda guy, a girl finds in a blue moon.

You got soul, you got class.

You got style shake your bad arse - oh yeah"

Sharpay jumped at the sound of her cell phone going off. She loved that song more and more every time she heard it. She just hoped she could sing as well as Christina some day. She grabbed her phone as the chorus started again.

"Hey Cass." Sharpay said as she finished applying her lipstick.

"Are you wearing that little black dress that I told you to?"

Sharpay nodded into the mirror before replying. Cassandra told her to wear her snug tight black mini-dress. She said it would drive Troy wild and he wouldn't be able to think about Gabriella. Sharpay could help but think that it almost made her look fat and ugly compared to whatever Gabriella was wearing.

"Of course…"

"Good. He won't be able to take his eyes off of you. As if he would anyways."

"I just don't think that this whole double date idea is a good thing."

"Men showing signs of interest in their exes is never a good thing. But you can always remind them just why it is that they are ex in the first place."

"I just don't want to lose Troy before I even get the chance to have him."

"Trust me… If he hurts you he won't be able to go crawling back to Gabriella. Us little Puerto Rican knows how to kick some serious… Hey my moms is calling me. Good luck, and try not to be a bitch!"

"Gee, thanks. We should have talks like this more often." Sharpay hung up the phone just as the doorbell rang. She sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that night and grabbed her purse. It was going to be a long night.

"Hey," Sharpay said greeting Troy and Gabriella in the doorway. Ryan came running down the stairs wearing khakis and a black dress shirt. He just kind of smiled at his sister trying not to laugh at the fact that they matched just like in the old days. The truth was that he really missed spending time with her.

"You look absolutely fabulous," Troy said grabbing her hand and walking her to his car.

She couldn't help but wonder if that's what he said about the hot red dress that Gabriella was wearing. She rolled her eyes as Ryan and Gabriella exchanged whispers about how much they love each other and how good they look tonight.

"I thought we could try that new little Italian restaurant on me," Troy said as he slid into the driver's seat of his black SUV.

"Sounds delicious. I've been dying to try it. Its like you read my mind," Gabriella said as she buckled into the back seat. She was positioned just so He could see her in the rearview mirror.

Sharpay looked out the window trying not to act jealous. How could she not when this was obviously a ploy for them to get back together. He should have never led her on if he was still in love with that little…

"I hope they have a good menu. So many Italian restaurants don't know how to cook real Italian." Sharpay complained trying to get the attention to drift towards her.

"Well, we don't have to go there," Troy said sounding disappointed.

"No, Italian is my favorite. I'm sure I'll love it."

"That's why I chose it. Ryan said that you wanted to try it."

"Sharpay wants a good restaurant to come here. Apparently we don't have any good restaurants," Ryan said defending himself. He didn't want to get an evil glare from Sharpay.

"You must not be a burger and fries type gal, huh Shar?" Gabriella asked innocently.

"Please don't call me that. I hate that name."

"But Ryan always…" Gabriella quieted down quickly. It was a very bad idea. She was trying to make friends with Sharpay, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. The nicer she was, the more Sharpay seemed to hate her.

Troy rested on hand on Sharpay's thigh trying to soothe her. He couldn't understand how she could e so cold to one person, but so nice to another. She knew exactly who she wanted in her life.

"I'm sorry… It's just my dad used to call me that…"

"Oh, right, I'm so sorry. I was out of line."

Troy and Ryan rushed out of the vehicle to quickly open the doors for the ladies when they reached their destination. Troy held the restaurant door for everyone and followed Ryan inside.

They quickly sat down at one of the corner booths. Ryan and Sharpay sat in the middle next to each other while Troy and Gabriella sat across the table from one another.

They all ordered the night's special fettuccini chicken and broccoli allfredo, with a glass of their favorite sodas. The waitress was quick with the drinks and served some bread as appetizer to the meal.

Gabriella started the night's conversation on how well the scholastic team is doing in prep for the state tournament. She couldn't help but brag about how fun it was to be the smartest one on the team. Sharpay was quickly disgusted about how most of the night was spent talking about her.

"I have to go to the bathroom. Will you excuse me?" Sharpay asked waiting for Troy to get up and let her out. Why did she have to sit in the middle? So he could stare into that evil woman's little brown eyes.

Sharpay quickly dialed her best friend's number desperate for some help. This is exactly what she didn't want happening. Troy was having a great time with Gabriella and not her. The more dinner moved one the more he scooted further away in the both.

"Hey what up girl?"

"Your plan back fired. This dress in not insurance for miss I know everything. I haven't been able to get in a single word about how well the musical is going. I haven't even got in one word about anything. He's so into her. I juts feel a breakup coming."

"He's just being polite? He wouldn't have broken up with her for you, if he didn't want you."

"I guess you're right."

"Surprise everyone say something nice about her. He'll love that you are trying to be friends with his friends."

"You try saying something nice about her."

"Lie!"

"What do I say that she has nice split ends!"

"You're impossible. Only you can compliment someone and bring them down at the same time…. Tell her good luck at the state tournament."

"I guess I could. But we're talking about her English homework. We're talking about a book or something."

"Just smile. Put your hand on him. Guys love to be touched. It's a sign your into them."

"If you're not right…"

"Yeah. Yeah. You'll still love me tomorrow but I might have a couple bruises."

Sharpay hung up the phone and fixed her hair. She wasn't going to give him up with out a fight. She smiled at herself. She was so much better looking than Gabriella. Troy deserved only the best; he deserved her.

Sitting back down she smiled trying to get into the conversation. She had to have something to say. "You're so smart. How you remember everything you need to know for the tournament?"

"Its hard but we do it as a team. Everyone remembers certain things. Like I am not that fantastic when it comes to history but Taylor is a whiz."

"That's great."

"Yeah. She's so smart. I almost feel jealous."

"But you're a super genius. I'm sure she's nothing compared to you."

"She has her faults but, don't we all."

"Yeah. Like sometimes, I find it hard to hit the extremely high notes in a song. But practice makes perfect and I want to be the next diva."

"Well you certainly have the attitude down."

"Thanks…"

"Don't forget that amazing voice," Troy said. "Those fake celbutants have nothing on my girl!"

Sharpay looked at him. Maybe she had been overreacting all night. He called her his girl. He actually sounded proud of her. He didn't sound proud of Gabriella.

"Yeah, you heard of heard her sing when we were kids. She thought she was Diana Ross, and I was the Supremes." Ryan chipped in.

Everyone laughed at that. It was like a little picture in all their minds popped up. He was dressed in a glittery gown and feather boa trying to keep up with his sister's singing. That's not how it went but his comment just prompted the picture. It added to the belief that everyone had about being gay, which he never understood.

Troy was standing outside the Evans' door holding Sharpay's hand trying to figure out if it would be alright to hold her hand.

"Do you still love her?"

"I think I always will have a place for her in my heart, but that was in the past. I'm with you now. I think I love you Sharpay, but you make it hard when you push me away like this."

"I'm sorry. I guess… I'm just afraid that you will hurt me."

Troy kissed her gently and smiled. "If I was going to hurt you, I would just break up with you."

"You're too good for me."

"But that's why you can't get enough of me."

Sharpay nodded in agreement as she kissed him before walking into her house. It had been a long night. She was just happy things were working out for her the way that they were.