Chapter Seven

Troy entered home room and looked for Gabbi, he thought maybe everything he was feeling last night was just his wild imagination that he let go to far. He saw Gabbi sitting in her usual seat but sitting where he use to sit was Eric. Everyone was all gathered around them talking and Troy decided to join them.

Gabbi looked up and saw Troy coming over and asked, "How you feeling, we missed you at practice."

"Better, probably just one of those twenty four hour flu bugs." Troy said throwing his bag on the last seat in the classroom.

"Man, are you going to make it to practice today?" Chad asked Troy who was sitting beside him.

"Why wouldn't I make practice today, only missed one in my life." Troy said thinking back to that day him and Gabriella were hanging out with the drama club, that caused him to be so late that he missed practice.

"You still look a little sick to me man, but great." Chad said then added when he saw Darbus walk in, "Talk to you later man."

Darbus did her usual before class ramble and before Troy knew it the bell had rung. Troy jumped up and ran out of the class room and waited for Gabriella to come out. As people were passing him he could hear that Eric was the main topic in everyone's conversation. Even Sharpay was gushing about how good a singer he was and that now that Ryan was out of town with family Eric would make a good substitute.

Gabriella was one of the last ones to leave and walked out of the class room with Eric laughing.

"Gabbi can we talk?" Troy said falling into step with her and Eric.

"Sure Troy." Gabriella said flashing him a big smile.

"Are we going to get together during free period to rehearse for the play?" Troy asked, not even acknowledging Eric.

"Of course we are. But can we talk more then, we have to get to class." Gabriella said.

"Sure, that's fine." Troy said expecting that Gabbi would give him a kiss goodbye but she just turned down the other hallway with Eric.

At rehearsal everything started out great. Troy was starting to relax again when it was just him and Gabbi singing on stage. Of course Kelsi was there on piano, but it was still better then before when Eric was there. However the peace didn't last for long.

Sharpay and Eric walked into the auditorium with Mrs. Darbus.

"You two are doing wonderful, but I would like to see Eric up there, he and Sharpay have been working on the song." Darbus said.

"But this is our song." Troy said kinda angry, Kelsi had said that this song was written about him and Gabbi and like yesterday he felt that it was wrong that someone else was singing it.

"Troy Bolton always wanting to be the center of attention." Darbus said. "Like I said on the day of opening auditions and like I explained to your father the theater up holds that tradition that everyone gets a far chance at performing. Eric was the star in his school and it is only far that he gets a shot here at our play."

"What ever." Troy mumbled under his breathe as he and Gabbi walked off the stage and took a seat.

They watched the two on stage singing the song but Sharpay just didn't seem to be getting the song right.

"Gabriella will you please go up there and show Sharpay how it is done. She just isn't putting the emotion into this song like you do." Darbus said

Sharpay insulted by this turned and stomped off the stage. Gabriella just shrugged and got up and went on stage and performed the song with Eric.

"Bravo." Darbus exclaimed when they finished. "That was wonderful. Gabriella I want you and Troy to work with Eric, with Ryan away he is know the new understudy for the part."

Troy just shook his head. "I'm late for basketball. Gotta run."

"We still on for tonight?" Gabriella asked, referring to their usual Friday night date.

"You bet." Troy said.

"Hold up Troy I'm late too, I'll come with you." Eric said.

Together they both headed out of the auditorium though neither spoke a word.