I grabbed Chad's arm and pulled him to the side of the hallway.
"We need to talk . . . NOW!" I emphasized my words with a harsh, but quiet tone.
He just nodded, so I found myself leading him down the hall to Troy's spot.
Oh please don't be here Troy, I thought to myself.
I glanced around quickly before ascending the stairs. I saw all the familiar plants and flowers that usually occupied the area, and sat down on the nearby bench.
"Chad?"
"Yeah Gab?"
Suddenly I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I burst out crying. There was only so much a girl could take. It was like the world was closing in on me, and I wasn't even trying to get out.
"Gabriella, it's going to be okay," Chad said, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder and sitting down.
He explained his side of the story . . . why he knew my secret. I figured I was a bad listener because I asked a million questions. I was actually relieved at what he was saying . . . he was probably the only one who knew, and now I had someone to talk to. Chad was also a good listener. He didn't say a word as I spilled my guts out to him. It was as though he was one of those old diaries you always forgot to write in.
And on that bench was where the one and only Troy Bolton found us a while later. He had a lost-for-words expression on his face as he came bounding up the stairs.
". . . What is going on here?" he demanded, his face unfolding a pained expression.
"We're talking Troy, everything is fine," Chad explained for me.
"So it's okay to tell Chad what's wrong, but you can't tell me?"
"She'll tell you when she's ready, just lay off man," Chad tried to convince him, standing up as if he were a body guard.
"How am I supposed to? You're confusing me beyond belief Gabriella!" he admitted, "I thought you were different, and I thought we were friends!"
"And I thought we were more than that!" I exclaimed, finally standing up for myself, "Or were you just using me?"
"If my not asking you out is what this is about, then that's a pretty dumb reason to be mad at me!"
"You are such a GUY! I wasn't even mad at you, but now I am! I thought you were mad at me, and I was irritated because you wouldn't leave me alone!" I was feeling strong and confident with my words, "Obviously, you know nothing about me Troy Bolton!"
With that I stormed away for my dramatic exit. I couldn't help but feel some regret, because I had hurt him. But who cares about the dumb musical now? And who cares about stupid pretty boy Troy Bolton? Who needs him . . . when I have Carlos?
I was deeply depressed, so I decided that this day could only get better. Miss Darbus had a teacher's meeting, so practice was canceled after school. I needed the break from Troy and from the musical in general. I also didn't need Sharpay breathing down my neck even more than she already was.
My mom wasn't home yet, I noticed as I came through the door.
Peace and quiet all to myself, I thought excitedly as I kicked off my shoes.
I made myself some instant hot chocolate, and lay on my bed to think. I finally decided to do some homework when there was a noise outside my window. I ran to my balcony.
I was a rock . . . belonging to a Troy looking up at me from the yard. Like the prince charming he was, I knew he thought he could come up and talk me out of everything, and we would be back into our untouchable fairy tale world.
Not a chance.
"Troy . . . what are you doing?" I asked, sounding a little too sweet for my purpose.
"Gabs, I need to talk to you . . ." he explained, flashing me that priceless Troy smile, "Please?"
". . . uh yeah alright," I answered quickly, without thinking.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You are supposed to be mad!
He proceeded to climb up the side of the house, and I prayed that the little old lady who lived next door wasn't watching. His foot slipped and I laughed.
"You could have used the front door silly!" I exclaimed.
Way to sound mad Gabriella.
"I like the challenge," he said, struggling.
"No, you just like being a show off, Romeo," I teased.
"What can I say?" he laughed, brushing off his pants, "Does that make you my Juliet?"
Ha ha, a comedian. What are you thinking? A moment ago you hated this boy's guts.
But that was before he got all cute on me.
"Listen Gabriella . . . I'm really sorry if I upset you, and I don't know if you'll ever forgive me, but I just had to come by to ask you something," he cleared his throat and stared right at me, "Gabs, will you go out with me for real?"
For the second time that day, I was speechless. I looked back into those lovely brown eyes, and just about broke down. How could I say no? But my comedic timing got the best of me.
"For real, opposed to the fake going out that we were doing?"
"You know what I mean!" he laughed nervously, looking at the ground.
But how exactly could I say yes?
I heard the sound of my mom's car engine as it pulled into the driveway. That was when I made up my mind.
"Troy . . . I really like you a lot but . . ."
"But?"
"But can I answer that later? I really need to talk to you . . . to tell you something."
"I'm all ears Gabriella Montez."
And so I began.
