DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

A/N: just the transition into Troy and Gabi's 'date'


Why am I so nervous? It's just Troy Bolton. Just Troy Bolton? Who was I kidding? Troy Bolton is not just Troy Bolton. He's a mix of everything perfect. My other half. The blood that runs within my veins. The air that my lungs take in. The water I drink. The food that I eat. He was my everything. Was being the key word. But I know in my heart that he was truly my other half. How I managed my college career without him was amazing. Hmmm…I wonder what's he's doing right now. All of these thoughts flooded my head as I tried my best to towel off without toppling over with excitement. I'm an idiot for breaking up with him. I sighed.

I stodd in front of the bathroom mirror when I realized that most of my make-up was gone from its usual location! I stuck my head out the door. "Anyone seen my bronzer?" No response. Great! Just what I need! I'm not going to be ready on time! I ran all around the apartment looking in places where someone would normally put on her make-up. I finally found it, along with my eye shadow, blush, lip gloss, and eyeliner, on top of Brylee's dresser. That girl is always taking my make-up without telling me I thought as I collected my belongings. No one was in their rooms. Where is everyone? I ran into my room and found that Taylor hung my freshly ironed clothes in my closet. I heard the sound of plates, chit-chat, and laughter. Oh, they're eating.

Still in my towel, I quickly walked into the kitchen. They were gathered around the long wooden table, passing ketchup and such while munching on some chicken tenders that Brylee made. Everyone stopped talking when I entered the room. C'mon on people. That just means that you're obviously talking about me.

"Hey, Bry." Brylee turned around. "I don't really mind you using my make-up sometimes, but could you at least tell me before I freak out like I did just now."

Her face was filled with guilt, and she had a smudge of ketchup of her chin. "Oops, sorry Gabz. My bad. I promise, it won't happen again." I nodded as they wiped away the tomato condiment from her face.

"Oh, thanks Taylor for ironing my clothes."

"No prob."

Everyone was staring at me.

"So, Gabz. Where exactly are you going tonight?" asked Sydney. She placed a piece of chicken in her mouth and chewed it. "And how come we aren't invited?" I loved Sydney's sarcasm, but right now I didn't have the patience.

"Oh, just gonna catch up with my old friend from high school, that's all."

"Uh huh, old friend." She was smiling, revealing a huge blob of ketchup on her two front teeth. "So if it's a high school friend, then why aren't Kels and Tay going?" Grrr.

"Oh, I'm going out with Jason later," Kelsi quickly said.

"Yeah, and I never really like the guy," said Taylor. "I mean, we never really…uhm…he just…I just…I never got to know him…" Taylor was fighting for words as everyone stared at her, wanting to laugh.

I gave both of them a 'thank-you' look.

"Hey, Gena. Do you think that you could help me with my make-up? I'm getting kind of nervous, and my hand won't stop shaking." Gena was amazing with make-up. Gena was amazing with hair. Gena was amazing with clothes, and nails, and accessories. Hell, she was a fashion guru. If anyone had trouble, then they'd just call Gena, and she'd be willing to help.

"Sure." She got up from the table and followed me to the bathroom. As we walked away, I heard Sydney say, "Old friend, my ass. More like old boyfriend." All of them started laughing but quickly hushed down. I smiled and kept walking.

"Maybe you should blow dry your hair first," Gena suggested. "You might melt your make-up if you dry it after." I nodded. She helped me blow dry my hair, too.

"Oh my god, Gena." I said in the middle of the blow drying process. "You are my life saver!" She let out a small laugh and continued. She finished. I took the center front part of my hair and slightly brushed it back, pushed it forward, created a small 'foof', and secured it with two bobby pins. I ran to my room and carefully put on my clothes. Don't want to get them wrinkled again. I slipped on some flip-flops and ran back into the bathroom. Gena was waiting for me with make-up in her hands. I quickly sat down on the closed toilet seat, and she began her magic.

"Close your eyes," she said as she brushed on some eye-shadow. "So, tell me. This old high school friend. Is it a he or a she?" She blew into the brush and dabbed it into the palate.

"Uhm, a he."

"So, is he just a friend or…you know, a special high school friend?" I opened my eyes and raised my eyebrows. "Like a used-to-be best friend. Or an ex. Or…just a friend in town? Close your eyes."

I closed my eyes and answered, "He's all three." That's all I intended to say.

"Oh I see." She left it at that. Gena's genuine, and she wouldn't push my buttons. A while passed before she said, "All right, all finished." I stood up and turned towards the mirror.

"Oh my god, Gena! You're a miracle worker!" I gave her a hug and ran back into my room. MY SHOES! I dug and dug and dug around for my best heels. Thank goodness I found them on time. I strapped them on, grabbed my bag, and walked into the kitchen. They were clearing away their plates. When I walked in, the first person to scream was Sydney.

"AHH! You look perfect!"

I smiled. "Sarcasm?" She shook her head. I looked over at the clock. 6:55. He should be here any minute now. Kelsi came up to me and pulled me into a hug. She whispered, "Have a good time tonight."

"Thanks, I'll try," I whispered back. Just as we got out of the hug, the doorbell rang. I think my heart stopped beating for five seconds. I froze. I didn't expect to get this nervous until that bell rang. I couldn't move my feet. Then Gena came out of the bathroom and opened the door.

"Hi. I'm..uhm..looking for Gabriella Montez?" Troy was standing in the doorway. Everybody stopped what they were doing and walked out from the kitchen. They all sat in the living room and looked at him with a smile on their faces. I still couldn't move my feet. Kelsi nudged me on my shoulder and turned me around.

I couldn't help but smile. He turned from Gena to me. "Hi," he said again. We stared at each other for a few seconds. Gena retreated to the living room to join the others.

"Hi," I said softly. Miraculously, my feet started to take me to him. Instinctively, I grabbed his hand. They were warm and soft. I led him in to the living room. I realized what I just did and dropped his hand. I turned pink. "Uhh, Troy. You remember—"

"Kelsi! Taylor! Hey!" Kelsi and Taylor stood up to hug him. "Good to see you guys again."

"You too, Troy," said Kelsi. Taylor just stood there nodding her head and smiling. Then they sat back down.

"Uh, Troy. These are my other roommates. That's Brylee, Sydney, and you met Gena not too long ago."

"Hey," they said in unison and waved. Troy returned it with a nod.

"So, ready to go?" He turned towards me and started walking. When we reached the door, he turned around and said, "Nice meeting you. And seeing you again."

"You, too," they all said in unison. Troy went out the door, but I trailed behind. I looked back at them. All were smiling and raising and dropping their eyebrows. I waved bye and followed him out the door. Taylor came running up behind me and shut the door.

The next thing I heard was a gazillion foot steps. I glanced back and saw all of their faces crammed against the door window. I quickened my pace and caught up with Troy. He led me to his car and opened the door for me. "Thank you," I said and climbed in.

Back at the Apartment

Everyone went back to the living room after seeing Troy and Gabriella drive off.

"He's hot," said Brylee as she turned on the TV.

"They look so cute together," said Gena as she hugged a pillow.

"So, is Troy really just an old friend from high school?" asked Sydney.

Taylor nodded and stared at the TV screen.

"Oh, c'mon there's got to be more to the story than that," said Brylee.

"Troy and Gabi were going out in high school," Kelsi blurted out. Taylor shot her a 'if-Gabi-finds-out-you-told-them-then-we're-dead' look. The three of them gasped.

"What happened to them?" asked Sydney.

"Guys, if Gabi wanted us to know, she would have told us," chimed in Gena.

"Yeah, suuure. Why did they break up?" asked Sydney. She and Brylee got closer to Taylor and Kelsi. Both had eager looks on their faces. Gena, on the other hand, sat where she was and listened.

"Well…." Then Taylor started explaining everything that happened. From the moment Gabriella asked her if she ever got to know Troy up to the time Gabi called Taylor to tell her that she broke up with him. "But she never told me why she did. She just said that she did without giving me any explanation."

"Wow, it's been, what, four years since they talked to each other. Why do you think they waited that long?" asked Brylee.

Kelsi shrugged, and Taylor sighed. "But we're hoping something happens tonight."

Gena cleared her throat. "Hey, Kels. You think that maybe we can go to that party you're going to, too?" She tried to change the subject.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure it's ok, I guess. You guys can follow me and Jason when he gets here."

Everyone's face lit up as they got excited for the party.

"Awesome, a party with hottie basketball players," squealed Brylee. "What time is he coming?"

"Around nine."

They all left to their rooms to get ready. Kelsi and Taylor stayed in the living room.

"We cannot tell Gabriella that they know," Taylor said softly. Kelsi nodded. "But, PARTAY! Let's get ready girl!" She grabbed Kelsi's hand and ran to their rooms and got ready.

"I hope Troy and Gabi are having a good time," Kelsi said as she pulled clothes from her closet.

"Me, too, Kelsi. Me, too."


A/N: alrighty, well i know it wasn't much but the next chapter focuses more on the 'date' and the party. so PLEASE review and hopefully you'll get another chapter soon!

:D