Disclaimer: I don't own HSM.
Chapter 7: Apologies and Rejections
Ryan sat at the computer typing furiously, taking out his anger at the keys. He kept replaying that moment in his head; Troy's lips against Gabriella's, her's against his. He felt so stupid for thinking things were different, thinking that she could really care for him more than she cared for Troy.
Sharpay sat next to him and said in a sad voice, "Hey Ry, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he snapped. He looked over to her, noticing her sad face. "What's with you?"
"Troy left me for Gabriella," she whimpered, letting out a sob. "I mean, how could he like that little twit better than me?"
"Well, Gabriella left me for Troy," he replied.
Sharpay hugged her brother. "I'm so sorry, Ryan."
He closed what he was working on and stood. "Whatever." He grabbed his backpack from the floor and walked out of the library. As he left the room, he collided with someone.
"Ryan," Gabriella breathed. "Sorry about that." She looked down at the floor, hoping to think of something to say. Her eyes raised back up to look at him. "And I'm sorry about earlier. You see-"
"Gabby," he interrupted, "I don't want to hear it. You're with Troy now, doesn't matter to me what you do."
Her gaze went to the floor once again. "I wasn't apart of what happened. But you probably don't want to hear about it, so I'll go." She turned around and walked off.
Ryan hadn't even heard what she said last, her voice was so quiet. He just watched as she left, upset.
"So, now that the things have changed, you're audition plans changing too?" A voice asked behind him.
He looked over his shoulder to see Sharpay standing there. His eyesight went back to where Gabriella was previously standing. "Sure. I'll be your partner."
"I was hoping you'd say that," she replied, her voice a little too chipper. She draped an arm around his shoulder and steered him out of the hallway, chattering on about the audition while Ryan stared at where Gabriella had been standing.
He couldn't help but think that she had no idea what had happened. That she had no idea that Troy was going to kiss her. But whether she knew that or not, didn't matter. It didn't change anything.
Gabriella sat, curled in a corner of the music room. No one was there and she prayed that no one would show up. But that didn't happen.
"Gabriella?" A familiar male voice called, as he saw her.
"Go away, Troy," she whimpered.
He crouched down in front of her. "Are you okay?"
"Why do you care?" She snapped, her sweet voice dripping with venom.
"You're my friend and I heard that you and Ryan broke up."
"Yeah, because you kissed me!"
"Look, I didn't know that it would screw things up between you guys."
"Sure you didn't."
"Listen, I just came in here to see if you wanted to be my partner for auditions, since Sharpay is now partnered with Ryan."
"No. I'm not auditioning. I don't feel like it."
"What? But you're so talented. You should audition, you could get in."
"Sorry. Audition as a single 'cause I'm not interested."
"But Gabriella…"
"Just get out of here, Troy," she insisted, a pleading tone in her voice.
Troy stood and headed for the door, looking back at the mess she was. And for a moment, he thought he felt a small pang of guilt.
Gabriella rested her head on her knees as she began crying harder. Everything was screwed up and she had no idea how to fix it.
AN: Poor Gabby! Anyways, please R&R!