Chapter 5

After school ended, Isabel and Gabriella went home together. They had both heard about the sudden game and Isabel was quite upset because she was sure that Troy would not go to the karaoke place, because he was team caption and he was going to be there to play. Gabriella was very upset as well. No one in school talked to her, except Isabel and a very nice girl called Kelsi Nielson. She was glad that she had a friend. Isabel, Gabriella and Kelsi had all planned to go and watch the game together.

"Gabriella, we need to talk," Isabel said the moment they stepped into the house.

Kelsi was with them. She looked slightly uncomfortable. "Should I go and leave you two alone?" she asked.

"No, Kelsi, stay," Gabriella said. "What did you want to talk to me about, Iz?"

"Troy," Isabel answered and Gabriella turned to stare at her.

"I told you that I am not going to talk about Troy," she said.

"You don't need to talk. You just need to listen. I'll do the talking," Isabel smiled.

Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "Where are you taking this, Isabel?" she asked.

"Troy never meant to hurt you, Gabs," Isabel said. "He's in love with you!"

"What?" Gabriella and Kelsi gasped.

"Troy Bolton!" Kelsi gasped. "You have got to be kidding me, Isabel."

"Nope," Isabel shook her head coolly. "I asked him why he hurt Gabi, and he came straight out and said it." She decided not to mention the part where she told Troy that Gabriella was in love with him.

"Bt, why did he say stuff like that?" Gabriella asked. Isabel could see that she was still hurt and was not ready to forgive Troy. "I don't believe you, Iz. I'm not going to believe anything you say!"

"But, Gabriella," Isabel cried. "When was the last time I lied to you? Be honest, Gabs. Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

Gabriella looked at Isabel and sighed. She glanced at Kelsi and saw that she was staring at her. She did not answer Isabel's question. Instead, she turned towards the cabinets and started pulling out everything she would need to make some sandwiches.

"Gabriella, will you please answer me?" Isabel asked crossing her arms.

"Yeah, Gabi, answer her," Kelsi said and Isabel smiled at her gratefully.

"No!" Gabriella screamed. "No, okay? You have not given me a reason not to trust you and you have never lied to me!"

"Then, why won't you believe me now?" Isabel asked.

"Because, what you are saying is impossible," Gabriella whispered, before she fell onto her knees. She buried her head in her hands and started to cry.

"Gabi," Isabel whispered, kneeling down next to her sister. "It's okay to fall in love with someone."

"I am not in love with someone," Gabriella said. "I'm in love with Troy Bolton."

"Gabs, I'll tell you something I learnt from Grams," Isabel said referring to her father's mother. "Love doesn't come with an explanation. It's a gift, which doesn't come when you are looking for it. Love is something that finds you."

"That is really smart," Gabriella said, impressed by her sister's words.

"Thanks!" Isabel grinned. "Anyway, we'll settle this tonight…once and for all."

"Huh?" Gabriella looked confused. "What are you talking about? How are you going to do that?"

"Let's just say that Troy is willing to do anything to get you back," Isabel smiled, mysteriously.

"What do you know that I don't know, Isabel Montez?" Gabriella demanded to know.

"That is none of your business my friend," Isabel said. "Come on. You need to look good if you want to impress Troy, tonight. Not that he isn't already impressed by you."

Kelsi laughed and the three girls went upstairs to find Gabriella the perfect dress.

Back at the Bolton house, Jack Bolton aka Coach was trying to find out what was wrong with Troy.

"Troy, son, talk to me," Jack said. "What's bugging you?"

"Nothing," Troy said through gritted teeth. He shot the ball to miss, again. "Damn it!"

"It's a girl, right?" Jack asked.

"How'd you know that?" Troy asked, surprised.

"You just proved that I'm right," Jack grinned. "Anyway, who's the girl and why are you so upset about her?"

"Her name's Gabriella Montez," Troy said. "Chad said some mean things about her and I did nothing to defend her. Gabriella overheard us and she thinks that I don't care about her. And now, she isn't talking to me."

"Ouch!" Jack said. "Well, how about this? You focus on the game tonight and tomorrow, we'll figure out a way to get Gabriella to forgive you, okay?"

"Okay, dad," Troy said, knowing quite well that focusing on the game would be very hard for him that night, especially if Gabriella was watching and not talking to him.

"But, that isn't going to happen, is it?" Jack asked smiling slightly.

Sometimes it annoyed Troy, because Jack knew him so well, but sometimes it was good, too. He was not sure about how he was feeling because Jack knew him that well. "Yeah," Troy sighed. "I'm really sorry, dad."

"Remember The Lion King?" Jack asked and Troy raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, I remember The Lion King, Dad," Troy rolled his eyes at his father. "That's my favourite cartoon. But, what has that got to do with anything right now? I'm in a crisis and you're thinking cartoons, dad. Come on."

"Timon and Puma sang that song when they first met Simba," Jack said, grinning. "I can't remember the name of that song, can you?"

"Yeah," Troy said, slowly. "It's Hakuna Matata."

"Oh, yeah, that's it," Jack grinned.

"Dad! Focus, please!" Troy yelled snapping his fingers in front of Jack's face.

"Hakuna Matata, Troy," Jack smiled. "Hakuna Matata!"

"Huh?" Troy looked confused.

"You know how that song goes!" Jack said and then he began to sing softly. "Hakuna Matata…what a wonderful phrase…"

"It means no worries…for the rest of the day!" Troy grinned, as he sand along with Jack.

"So, Troy, remember that, alright?" Jack said. "Hakuna Matata! Think about that and let your worries fade away. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to in the end."

"Thanks, dad," Troy smiled.

Jack patted Troy on the back and walked back to the house. He watched from the window, but, Troy did not know it.

Troy grabbed a ball and bounced it on the driveway. Then he shut his eyes tightly. "Hakuna Matata!" he whispered to himself and pushed every single one of his worries out of his mind. He opened his eyes and threw the ball into the basket. Yes! Nothing but net!