Disclaimer: I do not own HSM or the characters. Happy now? Sheesh...

A/N: Well kiddies, I know it's been a while, but thank you all for your patience! I tried to make this chapter a little long for extra good measure. Not so much RyPay in this one, but we're getting closer and closer to that sweet goodness! Believe me. Anyways, please read and review! You know I love 'em, and they keep me writing for you all!

Troy and Sharpay became the new hot couple at East High. Everyone wanted to be friends with them, and be seen with them. They reached celebrity status in the hallways, and all conversations consisted of them in one form or another. Troy and Sharpay were all smiles and laughter, but Ryan wondered how much of it was real.

He had seen that Troy still looked longingly at Gabriella at school. Troy obviously was not over her, but he put on a good show with Sharpay. He was definitely interested in her, and liked her for who she was. He laughed at her jokes, kissed her in between classes, sat with her at lunch, and drove her to and from school every day. Ryan watched Gabriella closely as well, as she would sometimes try and approach Troy, but just quickly walk away, her face a deep red. He knew that Gabriella probably was still hurting too. Sharpay seemed to be the only one truly happy. Ryan felt sorry for her because he knew that the relationship wouldn't last, but he knew that Sharpay had been asking for trouble when she started this scheme. Of course, Ryan did still feel twangs of guilt now and then, but nothing he couldn't control. It was the jealousy he was having more issues with. Seeing Sharpay all over Troy made his blood boil. He hated when Troy would stay for dinner, and his parents asked him all these questions. Mrs. Evans was practically planning the wedding, while Mr. Evans had taken up calling Troy "Son." Ryan seemed to be alone in the ideas of that Troy and Sharpay were not a suitable couple.

"Hi Ryan."

Ryan snapped out of his train of thought and saw Gabriella sitting down next to him at the lunch table.

"Hi Gabriella. How are you?"

Gabriella smiled weakly. "Could be better."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Ryan said, and looked over at Sharpay and Troy all cozied up together.

Gabriella didn't say anything else, but just munched on her food slightly. Ryan looked at her sadly. He suddenly felt very guilty.

"Hey, what are you doing tonight? Do you want to maybe hang out?" Ryan asked.

Gabriella looked up at him shyly. "Yeah, that sounds like fun."

"Great! How about we go for dinner?" Ryan said.

"Um, sure."

Ryan saw that Gabriella was a little hesitant towards him.

"We'll have a blast. Promise." Ryan said.

"Okay. Pick me up at 7?"

"Perfect."

Gabriella then got up and ran away. Ryan wondered why she needed to make such a fast exit, but he shrugged it off, and continued to eat his food as he watched Troy's hands gently rub Sharpay's leg. A slight grimace appeared on Ryan's face. He suddenly turned all his focus to his food to block out the happy couple sitting not too far away from him.

Precisely at 7pm, Ryan showed up at Gabriella's front door. He waited as he rang the bell, and smoothed his hair down slightly. Gabriella opened the door, and smiled sweetly at Ryan.

Ryan smiled back. "All set?"

"Yup!" Gabriella said, and the couple headed to Ryan's car.

They ate a local diner, and talk about a lot of different stuff. Mainly about school and movies and books. Ryan avoided the subject of Troy and Sharpay at all costs. Not only for Gabriella, but for himself as well.

The evening quickly ended, and Ryan walked Gabriella to her front door.

"I had a really nice time tonight, Ryan."

"Yeah, me too."

"Thanks for taking me out.'

"No problem. I felt like it was the least I could do...I mean with..."

Ryan suddenly stopped. Totally regretting with where his words were leading him. Gabriella started to tear up slightly.

"Gabriella, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bring all that up, especially tonight." Ryan apologized.

"No, it's okay Ryan. It's not your fault. I mean, I got both you and myself into this mess. If anything, I should be apologizing to you." Gabriella sniffed.

Ryan felt guilty now more than ever. Gabriella blamed Sharpay's whole scheme on herself.

"No, Gabriella. It isn't your fault."

"You're sweet to say that, but I know it is. If I didn't kiss you, we wouldn't be in this situation."

Ryan didn't really know what else say without giving Sharpay and himself away. He shifted uncomfortably from one leg to the other. Gabriella just stood there looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry. Now I made the end of a great evening all terrible." Gabriella said.

"No, it was bound to come up some time. No worries. We can go out again soon, and forget all about what's-his-name. We can have a nice picnic in the park when the sun is setting, and watch the stars come out, and tell each other secrets until the sun rises." Ryan smiled.

"Oh Ryan, you are such a sweet guy!" Gabriella flung her arms around Ryan's neck. Ryan held her close. Her warm body felt comfortable against his. He smiled to himself, as he held the beautiful Gabriella Montez in his arms.

Gabriella pulled away slightly, and suddenly kissed him. Ryan didn't waste anytime in kissing her back. She put her arms underneath his, and grasped tightly onto his back. Ryan cupped her face with his hands and began to place gentle kisses all on her cheeks and her jaw line. Their lips met again, and their hunger for each other increased, as their tongues guided into each other's and danced together. Ryan placed a hand gently on the back of her head, and kissed her deeply.

The couple pulled apart slowly, gazed into each other's eyes. Ryan smiled shyly, as Gabriella starred at him hungrily.

"Man, ole What's-his-name never kissed me like that." Gabriella laughed.

"That's because he didn't know how to kiss a beautiful girl properly." Ryan grinned slyly.

A little while later, Ryan opened the door to his house. His mind was still floating around with Gabriella. By the time they had made out good and properly, Ryan felt there was only one right thing to do in that situation. He asked Gabriella to be his girlfriend. Ryan honestly knew the real reason he asked her out was of guilt and jealousy, but he tried to block these out, and convince himself he really did like Gabriella, and wanted her, and not his twin sister.

"Where have you been?" Sharpay asked, as she came around the corner to find Ryan.

"Out." Ryan said, and started to head upstairs.

"With who?"

"Gabriella."

"Really? How is that ole Montez hag? All broken up because she doesn't have Troy anymore?"

"No. She's great. Wonderful. And completely over Troy." Ryan said defensively.

"How do you know that?" Sharpay asked.

"Because she said yes when I asked her to be my girlfriend tonight!" Ryan turned and practically yelled it at Sharpay.

Sharpay's mouth dropped slightly. Her eyes became wide, and she lunged for Ryan.

"YOU ARE THE BEST BROTHER EVER!" Sharpay squealed as she held Ryan.

"Not only did you help me break them up, AND get me and Troy together, but now you have sealed the whole thing by taking Gabriella off the market, and away from Troy and me!"

Ryan suddenly felt worse about asking Gabriella out. It sure seemed like it was all for him at the time, but now that Sharpay was pointing this all out, it definitely seemed to work in her favor.

"Uh, yeah. It's all for you sis." Ryan said, trying not to grin too big. He might as well get some glory and maybe some more kisses from Sharpay before having to see her turn around and make out with Troy.

Sharpay didn't kiss Ryan, much to his disappointment. She quickly let go, and raced off to call Troy.

"Don't worry I'm not going to tell him. I just can't wait for school when he sees you and Gabriella hand-in-hand, and then he will realize that he does love me and only me, and we will be together forever!"

Ryan walked into his room and fell into an uneasy sleep.

School the next day was terrible. Everywhere him and Gabriella went, there were so many stares following them. Gabriella seemed to be on cloud nine, while Ryan seemed to be running to his classes as fast as he could. He didn't feel right being with Gabriella, especially when he got a murderous look from Troy when he first spotted the new couple at school.

A few weeks passed, and everyone soon became adjusted to the new couples, but Ryan never felt like it all settled to him. He still felt wrong being with Gabriella, and he got vibes from her that she still ached for Troy, even though she was perfectly happy around him all the time. It just seemed that Gabriella became very protective of Ryan, and wanted to be with him constantly. He would have to make up excuses to just get some time to himself. Today though, he was able to race home without running into Gabriella. He really needed some alone time, since he and Gabriella had hung out every single night for the past two weeks.

As soon as Ryan got home after school, he raced upstairs to just think in his room alone. As soon as he lay down, his cell rang. It was Gabriella. He didn't answer it. She left a voicemail. 5 minutes passed. His cell rang again. Gabriella again. Another voicemail. 15 minutes later Gabriella called yet again and left another voicemail. 10 minutes later, she called again! Ryan still didn't answer it but he figured he might as well listen to the voicemails.

"Ryan. It's Gabriella. I miss you so much! Call me back. Maybe we can do something tonight!"

"Hey Ry, it's Gabbi. I wonder why you aren't answering your phone. Are you in the shower? Well, I just wanted to say I was thinking about you! Miss you tons! Call me soon!"

"Why haven't you called me back? Are you avoiding me? You better not be mister, cause I know where you live! Heehee! Let's get together sweetie! Miss you!"

"RYAN! Seriously, I'm getting worried. Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong? What did I do? Please tell me. I need to know. This relationship is about honest communication. If we don't have that, we don't have anything. Call me. Now. Bye."

Ryan groaned into his pillow. Gabriella was getting all psycho on him. How could that sweet girl suddenly have turned into that, and how could Troy stand dating her? Suddenly, the doorbell rang downstairs. Ryan slowly got up, and went to answer the door. He opened it slowly, and Gabriella burst in, and rushed into his arms.

"Oh my god Ryan! You are okay! I thought maybe you got into a car accident on the way home when you didn't answer my calls or call me back! You had me so worried!"

Ryan felt like slapping himself for ever asking her out.

"No, I'm fine Gabriella." Ryan said flatly.

"Thank god. I don't think I could handle loosing another boyfriend so suddenly." Gabriella said still clinging to him.

A lightblub went off in Ryan's head. He suddenly knew why Gabriella was so obsessive over him. She felt like she lost Troy, and her world crashed around her. She was suddenly overprotective of Ryan because he knew she would snap if she lost another boyfriend so soon after losing Troy, the love of her life.

Ryan felt sad for the girl, and held her closer to him.

"It's okay Gabriella. I'm fine. I'm right here."

Her body shook in his arms, as he felt her heaving sobs break in his chest. He held her, as she cried her heart out. Grieving still for her loss of Troy to Sharpay.

So will Ryan stay with Gabriella even out of guilt? Will Troy break up with Sharpay and steal Gabriella back from Ryan, or will Sharpay keep him all to her greedy little self? Gotta review to find out:)