Maybe I Do

A/N: Okay. I figured out my summer schedule. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, I'm really busy. But I can post on Tuesday or Thursday mornings… and possibly Monday mornings, too. I'll try to write as often as possible, but it's going to be really hard. But here's the next chapter.

Chapter 3

The next day was the second to last day of school, thank goodness. Troy drove over to Gabriella's house to pick her up so she didn't arrive to school early. As they arrived to the campus of East High, Troy made sure that Gabi was near him at all times.

"So how many classes do you have with him?"

"Just two," she said plainly.

"Which ones?" he asked hoping he was in the classes with her.

"None you're in,"

"Math and Chemistry?" Gabi nodded.

"Okay well I'll make sure Taylor watches over you. And don't worry- Chad and Zeke are in your Chem class. They'll watch over you," Gabriella just nodded. "Ella, say something. You've spoken barely a sentence." Gabi just shook her head. "Okay then. I understand. Let's go to homeroom. At least I'll be there with you." Just then Brandon came and passed by. He raised his eyebrows and nodded at Gabriella, ignoring the fact that her boyfriend was there. Troy wanted to pummel him right then and there but he had some self-control. Taylor and Chad were walking hand in hand down to homeroom. "Hey! Wait up!"

"Whats up Troy?" Chad asked doing their handshake routine. Gabriella was in Ms. Darbus' class sitting with her arms crossed, slouching down in her chair.

"Look, the new kid is up to no good,"

"You mean Brandon?" Taylor asked and Troy nodded. "Oh, he's so sweet!"

"No not really. Something happened yesterday afterschool and who knows what could've happened to Gabriella. Could you guys watch over her in the classes I don't have with her? Like, math and chemistry? He's in her 2 classes and I can't be there for her."

"Of course, Troy. Dude, we got her back and yours. I'll make sure that Brandon kid doesn't even breathe Gabi's air," Chad said patting Troy on the back. After Chad walked into the class, Taylor got a chance to ask him a question she's been wanting to ask during the whole conversation.

"So, what exactly did happen yesterday?"

"Well Gabi was walking out and then he started to make small-talk with her. But she made up an excuse to leave but he didn't let her. Coach let us out early so I got to stop him before he hurt her."

"Oh gosh. Okay, I'll make sure that Brandon stays away. But-"

"But what?"

Taylor looked around before looking Troy in the eye and whispering, "Sharpay likes him!"

The tardy bell rang as Taylor and Troy rushed into the class and sprinting to their seats.

"Bolton, McKessie. Warning." Darbus warned them. They nodded. The whole class time, Troy looked over at Gabriella making sure she was okay. Everyone was up signing yearbooks and taking pictures but Gabriella was just sitting in her seat hanging on to her purse.

"Gabs!" Sharpay said.

"Oh, uh, hey."

"You'll never believe what just happened?"

"Darbus already assigned you to the lead role for next year's Fall Play?"

"Ha-ha no. Brandon said that he wants to double-date. Me and him with you and Troy-"

"NO."

"What?"

"Look Sharpay. I don't think Brandon's the right guy for you…"

"Why?" Sharpay got moody. "Why, because now that I finally have a chance to date someone I can't? All-All because you say so?"

"Shar-"

"Stop. You know? You were the first person I told that I liked him. And now you'll be the last to know that I'll be going out with him," She left as Gabi thought to herself, And I'll be the first to know that he might rape you.

The second period bell rang and it was time for Gabriella's free period. Troy caught up to Gabi.

"Hey there," Troy said kissing her forehead. "What's wrong?"

"Shar-Sharpay's mad at me!" Gabi started crying. "I told her I don't think she should go out with Brandon because you see, she likes him. But she got mad and took it the wrong way. Troy, I just want to protect her!" Troy brought her in into a big hug.

"Hey, it's alright."

"No, and she wouldn't even let me explain!"

"I'll talk to her. Taylor will talk to her, too. I told her what happened because I thought you'd okay with it," Gabi nodded. "Ella, don't worry. Mkay? Sharpay will understand when she gets hurt by him,"

"But I don't WANT her to get hurt, doesn't she understand? She's my best friend and she can't seem to understand that I want her to happy and safe!"

"I'll talk to her. I promise I will. I'll do it even if I need to tie her down to her hair and tape her mouth shut. Don't worry about it." He said wiping her tears away and kissing her. They kissed for a while until Gabi pulled away with a new thought on her mind. "What's wrong?"

"I need to tell you something."

"Good or bad?"

"Bad."

"Do I want to hear this?"

"It's not a big deal. It's just Brandon wanted to double date with Sharpay. He wanted us to go with them. I don't think that sounds so good."

"When and where?"

"I don't know. Sharpay didn't say because I told her I don't think she should."

"Oh okay. Well I don't think we should go. Unless you want to."

"Maybe we should. I don't want to either but I know that you'll be there with me, right? Maybe we can show him that we really love each other and that he should back off."

"You're right. Okay. We'll do just that. I'll be there by your side the whole time. And we'll be there for Sharpay, too."

"Okay. I'll just go apologize to Sharpay and tell her straight out. Maybe she'll want to see for herself or something."

"Good idea. Just make sure the date isn't on the weekend. We have better plans," he winked and walked the other direction to his basketball practice.

Gabriella giggled as she looked for Sharpay. She was at a vending machine, like always, debating on whether to buy zero calorie Coke or No caffeine Coke.

"Sharpay?" Gabriella asked. She turned around with a disgusted look on her face. "Look, don't talk. I'm really sorry. I just wanted to protect you. Brandon almost hurt me yesterday, really he did. But I was lucky enough to have Troy find me. I never ever want you to get hurt. But if you think he'll treat you right, then I want you to go on that date. And Troy and I have agreed to go with you, incase he hurts you." Sharpay's frown turned into a smile as she ran to Gabi to hug her.

"Thanks for understanding. It's tomorrow. 7:00 p.m. We're watching a late movie."

"Okay. Just, be careful around him. We'll meet you at the promenade tomorrow, but don't show up earlier."

"I won't. Thanks." She said as they hugged again.

"Love you, Shar,"

"Love you, Gabs,"

"Oh and by the way- go with the zero calorie soda. Better choice," Gabriella smiled as she walked towards the library.

"HEY THERE!" Brandon said.

"Stop. I have a boyfriend."

"Oh I understand that."

"Really? It doesn't really seem like it to me,"

"No way. Plus, I already got Sharpay."

"Oh right. And are you going to yell at her, too if she wants to leave your date?"

"Shut it." He said pushing her against the wall with half a centimeter apart from their lips. Gabriella was shaking.

"Hey! Get the fuck off of her!" Chad said walking up.

"Oh and what are you going to do? Bring up your little basketball posse?"

"No, but I'll bring my fist up your-"

"Chad, let's just go,"

"Hold it! I'm not done with you!" Brandon yelled.

"Yes you are. I'll see you at 7 tomorrow. And don't think about doing ANYTHING to Sharpay." And with that, Chad held Gabriella's hand and they ran away to the basketball court to find Troy.