Me, again! Hope you like it so far. I'll keep updating!

CHAPTER TWO

Questioned Not Answered

Lunch 12:00 p.m.

The cafeteria, normally noisy, seems quieter today. A distressed Gabriella walks up to a crowded table. At the table sits Troy, Taylor, and Chad along with Jason and Zeke and a bunch of others.

"Troy, what are we going to do?" Gabriella asks. She was wondering how she was going to do both the decathlon and musical. She was hoping someone at the table had an answer.

"I don't know. Is there any way we could both juggle the competitions and the musical rehearsals?" Troy answers.

"I don't know. Taylor, do you know the exact date of the rematch against West High for the decathlon and the basketball game?"

"From what I gathered, the decathlon and the basketball game are on December 8 and the musical is on December 15 and December 16. That gives you a week in between," replies Taylor.

"That's not a lot of time to be honest," says Chad.

"There's got to be a way. There was a way for me and Gabriella to make it to call-backs. There's got to be some way to work through them both," expresses Troy.

"We'll find it. I trust you guys that we'll think of it," voices Gabriella.

Although they were trying to be positive, the situation looked bleak. On the second floor of the cafeteria, Sharpay smiles down at Troy and his table.

"This is perfect, Ryan. You know that they can't be able to do the musical and their competitions. Ms. Darbus won't let them miss rehearsal so close to the date of the show."

Ryan, although happy to see his sister happy, is kind of depressed on the inside because if they are the leads again, that means more hours with Sharpay telling him what to do. He also thinks that Troy and Gabriella do deserve the part. He was glad because it sort of took the pressure off of him.

Sharpay was expecting a response from Ryan. "Well, don't you want the part? Don't tell me that I'll have to do this alone."

Ryan, once again not wanting to anger his sister, simply says, "Yeah, I want the part. Are you kidding?"

Sharpay, though sensing some untruthfulness in his voice, lets the response slide. All that really matters to her is that she has her brother as her partner. With Ryan as her partner, she knows things will go her way. Her brother will do anything to please her.

Still, she looks over the students of the cafeteria and fixes her gaze on the sad faces of Troy, Gabriella, Chad, and Taylor. It all seems to be falling back into place.

Tuesday Morning, October 3, Homeroom

The group is sitting in their usual cluster, although they are discussing a different matter today.

Within the group, Troy and Chad are discussing ideas about the basketball plays and scheduling practices while Gabriella and Taylor are discussing the schedule of their decathlon practices.

The whole group looks worried and distressed. Of course, with everything in about two months, they have reason to be worried.

"What days of the week should we schedule the practices?" asks Troy.

Chad answers, "Why are you asking me! You're the captain."

Troy, knowing this, still has his mind on the winter musical.

Chad, seeing the look on his face, takes it back. "Look, sorry man. I didn't mean to snap. It's the fact that they'll accuse us of cheating. That just really bothers me."

Troy, knowing he didn't mean it, just tells Chad, "It's alright. I know how you feel."

The tension was just the same in the other group of two.

"Taylor, when are the practices?" asks Gabriella.

"I'm not sure. Just wait. I'll hand you the schedule on Friday," answers Taylor.

"You know, I really need to know sooner than that because of the rehearsals for the musical. Is there anyway to get it sooner?"
"I just can't do off the top of my head. Just be patient!"

"I'm sorry. It's just the musical and the decathlon are in the same month. Even though that's about two months away, I'm already feeling the pressure."

"I know. You're not the only one. I know we'll figure out a way to manage both the decathlon and musical. Don't you worry."

The days drag on by and the week soon came to an end.

P.S. I'm not that great at cliff-hangers like some of the stories I've been reading, but if you love cliff-hangers stick around to the end. Please Review!