What is Gabriella's decision? Will Sharpay be happy with it? Read, findout, and review!!

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

A Choice Made and Friendships Gained

Thursday Morning, December 5th, Homeroom

There was an air of excitement in the air. The basketball game, scholastic decathlon, and the Twinkle Towne musical are in a day.

Instead of Gabriella being the last one from the group to head into homeroom, Troy was the last one.

Gabriella arrived early to talk to Taylor about the scholastic decathlon/musical situation.

"Gabriella, I'm not keeping you from the musical," Taylor assured Gabriella.

"But, doesn't the team need me," Gabriella answered.

"Gabriella, listen to me. Do what your heart is telling you. We'll be fine without you."

"But, Taylor…"

"Gabriella, think about it. We'll always have another chance at the Decathlon, but you'll never have this chance again. Think about how Troy would feel."

Gabriella remembered the look of disappointment on Troy's face yesterday. She didn't want it to happen again. "Alright, Tay. You've reassured me that I can take this chance," Gabriella said, giving Taylor a hug.

"Look, it's Troy. Go tell him," Taylor said, pointing to Troy across the room.

Gabriella got up and walked over to Troy.

Upon her approach, Troy asked, "Gabriella, did you make your decision?"

"Yes, Troy," Gabriella answered, "I'm sorry it took so long for me to make it, but I've chosen to…" she looked back to Taylor, who gave her a look that read 'go ahead,' "sing with you in the musical," she finished with a smile on her face.

Troy was relieved. He gave Gabriella one of his famous smiles and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad."

Across the room, Sharpay saw the whole thing play out in front of her. She knew now that she would never get a shot at stopping them from being in the musical. "Nothing could, would, and now should separate them," Sharpay thought. She finally gave up all her plans to break them up or push them out of the spotlight. She finally realized that she was pushing away such great friends.

Ryan looked up from his conversation with Rachael and saw that his sister looked at peace with herself. "Shar, you okay?"

"Yes, Ryan. I just realized what friendship and relationship really mean," she said, with a smile on her face looking at Ryan and Rachael, "Yeah, I'll be totally fine."

This time, Sharpay meant it.

Lunch

Troy and Gabriella were deep in conversation. So deep that neither Taylor or Chad could figure out how to talk to them.

"Times like this when I wonder how this all happened," Chad said.

"If it never happened, I wouldn't have met you. Now you don't want that to happen, do you?" Taylor joked.

"You've got some jokes, too, huh. Nice one and you're right. It's thanks to them that we're together," Chad answered.

Up on the second level, Sharpay was starting to head down to where Troy and Gabriella were sitting.

When Ryan saw his sister start leaving, he got up and said, "Sharpay, where are you heading?"

"To make amends," Sharpay answered.

Ryan realized that his sister meant amends with Troy and Gabriella and sat back down to talk to Rachael.

"I guess she was serious about what she said earlier," Rachael said when Ryan sat back down.

Sharpay headed over to Troy and Gabriella's table and sat down.

Gabriella, Chad, and Taylor were stunned to see her there. Troy on the other hand, understood.

"Finally seen the light, haven't you," Troy said.

"Yes, Troy. Gabriella," she turned to Gabriella, "I'm sorry for everything I've done. Same to you Troy."

"Sharpay, like your friend Rachael, we know that you're sincerely sorry and we accept your apology," Gabriella answered.

"Really?" Chad whispered to Troy.

"Yes, Chad," Troy answered, "people can change."

Sharpay felt as if she was a normal teenager eating with a bunch of friends. She had never really felt this way before. She liked the feeling of friendship.

The lunch table was filled with laughter as Chad decided to tell some jokes to get through the rest of the lunch.

Sharpay was enjoying this. She could get used to it. She looked up to where Ryan and Rachael were sitting and saw the look of approval on their faces. "Yeah, I could get used to this," Sharpay thought to herself.

Friday Morning, December 8th, the Day of the Musical, Homeroom

Ms. Darbus was especially happy today. She allowed the homeroom to used their cell phones during homeroom. Today was the day of the presentation of her work. Today was the day of the musical.

Gabriella and Troy walked into homeroom together. They took their seats and started discussing the final details about the musical.

Chad and Taylor were talking about their competitions coming up in a few hours. They were also talking about going to see the musical tomorrow night.

"Troy. Gabriella. I need to see you in the front of my room," Ms. Darbus said loudly.

They both walked up slowly to where Ms. Darbus was.

"Yes, Ms. Darbus?" Gabriella asked.

"You and Troy will have to miss half of your last period. I need you guys to start hair and make-up as soon as you can," she said while writing them passes to leave last period.

"Okay, Ms. Darbus. Where do want us to meet?" Troy asked.

"Meet here. I'll have Kelsi here and along with a couple of other students," she said, looking at them.

"Alright Ms. Darbus. You'll see us then," Gabriella answered.

RRRRIIINNNNGGGG!!!!!!

The room filed out quickly. Troy and Gabriella walked out slowly and separated to go to their classes. They both couldn't wait.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The musical is still on, but during last period, an important cast member is nowhere to be seen. Who is it and will he/she be found? Send me your reviews and guesses.