Author's Note: Hey thanks to all of my reviewers! A special thanks to: Sharpie x3. I am very glad you are enjoying my story and I am also enjoying yours as well!

Summary: After the call backs, Troy and Gabriella's relationship begins to blossom. But Sharpay wants Troy, and the part of Minnie. Will Troy and Gabriella be able to pull through? Or will Sharpay succeed?

Maybe

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Chapter 9

Mrs. Montez's car rolled up the street and into the Children's Center parking lot. Gabriella made a jolt for the car door and swung it open. She kissed her mother goodbye and headed for the door. She walked into find complete chaos, as always. Children running around, singing, dancing or anything else imaginable. Nothing really seemed out of the ordinary, just one thing.

Gabriella spotted Troy and Sharpay creating a table with two chairs placed beside it. She didn't understand; this was her week to volunteer, not theirs. there was a system that was set up so that the three alternated weeks She needed to get to the bottom of this.

Not knowing anywhere else to turn she headed for Troy and Sharpay. She didn't even dare to ask the chatting parents so she headed straight for the source.

"Um...Sharpay, Troy?" Sharpay turned to look at Gabriella and scowled. Troy looked up from what he was doing and smiled. Gabriella just looked at Sharpay.

"Hey Gabriella!" Sharpay said enthusiastically with sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"I thought this week, was my week to volunteer," Gabriella said getting straight to the point.

"Well, today is auditions for the musical, so we thought it would be a good idea that we all be here to make the decision," Troy said kindly.

"Fine," Gabriella said politely, as she turned in the direction of the children.

"And Gabriella?" Gabriella turned to face Sharpay. "Would you be a doll and get the kids rounded up? Thanks," Sharpay said winking at Gabriella and turning back towards Troy.

"Stupid Sharpay," Gabriella mumbled as she made her way towards the scrambled kids.

"Okay guys you know the drill!" Gabriella called out as the kids quickly dropped what they were doing and raced towards their lines. Troy seemed impressed. "Okay guys good time now today is auditions! Now I know some of you are very nervous," Gabriella saw the little red-headed, Allison go pale. She could tell she was nervous as heck. Just as she was before the callbacks, with Troy. "But you know there is nothing to be nervous about! You'll all do fine! So on that why don't we begin," Gabriella made her way up to the stage to be with Troy and Sharpay. Gabriella stood next to Troy and smiled, he smiled back. Sharpay glared as the two began to talk.

"Okay let's begin!" Sharpay said cutting the two off.

"First up...Tiffany Evans," Troy said stepping out of the stage as the rest of the kids watched in silence.

"So Tiffany, what will you be singing for us today?" Asked Gabriella politely.

"It's the hard knock life," Tiffany said professionally.

It's the hard knock life for us,

it's the hard knock life for us!

Tiffany belted out the words to the fun song as she danced across the stage.

Stead' of treated

We get tricked!

Sharpay watched as she mouthed the words to the song helping her sister along.

Stead of kisses

We get kicked!

It's the hard knock life!

Tiffany began to go on.

Got no folks to speak of so it's the hard-

Gabriella cut her off.

"That will be enough Tiffany, thank you very much,"

Tiffany scowled then pranced happily off the stage.

The three began to write on their papers as the children watched again in silence. The all agreed that they could bring out the next child to be auditioned. Troy read the name from the list.

"Uh, next up Lori Luhi," Troy said looking nervous. He slumped back in his seat and looked around the room nervously.

Lori made her way up the stage stairs. She greeted Sharpay and Gabriella then walked slowly up to Troy.

"Hi Troy," She said batting her eyelashes and tossing her hair back.

Troy slumped more into his seat now looking embarrassed.

"What are you going to sing for us Lori?" Troy mumbled unhappily.

"Tomorrow!" She cried as she took her spot, center stage.

She coughed a bit before opening her mouth to sing,

The sun'll come out, tomorrow

bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow

the'll be sun!

She made a sun motion with her hands as she winked playfully at Troy.

Just thinkin' about,

Tomorrow!

Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow...

Till' there's none

She had a simple voice, nothing outstanding but it wasn't horrible.

When I'm stuck with a day

that's gray and lonely,

I just stick out my chin

and grin and say...

Oh!

Tomorrow, tomorrow,

I love ya, tomorrow

your only a day

away!

She concluded her singing and looked at the three, waiting for a reply.

"That was very nice Lori, Thank you very much for your time you have a great voice," Said Gabriella soothingly.

Lori took a short bow and headed for Troy.

"Buh-bye Troy!" She gigged and ran off.

Troy sunk back in his seat more, Gabriella watched in amusement.

At least ten more kids tried out before the three were too tired to go on, the took a break to let the kids rest and themselves rest.

The kids talked amongst themselves and rehearsed songs with each other. The three remained in their seats chattering away. Well, most of them.

"And then! I was all like oh no she didn't and he was like-" Sharpay's talk with Troy was interrupted by Sharpay's cell phone.

"I'll be right back," She said kissing Troy before leaving the room.

Sharpay left leaving the two alone.

"So..." Troy tapped his pen against the table as Gabriella looked of into the distance.

"How's the science club doing?" Troy asked Gabriella.

"What? Oh sorry we're doing fine, how about the basketball team?" Gabriella replied.

"We're good, we're good. Your boyfriend Derek is a great player,"

"Derek isn't my boyfriend," Gabriella said

"Oh," Troy said a bit happily.

Gabriella opened her mouth to speak but Sharpay ruined her moment.

"Back, just my brother. So where were we Troy?" Sharpay said completely ignoring Gabriella and returning to her conversation with Troy.

"Okay guys let's get back to work!" Gabriella called out to the kids, Sharpay squinted her eyes coldly at Gabriella and ended her talk with Troy.

—

A few more kids auditioned, by the end of auditions Gabriella thought she was forgetting someone, she read over her audition list once more.

"Aha!" Gabriella mumbled realizing who she had missed. "Allison Reid, your next!"

The shy red-head shuffled out from the corner of the room nervously as she took her spot on the stage.

"And what will you be singing for us today?" Troy asked professionally.

"Maybe," She said timidly. Troy nodded and sat back in his seat.

She took a deep breath and began.

Maybe far a-way—

or maybe real near by

He maybe pour-in her coffee,

She maybe strat-nin' his tie.

The words flowed out of her mouth like velvet, purifying the room with the soft chime of her voice.

May-be in a house

all hid-en by a hill

she's sitting playing piano

he's sitting paying a bill!

Troy and Gabriella watched in amazement what raw talent the little girl had, Sharpay was scowling with her arms folded over her chest as she glared at Gabriella and Troy and occasionally tossing her hair to the side or fixing her nail.

Bet-cha they're young

bet-cha they're smart

bet they collect things like ashtrays and art

be-cha there good, why shouldn't they be?

Their one mistake, was giving up me!

Usually they would ask the child to stop by now but they just wanted to listen to the beautiful voice coming out of the timid girl's body.

So, maybe now it's time,

and maybe when I wake,

they'll be there calling me baby

Maybe

Her eyes glinted as she left the three and the rest of the children, speechless.

"That was amazing," Said Gabriella quietly.

"It really was," Said Troy looking down at the table.

"Well, don't call us we'll call you!" Sharpay said pushing her off the stage. "Okay gang cast list will be up next week see you then!" Sharpay began to shoo the kids out of the building.

Gabriella gathered her books up and headed out. Troy grabbed her on the shoulder.

"Um..I thought we were going to make the cast list tonight,"

"We were?" Gabriella titled her head like a confused puppy.

"Didn't Sharpay give you the memo?" Troy asked.

"No, but I can stay." Gabriella walked back to the stage and dropped her stuff back down.

Troy smiled as she walked up the stage, the bringing his mind back to Sharpay. He blond curls bounced up and down as she ran.

"Sharpay!" Troy called he raced down towards her. "Where are you going?" He asked. "I thought we were supposed to work on the cast list,"

"Oh Troy, I can't I have a doctor's appointment about the food poisoning I got last week. I'm sure we can reschedule," Sharpay said sweetly kissing him and leaving.

"But I just told-" Troy spun around and went back to Gabriella.

"Sharpay has to go, so we'll do it," Troy said with a smile.

"Aw what a shame," Gabriella giggled, Troy frowned but forced a smile out.

"Okay lets get started," Troy said, Gabriella nodded.

—

"No, I don't think that she was that amazing, she would fit the part better!"

Gabriella and Troy had been deciding on the cast list for hours it was now 10:00 and they had practically gotten nowhere.

"But-but-" Troy had no answer.

"Okay why don't we move on to the part of the 'oh my goodness girl'" Gabriella offered.

Troy nodded.

"How about that Lori girl, she seemed good," Gabriella said.

"The one who has an obsession, with me!" Troy gasped, Gabriella giggled. "Fine, fine. Yeah she's good but she must stay at least 10 feet away from me!" Troy replied.

"Your taking out a restraining order on an eight year old?" Gabriella said trying to hold back her laughter.

"Yes, yes I am," Troy said proudly. Gabriella laughed some more.

"Okay, we put this part off the entire time, who should play Annie?" Gabriella asked.

"It's between Tiffany and Allison," Troy said in a worried voice. "Well who do you think would be best for the part?" Troy asked.

"Well personally, I'd think Allison. Don't get me wrong I mean Tiffany was great and I have nothing against her but I think that Allison was better." Gabriella said throwing her pencil down and looking at Troy.

"Me too, me too," Troy said softy. "So where to put Tiffany?" Troy asked.

"I think we'll find a place for her," Gabriella said with a sly grin.

Troy smiled.

Wait a minute, Troy thought. Here I am with my ex-girlfriend having an amazing time. What's wrong with this picture. I mean, I love Sharpay. Don't I?

"Well it's been fun, but I really ought to be going, bye Gabriella!" Troy called out as he left.

"Bye Troy." Gabriella said softly as she began to gather up here things.

—

Troy picked up his cell phone and dialed Sharpay's number. He put the phone to his ear, as he sighed and began to go through his room, he was bored.

"Hi is Sharpay there? Yes, Okay thanks," Troy said to Sharpay's mom.

"Hello?" He heard Sharpay's smooth voice through the phone.

"How you feeling?" Troy asked, even though Sharpay wasn't in the least bit sick.

"I'm fine, it was just a doctor's appointment," Sharpay said.

"I know I know, just wanted to make sure everything was alright." Troy said dumbly.

"Okay Troy, what's wrong?" Sharpay said coldly.

"Nothing, it's just..." Troy decided to calm his nerves about the whole cast list thing by digging through his dresser drawers.

"Just what Troy?" Sharpay snapped.

"It's just, me and Gabriella did the cast list tonight, I'm really sorry!" Troy blurted out.

"That's okay Troy, I know it wasn't your idea," Sharpay said, emphasizing the word your.

"What do you mean?" Troy asked.

"Well, I know this wasn't your fault Troy,"

"It's not?" Troy seemed confused.

"I know that Gabriella forced you, you are just too nice to say no," Sharpay said feeling sure of herself.

"Sharpay that's not-" Troy attempted to tell her what really happened but she interrupted him.

"No need to stick up for that poser Troy, you know what she did," Sharpay said.

Troy coninuted to search through his drawers when he came across a photograph, it was of him and Gabriella earlier this year after the callbacks. Troy remebered the day perfectly. The gang had all went to get some ice-cream. Gabriella got strawberry, they shared the melting ice cream as he kissed the dripping ice cream off her cheek when it slid past her mouth.

"Don't talk about her like that," Troy grumbled.

"You say something Troy?" Sharpay asked.

"No, nothing," Troy said.

"Okay I have to go sweetie, toodles!" Sharpay called to him as she hung up the phone.

Troy removed the phone from his ear and flopped himself back onto his bed sighing.

—

Gabriella paced back and forth at the duck pond at the nearby park. Derek had called her and asked her to meet him there at 5:00. The sky was growing dark and Gabriella was getting tired of waiting. Finally she saw the dark shadow of someone running towards her.

"Hi Gabriella," Derek said trying to regain his breath.

"Hi Derek, why did you call me down here?" Gabriella asked.

Derek grabbed hold of his racing nerves and took a deep breath and began.

"Listen Gabriella, the basketball diner is coming up soon. All of the guys have dates and I was just well wondering...if you'd like to be mine?" Derek asked kindly.

Gabriella didn't know what to say. Her thoughts were all mixed up, alike her feelings. Finally she found the perfect answer.

She walked up to Derek and whispered in his ear.

"Maybe," Gabriella kissed him on the cheek and began to walk off into the darkness.

And so, how did you like the chapter? Hope you did please review!