Author's Note: Yay I broke 80 reviews today! I'm very exited haha. Okay guys hope you enjoy this next chapter. I'll surely enjoy writing it!

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?

Sparks

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Chapter 10

Gabriella immediately picked up the phone the next morning to call Taylor, she had no idea what to say to Derek she needed help.

"Hello, Taylor?" Gabriella said nervously.

"Yeah, what's up Gabriella?"

"Everything!" Gabriella cried as she shoved her head into her soft blue pillow.

"Okay tell me what happened," Taylor said sitting on her bed and crossing her legs.

"Maybe this would be better to talk about in person," Gabriella said lost for words.

"Wanna come over?" Taylor asked.

"Please," Gabriella begged softly.

"Of course, I'll see you in a few," Taylor said hanging up the phone.

Gabriella grabbed her sweater and ran out the front door without saying even goodbye to her mother. She raced down the street towards Taylor's house. Of course she then realized, Taylor's house was 4 blocks away. Gabriella slowed down and calmly walked down the empty suburban street.

—

One more block, Gabriella thought to herself as she crossed the street. She then realized who's street this was. It was Troy's.

She began to move faster her arms swinging as she walked. Her eyes darted all ways making sure she didn't have a run in with him. Although he seemed nice at the auditions yesterday, was he making a move? Gabriella thought to herself. No Gabriella no, he broke up with you remember, he likes Sharpay. Done.

She head some laughing across the street, she expected it to be some little kids playing tag or something but instead it was Troy and Sharpay sharing an ice cream and laughing. Troy's eyes met her's. She immediately darted her head back down to her feet as she ran inside Taylor's house without knocking.

She pressed her back against theMCkiessie's door and sighed deeply. She opened her eyes to find Taylor staring at her as she took her hand and ran upstairs.

Taylor shut the door behind her as she sat on her green end chair.

"So, what's up?" Taylor asked.

"Have you done something to your room? It looks great," Gabriella said trying to stay away from the subject.

"Gabriella, let's stay on topic here,"

"Sorry it's just, last night Derek asked me to the basketball dinner and well I'm not sure if I should go," Gabriella said staring at the floor.

"Well what did you say to him when he asked you?"

"Maybe. And then I kissed him which I think gave him the wrong impression," Gabriella said.

"And I thought you guys were just friends," Taylor smirked and raised an eyebrow up at her.

"We are, we are," Gabriella said slowly. "What should I do?"

"Say yes, I mean Gabriella you and I both know the only reason you refuse to like Derek is because your waiting for Troy," Taylor said.

Gabriella was silent.

"So if Troy can go out and have fun so can you!" Taylor said.

"Yeah! I can, can't I!" Gabriella stood up. "Thanks Taylor," Gabriella went to hug her friend,"

"Anytime, and when do you wanna go dress shopping?" Taylor said with a laugh as Gabriella left.

—

Gabriella made her way through the streets greeting Troy and Sharpay, nothing could ruin her day now. She felt like a new person, who could do anything.

She raced into her house kissing her mother on the cheek and hurrying upstairs to her bedroom.

She darted for the phone and dialed Derek's number.

"Hello, Derek?" Gabriella said into the phone.

"Yeah, hey Gabriella!" Derek said enthusiastically.

"Listen, I've been thinking, I will go to the dinner with you," Gabriella said.

"Oh yes! That sounds great Gabriella. It's this Friday. I'll pick you up around 5 or so okay?" Derek said excitedly.

"Sounds great," Gabriella said calmly as he hung up.

Gabriella placed the phone back on the hook and began to daydream.

—

Gabriella and Taylor searched the racks of clothing at the department store for perfect dresses for the dinner.

"Oh Gabriella this is a cute one!" Taylor said holding up a printed chiffon, strapless dress with ruffled trim.

Gabriella cringed. Taylor put the dress down as they continued to search.

Taylor's eyes darted to the cocktail dresses in the corner. She was eyeing a Jersey V-neck dress with twisted shoulders and a blue velvet sash. Taylor grabbed the dress and hurried to the dressing room. Gabriella followed grimly.

"Taylor how long does it take to put on a dress?" Gabriella asked looking at her watch.

Taylor poked her head out from the curtain.

"To look this good takes time," Taylor said as she stuck her head back inside.

Gabriella let her eyes wander around the empty store. She spotted someone peering around the dresses with a stubborn dirty blond boy trailing by her side. The girl turned around, it was Sharpay.

How does she manage to be everywhere I am? Gabriella thought. Does she have a tracking device on me or something?

"Don't look now Taylor but look at who is here," Gabriella said to the closed curtain.

Sharpay beamed as she grabbed Troy and began to walk in their direction. Gabriella attempted to climb in the dressing room with Taylor to hide herself but Taylor shoved her out.

"Hi Gabriella!" Sharpay said cheerfully. "Funny bumping into you here," Sharpay giggled.

Taylor stepped out doing a twirl and striking a pose.

"Wow Taylor, that dress looks lovely on you!" Sharpay said giving her hands a small clap.

"Thanks," Taylor said between her teeth.

"What are you guys doing here anyway?" Troy asked kindly.

"We're picking out dresses for the basketball dinner," Taylor said stepping up.

"Oh," Troy said.

"Who are you going with Gabriella?" Sharpay asked.

"Derek Bale," Gabriella said happily.

Troy looked down at his feet.

"Sharpay I understand what you are doing here, but Troy. Why are you here?" Taylor asked.

Troy began to blush.

"Troy and I are going to match!" Sharpay said giggling. Gabriella bit her lip with a smile trying to hold back her laughter. "I just wanted to make sure him and I had the right colors," Sharpay said bouncing up and down.

Troy looked to the opposite side trying to avoid the shame of the situation.

"Well gotta go! Toodles!" Sharpay called out as she dragged Troy with her.

After they had disappeared out of site the two began to talk.

"Well she seemed, uh nice," Taylor said smiling.

Gabriella bit her lip as they both burst into laughter.

After the two had regained their breath Taylor began to help Gabriella search for her dress.

"You looked amazing in that dress Tay, I have no idea how I am going to get a dress that will make me look that way," Gabriella said looking through the racks.

"How about this one!" Taylor pulled out a metal colored brocade strapless beaded empire dress with a bubble hem.

Gabriella shrugged and took the dress.

She entered the dressing room as she struggled with the dress. She heard footsteps coming towards the dressing area.

"Hey Taylor," Troy said as he rejoined them.

"Hi Troy," Taylor said looking away at Gabriella's feet from under the dressing room.

"Where's Gabriella?" Troy asked looking around.

Taylor pointed to the middle dressing room.

Troy nodded.

"Where'd Sharpay go?" Taylor asked making conversation.

"She had to call her mom, and well I didn't want to be waiting in the ladies department alone so I came here," Troy said.

"Ah.." Taylor nodded her head.

Gabriella pushed open the curtain as she stepped forward. She struck a pose as she then noticed Troy, who was left speechless.

"You look, amazing," Troy said softly, his eyes bugging out.

"See told you, you could look as amazing as me!" Taylor giggled.

"Eh, I'm not to crazy about this one. I think I'm going to find something else," Gabriella said returning to the dressing room.

"Oh Troy!" Sharpay called.

"Oh-no," Troy said as he left.

—

Gabriella began to put the last amounts of blush and lip-stick on her face. Her eyes were done with a very light pink and added a light amount of mascara to them. Her lipstick was a deeper pink and her blush was a bit lighter than her normal skin tone. Her hair was down, except for a little bit of it which was in a low pink bow. (A/N how she wore it while she was singing "Breaking Free" in the original movie except in a soft pink bow.)

Gabriella did the last finishing touches on her makeup and began to walk downstairs. She heard the horn bonking from outside. Gabriella quickly kissed her mother and raced outside.

Gabriella walked down the walk-way in her crepe back satin V-neck soft metallic pink cocktail dress with a waist strap detail. Her pink shall matched the base color of the dress. Her shoes were simple black open toed heels.

"You look amazing," Derek said softly as he took her hand.

"Thank you," Gabriella said happily as she stepped into the front seat of Derek's 1995 black mustang.

They drove off in the sunset towards Café Des Roses. The place where the party was held.

They came to a nearing corning, as Derek turned. A valet took his car as he stepped out and opened the door for Gabriella. He looked up at her and smiled as she did the same. As they walked up the stairs, leading to the doors Derek went to go greet some of his buddies. Gabriella was left trudging up the steps.

She stumbled over a crake in the marble and dropped her pink satin clutch. As she bent down to pick it up, she noticed a familiar hand holding it. She stood up to realize it was Troy.

"Here you go," He said kindly.

"Thank you Troy," Gabriella gave a polite smile.

"You look beautiful tonight," He said to her as they began to walk up the steps.

"I could say the same thing about you," Gabriella said with a smile.

"Aw shucks thanks," Troy said sarcastically.

Gabriella laughed.

Oh how I adore that laugh, Troy thought to himself. He was zapped back into reality when he felt someone's arm linked with his.

It was Sharpay.

"Oh Gabriella! You look wonderful!" Sharpay said sarcastically but still fooling Troy that she meant it.

"So do you," Gabriella said politely.

Sharpay was wearing a seaweed gown with a plunging V-neck and a pleated empire waist.

Gabriella rushed off to find Taylor and Derek.

The inside of Café Des Roses was amazing. Beautiful chandeliers hung from the ceiling and amazing pieces of art work hung from the walls. The dance floor was huge with a DJ with streaming lights of all colors coming from it. Gabriella spotted Taylor, Chad and Derek standing out in the garden. She raced to join them.

"Hey guys this place is amazing isn't it?" Gabriella said as they all nodded their heads.

Derek took Gabriella's hand and laced it in his. She smiled at Derek as Troy and Sharpay began to wander over.

Derek greeted Troy.

"Hey sup man?" Derek asked his hand still gripped around Gabriella's.

"Good, good," Troy said, his mind on other things.

"Everybody on the dance floor!" They heard the DJ call they ran back inside the building

The music blared out of the stereos as Derek and Gabriella danced to the fast paced music.

Troy moved closer to Sharpay as he glared at Gabriella having fun with Derek.

The cha cha slide began to play.

Now it's time to get funky!

To the left.

Everyone move to the left.

Take it back now ya'll

One hop this time!

The entire room filled with the thuds of the hopping and the shout's of 'one!'

Take it back now ya'll

Turn around

She noticed Troy had messed up as Sharpay began to laugh.

Gabriella winced and she had no idea what came over her but she began to laugh as well saying:

"Oh Derek you are so funny!" Gabriella shouted so Troy would hear as she threw back her head and laughed.

"Okay..." Derek said shrugging his shoulders and playing along.

Gabriella held her head. This is so not like me, Gabriella thought to herself.

"I think I need some air, it's getting a bit stuffy in here," Gabriella said beginning to walk out towards the courtyard.

"You want company?" Derek asked kindly.

"No, I'm good,"

Gabriella walked swiftly out to the garden. There were tons of waterfalls and bridges with flowers covering the place. She made her way to a nearby bridge as she looked down at the tiny river flowing beneath her.

She sighed and uneasy sigh. She looked up at the moon and looked around the garden. She spotted Troy and Sharpay in the distance. She had a perfect view of them as she tried to keep herself hidden. She could just barley hear the words they were speaking. She noticed something sparkly coming off of Sharpay's neck. She squinted to see that it was her necklace or used to be.

I guess Troy could have done anything he wanted with it, I mean I did give it back to him. Gabriella thought as she leaned over the bridge.

She heard soft words coming out of Troy's mouth, she listened closely to hear their conversation.

"Sharpay, I have loved every minute of the time we've spent together," Troy said slowly.

Is he doing what I think he is? Gabriella thought to herself.

"And I think I know why, I love you Sharpay!" Troy said softly.

Gabriella's jaw dropped open.

Sharpay threw her arms around Troy's neck as she giggled. He smiled a bright big beautiful smile as he closed his eyes happily.

He really is happy, that is all that should matter he is happy and I am happy for him. Gabriella thought to herself a tear running down her cheek. He moved on, now I should too. Gabriella said as she walked back in and finally let go.

—

She raced over to Derek happily.

"Derek!" She shouted.

He ran up to her quickly.

"Gabriella they are doing the toasts," Derek said as they linked arms and ran over to the middle table.

Troy stood up on top of a chair as he held his glass to the ceiling.

"Guys, you know I hate speeches, but here it goes..." Troy breathed in heavily and began. "Okay you guys are like brothers to me, the new ones..." Troy looked at Derek. "And the old," He looked at Chad who raised his glass up at him, "But no matter how long we've know each other or how long we will know each other, we're teammates. Win together loose together teammates,"

"Get'cha head in the game!" The team cried out as they clinked their glasses together.

The entire room burst into cheers as Troy was lifted down from the chair. He was filled with pats on his back and handshakes. Sharpay joined them and kissed Troy passionately on the lips as they all dug into the food.

—

The entire team sat at a long table to the side of the room. Troy and Sharpay sat at the head of the table. With Chad & Taylor on his right and Zeke and some cheerleader on his left. Then there was Jason and his date next to Zeke, and Gabriella and Derek next to Chad and Taylor.

They served food down the table. Each took a little of what they wanted and passed it along.

"Taylor! Could you take any longer?" Gabriella whined.

"I'm taking my time okay," Taylor replied as she began to take a little of everything, one by one.

"Troy could you please pass the mashed potatoes because someone! Its taking her time?" Gabriella asked.

He smiled as he passed it down.

Derek felt a sudden rush as he grabbed Gabriella's hand and sighed heavily, he didn't want any connections going on between the two of them. Even if it was a small matter of potatoes.

—

"Okay everyone, last slow dance!" Everyone partnered up on the dance floor.

Gabriella and Derek moved closer and closer until Gabriella's head was resting against Derek's shoulder. Troy winced as he moved closer to Sharpay, who was lost in the moment.

Derek then took Gabriella's hand and led her outside. Troy immediately made an excuse to leave and left Sharpay staring groggily into the punch bowl.

Derek and Gabriella giggled and they chased each other through the garden as they landed near a fountain in the middle of the rippling waterfall.

Golden lights hung from trees and fountains it looked amazing.

All was quiet.

Troy hid himself behind a low tree branch, leaves dropping in his hair.

"Gabriella don't really know how to say this but...I really, really like you," Derek said. "Yeah and I know that's a corny way to tell someone you like them but..."Derek started to ramble.

Troy quietly watched.

Taylor came up from behind him and whispered.

"Troy, what are you doing?"

"Um..getting fresh air?" Troy said hopefully. Taylor didn't fall for it.

"Look's like spying to me," Taylor raised an eyebrow.

"Shhhh!" Troy whispered as he went on listening.

Taylor rolled her eyes and left.

"And now I'm rambling and..."Gabriella had put a finger over Derek's mouth as she leaned into kiss him.

Gabriella finally felt it, it was a spark happening between her and Derek as they kissed. Maybe she was right. Maybe Derek was the right one for her.

Author's Note: Hey hoped you all liked this chapter! This is the longest one I've ever written! 13 pages! W00pee! So..please review!