Author's Note: Hey guys! Hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, thank you all for reviewing they are much appreciated. But, please if you have a review where you predict what might happen or suggest something. Depending on what it is please message me so you don't ruin it for everyone else, if I was going to do that in next chapters. I have the entire story made up already in my mind before I actually write it, so I really don't need comments on what to do in further chapters unless you think it's really necessary. So enough of that let's go on to the story!

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?

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The Play's The Thing

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Chapter 15

It was opening night of the play. Annie that is. Even so, Gabriella was nervous. She thought about how they would do, how they would sound and if they had fun along the way. Sharpay probably only cared about being noticed as a 'caring citizen' That was all she was concerned about, her image.

She hoped Derek would drop by to see all of her hard work. She fixed the final touches on her hair and was off.

—

Gabriella walked through the double doors and into the large room full of chattering people. She squeezed through them to get to the stage.

Thankfully she spotted Troy waving her over from in back of the velvet red curtain. Immediatly she raced over.

"Hey Troy," She said cheerfully.

"Hey," He replied back."There's a problem backstage," Troy said nervously.

"What is it? Is someone hurt?" She said looking past his body blocking the way.

"No, it seems our star has stage fright, maybe you could talk to her?" He asked hopefully.

"Why me? It's not like I wouldn't do it but, what about Sharpay," Gabriella asked looking to the side.

"I thought you would be best at this," He said quietly putting his hand on her shoulder.

Gabriella smiled and began to walk backstage, giving Troy one last smile before walking on.

Gabriella searched and searched for little Allison but she was no where to be found. Then, she had a sudden spark. She ran towards the farthest part of the backstage. In the supply closet. She realized then, how much they really had in common.

Gabriella quietly opened the supply closet door to see Allison nervously twirling her hair around her finger in the corner.

Gabriella slowly walked in her heels clicking against the tiled floor every time she took a step. She silently sat down next to her.

"Nice hiding spot," Gabriella said, breaking the ice. "I never would of thought of it,"

"Thanks," Allison mumbled.

"Now, why are you hiding here anyway?" Gabriella asked, even though she knew what the answer was.

"I'm nervous," She said quietly. "And don't try to cheer me up because you don't know what this feels like. You have so much more confidence in yourself. Unlike me," She replied.

Gabriella sighed heavily.

"When I had my call-backs, I was so nervous. I had practiced and practiced, I felt like I was so ready, but then something went wrong." Gabriella said.

"What?" Allison asked curiously.

"Troy and I were only supposed to do our audition for Ms. Darbus, but when my fiend and I had to find someway to get everyone out of the gym so Troy could come sing with me, everyone also headed for the auditorium. The music began to play and all eyes were on me, but nothing came out of my mouth, the music stopped and Troy came over to me. He gave me the confidence I needed to sing my heart out, and that is what I'm going to give you." Gabriella said.

"You are?" Allison asked curiously.

"Yes, Allison the reason we picked you because you were the best at this role. You showed us that you were meant to be Annie and that you wanted it. Now you go out there and show them what you can do!" Gabriella said encouragingly.

Allison smiled a bright, big smile.

"And Allison, I know you can do this," Gabriella said softly, putting her hand on her shoulder.

The two walked out into the hustle and bustle of parents running after their screaming children who refused to wear anymore make-up or have their hair brushed for the 10th time.

Squeezing past them, finally they reached a mirror so Gabriella could fix up Allison's smudged mascara.

Gabriella gently brushed her hair back as Troy walked over.

"Thanks," Troy whispered in her ear and leaving the two.

—

"Hello ladies and gentleman! And welcome to the Children's Center's performance of Annie!" Gabriella said into the microphone as the crowd cheered.

"Now these kids have put a lot of hard work and dedication into this play so I hope you all enjoy it!" Troy also said into the mic.

Where is Sharpay? Thought Troy to himself. He hoped she wouldn't miss their big day.

"Now give a big round of applause for the Children's Center's performance of Annie!" Sharpay came in and said calmly into the microphone. Taking the words right out of Gabriella's mouth.

She gave Gabriella a sly stare as the crowd cheered and the curtains opened.

—

So far the play was going well. Only two kids had messed up their lines and only a few messed up the choreography. But they're seven-year-olds, what do you expect?

Now the finale was approaching. Gabriella was as nervous as the kids, if they messed this up the entire play would be down the tubes. But she had faith in them, even Tiffany.

Everyone lined up for the final scene. Gabriella spotted Troy on the other side of the stage. Watching from behind the wings.

Gabriella gave him a little wave and a smile, as he did back. Before they knew it the play had ended and it was time for them to take their bows.

Gabriella and Troy walked out to center stage. Meeting there and walking up the stage for their bows. As they walked up Troy shyly grabbed Gabriella's hand and linked it with his. But someone was missing.

"Thank god Sharpay isn't here she'd have a fit," thought Gabriella.

They took their bows and headed backstage to congratulate the stars.

"Hey guys!" Cried out Gabriella to the laughing kids.

A ton of little girls and a boy or two raced up to hug them.

When everyone had finally gone off to take off their stage make-up one little girl was left standing alone, and it wasn't Allison.

"Lori what's wrong?" Asked Gabriella softly. "Aren't you happy about the play?"

She nodded sadly.

"Then what's the problem?" She asked.

Lori looked over at Troy who was talking to a parent and laughing.

"Oh, Troy," She said softly.

Lori nodded again.

"Well, I don't want to crush your dreams here. But Troy is a little too old for you," She said cautiously, trying not to hurt the poor girl's feelings.

"I know, but he's just so darn cute!" She exclamied.

"He is isn't he," Gabriella said with chuckle. Gabriella lost herself in a daze by then. Lost in his deep blue eyes.

She zapped herself back to Derek, the guy who didn't break her heart, or cheat on her.

She stopped thinking about guys by then and went along with Lori to join the other kids.

Lori, slyly left the group and walked around past Troy, hoping he'd get the message.

"Hey Lori great show!" He said wrapping his arms around her.

She dazed off, like Gabriella holding onto him tight.

"Hope you join next year," He leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Everyone ran around them to watch. Lori fell to the floor happily as everyone raced to see if she was ok.

"Lori you ok?" Gabriella asked, holding her head in her arms.

"I'm ok now," She said happily.

Everyone laughed happily. Gabriella took Troy to the side as all the girls fonded over the cheek that he kissed.

"Thanks Troy," Gabriella whispered.

"No problem, she's a cute kid," He laughed.

Gabriella's eyes circled the room for Sharpay. Who was not to be found.

"Um..Troy, Where's Sharpay? She missed her curtain call," Gabriella asked curiously.

"Oh she needed to go to the Emergency Room," He said calmly as if nothing was wrong.

"What?!" Gabriella asked. Not even sure why she was caring about Sharpay, after all she has done to her.

"She's fine it's just Ryan, Sharpay left her backpack in the middle of the hallway and Ryan fell over it," Troy said.

"Is he okay?" Gabriella asked. She may not care about Sharpay much, but Ryan was a pretty nice guy if you get over the fact that he's his sister's partner in crime.

"He's fine the doctors just think it's a sprained ankle," Troy replied.

Gabriella winced.

Troy laughed as they continued to talk through the night.

—

Gabriella awaited outside Mr. O'Falley's classroom on Monday afternoon. She tapped her foot nervously, she had finished her test in record timing. Troy however, was still working on his.

"God I hope he does okay," Gabriella thought anxiously to herself.

The worst part about this situation was that Mr. O'Falley graded their tests in front of them. Gabriella of course got an A. It was Troy she was worried about. This test depended on his attendance on the Washington Trip. And she knew Troy well enough to know that he was excited as ever about it.

She wondered if she covered all the material for him. Or if they spent more time eating than studying.

Either way it went, she just hoped he did well. She knew Troy, and she also knew that he wanted to pass this test more than anything. Not just for the grade or to go to Washington D.C. No, not that. But for self-respect and pride. To say I did this and to prove that he wasn't just a lunk-head basketball man.

She grew more and more impatient. Finally she heard the doorknob click. Troy walked out slowly, as serious as Gabriella had ever seen him.

"So...?" Gabriella asked him nervously.

Troy let go of his serious act as a bright smile broke out on his face.

"I passed!" He cried opening his arms wide for a hug.

Gabriella quickly leaped into his arms and hugged him tightly.

After a few second they both pulled away happily. Never letting their smiles leave their faces.

"Oh Troy I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you," Gabriella beamed.

Troy already knew that she was proud of him, by that little message she left on his phone. But he decided not to mention it.

"Thanks, but you know I never could have been able to do this without you," Troy gushed as they began to walk down the empty hallway.

Gabriella blushed and looked away.

"But seriously, thanks." Troy said smiling. Gabriella smiled back and looked over in another direction. "Not talkative today Gabriella, are we?" Troy said chuckling.

"Hey I never-" Before Gabriella could finish, Troy was had grabbed her by her waist and was spinning her around in all different directions. Like he used to.

Suddenly Sharpay and Derek came out of nowhere, as if planned.

"Troy..." Sharpay said sternly. Derek just looked blankly at Sharpay.

"Um..Sharpay how is your brother?" Gabriella pipped up.

"Fine, let's go Troy," Sharpay said almost completely ignoring Gabriella's kindness and walking off, giving Gabriella a dirty look. Derek watched the two of them go off together.

"I'll see you later Gabriella," Troy mumbled to Gabriella before they rounded the corner.

"What was that all about?" Derek asked curiously, breaking out of his fantasy.

"Nothing," Gabriella said softly looking down at her feet.

"Come on let's get going," Derek said kindly waiting for her to take his hand, he did as they walked off towards his locker to get ready for their next class.

—

They walked down the seemingly empty hallways, hand in hand chatting constantly.

"So, doesn't my hair look great today?" He gushed pushing it back.

"Yeah, it looks fine," Gabriella replied.

"Just fine?! It's amazing!" He said pushing it back again.

"It's nice," She repeated.

Derek rolled his eyes.

"Derek you can't be serious about this whole thing," Gabriella smirked.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He asked seriously.

Gabriella ceased walking and turned to face him.

"This is so un-like you Derek," Gabriella said looking a bit worried, even thought she was getting worried over hair. But right now it was more than hair.

Gabriella turned away as they were both silent for the rest of the walk to each of their classes.

But, Gabriella couldn't be mad at Derek now, especially over a stupid subject like this. Because tomorrow marked their one month anniversary. And nothing could bring them down that day.

—

Gabriella leaped for her bed, at the end of the day. She was so tired. She lay on her bed and wondered what her and Derek would do for their one month anniversary tomorrow.

Will he take me out? She wondered. I hope he likes the gift I got him.

All Gabriella knew, was that she could not wait for tomorrow to come.

But right now she had some major homework to do so she shuffled to her desk and began.

—

Gabriella fixed herself up extra-special for school that day. She wore her favorite blouse. And added a little extra time on her make-up and hair then she normally did.

Gabriella walked into school to see Derek staring into a mirror in his locker, like he always did now a-days.

She raced up to him and threw her hands over his eyes.

"Guess who?!" She cried anxiously.

He said nothing.

"Guess who!" Gabriella said louder.

Nothing.

"Derek!"She cried taking her hands off his eyes and facing him.

"Oh, hi Gabriella," He said un-excitedly.

"Isn't there something you want to say to me?" She asked.

"Yeah, I gotta go to class, see ya!" He said slamming his locker closed and walking away.

Gabriella's jaw dropped open.

No, he wouldn't do this. It's probably just a joke. Yeah that's it, a joke. Gabriella reassured herself.

She chassed after him down the hall, looking like a complete idiot. Finally she caught up to him.

"Derek, isn't today very special?" She asked trying to keep up with his fast pace.

"Well the weather girl on TV says the temperature is going to go up to 69 today," He said calmly.

"Isn't there something you want to wish me today?" She asked him hoping for the answer that she was dying for.

"Uh, I don't think so Gabriella, my class is right here. See you later," He said waving to her un-certainly of what was going on as he entered the classroom.

"I can't believe him!" She thought to herself as she marched through the hallways to get to her class.

She stormed into her French class and slammed her books down on the desk. Now it was her turn to be mad.

"Gabriella, you ok?" Abigail asked her kindly.

"No!" Gabriella cried, sounding close to tears.

"What happened?" Abigail asked looking concerned for her friend.

"Derek, that's what happened! He forgot that today was our one month anniversary!" Gabriella replied. " I even got him a gift, see," Gabriella said pulling out from her messenger back a mini-sized basketball with a frame in the middle of it, with a picture of her and Derek together at the basketball dinner.

Abigail sat there and said nothing.

"Maybe you should talk to him," Abigail suggested, speaking up.

"Should I?" Gabriella asked curiously. "Or just let him find out on his own?" She asked.

"It's whatever you feel you need to do," Abigail said softly.

"Then in that case, I know exactly what to do," Gabriella said.

Author's Note: Aha! a cliff-hanger! You guys are just going to have to wait to see the rest. I hope you all liked this chapter and acknowledged the little..well actually pretty long author's note up-top. Please review and Happy Holidays everyone!