Hi all. Happy Easter! I think am finally getting into this story and I love this chapter but I have a feeling you guys won't. Hopefully not too much longer and we can be rid of Christian but not before some drama over the next couple of chapters.

Later the same day Sharpay concerned Gabriella and Christian to invite them over, playing the bimbo he sashayed over to Christian with a winsome smile, leaning forward to display her cleavage she cooed,

"So I'm totally having a party this weekend and I want you guys there, it's only the coolest guys and the hottest girls,"

Christian looked at Gabriella with a smile "What do you think babe, sounds cool right"

Gabriella nodded thinking it would be fun, give her a chance to catch up with all her friends, she'd missed seeing them lately.

"We'll be there" he said and taking Gabriella's hand, pulled her in to his side, holding her close.

"Fabulous and I hope you'll dance with me Christian I have some moves I can't wait to show you" she finished with a wink.

"When the hostess is as hot as you, it would rude to refuse" he said checking her out.

"Looking forward to it" she beamed and turning around she walked away, adding a sway of her hips.

Gabriella was furious with Sharpay, she had just flirted with Christian right in front of her and worse yet, he'd responded.

"Christian, why did you do that?" Gabriella asked him, hurt.

"Do what babe?"

"Flirt with Sharpay"

"I wasn't flirting, I was being friendly babe, you want them to like me don't you? Are you jealous Gabriella? You know I can't be with a jealous girl, it's a waste of emotion babe"

"I wasn't jealous, just surprised that's all" she hurried to assure him

"If you don't want to go to the party . . . Sharpay was the one flirting with me, maybe we should give it a miss if you can't handle other girls being nice to me"

"No, I want us to go,"

"Id you don't trust me, this can't work . . . That hurts me that you don't trust me"

Gabriella immediately felt guilty for hurting his feelings, he was right Sharpay had been flirting, he was just being friendly. Of course she wanted him to get on with her friends.

"I'm sorry Christian, you're right. I didn't mean to hurt you're feelings"

He kissed her "You know how much I like you right? I don't need anybody else but you, just like you don' need anyone else but me"

"I am sorry you know" she said softly, feeling bad that she had hurt him, all he ever did was tell her how much he liked her, how could she think he would flirt with another girl. It made Gabriella feel guilty, guilty that she couldn't return the depth of his feelings. To make it up to him she vowed to be the best girlfriend she could be and if that meant spending lots of time with him then so be it. Her friends had boyfriends of their own and like Christian had said; if they really were her friends then they would understand.

After talking with Christian, Sharpay felt a little nauseous, he had blatantly checked her out in front of Gabriella and flirted with her, falling into the trap she had set fro him. Not only was he controlling and possessive it appeared that he may also be a cheat. Sharpay had been surprised how easy it was to get him to flirt with her, she'd expected more of a resistance from him but encountered none. She couldn't believe she had been so wrong about him, at first he'd seemed a perfect way to take Gabriella's mind off Troy but now he turned into a control freak and Gabriella didn't seem to notice or if she did she didn't care. She never saw her friends anymore, barely had time to stop and chat in the corridors and was changing her eating and dressing habits to suit Christian.

Some days later as Gabriella dressed for Sharpay's party she was mindful of what to wear. Christian had already made some suggestions and she wanted to please him. She always felt as though she were letting him down, because there always seemed to be a problem with what she wore, either it was too tight, too low or too revealing. If she didn't want to attract other guys' attention then why did she dress in those clothes? Christian had asked her time and time again. He was right, she had a boyfriend there was no need to dress up, for other people.

Biting her lip nervously, she looked at herself in the mirror, wondering what it was, that Christian liked about her. Sure she had lost a little weight, thanks to Christian's interventions but she still had some to lose, he'd reminded her. Her hair was perfect, down and curly just the way he liked it, she didn't look girly enough with it tied back, he thought. She wore a loose white shirt and a pair of skinny jeans, which made her legs look impossibly long. She looked nice but she didn't feel as though she were going to a party and briefly wondered if she should change, but then she remembered how disappointed Christian would be if she wore something else and decided to stay as she was.

After all Troy would be there and she would hate anyone to think she was dressing to attract his attention. She was nervous about being in such close proximity to him, despite the fact she had seen him around at school, and they hadn't really spoken. Gabriella would never admit it to Christian but she missed Troy so much, missed his friendship, his laughter, missed knowing he was there for her, and missed his presence in her life. It would hurt Christian so much if he knew and so she hid her feelings, buried them deep inside, but tonight she was scared that Christian would see through her charade and be upset. He had done so much for her, made her a better person, it just wouldn't be right to hurt him like that.

A beeping horn pulled her from her thoughts and she took a deep breath before heading out of her room and down the stairs.

"Hey babe" Christian said and kissed her cheek as she climbed in the car.

"Hi Christian, you look nice" she commented and waited for him to return the compliment, he didn't he simply drove away as though she hadn't spoken.

The journey to Sharpay's was quite short and before Gabriella knew it they were parking and getting out of the car. Gabriella's heart sped up with nerves as she spotted Troy's car, so he was here already, she thought maybe she would have had more time to get used to the idea of him being around.

"Ready babe?" he pulled her to his side and wrapped an arm around her hips.

"Ready"

She just hoped she was.

Inside everybody was dancing and having a good time, the large house was full to bursting with East High students. She spotted Chad and Ryan but couldn't see any sign of Sharpay and Taylor as they wove their way through the crowds. Looking about nervously she wondered where Troy was, probably with some girl, knowing him, she thought, the old jealousy returning and she hadn't even seen him yet.

Sharpay and Taylor stood at the top of the stair case watching Christian and Gabriella.

"Oh God, what is she wearin?" Sharpay asked in disbelief "Are you ready to do this Tay?"

Taylor nodded "You take Christian and I'll take Gabriella. I'll need at least ten minutes"

Sharpay fluffed her long blonde hair and pouted "Not a problem, although he does give me the creeps"

"Let's do this" Taylor said and the pair made their way down the stairs to Christian and Gabriella.

Sharpay added an extra wiggle of her hips as she made her way towards the couple. Gabriella groaned as she spotted Sharpay wiggling her way towards them, knowing she meant business.

"Christian, you promised me a dance" she purred in his ear, letting her body brush against his 'accidentally'.

Christian looked at Gabriella "I won't, if you don't trust me"

Gabriella forced a smile "No it's okay, you go dance with Shar"

Beside them Taylor rolled her eyes at Christian's blatant use of emotional blackmail, if you trust me, she snorted.

"You're sure, I know how you worry, when I'm not with you" Christian said, making her sound as though she couldn't stand to be away from him.

"Positive, you go and dance; I'll get us some drinks"

"Okay then" he beamed and kissed her cheek briefly, then took Sharpay's hand to lead her through the crowd "Don't go too far" he warned and Gabriella nodded.

"I can't believe Shar, what's she playing at flirting with Christian? He's my boyfriend, she could have any guy she wants, where as me, I've only got him" Gabriella said to Taylor when the couple had disappeared into the crowd.

Taylor knew right away that Gabriella was in the frame of mind to be receptive to what she said and knew she would have to tread carefully. She wasn't the same Gabriella anymore.

"I know, but she probably just thinks she'd being friendly…Anyway, you could have any guy you want too" Taylor said to her best friend and watched her shake her head.

"No I can't, that's why I'm lucky I found Christian, he's great for me"

Taylor thought Gabriella sounded a little rehearsed and knew the problem was worse then she had first suspected.

"Gabriella you could have any one you want, you don't need anyone. . .Anyway what's been happening with you, I've hardly seen you these last few weeks, you look different, have you lost weight?"

Gabriella nodded "Yeah and Christian says I only have a few more pounds to lose"

Taylor couldn't believe what she was hearing "Gabs, you don't need to lose any weight"

Gabriella smiled at her friend "Tay, you don't need to be kind, I know I'm a bit too big but it's okay Christian says he likes me anyway"

Taylor had enough "Gabi, do you really think you should listen to everything Christian says, he's just a guy. . .My sister has boy rules and boy rule number 13 is don't let them tell you what to do"

Gabriella looked Taylor in surprise "I don't let him tell me what to do, he gives me advice I take it"

"Says who?"

"Christian" she replied

"See my point . . . Gab's we're worried about you, you're not yourself, we hardly see you anymore, you're always with him"

Gabriella folded her arms across her chest defensively "Christian said you would do this, you're just jealous of out relationship Tay, he really likes me, he's good for me"

Taylor snorted and rolled her eyes "Jealous, Gabi we're worried about you, your changing, you're not yourself, you're not happy"

"Yes I am, Christian really likes me, he makes me happy"

"Christ Gab, will you listen to yourself, you sound like a robot, he makes me happy, you sure as hell don't seem it . . .Do you really like him that much, that you'd change the way you eat and dress for him?"

"You guys wanted me to do it for Troy, but cos it's for Christian I can't do it" she countered her eyes spitting fire.

Taylor shook her head "That was different, we care about you and you love Troy, we know you do"

This time it was Gabriella's turn to shake her head "Christian cares about me too, and I don't love Troy, I'm with Christian now, can't you all accept that and be happy for me?" she cried tears coming to her eyes.

"He's no good for you Gabi, he's turning you into someone else and you don't love him, I know you don't"

"He told me you would be like this Tay, said you would say things to try and split us up but we're stronger than that, if you can't accept that then I don't wanna be your friend or Sharpay's. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to find my boyfriend" she snapped and dashing away her tears she turned blindly to look for Christian and Sharpay.

In another room Sharpay was enduring the indignity of dancing with Christian who had suddenly turned into an octopus, arms everywhere.

"You are so hot Sharpay" he whispered in her ear as he grinded up and down her body, arms wrapped around her waist.

"You too" she cooed, gritting her teeth "But what about Gabi?"

"She's a nice girl but she has some serious issues, if you know what I mean"

Sharpay moved her hips away from his slightly but he followed "In what way"

"She had real low self esteem, you know she can't decide what to wear, I have to pick it, she moans about her weight and won't eat and she's soo clingy, won't let me have any time away from her . . . drives me mad sometimes… won't even let me, you know be close" he thrust his hips against hers for emphasis.

Sharpay battled with the urge to puke on him before she killed him. How dare he talk about Gabriella that way? He made it sound as though she were the one with the problem, when in reality he had turned her into his puppet. She thanked god, she hadn't let him touch her, he was a creep.

"Bet you wouldn't have that problem babe" he muttered leaning down as though to kiss her.

"You're right, "she pulled back and from the corner of her eye she saw a hurt looking Gabriella heading towards them. Sending her friend a mental apology, she hissed

"Gabi's coming"

"See jealous too" he responded and thrust his hips against hers once more before stepping away from her.

As Gabriella made her way through the crowd of dancing students, a familiar figure caught her attention. Troy! He looked as gorgeous as ever as he danced with Andi, a cheerleader from school. Unaware of her presence she allowed herself to drink in the sight of him; she'd missed him so much! He wore a pair of dark jeans and a brown shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to expose his forearms. He looked wonderful, as though he had stepped from the pages of an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue. Gabriella felt her heart contract painfully as he suddenly looked up and caught her gaze, blue eyes met brown, both filled with pain. She watched unable to look away as he kissed Andi's neck softly and the cheerleader smiled up at him, rubbing herself against him. So Troy too had moved on, left her behind. She told herself she should be happy, that it was what she wanted, but inside she felt numb. Their eyes held for a minute longer and then Andi demanded his attention and he looked away. Gabriella felt her eyes fill with tears as she carried on walking. Ahead of her Sharpay and Christian were grinding against each other, until Sharpay spotted her and Gabriella saw her mouth her name. The couple sprang apart and Gabriella fixed a smile on her face, so as not to upset Christian.

"Babe" he said and pulled her into his arms, moving with her in time to the music.

"Sharpay" Gabriella said coolly "Mind if I dance with my boyfriend"

"Be my guest" she said sweetly and shimmied away to find Taylor, unable to believe what had just happened. Christian was a total jerk and Sharpay was going to do everything in her power to get Gabriella away from him, if it killed her.