Chapter 3

At Kelsi's house (Afterwards the New Mexico dance)

"You guys today was like the best night of my life!" Gabriella smiled at her two best friends, "So how was your night?"

"First you have to tell us about your oh-so-special night, then we'll tell you about ours."

"Deal. Well during dinner we were just talking and joking around. Then we danced for the next couple hours or so; it was so much fun! Then the fireworks started so we sat on the lifeguard chair to watch. And then it started to get pretty cold outside so Troy gave me a blanket, but I saw that he was cold so I moved right beside him and we shared the blanket together. Afterwards the fireworks ended and we kissed! Oh my gosh, it was so great! But then we heard Chad calling out for Troy, so we climbed down the chair, he gave me his number and I gave him mine."

"Oh my gosh, you kissed the Troy Bolton," Kelsi said as she sat on her bed.

"Okay now we'll tell you about our night," Taylor smiled, "We were eating dinner having a really great time when the music started playing and Jason asked Kelsi to dance. So they danced while Chad and I just talked... maybe a little flirting."

"Or a lot of flirting," Kelsi added.

"Perhaps... so next Chad and I decided to go dance with Kelsi and Jason. Then we all watched the fireworks and exchanged e-mails and stuff like that. Then the boys left to go look for Troy," Taylor sighed as she finished her summary of the evening.

"So I guess we all had a pretty good night."

At Jason's house

"So Troy, we hardly saw you all night, how was your date?" Jason asked, "Was Gabriella freaky, annoying or unusual like you were afraid of?"

"No none of that, she was amazing," Troy smiled as he dazed off.

"Somebody really likes Gabriella!" teased Jason in a singing voice.

"Who really likes Gabriella?!? You? Troy? Who? Tell Me!" Chad demanded totally clueless of the situation.

"Uh Chad, are you okay?" Jason patted Chad on the back, "Cause it's pretty obvious that Troy likes Gabriella a lot."

"I knew that," Chad nodded, "So Troy when are you going to ask her out?"

"I don't know yet. I don't even know if she likes me," Troy shrugged.

"I'm pretty sure she likes you as much as you like her. Why don't you just ask Gabriella to bring Kelsi and Taylor and we'll all go to the beach together," Jason suggested.

"You guys just want to see Kelsi and Taylor again," Troy joked.

"Maybe," Chad smiled, "What's wrong with that?"

"K, I'll call Gabriella now."

"Hey girls, we have plans for today!" Gabriella screamed as she hung up the phone.

"What are we doing?" Taylor asked right away.

"We're going to the beach with Troy, Chad and Jason after lunch, It's going to be so much fun!," Gabriella grinned.

Taylor shouted excitedly, "Really?! Then less talking, more beautifying!"

The guys decided to walk to the beach because it was near Jason's house meanwhile the girls drove Taylor's black convertible.

"Hey look girls they're over there!" Kelsi waved at the boys. Before they walked over to them, the girls smoothed out their pretty sundresses Taylor picked out and made sure the bikinis were under their outfits comfortably.

"Hey guys," Gabriella greeted as Taylor and Kelsi smiled brightly, "Ready to have loads of fun?"

"Oh you know it! I can't wait, lets go!" Chad grinned.

The group had a such a blast, they practically did everything they planned to and more. They had water wars, went swimming, built sandcastles, danced around the beach listening to loud music, annoyed their surroundings, played beach volleyball, went surfing, got a tan, hunted for seashells and had a delicious dinner.

After the day's event the group was just sitting around a bonfire along the side of the beach roasting marshmallows.

"Oh my gosh, I've never been so tired in my whole entire life!" Taylor complained

"I know what you mean, I feel as if my legs are going to fall right off," added Kelsi as she placed a marshmallow on a stick.

"Oh my gosh you guys I forgot my bag and my towel back there, I'm just going to go get them. Be right back!" said Gabriella as she stood up.

"Wait I'll come with you," Troy started walking beside Gabriella.

"You know you didn't have to walk with me, I'm sure you'd rather be at the bonfire," Gabriella whispered kindly.

"Actually I'd rather be here walking with you," Troy smiled as Gabriella blushed furiously.

She then turned to face troy, "I love the beach, I don't know why. I just do ever since I was a little kid I adored this place, my parents would always bring me here."

Troy nodded, "I always come here when I need to relax and want some peace and quiet."

"I know what you mean, this beach doesn't get a lot of visitors. Most people go to the new beach down by the school," Gabriella sighed, "But I think thats a good thing, less people equals more tranquility."

"Hey Gabriella, may I ask you something?" Troy asked.

"Sure, go ahead."

"I know its really soon and you can say no if you'd like. It's just that you're single and I'm single, also we've been on like a date before. So maybe, potentially, you know...," Troy continued stuttering.

"Troy, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?" Gabriella smiled at him.

"Possibly, that depends on your answer. If your answer is yes, that's what I'm asking. But if your answer is no, you totally completely misunderstood me."

After that string of words, Gabriella stood on her toes and gave Troy a gentle kiss on the lips, "Does that answer your question?"