Disclaimer: I do not own HSM or the songs.

Chapter 3: Kiss the Girl

Yes, you want her,

Look at her, you know you do

It's possible she wants you to

There is one way to ask her

It don't take a word, not a single word

Go on and kiss the girl

The next day, Gabriella arrived at school and spotted Taylor and began walking to homeroom with her.

"Hey, I barely got to saw or talk to you yesterday." Taylor commented.

"I know. I've been really busy."

"Care to tell me what happened."

"Well, first of all. Troy asked me to the dance on Friday."

"What did I tell you? I knew he would. How did he do it?"

"Well, he invited me to the rooftop and he asked me there."

"That's sweet. Continue." Taylor urged.

"Well, after school, we obviously had rehearsals, and then we went to his house for dinner."

"As a date?" She asked suspiciously.

"No. His mom invited me and my mom over for dinner." She replied.

"Nothing else?"

"Yeah. Nothing else. Would you go dress shopping with me today?"

"Yeah. By the way, I'm sort of hoping that Chad will ask me to the dance on Friday."

"I'm sure that he will." She assured her friend.

"Dude, what happened yesterday? I didn't talk to you that much."

"Well, I finally asked Gabriella out to go to the dance with me on Friday."

"That's my boy!" Chad exclaimed. It drew the attention of half the student body in the hallway. "Two best friends talking here. Nothing to see." The crowd dispersed. "I think I'm going to ask Taylor."

"Is my friend crushing on a braniac?" Troy asked surprised.

"Maybe. She's more than a braniac, Dude. She's smart and funny and really, really pretty and…" Something suddenly clicked in his mind, and he trailed off. "Oh gosh, I'm giving you the exact same speech that you were giving me on Friday aren't I?"

"Yup. Pretty much." Troy started laughing.

"Hey, I'm really sorry about that. Now that I know what you're talking about, I think Gabs and I are really getting along."

"Yeah. I know. I kinda figured that out when we were at the pizza place, and she made you laugh so hard that your soda came out of your nose." He chuckled.

"We agreed that we would not talk about that in public remember?" Chad said looking around to make sure that no one heard Troy.

They arrived at homeroom and Chad saw Taylor talking with Gabriella. Before he could think, Chad shouted, "Hey, McKessie, you going with me to the dance on Friday?"

The whole homeroom laughed, and Taylor turned red. Not from embarrassment, but from anger.

"Danforth, if that's your way of asking me, then you're not going to be able to walk out of this classroom alive." She retorted.

The whole class burst into laughter. Chad sat down defeated. He didn't realize that his class clown image would get in the way of his relationship with Taylor. He decided that he wouldn't give up though. He would find a way to make her say "yes".

Troy and Gabriella walked out of homeroom hand-in-hand to their next class. Every single student was staring at them for the second time that week. The girls were jealous of Gabriella just as much as the guys were jealous of Troy. Since practically the whole student body had seen them perform on Friday, Troy and Gabriella had even more admirers.

"I can't believe that Chad did that." Gabriella said.

"I can. It's just his personality. He'll find a way to make it right with Taylor."

"He'd better."

During free period, Chad made his way to the Chemistry lab where he knew Taylor would be. "This is crazy. I should be at free period workout." He said to himself.

He turned the corner to where the Chemistry lab was located, and he spotted Taylor working out some equations on the board.

"Taylor, can I talk to you?" Chad asked imploringly.

"So now you use my first name?" She answered without turning around.

"Hey, look I'm sorry about what happened in homeroom. I guess I needed to keep my reputation." He claimed.

"Well, Troy didn't need to keep his reputation when he asked Gabriella." She retaliated and turned around.

"I know. I'm sorry. But I'd like to have a second chance."

She waited a moment, "All right, Chad. Go ahead."

Chad took a breath. "Look, Taylor, I'm not Troy. I can't do the romantic things that he can, but would be my date to the dance on Friday?"

Taylor smirked, "Yes. Now see was that so hard?"

"Mr. Greene, please continue painting. All right, Mr. Bolton, please continue. "

"Minnie, please."

"No, Arnold. This is how it has to be. You aren't the same boy I knew. I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry."

Ryan stopped them. "Um…Arnold, are you just going to stand there and take it? Touch her. Do something. Start again."

"Minnie, please." Troy reached for her and stroked her cheek. Gabriella, much to her dismay, had to pull away. The scene called for it.

"No, Arnold. This is how it has to be. You aren't the same boy I knew. I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry."

Troy grabbed her arm and let his fingers pull her chin up so that their eyes could meet. He could've sworn that he saw tears in her eyes. He almost forgot his next line, but he continued. "I'm still me."

"No, you're not. I'm sorry." Gabriella took the ring off her hand that Arnold gave to Minnie and gave it back to him. She ran off the stage and came back.

"Bravo. Brava." Ms. Darbus said. "Miss Montez, where did you learn to cry on cue?"

Troy and Gabriella were in his car, since he was driving her home.

"So Chad told me that he finally asked Taylor properly." Troy mentioned.

"Yeah. She's really old-fashioned about that stuff. She wants the guy to be genuine and ask her out properly instead of him just implying it."

"You're not like that are you?" Troy asked curiously.

"It depends. But if he's proposing, he has to be straightforward and just ask. I guess it wouldn't hurt to be a little romantic while he's doing it though."

"Really? What would you have him do?"

"It doesn't matter as long as it comes from his heart."

"I'll keep that in mind." He said. "Hey, were you crying? During rehearsal?"

"Was I? I didn't notice. I guess I did. All I remember is thinking about how I would feel if someone did that to me."

"I don't think that anyone could do that to you."

Gabriella smiled. She liked that she could talk with Troy about anything. He was her best friend, but so much more. But she hated the girls who had boyfriends who were their whole life. She had decided early on that she would hang out with her friends as much as possible.

"Oh. Taylor and I are going to go shopping. I forgot."

"Do you guys need a ride?" Troy offered.

"No, she's going to pick me up around 5:00."

"All right."

"I hope that I can find the right dress."

"I know you'll find the right one, because it doesn't matter what you wear. You look great in anything."

"Kissing up huh, Bolton?" She joked.

"Yes. Yes I am." Gabriella laughed. "But I am serious."

She smiled at him. "Thank you, Troy."

"You're welcome. Here we are."

"Thanks again, Troy." He kissed her on the cheek and watched her go inside before he drove away.

"What do you think of this one, Tay?" Gabriella asked. By this time, they had gone to three different stores and tried on who knows how many dresses. The one Gabriella was trying on was a deep red dress that reached just above her knees. She had a a mini jacket to go with it.

"Girl, I think this is the one." Taylor said amazed.

"I really like it too."

The dress that Taylor had found was purple. She had picked up a jacket to go with it.

"Tay, I think Chad will pass out after he sees you in that."

Taylor gathered her stuff, and she and Gabriella went to the cash register and paid.

"Shoe time." Taylor said excitedly. She stopped for a minute. "Wait."

"What?" She saw that Taylor was looking at a movie poster.

"Look at this. They're making a new Hairspray movie. I love that musical! Hey, Zac Efron's in it! I love him!"

"He's okay."

"What are you talking about? He is so hot!" Taylor said.

"Well…"

"You know we can't all be dating the captain of the basketball team. Just admit it. Troy's looks don't compare with Zac's. He's so gorgeous!"

"Who's gorgeous?" a voice asked.

The girls turned around and saw Troy and Chad behind them.

"Hey, Wildcat. What are you doing here?" Gabriella asked.

"Well, Chad here decided that he wanted some old fashioned food court food."

"Nothing beats it." Chad added.

"Anyways, who's gorgeous?" Troy asked once again.

"Zac Efron." Taylor answered immediately. "Sorry, Troy, but he beats you a million to one."

"Gabriella?" Troy asked.

"Don't worry. I agree. He is hot, but don't worry. You're hotter."

"Thanks." Troy said as he placed his arm over her shoulders. Taylor rolled her eyes.

"Taylor, what am I chop liver?" Chad asked offended.

"No. Sorry. But I really like Corbin Bleu."

"What?!" He asked shocked.

"Just kidding, Chad. You're cute too."

"Why all this sudden talk about celebrities?" Troy asked.

"Well, they're coming out with a new version of Hairspray." Gabriella answered.

"Ah. Did you know that he's dating Vanessa Hudgens?" Troy asked.

"How do you know?"

"Sharpay was talking about it in homeroom this morning. She said, 'Of course Zac Efron is dating Vanessa Hudgens. They're perfect together! All that Ashley Tisdale stuff is totally false. Vanessa Hudgens is totally dating him.'" Troy imitated Sharpay and everyone started laughing. "He's lucky if he is. She is so…" Troy received a skeptical look from Gabriella. "But she could never compare to you, Gabi." He quickly recovered.

"Good. Because nothing compares to you either." They were just about to kiss when Taylor interrupted them.

"Gabi, we have to still get some shoes." Taylor told her.

"Ugh! What is it with you two and bad timing?!" Troy exclaimed.

"It's all right, Wildcat. Next time." Gabriella said before she gave him the usual goodbye with a kiss on his cheek.

The following day at rehearsals, Troy was impatient. Near the end of rehearsals, Ms. Darbus said that they would be going over Act II scene 8. It was the scene when the two leads would share an on-stage kiss.

Troy had been very patient. The urge to kiss Gabriella had only grown since he had first met her, and he didn't think he could take the suspense much longer.

"All right. Let's get started everyone. Mr. Bolton, please."

"Minnie, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness…"

"Arnold," she interrupted, "You already have it."

"Just hear me out please." He insisted. Gabriella did what the script called for and remained silent. "I don't ever want to lose sight of what's important ever again. I don't want to lose you ever again. I love you."

Gabriella knew that he was acting, but she let those three words ring in her ears and allowed her heart to memorize the feeling. She somehow knew that she wasn't getting the full effect of those three simple words. She hoped that one day, someone would say them to her for real. Hopefully Troy.

"I love you too, Arnold." She repeated.

Troy was now having a reciprocating feeling that Gabriella just had. He hoped that if things worked out that he would one day say it to someone. Preferably to her, but he wouldn't let anyone know that.

It was time for the kiss. They leaned in and were about to come into contact, but Sharpay came running on the stage and "accidentally" broke them apart.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize." Sharpay "apologized".

"That's quite all right, Sharpay." Ms. Darbus never called students by their first name. Sharpay and Ryan were the only exceptions. "It's time to end rehearsals anyway. Thank you."

Everyone involved in the productions started to disperse. Kelsi gathered her things and Sharpay stared after Troy and Gabriella as they left the auditorium.

"Hey, Shar, did you really do that on 'accident'?" Ryan's hands put quotations on the word accident.

"Of course, I would never ever do something that wouldn't be short of professional."

Ryan rolled his eyes and left, and Sharpay was left to admire her work.

"Gosh, Troy, we can't even get a break during rehearsals when we're supposed to kiss." Gabriella said.

"I know. I hate it." Troy opened the car door for Gabriella to climb into.

"Somehow I think that Sharpay did that on purpose." Gabriella commented.

"Knowing Sharpay it probably was on purpose." Troy remarked. "I want our first kiss to be memorable. I'm kind of glad that Sharpay interrupted us back there. I don't think I would've liked to remember our first kiss being in front of Ms. Darbus. I was just as ready. Just be patient. The right time will come."

The next day was Friday. For everybody that was going to the dance, this meant a whole lot of things. For the teachers, it meant a whole night of watching kids.

For the girl that were going, it meant dressing up and getting their hair and nails done, and for those who had a special someone to go with, it meant making sure that this would be a memorable night.

For the guys that were going, it meant having to wear a suit and all sorts of uncomfortable things, and for those who had a date, it meant seeing the girl of their dreams in an environment other than school.

Ms. Darbus had to cancel rehearsals because of the preparation involved in the school besides the fact that her two leads were missing.

Gabriella was going to Taylor's house along with Kelsi and Martha so that they could all help each other get ready. Apart from being a great dancer, Martha was also a great stylist. Pretty soon, they all had their hair in crazy but fancy and beautiful hair styles. Taylor did everyone's nails. Everybody had already picked out their own color preferences. They got their dresses on and each of them looked in the mirror.

"Guys," Taylor said, "We look amazing if I don't say so myself."

Kelsi, who was usually shy, was loving the fact that she had new friends. Over the past two weeks, Kelsi had made friends with Taylor and Martha. She spoke up, "I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if we walked out of the gym with all the guys at our beck and call." All of them laughed.

Gabriella was happy that Kelsi had been able to find friends in Taylor, Martha, and her. Gabriella was also happy for herself. "Hey, Guys, thank you."

"For what, Gabi?" Martha asked.

"It's been a while since I've been able to make really good friends like you." She confessed.

"Why's that?" Taylor asked shocked. She couldn't picture Gabriella not having friends.

"Well, between schoolwork and my mom's company always moving us around, I didn't really have a lot of friends. I guess that was sort of a good thing. I didn't really have to deal with many goodbyes. I'm just glad that I'm not going anywhere for a little while."

They all smiled at Gabriella, each one happy that they played a part in Gabriella's happiness. They laughed as they all got into a group hug.

It didn't take nearly as long for Troy, Jason, Zeke, and Chad to get ready. Jason had asked Kelsi to the dance. They all parked their parents' cars outside Taylor's house and went up to the front door and rang the doorbell. Mrs. McKessie answered the door.

"Well, don't you boys look handsome." She commented.

"Thank you." They replied.

"Come on in. The girls will be right down. Girls!" She yelled.

At that moment, Mr. McKessie came in. All the guys greeted him with smiles, except Chad. He was the one taking his daughter out. He was just about to start interrogating him when the girls walked down the stairs. The guys turned around and gaped, except for Zeke, he was talking to Mr. McKessie for some reason or another. Mrs. McKessie took out the camera and took a few pictures. Afterwards, Troy took Gabriella out to the car. The rest of the guys followed suit. They all drove to the school and made their way to the gym. It was decorated in red, white, and gold, banners and streamers. The floor was covered in confetti and read and white balloons.

Chad and Taylor went to get punch; Jason and Kelsi were talking; Zeke was trying to make conversation with Sharpay as she glared at Gabriella; and Troy and Gabriella made their way to the dance floor.

"I love this song." Gabriella said.

"Who is it?" Troy asked.

"'Only Hope' Mandy Moore. From the movie 'A Walk to Remember'." She said.

"I remember that one."

"Yeah. It's one of my favorites." She told him as they swayed to the music.

Chad and Taylor joined Troy and Gabriella on the dance floor.

After the song ended, "Kiss the Girl" by Ashley Tisdale came on. Both couples started to dance along to it. Chad danced his way over to Troy and said, "Dude, this song is for you."

It took Troy a minute to realize what Chad was saying. He turned his attention back to Gabriella. She had apparently noticed already, but they kept dancing.

Shalalalala
My oh my
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala
Ain't that sad
it's such a shame
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl

As it neared the end of the song, Troy thought if he was going to kiss her, now was as good a time as any. Gabriella appeared to read his mind.

She leaned towards him and said teasingly, "Hey, Bolton. I think the song's ordering you to do something."

Troy smiled at her before closing his eyes and leaning in ever so slowly. Gabriella closed her eyes and brought her head up as he dipped his head down. They'd been waiting for this moment since they met on New Year's Eve. After what seemed like an eternity, their lips finally met.

Author's Note: Finally! It took three chapters for them, but they finally kissed. I'm not going to able to update for a while do to the fact that I'm not going to my aunt's house. I'll do my best to update. Please be patient with me. Thanks.