Sharpay wrung her hands anxiously as she slowly walked down the pathway to the clump of cabins for luncheon. She was to be meeting Zeke since he didn't work in the fields anymore but in the kitchen but she knew she'd have to skip the meal today. She had other pressing matters to attend to and she really did not want to be the bearer of bad tidings today. She was going to have to tell Troy that Gabriella was to be married to her 'ex' brother- Ryan Evans II.

Perhaps he already knew this and wasn't so upset with Gabriella because he genuinely was accepting of her betrothal but Sharpay could just tell that was wishful thinking. Troy wasn't being so secretive for no reason and Sharpay, after observing him for over two weeks, could just tell he was sneaking off to see Gabriella at night. She knew the signs because that was how she used to act when she'd sneak out to see Zeke.

So today was going to be a hard day. She'd have to inform Troy of Gabriella's betrothal and remind him that his and Gabriella's relationship could never work out. Both pieces of information would surely break his heart and this was why she was so anxious.

Finally arriving at the mess cabin in which most of the workers had assembled for lunch she searched for Troy who would most probably be sitting with his father or Chad. However, she found only Chad sitting by himself at a table.

"Hello Chad." She smiled weakly at him, looking around the cabin again.

"Hey Shar. You alright?"

"Yes thank you...I was just searching for Troy."

"Oh...he and his father are up at the stables."

"Really?"

Chad nodded, shovelling food into his mouth. "I am not sure why."

Sharpay thanked him and walked out of the cabin and directed her journey towards the stables. She really didn't want to do this.

--

Troy had always dreamt of being a horse trainer. His father was of course aware of this fact and he would forever be grateful for all the support he received from Jack Bolton. Yet as Troy began to saddle up Belle all he could think of was running away and hiding in his cabin and vow never to come out again.

How on earth were he and Gabriella to pull this off?

He was positive Gabriella was not even aware of this scheduled riding lesson and Troy knew that some surprises were not always welcome. His father was bound to notice something was going on between them, and the real worry was if Carlos Montez found out that his only child was gallivanting with the stable hand.



"Troy, are you ready?" Jack Bolton came to Belle's stall, looking over his son's face carefully. Troy swallowed the growing lump in his throat.

"Uh...yes sir. I think I am."

"Don't worry son. Carlos already thinks very highly of you and all you need to do is assist his daughter in a few galloping exercises and possibly a couple of small jumps. From what I hear she is already a talented rider." He smiled reassuringly and exited the stables as Troy leant his forehead against Belles mane.

"God help me Belle."

The mare merely whinnied.

"You're no help are you Miss Belle?" Troy chuckled and connecting the lead to her bridle he began to lead her out of the stables and into the sunlight.

--

Gabriella excitedly smiled, whilst her eyes remained glued on the stable doors. She was so happy her father was back, now she could ride her horse for as long as she could without her mother breathing down her neck. Her father had even organised a riding lesson for her which he was going to watch.

She began to rock back and forth on her riding boots in anticipation of seeing her beautiful horse yet as the mare's sleek black coat sparkled in the sunlight something else had caught her eye. It was the man, who was leading her horse and Gabriella squinted to figure out where she had seen him before. He looked so familiar. That was when...

"Gabby sweetheart I'd like to introduce you to my most capable stable hand and future trainer Mr Troy Bolton." Carlos smiled proudly at the boy and back to his daughter whose heart fluttered uncontrollably as Troy looked to her anxiously. This was bad.

"Nice...to...uh meet you Mr Bolton" Gabriella spoke up and held out her hand graciously for Troy, remembering her etiquette and she tried to stop it from shaking.

"A pleasure Miss Montez" Troy played along and shook her hand gently and Gabriella gasped at the familiar feeling of having Troy caress her. She could tell Troy had felt it too.

"Troy here is giving his first riding lesson, proving to me that he deserves such a position as one of my trainers. Don't work him too hard darling." Carlos winked at the pair and walked off to the fence of the paddock joining Jack Bolton.

Troy cleared his throat and directed Gabriella to hide behind Belle's head, away from the watching eyes of their fathers.

"What are you doing?" Gabriella hissed as Troy swallowed the lump which still wouldn't disappear.

"I am proving to your father I can be a trainer. I did not know I'd be training you until a little while ago." Troy replied and frowned as Gabriella's worried face looked downwards. He gently placed his fingers underneath her chin and lifted her beautiful eyes to look into his.



"Hey...if we just act as if we are mere acquaintances they will never know." He softly reassured her and Gabriella smiled softly.

"I don't want to be forbidden from seeing you." She replied and Troy smiled.

"That will never happen... I promise."

"Come on you two!" Carlos shouted out to the pair from the fence and Troy and Gabriella jumped realising they were hiding behind the horses head.

"My apologies sir, I was showing Miss Montez how to adjust a bridle!" Troy shouted back and Gabriella mounted Belle, locking eyes with Troy once more. No one could ever find out.

--

Sharpay looked around the corner of the stables, checking that the coast was clear and that nobody else, besides Troy was tending to the horses. Seeing that it was she walked forward, and she swallowed the growing lump which was forming in her throat.

"This is a pleasant surprise Shar. I was not expecting to see you—"

"I know Troy." Sharpay interrupted solemnly and she watched as Troy stopped brushing an auburn mare's coat. He looked at her curiously but she could tell he knew something was up.

"You know what exactly?" He looked her over and Sharpay smiled sadly.

"About you and Gabriella Montez."

"I uh...I'm sure I don't know what it is you're referring to." Troy continued to brush the horse's coat and avoided any eye contact with her.

"I saw you two Troy. Before, when you were giving her a riding lesson. It does explain a lot of your behaviour of the past couple of weeks." She stepped forward and Troy stopped brushing again, looking down. She smiled sympathetically, and urged his chin up to look at her.

"I...I can't help it Shar...I love her..." He looked at her desperately, hoping she'd have the answer. She so wished that she did.

"I know you do honey." She lovingly stroked his cheek and swallowed anxiously. "Uh...there is something else I wanted to talk to you about."

"Yes?"

"I hope I am not the first one to be telling you this but you remember I told you that I have a brother?" She asked curiously, hoping that he would understand what she was about to tell him, but he didn't even flinch.

"Yes."

"Perhaps Gabriella should be the one to tell you." Sharpay turned to walked away yet Troy grabbed onto her arm.



"Gabriella? No Sharpay, if it concerns her I want to know."

"Uh...Gabriella is betrothed..." Sharpay began and her heart broke as she saw Troy's eyes trying to comprehend what she had just said. "To my brother..."

The brush fell completely from Troy's hand.

A/N: Ahhh I'm so sorry for my lack of updates. I had my half yearly examinations and I lost my muse for a little while. I hope you like this chapter.

NEXT TIME: Troy confronts Gabriella about her betrothal and meets Ryan Evans II. Does drama ensue? You bet it does.