I decided to extend this to a two-shot so I hope you like it!
(BTW, it starts the day after the previous chapter, so the day after Valentine's day)
Thursday
"Go on Ryan. She's right over there; go and ask her!" Sharpay urged as they stood by her locker.
"But Sharpay, I don't like her like that! You know I don't like any girl like that!" Ryan protested and Sharpay rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Ryan, just think of it as an acting job. You're acting like a straight guy. Now go!" She pushed him across the hallway and he came to a stop next to a pretty brunette.
"Hey Gabriella." Gabriella looked up from her locker and smiled at Ryan.
"Hey Ryan. Can I help you with something?"
"Er," Ryan glanced at Sharpay and saw her urging him on. "Yeah, you can actually. I was wondering if maybe, you'd like to go to the dance tomorrow with me?" Gabriella's smile vanished.
"Oh Ryan, I would love to, but someone asked me yesterday. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. So, who are you going with? Anyone I know?"
"Um, no, you wouldn't know them."
"Oh okay, I'll see you later then. Bye Gabriella." He started to make his way back to Sharpay.
"Bye Ryan." Gabriella replied. "I thought he was gay." She muttered under her breath as Troy sidled up to her.
"What was all that about?" He asked.
"Ryan asked me to the dance, but I told him that someone asked me yesterday."
"You didn't tell him who, did you?" Gabriella shook her head.
"No, I said that it was someone he didn't know."
"Good. Hey, I'm just going to go break things off with Sharpay. I'll see you in homeroom." Gabriella nodded, shut her locker and began making her way to homeroom while Troy walked over to Sharpay and Ryan.
"Hey Sharpay, hey Ryan."
"Hi Troy." Sharpay replied with a flirtatious giggle.
"So Sharpay, I kind of wanted to talk to you in private."
"Sure." Both Troy and Sharpay looked at Ryan, waiting for him to leave. "Ryan?"
"What?" The penny dropped. "Oh, right! Private, I get it. I'll see you in homeroom." Ryan walked away and Sharpay shut her locker before leaning against it.
"So what did you want to talk about? If it's about tomorrow night, I'm wearing a pink dress, so probably a white corsage would be best…what do you think?" Troy shifted uncomfortably.
"Er, actually, I did need to talk to you about tomorrow. I'm really sorry, but I can't take you anymore. Something came up." Sharpay stared at Troy.
"You're dumping me. You're dumping me? I don't think so."
"Sharpay, I'm really sorry but…"
"That Montez girl put you up to this, didn't she? I knew she was trouble from the minute she got here."
"What? Gabriella? No! I just…I just can't go anymore. I'm sorry, okay?" Troy shrugged and walked off in the direction of homeroom.
"There's something freaky about this." Sharpay said to herself before making her way to homeroom.
"Ryan! Troy ditched me to go to the dance with Gabriella!"
"Seriously? He told you that? But Gabriella said that I didn't know the guy she was going with."
"Ryan! Think about it. Gabriella only said that because she knew Troy hadn't dumped me at that time. It's all part of their plan to ruin me!"
"Sharpay, I think Troy and Gabriella really like each other. Can't you leave them alone?"
"No, Ryan! Do you know how humiliated I am? Troy Bolton will rue the day he dumped Sharpay Evans!"
"So let me get this straight." Taylor said thoughtfully. "You and Troy hooked up last night, and this morning he dumped Sharpay so that you two can go to the dance together?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much it. Isn't it great?"
"Er, pretty great, but Gabriella, you do know the Sharpay will kill you?"
"She doesn't know though." Gabriella replied smugly and Taylor sighed.
"I know it's not something she tends to publicise, but Sharpay's a pretty smart girl. She'll have figured it out the instant Troy dumped her. Just…just watch your back."
"Okay then. Whatever. Taylor, what am I going to wear? I don't have time to go to the mall today. Help!" Gabriella started to panic and Taylor laughed brightly.
"Relax Gabi. Just wear the dress you wore after the Triple Win. You'll knock Troy's socks off."
"Are you sure? I mean, everyone's already seen it. What if they think I can't afford to buy new clothes?"
"Gabi, relax already! Everything's going to be fine. I mean, if you're that worried, I'll come and get ready at your house, and all four of us can go together."
"Would you mind? I need you there Taylor."
"Let's go and find Troy and Chad and tell them. They're probably in the gym, as always."
Friday
"Ryan, how do I look?" Sharpay spun around to show off the full effects of her dress.
"Fantastic, as always."
"Well duh, but do you think Troy will like it?" Ryan rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Sharpay, you know you look great, so can we just go already?"
"Fine, but if Troy hates it, I'm blaming you." Ryan opened the front door and pushed Sharpay outside in the direction of his car.
"Taylor, are you sure I look okay?"
"Gabi, I've told you a thousand times already; you look perfect. Troy's not going to believe how lucky he is."
"You think. Because I'm not…" Gabriella was cut off by the doorbell. The two girls looked at each other and squealed before regaining composure and walking downstairs. Gabriella opened the door and smiled brightly at Troy and Chad.
"Hey Chad, hey Troy." The two boys walked into the house and Chad made a beeline for Taylor. He planted a kiss on her cheek and wrapped his arm around her waist. Troy just stood there, simply staring at Gabriella.
"Wow, Gabriella. You look…great. Amazing." Gabriella blushed.
"Thank. You look good too." Troy nodded and took a step forward. Gabriella too stepped forward, and Troy leant down and kissed her softly. His hands moved to her waist, and she rested her hands behind his neck.
"Mamí, Gabi's kissing some boy. Eww!" Troy and Gabriella broke apart and turned to see Gabriella's little sister Isabella standing there, a grossed-out look on her face. Carmen Montez walked into the hallway and laughed cheerfully.
"Isabella, why don't you go and play upstairs?" Isabella toddled up the stairs, and while they were watching this, Troy slipped his hand into Gabriella's. "Troy, it's nice to see you again. I know when we met before it wasn't under the best circumstances."
"That's quite all right Ms Montez. It's nice to see you again too."
"Well, you look very handsome." Carmen turned to Chad. "Now, I don't think we've met. Chad, isn't it? I've heard all about you from Gabriella and…"
"Mom! Quit it!" Gabriella hissed.
"Well, you look very handsome as well Chad. And you girls! Gosh, you both look so beautiful!"
"Mamí, stop it, please. We need to get going."
"Oh right! Well have a good time. Be back by curfew Gabi. Remember, on Fridays it's…"
"Yes mami, I remember. I'll see you later." Gabriella kissed her mother's cheek before following the other three out of the door.
"It's party time!" Chad announced to Taylor and she laughed before glancing back at Gabriella.
"Hold on." She stopped and waited for Gabriella to catch up to her, "What's the matter?"
"It's my mom. It's like she deliberately sets out to embarrass me."
"She loves you Gabi, that's all it is. Now, cheer up and have fun." Gabriella nodded and got into the passenger seat next to Troy. He put the car into drive and began the journey to school.
"So, your mom's nice. I like her." Troy commented.
"She can be really embarrassing. It's a bit annoying."
"She just cares about Gabriella, and just so I don't get in trouble for taking you home late, what time is your curfew?"
"You don't want to know."
"Maybe, but I really don't want to get in trouble."
"Fine. My curfew's at ten." Gabriella quickly glanced at Troy, anxious about his reaction.
"That's not that bad."
"Yeah? When's your curfew?" Troy sighed.
"Okay, so my curfew's at one o'clock. It's only because your mom loves you and cares about you. My parents couldn't care less about me."
"Well, it would be nice if she would care a little less."
"Come on, we're here. Let's just have fun tonight, okay?" Gabriella nodded meekly and got out of the car. Troy walked round and grasped Gabriella's hand tightly before they walked inside together. The gym had been decorated, and it was quite spectacular, although slightly tacky. Pink and red streamers covered the ceiling, and pick and red heart-shaped balloons floated around. Troy led Gabriella into the mass of dancing teenagers and wrapped his arms round her waist as they moved in time to the slow, romantic music. The pair danced their way through a number of songs, both high-tempo and slow. Gabriella stopped suddenly as another song began.
"I think I'm going to sit this one out Troy. I'm going to get a drink, okay?" Troy released Gabriella from his arms and nodded.
"Okay. I love this song, so I'll stay here." Gabriella pushed her way through the crowd to reach the refreshment table. Troy began to move to the music, and a swarm of cheerleaders instantly surrounded him.
"Hi Troy." A sweet voice said from behind him. He turned, plastering a fake grin on his face as he did so.
"Hi Sharpay."
"So, do you want to dance? I'm sure Gabriella won't mind, and after all, I think you owe me. You said you couldn't come, that something came up. Well, here you are Troy, even though you said you couldn't come."
"First, I'm not even here with Gabriella, and second, there was a change of plans. But fine, I guess I do owe you." Troy placed his hands awkwardly on Sharpay's hips and she hooked an arm around his neck.
"I'm not stupid Troy. You know that. You're here with Gabriella, and there never was anything stopping you from coming. I get it. You don't like me." Troy smiled and let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"I'm glad you're cool about this. I mean, we can still…" Sharpay pressed her lips to Troy's, hooking her other arm round his neck. Troy let all his inhibitions go and responded to the kiss until he came to his senses and pushed Sharpay off of him.
"What the hell Sharpay? What the heck are you trying to do?" Sharpay sneered at him.
"I'm making you pay. You dumped me Troy. No one dumps me, and even though I didn't get to dump you, someone else did. Where's your precious little girlfriend then, Bolton?" Troy looked round the entire gym, and there was no sign of Gabriella anywhere. He hurried over to Taylor.
"Taylor, have you seen Gabriella?"
"She said she went to get some air." Troy started to walk away. "And Troy?" He turned round. "You better have a damn good excuse." Troy nodded and hurried from the gym. After searching everywhere outside on the school campus, he was about to give up when a sudden wave of inspiration hit him. He found an unlocked door and went into the school before making his way up the familiar concrete steps. As he neared the top of the steps, he could hear a sad, soft voice singing. (Gabriella – italics, Both – Bold Italics)
'This could be the start of something new
It feels so right to be here with you
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
The start of something new'
"Gabriella? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just…just leave me be."
"Gabriella, I'm sorry. We were dancing and then she…she kissed me." Gabriella turned round quickly and Troy saw that her cheeks were streaked with mascara.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I should have seen it coming. I mean, why would you want me want me when you can have someone like Sharpay? So, it's fine. You can go back to your new girlfriend."
"I don't want someone like Sharpay; I want you!"
"Then why did you kiss her?"
"I already said! She kissed me."
"I saw you kiss back Troy. Don't deny that you didn't feel anything."
"I'm not saying there was nothing there, but there was more between us. You and me, Gabriella. There's more between us than there is between me and Sharpay."
"I don't know Troy. You kissed her back."
"Only because I'm an idiot! I forgot who she was; I forgot who I was! Damn it, Gabriella! I love you for crying out loud! You, and not anyone else."
"What?" Gabriella asked in an almost inaudible whisper.
"Forget it. I'm sure you can get a ride home from someone else." He started to make his way back down the steps.
"Wait!" He stopped, turning round slowly. "Troy, I…I love you too."
"You do? But, you basically hate me."
"I should have known that it was Sharpay behind it all. I was stupid, and I'm sorry."
"I was the stupid one, and I'm sorry."
"Do you forgive me?" They asked at the same time, and they both broke out into a grin.
"Of course." Troy said happily.
"Definitely." Gabriella said with a smile. Troy sprinted up the steps and hugged Gabriella tightly.
"I love you Gabriella Montez."
"I love you too Troy." He kissed her softly, and with that lone touch, the rest of the world faded away around them.
Okay, I know! The end was way fluffy and cheesy but that's the impression I get when I think of Troyella, which is the main reason why I'm not such a huge fan of the pairing. Well, I hope you liked it! Make sure you review!
Much Love and Peace,
Sophs xx
