Chapter 8

Gabriella laughed as Zeke told her a funny story about what happened one time during Home Ec. It was right before basketball practice and they were hanging out in a spare classroom.

"And Johnny didn't know the flour was right next to him and he knocked over the bowl with his elbow," Zeke said. "And flour went everywhere! Jason was coming in and said it looked like a Winter Wonderland!"

Gabriella laughed. "You mean Jason Cross?"

Zeke nodded. He smiled when Gabriella leaned into him. Sharpay was going to be so proud!

Suddenly there was a loud bang and Zeke and Gabriella saw that Troy had slammed the door open.

A very angry Troy.

"So this is why you wanted to be my boyfriend?" Troy asked. "Because you wanted to get close to Zeke?"

Gabriella gasped. "Zeke is just a friend..."

"So it's still not Zekey yet, huh?" Troy interrupted. "I ask you to be my girlfriend and you go hitting it off with one of my best friend. Excuse me...'former' best friend."

Zeke frowned. "Dude, there's nothing between us!'

Troy yelled, "I'm not an idiot! I saw you two flirting with each other! And don't argue, Zeke, 'cause I know it's true! And if you go any further, I'm going to make sure you're off the baskteball team!"

Zeke clamped his mouth shut at that. He loved basketball!

Before Troy left, he muttered, "Practice is about to start. And don't expect me on Friday, Gabriella, we're through."

Zeke sighed and patted Gabriella, who was crying.

"I'm sorry, Gabi," Zeke said. "I was just trying to be nice to you. I didn't think Troy would get he wrong idea..."

Gabriella smiled weakly at Zeke. "I'll be fine. Just go to practice."

Zeke nodded. But he didn't leave without giving her more cookies. "They're M&M's. I know how much you like them."

Gabriella smiled. "Thanks," she mumbled.

The last thing Zeke heard before closing the door was Gabriella's sobs.

Troy threw the ball as hard as possible to his teammates, trying to blow off the anger. But it didn't work. Gabriella kept coming into his mind. Gabriella smiling, Gabriella laughing...Gabriella crying.

Troy shook it off. Why was he feeling guilty? Gabriella was the one who cheated on him.

"Hey, Troy!" a voice called. A ball hit him on the head.

TWEEEEEEET!

"Troy, what was that?" Coach Bolton asked. "The championship game is next week! I need you to be focused!"

"Sorry," Troy mumbled. "There's just a lot on my mind."

Only Chad and Zeke knew exacly what Troy was talking about. The practice ended a few minutes later. Troy quickly showered and changed before leaving the locker room. And he made sure to "bump" into Zeke. The basketball captain even gave Zeke a death glare.

Chad watched the whole thing, feeling sorry for both of them.

Sharpay is such a bitch, Chad declared mentally. She lies to Troy and Zeke is getting punished for it, too.

Chad followed Troy out of the locker, but stopped when he saw Troy put his arm around the blonde.

Chad groaned. Great! Sharpay got her wish! Oh joy!

He walked out and saw Taylor waiting by his locker.

"What are you doing here?" Chad asked.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Hello to you, too. And did you happen to see you friend walk off with a certain blonde?"

Chad nodded. "I can't believe this! Gabriella's getting hurt and neither Troy nor Sharpay cares! We have to prove to Troy that Sharpay's a witch...and quickly."

Taylor agreed. "I have my phone. It has a built in video camera."

"I'm too lazy to get mine out," Chad stated. "I guess we'll use yours."

They walked side by side. Chad couldn't help but steal glances at Taylor. He admired her. She was bold, smart, and...and...pretty. She was organized, too!

"There they are," Taylor whispered. "Ugh, but Troy's there! There's no way Sharpay's talking about the plan. I mean, look at the way she's clinging on to him. I wish Troy would leave."

As soon as she said that, she got her wish.

"Wow, you must be a genie or something," Chad whispered. Taylor ignored him and set her phone to video camera mode.

She set the volume up high.

"So did Troy break up with Gabriella?" Sharpay asked. Zeke nodded.

Sharpay clapped. "Great! Of course, I kind of figured that out when Troy asked me out for Friday. So I won't be needing your help anymore."

"Help with what?" Zeke asked.

"Help with breaking Troy and Gabriella up," Sharpay asnwered in a 'duh'-voice. "It's about time Troy started paying attention to me like he should be. The Spanish slut should go out with some nerd, since she's one herself."

Chad grinned. He was about to exclaime "This is excellent!" But stopped himself, in fear of getting caught and ruining the video.

Taylor pressed 'save'.

"I think that's enough," Taylor stated. "You show this video to Troy as soon as possible."

Chad nodded while grabbing the phone.

"Take good care of it," Taylor told him. "I'm trusting you, okay?"

As she walked away, Chad smiled and looked at the phone.

The words kept ringing in his ear: I'm trusting you, okay.

Usually people only saw the zany side of Chad and thought he was too crazy to do anything responsible. His mother wouldn't even let him stay alone without someone to supervise! She thought Chad would burn the house down!

It was nice to know someone trusted him...especially since the person was practically a genius.

Okay, guys! Now for the 1st time, I'm giving a poll.

When and where should Troy see the video?

a: When he and Sharpay are out on their Friday-night date and Chad "runs into" them?

b: When Troy and Chad are hanging out at Troy's house?

c: Over the announcements at school right before homeroom?

or U can give suggestions!