And the winning letter is...

Chapter 9

It was a week since Chad and Taylor had filmed Sharpay telling Zeke about the plan she had planned, but now given up. Chad had tried to show the video as soon as possible, but it was impossible. Friday didn't work, because Troy was out with Sharpay, and hadn't come back until 9. And the weekend was the game (which the Wildcats had won) so Chad had never gotten a chance to even speak to Troy.

Now today Chad walked into the Broadcasting Room of East High. He casually headed towards Keely Teslow, the "anchorwoman" of the announcements.

"Uh, hey, Keely," Chad greeted. Keely pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder and grinned. "Hello, Chad."

Chad sighed. "Look, can I ask you favor?"

Kelly nodded. "Sure, anything. What is it?"

Chad handed her the DVD. "I downloaded the video from a cell phone to this DVD. I was wondering if you could play it over the announcements."

"Why?" Keely asked, holding the DVD gently. "Is it for a certain someone?"

Chad replied, "Yeah, it's for Troy. So, uh, please?"

Keely looked at the DVD than at Chad. "Okay, fine, but if I get in trouble for not sticking to the announcement's agenda, I'm blaming you."

Chad smiled. "Thanks, Keely." He walked quickly out the Broadcasting Room, filled with victory!

"What do you think they'll show over the announcements this time?" Troy asked. He was standing near his locker with Chad and Sharpay, whom Troy had gotten very close to (if u know what i mean, hehehe).

Chad shrugged. He wasn't an actor, but he was a very good pretender.

"Whatever, it is, it's probably going to be boring," Chad said. "You know Teslow. She can be so strict sometimes."

The bell rang, signaling the beginning of homeroom. Troy and Sharpay linked arms and quickly walked towards homeroom. Chad followed them, silently making gagging noises.

When they arrived at homeroom, Chad walked over to Taylor, who was looking at him expectantly.

"So when are you going to show it to Troy?" Taylor asked impatiently.

"Let's just say it'll be when he least expects it," Chad answered, staring at the TV.

Taylor stared at him with wide eyes. "You didn't...did you?"

Chad grinned wider. "The whole school's gonna hate Sharpay."

For a second, he thought Taylor was going to yell at him to stop being so mean and stop the video from being shown. But instead she smirked and said, "Perfect."

But her smile faded when she saw someone walk in.

"Oh," Taylor said. Chad followed Taylor's stare and his eyes fell on a completely ruined brunette.

"Poor Gabi," Taylor whispered. Chad patted her on the arm. Taylor couldn't help but admire his touch.

Gabriella walked over, ignoring Troy's glaring and the snickering Sharpay.

"Hi, guys," Gabi said softly. Taylor smiled encouragingly. Chad got up and hugged Gabi, which caused everyone to gasp.

"It'll be all over after homeroom," Chad whispered. "I promise."

Gabriella was taken aback for a few seconds before nodding, but with doubt. How could it be over after homeroom? It wasn't like there was going to be something that proved to Troy that she wasn't cheating on him...

"All right, class,' Ms Darbus boomed out, closing her door. "It's time to watch the announcements."

As she turned the TV on, Taylor watched the TV anxiously. Chad did the same. They knew what to expect, both from the announcements and Sharpay and Troy.

"Good morning, East High," Keely said in her "anchorwoman" voice. "And welcome to another week of high school. Now today we are showing a video which was dedicated to our certain basketbball captain. So, Troy, I hope you're watching this."

Sharpay rolled her eyes. She turned to Troy and whispered, "Of course, you're watching this."

Troy smiled and grabbed Sharpay's hand.

The screen changed. This time it showed Sharpay talking to Zeke in the hallway.

"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."

The video ended.

"And that's all for today," Keely said. "Have a great day, everyone."

Ms. Darbus turned off the TV. It was pretty obvious she was startled, just like everyone else.

"Well," Ms. Darbus said. "That was very interesting." She cleared her throat and pretended like nothing was wrong for the rest of homeroom.

But Troy couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. He felt like such and idiot! He blamed Gabriella for something that she didn't do. Even Zeke was innocent! It was all Sharpay's fault!

Troy thought, And here I am holding hands with Sharpay! He quickly pulled his hand out.

Troy turned and looked at Gabriella, who was blinking in surprise. She looked so sweet and innocent...Troy couldn't believe he blamed her for cheating on him! Chad was right. Gabriella was too sweet to cheat on someone with their best friend. And Zeke...he was staring at his hands. Yes, he was flirting with Gabriella, but only because Sharpay told him to.

When the bell rang, no one moved but Gabriella. She walked up and left the room in tears. Taylor quickly got up and followed her.

Chad got up and said, "Wait up, girls." He ran out of the room but not before mouthing to Troy "Told ya".

Zeke and Troy stood up at the same time. They tried to go through the doorway, but their muscles prevented this.

"Go ahead, man," Troy muttered. Zeke, not wanting to argue, left.

Troy looked at the rest of homeroom clss, who was staring with wide eyes with a few exceptions who were glaring at Sharpay.

Troy glared at the Ice Queen before leaving. His next class was math and he knew Gabriella was in his class...unfortunately, so was Sharpay.

He walked into the math classroom and sat down. The teacher wasn't here yet so he was surprised most people were in their seats.

But he didn't care because he saw Gabriella at her desk with her hands on top of her math book. Troy could see the tears streaking down her face.

Troy sighed and walked over to her.

"Uh, hey, Gabi," Troy said nervously. Gabriella looked up at him with a frightened look on her face.

Troy bit his lips and sat down next to her.

"Hey, that's my seat," a boy whined.

Troy narrowed his eyes at the boy. "Too bad."

The boy sat down in another seat, scared that Troy would blow his top.

Finally, the teacher came and math class began. Troy prayed that class would end quickly so that he could apologize to Gabriella. But his prayers were left unanswered.

Finally, after what felt like years, class was over.

"Hey, Gabi," Troy called out. Gabriella didn't turn around. Instead, she just walked faster.

But Troy's long legs caught up with her quickly.

"Look, Gabs," he started.

"Shouldn't you be with Sharpay?" Gabriella asked coldly.

Troy said, "I'm sorry. I guess I was just scared of losing you that..."

Gabriella looked at Troy. Suddenly, she burst into tears.

Troy drew her into a hug. Gabriella cried into his shirt, but he didn't care.

"I'm so sorry, Gabs." Gabriella looked into Troy's blue eyes.

Troy wiped her tears away and kissed her passionately in the middle of the hallway.

Everyone raised their eyebrows. They defintely didn't expect this.