Chapter 15

Gabi, Ryan, Taylor, and Chad walked into Albee's on Saturday. Gabi and Taylor were wearing identical mini dresses, excpet Gabi's was red and Taylor's was black.

Just as Ryan promised, he made reservations for four at Albee's.

"Ah, yes, under Ryan Evans," the waiter said. "Follow me, please."

The two "couples" followed the waiter to a table (since they're not really couples...yet). The waiter handed them each a menu.

"It's on me, guys," Ryan offered. "So order whatever you want. My dad owns the resutaurant so the people here gives me discounts."

"You're well connected," Chad said.

Ryan nodded with a smile. Gabi laughed.

Troy heard a familiar laughter and looked towards a table. He smiled when he saw Gabi, but felt a pang of jealousy when he saw Ryan sitting next to her.

Troy had asked Sharpay out for Saturday and had somehow convinced her to make reservations at Albee's. Sharpay, thinking it was Troy's way of apologizing, had agreed in less than a second and even offered to pay for the food. But Troy wasn't apologizing. He was stealing...stealing Gabi back.

"I hate it when this happens!" Sharpay exclaims. "I can't decide between lobster or gourmet steak. What do you think, Troy?"

Troy snapped his head back. He was staring at Gabriella, who looked very pretty in a red dress. And Sharpay had to interrupt him!

"Um, how about I order the steak and you get the lobster?" Troy suggested. "That way, we can share."

Sharpay grinned. "Okay. You're so smart, Troysie!"

Troy flinched at his nickname. He wasn't Sharpay's boyfriend and she already had a pet nickname for him.

"Oh, look," Sharpay said. "There's Ryan!"

Before Troy could stop her, she called out, "Yoohoo! Ryan!"

The entire table turned to look at Sharpay...and Troy.

"Oh, hey, Sharpay," Ryan said. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going shopping with Francesca."

Francesca was Sharpay's friend (Francesca, London's snobby friend from Suite Life).

"I was, but Troy asked me out," Sharpay answered. Chad blinked in surprise. He was just joking when he said, "We thought Ryan would probably be bored on Saturday night. Since, you know, you and Sharpay obviously have a date."

But Troy really did have a date!

"So we decided to come to Albee's,' Sharpay said. Her smile faltered a littler when her eyes landed on Gabi.

"Oh, Gabi," Sharpay said. "Surprise seeing you here."

"She's my date!" Ryan said. "But I guess you're too thick to know that."

Sharpay gasped. "Excuse me?"

"Face it, Sharpay," Ryan said, standing. "You're spoiled and you know it! You don't want to face the fact that Troy doesn't like you. You're too selfish to even think that Gabi's prettier and smarter and nicer than you, when she is." Ryan looked at Gabi and smiled.

Gabi blushed and grinned back. Troy wanted to punch Ryan, but he couldn't because everyone in teh restauarant was watching. And Troy didn't want to get in trouble in front of Gabi.

Ryan turned back to his twin. "And I'm sick and tired of being lapdog! I don't want to stand back and let you tormet innocent people! I don't want people to think I'm like you! I'm sick of being known as Sharpay's brother. I'm Ryan, but you took that identity away from me!"

Chad stood up and patted Ryan on the back. "Way to go, man."

Sharpay stared at Ryan. He had never spoken to her like that before! How dare he!

"You're just jealous because I'm more popular than you are!" Sharpay screamed.

"Sharpay," Taylor said. "You're not popular. People are just scared of you. And I don't blame them."

Troy stiffled a laugh. Sharpay grabbed his arm.

"Troysie, you know me best," Sharpay said. "Tell them I'm not like that! Tell them!"

"Guys," Troy said.

Everyone looked at him, except Sharpay, who was casting a smug look on Gabi's face.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I don't know why I'm out here with Sharpay."

Everyone smiled, but Sharpay. She huffed and walked out of the restaurant.

Troy grinned. He felt much better. But he would've felt better if he had...

"Gabi," Troy muttered. She turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry," Troy whispered. He held her hands. "It's just that, I went and got myself drunk and Sharpay was standing there and I don't know what came over me. I'm truly sorry. I understand if you won't forgive me."

Gabi looked at Troy. She looked down at her hands and saw that she was still wearing Troy's team ring. She had never thought about taking it off and Troy had never asked for it back to give to Sharpay, did he?

"Troy," Gabi said. Troy looked at her expectantly.

Gabi smiled.

Woohoo! Troypay is over! But the drama isn't gone yet! And there r more M chapters to come, if u know what I mean. ;)