AN: No zanessafan4ever, although I have read most of the Phantom Stallion series, I was not thinking about it when I wrote this.

Thanks for all the reviews! So many already! It's great.

Troy was still practicing when Chad walked out of the cabin. "What's up, man?" he asked, running a hand through his thick hair.

Troy shrugged, "Not much."

Chad rubbed his stomach. "Listen, I'm hungry. Your mom said breakfast is served at eight. What do you say?"

Troy glanced at his watch before answering. "Sure."

Gabriella had put Starlit away and was now helping her mom make breakfast. She couldn't help but keep thinking about Troy. They'd talked, but he'd seemed really distant. He didn't really seem like a jerk though. She heard footsteps on the porch. Troy and Chad. "Mom," she said, "I'm going to go greet our guests."

After her ride, Gabriella had showered and changed into fitted jeans and a green t-shirt. Her curly hair was swept back into a loose ponytail, but some defiant curls framed her face. Nervously, she pulled at her shirt's hem before stepping out onto the porch.

"Good morning," she said. "Ready for breakfast?"

"More than ready," replied Chad. "I'm starving."

Gabriella laughed. "The fresh air will do that to you. Especially if you've just come from a smoggy city." She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "Anyway, breakfast this morning is our specialty and my personal favourite, peach pancakes. How many can I get for each of you?"

Chad grinned. "How big are we talking?" Gabriella gestured with her hands. "Five then," he answered.

Gabriella turned to the other boy. "And for you?"

"I'll have the same," he answered rather rudely.

"Oh, ok." Gabriella said, taken aback. "And what would you like to drink?"

Chad was the first to answer. "A big glass of OJ." Gabriella nodded.

"Same," said Troy.

"Coming right up." Gabriella retreated to the house. Maybe she'd been wrong about him. Maybe he was a jerk.

Outside, Chad punched Troy in the arm. "What are you doing? You're a complete idiot!"

"What?" exclaimed Troy.

"You can't be rude like that to a hot girl!"

Troy rolled his eyes. Truthfully, he wasn't sure what had gotten into him. Maybe it was the way she'd laughed. He'd felt something. Something he'd never felt when he'd been dating Sharpay. And that bothered him. He'd gone out with Sharpay for nearly two years before she'd abruptly ended things. She hadn't even given him a reason. It was just over.

His thoughts were interrupted, however, when Gabriella brought out their pancakes. HE could smell them from the doorway and they smelt good. She set the plates down, smiling. Troy surprised even himself by asking, "Care to join us?"

Gabriella was shocked. Was this the same Troy Bolton that had been so rude to her just minutes earlier? "Uh, sure," she said. "Just let me go grab some pancakes."

Chad was pleased. "Way to go, man. You're on the road to recovery now, already over Sharpay."

Troy rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

Gabriella carried her plate out, not sure where she was going to sit. Chad seemed to read her mind. "Sit next to Troy," he said, smirking slightly. Troy had been so moody the past two weeks, Chad planned on changing that.

Gabriella carefully set down her plate. On it was six pancakes.

Chad laughed, "Trying to out eat us?"

"What?" she challenged. "You don't think I can? They are my favourite."

"You're on," he replied.

Gabriella listened somewhat awkwardly as Chad and Troy proceeded to have their own conversation about some musical. Soon, she pushed her empty plate away from her. "Done," she said.

Chad stared in disbelief while Troy laughed.

"Now that's my kind of woman," Troy said, not thinking. "A hearty appetite never hurt anyone."

Gabriella blushed. "You're just lucky we didn't bet on anything," she said as she rose. She carried the dishes into the kitchen. Troy and Chad were laughing when she walked back out.

"Let's go swimming," she said impulsively.

"Sure," both boys answered.

"Great! I'll meet you by the pool." Grinning, she ran into the house to change. In her room, she pulled on her new bikini. It had been a while since she'd had anyone to go swimming with. Her best friend, Taylor, was on vacation and wouldn't be back until next week. Until then, she'd hang out with Troy and Chad. That is, if Troy would allow her to. She pulled on a cotton dress.

Running down the stairs, she bumped into her mother.

"Where are you off to?"

"The pool, with Chad and Troy." She hesitated, awaiting her mother's reaction.

"Alright, but don't forget about your chores. And don't let Jake do them all. You know he would."

Gabriella frowned as she walked down the final few steps. What was that supposed to mean? She shook it off. Jake was like an older brother, nothing more.