Dinner came quickly. Gabriella had changed into clothes of her own. She had put on a somewhat short, white skirt and lacy purple tank top. She wasn't completely sure how she felt about Troy, but she wanted to impress him. She was reading in her room when she heard the Bolton's on the porch. Marking her page, she set her book on her bed and made her way downstairs.

"Need any help carrying things outside, Mom?" she offered.

Her mother glanced at her, "Don't you look nice." Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Take out the carrots."

Smiling, she picked up the ceramic dish and walked outside. "Good evening," she said as she placed it on the table. Troy gave her a shy smile, which she gladly returned.

"Now that it's stopped raining, it looks like it's going to be a good night," Jack said.

Gabriella nodded, "Maybe we can have a campfire. I know we've got a huge bag of marshmallows somewhere..."

Chad grinned. "Sounds great. I love a good marshmallow. Do you have chocolate? We could have s'mores!"

Troy laughed, "Calm down Chad. You'd think you're six years old."

Gabriella laughed. "I think we can manage that." Her mother brought out the rest of the dishes and they dug in.

"Gabriella!" An excited voice rang out. Gabriella stood up and quickly turned around.

"Taylor!" she squealed. "You're home early!" Gabriella ran over and threw her arms around her best friend.

Chad elbowed Troy in the ribs. "More hot girls," he whispered. Troy rolled his eyes.

"Yeah," Taylor was saying, "apparently Mom and Dad got really bored. So we came home. You look good. What have you been up to?"

Gabriella shrugged. "You know, stuff." She led Taylor onto the porch. "Let me introduce you to our guests. Taylor, these are the Boltons - Jack, Dayna and Troy, and Troy's friend Chad. Everyone, this is Taylor."

Taylor smiled. "Nice to meet you all." She pulled Gabriella aside and whispered, "They're cute. Our age?" Gabriella giggled and nodded.

"Mom, may I please be excused?" she asked. "I'll put my plate in the fridge to finish later."

Ms. Montez smiled. "I suppose. Why don't the two of you go out for a ride. I'm sure Taylor hasn't been out for a while."

Taylor laughed. "Three whole weeks. I'm just glad they decided to come home early, I don't think I could go another week."

Laughing, the girls disappeared into the house. Dayna smiled. "Long time friends?"

"For as long as I can remember," Ms. Montez answered.

The girls ran out to the barn. Gabriella had loaned Taylor a pair of breeches and had also changed. "Let's go out to the jump field," Taylor suggested.

Gabriella grinned, "Of course."

About half an hour later, the girls were warming up their horses. "Ready?" Gabriella asked, opening the gate. "Let's go!"

Troy and Chad were walking back to their cabin. "Let's go watch them ride," Chad said.

Troy frowned, "We don't even know where they are."

Chad rolled his eyes. "We can look. Let's go to the barn."

Gabriella and Taylor were cantering around the jump field. Gabriella slowed Starlit to a walk. "Wanna make up the course?" she asked Taylor.

"Let's make it up as we go." Taylor replied, laughing.

Gabriella chose a jump and steered Starlit toward it. She could feel Starlit pick up underneath of her. This was going to be good. They soared over it and were off to the next.

"Hey! I see them," Chad said.

"Where?"

"There," Chad pointed. "Jumping." They boys watched in awe as Gabriella flew around her course. Gabriella finished, a wide smile on her face.

"Go Taylor!" she shouted, unaware of their audience. Taylor's round was equally impressive. The boys watched silently. Smiling, both girls walked their horses over to the gate. Troy and Chad walked over.

"Wow," said Troy.

Gabriella jumped a little in her saddle. "Oh, hey," she said grinning. "How long have you two been standing there?"

Troy grinned. "Long enough."

Gabriella laughed, "Stalkers much?"

Chad flashed a smile at Taylor. "Hey, you're Taylor, right? I'm Chad." Gabriella and Taylor giggled. Troy rolled his eyes.

"Yeah," she answered. "Nice hair, by the way." Laughing, Gabriella and Taylor rode toward the barn. "What a dork," Taylor said as they dismounted. "Although, he's kind of cute."

Gabriella laughed, "You can have him."

Taylor raised an eyebrow, "Is that because you've already claimed Troy? Nice choice, wish I'd been here sooner."

Gabriella blushed, "I haven't claimed anyone." Remembering his kiss on the porch, she couldn't help but think that Troy had claimed her. She took Starlit outside and turned her out for the night. Taylor followed.

"Come on," Taylor pestered, "you know you like him."

"Well... maybe just a little," Gabriella admitted.

"I knew it," Taylor said, grinning. "I just knew it."

Troy and Chad had walked to the small basketball court. "So, you like Gabriella?" asked Chad.

Shooting the ball, Troy replied, "Why do you ask?"

"Man, it's so obvious."

Troy scoffed, "Whatever."

"And she likes you too, can't you tell by the way she's always looking at you?"

Troy hesitated, "Well, I guess. But I don't really want to get too involved. I mean, Sharpay and I only broke up-"

"-two weeks ago. I know, I know. Get over her."

Troy frowned, "It's not that easy."

"Whatever."

The girls were sitting in Gabriella's room, listening to music and painting their toenails. "Hey Taylor."

"Yeah."

"Want to stay over tonight? We're supposed to be having a campfire." Gabriella asked.

"Sure," Taylor said, getting up. "I'll call my mom and get her to bring over some stuff."