I'm sorry if my formatting is weird this time. I got a laptop as a graduation present, so I'm using it. I'm using Word, 'cause that's what it comes with. But I usually use Works. So. I hope Chapter 6 was worth the wait. And now, here's Chapter 7.

Gabriella met Troy at the barn. She smiled. "Are you ready for this?" she asked.

Troy grinned. "As ready as I'm ever going to be."

Gabriella picked up two halters. "Let's get some horses," she said. They walked out to the pasture behind the barn. "You're riding Gilligan. He's an old pro. You won't have to worry."

Troy laughed. "That's great. Which one is he?"

Gabriella pointed to a small piebald. "He's the paint."

"And you're riding Starlit?" Troy asked. "I don't see her."

Gabriella shook her head. "No, I'm not riding her today. Apparently my mom thinks I spend too much time on her and not enough on the other ranch horses. So, today it's Thunder."

Troy grinned. "Parents."

Gabriella smiled. "Yeah, well. You're on the quiet old pro and I'm on the dorky youngster. We'll just see how enjoyable our ride is."

Troy laughed, "Hey, at least it's just the two of us this time."

"Hey," Gabriella giggled, "It could have been just us last time but you were too shy."

"Shy?" Troy exclaimed. "The Wildcat's superstar? Never."

"We'll just see," Gabriella answered. "Let's get these horses in."

Half an hour later, both horses were tacked up and ready to go. Gabriella stood beside Troy. "What do you want to do today?" she asked. "We could just go on some trails or I could teach you a little more," she suggested.

Troy shrugged. "Whatever you're up for."

Gabriella shrugged in return. "Doesn't really matter. I guess I could teach you a little, then we could walk down some trails. Sound good?"

"Sounds excellent."

Twenty minutes later, Gabriella was sitting astride Thunder in the middle of a small paddock. Troy was trotting Gilligan around her in a circle. "Good," she called out. "Up, down, up, down! Find the rhythm."

Troy laughed. "I'm trying."

Gabriella let Troy go around a couple more times. "Wanna stop? We could hit the trails now."

Troy reined Gilligan to a walk. "Sounds good. I'm getting tired."

Gabriella giggled, shaking her head. "And some people don't consider riding a sport."

Troy laughed. "It's certainly harder than it looks."

Gabriella smiled. "Just like basketball or anything else, really. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems."

Troy nodded, "You can say that again."

Gabriella laughed, "Just wait until tomorrow. You're gonna hurt."

"And that's funny?" asked Troy.

Gabriella nodded. "Mmhmm." She nudged Thunder into a walk, "Let's go."

The pair headed off down the trail. A cool breeze rustled the emerald green leaves. The brilliant blue sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. "It's beautiful." Gabriella said. "I love it out here."

"You fit right in," Troy said.

Gabriella blushed, "You're quite the charmer, Troy Bolton."

He grinned. "I know."

Gabriella shook her head. "And so modest."

Troy laughed, "What can I say? You can't help who you are."

Gabriella smiled, "I'm not sure that's completely true."

"To some degree," Troy replied.

"Well, yes," agreed Gabriella. "But there are definitely aspects that people can work on improving, if they want to."

"Maybe it's not that easy," challenged Troy. "What if you don't even realize something needs to be changed. Or you aren't willing to accept it?"

" That's what I mean. If they want to. What you're saying is entirely different," Gabriella answered.

"Maybe not." Troy said.

Gabriella frowned. "Well." She paused to duck under a branch. "I guess it doesn't really matter, at least not now. Let's just ride."

Troy nodded. He didn't really want to argue with Gabriella, he liked her. A lot. They rode in silence for a couple of minutes.

"Gabriella," he started, "can I ask you something?"

"Sure," she said. "What?"

"Can I call you Gabi? I mean, Gabriella's nice and everything, but it's long sometimes."

Gabriella hesitated. Her father had called her Gabi. After he'd died, she'd refused to let anyone call her Gabi. Not even her mother. "Umm..." she sighed.

"It's ok if you say no." Troy said, sensing her apprehension. "I'll understand."

Gabriella smiled shyly, "No, it's ok. Yeah, you can call me Gabi."

Troy grinned. "Great."

Chad was wolfing down pancakes when Taylor walked out onto the porch. "There you are," she said plainly. "What do you want to do? What will keep you entertained?"

Chad raised an eyebrow, "Are you really asking that?"

Taylor rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. Gabriella asked me to keep you occupied while she went out with Troy. Now, if you don't want to do anything I'm just gonna go inside."

Chad shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm sure I can find something for us to do," he said mischievously. "Don't worry one bit."

Taylor sighed, "That's exactly what I was afraid of."

Chad grinned. "I hope you like basketball."

Taylor grimaced. "Let's get it over with."

Taylor and Chad walked to the court silently. Picking up the ball, Chad said "Have you played much before?

Taylor shrugged, "I can pass and shoot, if that's what you mean."

Chad grinned. "Alright. I guess I could keep myself entertained with those basic skills." Taylor rolled her eyes. "Hmm," he said, "how about a game. You take a shot, you get it in, you get to ask me a question. I have to answer it. If you don't get it in, no question. Then it's my turn."

Taylor sighed, "Fine. But I hope you know that I'm only doing this for Gabriella."

"That's fine with me," Chad answered. "Shoot," he said, throwing Taylor the ball. She aimed and threw. The net swished as the ball fell through. Chad nodded, "Not too shabby. What are you gonna ask?"

Taylor hesitated. "How come you're here? Not to seem rude or anything. But it seems like a Bolton family vacation."

Chad shrugged. "I dunno. Troy and I have been friends forever. We always vacation with each other's family. That's just the way it works." Taylor nodded and threw the ball to Chad. Of course, the ball swished through the hoop. "Alright," he said. "Why are you here? This obviously isn't your house."

"Well, I just got back from a vacation with my parents. If you could call it that. They're kind of workaholics. So, all summer when they live at the office, I stay here with Gabriella. We have tons of fun riding and hanging out. It's so much more fun than staying at home in a huge empty house." She paused. "Good enough of an answer?" Chad nodded. Taylor shot the ball. It bounced off the rim. "You're turn again, I guess," she said.

Chad thought for a minute. "Where'd you learn to ride so well?"

Taylor smiled. "Mostly here, with Gabriella and her dad. He taught both of us. Of course, I wasn't here as often then, my parents had me enrolled in all sorts of piano and dance lessons. And after Gabriella's dad died, she continued to teach me. She's so much better than I'll ever be." She grinned. "Pass me that ball."

"Bossy, bossy," laughed Chad.

Taylor's shot was successful. "Okay. Hmm. How much do you think Troy likes Gabriella?"

"Honestly?" Chad asked. "I think a lot. But he won't admit it. His girlfriend, or ex- really, dumped him like two weeks ago. For a while he was really mopey. But he's changed so much since he started hanging out with Gabriella." Taylor nodded.

Gabriella and Troy were riding through the meadow. "So Gabi," Troy said. "We should do this again sometime."

Gabriella smiled. "Yeah. That would be great." She paused. "How long are you and your family staying for?"

Troy shrugged. "A while, I think. We have to get back to Albuquerque by the end of August. My dad's the basketball coach at my school."

Gabriella nodded. "Okay." Was getting involved really a good idea? Especially if he'd be leaving? She shook her head, in an attempt to clear her mind. "Well, Thunder seems to be behaving himself. Want to try a canter?"

"Sure," Troy answered nervously. "What do I have to do?"

"Just sit back. Gilligan's so laid back, he'll follow as soon as I ask Thunder to go. You just have to stay on."

"That's reassuring." Troy laughed.

"You'll be fine." Gabriella said. "We don't have to if you don't want to."

"No," Troy said, remembering the morning he'd seen her cantering across the field. "Let's do it." Gabriella smiled and nudged Thunder forward, first into a trot then a canter. Sure enough, Gilligan followed. Laughing, Gabriella looked back at Troy. Slowly, his grin was widening. Gabriella's earlier thoughts vanished. Troy was such a great guy. And he was showing a genuine interest in horses. Always a plus, she thought with a giggle. What would Taylor think?

They reached the end of the meadow and Gabriella slowed Thunder to a walk. "How was it?" she asked.

Troy's eyes were bright. "Great. I can't wait to do it again."

Gabriella laughed. "I love to canter across the fields. Especially when something's bothering me. There's nothing like a good run to clear your mind."

Troy thought back to that morning. Had something been on her mind then? He shrugged it off. "Shall we head back to the barn?" he asked.

Gabriella nodded. "Sure. The horses are getting tired."

The pair talked as they walked back. About school, about friends and about horses. When they finally reached the barn, Gabriella was sad to dismount. She really enjoyed talking with Troy. Again, she couldn't help but wonder. What would it be like when he left?

"Thanks Gabi." Troy said.

"What for?" she asked, slightly confused.

"Everything," he said. "For teaching me to ride, for talking with me, for putting up with my moods."

"Oh," Gabriella replied, blushing. "No problem."

"I mean it, Gabi. Thanks."

The two led their horses into the barn, every so often their eyes meeting. Gabriella would blush and Troy would grin before looking away. After the horses were put away, the couple walked back to the barn, holding hands. Gabriella opened the wooden door.

"Oh, hey Jake," She said, surprised.

He gave her a confused grin. "I do work here, you know."

Gabriella giggled, "I know. I just, forgot you were coming in today, that's all." She looked at Troy. "You met Troy, right?"

Jake nodded. Though I wish I hadn't, he thought. He brushed past the couple. "So, I'll catch up with you two later. I've got work to do." Gabriella frowned, confused.

"What's the matter?" asked Troy.

Gabriella shook her head. "Don't worry about it." She grinned. "I'm gonna go shower. Want to hang out later?"

Troy nodded. "Sure. I guess I'll go check on Chad. Maybe he'll want to play some basketball."

Gabriella laughed. "Probably. If Taylor hasn't strangled him."

Troy laughed. "I'll see you later." He squeezed her hand before walking out of the barn. Gabriella smiled. Had she sensed jealousy coming from Jake? She needed to talk to Taylor. She'd know what to do.

So there it is. I hope everyone enjoyed it. Thanks for all the reviews. Keep 'em coming.