Thanks for all the reviews everyone, I love reading what goes through your mind as you read it, especially as my stories are complete when I post- so seeing your predictions compared to what I write is good!

HMS fan always seems to get it right, too. Must know me too well ;)

I'm sorry this is really short, sometimes I split chapters by what happens rather than length so I will post sooner to make up for it ;) Apologies for the sub standard work :(

CHAPTER 5

"GO- FIGHT-WIN!" Gabi shouted randomly during the game and smiled embarrassedly as everyone looked at her.

She was stood near the sidelines, unconsciously simulating the moves of the cheerleading team, shouting in between plays and generally getting totally absorbed in the basket-ball-groupie role.

Troy jogged over, sweaty, taking some water and smiling at the cheerleaders who all smiled and squealed excitedly between themselves.

"You should join," he said of Gabi's moves.

She shook her head. "No, I could never be as good as them," she smiled. "Besides, someone once told me I'm an EMO." She added.

"Not long now, then we can go eat!" He beamed, turning to go back to the game.

"Troy!" She called.

He turned and she placed a kiss on his cheek. "Good luck!" She said with a smile.

He joined his team-mates once more and Chad shunted him in a friendly way.

"Hey, you and Lauren look like a couple." He teased.

"Yeah, yeah" Troy said back.

"She's hot, dude." Chad said with a look.

Troy turned to look at her quickly, her curvy shape silhouetted at the sidelines in her long line top and skinny jeans with boots.

"Yeah, she is." He said simply.

"Don't tell me, she's not Gabriella…" Chad lifted his brows knowingly.

"No, it's not that." Troy said with a frown and the play started again.

--

"I like her better than Gabriella." Troy said to Chad as they changed after showering.

"Huh? Did I just hear those words? From your very mouth?" Chad said disbelievingly.

"Look, I asked her out, she's coming for pizza with us." He explained.

Chad licked his lips. "Please don't tell me it's 'cos she looks like her, dude. She's still a girl." He pointed out.

"Look, Gabriella is just a fantasy, Chad." He answered.

"That's good to hear." Chad nodded and they headed out to meet the rest of the team along with the cheerleaders and Gabi was chipping some dance moves, showing them how to include it in their routine.

He smiled as he wondered how long it would be before she was on the squad.

"Hey, dancing queen," he quipped, knowing it was just another thing she had in common with his crush but not wanting to point it out.

"Hey, jock." She returned, her brown eyes bright as he sidled up to her and she took his elbow in her hand. "Taking me for food yet? I'm starving." She commented.

He smiled down on her and nodded. "Let's go." He said and led her off, the rest of the gang following.

---

Gabi held Troy's hand as they walked home from the pizza place. Troy was chewing on a straw he had taken from his empty drink and she couldn't resist taking his hand, he looked so cute.

He smiled shyly and tightened his hand around hers.

"I had fun tonight." He said.

"Me too, it's nice to know I have at least one friend in Albuquerque." She commented.

"I just know when I get home my mom will be ragging on my dad again." He sighed.

"Then come to mine?" She offered. "Until your curfew," she added quickly.

"Are you sure your mom won't mind?" He checked.

"I think my mom is happy with anything now I'm not in New York." She quipped.

"Party girl, huh?" He wondered.

"I was out with my friends a lot; I guess we went to parties sometimes." She shrugged.

Gabi turned to Troy at her door; looking into his sparkling blue eyes and saw them deepen in colour as he eyed her lips.

She saved him making the move and tipped onto her toes to reach his mouth, her lips meeting his and causing a pleasurable bubble to burst in her tummy.

Gabi felt the tingle seep through her whole body as Troy kissed her back, taking her gently in his arms and allowing her to rest her hands against his chest.

He pulled away, fingering her blonde hair.

"This isn't real is it?" He asked huskily, his brows drawing together in his seriousness.

She shook her head. "No." She felt her heart miss a beat and thump painfully after.

"What's your real hair like?" He wondered softly and all Gabi wanted was for him to kiss her again.

"Lauren…" Her mom called as they turned on hearing the door opening. "Are you coming in?" She asked.

Gabi smiled and nodded. "Is it ok for Troy to come in for a while?" She asked and her mom nodded, smiling at him, already used to having him tagging around with her daughter.

They followed her mom into the house and Gabriella enjoyed having a boy in her room again. Just- talking. He told her about his mom and dad when he didn't get too awkward and they discussed everything except their common interest, making Gabriella beam at their new-found companionship.

"You intrigue me Troy Bolton." She admitted from her position, laid back with her arms behind her head. They were head and tails on her bed.

"I do? How come?" He wondered, propping onto his elbow, surprised at her statement.

"Because I thought this town was dork-city and then you go and prove me wrong…" She described.

"Thanks…I think." Troy smiled at her lop sidedly.

"I meant it in a nice way…I meant…I don't feel so lonely with you here." She added.

He smiled secretly at that as he rested back down.

"I know the feeling." He replied and they both smiled again.

When it got late, her mom drove him home and she lay in happy bliss on her bed, remembering every moment of their night. Her date with Troy Bolton could be the first of many, if she was lucky; she smiled.