Chapter 2

Gabriella started open-mouthed at her two best friends. 'Guys!' She finally caught their attention. 'Quit throwing the fries!'

Ryan and Zeke laughed. 'What's up? You've been uptight all morning!' Ryan asked once he had calmed down.

Gabriella slouched, quietly pushing her food around her plate. 'I'm fine.'

Zeke grinned. 'Is someone jealous of a Sharpay Evans?'

'Is someone jealous of a Troy Bolton?' Gabriella mimicked.

'At least I don't try to hide it.' Zeke pointed out.

Gabriella stuck her tongue out at him when her phone beeped.

'Uh-oh. Off to fantasy land.' Ryan said in a sing-song voice.

Hi. Can you believe that they're already planning the Halloween ball?

Me neither. How's your girlfriend?

If I say I love her more than life itself would you believe me?

I hate to say it but...no. Given the way you've been moaning about her five times a day.

Do I talk about her that much?

Yes but, not in a good way :(

I have to break up with her. Today.

I'm glad.

Why?

Because you keep moaning about how she drags you into New Look ten times a day.

She does! Anyway...What's on your mind right now?

'Troy Bolton.' Zeke coughed.

Gabriella took her bottle of water and poured it over his head. 'Whoops.' She said sarcastically.

'Whoever this guy is, I hate him. He's made you mean.' Zeke said, wiping his face with a napkin.

Gabriella thought for a moment before replying.

You first. What about you?

I'm thinking Ms. Darbus has snapped her cap.

Gabriella looked up and saw Ms. Darbus reciting both parts of 'Romeo and Juliet'.

L.O.L.

G2G. My girlfriend has started whining. Talk to you at four?

Sounds good.

Gabriella shut her phone. 'Come on, guys, we have Maths.'

Zeke and Ryan groaned.

'Guys, if you stopped thinking about singing, backing or how hot girls look in bikinis, you'd pass.' Gabriella smirked.

Zeke scowled. 'I hate you.'

-----------------------------

'Here you go, Zeke.' Gabriella handed a cup of coffee to him as she handed him a cup of coffee and sipped her own.

'Why don't I get coffee?' Ryan whined from the other side of the counter.

'You don't work here.' Zeke chuckled.

'And I don't know why you come here because you hate sports.' Gabriella pointed out.

Ryan stared at her. 'It's either here or listen to Sharpay talk about Troy.'

Gabriella laughed. 'You do know who owns this place, right?'

Just then, the door opened and in walked Troy, Chad and Jason with their girlfriends Taylor, Kelsi and, of course, Sharpay.

'Oh, joy.' Gabriella said sarcastically, leaning against the counter. 'Remind me why I agreed to this job.'

'Because you get more money than other job in Albuquerque!' Zeke said in a 'duh' tone.

'And you want to go to college.' Ryan added.

'And college costs money.' Zeke pointed out.

'Okay, guys, I get it.' Gabriella held a hand up.

The three friends heard a door shut and saw that the posse had gone into Troy's house. Gabriella turned back to Zeke and Ryan. 'I bet you five bucks Troy'll dump Sharpay within a week.'

'No, Sharpay will dump Troy within two days.' Zeke said confidently.

'I'm with Gabby. You're just saying that because you like her.' Ryan shrugged apologetically.

'Fine, the bet's on.' Zeke stated and they all crossed their arms and did a three-part handshake.

There was suddenly a high pitched scream. 'Okay, Troy either forgot their anniversary, said she looked fat or dumped her.' Gabriella chuckled.

Then, Sharpay stormed out, her stiletto heels clicking the way. Taylor and Kelsi quickly followed and Gabriella and Ryan grinned. 'I'm taking he broke up with her.' Ryan chuckled and he and Gabriella held their hands out.

Zeke handed five dollars over to Gabriella and Ryan. 'I hate you guys right now.'

'We know.' Ryan and Gabriella chorused.

Suddenly, the clock struck four and Gabriella's phone beeped. 'Wow, when he says a time he really means it.' Zeke raised his eyebrows and smiled.

Hey, can you talk, right now?

Well, at the moment, yes. But, my boss might come in so I might not reply. What's wrong?

I broke up with my girlfriend:D

How'd she take it?

She screamed, cried...screamed.

L.O.L.

Do you want to go to the Halloween dance with me?

What? You've only just broken up with your girlfriend...

Yes, but, please? It's costume, we could wear masks. I've got to go. But, please go. I'll be waiting for you at eleven O'clock in the middle of the dance floor...

Gabriella sighed and shut her phone. 'This can't go good.'

'Why? He just asked you out!' Ryan shrieked, going more high-pitched than Gabriella liked to hear.

Gabriella started rearranging some products on a shelf. 'But, what if I meet him and I'm not what expects?'

'Then, he'll be an idiot.' Zeke stated, helping Gabriella.

'Gabriella, Zeke, you guys need to work next Friday.' Jack Bolton stated, walking into the store.

'What? We booked that day off.' Gabriella nodded nervously.

'Yes, but, my wife is hosting an important business meeting and we're short staffed. I'm going to be chaperoning the dance and will be home at twelve. Remember that, both of you.' Jack explained, walking into his house.

'Well, I guess I can't go to the dance.' Gabriella said glumly.

Zeke thought for a moment. 'Yes you can. I can cover for you. I'll say that you're sick, or something.'

'But, how will I get there? I can't drive.' Gabriella looked sceptically.

'Ryan'll take you. It's simple Gabby. All we have to do is find you a costume...And I don't think that will be too hard.' Zeke smiled.