Chapter 3

Gabriella threw her keys aside and was dragged into the lounge by Zeke with Ryan following. 'Guys, I don't think this is a good idea.'

'Yes it is. Emma?' Zeke asked Gabriella's mother.

'Yes, Zeke?' Emma asked from her book.

'Gabby needs a Halloween costume.' Ryan grinned.

'You're going to the dance? You didn't tell me.' Emma stood up and put her hands on her hips.

Gabriella rolled her eyes. 'I don't want to go.'

'Why?' Emma asked confusedly.

'She thinks online lover boy will reject her.' Zeke said in a bored tone.

'He won't. How about this? I've just designed it and I need an opinion.' Emma held out a piece of paper with a dress design on it. It was a white spaghetti strap and flowed out around the legs.

'Mum, don't you design wedding dresses? I'm going to a Halloween ball not getting married.' Gabriella raised her eyebrows.

'But, you could go as Cinderella. I have a mask I used in High School.' Emma offered. 'What do you say?'

Gabriella looked at Emma, Ryan and finally at Zeke. 'Fine.' She said grumpily and walked upstairs. She sat at her laptop and logged onto MSN. She opened up a conversation with EHSdude906.

Lakergirl734: Hi.

EHSdude906: Hey. How was work?

Lakergirl734: Please, bosses, screaming cheerleaders and cool guys who are in love with themselves. Ever feel like you don't belong?

EHSdude906: All the time. My Dad concentrates so much on my future he doesn't give me chance to think about who I am right now. I can have a million friends but no one knows who I really am...But then I think of you.

Gabriella smiled just as Zeke and Ryan burst through the door. 'Guys, don't you have anything better to do than annoy me? As in homework...eating...jumping off a cliff...'

'We'll be really quiet.' Ryan promised and he and Zeke sat on her bed.

Lakergirl734: Have you told your Dad about the auditions yet?

EHSdude906: No, and I really don't plan on it. I don't know what he'll think if he finds out I want to be a singer.

Lakergirl734: My Mum and Dad always told me to chase my dreams.

EHSdude906: Not mine...well, maybe my Mum but definitely not my Dad.

Lakergirl734: It's ten thirty PM! I guess we should turn in. I've got a Chemistry test tomorrow. Sweet dreams.

EHSdude906: Wait...

Lakergirl734: Yeah?

EHSdude906:Can you promise me that you'll be at the dance?

Gabriella thought for a moment.

'You're going to say yes, right?' Zeke asked.

'Why are you guys still here?' Gabriella questioned.

'Making sure you agree to go.' Ryan folded his arms.

Lakergirl734: I promise.

EHSdude906: Sweet dreams.

Lakergirl734 has just signed off.

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

'Ow! Mum, that hurts.' Gabriella moaned as Emma accidentally stuck a pin into her leg again.

'I need to get this right.' Emma said sternly.

'Guys, shut up.' Gabriella warned, pointing a finger at Zeke and Ryan who were sniggering.

Zeke shook his head. 'It's so funny!'

Gabriella glared at them. 'Seeing your best friend in pain? It's hilarious.' Gabriella said sarcastically.

Her phone beeped. 'Zeke, catch.' Ryan threw her phone to Zeke.

Gabriella rolled her eyes. 'Guys, give it here.'

Ryan flipped it up. 'Lakergirl, what are you doing, right now?'

'Aww.' Zeke said in a girlish voice. He grabbed the phone and started to reply. 'Think of only you and dreaming of our wedding day. What about you, fellow Wildcat?'

'Give me that phone!' Gabriella snatched the phone away and quickly texted him.

Sorry, that was my friends messing around. I'm sorting out my costume. You?

Thinking...about you.

Gabriella blushed as her mother continued to pin the dress.

'What has lover boy said?' Emma asked, smirking.

'Nothing.' Gabriella said, a little too quickly.

'Sure.' Ryan said sarcastically.

What are you going as to the ball?

Let's just say that I need to be home by midnight.

Cinderella, you will surely meet your prince.

L.O.L.

'All done.' Emma start packing the sewing things away.

'Finally.' Gabriella walked up to her room and got changed. She walked back downstairs and saw Ryan trying to show Zeke a dance and Zeke failing miserably. 'I'd ask what you were doing but that means I'd have to hear it.' Gabriella turned the T.V. on.

Zeke was still squirming on the floor, trying to dance. 'Gabby, do you have any water?' He asked as he stood up.

'In the tap. As always.' Gabriella muttered, flicking through the channels.

Zeke rolled his eyes and got a glass of water. 'Looking forward to the ball, yet?'

'Actually, I don't. I mean, what if he doesn't like me?' Gabriella asked in a panicky tone. Pulls phone out. 'Maybe I should just cancel...'

Ryan snatches the phone away. 'Don't you dare. Zeke will cover for you. I will take you. And you will enjoy yourself!' Ryan ordered.

'Okay.' Gabriella said, slightly scared as she gingerly took her phone back.