Chapter 6

'Zeke get me a coffee too.' Ryan called as Zeke walked to the kitchen.

'You still don;t work here. You're not getting anything.' Gabriella leaned on the counter.

Ryan shrugged. 'Whatever. Here comes lover-boy.' Chad nodded to the door.

Troy walked in and walked to the counter. 'Hey.'

Ryan walked away, leaving Gabriella alone with Troy. 'Hi.'

'Do you know where my Dad is?' Troy asked, leaning on the counter, like Gabriella so they really close.

Gabriella thought for a moment. 'I don't. I'm sorry. He did mention something about a meeting at school today to me and Zeke.'

Troy sighed.

'What's up?' Gabriella asked softly.

Troy stared at the counter for a few seconds before looking Gabriella in the eye. 'Do you know what bugs me?'

Gabriella stepped back at Troy's outburst. 'People working?'

'No. People working you.' Troy started fiddling with a pen.

'Why would you do that?' Gabriella asked.

'You don't know my Dad like I do.' An awkward silence fell upon the two until Troy broke it. 'Do you ever feel like if you show someone who you really are, they won't accept you?'

Gabriella laughed silently at the irony of his comment. 'Yeah. I do.'

Troy looked Gabriella in the eyes. 'Like no one's happy if you're being yourself. Like it's not good enough.'

'Like you're wearing a mask?' Gabriella asked with a smile.

'That's exactly how I feel.' Troy commented.

'Just to be honest with this person and let them know that it's you.'

'Right.'

'Troy, listen, I'm-' Gabriella started.

'Gabriell!' Jack shouted.

'One second, I need to tell Troy something.' Gabriella pleaded.

'No, I need you to check the stock. We're running short on basketballs.' Jack said sternly.

'No worries...' Troy signalled for her to tell him her name.

'Gabriella.'

'Thank you. For everything.' Troy smiled and walked into the house.

Gabriella sighed as she got the clipboard that had the stock on. 'You're welcome.'

Ryan and Zeke walked back, Zeke carrying two cups of coffee. 'Where's my coffee?' Ryan asked indignantly.

'You still don't work here.' Zeke said as Gabriella smiled slightly. Zeke noticed this. 'What's wrong?'

'I just talked to Troy and not as Cinderella...as Gabriella.' She sipped her coffee.

'And?' Ryan urged her to continue.

'He didn't hate me. I should tell him, right?' Gabriella asked knowingly.

'We've said that all along.' Ryan pointed out.

Zeke chuckled.

'What's funny?' Ryan asked Gabriella who shrugged.

'Who'd have thought you'd be Troy Bolton's Cinderella?' Zeke asked as Gabriella gave out a slight laugh.

Sharpay stood behind the rack of t-shirts listening. It was her. She stole her Troy away. She has to get payback! That Gabriella won't know what's hit her.