Author's Note: Here's chapter seven! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven: The Day Off

"I can't believe he'd do this!" Taylor replied.

The day after Chad had told her that he couldn't attend the dance competion.

And of course, she told Haylie, but, unlike Taylor, Haylie wasn't mad.

"Well, didn't you tell me that this basketball game was a tradition? Maybe he should stick to it."

Ryan was absent today: not from school, but he and Sharpay left early, so Haylie and Taylor couldn't really practice, so they just talked.

"Yeah, but didn't you say he should--"

"No, I never gave him a choice. I just said if he chooses to stick with his team, he should. Besides, I don't think Coach Bolton would want to catch him again." Haylie replied.

"But, you were being all sergent general on him!" Taylor responded.

"Yeah." Haylie stated.

The auditorium was quiet for a moment, and Taylor sighed.

Maybe Haylie was right.

Chad was a Wildcat, and he wasn't the one to dance, but he was willing to learn for Taylor's sake, and Taylor felt gulity.

"It's all my fault. If I didn't sign him up for this stupid--"

"Taylor!"

She turned to Haylie, who had a wide-eyed expression on her face.

"What?" she asked.

"Don't say it's your fault. It's not your fault, and you know it." Haylie told her.

Taylor smiled, and looked at her friend.

"Thanks, but I still think it's my fault. I haven't felt this gulity since Chad got into that fight with Demtiri."

"Taylor, don't feel gulity. It's not your fault, okay? And neither is the fight with Demtiri." Haylie reminded her.

Taylor shook her head as she stood up.

"Haylie, don't make me feel better, okay?"

The blonde looked down at her shoes, and Taylor smiled abit.

"But, your a good friend to do so. I can see why Ryan likes you as--"

Haylie's purse shook, and they both glanced at it.

"Ryan!" they both said, and Haylie unzipped her purse as Taylor grinned.

"Hey...talk to me...Chad?" Haylie asked, her eyebrow raised.

Taylor looked confused too, and Haylie cupped her hand over the phone.

"Chad says he wants to talk to you, in person."

Taylor smirked.

"Oh, does he? Then why doesn't he call me?" Taylor asked.

"I don't know...why can't you call Taylor? Oh. Well.."

Taylor then burst out laughing, and Haylie then giggled.

"No..I'm not laughing at you...no, I'm seriously not!" Haylie replied, between giggles.

"Haylie, just me talk to Taylor, please?" Taylor heard Chad ask.

"Sure. Here, Taylor." Haylie replied.

As she was handed the phone, Taylor asked, "Yes, Chad?"

"I need to talk to you about the competion, Taylor."

"What about it? You said you should practice with your team, am I not correct?" Taylor asked.

"I'm sorry. Really. I want to practice with you guys." Chad stated.

Taylor eyed Haylie, and she frowned.

"Well, I'm sorry. You made up your mind, and I don't know if you can rejoin. What if Coach Bolton sees you?"

"I don't care about that. I care about you, Taylor, and that matters most to me. Can we just--"

"Chad, I need to go, or I'll waste Haylie's minutes. Good-bye." Taylor stated, and she clamped the phone shut.

Haylie looked at her.

"Well?"

Taylor shook her head, and gave back Haylie her cellphone, a lump forming in her throat.