"I'm leaving, if nobody hurries up!" Sharpay yelled, honking the horn to her car. She groaned and wiped the extra glitter that was on her just made shirt. The white colored shirt read "Baylor" on the back with different colored-glittered basketballs and the St. Katherine's sign on it. She honked the car again, sighing and inspected herself in the mirror, pulling her blonde, wavy hair into a high ponytail.
"We're coming, my god." Kelsi said, with Gabriella and Taylor in toe. She slid into the passenger seat, while Taylor and Gabriella sat in the backseat. "What's the rush?"
Sharpay rolled her eyes and began to pull out of the Neilson house's driveway. "The game already started ten minutes ago. Don't you all wanna see your boyfriend's kill the Wildcats?" she asked, breaking as a red light came into view.
Taylor shrugged, playing with the hem of her jean skirt. "I've seen Chad play, before." She also had a home made shirt, that read "Danforth" on the back. Kelsi's colorful shirt read "Cross" on the back, while Gabriella went for more simplicity, reading "Go Cougars". Everyone knew that was only, because she wasn't on speaking terms with Troy, at the moment.
"Who the hell is driving in front of me?" Sharpay asked, honking her imfamous horn at the mini-van in front of the Range Rover, "My fucking grandma?"
Taylor and Kelsi chuckled in usion. Taylor turned to a silent Gabriella and nudged her slightly. "You ok?" she asked.
Gabriella nodded. "Yeah, I'm just kinda tired. I never knew why they made games at 7:30 p.m." she lied, chuckling to try and make Taylor believe her. The Filipino and Spanish beauty, went back to playing with the bottom of her shirt, that was tucked into her jean shorts, showing off her red belt.
Taylor smiled, knowing her friend was lying. She knew it was because of the problems her and Troy were having and how both we're down all day, after Chad had called her complaining how they were gonna lose, since Troy was irritated. She placed a comforting hand on the brunettes shoulder, suddenly forgetting about what was going on behind Gabriella's back and, just wanting to see her friend smile. "Troy's gonna do great because you're gonna be there cheering him on. After the game and the party, you and him are gonna forget about everything."
"Hopefully." Gabriella muttered, unbuckling her seat belt as Sharpay pulled into the crowded and loud school parking lot. She smiled as Sharpay groaned loudly.
"Dammit! See this is why, I wanted to come early because of this, but no, you guy's were too busy trying to look good for your boyfriends. You guys do know, they'll be sweaty, stinky and ugh!" the blonde cried.
Kelsi rolled her eyes and pointed toward an open parking spot. "Shut up, there's one right there."
"Oh," Sharpay said, smiling innocently, "thanks." The other three girls laughed and began to pour out of the van. They haulted quickly as Sharpay jumped in front of them with spray in her hand. "Spray this in your mouth. It'll make your breath smell good." she said, instructing the three to open their mouths. She giggled and threw the spray into her purse, after she finished spraying it. "Now, let's go."
Gabriella licked her lips and sighed as Sharpay opened the door to the gym. Her ears perked up as the sound of screaming, air-horns and shouting erupted the gym. She followed behind her three friends, looking around at the crowded gym. Her eyes widen slightly as the sight of the number 14 jersey came into place, running down the court, dribbling the ball. His tan body glistened with sweat, oddly turning Gabriella on. She looked away quickly as she heard Sharpay shout her name. She walked toward the bleachers and sat in between Sharpay and Kelsi, with Taylor on the side of Sharpay.
"God, I love Zeke in his basketball uniform." Sharpay muttered, biting her lip.
"No need to get excited at a basketball game, Shar." Taylor said, smirking. She screamed and jumped up as Chad made a shot. "Go Chad!" She blushed and shrugged as everyone around looked at her, bewildered. "What? He's my boyfriend."
Gabriella laughed, shaking her head. She smiled softly and held up a wave to Troy as he looked up at her from the sidelines. Her heart fluttered as he smiled at her, with his crystal blue eyes, still staring off at her. She watched as the coach stood up in front of him, with the team huddling around.
"Can you ever stay mad at Bolton?" Kelsi asked, chuckling.
"Yes, I can as a matter of fact." Gabriella said, smiling. She listened as the crowd began to scream as Troy re-entered the court.
Kelsi sighed and layed a head on Gabriella's shoulder. "They all love him, Gabs. I guess you're not the only one."
Gabriella nodded and glanced toward Alexa who was two bleachers down, smirking at her. She sighed. "Yeah, I know."
"If Bolton can make this free throw, the Cougars will win and go to the state championships against Santa Fe High Roadrunners." Todd, one of the announcers said, watching as Troy dribbled the ball, concentrating on the net, feeling all eyes on him.
Gabriella crossed her fingers, feeling the room get silent. It seemed as though the game had lasted for what seemed ages as both teams kept coming back one by one as each team made a point. She looked at Troy, who was holding the ball ready to throw it. "Oh god, I can't look." she muttered, going into Sharpay's shoulder. Seconds passed and soon she heard loud screams, hollers and cheers take over the gym. She looked up to see the whole St. Katherine's side jumping up and down.
"Gabs, he made it! He made it!" Kelsi cheered. "We're going to the championships!"
A bright smile appeared on Gabriella's lips as she saw Troy get covered by the students who were running off the bleachers to the court, ignoring the long faces of the East High students and team. Gabriella began to walk off the bleachers, noticing she was one of the few students still standing on the bleachers. She pushed through the very large group of students who were huddled, looking for Troy. She smiled as she saw Troy laughing with his teammates. She stood there for a moment taking in his boyish grin.
"Gabriella!" Troy cheered, as he noticed his girlfriend standing there. He jogged to her, ignoring the students who were hitting him on the back and pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her off the floor, feeling her wrap her legs around his waist.
Gabriella laughed and pulled him into a kiss, while wrapping her arms around his neck. She tightened her legs around his waist and smiled into the kiss as she felt him rest his hands on her butt and squeeze it, pulling her closer to him. She laughed, once again and broke the kiss, resting her forehead against his. "You did great. I'm so proud of you."
He smiled. "I'm guessing that I'm off all probation from you and you're not mad at me, anymore?"
"Maybe, maybe not." she said, shrugging.
Troy rolled his eyes. "I'm really sorry, Gabs. I should've let you have your way with me last night and-" he was interrupted as she pressed her lips onto his, receiving a long and passionate kiss.
"Shut up, Troy. Don't waste your time apologizing to me, when you just made it to the state championships, something you've been working toward for a very long time."
"I love you, Gabs."
She pecked him on the lips. "I love you too, Troy."
The moment was interrupted as a sweaty Chad came into view. "Guys, after party at Darnell Bettis' house!" He noticed the two tense up. "You guy's ok?"
Gabriella cleared her throat and unwrapped her legs from around Troy's waist. "I'm gonna go, um, congratulate the rest of the team." She turned around and disappeared through the crowd, quickly.
"What's wrong?" Chad asked, confused.
"Dude, just shut up." Troy said, pushing past Chad and walking away.
Chad's eyes widened. "What the hell? We're going to the championships, be happy!" he called after the blue-eyed boy, sighing as he ignored him.
"Come on, Gabs! Just because last time you went to one of Darnell Bettis' house parties, you and Troy broke up, doesn't mean there's a freakin' curse on that house." Sharpay said, shaking her friend who was sitting in her bed. "It'll be so fun. We'll dance like crazy, get drunk and everything!"
Gabriella shook her head, not moving her eyes away from her book. "I'm not exactly in the partying mood."
Sharpay groaned. "Gabriella Montez, you're going to the party. I'll go pick out an outfit for you."
"I have bad memories from that house, Sharpay." Gabriella said, throwing her book to the side and following her friend toward the walk-in closet.
"And your point is?" Sharpay asked, pushing outfits to the side. She gasped as a grey halter dress that hit mid-thigh came into view. "Put this on."
Gabriella sighed. "Shar-"
"Gabs, your boyfriend is going to the championships and you've been down lately, don't you just wanna have a night of fun?" Sharpay asked.
"Fine."
Sharpay squealed and jumped up, making her hot pink mini-dress glide up. "Yay! I swear, it feels like I haven't been to a house party in forever." she said, pushing Gabriella into the bathroom. "We can just put your hair in a ponytail and re-touch your make-up. You'll look so hot."
Gabriella laughed and slid the dress on. She walked out of the restroom to see Sharpay holding a brush. "I thought this is just a house party?" she said, watching as Sharpay parted her hair to the side, making her side bangs cover half of her eye.
Sharpay shook her head. "It's a party, with a decent dress code. His parents are gonna be there and so are other parents, including mines and yours."
"Then how will the be drinking?" Gabriella winced as Sharpay pulled her hair into a high ponytail, tightly.
"It's our parents. When do they ever tell us no?"
Gabriella sighed and shrugged. "I've been told no, before." She grabbed her eyeliner from her make-up back and began to draw it across her eyelids.
"Once or twice in your life. You gotta learn how to just have improve, Gabs." Sharpay stood there, watching her friend finish her make-up. She never knew how the brunette always finished her make-up so fast.
"I roll with the flow. I just think before I do stuff." Gabriella said, grabbing her Christian Louboutin black pumps from her closet and slidding them on.
Sharpay rolled her eyes, unconvinced. She led the brunette out of her room and to her car. The road was silent as the feeling of Gabriella's anxiety took over. Sharpay pursed her lips together. "Gabs, you love Troy, right?"
Gabriella turned to her friend, confused. "Yeah, why?"
"Just asking." Sharpay sighed. She parked her car down the street from Darnell's house as the house was corrupted with cars. She and Gabriella walked beside each other toward the front door, hearing music from the backyard. She smiled brightly as Darnell answered the door. "Hey."
"Finally you two show up. Your boyfriends have been asking for you guys all night." Darnell said, smiling. He pulled both girls into a hug and led them into the house, where both girls saw their parents mingling with the Boltons and Baylor's.
Gabriella walked quickly with her head down, feeling victorious as her parents didn't notice either her or Sharpay. She looked up as Darnell opened the back door, automatically hearing the shouting over the blaring music. It was like you stepped into a whole other world.
"Alcohol is in the big red ice cooler, ok?" Darnell muttered to them, before winking and walking away.
Sharpay sighed in content. "God, I love house parties. Have I ever said that before?"
Gabriella chuckled and nodded. She smiled as she saw Taylor and Kelsi running toward the two, both wearing cocktail dresses.
"Finally you guys show up." Kelsi said, wearing a green dress with her hair in a half ponytail.
Sharpay rolled her eyes. "I have to persuade somebody to come, ok? I know I was late to everything tonight, my gawd." she said, annoyance coming through her voice.
"Relax, geez." Kelsi muttered, holding her hands up in defense.
Taylor shrugged. "Don't worry, you guys haven't missed anything, except people getting drunk, people making out, oh, and Troy and Chad downing tequila shots to see who could down the most in one minute."
Gabriella's eyes scanned around the large backyard, searching for Troy.
"He's by the bar, in the group." Taylor said, catching the brunette's drift. "So is Zeke."
Sharpay nodded. "I didn't get to congratulate my Zekey." she said, grabbing Gabriella's hand and leading them toward the group.
Gabriella sighed, seeing Alexa standing next to Troy in the huddle. She stood there while Sharpay eased her way through the crowd.
"Zekey!" Sharpay cheered, wrapping her arms around his neck as soon as she saw her boyfriend.
Gabriella rolled her eyes as Troy walked toward her from Alexa, smiling, wearing straight legged jeans, a white button-up shirt and black Vans.
"Hey, Gabs." he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her on the cheek. The smell of alcohol came from his mouth.
"How much have you had to drink?" Gabriella asked, ignoring Alexa's glare from the other side of the huddle.
Troy shrugged, laughing. "Only like three and some shots. Relax and enjoy the party."
Gabriella shook her head. "You do know your parents are right in the house?"
"Yeah, ok. What are they gonna do?" he asked, rolling his eyes. He sighed as she moved away from him and began to walk away. "Like you've never gotten a little bit drunk, Gabs."
"I never said I haven't." Gabriella spat, walking toward Kelsi and Taylor who were in a conversation with a few other girls.
Troy followed her. "Then what the hell are you so pissy about?" he asked, grabbing her arm.
Gabriella slid his hand off of her. "Just stay away from me." she said, deciding to move past Kelsi who was about to say something to her and walk into the house.
Sonia smiled weakly as she noticed her daughter who was sitting on the couch, with a grimace on her face. She sat next to her. "Gabs, it's barely the middle of the party, why aren't you outside having fun with your friends?"
"Because I don't want to, ok? I didn't even wanna come to this party." Gabriella snapped, sipping on her water bottle.
Sonia stared at her daughter for a moment. "Is everything ok, Gabs?"
Gabriella shook her head and stood up, walking toward the front door. "I just need some fresh air."
"Ms. Montez, I'll talk to her." Darnell said, resting a hand on her shoulder as he walked inside the house to see the slight confrontation.
Sonia nodded and watched as the African-American boy walked out of the house.
"Hey, Gabs." Darnell cheered, sitting down on the porch steps next to the silent brunette.
Gabriella smiled weakly. "Hey." Her and Darnell had always been close like brother and sister since they were little while, their parents were good friends.
"Why are you all alone? You do know the cool party is in the backyard, right?"
"Yeah, I just don't feel good."
Darnell scoffed. "Lame excuse, Montez. What's really wrong?" He nodded as she stayed silent, looking at the ground. "It doesn't have to happen to be linked to Bolton, does it?"
She shrugged and stayed silent.
"I'm gonna take that as a yes. Now, tell me what's wrong. You know, I did get the award for most understanding in Junoir year."
"I know." Gabriella chuckled. She pursed her lips together and shrugged, once again. "Me and Troy are just not getting along."
"What do you mean, not getting along? I'm pretty sure everyone saw that sloppy kiss you and Troy had right after they won the game."
Gabriella smiled. "Yeah, but as much as I hate to say it, that was pure in the moment action. I just feel like we're growing apart. I mean, I love him, but you know. Did you ever feel that way with Amelia?" she asked, referring to his girlfriend.
"All couples do, Gabs. You just have those moments, when you feel like doubtful about your relationship, but it'll all work out in the end. It's just your instinct for the moment."
"I know he's hiding something from me, Darnell. I know it. It's just when I bring up certain topics, he gets touchy and people have been just saying stuff that has me suspicious. I don't know, maybe it's just a faze like all couple's go through, but it's just pissing me off."
Darnell nodded. "Just go talk to him, Gabs."
"maybe, later. But enough about me, it's you and your parents party though, go have some fun."
Darnell smiled and stood up. "I'll see you later?"
Gabriella smiled and nodded, before watching him walk back inside the house. She sighed and stood up, dusting her dress off. Her ears perked up as she heard hasty footsteps walking from the side of the house. She walked forward as she heard Troy's voice, mixing with someone elses. She sighed as it turned out to be none other than Alexa.
"Alexa, just shut up and stop trying to cause commotion!" Troy yelled.
Alexa scoffed. "Shut up, Bolton. You're just about fully drunk anyways."
"No, I'm not drunk. I just don't know why you can't leave the whole situation alone and allow people people to fucking move on from things. Oh, wait, I forgot, the whole world revolves around Alexa Fryer."
Gabriella stood there with a confused face.
"Sorry, but you should've thought about that before you did what you did that year and a half ago and recently, ok?"
"You were obviously involved too, Alexa." Troy said, sounding irritated.
Alexa rolled her eyes. "I told you, you either tell her or I will. You and your little girlfriend are gonna get exactly what you guys deserve. Sorry, if I can't allow a relationship that's a fucking lie go on."
"Ok, because you care so much."
"Bolton, just remember what I said, alright? It'll be a cold day in hell when I decide not to tell her." Alexa arched a brow at him and walked away, toward her car, oblivious to Gabriella who was standing right there.
Troy sighed and leaned down, resting his back against the house's wall.
Gabriella watched as Alexa drove away, before walking down the porch steps and to Troy. "Troy." she said, causing him to look up. "What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Troy asked, picking up a piece of grass and shredding it to pieces.
"Don't play dumb. Will you just tell me what's going on?"
Troy shook his head, looking at her. "I don't know what you're talking about, Gabriella." he said, annoyed.
Gabriella walked closer to him. "You and Alexa. What's going on?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"It's nothing. Just some bickering. It's me and Alexa for crying out loud."
Gabriella blinked back her tears. "You're lying to me, Troy. Is it something that big, that you possibly can't tell me?"
"Gabriella," Troy said, sternly, standing up. "just stop. It's nothing, ok? I will tell you whatever I need to tell you, when I'm ready."
"What's the point of me and you, even dating, if you can't even tell me anything? Am I that bad of a girlfriend that I'm not able to be trusted with honesty, one of the key factors in a relationship?"
Troy began to pace around. "Forget about it."
"No, not until you tell me what's going on. Everyone's been hinting stuff that I don't get. Then, finally when I finally get some type of clue, my boyfriend decides to just lie and lie. How wonderful."
"And I have a girlfriend who doesn't trust me enough, to believe me when I say nothing's wrong." Troy said, narrowing his eyes at her through his now dark blue eyes.
Gabriella wiped away a stray tear. "How do you find it so easy to keep it easy out of everything?"
"It's not, Gabriella." He sighed and stayed silent, debating words in his minds. "I..I just don't wanna see you get hurt and I don't want to lose you."
"Then just tell me so that we can try to work things out." Gabriella said, stepping closer toward him.
Troy held his hands out and shook his head. "I'll see you later." He turned around and began to walk toward his car, leaving a tearful Gabriella.
She sighed and leaned her back against the same spot as Troy had and slid down, before leaning her head against the house's wall and feeling her stray tears run down.
Troy groaned as his basketball slipped from his hands for what seemed to be the hundreth time. The early Saturday morning sunshine was shining against all of Albuquerque. He sighed and threw the basketball, plopping down onto the grass that covered most of his backyard. He turned around as the sound of his mother's voice was heard.
"Troy, Ms. Evans, is here!" the middle aged woman cheered.
Troy sighed and turned around quickly, hearing the slight noise of the blondes high heels. He played with the loose strings hanging from the bottom of his black basketball shorts. He stared off at the basketball court as Sharpay sat next to him.
"Hello, Troy."
"Hey."
She made a disgruntled face and slid her dress down. "Why'd you leave the party so soon last night?" she asked.
Troy rolled his eyes. "Just get to the point, Sharpay."
"Fine." She sighed. "Why didn't you tell Gabriella last night when she kept asking what was up with you?"
"I just couldn't."
Sharpay shook her head. "That was a perfect opportunity."
"There's more to the story, Sharpay." Troy said, sighing.
"What do you mean?"
Troy shrugged, feeling his throat become dry. "You remember that time when me and Gabriella didn't talk to each other for like four days, after that whole little fight when Alexa came back?"
"Yeah."
"I was at Alexa's house just telling her to stay away from Gabriella because I didn't want any trouble and I don't know."
Sharpay held her head down. "God, please don't tell me you slept with her then, too." she muttered, closing her eyes for a moment.
"It was a mistake." he whispered.
"Troy, why do you always run back to her?" Sharpay asked, raising her voice slightly.
Troy shook his head. "I don't. It's just she started taking her clothes off and I just don't know. My mind stopped thinking."
"You have to tell her, Troy. It's killing her knowing that you're hiding something from her. It's making her believe that you can't trust her and stuff."
"I chicken out every time. I wanna tell her, I really do. I don't wanna lose her, though or break her heart. I love her."
Sharpay placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and sighed. "Troy, you're lucky that I haven't told her. I'm really finding the caring place in my heart."
"I know." he sighed.
"Listen, Kelsi, Taylor and parshly me are throwing Gabriella a surprise bridal shower to kinda sugar her up. You should come and try talking to her. Bring a present though."
A small smile crept upon his face. "Thanks, Evans."
"For what, Bolton?"
"Not telling and being a good friend."
Sharpay smiled and stood up. "I have a soft part in my heart. Plus, Gabriella's my friend. I wanna see her happy."
A/N: Seriously, I'm shocked with how quickly I've been updating, lately. I hope you all enjoyed the slight suprise in the chapter too. Haha, but anyways thank you all so much for the reviews. They rock. Now if you will, please review on this chapter. (: