AN: So, I'm bored, it's almost 2am and I want to write more chapters to my fanfic. Yuppers, hope you enjoy! P.S. Sorry if things are a bit slow, but, you know, gotta start somewhere.

Friday night: the homecoming basketball game. The first basketball game in the season and who were they up against? They're arch-rivals, West High - the home of the Wolves. But of course, Troy and everyone else weren't scared. Well, at least on the outside they weren't.

The game was coming to an end with 50 seconds left on the clock. East High was down by two points at 36 - West at 38. Troy was dribbling the ball down the court, waiting for an opening. He was drenched with sweat, but he had no problem still looking wildly attractive.

Coach Bolton was yelling at the players from the sidelines. He was ready to pull his hair off. The cheerleaders were obviously cheering, doing kicks and jumps to encourage them. Gabriella just rolled her eyes at the sight of them. Sharpay was screaming her head beside her, screaming "TROY!" every five seconds, hoping that he would at least glance at her (which she didn't). Everyone was standing up, jumping and cheering in anticipation. Taylor was seating next to Gabriella, probably the only one standing. Her legs and arms were crossed, not pleased at the fact that she was here (although she still managed to wear red and white for school spirit).

Gabriella was just slowly clapping her hands, smiling. The game captivated her and she soon got into it as everybody else. 30 seconds left, Troy was boxed in, nobody to pass to. 28 seconds left, still nobody.

Chad came out of nowhere, yelling Troy's name and getting his attention. He successfully got the ball and did a nice dunk. The two teams were now tied.

As East High ran back to their side of the court, Sharpay was grabbing onto her arm again, digging her nails into her skin. "Gabriella, I'm so nervous!" Sharpay squealed. Gabriella rolled her eyes but kept her attention on the game. One of West's players dribbling down the court but had managed to travel. The referee blew his whistle, giving East High the chance for some free throws. With both teams on the sides of the key, Troy was at the free throw line, getting ready to shoot. 10 seconds left - all he needed to do was make one shot and they would win the game.

Troy breathed heavily, blowing his chest with his jersey. One of West's players had traveled so Troy was chosen to do the free throw shot. 10 seconds left - absolute pressure from both crowds, the team, AND his father made him want to disappear. As he stood behind the line, he bounced the ball a bit. The audience hushed as they waited in anticipation for the shot to be made. Troy gulped.

Getting into position, Troy stared at the hoop. He prayed in his mind, before making the shot. It seemed that time has slowed as he watched the ball fly through the air. He bit his lip. "Please, please, please.." he mumbled to himself. Closing his eyes, not wanting to see, he heard the buzzer ring. Silence.

Troy felt disappointed, he didn't make it. He left the whole school down and lost to their arch rivals in the FIRST game of the season.

But then, cheers. Loud cheers. He opened his eyes in surprised as his teammates jumped around him. He stared wide-eyed at the hoop, the ball falling down from the net. His mouth was gaped open.

"YEAH!" he heard, being lifted up in the air. "Troy! Troy!" everyone chanted, cheerleaders and people from the stands surrounding him. He smiled widely to himself and threw his hands up in the air.

Gabriella screamed as the buzzer blew and the ball fell through the hoop. "WE WON! WE WON!" Sharpay screamed and jumped, Gabriella joining in with her. Gabriella nudged Taylor, who said a sarcastic "Woohoo."

She rolled her eyes and just smiled to herself, glad that they won.

x o x o x o x

Gabriella slammed the car door behind her. Taylor got out as well and stood next to her. They both exclaimed when they saw the house before them. It was huge. There were cars parked on the grass and driveways, hundreds of students gathered around. It was the party of the century and school JUST started.

"Come on!" Sharpay called before them, pulling them out of their trance. "We've gotta find Troy!"

Taylor rolled her eyes and Gabriella just giggled. Pulling her arm, Taylor led them towards the kitchen where she found Sharpay and Troy talking.

Troy noticed Taylor and Gabriella and smiled. "Hey, you guys made it!" he said. Taylor ignored him and just walked by Sharpay's side.

"Well you know us, we'll be here when a friend needs us," Gabriella said, glancing at Sharpay.

"What, so you wouldn't be here if Sharpay wasn't here?" he asked.

Gabriella squinted her eyes a bit, nodding her head like she was thinking. "Not.. exactly. See, I'm more of a studying than a partying-kind of girl," she answered.

"Ahh, I get it. But, aren't you more of a matchmaker than a brainiac?" he retorted cleverly.

Gabriella giggled. "So the word's spreading, huh? Well, unfortunately for you, I'm retired." Sharpay hit her on the arm, hard.

Gabriella mouthed an "Ow!" but got that hint. "-I mean! Will be, I will be retiring," she quickly corrected herself, smiling nervously.

"Sharpay!" a familiar male voice called. Gabriella turned her head to see Ryan, Sharpay's twin brother.

"What Ryan? Can't you see I'm busy," Sharpay said angrily, trying to get him to leave.

Ryan nodded his head towards Troy but continued talking to Sharpay. "They've got karaoke and we've gotta show them how we do things~."

Sharpay gasped and smiled. Touching Troy's arms, reassuring she'd be back, and ran towards the living room with Ryan, Taylor following her leaving Gabriella alone with Troy.

"She must reaally like singing," Troy said.

Gabriella sighed. "You have no idea." Looking up at Troy, she felt his sapphire eyes entering her soul. She took a step back reluctantly, but blushed at her action. "Um, so.. oh yeah, congratulations!" she said, totally forgetting was the party was for.

"Hah, thanks. It was really.. nerve-wrecking," he replied, grinning at her. He scratched the back of his neck.

"So, I'm guessing all of the cheerleaders are alll over you," she said.

"Yeah.. I'm not really interested."

Gabriella lit up - this was her chance. "Oh really? Why not?" she asked him.

"Well, they're not really not my type."

"What is your type, then?"

"A girl who's.. down-to-earth. Passionate for what she does and happy with herself," he said, smiling to himself. "A girl with a cute laugh, someone who can make me smile. A girl I can not only care for and love, but joke and tease with."

Gabriella was slightly taken back at his words. Yeah, she knew he was a little different but she didn't know he was THAT different. She gulped, he was going to be a toughy.

"That was really.. in depth," she replied.

He chuckled. "Well, I'm a picky eater."

Gabriella raised an eyebrow. As she was about to talk, Sharpay came running back in, Taylor following her lead.

"Troy! I had the BEST time singing. They loved me!" Sharpay squealed. A lightbulb went off in Gabriella's head and smiled to herself.

"Wow, Sharpay, you must be really passionate about singing."

"Of course I am! I live and breath for singing. Just being in front of the crowd and singing my heart out," she said, sighing. "It's a thrill."

Gabriella took a moment to glance at Troy's face. He was staring at Sharpay with an impressed and astonished look. He noticed Gabriella was looking at him so she stared at the ground and blushed.

"Um, hey, Taylor," Gabriella said, breaking the silence. "I think I left something in the car. Sharpay, can I borrow your keys?" Gabriella said, looking at Sharpay.

"Oh, yeah sure!" she replied, taking them out of her purse and into Gabriella's hand. As soon as she did that, she pulled Taylor out the front door and towards the car.

"Whoah, slow down there girl," Taylor said as they stopped in front of the car. "What was that for?"

"Matchmaking," she replied, opening the door to the driver's seat and getting in, Taylor sitting next to her. "We are going to leave while Sharpay talks it up with Troy."

As they both put on their seatbelts and Gabriella started the car, Taylor asked, "Wait, then how is she going to get home because Ryan left after karaoke."

"Simple: Troy'll drive her home," she said, smiling at Taylor before pulling out and driving away.

Sharpay was in an in-depth conversation with Troy about their hobbies and futures. Just then, she felt a vibration in her pocket. Excusing herself, she saw it was a text from Gabriella that said:

FROM: Gabriella

To: You

I took your car keys and we're at my house. Get Troy to drive you home. Also, he likes down-to-earth girls who are passionate. Laugh cute and make him smile - good luck!

xox Gab

Sharpay flipped her phone shut and was mouth wide-open. Gabriella sure worked fast. Turning her attention back to Troy, she was smiling to herself, doing what Gabriella had instructed. Let the games begin.