Disclaimer: I kind of hate doing this, but I'll do it anyway. I do not own High School Musical 1, 2, or 3. Just the plot and some made up characters.

Zak stared at me in disbelief. "I noticed that, but honestly, Gabs, are you really going to make him sweat like that?" he said, staring at me intensely.

"Maybe. Maybe not." I stated, simply.

If Troy could flirt with girls then I could be friends with a guy without him being jealous. "Gabi, really…?"

I shrugged, as I let my eyes wander across the room. I saw Troy who was talking to a blond. She was wearing a jean skirt that had that torn look and a tight pink t-shirt with a lighter pink cammy underneath. "Take a picture…it lasts longer." Zak whispered towards me.

I turned to look at him and couldn't manage to keep looking at Troy's stupid smile that was covering his face. Was I really not as good as-

Don't you just hate when you contradict yourself? I did yell at him. But does he really have to go and flirt with a preppy blonde who is much prettier than me? Who he knows, that I will hate a lot? "Gabs, you're just torturing yourself by looking at them."

"I know. But…I just can't help it. What does-"

"She has nothing that you don't have. And I'm sure you have more brains and inner beauty than her. Plus you're beautiful on the outside. So that alone makes you ten times better than some airhead blonde. Got that? Don't think differently. Ever. Got that?" Zak turned my head so I was facing me and stared at me with intensity in his eyes.

"Got it…" I said staring at him, but breaking my gaze because Troy was now looking at us. He was narrowing his eyes, but Zak made sure that I didn't look at Troy by continuing to hold my face in his large hands.

"Don't give him that power to make you jealous. You are in control of your feelings and your thoughts. Not Troy. Even if he is your boyfriend. I don't care. If he's going to be a total asshole then I'll kick his ass so he has a bigger hole than he does now."

I laughed at his threat, considering that it was a really…weird threat. Zak normally doesn't use much profanity unless he's beyond angry or he's just trying to be really, really funny in a stupid way. He continued to keep looking at me so I would keep my eyes on him and not a certain brown haired and blue eyed boy. "Right. Well. Good luck with that." I smiled at him and he finally let go of me.

I made my way towards the usual lunch table. Or…my usual lunch table for now, with Carter, Ryan, and Zak. "I hate school so much!" Carter groaned as he slammed all his notebooks and binders on the table and dropped his huge backpack on the bench, next to where he sat.

"Then why do you get such great grades?" Ryan laughed.

"Nobody likes a dumb person Ryan. And I need to get a great job so I can have a little Carter and marry a beautiful woman and then become a billionaire!" he announced.

"Riiight…" Zak said as he sat down next to me.

I felt a tug at my arm and I looked up and saw Troy, who looking at me like it was urgent. "Can I sit with you guys?" he said and I narrowed my eyes. I wanted to throw a hurtful comment to him like Why don't you just sit with Blondie and ditch me like you always do? But it didn't seem right.

"Sure!" Zak said, before I could open my mouth.

"Gabi? Can I talk to you? In private?" he said, tugging my arm and pleading.

I got up, and allowed him to drag me to a totally different place. "C'mon." he said, as he led me up these stairs in a random hallway. Did East High have a third floor?

"Troy, where are we going?" I said as he continued to pull me up the stairs.

"My secret hide-out." He said, "Duh." He smiled as he opened up the door to reveal a beautiful garden on the rooftop of the school. (A/N: Oh c'mon…I had to add that part of the original movies.)

"This is your secret hide-out?" I laughed as I noticed pots and pots of beautiful flowers and vines flowing all around the pillars.

"Don't laugh. It's where I come where I need some alone time. And I need to talk to you and I thought…well…hey, this is the perfect place to bring your beautiful girlfriend to talk to her." Troy said, "Look…" he sighed.

I avoided eye contact, unsure of what to say or do. "I really am sorry for being a total jerk. I know. I just…don't know what to do. I'm expected to be the golden boy of East High. I'm supposed to be dating cheerleaders or stupid girls and my friends just…don't get it. I'm expected to lead East High to victory for the last time this year." Troy said, trying to get a hold of my wandering eyes.

"I don't really know what to do Gabi and I'm trying to make sure I don't screw up with you again because I really do need you. Like I need you…because if I don't I feel incomplete and empty. Your smile and your presence just makes me feel complete and your kindness and brains just makes me want to become a better person…y'know Gabs? I always want to try and make sure I don't disappoint anybody, but I end up hurting and disappointing the person I care about the most."

The moment Troy said that, I looked up and gave him a small reassuring smile. The best thing about Troy is that when he means something, you can feel it in the pit of your stomach. It's that feeling when your positive that you made the right choice to be with someone. Troy may be a pain in the ass, just like every guy, but he reassures you. But I need one last reassurance to make sure that I'm not wasting my time.

"Can…you at least say something?" Troy said, staring straight at me.

"…I don't know what to say Troy." I said, "I just want you to show me that you don't want to hurt me instead of just saying that you care and then doing the total opposite."

…

No response.

"Troy, I know that you're sorry. I just want you to show me it instead of just saying it." I shrugged, "But I still love you. After saying that, it's not like I can stay angry at you silly…but, you know, that's how I feel." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm sorry Ella. I really don't know what I'm doing. I'm lost…and I…-"

I watched as he turned and punched one of the pillars with his bare hand. "TROY!" I screamed as he turned around, noticing that his knuckles were bloody and skin was torn.

I'm such a bad person aren't I? I know. I updated late and this one is short but I will try and get more ideas for this story so it's just as good as ASWTB. I'm just…losing inspiration because of school, but I still have my full idea for this story. I just need the smaller details. Heh.

ALL NEW READERS: PLEASE, read my first story. It is helpful and I'd rather you read the beginning of the story so you understand Troy and Gabriella's character much better. As well as Zak's, Kayla's, and Sam's.

Just beware that I'm writing two other stories on my fictionpress and I'm keeping up with my grades and it's hard…

Shout-outs:

Papagina97: I'm glad you liked it! Sorry for the long wait. Thanks for reviewing.

xxLady of The Darknessxx: You hate hyphens? HOW DARE YOU? …I'm totally kidding. I just like over exaggerating stupid things like that. Haha. And boys will make mistake after mistake…it's just a fact of life. And so will some girls. I have to be honest and not…be soo…sexist. Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.

independentHSMFAN23: …Just remember Troy's personality…and you'll understand his temper. Anyways, sorry for the long wait. I hope this…partially made up for my late update. Thanks for reviewing!

Straight A's: Thanks for reviewing and letting me know!

Dreamsalive: Have you read the first story? Then you will understand. I have stated SEVERAL times that he's "bipolar" (he isn't diagnosed…) but that's beside the point. You need to read the first story to get the full gist of it. Thanks for reviewing and reading.

Jessica: Really? I thought the ending was…well…I don't know. Not great. Haha. I'm glad you liked it though! Thanks for reviewing!

Zanessafan4eva14: Yeah, I think we all are like that. We are our harshest judges. If that makes sense. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!

SLE: I think that's how everyone was. I loved him regardless…but I guess it's because I based him off of really good guy friends of mine from school and in addition, what I wish I could find in a guy, if you know what I mean. A lot of you think Carter likes Gabi, and honestly, I haven't really officially decided that in my own head. So this should be interesting. And Troy will. Later. Hahahahaha. Thanks for reviewing!

Batzmary: I swear, you are probably my most violent reviewer. Not that that's a bad thing. Or a good thing for that matter. And Really, all of you think Carter likes Gabi but that's not true. Honestly, I haven't decided if I want Carter to like Gabi and I'm leaning towards a no. Just…fyi. Anyways, thanks for reviewing!

X-TammieBaybii-x: Well I updated a long time ago so none of that really applies anymore. Oh well. Anyways, Barbie is…well I don't know. I don't talk to him…as much. I reply once a day. Sometimes not even that much so I bet he's slowly forgetting me. Which is great. Anyways, thanks for the support hun! Continue writing your story.

Heyitsray: I have to say, no matter how hard a person thinks that people should get over stereotypes, we all believe them. Like, if I say child molester (…don't ask) you would think…creepy old guy or just some screwed up person. Right? Or if I say, druggie, you think…emo, black, pathetic, goth, etc. They're existent and it's hard for us humans not to think about others opinions. And Gabi doesn't have feelings for Carter. That is confirmed right now. All of you are getting weird vibes. Anyways, thanks for reviewing!

XxBabiiGurlxX: Thanks for reviewing!

(No name): Okay I don't know who the heck wrote this. Not only is it unsigned but there is literally no name. BUT I'm positive it's Zac is my life. If I'm wrong…I apologize. But thanks for your review!

AnythingButOrdinaryGirl: Hahaha, aww, well thank you! I hope this chapter wasn't as horrible as I think it may or may not be. Okay…that…stupid. Forget I said that. Anyways, I'm glad you liked the last two chapters! Thank you for reviewing!

Zanessatroyella2013: Don't all couples fight no matter how long they date? I hope you liked it still! And gosh. No. Carter is not going to steal Gabi from Troy. It's more of a-nevermind. You'll find out. Thanks for reviewing!

Pumpkinking5: You know what's nice about your reviews? Is you thank me and I should be thanking you. It feels nice that you thank me…even it's totally unncecessary. It means a lot to me. It kind of made my day tonight while I'm writing this and when I opened my email when I got the notification that you had updated. And I totally agree about what you said about Troy. If that gives you any hints. Thanks for you review!

Sara: He gets better. No worries! Haha, thanks for reviewing!

Anonymous14: I have not seen that show. I may have to see it or something, but I have heard about it. I would write it for you but I have no knowledge about that show at all. I apologize! Thank you for reviewing!

Teamedwardakazanessarules101: Aw, well I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing!

Zanessastories1225788: You didn't like Zak either did you? And I'm sorry there wasn't Sam and Kayla in that chapter but they will be making their appearances throughout the story. And Thanksgiving is in late November. So I'm trying to keep my toes intact, because I've been on them trying not to drown in friend drama, boy drama, school, and family drama right now. That's why I haven't updated. And Jess is always in everyones bad book. No matter what. AND AWWW! Thanks! That's amazing! Thank you so much! That means a lot! Thanks for your continuous long reviews and support!