A/N: Hey guys! …Um I apologize for some confusion when you are reading. I didn't realize that my little breaks that I use don't show up on the website! Dang. I guess I'll have to use some other way!

I smiled at Troy, who was holding hands with me underneath the table. Troy was eating, like…Troy. In other words, he was like a vacuum. I took a quick glance at Luke who was picking at his food with his fork from across the table. "So, Luke, do you like New Mexico?" I asked, trying to make sure he wasn't feeling like a total outcast.

"Um, yeah. It's nice. A lot different from New York." He said, giving me a small hint of a smile and finally giving me some sort of eye contact.

"Yeah. It's hot and it's quieter." I laughed, knowing exactly what he meant, "My friends actually came down from New York for the week. Maybe we could all hang out once we go back to New York. And we could totally get you a ticket and stuff." I suggested, almost wishing I was home with all my other friends.

"That would be nice…" Luke mumbled, almost losing his smile. What was up with this guy? Or…what was really going on his head?

"Hey, what's your number?" I said, ignoring his comment.

I grabbed my phone and shoved it towards him and he gladly put in his number for me into my cellphone.

"What do you mean…when you go back to New York?" Troy asked, his voice almost a whisper. And his grip began to tighten around my hand.

"Well…I was thinking about going to New York for the summer and then maybe…spend a year back at home. I mean…I am a little homesick…" I said, looking at Troy, hoping not to totally disappoint him.

"But you-"

"Troy…can we talk about this later?" I said, feeling all eyes on us. I didn't…I couldn't talk about this in front of everybody else. It wouldn't be fair and it just wouldn't be right.

Troy stared at me, his eyes growing darker, and his lips being pressed into a fine line and dropping my hand. "Yeah…" he said, looking away, and then back up at Luke, who was just staring at his full plate of food.

"Well…this awkward…" Zak grumbled, as he began to pick at his food as well.

"No…really?" I chuckled lightly, trying to see if I could fix the mood with a little bit of sarcasm and Zak's redundant sayings, "I thought we were all just fine. Y'know…it was one of those moments were the silent was nice."

"Y'know…your sarcasm is so hurtful!" Zak said, clenching his chest, where his heart would be, "I don't even know why I try and be your friend!" he said lightly, nudging me.

"…Yeah." I said, sadly, knowing that none of this was working. Carter was silently eating, avoiding eye contact, and acting as if nothing was wrong (he didn't do so well), Troy's jaw line said that he was angry, sad, and annoyed (which were all bad signs if you ask me), Zak was trying to make everyone smile (which wasn't working that well…obviously), Sharpay…left (too social for all of us…), and Taylor was doing her homework (as normal).

"So…um, Carter, how long did you live in New York?" I asked, hoping maybe that would cheer him up or at least change the topic.

"Long enough for me to get attached and then move." Luke mumbled, and I couldn't help but feel really bad for even asking the question.

"I'm sorry…" I said, "I shouldn't have bothered to ask. And if I do ask you any more stupid questions, feel free not to answer them…." I said, "It really isn't any of my business."

I felt horrible. Luke was staring down at the table, feeling very uncomfortable and the tension just grew even worse. I sighed lightly, and looked at Zak who gave me this look that said 'Don't-worry-about-it-he'll-come-around' but that didn't matter. It mattered that I was totally and utterly rude.

I sighed, and just got up. This was too much for me and honestly, I needed some air. And being surrounded by a people who seemed to need it more than I did…wasn't helping. "I'll see ya guys later." I shrugged, getting upset…probably over nothing.

I got up, but before I knew it, Troy grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug, "I'm sorry sweetie. I just…don't want to think about the fact that you could be leaving me in less than a year." Troy whispered into my ear, as he gently rocked me and ran his fingers through my hair.

"I know…" I said, hugging him tighter.

He slowly released me and kissed the top of my head, "Look, Luke, Gabi didn't mean anything by asking. She's…just trying to be friendly. So, if you want to leave…I mean go ahead, but we'd really like it if you would stay and…be a little more optimistic." Troy said, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Don't listen to Troy. It's fine and totally understandable that you are…uncomfortable." I smiled at Luke, feeling a little bit better. Troy had stood up for me…well…not really 'stood up' for me, but tried to help me with something else.

"I'm sorry guys. I'm just…not…I don't like getting close to people. That's all…" Luke gave a crooked smile and his eyes said that he was truly sorry…but really, he didn't need to apologize. "Let's start over. Um, I'm Luke Taylor. And you guys are?"

"Gabriella Montez. But I go by Gabi." I smiled, shaking his hand.

"And I'm Troy Bolton. It's nice to meet you, man." He smiled, shaking Luke's hand as well.

"Zak…Zak Greene." Zak smiled at Luke, and then smiled at me.

We went around the table once more, doing introductions and all of a sudden the awkward tension seemed to just melt away. "Well…it's nice to meet you all." Luke gave a genuine smile and I couldn't help but smile back. It was nice to see him have a smile on his face that didn't have any sign of a different emotion, other than happiness.

"You too." I smiled.

The day went by and it seemed as if the general confusion and tension had gone away. Okay…so Troy still didn't love Luke…but it seemed as if they were getting along a little better. Or at least, Troy was acting like he thought of Luke as a good friend. I mean, Troy still doesn't like Zak being so close to me…so I guess I'll just have to live with Troy's jealousy.

I smiled at Troy as he drove through the neighborhood. "You're amazing, y'know that?" Troy asked, as he looked at me and smiled.

"…No?"

"Well you should. You are the sweetest girl I've ever met. You're so…down to earth." He said, "You don't ever really…judge people by what they look like. So you have your moments…but that's what makes you so perfect! I mean…all the flaws in a person I think…just makes someone all the better. They just have to be the right imperfections. And you-"

"Troy...as much as I love hearing your sweet compliments…I don't think I quite deserve them. But thank you. You're just as amazing as you say I am. Really." I said, grabbing his hand and holding it in between both of my, comparatively, small hands.

"No really Gabi…I'm like….a total jerk. If it weren't for you, I'd still be that cocky basketball star who everyone loved, but at the same time, everyone hated. Everyone can't help but love you and if they do hate you…it's because you have a lot of things that a person likes and wants. All the traits that everyone enjoys and-"

"Okay, enough complimenting Gabi." I blushed, feeling very uncomfortable from the very sweet and way too honest compliments coming from Troy.

"…Okay…" Troy had a small smile on his face and I couldn't help but just enjoy one of the best days here.

"WE'RE HOME!" Troy decided to yell in my ear.

"COULD YOU SCREAM ANY LOUDER?" I yelled back and Troy chuckled.

I rolled my eyes as he softly said, "Maybe…" and put his arm around my shoulder.

"How was school?" Kayla asked, yawning and coming up from the basement obviously.

"Great. I'm helping out a new kid and he's pretty nice. He's from New York." I said, falling onto the couch, "How are Mr. And Mrs-"

"Don't go there…" Kayla said with a serious face, "I may be dating Sam, but that doesn't mean you can start calling Mrs. Dedrick (a/n: I don't recall giving Sam or Kayla a last name…so if I did, I'm changing them both), I am MISS Reynolds." Kayla said, huffing as Sam came up, yawning as well.

"I woke up and my-"

"Hey Sam!" Kayla said running towards him and hugging him quickly before he could finish his last sentence.

"There you are. I woke up and you were gone."

"Oh, I heard Troy and Gabi get home so I wanted to come and see how their day was." Kayla shrugged and I rolled my eyes.

Today was an interesting day.

I hope that was a quick-ish update for you guys. I've been trying to update a little bit better but finals are coming up quickly. BLEGH.

Zac is my life: Hahaha, well I can't say that I am…cuz then I'd be lying. I like to be woken up gently and not obnoxiously, or else I get grumpy…heh. Anyways, thanks for the review, as always and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

x-TammieBaybii-x: It's funny how we just got done talking. Hah. I'm glad you liked both chapters and I hope we can talk a bit more. We'll just have to see. Anyways, thanks for the review and catching up with me! Love ya tons!

Anonymous14: It's fine hahaha. I'm just surprised at how much I'm losing reviewers. Anyways, thanks for reviewing this time!

Pumpkinking5: I think Luke will be an interesting change in character. It'll be nice and it'll change the vibe of the story. Thanks for reviewing!

Hollywoodbabe818: Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!

XxBabiiGurlxX: Well…all guys have their moments. And Troy isn't an exception. Thanks for reviewing!

Kellyharper: Guys have tempers so…sometimes the vent by hitting things. I kicked a door once. Troy was frustrated with himself…thus…hitting a wall. It's not that confusing…but I hope I clarified. Thanks for reviewing. And chapter seven was a mistake. I updated the wrong chapter. That's all.

Hay it's maray: Yeah…you weren't the first one to tell me that I screwed up on the chapter stuff. I do that sometimes, but I think it was because I was tired. So um…thanks for reviewing chapter six and…the wrong chapter seven?

Zanessastories1225788: You hate Luke? Why is it people say they hate people? Sheesh! It's like every new girl or guy I put in a story automatically is going to break the two up. It's not true all the time. Luke is an interesting twist. And Zak is totally different. Zak is the guy that loses to Troy all the time but he will always be there for Gabi, even if he didn't win her heart. Anyways, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.

I don't really feel the need to post replies to the last responses because they were alerting me and stuff. Now, here's the thing guys, before you go and reviewing, telling me I posted the wrong chapter, can you check if anybody else has already said it? I'm not angry, but it just spams my email telling me that I have ten emails telling me the same thing. Kind of a waste of time? Thanks for letting me know though. Review!