Chapter 15

Gabriella answered the phone on first ring.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Hey, it's Troy," the caller said.

"Oh, hey," Gabriella greeted with a smile. "Why are you calling?"

"Uh...I have a surprise for you," Troy said hesitantly.

"More gifts?" Gabriella teased, remembering the sapphire earrings.

Troy laughed. "Kinda. Do you think you could meet me at the park? You know, the one with the big fountain?"

Gabriella giggled. "You mean, Fountain Park?"

"Yeah, that one."

"Okay, when?"

Troy thought for a second. "How about in half an hour?"

"Great," Gabriella said. "See ya then." She quickly hung up and ran upstairs to change.

Troy quickly ran towards the big, marble fountain standing in the middle of the park. He was relieved to see that Gabriella hadn't arrived yet.

He fingered the ring he had gotten at Juilliard right before he had moved. It was his favorite ring and he wore it sometimes on special occassions at his dance school.

And he was going to give it to Gabriella.

He had never thought he'd part with his favorite piece of man jewelry. But then again, he had never thought he'd fall in love at the age of fifteen.

Life brought unexpected occurences.

Troy smiled. He couldn't wait to see the look on everyone's faces when they saw HIS ring on her finger. He couldn't wait to show off the fact that Gabriella liked him back.

At least he hoped to.

"Hey, Troy."

Troy mentally groaned. He knew that voice...and he didn't like it.

"What?" Tiffany said sweetly. "You're not even gonna say hi."

Troy stood quiet. Tiffany sighed.

"Listen, Troy, I can't believe I'm doing this," Tiffany said. "After everything that's been going on, anger is very common among us. But...I have to say something."

Troy looked up with surprise. Could she be...

"I've decided to forgive you."

Troy raised his eyebrows. He had not been expecting that.

"I know," Tiffany said. "I'm surprised, too. But if you apologize now, I promise to forgive you...and you get to be my boyfriend!"

Troy made a face. Was this girl serious?

"So, what do you have to say to me, Troy?" Tiffany asked expectantly.

Troy rolled his eyes. Was this girl really serious?

"I'm waiting," Tiffany demanded.

Troy stared at her right in the eye. "Tiffany...."

Tiffany grinned. This was it...

"Get out of my face, please," Troy said.

Tiffany narrowed her eyes. They travelled down to his hands...and saw his ring.

She snatched it.

"Oh, isn't this interesting," Tiffany remarked. "Juilliard...how nice of you, Troy."

"What?" Troy asked.

"Such a nice gift," Tiffany said loudly. "I'll wear it every day!"

And before Troy could say anything, the bitch ran off.

Little did he know that Gabriella saw her, too.

Gabriella had seen Troy but had quickly hid behind a tree when she saw Tiffany. She was too tired to fight so she decided to reveal herself after Tiffany left.

"Juilliard...how nice of you, Troy."

Gabriella immediately perked her ears. What?

"Such a nice gift," she heard Tiffany say. "I'll wear it every day!"

Gabriella waited for Troy to say something...anything! Surely, that ring couldn't be for Tiffany. Troy had called Gabriella and told her he had a surprise. Surely, the ring was meant for HER.

But what if it isn't? Gabriella asked herself. What if the surprise was...

NO! another voice in her head said. Don't think that way! He likes YOU!

Are you sure? Troy and Tiffany do like the same things.

But Troy had always hated Tiffany.

He had always hated you, too...until now. Maybe his feelings toward Tiffany had changed.

Gabriella gasped. She realized what was going on. Troy had wanted to show her how he really felt about her...without actually speaking to her! He had sketched this little plan to tell Gabriella he didn't like her...that he liked Tiffany.

All that time Troy had insulted Tiffany and had been mean to her...those were just acts. He really liked her!

Gabriella wanted to cry. She really did. She had liked Troy...a lot! She had trusted him. And all this time, Troy had been lying to her! She felt like such an fool! They were dance partners! Now Gabriella wouldn't even be able to look at him!

Gabriella knew there was only one thing to do: Drop out of the competition. There was no way she could find another partner this late. The competition was only a few days away!

You do realize you'll fail, don't you? a voice reminded her.

I already failed in a relationship because I was an idiot. Might as well fail something because I was smart.

Gabriella made up her mind. She would drop out tomorrow morning, bright and early.