Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or any songs I mention!

Author: Alleycat

Story: Everybody Knows

Growing up is hard. It's a lot harder when you're in love with your best friend and everyone knows it-except her.

Dedication to: kaybaby1127 for reviewing like a beast!

I'm Wonderstruck for the most awesome quote ever! I'm just joking but really I like the review! Also your name is awesome!

I don't know if you've ever heard the song "Only Prettier" but it cracks me up! I don't listen to much country but I like me some Miranda Lambert!

We are introduced to someone new! Get excited..or not!

Chapter 12

And even though I don't belong with your high life friends

Doesn't mean we don't get together and try to make amends

It's easier, can't you see? Let's agree to just disagree

We don't have to like each other but it's sure fun to pretend

So let's shake hands and reach across those party lines

You got your friends just like I got mine

We might think a little differently,

but we got a lot in common you will see

We're just like you, only prettier

Everybody says you gotta know your enemies

Even if they only weigh a hundred pounds and stand five foot three

If you just smile and behave you can always get your way

It's a universal plan that'll get you where you can in all societies
~ Miranda Lambert, "Only Prettier"

"I wish our suspension would have lasted longer," Troy admitted as he put his car in park. He could see the stares and they hadn't even gotten out of the car.

"I thought you said it would have blown over by now," Gabriella said accusingly as they got out.

He laughed uncomfortably. "I just told you that so you wouldn't worry."

"Troy Alexander Bolton, that was mean," She whined, not really upset with him.

"I know," He agreed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

The whole parking lot got quiet as soon as they started walking. Everyone moved out of their way but didn't move their eyes away from them.

"I'm glad you convinced me to wear sunglasses," Gabriella told him and wrapped an arm around his waist. She let out a breath when she noticed friendly faces in the form of Taylor, Chad, and their other close friends.

"Well if it isn't Bonnie and Clyde in the flesh," Chad teased once they reached them.

His team laughed as the girls rolled their eyes.

"I guess that would make me Clyde," Gabriella remarked.

Troy looked doubtful. "And why is that?"

"Because everyone knows that Clyde did more than Bonnie," She replied, trying to keep the laughter at bay.

"So you think I'm Bonnie?" He questioned, stepping closer and pushing her sunglasses up.

"Mmhmm," She agreed and stuck out her chin defiantly.

The rest of the group watched in awe as the two teased each other. They were used to unusual closeness but this was completely different. It looked like the two were seconds away from jumping each other.

"Something must have happened," Taylor muttered then turned to Chad. "What do you know?"

Chad looked confused. "Huh?"

"What do you know about this?" She gestured to the pair who were still too wrapped up in each other to notice the scrutiny.

"Yeah," Kelsi chimed in. "What changed?"

He put his hands up in surrender. "I have no idea. What do you know?"

"Nothing," Taylor admitted. She was telling the truth even if she did know about their sleeping habits. They still acted the same and they had been doing it for years. It must have been something else.

Chad shook his head, his fro bouncing. "We need to find out what is going on."

"Take notes on their behavior and dig, everyone," Taylor instructed the group. She shot Chad a look, "Have you ever taken notes before?"

"No," He shot back. "I have a geek do it for me."

"Funny," She rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't joking," He snapped and they glared hatefully at each other.

"Break it up," Zeke said as he stepped between the two.

"Taylor," Martha pulled her friend's shoulder back. "He was joking,"

"And how do you know?" Jason asked, speaking up for the first time. He had noticed Martha ever since she started sitting at the table. She never talked or looked at him so he cherished this opportunity.

"There's no way a 'geek' would be in any of his classes," Martha replied and grinned when the entire group, including Chad, laughed.

"That's a good one," Chad admitted as the morning bell rang.

"Do you know what's so funny," Gabriella whispered as they made their way to class.

He shrugged. "No idea."

Gabriella was dreading gym. As it was her second class, she spent the entire first period dreading the moment she saw Sharpay. She regretted her actions completely.

It was barbaric and mean, two things she despised.

She knew she should apologize. She also knew that any attempts to apologize would go out the window once she opened her mouth.

Despite knowing this, Gabriella still wanted to try.

"Hey, Sharpay," She greeted when she walked in the locker room. Everyone was silent and watching her as soon as she walked in. She was unsure if she wanted to get undressed and changed because she doubted they would look away.

Awkward.

The blonde glared instantly. "Don't hey Sharpay me you-"

Her face looked a lot better than she remembered. The black eyes were basically gone and though she looked like she was wearing a pound of makeup, it hid everything very well.

"I wanted to apologize for my actions," Gabriella continued like she hadn't interrupted. "Though you-"

"Apologize to my lawyers, I'll sue you and take everything you're worth." She scoffed. "Which obviously isn't much but su casa will really be mi casa."

Gabriella looked amused much to everyone's surprise. "You can't sue me."

"It's called assault. Look it up geek," Sharpay snapped.

Gabriella sighed dramatically, "Do you know what constitutes assault in New Mexico?"

She huffed, "Of course I do."

"You do," She repeated, surprised. She looked around her friends, who faked shock with her, and turned back to the blonde. "Then you know what I did constitutes a misdemeanor. You would also know that making offensive comments about a person's reputation and/or race is considered assault as well."

Sharpay looked unsure. "There is no-"

"Thus I could theoretically counter sue and as a person who wants to act professionally being labeled a racist isn't what I would call a smart career move." Gabriella took a step forward and Sharpay hit the lockers. "So how about we cut the interactions and snide comments?"

She nodded reluctantly.

Gabriella waved bye before going to her locker.

"That was so cool," Kelsi gushed as she followed her and Taylor. "I hope someone was recording that."

Martha laughed at her reaction. "You wish it was you standing up to her."

"I hope not," She sighed as she opened her locker. "I just wish it wouldn't have to have gone that way."

"You outsmarted her, she only insulted you once, and you didn't tackle her," Taylor recounted on her fingers. "I'd say that was a success."

"Did you read the cheerleader's facebook status?" Chad whispered to Troy.

He shook his head, "Why would I care what she has to say?"

Chad waited until the teacher turned before he responded. "It has to do with your girl."

Troy grabbed the cell phone out of his friend's hands but hid it when the teacher turned at Chad's loud protests.

"Sorry," Chad apologized when the teacher looked at him.

Troy looked at his phone as soon as he could and saw "just saw ice queen being schooled by the science nerd in gym. The war is not over. Is Sweden still a neutered country?"

"Neutered?" Troy asked in confusion.

"I'm assuming neutral," Chad said with a laugh but shrunk back in his seat when the teacher turned around and glared.

"Please tell me it's true," Chad begged at lunch when Gabriella and Troy sat down. At her confused look he continued. "That you owned the ice queen in gym class?"

Gabriella was flabbergasted. "How did you know?"

"Honestly, he's been talking about it since lunch started five minutes ago," Taylor said annoyed. "If I tell you what happened will you stop obsessing?"

He nodded excitedly, his hair moving with the movement.

"Chad is such a gossip," Gabriella noted quietly to Troy who laughed.

"Yes he is but I wanna hear what you said." He put an arm around her but looked at Taylor.

Gabriella looked around the lunch table."Where's Kelsi?"

"She said she'll be late," Martha answered. She was the only one uninterested in the recap as she was in the class too.

Kelsi appeared a few minutes later with a blonde guy following her. She grabbed him a seat and everyone had to scoot down. Troy grinned at the chance and pulled Gabriella as close as humanly possible.

"I feel like I'm in your bubble," She argued as she tried to separate her chair from his.

"Come back here," He muttered and grabbed her chair.

"Hey guys," Kelsi called and everyone stopped to pay attention except Troy and Gabriella who were still disagreeing.

"Does this bother you," Troy teased as he placed his face right next to hers. "Is this too close?"

Gabriella ignored him and took a bite of her sandwich.

Kelsi gestured to the blonde guy sitting next to her. "He's a new student from a private school. I'm showing him around. Everyone this is Ryan and this is Taylor, Martha, Jason, Zeke, Chad, Troy and Gabri-"

"Ella! Ella! Ella!" Troy chanted loudly, trying to annoy her into reacting. She covered his mouth and laughed.

Ryan repeated back the names and shook everyone's hand but paused at the last one. "Ella is it?"

The whole table gaped.

"You can't call her that," Kelsi whispered as she elbowed him.

Ryan was confused, "Didn't he call her that?" He pointed to Troy who glared.

"He can," Chad defended, looking suspiciously at the new kid. "You, however, cannot."

Taylor tried not to look impressed at his use of a three syllable word.

"I'm Gabriella," She said and took his hand. "Ella's just a nickname. It's nice to meet you."

Ryan shot the dark haired girl a grateful look. "The pleasure's all mine."

Gabriella grinned and sat back into Troy's waiting arms. He liked to mark his territory in front of new people.

"So why did you transfer so far into the year?"

"My sister," He answered. He was happy with the subject change from his faux pas. "She got into trouble recently and my parents are worried."

The table became quiet and Gabriella realized it was her job to continue a conversation. "So does anyone know what they're doing for Halloween?"

"Going to Jake's party, of course," Chad announced and high fived his teammates.

"I'm sure I'll be ungrounded," Troy answered. "So definitely Jake's party."

"What about you?" Gabriella asked the new kid after everyone had answered.

Ryan was beginning to really appreciate her efforts. "I usually throw a Halloween party but I'm not sure since the transfer. My house, it's on Broadway, looks amazing decorated."

Taylor's eyes narrowed. "What did you say your last name was?"

He returned the look, "I didn't but it's Evans."

The whole table gaped again.

Ryan looked around at their faces. "Sharpay's my twin sister. Do you know her?"

As if summoned by her name, she appeared and screamed. "RYAN! Get away from them!" She grabbed his arm and wrenched him out of the seat.

"What's your problem?" He asked, resisting.

She pointed accusingly at Gabriella. "She's the one who attacked me!"

He gaped. "You?"

Gabriella nodded hesitantly. She started to explain when she dragged him off. The rest of the table broke out in laughter but Gabriella and Kelsi. Kelsi looked heartbroken and Gabriella was remorseful.

His shocked expression plagued her and so when she saw him sitting on a park bench outside of the school, she approached him. Her class was let out early but she still had to wait for Troy. She sent him a text and got her stuff. It was such a nice day that she was going to wait outside when she spied the blond.

"Hey Ryan," She called meekly and waved. She wouldn't dare approach him until she was sure that he didn't hate her.

"Hey Gabriella," He greeted and gestured for her to come closer.

"I just want to apologize," She admitted as she sat next to him. "I should have never engaged in physical contact with your sister."

He laughed, "I was surprised to find out it was you. You seemed so nice."

She flinched. "I usually am something about your sister though changes that."

He smiled at her expression. "If she said anything the way she was talking to me about you then I'm sure it was justified."

She smiled back. "I know this might be a stretch but I would like us to be friends."

He looked surprised. "Are you sure?"

Gabriella laughed at his expression. "If you're willing to, in spite of the fight between me and your sister, then yes."

He chuckled easily, enjoying Gabriella's company."Well if you're willing to be my friend in spite of my sister then yes."

They smiled at each other for a couple of seconds. He was glad he followed his instincts when it came to the dark haired girl. His sister made her sound like a bully and everything so far was unwarranted especially how homely she is.

Ryan found her extremely pretty.

Gabriella nudged him, "So tell me about this Halloween party."

"It seems kinda silly now that I'm no longer at my school but it's usually a lot of fun." He deflated. "Plus, it sounds like everyone goes to Jake's anyway."

Her nose wrinkled. "Jake's house is like prelude to a frat party. Me and the girls go for as little as possible. Maybe if you had a party," She said slyly. "We could actually have fun."

He was surprised. "You would go?"

"As your new friend I would definitely attend." She assured him.

It was to everyone's surprise that Ryan sat with them at lunch again. He took the seat next to Gabriella much to Troy's chagrin. This caused him to slide her chair as close to him as possible. He was starting to definitely dislike him especially after he found the two conversing at a table sitting way too close to eachother.

"Ella?" He asked, sure he was hallucinating at the laughing pair.

She just smiled brightly and waved him over.

"So Ryan's decided to have his Halloween party," Gabriella said nonchalantly as everyone's shock wore off.

"Too bad we're already going to Jake's," Troy complained, not looking unhappy at all.

"Speak for yourself," Gabriella said. "I'm going to Ryan's."

"You cannot be serious! You barely know this guy," He argued, acting like Ryan wasn't sitting at the table. "Everyone else is going to Jake's."

"I'll go," Kelsi said immediately with pink cheeks.

Ryan smiled tenderly at her.

"There's going to be karaoke and a significant less amount of drunk football players-"

Gabriella hadn't even finished the statement when Taylor agreed. "You sold me at the lack of drunk idiots."

"I'll go," Martha agreed with a smile. "It sounds like a lot of fun."

"Don't do this," Chad begged Troy desperately. "Let the girls go to the gay" He ignored their protests at his description. "party and we'll go get drunk at Jake's."

"That could be fun," Gabriella offered with a smile. "You have a boys' night."

Troy looked wounded. "How could it be fun if we're not together?"

She cupped his face, "I don't want you to do anything you don't want to. It's your Halloween too."

"I just want to be with you." He admitted as he leaned into her hand. "I always want to be with you."

She melted. She didn't want to be separated either, not ever. "Then be with me."

"I will," He answered softly and wrapped his hand around hers.

"I'll go," Jason offered breaking their moment and glanced at Martha discreetly.

"Me too," Zeke added, think of Sharpay.

"Looks like you'll be at Jake's all alone," Taylor taunted. "How pathetic."

"Nope," He snapped. "I'll go to Ryan's just to annoy you."

Taylor groaned.

Gabriella turned to Ryan. "It looks like you were wrong. Everyone is coming."

Ryan refrained from telling her it was because of her and not him. She didn't seem like the type to appreciate the credit.

"Not everyone," Taylor corrected and looked with disdain toward the rest of the cafeteria. "Can we keep this party as exclusive as possible?"

He nodded in agreement, "I think that sounds like a good idea."

PARTY TIME! WOO! I love Halloween!

So what do you think about Ryan? There's some Chad/Taylor tension going on!

And yet Troy and Gabriella have not kissed! Maybe it will happen at the party!

Thanks for your support:

hisboo13, jackyxoxo, meow, lalachica94, pumpkinking5, krmyers10, kristenkay0606, ju-cy nurse, mattnme04, littlelulu867, dyeitrogue, xoxojokubauskasx3, WeOwnTheNight zanessaxfaithx, GHJaSAm4Ever, LoveIsNeverUgly, ScRuPuLoUS, kaybaby1127, Guest, I'm Wonderstruck, ZaNeSsAD15, Guest, Furny, Hopefulextinction, Porkayla, and Eric N.