Author's Note: So i'm thinking this is the penultimate chapter of this story. Obviously if i get inspired again or i feel there's more that needs telling i'll write and add it on but for now this story is almost over. I'm trying to concentrate on my Gilmore Girls and Glee stories, i just really wanted to actually finish a story for once =S

Anyway, thank you to everyone who has reviewed and alerted/favourited this story, you guys are all so awesome =) and i really do hope you enjoy the last little bit of this =)

Disclaimer: I don't own much of anything really, especially not HSM =/

Chapter 17

As classes let out for lunch, I found myself walking right down the middle of the corridor, looking straight ahead, a smile on my face. I looked confident because I felt confident, and every single student that looked at me saw it too and made sure to get the hell out of my way.

We walked past Martha and Zeke, heading for the cafeteria too. I saw them glance at each other with a smile before fitting in easily behind me and Troy. Then I noticed Kelsi slip in beside me, she gave my hand a quick squeeze and grinned as Taylor and Chad didn't even hesitate to join us as well.

I had never felt so amazing in my whole life. I had my friends with me, I had my confidence back and I wasn't going to take crap from anyone! Of course, I knew the second we sat down in the cafeteria I'd have to explain everything to Taylor otherwise I wouldn't live to see the end of the day… but I could handle that. I was sure of it.

It was packed in the cafeteria, but the second we walked in everyone shut up and stared at us. I felt myself waver, only for a second, then I saw Ryan waving at us from our table up top. With a grin plastered on my face, I headed right for him, my 'posse' in tow.

"Hey, Gabs! Hey, you guys! We saved the table for you!"

I was about to ask who 'we' was but before I could I saw her. She was sat in Troy's usual seat, the one right next to mine. I felt a shy smile find its way onto my face. I couldn't help it; she just made me feel all warm and jello-like inside.

"Hey," she returned the smile.

"Umm hey, Ryan… Sharpay…" Taylor looked thoroughly confused but went and sat down anyway, the rest of them following her lead. I slid into my seat, grateful that Troy didn't say anything about Sharpay taking his seat and that none of the others said a word about her and Ryan being here.

There was an uncomfortable silence around the table while the guys went to get everyone lunch. Usually they would have complained but today even Chad sensed the tension and went quietly. The normal lunch time din was slowly returning, meaning we would have a little privacy while the rest of the student body chatted amongst itself.

"Gabs, listen-" Sharpay started softly, but stopped when the guys returned. Troy handed me my tray, flashing a dazzling smile and making the blonde tense beside me.

"It's fine. He knows about us, Shar, he's not going to trying anything." She looked confused but stopped glaring at him when I squeezed her hand under the table.

Random conversations broke out around the table, but everyone could still very much feel the tension. Eventually it got too much.

"Okay, I'm sorry, but can we cut the bullshit and get right to the pink elephant at the table!" Everyone looked at Taylor. "Gabbie, are you or are you not... sleeping with Kelsi?" I almost choked to death on my apple.

"Taylor!"

"Jeez, Tay! Blunt much?"

"I'm sorry, but nobody was telling me anything so I just went ahead and asked what all of you have been dying to know all day!" There were a few mumbled disagreements round the table but they all quietened down when the girl sent a glare their way. "Oh please! Now come on, out with it!"

My face was hot from the blush that had taken over my face. "Taylor, there's nothing going on with me and Kelsi. It was just one kiss, alright? She's one of my best friend's, it'd be, y'know, weird!"

"And?"

"And…?"

"What about you?"

"Uh what do you mean?"

She rolled her eyes. "You know exactly what I mean, Gabbie! And I want the truth!"

I did know what she meant, exactly what she meant but I wasn't sure how to say it. Maybe I could lie? Just say it was a one off… how would she ever know? Wait, what am I thinking? I just got the pep talk to end all pep talks from Troy about being better because I'm not afraid to be who I really am. And yet here I am, trying to cover up again! Well, no more!

I met each and every one of my friend's stares, making sure they knew that I wasn't going to take any shit for it. "You want the truth? Alright, let's get one thing straight: I'm not! 'Kay? And I'm proud of it." I waited then; hardly daring to breathe as I used all my will power to keep Taylor's gaze.

Suddenly she shrugged and went right back to eating her lunch. "Yeah, I know. Kelsi already told me."

"What the- Taylor!" My mouth dropped open as I looked from a nonchalant Taylor to a grinning Kelsi.

"Looks like you just got played," Sharpay nudged me with her shoulder, a grin equal to Kelsi's on her face.

Turns out that Kelsi had actually explained to Taylor but Taylor, being the pain in my ass that she is, wanted to hear it from me… I was so going to have to kill her later! But you know what? I didn't really care, because all my friends knew and not one of them was spitting in my eye or calling me names. In fact, they were all grinning at me and Troy was giving me a thumbs up.

"Okay, okay, so… I get the whole gay thing, but what I don't understand is how the whole 'kissing thing' came about this morning!" Taylor pointed her fork at Kelsi. "She said something had happened and she was trying to make you feel better… that true?"

I glance at Kelsi, who just shrugged, "Didn't think it was my place to say anything else."

"Say anything else about what?" All eyes were on me again. I wasn't sure what to say. I wasn't sure if I was even allowed to say anything. I glanced at the blonde beside me for guidance but she was busy staring intently at her plate. "Wait…" I looked back at Taylor to see her staring at Sharpay, the cogs in her head turning, working overtime as they started to put things together. "Oh hell no! Gabbie, you have got to be kidding me!"

"Taylor! Keep your voice down, will you?" Ryan hissed across the table, watching his sister with concern.

"But- But- Sharpay!" Taylor slammed her fork down in frustration. "She hates you!"

"Well, maybe she used to but-"

"She goes out of her way to hurt you!"

"That's not exactly true-"

"She's spent the better part of a year and a half making your life miserable!"

"Hey!" Ryan slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump. "That might have been Sharpay once upon a time, but it's not anymore! And I won't have you talking about my sister like that!" His eyes burned with an anger that I've never seen before. It was terrifying to witness, I was just glad I wasn't on the receiving end of it! Poor Taylor…

"I'm sorry, Ryan, but people don't just change over night! Yeah, maybe you know Sharpay better than us, but I don't trust her not to break Gabbie's heart!"

"Again," We all looked over at Kelsi, who was watching Sharpay. "I don't trust her not to break Gabbie's heart again."

"Kelsi!"

"I'm sorry, Gabs, but we've all seen the way you've been this week. And it's all because of her! You can't deny that it's the truth!" I saw Martha, Taylor, Zeke and Chad all nod their heads.

"Well… maybe… but that doesn't mean that she hasn't changed! Or can change!"

"Yeah, I just don't see it happening any time soon." Chad shrugged guiltily at me. "Sorry, Gabs."

"Fine. Whatever." I stood, grabbing my bag and heading towards the steps down.

"Alright, you know what?" I turned to see Sharpay standing as well. She climbed on the table and took a deep breath, "Everybody quiet!" There was that déjà vu again… the whole cafeteria fell silent. All of them turning to stare at the girl stood on the table. "You lot want something to talk about? Alright, talk about this then!" Sharpay jumped down, grabbed my hand and, pulling me with her to the railings, slammed out lips together in a heart stopping kiss. I swear I felt my knees start to give out as she wrapped her arms around me.

When she finally pulled away to face the rest of the school, she kept an arm possessively round my waist. I loved it. "Yeah, that's right, East High! I love her, and there's nothing you can do about it! So if any of you douche-bags even think about trying to climb that social ladder by hurting her, I'll end you. Because you'll have to go through me!"

"And me." Troy leapt to his feet and came to join us, glaring out at the student body below us.

"Me too!" Ryan stood next.

"And me," Kelsi…

"And me," Zeke…

"And me," Martha…

"And me," Chad…

"And me," I let out the breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding as Taylor made her way to stand by me as well. "I just wanted to make sure she was good enough for you." she whispered, making me laugh with relief.

I looked out at the sea of faces then, some looking thoroughly confused, some smiling, others didn't look too happy, but screw them. I had Sharpay; I had my mom and my friends. I didn't need anything else.

AN: One more to go and we're done =) let me know what you thought, i always love to hear from you guys.

Peace Out.