Three weeks later, Troy and Gabriella were still going strong. People had got used to seeing them together and Gabriella had got used to people staring at her.
One morning, the couple walked towards the school hand in hand paying no attention to anyone, but, each other. They stopped outside by the fountain and sat down at the edge. Troy could not help leaning and kissing her passionately.
"Hey, hoops," Chad called running over to them and they pulled away. "Guess what?"
"Later, Chad," Troy said, not taking his eyes off Gabriella.
Gabriella giggled as Troy kissed her again.
"Gabriella!" Taylor called.
"I'll talk to you later, Tay," Gabriella called back.
"That's it!" Chad said walking over to the rest of the gang. "They are too much for me to handle. They live together, but, they don't have time for us! We have to talk to them."
Meanwhile, Troy and Gabriella had started to feel bad about how they had blown off their friends.
"Maybe we should go talk to them," Troy said. "I haven't hung out with Chad and the others in awhile. Everything's just been so crazy."
"Yeah, let's go," Gabriella said.
Troy got up and took her hand. Together, they walked into the school and saw their friends standing outside their homeroom class.
"We need to talk to you guys," Chad said when they got near.
"And, I want to talk to you, too, Chad," Troy said, slinging his arm loosely over Chad's shoulder.
"What about?" he asked.
"We haven't hung out in awhile," Troy said. "Just us guys."
"Now, you're talking!" Chad exclaimed.
"So, let's do something," Troy said.
"Get drunk at a club!" Chad exclaimed.
"No way," Troy said as Taylor thumped Chad's head. "I'm running a house now and I don't want to get drunk."
"Fine, Mr. Bossy," Chad said. "What do you suggest we do?"
"I was thinking more like hang out in our basement," Troy said. "Play some pool, table tennis, have sodas…that kind of stuff."
"Sounds good to me," Zeke said.
"How about it, Chad?" Troy asked.
"Dude, I've always loved hanging out in your basement," Chad said. "But, this time your mom's cookies won't be there, though."
"I'll make cookies for you guys," Gabriella volunteered.
"I love you!" Chad exclaimed, his eyes shining. "Dude, you always know how to pick them. Haven't I told you that? I've always told you that!"
"You've never told me that," Troy chuckled. "You're coming too, right, Ryan?"
"What?" Ryan looked surprised. Even though he was friends with everyone, he had never really considered himself as one of the 'guys'. He has always thought that the 'guys' were just Chad, Zeke and Troy.
"Yeah, man," Troy smiled, warmly knowing exactly what was going through Ryan's head. "You're one of us, now."
"I'll be there," Ryan smiled.
"And, Ella," Troy said turning his attention to Gabriella. "I'm going to have to ban you from the basement tonight."
"Yeah, like I ever go there," Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Anyway, we – that means, us girls – are going to hang out, too."
"We are?" Taylor asked.
"Yup," Gabriella grinned. "And, you guys can't go upstairs."
"Deal!" Troy exclaimed.
"Deal!" Gabriella shot back.
"Shake on it," Chad said.
Troy solemnly took Gabriella's hand and shook it. Then, he pulled her towards him and kissed her. Everyone groaned.
"Bolton, Montez!" Ms. Darbus yelled. "Stop that at once or it will be detention for both of you!"
"Sorry, Ms. Darbus," Troy grinned. "But, I'm the coach in case you forgot. You aren't allowed to give me detention."
"Just get into the class, Troy," Ms. Darbus sighed.
Troy chuckled softly as he walked into the class after Gabriella with the rest of the gang behind him.
"Gabi, guess what?" Sharpay exclaimed running through the cafeteria to their table where Troy and Gabriella were already seated with Kelsi and Chad.
"What's up, Shar?" Gabriella asked.
"There's going to be a talent show," Sharpay explained. "Two weeks from, now!"
"Great," Gabriella smiled. "You should enter."
"I can't," Sharpay said sitting down. "I'm one of the judges. So is Ryan. Because we're co-presidents of the drama club."
"Oh," Gabriella said. "Well, then, maybe –"
"You should enter!" Sharpay exclaimed. "You'll win for sure. And, I'm not saying that just because you're my friend. You should sing, Gabi. Troy can play the guitar and Kelsi can play the piano. You'll find someone to play the drums, too."
"I'll do it," Chad volunteered.
"You?" Sharpay raised her eyebrow.
"He's a pretty good drummer," Troy told Sharpay.
"How about it, Gabs?" Kelsi asked.
"I don't know," Gabriella said.
"Come on, Gabster!" Chad exclaimed. "It'll be fun."
"Fine," Gabriella said. "But, if I go onstage and throw up, you guys have to throw up with me!"
"Done!" Troy grinned as everyone else laughed.
A/N I know I haven't updated in a long time and I'm really sorry. I've been having tons of problems with my laptop and I'm doing my O' Levels this year and I'm really busy these days, but, I'll try and update as much as I can. Anyway, how about you all forgive me for updating so late and leave a review? ;)