Hey guys x

First off I'd like to thank those who left me the lovely words of comfort with regards to my recent loss.

I know it's been a while but I wasn't really in the mood for writing.

I felt, however, that I had to write it seemed to have been a while.

I will apologise in advance, I know this isn't my best chapter...well actually without a shadow of a doubt it's my worst, but I wasn't feeling very inspired. So I do apologise, I just wanted to get something out there to get the story back on its feet again.

It is also quite short...sorry.

Okay I am done apologising...so please read and review :-x

That's why you're Beautiful

The black and orange banners hung above the entrance to East High, advertising for the Halloween Ball. The students of East High had been back at school for 6 weeks and already everything was underway. The Basketball and Football season had started, along with the girls Netball. The Scholastic Decathlon already had there team and were getting prepared for their competition. Mrs Darbus and the drama department where preparing for their Christmas show. It seemed as if everything was coming along nicely, that was except the cheer leading squad.

Troy felt bad for Gabriella, he could see how hard she was working and had witnessed her endless fights with Kacey White. It seemed like no matter how hard she tryed, nothing was going her way. She was fighting a loosing battle, but for some reason she refused to give up. Troy knew it was hard for Gabi to cope with the stress of her useless team and the constant arguments with Kacey and her friends, even worse now that Leah had gone home to Canada for the week.

The previous week Gabi admitted to him that she had Anger Management problems and found it hard to control her temper. He had already guessed this, however he was glad that she felt able to confide in him. He and Gabriella had grown very close over the past few weeks and he felt she was opening up to him more. This, however was only when they were alone, for everyone else she still put up a front. It had shocked him when two nights previous he had found her crying in her bedroom. He had gone over to work on an English assignment they had been partnered for. Troy was taken aback when he saw her, she didn't seem like the crying type. She had told him about her brothers and how terribly she missed them. She had let him hold her while she cryed, clinging to him as she sobbed, still grieving the loss of her brothers. He had tryed to sooth her, whispering words of comfort as she cryed into his chest. He felt bad thinking it, but he had liked it, not witnessing her cry, that had hurt him terribly. However, he liked how he was able to help her and was astounded by the overwhelming need to protect her. She had fallen asleep a few hours later, in his arms. He had stayed with her for a while, before leaving around midnight, scared that if she woke up beside him she might get freaked out.

Today was Monday. Even though Troy had spent the weekend with Gabriella watching movies and playing Basketball, he was already missing her company and was looking forward to seeing her again. He walked through the large red doors of East High and was greeted by many of the schools occupents. Amist High fives, man hugs and random females throwing themselves at him, Troy tried to find Gabriella in the crowd. He turned around, brushing off the desperate female's very nearly attached to him. As he did he caught sight of the Cheer Captain, the only girl he was interested in seeing. He looked up and caught her eye, she smirked in his direction, shaking her head as the slut's clinging to her new 'best friend'.

"Hey hotshot", Gabi started as she made her way through the throng of Jock's and Cheerleaders surrounding Troy. "Now shouldn't you ladies be in my gym, for early morning practise", she preached to the members of her squad, who were part of the group.

There were mumbles of "Yes Captain" and "Sure Gabi". Gabi also heard the, "Slut has to ruin everything", and " Bitch actually thinks she has a chance with Troy", she didn't even have to turn around to know where the comments had come from.

The group quickly decreased until just Gabi and Troy where left.

"Couldn't handle all those cheerleaders all over the top of me, ay Ella", Troy asked cockily.

"You're so full of yourself Bolton, you clearly love the attention of skanks, so if that's more you're thing then I'll just have to find someone else to watch Hairspray with next time", she joked.

"Hey, you know I don't. I wouldn't trade you for the world", he said as he put his arm around her shoulder. "Well except maybe a shot with that Hayley Stan..", he started before she slapped him.

"I'm joking baby", he laughed.

Gabi's stomached jumped, she loved when he gave her pet names, especially when he called her baby.

"Oh but you can find someone else to watch Hairspray with you, once was enough for me darling, I officially cannot listen to you tell me how hot that Efron dude is again", he said. "I mean come-on the guy is so gay", he added.

Gabriella turned to him with a shocked and angry expression on her face," Don't ever insult Zaccy", she said as she punched him with every word.

"Okay, okay calm down", he laughed.

"Oh you can't even deny it, he's beautiful", she replied.

"How can a guy be beautiful, that's so gay", he replied in a disgusted tone.

"Oh shut up you, what if I said you were beautiful?" she asked.

"I would be insulted", he joked. "Wait...do you think I'm 'beautiful'? ", he asked suddenly realising what she had said, but still putting air quotes round the word beautiful.

"Ughh..well", she stuttered.

The bell rang signalling for home room, but also letting Gabriella off the hook.

"Hey you coming to Homeroom?", Troy asked.

"Nah, I got this morning off classes, Cheer Practise, gotta try and make these idiots even half way presentable for you're first home game of the season", she replied, frowning as she thought about her team.

"Cool, I'll catch you later, he smiled down at her, pulling her into a swift hug before setting of to his class.

It was now lunch time. Gabi still hadn't been in any of her classes all day and much to her astonishment it had been worth her time, her team where making real progress. All of them that is apart from Kacey and her 2 amigo's. Gabi was looking for any excuse to throw them off the team.

That morning Gabi had been called to the Principal's office and was introduced to twin sisters, they too were also in their Senior year and like a gift from God they were cheerleaders in their last school, co-captains to be more precise. Gabriella was over the moon at their arrival and had invited into the squad without second thought. They had shown her some skills and she had overall been very impressed. Gabi finally felt that she was finally getting a break for all of her hard work.

Mandy and Melissa(the new girls) where sitting with the rest of the cheer-squad, who where occupying three tables. They had taken an early lunch and had been discussing times when everyone could get together to work on their skills and routines. Everyone seemed happy to participate, that was everyone but the three stooges in the corner. The bell signalled for lunch and all of the team began to fill in.

Gabriella turned towards the doors and saw Troy enter the canteen and begin to make his way towards her. He came up behind her chair and draped his arms over her shoulders.

"Hey babe", he said, hugging her from behind.

"Hey beautiful", Gabi joked.

"Funny, hey can you watch this a sec", Troy asked handing her his bag. "Won't be a minute".

When Troy had left the table Gabi turned back to the girls.

"OMG, is that you're boyfriend", asked Melissa, staring at Troy's ass as he sauntered off.

"Ugh, No", Gabi replied.

"Really, you looked cosy..so is anything going to happen?", she asked.

Gabi didn't know how to respond to this. She wanted something to, but she knew it couldn't.

"No, we're just good friends".

"Oh...so you don't mind if I give it a go then", she asked.

"Ugh....sure why not", Gabi said, much to her dismay.

Troy walked back to the group, taking the only seat left at Gabi's table, beside Melissa. Gabi frowned as Troy introduced himself, flashing her his million dollar smile, talking to her with his usual charm.

Gabriella suddenly felt like an outcast as she watched Troy and Melissa flirt. She knew Troy liked her, he made it very obvious. She knew, however that she was lying to him and that the person he cared for wasn't really her, instead just the person she pretended to be. Troy deserved someone who would be true to him and Melissa was a nice girl. She would have to stop being so selfish, she couldn't keep Troy to herself, it wasn't fair to lead him along this way.

She would have to let him go, even though, for some reason which Gabriella could not understand, it was breaking her heart.

Review please :-x

Lauren x