Hey everone! I am so sorry that this chapter is delayed. School has been crazy and I had time off to work on what equals to an undergraduate study and yes I am in 12th grade of high school. Hopefully things will become better after the 13th but I am not too sure…

Anyways I now have started to get a good sense about where I wanted this story to head and now I am actually committed to the idea. Not entirely sure what you will think about it but I hope for the best. Huge shout-out to Grace and Pumpkinking5 for your reviews it meant the world to me. Thank you to everyone else who are favouring and/or following this story! You keep me going!

"I mean that is low even for her. They are all going to get a good grade, I mean even the teacher said he is looking forward to their presentation. Using her boyfriend like that…" the cheerleaders said and Gabriella closer her locker walking away.

She wasn't the one who asked to have the project about Etrea. Chad was the one who asked about the group and country! It wasn't like she was going to use Troy… She had been there for herself and she was going to use the library and other internet sources…

Wednesday January 16th

"This is frustrating," Troy said placing the computer on the coffee table. Taylor who was sitting cross legged on the floor looked up with a curious look. "Can't find what you're looking for?" she questioned amused.

"More like having to find evidence about what I already know," he said and turned the pc so Taylor saw the screen. One glance at the screen and she just started giggling. Troy was reading through the information page about the Etrean royal family. Beside the text was a rather large picture of Troy's grandfather, his father and himself.

"How old is this picture? It doesn't look like it is that old," Taylor commented and Troy nodded. At this point both Gabriella and Chad was looking up from the book they were reading, listening on the conversation.

"It's about two years old," he told them remembering when it was taken. "It was taken just after I turned sixteen," he explained to them and Taylor nodded before returning to her work. "I'm going to get something to drink, cuz this is giving me a headache," Troy declared and rose from the couch. "Anybody else want something?" he questioned looking at his friends whom all nodded. He returned only minutes later with water and soda that he placed on the coffee table before picking up his computer again with a new idea to where he could get a source.

It was now just short of nine thirty in the evening and Gabriella and Troy were the only one still working. Both Taylor and Chad having left about an hour ago. "There," Gabriella said and looked up meeting the curious gaze of her boyfriend.

"Done?" he questioned and she shook her head with a smile playing on her lips, amused by his comment.

"No, but I found some information that I had to re-write and finally I got through it all," she told him. "What time is it?" she added after looking outside of the window

"Nine thirty," Troy answered and she raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? I think I should head home then. We have school tomorrow after all," she said with a sigh getting up from the floor.

"Yeah…" he trailed off following her out into the hallway. "I guess I will see you tomorrow?" she questioned and he smiled.

"Defiantly," he nodded and took her hands. "Good night," he said and she smiled as her cheeks turned a faint shade of red.

"Good night Troy," she told him and Troy gave her a soft kiss on the lips. She picked up her backpack before opening the door and walked outside. Troy stood in the door and gave her a last wave before she continued down the road.

Thursday January 17th

"Gabi do you have a minute?" Taylor questioned after geography the next morning. "Yeah," |she said picking up her stuff, facing her best friend.

"So I was asked to edit the yearbook and I can't do it alone," Taylor explained as the two girls walked out into the crowded hallway.

"Who asked you to do it?" Gabriella questioned curiously as they were heading towards their lockers.

"Mrs Darbus, but what I wanted to know was if you would help me. It is just the editing we would be doing," she hurried to reassure her sceptical friend. "I don't know," Gabriella said her voice low and hesitant.

"Please Gabriella. I could really need your help and I couldn't say no to Mrs Darbus. Plus, Martha desperately needed help in prom committee after someone bailed on her last minute, and Mrs Darbus also asked me to get information about the meeting times and inform the class seeing as I am the class president," she said meeting Gabriella's eyes and Taylor saw that she was uncertain. "Please," Taylor begged folding her hands.

"All right I'll do it," she finally agreed and Taylor let out a small squeal. "Yes thank you, thank you," she said and hugged her friend.

"When are we meeting?" she questioned and Taylor nodded. "There hasn't been an official schedule yet, but we are working on it so it won't conflict with the prom committee meeting, scholastic decathlon and such," she explained and Gabriella let out a small groan.

"Taylor," she said annoyed. "What?" she questioned un affected by her friend's reaction.

"Do they expect us to stay at school until midnight? I still have a life outside of the school that I enjoy living thank you very much," she told her friend somewhat sarcastically and Taylor shook her head. "Relax it won't be that bad," Taylor tried to encourage her friend.

"Keep in mind that we both have AP classes, finals and decathlon meeting and competitions that we all hope to win. We haven't come this far to lose now, besides this could very well come to a sticky end," Gabriella muttered darkly.

"It will be fine. Listen I promised to help Sophia with something before the decathlon meeting tomorrow so I should probably find her. See you in history?" she questioned and I nodded.

"Yeah see you then," Gabriella said dragging a hand through her hair as Taylor closed her locker before hurrying down towards the library.

Gabriella dug through her locker and found some homework she could start on before heading towards the room they used for scholastic decathlon meeting, which she knew were available. Walking into the room she didn't bother to close the door completely before she walked over to a desk and dumped her stuff on the floor and sat down in the chair. She bent over and picked up her calculus book before opening it and starting on next week's homework.

"Oh my gosh have you heard?" she heard voices gush outside of the door after only a couple of minutes. It didn't take her long before she recognized the voices as two of the head cheerleaders Brittany and Alexandra.

"You know the assignment for English class? I was researching and you'll never guess what I found out," Brittany exclaimed. "Troy Bolton is not who he says he is. Take a look at this," she said and Gabriella could hear the sound of a magazine being opened.

"No way," Alexandra said flipping through the magazine. "A prince. There is no way he would end up here in little Albuquerque," she stated shocked.

"Oh yes but it gets better. Take a look at this picture. Gabriella obviously knew because that is her kissing him, if not then he is cheating on her," Brittany stated and Gabriella scoffed quietly to herself.

"How can Gabriella manage to score someone like that? I mean look at her. She isn't popular, she is a part of the scholastic decathlon team which makes her just a geek like the rest of them and rumours has it that she is even pulling straight A's. I mean come on. Troy is the co-captain of the basketball team and quite possibly the most popular jock at East High. Just to top everything off he is the future king of a whole freaking country! He should be dating someone like us and not someone like here!" Brittany stated annoyed and Gabriella put her pencil down quietly as she realised her whole hand were shaking.

"I don't know Brittany," Alexandra stated. "She was the only one who were nice to him when he came and we didn't like him until he became a part of the basketball team," Alexandra pointed out and Brittany huffed.

"That is not the point Alexandra. Why would the one guy at East High which is quite possibly the most popular go out with the one girl who are at the bottom of the social ladder here at East? She's just a freaky math girl and that's it," Brittany said before there was a slam of the locker door closing.

"We don't want to be late for practice so we can check out the guys playing," she said her whole voice changing to a more cheerful, and slightly flirty one, before the only sound that was heard were the echoes of their shoes walking down the hallway.

Gabriella's breaths came in shallow gasps as she tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to leave her eyes. She didn't realise that she had picked up her pencil again and her grip were so hard that her knuckles were slowly turned white. The tears finally broke free and streamed down her cheek like never ending waterfalls. Her whole body shaking like a leaf as the memories overcame here once again.

She was taken by surprised by the bell signalling the end of the lesson and start of lunch. Using the sleeve of her cardigan she wiped away the rest of her tears and tried to compose herself. Looking down she saw the wet page in her notebook, still not scribbled on.

Stained by her tears.

She grabbed the edge of the paper before tearing it out and crumbled it together. Quickly packing away her book and notebook she shoved it into her backpack before throwing it over her shoulder and making her way out of the classroom making sure she threw the paper on her way.

Sitting down at the usual table with her lunch Kelsi were the only one seated there. "Hey Kelsi," Gabriella said and the aspiring pianist looked up from her sheet of music.

"Hey Gabriella. I was starting to fear that I had to eat alone," she said and removed the stack of notes. "No I'm here, but where are everyone else?" she questioned.

"Basketball practice I presume. I don't know about Taylor thought," she said thoughtfully and Gabriella grabbed a bite of her sandwich.

"Taylor is doing some sort of tutoring/guidance for Sophia before the decathlon meeting," Gabriella answered as Kelsi pulled the red tray with food closer towards her.

"Oh okay," Kelsi said and observed Gabriella for a minute as the noise level were visibly rising in the cafeteria.

"Are you all right?" Kelsi questioned putting down the fork for her salad. "Oh yeah, yeah. I'm fine," Gabriella hurried to say as Kelsi studied her. "You seemed to drift away," Kelsi mentioned and Gabriella tried to give a convincing smile.

"I'm just thinking. Taylor basically begged me for help with the editing of the yearbook and I said yes. I don't know why though… I still have my AP classes, finals and the scholastic decathlon meetings," Gabriella told Kelsi, her shoulders sagging down.

"You always help everyone that is just who you are," Kelsi encouraged her friend and a genuine smile found a way to Gabriella's lips. "Are you thinking about the musicals this semester?" Kelsi bravely asked knowing how much she enjoyed it last semester.

"I haven't thought about it to be honest. I will see," was her simple answer.

"Hey mom," Gabriella said as she opened the front door that afternoon after having spotted her mother's car parked in the drive way. "Hey hija. How was your day?" she questioned coming out from the kitchen.

"Good," she said dumping her backpack by the door. "You're home early," she pointed out following her mother into the kitchen. "Yes. There was a sudden work trip that I have to prepare for. I am leaving early tomorrow morning for New York. I should be home by Sunday," she said and Gabriella's shoulders fell.

"I'm sorry hija. The company didn't think the deal would happen in the first place and it was only settled this morning that I had to leave," she tried to explain to her mother. "No it's okay," Gabriella said with a wave of her hand. "I understand you have to," she continued.

"I still would have told you earlier if I had known," she promised. "Listen why don't invite one of your friends or something over after school on Friday or Saturday? I'll leave some money on the counter so you could order some pizza or Chinese?" Maria said and Gabriella smiled at her thoughtfulness.

"Could Troy come over? No sleepover?" she bargained and Maria were a little hesitant at once. "Please?" Gabriella asked looking hopefully at her mother.

"All right no sleepover," she agreed and Gabriella hugged her mother. "Thank you," she stated happily and it brought a smile to her face.

Friday

As Gabriella unlocked the door to her home after school the next day it was quiet. She flickered on the light in the hallway and made her way towards the kitchen. On the counter she saw a note from her mother along with some money. She picked up the paper and her eyes scanned the letters. "Dear Gabriella, there is food in the fridge that you can heat up for tonight and money for take-out on Saturday. I will try and call you tonight after the meeting and I should be home by five on Sunday. Have fun and I love you
xoxo Mom"

Gabriella heated up the dinner that her mother had put in the fridge as she sat down before the TV to watch some show she found. After eating she picked up her phone that was on the table behind her and dialled her boyfriend's number. After several rings there were no answer so she hung up and found her laptop instead. After logging into Facebook she noticed that Troy were online, so she sent him a message

Gabriella.
5:32 pm
Hey are you up to anything? I tried call but you didn't answer…

Several minutes later he was still online but he hadn't seen her message. She moved her mouse towards the video icon and pressed it as the call started.

"Hey Brie," he smiled as he answered. "Hey Troy. You look good," she stated as she saw the black suite he was wearing.

"Oh thanks. I just saw the message, I'm sorry I didn't pick up. I put it on silent," he said. "It's all right," she said dismissively but Troy saw that it bothered her. He grabbed the computer and moved it with him towards the living room.

"You're probably wondering about why I am dressed like this?" he questioned raising an eyebrow. "Just a little," Gabriella giggled. "It looks a little out of place on a Friday night," she stated.

"It all right. There was an incident in Iwaki and the council suggested that I should sit in on the meeting. However, my grandfather said it was a wonderful idea, except that I was abroad studying. The of course someone pointed out that I could join in on the meeting via Skype which lead to this," he said moving his hand in front of his suit making Gabriella laugh.

"When is the meeting?" she questioned and he looked at the clock. "At six so I have time to talk," he assured her. "You said you tried to call me?" he questioned and she nodded.

"Right… I was wondering if you wanted to come over tomorrow and just hang out? Mom isn't home tomorrow so it would just be the two of us," she stated and at once she saw his face expression she knew he couldn't.

"I am sorry. I would love to except that I have plans already. The Wildcats have an away game against South High tomorrow at ten. Despite not playing I should be there for the team," he explained and Gabriella nodded.

"No of course. I understand. There has just been so much that I sort of forgot it. Taylor asked me yesterday if I wanted to help her edit the yearbook and I said yes," Gabriella sighed. "I don't mind helping Taylor but I am fearing it might be a little much with the scholastic decathlon team, AP classes, college and exams. I still have a college application that I have to write and submit," she said and Troy raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"I thought you were finished?" he questioned and she nodded. "I was, but then I sort of started an application to attend Royal College of Etrea. I have to finish that one before the 23rd of January," Gabriella confessed. She hadn't really planned on telling Troy about her application to the school because she knew that there was a slim chance of her getting accepted, despite the fact that she was counting as an international student.

"What?" Troy questioned amazed. "When did you decide?" he questioned a smile spreading on his face. "During the holidays. I actually started it before I told mom but she was really encouraging about it. I was a little surprised actually," she confessed and Troy were still smiling.

"I spoke with the guidance counsellor earlier and she arranged for me to take this English language test that is required since I don't have English as my mother tongue," she said with a tired sigh.

"But you have lived in America almost your whole life and you're going to a regular high school which are teaching in English. Doesn't that count for something?" he questioned.

"Apparently not because as I was selecting my mother tongue they asked for grades and a copy of the test. It takes a couple of days for me to receive the score but just as long as I have proof that I have taken the test it should be all right," she explained to him and watched as he buttoned the last couple of buttons on his white shirt and reached for the tie, placing it around his neck.

"Are you managing to do it this time?" she questioned mockingly and Troy laughed. "Ha ha," he said sarcastically and concentrated on tying it. Somehow he managed to tie the knot and tightened it, pushing the collar of his shirt down.

"Does it look all right?" he questioned worried and Gabriella smiled nodding. "It looks great. You look very handsome," she smiled and a small blush crept to her cheeks. "I am glad you think so because I really hope I don't have to stand up," he told her and she cocked her head to the side.

"Why?" she questioned curiously and Troy proceeded to stand up showing her exactly why. The ends of his tie weren't exactly lined up as it should be and instead of wearing black dress pants he was wearing regular jeans. "Oh my god," she said and burst out into a fit of laughter.

"Glad I amused someone," he said giving her a lopsided grin Gabriella had fallen in love with. "I am sorry but I have to hang up. The meeting is supposed to start any minute now, so I expect the call to come pretty soon," he explained apologetic.

"Don't worry Troy I understand. Break a leg tomorrow, well not literally. It's enough with your arm," she said and now Troy were the one to laugh. "Thank you. Love you," he said trying to compose himself.

"Love you too," she said and their call ended. She put the laptop on her lap and opened her application. "Let's see what we can get done," she muttered to herself and started filling out.

This is it! Way longer than normal but I hope you, sort off, like where this is going. However, I feel bad for Gabriella with Maria leaving last minute and Troy couldn't talk after the day she had. Please leave a comment saying what you think and hope for! I love reading all of them.

-FreeFlyingWriter