Summary: Taylor wants to know one thing.

— — — — — —

"Do double dates count as a singular date? No, hell no..."

Taylor knew not to let a simple question deteriorate her mood and attention during class. But she couldn't shake off the fact she hasn't had her first official date with Chad yet, which meant the world to her. To give some backstory, Chad and Taylor have been together for months. They've been on countless double dates with friends but never had the chance to have their own date. From basketball practice to after-school homework sessions, Taylor has tried everything in the book to ask Chad about their date. But nothing has come out of it. Now, Taylor's not the bugging type, so she's not gonna spend all of her time bugging somebody.

"Gabriella..."

"Hm?"

"How do you go on dates all the time?"

"How?"

"Mhm."

"I don't really know. We usually discuss when we're free and just...agree on something. But why do you ask that?"

"Because Chad hasn't answered my question about our first date. He usually avoids answering or shoots it down by switching the topic, even when I try to pester him about it."

"That doesn't sound good, Taylor."

"I know it doesn't because he promised to listen to me all the time, yet he's not doing that."

"Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it because he can't do it. Who knows?"

— — — — — —

Taylor didn't have time for any of Chad's shenanigans anymore. She was going to force an answer out of him, not caring about anything else either of them had going on. She snuck into the auditorium (since he had detention from Ms. Darbus of course) and quietly walked up to him from behind. Once Taylor tapped her boyfriend's shoulder, she received a heartwarming (yet arousing) smile.

"Hey, Tay. What're you—"

"Chad."

"...Hm?"

"What's the one question I've been asking you constantly?"

"Why haven't I been doing my homework?"

"No, not that."

"Why do I always forget about our homework sessions at the last minute?"

"Nope."

"...When are we going on our first date?'

"Bingo. But seriously, when are we?"

"Not now. If I had free time, we could go on however many dates we want to go on. But for now, we can't do anything."

"But you can sneak out and go over Troy's for video games?!"

"Woah—woah—woah. How did you even find out about that?"

"Gabriella tells me everything. Now, explain to me how you can go to his place for some damn pixels but can't talk about our first date. You know how much it means to me, even if I'm not that much of a romantic."

"I know, I know. But I just can't, Taylor."

"Why can't you?"

"It's a lot to explain."

"Then tell me. Right here, right now."

"But you're not even supposed to—"

"TAYLOR MCKESSIE."

The voice that Chad and Taylor were too familiar with echoed throughout the theater. Ms. Darbus was a teacher that nobody didn't want to mess with, especially if anyone was on East High's basketball team.

"What're you doing in my theatre at this hour, Ms. Mckessie? Do you know what's going on behind closed curtains currently?!"

"I know what's happening, Ms. Darbus. But I'm here because I need Chad for—"

"She doesn't need me."

Taylor started to tug on Chad's arm harshly, trying to give him some type of signal.

"Do you need him that bad to where you had to sneak inside my theatre?"

"...Nevermind then, Ms. Darbus."

Taylor stopped and let go of Chad's flannel. She quietly walked away, giving him a side glare while he resumed painting set pieces. She left the auditorium and went to find Gabriella, who was eating a brief snack near her locker.

"Gabriella, you'll NEVER guess what just happened."

"What is it, Taylor?"

"So y'know how Chad avoids my date question like it's the plague?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I tried to pry an answer out of him by sneaking into detention. Of course, Ms. Darbus found me. But when she came over, Chad acted like there was no need for me to be talkin' to him."

"I mean...you did sneak into detention just to talk to him."

"But I didn't have any other time because I'm busy after school today. And if I texted him, he'd squeeze past the question per usual."

"So you didn't get an answer, right?"

"Correct. But I know what else to do that might get me one."

"Which is?"

"You'll see tomorrow."

The day was new, fresh with a clean page. But Taylor's outfit was already making a statement. She looked so, different. Not in a bad way, but she only dressed like this when she was out with friends, not for school. However, Taylor's confidence boost and how she felt about herself gave her a sudden urge to look cuter than usual. Her outfit consisted of a jean skirt, black ballerina flats with sheer tights, and a white button-up lace tank top. She added some jewelry and made her hair go into an afro. Once she went inside East High, she caught the attention of everyone, including her boyfriend.

"Taylor?"

"Hm?"

"Why're you dressed like that?"

"Why won't you take me on a date?"

"..."

"Right."

"Taylor, you know why."

"You never told me, Chad."

"...You'll see once the day comes."

"Taylor! Over here!"

There came Gabriella, dressed differently too. She was rocking something that Sharpay would put together for her, or have some type of involvement in. It mainly consisted of pink and white, which already said a lot.

"Did Sharpay dress you again?"

"Unfortunately..."

— — — — — —

After a long day filled with many things, Chad was in basketball practice as usual, playing with Troy on the court until two girls decided to show up and talk to them.

"What're you two doing here?"

"We wanna talk."

Troy sparked a conversation with his girl and walked away, letting Taylor and Chad have some alone time with each other.

"You look good today, Tay."

"I mean, not to sound like Sharpay but don't I always?"

"Yeah, but you look extra hot today."

"Thanks, but I'm not here for compliments."

"Then what're you here for, besides to talk?"

"I'm here for just that. We need to discuss our date and why you've been putting it away for so long."

"...Not this again."

"Yes, this again, because I'm not about to let you ignore it. I need to know why you've been pushing it back."

"I have to because y'know money is kinda tight with me right now, same with free time. However, that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about it."

Taylor crossed her arms, not buying anything; "Oh really."

"Mhm."

"So you already have a date planned but didn't want to tell me?"

"Basically. I wanted to keep it a surprise. I had to lie whenever you brought it up, even if I hate lying to you. But since you're so keen on knowing about it witcha nosy self, I'll tell you flat out: we're finally going on a date."

"So it's official?"

"Yeah—"

Taylor immediately shoved her lips onto her boyfriend, kissing him with much excitement. Of course, Chad was stunned by her kiss but eventually kissed her back without much second thought. Taylor felt butterflies in every corner of her body, even if Chad didn't say everything about the date. She wasn't going to stalk his every move like a weirdo though, even if they had full access to each other's homes. However, she was gonna try and piece together what Chad might have up his sleeve.