So, better late than never right? And just as well, you'd better know how much I love you guys. I'm supposed to be studying for some very important exams, but here I am, updating to you because, well it's been like 11 months. :S

And hey, deepest chapter yet. My writing style has kind of changed since I wrote this kind of story. But, hey.

So, yeah, I love you guys :D

Review? ;P

And then the irony. It suddenly hit her that she'd been betting about him, and he'd been betting about her, and they probably both loved each other. She would have laughed but there he was, standing, dripping wet with a lopsided smile on his flawless face, while she stood there with her red eyes and blotchy face.

"Hey…" Troy tried to smile. His tone was soft and caring. "May I come in?"

The anger flashed in Gabriella's eyes. "No, you may not. I don't like liars in my apartment." But as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt guilty. She had been lying to him too hadn't she? And she'd also hurt him, but making out with his best friend. Or ex-best friend.

Troy winced but stood his ground. He had to tell her how he really felt. "If you just let me in for like 5 minutes, I can definitely explain," he told her calmly.

Gabriella sneered. Her anger was overcoming her guilt easily, and she let her feelings go, before she thought about what she would say. "Explain? You?"

"Ok, maybe, just try to explain."

She folded her arms across her chest. "I'd like to see you try."

Troy was relieved; at least he'd got her permission to come in. That way he wouldn't have to try and bust her door down, therefore having a criminal record or a federal charge. But that was beside the point. And he was also aware that he was dripping over the retro carpet.

Sharpay stood silently. "I'm just gonna go…" She said awkwardly. They hadn't seemed to notice her. Shit, she thought, I'm going to have to get another cab all the way back across town…

Regardless, she left quickly.

Troy sat down on her couch. "At first, it was just a bet. But then," he breathed a sigh. "It grew into something more. I- I didn't mind as much when you treated me bad. God-that sounds wrong… I mean, I was upset when you weren't around. I was totally mad when you kissed Callum, but more heartbroken than angry…"

"Oh yeah, let's talk about that kiss, shall we? About how you took me back without a second guess. It was probably because of the bet right? And you made me think it was…"

"Love?" Troy asked. "Love? But don't you get it? That's it! You've hit the jackpot! I do love you! That's exactly right!"

"Like hell you do!" She screamed back at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't, wouldn't believe a single thing that came out his mouth now. It was a lie, all of it.

"But I do!" he roared back. They were both standing up now, screaming. "Why can't you just for a single second just trust what I'm saying? Why, oh, why can't you let me love you?" He was so frustrated.

She wouldn't answer. Rage was bottled up inside her. How dare he?

Troy continued. "I know what it is. You're afraid of love. That's why you won't let me love you. Can't you just accept the fact that people belong to each other?"

That was it. Gabriella Montez snapped.

"And if you're so clever, how come you never realised that you were just a bet too?" Gabriella sobbed. As she saw the pain and the horror and the heartbreak on Troy's face, she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

Everything was becoming so clear to him right now. The constant whining and whinging of her. The bad behaviour. The moving in. The kissing Callum. It all made perfect sense. Troy just couldn't believe it.

But he still loved her. He couldn't believe it.

"I-I…" he couldn't deal with this right now. Gabriella was sobbing her heart out in front of him. And he knew in about a minute, he would burst out into tears as well. "I can't deal with this right now. I have to get out of here."

"Troy, wait!..." Gabriella screamed after him.

--

Gabriella threw herself onto her bed. She couldn't believe she'd used the fact that he was a bet to get back at him emotionally. Maybe, she thought to herself. Maybe we are made for each other. Maybe we do belong. We certainly are similar. We hurt each other, and we make the same bets against one another... we are perfect.

But they'd also ruined each other. In her heart, she knew that she couldn't trust anyone in the way she had relyed on Troy. He had been so much support. And so much fun. And deep down, further, in her heart, she knew that she loved him. Maybe even more than he loved her.

As Gabriella sobbed on her bed that night, and Troy buried his head in his hands in the elevator, they both knew.

This was breaking point.

And things had changed forever.

What did you think? Again as short as ever, but I feel that for my old stories, they're always going to be short, and my newer stories and one shots will all be longer and more meaningful, you know?

Anyway, review please. It'll fire me up for next time :P

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