I know that this chapter is short and kind of crappy. Especially considering how long I've gone without writing it. I feel really bad; I've just been so caught up in school stuff. I promise that next time it's my turn to write the chapter, I'll update much sooner. I'm finally getting organized.

Chapter 8

"Good morning, Beautiful," a voice said to Gabriella through the phone. Only a minute after her argument with Ryan, the phone had begun to ring again.

"Awe, Troy," she said with a wide grin.

"When should I be there to get you?" he asked. She thought for a moment.

"Like, an hour?"

"Alright, Babe. I'll see you then."

"Love you."

"I love you too..." Gabriella replied wistfully, closing her phone and running to her closet to pick out the day's outfit.

A half an hour later, she had showered and dressed and was almost ready to go. She walked downstairs to find a plate of sausage and eggs wrapped in Saran wrap, laid out on the kitchen counter with a note.

Had to go to the office early. Eat your breakfast, and good luck at rehearsals! Love, Mom

She unwrapped the plate and slipped it into the microwave, setting the timer for thirty seconds. After pulling it back out, she quickly ate, then ran back upstairs to brush her teeth. She brushed on some light makeup as well, deciding to look her best for Troy.

Gabriella sat around and watched morning talk shows on TV for the following fifteen minutes. When the doorbell rang, she was on my her feet, anxious to get there. When she opened the door Troy stood, his outstretched arm gripping a bouquet of grass and dandelions. Gabriella chuckled.

"You'd think we were going to prom with flowers this nice," she teased.

"I picked them, 'cause they were pretty and reminded me of you."

She looked at the drooping weeds. "That's so cheesy."

"I thought so too," he admitted. Laughing, Gabriella slipped on a pair of ballet flats that was laying next to the door, and they left the house and got into Troy's truck.

They got to rehearsals before even Kelsi was there. Excited to have so much time on her hands, Gabriella pulled Troy on the stage with her.

Troy and Gabriella goofed around for the following ten minutes, until Kelsi showed up. When Kelsi walked into the auditorium, she nearly had a heart attack at the site of the couple. Everyone knew what was happening be tween Troy and Sharpay. Everyone. Especially Gabriella. Everyone had witnessed the hostility within East High's golden couple. Now to see them having fun with one another, flirting and interacting... it was both a shock and relief to Kelsi. She almost didn't want to interupt them.

"What's up, you guys?" she said. Troy and Gabriella looked up at her.

"Oh, you're here!" Gabriella exclaimed. "Good, we're ready to start."

"Okay, then," Kelsi agreed.

That Friday, Troy and Gabriella went on their anticipated date. Troy showed up at Gabriella's house, this time with a bouquet of actual flowers.

"Oh, they're gorgeous!" Gabriella cried at the sight of the daisy-peony ensemble. She fled with the flowers to the kitchen to quickly put them in a glass of water. Grabbing her purse from the kitchen counter, she ran out the front door with Troy.

They went to dinner at a fancy seafood place that Troy had chosen -- a lapse in judgement, considering Gabriella severely disliked seafood of any kind. But it was the thought that counted to Gabriella.

"You know, Gabriella, I'm really sorry about the past few months," Troy apologized as they waited for their food to arrive.

"I know."

"But despite my negligence, I hope you'll believe me when I say that I most definitely did not cheat on you."

"I know," Gabriella said again, reaching across the table to take hold of his hand. They grinned at each other.

Then the waitress came to deliver their orders: lobster for Troy and chicken fingers for Gabriella. They ate in silence, simply enjoying each other's company. When they'd finished, and Troy had paid for everything, they got back in Troy's truck and headed for the local movie theater.

Since Troy had picked dinner, Gabriella naturally insisted on choosing the movie, a romantic comedy. Troy purchased the tickets and walked hand and hand with Gabriella into the respective theater. There were only a few minutes left until the movie was to start, and they sat making small talk. When the room had darkened completely, Troy slipped his arm around the back of Gabriella's neck, and she consequently leaned over, snuggling into his chest.

It was within the first half of the movie that Gabriella felt the impulse to kiss Troy, and she lightly did so with a slight peck. A moment later, the action was repeated. This process continued for a few short minutes before the kisses progressively got hungrier. Soon, Gabriella was out of her seat, straddling Troy's waist. He bit her bottom lip, and as she let out a gasp, he slipped his tongue in.

The movie playing in the background had long since been forgotten, and when it ended and all of the lights came back on, they realized what had happened.

"Sorry," they said at the same time, both of them trying to surpress their smiles as they let out quiet chuckles. Gabriella gave Troy one more kiss before climbing off of her spot on his lap. They grabbed their few belongings and left the theater.

When Troy's truck pulled up in front of Gabriela's house, he got out of the car to walk his girlfriend to the door.

"Again, Gabriella, I'm sorry for all the drama lately."

"It's okay." She leaned up and gave him one final soft kiss, then took out her key and entered the house, closing the door behind her.

Her mother sat in the living room, smiling as Gabriella walked in.

"So, how did it go?"

"It was amazing," Gabriella swooned before marching up the stairs and slamming her bedroom door as soon as she was safely inside.

She fished through her purse for her cell phone, and after finding it, she flipped it open and dialed a number.

"Hello?"

"Ryan, it's Gabriella," she said without emotion.

"Oh! Hi! Listen, Gabs. I really want to apologize for this morning. I--"

Gabriella cut him off: "Forget it, Ryan. Whatever plan we once had... is over." And with that, she sternly slammed her phone shut.

I really hate Troy in this chapter. Well, I hate him in the whole story. Don't blame him, though. His assholiness is all my fault ;D Look forward to Emily's chapter next!

x sam