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It is lunchtime on Saturday, which meant that Jason, Troy, and Chad were over at Zeke's house having another gourmet lunch on leftovers from what Zeke had cooked for dinner the night before. They had made a routine out of when they practiced, ran, and worked out as time had gone by, giving them the proper amount of focus they needed on their game before the season officially started again. Coach Bolton also has sporadic team practices in the Fall to keep his new team up and running smoothly, every member of both the varsity and junior varsity team being committed to another championship in the Spring.
"Seriously, for leftovers, these are crazy good," Jason comments, causing Zeke to smile. "I think you are even better than my mom, but don't tell her!"
The boys laugh and continue eating. "So, what are the plans for tonight? Movie and then maybe the arcade?" Jason suggests.
"Actually, I can't tonight, sorry J," Zeke responds. "Sharpay and I are going to some musical in downtown Albuquerque."
Jason nods in understanding. "What about you two?"
Troy smiles and gives him a thumbs up. "I'm in, sounds like a nice chill night to me. Chad?"
Chad looks at Troy nervously and responds, "Sorry but count me out. I have plans tonight."
"Oh really? Taking Taylor out to a romantic dinner that is beyond your means?" Troy jokes. "You know she likes you the way you are."
"Dude, I know that," Chad responds. "But we aren't doing a romantic dinner per say."
"So what are you doing?" Zeke asks, curious as to why Chad, who is usually pretty open about stuff is so secretive.
Chad shoots Troy a look and says rather quickly, "We're going on a double date with Gabriella."
Zeke and Jason look at each other as Chad does his best not to look at Troy as Troy keeps looking at Chad. Hating the fact that Troy was giving him "the look", Chad ventures to look at Troy and says, "Sorry man, Taylor arranged it before I even knew. I can cancel out if you want and spend the night with you and J."
Troy shakes his head. "No, that wouldn't be fair. I guess then it's true, huh? Gabriella and Hunter are dating now?"
Chad shrugs his shoulders. "Gabriella is being all mysterious about it. I think they are, but I guess I'll know better after tonight."
Troy looks away from the guys, outside the windows as he absorbs this all in. 'I knew this was going to happen when I broke up with her but not this soon, not with our best friends joining them,' he thinks, trying to take control of his misery. 'Suck it up Bolton, this is your doing, you told her that you had to let her test the waters before being 100% comfortable with your future together and so you could focus more on basketball. I should be happy for her…but then why does it hurt even more seeing her happy?'
Chad, Jason, and Zeke watch as a range of emotions cross Troy's face, not knowing what to say. Feeling the need to change the subject, Chad looks at Jason and asks, "When are you going to get the courage to ask Kelsi out man?"
Jason, surprised at the question, looks at Chad for a second and understands that he is now the topic of discussion for the sake of Troy. "I have no idea what you're talking about Chad," Jason responds, hoping his friends would buy it.
"All right, I know you guys think I'm dumb but come on! Even I, the most clueless one of the bunch, know that you and Kelsi have liked each other since at least the triple win!" Chad exclaims, referring to the day that the basketball team had won the championship, Taylor and Gabriella had led their team to winning the scholastic decathlon, and Troy and Gabriella had won the lead roles in the winter musicale.
Zeke jumps in on the conversation, deciding it was time to push Jason a bit more. "Yeah man! You two looked awfully cozy together through the summer and yet we find you here without having asked the girl out yet. What gives?"
"Hold up, that's not fair to gang up on me like that. Maybe I just don't want to have all the drama in my life that goes with a relationship!" Jason defends, instantly regretting his words as he sees Troy look over at him with sadness in his eyes.
"Jason, you play your cards right and don't make stupid moves like I have, and you'll be in a happy, loving relationship with a wonderful girl who completes you," Troy says, ignoring the looks from Zeke and Chad. "If you really like Kelsi, go after her and never let her go."
Jason, not knowing quite the words he should be saying back to Troy just nods his head in understanding. "Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm going to head home to shower. I'm starting to really stink," Chad says, not knowing any other way to break the tension. "Troy and Jason have fun tonight and Zeke, have a good time with the Ice Princess!"
Chad gets up from the table, followed by Troy and Jason, who each grab their bags and head to the door. "Thanks Zeke for another fantastic lunch!" Troy calls out, smiling as Zeke gets a satisfied look on his face. Outside, Chad, Jason, and Troy say their good-byes, each driving away in their cars for their various destinations for the day.
That night, Chad, Taylor, Gabriella, and Hunter drive together to the local mini-golf after a very spicy yet filling dinner at the girls' favorite Thai restaurant. Taylor smiles as she sees Gabriella truly smiling again, laughing at something just whispered to her as they are walking to the miniature golf's registration desk. Chad eyes the two and can't help but feel uneasy being there, seeing his best friend's ex-girlfriend holding hands and being genuinely happy with another guy.
"Taylor, I don't know. I feel like I'm cheating on Troy," Chad confesses in a whisper.
Taylor looks over at Chad with a bit of a surprised look. "Really? I didn't think you basketball lunkheads thought that deep about your emotions. Just kidding!" she says, trying to lighten up his mood but sees she was not terribly successful. "Well, if you want, I can stay here and have my mom pick us up when we're done so you can go home. I don't want you here if you don't want to be or if you're going to spoil Gabriella's happiness. She's been down in the dumps and she needs tonight, more than anything."
Chad looks from his girlfriend back over to Hunter and Gabriella, who are now at the desk getting the four golf balls and clubs for them. "No, I'll stay. I want to spend the night with you, I feel like we haven't hung out that much lately."
She smiles and gives him a quick kiss. "That, Mr. Danforth, is all your fault. I've been free every day minus when we work on beefing up our knowledge for the scholastic decathlon, but you have been busy with the guys and basketball."
"I know, I know. But it's our last year to prove ourselves as worthy of scholarships and hold true to our reputations as being East High's best varsity basketball team ever!"
"I understand that Chad. I'm just saying you would see more of me if you had the time is all," Taylor responds, quickly dropping the subject as Gabriella and Hunter come back over with the equipment.
"All right, we have three courses to choose from. One is the easiest which I think is the forest theme, one is medium which is the beach theme, and one is the hardest which is the jungle theme. Seriously, who thought these themes up?" Hunter asks, looking around.
Gabriella giggles and says, "I don't know but I'm sure the decorations will help with the ambiance."
"Right," Chad says, trying his hardest to accept the pair being together. "I say we go the hardest. It'll probably be the least crowded."
"Good point," Hunter returns, smiling at Chad. "I knew we brought you for something."
Taylor and Gabriella laugh as Chad pulls a face but then smiles. "Let's get rolling then shall we?" he says, grabbing Taylor's hand and walking towards the chosen course.
Mid-way through the course, Chad is leading with Hunter one down and Taylor and Gabriella trailing by at least ten. Hunter looks over at Gabriella, who is lining up to take her first shot of the ninth hole, looking very questioningly at the bumpy and curvy course ahead of her. He goes over and wraps his arms around her as he puts his hands over hers. "Let's try it this way, shall we?" he asks into her ear, making Gabriella shiver at his nearness. She nods her head and allows him to guide her through the swing, jumping in excitement as the golf ball makes its way around the course and into the hole at the other end.
"OH MY GOD! A HOLE IN ONE!!!" she screams, jumping into Hunter's embrace. "That was so great!"
Hunter smiles down at her and kisses her on the cheek. "I told you that you could do it. Now scoot so I can try to do it on my own," he says, letting her go.
Gabriella walks to the side where Taylor is standing and watches as Hunter lines up the ball and swings, only to have it hit a bump and bounce out of the course, landing in a tiny river that was created for the scenery. "Don't say a word," Hunter says, embarrassed by what he just did.
Chad laughs and goes over to help him get it out before it goes too far. "Don't worry Hunter, we won't tell a soul," he kids, picking up the red ball for him. He hands it over to Hunter who grins, wiping it on his shirt. "Guess you're better at instructing Gabriella than doing this one on your own."
Hunter laughs and goes back to the start to restart the hole with one swing against him already. Taylor watches as he tries again, this time keeping the ball on the course but not quite in the hole at the end. "Hunter's a pretty good guy huh?" Taylor comments, watching as Chad jokes with Hunter again, glad to see Chad genuinely warming up to him.
"Yes, he certainly is," Gabriella says, a smile on her face. "You don't even know the half of it."
Taylor looks over at her best friend but sees that Gabriella is not about to divulge more than she has to at this point. 'She'll tell me when she's ready,' Taylor thinks, just happy to see Gabriella in better spirits after a week of more heartache. Ever since Gabriella saw Troy together with Marlene, Gabriella had gotten a haunted look in her eyes, but with Hunter's return, Taylor hasn't seen that look again.
The two girls hurry to catch up with Hunter and Chad, who have since moved on to the next hole. Seeing how Taylor had looked on at the last hole of Hunter helping Gabriella out, Chad decides to try to help Taylor himself. He lines Taylor up, helping guide her swing but groans as the ball hits the opposite side and bounces out into the lake. Taylor looks at him with a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"Way to go Chad, now I lost my green ball! I think I was doing way better without you Danforth!" she scolds, eventually smiling as she sees the hurt puppy dog look he is giving her.
Gabriella and Hunter are laughing at the end of the hole, finding that they could not stop after the latest Chad and Taylor event. Hunter is really enjoying himself after a week of obligations and required socializing. He looks down at Gabriella and wraps his arm around her waist, which causes her to look up at him. "Thanks for everything Gabriella, it means a lot," he murmurs, taking her right hand and kissing it. "You are way sweeter and more intelligent that I gave you credit for before this past week."
"Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment," she says back, smiling. Gabriella turns her attention back to Chad and Taylor who are looking at the lake, wondering if they could retrieve the ball. After a few more moments, the couple walks towards Gabriella and Hunter with their two clubs and Chad's orange ball. "Guess you're sharing from now on?"
Taylor nods her head. "Lunkhead basketball player agreed since he was the cause of the loss," she supplies, smiling a little. "I don't know what it is about him that makes me crazy about him, but I can never stay mad at him long enough!"
Chad grins. "That is a secret that I will never tell you. It's too valuable to me!"
They all laugh as Chad gets a kiss on the cheek from Taylor and they move on to finish the rest of the course. At the end of the night, Chad and Hunter end up tied with Gabriella actually close behind with Taylor trailing at the end. Hunter's help had really helped improve Gabriella's game, much to her delight. After returning the clubs, the four get back into Chad's car and drive to the Montez household where Hunter's car is. They say good-bye as Hunter walks Gabriella up to her porch, smiling at the tired look she is trying to hide.
"Aww, is Gabriella tired?" he teases, seeing her blush. "I know I am so don't worry, I am not taking that as an insult."
"Guess it's been a long week. Lots of rehearsals for the musicale, meetings for the scholastic decathlon, and other drama. The good thing is that I got an A with Sharpay for our drama piece yesterday," Gabriella replies, thinking back to Drama class.
Sharpay sits down on the makeshift vanity they had positioned on the stage as Gabriella takes her place on downstage right to begin the scene. Sharpay starts with her line first, talking about her nerves over getting married the following day to her fiancé.
Troy and Ryan had just completed their act, which Darbus seemed to have accepted but not necessarily loved and are sitting in the front row, fascinated with the girls, who appear to have stepped fully into their characters. Especially for Troy, he savored this time he could watch Gabriella without it seeming obvious. He watched as she crosses to center, talking to Sharpay about how wonderful the wedding would be when Sharpay asks about whether or not Gabriella's character ever thought of her old loves.
Gabriella, thinking on the question, sits down on the "bed" as Sharpay starts discussing her past romances, pulling out what was supposed to be a yearbook. The two talk about it, Sharpay smiling at the memories while Gabriella gets a look of longing on her face.
Sharpay turns and sees the look. "Thinking of THE ONE that got away again, are we?"
"I wouldn't say he got away but he left me Agnes," Gabriella replies, getting up and walking to the place where the picture frame is sitting, waiting for her. "He broke my heart. I thought he was my true love," she murmurs, getting choked up as she feels real tears forming. "I thought we were going to be forever, him and I. When he left me for that older woman…I can't talk about it anymore."
Sharpay crosses to Gabriella, who is allowing tears to fall down her face and wraps her arms around her waist, also gazing down at the picture frame. 'Wow, when did she put a picture of her and Troy in there?' Sharpay wonders, now understanding the real tears that are falling.
The scene ends and Darbus is up on her feet clapping. "Bravo! Well done Ms. Montez and Ms. Evans. Very believable and extremely well thought out. Definitely an A!" she announces, causing the rest of the class to clap.
Gabriella and Sharpay step away from each other and curtsy, Gabriella wiping away the tears clinging to her face, looking over the crowd and connecting with Troy for an instant before she forces herself to look away.
"An A is always a good thing. I know how important your grades are to you too," Hunter says, breaking Gabriella's memory. "Well, I better let you get inside. Good night Gabriella."
Gabriella leans up and gives Hunter a kiss on the cheek. "Good night Hunter. Thanks for tonight."
"No, thank you. I'll see you on Monday okay?"
She nods her head and enters her house, leaving Hunter to walk to his car and get in to drive back to his house.