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Gabriella smiles as she sees Hunter calling her just as she gets into Taylor's car on Wednesday morning. "Hey good looking, how's Toronto?" she asks in greeting.
"Good, we had a way early call time today but nothing I can't handle. I want to know about you! Are you really going to go through with this today?" Hunter asks, excitement in his voice.
"You bet I'm doing this today," she says into her cell phone and looking over at Taylor, who is nodding her head. "It's way overdue that I do this!"
"All right, but be prepared for the aftermath. I can tell you that one won't go down without a fight," Hunter reminds her. "I want full details, so you better call me after school missy."
"Yes sir," she jokingly responds.
Hunter chuckles. "All right Gabriella, seriously, good luck. You're going to need it today."
"Bye Hunter," she says, hanging up on the call. "He's so wired about today, you'd think he had a personal stake."
Taylor laughs at Gabriella. "Well he does, all of us do. Don't you realize what you are doing isn't just for yourself but for all of us? Hey, maybe you could mark this accomplishment on your resume for colleges. It's a big success story over adversity!"
"Right, I'm sure that Stanford will think more highly of me for being able to pull this off, that is if it works. God I hope it works," Gabriella rambles.
Taylor pulls into the parking lot and locks the car as she and Gabriella walk towards East High, knowing today is going to be a day they all remember.
Troy makes sure he drives to school on his own and shows up in Math class early, taking his usual seat. He grins at Chad as he takes his seat next to Troy.
"Ready?" Chad asks.
Seeing Jasmine make her way into the classroom with her squad, grinning seductively over at Troy, he nods his head. "Now or never," he murmurs, praying to the high school guardians that this would work out.
The bell rings and the television in the classroom turns on, Sharpay's face filling the screen. "Good morning East High! Today is the first show of the brand new weekly student run broadcast East High is now doing. I'm your host, and if you don't know me, which you all should, I am Sharpay Evans. Today is a very special show though, not only because it is the start of something new, but we have a very interesting topic to discuss with one of my good friends here to help me. May I introduce you to Ms. Gabriella Montez!" Sharpay starts the show with.
The camera pans over to Gabriella, who is sitting on the other side of the desk and then pans out. "God, she looks nervous," Chad whispers over to Troy, who can only agree.
"Today we are talking about the difference between a fraud and a scam. Gabriella is here to act as a resident expert, or at least as someone who has experienced both first hand. Gabriella?" Sharpay says, turning the reins over to her friend.
"Thank you Sharpay. Scams and frauds run abundant in our lives, but we sometimes just don't classify them in those terms. In truth, scams and frauds are more present in our lives than we high school students like to think," Gabriella states. "First, I will present you with an example of a fraud. The pictures that are now flashing before you are depict a certain captain of the cheerleader squad making out with a certain basketball captain at a party held this past weekend. Pretty cut and dry right? Not so."
Gabriella pauses as a few more pictures are flashed and then starts again. "If you look closely, that is indeed the cheerleading captain but not the basketball captain. In fact, it is a captain of an East High team but not of the basketball team. It is actually the captain of East High's very own football team dressed in very similar clothing and wearing a wig. Not so sure? We have first hand footage showing how this fraud was created."
The show cuts over to an amateur video that bounces around but shows Jasmine talking to Fred, the captain of the football team, giving him a shirt to wear as well as a blonde wig to pull over his black hair.
"Now shut up and wear these, quick. We need to get this done before Troy notices this is missing," Jasmine says harshly, buttoning up the shirt to where Troy had it before he took his over shirt off to play basketball with his friends.
Fred eyes Jasmine warily. "I don't know Jasmine, this seems pretty harsh. You're going to destroy Troy and Gabriella again."
"That's the point, idiot! Now, are you going to pretend to be him and make out with me or do I have to tell your team about your secret? That you're a vi…"
"Enough!" Fred interrupts her. He looks over at one of the cheerleaders present. "Let's just get this over with."
Jasmine pulls Fred's head to her and the two make out until the video fades out. Troy looks over at Jasmine, who seems to have lost that smile she was wearing earlier, turning a slight pink color.
"That is a fraud what you just witnessed, Fred posing to be Troy Bolton. Dressing like him but not necessarily doing something Troy would do," Gabriella explains. "Now, for an example of a scam. The word scam is defined as being a plan with intentions of deceiving. A good example is of the old pyramid schemes that were done before where people gave a company money expecting it back tenfold and never saw it again. That company scammed those victims. Now what you are about to see is a scam, and I do confess to being the ring leader of this one."
The show pans over to another grainy video, this time the real Troy Bolton with Jasmine in the hallways of East High. It shows Troy looking frustrated just after Gabriella blows him off and Jasmine sauntering over, offering her distractions. The scene changes to Jasmine eating lunch with Troy, where she confesses that she and Troy didn't hook up at the party, that he in fact turned her down, but she had the guy now. After another scene change, the video shows Jasmine trying to get with Troy but him rebuffing her, but does not cut out until after Jasmine cuts down her squad.
Troy and Chad watch as Jasmine looks actually outraged. "This is not real everyone! This is just a ploy that Gabriella put together to make me look bad after I won her guy!" Jasmine stands up and screams, earning no sympathy from anyone in the room, including her squad.
"Actually Jasmine, you never had me," Troy says, getting up too. "It was all a scam, just as Gabriella just explained, to expose you for the Queen Bee you are, you who thinks you can destroy lives with deceit and violence. Now, right now, everyone knows who and what you are."
A round of applause erupts as soon as Troy is done, including the cheerleaders present.
Gabriella's voice comes back on the television set. "So as you can see from that last tape, this scam was successful, at least at this stage. I'm not here to tell you what to believe or what to think, but I am here to show you the truth of what has been happening in East High for quite a while, before any of us were even born. Gossip, rumors, every whisper that is said in these halls usually are a result of a scam or a fraud of some shape or form. I can guarantee each of us have had our own fair share of all these things. After all, we are in high school. What I challenge each of you to do though is to think twice before repeating a story you don't know firsthand or targeting someone in the hall because they are different from you. We're all here to learn but especially for us seniors, we are here to spend time with our friends and make lasting memories. Back to you Sharpay!"
"Thank you Gabriella," Sharpay says, the camera refocusing on just her. "I think what Gabriella just said and presented is all that needs to be said today. If you have any ideas or stories you'd like covered, please drop it off in the suggestion box set up in the main hall. Until next time East High!"
The television turns black as the teacher turns it off, looking over at Jasmine, who is still standing there at her desk outraged. "Jasmine, please have a seat," the teacher says, eyeing the cheerleader until she finally sits but with her own dramatic pout.
Troy and Chad slap high fives and grin at each other, knowing their little scam had turned out perfectly. Seeing the teacher was moving on with the lessons, Troy lets his mind drift back to Sunday night in the park with Gabriella.
"Gabriella, what's going on?" Troy worriedly asks as he approaches the bench and sits down next to her. "I tried calling your house right after the text, but you were gone I guess."
"Troy," she starts but finds her voice cracking, so she stops. Instead, she pulls out the envelope she had found waiting for her on her porch and hands it over to him. "Take a look."
Troy takes the package from her hands and opens it, looking down at pictures that would explain Gabriella's state. "Gabriella…" he starts, seeing tears well up in her eyes.
"Just don't. I, well I can't believe that," she starts, "Jasmine would go to these extremes to break us up."
Troy looks up suddenly, surprised by what she just said. "What?"
"I know it isn't you," she says, wiping away her tears of frustration. "You didn't think that, did you?"
"Well, to be honest, with my luck lately," he starts, only to hear her laugh slightly.
Gabriella smiles a little over at Troy before leaning over and kissing him. "No more doubts, total trust, remember?" she gently reminds him. "Besides, this was a shady job. All these months we've been together and not, I've studied every inch of you, body and soul, and there's no way that profile is yours. I just can't figure out who the guy is."
Troy looks down at the pictures and squints at them examining them. "Fred," Troy murmurs. "I never thought he would get mixed up with Jasmine."
"Wow, that's Fred?" Gabriella asks, grabbing a picture and examining it closer. "Of course! Part of his black hair is poking out from the dirty blond wig she has him in. How is he wearing the exact shirt as you though?"
Troy slaps his forehead. "Seriously, I am the dumbest guy on Earth! I remember thinking it was weird when I found my shirt, which I had taken off to play basketball, in a completely different spot when we were done. I thought I lost it at first, but Zeke pointed out to me it was further down than I remembered."
"She borrowed your shirt for this? She's crazy!" Gabriella exclaims, shaking her head at the idea of how bold Jasmine can be.
"So this is why you called me out, right? No other shockers?" Troy asks. "I don't think I can handle anything more."
"Oh, and I'm having our first child," Gabriella adds, causing Troy to laugh with her.
"Right. Unless we have a miracle on our hands, we both know we have done nothing close to doing something that would leave us with that result. Maybe in like ten years?" he responds. "What's the game plan?"
Gabriella smiles over at him. "You know this new Gabriella well to be expecting that. I think it's time that we all set Jasmine in her place and expose her true colors. Let me call Sharpay and put her on speaker," she says, taking her cell phone out and dialing.
"Gabriella, I got your voicemail earlier, what's up?" Sharpay asks.
"Troy and I here have a fantastic idea for your first show. Scams and frauds sound like an interesting topic for you?" Gabriella asks, keeping her eyes on Troy.
"Not really, sounds all academic," Sharpay returns. "What's the twist?"
Gabriella smiles. "Funny you should ask that…"
Gabriella goes on to explain her concept, to show how the pictures were a fraud and then to air the video tapes of Troy wooing Jasmine, sort of, and getting her to admit her honest thoughts, especially the truth about the pictures. "She will admit they aren't real because she knows Troy knows the truth. She can't claim they are to him so she is bound to slip that up," Gabriella deduces.
"I knew I loved you for a reason," Troy murmurs, kissing Gabriella quickly with a grin on his face.
"Hello! I'm still on the phone here!" Sharpay reminds them. "That all sounds great, but how are we going to work on proving the fraud?"
"Maybe we can do a photo shop example or something, I'm not sure. I'm working on that one, but I think we need to strike while this is hot, which means that Troy and I are breaking up tonight so he can do his thing with Jasmine," Gabriella announces.
"WHAT?" both Troy and Sharpay ask.
"That's the only way it is going to work, don't you see?" Gabriella explains. "She has to think she succeeded in breaking us up or she is going to know we are up to something. Jasmine is not stupid and I am in no way planning on underestimating that girl."
"Sounds delicious, I love it!" Sharpay explains. "I'll talk to Ryan about helping out with the editing. Do you think Chad or Taylor could help with the footage for tomorrow?"
"I'll call and ask, I'm sure they'll do it," Gabriella responds, looking at Troy, who looks not so with the program. "Troy, come on, this is the only way. You have to really act like you like her."
Troy shakes his head. "Seriously, I never thought you would tell me to make the moves on another girl Gabriella. This is all so weird," he says.
"But it's brilliant!" Sharpay exclaims over the phone. "Troy, you don't have to kiss her, in fact you better not kiss her, just put her in a false sense of victory."
"I guess," he agrees reluctantly. "The break-up is just an act for two days, right? I don't want anything spinning out of control from this."
"Just an act, from Monday morning through the show on Wednesday morning, I promise. I'll still be here waiting for you after all is said and done," Gabriella promises.
Troy nods his head. "I'm game. I'll call Chad and arrange everything. Can you call Taylor about the video camera?"
Gabriella agrees, hanging up with Troy and calling Taylor to explain the plan briefly, what happened, and what they needed from her. Once the calls are made, Troy wraps Gabriella into a tight embrace before kissing her fiercely. When they separate, Gabriella gives him a curious look. "Had to give you one last embrace and kiss before acting all huffy at you."
Gabriella laughs before asking, "Take me home?"
"Of course," he says, leading her to his truck and driving her home. As they pull in, they notice someone standing on the porch. Gabriella gets out and sees Marlene, becoming instantly alert.
Marlene smiles as she sees apprehension fill Gabriella's body language. "I come in peace, I swear," she says, approaching Gabriella. "I know you got delivered the pictures today from Jasmine, just as she has been delivering pictures and magazines to Troy all these past few weeks, and I want you to watch this tape before you make any judgments on your boyfriend here."
"I kind of think we figured out what happened already, but I am interested in your video. Come on in and let's take a look," Gabriella says, unlocking her house and leading Marlene and Troy into the living room. She pops the tape in and sees the set up of the pictures. "How did you get this?"
"Oh, I have friends still who are part of the in part of the squad. I got wind of this evil plan and thought I'd come prepared to help take her down this time," Marlene explains. "It's the least I could do after helping her before."
Troy smiles over at her. "Thank you Marlene, truly," he says, looking over at his friend.
Gabriella gets up and gives Marlene a hug, which she happily returns. "This means a lot, I appreciate your help. This is the missing piece Troy!"
"The missing piece?" Marlene asks.
Gabriella looks over at Troy, silently asking if she should divulge and he nods his agreement. "Well, we have something cooked up for your captain," Gabriella says.
"Whatever it is, count me in. I'll do whatever it takes to help get rid of her and her evil ways. I know a lot of the squad would help too," Marlene answers.
"I think we could arrange for you to help, but you can't say anything more of this to anyone else, okay? The more people that know, the more she is likely to find out. Can you promise your commitment to this and secrecy?" Gabriella asks.
Without hesitation, Marlene responds, "Absolutely!"
The two girls put their heads together and start planning Marlene's involvement, involving Troy here and there, and by the end of the night, their scam was officially complete.
"Troy, dude, snap out of it! The bell rang like three minutes ago and Jasmine sure left in a huff. We have to catch up to her!" Chad says, finally getting through to Troy, who had been caught up in the memory.
"Shoot! Let's go," Troy says, getting up and running out the door with Chad on his heels.
They run over to Gabriella's locker and both sigh in relief as Gabriella is standing there safe, but definitely not alone. The show this morning seems to have earned Gabriella quite a bit of respect from her fellow classmates. She grins as she sees Troy and cuts through the crowd around him to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him soundly. "I've missed you!" she exclaims.
Troy kisses her once more than responds, "Me too. Do you know how long of a shower and how hard I scrubbed after that kissing Jasmine did on my neck? Ugh!"
The people around them start laughing, reminding the couple they had an audience. Troy turns red as Gabriella blushes. "Walk me to Physics?" she asks, knowing he had lunch next.
"Absolutely!" he agrees enthusiastically, picking up Gabriella's project and walking down the hall with her.
Neither had really seen Jasmine much during the day as they avoided their normal routes, including Troy eating in his spot. After the final bell for the day, Troy and Gabriella walk down the hall to Gabriella's locker, hands intertwined, but slow down as they see Jasmine waiting for them just before Gabriella's locker.
Jasmine sees the necklace back around Gabriella's neck after a two-day hiatus and the couple holding hands. "Do you really think that had any effect whatsoever on me? That little stunt you pulled this morning?" Jasmine angrily asks.
Gabriella looks at Troy and silently tells him this is her battle. She takes a step towards Jasmine, noticing she still has some of the cheerleaders behind her. 'Interesting,' she thinks to herself before saying, "It wasn't a stunt, it was the truth. There's a difference, as I demonstrated this morning if you were paying attention. All I did was show what the truth was really. It's not my fault that your actions proved to be the lie."
"You really believe that after today, that I am going to leave you and your little friends alone? Don't you forget, I'm the captain of the VARSITY CHEERLEADING SQUAD!" Jasmine yells. "I'm more popular and more powerful than you could ever hope to be."
"Popular?" Gabriella questions. "Really, that's interesting. See, to be truly popular, you must be well-liked and, most of the time, respected by your peers. I don't see anyone around you who fits that description."
"What do you call these girls?" Jasmine asks, referring to the few girls standing behind her.
Gabriella shrugs. "Why don't you ask them yourself?"
Jasmine turns around and sees the girls backing away slowly from her. "Where are you going?" Jasmine demands.
"To join their new captain," Marlene says with a satisfied smirk on her face as she rounds the corner with the rest of the squad. "We all voted and you're off!"
"You can't do that!" Jasmine protests.
"Actually, we can and we have," Marlene informs her. "Coach knows and has approved. Your reign of terror on this squad and this school is over, Jasmine. Face it, you've gotten beat at your own game and there's nothing more you can do about it."
Jasmine looks around her and sees she has not a single friend in the crowd. The only ones she thought she had were now against her, behind Marlene. "Argh!" she screams before tearing through the crowd of students who had gathered around. They all watch as she heads down the hall and out the doors, letting out a cheer as she leaves.
Marlene walks over to Gabriella. "You were very brave Gabriella," Marlene comments. "You stood up for yourself, your love, and every East High student here today. You'll always have my respect and my friendship."
Gabriella smiles and embraces Marlene. "I feel the same way about you."
"No hard feelings about Troy?" Marlene has to ask.
"None whatsoever, not after what you just helped us do," Gabriella says.
"All right squad, let's go hit the fields!" Marlene announces, steering her new squad to their first practice with her but not before throwing Gabriella a wink.
Gabriella feels a pair of arms wrap around her waist and grins, turning around and planting a deep kiss on Troy. "You okay?" he asks, looking into her brown eyes.
"Couldn't be better," Gabriella replies, a huge grin on her face as she leans her head on Troy's chest and lets go of a breath she realizes she had been holding in for the past few weeks.