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A month later, Tessa and Gabriella were in Gabriella's room trying to find an existing outfit in Gabriella's closet that would be worthy to wear to West High's Spring Fling that was in the third week of March, next week. After a few suggestions made by Gabriella to Tessa for approval, Gabriella gave up and plopped herself down on her queen sized bed to allow Tessa full range to search in her closet. "Honestly Tessa, I don't see why it matters what I wear to this dance."
Tessa popped her head out of the closet to give Gabriella a stern look. "Umm, hello, it's only the first official West High dance you are going to be going to! You've been in the spotlight of sorts of this school since the ball and I refuse to let my good friend go to her next dance in just random rags she pulls out of her closet! We have to make sure you look stunning to shut up all those idiots who are gossiping about you still and who think it's all right to talk crap about one of my best friends."
Gabriella sighed. "I wish they would just stop, honestly. I don't wish for anything more than for them to stop, except for maybe Riley to finally take a hint and leave me alone. He has made it clear that he doesn't want to be just friends and I think I've made it clear that I don't want to date him so we're at this weird stand still since he won't leave me alone."
"Aww, poor baby. It must be so tough for you to have two popular basketball captains vying for your attention," teased Tessa before she went back into Gabriella's walk in closet but continued to talk. "Honestly Gabriella, I don't know what to tell you. You've got this great thing with Troy and you seem smitten yet you refuse to date him. And then you've got Riley, who is easy on the eyes but not so much on the mind. To top it off, you can't even be seen with the one you really like because of this stupid tension between the schools, not to mention both guys don't really like each other, to put it lightly. And, of course, there is the high school social suicide you would commit if anyone ever found out that you were merely friends with the dude."
"Exactly why I haven't acted on my feelings for Troy," responded Gabriella, laying back on her bed, her head resting on a pillow. "I'm not stupid enough to try to lie to you, not to mention I don't lie to my good friends, so I have to admit that I really and truly more than just like Troy now, especially after Valentine's Day and the few outings we've been able to have together since then. Yet I can't let myself get in any deeper with him because I know he'll get hurt somehow and I couldn't stand that. I can deal with the name calling and the nasty looks I get from girls and guys alike at school but I can't deal with the image of Troy paying the price for being associated with me."
Tessa came out of the closet and actually sat down on the bed next to Gabriella this time, knowing she needed to sit in front of her good friend for the rest of this conversation. "Look Gabriella, you can't let this stupid rivalry between East and West prevent you from living your dream of being with an amazing guy. It's not fair. I even suspect that if a black eye were the price for being with you, Troy Bolton would happily pay it. However, I also know the risk you would be taking to be with him. There's an urban myth of sorts of a couple trying it before and, well, let's just say that it ended tragically, sort of like Romeo and Juliet minus the actual deaths."
"Great, this is exactly the opposite of what I wanted to hear Tessa," stated Gabriella, closing her eyes. She opened them again as she heard her cell phone go off, playing the ringtone she especially picked out for Troy. Unfortunately, before she could get to it, Tessa got her hands on the phone first after seeing Troy's picture come up.
"Well hello Troy! How are you?" greeted Tessa in a flirty voice.
Troy rolled his eyes, glad she couldn't see him because he knew she would have wacked him hard for it. He had gotten to know Tessa better as they had all been hanging out at random times and genuinely liked Gabriella's close friend. "Hi Tessa. I'm good, how are you doing?"
"Just peachy, thanks for asking. So when are you going to ask dear Gaby out on an official date?" pushed Tessa.
"TESSA!" screamed Gabriella, blushing at what just happened.
Troy chuckled. "I bet she's blushing right now, isn't she?"
"You got it right on the nose," confirmed Tessa, laughing at her friend's blush that was currently combined with a murderous look thrown her way. "Uh oh, looks like I'm in trouble. I better hand you over to your lady friend."
"You bet you better," said Gabriella before she took the offered phone from Tessa, who returned to the walk in closet to continue her search. "Hey Troy, sorry about that."
"No worries, I'm used to Tessa by now. It's a good thing the three of us have hung out along with your other close friends and some of mine otherwise I would have never understood this friendship you share with that girl," said Troy. "Although, I do have to say I like her and not just because she's in favor of us being an official item someday soon."
"Troy, stop," replied Gabriella. "You know why we can't."
"Well I know the reasons we talked about a month and a half ago, which consisted of you feeling like you are a rebound girl and that we didn't know much of each other. I think we know each other pretty well now and there's been a month and a half of just being friends so you can't be considered a rebound girl any more. What else is there to be in the way?" asked Troy.
Gabriella just shook her head. "First of all, rebounding can be done even in a year if the person who was in the relationship has not resolved his feelings about the past relationship and person while being accepting of being just by himself again. Second, I do agree we know each other better. However, there's a big point you are missing."
"And that is?" prompted Troy.
"This stupid tension between our schools," answered Gabriella. "I don't want you getting hurt Troy, especially if it is over something as silly as dating me. Sure I don't positively know that something will happen to you, but if the load of drama and problems I've been given at West is any hint of what's to come if we are open about a friendship between us, let alone a relationship, I know there's going to be hell to pay."
"Dating you would never be silly Gabriella, never. I know you are worried about this stupid rivalry and I admit I used to be one of the bigger players in that, but ever since I met you, I've found I'm willing to risk it all just to be able to see you. We are already chancing fate by being friends from the rival schools, why not step it up a level?"
Gabriella sighed, knowing that Troy had a point. 'Troy is so sweet and caring and his friends Chad, Jason, and Zeke seem to be supportive of his decision to associate himself with me, but I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to him. I know he keeps bringing up the idea of us being a couple, of dating each other, and instead of finding it annoying like I feel when Riley hounds me, I find it strangely endearing that he cares that much for me. God, my life really is starting to remind me a little about West Side Story or even Romeo and Juliet. Two people who care deeply for one another but have how many other people to consider in their relationship. What if we do get together? Would we have an ending just like the couple in both of those works?'
"Gabriella, are you still there?" asked Troy, worried she had hung up after he didn't hear anything further from the other side of the line.
"Yeah, I'm here. Look Troy, I just don't know if there will ever be an us. Being friends, sneaking around to places to just plain hang out, is bad enough. Can you imagine trying to hold a relationship together while trying to hide it from the world? Relationships are hard enough on a normal basis, but when you add in the thoughts and feelings of others who we go to school with, not to mention our family and friends, there are just too many people involved to get hurt."
Troy let out a frustrated sigh. "But that's something I don't think you recognize, that your true friends and your loved ones will still stand by your side as long as you are happy, even if your boyfriend is a Wildcat and not a Knight. I know that's something I learned when my friends surprisingly showed me their support. Honestly, I never thought they would have, especially J and Zeke. But they proved me wrong and showed me that friendship is more than paper thin. What has you so afraid Gabriella? What has been happening at West that you haven't been telling me?"
Gabriella paused, debating on whether or not she should tell him what her life really has been like since the Masquerade Ball. "To be honest, your Valentine's Day surprise, our outings with our friends, my mother, and my close friends here are the only reasons why I sit here on my bed today, a fairly normal teenage girl. If you want the truth, you'll get it but be warned it's not pretty."
"Tell me Gabriella, you can trust me," encouraged Troy from the other line.
After a few moments of hesitation, Gabriella decided to tell him what he wanted to know. "Well, on a very high level, life at West High is difficult and it isn't just because I'm the new girl in town. No, I now have the title of being the new girl in town who is the slut who caused Riley to get in trouble at the Ball and yet they all know that Riley still wants to date me, he makes no secret of it. There's constant whispering and glares and to be honest, other things that I could care less about on a normal basis."
"So why does it matter now?" pushed Troy.
"Because, I care about you Troy. I can take them talking about me, spinning lies about me to spread around, but when I heard them talk crap about you and our supposed relationship they are all speculating about, I don't know, it just upsets me more. It's stupid, especially since you and I don't have a relationship, but that's what it is. I can't explain it any better," said Gabriella, wondering if she did the right thing to tell him.
Troy let out a sad sigh. "I had no idea it was that bad for you. Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"I don't know, because it's not your problem and I didn't want you to worry about me. You may not be experiencing anything at East, but West definitely holds onto this rivalry with the edges of their fingernails dug in, ready to explode. I'm seen as a traitor yet no one will make a move against me because Riley, for some strange reason, is still pursuing, and they know that if anyone touched me while I have his interest, well let's just say that he wouldn't hesitate to turn on one of his own, or so I have heard."
"Gabriella, that's no situation for you to be in. Why don't you convince your mom to ask for a transfer to East? I can't protect you from anyone at West if I'm not there," stated Troy.
"This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you Troy," returned Gabriella. "I know you care, and I do appreciate that, but I don't want you getting involved and getting hurt. I'll be fine and Tessa here isn't going to let anyone hurt me if she can help it."
Tessa poked her head out of the closet at the mention of her name and grinned to confirm what Gabriella said before ducking back in.
"You know, it's too late for that Brie. I'm already involved, since the moment we sang together on New Year's," responded Troy, genuine emotions in his voice. "I'd do anything to protect you from all those idiots at West."
"Wait a second. What did you just call me?" asked Gabriella, unsure if she heard him right.
"Umm… Brie? I kind of started thinking of you as my Brie since Gabriella is obviously used by everyone else and Tessa calls you Gaby every once in a while. Is that okay?" questioned a now shy Troy.
"Brie… that's very sweet of you Troy," remarked Gabriella. "I like it and by telling how quiet your voice just got, I'm betting you are blushing right now, aren't you?"
Troy chuckled. "Guilty. Look, I know you are Ms. Independent over there, but it's okay to have people be concerned for you, and may I say even as friends, it is not fair for Tessa to be the only one able to protect you."
"Trust me, being there for me the way you have been via phone, internet, and our few outings, that's more than enough for me," replied Gabriella.
"So, what do you say to going out with me then, next Saturday perhaps?" asked Troy, praying she would say yes.
Gabriella's face lit up at the prospect of seeing him again before it dropped seeing Tessa walk out with two dresses in her hands, examining them herself while she showed them to Gabriella for approval. Both were dismissed. "I'm sorry Troy, I can't."
"Oh," said Troy, trying not to sound down. "I understand, have to wash your hair, right?"
She let out a little giggle at this. "No, more like being dragged to West's Spring Fling under Tessa's orders. She's convinced that we can shut all the catty girls there up by outdoing them all appearance wise. Tessa's actually digging through my closet as we speak trying to find the best dress I own for me to wear as I have sworn that I'm not spending a single penny on this dance if I'm being DRAGGED TO IT!"
Tessa rolled her eyes at this emphasis. "You'll thank me for it later. Trust me, unless you want to outright brawl physically, girl fighting is very strategic and showing up as the belle of the ball, you will be making a huge dent in their armor, trust me."
Gabriella watched as Tessa went back into the closet before shaking her head. "Stupid girl wars," mumbled Gabriella.
Troy laughed at this. "Well, I guess that is a good excuse. You must battle them somehow and even if you were wearing a paper sack, you'd still outshine those West girls by quite a bit, at least in my books," assured Troy. "Maybe another time?"
"I'll think about it, how about that?" offered Gabriella. "I'm still worried about this nonsensical violence and tension Troy."
"I know but I think we shouldn't limit ourselves due to the shortsightedness of our classmates Brie. Think it over and let me know. I'm willing to risk it to be with you as we should be, but only if you want to," replied Troy.
"I promise only to think about it Pookie," answered Gabriella.
"Pookie?" asked Troy.
Gabriella laughed. "Well you call me Brie, I had to call you something and Oy didn't sound right. I guess I'll have to think of something for you eventually."
Troy chuckled. "You have plenty of time to think of a nickname for me. Boyfriend does have a nice ring to it though."
Before Gabriella could say the witty reply that was on the tip of her tongue, she sat upright when she heard Tessa scream from inside her closet. "TESSA! Are you okay?"
Tessa just stepped out of the closet and looked at Gabriella. "Gaby, what is this?"
Gabriella looked at what Tessa was holding and paled. "Umm Troy, I have to go. I'll talk to you later okay?"
"Okay… Is everything all right?" asked a concerned Troy.
"Yeah, Tessa just found a spider. Bye!" said Gabriella before hanging up her cell phone and looking at her friend.
Tessa looked at the tiara in her hands and then back up to Gabriella. "What part of who you are, are you actually hiding Gabriella?"
Gabriella gulped, nervously biting the corner of her lip. 'Do I tell her?' she silently wondered as she surveyed Tessa's demeanor.
"Well?" prompted Tessa.
Gabriella made a quick decision, knowing Tessa would push for an answer. "Well what do you think? It's a homecoming tiara, all right?"
Tessa blinked rapidly for a few moments. "Wait, what?"
"Yeah, so I was a Homecoming princess at one of my old schools. Does that make me a bad person now?" questioned Gabriella, getting up from the bed and gently taking the tiara out of her friend's hands and placing it on her dresser gently. "Does that change who I am now?"
Tessa shook her head. "No, but it does put into question who the real Gabriella Montez is though. The smart shy girl or the artist or the popular girl?"
"I am what the school makes me out to be, just as I explained to Troy weeks ago at the diner. I have always lived my life the way that I see fit and if people judge me and type cast me then they do. I've gotten used to it," replied Gabriella. "It's when they start picking on my friends and loved ones that it matters."
"Ah, and so we get to the heart of the problem with you and Troy. I knew something those dogs at our school were saying was eating at you but you swore it wasn't what they were saying about you. I should have known," stated Tessa. "You're one of those selfless people who care more about others than yourself aren't you? Who am I kidding? I know you are. Gaby, you gotta listen to your heart here babe. If you are already getting flack, why not try and give this thing with Troy a chance? You clearly care for him."
"Umm hello, what about this urban myth you were just talking about before Troy called? I in no way care to have World War 3 break out because Troy and I care for each other. It's not worth it," stated Gabriella.
"But would the popular girl of your past let stupid gossips stand in her way? Would the artist in you care what the jocks thought? I don't think any of your other former personas would give it a second thought and I don't think who you are today should either. Yes, there is danger, which is why you need to be careful and not flaunt it around, but the people you have already surrounded yourself with and have shared your friendship and unnamed relationship with Troy with are those who won't even bat an eye at seeing you two together. Those three good friends of his are expecting it as well. Face it Gabriella, everyone but you sees this happening. Just use extra caution, that's all I can suggest," said Tessa. "And you were right when you told Troy I'd never let anyone mess with you. They'd have to get through me first and trust me, those sissy popular girls would never think of touching me, not after some of the history we've had."
Gabriella just stared at her friend. "Do I even want to know what you've done?"
"Let's just say that I am very capable of fighting dirty when in girl world wars. And I've won every single time, which is why I'm telling you that you are going to Spring Fling and will outshine them all if it's the last thing I do," proclaimed Tessa.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "All right, all right, I get the picture. Come on, maybe we'll find something suitable for your needs if we both look together."
Tessa grinned. "I knew you'd come around."
Both girls launched themselves back into Gabriella's closet together and eventually found what they were looking for. It took them two hours, but they were sure it was perfect for the occasion. 'Now, if only she could have the perfect date,' thought Tessa, an idea forming in her mind.