Disclaimer: I don't own HSM.

A/N: Please read and review. I promise the story will heat up soon. I've got some really good stuff planned.

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Chapter 3: And Drama Queens Don’t Get F’s

In homeroom the next day Troy tried to talk to Gabriella.

“Gabriella, I need—“

“Troy Bolton in your seat!” Ms. Darbus snapped. And went on with her dramatic lecture. Later at lunch, Troy approached Gabriella. Sharpay watched form her table. Gabriella looked up.

“Oh hey Troy. I just—“

“Hey Troy!” Sharpay was next to him in an instant. “Sit with us today!” She pulled him over to what used to be the drama table. He glanced back at Gabriella, helplessly. “I mean,” Sharpay rambled on, “you’re one of us now.”

“Right. Hey Ryan,” Troy said. That was the beginning of a long, long lunch. Troy’s last class was chemistry. He had the class with Gabriella, thankfully. The class was about to end as the tests from last week were handed back, graded. Troy was pleased to see and A at the top of his paper.

Sharpay leaned over her desk. “Wow, nice work Troy.”

“Thanks.” Troy got up and went over to Gabriella. “Hey Gabriella.”

“Oh hey Troy. What’s up?”

“Well,” Troy said, “I got a C on my math test and my dad totally flipped. So, I was thinking maybe we could have a study date?”

“Sure Troy,” Gabriella said. “The Freaky Math Girl would love to help.” She laughed. Troy smiled. Sharpay shook her head. No way! The teacher handed her test with her test face down.

“Great,” Troy was saying. “Then I’ll—” the bell rang and Sharpay peeked at her test. She screamed loudly and fanned herself with her hands. Everyone looked at her.

“Sharpay?” Ryan asked.

“I did not… just get… an F!” she shrieked.

“I’ll help—” Zeke began only to get cut off (Sharpay held up her hand.) She walked across the room.

“Troy! You got an A. Will you help me?” Troy was caught off guard.

“Um, yeah.”

“Promise?”

Troy sighed. Everybody was watching him. With nothing else to do he said, “Yeah.”

“Great! How about today? After school. Now!” Sharpay pushed the words at him.

“Well, I actually had…” Troy glanced at Gabriella.

“…promised to help me with chemistry,” Sharpay finished for him. She didn’t miss a beat. Troy sighed. He had been going to say ‘other plans.’

“Go,” Gabriella told him. “She needs the help more than you do.”

Later:

Troy sat in the Evan’s library trying his best to teach Sharpay chemistry. “Oh!” Sharpay exclaimed with new understanding. “So if combined, they will blow up.”

“Yes!” Troy said. “See, you know this stuff.” Troy closed his book.

“Only because you are such a great teacher!” Sharpay gave him an artificial smile and put her head on his shoulder.

Troy felt uncomfortable and immediately said, “Well, I had better get going now. You know, homework and stuff.” Sharpay nodded.

“The driver will take you home. Bye Troy. Tootles!”

“Tootles,” he said and left as fast as he could without looking like he was rushing. After he left Sharpay pouted. Ryan walked into the room.

“RYAN!” she yelled.

“What?”

“Who’s the most popular junior guy at East High?” Sharpay demanded.

“Well, that would be Troy Bolton,” Ryan said.

“And the most popular junior girl?” Sharpay demanded, her tone harsher.

Ryan hesitated. “You.”

“And the most popular guy and girl at school always end up together. Everybody knows that!” Sharpay shrieked.

“Everybody except Troy,” Ryan mumbled.

“OH, SHUT UP RYAN!” Sharpay yelled. “Now look. You are to watch Troy and Gabriella. Tell me about any other plans they make. Understand?”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “Yes.”

“Good!” Sharpay stalked out of the room. As she did, a paper fell out of her open bag. Ryan picked it up. It was Sharpay’s chemistry test. Ryan turned it over and saw the grade at the top of the page. His eyes widened. Written in red marker was a gigantic A…

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A/N: Muhahaha (evil laugh) And so it begins! R&R!