Title: Concocting Chemistry

Summary: Tired of being labeled as the shy innocent one, the sexually frustrated Gabriella Montez concocts a plan to seduce Troy Bolton.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything relating to HSM, Victoria's Secret or Frederick's of Hollywood.

Rating: T—Sexual Innuendos galore!

A/N: As requested, I made this chapter extra long! It's also written in celebration of John Mayer's new cd, which I've basically listened to non-stop. GO BUY IT!

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Chapter 4 – Preparation

New lesson of the day: Sex does not come cheap!

As it turned out I didn't have the right clothes for seduction. Like Taylor sagely expressed "pink and printed kittens on your shirt do not get you laid!" And thus we began our shopping trip at the department store in search the perfect do-me dress for the romantic dinner. Heading for the dress department, Taylor and I began combing through racks and taking out garment after garment. By the time we finished I was holding a mountain of satin and chiffon that threatened to knock me over.

"We're going to be hear for a long time," I sighed, taking the dresses with me into the fitting room.

The first dress was a scarlet red halter dress that ended mid-thigh. With a plunging neckline that ended a scant inch above my belly button, I was left wondering what sort of bra I could wear with this thing.

"What do you think?" I asked, stepping out of the fitting room and walking towards Taylor, who was sitting on the ground.

"We want you to get laid, not run an escort service," Taylor said, briefly looking up from the AP English book in her lap.

The second dress was very interesting. This satin number was all kinds of wrong with its extravagantly puffed sleeves and a huge frothy bow that covered my entire backside. The dress was so long that it ended at a teal puddle around my feet. It was like a bridesmaid's dress from hell.

"Taylor! I can't wear this thing!" I said, getting ready to tear the dress off me.

"Oh come on!" She replied coaxingly, "Let me see it!"

Groaning, I opened the door only to be greeted by peals of laughter. Taylor was practically rolling on the ground, giggling hysterically. I glared at her. But it was hard to seem intimidating when it looked like the 80's threw up all over you.

"I'm so sorry, Gabriella. I just threw that in there to see if you'd actually try it on," Taylor said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

I rolled my eyes and slammed the door shut.

After about the fiftieth dress I'd begun to lose hope. Even my fingers started to get sore from the constant pulling of zippers. Finally I got to the last one. It was a black strapless dress. It was rather simple, the only real adornment being a dark satin ribbon around the waist. The bodice was snug and revealed only a hint of cleavage, while from the waist down it flared out into a full skirt. The dress ended a few inches above the knee and I was pretty sure I had a pair of stilettos at home that would go perfectly with the outfit. Staring at the mirror I gave myself a once over. I didn't look half-bad.

"How about this one?" I asked, leaving my dressing room.

After looking at me up and down, a huge smile broke across Taylor's face. "It's perfect! This is the one!"

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Of course I am!"

"I just want to make sure it's the right one." I said uncertainly. I knew I looked good, but that good?

Taylor sighed exasperatedly, "Don't believe me? We'll ask for a second opinion."

Without even waiting for my reply, she'd begun walking towards a different department. But before confusion could start to set in, I heard Taylor's voice across the way. My ears perked up to the snippets of conversation.

"Hey Ryan! You're here! Perfect!...Would you mind coming over with me to the dress department with me?...I just want to get your opinion on something!...Hello! Sharpay's in the fitting room, I think she'll be ok for two minutes…Then bring her purse with you...Why are you even holding it?...Gah, nevermind! Just come with me!"

Within seconds Taylor managed to drag a very irritated Ryan Evans towards our department.

"Ok, you got me here," he muttered. "What exactly do you need my opinion on?"

"Gabriella! You can come out now."

I walked out of the dressing room area and over to where Taylor and Ryan were standing. Smoothing the dress over my body, I cocked my head to the side and asked, "What do you think?"

"Uh…uh….uh…" Stunned, Ryan began to make choking sounds. His eyes rolled heavenward and…THUD!

Grinning at each other over the unconscious crumpled body that now graced the floor, Taylor and I agreed in unison, "It's perfect!"

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The second thing on the list was lingerie. When I finally got Troy to unzip that do me dress, I sure as heck wasn't going to have a pair of floral granny panties greeting him!

After purchasing the dress we walked over to Frederick's of Hollywood Entering the brightly lit store, I was immediately greeted by a barrage of corsets, thongs, garters and other unmentionables. They were on mannequins and featured on huge posters hanging everywhere. I even tripped on a wayward g-string someone forgot to pick up.

Dizzily, I felt like the walls were closing in on me. I started taking huge rapid gulps of air and began to hyperventilate. I guess it sounds really stupid but when I imagined making sweet love to Troy I figured I'd somehow be properly clothed. Or at least wearing something more than just pasties.

"I-I-I can't do this Taylor," I croaked. "It's too much. This store is so…"

Taylor patted me soothingly on the back and helped me out of the store. Always the girls scout, she fished out a paper bag for me and had me sit on a nearby chair.

After a few minutes she finally said, "I know the store is a bit…much…to take in for the first time."

I fervently nodded, breathing in and out of the bag.

"Are you sure you're ready to have sex?"

Putting down the bag, I thought for a second. "It's not that, it just that I don't think I need all this stuff," I said, gesturing towards an elaborate window display of corsets. "I just want me, Troy and the absence of granny panties."

Taylor made a face, "I really didn't need to hear that last sentence."

"I'm serious! It's like when I tried on that red hooker dress. It was too much and in the end I wanted something more subtle—the black one."

With a new sense of resolve, she pursed her lips together and said, "Alright then. Let's go."

Taking me by the arm, Taylor once again dragged me to a different part of the mall. This time however we wound up at the entrance of Victoria's Secret. Squealing with excitement, I ran over to the cheerful rainbow-hued section of Pink apparel. Giving the cute stuffed dog at the center of the panty display a jolly pat, I began looking through the carefully arranged rows of underwear. This was more my speed. I actually shopped at Victoria's Secret. My closet was full of Pink sweatpants and hoodies.

Taylor took the vividly colored boy shorts out of my hand. "Yes, because Troy will be overcome with lust once he sees the hearts and embroidered dogs on your skivvies!"

"Good point," I sighed, walking away.

As we made out way through the store we were approached by rather chipper salesgirl, "Hi! Is there anything I can help you with?"

I'll never know if it was my deep dislike for uncomfortable situations with overly enthusiastic salespeople or just the brain-addled state I was currently in, but I found myself blurting out yet again, "I want to have sex."

Alarmed she said, "Um...excuse me?"

"I mean I really need to have sex."

I would now like to take the time to point out that before sex ever became an issue, I was never afflicted with such horrible cases of verbal diarrhea.

Taking a cautious step back, the now flustered salesgirl answered, "Er…I don't think I can help you with that."

"Please excuse her," Taylor interjected, guiding me towards a different direction. "She's ummm…going through a difficult period in her life right now."

I weakly nodded and the salesgirl was soon out of sight.

"I wish you'd stop doing that, Gabriella. You're really starting to scare people now."

I sighed, "Soon all of Albuquerque will know about Operation: Making Sweet Love to Troy Bolton."

Taylor gave me a reassuring pat. "Think optimistically! The only reason why we're going all this is to get Troy in the sack. Once he gives up the goods, you'll stop going crazy and scaring people."

Ladies and gentleman, Taylor McKessie, Queen of the Pep talk.

Over the next forty-five minutes or so, Taylor and I carefully looked over the store's selection of undergarments. Ignoring anything that looked remotely like dental floss we picked out a black lace bra and panty set to wear under my dress. After realizing that all my pajamas were in pastels and printed with some sort of printed image, we also picked out a short black silky negligee. Don't why we were going with a black theme with everything we've been buying. I don't know, maybe I was trying to mourn over the death of my virginity?

With all these items in tow (and a bottle of Love Spell lotion for good measure) we got in line to pay. While waiting I began to mentally add up the prices. It was then I realized how much I was spending.

"Taylor!" I hissed. "I can't buy all this stuff!"

"And why not?"

"Well for one thing, I'm not ready to sell my soul to the devil to pay for everything!"

"Fine. But when Troy chickens out and you're forced to take a vow of celibacy and live in a convent in Austria, send me a postcard!"

"Whatever. I see your point," I grumbled, digging around my wallet for my debit card. It was going to be a while before I could afford that custom-designed lab coat.

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After a round of Big Macs and cokes to revive us from that arduous shopping trip, Taylor and I finally headed back home. Taylor dropped my off at my house and I quickly ran upstairs to hide my purchases. I squeezed my bags into a dark corner of the closet and with that, headed back down the stairs to greet my mom.

I found her in the kitchen, talking on the phone. Not wanting to bother her, I busied myself with getting glass of water and of course eavesdropping in on the conversation.

"San Francisco, John? This is a bit of a short notice," My mom said with a slight frown. "Well if it's that important that I'm there…alright…see you tomorrow. Bye."

Hanging up the phone, she sat down next to me at the table and kissed me on the cheek. "So Gabi, how was school today?"

"Pretty good. We're starting to get ready for the next Scholastic Decathlon. Then after school me and Taylor did a little shopping."

"Well that's good. Listen honey, I need to fly down to San Francisco for the weekend."

"Oh really?" I asked casually, giving a small silent cheer.

"The hotel owners need me to look over the building before they start hiring interior decorators. They're just paranoid about the structure and wanted to make sure they were protected."

Although I wasn't listening very carefully to my mom, the last word jumped out at me. I wanted to slap myself in the forehead. Of course I'd need protection of some sort. When Troy was going to unleash his...equipment, it was going to be wrapped up tight. I wasn't ready to deal with another Bolton.

"That sounds interesting…" I trailed off.

"Do you think you could stay with the McKessies for the weekend?"

"No!" I quickly exclaimed. "Umm…I mean, I'd hate to burden them. Besides I'll be ok on my own."

"Are you sure? I could have Mrs. McKessie check in on you."

"Mo-om! I'll be fine! Really!" I reassured her, giving her my best I'll-be-responsible-and-not-invite-my-boyfriend-over-to-have-sex smile.

"Alright then. If you sure you'll be ok…"

"Don't worry about it," I answered. Hastily, I tried to change the subject before she could think about it any further. "Hey mom, could I borrow the car for a little while. I need to pick up something at the drugstore."

"Sure. Just be—"

And with that I flew out of the kitchen and ran straight for the car. I wasn't going to leave my mom time to ask anymore questions. On the way to the nearest drugstore, I couldn't help but think about how I, Gabriella Montez, was going off to buy condoms. Condoms! I certainly never thought that I'd be in this situation. Actually I'd ever really thought about condoms period. Not even when I did my second grade science fair project on latex and its formation in the laticiferous system.

Fifteen minutes later I was at the parking lot of Walgreens. I took on a minute or two to compose myself. Then I put on a pair of dark sunglasses and adjusted baseball cap on my head to a lower level. But as soon as I stepped out of the car door a familiar voice greeted me.

"Gabriella!" Kelsi greeted, walking towards me.

Obviously my disguise was not working.

"Umm…hi," I answered, a bit surprised. "What brings you here?"

"Just had to pick up a few things for my mom," she said, gesturing towards the bags she was carrying. "What about you?"

"Er…same here!"

"Anyways, I should get going. But I'll see you at school tomorrow. Bye!"

I watched her walk to her car before breathing a sigh of relief. Phew! I did not need to have her see me making my "special purchase." Walking into the store, I relished in the icy cold blast of the air conditioner. I bent over to pick up a shopping basket. When I stood back up I was met with another familiar face.

"Hey," Zeke said, with a smile.

"Hi." I gulped nervously. "What are you up to?"

"I'm actually in the middle of making a Baba au rhum right now. Turns out I've run out of butter. Usually I don't buy this low quality stuff, but it was the nearest store and I was desperate," he whispered conspiratorially.

"Don't worry," I winked. "Your secret's safe with me."

"Well I need to pay for all of this, so I'll see you later."

I waved goodbye and turned towards the feminine products aisle. But before I could even turn the corner, yet another familiar face came into view.

"Hi Gabriella!" Sharpay explained, attempting to hold several packages of butter. "Have you seen Zeke?"

I pointed towards the cash registers.

"Thanks!" She called out running towards that direction.

Good god did all of East High decide to shop at the very same drugstore? Or was it turn Gabriella crazy day?

Making sure that there wasn't yet another person that I knew near by, I quickly walked into the feminine products aisle.

Wow, so I totally wasn't expecting to find so many different kinds of condoms. In fact was sort of hoping that there would only be one brand waiting for me. But noooo, I was greeted with miles upon miles of contraception. Lubricated, extra sensitive, ribbed for her pleasure, strawberry flavored, one that shoots off lasers…

I stood there for quite some time, absolutely dumbfounded. If this was a box of crackers or something I'd look at the nutrition facts. Did they even have nutrition facts on condoms? Or I guess I could base it on the price. But something makes me suspicious about condoms being priced half-off.

"Hello, Ms. Montez," said a voice from right behind me.

I turned around only to find Ms. Darbus staring right back.

Oh shit.

"Hi, Ms. Darbus," I said, trying my best to feign a bright and cheerful voice. "I was just doing some research for class tomorrow."

"I see."

"This really has nothing to do with my personal life. Strictly academics."

"Well I hope you have fun…researching." Darbus coughed, tugging awkwardly at the scarf around her neck. "I should be going off now."

"Bye. See you tomorrow."

Quickly, Darbus' hand shot out and grabbed a package of condoms. With that, she sprinted down the aisle and out of my field of vision.

I couldn't believe what I'd just seen. Darbus….buying…condoms?

Well I suppose even eccentric drama teachers need love too.

Grabbing whatever package seemed to be the least complicated; I threw the condoms into my shopping basket and walked away. However as I continued walk, I looked down to and saw just how empty my basket looked with just a box of condoms in it. What would the cashier think of me? I had to buy a few others things to cover it up.

Within a few minutes my basket had accumulated two Snickers bars, a set of highlighters, a toilet bowl brush, a pair of water wings, liver aid tablets and a CD of Olivia Newton John's greatest hits. There leave it to the cashier to figure me out.

Thankfully, purchasing all these things was a snap. I managed not to bump into any more East High attendees and the lady at the register was nonchalant about everything I was buying.

With my purchases in tow, I walked back towards my car and drove home. Once I got to my house, I ignored my mom's greeting and ran straight to my room. I stuffed the bags in the closet with everything else I had bought that day.

It wasn't until then that I realized just how worn out I was. Today's intense planning and shopping excursion had taken their toll on me. But before I could rest there was one last thing I had to do. I took out my cell phone and dialed Troy's number.

"Well if it isn't the most beautiful, most intelligent girl I know," Troy answered charmingly.

I laughed, "What do you want, Bolton?"

"The answer to number thirteen on tonight's Calculus homework."

I shook my head, "You know I can't give you the answers."

"Well, I figured this was a fringe benefit to being your boyfriend. I did teach you how to do a layup."

"Whatever, you dork."

"Anyways," Troy interjected, "Since you didn't call to help me with Calculus, what's up?"

"Well my mom won't be home this weekend so I was just wondering if you could hang out here on Friday night."

"I really don't think that's a good idea."

"Please! I need you to um…" I racked my mind for excuses. "…help me with chemistry."

"Gab, we're not even in the same class."

Damn. Gotta think of another excuse.

I sighed dramatically, "If you must know. I wanted you over so I could surprise you with a romantic dinner. You know, for our anniversary."

"Our an-aniversary?" Troy croaked. I could practically hear the wheels in his head turn, just trying to figure out exactly what anniversary we were celebrating.

"Uh huh. It'll be exactly a year, a month and two weeks since we umm…had those call backs for the winter musical."

"Oh yeah! I was totally going to do that to…but um….you beat me to it. "

"It's ok. Don't worry about it anything. On Friday night it will be so romantic that I'll make sure you come."

"WHAT?"

Oops. Had I really said that?

"You know, come over to my house." I answered ever-so-innocently.

"Yeah. Totally. Listen, I should probably go now," Troy said before quickly hanging up the phone.

I smiled in satisfaction and put my cell phone away. With that last bit finally done I fell on to my bed in a huge exhausted heap and napped for what seemed like hours.

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A/N: I hope you guys like it! I don't think I've worked any harder on a chapter and writing this has certainly lead to many interesting google searches…