The High School Musical franchise has come to an end, and Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens recently called it quits. But Ashley Tisdale says she and the former couple will always be the three musketeers.

"We're always there for each other," Tisdale, 25, told PEOPLE of her former castmates Wednesday at the DVD release of her HSM spin-off Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure. "I love being with them. They're so supportive. It's just like a bond. I can't explain it, but they're like a family I've grown up with."

Tisdale says the trio always pick up right where they left off. "We're growing up and we're working on different projects, but we're all super supportive of each other," she says. "They're like my brothers and sisters."

The bond between the three stars, forged beginning with the first HSM in 2006, was evident at Tisdale's Soho House launch party in West Hollywood, where both Efron and Hudgens were all smiles as they came out to support their pal.

Hudgens, 22, rocking a shorter, pinned-up 'do, told PEOPLE she was "feeling great" fresh off a trip to France, where she and her mom "enjoyed eating crepes."

She and Efron, 23, took their turns posing with Tisdale on the carpet, before the three were led to a private area in the back of the venue, where they celebrated with Tisdale's family and other former HSM stars.

Credit: PEOPLE (Dahvi Shira)

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens proved that not all Hollywood breakups have to be ugly. On Wednesday, the duo, who ended their five-year romance in December, both came out to show their support for High School Musical pal Ashley Tisdale's DVD release party in West Hollywood.

Although Efron, 23, and Hudgens, 22, arrived separately on the red carpet for Tisdale's Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure launch, it was anything but awkward once the exes were inside.

"Zac and Vanessa definitely seemed comfortable around each other," one observer tells Us Magazine. "They didn't seem affectionate or romantic at all, but they were totally relaxed and friendly."

Seconds another source: "They both came out to support Ashley. They knew they would both be there and were fine with it. They really are still friends."

Hudgens and Efron weren't the only HSM alum to cheer on Tisdale: Lucas Grabeel and Olesya Rulin also attended. "It was like a High School Musical reunion!" says the first observer.

"They were really excited to all see each other," the second source says. "It had been a long time. Everyone, including Zac and Vanessa, stayed late so they could catch up. They had a blast."

Would Tisdale, 25, want to work with her besties again? "I love them so much!" she told Us at the event. "At the time it's obviously a little weird for all of us to be in a movie together because it would remind you of High School Musical, but definitely in a couple years we can definitely do it."

Credit: Us  Magazine

Vanessa Hudgens admits distance doesn't always make the heart grow fonder.

A major factor leading to her split from longtime love Zac Efron last December was the pair's packed work schedules, which took them to opposite ends of the Earth at times.

"Long-distance relationships are hard no matter what," Hudgens tells the April issue of Shape, out March 21.

Unfortunately, there wasn't an app for that, says Hudgens, 22.

"When you don't have face-to-face time, it's just different. Having an iPhone helped, but it wasn't the same."

Although it's over, the relationship remains a significant one in her life.

"We grew up together," Hudgens says. "It was nice to have someone to share all of those experiences with." She adds of Efron, who visited her (as a friend) on the set of her new movie, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, "It was a good thing. The relationship kept me grounded, and because I was with someone who knew me so well, I didn’t need to try to be someone I'm not."

The good news: The break-up left her virtually unscathed – and ready to get back out there.

"I hope by the time I'm 30 to have a husband and maybe a baby," she reveals. "I love children. They're so much fun, and I would have a blast spoiling them!" 

Credit: PEOPLE (Sara Hammel)

They broke up late last year, but were caught kissing in January. So, what's the story with Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron?

To hear Hudgens tell it, they're trying to work it out themselves.

"We're still friends," the actress, 22, tells Details in its March issue. But she adds: "Who knows what the future will bring. We're figuring things out."

That's as much as she will say on the matter. But if Hudgens harbors any lingering feelings for her old flame, the Disney darling seems intent on ditching her own squeaky-clean image once and for all.

As she talks about filming the sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth in Hawaii recently, Hudgens focuses on how the makeup people worked hard to make her chest glisten.

"Throughout this whole movie we're trudging through the jungle. So, of course, we're sweating. I can't tell you how much time is spent putting oil on my chest," she says. "And Evian. Spraying Evian bottles on my chest and my arms and my forehead, but mostly my chest. Just to look like I'm sweating."

She adds: "But your boobs don't really sweat, cleavage doesn't sweat. So it's kind of funny."

Her costar, Michael Caine, has offered to help administer the oil – something Hudgens laughs about and says she doesn't mind.

"Not only is he uh-mazingly, stupidly talented, but he still kind of hits on me. All the time," she says. "If it was anybody else, I'd be like, 'Who the hell do you think you are?' But because it's Michael Caine, I'm like, 'Sock it to me more, baby, come on!' "

Cerdit: Tim Nudd for PEOPLE

Despite what seemed like a possible reconciliation between Zac Efron and longtime sweetheart Vanessa Hudgens, Efron has stepped out with a new woman.

The actor, 23, accompanied actress Teresa Palmer, 24, to a screening of her upcoming flick Take Me Home Tonight on Thursday.

"There was definitely some hand-holding," a source tells PEOPLE of Efron and Palmer inside the screening's after-party at L.A.'s Pink Taco restaurant. "The two ate together and seemed really engaged in conversation. They seemed really into each other."

The source adds: "They weren't trying to hide their affection at all, even though they knew people were watching them."

Another source says Efron and Palmer went to Voyeur nightclub in West Hollywood. Efron "gave high-fives to his friends" and watched the barely dressed go-go dancers "slide up and down the wall" with "a huge smile on his face."

"Zac chatted with Teresa for awhile," the source says. "She leaned in close so she could hear over the music [while Zac was] smiling and slightly flirting with her. There was no overt PDA, but he was not shy about giving her leg the occasional touch."

Credit: Dahvi Shira for PEOPLE

Brittany Snow arrives at Audi and Designer J. Mendel's Kick Off Celebration of Golden Globe Week 2011 at Cecconi's Restaurant on January 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Also pictured, Zac Efron.

Credit: Zimbio

Has absence made the heart grow fonder? It sure seems that way for Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

The pair, who announced their split in December, appeared to be more than friends at Friday evening's SHG's Eden Hollywood opening, where they were "constantly touching and kissing each other," an onlooker tells PEOPLE.

After arriving with pal Brittany Snow around midnight, the actors quickly took to the dance floor. "Vanessa was bopping around with her arms up while Zac had his hands all over her," the source says. "Vanessa had a smile on from ear to ear and the two were inseparable after that."

Eventually heading towards a table, the couple proceeded to get cozy – and stay that way for the rest of the evening.

"Zac sat in between her legs and she wrapped her arms around him," the onlooker notes. "They were making out on and off for the last hour or so until closing. They acted like there was no one else in the room."

Credit: People

As the recent split between Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens seemed to be quite a surprise, it looks like things may not be totally over just yet for the two young stars.

It appears that after Hudgens returned home yesterday afternoon from running errands, Efron was seen pulling into her driveway, states Just Jared. It is unknown how long he stayed or why he was there, but maybe the two are reconsidering their split.

It was rumored that the two ‘High School Musical’ stars had split because they had grown up and apart from each other.

Do you think Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens will give their relationship another try?

Credit: Hollywood News

Not far removed from ending their three-year romance, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgenswere both spotted keeping busy in Studio City, CA on Wednesday (December 22).

The "Sucker Punch" actress was accompanied by sister Stella as they did their best to cover their faces while arriving to the local gym for a workout session.

Meanwhile, Zac was doing his own thing as he braved the rainy weather to grab a bite to eat at the local Subway.

As for Zanessa's split, both parties have adamantly stated that cheating wasn't an issue - though Zac has since been linked to be wooing actress Taylor Schilling.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

When Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron ended their four-year relationship, sources said they remained close. Hudgens is validating that sentiment.

"We're good," she said Saturday night when asked how things are between the two of them, while giving a thumbs up.

The starlet seemed in high spirits as she celebrated her 22nd birthday at Las Vegas's Pure Nightclub. With her BFF's Ashley Tisdale and Brittany Snow with her, Hudgens was seen dancing on a couch at her VIP area inside the club. (Efron did not attend).

Earlier, she posed for a few fan photos while being presented with a three-tiered floral birthday cake. Shortly into the night, curtains were closed around her table, providing her group with privacy.

Though her year is ending with her split from Efron, Hudgens told PEOPLE that 2010 was a "good year".

"I worked a lot in 2009. I did two movies back to back, so this year I just hung out, took it easy, did a play which was a lot of fun, did a movie and now the year is coming to an end before I know it."

Donning a silver metallic dress by Pleasure Doing Business, the Sucker Punch actress said she has no New Year's resolutions, but she anticipates 2011 will be very busy – at least professionally.

"It's going to be a very, very busy year," she said. "I have three movies coming out in the next year, so I'm excited to see what the future is going to hold."

Credit: People

The king and queen of High School Musical are going their separate ways.

After more than three years together, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens have split, a source confirms to Us Magazine.

"It was mutual," the source explains. "They have been together for so long. It just ran its course."

And, the insider insists, "They are still talking and still friends. There's no drama. No one cheated. They just grew up."

Efron, 23, and Hudgens, 21, met in 2005 while making the first High School Musical flick, and became a romantic item about two years later.

"Right off the bat, we had a connection," Hudgens told Glamour magazine earlier this year. "I think everybody could see it. When we had our audition, they paired us together. And he was adorable."

"I think that we inspire each other," she added. "[I love] having someone to grow with."

Efron admitted to Details' September issue that he had pondered the single life. "Everyone tells me [to play the field]," he said. "I think a lot of guys would enjoy that. But I'm not really like that."

He shot down claims that their romance was an elaborate publicity stunt. "That's just [expletive] insane... It would have been so much easier to call it off a long time ago."

Credit: Us Magazine