A/N: Yeah, I know I said a week, but it's amazing. I'm like hooked. Not having anything new for you guys was killing me. So, here's a new one. If you like, review, if you don't, keep it to yourself. I'm so excited!

Gabriella never thought it would happen. Never thought it was even remotely possible. Yet, there she was, storming down an empty street of the city, tears running down her face, at two o'clock in the morning

"A blond," she laughed to herself. She had always known he would betray her for a blond. Sharpay's childhood love for him making her on edge around every blond in the world. A little voice in the back of her head had always told her that she was never going to be good enough for him. Still, the thought of him with someone else was ripping her heart out. She had truly loved him, she still loved him, but the feeling, obviously wasn't going to be returned.

She stopped to take a breath. Her chest hurt and she sent a hand over her heart, grabbing the fabric of her black long sleeve shirt. She sent her other hand to the brick wall next to her as she hunched over, trying to get a hold of herself. Her uncontrolled pants and half sobbs invaded the silence of the night around her.

She thought back to the party she had been at only hours before. She had never really liked parties in high school. She had known college would be no different. She had gone only to see him, for he was the one hosting it. "To celebrate the end of classes and a whole month of freedom," is what he had called it.

The loud music had assaulted her as she reached his apartment door, and it took forever for someone to open it, her knocks not loud enough to overcome the music. The moment she had entered she had felt uncomfortable. Some many faces entered her line of vision, and she was unable to recognize any of them. She pushed through the mass of bodies until she had heard his voice. Turning a corner she had found him advancing with open arms to a blond women. She watched as his lips found each cheek of the mysterious girl and then Gabriella's body froze. Troy had pulled away from the blond; his crystal blue eyes filled with something Gabriella thought only belonged to herself. Love. His fingers were intertwined in hers as he laughed and smiled with her.

Gabriella blinked her eyes as she righted herself. She wanted the memory out of her head, it hurt every time she thought about it. She had run, naturally. Anything to get away from the inevitable.

She felt her silver Blackberry vibrate from her jean pocket, the ring tone muffled from the fabric.. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Troy Bolton. She exhaled in annoyance. It was the third time he had called. Her finger found the send button and the phone was placed to her ear.

"God, finally," his worried voice made her heart burst, "Where are you? Chad said you came, but then left in a hurry. Why didn't you stay? Why didn't you find me?"

Anger welled up, "You were a little preoccupied when I saw you," she bit out.

"What do you mean?" he was on the defensive, "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean what's wrong?" she yelled. "I saw you with her!"

"With who?" his voice was filled with confusion. His defiance was only making her anger rise.

"The blond girl you were all over at the party!" she yelled into the tiny cell phone, tears returning to her eyes.

"What?" his voice was shocked, then he groaned and got a hold of himself, "No, Gabriella, its not what you think. You're confused-."

She cut him off, "Last time I checked Bolton, I wasn't blind!" She could almost feel his pain at the use of his last name, "I know what I saw. You couldn't keep your hands off her!"

"No, Gabriella, please," he was pleading now, "Come back and let me explain. I don't want you out there and alone. Its dangerous."

"Don't concern yourself with me Bolton," she ordered, the conversation was making her heart hurt, "go back to enjoying your party. Your freedom."

"Gabriella," his pleading was turning into begging, "You know I would never hurt you."

"To late," She whispered out, "you already have, its over," she dropped the cell phone from her ear and ended the call.

Her body was shaking and she let herself slide down to the sidewalk. Confusion hit her. He had tried so hard to explain something that could not be explained. She saw him with another women, how could he explain that?

Gabriella's head shot up as she heard strong voices from the ally next to her. She picked herself off the ground and hesitantly went to glance around the corner. Her eyes grew wide.

Four men inhabited the small ally. One was on the ground and Gabriella's breath caught when she saw his uniform. He was a cop. The other three men were standing over the cop, taunting and kicking out at him.

"Where's the payment Hunter?" The biggest of the three barked out as his foot landed in the cops stomach. The man was at least two hundred pounds of pure muscle and very tan, or black? Gabriella couldn't tell in the darkness. The other two were somewhat shorter and less muscular, one pail as white, the other as dark as the first.

"I told you," the cop on the ground pleaded, blood running form his nose, "I need more time, I don't have it yet."

The man kicked out again, "That's the wrong answer," the two smaller men laughing at the helplessness of the cop. "Maybe you'll get it faster if I pay a visit to dear Haley," Gabriella saw the cop freeze, his eyes growing wide with fear, "Or what about, sweet, little, Sarah?"

The cop spoke, his voice stronger than it should be in his present situation, "You leave my family alone."

Gabriella inched closer, hiding behind a dumpster close to the entrance of the ally. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She had to get help, but for some reason she was rooted to the spot. Her body wouldn't let her leave the man, but it wasn't like she could help him. Yeah, she had taken self-defense lessons and a little bit of karate after what had happened three years ago, but still, the man was huge, and she was outnumbered.

She glanced around the corner of the dumpster. The cop, Hunter, was still on the ground, but now the two smaller men were kicking out, the other man a few feet away, a small cell phone pressed to his ear.

"Yeah," the mans voice was harsh, "he doesn't have the money,' he turned to look at the cop, a small smile spreading across his lips, "Understood."

Gabriella froze at the sigh of the smile; she had seen something like it once before, the smile of pure evil still haunted her dreams on occasion. She already knew what was going to happen before the man pulled out the black handgun.

"It seems like your services are no longer needed," the gun was raised, and she inhaled and then immediately hid behind the dumpster, both hands over her mouth. Real smooth, a voice in her head chastised. She relaxed when she heard the two smaller men continue beating the cop. They had not heard her.

She shifted to the balls of her feet, her black and white chucks ready for the burst of speed. Making a run for it was the only option. Even if they did see her, she would be long gone before they decided to follow. She pushed power into her legs before she was fully upright, her knees bent and ready.

She powered one foot forward; her right arm pumping backwards as her left went forward, clawing at the air. She only got two steps when a hand clasped onto her right wrist, an iron grip cutting off the circulation immediately. Her momentum was still carrying her forward as the hand roughly jerked back, her feet leaving the ground as her body was pulled backwards. Her right shoulder slid out slightly, but shifted back in place when her back met the hard ground of the ally. The wind was knocked from her lungs, and stars danced in front of her vision, her head swimming.

Her eyes stared up into the black sky, then, a figure invaded her vision. The huge man from before, and she could now tell that he was black. He was leaning over her, his insanely white teeth glowing in the dark. She stared up into his eyes, hers flashing with rage as he smiled the smile she hated.

"Curiosity killed the cat, my dear," his deep voice was laughing at her.

Shit!

A/N: Yeah, she's caught again. I know, hate me, do whatever, but she's a fighter this time. And believe me, its going to be fun writing that part. Who is the blond woman Troy was with, you ask? Not telling!