Summary: Seven drunken teenagers embark on the wildest adventure of their lives, inevitably making foolish choices as they encounter smuggled goods, convicts, and illegal immigrants on their road trip to California.


California Dreamin'

"Are you ready to get fucked tonight or what?"

Troy Bolton slammed his locker shut before the contents spilled onto the floor. Fuck his locker, he could never fit anything in there.

Turning his head toward his best friend since third grade he merely nodded his head in acknowledgment.

"Yeah, man. I'm psyched."

Chad Danforth grinned in excitement, his voluminous afro shaking with vigor. "This is gonna be a hella amazing trip. You got the booze right?"

Troy blinked, frowning. "Was... I supposed to?"

"Troy," Chad deadpanned. "Are you shitting me? You fucking promised us you'd get something from your parent's wine cellar for us to bring to the party. We can't show up to Zeke's without drinks."

"Fuck, I completely forgot," Troy mumbled, his hand rubbing his temple. "Listen man, I'm so sorry-"

"
It's a'ight," Chad interrupted him with a devious smirk on his face. "Evans got a fake ID."

Troy stared at Chad with a blank expression his face before bursting into hysterical laughter. "Hahaha, Ryan Evans and a fake ID. You're funny."

"Dude, I'm so serious. As serious as my mother and her Mexican construction worker fetishes."

"Right, is your mom still dating the guy she employed to fix your roof? Is he even legal?"

Chad shivered. "I dunno, man. I saw them once in the Del Taco parking lot in his truck. If he's got a truck, he must have a green card or something. Anyway, that's besides the point-" Chad stopped mid-way once he noticed his friend's eyes trail down the hallway to a certain brunette who was busy chatting amiably with a classmate.

Chad shook his head in dismay. "Grow a pair and ask her out already, you sad excuse for a human!"

"Huh?" Troy awoke from his reverie, puzzled. "Did you say something?"

"Other than you not having the balls to man-up and take action for once in your life, no - not really."

Troy chose to ignore that comment. "I was thinking of inviting her to Zeke's party tonight."

At that, it was Chad's turn to burst into hysterics. "HAHA, ARE YOU KIDDING? Miss goodie-two-shoes at one of this year's biggest parties? Holy fuck, man. You're funny. That's like saying Ryan will enlist himself in heavy-weight wrestling matches and that Jason won't come in trashed when he takes his final. It's all a gag."

Troy's gaze traveled back to the brunette. His eyes stared down at her smooth curls cascading down her back.

"Why not? There's a first time for everything. Plus, I already promised her we'd hang out tonight, but I want to go to the party, too. Might as well merge the two."

Chad shook his head, releasing a heavy sigh. "You, brah, really need to get laid. Fast."

"Hm?" Troy mumbled, his mind blocking out the sound of Chad's voice as his eyes rested upon the gorgeous brunette approaching him.

Troy felt as if time slowed down as a mysterious wind that seemingly came from where blew upon Gabriella's hair, her raven hair glistening as the wind blew and a light seemed to shine upon her. Troy shook his head in an attempt to escape from his reverie. Thoughts like these seemed to consume him on most days, rendering him unable to concentrate on anything school-related that did not have to do with Gabriella. Sure, he could write a ten page analytical paper on how that girl is the cutest creature he has ever laid eyes upon. Maybe then he would not have a D in AP Literature and Composition. Why did he even bother taking the class? Oh, yes - Gabriella mentioned something about applying for the course last year and he (in a desperate hope that she would be in at least one of his classes) enrolled. English had been the only class he seemed to be passing with flying colors, so it was the only AP course he could get a good recommendation in. Turns out his plan did not work out so well since he could neither focus nor function in that class because of her. Not to mention it was seriously impairing his average.

Troy broke out of his deep thoughts as two tiny hands wrapped around his neck, bringing him in close for a tight hug. He grinned like a fool, wrapping his arms around the petite girl, savoring the few seconds of her sweet embrace.

"Summer's finally here, Wildcat!" She whispered into his ear before pulling away much to Troy's disappointment. She shot him a sly smile before intertwining her hands with his, "I can't wait for the party tonight!"

Troy leaned down, resting his forehead against Gabriella's as he smiled whole-heartedly. "I can't wait either. Zeke's rents just got a pool installed. And you know what they say, night swimming's the shit," he winked.

Gabriella giggled, her eyelashes fluttering. "Me and Taylor can't stay too late though. Calc finals are at 10 A.M. tomorrow. We plan on reviewing by the poolside."

Troy's smile dissipated, disappointment filling his features at the sound of her plans. She planned to study with Taylor. He couldn't possibly spill his guts tonight while she was distracted with academics. He forced a meek smile, pretending to be unaffected even though she seemed to have forgotten that they explicitly set a side today to hang out together alone, meaning just the two of them with no high maintenance best friend lecturing her about academics in sight.

"Oh, well. Good luck on the exam, I guess. Um, not that - um you need any luck cuz you're like a genius and um," he stammered. "You'd probably ace that without even studying."

She smiled but shook her head. "Oh, no. I've missed all of the Saturday review sessions for the final. I'm actually pretty screwed for this."

He offered her a weak smile, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "I'm sure you'll do fine. You always do."

Next to him, his obnoxious best friend cleared his throat. "Ahem, if you're done with the dramatics Romeo, it is a matter of urgency that we venture towards the nearest bodego and buy some booze for Zeke's party."

Troy glared at his friend who had the worst timing ever. Chad always knew when to ruin an ideal moment.

Gabriella rose an eyebrow out of curiosity, nudging Troy by the shoulder. "Why a bodega?"

"Simple," Chad answered for Troy, shrugging his shoulders carelessly."They barely speak English. I doubt they even know the drinking age here in America."

Gabriella narrowed her eyes at Chad, shaking her head in disbelief. Not bothering to reply, she shifted her attention towards the blue-eyed Adonis standing in front of her.

"I'll see you later tonight, Troy. I have to go change and get ready for tonight. Text me when you're about to leave for Zeke's," She stood on her tiptoes, leaning over to quickly plant a kiss upon Troy's cheek before reluctantly disbanding her fingers from Troy's.

With a quick wave, she swerved around and headed towards the exit, blending in with all the other East High students excitedly exiting their school for the last time this year. Troy stood still, dumbfounded before reaching his hand out to touch the spot on his cheek. Beside him, the afro-haired teenager smirked knowingly.

"What did I tell ya man? Whipped, completely."

But Troy did not hear a single word that came out of Chad's mouth. He had other things on his mind instead like how the hell would he be able to handle Gabriella and a bathing suit tonight.

Oh boy.


AN: Continue or not?