A/N: Indeed I am still alive.

Warning: The most premium warning is my intrinsic dislike for the shaping of this story. My plot-line for the story (which has already been mapped out) is good and I can get into the story. My problem lies in the writing of it. In my eyes it does not contain the fluidity that is required and as such it is very possible that I (at some point) will either delete, revise or otherwise alter this chapter to my own liking. I will also update very spasmodically and with really long pauses (a nod to my perfectionistic nature and the lack of flow I am experiencing) so be warned.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is recognizable in this and I will try to adhere as closely as I can to the timeline of High School Musical 3 so beware of spoilers and lots of them.


Far from being in an amiable mood Jason Cross glared at every person he could fixate his eyes on through the dirty window of the school bus. He was sat in the noisy abomination of a vehicle on his way to East High School for the first day of school after christmas break because his car had been taken from him.

The reason hadn't even been a good one. All he had done was destroying a vase and it wasn't even on purpose. Beside it had been butt-ugly one and frankly Jason thought he had done the world a favor by ruining it beyond repair. And he could hardly be held accountable for his father's new mother-in-law's hissyfit. The old hag was such a neat freak and had screamed bloody murder at the dirty water on her priceless kashmir rugs. She was on top of that a pack rat who had stuffed all too many things into the cabin therefore making it inevitable for Jason not to crash into something. How she managed to be both a neat freak and a pack rat was beyond Jason but he had already labelled her and wasn't about to rethink any of his obstinate bigotry ti favor of painting a prettier picture of her. She was and could only be the Hag of the Snorths.

The Snorths, Jason thought, was quite an inventive name for the snobs from the North but his dad didn't share the same sentiments. So uncool by him.

After a several hour long drive and being forced into an over-crowded van and headed for bloody Aspen in stupid Colorado state, sitting backwards the entire time no less, with boisterous brats that he generally despised but his father insisted were his half-brother and stepsiblings, had also taken a toll. That car trip had been the reason he had accidently walked into the table knocking over the priceless china vase. He had been so tired that he could barely see straight but no one believed him. Aside from Sophia, his stepsister but she was so gullible. In that manner they were quite similar he mused annoyed.

Anyway it definitely hadn't been the best way to kick off a holiday with a family that already saw him as a dumb oaf with nothing in his mind but sports. While that was in part true it did nothing to mitigate the resentment he harbored towards the bunch of snobs his father ordered him to treat with 'courtesy and dignity'. Sharpay was an eerie replica of his whole new family's attitude. Just his luck that his locker was so close to hers. Zeke found it more than convenient and often followed his best friend to his locker and hung around in hopes of getting a glimpse of the ice queen.

Back in Aspen Jason had done what he could to ruin the holiday whether it was disappearing for hours without a word when his father had explicitly explained to him he needed to attend their stupid bourgeoisie lunches. Yes, he knew that word: bourgeoisie. Mostly because he liked to have an extended vocabulary to insult his new 'family' in. If he was caught before he could sneak off to shoot some hoops or race down some slopes on a snowboard and forced to remain seated at endless meals and listen to mindless chatter he did his best to either sound more stupid than he usually did or would just retract into himself and ignore everyone even when they addressed him directly. Maybe that had been the true cause for him being grounded and his means of transportation removed.

The reason for his petulant behavior was in his own mind very good however selfish it may seem to others. He had never harbored any desire to go to stupid posh Aspen and wile away his entire vacation with people he hated, in weather he hated, eating food he really hated. While snowboarding edged on being fun, hell it had been a thrill if he had to be honest, it did not lift the disappointment of the plans he had had before a phone call had cancelled them.

He had wanted to go to exotic Honolulu where his mother lived. Not the fake blonde bimbo posing for a stepmother. All she was good for was lending the tales about the evil stepmother a reasonable amount of credence. No, on Hawaii his real mother lived. She was a professor in marine biology or something of the sort and taught classes during the summer and diving or spending time in a lab during the winter. As it was he only got to see her twice a year because there was so much damn water between them. During his last visit in the summer vacation he had even been cheated of two whole weeks during because she had been offered a one in a lifetime opportunity to go on an expedition to someplace faraway and enticing, the mystery of that surely lay hidden there beckoning her adventurous side. It had burned a bit to be sent back early because his mother would rather work but he had pushed it aside and instead chose to be happy for her love of her job and the unique chance that had befallen her.

The bus came to a sudden halt and jostled Jason from his dark musings. Well new day new adventure and there was not a trendy family member in sight. Jason jumped from his uncomfortable seat as if he had sat on a hedgehog and pushed past several students in the narrow aisle. With a big grin he jumped onto the tarmac where sun was shining from a cloudless sky. He was met with the commotion of students yelling across the large congregation that always assembled outside the school after all breaks.

As soon as the sun hit his face, Jason was met with boisterous cheering and a flurry of people rushed towards the newly arrived yellow bus. He returned the greetings and was high fiving and slapping palms until his arms were hurting. Truthfully Jason had never been much for the socializing thing but being the starting forward on East High's varsity team it came with the territory. Through the turmoil Jason was almost sure he caught sight of Troy and Aaron. Though the glimpse had been obscured by the mass of bodies that surrounded him, he started to inch his way out of the frenzy and towards where his captain's supposedly where standing, engaged in conversation with Aaron, the tallest guy on their varsity team.

"Yo buddy!" Jason turned at the yell and was met with the smiling faces of Chad and Zeke. They high fived and patted each other on the back, talking through the welcomes that were continually sent their way.

"How was your vacation?" Jason asked and rearranged his bag. Zeke lightened into a huge smile and immediately went into a long narrative of how he aced the christmas meal and the exact number of aunts who had asked for the recipes for his personalized crème brûlée. Chad rolled his eyes having already been subjected to the teachings of the secret ingredient.

Jason grinned at Chad's exasperated expression. It culminated with Chad clasping a hand over Zeke's mouth. "Yes, okay we get. The secret behind baking whatever stuff you said is to put the pork crackling in the oven while the meat is grilled. Will you shut up now?"

Zeke grimaced at Chad. "It's cooking not baking and I haven't even told Jase about the pastries." Chad groaned and Jason asked, heartened by the prospect of sweets: "You have any teaser with you?"

Zeke shook his head but before he could respond Chad turned to Jason in an attempt to divert the attention from Zeke's newest recipes. "Hey, how was Honolulu anyway? Any nice-looking chicks?"

"Oh right!" Zeke exclaimed. "You're so lucky. I would kill to go to Hawaii."

"Why? It's not like any of you need the tan."

"Troy!"

"Whassup, bro?"

"Heya dude."

"Hi guys. How was everyone's holidays?"

Zeke opened his mouth to launch a new rant about his christmas meal but a look from Chad quickly had him close his mouth. "So, Jase. Honolulu?" Jason's face darkened at his plight. He was seriously feeling sorry for himself. "I didn't get to go." The guys winced. "Ouch." "Yeah. Total bummer," Zeke seconded. "Tell me about it," Jason huffed. "So what did you do instead?" Troy asked though he was hardly paying attention. A goodly part of the student body wanted to say hello to the wildcat superstar and his crew.

At the question Jason shuddered. "I really don't want to talk about it. Think Aspen with a bunch of Sharpay-clones."

Chad gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder while Zeke looked dreamy. "Awesome," he sighed.

He was afforded three dummy slaps.


Homeroom with mrs. Darbus was commenced with the same theatrical voice that to Jason only served to make him sleepy. She was deeply engrossed in the usual mind numbing rant about the performing arts cleaning effect and the complete destruction of the new generation that obviously did nothing but play video games and drink alcohol.

Jason heard something land on his table and he glanced up from his arms where he had buried his head. A crumbled note lay on his table and, glancing up to make sure mrs. Darbus didn't notice, he unfolded it.

2on2 with C and T after school?

-Zeke

Jason stuffed the note inside his pencil case and caught Zeke's eyes as he nodded. He hadn't really had a chance to play against anyone during vacation so it was a welcomed respite. Beside he was in no hurry to get back home where the only thing that awaited him was his wicked step mom.

By the black board Mrs. Darbus continued to rant: "Kelsi Nielsen will be responsible for sign ups regarding our winter musical. The sheets will be posted on the bulletin boards and try outs is scheduled for next week. Jason, hand down."

The class chuckled and Jason grimaced. He was never allowed to ask any questions even if it spared his ears of the painful and completely irrelevant chatter of Mrs. Darbus' voice. Luckily a bell went off and Jason sighed in relief.

"That concludes our first homeroom together after the holidays," mrs. Darbus exclaimed easily overpowering the ringing bell with her screechy voice. "I hope you will all come to the auditions for our winter musicale," this was accompanied by a stern look at Troy who slowly glided further into his seat. "And Jason next time I see you passing notes in class you will get detention."

Zeke grinned cheekily at him. Jason mock glared and mouthed: 'That's so unfair!'


The sun in Albuquerque befell Jason so much better than meters of snow in Aspen but at the moment he was not of a mind to ponder the effects of weather. The balmy warmth, an extraordinary 58 F, along with the exertion the competition the varsity players put into the simple game had persuaded the four boys to drop their shirts a long time ago. They lay on the grass beside the red matting of the outdoor court in front of school.

Zeke and Jason were teamed against Troy and Chad who currently was up with one.

Zeke made a hand-off and bordering illegal screening on Chad, giving Jason the possibility of a long shot. The satisfying swoosh was music to his ears. Pure net.

"Losers' ball," Jason taunted with a beaming glint in his eyes as handed the rebound to Troy who grinned. "We'll see who's losers." Troy passed to Chad who faked a jab-step before throwing it back at Troy. He followed at a quick speed and screened Jason. Zeke hedged Troy, leaving Chad completely bare.

"I got him. Watch pick-and-roll. Pick-and-roll," Jason shouted to Zeke but it was too late.

Chad made a simple spin move and the layup was in the basket. "Crap," Zeke exclaimed, hands on his hips and looking at the bouncing ball with an irritated expression.

"And he scores. Team Danton wins!" Troy hooted. Chad cheered somewhere in the background and did a small victory dance which poor choreography would have had Ryan running away . Annoyed at the loss Zeke and Chad clapped hands and Zeke asked, "Danton, huh? How long did it take you to come up with that."

"One exceptionally boring english lit. class," Chad grinned. "And food's on you guys." Chad picked up his ball and their shirts, distributing the items to his sulky teammates.

Grumbling they started making their way to Troy's run down truck, captain and co-captain gloating at their victory. "Where are we going?" Zeke questioned as he and Jason jumped up behind the truck, Chad and Troy having won the right of the seats. Chad was driving for some reason, most likely Gabriella, Jason mused, as Troy was busy texting on his cell to notice anything going on around him.

"Some fastfood place," Chad decided, fiddling with his keys.

"Can't we go to the mall or something? It'll take longer," Jason questioned as he made himself comfortable. Or as comfortable as he could get trying to use a basketball for a pillow. When Chad started the car, it gave a lurch backwards which resulted in Jason slamming his head into the boot on account of his rather futile attempt with the basketball. Zeke snickered at him when he sat up, rubbing the sore spot.

"Doesn't Cinderella want to go home to his evil step mom and step siblings," it came from the front of the car. Jason poked his tongue at Troy who was smirked. "Any day, I tell ya," Jason replied. "Any day she's gonna offer me a red apple and then you'll se I'm right about her." They all grinned at the long standing joke.

"Whatever Jase. I'm gonna call Gabriella. Maybe she and the girls will meet us there," Troy said already with his cell phone pressed to his ears. At the sparkling in his blue eyes and his hand stylishly ruffling his hair the guys hooted at him. He was always so self conscious when he talked to Gabriella even if it was just over the phone. "The mall it is then," Chad stated quite as he rolled out of the school's parking lot.

Jason closed his eyes and let the moans of Troy' sick engine lull him into a dazed state. Beside him Zeke was going off into a rant about a new sort of muffins he would take a shot at when he came home. Jason hummed nearly inaudibly to himself.

It was good to be home.


A/N: Any feedback will be much appreciated especially comments on my writing and your perception of the way it's styled. At this point I'm torn whether to forget all about this start and return to scratch and create another angle or if it is fitting for the mood I'm trying to capture as well as Jason's character (which I know is somewhat OOC. It will be eradicated in possible future chapters as ICness is very important to me as a general).