Another Pain

Summary: Jason and Kelsi magically fall in love. It was a perfect fairytale. All fairytales have their downsides, though. On their first date, a horrible event occurs and leaves one in horrible condition and the other feeling guilty that they weren't hurt.

In many places in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it was quiet. At East High School, however, the school dance was raging with Wildcats. Many girls tried to flirt with Troy Bolton so he'd dance with them, but he refused politely. He was too hung up on Gabriella Montez, his girlfriend, to even think about dancing with the others. As another girl flirted with Troy, Chad Danforth rolled his eyes. He said to his friend, Jason Cross, "This is getting annoying."

"I agree with you. Hey, where's Zeke?" Jason asked, referring to their friend, Zeke Baylor. "With Sharpay," Chad said, making a face. "Evans?"

"Who else would be named after a dog?"

"True," Gabriella walked up to Troy and kissed him on the cheek. Troy smiled and returned the kiss. "Awww…" Jason and Chad both said. "Hey guys," Zeke said. "You're back,"

"I know. What's with Troy and Gabriella?"

"They're in love," Jason said, rolling his eyes. "Should we help them decide the cake flavor?" Zeke asked. Troy said, "Ha ha ha. Very funny,"

"I vote chocolate. Who's with me?" Chad said. "Sounds great," Jason said and Zeke nodded. "So, where did you just come from, Zeke?" Troy asked. "Yeah. Tell us," Gabi said. "Does it really matter? Really? OK fine! I was dancing," Zeke said. "With who?" Chad asked. "You mean whom," Gabriella said. "Gabi?" Troy said. "Yes, sweetie?" Jason and Zeke kept clearing their throats and coughing so they wouldn't laugh but Chad burst out laughing. Taylor McKessie, Chad's girlfriend, walked up then. "What's with Chad?"

"Hi Taylor," Troy, Gabi, Zeke, Chad and Jason said. Gabriella gave Taylor a look that sums to: Chad's getting annoying. Taylor got the hint. "Hey guys," Taylor said. Then hugging Chad, she added, "Hi cutie-pie!" Chad blushed red and Zeke, Jason and Troy burst out laughing. "Funny. Very funny," Chad said, his face returning to the normal color. "Oh, it is funny," Troy said. "Sweetie!"

"Cutie-pie!" Zeke said, "Guys, shut up."

"Who were you dancing with?" Gabi asked Zeke. Jason and Chad gave each other a look that said: If only they knew. "You don't know?" Taylor asked. "No," Troy and Gabriella said. "Everyone is talking about it. If you must know, he was dancing with Sharpay," Troy pointed at Chad and Jason and asked, "You knew?" Chad said, "Yeah. So?" As they kept talking, Jason wasn't in the conversation. He was too busy looking at Kelsi Nielson. He really liked her and was sure she liked him but… The whole thing of Jason being on the basketball team and Kelsi being in the drama club made it impossible to go out without being teased and rumors circulating around the school.

"Dude?" Chad was speaking. "Yeah?"

"You've been spacing out on us," Troy said. "Oh. Sorry,"

"Talk to her. You'll feel better," Taylor said. "What are you talking about?"

"Dude," Zeke said, "you like Kelsi but you won't admit it."

"Who said I do?" Jason asked, feeling that his ears and face were turning a slight pink. "You're blushing and that means love," Chad said. "Does not!"

"Kelsi likes you," Gabriella said. Jason smiled and ran to where Kelsi was. "Lovestruck," Troy muttered. Jason turned around and yelled over his shoulder, "I heard that!" Kelsi was sitting on the bleachers alone, just thinking. Someone sat down next to her. Hoping it was Gabriella or Taylor, she said, "Hi."

"Hey," a semi familiar voice replied. Kelsi turned to find Jason Cross, the Jason Cross sitting next to her. Thoughts rushed through her mind hoping for certain things. "Whatcha doing?"

"Being bored out of my mind,"

"Ah. So…"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna dance?" Jason asked timidly. "Sure," Kelsi said, trying not to sound eager. Jason got up and took Kelsi's hand and helped her up. "Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah?" Kelsi said curiously. "I really can't dance all that well,"

"I don't mind," The two entered the dance floor and started dancing. Chad, Troy and Zeke were talking when Gabriella interrupted them. "Gabi! We were talking, you know," Troy said. "Well, sorry," Gabriella said sarcastically, "but look over there."

"Where?" Chad asked, looking. "It's just a sign. Hey, there's Jason and Kelsi dancing," Zeke said. "Whoa," the three boys said in shock. "Are they in love?" Chad asked. "You idiot, they're not in love," Taylor said. "Who?" someone asked. Troy looked over and saw Sharpay Evans. "Jason and Kelsi. They're dancing." Sharpay said, "Those two? Dancing? Together?" Chad said, "If you want, we'll put you on a waiting list." Sharpay stuck his tongue out at Chad and he started laughing.

Jason and Kelsi were dancing, having fun when the song turned off. They decided to dance to one more song. Then "Beautiful Soul" came on and all the couples dancing were now slow dancing. Troy and Gabriella and Chad and Taylor and Zeke and Sharpay were among them. Jason looked at Kelsi who was slightly blushing. "Um. . ." Kelsi said. "Uh. . . well, still wanna dance?" Jason asked with a weak smile. "Well…sure," Kelsi said, returning the smile. Jason uncertainly placed one hand on Kelsi's and the other on her waist. Kelsi put one hand in his, and the other on his shoulder and they swayed to the music. As the song ended, everyone started leaving and Troy waved over to the boys. "Well, I gotta go,"

"Yeah, 'bye," Kelsi said, smiling. "'Bye," Jason said, with a big grin.He quickly hugged her and waved and ran to his friends. "Hey," Troy said. "That hug looked pretty sincere, I'll say," Zeke said. "I agree," Chad said. "Guys?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up," Jason said. "Seriously."