Disclaimer: Don't own any of it.

Note: AU. Most definitely AU. I don't how to sum it up, Troy's on a journey of self-destruction because of a girl who left him a long time ago.

The cigarette ignited casting a warm glow in the dark space. His hands, shaking slightly brought it away from his lips and he exhaled breathing out the toxic air. His thumb flicked it downwards and embers flew in different directions. He brought it back up to his lips breathing it in like a sweet aroma. He closed his eyes and there she was, she was always there, her head on his chest their bodies swaying slowly. He flicked cigarette to the concrete smashing the burn out with the heel of his boot. He let his head fall back against the brick of the building, opening his eyes only to be met with darkness. He swore under his breath. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the slim chrome flask, twisting off the cap before bringing it up to his mouth, the dark liquid burned as it traveled down his throat. He finished it and slid the flask back into his pocket, before pushing off the wall and making his way to his truck. He wouldn't drive home; he slithered onto the leather seat, pulling the door shut. His eyes closed within minutes lolling him into a deep drunken sleep.

The song drifted into the desolate bar, echoing off the exposed brick walls. She felt his arms encircle her waist and his whiskey breath whispered into her eye.

"Dance with me."

Three simple words. To many people it was just a gesture. Dancing, that is. But to her it meant so much more, especially since it would be the last dance they would share. She rested her heavy head on his warm chest trying to remember this moment. He held her waist tightly, pulling her a closer and kissing her neck. She could feel people staring, could feel his drunken feet moving wrong, she didn't care. The song ended fading out she held onto him for a few seconds longer before leaning up and capturing his lips in a long kiss.

"Let's get out of here."

His words were barely above a whisper and whiskey laced. But she found herself taking his hand and leading him to the car. He was asleep by the time they made it back to his apartment.

"Come on baby, were home."

She held back threatening tears as she tried to lace her strained voice with honey. He mumbled something before stretching his arms and slowly managed to get out of the car on his own. She grasped him around the waist and his arm slung loosely on her shoulder. The walk to his particular apartment seemed like hours. They stumbled inside and she led him to his bed. She pulled his jeans and shirt off and left him clad only in boxers. Slowly brushing the chestnut hair aside she kissed his sticky forehead breathing in his scent of cigarette smoke and alcohol.

"Bye Troy."

The words were whispered but he had heard them, if he had known he would've stopped her, promised her a change, but in his drunken state he believed she would be back tomorrow, just like she always was.

Troy awoke with a jolt, he squinted his eyes trying to remember exactly where he was. Reality came a few seconds later when he recognized his truck's interior. He sighed sitting up slowly and he could feel a hangover from hell in its early stages. Every night it was the same thing.

It was almost funny that his drinking was what drove her away and now drinking was filling the void that she left. No matter how he looked at it, Troy always came to the same conclusion he would forever be stuck in this sickening cycle of reliving that night in every possible way until she was his again. He wasn't hopeful though, she broke his hope a long time ago, the night she left him. Troy Bolton's faith was still stuck on a wooden dance floor, in a bar, out in the middle of nowhere along with his broken heart.

A/N: So this was gonna be a two-shot but now I'm not so sure. I'm not the type of person to beg for reviews but some feedback would be nice. Please and thank you. I drew some inspiration from the song Slow Dancing by Lucero. Amazing song by the way.