THREE WORDS, EIGHT LETTERS

Chapter 2: Play Buddy

The strapping boy of eighteen grinned contently as he, Troy Bolton, made his way out of the registration office. Not being in school because of his absence had brought a minor setback in his life but then again, it brought him joy as he was going to spend his next two years of high school with a certain brunette beauty.

He casually made his way down the hall with one hand in his jeans pocket and the other swinging at its side with his schedule and a black and white composition notebook in it. He wore a white V neck T-shirt and a pair of washed out black jeans that hugged every muscle on his perfect body. Troy smiled, making a few pretentious girls squeal at his presence. Noticing the group of girls as he walked, he winked; making them squeal even more from the excitement he gave them.

Things had definitely changed, from him being shoved into lockers and constantly being bullied to him practically being view as god; girls lining up to get a piece of him and guys wanting to be him. It felt great. New even. A new him but only body-wise.

Troy was never the type to join the crowd let alone bully someone. He was a gentle soul. Always there whenever someone he was close to was hurt or even standing up for something he knew wasn't right. He didn't care if anyone called him a freak. As long as he knew who he was, that's all that mattered.

Now meters away from the brunette, who had her back turned to him, Troy couldn't help but smile widely at the sight of her. Just a few more steps and.. " guess who " He whispered into her ear after covering her eyes.

Was it possible to feel someone roll their eyes on your hands? Cause Troy couldn't help but chuckle as he felt a little tickle.

" Troy, I'm gonna count to three.. "

" I feel your lips moving but I hear no words " He whispered with a smirk.

Rolling her eyes, Gabriella made a quick thrusting motion; sending her elbow backwards onto a soft spot on his stomach. Troy swiftly removed his hands and groaned at the sharp pain.

Turning towards him, she smiled victoriously as she felt somewhat joy seeing her best friend in pain. And as he slightly turned, she couldn't help but notice a paper sticking out of his back jean pocket. She goes to grab it but felt her hand being slapped away. Troy looked at her, finding himself staring into her eyes as she stared back into his.

" ..uh, gabs..? " Sharpay tried to get her attention.

But it didn't work, Gabriellas' second attempt at the paper failed as Troy quickly grabbed it and held it out of her reach. She crossed her arms and pouted. He chuckled before grabbing her hand, pulling her away from the two girls who exchanged looks that said, what the hell just happened?

Troy and gabriella, not really knowing what to say, were silent as they walked. It had been almost a week since their encounter. At first, they thought it would be easy to talk to each other, share secrets as if nothing had happen but they both grew to realize that it wasn't as simple as they thought. They both realized a change in one another. A change that kept them distant but close as they wanted nothing more than to hold onto each other like never before. A change that made them realized that.. they weren't who they thought they were.

Back to square one, they both thought.

Troy, who was now looking at the brunette, grinned. " so, how was your morning? "

Gabriella rolled her eyes at his lame attempt to make conversation and as she stared back at him, she couldn't help but ask.. " I'll probably never get tired of asking this but.. what are you doing here? "

He chuckled. " well, Montez.. I- "

" oh, we're on last name basis now " She teased.

He rolled his eyes playfully. " as I was saying.. your looking at East Highs' newest student " He finally moved his schedule in her reach.

Shaking her head as if in disbelief, she took a hold of the paper. " ..oh, wow.. we have most classes together "

" good.. cause I'm never leaving you out of my sight " He said huskily in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

She scoffed to disguise her developed blush. " oh, here comes the bad news.. "

He pulled back confused.

" first period starts in two minutes and.. " She shoved the paper to his muscular chest. " you don't have the first three classes with me "

He smirked. She was pretty damn sexy whenever she wanted to be. He couldn't help but avert his eyes downwards.

It was as if it was blinding his eyes, making him unable to see straight. There, laid a familiar beautifully crafted, shimmering shiver heart shaped necklace; hanging unaffectedly around her neck.

Her small lips perked up into a smile. " ..bye " She waved before she walking past him.

He smiled also after watching her being engulfed by the sea of people. He couldn't help but get a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach at the fact that she was wearing the necklace he had given her two years prior.

It was no surprise that he was in love with her and it just wasn't because of her long dark locks that he loved sinking his fingers through, her olive tan skin that gave off a glowing appeal or her dark brown eyes that he noticed only sparkle whenever they were near each other. No. It was how she would lit up an entire room with just one smile or how she would always think of others needs before her own and she just being.. herself. The crazy girl that would always dance around her room wearing an oversized T-shirt with one of her hair brushes in her hands and singing along to a Taylor Swift song whenever she thought no one would notice. He wondered if she still did that.

Quickly shaking the thought out of his mind, he turned to walk away himself but only to jerk back in utter shock.

There stood a dorky or more like a ridiculous looking boy an inch away from him. " ..wow, your first day and already talking to the hottest girl in history.. man, your a legend " A grin broke out on his face. He brought his fist up, waiting for him to pound it.

He raised an eyebrow and stared at the kid. Snapping out of the trance moments later, he shook his head. " ..who or what are you and what are you doing? " His sapphire blue eyes caught onto his brown oversized sean john sweat suit, the big J chain dangling from over his neck and the matching brown cap turned backwards.

" ..come on, you know.. " He gestures his own fist to his hand. Seeing him not budging, he stopped. " ..no? "

The sound of laughter blurred throughout the crowded area as Troy moved around him, making his way to his first period class he didn't want to be late for.

" ..wha-wait " He hurried off towards him.

Troys eyes rolled to the back of his head as his feet came to a stop. Once again putting his attention to the boy, he waited for him to speak.

" okay.. my name is Jimmie Zara or formally known as 'The Rocket' around here " He started with his grin returning, " and well seeing as your cool and I'm cool, " He made hand gestures. " maybe we could be buds.. you know, since your new and all.. I can show you the ropes cause I'm practically the only one that knows anything about anything and everyone at this school an- "

" ..Jimmie? "

The boy froze as he was caught off guard by his sudden interruption. Staring at him blankly, he uttered. " y-yeah.. "

" has anyone ever told you that your name doesn't match your face? "

His face twisted into a look of uncertainty. " well, uh.. no bu- "

Troy snickered and attempted to make his escape but was stopped yet again.

He grabbed his arm, holding him back. " I'm being serious here, I mean if you ever need a wingman then I'm- "

" look, if I ever need help.. you'll be the first one I call, okay? "

His face lit up with excitement. " yeah "

He forced a smile before finally breaking free from him. His eyes rolled the second his back was turned. How could anyone take him seriously when he's dressed like a clown?, he couldn't help but wonder.

The goofy smile on Jimmies' face stood as he watched him disappeared into the crowd, though it dropped when he suddenly realized that he didn't have his number. " h- " He goes to yell after him but stopped himself when he realized it was no use. Maybe next time then.

..and that time was now.

The brown eyed boy stalked the alpha male as he made his way into the noisy cafeteria. He watched as Troy gaze around the cafeteria, in search for something.. or more likely someone. He started to wonder who or what it was but before he got the chance to, troy was on the move again.

" okay, spill " Sharpay demanded as soon as Gabriella sat down at their table. It had been bugging her all day that a guy, she had never met before, would walk up to her best friend and act as if they were friends or more likely lovers.

She and gabriella were obviously the closest out of the three and she grew a bit hurt that out of all the time they've been friends, that she never had mention the blue eyed stranger.

Not giving her the time to speak, she asked. " are you cheating on Neil? " A sudden burst of anger washed over Melissa as she stared disdainfully at her.

She grew shocked. " what? I'm not- "

" then who was that guy? " Melissa asked.

" he's just a fr- "

" thought you could get rid of me, huh? " Troy more stated than asked as he took the empty spot next to the brunette, immediately wrapping an arm around her shoulder when he was comfortably seated.

She slightly shook her head. " hey troy " She smiled sheepishly at him. He smiled back.

" ahem " Melissa faked coughed as they tried to get the attention of the two who seemed to have drifted into another universe.

Gabriella turned to the girls, first growing confused at the stares they were giving her but blushed slightly as she soon understood. " oh, troy I.. forgot to introduce you to my friends "

" forget or wanted to keep him all to yourself? " Sharpay murmured, receiving a glare from the brunette.

" as I was saying.. " Her eyes shut. She mentally kicked herself for starting off with the same line Troy had used earlier. She rolled her eyes when he chuckled. " Troy, this is Sharpay.. " She pointed to the blonde who smiled. " and Melissa " She pointed to the other brunette who had flipped her hair back with a huff. She ignored her as she continued. " Melissa, Sharpay.. this is Troy, my friend "

Before the two could say what they wanted to say, Jimmie entered the scene. " hey troy "

Troys' eyes widen and almost fell out of their sockets when he heard that voice. And hey troy, how did he know his name? He wasn't careless to reveal that information to him, was he?

" ..and hello ladies " Jimmie said in a slick voice as he leaned his body to the side, in a 30 degree angle, resting his hand to the edge of the table and crossed his leg with a sly grin on his face in attempt to look cool but his attempt failed when his hand slipped, causing him to drop to the floor.

Uncontrollable laughter escaped the girls lips as he quickly got up, causing his cheek to flash a very dark shade of red. This wasn't anything new to him. Always being the outcast as he was, girls would constantly tease and laugh at him whenever he tried to make a move. Was he that bad? Were they that heartless? All he ever wanted was a girl to like him or even a friend to be there for him. That's when his embarrassed eyes landed on Troy who was shaking his head in disappointment with his hand moving from his forehead through his sleek hair in annoyance.

Troy, not being able to take anymore embarrassment, got up and pulled the boy into a corner. " what are you doing? " A new wave of stress piled over the other, making him groan at the slight headache.

" what do you think they're talking about? " Asked Sharpay.

" don't know, don't care but I am certain that that thing is not sitting here " replied Melissa. Her focus was now on the miniature mirror in her hands.

Gabriella said nothing as she stared at Troy from afar with a look of concern on her face though it quickly went away when Troy turned and gave her a quick smile before he turned back to Jimmie to one again argue with him. It was then that she knew it was all an act and that meant she would have to play a part in it somehow.

" are you done talking to your play buddy? " Gabriella said as soon as troy returned and laughed hysterically along with the other girls.

" ella, that means " Troy started rubbing his temple to show the girls that he was upset which he really wasn't. Blocking the girls view of his face, he sent Gabriella a warm smile which she returned happily. Knowing that Jimmie had left the scene in content.

The last period bell rang, alerting the students it was time to leave. Troy, who was getting up from his seat that was in the back, was hoping to walk out with Gabriella but to his surprise, she dashed out of there like there was no tomorrow. He knew that she would be at her locker so entering the crowded hallway, he made his way to her locker and of course not liking what he was seeing when he reached there.

How did this happened? She wasn't taken last week—well it seemed as if she wasn't. He had been with her every single day since and he always knew where she was going, who she was hanging out with—unless..

" i have to get home or else my mom would freak "

" i have to babysit "

" sorry, i have a lot of homework to do "

..she had lied to him.

Noticing the couple pulling apart from one another, he couldn't help but grew furious when he saw who the boy was.

Troy had meet him once. Nick? or was it Nigel? Either way, he didn't care at that moment. All he knew was that he had what he wanted and that didn't settle right with him.

The great difference between voyages rests not in ships but in the people you meet on them.

- Amelia Bar