"He walked in on you?" Chad eyes widen as he watched Gabriella slip her coffee. "What the hell does that mean?"

Gabriella pushed some of her hair off her shoulders and leaned forward, "I mean he stood in my doorway through the entire call. Like a creep."

Chad frowned, "How much did he see?"

Gabriella raised a brow, "I assume he saw the whole the thing."

Chad furrowed his brow as he tried to get his mind around it. The idea of Troy standing in her doorway watching her pleasuring herself. He was suddenly filled with a feeling to kick his ass.

"I mean he thought I was talking to my boyfriend so it's not as bad as it could have been."

"You're handling this a lot better than I would have expected," Chad said reaching for a cookie from the plate between them.

"What do mean?" Gabriella asked. "How am I supposed to handle it?"

"I don't know but if someone walked in on me spanking it, I'd be a little more than mortified."

"Ew," Gabriella jerked back, "that's not what I do!"

Chad's lips rounded in a silent oh. "You mean you don't actually have-"

"No. No!" she repeated emphatically. She shuddered. "Ick. How could you- I can't believe you thought I…" Gabriella shuddered again in horror. "With strangers? Eeeew!"

"Well how was I supposed to know?" Chad defended himself with an innocent shrug. "I just assumed…"

"Well, you assumed wrong." She exhaled mightily.

Despite his effort to hide it, a smile cracked through his cool exterior and he couldn't stop the laughter from escaping.

"What the hell is so funny?"

"The phone sex queen is a phone sex virgin."

"You're such a dill hole!" Gabriella laughed as she picked up a cookie and tossed it at him. Her own lips pulled into a smile. "God." She chuckled, adjusting so she was slouching a little in her chair.

"Okay, okay," Chad brushed off the cookie crumbs from his shirt and leaned back, "So he thinks you have boyfriend?"

"Yeah," Gabriella lifted her cup, "Could you imagine me with a boyfriend?"

"It's not like you couldn't have one." Chad said eyeing her with a look. "I know a guy who-"

"No," she cut him off.

"But-"

"Set me up and I'll kill you."

Chad let out a sigh as he eyed her. He worried about her. She spent all that time alone in her room talking to all those weirdos. He didn't want her to think that was really what men were like. He also didn't want her to become tainted from doing it for so long. But she also stubborn and wouldn't quit.

She glanced up from her cup, evidently noticing something in his expression. "What?"

"What, what?" he tried to look innocent but didn't do a very good job.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you want to pat me on the head or something?"

Chad couldn't stop the laughter from escaping him, "I don't want to pat you on the head." Chad shook his head. "Look the point is at least you have a good cover story."

Gabriella nodded, "For now," she sipped her coffee.

Eager to change the subject Chad let out final grunt to clear his throat. "So how about tonight we go to that party at Alpha's?"

"Who?"

"Fraternity on campus, should be fun."

"I don't get it, you're not even in one of these stupid greek things but yet you're at every party?"

Chad shrugged, "I know the right people."

"Well, count me out."

Chad smirk, "Why? Do you have plans I don't know about?"

"Maybe," Gabriella pointedly.

"Liar," Chad accused.

"Well I could have plans," she exasperated, "I'm never going to be this social butterfly that you want me to be. You know"

"You need to experience the real world Gabi," Chad said before chewing on another cookie. "Not everything is like the world your listening to on that headset all night."

"I meant it when I said I don't need you worrying about me."

"Okay." His expression changed, and he gave a lopsided grin. "I'll be sure to remind you of this the next time your trying to worry about me."

"You know it doesn't work that way."

"Says who?"

Gabriella smiled.

"You should go tonight."

Gabriella let out a sigh. "Fine."

"See," Chad smiled, "Now I want to pat you on the head."

"Well your shit out of luck."

"I bet you would."

Gabriella arched her brow, "Would what?"

"Let me pat your head, if I asked nicely."

She let out huff as she leaned back in her chair. "Totally would not."

"Now I kind of want to do it."

"Get over it."

Later that night, Gabriella held the usual full solo cup of bitter beer. She'd taken a seat in the living room of another frat party. Her eyes casually just taking in all the animalistic behavior from her fellow classmates. She used to respect some of them, only now after seeing them half clothes and grinding on each other like a need for oxygen, she wasn't so sure what she thought of them.

At least this time she wore a floral print summer dress. Not to say she didn't pop out like a sore thumb but at least she wasn't in her flannel top and baggy jeans. Although if she had to admit she missed them horribly.

"Hey sweet thing,"

Oh God. Gabriella bit the inside of her cheek to keep form wincing out loud. The guy sitting on the couch beside her made himself more comfortable.

"Why is a cute little thing like you sitting here all by yourself?"

"Just people watching I guess," she said politely.

"Well I've been watching you," he smiled his demeanor had a slur, obviously he'd been drinking plenty. His breath smelled like 100% proof.

"Creepy," she said lifting her cup for a tiny sip.

"You're hot!" he put an emphases on the word hot, and Gabriella tried her best to nod along. He was cute. Kind of, his eyes were gray and he had an athletic build. His hair was a dark brown, and shagged a little in front.

Maybe if they met while he was sober?

"Do you wanna head upstairs and do it?"

Or not.

"Hey," his voice made her tense as she looked up to see Troy hovering over them with a cup in his hand. "Daniel right?"

"Hey Troy," the guy next to her suddenly became animated, "I didn't know you were here!"

"Silly me, I forgot to post flyers," Troy teased sending a wink her way, "Sorry to do this to you buddy but she's with me."

"Oh, oh," Quickly Daniel scrambled to get up from his spot beside her. "I didn't know man, I'm sorry."

"No problem," Troy smiled as he watched Daniel walk off to his next unsuspecting victim. His attention shifting to her and causing her to feel uncomfortably warm.

"What do you want?"

"Your beer," he took the seat next to her and grabbed her solo cup, "Here."

Gabriella frowned as he placed the new cup in her hand. After a moment of watching the cup in confusion she lifting it to her nose for examination. A coke?

"It's just a coke," he confirmed watching her.

"Why?"

Troy let out a sigh as he lifted the red solo to his lips and took a long sip. "I don't get it. Why do you come to these things if you hate them?"

Gabriella looked down at her cup, questioning if she actually trusted the man sitting next to her. She didn't know him. Surely he wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to, even if he tried she'd refuse. Did she really believe that Troy might be that much of a scumbag?

Troy let out a sigh and took the cup from her hands before she could protest. He took a big gulp and gave it back. "Happy now?"

Not sure what to say about her moment of paranoia she let out a sigh and decided to answer his question. "Chad thinks I need to socialize," she said taking the cup back.

Troy thought about her answer and seemed to accept it. "How long are you staying this time?"

"Not sure." Gabriella shrugged her shoulders, bringing her cup to her lips and taking a small sip.

"Mind if I sit here with you?"

"Fine." Gabriella bit her bottom lip. "But if I tell you I'm leaving, then I'm leaving. Period."

"Got it."

"It does not mean I'm opening the subject for negotiation."

"Glad you cleared that up."

She swung a look at him. "I'm serious."

"Me, too. You women seem to think everything requires a discussion."

Gabriella gaped at him. "Does being an asshole just come natural to you?"

Troy leaned back on the couch, "Think about it. You ask a guy if he wants to stop for a drink, and he says yes or no. A man can ask a woman the same thing and what does he get? 'Oh, I don't know, isn't it too late? What do you think?'" he raised his pitch to mimic a feminine voice.

Gabriella put all her effort into keeping a straight face. "That's not true." She said. "And it's sexist."

He let out a laugh as his blue eyes turned from the crowd to her. "You're probably right about it being sexist, but I swear to God, it's true."

Gabriella couldn't help it, her lips tugged and she had to look away from him. Damn it, she really didn't want to think he was funny.

"You should smile more," Troy said lifting his cup to his lips. "It's a lot better than your fuck off vibe."

And just like that her smile was gone. "You ever stop to think that the reason I'm not smiling is because of guys like you?"

Troy shook his head, "Guys like me are the reason you smile. Guys like Daniel…" he motioned in the direction he had taken off and they both watched as he made out with redhead who was currently as drunk as he was from the look of her sloppy stance. "Guys like Daniel make you cringe. You're welcome for that by the way."

Gabriella rolled her eyes, "Thank you," she said through gritted teeth.

"No problem," Troy shifted so he was facing her, "Now let's talk about your phone sex etiquette, how often does dear old Sam call in for some of your sweet hot loving?"

Gabriella rolled her eyes again. "I retract my thank you."

"Aww come on, you can talk to me, I mean, we're practically roomies."

"No we're not."

"Ouch, I'm hurt G."

"Don't do that," Gabriella said narrowing her eyes, "My name is not G."

Troy smiled, "Where did you and Sam meet?"

Gabriella shook her head. "We're not talking about this."

"What afraid you'll find out I'm better?" Troy placed his hand on her thigh hitching the fabric of her dress up just a little bit and exposing her knees.

"I'm more than sure there are plenty of other women here who would gladly enjoy your attention." Shifting away from him she fixed her skirt.

"Don't even pretend like you don't," Troy played with the hem of her dress. "Tell me, do you wear anything that doesn't make you look like a lumber jack or a five-year-old or is that just your style."

"There's nothing wrong with the way I look."

"Of course, beside what the hell do I know maybe Sam has a thing for Wreck it Ralph?"

Gabriella's mouth flew open to say something and then shut. She could feel the anger swelling inside her, she wanted to slap him, she wanted to yell at him, she wanted to kick him right in the family jewels. Instead she went for the next best thing, she lifted her cup and poured it all over his head.

Later that night Gabriella laid back in her room looking up at the ceiling replaying the night in her head.

She had a minor irrational attraction to an asshole.

What would Cindy do? Cindy was the type of girl who would have been able to handle Troy tonight. Gabriella let out a sigh, she was nothing like Cindy. Cindy could talk to anyone about anything. Cindy had experience. She wouldn't dress like Wreck it Ralph, at least unless someone was into that short of thing.

For instance one of Cindy's callers were into Chaucer, her phone friend was only too happy to educate her and educate he did for hours at time. She figured everyone else in his life must have been tired of everything he had to say on the subject. Maybe his family didn't visit him anymore or his wife passed. Who knew? But what she did know was that meant more cash for her. He never made one sexual comment; it was all Chaucer all the time.

Or like another caller that she'd nick-named "Car Guy." He would call and get off on her stories about all her bad driving. Cindy was a horrible driver she couldn't parallel park, almost caused near accidents on the highway, drove onto the sidewalk and never used her turning signals. And Car Guy was always surprised, shocked, excited and simply delighted by how bad she was behind the wheel.

There was a knock at her door and she let out a sigh, "Who is it?"

"Ryan,"

Gabriella sat up, "come in."

Ryan came in holding up a box of chocolate chip cookies, "I heard about tonight, I figured you might need this."

"You're an amazing person," Gabriella extended her arms and Ryan closed the door behind him and climbed into bed with her.

"I have to admit, when they said a girl was moving in. I got a little nervous, girls can be so bitchy." Ryan said opening the container and putting it off to the side. "Thank god they meant you."

Gabriella smiled as she reached for a cookie, "So how did you end up in here?"

"My sister got me in, as you can imagine there aren't many open minded frat houses that would take me in. Mom and Dad are back in Georgia, Sharpay living in a sorority and you and I both know the rent around here can be outrageous."

Gabriella nodded, "Yes, I can totally relate."

Ryan took a bite out of his cookie as he looked around room at all the books and trinkets, "Well Sharpay works with Troy at the bar in town, Troy pulled a few strings and here I am."

Gabriella winced, "I hate that. I really don't want to like him."

"Don't you worry about that, he makes it easy to hate him," Ryan said with a long exhale. "He is gorgeous though. It seems like I've been waiting forever for him to realize that he's in love with me."

Gabriella let out a small laugh, "I hate to say it but I think he's as straight as they come."

"No pun intended I'm sure." Ryan offered her another cookie as they both broke out into a fit of laughter. "So tell me about your family, what are they like? You're so freaking beautiful I can only imagine your gene pool."

Gabriella smiled, "Dad left when I was little, so I never really knew him," Gabriella paused as she reached for the framed picture on her nightstand. "This is my mom."

"Oh my goodness she's gorgeous," Ryan examined the photograph.

"My mom was a librarian, and she was a huge lover of girls' classics. When I was still in elementary school, she started reading them to me. She started with The Secret Garden and The Little Princess and the Betsy-Tracy books." Gabriella took a deep breath as she eyed the framed photo of her mom. "Then she moved into Louisa May Alcott and L.M. Montgomery. When I was old enough, we finally go to Jane Austen and the Brontes. By then, we took turns reading."

"What happened to her?" Ryan asked softly.

"Cancer," Gabriella said getting a grip on her emotions. "She had breast cancer."

Ryan reached an arm over her shoulder, "Oh you poor thing."

Gabriella smiled, "Some of the best memories I have of her are reading out loud together on this little couch in our apartment. She even went out and brought this little electric fireplace for ambiance." Gabriella couldn't help but laugh.

"She sounds amazing." Ryan comforted.

"I need another cookie," Gabriella wiped away a tear and Ryan happily picked up the box and offered it to her. They talked about classes, about favorite foods, about life in general. And it felt amazing. Gabriella could feel the tension rolling off her shoulders.

As it turns out Ryan was just like Gabriella. He hated the party scene, he hated beer, and he hated the way people humped like viscous animals. He found her story about Daniel and Troy hilarious and he never once teased her or said she was weird.

"I can't believe you and Chad were almost siblings," Ryan said lying on the floor painting Gabriella toes.

"Neither can I,"

"Have you ever thought of dancing the horizontal tango with him?"

Gabriella shook her head, "No. I can't say that I ever have."

"Bet people always think you are," Ryan sighed. "That kind of sucks for your game."

"Oh trust me I have no game. None. I've never even been kissed."

"Are you freaking kidding me?"

"Nope."

"What about your high school boyfriend?"

"I thought we were taking it slow, and then he turned out to be gay."

"Oh my god, your breaking my heart," Ryan let out frustrated sigh, "I hate when people lie about who they are, it's so stupid. I rather just put it all out there and if you don't like it, keep stepping."

Gabriella let out a laugh, "I am not that brave."

"I bet you are. In fact I bet you've just never dialed into your inner Vivian before."

"My inner what?"

"Vivian, from Pretty Woman, she's all about getting what she wants. She might have been a hooker, but a girl's gotta start somewhere, by the end of that movie she had the guy, the money and the life she'd always wanted." Ryan ended with a snap. "I mean hello!"

Gabriella bit her lip for a moment, "Can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything. Haven't you heard, we're besties now?"

Gabriella laughed before taking a breath, she could do this. It was like Ryan said, she should just put it all out there. "I'm a Phone Sex Operator."

Ryan shot up from his position on the floor. "Shut the front door."

Gabriella turned to look at door behind her.

"It's an expression honey," Ryan leaned in, "You really are a Vivian. Vivian is you, I'm so jealous of your life right now. You have to tell me everything!"

Gabriella couldn't stop smiling, "Okay, just keep your voice down because no one else knows and I'd like to keep it that way."

"I'll take it to my grave," Ryan said closing the nail polish and putting it to the side. "Oh my god I freaking love you!"