Disclaimer: Not mine. Thanks for all the reviews.

I ride my bike slowly down our street, giving myself some extra time to figure out what exactly I am going to say when I get there.

"Hey Sharpay, my mom wants to have you over for dinner, oh yea and sorry for caring about you." I whisper bitterly as I finally arrive at your house. Yours is the lone car in the driveway, Ryan must not be home which makes this easier. I take a deep breath as I saunter up your walkway, hoping the words will come once I see you. I ring the doorbell and jump back when I hear the echo of it through your enormous, empty house.

"What do you want Bolton?" you ask through your teeth as you appear in the door.

"Wow, you're wearing a towel." My eyes pop out of my head and I swallow shaking my head and blinking hard, "um my mom, she…" I start to stumble through my words completely forgetting what it is I want.

"Listen, I'm not really for the whole neighborhood seeing me in a towel so come in." you state as you step away from the door, "Wait down here while I change, I'll be right back."

I enter your living room which hardly looks as though it's been lived in at all. Your furniture looks like it belongs in a museum and there are barely any family pictures on the wall. I wander into your kitchen, which is as immaculate as the previous room. There are only two pieces of paper on the fridge, which look disgustingly out of place. Curiosity gets the best of me, as I move closer so I can read what they say.

"Sharpay, I decided to spend the summer with our Aunt in Venice.

I know its short notice, but I just couldn't resist.

Stay Safe love you sis, see you in August

Don't miss me too much---Ryan"

"Sharpay and Ryan, I was home but neither of you were.

I put some extra money in the library,

See you at Christmas—Your Father."

I shake my head. Is this the only way your family communicates? Random notes on stainless steal refrigerator doors which are closer to business memos than a loving note. I hear your footsteps coming down the stairs so I rush back into the living room, not allowing you to catch me snooping around.

"Nice house." I state as you enter the living room.

"Why are you here, Troy?"

"Do you live here by yourself?"

"Once again, that's none of your business Bolton."

"It must get awfully lonely, such a large house such a small girl." I note as I look you up and down, vaguely noticing a rose tint appear in your cheeks.

"It's not so bad…there's no one to bug me, until now." You stare pointedly at me.

"My mom wants me to invite you over for dinner." The phrase lamely bursts from my mouth.

"Come again?"

"Well I guess she wants to meet the girl I've been spending my summer with and talking about…oh and she wants me to apologize for my intrusiveness" I exaggerate, "even though I'm not sorry for caring about you."

"Well don't you have a way with words?" sarcasm fills your voice as you drop onto the couch with me, "So your mom wants to meet me? Should I consider that an honor?" you ask in a serious tone.

"Well she doesn't want to meet just anyone ya know? And cook for them? My mother, cook? Wow, you really must be something special…she even offered to make what you like best."

"Aw, she did? That's so sweet." You smile. I wonder how often anyone cares enough to make you dinner, invite you over for dinner, or even eat dinner with you period.

A loud burst of thunder throws you from your side of the couch to mine.

"Sorry, I hate thunder."

"Pshh, we both know that you just wanted to touch me." I smirk which receives a scornful look.

"In your dreams."

"Hey, how did you know about them?" I ask, as you hit my arm.

"Eww, gross"

The room illuminates, as a gigantic bolt of lightning strikes the tree across the street. Rain is pouring down and I can barely make out the street as I peer through your window. My cell phone rings, I look at the screen which says 'mi casa'.

"Hey Mom.------No, I'm not out there I'm at Sharpay's.------Yea its just me and her.-----Yes, I invited her…yes mom I said I was sorry.-------Alright I will, yes mom I will tell her---- I'm always safe…talk to you later bye----love you too Mom.------Yes I'll make sure she's fine before I go Mom-----do you just want to talk to her?-----No, Mom, I wasn't being cocky", I respond as I hear you laugh in the background, "Alright Mom I really have to go-----bye Mom". I try to end the rather embarrassing conversation with my mother as quickly as possible.

"My mom says hi", I tell you as I turn around, "And that I'm not allowed to leave this house until the storm ends and you are ok." I smile as I walk towards the window eyeing the black skies. "Which doesn't seem like anytime soon, so what's for dinner partner?" I smile as a relieved look flashes across your face.

"Well, I was going to order out, but that doesn't look like it is going to happen. Why don't we check out the cupboards? Gosh, I hope something is in there."

"Wow, when's the last time you actually used your kitchen?" I ask as I search for something remotely edible.

"There's no point in making a big dinner for one person is there?"

"Well, Ryan's normally here isn't he?" I ask, playing dumb.

"He's in Venice with our Aunt this summer, and you know my Dad."

"Yea", I reply quietly, "Gotcha!" I grin as I hold the box of Macaroni and Cheese I found behind a seemingly endless supply of green tea.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"What? Tell me you don't like Macaroni and Cheese."

"I don't like Macaroni and Cheese."

"Have you ever tried it!"

"Do I look like the cooking type, Bolton?"

"Ok, if I make it you'll try it?" I bargin.

"I suppose."

"Great, now where are your pans?" I ask which only earns me a blank stare, "You don't know where your pans are?"

"Do you even know me?" you stare at me incredulously.

"You've got a point. Ok well, I'll find where everything is while you ugh…sit there and look pretty."

"That's more like it." You smile at me while taking a seat on a rather expensive looking stool.

I find where everything is and make the macaroni and cheese while you watch; I separate it into two bowels and place it in front of you.

"Food for the Queen", I say in a fake British accent as I bow.

"Why thank you." You reply in a dignified voice. You lift your fork, put a single noodle on the end and lift it towards your mouth.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"What?"

"That's not how you eat it."

"There's no proper way to eat an instant dinner, Bolton."

"My ass there's not. Here allow me."

I take the fork from your hand and load it with noodles.

"Open wide."

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Just eat it, I won't tell anyone I swear."

You stare at me for a few moments before leaning forward and taking a bite. I watch in suspense as you chew and contemplate for what feels like forever.

"Hmm not bad, Bolton."

"See I told-----"

My words are interrupted by a deafening crack of thunder and blinding bolt of lightening.

"Ahh" you jump.

"Don't worry, Sharpay, we'll be fine as long as the power…"

All the lights in the house go out, leaving us standing in pitch black darkness.

"…doesn't go out."

"Good one, Bolton."

"..Troy?"

"TROY"

"Sharpay, I can't breath loosen your grip a little bit."

"Oops, sorry. Sometimes I don't know my own strength."

"Or skills, you just jumped that table" I laugh.

"I'm scared." You whisper at my side, and for the first time since I've known you you seem as though you actually need someone. And I'll be damned if I'm the one who lets you down.

"Everything will be ok." I smile as I put my arm around you, "I promise, nothing will happen to you with me here."