A/N: As usual, you have no idea how amazing it is that everyone is reviewing! Really, I'm glad people are liking this story because it's a different change of pace for me, as everyone knows. But I've had a couple people ask me, so I'm going to remind everyone again, everyone is human in this. I don't write fantasy, so everyone in this story is completely human. Anyways, thanks so much again! :D

"Do you remember in kindergarten, how you'd meet a kid, and know nothing about them, then 10 seconds later you'd be playing like you were best friends, because you didn't have to be anyone but yourself? Singing with you felt like that."

Gabriella Montez, High School Musical

Gabriella had been to parties before. But going to someone's house for Halloween or exchanging Christmas presents with forty other people barely counted as a party compared to what was going on in The Clearing.

The music pumped through her white sneakers and surged through her blood stream. The earthy ground vibrated as though there was a mass earthquake and every looming tree was going to come crashing down upon them. In the black night there was a grey haze that carried the soft wind, but the hundred and fifty people or so that were there caused the heat of the clearing in the dense vegetation to excel levels that shouldn't have been hit. A car's head lights illuminated the compact area; the speaker's pounding to cause anyone to be deaf in moment's time. And the people dancing in the middle… they looked more like they came out of a music video in a rave than actual students.

And for someone shy like Gabriella… the place was to watch them all on the side and cower.

"I've never been anywhere like this…" Gabriella mumbled softly as Taylor glanced at her warily. She knew Taylor wanted to be on the danceflo… err… grass with Chad, but she didn't want to leave her intimidated friend. Gabriella was extremely thankful for that. Kelsi had escaped home after the game, and she was starting to wish that maybe she had followed her lead. But it was too late now, she was already stuck here with Taylor, for she was her ride home and she didn't want to force her friend to do anything.

"Welcome to an East High post-win party." Taylor referenced the Wildcat's victory. Almost as if on cue, a pair of headlights shut off, only leaving the car which the music blare from roaring engine and the music cranked up about thirty notches.

"Did I hear a post win?" A throaty voice questioned as Gabriella spun around to spot an extremely ecstatic tall quarterback rushing towards her. She didn't have time to brace herself before she was being spun through the air as Eric engulfed her in a blistering hot hug. Giggles were silenced by the throbbing base of the speaker, but it didn't matter much. She almost lost her footing as he gently set her back to the safety of the earth.

"Congratulations Eric! You were fantastic." She lied, only because the whole game was spent with her unbreakable gaze on Troy Bolton.

Talking with him was so… intimating still, yet extremely inviting. Was that confusing? Gabriella knew it was, but to her… it made perfect sense. They could have talked about dirt and made a bond that no one else would be able to feel. Just standing next to him seemed to bring them closer. It was so… indescribable. The time passed all too quickly and before she knew it the game was completed with a Wildcat victory. Her eager eyes kept darting around The Clearing to see if she could spot him, which she couldn't find him now. It frightened Gabriella how much she thought about him, really. He had been haunting her dreams ever since the first day she saw him in the cafeteria. Now, it seemed that her desires to talk to him were coming true. Only now… it was so much scarier.

"Aww… thanks Gabs." His burning arm wrapped around her shoulder comfortably, but Gabriella noticed right away that it didn't send the same round of electrifying sparks through her body like when Troy's cold touch was on her skin. That was just like… feeling heaven brush her skin. This touch was more like… feeling a brother hold you when you saw something scary.

"Yeah! Great game Er…" Taylor started, but then her voice stopped like someone butchered her head off and fury crossed her angry face. "Oh hell no…" Gabriella turned to see the giant afro floating over towards a giant… was that a beer keg? "CHAD DANFORTH! DON'T YOU DARE!"

Taylor hurried off to rescue her boyfriend from humiliation. Gabriella giggled quietly, but then suddenly felt uneasy. To be honest, she had never been to a party where alcohol was being served. She had never had alcohol at all, really. "I… um… I didn't know people were going to be drinking." Gabriella innocently hushed, Eric's dark eyes jumping on her in shock.

"What? Of course!" he snickered at her naïve behavior. The short dark chocolate hair stuck up evenly, making him look attractive under the gray fog, well maybe to someone. His orange long sleeve covered his muscular arms perfectly and his long jeans came up almost halfway up her side. He towered over her in the blackness. "We just smashed them… you didn't think people wouldn't want to celebrate right?"

Gabriella's tiny shoulders shrugged. "I just didn't think anything of it."

Eric's head tilted to the side curiously before his big bear brown eyes widened. "Wait… you have drunk before… right?"

Okay, this was awkward. She suddenly felt like a fourteen year old compared to his elder experiences. Eric wouldn't look down upon her, and the amused smirk on his face proved that her innocence was intriguing to him, but Gabriella still couldn't help but feel self conscious. "Well… I um…you see…"

"Come with me," Eric's fiery hand grasped her tiny fingers and dragged her across the matted down grass towards were another truck had the hood popped in the shadows beneath the trees. The mocha eyes widened fearfully as she noted the hundreds of beer cases that rested in the trunk. Gabriella's feet reflexively began to drag in protest, causing her toe to catch on a rock and stutter forward. "Whoa… you okay?"

"Uh huh." Her voice shook with nerves as she gripped his strong arm for support. Eric chuckled a deep laugh before they stopped in front of the vehicle.

"Here…" Eric gripped a bottle of an amber shaded poison. Gabriella's dark eyes surveyed it skeptically. She didn't want to do it. If there was any humanity left in her, she wanted to keep it that way. The last thing she really needed was anyone coming Monday morning, making fun of how the new girl couldn't hold her liquor. "… The first taste is the worst, but after that it gets better."

She nervously bit her rosy shaded lip in hesitation. "Um… I really don't think so."

Eric rolled his warm eyes before unscrewing the cap slowly, Gabriella's body repulsing the scent of it. "It's not going to kill you. I promise." Her mind was working in overdrive again. What else did it do lately? Of course as a teenager, she wanted to try it. She wanted at some level to rebel against authority, even if it's just one sip. But then again, she was never like that. In Albuquerque, she lasted seventeen years without a sip of beer. A glass of wine at her Aunt's wedding didn't count either. That was with family, this was against 'the man'.

"Lay off her, man."

Gabriella's heart skidded to a stop at the satin voice.

She slowly turned to the side to see the glint of his dull ruby stone on his right hand in the darkness as it was closed around a matching bottle that Eric was still holding. He was all the more radiant in the shadows of the stars than she remembered a few hours before. The sapphires in his eyes beamed through the still night, the sudden lightheadedness of his beauty washed over her again. Gabriella really wanted to pass out at the sight.

"Bolton!" Eric greeted with a smile that didn't match Troy's solemn grin. Gabriella's most vital organ began to race at amazing speeds as she let her hope rise. The curve of his lips themselves looked sincere, but his dark brows furrowed in displeasure. It most definitely HAD to have been her imagination, but she let it run wild as she swore she saw a green envy cross his gaze. No. That was impossible. Troy Bolton was not jealous.

"Hey Shock." He mumbled softly, never taking his eyes off the brown haired beauty before him. It was moments before Gabriella realized she wasn't in taking oxygen. Troy's stare was sucking the air out of her body.

An uncomfortable silence took over; Gabriella didn't understand how Eric could just stand there as Gabriella and Troy never removed their eyes from each other. The intensity of his orbs was enough to knock her to the ground, which probably would have happened if the entire school wasn't standing there. "Err… anyways…" Eric coughed, finally causing Gabriella to turn towards him, though she could feel two holes burning into the sides of her smooth cheek. "You sure you don't want it?"

"Pretty sure she said she didn't want any before." Troy almost hissed and both milk brown and dark chocolate shot to him at his snap. That was completely off guard. His voice was harsh velvet, but it would have sounded all too smooth compared to anyone else's. What was happening?

Gabriella's heart was running wildly now. She was slightly irritated that he felt she wasn't strong enough to keep her morals, but couldn't deny how incredible it felt to have him defend her. Eric's tan skin seemed to shine an annoyed fire at the protectiveness in Troy's tone. Gabriella herself was surprised at his behavior. "Dude… Troy… chill…"

Troy tried to shrug his muscular shoulders as though he was letting it slide of his back, but his silver cast eyes from the dim lighting penetrated into Eric's milky brown orbs. There seemed to be a sudden waft of heavy air that surrounded them. But it wasn't until Gabriella realized that this would be the first time she would be with both of them at the same time without anyone else in the conversation. It was strange, more intense than she would have ever thought between the basketball captain and the football captain. "I'm just saying…"

Everything was happening so fast… both boys had subtle protective expressions on their face, but both were doing everything in their power to calm their male ego reactions. "I know… but hell… she should have a taste of East High celebrating. It's her first football game!"

She didn't know if he did it on purpose or not, but a flaming arm wrapped around her boney shoulders in a half hug. Troy's eyes immediately darted to Gabriella's, who was watching him intently. She was attempting to decipher his unreadable expression at the action. Jealousy? Disgust? She was looking for any type of hint that maybe he was uncomfortable in this situation. Damn his stone face for not showing any emotion.

"No… I know what you mean…" Troy's hand that wasn't gripping the beer bottle ran through his silky hair, causing it to stand a little in an animalistic way that made him look slightly more dangerous, yet ever the sexier. "She should celebrate right," Gabriella could tell he was doing his best to keep the conversation from turning angry, even if the air was dense with both their presence. "I just think that maybe if she's never drank before…"

"I've had a glass wine at a wedding." Gabriella shot back trying to not sound like a four year old. Troy's ceruleans rolled at her obnoxious reaction. Okay, maybe it would just be better if she shut up at this point.

Eric seemed to ponder over this for a moment, and Gabriella watched as Troy's carved face smirked ever so slightly as defeat was crossing Eric's. The football captain was just about to open his mouth before another sound replaced it. "SHOCK!"

All three turned their heads to see that Rock was lumbering towards them. The moist ground almost rumbled under his powerful steps, Gabriella shrinking back ever so slightly to hide from the looming boy. His protruding muscles always scared her to know end, especially since he could crush her face with one pinky. But he wasn't fat… just… a body builder practically. "Rock… man what's up?"

The tension that lingered in the air moments before subsided. Troy's bright blue eyes glanced towards Gabriella, her brown orbs meeting his gaze. A connection that seemed to go unnoticed by Eric. Ripples of electricity ran down her spine as he bore into her silently. "Dude… you gotta come here man! The fans! They're waitin' to talk to you!"

Gabriella couldn't tell if the giant was sober or not. Eric seemed extremely aggravated that he interrupted them. "Maybe you're right Bolton," he grumbled before glaring angrily at Troy. Gabriella immediately tore her eyes away from the basketball captain before she would be accused of obsession with staring at him. "I want what's best for you Gabs."

She suddenly felt her stomach twist uneasily. Somehow, it finally began to sink in the gaze that Eric used to look at her. It was a look of want, of something she wasn't used to getting from guys. And it made her stomach jolt. Under the dim glow of the stars, she saw an infatuation flutter in his black eyelids. No. That was impossible. Eric was just one of her best friends now. It probably just bothered him that Troy ruined his party with her. It was nothing more than that. "Thanks… but I think I know what's best for me." She emphasized to both boys, knowing that both were watching her extremely carefully.

"Yeah… I know…" Eric mumbled before wrapping his fierce blistering arms around her in a tight squeeze again. Gabriella returned the hug, though she couldn't help but notice he held it a second too long. No. It was just her imagination. "I'll catch yah later, alright Ella?"

She quickly noticed how he stopped using the nicknames that Troy was now using and switched to what her father called her. "Hey… save some time for me later alright?" She requested, a snicker shot towards Troy before he nodded.

"Of course. Later Ella." He turned away from her and did everything in his power not to narrow his almost black eyes towards the other boy. The tension was there again though. "Later, Bolton."

"See yah, Shock." Troy's normally satin voice was once again raspier than normal. They both held each other's gaze intensely before Eric strode away with Rock looming at his side. The cyan eyes remained on the two retreating figures, Gabriella desperately wanting to know what he was thinking right now

But then she suddenly remembered how embarrassing this situation was. Troy probably thought she was a little innocent school girl who would never want to do anything to displease her parents. She was almost angry at the fact that he thought she wouldn't want to do anything wrong. "You know… I could have handled it myself, he is one of my closest friends." She commented in a soft voice, not meaning to be accusing, but she didn't want him to think that she was a saint.

"I know…" Troy mumbled, still glaring at the football captain. He then slowly spun to her, his cobalt eyes now radiating as the flooded into hers. He threw the empty beer bottle he was holding into the trash, without looking. Whoa. He WAS a basketball superstar. And at least now she was positive he wasn't drunk. Or even the slightest bit tipsy. "I just thought I'd help."

"You don't need to save me all the time. I'm a big girl… I can take care of myself." Okay… that was a lie. She couldn't even walk down the street without crashing to the ground. Troy chuckled as his eyes rolled again, humor was written across his face in the way that made him so electrifyingly beautiful. The music still continued to beat in the distance, but it seemed that Troy and Gabriella were off in their own little world, not to be interrupted by anyone else.

"Maybe I like saving you." Troy's dazzling smile lit up the dim clearing, giving Gabriella the lightheaded feeling once again. She was certain the he would kill her from his holiness. Maybe that was the plan. It would make sense for how alluring he was

His muscular body took a sturdy step closer to her. Again, the humid air became so much denser, but in a different way. This heat seemed to come from the burning desire in Gabriella's heart. "Wh…why… why would you like that?" Her tiny voice stuttered, another flash of his bright white teeth. Why was he doing this to her?

Troy shrugged his strong shoulders lazily. "You know when you were a kid? You used to pretend?"

Gabriella's dark eyebrows narrowed curiously. Where was he going with this? What did it matter? Yet, his voice was so intoxicating that he could have said gibberish and she would have thought it was beautiful poetry. "Umm… yeah? Didn't every kid pretend?"

Troy nodded; did he just take another step closer to her? It took a moment, but Gabriella, for the first time since she came to Crescent City, noticed a twinkle of gold on his neck. It was a chain leading somewhere beneath the depths of his ruby basketball uniform. "Well… yeah… I don't know what girls did… but when I was little, I always used to save the girl… you know? Most guys do."

Gabriella's microscopic shy smile crossed her glossed lips. "I guess your right… girls always had the boys rescue them. I used to be a princess…" Her voice cut off and a ruby blush flooded her cheeks. Whoa… that was WAY too much information that he did not need to know. Why was she such an idiot around him all the time?

He smiled brightly though at her mortification. "No… don't be embarrassed. Fuck… I was always a knight… err… kinda," A small shade of red crossed his cheeks as well, making her feel the slightest bit more comfortable. "I guess you act stupid when you're five."

Gabriella bashfully grinned once again. "I guess so."

Troy shrugged lightly again. "I guess you're like my… my now day damsel in distress."

A honey giggle spilled through her parted lips. That just sounded stupid, but extremely sweet at the same time. Everything about him was so inviting that anything that would revolve around him would not be stupid. "I'd hardly call being clumsy, a truck dying, or not wanting to get wasted as 'distress'."

"Humor me." Troy took another dangerous step forward. Even though she anticipated the icy touch of his skin now, the oxygen around them cranked up several levels. Like the frigid temperature of his skin turned into heat when it hit air. That didn't make sense at all.

She dared to glance down timidly again before meeting his gaze. "Something out of a fairytale, right? Or superhero?"

Troy chuckled lightly. "I was never really into superheroes. Just Batman I guess."

Her dark eyebrows narrowed on his tan face. She barely noticed the grinding teenagers behind him, but she was so entranced with his being that nothing probably would have drawn her away. "Batman? Why?"

He shrugged for a third time before placing a hand on the side of the black truck holding the alcohol. Gabriella was only inches away from him now, enough to feel his frozen breath on her face, but still too far of a distance away. How did they go from talking about beer to talking about Batman? "He's dark… there's nothing 'super' about him… you know? Like… Superman can fly; Spiderman can shoot webs out of his hands. Batman is just strong… he's never had to depend on anything abnormal. His suit it what makes him fly, the bat mobile makes him drive fast. Plus… black's pretty sweet."

Gabriella giggled softly again, causing a small smirk to appear on Troy's face at the sound. His bulging bicep flexed as his hand placed above her head on the edge of the car, making rounds of shivers ripple down her back at how close he was. The twinkle in his eye was so incisive that she was almost knocked over… again. "You strike me more of a red kind of guy."

"Do I?" Troy chuckled before grinning again. "I wonder why?" He questioned sarcastically before glaring down at his crimson jersey.

A comfortable, yet long silence crossed them. Though neither the blue nor the brown were taken away from each other. The inferno sent a beam of light through the stare, a connection that could not be replaced. Slowly, Troy's thin lips curved to a smile again, before he nervously scratched the back of his neck. How could one human being be that sexy? "So… would you get mad if I asked if you wanted to dance?"

The mocha eyes enlarged to the size of the two bright headlights illuminating The Clearing. "I… I can't walk… so I can't dance."

Troy laughed lightly again. "It doesn't even take coordination. You'd just have to trust me." He glanced backwards to view the boys who were sweating profusely while the girls pushed their butts against their groins. Gabriella was suddenly fearful of not pleasuring Troy as the other girls did.

"I'd probably bruise you're…" Oops. Gabriella didn't finish her sentence but it almost caused Troy to double over in laughter. The velvet sound was once again inviting.

"You're cute," he smirked again. Gabriella's heart somersaulted at the words. Did he just call her cute? He just called her cute! "But I get it if you don't want to. I'll just catch yah later then."

Gabriella didn't want him to go, but his sparkling smile kept her paralyzed. "Umm… yeah…"

His eyes flashed a shot of longing for a moment, before his icy fingertips brushed the bottom of her soft left cheek tenderly. Fireworks shot from the impact point, causing Gabriella's own fingers to tremble in desire to wrap her thin arms around his neck. But Troy didn't hug her; he just gave her his erotic smirk before turning on his heels and walking in the other direction. The muscles in his back taunted her as dim shadows danced across the bronze skin.

Eric had hugged her before he left. Troy didn't. He hadn't given her what she wanted. It left her craving more.