Start of Something New

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. I'll try to make up for it. The story fell into a bit of a rut and I had to work out a lot of the kinks before continuing, so here it is, back and hopefully better than ever.

This chapter is a smidgen shorter than the others, but I hope you'll find it interesting.

"Troy…" Manya said in Troy's ear as they danced sensuously to a fast song.

"What?" he said back as his hands wound around her waist.

"I'm so glad you came tonight. I missed you over the summer." She leaned her head against Troy's shoulder.

Troy smiled. "Yeah, me too."

"Hey," Troy said softly as the song faded out. He nudged her gently. When he saw her look up at him with those bright, lively eyes, he continued. "You wanna go for a walk?" he asked apprehensively. He was lucky enough that Manya wanted to dance when she saw that Jason was gone, and didn't want to push his luck, but she did have a beer or two, and it was his only shot to show her that Jason has some other interest. To his delight, Manya's eyes brightened.

"Sure!" she exclaimed cheerily. Troy supposed that she was just happy that at least somebody wanted her company, but still took her agreement as a step forward.

He led her out of the room, the light suddenly hitting his eyes sharply. Squinting, he got his first good look at Manya that night. She looked even better than usual, with her blonde hair in loose curls and her eye makeup a little darker than usual. Her curvy body looked amazing in those tiny shorts and that painted-on t-shirt. Tugging on her hand gently, Troy led Manya around the corner, trying not to make it too obvious that he was looking for Jason. He looked around carefully, and started to get a little anxious when, after going through several hallways there was still no sight of him. It was by chance that, when passing by a long window, Troy caught two figures outside the window on a bench, kissing. Squinting slightly he could make out Jason's form and, next to him, that Kelsi girl.

"Hey, look," Troy said as he pointed out the pair, trying not to sound too excited. He eyed Manya closely as she looked out the window. She too had to squint slightly to make out who was on that bench. Finally, she paled slightly.

"Oh," was all she said, her eyes a mixture of surprise and suppressed sadness. "Is… is that Jason?" She stumbled over her words.

"Uh, yeah. And Kelsi Neilson," Troy said softly, the feeling of a plan clicking into place overpowered by a wave of guilt. He felt like a selfish child that had just been chastised by those sad blue eyes. Why was it so hard to enjoy this, if he knew it would happen? He anticipated that she would be upset, but assumed that it wouldn't matter if they would end up happy and together. Troy Bolton, Basketball Extraordinaire, had been reduced to a feeling of guilt and idiocy.

"I…" Manya's voice cracked. "I didn't know he was with anyone." She cleared her throat.

"Yeah, neither did I. I think it happened tonight." Troy was at a loss for words. No matter how bad he felt, he still didn't want to give up the opportunity with Manya.

"Well… good for him, then," Manya said decisively, sniffing a little. "I'm going back to my room." She reached up to sling her arms over Troy's neck, hugging him goodbye.

"How about I walk you?" Troy asked tentatively. He couldn't help being excited, knowing he was so close to his goal after wanting it for so long. He didn't want to sound too eager, but at the same time he didn't want to leave her.

"Okay," she responded as she gave him a small smile. She didn't seem too excited about them being alone, but at least she agreed.

They walked together, carefully crossing the space between their dorm buildings. Troy walked Manya to her door waited for her to unlock it, wondering anxiously if he would get an invitation inside.

"My roommate isn't coming until tomorrow; she's in Japan for the summer. Wanna come in?" Manya asked as she turned on the light and kicked off her shoes. She dumped herself on the bed summarily.

Troy wanted to say no. He knew that the invitation would lead to regrets on her behalf, and that whatever they would do wouldn't be "real". He knew that Manya was just full of emotion and wanted to spend it somehow, but still the offer was so tempting. He didn't even want to "do" anything at that point; he would have been content to just be in her company for a little longer.

"Sure."

"Come sit," Manya said as she patted the space next to her. Tentatively, Troy sat down.

"Troy Bolton," Manya said slowly to her ceiling, pronouncing each syllable slowly and clearly, as though trying to memorize it.

"What?" Troy asked as he leaned back and onto his side, supporting himself on his elbow.

"Troy," Manya repeated, facing him this time. She ran a hand through his hair as though fascinated by it, and then chuckled softly. "Wanna kiss?"

The next thing Troy knew they were kissing. Manya's lips soft and full and felt so good, so long-awaited against his. Any guilt he'd been feeling evaporated quickly as Troy leaned down over Manya, kissing her as best he could. Troy didn't even care that his feelings being unreciprocated; all that mattered was that moment. She was his right then.

--

Manya was entirely confused. Too much was happening for her to process it properly. First, the thing with Jason was practically crushing. Maybe she had been deluding herself, but she felt that she was close to making him hers, and now he was kissing some girl he didn't even know. She was a cheerleader, for God's sake, and a basketball player chose some quiet drama girl over her. When she looked out the window, she felt entirely unwanted, but then Troy was so ready to make her feel wanted again. He was so sweet in the attention he paid her the whole night, and Manya did want to kiss him when they got to her room. Her feelings toward him weren't quite what they were for Jason, but she did like his touch, and the way his arms felt around her waist. If she dared say so herself, he was a damned good kisser, too. What was wrong with Troy anyway? He was hot, the most popular boy in school, and he was showering her with attention. And, he was making her forget everything about… well, before.

"Troy," she said as she broke away from him.

Troy looked at her and she could tell that he was a little scared, as though she would banish him at any moment. "Yeah?"

Suddenly, when he was looking at her with those piercing blue eyes, all the words she had backed up in her mind scrambled together, and she lost her nerve. "I just…" Her hands ran up his arms. She felt so secure with him right then. "I think that maybe… we could, you know, like, I know it's really fast and everything but I've known you for two years already. I think – do you want to maybe, see each other?"

"Yes," came the reply, almost before she finished talking.

I highly encourage and welcome reviews of any sort, just as a reminder.