Gabriella hid her bike behind the club. Sneaking in past the men playing poker in the back she made her way through the curtain. Removing her leather jacket she could hear all the music in the foreground and as luck would have it the bathroom was open. Quickly locking the door behind her and began to change.
"That was soooo close." She told herself as she adjusted her straps on her new dress. "Although the look on his face," chuckling to herself she put on her earrings. The problem now was how to fix the very bad case of Helmet hair she had going on. Untying the braid she pulled her hair apart and looked at its wavy flat look. After a moment of bunching her hair into a ponytail she changed her mind and shook it out. Wetting her hands she went through her hair teasing it and primping it. Looking back in the mirror at her wild new image she smiled.
The only thing left in her bag were her heals and right in the nick of time because there was a knock on the door. "Just a moment." Gabriella looked at her eyes and quickly applied her makeup making things darker and something shinny. Stuffing her things into the bag she way out the door and back through the back. One of the men playing poker looked up at her as she walked by but all he did was wink and then look back down at his cards. She did a better job at hiding her bike and things and took a deep breath when she was done.
Just then her phone rang and she answered it. "Hello."
"Hey where are you were in front of the club, we're waiting for you."
Gabriella smiled. "I'm inside already" she said pulling the back door open and sneaking back in.
"Oh, well then we'll find you." Sharpay said with giggle.
Gabriella finally reached the dance floor and walked over to the bar tucking her phone safely in her chest. "God's best pocket." she said with smile. Bringing herself up to a stool she crossed her legs and ordered a soda.
"Brie!!!!" there was a rain of squeals and Gabriella spun around to see Taylor, Sharpay, Kelsi, Martha and Ryan.
Gabriella smiled. "Hello," she said coming down from the stool with her arms open to accept hugs.
"Girl you look great!" Ryan said snapping his fingers all around. "I want this look." He held her hand up and twirled her about.
"Oh, my lord." Taylor took her hands and began to jump up and down a bit. "I so heard about you and James, when is the date?"
"Interesting how my life seems to get around." she said looking at Kelsi.
"Sorry." She smiled. "But he is dreamy."
Suddenly there was shouting as large group of men came into the room. Gabriella rolled her eyes as she turned and reached for her soda.
"Well, if it isn't my soon to be date." Sharpay said with a smile. "Tell me, how's my pink?" she said twirling around in her pink strapless dress. Her eyes were shadowed with light pink and glitter, she was a life size Barbie.
"Very pink." Taylor said rolling her eyes. "I'll tell you, if she could find pink eye contacts she would." Taylor looked down at her own green dress and smiled. "I decided earthy was better."
"Green looks good on you" Gabriella said with a smile. Putting her drink down she smiled and looked out into dance floor where people were dancing and laughing.
"Let's dance shall we." Taylor said extending her hand to Gabriella.
"We shall." Gabriella said taking her hand.
Troy walked into the crowd of all the dancing girls and guys. Clubs were not his thing. The only reason he use to come here was because Gabriella liked to dance. A smile came across his face. He loved to watch her dance. The music got louder as he got closer to the front stage.
"Troy?" Turning around he came face to face with Kelsi.
"Kelsi?" he said looking at her with a raised brow, "What are you doing here?" he asked leaning in so he could be heard over the music.
"Sharpay demanded a girl's night." She said with a smile. "Save me a dance?" she said,
"Will do." he said saluting two fingers her way. Kelsi always tried him the same it was almost as if nothing had ever happen. He appreciated the friendship and he enjoyed the easy feeling of comfort. He wasn't romantically interested in her, nor was she in him. Troy stopped mid step if as realization smacked him in the face. Turning around he looked out into the crowd looking for a glimpse of caramel skin. No wonder she was in a hurry.
Gabriella let out a laugh as dance with Taylor rolling her hips and hold her hands up as the music controlled her body. "I haven't done this in so long." she said taking hold of Taylor's hand.
"Girl, your on fire." Taylor laughed as they danced around each other.
"You know it." Gabriella said with a smile as she spun around. Just then her body halted as a solid form stood in front of her. His chest was solid and her hands quickly jumped away in surprise.
"We meet like this again, I'm going to assume you through yourself at just anyone."
Gabriella looked up into brown eyes, "James?" She said looking at him with a smile. "Fancy seeing you here," She said
"I told you he'd be here." Taylor whispered. "Ask him to dance."
Gabriella glared at Taylor, "I'm trying not to come off like a psycho." She whispered back.
"Am I disrupting something?" James said with a smile. "I can go."
"No." Gabriella said quickly grabbing hold of his arm. "Dance with me?" she said letting go of his arm and motion to the music.
"Thought you'd never ask." He said with a smile.
Gabriella smiled and let him lead her to the middle of the floor we're they fell into the rhythm of Jay Sean's, Ride It.
Blue eyes watched the couple get closer as she hips began to more against his. Amusement in his eyes, jealously in his heart, and stone anger on his face, Troy stood back in the crowd carefully blending in so Gabriella wouldn't notice him.
"So that's why you don't like him." Jason came up alongside Troy and look at the same display Troy was almost entranced in. "He's hot on your honey."
"She isn't my honey." He said closing his fist and looking at Jason then back at the couple. "We're not together." He said.
"I bet that doesn't make it hurt any less." Jason said tucking his hands into his pocket.
Troy was silent. He watched as she arched her back and rocked her hips from side to side. "I could care less." Troy said with a smirk. "We're all allowed to indulge in our hormones." He said looking at Jason.
Jason tilted his head sideways as he watched the couple dancing. "Did she every do that with you?" he said leaning back a bit.
"Horizontally," Troy said, with wicked grin.
"Wow."
Gabriella laughed as she reached up to wrap her arms around James's neck. Dancing with him was fun she felt the energy flowing though her body.
"You thirsty?" James said leaning in to be heard.
"Oh, not right now but I do have to use the little girls room." She said pointing to the back room.
"Yeah, no problem, I'll be by the bar."
"Don't dance with anyone else." She yelled back as she made her way through the crowd.
Waiting in line for the rest room she crossed her arms. The woman in front of her was wearing a strong perfume and Gabriella crinkled her noise and looked away. When it was her turn she entered the bathroom, just as she looked at her reflection the door knob turned a bit.
"I'm in here," she called out not looking at the door but washing her hands in the sink. She'd locked the door when she came in so she when she turned around and seen it open slowly she froze.
"I don't care." His voice was dry as he shut the door behind him and locked the door. "Who said picking a lock is a dead art." Troy said putting his id back in his wallet.
"I should have known you'd be here." She said crossing her arms and shifting her weight.
"Deep down I think you did." He said looking in the mirror at his own reflection.
"What do you want?"
"What I don't get a hello," He said with smirk. "I'm hurt." He said crossing his arms.
"Troy."
"Your right I'm over it." walking up to her Gabriella he smiled as she back up into the wall. He took the time to look down at her dress, his eyes skimming over her body. "This dress is nice." Bringing his eyes up to hers.
"Thank you." She said in a low voice as she looked up at him.
"I image it might look better with this." he said pulling her bracelet from her pocket.
"My bracelet," She said with a gasp. "How did you-"
"It fell out of your bag as you drove away." he said dangling it in front of her.
"Oh thank god you.." Gabriella flung a hand over her mouth as she looked at Troy in terror.
The grin on his face grew as he let out a warm chuckle. "Some one's been naughty." He said tossing up the bracelet and catching it.
Gabriella pulled her hand away from her mouth and looked at him with fear. "You can't tell my father."
"Oh, yeah because that was my first intention." He said rolling his eyes. "Are you crazy racing for money is against the law, I turn you in I might as well turn me in to." He said with a huff.
Gabriella felt relief wash over her, as she slowly took a breath. Troy took the time to really look at her and embrace this rare moment of Gabriella off her guard.
"So little miss perfect, is not so perfect." Troy said leaning against the opposing wall.
"Perfect?" she repeated raising a brow.
"What you did tonight." He said pushing himself off the wall and walking towards her. "Blinding me with the headlight,"
"I didn't know it was you Troy." she said.
"I know." He said quietly. "Could've crashed if I hadn't slowed down, Brie."
"Troy I'm sorry."
"Personally I don't know if I'm turned on by the idea of you riding a motorcycle or turned on by the thought of you being in that leather get up and being so heartless." He said with sly grin. "Then again from the show on dance floor I'd say riding that bike has an effect on you as well."
Gabriella was silent as he looked her up and down. It was like his hands were touching every inch of her and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
"How long?" he said looking back up to her eyes.
"One year." She said looking off to the side. "After we..."
"Me too," he said with a clam voice.
"So, what now?" Gabriella looked at him and took a moment to study his features, the straight edge of his jaw, the broad with of his shoulders, his arms covered with muscles and warm if her memory served her right.
Troy looked down at the bracelet in his hand. "People who street race do it to get by, they thrive on it and make their money from it." he said in a low voice. "People like you and me who do it for the thrill and not the need aren't welcome." He added.
"I know."
"Teddy isn't on your side."
"You're wrong." Gabriella said crossing her arms. "Teddy has faith in me and he's taught me a lot."
"Because you make him money," Troy said holding out her bracelet. "I hope you know what you got yourself into."
"The same thing you're into Troy." she said as she snatched the bracelet. "I'm not a child. I can take care of myself."
Just as she walked past him Troy grabbed her by the arm and swung her around into him. His lips came crashing down on hers and she tried to push him away but the more she fought the more she got tangled in his embrace. After a moment her shoulders fell as his hand came up to caress her jaw. Her lips parted allowing him entrance to her sanctuary. His other hand held her in place by the small of her back, their bodies were firmly pressed together, and then suddenly he pulled away with a deep breath. "Just be careful." He said looking down into her eyes.
Gabriella pushed away from him instantly his kiss still swollen on her lips and her body scorching from his aggression and touch. "Stay away from me Troy." she said in low voice. "I'm not going to let you just come into my life and mix everything up for your entertainment." She said in low grumble. "I'm happy." She added as she made her way to the door and let herself out.