Disclaimer: I do not own High School Musical.

Chapter 11: Survival Challenge

Taylor and Chad were sitting in the Danforths' living room the next afternoon. "We have to be at the park soon," Taylor told him.

"Right…Why exactly does this challenge start so late?"

"We'll tell you when we get to the park." She got up off the couch and offered her hand to him. "Come on, let's go."

He grabbed her hand, and he led her out the door and towards the park.

"Hey, Kelsi, did you bring the stuff?" asked Sharpay as Kelsi came waling up to her and Ryan.

"Yep, right here," she answered holding up the paper bag filled with supplies for the challenge. "Where's everyone else?"

"Right behind you," announced Chad, who was still holding Taylor's hand. On the way to the park, they had run into the others.

"Yay! Now we can start the challenge, and I can leave. The park is so…dirty." Sharpay made a disgusted face.

"Okay, so what's today's challenge?" asked Troy.

"Well, your parents already gave permission, so no complaining," explained Kelsi.

"That's kind of scary," replied Troy, "but okay."

"This is our survival challenge," said Taylor.

"You'll be spending the night out here, fending for yourselves." Sharpay almost felt bad about leaving her friends in the filthy outdoors.

"We know this is the park, and there's not much to survive, but it was the best we could do." Taylor then began to explain the challenge. "We are going to set you guys up near that patch of trees," she pointed towards the location. "You'll get two bottles of water each, a can of fruit each, and each of you will get a thin sleeping bag."

"My turn," said Kelsi. "You have to hand over your cell phone, your wallets, your car keys, and anything else we want. So, empty your pockets."

Ryan and Troy did what Kelsi told them to do. When through, all they had left were the clothes they were wearing. They were given their supplies, and then led to the area Taylor had mentioned earlier.

"To make sure you stay in the park," said Taylor, "we informed the park's night watchmen to keep an eye on you guys. They are also going to make sure you don't get into any life threatening danger."

"Oh, well, thanks for that," said Troy.

"I guess we should leave now," Gabriella stated. "Let's back to my house and watch a movie." Everyone turned to leave.

"Hey, could we have some of those awesome brownies we had the other day?" asked Chad.

"Yeah, I think I could whip some up," Zeke said as they all disappeared out of sight.

"It sucks that Sharpay couldn't help me this time," Ryan mumbled to himself. "All she gave me was this stupid recorder."

"What was that?" Troy asked.

"Oh, um, nothing," Ryan said as he hid the recorder.

"Yeah, whatever, listen, I think we will have a better chance out here if we work together. We'll need firewood before it gets dark. It's been getting chilly at night."

"Why should I listen to you? We're supposed to be competing."

"Do you know what you're doing?" Troy asked, thinking of Ryan's pampered lifestyle.

"No, not really."

"So let me help you get through the night. Just because we're competing for Gabriella doesn't mean we're not friends anymore."

"Okay, fine, so what do we need?"

"We need to find firewood."

Then minutes later, they returned with firewood. "What's that?" asked Troy.

"It's wood. You asked me to find some," Ryan said as he dumped his pile on the ground.

"That's not wood. Those are a bunch of twigs."

"So, what's the difference? It all comes from trees." Ryan sat down as Troy began to build the fire.

"Well, twigs are smaller and…never mind." Troy, a bit frustrated with Ryan, decided to forget about explaining.

After the sun had set, and the fire had been built, Troy and Ryan were laying on their sleeping bags, gazing upwards. Troy was deep in thought.

"Hey, Ryan?" Troy said.

"What?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Why are we competing for Gabriella?"

"Because we both like her, and she can't choose."

"Right," Troy thought for a moment, still gazing up at the tree tops. "Why do you like her?"

"Huh?" Ryan had spaced out, therefore he didn't fully hear the question.

"Why do you like Gabriella?" Troy turned his head to see Ryan, who was on the other side of the fire.

"Well, she's pretty, nice, and smart."

Troy waited for more. "That's it?" he asked when he heard nothing else.

"Should there be more?"

"I guess not," Troy sighed, and he returned to looking up.

"Why do you like Gabriella?"

Ryan's question snapped Troy out of his thoughts. He looked towards Ryan for a moment before averting his eyes and answering. "It's hard to explain."

"Just try to explain, then."

"Well, you're right. She is beautiful, sweet, and brilliant, but she's so much more." Ryan waited for Troy to gather his thoughts. "She's…she's amazing. He beautiful eyes, her wonderful laugh, her sweet voice, singing and speaking, her kind heart, her wisdom beyond her years, and her shining personality. Add them all together and you get 'amazing' and 'amazing' equals Gabriella."

"Oh, okay." The boys fell asleep soon after.

The next morning, the group returned to check on the contestants. Ryan was sprawled out, and he looked horrible, like he had had trouble sleeping. Troy couldn't be found, but there was an empty can of fruit.

"Oh, my gosh! Where's Troy?!" panicked Gabriella, which woke Ryan up.

"Ugh, leave me alone!"

"Ryan, get up," ordered Sharpay. Ryan slowly got up as he tried to wake himself up.

"Ryan," Gabriella ran to hug him. "I'm so glad you're all right." She pulled away, keeping her hands on his shoulders. "Where's Troy?"

Ryan was about to answer when, "I'm right here." Gabriella quickly turned and ran toward him.

"I'm so glad you're okay," she said as she hugged him tightly. "I thought something bad had happened."

Troy chuckled, "In the park?"

Gabriella pulled away and hit his arm. "Don't laugh at my worry!"

"Sorry, I just went down to the river to try to clean up a bit."

"Well," Taylor said, "judging by your appearances, I say Troy wins this round."

"I agree," said Kelsi.

"Great," said Troy. "Can I please go home and shower now? River water is gross."

"Yeah, sure, let's meet for breakfast?" suggested Kelsi.

"Sounds good," said Chad and everyone agreed.

They all cleaned up the area and left. Chad, Taylor, Kelsi, and Jason headed to get a table at a café for breakfast. Sharpay and Zeke took Ryan to get leaned up, and Gabriella left with Troy.

At the Evan's residence, Sharpay was still fuming that Ryan had lost, and that Gabriella had left with Troy. "Are you okay?" asked a worried Zeke.

"Yeah, just peachy!" snapped Sharpay.

"Okay, well, if you want to talk, I'm here."

Sharpay softened. "I know. Thank you, Zeke." Sharpay heard the shower turn off. "Um, Zeke, could you go to the kitchen and get me a sparkling water?"

"Sure," he kissed her cheek before heading out the door. "I'll be back in a flash."

"Take your time," Sharpay called out.

Ryan stepped out of his bathroom and into his bedroom looking fully refreshed. "What are you doing in my room?" asked a startled Ryan.

"Did you get anything on the recorder?"

"I don't know! Here, listen yourself."

When Sharpay had finished listening to the part when Troy told Ryan what he liked about Gabriella, she began to devise a plan. She began to explain to Ryan what they would do. Little did they know, Zeke heard the whole thing.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. The next two chapters are going to be "romance challenges." In other words, Gabriella gets a date with each of them. Which date would you all like to read first? Troy's date or Ryan's date? Also, for all curious readers, when I say "Troyella" in a summary, that means Troy and Gabriella will end up together.