Summary: He's popular. Egotistical. Troubled. One person, one girl, could break down all of his walls.

Disclaimer: All characters, places, and references are purely affiliated to the High School Musical series. Everything you read is solely set for fictional and entertainment purposes.


The Great Beyond

Chapter Eleven

I wasn't that smart back then.

Now, I don't need you to follow in my footsteps this way, but being like this was not good for me. It wasn't good for her, either.

Basically, I was a jerk.


The next few passing weeks, things had been a lot calmer for Troy and Gabriella. Elise had finally left them alone and seemed to have accepted that things were over between her and Troy. She didn't even stop to speak or flirt with Troy anymore. She simply avoided him altogether. Even if they bumped into each other, she'd give him one look and then leave.

Troy didn't like hurting other people and their feelings, but what was he supposed to do? He was in love with Gabriella and Elise wouldn't leave her alone. Honesty hurt at times and it's what Elise had needed. And, it had worked out in the end. He had more time to spend with Gabriella now that practice for basketball had slowed down a bit until the upcoming championships. They went for bowling, ice cream, movies, dinners, and so much more. Sometimes, Troy would even sneak over to Gabriella's house for a little sleepover. That was their favorite thing to do.

As Gabriella walked into school that morning, dressed in her best with her cream sweater dress and high heel boots, she noticed that the school had been completely decorated with Halloween decorations. Granted, it was Halloween night. She wasn't that big on dressing up for Halloween. She normally stayed home to watch movies and pig out on candy.

But, she had Troy now. So, she wondered if things were going to be different.

She stopped at her locker, noticing there was an orange flyer taped to her locker. She grabbed it and looked at it. It was advertising a party at Jacob Beaker's house for the evening. People attending had to dress up in their finest and best costume yet. Of course, since the flyers were around school, there couldn't really be any advertisement about drugs or alcohol. But, she had a good feeling that would be at the party.

She wasn't sure if Troy was going to go, but she wasn't too keen on going. She was a recovering alcoholic and she was still in high school. She didn't know if she could manage being around all the booze and tequila. What if she had a slip up?

She balled up the flyer and tossed it over her shoulder. She suddenly heard a deep voice that made her knees go weak.

"Hey, litterbug."

She turned to see Troy, looking absolutely incredible in his dark jeans and his polo. He was wearing a beanie, too. He was holding up the flyer in his hands, making it obvious he had caught it in time before it hit the ground.

"Hey."

Troy smiled and kissed her lips before unrolling the flyer. He chuckled and looked at her. "Why are you angry about this?"

"Troy, I don't know if I can manage being there. You know, alcohol?" she pointed out.

Troy backed her up against the lockers and placed a hand by her head, leaning toward her. "The way to ignore alcohol is to just not have any. There's going to be water and soda there, too."

"So, you're going?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah, why not?" He looked at the flyer again. "Halloween parties are the best. You can be whoever you want to be."

"I've never really been to a Halloween party, though. I wouldn't know what to wear," said Gabriella.

He tossed the flyer in the trash can and placed a free hand on her waist, his eyes skimming her body. "I would say you could go naked because that costume is the best. But, I don't want other guys looking at you like that."

Gabriella gasped and covered his mouth so nobody could hear him. "You are bad."

Troy laughed and kissed her palm, smiling as she placed her hand on his chest. "I'll be right there with you the whole time at the party, okay? I'll make sure you don't go crazy."

"What about you?" she asked. "I mean, I know you drink sometimes."

"I won't drink that much. I'll stay sober, okay? I'll only have one drink. One beer," he promised.

Gabriella sighed, pursing his lips in thought. "Well…"

"So, you'll go with me? I do need a date and I could ask somebody else…" he teased, looking up and down the empty hallway.

Gabriella gripped his collar lightly and smirked. "I'll go."

Troy grinned. "Great! I'll meet you at the party at about seven, okay?"

She nodded and grinned as he kissed her cheek before taking her hand on the way to class.


Gabriella stared at herself in her mirror, turning every which way. She had gone to the costume store right after school and spent so much time trying to decide on a one time costume that would impress Troy. She went cliché on the idea and chose to go as a "sexy kitten". It came complete with the black kitty ears, whiskers that were attached by a string that went around her head, a tight black leotard, and a curly tail on her bottom. She matched the outfit with a pair of red heels to give it a sexier appeal, too. Her hair was in loose waves and she wore her makeup with some simple eyeliner, but daring mascara that made her lashes go to great wavelengths.

To be honest, she looked pretty damn hot.

She felt butterflies in her stomach and smiled as she grabbed her things and headed out to go towards the party. As she got closer to the residence, she could definitely hear the booming speakers and the house music. It finally came together when she saw different characters on the front lawn, over a dozen coolers on the grass, and an open door that evaporated with smoke.

"Wow," she murmured.

She cautiously walked into the house, bypassing strangers that she didn't know and who obviously seemed to be drunk, high, or both at their worst. All she wanted to do was find Troy and have a good time with him.

She went into the kitchen and stared at the pile of booze and tequila and beer. She was itching to grab some and down it all, but she couldn't. She could resist it. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before grabbing a red cup and pouring water into it. She took a sip and sighed at the hydration as the cold passed through her veins.

She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her body and smiled, believing it was Troy. She turned to kiss him and was met with a pair of green eyes instead of blue. It was Lucas, the guy she had spoken to once before she got together with Troy. He was dressed as Batman with the cape and all. She squirmed in his grasp.

"Let me go, Lucas."

Lucas grinned and let her go, but kept close to her. He looked her up and down and whistled low. "Damn, you look so hot tonight. Nice choice. You come here alone?"

"I did, but…"

He interrupted her. "Great! You can dance with me all night."

"Not a chance, Lucas," she denied.

"Oh, come on. You like me, Gabriella." He grinned and placed his hands on her waist, leaning toward her cheek. "I can show you a really good time, you know. Remember my sweet ride?"

"I said let me go, Lucas!" she shouted, catching the attention of a few amused party goers.

A sexy cowboy, being Troy, suddenly came between the two and pushed Lucas away, protecting Gabriella. "Hey, she said let go."

"Ah, Troy Bolton. Can I help you?" asked Lucas, smirking.

"Yeah," he said, anger boiling in his eyes. "You can get away from my girlfriend."

Lucas looked at Gabriella and then back at Troy before chuckling and walking away, muttering something about how she could do better.

Troy took Gabriella's hand and led her to a discreet corner in the living room. He pushed her gently against the wall and enveloped her in his arms, taking in her delicious scent. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she murmured, gripping his muscles as he pulled back from the hug. She smirked. "Nice costume."

Troy smirked at her appearance. "Yours is better. Damn," he whispered. "Are you doing this to torture me all night?"

"Not all night," she teased.

"Oh, you are good." Troy looked at her red cup and inside it, furrowing his brows. "What are you drinking?"

"Don't worry." She let him have a quick sip. "It's just water."

"Oh, okay." Troy smiled and shrugged. "I haven't had anything to drink yet. I got here not too long ago. I've been waiting for you."

Gabriella smiled and looked over his shoulder. "The music is really good. Should we dance?"

"Let me grab a quick drink and then we can dance, okay?" he promised.

Gabriella nodded. "Okay."

Troy kissed her cheek and quickly ran into the kitchen, grabbing a red cup. He looked at the selection until somebody bumped his shoulder. "Hey!"

The guy grinned. "Hey, man. Try the punch. It's a killer."

"What do you mean?" asked Troy, staring at the red punch.

"Sean spiked it with the best of the best. Vodka and tequila, man."

Troy looked at it, wondering if he should really drink it. Then again, he knew how to control his intake of alcohol. One cup wouldn't be so bad. He poured some into the cup and took a sip, feeling a fire so hot go down his throat. He coughed and shook his head before going back to Gabriella so he could dance all night.


Gabriella was worried about Troy. He was a great dancer, but every time he would take a sip of his drink, he seemed to be less and less sober. He was wobbling when he walked, his words would be a bit slurred, and he'd laugh at things that weren't really funny.

She grabbed his hand with furrowed brows. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine baby!" he shouted, downing the last of his drink. He shouted out loud in happiness.

Gabriella shook her head. "Troy that was only one cup. What was in that drink?"

"Uh…" He chuckled. "Bruce said…uh…he said…it was punch with v-v-vodka and…teeequila."

"What?!" she exclaimed in shock. She shook her head and sighed. It was time to go home. "Troy, let's go. You aren't sober anymore."

"What are you talking about? I feel fine," he slurred out, letting out a small belch.

Lucas approached them, purposefully bumping into Troy. He looked at Gabriella. "Is this dope giving you a hard time? I can help you out there. I'm pretty sober."

Troy turned to face Lucas and pushed him back. "I'm getting tired of you hitting on my girlfriend."

Gabriella grabbed his arm. "Troy…"

Lucas pushed Troy back, causing a group to surround them. "I'm tired of you thinking you own the place."

"I do own the place. I'm the fucking king!" shouted Troy, whooping with the rest of the group.

Lucas looked at Gabriella. "I don't think you are suitable for a king dressed like that, Gabriella. Maybe a pimp. Want me to be your pimp? I bet you can serve me well with that cute mouth."

Troy threw back his fist and hit Lucas square in the jaw, sending him to the ground. "Asshole."

Gabriella gasped and stared at Troy as if he were a stranger. This was why she didn't want to drink anymore. Things got to be too violent. "Troy!"

Troy looked at her strangely. "What?"

She scoffed and shook her head before leaving the party in a huff. She wasn't going to be around somebody who acted like this every time he had one drink. It was just a bad influence in her life.