It was finally October 18th; Troy's birthday. The day he would be turning 17 years old. The whole school was excited and couldn't wait to celebrate. The party was going to be epic! It was going to be out in the yard at lunch. The tables, chairs, plates, napkins, forks, spoons and cups have already been set and Halloween decorations were put up.

While everyone was happy; Troy wasn't. He liked the fact that everyone was throwing a party for him; that was very nice of them. But he was still sad about Gabriella. He wished she would tell him what he did wrong in their relationship or what happened.

The rest of the students entered the building and they were all dressed in their costumes. He noticed Gabriella in a clown costume. He thought she looked cute in it. Chad walked over; dressed in his werewolf costume. "What's up B-day man?" He asked, playfully slapping his back.

Troy forced a smile. "Nothing much."

However, Chad could tell that something was wrong. "What's wrong? You don't sound too happy." He then realized it probably had something to do with Gabriella. "It's Gabriella, isn't it?"

Troy sighed. "I just have know idea what happened or what I did wrong."

Chad began to feel guilty; knowing that he knew what was going on but couldn't tell him. The two have been best friends since Preschool and they told each other everything; but now; the nine friends that Troy could ever trust; knew something that he didn't and they all had to keep it from him. "Well, maybe she'll come around."

"Chad, it's been a month." Troy replied.

"I know. I really don't know what to say." Chad hated that Troy had to be left out of the secret but had no choice. It's what Gabriella wanted. And her feelings were just as important as his. Chad agreed with Gabriella; Troy did get very protective of her and mean to people who messed with her. And like her; he didn't want Troy to get himself in trouble either. Especially on his birthday. "You'll be fine. Your party's in like a few minutes. We're all gonna have a great time." Chad patted his back before walking off.

Amanda walked over tossing her hair. "Oh Troy; the party is just going to be so great. I just know it!" She tried to put a hand on his shoulder but he jerked away and walked off.

"Troy!" She yelled as he headed off; ignoring her. "Incase you haven't noticed; I am wearing a very sexy and attractive costume!" She stomped her feet and growled; frustrated.

In the school yard, everybody was there for Troy's party. The staff, students and even people who didn't like him that much. Gabriella felt terrible as she entered the yard. She had to at least wish him a happy birthday. She had to talk to him anyway. Mark told her to tell him to dance with Amanda so maybe she could use that moment to wish him a happy birthday. There's no way Mark could get suspicious.

Mark walked over. He was dressed in all black; like always. He was dressed as a warlock. An evil warlock was exactly what he was and he had on a black hat to match the costume. "Good afternoon Ms. Montez." He smirked, seeing how miserable she looked. "Now what could be the problem? You don't look in a party spirit." He then chuckled a little. "By the way, you look extremely adorable in that clown costume."

She frowned. "You don't need to make me anymore miserable than I already am. I get it Mark..." She sighed then finished. "I'm gonna tell Troy to dance with Amanda." Before she could walk off; he stopped her.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Not so fast. Yeah about that; I changed my mind. I don't want to take any risks of you saying anything friendly to him; not even those two words 'Happy Birthday' No, I want you to be in charge of pulling names out of the raffle hat."

At the refreshment table; there was a raffle hat in the middle. Their were names of all the girls in the whole school. And which ever girl's name was picked from the hat would be able to share the special dance with Troy.

"I want you to say Amanda's name; even if you don't pull her name out." Mark told her. "Oh and your costume is missing one thing." With that; he snatched the clown mask from her hands and put it over her head.

She sighed. Just great. She couldn't even wish Troy a happy birthday. She felt like such a jerk being at his party while she had to stay away from him.

"Okay, guys, listen up." Mr. Willows was in charge of Troy's party. "We are all here for a certain and awesome student's birthday. The most popular wildcat on the basketball team; Troy Bolton!"

Everyone cheered; except for Gabriella who looked sad. She headed for an empty table and sat down with a hand under her chin as she watched everyone having a great time and dancing to the loud music that just started a few seconds after she sat down.

Troy was the only one who wasn't having a great time at his own party. His mind was still on Gabriella, no matter how 'awesome' his party was. Everyone but him was having a great time. He saw Gabriella sitting at a table when he glanced around. He couldn't tell if she was having a great time or not cause the mask was covering her face.

Gabriella saw Troy look her way for a few seconds and grew guiltier. She wished she could just rush over to him and be in his arms, tell him how much she loves him and be happy again. She sighed as she avoided contact with him and looked down at the plate on her table. Everybody was shouting, chattering with one another and enjoying themselves and she felt like she didn't belong. But what she didn't know was that Troy felt exactly the same way.

'Just party, rock out loud and

have a great time. Put your hands

in the air (hands in the air) put your

hands in the air and lift your drinks

up high. We're gonna party till we can't

party no more. Rock out loud (rock out loud)

Party (Party) Jump and put your hands up, put

your hands up'

Amanda turned to Mark who was standing next to her watching the students enjoy themselves. She smirked as she thought about how wonderful her dance with Troy was gonna be. How he would hold her in his arms, fall in love with her and she just couldn't wait! "This is going to be so great Mark."

He was smirking as well. "Yes it is."

"Okay everyone, we can get back to dancing and chilling after we sing happy birthday to Troy and have cake!" Mr. Willows exclaimed, excitedly.

Troy's cake had orange frosting with black and purple sprinkles, Jack O' lantern designs and a seventeen candle. It was chocolate flavored and everyone liked it. "This is some awesome cake man." Jason told him.

"The bomb." Chad agreed.

"I feel like I'm in heaven." Zeke replied with his mouth full. "Even better than the cookies I bake."

After the cake; Mr. Willows turned the volume of the music back up. A female voice was singing this time.

'Don't just stand there, wasting

all your time on me, cause I have

a place to be, friends to meet, and I

am going to put my coat on and hit

this city. I won't be wasting my time

on you, (I won't be wasting my time)

waiting for you.

If you think I'm just gonna sit and cry in
a corner all day, then you are wrong. Because
my feelings aren't meant to be used for play,

I am sincere and I won't wait around. I won't

spend one year (wasting my time) waiting for

you.

When the days grow cold and the nights get

darker, I will rise up from the ground (without you)

(cause I don't need you, I don't want you) I won't be

wasting my time on you, waiting for you so just move on

and play someone else; I am no longer your act. I won't

spend all my time...waiting for you (wasting my time)

on you.'

The song ended; then after 10 more songs; it was time for the special dance. Mr. Willows told everyone to go sit down at a table and picked up the hat with the names in it. "Okay, Gabriella Montez will be in charge of picking out who our lucky girl will be."

Amanda smiled as she heard that cause she knew it was going to be her. Gabriella walked over, Mr. Willows blindfolded her and she picked a name from the hat. She read the name and looked happy. It was her! She was the 'real' lucky girl. The card read:

Gabriella Montez

But she knew what she had to do. "And it looks like our lucky girl is," Gabriella paused not sure if she could say her name with ease, then after sighing deeply she said it. "Amanda Vinny." She lied.

The other girls sighed, disappointed and Troy looked upset.

"Yay!" Amanda exclaimed as she jumped up, clapping.

"No." Troy said out loud.

"Oh come on Troy; you're the birthday boy." Mr. Willows didn't detect Troy's attitude.

Troy sighed as Mr. Willows pushed him near Amanda who just walked over near the refreshment table. She was smiling, ready to dance with him. Troy looked very miserable and unhappy about having to dance with her. He sighed as a slow romantic song began to play. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist; feeling forced and trapped. They began to sway to the music.

'All I want is for you to be safe

in my arms, all I want is to hold you

and for you to be mine. You have no

idea how much I love you, how much I

need you and without you, I am nothing.

I want you to be safe in my arms, your

head rested on my chest, to hold you close

and tight and to feel your lips against mine'

Amanda smiled as she leaned in to kiss him. Before she could kiss him; he spun her around to avoid it. After the third spin, she felt dizzy and landed in his arms. She looked up; her eyes looking all wide and innocent, staring dreamily at him and showing him near where her breast is. Instead of kissing her like she thought and dreamed; he spun her around again.

All I want is to be with you, what I would

give for you to be in my arms, to hold you

up close and tight'

When the dance was over; Troy was relieved that he had survived the horror. Amanda went to find Mark. "Can you believe this Mark? He didn't kiss me or even touch my tits!"

When Troy was getting himself another piece of cake, Gabriella had just walked over to get herself some more punch. She glanced around to see where Mark was. He was busy talking with Amanda and wasn't even looking so he wouldn't notice.

Troy really wanted to talk to her again but was that what she wanted?

"Uh, happy birthday Troy." She told him.

Troy felt joy. She was talking to him again! He didn't know those were the last words she would ever say to him before avoiding him again. "Thanks. But what did I-"

She cut him off. "I really have to go now Troy."

"Wait, I-"

It was too late. She had already left and he was confused.