A/N: Okay, I admit... this one's a little rushed. Hehe. Oh, and it's an AU, FYI. As usual, constructive criticism, comments, etc. are greatly, greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Somebody to Love by Queen

Rating: K

Word Count: 777

"Kelsi, darling!"

Kelsi stiffened and groaned loudly, not bothering to muffle her exasperation since the music was so loud anyway. It was absolutely official: she was in Hell. She was in Hell, wearing a cute and sophisticated but cornea-burning pink (Sharpay's wedding, after all) maid of honor dress. She was in Hell and the saddest thing about it was that she had no one else to blame for putting her in such a predicament except herself.

Flashback:

It had started out innocently enough. She, despite her aversion to big, loud parties, was having fun. Sharpay really outdid herself with the elaborate reception. She was having good food, good wine, and the people she was grouped with in her table were a decent bunch. Until…

"Single, you say?" the older woman to her right repeated, a strange gleam in her eye.

Oblivious, Kelsi nodded, sampling the delicious salmon.

"And are you looking, my dear?" the other woman to her left asked, a similar glint in her eye.

Kelsi shrugged, still not paying attention to the predatory glances the middle-aged women in her table were giving her. "Eh… I'm certainly not opposed to meeting someone…"

Big, big mistake.

The women exploded into excited chattering, and gesticulating.

"Oh! You would absolutely LOVE my son! He's a doctor, you know!"

"Come with me Kelsi, I want you to meet my dear nephew. Sweetest boy on the planet!"

"My son's an engineer!"

"Banker!"

"Lawyer!"

"Loves dogs and walks on the beach!"

And now, the news that Sharpay's attractive maid of honor was ripe for the picking had spread like wildfire throughout the expansive ballroom. Everywhere Kelsi looked, there was a woman, dragging along a sheepish male relation, steely resolve in their eyes… and determinedly marching her way. Kelsi couldn't go a few feet without somebody introducing her to a nephew, a first, second, third cousin, a son.

Kelsi was in Hell.

"Kelsi, dear!"

Taking matters into her own hands, the petite brunette steadily ignored the loud voices calling her and instead dove headfirst into the mass of bodies occupying the dance floor. Thankful for her elfin stature, she did not have to duck too much to be completely invisible. Side-stepping tipsy and energetic guests, Kelsi inconspicuously exited the throng on the opposite side of the room and promptly hid behind the gifts table. Breathing heavily from relief, she almost jumped out of her skin when a warm baritone spoke up beside her.

"What are you doing?" the owner of the voice asked, obviously amused.

"Hiding," Kelsi replied quietly. She panicked when she saw a couple of middle-aged women walk by and pulled the stranger down with a stern reprimand. "Keep your voice down,"

Understanding flooded her companion's features. He grinned, mirth sparkling in his eyes. "Ahh… You must be the pretty maid of honor I've been hearing about all night,"

Kelsi groaned once more. "Oh, this is so embarrassing," And, after taking a good a look at the man beside her, she couldn't help but feel even more mortified. He was attractive in a boy next-door kind of way: floppy, disheveled, dark hair; warm, brown eyes; upturned lips; an easy smile. And here he was, crouching beside a very flustered Kelsi Nielsen.

The tall man laughed. "A wedding wouldn't be complete without someone being hassled for dates,"

"Lucky me," Kelsi muttered.

Grinning a grin that made Kelsi's insides do somersaults, the man stretched out a hand. "I'm Jason Cross,"

"Kelsi Nielsen," Kelsi smiled, shaking his hand. Electricity crackled between their clasped hands. "It's nice to meet you… Considering that I'm currently acting like a fugitive who just busted out from jail,"

"Well…" Jason said, a hint of nervousness shadowing his features for a second. "I might be able to help you with your escape…"

"I'm all ears," Kelsi shifted closer to her new acquaintance a bit uncomfortably. Wearing heels and squatting down were not meant be done in tandem. That and Jason was making her fidgety with his masculine presence.

"Ah, well…" Jason scratched his head self-consciously. "I know of this café nearby… It's quiet and there aren't any 60-year-old women out for your blood... I could ah… take you there if you want?"

Kelsi blushed. She looked back out at the party discreetly. Sharpay was too caught up with Zeke to notice if she were to go. And her predators were still on the lookout with their insanely sharp hunting insticts. Mind set, she grabbed Jason's calloused hand as she tiptoed towards the door. "Come on then, my accomplice," a tingle crept up her spine as Jason squeezed her hand. "Lead the way!"

Okay, so maybe she wasn't in Hell anymore.

… Can anybody find me somebody to love?...