AN: Thank you so much for the reviews last chapter guys. I really appreciated them and I will be continuing with this story as long as you guys stick with me which I hope you do, right now the story is just pretty relaxed college story, but down the road things could change since I am a Drama/Angst addict, but then again I might leave most of the drama for my other story GSSM, and treat the characters in this story nicer:) Thanks again to Sky Writer 93, larabaybee, Ms. Hell Fire 4950, angelcity, -Let it Go-, Ashley, Epic Love, My.Heart.Torn.To.Pieces., Slave to the Written Word, and State of Pandemonium!

Chapter 2- Just Breathe

"It's the RA, open up," There was another tap at the door.

"Oh my god," Zoey whispered nervously. She stepped away from the door and then went over to Dana. "We can't let the RA in here, there's alcohol everywhere, and not to mention Logan is drunk." Zoey placed her hands to her cheek and looked towards Chase who had the expression of a deer in headlights.

"I'm one step away from opening the door myself. I have the keys you know. Someone is in there, I heard talking, so if you're trying to be quiet in hopes that I'm going to go away then it is not going to work. I had a bad day, and I'm hungry, cranky, and just a little irritated, so why don't you do me a favor and open the door. Don't make me ask again."

Dana swallowed down a lump in her throat as she looked around the room. "Um…I uh…I don't know what to do."

"I can't get kicked out of this college. I wasn't even drinking! I don't drink because I think it's dumb…and now I could get kicked out for being in a situation where…"

"Chase!" Dana mouthed and then pointed to Zoey. Dana was freaking out herself and at the moment the last thing she needed was to deal with Zoey's breakdown. Dana quickly capped the vodka bottle and then searched for a place to hide it. She looked around the room. The trashcan was way to obvious because that was the first place an RA would look. Underneath the bed! Dana dived to the floor and then sifted through all of the junk. She had bags of clothes she never knew she had, pictures, trash, everything imaginable was stuffed underneath her bed…it was definitely a hazard so Dana doubted that the RA would look underneath there. Chase seemed to pick up on her train of thought and handed Dana the rest of the beer bottles. "Thank you," She said quietly.

"Open up right now, this is your last warning."

Logan sat up and then looked around the room. "Where am I?"

Zoey gasped because Logan had been loud enough for the RA to hear him. At that moment she was reminded why she didn't like Logan. He was filthy rich, and if he got kicked out of the University then his father could pay off the school to let him back in.

Dana pulled down her comforter in order to hide the mess underneath her bed and went over to Sharpay's side of the room to get Logan. Now she had to figure out what to do with him. "Look what you got us into,"

"So this is all my fault now," He slurred.

"Well it's not mine," Dana retorted.

Logan sat up and then placed his hand to his forehead in order to stop the spinning. "Uggh, I have a headache the size of Massachusetts,"

"I'm about to make it worse than that." Dana said through gritted teeth. "If I get in trouble Logan Reese I swear I am going to kick your as…"

The door opened.

"Alcohol," The RA barked.

Zoey, Chase, Dana and Logan turned to the RA in panic. She closed the door behind her and then shook her head.

"Do you know how much trouble you four…" The RA paused in mid sentence when Dana's roommate Sharpay and her brother Ryan strolled into the dorm.

Sharpay dropped her purse slightly when she noticed the fearful expressions on their faces. "What is going on here?"

"Five," The RA looked at Ryan.

He tapped his sister's shoulder and then fixed his blue eyes on her brown ones. "Why are all these people in your room?"

"I don't know Ryan," Sharpay said. "I asked what is going on here! I want answers." She crossed her arms and then adjusted her weight to the other foot causing her hip to jut out slightly. She pursed her glossed lips in anger as she looked back at Dana. "Knowing her, I'm sure she was up to something juvenile,"

"Excuse me?" Dana barked.

Sharpay flipped her long blonde hair off of her shoulders, "You heard me."

"Actually I didn't, how about you repeat that." Dana challenged taking a step closer to Sharpay, but somehow Logan, as drunk as he was managed to stand up and hold her back.

Ryan stepped in front of his sister, but Sharpay placed her hand on his shoulder and then pushed him away slightly.

"Ryan, you don't have to protect me when it comes to her. I can handle her, and speaking of protection…why didn't you jump to my defense when guys want to fight me, remember last night when I pissed off that guy at the Taco stand and he jumped over the counter, and you ran away like a little girl!"

The RA, Dana, Zoey, Logan, and Chase all listened to Sharpay and Ryan's argument with unwavering interest for a second forgetting the matter at hand."Sharpay, that guy was six feet tall, and you threw your nachos at his face." Ryan replied.

"So! I took a bite of one nacho and it was cold, I couldn't eat that so I told him to make me a new batch with hot cheese."

"But you threw it at him." Ryan whispered as if he was afraid to challenge his sister.

"Are you arguing with me?"

"No,"

"Good," Sharpay passed him a saccharine sweet smile and then narrowed her eyes back at the four victims in front of her. "I smell alcohol." She gasped with the skill of a trained actress contorting her face into a surprised expression. "No way!"

The RA nodded, "This is a dry dorm which means there is to be no alcohol on the premises at any time, you five or in a great deal of trouble."

"Five!" Sharpay barked.

"Five, Ms. Evans," The RA repeated.

"Well I certainly hope your talking about some random in the hallway that ran out seconds before I entered, because I didn't have anything to do with this."

"Well, it's your room as well, so by default you have to also face the consequences."

"That is not fair!" Sharpay exclaimed.

"Welcome to college nothing is fair, I'm going to report you all to the Resident Director and he'll handle you five from there. It looks like you'll better start packing because there is a slim chance to none that any of you will be able to stay here after the stunts you pulled."

Zoey closed her eyes as she felt the tears start to fall. There was no way she could get out of this. They were screwed. She opened her eyes to look at Chase who was holding one of his arms as he looked down at the floor.

The RA looked at them all once more. "Before I go to the RD I want to meet with you all at nine be at my dorm…and if you don't show up there will be consequences." With that she stepped out.

Zoey followed after her, and Chase took that as his cue to leave as well.

Sharpay looked after them and then focused back on Dana. "You better have a good excuse for this because I am this close to…"

"What? You're this close to what Sharpay." Dana said obviously not the least bit afraid.

Sharpay raised her chin. "I don't know yet, but when I figure out what I'm going to do you're going to be sorry."

"I'll pay her," Logan spoke up.

Dana, Ryan, and Sharpay all looked at Logan who was rummaging around in his pockets with little luck for his checkbook.

"She'll keep her mouth shut if I pay her off."

Dana rolled her eyes, "Don't be ridiculous, just close your mouth before you embarrass yourself any further."

"Here it is," Logan mumbled completely ignoring Dana. He reached on Shapay's desk for a pen with feathers on the end. "Thanks,"

"I didn't say you could use that." She directed towards him.

"Too bad," Logan muttered and then he burped.

"Eww," Sharpay complained.

"Are you really going to pay her off," Dana asked as she was starting to think that the crazy idea could work. Logan looked up at her and nodded. "Why?"

He handed her the check. "Can you write that, I'm way to drunk to write anything legibly."

"My sheets!" Sharpay screamed as she noticed that Logan had completely ruined them.

Logan placed a hand to his aching forehead, "Write a check for her too."

Dana looked down at the check book completely puzzled, and then back at Logan. "Why are you doing this again?"

"Because I'm not going to let you get in trouble for my actions." Logan shrugged as he fell back onto the bed. "I have a heart deep down, that I can keep locked up and allow to come out sometimes," He smirked. "I am so drunk right now, I'm going to stop talking before I say something I regret."

"You should eat something to soak up some of that alcohol." Ryan suggested. He looked around Sharpay's bright pink side of the room for something to eat, and a couple of seconds later picked up a container of bread. "PB&J sandwich?"

Sharpay snatched the container of bread from Ryan's hands so fast that it gave him whiplash. "Don't offer that drunken fool my food! Think Ryan, Think!"

"This boy is saving our ass." Dana stated. Her eyebrows lowered over her caramel saucers as she looked down at Logan in wonder. It wasn't like him to offer to help someone out without them paying him back in some way or the other. Was it possible that Logan wasn't as bad as he made himself out to be?

"Order whatever you want," Troy said to Gabriella.

She whistled as she glanced over the menu at the 'fine dining' restaurant on campus. "I don't know everything is expensive."

Troy shrugged, "So, I'm using my dining dollars and if I don't finish them all now then I'm going to lose all that money, so come on be greedy, order whatever you want."

"Well," Gabriella swiped her dark chocolate curls away from her alluring eyes and then tapped her hands on the table. "The salmon looks good."

"And the salmon is also the cheapest thing on the menu." Troy pointed out with an easy laugh. "Don't be shy, look at the steak it looks good."

"Where is it at?" Gabriella asked.

Troy leaned across the table to show Gabriella. His head bumped hers, and they both laughed. "Right here, the steak, cooked however you want it, with a potato side or curly fries. That rhymed."

Gabriella giggled, "Indeed it did."

Troy sat back in his seat.

Gabriella looked back at her boyfriend. He was incredibly handsome with the palest blue eyes she had seen in her life, and he had longish light brown hair with golden streaks that was usually flipped at the ends. Troy was adorable. "So what are you getting hot shot?"

"The steak,"

"Curly fries of potatoes?" Gabriella asked.

"Hmm," Troy placed a hand to his chin in thought. "You're asking the tough questions aren't you Montez,"

"I'm just preparing for a debate I have in my speech class coming up," Gabriella said. She glanced at the menu one last time. "Okay, I'll have the steak too."

"And you better save room for dessert, because we're going to have ice cream after that."

Gabriella's mouth dropped open. "You're going to have to roll me out of here Troy,"

"I'll carry you out," He said with a smile.

Gabriella blushed and then gazed around the restaurant. The carpet was a champagne color, and majestic chandeliers hung from the ceilings. The restaurant was almost too nice for the guests because the students were all dressed in flip flops and shorts.

"Zoey and Chase didn't want to come to dinner with us?"

"Nah, they had a thing."

Troy playfully raised his eyebrows up and down, "A thing?"

Gabriella playfully hit him, "Not that thing."

"Gabriella get you're mind out of the gutter I wasn't talking about that thing."

Gabriella waved her hand in the air. "Troy, stop playing around, and my mind is not in the gutter. I am far too busy with school, and my club activities to think about anything dirty."

"And don't forget me. I take up some of your time too."

"Right, how could I forget you," Gabriella cooed.

Troy wrinkled his nose back at her cutely and then took a sip of his water. "So did you notice that Chase has the hots for Zoey. I swear she is all he talks about."

"He talks about her a lot?" Gabriella asked with peaked interest.

Breadsticks," The waiter said placing them down on their table.

"Thank you," Both Gabriella and Troy replied in unison.

The waiter nodded and then headed off.

Troy reached for a breadstick, "If I was broke, I would come here just for the breadsticks and then dash out of here,"

Gabriella giggled, "Sounds like something you and Chad would do."

Troy nodded at Gabriella's remark about his best-friend since high school. "Actually I think we will do that some day, but just for fun."

Gabriella shook her head as she took a bite of her breadstick, "So Chase and Zoey,"

"What about them,"

"They would be so cute together." Gabriella gushed.

"Chase loves her,"

Gabriella smiled sweetly as she looked towards the ceiling. "We should set them up Troy,"

"Like set them up on a date,"

"A double date?" Gabriella suggested.

"But Gabby, when will you find the time between school, me, and clubs." Troy said with a smile.

"I don't know. Usually setting people up really isn't my thing, but Zoey and Chase are cute, we should do it."

"Let's be optimistic and maybe she'll let us off with a tap on the hand." Chase said hopefully.

Zoey shook her head, "Dana's RA is a dragon lady, she's heartless, she won't let us off Chase," She bit her lip as she glanced at her cell phone. "I'm about to have a nervous breakdown,"

Chase stood up, "Just breathe,"

"I can't," Zoey said as she wrapped her arms around her body. She closed her eyes and then started to pace around the room blindly. "I've worked so hard this semester, and I don't want to get kicked out for something I didn't do."

Chase stood up and clenched his jaw. "Worrying isn't going to…" He paused in mid sentence when Zoey looked back at him with a saddened expression. He wanted to hug her but for some reason his arms wouldn't cooperate with his mind.

"My parents have spent so much on me, first they sent me to PCA, and now here…and I can't get kicked out! They'll be so disappointed and my mom she can't handle this now with everything that's going on," Zoey placed her hand to her mouth as she started to cry. "I'm sorry for being so emotional I just can't…"

Chase lifted his arms and then hesitated before he wrapped her up in his arms. He expected her to push him away but when she didn't he found relief in that. Chase rested his chin on top of her silky blonde hair as he rubbed her back. "If I have to go to the RA myself and talk to her I will, you're not going to get kicked out here, Zo,"

Zoey leaned away from Chase in order to look at him. "I feel horrible for crying like this." She blushed as she realized that Chase's shirt was soaked with her tears. Zoey quickly ran her hand over his light blue tee-shirt.

Chase smiled goofily. "It's just a shirt,"

"I know, but…" Zoey patted him on the shoulder and as she looked back at him a strand of hair fell into her eyes. "You don't have to talk to her alone, it's better to talk to Dana's RA in groups."

Chase smiled, "Do you think If I go alone I won't come back,"

Zoey shrugged, "I don't want you to become an unsolved mystery."

Chase was glad to see her smile even under the circumstances. "We were obviously not drinking, so I'll just tell the truth."

"I wish it was that easy," Zoey sighed.

"I am optimistic," Chase said.

"You're just Mr. Optimistic today aren't you, tell me something Chase, tell me anything to make me feel better."

Chase blinked because he had been put on the spot. "I um…your necklace is nice,"

Zoey nodded, "Thank you,"

"And your hair." Chase placed a shaking hand to Zoey's sunshine locks, "It um…smells really good."

"Thanks Chase," Zoey hugged him.

There was a knock at the door.

Zoey took in a deep breath before she went to go get it. A couple of seconds later she was looking back at Nicole and her new boyfriend Avery. Zoey was happy to see Nicole, but not Avery so much.

"Hey girlie!" Nicole squealed.

"Hey," Zoey said in a monotone.

"What a beautiful smile Zo, I almost forgot how excited you were to see me." Nicole said. "Okay, what's going on? Did someone ruin those new flip flops that you got from American Eagle, or did you break a nail." Nicole examined Zoey's hands and then frowned when she noticed that everything was in check. "Okay, something is strange what is going on."

"Nic, aren't you going to give her a chance to speak?" Avery asked.

Nicole stopped talking.

Zoey glanced over her shoulder at Chase who was as far away from Avery and Nicole as possible. For the life of her she couldn't understand why Nicole was still with this guy. "Chase and I went over to Dana's and Logan was there,"

Nicole nodded obviously not as enthusiastic as she had been before.

"I guess I'll explain it to you later…"

"Yeah, you should because Nicole and I are going to a frat party a couple of blocks away from campus," Avery explained or more so ordered.

"Did you want to go Nicole?" Chase asked from behind them.

"Yeah, she did." Avery responded quickly.

"Actually I asked Nicole," Chase said.

Zoey bit her lip as Avery passed Chase a brief murderous look. "Nicole, did you just want to hang out here and catch up with us."

Nicole smiled, "A little,"

"Then come on," Zoey linked her arm in Nicole's and tried to bring her inside but Avery grabbed onto Nicole's hand.

"We should leave now Nic," Avery said.

"Fine," Nicole sighed.

Zoey's mouth dropped open in shock. She couldn't believe that Nicole was following Avery's orders, it was definitely time that she talked to Nicole again about him. She bit her lip as she watched Avery lead Nicole away. "Chase, why is she with that guy?"

"She's not going to be with him for long," Chase said.

"Why?"

"Because we're going to do something, that guy isn't good enough for her, Nicole needs someone that genuinely loves her and he doesn't."

Zoey passed Chase a small smile, "So you'll talk to her with me? Because I'm not sure if I can get through to her anymore."

"I'll do anything for you, but first I need to go talk to the RA," Chase said as he walked towards the door. "I'll be back,"

"Are you sure you don't want me to go?"

Chase shook his head, "No…I'll um…weather the storm alone, while you hold down the fort,"

Zoey grinned, "Okay Chase, I'll hold down the fort."

Chase's cheeks turned a tinge of red as he looked at Zoey. She looked away and then walked over to the window. Chase opened the door, but not without stealing one last look. "I'll be back Zo,"

"I need a mineral water in order to calm my nerves," Sharpay announced.

Dana rolled her eyes as she placed her hand on Logan's chest. It was almost time to meet the RA and he was still asleep. Dana thought that he looked cute sleeping so peacefully, but she couldn't focus on that now. "Get up Lo,"

A smile formed on his face, "Is Lo you're new pet name for me because I like it."

"A Mineral Water please!" Sharpay screamed.

"I know you're not talking to me, because I am not your slave," Dana growled to her roommate.

Sharpay grimaced, "I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to Ryan so how about you turn back around to your little boyfriend."

Dana exhaled, "I'm not going to get into this with you right now."

"So turn around." Sharpay tapped her brother's shoulder. "Ryan, I'm a bit parched could you be a doll and get me a water…NOW!"

"Sure," He stood up and walked outside.

"Thanks bro," Sharpay replied as she reached in her purse to check her reflection in her compact mirror. She fluffed her blonde hair and then reached for some lip gloss. "You're boyfriends plan better work because I'm not getting kicked out of this school."

"He is not my boyfriend." Dana corrected.

"Sure I am," Logan said.

Dana turned back to him swiftly. She stood up and then reached for his hand as she tried to pull him off of her bed. He fell to the floor lazily.

"Are you trying to get me naked Cruz?" Logan yawned as he looked at Dana, "Because if that's the case then you can just ask."

"I am not trying to get you naked, just get the hell up because the RA wants to meet with us all."

"Come a little closer."

Dana raised an eyebrow. "No,"

"I have to tell you something."

Sharpay pulled her nail filer out of her bag, "I like secrets fill me in too…where is my brother with my water!"

"Just get up Logan." Dana sighed.

"Not without this." Logan placed his hand behind Dana's head and then brought his face upwards to kiss her.

"Lo…" Dana tried to scream but her attempts were silenced by Logan's lips.

The door opened and Ryan stepped in with three bottles of soda and a water.

"I thought they might wan…" Ryan started.

Sharpay held up her hand. "Shh…they're kissing."