DISCLAIMER: I OWN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING EXCEPT FOR THE PLOT!

A/N: ok, so in this chapter, there will be a little bit of SLASH. I'm warning you now before you get sad or report me or something. But, don't worry about that too much 'cause it still falls in the category under the Teen Rating not Mature Rating. Trust me, I felt really really uncomfortable writing it, but I couldn't really think of another way to explain the story at this point. So, my apologies in advance.

Oh and thanks to all of those awesome reviews, everyone! They put a smile on my face each time I read each one. :D


What. In.The. World. I stood in the middle of the floor, with my jaw dropped five thousand miles long, completely taken back by the sight of Taylor and, of all people, in any case I would have hoped for Chad, Ryan Evans dancing to 'Hollaback Girl'. I hadn't seen Ryan since four or five summers ago, and now he was here, in Beverley Hills, in the exact same party, dancing with my best friend. Dancing WAY WAY too close. Get your dirty hands off of her! Of course, if I were to scream this aloud, people would think I would be crazy, and only Ryan, Kelsi, Jason, and I would understand why I would have freaked out. Kelsi and Jason kept a close eye on them as they danced. I knew that if Ryan made an unwanted move, Jason would be all over him in a heartbeat. But until then, Jason had no reason to pound on Ryan, for they were just dancing…clean.

Flashback.

It was the weekend after graduation, and the Evan twins were throwing the graduation/ summer kick off pool party. Two days before I broke up with Troy. The whole graduated senior class of EHS was there, and our gang consisting of Troy, Chad, Jason, Ryan, Taylor, Sharpay, Kelsi, and myself were spending the night. It's too bad that Zeke couldn't make it.

Their house was amazing. A three story white mansion with an awesome waterfall in the backyard that flowed into the pool. The first story was completely made out of glass: the stairs, the tables, the chairs, everything but the couch and the entertainment system. It was amazing.

The party was live and memorable. It was amazing how three hundred seventeen/eighteen year olds found a way to fit in their ginormous pool. The DJ blasted music from Sharpay's bedroom balcony on the third floor that overlooked the backyard. People who weren't in the pool were talking, drinking, taking pictures, and/or dancing. This was the best way to end our high school career. I got to say good-bye to my decathlon buddies and drama pals in a cherishing way.

During the middle of the party, Troy pulled me to where the other people were dancing, and we danced like crazy as 'YMCA' came on. Everyone, even people in the pool, threw their arms up in the air to do the hand motions. I soon found our gang to be dancing with us, too. The next thing I knew, Troy hoisted me on his shoulders and yelped when I kicked him in the face. "Oops, sorry!" I called as I threw my hands up in the air for the next YMCA chorus. He finally let me down to see no damage from the kick. We, as well as everyone else, started dancing to the next song. I looked around. Kelsi with Jason, Chad with Taylor, Sharpay with Ryan, Andrew with…Wait a sec. DID I JUST SEE SHARPAY AND RYAN DANCING TOGETHER? Ok, Gabriella. They're just brother and sister having a good time. Just a brother and sister dance. Nothing wrong with that. But I looked back at them, and my eyes burned at how they were dancing. 'That is not how a brother and sister are supposed to dance even if they are twins!' I thought as I made a disgusted face. Kelsi looked at me and followed the path to where I was staring. So did Jason.

At this point, Ryan and Sharpay were no longer dancing harmless. (A/N: use your own imagination. Nothing nasty or anything, just dancing outta control). It's bad enough that Sharpay was dancing in her bikini and Ryan in his trunks, but if they seriously were doing this, couldn't they have at least waiting until they were home alone! Honestly! I shivered in Troy's arms and looked away. Jason and Kelsi on the other hand made it obvious that they were looking at them, so when Ryan turned his head in exhaustion, his eyes widened, his cheeks reddened, and he started slowing down. Jason and Kelsi shot him sickened looks and looked away. Ryan pulled off and started walking towards the house, leaving Sharpay confused and baffled. In no time she grabbed Todd and started dancing with him like nothing ever happened. Was this normal to her because that sure wasn't normal to me!

I was surprised that Troy hadn't caught any of that. Kelsi and I exchanged looks of discomfort. She, Jason, and I agreed never to mention what just happened to anyone.

End of Flashback.

Apparently, Taylor and Ryan were in their own little world. I was way too shocked to believe this. I turned to Kelsi and Jason for confirmation, and they nodded their heads in disgust. I felt the faint taste of vomit in my mouth. I was really nauseated, and I really needed air. This was just too much. I rushed outside to the backyard, and took in a deep breath. I walked over to an empty table and sat down. I buried my face in my hands and prayed that Sharpay wasn't around.

"Gabi," I heard footsteps coming in my direction. I looked up and saw Geo was holding a beer bottle in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. Goodness. He's there wherever I go! He handed me the bottle of water and sat down.

"Thanks," I said as I accepted the water bottle and placed it upon my forehead. He smiled and took a sip from his Corona.

"You feeling okay?" he asked with sincerity.

"Fine," I answered. I twisted the white cap off of the Arrowhead and drank the whole bottle in one gulp. I laughed as he had a stunned expression on his face. "Like I said. A little thirsty,' I explained and shrugged.

"Well, then, here," he said as he held out his Corona in front of my face. "Take mine." I hesitated for a moment and then placed my fingers around the bottle's neck. I placed my lips around the rim and chugged the beer down. Geo had already drunk half of it, so it wasn't like it was that hard to finish off. I looked over at him and giggled. His jaw was still wide open. He blinked a couple of times to make sure he really saw that. Wow, only half a bottle of beer, and already I feel a little tipsy. Ugh, I should really find Troy.

I began to get out of my seat when some idiot ran into me and completely spilled his drink all over my top. To make matters worse, about three seconds after I was drenched, the guy laughed at me, burped, threw up chunks of God knows what in my face, laughed again, and walked away. Jerk didn't even apologize! I wiped the puke from my eyes and face and turned around to detect Geo with his hand over his mouth hiding a smile. It didn't really matter because everyone else outside turned to point and laugh me.

Then Geo took my hand and led me back inside. People stared, made disgusted faces, and got out of my way as we walked toward the bathroom. Unfortunately the bathroom was on the second floor, so I guess everyone saw me scream at the DJ to get out of my way.

The bathroom was huge, bigger than my room back in New Mexico. I quickly ran to the sink to wash my face as Geo closed the door behind him. I wiped my face with the nearest towel and glanced back into the mirror. "Great," I said sadly feeling tears prick my eyes. "My make up's messed up, my hair smells," I said as I pulled some more chunks out of my curls. "I've been embarrassed into the next century," I said as I tried to remember where I had said that before. "And my top is ruined." My before golden satin low-cut halter top was now a gold and red sticky halter. I tried wiping the stain away with the towel, but found myself sitting on the edge of the bathtub crying.

Geo walked over, sat down, and wrapped his arm around me. He started rubbing my back. "It's ok, Gabriella," he said in a sympathetic voice. I moved slightly to brush his arm off of my shoulders. He didn't resist and let his arm slide off. I continued to cry in the towel. After a while, I finally calmed down and sighed. My eyes were puffy, my nose was red, and my top was still tainted. I hadn't noticed, but while I sobbed, Geo looked through the bathroom drawers and cabinets and took out a box of ammonia, bubble bath mix, and what looked like an old toothbrush.

"You want to take a bath?" I teased.

"Hah, no. My mom taught me how to take out stains for anything before I moved here, so…" he showed me what he was holding. "I can help you get that stain out before it sets in, but…" he looked away nervously. "you're going to sorta have to take your shirt off." He placed the boxes and toothbrush on the counter and waited for me to respond.

"Isn't---there…some way you can do it...without taking my top off?" I asked. He shook his head and frowned.

What did he just say? Take my shirt off? No way! Hmm. But…I really like this top, I don't want it to be ruined. I debated on whether to cooperate or to leave the shirt on all night. I looked at Geo. He looked as if he just wanted to help, so I gave in. I mentally kicked myself as I stood up and starting untying the knot around my neck. I started struggling to pull the halter over my head, covering my face, revealing my black strapless bra and the golden locket dangling from my neck, when I heard the door open and the sound of music filled the bathroom. Then I heard the door slam close as I finally pulled the halter from my head.

"Geo, who was that who just opened the door?" I questioned as I wrapped my torso around with a towel.

"Oh, just this black girl, a blonde guy, and pretty boy from the Berkeley team, "he answered. He took my top and started filling the sink with warm water. "I wonder how Bolton got in this party. He doesn't even go to our school."


A/N: BAM! What do you guys think? I'm kinda having a hard time about how to resolve this situation when Taylor, Ryan, and Troy look in on Gabi and Geo. Reviews would be awesome and helpful if you have any ideas! THANKS SO MUCH! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME REVIEWERS AND I APPRECIATE THEM SO MUCH!