AN: Have a long chapter! So I heard High School Musical 4 is being made, is anyone reading going to audition for it? I know it's exclusive to America but I'm curious to know! When writing this chapter I listened to a lot of Smash Mouth and Jennifer Lopez to get the 2000s vibes throwing. I still can't believe High School Musical was ten years ago! Time goes by so quickly, oh gosh. I hope you enjoy this chapter, guys!

"Tia?! Tia are you alright?" Louis? Was that Louis? It sounded like Louis It was no use asking me if I was alright if I couldn't even figure out who was talking, dipshit. Louis was a nice guy but he lacked a little common sense sometimes. He was like a confused goat, bless him.

Another voice rang out, making me cringe. My head hurt like hell.

"Give her some space people!" That was definitely Jess, I would know her voice anywhere. When you shared practically every lesson with said friend you learned to identify her voice very quickly. She was easy to find in a lost crowd, all you had to do was listen. She had a loud voice so you could find her within a matter of seconds.

I blinked the world into focus, groaning as I did so. "Ugh," I pushed myself up, my head was racing. It felt like someone had gotten a baseball bat and hit my head brutally for the next hour. I wanted to crawl into a dark room and collapse. Fainting was becoming a habit of mine. I should have remembered about the after effects of fainting, headaches and dizziness were included. Sometimes I wondered if I even had a brain for any blood to rush to. Momentarily she closed her eyes, allowing the haziness to clear before opening them again. I placed a hand to my head, forcing all my weight onto my other arm, supporting me off the ground. "What happened?" I sounded like I had just woken up from the world's longest slumber and probably looked like it too. My vision came into focus and I saw the concerned faces of my friends staring down at me. They were all there: Jay, Tico, Louis, Doug, Jess and even Zach! I hadn't known where grumpy guys and I had stood on friendship terms, were we acquaintances? Were we friends? Were we frienemies? I could totally dig being frenemies. He could be the Buford to my Baljeet, it would make sense considering I was the smarter one out of the two us. I had no shame in admitting that.

I held my hand out, demanding help. Thankfully, Jess answered my distress call. She stepped forward and hauled me up. As I was being pulled up I felt a pair of hands on my back. I glanced over my shoulder, cursing when a haze swarmed my head. Jay smiled at me pitifully. She was supporting my back so I didn't fall back on my shaky legs. My eyes watered, I felt like hugging her. She was so lovely. I blinked away the tears, slightly shocked at my behaviour. How hard had I hit my head in order for me to get this emotional? I needed to listen to some Shakira, that would set my mood straight. Once I was on my feet Jess responded to my question. Jay had my arm linked with mine, she was there for me if I was to suddenly fall. "You fainted suddenly, you gave us quite the shock." Jess checked me over before nodding to herself in satisfaction. By Jessica Wang's standards I was okay. But Jessica Wang's standards of illness were practically non-existent. Doug had once taken the day off school because he was sick, when really we all knew he had a hangover. Jess hadn't let that go for weeks. She had followed him round school calling him a skiver. I had to agree with her, although I was fearful she would break out singing at how Doug was a skiver at any moment. Luckily my sanity had been spared.

Tico stared at me quizzically, tipping his head to the side. He smiled a bemuse smile. "Tia, why were you lying on the floor?" I took a sharp intake of breath, preparing myself to reply. However, I was cut off by Tico continuing. "If you were scavenging around for spare food then try behind the bins," He pointed to the bins, making me turn my head and follow his hand. He circled an specific area behind the bins with his hand. It was full of rubbish from people who had missed the bin and had been too lazy to pick it up and put it in the bin, myself included. I turned my attention back to him, I must have looked horrified as Tico put his hands up in defence. He took a step back. "Gurl, would not believe what people can't put in it." Zach hit him lightly, shaking his head in disapproval. Tico shrugged. "At least I never fell in the trash, Zachary." Zach turned a bright pink and politely excused himself. I watched him go, one eyebrow raised in surprise. I would have broke down laughing if my head wasn't so clouded. Zach was trash, literal trash. Tico's voice drew my attention away from Zach. "You sure you weren't after a trash meal?"

I was perplexed to say the least. "What? No!" Tico crossed his arms and tutted. He didn't believe me. I quickly changed the subject, this conversation was garbage (see what I did there?) I leaned against Jay for support, I was beginning to feel faint again. "You must have heard the singing!" I gushed, studying Tico's face desperately for any indication he had heard something. Nothing, his face was a blank page. "It was suddenly night and we were all wearing different clothes. I was in a purple dress and you were there too!" I insisted, trying to break forward but my legs gave way. Before I fell to the floor Jay yanked me back up and Louis rushed in to support my other side. Jay scolded me for my reckless in one simple look. If looks could kill that woman would be the top killer. I coughed, Jay was a sweet thing but boy she could be scary. I think it was because she was short, short people are closer to hell after all. Louis, on the other hand, gave me a reassuring squeeze on my arm. He was a helpful, confused goat, bless him. "You were in a green jumper and…" My brows furrowed and I gazed down at the floor, my memory was fuzzy. I pushed myself to remember what had happened next. All I remember was obnoxious singing and the World. I gasped, lifting up my head and staring directly at Tico. "And I got hit in the head by a fucking blow up globe." My day just got a whole lot more interesting.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and drew my attention away to see Doug. Louis had removed himself from my arm by now, feeling that I was stable enough to support myself. However, he still hovered nearby, ready to catch me again if I was to go. Doug studied my face, concern in his eyes. I gave him a warm smile in return. "Tia, I need to ask you a serious question. Are you high right now?" My face fell, it seemed I was not the only one who thought I was crazy. For some reason I felt myself beginning to tear up. I sniffed. I was not crazy, I just attended a crazy school with even crazier students, that was all. If anything I was the sane one in these organised shenanigans! I should have expected this, nobody believing me that is, I had been in this mad house long enough to know that. Nobody ever believed me, but it still didn't hurt to hope.

Zach had rejoined us by now after finding his composure. He was quick to my defence. He drew Doug's attention away from me. "What the fuck, Doug?" Zach threw his arms wide, like he was challenging Doug to a fight. I leaned forward, eager to see shit go down. I loved my friends but I was also a sucker for fights. When your father used to make you watch WWE at any given opportunity you gained a thirst for showdowns. "Everyone knows you're the stoner, not Tia!" Zach spat, I seethed, that one must have stung. I must have been mumbling 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' under my breath loudly in order for Jay to hear me. She snorted at my assumption. In reality we both know they were too cowardly to really cause any damage to each other. It was still sweet to dream though.

Doug gave my shoulder a light squeeze. My buddy got my back. "Yeah but I remember my first few times and it wasn't easy." Doug shot me an easy smile and I couldn't help but return it. Who said all stoners were bad people? Doug was one of the nicest guys I knew! I made a mental note to ask him if he wanted to come over to my house and just binge watch Kim Possible with me, he seemed like the kind of person who loved Kim Possible.

Zach threw his hands in the air in exaggeration. "DOUG!" He yelled, attracting some unwanted of attention to our group. He met my eyes briefly, shook his head before storming off, muttering curses to himself. I shared a look with Doug, he shrugged. He had no idea what had gotten Zach in a tizz, he had just been joking after all. I chuckled softly, shaking my head as I did so. Zach had a tendency to be melodramatic, I had suggested to him before that he should join the drama club; he had taken one look at me and not spoken to me for a week until I apologised. I found this quite ironic because it just emphasises the fact of how dramatic he is.

I felt myself become light headed again and sway about. Doug moved his hand from my shoulder to my arm, steadying me again. I laughed softly, blinking the dizzy world back into focus. "Wow, boy do I feel lightheaded!" I remarked, my headache had grown stronger again and that dull ache had transformed into a heavy pounding once more. It was hard to concentrate on my surroundings. The cafeteria light made me wince and all the noise added to my agonising ache. My skull felt like it wanted to open up, it needed to release the tension in my head.

I groaned when Louis step forward. He was about to poke his business where it was not wanted and as leader of our little group whatever he said people would agree with. "Do you need to go home, Tia?" I closed my eyes and shook my head, trying to clear my mind and block out the aching. The group murmured in agreement, inwardly I groaned. Honestly, home didn't sound like a bad idea. It meant I could escape musical hell for a few extra hours and catch up on some much needed sleep. Yeah, now that I had thought about it, Louis' proposal didn't sound half bad. Well done, Louis!

"I'm walking you home." Tico announced.

I was slightly taken back, sure Tico was a friendly guy but we had just meet today! "I barely know you!" I cried, backing away from him. He rolled his eyes at my ludicrous manner. He strolled over to me briskly and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. He batted Louis and Jay away before stirring me out of the cafeteria and towards the school's reception. I looked up at Tico, he wore a wicked grin. I began to protest but he shut me up by signing me out of reception and asking the receptionist for my address, knowing full well I wouldn't give it to him. I had no say in this whatsoever. So when we got outside I buried my face in my hands and prayed to every single deity I could have think of. "Oh Jesus take the wheel."

The ride to my house had been rocky. I had learnt that Tico was an awful driver and had an even more awful car. It was from the early 90s and seriously needed to die already. Every pothole we went over, I felt. I nearly threw up a good five times. The drive had brought to my attention that the city council did not give a shit about the roads and that whoever had given Tico his licence was a madman. He pulled up on my driveway. He turned to me in hissed and opened his mouth to speak. I cut him off. "You're not coming into my house." I said in a monotone voice. My mind wasn't going to be swayed.

Tico pouted and gave me his best puppy dog eyes. He looked like a five year old. "Aww come on, Tia! Just one peak! I'll be good, I promise!" He begged, adding a slight whine to his voice to try and make me more lenient. Nope, not working buddy.

I mockingly sighed and rolled my eyes. I pretend to think about it, getting Tico's hopes by the tiniest bit. I smirked, crushing his spirits with a shake of my head. His face fell. "You made me listen to Nickleback all the way home, so no." I despised Nickelback, they were just too… ugh… just too Nickelback!

"Pretty please?"

"No." I exited the car, my bag hooked over my shoulder. Now to head to bed and travel to the land of Nod.

Tico gasped and put a hand to his head like he was in pain. He was born to be a star, I'm telling you. He rolled down his window and stuck his head out it."You're cruel to me, Tia!" He exclaimed. He leaned back in his chair, one hand on the steering wheel. A grin decorated his features and I could pick up the teasing in his voice.

I concealed a smile as I walked up the stairs to my porch. I waved over my shoulder without turning around. "Bye Tico."

"I'll be back to pick you up at eight tomorrow!" Tico yelled from the car. I shook my head, fighting the urge to smile. He was ridiculous. I slammed the door behind me, I had a reputation of a cold hearted bitch to keep up. It was hard work.

The moment I walked through the door Mum was badgering me with questions. She didn't ask me why I was home early since school had rung her earlier to let her know why. "Tia, was that a boy?" I sucked in a breath, I had forgot Mondays were the days Mum got off early. We were still adjusting to our new lives here, which also meant adjusting to a new schedule. Mum was constantly on my back about whether or not I had a boyfriend and every time I asked I said no. Just because you and Dad were together at my age, Mum, it doesn't mean anything! Everybody is different! She sounded elated at the prospect I might finally be getting my shit together. Well, here's a little known secret, reader, nobody ever has their shit together. I mean just look at my parents. They thought they had their shit together but got divorced when I was three and everything fell apart again. Life was just a really unfair game of snakes and ladders.

"Yes, Mum."

My mother was practically glowing by this point. Her face was plastered with this enormous, creepy smile she always got whenever I so much looked in a boy's direction. It was weird, man. She clasped her hands together and watched me spring up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. "Why didn't you invite him in? I would have loved to meet him!" She called, making me pause.

I was halfway up the stairs when her question rang out. I wasn't in the mood for her antics today, I just wanted to sleep for a million years. I gave her a pointed look. "Mum, he's gay." That shut her up. Don't get me wrong, I did love my mother, it was just she had a very dominating personality. It was hard to handle sometimes and I could understand why my parents had split. The marriage was a toxic one and was making them both miserable. My parents still got along swimmingly and I visited Dad every two weeks. I was scheduled to visit him this weekend in fact. Dad always made an effort to attend anything I was in. He was a good Dad. I decided to call Dad before I fell into a deep slumber, I need someone to remind me I was sane.

Tico had remained true to his word and had turned up at my house at eight stat. Mum had freaked out when she had seen the car outside. I, on the other hand, had felt breakfast churn in my stomach. I couldn't ride in that thing again. I had asked Mum if I could take her car since she wasn't working today. She had thrown me the keys and told me to stay safe. I wasn't sure if that was a euphemism or what. I liked to think it wasn't. Somehow, I'm not even sure how, Tico had managed to get himself invited to tea by my mother. It made sense he would come home with me since his pile of rust was parked outside my house. But to be invited to tea? On Taco Tuesday? That was a big no. I had seen how Tico hoovered up food, I would be saying goodbye to those tacos quicker than I could say Bob's your uncle. Tico, being the moocher he is, he did not hesitate on accepting my mother's offer. And so, begrudgingly, I drove us to school. We listened to some JLo on the way to school, which brightened my mood significantly. Tico singing Jenny From The Block even had me smiling and by the time we reached school we were both in fits of laughter.

We had been walking to class when Tico nudged me, causing me to give him a puzzled look. We paused in our walking, just staring at each other for a few moments. Someone shouted for us to 'get a room.' I chuckled softly, knowing fully well that Tico did not swing that way and both of us had no interest in each other beyond friendship. Tico gave a thumbs up to the guy who had shouted the insult. I half smiled, after a rough day yesterday, today was perking up. Tico signalled with his eyes to the roof. My brows furrowed in confusion and I looked up. I nearly screamed from what I saw. Troy Bolton, captain of the Wildcats, constantly conflicted over singing or the ball, was on the roof. I squinted, putting a hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun. "What the fuck is he doing on the roof? Does he not care about health and safety?" Tico shook his head and placed a hand on his hip. Like me, he was also an idiot and didn't think to bring a cap to school. I glanced to Tico, "You know, for someone who is captain of the Wildcats and is one of the school's top singers, he lacks common sense." Tico hummed in agreement. I smiled faintly before turning back to stare at the absurdity that was Troy Bolton.

"This has two weeks detention written all over it. Have fun!" Said someone behind us. I paid little attention to it, Troy Bolton was the current subject of interest not whomever had spoken.

Currently, I had a hand under my chin in thought and my elbow was being supported by my other hand. The sun had gone behind some clouds so it meant I didn't have to squint, thank God. "How'd you think he even got up on the roof?" I turned my attention to Tico for his thoughts. "I thought that the roof was always locked expected and the only people who had the keys were the gardening club and the janitors." I spoke from experience. I had tried to snag a key myself when I had first arrived at East High. I had seen the roof as a place of solitude from all the singing. I had a plan that I would camp up there every breaktime and lunch time for my school year, avoiding everyone and everything. That plan had been abandoned as nearly as it had been thought up when I had heard a musical number coming from the roof. I had decided to seek solace within my friendship group instead.

Tico never got to answer me as Gabriella Montez suddenly ran past us. She had a big, coy smile on her face. Her eyes were on Troy. She was heading to the roof. A lump rose in my throat, my nostrils flared and I felt myself panic. I screamed and grabbed Tico's arm, he sent me a bewildered look. My voice was laced with panic as I began to drag him closer to school. "We gotta go, another musical number is going to break out and I don't want to be around to witness it!"