I do not own the celebrities or plot from HSM. (Duh, how could I own a celebrity?) I do, however, own this story's plotline and OCs. The e-mail addresses, phone numbers, et cetera are completely made up. Reviews are welcome but no flamers. If you have any ideas for small events in a chapter let me know:D

Also I would like everyone to know that I have no idea how Zac Efron or any other cast member actually acts. For all I know, they're completely the opposite of how I describe them. This is completely fictional. (Please don't sue me!)

Thank you to: Corbin's my man; puddleduck. troypayluv.; Lil Spazzy Q; and ryanizmyman357 for your reviews!

Chapter 5

"You're going on a date with Zac?" Vanessa gasped. I had invited the girls over to help me get ready.

"It's not like I have a choice."

"You love him, don't you?" Monique gasped. I rolled my eyes.

"No, Monique. The bosses threatened to reduce my pay if we didn't work something out."

"Whatever," Ashley said, "We have to get her ready girls! Let's go!"

After an hour the girls had finished. My bangs were let down to frame my face. The rest of my hair was in a bun held up by silver chopsticks. Light pink lip gloss shined on my lips. Mascara covered my blonde eyelashes and red eye shadow lined my eye. In my ears hung gold studs my great-grandmother left me and on my neck hung my golden cross necklace.

Ashley had lent me one of her dresses. It was a dark red swirled with scarlet and blood red. The dress was thin and gauzy. The back reached my ankles but the front cut off at my knees. The bodice was a halter with a small rhinestone set at the end of the V. The shoes were red too, and had sequins running along the straps.

"You look gorgeous," breathed Vanessa.

"Yeah," Monique added, "If Zac doesn't fall for you, I'd be surprised."

"Guys, I don't want Zac to fall for me."

"Right," Ashley recovered, "You just want to get this night over and done with. Well, we'll be going. Zac'll be here any minute to pick you up."

I sat on my bed nervously. I'd only gone on a few dates before and I didn't know what to expect. The PR officer had told me it was a very classy restaurant and I needed to dress up, but maybe I was overdressed?

Finally I heard a knocking on my door. Then I heard Zac.

"C'mon, twerp. I wanna get this over and done with. Carmen said she'll see me later tonight." Don't even begin to think about what the heck they'll be doing.

I opened the door and had the pleasure of seeing Zac's jaw literally drop. Ha, not so little anymore, am I?

"Um, my car's right over there." He pointed at a black Chevrolet Corvette.

"Nice, too bad it's a 2006. Vintage 1976 are the best."

Zac looked at me in surprise. "You think that too?"

"Well, yeah. Doesn't everyone? I prefer Porsches though." I turned to my trailer. "If you don't mind, I have to lock my trailer." Zac waited while I fumbled with my keys.

The inside of the car was leather and my legs stuck immediately to it. He probably bought it that way so girls couldn't escape him.

As we drove I didn't say a word. Why would I want to talk with such a jerk? Finally we pulled in at a restaurant with a large queue outside. La Nuit I read off the sign. Zac got out and came over to my side where he opened the door for me. Politely I thanked him and stepped out of the car. After handing the keys to a valet he offered me his arm. Accepting it I began to stride towards the entrance.

"Smile for the cameras," Zac whispered in my ear. I smiled as happily as I could. The press on either side gobbled it up. Tomorrow's gossip column'll probably feature Zac leaning into me and me smiling. Oh the horror!

The maitre d' seated us immediately and handed us the menus. "What would you like to drink?"

"I'd like an iced tea, please," I smiled politely.

"And for you, sir?"

"A Pepsi." The maitre d' left and I opened the menu. I could not understand what was on the menu.

"Don't they have anything without beef or pork in it?" I grumbled. Zac looked up in surprise.

"Are you vegetarian?"

"No," I answered quickly, "Just not fond of meat." Finally I had decided what to order. I set my menu down only to notice our drinks had been brought and Zac had already decided.

I smiled as politely as I could and wanted to say something to break the awkward silence but nothing came to mind.

"Do you want to know why this place is called La Nuit?" asked Zac.

"Because it's a fancy French place?" Not the best of answers, but hey! I took a guess.

"No," Zac shook his head, "it's called La Nuit because after they eat here couples always go up to the Hollywood sign."

"Always?"

"Always."

"Well, I guess I won't get to see the sign seeing as we're not a couple." Zac winced. Yeah, that's right; you're not as hot as you think. Just then the waiter came.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Oui, monsieur. I'd like the Caesar salad to start, followed by the Aurora penne, and finished with the Chocolate Mousse Delight," I ordered. Zac looked at me in surprise again. Aha! Teach you to think twice about calling someone anorexic! (Which he only implied indirectly, but that's not the point.)

"I'll have the same." The waiter collected our menus and left. For a while Zac just stared at me. It got really uncomfortable.

"Who leant you that dress? I'm sure Is aw it somewhere before."

"Maybe one of the numerous sluts you dated had the same dress as me." Another hit. Take that Zefron! Heh, Zefron, that's pretty cute.

All of a sudden a guy in a black dress shirt with black dress pants and black dress shoes and black sunglasses (What is he, like, emo?) cam up to us.

"Yo, Zac," he said coolly. I recognized the voice but couldn't quite place it.

"Yo Drake!" Oh. Dumb blonde moment. When I looked closer I could see that the guy standing beside our table was in fact Drake Bell.

"So, is this your new co-actress?"

Zac nodded. "Yeah, but don't get your hopes up. She ain't that great. I thought you said there'd be hot girls in Edmonton!"

I glared at Zac. If he wasn't careful I would steal his car. That's right, I know how.

"Well, what can I say? I see one gorgeous brunette there and I can't keep my mind off of it!"

"Dude, you haven't seen her again for 3 years! Shouldn't you give up?"

"No! She was perfect. Yeah, a little short, but perfect all the same."

"How did you meet her?" I asked, intrigued. Zac gasped in mock horror.

"No! The sob story!"

"Shut up!" Drake lightly punched Zac in the arm. He turned to face me completely. "Well, I was at the mall all covert-"

"Meaning he was wearing a hat and shades."

"Thanks for that Zac. Anyways, I was walking past the food court and I hear this most amazing laugh. When I scanned the food court I saw the source. There was a brunette sitting at a table with her blonde friend eating McDonald's fries. She had this rosiness in her cheeks and a way of flipping her shoulder-length hair I just adored!" I snickered slightly at that. "Her blonde friend was kind of geeky. She had black rimmed glasses and really long hair that should have been cut shorter. Anyway, as they passed by me when they finished eating I heard the blonde call her friend Serena. Isn't that divine?"

"Yeah, yeah," Zac answered.

No words can describe what went through my mind except the ones I spoke aloud.

"I was so not geeky and oh my god you have a crush on my best friend!"

Drake and Zac stared at me. For that matter, the whole restaurant was staring at me. I must have shouted really, really loud. I quieted my voice.

"So Drake, would you like to meet her?"

"You know Serena?" Zac asked in disbelief.

"I think we established that," Drake answered for me.

"Well, yeah, you could meet her, even date her, but she can't afford to fly out all the way to LA."

"I'll pay for it!" Drake announced happily, "I'll book the tickets tonight for this weekend." I watched Drake walk off in his own world. I leaned over to Zac.

"How will he know who to book them for?"

"He'll call me. Give me the information." I took out a pen and paper and wrote down Serena's information. She was going to be so psyched! I was on the inside!

"Where are we going?" I asked as Zac drove in the complete opposite direction of where we'd come from.

"It's a surprise."

"If you try to have your way with me, I swear to God I'll sue you."

"Relax. Who'd want to have sex with you?" Ouch. I know I don't want to lose my virginity now and all, but did he have to say that?

After what seemed like years of silence Zac killed the engine.

"We're here," he mumbled. I looked around to get my bearings. Then I saw it. To my right was the Hollywood sign and down below Los Angeles stretched. I got out of the car and walked out onto the hill.

"It's gorgeous," I breathed. The houses were all lit like the stars of the night sky. Green and red flashed in districts like the Aurora Borealis. "This reminds me of home." Zac came to stand beside me.

"I come up here to think." I glanced over at Zac. He was staring out over the city as if he were far away. I couldn't help but notice how cute he was when he was pensive.

Must not think those thoughts. Stay on mission, Sonja.

"Would you like some music?" Zac asked. I could barely hear him, he was talking so quietly.

"Yes." Zac went and put the music on a classical station. As I stared off in the distance I began to sway to the music. That night reminded me of the night I got my first kiss.

"Would you like to dance?" Zac asked. I looked over at him. He held a hand outstretched. I searched his eyes for hidden meaning, but could find none. Finally I took his hand.

"I'd love to." As we danced slowly in the moonlight to the classical music I felt tears threatening to spill from my eyes. That night was too much like the other one.

When the song ended Zac bowed to me. The tears began to roll down my cheeks leaving red marks as if I was being burned. I bit my lip and turned away, but not quickly enough.

Zac caught my hand. "What's wrong?" he asked. I couldn't tell him, not him. I held in my breath to keep from sobbing.

"Nothing."

"It can't be nothing if you're crying."

"I don't want to tell you." Zac sighed and wrapped his arms around me. I let the hot tears fall. They soaked into his shirt. When I finally had stopped weeping Zac opened my car door for me.

The whole ride back to the studio he kept glancing at me. I squirmed in my seat. Of all people to catch me crying, it had to be Zac, private enemy #1. He pulled up in front of my trailer. Quietly he got out and opened the door for me.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked cautiously. I nodded and headed for my trailer. "Sonja?" he called. I turned and looked at him through my bloodshot eyes.

"What?"

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you a bit?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Sorry, but you have a slut to… don't make me finish that sentence." Zac grinned and hopped back into his car.

From my trailer I heard him drive away. I looked in the mirror and saw how streaked my face was.

"I thought you were done crying over it, Sonja," I muttered. New tears spilled. That night I cried myself to sleep.