Important A/N: I just want to point out that this story is Gabriella-centric, not Troyella-centric. While it is Troyella, the focus of the story is on Gabriella's summer and everything that comes with it. So while I assure you that Troy & Gabby will have their own drama, not every chapter is focused on their relationship.

Enjoy!

The Danforth's cabin was a summer house out of a movie. Three bedrooms and two small bathrooms, it had a front porch, a tiny kitchen and a closet in the living room full of miscellaneous board games, which strangely included a German version of Monopoly. There was a stone fireplace with a pile of old newspapers and hooks outside by the front doors for wet towels and swimsuits. It was perfect.

Taylor and I were sharing a room, Troy and Zeke had the one beside us and the Danforths were across the hall in the master bedroom. Chad and Jason, who lost the boy's game of flipping a coin, were going to be in sleeping bags in living room.

I pulled open the top drawer of my small, wooden dresser and started putting in my clothes (I guarantee the boys were not unpacking as that would demonstrate organization and responsibility). Suddenly, Zeke knocked on the wall and I looked up to see him standing in the doorway looking a little uneasy.

"Um Gabriella…I just um….well, do you wanna come outside for a second?"

I looked at Taylor who had her eyebrows raised, then dropped my clothes on the bed and nodded. "Okay."

We walked outside to the driveway and I waited for him to speak.

"Listen Gabs, I'm really, really sorry. I mean, I was just pissed and telling you to fuck off was probably not the nicest thing to say."

I nodded slowly; Zeke was always the sweet one.It was hard to stay mad but it was also hard to forgive for something like that.

"I was just angry that you said that…you know, after what happened." He put his hands in his pockets.

I looked at him surprised, "What do you mean 'after what happened'?"

"You know, after what happened last week with me and Shar."

Obviously, I had missed something.

"Zeke, what are you talking about?"

He looked surprised, then scratched his head. "You know, the thing that happened about a week ago at Sharpay's house." He raised his eyebrow, obviously trying to hint something to me.

"I really have no idea what you're talking about."

"Shar didn't tell you anything?" He looked a little hurt and I felt bad shaking my head.

"Oh." He paused. "Then, I guess I should tell you, because after getting so mad I think you deserve to know why."

"Okay." I said slowly, completely clueless as to what was going on.

"So um, it's not that much of a story but last week, like about five days ago, Shar and I, um…..got together…."

"Wait, do you mean got together?"

He nodded and I quickly closed my open mouth.

"But then she completely blew me off and I think she was hooking up with some other guy before she left."

I am officially the most horrible person on the planet. No wonder he got angry, I wouldn't blame him for kicking me out of the car. And now he was apologizing? I should be apologizing!

He sighed, "And that's about it."

"Zeke," I breathed. "Oh my gosh, I don't even know what to say. I'm so, so sorry. I had no idea. I never would have read that text out loud if I knew."

"It's okay. I mean, I feel bad though because I was really angry at you, but now I know it wasn't your fault."

"No, no Zeke, it was. Even not knowing about what happened last week, it was a mean thing to tell you."

"No Gabs, it's cool." We stood there for a second in silence. "Can we just forget about it?"

"Yeah," I laughed. "That would be a good idea."

He smiled and held his arms out. I grinned and stepped into the hug.

"Zeke?"

"Yeah?"

"I think she's being really stupid not holding onto you."

"Thanks Gab."

Thirty minutes later I dropped my towel on the grass and walked out onto the dock. The lake was just down a wooded path from the house and after unpacking we headed down to swim. I hesitantly put my toe in the water and swirled it around.

"It's cold." I pouted.

"You just gotta jump in Gabby." Chad said. Then he ran down the dock and hit the water doing a cannon ball. Zeke followed, Jason coming in third and Troy jumping in as the others came to the surface. After talking to me I gathered that Zeke had also apologized to Troy. He had been angry Zeke had spoken to me like he did, but being guys it was all quickly forgotten.

"Get in." Troy shouted from the water. "It feels really good."

"It's cold." I repeated.

Troy rolled his eyes and dived under. Chad came over the dock and used his hands to send a huge wave of water at us. Taylor glared at him, but then she jumped into the water to tackle him and I stood alone on the wooden dock. I watched the other five swim around.

"Okay Gabs," Troy smirked. "You're the last one left. Come in."

"But-"

"It's cold. I know, I know, you've said that twice. Just get in!"

"People can die from extreme temperature change, I hope you know."

"You have got be kidding me." He laughed. "Now get in, or I'm pushing you off the dock."

I took a deep breath, then closing my eyes I jumped off the dock into the lake, which I must admit, was not as cold as I thought it would be. When I came to the surface I saw Troy grinning in front of me.

"So is it horrible? Are you going to freeze and die and cold, icy death?" He teased as he treaded water.

"I hate you." I stuck my tongue out but he grabbed my hands and pulled me towards him, laying our entwined hands on his shoulders.

"I don't think you mean that." He whispered before pulling me under with him.

The cabin had a fire pit out in the large backyard and the six of us sat around on logs and canvas chairs. The sun had set only an hour before and the fire was blazing. I sat Indian style on the ground between Troy's legs. He was sitting behind me in a chair, rubbing his bare toes against my leg.

"I was wondering why your suitcase was so big!" I laughed as Zeke opened three large plastic containers of cookies and cupcakes. When the first container was passed to me I took out a vanilla cupcake, topped with chocolate icing, which I knew Zeke had made from scratch because it was absolutely delicious.

The night air was chilly and I was glad I had my jeans and Troy's sweatshirt to keep me warm. I smiled when I felt a toe touch under my leg so I leaned back and looked up at the talking boy. He continued to joke with Chad but I felt his hands gently graze my temples before taking my hair and running his fingers through it. I got instant, wonderful goose bumps at his touch.

Two weeks into our relationship I had been introduced to desire. It was the physical desire to touch and be touched, and since that February afternoon in the school parking lot with Troy all those months ago, I became completely in love with it.

The conversation trailed off and we all sat there silently watching the flames. I swiped my finger through the icing on my cupcake and held it up behind me for Troy to eat. Very slowly he leaned forward and took my finger in his mouth. My body filled with a tingly warmth as he sucked the icing off and his tongue pressed against my skin.

My eyes closed and a chill went up my spine. Between the night air, the warm fire, the sound of the crickets and the crackling flames and most of all, feeling Troy against me, I basked in the atmosphere. But I sighed when I looked across the fire pit and saw Zeke sitting in front of me. He appeared to be happy but I felt guilty, because here I was on vacation beside my boyfriend, so utterly content and even if Sharpay had been here, more than likely, he would still be sitting alone. A wave of sadness ran through me, he continued to fight so hard for someone who at the moment, was most likely with some other guy. He looked up and I gave him a smile.

"This cupcake is amazing Zeke." The least I could do was keep him smiling.

A/N: Who else just wants to give Zeke a big hug? Stay positive though, I have a feeling things might end well for him ;) And doesn't it just make you squee imagining them all around the fire, Troy so seductively sucking icing off Gabby's finger? Seriously, I need to find my own Troy Bolton.

I really appreciate reviews, they don't have to be long, but if you read the story I would love to hear from you. Thanks!

xoxoxox

Sparks