"Cuz you're a god,
And I am not,
And I just thought that you'd know,
You're a god,
And I am not,
And I just thought I'd let you go."

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2005.

Gabriella leaned her back against one of the walls of the living room, crossing her arms across her chest annoyed as she tried her best to ignore what the blond was telling from beside her. She had heard the same speech for two months now and yet, Jared didn't seem to understand she was no longer his girlfriend and that in fact, she didn't want anything with him anymore. He was already a closed chapter in her life, one that she still regretted very much.

"G, are you even listening to what I'm saying?" he asked in a high pitch voice and she wrinkled her nose as the smell of beer escaped his lips and tickled her nose, "Yeah, Jared, I heard you" she sighed frustrated, pushing off the wall to look him in the eyes for what she expected would be the last time, "Now you tell me something" she clicked her tongue, "Have you listened to anything I told you in the last couple of months? Let me remind you a few things, Jared. You were just a high school fling and I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore, I don't want to see your face anymore, so don't go to the tattoo shop. And more importantly, no, I didn't forgive you for fucking Susanna at my birthday party and I'll probably never forgive you. Do you get it now?"

"G, come on sweetie, you know I love you. Susanna was just an easy fuck"

The girl leaned on the wall again, shutting her eyes and rubbing the back of her hands against her face. God, Jared could be so annoying sometimes. She ignored his lamentations again, but it didn't make him stop talking, so she tuned him off and let her eyes wander around the party. It was incredibly fascinating that she managed to transform the living room on a dance floor just by removing the couches and the rest of her mother's furniture. Now the wild teenagers danced contently in the spacious room, shouting and jumping at the sound of the music, getting lost on the ecstatic atmosphere that filled the room. Gabriella smirked as she saw one of her best friends, Kelsi, take her glasses off, throwing it somewhere to rub erotically against a guy in the dance floor. She looked completely wasted and she would definitely regret it next day, but Gabriella wouldn't be the one to spoil her fun. They had an agreement of never interrupting whenever they were hooked or almost hooking with a guy. They were young, they were beautiful girls and they just loved to have fun. It wasn't a crime after all.

Gabriella's eyes caught his presence as he walked inside the room again, more confident than any other guy in town. Her heart accelerated and the palms of her hands became sweaty, obliging her to rub it against the sides of her dress. She licked her lower lip involuntary; her mouth had become dry for some unknown reason. It was the same effect he had on her in the morning, but yet, she still managed to play it cool around him. It was the first time she was flirting so openly with some stranger and she loved the feeling. Gabriella was a senior now and she was tired of being the nice and sweet girl, she wanted adventure. She wanted trouble and he looked like trouble.

The guy was walking around the living room like he owned the party and she loved it. Like earlier, she found herself amazed by his beauty. His dirty sandy hair was strategically dipped below one eye and even though he was using a simple blue V tee and dark washed jeans, he looked handsome. More handsome than every jock that went to East High School and used to drive the girls insanely addicted. Nor Jason, Zeke, Chad or even her friend Ryan could be compared to him. The boy was something from another world.

Gabriella grinned as his blue eyes met hers and he smirked, walking towards her. Girls turned their heads as he passed through them, making her feel extremely lucky to have a guy as cute as him interested in her. Thank God she had developed some body this year or else she wouldn't have anything to offer him, not being as short as a 12 year old girl and having the body of a child. She couldn't be more thankful for growing breasts, not that they were big, but they were there and it seemed to amaze the guys now. The shy nerd was turning into a woman, finally.

"What the fuck you doing?" Jared's angry voice made her tilt her head to the side and look at him with bored eyes, "I'm having fun?" she offered sarcastically.

"Are you sleeping with the new guy?"

"What if I was?"

"You can't! You're fucking mine!" Jared exploded, but the intensity of his movements made his body shake and, considering the tax of alcohol he had drank already, he almost lost balance and fell on the floor; Troy held him with one strong arm, his large palm of hand touching Jared's slender body to the wall, "Wow, if you don't do well with alcohol, drink coke man" he chuckled lightly and added as he collected his hand again and wrapped one arm around Gabriella's petite waist, "and by the way, she's mine now, so back off"

Her heart was pounding against her chest drastically, so loud that she was afraid he could listen to it. Gabriella felt her breathing accelerate when he claimed her his own as he rescued her from Jared. He smiled at her and she felt the force of his charm all the way down to her toes.

Please not so loud, Gabriella whined to herself, the ramming inside her chest only getting stronger as he touched her, instantly warming her body. His thumb stroked over her skin possessively as he backed her away from her ex boyfriend. Gabriella learned one thing that night and that was that she ached for the strangers' touch. Her body shivered and contracted involuntary between his strong arms, screaming for more stimulation, begging for the contact with his lips.

"I think he was giving you a hard time, huh?" Troy's gaze drilled through her body and filled her insides with nervousness and need. Her lungs and heart fought for control and with her insides melting, it was a wonder she found her voice again, "He's going to be so pissed off with me"

"I don't really mind, like I said you're mine now"

Gabriella bit the inside of her cheek, avoiding smirking cockily. She could feel the look of jealousy from the girls in the party at her, probably wondering how she winded up so lucky to have him tonight. She was proud of herself and she wouldn't lose the opportunity to enjoy it. "So you're claiming me as yours?" she flirted, expecting nothing more than his solemnly approval. Gosh, the way he looked at her was so powerful she couldn't help but feel so sexy and beautiful.

"yeah… at least till I leave" Troy adjusted his head into the crook of her neck, letting his breath sooth her shaking body, "let me warn you though that I tend to leave a permanent mark"

She fought the urge of screaming that she'd happily accept his mark on her, trying to look mature and controlled, "okay… I think I can deal with it"

"I'm Troy, Troy Bolton" his voice was huskily soft as his hand slipped on hers, bringing the beautiful girl to the middle of the living room that was transformed into a dance floor. His fingers tangled in her long hair and he offered her a breathtaking smile. His big hands were large to her body as he cupped her hips, liking the idea of touching her waist and hips at the same time. Yes, she was small, but somehow her body seemed to match his perfectly. Gabriella looked up at him and her deep brown eyes that looked so innocent, yet provocative drove him crazy. A crooked smile played on his lips as she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him the opportunity to feel her warm breath against his jaw.

Troy's pale skin contrasted with the olive tone of hers magically, as if they were made for each other, two half put together. Her soft fingertips started drawing patters on the nape of his neck and he bit his bottom lip to avoid moaning from the pleasurable sensation that was her touch on him. She probably wasn't aware of what she was doing to his body as she laid her head on his chest, sighing softly as her fingers slowly travelled up and down his muscular arm.

That was going to be the best fuck ever and Troy knew it, he could feel it. The way his body was already reacting to hers was simply amazing. He was not kissing her and he was only touching her on innocent places and yet, he couldn't be hornier than he already was. It was like his dick would explode anytime now. Troy stepped back a little, pulling his body slightly apart from hers - afraid she could get scared of him being hard holding her and go away. He couldn't risk losing her, not before he tasted her.

"I have to admit I thought you were cute earlier, but having a better look on you tonight, wow, you're gorgeous" he gushed, his mouth touching her earlobe. He felt her smile against his shoulder, "What's your name?"

"Gabriella"

"Hmm" Troy nuzzled his nose to her neck and she giggled slightly as it tickled her. Gabriella ran one hand through his soft hair, looking up at him with a warm smile, "I'm sorry about earlier. My mom was freaking out 'cuz she needed to go back to the shop"

He smirked seductively, "Shouldn't your mom be home by now?"

"She'll be out of town for the night"

Great, he mumbled quietly to himself, she was all his tonight then. Gabriella smirked at him and he found himself craving for more approximation with her. Lacing their fingers to avoid breaking physical contact and lose the warm sensation that travelled from her hand to his, he led her out of the dance floor and into the corner of the room. He turned around, resting his back against one of the walls, pulling her petite body to the middle of his slightly spread legs. Carefully no to touch his hard dick to her body or else he'd cum inside his boxers, Troy placed butterfly kisses to the side of her throat, "How should I call you?"

Gabriella held her breath as the proximity of her body to his made her wet between her legs, taking a second to control herself; she didn't want to show him how affect she was by his touch, how she wanted more and how she was willing to give her soul to have more, even if it was a one night only thing. "I dunno, call me whatever you want"

"You dunno?" he asked adorably, kissing her across her jaw slowly, "What about El?"

"I like it" she whispered as if her having a nickname made her more intimate and allowed her to lose control. She was allowed, wasn't she? Having a pet-name gave her certain benefits, right? She'd hoped so. "You're good at nicknames"

Troy smirked, "Not that I mind right now because I don't plan to let you go, but do you have a boyfriend?"

"I wouldn't be here if I had, don't you think?" Gabriella replied smoothly, closing her eyes as his mouth travelled to the corner of her lips.

"Definitely mine then, El" he cupped one hand to the side of her face, bringing her mouth to his, grabbing her bottom lip between his teeth before sucking it roughly. Gabriella breathed heavy through her nose as his tongue licked her lips, asking for permission to explore the inside of her mouth. She parted her lips immediately and Troy pulled her forward by the small of her back wanting to feel her completely, sliding his tongue in between her teeth, shuddering at the touch of their tongues. He could be damned right now, but he forgot everything around them, he even forgot he had a hard boner, but Gabriella didn't seem like she was going to complain to have his excited body against hers, the way she ran her hand up the side of his body as their tongues danced together, proved him she was enjoying as much as he was.

Screw the world, he just wanted the feeling to fucking last.

Troy's fingertips dug into her waist as he deepened the kiss, sucking on her lips hungrily, bruising her, but being more encouraged each second that passed by her sweet moans of pleasure. The background music seemed to be silenced as the minutes went on and Gabriella was delighted by the overwhelming attraction between them and the unknown sensations that assaulted her body as his hands explored her eagerly, his lips marked her skin and his heartbeat against her body, so fast and so loud, rocked her with every breath he took. It was like they were the only ones in the party now, getting lost into each others touch and perfection. It was the best feeling she ever felt so far. She was in heaven.

Someone's body collapsed on them like a midnight cold shower and they reluctantly pulled away. Troy quickly held her body tighter to his, letting the drunk teenager pass by them after mumbling a too-loud excuse. The party atmosphere was back now that their lips weren't connected. The painfully loud heavy metal screams, the intoxicating smell of beer and the mass of writhing bodies from the East High's students that bumped into them on their way to the bathroom was a huge turn off. Their heaven had turned into a hell.

"Shit" Troy growled lowly, wishing he could make everybody disappear and give them some privacy for at least an hour. He wanted her taste on him again and it was extremely irritating that every time he tried to kiss her again, someone broke them apart. He closed his eyes as her mouth caressed his jaw and placed a mouth opened kiss beneath his ear. "Do you wanna go to the lake?" Gabriella suggested, eager to be just the two of them again in that silent and pleasurable little world they were a few minutes ago. "It's not far from here"

He grinned as he nodded his head fervently, kissing her sweetly on the lips before pulling her out of the house and into the darkness of the night.

After a very silent walk that the whole time they looked forward and never to each other, they reached the lake. Surprisingly, even with the no voiced sensations, their hands never let go of the others', their bodies unable to break the contact and stop the warmth that travelled from one another. A line of the blossom trees, brightly lit by the round, full moon were reflected in the quiet water of the lake, behind them a stand of dark pine created a contrast between the calmness from the lake and the mess of green from the trees. It added a sense of mysterious and grand nature. The sky was a varied shade of blue, dark purple and grey; a lovely and romantic night to the beautiful scene that was the two teenagers walking along the edge of the lake.

The lake was calm and the lapping waters were slow and rhythmic, the night dry, soothing and very cold, but the strangest thing was that the wind had magically dropped. Gabriella led Troy to darkest edge of the lake, where the moon hardly shone, but the sky was clear enough to brighten the place with the light of the stars. She reluctantly let go of his hand, feeling the cold breeze blew touching her face immediately.

"I come here often…" she jumped into a dinghy, laughing softly at Troy's curious expression, adding smoothly, "to think" Gabriella raised her hand, calling him with a finger, being as seductive as she could. Troy smirked, quickly following her inside the small boat.

"My friend Nolan has a house nearby" Gabriella lay down and he copied her movements, lying beside her, "He lets me use the boat whenever I want"

"He must be a great friend" Troy stated, accompanying her eyes as she looked concentrated at the stars, probably counting it. He gasped as his body craved for stimulation, his whole inside burning with need as his dick forced its way out of his jeans at the simply brush of her arm against his. He squeezed his eyes shut, lying motionless, trying his best to calm down and keep the girl the whole night.

Troy always liked the idea of knowing what other people thought, because being inside of their mind would give him the best opportunity to know how to act around them. Now more than ever he wanted to have this gift, he wanted to see inside of her how she felt about him and what she'd like or wouldn't like of him to do. He was fucking scared he could do something wrong and lose the girl.

Wait, he thought to himself. Be fucking patient, go slow.

Turning on his side, he supported himself on one elbow and ran his hands freely through her soft hair, just absorbing her beauty. "You are more beautiful than any fucking star up there"

A soft sigh escaped her lips and she turned on her side too, facing him. Her finger ran up and down the side of his face and Troy closed his eyes, feeling relief as she left a slight prickles trace lingering on his skin again. God, he was getting addicted to this feeling so much. "Thank you" Gabriella smiled, touching her lips to the side of his neck, nestling deep into his embrace.

"Hmm if I find anything I'll get a prize?" he bargained, brushing his lips against hers slowly, caressing with his thumb her waist. Troy smiled when she relaxed in his arms, nodding her head emotively. He looked up, narrowing his eyes at the sky, trying his best to find at least the Orion's belt – it was the only constellation he could concentrate on finding with her hand so teasingly close to his dick, stroking small patters to his stomach. It took him a minute to find the right spot, but he was sure when he pointed at it, "look right there"

Gabriella pulled slightly away from him, looking up at the starry sky, "very good"

"My prize?" he reminded her with a hint of optimism that was enough to make Gabriella giggle and feel weak on her legs looking at his adorable face. She changed her position swiftly, making the dinghy move brusquely. Smiling at him, she sat down on his stomach, parting both of her legs to rest on each side of his body. Gabriella leaned on him and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, "what do you want?"

I fucking want you, the words almost rolled out of his tongue, but Troy blocked it before he could pronounce it out loud. He had the bittersweet taste of not saying what he wanted in the back of his throat, but he swallowed it. "Anything you consider a prize and you're willing to give me"

She bit her bottom lip, considering her options – she could be with Troy and savour what could be the best sex of her life or she could just go away, back to the party and to the boys she knew so well already. Gabriella couldn't help but think she'd had to enjoy what fate had sent her, after all, she would never go to the supermarket on a Saturday morning to help her mother shop for her work colleague's surprise birthday party and yet, this morning she felt like going. It had to be fate. She asked for trouble, and Troy showed up in front of her, knocking her to the floor, not only literally when he bumped into her, but with that dazzling smile and breathtaking eyes. Troy was completely different from every other guys she had ever met and she liked it and she couldn't let the opportunity go away. She knew she'd regret it later.

He half-sat, propping up on his right arm, studying her intently. She looked so concentrated, but yet so terrified he was starting to sweat on his hands at the possibility of her running away like a scared four-year-old. God, he had to send that thought out of her mind. Troy sat down in earnest with her still in his lap and rested his back against the end of the boat. For a second he lost track of where he was or what he was doing, hypnotized by her brown eyes, drowning in the beauty of her features as she held her puffy lip between her gleaming white teeth. He raised his hand and stroked the soft skin of her cheek, his heart accelerating as she leaned into his touch.

"Do you want to go back to the party?" Troy asked, silently praying she'd say no. His body was already too affected by the pressure of her butt to his dick; he craved for her so badly, in a very superior level he craved every other chick he slept with. He touched his lips to her earlobe, "El…?"

There it is Gabriella, she thought to herself as he whispered her new nickname. The intimacy she always wanted when she thought about sleeping with some guy. To hell she didn't know him very much, he gave her the quality of being comfortable and warm around him and that was enough for her. Decision made: she was going for it.

"No" Gabriella whispered, moving her hands to the bottom of her yellow dress and pulling it swiftly over her head. His mouth dropped open as the starlight shone over her soft skin, making the glimmering olive tone inviting and breathtaking. His eyes roved hungrily up her body, from her light pink panties to her swollen rosy nipples. Not only he felt excitement run through him, but he had also felt his heart skip a bit. Wow.

Troy raised his hand temptingly close to her breast and he felt her shiver, "can I?"

Gabriella nodded helplessly and he brushed the palm of his hand to her left breast and as she moaned softly he felt the electric shivers run through his body, centering in his groin. Shit, she was going to kill him, he knew it and he could feel it.

His fingertips trailed down from her breasts to her flat stomach and she bit her lip to avoid groaning louder. Not only his hands drove her crazy but the expression of pure ecstasy that he wore, too. He brushed his lips slowly against hers and as she opened her mouth, he placed his hand to the back of her head, adding more pressure to the kiss. Troy sneaked his tongue out of her mouth and licked at her lip, sucking on her already swollen bottom one.

"so fucking beautiful" he whispered as he trailed away from her mouth and placed a line of sweet kisses across her jaw and down her slim neck. Gabriella felt her insecurities abandon her body as he complimented her with his words and loved her with his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his waist, closing her eyes as he began sucking on her collarbone, teasing the skin with his teeth.

"you taste so, so good" he mumbled against her skin as she tilted her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. Troy expertly traced with his tongue her newly discovered weak spots, caressing her stress away.

She cupped his cheek and gently pushed his face away, "take your clothes off" she ordered gently and he nodded solemnly – how could he deny anything to her anyway? Her gorgeous self naked on top of him, that sickly sweet voice he had liked so much, that beautiful moan that escaped her lips every time he looked and touched her. Troy would give the world to her if he could right now. Any-fucking-thing.

Troy pulled his shirt over his head just like she had done with her dress and she stood up, giggling as the boat moved again as he eagerly unbuttoned his jeans and kicked it off his muscular legs in a swift movement. He was so handsome it was hard to believe he was real and was really there with her... for her. Troy looked like a model, so perfect and so well sculptured, Gabriella knew she wouldn't get tired of seeing him naked. Never.

He looked up at her, never moving his gaze as he slid his boxers down his ankles and threw it on the pile of clothes on the opposite side of the dinghy. Resting his hands on her hips, he placed a kiss to her belly button. Gabriella moaned again and his stomach tied up in knots for what wouldn't be the last time in the night. Her tiny hands dug to his head as she ran her fingertips through his hair; his body relaxed completely, but his dick became as hard as a rock. Fuck, he needed to get inside of her.

He tugged at her panties with his fingers, drawing the material down her legs so she could step out of it. Giving a peck to her pussy, he helped her down to his lap again. She caressed his warm body, running her hands over his curves, trying to memorize every bit of him. The atmosphere charged like an electric current as she felt his thick dick rub against the entry of her wet vagina and as she looked at him, her heart tightened as she realized how painful his expression was. She bit her lip as her finger touched the swollen head of his dick, stroking it adoringly before sliding it inside her tight channel. Gabriella bit her lip to avoid screaming, but as Troy groaned and his expression relaxed, she knew it was the right thing to do – it was after all, what she could swear the most beautiful and erotic sound in the world. She wanted to hear it again and again.

Slowly, slowly, she nervously thought as she felt herself being ripped apart and her body stiff. Gabriella hid her face into the crook of his neck when the pain was too much and she thought she couldn't do it anymore. That was it, he was going to go after someone that actually knew how to act when the subject was sex. Dammit, all the hard work for nothing. She closed her eyes, waiting for the pain of his rejection to overcome her physical pain but it never happened, it never came, on the contrary, instead of pushing her away, Troy held her by the waist and helped her down, kissing her neck, shoulders and side of face to sooth her trembling body.

"You could have told me you were a virgin" he said softly, his breath and lips against her shoulder raised the hair of her body. Troy sighed deeply, "But now that we're here, I want it El. I want your virginity… I wanna mark you as mine"

Gabriella had never been so happy in her entire life. She was not only happy, she was ecstatic, glowing; he still wanted her even though she was inexperienced. Troy was still claiming her his. She nodded fervently, incapable of saying no to the handsome stranger that was now going deeper inside of her, passing through her barrier, changing her from a girl to a woman.

She squeezed her eyes hard as he began moving in and out of her very gently. The pressure between her thighs was so painful she cried out so loud he was obliged to hold her by her hips, just in case she decided to back off. He knew it would be worse if she gave up now, the pain would be more powerful than it already was.

"Relax it will get better" he brushed her hair out of her eyes, kissing her tears away with his lips, "your pussy feels so fucking good to me, Ellie"

Ellie, another nickname. She was loving it, she could get used to it.

"It does?" Gabriella hiccupped quietly, not sure if her body could really pleasure him on her first time. He nodded though and as the pain began to cease, she moved her hips shyly against his for the first time, testing herself. Watching as he closed his eyes and breathed deeply through his nose, she did it again and this time he growled huskily against her neck, giving her enough confidence to keep discovering her body.

Troy's moan echoed in the darkness of the lake and her legs began to get weaker as he moved harder and faster in and out of her, his fingertips bruising her hips and waist as he lost control of his actions. Gabriella arched her back and her body began trembling as a shockwave travelled down her spine. They kissed, but she quickly disconnected their mouths when she felt like she had to scream, the powerful sensation running through her body was overcoming her senses. Her walls contracted around him in a frenetic pleasure and he followed her right behind, exploding inside of her, filling her warmth with him, his sperm, his body, the pleasure she proportioned to him. The best prize someone could ever give to him.

"Thank you for that, baby"

"I'm yours now" she stated slyly, kissing his sweaty forehead. Troy looked up and his inside melted as his thumb stroked her flushed cheeks and the remaining of her tears away. He had asked her for a prize and Gabriella had given her virginity to him, it was the most precious gift someone could ever give to him. She cared more than anyone had cared about him and he found himself willing to be a great guy to her. He wanted to see a smile on her face, always if possible. He would change for her if she wanted, he'd be the best guy a girl could have till he left. It was the least he could do for her. It was what he craved to do for her.

"Forever" he grinned lazily, kissing her softly on the lips, "and I'll kill with my own hands the guy that tries to mess with what is mine"

She giggled sweetly, "I'll have your name on my body if you want"

"That might work" Troy smirked and she rolled her eyes, nodding her head teasingly. Gabriella laid her head on his chest, listening to his heart pace a peaceful beat again. She put aside all negative thoughts that were running madly inside her mind. She was seventeen - she could be irresponsible for one night. It wouldn't change her future at all. Gabriella just wanted to savour the great sensation that was being in his arms, letting the quiet lake sooth her body and soul. She knew she already felt too much for Troy, much more than she should feel for a stranger, but it was like she knew him her entire life and she was happy she said no to Jared so many times and waited for him to come to her life.

Should her emotions scare her? Yes.

Should she be afraid she might never see the guy again? Yes.

Should she regret having sex with someone she didn't know? Yes.

Was she regretting that night? Hell, no.

Gabriella wanted more and by the look on his face, he was willing to give her more.

Troy closed his eyes and a satisfied smile played on his lips, that was the best fuck… ever.

"Though I've been unable to put down,
I'm still learning things I ought to know by now,
It's under the table so,
I need something more to show,
Somehow."

A/n--hopefully you guys won't think Gabriella's slutty. She's just trying to have some fun, haha. Have you ever got tired of being who you were your entire life? That's exactly what was happening to her. She wanted a change. Thanks for the amazing reviews for last chapter and hope you still like the story. And uhmmm I'm trying to make the chapters long for you ppl haha... one day I'll write one the length of the Bible, jeez!

seriously... Thank you all, you guys rock!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own HSM or Vertical Horizon lyrics.