A/N: I am so sorry for letting my readers down again. Somewhere between summer and now, I lost my vision for this story, and accidentally wiping my computers memory didn't help. Hopefully my muse will pay me a visit soon. But until then…

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 13: The Second Chance

Thursday, January 10th 2008

7:00 PM

Sharpay's room

Two hours. And yet, nothing... Sharpay had spent the past two hours reading and rereading Hayden's letter, but she couldn't make sense of what was happening. But of one thing she was sure-she hated him with all her heart for what could have been all those months ago. But even so, she couldn't deny the feeling in the pit of her stomach that was wreaking havoc over her mind and body caused by his farewell.

Still lying on her bed, Sharpay tried desperately to think with her head and shut out her heart. Eyes closed, she tried to imagine where these paths could lead to. Down the first path, there was Troy Bolton. She had loved him for so long, and now finally, after so many years, he loved her too. Thinking harder, how long had she truly loved him? How many bad things did I do with the excuse that I loved him? How long did I plot and scheme, lie and connive, all "in the name of love?" I spent years just praying and planning to earn his love. I was so blind. How could I dare to call that love? So then how long? When did you go from being the thing that I wanted the most, a spoiled brat's whim, to being the person I cared about the most? My best friend. My love. My everything. But I guess the better question is, when did you stop?

At that last thought, Sharpay shot up from her bed, her eyes wide and alert. It truly frightened her to even consider…

"No. No. No. This can't be happening. This is so messed up," she said to herself.

"What's so messed up?"

Sharpay spun around, a look of pure shock written on her face, and found herself facing none other than Troy Bolton himself.

"Troy! Oh my god you scared me to death! You know, you really should learn the principle of knock before enter," she said sarcastically.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you Shar," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Oh you are so full of it!" she said and threw a pillow at him. Troy blocked it with ease, and started laughing.

"Okay, Okay! No need to get hostile!"

"Anyway…what brings you here?" she asked him inquisitively.

Troy walked to Sharpay's bed and took a seat. "Well, uhm…" he cleared his throat, "I know that we've already talked about this…and that we decided just to be friends, but-"

Oh no. Here it comes…

"I…I love you Sharpay. And I can't pretend anymore," Troy stood up and walked over to Sharpay, taking her hand. "I want-no I need to know if you feel the same way," he put her hand on his chest, "Can you feel that? My heart is threatening to burst if I don't do this now." Troy's voice shook with every word he spoke, and he pleaded to her with his eyes. Those eyes.

"Shar, please…I just need a second chance."

Sharpay remained speechless. Not knowing what to say or do, she opted for doing nothing. She simply allowed herself to drown in the oceans that were his eyes. In her entranced state, she didn't realize their close proximity, and Troy took her silence as a reassurance. In a spilt second, he crashed his lips onto her own, his free hand now clutching her waist. Sharpay's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't pull away. I've wanted this for so long. But even as she allowed Troy to kiss her, and kissed him back, there was something in the back of her mind that tugged at her heart. Hayden.

No. No. So wrong. I should hate him! I can't let him into my heart. I can't… While Troy poured his heart and all his feelings into their kiss, Sharpay fought an internal struggle-reject Troy and pursue Hayden, reject Troy and not pursue Hayden…or…I don't have to reject Troy. And then, as Troy continued to kiss her, Sharpay made a choice.

"Troy stop."

Troy immediately ceased his actions, confusion and hurt written on his face.

"Do you have a condom?"

But just not the one she really wanted.

Troy was at a loss for words. Of course he had a condom-he just never actually used one. Sharpay was his first girlfriend-but they were like 10, and besides Gabriella he hadn't had a serious girlfriend. Sure he had tried hooking up like his friends, but it never felt right, so it never happened. And before learning about Gaby and Ryan, he thought of Gabriella as the "no sex before marriage" type. So much for that.

Regardless of that, what confused him the most was why Sharpay wanted to jump in the sack so quickly. Idiot. She's loved you for like ever. Pushing all thoughts of confusion and inexperience to the back of his mind, he reached into his wallet and pulled out the small wrapped package.

Sharpay swallowed hard, and then nodded. She then locked the door and turned off her light, leaving only the glow of her candles to illuminate the room.

"Maybe we should put on some music. You know, so it can block out-well you know," he said nervously.

A flood of mental images poured into Sharpay's head, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Out of all things, why do I suggest sex? Is that really what you think will get him out of your heart? Good luck.

Buying herself some time, Sharpay nodded and turned on her radio. Now what? Great, and you've never even done this before.

Sharpay approached Troy and he wrapped his arms around her waist, and they entered into another passionate kiss. She ran her fingers through his hair as he ran his right hand down her slim figure. Sharpay became more and more nervous as Troy moved his hands further and bolder. But even so, she couldn't ignore the wonderful sensations coursing through her body.

As for Troy, he was becoming more and more aroused by the second, and the presence of clothing began to irritate him. He abruptly broke the kiss and removed his shirt along with Sharpay's shirt and bra, leaving her only in her skirt and underwear. The arousal in Troy's pants became excruciatingly painful at the sight of Sharpay's exposed breasts, and he hungrily brought one to his mouth while he held Sharpay to his body by her behind. Sharpay shuddered as Troy suckled her breast, meanwhile Troy moved his hand up her skirt, tracing the outline of her lace underwear. Then suddenly, Troy pulled down Sharpay's underwear and slipped his middle finger into her entrance. Sharpay gasped, and writhed as Troy began to pick up the pace, slipping a second, and then third finger inside her. Once he felt Sharpay's arousal, he pulled away, quickly freeing himself from his pants and underwear. Not wasting time, Troy pulled down Sharpay's skirt and pushed her onto her bed.

Sharpay got a full view of Troy. He was even more perfect than she had ever imagined. His tanned skin and rippling muscles made him look like a god.

Troy quickly climbed on top of her, and positioned himself at her entrance. He then lowered his head to kiss her lips, uttering the words "I love you."

Sharpay's thoughts automatically turned to Hayden.

No, you're with Troy right now. You got yourself into this, now push him aside and love Troy again. If only for tonight.

"I love you so much," he said again.

"I love you too." Friend.

Then ignoring her heart's protests, she let herself be consumed by Troy's passion.