She's fresh to death.

She'll be the death of you.

Seduction leads to destruction.

-THE MAINE

Troy's Mind

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened back there. Can't we just forget about this? She's all yours for the taking, man."

It was pretty much pointless to try and make things right with Chad now. He had a frown on his face that proved he wasn't going to forget about anything. He was acting like a second grader about it though. I mean, this was a girl. Chad and I have been brothers since we were like, four.

"I mean, we've been practically brothers since we were four. She's just a girl."

The game was about to begin, and I was standing by Chad, just trying to get him to talk to me. It wasn't because I regretted almost kissing Gabriella, and it wasn't because I didn't want to fight with Chad. To be honest, I just didn't want us to lose this game. Everybody knew that without teamwork, we were goners.

"Dude, I don't care." Chad grumbled from beside me, his eye on the ball.

"Troy, get up here!" My dad shouted to me.

I groaned loudly, realizing this game wasn't going to go so well.

I headed up to my dad who had a look of concern on his face, "Look, I don't know what happened between you and Danforth back there, but we don't have time for games, Troy," His face turned hard as a rock, "We have to win this."

The team members were developing a circle around my dad, Chad too.

"Here's the deal, our main goal - get the ball to Troy, boys." That was always the goal. My dad knew that I was the best player, and I rarely missed a hoop. If everybody collaborated together, we'd be sure to win this. "We already discussed everything else early. Now, let's get out there and win."

I bit my bottom lip, "What team?" I tried to gain enthusiasm.

"Wildcats!"

"What team?" I repeated.

"Wildcats!"

"Get your head in the game!" We all went at once, throwing our hands into the circle and then pulling them out.

I could hear the audience from behind us going wild. My stomach churned with nerves as I headed to the middle of the court, my opponent giving me a dead stare from the other side. The referee held out the ball and threw it into the air. We both jumped up, but I was faster. The ball headed in our team's direction.

Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I speeded down, eager to collect the ball from Jason Cross, who had stolen the ball and was now being guarded. Swiftly, he passed it to me. I dribbled it down to the hoop and ignored the person blocking my view. I attempted to slide the ball into the hoop from the side and somehow, it went in. I heard a chorus of cheers from the audience and I couldn't wipe off the grin of pride that appeared on my lips.

This was going to be a good game, I had a feeling.

One of the players from the other team had gotten the ball this time. They were heading towards our hoop and I felt a sudden fear flux through me. I then relaxed when I saw Chad guarding the guy with all his might. The guy tried to push the ball into the hoop but Chad graciously pilfered it from him. I sprinted down towards the hoop, realizing I was in perfect range. I then remembered the argument and the fight Chad and I had today.

He couldn't, no he had to pass it to me.

His eyes flickered to me and I could see the resentment in his eyes. I heard my dad yelling, "Pass it to Troy!" and I held out my arms, just hoping Chad wouldn't screw this up. Everybody else seemed to be yelling the same thing as my dad, even Zeke.

The person in front of him seemed stubborn. They wouldn't move for anything. But then Chad swerved his head in the direction of the hoop. Don't even think about it, man. I thought. There was no chance he could make it, not even close. That guy was way too tall; he'd block it in a heartbeat.

It all happened so fast. In a second, he plunged the ball towards the hoop, and I found myself watching the ball swoop into the hoop's net so flawlessly, I felt envy. The guys on my team went nuts. They high-fived Chad and slapped his back, impressed that he could make the hoop. I just scoffed and rolled my eyes. That was so risky. He could have missed. He got lucky. Even my dad was congratulating him. I cringed.

We were winning, yeah. I just couldn't seem to get the ball after that. Chad hogged it the entire time. He wasn't even supposed to make the plays he was making. He wasn't supposed to go for those balls; I was the one in charge of them. But every time, he got us a point, and nobody seemed to care that he wasn't me.

I was boiling in jealousy. That was my job. I looked over towards the crowd and I could point out my mom looking confused. Even Sharpay and Gabriella had looks of confusion on their faces. I felt like I was misplaced, like I didn't belong. Chad was taking up my spotlight. I was the star player, not him.

I was busy slightly pouting about this when I felt a massive pain in the back of my head. A sudden force of some sort, I'd guess. My mind clouded up as I felt the aching in my head. I lost vision of everything and felt dizzy. I heard a few people call out my name and I could barely make out faces that came up to me. It must have been my dad and the referee. My dad struggled to help me towards the front row of the audience. Everything hurt. I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was blacking out and the surge of pain in my head increased. I groaned and drifted my head back so my eyes met the ceiling. I felt a sudden aloof feeling on my head. I realized my dad had put an icepack on my forehead.

I'm not sure who hit me with the basketball, but I imagined Chad could have 'accidentally' moved it my way. I couldn't hear the loud voices any more or the cheering from behind me. My whole world was spinning.

I think I fell asleep after that. Or maybe I just faded out for a little while. My eyes blinked open after who knows how long, and the voices and cheers became prominent to me again. This time, there was less volume.

"The game . . ." I muttered, noticing my dad next to me. I couldn't think of anything else. I became worried about the game - had we won?

"We won," My dad said from next to me, "how are you feeling, son?"

I ignored the abnormal fact that my dad was actually worried about my health and I found myself looking at a crowd of Wildcats, surrounding Chad Danforth, the guy I grew up with, my practical brother. I winced in realization that he must have won the game. They were carrying him around like they always carried me around. I burned in annoyance and found myself clenching my fists.

"Great." I found myself murmuring out loud. My father raised an eyebrow at me as I got off of the bleachers, heading towards the locker room. Half of the audience had left now and the only people around were my team members, who were busy obsessing over Chad.

I bustled into the locker room, and slammed my fist into my locker with anger. I wasn't the type of person to get really upset, but I was really sick and tired of everything. I was so furious with Chad and everything; I could have just hit him had he been standing right there in front of me. He was being like this because of a girl, because of a stupid, unimportant girl.

I let out a loud groan, ripping my locker door open and grabbing my jeans and t-shirt. I was in such a bad mood. I sighed heavily and took a seat onto the bench, holding my forehead in my hands.

"Damn, Bolton's letting off some steam."

A familiar voice uttered from across the locker room. I didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. I could feel the bizarre feelings building up between my legs all over again. God, don't even remember, Troy.

"Now's not a good time, Gabriella, and you're not even allowed in here . . ." I almost laughed at myself for saying the second part. Gabriella didn't care. She wasn't going to listen. She never did what people asked. Why did I even bother saying that? She basically knew. It didn't stop her.

I heard her make her way into the empty locker room, her heels clamping across the tile. I let my eyes sneak a glimpse of her. As usual, she looked . . . well, hot. I mean, she wore this skirt that rid up to the top of her thighs. It was a jean skirt. Her shirt was a ruby-red long-sleeved shirt that showed a lot of cleavage. It rid up to the bottom of her stomach, revealing just a bit skin. Her hair was flowing, as usual, in bunches of natural curls. I forced myself not to stare.

She chuckled, "I don't follow the rules." A grin appeared on her face as she moved closer towards the benches, her hips oscillating so attractively. Breathing seemed impossible. "Are you alright? You took a nice beating out there."

"I'm fine." I told her, moving my eyes away from hers as I bit my bottom lip. My eyes were concentrated on the floor. I still sat on the bench, my legs sprawled, my eyes distant.

"Chad was like taking a shit out there. What was up with that? I heard you two got into some kind of brawl." She chuckled again, and I could sense she was standing behind me. She smelled like Britney Spear's Curious. That was . . . distracting.

"Yeah, well, Gabriella, you really shouldn't be talking to me right now. According to him, it's like you guys are committed, and I'm the jerk of a best friend who tried to kiss you. Just to let you know, I didn't try; it just . . . came into place." Yeah, that didn't help matters much, Einstein. I never say the right things around her though.

"Can't you just admit it? You find me dead sexy and right now, you feel so much heat in your pants that it's unbearable." She smirked, that disgustingly beautiful smirk, and the moment she said that, I really felt a sort of desire between my legs.

Damn.

My eyes went to the ceiling, "I really don't want any more drama."

"Chad's being a little girl. Fuck him." She said it so casually. I noticed her taking a seat beside me on the bench. "Seriously, who gives a shit? He's obsessive, compulsive, possessive." She chuckled. "I heard you whooped his ass though. That's kinda hot."

"I would of . . . then my dad came in." I muttered, cursing that moment. I ran my fingers through my hair, "Look, really, can't you just . . . leave me alone? I mean, it's obvious to me you're trying to start things. You told Sharpay."

"Dude, are you fucking me? Sharpay has always been weirdly obsessed with you. I thought I could piss her off by telling her it. Instead, she like, wanted to throw a party. She's demented, I swear." Her eyes rolled back to me, "I don't wanna start anything. Chad's just a bitch."

"Something like that," I mumbled, "it's just, he won the game . . . he just . . . took my place."

"Dude, he hit you with a ball. He's just a jackass. Forget him." I found my eyes meeting hers, "You invited me to the after-party. You guys did win, you know."

"Yeah, well, I think I'm just gonna go home. I don't wanna end-up in another fight." I told her, honestly.

She rolled her eyes, "Don't be a fucking douche, Troy. You invited me - we are going."

I gave her incredulous eyes, "You're crazy, it's just gonna be a bunch of drama that I don't wanna get involved with. Things were different when I invited you, my best friend didn't wanna kill me at that point in time." I grabbed my bag and got up, heading towards the door.

I felt her come up from behind me, her breath tickling my neck. I froze, "Loosen up Troy. It's at Zeke's. We'll be grinding." The word came from her lips like a bolt of fire, scorching at my ear. Her hand smoothly moved from the back of my neck to the blade of my shoulder. I became paralyzed by the intensity of her touch.

"Gabriella . . ." I muttered, feeling more want and heat than anger. I felt her move closer to me, her body now lined up against mine. I felt my muscles stiffen and my mind seemed to be going insane on dirty thoughts. I couldn't shake the thought of her against me for a second, of me inside of her. I felt my penis becoming firm and I swore on my life I had an erection that second. God, damn. Her tiny hands just traveled down my back. Even with clothes on, I felt a yearning. It tore me to the bone.

"You want to." She persuaded, her breath tantalizing my member.

I turned to face her, our faces just centimeters apart. Looking into her eyes, I felt the same kind of thickness that seemed to be present in the room. That smirk appeared across her light pink lips and I felt my body turn to mush. Her eyes closed for a second and she moved her hands down my chest. I couldn't push her away. I was feeling heavy at the chest as she moved her hands down further, closing the distance between us. Her hands brushed my crotch and I felt the horrifyingly strong feelings of want increase tremendously. It became harder and harder; I felt like I was going to explode.

And then, her eyes opened and she began to laugh.

She laughed like this must have been the funniest thing in the world, like this situation was so hilarious. I then looked down and realized why she was laughing.

"I see Mr. Bolton's in his happy place."

God, I think I turned about twenty different shades of red while she just seemed even more amused by the moment. I bit my bottom lip so hard. It should have bleed.

"You need some help down there?" I could still see the laughter in her eyes as she suggested this and her lips curved to the side, making it even harder to deal with. Honestly, I needed to just get away from her.

I rolled my eyes and tried not to reveal my embarrassment as I turned around, grabbed my bags and headed towards the bathrooms.

"I'm glad I turn you on, Troy, I really am." I could see her smirk from the bathroom.

Figures I'd get the worst hard on in the world when I'm up against Gabriella. That just added to the list of problems I've had today. And I knew that she wasn't going to let it go. Definitely not . . . she'd remember it until my death day.

I tried to adjust everything and threw on my pair of jeans. Come on. I groaned loudly, trying to think of something not so sex-related. That never happened before. I never get that turned on by a girl . . . at least, where it shows. Why did it happen with Gabriella?

I threw on a t-shirt and a dark-black hoodie to go over it. I really didn't want to have to face her now. She was going to rip me to shreds. I knew that much. There was no denying it now. I wanted her . . . bad.

She was leaning on one of the lockers, a grin portrayed across her devilish lips. When she seen me, the grin widened. I frowned, knowing exactly what she was about to say, "Have everything taken care of?"

"Ha, ha, ha." I rolled my eyes at her as I shoved my jersey into my locker, slamming the door closed.

"We're going to the party. You don't have a choice, really." She added. "And I know you want to, I mean, you really want to." She began to laugh again and I felt my cheeks burn as I avoided eye contact with her.

She pretty much dragged me out of that locker room and to my old, beat up truck. Yeah, I refused a few times, but she only told me that she turned me on, so I had to go. We had to dance. We had to be skin on skin. My mind said I didn't like her. But my body refused to believe that.

"You know you wanna piss Chad off." She commented, "I mean, you'll be with me, it'll piss him off. And he deserves that, because he's being a little drama queen about all of this. It's dumb." She fastened herself into the truck's passenger seat.

I sighed, realizing I was stuck with her no matter what, and despite how uncomfortable I would be feeling for the rest of the night, I'd have to go.

I got into the driver's seat and started up the ignition, pulling out of the school's parking lot. The air between Gabriella and I seemed cutting as usual. My legs were still trembling in need of some sort of pleasure. I couldn't stand anything anymore. Out of nowhere, I couldn't contain my want. I've never been this anxious in my lifetime, ever. I couldn't stand a second.

"Why were you so embarrassed?" She suddenly inquired, her eyes flickering to me. "I mean, about what happened back there. It's natural, you know."

"Yeah . . ." I mumbled, the awkwardness taking me over.

"Does that never happen?" She seemed wildly entertained.

"Not so . . . vividly." I murmured and she began to laugh again. I sighed and bit my bottom lip roughly, not making eye contact with her at all.

"What's so special about me, then?" From the corner of my eye, I could see her smirk, but she seemed more curious than anything. "It's because I'm straight-forward, isn't it? You're not used to it?"

"You're . . . incredibly straight-forward." I didn't know whether I was thinking that was negative or positive.

"I guess I can see myself as a bit intimidating." She chuckled, lightly. "I'm just glad you're not all obsessive and shit like Chad, that's just annoying." Her eyes motioned towards the window, eyeing the orange environment around us.

"I've known Chad since I was four," I told her, "I never thought he'd be such a little girl over something so simple . . . I mean, we didn't even do anything."

"He's just jealous, because you're so much hotter and tighter than he is." Gabriella gave me a sweet smile.

I didn't know how to respond to that. I could feel something lifting in my chest, like some sort of happiness, but I didn't want to believe in it. I wanted to believe it was just physical attraction that lured me towards Gabriella.

"We're like . . . brothers, it's . . . annoying." I added, obscurely.

"Yeah . . . people are like that though. I mean, I get it. When you're young, it's like, you're afraid to be alone, because life is kind of scary for a little kid. When you find someone who's more like you, you tend to lean on them. I mean, that's the smart thing to do . . . they're like your security blanket. Even when you're older and they walk out of your life, you feel like someone in your family just died. Life is a bitch . . . really." Gabriella's eyes were out the window when she said this.

I looked back to her, a bit taken by her comment. It was well, as if she actually thought deeply about it, as if she understood more than I thought she did. I was almost impressed. The meditative look on her face made my stomach well up into jolts of nerves, like a bunch of butterflies. I felt pretty stupid for feeling this way. But for that moment, she just amazed me. I think it was because I didn't expect her to be so deep about anything. She seemed all about sex and other things.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She suddenly asked, as if noticing my eyes on her.

I turned my eyes away, feeling idiotic for just looking at her so intently, "Just, you don't come across as someone who thinks so hard about things . . ."

"Yeah, I guess I'm more a speaker than a thinker. You seem like a thinker. You're always thinking . . . it's like you go into another world or something," She chuckled, looking to her feet, "I'd love to know what's on your mind half the time."

"Trust me, you don't wanna know." I muttered, remembering the incident from earlier.

"Obviously your thoughts can get pretty dirty, dirty enough to drive you into having an erection." She smirked, proudly, as if reminding me.

I rolled my eyes, again.

This was going to be a long night.

END OF CHAPTER

Well then. I hope you all enjoyed. Sorry it wasn't really long. Leave me a review and we'll see some more action, yo. Love, Whitney.