*insert dj khaled voice* ANOTHER ONE

The day of prom was a force to be reckoned with.

Everything was heightened; Senses, emotions, energy. You name it.

There were some girls crying in the middle of the dance floor about how it was their last dance together. There were couples dancing in a way that is definitely not appropriate on school grounds. Although, Taylor preferred those to the couples hidden in the corners grinding and making out with each other against the wall.

The smell of sweat and hormones was thick in the air as Taylor, Gabriella, Kelsi, Martha, and, believe it or not, Sharpay, walked arm in arm into the gym. (Gabriella, with that sweet, persuasive tone of hers, got Sharpay to participate in their group attendance to the dance. The argument of "our last chance to be buddies" somehow roped Sharpay into agreeing to enter with them. Taylor still held a few grudges against Sharpay but even she could admit that it was almost sweet. Almost. )

Two steps in and Sharpay, dressed in pink from head to toe, released her hold on Gabriella's left arm and said, "Toodles."

And with that, the girls watched her disappear into the sea of seniors.

"That was...interesting," Martha quipped.

Gabriella pulled out her phone to check the time. The girls had come 45 minutes after prom had started. Sharpay, prior to the gathering, had preached the concept of being "fashionably late", saying that it was an essential part of any social event.

"The boys are on their way."

Taylor hadn't really told Gabriella about her date with Bryson and she asked Kelci not to speak about it until they got to the dance. It's a miracle no one else knew about it; that girl is terrible at keeping secrets.

She was kind of nervous. It's not like she's never been on a date before, having been on plenty with Chad and a few flings here and there before him. But was she ready for this? To be moving on with someone new when the wound of her breakup, while not fresh, was throbbing with pain?

There wasn't much time to dwell on that thought when she saw Bryson making his way through the throng of dancing students to where she stood. There was a split second where she started to worry about her makeup. If her dress was fitted nicely around her curves and if the mass of curls on her head were pretty and tame in that effortless way she strived for. She decided on wearing her natural hair. No straightening, no wigs, no weave. Just her and her hair. It was almost...freeing? Like she was letting go of everything and just letting herself be. Because this is all for her. No one else.

Bryson was in front of her before she knew it.

"Wow, you look…" He started.

Taylor felt the girls' gazes on her but paid them no attention.

She smiled at Bryson, "Take your time."

"You look beautiful."

Her smile widened as she took in his outfit. He had a simple black tux with a light purple cotton dress shirt and a white flower clipped to the left lapel.

"You don't look bad yourself," she replied.

Taylor glanced down and saw him holding a small box with a white flower matching the one pinned to his chest. He caught her gaze and quickly opened the box.

"Oh, um, this is for you," He took the corsage out and gestured to her hand, "May I?"

She lifted her hand and he slid the corsage gently onto her wrist.

Gabriella's concerned gaze was almost too much to bear. Taylor knew what she was doing. She's fine.

"Wanna dance?" She had to get away before they decided to interject.

Before Bryson could get out a "yes" she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the dance floor. Yeah, she had a feeling she was going to be avoiding Gabriella for the majority of the prom.

"You see 'em yet?"

The boys arrived about ten minutes later, having rushed to meet the girls before they started to get mad.

Chad looked around the gym. It wasn't too bad. There was a type of nervous, exciting energy that was felt during basketball games but was charged with something a little different. Hormones probably. His hands were deep in his pockets to hide his fidgets.

A few girls smiled sweetly at him and he returned it with his signature wink and smirk that always made someone's knees weak. It's not like he would pursue them, but it felt nice to have an almost constant reminder that he was attractive even though he didn't get the attention from the one he wanted.

"No, I—oh, wait, I see Martha!" Jason said.

Where Martha was would most likely be where the rest of the group was. Jason waved at her to get her attention from the entrance. When she noticed him, she brightened and tapped on the other girls' shoulders to show that everyone was present. The girls waved at them to join and soon everyone was moving towards one another.

As he walked, Chad stopped in his tracks. His heart pounded in his ears and his throat tightened. Whether it was from anger or sadness was unknown. There, a few feet ahead of him, was Taylor laughing loudly in the arms of someone else.

Bryson Hill, to be exact.

He didn't know how long he stood still. A couple bumped into him and yelled at him to get out of the way. Troy turned his head slightly only to find his best friend unmoving. Troy turned his head to find what he was looking at and paused when he saw. Walking back to meet him he took Chad by the shoulders and led him just outside the gym doors.

"Why didn't you tell me she was going to be here? And with him?" Chad questioned angrily, his hands clenched into fists.

"You think I would've asked you to go if I knew she was going to be there with him?"

"But you knew she was going to be here?" Chad's eyes narrowed.

Troy sighed and ran a hand through his gelled hair.

"Yes. I knew she was going to be here. Gabriella told me last night. But I didn't think it would be that big of a deal."

Chad tugged at the hair tie that held up his brown curls. He started to pace along the length of the wall.

"I can't go back in there, man. I—,"

"Chad."

Chad's feet stopped mid-pace.

"Are you really not going to enjoy prom just because she's here?"

Chad looked Troy in the eyes, his eyes pleading. "I can't watch her with someone else."

Troy placed a hand on both of Chad's shoulders. "I know it hurts," If Chad was being honest, he was tired of people "knowing" how he feels. They don't know. If they did, they would understand why he can't do this. "But you can't let this heartbreak dictate the rest of your life, man. This is our last chance to enjoy ourselves in high school. Forget about her and enjoy yourself, Danforth."

Chad closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn't know how to be happy without her. Any happiness before their relationship felt superficial, unreal. He didn't know how to live without her.

But he's willing to try. Maybe.

"Alright, get your hands off me, Bolton. I'm staying."

"You sure?"

He didn't have the strength to speak so he simply nodded.

"Okay," Tory slowly removed his hands from Chad's shoulders, "You're not going to run away?"

Chad rolled his eyes and walked around Troy back to the entrance of the gym. "Let's get back in there."

She was having fun.

Her feet were delightfully sore and she had been laughing more than she had in the past few weeks.

Bryson was fun.

She wasn't even thinking about Chad.

Kind of.

But that wasn't the point. The point was that she was having fun when she thought she wouldn't. And that's progress if anything.

She still hadn't spoken to Gabriella who she had been hell-bent on not coming into contact with. Troy and the boys had come so she had to have been momentarily distracted. Maybe enough to make her forget about the whole Bryson thing.

Honestly, she should've known that Gabriella was way more persistent than she gave her credit for.

"Mind if I cut in?"

The soft voice had her jerking her head to the right. Gabriella stood there smiling sweetly at Bryson who stepped back so she could take his place.

"Yeah," He backed away and spoke over the music, "I'll go get us some punch."

Gabriella placed her hands on Taylor's waist. Taylor rolled her eyes but followed her lead anyway, placing her hands on Gabi's shoulders.

"So, Bryson Hill huh?" Gabriella questioned, cocking her head to the side.

"Yep." Taylor said, popping the "p".

"When was this?"

"Yesterday at school."

Gabriella nodded her head. "And why wasn't I told about this pretty big detail?"

Taylor shrugged. "You never asked."

"Tay." Gabriella prodded.

"Look, he asked me out and I said yes. That's all."

"Mhm."

"What?"

"Did you know Chad's here?"

Taylor stiffened in surprise but relaxed muscles immediately and forced an easy smile on her face.

"No. I didn't know that."

Gabriella studied her, not missing the way her muscles seemed tenser than before.

"Hmm."

Taylor huffed in response. "Is there something you want to say, Gabi?"

Gabriella mimicked the shrug Taylor did moments ago. "I was just wondering—,"

A large commotion was heard from behind Gabriella. Two figures were in a tousle near the punch bar. Taylor and Gabriella looked at each other and made their way over together to see who it was.

They were both shocked to see Bryson on the floor clutching a bloody nose and Chad standing over him, his fist an angry red and purple discoloration, fuming.

I alr know what im gonna do for the next chapter. Also i was going to make Jason Marthas date and Ryan Kelcis date but i was having a real hard time deciding whether or not to make Ryan gay...in the end i just didnt rlly include it. Also i rlly disliked taylors wigs in hsm 2 and 3. Ik that disney didnt kno what to do with her hair so she did what she knew would seem acceptable but her natural hair was beautiful in hsm 1 and i imagine her wearing it way more in high school than the movies have shown. Anyways tell me what ya think and i did not proofread cuz it's 3 am.