Hello! I'm back again. :D

I can't help it, everytime a new rumor starts with these two, I'm usually itching to turn it into a story.

So when the one about Zac in a strip club surfaced, and then was confirmed by the man himself on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, I couldn't help but wonder how Vanessa might have felt about that.

With that I bring you another story, which is by no means true at all, other than the fact that the event actually happened. This is just my take on how things might have played out with the couple.

Hope you enjoy!

P.S. this is just the first chapter, I'm not going to end it here ;)

*I do not own HSM or its characters (and obviously not the actors in the series) :p*

It was one of Zac's last promo stops for his newest movie Charlie St. Cloud: New York City.

Unlike the previous weekends during his promotion, Zac would not be home with his girlfriend of nearly five years. It was his last chance to see his dear friend and former High School Musical co-star Corbin on Broadway, and he knew that there was no way he could miss it. Though Vanessa greatly wished she could join him, preparations for Rent were underway, and she knew she had no choice but to let her signficant other hit the big city on his own.

It was late at night when Corbin's show finally ended, and Zac was quick to meet him backstage and congratulate his friend on a spectacular performance in "In the Heights."

The two also took the chance to catch up, after not seeing one another for what Corbin described as months.

But when casual conversation finally ended, the two began talking about nightlife in the city. Zac said they should find a place celebrate Corbin's theatrical success, and with his unfamiliarity of New York's hot spots, looked to his friend for suggestions.

"We could hit Flashdancers. That screams celebration," Corbin said with a laugh.

"Flashdancers? Isn't that a strip joint?"

Corbin laughed again. "Why, is that a problem?"

Zac ran his fingers through is hair, but then chuckled. "Only if you don't want Vanessa to have my head when I go home."

"Well, just give her a call. I'm sure she won't mind."

Zac pulled his iPhone out of his pocket and stared at it for a moment. He was seriously dreading the conversation that was about to come, but he desperately wanted to go with Corbin. But he also knew that if he didn't get Vanessa's permission first, he would lose her trust for sure.

What the hell am I supposed to say? he thought. And how do I start this conversation without sounding like a total ass?

Quickly trying to put together a reasonable argument, he hit "1" on his phone, the number he had reserved for her on his speed dial.

"Hi babe," she answered with her usual cheerfulness. "I've missed you."

Great. She's not making this any easier.

"Hey Van. I've missed you too."

"What's up?"

Zac swallowed for a moment and looked at Corbin for reassurance.

"Okay, so Corbin and I were looking to go out and have a few drinks to...you know, celebrate his performance."

She laughed. "Okay? And?"

"We were thinking about going to this one Flashdancers...place to do it."

Her voice suddenly seemed less cheerful. "Flashdancers? That sounds like a, uh..strip joint."

Zac could feel himself start to sweat. "Yeah, uh, it, uh...it is."

"Ah."

The California end of the line suddenly got quiet.

"Vanessa?"

She still didn't answer. Zac could feel his heart beating quicker.

"Van?"

"I take it you were calling for my approval," she said dryly.

Zac looked at Corbin again who looked restless. "Well, yeah, I guess." His voice suddenly got shaky. "I mean, if you don't want me to.." He stopped mid-sentence aware that his wording was not the best, but then continued. "Rather if you're not okay with it, I won't go. Corbin and I can just go to a regular bar or something."

Her delayed responses were making him very uncomfortable.

Oh God, what did I do?

"Zac, it's fine."

He was surprised to hear her voice perk up again.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Seriously, Vanessa. If this makes you uncomfortable in any way, I understand."

He was worried that she was lying, but her peppiness was pretty convincing.

"Zac, I really am fine with it. Go ahead. You're 22, right? Not a little boy anymore. It's fine. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay. Love you."

He thought he heard her sigh. "Love you too."

When Zac finally ended the call, Corbin could see the relief on his friend's face. "See? Hard part's over. But she's cool with it, right?"

Zac stuck the phone back in his pocket and smiled. "Yep, guess so. Glad that's over with."

And with the approval he had been hoping for, the two finally headed outside for their night on the town.

"Strip club?" Vanessa said aloud, looking at the phone in her hand and chucking it at the pillow on her bed. "I sure as hell am not fine with it!"

She nearly growled out of disgust.

"Why would I be fine with my boyfriend watching a bunch of girls take their clothes off in front of him? I don't even like him kissing his co-stars!"

Vanessa felt tears starting to form in her eyes, out of both hurt and anger.

"What, am I not pleasing him enough? What the hell is wrong with me that he has to go out and gawk at a bunch of naked women?"

She felt a knot starting to form in her stomach, and for a minute thought she was going to throw up. The nausea was almost too much to take. It felt like someone had punched her...hard.

Vanessa walked over to the full length mirror on her wall and stood in front of it.

She didn't get it. Zac was always telling her how beautiful she looked; he had said that to her the night before he left, in fact. Yet, here she was, looking at the reflection of herself completely puzzled. Did she not appeal to him that way anymore?

It was then she started to notice things about her body she hadn't before, flaws that never seemed like a big deal.

She sighed deeply, trying to hold back tears. It was like she was seeing what she really looked like for the first time.

Meanwhile, she thought, my boyfriend is admiring the bodies of dozens of other women.

She wanted to call him back and demand he not go. She wanted to tell him that no reason he would give her would make it justified in her eyes. And she wanted to scream at him for even considering the possibility that she would be comfortable with it.

But she had missed her chance; she had given him the okay.

In the back of her mind, Vanessa had hoped that despite her phony performance, Zac would still say, "You know what, babe? Forget it. I don't want to put you in such an awkward position."

But he didn't...and that's what hurt so much. How was she going to say no? What kind of a girlfriend did that make her if she said he couldn't go?

All of that didn't matter though; it was too late. By now, Zac was probably already enjoying his show.

Vanessa felt herself starting to cry. "What have I done?"