Behind His Eyes

Summary: They say the eyes are the windows to the soul but all anyone could see was a blank, icy cold stare back at them. Why is it that Gabriella Montez could find something more when no one else did? Even if she does hate working for that person that is so emotionless.

A.N. Hello, everybody! My name is Rachael and this is my first fanfiction story so I have no idea how this is going to turn out. My only hope is that you all enjoy it and want to read more. Please, once you've finished (if you get that far) can you please review? I'm not going to deny that I probably won't update if I don't get enough reviews but please, don't pretend to like it. I'm up for constructive criticism, please, don't be scared. Thank you and Merry Christmas. :D

Chapter 1 – Off To A Bad Start

He was considered to be an angel with his perfect, immaculate hair that was a beautiful dark brown that almost demands to have your hands run through it, his tanned and muscular body that was silky smooth against anyones touch, those lips that spoke so softly and tenderly yet it had its own roughness and edge. Then those words he spoke were so eloquent, so charming, so perfect that you would happily believe everything he would say but what stood out the most, anyone who had ever met him would tell you, was his eyes, his breath-takingly, beautiful, blue eyes that had a hypnotic quality you just couldn't resist and not get pulled into. As long as you were staring into those wonderful orbs, the world seemed okay. You felt as if you would be okay and that suited many women across the city of New York, even if he only intended to stay for a couple of hours or so, that was acceptable because they got the experience and they got the chance to be with him. They were the ones to be chosen by him and they had him above them, taking them all to ecstasy. But then again, they were just another woman to add on to his ever growing list. They weren't special, he had done this time and time again with plenty of pretty women that caught his attention whether it be a women at a club in the early hours of the morning or an unhappy mother of four who felt neglected by her husband; either way, they weren't memorable, they were merely another one who fell under the charm of Troy Bolton.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" The innocent voice called out, the white sheet wrapped round her pale, naked body and her small hands self-consciously hugging herself as she watched the beauty stand up to pull on his clothes. "I can make you breakfast...or coffee?" Her attempts to keep him with her were futile, she knew that herself but she wanted to try, she felt special with him although, in reality, she was mediocre to him. Secretly, and she would never admit it out loud, she knew that she couldn't change him, despite how much she wanted to, she knew she couldn't. "Will I see you again? Maybe we could go out for lunch some time? I know this great place just around the corner, it's called-"

"No lunch." A simple comment that stung the poor girls heart tremendously. His voice wasn't like the warm, gentle one the girl had become familiar with that evening, it was cold and emotionless, one that sent discomforting shivers down her spine. "There will be no need for us to meet again. We've had our fun, this was merely a one time thing, I doubt we'll ever come into contact once more and if we do, then we'll never be in this position again."

"Are you sure I can't-"

"No." He snapped harshly, causing the girl to jump and she felt her hands tremble with fear as she looked into those blue eyes that were turning into a dark, storm cloud. "Like I said, there will be no need." And with that, he walked out stiffly, nodding his head curtly before slamming the door behind, leaving a broken hearted girl to weep alone, naked on her bed. Although he didn't care, why should he? He had had plenty of practice in these situations, the girl was a pretty face and nothing more to him. What was there for him to make him stay? Nothing. He thought gruffly in his head, taking in a breath of fresh air as he stepped out from the apartment block.

The cool air ruffled his hair slightly and the corner of Troy's mouth turned up in a slight smile, letting his eyes flutter shut as fresh air hit his nostrils and flew around his body. He enjoyed this, the quiet and the peaceful tranquility that was so rare and unfamiliar to New York City that when the opportunity arose, Troy would happily jump up and grab it with both hands. It was December and the cold chill had already fallen upon the city. There wasn't any snow, at least not yet, but Troy knew it would come just like it did every year and he would welcome it fully with open arms. If only Troy would welcome other things with open arms. The best part about winter, for Troy, was that it suited his personality the most. Winter- cold. Troy- even colder. Not many people knew the true reasons behind his lack of emotion, no one brought the subject up and no one asked because everyone feared Troy's reaction, if there was one thing to know about Troy Bolton, it would be that he could be extremely scary when anger erupted through his body. Troy Bolton was not one to be messed with.

Turning to his right, Troy re-opened his eyes and strided down the pavement, aware that ice was now creeping it's way on the ground. Wrapping his coat further round his body, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and carried on, noting that the Sun was just beginning to rise and the further he walked down the pavement, the more cars and shouts he could hear. Even in the early hours of a cold, December morning, New York was alive. Maybe that was why Troy liked the city. It was so full of life, it juxtaposed his personality, almost balancing out the equation. To Troy, this made sense to live somewhere that contrasted so well with himself, why should he fit in with everyone else? What good would that do? How would he be memorable if he was just like everyone else? And it worked because Troy was memorable. He was the nephew of Julia Matte, his father's younger sister who married at a young age to a wealthy man named Matthew Matte. Matthew owned his own advertising business whilst Julia was the founder and editor-in-chief of Matte Magazine. Which was what Troy had ended up in himself. Julia was often away and, at the time, Troy needed a job, she offered him the position to be her partner, the co-editor-in-chief. Troy had taken the chance immediately, despite the other work colleges whining because he hadn't done any work but gone straight to the top. He won over all the staff in three days.

Right now, his aunt was in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was visiting Troy's father, Jack Bolton with her husband and two daughters, Anna and Harriet. They were two very stuck-up little girls, depending on their parents for everything when they were in New York but Albuquerque was different and when they were away from people they knew, they were the sweetest angels, something which confused Troy to no end, although he would never show it. He hadn't been back to his hometown for five years, he hadn't seen his father for that long either. As soon as he graduated from East High, Troy had boarded a plane and arrived in New York, his friends following six months later. Lifting his hand in the air, Troy called down a taxi and ordered the driver to take him to his house. Sighing, Troy remembered the unpleasant conversation he had encountered with his father, the last encounter he had had with his father for many years...

15th June 2004, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Troy! What the fuck do you think you're doing?" The sound of his father's voice echoed around the house as he followed, Troy around with a red face and an irritated growl, "what do you mean you're going?"

"Exactly that, Jack." Troy replied, clenching his teeth together as he heard his father's footsteps still very close behind him, "I'm going to New York, I can't stay here anymore."

"What do you mean by that? What about Chad and Sharpay?" Jack asked, confusion clearly evident in his voice and if Troy had really listened, he would have heard the strain too, the hurt that was layering his tone that had become so quiet, it was almost inaudible. "You're just leaving them?"

"No, they're going to visit." Troy answered sharply, "and, besides, Sharpay's going to New York anyway for college and Chad was thinking about it himself. I'm not surprised if we all end up living together, Jack so I'm not leaving anyone behind." Again, if Troy had bothered to face his father whilst speaking, he would have noticed Jack wince at his last statement. "I'm leaving and there is nothing to hold me back."

"What about basketball!" Jack sprang towards Troy, a tone of hope as he spoke, "it's your dream! You've been offered a place at U of A, you can follow through with that, do what you've always wanted to-"

"No!" Troy bellowed, finally facing Jack but with fury in his, otherwise, cool eyes and his teeth gritted so tightly together that they looked like they could crumble at any moment. "That has never been my dream, that has always been your dream. Ever since you busted your knee and I was born, you wanted to make your aspirations of being a NBA basketball star through me. Well it may have worked when I was eight and copied everyone around me but it won't work now that I'm eighteen. I've had enough of being told what to do. I will not live my life the way you want it to."

"Troy, I thought you wanted what I had wanted." Jack gulped, fearing what his son might do to him, noting down that Troy's hands were in tight fists, his knuckles turning white. In this state, Troy was unpredictable and this scared Jack, "I thought you loved basketball as much as I did."

"Well, I don't." Troy tore his eyes away from Jack and continued to pack, moving around his room and picking various clothing up before chucking it in his bag, "I just want to get out of here."

"Please, Troy, don't do this." His father pleaded. "Please."

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Troy shouted angrily, not bothering to turn to Jack this time. "Why can't you get it through your thick, stupid head, I'm not coming back! I will never fucking come back!"

"Troy, you can't...you..."

"I can do whatever the fuck I like." Troy argued, "I'm eighteen now, and if I want to go to New York, then I will."


"But...you have no where to live!"

"Aunt Julia is taking me in." Troy answered sharply. "She's going to help me find an apartment."

"With what money?"

"I've been saving up, Jack." Troy shot back, "and I'll get a job when I go over there."

"But you haven't been to college! How can you get a job if you don't go to college?"

"You don't always need to go to college to get a job." Troy rolled his eyes, letting out an irritated and frustrated sigh, "anyway, I got good grades. It'll be easy."

"Troy-"


"Don't bother."

"Why?" His father's voice was quiet and when Troy looked back at him, Jack's eyes were watering and looked vulnerable, in pain but Troy was too ignorant to care, to even notice the hurt that his father was feeling. However, Troy did notice that Jack was resembling a small child. His hands were clasped together and were fiddling around, he looked small, a complete juxtaposition to what he really was as a six foot one, tall man. Then as his eyes clouded over with more tears, one finally trailing down his face, Troy turned away, ignoring his feelings and continued to shove more clothes in the holdall.

"Because...I want to. I can't stay here any longer."

"But, why? Is it because of-"

"Don't say it!" Troy yelled, running a hand through his hair, the silence that followed being tense and uncomfortable. "You know now that you don't mention it!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I forgot for a moment." Jack apologized quickly, wiping away a few tears, "but please, just stay, there is no need to leave. If you don't want to do basketball, then that's fine, I'll help you get a job. You can stay here, you don't need to go all the way to New York to do that!"

"No, I don't." Troy agreed before turning sour, "but it's a place I can go where I never have to speak to you again. Don't visit me, you'll only be left disappointed." The choke from his father was noted down but pushed aside as Troy shook his head, pushing past Jack, he skipped a few steps and walked out the front door, opening his car and chucking his belongings inside, however his father wasn't finished and ran out to try stop him once more.

"Troy, just stay. Please, we'll work things out, we'll be like we were, like father and son again. Please, just stay for me."

"No. Albuquerque holds nothing for me anymore."

Present Day, Manhattan, New York.

Walking into his home, Troy shivered as he remembered those last words and they had been the very last words, Troy had said to his father for many years. Every call, letter and email that Jack sent, Troy had ignored and, either, chucked them away, hung up the phone or deleted as soon as he realised who it was from. He had erased every memory of his father, the only thing he couldn't delete was that last one, the last time they had seen or spoke to each other. Troy wasn't sure why he wasn't able to erase it, he didn't even know why the memory had suddenly cropped up but it certainly did not send a pleasant feeling through his body. He felt his throat close up with guilt but in the blink of an eye, that emotion disappeared and his lips pursed together tightly, just like he always did unless it was anger and he began cursing himself for letting that emotion slip through. When he let out a heavy sigh, Troy's eyes closed shut and he quickly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~*~

"Push!" A loud voice commanded, the strain in his voice evident as they tried pushing a large, and heavy, board to Troy's office on a cold, Monday morning. It wasn't that the hallways were too thin, in fact, they were elongated and it wasn't because the lift was too small, they were big enough for over twenty people but the weight of the board was almost too much to handle. The acrylic paint weighing most of it and the sheer size of it was making it difficult enough.

"We are pushing!" A shriek called back with irritation, using all her strength in pushing it down the corridor. Another moan was heard and the blonde took a deep breath before attempting to push it further forward. "You need to push harder."

"Me? Don't go putting the blame on me." He replied in anger, his face contorted with frustration. "If you just took your bloody shoes off then maybe this would be easier, and anyway, it's me and Tay that are doing all the work!"

"Oh, of course it is," the blonde answered back sarcastically, "and I'm not an idiot, if I left my shoes lying around then someone is sure to take them!" She barked before turning on her back and attempting to push it again, whilst muttering, "jackass."

"What did you just call me, Barbie?" He bellowed, letting go of the board, as did Sharpay leaving Taylor to watch the scene unfold with a wince.

"Oh, I think you heard me, lunkhead." Sharpay spat, her hands on her hips and her eyebrows raised. The grip of the board rebelling against Taylor's hands but the pair ignored her and continued to argue. "You are a jackass, Chad Danforth and I have no idea how in the world you managed to get Taylor."

"Er...guys, little help?"

"Well if I'm a jackass then what the hell does that make you?" Chad protested, pointing at Sharpay accusingly, "you are such a dumb blonde, Sharpay. I'm surprised you graduated, let alone get into college. Of course, we know Troy was the one that got you this job, least I got here because I have talent."

"Talent?" Sharpay scoffed, "is that what you call it? Being a sports writer...yeah must be really difficult to get free tickets to see different sporting matches, that must be awful for you, Chad." She added sarcastically and Chad sneered at the blonde in front of him. "You couldn't do a day's proper work, even if you tried."

"Please, can you stop fighting? This is going to topple over on it's side if yo-"

"Oh, please!" Chad folded his arms across his chest, "your job doesn't exactly consist of much brain work, does it."

"What are you talking about?" Sharpay glared at him with offense, "I have to design all the new clothes and make them. I have a very important job here, just because yours is useless doesn't mean mine is."

"Guys!" Taylor bellowed, snapping them out from their bubble to face her, "quit fighting and help me. My fingers are about to break!" She exclaimed with a strain, the board slowly tilting over to one side due to it's strange shape.

"Sorry, baby." Chad rushed to her side, taking his place under the board again. "Come on...Barbie." He added, already panting as they tried to steady it and push it all at the same time. "You need to help as well, don't think you're getting out of this one because, trust me, I won't let that happen."

"Whatever, jackass."

"Just help, Sharpay!" Taylor groaned, feeling beads of sweat gather on her forehead, "please, it really is beginning to hurt now and we need another person. It's a three man job."

"Okay, I'm coming." Sharpay sighed and the three got back to straining themselves over the large plastic, painted board in front of them. "Why does Troy need this?"

"I have no idea." Taylor replied breathlessly. "I was just told that it needed to go to Troy Bolton's office...how far till we reach his office?"

"Just a few more pushes."

Once they had reached Troy's office, they looked at the board as if they had made it themselves and mentally congratulated each other as they stood back with their arms crossed, trying to regain their breath once more. Taylor wiped her face with the back of her hand whilst Sharpay grabbed a tissue off Troy's assistants desk, without asking, and dabbed at her face whilst Chad just had his arms folded, grinning proudly. Although, just as they were about to leave, Troy came to his office and stopped suddenly, tilting his head and looking up and down the board.

"What is that?" He asked slowly, pointing his finger at the piece before looking between his three best and closest friends.

"I have no idea, I was going to ask you the same question." Chad replied, too staring at the plastic, stepping back to get it all in his vision. "It looks like...a multi-coloured iceberg."

"It's something to do with the front cover for next month, Troy." Taylor informed with a sigh, rolling her eyes at the pair. "It's for the party. You know the tenth anniversary of Matte. They wanted all these things up as some sort of decoration...at least I presume that is what they're for."

"Oh, right, of course." Troy mumbled, looking back down at his papers and walking into his office whilst saying to the other three, "well I don't want it up here, take it to the art department."

~*~

"Excuse you." A voice, that Troy considered to be soft, spoke out angrily and he knew he had barged into someone too hard as he was focused on his phone, not where he was going. Rolling his eyes, he turned around, expecting to see a glare in his direction and yet all he saw was a beautiful women on the floor, mumbling to herself. She had long, curly, dark brown hair that blew around slightly as the wind picked up now and then. She was wrapped up warm with black coat and white scarf but her face looked slightly flustered from the cold as Troy noticed her cheeks were looking pinker than they probably would normally be. The women was struggling to pick up her belongings, which were now scattered all over the pavement where people simply ignored her, stepping over her and carrying on. Although the words she was muttering were incoherent, Troy knew they were probably curses on him and the people around them. Narrowing his eyes, he realised that she really was quite stunning with her smooth, perfect complexion and dark chocolate eyes that seemed to show her emotions, right now, they were almost black with anger and this...amused Troy in some way. Sighing, he walked back but instead of helping, like a gentlemen would do, he just stood there, watching her. Finally acknowledging his presence, the women looked up, starting from his shoes and going up to his face. "What do you want?" She asked with frustration. "Come here to knock me over, now?"

"No." Troy snapped, growling slightly at her comment. "I just came here to see if you're alright."

"Really? I highly doubt that considering you're the one that pushed me over." The brunette spat back and Troy could tell, although she wasn't looking at him but actually at the floor, she had her teeth clenched tightly together to stop her from saying something worse than that. "And if you really wanted to see if I was alright, you would have helped me pick my stuff up, but you haven't done that have you? So, you might as well run along and push other women to the floor."

"Fine, I'll do that." Troy replied, almost in a childish manner and turned around, stomping off like a five year old who was sent to his room before dinner ignoring the scoff that the women gave him. "Fucking bitch." He muttered under his breath but not quiet enough as a mother shot him a nasty look whilst placing her hands over her daughter's ears. Troy merely rolled his eyes and moved on, wanting to get into his office as soon as possible where it was warm and he wouldn't be around so many people. By the time he did reach his office, Sharpay was standing there with a very unamused expression on her face. "What's happened now, Shar?" Troy asked with an exasperated sigh.

"That fucking asshole, Danforth, that's what's happened!" She shrieked, and hobbled after Troy into his office, not bothering to shut his door. "He snapped my heel. My birthday present from my father and he broke my heel!"

"Oh."

"Oh? That's all you can say?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"Fire him."

"What?"

"You heard." Sharpay said sternly, her arms firmly folded across her chest, her hip popped out and an expectant expression on her face as Troy stared at her with, what you could only guess was, confusion which only heightened and Sharpay added casually,"I want you to fire the bastard and give him an awful review so he can't get a job anywhere else."

"Shar, Chad is my best friend." Troy replied slowly, "I will not fire him."

"But he's an idiot!" Sharpay screamed, "you know we never get along and I'm more of a valuable asset to this magazine. If you don't get rid of him now, Troy then this whole place will be in deep, deep shit. You and I both know that Chad could single handedly take down this company in less than an hour. Less than an hour, Troy!"

"Chad is far from an idiot despite what you may think." Troy sighed, rubbing his temples where a headache was beginning to form, "I am not going to fire him because, believe it or not Sharpay, we need him. He's the best sports writer this magazine has and people love his columns."

"But it's a sports page in Matte Magazine, one of America's top fashion magazines!" Sharpay exclaimed, stomping her foot slightly and pouting with irritation. "What the hell does sport have to do with fashion?"

"It was what I wanted to bring to the magazine." Troy answered smoothly. "This way we have a wider variety of customers. Statistics show that much more men are reading the magazine for Chad's sports reviews and women find him...charming."

"Charming!" Sharpay shouted incredulously, scoffing before adding, "that pig is far from charming. He needs a good shove out of this-"

"Sharpay, I am not firing Chad, end of."

"Fine." She huffed, admitting defeat, "but on one condition."

"And what is that?"

"I get to take whatever pair of shoes, out of my department, that I wish."

"I-"

"It's only fair, Troy!" Sharpay held up her hand to silence him, "Chad broke my heel, you won't fire him, it's the very least you can do."

"Whatever, do what you like." Troy rolled his eyes, rubbing his hands on his face as if to wake him up. Surprisingly, that small, pathetic argument Troy had had with that brunette women had taken a lot of energy out of him and he felt like a large snack or a short nap, either way, he needed recharging. Hearing Sharpay squeal with delight, he let his head rest on the table, his eyes fluttering shut however they tried fighting to stay awake. Bloody brunette bitch. He thought to himself, not being able to get her from his mind and yet whenever he was thinking about her, he was making himself angry. She was making him angry and he didn't even know her name. His peace, if you could really call his mind peace, was disturbed as the phone rang shrilly, ringing around Troy's office and through his ears. Lifting up his head, he held the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Mr. Bolton, your aunt is on line two for you." The voice of his assistant was heard, "she said she needs to talk to you urgently."

"Oh yes, of course, thank you Erin." Troy mumbled, pressing a couple of buttons on his phone and hearing a click before saying, "hello?"

"Hello, Troy!" The cheery voice of Julia Matte was heard and Troy sat up further in his chair, he had always loved his aunt, ever since a young age, she had always been the closest to him after the incident that Troy never spoke about. "How are you?"

"Hi, Julia," Troy replied, "I'm fine, a little bit tired but fine nonetheless."

"Good, good, well I just wanted to inform you of some business."

"Really? And what might that be? Because the final plans for the party have just been sent off, it's not about that, is it?"

"No, no, that's all okay. Thank you for sorting that all out, Troy, I never had the chance to say so." Julia answered happily, "but it's not about that, it's about Frank, you know the photographer?"

"Oh, yes." Troy responded, sighing irritatedly as he remembered the photographer Frank who didn't have any input in the magazine, he always had the same ideas and always took pictures of models in the similar outfits and made them pose in practically the same ways. It had been a pleasure to fire him the month before, his last days working for Matte were drawing near, if Troy remembered correctly, it was that Friday that would be his last. "What about him?"

"Well, I know that this week is his last week." Julia explained, "and so we obviously needed a new photographer. I've already hired someone, she's a daughter of a very good friend of mine."

"Is she good enough?"

"Oh, she is more than good enough, her pictures are beautiful and I have no doubt that she'll be able to make this magazine more eye-catching with her pictures than ever before. This will be her first job here but she's got a lot of experience of taking photos, she's won numerous amount of awards here in Albuquerque and she won a full scholarship to her university in New York. She graduated with honors, her work is really breath-taking, she'll be starting on Monday."

"Good, I completely forgot about Frank leaving until now."

"Well, good riddance to him, I say." Troy smirked at her response, "but anyway, I invited her to the party, I want you to introduce yourself, make her feel welcome considering this is her first job and all."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to hire someone with such little experience in a work place?"

"Trust me, I'll fax over some of her photos, she really is amazing, just what we need."

"If you're sure."

"I'm positive, Troy, I really am." Julia replied brightly. "Anyway, I must go, we're going out to eat, speak to you later, bye." They both hung up and Troy let out a puff of air. She better be good. He thought to himself, being the co-editor-in-chief, Troy had to hold up his reputation and if this girl wasn't good then she wasn't going to last at Matte.

Troy was going to make sure of that.

~*~

"And how do you feel about that?"

"Ryan, I'm your best friend not one of your clients." Gabriella told him before sighing, "but I feel pretty annoyed. I mean, he just stood there pretending as if he cared when I bet you he didn't give a damn about knocking me over."

"Well, he did say he cared." Ryan replied, taking two glasses out of his cupboard and pouring some wine carefully into them whilst Gabriella collapsed on his sofa, leaning her head back and closing her eyes, "maybe he really did."

"One: he didn't ever say he cared, he said he wanted to know if I was alright," Gabriella held a finger up, listing them off, "two: he obviously didn't care because he just stood there and didn't help me and three: he was the one that pushed me over in the first place!"

"Gabs, it's an honest mistake to knock into someone in New York." Ryan answered, handing her a glass of wine which she gladly took, gulping down half the glass, much to Ryan's amusement. "I do it all the time, you probably just pissed off the guy because you were annoyed with him and he didn't see it as his fault. Over half the people in New York just carry on walking despite knowing someone's been pushed over but he didn't, least he walked back. Did anyone else stop to see if you were okay?"

"No."

"Exactly, but this man clearly wanted to see if you were okay so he stopped." Ryan responded, taking a sip of his own wine, "you know I'm talking sense, Gabby."

"But Ryan, you didn't see this guy," Gabriella whined after a moment of silence, "there was something about him, he seemed so...cocky and arrogant. Trust me, when I saw him, he looked...emotionless. He just didn't care."

"Don't come up with that, 'the windows are the eyes to the soul' crap again."

"What? They are!" Gabriella protested, "you can see so many different emotions and feelings just by looking into someones eyes. Like now, you're content." She said, narrowing her eyes as she concentrated. "Your eyes are soft, their normal shade of hazel."

"Lucky guess." Ryan mumbled.

"It's not! You just need to know what you're looking for." Gabriella argued, "you can tell when someone is lying, or when they're trying to cover up something. You can tell when they're guilty or upset and angry. You can just tell somethings about them just by looking in their eyes. It's like you can really see what they're feeling. Why don't you get that?" She asked, scrunching her nose up.

"Because it's a load of shit." Ryan replied, "I know your mum said it and she's a very, very wise lady but it's just when you've spent your time trying to figure out ways to heal people mentally, then you see that some of them are bloody good liars and can cover up anything if they wanted to."

"Ryan, you just can't see inside when they're covering up."

"Look, we're not going to start this conversation again." Ryan held up his hand to stop Gabriella from talking, "it only ends up with one of us pissed off...usually me."

"Because you know I'm right."

"Whatever." Ryan muttered, rolling his eyes, "anyway, lets talk about your new job, shall we? Spoken to anyone yet?"

"Just one, the editor-in-chief, Julia Matte!" Gabriella squealed excitedly, "I didn't know but she's one of mum's good friends and when she met up with Julia, she showed her my pictures. She said she loved them, can you believe it? Julia Matte loved my pictures." Gabriella clapped her hands and Ryan smiled at her proudly. "Then Julia called me and offered me a job. I just can't believe that my first ever job is at Matte magazine!"

"I'm so proud of you, Gabs." Ryan told her truthfully, a beaming grin on his face, "I told you your pictures were awesome. I told you but did you believe me? No, well look where you're about to go, now."

"This is just so cool." Gabriella grinned, showing her pearly white teeth. "I really can not wait to start. I'll be so nervous though."

"When do you start?"

"Monday."

"So soon?" Ryan asked, surprise clearly evident in his voice.

"Yeah, they wanted me to start work as soon as possible." Gabriella explained giddily, "Julia told me that they hadn't found the right person and that their current photographer was leaving this Friday and still hadn't hired anyone for the position."

"You must of really impressed them, Gabs."

"I must of." Gabriella smiled, biting her lip to prevent her from screaming with joy. "Oh, and there's a party they invited me too. Their tenth anniversary or something like that, Julia said that her partner was going to introduce himself, help me around Matte and explain a few things. I wanted you to come too?"

"Sure, anything for you, when is it?"

"Friday."

"Great, I'll have to make sure I look smart enough." Ryan grinned, "I'm guessing a suit will do?"

"Yeah, just make sure you look good because this is a fashion magazine after all, there will be paparazzi and they'll pick up on bad clothes." Gabriella warned him.

"Gabs, when I have I ever not looked good?"

"Fair point," Gabriella replied, "you do have a good style for a man. But just take extra care, Matte's new photographer can't be seen with someone who is wearing clothes that is a year old." She teased and Ryan chuckled, pouring more wine into her, almost, finished glass.

"Right, I'll take that into account." He answered, holding up his glass. "Now, I think it's time to make a toast." Gabriella smiled and held up her glass too, "to Gabs, Matte's brand new and smoking hot photographer, may everything go wonderfully well!" He exclaimed, clinking glasses with Gabriella's before chuckling at her response.

"I'll definitely toast to that!"

~*~

It was, without a doubt, the greatest party Matte Magazine had ever held and they had always hosted the most superior and outrageous parties, in fact, they were known around the fashion industry for it and weren't about to give up that title. It was the most anticipated event of the year and everyone who was anyone wanted to be apart of it and the invitations were the most desired invitations in the world. They received publicity from everywhere due to it's fabulous guest lists. Celebrities prayed that they would get an invitation and it wasn't unheard of for some to try and sneak in, although it never worked as the it was one of the most secure places in America when the party began and hit full swing. Of course, the credit would always land on Troy as he was always the one to direct it and come up with a theme every year. This time was no different and Troy was glad to finally get into the event and away from the flashing lights and screams of teenage, and older, women. The party had already started and the thumping music of the surround sound speakers pumped through the large room as strobe lights electronically maneuvered around the walls, lighting up the room with the brightly different colours. This years theme being, circus.

Looking around, Troy spotted Chad and Taylor seated in one of the many dark blue booths, laughing with each and, and no doubt, flirting with each other too. Moving around the dancing throng of people, Troy managed to get over to the pair and seat himself with them. "Hello." He nodded his head towards them and Taylor sent him a large, toothy grin.

"Troy! You're here!" She exclaimed and stood up to walk round to Troy, flinging her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "I thought you were never going to turn up."

"Well, I guess you could call me fashionably late." Troy replied causing Taylor to giggle. "How long have you two been here?"

"Only about an hour or so." Chad answered, sharing a manly hug with Troy, "I have to say, this party is awesome, man. Congratulations." He beamed, his usual cheeky smile that showed off his white teeth. "I think you have half of America here."

"Yeah, it's turned out even better than I expected." Troy nodded, looking around the room at the many people who were dancing, drinking and having fun. "I wasn't too sure about the acrobats but they look good." Troy said, watching one particular acrobat who received an applause after one trick by a group of people.

"Yeah, it's great, Troy, it really is." Taylor added, "you're looking very nice too." She complimented, looking at his suit which consisted of a crisp, white shirt, a black tie and dark blue trousers and jacket. His hair was out of his eyes, sticking up slightly at the front, his blue eyes matching his clothes perfectly.

"Thank you, Tay." The corner of Troy's mouth upturned into a small smile, "you look beautiful yourself." She wore a strapless, deep red dress that finished about mid-thigh, it complimented her dark skin which shone in the light and her black straight hair framed her face, her fringe just above her eyes. "You guys seen, Sharpay?"

"No and, quite frankly, I couldn't give a shit." Chad mumbled, however it was loud enough for Taylor and Troy to hear, this earned him a slap on the chest from Taylor who looked at him which a disapproving expression. "What? You know I can't stand her."

"Can't you, at least, try?" Taylor asked her boyfriend, giving him a small pout. "She's one of my best friends. Please be nice."

"I can't! I physically can not be nice to her."

"Please!"

"Fine," Chad sighed. "But I'm not promising anything, she's so high maintenance."

"Thank you, honey." Taylor kissed his cheek softly instead of his lips, not wanting to display public affection, something which they weren't particular fans of and Troy certainly wouldn't have been happy with. "By the way, last thing I saw was Sharpay getting very close to a male on the dance floor," Taylor smirked before saying, "so, Troy, I heard we've got a new photographer."

"Yeah, she should be here tonight." Troy replied, taking a drink out of the waiter's hand and sending him a nod to say thank you. "I've got to meet with her tonight."

"What's she like?"

"Have no clue." Troy shrugged, "Julia was the one to hire her. I wasn't sure at first but Julia sent some of her photos over and I was impressed. They're much better than what I expected, a lot better actually. But I have no idea what the women looks like so I've had to ask someone at the door to send her to me."

"Where is she coming from?"

"No where, she hasn't worked before." Troy explained, "she's fresh out of college."

"Bit of a risk, isn't it, dude?"

"I suppose," Troy shrugged again, "I'll admit that was my initial thought but, like I said, her pictures are impressive." As the three continued to talk, suddenly, Sharpay came over looking extremely angry, her brow was furrowed and her lips had turned into a snarl.

"Troy, why the hell did you invite my brother?" She screamed, swaying slightly due to having too many drinks. "You know I hate my brother!"

"I didn't." Troy replied casually. "I hardly know your brother, remember, he moved in with your grandparents before I had a proper chance to get to know him."

"Then why is he here?" Sharpay asked angrily, her arms folded across her chest just like she usually did when she was irritated, however she quickly unfolded them and tried to steady herself instead.

"I have no idea, Shar." Troy shrugged, "maybe he's here with someone who was invited. All I know is that I didn't invite him and he couldn't of snuck in."

"Mr. Bolton, sir." A large man with big muscles and a black top that read security came over with two much smaller people behind him, both of their faces blocked by the man, "this is Gabriella Montez, you asked for her to be brought over to you."

Troy nodded and stood up as the man stepped aside and walked back to the door, when Troy finally looked up, he came face to face with someone very familiar to him. Both of them, wide eyed looked at each other before their expressions turned sour and they shouted simultaneously "You!"