Chapter 1:

I listened dejectedly as my mother criticized the boy I hoped to date. There was nothing I could do about it though. My mother tried her best to raise me even though I pretty much did it myself. So I let her believe she actually had a say in my life. So when she was here I wasn't allowed to have a boyfriend. Hell, I can't even date. So I could do without the drama behind it. My chocolate phone rang loudly the chorus, 'Going Crazy' by Ashley Tisdale. My mother looked at me suspiciously before I looked at the caller Id. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was only my best friend Taylor. I mouthed Tay to my mother as I answered.

"Hey girl, what's up?"

"Nothing much chica." Replied my bubbly BFF since I moved here. My mother nodded approvingly before going to her room and closing mine behind her.

"Tay," I groaned. "You won't believe what just happened!"

"What?"

"My mother hates Randy!"

"How the hell did this happen?"

"She holds a grudge against him for something that happened like 3 or 4 years ago."

"Damn, that sucks. Did you tell her that you were—"

"Hell no! Thank god I didn't. Do you know how much deep shit I would be in over that?"

"I feel for you girl. What about the movies Friday?"

"Shoot, I'm still going. I know what I want and I'm not stupid so I'm not going to run off and get have sex. Please!"

"Girl, you are crazy!"

"Probably. So what time are you picking me up?"

"'Bout 7ish so we can head to the mall for a little bit then, the movies at 8:45."

"Cool, hey, I got to go. Someone's on my other line."

"Okay. Talk to you later Gabi." I swapped calls and heard the husky hello of Randy.

"Hey," I said turning red.

"What's up? Are we still on for Friday?"

"Chyeah…" I replied nervously.

"What's wrong?" he asked concerned. Damn him and his considerateness!

"Well, you see—"

"GABRIELLA ELIZABETH MONTEZ! Get your ass down here right now!" bellowed my mother. I sighed.

"Sorry, Randy, I got to go. My mom's calling me."

"Okay, I guess I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah," I said softly hanging up. I trudged downstairs to see my angry and probably PMSing mother pointing at the overloaded dishwasher. Damnit! I forgot again. I guess I spaced yesterday. Oh well, it's not like she's here anyway. I thought bitterly.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" she scolded.

"Sorry, I just spaced. I'll get it down right now." I said quickly. She huffed. "You seriously need to get laid." I muttered under my breath. Fortunately, she was already up the stairs getting ready to leave for her 4 month trip to Ethiopia. I unloaded half the dishwasher and washed those and put them away. I wondered if things would have been different if Dad hadn't died. And if I wasn't an only child. I put all the dishes away and headed upstairs to my room to finish the rest of my homework for tomorrow. I hate Sundays because they're even closer to Mondays! I turned on my iPod and began my AP US History homework. I was so lost into what I was doing; I barely acknowledged that someone had opened my balcony. Suddenly two arms wrapped around my waist and covered my mouth. My first instinct was to scream 'RAPE' but that might not have gone over well with my mother considering the fact that my 'rapist' was none other than my guy best friend Troy Bolton. He let go of me and I took off my earphones. I giggled slightly.

"Jeez, Bolton, you've definitely been hanging around Danforth too much." I laughed. A wild curly mane fell into my room.

"Hey! I take offense to that!"

"Don't mind the idiot with the crazy hair." Huffed Taylor. "Damn, Troy, now I see how you stay fit!"

Troy grinned sheepishly and looked down at me. I barely noticed that his arms were still wrapped around me. I barely even remembered that he was one of my best friends or the fact that I had a date with a really nice guy on Friday. I just concentrated on getting lost in his deep blue orbs. They held so much intensity it was unbelievable. He gave me a half smirk before releasing me. I stepped back and looked at my friends. They smiled at me and Chad looked very confused. I could sense by the vibes being given off by him and Taylor right now that they were 'besotted' with each other. They don't admit it though. I heard my mom calling me downstairs to say goodbye and I hurried downstairs. I gave her somewhat of a hug. It was pretty awkward though. She kissed my head before picking up her bags and heading out the door. I watched her get into the yellow taxi and it speed off. I let one lone tear fall down my cheek. Before I could wipe it away, Troy's thumb had gotten there. I smiled gratefully at him yet sad. My eyes did not show it though. How could I tell East High's king and resident heartthrob, that I loved him? I hope that explains Randy. I plan to move on. If I couldn't be happy with Troy, I'd make my own happiness with Randy however pretend it may be. Troy picked me up and carried me bridal style to my living room where Tay and Chad cuddled on the loveseat watching Perfect Strangers with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis. I sat in Troy's lap and leaned against him watching the movie and memorizing his comforting scent: TAG and a hint of soap.