Hey everyone! So I've been reading some books, and they gave me inspiration! So here I am writing this! It's another struggle story, I'm hoping you guys like it!

Chapter 1: Project

"Ok class it's time to announce partners for the quarter project" my teacher said. I rolled my eyes. Hopefully I get a nerd to do all the work.

My teacher went through the names on her paper. Through the class you heard groans and yeses.

"Troy and Gabriella" he announced. I looked over at her. She looked over at me and gave a small smile. Gabriella Montez…my childhood best friend. We haven't spoken since she's been back in town. Mainly because I'm not the same 8 year old kid anymore. I can't believe she's my partner. What is my teacher trying to do to me? She's a nerd now, and she's super smart. I mean sure, I would be happy with a smart ass, but Gabriella is stubborn and I know she won't do all the work.

I just have to finish this project with her, and then go back to not talking to her. I've been able to avoid her all this time, even if her brother is my best friend. Zac doesn't live with his aunt and siblings. When they came back, he came on our side of the street, and got into our hobbies. Now he lives with our other friends at their run down beat up trailer. He doesn't talk about why they all came back, or what happened to their parents. All I know is that whenever the words mom, dad, or family is brought up he lights a joint.

Walking out of class I catch up to her.

"Hey" I said.

"Hey…" she said. She didn't want to look at me. I don't blame her, I wouldn't want to look at me either.

"So um, if you want you can come over and we can work on it, or I can go to your house" I said. She looked up at me.

"Um, it's whatever. I don't really care" she said. Her facial expressions were still the same. She wasn't an easy person to read. But I could always tell when she was uncomfortable, or hurt. After I had offered my house I thought about my dad….i don't want her there.

"Same house?" she asked. She looked up at me with those brown eyes. God them eyes….

"Um…no. Actually I just thought about it and I think we can get more done at the trailer" I said.

She tensed up. "I'll make sure Zac isn't there." I assured her.

Her face turned sad, but quickly recovered. "Ok, I'll come by today at 4" she said. I nodded. She walked off and I couldn't help but check her out.

Why am I doing that? I don't date…sure the occasional screwing around, but date? Never. And Gabriella doesn't need my lifestyle, and she deserves more than to just be a random to me.

I left school after that. I usually just come for first period. It's the only class I need. The others are just a waste of time.

I went to the trailer and cleaned it up a bit.

"What are you cleaning up for?" Zac asked.

"Umm…" I didn't know if I should tell him or not. But how can I keep it from him?

I let out a sigh. "Gabriella is coming over to work on a project" I said not looking at him. Zac and I became close best friends, brothers really. When they got back. He helped me out of trouble, and because of that I will forever pay him back for it.

"My sister?" he asked. I nodded. I felt bad really. Him and Gabriella were close.

"Oh, um…well I'm just gonna stay in my room then…I'll tell the others not to smoke in the house. I don't want her smelling it" he said.

"She's not a little kid man"

"She's my baby sister, I don't even like the fact your bringing her here"

"I couldn't take her at my house, and she acted like she didn't want to go to hers"

He was in a deep thought, probably thinking about why she didn't want us to go to her house.

"Whatever. Just don't try anything with her, like I said I'll be in my room" he warned me. He had a smile on his face, but I knew it was a threat as well.

It was 4 and Gabriella was just pulling up.

"Hey" she said adjusting her strap to her purse.

"Hey"

She came in and we sat at the coffee table. It's an old worn out table they got out of a dumpster.

"So um, she gave us choices…we could do it on Wale research, Food chain, or photosynthesis" she said.

"What do you think will get the better grade?" I asked her.

"I was kind of thinking about photosynthesis. We could each have a plant, one puts it in the dark, and the other puts it in sun light and we record how the difference."

Seemed easy enough. Keep a plant alive and write what it looks like.

"Ok" I said.

We had went through the details and everything of the project. After we finished she looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words to do so. She looked so hurt now, and I don't know why. We used to know everything about each other. We used to be best friends. The old me starts to kick through, but I stop it. I can't let that Troy come through.

"Well, I guess that's it for today…" she said. She got up and got her stuff together.

"Bye Troy…" she said.

"Bye Ella" I said. Shit why did I say her old nickname!

"I mean Gabriella…" I corrected myself. She walked out the door and Zac came out.

He walked to the window and watched her drive off. "I miss her…" he said.

For some reason I want to know why she's so hurt. Why she seems so guarded now. Where's the old Gabriella.

"Why did you guys move back?" I asked on impulse.