A/N: Hello! Well this is my first story, and I'm quite nervous about putting it on here. I originally wanted to have the whole thing written before I posted it, but I really want to get some feedback before I continue. Anyway, on with the story!

Chapter 1

September 1996

Fifteen hours after departing from France, 13 year old Gabriella walked down the exit ramp of the plane. When most would be complaining of backaches and popped ears, Gabriella could hardly stop smiling, She had never felt excitement like this. Today she was moving in with her role model, her Aunt Isabelle, and on Monday she would be enrolled in the best performing arts high school in America, Hampton Academy for the Arts. And best of all- she wouldn't have to deal with her poor excuse of a mother anymore. At this thought, Gabriella's smile widened even more, if that was even possible. It was at this moment that Gabriella realized just how much her life was changing.

Gabriella was pulled from her thoughts by the voice she hadn't heard in person in almost 6 years. "Gabi!"

"Aunt Isabelle!" Gabriella ran to her aunt only to be engulfed in a huge hug.

"Oh, Gabi, I'm just so happy you're finally here. You're going to love Chicago! And you're starting at Hampton on Monday! I'm so very proud of you. I hope you know that. And I know your mother is proud of you too."

Gabriella's smile faded slightly. "You know Auntie, I'm finally here and the last thing I want to talk about is my mother. So come on, show me my new home!" Gabriella said as her smile returned to full force.

Gabriella was still in shock. After Isabelle gave her the grand tour, Gabriella began to settle in to her new room. This house was what she had always wanted in a home. Sure, her house in Nice looked beautiful to most, but she had always thought it felt more like a museum. Her new home was a beautiful three-story brownstone and Gabriella still couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that she would be living there for at least four years. As she began to put away the clothes she had shipped to Chicago last week, the doorbell rang throughout the house. A minute later, Gabriella heard her aunt call her downstairs.

As she entered the foyer, her eyes were immediately drawn to the cutest boy she had ever seen. The boy sensed a new presence in the room and turned to see the girl he had been hearing about for weeks. Gabriella's breath caught in her throat as she looked into the most beautiful blue eyes she could ever imagine.

"Gabi, these are our neighbors, Jack and Lucille Bolton, and their son, Troy. They'll be joining us for dinner tonight. Oh, and Troy will be starting at Hampton on Monday too!" Isabelle said.

Gabriella desperately tried to think of something witty to say. When that failed, she attempted a simple greeting, but all that came out was a weird gurgling noise she could only compare to a noise she heard her mother's poodle make once. The adults noticed the tension and Jack intervened before the teenagers embarrassed themselves anymore. "So Gabriella, your aunt said you've been living in France for a while?"

Gabriella was pulled from the blue haze. "Yes, Mr. Bolton, my mother and I moved there when I was seven."

"Please call us Jack and Lucille," Lucille said with a motherly smile.

"So you, like, speak French and stuff?" Troy would have slapped himself if no one else were around. 'That's the first thing I say to her? I am such an idiot,' he thought.

"Um… yeah. My mom spoke to me in English and French when I was learning how to talk… so um…yeah." The two stood there awkwardly and this time, Lucille broke the tension.

"Isabelle, how about Jack and I help you out in the kitchen while these two get to know each other."

Gabriella and Troy looked at the adults in shock. 'You have got to be kidding me,' Gabriella thought, 'were they even in the same room just now?' The three left for the kitchen, while Isabelle explained that night's meal.

After a few moments of tense silence, Gabriella finally spoke. "So you're going to Hampton too?"

Troy released his breath that he didn't realize he'd been holding and his first genuine smile of the night appeared. "Yeah, I love acting. It's all I can imagine doing with my life. I mean, there's nothing like the rush I get when I'm on stage." He paused, realizing she probably thought he sounded like a crazy person. "So what are you going for?"

"As much as they'll allow me to do. I've been singing since I was little and I just started writing my own music. I love acting and playing piano and musical theater, and God I should really shut up." Gabriella could feel her face flushing.

Troy couldn't help smiling at her enthusiasm. "No don't be embarrassed. Believe me, I've done plenty of rambling when the subject of acting comes up. I've never met anyone that could match how I feel about performing." Troy paused for a minute while sharing a smile with the beautiful, brown-eyed girl in front of him. "Yeah, I think we're going to get along great, Gabriella."

And Gabriella couldn't help but agree.

September 2008

"Fils de salope! Bolton, get your ass in here!"

Troy groaned and dutifully followed the voice of his best friend for the past 12 years. He found her fuming in the kitchen and he immediately began to think of reasons he would need to run from the room. 'Emergency meeting with my agent. Audition. Diarrhea! Oh fuck, I'm screwed.' He sighed. "Whatever it is, Brie, I swear I didn't do it."

"Oh so it was just some random person off the street that tracked mud all over my kitchen?!" Gabriella exclaimed as she waved her arms all around the room.

"Um… yes?" Troy replied hesitantly. Bad choice.

"Troy Bolton, you've only been living here for three days and I'm already ready to kill you! Any last words?"

"Brie, calm down! I'm sorry okay? I promise I'll clean up the mess right now."

"And…?"

"And I'll buy you a new pair of shoes."

"Accepted. Just try to keep things clean while your living here ok? You know how I feel about messes." Gabriella said while trying to hide a smile. She couldn't stay mad at the blue-eyed man in front of her. And after all, he would only be staying with her for a few months while his house was being remodeled.

"I'll do anything to keep the Gabriella that swears in French from appearing. That Gabriella scares the shit out of me," Troy admitted.

"Well at least you have some motivation now," Gabriella said with a wink.

"Oh now you're going to get it," Troy said as he advanced on Gabriella with outstretched fingers.

"Troy, no! I'm going to summon the foul mouthed me!" Gabriella screamed.

"I think these fingers can take her," Troy teased as he backed Gabriella into a wall. Suddenly something shifted and a new kind of tension filled the air. They stared breathlessly into each other's eyes for a minute until Troy leaned down and whispered in her ear, "You look gorgeous today, by the way."

Gabriella gasped and the distraction was all Troy needed. He began to tickle her and Gabriella could hardly contain her giggles.

"Okay… okay…I… give!" Gabriella managed to say while she gasped for breath. "Oh, Bolton, you are so going to get it when you least expect it. Now give me your credit card so I can get some shoes."

Troy reached into his wallet and handed his card to Gabriella. "You're lucky I love you so much," Troy said with his most charming smile.

"Yeah, yeah, just watch your back." And with that Gabriella sauntered out of the kitchen, only stopping to give a wink over her shoulder.

"I'm so going to get it," Troy mumbled as he set off to clean the kitchen.

A/N 2: So what did you think? I know I didn't really get into what Troy and Gabriella are doing now, but I promise that's all coming up next! Please let me know if you like it or hate it. I can handle criticism, I promise!

Fils de salope- Son of a bitch

Also, check out my profile for a picture of the brownstone.

Sarah