Disclaimer: I do not own the HSM characters!

Chapter 1 - Idea

16 year old Gabriella Montez walked into 'Bolton's Boxers'. This was a boxing school run by one of her brother's best friend's dad. Her brother, Kyle Montez was 18 and so was his best friend Troy Bolton. Troy's dad, Jack Bolton, was the owner of the establishment and everyday after school she would come and wait for her brother. He was super over-protective of her and didn't allow her any freedom. Sometimes she liked it as she loved her brother to death but it was sometimes annoying.

She wasn't allowed dates, not that she'd date anyone in her year or classes anyway, if Kyle saw a boy even looking at Gabriella they got a 'friendly' warning off both he and Troy. You see the thing was Troy was just as bad. She knew it was because he saw her as his little sister too so she just had to smile and bare it.

Kyle was doing his training with Jack as Gabriella entered so she walked over to a bench and sat down. She got out her favourite novel 'Romeo and Juliet' and started reading it. She had read this book that many times she knew it off by heart. She felt someone sit by her and when she looked to her left she saw quite a cute boy sitting there.

"Hey" he smiled, sweaty. She guessed he had just finished training.

"Hey" she smiled back as she put her book down.

"I'm Justin" he held out his hand.

"Gabriella" she smiled as she took his hand.

"What are you doing in a smelly boxing gym?" He laughed.

"My brother told me to meet him after school" she smiled.

"Who's your brother?"

"Kyle Montez" she smiled.

"Serious, man he is awesome at boxing" she nodded.

"His best friend is too, guess it helps though as his dad is the owner" she giggled.

"Yeah, Troy Bolton has gotta be the luckiest sod on this planet" they both laughed.

"Yeah, Jack is super nice" Gabriella agreed.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" She sighed.

"No, Kyle and Troy make that an impossible task" he frowned.

"Why?"

"Put it this way you might want to leave, if any of them spot us even talking as friends they will threaten to break you" he gulped.

"Serious?" She nodded. "Dude that sucks, just as I was all pumped to ask you out tonight as well" she giggled.

"I would have liked that" she smiled.

"We don't have to tell them" he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Trust me, they'll know" and as if on cue Troy walked over. "Act as if we're not talking" and he turned away from her as she picked up her book.

Troy sat in between Gabriella and Justin and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey Ella, you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, you Troy?"

"Eh not bad, can't wait to get in there to whip your brothers ass though" he chuckled. Gabriella giggled as she peaked over his shoulder at Justin. He mouthed a 'later' and she nodded faintly as he got up and left.

"So how long do I have to sit here?" She sighed.

"Until we're done" came her brothers voice.

"But Kyle it is boring" she whined.

"Tough, now come on Bolton, time to whip your ass" Troy rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Do I get a good luck kiss Ella?" Troy asked as she stood up and giggled.

"I guess" she leant up and kissed his cheek softly. "Good luck Troy Boy" he winked at her and went into the ring.

"What about me?" Kyle asked.

"You don't get one, your holding me hostage" she folded her arms across her chest.

"Get over it Gabs" he kissed her head and followed after Troy.

Gabriella sighed and sat down. Justin walked past her with two other boys and dropped a piece of paper in her lap. She looked up and saw him smirk over his shoulder. She smiled and opened the piece of paper.

'Meet me outside? 2 mins I promise. J x' she stood up and when she saw her brother was busy she quickly made her escape. She got outside and saw Justin leaning against the wall talking to his friends. He smirked when he saw her walk over.

"Little miss over-protected" he smirked.

"Don't even start" she giggled. "So what's up?"

"What's your cell? I'll call you later about tonight" she sighed.

"I told you I can't" he smirked.

"I can sneak you out don't worry" she rolled her eyes.

"Ok, but it is your face that will get rearranged if they find out" she took his cell phone off him and put in her number. "I better get back" he gripped her hand.

"Just let me check you gave me a right number" she giggled as he dialed her number. Her cell rang and she answered.

"Hey Justin" he laughed.

"Just checking" he hung up and she turned to leave but then looked at him.

"Thanks" she smiled. He kissed her cheek and she blushed. "Talk to you later" she walked away and smiled.

Maybe she could finally go on a date. The person she loved would never go there so why not move on? You see the thing was she loved Troy, as in love, love. He saw her as his baby sister though so it wouldn't ever happen. Another fact he wouldn't do that to Kyle even if he did like her back.

Gabriella entered the gym again and just as she thought she had got away with it she heard Troy behind her.

"Where have you been Miss Montez?" She turned and saw him leaning against the door frame, topless and smirking. He looked HOTT with a double 'T'.

"Urm, I was hot, needed some fresh air" she smiled.

"Hmmm, I don't believe you" he told her.

"Well you have to, because it is true" she shrugged as she walked over to her stuff. "Are you guys done yet?" She asked.

"Yeah, Kyle is just having a shower" Troy informed her.

"Maybe you should" she said, pinching her nose jokingly.

"You know you like seeing me all sweaty and half naked" he teased. 'You don't even know' she thought to herself.

"Yeah, sure Troy, now go shower, I need to get home" he rolled his eyes, kissed the top of her head and went to shower up.

Gabriella continued to read her book for half an hour then they walked out with their other friends. Chad Danforth who was the owner of the neatest afro ever. Gabriella always touched it and giggled. There was also Zeke, a muscular African American who was the boyfriend of a ditsy blonde called Sharpay. There were a couple other guys who she couldn't be bothered to think of their names.

She stood up as they reached her and she sighed.

"Finally, what took you so long?" She asked. "I swear you are like girls" she touched Chad's afro then ran off as he chased her.

She giggled as he picked her up from behind when they got outside and twirled her around. He placed her on the ground and Gabriella smacked his chest.

"Doofus" he rolled his eyes. The only boys allowed to be playful like that and touch her were her brothers friends, he trusted they wouldn't try anything.

Justin walked past with his friends and smiled at her. She smiled back and Kyle so this. He nudged Troy who saw it too and shouted of Justin.

"Yo Justin" he ran over and Justin smiled.

"Hey Troy, what's up?"

"You did really well today" he smiled.

"Thanks dude, your awesome" Troy smiled.

"I could get dad to give you one to one sessions of you like?"

"Serious? Dude that would be awesome" Troy smiled.

"I just need one thing..." he trailed off.

"What?"

"You need to stay away from Gabriella Montez" Justin looked at her.

"You serious?"

"Extremely, you see I care for her a lot, and I don't want her being messed around" he said lowly.

"I wouldn't..." he started.

"Because you are going to stop whatever you have started with her, glad we are clear" he patted his head and walked back over to the guys and Gabriella.

"Troy, what did you just do?" She asked.

"I just had a talk with him, sweet guy, not for you though" she glared.

"What?" Justin then came over.

"Hey Gabs, can I talk to you a sec?" She nodded and walked away from the guys.

"What's up?"

"I can't go out with you tonight, sorry, I just remembered I have some stuff to do for my mom" she smiled.

"Well we can do something tomorrow instead" he shook his head.

"Sorry, we can't" he smiled and walked off.

Gabriella turned on her heel and smacked Troy and Kyle's chests.

"I hate you" Troy laughed and put an arm around her shoulders.

"You love us" he teased. She glared and pouted.

"I was looking forward to going out tonight" she whined.

"How about I take you to see a movie?" He offered.

"You sure Kyle will let you?" She asked sarcastically.

"Gabi, I know Troy won't try anything" Kyle announced.

"Right, fine, whatever" she smirked. "But your paying" she told Troy.

"Ok" he smirked.

"And you" she pointed at her brother. "Are going to let me drive your car to school for a month" he shook his head.

"No way!"

"Fine, I am going to go find some guy from the street then" she went to walk off and he sighed.

"Fine, you drive my car for a month" he said through gritted teeth.

"Good, now if you don't mind I am going to get ready for my date" she winked at Troy.

"It isn't a date!" Kyle shouted.

"We'll see" she blew Troy a kiss and giggled as she walked off.

Kyle glared at Troy who held up his hands.

"Dude, it's Ella, come on you can trust me with her" Kyle then sighed.

"Yeah, sorry man" they said bye and all went to their own homes.

Kyle got home and saw Gabriella doing her homework in the kitchen. He went and sat by her as she looked up and smiled.

"Hello big brother" she said sweetly.

"It isn't a date" he told her as she rolled her eyes.

"It's Troy" she told him. "Your best friend, sees me as his little sister" he nodded.

"As long as we're clear" she nodded.

"Super" she smiled.

"Where's mom?" He asked.

"Do you need to ask?" She sighed as she continued with her homework.

"Again?" He asked. Gabriella nodded.

Their mom, Maria Montez, had a new boyfriend. His name was Tony and they didn't like him. He tried to be their friend and their dad and that was not acceptable. You see their dad, Carlos Montez, died 5 years ago from a tumor. He adored his kids. Lived and breathed for them. Nothing was too much for them, especially his princess and baby Gabriella.

Kyle and Carlos were like best friends and he promised to take care of Gabriella when his dad asked. That is why he was so protective. Anyway getting back to their conversation, Maria was always either at Tony's or he was here, which at night was not a good thing for them as the walls were thin.

"I hope she stays at his tonight" Gabriella stated. "If I have to listen to them one more time..." she groaned as Kyle chuckled.

"I totally agree, don't need to lay it out for me sis" she giggled.

"It is just gross, they could at least do it when aren't home" she sighed then. "I miss daddy Kyle" he hugged her.

"I know, me too" they were interrupted by the door opening.

"Hey guys" It was Troy.

"Hey man, what's up?" Kyle stood up and did their man hand shake thing as Gabriella rolled her eyes.

"Bored, thought I'd come and chill here" Kyle nodded.

"Let's go upstairs" Troy nodded and they left.

"Yeah, bye" Gabriella muttered. She then packed up her things and went upstairs to her room.

She dropped her bag by her bed and then sighed as she stood in front of the mirror. She ran her brush through her hair and looked at the picture of her dad on her mirror. She placed the brush down and picked it up.

"I miss you" she whispered as she ran her finger over his face.

"Hey you" she jumped and dropped the photo.

"Jesus Troy" she held her chest. Troy chuckled and walked in. He picked up the photo and handed it to her.

"Sorry" he smiled.

"It's ok, what's up?" He shrugged.

"The sky" she rolled her eyes.

"Shut it smart ass" he raised his eyebrows.

"Watch the language missy or I will cancel our date" he pointed at her.

"It's not a date" she mimicked her brother and he laughed.

"What Kyle doesn't know won't hurt him" Troy whispered in her ear and she shivered. She then looked in his eyes and saw a strange look. Want? Need? Passion? What the hell?

"Ummm" she cleared her throat. "I-I need to h-have a shower" she stuttered. He laughed.

"Ok, see you in a bit" he kissed her cheek and she closed her eyes.

Troy left and she let out a breath. What the hell was that? She did not just imagine that, Troy was flirting. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and then got her I-Pod and docking station then went into her bathroom. She put on her music and then stripped down to get into the shower. She let the warm water soothe her as she thought about Troy.

She had loved him for as long as she could remember. He always stuck up for her when Kyle teased her. When her dad died he was the one who made he smile for the first time and let her know it would all be ok. He never treated her like a child, like Kyle does. Yes he is over-protective of her but not in a way that makes her feel like a defenseless child. He makes her feel loved when he protects her. She knows she is forever safe with him.

She stepped out of the water when it ran cold and wrapped herself tightly in a towel before getting her I-Pod and docking station then walking into her room. She put her music back on and then went to her closet. She looked through her many clothes for something to wear. She decided on a pair of her skinny denim jeans, a pink vest top and her black leather jacket over the top. She put her black heels on her feet and then went to her vanity table.

She applied a little blusher, mascara and lip-gloss and then dried her hair. She let it fall in it's natural curls before checking out her appearance. It was casual but screamed sexy at the same time. After their encounter a couple of hours earlier she wanted to see if she could make Troy squirm, if she could this would be what did the trick. She grinned to herself. She then grabbed her big black bag and sprayed on some perfume before leaving her room.

Gabriella could hear voices as she got half way downstairs and she sighed. Great, she would hear the noises from her mothers bedroom. It was no secret to anyone that Gabriella and her mom had a strained relationship. She loved her mom don't think she didn't but she always was and still to this day is a daddy's girl, even if he isn't around anymore. Her relationship with her mom became even more strained once Carlos died. And even more since she met her new boyfriend.

Gabriella just didn't like him. Another reason why she loved Troy was he knew this and totally agreed with her. Kyle could tolerate Tony and would sometimes play basketball or soccer with him. Troy thought there was just something about him that didn't fit. Gabriella sighed and entered the kitchen.

Her mom was sat next to Tony, they were holding hands and being all lovey dovey, Gabriella found it sickening. She rolled her eyes and went to the fridge to get a drink. As she turned back with her water bottle Maria smiled.

"Hey sweetie, you look nice" she smiled.

"Thanks Mom, Troy is taking me to see a movie" Gabriella smiled.

"Troy? As a date?" She asked excitedly.

"Yeah because Kyle would allow that" she said in a moody voice.

"He is only looking out for you baby" Gabriella just shrugged then heard Kyle and Troy walk in. She turned and smiled.

Troy was wearing some jeans, a white T-Shirt that was tight fitting, his black leather jacket and some sneakers on his feet. His hair was it's natural floppy self and he looked gorgeous. He must have changed in his room. That was how often he was here he had his own room in the house. Troy came over and smiled at Gabriella.

"You look nice Ella" Gabriella sighed quietly, that was it? Nice? Maybe she did imagine their moment back in her room.

"Yeah, I look alright" she shrugged. "Are we leaving?"

"Yeah" he smiled. "And Kyle, I promise to have her home before she turns into a pumpkin" Troy joked.

"Yeah, you better" he laughed. "Have fun baby sister" Gabriella groaned.

"I am not a baby Kyle" she pouted. He laughed and hugged her.

"Love ya sis"

"Love ya bro" they did their special hug/handshake thing and then Gabriella and Troy left.

They got out to Troy's car and he held her door open for her. She giggled and thanked him before he ran around to his side. He reversed from the driveway then started to cruise to the outlet. Gabriella text Taylor, her best friend from school, as Troy drove. He glanced over at her and she saw him smiled.

"What?" She laughed.

"What?" He smirked.

"Why are you looking at me?" She giggled.

"You look..." she cut him off.

"Nice, I know, you said" she threw her cell in her bag and then felt him take her hand. She glanced up and the look was back in his eyes that she thought she had imagined before.

"I was going for beautiful, gorgeous, sexy but nice works too" he smiled.

"Troy..." she snapped her hand from his and smiled softly. "Please don't say stuff like that to me" she then looked down and felt the car stop. They were at the outlet already? Jeez fast ride. Gabriella went to open her door but Troy stopped her.

"Ella, just wait a sec" she hesitantly looked up at him and sighed.

"What? We are going to miss the movie" she tried to get out of the car again.

"I don't care about the movie, please just sit a sec" she nodded and looked in his cobalt blue eyes. "Why can I not say that stuff to you?" She sighed.

"You know Kyle will murder you" she tried to joke.

"But Kyle isn't here, he wouldn't have known I said that so what is the other reason?" He asked as he took her hands in his.

"I...I..." she stumbled over her words. "I don't want you to" she said quietly.

"Why not? It is true you know, you are beautiful, gorgeous, sexy"

"Troy, how can you find me sexy?!" She exclaimed. "I am a 16 year old kid"

"You don't act like one, I have never thought of you as a kid" she shook her head.

"You see me as a little sister though" he lifted her head to look in his eyes.

"No I don't, I haven't felt that way for a long time" he said as he leant towards her.

"What are you doing?" She whispered. He just smiled as his lips touched hers. Gabriella's eyes fluttered shut. This is what she dreamed of, this is what she wanted desperately. She kissed back softly and Troy ran his hands through her curls. Gabriella felt dizzy and when she pulled back she was gasping for air. Troy smirked.

"Now, we can go see the movie" she giggled and Troy got out and ran around to open her door. He took her hand and she kissed his cheek.

"Thanks" he smiled and linked their hands. "So, what are we watching?" Gabriella smiled at him.

"I thought we could watch the new 'Final Destination'" he told her.

"Ok" she smiled. She didn't mind scary movies, and the other films hadn't been that bad just jumpy.

Troy paid for both their tickets and then they walked through the lobby, past the congestion stand as they didn't feel like any food and went to their screen. As the other viewers were getting snacks they were the first into the screen. Troy dragged her up to the back row and they sat in the centre seats. Gabriella removed her jacket as did Troy and then sat down by him. He put his arm around her shoulders and she smiled up at him. Troy leant down and placed his lips on hers for a short, sweet kiss.

"Troy?" She asked after a few minutes silence. The movie wasn't due to start for ten minutes yet.

"Yeah Ella?" He smiled.

"What does that kiss mean?" He frowned.

"What do you mean?" He asked her, a puzzled look on his face.

"Well we can't be together, and I don't want you to kiss me and stuff when nothing will come of it" she sighed.

"Who says we can't be together?"

"Urm... Kyle for one" she said in a 'duh' tone. "Plus, at school people totally wouldn't understand" she sighed.

"We don't have to tell people, at least not yet" he told her. "We can spend time together in secret, see where this leads then if it turns serious we tell Kyle together" he linked his hand with hers as she smiled.

"You want to be with me?" She asked. He nodded. "Why?"

"What do you mean why?" He laughed.

"I mean, you are Troy Bolton, all the girls at school want you, especially the big boobed cheerleaders, so why do you want me?" She asked looking down at herself then back at him.

"I don't want to date all them cheerleaders because they are fake, they are horrible to people and only want me because of my money and popularity" he told her. "Whereas you like me for me, you are the least fake person I know and you are never horrible, you help people, your friends with anyone no matter where they're from, or how much money they have, you are special" Gabriella felt tears well up in her eyes. She never knew he thought so highly of her.

Suddenly the lights went down and the previews started saving Gabriella from a very embarrassing conversation where she stumbled over her words and totally humiliated herself. She leant her head on Troy's shoulder and smiled. He held her hand in his right one as his left arm stayed around her shoulders. Gabriella played with his hand as she watched the screen and Troy stroked her arm softly with his left hand.

Gabriella jumped at certain parts of the film and she felt Troy chuckle. She cuddled into his side and it felt right. They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. When the movie finished they put on their jackets and left the movie theatre. They held hands as they walked to the car and then as before Troy opened her door for her.

They drove back home, it was now 10:00pm almost and it was already pitch black. As Troy pulled up Gabriella smiled and turned to him.

"Are staying over tonight?" She asked.

"I don't know" he shrugged.

"Come on, you always stay over" she pouted and gave him her puppy dog eyes. "Pretty please?"

"Fine, you do realise it will be torture though? Not being able to kiss you" she giggled.

"You can handle it baby" she teased.

"Hmmm, we'll see" he chuckled.

They got out of the car and walked up to the house. Kyle and Chad were playing video games in the family room and Troy went to join them. He sat on the chair and laughed when they barely acknowledge him. Gabriella walked in and giggled as she rolled her eyes.

"Boys and their stupid video games" Troy chuckled.

After five minutes Kyle and Chad had finished playing and they turned it off and turned to Troy and Gabriella.

"So, what did you watch?" Kyle asked Gabriella.

"Final Destination" she smiled.

"Any good?" Chad asked.

"Yeah, wasn't even scary" Troy laughed at that.

"That is why you were basically sitting on my lap" she glared at him.

"It was jumpy not scary" she stuck her tongue out at him.

Kyle and Chad laughed then Chad got up. He said he had to go and would come over tomorrow. After he left Gabriella slid into the spot he was previously vacating.

"So were are the love bunnies?" She asked.

"Gone to Tony's, thank god" Kyle sighed.

"Good, thought it was going to have to be another I-Pod night" she laughed. "Anyways I am off to bed, night guys" she hugged her brother and then Troy. "Thanks for tonight Troy" he smiled.

Gabriella left the room and went to her bedroom. She quickly changed into her pajama's and then crawled under the covers. She had loved tonight, and better still she and Troy were now a couple. She was screaming on the inside, she just wished she could be publicly with him. She knew though for that to eventually happen they had to be a secret for now.

She lay there for a while and eventually heard Troy and Kyle go into their own rooms. She then got an idea and grinned to herself.

So, I was planning on this being a one-shot but I decided to make it into a short story, a few chapters long. I hope you all enjoy it=]

So Troy feels the same? Can they keep it a secret? Will Kyle find out? What is Gabriella's idea? Find out in the next chapter=] xxx

Reviews Please!

xxx Paige xxx