A/N: Slightly nervous as its my first fanfic but all reviews are deeply appreciated
Troy Bolton, a man at 25 years of age with the world at his fingertips, most would assume. But family and close, extremely close friends knew different. The truth? It was far more complicated for most to imagine. Why would one assume he has the world at his fingertips? The answer was simple, he was famous. Famous beyond most Peoples wildest dreams and desires. You see he was the star of the show, the Los Angeles Lakers show to be exact. Don't misunderstand the predicament he was in, he loved Basketball to the point where he'd pledge allegiance to the sport at the tender age of five that he would to everything in his power to become the best, not only in High school, but everywhere. Maybe that was part of the problem he considered…
Collapsed among white crisp sheets of cotton in a rather extravagant bed, he sighed. He just didn't understand, when had life gotten like this? His mother Lucille had always told him, he had matured into a handsomely charming gentleman. Maybe she was biased considering he was an only child, and the apple of his Mothers eye and everyone knew it, including himself. Maybe when he was a teen he'd used it to his advantage, but now as a fully grown adult he unashamedly admitted he adored his Mother. His Farther? Jack was apparently his name; not that it mattered. You see he'd abandoned him at three, not only him but his Mother as well. Needless to say, he'd had grown to resent him over the past 22 years.
The problem was Troy Bolton, point guard of the Lakers, was lonely.
Many would probably explode in laughter and fits of giggles at the thought of that, thinking it was some kind of hilarious joke. You see at six feet four inches tall, with eyes which were often described by the female population as fascinating. They shone and changed colour depending on his mood, a grey to a light blue. Not only that but his strong physique due to Basketball, his defined cheekbones and jaw with a cute, but alluring smile, attracted many women. The only problem was for them, Troy was an unusually perceptive guy; for a jock, but others needn't know that. For he was certain, the women or whatever they would be described as were only interested in two things. His social status and money. Oh the irony, the thought nothing much had changed at all since high school, only now he felt more alone and had more expensive toys to play with. Yes, another factor that attracted women was his large bank balance which was provided not only by his largely successful basketball career but the occasional modelling contract. He was wise to all their games.
Due to a relentless amount of women throwing themselves, quite literally in some cases into his arms, one may assume he used it to his advantage and as a result he would be an arrogant womanizer, with strong tendencies to show narcissistic behaviour.
Wrong.
For he simply wasn't interested in using people, never had been. He assumed that he possessed this quality due to his absent Farther. Troy in fact prided himself in never taking people or anything for that matter, for granted. For example, he knew he had not only been gifted with an extraordinary talent, but he had worked exceptionally hard to maximise his potential.
But now, he'd reached a point in his life where he wanted, no scratch that needed and completely desired more. Inevitably, his thoughts turned to a girl, no the girl who possessed deep soulful eyes, wow sometimes he sounded like such a girl. He'd only met her this morning for goodness sake, but as of then she had already consumed his every thought, hence the reason as to why he was reflecting on life.
Flashback
He loved the open fresh air, with wind blowing into his face. The freedom he felt whilst riding his skateboard was something he wished he could have more, unfortunately due to the vast amount of paparazzi it wasn't possible. Gliding down the pavement, avoiding knocking unsuspecting people over with headphones on, a simple t-shirt, pair of shorts, vans and a cap was Troy. The cap was for extra measure, in the hope of going unnoticed. Just the way he preferred it.
He needed a coffee, deciding to stop at the nearest coffee-house he passed; with this in mind he pushed harder, faster on the pavement. Soon his heaven was insight, his local Starbucks, this was near enough his second home, he'd visit here daily at 9:00 am. Retrieving his Penny skateboard from beneath him and his headphones of his head, he pushed open the door. Sighing in relief when he realised it was quite. About to do as usual, inhale the intoxicating smell, but he stopped. He could feel something different, not sure whether it was a positive or negative pull on his internal organs. He scanned the small shop, and found something even tinier if possible.
She was different; he knew that instantly, just at a first glance.
Behind the counter, was a petite brunette. Hair tied back, with a few stray, uncontrollable curls framing her face. Higher cheekbones then he thought possible, adorned her face, with cute heart-shaped lips and a small button noise also features he felt himself already appreciating. His light sapphire eyes travelled to her large brown ones, which seemed to be too large for her stature. Not that he was complaining, because he'd already reached the conclusion that she was without doubt enticingly beautiful. She must have been new he assumed, as he knew the staff who worked there. He greatly appreciated the level of privacy they had given him causing him to like this destination even more.
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, he decided he must have looked like a complete and utter freak due to staring at her so intently. With this in mind, his free arm automatically went to scratch the back of his neck, a habitat he had attained when nervous, or slightly unsure of a situation. He decided to move towards the counter to order his chocolate frappuccino and double shot espresso, after all that is what he had come for.
He hoped she'd not seen him, rooted to the spot by just her appearance, or he'd probably look like a stalker. He chuckled slightly, usually it was the women stalking him. See, she was different. And he liked it.
To passers-by, it would look like he was staring intently at the menu trying to decide on what he wanted. Sure he would have been, if that was written on a certain girl behind the counter. He just stood there, in the hope of soaking in her appearance, he grinned to himself realising she must have been just a little over five feet tall. Did he mention he had a soft spot for small women?
Troy moved towards the cash register to place his order, unable to wipe the rare smile which currently seemed to take over half his face when he realised she was serving him. Glancing down at her body, he realised just how small she was. He was quite certain his two fairly large hands could enclose her waist, thoughts which needed to be stopped as his recognition slowly downed upon him that just her appearance was having such an effect on his insides. He knew better than to presume girls were attractive by their appearance, personality is what really mattered.
"Good morning" came Troy's pleasant greeting. He didn't know why but he was overcome with a need to be polite as possible towards her. She had then fully turned her attention towards him and for some unknown reason to him, had instantly blushed a deep ruby shade of red. He felt his throat close in on him at that, he just wanted to make her at ease not unsettle her. 'Well done Troy', he muttered as though in pain with himself.
"Mor..Morning, May I take you order sir?" her honey sweet voice had graced his ears. This in turn left Troy stunned slightly, fuck. Why did her voice have the perfect mixture of sexiness and cuteness? He could feel it already, the urge to get to know her. He knew for that moment on, he would do anything for her. Regardless of the fact he hadn't asked for her name. He was officially pathetic.
"Um, sure a small chocolate frappuccino and double shot espresso please." She smiled at this, God her smile, is astounded him. No words, simply no words could tell you how beautiful and intriguing it seemed to be.
"Perfect combination." She'd muttered under her breath, still blushing. Politely he'd smiled in return, not trusting his voice to reply as he knew a croaking sound, rather like a frog's would appear instead of his normal voice. Silently, he handed over a $20 note and muttered a quick "thank you, keep the change" and moved seemingly as slowly as his legs could carry him to the end of the bar to wait for his as she so gracefully put it 'perfect combination'. He certainly thought so; however he certainly wasn't talking about his choice in beverages.
He'd decided to stay after receiving his drinks, something he never, ever did. He had an urge to observe her. He managed to manoeuvre his long, toned limbs into a corner which provided the perfect view of her, but also hid him in danger of him being spotted.
He'd been staring off slightly into space, for around half an hour. Checking up on her now and again, to see what she was up to. And noticed her blush had suddenly vanished, and at one point she seemed to be humming to herself. She was adorable; he let out an exasperated sigh. 'That's why she'd never go for you' his subconscious cruelly remarked. For he knew it was true.
"Excuse me sir, are you finished with your cup? It's just I was well, wondering if I could get you a refill or perhaps clear this mess for you?" Instantly looking up, then back down in shyness, he saw those huge, shy eyes almost peering at him in fear. He was utterly confused. He'd always thought he was fairly approachable, must have been wrong. He wanted and needed to make her feel as though she could trust him.
"Troy" he stated as though in a peace offering. He looked towards her, finally finding the courage from God knows where and noted how her forehead crinkled in confusion, then recognition. As she turned the colour, he could only describe as the shade of that similar to a tomato.
Smiling at her, for what seemed to be a while, a quite awkward atmosphere had occurred he thought. So he plucked up the courage from out of know where and quietly asked for a refill. Just to know she was now forced to return to him, if only for good he mused. Returning a few moments later with a refill, and what seemed suspiciously to him like her own 'perfect combination'. A large smiled forced its way on to his face at that, she was just so cute.
Setting the small cup down shyly, with shaking hands and trembling fingers he noticed. "There you are Troy." Hearing her say his name, made his insides flip at an abnormal rate and set pulses racing in places they shouldn't be at this moment in time.
"erm.. Thanks… Thank you." He stuttered. Angry at himself, he'd never been like this before he contemplated. Noticing she was about to retract her arm, he looked up making sure as he did so to wear his puppy dog face and politely asked if she'd like to sit, as it seemed as though she was about to take a long overdue break.
However, next she said something which, he was certain made small indentations on his heart.
"Thank you, I know your only trying to be kind, but I'm sure you have better people to be talking to" she hadn't said it in a sarcastic manner, but as though she saw him as superior to her. And that was by far the exact opposite of the truth.
What? Was she crazy? Hadn't she looked in a mirror before? Obviously not.
Stuck, in his thoughts he hadn't realised her make herself scarce from his presence. But when he did, he knew he needed to grow a backbone. Hesitating, he walked slowly, shuffling his feet on the wooden floor beneath him towards her. Finally, reaching her table he noticed she had become engrossed in the novel 'pride and prejudice'. He smiled, in admiration and respect. It had always been a secret favourite of his.
"Excuse me, miss. I just wanted to let you know that I definitely don't have better people to be talking to. Would you give me the pleasure in knowing your name?" Looking down, he concluded that she could get him to do anything. He means anything.
Looking up shyly, eyes hooded by her thick long lashes she instantly blushed at the sight before her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm Gabriella Montez. It's a pleasure to meet you". Holding out her hand, in offering as a formal way to introduce herself. He took her miniature hand as gently as possible, finding that her skin was as soft as butter and shook it. And returned with a polite "pleasure to meet you as well, good choice in book by the way." Nerves got the better of him, even though finding her presence was intoxicating and slowly he mumbled a quick "bye." And with that, he picked up his skateboard, and sauntered over to the door.
Glancing back at her, He noticed she hadn't even looked up. And with a great deal of regret with his rather sudden departure, he exited the coffee shop with different emotions whirling around inside him.
He sighed, pulling himself out of his day dream and those cruel thoughts because he knew a girl such as Gabriella wouldn't care in the slightest whether or not he was point guard of the Lakers. For he knew instantly, someone like her had depth and would therefore look beyond fame as to what was behind the mask. Another thought struck him then, she was unbelievably shy. Life could be cruel at times, for he knew she would never be interested in him…
