Disclaimer I do not own any of these characters. [probably already knew that ;)]
Ch 1
Troy sat in the café waiting for Chad to arrive. He looked around the place noting the warm feeling of comfort the place gave off and the intermittent noise of chatter that stood background to its entirety. It was a nice, quaint place and Troy wondered why Chad the most rambunctious person had chosen this place to meet up. Looking back down at his watch Troy decided he might as well order a coffee.
"Hello, anyone working back there" Troy called looking for a worker.
"I'm coming!" came a shrill scream.
Troy watched as a petite brunette turned the corner from the back of the shop. He watched her hair float on the air as she bounded up the stairs and ran towards him. She stopped in front of him, her olive face flushed a rosy pink, her brown curly hair falling in disarray and a smile on her face that made him melt.
"Hi, how can I help you" she said
"Umm, can I have a latte please" Troy squinted a little to read her name tag "Gabriella" he said smiling.
"Sure, one latte coming right up" Gabriella said flashing him her heart melting smile.
As Troy watched her make his order, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
"Hello" he said
"Troy, where are you! I've been waiting for half an hour" Yelled Chad
"What do you mean, I'm right here I've been here for twenty minutes now" Troy said back a bit frustratingly.
"No, Troy where are you?" Chad asked exasperatedly.
"321 NW Maine Avenue on the corner of 15, just like you said" Troy answered
"Nooooo, I said 321 NW Burbane Avenue on the corner of 50, don't you listen, man" yelled Chad
"Oh sorry man, I'll be there in a minute okay, in a minute" said Troy
"Sooo, someone's not good with directions" Gabriella said perking up one eyebrow.
"No, I'm excellent with directions, he just can't explain very well" Troy said smiling coyly
"Mhmmm, all men are alike, hate admitting weaknesses" said Gabriella with a little giggle
"No, men don't admit weaknesses because they don't have any, especially men like me" he replied with a twinkle in his eyes
Gabriella let out a full laugh "And what makes you so special"
Troy smirked "Because I'm Troy, Troy Bolton"
"Hmm, I must say that was pretty smooth Mr. Troy Bolton, but don't you have to go" she said tilting her chin toward the door.
"Thanks for reminding me" Troy said as he picked up the latte "Oh, and thanks for this, maybe I'll see you around"
"Maybe" whispered Gabriella and as she watched him leave her eyes seemed to fill with a hidden sadness.
….
Troy entered the restaurant, noticing that this place seemed more like Chad's style it was like a Chuck E Cheese for adults. Troy looked around for Chad until he spotted him at the far end of the restaurant in a booth sipping a vanilla shake.
"Couldn't order me one?" Troy said trying to get his friend to forgive him for his stupid mistake.
"I did actually, but I already drank it" said Chad, stretching out his hand to the seat across from him
Troy sat down "Come on man, I said I was sorry"
Chad looked at him "Alright, I'm over it"
"Good 'cause I got something to tell you" Troy said
Troy told Chad about how he had met Gabriella at the café, and how they had talked and that he really wanted to see her again.
"So, I'm here waiting to tell you about the new business I brought in and you're getting a girl" Chad said looking at Troy. "Well, way to go, you haven't had a girlfriend in ages, if I didn't know better I would say you were gay"
"What!" Troy said
"Hey, Hey, I'm not the one who said it" Chad said defensively
"What do you mean, people have said it" Troy asked confused and kind of upset
"Don't worry, don't worry I set it all straight, now let's get back to this Gabriella girl" Chad said
"Well, I'm going to see her again" said Troy
"How" asked Chad
"I'm going back to the café, you know I have a sudden craving for caffeinated drinks" said Troy playfully.
Troy stood in front of the café running his hands through his hair. Again. He didn't know why he was so nervous. It was just talking to a girl he could do that, anyone could do that, he pulled down the sleeves of his blue button down shirt once again and wiped his hands down the front trying to take out any wrinkles. Troy took a deep breath in and opened the door; he walked toward the barista who was behind the counter.
"Hi, how may I help you" she said
"I was wondering is Gabriella here" Troy asked
"Oh I'm sorry you just missed her, her shift ended half an hour ago" she said
"Well, can you tell me when she's working tomorrow" Troy asked
The young barista smiled sadly "Sorry but today was her last shift, she quit"
Troy's face fell and he felt as if he had been run over by a truck even though he didn't even know this girl really.
"Okay thanks" he said turning from her and walking away
Troy pushed through the door and as he felt the light breeze pick up all he could think about was how Gabriella's hair would look in it, and how he missed his chance.
