Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the High School Musical world, which is trademarked by Disney. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of High School Musical. The story I tell here about Troy and Gabriella is my own invention, and it is not supported or believed to be part of Disney story canon. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line.

Story Beta Reader: Xmindset

Being a twin is all right until you're like seven…

And even then, you really start to hate it at five. Many people who have brothers or sisters will know just how frustrating it can be to get along at times. Well, just imagine how much worse it would be to along with a fraternal twin.

"Seriously, I have had countless people come up to me with a dreamy look in their eyes saying "'I wish I was a twin I would've loved to have someone my own age to play with.'" Gabriella rolled her eyes. "People think being a twin is like living in a movie or something. Hello, does my life look like a 'Mary Kate and Ashley' movie?"

"Are you venting or asking?" Taylor questioned as she looked from the bus's window to Gabriella.

The bus ride was long. The road was twisty enough to make her stomach pitch and roll like she was on a boat-which probably wasn't helping her mood at all.

A spitball raced by her and bounced off the seat in front them. "Gabriel!" she shouted, spinning around to where he was sitting at the back of the bus with his delinquent friends. "Knock it off."

"Venting." Taylor answered for her as she chuckled. "I'm so happy I'm an only child."

"I wish I were;" Gabriella leaned back in her seat. She was pretty sure it wasn't just the bus ride that made her sick to her stomach. She was nervous. What if she couldn't get away from Gabriel all summer? What if she was destined to be just Gabriel's sister? Back at school she was known for being shy, quiet. She kept to herself, kept her head down, got good grades. Someone had to.

Gabriel was always clowning around or goofing off on his studies, but he also played soccer. It was like a free pass. Play a sport and instantly you were placed at a higher level of importance.

In other words, she was totally boring. Her guidance counselor told her so, when she met with her right before school ended.

"You're such a bright girl, but grades alone won't get you into the college of your choice," her guidance counselor reminded her. "They want someone well-rounded- a student who's both smart and social- the total package."

"The total package." Those words struck fear in her heart because she knew, without a doubt, she wasn't the total package. Not by a long shot.

She was a twin, for crying out loud. She was a "two for one special" since the day she came into the world. Gabriel was adventurous; Gabriella was safe. Gabriel was friendly and popular; Gabriella was awkward and a misfit. Gabriel got into sports; Gabriella could read a whole book in a day.

She let out a sigh and glanced at Taylor, "Do you think this summer will be worth it?"

"Worth it? Like how?" Taylor said, leaning back in her seat like Gabriella.

The two had been friends forever, at least during the summers. Ever since her mother decided sending them to camp was a good idea. After grammar school, Taylor's dad got a job that moved them closer to the city. Sadly, that meant Taylor had to attend a different high school. It had been devastating to loose Taylor, but at least they still had the chance to hang out at camp during the summer.

Gabriella shrugged, "Maybe we could reinvent ourselves. We're counselors now. Isn't it our turn to be the popular girls instead of a couple of nerds?"

"We are nerds."

Gabriella let out a sigh, "All right. Well, what if we sneak out and hang out with the boys? Maybe we could have summer romances."

"With whom?" Taylor shook her head. "What boys? Your brother and his moronic crew? I don't think so."

Gabriella shifted in her seat as she watched another spitball sail towards the front of the bus. Right. "Maybe we'll get caught behind the Arts and Crafts building passing around a bottle of cheap booze?"

"Are you really going to drink some cheap, warm booze someone smuggles in?"

"I could," Gabriella crossed her arms defiantly, "if I wanted to." Summer camp was the perfect place to put her newfound bravery to work. How many books did she read where the nerdy girl went away to summer camp, transformed herself, made a ton of new friends, and got the hottest guy by the end of the summer? - Too many.

She wanted to be that girl. She wanted to be brave, make friends, and accomplish something that she always wanted to do.

"I'm going to jump this year."

"Oh yeah, right," Taylor rolled her eyes with disbelief.

"I am," Gabriella assured, her mind made up. Every year the campers hiked up the mountain to a cliff. The hike itself was breath taking but the real excitement was the waterfall. Campers have been jumping off that cliff for years.

Not her though.

She had always been too scared - always opted to walk back down the mountain with the other non-jumpers.

Not this year. This year she was going to jump. And she was going to end up with the hottest guy at camp. She could do it.

She totally could.

A spitball hit her square on the head. "Gabriel, don't make me go back there and shove that straw down your throat!"

Troy let out a sigh as he crossed his arms over his chest and looked out towards the lake. His uncle's summer camp held many good memories back when he was a kid and did not have a care in the world. His main priorities had been swimming in the lake and hanging out with his friends.

Those days were a long time ago.

"Long time no see," A hand slapped him on the shoulder and he shifted to see Chad Danforth, his old bunkmate.

"Geez, you still come around here?" Troy remarked with a shocked expression.

"Not all of us grew up to be cool kids," Chad said as he placed his hands on his waist. "My sisters love this place. I've been counseling here every summer since our last year together."

Troy nodded, "Damn, it feels like forever."

"It has been," Chad looked out at the lake. "So what brought you in this year? I heard you're counseling."

"My dad sent me up here. He thinks it will straighten me out." Troy said with a bit of resentment. He didn't want to be here. There was no point. He was a different person. Not just older, but over it.

After his mother died, his dad sold the house. They moved to some place called Albuquerque, New Mexico, closer to his uncle and grandmother and further away from the memories of his mother and the house where he grew up.

And now here he was, shipped off to camp. One stupid mistake and he was considered a screw up, a lost cause … not even worth another chance.

He was out making new friends, or at least was trying to. They were drinking. Hanging out in a lot by the school. There was a really hot girl there, one whom he thought he might even have a chance with. One thing led to another and they dared him to break into the convenience store to steal a candy bar. A stupid dare. He knew…

But he wanted to be cool. He wanted to fit in. He just wanted to belong somewhere.

The moment the cops showed up, they all bailed. He was busted. Booked like a real criminal, his photo taken, his fingerprints recorded. He nearly pissed his pants. He was so scared.

But he never let them see it. He kept his mouth shut and glared at everyone. When his father finally bailed him out, he was almost weak with relief until he got in the car, and his father proceeded to yell the entire drive home.

At his court appearance, his father didn't even plead for his case. Didn't ask the scowling middle-aged woman for a second chance or tell them that Troy was really a good kid underneath it all.

No.

Instead his dad told the judge that he was a screw up, a failure, a disappointment, and that he was afraid for Troy's future. He then promised the judge that if she gave Troy community service, he would make sure Troy did his time at his uncle's summer camp under strict supervision.

And the judge agreed.

"Well, never mind whatever brought you here. It's good to see you, man." Chad said offering a handshake. "I hope you're ready to wrangle a bunch of spoiled brats."

Troy let out a sigh, "Yeah. Can't wait."

The only thing that was giving him hope was the possibility there would be plenty of pretty counselors, at least one with a bad-boy fetish. He would be willing to fulfill whatever fantasy she had in mind, as long as they could do it on the down low.

If his uncle got one whiff of him doing something wrong, he was a dead man. He'd probably end up in juvenile hall or worse in freaking jail.

He felt his uncle's hand on her shoulder. "Now just because you're surrounded by a munch of young girls doesn't mean you should touch any of them."

It was as if he'd been reading his mind. Just terrific. Was nothing sacred anymore?

"Yes, Uncle Mike, I know."

"Just remember. They're off limits. Forbidden. The campers and the counselors. Your pops wants you minding your own work. No funny business."

"Yes sir." Troy shook his head as he watched five more buses pull up from the main road. He could feel the sun already beating down.

"Chad, go on and get the youngin's settled. Troy go on and make sure Mrs. Lynn doesn't need help in the lunch hall."

"Right," Troy climbed off the porch and headed to the lunch hall. Walking by, he glanced over at the buses as they stopped. There were a few counselors already at the camp. Early arrivers, like him. They arrived a few days ago and worked like dogs painting the lunch hall, sanding the porch of one of the girls' cabins, He even reinforced the lifeguard post by the lake.

This summer was going to suck.

When Gabriella and Taylor got off the bus, they made their way towards a very official-looking girl who couldn't be much older than them. She was standing by the flagpole holding a clipboard, a whistle on a cord hanging around her neck. Her hair was a glossy brown and hung perfectly straight just at her shoulders. She wore a t-shirt with the camp emblem on the front, and she smiled as everyone milled around, not appearing unfazed by all the loud chatter and squeals, girls hugging each other and reuniting.

"Are you guys the new junior counselors?" the girl greeted with a wide smile.

"Yes. My name is Gabriella," Gabriella nodded and reached out her hand to greet the other girl. "This is Taylor."

"My name is Kelsi. I'm one of the senior counselors here at camp. I'm also the leader of the female counselors' cabin."

At that moment a dark skinned boy came up beside Kelsi. His shoulders were broad underneath his camp T-shirt and his hair was pulled back into a puffy pony tail. "And my name is Chad. Reporting leader for the male's cabin."

As if on cue, Gabriel and his idiot friends appeared. "Danforth!"

"Montez, you're back!" Chad lifted his hands and the two began some kind of ritual handshake. Gabriella rolled her eyes. They both attended camp for the last seven years. Did she have some secret hand shake? Nope.

Her instant reaction was to retreat. The old her would've stood beneath a tree with her earbuds in and her music loud, her eyes glued to her iPod, since no phones worked up here because the reception was bad. Yup, she was the master of making alone look like it was on purpose.

"You're top dog this year?" Her brother shouted as he lifted his hand for a high five.

"Hell yeah." Chad's smile grew. "You boys ready to get this summer started?"

The boys roared. Gabriella and Taylor took a step to the side to avoid being trampled.

"Sounds like it's going to be an interesting summer," Kelsi said as she looked back at her clipboard. "Looks like we're waiting on Martha Cox and Sharpay Evans."

"No you're not."

Gabriella turned around to find a friendly smile stretching widely, the blonde's dark brown eyes meeting hers. "Hi," she chirped, like Gabriella should know exactly who she was.

"I'm Martha, this is Sharpay," the crimped-haired brunette motioned towards the blonde standing beside her.

"Hey," Sharpay waved as she looked at everyone.

Gabriella nodded, "I'm Gabriella and this is Taylor."

Taylor waved. "Hey."

About thirty minutes later they all stood outside of their cabin. Kelsi stood on the front porch with a smile before pushing open the creaky door and waving everyone else to go inside. "Everyone choose your bunk first! Then we'll do a little introduction and put our stuff away. Our first staff meeting is in thirty minutes so we have to hurry."

Gabriella and Taylor quickly chose their bunk. "I'll take the top." Gabriella said as they dropped their heavy bag on the floor of the cabin. They had to make the trek to their cabin carrying their own bags, and since the senior & junior girls' cabin were the farthest ones out, they had the longest hike.

"I'm freaking exhausted," Taylor mumbled.

Gabriella nodded, not sure if she had any strength left to climb the short ladder that led up to her bed. And she wanted to lie down more than anything.

"Girls!" Kelsi clapped her hands together and everyone went quiet. "Please say your name, how long you been coming here, and what you've looking forward to most while you're at camp." She nodded at Martha, "You go first."

They all said their names and what they were most looking forward to: swimming, spending time with old friends, hanging out with cute boys.

"My name is Gabriella, I've been to camp for the last seven years. Always with my pig headed brother. I guess I'm looking forward to going on new adventures," Gabriella shrugged when it was her turn.

They all laughed and clapped which was a relief.

"Okay everyone, now that that's done, listen up! Put your bags over here." Kelsi pointed at a wall full of cubbies. "Unpack and find your cubby. We've got about fifteen minutes before we have to report to the staff meeting."

"We have to unpack and be ready for a staff meeting in fifteen minutes?" Sharpay let out a sigh, "After that hike? You better be kidding."

"Not kidding. Captain Mike runs a tight ship."

Gabriella murmured, "Why do I feel like this just got less fun?"

"No kidding." Taylor sighed in agreement.

"Listen up," Uncle Mike spoke into his mega phone. His voice felt like it could rattle the walls when he screamed into that thing in the dining hall. The place was not as packed with only Counselors and staff filling the hall. Everyone was talking so loudly, catching up with friends, laughing… Troy could barely hear himself think. But the minute Uncle Mike turned his precious megaphone on, everyone went dead silent.

"I'd like to thank all of you for volunteering to help out this summer at Camp Redwood. It's going to be a great one. How's everyone feeling?" He waved his free hand up, encouraging everyone to say something.

Everyone erupted in cheers. It was so loud, louder than Megaphone Uncle Mike. Even Chad was going along with it.

"Okay, okay, simmer down." Uncle Mike pulled the megaphone away from his mouth and grinned at everyone before he launched into his speech. "My name is Captain Mike and I am your camp director. Where are my junior counselors at?"

Troy watched a small group of kids went wild, his gaze snagging on a dark brunette. He always had a thing for brunettes. This one was apparently a junior counselor with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and it was bouncing up and down, her hair swinging with every flick of her head.

One of the other girls whispered into her ear and she burst out laughing, and the sound was nothing but pure happiness.

His heart panged, which was stupid. He couldn't remember the last time he felt like that. Happy. Carefree.

He made a note to avoid that one.

He vaguely listened to the rest of his uncles announcements. Then he felt Chad lean into his right side. "Looks like you have a fan club."

Troy raised his brow and looked over in the direction Chad motioned. There, standing next to Mrs. Lynn was a blond with green eyes, which were drifting over him with heavy lids as she flicked her hair behind her shoulder. "Who is that?"

"Sam, one of the senior counselors."

"Sam?" Troy shifted as he checked her out. He was going to need someone to spend his time with. He was going to be bored. Might as well have something to do.

"Short for Samantha obviously," Chad smirked. "She has a thing for new counselors."

Troy shrugged, "Imagine that. I just might have a thing for blondes."

The two laughed as his uncle turned off the megaphone, indicating that he was done. People started to disperse. Sam was making her way over, Troy glanced over at his uncle who was distracted and talking to his secretary.

"Hey," she said, a sexy smile curving her pink-glossed lips. "How are you?" she asked.

"Good, what about you?" he kept his tone light and casual. His gaze hooked on the brunette again as he caught her staring at him. To his surprise she smiled at him. Interesting.

"Great, I was wondering if you were doing anything tonight after the bonfire."

He looked away from the brunette and back at Sam. He couldn't let himself get interested in the brunette. No way. She was a junior counselor and she had Bambi eyes. The kind of girl that had expectations, unlike Sam. Sam had only one expectation, and it seemed like hers line up perfectly with his.

"I have nothing planned."

"We should go somewhere after the bonfire."

He wished they could go somewhere during the bonfire. If memory served him right, the camp's introductory night always brought out the worst in his uncle. He sang songs completely off key, and the senior counselors always put a skit together welcoming everyone to camp. "Sounds good, what time were you thinking?"

"I don't know, maybe after lights out?" Lights-out was at ten, but all the counselors were free once the kids fell asleep. Mostly. Sometimes the older campers sneaked out, too, though none of the counselors, as far as he remembered, ever busted them.

"Around eleven?" she tilted her head to the side, her hair spilling over her shoulder. She was hot and she knew it. He should say no. She looked like trouble.

"Is the volleyball court still the perfect spot for stargazing?" In the past that phrase had always been code for the make out spot.

Her smile grew. "It is," she nodded knowingly. "Seen you then." With that she turned and walked off, disappearing into the crowd.

"Nice," Chad said once she was out of earshot. He jabbed Troy in the ribs. "Looks like someone's getting laid tonight."

"Don't jump to conclusions." He doubted he would get laid. There were plenty of other things they could do to pass the time.

Gabriella looked down at her clipboard. She was given six twelve-year-old girls: Haley, Bailey, Addison, Megan, Hannah, and Stephanie. Looking up at them now she let out a sigh as six young girls looked to her for leadership.

"So my name is Gabriella. I'm your camp counselor this summer. Who's ready to have some fun?"

The girls nodded and a few of them cheered. It was for most of them, their first year so she didn't blame them for being extra quiet. That would change. It always did. By mid-summer they would all pair off into groups, making friendship bracelets and bonding as if they had known each other for years.

"Hey chicas," Gabriel's voice sang out as he came by her group with his own group of six little hell raisers.

The girls smiled shyly at Gabriel with admiration. Gabriella couldn't help but roll her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"We're paired up, sis," Gabriel tapped her with his clipboard. "Looks like my wolf pack is running with your cub pack this summer."

Gabriella flipped back a page to see that he was indeed correct. They were scheduled together for almost every event.

"Are you guys twins?" one of the girls asked.

"Sure are," Gabriel said as he slung an arm around Gabriella's shoulder. "She's my little sister."

She could almost feel herself wilting inside. Just terrific- an entire summer with Gabriel. As if living with him during the winter wasn't enough.

Then he gave her a nuggie, before letting out an annoying wolf cry and leading his troops out into the wilderness.

Gabriella groaned as she adjusted her hair while looking up and spotting the senior counselor from the staff meeting earlier this morning watching her from a distance. Terrific.

"Come on, girls. Let's go get you guys settled in."

Maybe the ground would swallow her whole on the way to the cabin.

"He's been staring at you," Taylor whispered as she came up alongside Gabriella.

Gabriella looked behind them quickly to see her smaller group of girls double as Taylor's cabin began walking alongside them.

"It's not like it matters," Gabriella shrugged. "Didn't you see him with Ursula?" That was the nickname they gave Samantha Hunter two summers ago when she stole one of the counselor's boyfriends. Camp was fueled by gossip and speculation. To be fair, no one really knew what happened just that Samantha and Helen had a huge falling-out in the mess hall. And how could they know? No one's cell phone worked up here, so they were all social-media deprived.

All kinds of stories buzzed from cabin to cabin; sights of people just hanging out together turned into a major event. Are they into each other or not? Did they hook up? Are they fighting? People turned anything into gossip, claiming they had the facts to back up the story when they had nothing but their vivid imaginations.

"So what?" Taylor shrugged, "He's hot and I heard he's one of the lifeguards."

"He's new," Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Samantha already sunk her hooks into him. Trust me." They walked side by side for a while in silence before Gabriella spoke again, "He's probably just wondering why Gabriel and I look alike." People did it all the time.

"What happened that whole new Gabriella from the bus?"

Gabriella blew out a breath as they approached the cabins for the little ones. "She was nuggied by her annoying brother."

Taylor furrowed her brow as she waved and continued leading her troop to the next cabin. "Stay positive. It's only day one."

After the bonfire, Gabriella made sure her girls were settled in. She smiled as she heard them talk about all the activities they wanted to do this summer. She made a mental note to ensure she would make it all happen. Even if this turned out to be the dullest summer ever, she would at least make sure it was their best.

Just as she closed the door to the bunker, she saw Taylor waiting for her on the porch. "Hey, I thought you were putting the girls to bed."

"And they're in bed," Taylor shrugged as she pushed herself off the railing. "They're not babies you know, no need to burp 'em and read 'em a bedtime story."

Gabriella shifted her eyes to the side. "I was taking an interest."

"Right. You mean hiding?"

Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "Why would I be hiding? What would I be hiding from?"

Taylor pulled her off path, in the opposite direction of their cabin. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" she whispered as she followed Taylor. It was almost ten thirty and she saw a bunch of people still out and about. Mostly staff, and most of them sneaking around. She followed Taylor towards the lake, and she wasn't surprised at all to see a small group clustered on the dock, most of them sitting on the end, their legs swinging over the water.

A girl squealed and soft laughter followed. This was it- her chance to hang out after lights out. Maybe sneak a drink and go swimming at midnight. Her stomach turned. Her parents would totally freak out if they knew what she was doing.

As they approached the dock she heard Gabriel telling some insane story about one of the cheerleaders back home who had shoved her underwear in his pocket. Gross. She couldn't believe how many girls acted like complete morons in her brother's presence. If only they knew what he was really like.

"Hey," Sharpay smiled as she moved over on the dock and made room. "Wondering when you two would get here."

"Blame Mary Poppins," Taylor mumbled as she took off her shoes.

"The girls just took a little longer to settle in is all," Gabriella shrugged as she looked over and spotted Dillon Finkle, another junior counselor. Her heart started to pick up speed. She was happy that he had comeback to camp this year.

Of course, he was gorgeous. Of course, he was dressed perfectly, the white t-shirt showing off his tanned skin. He laughed at something another counselor said, and she fought the threatening wave of jealousy. She wished she were talking and laughing with him.

"Who's that?" Sharpay asked following Gabriella's gaze.

Taylor looked over and let out a sigh. "That's Dillon. Gabriella's had a thing for him three summers in row."

"It's not a thing," Gabriella said as she sat down, hoping her blush wasn't so visible in the dark. "He's just really nice."

"She's never actually spoken to him," Taylor said quietly as to not be overheard by everyone else.

"Hey I borrowed yellow paint from him once and he was super nice." Gabriella said in her defense. "That counted as a conversation."

"What did he say?" Sharpay turned towards Gabriella.

"All yours," Gabriella said with a tiny smile. Those two words had been the bane of her existence last summer.

"Hey Dillon!" Sharpay called.

Gabriella jerked, "What are you doing?"

"Let's just talk to him," Sharpay shrugged as she waved at him. "It couldn't hurt?"

"Gabi?" Gabriel's voice was suddenly right behind her. "What are you doing out here?"

Her social life was about to go down the drain before it even started. Gabriella mouth went dry. She could feel the panic starting to settle in.

"She's hanging out with us," Taylor said for her.

"Yeah," Gabriella added. Oh god she was so lame.

"You shouldn't be out here." Gabriel frowned. "You're going to get in trouble."

"No I'm not," Gabriella brushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked around. "No one else is worried about being in trouble."

"You just want to be out here because I am."

"Technically, everyone shouldn't be out here," a voice scolded from the other end of the dock. "I could write up every single one of you right now."

Gabriella turned away from her brother and seen the new guy standing at the beginning of the dock. Hands in his front sweater pockets as he stared out at everyone. She stood up next to Gabriel.

"And who the hell are you?" Gabriel asked stepping in front of Gabriella.

"Does it matter?" he responded. He sauntered forward before coming to a stop right in front of Gabriel.

Gabriel was quiet for a minute and to her surprise the rest of the dock behind them grew silent. Gabriella glanced behind her to see Taylor and Sharpay now standing up as well.

"That's what I thought," the new guy smiled and looked in her direction. "Hi."

Holy crap. Gabriella bit her lip, "Hi."

He took her hand in his, and brought it to his mouth for a kiss, just like you see in those old movies. Totally corny. And she knew he did it to annoy her brother, but it still made her skin tingle. "Troy Bolton."

She gave him a nod of approval. "Well done. Very smooth."

He struck a pose and bowed slightly, "Thank you. I try."

"Stay away from my sister," Gabriel said, stepping in between them. "I heard about you. You're that guy who's only here so you won't go to jail."

A rush of whispers flooded the dock. "He's joking." Gabriella pivoted around to glare at her brother. "What is your problem?"

Gabriel shoved his finger in her face. "You can talk to any other guy at camp, but you are not allowed to talk to him."

That made her vision blur. He could be such an asshat. She was so tired of being his little sister, of just playing into her part and living in his shadow. She turned back to the source of her brother's irritation. "Troy, do you have a girlfriend who would mind if you kissed me just to piss off my brother?"

In answer, he leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers. Bam. Instant heat.

She heard yelling, but she didn't care. It seemed natural to slide her hands up Troy's chest to rest at his shoulders. His arms went around her waist. They fit together perfectly. When the kiss ended, she felt pinned in place by the curious look in his ice blue eyes.

"Twizzlers?" he asked.

She smiled shyly and backed up a step, "Close. Red vines."

When she saw her brother's face red with rage, she laughed harder. He stomped off.

"That worked even better than I expected," she smiled at Troy.

"Happy to help," he nodded.

"You might just be my new role model," Sharpay squealed as she and Taylor came up on either side. She laughed again and looked over to Troy who gave a small nod before turning to walk off.

"How was it?"

"Oh my god, was that as hot as it looked?"

"Do you really think he's going to jail?"

The questions came pouring in at an increasingly rapid rate and became more rapid the further away he got from the dock. Her head was spinning and she wasn't entirely sure she caught her breath yet. Holy crap.