The Guy Next Door
Chapter 1
Hey guys! So this is my first fanfic, I'm kind of new at this and I'm not sure how well it will turn out but I hope it doesn't turn out too bad. I'm going to try my best though. I have about several chapters written in my notebook already so it's just a matter of typing them up on my computer and uploading them. I'm going to do one or two at a time for right now and see what you think then if you like it I will upload more. Any way! Here is the first chapter, I hope you enjoy! Leave some reviews to tell me what you think, but don't be a jerk about it, and if you have any ideas you want to think about adding or any advice feel free to leave it in your review or pm me! P.S right now I'm planning on just using Gabriella's point of view but if you want me to use other character POV's then let me know!
It was Saturday evening, I had just finished work. I work the night shift in our local hospital's Food and Nutrition department, it's from 4-7:30 or later depending on when we get done but we are usually always done before 8. I was heading to pick up my sister Isabella from the sitter's when I decided that first I would stop at the store to pick up the things I needed for dinner. As I was walking through the store collecting the things I needed and putting them in my basket, I was suddenly knocked over onto the ground. "Shit! I'm so sorry miss I didn't mean to run into you like that. I'm just in somewhat of a hurry..." I heard a familiar voice say. As I looked up my eyes met those heart stopping ocean blue eyes of the guy I have had a crush on for the last five years, Troy Bolton. "Gabriella? Oh are you alright?" I was in such a daze I almost didn't hear him. "U..Um y..yes I'm okay" I managed to say. "Here let me help you up" he grabbed hold of my hand and helped me get up off the floor then got down and picked up the things I had dropped and handed the basket of stuff back to me. "Thanks" I said. "No problem, and again I'm sorry" he flashed that amazingly bright smile and with a "Have a nice night" he was gone. My heart started beating again as I let out a sigh. I liked him so much but he had never been that into me.
Troy and I had been neighbors ever since I moved to Albuquerque five years ago. We had talked now and then but we never really became friends per say. He was also the boyfriend of my best friend's twin sister, Sharpay, who hated me for some unknown reason. They had been together for about two and a half years now. They were considered the perfect couple and the number one couple of our school. Everyone loved them and found them absolutely adorable. Of course, they were also two of the most popular kids at school. Sharpay is the cheerleading captain and Troy is captain of the basketball team. Most high schools revolve around their football team but at our school, East High, the basketball team is what the school revolves around. To them I'm just a nobody, a nerd if you will. I'm captain of the school's Scholastic Decathlon team and of our Chemistry club. I tutor other students, take advanced courses, and are a straight A student. No one the popular kids would associate themselves with. As I took a deep breath, with this thought in my head, I finished my shopping and cashed out.
Once I got home I changed out of my work clothes and into some more comfortable clothes. I put some television on for Isabella then I headed into the kitchen to start making dinner. "Ella! Ella!" that's what my sister called me as she did not know how to say my full name Gabriella. "Yes sweetheart?" I bent down to her level, she was four. " Is Ry Ry coming for dinner?" I giggled. "Why yes he most certainly is so you better be on your best behavior got it?" I tickled her belly and she laughed. "I will, I will, I promise" I smiled at her and gave her a hug. "Okay good. Now go finish watching your show" I patted her on her behind as she ran off and got back to cooking.
Ryan is my best friend and has been since I moved here. My first year here I was constantly bullied and ridiculed. Everyone was so mean to me and I couldn't seem to fit in or make any friends. So one night, while my parents were at work I ran to a bridge on the far side of town that went over a river. It was cold and the water was moving fast. I started crying as I climbed up onto the rails of the bridge and looked around to make sure no one was near. When I was sure I was alone I took a deep breath, said goodbye, and went to jump off when a pair of hands grabbed me and pulled me down onto the sidewalk. It was Ryan. He had been on a run to clear his head of some things he was going through when he saw me about to jump and wasn't going to let me. He saved me. He was yelling at me asking if I was crazy and what was I thinking as the tears in my eyes fell quicker, then he hugged me tight and held me trying to calm me down. After I was calm enough we got up and he insisted on walking me home. On the way he asked me what had driven me to near suicide. At that point I just poured my heart out to him not really knowing why other than the feeling that I could trust him and tell him anything even when I didn't know him at all. He listened and understood and was determined to make things better for me even if it was just by a little bit. From that day one we were best friends. We have been nearly inseparable since.
My sister was born a year after that horrific event so Ryan has been around since she was born and they have grown real close. He thinks of her as his own family and loves her just the same. It was kind of cute when you saw the two of them interacting with one another. Ryan always came over for dinner at least once every weekend and a couple of times during the week as well. On the weekends he usually came with his parents. Any other time he just came by himself. We hung out all of the time and our parents were pretty close as well. Ever since we became best friends our parents have thought the two of us would make a cute couple and never ceases to make this thought known. It can be very embarrassing sometimes. My parents got home from work about an hour after I got home and then Ryan and his parents came over about 30 minutes after my parents. We always invited Sharpay but of course she did not like me so always went over to Troy's instead.