A/N

Hey everyone! So this is After You've Gone, a new fan-fic, co-written, I might add, by myself (Evie) and Luc, (HSMandChelseaFCfan). So I'm going to write a sort of introduction, to tell you what it's all about and how we're going to write it, then on with the story I guess!

Ok, well the fic is mainly based around Troy raising Ava (the daughter) on his own because of certain circumstances which will remain unkown until about the fourth chapter btw. Anyways, we've decided to write a very long prologue, around four or five chapters, to give you the history of Troy and Gabriella etc, then it moves on to the proper story and the real purpose of it, such as Troy's difficulties of raising a girl. That sort of stuff.

We hope you like it and forgive us if it's not updated regularly as if it's the bible because we are kinda busy at the moment, but we'll do our best, so enjoy! And review with your thoughts!

Thanks, Evie and Luc

xxx

'Here you go' Gabriella said, picking up a grocery bag and handing it to a lady.

'Thank you sweetie, you really didn't have to do it, my son could've'

'No worries, not a problem' she gushed.

'Are you new round here? I'm sure I would've seen you, such a pretty face, what's your name?'

Gabriella blushed.

'Gabriella. Yeah, we just moved today from Chicago, my mom an me, my dad doesn't live with us anymore'

'Oh sweets, are your parents split?' the woman asked, but not in an intruding way.

'Yes, my dad works in New York, he's the Mayor, but my mom couldn't cope with all the media so they split a couple of years back and we moved to Chicago'

'That's terrible, have you made any friends yet?'

'Not yet, we literally got here a few hours ago'

'Hold on a second, I'll just fetch my son'

The woman took out her cell and pressed speed dial 2.

'Where are you honey? I need some help' she said.

'I'm right here' a guy replied, stood behind her.

'Let me guess, you've been in that basketball shop, again'

'What can I say Mom, it's like Disneyland for me'

'Baby, this is Gabriella, she's new to Albuquerque, you can show her around, I have to run so see you later honey, bye Gabi!'

With that, the woman got in the ridiculously big car and drove off.

There was an awkward silence before Troy cut in.

'Troy, Troy Bolton'

'Gabriella, Gabriella Montez'

The moment they introduced themselves their futures were fixed.

'So when did you move here?' Troy asked the new girl.

'Last Tuesday, I've been helping my mom fix the house and stuff, we moved from Chicago' she replied.

'Chicago, really? I've never been there'

'You've never been to the windy city? Wow, that's weird' Gabriella said.

'I know, sorry' Troy answered.

'No need to be sorry about it, you didn't have to apologize'

'Sorry' Troy joked.

Gabriella just smiled and carried on walking.

'So, will I see you at school?' he asked hopefully.

'Depends which school you go to' she answered cleverly.

Just as Troy was about to speak she added,

'And, I'm testing school's, you go to several schools for a day each and see which you like best then apply for that one, so you might'

'Right, I think I understand!'

'So what do you do best?' Gabriella asked.

'Basketball' Troy answered immediately.

'Wow, that was fast, you sure?' she joked.

'Come on, I'm seventeen! I'm at the age where I hate everything except sport!'

'That's where we're different, I'm a nerd, freaky math girl is me'

'You're a hot freaky math girl' Troy said boldly.

'Flattery won't get you anywhere Troy Bolton!' she laughed.

'No, but it might get you to agree to go on a date with me tonight?'

'It could get you that far, if there's more of it'

'You'll have to wait for the rest I'm afraid, I don't hand it out you know!'

'Well there's my house so get sucking up else I'm a gonner' she said, indicating her house.

'You're the most amazingly, beautiful, fabulous, wonderful, cute, sexy, funny girl I ever met' Troy blurted out.

'Even though your mum just introduced us…'

'Even though my mum just introduced us…' Troy dutifully repeated.

'I guess I could grant you one wish' she flirted.

'Pick you up at eight?'

'Make it eight-thirty and you got a deal'

'Eight thirty it is then, see you later' he replied, kissing her cheek.

She just smiled and walked in.

'Why are you looking so happy?' her Mom asked.

'I just got asked out on a date'

'What? It's the first day here! You definitely inherited my genes'

'Luckily, I wouldn't want Dad's nose, it would look awful on a girl' she laughed.

'Cute?'

'Definitely'

'Funny'

'Totally'

'Nice guy?'

'Amazing'

'Wow, you scored a winner there my baby'

'I know, I'm gonna go get ready'

'When you meeting him?'

'He's picking me up at eight-thirty'

'Gabi, it's only two o'clock now'

'I know, which is why I really need to get a move on!' and she ran up the stairs.

Arlene Montez just shook her head, laughing. Her daughter got asked out on many dates, being the stunner she was, but they never really worked out, but she could tell by the look in her eyes, this time would be different.

Gabriella walked out of her bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body as she looked through all her clothes trying to decide what to wear. Realizing she had no idea where Troy was taking her and didn't even have his number to call and ask him she decided to go for something between casual and best.

"Black or white?" Gabriella asked herself standing in front of her mirror holding out her two pairs of skinny jeans trying to decide. "Hmm white." Gabriella decided placing the others back in. As she changed it was then that Gabriella's subconscious kicked in and doubts over what she was doing. What was she doing? She hardly knew anything about Troy. She didn't even know where he lived or anything about him apart from he was into basketball and he was a real charmer. What if when he got to know her more he got bored of her because she was a pretty boring person? What if he was just doing this because he felt sorry for her? What if he already had a girlfriend? Was she really sure she was doing the right thing going out with a practical stranger?

"Gabi, are you ok?" Gabriella stood up and grabbed an old top as she walked into her room and opened the door to her mom.

"Yeah I'm just trying to decide what to wear." Gabriella watched her mom smile at her.

"Stop worrying and just have fun tonight, you deserve to have fun." Arlene assured her daughter knowing instantly seeing the look in her eyes she was already having doubts. Gabriella hugged her mom tightly grateful that they were so close. "Come on lets go finish finding you something to wear." Arlene pulled Gabriella back into her closet.

"Mom, are you sure I'm doing the right thing going out with a guy on a date when I hardly know him?"

"Gabriella, hunny, you have to sometimes just take a chance and I know from the look in your eyes that this Troy is special already to you and has already started to work his way into your life."

"How do you do that? I mean it's scary how good you are."

"Trust me I just speak from experience and remember its ok to make mistakes because that is what you have to do to find out what makes you happy."

"Mom, I really like Troy already." Arlene smiled seeing the blush creep up on Gabriella's face. All the doubts and worries seemed to disappear altogether from Gabriella's mind.

"Wear your black and gold top because they go well with those jeans and leave your hair down and natural, you'll look cute." Gabriella nodded as her mom disappeared downstairs.

"Whoa I need to get a move on." Gabriella stated looking at the clock on her wall that read 7.45pm.

It was now 8.30pm and Gabriella was in her room putting the finishing touches to her make-up and hair when she heard the door go. Rushing out of her bathroom and slipping her white ballet flats on, she grabbed her purse and jacket and ran downstairs to find her mom already at the door with Troy.

"Hey." Arlene nodded at Troy and gave Gabriella a reassuring smile as she moved out of the way.

"Wow you look great Gabi." Gabriella blushed.

"Thanks. You look good yourself."

"You ready to go?" Gabriella nodded.

"I'll see you later mom." Gabriella took Troy's hand and pulled him out of the door not giving her mom chance to say anything.

"You really do look beautiful." Troy commented as he led her towards his car.

"Thanks." Troy opened the door for her to get in before going round to get in himself. "So where are we going then on our date?"

"I was thinking that maybe we could go to a little restaurant just outside of Albuquerque because it's really nice and quiet there compared to some of the really posh restaurants around here where you can't even figure out what they are actually serving. If you want we can go somewhere else."

"I'm sure wherever we go will be fine. I'm not really fussed whether it is some fancy restaurant or a little cafe because I'm with you."

At the Restaurant

'I hope you're not one of those 'I'll just have a salad and mineral water girls'. Troy said as they got out of the car.

'Why?' Gabriella asked.

'Because this is an all-you-can-eat buffet' Troy answered simply.

'Good job I like my food then isn't it?' Gabriella giggled.

'Phew! Shall we enter?'

'We shall' Gabriella said, laughing and taking his arm.

They were seated and almost immediately were given plates and cutlery before Troy whisked her off to the food. He began to show her how the 'real' eaters do it.

'Now, a real eater that makes the most of this kind of buffet, piles their plate high, then takes their time eating it, then wait for it to go down, then come back for more' he explained, piling everything he could get his hands on onto his plate.

Gabriella could only laugh.

'Of course, being a girl, you wouldn't know that' he teased.

'Is that a challenge Mr Bolton?' Gabriella enquired, raising an eyebrow.

'No, it's a fact, you wouldn't dare pile your plate and eat it, and you'd be too scared everyone would look at you'

'Oh really?'

Troy smiled and leaned forward till they were nose to nose and whispered,

'Really', before sticking his tongue out and adding more food to his already big pile.

Gabriella had to pause a moment, she'd really thought he was going to kiss her then, what's more, she had really wanted him to, she saw him look at her and caught herself.

'Watch me' she said, and began doling food onto her plate.

'Whoah, slow down, the food will still be here later' Troy joked.

'Shut up, mines nowhere near as much as yours'

'Yeah but I'm a guy, it's not frowned upon for me to eat a lot'

'And I suppose it is for girls?' Gabriella snapped, getting annoyed.

'I'm thinking this is a sore spot for you and we should stop talking about it before you end this date and I die alone, unhappy for all eternity'

Gabriella tried to keep a straight face but couldn't make it stay; she burst out laughing and nodded, returning to the table.

1 hour later

'I can't eat any more' Gabriella moaned, pushing her third plate away.

'I'll bet, you've had more than me' Troy remarked, 'or not' he said, looking down at his fourth, clean plate.

Gabriella giggled and patted her stomach, 'It was delicious'.

'Definitely' Troy said, looking longingly at the desert aisle.

Gabriella followed his gaze and smirked.

'I think I could manage desert though' she said, and laughed as she watched his face light up.

They ended up sharing a giant chocolate fondue, complete with mini doughnuts, strawberries, marshmallows and banana slices. Troy picked up a skewer and dipped a strawberry in the hot, melted chocolate, he held it out to Gabriella, who accepted it in her mouth, loving the taste.

'That was awesome' she commented, eating another.

Soon enough, nearly the whole thing had been eaten, and they were both stuffed, and ready to go.

Troy insisted on paying, and he drove them to a park.

'Where are we Troy?' Gabriella asked.

'At Albuquerque's finest park'

'Oh' was the reply.

They walked arm in arm across the bridge (imagine Gotta Go My Own Way).

'I've really enjoyed tonight' Gabriella told him, looking up at the stars.

'You make it sound as if it's over' he replied, watching her.

'Isn't it?' she asked, looking back at him.

Troy took in the look in her eyes, the deep meanings they seemed to hold, he took in her lips, full and inviting, her cute button nose, her cheekbones and her hair, he breathed in her scent, and fell in love.

Without answering her question, he slowly leaned down and kissed her gently.

Gabriella was caught off guard. The few moments before he kissed her, everything seemed to hold still. No traffic could be heard, no crowds, no animals or music, or even the water running under the bridge. The only thing she could hear was her heart pumping away.

She melted into the kiss, closing her eyes. She lifted one arm up and rested her hand on the back of his neck. His hand was still around her shoulders which indicated he didn't want to pressurize her. They both just enjoyed the kiss, the first kiss, the kiss that lasted 3 minutes, which if you think about it, is ages.

Troy eventually pulled away slowly, their lips sticking together until the very last possible moment. Their heads stayed in the same position, and they looked into each other's eyes. Troy's eyes wandered down to her lips then back up to her eyes, and Gabriella smiled.

'That was nice' she murmured softly, not moving her body.

Troy just nodded in agreement, still overwhelmed by how much he felt from that first kiss.

Gabriella could see he was speechless, and decided to take the first move. She walked away, bewildering him, and leaned about 2 foot away on the bridge, her back facing the water.

'Come here' she said, beckoning him.

He did as she said and stood in front of her. It was then that she pulled him down and kissed him again. Troy understood immediately and responded with everything he had.

Gabriella was uncomfortable with her back on the ridge, Troy noticed and pulled away. He lifted her up and sat her on the wooden ledge.

'Better?' he asked, kissing her neck.

'Mhmm' she replied, before capturing his lips again.

'HEY!' a voice shouted.

The two pulled away and looked up to where the voice sounded.

Nothing more happened and Gabriella giggled, and they returned to making out.

'HEY!' the voice came again. This time Troy got annoyed.

'WHAT?' he yelled.

'YOU'RE IN OUR PATCH! GET LOST!' came the shouted reply.

Troy was about to tell him where to get off when Gabriella shushed him, she took his hand and they walked further into the park, laughing.

'I had loads of fun tonight Troy, thank you' Gabriella told him.

'You've already said that' Troy joked, pulling her close to him.

'Well maybe you're making me forget, you got me all dizzy back there'

'Mmmm' Troy sounded, nuzzling her neck.

Just as they were about to sink into yet another kiss, Troy remembered.

'Wait! I have something planned, come with me'

Gabriella followed him, holding his hand, until they reached an old dilapidated building.

'Umm, Troy, are you sure this is safe?' Gabriella asked warily.

'Of course, I wouldn't bring you here if not'

'Ok, I trust you' she said.

This made Troy lean down and kiss her softly.

'Now come on, there's a lot of stairs' he told her.

Gabriella groaned and off they set, climbing and climbing, stopping after every ten floors.

'Are we nearly there yet?' she panted.

'Almost' came the answer.

They carried on climbing and climbing until Gabriella had to sit down.

'I thought you said we were nearly there!' she cried.

'I did, and we are, now close your eyes' he ordered.

She did as she was told and felt him take her hand.

'Ok, now open them' he whispered in her ear from behind her.

Gabriella was taken aback. From where they were stood, you could see absolutely everything. All of the lights were beaming up at them; it looked like a city of gold.

'Troy I don't know what to say'

'Then don't say anything' he replied, hugging her from behind.

They stayed there for what seemed like hours, when really, it had only been one.

Troy looked at his watch and raised his eyebrows.

'Time I was getting you home I think'

'Why, what's the time?' she asked, kissing his shoulder.

'You don't want to know, but I'd better get you back now anyhow'

Gabriella nodded and they began the everlasting trail down god knows how many flights of stairs.

Gabriella's House

The two stood in Gabriella's door way and shared one last kiss.

'Do you love me Troy?' she asked.

Usually, Troy would have been taken aback, a question like that was never asked on a first date, and yet, it was true, he did love her.

'To tell you I love you; that would be meaningless.'

Gabriella's heart sank and she lowered her eyes.

'To show you I love you, now that would be perfect.' He continued.

She grinned and threw her arms around his neck.

'I love you too' she replied.

'So will you let me show you?' he asked.

'Of course'

'How about tomorrow morning?'

'Sounds great' she replied.

Troy only smiled and kissed her one last time, before walking to his car as she shut the door.

Gabriella looked at the clock and saw it was 3 o'clock in the morning.

'I guess that's what being in love does to you'

Strange how I've only known him for hardly any time at all yet I know he's the one, she thought to herself. It really is love at first sight.

She was about to walk up the stairs to bed when there was a quick knock at the door.

Opening it, she wasn't surprised to find it was Troy.

'I forgot to ask, will you be my girlfriend?' he asked her.

Repeating his very words she said,

'Now that would be perfect'