Disclaimer: I don't own HSM.

Inspiration: Shark in the Water by VV Brown

Author: Alleycat

Story: My Pseudo Girlfriend

Ahh! I'm back even though I technically didn't go anywhere so it's not very exciting. I know this story has been done before (a lot!), but I hope my version of this is new and different.

TG Troy Bolton is an NBA player who wants to appease his mom about his lifestyle choices by hiring a girlfriend for his visit to trick her. Enter Gabriella, who's both fun and enticing, and changes everything

Chapter 1- Barking at the Moon

"Next."

Troy Bolton put his phone down on the counter, not wanting to be appear rude. "Can I have a black coffee and a blueberry muffin?" He gave the cashier a ten dollar bill and waited for the change as well his food. While he was waiting, he picked up his phone. "I'm back," He said into the phone and sat at a nearby table.

"Mom's been freaking out," His older brother responded. "She's worried about you."

Troy rolled his eyes. "Just because I don't have a girlfriend, fiancée, or wife does not mean anything," He defended, tired of this conversation. They had it at least every three months.

"She thinks you work too hard," He reminded him.

He frowned and began tapping his fingers on the table. "Since when is that a negative?" He asked sarcastically. "I'm only serious about my job because I love it."

His brother scoffed, "I would love it too if I could play basketball for a living."

"Hold on," Troy left his phone on the table and went back up to the counter. He got his drink and muffin then headed back to his table. He picked up his phone, "I'm back."

"I'm just asking you," Josh changed his tactic. "pleading you, to find a girlfriend before you visit in one month."

"I don't have time," Troy argued. He glanced at his watch as if to prove his point. He had thirty minutes before he was expected to be somewhere.

"Pay a prostitute," His brother said cheerily. "You make enough."

"I'm hanging up," Troy warned before actually following through. He thought about that dreaded conversation as he took a sip of his coffee. It had been a long time since he had a girlfriend and even then, they only lasted a week or two tops. But to pay a prostitute? What was wrong with his brother?

He didn't need to pay anybody to be with him. He had sex often, not all the time like most guys on the team. But he wasn't exactly going through a dry spell. It was meaningless sex and he enjoyed it. This way he could concentrate on what was important, his job.

His mother didn't understand, and it wouldn't matter if he didn't care for her so much. He didn't want her to worry about him and it seemed that was the only way. He didn't have time to get a real girlfriend but maybe he could pay someone to act like one. Troy was only visiting his hometown for a week, enough to put his dear mother's nerves to rest.

That's what he would do.

Now that he decided his plan of action, he would just find the girl. He couldn't pay a one night stand because then unwanted feelings might arise. Maybe a friend would work, but it would have to be someone that his family didn't know. If his family knew them, then it would be weird to explain a break up. His mind started racing as he thought of possibilities.

By chance, he thought he heard a loud crash and his head shot up. His eyes found her easily.

She had long, luscious black that hung in waves. She had golden brown skin that drew attention to her wide brown eyes. She fixed her sunglasses that were perched on top of her head, her big eyes searching the café.

She hadn't noticed him staring yet, but Troy could not tear his eyes away. She had on a brown tank top with tight dark jeans. He wondered if her shirt was as soft as it looked. A big necklace adorned her thin neck and a bangle around her frail wrist. She had a pile of books in her arms that looked as if they were going to spill out.

Troy stood up, still in a trance, to help the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Sure, being famous he had met the quintessential beauties, but there was something about her that he felt drawn to.

She had found a table and dumped her stuff on it.

Troy sat back down, desperate to find some reason to approach her. He got up quickly when he noticed her start to head toward the line to get something. He could cut her off or run into her. He could trip her and then catch her. He could tell her he like her outfit.

His face scrunched up, she would probably think was gay.

He could get in front of her and then buy her order and then invite her to his table to talk. The possibilities were endless and he rushed to beat her in the line.

He swore under his breath when he got right in behind her. His palms began to sweat as he wondered what he could do next. He cleared his throat, hoping she would turn around.

She didn't.

He frowned and cleared his throat more loudly.

Still no reaction.

Oh, wait she turned around. It was probably because he bumped into her subtly. Troy tried to look attractive and inviting. He had the weirdest feeling that it didn't work. She looked scared. "Did you need something?" She asked.

"Hello," He almost yelled at her.

Her head jerked back, as if shocked by the volume of his voice. "Hi," She responded alluringly. Her voice was seductive and melodic at the same time.

It distracted him. "Would you like to be my girlfriend?" He blurted out.

She opened her mouth to decline Troy was sure and he panicked.

"I would pay you," He said quickly.

Now he was sure she was offended because her mouth dropped open. But he was really distracted by the alluring red her usually tanned face became.

Please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Basically should I continue?

If i do continue, im not sure what day would be for the weekly updates. tuesdays were good at first but then i started stinking at updating so im trying to figure it out with my schedule.