"Figure Dreams"
Summary: Gabriella Montez was a Figure Skater. No one would deny it, no one could persuade her against it. Figure Skating was her life. Which meant, nothing would get in her way of becoming a professional and one day skating the ice of the Olympics. Not even if it meant true love was out of her picture.
A/N: Still don't have a flash drive, but I'll try and get one. Bliss will be done soon. It's just that I keep writing and deleting. Major writers block. This story was in my Documents and I want to put it up. I know I have two other stories, but they're almost done. Please read this?
She watched with her auburn eyes narrowed as the girl, Nancy Ginger, did an okay waltz jump. She took off from a forward outside edge then she made a half revolution in the air. She landed safely on a back outside edge on the opposite foot, which would be her left. Mrs. Herb clapped her hands together happily. "Good job, Nancy," she said as Nancy glided gracefully back over to everyone. "Very good." Gabriella rolled her eyes and got ready for her turn, her stomach popping in and her head held high.
Gabriella Montez was an efficient and distinctive ice skater, maybe the best in Buxton High School. Gabriella is working hard to get a scholarship and then get ready to soar off after that to the Olympics. Nothing else but ice skating mattered to her, and her mother was right beside her, encouraging her to lead on what her mother couldn't finish.
Gabriella did a back swizzle almost professionally before she launched into some backwards crossovers then her arm wounded backwards and she jumped perfectly, still holding her landing with her knee held high. Gabriella then did another course of backwards crossovers before sliding into an arabesque where her right leg lifted steadily into the air so her body was horizontal to the ice and she did a series of spinning. She looked like a pole just swirling absently, going so fast you could hardly see any detail of her. Gabriella grinned as her leg winded down and she did a back swizzle back in line, her heart was thumping loudly in her chest, ready to burst out like her grin.
"Well done, Gabriella," Mrs. Herb complimented her with that amazing British accent. Gabriella nodded, her grin never leaving her face. "Thank you, Mrs. Herb."
"Okay, Lepedina, you're next." The shy petite, French girl, Lepedina stepped out from the line. Gabriella looked at her with a smile. She was so different from the rest of the girls. She was shy, but didn't give a shit what you thought of her. Her silvery blond hair was always pulled up neatly in a ballet bun and her face was crowded with sprinkles of glitter. She always had a million dollar smile that showed perfectly all because she got braces when she was eleven. This didn't come out of Gabriella often, but she thought Lepedina was amazing.
Lepedina skated with her hands held out from her like a birds wings. She did a complete figure eight, her body swerving like a pencil sketching beautifully, then she took off into a stag jump. She skated out into her toe before jumping up and extending her left leg, straight and steady. Her other leg was bent so when she's in the air, she was almost in a split, but her right leg was bent. She did the stag jump once more before coming back into the line with a spiral of spins.
"Great job, Lepedina," Mrs. Herb complimented. "Great job, everyone! Now, I need everyone to come back today at eight pm for rehearsals. Anyone care to explain why?"
Shelby Cross raised her hand high. "Ah, Shelby."
"Well, the school is having its annual Skating Championship for different girls from around the country. Some are unbreakable and stalwart and we'll need superlative training to win a representative for our school. It also gives out scholarships."
"Thank you, Shelby," Mrs. Herb said with a smile. "She is correct. If you want a scholarship and to win first or second or third place, you'll need to be ready."
"Mrs. Herb, would it be okay to take private lessons?" Gabriella asked, gliding up to her after the other girls left. Mrs. Herb smiled. "Gabriella, I'm glad you asked. I've got an amazing opportunity for you."
"Better than getting a full scholarship?" Gabriella asked, her mouth wide open. Mrs. Herb smiled and nodded, her hand pressing into the crease of Gabriella's back and leading her to her office. "Even better," Mrs. Herb answered. "There's someone here to meet you." Once they stepped foot into her office, Gabriella almost lost all her breath. "Michelle Kwan," Gabriella gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
Michelle Kwan was a Figure Skating legend. She was the most decorated figure skater in US history and Gabriella was looking at her in the flesh. "Oh, my God. This is unbelievable."
"Well you better believe it because it took a lot of persuasion to get her here," Mrs. Herb said, smiling. Gabriella turned to her, a smile plastered on her face that was hurting her cheekbones greatly. She had known Mrs. Herb all her life because her and her mother went way back when they were little kids. They had been in many figure skating camps, competitions, and clubs. Ever since then, they wanted to be figure skaters. "Mrs. Herb, I don't know what to say," Gabriella said, but decided it was okay not to say anything this time. So she threw her arms around her coach, pulling her in a bone-crushing hug. Mrs. Herb laughed and returned the hug. After a second, they both pulled away.
"You deserve it," Michelle said and Gabriella looked at her with big brown eyes. "You're beautiful and talented. I would be happy to coach you."
"My...coach?" Gabriella asked, not believing anything that was happening now. Michelle and Mrs. Herb nodded at once and Gabriella squealed, that side of her not coming around easily. "But first," Michelle said. "I have a question."
"Anything," Gabriella breathed, still in awe that the amazing Michelle Kwan was going to be her coach.
"What is figure skating to you?"
Gabriella thought for a moment. Figure Skating was all types of things to her. "Well," she started. "It's many, but figure skating is like poetry in motion. Where you can glide on the ice freely and not have a care in the world." Gabriella smiled as she thought about the moment when she would just twirl up into the sky, her purple ice skating dress with rime stones dazzling the front, flapping about carelessly in the wind she created. "When I get onto that ice, I feel like a free bird."
Michelle smiled and gave a simple nod. "I think I've found myself the next Olympic Ice Skater," she said truthfully and Gabriella looked at her, happiness raking her whole body.
...FD...
Troy Bolton was a well known hockey player at Buxton High School.
He was the captain on the Eagles, and he and the team were currently practicing for the championships.
Troy swerved down the rink at top-notch speed. His hands were wrapped firmly along the hokey stick and he was swerving the hockey puck as much as he was. His stick moved left to right, blocking the small circular object from gliding away from him. Keller Ross was the goaltender, blocking him from making a shot, but Troy was prepared. He did a T-stop and ice spurted everywhere. Troy brought his stick back and made a perfect swing, the edge of the stick hitting the puck and flying it outwards.
Keller acted fast, he went to grab the puck, but from the speed, the puck flew in as if it were a bullet from a gun. Keller cursed as he landed on the rigid ice.
"Better luck next time, Keller," Troy said with a teasing smirk. Keller rolled his eyes and stood up shakily. Troy skated off the rink and to the locker room and then he started to strip off his clothing. His best friends Chad Danforth and Jason Cross walked after him. "Man, with you, we'll win the championship for sure," Jason said and Troy grinned. He took off his skates and then his jersey and pads. "Yeah, well you have to think. What would you do if I weren't here?" Troy looked up at them. "Sucking ass, that's for sure."
"Sucking who's ass, Bolton?" Trevor McNeil walked in. Troy and the two accompanying him snarled at him. Trevor had sleek black hair that flopped in his face and a slight southern accent. He had dark brown eyes as well, dark and mischief filled eyes. Though he and Troy were on the same team, they didn't get along. They despised each other greatly.
"With out me, that'll be what you're doing," Troy said firmly and stood up. Trevor glowered at him. "I'm getting real tired of you, Bolton."
"The feeling's mutual, McNeil."
"What about the urge to just snap you in half?" Troy may have been better looking than Trevor, but Trevor was big. Him and his stupid gang took steroids and cocaine. Troy, Chad and Jason knew, but decided not to snitch. Let them get caught themselves. "Yeah, that's pretty mutual, too," Troy said smartly. Trevor stalked forwards, but Chad and Jason held him back. "You know, McNeil. It would be a shame to tell about your addiction. Why don't you just leave?" Trevor pushed Jason and Chad off of him before stalking out of the room with an infuriated stance.
"Let's go, guys," Troy said, a tired wave suddenly crashing over him.
...
After changing, Troy, Chad and Jason left the building and onto campus. It was a little past six and they were heading to dinner at the Main House. "I'm telling you," Chad started as they lined up for dinner. "you need a girlfriend."
Troy rolled his eyes and picked up two pieces of chicken and a few scoops of broccoli. "Well I'm not the only one," Troy decided. "Pus, hockey is important. I need a scholarship to go to college. Money is slacking for mom and dad..."
"And you still can get that scholarship," Chad argued. "Jason and I have girlfriends, man up and get one yourself. Are they interfering with our hockey? I think not."
"I think so. You always talk about Taylor and Jason is always talking about Martha. They're a bunch of branicas. What's so awesome about that?"
"Well fine," Chad huffed. "Jason and I will go sit with our braniacs and you can sit alone or with Trevor. Your choice." Chad and Jason stalked away and Troy groaned lightly. His eyes scanned the full cafeteria until they landed on an empty table. Troy smiled and walked stealthily over to it.
He sat down, only to be tapped on the shoulder a second later. Troy looked up annoyed. "What?" A lanky brunette stood there, staring at him with a hint of anger flashing her milky chocolate eyes. She had long hair that cascaded down her back in natural curls. She was beautiful, Troy thought. He had never seen her before. Is she new?
"Are you listening?" Troy snapped out of his trance and blinked once, finally coming back to earth. She was now impatient, hands clutching her hips and her foot tapping with a smooth rhythm. "What?" Troy said, shifting in the uncomfortable seat. The petite girl rolled her eyes. "You're sitting at my table," she said with an melodramatic voice. She gestured her hands to the table he was sitting at. The table that had two chairs. "But there's two seats..."
"I can count," she said firmly. "But I don't want to sit with anyone, so can you be kind enough to move?" Troy stared at her blankly before shaking his head, chuckling, and he stood up. "Thank you," the girl said softly before sitting down and moving her dinner towards her. But Troy didn't move. He stood there, looking down at her like a stalker. Sighing, the brunette looked up at him. "What are you doing?"
"I don't know," Troy said with a smirk. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to eat my dinner, but I seem to have a stalker."
Troy stared at her for a short moment before extending his hand. "I'm Troy Bolton."
The girl looked down at his hand blankly. She then looked back up at him. "That's nice to know. You can leave now." She turned back to her dinner and went for her salad. Troy frowned and lowered his arm. "What's your name?"
"If I tell will you leave?"
"Maybe."
"Gabriella Montez."
"Gabriella. I like it." Troy smiled and pulled out the seat opposite from her. He sat down and started eating his dinner. When he felt eyes on him, he looked up. "Who's the stalker now?"
"Why are you still here?" Gabriella said. "You said you would leave."
"Correction; I said maybe I would leave."
"Fine. Sit there, but don't talk." Gabriella looked down at her food and started eating slowly. After a few bites and slurps of her water, she took out a book from her back pack and started scribbling down notes. Troy tried to look at what she was writing.
"You're into figure sating?" Troy asked. Gabriella looked up at him with hard eyes. "What did I say about talking?"
"Someone's moody," Troy teased. Gabriella glowered at him before snapping her book shut and shoving it into her back pack again. She launched up from her seat and marched off. "What did I say?" Troy whispered to himself. He found himself staring out to where Gabriella had left. He could still smell her scent that flew out of her. It was coconut perfume and strawberry shampoo. He would remember her, that's for sure. Maybe even look her up on campus.
...FD...
The next day Gabriella was confused and mad. Her training with Michelle wasn't until next week, but she wanted to get into the rink anyway, but she couldn't because it was closed. So, she went to where the hockey players played, hoping to god they weren't there.
Gabriella sat down her small portable stereo down on the burgundy colored seats before skating out onto the rink in her frilly hot pink figure skating dress. She started doing her normal exercises, Tendu. "Tendu front...Tendu side...Tendu back," she whispered to herself as she did the movements over and over again. She did it for a little over twenty minutes listening to soft melody songs that let her muscles loose and controlled her body.
"Tendu front...Tendu side...Tendu back," she whispered before going into Degage. Degage was much like Tendu, but required more balance. Especially on skates. "Degage front...Degage side...De—" Her exercise was cut short when a noise like rhinos running in sounded. But it wasn't. Instead, the hockey players, well some of them marched in. Gabriella quickly went to turn her music off and tried to make her escape, but a thunder voice stopped her. She twirled around skillfully and watched as a guy with sleek black hair and lean dark eyes skated up to her. He had a smirk on his face.
"Hey, babe," he said. "It's a surprise to see an ice girl here."
"I'm just leaving," Gabriella said hurriedly and went to skate towards the door, but the guy held her back by the arm. Gabriella looked at him alarmed. "Wait, we could get to know each other."
Gabriella scoffed. "I rather a pig—oh wait." Gabriella looked him up and down with a look of disgust. The guy hardened his touch on her and Gabriella gasped. "Get off of me!"
"You're a smart-ass bitch," the guy snarled and tightened his grip on her.
"Please get off," Gabriella begged softly.
"She said get off, McNeil," a familiar voice said. Gabriella and the guy looked up and standing there was none other than Troy Bolton. He skated forward and grabbed Gabriella, yanking her away from Trevor. Gabriella gasped as his flesh brushed hers softly. She felt a tang of fire crossing her fingers.
"I'll tell coach next time," Troy threatened, then skated out of the rink with Gabriella. "Are you okay?" His whisper sent involuntary chills down Gabriella's spine. She nodded slowly, looking at him clearly for the first time. He had soft baby blue eyes and mahogany hair that seemed to curtain his eyes. His skin had a fresh tan to it. Gabriella liked it. "Thank you," she whispered softly.
"No problem. Trevor is a jackass. He's dangerous. Take that as a warning."
"I was already warned when he grasped me like that," Gabriella said, twisting her wrist. Troy took her to sit down and he grabbed her writs. He examined them for any bruises. None. "Well, you aren't bruised, but be careful."
"I will." Gabriella pulled her wrists back when she felt that fire spread through her again. It was tingly and hot and electrifying.
"I haven't seen you around here often," Troy said to her. Gabriella looked up at him. "I usually am at the rink or at my dorm."
"What about friends?"
"I don't have any," Gabriella responded meekly. "I don't need any." She felt a twist in her chest when she said that. A feel of loneliness actually. Maybe she did need friends. Friends like obnoxious Troy Bolton. "But everyone needs friends," he protested lightly.
"It'll just interfere with my dreams. You know, becoming a professional figure skater and skating in the Olympics. That'll be awesome if I could."
"Don't you ever get lonely?"
"Not really," Gabriella lied. She stood up, gathering her stuff she managed to bring. "Anyway, I've got to go now. I'll maybe see you later, Troy."
"Yeah. See you later." And she was gone again. Troy watched after her. Well, she may think she doesn't need a friend, but Troy would change that. He stood up skillfully on his skates before leaving the locker rooms and onto the rink.
Do you like it? I got this idea from watching Go Figure! last night. Yes, I still LOVE Disney channel. I've never really liked it because I never saw it and I judged it, but I saw it and fell in love with figure skating and the movie. Review please?
Thanks!-Brittany