Hello.

Obviously, this story is already written, but I wrote it a long time ago. I wrote it when I was still learning how to write well, as I am still doing now, but I think I have gotten better. I don't like this story, I think it could be better, and since I have gotten better, I plan tp make it better.

Things will be changing in this story. There will be things that were never in the original story, but then again, there will be the same things, just maybe written in a different way, or just better.

Once again, here is Meant To Live.

Summary:Being one of eight children isn't easy. With sister's who unknowingly shadow you, and too many overprotective brothers, Gabriella went through life unnoticed. Then, Troy Bolton moved to town, changing her life forever. TxG

Here are the actors to match the characters:

Serena: Francia Raisa
Felix: Micheal Copon (same name as he had on One Tree Hill)
Marcus and Lucas: Marcus Coloma (duplicated)(I kept his name)
Isabelle: Amber Stevens (I don't think she's even Mexican, I think she's African American, but she's beautiful, and we can pretend)
Vince: Taylor Lautner (a little bit younger right now)
Alex: Jake T. Austin (truthfully, I couldn't find anyone else)
Jaymi: Kaley Cuoco
Kris: Ross Thomas

We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more

-- Meant To Live, by Switchfoot

GPOV

I've never stood out. Then again, it's not like I ever wanted to, either.

I didn't want attention. Scratch that, I didn't want unnecessary attention. I mean, who wants negative attention? When I do good on a test, or in a class, or something of that nature, sure, I'll take a pat on the back.

My life, for the most part, was easy. I do good in school, I hang out with my friends, I deal with my family, the same things everyone at least tries to do.

I didn't realize that there was more to life than that. There's more to it than just getting by, and not truly enjoying it. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, I love my friends, I do have a nice life, I won't deny it. I just didn't realize what I was missing.

This is where Troy came in. He helped me figure out who I am, who I could be, who I want to be, and neither of us knew what was going to happen when he moved to Albuquerque.

This is my story.

-xoxo-

I have two older sisters. I have two beautiful, wild, crazy, attention-wanter (and getter) older sisters. Not only do I have them, but I have three older brothers. Three older, handsome, big, protective, and sometimes, more than they'd like to admit, ruthless older brothers.

When you have two older sisters and three older brothers, it's pretty much a no-brainer that you aren't exactly the center of your parent's world. They have more to think about than whether or not I went over my cell phone minutes a little, or I came in ten minutes after curfew, or left my mom's gas tank empty or something of the sort. Since I am fifth down the line, and I not only like but do exceptionally well in school, and I haven't brought home a crazy boyfriend, or been in serious trouble, or been in trouble in general, I've been dubbed the 'good one.'

I've began to hate that title. Who wants to be the 'good one?' I don't. It's not fun. Yeah, my parents trust me more than they should trust an average seventeen year old, and my curfew is later than Serena or Isabelle's was, even Felix's, which makes them angry. But, so what? Do they know what being the 'good one' entails?

Do they know I am expected to get straight A's, or just have no plans on a Friday night other than the basketball game, so that means of course I can watch my little brother? Do they know I'm expected to consider studying more fun than hanging out with my friends? I may be a bit of a geek, but come on.

Other than being called the 'good one' my mother also throws the 'easy one' on me. I don't think I am proud of either of these titles. What teenager is supposed to be easy to raise? I'm supposed to be angry, and angsty, and hate her for grounding me because I didn't clean my room. Instead, when she does ground me, I clean my room then pout until she let's me go. I don't yell, I don't scream, I don't slam doors, I act like a good little easy girl, and I hate it.

The only reason I do the things I do is because I have seen a blooming angsty, angry, bitchy teenage girl grow up in this house. Hell, I've seen two, and I've seen how my sister's have driven my mother crazy. I'd rather not drive her insane just yet.

First one out of the gate was Isabelle, but is more regularly called Belle, sometimes Izzy to annoy her. She would rather be called Belle. She is a drama queen, she has an opinion on everything even if she doesn't care about it. She has to get her two cents in, and usually, her two cents are like my mother's, annoying the rest of us. She's a senior at Berkeley, majoring in business for some unknown reason.

Then came along only a year later, my other sister, Serena. Serena... Serena's a wild child. Serena always has to outshine Belle, she has to stand out from the rest of us. She's downright insane sometimes. She's been in trouble with the police (yeah, the charges were minor like an underage for drinking, and being on private property, but still). Serena has dated more boys than anyone can count, and living with the two of them, Serena and Belle, was not fun when they were in high school. They always fought over clothes, and the car, and boys, pretty much anything two girls can fight about. She's a junior at UCLA, majoring in fashion merchandising, or something of the sort.

After her is Felix. He's a freshman at U of A and unfortunately, still lives at home. He is the first boy, so naturally, my father is practically in love with him for simply being born. He's plays plenty of sports including basketball, baseball, runs track, played soccer for a while, and tried tennis, but stopped after a few months. For the first time ever, he actually has a stable girlfriend, Jaymi, and I like her. Felix still thinks I am fifteen, and I am being serious here.

Guess who came next. The twins. Yes, twins run in my family. Their names are Lucas and Marcus and they are seniors in high school. My father says I am a surprise because my parents planned on waiting a while before having another child, but like they say, a woman is most fertile after giving birth. Marcus and Lucas are co-captains of the basketball team, are the stars of the basketball team, think they rule the school, and sadly, they practically do. It's all about basketball here in Albuquerque. Lucas and Marcus, so I have heard, have threatened to castrate any boy that comes near me. Yeah, you can say I was pissed.

I'm a junior in high school, and can't wait for Marcus and Lucas to graduate and leave because I'm sick of being known simply as their little sister. I am not little, I'm only eleven months younger than them, and the fact that they think their five years older than me and act like more of a father than my own father, pisses me off. We fight a lot.

Next in line, after me, is Vincent, but he'll repeatedly tell you to call him Vince. I call him Vinny to piss him off sometimes, but he knows I love him. He's a freshman, so he kind of hates his school life right now. No one actually enjoys being a freshman. He's by far the most mellow brother. He really had no other way to grow up, all the older brothers picked on him and teased him, and he was forced to hang out with the girls, or play by himself. I'm close with Vince.

Last, is Alejandro, but since that's a mouthful, he goes by Alex. He's annoying, childish, and I have a theory that my dad actually pays him to rat us out on stuff we try to get away with. By we, I mean my older siblings, of course. I don't do anything wrong. He causes a lot of destruction, mainly because he can get away with it because he's the baby. In the kitchen, we have the cuss jar, more commonly known as the Alex jar. When someone swears, we have to put a quarter of our own money to it, and when Alex breaks something, it pays for the damage. Like, when him and his friends decided to play baseball in the living room, and someone hit a home run, right through the window.

Anyways, in being the 'good one' I am not expected to skip out on cleaning and leave, right? Since I am the 'easy one' maybe my mom won't notice that I escaped to my best friend's house.

Chad's my best guy friend, anyways. He lives across the street. When I got a text telling me I just had to go over or I would miss out on something big. I couldn't just not go over, I can't miss something big.

This is what lead to my diving, more like tripping, into a bush outside Chad's house. My dad, Carlos, has come home early. This is probably due to the fact that all five of my brother's are home, and they're driving my mother crazy.

Today was the last day of school for Thanksgiving break, which means my sister's are coming home for a few weeks. My mom likes to have the place nice for them, especially since Serena is bringing her boyfriend, Kris, home with her. We haven't met him yet, but I've seen pictures... no comment.

I waited until my dad was in the house before running for Chad's front door. I haven't knocked since I was thirteen, so I just went right on in, slamming it behind me, breathing with relief. "I'm here!" I commented, pushing off the door to go into the living room.

I found our whole gang there, Chad, Taylor, Sharpay and Ryan. I've known Taylor since I was two, Chad since we were eight, and Sharpay and Ryan since seventh grade. It's been just us ever since. Our whole high school thinks it's weird because we all should be a part of different cliques, but we don't care about that kind of stuff. We're friends, we always have been, why should that have changed in ninth grade because everyone else told us to? It wasn't like we were drifting away from each other or anything, we were as tight as ever.

"Finally!" Chad exclaimed, standing up from next to Taylor. They're dating, have been since eighth grade.

"Hey to you too, buddy," I greeted, plopping down on the couch next to Sharpay. "Hey," I said to the rest.

"Hey, Gabs," Ryan replied.

"Serena in yet?" Taylor questioned me.

I shook my head. "Nope, not until around three tomorrow, Felix and I are going to the airport to get her," I answered.

"Felix? Can I come?" Sharpay instantly asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Shar, for the last time, Felix may have kissed you when you were thirteen, but he doesn't see you that way," I reminded her. "He has a girlfriend, remember?" I wondered.

Sharpay waved me off. "Girlfriends come and go," she muttered.

"Can we get to why I called you over here?" Chad asked, making us all look at him. "Remember when I told you guys how my best friend is moving back here?" he questioned.

I nodded, not verbally answering. It's all Chad talks about nowadays.

"Well, it's happening sooner than we thought because of some recent developments. His parent's fighting has gotten worse over the course of their divorce, so his mom asked my mom if he could come down by himself for a while," Chad explained to us. "He'll be staying here until his mom follows. It'll probably be a few months, but I know you'll all love him," he insisted.

Troy, Chad's best friend, was born and lived here until he was eight. His parents then moved to Arizona, but him and Chad kept in touch. Chad goes there for a little less than a month every summer. Taylor hates it because she misses him, and she gets yelled at because of her phone bill. Or, Chad went there, whatever. I've never met him. We didn't hang out when we were kids, I mean, hello, he was a boy. The only boy I ever hung out with was Chad, and that only happened because our mom's made us. We had to get along or die trying.

"His stuff is coming in tonight, but he flies in tomorrow," he went on. "My parent's are having a big dinner, and wanted me to invite you guys so he'll know more than just me," he said. "Can you all come here? Tomorrow, around three thirty?" he asked, pleading, actually. Everyone nodded, but I didn't, I couldn't. "Ella?" he questioned.

I bit my lip. "I would, Chad, but that's when Serena's flight gets in," I reminded him. "I can't bail on her, even if Felix does go, I'll never hear the end of it," I told him.

Chad whined. "Ella, you can't not be here," he stated. "You're the most I talk about besides basketball and Taylor," he informed me.

"Thanks, Chad," Taylor mumbled, looking a little angry.

He smirked back at her anyways. "Anytime, baby," he said.

I sighed. "Okay, if I go get Serena, do the 'you're home!' thing, and when I get back, I'll come over here and meet Troy, deal?" I questioned.

Chad stuck his hand out to meet me. "Deal," he agreed as we shook hands.

-xoxo-

"Gabriella, come on!" Felix yelled up the stairs the next day. We're running late. It's truly all of his fault. His girlfriend called, his girlfriend wanted to speak to me for a little bit, how is that my fault? She is the one that caused me to be late for a shower, so Alex got in before I could, so that put us more behind schedule. Then, I actually had to take time in looking good.

I'm not the short skirt, tube top, high heels kind of girl. I'm the jeans, t-shirt, maybe tank top, and flats, flip flops, sneakers, and maybe, MAYBE high heels if the situation demands it. Serena always complains when I see her that I don't dress like a proper girl, so this year, I am, slightly. I'm wearing a pair of jeans she bought me, so that means skinny jeans, a white scoop neck t-shirt that hugged my body, and a small black hoodie on over top. The hoodie only goes a little past my bust and fits me practically like a second skin. I threw on a pair of strappy heels that are not mine, but somehow wound up in my closet, and I prayed I wouldn't fall at some point.

I did my make up, which is a feat within itself, I usually don't. I have all the stuff to do it, like make up, duh, but I rarely wear it. My hair is parted to the side and in it's crazy curls I tried to tame. My bangs swished across my forehead neatly too. I did a once look over before grabbing my black purse on the way out of my bedroom. I may not be a girly girl, but I do have a purse. I carry the make up I don't use, a book, an iPod, my keys, my license, a brush, the normal girl stuff.

"Gabriella, I swear if you are not down here in two seconds I am leaving without you and you can listen to Serena's bitching until she goes back to Cali!" Felix threatened as I made my way down.

"I'm here, I'm here," I mumbled, using the railing like life support. I am not good on walking on heels, I am beginning to rethink this whole outfit. It's way too much work and effort, and I am getting yelled at for it.

As I reached the bottom, my brother went quiet, and I tripped on the last step. Since he is so annoyingly athletic, he caught me with ease.

"Thank you," I breathed with relief when I didn't hit the floor. "You are so my new favorite brother," I stated, pulling my clothes down since they rode up in the fall.

"Whatever, go change," he replied quickly, and pushed me back towards the stairs.

I scoffed. "What? No, why would I? We're going to be late, Felix," I reminded him.

"I don't give a shit, there is no way my baby sister is leaving the house looking like that," he stated, pointing up the steps as if it was an order.

I groaned. "Fel-lix!" I whined. "Come on, we're already late, I am not changing, I look fine, let's go," I insisted, pushing him in return towards the direction of the door.

"No, I don't care about being late," he responded, not budging.

"Fine, Felix, we'll stay here and fight, but I am not changing. Then, when we do get Serena, very later than we are supposed to, I'll tell her how it's all because you wanted me to change," I told him. "And, you can listen to her bitch until she goes back to Cali because you know she won't care I am dressed this way," I finished.

Felix swore under his breath. No one wants to receive a verbal lashing from Serena, they are deadly. "Dammit, fine, but I don't have to like it," he said, pulling on my arm.

"Hey, watch the grip, I'm not used to heels you know!" I exclaimed.

"Do you have to sit like that?" Felix wondered less than an hour later as we sat in the airport, waiting for Serena's late flight.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes," I answered, running a hand through my hair. I'm only sitting like a girl, he's getting way too annoying.

"Every guy in here is looking at you."

"They are not, get over yourself."

"Myself? You're the one who is fifteen dressing like that."

"For the last time, I am not fifteen! I am seventeen, eventually, I'll be eighteen, and you'll still say I am fifteen."

"I don't care, stop crossing your legs like that."

"Felix, I swear to God-" I was cut off by a squeal.

"Gabriella!" Serena screamed, rushing over to me.

I smiled, getting up to greet her. She may be crazy, but I do miss her. "Serena!" I shouted back, hugging her tightly.

She squeezed me so tight, I had trouble breathing for a moment. "Chica, you look so hott, did you turn into a girl while I was gone?" she wondered.

"No, I just didn't want you to yell at me again," I replied honestly.

"Well, you look sexy, don't let anyone tell you different," Serena ordered me.

I smiled. "Thanks, yell at Felix, then. He's practically calling me a slut," I informed her.

"Felix!" she began to scold. "I can't believe you.."

"Don't you have a boyfriend or something?" he asked, breaking her rant.

Serena perked up, turning behind to a blond guy with shaggy hair and arm tattoos. He was a pretty big guy, and proudly showing it off in a tight black t-shirt and blue jeans. "Guys, this is Kris Jones, Kris, these are two of my younger siblings, Felix and Gabriella," she introduced us.

He looked like a step up for her. Serena's had a number of boyfriends, of all different types. Her last one, Simon, was too skinny, wore either black or outrageous colors, and had a green Mohawk. Plus, Kris didn't appear to look at her like a piece of meat, as most men do. She kind of asks for it wearing a belly shirt and the tightest jeans over, but somehow manages not to look like a slut at the same time. He wasn't looking at me like that either, which for some reason, her boyfriend's do.

"Hi, nice to meet you," I greeted, giving him a small hug to be nice.

Felix shook his hand. "How's it going?" he questioned him.

Kris shrugged a little, his hand slipping down Serena's arm until they were holding hands. She beamed up at him, smiling wider than I have ever seen her, even bigger than on prom night. "Alright, a little nervous, I guess," he answered honestly.

"Eh, don't worry about it, it's not our parents you have to worry about, it's the other brothers," Felix informed him.

"Don't listen to him, our brother's will like you, and our parents are easy to win over," I told him. "It's just getting used to the size of the family that is hard," I said.

Kris nodded, looking a little relieved. It's odd, he looks like this big James Dean rebel without a cause guy, but you can tell he seriously cares about what my family thinks, and he really cares about Serena. It's sweet, she's been through enough men who only like her for her body, she needs one that likes her for her. "See, I told you, baby," Serena agreed, leaning against him a little.

Felix checked his cell phone for the time. "Come on, Mami wants us home at a certain time, and if we're not, she'll be pissed," he stated, nodding his head towards the exit.

The ride home was boring and a little disturbing. I'd prefer not to see my sister get groped, thankyouverymuch.

When we finally got home (it took a long time due to holiday traffic), our mother came running out of the house, excited to see her daughter. She always gets like this. Belle gets in tonight, around three in the morning, and my dad is going to get her. He works long hours, he's home on holidays, Sundays, and tries to make it to dinner, but sometimes he can't. We don't resent him for it, he was always there when we were kids, and it can't be easy supporting a huge family. He makes really good money though, along with my mother who is in real estate, so we're financially stable.

"Hey, Felix," I called out as we got out of the car. "Can you call me when dinner is done? I need to go to Chad's for a little," I told him.

He nodded. "Sure, whatever," he agreed, going towards the house.

I went for Chad's house, walking slowly because of the heels. I really shouldn't have worn them, it wasn't worth Serena not complaining. I have to admit it was nice not having her bitch me out for ten minutes, it was a nice part to skip. I went into the house, dropping my purse on the table near the door. "Chad, I'm here!" I called out, leaning against the wall to take off my shoes, but before I could, Sharpay appeared.

She strode over to me, wearing five inch heels, walking normally. How does she do that? "Gabi, you have to see this guy, he is so hott," she stated, grabbing my arm.

"I can wait a minute because I have to get these shoes off-" I tried to get out, but Chad came into the living room.

"Ella!" he shouted, picking me up happily. "Finally, you're here," he said.

I almost fell when he put me down due to the heels. "I told you I would be here after getting Serena, Chad," I reminded him.

"You look like a girl," he added, looking over me.

I rolled my eyes. "I know, it happens, I do happen to be female," I told him.

"Uh-huh, Troy!" he yelled behind me, beckoning his friend over.

When I heard close footsteps, I turned around. I quickly became frozen under Troy's gaze, my eyes locked onto his, brown staring into blue. His eyes were so blue, perfectly blue. I like boys with blue eyes, I live in a family of brown, blue is uniquer. I cleared my throat as my heart thumped in my chest, thumping so loud he had to hear it. I blinked, praying the thump was in my ears only. My mouth was dry too, making me swallow awkwardly.

"Hey, I'm Troy, obviously," he introduced himself, holding his hand out for me, his eyes never leaving mine.

I instantly touched his hand with mind. His hand was warm, and bigger than mine, but not too big. My hand felt tingly, the tingles slowly spreading up my arm. It was weird, but a good weird, if that makes sense. "I Gabriella," I replied. Wait, that's not right. I need a verb. I blushed along with my stupidity. "Am Gabriella, I mean," I began to correct. Damn, that doesn't sound good either. "That's my name, I mean, Gabriella is my name," I told him.

"Real smooth, Ella," Chad chuckled behind me, failing at hiding his laughter.

"Shut up," I ordered, blindly smacking him behind me. My cheeks were still flushed red, I'm sure. Troy's hand tightened on mine a little, causing me to involuntarily shiver a little. He smiled wider than he was. Did he see that?

Chad's arm linked over my shoulder. "Um, you can let go of his hand now, El," he told me.

I dropped Troy's hand. "Oh, I'm sorry," I quickly apologized, wiping my sweaty palm off on my jeans. "I'm not usually this weird," I assured Troy.

"Ha, okay," Chad mentioned, making me smack him again. "Now that that is done, I have a question for you," he said.

My eyes finally left Troy's as I averted my gaze to try and make it seem less awkward that I appear to be an idiot. "Yeah?"

"Can we come over tomorrow? I know it's holiday week and all, so your house is crazy, but it's important," Chad questioned.

I turned slightly. "Who's we?" I wondered, fearing the answer a bit.

"Me and Troy," he answered easily. Damn. Troy seems alright, but I seem like an idiot to him, it's not like I want to hang around him only to look like more of an idiot.

"I, ah, sure," I replied. It's not like I can say no. Double damn. "What for, though?" I asked after.

"Basketball," Troy spoke up, causing me to look at him again. "I told Chad not to worry about it, but he won't leave it alone," he explained, looking directly into my eyes again.

I opened my mouth, then closed it, having nothing to say. "Dude, I'm not leaving it alone, you're a kick ass basketball player," he reminded him. He is? "The team could use you, there's an open spot, why not join?" he questioned.

"Maybe because it's the playoffs, and I haven't earned it," Troy responded, now looking at his best friend.

Chad waved him off. "You've been around your dad too long, you have earned it, maybe not here, but you have. You worked your ass off back in Arizona, right?" he asked, but didn't wait for the answer. "Well, use your skills here. It just so happens Gabi's brother's are co-captains, and whatever they want, Coach agrees with because he trusts them," he told Troy.

"For some odd reason," I mumbled, but was ignored.

"If they see you play, and they like you, they'll want you on the team, and we'll win the championship," Chad stated. "I don't see the problem. So, Ells, we'll be over around three tomorrow to talk to Marc and Luke," he told me.

Troy looked at me again. "I- okay," I spit out, moving out from underneath Chad's arm to the couch. I sat next to Sharpay.

"I love your shoes," she instantly told me. "Whose are they and why are you wearing them?" she questioned.

"Well, that's insulting," Taylor spoke up. "Gabi can wear high heels once in a while, she's not a tall girl, maybe is boosts her self-confidence," she guessed.

"Not that her self-confidence doesn't need a boosting, but how is it insulting for me to merely ask?" Sharpay wondered. "It's a known fact to all who know her that high heels are not her shoes of choice," she said.

I rolled my eyes. "Why don't you guys shut up and let me answer?" I suggested. "I'm wearing them because of Serena, I wasn't in the mood to be bitched at by her for not showing my beauty or whatever she says, so I attempted to show it," I explained to them. "Speaking of, her boyfriend's nice," I told them.

"Is he hott?" Sharpay questioned.

"Why is that the only thing you think of?" Taylor asked her. "He's nice, personality matters, not looks," she said.

"Oh, please, have you met Serena?" Sharpay questioned her.

I sighed. "Yes, Shar, I guess he is," I answered, breaking up their bickering session.

"They're not always like this," Chad said to Troy from the other couch.

Taylor turned to her boyfriend, about to start a fight. "Why don't we all stop fighting and welcome Troy because he's the new one here?" Ryan suggested.

"Oh, no, I'm good," Troy assured him. "You guys are entertaining," he told us.

"Really?" Sharpay wondered, smiling at him widely.

Troy shrugged a little. "Yeah, I didn't have much diversity in my friends back home. They were mainly jocks, popular kids, or cheerleaders," he informed us.

"Eh, I don't like any of them," I mumbled, pushing hair out of my face.

"Hey, I'm a jock," Chad objected.

"And, I'm a popular kid," Sharpay added.

Taylor nodded. "Plus, your brothers are jocks and popular, and only date cheerleaders," she reminded me.

"That doesn't mean I like them," I teased. "My brother's are slightly different, like you guys," I told them. "Maybe more than slightly, but you know what I mean. We've all been friends forever," I said.

"Even I admit I don't like them," Ryan agreed.

I smiled. "Thank you, see, I'm not alone here," I insisted.

"I'm kind of agree with Gabi, babe, we are more on the nerd side than the cool side," Taylor admitted.

"Then why the hell am I dating you?" Chad asked, only to have Taylor give him a death stare. "I'm kidding, I know you're a geek, it's hott," he assured her, wrapping an arm around her.

She nodded. "Uh-huh, you're on a tight line there, buddy, so be careful on what you keep on saying," she warned him.

"Oh, shut up, you two are so adorable, I want to throw up half the time," Sharpay told them. "I want to be adorable, I want a boyfriend," she whined.

"Shar, you've have two boyfriends this year," Ryan reminded her.

"So?" she replied. "That doesn't mean I really liked any of them, why do you think we broke up?" she questioned. "What about you, Troy, do you have a girlfriend?" she asked him.

Troy sat up, clearing his throat a little. "Nah," he answered with a shake of his head. "I've had drama with girls lately, so I've tried to keep away," he added.

Sharpay looked visibly let down, then leaned back. "So, Felix-"

"Felix is still dating Jaymi, that hasn't changed since you asked me the last time, or the time before it. And, yes, he's happy, so don't call her a skank," I immediately told her.

"Felix?" Troy wondered, making me look at him.

He was staring directly back at me. "My older brother, one of them, anyways," I muttered a little too quickly.

"How many siblings do you have?" he questioned me.

"Seven," everyone in the room answered just as my pocket vibrating.

I pulled it out. 'Serena' appeared on the front screen. "Speaking of, hello?" I answered it.

"Where did you go? One minute you were here, the next you were gone," she replied back. Nice hi, don't you think?

I scratched my head. "I'm at Chad's," I told her. "I told Felix, didn't he tell you?" I wondered.

"No, chica, but you have to come home,"she stated. Serena's the one of us who welcomed our Mexican background, and is minoring in Spanish in college. She speaks it fluently, taking it all through high school and making my mother help tutor her. Both my parents speak it, and I know basic words, but I took it freshman and sophomore year, but that's about it. I can tell you you have a cat in your pants, and say your mom is easy.

I frowned. "Why? I've seen you, I met Kris, what more do I have to do?" I asked her.

"I don't know, hang out with me? Get to know Kris? He means a lot to be, Gab, it's why I brought him home, and I have news, and want to tell you about college," she listed off. Oh.

"We have all break," I reminded her.

I could tell she was getting angry. "Gabriella, I am serious, I need you home. Besides, dinner is almost done," she informed me. Oh again.

"Okay, okay, I'll be home in a little bit," I assured her.

"No, now. That's it, I am coming to get you," she stated before hanging up.

I frowned some more, closing my phone. "Bleh," I grumbled. "She's coming to get me like I am five," I told everyone.

"Whatever, you met Troy, your business here is done," Chad spoke up.

"Thanks, Chaddy, it means a lot," I mumbled back, standing up. My eyes moved to Troy to find they were on me already. "Um, it was nice meeting you, Troy," I told him.

He smiled at me and it made me want to smile back. I couldn't help it. Oh, geez, I'm a thirteen year old now. Wonderful. "You too, Gabriella," he insisted. "I'll see you tomorrow," he added.

I bit my lip to stop the smiling, and just nodded back at him. Chad's door opened, so I knew Serena was here. "Hi, everyone," she greeted, walking right over to me. "Doesn't Gabi look great?" she asked them, getting a hold of my arm, then tugged, causing me to stumble.

"I really wish you would all realize I am not used to heels, so stop pulling me!" I said as she dragged me away. "Bye, guys," I added, remembering to grab my purse before going out the door. "Why do you need me home?" I questioned when she finally let me go, and we strode across the street.

"Dinner's about done, and I have some news," Serena answered.

Ugh. Didn't I tell Felix to call me when dinner is done? Yes, I did, but yet again, I am forgotten. "Well, shouldn't you wait for Belle if this news is big?" I replied.

"Belle already knows," she told me, opening the door for me to follow behind her. "We're back!" she called out into the house.

She led me directly to the dining room. The table was already set, and my mother was carrying out some of the food, my dad helping her. "Hi, Papi," I greeted my father, having yet to see him today.

"Hey, hija," he replied, kissing my cheek. Hija means daughter in Spanish. See, I know somethings. My mom calls me mija, which means my daughter. "You look different," he said, putting the plate down on the table.

"I know, you should have seen the guys looking at her in the airport," Felix agreed, sitting down in the chair next to me.

I rolled my eyes. "No one was staring at me in the airport!" I exclaimed, glaring at him.

"Who was staring at Gabi in the airport?" Lucas wondered, walking in with Marcus. They're almost always together.

"A whole bunch of guys, I mean, look at the way she's dressed," Felix answered.

"Are you guys serious?" I asked, pulling my seat out in between Felix and Vince.

Marcus was already chewing on something. "Yeah, you're dressed different, I don't like it," he agreed.

"Will you guys leave her alone?" Serena spoke up. Thank you! "I dress worse all the time, hell, I am now. She's a girl growing into a woman, a damn fine woman, and she doesn't need you idiots keeping her down, you have for far too long," she stated. "I hope you keep dressing like a girl, you could get that cute kid at Chad's house who was staring at you," she added.

No! "What kid?" Felix asked, immensely interested.

"What kid, Gabi?" Lucas questioned me directly.

"Chad's best friend, he just moved here. And, I had no intention of 'getting' anyone," I insisted.

Serena waved me off. "You should, chica, he was really cute, and staring at you," she told me.

Pink tinted my cheeks. Damn. "He was not! No one was staring at me today, will you all get over it?" I demanded.

"Guys, leave Gabi alone, she looks beautiful," my mother intervened. Thank you again! "Don't let your brother's keep you from keeping your beauty in," she instructed me with a wink.

I smiled back at her as my brother's grumbled. "I think so too," Vince said, and I smiled over at him.

"Thanks, Vin," I replied.

"I'm getting married to Kris!" Serena suddenly announced a minute later.

Forks clattered to plates, and I spit my drink out onto Marcus.

"Aw, Gab!" he whined, wiping himself off.. then my parents started yelling.

Here ya go! It's shorter than I would have liked, but I couldn't keep going.

IF you are NEW to the story, please don't read the other version. This one will be better!

REVIEW EVEN IF YOU REVIEWED ON THE ORIGINAL VERSION! I NEED FEEDBACK STILL!

-- Kayleigh