Hello fanfictioneters! No, I do not know if that's a word and if it's not, it is now :)
The name is Valerie and I've decided to write a sweet, amazing, incredible, outstanding (you get the point) story.
Actually I dont know if it is any of those, I'll let you be the judge.
I love reviews hint hint, wink wink, cough cough. (once again, I think you get the point)
Disclaimer I do not own Disney's characters, Britney Spear's Hit Me Baby One More Time or Sing It Loud's Come Around
Anyways, here's the first chapter of my story, In Your Eyes.
A Warm Welcome
You can tell a lot from looking into someone's eyes. At first sight, you may only see an eye's simple color but if you look closer you'd see regret, wisdom, and maybe even heartbreak. Look closer than that and you may just see all of that person's life experiences.
Gabriella's eyes are the color of chocolate; they're caring, and gentle. There was never any hate in her eyes. If you look into them you can see your future, in those bright brown eyes. Her eyes just have the gift to give hope to people when they need it the most. She never wanted it to be this way but that's just how it always worked out. Gabriella saves people, maybe not literally but emotionally and it's as simple as looking into those breathtaking brown eyes. She's strong, independent, never letting anyone make up her mind except herself.
Her eyes, her heart, her personality, would never break for anyone, she had decided when she was younger. Plans change and people change and after all, she decided this long before she had come face to face with those piercing cobalt eyes that belonged to Troy Bolton.
When her father suggested a move to get away from his haunting past she had no choice but to follow after all, he was basically all she had.
Miles and miles away from what they were both accustomed to, the air blew through Gabriella's dark brown curls as she sat in the passenger seat of her fathers convertible. They'd recently turned off of what seemed to be a never ending ride on a never ending highway. The small car trailed shortly behind a Uhaul truck that was filled with cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes that held their lives, all put together in such a tiny space. Gabriella was surprised how very few important things she owned.
The hot air warmed her skin and the ocean breeze tickled at her nose. She decided that she was going to call this an adventure since it was something far new than anything she'd ever experienced in her lifetime. So desperately she wanted to get out of the car and as if an answer to her prayers, the car made a turn into a driveway. Having surveyed the neighborhood before they pulled in, they both agreed that it was fairly nice. Fairly nice being the friendly looking environment filled with kindhearted neighbors which was something both Gabriella and Daniel needed. The house looked like a beach house because it practically was with a wrap around porch on the ground level and a balcony extending from the room that would be hers. It wasn't too big, but wasn't too small. Basically, the light blue house was perfect for Gabriella and her father.
"So… what do you think?" Daniel Montez asked apprehensively, seeking his daughter's approval.
"What do I think…" Gabriella countered, tapping her chin playfully. "We live in walking distance from the beach, the house is amazingly gorgeous, and you're sitting here asking me what I'm thinking?!" Gabriella giggled. "Gosh, I've got leg cramps."
Daniel chuckled and shook his head at his daughter's sense of humor. Sometimes she was exactly like him. But her looks he observed belonged to her mother.
"Yeah I'm pretty beat so let's save the unpacking for later?" He said as he stopped the car and stepped out into the gravel driveway. He could smell the ocean.
"Would it be ok if I walked around for a bit?" Gabriella asked, her eyes pleading, knowing her father could not say no to the look on her face.
Daniel sighed, "Be back at a reasonable time." He wondered how she even possessed the energy to do anything. They had been driving for a few days and even though it was one four o'clock, it felt like it could have easily been eleven o'clock and he needed to sleep.
"Of course," Gabriella said with a nod. Having taken several pit stops earlier that day, Gabriella trusted that her appearance didn't look too bad but then again, when did it ever? She reached into the back of her father's convertible pulling forth an old backpack that was holding a few changes of clothes and her necessities to make it through the day. Taking out her cell phone just in case she got lost, she walked up her driveway that she had recently entered and began walking along the block taking in the scenery.
Just like she had thought, the neighborhood was beautiful. Once she turned up the block she could see the ocean. She couldn't believe she'd have a view like that from her very own balcony. From where she was she could make out a semi-crowded board walk and teenagers her age hanging around there.
Everything would be different.
Her father had warned her of this ahead of time; but was too much of a difference too much of a change…much too soon? Gabriella shook her head, she was simply confusing herself now when all she really wanted to do at the moment was see what there was to do around here. She felt a grumbling sensation in her stomach. Saying that she was hungry was an understatement.
Quickly feeling around her jean pockets, Gabriella pulled out a small wad of bills. As she neared the boardwalk her eyes searched around the shore shops for a place to grab a bite to eat. It didn't take long for her to find a place, right on the corner of the boardwalk. The moment she saw it she couldn't pick any other place. Gabriella didn't know why but it reminded her of the places she'd see back at home. A small quaint diner by the beach. Yeah, she could get used to this.
But what she couldn't get used to was the group of girls on the corner of the boardwalk, leaning against the railing. With their nasty glares, sun kissed skin and gorgeous surfer type guys who were standing nearby. As she passed them, Gabriella kept her eyes glued to her feet, trying to avoid any kind of confrontation.
"New meat," One of the boys spoke up, a devious grin evident on his face. He had tan skin and bright blond hair as blinding as the sun itself. He was shirtless and wearing a pair of board shorts.
Gabriella looked up, a bit nervous at first. These people were not the type of people she would end up being friends with.
One of the girls rolled their eyes at the boy and looked kind of friendly for a moment. That moment was extremely brief. "She's trash, Caleb, not worth it," She said with a venomous look,fishing for a reaction.
What were their problems? She hadn't even said anything to them and they were picking a fight with her. Six girls and four guys obviously outnumbered one, so what were they trying to prove?
"That doesn't mean I can't have my fun," The blond boy said, pushing himself from the railing, gradually creeping closer to Gabriella who had paused from walking.
At school Troy was a legend. Everyone knew his name and the talent he possessed when stepping on to the basketball court. He didn't ask for attention, he just got it wherever he went. People knew better than to mess with Troy Bolton, that's the way it had always been. Many would be surprised though if they found out that he secretly had a music talent as well. He wrote songs to release emotions that he held inside and loved the feeling of his fingers brushing over the raw strings on a guitar. But no one except Chad and Sharpay knew this.
Troy was popular not only at school, but with the girls as well. He never cared for serious relationships because he never felt the need to be involved in one. He knew it was easier that way. He had never really wanted a relationship with anyone, that is, until he met Gabriella Montez.
Chad's cell phone blared loudly, causing Troy to lose his ideas running through his head that occured whenever he picked up a guitar.
"Chad, I swear, if she calls one more time I'll snap the phone in half," Troy growled. Chad rolled his eyes but he knew Troy would actually do it. He also knew that he couldn't control how impatient his girlfriend could be when she didn't know what plans they had. Swiftly, he grabbed his phone and left the room, hating the usual looks of disgust Troy gave him for rather talking to his girlfriend than his best friend.
Troy sat back in the empty kitchen of the dinner that belonged to Chad's mother. Currently it was completely quiet, without its normal loudness that came from being crowded regularly. Haley Danforth had chose to close up early that day, leaving it to Chad and Troy who were trusted by themselves in the diner.
Chad reentered the room, "Shar's on her way here now."
"Great," Troy said sarcastically, but of course he was only joking. Though Sharpay Evans could be very annoying at times, he loved her like a sister and since they hung out all the time, she practically was.
They were finally falling into their normal schedule once again, now that it was summer. School had let out the week before and Troy, his best friend Chad, and Chad's girlfriend, Sharpay, were spending the summer how they always did, just hanging around.
Chad shook his head smiling, knowing that if Sharpay heard the comments Troy made about her when they were by themselves, she'd flip out. Lucky for Troy, she wasn't around. "I'm going to clean this place up a bit, you know, get on my mom's good side," Chad said with a laugh, recalling the last time he had talked to his stressed mother. The summer rush at the diner always made her a little hectic.
Troy laughed along with him. "Good idea. I'll just be back here if you need help." He said, picking up his guitar once again, putting his hands back in position. "Not like I'd give it to you, but I'm just saying," Troy smirked.
"Quit it Cal, leave her alone," Another girl who seemed to come out of nowhere, said. She looked at the group of teenagers that were bothering Gabriella with disgust. "You're all pathetic," She hissed.
The girls rolled their eyes and walked away with the group of boys, Caleb following after them.
Gabriella eyed the blond girl who had stood up for her without even knowing her. She wore pink flip flops, a denim skirt and a pink tank top that was covering up a bikini. Her long blond hair was pulled up in a sloppy bun on top of her head.
"I haven't seen you around here before…" She said whilst studying the brunette. "I'm Sharpay and if you are new here, stay away from them," Sharpay told her, gesturing over her shoulder, towards the people who had recently left. "They're bad news."
"I'm Gabriella." She smiled shyly. "Yeah I am new here, I'm just looking around for the first time today. Thanks for that-"
"No need to thank," Sharpay said with a shrug as if it were no big deal at all. "Well I was heading to get something to eat," She said while turning towards the diner that Gabriella was initially headed. When Gabriella didn't move, Sharpay stopped. "You coming new girl?"
She nodded and smiled. Maybe this wasn't going to be as hard as she thought it would be. Starting over, that is.
The inside of Danforth's Diner was empty. Gabriella figured that Sharpay had been there before as she watched her climbed on top of the counter, taking a seat.
"Chad!" She called out. "Chad? Are you in here?" She flashed Gabriella a reassuring smile. "Make yourself at home."
Just as Gabriella tried to make herself less nervous, a boy around their age came out from behind the counter of the kitchen. The first thing she noticed about any person was of course, their eyes. Studying the athletic-looking boy's eyes she immediately saw what she thought was welcoming. He had unruly hair styled up as an afro, his skin a darker shade, and was wearing basketball shorts and a tank top. The boy rushed up to the blond Gabriella had met moments ago and swept her up into his arms, planting a kiss on her lips affectionately. Sharpay blushed slightly, hitting his shoulder.
"Don't be rude!" She said with an embarrassed laugh. Chad noticed Gabriella and smiled awkwardly.
"Uh hey, sorry," he laughed. "I'm Chad and you are.."
The sound was drowned out to Gabriella. She could only hear the soft strumming of a guitar and the most amazing voice she'd ever heard singing along with the melody. Only one word came to mind, amazing.
"I'm all tied up and I'm trying my best to get down, come on girl, come around come around," the voice sang along with the guitar.
"What, I mean, who is that?" Gabriella asked, mesmerized.
Chad laughed a little since he was used to this reaction from girls when it came to his best friend, Troy. Some people would be surprised of how great he actually was because he was known as a talented basketball player instead.
"Hey singer boy!" Sharpay yelled back towards the kitchen and waited until the music stopped. "Why don't you come out here and meet my new friend and whip us up some burgers?"
The boy groaned, exiting the kitchen while holding onto his guitar. "Sure anything for you, Shar," He said sarcastically, getting ready to say something else but stopped when he saw Gabriella. "Wow."
Wow? What was that supposed to mean? Sharpay rolled her eyes and put a protective arm around Gabriella's slim shoulders.
"Don't even think about it, Troy," Sharpay told him, knowing that he could be player at times. A new girl didn't deserve to have her heart broken. "Chad, Troy, this is Gabriella." Chad nodded, his own way of greeting someone while Troy just continued to stare. "Gabriella, these are the two idiots I call best friends," She giggled as Chad playfully bumped her with his hip.
"That's not what you were calling me last night."
Her face reddened again. "That's something you shouldn't be repeating."
Troy chuckled at his friends but couldn't stop staring at Gabriella. She was exotic looking to him, different from all of the beach locals who were mostly blond and all looked the same but she was different. Different in a good way. Meanwhile Gabriella was hooked on Troy's eyes and that spectacular voice. All she wanted to do was look into those blue eyes that reminded her of the ocean she had seen earlier, and listen to that voice that could easily soothe her.
"So, do you play?" Gabriella asked, breaking the silence since Chad and Sharpay were now off in their own worlds.
"Uh, what?"
Gabriella laughed nervously. "The guitar…"
Troy felt his cheeks warm a little and scratched the back of his neck. Was Troy Bolton nervous? "Yeah I guess you could say that."
"Why don't you play me something?"
"What?"
She smiled warmly, beginning to feel more comfortable around the people she had just met. They were a lot less threatening than Caleb and the girls she'd encountered outside of the diner. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
Troy glanced over to see Chad looking at Sharpay suggestively.
"I think we're going to head out," Chad told Troy, his hand was holding on to Sharpay's. He was already leading her to the door of the diner.
"Wait!" Sharpay felt guilty, ditching Gabriella. "Gabi, are you ok here with Troy?"
Gabriella felt a smile form on her face. She had just moved here about an hour ago and someone already had a nickname for her. She opened her mouth to reply but Troy beat her to it.
"She's fine Shar, go ahead."
Chad flashed Troy a quick lopsided appreciative grin. "Lock up, would yah?"
Troy nodded and the two said their goodbyes and left him with someone he really didn't know but was dying to get to know better.
"What did he mean, lock up?" Gabriella asked as Troy began making sure the counters were clean along with the tables.
Troy paused. "This is his mom's diner."
Her mouth formed into an "O" shape and felt awkward hanging around with someone she didn't know, watching him clean. "Do you need help?"
Troy looked up for a moment to make sure that this girl was real. He didn't know any girls around here who would volunteer to do work, let alone clean. "Nope."
She bit her lip. "Maybe I should head home."
"No!" Troy said louder than he intended and covered it up with nervous laughter. He coughed clearing his throat. "I mean… you're hungry, right? Let's go get something to eat, I mean if that's ok with you?"
Those blue eyes convinced her, besides she needed to know some people around here. "Yeah I'd love to."
Before Gabriella knew it, she had been out for about four hours. The time just kept flying by and she easily lost track of it. The sun had set and it was around 8:30 and now she and Troy were singing while walking on the beach like a couple who had one too many to drink. But they hadn't had anything to drink at all, they were just having fun, not caring what anyone else thought. For anyone who saw them, they might think that they've known each other for awhile when in reality, they had only met a few hours ago. After hanging out with Gabriella, Troy realized she was a lot more complex than he thought she was going to be which just made him interested in her even more. He made a note in his mind to thank Sharpay for bringing her to him. He barely knew her at all but she already had him hooked.
"Tell me baby because I need to know now oh because," She yelled obnoxiously, not caring about the people who were looking at them like they had serious issues.
Troy laughed and slid into the sand on his knees, "My loneliness is killing me."
Gabriella sang backup. "And I…"
"I must confess, I still believe," Troy sang high pitched, causing Gabriella to burst out laughing once again.
"When I'm not with you a lose my mind, give me a sign Gabriella!" Troy said pointing to her to finish the song.
She twirled, letting her curls dance in the wind. "Hit me baby one more time!"
Troy pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "Incredible, seriously, incredible," He applauded dramatically, falling to the sand, lying on his back. His white polo pulled up a little, revealing the beginning of his toned abs to Gabriella who pretended not to stare. He sighed and looked up at the night sky. "So now that we've ate and performed," He laughed, "Tell me why I haven't seen you before."
Gabriella sat down and crossed her legs, looking out at the crashing waves. "I just moved here about five hours ago."
"What?" He was surprised.
"Yeah I know it feels like it's been days already," Gabriella laughed a little, trying not to feel so homesick.
Troy sat up, "Where are you from?"
"Albuquerque, New Mexico."
"Ah, you're from the west side," He smirked. "I should have known."
"Oh really? What's that supposed to mean?" Gabriella asked, her eyes narrowing.
Troy nudged her shoulder playfully almost knocking her over doing so. "You're different." It was something that he already liked about her. She didn't care what anyone else thought about her and a girl like that was hard to find. She frowned, a little confused. "It's a good different, Brie."
Nickname number two. Today felt unreal to Gabriella. Maybe she would have actual friends here.
"How?" She asked him with a questioning look.
"You're real."
Gabriella laughed but her laughter died down when she realized he was being serious. "What are people…not real here?"
Troy remained silent, staring at the ocean then he faced her with a slight smile on his features. He shrugged nonchalantly. "Welcome to Jacksonville."
Jacksonville, Florida. Her new home.