Hey guys this is my first High School Musical fanfiction. This idea came to me and I began writing and couldn't stop so I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it. So please review and let me know what you think and if there is anything wrong. If you don't review or don't like I won't continue but if you do like I will, so yeah... enjoy!
With the help of my amazing Beta I have made a few changes since I first posted this chapter so please, re-read.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own High School Musical and its characters and nor do I claim too.
Gabriella has been let down by almost everyone she has ever cared about. When she was two years old her dad left the family for his druggy mistress. Gabriella was too young to understand what happened, she always felt part of her was missing; there was a whole in her heart.
After his abandonment her mother, Maria, struggled to keep up with their lifestyle. She eventually turned to alcohol to ease the daily stress on her life. Unfortunately what started as the occasional drink, turned into an addiction, an obsession, a need and she became an alcoholic. Everyone, except Maria herself, could see that she was addicted, but the adult never admitted to anyone, not even herself.
When Gabriella was eight years old she consulted the school counsellor because she was worried about her mother and the kind of men she would bring home. The school contacted child services and asked them to come to the school and hear what Gabriella had to say.
After the meeting, child services contacted Maria and they had a conversation with her about Gabriella's life so far and their daily routines, as well as Maria's own life. After Maria had gotten off the phone she had yelled at Gabriella for telling someone about her problems. When Gabriella tried to apologize to her mother, Maria had beaten her. The beating was so bad it left large bruises, so when child services made an unexpected visit the next day it wasn't hard to put two and two together and they immediately took Gabriella from Maria's care.
Ever since then she has been in the foster care system, going from one home to the other, never really knowing what a true family was like. Gabriella became depressed and when she was thirteen she began cutting herself. When people noticed the cuts and scars, she would deny it. She would scream at them for thinking such a thing. That's when her third foster family gave up and contacted child services, who took Gabriella back into the system and to yet another home.
When she was fourteen she walked the streets at night begging strangers to buy her beer. She didn't see herself as an alcoholic she knew better than that but whenever she got into a fight with her foster parents, she would run into her room and drink. She ditched school almost every day and wandered around on the streets talking to no one; just walking.
When the school rang and informed her foster parents that she hadn't been attending they laid down the law, if she didn't start to go to school they would have to send her back. Of course Gabriella didn't attend, so two weeks later she was brought back and sent off to another home; to people who thought they could straighten her out.
In her new 'home' Gabriella did start to attend school. She made no friends and got into fights regularly resulting in her being expelled when she was only sixteen. Her foster parents tried hard to straighten her out but she rebelled against them. She went so far that she broke every rule they made. Almost at their breaking point they got her to see a therapist that did house calls, as Gabriella refused to go. It was no help she wouldn't change for anyone, so at age seventeen her fifth set of foster parents gave up and sent her back.
"Gabriella, why am I not surprised to see you back here again?" Isabelle asked guiding Gabriella into her office and into the seat in front of her desk. Isabelle has been dealing with Gabriella since she first started the programme; she's the one in charge of finding Gabriella a safe and stable home to live in. Six times she's seen Gabriella walk through her office door with the same expression, the same cold stare and every time she's tried to befriend the lost girl. Every time she failed.
"Dunno" Gabriella muttered, picking at the black nail polish on her fingernails. Isabelle sighed before looking through the paperwork for the next 'home' for Gabriella.
For Gabriella it was the same routine: new house, new family, break the rules, fuck up, get kicked out and come back here. She had no friends, no family, no dreams. She felt empty inside and it was obvious to everyone that looked into her dull brown eyes, never seeing the sparkle that was once there. At school, well the days she did go, people would tease her for being emo, because of her appearance. Of course Gabriella didn't take it and she got into fights, that she would always win.
"Alrighty, looks like your moving to Albuquerque with the O'Malley's" Isabelle smiled warmly.
"Yay!" Gabriella faked enthusiasm and rolled her eyes. It was just another stop in her life.
"Now will you promise me you are going try with this family and be good to these people." Isabelle asked, ignoring Gabriella's previous outburst.
"Nope" she replied simply picking at the frays of the holes in her jeans.
"Gabriella, I don't want to see you back here again, please try you're hardest at your new home. They are good people" Isabelle spoke quietly, folding her hands together in front of her.
"Do you really think I give a shit?" Gabriella replied harshly, looking up at her counsellor for the first time. Gabriella's eyes were cold, while they once were a bright, chocolate brown, now they were dull and hidden behind a heavy coat of eyeliner and mascara.
"Please get your things and wait outside my office while I make a few calls" Isabelle instructed, growing tired of the teenager's attitude. With that Gabriella snatched her duffle bag leaving the room, slamming the door behind her. She sat on the ground leaning against the wall until Isabelle came out of the room.
"Your plane will be leaving in a few hours, so if you need to say goodbye to anyone make it fast" Isabelle said walking from her office to the front desk, her heels clicking against the wooden floors.
Gabriella sat for a few moments before getting up and walking to the front desk, kicking the wall as she walked past. She nodded at Isabelle and waited for her to retrieve her keys before they walked to the car. They were headed straight for the airport.
****
As soon as she stepped off the plane she contemplated running away before the O'Malley's could see her. But then again Isabelle would have already informed them that she'd do such a thing and they would be prepared. So with a sigh she made her way over to the luggage where she instantly saw her bag coming her way.
Finding the O'Malley's was hardly a challenge; the big sign, that had 'Gabriella Montez' written on it, was hard to miss. As she made her way over to the couple she took in their appearances. They were both in their mid forties, both smiling brightly at her. She rolled her eyes and continued walking.
Mr and Mrs O'Malley were a lovely couple who had tried to have kids when they were younger, but sadly they were unsuccessful. Ever since then they had been fostering kids who had either been abandoned or taken away from their parents. They weren't ready to adopt, because they weren't ready for that commitment. So they fostered for many years. The kids they fostered had come from different places, all with their own unique background story. Upon hearing Gabriella's story they thought, it was their job to help the teenager, even after hearing the stories of the other foster parents.
"Gabriella!" Mrs O'Malley, or Karen as she preferred, smiled when the teenager approached her.
"It's so nice to finally meet you" Mr O'Malley, or Tony, added.
"Yeah whatever, can we just get out of here?" Gabriella muttered causing both Karen and Tony's smile to fall.
"Sure honey, come on" Karen said leading the way through the crowd and into the parking lot.
"I'm Tony and this is my wife Karen" Tony introduced himself, to the raven haired girl. Gabriella seemed to ignore him as she kept walking. Karen and Tony shared a look before sighing, they both wanted the best for this girl no matter how hard the challenge.
The car ride was silent; Gabriella sat in the back seat with her head on the window and her iPod on full blast. Both Karen and Tony could hear the music from the front seat.
Karen and Tony have always been proud of their home. The house wasn't large but it wasn't small either. Standing at two storeys tall the house was all white with a rose garden running from the front of the house to the back. It was an old home, built by the previous occupants who died of old age. So when the newlywed couple spotted the house, they knew it was perfect. They lived in a good neighbourhood and knew almost all of their neighbours. So when they pulled up they were only hoping Gabriella would love it as much as they did.
Well Gabriella did not. For Gabriella it was only another place to stay until she turned eighteen, and she was a legal adult, leaving her on her own. Another place with meddling people who weren't her mother or father. It was the story of her life. Karen opened the door and led Gabriella inside for a tour of the house. Of course Gabriella wasn't paying much attention until they got to her room.
"So this is where you'll be staying" Karen smiled, walking into the spacious room. When she knew Gabriella wasn't going to answer her she decided to give her some room.
"Okay well make yourself at home and if you need us we'll be downstairs" Karen said before walking away, somehow still smiling.
Gabriella took a look around the room. The room was big, far bigger than any other room she had before; the bed was a double with a white bedspread that had butterflies on it. The butterflies would have to go. The room was filled with the normal essentials, like a desk, drawers, wardrobe and plenty of other things, but the thing that intrigued Gabriella the most was the balcony.
After dropping her bag on the ground she slowly made her way to the French doors that opened with ease. The cool breeze hit her as soon as she walked out. She closed her eyes and let the wind flow softly through her dark hair, as she tried very hard not to think.
Ever since Gabriella was a child she always dreamed of having a balcony. She would always dream her prince would come to her balcony and take her away from everything.
****
"Yo hoops!" Chad Danforth yelled tossing the ball at Troy. They were playing a two on two game of basketball in Troy's backyard with Jason and Zeke.
Troy Bolton was seventeen. He grew up with the perfect parents, Jack and Lucille; they were supportive, loving and happy. He had many dreams in life, but his most important one is to play for the Lakers basketball team. He was captain of the East high basketball team, which included Chad, Zeke and Jason. His dad was the coach, so every now and then -especially on big games- his dad would organize college scouts to come and watch him play.
"Good shot man" Troy said breathless, walking over to the side of the court to grab a drink of water.
"That'll do for today I'm beat!" Jason said shaking his long, brown locks and pulling his shirt over his head.
"Dude the big game is in a couple of months and if you're tired already then you won't stand a chance against west high" Troy said sitting on the grass next to the court.
"I'll be fine, I'll get in shape don't worry" Jason replied taking another swig of icy water.
"Can you believe school begins tomorrow, man it feels like Christmas was yesterday" Zeke complained, lying on the court.
"I know, but hey at least I'll get to see Taylor" Chad smiled, running a hand through his out of control afro.
"You're so whipped" Troy laughed throwing Jason's shirt at him.
"Shut up Bolton, I remember last summer when you were making googly eyes at Simone Johnson, Ha!" Chad laughed throwing the shirt back.
"Dude I remember that!" Zeke said and the three boys laughed.
"Guys seriously, I wasn't making googly eyes at her!" Troy protested.
"Sure sure, man I gotta run it's almost five, you guys want a ride?" Chad asked, bouncing up and getting his things.
"Yeah" they both said getting their things.
"Alright, see you at school tomorrow" Troy said giving them all a man hug. They nodded before running to Chad's range rover.
Troy walked back into his house that he had lived in his whole life. His parents were both well off, so he was never short on anything he needed, resulting in an exceptionally large house and only the best cars. Except for Troy's truck that he had fixed with his dad, he loved it too much to sell or even buy a new car to use.
"Hey mom" Troy said running inside with his basketball under his arm.
"Honey could you help me out with dinner?" Lucille asked from the kitchen.
"Fine, but I'm all sweaty" Troy smiled knowing his mother reaction to that fact.
"Oh Troy that's disgusting. Go shower!" she ordered but she still had a smile on her face.
Troy laughed before running up to his room and jumping in his shower. Troy had a lot of things on his mind, but his main problem was school tomorrow.
"I hope school will be interesting this year" he sighed.
Oh he had no idea how interesting!