A/N: I know…I have a hard time writing stories and not finishing them. Don't worry, I promise you another chapter of Say Ok, plus, that was just a story to get me an idea of something TOTALLY new and awesome! I wrote a one-shot recently too, so if you want to check that out. I'm planning to make this story 12 chapters and YES I will finish it.

Disclaimer: I do not own any High School Musical Characters.

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Chapter One: I'm Feelin Free

It's always exciting when the last bell rings, because that means school is out for the day. That day must've been a special day at East High, the sun was shining and it was warm outside and everyone just wanted to get out instead of sitting in stuffy classrooms. When that last bell rang, the whole school cheered. Even the teachers were relieved.

Troy and his basketball team had won the championships recently. Now they were practicing for the State game. He also had the rehearsals for the Spring Musical. Twinkle Town the Sequel, with Arnold and Minnie. Lame right? Well, whatever Miss Darbus says goes.

Ever since the major clique problem at East High had broken free, Troy, Chad, Zeke, Jason, Gabriella, Taylor, Kelsi, Sharpay and Ryan had become well..sort of their own clique. They all had become very close friends since that day.

After school that day, they all went to their favorite restaurant, which was called Benny's. They all ordered strawberry smoothies. A lot of kids loved going to Benny's after school and drinking his strawberry smoothies. Everyone loved his strawberry smoothies.

"Stacey's party is going to be off the hook you guys." Chad told them as they all sat at their usual huge round table. "I heard the deep end of her pool is 12 feet deep."

"It can't be as big as ours." Sharpay rolled her eyes.

"Well Sharpay, your house is enormous, we were actually going to try and stuff eight elephants on the first floor of your house." Troy joked.

Everyone, except for Sharpay and Ryan laughed.

"Very funny." She said.

"How's the spring musical coming for you guys?" Zeke asked.

Troy looked at Gabriella. "It's going alright actually. All the songs we're going to be doing are awesome."

"Yeah, learning the parts will be a challenge but I don't think it will be too difficult." Gabriella glanced at Kelsi. "Kelsi's composing is fantasic." She smiled at the shy girl next to her. Kesli blushed and muttered a quiet "thanks."

"Well thank god the decathalon is over because I have enough homework as it is." Taylor said.

"Yeah and it will be less stressful." Gabriella added.

"Your life is pretty much made of homework. " Chad said. Taylor rolled her eyes.

"Alright, I'm out." Sharpay standing up.

"Wait Sharpay what time tomorrow?" Taylor asked.

"Oh you guys can come right after school if you want. But be careful, Mittens bites the people he doesn't know." And with that Sharpay sauntered off with Ryan trailing after her.

"Wait…what's going on tomorrow?" Troy asked them.

"We're having a sleepover." Taylor said as if they were stupid. "But its for just us girls though."

"You guys are having a sleepover at Sharpay's mansion???" Chad asked in disbelief. "Of all people why did she invite YOU?"

"Shut up Chad." Taylor said and Gabriella laughed.

Suddenly Gabriella's cell phone rang, she checked her caller ID and it was her mom. "Um…you guys I'll be right back." She told them softly.

"Hello?" She answered as soon as she reached the bathroom.

"Hi honey, where are you?" Her mother asked.

"I'm at Benny's with my friends." Gabriella said.

"Well can you pick up your sister?" She asked. "I'm at a meeting this afternoon."

"Um, sure." Gabriella said. "No problem mom."

She hung and took a breath. She looked in the mirror and saw a pretty girl stare back at her. You'd think Gabriella was lucky, all of her perfect friends and the perfect family and she's pretty and happy. Well, her parents were divorced. They had recently broken up just a few weeks before new years and it was so hard for her to handle. She always thought that they loved each other and that they were there for each other. She never thought that she would ever have to go through a divorce. It made her so upset inside. She loved and missed her dad. She hated thinking of him away from his family. Alone. In another state. So basically, sadness and hurt were killing her inside. She never told anyone about it and she had to keep it a secret from her friends. The last thing she wanted was her personal life getting out in public.

Gabriella made her way back to where everybody was. Taylor gave her a questioning look.

"Where were you?"

"I was in the bathroom. I have to go pick up Clara from school." The East Elementary school always got out later than the high school. "Do you want to come with me Taylor?"

"Definitely. Getting bored with the boys anyway." Taylor joked.

"Well, it was pretty boring talking to you too." Chad said.

"Yeah lets move out guys." Troy told the rest. It was cool how they all stood up at the same time. "We'll see you later." Troy reached out and gave Taylor and friendly hug and when he turned to Gabriella, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I'll talk to you later."

Gabriella felt a chill go up her spine as they drew apart. They weren't next door neighbors but they both lived very close to each other. And Gabriella always had feelings for Troy ever since they first sang together at the New Years Party. Troy had a small crush on her too, but no one, not even her, knew that.

"You know…" Taylor said as they walked to the elementary school. "Troy is such a ladies man. But he seems to like you."

"Really? I mean we have great chemistry during the musicals and such but I really don't think he likes me that much." Gabriella told Taylor. "It would be so weird for him to like me anyway. I mean, he's the popular jock and I'm the shy-around-boys braniac nerd. There are always cheerleaders and other girls around him. I'm sure he likes one of them."

Taylor shrugged. "But for some reason…he acts all affectionate around you."

Gabriella couldn't help but smile. "Well…I'm sure he acts like that around a lot of girls. "

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Gabriella lay in bed that night wide awake, knowing it was hopeless to fall asleep. I wonder what he's doing right now. He's probably asleep. Please be okay papa.

Gabriella felt a tear slide down her cheek. She wiped her eyes. Why did divorce have to hurt so much? She always knew that her parents loved each other. Now it was just over. It felt like just yesterday when she heard the horrible fight that was lasted for days. Everyday…she wished it was all just a nightmare and that she would wake up it. But that was only a wish.

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Done! There's the first chapter and I hope you liked it!! I'm going for 12 chapters for this story. I think this story will be very emotional because Gabriella's dealing with divorce and missing her dad. Even though on the outside she seems like a strong person and hiding her problems, its making her feel weak and miserable inside about the whole divorce situation and she doesn't want to tell anyone, especially her friends but she…WHOA..i don't want to give TOO MUCH AWAY! I love surprising PEOPLE!!

This story is most definitely a Troyella. You'll love it I promise, well at least I hope you will! Reveiws are much appreciated!!!

-cutiepie100