Hey everybody. Loooong time no chapter, I know. This past few months have just been craaazzy. But here it is. Another story that's been stuck in my head.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I'm just playing with them. ;))

It was just another normal Friday for Gabriella Montez, a junior at East High school. The cheerleaders were wearing their outfits even though it only was about 10 degrees outside with a heavy layer of snow. The Basketball team was wearing their formal game-day suits which were mandatory for them on game days and the teachers were more excited about the Wildcats playing against the Knights than Gabriella was.

She enjoyed basketball. She is even going to the game. She just doesn't like the whole set ups for it. It would be enough for her if the boys wear their game-day suits and the cheerleaders did their thing. But why did there have to be posters everywhere? Why did everybody have to talk about it for over a week?

Right, because Troy Bolton was the captain of the team.

Gabriella sighed while she closed her locker. She spotted Taylor and Sharpay in the hallway and made her way over to them, smiling softly. "Hey, girls, did you already start the history paper?" she asked them while they turned their heads in her direction.

Taylor smiled at her in greeting and nodded. Sharpay frowned. "No, why? When is it due again? Today is Friday, right?"

Gabriella nodded. "Yes, it's due Monday," she replied, while dodging some students.

"Shit, I have to start AND finish it Sunday then." Sharpay mumbled more to herself rather than to Gabriella and Taylor.

"Don't worry, Shar, it was easy," Taylor assured her and winked at her. Sharpay gave her a "yeah, right" look and changed the subject.

"Should I pick you guys up tonight for the game?" Sharpay asked the both of them and they smiled in gratitude.

Gabriella waved when she made her way to physics while Sharpay and Taylor had chemistry.

She sighed again and sat down in her normal spot, in the back of the classroom.

She doodled mindlessly on her notebook and when she looked up to see if the teacher was ready to start the class, she was greeted with two piercing blue eyes. He smiled at her and gave her a nod. She smiled back and winked at him – their usual greeting. Gabriella looked down again and shook her head. Why they did that? She had no clue. Why they never spoke? Easy – he was the most popular guy in school and she, let's just say she fell more into the category of the nerds. Nothing more, nothing less. They weren't meant to be friends or anything else for that matter.

One time, she remembered, she wanted to ask him if she could switch tables with him, because Chad, his best friend, was simply pissing her off, but the second she attempted to make one step, Amanda, the head cheerleader came up to her and told her to "not even think about it". After that, Gabriella just lived with it and tried her best to ignore it.

She didn't like that East High was ruled by cliques and stereotypes and unfortunately, by bullies.

But she could handle them, most of the time at least. It just took her a great effort in doing so. She wasn't used to defending herself every single day at her old school. But she wouldn't let them change her, just because she liked science and school in general and wasn't participating in any kind of sport.

It was just funny to her, that the most popular guy in school acknowledged her and even smiled at her and the people who were supposed to be his friends were the meanest people you could meet. She didn't understand it. Gabriella sighed again and pushed a lock behind her ear. When she looked down on her notebook again she saw a note sitting there with her name on it.

What's with the sighs today? – Troy

She smiled softly to herself. Why he bothered to notice? No idea. But she appreciated it. Only having girlfriends can be tiring at some points. Just talking to a male friend would be the best thing that could happen to Gabriella, she just wasn't meant to have one, apparently.

Just tired, I guess. – Gabriella

She threw it back to his desk, sitting diagonal from him. He picked it up and wrote something back.

But you're still coming to the game tonight, right? – Troy

She opened it and frowned. Why would he care?

I don't know for sure, yet. But there'll be so many other people cheering you on, it won't matter if I'll be there. – Gabriella

This time, it was his turn to sigh and began writing again.

If you say so. Hope to see you there though. – Troy

For some weird reason, Gabriella's heart sped up for a second. But she tried to ignore it and listen to the teacher, who had been talking throughout their little "talking". She didn't want to get caught, not thinking of the teacher, though.

Gabriella closed her locker for the end of the day and for this week for the matter and tightened her scarf around her neck, knowing it's gonna be really cold while walking the eight blocks from school home. She didn't mind the walk, usually. On days like this though, she dreaded it.

Walking down the three familiar steps of the entrance and exit of East High, she smiled hearing the soft crunchy sound the snowflakes made under her boots. Fishing for her Ipod in her bag, she found it and plugged the earplugs in her ears. Looking down and not listening to her surroundings, she didn't hear Tyler Brown, coming up behind her with snow and dirt in his hand.

Next thing she knew, Tyler was putting his hand in her face, and practically duped Gabriella's face with snow. He started laughing hysterically and ran away, back to the rest of his basketball teammates.

The only thing he didn't notice was that in the process, Gabriella got a little piece of dirt in her right eye and she didn't get it out. She crouched down, trying to get it out of her eye. She didn't have much luck.

Luckily, Taylor came to her rescue. "What the hell happened, Gabriella?" she exclaimed and ran to her immediately.

"Something flew in my eye," she replied and tried to stay still while Taylor proceeded to take the dirt out of her eye.

"Got it," Taylor said after 3 minutes and smiled a relief smile. So did Gabriella. Taylor looked over her shoulder and frowned. "Why is Troy Bolton shoving Tyler Brown? I thought they were on the same team?"

For a moment Gabriella's eyes doubled their size, but then she shrugged it off. "I don't know." She replied and started heading home after thanking Taylor.

Keeping her head down and ignoring the pain in her right eye, Gabriella concentrated on not falling down. She still had halfway to go, which made her shiver even more. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, grabbing her and the next thing she knew, she saw Troy Bolton laying down on the ground because she flipped him over. She gasped and immediately started apologizing and helped him up. "I'm so sorry, Troy. I didn't know it was you."

Troy laughed. "I didn't know you could do that, Gabi, but I'm glad to know you can defend yourself," he chuckled, while she smiled shyly. "You dropped this," he said after a short silence. He held out a picture of her little sister, Sam. She snatched it away from his hand and hid it in her hand.

"Thanks," she said softly and started walking away. After three steps, she stopped again, turning around, seeing him still standing in the exact same spot. "Thanks for defending me back in school. I appreciate it," she told him and smiled at him softly. He nodded with a smile. "I'll see you at the game, Wildcat," she whispered the last word, hoping he didn't hear it and continued walking home.

"You know I can give you a ride, Gabi," he shouted after her.

She turned around again, feeling tingles in the pit of her stomach. "You live on the other side of town, Troy," she shouted back. "I'll be fine, you make sure you won't be late for warm-ups!" she waved and started walking away again.

"What about after the game?"

Inwardly, she rolled her eyes. He wasn't giving up fast. "What about it?", shrugging her shoulders.

"I assume you get a ride from Sharpay, bringing you to the game?" he asked, somehow already knowing the answer. "And I know for a fact, that she is going to the after-party. I also know that you won't go. She will offer you a ride home though, you will decline and walk home in the dark, alone. And I know for a fact that I don't like that, so let me give you a ride home after the game." He said slowly making his way over to her.

She glanced at the black BMW he had parked on the other side of the streets a couple feet away. "I wouldn't want to be the reason the captain would be late for the after party." She replied, though she wanted to accept his offer immediately.

"I don't care if I'll be late if that means saving you from some creeps." He said, smiling lopsided at her.

She sighed. "That's nice and all, but I care. If someone finds out I am the reason for you being late I will have an awful Monday."

"Nobody will touch you on Monday or any other day. At least not in a way that will hurt you, I promise, Gabi," he said with determined eyes.

"Thanks, but I like walking," she admitted and looked down for a second. She wanted to turn around and continue walking home.

"Please," he said with sad eyes and pouting lips, which made Gabriella laugh.

"You don't play fair, Bolton," she commented and closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened them again. "Okay! See you tonight."

With that, she made her way home and saw in the corner of her eye how Troy made a fist bump in the air. She laughed silently to herself, shaking her head.

Walking down the familiar halls of East High, the three girls giggled. All of them wearing something Wildcat related, meaning red-white. Gabriella was wearing her white jeans with a red hoodie and black boots. Her hair was left in its usual curls. Stepping into the gym, she saw the Knights and Wildcats warming up. Shooting and passing, getting familiar to the orange sphere again. Sharpay was leading them over to seats in the first row, right behind the bench of the Wildcats, which made Gabriella swallow.

She blinked twice, clearing her vision. She still had some trouble with her right eye, though it wasn't as bad as it was before.

Gabriella looked around the gym and once again was impressed by the atmosphere. How a sport could unite so many different types of people was beyond her, but she liked it, that's why she was here, because for one night, they were all the same, rooting for their team to win. Nothing else mattered.

She heard Taylor giggling, She followed her vision and saw Chad waving in her direction, a huge smile on his face. She smiled softly, happy for Taylor. "Look how good Zeke looks in his jersey, I would love it if he could wear that to bed sometime, I could rip it of off him," Sharpay fantasized and laughed.

Gabriella and Taylor started laughing with her. That was typical for Sharpay. "So I decided that Gabriella is coming with us tonight to the after party," Sharpay exclaimed.

Gabriella frowned. "Can't. Curfew." She replied, making Sharpay and Taylor groan in response.

Gabriella felt her phone buzz on her thigh. Flipping her phone open she saw an unopened text from an unknown number.

Need u right now. Meet me at the locker rooms. Pls – Troy

She swallowed and didn't even think about not going. "I'll be right back," she told the girls and made her way to the locker rooms. She slowly walked through the locker room, when suddenly she got pulled by her arm in another body in a dark room. She could feel his breath on her left cheek. "Tell me I won't mess up tonight and that we will win the damn game," he told her while breathing hard.

Gabriella was confused and immediately concerned. "Troy, you won't mess up, what are you talking about? You are one of the best players out there. Your shots are almost always in and you are great at defending. You know your team has your back. You're not the only one on court, they will all help you. They want this as much as you do, don't beat yourself up about this. Try to take deep breaths," she told him while gently rubbing her hands up and down his built arms, feeling the muscles flex under her touch. "I know you can do it and you will do great out there. I believe in you. You need to believe in yourself. That's the most important thing. Sport is about believing in yourself and your abilities. Believe in yourself and you will find your way, Wildcat" she whispered the last sentence, still subconsciously rubbing his arms up and down slowly.

His hands were resting on her waist and he was taking deep breaths, slowly calming down. "Thank you, Gabi. I needed this," he admitted and rested his forehead on hers, which made her breath hitch. She could practically feel him smile. "Wait for me at your locker after the game?" he asked and she nodded, knowing he felt it. "If I could, I would stay with you in here, but I kinda have to attend a game, Gabi," he said and slightly kissed her forehead.

"Okay," she whispered, smiling softly and trying hard to fight the dizziness.

He took her hand in his, lacing their fingers in the process and walked them back to the entrance of the gym. He turned to her with a determined look on his face and smiled. "Cheer for me?" he said but it sounded more like a question to which she only nodded. It was the only think she could do, really.

She made her way back to the bleachers and took her seat next to Sharpay. "You okay?" Sharpay asked. Gabriella nodded and smiled softly, concentrating on the game in front of her, more than confused.

What the hell just happened? Why was this so easy for her to calm down Troy? Why did he text her? He could have asked any other girl, he could have asked freaking Amanda and she would have done in, gladly.

Why starting now? Why did he want to have contact now after so many shy waves and winks and smiles in the hallways and classrooms?

But most importantly, why did it feel natural to her?

Gabriella couldn't concentrate on the game at all. All those questions were swirling around in her mind.

The final whistle blew and she let out a heavy breath she didn't even realize she was holding. The Wildcats won 36:18 which made Gabriella smile happily and turn to Taylor and Sharpay who were jumping up and down laughing.

"We won, that is so awesome, now nobody will dwell on the fact that this wasn't a great game at the after party," Sharpay shared and clapped her handy enthusiastically.

"Well guys, have fun there, I'm gonna head home, I hope you have a great time there," Gabriella said and gave each of them a hug.

"You sure you don't want me to drive you home?" Sharpay asked concerned.

Gabriella shook her head. "Nah, you know me, I li-," she was cut off by Taylor.

"Like walking, we know," she said giggling while shaking her head. "One day, you're gonna catch a bad cold from always walking in those temperatures,"

"We'll see about that, I'm pretty stubborn," Gabriella laughed.

"We know," Sharpay and Taylor said in unison and then made their way to the other side of the gym, where all the popular kids were talking and cheering for the basketball team. Only a certain someone was missing, Gabriella noted.

Unconsciously, she smiled and slowly made her way to her locker.

"Looking good in red and white, Montez," she heard a familiar voice teasing her. She was leaning against her locker with one foot resting on it. Her head whipped in the direction his voice came from and she smiled at seeing him.

He was wearing dark blue jeans with a red hoodie that said "Go Wildacats" on it and his usual black adidas sneakers. "Back at you," she responded shyly. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to pull a mom here, but I don't think it's such a good idea for you to go out there with still wet hair," she shared and looked into his piercing blue eyes.

He smirked. "Let's get back in that janitor's closed then, I liked it in there," he admitted and winked at her, walking closer to her, closing the distance between them. He was standing in front of her now. "We didn't have much space in there, therefore having to stand close. I like being close to you, Gabi,"

She inhaled sharply. "Wh-Why are you saying that all of a sudden? Why start now? What changed? I'm so confused. I have so many questions. I-," she was interrupted by him pulling her into a hug.

"There is an easy explanation to this," he whispered in her ear. "I no longer have the will and the strength to stay away from you, Gabi. I don't wanna just smile at you anymore, I wanna talk to you, sit with you at lunch. I even wanna," he stopped himself.

"You want to…what?" she whispered back.

"I even wanna hold you like this, I want you to be in my arms, I wanna protect you, kiss you," he whispered, the last two words were barely audible.

Gabriella's breath hitched and she swallowed hard. "I feel comfortable in your arms," she said silently and smiled softly into his shoulder, her arms winding around his torso.

She felt his breath near her ear. "Good," he repied and tightened his grip on her. "Wanna go and grab something to eat?" Troy asked her after a while. "I'm starving,"

Gabriella giggled and pulled back from their hug. "I'd like that," she smiled up at him.

He nodded and took her hand in his, lacing them in the process and leading her out of East High.

Half an hour later they were comfortably seated in a subway restaurant, eating and talking. They were laughing and joking around. Something Gabriella never thought would ever do with Troy. He was easy to talk with and it felt natural to talk to him. She didn't have to be scared of something she might say that he wouldn't like. He would accept it and that's how she liked it.

They didn't even notice how the clock ticked by. When they finally noticed, the staff was already closing up and the two of them were the last ones in the restaurant.

"I guess I'll bring you home now," Troy said, even though he didn't want to stop spending time with her. This was something he always wanted to do with her. He never would have imagined it to be that easy. He was happy.

Gabriella smiled lightly at him, while she was putting on her winter coat. "Are you really sure you want to drive all the way back to the other side of town, Troy? I can walk, it's really no problem for me, I mean, I am always walking, therefore-," she was interrupted by him taking her hand.

"Why don't you shut that pretty little mouth while I am taking you to my car and bring you home safely?" he said grinning at her.

She blushed and just nodded. Her hand getting warmer and warmer, while her heart was increasing its speed. She felt tingles where his thumb subconsciously caressed her hand. She had never felt something like this before.

Telling him the directions to her house, Troy drove as slowly as he could, wanting to spent more time with her.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked interested.

"Nothing much, why?" she asked, afraid of his answer.

Troy smiled at her for a moment before focusing his eyes on the road again. "I was wondering if we could do something together, maybe grab a coffee or, maybe, just if you feel up to it, we could study together for that stupid math test, because I have a feeling that I am going to fail it," he admitted and smiled sheepishly at her.

Gabriella laughed out a short laugh. "Oh, I see, Bolton, that's how it is. You just wanted to drive me home so I would owe you one, huh?" she teased him.

"Well, if you look at it that way, why not?" he teased back, turning into her street. "I had a really nice time with you, Gabi," he said, turning to her while smiling.

Gabriella could only look into his piercing blue eyes. "Thanks, Troy. Me, too." She whispered and got out of the car. She waved him good-bye and waited until he was out of sight. Sighing, she turned around the corner and made her way to the smallest house in the street.

Hope you guys liked it.

xoxo Michelle