Title: What else can one expect from Halloween?

Summary: AU As a boy, every time Troy Bolton would go trick or treating, he would always visit Mrs. Montez. Now 16 and back from boarding school, he decides to drop by on Halloween. He is fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Montez's daughter.

Disclaimer: I don't own, or claim to own any of the characters original to the movie High School Musical. They are copyright to Disney; I only own the plot.

Note to readers of my other HSM story: Yes, I have not updated "A Push in the Right Direction" in AGES, but I assure you, there will be a chapter posted hopefully some time in this month. Sorry for those of you who I disappointed with it's lateness.

Halloween; the night only came once a year, but with so many kids traipsing around, giggling softly as they clutched their costumes with excitement while walking up to houses, everyone soon fell into the routine, of whatever it was they had done the previous years. Neighbour hoods all over Albuquerque were filled with the chattering of children hauling in their load of candy in whatever their parents had given them. Crop was bountiful this year, and many were reduced from speeding from one door to the other, to having to heave their sweets behind them, stopping every few metres to take a break.

Troy Bolton, strolling past this very scene, stuffed his hands in his pockets and let a bemused smirk slide across his features. He could have related to these kids- when he was five!

His past few Halloween's had been spent with his mates, praising whoever's parents had sent their child a bottle of alcohol. Which was never him; having ignorant but sensible parents was always a downer in the game of popularity.

Anyway, those Halloweens had always ended up with them all getting drunk, and then whoever ended up more sober out of them all, placing a bet on who could get the best looking girl after holiday's. Come to think of it, Troy had never won that either. He may have been blessed with that charming smile and good looks, but Troy Bolton was not a player, especially since part of the bet involved dumping the girl straight after the victor was chosen. He just wasn't like that.

So where was he going then exactly?

To Mrs. Montez's. Which he was now beginning to regret. Why bother? He was too old for candy. He hadn't experienced a sugar rush in ages. Such was life in his old boarding school. He only received practical presents: t-shirt's, socks, jumpers, and the occasional basket ball- the only type of present he would actually ever use.

He had arrived home just yesterday, and early this evening, sprawling himself over the couch, moaning about how bored he was, his mother had suggested he go visit Mrs. Montez. Maybe she really wanted Troy to visit her, or maybe his mother had just wanted him out of the house. He couldn't have determined that for himself, for no sooner had he said yes, he had been ushered out of the house, a jacket thrown into his arms, and the door slammed soundly behind him.

Probably the latter now that he thought about it

Now he walked down the familiar path leading to the white wooden door he had barely reached when he was last here. His growth spurt made sure that presently as he raised his hand to knock on the door, this door was sure as heck a lot smaller.

He waited a moment, scuffing his sneaker toe against the veranda beneath him, and then the door pulled back. Troy looked up; expecting to see an aged Mrs. Montez, but what he saw made his breath hitch in his throat.

A girl presumably around his age stood before him, possibly of Spanish descent, a face as pretty as a picture, with chocolate brown curls tumbling down to her shoulders.

He gaped for a moment, and the girl in the doorway giggled behind her hand.

She spoke first.

"I suppose you're that Troy guy who Mama has been talking about?"

Troy regained his speech.

"Um yea…."

Smooth Bolton……

This trailed off into an awkward silence, that Troy was silently cursing himself for every second it stayed that way. The girl spoke again, this time extending her hand.

"I'm Gabriella Montez, I'm Mrs. Montez's daughter."

Troy took her hand and shook it. He knew who she was now. Mrs. Montez had often told him of her while she treated him to milk and cookies. The daughter always away with her father, unfortunately to come back a little after Troy went away.

"No kidding? Wow, whoever thought you'd be so pretty"

He cringed. How on earth had that come out? Was this God's way of telling him he wasn't supposed to speak to anyone today?

Gabriella visibly blushed, her shoulders hunching up, her curls covering her crimson cheeks.

"Um, thanks?"

More silence, which gave Troy plenty of time to mentally kick himself. Gabriella spoke again.

"You can let go now"

Troy looked up, a little stunned, and in turn blushed when he realised he was still holding her hand. It was soft, and he reluctantly let go. Gabriella called her mother finally, bellowing in a voice that surprised Troy. It wasn't big and loud, but similar to one of a singer. He wondered if she was one.

Mrs. Montez soon appeared next to her daughter, and she embraced Troy in a hug, wrapping her short arms around him as far as they would go. Gabriella hid her embarrassment behind her hand.

"It's so good to see you Troy! And my, how you've grown!"

She then stepped back, and after staring in amazement at him, she looked at Gabriella and then back at him. Realisation dawned on her face.

"Ah, I see you've met my daughter"

Troy blushed again, and followed Mrs. Montez as she beckoned him in.

"I certainly have"

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Yay-ness. Hope y'all like it, and hope for more to come!

Review at your leisure.

Mizani.