Open for Business

Summary: Rivals in business – Neighbours in life. Party animal and babe magnet Troy Bolton oozed confidence by the bucket load. Health nut and yoga freak Gabriella was bubbly and feisty when riled. Are there fireworks ahead?

Disclaimer: High School Musical and all of its characters belong to Disney. I just have them on secondment.

A/N: A special thanks to Billy and Kylie for the inspiration.

"Bossy bitch. Cute ass though, " he thought looking appreciatively at her derriere, "Did she say our children, forget it lady that ain't ever gonna happen."

Damn Your Eyes!

Gabriella stormed back across the road and flung open the door of her shop and slammed it shut with some force. Berry cowered behind the counter glancing sheepishly at Gabriella.

"I…I'm really sorry Gabi, we really didn't have any customers and it…it was only for a few minutes," excused Berry her voice trembling. Gabriella looked at her and guilt washed over her, it was her fault for leaving such a heavy responsibility on a teenager's shoulders not Berry's.

"I'm sorry for balling you out in front of your friend Berry but I trusted you to look after this place for an hour, two at the most and I panicked when I walked in and you weren't here nor were there any customers evident," Gabriella said quietly, her temper dying after her run in with Bolton. "Look forget about it and let's get back to work, hmm," suggested Gabriella with a smile as the chime above the door pinged and two of her regulars came in. Berry smiled in return grateful to have the matter dropped.

Gabriella locked up the shop at 5.30pm noticing that the diner still had lights on, youths still hung around both inside and out front, she clicked her tongue in disapproval. She switched off the lights and headed out the back way to her car halting to ring Sharpay before she set off.

"Hi Shar, are you free to go shopping?" Gabriella bowled straight in not even waiting for Sharpay to talk. Sharpay giggled.

"Gabs what a silly question, I'm always free for that." Gabriella smiled.

"Yeah it did sound pretty dumb after the words left my mouth," joked back Gabriella. "I'll pick you up in twenty," she added as she finished the call.

Gabriella picked Sharpay up and drove over to Burbank to the Ikea store; with her budget they had decided it was the best place to get quality furniture at a reasonable price. Two hours later Gabriella was the proud owner of a sofa with removable cushions in a natural cream linen fabric, of course Sharpay tried to convince her the baby pink version was the 'in' colour but Gabriella stuck to her guns and held out for the neutral shade. She added scatter cushions to her growing pile of purchases along with a bed with a black cast iron frame and a firm mattress to which she added a set of new pillows and duvet. Satisfied with her haul Gabriella arranged with the store for delivery the day after tomorrow on the Saturday after Sharpay confirmed she would stand in for Gabriella who still had her business to run. As she drove back towards home Sharpay suggested to Gabriella that they should stop at their favourite wine bar, 'Boomerz' to celebrate the successful shopping trip and she agreed willingly, parking on the next block and walking back to the hostelry. Gabriella went to the bar to order the drinks whilst Sharpay scoured the heaving room looking for seating, spotting a couple of free bar stools next to one of the pillars at the far side, she hurried on over. Thursday nights were always like that in there as the locals considered Thursday the start of the weekend nightlife, a pre-taster for the weekend revelry ahead. Gabriella turned away from the bar with her club soda and Sharpay's vodka martini ready to step into the fray when her arm was jostled sending the vodka martini crashing to the floor.

"Fuck!" Gabriella cried as she jumped back from the flying liquid. She felt someone catch her arm to steady her a tingle of electricity shot up her arm as she looked up into stunning cerulean eyes.

"Whoa! Are you…okay?" he asked stopping mid sentence as he looked into her eyes and realised who he had saved dropping her arm instantly.

"I was until a minute ago," she replied with a frown. Troy stared back the sparkle leaving his eyes at her response before turning to look at his mate.

"Chad, you oaf, apologise to the 'lady'," he mocked the use of the word. Gabriella's hackles rose at the tone in his voice.

"Blaming someone else again?" She taunted referring to their earlier altercation. He glared at her and went to open his mouth to reply but Chad stepped in.

"Hey, I'm really sorry for my two left feet, let me get you a replacement? What were you drinking?" asked the other guy with an unruly mass of dark curly hair, who looked suitable chagrined. Gabriella looked at the guy and sent him her stunning smile causing the thorn in her side to inhale deeply at the sheer beauty of it, the transformation was mesmerising.

"It was a vodka martini and thanks," she replied softly in her normally sweet voice. Chad shouted over to the bar attendant then turned back to Gabriella.

"Hi, Chad Danforth," he introduced holding out his hand.

"Gabriella Montez," she offered shaking his hand instantly liking this jovial guy whose black eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Pleased to meet you Gabriella," Chad welcomed, "and this is Troy Bolton." He added with a smirk.

"We've met," Gabriella said shortly risking a glance into glacial blue eyes. Chad's brows drew together as he picked up the vibes that circulated between the two. The bartender interrupted the exchange to deliver the replacement drink drawing Chad temporarily away from the antagonists.

"Just shows you shouldn't assume everything Ms Montez," sneered Troy, placing emphasis on 'Ms'.

"So it would seem," muttered Gabriella. Troy smirked relishing her discomfort. He leaned closer to her.

"Was that an apology I heard," he taunted the sparkle back in his eyes. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end as his breath brushed across her cheek.

"What the hell!" Gabriella cried silently.

"No, that was me agreeing with your statement, I have nothing to apologise for Mr Bolton," she replied coolly stressing the 'Mr'. Chad turned from the bar and passed the glass to Gabriella.

"Thank you Chad, it was nice meeting you but I'd better go, my friend will think I've got lost," she stated with a giggle causing Troy to jerk his wandering gaze back to the melodious sound a stunned expression on his face.

"Fuck! If only she wasn't bipolar, I'd make a play for her."

"I hope to see you around Gabriella," Chad replied as Troy muttered disbelievingly, "you have a friend," Gabriella heard him and sent him a frosty glare before turning and wending her way through the throng of people to find Sharpay.

"Dude! What the hell happened there," Chad asked turning to Troy, astonishment written all over his face at the undercurrents flowing between his usually placid friend and the petite brunette.

"She's a frigid bitch," replied Troy sidestepping the question.

"Really? She seemed like a cute chick to me," commented Chad mildly.

"Yeah right, she's about as cute as a Siberian Tiger, " growled Troy. Chad guffawed and slapped his buddy on the back.

"I thought you liked a challenge?" pondered Chad.

" I do, but I need at least a fifty-fifty chance of knowing I'll come out alive," groaned Troy. Chad guffawed again.

"Looks to me like you've finally met your match," taunted Chad.

"Chad, have you by any chance had a lobotomy?" questioned an astounded Troy.

"Uh?"

"Didn't you hear what I've been saying?" huffed Troy.

"Oh sure, I heard the words come out of your mouth, I just don't believe them," drawled a smiling Chad.

"Uh?"

"If the atmosphere between you two had got any more volatile my hair would have fried," pointed out Chad.

"Fuck off!" snapped Troy.

Meanwhile on the other side of the bar

Gabriella thought over the exchange as she walked over to Sharpay. Chad seemed really nice but she was struggling to see how he could be friends' with that moron. She was still trying to understand her reaction to said moron as she spotted Sharpay.

"Jesus Gabi, where have you been, Russia? My mouth feels like the Sonoran Desert," whined Sharpay when Gabriella finally fought through the mass of customers.

"Keep off the nuts then," she advised Sharpay looking pointedly at the bowl on the bar with three measly peanuts remaining. Sharpay flushed with guilt.

"So what took you so long?" she repeated her question.

"Sorry for the delay Shar bit of an accident at the bar?" replied Gabriella as she put the drinks on the high bar and climbed gratefully onto the barstool.

"What happened?" Sharpay asked as she gulped on her martini.

"Some guy bumped into me and knocked your drink out of my hand. He offered to get a refill so I had to wait for the fresh one."

"Are you okay?" Sharpay asked looking worriedly at her.

"I'm fine, he was really sweet about it."

"Where is he?" Sharpay queried curiously craning her neck to look around the room. Gabriella let her eyes wander until she spotted Chad stood in the far corner with his back to her, what she didn't expect was Bolton to be looking straight at her with narrowed eyes and she let out a gasp. Gabriella felt unnerved by the intensity of his gaze but stubbornly refused to break eye contact.

"Over there," she said keeping her gaze locked with Troy.

"Where?" whined Sharpay.

"The guy with the mane," stated Gabriella.

"Oh right I see him, the one with his back to us?" Sharpay questioned making sure.

"That's the one, he's called Chad," supplied Gabriella.

"Do you fancy him?" teased Sharpay.

"No," gasped Gabriella, her eyes widening but not moving from her target, "why do you say that?"

Sharpay giggled," Erm, it could have something to do with you not taking your eyes off him."

"I'm not looking at him, I'm looking at the jerk opposite," she hissed. Sharpay looked at Troy and raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm! What's wrong with him? He's a mighty fine specimen," drooled Sharpay.

"Looks can be deceiving," thought Gabriella although subconsciously agreeing with Sharpay's assessment.

"He's the guy I was telling you about in the car," muttered Gabriella.

"I see…so, if he's such a jerk why have you been staring at him for the last ten minutes?" taunted Sharpay amusement lacing her voice. Gabriella swung her head round and stared agape at her friend a becoming blush tingeing her cheeks.

"I…I haven't have I?" she stammered. Sharpay's eyes twinkled with merriment as Gabriella swung her head back round to look at Troy who stood in the same place, a satisfied smile on his face as he still looked at her and then he had the cheek to wink at her.

"Bah! Damn your eyes Bolton." Gabriella cursed silently totally enthralled with that cheeky wink.