Miss Independent

A/N: Thank you so much all you guys who reviewed! I'm so excited to write another chapter that I'm already updating. When I thought of this story, I had the song "Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson in mind. (Hence the title) I just listened to that song again for the first time in a while and the song fits perfectly with my idea for this story! Anyway, I hope this chapter is longer than the last one so enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Gabriella Montez?" Troy read off the sheet his father gave him. "Who's that?"

Troy turned to look at his best friend Chad Danforth. They were sitting with the rest of the team at their usual lunch table.

"New girl. Supposedly the girl version of Einstein." Chad said in between bites.

"Oh great," Troy sighed and looked towards the door. At that moment the most beautiful girl he had ever seen walked in. She had beautiful long, brown hair and big chestnut-colored eyes. Her arms were laden with books and she looked like she was concentrating on something.

"Chad, look at her," Troy pointed out the mystery girl to Chad.

"Dude, that's Gabriella Montez!"

"No way!" Troy was shocked. He thought this girl would be nerdy not gorgeous!

"Well I guess this tutoring thing will give me a chance to work my magic." (lol!)

"No chance of that dude. This girl is a total man-hater. Five guys have asked her out and she's refused them all." Chad replied.

"How do you know she just didn't like them?" Troy asked.

"Taylor McKessie told me--"

"Wait since when have you been talking with Taylor McKessie?" Troy asked interrupting him.

"You're not the only one who needs a tutor. Anyway that's not the point. The point is she's sworn off guys. Thinks we're all scum." Chad replied.

"That's all gonna change when she meets me. I can make her fall for me easy."

"Wanna bet?"

"Yeah, if Montez isn't my girlfriend in 3 weeks, I'll give you my autographed foam finger."

"And if you win?"

"I get your autographed baseball. Deal?"

"Deal."

Troy thought this would be easy. That she would be like any other girl he dated...but Gabriella Montez isn't your typical girl.

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Gabriella just received a note from the office telling her she had someone to tutor: Troy Bolton. Gabriella knew who he was, I mean, who at East High didn't. Basketball golden boy. The guy every girl wants. Except Gabriella of course.

"How's tutoring Danforth going?" Gabriella asked Taylor as she sat down.

"Okay, I guess. He's not exactly the smartest but not the dumbest. Why?" Gabriella slid the paper across the table. "Troy Bolton! You're tutoring Troy Bolton!"

"Yeah, today's our first meeting."

"He's so cute! Just think Gabriella, you get to spend all your time with him!" Sharpay said enthusiastically.

"Oh yeah, can't wait." Gabriella sighed and began picking at her lunch.

"Most girls at our school would kill to be in your position right now." Kelsi replied.

"Well, I'm not like most girls. Troy Bolton is nothing to me but someone I'm tutoring. That's it."

"Okay fine, but you're going to Jason Cross' party on Friday." Sharpay said.

"Why? It's not like I'm friends with him."

"So? Everyone's going. Even Taylor and Kelsi."

Gabriella turned to look at them. Taylor was looking up at the ceiling and Kelsi was writing something down. "You guys are going?"

"Well, we thought why not check it out. You know, see what everyone's talking about," Taylor replied.

"I guess I'll go then--"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Sharpay replied. "You're going to have a great time, trust me." Just then the lunch bell rang signaling the start of 6th period. Gabriella got up and went to her locker. On the way she saw Troy Bolton hanging out with his teammates. He looked her way and their eyes met. Gabriella looked away though and continued opening up her locker. 3 more periods and it would just be her and the school's basketball god alone in the library.

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Gabriella was sitting in the library, with her books spread out in front of her. Their meeting was arranged for 3:30 and it was now 3:50. "Typical brainless jock," Gabriella thought to herself as she wrote the answer to a problem on her worksheet.

"There must be something wrong with my eyes because I can't keep them off you."

Gabriella looked up to see the man himself: Troy Bolton. "Nice, Bolton."

"How do you know my name?" Troy asked sitting down at the table with her.

"Stupid question since no one can go to this school without knowing all about you."

"Right." Troy took all his books out of his backpack. "Well I'm Troy."

Gabriella raised her eyebrows at him.

"What! Just making sure you knew my first name too."

Gabriella rolled her eyes and handed him a worksheet. "Finish this sheet and we'll move on from there."

"Aye, Aye, captain!" '

"Funny. Oh and by the way, thanks for showing up late." Gabriella replied.

"I'm sorry I had to do something important. I promise tomorrow I'll be here as soon as the hour hand's on the 3 and the minute hand is on the 6." Troy stated.

"Well I guess I don't have to teach you time then."

"No, I think I can handle that."

Gabriella laughed and looked at him. "Got her to laugh. I'm one step closer." Troy thought to himself as he wrote down what he thought were the answers.

By the end of their session, Troy discovered that a career involving Math wouldn't be good for him and Gabriella sees she has a lot of work on her hands.

They were packing up their things when Troy spoke. "So there's this party on Friday---"

"Jason Cross'?" Gabriella asked.

"Yeah, and I was wondering if you were going?"

"Are you asking me out?" Gabriella stopped picking up her books and stared at Troy.

"Maybe yes or maybe no."

"Let's just cut to the chase here shall we. Yes I am going to the party but no I'm not looking to go with you." And with that Gabriella picked up her bookbag and walked right out of the library and straight out the front door.

"Man do I have a lot of work to do," Troy muttered to himself as he walked out of the library

Well that's it hope you liked the chapter. About the bet, Troy's not a bad guy he's just overly confident. Poor Troy doesn't know what he's in for trying to make Gabriella fall for him though. haha. Oh, and have you guys heard "Bet on It" from HSM2? I love that song and Zac's voice is great!