Gabriella walked slowly toward the house. She couldn't get Troy's eyes out of her mind. She wondered how old both Troy and Chad were, they both looked to be about her age. She tried to shake the thoughts out of her mind. What did it matter? They'd be gone in a month and a half. Walking in the front door, she heard her mother call her name.

"Gabriella! Come help me with dinner!"

"Ok, coming." she muttered. "I'm not your slave."

"What was that, dear?" Gabriella smiled.

"Nothing, I was just thinking how nice the Boltons are." She picked up a potato and begun peeling.

"Yes. Hopefully they'll stay. Maybe you could show the boys around after dinner. Take them riding, maybe?"

"We'll see, Mom."

6:00 rolled around quickly. Gabriella had just finished setting the table on the porch when she saw the Boltons approaching. Troy and Chad were laughing and talking, Jack and Dayna were doing the same. She smiled as they walked up the stairs.

"Hello!" She said warmly. "Do you like your cabin?"

Dayna smiled, "Yes! It's great."

Gabriella smiled, "Good. And you didn't have any trouble finding your way back here?"

Jack shook his head, "Nope."

"Good. Maybe you'd like a tour of the rest of the ranch after dinner?" she offered, remembering what her mother had said earlier.

Jack looked at Dayna, "Well, I think we're going to go back to our room, but maybe the boys will take you up on your offer. Troy? Chad?"

"Hmm?" Troy asked.

"Tour after dinner?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever." He turned away and continued talking to Chad. Gabriella smiled weakly, obviously he didn't want to be here.

"Hey Gabriella!" She turned around to face Jake and smiled.

"Hey Jake. These are our new guests, the Boltons. Jack, Dayna, this is our barn manager Jake. Jake, meet Jack and Dayna."

He extended his hand. "Nice to meet you," he said. "Though if you really want to know what's going on in the barn, talk to Gabriella here. She's in charge of all the riding. I just look after the barn."

Gabriella blushed, "Don't be so modest." She turned to the Boltons. "Jake does more than he gives himself credit for."

Her mother came out carrying a large dish. "Dinner is served," she said.

"Looks good, Ms. Montez," said Jake. "As always."

Dinner included lots of laughter. Gabriella enjoyed herself, although she noticed Troy remained somewhat withdrawn. She shrugged it off, maybe he was just antisocial.

Afterwards, Jack said, "Gabriella, still up for giving the boys a tour?" Gabriella nodded. "Alright then, Troy and Chad, away you go," he said. Gabriella rose and walked down the porch steps. She waited for the boys to join her.

"What do you want to see?" she asked. Troy shrugged.

"How about the barn," suggested Chad.

Gabriella nodded, "Sure. Follow me." As they walked, she began to tell them about the horses. "We have fifteen at the moment. They're all really well trained and can all be ridden by beginners. Maybe tomorrow we'll get you both mounted." Chad nodded while Troy walked silently. They entered the barn. "None of our horses come in during the night, at least not in the summer. They're all out back, I'll show you." As they walked through the barn, Gabriella tripped over a pitchfork. She braced herself but never hit the ground. Troy had caught her. "Thanks," she mumbled. She could feel herself going red.

"No problem," he answered quietly, letting go of her thin waist. Gabriella picked up the pitchfork and set it against the wall.

They continued the tour rather awkwardly. Afterward, Gabriella led them back to their cabin. "Goodnight," she said, before walking away.

Troy and Chad went into their room. "So how about Gabriella?" asked Chad. "She's pretty hot."

Troy shrugged. "Whatever."

Chad threw a pillow at Troy. "I don't see why you're so set against this place. I mean, it's got a pool, basketball court and hot girls. You're gonna have to get over Sharpay eventually."

"Just shut it, man." Troy said, throwing the pillow back. He flopped down on his bed and rolled to face the wall. "See you in the morning."

Gabriella walked slowly to the house. Chad seemed really nice and friendly but what was with Troy? She scratched a mosquito bite on her elbow. Whatever.

In her room, she pulled on her pyjamas and brushed her hair. Yawning, she turned out the light. If her mother continued to be so annoying, tomorrow was going to be a very long day.

Gabriella's alarm went off at six. Sleepily, she rolled out of bed. She wanted to get a ride in before breakfast. She pulled on some breeches and a t-shirt. She stumbled downstairs, grabbed a peach and headed outside.

At the barn, she tacked up Starlit. The dark bay mare was more than ready to go. This should be interesting, though Gabriella, a good gallop will fix this. She swung agilely into the saddle. She didn't even have to ask Starlit to walk, they were off down the trail.

Troy stumbled out of bed. Only 6:30 and he couldn't sleep anymore. Grumbling, he walked out of the cabin. There was a back porch that overlooked a green field. He had to admit, the view was fantastic. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a horse and rider cantering through the field. Squinting as they approached, he determined it was Gabriella. She was laughing, her dark hair was streaming out behind her. She looked stunning. Troy watched with interest. Soon they were out of sight. He sighed, he didn't want to get involved with anyone, not for a while. He went back in the cabin. Pulling on some jeans and a t-shirt, he walked out to the basketball court.

He was practicing his free throws when he heard her. "Not bad," she said. She was still riding. "You play?" she asked.

"Team captain," he said. "You play?"

She shook her head. "Not really, only when there's someone here to play with." Their eyes met. His were so blue. She looked away nervously. "I, um, guess I'd better take Starlit back to the barn."

"She yours?" he asked.

Gabriella nodded. "Yeah. I've had her for a couple of years. Did most of her training myself."

"Cool," he said.

"Yeah," she replied. "Anyway, see you later." She nudged Starlit and they walked back to the barn. Although he wasn't exactly friendly, at least he'd spoken.

Troy sat down on the grass. It had only been two weeks since Sharpay had broken up with him. He'd thought he'd loved her, but now, Gabriella. What was he thinking? He'd just met her! He shook his head. But the image of her cantering across the field remained.