A/N: Hi, sorry I haven't updated in years-I havent been home for a while and last week was a bit crazy!! Yeah so sorry about that :oD anyways I hope you enjoy this!!


Chapter 3: Moving on Up

3 years later…or there about-conclusion of academic year:

The Cambridge sun was shining, gleaming down through an azure blue, cloudless sky being absorbed by trees and reflected off the some of the most academic rooftops ever to be built by mankind.

A dark-haired young woman lounged around on a grassy bank outside one of these said buildings under a large tree to shield herself from the bright sun; her books spread out across the grass, a pen between her teeth and her brow knit in concentration Gabriella Montéz tried to comprehend the finer points of her Chemistry notes in time for her final, which was due to start in about…only half an hour-crap!

She hastily gathered up her books and made her way to Memorial Hall where she could grab some food before heading off to her exam.

In her three and a semester years since leaving East High, Gabriella hadn't changed much. She still had her dark, curly locks, which a number of inches shorter, adding to her sophistication and maturity. She had grown a bit taller, but not a remarkable amount. Over all Gabriella Montéz was still, in essence, what she always was.

Within 30 minutes Gabriella had arrived at the exam hall and had taken her place, prepared and ready. She looked up on the wall to the university crest: Veritas-Harvard. Yes, she was ready.

"You may begin."


Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

"I'm open!"

"Bolton"

Troy flew down the wing, dodging the opponent, a swift pass to a team mate and back again. Aim. Score!

His fair features and tanned skin-along with his athlete's physique and reputation on the basketball court had definitely helped Troy out in his two years at Stanford. All the cheerleaders, and, to be honest nearly all of female students, wanted to be with him, and due to this, most of the guys wanted to be him too.

The cheers echoed through the Maples pavilion, Stanford University's resident basketball arena, as the clock announced the end of the game and cheerleaders ran on to the court screeching.

"Go Cardinals!"

"Troy!"

Troy Bolton yet again, had a fixed position on the basketball varsity team at the start of his sophomore year. Being a basketball scholar instantly had gained him a place on team, however, throughout his first year that place had mostly been on the bench-despite his talent Stanford was a highly athletic school and it was next to impossible for a freshman to waltz onto a varsity team.

But this year had been different. His number of full games played increased and increased and by winter break he was playing in about 80 of all games for the full time.

Troy Bolton had moved up in the world this year. And that was no mistake. It was also no mistake that important people had not missed this rising star-in fact they were very much aware of him.

The rowdy team were in the locker room changing and celebrating yet another Cardinals' victory when Coach Mikan came in, with a slight smile on his face.

"Bolton, you're wanted outside; could you come now?"

"Sure coach, who is it?"

"Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise" Oddly enough, Troy's thoughts flickered to Gabbi, but he wasn't quit sure why. He quickly blew those thoughts out of his mind and followed his coach.

He couldn't believe that the person in front of him was really who he was.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Mr. Michael Cooper had heard of this Troy Bolton for some time now-whether just in passing or in articles about the new university talent that was emerging. His interest was caught when he saw a recent graph that showed the increased amount of wins the Stanford Cardinals had achieved in correlation with the increased amount of games sophomore basketball scholar, Troy Bolton had participated in. This had certainly caught his interest. So he had got it together and, contrary to the norm, had taken a trip up to Stanford University himself to see this Troy Bolton in action.

He had been impressed and now he had the young man standing in front of him about to be offered the opportunity of a lifetime.


Her chemistry final over, Gabriella headed towards the place most students would avoid like anything if in her position: The Harvard Chemistry Labs. She sat down at a workstation and opened her laptop to check her email before putting the finishing touches to an investigation she had been making.

You have one new Message

Pinged up on her screen.

She opened it, knowing it to be her head chemistry professor, assuming it was a quick good luck message she was supposed to have got before her exam she opened up a few more windows on her laptop and only went back to it a few minutes later. It certainly wasn't simply a good luck message.

Gabriella,

I hope you exam will go/ has gone fantastically, I'm sure it has-I have no doubt in you!

That is why I am simply delighted to tell you that an associate of mine-Professor Robertson-from Trinity College in Cambridge, England has specifically requested that you join his research team (I wont go into details here) commencing in mid-September of this year!!

It's such an amazing opportunity and I urge you totally to accept without hesitation. The team expects to run for the full academic year so you would complete your junior year abroad-but this will not affect your progress in any negative way on the contrary-you could not do better for yourself! Cambridge is a lovely city and you will have the best time. Come to my office as soon as you can to discus this further.

Yours sincerely

Prof. M. Carson

Head of chemistry. Harvard University.

Wow. The message had almost knocked Gabbi out of her seat. Someone all the way in England knew of her reputation and had headhunted her for his team? Investigation forgot Gabbi collected up her stuff and mad her way directly to Prof. Carson's office. Grinning like a schoolgirl.


"So Mr Bolton." Cooper began.

"Sir" replied the stunned Mr Bolton. Michael Cooper. The Michael Cooper, basketball legend and coach for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds was right in front of him and knew his name!! He'd used to worship him when he was younger, wishing Cooper could have coached him, when the Thunderbirds played at home.

"Mr Bolton, your name has been circulating around for some time now, you've built up quite a reputation."

"I have?"

"You have. You've built up so much of a reputation that I became interested. So interested that I flew down myself to see you play, I wasn't disappointed."

Troy's mouth was agape; did Michael Cooper just say he wasn't disappointed by his play?

"I think you have talent. Lots of it and I'm willing to present you with an special offer, 'caus I know that college is important. Come down to Albuquerque and shoot some hoops, impress me again and we'll see where things go from there."

Silence followed this. Troy was gobsmaked-it took him all his might to not black out there and then, he finally managed a "Wow. I don't know what to say." And reverted back to quiet.

"There's, one last thing though. I don't want you to feel pressured into this. I want to leave this offer open for you, if you want to finish your course first or come back to it later, that's your decision. The offer will stand."

More stunned silence. "Wow. That's-thank you"

"Well, here's my card-call when you've decided what you want to do. It was a pleasure to watch you and your team. Congratulations on the win, by the way"

The two shook hands and Cooper made his way out of the gym. Leaving Troy to slump into a seat, not quite believing the conversation he'd just had.

After sitting for a while mulling over the conversation, Troy was just as baffled as before. Did he really want a basketball career? Well that was obvious-of course he did- it was his dream. But did he want it now? Training as his whole life-touring the country. His whole life mapped out for him when he had only just turned 20? The prospect certainly was huge and he wasn't quite sure if he could handle it just yet.

Later that evening, as he was walking back to his on-site accommodation, he passed a notice board on one of the quad's walls.

Ever thought about a transfer year?

You could be studying abroad in the finest universities that The UK, France or other European Countries has to offer in less than half a year, broadening your view on the world. It could be just the thing to give you the proper outlook on life.

Sounds good?

Speak to Linda Marshal in the office of administrations.

The sign jumped out at him for no in particular reason. That could be fun, a change of scene. One last thing before basketball. It seemed like just the sort of thing Troy Bolton was desperately craving: a temporary escape from his life to let him be anyone he wanted to be, before his life was paved out for him. Perfect.


A/N: Me again! Hope you enjoyed that-so yeah I dont know too much about US college Varsity teams-so if that was completely wrong/unrealistic sorry-just go with it-or could someone give me a crash course please! hehe