Disclaimer- I own nothing…

Chapter 3

Gabriella had already managed to offend her friends and she had only seen them for a week. Taylor had asked her if she wanted to come over that Saturday but she had declined. She had meant to do it politely but it had still hurt Taylor's feelings, she knew that. She just couldn't go over there though…not yet. That was how she found herself lying in her bed Saturday night. Meanwhile, Troy was on her lawn, to be precise he was standing in front of her balcony. He had just gotten home from Taylor's house, in record time, and was bored. He was also feeling daring. The climb up her balcony was a lot easier then he anticipated. He was standing on it grinning within minutes. He looked through the door to see her lying in her bed. He walked into the room quietly and looked around. It was a pretty room. He lay down next to her and she looked up startled.

"Hey!" he said.

"What are you doing in here?!" she exclaimed.

"Just popped by to say hi," he told her, with a grin.

"How did you get in here?" she asked.

"Balcony. You should really lock that door or at least close it. You never what kind of creep is going to come in your room," he told her.

"You're insane," she stated.

"Nahh, just a little bit crazy," he answered as he laid his head down on the pillow next to her. She moved away as much as she could without following off the bed and he watched her amused.

"You know, I am pretty sure this is classified as breaking and entering," she told him, firmly.

"I didn't break anything," he pointed out.

"You broke my privacy," she retorted.

"You'll get over it," he promised. She looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

"So…I hope you realize that you hurt Taylor's feelings by not coming over," Troy said.

"I couldn't do it," she answered.

"So I guess you aren't over it then…your sister dying, I mean," he said. He heard her breath in sharply and looked over to see her wrapping her arms around herself so she was clutching her sides tightly.

"That would be a no," he muttered.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did she die," he said. Her face paled and she looked at him, anger and pain swirling in her dark brown eyes.

"I think you should leave," she said as she sat up.

"Sorry, I was just wondering," he whispered.

"Now," she said her voice and hands shaking. He sat up and walked to the balcony door. He turned to look at her and saw that she was staring at the wall. She had her arms wrapped around herself tightly as if she was afraid she was going to literally fall apart.

"Fine my ass," he muttered as he left. As he walked to his own house, he set a goal. He was going to make her fine. No matter how he was going to fix her, it would be a challenge but he needed some fun. Anyways, she was cute and he loved a cute face.

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The next day, Gabriella was sitting in the middle of her front lawn. She was wearing shorts, a tank top and was barefoot. She sat there her arms wrapped around her legs which were brought up to her chest for a while. Unfortunately, as she sat there, Troy came walking down the street. She groaned and laid down, hoping that by some miracle, he wouldn't see her. She closed her eyes tightly, praying in her head but moments later, she felt the heat from the sun leave her face. When she opened her eyes, he was standing over her with a wide grin.

"Hello my little friend," he greeted.

"Who said we were friends," she asked. He just grinned and collapsed next to her. She closed her eyes as he lay down in the grass next to her.

"Can I ask you something," he said.

"I am sure you are going to, even if I say no," she remarked.

"Yeah, true. Anyways, were you and Isabella identical twins," he asked. She felt her eyes fly open as he said her name. No one had said her name around Gabriella. Even her therapist in California had addressed her as "your twin". She looked over at Troy, who simply looked at her waiting.

"Umm, yes," she answered.

"Two of you on this earth, god have mercy," he said, smirking. She frowned and he felt his own smile deflate slightly.

"You know, it might be easier to talk about her instead of avoiding it," he said.

"It might be easier for you to mind your own business," she snapped. He was surprised by her tone and couldn't help the grin that grew on his face.

"Well, aren't we feisty today," he said.

"No, I am just annoyed. Why won't you leave me alone?" she asked.

"Because you interest me," he admitted.

"I'm not interesting," she replied.

"I beg to differ," he said.

"Well, don't beg. I am normal, okay, that's all," she told him.

"You are a lot of things but normal does not even begin to cover it," he said.

"You barely know me!" she exclaimed.

"I don't have to know you to know you," he answered as he lay back on the grass while she sat up staring at him.

"Oh really?" she said.

"Yes. You are a nice, sweet girl who is hurting. You've been hurting for some time but you don't know how to heal because in all reality, you never let go of your sister. So how can you move on when you are still holding onto her," he explained.

"What in the world are you talking about?" she said.

"Your life. You are a hurt girl but don't worry, I am going to fix you. I have decided to dedicate myself to that task," he told her.

"You really are insane," she said to him, amazed.

"No, I'm really not," he argued.

"I don't want you to fix me!" she yelled.

"Well, guess what, I am going to so get over it," he countered. She stared at him, annoyance displayed on her face. He continued to grin though.

"Gabriella!" her mother called, causing her to groan. Gina saw Gabriella and walked out of the house. She was halfway to her, when she noticed Troy, who was sitting up.

"I didn't realize you had a friend over," Gina said, smiling in surprise.

"He's not a friend, he's just Troy," Gabriella told her.

"Gabriella, be nice," Gina scolded.

"It's okay Mrs. Montez, I am used to it. I'm Troy Bolton, I live next door," he said.

"Of course Troy. I've seen you walking with your little sister a few times. It's very nice to meet you," Gina said.

"Likewise," he replied.

"Well, I am going to go inside but if you two need anything, I am right well inside," Gina said, smiling.

"Bye mom," Gabriella said.

"Bye Mrs. Montez," Troy said, smiling. Gina smiled warmly at them one more time before walking back towards the house. She looked at them before going in, smiling.

"Oh goodness," Gabriella said, falling back into the grass.

"She seems nice," Troy said.

"This is all she is going to talk about. She is probably dancing inside that house at this very moment, in joy," Gabriella told him.

"I am really cute," he said.

"The very idea of me having friends is going to make her happy for the next month," Gabriella said.

"Especially such a cute friend," he commented.

"Okay, we get it, you're cute, now please shut up," Gabriella snapped.

"Don't worry, you're cute, too," he assured her.

"No offense but I really don't think I like you," she told him.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to me," he assured her.

"I really don't want to," she told him.

"Right because of the whole stand-offish attitude you are going for. Well, I don't know what to tell you," he said.

"What are you talking about?" she asked annoyed.

"You are trying to seem tough and give off this I-don't-need-anyone attitude but in all reality, you need a hug…several hugs actually," he said.

"What I need is peace and quiet," she said. He pretended to zip his lips shut and throw away a key. She rolled her eyes and looked away. She was sitting up, holding her legs against her when she spoke again.

"You have a sister?" she said, suddenly.

"Yeah...Tuesday she's five. Funny thing is she was born on a Thursday," he told her with a grin. She laughed then and his grin grew.

"Hey she laughs," Troy observed out loud. She blushed then and looked away.

"It's okay to be happy," he told her softly and she looked at him surprised.

"Don't feel bad about being happy. I didn't know your sister but I am sure the last thing she wants is you to spend the rest of your life being afraid to be happy," Troy told her. She stood up then and he watched her.

"I have to go inside," she told him.

"Okay well I will see you tomorrow," he said getting up. She gave him one last look and walked up to her house. When she got to the front door she opened it and turned to look back hesitantly. He waved and she looked away quickly going inside. He smiled at the closed door and walked over to his own house whistling under his breath.

(A/N-Hope you liked it!! Next chapter more of Troy's obvious lack of personal space and Gabriella trying to avoid him. By the way we will eventually learn how Isabella died I promise. Please review!!)