Hey guys, thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed this story. I'd really love more reviews so please just take a couple seconds to say a few words it would mean a lot to me - I write for enjoyment but it's nice to get feedback and ideas from the people out there so yeah if you could review I would appreciate it so much. Okay so this is chapter three, the story will start moving along a bit more in the next few chapters so keep checking back :)
Previously:
He was glad to have been chosen to give Gabriella the guided tour and couldn't wait to get to know her even more at lunch. She was sweet and interesting and he thought about how they could become close friends very quickly and he liked this thought – he liked it a lot.
Chapter Three – Closer
Dedicated to: xZANESSA4LIFEx
(thanks for the project idea - keep tuned for more on this next chapter too)
As the bell rang through the halls, signalling it was time for lunch; Troy headed to the cafeteria and waited patiently outside for Gabriella. He didn't know what it was about her but something about her was drawing him to her and he didn't mind it all. Somehow he felt comfortable with her and they just clicked like they had known each other forever – it was an odd feeling for him but he liked it a lot.
"Hey Troy, sorry I'm a little late, my math teacher wanted to talk to me" She said sweetly, interrupting him from his thoughts.
"Hey no problem, shall we go in?" He asked with a smile.
"Sure, but are you sure it's okay with your friends that I sit with you, I don't want them to feel like they have too or anything"
"Of course its okay, Sharpay – the blonde girl, wouldn't have asked you otherwise" He reassured her as they walked into the bustling cafeteria.
They headed to the lunch line, grabbing their food before heading over to a table in the far corner of the cafeteria.
"Hey guys" Troy greeted his friends as he took his place at the round red and white table.
"Sup man?" The busy haired guy replied.
"Not much man, guy you remember Gabriella, right?"
"Of course Troy we're not all stupid" Was the sharp reply from the blonde haired girl with a roll of the eyes. "Have a seat Gabriella; it's nice to see you again"
"Thanks" Was all the Gabriella said as she sat down and look around the table at the unfamiliar faces.
"So, I'll give you an introduction to everyone" Troy told the brunette beside him. "That is Chad who I told you about earlier" He said as he pointed to the bushy haired guy currently stuffing his face. "That's Sharpay and Taylor" He continued, pointing to each girl, the former being the outspoken blonde and the latter being the African-American girl. "And this would be Zeke" He finished, pointing to a tall dark skinner guy who was more reserved than the others.
"Well it's nice to meet you all and I'll try to remember your names but that's quite a few names to remember all at once" She smiled, glancing around the table and trying to commit the names she had just heard to her memory.
"Hey it's not a problem, I'm awful with names so we have something in common already" Taylor giggled as she looked at Gabriella.
"So Gabby – it's okay to call you that, right? It's just your name is kind of long. Where do you live?" Chad asked, always the blunt one.
"Yeah Gabby is fine, really. I prefer nicknames because my name is so long. I live on Meadow Brooke Drive, like 20 minutes from here" She replied, taking a bite out of her burger.
"Hold up, did you just say Meadow Brooke Drive? Isn't that where you live Troy? Sharpay asked her friend.
"Huh, what?" Was the confused reply that came from the blue eyed boy. He hadn't heard the question considering he was watching Gabriella as she interacted with his friends and thinking how she was fitting in so well so soon.
"Troy you live on Meadow Brooke Drive, right? Gabriella lives there too" Came the exasperated reply from the blonde as she repeated herself.
"Oh yeah, you live there to Gabriella?" He asked curiously.
"Um, yeah, we live in number 1124"
"No way. That is weird. I live in number 1126, that makes us neighbours" He stated, shocked that his new friend lived right next door to him and secretly doing a happy dance in his mind at the thought of being so close to her.
"Guess I'll be seeing you a lot then" She giggled.
The group of friends fell back into conversation, conversing about whatever came to mind and asking Gabriella about herself and her reasons for moving to Albuquerque. The conversation continued for the rest of the lunch period and Gabriella couldn't believe she had such great friends so quickly at a new school, it felt surreal.
As the last period of the day approached, Gabriella and Troy were both in great spirits, they were getting along great and had most of the same classes together. Last period was no different with the pair choosing to sit together during their English class.
"So what are we doing in this class then?" Gabriella asked her new friend.
"Don't know to be honest." Was the reply she got with a shrug of the shoulders.
She rolled her eyes before replying playfully "Do you actually know anything, Troy?"
"Um, no" He chuckled before the teacher walked into the room and everyone fell silent.
"Good afternoon class. Ah I see we have a new student, what's your name dear?" The middle aged woman enquired of Gabriella.
"Um Gabriella Miss"
"Ah very nice, I'm sure you will be fine if you need any help I'm sure one of our students can assist you." The teacher continued.
"Yes miss." Was the simple reply from Gabriella, not wanting to be centre of attention any longer than necessary.
"Now class, today we are going to be doing a pair's project. Yes I know you hate them but its part of your grade so listen up. This project will be linked to working in the community also; I am going to give you a topic to look at for example homelessness then I expect you to research the topic, help out in the community with these people and then write a joint report on what you found and present it to the class" She rambled as she gazed at the students who were slumped in their chair, praying to be anywhere but here. "The project is linked to our subject on public speech and how to get important messages across to people so remember to use what you were taught"
The class groaned at the thought of having to actually do something other than hang out with friends. It was even worse when they had to do a presentation on the topic most of them concluded as they slouched further down in their seats, stifling yawns.
"As I said it's a pair's project so listen carefully to whom you are working with and your topic. Let's see, Ally and Jason – Illiterate adults, McKenna and Chase – Children in care, Jessica and Michael – sick patients, Taylor and Brandon – elderly people, Troy and Gabriella – the homeless..."
The list continued but Gabriella and Troy failed to hear the rest as their eyes met and they smiled wide, happy they had been chosen to work together despite only knowing each a short time.
"Looks like you're stuck with me for the next few weeks" Troy grinned.
"Yeah, it sounds like a good project to do." She replied softly.
"Yeah, we should get started this week. We could work at my house or the library or whatever on the research part" Troy eagerly replied, never the one for wanting to do work so soon but feeling an urge to spend time with his new friend.
"Yeah we could get some books from the library and just hang out at one of our houses, ya know considering were neighbours and everything. Then we could head to the soup kitchen or homeless shelter in town" she replied just as eager.
"Sounds good to me"
"Me too" She smiled, thinking about the guy who had become a close friend so quickly and how she couldn't wait to spend time with him now that they had to do this project together.
Soon enough the last bell of the day signalled it was time to finally go home and the school came alive with students, eager to get home and out of the school environment. Gabriella and Troy felt no different and hurried out of the classroom and headed towards the entrance of the school.
"You need a ride Ella?" Troy asked as they approached the huge doors.
"Um sure I guess, if you don't mind" She replied nervously.
"Not a problem, after all you live right next door. What kind of person would I be if I didn't offer my neighbour and friend a ride home?" He laughed as held the door open for the petite girl.
"You'd probably be a normal neighbour" She giggled "Neighbours don't often offer to give each other a ride to places, but thanks Troy, it would save me getting the bus"
"You're definitely more than welcome Ella"
The duo headed to the parking lot walking closely side by side, chatting and laughing about anything and everything. They were both so comfortable and happy in each other's presence that it was hard to believe they had only met several hours earlier, but one thing was for sure - they were definitely meant to meet. Fate knew what it wanted, and what fate wanted, fate got.
Disclaimer - I own nothing but the storyline (Project idea courtesy of xZANESSA4LIFEx)
Thanks for reading guys :) Check back soon for an update. AnythingButOrdinaryGirl x
