Author's Note-
Chapter Two-
Running into a battle zone head on is suicide. That's exactly what Troy Bolton was doing. As he walking down the corridors of East High, he couldn't for the sake of him find the classroom he was meant to be in 5 minutes ago. Great first impression. He thought. As he was nearing to room E11, he thought what the hell and asked a passing student where his room F7 was. He assumed it was near E, presuming it was in alphabetical order. Oh how very wrong. The student told him it was on the other side of the building, for Troy that would have to be a 5 minute run. So he did. He ran.
He noticed that he had just passed a door with the number and letter F5, so he decided to catch his breath and walk the rest. Not wanting to welcome his new students with an out of breath weirdo. As he finally reached the door he couldn't help but scan over his newly found students. He noticed that none of them had looked up to see him enter yet. Most of them were talking about what they did on the weekend, what they were going to do for extracurricular activates the new school term or just setting their stuff on their desk. As his eyes came to the front, he was taken aback when he noticed that a pair of the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen had been watching him ever since he entered the classroom. He just stood there like some fool. Finally the pair of mocha eyes ripped away from him and found the desk in front of her more interesting. He cleared his throat to gain his composure back and to gain the attention of the rest of the class.
He went up to the front of the class and found a piece of chalk and decided to write his name on the board. As he finished writing it finally addressed his class.
"Well hi. As you now know, I am Mr Bolton. I will be your new English teacher from now on, seeing as Mrs Nichols retired during the holiday break." Troy could hear absolutely nothing other than himself. It was like all the students were sitting there and judging him. And most were. Some not even paying attention at all. "Now, as I've verified who I am. I will call out the roll and get to know you all." Troy sat down at his desk that was facing right in front of the petite girl he had been staring at just a moment ago. He tried not to acknowledge too much of it. "Ok here go.." He started off.
Gabriella couldn't believe it. There sitting right in front of her, calling out her classmates names, was the guy her best friends had been drooling over not too long ago. She just couldn't comprehend it. She thought he was just another new student, well he looked like he could be one, he also couldn't have been that much older than her. And here he was teaching her favourite subject and sitting right in front of her. She tried to keep her gaze on her desk while she could still hear names being called out and a frequent 'Yes' or 'That's me' being replied back. She didn't know why, but she felt like when he was to call out her name she didn't know what to say. She had never felt this nervous around a guy before, hell, she never felt this nervous around anyone before. She was always self-confident and outspoken, in a good way of course, but yet here she was worried about what her response to him calling her name out was to be. This is completely weird. I don't even know the guy and he's making me act all strange. Before she could think of anything else she heard it. She heard her name being called out. She got a weird sensation when she heard her name being called out by him. And then she heard it again.
"Gabriella Montez? Is she here?" Troy raised his head up to see if he could get a response and his breath got caught as he was once again staring straight into the brown orbs that caught his attention before.
"That would be me sir." Gabriella slowly raised her hand to let him know it was her that he was asking for.
She sounded shy, but by the look of her, he could tell she was anything but shy. She looked like she had a good head on her shoulders and the kind of person to let people hear her voice out loud. Troy always thought he could read a person's personality just by looking at them, but he realized that he could no longer trust his gut instinct. That logic was a better option to listen to instead. He tore his eyes away from Gabriella and continued reading out the names.
As the class was coming down to an end, the students found out that their new 'Hot Teacher' had been transferred from Boston, that he enjoyed English Literature and that he once had the chance to be a Lakers player, but turned the offer down. He left it there, not really wanting to tell his sad story to his new students. Who would? He didn't need their pity. He also didn't want to scare them with a little outburst with some harsh said words about his ex. He didn't mention anything from his past except Boston and the NBA offer. As the bell went, he told them to read at least a quarter of the book he handed out before after calling out the names. He noted he didn't have this class for another two days, so that would give plenty of time to read a quarter of it. It wasn't even that much of a big book. It was one of his favourites. So he wanted to see if anyone could come to love it as much as he did.
As he was gearing up his things, he realized he didn't need to be in that much of a rush, he had a free lesson next. He thought that would be a good opportunity to take a gander around and get to know the school more. His head did shoot up though, when he heard a large crash echo throughout the room. His eyes connected once again with the brown ones he kept staring into. What is it with those eyes? Troy didn't get a chance to look into them more, as the brown ones tore away from his gaze.
"Shit!" Gabriella looked down at the ground and tried to compose herself after making an idiot of herself by walking into a passing desk and dropping all her books. It then dawned on her that she swore in front of her new teacher. What an impression to make. Now he thinks I'm clumsy and crazy! Wait, why would it matter? Gabriella looked up to see that he was slightly laughing. She was confused. Most teachers would have scolded at her. She didn't get it? Did she really look that idiotic to be laughed at? She decided she may as well apologise, not knowing if he would give her detention or not.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. Its just sometimes words slip right out. Right? I mean, I really didn't mean too. Sorry again." She didn't even look him in the eyes, she just kept staring at the ground. Then she went to gather her stuff up from on the ground. Great! Now he thinks your even a bigger loser than your coming off as.
As she was going to grab her chemistry book that was near the leg of the teacher's desk, she felt another hand also grab it. She looked up to see that once again Brown was staring at Blue. She couldn't help but stare at him while he helped her with the other books that were scattered around.
"Here you go." He placed the book into her slightly shaking hands.
"Uhh, thanks. About before-"
"It's more than alright. Everyone curses, wether they like to believe it or not. We're only human."
Gabriella couldn't help but smile at him. He didn't come off as conceited or cocky or mean. He came off…great!
"Well thanks again. I should head to the library to read your appointed book." She gave a small awkward laugh, not realizing that 10 minutes had already passed with just the constant staring at one another.
"Good to hear. It really is an excellent book." Troy replied.
"Oh I know. It's one of my favourites. I've already read it at least 4 times. I'd probably have to say top 5 at least. I mean Charles Frank really knew what he was doing. The words. Every word is like…art." Gabriella looked up to see that Mr Bolton was staring down at her with his mouth open just ajar. She took a step back, not really knowing what was wrong with him. "Uhh, Mr Bolton? Are you ok?"
Troy was able to shake off his moment of disbelief. How did a young girl like Gabriella understand everything he loved about one of his favourite author's. She looked so excited and happy just describing how she felt towards the once most famous author in the world. I've never met anyone with such a passion towards Charles Frank as much as me! Who is this girl?
Troy then realized he still hadn't said anything and his mouth was still slightly hanging open.
"Sorry. It's just that…well I've never met anyone who enjoys Charles Frank as much as I do. It just comes to a shock that a young girl like yourself knows about him, let alone favours one of his novels. No offence." Troy hoped he didn't come off as an ass.
"Oh, I get that a lot. Mrs Nichols use to give me so many books to read during the holidays or for whenever. She would just give a whole bunch of them. This is why this is my favourite class. She understood what I loved about books. Then again I love most books. It's hard not too. You know? I mean the way your mind can get so wrapped up into a story. And Charles Frank definitely makes me really think and question stuff…-" Gabriella then realized she started rambling. "Sorry, when I get excited about a book or something I get all hyper and start to ramble, and then I cant shut up. It's actually quite annoying. Sorry. I should go. Bye." Gabriella then quickly ran off before Troy could say anything.
He wanted to be able to tell her he didn't mind her rambling. That he thought it was funny and cute. Wait?!? Cute? I cant think she's cute! She's my student and I'm her teacher. Teacher. I am her teacher. Who teaches her. I teach. I Teach her. Ok, stop it Troy. Get a hold of yourself. She's just some girl. She could end up exactly like Julie. No…Gabriella could never be like Julie. Ok, just stop thinking about both of them!!!
As Troy was walking down the hallway, he turned around to see the Principle, Mr Matsui, heading towards him.
"Ah, Bolton. I was looking for you. How was your first lesson so far?" He questioned.
"It went well. Better than I expected. The students here are a lot more calmer and politer than the ones back at my old school in Boston. It's refreshing." He slightly laughed at the his last remark.
"Very good to hear. It is quite nice to know that our school has an excellent reputation. I'm proud to be the Principle here." He replied back with a wide smile. "But I was also wondering if you needed any help around with the school. It is quite larger than your last school, wouldn't want you to get lost." He chuckled. "I can assign a student to assist you and for them to show you around the school, if you would like?"
"That, would actually be a fantastic idea. I've been wondering these halls for a while. I thought I would have to ask for a map or something." Both laughed. Then Mr Matsui was leading Troy towards the library.
"I have someone just in mind to help you. She's a top A-student. I can always rely on her assistance. And it's great to know she always spends her free periods in the library. Well I hope. I'll just go get her. Won't be a moment." He was the lost behind the two giant library doors. A few minutes he came back with none other than Miss Gabriella Montez.
Troy had to do a double-take. He couldn't believe out of all the people Mr Matsui would ask to for their help, it would be the girl, who he couldn't get out if his mind.
Gabriella was wide-eyed to say the least. She tried so hard to try and forget all about the newcomer. She just couldn't get his piercing blue eyes out of her head. And yet for some reason, here she was again staring into those pools of blue.
"Bolton this is one of our very elite and brightest students here at East High, Miss Gabriella Montez." Introduced Mr Matsui. "Gabriella this is-"
"Oh, its fine Mr Matsui. I already know who he is. He's my new English teacher. I was just reading a novel Mr Bolton here asked the class and I to read. It's fantastic, I'm hooked already." Troy couldn't help but find that Gabriella's smile made him feel a little warmer inside. He couldn't help think what it would be like for her to smile at him like that. Troy shook all thoughts of that away. How could one girl make me forget all the pain that Julie caused? Troy had no idea what was going on, but he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. He was soon to find out.
"And so here we are again at the library." Gabriella and Troy made their way back to the large doors of the library. It had taken them the rest of their free period and the lunch break for her to show him the whole school. "I hope I was at least some help. It is an overly large school. When I first arrived here, I thought it was the biggest school building I had ever seen, but with the help of my best friend, Taylor, I got use to it after just a few days." Gabriella tried really hard not to look in his eyes. It was like her strange way of trying to forget what he looked like. Taylor was right. He is like WOW! Damn it Gabriella. Stop thinking about him. He's your teacher and you've only known him for the past few hours. This is ridiculous!
"You haven't lived here your whole life?" He questioned. With all her knowledge about everything in Albuquerque, he assumed that she was born and raised here.
"Oh, uh no. My parents moved here my freshman year. I didn't exactly like the change at the beginning, but once I got here, it turned out to be better than I expected."
"Well I hope I feel the same way towards Albuquerque, New Mexico also." To Troy, he just thought he was politely smiling at Gabriella. But to her, it felt like all her problems just washed away with his one bright, beautiful, charming smile.
"Uhh, well I should be getting ready for my next class. See you later Mr Bolton." And with that, she was rushing off trying to forget what his eyes looked like.
"Uh, goodbye to you too Miss Montez." Troy watched her petite figure run off and get lost behind the corridor corner. He found himself staring at the same spot where she had just vanished. I really got to shake this off. She's just some girl with a pretty face. That's all. Nothing more. Troy couldn't believe he was actually arguing with himself about the matter that is: Gabriella Montez. It's ok, you only have her for one class and that's it. She wont be in your life fot other than that. That's where he was dead wrong.
Charles Frank is just the name that I came up with. It belonged to my Grandfather who passed away a few years ago. I used his middle name as his first and his first name as his last. It probably doesn't really matter, but just in case anyone assumed there was an author with that name. Well I have no idea. I just thought it was nice to do that for my grandfather. (L) Thanks for reading. And thanks for the reviews so far. Glad you like it. Cheers.