I'm really; really pleased so many of you are sticking with my story. I was sure that so many of you were going to go off it after you read it but I was obviously wrong. Also, I'm still struggling to finish off the next chapter of 'Humuhumunukunukuapua'a' so please those who are waiting, be patient, I have three stories going and homework and GCSE's. It's enough to tip someone over edge. Plus I'm writing a fantasy Novel so I'm really struggling to keep my head lol xxx

I don't own High School Musical but don't all us girls wish we owned Zac Efron :)

Chapter 1 – The Most Fascinating Being

Gabriella strained her neck over the waters and watched with intrigue, no – one was on the beach and she would only stay for half an hour at least. Her mother, Socorro, would not see her gone for her family was off fishing. She would return just before they were about to leave.

She swam over to the shallower water and allowed her eyes, her sharp intelligent eyes to scan the sand, nope, no – one was around! Slowly she began to walk through the water, she was nervous, she had never really done this before and it frightened her to no end. Her mother had always said that if she ever ventured onto the beach, she should remove her skin and lie sunbathing naked. Her mother said, to feel the sand burning under her and the sun gleaming down on bare was perhaps one of the most beautiful feelings imaginable.

"Have faith Gabriella, have faith." She told herself and with that she stepped out and her toes touched the sand for the first time.

She giggled and smiled, kicking the sand, enjoying the feeling of the texture between her tiny toes.

"It's so beautiful."

There was a small group of rocks to her side and she could put her skin there. She removed it quickly and for a moment she was sure she could feel the creature disappear from her soul and there she stood, just Gabriella, just human.

"I feel it." She whispered touching her bare chest and feeling the excited pulse of her heart beneath her breast, "I really feel it."

As she sat down on the sand she sighed, the sun was setting and it calmed her nerves as she laid back, ready to relax and say goodbye, once more to Albuquerque beach. She was very much uninformed that this was not yet her goodbye to Albuquerque but her goodbye to her Selkie family!

TROY watched riveted, he could barely make out her figure and for that he was grateful. He would not google her body, he wanted to respect her and that was something he wouldn't do. Not yet at least, he wanted to win her affections, her trust and her body over the right way. The proper way.

He looked back at his car and sighed; he would put the Skin in the boot and make sure she wasn't to see it. He had brought a blanket to wrap around her naked body and he had already prepared something for her to eat when she came home. He was rather pleased with himself, but still the guilt hung over him.

He saw her body go limp and getting into the car, he drove down closer and prepared himself to do the unthinkable.

The Selkie did not hear the car door open or close and she didn't hear the young man's heavy, anxious breathing as he slowly picked up her silky Seal skin and took it to his car.

When he returned to his car he smiled in relief, he got into his car and drove off quickly, his plan was in motion and as he returned to the place had been previously he sat and waited. When she woke and began to panic he would pretend to be going for a run.

SOCORRO Montez, the head woman Selkie swam around in a frenzied panic. She could not find her daughter anywhere, she was so worried. Her daughter Rancha touched her hand and tried to comfort her.

"Mother, please, the weather, the weather will grow cold and the creatures of the sea will reject us. We must leave." She said persistently, for Selkies were only welcome in certain parts of the ocean at certain times of the year and if they didn't leave soon the sea creatures would run them out, it was their way.

"But we must find Gabriella. We cannot leave without her." The Selkie said.

"But Socorro, the sea animal…Gabriella will be alright. You must think of the Clan." An elderly male Selkie said shivering nervously as he looked around.

Socorro sniffed dejectedly and she nodded, "Very well but we will return and we will find Gabriella."

And with that the Selkie clan set out, leaving the odd Selkie alone and with only a human to protect and love her.

STRETCHING tiredly, Gabriella woke and looked towards the ocean. The sun had set now and darkness was starting to linger, she felt panic rise inside her, she would have to get back and soon before the family left her. She got up and went to retrieve her Skin when she gasped back in alarm.

Her skin! It was gone!

She started to cry, a tear dripped down her cheek and as the tide started to draw in around her she realised that she could not survive the oceans coldness without her skin. She shivered involuntarily and more tears dripped down her cheeks.

"My skin, my beautiful skin." She whimpered.

She darted behind the rocks as a figure came towards her, she recognised it as the young man who came to the beach a lot. He was running. For a moment she believed he was going to dart past her but his eyes caught her and he stopped, out of breath.

"Oh my, are…are you o…okay?" He stammered looking at her worriedly.

She started to sob louder and louder and the man walked closer. She backed away and fell down onto the sand.

He saw nothing but her head and the tears streaming tiredly down her pretty face. She saw a glint of something in the stranger's eyes and because of that she began to cry all the more.

"Hey…are…where…where are your clothes?" He asked.

She tried to reply but she couldn't, he was handsome at least, soft dark sandy brown hair and the most amazing electric blue eyes imaginable. Like the ocean, they offered her some comfort.

"Wait, are you a Selkie? I've heard of you! You're the small group of mythological creatures that returns here every year, aren't you? I thought that was just a story. Wait, where's your skin?"

"Lost." Gabriella muttered.

"Oh no, well…you can't go back into the water until you find your skin. Come with me, I'll help you. You can sleep in my house tonight and have some food. Then, we'll try and fix the situation."

Gabriella didn't reply and the man smiled, "I'll go get my car. I think there's a blanket in there. You can cover up." He said and before she could say anything he had dashed off.

She waited for a moment or two, she looked out longingly to the sea, she wanted to be there. She didn't know this man and she didn't know how to react around him, he looked sweet enough but it still made her weary. Her mother, despite having once been a mate with her father had always told her to be watchful of Human, especially the male of the species.

The man returned in something he had called a 'car' she had no idea what he had meant by that but she suspected it to be a huge silver creature with which he sat inside. Gabriella stared at it with wide eyes and fright churning inside her. He got out of the car holding a large silky colourful blanket. He handed it to her from over the rocks and she pulled it around her, it was warm and for some reason, she felt it replaced her skin that she had lost. There was, however no hope of returning to the sea, not without her original skin.

"Oh, by the way, my name is Troy, Troy Bolton. What your name?" He asked.

She said nothing but he continued to smile almost victoriously.

"Its okay, I understand, you're scared. Now, if you'll come with me, I can get you somewhere warm and something to eat." He said.

She shook her fearfully and the young man sighed.

"I won't harm you, please trust me." He said smiling softly.

Gabriella shivered but she saw the warmth in his gaze and feeling all te more reassured, she took his hand that was held out waiting and allowed him to pull her up and with that he carried her to the car and sat her inside. She sighed and yawned tiredly.

"You look exhausted, I'll make a bed for you when we get to the house and you can eat. You must be hungry." The man named Troy exclaimed and Gabriella timidly nodded before looking out at the window.

TROY smiled triumphantly; he and the Selkie had just arrived in his home. He had gone out that morning and had bought some fashionable clothes and pyjamas for her. He couldn't have her walking around naked all day.

"Here, these are some clothes. You can change upstairs while I get you something to eat." He showed her the bathroom and let her go in and change.

As he retreated downstairs he felt his heart swell with satisfaction, she was finally here. Yes, he'd lied to get her here but she was here nonetheless. He was proud of himself and as he entered the kitchen he turned on the stove and started to heat up the Broth he had made. He was stirring the broth when she slowly walked in nervously; he turned and gasped, as he looked at her properly. She was dressed in soft, yellow pyjamas and her slightly damp hair was in gentle ringlets around her shoulders. Her large bold browny – russet eyes glimmered with tears and her pyjama's hung tight against her elegant, curvy figure.

"Um…the food is almost ready. Please sit down there." He said pointing to the table.

He watched as the Selkie woman as on top of the table and he laughed.

"No, 'He exclaimed still chuckling, "You sit at the table, like this." And he pulled out the chair and sat down in front of the table, she followed his lead, blushing clumsily.

He got up and poured a large bowl of Broth for her, then he warmed up some milk and carried it over to her. He sat opposite her and watched captivated as she ate slowly, she closed her eyes as the heat of the vegetables and meat warmed her.

"Its good, see." He said smiling and she nodded.

He watched her sip her hot milk and chuckled, "So…do you think you can tell me your name now? Remember, I'm Troy."

She looked as if she wasn't going to answer but he held a certain gentleness and she couldn't resist his handsomeness.

"Gabriella." She whispered.

"Gabriella? 'He said a little surprised for he had expected a more difficult name, "It's a human name right?"

She nodded, "My…father…um…was human." She exclaimed timidly.

"Oh I see, so you're half Selkie half human." Troy said, all the more thrilled, she could learn the ways of humans!

She nodded, and after she had finished eating and drinking he smiled.

"I suppose you're tired now. Would you like to go to sleep?" He asked her.

"Yes please." She nodded.

He led her up to a spare room; he had set it ready for her and had fixed it up to make her feel comfortable.

She hardly noticed the necessities around the room and Troy helped her into her bed and sat down beside her.

"How are you feeling? Are you comfortable?" Troy asked her tenderly, she was lying down in front of him and he stroked her damp hair, perhaps tomorrow she would have a shower or a bath.

"Yes, thank you." She answered.

At that moment Troy's Cocker Spaniel, Star, bounded into the room and Gabriella screamed and hid under the covers for she had never seen such a strange creature. Star sniffed around eagerly, keen on meeting the new occupant of the house.

"Shush, Gabriella, its fine. She won't harm you, she's my dog, she's a friend." Troy said and he watched as Gabriella lifted herself out of the blankets quaking and her eyes filled with tears.

"Look, she won't harm you. She's a pet." Troy said.

"Pet?"

"Yes, a pet is an animal that keeps you company and protects you. If you're nervous and scared, she can sleep here and keep you safe. Look, she won't harm you, she's friendly. Stroke her." He said and he beamed with pride at how persistently mellow he had been with her and he smiled all the more when he saw Gabriella grinning as she stroked Star's soft white and brown coat.

"Do you like her?" He queried.

Gabriella nodded.

"Well go to sleep and Star can stay here and keep you company." Troy ordered and he watched as Gabriella snuggled under the blankets and turned with Star at her side, to sleep.

After at least five minutes of sitting with her, Gabriella dropped off to sleep. Troy kissed her forehead and chuckled, he had done it! She was safe, she was with him now. He patted Star's head and laughed.

He stood in the doorway of Gabriella's room and switched off the light, he watched her for a little while, she was everything he had expected, she was so incredibly beautiful. What he had loved most about her was how extremely melodic her voice was, he had imagined it rough and deeper but it was sweet and harmonic. He was truly entranced by her voice and her features.

"Star, 'He said pointing at the Spaniel lying by Gabriella's side, her head resting on the Selkies hip, "Watch her!"

Star yipped and Troy closed the door, allowing himself one final fleeting look of his new guest. She would soon be his, and he didn't realise that to her, he was really the most fascinating being!

I hoped you liked it, I'm a lot more pleased with this chapter and it wasn't too bad this time was it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'd love some reviews guys! Furthermore, tomorrow, thank heavens it Friday lol! Hehe, come on, everyone dance!

REVIEW THEN GUYS! xoxMusicalxox/ Si xx