A/N: I liked this one a lot more. I think you'll like it too :) Don't own HSM :(

Chapter 3 – No changes

Jason and Kelsi approached Gabriella's locker and shared a smile before greeting her. "Hey, Gabby." Kelsi said softly.

Gabriella looked towards Kelsi and smiled. "Hey. One second." She turned back to her locker and brought out her English books before turning back to her friend. "What's up?"

"This is my boyfriend, Jason. Jason, this is Gabriella I was telling you about." She introduced.

Gabriella shook Jason's hand. "Wow. Chad was right when he said that other people were part of the package."

He chuckled and nodded. "Restaurants actually charge extra when we reserve a table for all of us."

Gabriella giggled as she shut her locker. "Well, Chad was positive I'd like you all. But, Sharpay said that I still have to meet her brother, Ryan, and her boyfriend, Zeke." She frowned slightly before she continued. "But, that doesn't make any sense because that's only eight people in total and Chad said there was nine in your little gang."

"Oh, you're talking about Tr- Yow, Woman!" He yelped when Kelsi dug her heel into his foot. "I mean, let's just get to class." He muttered before turning around and rushing away.

Kelsi sighed. "Jase, your class is the other way." She called.

"My class is the other way." He muttered, spinning around and passing Gabriella and Kelsi again, kissing Kelsi's cheek on the way. "I love you, Kels." He yelled over his shoulder.

"What's your boyfriend's IQ?" Gabriella asked jokingly.

"That of a peanut." Kelsi exclaimed as she and Gabriella went in the direction Jason had gone. "Anyway, you seemed to really like English yesterday."

Gabriella nodded happily. "It's my favourite subject. Along with Spanish but that's because my father's half Spanish and my Mom grew up in Spain – but she's not Spanish – and so I grew up speaking Spanish ever since I was born."

Kelsi and Gabriella entered the classroom and took their respective seats: Gabriella at the front next to Chad and Kelsi two rows behind next to Jason. "Are you good at poetry?"

Gabriella set her books on the desk and shrugged slightly. "Fairly good. Is that what we're studying?"

"That and 'Of mice and men'." Kelsi explained, sitting down in her seat.

Gabriella shrugged. "I've already read that so this should be a breeze." She giggled as she sat down and started flicking through her notebook from her previous school.

"Hey, Gabby, how are you? I haven't seen you all morning." Chad chuckled.

"I'm a bit tired. I didn't get much sleep last night. How was your date with Tay?" Gabriella asked.

Chad blushed slightly and looked away. "She liked it. Thanks for your help and everything."

Gabriella shrugged. "I'm always happy to help a friend." She sighed and looked down as she fiddled with her pencil. That's the whole reason I met him…

The bell rang and Mr Matthews came in with his briefcase clutched in one hand and a pile of books tucked under his other arm. "Good morning, class." He addressed, making students sink into their seats with disappointment that their socialising was disrupted.

* * *

Taylor glanced up at her Mr Matthews as he explained how their final grade was based upon a speaking and listening assessment of a piece of poetry chosen from their anthology, and an essay about 'Of mice and men' – fifty per cent each. She ripped a piece of paper from the ring binder she was using and scribbled a note to Sharpay.

Troy is it.

She passed it discreetly to her friend who shot her a confused look as Taylor was always one who frowned upon note-passing. She opened the note and frowned. "What?" She mouthed.

Taylor rolled her eyes and scribbled another note, glancing up every few moments to check Mr Matthews hadn't turned around. She had never been one to not pay attention, but when it concerned her new friend, and the boy she'd known longer than Chad, she had had to rethink her morals. She knew that Sharpay would never let her live it down for 'breaking the tradition of the nerdettes'.

Troy is the Spanish boy.

She slid the note back to Sharpay and watched as Sharpay's brown eyes enlarged to the size of basketballs. Sharpay looked back to her friend, her mouth agape. "Does Gabby know?" She mouthed.

Taylor shook her head slightly before ducking her head and poising her pen above her paper. Hopefully, Troy would make his move soon…

* * *

"…read chapter one and note down points of detail and imagery." Mr Matthews instructed as he finished handing out the copies of 'Of mice and men' by John Steinbeck.

Gabriella smiled politely as he placed one on her desk. She timidly raised her hand and glanced around nervously. "Uh, Sir, what if you've already read this novel and made notes?"

"Well, Miss Montez, I actually need to speak with you." Mr Matthews dismissed her question. "And as you skipped a grade, I am positive your notes are fine."

"Okay…" She said slowly, lowering her hand. "But, what do you want to talk to me about?"

He made his way to the door and beckoned her with his hand. "You too, Mr Bolton."

Gabriella sighed sadly. "Another Bolton?" She whispered as she followed Mr Matthews out into the hallway. She turned at the sound of footsteps following and then the door clicking closed and she screamed in surprise.

"Gabriella, are you okay?" Mr Matthews asked worriedly.

Gabriella stared at Troy, pointing wildly in vague directions. "You…Here…Me…Move…You live here!" She leapt into his arms and nuzzled her nose into his neck. She suddenly pulled back and smacked his chest.

"Ow! Brie, what was that for?" Troy yelped, rubbing his chest furiously.

"Did you know I was here?" She demanded.

"Maybe…" He muttered. "Kels said that I should let you settle in. And I was so amazed that you're here. I mean, you're so beautiful now." His eyes widened as he realised what he had said and blushed lightly. "I mean, you were always beautiful and you are always going to beautiful to me but- hmmmm…" He sighed softly when he felt two lips brush against his.

Gabriella pulled back and giggled. "I know what you mean Troy. But you called me last night!" She whined.

Mr Matthews coughed and raised his eyebrows when the two young adults turned to him. "I take it you two know each other?"

"You could say that." Troy muttered, easily slipping his hand into Gabriella's.

She smiled coyly across at him and rolled her eyes, turning back to her teacher. "So, what's up?"

"Troy's failing." Mr Matthews said bluntly.

"Not the way I wanted to greet her after two years of not seeing her!" Troy exclaimed.

"You're failing?" Gabriella asked in a shocked voice.

Troy shrugged. "I'm at a D+ but I need to get at least a C to stay on the basketball team."

"So, what has this got to do with me?" Gabriella asked, turning back to Mr Matthews.

"I'm asking you to tutor him." He said softly. "I know that you've just moved here and everything but…"

Gabriella sighed and turned to Troy. "Well, it's a big ask…" She started sarcastically.

Troy glared at her as he leaned over to her ear. "It's a good thing I love you, isn't it, Montez?" He whispered.

"Well, Bolton, it's a good thing I've studied the novel your essay is on and I'm a poet myself. So, I agree to tutor you. But, you had better pay attention to English and not me." She said sternly.

"I second that." Mr Matthews raised his hand.

Troy rolled his eyes. "Fine. But, when you're not tutoring me, I get to study you as much as I want, okay?" He grabbed her hand and twirled her around as if they were dancing before pulling her to his body.

"When I'm not tutoring you, you can do what you want." She muttered. "We can start tomorrow."

"Why not tonight?" Troy asked, his smile dropping.

Gabriella kissed his cheek, trying not to show her nervousness or sadness of the night ahead. "I'm kind of tied up tonight."

"Well, maybe I can see you later on?" He asked.

She shook her head. "I said no, Troy." She pushed past him and went back into the classroom.

"What?" Troy whispered.

* * *

Gabriella giggled as she stumbled after Troy. "Troy, where are you taking me?"

Troy laughed and rolled his eyes. "Impatient?"

"No. Worried that you'll dislocate my shoulder." She giggled.

He continued to drag her through the cafeteria and up the stairs before leading her to a yellow door and up some more stairs. "I'm not going to hurt you."

No, but I might hurt you… She shook her head, getting rid of the thoughts in her head and concentrated on getting excited about having Troy with her…now…here… This was all so wrong! He was never supposed to come back into her life until the following summer where they'd spend the summer vacation in Spain, she'd go to California to attend Stanford and she'd never-

"Brie, you okay?" A voice asked as a very familiar hand caressed her cheek.

She snapped out of her thoughts and nodded, realising they had reached the top of the stairs. "Wow. This place is amazing." She broke from his arms and marvelled in the petite flowers decorating the rooftop garden.

"Brie, wait up." Troy jogged over to her and frowned as he held his hand to her forehead and frowned. "Baby, you're hot."

"I thought you said I was beautiful?" She asked cheekily.

"No! You're burning up and you're clammy. And you're pale. Baby, I'm taking you to the nurse." He said sternly.

"Troy I'm fine, really. I'm probably just stressed about moving. It's nothing." She said softly, stroking his cheek.

"Just let her check you out." He pleaded.

She shook her head. "It's okay."

Troy sighed. "I don't like seeing you when you're not perfect."

"So, when am I perfect?" She asked flirtatiously, trailing her hands up his chest.

Troy smirked down on her and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. "White shorts with pink hearts, pink, fluffy slippers and a shirt that doesn't belong to you."

"You need to wear that at some point." She said sternly, twisting a lock of hair around her finger.

"Why?" He murmured as he started a trail of kisses from her right cheek, across her jaw and finally started kissing her neck.

She sighed softly and closed her eyes in contentment. "It doesn't smell like you anymore." She whispered.

Troy straightened up and smiled down on the girl he thought he'd never see again until the summer after he graduated. Her hair – shorter he had noticed – was pulled back into a ponytail, leaving a few curls around her face, though the curls were still noticeable, even though they were away from her face. She had actually grown – not as tall as Troy and he guessed he'd probably have to duck further than he'd had to two years ago – but it was something. Her face hadn't changed a bit: her almond shaped eyes still narrowed when she smiled, her high cheek bones were tinted pink from all the attention she was getting from him and her smile…God, her smile still reminded him of a toddler on Christmas Day.

But, something was wrong. He knew it. She was hiding something from him and when he held her, she seemed thinner than when he had held her last. Granted, it was an exceptionally long time but he had memorised everything about her and he knew that some people just can't gain weight but it didn't fit right with him. And she definitely wasn't the dieting type who worried about how she looked.

As Gabriella blushed at Troy's eyes locked on hers, she took the brief moment to admire him. He was no longer tall and lanky, but his figure had filled out more – he was still tall – with more muscles. His facial features had defined incredibly and she giggled slightly when she saw the crinkles at the corner of his eyes, telling her he still smiled a lot. His eyes were the same cornflower blue she had drowned in after their first kiss. And his lips…Oh, God…his lips…his hair…

"Gabriella!" Troy yelled as she fell towards his chest.

* * *

"Dad, I need to go!" Troy yelled angrily.

"You can see her after school." Jack said sternly.

Troy took a deep breath and sat down on the seat on the opposite side of his father's desk. "Dad, would you tell yourself that if it was Mom?"

Jack sighed. "That's not the point."

"Yes it is." Troy said softly. "What about Kels, huh? Or me? Would you think to yourself 'I'll wait until after school to see why my wife collapsed' or would you fight through fire to get to that hospital?"

"Of course I would but that's the difference between you and me. I'm married and have two kids. You're just in love." Jack said softly. "Look, Troy, I know what it's like to be in love. I loved your mom since I saw her and in that moment I swore I'd do everything to make sure she was…happy. Think about it, Troy. Gabriella hasn't changed, has she?"

Troy's lips curved into a small smile. "No."

"And can you imagine the lecture she'd give you if you skipped school to go and see her?" Jack tried to joke. "Son, I know you love her. And if you stay at school, it'll keep your mind occupied instead of waiting around for tests and x-rays. And to come up with a way to welcome yourself into her life again."

Troy nodded slightly. "Oh God, Dad! Did you feel ill when Mom felt ill?"

"Your mom or Kelsi's?" Jack asked awkwardly.

"My mom." Troy whispered, avoiding his father's eyes.

"Every time." Jack muttered. "It drove me insane sometimes. Why don't you go to your lesson? Free period is almost over."

"You're not mad about practice?" Troy asked in surprise.

Jack shook his head. "You can make it up to me if you play some one-on-one with Gabriella when she's better."

Troy sighed and smiled slightly. "Dad, could you do me a favour?"

* * *

"Where's Gabby?" Taylor asked worriedly as she sat behind her boyfriend in their homeroom, thankful that only ten more minutes was left of school.

Chad twisted in his seat, clutching his basketball tightly on his lap in an attempt to hide it from Ms Darbus. "What do you mean?"

"I haven't seen her since free period." Taylor exclaimed. "Have you noticed anything off about Troy?"

Chad closed his eyes thoughtfully until they sprang open again. "Everything." He whispered. "Nothing's been right. He hasn't been listening…but all the teachers let him off."

"Troy!" Taylor exclaimed as one of her best friends entered the classroom and sank into the seat next to Troy.

He twisted in his seat to face her and forced a smile. "Hey. What's up?"

"Where's Gabriella?" She asked slowly.

Troy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "She went to the hospital." He whispered. "I'll explain later." He turned back to the front just as the bell rang and Ms Darbus rose from her throne-like chair.

"Announcements from throughout the day:" She started in her theatrical voice.

The door slammed open and Jack rushed in. "Troy! It's an emergency. You gotta go."

Troy leapt to his feet and ignored Ms Darbus' glare. "What? What happened?"

"Bolton!" Ms Darbus snapped.

"He's got to go. I'm sorry." Jack apologied before turning to his son. "Come on, let's go!"

Troy hurried out of the classroom with Jack following before spinning around to face his father. "What is it? Is it bad? Is she okay? Is she home?"

"Troy!" Jack exclaimed. "I don't know. I just figured you'd have had enough. So, I signed you out, got you this," He paused to give Troy a brown paper bag, "and rang Encarnita's cell phone. She said they're at home now and to think of 'Romeo and Juliet' and Gabriella will explain."

Troy felt his eyes water and he leapt forward to hug Jack. "Dad, I love you. Have I ever told you that?"

Jack chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Go and get your princess."