"But I don't need your dollar bills,

All I want is something real,

Cause nothings free,

Except loving me"

-Katy Perry, If you Can Afford Me

Troy Bolton stared around the room, watching the teenagers move to the music. It was 10.30pm and he wanted something interesting to happen. Suddenly, as if God had granted his wish, the door swung open to reveal East High's drama duo with her new best friend. East High's drama queen, AKA Sharpay Evans, was dressed in a pink strapless dress that left little to the imagination, that was what he'd come to expect from her anyway. Behind her was her brother, East High's drama prince, Ryan Evans. He was in his usual attire, except stepped up a notch. His trousers were skinny jeans (black), and he was wearing a sparkly black shirt. To match was a black trilby hat with a white ribbon and white lining. The drama duo weren't holding much attention from Troy though- he was captivated by the brunette following behind the drama duo. She had her pinky finger linked to the blonde queens', and she was stood confidently. She wore red skinny jeans and an off the shoulder 'love' top, and compared to all the miniskirt wearing girls here, she was beautiful, and she looked sexier than all of them combined. It almost seemed she wasn't even trying.

Suddenly, he realised that he was staring like a dork. He snapped back to reality, and realised that she was staring at him, giggling. Smirking slightly, he raised the red cup with alcohol to his lips, and she looked him up and down before raising her eyebrows at him, and turning to walk to the alcohol table.

Troy felt someone nudge his waist, and he turned to see Zeke Baylor, who was dating Sharpay. "Mind explaining what's happening with you and new girl over there?" He asked, smirking. "'Cause you were checking her out like there's no tomorrow."

"Hey!" Troy answered defensively. "She checked me out too!"

"So talk to her." Zeke suggested. Troy rolled his eyes, and Zeke raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I don't even know her name." He replied sheepishly.

Zeke sighed. Troy was fun, but at times he could be amazingly dense. "So introduce yourself!" Zeke reached towards Troy and pushed his shoulder towards the alcohol table. Stumbling slightly, Troy noticed the girl was alone, and looking back, he realised that Sharpay was with Zeke.

"Hey." He said, his voice strong, but slightly shaky. She turned towards him, smiling slightly when she noticed him.

"Sorry, do I know you?" She asked, teasing. Troy smirked, shaking his head.

"No. I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Troy Bolton." The brunette beauty smiled, shrugging.

"I know your name." Troy furrowed his brow.

"Can I have yours?" He asked, and she smiled seductively.

"Depends what you're going to use it for, Mr Bolton." Troy gulped, and she laughed, reaching out a hand. "I'm Gabriella. Gabriella Montez."

Troy relaxed as her hand touched his. "Thank God you told me. Otherwise I'd have been asking around all night." Gabriella laughed again. "May I ask how you know my name, Miss Montez?"

"I've been sucked into the drama group." Gabriella said, as if it were an explanation. When she was met with a confused stare, she smiled, continuing. "The cheerleaders table is directly next to ours, and all I hear about is the infamous Troy Bolton who's slept with the entire cheerleading squad. When I heard them talking about sea blue eyes, I connected the dots. You do realise your picture takes up a wall, right?" Troy blushed.

"About those rumours-"

"I get it- you're a man whore." His face dropped and she broke out laughing. "Sorry, too tempting. Continue."

"They aren't true." He said, as if he was reassuring her.

"Well it's good to know I am not being associated with a notorious man slut then." Gabriella grinned, her brown eyes warm and playful, hinting once again that she was joking.

"Well you are definitely not associating with a man slut." He grinned back. "In fact, the only reason that rumour is around is because I'm co-captain of the basketball team."

"Ooh, big job." Gabriella commented. "Must be fun." Troy pulled a face.

"Fun isn't how I'd put it. It's boring. All I do is play matches and be expected to be someone I'm not. It's stupid. Just cause I'm a 'jock' doesn't mean that I have to conform to a stupid stereotype." Gabriella tilted her head thoughtfully.

"Hmm… how are your feelings toward 'shaking things up'?"

Two days after the party, on Monday 9th July, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez walked into East High School with linked arms, laughing away. Everyone stared at the Basketball captain and the new girl, a self-proclaimed 'nerd' and new member of the drama club. They were laughing as if there was no tomorrow, giggling and 'playing it cool' for all their worth.

Troy joined the drama club, and Gabriella joined the cheerleading squad. The school was in complete and utter shock. No one knew what to do. The skaters were suddenly hanging out with the science decathlon team, and cheerleaders were giving makeup tips to the emo's. Everything was, as Gabriella put it, 'shaken up'.

But on the 20th July, it was realised that Troy liked Gabriella. And was falling in love with her. Hard. So he bought her a gift. He found a charm with a 'T' on it and connected it to a chain, planning to give it to her the same day.

*

Later that day, Gabriella was sunbathing on her hammock in the garden, when something- or someone blocked her sun. Opening her eyes carefully, she saw her new best friend- Troy Bolton. He grinned at her shyly, passing her a box without saying a word. Confused, she opened it, and gasped when she saw the 'T' charm inside. She turned and looked at him. "Seriously." She spat, and it was Troys turn to be confused.

"Sorry?"

"You think you can buy my affections?" She accused, and Troy's eyes widened.

"N-no, I didn't!"

"I don't want your money, Troy!" She turned and started to walk away, but Troy chased her and pulled her back. Surprised, she turned and looked at him. The annoyed expression on her face disappeared as she shrugged, and leaned forward, kissing him. Shocked, Troy didn't respond for a minute, but he soon regained control of himself, kissing her back with as much force as she was giving him. After a few minutes of a searing hot kiss, they pulled away, breathing heavily.

"I'm so confused right now." Troy told her, and she giggled.

"I was joking, you silly jock." She told him with a 'duh' tone. She rolled her eyes. "Everyone else knows I'm in love with you, you nutter." His eyes widened, and she mirrored his expression. "Oops." She whispered. Seeing his confused and shocked expression, she looked down. "I've known who you were before I came to East High. I transferred from West High after I saw you at a basketball game. I asked Sharpay to know everything about you and I pretty much felt that I was in love with you within three minutes of talking to you at that party."

Troy's expression melted into an annoyed one. "Well that's funny." He said, dropping the act and smiling at her, "Cause I already knew that, and I'm in love with you too."

They leant in for another kiss, and Gabriella grinned into the kiss as he pulled her waist towards him, so their bodies were pushed together. She wound her arms around his neck, running her hands through his hair. After a minute or so they pulled away, staring into each other's eyes, blue on brown.

"Just so you know, Bolton, I'm not a one night stand."

"Who said I'll only be keeping you for one night, Montez?"