ch. 4 His story

(troy's p.o.v.)

We sat on her bed, facing each other. I took a deep breath. "So where should I start?... So, this is a touchy subject that I know you can relate to."

She nodded, "When I was six, my mom got diagnosed with cancer. At the time, I didn't know what it was. But, as usual, I spent a lot of time with her. She taught me every lesson I know, like on how to be when I grow up, and how to treat people, keep life balanced, and talk to people. I may have been six years old, but I listened and wrote down everything she said. I have it still to this day. It's actually hanging on my wall." I took a deep breath knowing the next part of the story. I felt Gabriella's hand on mine and I smiled lightly at her. "The next thing I knew was that she was gone. To say I was upset was an understatement. My dad said some comforting words though. They helped me get past my mope faze, and try to live out on what my mom had told me. You know, I have a little brother. He was only four years old when it happened, and I was seven. His name is Dylan. He's thirteen now, in eighth grade."

"When I turned fourteen, the summer before freshmen year, I met Chad and Zeke. In freshman year, we all met Sharpay and Taylor. We were all best friends, even if our labels were different. Then sophomore year, last year, Zeke and Chad finally got over themselves and asked them out. Nothing really changed since then. That pretty much brings me to here." I felt relieved to tell her. "Oh, and by the way, would you think that the nerd, two basketball players, a drama queen, and the brainiac would become best friends in the first place?"

She looked at me confused and asked, "You know, the day I moved here, yesterday, Sharpay told me about all of you, and said that you were the most genuine person she knew besides Zeke." She paused, then gave me a teasing look, "So which person are you?"

I smirked, "Well, that's the question. What's the difference between a nerd and a brainiac?"

She giggled and said, "Well a nerd is someone who typically only likes to learn, and not explore. A brainiac is someone who actually finds the interesting stuff and has the curiosity to explore."

My jaw dropped, "How do you know that?"

She raised her hand and said, "Hi, I'm Gabriella Anne Montez, East High's new brainiac." She grinned.

I answered her unanswered question. "I'm the brainiac," I admitted.

She smiled again and said, "I've gotten a GPA of 4.0, and got honor roll every year since sixth grade!"

I laughed, "Me too! And I'm on the basketball team with Chad and Zeke. Don't tell Taylor or Sharpay, or anyone else. They won't stop asking for help and stuff. I've been there. If you accidently help them, say you already did the problem or something."

"That's very good to know. I only told Sharpay that I liked to learn."

"Okay," I said, "What do you like to do? I noticed a piano by the stairs in that castle shaped room." Her eyes went wide. She looked at her hands, looked up, and smiled brightly at me. She squealed and ran out of her room leaving me. I followed her and saw her jumping like a kangaroo. She saw me and attacked me with a hug. "Whoa, what's going on?" I asked.

"I knew something was wrong when I moved here! I love to write, compose, and sing my own songs on the piano!"

My jaw dropped, "Really? You write your own songs? I do too! Are you working on anything now?"

She nodded, bit her lip, and pulled away from the hug, "I have the music. I just don't have the lyrics, or the mood yet."

"Maybe I can help," I offered.

"Okay! I'll play it for you!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the piano. She started playing. I traced over her hands as she played. At the chorus, all I could think of was, When I Look At You.

I was mesmerized. If only I could tell her how much she amazed me. She turned to me looking hopeful, "So what did you think?"

I smiled, "I love it! It's so unlike all of the other songs I have ever heard! It's better!" Did I just creep her out?

She questioned looking unsure, "Really? Even without the lyrics?"

I nodded, "Maybe I could help you figure it out. What kind of song do you want it to be?"

She answered, "I want it to be empowered with happiness. I want it to be a love song, but first you have to find inspiration, right?" She laughed skeptically. If only she knew that I was right in front of her!

(Gabriella's P.o.v)

I was curious, so I asked him, "So you write songs and play them? And sing them?"

He nodded, "So what kind of songs do you write? What instruments do you play?" I swear I saw him blush!

"I write songs about everything in general, like rap, and stuff. I play the guitar."

I smiled and replied, "Interesting. Can you rap one right now?"

He laughed, "I have the file of it on my phone."

I waited, "Well?"

He chuckled, "I didn't know you actually wanted me to play it." I giggled. He started playing it, then sang the lyrics. "Johnny wanna be a big star, get on stage and play the guitar, make a little money, buy a fancy car, a big old house and an alligator. Just to match with them alligator shoes, he's a rich man, so he's no longer singin' the blues. He's singin' songs about material things and..."He sighed and shrugged, "I don't like it. It's not me. I was watching a movie when this guy went from bottom to top, but he lost his passion."

I answered, "It's okay, but as you said, you don't have passion towards some random character. But, your voice is amazing!"

He smiled, "Thanks! I'll play you more songs later if you'd like."

I smiled and said, "And I'll show you some of my songs."

I heard a beep. It came from my phone. It was a text from Sharpay.

"Whatcha doin?"

"I'm hanging out with Troy. U?"

"OoOoO! I knew it! He totally likes you! ;D"

I rolled my eyes. "No he doesn't. We're just friends." Troy must've saw the text because he whispered, "Best friends," in my ear and smiled at me. I smiled back at him and repeated, "Best friends."

He left to go home. The next thing I knew, I got my schedule for my classes at East High in the mail.

"So what classes did you get?" Troy texted me.

"All AP classes. U?"

"Same! I, at least, wished I would have a friend in one of my classes. But now, I get to have my best friend in all of them! :D"

I smiled. I had a best friend. Yes, I've gotten closer to Sharpay, Taylor, Zeke, and Chad, but there is just something about Troy. He understands me. Tomorrow is my first day at East High and being a junior. I don't think I could be happier!