Belong

Gabriella Montez has been abandoned by her mother, and after going through many homes, she's finally settled on one, the absolute perfect family, put into a new world, one she's never experienced, full of love and she's stuck between moving on but hanging on, accepting love and giving love. Will her new parents, and the sweet boy next door, finally reach out, and show her that she belongs? Rated M for future chapters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but original characters. And I give credit to Sarah Dessen on her book Lock and Key for inspiring me to write this story.

A/N: Here's the next chapter! Just so you guys know, no Annie is not Gabriella long lost sister or anything... she and Gabriella aren't related in any way ^.^ Enjoy.

Chapter Four

Meeting

"So," Annie said, letting out a breath as she finally pulled off. "We're those your friends? Back there in the mall?"

"Nah," I said, waving my head. "Just some girls… from my old school."

"Oh," she said, her chirpy voice deflating a bit. She probably would feel more secure and reassured if she knew I had friends. Which I did. I wasn't a complete loner. "But, I do have some. Friends, I mean."

"Well, maybe you can invite them over one day?" Annie said. I cringed, and almost shook my head. These were my friends from the street, and it would not be a good idea to let them step into Annie's pristine house. When I didn't say anything for a few moment, Annie spoke again. "So, after we signed the papers and everything, I called my family, and Carl's family, and they all said they wanted to meet you." My stomach flipped, and I had to use all my willpower not to groan. I shuffled around in my seat, cringing as my shirt continued to press into my skin. I never met any of my past household's families. Except for a grumpy aunt or two. I wonder if their families are as nice as them.

"Okay," I said, my voice shaky. Annie patted my leg as we eased into a stop at a red light. "Don't worry, they won't bite. They're really excited to meet you."

The rest of the ride was fairly quiet, with the exception of the radio, P!nk's Blow Me (One Last Kiss) loud and beguiling. And as I observed Annie more and more, I noticed she was still like a teenager. Bubbly, exciting, still a size zero. She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel, first humming softly, and then loudly, and then she started belting out the lyrics. "Eyes on fire, eyes on fire, and they burn from all the tears! I've been crying, I've been crying, I've been dying over you! Tie a knot in the rope―come one Gabs, sing with me! ―But there's nothing to grasp, so I let go!" I eyed Annie wearily, and shook my head. Annie rolled her eyes. "Please? Come on, I always used to love singing along to the radio when I was your age!"

I settled back and took a deep breath, and then started to sing along with Annie, my voice softer than hers is, but still noticeable nonetheless. Annie's smile was bright and warm when she looked at me. "I think I finally had enough, I think I maybe think too much! I think this might be it for us!" Her body jerked around, and her hands fell off the steering wheel a few times as she pumped them in the air and I wondered briefly if we were going to crash. But we didn't, it seems like Annie does this all the time.

"Blow me one last kiss!" Annie blew a kiss, as we stopped at a red light, to an elderly woman in a car beside us. Her eyes widened, confused, and startled. I laughed with Annie, and it was real. All of this was. Maybe, just maybe, things would get better. Annie held her hand up to her ear, in a phone figure, before driving off when the light turned green.

"Honey, I'm home!" Annie called out in an I Love Lucy manner. She dropped the bags she was holding on the couch, and I did as well, before we walked into the kitchen. It was empty, all except for Mikey who was curled into a ball in the corner, sleeping. He snored, a loud, disturbing nose that sounded like his nasal passages were clogged. Annie pushed open the back door, and there was Carl, Troy and a few other guys hanging out by the basketball court. Annie gasped dramatically as she stepped out. "I cannot believe you two had a party without me."

"This is one lame ass party, then," one of the guys said, finishing the last of his Bud Light before throwing it away. Annie rolled her eyes and looked at me. "Gabs, this is Chad," she said, pointing to the guy who just spoke. "Troy's friend. And Darren, Carl's friend." The two looked similar, both with dark skin, strong jaws, and builds. The only difference is that Darren 's hair was short, curly and soft-looking, and his skin lighter than Chad's. Chad's hair was curly as well, though puffed up into an afro.

"Hey," Chad said, grinning. "Troy, man, you didn't say she was hot." My eyebrows rose.

"Hey, none of that," Carl said, kicking Chad's leg. Chad yelped, his hand shooting down to the spot. Darren laughed. "Hey, Gabriella. Man, Carl and Annie talked about you non-stop before you came. They were so excited."

Annie smiled. "Well, can you really blame us?"

"So, are we leaving now?"

"Yeah, let us just go put this stuff in Gabriella's closet. I'm glad to say we spent about eight hundred today."

"Damn, Gabriella, Merry Christmas," Chad said. "When is it my turn, Annie?" Annie just shook her head and smiled, before turning and heading back towards the house. I walked off after her, looking back only once more. Troy was starring after me, again, and I felt my back tingle. I turned back around and caught up with Annie.

"Your closet is big," she explained, as we shuffled up the steps, our hands full of bags. "So I think all of this stuff will fit."

"Seems unlikely," I said. The bags were practically weighing me down. "Do you want to change first, before we start?" she asked, holding up a bag as we walked into my room. I nodded, took it, and Annie left. It was the outfit from . Rina's face flashed in my mind. I sighed and pulled it on, slowly. When I finished, I stepped in front of my mirror, examining it. The outfit seemed to fit even more perfectly than it did in the changing rooms. The pants hugged my legs and the sweater was warm and soft against my skin. Even the boots felt good, and every time I walked, they seemed to caresses my toes.

I opened the door for Annie and she stepped in, setting the bags down with a loud grunt on my floor. She grinned at me. "Well, don't you look nice? How does it feel?"

I shrugged. "Really good. Thanks, Annie." She shrugged and wiped extra tresses of hair from her face, and then started pulling out outfits. "You're welcome, sweetie." I mimicked her, slipping them of hangers and folding some. We still had a lot more to do when there was a knock on my bedroom door. Troy came in, hands in his pockets, as he stared at us coolly. "Hey," he said.

"Tell Darren unless he wears a size three, he does not get anything," Annie said. Troy laughed. "No, Darren didn't tell me to come up. Carl did, he said he wanted to talk to you."

"Oh," she sighed. "Okay. Gabs, I'll be right back. There are some more hangers in that bag if you need some." I nodded and Annie stood, walking out, but Troy didn't follow. My fingers shook as I clipped and unclipped the hangers, slipped and took them off. Something about Troy Bolton made my skin crawl, in a good way though. It's like when I was in ninth grade, and had my first girl crush. Every time he was around, I had the urge to hide, because maybe he would see that I wasn't good enough for him. Turns out he was just as messed up as I was, though.

"Want any help?" he asked, stepping into the room further. I shrugged. "No, I'm fine. This is a bunch of… girl stuff anyway." I blushed furiously as I thought of the sexy lace underwear and bra's Annie had bought me from Victoria's Secret. Troy chuckled and crouched down, taking stuff out of the bags anyway. "I have a sister; I know what bra's and stuff look like," he said.

I raised an eyebrow, looking at him skeptically. "Are you sure it's just from your sister?"

Troy laughed, and his eyes were bright. "Well, maybe from a few girlfriends." He pulled out a bra from a VS bag, the words Cutie Pie written dozens of times across the cups. I gasped, lunging forwards and snatching it away, my face hot. "That's cute," he laughed, searching through the bag some more. I took it all together, my face scrunched up as I stared at him. "God, you're such a pervert."

He grinned at me and started putting some more clothes away. "So, where are you from?"

"Different places," I said. "When I was with my biological mother, we traveled a lot, and then stopped in Chicago. And then I went through about three foster homes before coming here."

"That's rough," he said, shaking his head. "What happened to your mom?"

"On my thirteenth birthday, she got up and left. Then the landlord came and found me, and sent me to social services." I sighed, taking out another shirt and folding it neatly. "I haven't seen her since…" Then I laughed, the sound coming out dry and cracked. "Hell, I don't even know if she's alive." I felt a pang in my chest.

"That sucks," Troy said. There was a quiet pause, the only sound being the rustling of bags and clothing. Troy cleared his throat. "Carl said you're going to East High."

"Where's that at?"

"Just a few blocks from here.. Me and Chad go there. It's a nice school."

"That's a change," I said. "Usually all the schools my parents put me in are the complete opposite."

"Well, welcome to the other side of town," Troy said. "Is that the last of it?" He crumpled the bags up, and I nodded. The closet was no full, the shoes neatly lined up at the bottom, the pants folded neatly on hangers and shirts hanging loosely. It was kind of a surreal thing that I was here. I mean, Annie and Carl could have picked any kid, a baby, instead of me. I'd be gone in two years anyway, and really, what fun is it to have a child that's older?

"A penny for your thoughts?" Troy said, flicking his head to the side to rid the hair from in front of his eyes. I shook my head and smiled. "I'm not thinking anything."

Troy shook his head, not believing me. "Come on, what is it?" He nudged my knee. "I won't be offended if it's about me." I opened my mouth, ready to say something back, but Annie came bustling in through the door, shaking her head. "Oh, good, you guys are done. Thanks, Troy." He nodded, and stood. "Come on, the family is anxious."

"They're here?" I asked. Annie shook her head. "I was just on the phone with my mom, they're at home and they made a big dinner." I then looked at the clock and noticed that it was past six o 'clock. We were out longer than I thought. Annie patted my back and smiled. And I then noticed just the tiniest of dimples pressing against her cheeks. "Don't worry, Gabs. I promise they won't bite."

We hurried out, Troy riding with Darren, Chad and Carl, and me and Annie riding solo, in their other car. It was a silver Toyota Camry. Again Annie clicked on the radio, and Titanium was flamboyant and upbeat, blasting away at my ears. Annie kicked back her chair, practically yelling out the lyrics now. I smiled and leaned back in my seat, my eyes falling shut. The lyrics swirled around in my head, soothing my mind and pacifying the horrible thoughts.

I'm bullet proof…

Nothing to lose…

I am titanium!

We turned into another gated community. The houses were larger though, palm trees galore, and land stretched out wide. This was paradise. Kids played out on the lawns, riding their bikes around the smooth pavement, and owners walking their genteel dogs. Annie honked the horn and waved across the street at an elderly couple, swinging on their patio. They waved back, smiling toothlessly. I wondered if that was her parents, but that thought was shot down as we stopped in front of a large house, seeming to tower over everyone else's. The boys were already there, jumping out the car and running towards the house. It looked even better than Annie and Carl's. It was very spacious Mediterranean-style home, and there was a warm feeling attached to it. The garden in front stood out, exotic, wild plants dancing in the wind.

Annie and I stepped out, and I realized then how nervous I was. My heart was thumping against my chest, threatening to jump out. We walked in, and my eyes bulged. We were hit with the formal living room as soon as we stepped in, with a sweeping staircase, and couches decorated in the most vintage fashion style. There was even a fireplace, burning under the TV. It wasn't just a nice room, though; there were just so many people. Kids, adults, teens. The kids ran through the house, laughing, playing, and toppling over. And the adults and teens were talking excitedly, acting as if there were so many things to say. And in a world as exciting as this, I'm not surprised.

"Slow pokes," Carl said, grabbing Annie and me into a hug. Annie laughed and pushed away, leaving Carl to hug me closer, crushing me into his grasp. "God, Carl, don't kill her before she can meet everyone," Annie said. Carl laughed and stepped back. "And look at you, nice outfit."

"Thanks," I said. "Annie picked it out."

"Oh, my God," a woman said, coming up next to Carl. She looked young, but still had to be around her fifties. Her hair grayed a bit on the ends, but the middle still lively with color and her face almost wrinkle free. "An, is this her?"

"Yeah, mom," Annie said softly. They looked a lot alike, the same nose, and bone structure. Annie's mother smiled at me. "I'm Carlinda, but you can call me Linda. My god, you two look the same age. How old are you?"

"Seventeen," I said, and started fiddling with my fingers. Annie shifted uncomfortable beside me. Linda nodded. "Well, come on. The rest of the family is excited to meet you." The whole greeting process took about twenty minutes. After ten, though, I gave up trying to remember people's names. But I didn't forget Annie's behavior. It became stranger and stranger as we went along, and as Linda cruised on with us. But every time Linda waltzed off in that fancy manner of hers, Annie relaxed, letting out calm breath and fixing her posture. My tongue itched, ready to ask her what was wrong, but Linda kept coming back and something told me that maybe it would be better discussed in private.

Finally, though, Linda walked off to make sure everything was fine. I sat on the couch next to Annie, and her sister Cassadee. Cassadee looked a lot like Annie as well, though with dark black hair, straight and thick. "Still no luck?" Cassadee asked, sipping more of her beer. Annie sighed and shook her head. "No. But, we have Gabriella."

"You're still trying, aren't you?" Emma, Annie's cousin, asked. Annie blushed and nodded. "Yeah, we are. The doctor said that we can reproduce anytime, we just have to keep trying."

"Hey." I jumped, startled, as Troy's hot breath skittered across my skin, into my ear. I turned, seeing him standing there, grinning. "Want to come outside? I can tell this conversation is making you uncomfortable." I looked back at Annie, who nodded and me, before standing and following after Troy. My palms were sweaty and red, from me fiddling and picking at them all day. I remember when I was twelve, and my mom brought up a special way to punish me when I did something bad. She poured salt on the floor, and made me stand there on my knees and hands for thirty minutes. My skin would sometimes split open, and would become an angry red. I could still feel the pain. Even days after, my skin would still be that color.

"I swear to God, Chad!" a loud, shrill voice screamed. "Give me back my shoes!" Troy and I stepped out, and I saw Chad getting chased, his afro flapping around, by a girl. Her feet were bare, and her blond hair wet and stringy. A few other kids sat off on the sides, watching with amused eyes, and sipping their drinks. The girl picked up a rock and hitched it forward, effectively hitting Chad in the back. He staggered a bit, but kept going. "Stay strong, buddy!" one of the guys said, and the girl next to him giggled. Troy shook his head. "That," He pointed to the girl. "is Sharpay. She and Chad can never get along, but I think they're in a secret relationship." I nodded and he led me off to the other guys. "Hey, guys. This is Gabriella."

"Aw, man, living with Annie and Carl must be the best," one of the girl's said. She was pretty, with short, strawberry blond hair, and a heart-shaped face, with green eyes. She stuck her hand out, smiling. "I'm Morgan." Gabriella slipped her hand into Morgan's, her pal warm and inviting. Next to Morgan was Taylor. She was pretty as well―like everyone else―and was the only one without a beer. As she greeted Gabriella, her tawny eyes glittered with that sophisticated, polite glint. Then, there was Clay, who looked stoned. His eyes were drooping, but he still had a bit of life in his smile. His chin was stubbly, wrapping around his squared jaw, and his blue eyes were as sharp as Troy's.

Gabriella slipped between Morgan and Taylor, and Morgan looked at her, smiling big. "Okay, so…"

"So?" Gabriella repeated weakly, confused. Morgan rolled her eyes. "Anything up with you and Troy?"

"What? No, of course not. I just got here a day ago, and met him last night. I mean…"

"Please," Morgan said, rolling her eyes again. "It just takes a second to fall in love with Troy Bolton."

"That's so true," Taylor said, smoothing her skirt out. "Troy is charming."

"I'm sure he is, but there's nothing going on between us," I said, shaking my head. The thought of it was unreal. Me having the perfect life and perfect parents is already a lot to take in―but Troy as well? The girls were right; he did have that certain charm that could make a girl fall in love with him.

Too bad I'm not her.

So, that's chapter four! Next chapter, the big family and the friends will leave, leaving just the parents, Annie and Carl, and Gabriella to have dinner together. And keep in mind the way Annie was acting around her mother... that'll be an important part in the story. Again, sorry this is a short chapter!