Hey everyone! Thanks for reviewing! I'm loving you all! Okay, so this chapter isn't as long as the last, but I like it. This chapter is dedicated to abovecitylights! I loved your review/rambling- very cute! Enjoy!

I'll Email You

Chapter four

The Boltons

Gabriella rubbed the sleep out of her eyes the next morning as she watched her computer slowly turn on. She clicked on her email icon and then opened her unread message. She smiled when she saw Troy's email.

To: GabriellaSWEETMontez(at)comcast(dot)net

Subject: I can't believe I met you

From: TroyPROBolton(at)comcast(dot)net

I still can't believe that I'm emailing you right now and I know exactly what you look like and the sound of your laugh. Can you believe that we meet after almost two years of emailing each other? I'm such an idiot, actually. I should have put the pieces together the minute I met Charlie and Chad for the first time. Charlie isn't as bad as you made him out to be… he's pretty cool, but then again, I'm not his younger sister… obviously.

I actually have some new news. Zeke is obsessed with your friend Sharpay. He's trying to come up with a new cookie recipe for her. He's thinking about a Blondie and strawberry cookie. Apparently Blondie brownies now remind him of her so he's making a Blondie cookie and she was wearing pink yesterday, so he's making it strawberry. I've never seen him like this, but he's happy, so I'm glad.

So, Gabriella Montez, how are you since I saw you yesterday? Is anything interesting happening with you? Is your summer as bad as you said it was going to be with Charlie here?

Your Friend,

Troy Bolton

P.S. Do you want to hang out this afternoon after I get back from basketball camp? I was thinking you could come over and we could actually have a conversation in person.

Gabriella pressed the reply button at the top of the email and set her hands on the key board. She tapped the "H" key as she thought of what to say and smiled as she started to type away.

To: TroyPROBolton(at)comcast(dot)net

Subject: Re: I can't believe I met you

From: GabriellaSWEETMontez(at)comcast(dot)net

I can't believe it either! I never imagined that I would get the chance to meet you. I never thought it was possible and it's weird that Charlie is the cause of it… I should thank him, but that would ruin my relationship with him. Well, Charlie to me is still a pain, but I totally give you permission to think he's a cool guy. :)

You should have seen Sharpay after she met Zeke! After hearing about this mysterious baker, she was already obsessed with him, but seeing him in real life and talking to him made her officially crazy. She was dancing around like there was no tomorrow. That is the cutest and most thoughtful thing I've ever heard of! He's making a "Sharpay cookie"! She'll probably cry (In a good way).

My summer is going much better than I thought it was headed. Anything interesting with me? Hmm, well, I'm going to this basketball player's house to talk in person. :) Where exactly do you live? That's pretty much the extent of my activities for now. I'll talk to you later!

Your Friend,

Gabriella Montez

P.S. I still want to email even if we talk in person all of the time. It makes us, us.

Gabriella hit send once she was finally finished and walked toward her bathroom to get ready for the day. After taking a shower, putting on some make up, getting dressed, and letting her hair air dry, Gabriella headed downstairs. She breathed in the morning air and smiled as she walked into the kitchen without being hit with something or having a nasty comment from her brother thrown her way. The house was peacefully quiet with her parents and brother gone and she snuggled onto the couch after getting her bowl of cereal.

After doing a million loads of laundry Gabriella finally smiled at the clock, excited that it was now time to go over to Troy's house. She grabbed her cell phone and slipped it in her pocket, smiling as she stepped out onto her porch and made her way towards Troy's house. She decided to walk since it was only a few blocks away and she inhaled the warm afternoon air.

Charlie had gotten home about an hour and a half earlier. He asked where she was going when she was leaving the house, but she ignored him with a sigh and texted him as she walked along the side walk.

"Troy's house." She texted to him.

"Don't make out with him! You could ruin his excellent basketball skills." Charlie texted back.

"By kissing him? You're an idiot." She texted as she rolled her eyes at her annoying brother.

"Just don't."

"I won't. That would be totally weird! Stop texting me."

"You started it." Charlie texted back with an evil smiley face icon.

Gabriella shook her head and put her phone back into her pocket, looking back up at her surroundings. She spotted Troy playing basketball in his driveway a few minutes later and she smiled as he waved happily.

"You're not sick of basketball yet?" Gabriella asked with a laugh as she made her way up the driveway to where Troy was standing.

"Not yet." He smiled as he hugged her softly.

Gabriella smiled as she smelt the soap on his skin and she looked up at him from her position in his arms.

"So how are you Troy Bolton?" She asked.

"I'm very well, Gabriella Montez. It's been too long since I last saw you though." He smiled at the proper greeting as he removed his arms from around her and tossed her an extra basketball.

"You saw me two days ago." Gabriella laughed as she dribbled her basketball slowly.

"But now that I've seen you after almost three years, two days is too long to wait." He told her.

"That is very true. We've done too much waiting." She laughed as she tossed the ball in the basket, hearing an 'oh' sound from Troy.

"So I see Charlie taught you how to play?" Troy asked with a smile.

"As much as I would love to give him the credit…" Gabriella started sarcastically, smiling when Troy eyed her with a smirk. "I taught myself."

"I'm not surprised." Troy smiled as he dribbled the basketball easily.

"So how are doing in a new place? Do you miss California?" Gabriella asked as she squinted away the afternoon sun.

"It doesn't really feel like I left home. I mean, it's a new house and everything, but I'm still playing basketball and my best friends are with me." He said as he smiled over at her, winking at her as she laughed.

"Well, I'm glad this isn't torture being here." Gabriella replied with a nod.

"Definitely not torture." Troy laughed as he made another basket.

"So, where's Zeke?" Gabriella asked as she watched Troy.

"At Sharpay's," Troy smirked. "Baking."

"Baking, huh?" Gabriella questioned with a laugh.

"So I'm told." Troy replied with a chuckle.

They were quiet for a few minutes as they continued to dribble the basketballs and make baskets. Troy spun his basketball in his hands and looked over at Gabriella who was picking up her basketball from the grass behind the basketball net.

"This is kind of awkward." Troy admitted, making Gabriella breathe a sigh of relief.

"You feel that too?" She asked with a small laugh as she looked at him.

"Yeah, I mean, it's cool actually seeing you after knowing you for so long, but I don't really know what to talk about." Troy explained.

"Me either." Gabriella answered with a nod. "But it's nice to actually hear you laugh instead of reading 'LOL'." Gabriella told him.

Troy laughed out loud, nodding his head in agreement. He smiled at Gabriella and sighed.

"I'm sure we can find something to talk about. We can just keep making each other laugh." Troy smiled.

Gabriella laughed and nodded and was about to say something when she heard someone say Troy's name in annoyance.

"Troy Bolton." They heard, turning to face the end of the driveway. "I told you to put the trash cans in the garage this morning and they're still sitting in the street." A middle aged woman said as she made her way up the driveway with a trashcan in her right hand and a work bag on her left shoulder.

"Sorry Mom. I kind of forgot." Troy said to the lady walking up to him.

He glanced at Gabriella who was laughing softly at him and she smiled at his mom. Mrs. Bolton looked over at Gabriella and then back at Troy, giving him a suspicious look.

"Who's this?" She asked curiously.

"Oh, right, this is Gabriella Montez, Mom." He said with a proud smile.

"Hi." Gabriella said somewhat shyly.

"Gabriella Montez?!" Mrs. Bolton repeated in excitement.

"That's me. It's nice to meet you." Gabriella said with a nod.

"Are you serious?" She asked the two teenagers in front of her. "I've heard so much about you! You're so much more prettier than I imagined." She said as she set the garbage can down and pulled Gabriella into a welcoming hug.

Gabriella smiled at Troy as she hugged his mom and she laughed as they separated. Troy gave his mom an embarrassed look and she ignored him with a roll of her eyes.

"I've heard a lot about you too, Mrs. Bolton." Gabriella admitted.

"Call me Mariah. Mrs. Bolton makes me feel old." She said with a laugh as she patted Gabriella on the arm.

"Okay." Gabriella smiled.

"Do you want to stay for dinner? I'm sure Jack would love to meet you!"

"I wouldn't want to intrude." Gabriella answered with a shrug.

"Nonsense! You're always welcome!" She smiled as she walked towards the garage. "This is just wonderful!" Mrs. Bolton said as she disappeared into the house.

"That was embarrassing." Troy said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"She's awesome! You have like the best mom." Gabriella said with a nod.

"Well, I'm glad you think so." Troy said with a smile, tossing Gabriella her ball back, which she had dropped when she hugged Mrs. Bolton.

"She looks so much like you." Gabriella said in awe.

"Really? Everyone says I look like my dad." Troy explained.

"Well, I guess I'll have to see him at dinner." Gabriella said. "Gosh, this is so great. I'm eating dinner at Troy Bolton's house. I never thought I'd ever say that."

"Gabriella Montez is eating over at my house. I never thought I'd say that."

Gabriella squealed softly and skipped over to Troy, hugging him tightly.

"I'm so glad I met you!" She admitted.

Troy smiled as he hugged her back and as they played more basketball, they talked about the Bolton's, glad that they had something to talk about. They noticed the smiles that never left their faces and excitement fluttered in their stomachs as they talked.

Gabriella and Troy were in the kitchen with Mrs. Bolton, talking as they helped make dinner when Mr. Bolton came in. He was in his work clothes, a tired expression on his face, but he was smiling when he saw his family.

"Smells good." He smiled as he kissed Mrs. Bolton on her cheek.

"It's your favorite." Mrs. Bolton told him.

"All of your cooking is my favorite." Mr. Bolton flirted with a smile. "How was practice Troy?"

"Good." Troy said with a nod.

Mr. Bolton nodded and he soon spotted Gabriella by the kitchen sink, smiling as she watched him. He gave Troy an impressed smile and glanced at Mrs. Bolton who was giving him a that's-what-I-thought look.

"So Troy who is this?" Mr. Bolton asked.

"This is Gabriella Montez." Troy said for the second time that day.

"As in your pen pal that you can't stop talking about?" Mr. Bolton asked in surprise.

Gabriella blushed slightly as Troy laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah, Dad, that's her." Troy said as he rolled his eyes.

"You're so much prettier than I imagined!" He exclaimed as he nodded.

"Thanks." Gabriella blushed.

Troy rolled his eyes once again, embarrassed at the similar reaction both of his parents had. He glanced at Gabriella who was smiling shyly and noticed how his parents were telepathically communicating between themselves. He sighed and shook his head.

"I can't believe you two met after all of this time. It's fate." Mr. Bolton said as he shook his head in disbelief.

"It sure is." Gabriella nodded awkwardly.

"Well, I'm going to get out of these work clothes and we can all talk more later." Mr. Bolton said as he made his was towards the exit.

"Why don't you two set the table?" Mrs. Bolton suggested as she turned to look at them from her spot at the stove.

The teens nodded and collected the silverware and dishes for the table, walking into the dinning room. Within a few more minutes everyone was seated at the Bolton's dinning room table eating. Troy was sitting next to Gabriella, across from his dad and they laughed as they talked.

"So Gabriella, how old are you?" Mr. Bolton asked as he took a sip of his water.

"I'll be turning seventeen when school starts." She told him with a nod.

"Are you planning on going to college?" He asked.

"Gosh, Dad, what's with the questions?" Troy asked as he put a cooked carrot in his mouth.

"I want to know all about this girl I've heard about for almost three years." Mr. Bolton chuckled.

Gabriella smiled and nudged Troy with her elbow, indicating that she had no problem with the load of questions.

"I am planning on going to college." Gabriella answered with a smile when Mr. Bolton looked back at her.

"Have you thought about which ones?" Mrs. Bolton asked.

"I'd be happy pretty much anywhere. I'll probably end up at the University of Albuquerque just because it's the cheapest and it's close to home, but if I had it my way, I'd want to go to Stanford or Yale." Gabriella explained to them.

"Wow, that's very prestigious of you." Mr. Bolton said, satisfied.

Gabriella shrugged casually and glanced over at a smirking Troy.

"You're Charlie's sister, right?" Mrs. Bolton asked.

Gabriella couldn't help but laugh as she answered.

"Yeah." She sighed.

"You poor thing." Mrs. Bolton responded. "If the whole basketball team was at my house all of the time I would go crazy."

"I've definitely learned to lock the bathroom doors when they're over. I've had way too many embarrassing encounters to count." Gabriella admitted with a laugh.

Mrs. Bolton let out a loud laugh as she heard Gabriella's reply, nodding knowingly. Troy chuckled softly and Mr. Bolton smiled.

"Well, Gabriella, it was nice having you over." Mrs. Bolton said from the front door after dinner was over and the dishes were washed.

"Thanks for inviting me. I've never had such great food." Gabriella smiled.

Mrs. Bolton smiled widely and Mr. Bolton wrapped his arm around his wife as he came up to the front door to say goodbye.

"I hope to see you around here soon." Mr. Bolton said with a small wave.

Gabriella smiled and was about to turn to leave when Troy came jogging from the kitchen. He smiled as he moved past his parents and stood next to Gabriella.

"I'll walk you home." He smiled.

"Thanks." Gabriella smiled as the front door closed.

They walked along the sidewalk, enjoying the comfortable silence between them as the stars twinkled in the sky. Gabriella inhaled deeply and smiled as she looked into the sky and Troy looked at her with a smile.

"Are you excited?" He asked as he put his hands in his pocket.

"About what?" Gabriella asked as she crinkled her eyebrows together.

"The stars are out." Troy replied.

Gabriella smiled deeply, knowing that Troy was aware of her obsession with stars. She bumped him with her arm and he snaked his arm around her shoulder in a friendly manner as she put her arm around his waist.

"You know me too well." She laughed as they continued to walk.

"What are best friends for?" He smiled.

Gabriella smiled and leaned into his side as she giggled quietly and they separated when they got to Gabriella's front door. The lights in the house were off and she sighed with a smile.

"I'll email you." Troy smiled with a nod.

"Okay." She nodded. "Thanks for walking me home."

"Anytime." Troy replied. "Goodnight."

"Night." Gabriella said as she stepped into her dark house, leaving Troy to walk back home alone.

Gabriella walked into the kitchen and put the light above the stove on to leave some light in the house and then she went upstairs, carefully finding her way through the dark hallway. She stopped by Charlie's room when she saw his TV light on, walking over to it to shut it off when she saw that he was sleeping and then went into her room, smiling as she got ready for bed.

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unknownbyhim22