CHAPTER SEVEN

Picnic by the Sand

Just a little off the East Coast of California lies the little summer house of the Montez family. Gabriella with her parents always spends the break in their little summer house. Okay, maybe it's not too little, but it's not too big either. Their summer house lays adjacent to the beach. They're in the farthest side of the beach, so they have it all to themselves. Unlike their home in Albuquerque, their summer was was painted with bright yellow complementing the colors of the sun. They had a little porch with a swinging chair, perfect for hanging out with the chilly wind from the sea. To Gabriella, it was her second home, and she loves it as much as her home in Albuquerque.

Gabriella loves spending Christmases, New Years and birthdays in their beach house. It holds so many precious memories and every year, it just keeps adding. They arrived late last night. She was too tired and went to bed immediately when she got home.

It was a beautiful morning, the next day. Gabriella was having a little picnic by the sand. She was intent on finishing the well known classic Catcher in the Rye by J.D Sallinger. Flipping the last page of the book, she made a mental note of crossing the book from her must reads.


"Honey, please help your dad unload the luggage before you take a dip in the ocean", Lucille, Troy's mom said before he could even dip his toes into the water.

He thought he almost got away from unpacking. He turned back to where the car was parked and helped her mom with the bags.

"You thought I forget to do that, Mom?" He pecked her mom in the cheeks before heading towards the house with three bags hanging from both his arms and one clutched in his hand.

"I know you did, Honey!" His mom said giggling at his little boy who was now all grown up. Why do kids ever have to grow up?

It was Troy's first time in the Cali beach. It was beautiful here, truly one of the best beaches in the world. Every year, the Boltons try to visit different locations each time. His Dad is a big traveller and his Mom, oh well, she just loves his dad that much that's why she follows him anywhere and everywhere he wills. Last year, they spent summer visiting historical places like the beautiful Angel Falls, the Canon, and the Yellowstone Park.

Not sparing any more time, Troy emerged from the rented house ready to take a plunge in the ocean.

"Hey Mom, I finished unpacking" Troy said walking down the stairs to the living room, "May I go out and play now?" Troy said like a little boy while making his puppy dog eyes look.

Her Mom laughed at his attempt to sound like a little boy. Her little baby is all grown up now. "Okay Honey", Troy was running towards the beach now, "just make sure to be back for lunch! And use sunscreen you don't want sun burns again! Troy don't stray too far away. Honey?" she called out.

"Yes mom, I promise!" Troy shouted his reply and waved enthusiastically at her mother.

The Boltons rented this little summer house towards the end of the beach. It was great because only a few people visits there. He can have the beach all to himself. Troy Bolton loved the beach and the ocean. A few summers back, he tried surfing for the first time, and after a few tries, the instructor said he could be pro. He was expecting some waves but it looks like all he could do was sand boarding. Nevertheless, Troy would make the best out of the few weeks of spring break.

He was walking towards the west coast, and a sight of a girl with brown hair in a picnic came into his view. It reminded her of Gabriella. He wished he was walking on the sand with her while their hands interlace with each other. He wondered how she's spending the break. The last time he'd seen her was when he gave her a ride home. That night he can't sleep. He can't shake the feeling of Gabriella in his car and the little conversation that they had. He could still smell her strawberry scent in his car, not in a creepy way okay. Although spring break is fun and all, a part of him wants to go back to school already so he could see her again. What it is about her that makes him feel this way?

"Give us your lunch money, freak", a rowdy jock said to the scared nerd who was pushed to the lockers. A bunch of other jocks encircled the two. They were laughing at the nerd whose face is distorted by tears, snot and even blood.

"Please don't don't hurt me", the nerd's sobs escaped from his lips. He was beyond scared. Every chance the jocks gets, they steal his lunch money, throws his books in the garbage, lock him up in his locker, and even throw a few punches to this body.

"Awww, poor little nerdy boy. Maybe if you weren't so annoying and stupid, I won't hurt you. But there's really just something about you that makes me want to punch your face until all I see is blood", the jock laughed and received cheers from his friends.

"Put him down!", a girl's voice startled the jocks and the nerd. They turned and saw Gabriella holding a phone to her ear. Coincidentally, Troy was walking towards the cafeteria when he heard the rucus. He was just in time to see Gabriella confronting the jocks.

The master jock put the guy down and attempted to move his way to Gabriella.

"I wouldn't come close if I were you. One press in this button and the principal will be hearing about this little incident. If you and your friends value going to this school, you better walk away now", Gabriella said without a hint of fear in her voice.

"You think I'm scared of you?" the jock retorted but obvious in his face was he believed that the girl in front of him was telling the truth.

"I think you are", Gabriella smirked, "Now get out of here. And I swear if I ever see you threatening him again or any other person again, say goodbye to East High.", he shouted to the jock. "And tell your little friends that it applies to them too. Lastly, get a life!" The jock hurriedly scurried away from the girl and nerd.

Troy was out of words on what he saw. He was about to jump in and help her but clearly Gabriella can stand by herself. But surely that jock will receive a beating from him later. He stayed a while longer and saw Gabriella helping the nerd out.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Ye...yes..."

"I'm sorry I didn't come earlier", Gabriella looked at the guy apologetically. "Those jocks are really full of themselves thinking that they could just pounce around the school as if they're kings. Someday, they'll get what they deserve".

Once the nerd was fully held up, Gabriella supporting him by the shoulders, he said, "Thank you..."

"Oh how rude of me. My name's Gabriella", and she smiled.

"Thank you Gabriella. It's Peter", he smiled at her as they walked to the infirmary.

Troy who was hiding behind the lockers, can't help but admire Gabriella more. She was not only beautiful and smart, but also has the kindest heart he had ever met. He knew she was with Matt now, his former bestfriend, but his feelings for her are still as strong if not stronger as when he first met her in the cafeteria.

As he moved closer, he can't help but stare. He swears the girl looks like Gabby all too well. The girl craned her neck to look who was coming towards her when she realized his all too familiar blue eyes and shaggy hair. It was Troy Bolton, Gabriella thought. It was Gabby, Troy thought.

Gabby stood up and met Troy halfway. "Troy?" she asked.

"Gabby, it's really you!" Troy almost said shouting. He quickened his pace and almost looked like he was going to hug her but stopped a few inches from her noticing what he almost would have done. He can't help feel excited to know that they were both spending their spring break in the beach. How this feels so much like destiny.

"I didn't know you were spending spring break in Cali Beach", Gabby said beaming, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were stalking me."

"That's because I didn't know I was coming here. It was kind of a last minute decision by my Dad to go here", Troy replied.

"And yeah I'm totally stalking you", he said sarcastically.

"Well Coach Bolton made the right decision. I've been spending most of my breaks here and every time I come back it feels like nothing changed at all. It's always beautiful here." Gabby explained while taking in the beauty of her surroundings. She can't believe she's spending her spring break with Troy.

"I can't agree with you on that yet", Troy said putting his hands on his hips "I didn't get to see the whole island yet when I bumped into you. Ahhhhm, you mind showing me around?" Troy asked nervously.

Gabriella and Troy looked into each other's eyes for what felt to them like forever. Yes, they were lost, lost in each other's stares. Gabby noticed that she was staring too long and quickly replied, "Of course! I'll be your best tour guide yet."

Troy's heart did a flip and started beating so fast. He can't believe that this is happening. It's going to be the best and most amazing spring break ever!


I don't know any beaches in California, so the setting is made up. :) Hope you enjoy chapter 7! Tell me what you think should happen next by leaving a review! I can't wait to hear from you. And oh, watch out for my one shot, I'll be uploading it soon. ^_^