A/N I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

At school the next day Gabriella was getting her books from her locker. She knew how to get around and didn't mind getting her books by herself anymore. Just as she reached for another book her locker was slammed shut on her hand. She yelped out in pain and pulled hand away. There stood Sharpay.

"Hi mental case."

"Hi."

"What can't speak?"

"I'm trying."

"Trying? What daddy and mommy never taught you how to speak?"

Gabriella didn't answer to that one. Sharpay laughed harder. "I guess not. Some parents. I bet you were a mistake. Your mom and dad didn't even want you."

"Lucille said my dad did loves me."

"You're such a baby," Sharpay laughed again. "No wonder your parents hated you. I bet everyone hates you."

"The Bolton's love me."

"Oh please they only took you in because they feel bad for you. Everyone hates you. EVERYONE!"

"HEY," a voice yelled.

Gabriella turned around and saw Troy walking over. She dropped her books and ran into his arms burring her face in his chest. Troy wrapped his arms around her.

"What did you say Sharpay?"

"Nothing Troysie."

Troy looked down as he felt wetness on his chest.

"What did she say to you Brie?"

She shook her head.

"Just leave her alone Sharpay!"

He lifted Gabriella and carried bridal style leaving Sharpay standing there alone.

Troy took Gabriella up to the school roof. He set her down and said "Look Brie."

Gabriella looked up and looked around it was like a garden flowers and plants were everyone.

"Another one of my secret hideouts."

"I love it."

"You can come here whenever you need to get away."

"Thank you."

"So you want to talk about what happen with Sharpay?"

Sighing Gabriella signed to Troy what happen with Sharpay.

"You know she is lying right?"

Gabriella just looked down.

"Hey," Troy said. He took her chin lifting her face up. "It is a lie. My parents and I love having you at our home. Why do you think they want to foster you?"

"My dad always seemed to hate me. I just got used to it. I know you and your mom and dad love me it's just hard and well honestly I'm scared."

"Of what Brie?"

"I'm scared of getting too close to people because I don't want to feel that pain again of someone betraying me."

"Brie no one is going to betray you. The only person you need to be careful around is Sharpay but you already see why. None of the others will betray you and I won't. Neither of my parents will either."

"You always know the right things to say Troy. Thank you."

Troy hugged her. After hugging Gabriella asked "Does anyone know about me at school?" "Other than me and my dad I don't think so. Why?"

"I just don't want anyone to find out," she whimpered.

"Hey no one will find out. Don't worry."

They hugged again and went to their next class.

The next morning Troy and Gabriella headed into the gym only to see a sub.

"Uh who are you?"

"Coach Smith. I am filling in for Coach Bolton. He did tell me about Gabriella but I will not allow any non members in my gym during practice."

"You won't even know she is there."

"No. You may take her to her class and get her comfortable but then you need to come back here."

Sighing Troy and Gabriella left the room. Troy took Gabriella to her class room but Gabriella pulled back and whimpered.

"It will be ok Brie. Taylor is in there. She will look out for you."

"No Troy please."

Sighing Troy took Gabriella into his arms and walked inside with her. He went over to Taylor.

"Hey Tay."

"Hey Troy…Aww what's wrong with Gabriella?"

Gabriella had her face buried in Troy's neck.

"Coach Smith is subbing for my dad and he won't let any non members in the gym."

"Awww Gabriella it won't be that bad in here. Mr. Thomas is really nice," Taylor soothed. "Come on I'll introduce you".

Troy and Taylor walked over to the desk.

"Mr. Thomas this is Gabriella she is joining us today but she is really shy."

"Ah shy no problem. It's wonderful to meet you Gabriella. Hey I got a joke why was six afraid of seven?"

Gabriella didn't answer.

"Because seven eight nine."

Still Gabriella was silent.

"Hey ticklish if you do this when we get home I'll give you all the tickles and raspberries you want, "Troy whispered blowing cool air into her ear making her giggle.

Gabriella nodded and looked up at the teacher her eyes caught the problem on the board and muttered "That should be sixteen over pi".

"What," everyone asked?

"It should read sixteen over pi."

Troy just laughed she was going to fit in perfectly.

"You're right Miss Montez. Wow welcome to the class," Mr. Thomas smiled.

Gabriella blushed and smiled back.

Troy sunk out leaving Gabriella with Taylor.

Class went well and Gabriella enjoyed it. After class Gabriella and Taylor walked out together.

"So what do you think?"

"I like it. Thanks Taylor. It was easier knowing I had a friend."

"Anytime. I'm going to my locker before lunch want to come?"

"No I am going to wait for Troy and then go to lunch with him. If that's ok?"

"Sure."

She headed off and Gabriella went to her locker. As she was putting her books away she felt someone tickle her side. Thinking it was Troy she turned around giggling. As she faced the person she noticed it wasn't Troy. It was someone she never met before. Why was someone she never met before tickling her…or even touching her for that matter? She pushed his hands away from her and looked confused.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm Ryan Black. I've noticed you around school lately and I wanted to come say hello and tell you that you have the most beautiful eyes that sparkle in the sun light,"

"Um…Thank you…"

"Look if you ever need anything or help with anything let me know."

"Thank you. That is very sweet off you."

"Do you think maybe I could uh…take you out on a date?"

"Date? What's a date?"

"A date is when a girl and guy go out alone and have dinner maybe see a movie. They have to kiss. You only got out with someone you like."

"Um…I'll think about it and get back to you tomorrow. Is that ok?"

"Sure," Ryan said and walked away.

Something didn't seem right about him. That blond hair and blue eyes reminded her a lot of Sharpay and Troy did say Sharpay had a brother. She jumped when she felt a poke in her sides. She squealed and noticed Troy standing in front of her.

"What are you so deep in thought about?"

"Someone just asked me out on a date."

"Who?"

"Some guy named Ryan Black but he looked like Sharpay."

"That's Sharpay's brother. He must be up to something if he is lying about his last name. Did you say yes?"

"No and I don't want to. I hardly know him and he said we have to kiss and I'm not ready to do anything like that. But I don't want to hurt his feelings."

"Brie you do what your heart tells you. Ryan."

"I told him I would think about it and let him know tomorrow. I was going to talk to Lucille. Get a girls opinion."

"That's a good idea. You're very smart. How was class?"

"Good. I really liked it. Taylor was really nice to me. Mr. Thomas makes it fun. Would you be mad if tomorrow I went to math instead of the gym?"

"No not at all. I'm proud of you."

"Does that mean I get extra tickles when we get home?"

"Sure."

The two of them went to lunch and finished off their day at school. When they got home Gabriella ran right into her room and laid down on her bed lifting her arms up. Troy came in behind her and laughed.

"Why do you like getting tickled so much?"

"It makes me happy. When I was with my dad I wasn't allowed to be happy and whenever something happen that made me happy I was beat up. I liked being happy but my dad never let me be that way. When you tickle me I feel happy and I like feeling that way."

"Ok. First why don't you take your backpack off," he laughed as he put his down on the floor.

Gabriella sat up and put her back down before laying back with her arms up. Troy went over to her.

"Do you want tickles her raspberries?"

"Raspberries."

"Coming right up."

He lifted her shirt and blew a raspberry on her stomach. She burst into giggles. He did it again and again causing her to laugh hysterically. He did one more before letting her breathe.

Before she could say anything Lucille called them for dinner.

"I'll give you more after dinner."

She nodded and got up. They made their way to the kitchen.

"Where is dad?"

"He isn't feeling well. That's why he stayed home today. He is laying in bed. You two can start eating I'm going to bring him his dinner," Lucille said leaving the room.

"I hope your dad feels better."

"Me too."

They ate quietly until Lucille came back and sat down.

"Mom guess what. We had a break through at school."

"What happen?"

"I went to the math class. The other couch wouldn't let me stay. I like it though my teacher is really nice," Gabriella said.

Talking came so natural to her when she was at home. It was only at school she felt nervous to talk.

"That's great sweetie. I'm very proud of you. Also I see you are talking that is good."

"At home. At school I'm still a little nervous."

"That's ok. Like it said just start talking a little."

"Thanks Lucille. Um…after we eat do you think we could talk? You know just the two of us?"

"Sure honey. Is everything ok?"

Gabriella shrugged.

Lucille looked at Troy worriedly.

"Ryan asked her out on a date and she isn't sure if she should go."

"Sure sweetie we can talk."

She knew how Gabriella felt about Troy and also knew she was confused about this new boy.

Everyone ate in silence. As much as Troy acted ok with Gabriella going out he really wasn't. He was falling for Gabriella and falling hard. After eating Troy did the dishes as Lucille and Gabriella talked in her room.

"So what's going on? Tell me what you are feeling about this date."

"Well Ryan said on a date we have to kiss and I'm not ready for that yet. Also something about Ryan just made me very uncomfortable. He was very sweet and kind to me but he was tickling me before I even knew who he was. I just didn't think it was right for a guy to touch a girl like that before they even know each other's names."

"He shouldn't have touched you at all until you were comfortable. So then what's the problem? From what I hear it sounds like you don't want to go?"

"I don't. But I don't want to hurt his feelings he was so nice to me. But I hardly know him."

"I want you to listen to your heart and do what that tells you."

Gabriella nodded. They sat in silence as Gabriella thought about what to do.

"I'm not ready to date yet. I'm still not comfortable trusting people yet. I just don't know what to say."

"Ok here is what I would say 'Ryan I think you are a very nice boy and I really would like to be friends but I'm not ready to date yet. I have a lot going on at home and I just need time before I can date' that's what I would say but it is up to you ok. I think you are doing the right thing.

Don't let him force you into anything you aren't comfortable with."

"Thank you Lucille."

"You're welcome."

They went back to the kitchen where Troy was still staring at the water deep in thought.

"Having fun?"

Troy spun around. "Oh hi. Um I'm almost done."

Gabriella giggled.

"I'll finish up you can go hang out with Gabriella," Lucille said.

Troy went over to Gabriella and flicked some of the water onto her. She giggled and jumped.

They went into his room and sat on the bed.

"I'm not going out with him."

"I think that's a good idea."

"I'm just not ready to date yet. I'm still shy around new people."

"You don't have to explain it to me Gabriella. Do you want me there when you tell Ryan?"

"No if he is as nice as he was yesterday then he should understand."

"Ok hey I promised you more tickles so lay back."

"Yay!"

He tickled her stomach with one hand and tickled her sides with the other. She burst into giggles. Using his nose he pushed her shirt up above her ribs and blew a raspberry on her ribs. She screamed in laughter squirming around on the bed.

"St-sto-stop Tr-tro-Troy n-no mo-mor-more" she laughed.

Troy stopped and let her sit up.

"No more for today ok?"

"Ok," he fake pouted,

She giggled. "We should do our homework?"

"Oh fine but only if you help me with math Miss. 'That should read sixteen over pi'," Troy teased.

He smiled when she blushed and looked down. "You're so cute when you blush."

She just turned even redder.

"Troy don't."

"I'm sorry cutie I'm just being honest," he smiled at how cute she was being.

"Troy I'm not used to people being so nice to me. I'm just a little shy."

"I know but you are very cute."

She looked up at him.

"Really?"

"Really cutie."

"Thanks…now can we start our homework?"

Troy laughed and nodded. "Sure let's get to work."

Next chapter Gabriella turns Ryan down…how will he react?