Summary: 21-year-old Troy Bolton has lived in Albuquerque all his life. What happens when he starts to fall for his new neighbour 15 year old Gabriella Montez? When Gabriella starts falling for him too will she believe her friends who say it's just a crush? Troy's friends also warn him not to think anything of his feelings. When the two are left home alone over Christmas will sparks fly? And how will their parents react? Troyella.

A/N: Hey thanks for the magnificent reviews. I just want to say I know this story might not be that realistic with how they are acting but I do try and get some parts as real as I can so please just go with it even if you disagree with it. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and Carla Evans.

Chapter 10

Sunday morning and Gabriella asked Sharpay, Taylor and Kelsi if they wanted to go shopping. Troy was watching from his window as they left. He quickly got dressed and walked next door. Anna opened the door and smiled at Troy.

"Hi Troy what are you doing here? If you're looking for Gabriella then she just left for the day." She explained opening the door for him to come in.

"Actually I came to see you. I need to ask you some things." Troy said as they walked through to the kitchen.

"Oh ok, why don't you take a seat then." Troy sat down opposite Anna. "So what can I help you with?"

"Gabi told me how its her 16th in a few weeks and I said she should do something to celebrate you know because its her 16th but she said she didn't want to because her birthday doesn't bother her but I got the impression she was hiding something." Anna looked at Troy sympathetically knowing exactly what was wrong with her daughter.

"I'm guessing Gabriella has told you that her dad died." Troy nodded. "Well you see Gabriella and her father were very close. He was the only one who she let call her Gabi, which is why I was surprised to hear you call her that but she obviously trusts you a lot the fact she lets you. Basically her father died a few days before her 6th birthday and since that day she has refused to celebrate her birthday and normally just ignores people if they do anything. I've tried everything I can but no luck." Troy was shocked.

"Do you agree with the way she doesn't care?" Troy asked.

"No. I really wish, especially this year, there was some way I could get her to celebrate and be happy. She is definitely happier here than anywhere else we have ever lived for some reason. Don't tell her I told you this but she has a bit of a schoolgirl crush on you. It's cute how she gets embarrassed when she sees you." If only you knew the truth. "Don't worry though I'm sure it's just a phase and she will soon find someone her own age." What if she is just going through a phase? TROY SHUT UP SHE IS NOT GOING THROUGH A PHASE!

"Thanks Ms Montez. Hey would you mind if I arranged a party for her?" Anna shook her head no. "Great. I'll let you know what I'm thinking about." Troy waved goodbye before heading home.

With Gabriella

The four girls were in a clothes shop when Sharpay pulled Gabriella aside.

"Gabs, you've been acting really weird today what's up?" Sharpay asked concerned.

"Nothing." Gabriella answered as Sharpay frowned at her answer.

"Gabs, I know there is something up. Is it to do with Troy? Did you guys go all the way? Did he force you to do something? Gabs please tell me." Sharpay pleaded as Gabriella pulled her out the shop telling Taylor and Kelsi they would meet them outside.

"He told me he loves me." Sharpay smiled.

"And the problem with that is?" Gabriella just looked at the floor.

"I told him I loved him too and things started to get a bit heated but his dad came back and I'm worried in case Troy wants to go that far right now and I don't." Sharpay looked at her friend caringly.

"I'm sure he won't pressure you into anything more." Gabriella shrugged.

"I'm worried that because of this party because if I won't do stuff with him he will probably ditch me and hook up with some college girl who's more experienced. Sharpay I'm so confused." Sharpay hugged her tightly as the other two came out.

"You ok Gabs?" Taylor asked.

"Yeah I'm fine." She plastered a fake smile on her face.

"Ok now let's go." Kelsi said as they carried on shopping.

Later that evening when the girls had all gone home, Sharpay walked over to Gabriella's but instead of going to Gabriella's she knocked on Troy's door.

"Hi Miss Evans what are you doing here?" Jack asked as Sharpay smiled.

"I needed to give Troy some stuff from my sister and ask him something." Jack nodded at let her in.

"He's in his room if you want to go up." Sharpay walked up the stairs to the door Jack mentioned. She knocked three times before hearing a slight 'come in'. She walked in and saw Troy standing by his window just looking out. Sharpay closed the door behind her.

"Troy, I think I need to tell you something." Sharpay started and Troy turned around.

"What about?" Troy asked confused.

"Earlier Gabi told me she thinks that you want to go all the way with her and she's not ready but thinks if she doesn't go with you then you will dump her and hook with some other girl at your party. She also told me about yesterday." Oh great. I hope she isn't going round telling people.

"Thanks. You better go." Sharpay nodded and left. Troy quickly threw on some shoes and snuck out the back door. He walked across to Gabriella's back garden to talk to her.

Troy was sneaking around, trying not to get caught by Ms Montez or his parents. He watched from behind a tree Anna turn all the lights of in the kitchen so he decided to make a run for it. He was soon at the bottom of the tree by Gabriella's balcony. He knew she was in her room because he could see the faint light coming through the doors. He climbed the tree and slowly climbed over. He smiled as he watched her talk on the phone with someone. He couldn't see her face because she was leaning against her bed facing her door. Troy quietly slid the doors open and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'm sorry." Troy whispered as he rested his chin on her shoulder as she finished her conversation.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella asked as she turned around and was pulled into his embrace.

"I missed seeing my girlfriend and I also had a visit from your good friend Sharpay. She told me about earlier. Why didn't you tell me that was how you felt?" he asked as she held him tight.

"I just didn't want you to think I was being too clingy and stupid." Troy kissed the top of her head.

"You're not stupid and to tell you the truth I would never go with any of the girls Chad invited because they're fakes unlike you." Gabriella smiled against his chest. The two stood there holding each other for a few minutes.

"Gabriella are you in bed yet?" Her mom shouted, as Troy and Gabriella broke apart.

"Hide in my closet." Troy nodded just as Anna walked in.

"Gabriella why is your hair slightly messed up but your bed perfectly straight still?" Shit!

"Mom I just caught it. I'm going to bed goodnight." She said as she tried to quickly usher her mom out the room.

"Oh come on Gabriella why don't we talk? I don't feel like I've spoke to you much since we got here." Anna sat on Gabriella's bed. Troy and Gabriella knew she wasn't moving soon.

"I'm fine. School's fine and you've met my best friends." Gabriella quickly said.

"What about your crush on Troy next door? How much do you like him?" Gabriella blushed as Troy grinned. Maybe there is an upside to being stuck in my girlfriend's closet. "Do you like any other boys?"

"No I don't like anyone. And Troy and I are just friends." Anna smiled knowingly at her daughter.

"Denial. Look Gabriella I know you are going to Troy's party next week but I'm a bit worried." Gabriella looked at her mom confused. "It's just there will be boys there older than you who will probably be drinking and I just don't want you to do something stupid. I know at the time you might feel sleeping with a boy is the best idea but it's not and your still 15." Gabriella smiled.

"Don't worry mom, Troy has already promised to look after me so to Zeke and Jason and Chad, well Chad just never says anything like that but he lets you know he will." Anna laughed as Troy felt something vibrate in his pocket. He pulled out his cell to see he had a new message.

Yo dude party at Johnny's now. Come on over. Chad.

Troy just flipped his phone shut before getting an idea. He reopened it and dialled a number.

Gabriella was still trying to assure her mother when the phone rang.

"I better get that. Night Gabriella." As soon as her mom left she locked the door.

"Finally." Troy said as he pushed the closet doors open.

"Why do I have a feeling there will be no one on the phone?" Troy just smiled as she leaned up to kiss him.

"Maybe cause your right." Troy said pulling away.

"You better go." Troy nodded kissing her once more before leaving. Gabriella sighed as she got into bed. Maybe life is finally looking up.

A/N: So what did you think of that chapter? The next chapter will be the daytime before the party on the evening, which will be in chapter 12. Please review. Thanks!