Hey strangers! I'm terribly sorry about the late update! I've been busy. School is keeping me well busy and I have no time to actually write. Anyway, hope you'll find a way to forgive me!

Chapter 35

Gabriella's P.O.V (Finally Lol)-

I watched some more, then finally I walked outside to grab a hoodie so I could go walk around 'my tree'. I needed to think. I haven't had to think and walk since that one night. When Troy was actually becoming a nice guy...

I reached into my pocket and a unlocked my car. I'd tell them where I went when I come back....

I grabbed my hoodie in the backseat and closed the door and locked my car up again.

"Okay..." I said as I walked out around the neighborhood to find the park...then the tree.

I walked slowly looking at my feet. An image of Troy flashed in my head. Ugh. I really don't get it.

Why did he have to catch my heart and then drop it? I walked even slower as I felt a tear escape my eye and fall onto the pavement. "I'm happier without Troy. I'm happier without Troy. I'm happier without Troy." I mumbled to myself.

I finally reached the park and I looked up at the hill where "my tree" was. I walked up the hill and sat down, putting my back to the trunk of the tree. This was where I could just sit and dump my mind from thoughts and I didn't have to think of anything. Or...I could think about things in a quiet place without anyone bothering me.

Sadly...I honestly believed Troy and I could have...worked. Boy, was I wrong. I looked out and memories filled my head.

FLASHBACK

"But Mom! Can't I just....I don't know...be homeschooled?" I whined. It was the first day of me...becoming a SECOND Grader. I was 7 years old.

"No. If you can do kindergarden and first grade you'll ACE second grade!" my mom smiled at me, putting her on my cheek.

"But mom!!!" I whined. I was nervous. It was a new school because my mom's job transferred us here. New Mexico.

"No buts Gabriella Tarissa Montez." my mom said, then her face softening.

"You'll do fine..." she smiled, and I nodded. I put on a fake smile, grabbed my little backpack and tried to get the nerves out.

She picked up her keys and we walked into her car. We drove for 3 minutes and she dropped me off. "Do you want me to come in?" she asked and I shook my head.

"No! I'm a big girl! I can do it!" I said and she laughed. What's so funny?

"Of course sweetheart. I'll see you after school!" she said and I went around the car and gave her a hug and she kissed my forehead. "Good luck hun." she smiled and I gave the biggest smile ever.

"Love you Mom!" I yelled as I scurried off and ran to the front door of my class. My teacher's name was Ms. Tristlar. Weird name.

I got to the door, where my class lined up and I saw one girl. She had green eyes, and brownish red hair. She was about my height and she was wearing a small skirt and a cute little top for a 7 year old. Right?

I however had black, short, curly hair, and I was wearing some shorts and shirt that had a stain on it. My mom didn't have time to go on back to school shopping. Just for supplies.

"Hi. I'm Jennifer." she smiled at me and my smile grew wider.

"I'm...I'm Gabriella, but you can call me Gabi if you want." I said softly.

"Oh, okay. Hi Gabi." she smiled at me and I giggled, not meaning to.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

"Sorry. I have giggling issues." I stopped laughing.

"Oh...sorry. It's okay." she said, "So...are you new? I don't remember you being here last year?" she asked.

"Yeah, my mom got a job transfer..." I smiled.

"Oh. Cool." she shrugged.

"You like it here so far?" she asked.

"Yeah...you made me less nervous." I said.

She laughed, "I get that from my brother."

I looked at her puzzled. "Here he comes now." I turned around to see a really big guy and another one.

The one on the right had black hair and brown eyes. He was probably a good six inches taller than me. The other one on the left had light brown hair, with bright blue eyes. I backed up, scared.

"Hey Jen." the one on the right said.

"Hi Grant." she smiled and hugged the guy.

"Who's this?" I'm assuming...Grant said and pointed at me. He smiled at me.

"This is Gabriella. She's new." she explained.

"Nice to meet you Gabriella. I'm glad Jen found a friend. She was whining ALL morning." the boy chuckled, "I'm Grant. Her brother." he smiled, and held out a hand for me to shake.

I slowly reached for the hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you." he smiled once again.

"You too..." I said softly.

"Anyway, this is my friend. Troy." he said introducing me to the boy to his side.

"Nice to meet you Troy." I smiled at him, expecting him to be as sweet as Grant was.

"Yeah. Nice shirt." he mumbled and I looked down at my shirt. It had a grass stain from my dad and I playing toss in the grass and I dove for the ball....

I felt rejection. Hurt. I looked at him, confused. Why was he being so mean to me? "Isn't it awesome?" Jen said standing up for me.

I looked at her and wrinkled my eyebrows. "Sure..." the boy, Troy said.

"It is! She was going to tell me how she got that stain...she said that...uhm..." she nudged me.

"I..." I was confused.

"How'd you get that grass stain?" she nudged me again.

"Uhm....I was playing toss with my dad, and I dove for the ball...and I got this." I said, confused.

"That's cool. You play baseball or somethin'?" Grant said.

"Not really. My dad just wanted me to get into sports." I shrugged.

"Whatever...girls can't play sports." Troy said. I felt more rejection.

Apparently my face showed how I felt, because Jen looked concerned. "Shut up Troy. I bet she can out do you with anything." Jen said.

I gave a weak smile. "Yeah. Sure. A second grader compared to a fourth grader. Riight. She's just some stupid girl. A nerd. Nobody cares about you nerd! You don't belong here!" he rolled his eyes and he pushed me and shook his head.

Tears built up in my eyes and I walked down to the field. He was a meanie. "Good job Troy. King of all jerksville." I heard behind me as I ran faster and faster, looking for a place to hide.

END OF FLASHBACK

And that was how I met Troy Bolton. King of Jerksville and he still his King of Jerksville. I sighed. I never really understood why he picked on me. Maybe he did like me. But now...I kinda doubt it. I guess I am a nerd. I guess I don't belong here....

Tears built up in my eyes. No. Troy is just a jerk. I wiped my eyes and put my glasses on top of my head. My phone buzzed. I didn't want to answer. I just stared out as more memories flooded in.

About 10 minutes passed by and I was bawling. Too many bad memories.

"Hi." I heard someone behind me. I turned around to see Troy.

I didn't say anything. "I knew I'd find you here." Troy gave a weak smile and I stayed a mute.

"Jen got worried, so she told me to go find you." he explained, "I knew that I'd find you here." he said, as he sat down next to me.

"So whatcha doin' here?" Troy asked.

I stared out at the sky. I put my glasses back on and I remembered all the times Troy just took it too far. Stay strong Gabi.

"Ella?" he said looking at me.

"What do you want Troy? To pick on me more?! To push me off a cliff to see how long it takes a body to shatter to the ground?!" I yelled. He stared at me.

"Ells..." he said looking at me.

I'm gonna stop there. I personally like the flashback...sorry about the depressing end.

xxxKendahl