I'm actually pretty proud of this story-- it's my most popular active story, Secret is my most popular story, but it's on hiatus so keep up the hits, visitors and reviews!! It means so much to me when you review!!

DEDICATED TO: ChocolatexChicaxCasey95 - because of her once again insanly long review! And don't worry, I actually like the long reviews, yours in particular, they always make me smile! :-)

Gabriella stopped in front of the large, tan Cape style house, and looked up at it. She had never seen or been to Troy's house, but she had heard from other girls, cheerleaders in particular, that it was huge, and he had a lot of money to show for it. She took a deep breath, wondering why she was so nervous, and walked up the stairs to the front of the house and knocked softly. She heard voices behind the door, and a tall woman opened the door.

"Hi," she said. She was a tall woman, most likely to be Troy's mother, and she wore long, straight leg jeans, a white blouse with thin, gray pin stripes, and her feet were bare, showing off her red painted toes. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Gabriella Montez," Gabriella said, shyly. The woman smiled down at the petite girl in front of her.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear, your Troy's tutor, please come in," the woman said, motioning for Gabriella to follow her into the house. The ceiling was high, and stained rafters crossed the ceiling. On the walls, were pictures of the family. She stepped closer to the wall and examined one in particular. It was of a small boy with dirty blonde hair, and big blue eyes. He had a big smile on his face, and wore a red and white basketball uniform, that read, 'East Middle' across the front. He looked to be about twelve, and he held an orange basketball under his arm.

"Gabriella, would you like something to drink?" the woman asked. Gabriella shook her head.

"No thank you, miss," she said politely. The woman smiled.

"Please, dear, call me Lucille," she said.

"Okay, um, Lucille," Gabriella said awkwardly.

"I'll get Troy," Lucille said, walking to the bottom of the stairs, "Troy Alex, your tutor's here!" she called up the staircase. They heard a muffled 'okay,' and a loud thump. At once, Troy cam racing down the stairs. He was wearing a pair of red basketball shorts and a thin wife beater. His feet were bare, and his hair was all messed up, and his blue eyes were sparkling with happiness. Gabriella couldn't help but grin inwardly at his looks, and she thought he actually looked kind of hot.

"Hey," he said, nodding in her direction.

Gabriella gave a small wave and blushed a little. Wait, what the hell? Why am I blushing? He's Troy Bolton for God's sake! I can't like him! she thought.

"Why don't you two go upstairs and I'll bring up some lemonade in a little while," Lucille said, shooing the pair up the stairs. They walked up the wooden stairs and Troy led her down a long hallway, stopping at a red door with a poster of LeBron James on the door. He opened it and led Gabriella into the room. They sat down on the floor, and began studying. About half way through the study session, Lucille came in and brought them glasses of lemonade.

"I don't feel like studying anymore," Troy whined. Gabriella giggled. "Can we, like, go downstairs or something?" Troy asked. Gabriella rolled her eyes. And stood up. She took his hands, and pulled him up. When he stood, she noticed a small spark, and they jumped apart.

"Well, that was weird," Troy said, looking at his hands.

"Yeah..." Gabriella agreed. They shook off the awkwardness and walked down the stairs.

"Ooh, Troy's got a girlfriend!" came a small voice from the kitchen doorway. Troy blushed and shoved a small girl out of the way.

"Shut up, Jil," he said, sitting down on the bar stool. Gabriella looked at the girl and waved.

"Hi, I'm Gabriella," she said nicely. The girl smiled.

"I'm Jilashli," Jilashli shook Gabriella's hand, "I'm twelve," she said.

"Mom, is there any more fudge?" Troy asked, resting his head in his hands.

"Yep, right here," Lucille said, taking a Tupperware container out of the fridge and placing it in front of Troy. He opened it and started eating the thick, chocolaty substance. He turned to Gabriella.

"Want a piece?" he asked, holding out the container. She shrugged and took a piece.

"Wow, Mrs. Bolton, this is awesome!" she gushed.

"Thanks, Gabriella, and it's Lucille," she corrected. Gabriella nodded. Gabriella then remembered what she wanted to talk to Troy about.

"Um Troy, can I talk to you about something?" Gabriella asked tentatively. He nodded and without thinking, took her hand and led her out to the back porch. They sat down on the porch swing.

"What's up?" he asked, licking his fingers free of fudge. She sighed.

"Well, you know how in freshman year...the paint thing?" she asked. Troy sighed and buried his face in his hands.

"Look, I told you before..." he began, but she interrupted.

"I know it wasn't you," Gabriella replied in a soft tone. He looked up.

"You do?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yeah, my mom and I talked about it, and she let me know that it was actually Marc Sanders," she said, playing with her hands.

"Really?" he asked, smiling. She giggled at his goofy smile.

"Yeah," he replied, "and I'm really sorry about how jerky I've been to you."

Troy nodded, "it's cool, I forgive you."

"And I was wondering if you'd let me have a second chance? May be we could be friends again?" she asked hopefully.

"Hmm, I'd like that," Troy said with a smile. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. She hugged him back and rested her chin on his shoulder, happy that she had regained a friend.

Okay, so it's kind of short, but whatever. YAAAY! they're friends again! WOOHOO!!

BEST REVIEWER GETS A DEDICATION!!

xxx