God works in weird ways, that's what we often here, but when God gifts a child with a gift, why don't we want to accept it? Is it so scary to think he works with people near us? Not many are keen to accept that fact, however real it may be. Let's begin….

The story here begins in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the quiet end of the city. Crime was never a large factor nor was anything bad likely to happen in this area. Neighbors were friendly, greeting each other in the mornings before work or keeping the kids next door for the afternoon, the neighborhood was really like a big family.

On the corner of the block is where dear Gabriella Montez and little Lilly Montez, Gabi's daughter, took up residence. Next door was Gabriella's grandmother, Katie Montez, who owned a small flower shop, Serenity, downtown. Gabi worked as manager of Serenity as her friends Taylor McKessie and Sharpay Evans worked as florists.

Lilly was in the 1st grade and loved to play basketball like her father. Her father was named Anthony Montez, which had been Gabriella's husband, before he died in a car accident on the way to the NBA Finals. He had been star player for the Lakers and his death was greeted with extreme sadness and financial help from the world. In total, over 1 million dollars was given to Gabriella and Lilly, where they in turn, bought the house in Albuquerque and put the rest into savings.

Lilly started talking to the air when she was five years old, and since then, Gabriella has been trying to convince her daughter that NO ONE is there. Lilly doesn't believe any of it and stands by what she thinks that she's talking to angels. In her short life, she has saved three people from death. So, it goes without saying, that Gabriella is starting to believe her, slowly but surely.

So now, Let the day begin………

"Lilly, Sweetie, come on! It's time to leave for school!" Gabi called to her 7 year old daughter.

"I'm coming Mommy!" The small brown-eyed girl flew down the hall with her purple backpack securely against her frame. Wearing a yellow shirt and blue jeans with small Ugg boots, she was ready for the first day of 1st grade.

"Are you excited about school?" Her mother asked her as they walked to the door.

"Yes ma'am, Tina and Kelli are both going to be there, aren't they??" She worried, squeezing her mother's hand.

"Of course they will. It's their first day too! Make sure that you do EXACTLY what the teacher says, OK?"

The small tan girl nodded her head vigorously. They had reached the bus stop, where the bus was pulling up. Gabriella handed Lilly her lunch and gave her a hug and a kiss.

"I love you Lil. Be good!" Gabi was choking up.

"I love you, too. Bye Mommy!" Lilly called as she stepped on the bus.

Gabriella watched as the bus doors closed and it zoomed off, 'til it was nothing but a yellow speck.

In New York

The Knicks Gym was full of squeaks and bounces as the last practice before the season started began. Men in navy blue and orange uniforms passed the basketball among themselves, occasionally running through a new play or shooting a free throw.

In there midst was Troy Bolton, one of the few bachelors on the Knicks team, who was known for his good looks and charming smile, though you rarely saw him smile. His personality was very pleasant, but he NEVER dated. Not once in all his years of being in the NBA had he been on a date. Why was he afraid or did he just not find anyone he liked? The dark of his past may have been the reason for not dating, but no one knew. His father is, unknown to the press, currently in jail for almost killing his mother and himself. He had never been a violent man before that night, Troy would always recall in his thoughts, so why did he just go crazy that night?

"Troy! Over here!" The coach called to the brown-haired, blue eyed superstar.

He jogged over to where his coach was standing, basketball in hand, "Yeah Coach?"

" Just got a message from the front desk, your manager called and said you need to leave for the airport in a hour, so I'm letting you out early. I expect you to be early for our game against the Lakers though, is that clear?" Ryan Evans looked up to fake stare at Troy. Troy stared for a second then the pair burst into laughter.

"So, what is it Ryan? Another photo shoot or something?" Troy smiled at his manager/ coach.

" No, you and Chad are heading down to New Mexico for a few days. He wanted to see his folks and figured you'd like to see your mom and sister." Ryan replied.

"Oh," He hesitated, "well I'll shower and head out." He ran to the showers.

"Have Fun!" He called

And never knew what fun Troy would be running into.

In New Mexico

Troy and Chad both stepped off the plane, stretching and yawning.

"Man, I got like 5 hours of sleep!" Chad exclaimed to his friend.
"Yeah, you slept ON me!" He laughed and playfully pushed his friend.

"Who's picking us anyways?" Chad asked, looking around.

"You don't think…"

"Maybe"

" TROY! CHAD!"

They pair looked at each other, and stated one name, "Sharpay."

Decked out in a pink shirt and black skirt, came Sharpay Evans, Ryan's twin sister. Although, unknown to the two basketball players Sharpay had really mellowed down since they knew her in college, but her love of pink never died.

"Hey boys! Do you have all your luggage?" She asked kindly.

The look of extreme surprise could have won many funny awards, had paparazzi been near.

"Yeah, we're good." Troy finally spit out, after a few silent moments.
"Ok, let's go then. We are going to stop by and pick up my little niece first though."

"I didn't know Ryan had kids?" Chad questioned.

"Oh no, She's my friends daughter but I CALL her my niece. Her mother and I are like sisters practically." She explained as they drove out into the rode.

"Oh, does she like basketball?" Troy asked, he couldn't help himself, he loved kids.

" Oh yeah, she loves it! Actually you're her favorite Troy, now that I think about it." Sharpay smiled back at him through her mirror, "Don't freak out if she screams!"

He laughed warm-hearted, "I won't. I'll just have to play her and see if she's any good."

The rest of the ride to the school was silent, other than the soft hum of the radio. Finally arriving Sharpay stepped out, "I'll be back." Several minutes later, she returned with a brown-haired, brown eyed Lilly Montez. Lilly opened the door and sat down in the backseat, right beside Troy.

"So Aunt Sharpie, who…" She trailed off as her eyes grew large. "Troy Bolton."

"That's me! What's your name?" He questioned softly.

"Lilly, and I'm like your BIGGEST fan! I promise!!" She smiled and gave him a big hug and then said the strangest thing. "She says she loves you and always will. It wasn't your fault. Let her go."

He whipped back to look at Lilly, "What are you talking about?"

"Lana, she say's that you need to let her go." Lilly looked deeply into his eyes.

"How…" Troy trailed off and looked out the window to keep the tears up.

"Lilly, that's enough!" Sharpay called, worried, from the front seat.

"Auntie.." She wined.

"No Lilly!"

"Fine…"She huffed and looked back at Troy, who was intently staring at the little girl who just understood his deepest secret and gave an answer. He couldn't understand what was going on, but he thought that she was sincere in her words, so he put his arm around her.

"It's ok. I believe you." He whispered in her ear.

She smiled at him, "Really?" Thank-you!"

He hugged her and they sat they way 'til they heard a shriek out of Sharpay and turned to see a large house on fire.

"Oh No! Mommy!"