A/N I don't know why everybody does this, but I don't own HSM either.

Chapter 3

Troy

Troy had no idea where he was. All he knew was that he had been wandering around in his green jeep for hours, almost out of gas, when he drove up upon this small town. It really looked a lot like a ghost town with the potholes in the worn out asphalt on the main street and the old shops lining the road in disrepair.

He didn't want to think twice about the place. All he really wanted to do was keep on driving, but it was after dinner time, and it would be getting dark soon. Troy wanted a place to stay, and he wasn't sure if he would find anything after this. After all, it was the first bit of civilization he had come across in hours. Plus, his car was running out of gas.

So, begrudgingly, Troy decided to park his car in the parking lot of a yellowing building made out of cracked stucco. A large plain sign over the doors said 'Grocery Store'. Well, that's original.

Troy stepped out of his car onto the dusty asphalt in the parking lot. He didn't see a single person, so he decided to check out the main street.

He sauntered along until he came across a building with a fake front on it sporting the word 'Drugstore' in faded white paint. Well, it looked like the word 'drugstore'. He wasn't sure.

Inside the window was a blonde guy, who looked like he was maybe 18 years old, sitting next to a gorgeous brunette girl with beautiful large brown eyes. Man, she was beautiful.

Before Troy could stop himself, he opened to the door to the store. The girl and the guy she was with stopped sipping the drinks they had in front of them and looked at him. He looked back. Was that a look of relief he saw in her eyes? Those beautiful large brown eyes?

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, and he saw the two begin to whisper amongst themselves. They must be talking about me, he figured.

Finally, the boy got up and took the girl's hand. He approached Troy and introduced himself as Rodney or Ronald or Ryan or something. He started to talk, but Troy wasn't really paying attention. What is her name?

Troy's body reacted before his mind could. He stuck his hand out to the girl. "Troy Bolton," he said, amazed at the confidence in his voice. If he had actually been thinking, he would have surely cracked or choked or something.

Her hand was soft and she had a gentle demeanor. "Gabriella." She spoke so softly, no, gently, that she almost whispered. Her voice was as beautiful as her name.

Troy was surprised when Ryan said, "I am so sorry I did not introduce you. Troy, this is my fiancée, Gabriella." He put his arm protectively around her waist.

Troy was rather surprised that they were engaged. Maybe he was crazy, and he really didn't know either of them, but she didn't exactly seem to be so in love with him that she would marry him. But, he probably really was just crazy.

Gabriella invited Troy to sit down, and he accepted the offer. Maybe they could explain where he was.

After some confusion, Troy finally figured out that he was in a town called Nowhere. What kind of name was that? It was like they were trying to keep visitors out.

Then, once again, Troy's mouth spoke before his mind could stop him. "Well, is there any place to stay around here? I need a place to stay for a while." Well, that was a bit stretching the truth. He really only needed a place to stay for the night, but why not extend his stay some? He couldn't help himself. This Gabriella girl had him totally intrigued. Sure she was engaged, but it couldn't hurt to just get to know her some, right?

Ryan insisted that there was nowhere, but then Gabriella asked Ryan to speak with her privately. The two went outside and came back in a few moments later. This time Ryan said that he had a new idea. Maybe Troy could stay with his family.

Troy wondered how much Gabriella had to do with Ryan changing his mind, but tried to let the thought go. Troy glanced at Gabriella again. Was that hope he saw in her eyes? Ugh. Troy desperately needed a nap or something. Driving in that desert landscape must have done something to his eyes and his mind.

"Wow. Thanks, man. That would be great. And please charge me whatever you think is fair," Troy said.

"Do you have any bags?" Gabriella asked.

"Uh, yeah. I left them in my car. It's at the grocery store," Troy replied.

"Well, why don't we all walk over to your car and drive it back to my place," Ryan said.

Troy agreed and the three left the drugstore and made the short dusty walk over to the grocery store.

Not even five minutes later, Troy pulled his car into the Evans' driveway.

Troy looked at Ryan's house. He was surprised. It was a rustic looking log cabin, but not rustic in the sense that it was falling apart, like the town did. It was a colonial style cabin, with wood paneling. The front entrance had a large window on top of it, making it look like the foyer was two stories high. On either side of the front door was a large window. All of this was covered by a long front porch. The dark brown roof had two bay windows coming out on either side of the window that made up the second floor of the entrance. There was also a smaller bay window on either side of the large bay windows, extending the house further.

Troy turned left onto the Evans' concrete driveway and slowly ascended up to the three car garage, which was on the right side of the house, facing the neighbors' yard.

"Park in front of the right door. We don't use that one," Ryan said, who was sitting in the passenger's seat. Gabriella sat in the back.

Troy slowed the car down and put it in park. Ryan and Gabriella got out, and Troy followed.

Ryan led the trio to the front door.

Troy was greeted by a rather modest foyer with a closet on the left and stairs leading to the second floor on the right. Ryan walked between the closet and the stairs into the family room, which was situated on the left and owned one of the windows that was on the front of the house. Troy noticed that in front of him was another room that was two stories high. It had a large fireplace in the middle, sitting against the back of the house, and windows extending up to the second floor on either side of the fireplace. The house smelled strongly of cedar.

Ryan led Troy and Gabriella into the front room and offered both of them a seat on the maroon leather furniture. Just then, a pretty woman with blue eyes and blonde hair pulled up in a ponytail entered the family room. She looked surprised to find a stranger sitting on her couch.

"Who's your new friend?" she asked Ryan.

"Mom, this is Troy. Gabriella and I met him at the soda fountain this evening on our walk," he replied.

Troy stood up and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you Mrs…" he paused.

"Evans. I'm Mrs. Evans," she politely replied. "Are you from around here?" she asked, curious as to why she had never seen him before. He looked like and handsome young man. Maybe around Sharpay and Ryan's age. "Are you here to see my daughter?" she asked.

Troy looked confused. "No. I'm sorry. You have a daughter?"

"Yes. Her name is Sharpay. I'm surprised she hasn't come downstairs to make your acquaintance. I'm sure she'll be down shortly."

Troy was confused. First of all, he had no idea that Ryan had a sister, and secondly, was this woman trying to set him up with her or something? Before Troy could react, though, a man with dark, graying heir and blue eyes entered the family room. "Who's your friend, son?" Mr. Evans asked.

"This is Troy. He's visiting Nowhere," Ryan replied.

Mr. Evan's shook Troy's hand. "It's nice to meet you. So, are you here to see Sharpay? You seem like a nice young man."

Troy was really confused now. Who was this Sharpay girl?

Just then, a beautiful blonde, who could easily have been Ryan's twin entered the room. She has long flowing hair and dark brown eyes. Her nose was slightly pointed and she was dressed in pink. She was beautiful. Troy wondered how this ugly town could be filled with so many beautiful girls. Sure he had only come across Gabriella and Sharpay, but both of them were beautiful.

Troy noticed that Sharpay was staring at him, so he cleared his throat and said, "Hi. You must be Sharpay."

She took his hand and shook it, not taking her eyes off of his.

"Yes," she said. "And you are?"

"I'm sorry. I'm Troy."

----------------------------------

Sharpay was frustrated, and she didn't know why. She had been sitting in her room looking out the window all evening.

Then she saw a car coming up her driveway. She had never seen that green jeep before. The car disappeared towards the side of the house by the garage, probably to park. A few minutes later, Ryan and Gabriella appeared around the corner of the house with a boy she had never seen before. She rubbed her eyes. That was impossible. There wasn't a single person in Nowhere she didn't know. Oh well. He looked really cute from a distance.

He was coming into her house. She was going to meet him. Maybe he was the one! Sharpay leaped off of her bed and ran to her closet. She had to find something cute to wear!

Ten minutes later, she descended down the stairs to meet this mystery visitor. She was wearing a silky pink shirt and tight denim jeans.

He was in the living room, and they made eye contact as she entered. He was a million times cuter than she had anticipated with his dreamy blue eyes and rugged brown hair. Her prince charming had come at last!

"Hi. You must be Sharpay," the boy said, clearing his throat as he stood up. She could tell that he thought she was beautiful. Step one was a go. Now for step two.

She grabbed his hand to shake it. Confidently, she said, "Yes. And you are?"

"I'm sorry. I'm Troy."

Good. She had made him nervous. She had him right where she wanted him.

Ryan spoke up. "Um, mom and dad can I talk to you in the office for a moment?"

Sharpay raised her eyebrow. What could that be all about?

Once the three were gone, Gabriella, Troy and Sharpay were left. Troy and Sharpay sat down again. Sharpay was sure to sit next to Troy on the leather sofa. But not too close. She didn't want to freak him out.

"So, are you from around here?" Sharpay asked. "I've never seen you around before."

"Well, no. I'm just visiting."

"Where are you from then?"

Troy let out a small laugh. Did he sound nervous? Maybe. "Let's just say that where I'm from there are a few more people."

Sharpay's eyes lit up. Maybe he was from the city. "Have you ever heard of Los Angeles? I hear it's right on the ocean. It must be wonderful there."

Troy laughed again. "Have I heard of Los Angeles? Who hasn't? The city is famous."

Sharpay giggled. "Silly me. Have you ever been there?"

Troy still looked rather nervous. "Uh. I've been around there before."

"Like for how long? What's it like? Have you ever been in the ocean there before?" Sharpay couldn't contain the questions. This man had been to places she had only dreamed of. He was too perfect!

"Sharpay," Gabriella's gentle voice said. "Maybe we should give Troy a break from his interrogation. You're going to wear him out, and he hasn't even been here for 20 minutes yet."

Sharpay shot Gabriella a look.

The two were friends. Sort of. There weren't many people to choose from as far as friends went in Nowhere, and since Sharpay and Gabriella were the same age, they understood that they may as well tolerate each other. The only problem was how different they were. Gabriella was so gentle and kind. She couldn't hurt a fly. Sharpay, on the other hand, was the more dominant type. She knew what she wanted, and she did what she had to get it. Needless to say, their different personalities caused quite a few clashes.

Before Sharpay could say something to Gabriella, Ryan and Mr. and Mrs. Evans came back into the room. Mrs. Evans looked somewhat flustered. "Troy," she spoke, "I heard that you need somewhere to stay. Well, of course you can stay here. It would be our pleasure. Let me go get the guest room in order. I am so sorry about the state of the house. We just haven't had visitors in…" her voice trailed off for a moment. "Well, we've never had a visitor before. I'll have the guest bedroom ready for you in a moment. In the meantime, have you had supper yet? Are you thirsty? Can I get you something to drink? Sharpay, get Troy a glass of water. I'll be right back." Before anybody could say anything, Mrs. Evans was up the stairs in a tizzy to prepare the guest bedroom.

Sharpay left the living room to get Troy a glass of water, a smile plastered to her face. This drop-dead gorgeous mystery man was staying in her home! This meant that she would have all the time in the world to make this boy fall in love with her. Life couldn't be better. Her prince charming had arrived at last!

A/N PLEASE REVIEW!!! I thought it was obvious that people reviewed the stories they read, but if it's not, let me just make my wishes clear. I want to write, and I want to know if what I am writing is any good. Also, I have the next chapter uploaded, but I'm not going to post it until I know what all of you are thinking!
Anyways, hopefully things are starting to get more interesting. Will there be a love triangle with Ryan, Gabriella, and Troy, or will Sharpay get him first?
One more thing, I based the Evans' house off of an actual blueprint. If you want to see the house, the link is in my profile.