Hey to all of my fans! Thanks for being so patient with me. I've been working flat out on my school work, had two weeks' vacation, and then got pink eyes so I couldn't work on my story. Here is the long-awaited update! Please READ AND REVIEW! Can't wait to hear what you guys think.

Troy: Grace! You asleep?
Me: Yeah. I have so much work! I only like got to bed at 11 last night!
Troy: That's not so bad?
Me: And I got up again at 4
Troy: Ouch
Me: To be perfectly frank I don't have the energy to do anything about the disclaimer.
Troy: Well, I guess most people know anyways that you don't own high-school musical or any of its characters
Me: Thanks for saying it for me. You're a big sweetheart
Troy (grinning): I try :)

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Troy and Alex stared at one another, frozen in shock.

"What just happened?" Troy asked cautiously.

"I don't have a clue," Alex said stunned, "Hey, man! You better get after her. In the mood she is in she'll walk in front of a car without realising what she is doing!"

"Dammit," Troy cursed jumping up, "I can't leave you here alone…" he turned his head looking at the people in the shop.

"Go, I'll be fine," Alex reassured Troy trying to get his wheelchair out from under the table.

Troy grinned when he saw his best friend, "Chad! Get your ugly butt over here man!"

Chad shook his head ruefully as he walked up to his friend, "You noticed, huh?" Either Chad, or someone else braided his amazing afro down close to his head. He looked completely different.

Troy smiled wider, "My house tonight with an explanation, but right now, please take care of Alex and get him to our place. No time to talk." With those words he darted out of the ice-cream parlour.

Chad smiled at Alex, "Whats up dude? I'm Chad, official best friend of Troy Bolton."

"I'm Alex Montez," Alex grinned back, "Official brother of Gabriella, and prisoner of this here wheelchair."

HSMHSMHSMHSM

Troy ran as fast as he could, scanning the crowed for any sign of Gabriella. He stopped and turned in a circle desperately, trying to catch a hint of the girl. Finally he spotted her, walking swiftly and hugging herself tightly, her long hair swishing slightly.

"Gabriella!" he yelled pushing himself through the crowd as fast as he could. He caught up to her and grabbed her arm stopping her, "Brie, what the heck is going on with you?" Troy frowned his patience starting to run a little thin, "You were so happy and just like that," he snapped his fingers for emphasis, "you snapped. What's going on?"

Gabriella shuddered, keeping her head down, "Not here," she said softly.

Troy kept a firm grip on her elbow and steered her through the crowd in silence. He briskly walked with her until they reached the Bolton Residence.

"Here," he pointed her to the tree house ladder, "Get up."

Hesitantly Gabriella climbed up the tree house and smiled gently as her head popped up into a cluttered, very boy centred space. She clambered up quickly and settled down cross legged on the floor and waited for Troy. Troy's head popped into the little house and he quickly hauled himself up and pulled the trapdoor down and sat down facing Gabriella.

"What's going on?" he asked gently, "I've been trying to make friends with you, but you keep pushing me away. Brie, if you push long and hard enough I'll leave you alone, but somehow I don't think that's what you want."

Gabriella hung her head, ashamed.

HSMHSMHSMHSM

Troy was reading me like I was a book. It was unnerving that he already knew me so well. I hung my head in shame. Troy had been nothing but kind and helpful with me, and I kept withdrawing myself from him.

"I think," he continued softly, placing a gentle hand on my knee to get my attention. He paused until I looked up into his eyes. They captivated me and kept me fixated on him, "I think that you are scared to come close to anyone. To let anything leak out, in case that person betrays you like your father did. In case they die like your mom. Gabriella, you can't hide forever. You are going to lose some people, but life won't be worth living if you don't have friends."

He drew back slightly and opened his arms wide, "I'm here. I'm waiting. I want to be your friend. Now it's up to you to let me."

I looked at him, and almost choked on the lump on my throat. As tears blurred my eyes I nodded and he scooted over and leaned in for a hug. I laughed hysterically as my glasses smashed against his chin and he drew back, gingerly feeling his chin.

"Well," he said smiling, "I guess that's one way of telling someone you don't want a hug," he teased me.

I blushed and tucked a strand of wayward hair behind my ear, "I guess," I smiled shyly. His blue eyes twinkled merrily at me and he winked. Quickly Troy stood up and held out a hand to help me up. Once I was on my feet facing him he smiled.

"Let's start again, ok?" he held out a hand, "Hi, my name is Troy Bolton, and what on earth are you doing in my tree house?"

I laughed gaily and shook his hand, "Hi, my name is Gabriella Montez, and I'm not sure. Some crazy boy brought me up here."

"It's ok," Troy smiled, "I'm just not used to having girls up here."

Laughing Troy started down the ladder, but stopped middle of the way down, "Hey Brie!"

"Yeah?" I asked looking down.

"School starts next week…" Troy said before continuing down. I froze at the top. School… A new school… oh no… life was going to be very different…. and I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it.

Hey. Thanks guys. Sooo…. I'm basically at the end of A Different Life. My idea is to continue with a sequel about their school year. Let me know what you think by…. Reviewing. And thanks to all of you who reviewed my last chapter. Let's see if I can get more than ten reviews this time. :P The more reviews, the faster I'll get to work on the sequel. That is if you guys want one. Let me know.