Who are you?

Gabriella didn't expect to get an reply so soon. Although he didn't accept her friend request. She did get the feeling that was intrigued.

'I'm sorry, It's that I saw you this afternoon and I..'

Gabriella stopped typing. She didn't quite knew how to handle this. She saw in her screen that he was typing.

' And you thought, he looks pathetic. Let's send him a friend request so he doesn't feel alone? Please leave me alone because I can take care of myself.'

Gabriella felt a little frustrated. She wanted to help him, why was he like this? ' No it's not like that. It's just I know what you are going through.'

'So, you are also pathetic?'

'No, I never said that. It's just that I think it's pathetic that people are picking on someone. I didn't really care when it happened to me, but since it's different for you.'

'Why would it be different for me?'

Mm, he's interested.

'Well, I heard that you are the type of person people expected you to be in high school.'

'You mean my dad? I assume you know he's the basketball coach?'

He's smart. Not like the normal teenagers her sister is hanging out with. What a relieve that the world would not end with her generation.

'Yes, I've been told.'

'Well, I'm not the type of guy that will do what people expect from me. I'm just not like that. This world is fucked up because people expected people do to things because of their father, family, friends whatever. I want people to be nice to me because of who I am.'

Gabriella immediately felt a connection with him. She thought exactly the same about those things.

'Still there?'

I'm sorry, yes I'm still here. It's just that I'm genuinely impressed by what you thoughts are about how life actually is. I thought I was the only one. I mean my sister is not like that.'

'you have a sister? Do I know her?'

Ah fuck, she wasn't planning on telling him this already. Should she be honest about this? He was honest with her right?

' Yes, I think you know her, since everyone is what I believe and heard is obsessed with her.'

Let me guess, Scarlet Montez. So that means you are Gabriella?'

'How do you know my name? '

'Well, I was a sophomore when you were a senior. And you girls look a lot like each other. Hopefully I'm not offending you. I mean, you talk more sense than she does in home room. No offence again.'

Gabriella giggled.

'No offence taken. But yes, I am Gabriella. It's nice to meet you.'

'It's nice to meet you too :). But still, I'm not sure why you send me this friend request. It's not like I don't like talking to you, but are you not like 21? What do you want with a guy who's 18, close to be 19'

'Not yet. Wait, you are not 17?'

'I failed last year. So lucky me, I get to be a senior ANOTHER year. So, another year people like to pick me to bully.'

Gabriella felt sad for him. 'How do you feel about that?'

'It's not that I can do something about it right now. I should've paid more attention last year. Then I would been done with the bullies. Although maybe college would be a hell of a lot worse? Or better? Who knows.'

Where would you go if you were graduated?

'Somewhere far away from here. Is there a university in Hawaii?'

Gabriella laughed. 'Well, sign me in. I'm coming with you.'

'Well, based on our conversation now, I think we will be just fine together.'

' I think so too.'

'I have to go eat some dinner. Thanks for the nice conversation Gabriella'

'You too.'

Gabriella shut down her phone and thought about the talk she just had with Troy. He seemed nice. That's why she found it so sad that he got bullied. Now, she really wanted to help him. Hopefully after a while when she would have the balls to ask him if he wanted too. But this was a good first step.

Her parents wouldn't be home for the next couple of hours so yet again, she had to take care of dinner. Although most of the time she ate alone because Scarlet was out. Gabriella yawned and got of her bed, walked out of her room and knocked on her sisters bedroom door.

' Scar, what do you want for dinner?'

' I won't be joining you. I have other plans'

'Does mom and dad know?'

'I'll will be back long before the are done with work.'

Gabriella sighed. ' can you at least tell me where you are going? I mean, if they call and wanted to know I have to come up with a story'

Gabriella heard her sister sighing with frustration. ' Just tell them I am with Sophia.'

'But are you?'

' I will be. Only in a different bedroom'

Gabriella shook her head in disbelief and muttered. 'of course you are. ' Then she continued with a louder voice. ' Okay, well I appreciate your honesty.'

' Yea, sure'

'Okay, well, I'm going to the supermarket. I'll see you tonight. Can you please knock on my bedroom door so I know you're home?'

' Sure, whatever.'

Gabriella walked downstairs, out of the house and walked to the right of her street. The supermarket was just a few blocks away and since it was a nice day she wanted to walk. It was nice to have parents in the medical world because at an early age you learn to take care of yourself, be responsible and have things you always wanted because your parents are 'loaded'. But at the other hand it was a kinda a lonely existence. Maybe her parents thought if their two daughters had each other so they just could go to work without any guilt. The only thing they never thought about, that if the girls would like each other, of even get along. Well, it is what it is. Gabriella turned around to corner and the supermarket was in sight. She went in, got the things she needed and paid for it.

Gabriella thought about her conversation with Troy, and something inside of her wondered if it was the right decision to do this. But it was a feeling she couldn't shake off. She, just like her parents wanted to help people. And since her university was in the same city as he former high school, it should be somehow easier to help him. If he wanted too.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She took it out and looked at the screen.

'Is it weird that I feel comfortable around you although we never met?

Gabriella smiled.

' Kinda, but it's fine. I have that effect on people.'

Ah fuck, that was flirting. Hopefully he didn't notice.

'Well, that is something you don't have in common with your sister.'

'True, we don't have much in common in general. She's living her life like nothing else matters. I'd like to say that I am doing good for this world. I think she will eventually graduate but end with a rich guy so she doesn't need to study. '

' That's the stupidest thing to do.'

'Tell me about it.'

' You are a university student now right? Where are you studying and what?'

' Well, I am currently studying in this city, because I didn't really know where to go. But also my parents expected me to stay close because of their jobs and Scarlet.'

'Your parents? What do you mean?'

' My parents are doctors'

'Wauw, impressive.'

'Thanks, they are good at their jobs.'

'But it must be hard. For you.'

' Sometimes.'

'Gabriella, anyone with some IQ can tell that it must be hard for you. I mean, if I guess right your parents are expecting you ( just like you said) to stay close to kinda watch Scarlet. For me, it feels unfair. Why are you the one who would take care of her? Scarlet is not your daughter but your sister. You are also a daughter.

A small tear formed her eye. This is seriously the first person EVER who knew exactly what she was going through. She wiped it away quickly. It felt good that there was someone who knew. It was a connection.

'Gabriella? Did I say something wrong? People say I do that all the time. I'm sorry if I offended you.'

'No, no it's fine. I'm glad. I'm glad that you got it right. I mean, no one sees the bag pack on my back. You haven't even seen me and you already saw it. And now I know why I sended you that friend request'

Okay, Gabriella could wait to ask him if he needed help? She is just going to ask him. No, tell him that she is going to help him. Okay, here it goes.

'I want you help you.'

'Help me with what?'

'I want to help you with your issues at school. Like I said, I got picked at school sometimes and I wish someone would help me out. But I only want to help you, if you want help? I don't think your pathetic, but a friend could help a lot right?'

Gabriella waited impatiently. But Troy didn't respond. She sighed, put her phone back into her pocket and walked back home, although she was almost there. She kept on walking during their conversation so it was just one block away. As Gabriella reached her house, she saw Scarlet just going out of the house and getting in a blue Toyota. Gabriella waved because she thought Scarlet saw her, but Scarlet got in the car and the car drove away. Gabriella sighed again and got into the house, made herself dinner for one, showered, did some homework for class the next day and got in bed. It was in the middle of the night when she heard her phone buzzing. Gabriella woke up immediately hoping it was her sister who texted her. She haven't heard a knock on the door and she was a little worried. She grabbed her phone to look at the screen. But it was someone else.

Troy.

'I don't know what your plan is, but I am willing to try. I could really use a friend to help me through this year.'

He was typing again.

'I'm sorry for my late response. I had to think about it. I couldn't sleep so.. Hopefully I can after this. You are probably sleeping so I guess we talk tomorrow? Sleep well Gabriella'

Gabriella smiled and put her phone away. As she closed her eyes, she heard a knock on her door. Her sister was home and her smile grew bigger.

Tomorrow was the beginning.