Chapter Two

Eight Weeks Later

Gabriella sighed deeply with content as she lay under the warm Florida sun. It was great feeling to relax on the beach of Destin, Fl. The sugary white sands made the area so breathtakingly beautiful. The waves crash on to shore as lazily as she felt. The sound was wonderful. She had her ear buds in listening to her favorite songs on her playlist. Her mom had surprised with spur of the moment trip to the beach as her mother's boss had a condo that he owned and were allowing them to stay a few weeks before the start of school.

The summer had been fairly quiet as she heard nothing from her so called friend of the Glee club. It was like a complete flip flop of a pancake. Her mother was taking a walk along the beach before they would take a break from their beach paradise to get something to each for lunch and then have a sunset dinner cruise where they would be able to see dolphins through a glass bottom boat. She was so excited to see such a sight. She moved to turn to her stomach and she felt something hit her chair and saw that it was a volleyball. She scanned the area and noticed a young boy heading her way in hopes of claiming the ball. She got up out of her chair picking up the ball before going to meet them halfway. She noticed that the boy was around her age who was wearing an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry," the boy said sheepishly. "I am trying to teach my little brother on how to spike."

"No worries," said Gabriella as she handed the ball back to him.

"Thanks," he nodded before awarding her with a smile that was almost as bright as the sand before running back to where he came from.

"You're welcome," she smiled back before turning towards her chair to gather her things as she was starting to get really got and her skin was beginning to tingle from her layout. Her stomach was starting to growl and wanted to take a shower before heading out with her mom as she shot her a text letting her know that she had when inside.

Later on that evening, Gabriella stood in front of a mirror putting the finishing touches of her lightly add make up. With a quick swipe of a shiny light pink gloss on her lips she looked down at her attire which include a light tank top that showed her slight curves complete with black shorts that went mid thigh complete with black flip flops. She combed her fingers through her hair which she styled with light waves that fell upon her back. She smiled to her reflection as she turned to her mom.

"Mom?" she called as she noticed her mother standing there with a teary gaze.

"Oh nothing honey," she dismissed as she wipe the tears. "I just can't believe how big you have grown and so beautiful as well."

"Stop Mom," said Gabriella as she moved to hug her mom. "Tonight is supposed to blast since we have to leave tomorrow."

"I know I know," said Maria as she picked up her purse. "Shall we go?"

"Yes! I am starved!" said Gabi as they walked out the door.

The cruise was docked not far from their hotel so they just walked along the harbor boardwalk where people were in line paying for their tickets. They walked a few feet when the cruise boat came into sight. It was a very large ship as Gabriella felt that she could get lost in a second. It had three levels the bottom being the large where the glass floor was located. After carefully stepping on board she entered through a set of doors that led to what was the large dining room. There were several tables of all shapes and size with candles and white sheets that made the room even more elegant. She look to the floor and gasped as she could see straight to the ocean floor including all the sea life that was swimming around underneath. It was an awesome sight and she looked to her mother who was wearing a look of awe.

"Our table number is 13," said Maria reading of her ticket as she looked around the room. The followed each number until they found a table that near in the corner, but not a bad spot either. On one side there was door the led out to the balcony and staircase that when up to the next level and on the other was a wall of windows where she could see miles and miles of ocean.

"This is so neat," said Gabi as she took a seat in the chair next to the door.

"I am glad we came," said Maria as she sat across from her daughter.

"Good evening," greeted a man with a deep voice standing in middle of the room. "I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for coming out with us tonight. In a few minutes we will be leaving ashore also you will be handed out menus so you can pick your dinner course from our fabulous selections. After dinner I would like to invite you all to come out to the patio to hopefully see the dolphins. Now we have no control on how they will behave or show. Sometimes we see some and sometimes we do not, and we have two parties for you tonight. There is a teen party on the upper deck for the kids who would like to have fun with assorted refreshments and down here in the dining rooms we will have a party for the adults. Now without further ado let's get sailing."

The room erupted in great applause as the man left the room as waiters began to bustle about handing out menus. Soon enough you could feel the gears shifting as the ship set off to see. Gabriella looked at her menu and was surprised to mind that they had very board selection. There was everything you could think of from a simple pasta dish to the most succulent lobster tail. Her mouth was watering as she could not decide on what was going to be her main course.

"This brownie sundae sounds wonderful," her mother moaned making her flip her own menu. The Montez's had the habit of judging a restaurant by their dessert selection and right now this one was top dog.

"The banana split is calling my name," said Gabriella point to the large picture with three scoops of different flavors of ice cream in the middle of a large banana topped with nuts, whipped cream and three cherries.

"How will we ever choose?" asked Maria as she laughed.

"Order both and we split them?" suggested Gabriella.

"Genius I tell you!" said Maria as she turned back to deciding her dinner. "You get that from your father."

Gabriella quickly looked down to her menu. It was hard hearing the word father as her father's death still packed a deep punch to the gut. Carlos Montez had passed away due to an accident with a drunken driver. He was coming home from working late at the large accounting firm that he had been working when he was struck by the person running a red light as they were evading the police. Gabriella had only been four, but it still stung never the less. She would miss out of so many things due to one person's actions: Such as being walked down the aisle or her own father-daughter dance. She blinked rapidly trying to keep the tears at bay so she would not ruin their evening.

"What are you doing to get dear?" asked Maria pulling Gabi from her thoughts and she realized that a waiter was waiting for her decision.

"Oh sorry," she blushed looking down at her menu. "I will have the lobster ravioli with a simple side salad with Italian dressing please?"

"Sure thing ma'am and what would you like to drink?" he asked as he wrote everything down on his pad.

"Water with lemon please." She concluded and he nodded taking their menus before retreating back to the kitchen.

"Remember when we get back that we need to be on the lookout for your Stanford packet as it should be coming very soon Gabi," said Maria trying to strike up a conversation.

"Mom it is only the summer and beside the deadline is not until November," said Gabriella as she took a breadstick from the basket.

"I know, but I want you to be prepared as it will come very fast and I don't wanting you to get behind. Have you been looking for any back up?" she asked her daughter.

"I really have my heart set on Stanford and I have really worked hard to make it this far. I have looked at other schools but I don't know which one is right for me. I mean Harvard and Yale are too far from here and the winters there are horrible." Said Gabriella.

"Yes, but you should have backups just in case you don't get in to Stanford," advised Maria.

"I will look into it more when we get home, but right now I just want to enjoy the rest of my summer before heading back to school," said Gabriella.

"Have you heard from any of your friends this summer?" asked Maria.

Gabriella winced at the mention of her friends. She tried hard to keep of the subject because she did not want to go in to explanation why they were not talking. She knew that her Mom knew that there was something, but she did not know how much longer she would be able to keep a secret. It was hard for her as she never kept anything from her mother as it was not how they worked. Whenever she had a problem, her mother would offer such great advice on how she could move forward and how not to repeat her mistakes.

"No, they all have been pretty quiet," said Gabriella as their waiter returned to their table with their drinks. Gabriella took this time to take a few lemon wedges to squeeze into her glass.

"That is strange because last year I could not keep our house kid free other than you." said Maria as she took a sip of her wine.

"They must all be very busy trying to get ready for senior year," guessed Gabriella as she tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

Soon enough their meal had arrive to their table steaming and smelling delicious and Gabriella had to fight to keep the drool in her mouth as she taste the first ravioli. It literally melted like butter in her mouth with the lobster being a nice subtle sweetness that paired well the meat sauce. Before she knew it, her plate was empty and her stomach was full. That idea of dessert no longer looked appealing as she no longer had any room.

"That was one of the best meals I ever had," she said happily looking her mother.

"I agree and when we get home I am learning how to make this," joked Maria

"And burn down the house on top of it?" teased Gabriella earning a glare from her mother.

"That's not funny Gabi," said her mom scowling playfully.

"Hey I wasn't the one who broke the pot causing a big fire on the stove," said Gabriella.

"I will master the art of cooking by the time you graduate missy," said her Mom with her eyes full of laughter.

"Which graduation: High school or College?" tossed Gabriella.

Maria answered by taking a paper napkin and throwing it at her daughter before looking at her watch. "Wanna go out to the deck?"

"Yeah!" said Gabriella as she got out from her table walking out to the patio. The weather was absolutely perfect. There was a slight breeze as the sun was slowly lowering setting the clouds with various colors of pinks, oranges, and reds. It was her favorite time of day. She walked over to the railing looking over the side watching the boat force its way like an ice skater on the ice.

Above her she could hear the melody of music with sounds of laughter and rounds of chatter. She looked up to see if she could figure out what song was playing.

"Why don't you go up there?" asked Maria.

"Oh no," said Gabriella shaking her head. "I really don't feel like going to a party."

"Why not honey?" asked her mother.

'Since the last party I went to ended up being a complete nightmare,' she thought to herself.

"How about you just go up there for only an hour," said Maria. "You need to go and have some fun."

"Mom-" Gabriella started, but her mother was having none of it.

"Just for one hour," her mother begged.

"Fine," sighed Gabriella as she shook her head.

"That's my good girl," smiled Maria as she walked down the patio.

Gabriella stood rooted to her ground as she watched her mother walk away as she looked towards the staircase. She looked back down at her mother who was standing there ushering her to go. She rolled her eyes as walked to the stairs and made her way up.

The party was in full swing with many kids of various ages. She noticed a karaoke bar where two people were currently sing quite badly she thought since at the flat notes here and there. She looked around noticing a nice little corner with her name on it pulling out her phone to scroll through facebook until her hour was up.

As she opened the app, she was completely blinded by a bright light which made her put a hand in front of her eyes trying to tone down the glare. She looked around before she felt herself being pulled up and pulled over to the karaoke machine. This was not what she had in mind, but she was standing in front of the mike and she was not alone. She quickly crossed her arms in front of her as she heard music began and looked around hoping she could find a way to escape. She looked out the side of her eye noticing a very tall boy standing next to wearing the same expression of shock. After a few bars she heard his voice.

(Him)

"Living in my own world

Didn't understand

That anything could happen

If you take the chance."

Gabriella was floored by his voice and when it came to her turn she felt her heart jump in the throat afraid that if she opened her mouth that she would croak like a frog and then the whole party would be laughing at her. She then noticed that he took a step back to walk off the stage when she felt her courage flow through her.

(Her)

"I couldn't believe in

What I could see

I never opened my heart

To all the possibilities

oohhh"

She felt the figure freeze at the sound of her voice making her wonder if her voice had gotten terrible over the summer. She peeked over to get a glance of her song partner only to be captivated by his glorious blue eyes staring at her with awe. She shot him a shy smile as he edged her to continue silently with his eyes.

(both)

"I know

Something has change

Never felt this way

And right here tonight

This could be"

They both smiled shyly at one another before heading into the chorus together. The boy was around her age, very tall with the bluest eyes that she had ever seen with short dark brown hair and a smile that could make the darkest days feel so warm. He looked familiar to her as if they met before. Gabriella felt all the tension in her body slowly fade away as if she could open herself up.

(her)

"The start of something new

It feels so right"

(him)

"to be here with you

Now lookin' in your eyes"

(both)

"I feel in my heart

(him)

Feel in my heart

(Both)

The start of something new

(him)

Ohh yeahh!

Gabriella glanced around the room and was surprised that they had a small audience forming around the platform and jump slightly at the sudden cheering as her partner began to move with the music. She could not help, but smile as he did some small quirky moves snapping his fingers as he went into the next verse. Whatever he was doing with his body was a bit contagious as she began to move slight, but was nervous that she would fall of the platform.

(Him)

Now who'd of ever thought that

(both)

We both be here tonight

(Gabi)

Ooh yeah, the world looks so brighter

Him: (Brighter, brighter)

(Gabi)

Oh with you by my side

Him: (By my side)

They shared another smile as they both got swept up in the music. This was why Gabriella loved singing. It took her to another level that allowed her to express herself in different way and when they their eyes met she felt as if she could do anything. It was just insane feeling that could be a bit overwhelming as she pulled the mike out of the mount. The crowd was growing bigger as they danced to the beat as well.

(both)

I know that something has changes

Never felt this way

(Gabi)

Oh I know it for real

(both)

This could be…

Gabriella starts swaying her hips as she goes into this song. This song was amazing and could not believe that she had never heard it before. When she got back to her condo she was downloading it or buying it. Either way, she had to have since this was beginning to be one of the best night all because one moment.

(Both)

The start of something new

It feels so right to be here with you… Oh

And now… looking in our eyes

I feel in my heat

The start of something new

Gabriella saw something change in her partner's eyes with the music.

(him)

I never knew that it could happen

'Til it happen to me

Ohhhh yeahhh

He smiles at her at he go up close and person with the microphone dipping back with the flip of his hair. She laughed at his silliness, but found it nothing less than adorable.

(both)

I didn't know it before

(Gabi)

But now it's easy to see

(both)

Ohhhhh

The air sizzled with excitement and wonder and then he did something totally unexpected. He began to slowly make his way over in to her bubble space. She felt the warning bells in her min explode, but felt glued to where she stood.

(Both)

It's the start of something new

It feels so right to be

Here with you ohh

I feel in my heart

Gabriella stood shocked at he took the mount away from her and stepped even closer making her take a few steps back and soon she felt herself slowly falling back in to the mountain of soon to be laughs, but it never came as he quickly wrapped an arm around her waist keeping her from completely falling off the edge which stunned her and maybe him but he never showed it as he gave her a comforting smile pulling her along in song.

(both)

That it's the start of something new

It feels so right

(Him)

(so right)

(Gabi)

To be here with you oh

(Both)

And now

(Gabi)

Lookin' in your eyes

(Him)

Lookin' in your eyes

Their eyes softly met as if they were silently singing the words to each other.

(Gabi)

I feel in my heart

(Him)

Feel in my heart

(Gabi)

The start of somethin' new

(Him)

The start of somethin' new

(Both)

The start of somethin' new

The crowd erupted into a big burst of applause and cheers as the two singers stood staring at each other face to face in their own world. He smiled shyly before extending a hand.

"Troy," he said loudly over the crowd smiling and she looked down at what appeared to be a very big hand.

"Gabriella," she responded as she placed a delicate hand in his as the shook hands.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"Sure," she nodded as she stepped on the platform, but was ambushed by people from the crowd gushing over their performance.

"You guys were amazing up there," a young girl gushed before looking over at Troy. "Here's my number maybe we can hook up sometime?" before handing him a piece of paper.

"Um thank you," he said with an awkward smile and as soon as the girl turned her back he tossed it over his shoulder. Gabriella laughed softly at the look on his face.

"I guess that happens often?" she teased.

"Yeah, but I am not interesting in just 'hooking up'," he said as the came to the drink table. "So have you ever done something like that before?"

"I am in the glee club at my school," answered Gabi as she looked for something to drink. "What about you?"

"I have been in a few school plays, but now all I have time for is basketball," he said truthfully.

"What plays?" she asked.

"My last play was called a Ray of Sunshine," he said sheepishly. "It was about a guy who was a lost soul and he met this girl who guided him in the right direction who turned out be his twin sister. They had been separated at birth and put into the foster system. It was big hit."

"Wow, that is something different," said Gabriella. "I have never been in the plays at school. It is always school work or Glee. We won our first regional championship last spring."

"With an amazing voice like you have, I am not surprised." He said as she blushed slightly at the compliment.

"It was not just me. My team is full of really talented people so I can't take all the credit," she said. "But you sounded great up there."

"Thanks, I guess I am not too rusty," he joked.

"You floored me with how good you are," said Gabriella earning her a small smile. He went to say something, but was cut off by a voice from over head.

"I would like to take this time to thank everyone for coming out tonight," said the voice. Gabriella looked around and noticed that they were now docked and she was slightly bummed because she didn't get to see a dolphin, not that the distraction wasn't great or anything.

"Aww," she cried disappointed not being able to hold it in after all

"What's the matter?" asked Troy.

"I didn't get to see any dolphins," she said as she felt her phone vibrate.

"I'm sorry, maybe next time," he said.

"Well what I got instead kind of makes up for it," she grins and he laughed as if he knew what she meant.

"It does doesn't it," he smiled but he was not ready to say goodbye to her just yet. "Would you like to take a walk with me?"

Gabriella looked at him as she felt her brain throw up a wall telling her to say no, but her heart was saying yes. And what do people tell you to do? Follow your heart.

"That sounds nice, but I got to let my mom know," she said as she pulled out her phone she noticed that her mom had sent a message to meet her back at the room and not to stay out too late. Her mom always knew what to say even when she wasn't around and it freaked her sometimes too.

"Me too…I mean my mom," he said. He knew if he said something to his dad that he would get a lecture how he needed to rest up for practice in the morning, but he wanted just a night without basketball just this once.

Together the slowly made their way off the ship and onto the boardwalk and soon they were on the beach. Gabriella bent down to take off her flip flops so she could walk barefoot as she had broken three pair already after falling in the sand during her stay. She didn't know what to say so she looked around trying to find something of interest to cue a conversation.

"So did you have a good time tonight?" he asked and Gabriella sighed inwardly silently thanking him for speaking first.

"I did," she nodded and shivered as the small cool waves hit her toes.

"Cold?" He asked.

"A little but it feels nice," she said.

"So you won Regionals you said," he turned to her.

"Yes we did," she did. "This year it is said that if we meet regionals again this time we will head to nationals, which would be awesome to end my high school career."

"Senior?" asked Troy.

"Yes. You?" she looked at him.

"The same," he answered as he bent down to pick something up. "Ooh cool." He said excitedly

"What is it?" she asked as her curiosity peaked.

"A whole sand dollar!" he said showing her the shell.

"I have never seen one whole before just broken bits unless it is in the store," said Gabriella.

"I know too bad Tommy wasn't with us. He has been looking hard for one of these," Troy sighed.

"Who's Tommy?" asked Gabi.

"My four year old little brother," he said looking up when Gabriella realized something about him.

"Now I know where I saw you at," said Gabriella. "I knew you look familiar, but could not remember where I seen you before."

"We met before?" ask Troy slightly confused.

"Yeah earlier in the day when you came running over for that ball on the beach," she said when it dawned on him as well.

"Yeah, I completely forgot about that. Tommy was so excited that his ball had gone that far," said Troy.

"You seem close," said Gabriella as they both carefully step over clear blob in that sand that was probably jelly fish.

"We are. Do you have any brother or sisters?" asked Troy.

"No, it is just my mom and me," she said as she looked around before sitting down on the sand as her legs were beginning to ache from walking in the sand. Troy followed suit stretch out his long legs.

"Where's your dad?" asked Troy.

"He died when I was four," said Gabi.

"Sorry, I didn't mean," said Troy clearly embarrassed.

"It's okay Troy. You didn't know," smiled Gabi as she was surprised that she was not sobbing in tears at the mention of her dad, but talking about him with Troy didn't bother her. They sat quietly as the waves lapped the shore and their toes enjoying each other's company.

"When's your birthday?" asked Gabriella.

"July 15," he answered. "You?"

"January 27," said Gabriella.

"Baby," he teased earning a gasped from Gabriella who playfully pushed him making him fall over in the sand standing up before she heard a moan of pain.

"Owww," Troy cried cradling his left elbow. "I need my elbow to play bal you know!" Gabriella felt her eyes widen fearing that she really did hurt him.

"I am so sorry Troy," she gasped bending over so she could look at his hand when he suddenly sat up removing his hand.

"Gabriella, I am fine," he said laughing at her face. She glared at him before splashing with water from the waves coming in and laughed as she claimed victory that she had wiped that smirk off his face. They stared at each other for a moment before both jumping up. The quickly threw their phones far enough from the water as she slowly backed away as he advanced. He tried to splash her, but she was too fast. Troy went to splash her with big wave of water went he slipped and fell into the water drenching himself.

Gabriella gasped and covered her mouth as laughter came pouring out when she was suddenly drenched from head to toe as when and the fight was on. They ran around the waves chasing each other trying to get one another, their laughter making music in the night air as wave after wave went back and forth. Gabriella tried to be clever by getting to make a new move when she tripped over something sending her crashing into him. Troy went to grab her by wrapping his arms around her trying to save her from the fall, but being in water, gravity won bring them both down to the ground with him on top.

They were laughing very hard when their eyes met both searching each others as they quieted down. She took this moment to savior his blue eyes that could surely make her melt into a pool of butter. She couldn't understand what she was feeling or why she was feeling it, but she did not want the night to end. She felt as if she was being pulled as he seemed to be to as he leaned in closer and closer. She had never felt this way before and soon she could feel his breath on her lips. If she would move just an inch their lips would met. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she was certain that she could feel Troy's as well. She went to close the gap when she suddenly hear the annoying sound of cell phones ringing breaking them out of their daze.

Troy groaned as he hopped up to answer his as she slowly stood up on shaky legs to find hers. She saw that it was her mother wondering where she was and quickly hit ignore.

"Yes, dad, I will be right there," sighed Troy, the smile he had moments ago, was nowhere to be found before hanging it. "Sorry, I have to get going." He said smiling apologetic at her.

"I do too," she smiled back as their eyes held again as if they had their own secrets. "I had a really great time tonight. Probably one of the best this summer."

"Me too. How about I call tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yeah!" she said as she handed him her phone as he did the same exchanging numbers and picture.

"Good night Gabriella," said Troy softly as he walked around her.

"Good night Troy," she said with a smile as she watched him leave, before heading in her own direction when she heard her name being called.

"Gabriella!" She turned to see Troy running back to her. He pulled up her hand putting something in it.

"I want you to have it," he said.

"What about your brother?" she asked shocked at the gift.

"We can find another. This is a thank you for tonight," said Troy smiling.

"Thank you," said Gabriella. "You are really something Troy. Good night." She finished before pulling herself way to go her own way before she would not be able to leave this time not looking back.

Gabriella walked to her room feeling completely dazed as she closed the door softly behind her. She leaned up against the door replaying the night in her mind, because she wanted to cherish this night hoping it was not just a dream. Gabriella realized that she could catch her breath. She looked around the room noticing that it was dark meaning that her mom had gone to bed. She made her way to her bed, but not before carefully place the shell on her nightstand. She hoped her mom would not ask question, because this was something that she wanted to keep to herself. Because this was her own special moment that she hoped one day to share with her grandchildren all because of one boy named Troy.

Wow! I loved writing this chapter this was a long one.

I also wanted to thanks the ones who have reviewed I have loved reading them.

I hope you don't mind that I kept how they met to the original idea with a spin on it. There was something special about that scene in the movie and I wanted to include it in my story.

Please stay tune as more chapters are on this. Will there be as long as this one? It is possible as so much more will be happening down the road. So until next time enjoy. Please read and review.

As always,

Luvergirl!