The Social Worker

A/N: Hey everyone! Yet another new story from me. Since Kyle Bolton is nearly finished and some of my others I'm stuck on I thought I would post this and see what people think. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: If you don't know this by now go look at my other stories because it's too depressing having to write it over and over.

26 year old Troy Bolton was walking through the streets of LA wearing a cap and trying not to be recognised. Since dropping out of school at 17, Troy had become one of the world's biggest solo artists. Having moved up to LA with his parents after dropping out, Troy soon forgot about all his friends and girlfriend back home because he became too busy with everything else in his life and believed at the time all of that was most important. Of course when he had gone back to break up with his long term girlfriend of 2 years, Gabriella Montez, she had taken the news pretty well in Troy's opinion and had wished him luck with everything that would come to him in the future. Troy could see the hurt in her eyes but she never once directed any anger at him. Troy couldn't help but think back to all his friends and Gabriella because sometimes he just still wished they were around and he'd stayed in touch so that he knew they were true friends and liked him for him unlike most of his friends who he knows like the fame. Troy was pulled out of his thought by a clattering of trash cans falling over and a small whimper. Walking across the street to go have a look, Troy was shocked to see a small girl, no older than 8 in his opinion, searching through some trash in torn clothes and dirty skin. She looked up scared before trying to scurry away only for Troy to grab her arm gently.

"It's ok I'm not going to hurt you." Troy spoke softly bending down to her level. The little girl refused to look him in the eye while she tried to pull away too. "My names Troy. What's yours?" He asked as she looked at him finally.

"Rebecca." She whispered as Troy smiled. He could sense the fear in her as she looked around.

"Hi Rebecca. Can you tell me how old you are and what you are doing out here on your own?" Rebecca looked at him scared and tears falling down her face.

"I'm 8. My mommy told me she didn't love me anymore and I had to go find a new home. I went to look for her again when she left me on the road but she and my daddy had gone." Troy closed his eyes trying to push back the tears in his eyes as he listened to the girl in front of him talk. He had no idea how some people could be so cruel as to get rid of a child who could barely look after herself. He believed people like that were nowhere near fit enough to be called parents. Before Troy could say anything else he felt rain start falling.

"Where do you live?" Troy guessed he knew the answer but wasn't certain.

"I don't have a home." Troy nodded.

"Look why don't you come with me out of the rain and then we can call some nice people up who will know what to do." Troy told her more than suggested as she nodded knowing there was no way he could leave her out here on her own; so vulnerable to others. He stood up and offered her his hand as the two slowly walked towards his mansion.

Troy gave her a blanket and wrapped it around her while he called his mom and dad who promised they would get there as soon as they could. Handing the small girl a small cup of hot chocolate and some toast knowing she was hungry, he sat on the armchair opposite. Troy was wary of getting to close to her because he could tell she was still uncomfortable around him and who could blame her since he was still practically a stranger. Troy didn't want to frighten her away and his mom advised him to let her come to him if she wants anything because he could get himself in more trouble if he scared her and she told anyone else. Troy sat there thinking of all the possible things that could have happened to her that she hadn't said because she wouldn't think too. What if she was hurt but she was ignoring the pain and trying to be brave and Troy didn't know. What if she had lost anything she had with her before that was important? What if she -

"Troy?" Troy was pulled from his thoughts by Rebecca's small voice.

"Yeah?" Troy looked at her as she smiled.

"Thank you for the drink and the food." She told him quietly but politely.

"It's ok. Would you like anything else?" Troy asked as she shook her head while pulling the blanket closer to her. Hearing a knock on the door Troy watched as she jumped and looked at him scared. "Don't worry it will only be my mom and dad." He told her as he stood up and walked out the room towards the door, only to feel something wrap around his leg before he got there. Looking down he smiled as he saw Rebecca holding onto him.

"Will you look after me Troy because I'm scared?" Troy picked her up before looking at her.

"Yeah I will tonight and then we will take you to the other people who can look after you better tomorrow." She nodded satisfied as Troy opened the door and let his parents, Jack and Lucille Bolton in. Lucille looked at the little girl and he just nodded.

"Troy is she ok?" His mom asked as they made their way back to the living room.

"I think so but I don't really know." Troy answered as his mom offered to take her from him but as soon as Troy tried to let her take Rebecca, she held onto him tighter. Troy could feel and physically see when he looked at her, that she was shaking. "It's ok." He soothed.

"She's so scared Jack, isn't it awful someone could do something like this!" Lucille exclaimed as Jack nodded.

"It is. Troy we stopped off and picked up some clothes from a store that we thought might fit her." Jack said as he handed Troy the bag.

"Thanks. Mom will you come with me while-" Lucille cut him off.

"Lead the way." Troy smiled as he carried Rebecca up the stairs. He could feel how skinny she was through the little clothing she had on. Lucille watched Rebecca slightly worried at how attached the little girl seemed to be already to Troy.

After Troy managed to persuade Rebecca that his mom wouldn't hurt her, she finally let her help her get changed before the four of them sat in the living room deciding what they would do.

"I called the local services and they said to take her in tomorrow since they are already packed out." Jack explained to the two of them.

"Did they say what time?" Lucille asked her husband as Troy felt Rebecca wrap herself under Troy's arm.

"9am." Troy nodded not realising just how much his life would change again from tomorrow.