The idea of this story is taken from a documentary called '7 Up', where they interview boys at ages seven, fourteen, twenty-one ect.
This story will show Troy and Gabriella at various ages, where there relationship changes and develops.
Hope you all enjoy! Review and tell me what you think :D
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His hair blew about his face as the wind whistled around him. He had lost count of the amount of times he had made this journey; everyday-once his mom had checked over his homework and his dad had run basketball plays with him-he would grab his bike and cycle over to Gabriella's house- where, without fail she would be sitting in her tree-house reading, awaiting the arrival of her best friend.
Troy dropped his bike at the foot of the large tree and, began to climb the rope, calling Gabriella's name, ''Gabi!'', the young boy called. He frowned when he got no response, ''Hey Gabi!''. As he peered into the tree-house he saw his friend with her legs crossed facing towards the back wall; this sight accompanied by her slight sniffles. He was now standing above his friend, confused, 'What's wrong? Are you crying?'
Her hands quickly flew to her face; attempting to wipe away the tears. ''No.''
''Yeah you are.'' He sat beside her, placing an arm around her shoulder, 'C'mon Gabs, what's wrong? You know you can tell me.'
She took a few shaky breaths before speaking, ''I...I gave Max a Valentine, but he said that he didn't want it...'cause...'cause he likes Sarah.''
''Max!? Simpson!?'' she nodded, ''Why do you even like that guy? He's a total idiot Gabs, you shouldn't let him upset you.''
''But he said that she was prettier than me.'' She replied, she had stopped crying but her cheeks still housed a few stray tears.
''Well...it's not true!'' he said adamantly, hating the idea of anyone hurting Gabriella. 'You're much prettier than her-than all the girls....and you're like...the smartest kid in the whole of 5th grade!'' he chuckled slightly, 'You really should know better than to let some stupid boy upset you.'' he added, nudging her playfully.
''But it's not just him...I didn't even get one valentine.''
He had always been popular with girls-his uncles often telling him he would be a heartbreaker-so he had never thought what it would be like to be ignored on valentines day, watching your friends getting cards while you sat empty-handed. He meant what he had told Gabriella; with her curly brown hair and her big beautiful eyes (which he had noticed had golden brown flecks around the pupils) she was by far-at least in his eyes- the prettiest girl in their school and at that moment, as he looked at her tear-stained face, he smiled to himself, reaching into his jeans pocket.
''That's not true Gabi, you do have one.'' He handed a small card to her and she smiled as she saw it was decorated with various sized hearts. ''Will you be my Valentine?''
''Really?'' She smiled slightly and her eyes began to twinkle as he nodded, ''Ok. Yes.''
He handed the to card to her and beamed as she accepted it, glad to see the bright smile back on her face. As she opened the card to further inspect the drawings he leaned towards her and, summoning his courage, pressed a warm kiss to her cheek. She giggled as she felt his lips, her cheek tingling from the unfamiliar sensation. Troy smiled at her, the blush on his cheeks prominent.
''So...umm...I've got candy,'' Troy said, his eyes wondering, still not able to meet Gabriella's gaze.
''Gummy Worms?'' She inquired.
''Maybe...'' Troy teased, ''But first, you have to....'' he paused, ''you have to say 'Troy Bolton is the best friend in the entire world and I'm the luckiest girl in the world to know him'.''
''Troy!''
''If you want the Gummy Worms it's what you have to do Montez.''
''Fine,'' she pouted, ''but I'm only saying it because it's true: Troy Bolton is the best friend in the entire world and I'm the luckiest girl in the world to know him.''
''Why, I'm honoured.' 'He joked placing a hand over his heart as Gabriella slapped is arm playfully. ''Ok...Gummy Worm time!''
******
''I'll see you in the mornin' Gabs.'' The two friends locked eyes, as Troy stood at the front gate, ready to leave.
''Uh-huh. My Mom's taking us tomorrow so we'll come get you.''
''Tomorrow's Friday.''
She clapped sarcastically, ''Well done Troy! Next you'll be counting to 100!''
''Oh shut up! I mean tomorrow's Friday, so mom's making brownies right?''
Gabriella rolled her eyes as she answered, telling him that she was certain he only came over to get her mom's brownies.
'''You know that's not true! We'd be best friends even if your mom couldn't bake you know that.''
He was greeted with a nod in response, ''Forever?'' her head tilted as she questioned him, her expression suddenly serious.
''Forever.'' He replied with a definite nod. ''Anyway I better go, my Mom will be out any second seeing where I am.''
'''Kay. Night.''
''Night.'' Troy turned from the gate and began the short ride to his house, and as he neared his door Gabriella turned into her house, pausing when she heard her name being called. ''Hey Gabriella!'', Troy yelled, waving his arms to catch her attention.
''Yeah!?''
''Happy Valentines Day!'' He couldn't see her clearly, but even in the darkness he could make out her bright smile and the gleam in her eyes as she ran through her door, her brown curls bouncing behind her.
Gabriella Montez was his Valentine.
******
''Hoops!''
''Hey Chad!'' Troy greeted his friend brightly as he ran towards him, his messy curls falling over his eyes.
''So dude, who did you give your Valentine to?'' Chad asked as the young boys walked through the playground of East High Elementary.
''Gabi.''
''Whoa hold up,'' Chad had stopped in his tracks and was staring, wide-eyed, at Troy, ''As in Gabriella? You never said you liked her!''
''I don't. I just gave it to her...in a...friendly way.''
''So who else did you give one to?'' Chad asked, not believing his answer.
''No one-just Gabriella.''
''You so like her!'' he yelled with conviction.
Troy's eyes widened, ''Will you quit shouting that!''
''I'm sorry,'' he now spoke in a hushed tone, ''but you don't give someone you don't like your only Valentine. You like her-you should totally ask her out.''
''I don't like her okay!'' his frustration was evident by this point, ''I mean 'course I like her but not like that! And I'm not gonna ask her out-she's Gabi - my best friend; I can't ask her out.''
''If she wasn't your best friend would you ask her out?''
''Well...' Troy shook his head, clearing any thoughts of Gabriella as anything more than a friend, 'No! Cuz I don't like her!''
Chad shrugged, '''Course you don't...''
******
''Hey Tay!'' Gabriella waved her friend over. Her and Taylor had bonded the first day of Elementary school; both being smarter than the average 10 year old they had connected on their love of poetry.
Taylor smiled brightly as she walked over to Gabriella, her books clutched close to her chest. ''Hey! Guess what, Cody gave me a Valentine card just after you left yesterday,'' she said excitedly, ''Did you get any?''
''Uh-huh.'' Gabriella said as they turned toward the library.
''Really? From who?''
''Troy.'' She replied casually.
Taylor's jaw dropped at the response, ''Troy!? That's a big deal. Why aren't you acting like it's a big deal? Isn't it a big deal? That totally means he likes you.''
As the two browsed the book-shelves Gabriella shook her head, ''It wasn't like that-it doesn't mean he likes me.''
''My older sister says that a guy only gives you a Valentine if he likes you.'' Taylor said matter of factly.
Gabriella's small nose scrunched as she received the information, ''Really?''
Taylor nodded, looking around her before continuing the conversation, ''And...I heard that Troy didn't give anyone a Valentine so that means you're the only girl who has one from him,'' she smiled.
Gabriella was silent as she flicked through a book. Could Troy really like me? No. We're friends-best friends; he couldn't. Could he?
''Maybe he'll ask you out-he definitely likes you. Would you say 'yes'? Do you like him?' '
Suddenly, her head snapped up as she heard Taylor's question, ''Like Troy? No!'' At least...I don't think I do...