A Curious Soul Wanders the Earth

Disclaimer- I do not own HSM or A Corner of the Universe. Though they are both wonderful.

A/N - So here's a new story. I'm not done with MTMTE, but I promise you, I will have it down soon. Before the end of November, I'll strive to have it done. Now, I've never knew a mentally ill person. I've got all of how Hattie acts from the book A Corner of the Universe and off the internet. I seriously don't want to sound offensive with making Hattie how she is, I hope I'm doing it right. This new FanFic is in honor of A Corner of the Universe, an inspirational, amazing, wonderful book. A book that I highly recommend. This book is based off it, only in my addition and words. Now, enjoy. (:

Chapter One: Wonderful New Addition

June 1st, 1968
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont Park

Troy Bolton

"Hattie, I am not playing, get back here right now!" I bellowed loudly. The little girl giggled, amused by my anger before scrambling further into the jungle gym. I groaned and looked around. Hattie Bolton was my, Troy Bolton, little sister. She had a slight mental illness, Mania. She was sweet and innocent, but when our parents fled from the room, she was disobedient and a cute little devil. I debated whether or not to climb in and get her, or ask someone smaller. I took the latter and turned around, peering out at the park. A few small kids were playing, running, laughing, but I needed someone that was able to grab Hattie. She was small for a seven-year-old, but she wasn't small enough to be dragged by a kid the same age as her.

Then I spotted a girl about my age, walking down a path of flowers. She had a racy outfit on and I cringed. She was small, small enough to fit in the tube and retrieve Hattie, but her clothes were too revealing for Hattie's oblivious eyes. She wore a tight belly shirt that was like a second skin and really skimpy, really short shorts. And, I thought, narrowing my eyes at her, I had never seen her before.

The girl caught me staring and she sauntered over to me. Her walking was like a swan gliding, polished and alluring. I rolled my sleeves up as she approached me, a haughty smirk on her lips. "Hello," she said. Her voice was gold and silver; rich but cold. I cleared his throat. "Hi. I was, um, maybe…my little sister seems to have crawled in the jungle gym and refuses to exit. And you, I see that you're small enough to fit. I hope I am not asking of too much, but I would be delighted if you could go in there and get her for me."

Her eyes jumped with excitement. "Of course, of course." She smiled at me before walking over to the jungle gym. I watched with interest as she crouched and eased easily into the tube. The tube jiggled a bit as she finished putting her whole body in and she started crawling. I waited for about five minutes before I heard Hattie's laugh. She crawled from the tube, grinning with the girl. "Troy, Troy, I've found a new friend! She's wonderful! Her name is Gabriella Maria Montez and she says she needs a place to stay! Can she stay at the boarding house with us, Troy, can she? There is one more room, isn't there? Oh, please!" I was flabbergasted for a moment, watching my little sister jump with excitement. She couldn't have known her for more than five minutes and they were jammed in a tube! But, I thought sadly, Hattie didn't have many friends. She only has one, Ginger Lott. I look into Hattie's pleading eyes and I couldn't say no. So, I nod. "I suppose," I say.

Hattie jumps and giggles with excitement. Gabriella jumps and giggles with her. "But I have to inform mom and dad," I add. Hattie grins and starts to pull Gabriella towards the car. It is a teal/gray 1965 Rambler Classic. My parents bought it for me a month ago. I wash and cleaned it every day. "Be careful," I scowled at Hattie as she splashes her boots near my car. She sticks her tongue out at me. Gabriella giggles and I frown.

We all climb into the car, Gabriela taking shotgun and Hattie in the back, talking animatedly. I've never heard her in such a state before. She's usually quiet and shy around new people, but Gabriella must've caught her attention.

She's certainly caught mine.

I start the car and drive off. Hattie tells Gabriella a lot about her. That her birthday is on June 12th 1960 on a Monday and that she knows that is eleven days away. She tells Gabriella how she doesn't like to wear dresses, but Nana makes her wear them and she tells Gabriella that she likes lemonade over water or iced tea. Gabriella tells Hattie that she agrees and Hattie beams, happy.

I notice that Gabriella doesn't have a suitcase so I decided to start asking questions. "Where are you from?" I ask.

"I've come a long way from home," Gabriella admits softly. "I'm from Cincinnati."

"Where is your stuff?"

Gabriella shrugs meekly. "I don't know. The man I lived with before threw everything I had out."

I gasp. "Why?"

"Because I couldn't pay rent. But I will now, I promise." She swallows and she looks me in the eyes, her tone pleading. I nod. "I know. I'll ask my parents if they can make you pay rent once every two months for a year so you can get settled in and get a job."

"You'd do that for me?" She sounded astonished that someone would do something nice for her. I nod and Gabriella grins. "Hattie and I will have loads of fun. Right, Hattie?"

"Oh, yes!" Hattie exclaims. "We can go to John Carnival Playtime Funtime Carnival! Isn't it coming soon, Troy? How soon?"

"The day before your birthday, Hattie," I answered. Hattie grins. "You'll still be here, won't you, Gabriella? You wouldn't miss my birthday, will you?"

Gabriella giggles. "I wouldn't miss it. I'll be there. I promise I will."

"Good. Good, good, good." I pull up in front of the boarding house. It is painted blue and white and paint is chipping off. Mom had ordered that someone paints it, but they do not start until next week. I help Hattie out and we all walk up to the porch. Mrs. Ivory is there, her eyes closed and her knitting with wrinkly fingers. "Hi, Mrs. Ivory!" Hattie exclaims. "I've brought home a new friend! Her name is Gabriella Maria Montez. Gabriella, this is Mrs. Ivory. She's seventy-nine and she loves to knit! She knits me sweaters like this one." Hattie points to her lavender sweater and Gabriella grins. She reaches forward and rubs the fabric between her fingers. "It's so cool,' she says.

Mrs. Ivory opens her eyes to reveal gray, filmy ones. She smiles softly at the three. "My goodness, Hattie, you're in a mood today. Now, what were you saying, Bunny?" Mrs. Ivory called Hattie Bunny and Louise sometimes. She calls her Bunny because Hattie jumps and moves around a lot and she calls her Louise because Hattie looks a bit like Mrs. Ivory's granddaughter Louise who died a few years ago when she was eight from cancer. Mrs. Ivory believes that Hattie is sometimes Louise. Hattie doesn't get upset or correct her, she simply tells her that she's here, that she's fine.

"I've brought home a new friend," Hattie repeats, much calmer now. "Her name is Gabriella Maria Montez. She's the same age as Troy. She is sixteen. She will be seventeen next year. Mrs. Ivory, next year. Can you imagine that? Next year!" Hattie gets giddy again. She talks really fast and jumps with excitement. She only stops when there is a scream from behind. I turn to see where it had come from. Nana is standing by her car, a hand on her heart. She is closing her eyes and whispering prayers. "Nana, what's wrong?" Hattie asks. "Are you hurt? Are you cold? Nana!"

Nana opens her eyes and glares at Gabriella. "Who is she? She's…her clothing…get her away from Hattie this instant!" screeches Nana. I pull Hattie away on instinct. I'd never disobey Nana, but I did feel a pang of regret when I saw a hurt look in Gabriella's eyes. She looks down at her clothes and looked back up at Nana. "I am sorry," she says. "I will leave."

"You better," Nana says. "And don't come back!"

"No, no, no! She is my friend!" Hattie yells angrily. She grabs Gabriella's hand and tugs her back. "No, no, no! No, she is my friend!" She shakes her head and Nana sighs calmly. She walks up the raggedy steps and stands in front of Hattie. "Dear, Hattie. You have other friends."

"No, Gabriella Maria Montez is my friend!" Hattie stomps her foot and glares at Nana. "No, no, no!"

"Hattie, stop that ranting this instant!" Nana exclaims. Mom and dad exit the car, sighing. They walk up the steps and eye Gabriella. "No! You are not the boss of me! She is my friend! My friend, my friend, my friend!" Hattie stops stomping and yelling and she starts to cry. Nana's eyes widen. I go to comfort Hattie, holding her close. But Hattie does not want me. She pushes me away and hugs Gabriella, crying. "I do not want my friend to leave!" she says. "No, no, no, no, no, no!" Hattie kicks a flower pot and it falls to the floor and breaks. Dirt rolls out of it like little rocks. "Hattie, she can stay," mom said gently. "Harriett, calm down. Look, I've got candy." Mom takes a Clark bar from her pocket and tears it open quickly. She stuffs it in Hattie's mouth and Hattie is instantly silent. We watch, anticipate, as she chews her treat. Then she turns, grabs Gabriella's hand, and leads her into the house.

The door closes loudly behind them.

Nana turns to scowl at me. "You let her bring home a…a…Hoochie Mama?" I sigh and look down and then I nod. "Troy Alexander, I cannot believe you. You must convince her to take her away!"

"But, Nana, she has nowhere else to go," I try to reason.

Nana shakes her head. "And do you have any idea why? She's poor and is probably on drugs. I want her out of this boarding house, Troy. She is a very bad influence of Hattie."

"No she isn't," I say reluctantly. "She and Hattie were having fun in the car. They connect really well. Plus, Hattie was stuck and Gabriella helped her."

"I will not have lunch with her here," Nana says.

Good riddance I think in my head. I am getting tired of Nana barging in and making rules, changing everything. She doesn't live here, so she doesn't get to make our decisions. But she does because my parents give into her. "Mother, just this once," mom says. "We need to figure things out. I do not want Hattie to meltdown again…not again." The last time Hattie had a meltdown it was bigger than the prior one. She had thrown things out of her window, clothes, toys, shoes, everything she could find. She was almost about to drop Baby Hannah, Miss Kenly's daughter, out of the window, but mama stopped her and put her in timeout. Surprisingly, Hattie listened. But she refused to get up from timeout and ended up falling asleep there on an empty belly. The next day though she was as bouncy as a ball.

"Fine," Nana agrees angrily. Papa and dad gently help Nana up the steps. When we all enter the house, including Mrs. Ivory, we see that Hattie had wrapped Gabriella up in one of Mrs. Ivory quilts. It covered everything except for her calves, shins and ankles. "She is no more wearing bad clothes, Nana," Hattie says. "She is not. But I wasn't bothered before. Why were you bothered? Wait, don't answer, I don't want Gabriella to get upset. Gabriella is wearing one of your quilts, Mrs. Ivory! She says she likes it! I think she looks like a princess." I look at Gabriella decides she does look like a princess.

"Oh, I'm delighted," Mrs. Ivory says. "Oh, Margret, is that you, dear? It's been too long, you look all grown up." Mrs. Ivory touches Gabriella's face and smiles. "Dear, you look wonderful." Gabriella's eyes shoot everywhere. I could tell she was nervous. Hattie looks up and Gabriella and grins. "Margret was Mrs. Ivory's daughter. She's died in plane crash. Mrs. Ivory lost a lot of her family and that's why she moved here. She lost her husband Gregory in World War II. She lost her son Humphrey because he was murdered and she lost her granddaughter Louise because she had cancer. She thinks I am Louise and she thinks you are Margaret. Just pretend you are, that'll make her happy. Otherwise, she will cry."

Gabriella looks at Mrs. Ivory who is looking at Gabriella, coming frail fingers through Gabriella's glorious hair. "It has been long," Gabriella agrees. Mrs. Ivory is grinning. She drops her hand and walks away.

Mrs. Kenly comes bouncing down the steps with Baby Hannah in her arms. Mrs. Kenly has been here for a year. She is married to Mr. Kenly who works hard to provide for the three of them. He works until six every day. Mrs. Kenly is really nice and so is Mr. Kenly. I'm sure Hannah will be nice when she grows older as well.

"Hi, Mrs. Kenly!" Hattie exclaims. "Hi Baby Hannah! Oh, I have a new friend! Her name is Gabriella Maria Montez! She is sweet, so, so, sweet. She looks like a princess, does she not?"

Mrs. Kenly laughs. "Oh, darling, I can never keep up with you."

"Gabriella is my new friend. She lives here now!"

Mrs. Kenly smiles at Gabriella. "It's nice to meet you, Gabriella."

Gabriella smiled. "Hello. Same here."

"Let's eat," Nana says stiffly. "Is she eating with us?"

"Not nice, not nice!" Hattie says. "Gabriella is eating with us, she is. Manners, Nana, manners."

Nana glares. "Do not order me, Harriet."

Hattie rolls her eyes. "Do not order me, Harriet."

"Harriet."

"Harriet," Hattie mocked. Nana's face reddens.

"Hattie, I am an adult and you respect us."

"Hattie, I am an adult and your respect us." Hattie sticks her tongue out at Nana before grabbing Gabriella's hand and trotting over to the table. Every sits. Nana is still fuming and Mrs. Ivory is smiling sweetly at Gabriella (Margaret). Gabriella, Hattie and I play footsies under the table. Mom, Dad and Mrs. Kenly talk about business and stuff. Still, Bernice Fisher didn't come down. She is a pretty dark-skinned woman. She goes to college, she's in her senior year. She hopes to be something successful, something a colored woman is allowed to do. She tries hard and is hardly ever out of her room. I enjoy talking to her since she is basically my age, only a few years older.

When Bernice comes down, she is wearing a flowery dress. She sits and starts to eat her meal silently. "Oh, Bernice!" Hattie exclaims. She leans over the table and reaches for Bernice's necklaces dangling on her chest.

Nana scowls. "Harriett, party manners."

Hattie rolls her eyes. "you're not the boss of me!"

"Hattie," Mom says. "Enough of that nonsense, okay? Sit and eat your spaghetti." Hattie glares at mom but does as she's told. She picks up a noodle and slurps it up. "Oh, yummy. Yummy, it's so yummy. Isn't it yummy, Gabriella? Jenn, our chef, makes our food. Isn't it yummy?"

Gabriella nodded. "It's delicious," she says. Some spaghetti falls from her mouth. Hattie giggles while Nana shakes her head disapprovingly. She is squeezing her fork so tight her knuckles are turning white. I decided that it is funny and I join in laughing. Gabriella, me and Hattie start cracking up. Mrs. Ivory is soon to join, Mrs. Kenly and Baby Hannah and Bernice. My dad even lets out a few chuckles and mom and Papa are laughing silently as well. "So, Gabriella," mom says. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from Cincinnati," Gabriella answers. "I worked in the Cincinnati Enquirer. But they couldn't fund me anymore so they fired me. I lived in an apartment with a man my dad called a babysitter." Gabriella's smile drops. "He was horrible. He kicked me out after a while and I was left to mend on my own."

"That is so sad," dad says.

"Very sad," mom agrees.

"You wrote?" Bernice asks. Gabriella nodded. "I write, too. For my school newspaper. "

Gabriella grinned at her. I could tell she was excited. "Really? That's so cool. I never really went to school, though. I was homeschooled. My father traveled a lot."

"Who is your father?" Papa asks.

"Fred Ramírez Montez," Gabriella answers. The whole table gasps. Nana looks at Gabriella, stunned. "You are Fred Montez's daughter? Impossible! He is the most elegant person in the business industry ever." Gabriella sighed at Nana's harsh words. I wanted to yell at Nana, tell her she's hurting Gabriella, but Hattie does this first. "Not nice!" Hattie exclaims. "Not nice, not nice, not nice! Do not be so mean, Nana. It is not nice."

"It's okay," Gabriella says. "Everyone is allowed to have opinions."

Hattie glares at Nana. She picks up another piece of spaghetti with her hand and slurps it with her mouth. Nana has had enough. She bangs her hand on the table and we all looked at her, startled. Nana gets up and grabs Hattie by the arm, pulling her from the room. Hattie is kicking and screaming. "No, no, no!" Nana, who looked frail and old a second ago, was now picking Hattie up and dragging her from the room. "You are a young lady!" Nana screams. "So you must act like one. Sit in timeout now." Nana tried to push Hattie down into the timeout seat, but Hattie pushed her away. "No, no, no! You are not the boss of me! Mommy! Daddy!" Hattie is stomping her feet, wringing her hands. I jump from my seat and follow after my parents. Gabriella gets up as well. "She is mentally ill," I explain to Gabriella. She just nods and cuts her way to Hattie. "Hey, Hattie, what's wrong?" she says gently. Nana glares at her. "Young lady, get up this instant. I know how to deal with my granddaughter."

Gabriella ignored Nana. She gently rubs Hattie's shoulders and Hattie calmed down. We all watch with interest. Hattie settles into the chair and stares ahead, not looking at anything. "It's okay," Gabriella murmurs. "It's fine. Everything is fine."

"Not nice…not nice," Hattie mutters.

Gabriella gently rubs Hattie's neck and back and shoulders. Hattie seems at ease now. She stands and walks into the dining area. She slides into her seat, picks up a fork and starts to eat properly.

Everyone was shocked. Hattie never calmed down that fast. Gabriella followed after Hattie's lead and took her seat again. Mom looked at Dad and I. "She can stay," she says.

"Can she pay rent once every two months?" I ask. "She needs to find a job."

"We can do that," dad agrees. "Let's go eat."

Hattie and Gabriella are now talking. Hattie wasn't talking fast, she was talking like a normal seven-year-old girl. I smiled and eased my way into the conversation. I think Gabriella is a wonderful new addition to this crowded boarding house.