Hey guys! You're probably wondering why the hell would she randomly start a new story…well trust me, I was thinking the same thing as I started writing this. This new story hit me like an epiphany; I just had to write it. Don't worry, I won't forget about Hold on Tight, because that story comes first, I guarantee you. Also, this first chapter is just an introduction to Gabriella's life and how it all started. Lastly, I have to warn everyone that the updates on this story won't come as fast because I still have to write Hold on Tight, though I'm going to try super hard to juggle both. Please review so I know you guys want me to continue, I will stop this story if you guys don't like it.

-Perfectxsweetheartx (:

Under and Over

Chapter 1

Introductions

Gabriella Montez was a seventeen year old teenager, born with rich dark curls, deep chocolate eyes and a natural olive skin color.

She didn't have a very extravagant life, some would say. However, she thought it couldn't get any better. She moved with her Mother to Alaska, one of the coldest places on Earth, when she was still extremely young.

Her mother, Maria, was an environmental geologist, who studied Earths ever changing climate conditions. Her father died when Gabriella wasn't even old enough to walk.

The brunette beauty was an only child, and she was home schooled; you would think she was lonely living in such a cold, isolated town, but that was most definitely not the case. Gabriella found life and joy in the town of Sitka, a town with a very small population ranging from 1,000-10,000 inhabitants. There weren't many girls her age that lived around her, because not many families moved to Alaska just for the sake of it.

Gabriella grew up around her mothers work, she watched and observed as her mother did her rather exciting job. She would insist that her mother take her to the observation tower, instead of leaving her to sit alone at home with Waldo, there small Siberian husky, with a passion for running. She loved Waldo, but she was never the one to turn down action to sit at home lonely, and bored.

Julie Hurtie was Gabriella's best friend, not particularly because they were close, really just because she was Gabriella's only friend. Julie moved down with her mother and father to become a professional dog sledding champion. The friends rarely got to hang out, though enjoyed when they could.

Then on December 20, 2009 the biggest hurricane Sitka has ever experienced was predicted to hit straight through Gabriella's beloved town, which was the day her life altered forever.

…

"Gabriella! Gabi!" Maria's voice echoed through the average sized cabin, located on the peak of Sitka.

Gabriella came running down the stairs, jumping the last few to get to her mother faster.

"Mom, it's all over the news." She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying not to panic.

"Honey, calm down, it'll be alright, we just need to stay updated on the news, and stay indoors for now." Maria guided her daughter to the one of few televisions in Sitka.

"Julie called, she said she's evacuating the area with her parents…maybe we should consider doing the same." Gabriella gave her mother a suggestive glance but the elder Montez was preoccupied, her eyes trained on the screen as the news reporter announced the deadly hurricane, urging people to escape before it's too late. Sitka had never experienced anything to this level before.

Maria pinched the bridge of her nose in thought; she had to figure out a game plan fast, for her sake, and mostly her daughters. "Okay, Gabriella..." She held her only child's arms firmly and looked at her sternly. "Listen to me carefully, I want you to pack everything you can as fast as you can, mostly focus on the necessities. We need to get out of here as soon as possible."

Gabriella quivered with fear. She was usually a strong girl, but she couldn't deny the severity of the situation. "Where will we go?" She whispered.

"There's a disaster retreat site not that far from the town." The mother of one explained before standing with her daughter. "Now go." She whispered. Gabriella nodded quickly before running up to her small bedroom. She grabbed everything she possibly could, clothes, bath supplies, cell phone charger, I-Pod. She didn't have many things to start with. She slipped her winter jacket on, slung her back pack over her shoulders, and lifted her duffel bag. Walking out of her bedroom, she met her mother in the hallway above the stairs, Maria carrying one large suitcase. They scurried to their large truck, Waldo trotting close behind, and threw their bags in the back, buckling their seatbelts and turning on the radio to hear more news.

Gabriella smiled slightly as Waldo sat in her lap, completely oblivious to what was going on. She turned her head as they drove away, taking one last glance at her home sadly. She constantly tried telling herself that she would be back for Christmas, that this hurricane wouldn't be that bad. Not being entirely sure.

…

"Hello, I'm Maria Montez and this is my daughter Gabriella. I work for the ACC down in Sitka, we were told to evacuate because of the hurricane. Do we sign in somewhere?" She dropped her bag on the floor, looking at the large bearded man expectantly.

"The Alaskan Climate Control…my nephew works there." He told her. "Uh, there aren't that many beds available but I'm sure there is one you could manage to find." The man looked around the crowded room seeking an empty bed. "Yes, back there I see one, just sign your names here and you can go settle down."

Maria signed both her and Gabriella's names before looking back up to the man. "Do you know when we will hear more about the hurricane?"

"Yes, some of the other relief coordinators are keeping tabs on it, to see when it will pass and you all can go safely back to your homes."

"Alright, thank you." Maria led her daughter down the aisle of beds, full of families and ill elders. She luckily found the empty cot and settled her bag on it, sitting down with a sigh. "Come and sit down, honey." She patted the spot next to her with an encouraging smile.

Gabriella sighed and sat next to her mother, still dazed from the situation. She held Waldo close to her chest. "Do you think they allow dogs to stay?"

"Well that man didn't say anything, so I'm sure it's okay." When Gabriella nodded robotically and continued to stare at Waldo blankly Maria started to worry. "Don't worry sweetheart, we'll get through this."

She smiled slightly and nodded. "When can we go home?"

"When they've cleared that it's okay."

"This hurricane is like all the others, right?" She asked quietly, needing reassurance. "It'll just pass, and everything will be fine." Somehow it didn't seem that way.

"Unfortunately, this hurricane is a little more serious." She sighed and wrapped an arm around her daughter.

…

"Mom…mom…" Gabriella shook her mother slightly to wake her. Maria stirred before fluttering her eyes open and staring at her daughter. "The news is on…I'm going to go watch in the other room." She nodded and rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she stared at her daughter, her long curls falling down her back like a waterfall. She stumbled to her feet and followed Gabriella to the small television, surrounded by hundreds of people all at once. She linked hands with her daughter and they politely pushed their way through to the front.

The television had said that the hurricane had passed thankfully, but not before destroying many homes and leaving towns everywhere in ruins, one of those towns being Sitka.

…

Gabriella curled up into a ball on the soft cot and bit her lip to try and sustain the tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks. She could feel the weight of her mother as she sat down at her feet.

"Gabriella…" Maria whispered, trying to be strong for her daughter, though devastated on the inside. "I've made some calls…and I've found us a temporary home."

Gabriella clenched her eyes shut, not wanting to induce the information in fear that she would have to accept that her home was destroyed, her room was gone, her snow covered yard. This was all happening too fast. It was too much for her to handle. She wished so badly, that it would all just go away.

"My old friend in New Mexico has agreed to let us stay with them, as long as we need." Maria stroked her daughter's hair comfortingly.

Gabriella couldn't help but sob now. New Mexico? That was so far away. She held the pillow tightly with her fingers and let her tears soak it silently, not wanting her mother to get upset over her. Maria instantly noticed the jerking of Gabriella's body and her quiet sobs. She layed down beside her daughter and hugged her body tightly, releasing the tears that built up in her eyes also. They cried together for a little while until both women stopped. The elder Montez wiped her daughter's tears away with her hand and sat up.

"I know how hard this must be…but I promised we would get through this, and we will. So for now, we'll do the best we can until I figure something out. Okay?" Maria raised an eyebrow waiting for Gabriella to agree.

She sniffled and nodded.

"We should head down to the airport." Maria said calmly, not wanting to upset Gabriella who looked as if she could break at any moment.

She sighed and stood up strongly. "Okay, let's go."

Meanwhile in the Bolton residence…

Mrs. Bolton shook her head in distraught looking to her husband in sorrow.

"What is it?" Jack asked.

"There was a hurricane in Sitka." She explained. "Maria's home was destroyed."

"Maria Montez?" He questioned. Jack had only met her once; she had come over for dinner many, many years ago, before his son was born.

"Yes, I hope it's okay but I told her she and her daughter could come here and stay as long as they needed." Lucille Bolton sat down across from her husband.

"Of course it's okay…wait, she has a daughter?"

"Gabriella. She's just about Troy's age. They must be completely devastated. Imagine how they're feeling right now…" Lucille frowned in sympathy. Maria had been one of her closest friends back in the day. They still chatted over the phone every once in a while but haven't seen each other in over 20 years, because they live so far away from each other.

"When are they getting here?" Jack asked.

"Hopefully tonight, we should arrange some things for them. Maria can have the guest bedroom, and Gabriella can have Troy's bedroom." Lucille sighed, a wave of exhaustion hitting her. "I wonder how Troy will take the news."

"What news?"

Both Lucille and Jack whipped their heads to watch their son drop his car keys on the counter and look at them curiously.

"Uh…" Lucille started. She glanced at her husband before standing up to stand before her son. "My friend Maria, she lives in Alaska with her daughter Gabriella…"

Troy waited for her to continue.

"There home was destroyed in a hurricane, so they are coming to stay with us for a while."

The younger Bolton, with brown hair and blue eyes like his father, furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Wait, what?" He looked between his parents for a deeper explanation. "For how long?"

"As long as they need." Jack told him.

"So two complete strangers are coming to live in our house?" Troy asked with disbelief.

Lucille gave him a pointed look in warning. "They are not strangers, Troy. I've know Maria since I was your age. True, I haven't met her daughter but I bet she's just as nice, and you will be nice to both of them. Understand?"

He sighed and leaned against the counter. "Yeah, whatever. It's not like I'm going to be rude or anything, I'm just saying it'll be really weird, I don't even know these people."

"Son, they just lost their home. Put yourself in their shoes."

He frowned and nodded. "Okay, I got it. I'll be good." He walked over and got a water bottle from the fridge.

"Good." Lucille said. "Gabriella will be staying in your room, so you can have the sofa bed in the living room.

He opened his mouth in protest and was about to rebut before noticing Jack's stern gaze. "Fine." He mumbled, trudging up to his room and muttering bitterly to himself.

…

"Mom, are you sure Waldo's okay? He's probably scared all alone in the plane cargo thingy, or wherever he is." Gabriella glanced out the window of the large plane.

"Gabi, I'm sure he's just fine. Dogs aren't allowed in this section of the plane, you should've expected to have to leave him."

"Yeah I know, but he's just so tiny…I thought only big dogs weren't allowed."

Maria laughed lightly, placing a hand on top of her daughter's. "Waldo's not that tiny."

"Yes he is." Gabriella mumbled. "Anyway, I've never been on a plane. How am I supposed to know the rules?"

"Yes you have." She said turning towards her daughter.

"Huh, that doesn't count. I couldn't even walk yet." She gave her mother a smirk.

Maria just shook her head and waited for the plane to take off.

…

Troy finished making his bed and smiled at his clean room, still not too fond of a stranger occupying it. His parents had gone to the airport to pick up their friend and her daughter. In the mean time he walked into the kitchen and made himself a sandwich. He was about to take a bite when his phone started beeping, indicating he had a new text message.

From: Chad Danforth Practice-free period tmrw

Troy quickly texted back. Kay thanks man.

From: Chad Danforth Np see ya tmrw

Troy put his phone back into his jeans pocket and took a large bite out of his sandwich. His head jerked up at the sound of a car pulling up into the driveway. Shit He thought. They were here and now he couldn't finish eating his damn meal.

He heard the faint sound of car doors being opened and shut, also several voices following soon after. Troy wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shook his bangs to the side as he walked into the hall and waited for the front door to open. As if on cue it swung open and his father walked in, his mother right behind. Jack placed the large suitcase on the ground near the stairs and stood next to his son.

"Behave." Jack muttered to Troy subtly.

He rolled his eyes in response and watched as a short middle aged woman walked in behind his mother, with a small smile. "Thank you so much, Jack." Maria sighed before looking behind her into the front yard and scrunching her forehead in confusion. "Gabriella!" She called. "Come on, hurry up honey."

"I'm coming!" Gabriella's voice called from outside. Suddenly she appeared in the doorway, hugging a small dog to her chest. "Sorry, mom. Waldo was being difficult." She smiled kindly at Mr. and Mrs. Bolton before her eyes met Troy's.

Troy's polite smile faded as he saw Gabriella, her long curls hugging her face as some of it was still bundled into her heavy coat. His face formed a sincere smile as he watched her smile back and then shyly avert her gaze to the dog in her hands.

"He is too cute." Lucille said gesturing towards a frightened Waldo.

Gabriella giggled and hugged the dog tightly causing Troy's smile to widen. Her presence gave off a certain change in the air, a feeling that made him think that maybe she wasn't so bad. She looked definitely different, beautiful for sure, not fake or manicured. Not like most of the girls that he knew. She looked innocent, nice, and petite. He shook his head and coughed awkwardly, causing everyone to look at him.

"Oh, this must be Troy." Maria said holding her hand out to him. He shook it politely and smiled at the woman. "I'm Maria. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too." He said glancing at Gabriella through the corner of his eye, as she stared at him curiously.

Gabriella too was analyzing Troy just as he was moments before. He wasn't like any of the boys in Alaska, mainly because she hadn't really known any boys in Alaska. He looked different, which made her wonder about him, ironic for she didn't know that he was thinking the same thing about her. He was extremely good looking, that was for sure, but she wasn't one to socialize or flirt, and she was staying at his home, in his room according to Mrs. Bolton and she had just lost everything she had ever known. Gabriella was still trying to pick up the pieces. But she couldn't help but think that it wouldn't hurt to make a friend.

"Troy, can you carry Gabriella's bag upstairs to your room? And show her there?" Lucille suggested.

"Sure." He replied walking over to Gabriella and picking up her bag.

"Thanks." She whispered. He nodded and gestured for her to follow him upstairs.

As they reached the top of the stairs Gabriella stopped and glanced at the shivering dog in her arms. "Do you mind dogs in your room?" She asked, giggling softly.

Troy glanced at Waldo and gave a lopsided smile. "Nah, as long as he goes to the bathroom outside."

She smiled timidly at him, laughing quietly, and followed him inside of what she figured was his bedroom. The walls were dark blue with a big queen sized bed in the center, with a black bed spread. The dresser was covered with trophies and awards, as the desk had a computer and chair. It was clean, which she smiled at, knowing he probably was told to clean it for her arrival.

Troy placed her bag on his bed and turned to watch her take in her new room. He grinned at how she curiously looked around, still hugging the bundle of fur close to her chest. "Nice room." She complimented.

"Thanks, uh if you need anything just ask me." He stared at the ground awkwardly.

"Okay, thanks."

"So, do you want to un-pack or…take a shower, eat, take a nap?" Troy watched as she put down Waldo and removed her jacket, her hair falling down her sides gracefully.

"You play basketball?" She asked randomly, catching him off guard. He followed her gaze to his trophies and grinned.

"Yeah, for my school."

"Hmm, you must be good." She gave him a sweet grin.

"I'd like to think so." He said playfully causing Gabriella to giggle. Waldo trotted to the foot of the bed and cuddled into a ball, burying his face in his fur and attempting to sleep.

"My mom says I'll have to start school after winter break…I've never been to public school." She sat on the bed and fiddled with her fingers, becoming nervous just at the thought.

"Private school?" He asked.

"Home school." She corrected.

"Oh, well you'll love East High." He sat beside Gabriella and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I hope so. I don't want to be the…the weird new girl. I've never really had a lot of friends." She blushed with embarrassment and scolded herself for just putting that out there.

"Don't worry, I'll show you around. You stay with me and you're covered."

Her gentle smile grew at his words. At least she would have one friend. "Thank you." She whispered genuinely.

"No problem." He said softly, before scratching the back of his head. "So uh, is your dad still in Sitka or something?"

Gabriella sighed, looking ahead of her with an unchanged expression. "No, my dad died when I was too young to even know him."

Troy's eyes widened and he clenched them in regret. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize…I-uhm-"

"Troy. It's okay. Before you start feeling bad, don't worry about it, I hardly remember him." She smiled to ease the tension and make him feel less horrible. "Please, it's only natural that you would wonder why I'm only with my mom."

"Well I'm sorry anyway, and...I'm sorry about your home in Sitka, that must've been tough." He glanced at her face hesitantly, not wanting to break any fragile ice.

"I appreciate it." She replied. She thought she would start crying at the mention of her home, but surprisingly she felt at ease.

"Well, I should let you un-pack and stuff. If you need anything I'm just downstairs." He started walking towards the door to allow her some privacy.

"Actually…" Gabriella stopped him. "I would kind of like your company."

If you like this story, please review. I will not waste my time writing this story if no one wants it, I am already super busy. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. (: