Chapter 1 – New Guy in Town

Friday, August 18th, 2017

Troy's POV

My mom tucked in my sheets and I looked at her as she was still lecturing me over how to tuck in my sheets on my bed, "Mom," I protested, she looked at me with a motherly look that I couldn't escape, "What?" she asked innocently, I smiled, "I'll probably only wash my sheets when I bring them home at Christmas," I reminded her and she finally gave a defeated smile, "I know I am just so nervous, you are moving across the country for college and basketball," my mom began to mumble incoherent sentences.

"Mom," I reassured and she crossed her arms over her chest, I went over and wrapped my big arms around her in a bear hug. "You played at the local school last year and now you are at Duke getting ready to be a big player," I laughed, "Mom, I am going to be fine. I promise." She squeezed my arm, "I know, I know," she backed away and I helped her finish putting my bed together when my dad came in putting another box down.

"That is the last one Troy," I nodded my head in appreciation, "Thanks dad," I went to one of the boxes and began to unravel the tape on top. I spent the last nineteen years in Oregon. I went to school last year at the local college in my hometown when I went to a showcase and Duke took a good notice in me. I had played basketball since my lungs developed and my dad and uncle had mostly coached me through my entire life. My eyes glanced down at my watch when I looked back up at my mom.

"I gotta get ready to go. I have to meet with the coach and get my schedule from him." I said, she nodded her head with a smile, "Go, I can unpack your clothes." I smiled thankfully, "I can help you a little bit more. I just need to make sure I am running out the door in thirty minutes." She nodded with a smile and we worked in silence together. She put my clothes on hangers and I hung them up in my apartment closet.

"Hello," I looked up when I heard the voice and I stepped out of my room to see a guy about my height with similar build with broad shoulders and stood a little shorter than I did. He had blonde hair and looked like he came from the coast of California. His green eyes basically begged for women to roll over at his feet and his teeth were almost too white. His skin was tan and I wondered where he was actually from. I knew he was looking me up and down wondering a lot of the same questions. He looked over at me and he sent a smile, "Grey Lewis," he said sticking his hand out, I raised an eyebrow, "Troy Bolton," I shook his head and he nodded, "You're the new shooting guard from Oregon," I nodded my head, "That's me," I answered, "The new guy,"

"Coach has been talking about you," I couldn't help but let a cocky smile emerge on my lips, "Good or bad?" Grey laughed and nodded, "Good point, so far, you have not caused running so I will go with good." I laughed and my dad walked over and introduced himself. Grey started to drop his bags when my mom emerged from my room. "I figured that any room was up for grabs," I started, Grey waved his hand, "This whole apartment thing is new." Grey mentioned, "Last year we all lived away but coach pulled some bullshit that we needed to be closer together so he somehow convinced the department to give him this building for his players,"

"Do you start?" I asked him, he nodded, "Forward," I nodded my head when his dad came in the door with a box, "Grey, where do you want these?" Grey smiled and he led his dad to his room. Our apartment was big enough and when you entered the front door there was a kitchen, dining area, and the living room. Then there was a room and bathroom to the left and a room and bathroom to the right. I had taken the one on the left while Grey took the right.

I picked up my keys and I smiled over at my mom and dad, "You guys should take a break. I have to go meet with Coach anyways," They both gave a nod, "Of course, what time should you be done?" I bit on my lip; "I think the team is doing a shoot-around afterwards. It could be about five or six."

"We'll grab dinner tonight okay?"

"Yes, sounds like a plan. Your flight is tomorrow morning?" they nodded and I gave each of them a quick hug. Grey came out of his room and he looked at me, "Are you heading to the gym?" he asked, I nodded my head slowly, "Yea," I answered, "Coach wants to talk to me," Grey nodded, "I'll come with you. I need to see the trainer before we do a shoot around." He thanked his dad when his dad looked at me, "Are you the new guy?" I laughed, "Yea, I'm the new guy, Troy," I said reaching across to shake his hand, he smiled, "Greg," he paused and he thought for a minute.

"From Oregon?" I nodded my head, "Sure am,"

"What part?"

"Seaside," he looked impressed, "How far is that from Portland?"

"About two hours, if my dad is driving closer to one and half,"

"Hey!" my dad barked, I laughed and I glanced at Grey, "Ready?" he asked picking up a bag, I followed suit with my basketball bag. "It was good to meet you Greg," he nodded and I followed Grey out the door. "Do you want to ride with me?" he asked glancing over his shoulder, "Sure," I followed him to his blue beat up pick-up truck, we both tossed our bags in the bed of the truck and I slid into the cab next to him.

"What year are you in?" I asked, Grey sighed, "Junior, you're a sophomore right?" I nodded, "Yea,"

"Where are you from?" I asked him, "Virginia, a tiny ass town that I hope to never actually live in." I laughed, "Same, if I go back to Oregon I will be living in Portland. I love Seaside and all but…" My eyes watched the new campus go past us as Grey laughed, "Sounds like a tourist trap,"

"During the summer it is," I remarked, he pulled onto campus and I looked around, "If you need a tour later, let me know," I looked over at him, "Yea, I'll probably take you up on that." Grey nodded his head and we were both quiet until he parked the car. "Coach is going to tell you this and I am just going to warn you," I arched my eyebrow because Grey's mood turned very serious very fast, "Stay away from his daughter."

I squinted, "His daughter?"

"She is one of the student assistants, she was supposed to be on the women's team but she fucked up her knee and hip. Now, she is one of his assistants and just…stay away if you want to see any court time." I looked at him and he laughed, "You'll see. She doesn't come to shoot around but…you'll see." I narrowed my eyes at this statement because this girl must be drop dead worthy if there was a warning to the warning.

Jumping out of the car, I reached for my bag and I looked over at him, "Do you have a girlfriend?" I questioned, he nodded, "Her name is Ashley and she is a senior here, she is also so busy that I rarely actually see her in physical form." I laughed, "I know how that goes,"

"You?" I shook my head, "Nope, she broke it off because I was going to Duke and she didn't want to have a committed relationship from across the country. She is diehard Seaside," I mumbled, my eyes looking out at the big arena that I would play in with thousands of cheering people. "Ouch," I nodded my head and we pushed through the doors. He took me down the stairs and into the tunnel. My eyes were star struck at the paintings along the wall and the pure energy that pumped through the stadium. We both walked into the basketball locker room as Grey punched in a code before walking in and he patted my shoulder, "Coach's office is over there," he pointed through a door that was on the opposite wall from most of the lockers. I thanked him as I walked through and down a little hallway until I came to a bunch of different offices. My palms were sweaty and I wiped them off on my basketball shorts before I even attempt to go inside the room.

I tapped my knuckles to the door when a faint come in came through the door. I had met with Coach Montez several different times since he spotted me playing when he was at a tournament. I opened the door and he looked up at me from his desk. "Troy," he said with a nod, I walked over and reached over to shake his hand, "Coach Montez, thank you for this opportunity to play for your team," I approached and he laughed, "Thanks for choosing us, I know you had more than just us." I bit on my lip and shrugged my shoulders. "I just wanted to go over our schedule as a team and then your class schedule, I see you are a business major,"

I laughed, "Yea, something like that, I'm not sure what is held for me in my future," Coach laughed a belly laugh that caused stress to melt away. "Take a seat Bolton," I dropped my bag and sat down as he slid a calendar over to me. It was only for this month as the following months were to still be decided. I wondered if they ran like the community college I played for or not. "Here is our schedule,"

I began to flip through it slowly to see that Monday, Wednesday, Friday we lift weights at six in the morning, followed by a shoot around. "You'll see you have zero eight am classes which you would think is a blessing but it isn't," I then looked at Tuesday, Thursday where we had an eight am practice and this happened until September 1st. I looked up at him, "Once October starts we practice six days a week and you weight train only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. November comes and we practice twice a day until the end of the season," I nodded my head flipping through the schedule.

"During Thanksgiving and Christmas break you'll have a short break and be back on campus for mandatory things." I nodded my head again while looking at him, "You also have to keep C's in all of your classes."

"Yea," I drug out and I looked at my schedule again plus a job that I was going to have to get, "I know what you are thinking, this is an impossible schedule. It will work but you have to dedicate yourself. You're not going to have time for a girlfriend, you aren't going to have time for a full time job, you aren't going to have time to party every night,"

"A job," I started, "I don't care if you get a part-time job on campus where you can also do your studies. They set aside jobs for student athletes on campus and I can help you with that," I agreed and he gave me a card to call to discuss more over a job. "This is a serious program and I warned you,"

"I am ready to put in the work, I love this game," he nodded with a satisfied smile, "Good, we also have one more rule," I looked up at him surprised that he had another rule in his book. He gave a settle smile, "My daughter is off limits. She is one of my assistants because she can't play the game anymore. She also helps tutor you boys so keep it all in your pants and don't you think that she is open market to any of you,"

My eyes grew in size while looking at him and I nodded, the reminder from Grey came back into my head and I realized that this wasn't a joke. "Yea, of course, I have a sister, I get the whole protective thing." I told him with a strong nod, "Your daughter is off limits," I repeated so that he was sure I knew his daughter was off limits.

"Good, I'm glad you understand Mr. Bolton," he went back to his work and I quickly made an exit out of the office. My body leaned back against the wall to inhale air as I almost felt like I was in over my head here. I let out a loud breath of air and went to change in the locker room. I looked up until I found #14 on the wall and my empty locker with only a practice uniform inside. I changed and put my old beat up sneakers on as I went out onto the court. I then jogged out onto the court where most of the guys were standing around stretching or dribbling the ball. I quickly scanned to see that I was even in height with most of them at the towering 6'7. "Guys, guys," Grey quieted them quickly with a laugh, "Meet the new guy, Troy Bolton from Oregon,"

"Awh fuck, the man who coach can't shut up about?" I rubbed the back of my neck with a laugh and shrugged my shoulders, "What does he say about me exactly?" I asked and they laughed. "Just that a kid from Oregon somehow ended up in a JUCO school and not here at Duke," I grinned and they all laughed as I took a ball out and quickly lined up a shot. I went up to shoot and it fell through the hoop when the rest of the guys joined in. We all shot around until I saw a flurry of dark chocolate hair blur by me. My eyes lifted to watch the girl in tight jeans run by. She entered the locker room and I could only stare. My eyes wouldn't physically leave the door, a basketball slammed into my shoulder and I swirled my head around to face Grey. "What did I tell you?" I looked at him and then back at the door, "That was her?" he nodded his head and we gained attention from others. Grey only stared at me with his bright green eyes with a deep warning. Fuck.

"Oh Bolton, don't do it." I looked at them and nodded slowly, "I was just surprised by the speed and the hair," My eyes blinked, "I never saw her face," Grey laughed, "Yea, just you wait until you see that." Grey smirked and I shook my head, "She must be pretty,"

Anderson, I think, howled with laughter, "Pretty is an understatement. The girl is beautiful and coach basically sat us all down when we walked through that door and told you what you heard today. She is off limits. She was off limits before she was injured and a senior in high school and was broken for a bit. She's off limits."

"Damn," I muttered and I couldn't wait until I got to see her face.

"You'll know,"

I shook my head and I shot the ball again. We finished up the shoot around and then we all went back into the locker room to change. I looked over my semester schedule once more to see three classes on Monday, two classes on Wednesday, and Friday and then one on with lab Tuesday and another on Thursday. I straddled the bench when my phone light up, I looked down to see a message from Hallie, I frowned as I opened the message on my phone. The screen lit up and my heart pounded in my chest.

Hey Troy, I hope you are getting settled at Duke. I miss you already and I know I said things but…

I closed my eyes and I shut my phone off ignoring Hallie, I put on my street shoes and I followed Grey out to the car. "Is he really serious about his daughter?" I asked opening the car door, Grey laughed, "Serious is an understatement. Gabi kind of tested one guy last year and well…whose spot do you think you are filling?" I felt my neck warm and leaned back against the truck. "The guys like you, we are having a mixer tonight,"

"I told my parents I would have dinner with them before they leave. They are nervous about leaving me across the country," Grey laughed, "You're going to fucking love it," I smiled and he pulled back into the apartment complex. "I know I will. I am ready for them to leave." We both laughed and walked back in together, more of the teammates were filing in and I smiled because…I could do this.

Gabi's POV

"Gabriella," I looked up at my dad and I squinted, "Dad," I answered and I knew what the full name meant. I had known what the full name meant since I had turned 14 and entered the boy crazy scene. His eyes locked into mine and he surveyed just about everything inside of me with one deep stare. My dad only had one rule when he sat me down five years ago; do not date anybody on the basketball team. Period.

When I was fourteen, I didn't care about the rule. I didn't care because I could play the sport that I loved and I was focused on just that. I was focused on basketball and when I wasn't playing basketball I was studying or traveling with Duke to watch them play. My life revolved around basketball and only basketball. I didn't care. I had no interest in the male body. Zero. Zip.

Last year, when my doctor told me that if I blew out my knee one more time I would need a knee replacement at the young age of nineteen. I fought with my dad and mom about just letting me play until it happened but they won the argument after a nasty car accident that blew my knee out for me. Whatever that actually meant.

So now, my dad played the pity party and made me the assistant with the worst rule possible. Do not date the basketball boys. And now? I felt my knees grow weak at half of these grown men playing the sport I love with a body in tip-top shape. I cared now. I really cared now.

Some, it was easy not to look at because I found them more like brothers than I found them like a lover. Some…some were just drop dead beautiful and my mouth watered in their presence but my dad scared all of them. None of them looked at me for a second moment or a beat too long because dad held the upper hand with that one. "The transfer came into my office today," I blew out a sigh and I crossed my arms over my chest annoyed with this conversation already, "When are you going to quit this act?" I asked looking at him, "I am almost twenty Dad!"

"Yea, and you are my daughter. This transfer is going to change our program so don't even look at him Gabriella. Literally. Do not look at him. Don't talk to him. Just leave him alone. He is the future of our program." I frowned even deeper because my dad really cared about this one. My dad didn't want anything to screw this up so this kid must be good. I was definitely interested now, "Did you not give him that talk?"

"I did, trust me, I did but you are a force to be reckoned with Ella," he softened at the use of my nickname and I rolled my lips together. I looked up at him and I nodded my head slowly up and down, "I have to go to physical therapy," I finally announced trying to not let anymore emotions slip through my voice. I wasn't weak.

"Good, how is it going?" I grunted, "It's going,"

"Did your mom help you move into your apartment today?"

"The one on campus that you helped me get, that one? Oh yes, I figured maybe if my parents were letting me out of their grasp then surely, I wouldn't be living on campus where everybody knows me." My dad sent a smile, a smile that showed he was proud of himself.

"Ella, did you really think you were going to win that easily?" I frowned at him and I turned to leave, "Dinner tonight! Your brother will be home!" I rolled my eyes and pushed out the door. I went behind the bleachers and I peered through wondering which one was the new guy. I continued to scan the group of boys that I knew better than I knew myself half the time. I knew all of their tendencies and the things they messed up on. I knew it all.

Grey and Anderson were messing around like normal causing the dramatic eye roll from myself. A couple of freshman who had no chance of seeing the court until their junior or senior year stood with their back to me as they talked. I scanned again but saw zero new faces which was upsetting. He must be really, really good and I was ready to see this kid. My dad has never been that serious about a guy.

Running off, I walked across campus to the physical therapy building where students helped physical therapists actually learn. I rolled my lips together and I put on a cheery smile because this is exactly what I wanted to do today.

Not.

Dropping my bag and peeling off my sweaty shirt to reveal my Nike sports bra, I collapsed on my bed and I stared up at the ceiling. My eyes were just fluttering closed when I heard the door to our apartment open up again, the door shut followed by a couple of footsteps, "Helloooo," I looked over to see Lauren looking in at me, "What are you doing?" she asked me, I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "What?" My eyes took in Lauren with her dark brown roots and green eyes that wouldn't scare a soul away.

"There is a party tonight…" she dragged out with a bat of her long eyelashes that I would kill to have, "I know your Daddy swore us to the apartment on campus but free housing is free housing." She threw her hand on her hip for dramatics as I shook my head.

"I can't, Viv and Trevor are in town tonight and my dad wants me to come over to have dinner with them." I closed my eyes again hoping that Lauren would let me have a ten-minute nap that I truly needed but I also knew Lauren too well for that to slip past her.

"You haven't seen Trev in a while, shouldn't you be happier about this?" I shrugged my shoulders and I sat up, "You and Trev have the weirdest sibling relationship I have ever seen, so spill, what's wrong?" I sighed sitting up, Lauren knew me since I was four and we have been best friends and not even the stress of high school or college tore that relationship apart. She was truly the sister I didn't have. "I keep thinking that one of these years, just one of them, my dad will stop with the whole, don't date the basketball players," I closed my eyes because if I still had basketball it probably wouldn't bug me but I didn't have basketball anymore.

Lauren frowned as her bottom lip stuck out, "Wait, he never says this about freshman, that is an understood one," I nodded my head with a faint pout of my own, "Well I got it today so,"

"That means a white, tall, male basketball player showed up today that isn't a freshman." I laughed at her description, "I have gotten that talk no matter the skin color. Do you not remember Devon?" Lauren let a laugh escape her lips, "Oops," I nodded with a laugh and she sighed, "Have you seen him?" she wanted the details and frankly, so did I. There was something more about this transfer. My dad was being a little too protective.

"Nope, I kind of want to though. My dad was really serious about this one."

"Go hang out at their apartment complex, you and Grey also have a weird relationship," she scrunched her nose thinking about Grey but we all knew deep down she had a huge crush on Grey Lewis. He was definitely good looking and made me want to turn into a puddle most of the time.

"Grey has been around my family for like seven years now," I told her, "He is like my second brother," I explained to her, "Yea, your dad scouted him for a long ass time."

"He was a freshman when my dad started watching and then when he was a junior my dad mooched right along with him." I shrugged, "Grey and I didn't care for it when we were both dragged to dinners or games. Grey knew the rule well before I knew the rule,"

Lauren laughed, "I'd date Grey,"

"Then date him…"

"He is hooking up with that Ashley chick right now," she said, she shook her head and I agreed, Ashley was not the nicest of humans. I also was 99% they were just fuck buddies but Grey wouldn't come out to say that so I was only left to assume so that's what I assumed. "Yea well, he complains about her more than he actually sees her."

"True, I could make a move," I laughed shoving her shoulder, "Do you want to come to my parent's house for dinner and then we can hit up this party?" Lauren thought about it and shook her head, "I love your family but I need to pre-game for this party. One last party before school starts," I smiled because it was true. It would be the last big party before school was back in session. "I'm jealous,"

"But seriously, come," I sighed standing up, "Maybe. I am not making any promises." She squealed because that was enough for her and she hugged me tightly and I hugged her back. "Have fun and hug Trev for me,"

"I will," she bounced out of my room and I looked around my little apartment room. My desk was tucked in the corner where I would spend late nights studying, the tall lamp shadowed and then a picture of Trev and I holding my state championship trophy from my senior year of high school. I could feel every bit of adrenaline running through my blood from that day when I scored the winning basket. The crowd went insane and I have never felt more on cloud nine than that moment right then and there.

Tears blurred my eyes looking at it, wishing, for that day back. It had been only eleven months of being told that I could no longer play. It was rough and it was hard to go through all of that at the young age of 19. Basketball was my entire life from the moment I could walk until the moment it was taken away. I was struggling to find out what my other life still was because I couldn't fit what I actually wanted into that little slot. Anger mostly is what I dealt with and rebellion so last year…Cooper ended up on the other end of that rebellion which gave me another insight to why this talk actually happened. Cooper was a good player but I had my way with him. My dad found us making out at a basketball tournament after their game.

This had to be the next reason to why the boys were all sharing the same apartment and a good insight on the talk we had today. My dad cared about the transfer and didn't want to find him with me in bed. I blew out a breath of air as I grabbed my car keys and purse as I headed for the door. I locked it tightly as I bid a good-bye to Lauren as she was getting ready for the party tonight. She would go pre-game with our other friends and have the night of her life hopefully bring back some boy.

I walked out and ran into Jessie, "Hey," I said with a wave, she smiled back at me but didn't speak. I rolled my eyes at the dramatics because she liked Cooper last year and was still angry at me for everything that I did. She yelled at me furiously for using him to get back at my dad and that she would never speak to me again. She cried as I rolled my eyes and walked off. I was a complete bitch about the situation but I didn't care. I was pissed off at the world and nobody else mattered.

I was an awful human.

I opened the door to my black Honda Civic and I slid onto the leather seats when my phone dinged. I plugged it into my radio as I read the message on my screen while turning my car over.

Grey: Party tonight. Did Lauren tell you?

Me: Yes. You guys need to date.

I chewed on the corner of my fingernail waiting for his response because we did this daily. He normally got mad at me for it and wouldn't speak to me until the next day but I was persistent. He didn't want to date Lauren because I wanted him to date Lauren. I knew he would throw the Ashley thing out there but I was still certain they were fuck buddies.

Grey: Fuck no. Plus I am dating Ashley…will you stop?

Me: Never. Ashley is a bitch and you know that. You just know Lauren is a spitfire.

I started my car and backed out of my parking spot when my phone dinged again. I glanced over at it and a smile bloomed on my face.

Grey: You're right. Ashley is a bitch who I never see. Lauren also is a bitch so….

I paused at the stop sign to text him back.

Me: You're right. Lauren's a bitch with a pretty smile and the best hugs.

I finally tossed my phone into the passenger seat and turned up the song that was streaming from my phone. It was a thirty-minute drive to my childhood home in the outskirts of Raleigh, North Carolina. The town was a mix of Duke fans and Tar heels and it got ugly between the fans.

I went to a private school all through high school so I never got caught up in the drama that I lived here and supported here. I supported where my dad coached and well…he had been the Duke coach since I was seven. I have spent more time in that gym than any player and I normally would work out with the team when I had healthy legs. I was constantly working out and running with the boys. I was taught to rough house with boys so I could take on any girl. I was one of the toughest you could find and the only thing that could sideline me was my father with the back-up of a doctor.

My phone chimed again but I ignored it this time as I drifted off the highway. I turned right and then continued through the town until I got to my house. I pulled up to see Trevor's car already sitting in the drive way and I was honestly excited.

Trevor lived in Charlotte, which was a solid two hours away. He was a basketball coach for the local high school and taught history. His wife, Viv, was a nurse at the local hospital in Charlotte and they had been married for almost two years now. My eyes took in the front of my house; it was a two-story country farmhouse with white paint and blue shingles. It was the all American dream with a front pouch flower box that my mom took serious pride in. The two rockers sitting on the front porch that my father has yet to actually sit in and the wrap around porch that I laid on summer nights with boyfriends after basketball tournaments. I shut off my car and I picked up my phone.

Grey: Shut the hell up. I'll see you tonight.

I smiled shaking my head as I walked up the driveway and I opened the front door to smell the home cooking of my mom. I inhaled deeply and I kicked off my Toms as I went skipping through the house. Trevor was holding a beer while leaning against the bar as I jumped onto his back in surprise.

"Fuck," he cursed as his beer wobbled and some spilt onto the counter, "Trevor!" My mom scolded and I laughed in his ear and he shook his head, "Gabs, c'mon," I snuggled into his shoulder and I breathed in the smell of Trevor that I loved. I absolutely loved my older brother. We played basketball together when we were younger but also could leave the basketball world together. We would have pacts to not speak of basketball and we would let our frustrations out different ways. Especially when Trevor and my dad would fight. "I have missed you,"

"Missed you too baby sis," I dropped off his back and he then pulled me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around him and he squeezed me tightly lifting me off the ground. "How are you?" he asked, I shrugged my shoulders, "I'm fine," he looked at me and only nodded his head because he could read me, Trevor knew that it wasn't the end of the story and he would ask me later. Trevor was my true best friend from the day I was born.

"Where is Viv?" I finally asked.

"Right here!" I turned around and I grinned as I latched onto her and her five-month pregnant belly pressed into my stomach. "Oh my god! Viv!" I rested my hands on her stomach and she laughed, "It is a lively one," she spoke and I understood once the little feet hit my palm. I grinned and Viv smiled, I spent a lot of my summer with them this year because I needed out of the house of my fuming father from my actions over freshman year. It was my turn to need a break from my father.

Dad made me come home at the end of July because he thought I was being unreasonable and so this was the first time seeing them in about a month. Trevor and I basically talked every day. He was constantly checking in and being the dad that I didn't have in my own dad. My dad was sometimes so consumed with basketball that he would forget that I had emotions. He would forget that I needed him there to take care of me. To pick me up when my life fell apart. My dad was a good dad though and I couldn't complain. He supported me and cared for me when I needed that but just wasn't an everyday dad.

My dad failed in that one category but Trevor picked it up. I knew Trevor was going to be an amazing dad to his little babe.

"Where is dad?" I asked, my mom looked up, "Oh, are you finally going to say hello to me?" I frowned and I nodded, "Hi mom, where is dad?" she sighed, "He got caught up with paperwork."

"Of course," I breathed, I looked at my mom and I only saw myself in return. It was almost like we were twins before we were mother and daughter. Her face was still young and those brown eyes were bold. Her hair was more chopped than mine in a typical mom haircut. She wore expensive clothes and her nails were always manicured. We lost touch with each other when it came to clothes, make-up, and hair styling. I was a tom-boy. My mom always wanted that princess though and I fought her every single time. "Gabriella," I looked over at my mom, "What?"

"Why the attitude?" she asked, I huffed, Trevor and Viv both shared a look with each other and Trevor nodded, "Mom, I am going to steal G for a bit, when will dinner be done?"

"In about thirty minutes," my mom looked at me and I gave her a smile when Trevor pulled me out onto the back porch. "Spill," he said as he leaned back against the railing. I crossed my arms over my chest like a two-year old. "They are treating me like I am five!"

"Gabs, you have to see where they are coming from," Trevor started, I threw him a glare and I stole the beer out of his hands and took a long drink. I then gave it back to him as he didn't really appear stunned but gave me a telling look that I need to chill and I shrugged, "It happened eleven months ago,"

"Uh Cooper…" I rolled my eyes, "Dad overreacted about that,"

"Gabi…" I looked at him and he gave me another look, "There has been one rule for you,"

"Never date the basketball boys I know, but I was angry, doesn't that count for something?" I asked him as I began to ramble, "I am still angry and I am upset and I am scared because what the hell am I supposed to do. What the hell am I supposed to do now? Am I supposed to just be the pretty manager on the sidelines that could've been a great college basketball player and have an amazing career but I fucked up and I am being punished over and over again," I was almost to the point of tears as my voice picked up and Trevor just pulled me into his arms. "Okay, okay," he said quietly as he rubbed my arm, "Okay." I just pressed my face into his chest as I breathed deeply, "I am pissed off," I finally said pulling away and Trev sighed.

"Your car accident," Trevor tried to point out another thing to me but I just shook my head in defense.

"I wasn't even driving,"

"No, you let a drunk person drive you,"

"Well I was definitely more drunk," I muttered, "Yea, and what is the other rule?"

"Don't let the vultures know that we aren't a perfect family," I repeated because I had grown up with that one. Trevor nodded and he sighed, "I hated it and I know you hate it and I'm sorry about your knee Gabs. I doubt anybody has said that to you but I am sorry. I am sorry that things didn't go this way. I'm sorry that things ended quickly. I'm sorry. You deserve to hear that." I couldn't stop the tears as I inhaled deeply and Trevor just rubbed my shoulder while he let me cry for a minute. I was so frustrated and upset.

"I just don't want to deal with them tonight," I finally mumbled into his chest.

"You and mom seem to have,"

"A strain on our relationship that nothing can fix. She is mad at me for an unknown reason," Trevor sighed and I took his beer again, "She is probably mad that you knew about the baby before her," Trevor tried to lighten the mood and I smirked and looked up at him, Trevor was a good looking guy. He was tall, about six four and was built. He also played basketball but didn't want to continue at the college level…underneath of his dad. My dad ended up pissed at him for that and well…he knows what I am going through with the silence.

His eyes were just as dark as mine and his brown hair was chopped short and he sighed.

"I'm sorry Gabs, at least you'll be starting school and you aren't underneath of their roof," I shrugged my shoulders and my mom called that dinner was done. He looked at me again and I bit on my lip. I followed him inside and my dad was kissing my mom's cheek with a smile on his face. They were so happy. I just wanted that happiness right now. I wanted somebody to love and laugh with on silly first dates.

Viv was helping set the table and I helped her finish and my dad couldn't stop talking about the transfer as we all sat down. We were only three bites into our food when Trevor cleared his throat.

"Mom, Dad," they both looked at him and I shot daggers at my older brother as he looked right back at me, "You guys need to let Gabi breathe, I mean, she has done everything you have asked of her in the past year. It hasn't even been easy on her," my dad and mom shared a glance with each other. Trevor and I constantly used to gang up with each other on my parents. We would attack them together and not let them off easy.

"She lost the most important thing to her and you think that was easy for her?" my dad looked at me and I lowered my eyes to the food in front of me. I stirred the salad around with my fork, "Gabi," my dad's voice entered my ear and I loved my parents but the last year had been a hard one on all of us. I know I made a lot of mistakes but I didn't want to be punished for the rest of my life for the mistakes I made during my freshman year of college.

My dad was disappointed in me for my choices and my mom was lost on the fact that the daughter she raised was just as lost. I wasn't the daughter who wore the dresses and seemed to be the sweetheart of the family. I was supposed to be the girl that every girl wanted to be and that every boy wanted to court. I was supposed to be that girl and I was so done being that girl last year. I fell off the deep end and went through the most rebellious stage that fifteen year olds go through. I battled tears as I folded up my napkin in my lap trying to distract myself. I really didn't want to do this right now.

"I uhm," I tried to form a sentence as I looked up at them, my dad's face softened and I fought back the tears, I glanced over at my mom who wanted to say something but she couldn't find the words to say anything, "Yea, this year has been hard," I mumbled and I ate more of my dinner but my throat felt tight. The air was strained around us as I knew my parents were having a silent conversation but my eyes were not lifting up to look at them. I continued to stare down at my food and didn't dare look up because I was fighting the dam in my throat.

Nobody said anything for a bit when I finally just needed out of here. I couldn't sit here anymore "Thanks for dinner mom, Viv, Trev, I assume you guys will still be in town tomorrow? Maybe we can get lunch or something to catch up and talk about my niece or nephew,"

"Gabi, why the rush," I smiled tightly, "I just have some things I need to get done before classes start on Monday," I told them with a shrug, "Lauren wanted me to go out with her tonight and well I just have things to do."

"Gabi,"

"Dad," Trevor pleaded, I smiled, "No drinking, I promise." I hugged Trevor and Viv and then I kissed my dad's cheek and my mom's.

"Love you guys,"

I ran to my car once my feet hit the door and my chest hurt, there was a strain between my dad and I since the accident. My mom was just off since the accident and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to think. I knew that I had ruined everything but I couldn't be that girl anymore. I wasn't the girl next door but I also didn't know who I was anymore.

Troy's POV

I walked around campus just getting a lay of the land. Grey wanted me to go to a party with him but I declined because of dinner with my parents. It went well but I knew they were nervous. They constantly kept telling me all of these life rules that I would need to know. We ate dinner together and enjoyed this time as I wasn't sure when I would see them again. I didn't want to miss them but I knew they would because I was close to my parents. I was close to my siblings. It would be hard to go until Thanksgiving to see them but I would do it.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a picture of Audrey calling me. I smiled answering it, "Hey Aud,"

"Troy, hey, where are mom and dad?"

"I don't know, I dropped them off at the hotel a little while ago. Everything okay?" I kicked a rock along the path as the lamps were lighting the pathway.

"Jake is being an ass,"

"Oh," I laughed as she continued on her rant about how Jake was being bossy and blah blah. "Mom and Dad will be home tomorrow morning," I told her, "So you can rest easy," she snorted from the other end of the phone. "Whatever," I shook my head with a smile. I thought about my two siblings at home, Jake and Audrey. Jake was a junior and Audrey was in seventh grade. I was extremely close to both of them and well…we were an extremely close family.

"I have to go; we'll face time soon though okay?"

"Thank you, I already miss you." I sighed, "I miss you too," I bid her a goodbye when I glanced up for it to be too late. The girl ran into me and I quickly closed my arms to keep her from hitting the ground too hard. "Fuck, I am so sorry," I couldn't contain the grin as she looked up at me; I paused to look at her deep brown eyes when I realized that my hands were still firmly clasped around her. I quickly let go and awkwardly dropped my hands from my side. "No, I am sorry," I announced, her eyes looked up at me, "I wasn't paying attention," we both stuttered at the same time, I laughed rubbing the back of my neck. She smiled up at me and I couldn't contain my own smile because she was beautiful. Normally, cute would come to mind but she was just…beautiful. Her face held no make-up; her hair was down to the middle of her back with simple waves of dark chocolate hair; and she was only in a pair of yoga pants with a Duke crew neck on. I bit on my lip as she stuck her hand out, "I guess if I am going to run into you, I should introduce myself…Gabi,"

I smiled, "Troy,"

She squinted, "Do you want to grab a coffee or something?" I raised an eyebrow, "I will buy since I ran into you." I nodded my head with a smile flirting onto my face, "You know, I am actually in need of a good coffee shop. I'm addicted to coffee and I just transferred here," Gabi looked up at me with a smile, "Where from?"

"Oregon," she raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Long way from home," I laughed, "It was time to get away. I mean, I love my family but I am so excited to not have them breathing down my neck." She laughed looking down, "That is understandable." I nodded and then she jumped, "Okay, but let me take you to my favorite coffee shop that not many people know about…unless you are a Starbucks brat," I smirked at the name but I shook my head, "Can I drink Starbucks? Yes, can I find out coffee that is better? Hell yes."

"I think I like you Troy,"

Smitten, I shook my head with a smile, "I believe my like for you will come when I see this coffee shop you're talking about," she let a smirk cross her face and started to lead the way without a word coming from her mouth. We walked across campus with each other and she began to talk about little things. Gabi seemed to carry her body like a feather while she glided across the campus. She was wearing a pair of Nike shoes with happiness. She then walked around a corner with her hands moving wildly while she talked, she then pulled up to a hole in the wall coffee place. Rents Coffee Shop was written across the front in neon lights, you could peer inside and see tables lining the walls and some in the opening. Chairs sat in a circle where two students sat and talked with books open in their lap.

The walls were lined with pictures and the menu was written in chalk on a chalkboard, pastries lined the counter just waiting to be eaten and the smell of the coffee was intoxicating. "Wow, this is exactly what I was talking about," I said quietly, Gabi looked at me with a broad smile that could make any man want to see that again. To be responsible for that big of a smile caused my own smile, "I actually get really cranky without a cup of coffee."

Gabi laughed, "Me too, I am basically here every single morning." We walked through the door and the aroma of the room filled everything inside of me with joy. We walked up to the counter when I noticed the one little thing in the corner that made this feel like home. "Holy shit," I muttered, I quickly stepped up to the counter and the guy looked at me, "Hi, how may I help you," I grinned, "I need a medium Irish Bomb with a pump of caramel and a shot of espresso."

Gabi gasped behind me and the dude looked at her, "Gabi, do you want the same?" I spun around on my heels, "You get that?" she nodded her head, "I was in here one summer and pretty much tried all different coffees all different ways and that was my favorite,"

"In Seaside, that is called the Morning Fun and oh my god, it is my favorite," that smile appeared again and I was pretty sure my knees gave out from underneath of me as she turned back forward. I looked at her side profile as she continued to smile. Her face was thin and her cheek bones were defined. Her lips puffed out a little bit and all I wanted to do was to kiss them.

Stop Troy. You don't have time for a girlfriend. You just got out of a relationship. Stop. You don't need to kiss her. You just met her ten seconds ago on the sidewalk. I continued to talk my body down as I went back to our conversation that we were having about coffee.

"Sometimes I throw steamed milk in for fun,"

"That's extra morning fun," I said with a laugh, "Oh my god, that is wild," she agreed and paid for the drinks even after I tried to stop her. Our drinks were then handed to us in different colored cups. We then went to the counter in the corner to sit quietly. I brushed my fingers over the coffee and taking a drink of it, this made me so happy. "What brings you to North Carolina?" I looked at her and wondered if I should tell her why I was here but instead I made a bullshit reason up. I didn't want to be the basketball player tonight. I just wanted to be Troy with her.

"I wanted to get away from Oregon. It's nice and all but I wanted to have new experiences and I wanted to live outside of my parent's bubble a little bit. I got a great opportunity to come to Duke University and I jumped on it. Y'know? They have a lot of good things here and I am just…I was ready." I answered honestly to her, well, mostly honest. I didn't want to talk about basketball yet. Basketball was one side of my life but sometimes I didn't always want to talk about it.

"That's good. I haven't left the state of North Carolina unless I was traveling for this or that. I lived in the same house for eighteen years and my parents reluctantly agreed to let me stay on campus as a college student. It was nice to not be under their watch at all times but yet I still felt like I was. I swear they pop up all over campus," I laughed and she looked down at her coffee cup like she had a deep thought but I let it go. I barely knew her.

"Do you have a major?" I asked and she shrugged, "I keep bouncing around. I'll never actually get my degree." She said with an innocent laugh, "What about you?" she looked up at those brown eyes caught me off guard. They were so deep, beautiful even, and just had a good sparkle to them. "I haven't completely decided but right now I am a business major," she smirked and nodded her head, "I started out as a business major but I am dabbling in the athletic trainer world."

"You play sports?" I asked her and you could see her guard shoot straight up but she sighed, "Used too." She answered with a bitter tone, "But that is another story for another day." She looked up at me and I could see a sense of sadness behind her eyes. "Siblings?" I asked moving the conversation away and she nodded taking a sip of her coffee. "I have an older brother named Trevor and he is married to Vivian but I called her Viv and she is basically my sister." I smiled thinking about having sister and brother in-laws but I was the oldest. "Viv is also pregnant with my niece or nephew, which is completely exciting. I cannot wait."

"That's exciting. I am the oldest of three so I don't see that in my future for a really long time." I answered honestly, "Yea? Brother, sister?"

"Both," I answered, "They are chomping at the bit for my parents to get back to Oregon." I told her, "My sister can't handle my brother for too long and she's the younger one." Gabi cracked a smile, "She'll do okay,"

"Oh I know she will, we were actually pretty close and I am going to miss her a ton." Gabi gave a supportive smile, "My brother and I are freakishly close as well. I hate to tell you but she is going to miss you a ton and it will be hard on her." I sighed just thinking about it and then it kind of hit me that I barely knew this girl in front of me and I was talking to her like I was talking to anybody else. "Is this your favorite coffee shop?" I asked her and she nodded her head, "Always and forever will my loyalty lie right here with Rents."

"Good choice," I said tipping my coffee back and she smiled looking down at her cup, "Is it weird that we have known each other all of twenty minutes?" she asked me and I shook my head no, "I was just thinking the same thing. I actually think I am pretty damn lucky to have found a friend on my first night here in Duke land." She gave me another smile and nodded, "I think I like you as a friend Troy," I nodded in agreement, "Agreed."

Gabi's POV

Saturday, August 19th, 2017

Troy Bolton may have been the superhero to my Friday night. He drank good coffee, he could talk music, and he could talk about family and life and just wow. I had never met a stranger and had that much connection to them. I skipped across the parking lot towards the boy's apartment where I was meeting Grey for lunch so I could talk about blue-eyed Oregon man. Those blue eyes caught me off guard when I looked up at him after he kept me from falling when I ran right into him.

His eyes were so blue I felt like I jumped into an ocean. His hands were strong and those arms were so defined. I could only imagine what was underneath of his shirt. Stop Gabriella, you do not need that in your life right now. You are so busy with other things.

But those eyes and that smile made me weak.

Fuck. I barely knew him.

I opened the apartment door and then I walked down the hall to room 105. I knocked and Grey swung the door open and Ashley was adjusting her top in the background and Grey was trying not to show how labored his breathing was. I felt a smirk cross my lips and I shook my head with a bit of laughter coming from my lips.

"Fuck, Gabs, I thought we agreed in fifteen minutes," he stressed, I shrugged, "I am here now." Ashley rolled her own eyes and Grey sent me a hard look, "Do you remember that text message I sent you the other day?" I squinted looking at him, "About how you never see your girlfriend?" Grey bit his lip and nodded, "And my roommate is gone so guess what, I want to have sex with my girlfriend. So leave. Now. Go bug Lauren,"

"We were having lunch!" I yelled, Grey shrugged his shoulder, "Sorry, my girlfriend is free. Rain check!" he hollered. He then shut the door in my face and I shook my head as I walked out of the apartment. Lauren was working off a massive hangover from last night. Grey and her both yelled at me last night via text about how I wasn't at the mixer. I pushed through the door and I went and picked up food for the both of us. When I got back to our apartment, I unlocked the door and carried in the bags of food.

"Oh my god what did you bring me," I looked at the lump on the couch and a pillow covering her head. I laughed dropping my keys onto the counter, "Good afternoon sleepy head," she poked her head out and her dark hair greeted me. The streaks of blonde underlying and her green eyes met mine, "Hi, I have a massive headache," I laughed and I tossed her the fast food bag. She breathed it in and quickly dug in. "What the fuck happened to you last night?" she asked me with French fries sticking out of her mouth.

"I met a guy," she raised an eyebrow, "That isn't on the basketball team?" I nodded my head biting down on my lip, "And he is fucking beautiful." I went and sat on the couch next to her. She smirked, "Tell me more,"

"He has this smooth tan skin with these electric blue eyes and this knee blowing smiling and…wow, I ran into him,"

"Imagine that," Lauren said with laugh, I shot her a look and she asked me to continue as I leaned back on my heels. "I ran into him and he caught me, after that, I asked him to coffee because he was beautiful. I couldn't just let him get away. So I asked him and he asked me about a good coffee shop because he is from Oregon and needs a good place."

"You took him Rents," I nodded my head again, "Yes, I took him to Rents and he ORDERED MY FAVORITE COFFEE before I even ordered," Lauren laughed falling back, "You found somebody who loves coffee just as much as you. Congrats," I laughed, "We sat in Rents for what felt like forever and we talked about music, we talked about family and life and nothing in general."

"Did you learn about his family?"

"No, I mean, a little, I learned that he has two siblings and a caring family and I was on a nervous breakdown of my family so I spilled that my parents were against me and blah," Lauren grinned, "What's his name,"

"Troy," she wiggled her eyebrows and I laughed, "Did you get his number?" I nodded my head, "Yea, he hasn't texted me though but that's okay, I don't want to like freak him out. I am just running off a high. We talked about absolutely nothing important and it was so refreshing." I collapsed back against the couch and I smiled looking up at the ceiling. Lauren nudged me with her foot as she balled her trash up. "I'm happy for you, you have had a rough year,"

"It's okay, I am going out to dinner with Trev and Viv,"

"Good, good, do you want me to go with you?" I smiled at her and nodded, "Yes please," we both hugged each other and she breathed, "I can't wait until I get to meet him,"

"Ah!" we both fell into a pit of laughter and for once, in a long time, I felt like things were going in the right direction.

WHAT? A NEW STORY! I promised this story a while ago and here it is! I am/was trying to get ahead so that I could post on this story regularly so as for right now (this could change!) will post every two weeks! If I get farther ahead then I will post more frequently but right now I want to do every two weeks!

I really hope you enjoy this story! It's fun and different! I am pretty sure this will be a stand-alone so I cannot wait to take you on this ride! Many of you have been asking so I hope it fills your needs! Also...can you see my obsession for the name Grey right now? Amiright? haha

Next update: October 1st!

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