Summary: This is just a little something I came up with to commemorate the one-year anniversary of HSM. There is more than one part. So look forward to that.

I'll put this once and only once: I don't own HSM, or anybody related to HSM. I simply love using the characters for my pleasure.

And one other thing: Please review I'm begging you; Zac is begging you. You don't want to disappoint Zac now do you? Your reviews make me want to update more quickly.

A year ago if you had told me that I was going to be the lead in the winter musical and dating the captain of the basketball team, I would have laughed and told you, you must be kidding because never would I Gabriella Montez audition for a musical. Oh and the boy well let's just say he is very special and not at all what I expected.

You see it started on New Year's Eve at a ski lodge. I was reading a book as per usual when my mom dragged me away to some teen party. Remind me to thank her later. Once I was at said party, I reopened the book determined to finish it tonight. Some kids were on stage singing karaoke to a song I'd never heard and I tried my best to ignore them. Thankfully, the song ended shortly and the announcer was looking for his next victims, excuse me singers.

'They will never pick me' I thought but then a bright light shining on me interrupted my reading. Confused as to why I was being blinded, I looked up and before I knew it I was dragged on stage. 'Great, people are staring at me.' It took me a moment to realize that I was not alone. There was a boy, a rather attractive boy, looking exactly how I felt.

The song began and the words flashed on the screen. Luckily, he had to sing first. He began hesitantly although I have no idea why, his voice was amazing. 'Oh, no he's leaving; I'm going to be up here alone. Then the next moment I began to sing softly, don't ask why I'm not entirely sure. I was trying my absolute best not to focus on the massive amount of people staring. When he heard my voice, he turned around and quickly added his part.

By the end of the song I was singing as if I sang karaoke every night. I can't explain it. This feeling of familiarity washed over me as our voices melded together. When he introduced himself, his gorgeous blue eyes shining, I knew Troy was a person I would never forget. We exchanged phone numbers and that was end of it. I never thought in a million years that I would ever see Troy again.

Not soon after that night, my mom's company transferred her to Albuquerque. And I started my first day at east High. I hated being the new girl, I mean does anyone really like being new? I had built up a tolerance to new schools, but for some odd reason I didn't want to be the same girl I had been everywhere else.

My mom told me to "just be Gabriella." Honestly, I hadn't found myself yet at least not the real me. I walked into the room I hoped was the correct one. I handed the schedule to the overly dressed teacher and took a seat near the back. The teacher who I found out later name was Darbus and hated cell phones, began rambling on about something or another. Suddenly, my cell phone decided to ring. 'Who would be calling me in the middle of class?' I looked at my phone and the picture of Troy appeared on the screen. 'Great the cute boy had to call in the middle of my first class on my first day at a new school.'

Darbus immediately confiscated my phone and issued me a detention. I was a little surprised after all it was my first day and I wasn't the kind of person to get detentions. As I was thinking of how to explain the situation to my mom, I heard a familiar name, Troy. I couldn't believe it. I was so sure I was never ever going to be reunited with him.

I could go on and on and tell you our entire story in great detail, but I'm afraid that would take quite a deal of time and paper, neither of which I have much of. So I'll summarize. Troy and I auditioned, well sort of, it wasn't very formal. When we heard Darbus wanted us for a callback, we were both caught by surprise.

We did in fact decide to do callbacks and right up until the very moment I was standing in front of the whole school with microphone in hand, I wasn't scared. Singing with Troy felt so right and perfect. It really was just like kindergarten. I didn't have to hide who I really was. So that day with Troy's reassurances, I broke free. That was the day I finally understood how to be Gabriella.

So that's how I ended up becoming the lead in the school musical. Now, the dating the captain part didn't happen for quite a while. Troy and I both had a hard time admitting our true feelings about each other. It's not that we didn't really like each other; I guess we weren't sure how to start something more.

There was this scene in Twinkle Towne where the characters Arnold and Minnie confess their love for one another. Troy and I avoided this scene at all costs mainly because it was eerily similar to our own relationship.

One day as we were rehearsing at my house, we decided to face our fears and rehearse the dreaded scene. It required us to be in extremely close proximity, Troy was right up against me, our breaths mingling. Arnold was just about to tell Minnie he loved her. Troy slowly said the line. "I love you, Gabi." We were about to kiss, but my stupid mouth got in the way. "Minnie" I corrected him.

This seemed to snap Troy out of his daze and our bodies separated. Then Troy did something completely unexpected. He took my hand and pulled me closer to him. Our lips were centimeters away. "No, Gabi, I love you." The gap between was finally closed as his soft lips descended upon mine. I was surprised at first, but then I melted into the kiss.

When we broke apart, both of us were breathing heavily. I tried to conjure up words, but needless to say I was still lost in the moment. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." Troy told me. After he said this, my brain finally came out of shock and I spoke. "I love you too, Troy."

Now I know half of you are smiling stupidly and other half are gagging in disgust, claiming that you don't just tell someone you have only known for a few months that you love them and normally I would agree. I'm not as naïve as some of you think, but I can tell you that I meant what I said. I can't explain it rationally because love very rarely is rational. There are just some things that only God can explain.

Our relationship blossomed from there. 9 months later, Troy and I are still going strong. We do have our moments, though. There are times when I want to dump him and just give up, but then he does something so...so Troy that I realize that I really love him.

Dating him has enlightened me to the world of popularity. Made me realize I don't want to live in it. I have more friends than I know what to do with. Some are closer than others. The majority of them are only friends with me because of Troy, but the real ones are the best a girl could have.

Troy, Taylor, Chad, Zeke, Sharpay, Ryan, Jason, Kelsi and I have formed a pretty close-knit group. I know I can rely on them no matter what. For example, Chad and Zeke are the older brothers I've never had. They are always looking out for me and hanging out with me when Troy can't. Then there is Taylor who is my other best friend, the other, of course, being Troy. I can tell her anything and everything and know she won't judge me for it. She enjoys school like me which bonds us more than you know. There's Kelsi who is incredibly sweet and gives great advice. Sharpay who I can always count on for fabulous fashion tips among other things.

And then there are Ryan and Jason who have this amazing ability to make me laugh any time I need it and I love them because of it. Each of these people mean more to me then words can explain. Somehow, we have formed this strong bond of friendship that I know isn't going to be broken anytime soon.

So, now that you are thinking that I have the perfect life with a wonderful boyfriend and great friends, I want you to know that I was once in your shoes. I didn't believe in happy endings or fantasy fairy-tale lives, but the moment I decided to start something new in that ski lodge, I broke free and became more than I could ever imagine.