A/N: Well, so here it starts! I was going to wait longer to start posting-- but I couldn't help myself xD. I actually have a lot of things planned for this fic-- I guess this is just a simple start to get everyone slowly acclimated (more of that still to come I guess :P). I'd love some feedback!

Disclaimer: I disclaim. Totally. Nilch, nada, NOTHING is mine. Except for the plot and a couple extra characters. :)

Chapter One: The Beginning

Today was his first day of Senior year.

He still had to get used to saying that. A year ago he wouldn't have expected things to turn out as they had right now-- but all it took was a musical and some carefully crafted plans (as well as a triple win) to turn everything straight on its side. A little left of center, if you will. When Gabriella Montez walked into his life-- that was it. It was like the world decided one day that it was going to make a hell of a storm of his life, and in the end he'd end up with nothing but his bare bones. Himself, in other words. He liked to sing, he loved to sing, singing was him. And Gabriella had been there to share it with him. Later this year, they'd be celebrating their six month anniversary as a couple and you know what? He really couldn't imagine anything more perfect. To boot, he was still captain of the basketball team and ever since their win at the championship they seemed to be riding on a streak of good luck-- undefeated, still.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, there was a sure rainbow of luck riding neatly over East High School.

So when he stepped out of his car (his parents had finally caved into letting him buy the truck he'd always wanted), with a backpack slung over his shoulder and a satisfied smile on his face... he was pretty sure that this year was going to be incredible.

"Troy! Hey! MAN!" he heard a familiar voice, its owner confirmed as soon as he saw the mop of hair that so indescribably came connected to one Chad Danforth. He smirked as Chad walked over, looking especially happy (and the entire thing was a little shocking, he mused, as Chad happy and first days of school had never really gone hand in hand). They clasped hands, gave each other the usual manly welcome and started to walk off towards the large building that had housed their academic lives for the past four years.

Chad nodded towards his truck as they walked off. "Nice, Mom finally agreed to the 'big-hunk-of-deadly-metal'-- if I remember, that's what she called it last, right?"

"Yeah, but only after a couple months of 'serious consideration'-- whatever that means."

They walked into the hall, rows of lockers on either side of them. The notice board already looked full of club announcements, and he could've sworn that the Chess club seemed especially keen on attracting members-- boasting the largest advertisement on the pin-board. Shaking his head he couldn't help but smirk, knowing full well that even the largest advertisement wouldn't get anyone near the club. With Larry Knight at the head of it (and taking into account the irony of his last name, as well as the odd smell he gave off whenever you were within a five foot radius of him)-- no one would give the thing a second glance.

"So where were you assigned?" Chad asked, referring to his locker. After some intense digging around, Troy pulled out his schedule-- not having given it a look over before now.

His eyes scanned the paper. "Er... oh! Here it is," he paused, his face falling as it turned a couple shades paler.

Chad furrowed his eyebrows in concern. "Dude, what's wrong? You looked like you just swallowed a dirty sock?"

Wordlessly, he held out the paper for Chad-- and his friend took it, though warily, before giving it a thorough read over. He burst out laughing, before catching the look in Bolton's eyes and quickly shutting up. "Er-- it'll be all right. Uh... during the summer, the lower level is always the coolest?"

He snatched the slip back, shoving it into his pocket. "I can't believe it. I'll see you around, I have to get my books in before homeroom and now that my locker is officially the farthest away from everyone on the planet-- I'll need the extra time." Grumbling, he walked off, bidding his goodbye and catch-you-laters before continuing his trek downwards.

Z-42.

Locker. From. Hell. The Z section was infamous-- most people didn't even think it existed. Most people would still be thinking that if it wasn't for the stories. You know, of kids coming in continually late to class because their locker was located about two floors below civilization. He groaned aloud, putting his hands over his face sure that if he just kept it cool long enough something would fall out of the sky and solve all of his problems.

"Troy? You all right?" A soft, girlish voice asked from in front of him. He stopped in place, peeking out through behind his fingers before letting a smile slip onto his face. Immediately he reached out and grabbed the figure into a big hug, giving her a little twirl before setting her back down again (no closer to letting her go, however).

"TROY!" she squeaked, breaking out into a fit of giggles as she was twirled around. "Stop that! People-- they're er, starting to look at us like we're crazy."

He grinned and merely answered by running his fingers lightly down the side of her face-- affectionate, as usual. "Gabriella Montez, you astound me. I thought you had gotten over this people-looking-at-you thing," he teased her. She'd been gone on a trip to California to visit relatives all summer, and this was the first time he'd seen her. You can't blame a guy for being a little excited.

She merely grinned, and playfully stuck her tongue out at him. Sighing softly, she wrapped her arms around him and settled onto his shoulder. "I missed you," she breathed softly, feeling content as any in the arms of the boy she most cared for. Loved, even-- not that she'd worked up the nerve to tell him that yet. Sure, easier said than done for a girl that used to be terrified to have so much as more than two people stare at her at a time.

"I missed you too," he replied softly. Although he could have stayed in the position for much longer, the bell rang-- sounding the beginning of the term and immediately-- he remembered:

Z-42.

"SHOOT!" he suddenly cried, pulling away from Gabriella as students milled about them. "I've got to go! My locker-- away-- late-- class!" A quick peck on her cheek later and he went off running in the opposite direction. Gabriella gave a short laugh and shook her head, despite everything-- sometimes she still didn't understand Troy Bolton.