Ever felt like you were supposed to be part of something. Something big. Something that was planned for you ever since you found that thing that made you special. That thing that people would always recognize you as. Always refer you as "the person who…" Always seeing you as "someone that…" Always remember you as "…" Well, this story might make you think differently about those people. Maybe even yourself. But let's take it from the top shall we?

The hustle and bustle of a concert backstage was as crazy as ever. People with head sets were shouting for 'places' and other commands. One being,

"Going live in 15!"

"Where is she?"

"She's not in her dressing room!"

"Did you check the bus?"

"Not there!"

"Going live in 10!" the announcer shouted again, earning a groan from the crew already out of breathe.

"We don't have time!" hissed a woman, looking at a man beside her, him being dressed too formally for a teen's concert.

"Someone find her, now!" the man shouted to everyone listening. Unknown to them, the object of their search was making out with her latest beau, quite heavily in the back alley of the concert, just outside the door on the side of the building.

As the two teens were in the middle of their fun, the girl looked up at the boy and her mocha colored eyes staring him direct in the eye, emotionless.

"Ryan, I think we need to talk."

"What's up baby?" the boy asked, tucking a stray curl behind the girl's ear. The girl waved his hand away from her and put some space between them.

"I think we've let this thing run its course and…I think it's time to move on." The boy looked at her with mild disbelief before chuckling,

"You can't be serious." Unfortunately for him, she was.

"You're a great guy Ryan, but…it's just not working out for me." The boy backed away from her, eyes now fully wide.

"How can you say that? I'm…I'm Ryan!"

"Yes I know who you are and I meant what I said. We're over," she said in a monotone voice, shrugging her shoulders and walking away from him. Ryan stood there in utter shock as he gave one more pathetic shot to seem wanted.

"We could have been great for each other!" But the girl didn't look back and pushed the door open.

"Every girl would be dying to be you!" The girl giggled care freely, turning to him with a saucy look.

"I know." She smirked as Ryan stood dumbfounded as the rejection washed over him.

"Ya'll need to get ready to hear…the unbelievable, indescribable…Baby!"

Gabriella Montez walked into the concert hall, just in time to grab a microphone and step on stage to greet her adoring fans. Putting on that billion dollar smile the world demanded to see.

"Baby, how could you? Nearly miss your intro and for what? A teeny-bopper boy! You have gone way too far!" Gabriella slouched on the couch in dressing room, hardly listened to a word her manager was saying…or in this case shouting. He seemed to do that a lot. If he was singer-

"Are you even paying attention to me?" She didn't even blink as Jay's face came up to hers. Jay had been her manager since she was 9, getting her loads of parts in commercials, plays, movies, the works and then moving onto to stardom by becoming a singer. Gabriella knew she could sing and she wanted to be recognized for her talent. However, there was a slight downfall to that.

"What am I going to do with you? Maria talked to her!" Jay sighed, turning away to massage his temples. Gabriella rolled her eyes as her mother came to sit beside her.

"Gabriella, what's wrong? Is it something to do with Ryan?"

"Ha! As if mom! Don't sweat about him because from now on, he will no longer be a problem." Jay swerved around to stare questioning at her.

"Explain."

"I dumped him."

"When!"

"Before the concert and remember you said he was just a teen-bopper boy." At this Jay looked ready to strangle her, but Gabriella knew that he would be too busy on his cell phone, fixing the damage she made. He was already dialing the number to Ryan's publicists and he turned to face her.

"You dumped him! Baby how could you?"

"It was the last night of the freaking tour Jay, why bother stay with him?"

"What if we have to do another event with him? I'd like to be in his good books in case of future gathering. What have I told you about this Baby? Business before pleasure."

"It wasn't much of a pleasure being titled 'his girlfriend', I mean seriously! If anything he's 'my boy toy'."

"Gabriella!" her mom sounded affronted, but Gabriella shook her head.

"Don't sweat it Jay, we'll just find a new artist and just do a duet with them or him. And I promise to keep him until the 2nd tour is over," Gabriella giggled, at her own joke, missing the look of apprehension on Jay's face when he was done talking with the publicist.

"Well, Ryan hasn't seemed to spill yet, so there maybe a chance for me to patch things up for you."

"I won't go back to him Jay!" Gabriella hissed, standing up.

"You don't have a choice, Baby! He's the only popular thing left in the business. Without him, you're nothing!" Gabriella pouted as Jay spilled the truth to her. He had a point, if the world knew that she had dumped the world's biggest teen-throb, she could loose her title as America's sweetheart. Magazines would get a hold of the story and twist it into something ugly. Like Jay's fashion sense.

"Make something up….tell his manager, we had an argument and he broke up with me. Jay, do something!"

"I'm trying, but for right now we've got bigger problems."

"Like what?"

"Like the Teen's Choice Awards night coming up. The label is content with the flow of money raking in from your last album…."

"But?" Gabriella shrieked, not liking his hesitance.

"They want something new… something fresh."

"Are they serious? I worked my bum for that album."

"No Baby, the lyricist worked their bum for that album and the pay check that went with it, which is why the label has decided to ditch them."

"Then, who's going to write my songs, Jay, you?"

"No, you," Jay answered curtly with a hint of cold indifference. Gabriella blinked in confusion as she asked again,

"I'm sorry, but who?"

"You hear me, the label wants you to write your own song by the Teen Choice's Awards and then use that performance toward publicity for your new album."

"They can't be serious Jay! I've never written-" before she could finish, Jay wrapped a hand over her mouth.

"You know that, I know that, but the label doesn't. This is our chance t skyrocket into the big charts, Baby. After you've won a Teen Choice's Award, or maybe even two if we can swipe in a few good public displays."

"The Teen's Choice is bagged, what I'm concern about is how am I supposed to write my own song. Even I know most songs can't be thought of from thin air."

"I did some research and I think I know what you need. You see, Baby, most of the other singers and song writers base their work off of… personal experiences. I think with the right experiences you can work up something spectacular."

"And how am I supposed to have these experiences? Lying in my bed on the tour bus or write about the food I eat whenever we stop?"

"Of course not… Albuquerque, New Mexico!"

And that's where she stood now, in front of a high school in the middle of Albuquerque, New Mexico, reading the school's name in big red front above the double set of pair glass doors 'EAST HIGH SCHOOL'.

"Your idea of inspiration is sending me to a teen prison!" she nearly screamed into her phone as she walked over the small hill and into the parking lot.

"East High is a well respected institute of education. You'll love it here. Not to mention, it's the city choice of the Teen's Choice Awards so we have all the time to prepare and rehearse," Jay replied, choosing to ignore the anger in her voice. Gabriella looked over the front lawn where some students were lounging around, tossing a ball to and thro, or just plain watching her as she walked by. She had to admit, the sight of some of them was pretty frightening, but she'd never admit it out loud.

"You do remember I've been home schooled all of my life. How am I supposed to deal with all the high school cliques and stupid stereotypes?"

"Like any good artist, you'll improvise. Well have a fun time, the principle will be waiting for you," Jay dismissed her, hanging up on her before she could get another word in. She put her phone away and decided to give herself one more look-over. Jay had suggested toning down her wardrobe, as not to grab too much attention but she didn't need to look like Little Miss Einsteinette either. Most upsetting was Jay's suggestion of a new hairstyle. Gone were her long two-toned waves and instead sat a wig of big black curls framing her face. Cute but no style and style was what Gabriella Montez did best. She sighed, 'a good cover-up' her mom phrased it but she could care less. Why not let others know who she was, maybe she'd fall into a group easier that way…. whatever, who needed friends.

Just as she made it to the door, she heard the screeching of tire wheels and turned to see a white car flash across the blacktop, making a sharp turn into a parking space. Out stepped a young man whose eyes were covered by a pair of shades and his clothes screamed 'danger' just as loud as his car. Ignoring the faces of his audience, he walked up to the front doors and she watched as the crowds split apart as he entered the hallways. She tried to summon the same amount of courage as she stepped into the school but failed as students pushed and shoved past her. Just as she thought she'd end her high school career, falling flat on her face, a friendly hand caught her.

"You're Miss Montez, right?" She looked up to see a middle aged man smiling at her.

"I'm the principle at East High and I want to say welcome. I hope you find everything enjoyable and accommodate to everything smoothly. I was hoping to show you around the school, but unfortunately I have to see to some staff issues."

"Thanks, but I really don't want to bother you. I'm sure I can find my classes," She explained politely, not enjoying the idea of being dragged around by the principle.

"Understandable, but if you have any questions feel free to reach me at my office-"

"Kay, thanks." With a quick smile, she rushed down the hall not stopping until she reached the top of the staircase. Checking to make sure no one was in sight, she pulled out her map of the school and groaned, not being able to read the tiny font.

"Just great, now how am I supposed to get to class?" She instantly forgot her dilemma at the sound of a grand piano being played. Making her way towards the beautiful music, she realized she was in a deserted part of the school and came to a halt in front of a door way. Slowly, she followed her ears as the music became louder, bouncing off the walls and gasped when she found herself in a huge auditorium with a stage at the very end holding large set designs. The floor was carpeted, kept in excellent condition and the seats were cushioned comfortably. However, she realized the music was coming from on stage and walked closer to the piano, careful not to interrupt the alluring voice coming from behind.

"It's hard to believe…that I couldn't see…you-" the voice stopped and she wondered if they were going to continue.

"You…" the voice struggled as if trying to find the right words, so she put in her two cents,

"You…were always there beside me." The piano bench scraped back so quickly, the sound scared her beyond imaginable. Her jaw dropped as she stared upon the boy from this morning, but his facial features were not as calm as before. He looked absolutely furious to see her standing in front of him.

"How did you get in here?"

"Through the front, obviously," She replied smartly to his rude questioning. He seemed taken back by her tone and smiled,

"Well, sorry, but the show's over." He stood up and collected his papers.

"Don't stop on my account."

"I'm not. I just happen to be expecting my usual interruption but you coming here, has given me more time for my get away."

"Are you really so great, you expect someone to listen to you?"

"As a matter a fact, yes, many people have considered it an honor to listen to me."

"Really, because from where I'm standing all your talking has given me a headache."

"Ever thought of going deaf or just plain going away?"

"Believe me, I will if I have to listen to you jabbering."

"Then, allow me to save you from listening to my jabbering."

"What were you playing a moment ago, anyway?"

"Nothing."

"It didn't sound like 'nothing' to me."

"And what did it sound like?"

"Honestly, something worth listening to. I heard you play the melody from the hallway. It was really nice."

"Whatever." He replied, stiffly as if her compliment meant nothing.

"Hey! I just said something nice, the least you can do is say thank you."

"Why should I?"

"Because you know, in that arrogant hothead of yours it's the polite thing to do."

"Any one ever told you politeness is over rated?"

"So is your obnoxious attitude." He stared at her dumbstruck and suddenly, his face lit with a charming grin. He walked over to her and looked at her skeptically,

"You're not from around here are you?"

"What?"

"I saw you this morning, you looked like a newbie to me but I didn't much care." She could feel the heat in her cheeks as she thought about him noticing her, but the fact he didn't care sent a pang of annoyance through her. She shook it off when he broke eye contact with her and looked at the front of the auditorium.

"Looks like she's here," he whispered, grabbing her wrist and dragging her backstage. They ran quickly, leaving the stage through a back door and through some dimly lit passageway.

"Who?"

"My usual interruption."

"You mean, you were serious?"

"What made you think I wasn't?" Before she could answer, he pushed open a door and she saw they were stepping into an empty hallway.

"How'd we get here?"

"I know my way around." She rolled her eyes, but lowered them seeing as his hand had somehow worked its way into hers. When he followed her gaze, he chuckled,

"I don't bite. Now you on the other hand…" She scoffed, throwing his hand off hers. She started walking away, not exactly sure where she was going but felt the need of a dramatic exit.

"Just so you know, classes are this way," he called to her, the hint of laughter laced in his voice. She turned to face him and shrugged.

"I just want to explore. I'm a newbie, so I can afford to be late." His eyes widened a bit as he looked at her.

"I never figured you for a rule breaker."

"How would you know?" He shrugged and his grin turned into a smirk,

"You'll just have to find out. Meet me at the front doors, after school?" Before she could reply, he strode off with the same confidence as this morning. She smirked at his confidence that she'd be there, but if she was honest with herself she'd probably plan to meet him last minute.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriella was abruptly brought out of her thoughts and turned to meet the frosted eyes of another female student. Her blonde hair shown almost metallically as her glossy lips puckered and a delicate eyebrow rose in suspicion.

"Nothing," Gabriella answered with just as much attitude, the look of surprise on the other girl's face was priceless. Hoping to score a comeback, she gave Gabriella the look over and smirked,

"Nice shoes."

"Nice face," she answered, her voice laced with sarcasm. Affronted, the girl left stomping her pink pumps down the hall. Leaving Gabriella to sigh tiredly and groaning as the bell for her first class rung throughout the halls.