Chapter 1
Gabriella sat at her laptop, completely bored. 'Guys, turn the music down.'
Ryan turned the volume of the CD down. 'What's wrong? We were only messing about. It's not like we have homework. It's summer vacation!'
Zeke grinned. 'Yeah, Gabs, come on. I need to shoot hoops!' He whined.
Gabriella rolled her eyes and started to search for Lakers websites. 'Found one!'
'Found what?' Zeke looked over her shoulder.
'A Lakers fan website. With a chat room!' Gabriella squealed.
Ryan frowned. 'Why do you want a chat room?'
Gabriella shrugged. 'I dunno. Neither of you like the Lakers and I'm not talking to Troy Bolton, am I?'
Zeke chuckled. 'Good point.'
Gabriella signed up with the username: Lakergirl734
'Lakergirl734?' Ryan questioned.
'Yup.' Gabriella joined a conversation but leaned back in the chair, not typing anything.
'Why aren't you talking?' Zeke asked.
'I like looking at their conversations.' Gabriella grinned. Her laptop beeped and she saw someone had opened a private conversation. 'Who would want to talk to me?'
'They don't know who you are.' Zeke laughed but he turned back to Gabriella. 'I mean-'
'Whatever.' Gabriella muttered and looked at the user name: EHSdude906'What does EHS stand for?' Gabriella wondered out loud.
Zeke looked at her and Ryan's faces. 'It stands for East High School. He's from our school!' Zeke yelled. 'And it says Albuquerque.'
'Oh. Right.' Gabriella blushed.
'You know, you guys are really dumb sometimes.' Zeke chuckled and flopped onto Gabriella's bed.
Gabriella opened up the conversation.
EHSdude906: Hi, I think you're the only girl in here who actually like the Lakers.
Lakergirl734: Thanks. What does your name stand for?
EHSdude906: East High School in Albuquerque. Where are you from?
'I told you.' Zeke muttered.
'Shut up.' Gabriella turned back to the conversation.
Lakergirl734: I go to East High too. But, can we not tell each other our names?
EHSdude906: If that's what you want...
Lakergirl734: Can you hold on a sec? My best friend is throwing a basketball at my head.
EHSdude906: Okay, I guess...
'Zeke!' Gabriella screamed.
Zeke pointed to Ryan. 'It wasn't me.'
Gabriella glared at Ryan. 'Why did you hit me?'
'Why don't you wanna know who he is?' Ryan asked.
'Come on, Ry, look at me. I get clothes from charity shops, I work at Bolton's sports shop and I'm the biggest geek in Albuquerque!' Gabriella waved her hands dramatically.
Ryan put his hands up in defence and slouched back down into the couch. 'Sorry.'
Gabriella shook her head and turned back to her laptop.
Lakergirl734: Okay, I'm back.
EHSdude906: Cool. So, I don't mean to sound pushy but...do you have MSN?
Lakergirl734: Who wants to know?
EHSdude906: A guy who wants to talk to maybe the only girl Laker fan in the world.
Lakergirl734: Hmm...I'll have to think about it.
EHSdude906: How fast can you think?
Lakergirl734: Fine. Here's my e-mail: I can add you, right?
Lakergirl734: Of course. But, I better go before my friends get too restless. I'll talk to you soon.
EHSdude906: Wait, do you have a mobile?
Lakergirl734: 555-6734 I've really got to go now. Bye.
Lakergirl734 has just signed off.
'Can we go now?' Ryan whined. 'I need a new hat.'
Zeke and Gabriella looked at each other. 'No you don't.'
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Gabriella climbed into Zeke's car. 'Hey guys. How was your vacation?'
'Fine. How's lover-boy?' Ryan asked.
'Guys, why do you always ask me about that?' Gabriella sighed.
'Because when are you going to meet him?' Zeke asked.
'I'm not going to.' Gabriella's phone started beeping.
'What does he have to say now?' Ryan asked.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. 'I'm not going to tell you guys, am I?'
Hey, good morning. How's you day so far?
Gabriella smiled and replied.
I'll tell you once I get to school. I hope Ms. Darbus is in a good mood.
Me too. My Dad will kill me if I get another detention. When can we finally meet?
Soon.
Gabriella shut her phone and entered East High, heading for her locker. 'Guys, stop yelling at each other!'
'He said I can't dance!' Ryan whined.
'He said I can't bake!' Zeke spat.
'What's this about. You are the best dancer I know, and your cookies are incredible!' Gabriella opened her locker.
'Zeke's jealous of Troy Bolton.' Ryan scoffed.
'Why?' Gabriella asked carefully.
'Sharpay...' Zeke said dreamily.
'She's Troy's girlfriend.' Ryan filled her in.
'Oh, joy.' Gabriella muttered sarcastically.