Chapter one - Albuquerque

You pull my strings and push my soul.

You fool my heart with every note.

You drop the beat and kiss my face.

You make me move, then cut the base.

"We are moving to Albuquerque."

That's what my mom told me, last night. I can't believe we're moving..again. not so long ago she even told me, we wouldn't be moving for quite a while. But here I am, packing my stuff for another transfer.

"Gabi!"

Just now that was Cassie. Someone I befriended two weeks ago, to be exact. She came walking in with a frown on her face.

"Hey Cass." I said plopping on my bed as she sat beside me. "I can't believe you're moving already, you've been here like what? ..A month?"

"3 months." I corrected, letting out a sigh. "I should've seen it coming, I guess."

"But Albuquerque is so far away! ..Wait! Maybe you can come and live with me!" she suggested, happily.

A small giggle escaped my lips. "I wished. My mom will be stuck on me like glue even if I'm in my forties. Trust me."

"when are you leaving?"

"Next Wednesday, my mom want to settle in as soon as possible."

She pouted. "That gives us four days." I nodded. "we have to make the best of it but first, let's get your stuff packed. Hope we get it done in one day."

"yeah, I don't really have that much stuff on me, luckily."

Friday

"Witch 104 – 91 points, the victory goes to The Wildcats!" The referee stated.

The gym was filled with loud cheers from East high. People were rushing from the bleachers to congratulate the basketball players from their school. Coach Bolton, the coach of the Wildcats walked up to his team players with the champion cup and handed over to the team captain.

"congratulation team, yet again, you gave East high a victory." he said, proudly. The captain raised his hand, showing their champion cup in proud, immediately two of his teammates grabbed him by his leg, carrying him on his shoulder. "What team?!" the co-captain shouted. "Wildcats!" the crowd responded in cheers. "WHAT TEAM?!" he repeated, louder. "WILDCATS!" The crowd screamed.

….

"We sure kicked their ass!" Zeke told his teammates, happily. "and we do that, every damm year." Jason added, making the whole team laugh.

"can't wait for the after party." Chad smiled, mischievously. "let me guess, you're hooking up with a cheerleader tonight?" Mike guessed, rolling his eyes.

"No.. A SENIOR GIRL!" Chad shouted.

"Nice!" Jason patted Chad's shoulder.

"And how'd you fixed that?" Zeke asked. "Zeke, my friend, just look at me." Chad said, taking a pose. Zeke shook his head, laughing at his overly confident friend.

"And you, captain?" Jason asked, curious. "Captain is the pretty boy, he definitely got himself a college girl, so far we know." Mike claimed, nudging Troy.

Troy chuckled. "even if I did, I wouldn't tell you guys a damn thing."

"You bastard, you actually did score some."

"I didn't say that, you did." Troy countered Mike. Chad scoffed, shoving troy playfully.

….

Gabriella was sitting in the living room on the couch, reading a book. On a Friday night. Maria shook her head at her daughter. "You know, normally parents try to get their children to stay at home once a while on a Friday night. Not to get them out of the house." Maria giggled.

"Geez mom, I don't know. Maybe it's because partly I don't know anyone here. I guess it has to do with us just moving here two days ago." Gabriella replied sarcastically.

Maria rolled her eyes. "If you haven't been home all day, you might have met someone on the street for example. Anyways, you're going out. so clean up in something nicely."

"and where am I going?" Gabriella asked, confused. "Well, if you didn't know. This is where I grew up. I still have a good friend living here. Lucille. she told me, her son is giving an after party for winning their basketball championship today. He's the captain, Mija. Isn't that great if you could befriend him."

"Hmm, I'm not really in the mood going to a party, where I don't know anyone."

"Gabriella Christina Elisa Montez levantarse en estos momentos. vestir en algo agradable. Te voy a llevar allí." Her mom said sternly. Gabriella sighed, she hated when her mom used her full name. that happened often.

After 15 minutes of preparing, she came downstairs in a skinny black jeans along with a white manila blouse tucked in her jeans. She decided to go plain black pumps and no accessories. She let her hair down, showing her natural dark brown curls with natural make-up applied. She finished her outfit with a black purse. she didn't put quite effort to look good, she was going against her will. But still, she looked stunning.

"Mom, I'm ready." She said, letting out a yawn. "good." Maria walked out of the living room to see her daughter in just plain jeans. "why not go in a dress? I think most girls there are in dresses."

Gabriella groaned. "mom.. I'm going because you want me to. So let me dress how I want to." Maria sighed, letting it go. "come on."

After a drive of 10 minutes, they arrived at a three story house. Gabriella gaped at how big the house was. Music was heard coming from within the house and teenagers were scattered around the house.

Gabriella sighed. 'here goes nothing' she thought. She got out of the car and observed the area. "call me when to pick you up." Maria told her daughter smiling, driving off.

"Normally parents wouldn't let their children go to a party alone, handing them over to a crowd of strangers." Gabriella mumbled as she made her way into the house.

There are people everywhere. Dancing, talking, flirting and practically fucking each other in public. Too much PDA, you think? Red cups in their hands, obviously it's beer or any kind of alcohol as she picks up the smell of alcohol from some people. Her eyes wondered to the stairs where a girl is taking upstairs by a guy. wasn't hard to guess what they're up to, Gabriella thought sarcastically.

I love the way you grind with that booty on me.

Shorty, you're dime why you looking lonely.

We'll buy another round and it's all on me.

As long as I'm around put it down me.

Down on me by Jeremih and 50 cent. Well, the music doesn't suck. She decided to tour herself around the house. she hasn't met one decent human in this party. They were either too busy with sexual interaction, too drunk, too passed out, throwing up with all their might, hitting on her with no success or trying to be the slut of the year. well that sums it up, a little.

Slap!

My eyes wandered directly to the scene that has just displayed. A girl just slapped a guy across the face. Whoa. Finally something to enjoy. "cheat on me once, shame on you." I heard her say as I walked closer.

"you fucking bitch. That fucking hurts." he yelled. "It should, you bastard!" she shoved him and was about to walk but he grabbed her by the wrist.

"let go of her." I called out. "that's not how you treat a lady."

He glared at me. "fuck you." he let go of the girl and shoved her into me. "and you too." He said, glaring at the girl before walking off.

"are you okay?" I asked the girl. She was a some inches taller than me and had a fair skin. She had long straight sleek hair going with her green eyes. she had her make-up applied which fit her skin tone perfectly. She was wearing a soft pink dress that hugged her curves beautifully and showing her long legs and her white heels.

"I could've handled him." she said. "but thanks." She smiled.

I shrugged. "no problem."

"are you new?" she asked, suddenly. "is it that obvious?"

She laughed. "no, it's just that I never saw you at any Bolton's former parties." She explained. "oh, yeah, well I just moved here like two days ago."

"you know the Bolton's?" Sharpay asked.

"no, not exactly."

"in that case, their son is hot." she giggled. "well, he's not really my type."

I let out a small giggle. "that's what I've constantly been hearing from girls since I'm here. anyways, apparently my mom knows the mother of this Bolton kid who's throwing this party, I'm guessing. So my mom practically forced me to go."

"Troy Bolton is his name." a husky voice said, from behind. Geez, that got me startled. I turned to see one hell of a gorgeous guy. he was tall, he had a light tanned skin, shaggy brown hair falling for his eyes but you could still see those piercing blue eyes which are mesmerizing, I may add. He was definitely toned, through his shirt you could see how muscular he was and his cologne smelled so good. He was wearing a saints polo with denim jeans and sneakers. Plain and simple.

Sharpay smirked, knowing I was checking him out. "well, excuse me. I'm gonna grab something to drink." Leaving them on their own.

"so you know Troy Bolton's mom." He spoke, stirring up a conversation. "not really, my mom knows his mom. I don't know anyone. Why'd you want to know?"

"new in town?" he guessed, ignoring my question. I nodded. "what makes you come to Albuquerque?"

"my mom had a job transfer." She explained. "you move a lot?" she nodded. "which school are you attending?"

"then again, why'd you want to know?" I pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "just getting to know you, I could've left you, alone, by yourself, not knowing any-"

"Okay, I get it pretty boy. You can stop now." He chuckled. "I'm transferring to East high. do you go to East high?"

"yes I do. "

"I heard that East high just won their championship basketball." Troy send out a charming smile, what made any girl drool over him. "always. Go wildcats!"

"Since I'm at this party, all I've been hearing is, what's his name again?"

"Troy Bolton." Gabriella nodded. "right. 'Troy is so hot. he's a god, like literally. I would so do him. such a great basketball player. I can see our future. I'm so gonna be a Laker girl' stuff like that." she mimicked the girls, which conversation she overheard.

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, he's an awesome dude. So yeah."

"wouldn't be surprised if he got conceited and arrogant sitting on his high horse with the smothering attention he's getting."

"you haven't actually met him, so how can you judge?" he asked. "you're right. I can't but if you listened you would know that I didn't judge him."

He smiled. He found her interesting, he clearly did. "What's your name?"

"I highly doubt you're gonna tell yours, so I don't see the point in introducing myself."

"that was pretty cute." He admitted.

"Nice to have meet you pretty boy." With that she walked away, he couldn't resist not checking her out from behind. She had beautiful curves, long dark brown curls and she was plain gorgeous. He never really went for brunettes, but she was something different. Something he wanted. he would have it. he promised himself. Smirking to himself, he went to look for Chad, the chance of finding was small. But he had nothing better to do.

….

"Mom, it's me. Could you pick me up? yes, mom. I had very nice time. Ok. Bye." Gabriella sighed as she hanged up.

"hey, you're already leaving?" Gabriella turned around, seeing the blonde from before. "yes, I've kind of had it."

"well chica, my name's Sharpay Evans. What's yours?" she introduced. "Gabriella Montez."

"nice name. you're Spanish?" she guessed. "That too. You?"

"All American baby. So you're a Latina. That's hot." they laughed heartedly. "I like you. give me your number. We can do something in the weekend, if you're free."

"sure. But this weekend I will go to park on my own, so I can't hang out." Gabriella joked as they exchanged numbers. "never make a joke. And I mean ever." Sharpay chuckled as Gabriella rolled her eyes playfully.

TOO TOO

"That's my ride. See you Shar." Gabriella smiled. "bye, girl." She hugged Gabriella. "Hi Ms. Montez!" she greeted the woman in the car.

"Hey sweetheart." Maria smiled at the girl. "I'm Sharpay Evans." Sharpay introduced, sticking out her hand. Maria shook her hand. "Maria. I'm happy that Gabi, already made a friend."

Sharpay giggled. "have a good night, miss."

"bye!" the Montez greeted as they watched her walk back inside and rode off. "she's a nice, spontaneous girl." Maria complimented. "I like here."

"yeah. normally I hate it when people become so quickly attached to each other. But with her I don't really mind."

"parties are something good for." Maria stated. Gabriella rolled her eyes.