Chapter 1: Without Fear
The beginning of every year at East High always brings new experiences and adventures. However it isn't always something that the students like to talk about. This year at East High, the biggest story is the murder of one of the oldest teachers they had, Marcus Bench. He had been the Journalism teacher at East High for thirty five years, most of the students loved him. Unfortunately the Albuquerque police found his body at his house mangled in a way that made it impossible to figure out what was used to kill the man. At East High it was the thing that was being talked about around every corner.
"I can't believe what happened to Mr. Bench," said Gabriella to Taylor as the two girls walked into the school.
"I know," Taylor agreed. "Everyone got along with him, I can't imagine him having any enemies."
"Everyone has enemies Mckessie," said Sharpay from behind the girls. "Even ones they don't know about themselves. If you want my opinion I think it was a disgruntled student out to get revenge for Mr. Bench failing them."
"Didn't Mr. Bench fail you in his English class two years ago?" Chad asked, walking up to the group of girls with Troy.
"If it was Sharpay half of the teachers in this school wouldn't be here," said Taylor. The three of them laughed.
"Very funny," said Sharpay. "I'm just saying if it was a student in this school, I would hate to make that student mad if they are willing to go to such drastic measures for something so small."
The four watched Sharpay walk away before continuing their conversation.
"She has a gift for freaking people out," said Troy. "In one way or another."
"True," said Gabriella, laughing. "And we have the rest of this school year to look forward to with her."
"Well, I suppose it good that we know her well enough to ignore her then," said Taylor. "Let's go, we don't want to be late for class."
"Speak for yourself," said Chad. The others laughed.
"Let's just go," said Troy. "We shouldn't be late for class on the first day of school. It makes us look like slackers."
"Chad is a slacker," Gabriella stated.
"And Taylor is an overachiever," said Chad. "We equal each other out."
"Whatever," said Gabriella. "But the principal created some new system to try to help the upperclassmen get along with the underclassmen. He's putting us all in a homeroom together."
Chad and Troy moaned.
"It's not going to be that bad,"
"You haven't met some of the underclassmen," said Troy. "Some of them are crazy."
"Crazy?" Taylor asked.
"One of the sophomores came to my house last week because he wanted to meet the 'Great Troy Bolton' before school started."
"Aw, you have a fan," said Gabriella.
"More like a stalker," said Troy. "He keeps showing up wherever I am."
"So now you're afraid of the underclassmen?" Taylor asked.
"I'm not afraid, just a little freaked out."
"Come on, man," said Chad grabbing Troy's shoulder. "We have nothing to fear from these underclassmen. We rule the school this year."
"You're probably right," said Troy. "Let's get going."