I've always been independent. Ever since I was fourteen years old. Ever since my mum.. well my mum and dad aren't in the picture. I've always been able to tell the difference between right and wrong and I've always been able to take care of myself. Yeah, people tell my I have a strange sense of humour and that I'm clumsier than Bella in Twilight... but thats besides the point. I take care of myself and I don't need anybody. It's as simple as that. Even now at eighteen and beginning my adventure of being a senior at high school, the same rule always applied. I know who I am and that will never change. Until now.
I just moved from Denver, Colorado two weeks ago. Moved out of my Aunt's place. Or Anna Lee as she persistently tells me to call her – she says it makes her feel young but trust me.. those wrinkles aren't going anywhere. Anyway.. I am now in sunny L.A, alone, by myself.. in a two bedroom apartment.. sitting on the bench in the kitchen slowly regretting my decision. SHIT! I'm going to be late for school!
Oh, and just in case you wanted to know... my name is Gabriella Montez and this is my life.
"Breathe, Gabi, breathe.." Okay. So I was officially insane. I was sitting in my car, in front of the school with my ridiculously sweaty hands on the steering wheel... talking to myself. I took one look at my self. "Brown boots says I look slightly country but not enough to suggest I'm a hill billy. Black shorts says I'm ready for summer. Jean shirt says I tie the outfit together. Oh my God, why am I stressing out about this! I can do this. I'll be fine. That's it, Gabi, you are walking out of this car and you will enter those school doors!" As I took one last look at myself, I noticed something standing beside the car. As I tilted my head to the left a boy that looked to be in a science club was staring at me as if I was an alien. And then in the blink of an eye, he stumbled, and ran off into the building. "Great! Even a science kid thinks I'm weird!" And with that, I got out of my car and started walking into Los Angeles High School. As I was walking up the steps I couldn't help but get paranoid with everyone looking at me. I could here people whispering with every step I took up those stairs.
"What is she wearing?"
"She looks new.. she won't last"
"HAHA! Oh my god! She looks scared to death.. it's only high school."
Then one small whisper caught my attention.
"You! Psst! Come here! I know you can here me! Look this way!" The voice came from a person sitting at the top of the stairs. The girl had shoulder length, blonde hair hanging on her head. She was wearing denim skinny jeans with black converses and a simple white singlet with a few black bangles on her left arm. And as I studied her she stood up and walked down the steps to meet my level. I stood there and smiled. Smiled? Really Gabi? You look like a freak.
"Well I could pick you out from a mile away..." Was it really that obvious that I was petrified for the first day of senior year?
"Don't I feel lucky then.." I gave her a small smile. She seemed witty, different.
"Ahh. Well with that sort of humour I can tell you, you will be just fine at this school. I'm liking you already." She laughed. "Come on, I'll show you 'round!" I didn't even have time to respond. With that, she took my hand and walked fast up the stairs and through the school doors. My breath hitched in my throat. I got pushed around by the amount of people in the entrance.
"Just hold my hand 'kay?" She looked back at me. I didn't even know her but right now I trusted her more than I trusted myself at this point. I just kept looking down and making sure my feet when one in front of the other.
"Oh... ummm okay. Shh-sure." And then we came to an abrupt stop. The halls seemed less quite here, but, there were still plenty of people. Did I mention I'm not the biggest people person? The girl that held my hand was opening up a locker emptying books into her bag.
"So, where you from? Somewhere exciting? New York? Wait.. that's hardly likely.. judging by the way you act around people.. hmm. You look more like a South girl.. less people. So where you from?" This girl could talk. But she had a bite to her. And I found it sort of comforting.
"Actually I'm from Denver.. Denver, Colorado. There are.. are actually people there.." I started playing with my hair. Yeah, I'm definitely not a people person. The blond headed girl gave me a strange look and scratched the back of her head.
"Um. Right. So do you have a name Denver, Colorado?"
"Uh.. Montez. Gabriella Montez. Gabi." The girl just laughed. Was my name that funny?
"You don't seem so sure of that.. yeah.. I think I might just call you Denver. Yeah, Denver. I like it" She just smiled at me.
"What about you? What's your name?" I was sick of calling her girl.
"Unfortunately my parents had a bad day when they were naming me and decided on Sharpay Evans..." Wow. Sharpay. Isn't that a dogs name? She grabbed the edge of her locker, slammed it shut and leant against it in one swift movement. I flinched from the sound it made.
"Yeah.. I know that look. It's a dogs name right? Trust me, I know. That's why I decided on keeping my name absolutely laugh zone free. I just use my grandma's name. Call me Willow."
"Doesn't Willow have the same effect as Sharpay? Dog.. Tree." I looked down. Boy, did the ground look good right now. Another, rush of people came through and I got slammed into the lockers. That would leave a bruise.
" My grandma is dead and I don't care what people think. But thanks.. I already knew that." She looked like she had her guard up. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me.
"Where are the toilets?" She studied me and turner her head in the direction of the bathroom.
"Over there." I nodded my head to her and walked bristly to the bathroom door. I pushed it open but realised there was a strength coming from the other side of the door pushing in the opposite direction. My instant reaction was to let go and as I did I realised it was a dumb mistake. The door hit me hard and square in the face and I pummelled to the ground and saw black...
As soon as I opened my eyes – opened half my eyes - my hand went straight to my head.
" I think I have an elephant on my head..." I groaned. I tried to get up but two hands held me down.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Maybe you should just stay down for a bit longer.. take it easy" The voice sounded deep. And did I mention sexy? Extremely sexy. My vision was still a bit hazy but I could just make out Willow pushing people out of the way to get to he front row.
"Oh my god! Denver! Are you alright? I mean of course your not! You have a lump the size of a mountain on your forehead! Umm.. Uh.. Let's take you to the Nurses Office.." She crouched down and grabbed my two hands.
"Nothing to see here people! Move it!" She gave my hands a squeeze of reassurance. She stood me up and grabbed the top of my arms. I lost balance and started falling backwards but someone caught me around the waist. I looked at who it was and spotted the hottest boy I had ever seen. He had tanned skin, light brown short hair and the most amazing blue eyes I have ever seen.
"You're beautiful.." He chuckled and gave me a small smile putting me up straight but still holding onto my waist.
"I think you hit your head a little too hard." He laughed again. DING! DING! DING! The bell rang and people were moving. Willow let go of my hands and threaded her own through her own.
"Denver.. I'm really sorry but I have got to get to my Ancient History class... umm uhh.. Troy can you take her to the Nurses office.. please" Willow begged. Troy hesitated. Did I mention Troy is a really hot name? Well now I have.
"Umm yeah sure.. Hey, Chad, tell Coach I will be a little late to practice first period, yeah?" He looked behind him to talk to a guy with puffy afro hair. This school has everything might I add.
"Thank you Thank You Thank You! I owe you one Troy! I'll see you later, Denver. Get better, alright?" And with that she walked away into the crowd. I started moving.. this beautiful boy beside me didn't take his hands of my waist once as we walked. I tilted my head to look at him and I didn't take my eyes off of him.
"Way to start on your first day, huh?" He looked down at me and smiled.
"Yeah.. Ow. My head really hurts.. ow." I put my hand on my head and gasped. The bump felt huge. Great! This amazing boy next to me was looking at me and I looked like shit. Great.
"I can imagine.. you went at the door with a lot of force." He laughed again. And then we stopped. He let go of me. What was his name again? Trey? I am really out of it. All of a sudden I was lying on a small single bed in a white room. How did I get here.
"Thanks.. umm?" I put my hands to my head again "Ow.. my head really hurts! What's your name again? Ow."
"It's Troy. Troy Bolton. And your name is Denver, right?" He questioned. He put his hands in his pocket. Is everything that he do look sexy?
"That's just what Willow calls me.. It's Gabriella Montez.. Gabriella... Ella.. You can call me Gabi.. sometimes its Gabriella.. no. Gabi. It's definitely Gabi. Call me Gabi." My head was throbbing. Again, he laughed that beautiful laugh of his.
"Gabi it is, then. Well I better be going, I have to get to basketball practice.." He looked at me and smiled. My heart started skipping beats.
"Well I owe you one.. ow! Thank you so much Troy.. oww..ow." I closed my eyes.
"I'll keep you on that promise then.. Bye Gabriella Montez. Ella. Gabi." He said. Damn, that voice was sexy. Ow. And as I opened my eyes again he was gone. So I closed my eyes again and slept this unbearing pain off.