Disclaimer: My idea for a new story. All my idea! Stealing please! Thanks!

Author Note: So, here is my new story I've been working on for a while now. Its a little different writing but its coming really good and I have a very clear idea about where its going and I hope y'all like it! A special thanks goes to berry, who is always there for me when I need to complain about my stories. Another thanks to Lynn, who is a lovely writer and a great beta reader! I hope y'all like this! Review would be great!

Chapter 1: Friends

"Hey! You stole my doll!" The seven-year-old blonde girl yelled at me.

I cowered back, her voice was loud and screeching and she was decked out in all pink, who else wouldn't have been scared? "No, I didn't." I mumbled.

"I think you did! You better give it back or my daddy will get you!" She screeched again.

"What is going on here?" The teacher asked as she made her way over to middle of the carpeted second grade room. She looked disapproving at me though.

"She stole my doll!" The blonde girl said, sticking out her bottom lip in a very convincing pout.

I shook my head, "No I didn't!" I was annoyed with her. All I wanted to do was play in the toy room with the building blocks. Her doll was lying on the floor besides me. I went to take it over to her, trying to be nice, and now she was accusing me of stealing. I don't steal. Ask my mom! She'll tell you I'm the best kid ever. At least that's what she's told me all my life.

I saw the teacher roll her eyes at the both of us. It was the first day of second grade and I think that she was getting a little tired of us. The blonde girl and I had never gotten along but something was different this year. I could feel it.

She narrowed her eyes at both of us, "Both of you apologize. Sharpay, if Gabriella says that she didn't take it I believe her. Gabriella, don't take other peoples toys even if you didn't."

I frowned, "Fine."

Sharpay scowled. "Fine."

"Good. Now both of you sit in the opposite corners and think about what you did." She said and pointed her long finger at the corners.

We both made the way over to the corners, my head hung in shame. Sharpay, the blonde girl, strutted over to her corner. She was definitely a lot different than most seven year olds.

"Gabriella?" She whispered after a few minutes of silence.

"Yeah?" I asked, clearly surprised she was even talking to me.

"I'm sorry," she answered, smiling brightly.

My eyes widened slightly, she didn't seem like the kind of girl who would apologize. "It's fine."

"Ok. By the way, Gabriella is a stupid name. I'm going to call you Ella. Its a lot prettier," she said honestly.

I felt myself smile, sure she was mean but I guess you have to have her on your side and it could work for you, "OK, I guess that's fine Shar." I threw in my own nickname. We were friends now. Everything is so simple when you're little.

"Shar?" She asked. She paused, "I like it!"

I giggled quietly. "Good."

"Friends?" She asked carefully. I watched our teacher look over at us.

I paused but then quickly answered as our teacher turned her attention to the boys fighting in the corner, "Friends."

It was as easy as that. Sharpay Evans and I were best friends right away. Sure, we might've gotten off on the wrong foot, ok the whole left side of my body was numb after I had talked to her that first day in school, but after that we had become friends the rest was history.

Sharpay was the over dramatic one and I was the shy, quiet, smart one. But somehow that worked for us. She was pushy and always getting me into trouble. It made me come out of my shell. Her dramatics in high school paid off though. She was the lead in every play along with her twin, and less dramatic, brother. I was there for each of her performances cheering them both on. She was the one who forced me to try out junior year. I ended up getting the lead, which she wasn't happy about, but I found my true passion. Singing was what made me happy. Performing in front of a crowd, feeling that adrenaline rush was what I was missing from mathematics and science. As high school came to an end, I was off to Stanford to study theater; an emphasis on music, Sharpay was off to UCLA also to study theater. We managed to talk her dad into letting us rent an apartment during the summer before freshmen year. We went our separate ways that summer before fall semester started. Tears were shed and promises were made. Each summer we made our way back to the apartment never forgetting that we were best friends. I guess that's what made our relationship great. The fact that we never let anything or anyone get in our way made us stronger. We made the world bow down to our feet. The world revolved around us.

We graduated in the spring of 2008 ready and anxiously waiting our careers. I had been offered a paid internship at Columbia Records. That was my goal, to be discovered and work on a record or even write songs for others. Sharpay was busy acting in every commercial she got; every tiny part she got in short lived television series. Her goal was to make a movie or even make it on Broadway, like her brother did soon after he graduated. We still lived in our apartment. It was huge though. We each had our own bathroom. Our rooms were on the opposite ends of the apartment and we still didn't have to pay rent. As long as we were working for our dreams Sharpay's dad would pay for the apartment and everything else we needed. Clothes and extras we paid for by us but the essentials were taken care of. It was the sweet life, I have to admit but it made me appreciate people's help. You don't get everything handed to you but you can take help from those who want to.

Sure, we knew that we could get what we wanted, which we did, but I was very grateful. Knowing that there would be a roof over my head was a good feeling. But it didn't hurt that we were living out our dreams, while having the time of our lives. You don't want to grow up too fast. But don't let growing up get in the way of what you want.

"Ella!" I heard Sharpay's high-pitched squeal from under my comfy and warm covers. I couldn't help but snuggle deeper into them.

"What?" I mumbled. She couldn't hear me, but at least I acknowledged her, which was saying a lot since my head was pounding.

The door flew open and hit the wall with a bang. I cringed at the sound.

"Why are you still in bed Ella? It's almost 8:30!" She screeched again. I could hear the smile in her tone.

"Shit!" I hurled myself out of bed. Ugh, saying or thinking for that matter, hurling was not the best word to use. I flew into the bedroom and let my head fall into the toilet. Everything from last night's work party emptied into the bowl. I felt my dark wavy locks lift up off my back, and Sharpay's hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

I finally took a deep breath. "I'm done."

"Are you sure?" Sharpay asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the smell of my breath.

I just nodded this time. Talking was not the best idea right now. I looked up and tried my best fake smile on her.

She just laughed, "You're not the actress El, I am."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes. I noticed her smile still hadn't changed. "What happened Shar?"

She squealed again, "I got it!"

I smiled, and covered my ears teasingly. She glared at me. "Finally! You've been going to the callbacks for what…the past couple of weeks? I'm so proud of you Shar! I'd hug you but I kinda smell."

She giggled, "I know I'm so excited! I know it's not a huge movie but at least it will get my foot in the door. The cast is great, everyone was super nice. We are all getting together later tonight. Can you come?" She looked at me with her perfectly trained puppy dog eyes.

I sighed, "I wish I could Shar but I have to get some writing done and Kelsi and I are working something for Columbia tonight too. I'm hoping she will inspire me to write something really good."

Sharpay sighed, "Fine. But you'll miss the good booze and the hot boys."

I laughed, typical Sharpay, "I don't think I will touch a drink in a while. As for the boys, its very tempting but I have to help her. If I don't my job could be on the line."

She huffed, "Fine. More for me I guess!" She laughed and walked out of my room to go and call her brother. I assumed. I heard her squeal again though. Yep, she was calling Ryan.

I turned on the shower, and got out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, letting the water turn hot. I sighed, trying to remember what the hell I had done last night. I winced as I remembered something about me and tables, and really bad dancing. Ugh, it wasn't a pretty sight. I sighed as I got in the shower letting the warm water clear the fog in my head. It was still pounding but it was getting a little better. I jumped out ten minutes later, and made my way into the kitchen in the middle of the apartment.

"What did Ry say?" I asked Sharpay who was sitting at the island, still smiling.

"Huh?" She asked, still in a shock it looked like.

"What did your brother say about you getting the part?" I asked again, grabbing myself, careful not to make any noise, a cup of coffee.

"Oh…He said that he is super proud of me and he will be visiting in a couple of weeks to see how its going," she said still in her daze. At least she had stopped with the screeching. My pounding head couldn't take it.

"Aw, a visit from Ry, those are always fun. I should be over this hangover by then." I answered, letting my cold hand rest on my burning forehead.

"Are you sure you're ok Ella? You don't so good." Sharpay asked, in a kind motherly tone.

I looked at her shocked, "Did you just ask me about my well being?"

She stuck out her tongue, "Just be glad I'm asking at all El."

I laughed, "I'll be fine Shar. So, who all is going to be in this movie with you?"

She squealed again, "Oh, well there are some really great indie actors…." I let her ramble on and on. She was excited and I was glad one of us had a good career going. I was still trying to get mine off the ground. I had learned a lot from working with other musicians, but I really wanted to be in the booth not outside of it. But that's not how it works these days. Here I am with some talent, even though I hated saying that I had talent Sharpay was always telling me I did have it, and yet no one has signed me or anything. I know you have to put yourself out there and I try but I work too damn much for Columbia. I wished I could cut my hours back, but I needed to save money and if I could my foot in the door with Columbia it would be so much easier to show them that I have talent because they know me and my work ethic.

"Hey! Are you even paying attention?" Sharpay's voice cut through my mind working double time on ways to figure out how to break into the music business.

"What? No," I admitted sheepishly. She would've figured out I wasn't paying attention and there would've been hell to pay later.

She frowned, "It's a good thing I like you Ella."

"Yeah, good for you and me both," I muttered.

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Don't you have to get going?"

I looked at the clock, it was nine o'clock, "Damn it! I'm going to be late!"

I ran for the door, grabbing my bag and keys, and let myself out of the apartment. I took the stairs two at a time, and hurried down the stairs to the garage. I unlocked my silver Honda Civic, good on gas and mileage, and turned it on. I floored it out of the garage and onto the street.

I ran through the front doors of Columbia Records, greeting the familiar faces along the way. I made my way through the whole building, my cubicle was in the very back, and sat down in my swivel chair my breath coming out in gasps.

"Has he been back yet?" I asked the small brown haired girl who I shared the large cubicle with.

"No, not yet. You are here just in time though," she replied a small smile gracing her lips.

I took a deep breath, "Good." I groaned, "Ugh, whose idea was last night?"

Kelsi Neilson laughed quietly and whispered, "I don't remember. I don't think I want to either. My head is killing me."

I smiled a little, "Mine too. Sharpay was worried about me."

"Sharpay was worried about someone other than herself?" Kelsi asked her eyebrows raised in disbelief.

I laughed quietly, "I was just as surprised as you are right now."

"So, what did the Ice Queen do to help you?" Kelsi teased.

Sharpay and Kelsi have the weirdest relationship, they can be mean and nasty to each other one minute, which was weird because Kelsi wouldn't hurt a fly, and then it was like they were best friends. We had both known Kelsi for years, she went to the same high school and we did. She was the music composer for the musicals, and the one who also forced me to audition. She went to Julliard, and graduated top in her class and decided to move out to LA, and she looked both Sharpay and me up. We all got together one night and it was if nothing had changed. She was still the fun loving, great musician, who also had a paid internship with Columbia Records. In our spare time, which was limited, we both write music. We actually had a few demos taped, using the studios at Columbia, and wanted to send them out to other record companies, but none of the songs were different enough. Anyways, when Kelsi and Sharpay got together you didn't know what would happen, a bitch fight or a love fest.

"She was really sweet Kels. Although she didn't do anything to help me she was too excited about the part that she got." I said with a little pride. Like a mom whose kid had just won the spelling bee.

"Really? The movie part?" Kelsi asked. She was smiling too. We had both been with Sharpay throughout the whole process; it was like we were the ones getting the big break.

I nodded, she smiled at me, "Yep, she was squealing and everything this morning."

She giggled, "I'm guessing she didn't know about you hangover though?"

I sighed, "No, she made a point to bang everything in the apartment."

Kelsi blushed, "Whoa, that was really dirty."

I thought back to what I had said, yeah it was I realized, "Yeah it was…opps my bad."

She giggled, "Its ok. So, are you ready for today?"

I nodded, "I'm so excited. This is the first time they've let me into the sound board room."

She smiled, "I was excited my first time too." We got up and made our back into the sound booth. We were helping with the newest hot singer in the entertainment business, meaning she didn't have any talent but she was attractive and the paparazzi loved her, and she had a fan base already from her short time on a popular sitcom. "Now, don't get upset if they don't even speak to you seeing as this is Paige's first time in a recording studio. We are only really there to watch."

"And get coffee?" I muttered. This was the one thing I hated about not being the top person at Columbia. Sure, I learning a lot but I didn't want to learn anymore. I wanted to do it already. I was ready; I had a four-year degree in music. I knew what I was doing.

Kelsi smiled softly, "You'll get there Gabi. I know you will. You have the talent, and the appearance," I blushed lightly, "You just have to start believing in yourself."

She made sense, she really did but something was telling me that this couldn't happen to little ole me. I know I have the talent, well, I think I do, but something was holding me back. It wasn't that I didn't believe, I did I wanted this really bad, but would it happen? Would I be a successful person? That's all I wanted for myself was success. Sharpay was finding it; maybe I would find success too? I guess there's only one way to find out, you have to be willing to go the distance and fight for what you want. Sharpay could do that in a minute, she was always fighting for her parts in plays, but I was too shy when it came to those things. Maybe this whole learning experience would make me more outgoing? Highly doubted.

I couldn't help but smile back, not wanting to hurt her feelings, "Thanks Kels."

She just returned the smile; I watched doubt pass through her light brown eyes. We walked back through the studio and found the booth where Paige was already sitting and waiting for everyone to gather in the tiny room.

Her bleach blonde, wavy, hair touched her shoulders, as she waited impatiently for everyone. A man stood over her, trying to talk to her about something but she just ignored him, he was her manager I assumed. Her assistant, a dark skinned girl, stood in the back of the room looking very bored. Her eyes, were looking around the room, and filled with doubt. I stored that look in the back of my mind for later. She obviously doubted this whole thing for Paige. Huh, I started to wonder if maybe Paige wasn't the great singer her manager made her to be on her demo tape. You could do amazing things with technology these days. It was hard to find real talent, like uhm me, but Paige had a fan base and would sell albums. It would defiantly boast Columbia's total sales.

I followed Kelsi into the small room; I was squeezed in next to her and Paige. I was surprisingly calm about meeting her. She wasn't that big of a star, yet. I let my eyes wander around looking at all the different buttons and knobs that we housed on the huge sound board. The different lights that bounced off the clear glass walls where interesting, I stifled a giggle as Paige found them more fascinating than a two year old.

The door opened and in walked the owner of Columbia Records. Butterflies started buzzing in my stomach. I had never actually been in the same room with him before. His long beard, and sun glassed eyes made me even more nervous. I didn't realize he was going to be here with us. It made sense though I guess. My heart started to race as he turned to everyone and started to talk.

"Hey everyone, I'm Steven Ambers the owner of Columbia. I would like to thank everyone for being here as we meet the newest star of our record company, Paige!" He boasted. His voice cheerful, like Santa on Christmas morning, and he turned his round face to the still button amused Paige.

Her manager tapped her on the shoulder softly. Her head snapped up, her eyes out of focus. She shook her head and finally realized where she was.

"What Timmy?" She asked, the venom slowly leaking through. She looked like a nice enough person and yet her voice was hard and mean. It was going to be interesting to hear how her singing voice sounded.

"Um, you are being welcomed to Columbia and you should say something nice." He stuttered out.

I heard her huff quietly, "Fine." She plastered a very fake smile on her face, "Well, as Steve said I'm Paige and the newest addition to Columbia." She flicked her hair off her shoulder and laughed, "But you all knew that huh?"

A murmur of quiet laughs filled the small booth. She frowned at her manager, Timmy who looked like a ten year old kid still, and her assistant who both started to laugh. A loud booming laughed, Steven's, set everyone else off. I giggled quietly to myself and watched Kelsi roll her eyes. Divas are all the same. They think they are the funniest people in the world when they really aren't. Just don't tell them that.

"Anyways," Paige started and the laughing was cut off right away. "I am very excited to start recording and I hope that this record will be great and everyone can see my talent."

"OK, lets get started then," Steven said as he sat in one of the sleek black chairs in front of the sound board. I stood against the glass wall, my back resting against the cold glass, and waited impatiently for Paige to get into the recording studio. She took her sweet time though. Letting her hips sway, all the men in the room watched her way away, to a non-existent beat (she was off too). Her dress hiked up her long legs, showing off too much skin, I thought, as she walked into the studio without a care in the world. It was as if she wasn't excited to start singing.

She put the headphones on gently and nodded her head at Steven, who smiled as he pressed the playback button. A head bopping rhythm filled my ears; I could feel the beat down in my bones. Kelsi bopped her head along, as we all waited anxiously for Paige to start singing. The sweet piano melody filled my ears for the brief intro.

Finally I saw Paige find her place and she finally opened her mouth.

Making my way downtown

Walking fast

Faces pass

And I'm homebound

I leaned my ear away, trying to not hear the sour notes, and the fact that her nasally voice was nowhere near interesting. I caught Kelsi flinching away as Paige continued to sing.

Staring blankly ahead

Just making my way

Making a way

Through the crowd

She let the last note rest in her throat giving the song a horrible taste in my mouth. Steven looked horrified. I was very glad that she had her eyes closed. He pushed the stop button and the room was eerily quiet. I let my ears rest for a while. I didn't think they could take anymore screeching.

She opened her eyes and stared at us, "Why did you stop the music? I was doing fine."

I held back a snort as Steven spoke up, his tone clearly annoyed, " Can you come out of the booth please Paige?" He rested his head between his hands. "Ok everyone this is how you deal with a non singer," he said quietly.

Paige walked out of the recording studio, her eyes confused and not in a good way. "What's wrong Steven?"

"Paige, sweetie, I love how excited you are but what you just sang wasn't really that great. I just think you could maybe use some voice lessons. We will set everything up for you though so no need to worry. I do want you to listen to what you sounded like though. It will give you a good idea on what you need to work on." Steven finished as he hit the play button and subtly covered his ears. Her horrible voice entered the tiny room again.

Paige's face dropped, "What the hell did you do to my voice?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I started to open my mouth my Kelsi caught my eye and shook her head no. I couldn't help but sigh. Paige needed to listen to these people though. They knew what they were talking about.

Steve also sighed, "We didn't do anything Paige."

"Well, I think that I have to talk to Timmy about this. My voice is fine and if you people don't know what the hell you are doing then my record isn't safe here." She said, her voice dark and hard. She threw her hair over her shoulder again and looked back and her scared assistant and Timmy, who was glaring at Steven, and screeched, "Let's go now! Timmy and Taylor now!" The both scurried after her. Her screaming voice could be heard through the sound proofed glass walls. Steven got up, his face shone with disappointment and left the tiny room, and everyone else followed him out.

"So, that was a recording session?" I asked Kelsi as we let everyone else file out of the room before us.

She smiled at me, "Yeah, well they usually aren't that drama filled."

"Well, that's good. Other than that it was pretty cool to watch Steven Ambers work."

We walked outside and saw that Paige's assistant was leaning up against the carpet-covered walls. She looked annoyed and angry.

"Are you ok?" I couldn't help but ask. She looked like she needed a friend or a nice big wall to pound her head repeatedly into.

"Oh, I'm just fine! You're boss just ripped mine a new one, so yeah I'm just great." Sarcasm dripped from the darker girls tone.

I couldn't help but take a step back, and let my body get closer to Kelsi's. We both shrank away from the angry woman.

"Oh, well, I'm sorry but its better to hear it from us now rather than the critics later?" I asked, my confidence coming through slowly.

She sighed, "Yeah, I guess so. I knew this was going to happen though! She isn't a good singer. I mean at all! You were in there right? She is horrible!" She sighed again, "Sorry for ranting on y'all but I can't talk to Timmy, he is too blind to her and Paige, is a total diva and doesn't understand that the world doesn't revolve all around her."

I watched her with amusement, "Do you feel better now?"

She giggled, "A little. Thanks for listening you guys. I'm Taylor McKessie."

Kelsi smiled gently, "I'm Kelsi Neilson and this is Gabriella Montez."

"It's nice to meet you guys." Taylor answered. "So sorry for ranting again. I actually need to get going. Paige needs her daily coffee picked up."

"Seriously?" I asked, clearly not understanding why someone would be an assistant.

She nodded solemnly, "Yeah, its not the best job but I'm getting my foot in the door. That's what I keep telling myself too."

I laughed quietly. "That's how it is here too. Well, we need to get going so, we should see you around right?"

"Yeah, you will I think." She paused, "Are you guys Lakers fans?"

"Random much?" Kelsi asked giggling.

I nodded my head excited though, "Of course I am!"

Taylor smiled, "Well, how would you two like to go to a game with me tonight? You know to apologize for my ranting."

Kelsi shook her head, "We are getting together tonight to write some music…"

I pouted, "Kelsi! Please? We can write a little before and then maybe some after. Please?!"

"What about Sharpay?" Kelsi asked, knowing that Sharpay wouldn't want to be left out of anything.

"She's going to a cast party," I answered. My eyes were pleading with hers.

She sighed, "Fine. We'll go. But you have to promise me that we will write some music."

I smiled, "I promise! Thanks Kels!" I turned to Taylor, "Looks like we're coming!"

Taylor laughed at how excited I was, "Cool. Well, I'll meet you at the Staples Center at 7 tonight. Just tell the guy at the door you're with me. He'll let you in." She handed me a parking pass too.

"Wow, Taylor this is awesome! This really is a little too much though," I said, my modesty kicking in.

"No, you two look like you could use a break. Besides, this gives me actually girls to talk to instead of the boys managers." She said.

"Oh, well ok. As long as it's not too weird," Kelsi replied her shyness shining through.

"No, its not. Man you guys worry way too much," she said as she walked away. "See you at 7 Kelsi and Gabriella!"