Popularity is more than a ranking. It's a business. Once you prove to your peers that you are capable of handling any kind of distressed situation in a knick of time or prove that you are who you are, you will be given the popularity throne. But it doesn't stop there. There's a lot to maintain in the process.
Think of popularity as a game of musical chairs. If you're slow and don't have a seat, then you're out. Of the game, at least. Some people naturally has the popularity charm but those who are not blessed with it have to earn it the hard way. Once you earn it, it is not a day at the beach. It's going to a tough road trip. Especially in high school.
Gabriella Montez have spent her years before entering high school as a fat girl with terrible acne problems. She was a friendless loser that no one took second notice of. She made a vow to totally reinvent herself by the time high school starts. She was going to be someone she knew she was destined to be. A popular.
Thanks to her high school senior sister, Gabriella got to observe what's it like to be popular. Gabriella's sister, Sierra, is the perfect example of a popular. Beautiful, confident, popular. She just simply knows how to make a person cry but at the same time not feel guilty about it. Gabriella begged Sierra to teach her the ropes of making it in high school and Sierra agreed to help, only on one condition. Gabriella has to maintained her popularity status until the end of senior year or she'll be dead.
That summer, Gabriella and Sierra started operation: Turn Gabriella into a Popular in just 3 months. It sounded impossible but it will and can be done. Gabriella manage to take down some notes (or popular notes) in the process so she would have something to turn to when she is in crisis. She also made Sierra not to tell a soul that Gabriella has a popularity rule book because she knows her reputation will be trashed before it even started.
By the end of that summer, Gabriella manage to dropped from a size 10 to an amazing size 2. Gabriella knew mission is almost completed.
"I still cannot believe that I manage to drop 8 sizes in a mere of 3 months. Someone should put me in the world records book or something right?" Gabriella asked her sister while staring at herself in the full length mirror.
"I can't believe that I managed to turn my loser sister into a miniature me. Feels good doesn't it?" Sierra asked following Gabriella.
"Wait, what if that's what people see me during the first day of school. What if people only see me as Sierra's copycat sister instead of fabulous Gabriella? Didn't you say that copycats are only fooling themselves?" Gabriella reassured.
"You are so not a fool, Gabi. You are definately more than that. People are going to see you as a beautiful, hot new freshmen who has a chance to make it in high school and also carry on a legacy of Sierra Montez," Seirra answered. Gabriella rolled her eyes. Sierra had to be the most self-centered person she knows but she's glad that she's her sister.
"And plus, would a fool look awesome in a Marc Jacobs outfit? I don't think so," Sierra added while pointing out that is laid out at Gabriella's bed. During the summer, both of them have been out shopping a lot and especially overseas. Thanks to the family big income, the Montez family is one of the richest families in Albuquerque. Not that it matters to Gabriella anyways, but Sierra insist that Gabriella should really influence the money she already have and given.
"Thanks again Sierra. I couldn't have done it without you," Gabriella thanked her.
"Of course you can. You just needed someone to give you a push. Now do you still remember all the stuff I told you to become popular?" Sierra asked.
"Of course. You know where I keep it," Gabriella replied while holding a black diary with a lock and key.
"I still think it is unnecessary for you to have that. What if someone finds it?"
"They would never. I'll make sure of that," Gabriella insisted.
"Whatever you say Miss Prom Queen. By the way, I got you to a try out for cheerleading. You'll the last one tyring out," Sierra said.
"Why am I the last one? I thought it's better to be first?"
"Because you're not an opening act, Gabriella. And the show needs a decent closing and my routine will just do the trick," Sierra answered. Sierra had taught Gabriella all the cheerleading moves during summer. Suprisingly, it was pretty easy than she thought. Gabriella is a natural.
"Are you sure I'll get pick? I mean no freshmen, well except you, has ever made it to the cheerleading squad."
"Trust me, you're going to get in. Plus, Shelby Roberts is a total pushover. She'll give in and let you in. And bonus, she'll never betray a Montez. She's practically my clone and she'll do anything to make me satisfied," Sierra said.
"How do you know that?"
"She still texts me every thirty minutes. And I manage to let her know that a certain hottie Montez is trying out so you're a shoo in."
Gabriella smiled and faced the mirror again. She couldn't wait to start high school. It's going to be a terrific year for her and it is.
By the time it was announced that Gabriella had made to the the cheerleading squad, everyone wants a piece of Gabriella. Throughout the semester, she had managed to hang out with everybody who is anybody in school and still managed to get her grades up. She was everything a girl wants to be. Finally, it was safe to say that Gabriella was finally popular and thus she must follow and maintain the most popular rule ever to survive:
Rule #1: Always be popular, confident and never show any signs of flaws.
For three years, Gabriella has managed to remain popular and maintain her status as Queen Bee of East High. She also got the chance to become cheerleading captain by the time she's a sophomore and needless to say, she is the second sophomore ever to be given the cheerleading captain spirit stick. It sounded cheesy but Gabriella loved that spirit stick a lot and to be given the honor of having it is just awesome.
During freshmen year, Gabriella met Sharpay Evans who is has a hunger for popularity as much as Gabriella but she isn't one of those cunning girl who is out to destroy Gabriella. Finally, Gabriella has someone her age that she can trust and follow her to A-List parties, sit with her at lunch, meet in between classes to gossip and someone to tell her secrets to. Of course Sharpay knows about Gabriella's popularity guide book but Gabriella never showed it to her.
In the process of becoming popular, Gabriella seemed to become two people. In school and in front of her peers, she becomes this mean cheerleader-popular girl but when with her family and Sharpay, she begins to be nicer but at times, she starts to become a total brat when she doesn't get what she wants. In a way, she was becoming her Sierra but of course, she never notices it.
It was the night before senior year and Gabriella and her parents were off to the country club to have an annual dinner. As always, Gabriella dressed to impress in the most amazing Ralph Lauren dress she had her eye on ever since she saw it in Teen Vouge. The second rule in her popularity clearly said:
Rule #2: Always dress to impress at all cost
In the middle of her meal, Gabriella couldn't stop texting and it started to irritate her parents.
"Gabriella, is it really neccesarry for you to text during dinner?" her dad asked.
"It's not polite," her mother added.
Gabriella sighed and rolled her eyes. Rule #3: Never let your guard down. "Mom, dad, are you insects?" Gabriella asked back.
"No," her mother answered.
"Then why are you bugging me?" Gabriella said.
"Now listen here young lady-" Just when Mr Montez was about to scold Gabriella, someone interrupted him.
"Len, Charlotte, what a coincidence to see you here," the guy said. Her dad then turned to the guest but her mom turned back to her.
"This is not over yet young lady. We'll talk about this later," her mother said with a stern voice.
"Whatever. I'm going to get some more food," Gabriella said while leaving the table.
While at the buffet table, somene tapped her on her shoulder, she turned to see her best friend dress in a pink dress with a very puffy skirt. Sharpay is known for her outrages fashion choices. Some say that she's crazy but Gabriella admires Sharpay's courage to wear anything she wants in public. But at times, her choices are way over the top.
"Hey, nice outfit," Sharpay greeted.
"Yours too," Gabriella said trying to hide her sarcasm.
"I know! So are you in trouble for throwing a tantrum to your parents?" Sharpay asked.
"Ok, I did not throw a tantrum. I was just defending myself. Remember rule #3?" Gabriella reminded her.
"I know, I know, never let your guard down. But is it really necessary to do that to your parents?" Sharpay asked again.
"Sierra does it."
"So?"
Before Gabriella could fight back, Sharpay's twin brother walked by. Unlike Sharpay, Ryan is a major nobody in school. In a word, he is a loner, a total outsider.
"Shar, mom and dad wants you back at the table. They want you to meet a few people," Ryan interrupted.
Sharpay sighed and turned to Gabriella with an irritated look. Sharpay looks like she's in need of a little humor.
"Hey Ryan? Did I gave you permission to talk to my BFF and interrupt our convo?" Gabriella asked.
Ryan rolled his eyes. He was so over Gabriella and lame comebacks. "I don't need permission. Sharpay's my sister," Ryan fought back.
"Gosh! I'll be there in a few. Just go before anyone thinks we're close," Sharpay said.
With that, Ryan walked away while muttering something under his breath. "I can't believe I am related to him," Sharpay said.
"I can't believe that you two share the same DNA," Gabriella said while giggling.
After a few more minutes of conversation, a guy quietly walks up to Gabriella.
"Excuse me," the guy said.
Gabriella took a good look at him. He's tall, has brown hair and very good looking. She faced Sharpay and signal her to leave. Sharpay got the message and walked away smirking her her friend. Gabriella turned back her attention to the guy.
"Yes?" Gabriella answered flirtaciously.
"You're blocking the buffet table," the guy pointed out.
"Oh, sorry," Gabriella said while moving away. Then she remembered one of th rule.
Rule #4: Always have the last laugh
Gabriella then turned back and took a deep breath of confidence. "Actually, I'm not sorry. In fact, you should be apologizing to me," she said.
"Why would I do that? I don't even know you," he replied.
"Well, I'm Gabriella Montez. I'm head captain of East High's cheerleading squad, the most popular girl in school and I am the top of my classes," Gabriella said proudly.
"Wow, thanks for the information, not! Later," the guy said while walking away.
Gabriella winced. No guy has resisted her in years. What's with this guy? "Whoa wait. Aren't you going to ask me out?" Gabriella asked.
"I would do that because..."
"Because...you're hot and I'm hot and you're suppose to fall for me," Gabriella said.
"Look I'm flattered, but we'll just have to wait and see. Later," And with that, he walked away. Gabriella could not believe it. A guy actually ignored her. Well she is certainly not letting this one go. She is going to make him fall for her. Whatever it takes.
So what did you guys think? I just had this random idea for a story and I just had to write it down. I kinda wrote this at the last minute so sorry if it's bad.
Ok, basically, this story is about Gabriella who is popular but when her senior year kicks in, everything starts going bad when she is trying to get this guy to like her and the story will soon evolve from there. What do you guys think?
PLEASE REVIEW! If i get 10 reviews, I'll post the next one ASAP!