DISCLAIMER: I do not own High School Musical or anything associated with it. I'm just a fan.

"Tonight is going to be so much fun. Did you get everything you needed?" Taylor asked Gabriella.

"Yep. I have a dress and a mask. Am I forgetting something?" Gabriella said. Taylor shook her head.

"And tell me again why we're sneaking into Amber Whitney's masquerade party?" she asked. Gabriella was not a party person. She was shy and kept to her small group of friends. She was on the Scholastic Decathlon team and was near the bottom of the social ladder. Amber was head cheerleader and her party was exclusively for jocks, cheerleaders, and the rest of the popular crowd.

"We are going because it's going to be fun. We might meet some great guys too," Taylor said. She was clearly excited for this party. Taylor felt like something wonderful was going to happen tonight but she couldn't put her finger on quite what that was yet.

"Whatever you say, Tay. We'll probably just be ignored like usual. Or worse. We'll meet amazing guys that we'll never see again after tonight," Gabriella said.

"Way to put a damper on the mood. You need to lighten up," Taylor said as she and Gabriella continued walking down the crowded hallways of East High School.

"So tell me again why we are going to this thing tonight?" Troy asked his best friend Chad. Troy was the most popular guy at school. He was captain of the basketball team and he had girls all over him, but what he really wanted was just to be normal. To not be the playmaker, but to be a kid that wasn't the center of attention but someone that blended in. No one knew he felt that way though.

"Dude it's gonna be a sick party. A party full of hot girls that won't know who we are. We can hook up with as many girls as we want and not have to deal with them tomorrow. Nothing worse than a girl that gets clingy because you made out with her one time," Chad said.

"Yeah, because you would know. Not. Seriously man, you can't get a girl without the mask. I doubt the mask is going to give you magic skills that will enable you to pick up a girl," Troy said rolling his eyes.

"Whatever man, lets just get our stuff and get out of here. I hate being here any longer than I have to," Chad said. Troy was almost to his locker when he rounded the corner and collided with a beautiful brunette. She fell to the floor along with all of her books and papers falling out of her book bag.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention," Troy said as he started to pick up all her books for her.

"It's okay. Thanks," Gabriella said as Troy helped her but her things back in her bag. Troy extended a hand to Gabriella to help her up and once she took it, they both felt a spark run through their bodies. Troy flashed her a smile as he stared into her chocolate brown eyes. Gabriella was at a loss for words as she too captivated by his gorgeous blue eyes. Gabriella noticed that she was still holding his hand, and let go blushing like crazy.

"Dude we need to go," Chad said, apparently getting restless. Troy tore his eyes off of the girl in front of him and muttered a 'see ya' before following Chad.

"Who was that?" Troy asked Chad.

"No idea. Probably just a nerd. Forget about her, we have a party to get ready for," Chad said dragging Troy out the door after stopping at their lockers to get their things.

"Oh my goodness. Did you see the way he was looking at you?" Taylor asked Gabriella.

"He was just being polite because he knocked me and my things to the ground. It was nothing," Gabriella said.

"If you say so. He's coming to the party tonight. Maybe you'll find him and you can dance the night away," Taylor said getting lost in her own fantasies.

"Yeah right. He probably already forgot me. Let's go get ready for this stinking party," Gabriella said leading Taylor to her car.

"Gabriella stop fussing with your dress. You look amazing," Taylor said. Gabriella was dressed in a beautiful red dress that was strapless and fell to about her knee and her hair was in loose curls that fell down her back. Taylor was wearing a white, Cinderella like, dress and her hair was down as well.

"Thank you. You look wonderful tonight. You are definitely going to catch someone's eye tonight," Gabriella said.

"Put your mask on. We're almost to the entrance," Taylor said as she put her white beaded mask on. Gabriella nodded her head in agreement and placed the black mask over her eyes.

"Sorry ladies, but no one gets in without an invitation," the bouncer said. 'Why did Amber have to make her party so hard to get into?' Gabriella thought as two boys approached the bouncer.

"Come on girl, it looks like we aren't getting in," Taylor said grabbing Gabriella's arm.

"Do you need help getting into the party?" a mysterious boy with dirty blond hair, wearing a black tuxedo asked.

"Yeah, we got all dressed up for this, but the bouncer said it's invitation only," Taylor said trying to sound all sad in an effort to get them to help her and Gabi.

"Well you can come in with us," the other boy, who was wearing a gray tux said.

"That would be really sweet of you. Thanks," Taylor said. They approached the bouncer for the second time tonight.

"I said no invitation, no party," the bouncer said.

"There with us," the guy in the black tuxedo said. The bouncer allowed the four into the club. The club was full of people in formal clothing and masks dancing to loud music. The guy in the gray tux took off heading towards the food and Taylor went off with a guy to dance.

"Thanks for helping us get in," Gabriella said trying to break the ice.

"No problem. I'm always happy to help two beautiful ladies," he said causing Gabriella to blush. "Do you want to dance?" he asked. Gabriella had butterflies in her stomach, but gladly accepted.

He led her to the center of the dance floor and placed his arms around her waist pulling her closer as Gabriella's arms went around his neck as they swayed to the beat of the song.

"So what's your name?" he asked breaking the silence.

"We're at a masked ball, where the whole purpose is to keep your identity a secret. There is no way I'm telling you my name because if I did, you'd know who I am," Gabriella said teasing him. She wasn't used to being around guys but she felt so comfortable around him. She didn't even know his name, but she felt completely at ease in his arms.

"Come on please tell me. I'm sure if you told me I wouldn't know who you were. I mean you can't be the only one with your name, unless it's like Shaquisha or something weird like that. So what's the harm? Please tell me so I can call you by your name instead of some pet name," he asked pouting.

"Fine I'll tell you but you have to tell me yours," she said. She was curious what his name was. She couldn't call him 'you' or 'mystery man' all night.

"I promise I'll tell you my name," he said grinning.

"I'm Gabriella," she said shyly. He stopped dancing with her and she was worried that she'd scared him off. He extended his hand and they shook hands. He worries of scaring him off were diminished as he gave her a smile that made her heart flutter.

"Nice to meet you Gabriella. I'm…..

Dun, dun, dun. I wonder who the mystery guy is? Lol. Thanks for reading my story. I know the first chapter is a little boring, but I'm trying to set the stage for the story. It will get better, I hope. Please review!

Dedicated to my best friend Mila! Thanks for always supporting me. You inspire me. I know you love masquerades so I hope you enjoy this.