"Gabi, wait up!" a voice called out. Gabriella turned around and grinned at her best friend.
"Hi Tay!" She cried, waving her friend forwards out of the crowd. Taylor squeezed her way through and Gabriella linked arms with the other girl.
"So are you signing up for that singing competition?" Taylor dared to ask, hoping for once Gabriella would get over her fear of performing. No such luck.
"No, of course not." Gabriella replied without a moment's hesitation.
"I think you should! You're an amazing singer! And-!"
"No Tay." Gabriella replied, looking straight ahead of her, a sign that she was done with the subject.
"So how's the homework situation?" Taylor asked quickly, changing the subject in a hurry.
"I have Chemistry, Physics, and a bit of Trig. You?"
"AP English and Physics. I thought for sure you'd finish the Chemistry in class. Why didn't you?"
The two of them chattered on about homework until they were joined by a group of rowdy basketballs, and their conversation was drowned out by loud voices, the loudest being Chad, complaining that he was hungry. Gabriella laughed and then branched off from the group so she could drop off her unneeded books in her locker. Just as she was about to close her locker, a sickly sweet scent caused her to closer her eyes for a moment, annoyed.
"Hi Sharpay." She said quietly, letting her locker close.
"Hey Gabs! What's new?" She chirped, sending a cloud of her perfume in Gabriella's direction, who did her best to conceal her dislike.
"Um, I was just getting ready to meet the gang to go home, so if you'll excuse me…" She mumbled, avoiding eye contact with the popular girl.
"Wait!" Sharpay cried, grabbing Gabriella's slender wrist. "I just wanted you to know that..."
Sharpay trailed off as she paused until she was sure he would hear.
"I just wanted you to know that I think you are an amazing person and I think you did wonderful in the school musical." She finished, smiling at Troy as he walked past her, then frowning as she realized that he wasn't even listening to her.
Gabriella's expression was guarded carefully as she took in what Sharpay had just said, and then giggled internally, noticing that Troy had walked past. So that's what this was all about, she wanted Troy to think she was a good person. It was going to take more then just a few kind words to do that.
"I have to go now, it was nice talking to you." She said quietly, freeing herself from the drama queen's grip.
Sharpay glared as Gabriella slipped past her, and when she was out of sight, Sharpay smirked to herself and stalked off in the direction of the computer lab, a plan already forming in her head.
* * *
The next day dawned bright and sunny, and Gabriella skipped into school with a smile on her face, smiling as she greeted Chad and Taylor who were talking quietly by Taylors locker. They waved in reply and then went back to their conversation.
Realizing that they were in the middle of something, Gabriella went on to her locker to pick up the books she would need for the morning. A tap on the shoulder caused her to spin around, confused.
"Hey Troy!" She greeted, smiling at him.
"Hey Gabriella, how was day yesterday? Sorry I didn't get to talk, dad made me run some errands for him before practice." Troy said, with an eye roll and a dazzling smile.
Gabriella's heart fluttered and she twirled a lock of curly brown hair around her finger.
"It was good, thanks, not too much homework. How was your day?" She replied, timidly.
"Mine was good, I guess." He replied, casually.
Gabriella's heart jumped to her throat as he stared at her for a moment, his gaze smouldering, which caused her knees to become weak.
"So I guess I'll see you in homeroom, okay?" Troy asked after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, see you in homeroom, Troy." She replied, wrapping her arms around herself as he gave a wave and sauntered off in the direction of the gym.
Gabriella walked quietly to a corner and sat down, placing her books beside her on the floor. She allowed her thoughts to wander to Troy and she felt herself smiling at the way he always went out of his way to ask her how her day went. She had thought at first that he was interested in her, but she dismissed that thought quickly, why would anyone be interested in her? She was a brainiac, a no-body for a jock like Troy. Sure they had sung together in the musical, but after the musical had ended, their relationship had went back to casual friendship, but Gabriella realized as time went on, that she liked Troy more then just a friend, but was too timid to do anything about it.
The bell disturbed Gabriella's thoughts and she stood up quickly, hurrying to her first class. She was one of the first ones there and she took the time alone to look over her homework for the next class.
Once everyone's seats had been taken, the announcements came on and Gabriella listened intently, as did most of their homeroom, seeing as they were looking forward to learning what the lunch special for today was.
"And now, just a reminder to you East High students, that last week you were told that there was a singing competition being held next week. We have only had a few people sign up, but I am pleased to say that East High will be represented by none other then the marvellous Gabriella Montez! The whole school wishes Gabriella luck in her bold choice."
Gabriella felt frozen. What?! She hadn't signed up for anything!
"I thought you said you didn't want to sign up for that!" Taylor hissed, from across the way.
"I didn't! It must be some mistake, I didn't sign up for anything!" Gabriella whispered back, her heart pounding at the thought of having to sing in front of everyone.
What was going on?
AN: Okay! So this is a random idea that I had, I'm not sure how long the fanfic is going to be in total, but I hope that it's worth reading! Was this first chapter okay? Too short? Too boring? There's more coming! Can't wait to see what you think! R&R people!
