Troy Bolton was walking across the campus at NYU on his second week of college. He was waiting for basketball tryouts, which were to be held the next day, and was hoping that he would be captain even in college. He had been captain in his high school and he loved the sport. He had also been the most popular guy in school and here at NYU, he was nobody.

He went to the Science building. He was still new to the school and wanted to look around. He opened the door and came face to face with a brunette. Troy gave her a smile which she returned and waited until she was outside before entering the building. All of a sudden, he stopped. He looked back and saw the girl walking away from the building through a window. She looked familiar. He shook his head and ran out of the building again. He caught hold of her arm.

"Hey," Troy smiled.

"Hi," the girl smiled back.

"Do I know you from somewhere?" Troy asked. "You seem really familiar."

"I went to East High School with you," the girl replied. "I'm Gabriella Montez."

"Right," Troy said.

"You have no idea who I am, have you?" Gabriella smiled.

"I'm sorry," Troy said with an apologetic smile.

"It's okay," she shrugged. "Bye, Troy."

"Wait," Troy said as Gabriella turned to walk away. "Where are you going?"

"These books are really heavy," Gabriella said. "I'm going to put them into my dorm room."

"You need a hand?" Troy asked.

"Thanks," Gabriella smiled as Troy took some books from her.

"So, why did we never talk before?" Troy asked as he walked side-by-side to Gabriella towards the direction of her dorm.

"Because, you were the basketball captain," Gabriella said. "And, I was basically what you would call a nerd."

"You aren't a nerd," Troy laughed. "You are way too pretty to be a nerd."

Gabriella smiled at him.

"So, do you want to hang out with me?" Troy asked. "Are you doing anything right now?"

"No," she replied.

"Want to get something to eat?" he asked.

"Troy," Gabriella hesitated.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"This is my dorm," Gabriella said.

"I'll wait for you?" Troy asked.

"Okay," Gabriella said after hesitating again.

A few minutes later, Gabriella appeared again after keeping the books in her dorm.

"So, where are we going?" Gabriella asked.

"Shall we go to that pizza place around the corner?" Troy asked.

Gabriella shrugged and followed Troy. They went to the pizza place together. Like a gentleman, Troy opened the door for Gabriella. They ordered their pizza and waited.

"So, where's your girlfriend?" Gabriella asked Troy.

"You mean Sharpay Evans?" Troy asked. "We broke up a few days after graduation. She was too clingy and got mad when I said that I was not going to U of A with her."

"So, you're single?" Gabriella asked.

"Yeah," Troy shrugged. "Why?"

"No reason," she replied.

Troy shrugged. They ate their pizza talking about random things. Gabriella told Troy about how her father had died when she was a kid and about how her mother had raised her by herself. She asked Troy about his family and he just told her that his father was the basketball coach at East High. Troy changed the subject after that and Gabriella did not question him anymore. They hung out together for the rest of the day. When it started to get dark, they went back to the campus. Troy walked Gabriella to her dorm.

"Bye, Troy," Gabriella smiled.

Troy smiled at her. Gabriella turned to enter the dorm. She opened the door when Troy grabbed her other hand. She turned and he pulled her towards him.

"It's pretty much a rule to end each date with a kiss," Troy said.

Before Gabriella could even protest, Troy's lips were against hers. Gabriella came back to her senses and she broke the kiss. She stepped away from him hurriedly.

"What's wrong?" Troy asked.

"I should have told you this before," Gabriella said. "I have a boyfriend."

"What?" Troy asked, surprised. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know," Gabriella replied. "I'm sorry. But, make no mistake, this was not a date."

Gabriella turned to enter the dorm again.

"Who is it?" Troy asked.

"What?" Gabriella asked.

"Who's your boyfriend?" he asked.

"You hate him," Gabriella said. "He was the football captain at East High – Lucas Bennet."

"Oh," Troy said. "Well, then, this was not a date and I'm sorry for kissing you. I'll see you later."

"Bye," Gabriella said as Troy turned away to leave.

Troy just raised his hand in response. Gabriella watched as he stuck both hands into his pockets and disappeared into the shadows.