Disclaimer: I own nothing from HSM except my certain characters; I will introduce you to them eventually! Oh, and if you like Taylor McKessie, don't read this fic because I don't really like her… that's all.

The Newer New Girl

Chapter One: Chad and Taylor no more.

"Taylor!"

Taylor McKessie sprang away from a very shell-shocked Troy Bolton, whom her lips were previously fused to. "Chad! Uh, um, it's not-"

"Taylor, I've had it! It's over." Taylor burst into hysterical tears and ran away. Chad Danforth ran a hand through his extremely curly hair and slid down the wall sighing. Troy came over slowly.

"I swear she came onto me I didn't-"

"Dude, it's ok. Taylor's hooked up with the whole basketball team, except Jason and Zeke. They're too busy with Kelsi and Sharpay." Chad sighed again.

"Come on, we'd better get to homeroom."

"Tell Darbus I'm at the nurse." Troy nodded.

'At the nurse' was the most well known phrase at East High; a universal language, if you will. Even the teachers knew it. It basically meant 'my boyfriend/girlfriend and I just broke up and I'm not up to coming to class.' Troy walked away. Chad sat for a moment longer, then walked in the other direction.

When did Taylor become such a whore? He thought. She kept telling me it was a one-time thing… and I kept believing her. Chad shook his head and rubbed his eyes. As he turned a corner, he collided with something. He caught his balance, but the something fell over, scattering papers through the air and across the floor. He looked down.

Well, well, well… looks like Gabriella's not the only new girl at East High.

The girl had long, straight, glistening blood red hair that was highlighted by a single silver streak around her face. Her skin was creamy white, and her face was entirely freckle free, strange for a red head. Her lips were as red as her hair, and her eyes were a watery, clear blue. She was tall, Chad could tell, even though she was wearing black inch high ankle boots. His eyes followed her long pale legs up until they disappeared beneath a semi-short black skirt. Her metallic silver tank top bared an inch of midriff, and showed of her thin yet curvy arms. Her wrists looked like they were about to snap under the weight of ten or so silver bangles on each arm.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." The girl's voice rang like her bracelets as she stood up. Chad grabbed her hand gently and pulled her up. With her heels, she was about two inches shorter than she was, so she was about 5' 8" without shoes. She smiled at him, and her shimmering teeth dazzled him. Her open grin was enough to provoke a small smile.

"No worries; happens all the time. People are just dazzled by my looks." She openly laughed. "Sorry for knocking you over," he continued. He bent down and began picking up her papers. One page with the title "If Only" caught his eyes. In beautiful handwriting was a poem.

'If Only'

He was always so hurtful;

A ruse, he said,

To throw me off his scent.

If only he told me before.

Now I'm stuck,

I have a choice to make.

Do I want him so badly

That I'll sacrifice everything?

Everything I've always held

Near and dear?

…Is he worth it?

Will he make me feel

Like I've never felt before?

Is he worth taking the risk?

If only, if only…

…If only I cared enough.

"Wow" Chad murmured. "This is deep." The girl blushed slightly, as if she wasn't used to accepting compliments.

"Thank you." She said softly. "What's your name?"

"Chad Danforth." He smiled wider. "And who might you be?" he grasped her hand and placed a small kiss on it like a suave suitor would. She blushed again.

"Audrey Darcy."

Her skin was smooth and soft, Chad noticed. He'd known her for two minutes, and already a small attraction to her was growing. He snapped out of his reverie when Audrey asked him a question.

"Do you know where Allison Darbus' room is?" He nodded.

"I'm in her homeroom." Audrey grinned.

"Well, what do you know. So am I. Then, you can escort me there?" Her eyes twinkled and Chad felt himself go warm. He offered her his arm and she linked hers through it. Arm in arm, they headed off to homeroom.