CHAPTER 1 – Senior Wildcats

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So, this is my first time to write something like this – much more for something like High School Musical. Well, it's just a little experiment. You know, one thing about me is I love to have my own character participate in my big story. I don't know why. Well, this one has another one of those. But please, I hope you read this first before you judge. I decided to write this after I saw High School Musical 2 last August 17th. I just had a sudden brainstorm a while ago while on the subway. This is right after the High School Musical 2 events. So, read on and I hope I get reviews!

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It was six in the morning when Troy Bolton opened his eyes to be welcomed by the bright sunshine. He groaned before rubbing his eyelids and removing the blanket that was covering him. He stood up and stretched a little before walking out of his door towards the bathroom. He passed by his parents' room and saw his dad putting his tie on. Troy greeted him good morning before hurrying off to the bathroom.

Inside, he looked at the mirror and sighed. He took his toothbrush and put on toothpaste on it. He looked beside him and closed the toilet seat cover before brushing his teeth. He went outside for a while and browsed around his messy room. He walked towards the closet and gave his clothes a once-over before picking out a blue shirt and faded jeans and putting them on one by one. He rushed back to the bathroom and spitted out. He gargled and washed his face. He smiled at his reflection before leaving for the stairs.

"Morning, Mom!" Troy greeted when he saw his mom setting the pancakes on the table.

"Ready for school, honey?" his mom asked.

"No and a little bit of yes," he answered as he dived in for his morning meal.

"I'm sure Gabriella will also be happy to see you in school everyday," his mom commented.

"Thanks, Mom."

"What's for breakfast?" Coach Bolton asked his wife as he entered the kitchen.

"Pancakes, dear. Now eat. You boys need a lot of strength for this first day of school."

The two male Boltons ate happily as Mrs. Bolton joined them. They chatted about the opening of the school and Troy's last year at East High School. Coach Bolton threw in a couple of ideas he had for new plays for the basketball team. Troy was both excited and sad for the coming year since it was his last year at East High and there was going to be a strong possibility that Gabriella and he would attend different universities; while he was happy because they were now to face a new year and the feeling of excitement just can't leave his bones.

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"I got Lab in third period and Spanish at fourth. That's the only classes that we're not classmates," Taylor told Gabriella as they discussed their schedules by her locker.

"I think I got Literature by third and Lab for fourth. Why did you take Spanish again?" Gabriella asked without even looking at her.

"It's because I don't want to challenge myself with critically acclaimed great literature pieces. You know I'm not so keen with English Literature. English class - I will be willing to take, but not English Lit."

"But you know, English Literature is a good class. I don't really see why you just can't learn to love it."

"Well, I don't think you'll ever understand since you're kind of part of one of William Shakespeare's famous pieces."

"What do you mean? Who?"

"Oh, none other than Juliet Capulet who's totally in love with Romeo. Speaking of which, here's Mister Romeo Montague now."

"Huh?"

"Hey, Taylor. Hi, Gaby," Troy Bolton greeted his two female friends.

"Morning, Gabs. Morning, Tay," Chad greeted too.

"Hi, Romeo and Chad. Well, I think I'm out of this picture. I think I'll go busy myself with my locker over here. Why don't you guys go to that corner over there and don't let us bother you," Taylor said, opening her locker and rummaging around.

"Very funny, Tay. Hi, Troy," Gabriella said, giving him a morning hug.

"Romeo? What's all that bout?" Troy asked, looking at Taylor in a questioning way.

"Forget about it. It's nothing," Gabriella said.

"So, how's your morning been?" Troy asked.

"Fine and you?"

"Great. I'm really excited for the new school year."

"And I'm excited for the Wildcat superstar's new moves for the upcoming basketball games."

"Oh, I'm getting ready for that."

Taylor closed her locker door and signaled to Troy and Gabriella that she and Chad were going on ahead to Homeroom. Gabriella took her English book before closing her locker door. She smiled at Troy and both walked towards their Homeroom class.

"Summer was definitely fun. I enjoyed it a lot. Although I had fewer designer outfits from Paris, it was all fun!" squealed Sharpay at Kelsi. "Oh, Morning Taylor, Chad, Troy, and Gaby!"

"Good morning, Sharpay," all of them said in chorus.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Ryan asked, approaching the group.

"Hey, Ryan. How's our Star Dazzle awardee been?" Troy asked.

"Oh, I'm all good. By the way, come back with us to Lava Springs next summer. I'm sure Fulton will be happy to see you guys again. As for me, it's been fun; Shar's been helping me get along with the big ego thing. You know, she's really good at it. I never noticed," Ryan said, making a look of amazement.

Sharpay looked at him with a weird look. The group glanced at the twins before bursting into a load of laughter. Ryan looked a little bit confused before joining into the laughter of his new-found friends. Sharpay just couldn't help herself and joined in too.

"Okay, Wildcats get seated. Mister Danforth, for the last time of your last first day here at East High, this is a classroom, not a hockey arena. Keep that ball away. I'll make this as quickly as I can. Bulletin boards have all the information you need on this year's activities. The Scholastic Decathlon Team is now recruiting new members for next year's Scholastic Decathlon Winter Competition. Juniors, sophomores and freshmen are all welcome to join, so if any of you know anyone who is qualified to join the team, just talk to Chemistry Club president Taylor McKessie for details. And for the Drama Club, we are now gearing up for our winter musicale which will be opened late this year. As I believe it will be right before the Christmas holidays. So we shall have our auditions by early next month for us to be able to rehearse more. This school year will be your final year at East High so you will all have to participate in our Spring Musicale by the coming spring. No one is exempted; especially since you have me as your Homeroom teacher. Is that clear, Mister Danforth?" Ms. Darbus discussed and asked.

"But, Ms. Darbus, that's not fair. Not all of us have the confidence and face to wear a leotard like Troy here," Chad defended, partly making fun of Troy.

"Hey, I did not wear a leotard on the Twinkle Towne musicale!" Troy said.

The class laughed at what Troy had said. Indeed, he did not wear a leotard on the Twinkle Towne musicale, but they just couldn't resist making fun of him on his costume of Arnold at that time. He looked like a reject out of Pride & Prejudice.

"Okay, break it up. Like what I had just said, Mister Danforth, no exceptions. But we shall discuss that after the winter musicale. Now, for the basketball team, this is year, as you all know, will be the last year of our team's valued members such as Wildcat superstar here, Troy Bolton. And since this will be your last year, I have a proposal for you and your basketball posse."

"A proposal? What kind of proposal, Mr. Darbus?" Troy asked, confused.

"If you manage to get us the championship this year, as your parting gift from me, I shall give you an immediate A; but only if you manage to win the championship and submit a twenty-page research paper. So, what can you say, Mister Bolton?"

Troy looked behind him to Chad who was all smiles after hearing Ms. Darbus' proposal. He looked at Zeke then to Jason who both gave him a thumbs-up in agreement to Ms. Darbus' proposal. He glanced at Gabriella who smiled at him.

"Okay, Ms. Darbus, we accept, and thank you. Thank you very much," Troy said, facing Ms. Darbus with a smile planted on his face.

"Don't thank me yet, Bolton, not until you have won the championship and submitted that research paper of yours," Ms. Darbus said, walking back to her chair. "Now, my last announcement would be this: I'd like to introduce to you your new classmate, Michelle Richards. Michelle, please, do come in."

Suddenly, a girl with long black hair and frame-less glasses entered the room. She was brandishing a small smile on her face. Ms. Darbus smiled brightly at her and made her face the class to introduce herself. Gabriella and Taylor looked at her with curiosity. They thought they have seen her somewhere before but just couldn't point out where.

"Good morning to all of you. My name's Michelle Richards. I came from Los Angeles, California. I used to study in LA High. This will be my first time in Albuquerque so I'm really looking forward to meeting new people around. I hope I can contribute much in this class and in this school. Thank you," Michelle said, smiling towards all of them.

The class all gave her a round of applause. She looked around and saw faces smiling at her. Some were even observing her and giving her a once-over. Sharpay was obviously checking out her outfit that was simple but not as cheap as it seemed to be. Gucci. How slick.

"I hope you will all make Michelle feel as welcome as she can get. Next day, Michelle, you may sit here in front, you, move to the back tomorrow, since I know that you have difficulty in seeing, even with that glasses of yours. Now, off with you all and I shall see you in English and English Literature later. You Senior Wildcats need to enjoy every bit of your stay here at East High," Ms. Darbus said, dismissing the class as the bell rang.