A/N: Okay, I'm doing another cinderella story purely because my first one stank. lol.

I don't own anything!

Prologue

Once upon a time… Okay, that line is way too cliché for me to start my story. My story, no matter how hard it is to believe, started out as a fairytale. Sure, my Mom died during my birth due to complications and my Dad lacked in numerous feminine qualities a girl needs from her Mom but, I never felt like I missed on anything. My Dad owned this really cool country club on the outside of Albuquerque where we lived and everyone went there to swim, play golf or simply go for dinner. It was the coolest place.

You ask about the past tense? Well, it was my tenth birthday party and all of my friends, well, actually, they were Dad's employees, were with me and begging me to blow out the candles on my cake. Just as I was about to take my deep breath, my Dad stepped back, ready to take a picture, and he stumbled back, falling right on top of my worst nightmare. Actually, no. My worst nightmare comes on later in the story.

My Dad and Shelby Evans got married exactly five hundred and thirty four days after they met. How do I know the exact number? I had a day-by-day count not only from Shelby but from her daughter, Sharpay, too. Sharpay wasn't my only step-sibling. Her twin brother, Ryan, also moved in with us but he treated the wedding like I did: a fancy occasion where adults stuffed us into itchy clothes.

Two years later, the one and only earthquake known to New Mexico, hit. My Dad had been killed, falling down the stairs while he was running to save me. I've never forgiven myself because of it. Both of my biological parents died because of me and that is the worst feeling in the world. And since my Dad didn't leave a will, Shelby got everything: the house, the club, and to her and my disappointment…me.

Sharpay instantly got my bedroom as it was the biggest in the house and I was forced to move up to the attic. I didn't mind that so much, I was still in my parents' house and I was still close to them. What I minded was Shelby changing everything that was marked with the name of Tony Montez. The diner was renamed and redecorated and my home, well, that wasn't my home anymore. As soon as I turned thirteen, Shelby forced me to start work at the country club: waitress on weekdays and lifeguard on the weekends.

"Gabriella!" A voice screeches up the stairs.

Well, since high school, Sharpay became head cheerleader and so school isn't my sanctuary anymore. Ryan stands by me, making both of us instant outcasts-

"Gabriella!"

"I'll be right there." I yell back. I shut my laptop down, hurrying downstairs and into the kitchen. "Yes, Shelby?" I ask breathlessly, hoping that it wouldn't be something too tiring as I have an English exam this morning.

"What is this?" She demands, holding up the chicken salad I had made earlier that morning.

"The Danish chicken salad you asked for." I repeat robotically.

"It doesn't taste like it's from Dana." She muttered, slapping the plate on the island in our kitchen.

I mentally roll my eyes at the stupidity of my step-Mom. Wow. "Well, it is."

"You're going to be late for work." She says impatiently, looking at her watch.

"Shelby, I meant to talk to you about that." I try desperately as she leans against the counter, folding her arms impatiently. "I've got a really big test today and I need to study for it. Please? I'll work overtime tonight to make money for it."

"Honey," She starts in a sweet voice. "You're graduating in a few months and you need to save money for college. You're got a lot of serving to do." Her voice changes quickly into the demanding one I grew up with and she pointed to the door. "Now go."

I grab my backpack from the island stool and rush out of the house, immediately feeling sweat on my forehead at the sudden heat of the Albuquerque drought that had occurred over two months ago and was predicted to stay here for at least another three.

I dump the empty plates into the crate I'm carrying and smile gratefully at the retreating back of two, of many, early customers. While wiping the table over and rearranging all of the condiments I glance up and grin at the familiar woman striding towards me purposefully. I feel my mouth fall at the stern stare she shoots me. I wipe my hands on my apron and breathe out softly as Kate McKessie stands in front of me, arms folded. "Before you say anything, I just figured I should get more hours in because of college coming up…" My voice trails off at her raised eyebrows and my suckishness at lying. "You're not buying it, are you?"

Kate sighs and sits down in the booth, touching my arm to signal me to follow suit. "Gabby, don't you have a test today?"

"Not a big one. It's only worth…" I take a deep breath, having trouble to say the number. "Thirty per cent of my grade."

"And you're here because of Shelby?" She asks impatiently.

"It's complicated?" I try, giving her my fakest smile.

"Go." She points to the door.

"But, what about Shelby?" I ask frantically.

"If she has any problem with it, I'll deal with her." She stands up and I do too, hugging her tightly. Kate is the mother of my other friend, Taylor. She's worked at the country club ever since it opened and I've always seen her as my own mother. Since Shelby took over, though, Kate became in charge of running the place as Shelby was too busy shopping or getting plastic surgery.

I pull back and breathe a sigh of relief, untying my apron. "Thank you, so much, Kate."

"Don't worry about it. Just get to school and pass the test." She says softly, kissing me on top of my head.

I run over to the counter and close the books that were open there and shove them quickly into my bag. I had been trying to be clever, work and study at the same time. But, either the club's breakfasts are more popular than I remember, or God just doesn't want me to pass this English test.

The door opens and I smile at Ryan who just walked through while I take of my work shirt that I had pulled on over my clothes. "Hey, Ry."

He raises one eyebrow.

"Don't give me that look." I snap, hanging my shirt and apron on a hook and pulling my bag on my shoulder.

Kate walks over and rests a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "Make sure she passes."

"She will. No questions asked. She read 'Romeo and Juliet' before we started middle school." Ryan replies with seriousness in his voice.

I roll my eyes. "Will you ever let that go?"

"No." Ryan shook his head. "Now, come on, we need to pick Tay up."