The most anticipated day of the year was of course, the first day of summer vacation. Just to feel this freedom of the day, it was almost worth going to school everyday for the rest of the year. Summers in Albuquerque, New Mexico were almost like the ones on the pacific coast, with the clear blue water and unforgiving sun taking over the events of everyday. Girls walked around in their bikinis and guys without shirts because everyone seemed to be after one thing: summer romance.

As Gabriella Montez looked out her bedroom window, her heart filled with dread. The sunny weather promised no rain like she had been hoping for. Maybe if she got sick, she wouldn't be expected at Sharpay Evans's summer kick-off party this afternoon. But Troy had pleaded with her countless times for her to go, and she couldn't resist him. She had finally given in, so she couldn't let him down. She sighed and to her dismay, decided to get ready for the party.

A few blocks away, Troy Bolton was also looking out his window. But he was happy with the weather and excited for the day to finally come. What could be better than spending the first day of summer with the girl you have a crush on at a pool party? He was so pumped he pulled out his cell phone to call his best friend, Chad Dansforth, just to make sure the party was today.

Another few blocks away, Sharpay Evans was strenuously ordering people around to set up for her party. It was hard being the hostess, but someone's got to do it, and why not her? No one else could throw a better party of course. She leaned back into her beach chair, put on her pink sunglasses, and sipped her lemonade. She imagined all the people being here, praising her large house, and excellent party. It would be so very stressful for her to accept all those compliments . . . but she was going to be so popular.

It was about noon when the guests started to arrive for the party. Sharpay was surprised these people hadn't shown up fashionably late, and was somewhat offended. She let her brother Ryan greet the incoming guests, and went to her room to prep for her grand entrance. Not only was this part important for her status next year, it also gave her the chance to win over he crush . . . Troy Bolton.

It was also noon when Taylor reached her friend Gabriella's house. They had decided to arrive at the party together, but Taylor was realizing her mistake. Gabriella was taking so long! Taylor was only going to this party because Gabriella wanted her there, but mostly she wished she could possibly rekindle any relationship she ever had with Chad Dansforth. But at this rate, they weren't going to get to the party until next year. She had a vision of Chad chatting up another girl, and finally had enough.

"Gabriella! Let's go!" Taylor yelled up the stairs.

"I'm here," Gabriella answered shyly, appearing from her room, "I just . . . I never swim so I'm never really worn a bathing suit like this before."

Taylor took one look at Gabriella's white bikini and envy shot through her.

"You look great . . . white really compliments you."

"Thanks Taylor," she said, grabbing her cover-up, sunglasses, and beach bag, and jogging down the stairs.

Taylor didn't want to be jealous of her friend, but seeing her look like a gorgeous supermodel set her own self-esteem back a little bit.

Buckling herself into Taylor's green Jeep Liberty, Gabriella thought of her mother's warning.

"You can go . . . just don't go in the water Gabriella," she had said, "I mean it . . . you know very well what will happen."

She knew perfectly well what would happen . . . but how would she convince Troy she wasn't going to swim? Maybe . . . she could just pretend she doesn't know how to swim. What a perfect plan! Proud of her idea, the stress was temporarily off, so she could enjoy the ride. Gabriella rolled down the window, and let her hair blow freely in the wind.

As Taylor was parking her jeep near the Evans's house, Troy and Chad had already arrived. Chad, being the ladies man he is, was already talking to some girls nearby. Troy stood there awkwardly as the wingman, trying to find Gabriella. He made a game of it, attempting to guess the exact time she would walk through the gates. It seemed like almost the entire school was already crammed into the still spacey backyard. Troy let his mind wander around, so he was caught off guard when Gabriella finally made her entrance. . .

The same time Sharpay decided to make her entrance. Strutting down the steps in just a baby pink bikini, she walked straight toward Troy.

"Hey Troy, I'm glad you could make it," Sharpay greeted him confidently.

"Hey . . . Gabriella," Troy said, walking straight passed Sharpay.

Sharpay stood there stunned. Gabriella had ruined her entrance and her chances with Troy. It seemed like Gabriella always got what she wanted effortlessly. She didn't know whether to cry of to pursue him more. She glanced at the two, obviously smitten and shy together. It wasn't fair, she would have to look like she was having fun, but keep her anger locked inside.

Taylor scanned the surroundings for Chad's hard to miss haircut as soon as she entered the party. Her eyes were drawn to him talking to two pretty blond girls. She sighed . . . so like Chad. She looked back at Gabriella, who had already disappeared with Troy. Some girls had all the luck, she thought. Taylor found a group of people she somewhat knew, and went to mingle. It was going to be a long day.

"You look . . . amazing as always," Troy told Gabriella, as he stared at her flower-printed cover-up, and wondered when she would take it off.

Gabriella smiled, "Thanks."

It was strange that the two hadn't gotten together yet. They both knew they liked each other, but neither of them had been brave enough to make the first move. As of now, and for the last few months, they had become the best of friends and bonded over being in the musical at school.

Troy's gaze made Gabriella self conscious. She wondered if Troy could see all her flaws, and see right through what she was trying to hide.

"Do you want to go in the pool?" Troy asked her.

"NO! No, no, no!" Gabriella exclaimed, overreacting.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry for suggesting it," Troy apologized, thinking that maybe Gabriella really didn't like him like he thought she did.

"What's wrong with my pool?" Sharpay asked, barging into the conversation.

"I . . . I can't swim," Gabriella lied.

"That's all?" Troy asked, "You know I can show you how-"

"No, it's fine," Gabriella said calmly, looking at the pool.

It was beautiful actually, and in ground pool with sparkling crystal clear water. She yearned to jump in, but she just couldn't.

"Well, if you won't, I will," Sharpay informed her, grabbing Troy's hand and pulling him away.

He looked back at Gabriella, and she nodded in approval. Maybe he'd hang out with her later. Inside, Troy was sad, but Sharpay was his friend too. He pulled off his blue tee-shirt, revealing a perfectly sculpted stomach, and dove into the water. He was followed by a joyous Sharpay.

Gabriella stood there watching them longingly, and slipped on her sunglasses. Her cover-up ruffled in the wind, and her hair blew to the side. She would be strong and resist, standing tall like a statue away from the waters edge.