So, I don't own anything to do with High School Musical - but, I do own the story line:)

The doors opened, her heels clicking along the hall. People moved. People scattered. So far, 'breaking free' wasn't the term for East High. It was more of a show for the outside world.

Her eyes scanned the halls. The group, for all their preaching, never really differed from their personal space. Always huddled. Always together. She couldn't understand them. They could never go through with it all.

"Hypocrites," she huffed, glaring at the group. They hadn't changed anything. People still held tight to their 'cliques.' Never were they one to differ – reach out of their comfort zone. She couldn't blame them really; they weren't brave enough. She could see the fear in their eyes. They weren't ready to take that step. They weren't ready to face the outside world.

"Hey Starry," Jason called, waving towards the blonde girl. Things had changed between them. He had offered a hand and she had grasped it for dear life. They both welcomed the new world. To them, East High was just the beginning. The world was what mattered.

"Hey Cross," she smirked, embracing the boy tightly. He was her rock – her confident. They were together in their change. The 'group' may be too scared, but the two of them were brave enough.

"Welcome to senior year," he laughed, slinging an arm loosely around her shoulders. He knew of the glares he was receiving. His 'friends' didn't know – they would never understand. They were all too wrapped up in their 'perfect' little world to realise that nothing had really changed.

"Jason!" Chad shouted, waving frantically over at the boy. His gaze dropped to the blonde beside his friend. He knew of their friendship. But, it didn't stop his curiosity. His eyes widened as the blonde flashed him a small before turning down the hall. It appears the 'Ice Queen' had melted somewhat.

"Hey man, what's up?" he asked, drifting over to his group of friends. They all looked the same. Neither had changed throughout the past year.

"So you and Sharpay huh?" Troy asked, his gaze piercing the boy before him. He knew he had no right. They hadn't talked...not since after the Lava Springs incident. They weren't friends – far from it. But, he had seen the spark in her eyes. He had felt the fire in her touch. He craved her.

"She's cool," he shrugged, raising an eyebrow at Troys' gaze. The boy was tense – not even Gabriella's touch could calm him. His blue eyes pierced straight through Jason. His gaze dropped as Troys' gaze burned brighter.

"She's the Ice Queen Jase," Gabriella stated, her brows furrowed towards the boy. She never thought of Troys' tense form, she concentrated on her friend. There was something different about him. Something had changed within the next year.

"No she isn't," he quickly defended, his gaze flickering over towards the shy girl. Her confidence had grown once she had stolen Sharpays' part. He couldn't help the hate that rose within him when he looked at her. He had seen the hurt she had caused his friend. It was unbearable. "She's just trying to do what none of you seem to be doing..."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Taylor asked, sliding into the middle of the group. She always allowed her mouth speak before her brain. She always stood up for her friends. Always.

"It's nothing...I'm sorry – Sharpay's my friend. If you can't handle that then maybe I should just walk away," he said, turning his back on his friends. They weren't ready. Just by their reactions, he could tell they weren't ready.

"What's up with him?" Zeke asked, glancing at the group. Of course he had seen the change in the boy. Everyone had, and they all concluded one thing – Sharpay. Something had happened over the summer that led the two of them being closer than ever.

"No idea," Chad sighed, staring after the boy. He hated change – he avoided it at all costs. Change was terrifying. The school was changing, despite his attempts to keep it the same.

"I think...I think we should ease up on Sharpay – maybe Jasons right," Taylor suggested, glancing around her group of friends. She had seen the fire in the boys' eyes – she had never seen that before. He was passionate about Sharpay. He was emotional about her. Obviously, Sharpay affected more than she knew.

"I agree with Tay," Zeke stated, smiling towards the girl. He had wanted Sharpay to be accepted into the group for quite some time. He believed there was something else to Sharpay. She wasn't all that she seemed.

"Look whatever, I'm fine with it if Sharpay wants in...but, right now, we've gotta get to class," Troy said, abruptly stopping the topic of conversation. He couldn't stop the thrill he got after just mentioning Sharpays' name. It seemed she had gotten under his skin. A mere touch and he was enthralled.

"Oh shit, Darbus," Chad muttered, hanging his head as he was pulled along by his girlfriend. Another year of 'Queen Darbus' – musical theatre is number one! He couldn't believe his bad luck.

Sorry about the short chapter, but, I just felt I couldn't right anymore for it...? Lol, review, review, review