Author's Note: A few things before we delve into this. Yes, boring, I know, but bear with me.

1. This is my first fanfic that I've put up here. Please let me know what you think, positive AND negative! Remember, I'll only improve with constructive criticism.

2. I have pretty much finished writing this fanfic, but I'm posting this in three segments - the classic three act structure. Why? Because.

3. This is a Gabpay. If you don't agree with homosexuality, then you should click the back arrow now.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or songs. I just manipulated them for my own amusement.

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ACT1

Take my hand, together we will celebrate...

Everyday...

Troy and Gabriella's voices swirled in the speakers, projecting a perfect harmony. The performance space went silent as their voices trailed off on their final note, before Chad stood up in applause from the front row, still clad in his basketball uniform. Following his lead, Taylor, Jason, Zeke, Martha - even Kelsi at the piano and Ms. Darbus all rose, showing their appreciation for the song. Troy made his way off the stage, only to have Chad jump on his shoulders.

"Who would have thought that a show tune could sound so good!"

Zeke and Jason each let out a small laugh, before returning to congratulating their team captain and commending his vocal chords. Gabriella carefully walked down the stairs at the side of the stage to be greeted by Taylor and Martha, excitedly exchanging hugs.

"Gabriella Montez: The next Christina Aguilera!" Taylor joked.

Gabriella blushed. "Don't flatter me too much; we still have some more rehearsing to do."

"Are you kidding me? You two sound amazing together as there is! What more is there to improve on?"

Martha chimed in teasingly, "Well, their dance moves, for one."

Taylor giggled, turning to Gabriella. "In all seriousness, you and Troy will take out this year's Talent Show. I'm sure of it."

Chad ran over to the girls, Jason, Zeke and Troy in tow. He put his arm in the center of the newly formed circle, grinning.

"To Troy and Gabriella winning this year's Talent Quest. Who's with me?!"

The rest of the gang stacked their hands up on Chad's, all cheering.

"GO WILDCATS!"

"Oh, brah-freakin'-vo," Sharpay muttered under her breath from the back row. 'Why am I even here?'

Her eyes fixated themselves on one particular wide-eyed brunette. She watched as Gabriella hugged her friends and received praise.

'Oh. That's why.'

Sharpay had convinced herself to come all the way down to the performance space to watch Wildcat King Troy and his trophy girl sing their song because they were her competition. The talent show was this Friday, and after 17 consecutive talent show wins, Sharpay was determined to maintain her streak. She was sure she had this show in the bag - that is, until her new threat showed up at East High.

Breaking out of her train of thought, she noticed a pair of large brown eyes looking at her. Sharpay pulled out her phone, glancing around for a clump of red and orange called Ms. Darbus as she did, showing a complete lack of interest in the performance. But now that the grinning brunette had noticed that Sharpay was in the performance space, she moved quickly over to the back of the auditorium and sat down in the seat next to her.

"So, Sharpay - what did you think?"

Sharpay's kept her eyes locked on her phone.

"What did I think about what?"

"The song."

"And you want my opinion, because..." Sharpay questioned.

"You've got so much more experience with theatre and performing and entertaining than I do. You know more about this sort of stuff than anyone in the entire school - Darbus included. So any input..."

Sharpay let out a small snort in disapproval.

"Montez: you're competition. Why would I help you?"

"I just want to improve. I don't want to compete with you."

Sharpay's focus shifted from the phone screen to Gabriella's eyes, greeting a warm face with an icy glare. Silence had fallen on the pair.

Gabriella sighed, "I know what you're trying to do, Sharpay, and it's not working. I'm not intimidated, I'm not scared. If I really bothered you, you would have gotten up and walked away by now."

Sharpay let her expression soften, only for a moment, before looking back down at her mobile. She pressed a few buttons and slid it into a side pocket on her handbag. Gabriella just turned to face the stage, disappointment written all over her face. The blonde rose up from her seat.

"Sometimes your voice gets a bit shaky on the higher notes. Work on your control."

Without turning to look back at Gabriella, Sharpay swiftly turned and headed towards the exit. Gabriella watched her, deep in thought. Sharpay's behaviour was always something that interested her. The way she didn't let anyone else into her mind. The way she would never show any emotions deeper than what her "Ice Queen" persona would allow to her show. She hated that, to Sharpay at least, they would always just be rivals. They couldn't co-exist in the same production, they couldn't work together or help each other out. It was always about Sharpay's passion to be the best at what she did, and crushing anyone who'd stand in her way.

"Gabriella?" Troy had taken an empty seat next to his girlfriend. She turned her head to find him looking at her, inquisitively. "Earth to Gabriella, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thank you, Earth. How are you?" She raised an eyebrow playfully at Troy. He laughed, stood up, and extended his hand to pull her up out of her seat.

"We're late for biology. Again."

Still holding onto her hand, Troy lead Gabriella towards the exit. Before they left, Gabriella glanced over her shoulder, her puzzlement about the blonde returning as they left the auditorium.