Chapter 1: New Beginning

Seventeen-year-old Gabriella Montez woke up at 7:00 a.m. at the sound of her alarm and got ready for her first day at East High, her first day as a junior. After she changed into a pair of her favorite Hollister jeans and a white tank top Gabriella went into her bathroom and began to apply light make-up to her face and brushed her curly, brown hair. Once she had finished she grabbed her bag and went downstairs to grab some breakfast.

"Morning Mom," greeted the brunette when she saw her mother at the table, sipping a cup of coffee.

"Morning sweetie. Are you ready for your first day?"

"Yes, but I'm a little nervous." Gabriella was always nervous when meeting new people but she wasn't shy; in fact she was the total opposite; once she got comfortable to a new environment and people looked beyond the "freaky math girl" image and saw the spunky girl inside.

"It's always nervous on the first day of a new school. You'll do great, you always do. And I made my company promise that I can't be transferred again until you graduate."

"I don't want to be the school's freaky genius girl again."

"Just be Gabriella."

At 7:45 Gabriella kissed her mom good-bye, grabbed her car keys and left the house, going to East High. She arrived at 7:50, parking her car in the student parking lot. Taking a deep breath Gabriella grabbed her bag and walked into the high school. She watched as friends were reunited after the weekend, thinking about all of the friends she had to leave in the past due to her mother's numerous transfers. Thinking back she was never at a certain school for more than a year, but within the year Gabriella would always come out of her shell and become one of the most popular girls there.

Gabriella pulled out her schedule and school map her mom had given her the previous day from her bag and began looking for her homeroom class. (Gabriella was a week behind the new school year due to the moving.) Once there she noticed an artistic blonde haired woman she guessed to be Ms. Darbus. Feeling there was someone else in the room Ms. Darbus looked up and saw a petite brunette standing at the door.

"Can I help you dear?"

"Ummm my name is Gabriella Montez, I'm new here and I think that this is my homeroom."

"Welcome to East High Ms. Montez. You may take a seat anywhere and wait for class to begin." At that the bell rang signaling that students should begin walking to their homerooms. Gabriella looked around the room and decided to take a seat near the back, taking out a book to preoccupy herself until class started. After three minutes an African-American girl walked into class and took a seat next to Gabriella. Noticing that the girl sitting next to her was reading The Great Gatsby she decided to introduce herself.

"Hi, I'm Taylor McKessie."

Gabriella looked up and noticed the girl sitting next to her. "Hello. Gabriella Montez. I'm new here."

"Really? I can show you around school later."

Thankful that she had already made a new friend Gabriella accepted the offer and the two began to chat until the final bell rang, signaling the beginning of homeroom. Ms. Darbus walked up to the front of the classroom and raised her hand, causing the room to fall silent.

"Welcome back to another year at East High. Before we begin I would like to announce that there is a new student in our mist. Ms. Montez, please stand up." Gabriella slowly stood up from her seat and every head turned her way. "This is Gabriella Montez and she will be joining us for the rest of the year."

"Damn, the new girl is hot. Don't you agree man?" Turning to the voice Gabriella saw a bushy haired boy holding onto a basketball. She noticed that the person the bushy haired boy was referring to had deep, blue eyes that made her knees go weak.

Troy Bolton stared at the new student, a petite, tanned-skinned girl with curly dark locks and chocolate brown eyes. He moved his gaze to her luscious lips before staring into her eyes once again, she was beautiful. Their eyes locked and Troy felt himself begin to blush at the amazing sight.

"Troy, man did you hear me?" Snapping his eyes from Gabriella Troy turned to his best friend, Chad Danforth.

"What?"

"I said that the new girl was hot. Don't you agree?"

Knowing the answer Chad was expecting Troy answered, "Hell yeah. I'd tap that."

Jerk! Gabriella silently told herself, and to think that the sight of his eyes made her knees go weak. Angry at the boy's comment Gabriella was about to retaliate but was cut off by a blonde haired girl sitting in the front.

"Shut it Bolton."

"Make me Evans. You're just jealous cuz she's better looking than you."

"God, can't you just leave the girl alone? It's not like she can seriously be interested in you."

"Everyone, settle down unless you want to spend time in detention," Ms. Darbus spoke out. "Mr. Danforth! This is a place of learning, not a hockey arena. Ms. Montez you may return to your seat."

Sitting down Gabriella saw the blonde haired girl turn around and gave her a friendly smile which she returned.

"Now along with the announcements. On Thursday auditions for the school musicale will be held at 3:00 and …."