Those Who Wander

The world is so full of cliché's and stereotypes. It felt like I was stepping into one when I set foot in my new school- East High. My mom worked a lot but always seemed to drag me along in wherever they sent her. This time it was Albuquerque, New Mexico. Home of Scorpions and red rocks and The East High Wildcats. There were cacti everywhere and everything smelled like dirt.

The halls I was walking down were white and covered with red banners. They also had stenciled paintings of a wildcat? I think that's what the mascot was. It just looked like a cat with big teeth. Or if you closed one eye and squinted the other-a big red blob. I found my way to the office. Mom usually came with me but I told her not to. I was a senior, I could take care of myself.

I waltzed into the office and rang the bell a couple of times. "You only had to ring it once." The lady at the desk said.

I smirked. "I was just making sure somebody noticed I was here."

"What can I help you with?" The lady asked bitterly. She looked at me up and down.

I dyed my hair black. It wasn't much of a change but I liked it. I had a Monroe piercing. I wore a baggy black sweatshirt that read 'That's What She Said.' I also had some dark skinny jeans on with my red vans to tie it all together. My hair was long and curly, it was my best feature. "I'm new. Gabriella Montez."

She looked at me then shuffled through papers. "Well Miss Montez, you weren't what we were expecting from your transcript." I gave her a blank look. "Here is your schedule and a map. Have a lovely day." She said with a fake smile.

"Thanks." I said sarcastically. I spun around on my heels and ran into a boy. He looked down at me with his blue eyes and his baby face. His shaggy hair was in his eyes. I blinked at him. "Move." I pushed past him, walking down the hallway. I found my locker and opened it. Somebody's stuff was already in there. I sighed. "I have to share a locker? Doesn't this school have enough money to buy each person their own fucking locker?"

"What do you think you're doing?" I heard a voice from beside me. I looked up to see a bushy haired guy standing beside me. "This is my locker."

"Look, I don't know you and you don't know me. Today is my first day and I got assigned this piece of shit locker. But don't worry about it okay? You can have your own fucking locker." I threw the piece of paper at him and slammed the locker door.

"What the hell is going on?" I looked over to see the blue eyed boy standing next to the bushy haired one.

I laughed. "Figures. This school is full of Douche Bags."

"Look Bitch." The bushy haired guy said.

I raised my eyebrows at him. "The only female dog I see around here is you and your poodle hair." With that I turned and walked away from them. I checked my schedule and found my first class. I was the first one in class, I saw a lady sitting at a desk. I walked up to her. "Hi, I'm Gabriella, I'm new."

"Ah Gabriella Montez, Transferred from San Diego. I saw you took an Advanced Shakespearian class last year." I nodded. "Well I am head of the Drama department and we are hold auditions for A Midsummer Night's Dream."

I shook my head furiously. "Oh no, I'm not a good performer, but I love reading it. I'd love to come see it though."

She sighed. "Well, maybe you could stop by and help with the translations." I gave her a small smile. "Welcome to East High, Miss Montez."

I walked to the back of the classroom and sat down. I pulled a book out of my purse and flipped through it. I found the last page I was reading and started again. "You're in my seat." I heard voice from above me. I looked up. It was the blue eyed boy. I sighed and looked back to my book. He took the book out of my hands. "I said you're in my seat."

I took my book back. 'Well you better find a new seat because I'm not moving." I looked around the class. "There is one next to your boyfriend bush baby over there."

"I've sat here for the past four years. Get up." He said.

"I've sat here for the past four minutes. Get over it." I retorted, turning back to my book.

He groaned. "Darbus, can you tell the new girl to move?"

"Mr. Bolton, sit down in the empty seat." The teacher instructed. The boy groaned and reluctantly took a seat in the chair up front. He looked back to see if I was amused. I was, I just didn't show it.

Ms. Darbus allowed us free time and this girl next to me just staring at me. "Can I help you?" I asked.

"You're Gabriella Montez, right?" I nodded. "I'm Taylor McKessie. Class president, Valedictorian, future president of the United States, and captain of the debate team and the Scholastic Decathlon team." I blinked at her. "Principal Matsui was going over your transcript with me and wanted to know if you'll join the scholastic decathlon team."

"No." I said shortly then turned back to my book. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned back to the girl. "What?"

She bit her cheek. "Why not?"

"Because I don't want to." I said before sighing. "Look. I've already been accepted into the Stanford early admissions program. I have four more months here, then I'll be gone."

She frowned. "Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know."

I saw a blonde girl staring at me from the other side of me. I turned to look at her. "What?" I asked her. "I'm new, I get it. You don't have to stare!"

She didn't look taken back. "You are like the biggest bitch I've ever met." I blinked at her. "I think we are going to be great friends! I'm Sharpay Evans. I am head bitch here. Hannah Masters seems to think so but I disagree. She thinks her shit doesn't stink because she wears short skirts and let's the football team finger her at parties."

I smirked at this. "That's funny."

She smiled. "I'm glad you think so. So how do you like East High already?"

I shrugged. "It's okay. I've been here for a half hour and I've tired to get pulled into two different clubs and got annoyed by the douche brothers over there." I pointed to Pretty Boy and Poodle.

"Ah of course. The gorgeous one is Troy Bolton. He's is captain of the basketball team and the golf team. He isn't that douche-y anymore. He was total douche freshman year. He grew up well let me tell you." She wiggled her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes. "The other one is Chad Danforth. He was cool back in elementary school but he became a douche when he got on the basketball team. Whenever they're together they feed off each other but if Troy's alone, he's nice. I think Chad likes Taylor McKessie, which is weird because they haven't talked since the 8th grade. But whatever."

"Interesting." I said, bored of her talking.

"Like I said before. I'm Sharpay Evans. I take lead in every theatrical production here at East. Ryan, over there with the pink hat. He's my Twin brother and my best friend, he is the most amazing person ever… well next to me. He and Kelsi have this thing going on, I don't really know what it is yet." I hummed, starting to tune her out, reading my book. I didn't know how long I was tuning out. "He's totally looking at you Gabi. Can I call you Gabi?… Gabi? Oh my god he's- Hey Troy."

"Hey Sharpay." A voice said from next to me. I lifted my head up and looked from Sharpay to Troy. I looked back down. "Your name is Gabriella, Right?"

I looked at him blinking. "Yes."

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about bumping into you and making a big deal out of the seat. I don't want to give East High a bad name for you, especially on your first day." He said. I stared at him. "I want to start all over again. Hi I'm Troy Bolton."

"Hi." I replied, turning my head back to the book.

"Miss Montez, I think we should learn a bit more about you is that okay?" Ms. Darbus said as we all sat back down.

"Sure." I said, putting my book away.

"Alright class does anybody have any questions for Miss Montez?" She asked. A couple hands shot up. "Jason."

"What's your bra size?" Jason asked, followed by snickers.

Ms. Darbus was about to protest. "32 C" I replied. "Next?"

The teacher blinked. "Well, Ah Ms. McKessie."

"Why don't you want to join the scholastic decathlon team?" Taylor asked.

I sighed. "Because I have no interest in joining."

"Mr. Bolton." Darbus called next.

"What is your favorite sport?" Troy Bolton asked.

"Football and Boxing." I replied.

"Mr. Danforth."

"What is your least favorite sport?" Chad asked me.

I licked my lips before I smirked. "Basketball." A couple people 'oooh'd' "Followed closely by Golf."

"I have a question for you Miss Montez. What is your favorite play?" Ms. Darbus asked.

"Hamlet" I said, looking at her.

"Ah! Hamlet. One of my favorites as well." Ms. Darbus said.

Most people just looked at me confused. "What is that about?" Jason asked.

"You'd have to read it." I said simply. "But that is only one of my favorites. I have many, many more."

"What's your favorite Shakespearian love quote?" Ryan Evans asked, putting his chin on his knuckles.

I popped my lips, thinking. "Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps." Everybody just stared at me. "Much Ado About Nothing." I explained. Everybody turned back to talking. I sighed and went back to my book. Nobody understood.

The bell rang and I walked to my next class. This class was a little better because nobody tried to talk to me. At lunch I walked out front and sat by the fountain. Nobody was out front, so I enjoyed the quiet. I ate my lunch in peace.

In the middle of my sandwich Troy Bolton sat down next to me. "Hey." He said, opening his bagged lunch.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Can't a guy eat lunch with a pretty girl?"

"No." I said. "What do you want really?"

Troy Bolton shrugged and looked at me. "I wanted to tell you my favorite Shakey quote."

I scoffed. "Oh, what is that? Romeo, Romeo?" He chuckled and shook his head. "Then what is it?"

"That man that hath a tongue, I say is no man, If with his tongue he cannot win a woman." He said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Charming." I said dryly.

Troy sighed. "What would you rather have? Romeo and Juliet?" I shrugged. "But Soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the sun." He moved closer to me running his fingers down my cheek slowly. "Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon. Who is already sick and pale with grief. That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she." He dropped his hand from my cheek.

I felt my cheeks blush and I pushed my tongue under my lower lip, playing with my piercing there. I picked up my sandwich and took a bite. "What do you really want?" I asked. "I don't sleep around. I gave up on love. I'm just a bitter, bitter soul."

Troy shook his head. "I don't think so. I think you're just a little lost. You're a romantic at heart."

"I was. That's why I read Shakespeare." I dug through my purse and pulled out my mirror. I applied some lipstick on my lips.

He sighed. "I like your sweatshirt. Aren't you hot? It's like low 80's out here."

"It's thin, and I'm not wearing anything under it." I said, popped my lips and stuck my mirror back in my purse. "Why are you even sitting here anyway? Don't you people to entertain basketball star?"

"Basketball season is over." Troy said simply.

"Where are you going to school? Albuquerque community college?" I snorted.

He scoffed. "No. I have a scholarship offers from U of A, Duke, Oregon, and Berkley." I smirked at him. "Where are you going? San Diego State?"

I actually laughed. "Uh, No. I got accepted into Stanford's Early Honors Program. I leave in May, Thank God."

"Oh no. You're a nerd too? I just thought you were one of those weird Goth girls that masturbate to Shakespearian sonnets." I slapped my forehead.

"You're ridiculous." I said flatly. "I am intelligent, don't mistake that for naïve. I've dated a guy like you at every other school I've been to and I'm done with your type."

He laughed, clearly amused. "What's my type? I'd love to know."

"Jock, obviously. Every girl throws their panties at you, you hump and dump at least half of them. Two lovers away from contracting some form of genital infection. You play the sensitive, nice guy really well. You take an interest to the new girl. Get me to like you. You get the goodies and then you sleep with the next mystery that comes along." I said, starting to clean up. "I'm not going to be that girl anymore so don't try." I got up and walked away from him. I walked into the school and saw poodle looking around. "Poodle, your boyfriend was outside harassing me."

"Thanks." He said, running past me out the doors. I rolled my eyes as the bell rang. I found my next class, which was English.

The first day was one of the most successful in my book. I finished my homework. I changed into my running clothes. I had my iPod in my ears and a water bottle in my backpack. I stretched for a minute before I headed out the door. This was my first time running in Albuquerque so I decided to make a route. I ran down my street and turned left at the corner. I set a good pace and was doing pretty good time. I calculated I was about 3 miles away from my house. I slowed down as I approached a park. I found a tree and I stood under it. I pulled out my water bottle and took a drink.

"Hey good lookin." I heard from behind me. I rolled my eyes to myself and stuffed my water back in my back pack, putting it on my shoulders.

I turned around and came face to face with the douche twins. "Ah, Pretty Boy and Poodle." I smirked at them both. Their jaws were practically on the floor. "I'd love to chat, but I really don't want to."

"Damn." Poodle muttered. "Why does she have to be so hot?" He turned to pretty boy. Pretty Boy was just staring at me.

I shook out my legs. "Later." I ran past them heading back toward my house. Once I got home I went in the basement. Mom had somebody set up my bag and some other training equipment. Mom worked late most of the time so I made each of my meals. I was on a strict diet, due to boxing.

I'm becoming a professional boxer. It's kind of out of the box for a little girl like me. I was only 5 feet tall, but man I could pack a punch. Six miles was my warm up. I spent at least an hour on the bag and a half hour doing stations. 2 minute intervals on each 5 stations. I wrapped my hands up as I prepared myself. I got myself into position and my fist collided with the heavy bag.

The next day I ate breakfast and made my lunch. I looked at myself when I passed the mirror. I wore a white crop top that said 'Sorry I'm not sorry.' My flat belly peaked from under it when I lifted my arms, it didn't really bother me. My shorts were black and they matched with the black vans I was wearing. I grabbed my backpack and walked out the door. I grabbed the key's to my Audi and drove to East High.

We've been in Albuquerque for three days and I've only seen my mother once and that was the day we got here. It didn't bother me much, it's much more peaceful without her around. I walked into the school and walked into the office. I rang the little bell on the desk. The secretary looked less than happy to see me. "What can I help you with?" She asked.

"I need my own locker. I'm not going to share." I said, looking at her. She blinked at me and looked through her files.

"We've found one. Here." She handed me a slip of paper.

"Thank you." I said turning to walk out of the office. I went and found my new locker. I opened it and thankfully it was empty. I pulled out some Clorox wipes and wiped it down. You never know what people do to their lockers. I put my things in my locker and closed it.

"Oh look at that! We're locker neighbors." Troy Bolton said opening the locker next to me.

I groaned to myself. "Why are you everywhere?" I turned to walk away and Troy pulled me back. "What?"

"Do you want to hang out later?" He asked.

"I can't" I said, before trying to walk away. He pulled me back again. "What?!" I asked, growing increasingly frustrated.

"I like your belly ring." He said, tracing the outline of my belly button. I smacked his hand away and turned to step away. "Why can't you hang out?" He asked, holding my hips in place.

I pulled out my lipstick and smoothed it on my lips. "Because, I have to run six miles, everyday."

"I'll run with you." He offered. I shook my head. "Come on! It'll be fun. I can keep up with you. I'll meet you at your house." He said, squeezing my side and walking away before I protest.

I sighed then smirked, he didn't even know where I lived. I walked off to class and Sharpay was looking at me. "What the hell was that?!"

I looked at her confused. "What was what?"

"You and Troy. You guys are totally hooking up!" Sharpay said squealing.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Shut up." I walked past her into the class room. Troy was sitting in 'his' seat, so I sat in the empty seat next to poodle.

"Hey sexy." Poodle said, winking at me.

"Poodle." I greeted.

"My name is Chad, you know." He said, looking down at my legs.

I crossed my legs and sighed. "I know, but I like poodle better."

"You can call me any name you want baby." Chad said, leaning over to take a look down my shirt.

I shook my head at him and turned around. "Why does every move get shitter and shitter?" I asked myself under my breath, pulling my book out.

This is the first chapter of the new story i'm working on. I'll probably only update this one only once a week or every other week. I don't have alot written so far. This is just a little sneek peak. The next couple chapters will explain much more. I've wanted to write a high school story not a baby/marriage/adult story. So Here it is. I'll upload the next chapter of Superstar (if y'all read that one) tomorrow. :) Don't forget to review!