Smoke and Mirrors

Welcome to Saint Michele's Co-ed Catholic Academy: Our mission is to make our student's feel like they have the courage to be whatever their heart is set on. We thrive on academic success and respect for one another. Course Selection is due by next Wednesday if it isn't already handed in! We look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely, Sister Patterson, Father McDaniels, and Sister Dawson.

Located: East High District

234 567 8901

"Gabriella, darling, this school is the top school in Albuquerque! Why aren't you excited to go?" Maria Montez asked her seventeen year old daughter who sat at the island in the kitchen, a bored expression filling her mocha eyes.

"I liked Westridge Mom, you know, the school in New York I was 'Never leaving.;'" Gabriella replied. Her mother sighed.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. There isn't a thing I can do to make it up to you, I know that. But, look at the offerings, a better school, more activities, Stanford would love to have you, one of the most prestigious colleges, and one of the most prestigious Academy's? You are a shew-in! And I'd be home more often. It works out for both of us." Gabriella sighed. Defeated she slumped her caramel shoulders.

"I guess I could try it for the semester." Maria smiled.

"Thank you, doll. Thank you! Now, we have to go shopping for your uniforms, you start next week. You're transcripts are being sent."

"Do they have dress down days?" Gabi asked hopefully,

"Every Friday! We can get you a couple of new clothes, shorts, pants, shirts, but all of your clothes fit so we don't need to worry."

"What are the uniform requirements?" asked the brunette as there car pulled up into the mall parkinglot.

"Collared shirt, white. Pleated skirt, white stockings if you aren't comfortable with your skin showing. black dress shoes, no heels, cardigan with the schools logo on it." read her mother. " Now, we might as well shop for your school supplies today instead of procrastinating. We need two binders, four notebooks, pens, pencils, calculator, and a new messenger bag. And we'll we done."

"Cool, I have some savable material from Westridge."

"Oh good! We can cut our shopping time in half."

"This could be a good year after all." The brunette smiled.

"It will be baby, it will be." Maria concluded.

.OoO.

The week flew by for the Montez girls as the first day of school finally came. Maria tapped her foot patiently holding onto the banister awaiting her daughter with a proud smile on her face.

"Sweetie, lets go! I'm growing impatient." the older women joked.

"Calm down, I'm coming." said Gabriella approaching the steps.

"Oh honey, you look gorgeous!"

"Is this too much make up?" Maria laughed.

"No. it's perfect. You're perfect."

Gabriella glanced out the window of the car, her eyes catching sight of the large building infront of her. Nervously she adjusted her sweater and grabbed her bag.

"Guess this is it.."

"You'll do fine! Be yourself."

"I will, I love you mom."

"I love you, have a good day!"

Walking through the glass doors, pairs of eyes landed on her. Whispers started almost immediately.

"New meat. How nice."

"Is she insane for going here? What the fuck is she thinking."

"You can smell her fear. Looks like a good year after all."

"She won't know what hit her when she finally realizes."

finally she found the main office. A woman smiled at her and waved her in.

"You must be Gabriella! I'm Sister Dawson. And I must say, you're grades are perfection, St. Michele's could really use you!" "Anyway, here are your timetables, lunch depends on you're third period teacher, it's categorized in groups A, B, C and D. If you see anything wrong, please come back again, and we'll fix it. Your homeroom is up the first set of stairs you see and its the first door on the right! Homeroom starts in a few minutes, so take this time to introduce yourself to your homeroom teacher. Sister Darbus." Gabi smiled, it was a lot of information to take in.

"Thank you, Sister."

"Not a problem. Welcome to St. Michele's."

Finding her homeroom with ease, she walked in the empty room spotting what she thought was Sister Darbus in the back filing papers.

"Sister Darbus?" Said Gabriella timidly. The woman looked up, a smile gracing her face.

"Gabriella Montez, welcome. I am Sister Darbus. I hope you're a fan of theater and the arts, I am the drama teacher, and it appears to me you have me right after homeroom, so please, pick a seat and I will make it your assigned seat."

"Thank you Sister."

"Not a problem, dear." she replied as the homeroom bell rung. Kids piled in respectively without sparing the girl in the back row a second glance. That is, until a blue eyed boy walked in the room. He caught her eyes instantly.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Looks like we got a new girl in our good graces!" the boy laughed tauntingly as every student looked back. Making Gabriella blush.

"Mr. Bolton, take your seat." Sister Darbus groaned.

"Sure thing Ms D."

"Mr. Bolton, I would advise you not to push me. This year, I am allowed to call your father and he can suspend you from the basketball team. Clear?"

"Crystal, Sister."

"Good, As Mr. Bolton announced, so kindly." her voice dripped with sarcasm. "We have a new Student joining us. Gabriella Montez, please say a few words." Gabriella stood up unsurely.

"My name is Gabriella, you can call me Gabi if you want. I moved from New York with my mom. And I'm seventeen. I guess that's it." Gabriella smiled sheepishly and sat down.

"Well spoken Ms. Montez. Mr. Bolton," her attention turned to the boy in the front row. "As for the little outburst, you will be Gabriella's guide, Gabriella, this is Troy. Troy turned to glare at the brunette. Smirking evilly at her.

The brunette shivered, and turned away.

Troy Bolton smirked vindictively at the his play things averted eyes.

Gabriella Montez, you have stepped into Hell. You aren't leaving.

And there you have it. This idea came to me from talking to a friend. R&R