Authors Note: Hey everybody, incase you didn't know I quit using the pen name, Alaska Terror, but it's still me, Tori. I know I quit all my other fanfic stories without a reason why, but I swear it wont happen here. I even wrote a "just in case" chapter that will be posted if I feel I dont want to return. This is my first HSM story and I hope you all like it :)

Chapter 1: Meeting You

Gabriella Montez sat anxiously in the passenger seat of her mom's blue minivan. Another new year, another new school. Gabriella sadly looked out the window watching kids her age run up to eachother and catch up after the long 3-month summer. She was never able to do that. Her mother's job required them to move from place to place every year, leaving Gabriella with no friends. Even though she tried, it was pointless. She knew she would always have to leave them, come July.

"Here we are sweetie, East High," said her mom excitedly as they pulled up to the red and white building. Gabriella gave her mom a sad smile and got out of the car.

"Well I can see they're uhh...really into school spirit," muttered Gabriella, looking around the outside of the building. There was red and white posters, balloons, backpacks, even flowers all around the school. Her mom shurgged and they made their way inside.

"Now sweetie there's no need to be nervous, you're going to have a great time here at East High," explained Mrs.Montez to her daughter blandly. Gabriella rolled her eyes and walked past hundreds of students along with her mom. Before she could get to her first class, her mom insisted on meeting with the principle.

"Mom I'm not nervous," Gabriella sighed, twirling a loose string on her backpack strap, "And I really don't need to meet the principle again."

Gabriella's mom looked sadly at her 16-year-old daughter and gave her a faint smile. "Alright hun, I guess I'll see you after school," she said before giving her daughter a tiny peck on the cheek. Gabriella gave her mom a small grin and began to walk to her first class.

"Yeah mom, I'll have a brilliant time," she muttered sarcastically once her mother was out of earshot.

Once Gabriella got to homeroom she was already a good two minutes late. She uneasily made her way inside to see a very angry woman in dark, dramatic colors, standing infront of her.

"You must be Gabriella Montez. While it may be your first day here at East High, be assured Ms. Montez there are rules here and timeliness is a very important factor. Now sit," said the angry woman, not even giving Gabriella a chance to explain, let alone, tell her, her name.

Great, now all day I'm going to call her Angry Woman because i don't even know her name.

Gabriella slowly made her way past the rows of students and took a seat in the back of the room next to a dark-haired boy. While she only dared to look at him for a second, she did notice he was very good-looking and had amazing blue eyes. From the corner of her eye she saw him smiling at her.

"As I was saying, welcome back everybody. I hope your vacation time served you well, but summer is over. It's time to buckle down again, and get back to work," angry woman stated coldly. Gabriella's eyes widened and the boy next to her gave a quiet laugh.

"Is there something you find amusing Mr. Bolton?" snapped angry woman. Gabriella turned to the boy next to her, who did not look afraid at all.

"Uh no, of course not Ms. Darbus," he stated smugly. Angry Woman AKA Ms. Darbus shot him a dirty look before heading back to her desk.

"I expect you all to know, you are juniors now, and your years of childishness is behind you! Understood?" she grumbled right before the bell rang.

Nobody even bothered to answer her before they raced out of the classroom. Gabriella grabbed her bag and got up from her seat sadly. With teachers like Ms. Darbus at East High, school was bound to be...interesting.

"Hey don't worry about Ms. Darbus, she's mean to everyone," said the dark-haired boy with a wink before heading out himself.

Oh yes, very interesting.

Troy Bolton happily made his way down the East High halls towards his good friend Chad who had already left homeroom.

"Hey dude, did you see the new girl?" asked his pompom-haired friend. Troy gave his 100 watt smile.

"She is cute isn't she," he said, pushing his hair away from his eyes. Chad grinned, "Dude she's hot. Why dont you put on your Mr. Charm and bat those blue eyes of yours, and go show her around," he said, patting him on the back. Troy laughed and looked around for her.

"What's her name? It was Isabella or Julie or Chowder or something," muttered Chad. Troy shot Chad the strangest look.

"Chowder? Chowder? Come on dude, that's just stupid. And her name is Gabriella," he said, giving up on his hunt for her.

"Well it could happen. I mean ever since last year, when the new guy's name was Pigalow, I - "

Chad was stopped when he noticed a petite, black-haired girl standing infront of them. Gabriella.

"Um hi, I was just wondering if for a second you could stop discussing my name and show me where Mrs. Andrew's biology is?" she said sweetly. Troy laughed as Chad's face turned as red as the lockers.

"We'd be happy to. By the way, I'm Troy and my stupid friend, with the crazy hair, is Chad," Troy smiled. Gabriella smiled polietly.

"Well thank you Troy...and uh Chad," she laughed.

"You're very lucky, because it just so happens I'm heading to biology as well," said Troy, patting his hand on Chad. "Now run along Chaddie you wouldn't want to be late for P.E." he said cooly. Chad shot him a dirty look and shuffled in the opposite direction.

"Don't mind him," Troy chucked, leading the way to biology. Gabriella gave a faint laugh and followed him.

"So erm...where'd you move from?" aske Troy, hoping to make some small talk with the new girl. Gabriella pushed her long, black curly hair behind her ear.

"Oh um, New York," she answered. Troy noticed how uneasy she looked and how she was avoiding eye-contact.

"Oh New York! I've always wanted to go there, but it's ways away from Albuquerque," he admitted, shoving his hands inside his pockets, "What was it like growing up there?"

Gabriella sighed. She was sort of hoping he wouldn't ask her that.

"I actually didn't grow up there. My mom's job makes us move around alot, so it's basically a different state a year. I guess this year was New Mexico," she said with a small laugh.

"Oh well that's cool," said Troy nicely. Gabriella exhaled softly.

"Oh yeah...it's great," she muttered. Troy gave her a sad smile, and held the door open for her, as they entered biology.

The two took the last two desks in the back. Mrs. Andrew wasn't even in yet.

"So what other classes do you have?" asked Troy, pulling out his schedule. Gabriella pulled hers next to his.

"I guess we have lunch, gym, and history together," she smiled sweetly. Troy smiled back. He didn't understand why he was getting so excited over a girl he just met.

"So um, after school me, Chad, and a few others are getting together at this place called The Shack, would you like to join us?" Troy asked courteously. Gabriella gave him a half smile.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, but thanks anyways Troy," she answered, before taking out a notebook.

Troy felt like he was just slapped. It wasn't everyday when a girl said no to hanging out with him. Sure, he just met her and she was probably still settling into her new house, but in a stange way, he really liked her. He didn't even really know who she was, but he already felt like there was a connection. Stupid, huh?

Sorry it probably wasn't all that good and was a tad corny, but the beginnings are always the most boring to write (and read). I promise, you are in for a load of surprises :)