Prologue
The bells at East High had rung about an hour ago, signaling the end of a long Monday. Gabriella Montez, studying for her upcoming science final, was the only one left at school or so she thought.
After she was satisfied with what she had accomplished in the library, she left for her locker. Slowly she walked down the halls thinking how much better life would have been if she hadn't said anything about being the freaky math girl at her last school. She finally disclosed the fact and thought about how great her friends were.
Gabriella had befriended Taylor McKessie on the first day of school. Ever since she had told Taylor she was on the scholastic decathlon team, she had not stopped badgering Vanessa about joining. Even though people knew her as the freaky math girl, she still did not want to join the team for fear that she would be even lower on the food chain.
Gabriella was about to reach her locker when she looked up. She saw the one person she would least expect to be waiting for her at her locker on earth. Troy Bolton, the most self absorbent, cockiest, stupidest basketball player was leaning against the row of lockers with his arms crossed grinning at Gabriella. Even though guys like Troy would never give girls like her the time of day, Gabriella had to admit that Troy was extremely good looking.
"Hey there Gabby," Troy said cooly as he stepped aside for Gabriella to get to her locker.
"My name's Gabriella, and what do you need?" Gabriella said as she spun the dial of her locker.
"Gabby! I'm hurt that you would think I only come to you when I need something!" Troy exclaimed.
Gabriella stopped turning her dial and looked at Troy with her eyebrows raised.
"Okay, okay, here's the deal. I'm failing math and I really need help. If I don't get at least a C on my midterm, then I'm off the team," Troy said.
"Well I don't understand why you can't go and ask someone else to tutor you," Gabriella said as she opened her locker and started pulling needed books out.
"Because I need the best, and word on the street is that you are the best,"
"I don't know Troy. If you really want me to tutor you, you have to be serious. No being late, no goofing around, none of that stuff." Gabriella told him as she finally gathered all her books.
"Yes Ma'am!"
Gabriella paused for a second considering the pros and cons.
"Meet me at 7 o'clock at the public library and bring your tests so we can review them. See you then," she said as she left without even glancing at Troy.
"Thanks Gabby! I won't let you down, I promise!" Troy yelled as Gabriella just waved at him as she walked out the doors of East High.
Gabriella just thought of what she got herself into.
"Oh crap,"