Gabriella Montez took in a deep breath as she stepped outside of the busy Albuquerque airport. She shielded her eyes from the bright sun as she scanned the crowds coming in and out of the airport.

"Easy, Montez," she whispered to herself, "You can do this." Calming, she began to fill with hope that this city would be the answer to her problems. Here she could forget her past and begin to heal. She was done with the old Gabriella; done with everything that had threatened to destroy her. Could she really start over? Could she really become someone new?

As these thoughts raced across her mind, she heard a loud screech behind her.

"Gabby!" Gabriella whirled around to the sight of her best, and now only, friend.

"Taylor!" The girls exchanged happy smiles and hugs as they walked towards Taylor's car. Taylor chattered excitedly about how glad she was that Gabriella was in New Mexico and all the fun things they would do. As they started down the highway, Taylor turned to Gabriella, no longer smiling.

"Now, Gabriella. Tell me everything. Where have you been the past five years?"


Sweat dripped off Troy's forehead as he lined up for the shot. He aimed carefully, and shot a perfect basket. A whistle blew in the background as the coach called the players around him.

"Good work, team. Play just like that in the game next week, and there's no way we're not going to the championship this year!" The team cheered loudly, then broke up and headed off to the locker rooms.

"Nice basket, Bolton," A tall, frizzy haired guy punched Troy on the shoulder, laughing.

"I'm feelin' hot today Danforth," Troy laughed, "Man, what a rough practice. You coming over for pizza later?"

"Nah, can't. Tay's friend is flying in today and she wants me to meet her," Chad groaned, rolling his eyes. "But we'll party it up this weekend, dude."

"That we will," Troy mumbled, eyeing and winking at the group of cheerleaders walking past. He turned his attention back to his long-time best friend. "So what's with the new girl?"

"I don't know, I guess she's Taylor's friend from when she lived in Boston. She said the girl is in need of some help for something," Chad replied, shrugging. "She wants you to come over too, she's got a dinner all planned out. Be there at 7."

"Whatever. Maybe she'll be hot," Troy said as he headed into the shower.


Once at Taylor's, Gabriella started unpacking her belongings into what would be her new bedroom in her new home. She sighed, shaking slightly from relaying her tale to Taylor just moments before.

"So let me get this straight," Taylor said, "I move away. You fall off the face of the earth for five years. You keep partying and getting deeper and deeper into…stuff. You try to get clean, can't, see a therapist, and she sends you out here?"

"I am clean, Taylor. I have been for 6 months. My therapist just thinks this move will help settle things. I just want to start over. I know it was wrong of me not to keep in contact for five years, but I couldn't. It was too hard. I was so deep, Taylor. I knew if I didn't stop, it would kill me." Gabriella turned to Taylor, tears forming in her eyes.

"So how do I know you've changed? I can't pick up after you. If you are going to stay here, there will be no more of anything that you were into. I can't do it again." Taylor said, in tears herself.

"I'm ready to change, Taylor. I really am. I'm done with it all-done with the drugs, the lies, and all the pain." Gabriella whispered, pleading. "I just need a chance."

Taylor reached over and hugged her best friend. "Welcome back, Gabby. I'll help you, don't worry. You can start over here."

Taylor and Gabriella hugged each other for a few more moments, and then Taylor straightened up and headed downstairs.

"By the way, I've invited my boyfriend Chad over for dinner. I want you to meet him. I think he may be bringing another one of our friends as well. Come downstairs when you're ready. They should be here any minute."

Gabriella stared after her. This was it. Her only chance to start over. She wouldn't blow it this time. Gabriella checked her make-up in the mirror and headed downstairs, just as someone knocked on the door.