Author's Note: I apologize to anyone who can actually speak Japanese. I'm taking it this year, and eh, my accent isn't too great.
And, also, the reviews just made me smile. It feels nice knowing someone kinda sorta likes my work, you know?
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"Gaburiera Montezu?" My Japanese teacher called out for attendance.
"Ms. Tanaka, even though my given name is Gabriella, please, I prefer Gabrielle." I corrected.
"Hai, Gaburieru."
"Close enough." I muttered under my breath as a few people around me smiled, out of their pity I would assume.
Today, it was the actual first day of East High, exactly a week from orientation. It really isn't that exciting to me. As far as I'm concerned, everyone from freshman to sophomore to junior to senior has some reasons to feel badass this school year.
There were the freshman. Class of 2013. We're out of middle school, whoop. It doesn't matter that we're the lowest of the low at this school. It doesn't matter that we don't have our own table. It doesn't matter that we're the shortest and we match all our outfits from head to toe. No, all that matters is that we're out of middle school. That's why we think we're badass.
There were the sophomores. Class of 2012. They aren't freshman anymore. They aren't constantly being dissed about the little things, and they're finally considered upperclassman. They know their campus, and don't have a huge backpack or map glued permanently to their hands. Sophomores, they have their own tables and hangout spots. They aren't the clueless freshman they were last year.
There were the juniors. Class of 2011. They're one year away from being kings and queens of the school. They're finally able to drive, no more bus, or embarrassing parents dropping them off or picking them up. They have second priority to everything, and they're definitely ahead of us freshman, and those sophomores. Slowly, they're getting there. They're to the point where it's okay to talk to seniors without looking lame. They are so much closer to being top.
And then, there were the seniors. Class of 2010. They own the school, without a doubt. After three long years, they're finally at the top. They've matured a lot since freshman year, and they definitely have all of the priorities. Seniors have free periods. They can ditch class without being noticed too much. They can drive and leave campus during school hours. They're almost legal, and so close to sweet freedom.
"Gaburieru?" Tanaka Sensei called out.
"Hm, what?" I questioned back.
"Please pay attention to the syllabus while I go over it. Can you please read the section where I stopped?"
"I can't." I responded as I furiously glanced over the paper.
"Why not?"
I blushed slightly. "I don't know where we are."
Ms. Tanaka raised her eyebrows, clearly intending for me to pay more attention as she resumed reading whichever part she was on.
In Japanese, the only person I considered close enough to start a conversation with was Taylor. The rest of the faces in the room, they only had vaguely familiar names to me. And others were faces I would soon recognize as the school year progressed.
"Taylor, psst," I whispered. "Which part of the syllabus is she actually going over?"
"She's reviewing her scholarship grading system. Right now, she's reading over the expectations for a B average, and then she'll go over citizenship grading." Taylor responded, her eyes glued to the paper as if the black print would disappear if she looked away for a fraction of a second.
The expectations for a 4, or A, were standard, not exceptionally hard, or effortless. So, I could slack a little bit, but if I score well on tests/projects, I could still maintain an A.
"I'll give you a little free time before the bell rings. Have your parents review, and sign this syllabus for five points tomorrow. This week's schedule is Full Menu, all your classes, for Monday and Tuesday, B-day, A-day, and then Pro-hour." Ms. Tanaka explained as I placed the syllabus in my bag.
"What the fuck Taylor, why do our 4, 5, 6 classes come before our 1, 2, 3 classes? It just makes everything seem so much more confusing, I'll be likely to forget!" I exclaimed, quietly, so our teacher couldn't hear my slight use of profanity.
"We'll never know, and we can't protest the schedule hun, so we'll just have to deal with it. And, let me see your schedule, I didn't get to see what classes we had together."
"Here, take it, compare." I replied as I passed her the half sheet of paper, and waited for a minute or so for her to compare.
She looked back and forth before she handed it back to me. "Elle, we only have two classes together."
In 8th grade, we somehow ended up with almost every class together. The only differences were our elective and PE periods were switched. She took some advisory class, and I was part of that sexy yearbook.
"And those classes are?" I questioned as she passed my schedule back to me.
"First and last period. Japanese, and Geometry."
"Well, Tay, I'll be seeing you every day." I responded.
"Wait, no. I didn't mean it like that!" I added after a quick afterthought.
"Elle, what are you talking about?" she questioned.
"Don't worry about it, I don't even know myself."
I couldn't manage to suppress the laugh that escaped my throat at the awkward silence that ensued afterwards.
Well, somewhat awkward, nothing major.
"Hi," I'm Gabriel." The boy next to us said.
"I'm Gabrielle, as you've probably figured out from Ms. Tanaka's mispronunciation, and that's Taylor."
"Gabrielle, Gabriel." Taylor responded with a slight laugh.
At that moment, the bell rang, dismissing us to second period, where Taylor and I walked our respective directions.
Until I got to know anyone whose classroom was relatively close to my second period, I would have to walk alone. It felt kind of weird.
As I pondered walking alone, he appeared, and I decided walking alone was better after all.
"Allow me walk you to class?" Troy Bolton questioned.
"No. I can walk myself to class. I'm perfectly capable of finding it on my own. I'm not five."
"It's your call, I don't really care about being late, and I'll like to get to know you better."
Why was he suddenly trying to be all nice? Is he like bi-polar or something?
"Bolton, people like you, I don't want to waste any of my time on. I'm not concerned if that's somewhat offensive to you. Honestly, I'd rather just tell you the truth. "
He shrugged, and didn't respond. I took it as his that he was okay with what I said. He wouldn't walk me to class, or ever for that matter.
I continued towards Potter's Geography class as Troy disappeared in the crowd –not that I cared or anything. I had no reason to care about a bastard like him.
"Wow, he's pretty cute!" a voice gushed from the crowd.
"Who?" her friend asked, she clearly searching for this cute boy.
"The one with shaggy brown hair and blue eyes."
Gag me now, please.
I continued to Potter's class, and was greeted by Sharpay, Richelle and Kelsi. Not bad, I could actually start liking this class. More than two-fifths of our "group" was in it after all.
"Alright, who'd like to go over the World Geography syllabus?" Mr. Potter inquired in a voice that seemed bored, unenthusiastic and sounded nasal.
The class was silent, none of us knew what kind of answer Mr. Potter would want to expect.
"Just kidding," Potter laughed, and then started talking in a more enthusiastic voice. "I don't sound like that, and I think you'll get plenty of things to take home and get your parents to sign. I'll make it one less thing to sign, and we'll focus on learning everyone's names today. Can everyone please stand in a circle?"
We stood up, walked to the borderlines of the room, and created as best a circle as we could. I was between Shar and Richelle, and was waiting for further instruction.
"We'll be playing the Name Game." Mr. Potter started as he went between Kelsi and Richelle. "The rules are simple; we'll be starting with this Asian girl, no racial intended, and making our way around the room."
Richelle shrugged, and said her name. "Hi, I'm Richelle."
"You," our teacher explained. "Have the easiest job; all you have to do is say your name. Your friend over here," he gestured to Kelsi. "Has the hardest job. She has to say your name, and everyone else's."
"I'm Gabriella, and this is Richelle."
"I'm Sharpay, and that's Gabriella and Richelle."
The game progressed onward, with a few profanities being muttered because of blanking out someone's name, until it was just Kelsi left.
"Good luck, you got this." Richelle whispered, and I agreed. "You do Kelsi, come on."
"I'm Kelsi, and that's Marcus, Steven, Nicole, Lauren, Tiffani, CJ, Amanda, Erin, Aaron, Michael, Savannah, James, Martin, Roy, Patrisha, Sophia, Jenny, Eric, Lorraine, Ren, Ariel, Javier," she paused as she pondered the next person's name, and then started again as if there never was a blank in her thoughts. "Judy, May, Alex, Jacob, John, Kevin, Derek, Sharpay, and Gabriella."
I clapped, and mad props to Kelsi. She managed to say everyone's names, when I can't even remember anyone except Troy and of course, Isaac from my original Link Crew orientation group.
"Now that we got everyone's names, try to remember the faces that match those names. These are your fellow classmates for the school year, give or take a few transfers, and I won't have a disruptive classroom. Can everyone pick a seat now? I'll be passing around a piece of paper, add your name to the desk that corresponds to where you are sitting. This will be your assigned seat for the grading period, unless the class does something to lose that privilege."
Shar grabbed my arm and chose the seats closest to the door, a fast "escape," she claims anyways.
When the piece of paper came to us, I had just barely written my name in before we were dismissed to a 10-minute nutrition break before 3rd period.
"God, all the freshmen are the same from East Middle, I swear!" Shar practically screeched as we quickly assembled with the rest of the group.
Horny hallway.
I swear, that's where we all met up, and ugh. There are people making out from us fucking two feet away for goodness sake!
"What did you expect dear?" Taylor began. "East Middle, East High. Of course, majority of these kiddos are going to be the same as last year. We're all just transitioning up."
"But seriously, I expected more cute boys. The upperclassmen hate our asses, so I have to look in freshman class. But, everyone's the same, so boo to class of 2013." Shar responded.
"Is that all you care about, cute boys?" Richelle said with a laugh.
"You got me, don't worry about it." Isaac replied as he put his arm around her waist.
"We need to meet more guys like Isaac. Athletic, talented, and most importantly: chill with our group. Right?" Taylor added.
"Yeah." The rest of us girls, minus Kelsi, agreed.
"Liking high school baby sis?" Sean teased as Michael arrived with him.
"I'm getting there, freshman are low. Real low." I answered.
"No shit. Come on Elle, bring your group and chill with us, we don't need you being scared." Kuya Michael added.
"Scared, of what?"
"Oh, you know. Troy Bolton coming towards you, the upperclassmen being dicks to our baby sister, and the fact that you guys are hanging out in this hallway. People swap spit two feet away from you guys, and that really isn't disgusting you at this point?" Kuya replied.
"Tell me you have cute friends, my eyes are burning from this fat guy making out with his girlfriend. He looks like he's going to suck her face off or something." Sharpay butted in, agreeing to my brothers' request without even saying so.
"Haha, f'reals. Sure hanging out with freshman won't bring your rep down?" Chad added.
"Dude, you're hanging out with freshmen, and you don't even have a rep around school, I would know if you did." I butted in, owning Chad in the process.
"Alright, let's go. Anywhere is better than here, right?" Richelle said.
Then, the bell rang.
"Find us after 4th period." Sean said as he and Michael walked to their next class.
They honestly must have rigged the school system or something.
How else would they get so many classes together?
"Yo Elle, let's get going. I heard Brooke is strict." Isaac said as we walked towards English.
"Strict? Please, not even. I heard she never stops smiling. She could be yelling at you, but that smile will be plastered to her face as her angry words seep out. Over the past year, Ryan never stopped complaining about her."
We made in into the classroom and chose seats next to each other. No one close to us was in the group, but there were a few acquaintances.
"There's that smile." Isaac muttered as Ms. Brooke appeared, as though she just came through the wall.
"Hello freshmen! Welcome to English 9, I'll be your teacher, Ms. Brooke."
"Hi." "Hello." "Ugh" were some of the responses our class muttered back.
We really were a rather enthusiastic bunch, now weren't we?
Brooke's class went by uneventful, her infamous smile and boring voice made it difficult to just focus on her words.
Her smile was just plain creepy. Her voice, just made you want to crash your head to the desk for a nap.
Soon, I found myself counting the cracks in the ground, with Isaac making sure I didn't trip on the way to PE.
"Elle, I see Troy." Isaac whispered.
I lifted my head up and began looking around, left, and right, then behind me. "Where is he?" I questioned, uninterested.
"Two seconds away." He pointed forward slightly and the image of Troy was just, there.
"PE?" my ex-Link Crew leader asked.
"Why do you care?" I responded, not wanting to even converse with him.
I really wasn't a sassy person or someone who held a grudge easily. I really wasn't. But, this boy there was something about him that made me feel so pissed off every time we were within sight of each other.
"I'm going there too." He responded simply.
"Bolton," Isaac said. "You're a junior. Unless you failed, which seems unlikely with your status, you shouldn't have PE."
"His status?" I asked.
"Didn't you know he's the co-captain of the basketball team?" Isaac answered in disbelief.
"No, I never knew. Kuya Michael told me that he wasn't the only captain, but he never told me who the other co-captain was.
"Good, you know now." Bolton responded with a wink.
"You know what else I know? You're just trying to make yourself seem wonderful in my eyes after what you did orientation. No, it won't work."
Isaac looked at me with a questioning glance.
I didn't tell the group what happened between me and this bastard. I don't want them worrying or anything like that, because honestly, this guy isn't even worth it.
"You know what you don't know?" Troy asked, following my wording. "That I did pass the fitness test, and finished my two years of PE. But, I'm a student aid, and I'm assisting Coach Willow."
"What are you, fucking stalking me or something? First, I ended up in your Link Crew group, and now you're the student aid for one of my classes?" I responded, as calmly as I possibly could.
On the inside though, I was fuming. How dare he? How dare he always find ways into my life when I try so desperately to block him out of it?
"Come on Elle, I know you're upset. Vent your anger on running, we're supposed to run a mile or something so the Willow gets an idea of how fit we are." Isaac advised as we walked our separate ways into the locker room to change.
"Hey Elle, what's up?" one of my locker row friends questioned.
"Nothing much. There's just this bastard finding every possible way to interfere with my life." I replied.
"If you ask me, it seems like you like him." Andrea responded.
"No, I would never like a fucking bastard like him!" I snapped.
"Sorry." I added a second afterwards, I was a little bit harsh to her after all.
"Vent your anger on running Elle, you'll feel so much better afterwards."
I smiled; it seemed everyone had the same advice today. Alright, I would follow it.
After suiting up, Andrea and I went to find Isaac, and the rest of our PE class.
Everyone was seated and a tall, guy with a weird beard was walking towards the front of our class.
"I'm Coach Willow. Today, all we'll be doing is running a mile to test your fitness and determine how hard you'll be running during the school year. Do your best now, and we'll focus less on running and more on other fitness activities."
Then, Bolton walked towards the front.
"Hi, I'm Troy Bolton, and I'm Willow's student aid. The deal is, any girl who runs faster than me will be lucky enough to win a date." He flirted to our class, Willow not seeming to care.
That's it, I'm not venting my anger on running, and I'll walk the whole damn mile.
"No, I'm joking. Anyone who runs faster than me today will be recommended for Cross Country, and get out of next class's running. So, everyone, try your best, okay?"
He seemed normal when he was talking to them. Not the flirt or bastard he seemed to be whenever he was with me. Sure, he flirted a little bit, but compared to usual, it really wasn't that much.
Coach Willow led a few stretches, and then we were walking to the track.
"Four laps around the track. Your goal is to get under twelve minutes."
The whistle blew.
Was he serious about a twelve minute mile? Willow was rather generous.
"Even if you run slower than me, I'll still give you that date." Troy smirked as he ran effortlessly next to me.
"Nah, I'll pass. And, I doubt I'll be running slower than you. You'll see, Bolton." I replied as the two of us started gaining ground on the less-athletic people.
"You look like one of those girls who isn't too fit Montez, but yet, you're so confident you'll beat me."
A few people, included Isaac, began to pass the two of us, but I knew if I could just keep a constant pace, I would be ahead of some of them in a couple minutes time.
It was my turn to smirk. Running, it's always been some kind of escape for me. The harder I ran, the calmer I felt. "Let your running do the talking." I said softly as I sped up and started a faster pace.
Each time he sped up, I sped up. Then, every time I sped up, he was there next to me as if there was never distance between us.
It came to the point where we had half a mile left.
As we ran in silence, one could hear our footsteps pounding the track in unison, and our breathing was in sync.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
At that point, the two of us managed three laps, and I preparing to sprint the last one by increasing my speed slightly.
I took off, and let the breeze ruffle my hair, it felt exhilarating.
Running was definitely my equivalent to a significant other. It made my heart beat faster, my cheeks flush red, and my mind free of all worries.
"Good job Montez, I didn't expect you to run like this." Troy said as he increased his speed as I increased mine.
"Be surprised." I replied as he kept pace with me and we finished the last lap together.
"6:51, Bolton, what happened to your time? You're off by at least a full minute from the last time I timed you." Willow stated.
So, he stayed with me. Why?
"I guess I have to start running a little more Coach. No worries, I'll be back to my regular mile times after a few more runs." He reassured.
"Why?" I questioned.
He smiled slightly and responded with a question of his own. "What?"
I looked at him in disbelief. Clearly, he knew what I was asking. "Why would you run slower when you could obviously beat me?" I restated.
Troy shrugged. "I know what I'm capable of, but this is actually the first time that you were acting civil and not about to slit my throat." He explained.
"That's it? You're willing to make it seem like you're out of shape just so I would talk to you without sarcasm or insults? Don't expect it often, because this is going to be one of the first and last times, believe me."
I spotted Isaac talking to Andrea, and began walking towards them. I ignored Troy's calls to turn around and talk to him.
He didn't chase after me, whatever; it's not that I expected him to either.
"What'd you get?" Andrea questioned, referring to my mile time.
"6:51, what'd you get?"
"Damn Elle, you're good. 8:32." Andrea replied.
"What about you Isaac?"
"6:01, it's only fifty seconds." Isaac replied.
"You say I'm good, look at Isaac's time!" I exclaimed as Willow dismissed us back to the locker rooms to change.
"For a girl, you know you're pretty good." Isaac assured.
I laughed at his statement. Just because I was a girl? Really now? "I'll get better." I promised. "Running is my drug, once I've started, I have to keep going, and going. It's one of the only things that keep me calm and isolated from this crazy reality."
I waved and stepped into the girls' locker room with Andrea. "See you when I'm changed. Let's find the group, then my brothers."
"Sure." I heard him call out.
As I changed, Andrea kept talking. I had no idea what she was saying because my mind was on other things. I was still thinking about how Troy would actually do that, just so I would be different around him.
What was with this boy? He's constantly occupying my thoughts, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to remove him.
I don't like him. Hell to the no. But, he still won't leave my mind.
"Hey Elle." Isaac called out as I walked out of the locker room.
The two of us walked in silence as we went to meet up with the rest of the group. We ended up in Horny Hallway once again.
Disgusting.
I turned my head and faced my body so I wouldn't be angled towards those making out. "Come on, let's find my Kuyas! I feel like I can't have a normal conversation without just feeling awkward." I exclaimed, the rest of the group agreed.
"Kelsi, and Isaac are going to the orchestra room to work on compositions. Ry and I are going with them." Richelle said as the four of them smiled and waved as they walked away.
That left, Taylor, Jason, Chad, Shar and I to find my brothers.
It really wasn't too hard finding them though. They were one of the bigger groups, and they were basically in the center of the cafeteria.
"Elle, sit here, yeah?" Michael smiled.
Then, he turned towards his group of "popular" people. I wouldn't even try to memorize their names, because I wouldn't even be able to, I knew that much. "Everyone, freshman and Chad. Freshman, and Chad, everyone."
We expressed awkward hellos as the five of us settled into their group. I found myself within hearing distance of where Troy and his friend were sitting.
"Have you got a date with her yet?" his friend questioned.
Troy raised his eyebrows, unknown to him that I was within hearing distance of this conversation. "Gabriella? Nah, not yet. I'm getting there man."
I scoffed, when will he realize that I prefer Gabrielle?
"You can't possibly get her to say yes to you. Even if you're Troy Bolton, it's obvious she hates your guts. Then, she's got Sean, Michael, and Jasmin watching over her. You can't get close that chick."
"Wait for it Zeke. Within a week, I'll have a date with her. She won't know what hit her. I'll expose her attitude, the mask she conceals so cleverly, and her true intentions for being such an ass to me."
I was an ass to him? Look buddy, you better reverse the roles. You're the ass, not me!
"And what are her true intentions?" Zeke asked.
"I'm not sure yet, but for her to mess with me when I was settling things with Serena? Besides, all it takes is a little sweet talking. She really isn't that pretty, but all I have to do is keep sucking up to her and waiting patiently until an opportunity presents itself."
That stung. Even if I didn't want to, I was actually starting to believe his words.
But, in the end, they're false. They're fake just like the personality and kindness he was pretending to show to me.
Can my brothers hear what he's saying? No, they can't. If they did, I know something would have been done.
"Do that, and the usual bet is up. I heard so many guys have wanted to ask her out, but her brothers found out and put a stop to that."
Really now? I would much rather go out with some other guy, at this point, anyone sounds better than him.
I always knew he was a bastard.
"Here's the thing Mr. Baylor. I'm not like those other guys you know. I always win, and you're witness to that."
I couldn't take listening to their conversation anymore, I stormed away from the table and decided I would walk around, just to cool off my anger a little.
Michael, Sean, Shar, Jason, Chad and Taylor saw me leave. I heard their protests. I saw their protests. But, I ignored it. I'd think of something to tell them later.
For now, Bolton was absolutely infuriating. I couldn't stand him. UGH.
I found myself at the track, and I began running, faster and faster.
By the time I was done, I was breathing heavily, but whatever. I waited a few more moments to collect my breath, and then waited for my mind to clear.
As the bell rang, I headed to fifth period.
Then, the bell rang again, and I headed to sixth period.
The rest of the school day, I couldn't even describe in detail. It all seemed to pass like a blur. I couldn't remember what happened if I wanted to.
It was like I was an airplane on autopilot. I kept on track and never deviated from paying attention in class.
The final bell rang, and I started walking towards Sean's car this time. They switch off once in a while to save on gas or something.
"No," I whispered to myself. "Troy Bolton won't get away with this."