Thanks for the response on this story - I know its not the best, but I just had the idea and began to write it. Thanks for the reviews on both storys - but I'll go into that the next time I update my other story[tonight. Special thanks to CompetiveSwimmaChick - your review was really sweet, and Im actually taking what you said about Troy's POV, and Chapter 3 will be his POV :

Please review, and enjoy the story :)

xx Rhia.

Chapter 2 – He's Changed

It was lunch and I was sitting on a table with Taylor, who was explaining the rules of East High.

''Smart people, i.e. us – do not interact with jocks i.e. Troy Bolton..'' She said strictly.

''What? No mixing at all?'' I asked confused.

''Nope. We practically live in a different world to them. Oh and we don't interact with the drama club either, not that we'd want to – Sharpay Evans is the most stuck up person ever, in close second has to be Chad Danforth, I cannot stand him!'' She stressed.

''Chad Danforth?'' I asked.

''Troy's best friend. Only he's worse than Troy – you'll get to know him. He walks past us every day with a dull nerd comment..''

''Why can't everyone just be friends?'' I asked sadly.

''Gabriella, this is high school – not kindergarten!'' Taylor laughed.

''I guess your right, its just Troy actually seemed nice.''

''Ha! You'll learn don't worry!''

Once we'd finished our lunch we walked over to our lockers to get our books for our next lesson – English.

''Oh look the nerd crew has a new member!'' I heard someone call behind me.

''Still haven't grown up Chad?'' Taylor asked sarcastically.

''Still haven't got a boyfriend Taylor?'' Troy laughed. I stood there looking at him, shocked. He didn't seem like this earlier – I decided to but in.

''What's up with you – you've changed since this morning?'' I asked him.

Troy stood there looking down at his feet.

''Troy hasn't changed – he just doesn't interact with you nerds.'' Chad high fived him, ''Anyway we'll leave you geeks and your knew member to get on with your extra homework – bye losers.'' He said as he walked off.

''Wow. Your right they are stuck up jocks'' I said while walking towards English.

I got in and sat beside Taylor when the teacher, Miss. Masters came into the room.

''Silence class! I have an assignment to explain, and were going to jump right into it!'' She shouted across the room.

''Your going to be in partners, writing a book report on a book called High School Dramas. You will also be commenting on it, giving your own views on what you think of high school dramas, and all these groups.'' She continued.

I sighed looking over to Troy, wondering why he hadn't answered my question earlier.

''I'm going to be partnering you up boy, girl, and you will be from your different so called groups'' Miss Masters finished.

''Bolton you'll be with Maddie.'' She called.

''Maddie's not here miss..'' Troy said.

''Oh, in that case you'll be with Gabriella, our new student!''

''What!?'' I practically shouted.

''Is there a problem Miss. Montez?'' Miss. Masters asked.

''No, no problem!'' I smiled sweetly.

Troy sank into his seat slowly.

''Danforth, your going to be paired up with Taylor, as I want you to actually bond in his assignment!''

''Miss. Masters! There's no way I can work with this loser!'' Chad called out.

''There is a way, and I'm sure you could find it now – or in detention with me for the rest of the week!?'' She asked him.

''I'm sure I could find it now..'' He answered quickly.

She carried on reading names from the list then told us to sit by our partners.

I walked over to Troy and sat beside him.

''Why didn't you answer my question earlier?'' I asked curiously.

''What question?''

''I asked what was wrong with you, the way you acted to Taylor, wasn't the way you acted to me earlier..'' I said softly.

I saw Troy look back at Chad, who was grinning at him.

''Cos she's a dork obviously – and I didn't know you were then..'' He answered simply.

''What?'' I asked shocked.

''Let's just get on with this project – I want to spend the least amount of time with you please!'' He said awkwardly.

''Oh. Okay fine let's get on with it then..'' I said sadly.

---

I walked into homeroom the next day, still thinking about Troy. I couldn't understand how he could change so fast. He was nice and sweet to me in the morning, then so rude later on. I thought he seemed pretty awkward around me.

I walked through the door and sat down in my seat next to Taylor, and smiled at her.

''You okay?'' She asked.

''Yeah. I'm good'' I answered plainly. I wasn't obviously. I wanted to find out what caused Troy to turn against me.

I looked up to see Troy, Chad and the rest of the basketball team come into the room, laughing. I saw Troy look up at me and stop laughing at walk straight to his seat. I sat there confused, wondering why he was being like this.

After Ms. Darbus had told us the morning announcements, I wondered out of the door to find Troy. I saw him walk towards his locker, so I decided to follow him.

''Troy!'' I called after him, and he turned around slowly.

''Uh, hey..'' He said.

''I was wondering if you wanted to work on our assignment together, say free period?'' I asked smiling.

He began to nod, but then stopped when he looked in a certain direction.

''Why would I want to spend my free period with you? Its bad enough I have to spend my English lessons with you!'' He said awkwardly.

My mouth dropped open. ''Fine.'' I said after a while turning around, to see Chad standing behind me smirking. I brushed past him and walked towards my next lesson which I sadly had with Troy, Music.

I walked into the door, nodding at Taylor then sitting behind her.

After a short while, Troy came in without looking at me and sat at the back.

''Good morning! Today were going to be looking at the art of singing!'' The teacher, Mr. Moore exclaimed.

I groaned with the class. All I needed now, was to sing in front of the whole class. How embarrassing. I'd been told I had a good voice – but my voice was for the shower to hear only. At least then I knew they wouldn't start laughing at me.

''I know, I know! Your thinking, how embarrassing? But I'm way ahead of you!'' He laughed, ''you will be singing in partners. You will be giving a song and the rest of the lesson to learn – then you will get up and perform!'' Mr. Moore happily said.

I sighed. Knowing my luck I'd be stuck with the worst singer ever.

''I've spoken to Ms. Masters and she's told me your already in partners for a English project, so to avoid confusion – you will be partnered up with your English study buddies!'' He laughed at his own, lame joke.

I looked at Troy, who was looking at me, but then quickly looked away.

''Gabriella Montez and Troy Bolton! You will be singing, Start of Something New!'' The teacher before us grinned.

I look the lyrics and read them.

Troy sank in his seat beside me.

''So can you sing?'' I casually asked.

''Not really. You?'' He asked quietly.

''Same. But I guess we better learn the lyrics.. We only have 30 minutes to practise..'' I suggested.

He nodded and we read the lyrics together.

Half an hour later we were standing in front of the class, getting ready to sing.

Troy/Gabriella.

Living in my own world,

Didn't understand, that anything could happen,

When you take the chance..

I looked at Troy, surprised at his good voice.

I never believed in what I couldn't see,

I never opened my heart to all the possibilities..