Disclaimer: I don't own High School Musical. I own Charlie though, he's the driver. Say hi, Charlie. Charlie: -waves-
Thanks for the reviews last chapter. And, I know this does kinda sound like Hannah Montana but it's so much different, I promise.
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Chapter Two: First Impressions
"I'm Kelsi." Kelsi Nielson said as she glanced at Gabriella. It was the day before school started and Gabriella and Kelsi were going to go to the mall to get to know each other. Currently they had met up at the studio.
"I'--."
"Vanessa, I know who you are."
"And I know you're Kelsi." Gabriella laughed. "Please though, don't call me Vanessa remember nobody's supposed to know. Call me Gabriella, after all it is the name on my birth certificate."
"Right…sorry." Kelsi blushed.
"Don't be sorry. Are you ready to go?"
"Won't people notice you? You know…as Vanessa."
"Oh right," Gabriella hit her hand on her forehead. "Almost forgot. Your father's going to be giving me a wig."
"Really? Want to get it before we leave the studio?"
Gabriella nodded. "I think that would be best."
"Right…" Kelsi replied, feeling stupid about the question that she had asked.
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"Pretty!"
"Yeah, but…I don't think I look good as a red head." The wig that they had given Gabriella was a shoulder length red wig.
"Well, if you can find something better at the mall then buy it."
Gabriella nodded. "Okay."
"Oh, Kels. Here." Mr. Nielson went into his pocket and pulled out his MasterCard. "Buy anything you'd like."
"Thanks dad." Kelsi smiled and hugged her dad gratefully.
"You girls have fun now."
"Of course!" Gabriella smiled before grabbing Kelsi's hand and pulling her out of the room.
"Someone's in a hurry!" Kelsi exclaimed once they were in the parking lot.
Gabriella blushed. "Sorry, but I absolutely love to shop!"
"Not surprised." Kelsi replied as they arrived at car.
Gabriella looked to Kelsi. "What's the supposed to mean?"
"It means I've seen MTV Cribs."
"Oh. Yeah, you know what they say, never wear anything twice." Gabriella shrugged.
Kelsi nodded. "Sure."
"You're not the shopping type?"
"No…"
'How…awkward.' Gabriella thought, she looked to Kelsi who was looking around for the driver.
"Ah. The driver's coming."
"Awesome." Gabriella said in a low voice, dragging the 'e'.
Once they were both in the back of the car, and the driver in the driver's seat, the popstar turned to Kelsi.
"If you don't like shopping then what do you do for fun?"
"Oh. I write." Was her reply.
"Stories?"
"Yeah, and poems…and songs."
"Maybe you can write me a hit song."
"I don't think I'm that good to write a hit."
"Well, we won't know until you write it." Gabriella smiled at her.
After a few silent minutes in the car, Kelsi spoke again. "I'm also in the drama club at school."
"Drama club…is that like…" her voice trailed on.
"Musicals."
"Like Rent?"
"Exactly! Do you like musicals?"
Gabriella shook her head. "No, sorry. I only know about Rent because my ex-best friend was in the play."
"Ex-best friend?"
"Yeah, she basically used me."
"How mean." Kelsi gave a half fake smile.
"So…what else do you like to do besides write?"
"I skateboard."
Gabriella's eyes widened. "You skateboard?"
"Yeah."
"Maybe we can go skateboarding after the mall!"
"I didn't bring my skateboard."
"Oh…"
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Kelsi decided to ask.
Gabriella looked at Kelsi. "No time. You?"
Kelsi nodded.
"You do?" Gabriella's eyes widened.
"Surprised?" Kelsi asked rudely.
"I…Uh, no. It's just that you're so quite and shy it seems, I just can't imagine how you'd have a boyfriend." Gabriella quickly regretted the words that came out of her mouth.
"Excuse me!"
"I'm sorry!"
Kelsi glared at the popstar, who was now biting her bottom lip as the car stopped.
"Ladies we're here."
"Good." Kelsi looked to Gabriella. "You can get out and go shopping by yourself. I'll be here waiting."
"But…"
"But nothing, just…go."
"Fine!" Gabriella got out of the car and slammed the door in rage.
Kelsi stopped glaring once Gabriella had gotten out of the car. She crossed her arms and pouted.
"Miss. Nielson. I have driven you around since you nine and never have I heard you speak like that to anyone."
"This is different, Charlie."
"How so?"
"She's…I just can't stand her. I hate her music, I hate what it's about. She never writes anything meaningful, it's all crap."
"I'm sure she didn't write the music herself."
"Maybe not…but still…"
"The Miss. Nielson I know wouldn't have treated anyone like that without getting to know them."
Kelsi ran her finger tips through her hair. "I know. Just knowing her music and what it stands for. It makes me so mad."
"Will, she asked you to write her a hit. Maybe you could change all that?"
"I'm pretty sure my songs wont."
"Miss. Nielson, you should at least give her a chance."
Kelsi sighed, maybe she had been a bit rude.
"You know, I've never seen you act like this around Sharpay. Usually you're shy and does whatever she says."
"I've known Sharpay since first grade. Sharpay knows me, Vanes—Gabriella doesn't. You wouldn't understand."
"It's easier to be yourself around someone you've just met because they don't know the real you, than someone who you've always known and has always controlled you."
"…apparently you do understand."
"Yes, I do." He turned forward.
Kelsi Nielson sighed and stepped out of the car.
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"I so wouldn't go for that wig. It makes you face look square and blonde so doesn't look right on you."
Gabriella turned around at the voice and frowned. "Come to add salt to my wounds."
"No…I want to say sorry." Kelsi replied as she sat down in the seat next to the vanity mirror inside the story, Hair and Things.
"Okay, you said it…bye." Gabriella took off the wig and then placed the red one back on.
"I come in peace and with a strawberry milkshake." Kelsi held out one of the milkshakes that was in her hand that was almost shaking from the coldness.
"Thanks." Gabriella reached out and grabbed the milkshake. "Strawberries my favorite."
Kelsi smiled. "Gabi, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you like that. I don't even really know you. And to be honest I hate your music, and I held that against you."
"You hate my music?"
Kelsi nodded.
"I'm glad. Honestly, I love my music, but I'm glad I have someone who will like me, or get to know me, for me not my music."
"So…friends." Kelsi held out her hand for Gabriella to shake. Gabriella shook it.
"Friends."
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Gabriella had finally chosen a nice wig; it went to her shoulders and was cherry wood red, unlike the bright red wig that she had been wearing.
They had just exited the food court and had shopping bags filled with new clothes for school in them and were about to go to the car and hang at Gabriella's house when they were stopped by Sharpay, clad fully in pink from head to toe in true Sharpay fashion.
"Kelsi! Oh, Kelsi!" Sharpay's preppy voice called as she walked over to Gabriella and Kelsi who looked at each other than to the blonde.
"Sharpay. Hi."
"I know I haven't talked to you all summer, but I just wanted to let you know that I can't wait for the winter musical this year!"
"Me either." Kelsi genuinely smiled.
"I want at least three solos!"
"Of course, I'll get right on it."
"You might not have to." Sharpay then leaned forward as if she was telling Kelsi a secret. "I heard that someone was trying take over your composer spot!"
Kelsi frowned. "Who?"
"Sworn to secrecy!" Sharpay placed her finger over her lips and nodded. "Well, I'm going to go. Meet me by the doors of the school at 7:50." School started at 8.
"Okay."
"Bye, Kels." Sharpay said, but before she left she glanced at Gabriella, who was watching her with interest, "ew." She told her before walking away.
Gabriella looked to her friend. "She's your friend."
"Her name is Sharpay, she runs the drama club. And I do mean run." Gabriella and Kelsi linked arms as they began to walk to the exit.
"Seems like a…"
"Ice queen. Yeah, she is."
"I was going to say something that started with a b and ends with itch, but okay."
"I wouldn't say she's all that. She's deceiving, and manipulative…but, she's…just someone who knows what she wants and goes after it."
"Well, she better stay far away for me…or it's on." Gabriella warned.
"Trust me, Gabi. She's nothing to get worked up over." Kelsi said as they neared the car.
"You think?"
"I know."
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A/n: So, I finally update after a long ass time (SORRY!) and the chapter sucks. Feel free to tell me you hate it because I know it's not my best. I have plans for this story though and I will get the next chapter out soon, I hope. Thanks for reading, please leave a review. – Parker.