Author's Note: Thanks to all of those who review, you know how much I appreciate it. It truly inspires me to write more. I think this may be finished a lot sooner than my other story. I really, really hope so anyways. Okay, on with the story!

DISCLAIMER: I STILL DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL OR THE CHARACTORS AND I STILL OWN THE RIGHTS TO MY STORY AND MADE UP CHARACTORS.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

BACK TO SCHOOL

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

I reached over and smacked the alarm clock. It took a couple of tries, but the high pitched ringing finally stopped. I wiped my eyes and slowly sat up.

"Troy, you better get ready. It's your first day of your senior year!" It sounded like she was crying, she always cries when she realizes her little boy is growing up.

I rolled my eyes and crawled out of my bed and walked over to my dresser. I grabbed some new clothes form the drawer. I strangely enjoy that about the new school year. New year, new clothes, new start.

A new start, just what I need after this summer. Gabriella and I split because there just wasn't anything there. It was like kissing my sister, I loved her but not as a girlfriend. Which was fine with her, since she had fallen for Jason while working at the country club.

I walked into the bathroom, and began to undress. I ran the water in the shower until steam came out. I know its not good, but I have to be burned from the water, just to keep me awake long enough to get through the day.

After, my shower I walked down the steps to the kitchen to see a nice stack of waffles waiting for me. I love my mom, but she over does it when she cooks. I mean, who needs a stack of 5 waffles.

"Ready for the big day?" My dad could, honestly, care less its my last first day of high school, he's just overly excited about our first game today after school.

"Yeah, I mean we didn't practice half of the summer for nothing, right?" I fought hard not to be overly sarcastic. I love my dad to death, don't get me wrong, but he is just so obsessed with basketball. It makes me sick to my stomach, sometimes.

"Oh, it's 7:30. Troy you better head out now, or you'll be late for homeroom." Mom still had tears rolling down her cheeks. I gave her a kiss and headed to my truck.

It took two or three tries, but it finally started and I headed off to school. I live a mile away from the school, so it's a really short drive. The traffic is bumper the bumper with everyone rushing to school and work. I try not to let people notice that I'm terrified. I actually hate large crowds, they make me sick to my stomach.

I began to continue my way after a red light, when a pink convertible came rushing down the road. I slammed on my brakes just centimeters from hitting it. It was Sharpay Evans, and her stereotypically gay brother. I like Ryan, as friend that is. We hung out of the summer, and I realized he's nothing like the ice princess. He's pretty laid back and chill, but he didn't look like it just now. He was holding for dear life as his sister sped down the road. I don't think he had a hat on for once, it probably flew off, since Sharpay was flying down the road.

HONK!

Troy, focus. Stop worrying about Ryan Evans and get to school, people are waiting.

I pulled into the parking lot in the only open spot available, next to the Ice Queen herself.

"Hey Troy!" Sharpay squealed form the other side of her car.

God her voice gets on my nerves. It's so high pitched and loud. I don't understand why she must squeal and yell over everything.

"Hi Sharpay." I rolled my eyes as I got out of my truck. "Oh, hey Ry."

He was sliding out of the passenger seat. The blood was beginning to come back to his face, she really scared him half to death.

"Hey T-Troy." He was stuttering. He wasn't just scared, Sharpay had him terrified.

"Are you alright, man? You don't look good." I decided I'd help calm him down, I just don't want him to have to go to the nurse on the first day over a panic attack.

"Yeah, I am now that I'm out of that death trap. I wasn't really worried before until my airhead of a sister almost plowed into you." He was almost back to normal, the blood completely returned to his face now.

"Hey, I didn't want to be late, and no one was hurt!" She was yelling at him. Well, she certainly hasn't changed since I saw her last.

"Luckily! I thought we were all dead Shar! I'm driving myself tomorrow!"

"Are you serious? One little scare and your never riding with me again?!" She squealed in a higher pitch, than I thought possible, but this is Sharpay.

"Hey, lets not argue. We're fine for now, Ryan I can give you a ride home after school if you want. Sharpay, don't flip he's just freaked for now." I am always the mediator for everyone, it gets old after a while. As long as I don't have to here them argue, I don't care.

"Yeah, that would be great thanks, Troy." Ryan flashed his award winning-smile. It made my heart pound faster.

Wait, why is my heart pounding faster. I mean Ryan smiles all the time, and this hasn't happened before.

"Hello? Earth to basketball junkie! Your going to be late! Come on! Gosh, what's up with spacing out for no reason. I think the sun got to you over the summer." Sharpay talks so fast, I can barely understand her sometimes. Plus, she's always judging people. I just rolled my eyes and walked to homeroom.

I sat down in my seat just in time for the bell to ring. I turned to ask Chad a question.

"Mr. Bolton, not only did you barely miss being tardy, but your also talking in my class. That will not be tolerated, I'll let it go since it's the first day I'll let it slide. Don't let it happen again!"

Ms. Darbus' voice was sing song as normal. I know she use to perform on Broadway, but does she have to sing everything?

She began, sing-songing, her lecture of the day. It had something to do with hitting pitches on key. I looked around, and noticed, for the first time, how all the wild cats had changed since I seen them at the country club. I noticed Sharpay stayed the same, Ryan was dressed normal. It was odd to see him in a jacket and jeans, tight jeans at that. Gabriella got a hair cut, Chad still had a bush of a fro, but it was somewhat shorter. Kelsi must have got a hold of Ryan's hats, and he must of got her tight jeans.

"Troy are you coming?" Chad's voice broke my train of thought.

"What?"

"You really spaced out there, the bell rang. It's time for free period."

"Right, coming."

We walked to the gym. I guess no one changed completely, considering we came to the gym all last year on free period.

We went to the locker room, and changed. Chad still had clothes in here from last year, sick! I brought some from home. We walked out on the court and started with some free throws. I hit everyone of them, of course.

Then we decided to do some passing drills. Chad throws hard and fast, it sting when the ball hits my hands. I just shoot the ball back just as hard.

"So, did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

How did he always know everything before me?

"Gabriella and Jason broke up."

"Okay? What's the big deal?"

I don't see why that's such a big deal. It wasn't like they were really serious.

"He broke up with her, because he's gay!"

I lost my concentration and the ball smacked me in the face. I hit the floor instantly and grabbed my face. I looked down and seen blood running off my hands.

"Troy! Are you okay? I didn't mean to hit you!" Chad ran over to me and helped me off the ground.

"Yeah, I'll be fine just hit my nose, hard. "

That's an understatement. I've never been hit that hard before, it felt look running into a brick wall while running at speeds of 40 mph. I wouldn't be shocked if my nose was broken.

"Maybe you should go see the nurse. Crap! There's blood on the court!"

"Okay, you clean up the blood before my dad kills us both, and I'll go to the nurse."

My dad's really strict when it comes to the court, if one drop of blood hit's the floor, he goes ballistic. The floor is only a few years old, and he plans to keep it looking brand new.

I got to the nurses office and sat down in a waiting chair. I just held my face, I didn't really touch my nose it would feel like death if I did.

The door opened, and Ryan Evans walked out. He had a black eye.