Next day. Still a very typical day for East High students.
The WildCats hoopsters were all dining and chatting at the cafeteria before classes start. Of course, that includes Troy and his pals.
Gabriella was also dining there. She grabbed some snacks to munch on while reading some classic books. She didn't noticed that she was sitting at Ryan and Sharpay's table, the table where everyone needs qualifications just to be able to sit with them.
"Excuse me, but just because you think that you're the prettiest girl around here, makes you all famous now and can sit with us here? For your info, this table's reserved for the most famous around here. And most of all, for us, copresidents of the Drama Club.", Sharpay suddenly told Gabriella.
"Huh? Oh, I'm really sorry. I didn't... know. And I don't think I'm that pretty like you...", Gabriella answered.
"I'm glad you know that. I'm more famous than you. Remember that, and act like it! Now, buzz off!", Sharpay shouted.
"O-okay!", Gabriella kept her cool. She had always thought that every student has equal rights, and there were no group of students like these from her schools back then. Now, there were the brainiacs, jocks, spice girls, commoners, and many more.
She sat beside the brainiacs, not knowing, which included Taylor and her Chemistry Club members. They were studying for a quiz later. They should always be prepared because they never know when they're gonna give some surprise quizzes, Taylor always taught them that.
"Oh, hi.", said Taylor welcoming her to their table. "Almost everybody's welcome here... Oh, wait! You're that new girl from our class! Hi there, I'm Taylor McKessie. President of the Chemistry Club. And you are?"
"Oh, thanks. But I thought everybody already asked for my name?", Gab said.
"By everybody, did you mean the jocks and cool guys?", Taylor joked.
"Heehee... I don't really know! But there were loads of them, mostly like them! Heehee... Oh, I'm Gabriella Montez. Glad to meet you.", said Gab.
"Sure, nice to meet you, too. You can sit with us, you're very much welcomed.", said Taylor.
"Um, thanks for not pushing me off like that girl over there...", Gabriella said, pointing at Sharpay.
"Oh, you mean Sharpay? She's always like that, feeling all bossy around. She was like that since she and her brother, Ryan, that guy beside her, have been elected as co-presidents of the Drama Club ruled by Ms. Darbus. You should be used to it.", Taylor told her.
"Um, do you know that guy over there? That basketball player, am I right?", Gab suddenly switched the topic.
"Oh, that... guy. Actually we can never call him just a guy. He's so perfect, everybody's screaming head over heels for him except for the guys of course. But yet, he's so nice which makes him unusual from all heartthrobs. He's Troy Bolton, our very own basketball hottie and heartthrob. Everywhere he goes, there's always those bunch of girls chanting "Troy, you're so cute! Can you be my guy? Please marry me!" Then he'd laugh and smile.", Taylor told.
"Really? Yeah, he seemed nice when he asked my name.", Gabriella answered.
"Yeah, he's so cute, everybody agrees. So, you wanna get to know him, huh?", Taylor asked.
"Oh, I wish.", then Gab noticed the people beside Taylor. "Who are they? You all seem to be serious in studying.", Gabriella giggled.
"Oh, everybody should be, like us. We're the brainiacs here. Oh, everybody calls us that, but I feel so honored.", Taylor proudly said.
"Yeah. At my other schools, I was also like you and won so much awards for my scho...", Gab stopped.
"Huh!? Really? That's great! Then maybe you'd wanna join our club! Please? I teach them almost everyday. And you know how it is, being the only teacher of the club, is really exhausting and tiring. Oh, Gabriella, please?", Taylor asked.
Gabriella cannot believe that she just spilled about her past. The past she never wanted to be revealed again. She had always thought of what would be appropriate for her more than being a geek herself. Everybody thought she always boasted for her beauty and brains, which hurt her feelings. That was never true. She never wanted to be so perfect.
"Well? Please? Oh, Gabriella? I tell you, if you join us and become a co-president and co-tutor of the club, you'll never be sorry. I promise I'll help you out if I can. So, you'll join us, right? It's not so tough, considering your past experiences, right?", Taylor pleased.
"I know that, and I'm really overwhelmed. But I really need to think about it first before joining any thing around here. Could you give me some more time to think about it?", Gab asked.
"Oh, sure. I'll wait for your answer and decision tomorrow after classes, okay?", Taylor told her.
"Okay, sure. Thanks, really.", Gab said.
The bell rang. Time for classes.
After the drastic discussions and difficult lessons studied, they all left the school. Except for the players.
After a scheduled practice at the gymnasium, Troy changed from his basketball jersey to his normal clothes. He went to his locker, where he usually stocks his school stuff, everything involving studies, and went away. Suddenly...
"Ouch!!! Oohh, my stuff! I'm sorry!", Gabriella said.
"No, I'm sorrier. Miss...", Troy suddely stopped.
Gabriella giggled. "Sorrier? Thanks for helping me pick my stuff up... Hey, you're that guy from my class! You're Troy Bolton, right? That heartthrob?", she asked him.
"Wha...? They told you that too? Oh no, don't believe that... It's all a joke. I'm... so not perfect.", Troy muttered looking at her.
"Really? Heehee... That's not true! I don't believe that! It's so obvious, see?", Gabriella pointed at a banner behind them, placed at the wall. It read "GO TROY, WIN! YOU'RE SO CUTE, WE LOVE YOU!"
"Oh, never mind that. Wait, what are you doing here late? Classes are long long over!", Troy suddenly asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's kind of private.", Gabriella muttered.
"Oh, okay. I understand. I wouldn't wanna barge in other's privacy.", Troy said.
He looked really nice, and humble. She made him remember about his long time bestfriend from the past. But it could never be him, he looked geeky and nerdy, unlike Troy, he looked so... perfect. She thought.
"Okay, I think it's okay to let you know my little secret. Just promise to keep it. Promise?", Gab asked.
"What? Seriously? You're not kidding, are you? Me, know it? But why...?", Troy asked.
"I just knew you were nice. It's all.", Gab said. She cannot deny the fact that she really felt some strong connection with Troy which made her trust him.
"Alright. I promise, miss Montez.", Troy said.
Then Gabriella suddenly grabbed Troy's hand and ran upstairs. Troy was surprised. This girl, who was so familiar to him, suddenly be close to him. But he still can't remember her. The thought of his past never slipped to his mind. That's what made him very confused.
Gabriella led him to a secret room behind the Chemistry laboratory.
"Welcome to my private spot! Well, I don't know if it is private. Or if anyone ever knew this place. All I know is that it's so peaceful here, I love it! Perfect for reading books!", Gab said.
"Yeah. I've always wanted a spot like this, so calm and... orderly.", Troy said, now looking at her.
"Why is that? Is your room that unorderly?", Gabriella laughed.
"Uh, kinda... Well, it's nothing. I clean it up later.", Troy said.
"Can I ask you something? When you finish studies, where do you see yourself?", Gabriella asked.
"Alright! An interview show! Okay... I see myself as an athlete... or not.", Troy suddenly switched from energetic to feeling depressed.
"Hm? Really? Uh, why not?", Gab asked.
"I don't know. I never wanted to be an athlete. I always wanted to find... myself. My real and true self. I am still so proud to say that I'd prefer studying than video games and stuff like that.", Troy said.
"Me, too. I always try to look for my real self, and what I would want to be in the future.", Gab said.
"You mean, that's not you?", Troy joked.
"Of course, it's still me!", Gabriella laughed. "You know, you almost sound like my childhood bestfriend. Except you don't look like him, that's just the difference."
"Really? Wow... I never thought about that..." Troy said.
"He's the reason why I came back here. I wanted to find him, too. I came back to explain to him everything. But, he probably doesn't wanna face me anyway.", Gab felt down.
"But why?", Troy asked.
"He was angry at me when I left him. I felt his sadness, his sorrow... Oh, why am I telling you all these? You probably don't care about it, and I'm sure that you don't know him...", Gabriella said.
Principal Matsui was inspecting rooms that time. Troy knew that, and he told Gabriella. They ran out the school gate and hurriedly went to each other's houses, quickly bidding goodbyes.