(This story supposes that Gabriella does not yet exist in Troy's life, and Troy is the only character present from High School Musical in his story. All the other characters are fictional, but have been inspired by some real-life people.)

Troy looked at his watch. It was 3:15. Soccer practice had ended late today and his date with his girlfriend Annie was in five minutes. He would definitely have to run if he wanted to make it. Troy took off his shirt (Aaaah!) and got dressed. He was wearing a dark blue polo shirt, faded blue jeans, and a sporty Adidas jacket. He rushed to the front of the school and found Annie looking at her watch, mouthing the seconds as they went by. Her clock went off and she looked up. Her brown hair blew in the wind and she ruffled it with her fingers, and she smiled, her eyes twinkling. They exchanged a (small, 4-second) kiss, (some tongue action for those girls gawking at their computers and walked to Umberto's.

Umberto's was the local hangout for students at California South High, or CSH, a high school in San Luis Obispo, California. Troy was the star player on the soccer team, the forward, so he was always scoring the goals and he was always cheered on. But Annie was never there to watch him play. She was always busy with her singing, dancing and cheerleading practices, so she never had time for Troy, and he was kind of bothered. But he still really liked Annie.

The couple ordered two Dolce de Leche shakes and sat down at a small, cozy table far away from the crowded café.

"I've been thinking about… us," said Troy, sipping his milkshake. "I'm always at your big performances, I go to basketball games even though I don't like basketball that much just to watch you cheer, and I've gone to three Cheerleading tournaments since we've been together. We've been a couple for three months now. And you haven't shown up at any of my soccer games."

"Troy, I've told you a gazillion times," sighed Annie, stroking Troy's hand. "I'm too busy!"

"Well I'm busy too! And I can still make it to your… stuff. I've heard you sing a billion times, it wouldn't hurt if you came to at least one of my soccer games, Annie."

"Come on, Troy, you know that I love you, and that—"

"Annie, I can't do this anymore. I need your support, I need you to be there, and all I get are your apologies. I'm done."

"But we haven't even finished our shakes, Troy. Can't we talk about this?" sighed Annie.

"Sorry, Annie. But I'm taking this shake to go. I can't do this anymore," said Troy, standing up. He kissed Annie on the cheek, then whispered, "Sorry", and walked out.

Troy walked home and called up Rachel, his best friend. He knew he could always count on her to show up at is games, so why couldn't Annie have done that? Anyway, it was too late now! Troy locked his bedroom door and dialed Rachel's number on his cell phone.

"Hello?" asked Rachel. Rachel was 15, three years younger than Troy, but she understood him more than anyone else. She wasn't popular like Troy, but was incredibly beautiful. She was blonde and had blue eyes and always made Troy feel better about anything.

"Rachel… it's me."

"Troy, hey! How was your day?" asked Rachel. She could sense something was wrong.

"Well… I just broke it up with Annie," sighed Troy. He lied down on his bed.

"Sorry hon, but you know she wasn't right for you. I mean, Troy, I'm your best friend right?"

"And…"

"Well, can I be honest with you then?"

"Of course."

"Well then, honestly now. You've been so blind as to choose a girl like Annie, the most popular girl in school, the cheerleader, the singer, the actress… she's nice, don't get me wrong, but she just didn't have enough time for you! You need a girl who will support you and be there for you! And, honestly, I'm just not sure you're capable of finding a girl like that! I mean, I just think you're so into popular girls that you couldn't find a nice, down to earth, normal girl if you wanted to," said Rachel.

"Wanna bet?" asked Troy.

"Yeah… okay. I'll give you a month, and if you can find a down to earth, honest girl that you truly like and that likes you back, and that you can be with, who will actually be there for you, who will devote her time to be there… you win. And if you can't, well then… you lose!"

"And what's at risk here? Free shake on me at Umberto's, a kiss on the cheek… five bucks?" asked Troy.

"Are you kidding? Come on, those are lame prizes! If you win… I'll join the cheerleading squad."

"WHAT?" Troy was shocked. Rachel hated the idea of girls prancing around in short skirts and cheering to a bad sport like basketball. "And what if I lose?"

"If you lose, you join the cheerleading squad," giggled Rachel.

"What? A bunch of hot girls won't let me join the cheerleading squad!"

"Troy! You're the most popular guy in school! Trust me, they won't mind the extra-attention they would get from people coming to see you dance!" laughed Rachel.

Troy thought about the situation for a moment. Annie was definitely nice, but Rachel was right. She wasn't the down to earth, devoted, supportive girl he was meant to be with. He needed to find that girl. But risk his manlihood by joining the Cheer squad? It was definitely risky!

"You're on, and this starts tomorrow," said Troy, and hung up the phone.