Prologue

She watched from the shadows as Troy and Gabriella performed Breaking Free as everyone danced along. She scowled. Just when she mustered enough courage to talk to Troy, that Gabriella girl had to come. So once again, she watched from the sidelines as everyone else lived their happy little lives.

She'd admit it. She was bitter. And jealous, insanely jealous.

She'd watched Troy ever since she moved to East High three years ago. You could say it was love at first sight. Or at least crush at first sight. She wasn't one to use the word love lightly. He was the perfect guy for her, cute, funny, and athletic. What else could a girl ask for?

Now if only she could get the courage to actually say something to him other then "excuse me".

And get rid of Gabriella. She rolled her eyes at the thought of the other girl. She was just so… sweet. It annoyed her to no end.

And here she was, an outcast you could say. She didn't really belong to a clique, floating in between groups, acquaintances with mostly everyone, but close friends with none. So her being with Troy Bolton, star basketball player, were slim to none. But hey, a girl can dream can't she?

And Meghan White sure did dream big.

Meghan cursed under her breath as she was pushed around in the hustle of after school madness at East High. Being only 5 foot even tends to get her overlooked in the all the activity. She squealed when someone bumped into her, causing her to drop her books. She once again let out a string of curse words that would make a pirate blush.

She quickly bent down to pick up her books before they could get lost in the shuffle. At least the person who had bumped into her had some sort of decency to help her. She was about to go off at the unfortunate person who had caught her at the wrong time when she noticed those blue eyes.

Troy Bolton.

"Um, sorry I bumped into you, I wasn't looking where I was going," Troy apologized as he searched the crowds for someone.

"It's okay Troy, it was my fault," Meghan said softly. Damn these butterflies she always got whenever Troy was around.

"You know who I am?"

"Who doesn't know the famous Troy Bolton, big basketball star and new lead in the school musical?" she said smiling, "Besides, you're in some of my classes."

"Meghan right?" Troy asked. Meghan flushed slightly, he actually knew who she was. Just as Meghan was about to reply, Gabriella came from behind Troy and hugged him from behind.

"Hey Troy, we've been waiting for you," she said. She noticed Meghan, who was now scowling slightly. "Oh, um, hi. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"No, I was just leaving," said Meghan, a bit dejectedly. "I guess I'll see 'round Troy." But Troy grabbed her arm before she could leave. Meghan could've sworn there were sparks when they touched.

"Wait, you wanna join us Meghan?" Troy asked. Meghan glanced at Gabriella nervously.

"I wouldn't want to impose," she said, looking for a reaction from the other girl.

"I'm sure you wouldn't," insisted Troy. For some reason, Troy really wanted Meghan to come, and that bothered Gabriella.

"That's okay, I've got stuff to do," Meghan said a bit apprehensively. "I'll see you later Bolton. Montez."

Gabriella raised a brow at Troy when Meghan left.

"What?" Troy defended, "I was just trying to be friendly."

"Let's go Troy," Gabriella said as she sighed under her breath.

A/N: So what do you think? It's my first HSM fanfic, I hope you like!

Oh and by the way, I only own Meghan White, Disney Channel owns High School Musical and all it's characters and East High.