A/N: S'okay. So this takes place before and after Troy and Gabriella meet at the party and sing The Start of Something New, up until they meet at East High. Maybe it'll go a little further--I dunno.

And this is the idea you gave me, Celine. How... I dunno. xP Hope you like it! Read and review, please!

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Gabriella Montez tucked a piece of her wavy, dark brown hair behind her ear, engrossed in the novel she was currently reading. Mrs. Montez had to lead her brainy daughter throughout the corridors of the ski lodge. "Here's the teens party... I'll see you next year."

Gabriella laughed weakly. As soon as her mother left, her eyes darted around, and she looked like a little frightened animal about to become roadkill. What on earth am I supposed to do here? She had a hopeful thought and looked around for anyone who looked interested in talking to her, but found no one. Shrugging nonchalantly, she settled down on the nearest chair and reopened her novel, smoothing out the dogear bookmark she had made.

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"Kids' party," Troy Bolton muttered, standing around stupidly. He didn't know any of these people, and it was too dark to play basketball--besides, Troy guessed that none of these kids in freakish hats would be very good at the sport, anyway. He stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looked around, trying to appear like he was looking for someone. He had to stifle a laugh when people came up and sang kareoke. Who on earth would willingly go up there and make a fool out of himself with a complete stranger? He shook his head condescendingly, so sure that he would never be guilty of such a thing.

I don't sing! Troy protested to himself, but he miserably found that he was forced onstage, anyway, along with a girl he had never met who looked just as eager as he felt.

Gabriella looked and felt very uncomfortable, hugging herself. When the first verse came, she balked. Good thing that other guy sang... When the next two lines came, Gabriella finally got up the nerve to sing. It didn't end up sounding that bad at all... in fact, they sounded good.

The "couple" found themselves growing more and more confident and comfortable with the song and with each other. Soon they were talking and laughing as though they had known each other for years and years.